The Dr. Robyn McKay Show

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay sits down with business coach and personal brand strategist Helen Thacker to explore how women can turn their expertise and unique experiences into a competitive advantage.

This episode explores:

• What the Unique Industry Advantage is

• Why most expert women haven’t articulated theirs

• How a nonlinear career can become a strength

• Why communicating your “why” matters more than your framework

• How clarity can drive greater business growth

• Helen’s six-post system for building trust with new audiences

• Why depth and proximity can create better client results

• What happens when multi-faceted women stop shapeshifting

• The connection between identity, calling, and purpose

You don’t need more visibility. You need more clarity about why you are the right choice for your ideal client.

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Helen Thacker is a business coach and personal brand strategist helping expert women stand out with clarity and confidence. With 23+ years of entrepreneurial experience, Helen specializes in helping coaches, consultants, and practitioners define their unique industry advantage and create content systems that attract and convert their ideal clients.

Connect with Helen Thacker:

Website: https://www.helenthacker.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Helen-Thacker-100070758077526/ 

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenthacker 

Watch Helen's Masterclass: https://www.helenthacker.com/marketing-gold 

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.

Dr. Robyn McKay advises high-EQ executives, Fortune 500 leaders, and elite performers, helping them navigate ambition, identity, and calling. Her work spans private coaching, intensives, keynotes, corporate training, and small group labs. Outside her practice, she advocates for wild horses and enjoys hiking Sedona with her husband and Goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: Robyn McKay

• Tiktok: dr.robynmckay

Book your 2.5-hour KNOWN Intensive and use code YNA500 to enjoy $500 off: https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

Dr. Robyn McKay talks with psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Lindsay Emmerson about a common frustration for credentialed professionals: having deep expertise but struggling to be seen online, in a landscape that often favors persona over credentials.

They cover:

• Why expertise doesn't automatically equal visibility

• Building a social media presence without compromising integrity

• Pivoting your expertise across career stages

• Being research-forward as a positioning strategy

• Navigating the comparison trap with influencers in your niche

• Audience vs. community — and who you're actually meant to serve

• Persistence, timing, and support systems in building visibility

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Dr. Lindsay Emmerson is a licensed psychologist who coaches parents of kids ages 0–18 using research-backed strategies. She holds a PhD from the University of Maryland with postdoctoral training in CBT for schizophrenia, and grounds her work in child development research through coaching, courses, and her podcast/Substack, Parenting With Psychology.

Connect with Dr. Lindsay Emmerson:

Website: https://drlindsayemmerson.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayemmerson/?_rdr 

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlindsayemmerson 

Subscribe to Parenting With Psychology with Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, on Substack: https://parentingwithpsychology.substack.com/subscribe 

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, Robyn helps gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence, drawing from the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate trainings, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: Robyn McKay

• Tiktok: dr.robynmckay

Book your 90-Minute KNOWN Intensive

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay talks with Heather Quick, founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group, about helping women navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and support.

This episode explores: • Heather’s journey into divorce law • Why women stay in or leave unhealthy relationships • Navigating divorce with confidence and clarity • The importance of financial wellbeing • How trusted legal support can make all the difference

This conversation is a reminder that every woman deserves the freedom to choose a future that honors her wellbeing, dignity, and self-worth.

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Heather Quick is the founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group, where she leads the firm’s vision and strategy while helping women navigate divorce and family transitions with clarity and support.

A graduate of Stetson University College of Law, she began her career as a prosecutor before founding the firm in 2006. Outside of law, Heather is also a certified yoga instructor, author, and podcast host.

Connect with Heather Quick:

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

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

Learn more about Florida Women’s Law Group:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4womenlaw/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4womenlaw/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq20tDugi9N2Sgvf13RUh6Q 

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

Dr. Robyn McKay holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas and is the co-author of the award-winning book Smart Girls in the 21st Century. Her work focuses on human development, positive psychology, and spiritual intelligence, drawing deeply from the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Robyn is a coach, speaker, and advocate who enjoys hiking in Sedona with her husband and their dog, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book Your 90-min Intensive

Known. 90-min private intensive

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay introduces an ancient Catholic practice that completely reframes what meditation is actually for. Drawing from her return to Catholicism and her discovery of Ignatian meditation, she explores what it means to stop chasing outcomes in your spiritual practice and simply be with God instead.

This episode explores:

• What Ignatian meditation is and where it comes from

• How to use biblical imagination to insert yourself into scripture

• Why this form of meditation offers no big aha moment

• The difference between meditation for outcomes and meditation for communion

• How the wellness industry keeps us chasing spiritual highs that never last

• The Catholic practice of offering your suffering as a prayer

• Why allowing is not passive but an active choice to make meaning

• How Ignatian meditation differs from mindfulness and guided meditation

• What it means to be an active participant in your own healing and spiritual growth

You have been trying to let go. What if the move is not just to release it, but to actively offer it, and trust that it has been received?

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate trainings, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book Your KNOWN 90-min Intensive

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay sits down with Tamara Thompson, co-founder of Broadcast Your Authority and Women Unlocking Wealth, to discuss identity, intuition, and transformation. Tamara shares her journey from addiction and reinvention to building a multi-million-dollar business, revealing how trusting her inner knowing shaped her path.

This Episode explores:

• Tamara’s journey from addiction to entrepreneurial success • Why honesty and integrity create aligned action • The power of intuition, discernment, and letting go • How identity and relationships shape your growth • The impact of midlife hormonal changes on decision-making • Using inner wisdom to navigate uncertainty • What Tamara and Dr. Robyn are building through Women Unlocking Wealth

Your soul already knows the way—the challenge is learning to trust it.

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Tamara Thompson is the CEO, and co-founder of Broadcast Your Authority™ and Women Unlocking Wealth, and a trusted consultant to high-performing entrepreneurs. Known as “The Connector,” she has helped build and grow an eight-figure podcast and content marketing agency. She is also an active investor in 33 companies. Today, she mentors CEOs and experts on turning their message into a market-leading platform.

Connect with Tamara Thompson!

Website: https://www.broadcastyourauthority.com/ 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarathompson-serioustakepro/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectorTamaraT/ 

X: https://x.com/_tamarathompson 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tamarathompsonofficial 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@broadcastyourauthority 

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

Dr. Robyn McKay holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas and is the co-author of the award-winning book Smart Girls in the 21st Century. Her work integrates vocational psychology, positive psychology, human development, and spiritual intelligence, drawing deeply from the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate training, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book Your KNOWN 90-min Intensive:

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay takes a deep and discerning look at the angelic realm, spiritual guidance, and the very real need for clarity about who we are actually communicating with. Drawing from her clinical background, her own spiritual journey, and the teachings of Father Ripperger and Doreen Virtue, she offers a grounded framework for navigating the spiritual landscape with wisdom, intention, and peace.

This episode explores:

• How to discern your guardian angel's voice from other influences

• Why free will is the real spiritual battlefield

• The felt sense of peace as a signal of true divine guidance

• Why impulsive, exciting spiritual promptings deserve more scrutiny

• The three biblically confirmed archangels and why that distinction matters

• Doreen Virtue's conversion and what it reveals about the wider spiritual space

• Why not everything that calls itself angelic actually is

• How to use your guardian angel as a trusted advisor in your career and life

• Protecting your spiritual life from deception and darkness in disguise

The most sophisticated spiritual practice is not the newest one or the most exciting one. It is knowing exactly who you are talking to and exactly why they were placed in your life.

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychology and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate training, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book Your KNOWN 90-min Intensive:

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay explores the distinction between your guardian angel and the wider spiritual guides many of us have been taught to seek. Drawing from the teachings of Catholic exorcist Father Chad Ripperger and her own journey back to Catholicism, Dr. Robyn shares why coming home to your guardian angel is the most grounded and trustworthy spiritual practice available to you.

This episode explores:

• Why a third of the angels fell and what they became

• How your guardian angel was created specifically for you

• How guardian angels communicate through your imagination

• How demons access your imagination and why discernment matters

• How to know who is really speaking to you

Our guardian angel knows us better than almost anyone except God. Learning to listen is where healing begins.

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate trainings, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book your KNOWN 90-min Intensive:

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

What if the healing process itself is keeping you stuck? In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay challenges the structure of the wellness industry and invites you to consider what comes after healing: integration, identity, and creation.

This episode explores:

• The healing industrial complex and the loop it creates

• Why emotions are not the only indicator of your healing progress

• How consciousness gets fragmented through trauma and how it is restored

• The three pillars: retrieval, integration, and creation

• How to recognize when you are ready to graduate from healing

• What it means to come home to yourself and your identity

Healing was always meant to be a path, not a destination. When you understand that, something shifts -- and you finally have permission to stop processing and start creating the life you were designed for.

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.

Book your KNOWN session here →

Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

About Dr. Robyn McKay

Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning psychologist and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.

With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.

A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.

Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.

Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate trainings, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

• LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

• Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

• Instagram: @burnoutisdata

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Book your KNOWN Intensive:

https://robyn-mckay.myflodesk.com/known

Here's what nobody tells high-achieving women about healing: it isn't harder because you're damaged or because you're bad at it. It's harder because you've been treating your exhaustion like a personal failure. It's not—it's data.

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay explores why emotional healing looks and feels different for high-achieving women, what burnout is actually signaling, and why returning to what you've always done is never the real answer.
This episode covers:

• Why accomplished women approach burnout as another problem to solve
• The two nervous system types common in high-achieving women
• How to distinguish what truly belongs to you from environmental factors
• The overlooked, hidden cause of burnout
• Why your perceived weaknesses pinpoint your next breakthrough
• The deeper meaning of burnout recovery
• How your personality provides crucial data for your healing journey

LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

Instagram: @burnoutisdata

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

Your healing potential isn't blocked—it's simply misdirected. Understanding exactly where you are in the journey from burnout and moral injury toward identity, authorship, and calling is crucial. That's why I've created the KNOWN 90-minute Personality Intensive—to give you precise clarity on your personality and the next right steps in your healing.
Book your KNOWN session here →
Love what you're hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
About Dr. Robyn McKay
Dr. Robyn McKay is an award-winning counselor and authority on spiritual intelligence, informed by Catholic mysticism and counseling psychology. Her work bridges clinical rigor, personality research, and identity-level transformation.
With more than 20 years of practice and study, she is known for helping gifted, high-functioning women read burnout as information rather than failure, accurately name moral injury, reclaim original identity, and return to work as calling—the co-creative contribution they were made for.
A PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, Robyn's academic formation is rooted in vocational psychology and the psychology of gifted and talented people across the lifespan—a body of work she contributed to as co-author of the award-winning Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women (2014). That foundation extends into positive psychology, creativity research, and optimal human development, and culminates in the study of spiritual intelligence. Where mainstream wellness culture borrows loosely from spiritual concepts, Robyn draws from a more exacting source—the Catholic intellectual and mystical tradition, and the saints who mapped the interior life long before psychology had a name for it.
Robyn advises high-EQ executives and leaders at Fortune 500 companies, as well as elite performers in entrepreneurship, sports, and entertainment. She is sought after for her ability to meet people where they are—and for her discernment in navigating the intersection of ambition, identity, and calling.
Her work is delivered through private retainers, intensives, keynote addresses, corporate trainings, and small group labs. Outside of her practice, she is an advocate and steward for wild horses, and can most often be found hiking the red rocks of Sedona with her husband of ten years and their goldendoodle, Cooper Mack.
Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmckay1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/burnoutisdata

Facebook: https://facebook.com/robynmckayphd

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@burnoutisdata

In this episode, Dr. Robyn McKay and Alyse Bacine, a Breathwork Practitioner, Spiritual Mentor, and the CEO of Alyse Breathes LLC, get into the real conversation that every woman needs to have — about what makes female friendship so healing, so hard, and so absolutely essential. Drawing on their own childhood memories, middle school micro-traumas, and decades of work with high-achieving women, Robyn and Alyse unpack why the wounds we carry from early friendships shape everything from how we handle conflict to whether we let people get close at all.

This episode explores:

• Why middle school leaves a lasting mark on how women relate to each other

• The in-group/out-group dynamics that create adult patterns of isolation and self-protection

• What gifted women's "thorns and shells" are 

• Why female friendship is a mental health necessity

• How placing all your emotional needs on your marriage creates the conditions for it to break down

• What a psychologically mature, real friendship actually looks like 

• Why it is harder to make friends as an adult 

• How healing yourself creates the conditions for a deeper, more lasting connection

This is the episode I'd have played on repeat in my 20s, 30s, and even last Tuesday. It's real, it's warm, it's funny — and it might just make you want to call your best friend the second it's over.

Love what you’re hearing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Alyse Bacine, M.A., is a Breathwork Practitioner, Spiritual Mentor, and the CEO of Alyse Breathes LLC. She has her Master’s in Counseling Psychology and certifications in both Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness Practices, as well as an extensive background in the mental health field, where she served as a school counselor for 10+ years and received a grant to implement a meditation program at her school. 

Connect with Alyse Bacine:

Website: https://www.alysebreathes.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyse.levy/ 

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

Robyn McKay, PhD, is an award-winning therapist and psychospiritual advisor who teaches and leads at the intersection of psychology × spirituality × energetics. With deep roots in clinical psychology and a lifetime of living at the crossroads of intuition and credentials, she is a rare bridge between science and soul, credentials and codes, strategy and spirit.

Early in her career, Robyn served as a university psychologist before stepping into her broader calling as a guide for high performers, creatives, and seekers. She addresses a wide spectrum of human experience — healing trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and ADHD in women; accessing spiritual gifts; and navigating existential crossroads.

Having sold $2.5M+ in retreats and private intensives, Robyn is now architecting an entirely new category of retreats: expert-led, trauma-informed, miracle-level. She helps credentialed, neurodivergent, and spiritually awake women leaders design transformational retreats that carry depth, meaning, and lasting impact.

Connect with Dr. Robyn McKay:

LinkedIn: Robyn McKay, PhD

Facebook: Dr. Robyn McKay

Instagram: @robynmckayphd 

Book a call with Dr. Robyn! https://drrobynmckay.com/call