Are you surviving... or are you truly thriving?I n this episode of Talkin' About It with Ashlee, Ashlee sits down with Sara Guzman, author of Thrive Map and founder of Thrive or Die Recovery, for an honest conversation about healing, growth, and what it takes to move beyond survival mode. Together, they explore why recovery is about more than simply getting through the day, how unresolved stress and trauma can keep us stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, and why nervous system regulation plays such an important role in mental and emotional well-being.  Sara shares insights on self-led recovery, learning to trust yourself again, overcoming setbacks, and taking small, intentional steps toward creating a life you don't need to escape from. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, addiction recovery, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and practical tools to help you move forward. Because healing isn't about perfection—it's about progress, self-awareness, and being willing to take the next step.

In This Episode:
✔ The difference between surviving and thriving
✔ Nervous system healing and recovery
✔ Why awareness alone isn't enough
✔ Building self-trust after difficult experiences
✔ Recovery beyond addiction and sobriety
✔ Small actions that create lasting change

 
Thrive Or Die Recovery Course
Thrive Map Book

Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that healing is possible and they don't have to do it alone.


🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

On this episode of Talkin’ About It with Ashlee, we sit down with Frances Maldonado, candidate for Judge of County Court at Law #2, for a real conversation about leadership, resilience, mental health, and the importance of civic engagement.Frances shares how her upbringing, family values, and personal experiences—including losing her father to mental illness—helped shape her passion for service and her decision to step into public leadership.We also break down why local elections matter more than people realize, the importance of transparency in public office, and why every vote truly counts.This episode isn’t just about politics—it’s about courage, community, and taking the leap even when you’re scared.Learn more:
Website: www.electmaldonado.com
Facebook: Frances Maldonado for County Court at Law #2

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

In this episode of Talkin’ About It, Ashlee sits down with SISD District 5 Trustee Manny Rodriguez for a real conversation about public education, local politics, leadership, and why local elections matter more than most people realize. They dive into the challenges facing Texas schools, where funding is (and isn’t) going, the impact political decisions have on everyday families, and why younger generations getting involved in politics could be the shift Texas needs. This episode also explores frustration, hope, accountability, and the importance of continuing to have uncomfortable conversations that push people to learn, engage, and take action in their communities. Whether you’re deeply involved in politics or someone just trying to understand what’s happening around you, this conversation breaks things down in a real, relatable way.

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

Talkin About It LIVE Presents: Be About It featuring Sober Streets Movement.This conversation goes beyond awareness and focuses on action, accountability, prevention, and community change. Joined by families behind the Sober Streets Movement, we discuss turning unimaginable loss into purpose and advocacy while fighting for stronger DWI laws, prevention efforts, accountability, and safer communities.This episode is not about replaying tragedy — it’s about honoring lives through action and creating conversations that can help prevent more families from experiencing this kind of loss. We discuss the importance of speaking up, community responsibility, mental health, coping, prevention before crisis, and how everyday people can help create meaningful change.Together, these families remind us that behind every statistic is a real person, a real family, and a future forever changed by one preventable decision.If this episode moves you, don’t stop at awareness — BE about it.To support the movement and sign the petition visit:

Petition-Sober Streets Movement

Sober Streets Movement Website

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

What happens when you hit “go live” with no script, no plan… and just trust the conversation? That’s exactly what we did in this episode of Talkin About It.

I’m sharing a real-time update on stepping into discomfort with exposure therapy—what it actually feels like, what’s been hard, and what I’m learning along the way. We get into trending topics, mental health in real life (not the polished version), and the things people don’t always say out loud. We also open the floor—taking questions, bringing in different perspectives, and seeing where the conversation goes. And of course, we take a moment to give people their flowers… because kindness and showing up for others deserves to be recognized.
This episode is a little unpredictable… but that’s the point. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just needed something real to listen to—you’re not alone.

🎙️ Want to be part of a future live episode? Stay connected through the website and social media. If this episode resonates, share it—you never know who might need to hear it today. And if you’re in a tough spot and don’t know where to turn, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support. As always… keep talking about the hard things so you can start to enjoy the good things.

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

In this episode of Talkin’ About It with Ashlee, Ashlee sits down with Yvette, also known as “The Tattoo Honey,” for a real conversation about mental health, trauma, and healing.

They discuss generational trauma, emotional desensitization, and the impact of unaddressed mental health struggles passed down through families. Yvette shares her experience with postpartum healing, facing the inner critic, and using art and tattooing as a form of self-expression and emotional healing.
 This episode also explores setting boundaries, self-compassion, and breaking cycles so the next generation doesn’t have to carry the same weight. If you’re on a healing journey, struggling with anxiety, or learning how to work through past trauma, this conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and you’re not alone.

IG: @the_tattoo_honey- Honey & Myrrh Colloborative Tattoo Studio

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

In this episode of Talkin’ About It with Ashlee, I sit down with Anselmo Rodela—also known as The Dancing Mexican Samoan, The Big Texas Brawler, Chemo—to talk about the reality behind the persona. We get into his journey, the ups and downs, the moments that tested him, and what it actually means to “keep fighting” when life hits harder than expected. This conversation goes beyond wrestling. It’s about discipline, resilience, and being honest about when you need support—whether that’s a coach, a mentor, or someone to help you reset. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’ve been knocked down a few times… this one’s for you. If something in this episode resonates, don’t keep it to yourself—share it. You never know who might need to hear it today.



🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

Live Mental Health Q&A Panel | Relationships, Inner Child Healing, Parenting & Getting Help What does it really take to start healing? In this special live panel episode of Talkin About It with Ashlee, we sit down with professionals from MindForward Health Center—Dr. Ortiz, Sami, and Rich—to break down the real-life mental health questions people are asking every day. From healing your inner child to understanding toxic relationship patterns, navigating long-term relationships, and tackling parenting struggles, this conversation gets into the things many people feel—but don’t always say out loud. We also talk about the reality of therapy without insurance, how to find affordable mental health support, and what steps you can take if you feel stuck but don’t know where to begin. 💬 Topics include:

• Inner child healing & how it shows up in adulthood
• Why we repeat unhealthy relationship patterns
• Growing together vs growing apart in relationships
• Reframing sacrifice to avoid resentment
• Creating emotional safety in relationships
• Parenting & communication challenges
• Is therapy affordable without insurance?
• Where to start your mental health journey

This episode is for anyone who’s felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. You’re not alone—and there are real tools and resources that can help.
👉 If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who might need it.
Connect with Dr Ortiz - Mind Forward Health Center

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

In this episode of Talkin’ About It with Ashlee, we sit down with Mary Lou Morales, Founder of Tranquil Minds Behavioral Health, for an honest conversation about what mental health care really looks like — beyond the surface.We talk about the reality of asking for help, the stigma that still exists, and why finding the right provider can take time. Ashlee shares her own experience navigating mental health care, while Mary Lou brings both professional insight and personal perspective on healing, boundaries, and building systems that truly support people.This conversation is about more than just awareness — it’s about understanding, resilience, and knowing that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or discouraged by a past experience… this episode is for you.Because real healing starts with real conversations.
Follow on IG @talkin.about.it
Listen on all platforms or watch on youtube
And as always… keep on talkin’ about it. 💜

More- Talkin About It
Tranquil Minds Behavior Health

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!

Owner of Roscoe's Burger Inn, Jacob Carrasco, joins Ashlee to talk about how when we talk about mental health, we don’t always talk about this part…Sometimes it’s not just mindset.
Sometimes it’s medical. Sometimes the work starts inward — with labs, with answers, with understanding what your body is trying to tell you.Before we assume.

🎙️ Talkin’ About It with Ashlee
Real conversations about mental health, growth, and the stuff we don’t always say out loud.
👉 Resources & Everything Talkin About It: www.talkinaboutit.com
👉 Connect on IG: @talkin.about.it
👉 Share this episode—someone might need it today.
Rember to keep talkin about the hard things so you start to appreciate the good!