The Daring Well Podcast - Holistic Health & Wellness, Mindset, and Personal Growth

In this heart-centered and practical episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with acupuncturist, fermentation maven, and author Elizabeth Bruckner to explore how the modern homesteader mindset can transform stress, scarcity, and burnout into joy, simplicity, hope, and sustainable wellness. From her own healing journey to practical habit-stacking strategies, Elizabeth shares tools and stories to help you take your first step—even if that step is simply resting.

Whether you live in a city apartment or on a farm, this episode will inspire you to start where you are, make peace with your pace, and choose joy as your compass.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Elizabeth overcame chronic illness through tiny daily acts of wellness
• The real meaning of modern homesteading—and how it fits into any lifestyle
• Why the prescription for anxiety is action
• How to break the three myths that stop us from making lasting changes: “I don’t have time,” “I don’t have money,” and “It’s too complicated”
• The power of joy, rest, and daydreaming as wellness tools
• Why a scarcity mindset is often rooted in identity and how to shift toward abundance
• How to create meaningful habits using “found time” and habit-stacking
• Elizabeth’s favorite resources for gut healing and emotional freedom

Connect with Elizabeth Bruckner:

• 📖 Book: The Homesteader Mindset by Elizabeth Bruckner – available on Amazon and other major booksellers
• Website: www.createwellnessproject.com
• Free Gift, Homesteader Habit Tracker: www.createwellnessproject.com/gift

🎙️ Connect with Host Rita Mercer:

• Website: www.daringwell.com
• Instagram: info@daringwell.com
• Coaching & Guest Speaking Inquiries: Contact Rita

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform—and share this episode with someone who could use a dose of encouragement and inspiration.

Available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

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Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this empowering episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer welcomes Alison Bladh, a registered nutritional therapist and esthetician, to explore the intersection of nutrition, mood, skincare, and midlife wellness. Together, they unpack how women can regain their “sparkle” during perimenopause and menopause by making simple yet powerful lifestyle shifts. From balancing blood sugar to rethinking caffeine, Alison shares practical tips, heartfelt encouragement, and holistic insight into thriving—not just surviving—through midlife.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by mood swings, hot flashes, or hormonal changes, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered to take control of your wellness journey.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

• How stress and declining hormones impact your body in midlife
• The connection between cortisol, blood sugar, and mood
• Why protein, healthy fats, and fiber are crucial for hormonal balance
• Surprising contributors to hot flashes and irritability (hint: caffeine!)
• How gut health supports mental health and mood
• The truth about artificial sweeteners and cravings
• How to build a balanced plate that stabilizes your energy and emotions
• Why mindset, support, and community matter now more than ever

Connect with Allison:

https://www.alisonbladh.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Feeling disconnected? Want to rediscover your true identity?
Lean into this episode to reignite the flame within through the transformative gift of self-love, sparked by travel.

In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle Eyrich—freelance travel writer, speaker, wife, and mom—who has journeyed to over 80 countries across all seven continents. But Michelle’s most powerful journey wasn’t just about collecting passport stamps—it more about learning how to be more true to herself. 

After experiencing postpartum depression and the daily overwhelm of motherhood, Michelle found healing through solo travel. She opens up about a pivotal moment, and how time alone in the Arctic helped her reconnect with her passions, reclaim her identity, and return home to herself. Now, she enjoys helping other women do the same.

Whether you’re dreaming of a solo trip or just need permission to take an hour for yourself, this episode will encourage you to put your needs back on the map.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Michelle’s experience with postpartum depression and emotional burnout
• How solo travel helped her reconnect with her passions and purpose
• Why self-care is essential—not selfish
• Tips for starting your own solo self-love journey (no passport required!)
• How to deal with "mom guilt" and learn how to advocate for your needs
• The power of rediscovering your identity apart from your many life roles
• Why building a supportive “village” is vital to sustainable self-care
• Creative ways to travel locally or take solo time without leaving your city

Connect with Michelle:

Website & Blog: www.noplacelikeroam.com

Instagram & Facebook: @nplroam

Solo Mom Travel Starter Kit to help women begin their own journey—whether it’s a museum visit, a solo meal, or a global adventure.

👉 Download it for free at:  welcome.noplacelikeroam.com/solo-mom-travel-starter-kit

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful and soul-nourishing episode, I got the opportunity to sit down with faith-driven entrepreneur Karria Lawrence for a deep and transformative chat on how to live a purpose driven life and what it means to become the woman you're called to be. Karria shares her personal healing journey from trauma and hardship to leadership lessons that she's learned along the way.  In this episode, she breaks down her empowering framework: The Blueprint for Becoming Her.

If you're ready to get real about emotional wellness, spiritual alignment, building resilience, setting boundaries, and the power of prayer and purpose, then this episode is just for you. 

This episode will inspire you to live more fully, love more freely, and walk boldly in in your calling with more confidence and faith.

🌟 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What it means to become her—and why it’s a lifelong journey
• Why shame blocks connection and how to release it
• The spiritual side of anxiety, depression, and emotional wellness
• Why boundaries, self-care, and soul care matter for women leaders
• How to use prayer as a positioning tool for your life and business
• The role of forgiveness in healing your soul and creating alignment

🙋🏽‍♀️ Connect with Karria Lawrence:

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/consultwithkarria/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultwithkarria/
• Website: www.arkitypeand.co/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this special episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita guides you through a gentle and soulful visualization exercise designed to reconnect you with your past or future self. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, hope, or renewed purpose, this mindful reflection helps you slow down and get present with the truest version of who you want to become.

This moment of reflection is about pressing pause—stepping out of your busy day to reflect on who you’ve been, who you’re becoming, and how you want to feel moving forward.

You’ll be reminded that your story matters, your dreams are still alive, and joy is still available.

What You'll Experience

• Compassionate prompts to identify how you want to feel right now
• Affirming questions to help you reconnect with your purpose and truth
• Encouragement to release limiting beliefs and reignite your dreams

“Can you give yourself permission to dream?

”If this episode spoke to you, please take a moment to:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review
• Share it with someone who needs a gentle reminder that they’re worthy and not alone
• Follow Rita Mercer on YouTube and LinkedIn for more mindset strategies and holistic wellness support

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Welcome to The Daring Well Podcast! 

In this empowering episode, I’m diving deep into the mindset it takes to cultivate relentless happiness. We’re exploring how mental agility, aligning with your truth - your feelings and thoughts, and making intentional choices can radically shift the way you live and feel—no matter your circumstances.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to develop mental toughness and emotional resilience
• The power of choosing happiness—even in chaos or stillness
• How to shift your mindset by changing the story you’re telling yourself
• Why your feelings are valid and worthy of expression
• How to visualize a happier, more aligned version of YOU
• The truth about your worth and why you deserve happiness now—not later

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this heartfelt episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I sit down with Design Your Life Certified Coach, Creative Director, Speaker, and mother Krista Casey to explore her powerful journey through pregnancy loss, healing, and personal transformation. From experiencing two miscarriages while living abroad as an expat during the 2020 pandemic to ultimately embracing motherhood with resilience and purpose, Krista opens up about the emotional depth of loss, isolation, fears, and the unexpected gifts of growth.

This conversation touches on themes of shame, isolation, nervous system regulation, mindset shifts, and the power of community. Krista also introduces us to the concept of life design, explaining how self-awareness and aligned decision-making can be transformational tools in both healing and parenting.

If you’ve ever walked through grief, questioned your path to motherhood, or wondered how to reclaim your strength after loss—this episode will meet you with honesty, hope, and compassion.

Connect with Krista Casey:

Website - www.kristacaseycoaching.com

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/krista-casey-623a95b

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this empowering episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I sit down with Shannon, a career alignment architect, author, and leadership development trainer, to explore how misalignment—not just overwork—can lead to burnout, and how to rebuild your career from a place of truth, purpose, and inner alignment.

Shannon shares her own personal journey of career transformation, the moment she realized she was out of sync with her work, and the powerful six-step blueprint she created to help others realign with their true professional path.

Whether you're feeling stuck, emotionally drained, or simply longing for more meaning in your work, this conversation will help you see discomfort not as a burden, but as a signal calling you toward growth.

To connect with Shannon Smith, the Career Alignment Architect:

Website

https://www.shannondsmith.com/starthere

Newsletter

https://curecareerburnout.substack.com

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this empowering episode, Dr. Christine Boev joins us to break down the truth about menopause, perimenopause, and the power of self-care.

From hormones to mindset, we explore what it really takes to feel strong, vibrant, and whole in midlife. If you're navigating hot flashes, mood swings, or just feeling off, this conversation is your reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck.

✨ Prioritizing your health isn't selfish—it’s the key to thriving in every season of life

Connect with Dr. Christine Boev

Website:  mastermenopause.com

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineboev/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Today, we’re going to talk about how balancing rest, so that mindfulness, intentional rest, how that kind of rest can recharge your spirit, renew your mind, and increase your energy levels.   My dear, it’s time to honor yourself with the gift of a sacred pause and just rest. 

I want to take a quick moment to invite you out to the Sacred Rest Retreat.  This will be a time to pause and focus on self care and learn new mindfulness and grounding techniques to reset your mind and your nervous system.   You can get all the details https://www.daringwell.com/Retreat. So if you haven’t signed up, you need to do so soon because seats are filling up quickly.  And that’s https://www.daringwell.com/Retreat

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube & TikTok:
@DaringWell

For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills.
https://www.daringwell.com/freebies