Hugs in the Wild: The Power of Human Connection with Angela Pennella

In this episode of The Dr. Sassy Show, Dr. Stacy Jagger (aka Dr. Sassy) welcomes TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Hugs in the Wild, Angela Pennella.

Angela shares the powerful story behind her passion for human connection. At 23, she survived a devastating car accident that nearly took her life. Her recovery and experience with trauma fundamentally changed the way she viewed life—and inspired her to become an encourager, speaker, and advocate for meaningful connection.

Angela's TEDx talk, Hugs in the Wild: A Human Connection Experiment, grew from her belief that we all need more genuine human interaction. Her “Hugs in the Wild” philosophy isn't simply about hugging strangers. It's about being curious, asking someone how they're really doing, putting down the phone, and intentionally making another person feel seen.

Dr. Sassy and Angela talk about trauma recovery, EMDR, neurofeedback, mindfulness, the nervous system, loneliness, faith, relationships, business, and Angela's journey from an achievement-driven life toward greater balance and presence.

They also explore the idea of “friends you haven't met yet”—and how a simple smile, question, conversation, or hug can become a meaningful moment of connection.

This is a conversation about living courageously, staying present, loving people well, and remembering that we're made for connection.

#DrSassy #AngelaPennella #HugsInTheWild #HumanConnection #Mindfulness #TraumaRecovery #TEDx #Relationships #Connection #PersonalGrowth

Healing Mind, Body & Soul with Lynesa Williams

Dr. Sassy sits down with holistic health practitioner Lynesa Williams for a raw, funny, deeply personal conversation about what it really means to heal.

Lynesa shares the story that brought her into holistic health—from losing her mother at a young age and confronting her own health struggles to discovering the powerful connection between food, emotions, relationships, faith, and the body.

Together, they talk about breaking generational patterns, emotional eating, learning to forgive yourself, surrendering control, and why healing is about so much more than diet and exercise.

Lynesa also shares practical ideas for healthier eating on a budget, the role of juicing and whole foods, her approach to helping women reconnect with themselves, and the importance of community and accountability.

At the heart of the conversation is a message for women—especially mothers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and "powerhouse" women who are used to doing everything themselves:

Stop quitting on you. Love yourself now.

Because, as Lynesa puts it, when a woman heals, everything around her heals.

This is a conversation about faith, food, family, forgiveness, and finding your way back to yourself.

When Basketball Becomes a Life Lesson: Dr. Sassy Interviews Coach Tony

In this episode of The Dr. Sassy Show, Dr. Stacy Jagger sits down with Coach Tony for a lively conversation about basketball, mentorship, family, resilience, and what it really means to invest in young people.

Coach Tony shares stories from growing up between Chicago and Alabama, the powerful lessons he learned from his family, and his 25 years of coaching and mentoring young athletes. He talks about helping hundreds of kids reach the next level—not just as basketball players, but as students, teammates, leaders, and human beings.

The conversation takes an especially meaningful turn as Coach Tony shares stories of young athletes who faced significant obstacles yet found someone willing to believe in them. From a first-time basketball player who eventually made it to the University of Tennessee to a young girl pursuing basketball while facing serious vision challenges, these stories highlight the extraordinary impact a coach can have simply by showing up and refusing to give up on a kid.

Dr. Sassy and Coach Tony also tackle a topic close to both of their hearts: kids, screens, and technology. They explore the difference between intentional screen use and endless scrolling, and how technology can be used as a tool rather than allowing it to replace movement, creativity, connection, and real-world experiences.

Along the way, Coach Tony delivers some memorable wisdom—including a lesson from his grandmother: “If you know you're right, why argue about it?”

It's a conversation about grit, opportunity, mentorship, family, basketball, and helping kids discover what they're capable of becoming.

Listen in—and then go outside and play! 🏀

Find Coach Tony on Instagram at @ThePullUpPodcastShow and on X at @ChilllMan7.

For more from Dr. Sassy, visit DrSassy.com and MusicCityFamilyTherapy.com.

In this powerful episode of The Dr. Sassy Show, Dr. Stacy Jagger sits down with Dr. David Haase, founder of Maxwell Clinic, for an eye-opening conversation about what truly creates health. Moving beyond symptom management, Dr. Haase shares his journey from traditional medicine at Vanderbilt and Mayo Clinic to developing what he calls Personalized Systems Medicine—an approach that places the whole person, rather than a diagnosis, at the center of care.

Together, they explore brain health, neuroplasticity, functional and integrative medicine, prevention of Alzheimer's disease, neurofeedback, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and the importance of addressing the underlying causes of illness instead of simply treating symptoms.

The conversation then turns to one of Dr. Stacy's greatest passions: helping families reclaim connection in an increasingly digital world. Dr. Haase explains the neuroscience behind screen addiction, dopamine, attention, nervous system regulation, and the developing brain, making a compelling case for digital detoxes—especially for children. He discusses how excessive screen exposure impacts identity formation, emotional regulation, relationships, and long-term brain development while offering hope that the brain can heal through intentional lifestyle changes and meaningful human connection.

Whether you're a parent, therapist, educator, healthcare professional, or simply someone seeking better health, this episode offers practical wisdom and a hopeful vision for creating healthier brains, stronger families, and more connected lives.

What does it really take to raise resilient, joyful kids in a world increasingly shaped by screens?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Stacy Jagger welcomes nonprofit leader, happiness researcher, and speaker Elle Benson for a conversation that bridges positive psychology, parenting, and child advocacy. Together, they explore the science of happiness, why joy is a skill that can be cultivated, and how gratitude, humor, and meaningful relationships contribute to healthier families and stronger communities.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Elle shares the personal story that launched her into legislative advocacy after discovering disturbing content on her daughter's school-issued laptop. Stacy and Elle discuss the growing concerns surrounding children's access to technology, the importance of protecting young minds, and the work underway in Tennessee to strengthen online safety in schools.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or community leader, this episode offers practical insight, hope, and a compelling reminder that protecting childhood requires both informed families and courageous advocacy.

Dr. Stacy Jagger ("Dr. Sassy") sits down with business strategist and purpose coach Chance Scoggins for an inspiring conversation about what it really means to discover your purpose, overcome fear, and step into the life you were created to live. Drawing from his journey from the music industry to coaching high-performing leaders and entrepreneurs, Chance shares how intuition, identity, and alignment can unlock the potential we often can't see in ourselves.

Together, Stacy and Chance explore why so many people stay stuck, how limiting beliefs and fear keep us from taking the next step, and why purpose—not success—is the foundation for a meaningful life. Stacy also shares her own story of moving beyond the walls of private practice to build a larger mission serving children and families through The Mountain Method, writing 30-Day Blackout, speaking, and media.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, parent, creative, leader, or simply wondering if there's "more" waiting for you, this episode will challenge you to stop living from fear, trust your unique calling, and begin taking the next right step toward the life you were meant to live.

Key Takeaways

• Why so many successful people still feel stuck or unfulfilled.
• How fear, self-protection, and limiting beliefs keep us from our purpose.
• The difference between knowing what to do and knowing who you're called to be.
• How purpose creates clarity, confidence, and freedom from comparison.
• Practical encouragement for taking your next courageous step.

After surviving a catastrophic accident, battling addiction for decades, and ultimately finding freedom through recovery and faith, John Mabry joins Dr. Stacy Jagger to share his remarkable comeback story. Together, they explore trauma, resilience, mentorship, and the courage to begin again—offering hope and practical encouragement for anyone facing life's darkest seasons.