SolFul Connections

SolFul Connections

By SolFul ConnectionsSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
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SolFul Connections episodes

  • From Wall Street Pressure to CORE Energy Purpose with Kurt Bruckmann

    What does it really mean to live with CORE Energy?

    In this episode of SolFul Connections, I sit down with Kurt Bruckmann — author, speaker, coach, and host of The CORE Energy Experience podcast — to explore the journey that took him from childhood loss and the high-pressure pit of Wall Street to becoming a CORE Dynamics Master.

    We talk about inner work on every level — physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual — as well as the stories, books, and people that have most inspired him. Kurt also shares practical tips to begin cultivating CORE Energy in your own life.

    🔗 Kurt’s Podcast
    🔗 Kurt’s Website


    51 min
  • Music & Meaning: The Life Soundtrack of Alex Fabio

    In this episode of SolFul Connections, I sit down with AlexFabio. From his roots in a vibrant multicultural family to a life steeped in music and performance since the age of 12, Alex has spent his life exploring creativity, identity, and what it means to live authentically.

    Our conversation moves through the role of heritage, the power of spirituality, and the winding path of a performer who’s unafraid to pause, reflect, and reimagine his next chapter.

    Alex brings humor, honesty, and depth as we talk about what drives him, and what it takes to keep going. If you’ve ever felt the pull between heritage and individuality, art and everyday life, or ambition and rest, you’ll find pieces of yourself in Alex’s story.

    48 min
  • From Boardroom to Brushstrokes: Gina Rubel on Work, Family & Change

    In this episode of SolFul Connections, I talk with Gina Rubel, CEO of a successful marketing agency, trusted leader, and longtime friend, about navigating seasons of change.

    Gina shares what it’s like to balance the demands of runninga company while experiencing shifts in her family and personal life. From the bittersweet moments of watching her children step into their dreams, to coping with loss and stress, she’s finding new ways to express herself — including a surprising passion for art.

    This conversation is about resilience, creativity, and the courage it takes to embrace change with grace and authenticity.

     

    53 min
  • Marion Callahan shares authentic stories: Talking in Transit

    In this episode of the SolFul Connections podcast, Amanda takes the podcast 'on the road' to connect with Marion Callahan, host and producer of Talking in Transit as Marion connects with people waiting for a bus. The conversation explores the journey of a journalist who seeks to capture authentic stories from everyday people.

    Through interviews conducted in transit, insights on the importance of connection, the power of personal narratives, and the challenges faced in the journalism landscape are all explored.

    The discussion emphasizes the value of listening to diverse voices and the transformative nature of storytelling.

    In Marion's own words, "Don't we each deserve to have our stories told?"

    For more, visit: talkingintransit.com and follow @talkingintransit on Instagram

    30 min
  • Keep Going: Ana-Maria’s Story of Healing and Rediscovery

    After years in a painful narcissistic relationship, Ana-Maria reached a breaking point... and then a turning point. In this heartfelt conversation, she opens up about her journey through loss, healing, and rediscovering the gifts that had been buried under years of self-doubt.

    Ana-Maria’s story is one of courage, inspiration, and light. Her resilience reminds us that no matter how dark things may seem, we all have the power to reclaim our voice, our worth, and our joy.

    If you’ve ever faced challenges that left you questioning who you are, Ana-Maria’s story will encourage you to keep going and to believe in the possibility of rediscovery.

    Tune in for a story of hope, strength, and the beauty of starting again.

    For more, visit: Ana-Maria McKessyHealing Her: Relationship Healing & Angelic Wisdom - YouTubeInstagram: @mckessya

    39 min
  • Pam 2.0: Retirement, Reinvention & the Power of Friendship

    What happens when you step away from a career you’ve loved, and do it earlier than most? My guest, Dr. Pam Ginsberg, a psychologist who recently retired , joins me for a candid, funny, and soul-stirring conversation about what retirement really feels like, why change is never just about what you leave behind, and how society’s expectations can shape (and sometimes limit) our views on aging.

    We talk about navigating big transitions, the importance of female friendship, and how identity shifts when the title and routines change. This isn’t your typical retirement conversation. It’s honest, unfiltered, and full of laughter.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to reinvent yourself, question the “right” timeline for life’s milestones, or embrace change with both humor and grace, this episode will leave you inspired, and maybe a little braver.

    What you’ll hear in this episode:

    • How to approach retirement as a beginning, not an ending

    • The surprising freedoms and challenges of leaving a career early

    • Why our culture gets aging (especially for women) so wrong

    • The role of friendship in navigating big life changes

    • How to redefine success and identity in a new chapter

    Pull up a chair. This one feels like a conversation with your smartest, funniest friend who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.

    46 min
  • The Gospel-ish According to Anne, AKA My Mother

    My mom won’t come on my podcast. She says her response time is slower now, and she wouldn’t want to hear her own voice. But my mom's voice is in everything. It can be found among my thoughts, my values, my humor, my work, and my heart.

    In this deeply personal episode, I share some of the lessons I’ve learned from my mother, who continues to teach me with wit, wisdom, and warmth.

    My mother is irreverent, compassionate, sharp-witted, and deeply connected to the magic of the natural world. She doesn’t believe in sacred cows, but she does believe in integrity. While she has no patience for cruelty or hypocrisy, she has always made space for reflection, for depth, and for truth.

    This episode is an attempt to share her - just a part of her - with all of you.

    I’ll leave you with this question:
    Who’s the one person whose voice you carry with you?
    Whose presence shaped, or shapes, you even when they weren’t trying?

    I’d love to hear about them.

    Share this episode with someone whose voice shaped you

    #SolFulConnections #MotherWisdom #PodcastTribute #LifeLessons #VoiceICarry #MatriarchMagic #wisdomfrommymama #solfuliving #tippingsacredcows

    28 min
  • Not That You Asked: Amanda & Her Unpopular Opinions

    Welcome to Not That You Asked, the episode of the SolFul Connections podcast where unpopular opinions are served up on a platter that you didn't request. You're welcome. ;-)
    Amanda Soler shares bold, often contrarian takes on culture, life, and human behavior, not to spark outrage, but to remind us that we can think differently and still get along.

    Connections are possible when we are authentic. And, if nothing else, this episode contains big opinions about things that may or may not matter very much.

    Disagree? That’s kind of the point. Let’s talk about it.

    Let's connect.

    19 min
  • The Art of Becoming: Holly Layman on Cardboard, Confidence, and Creative Life

    What do you get when you mix childhood wonder, artistic bravery, and a whole lot of cardboard? You get Holly Layman, a soulful, wildly creative artist who’s turning an ordinary material into extraordinary expression.

    In this episode, Holly shares her journey as an artist who works in the unexpected medium of cardboard, crafting large-scale, one-of-a-kind pieces that don’t just catch the eye, they tell a story.

    We talk about:

    • Holly's magical, art-filled childhood and deep connection to nature and horses

    • Why she's choosing now to fully step into her place in the art world

    • How aging can bring unexpected gifts like confidence, clarity, and courage

    • The soulful rituals and practical tools that keep her creatively nourished

    This conversation is about more than art. It’s about honoring what lights you up, embracing the quirks that make your work (and life) uniquely yours, and trusting the timing of your becoming.

    Whether you're a fellow creative or just someone finding your own path a little later in life, Holly's story will inspire you to stay curious, stay true, and maybe even pick up some cardboard.

    SolFul Connections: Less small talk. More soul talk.

    For more:HOLLY LAYMAN | evolving artist

    36 min
  • High Stakes, Deep Wisdom: The Leadership Journey of Dr. Mark Lund

    In this episode of SolFul Connections, Mark Lund, MD, FCCP shares his unique journey from critical care physician to leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of skills learned in the ICU that can be applied to business and personal relationships. He discusses the human side of medicine, the necessity of trust in leadership, and the critical role of organizational culture. Dr. Lund also reflects on finding purpose and inspiration in his work, ultimately highlighting how effective leadership can shape communities and impact lives.Check out his book: Critical Leadership Playbook: 10 High-Stakes Skills from the ICU to Lead Boldly, Build Thriving Teams, and Achieve Wealth: Lund MD, Mark E.: 9798306806891: Amazon.com: Books

    37 min

About SolFul Connections

From the publisher's feed

Less Small talk. More Soul Talk. Welcome to SolFul Connections, the podcast where Amanda Soler sits down for real conversations with real people: artists, dreamers, healers, and doers to explore the…