OCD, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are often misunderstood, and most people don’t realize how they actually show up in everyday life.In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with licensed professional counselor Ashley Rush to break down what OCD really is, how it differs from general anxiety, and why intrusive thoughts feel so real even when you know they aren’t.From compulsions and perfectionism to exposure therapy (ERP) and misdiagnosis, this conversation unpacks the reality of living with OCD and why so many people struggle in silence.We also dive into real-life examples, including body-focused behaviors, health anxiety, and the hidden ways OCD can show up that most people overlook.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thoughts, questioned why you can’t “just stop,” or wondered if what you’re experiencing is more than anxiety, this episode will hit.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Ashley Rush & today’s topic00:45 - What OCD actually is (beyond stereotypes)03:00 - Intrusive thoughts explained07:00 - Why logic doesn’t override OCD09:30 - What is exposure therapy (ERP)?14:00 - OCD vs anxiety: key differences16:00 - Why OCD often goes undiagnosed18:30 - “I’m the only one thinking this”20:00 - Body-focused repetitive behaviors (skin picking, etc.)22:30 - OCD spectrum and real-life examples24:00 - How long does treatment take?26:00 - Perfectionism and high achievement28:00 - Health anxiety and modern habits30:00 - Parenting anxiety and fear patterns33:00 - When anxiety becomes a problem35:00 - Helpful vs harmful anxiety38:00 - Coping strategies and support systems42:00 - Movement, habits, and mental health basics44:30 - Why humor can actually help46:00 - When humor doesn’t work48:00 - Finding the right therapist49:00 - What “living vividly” meansIf you’ve been dealing with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or patterns you don’t fully understand, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening and how to start approaching it differently.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a better understanding of OCD, anxiety, or mental health.—Connect with Ashley Rush 📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrush_lpc/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091666946056👩‍💻 Website → https://www.arushlpc.com/about—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Most people live on one extreme.Always pushing. Always performing. Always distracted.Or completely disconnected, overwhelmed, and stuck.But what if the real goal isn’t choosing one…it’s learning how to balance both?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Abby and Jared, a couple who live on opposite ends of the spectrum but have learned how to meet in the middle.Jared is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt rooted in discipline, pressure, and performance. Abby is a sound practitioner focused on stillness, healing, and nervous system regulation.At first glance, their worlds couldn’t be more different.But this conversation breaks down how both paths lead to the same thing:self-awareness, resilience, and learning how to sit with yourself when things get uncomfortable.From martial arts and meditation to relationships, stress, and emotional regulation, this episode explores what it actually looks like to slow down, find balance, and live authentically in a world that constantly pulls you in every direction.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or like you can’t turn your mind off, this conversation will shift how you think about balance, discipline, and healing.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Discipline vs Stillness00:45 - Meet Abby & Jared02:00 - From jiu jitsu to real life lessons06:00 - Discipline, awareness, and thinking ahead09:00 - Finding your “thing” and self-discovery12:30 - Why most people avoid sitting with themselves14:00 - Sound healing and nervous system regulation18:00 - Abby’s turning point and spiritual journey22:00 - The science behind sound and brainwaves25:00 - Why your mind can’t slow down27:00 - Where discipline and healing overlap31:00 - Health, wellness, and skepticism37:00 - Technology, distraction, and modern life47:00 - Balancing masculine and feminine energy52:00 - Communication in relationships59:00 - People over profit and real connection1:03:00 - Learning how to lose and grow1:05:00 - What it means to live authentically1:08:00 - Imperfection, relatability, and real connectionIf you’ve been stuck in go-go-go mode or struggling to slow down and reconnect with yourself, this episode breaks down why and how to actually find balance.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this or is feeling the same way.—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Most people think burnout comes from working too much.But what if it actually comes from carrying things that were never yours to begin with?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Ashley Mudd, founder of Acadiana Thrives, to break down what leadership really means, why so many people feel stuck and unheard at work, and how burnout builds over time without you even realizing it.From quiet quitting and resentment to difficult conversations and over-functioning, this conversation unpacks the hidden cost of staying silent and why learning to lead yourself first changes everything.If you’ve ever felt overlooked, overworked, or like your voice doesn’t matter, this episode will hit.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Ashley Mudd & Acadiana Thrives00:45 - What “leadership for everyone” actually means02:30 - Why people struggle to have real conversations04:30 - Leadership is a practice, not a title06:00 - Personality vs real leadership08:30 - The cost of not being heard at work10:30 - Quiet quitting explained differently12:30 - Should you stay or leave your job?14:00 - Burnout: how it actually starts15:30 - Over-functioning and rising resentment17:30 - Why speaking up feels risky19:00 - Start small: how to address conflict20:30 - “What are you carrying that isn’t yours?”22:00 - The real cost of staying silent24:00 - Leading yourself first26:00 - Practicing hard conversations safely27:30 - Why we avoid confrontation29:00 - Waiting for someone else to lead31:00 - Conflict, values, and communication34:00 - What real community looks like37:00 - Building a thriving Acadiana40:00 - Isolation vs real connection43:00 - Reconnecting with people in real life45:00 - What “living vividly” meansIf you’ve been feeling burned out, stuck in your job, or like you’re constantly doing more than everyone else, this conversation shows why and what you can actually do about it.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this or is feeling the same way.—Connect with Ashley Mudd (Acadiana Thrives)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/acadianathrives/👥 LinkedIn→ https://www.linkedin.com/company/acadianathrives/👩‍💻 Website → https://www.acadianathrives.org/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Most people will never experience what first responders and military members see in a single shift, but the impact follows them home.In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Greg Grogan from The Overwatch Collective and Robyn Sonnier, LPC, Owner of Clarté Counseling, to unpack the real mental health challenges facing first responders, veterans, and their families, and why so many are still struggling in silence.From trauma exposure and burnout to stigma around therapy, this conversation breaks down what is actually happening behind the scenes and what needs to change.The Overwatch Collective has helped fund over $300,000 in therapy services, connecting hundreds of individuals to culturally competent care.If you or someone you love is in law enforcement, the military, EMS, or firefighting, this episode matters.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro: Greg Grogan and Robyn Sonnier00:45 - From podcast to nonprofit01:30 - The mental health gap in first responders03:00 - $300K in therapy impact05:00 - What cultural competency means07:00 - Why therapy often fails this population09:00 - One bad therapy experience problem11:00 - Why people wait until crisis13:30 - Can therapy affect your career17:00 - “Rocks in the backpack” concept19:00 - Wellness checks and stigma22:00 - Military vs first responder culture25:00 - What trauma looks like on the job29:00 - Dark humor as coping31:00 - Impact on relationships and family35:00 - The fear of not coming home39:00 - How to support the mission42:00 - App and buddy program44:30 - “One more, one less” meaning47:00 - What living vividly meansIf you’ve ever felt like you have to “tough it out” or deal with things on your own, this conversation shows why that mindset can cost more than you think.Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this or support someone who does.—Connect with Greg and Robyn (The Overwatch Collective)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/theoverwatchcollective/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/publicservice2021👩‍💻 Website → https://www.theoverwatchcollective.com/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

What if the way you breathe is quietly shaping your stress levels, digestion, sleep, posture, and overall health?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with holistic health coach and mobility specialist Jade Hayes to explore why breathing is one of the most overlooked foundations of health. From anxiety and cortisol to digestion, athletic performance, and chronic pain, Jade explains how dysfunctional breathing patterns can impact nearly every system in the body.We also explore practical breathwork, breathing exercises, and breathing techniques that help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. If you’ve ever searched for breathing exercises for anxiety, ways to improve your breathing, or the science behind nose breathing benefits, this conversation breaks down the physiology in a simple and practical way.Through three lenses, biomechanical, biochemical, and psychological, we unpack how mouth breathing, modern diets, stress, and even childhood development can shape the way we breathe for life. Jade also explains how breathing techniques for stress, CO₂ tolerance, and oxygen efficiency influence everything from posture and digestion to endurance and mental clarity.If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, chronic stress, or unexplained physical tension, learning better breathing habits may be one of the most powerful tools you can implement for long-term health.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Why Breathing Is the Foundation of Health01:30 – Why Breathwork Is Often Overlooked in Modern Health04:10 – How Childhood Development Affects Breathing Patterns07:10 – Mouth Breathing vs Nose Breathing10:30 – Posture, Pain & the Biomechanics of Breath14:20 – How Breathing Impacts Digestion, Immunity & Gut Health18:10 – Anxiety, Stress & the Psychological Effects of Breath22:00 – Mouth Tape, Training Nasal Breathing & Breath Habits26:20 – CO₂ Tolerance: The Missing Piece of Oxygen Use31:00 – How Breath Controls the Nervous System35:10 – Cortisol, Stress States & Overbreathing40:20 – Breathwork Trends: Wim Hof, Hyperventilation & Performance45:55 – The BOLT Score: Testing Your Breathing Efficiency50:40 – Asthma, Allergies & Breathing Patterns55:50 – A Guided Breathing Exercise to Calm the Nervous System1:02:20 – What “Living Vividly” Means to Jade HayesIf you’ve been focusing on nutrition, exercise, and supplements but still feel stuck in a cycle of stress and fatigue, this conversation highlights why breath might be the missing piece.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who wants to improve their health, reduce anxiety, and better understand the science behind breathing.—Connect with Jade Hayes ( @EthosLiveWell  )📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/ethoslivewell/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/EthosLiveWell➡️ Book a class with Jade: https://www.somble.com/EthosLiveWell🎥 Nasal Breathing Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsVMG-l1PDQ—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Stress is unavoidable. Burnout doesn’t have to be.In this episode of Living Vividly, we’re having an honest conversation about stress, overwhelm, and the daily habits that either calm our nervous system or quietly push us toward burnout.We share personal stories about:• Taking a full week off for the first time in years• Recognizing when “normal busy” turns into chronic stress• How perfectionism secretly fuels overwhelm• Why saying yes to everything raises your stress baseline• How social media can spike anxiety without you realizing itPlus, we reached out to past guests including therapists, coaches, and wellness professionals to ask:What’s one small thing that calms your stress?How do you know you’re getting overwhelmed?What habit makes stress worse even though it feels helpful?How has your relationship with stress changed over time?What would you tell someone who feels constantly overwhelmed?Inside this episode, you’ll hear practical tools like:• Giving yourself permission to slow down• Nature resets and morning sunlight exposure• Legs-up-the-wall nervous system resets• Reducing alcohol and social media intake• Letting go of perfectionism• Learning the power of “no”• Replacing “I should” with “I could”• Lowering your internal stress “vibration”If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, irritable, overstimulated, or like you’re constantly in go-mode, this episode will help you reset your perspective and build a healthier relationship with stress.Because stress is part of life. Living in survival mode doesn’t have to be.If this conversation resonates, leave a review and share it with someone who needs a reset.Until next time, keep living vividly.—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

What does “locally sourced” actually mean in real life and what does it take to build a restaurant around it?In this episode of Living Vividly, host Daphne Olivier sits down with Kelsey Leger and Sarah Trotter from Five Mile Eatery, a locally owned Lafayette restaurant built on a clear mission: thoughtfully sourced ingredients, organic options, no seed oils, and a fully alcohol-free space.We get into the behind-the-scenes realities of supporting local farms, the operational challenges most people never see, and what “clean kitchen” standards look like when you take allergies, transparency, and ingredient quality seriously. If you care about real food, local economies, and the business side of building something values-driven, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:The origin story behind “Five Mile” and what locally sourced means to themWhy small farms struggle and what communities can do to support themThe sober, alcohol-free decision and how it aligns with their missionSeed oils, ultra-processed ingredients, and what they use insteadHow Five Mile handles severe allergies with clear kitchen systemsThe cost realities of “clean” ingredients and staying accessibleTheir bigger vision: building a blueprint for transparent, mission-led restaurantsSubscribe for more conversations at the intersection of wellness, food systems, and real-life health.⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro + meet Five Mile Eatery00:43 How Five Mile started and why the name matters01:39 What “locally sourced” really means in their kitchen03:23 The hard truth about small farms and why it’s unsustainable07:24 Co-ops and local grocery models: what could work in Louisiana10:16 Vision vs logistics: how they’re building better systems to grow12:47 Community support and being a queer-owned business in the South14:49 Why Five Mile is alcohol-free (and why it works)17:45 Seed oils, ultra-processed foods, and what they cook with instead18:34 “Picky-proof”: allergy protocols and full transparency in the kitchen22:44 Restaurant industry shift: Sysco culture vs real ingredient kitchens27:47 Their farm partners, grass-fed local beef, and menu structure35:07 Pricing, margins, and the real cost of quality ingredients41:28 What “Living Vividly” means to them (work-life balance + service)If you’re tired of food feeling like a tradeoff between convenience and quality, this conversation shows what it looks like to build a mission-driven restaurant that supports local farms, prioritizes clean ingredients, and stays transparent.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who cares about what’s in their food and where their dollars go.—Connect with Kelsey and Sarah (Five Mile Eatery)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/fivemileeatery/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/FiveMileEatery—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

What really happens if your OB can’t make it to the hospital in time?In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Dr. Charise Fassho and Dr. Abigail Hart to break down the growing OB hospitalist model, why more physicians are stepping away from traditional private practice, and how burnout in medicine directly impacts women’s health.They share their journeys through medicine, motherhood, perimenopause, sleep deprivation, and high-risk obstetrics, and how redefining success changed everything. This conversation dives into patient safety, maternal health, work-life balance, and why normalizing burnout is no longer sustainable.If you’re pregnant, postpartum, navigating a demanding career, or simply feeling exhausted by the pace of life, this episode will challenge you to rethink what sustainable success really looks like.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Medicine, Motherhood & Redefining Success01:05 – What Is an OB Hospitalist? (How It’s Different from Private Practice)05:25 – High-Risk Deliveries, Emergencies & Patient Safety08:55 – “I Want My Doctor There” Addressing Common Birth Fears12:50 – The Rise of OB Hospitalist Programs & the Maternal Health Crisis17:35 – Burnout in Medicine & Why It’s So Common20:05 – Building a Purpose-Driven Career Together24:45 – Redefining Success After Kids27:50 – Slowing Down: Sauna, Sleep, Fitness & Self-Care31:40 – Toxic Work Environments & Protecting Your Energy34:45 – Sleep, Stress & Preventing Long-Term Burnout37:10 – What “Living Vividly” Means to ThemIf you’re tired of normalizing burnout and want to understand what sustainable women’s health and purpose-driven medicine actually require, this episode provides a clear, real-world roadmap.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who feels stretched thin between career, motherhood, and their own health.—Connect with Charise & Abigail (The OB Hospitalists)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/theobhospitalist/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/theobhospitalist—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Mental health care is important health care, especially for older adults living in nursing homes and long-term care communities. In this episode of Living Vividly, we sit down with Stacy and Kenny Maggard, founders of Azalea Health Services, to talk about what meaningful mental health support for seniors really looks like.We explore why emotional and psychological well-being matters just as much as physical care as we age, and how counseling can help address grief, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and major life transitions. Stacy and Kenny share what they’ve seen firsthand working inside nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and how a soft, human-centered approach helps build trust with a generation that often grew up avoiding conversations about mental health.We also discuss what it looks like to build a mission-driven healthcare business together as a married couple, balancing leadership, compassion, boundaries, and shared purpose, while staying focused on impact over profit.This episode is about dignity, connection, care, and supporting people well at every stage of life.If you have a loved one in long-term care, work in senior living, or want a deeper understanding of mental health services for older adults, this conversation offers practical insight and perspective.Chapters0:00 Mental health care for seniors in nursing homes0:25 Meet Stacy & Kenny Maggard of Azalea Health Services0:46 From corporate careers to a mission-driven startup1:39 Why seniors are an underserved mental health population2:32 Therapy stigma in older generations3:15 Entrepreneurship, doubt, and staying mission-focused5:02 The moment they knew this work mattered8:06 What Azalea Health Services does10:00 Common mental health challenges in long-term care11:41 Loneliness and emotional life in nursing homes13:06 How clinicians build trust with residents16:59 Dementia and counseling considerations18:48 Where they serve and future growth20:07 Working with your spouse and setting boundaries25:09 Growing the team and building sustainable care26:19 Medicare coverage and access to services29:11 Real stories that show the impact30:56 The emotional “fourth quarter” of life33:18 Supporting residents and facility staff35:47 Who benefits from counseling and referral signs37:19 Advice for families with aging parents40:37 What “living vividly” means to them42:58 Closing thoughts—Connect with Kenny and Stacy Maggard (Azalea Health Services)🌐 Website→ https://azaleahealthservices.com/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast

Chronic pain is not inevitable, and managing symptoms is not the same as healing.In this episode of the Living Vividly Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Derrick Hines, founder of Acadian Pain & Performance Rehab, to break down what regenerative healing actually looks like and why the traditional pain-care model often fails to deliver long-term results.Dr. Hines explains how modern healthcare became symptom-first instead of health-first, why scar-based healing leads to recurring injuries, and what it truly takes to regenerate healthy, native tissue. He outlines the six non-negotiables for real healing and introduces a clear hierarchy of regenerative medicine, from foundational lifestyle inputs to advanced therapies like PRP, peptides, and stem cells.This conversation reframes pain, aging, and recovery, and offers a practical framework for people dealing with chronic pain, stubborn injuries, or repeated flare-ups.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why most medical diagnoses describe symptoms, not root causes- How scar-based healing contributes to chronic pain and re-injury- The 6 requirements for true tissue regeneration- The difference between symptom management and regenerative healing- How PRP, peptides, laser therapy, and stem cells actually fit together- Why skipping foundational steps often causes advanced treatments to fail- What to do first if you’re dealing with a new or lingering injuryChapters00:00 Introduction: Why We Treat Symptoms Instead of Healing03:30 Diagnosis Labels vs Root Cause of Pain04:50 Scar-Based Healing and Why Injuries Keep Returning09:45 The 6 Non-Negotiables for True Tissue Regeneration14:45 Why Healing Requires Patient Buy-In (and Better Education)19:40 Longevity, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Health25:00 The Regenerative Medicine Hierarchy (Tier 1–4 Explained)27:30 PRP, Peptides, and Where They Actually Fit39:00 Stacking Therapies for Better Outcomes50:50 Why “Don’t Skip Steps” Is the Real Shortcut54:50 What to Do First When You Have a New Injury1:06:20 What Living Vividly Really Means (Closing)If you’re tired of “just managing” pain and want to understand what healing actually requires, this episode provides a clear, science-backed roadmap.👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who’s been told “this is just part of getting older.—Connect with Dr. Derrick Hines (Acadian Pain & Performance)📲 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/acadianapainandperformance/👥 Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/acadianapain🌐 Website→ https://www.acadianapain.com/—💫 Join the Living Vividly CommunityInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/livingvividlypodcast/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/livingvividlypodcast