✨ Episode Summary: In this fiercely empowering episode, Cheri Flake dives deep into the illusion of control and the ultimate truth: you are the master of your life. Through reflections on Lucinda Williams' haunting lyrics and personal stories from her therapy practice, Cheri explores how we give our power away—and how to take it back. She challenges us to stop waiting for permission, resolution, or the perfect moment, and instead embrace radical responsibility for our healing and joy. The episode wraps with a powerful guided chakra meditation to help you turn inward and reconnect with your innate light. 🧠 Three Key Learning Points:

• 🌪️ Control is an Inside Job: Real empowerment begins the moment you take 100% responsibility for your life—no exceptions, no blame.
• 💡 Joy Isn’t Lost, It’s Buried: Stop searching “out there”—happiness lives within, waiting to be uncovered through stillness and silence.
• 🔥 Unresolved Isn’t Always Unfinished: What you can’t fix might be sacred. Acceptance can be the most divine protection of all.

📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:

• 🎸 Lucinda Williams – Her song “Joy” is a soulful metaphor for the search we all do outside of ourselves.
• 📚 Wayne Dyer – His teachings on radical responsibility helped shape this episode’s core message.
• 🧘‍♀️ Silent Retreats – Cheri shares insights from her mountain retreats and upcoming offerings.
• 📍 Georgia Retreats – 🍂 September 2025 in the Blue Ridge Mountains & 🏖️ Jekyll Island retreats: meditation, yoga, and transformation in stunning locations.
• 💌 Join the mailing list at ilovetherapy.com so you don’t miss a thing!
• 📲 Instagram: @thestresstherapist
• 🐦 Twitter/X: @estresstherapy

🎧 Production Credit: Big love and thanks to 🎧 Owen Flake for producing and editing this episode with care and clarity.