GO! Reboot Your Life

About Robyn White: Robyn White is a certified professional coach, faculty member at the University of Denver, and host of The Boss Yourself First Podcast. She’s the author of The Three Permissions: The Power of Allowing Yourself to Feel, Fail, and Fly on the Path to Success. With a background in psychology and certifications including ICF PCC and RightPath, Robyn empowers people to lead themselves with clarity, compassion, and courage. Her work focuses on self-leadership, emotional agility, and personal agency—equipping individuals to navigate transitions, recover from burnout, and lead with intention. Whether she’s coaching clients, teaching students, or speaking on her podcast, Robyn’s mission is simple: help people build awareness, embrace growth, and take action that creates lasting impact.

In this episode, Lisa and Robyn discuss:

• Robyn’s book, The Three Permissions, and how it empowers self-leadership
• Why emotional literacy and energy alignment are critical to personal success
• How to redefine success across life seasons using core values
• Navigating the “sandwich season” of life—supporting both aging parents and grown children
• Practical tools and permission practices for managing failure, burnout, and change

Key Takeaways: 

• Success is fluid. What you once defined as success may no longer serve you—redefining it based on your current values and season of life creates deeper fulfillment.
• Awareness is where self-leadership begins. By noticing where your energy feels most aligned, you gain clarity on what truly matters and how to move forward with intention.
• Feelings are not obstacles—they're valuable information. When you develop emotional literacy, you gain the ability to navigate discomfort and stay connected to your growth.
• Failure is not final. Instead of avoiding it, embracing failure with curiosity and compassion can transform it into one of your greatest teachers.
• Permission is a catalyst for change. The moment you stop waiting for external validation and start allowing yourself to feel, fail, and fly—that’s when true agency begins, and others feel empowered to do the same.

“When you give yourself permission, other people get inspired to give themselves permission. And it's this amazing piece of impact that I think we sometimes forget, because we feel very inward-focused when we're focused on self-leadership, but it actually has a massive outward impact for others.”

- Robyn White

Connect with Robyn White: 

Website: https://bossyourselffirst.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-white-pcc-cplc-33892033/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossyourselffirst/ 

Robyn’s Book: https://bossyourselffirst.com/three-permissions/ 

Podcast:  https://bossyourselffirst.com/podcast/ 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Kate Keisel: Kate Keisel is the Co-CEO of the Sanar Institute, where she leads a diverse team providing trauma-conscious, person-centered care to individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal trauma. With over 15 years of global experience in anti-trafficking and trauma recovery across the U.S., Latin America, West Africa, and South Asia, Kate is a leader in building trauma-specific services worldwide. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Social Work focused on complex trauma and advanced training in EMDR, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, and other healing modalities. Drawing from her own lived experience, Kate is committed to ensuring everyone has the tools, support, and agency to heal, thrive, and reclaim their lives after trauma.

In this episode, Lisa and Kate discuss:

• How Kate rediscovered her identity beyond being a CEO and trauma therapist
• The personal and professional shifts that came with chronic illness and burnout
• Redefining success from public recognition to quiet, sustainable impact
• The value of embodied healing practices and nature-based routines
• Practical tools for mental health recovery, including sensory kits and movement

Key Takeaways: 

• When leadership and service dominate your identity, it becomes easy to lose sight of who you are outside your professional role. Kate's journey highlights the importance of intentionally creating space for yourself to thrive.
• Success doesn’t always come with fanfare. Often, it’s the quiet, consistent contributions made away from the spotlight that create the most meaningful impact.
• Kate’s experience with chronic illness served as a turning point, forcing her to slow down and reassess what truly matters. That shift led her toward a life aligned with her values and capacity.
• True healing isn't found in perfect routines or instant fixes. Instead, it emerges slowly through presence, patience, and the repeated practice of nurturing your nervous system.
• Reconnecting with joy and spontaneity—whether through raising ducks, gardening, or playful movement—can revive the parts of you dulled by overwork or emotional exhaustion.

“The most rewarding part of this journey has been finally feeling at home in myself, like a little piece of calm has returned to my nervous system. There was a time I couldn’t imagine past the afternoon. Now, I can dream forward—and that sense of purpose fuels everything. Healing isn't about grand gestures; it's about choosing the little things—drinking water, taking vitamins, creating routines—and knowing those choices quietly change your life.”

- Kate Keisel

Connect with Kate Keisel: 

Website: https://sanar-institute.org/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-keisel-3a676041/ 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Vikki Espinosa: Vikki Espinosa is a career strategist, educator, and cancer survivor dedicated to helping others navigate transformation with clarity and purpose. After a 30+ year career in corporate tech leadership, she now supports professionals in aligning their careers with their values—especially during moments of reinvention. Vikki brings a powerful blend of lived experience, coaching insight, and instructional design expertise to her work, making her an empathetic and practical guide for anyone facing life or career transitions. Whether she’s teaching at Portland State, writing her upcoming book “One in Eight”, or coaching clients through personal breakthroughs, Vikki shows that strength can be quiet, resilience is built daily, and purpose is always within reach.

In this episode, Lisa and Vikki discuss:

• Shifted from a corporate tech career to purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• Faced a breast cancer diagnosis weeks after retiring
• Reclaimed identity and strength through illness and healing
• Challenged toxic positivity with real, compassionate support strategies
• Redefined success through aligned, meaningful career reinvention

Key Takeaways: 

• Rather than derailing her ambitions, cancer became a turning point that reshaped how Vikki approached her goals—with intention, adaptability, and grit.
• Through a mosaic of small, consistent actions, resilience is revealed not as a single act of bravery, but as the discipline to keep choosing growth each day.
• Vulnerability is reframed as a strength, with the power to foster connection and recovery when asking for help becomes part of the healing process.
• The roadmap for showing up meaningfully—emphasizing clarity, respect for boundaries, and the rejection of performative positivity.
• Vikki’s story redefines career legacy, highlighting the freedom to walk away from prestige in favor of doing purpose-driven work that reflects who you’ve become.

“Cancer did not take away my goals. It just changed how I chased them.”

- Vikki Espinosa

Connect with Vikki Espinosa: 

Website: https://www.vikkiespinosa.com/ 

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

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Dr. Al Freedman: Al Freedman, PhD, is a psychologist, educator, and rare disease advocate with more than two decades of experience working with individuals and families affected by rare diseases and disabilities. Dr. Al is inspired by his personal journey as the father of Jack, who lived with spinal muscular atrophy for 26 years, as well as his professional training and experience as an educator to provide counseling and consultation. He works with families, advocacy organizations, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, and schools to create meaningful support systems and impactful change within the rare disease and disability communities.

In this episode, Lisa and Dr. Al discuss:

• Intersection of a psychologist’s career, passions, and parenting in rare disease advocacy
• Challenges of navigating uncertainty and building resilience in rare disease communities
• Strategies for supporting families and accommodating invisible illnesses
• The paradox of isolation and connection in rare and misunderstood conditions
• Life lessons from overcoming odds and promoting compassion through lived experience

Key Takeaways: 

• Rare diseases and disabilities introduce constant uncertainty, yet it's within this unpredictability that individuals learn to adapt, drawing strength from shared experiences and building resilience through community connection.
• Supporting families facing rare diseases requires more than medical answers—it demands consistent empathy, thoughtful guidance, and the collective effort to create inclusive systems for invisible illnesses, often anchored in self-advocacy and patience.
• Though invisible conditions often isolate, they simultaneously create deep bonds among those who understand, revealing that solidarity can bloom in the quiet spaces of misunderstood struggles.
• Through Jack’s extraordinary life, we see how embracing limitations while celebrating small victories can inspire others to approach life with perspective, creativity, and inner strength despite overwhelming odds.
• True fulfillment lies not just in overcoming hardship but in sharing the wisdom gained—by spreading compassion, witnessing scientific breakthroughs, and choosing kindness, we leave behind a legacy greater than ourselves.

“And what I learned from my son and what I learned from following his lead and I learned from being his dad, was that I needed to turn my attention to what was possible. The doctors never told us that we would have any good days. They see kids when they're sick. We had to discover that we could have good days, too. And would. We had many more good days than bad days. Never in my wildest imagination could I have imagined back then all that would be possible.”

- Dr. Al Freedman

Connect with Dr. Al Freedman: 

Website: https://www.rarecounseling.com/ 

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

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Welcome to Season 3 of the Go Reboot Your Life podcast, where we turn pain into purpose. When we're triggered and stuck in our trauma, our nervous system goes into overdrive. It's exhausting, it's unsustainable — but healing is possible.

This season, we're bringing in the experts to show us the way — from psychologists and neuroscientists to leadership coaches and resilience experts. We'll explore what keeps us stuck and, more importantly, how to break free.

Drawing from the book Go Reboot Your Career in 90 Days, we will apply proven strategies to help you reclaim your energy, set boundaries, and realign with your core values. Because the key to leadership and a fulfilling life is authenticity — and until we do the work, our brilliance stays trapped behind our triggers.

Join us as we learn from the best, reset our nervous systems, and step into the life we were meant to live.

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Shannon Bally: Shannon Bally is an experienced Criminal Justice professional and military veteran with deep expertise in Physical Security. With a proven history in government administration, Shannon is skilled in Intelligence Analysis, Counterterrorism, Firearms Handling, Crime Analysis, and Risk Assessment. Her strong background in military and protective services is backed by specialized certifications in Physical Security and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Shannon also hosts two inspiring podcasts: BumpCast, a supportive space for pregnant and postpartum moms, and Chaos Queens, where she shares empowering stories of women who have overcome adversity. Shannon’s dedication to security, resilience, and uplifting others defines her impactful career and her commitment to making a difference.

In this episode Lisa and Shannon discuss:

• Navigating PTSD and hypervigilance after Iraq deployment
• Advocating for chronic pain management and self-care
• Building supportive communities for veterans with shared experiences
• Prioritizing family and mental health over an unfulfilling career
• Empowering women through storytelling on podcasts

Key Takeaways: 

• Combat veterans often face persistent PTSD, hypervigilance, and complex challenges when seeking help, highlighting the enduring effects of military trauma.
• Unexpected deployments can lead to PTSD without a clear cause, creating a need for self-advocacy and resilience, especially for those managing disabilities and chronic pain.
• Supportive communities offer veterans a sense of connection and relief, helping them combat feelings of isolation through shared experiences.
• For many veterans, mental health takes priority over unfulfilling careers, especially when workplace stress exacerbates PTSD or feelings of undervalue.
• Hosting podcasts and sharing stories of resilience can provide veterans with a powerful way to find purpose and empowerment beyond traditional career paths.

“One of the biggest things I've discovered in sharing my experiences is just how many women are suffering in silence. I feel a moral imperative to hold space for other women with similar diagnoses, to provide a safe place for sharing our stories. Because we all have a story, right? And when we have these silent illnesses, we often feel so alone. Getting our stories out there helps others not feel so alone.”

- Shannon Bally

Connect with Shannon Bally: 

Website: https://www.shannonbally.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-bally/ 

Shannon’s Podcasts: https://www.thebumpcast.com/ 

                                   https://www.chaosqueens.org/ 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Allison Goodman: Allison Goodman is an executive at Intel Corp and a Senior Principal Engineer specializing in embedded systems, firmware, GenAI, and storage and memory products. Deeply inspired by the magic of computer engineering, Allison is passionate about solving complex problems and bringing ideas to life. Her work focuses on pioneering new paths in computing, building transformative systems, and advancing data movement capabilities. As a transformational leader, she is dedicated to driving change across teams and large organizations, fostering an environment where creativity, innovation, and agility are at the forefront. Allison has a proven track record of translating cutting-edge technologies into impactful products, and she is committed to inspiring others to explore the potential of engineering, paving the way for future innovators to make a lasting difference in the world.

In this episode Lisa and Allison discuss:

• Navigating career success while managing an invisible chronic illness
• Strategies for balancing demanding career roles with motherhood and personal health
• Coping mechanisms for managing a rare genetic muscular disorder in high-stakes environments
• Empowerment and community support found through a rare diagnosis
• Motivational insights on trusting body intuition and advocating for health

Key Takeaways: 

• Achieving success while managing a chronic illness highlights resilience and the importance of developing personalized coping strategies.
• A commitment to balancing career, family, and personal health offers valuable insights into navigating multiple roles with intentional planning.
• Strategic rest and careful observation of one’s environment are key tools for managing the demands of an invisible disability.
• Embracing self-awareness and persistence in medical advocacy can empower individuals facing rare, undiagnosed conditions.
• The rise of supportive tech communities and improved diagnostics has brought newfound hope to those once struggling alone with rare diseases.

“You know your body best, so don’t let anyone tell you how you feel or dismiss it as 'in your head.' Keep looking for the doctor who will take the time to listen and work with you. Finding a name for it can be empowering, and with today’s data-driven world, that possibility is closer than ever.”

- Allison Goodman

Connect with Allison Goodman: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisongoodman1/ 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Nicole Sanoski: Nicole Sanoski is a chronic illness advocate and a seasoned IT leader with over 20 years of experience in the public sector, certified in PMP since 2008. Known for her agility and grace under pressure, Nicole excels in assessing project risks, reviving stalled initiatives, and mentoring team members. Her ability to connect with diverse professionals—from programmers to C-suite executives—has led to enhanced productivity and talent retention. With expertise managing projects ranging from $500k to $12M, she has worked across multiple industries, agencies, and consulting firms. Nicole skillfully navigates California's complex project approval and procurement processes, ensuring seamless progression while offering innovative solutions.

In this episode Lisa and Nicole discuss:

• Journey of self-education on disability rights and workplace accommodations
• Challenges of speaking up under the Americans with Disabilities Act and advocating for oneself
• Strategies for energy budgeting and pacing to maintain sustainable work
• Utilizing technology tools to streamline tasks and overcome obstacles
• Gamifying data analytics to boost teamwork, efficiency, and morale

Key Takeaways: 

• Self-education on disability rights and workplace accommodations is essential for chronic illness patients to advocate for their needs and maintain sustainable work amidst limitations.
• Strategic disability disclosure during the hiring process is key; advocating for accommodations without oversharing medical details helps avoid potential biases.
• Utilizing technology and streamlining tasks enables individuals with chronic illness to work smarter, fostering efficiency and problem-solving while overcoming obstacles.
• Energy budgeting through pacing helps focus energy on meaningful tasks, emphasizing the importance of accepting limitations rather than concealing vulnerabilities.
• Assertive healthcare advocacy and setting boundaries with providers unwilling to meet needs reinforce the importance of seeking respectful, trusting medical relationships.

“Innovation is one of the best attributes that people with chronic illness have in the workplace.” - Nicole Sanoski

Connect with Nicole Sanoski: 

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

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Dr. Yvette Pegues: Dr. Yvette Pegues specializes in helping organizations and communities integrate accessibility, belonging, and neuro-inclusive practices into their ecosystems. Beginning her career as a scientist, she evolved into an activist and now serves as a Disabled DEI Executive, Engineer, Diversity Champion, and Keynote/TEDx Speaker. She is also the co-Founder and Chief Diversity Officer of Your Invisible Disability Group, whose mission is to empower, equip, educate, and include individuals with disabilities.

In her spare time, she enjoys participating in over 20 adapted sports, ranging from scuba diving and water skiing to horseback riding, golfing, surfboarding, and skateboarding. She promotes activity as a form of activism, well-being, and self-care.

In this episode, Lisa and Dr. Yvette discuss:

• Transition from engineering to advocacy after brain injury
• Emotional intelligence and authenticity in disability experiences
• Challenges of invisible disabilities and societal perceptions
• Reducing denial rates and promoting AI participation for inclusion
• "Art of Adaptability" workbook for managing new diagnoses 

Key Takeaways: 

• Embracing your current self, rather than comparing to your former self, fosters personal growth and acceptance after unexpected life changes.
• The disability community faces significant challenges, including inaccessibility, societal ableism, and financial struggles, yet increased emotional intelligence can lead to deeper connections.
• Creating success pathways through inclusion, training, and resources empowers individuals with disabilities in both personal and professional contexts.
• AI plays a pivotal role in bridging accessibility gaps in the workplace, helping streamline tasks, suggest accommodations, and connect individuals to supportive communities.
• Diverse perspectives are crucial for designing inclusive AI systems, and human refinement is essential to ensure technology addresses the needs of all communities.

“My love for people, it never existed before, but post-brain injury, this immense love for the human condition changed me completely. We sometimes tell the story that my IQ dropped, but my EQ rose, and in retrospect, I'd rather have the latter. I'd rather love people more than machines and things, which is how I believe I may have been before.”

• Dr. Yvette Pegues

Connect with Dr. Yvette Pegues:

Website: https://yvettepegues.com/  

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yvette.pegues.7/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yvettepegues/ 

Dr. Yvette’s BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Adaptability-exclusively-featuring-Diagnosed/dp/1511562331 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Welcome back to the Go Reboot Your Life podcast, where we explore stories of resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming your power. Lisa Thee, in Season 2, is turning the focus to a community that knows what it means to push through: the chronically ill and disabled. Living with chronic illness or disability can feel overwhelming, especially when the systems around us weren't built with us in mind. But it doesn't have to be a story of limitation. It can be one of possibility, perseverance, and empowerment.

In this season, Lisa will be talking with inspiring individuals who have found ways to overcome common obstacles in the workplace, in the world, and at home. We'll hear how they have not only adapted but thrived, creating a new normal on their own terms. You'll hear stories of resilience, real strategies for navigating changes, and communities coming together to support one another.

If you're seeking inspiration, support, or just a reminder that you're not alone on this journey, this season is for you. Together, we will learn from those who have been there and are finding their way to a brighter future. Join Lisa Thee in Season 2 of Go Reboot Your Life, because no matter what challenges you face, your story is still yours to write.

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.