In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore one of the most common—but least discussed—challenges in long-term relationships: the desire gap. Joined by Dr. Laura Jurgens, desire gap specialist and creator of The Desire Gap Bridge™️ Method, we unpack what happens when partners want different levels of intimacy—and why this difference is often misunderstood as rejection, failure, or incompatibility.

With a background in biological sciences and advanced training in intimacy and relational coaching, Dr. Jurgens brings a rare blend of scientific insight and body-based relational understanding. This conversation moves beyond surface-level advice to explore the emotional, physiological, and relational dynamics that shape desire—especially in midlife.

Together, we examine how couples can shift from blame to curiosity, from silence to communication, and from disconnection to a more conscious, embodied form of intimacy.

A grounded and eye-opening conversation about love, desire, and connection—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the transformative power of storytelling and what happens when women choose to speak their truth. Joined by Julie Marty-Pearson—podcaster, speaker, coach, and community builder—we dive into how sharing personal stories can move beyond content creation and become a pathway to healing, connection, and self-discovery.

With a background in organizational psychology and higher education leadership, Julie brings a unique perspective on systems, voice, and human connection. Through her work with The Story of My Pet, Podcast Your Story Now, and the Women’s Podcaster Party community, she creates spaces where women and non-binary voices are empowered to be seen and heard.

This conversation unpacks fear, visibility, authenticity, and the quiet courage it takes to reclaim your voice in a world that often rewards silence or performance.

A grounded and inspiring reflection on storytelling, identity, and expression—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how unseen subconscious patterns quietly shape our relationships, choices, and sense of identity—often long before we’re aware of them. Joined by Sasha Carrion, subconscious strategist and founder of HEAL YOURSELF Therapy, we dive into the deeper layers of trauma, behavior, and emotional programming that continue to influence life even in high-functioning adults.

From early childhood revelations to the process of deep subconscious recalibration, Sasha shares her journey of moving beyond coping into true internal rewiring. This conversation goes beneath surface-level mindset work to examine what it really takes to interrupt survival-based patterns and reclaim authorship over how we respond to life.

A powerful and grounding exploration of trauma, awareness, and transformation—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when mission-driven work is powered by passion—but held back by broken systems and internal misalignment. Joined by Kate Viana, founder of Viana Communications, we unpack the often unseen challenges within nonprofit organizations where strong purpose exists alongside unclear communication, cultural strain, and structural dysfunction.

With experience spanning staff roles, consulting, board leadership, and volunteer work, Kate brings a grounded and honest perspective on why so many organizations struggle not because of their mission, but because of how they operate internally. She shares insights into how culture, systems, and communication intersect—and why sustainable impact depends on more than good intentions.

This conversation is a deep reflection on leadership, organizational health, and the human cost of misalignment in purpose-driven spaces.

A clear and necessary dialogue for anyone building or working within mission-led organizations—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the quiet emotional and physical toll of constantly holding everything together. Joined by Melissa Crook, host of The FEEL Podcast, we dive into her personal wake-up call at 50—when health scares revealed not just physical strain, but the deeper impact of unprocessed emotions, long-term stress, and self-neglect.

Together, we unpack the hidden patterns many women experience: performance over presence, caregiving over self-care, and silence over emotional expression. Melissa shares how these experiences shaped her mission to create safe spaces for women to reconnect with their emotions, reclaim their wellbeing, and embrace their full inner lives.

This conversation is a grounded reflection on boundaries, healing, and the courage it takes to finally listen inward.

A compassionate and deeply human episode about awareness, emotional truth, and restoration—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what truly drives sustainable business growth—and why most companies struggle not because of effort or talent, but because of clarity. Joined by Mark Gordon, known as the “Rebel CRO,” we dive into the hidden breakdowns that occur across messaging, systems, and team alignment that silently stall revenue growth.

From scaling companies from $1M to over $30M to rebuilding go-to-market strategies across industries, Mark shares why many founders unknowingly operate in misalignment—and how that impacts sales, culture, and decision-making at every level of the business.

This conversation unpacks the shift from reactive selling to intentional, repeatable growth, and why clarity—not hustle—is the real growth lever.

A grounded, practical, and eye-opening discussion on leadership, systems, and scale—this is Elsplend Realities.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the hidden emotional cost of caring for others. Joined by psychotherapist and mental health advocate Yvette Murray, author of The Mental Health Contagion, we unpack how supporting someone through mental health challenges can quietly begin to affect your own wellbeing.

From compassion fatigue and emotional burnout to the struggle of setting healthy boundaries without guilt, this conversation gives language to what many people experience but rarely name. Yvette shares powerful insights drawn from both professional expertise and lived experience, offering a grounded perspective on how to stay present for others without losing yourself in the process.

A deeply human conversation about care, boundaries, and emotional sustainability—this is Elsplend Realities.

What if burnout isn’t really about doing too much — but about doing too much of the wrong things at the wrong time?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how misaligned time — not lack of effort — is what quietly drives overwhelm in modern leadership. Joined by former COO and Time Boss founder Andrew Hartman, this conversation reframes productivity through the lens of structure, rhythm, and intentional decision-making.

After leading over 7,500 meetings across fast-growing companies, Andrew uncovered a consistent truth: high performers don’t struggle because they lack discipline — they struggle because their calendars don’t reflect their priorities. Through his “Master Your Week” system, he introduces a simple yet powerful one-hour planning process that helps leaders reduce chaos, eliminate decision fatigue, and regain clarity over their time.

This episode is an invitation to step out of reactive living — and into a more aligned, sustainable way of leading your work, your time, and your life.

Why do some rooms feel easy to enter… while others feel impossible to read?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the invisible dynamics that shape how we belong — through the lens of Irish traditional music sessions.

With fiddle player and educator Tara Connaghan, we unpack the subtle etiquette, quiet hierarchies, and social rhythms that exist beneath the surface of shared spaces.

Because often, it’s not about talent or confidence — it’s about awareness.

This conversation is about more than music.

It’s about learning to listen before you speak, to observe before you act, and to enter unfamiliar spaces with humility.

What if aging isn’t something that happens to you — but something you actively design?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the evolving meaning of leadership, identity, and purpose in life’s later chapters. Joined by Erika Andersen, founding partner of Proteus and author of The New Old: Crafting Your Best Later Life, this conversation reframes aging not as decline, but as a deliberate and creative act.

With decades of experience coaching global leaders at companies like Spotify and Amazon, Erika brings a unique perspective: the same principles that drive organizational transformation can also guide personal reinvention. We discuss how to navigate relevance, reimagine identity, build meaningful community, and approach the third act of life with clarity instead of fear.

This episode is an invitation to shift from drifting into aging — to designing it with intention, agency, and possibility.