In this powerful conversation, Sara sits down with serial entrepreneur and author Jess Greenwood to explore the profound difference between happiness and joy. After navigating her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, single parenting during COVID lockdowns, and her husband's devastating motorcycle accident that required ten surgeries, Jess discovered something life-changing: joy doesn't abandon us during our darkest moments - it hangs out with our trauma, waiting for us to make space for it.

Unlike happiness, which Jess describes as floating "in your eyebrows," joy lives deep in your gut. It's involuntary, organic, and shows up sideways when you least expect it. Through raw storytelling, Jess shares how she went from believing joy was "b******t" to understanding it as a constant companion that requires no action from us except openness.

This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It's about recognizing that you can experience profound joy even while sitting in hospital waiting rooms, even while grieving, even while everything feels uncertain. As Jess puts it, "Joy is the resistance" - choosing to make space for these moments is an act of rebellion against fear and anxiety.

Perfect for anyone who's ever felt guilty for laughing during hard times or wondered if they're "allowed" to experience joy while others are suffering. Sara and Jess explore the relationship between joy and hope, the importance of embodiment, and why learning to recognize joy in your body might be the most important skill you never knew you needed. This conversation with life coaching for women will leave you with a completely new understanding of what it means to truly live, not just survive.00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Sara Stansberry01:45 - Meet Jess Greenwood: From genetics to writing to joy exploration03:20 - The trauma that started everything: Mom's cancer diagnosis and COVID05:15 - Single parenting through grief and career changes06:30 - The motorcycle accident that changed everything08:45 - Finding humor in the ER: "This is how we cope"10:20 - Four years of survival mode and losing touch with happiness12:10 - What does joy actually mean? Joy vs happiness defined15:30 - Is joy something we have or something we cultivate?17:45 - The whiteboard story: Finding agency in powerlessness20:15 - Joy as a constant companion, even in the canyon22:40 - The difference between joy and love25:20 - From thinking joy was "b******t" to building trust28:10 - How joy has softened and opened space30:45 - Joy as the resistance against fear and anxiety33:20 - The self-worth component: "Joy wasn't in the cards for me"36:15 - Gratitude as the gateway to joy38:45 - Joy at the beach: All versions of yourself in one place41:30 - Real life joy: When your book arrives but gymnastics waits43:20 - The relationship between joy and hope45:50 - Writing as a tool for healing and pivoting48:10 - Creating space for joy in 8 million different ways49:30 - Sharing stories instead of prescriptive advice50:45 - Where to find Jess Greenwood and closing thoughts

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Ever catch yourself wondering why the same relationship drama keeps happening with different people? In this episode, we're diving deep into those sneaky patterns that keep us stuck in cycles we don't even realize we're in.

Sara breaks down the most common unhealthy relationship patterns - from the rescuer who's always fixing someone to the conflict-avoider who'd rather suffer in silence than rock the boat. We're talking about that push-pull dynamic, the perfectionist performance trap, and why some of us keep choosing emotionally unavailable people like it's our job.

But here's where it gets real - these patterns aren't random. They're usually rooted in childhood survival strategies that helped us navigate our early environments but are now sabotaging our adult connections. Sara explains how unresolved trauma gets re-scripted in our current relationships as we unconsciously try to "win" situations we couldn't control as kids.

The good news? Awareness is the first step to change, and taking responsibility (without self-blame) gives you back your power. This episode is packed with practical steps for breaking these cycles, from mapping your relationship history to developing new responses to old triggers.

Whether you're stuck in romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, or workplace patterns, this episode offers hope and actionable strategies. Female empowerment coaching meets real talk about why we do what we do - and how to do it differently.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Ever feel like you're back in middle school, standing with your cafeteria tray, wondering where to sit? That's exactly how I felt at Cheryl Strayed's writing conference - until I met Amy and Kendra. We bonded over our shared anxieties: wrong socks, awkward parking encounters, and the universal fear of not being accepted.

This episode dives deep into how three grown women navigated vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and the truth beneath the truth. We explore why we fixate on small things (like socks) when we're really worried about bigger issues (like belonging). From Amy's sweat-soaked hill climbs to Kendra's writing prompt panic to my bizarre parking lot confrontation, we share the messy, beautiful reality of showing up authentically.

We unpack why even successful women in their 40s and 50s still carry middle school wounds, and how finding your people can happen in the most unexpected moments. Sometimes you need to embrace being awkward and weird to find where you belong.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

In this episode of "How to Blow Up Your Life," Sara Stansberry dives deep into the often misunderstood concept of forgiveness. She explains that true forgiveness is more about acceptance than relationship restoration - it's cutting the invisible string that ties you to pain and resentment.

Through a compelling client story, Sara illustrates how holding onto hurt actually makes us slaves to our past, preventing us from building the future we desire. As one of the top female life coaches in the space, Sara offers practical wisdom on how to recognize when forgiveness might be necessary in your life and why it doesn't require interaction with the person who hurt you.

Sara emphasizes that forgiveness is an internal process that frees YOU, not the other person. She provides insight on how to trace back wounds to their origin, heal them properly, and release the resentment that may be poisoning multiple areas of your life. Whether you're struggling with a past relationship, family conflict, or workplace incident, this episode offers a roadmap to freedom through forgiveness.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

In this enlightening episode, Sara Stansberry interviews Dr. SG Gettman, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in treating chronic illness, burnout, and autoimmune conditions. They dive deep into the fascinating connection between unprocessed emotions and physical ailments. Dr. Gettman shares compelling research showing how emotional suppression increases inflammation markers in the body, while properly processing feelings actually lowers them.

The conversation explores what it truly means to metabolize emotions and why so many of us avoid doing it. Dr. Gettman shares a personal story about how her unresolved grief manifested as physical symptoms that didn't fully resolve until she completed the emotional processing. They discuss practical techniques anyone can use - from the medically-endorsed "one song dance party" to dedicated "feelings time" with a timer, to seeking professional help through modalities like EMDR, tapping, or somatic experiencing. This episode offers a female empowerment coaching perspective on dealing with emotions, encouraging listeners to honor their feelings as legitimate physical experiences rather than dismissing them.

Dr. SG Gettman is a licensed naturopathic doctor serving individuals with chronic illnesses, burnout, and autoimmune conditions while also maintaining a keen focus on prevention and health optimization. In addition to treating patients in their private practice, Dr. Gettman writes a Substack called Sunny Wellness, where they offer brighter insights about naturopathic medicine, wellness, and what it means to be human. Dr. Gettman also serves as a volunteer preceptor at a free clinic for LGBTQ+ migrant individuals.

They received their Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Sonoran University of Health Sciences, Master of Arts in Teaching from George Washington University, and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Corcoran College of Art & Design, and is a proud alumna of Emma Willard School.

When not supporting patients on their healing journeys, you can usually find Dr. Gettman painting watercolors, hiking, reading, enjoying Taylor Swift music, and drinking bubbly water.You can reach Dr. Gettman here:🌐 https://www.summersunintegrative.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/dr_gettman ✍️ https://drgettman.substack.com

This podcast is intended for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and does not constitute a patient-doctor relationship. If you have or suspect that you have a psychological or medical problem, contact your healthcare provider promptly. For information on how to find a provider near you, see the notes below.

Find a naturopathic doctor near you: https://naturopathic.org/search/custom.asp?id=5613

In this revealing episode, Sara Stansberry breaks down what codependency really is versus what most people think it is. Drawing from her 15+ years in codependency recovery, she explains that codependency isn't simply being financially dependent on a partner, but rather a trauma response rooted in childhood emotional neglect.

Sara clarifies that codependents are those who overextend themselves in relationships, taking on more than their fair share of responsibility to make the relationship work. This pattern stems from childhood wounds where the person learned to caretake their parents in hopes of eventually having their own emotional needs met.

As a women's empowerment life coach, Sara distinguishes between unhealthy codependence and healthy interdependence, explaining how enabling behaviors perpetuate dysfunction in relationships. She emphasizes that healing from codependency means focusing on your own happiness rather than expecting others to fulfill you.

Whether you're questioning your own relationship patterns or concerned about someone you love, this episode provides clarity on a commonly misunderstood topic, offering the first steps toward healthier relationship dynamics.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

In this heart-to-heart conversation, I chat with Shannon Yonge, an intuitive master life coach who specializes in helping women navigate midlife transitions. We dive into the concept of inner child work and how our early childhood experiences (ages 0-7) shape our adult relationships. Shannon explains that during those formative years, we develop strategies to belong and connect, which often continue to influence how we show up in relationships decades later. We discuss how reconnecting with your inner child can help you reclaim joy, heal relationship patterns, and live more authentically. Shannon offers practical suggestions for starting inner child work, including mirror exercises and connecting with childhood photos. We also explore how to distinguish between feeling your emotions (which leads to healing) versus just thinking about them. Perfect for anyone feeling disconnected from themselves or struggling with relationship patterns they can't seem to break.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

In this first episode of "How to Blow Up Your Life," I share my personal journey from being a seemingly perfect suburban wife and mother who was secretly struggling with emptiness and rage to discovering a path toward authentic living through what I call "creative destruction." I reveal my "garage door moment" – when a simple malfunction triggered an emotional breakdown that became my wake-up call. I openly discuss my battles with codependency, unaddressed childhood needs, unhealthy communication patterns, and various forms of numbing behaviors. I explain that "blowing up your life" isn't about destruction but about intentionally evaluating your beliefs and behaviors to clear space for authenticity. I introduce the concept of showing up as your healthiest self and offer questions to help you determine if creative destruction might benefit your life. Most importantly, I extend an invitation to join me on this journey of self-discovery, promising that whatever stage you're at, you're not alone.Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Ever catch yourself thinking: "This isn't how my life was supposed to turn out"?

You're doing everything "right." Being the good daughter. The supportive partner. The one who keeps the peace, holds it all together,

The one who makes sure everyone else is okay.

But something's off.

Maybe you're exhausted from walking on eggshells.

Tired of doubting yourself.

Sick of watching the same patterns play out (over and over) in every relationship.

Or maybe you've just hit that moment where you realize…I can’t do this anymore.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is blow it all up and start again.

I'm Sara Stansberry, and trust me – I know that moment. I've lived it.

Divorce

Gaslighting

Dysfunctional family patterns

Addiction

Codepenency

And more…

I’ve been there. And I've spent the last 15 years learning how to turn those breaking points into breakthrough moments.

That's why I created "How to Blow Up Your Life" – because sometimes you need to deliberately destroy what isn't working to build something beautiful in its place.

No more sacrificing your needs to keep the peace.

No more doubting your gut.

No more living someone else's story.

We’re not doing that anymore.

Here, in each episode, we take a deep dive into what it really takes to transform your relationships

And learn how to

- break free from people-pleasing and conflict avoidance

- heal from past relationship wounds

- move beyond constant anxiety and self-doubt

-  learn to set boundaries that actually stick

-  transform the old family patterns that have been holding you back

Look, I get it. Change is scary. Messy. Uncomfortable.

But, what if you’re holding onto what’s slowly killing you?

What if that discomfort is actually your signal to grow?

What if the mess is where the magic happens?

Welcome to "How to Blow Up Your Life" – where each episode offers practical tools and raw wisdom for turning your relationship challenges - with yourself and others -  into transformational growth.

Join me for real conversations about what it takes to create change. No sugar-coating. No generic advice. Just honest talk about to build the life and relationships you deserve.

Your comeback story starts now.

Get ready to blow up your life starting this spring.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like this show, please like and subscribe  - I would greatly appreciate it. It helps more than you know.

Join me on Substack at sarastansberry.substack.com, where we continue these conversations.

Also, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok @ sarastansberry.