Welcome back to Season 3 of The Bigger Braver Life Show. I’m Angela Williams, a licensed clinical social worker and leadership mindset coach, and this season, I’m exploring something I care deeply about: the intersection of leadership, mental health, creativity, and nervous-system capacity.

I’m honored to welcome Marlys Woods, a board-certified music therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist (CA & CO). Marlys holds an undergraduate degree in music with an emphasis in music therapy and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University.

She is the founder and CEO of Get In Tune Inc, a music therapy practice specializing in mental health treatment. Her team provides services in person throughout CA and CO, and globally via telehealth. Their mission is powerful and clear: to teach anyone struggling with mental health how to use creativity to accelerate their healing, regulate their nervous system, and transform their lives.

Marlys envisions a world where every one of us knows how to feel and face our emotions not suppress them so we can create true freedom in our lives.

Through individual sessions, DIY music therapy resources, treatment center partnerships, and therapist trainings, Marlys and her team are making that vision a reality.

She is also a devoted community mental health advocate, collaborating with clinicians, speaking at conferences, and sharing her work on podcasts across the country.

This conversation is rich, honest, and deeply human especially for leaders, creatives, parents, and anyone who feels like they’re “doing everything right” while quietly holding emotional weight.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

How music naturally brings buried emotions to the surface — and how to use it intentionally rather than unconsciously.

The therapeutic process Marlys created to help people identify emotions, process them creatively, and then communicate what’s truly happening inside.

Why stress pulls your younger self to the surface — and why addressing the emotional needs of that younger self is essential for adult leadership.

Why creativity isn’t just for “artists” — and how cooking, movement, music, journaling, or even problem-solving can help regulate your nervous system.

How music becomes an “audio hug,” grounding your body, expanding capacity, and helping you lead from clarity rather than panic.

Marlys shares how burnout reshaped her identity, how she gave herself permission to step back from music, and how traveling the world as a digital nomad rebuilt her relationship to creativity and emotion.

Her journey from hiding her voice to using it as a tool for healing for herself and for others.

Start your self-development journey with Angela:

• 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching

Connect with Marlys Woods & Get In Tune

Website: https://getintunemusictherapy.com

Social Media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/getintunemusictherapy

Facebook: https://facebook.com/getintunemusictherapy

Contact Angela at [email protected] and join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

Stefanie Julia a business coach for coaches who helps turn passion into profit by attracting clients on autopilot. With 13 years in Homeland Security Investigations and a top-rated fitness coaching program, Stefanie brings a rare blend of operational rigor and entrepreneurial heart—serving 200K+ people each month and featured by ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

Leadership isn’t just about launches or revenue. It’s about presence. It’s about capacity. It’s about the nervous system health of the leader, especially in seasons of pregnancy, postpartum, and identity shifts.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create and the results you deliver start with your inner stability. If you’re bootstrapping maternity leave, pivoting offers, or rebuilding confidence after a hard season, this conversation is your invitation to pair clarity with capacity so your strategy actually supports your life.

• Maternity leave as a founder: mapping benefits, funding the gap, and building a practical runway as a solopreneur.
• Fast cash vs. sustainable growth: how Stefanie pivoted to VIP Days for immediate revenue while setting up a long-term client attraction system.
• Systems that sell while you rest: simple, repeatable structures for DMs, lead magnets, and micro-offers that keep momentum going.
• Mindset + nervous system shifts: gratitude practices, vibration-raising routines, and why regulation precedes consistent sales.
• Identity after baby (and business pivots): letting go of timelines, releasing the fantasy, and returning to aligned strategy.
• Succession & safety nets: professional wills, emergency plans, and light-touch team support during leave.
• Resources that helped: The Law of Attraction (Esther Hicks) and The Magic (Rhonda Byrne) for daily gratitude structure.

• Strategy works best when your nervous system is on board.
• It’s okay to pivot in Q4 bring the structure and the belief.
• Dream without self-editing. Your plan should support the life you actually want.

Start your self-development journey with Angela:

• Private 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching

Connect with Stefanie Julia:

Instagram: @StefanieJulia

Discover Your Aligned Client Attraction Quiz: https://thevipcoaches.com/quiz  

Join our free community The Client Attraction Lab:  https://thevipcoaches.com/community 

Contact Angela at [email protected] and join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

In this episode of The Bigger Braver Life Show, I explore the intersection of leadership, identity, and nervous-system health in parenting with my guest, Abigail Wald mother of two, renowned parenting mentor, and host whose shows have surpassed 1.5M downloads. Abigail helps families (including therapists, pediatricians, and public figures) navigate tough, in-the-moment challenges while crafting a meaningful family story across the full 18-year arc of childhood.

Leadership isn’t just for boardrooms it begins at home. It’s about presence, regulation, and how we lead ourselves in the hardest moments especially with strong-willed or highly sensitive kids.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create at work and at home starts with your inner capacity. If you’re burned out, grieving the “plan” you thought you’d have, or stuck in daily power struggles, this conversation is your invitation to trade fantasy for reality, regulate first, and build the family story you actually want.

• Strong-willed & highly sensitive kids: why a one-size-fits-all method fails—and what tailored, compassionate structure looks like.
• From fantasy to leadership: releasing the “supposed to” script and leading the family you actually have.
• Matrescence & identity: the under-discussed transition into motherhood (and how to navigate the grief, rage, and rebirth).
• Nervous-system leadership at home: self-regulation, emotional mastery, and how your state sets the tone.
• Practical tools that work: rituals, sensory-smart snacks/structures, and repair for those “I lost it” moments.
• Abigail’s story of solving real problems: kangaroo care advocacy, founding the YES Bar, and building family systems that honor who each child truly is.
• Legacy in parenting: shaping a multi-generational ripple by raising humans—not perfect followers.

• You can’t lead what you won’t feel. Regulate first; strategy second.
• Let go of the fantasy to love the family in front of you.
• Consistency beats perfection repair keeps relationships safe.

Start your self-development journey with Angela:

• Private 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching
• Lake Como Leadership Retreat — limited spots for female leaders; transformational, restorative, intentional

Connect with Abigail Wald:

Website: motherflippingawesome.com • abigailwald.com

Tune into Abigails Podcast- Mother Flipping Awesome

Contact Angela at [email protected] and join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

In this episode of The Bigger Braver Life Show, I cover the intersection of leadership, legacy, and healing through visibility with my guest, Jasmin Haley, CEO of Legacy Scaler® Consulting Firm, an award-winning speaker, author, and educator helping changemakers amplify their voice, build wealth through speaking, and live a legacy-driven life.

Leadership isn’t just about strategy, systems, or success metrics. It’s about the heart. It’s about healing. It’s about the nervous system health of the leader and the courage to share your story even when fear and old narratives tell you to stay small.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create, the impact you make, and the legacy you leave all begin with your willingness to do the inner work. This conversation is your invitation to redefine visibility, move through fear, and show up for your calling, not just for you, but for the generations watching.

• Legacy-driven leadership: how every decision, intention, and interaction shapes the impact you’ll leave behind.
• Burnout & trauma recovery: Jasmine’s powerful story of healing from grief, toxic workplaces, and burnout and choosing alignment over survival.
• Taking the leap: why clarity rarely comes before action and how to keep moving forward even when the path feels foggy.
• Breaking generational patterns: understanding trauma’s biological imprint and choosing differently to change your legacy.
• Finding your voice: how speaking your story transforms both your life and the lives of others and how to monetize that impact.
• Overcoming false stories: releasing fear of rejection, perfectionism, and scarcity to step into purpose.
• Practical steps to start speaking: crafting your signature talk, pitching yourself, and leveraging your intellectual property.

• You don’t need to know every step, just the next one.
• Your voice is your legacy. There are people waiting to hear it.
• Consistency, alignment, and authenticity build success not perfection.

Start your self-development journey with Angela:

• Private 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching
• Lake Como Leadership Reset — limited spots for female leaders; transformational, restorative, intentional

Connect with Jasmin Haley, CEO of Legacy Scaler® Consulting Firm:

Website: https://www.legacyscaler.com

 Instagram: @thejasminhaley

Contact Angela at [email protected] and join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

In this episode of The Bigger Braver Life Show, I cover the intersection of leadership, money clarity, and personal optimization with my guest, Caroline Tannis, MBA, CDFA® a financial advisor and strategist helping ambitious women and families build wealth aligned with their real lives.

Leadership isn’t just about numbers, revenue, or the bottom line. It’s about people. It’s about presence. It’s about the nervous system health of the leader and yes, that includes your relationship with money.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create, the tone you set, and the results your team delivers all start with your internal capacity. If you’re burned out, maxed out, or operating from survival mode, your organization will feel it. This conversation is your invitation to bring money into alignment with your values, so your financial plan actually supports the life you want.

• Alignment > optics: ditching “cover of the book” lifestyles (cars, designer, party tabs) to fund what you truly want.
• Money stories & origin: how family, culture, and comparison fuel spending—and how to reset with clarity.
• Seasons of life: recession talk, layoffs, and why cash buffers + flexible plans protect mental bandwidth.
• Goal-based planning: college, retirement, big purchases funding the right goals (not the internet’s).
• Business owners & families: cash flow, risk, insurance, and simple systems that make wealth sustainable.
• Practical first steps: forgiveness for past spending, opening the statements, knowing your numbers.
• Clarity practices to build a vision you’ll actually follow.

• If the inside doesn’t match the outside, money feels hard. Fix the inside first.
• You can’t reach their goals and feel fulfilled.. fund your vision.
• Clarity + simple systems beat willpower every time.

Start your self-development journey with Angela:

• Private 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching
• Lake Como Leadership Reset (2026) — limited spots for female leaders; transformational, restorative, intentional

Connect with Caroline Tannis, MBA, CDFA® for goal-based planning, cash flow, retirement, investments, college, protection planning

• Website: https://tanisfingroup.com/
• Instagram: @tannisfingroup

Contact Angela at [email protected] and join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

In this episode of The Bigger Braver Life Show, I cover the intersection of leadership, mental health, and personal optimization.

Leadership isn’t just about numbers, revenue, or the bottom line. It’s about people. It’s about presence. It’s about the nervous system health of the leader.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create, the tone you set, and the results your team delivers all start with your internal capacity. If you’re burned out, maxed out, or operating from survival mode, your organization will feel it. This episode is your invitation to lead from a more grounded, regulated, and sustainable place.

• Why rest isn’t enough and how a true reset (spaciousness, reflection, integration) becomes a lifelong leadership practice.
• Burnout in the C-suite: what it actually looks like (brain fog, decision fatigue, sleep disruption, emotional strain) and how it impacts your mind, body, and relationships.
• Decision fatigue: thousands of micro-decisions a day drain cognitive bandwidth and push you toward defaults, avoidance, and inconsistency and what to do instead.
• The difference between strategy offsites/conferences and a restorative retreat (silence, sensory reset, nature, identity anchoring, and embodiment).
• How to build a clarity infrastructure that holds under pressure: systems, identity anchors, rest buffers, “brain breaks,” and values-aligned decision frameworks.

Remeber:

Your leadership doesn’t just need sleep it needs spacious resets.

Design the pause (retreat), then sustain it (ongoing support).

Lead from your clearest self, not from what’s left over.

• Private 1:1 Leadership & Mindset Coaching
• Lake Como Leadership Reset (2026) — limited spots for female leaders; transformational, restorative, intentional
• Contact Angela at [email protected] or join the newsletter today!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

In this episode of The Bigger Braver Life Show, I’m sharing the truth every leader needs to face: the way you lead starts with you. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, manager, or the leader of your family, your leadership energy sets the tone. Your clarity, your nervous system, and your capacity ripple outward into your culture, your team, and your bottom line. You can’t outsource culture, it mirrors the leader.

This conversation is about what it looks like to truly lead from within: doing the inner work, setting the example, and defining your leadership manifesto with intention. This is how we build safe, grounded, thriving cultures that don’t just hit goals, they retain talent and create real impact.

• Why your leadership energy sets the tone for your entire culture.
• How leadership is not just strategy... it’s nervous system regulation and presence.
• Why investing in your own inner work comes before team building or culture programs.
• What it looks like to build your own leadership manifesto... your personal declaration of how you lead.
• The hard truth: you can’t outsource culture. Your team mirrors your regulation, clarity, and leadership style.
• Why psychological safety, consistency, and communication are non-negotiable for retention and engagement.
• How leadership behavior drives retention, culture, and productivity... backed by research from Gallup and Forester.
• Real questions to reflect on: If your team mirrored your current mental state, would you want to work there?

Loving reminders:

Your energy is the culture.

You can’t outsource leadership.

And how you lead starts with how you care for yourself.

• Leadership Visioning Self-Study
• The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
• Private Leadership Retreats + Leadership Stress Reset
• Book a Call for 1:1 coaching or private team support

👉 Download the Leadership Stress Reset

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Bigger Braver Life Show. I’m Angela Williams, a licensed clinical social worker and leadership mindset coach and this season, I’m getting real about something I care deeply about: the intersection of leadership, mental health, and personal optimization.

Leadership isn’t just about numbers, revenue, or the bottom line. It’s about people. It’s about presence. It’s about the nervous system health of the leader.

I believe leadership is personal before it’s professional. The culture you create, the tone you set, and the results your team delivers all start with your internal capacity. If you’re burned out, maxed out, or operating from survival mode, your organization will feel it. This episode is your invitation to lead from a more grounded, regulated, and sustainable place.

• Why your inner capacity sets the ceiling for your team and your business.
• How nervous system regulation creates real, sustainable results, without the drama and chaos.
• Why executive burnout isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a leadership culture issue.
• The power of getting honest about your energetic capacity, emotional regulation, and mental clarity.
• How other leaders, like Antonio Horta-Osório (former CEO of Lloyd’s Bank), are finally talking openly about mental health at the top.
• How holistic support... from therapy to acupuncture to leadership coaching, can help you reclaim your leadership power.

Your capacity sets the ceiling.

Mental health is not a luxury.

And sustainable leadership starts within.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

Send us a text

In this episode, I welcome Donclarte Dontsi, an African visionary coach dedicated to empowering change-makers to transfer their knowledge and technology to others. Donclarte is passionate about helping leaders leave a legacy that not only transforms their communities but shapes the future for generations to come.
In this episode, we discuss:

• Get insider tips on how to leverage your expertise to create a global impact and wealth
• Find out how to take your local business online
• Learn why emotional growth is the secret sauce to thriving in business and life

Connect with Donclarte here:
@donclartedontsi
[email protected]

For more information about the Aligned Leader Circle go to angelamarie.co/individuals to apply today! 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Website: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

Send us a text

In this episode, I welcome Zac Dodson, a licensed mental health counselor with extensive experience helping individuals navigate trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Zac is deeply passionate about empowering people to heal and thrive, and his approach is rooted in both his professional training and personal philosophy. 
Today, we discuss: 

• How to discover the blueprint for growing a successful, sustainable business without burnout
• How to reframe and heal for empowered leadership
• Time-tested strategies for mental health and business success 
• Find your path to healing and growth as a leader

Connect with Zac here:
https://hdcounseling.com/
Traumafocusedhypnotherapy.com

Subscribe for more episodes of the Bigger Braver Life Show!

For more information about the Aligned Leader Circle go to angelamarie.co/individuals to apply today! 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Website: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Podcast and leave a review so it reaches more leaders like you!

You can reach Angela here: Instagram & LinkedIn @theangelamariewilliams

Learn more, add more resources to your toolkit, and apply to work with Angela here: https://www.angelamarie.co/

Music Credit: Produced by G-Rod

*While Angela is a licensed psychotherapist, this show is purely for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal health advice.