The Change Effect - Inspiration and Strategies for Creating Success on Your Own Terms

Monumental change is typically born from something simple– an inkling, an urge, or a feeling that something is not quite right and needs our attention. Paying attention to these feelings can lead to the courage to take that step toward something that can truly be transformational. I certainly found this to be true over 12 years ago when a faint little whisper told me that my drinking was getting in the way of my life. 

So I wanted to dedicate this episode to those of you who have heard this whisper of addition yourself. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about how to recognize the subtle whispers of addiction.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Sharing a personal story that I wrote in reflection on the turning point in my life that started my courtship with alcohol. 
• How I ended up with an alcohol addiction even after knowing the signs.
• What the subtle signs of addiction might look like for you (after all, recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step to overcoming it). 

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if your drinking is problematic: 

1. Have I tried unsuccessfully to give up drinking in the past?
2. Do I find myself longing for alcohol to take the edge off?
3. Has alcohol caused loss of memory or behavior I’m not proud of?
4. Do I ever crave alcohol?
5. Has alcohol affected my relationship with family, friends or loved ones?
6. Do I hide my drinking from others?
7. Do I long for mornings without hangovers?
8. Is there a history of alcoholism in my family?
9. Do I wonder what life would be like for me without alcohol?
10. Do I feel that alcohol has a hold on me?

If you find yourself answering yes to a few of these questions it may be a sign to think more closely about your drinking habits. It all starts with awareness and honesty and if you think you have an issue, here are a few of the many communities that can help:

The most direct path to transformation is accepting our vulnerabilities and making the difficult changes necessary to push us forward and be the best that we can be. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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RESOURCES:

She Recovers Foundation

Recovery 2.0

SAMHSA's National Helpline

The Sober Leap  - Practical Wisdom to Create an Amazing Life Beyond Addiction 
by Noelle Van Vlierbergen

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Sometimes life shows us that the experiences we’ve had were the building blocks to get us to a place we are meant to be. Our guest today shares her story of how an idea can come out of nowhere, leading us toward alignment with what we know we were meant to do and living on purpose with ease and flow. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Lauren Schmidt shares how a love affair led her to create A Tree That Grows- an organization committed to global impact. 

Sparked by her interest in Jane Goodall, Lauren Schmidt took her first trip to Tanzania, an experience that began a love affair she just couldn’t shake. After returning home to complete her Masters of Social Work from Columbia University she returned to Tanzania for 10 more years. As time went on, she recalls cringing as volunteer organizations would roll into town with programs to ‘educate the community’ - knowing it could be so much better. So, she decided to design her own. As the pandemic forced many out of the country, Lauren stayed to carry out her mission and from there, A Tree That Grows was born. A Tree that Grows empowers youth to use their passion and strengths to design projects that support communities around the world. With volunteer fellowships, residencies, and an invitation to pitch their project at a global impact conference, it provides them with the opportunity for growth and self-discovery while addressing real-world issues and providing sustainable solutions along the way.

In this episode, Lauren and I discuss:

• Lauren’s first trip to Tanzania sparked her love affair with the country and a promise to return time and time again. 
• The inspiration and mission behind her organization ‘A Tree That Grows’.
• Helping students find a sense of purpose is much more impactful than academic grades or accolades. 
• The priceless lessons she learned about herself and others when given the opportunity to be of service. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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A Tree That Grows Website

Lauren Schmidt- LinkedIn

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Have you ever wondered how many lessons there are left to learn until you’ve gained the power you need to live your life to its fullest? The truth is, none of us know. Internal strength often results from time, experience, and sometimes adversity throwing us into challenges we never thought we’d ever have to face– let alone overcome. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Alison Evans and I are talking about how her sobriety and lupus diagnosis taught her to make self-care non-negotiable.

Alison’s passion to help women build strength – inside and out – began when she ended her relationship with alcohol in January 2017. Right away she leaned into a fitness routine to help her stay sober and improve her mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As her passion for fitness grew, she left her career as a high school counselor and returned to school to earn a Masters degree in Exercise Science. She also became a Certified Personal Trainer and Professional Life and Recovery Coach. Now she supports sober or sober-curious women to create a healthier lifestyle, reduce stress, and find balance. 

In this episode, Alison and I discuss:

• The awakening moment that finally led Alison into a successful recovery after multiple attempts. 
• Finding the balance of getting & staying sober while living with a partner that is not. 
• Alison’s career shift from high-school counselor to starting a business focusing on health and wellness. 
• Setting boundaries to prioritize your self-care and well-being over all else. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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As you may know, this podcast is about actively creating change in our lives. Some of us know we’re ready for change; others might be hesitant but are interested in exploring it further. Regardless of where you fall, this podcast is a place of exploration, not obligation. This week on Journeys Through Change, I am talking about building the foundation for change and asking yourself what you want. 

Change happens all of the time and we often don’t realize the impact it has on us until we’re past it. I want you to know that change doesn’t have to be scary and it can be designed in a way that works for you. 

To help you with this, I am sharing a self-reflection practice to identify the areas of your life that could be better and use your intuition to pinpoint what needs to change. 

Remember, change is a journey. You’re not going to move mountains overnight. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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Have you ever felt so captivated by an interest or pastime that it drew you in and wouldn’t let you go or toyed with the idea of creating something bigger out of it, only to shake your head and pass it off as an unrealistic dream? Life can take us on a wild, yet rewarding ride when we surrender to the persistent little tug inside of us, even when the outside world may be pointing us in a different direction. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Kai Chase and I are talking about the power of reinvention- from music journalist to A-list celebrity chef and founder of a thriving culinary and lifestyle brand. 

In the late 80s, Kai Chase began her career as a staff writer for a weekly music industry publication called the Urban Network, interviewing the top music and radio talent of the time. She then segued into music publishing as her career continued to rise. All the time Kai was working in the music industry, her true desire was revealing itself when she would literally fall asleep reading The Joy of Cooking - and spend her leisure hours dreaming up healthy and creative dishes that mimicked the comforting standard recipes she enjoyed as a child. After following her heart, Kai went on to receive her professional culinary training from the famed Le Cordon Bleu academy in Paris, and in addition to having served as a private chef to A-lister celebrities, she has worked at several well-known restaurants, including Pamela Anderson’s Sanctuary and Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events. She is now known for her modern and contemporary approach to New American cuisine.  

In this episode, Kai and I discuss:

• How Kai’s childhood acting as her mother’s sous chef inspired her to become the chef she is today. 
• The 3 big leaps of faith Kai had to take to follow her dreams without looking back. 
• The power of leveraging your network for opportunities.
• Taking something you’re already doing and using it to expand your business further.   
• Advice for anyone seeking change in their life, no matter their age. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

CONNECT WITH KAI CHASE:

Website

Shop Kai’s Products

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Facebook

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Have you ever felt like you “know” something, even though you can’t explain how you know it? That’s your intuition at work! This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Karen Hager and I discussed how she left seminary to become an intuitive guide. Sharing a gift she’s had since childhood, we talk about tapping into your intuition and following your inner guidance. 

Today’s guest Karen Hager has an incredible life path. As she prepared for ordination into the priesthood she made a life-changing decision to step away from seminary and pursue an inner calling that would lead her into the unknown and finally back home again. Today she is a spiritual intuitive and teacher to those seeking a greater understanding of their spiritual path. She is known for her compassionate, no-nonsense approach to the spiritual journey, conducting more than 1200 private intuitive sessions each year with people from around the world. Karen is a passionate advocate for intuitive development. Her classes and events focus on empowering students to connect with their natural intuitive awareness, deepen their spiritual practice and open themselves up to abundance. She is also the creator and host of the long-running podcast “Out of the Fog.”

In this episode, Karen and I discuss:

• Karen’s life transitions from preparing for the priesthood to starting her own spiritual endeavors while battling endless health concerns. 
• How finding an intuitive development teacher led Karen to embrace and strengthen the psychic abilities she’s always had. 
• Actionable steps you can use to access your own intuitive gifts and be empowered to make decisions. 
• The ways Karen uses her spiritual ability to guide others.  

Remember: You are always in charge of the choices you make and the actions that you take. You should not fear intuitive exploration because you are in charge of it, always.

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

CONNECT WITH KAREN HAGER:

Out of the Fog Podcast 

KarenHager.com

Instagram @fogcitypsychic

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The dictionary definition of hope is the feeling of trust or expectation- a desire for something to happen. When we think about hope, we can often feel like it’s an aspiration or yearning but in reality, hope is the first step in becoming a believer in your ability to overcome life’s challenges.  This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Rebecca Boedges and I are talking about how hope guided her through the pain of loss and into the world of emerging artists. 

Rebecca is a coach, consultant, and psychotherapist in private practice for fifteen years. She holds Master’s degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, with additional training in somatic psychotherapy specializing in trauma and women’s work. Rebecca has also stepped into the world of coaching emerging artists after spending years co-managing the business side of her husband’s career, as he rose to master artist gaining international recognition for his work. Together they have co-founded a creative coaching practice that offers individual support and retreats for artists interested in learning how to get their work out into the world without sacrificing their creativity.

In this episode, Rebecca and I discuss:

• Rebecca’s journey of experiencing a tragic stillbirth and several miscarriages and the strength in family she found after the successful birth of her two daughters. 
• The immense importance of having hope. 
• Expanding her career as a psychotherapist in private practice to also co-managing the business end of her husband’s art career.
• How Rebecca and her husband use their business to support artists in building their careers. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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RBoedges Coaching

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Sometimes it takes us several detours to set us on the path we know we were meant to travel and listening to our bodies is part of the journey. It’s not always easy but it can be so critical when it comes to recognizing what truly brings us joy and fulfillment. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Sarah Tamaya and I are talking about how listening to her body led her toward greater joy and fulfillment! 

Sarah Tamaya is a former career accountant who has taken several paths to find what feels true in her life. Over the past 15 years, she has helped individuals take radical responsibility for their own lives through coaching, yoga instruction, plant medicine work and QHHT Hypnosis, showing them the way back to themselves through love, awareness and recognition of the power of our bodies.

In this episode, Sarah and I discuss:

• The plant medicine practice that showed Sarah it was time to make radical change in her life and how her body reinforced that message.
• Our bodies give us messages through symptoms– so pay attention to what you’re feeling.
• What is QHHT (Quantum Hypnosis Healing Technique) and how Sarah uses it to help her clients to tune their frequencies and tap into a deeper understanding of themselves.

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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LINKS REFERENCED:

QHHT Website 

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Most people go into marriage believing that it is going to last forever but statistics show this is not the case. 40% of families in the US are step-families and 70% of blended families include partners with children from previous relationships. Even in thinking of “traditional” family dynamics, we often laugh at how complicated these relationships can be, but when it comes to parenting a blended family, a whole new set of challenges can spring up– putting a ton of pressure on a marriage. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Brittney Phillips and I are talking about the lessons she learned from navigating the challenges of a blended family. 

Brittney Phillips uses her own experience blending a family to help others do the same. She works with women to strengthen their blended family by focusing on the following areas: strengthening themselves, strengthening their marriage, strengthening the family unit and strengthening their relationship with God. 

In this episode, Brittney and I discuss:

• The adjustments Brittney, her new husband, and their children had to go through in order to function in this new family unit. 
• Navigating the loyalty bind that many children face when introduced to a new parental figure in their life. 
• Recognizing and understanding your triggers is the first step towards healing.
• The difficult times that eventually brought everyone closer together.
• 7 phases that every blended family goes through on their journey to adjust together.

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

7 Stages of Blended Family Development 

Becoming a Step Family: Patterns of Development in Remarried Families by Patricia Papernow

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There is always purpose in pain. Today’s guest knows this first hand as her breast cancer diagnosis halted her modeling career and shifted everything she once believed about external beauty and what she was living for. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Christine Handy and I are talking about how surviving her own battle helped her find purpose in pain to become an international breast cancer advocate and ambassador. 

Christine Handy is a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, an International speaker, an accomplished model, Best selling author, and a Nationally recognized Humanitarian. She has truly seen it all and has overcome all odds. Christine’s motto is: There is always Purpose in Pain, but we have to be willing to share the story. Her life-long passion for writing has finally come full circle with an incredible story to share. 

In this episode, Christine and I discuss:

• The lessons Christine was shown time and time again to put less focus on her external appearance that she wasn’t yet ready to learn. 
• Letting go of our hyper focus on the outcome of things and focusing on the purpose.
• The pause that came from chemotherapy gave Christine the space she needed to reevaluate her priorities in life. 
• Christine’s unconventional approach to retraining her brain after chemo by getting her masters at Harvard. 

Every day is a gift. And if you actually believe that, you’ll live your life differently.

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

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