What does it look like to balance caretaking, being an entrepreneur, spending time with dogs, and working out? In this episode, you'll hear almost a mini consulting/coaching session I had with Kari Morin on the topic of fitting in time to weight lift in an already jam-packed schedule (without having to sacrifice her morning dog snuggles).

Connect with Kari:

• Website
• LinkedIn

More About Kari:

Kari Morin is a master-certified transformational coach, retreat leader, and podcast co-host who helps women navigate life's unexpected transitions without losing themselves in the process. Inspired by her own journey caring for an adult son with multiple disabilities, she helps women facing major life changes rediscover joy, reclaim purpose, and create lives that honor both the people they love and themselves.

In this episode, I had the author of the Willow Springs Cozy Mystery Series, Jodi Casstevens-Short, on the podcast to talk about the role that her dogs play in her writing. As an aspiring author, mystery lover, and dog fanatic, this was such a fun conversation! I personally enjoy it when dogs in stories are written by people who know a thing or two about them.

Willow Springs Cozy Mystery Series:

1. Murdered by the Books
2. Murdered by the Blooms

Connect with Jodi:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

More About Jodi:

Jodi Casstevens-Short is the award-winning author of the Willow Springs Cozy Mystery series, including Murdered by the Books and Murdered by the Blooms and a lifelong miniature schnauzer lover. Her pups, Abbey and Hayley were her muses and writing buddies while she penned her first two novels. They’ve since crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but are immortalized forever as her main character’s own dogs. You can check them out on both book covers. She lives in her hometown in Central Illinois with her firefighter husband (also the inspiration for a character) and her two four-year-old minis, Riley and Finley. There’s never a dull moment in her house with her high-spirited, curious girls.

In this episode, I had Randi from Chronically Cozy Life on the podcast to discuss her decision of potentially adding a second dog to her family. This conversation was rife with insights applicable to any considering a new canine addition. We talked about breed traits, compatibility, lifestyle considerations, and how to align dog choices with personal health and home environment constraints.

Connect with Randi:

• Website (Chronically Cozy Life)
• Instagram
• Podcast (Spotify)

I also chatted with Randi on her podcast (Chronically Cozy Business Chats) about "How Pets Help Our Mental Health While Working From Home". Listen to that episode on Spotify via this link!

More About Randi:

Randi Pullar is a Cozy Content Marketing Mentor who helps chronically ill and neurodivergent entrepreneurs create content and strategies that help them market and grow - while they rest - or play around with one of the other 253 ideas they have! She believes there’s a low-energy workaround for almost any business task. Randi also considers herself a proud ‘spoonie’ and an advocate for the slow-living movement, rejecting anything that smells of performative hustle culture, glorified burnout, and business advice that assumes you wake up every day with 100% battery.

In this episode, I sat down with Ellen Whiteside, owner of Sacred Grove Retreat in North Carolina, alongside her beloved senior (16+ years old) Miniature Schnauzer, Murphy, who has been her devoted canine co-worker for over a decade.

We talked about the incredible story of how Murphy came into Ellen’s life after appearing on her porch in the countryside and how he quickly became an irreplaceable part of her work at Sacred Grove. Her retreat centre is truly dog-friendly, without limitations on how many dogs can join you for this relaxing, nature-based getaway.

Connect with Ellen:

• Website (Sacred Grove Retreat)
• Facebook (Ellen Whiteside)

Ellen Whiteside is a DreamBuilder Coach, speaker, retreat leader, and has been the owner of Sacred Grove Retreat Center in Gold Hill, NC, for 20 years. A lifelong student of personal growth and metaphysical principles, she helps others reconnect with their dreams and create lives they truly love. As she enters a new chapter, Ellen is exploring selling Sacred Grove so she can pursue her passion for travel and walk the Camino de Santiago in Europe.

In this episode, I sat down with Tina Weller, grief practitioner, speaker, and creator of the Miracle Bus, alongside her devoted English Bulldog, Cleopatra, and beloved lop rabbit, Pearl.

We talked about the incredible story behind the Miracle Bus—a 15-passenger bus that Tina transformed into a mobile hospital so her son, Cole, could continue traveling while receiving life-sustaining medical care. After his passing, the Miracle Bus embarked on a new journey, allowing Tina to travel the country helping women navigate grief and life after loss.

Along the way, we explored the extraordinary bond between people and their dogs, and why Cleopatra has become such an important part of Tina's work.

Connect with Tina:

• Website (Journey with Good Things)
• Facebook (The Miracle Bus)
• LinkedIn (Tina Weller)

Tina Weller is a Grief Educator and Master Practitioner who helps individuals navigate life after loss. She guides others in reconnecting with purpose, regaining clarity, and cultivating the courage to move forward. Tina's gentle approach empowers the grieving to embrace resilience and step into what comes next—while still honoring the love that remains.

In this episode, I sat down with Heather Dolland Tamam, author, entrepreneur, and dog mom to Soca, a 13-year-old Schnoodle who's traveled to 19 countries.

We chatted about the many, many requirements that come with travelling internationally with a dog (including why Soca has a French pet passport), before the conversation shifted to Heather's many career pivots and how Soca has shaped the way she's built both her career and her lifestyle.

We talk about building a life that makes you happy, pivoting when life doesn't go according to plan, and why Heather believes the key is being "relentlessly flexible."

As someone who's about to move across the Atlantic with three dogs, this conversation gave me a lot to think about. And I can honestly say that it's largely thanks to Heather that you'll be able to read my first published book later this year.

Connect with Heather:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Heather's FREE Resource: The Authority Advantage Assessment

Heather Dolland Tamam is a five-time author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and transition strategist whose work helps professionals redefine success and create purpose-driven careers and businesses.

One not-secret, but also not widely spread, fact is that I am in the process of writing a couple of dog books. So I was eager to speak with Donna, who is a Writing Coach and Book Strategist, which essentially means that she guides professionals through the writing process from idea to finished manuscript. And I was delighted to learn that the approach to writing a book is not dissimilar to that of dog training: there is no one-size-fits-all approach!

Connect with Donna Knutson

• Write Journeys Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• [email protected]

Assemble a Team for Success

A free guide to help authors understand the team, support, and strategy needed to write, publish, and market a book successfully.

Donna Knutson is a Writing Coach, Book Strategist, and speaker who helps coaches and entrepreneurs turn their lived experience into powerful books that grow their business and expand their impact.

With over 30 years of experience as a news writer, producer, and educator, she brings structure, accountability, and clarity to the writing process. Donna speaks on topics including the three keys to writing a book, building a mission-driven marketing plan, and using a book to increase visibility, authority, and client growth.

This week I'm joined by Molly, the founder of Paw Pixie, a t-shirt brand created for rescue dog moms that gives back to rescue organizations.

We talk about the adoption stories of her two dogs, Bochi and Cookie, how they inspired the creation of Paw Pixie, and why supporting local dog rescues is a cause so close to her heart.

We also chat about fostering, the challenges rescue organizations face behind the scenes, and the many ways you can help, whether that's adopting, donating, volunteering, or simply sharing a dog's story on social media.

If you've ever adopted a rescue dog, thought about fostering, or are looking for ways to support rescue organizations in your community, this episode is for you.

Rescues Mentioned (Las Vegas)

• PAWsitive Difference
• Crazy4Pawz

Connect with Molly

• Instagram
• Website

Hear from a first time foster dog pawrent about what it’s been like working from home with the 14-year-old “most unbeagle-like beagle” by her side.

In this episode, Marie and I chat about her elderly beagle-mix foster dog, Angel. This sweet girl is still available for adoption through the York County SPCA in Pennsylvania, USA. See her profile for more information about Angel and how to adopt her. This snuggly senior hound is looking for her furever retirement home. 

Meet Angel: https://ycspca.org/animals/angel/

Canine Behaviour & Care Topics Discussed: foster dogs, elderly beagles, velcro shelter dogs, canine matchmaking, and working from home with dogs.

Takeaways

• There are parallels between fostering rescue dogs and guiding humans through life changes—and the key to both is having a good understanding of the individual you are working with. Once again the reoccurring themes of “finding the right fit” and compatibility continue to make their way to the forefront of these kinds of discussions.
• Burned-out professionals and overwhelmed, stressed out shelter dogs can have a lot in common. It is important to get these individuals to their baseline operating levels before any true progress can be made. 

Connect with Marie Clark:

• FREEBIE: Three Simple Ways to Move to Joy in 15 Minutes
• FREEBIE: Burned out — or bored out?
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Marie Clark is a business coach, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Move to Joy Coaching. With more than 15 years of experience leading transformation projects across industries, she helps high-achieving women move from burnout and overwhelm to clarity, purpose, and joy. Her practical, honest approach blends leadership development, communication, and change management with a deep commitment to helping women build work and lives that feel as good as they look.

Find out more about Marie and her work here: 

http://www.movetojoycoaching.com

In this interview with Gini Trask, you'll get an inside look as to what an initial behavioural consultation looks like for my virtual 1:1 dog training clients. By asking so many questions, I am able to start identifying many of the underlying challenges behind certain canine behaviours.

Our guest today tells me all about her rescue hound, Roscoe. He came into her life due to unusual circumstances (he was originally her neighbour's dog). And even a year after joining her household, he still has some unusual behaviours (though it sounds like he has made some great strides).

Canine Behaviour & Care Topics Discussed: Separation Anxiety or Difficulty Being Alone, Demand Barking, Attention-Seeking Barking, Overstimulation, Possible Unmet Exercise Needs, and Anxiousness with Human-Human Affection.

Takeaways

• If your dog is showing outsized reactions to being touched it is wise to consult your vet to rule out any medical issues that can be causing pain. Pain can be a strong motivating factor for certain behaviours.
• Behaviour is often influenced by context, especially routines, guests, and moments when people come home. It is clear that Roscoe likely has some form of underlying anxiety or stress (making the vet visit very important).
• It is perfectly reasonable and responsible to outsource your dog's exercise needs. What matters is that you are ensuring their needs are being met consistently.

Connect with Gini Trask:

• FREEBIE: How to Make a Simple Lead Magnet
• Speakers Playhouse
• Facebook

Gini Trask is a lifelong entrepreneur who started her first business at 16 and has built multiple successful companies over the years. Today, she helps entrepreneurs create businesses that support freedom and fulfillment while enjoying life with her beloved dog, Roscoe, who is often her favourite coworker during remote workdays.

Find out more about Gini and her work here: https://ginitrask.com/