The Good Soul

When stay-at-home mom Anne Mautner saw a need she couldn’t ignore, she turned compassion into action — creating The Kindness Closet, a nonprofit providing hygiene essentials to those in need. In this episode, Anne shares her journey from reluctant leader to community advocate, the realities of hygiene poverty, and why simple acts of kindness can change lives — including our own.

In this inspiring episode, Patti sits down with meditation guide Wendie Dunn to explore the beauty and purpose of meditation. From her roots in Transcendental and Primordial Sound Meditation to her work with HeartMath, Wendie shares simple, powerful ways to quiet the mind and open the heart.

Autobiography of a Yogi

Heartmath Meditation

Deepak Chopra

Transcendental Meditation

We’re all guilty of it — checking our phones mid-conversation, scrolling before bed, half-listening to the person we love most. In this episode, Patti and Manny open up about how digital distraction is changing modern relationships — and how couples can reclaim their attention, intimacy, and joy.

From NASCAR pit lanes to luxury real estate in North Carolina—this week’s episode is all about reinvention. Patti sits down with Austin, who traded the adrenaline and precision of racing for the strategy and relationships of high-end property. Together they explore the surprising overlaps between engineering, wellness, and business: the discipline of showing up, the focus it takes to succeed, and the balance that keeps you moving forward. You’ll hear how both Patti and Austin have redefined success on their own terms, plus practical advice for anyone ready to pivot into a new chapter.

Talk about a hero among us! When devastating floods swept through Western North Carolina in 2024, lives, homes, and entire communities were changed forever. In this episode, Patti sits down with Ben Van Hook, founder of the Mountain Alliance, to talk about how neighbors came together in the darkest hours, the creation of a nonprofit born from tragedy, and the ongoing work to restore both homes and hope. Guided by faith and compassion, the Mountain Alliance is proving that resilience is built neighbor to neighbor, heart to heart.

The cold weather is coming and the people of WNC are still in need! Donate here TODAY!

https://themountainalliance.com/

Shame quietly shapes how we eat, drink, work, love, and rest. Patti and licensed therapist Chris McClure explore how shame shows up in everyday life, relationships, and past mistakes, and share practical tools for managing it with empathy, humor, and self-compassion. This episode is an honest guide to practicing the art of shame-free living.

The story continues! In this second half of Patti’s interview with guest host Sue Ratcliff, we dive deeper into the life, lessons, and passions behind The Good Soul. From family and love to dreams for the future, Patti shares the pieces of her journey that couldn’t fit into Part 1.

In this special episode, guest host Sue Ratcliff flips the mic and interviews Patti Alvarez, the voice behind The Good Soul. Patti opens up about her roots, family, career, resilience through loss, and the joy she finds in sharing wisdom. It’s a heartfelt conversation that invites you to reflect on your own journey while getting to know the woman behind the podcast.

Episode 71: I Was Today Years Old When I Learned – Patti and her ride-or-die loverboy Manny Alvarez dive into the hilarious, fascinating, and sometimes spooky truths hiding in everyday life. From the secret escape tool built into your car’s headrest, to why garbage bags are inside-out, to the creepy origins of words like nightmare and deadline — this episode will leave you laughing, cringing, and saying, “I was today years old when I learned that!”

The Good Soul | Episode 70 | This Woman's Work - Pt. 2 

In Episode 70 of The Good Soul, Patti Alvarez sits down with her friend Sue Ratcliff for Part 2 of This Woman’s Work. Sue shares her second-act journey — helping families struck with pediatric cancer with Pinky Swear, meeting the amazing Brad, embracing stepmom life, and building a dream home while staying close to her kids. A heartwarming conversation about love, purpose, and creating a life you truly love.