Critical Conversations

In this episode, Karissa recaps the soul-shifting magic of her recent Nicaragua retreat—from horseback rides and farm-to-table meals to quiet revelations and big releases under the stars.

But this conversation goes deeper than the beauty of retreat life. It’s about what happens after. When the bags are unpacked and the normal world returns.

✨ Why we need sacred space away from it all

✨ How clarity is born in stillness, but transformation lives in action

✨ What’s coming in 2026 (👀) and how to get on the waitlist

✨ And the truth about post-retreat support, accountability, and the work of becoming

This is for the ones who are craving space to hear themselves again. And for those who have already had the breakthrough— but need support holding it.

Your retreat glow deserves to last. And this episode will remind you how.

🎧 Tune in now & get ready to feel it all over again.

Email to join March 2026 Nicaragua Retreat Waitlist or learn more about working 1:1 with Karissa: [email protected] 

October 2025 Brasada Retreat Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9xw2xya/lp/5d095fd7-0dac-4643-a50a-667d528df279?source_id=481497c2-64ac-4542-8f23-fd36bd543b80&source_type=em&c=I-HGUL2xckzDtE37EVNsVTqfhW4yZJkczJu80fTN2Gdjwa0SHL9X1w==

In this episode, Karissa pulls back the curtain on the last 7 months—the unraveling, the realignment, and what it actually looks like to navigate divorce while running a heart-led business.

No sugarcoating. No fixing. Just truth.

✨ The truth about being in the in-between

✨ Why it’s not “good” or “bad”… it just is

✨ Choosing the frequency of love (even when it's hard)

✨ Real talk for anyone walking through chaos, change, or becoming

If you’re craving a life update, or just need to know you’re not alone in your own beautiful mess—this one’s for you.

Raw. Real. Reflective.

Karissa doesn’t just teach the work—she lives it.

Email to join March 2026 Nicaragua Retreat Waitlist or learn more about working 1:1 with Karissa: [email protected] 

October 2025 Brasada Retreat Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9xw2xya/lp/5d095fd7-0dac-4643-a50a-

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Kristal DeSantis—licensed marriage and family therapist, and author of the powerful book STRONG. Kristal’s work focuses on supporting men in their healing and growth journeys, and this conversation was truly epic. We dove into themes of emotional resilience, connection, and what it really means to be strong. I left feeling deeply inspired, and I can’t wait to dive into her book and put this work into practice.

Connect with Kristal:📖⁠ Order her book Here⁠📸 ⁠Instagram⁠

Barbara Pike Gonzales is a personal branding, communications and PR expert known for her collaborative approach to strategic, innovative communications. Leveraging her 20+ year career in corporate marketing, Barbara founded BPG Communications, a boutique personal branding agency that specializes in empowering women to know, show and grow their worth.

Barbara’s unique blend of creativity, strategic acumen, and business intuition has made her a go-to resource for female founders and leaders seeking clarity and confidence to articulate who they truly are and the value they bring to the table. 

Connect with Barbara via LinkedIn, and follow BPG on Instagram. You can also listen to her podcast, Know, Show and Grow Your Worth, available where you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In this raw and soul-baring episode, I open up about the messy, sacred journey of change—and what it feels like to be deeply misunderstood in the process. 2025 has brought me to my knees, into moments where I’ve had no idea what to do next… but I’ve kept showing up anyway.

I share what it’s been like to navigate judgment, grief, and the unraveling of an old life, while slowly, tenderly stepping into a new one. This isn’t just a new chapter—it’s a whole new book. A new me.

If you’re in a dark moment, feeling lost or unseen, I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. That you can trust yourself. That the tools, the people, the clarity—they find you when you stay open.

Here’s to change. To choosing differently. To becoming.

Gina's life story makes her a captivating and inspiring speaker for all audiences. Through raw vulnerability, she shares how she overcame immense adversity—enduring multiple surgeries from childhood, devastating loss, a crisis of faith leading her to join and later leave the convent, the grips of alcoholism, and the struggles of tumultuous relationships. Yet, Gina's unwavering resilience, strengthened by her profound spirituality, enabled her to reclaim her life's purpose. Gina's very presence is a testament to the power of the human spirit to persevere. Her story reminds us that hope can be discovered even in our darkest moments and will leave an audience inspired.

Welcome to the conversation.

Karissa Dean

Gina Economopoulos's Website: https://www.ginaecon.com/

Let’s talk triggers — not as something to avoid, but as powerful portals into deeper self-awareness. In this episode, I dive into how our triggers are actually beautiful invitations to take accountability, explore our inner landscape, and shift the way we respond to the world around us. This is where real change begins. 

In this episode, I dive into what it really means to take responsibility for our lives without falling into shame or self-blame. We explore the space where personal ownership and compassion coexist—and how duality plays a powerful role in our growth.

You can be doing your best and still have room to grow. You can hold yourself accountable and extend grace to the version of you who didn’t know better.

Let’s talk about how to stand in both.

Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to the conversation.

Karissa Dean

karissadean.com

With a wealth of experience as a self-employed Medical Intuitive and Chiropractor, Dr. Mary is deeply committed to guiding individuals on their journey of personal transformation. She focuses on helping people cultivate thriving health, happiness, and purpose through the powerful tools of energy medicine, spiritual embodiment, and meditation.

Dr. Mary hosts the internationally acclaimed podcast Energy Medicine, which discusses everything related to aligning the mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Mary earned her doctorate in Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO. She completed her Certificate in Positive Psychology from the Wholebeing Institute in Lennox, MA, and studied under Dr. Tal Ben Shahar. In addition, she completed her Master's in Intuition Medicine® from the Academy of Intuition Medicine® in Sausalito, CA, and studied under Dr. Francesca McCartney.  

www.drmarysanders.com

FB https://www.facebook.com/dr.maryesanders 

IG https://www.instagram.com/dr.maryesanders/ 

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmaryesanders/ 

Website https://www.drmarysanders.com/ 

Energy Medicine Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5ymiP83TP09OsTZI5cNXE3 

With a wealth of experience as a self-employed Medical Intuitive and Chiropractor, Dr. Mary is deeply committed to guiding individuals on their journey of personal transformation. She focuses on helping people cultivate thriving health, happiness, and purpose through the powerful tools of energy medicine, spiritual embodiment, and meditation.

Dr. Mary hosts the internationally acclaimed podcast Energy Medicine, which discusses everything related to aligning the mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Mary earned her doctorate in Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO. She completed her Certificate in Positive Psychology from the Wholebeing Institute in Lennox, MA, and studied under Dr. Tal Ben Shahar. In addition, she completed her Master's in Intuition Medicine® from the Academy of Intuition Medicine® in Sausalito, CA, and studied under Dr. Francesca McCartney.  

Welcome to the conversation.

Karissa Dean

www.drmarysanders.com