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

Welcome to today’s episode! I’m so excited to introduce you to my personal coach, Claudette Chenevert, who is also known as The Stepmom Coach. Claudette is a Master Stepfamily Relationship Coach with over 35 years of experience helping stepmothers and their partners build stronger, healthier stepfamilies—one STEP at a time.

In addition to her coaching work, Claudette holds a degree in the Psychology of Communication and specializes in stepfamily dynamics and conflict resolution. She’s also the host of the annual Stepfamily Summit, which has been running since 2020, creating a much-needed space for stepfamilies to find connection, support, and guidance.

I first came to Claudette for support in navigating my role as a stepmom in a way that felt authentic to me. Instead of trying to force myself into stepmom stereotypes that didn’t fit, Claudette helped me trust myself and carve out a role that works for my unique situation.

While her work is focused on step-parents, Claudette’s insights on self-trust, communication, and navigating complex family systems are truly universal. In this conversation, we explore themes that will resonate with anyone who’s looking to create stronger relationships or move through life with more confidence and authenticity.

Let’s dive in! Here’s my conversation with Claudette Chenevert.

You can find Claudette at:

Website: https://stepmomcoach.com/

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

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In this second part of my self-interview experiment, we’re diving even deeper into the waves of fear that inevitably arise on the path toward meaningful goals. Whether you’re dreaming big or just beginning to take the first small steps toward change, this episode will give you new insights and tools to ride those emotional swells without letting fear derail you.

If you missed part one, be sure to listen to Ep 56 first!

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

1. Lessons from the Journey So FarI share some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this new chapter of my coaching practice, including why fear feels so intense, how it’s survivable, and how riding through it strengthens your confidence instead of weakening it.
2. “Afraid of Their Dreams”Many of my clients come to me with nervous systems that are afraid of their dreams. What does that mean? I break down this idea and share how I help people move past self-sabotage into aligned action.
3. Patterns and BreakthroughsFrom thinking they’re small and powerless to realizing they have untapped power, I reflect on the common breakthroughs I’ve seen in my work and share a surprising perspective shift that unlocks answers already inside you.
4. Practical Advice for the Overwhelmed DreamerFeeling stuck between a big vision and the fear of how to get there? I offer simple, actionable advice to help you start building momentum while balancing exposure with recovery and leaning into supportive connections.

Why You Should Tune In:

This episode is about more than facing fear—it’s about transforming it into fuel for your growth. You’ll hear relatable examples, personal reflections, and practical tools to inspire your next step forward, whether you’re starting a new chapter, navigating self-doubt, or pursuing a bold dream.

Takeaway for Listeners:

Fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path—it’s a sign you’re doing something meaningful. When you balance courageous action with nervous system care, you can move forward with clarity and confidence, one wave at a time.

Subscribe & Stay Connected:

Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe to the podcast and follow me with the links below. Let’s ride these waves together.

You can find me at:
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In this solo episode, I experiment with a new format: interviewing myself! As someone who’s naturally more comfortable hosting conversations than delivering monologues, I decided to ease into solo episodes by writing interview questions and answering them myself.

The theme of this episode is something we all face on the path to big goals—fear. Whether you're pursuing healing, building a business, exploring a creative dream, or embarking on any personal growth journey, fear is part of the process. Together, we explore how to navigate the inevitable waves of fear that arise along the way.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

My Journey in Coaching: A brief introduction for new listeners about who I am and what brought me to this point in my coaching career.

Pivoting with Purpose: Insights into my recent transition from chronic pain coaching to a new focus on helping sensitive high achievers reach their big goals. I share the fears and doubts that came up and how I worked through them.

Journaling as a Fear Navigator: A practical look at how I use mind-body journaling to process fear, access my inner guidance, and stay grounded when the waves of self-doubt roll in.

Why You Should Tune In:
This episode isn’t just about my journey—it’s about yours too. If you’re facing fear as you move toward something meaningful, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone. Plus, I’ll share tools and insights to help you stay steady when fear tries to knock you off course.

Takeaway for Listeners:
Fear is normal, and you can ride its waves without letting it drown your dreams. Journaling is one of the most powerful tools I’ve found to navigate those emotional swells—and by the end of this episode, you’ll have a few prompts to try in your own journal.

Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe to the podcast and follow me on Instagram. Let’s keep riding those waves together.

You can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

Today’s guest is someone incredibly dear to my heart: Ashley Haseotes. Ashley and I have worked together since 2020, and witnessing her transformation has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Ashley is a mother of three, a healer, and a powerhouse businesswoman who wears many hats, including founder of a charity that supports kids with cancer and their families. But Ashley’s story is so much more than her titles.

When we first began working together, Ashley was confined by chronic migraines and pain, unable to travel or fully participate in her life. Over time, she not only healed her pain but also strengthened her marriage, regained control of her charity, and went on to head marketing for her family’s multi-franchise businesses. And as if that wasn’t enough, she wrote a memoir called The Unspoken, detailing her journey of healing from childhood trauma and chronic pain—and you can even read about our work together in the book!


Ashley’s story is one of resilience, healing, and rediscovering life’s purpose. Whether you’re navigating pain, stress, or a big life transition, Ashley’s insights are sure to inspire and empower you. And I can’t wait to share this conversation with you!

You can find Ashley at:

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

Book: The Unspoken: A Soul's Reflection on Healing from Abuse, Neglect and Chronic Pain

https://www.veda-healing.org/author-ashley-haseotes-the-unspoken/

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Dawn Apuan, a copywriter and funnel strategist who helps entrepreneurs sell out their high-ticket offers with messaging that brilliantly captures their unique voice. But Dawn’s journey to where she is today is a powerful story of learning to trust herself. After a life as a pastor in a tightly-knit faith community where her path seemed completely mapped out, Dawn made the bold decision to leave that life behind and follow her intuition into the unknown. We talk about how she navigated that scary transition, leaned into her inner guidance, and ultimately found a life and career that light her up. This conversation is a testament to the power of trusting yourself—let’s get started!

You can find Dawn at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawn.copyqueen/

Website: https://www.dawnapuan.com/

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Dr. Jennifer Franklin, one of the first ‘gastropsychologists’ in the U.S. Dr. Franklin specializes in treating neuroplastic symptoms and disorders of gut-brain interaction like irritable bowel syndrome and cyclic vomiting syndrome. Drawing from her own recovery journey, she’s spent over two decades helping others heal through experiential, mindfulness-based, and somatic approaches. Dr. Franklin is also a teacher, speaker, and content creator, sharing her expertise on the brain-gut connection and how to foster lasting healing. You’re going to get so much out of this conversation—let’s get started!

You can find Jennifer at:

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

Website: https://donthateyourguts.com/

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Dr. Adrienne Stein, a board-certified naturopathic doctor on a mission to change the narrative around menopause. With over 20 years of experience treating thousands of women in perimenopause and menopause, Dr. Adrienne sheds light on the lack of resources and understanding many women face during this transition. She sees menopause not just as a health condition but as a pivotal opportunity for women to transform their health, step into their power, and embrace a new chapter of embodiment. It’s a perspective you don’t want to miss—let’s get into it!

You can find Adrienne at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrienne.nd/

Website: https://thrivemenopause.com/

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.annaholtzman.com⁠

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Christine Northrup, an LCSW, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and the owner of Take Root Counseling and Coaching, a group practice specializing in highly individualized eating disorder treatment. Christine also runs ED Recovery Coaching, where she helps individuals deepen their recovery journey. Drawing from her own recovery experience, she works through a somatically oriented, attachment-based lens and is an advanced practitioner of Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders. We dive into her approach to healing and how she helps clients connect to their capacity for deep, embodied transformation. Stay tuned—it’s a conversation you’ll want to hear!

You can find Christine at:

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

Therapy: https://www.takerootcounselingandcoaching.com/

Coaching: https://www.edrecoverycoaching.com/

And you can find me at:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@anna_holtzman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.annaholtzman.com⁠