Once you’ve reached the top of the ladder… what then? 

That was the question facing Shelley Paxton, our latest guest on the Soulcation podcast. As a former CMO at Harley Davidson, Shelley knows all about reaching the pinnacle of a corporate career – and then walking away from it, and completely reimagining what life could look like.

Shelley is the best-selling author of “Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life,” an international speaker, leadership coach, and Chief Soul Officer. 

Listen in to hear more about Shelley’s journey from corporate burnout to “fire re-igniter,” the tools she used to re-envision her life, and how she finally authentically answered the question, “Who AM I?”

What You Will Learn:

3:30: In explaining why she considers herself a “corporate refugee” and a “liberator of souls, Shelley talks about the time she spent in the corporate world as a CMO at Harley Davidson.

6:57: Shelley talks about what a “soulbbatical” is and how the definition has evolved.

10:06: Shelley discusses the “darkest parts” of her story, and why she was afraid for those parts to be shared in her “Soulbbatical” book.

12:20: Shelley describes the nightmare she consistently had that led her on her journey to quitting her job and reimagining her life.

15:25: What a doctor prescribed Shelley and how it saved her life.

18:47: What it means to listen to our own language and how to differentiate between our own voice and the voices of society or tradition.

23:01: What it means when we’re faced with resistance and how we can move past it to reach what we’re being called to do.

24:00: Shelley discusses how wrapped up she was in her corporate identity, and how she started asking herself the question of who she actually was outside of those labels. 

27:10: The initial moment of transformation Shelley went through from “corporate Shelley” to “soulful Shelley”

30:05: Shelley takes listeners through an activity that will allow them to let go of old identities or labels and get clear on who they are. 

33:17: What “rebel leadership” is and how Shelley is teaching it as part of her work going forward. 

35:28: Shelley reads her full “manifesto” of rebel leadership. 

Relevant links: 

• Visit Shelley’s website: https://soulbbatical.com/
• Download “A Rebel Leader’s Manifesto” - https://soulbbatical.com/uncategorized/a-rebel-leaders-manifesto/
• Follow Shelley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulbbatical/
• Follow Shelley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-paxton-759163/
• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

 What if there is no way to “get it right?” What if life is actually about leaning into the uncertainty, asking the right questions, and carving your own path? 

In this episode of the Soulcation Podcast, we talk to Erin Brennan: podcast host, speaker, creative consultant, and world traveler. She shares her story of chronic illness, and how she pushed past limiting beliefs and physical ailments to build a life on her own terms.

Realizing that you can blaze your own path can be scary, but on the other side of fear is freedom – and a life you don’t need a vacation from.

What you will learn: 

3:20: Erin talks about unlearning the “checklist” of who she’s supposed to be and how she now defines herself. 

5:08: How Erin has learned to be the hero of her own story by recognizing she was radically responsible for everything that happened to her and that she could and should do things her own way

7:30: Erin’s story about being extremely sick early in her life, and what got her through that phase: community, trusting herself, and pushing past fear. 

10:06: What it means to live life on your own terms, and how that looks for Erin specifically.

16:05: How freedom comes from claiming the life you desire and naming your wants

18:13: How travel can be a means to “start over,” shake things up in your life, and act as a period of transition

21:15: Erin talks about what it means to give up control and lean into uncertainty.

27:00: How perception becomes our reality, through the unconscious beliefs and stories we tell ourselves

33:26: What “necessary endings” are and how to make the right choices of which ones you need based on where you are on your journey

35:32: Erin talks about her patterns of digital detox and how she uses unplugging to build a happier life.

41:50: What Erin’s rituals of self-care and rest are in her own life

45:29: How to make daily decisions to live a life you don’t need a vacation from

Relevant links: 

• Visit Erin’s website: https://www.erinbrennan.co  
• Listen to Erin’s Women on a Mission podcast: https://www.erinbrennan.co/podcast
• Follow Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennanbrand/
• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

 Are you questioning anything about your journey in discovering who you truly are? You are the only one who can define your own story, and that happens by asking the right questions about what you really want in your life.

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Josh Harris. He’s a coach who works with thought leaders like authors, speakers, personal brands, and heads of message-driven organizations find their voice and reach their audience. 

Listen in to learn the importance of prioritizing your joy and building a life where you rest and do what you want. You will also learn the importance of sharing your story to help others free themselves from the shame of their own stories. 

What You Will Learn:

• [4:25] Josh explains what he does and how transitioning his life changed who he is.
• [6:45] How he became a hero of his story by standing by what’s right, even in the face of resistance.
• [8:58] The doubts he experienced when he was defining himself and discovering his truth.
• [12:17] How he let go of his past story by asking questions of who he is and finding freedom. 
• [17:58] The importance of therapy to help you see patterns of what you need and want.
• [20:09] Mel takes Josh through creating a list of things to nourish his energy.
• [26:14] Josh defines the old patterns that stop him from choosing rest.
• [30:07] The importance of building a life where you rest. 
• [34:39] How Josh is trying to break the old patterns after being in crisis mode for most of his life. 
• [38:57] He talks about the things he enjoys doing, including working on his branding company.
• [42:40] How to give yourself affirmation and grace to tell your story and free others. 
• [49:08] Josh explains how he’s been rediscovering and growing through the pandemic.
• [49:06] He describes how gratefulness has transformed his life into a life he truly enjoys. 

Relevant Links:

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

• Visit Josh’s website: www.clearandloud.com
• Follow Josh on Instagram: @harrisjosh

Are you listening to your body, mind, and soul as a woman? Are you slowing down and connecting with who you are? For you to discover yourself, you have to be willing to heal from your past traumas, embrace femininity, and discover what authentic journey you’ll go on. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Mary Hyatt, a holistic life and business mindset coach. She works with professional women who are ready to live fully alive in their life and business.

Listen in to learn how to start offering yourself unconditional love, as well as how to be willing to receive it from others. You will also learn the importance of embracing your femininity in business by slowing down and connecting with your inner self.

What You Will Learn:

• [3:11] Get to know Mary Hyatt and what she does in coaching and empowering women. 
• [5:53] Mary describes how she courageously took the healing journey from a self-hating and self-sabotaging woman to full confidence and knowing exactly who she is.
• [9:37] When and how Mary discovered she could design a true and authentic life where she wasn’t living a lie. 
• [13:08] Learning how to respect your body and build a relationship with it as a woman. 
• [17:43] Defining femininity in business as the ability to slow down and connect inward. 
• [22:41] How to admit you’re depleted and consider the 1% shift you can make in your day to cultivate rest.
• [29:46] She explains how she went on a ‘pleasure hunt’ practice to learn who she was and what she desired in life.
• [35:08] How to live a life of fulfillment by giving yourself permission to identify your wishes and ask for them.
• [39:18] Mary describes the work she and her current partner had to do for their relationship. 
• [45:14] How she’s living her soulcation by creating freedom inside of her body using the Kinrgy practice. 

Relevant Links:

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

Learn more about Mary Hyatt:

• Website: https://maryhyatt.com/
• Podcast: Living Fully Alive Podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryghyatt/

Do you listen to your intuition to access your joy? How do you allow yourself to be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally in the same place at the same time? You have to let your body be in sync so you can operate in your most efficient and joyful self. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Steph Jagger, an author, a coach, and a skiing world record holder, which she wrote a book about. Steph redesigned her life 10 years ago by listening to her intuition and now helps others write, re-write, own, and share their stories. 

Listen in to learn about the deeper meaning of alchemy, which is allowing energy to move in the way that it wants to move. 

What You Will Learn:

• [4:06] Steph describes how listening to her own intuition to immerse herself in joy led to a shift in her life.
• [7:10] Learning how to live in your body to know the difference between your physical body and mental body.
• [9:58] She explains the work she had to do to repair her relationship with her body and be in tune with it.
• [14:27] Understanding how your intuition works, as well as the liminal, which is about being here nor there. 
• [19:06] Steph gives an analogy of both the intuition of fear and that of joy and why you should pay attention to both.
• [23:31] How Steph accesses her joy through laughter and by being in nature.
• [27:11] The importance of being patient with all your body when you take a leap.
• [34:32] Understanding alchemy: allowing your physical and emotional bodies to do their job by moving energy the way they want in an authentic way. 
• [42:56] Steph explains alchemy in terms of grief and death and how you can find freedom in both.
• [48:58] She describes the life she doesn’t need a vacation from as one where she gets to follow things that bring her joy. 

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.stephjagger.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephjagger/

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

 What do you do to remain connected with yourself? You have to embrace rest and learn to listen to your body to experience an inner relationship with yourself. 

 In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Whitney Otto, a former US Olympic rower. She’s a trained therapist and executive performance coach who helps her clients accelerate success and optimize their wellbeing. She coaches individuals on performance, leadership, and financial matters to provide clarity on what matters most. 

 Listen in to learn the importance of rest and play to show up as your best self, as well as how to cultivate a relationship with your body, how to say “no” to things that don’t light you up, and how to listen to our bodies when they’re communicating to us.

What You Will Learn:

•  [2:40] Whitney explains how resilience defines her as the hero of her own story.
•  [8:36] Learning how to listen and develop a kinder and more attentive relationship with your body.
•  [10:47] How Whitney helps women understand the importance of rest to function better. 
•  [13:55] The importance of support, especially coaching support, to help you walk your journey.
•  [16:46] The negative effects of lack of rest when your body intuitively needs to slow down. 
•  [20:42] She explains how she learned to be discriminatory about what she says yes to.
•  [24:16] Whitney takes Mel through the balancing strategy of going easy on yourself to achieve goals.
•  [30:24] Why she’s been asking herself how to play.
•  [34:55] Learning to acknowledge the pandemic and teaching your children to be human as a mom to stay sane. 
•  [37:41] How grief and joy are connected and helps you feel connected to yourself. 
•  [39:47] Why you don’t always need to know the way and only need to find your yellow arrow.
•  [41:23] Whitney describes a life she doesn’t need a vacation from as one with personal space, surrounded by beauty, and remaining connected. 

Relevant Links:

 • Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

•  Learn more about Whitney’s work: www.lifealivecoaching.org

Did you know you can be successful, passionate, and make it in life without burning yourself out? By showing yourself compassion and exercising meditation, you can experience burnout recovery and ease in your life. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Sarah Meyer Tapia, the Associate Director in the Division of Health & Human Performance at Stanford University, where she oversees wellness education for students. She is a highly sought-after teacher and coach, and also runs her own business teaching workshops and coaching individuals in mindfulness, behavior change, self-compassion, and personal development. She describes self-love at its finest form as being able to allow yourself to do what comes easily to you. 

Listen in to learn how to show up to the world authentically by embracing who you are and what empowers your life.

What You Will Learn:

• [3:38] Sarah describes the most disastrous moment of her life as a turning point of her story, which continues to evolve.
• [5:35] How she teaches meditation helps her students avoid burnout from their work. 
• [10:54] Do what gives you ease and makes you feel like you. 
• [12:12] How to show up better by supporting yourself rather than criticizing yourself. 
• [17:41] Stop overwhelming yourself and instead choose what’s empowering your life. 
• [20:22] Learn to permit yourself to do what makes you feel good. 
• [22:19] How to be open about your purpose - where you can do more and feel more.
• [25:58] Sarah explains how she experiences intuition by listening to her body.
• [30:20] How experiencing deeper challenges allows you to have a meaningful life. 
• [32:16] Do whatever is in your control to take care and support yourself during COVID times. 
• [35:18] How Sarah is supporting her son to become himself and to show up in the world uniquely. 

Relevant Links:

• Learn more about wellness coach and educator Sarah Meyer Tapia: https://sarahmeyertapia.com/

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

Did you know that sometimes you don’t even have to have the skills to do the job? That you can do it anyway if you have the belief in yourself? You have the capability to build an internal belief system to get through anything. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Hilary Billings, a confidence coach, speaker, and influencer. She is a former Miss Nevada and producer for E-news. Hilary, who is also a burn survivor, teaches people how to eliminate their feelings of inadequacy and embrace confidence. 

Listen in to learn how you can take back your control by moving away from external validation and affirm your self-worth. 

What You Will Learn:

• [3:45] Hilary describes herself as a storyteller and an overcomer who now helps others overcome adversity through play. 
• [5:33] She tells the story of how she suffered from burns and how she learned to overcome the shame of having scars.
• [11:18] How she participated in the Miss Nevada pageant by presenting her strengths and using her weaknesses as a benefit. 
• [18:14] Defining confidence as the belief that you can rely upon someone or something and inadequacy as the belief that you’re deficient.
• [22:05] How to stop creating negative stories in your head and move to a place of neutrality that will give you freedom.
• [29:35] Hilary explains how she learned to rely on herself through travel as a pattern interrupt. 
• [32:30] The importance of finding play and systems that you enjoy to take you where you want to go in your life.
• [36:42] How Hilary created a TikTok platform that allows her room for play and removes her limiting belief about hustling. 
• [43:47] The power of a quietly confident woman who trusts herself and believes in what’s to come. 
• [45:20] Hilary describes a life she doesn’t need a vacation from as one of curiosity, exploration, and meeting different types of people. 

Relevant Links:

Get Hilary’s Free Workbook: https://hilarybillings.com/free-workbook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilary_billings/

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

What are you doing to get out of your way and live the life you don’t need a vacation from? Did you know that writing can be a diagnostic tool to improve your life? Writing down your thoughts and narrative can positively change the repeat cycles in your life. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Allison Fallon, an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and a nationally recognized writing coach. Allison has coached hundreds of writers, from New York Times bestselling authors to total beginners to help them finally get their books written and on the shelves. She shares how she transformed her life through writing, admitting her truths, and getting out of her own way.

Listen in to learn the power of writing your truth every day and creating mental and physical space in your life to avoid overwhelm.

What You Will Learn:

• [3:43] Allison talks about her passion for writing for positive change.
• [5:26] Allison narrates her story - when she discovered how to use writing as a diagnostic tool to improve her life.
• [10:11] Learning how to change the narrative by putting on the page how you participate in a repeat cycle in your life.
• [12:19] How Allison has been able to manifest the life she wanted through writing, yoga, therapy, and making it her full-time job to heal.
• [17:26] The power of admitting your truth by writing it so you can change your situation.
• [24:25] The importance of making physical and mental space for yourself.
• [30:10] How having a baby has allowed Allison to let go of some things in her life to create more space. 
• [37:14] Allison talks about her book, which teaches people how to use the power of writing to transform their life.
• [42:03] She explains how she handles work-life balance by making aligned. 

Relevant Links:

• Website: https://findyourvoice.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyfallon/
• Book: The Power of Writing It Down Allison Fallon (https://thepowerofwritingitdown.com/)
• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner

 Are you still feeling burnt out even though you’re exercising and ‘eating healthy’? Maybe you’re physically and mentally fatigued and don’t even realize it. It is interesting how our physical, mental, and emotional health are all connected and yet we fail to realize it, which leaves us fatigued and not achieving our health goals. 

In this episode of the Soulcation podcast, we have Brad Davidson, a New York Times bestselling author, a sought-after speaker, and a performance coach. He helps professional athletes, high-achieving executives, and CEOs overcome burnout and drive performance. Brad opens up about his journey from a burned-out individual in a place of torment to a place of falling in love with himself again. 

Listen in to learn why for a high-performing individual, exercise is not always the answer – but rather rest.

What You Will Learn:

• [5:30] Brad explains how he came from a defeated position to a point where he was excited about living again. 
• [8:09] He describes the process of how he brought himself from a place of torment to a place of falling in love with himself again.
• [14:44] How Brad helps high-performance people rest to get over the fatigue-driven issues affecting them.
• [17:38] He talks about his book ‘The Stark Naked 21-Day Metabolic Reset’, which was created to help people rest and not exercise. 
• [24:31] How professional fulfillment (through meeting people where they are) and spending quality time with his kids has brought Brad’s soul alive.
• [33:33] How Brad teaches people to reconnect with their bodies for success.
• [39:28] Why a disconnect between your physical health and mental-emotional health can destroy you. 
• [43:12] How to continue being true to yourself to allow your pain to go away. 
• [45:58] Brad explains the simple life he’s living now filled with love, peace, and freedom.

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.braddavidson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_brad_davidson/

Book: The Stark Naked 21-Day Metabolic Reset by Brad Davidson 

• Free Soulcation Daily Planning Page: https://www.melodymiles.com/daily-planning-page
• Follow Mel Miles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcationmel/
• Purchase the Soulcation Planner: https://www.melodymiles.com/soulcation-planner