Elsplend Realities

What if the things we avoid because they seem frightening or complicated are actually invitations to deeper understanding?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Shama Stock, writer, homeschool mom, nutritionist, and founder of Revelation for Kids, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, Scripture, fear, and the search for clarity.

Shama shares the unexpected journey that began when she was asked to lead a Bible study on the Book of Revelation—despite feeling completely unprepared. What started with uncertainty eventually became years of study and a deeper approach to understanding Revelation through Scripture itself.

Together, we explore why Revelation is often associated with fear, how symbolism can be approached without sensationalism, and why Shama believes children can engage with profound spiritual ideas in ways that encourage understanding rather than anxiety.

We also discuss the assumptions and cultural messages that shape the way we think about faith, uncertainty, compromise, and courage—and how deeper understanding can change the way we navigate everyday life.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, person of faith, or simply someone who has avoided Revelation because it feels too complicated, this conversation offers an invitation to slow down, ask better questions, and approach difficult subjects with curiosity rather than fear.

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

What happens when we stop looking at history as a collection of dates and begin confronting the human stories behind it?

In this powerful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with award-winning author M. E. Torrey to explore memory, morality, storytelling, and the difficult work of confronting America’s history of slavery.

M. E. Torrey’s novel Fox Creek is the result of decades of reflection and research. Drawing from plantation records, slave narratives, personal diaries, and historical accounts, the novel examines the lives of people caught within the institution of slavery and asks a deeply human question:

How do ordinary people come to accept or participate in extraordinary harm?

We discuss the thirty-year journey behind Fox Creek, the responsibility of writing about historical trauma, the psychological mechanisms that can normalize cruelty, and why honest storytelling matters when confronting painful history.

We also explore how Torrey’s background as a longtime children’s author shaped her approach to this adult historical novel—and what it means to tell difficult stories with humanity, complexity, and care.

This conversation is ultimately about more than the past. It is about memory, empathy, moral awareness, and what becomes possible when we are willing to look honestly at where we have been.

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

What happens when success arrives earlier than expected—and suddenly, the numbers aren’t the hardest part?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Chris McManus, an entrepreneur who began building his future straight out of high school and grew a landscaping business to multiple seven figures within seven years.

Along the way, Chris earned multiple trade licenses, expanded into pools and spas, opened a retail operation, and built a real estate company. By 26, he had reached millionaire status. Now, he’s focused on scaling toward a $25 million business valuation while continuing to learn from the responsibilities and challenges that come with growth.

But this conversation goes beyond money.

Chris shares what early entrepreneurship taught him about discipline, leadership, responsibility, mistakes, ambition, systems, trust, and staying grounded when expectations keep rising.

We explore what it really means to build wealth while simultaneously building the person capable of carrying it—and why the most valuable lessons often happen long before they appear on a balance sheet.

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone thinking deeply about what success means, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on growing fast while still growing intentionally.

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

What if the biggest barriers to success aren’t technical at all—but hidden in the way people, teams, and organizations work together?

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Simon Copsey, a delivery and transformation consultant who began his career as a developer and tech lead before turning his attention to the deeper human and organizational challenges behind successful software delivery.

Simon shares practical insights into team dynamics, leadership, organizational friction, transformation, experimentation, and the patterns that can quietly hold talented teams back.

We explore how leaders can identify blind spots, improve collaboration, create healthier team environments, and make meaningful changes without getting trapped in endless processes or complicated transformation programs.

From the technical side of software delivery to the human side of leadership, this conversation asks an important question:

What could change if we learned to see—and remove—the invisible barriers standing between people and their best work?

Whether you’re a technology leader, entrepreneur, manager, team member, or simply someone interested in how people work better together, this episode offers practical perspectives on creating greater clarity, flow, and intentional growth.

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

What if the words that once wounded you became the very reason you found your voice?

In this powerful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Teresa “Rita” Robinson, a mother, TEDx speaker, author, and passionate advocate against bullying, to explore resilience, grief, identity, faith, and the courage to speak your truth.

Teresa shares the deeply personal journey that shaped her—from being bullied as a young girl and experiencing profound loss to finding the strength to transform her pain into purpose. Her mother’s words, “Rita, you’re beautiful,” became a lasting reminder of identity and worth through some of life’s most difficult seasons.

With nearly four decades of service with the Greenburgh Police Department and more than a decade working with autistic youth, Teresa has dedicated her life to helping others feel seen, valued, included, and heard.

Together, we explore the invisible scars of bullying, the impact of grief, the power of belonging, and what it truly means to move from being wounded to becoming bold.

If you’ve ever struggled with words that were spoken over you—or wondered how to reclaim your voice after difficult experiences—this conversation is a reminder that your past may shape your story, but it does not have to define your identity.

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

What happens when you achieve everything you once wanted—but still feel exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled?

In this powerful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Cindy Rand, the “Busy Woman’s Cheerleader,” to explore what it really means to thrive without losing yourself in the process.

A former certified Accountant, C-Suite Executive, and Business Finance Coach, Cindy now works as an Executive Coach, leadership developer, speaker, author, and humanitarian. Through her THRIVE360 philosophy, she encourages women to cultivate growth across the mind, body, spirit, and finances.

Cindy also opens up about the experiences that shaped her journey—including domestic abuse, homelessness, emotional trauma, and the resilience it took to transform adversity into purpose.

Together, we explore burnout, self-care, ambition, leadership, financial wellness, faith, resilience, and the difference between achieving success and experiencing true wholeness.

If you’ve ever felt successful on paper but unsettled within, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and ask a deeper question:

Are you building success—or building a life that allows you to truly thrive?

Elsplend Realities — where awareness meets action, and growth begins within.

How much of what we believe is truly our own thinking—and how much is shaped by the people, systems, and information we trust?

In this thought-provoking episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Michelle Stiles, teacher, author, and contrarian thinker, to explore the hidden patterns behind trust, influence, persuasion, and social conditioning.

Michelle shares insights from her work in psychology, sociology, communication, and public relations, drawing from her books One Idea to Rule Them All: Reverse Engineering American Propaganda and her upcoming work, One Idea to Rule Them All: Reverse Engineering Democracy Theater.

Together, we explore why critical thinking alone may not be enough, how emotions influence what we accept as truth, how propaganda can operate in subtle ways, and how we can become more discerning without becoming cynical.

If you’re interested in emotional awareness, critical thinking, human behavior, media influence, and understanding the forces that shape our decisions, this conversation offers plenty to reflect on.

Listen, question, think deeper—and discover the realities behind the realities.

Elsplend Realities — exploring the ideas, patterns, and perspectives that shape how we see the world.

What if strength isn’t about how much we can endure, but how honestly we can face what is happening within us? For many men, emotions can become something to suppress, avoid, or outrun—but beneath the performance of strength may be an invitation to heal, reconnect, and live more authentically.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Adam Tomlin, former attorney and host of the ACT OUT podcast, shares his journey from emotional avoidance and relentless achievement to therapy, fatherhood, self-awareness, and healing. Adam explores masculinity, mental health, compassion, trauma, ADHD, the pursuit of happiness, and the connection between personal healing and how we relate to society. This conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that compassion is not weakness, and that meaningful change can begin when we become willing to feel, tell the truth, and build our lives with greater intention.

What happens when the strength that has carried you through years of responsibility begins to leave you feeling depleted? Leadership is often measured by what we accomplish and how much we can carry, but true resilience also requires knowing who we are beyond our roles, responsibilities, and achievements.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Marla Ballard, CEO of YU2SHINE and Director of Unconquerable mE®️, shares her perspective on leadership, identity, and sustainable resilience. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and her work with veterans and those in demanding environments, Marla explores leadership fatigue, identity transitions, inner clarity, and the difference between commitment and self-betrayal. This conversation is a reminder that leading well isn't about carrying everything indefinitely—it's about staying grounded in who you are while building a life and leadership approach that truly aligns with your purpose.

What does it take to build something that lasts in a world where growth, competition, and constant change are part of the journey? Sustainable success is about more than strategy and expansion—it begins with understanding people, embracing uncertainty, and leading with clarity, empathy, and intention.

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, David Sauers, co-founder and CEO of Royal Restrooms, shares insights from his journey of building a nationally recognized brand with over 50 locations and launching multiple ventures across diverse industries. The conversation explores entrepreneurial resilience, customer-centered innovation, emotional steadiness, mentorship, and the importance of staying grounded through seasons of growth. Drawing from his experiences in business and adventure, David offers a reminder that meaningful success isn't just about what we build, but how we lead, connect with others, and remain true to our values along the way.