Welcome back to the show! Today, I’m sitting down with Rachel Mooers, a brilliant psychotherapist who specializes in mindbody pain, chronic symptoms, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Rachel is the Clinical Director at the Better Mind Center and runs her own private practice, Mojave Wellness Counseling, in Nevada. She brings deep expertise in Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy—and, more importantly, a deeply compassionate approach to healing.

In this conversation, we explore a counterintuitive but essential truth: when it comes to healing—whether from chronic symptoms, emotional pain, or life’s biggest struggles—the answer isn’t to work harder or fix ourselves. Instead, it’s about self-acceptance, ease, and moving toward what actually feels good. Rachel shares insights from her own healing journey, the tools she’s found most transformative, and how this mindset shift applies to everything from relationships to career growth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of trying to “fix” yourself, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in.

You can find Rachel at:

www.mojavewellness.com/

www.bettermindcenter.com/

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

And you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Ever ridden the high of a creative surge… only to crash hard days later?
In this solo episode, I’m sharing the raw and recent story of a nervous system crash I experienced just last week.

I had been moving fast—excited, inspired, riding the momentum of new ideas and big dreams. And then… bam. My body hit the brakes, and I found myself wide awake at 1:30am, mid-panic, realizing something deeper was going on.

In this episode, I walk you through:

• What actually happened during my crash (spoiler: it came after a period of massive creativity and overdrive)
• How I recognized the signs before things got worse
• The tools and mindset shifts I used to support myself through it
• Why this crash was actually a growth moment—not a failure
• The sneaky ways urgency can masquerade as inspiration
• What to do when your nervous system says “enough”

Whether you’re navigating your own crash or just want to build your business in a more sustainable, soul-aligned way—this one’s for you.

✨ If you’re a sensitive, high-achieving human who’s learning to listen to your body and lead with your intuition, I see you—and I’ve got you.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Want to work with me 1:1? Learn more about coaching here: https://www.annaholtzman.com
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_holtzman/
• Share this episode with a friend who needs it

Welcome back, dear listener. Today's episode touches on different topics than we usually cover, but at its core, it’s about the same themes: how to trust yourself, connect with your values, and stay authentic—even when it feels risky.

My guest today is Hamze Awawde, a Palestinian activist and writer whose work focuses on peacebuilding.

In our conversation, we explore what it means to build trust when it seems impossible, how to stay grounded in your values when faced with power imbalances and demands for unity, and how to move beyond the stuckness of fear into a deeper connection with our own humanity—and the humanity of others.

We also talk about the discomfort of honesty—how speaking your truth can alienate some people, and even cost you friendships, but ultimately leads to more genuine and authentic connections.

It’s a conversation about courage, complexity, and the ongoing practice of seeing ourselves and one another fully. I’m honored to share it with you.

You can find Hamze at:

https://www.instagram.com/hamzeawawde/

And you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Have you ever felt like you’re on the edge of stepping into a new version of yourself—one that feels more aligned, more authentic—but something keeps holding you back? That something is often an old identity that once served you but no longer fits. In this solo episode, I’m diving deep into what it really takes to let go of an outdated identity and embrace the next phase of your personal or professional journey.

You'll learn:


✨ Why shedding an old identity feels so uncomfortable (even when you know you’ve outgrown it)


✨ The fears that keep us stuck—like worrying about what others will think or if we’re "good enough" for the next step
✨ How these fears show up as procrastination, perfectionism, and self-sabotage


✨ Practical tools to navigate identity shifts with more ease, self-compassion, and confidence


✨ A simple first step you can take today to start moving forward

I’ll also share my own experiences navigating major identity shifts—from design magazines to reality TV, from therapist to coach—and how I help creatives, coaches, and entrepreneurs step into visibility in a way that feels energizing, not exhausting.

🎧 Tune in now, and if this episode resonates, let me know! DM me on Instagram or book a coaching call if you’re ready to step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence.

You can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Welcome back, dear listener. Today’s guest is someone whose words have inspired hundreds of thousands of creatives to step fully into their artistic identity—and I know she’s going to inspire you, too.

Amie McNee is a writer, speaker, and creative coach whose mission is to dismantle the limiting narratives that hold artists back. Through her books, courses, workshops, and online community, she helps creatives build the courage to choose themselves and their art—without waiting for permission.

Her new book, We Need Your Art, is a powerful call to action, reminding us that creative work isn’t just a hobby or a luxury—it’s essential. And yet, so many of us struggle with the fear of being seen, of not being "good enough," or of simply not knowing where to begin. In this conversation, Amie shares her own journey as well as practical tools that you can use for trusting yourself as an artist and building a sustainable creative practice.

And … I’ll be honest, I was ridiculously excited for this conversation. I’ve been such a fan of Amie’s work for so long that I wasn’t entirely sure I’d be able to keep my cool, so I might sound a little goofy.

If you've ever felt the pull to create but hesitated because of self-doubt, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it.

You can find Amie at:
https://www.amiemcnee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtowrite/

We Need Your Art: https://www.amiemcnee.com/pre-order-we-need-your-art-book-amie-mcnee

And you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Ever find yourself stuck, overwhelmed, or endlessly distracted when trying to get things done? You’re not alone. In this episode, I dive deep into why traditional productivity methods don’t always work for sensitive nervous systems or easily distracted minds—and what to do instead.

I share my own experiences, from struggling to write a book to my first day at MTV, and reveal the game-changing shifts that helped me move from stuck to steady progress. We’ll talk about why willpower isn’t the issue, how nervous system regulation plays a key role in productivity, and practical strategies to help you work with your energy instead of against it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real reason you feel stuck, distracted, or overwhelmed when trying to get things done
• How your nervous system state impacts focus and motivation (and why it’s not about willpower)
• Why forcing productivity often backfires—and what to do instead
• Simple, sustainable strategies to help you work in alignment with your energy levels
• Why conventional productivity advice (like strict timed intervals) might not work for you—and what does
• How embracing slow periods can actually help you get more done in the long run
• The #1 small step you can take today to start working with your nervous system

Resources & Mentions:

• Episode 56: The Melt-Through Method – A technique for working with fear and inner resistance

You can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Welcome back, dear listeners. Today’s episode is a powerful one! I’m joined by Elysia Skye—a motivational speaker, mindfulness facilitator, intuitive life and business coach, and host of The Brilliance Method podcast. Elysia has lived many lives—from Hollywood actress to award-winning video producer to the deeply insightful coach she is today. And through every transformation, self-trust has been her guiding force.

In our conversation, she shares how listening to her intuition led her through major career shifts, how trusting herself quite literally saved her life as she navigated breast cancer in her 20s, and how she now helps high-achieving entrepreneurs stay grounded through the inevitable ups and downs of building a business.

This episode is full of wisdom, heart, and actionable insights on deepening your own self-trust, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Let’s dive in.

You can find Elysia at:

Website: https://elysiaskye.com/

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

And you can find me at:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In this episode, I walk you through my personal journey of overcoming the fear of visibility, using my unique Upward Spiral Framework to navigate the emotional tension that often comes with stepping into the spotlight. Whether you’re facing fears around sharing your creative work, starting a new project, or simply expressing your authentic self, this episode is for you.

I dive deep into the three pillars of my framework:

1. Clarity – Using the "Melt-Through Method" to uncover and meet the fear head-on.
2. Action – How to take manageable, gradual steps with graded exposure to move through fear without overwhelming your nervous system.
3. Modulation – Techniques for responding to triggers and staying attuned to your body’s signals for a balanced approach to visibility.

With real-life examples of my own fears and challenges around sharing vulnerable content, I offer actionable tools and a compassionate approach to help you move through your fears, gain clarity, and take empowered action in your life and business.

If you’ve ever hesitated to take the next step because of fear, this episode will inspire you to move forward and stand in your power.

Takeaways from this episode:

• How fear shows up in our bodies and minds and how to compassionately address it.
• The importance of giving your fear a voice and listening to it with empathy.
• How to create a step-by-step approach to facing your fears with graded exposure.
• Tools for emotional and nervous system regulation that support taking action toward your goals.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• My 1:1 Coaching: Apply now to work with me directly on overcoming your own fear of visibility and building the courage to share your voice with the world. More info at:
  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

If you’re ready to express yourself authentically and need support through the process, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You can find me at:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Welcome back, dear listener. Today, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone whose work aligns so powerfully with the heart of this podcast.

Merrill Wood is a licensed therapist and co-founder of the executive coaching group Monday Wellness, who helps leaders and teams cultivate healthy workplace cultures by transforming traditional hierarchies of power into ecosystems of relational support. She’s known for her ability to navigate difficult conversations with gentleness and to set boundaries with both warmth and clarity—skills that are so crucial, not just in leadership, but in every area of life.

But today, we’re going beyond workplace dynamics and into something deeply personal: how to trust yourself after being part of a high-control faith community. Merrill has her own lived experience in this realm, and in our conversation, she shares the insights, tools, and lessons that helped her rebuild self-trust — and that now inform the work she does with her clients.

If you’ve ever struggled to reclaim your inner voice after being in a rigid system—whether it’s a faith community, a workplace, or even a family dynamic—you’re going to want to stick around for this one. Merrill brings so much wisdom and compassion to this topic, and I can’t wait for you to hear her perspective.

So, let’s dive in. Here’s my conversation with Merrill Wood.

You can find Merrill at:
Website: https://www.mondaywellness.com/

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

And you can find me at:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

This episode is a little different from what I usually share. It touches on current events that may feel triggering, but at its heart, it’s about something deeply universal: how to work through the shame that silences us and reclaim our voice when fear threatens to shut us down.
In the aftermath of the events of October 7, 2023, I received an email from a non-Jewish former client. In this email, she claimed that, as an ethnic Jew, I had a moral obligation to publicly align with her political beliefs. The tone and content of her message felt like an attack on my personal identity and an attempt to weaponize my ethnicity as a test of my moral worth. And it shook me to my core.

I felt instantly afraid, ashamed, and confused, and that swirl of emotions silenced me. I didn’t tell anyone about the email—except for my husband—for months. I didn’t even tell my life coach or best friend. I was so afraid that if this one person thought I wasn’t a good person, maybe everyone thought the same. The email struck such a vulnerable place, dredging up layers of internalized anti-Semitism I didn’t even know were lodged so deeply inside me. Looking back, I realize that because it touched on an unhealed wound carried through generations, through my grandparents’ history of escaping the Holocaust, it triggered a core, primal fear: the fear of not being loved or accepted because of who I am.

I want to share how I worked through this experience and used it as an invitation to heal this deep layer of fear and shame. And part of what helped me recognize what was happening was the timing: I received this email one week before stepping on stage to tell a different story that I had carried shame around for over 20 years, which you can hear in its entirety in episode 42 of this podcast.

That story, about an experience with non-consensual touch in my teens, had silenced me for so long. The shame had stifled my creativity, my clarity, and my life energy. And as I prepared to share that story on stage, I realized how the email was triggering the same fear and the same impulse to silence myself again.

But this time, I knew better, and I had tools. I wasn’t going to let fear and shame bury me for another 20 years. Instead, I used my tools to turn this into an opportunity for inner healing and growth. And that’s what I want to share with you today: how you can use the fear of rejection, judgment, or misunderstanding as a powerful invitation to heal yourself, build deeper self-trust, and free up the life energy you need to share your incredible gifts with the world.

You can find me at:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠