What happens when a creative life takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Susan Merson, whose journey has taken her from the stage and screen to writing, mentoring, and building a creative community that has lasted for decades.

We talk about what it means to reinvent yourself, especially when you’ve already spent years building a life and identity around one path. Susan shares her experience moving from acting into writing and what that transition taught her about creativity, finding your voice, and giving yourself permission to explore a new chapter.

We also talk about the power of creative communities, the vulnerability that comes with putting yourself and your work out there, and what Susan has learned from helping other writers find their voices.

It’s a conversation about creativity, courage, reinvention, and what can happen when you give yourself permission to turn the page and begin again.

🎙️ Real Talk with Dede — a podcast about life unfiltered.

If it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation.

What if the way you communicate, handle conflict, and connect with people has more to do with your “Brain Color” than you realize?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Sheila Glazov, educator, author, speaker, and creator of What Color Is Your Brain?®, for a fun and meaningful conversation about personality, communication, relationships, and the way we understand the people around us.

We talk about why people can see the same situation so differently, how our personalities can shape the way we communicate, and what happens when those differences create misunderstandings at home, in relationships, or at work.

Sheila also shares how her Brain Color framework can help us become more curious about others instead of making assumptions, navigate disagreements, understand differences in children, and build stronger connections.

And yes, we even get into what my own Brain Color is. 😂

If you’ve ever wondered why certain people just seem to “get” you while others seem to speak a completely different language, this conversation might give you a new way to look at yourself and the people in your life.

Tune in and join the conversation.

Real Talk with Dede — if it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation.

Sometimes, the experiences that shape our lives don’t make sense while we’re living through them. It’s only later, when we look back, that we begin to see the connections and sometimes, those experiences become the stories we have to tell.

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Nancy Ensley, a writer whose journey has taken her through healthcare, hospice, legal nursing, and into storytelling across multiple genres.

We talk about how the different chapters of our lives can shape the way we see people, understand our experiences, and make sense of the stories we carry. Nancy also shares her perspective on writing across genres, the life lessons that continue to find their way into her work, and how experiences from one chapter can prepare us for another.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about life, resilience, creativity, and the meaning we find in the experiences that shape us.

Because every chapter of our lives has something to teach us, even the ones we didn’t choose.

What if the future isn’t something you have to predict, but something you can prepare for, shape, and influence?

We spend so much of life reacting to what happens next. But what if the way you think today is already helping create the life you’ll live tomorrow?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by futurist, author, and speaker Tom Meyers for a conversation about change, failure, resilience, and what it means to intentionally prepare for the future.

We talk about the stories we tell ourselves, why the past doesn’t have to define where we’re going, and Tom’s idea of “futurizing yourself”, developing the mindset and adaptability to navigate a world that won’t stop changing.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly prepared for what’s next, this conversation might make you look at your future and the choices you’re making today, a little differently.

🎙️ Welcome to Real Talk with Dede — a podcast about life unfiltered.

If it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation.

What happens when fear of being alone starts influencing the choices we make in love?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Debbie Engle, author and “The Real Runaway Bride,” for an honest conversation about relationships, faith, fear, and finding your worth beyond relationship status.

Debbie opens up about being engaged three times and ultimately walking away each time, the pressure she faced from others, and what those experiences taught her about trusting herself instead of allowing fear or outside expectations to make her decisions.

We talk about the fear of being alone, finding your identity beyond marriage, trusting God when you don’t have all the answers, and what inspired Debbie to turn her experiences into a book. She also shares the message she hopes readers take away from her story.

A conversation about love, courage, faith, and learning to trust yourself through life’s difficult choices.

If it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation. ❤️

What happens when doubt makes you question everything you’ve built?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I sit down with Martin Watts, author of When Doubt Becomes Design, for an honest conversation about doubt, failure, rebuilding, and the stories we tell ourselves when life doesn’t go as planned.

Martin shares personal stories from his journey of building, losing, and rebuilding, and we talk about why uncertainty doesn’t always mean we’re failing, how difficult seasons can reveal what needs to change, and what it really means to start again.

We also explore the pressure we carry, the idea that sometimes it’s the situation—not us—that needs to change, and the mindset behind Martin’s “Never Yield” philosophy.

A conversation about learning from what we’ve been through, questioning the narratives we’ve carried, and finding the courage to rebuild when something no longer works.

What really causes obesity — and how much of it is actually within our control?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by physician and researcher Evan Nadler for a conversation about childhood obesity, genetics, weight regulation, and the science behind how obesity develops.

We talk about why the usual “calories in, calories out” explanation may not tell the whole story, why childhood can be such an important stage in obesity treatment, and how genetics and biology can influence a person’s experience with weight.

Evan also shares his perspective on the changing landscape of obesity treatment, including newer medications, the idea of intergenerational transmission, and why the obesity epidemic affects far more than the individuals directly experiencing it.

This is a conversation about looking at obesity with more curiosity, understanding, and nuance — and questioning some of the assumptions we’ve grown accustomed to.

🎙️ Guest: Evan Nadler

Real Talk with Dede — if it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation.

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I sit down with financial coach and former UK wealth management professional Chris Ighodaro for a thoughtful conversation about money, investing, risk, and the importance of truly understanding our financial decisions.

Chris shares his journey from wealth management to building a platform designed to make financial and professional knowledge more accessible. We also explore why investing may not look the same for everyone, how emotions can influence financial decisions, the relationship between risk and return, and why something that appears “free” can sometimes come with a hidden cost.

We also talk about Chris’s vision for using AI as an educator, helping people understand financial concepts rather than simply automating decisions.

A conversation about becoming more curious, informed, and intentional about money — because understanding the numbers is only part of the story.

Listen now and join the conversation.

Real Talk with Dede — if it’s part of life, it’s part of the conversation.

What does psychosis actually feel like from the inside, and what does recovery look like after living through it?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Dale Walsh for an honest conversation about schizophrenia, psychosis, recovery, and the impact mental illness can have on entire families.

Dale shares his personal experience and the perspective he gained from living through psychosis and later helping others navigate mental illness. We also talk about the challenges families face, what happens when someone refuses treatment, and the importance of supporting loved ones without losing yourself in the process.

This is a conversation about looking beyond a diagnosis and remembering the person behind it.

What happens when the things holding us back aren’t always obvious?

In this episode of Real Talk with Dede, I’m joined by Cassandra Crawley Mayo, corporate leader and author of Is Your Way In Your Way?, for an honest conversation about the fears, expectations, past experiences, and self-imposed barriers that can quietly shape the way we live.

We talk about recognizing when you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, what it means to live authentically, the pressure to have life figured out, and finding the courage to move forward when something no longer feels right.

Cassandra also opens up about the experiences that shaped her journey and why she believes we have to be honest with ourselves about what may be standing in our way.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioned whether you’re living the life you truly want, or wondered what might be keeping you from moving forward, this conversation is for you.