Elsplend Realities

What if the next chapter of your life isn’t about looking back—but about discovering what’s still possible?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Sharon C. Jenkins, known as The Literary Midwife and founder of Forty Plus and Flirty, for a thoughtful conversation about reinvention, identity, love, storytelling, and starting over in midlife and beyond.

Sharon helps people bring their stories and ideas to life through writing while also encouraging them to rediscover confidence, connection, and possibility in their personal lives.

Together, we explore why starting over can feel intimidating after 40, how disappointment can affect self-trust, what changes about relationships and dating later in life, and how storytelling can help us reconnect with who we are—and who we’re becoming.

This conversation is a reminder that life doesn’t have a single timeline.

Some chapters begin later than expected.

Some dreams take a different shape.

And sometimes, the most meaningful version of your story is still being written.

Because reinvention isn’t reserved for the beginning of life. Sometimes, it begins when you finally give yourself permission to begin again.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, growth, emotional clarity, and the deeper truths behind how we continue becoming.

What if feeling unprepared for the real world isn’t a sign that you’re incapable—but a sign that you were never taught what you were expected to know?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Matthew Thurman, co-founder of PathFinder Career Prep, to explore the often-overlooked skills that shape how people navigate life and work after school.

With experience as a trial attorney, McKinsey consultant, and corporate Chief of Staff, Matthew has seen firsthand how technical knowledge and academic achievement don’t always translate into real-world confidence and effectiveness.

He calls the gap the “hidden curriculum”—the unwritten rules and practical skills surrounding communication, relationships, professional behavior, decision-making, and navigating unfamiliar environments.

Together, we explore why so many capable young professionals feel unprepared, how confidence develops through experience and guidance, what separates people who adapt quickly from those who struggle to find their footing, and how students can begin developing these skills before entering the workforce.

This conversation is a reminder that sometimes, the challenge isn’t a lack of ability.

It’s simply that no one showed you the playbook.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, growth, and the hidden layers of what it really takes to thrive in life and work.

Some connections are difficult to explain.

They aren’t always built through words or logic. Sometimes, they’re felt—in a moment, a presence, a shared understanding, or an experience that stays with you long after it happens.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Tammy Holsey, author of Checote’s Angels, for a heartfelt conversation about her extraordinary bond with her horse, Checote, and the experiences that led her to see their relationship in a deeper light.

Tammy shares how her connection with Checote unfolded, the moments that challenged her understanding of coincidence and intuition, and how those experiences ultimately became the foundation for her book.

Together, we explore the emotional bonds we form with animals, the ways they can influence our lives, the role of intuition, and what it means to remain open to experiences we may not always be able to explain.

This conversation invites us to look beyond the obvious—to notice the connections that shape us, the moments that stay with us, and the possibility that meaning can sometimes be found in places we least expect.

Because not everything meaningful needs to be explained. Sometimes, it simply needs to be felt—and noticed.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the subtle experiences that shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

What happens when life gives you something you never planned for—and asks you to keep moving forward anyway?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Jane Rogers, author of Laughing Through the Storm, for an honest and deeply human conversation about living with epilepsy for more than 30 years.

Diagnosed at 13, Jane’s journey has included seizures, medical procedures, uncertainty, misunderstanding, and periods of silence. But alongside the difficult moments, she has discovered something equally powerful: the ability to find humor, connection, and light even when life feels unpredictable.

Together, we explore what it means to live without complete control, challenge misconceptions about epilepsy, navigate the emotional weight of being misunderstood, and find the courage to speak openly about experiences we once kept hidden.

Jane’s story reminds us that resilience doesn’t always look like strength or certainty. Sometimes, it looks like honesty. Sometimes, it looks like laughter. And sometimes, it simply means continuing to show up.

Because not everything in life can be controlled—but even in the middle of uncertainty, there can still be moments of light.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the deeper truths that shape how we live through life’s defining moments.

A diagnosis can change everything in a matter of minutes.

But when the information is complex, unfamiliar, and emotionally overwhelming, understanding what comes next can feel just as challenging as facing the diagnosis itself.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Dr. Camille M. Williams, board-certified Radiation Oncologist, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, and founder of Questions 4 Cancer Doctor, for an important conversation about navigating cancer care with greater clarity and confidence.

Dr. Williams shares her perspective on what patients and families often experience after a diagnosis, why important questions sometimes go unasked, and how better communication can help people become more informed participants in their healthcare journey.

We also explore radiation therapy, uncertainty, patient advocacy, compassionate communication, and the unique considerations that can arise for veterans and their families.

This conversation isn’t about having every answer.

It’s about understanding the information you’re given, knowing what to ask, and creating space to make informed decisions during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Because clarity doesn’t remove uncertainty—but it can change how we move through it.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the deeper truths that shape how we navigate life’s defining moments.

What does it really take to lead when the decisions are complex, the stakes are high, and the people around you are counting on you?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Christopher Swing, an executive and board director whose career spans logistics, healthcare, private equity, manufacturing, and finance.

Drawing from years of navigating complex organizations and leading through change, Christopher shares insights into decision-making, building trust, creating alignment, and balancing business outcomes with the human side of leadership.

We explore what happens when leaders don’t have all the answers, how diverse perspectives can strengthen decision-making, the blind spots that can emerge as leaders grow, and why continuous learning remains essential—even at the highest levels.

This conversation goes beyond titles and achievements to examine the deeper responsibility that comes with leadership: shaping people, cultures, decisions, and environments.

Because leadership isn’t simply about knowing where to go.

It’s about having the clarity to navigate complexity—and the humanity to bring people with you.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the deeper layers behind how we lead, grow, and make decisions.

What does it take to rebuild yourself when everything familiar suddenly becomes unfamiliar?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Elena Mizernaya, a show game host, model, actress, and media personality, to explore the journey of starting over—and finding your voice along the way.

Elena shares what it was like to move to the U.S. without speaking English or having established connections, navigating the uncertainty of a new environment while learning how to communicate, adapt, and find her place.

What began as survival and adaptation eventually became something more: confidence, self-expression, and a career built around presence, performance, and connection.

Together, we explore language, identity, resilience, confidence, presence, and the quiet work of becoming comfortable in a world that once felt completely unfamiliar.

Because starting over isn’t always about having a clear plan.

Sometimes, it’s about observing, adapting, learning, and continuing to show up until the unfamiliar begins to feel like your own.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring the deeper truths behind how we grow, adapt, find our voice, and become who we’re meant to be.

What happens when life changes in a way you never expected—and suddenly, you’re forced to reconsider your body, your identity, your future, and even your sense of meaning?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Noelle Cablay, author, musician, and university professor, for an intimate conversation shaped by her experience with a rare cancer diagnosis and the journey that followed.

Through her memoir Washed in Blue, Noelle explores the complexity of living through uncertainty—not through polished inspiration or easy answers, but through honesty, reflection, vulnerability, and the gradual process of making meaning from an experience she never chose.

Together, we explore identity, illness, reflection, vulnerability, emotional resilience, and what it means to remain present when clarity doesn’t come immediately.

This conversation is a reminder that strength doesn’t always mean having answers. Sometimes, it means allowing ourselves to sit with the questions, acknowledge what we’re carrying, and discover meaning slowly—one moment at a time.

This is Elsplend Realities—where we explore self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the deeper truths that shape how we live through life’s most defining moments.

Why do we avoid the conversations we know we need to have?

Sometimes, it’s not because we don’t care. It’s because when the pressure rises, staying grounded becomes difficult—and silence can feel safer than facing what’s uncomfortable.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Dr. Irvine Nugent, leadership expert and co-founder of Conflict EQ™, for a deeper look at what really happens when we encounter conflict.

Irvine challenges the idea that people simply have a “conflict problem.” Instead, he explores how our capacity to stay clear, present, and effective under pressure can shape the way we handle difficult moments.

Together, we unpack why even well-intentioned people struggle with conflict, what happens internally when tension rises, the hidden cost of avoiding difficult conversations, and how leaders can address challenges without sacrificing trust or relationships.

Because conflict isn’t always something to eliminate.

Sometimes, it’s an opportunity to understand how we show up—and to develop the capacity to respond with greater awareness, clarity, and steadiness.

This is Elsplend Realities—where growth often begins in the conversations we’re willing to have.

What if the things you’ve been trying to “fix” about yourself are actually asking to be understood?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Emilia Smith, Multicultural and Multigenerational Leadership Coach and Founder & CEO of Evolve Ventures Technologies, for a powerful conversation about self-awareness, neurodivergence, leadership, emotional safety, and sustainable success.

Drawing from her lived experience with chronic traumatic memory loss and her journey of understanding her neurodivergence, Emilia shares how changing the way we relate to ourselves can transform the way we lead, perform, and navigate everyday life.

Together, we explore the unconscious patterns that hold us back, the connection between emotional regulation and leadership, what healthier environments really look like, and why sustainable success requires more than simply pushing harder.

This conversation is an invitation to stop measuring yourself only by what you can accomplish—and start paying attention to how you think, feel, process, and function.

Because sometimes, growth isn't about becoming someone different. It’s about understanding who you already are and learning how to work with yourself, not against yourself.

This is Elsplend Realities—exploring self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the deeper truths behind how we grow, lead, and live with intention.