Inspired Courage

In this episode, Nicole takes a solo interview with Ella Waite a local Minneapolis, MN Yoga Teacher and Maternal Wellness Coach. They chat about Ella's journey as a mother and her impactful work with Ella Frances Yoga around serving mothers, especially during this pandemic.

Nicole Pierce Risvold wraps 2020 and why we don't have to hate it. She inspires us to reflect on the both/ands of this year and how we move forward into 2021.

In the midst of social distancing and quarantining, Nicole and Marko embark on the topic of conflict. Listen to this episode to learn how they see it showing up in their lives, how they get through, and what is brings them back to sanity. This real talk helps us all find sameness in what seems like an endless time spent at home.

In this episode, Nicole goes solo to interview Ashely Sondergaard of the Yoga Magic podcast and Ashley Sondergaard Yoga. They tackle topics ranging from wellness rituals, routines, and the courage to chase self-care when the whole world seems to be hustling. Dive in to learn more about Ashley's brand and her tried and true rituals that keep her centered during this unprecendented time.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marko and Nicole have continued to connect with people and their stories. In this episode, Marko and Nicole interview Jenna Howenstein and Ashley Reichow about their similar stories about losing their mothers to cancer at a young age. Jenna and Ashley walk us through their journeys and how they found friendship through loss. Grief isn't linear whatsoever, but the way we connect can ease the pain and help navigate life with loss.

In the midst of quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marko and Nicole continued to record inspiring stories. This episode captures Brenna Lightfoot's journey toward wellness while living with an eating disorder. Her story creates space and shares a voice for people living with an eating disorder and disordered eating habits--that no one is alone. Know, your body is beautiful, it is powerful and worthy to take up space in this world. We hope you find courage in Brenna's story. xoxo

We are kicking off season 2 (seriously!!) in honor of Black History Month. A more defined goal for the Inspired Courage duo (Marko + Nicole) is to bring voices from all different backgrounds--all in the name of equality and equity.

In this episode, Nicole and Marko interview a panel of black school counselors from Minnesota School Counselors of Color. They dive into topics around representation, micro-aggressions, and code-switching in their journeys' of working in Minnesota's education system. Join Marko and Nicole as they chat with Arnise, Derek, and Caleb about showing up and doing the work is just the start of a larger race equity conversation.

In this mini segment, Nicole Pierce Risvold touches on the topic of "things don't always work out." Whether with events, with passion projects, friends, plans, life, etc., this is real life and it's just a part of the journey! Nicole and Marko are taking this mantra into 2020 and will continue to shape and grow the Inspired Courage Podcast to be a place to hold space and tell stories. Stay tuned. Season 2 is coming!

When you walk down the street, you see so many different people. Some who seem to wear their stories on the outside and others who look put together--maybe even perfect. That's the era we are in; where stories are underneath the surface--waiting to be told. This episode embarks on the recovery journey of Thomas (Tom) Sugatt. Marko Dewhurst dives deep into Tom's story through addiction to his glowingly present self. You will meet Tom on his road to Minnesota and the pivotal moments that ignited his treatment, his shifts in perspective around sobriety and how it's different for everyone. Marko and Tom bond over their love for yoga and what flawed stories make them who they are--it may even mean we are "recovering from ourselves." In the era of an opioid epidemic, listen to change your perspective on addiction and the road to active recovery. You won't regret this one, friends.

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In this month's episode, Marko and Nicole interview Adrienne VanZomeren about her courageous story. They embark on learning about the journey that shaped her to who she is today and what she has learned from past trauma that lead her to getting her Ph.D. Here's a little more about her:

Adrienne grew up in Detroit, MI where she liked to make her family dog gourmet meals of mud pies and collected worms to take on bike rides. She cared a lot about school and sports, which inspired her to become a college athlete and to decide to go to graduate school. She moved to the Twin Cities in 2011 to begin a Ph.D. program in child clinical psychology, and then moved to Boston, MA in 2016 to complete her doctoral training at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. She currently resides in the Twin Cities where she teaches yoga, evaluates depressed teens, and hangs out with her 13-year-old German Shepherd, Luke.