Opportunity Knocks by EmpowHer Purpose

How honest are you REALLY? Not just with others, but with yourself?

How often do we edit ourselves, avoid difficult conversations, or hold back the truth out of fear?

For my 58th birthday, I’m turning the tables on Opportunity Knocks and handing the microphone to my dear friend Cory Richards.

A National Geographic photographer, explorer, filmmaker, and New York Times bestselling author, Cory has climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen, survived an avalanche, and pushed the limits of what’s humanly possible.

What I admire most isn’t what he’s accomplished. It’s his courage to be vulnerable and tell the truth about who he is.

This year, we sat down IN PERSON for an unexpected, honest, funny, and deeply personal conversation about lying, relationships, grief, aging, self-awareness, and CONNECTION.

When Cory asked me to describe my purpose in one word, my answer was immediate:

CONNECTION. 🤍

Connection starts within. How can we authentically connect with others if we’re not being honest with ourselves?

🎙️ My Birthday Episode of Opportunity Knocks with Cory Richards is OUT NOW!

I hope this conversation inspires you to ask yourself a few uncomfortable questions, embrace who you truly are, and have the courage to be seen.

🎧 Listen or watch now. Link in bio!

Be Well. Do Well. 🤍

#OpportunityKnocksPodcast #CoryRichards #MichelleValenzuelaWolf #AuthenticConnection #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #HonestConversations

What happens when you stop looking outside yourself for answers and get quiet enough to listen?

In this deeply personal and surprisingly funny conversation, Michelle sits down with longtime medium and trusted friend Tim Braun, who has spent nearly three decades helping people navigate grief, loss, intuition, faith, and some of life’s biggest unanswered questions.

Tim shares his remarkable journey—from discovering his sensitivity at just six years old and growing up in a deeply Catholic family to a life-changing experience working alongside Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. It was a turning point that helped him stop suppressing what he was experiencing and begin exploring mediumship.

Michelle and Tim unpack the difference between a psychic and a medium, what Tim experiences during a reading, why he intentionally knows as little as possible about his clients beforehand, and some of the unforgettable stories that have stayed with him throughout his career.

But this conversation goes far beyond mediumship.

They explore grief, intuition, meditation, inner-child work, forgiveness, chosen family, boundaries, compassion, and what it really means to trust yourself. Tim also opens up about one of the most painful chapters of his life: coming out to his deeply religious family and being excluded from family gatherings for nearly 15 years—and how that experience ultimately reshaped his understanding of love, forgiveness, and the people who become our greatest teachers.

Tim believes intuition is like a muscle: the more we acknowledge it, the stronger our relationship with it becomes. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is create enough silence to hear what’s already within us.

As Tim puts it: “Prayer is talking. Meditation is listening.”

IN THIS EPISODE

• The difference between psychic work and mediumship
• Why silence is essential to trusting your intuition
• Grief, healing, and our search for spiritual answers
• Meditation and inner-child work
• Forgiveness, boundaries, and chosen family
• Protecting your energy from negativity
• What skeptics have taught Tim
• Why even our most painful relationships can become teachers
• Tim’s five core values and what’s next for him

Whether you’re deeply spiritual, skeptical, grieving someone you’ve lost, exploring your intuition, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, this episode is ultimately about learning to listen—to yourself, to your intuition, and to the opportunities that may be speaking to you in ways you never expected.

Tim Braun, Tim Braun medium, psychic medium, mediumship, intuition, trusting your intuition, grief, grief healing, spirituality, spiritual healing, meditation, Mother Teresa, Missionaries of Charity, inner child healing, forgiveness, chosen family, life after death, psychic readings, spiritual medium, self-awareness, personal growth, Opportunity Knocks Podcast, Michelle Valenzuela Wolf, EmpowHer Purpose

Opportunity Knocks with Michelle Valenzuela Wolf
Meaningful conversations meet purposeful lives.

EmpowHer Purpose
Be Well. Do Well.

Is Food Medicine?

In Episode 131 of Opportunity Knocks, I’m joined by bestselling cookbook author, holistic health counselor and natural foods cooking instructor Pamela Salzman for a grounded and insightful conversation on redefining what it means to truly feel well.

Pamela has two best selling cookbooks: Kitchen Matters and Quicker Than Quick. In her books, Pamela shares her incredible recipes for healthy but delicious meals to make at home. In this episode Pamela also shares how she’s evolved her career from in-person cooking classes to a dynamic online platform, all while staying rooted in her mission to help people nourish themselves through real, approachable food. As her business has grown into digital classes, recipe development, and Substack, her focus has remained clear: making wellness practical, sustainable, and accessible.

We talk about the power of adaptability—whether it’s modifying recipes for different dietary needs or learning to listen to your body through different seasons of life. Pamela opens up about her personal experience navigating menopause, the shifts she had to make in her approach to food and exercise, and the importance of tuning out the noise to find what truly works for you.

This conversation is a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. From anti-inflammatory basics to mindful habits and the influence of community, Pamela brings a refreshing, realistic perspective to whole health—especially as we approach Mother's Day. It’s the perfect time to take inspiration from her approachable recipes and create a nourishing, homemade meal for the mothers or mother figures in your life—something thoughtful, simple, and rooted in care.

In This Episode We Discuss:

- Wellness works best when it’s simple, consistent, and personalized
- Food can be a powerful foundation for healing and feeling your best
- Your needs will evolve—learning to adapt is part of the process
- External noise can distract from what your body is actually telling you
- Taking care of yourself is essential—not optional,

We also explore her core values—authenticity, family, health, integrity, and kindness—and how staying aligned with those values has guided every pivot in her journey.

If you’ve been craving a more balanced, simplified approach to wellness or looking to evolve your life and work in a more aligned way, this episode is for you.

#OpportunityKnocks
#PamelaSalzman
#FoodAsMedicine
#WellnessJourney
#HealthyLiving
#MindfulEating
#SimpleWellness
#RealFood
#HolisticHealth
#NutritionMatters
#WellnessOverPerfection
#CookWithIntention
#SustainableWellness
#WomensWellness
#FeelGoodFood

Are you running on empty — and not even realizing it?

On Episode 130 of the Opportunity Knocks Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Deane — CEO + Founder of MEvolution, Stanford University Continuing Studies instructor, and author of The Wellness Formula — to explore a transformational approach to energy management and human performance.

We dive into a powerful truth: your energy — not your time — is the most valuable resource you have. Sarah shares her evidence-based framework for measuring, managing, and optimizing energy, helping you sustain peak performance without burning out. We also explore how aligning with your core values can boost motivation, focus, and overall fulfillment.

Sarah Deane is a researcher, teacher, author, and innovator advancing the science of human energy, excellence, and performance. As CEO & Founder of MEvolution, she develops evidence-based systems that combine behavioral and cognitive science with artificial intelligence to help individuals and organizations measure, master, and sustain peak human capacity. A former HP global leader in employee workplace experience, Sarah holds a Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and teaches at Stanford University Continuing Studies. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Thrive Global, Reworked, and SHRM, and she regularly speaks at conferences including SXSW, HRWest, and Gartner. 

In this episode, we explore:
• Why energy — not time — is the true currency of capacity
• The three pillars of Sarah’s energy management framework
• How “energy leaks” silently drain your wellbeing and performance
• The cost of running on adrenaline vs. building sustainable reserves
• Why aligning with your core values creates momentum and fulfillment

By understanding and managing your energy, you can finally move beyond burnout and create the space to perform at your best — personally and professionally. This episode gives you practical tools to start reclaiming your energy today.

#OpportunityKnocks #EmpowHer #EmpowHerPurpose #MEvolution #EnergyManagement  #EmbodiedLeadership #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenInLeadership #EnergyIsCurrency #AlignedLiving #BurnoutRecovery #CorporateWellness #EnergyAudit

What if the key to a more balanced life was as simple as learning to pause?

On Episode 129 of Opportunity Knocks by EmpowHer Purpose, I sit down with Suze Yalof Schwartz, Founder and CEO of the Unplug Meditation App and creator of the world’s first drop-in meditation studio, Unplug Meditation.

After a successful career in the fashion industry working with top publications, Suze experienced a life-changing moment through a simple meditation practice. That moment sparked a complete transformation—leading her to make meditation more accessible, modern, and practical for everyday life.

In this conversation, Suze and I explore how meditation can become a powerful tool for managing stress, building consistency, and creating calm in a fast-paced world. Suze also shares how she turned her vision into a global wellness brand—building the Unplug app from the ground up with no prior app development experience, driven purely by her mission to make meditation simple and accessible for everyone.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Suze’s journey from high-stress corporate life to meditation pioneer
• How simple daily practices can create lasting change
• The power of habit-building and consistency in wellness
• Why human connection is more important than ever in a digital world

This conversation is a reminder that even the smallest shifts—like a few minutes of stillness—can create meaningful transformation. When we slow down, build intentional habits, and reconnect with ourselves, we open the door to a calmer, more balanced life.

#OpportunityKnocks
#Meditation
#Mindfulness
#WellnessJourney
#EmpowerPurpose
#WomenInLeadership

What does it take to turn a vision into a nationally recognized brand—and trust yourself every step of the way?

On Episode 128 of Opportunity Knocks, I sit down with Laura Wilson, CEO & Founder of Natural Pilates, for an honest and expansive conversation on entrepreneurship, intuition, and sustainable growth.

After immigrating to the United States from Romania with just $100, Laura built what is now one of the most respected boutique fitness brands in the country. From her first studio in Beverly Hills to multiple locations across Los Angeles and New York City, Laura shares the real story behind scaling a business—navigating uncertainty, making bold decisions, and learning when to pivot.

Together, Laura and I explore the balance between ambition and alignment, the courage it takes to let go of what isn’t working, and the role of intuition in both business and life. Laura also opens up about building a brand while raising a family, staying connected to her purpose through teaching, and why community remains at the heart of everything she creates.

With deep expertise in movement and a passion for empowering others, Laura’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t linear—it’s built through resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep evolving.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Building a business from the ground up
- Trusting your gut and making aligned decisions
- Scaling with intention while maintaining brand integrity
-The power of pivoting and letting go
- Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship
- Creating longevity through movement and community

Whether you’re growing a business, navigating change, or stepping into your next chapter, this conversation will inspire you to trust the path you’re on—and take the next step forward.

#OpportunityKnocks #NaturalPilates #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #PilatesCommunity #SuccessMindset

Let’s Talk About Our Relationship with Food! Do you consider yours healthy? Well Balanced? 

In Episode 127 of Opportunity Knocks, I sit down with Kim Shapira, a registered dietitian, author, and creator of the Kim Shapira Method, to talk about something that impacts all of us—our relationship with food.

We dive into how comparison, pressure, and constant noise around what we “should” be doing can disconnect us from our bodies. Kim shares insights from nearly 30 years of experience, along with her Six Simple Rules for building a more balanced, sustainable approach to wellness.

In this episode, we talk about:

- How diet culture and comparison impact the way we see food and our bodies

- What it actually means to listen to your body (and why it’s harder than it sounds)

- Kim’s Six Simple Rules for creating sustainable, long-term wellness

- The difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger

- How to rebuild trust with yourself after years of restriction or confusion

- Letting go of guilt and shame around food

This conversation is all about learning to tune out the noise, trust yourself again, and understand what you’re really hungry for—both physically and mentally. It’s a reminder that creating a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to come from restriction, but from awareness, consistency, and self-trust.

#OpportunityKnocks #EmpowHer #WellnessJourney #FoodFreedom #MindsetShift #SelfTrust #HealthyLiving #PersonalGrowth #HealthyEating #Diet #Wellness

On Episode 126 of Opportunity Knocks by empower purpose, I sit down with Jessica Mehraban, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant at NextHealth

Jessica is passionate about helping individuals achieve optimal health through a functional, personalized approach. Her work focuses on identifying root causes and creating tailored protocols that support longevity, balance, and overall vitality—from gut health and hormones to skin and aging.

In this conversation, Jessica and I explore the shift from reactive healthcare to proactive, preventive wellness. We discuss how advanced lab testing, lifestyle factors, and individualized care can empower people to take control of their health in a more informed and sustainable way.

In this episode:
• The importance of personalized, root-cause approaches to health
• How functional medicine differs from traditional care
• Peptides, when to use them, and why foundational health comes first
• The benefits of contrast therapy and proactive wellness practices

This conversation is a reminder that true health isn’t built on quick fixes, but on understanding your body, creating balance, and taking intentional steps toward long-term wellness.

#OpportunityKnocks
#FunctionalMedicine
#Longevity
#WellnessJourney
#EmpowerPurpose
#WomenInLeadership

How does one build contact connection relationship & intimacy?

I’m so excited to share Episode 125 of Opportunity Knocks by EmpowHer Purpose where I sit down with Nick Sharp, M.A., a Clinical Psychology and Counseling professional, trained at the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies and founder of his own equine-based practice, Nick Sharp Counseling.

Nick’s work centers around the healing power of connection—both with others and with the natural world. Through equine therapy, he helps individuals build trust, presence, and emotional awareness by working alongside horses, who model authenticity, safety, and nonverbal communication in powerful ways.

In this conversation, Nick and I explore how true healing happens through contact, presence, and the willingness to slow down. They also dive into the growing challenges of disconnection in today’s world, and how reconnecting with nature—and ourselves—can create space for transformation.

In this episode, we discuss:
• The healing power of equine therapy and building trust through presence
• Why contact and connection are essential for emotional growth
• The difference between solitude and isolation—and why it matters
• How slowing down and engaging with nature can support healing and self-awareness

This conversation is a reminder that meaningful growth begins when we allow ourselves to be fully present. By embracing discomfort, deepening connection, and reconnecting with the world around us, we open the door to lasting transformation.

#OpportunityKnocks
#EquineTherapy
#PersonalGrowth
#Mindfulness
#Connection
#EmpowerPurpose

I’m so excited to share episode 124 of the Opportunity Knocks podcast featuring the incredible Dr. Christina Tracy Stein. ✨

Christina is a therapist, sexologist, speaker, and the author of Accomplished Woman. Growing up in the personal development world as the daughter of legendary speaker and author Brian Tracy, Christina was surrounded by some of the pioneers of the self-development movement from an early age. Leaders like Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, and Stephen Covey were part of the conversations in her world growing up, which sparked her lifelong curiosity about human behavior, psychology, relationships, and what it truly means to live authentically and with purpose.

In this conversation, we explore everything from communication and intimacy to feminine energy, self-connection, and the power of authentic relationships. Christina shares how her own journey—from becoming a marriage and family therapist to earning a PhD in human sexuality—led her to help people better understand themselves, their partners, and the deeper connections that shape our lives.

Christina also talks about her book Accomplished Woman, which encourages women to recognize their value, redefine what accomplishment means, and embrace a more holistic view of fulfillment that includes relationships, vitality, and authenticity.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why honest communication is the foundation of intimacy
• The role vulnerability plays in building meaningful relationships
• Reconnecting with your body, energy, and life force
• How women can redefine what it means to feel accomplished
• Why authentic connection is more important than ever in today’s world

When we truly know ourselves and honor our own value, we show up more fully in our relationships—and that’s where real connection begins.

#OpportunityKnocksPodcast #AccomplishedWoman #AuthenticConnection #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #EmpowerWomen #FemininePower #SelfDiscovery #EmpowHer #OpportunityKnocks #ChristinaTracy #Success