Rock the Damn Boat

What does it take to build a service-first auto shop — and rebuild yourself after losing it all?

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with JeanAnn Saint Grace, host of Shop Talk Her Way, to talk about grit, grief, and what it really means to lead with service.

JeanAnn spent more than a decade running a successful automotive service shop alongside her husband — until cancer took him. Now she coaches shop owners, carrying forward the philosophy that drove their business: service isn't a strategy, it's a standard.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How JeanAnn found her footing in a male-dominated industry — and why that's starting to shift (yes, even at the top of NAPA)
• The energy transfer between shop owners and customers, and why it matters more than your marketing
• How JeanAnn's spiritual practices carried her through grief — and how she quietly brings them into her coaching work
• What running a shop for 15+ years teaches you that no business course ever will

Whether you're in automotive, entrepreneurship, or just navigating what comes after the hardest chapter of your life — this one is for you.

Learn more about JeanAnn at jeanannsaintgrace.net

Listen to Shop Talk Her Way wherever you get your podcast content!

Coach with Christy: thrivewithchristy.com

What does gardening have to do with launching a business? Everything.

In this bite-sized episode of RTDB, Christy Hughes breaks down how revamping her garden revealed the truth about growth: conditions matter more than effort.

She'll walk you through how that realization led her to stop circling Thrive Collective and finally launch — and what it means for you to stop waiting and start planting.

The THRIVE Collective is a membership for women needing to plant their own seeds and create the right environment: support, mindfulness practices, and practical coaching.

Learn more at thrivewithchristy.com

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Courtney Koenig, host of the ROI of Peace podcast — a connection that sparked when Christy spotted Courtney's LinkedIn post about attending Create & Cultivate in Austin and realized they'd both been there. What started as an online comment turned into a conversation neither of them planned but both of them needed.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How a LinkedIn post led to a meaningful online connection between two women who were in the same room without knowing it
• How Human Design shifted the entire trajectory of Courtney's business
• Courtney's honest reflection on asking for help and support at the event while navigating life with MS — and why that vulnerability opened doors
• The shared truth about how hard it is to ask for help (and why we resist it)
• Courtney's podcasting journey and what keeps her coming back — the pure joy of connecting women

Connect with Courtney:

• ROI of Peace Podcast: roiofpeace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtney.koenig/

Links + Resources:

• The THRIVE Collective is launching: www.thrivewithchristy.com
• Learn more about Human Design here

• Tag a woman you connected with online that turned into something real
• Leave a review if RTDB is your people

In this Monday Mini of RTDB, Christy pulls back the curtain on the Rise + Thrive Retreat — what happened, what was created, and the unexpected personal decision that came out of it.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• What the Rise + Thrive Retreat actually looked like — and why the safe space it created mattered so much
• The corporate role Christy was interviewing for (and why she was a perfect fit on paper)
• How she used the THRIVE model to work through her own big decision — not just teach it
• Why she chose building safe spaces for women over a return to corporate
• A sneak peek at what's coming: a new community that brings together the RTDB and The Rooted Soul worlds

Key takeaway for me? The framework works — even when the decision is yours and the stakes are personal.

Links + Resources:

• Join the email list at thrivewithchristy.com
• Follow Christy on Instagram: @thrivechristyhughes

• If this episode resonated, share it with a woman standing at a crossroads
• Stay tuned — the community is coming and you can get a founding rate now

Some of life's hardest moments don't wait for a convenient time. They show up on a Tuesday — and then so does your 9am meeting.

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Brie Kluytenaar, founder of Practicing Wellness, for an honest, human conversation about what it looks like to carry grief into the workplace and white-knuckle your way through the day alone.

Brie opens up about her own experience with pregnancy loss and how pushing through without support planted the seed for her company's mission. Christy adds her personal experience with menopause and feeling like a failure at work because of scrutiny rather than support.

Brie knows firsthand: when people feel held at work, they show up differently — for their colleagues, their clients, and themselves. Practicing Wellness can hellp provide this in a well-rounded way.

Key Takeaways:

• Brie's pregnancy loss experience became the foundation of Practicing Wellness — pain with purpose
• Compartmentalizing at work has a real cost — to performance, connection, and wellbeing
• Wellness isn't a perk — it's what makes people better employees and better humans
• Companies that support the whole person see it reflected in client service and team culture
• Workplace wellness belongs alongside work — not saved for after hours or HR emergencies

Learn more about Practicing Wellness:

www.practicing-wellness.com

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicing__wellness/

Subscribe on Substack:

https://practicingwellness.substack.com/

Brie's Boat-Rocking Role Model: https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

Christy has a 6-week THRIVE cohort launching soon!

Learn more at www.thrivewithchristy.com/coaching

Rock the Damn Boat in Tahoe, June 14-18

www.thrivewithchristy.com/tahoeretreat

Follow RTDB on Substack:

www.rockthedamnboat.com

Ever feel pulled toward every $7 course and "quick path to success" that floods your feed? Same. In this Sunday Shortie, Christy gets real about the noise — and why your intuition is still your best compass.

In this episode:

• What intuition actually is (hint: it starts in your gut, not your brain)
• The mind-heart-gut connection and the science behind it
• Why somatic awareness helps you know what's truly right for you
• The modern-day snake oil problem — and how to spot it
• How to tell the difference between a "should" and a genuine inner calling

Whether you're chasing someone else's blueprint or second-guessing your own path, this episode is your reminder to get quiet, tune in, and trust what your body already knows.

And if you need some help launching what that inner wisdom is telling you, Christy has several ways to work together:

• Thrive Cohort — 3-week and 6-week options starting in May
• Texas retreat (April) + Tahoe retreat (June)
• 🔗 thrivewithchristy.com

In this episode of Rock the Damn Boat (RTDB), I sit down with Casey Keen—founder of Alchemy of Motherhood and author of the upcoming book The Alchemy of Motherhood (releasing May 2026)—to talk about the parts of motherhood we don’t talk about enough.

After experiencing birth trauma followed by postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA), Casey found herself navigating a system that offers mothers a single six-week checkup—and very little support beyond that.

Her journey led her to therapy, deep healing, and ultimately to building a platform that advocates for more honest, ongoing care in motherhood.

We dive into:

• The emotional impact of birth trauma and how it can shape postpartum recovery
• How PPD and PPA can show up (even when everything “looks fine”)
• Why the standard six-week postpartum checkup falls short
• The role of therapy in healing and reclaiming your voice
• The mission behind The Alchemy of Motherhood and Casey’s growing community
• Creating spaces where mothers feel seen, supported, and not alone

Casey also shares how she’s building connection through her online platform and Discord group—because motherhood was never meant to be navigated in isolation.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or like you should be handling motherhood “better,” this conversation will remind you that your experience is valid—and that support should extend far beyond six weeks.

Who this episode is for:
New and expecting mothers, women navigating postpartum recovery, those healing from birth trauma, and anyone passionate about improving maternal mental health care.

Connect with Casey:
Visit alchemyofmotherhood.com to learn more, join her community on Discord or Substack.

Stay updated on her upcoming book release at casey-keen.com or preorder now on Amazon.

Learn more about Christy's work or apply to be a guest on the show at thrivewithchristy.com

This week's Sunday Shortie is a personal one. After chatting with Naoma of We Know Marketing, We Promise, and having a deep conversation with my friend Beckie about how to "sell" with heart, I had a huge mindset shift from the unlikeliest of places: Claude.

What I discovered changed the way I think about showing up for potential retreat guests without losing the warmth and authenticity that makes people say yes to a retreat space.

I also get reflective and share three retreat experiences that have genuinely shaped my perspective: two transformative weekends with my own yoga teacher and one soul-expanding journey to Bali. Because the best way to encourage someone to say yes is with truly remembering what it feels like to be held in one.

If you're a retreat host, wellness entrepreneur, or curious about using AI in a way that still feels deeply human, this one's for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Two podcasts worth adding to your list right now if you're a wellness entrepreneur or content creator
• A real mindset shift around using Claude AI to write retreat sales emails — and why it doesn't have to feel robotic or inauthentic
• How retreat experiences create an unmatched level of growth, celebration and friendships
• Reflections from three retreat experiences — two with my yoga teacher and one transformative trip to Bali
• How raising our hand may never feel easy, but it's worth it for the growth opportunity

🌿 Curious about retreats? Explore available spaces at thrivewithchristy.com/retreats

Shows to Follow:

🎙️ Real Time Creator with Alison Kinsey — https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/real-time-creator-a-career-break-diary/id1866730211

🎙️ We Know Marketing, We Promise — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-know-marketing-we-promise/id1801092716

In this episode of RTDB, I sit down with Ashleigh Auth, founder of Pausitive Women’s Care, for a real, refreshing conversation about women’s health in midlife—and why so many of us feel dismissed, confused, or stuck when it comes to our bodies.

Ashleigh is a women’s health provider specializing in perimenopause, menopause, and hormone optimization, with a deeply personalized and holistic approach to care. She’s on a mission to help women feel heard, validated, and empowered in their health decisions—especially during a season that’s often misunderstood or minimized.

We talk about what’s actually happening in your body during midlife, how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) fits into the conversation, and why individualized care—not cookie-cutter solutions—matters more than ever.

This conversation is for the woman who knows something feels off… but hasn’t been given real answers.

In this episode, we cover:

• What’s really happening during perimenopause and menopause
• Common hormone symptoms that get overlooked or dismissed
• The truth about HRT and who it may be right for
• Why traditional healthcare often falls short for midlife women
• The power of feeling heard, educated, and supported in your care
• How to advocate for yourself and find the right provider

If you’ve ever been told “your labs are normal” but you don’t feel normal—this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

If you are in Florida and fortunate enough to work with Ashleigh, you can book her services at:

https://www.pausitivewomenscare.com/

Follow Pausitive Women's Care on Facebook or Instagram for amazing tips on hormone health!

Learn more and work with Christy at thrivewithchristy.com

Interested in being a guest? Email [email protected]

perimenopause symptoms, menopause support, hormone replacement therapy, HRT for women, midlife health, women’s hormones, holistic gynecology, hormone imbalance, menopause podcast, women’s wellness

In this episode of RTDB, I’m sharing three things that have been on my mind this week—each one rooted in connection, clarity, and the courage to let go.

From virtual coffee chats and online networking to in-person moments at book club and mahjong, I’ve been reminded how powerful the right conversations can be. Not every connection will click—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to force it, it’s to find your people.

A conversation with my soul sister Kelsey brought something into sharp focus: I’ve been spinning too many plates. And not all of them are meant to keep spinning.

That clarity led me back to Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud—a book that hits especially hard if you’re questioning what’s next in your career or considering a corporate exit. Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about cutting what’s no longer working.

This episode is your reminder that clarity doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from the right conversations and the willingness to release what’s weighing you down.

• The right conversations can accelerate clarity—keep seeking them out
• If a group, coach, or connection doesn’t click, keep looking
• Spinning too many plates isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a signal
• Growth requires pruning: not everything is meant to come with you
• If you’re contemplating a corporate exit, Necessary Endings is a must-read

If you haven't watched it, check out this conversation with Kelsey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-okay-to-change-your-mind-a-powerful/id1844202665?i=1000739550347

Buy the book: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud