Sometimes the most confusing parts of life start to make sense when you finally get the right lens.
That’s what happened for Meredith Carder, ADHD coach, writer, and author of It All Makes Sense Now.

When her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, Meredith began to realize that the very challenges she’d struggled with her entire life — the “why can’t I just…” moments, the guilt, the overwhelm — weren’t character flaws. They were clues.

In this heartfelt and deeply relatable conversation, we talk about the power of self-understanding, how to move from shame to self-trust, and why learning to work with your brain instead of against it might be the most freeing thing you ever do.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or simply want to better understand someone you love, this episode will help you see that what feels like a limitation can become your greatest source of creativity and compassion.

• You can’t accommodate what you don’t understand. Real change starts with self-awareness, not self-criticism.

• Working memory isn’t about willpower. Practical tools like “scratch pads,” visual cues, and narrating steps out loud can transform everyday chaos into calm.

• Grace is a game-changer. Learning to give yourself grace teaches others to do the same.

• Self-trust comes before strategies. You have to believe you can make it work before any system will stick.

“You really can’t accommodate what you don’t understand. Once you know how your brain works, you can finally stop fighting it and start working with it.” — Meredith Carder

About Meredith:
Meredith Carder is an ADHD coach, creator, and writer with a B.S. in Psychology and an MBA. A true multi-passionate entrepreneur, she has spent two decades in employee development and small business leadership. She’s the founder of The Hummingbird Hive, a vibrant community for ADHD adults, and the author of It All Makes Sense Now, a compassionate guide that validates the ADHD experience while offering practical strategies for growth.

Links:
 meredithcarder.com
 It All Makes Sense Now – available wherever books are sold
 meredithcarder.substack.com
 Instagram: @hummingbird_adhdIf you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you're dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game.
🎁 Download your free chapter at lafayawaypoker.com

When Katelyn Mabry was ten years old, she sat in the car trying to make sense of three little letters that would shape her life: ADHD. She didn’t understand what it meant—and neither did her parents. For years, she wrestled with feelings of confusion, rejection, and the sense that something must be “wrong” with her.

Fast forward to today, and Katelyn has turned that pain into purpose. As a mom of four (all diagnosed with ADHD), a life coach, special educator, author, and podcast host, she’s helping children and families everywhere see the beauty and brilliance in their ADHD brains.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, we talk about what it really feels like to grow up misunderstood, how to replace shame with understanding, and the incredible power of reframing the way we see ourselves and our challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Why “lazy” isn’t the word — and what ADHD brains actually need instead.

• How understanding rejection sensitivity can transform relationships and self-compassion.

• The four-step tool that changes everything: Name it. Claim it. Tame it. Reframe it.

• What happens when we bring our “monsters” into the light instead of hiding them.

• How Katelyn’s family embraces ADHD as a shared adventure in learning, love, and growth.

Favorite Quote

“When we’re transparent about things, that’s when transformation happens.” — Katelyn Mabry

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:52 Meet Katelyn Mabry: ADHD Life Coach

03:32 Katelyn's Personal ADHD Journey

06:12 Challenges and Misunderstandings in School

12:21 Supportive Teachers and Strategies

17:20 Parenting Children with ADHD

18:26 Embracing Diagnoses and Understanding Our Brains

19:34 Building Strengths While Battling Struggles

21:03 Rejection Sensitivity and Emotional Awareness

24:59 Transforming Pain into Power

27:12 Final Thoughts and Resources

Find out more and connect with Katelyn:

Katelyn Mabry is an ADHD Life Coach and special educator with a master’s in Reading. She’s the author of Hi It’s Me! I Have ADHD and host of the children’s podcast Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids. Based in Wisconsin, Katelyn is a mom of four, passionate about helping families understand and celebrate their unique brains.

🌐 Website: www.katelynmabry.com
🎧 Podcast: Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids (available on all platforms)
📸 Instagram: @journey_with_me_through_adhd

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you're dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman’s Game.
👉 Download your free chapter at https://lafayawaypoker.com

Sometimes life hands you a storm so fierce you don’t know how you’ll stand—but Diane Woodford shows us that when you anchor yourself in love, peace can carry you through.

In this conversation, Diane shares the incredible story of her husband’s near-death battle during COVID, the 80 long days in ICU, and how she drew on faith, peace, and community support to hold the line for love when everything around her screamed despair.

From moving around the globe as “One Love Ambassadors” with her husband Charles, to learning the hard and holy work of forgiveness, Diane opens her heart with stories that remind us: the light never goes out, even in the darkest valley.

Key Takeaways

• Love is not just a feeling—it’s an action, a calling, and a way of life.

• Community is everything: it really does take a village to heal and keep going.

• Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event but a process that frees you to keep moving forward.

• When you pour out love, you also prepare yourself to receive love when you need it most.

• There is peace—and even joy—on the other side of trauma if you dare to walk through it.

Favourite Quote
“Always in your darkest moments, there will be light bearers. And that’s what we do—we carry the light. Even when it flickers, it never goes out.” – Diane Woodford

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:43 Meet Diane Woodford

01:37 The One Love Ambassadors' Mission

02:39 Spreading Love Around the World

03:56 Recent Projects and Experiences

07:33 Charles' Illness and the Birth of 'Aftercare'

09:50 Navigating the Healthcare System

16:07 The Power of Forgiveness

18:16 Living What You Preach

18:25 The Power of Forgiveness

18:38 Support Systems and Faith

18:57 Receiving and Giving

19:25 Personal Reflections on Forgiveness

22:30 The Miracle Man

23:45 Creating a Healing Space

24:25 The Journey of Writing a Book

26:05 The Role of Anka Herrmann

30:43 Global Healing Work

31:47 Book Release and Meditation Gift

34:50 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Find out more and connect with Diane
Diane Woodford is a retired critical healthcare professional and educator, published author, speaker, philanthropist, co-host of Love Drops Podcast, and world traveler. With a deep commitment to serving humanity, Diane focuses on mentoring young women and raising the energy wherever she goes.

 Website: paths2transformation.com
 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diane-woodford-7708a435
 Free Gift: After Care – Finding Peace Beyond Trauma

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you’re dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com

Sometimes life deals you the most unexpected hand. For Sasha, that hand showed up at 55 years old, in the middle of a networking event in New York City. A deck of cards, a casual introduction to poker—and suddenly, her entire world shifted.

She went from writing for Wall Street to sneaking into underground cash games, eventually packing up her life and moving to Las Vegas at 63 to pursue poker professionally. Along the way, Sasha faced down self-doubt, age bias, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated game.

What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just her resilience, but her wisdom. Sasha doesn’t just play poker—she studies it like a language, documents it like a memoirist, and teaches it as a mental game coach. Her insights about “pain minimization,” awareness as a superpower, and learning to own her presence at the table are lessons that reach far beyond poker.

This episode will remind you that it’s never too late to start something new, claim your seat at the table, and play with swagger—no matter who’s sitting across from you.

Key Takeaways

• Why poker “hit Sasha’s brain like heroin” and how she followed that calling later in life.

• The gritty romance of New York’s underground poker scene—and what it taught her about courage.

• How imposter syndrome shows up differently for women, and why entitlement plays such a role.

• Sasha’s mental game strategies: awareness, meditation, breathwork, and “pain minimization.”

“My superpower is my awareness. I take it for granted, but it’s what allows me to stay grounded, minimize pain, and play the long game.” – Sasha

Find out more and connect with Sasha

A truly magical accident, poker beckoned to Sasha later in life. She cut her teeth on New York's rough-and-tumble underground cash scene, and moved to Vegas in 2020 to pursue a pro path. Her poker book, The Total Poker Manual, published by Weldon Owen, holds the beginner's hand and is visually singular. Today she plays, coaches, and writes about the game.

🌐 Website: www.suttonstories.com
🟦 Bluesky: @pokerforgirls.bsky.social

👉 If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you’re dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com

When life keeps handing you closed doors, do you give up—or do you find a way to make a plan?

In this episode, I sit down with the radiant Chiyedza Nyahuye, lovingly known as African AI Auntie. Her story will pull you in: after earning prestigious degrees in the U.S., she returned to Zimbabwe only to be told she was “too educated” and applied for 700 jobs without a single interview. What looked like failure became the foundation for her true calling—helping African students leapfrog traditional career struggles and thrive in the digital economy with AI skills and entrepreneurial courage.

You’ll hear how Chiyedza’s resilience, creativity, and deep respect for people shaped her mission. From reviving her mother’s rental business to tripling her sister’s spa income in five months to creating opportunities for young people against all odds—her story is a masterclass in turning setbacks into stepping stones.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student, or someone navigating life’s curveballs, this conversation is packed with wisdom, heart, and inspiration.

Key Takeaways

• Never giving up pays off: Every “failure” in Chiyedza’s journey became an opening for transformation.

• Relationships are the real currency: From jobs to opportunities, it’s people who open doors.

• Education needs a reset: Degrees without skills no longer guarantee jobs—AI and entrepreneurship are the future.

• Selflessness creates success: Serving others generously often becomes the key to your own growth.

• Know when to be the student and when to be the teacher: Recognizing when to seek help is just as powerful as sharing wisdom.

Favorite Quote“Even with the cheerleaders we have around us, we need to also find ways to celebrate ourselves and thank ourselves for being who we are.” – Chiyedza Nyahuye

Find out more and connect with Chiyedza

Chiyedza Nyahuye (African AI Auntie) is on a mission to empower African students by equipping them with AI skills and tools to launch AI-powered businesses—while still in school. A daughter of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs, she blends global experience with a deep commitment to healing, empowerment, and treating every individual like royalty. She is a four-time international best-selling co-author, speaker, mentor, and change catalyst.

 Check out her new book: Global Degree, African Roots
 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chiyedzanyahuye
 YouTube: African AI Auntie

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you’re dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com

When Alecia Tolver hung up her Army uniform after decades of service, she expected to simply swap it for a business suit and keep moving forward.

But life had other plans.

At the same time she was navigating the uncertainty of civilian life, she was growing her family—welcoming two babies, healing from loss, and redefining her purpose.

In this conversation, Alecia shares how she turned what could have been overwhelming chaos into a season of clarity, faith, and intentional living. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes letting go of one chapter is the only way to fully embrace the next.

Key takeaways

• Lighten your load: Bringing “light” isn’t just about shining—it’s also about releasing burdens you were never meant to carry.

• Receive the help you prayed for: Support systems are only valuable if you allow yourself to lean on them.

• Clarity comes after release: You can’t fully step into the next season if you’re still holding onto the last one.

• You can’t be great at everything, all at once: Choosing your focus is an act of strength, not weakness.

• Perspective shapes the outcome: A “bad hand” can still win the game if you know how to play it.

Favourite quote
"I didn’t join the military to learn how to serve—I became a soldier because I was born to serve." — Alecia Tolver

Find out more and connect with Alecia Tolver
Once defined by obstacles, Alecia is now driven by transformation. As a woman of faith, wife, mother, US Army Veteran, author, mentor, coach, and change practitioner, she’s faced challenges that have deepened her resilience and compassion. Her mission is to inspire others to move from feeling challenged to living changed—turning challenges into catalysts for growth.

Connect with Alecia:

 LinkedIn

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you're dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com

When the Silence Breaks: Turning Trauma into Purpose with Lisa Zarcone
She was just a little girl when the world around her started to unravel. Abuse. Neglect. A mother lost in mental illness. For years, Lisa Zarcone carried the weight of unspoken truths - until she decided to speak.
In this incredible conversation, Lisa opens up about the darkest parts of her childhood and how she not only survived them, but turned them into fuel for advocacy, healing, and hope. From writing her memoir The Unspoken Truth to becoming a national voice for survivors of child abuse, Lisa shows us what it really means to play a losing hand - and still come out winning.
Whether you’ve walked through your own trauma or are holding space for someone who has, this episode will leave you inspired, empowered, and reminded that your voice matters.
Key Takeaways:

• Why giving voice to pain can be the beginning of healing - not just for you, but for other
• The power of understanding the “why” behind generational abuse and mental illnes
• How to transform victimhood into advocacy
• Lisa’s journey from surviving to thriving - and using her platform to protect children and break cycles
• The importance of compassion, even for those who caused harm

 Favorite quote:
"When you walk the path of the very people who traumatized you, it gives you a different view of the whole situation." — Lisa Zarcone

Find out more and connect with Lisa Zarcone:
Lisa is the Massachusetts National Ambassador for NAASCA (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse), a keynote speaker, author, mental health advocate, and survivor who uses her voice to uplift the voiceless. She’s also the author of two books:
The Unspoken Truth: A Memoir
The Book of Joann (a powerful look at mental illness and generational trauma)
Website: https://www.lisazarcone.net
Socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
And don’t forget…
If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you're dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game.
 To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com 

What if the very things you feared would break you… ended up healing you?

That’s the story of Daniel Hall—software genius, foster care survivor, adoptive dad of six, and someone who plays a hand many would’ve folded. When Daniel said yes to fostering children with trauma similar to his own, he didn’t just become a parent—he began rewriting his own story.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Daniel opens up about the raw realities and unexpected joys of parenting through trauma, the healing power of honest reflection, and how forgiveness and communication became the lifelines that saved not only his kids but himself.

This one will move you, stretch your heart, and remind you what it means to show up for life, no matter the hand you’re dealt.

You'll hear

• How parenting children with trauma became Daniel’s mirror—and his medicine

• Why saying "yes" to fostering was the ultimate leap of trust in his wife’s wisdom

• The secret power of “What’s tomorrow? A new day.”

• How forgiveness and honest communication can shift even the most chaotic of moments

• The profound connection between healing others and healing ourselves

A favorite quote

“Chaos is such an unforgiving paradox. But if you can wield it and learn from it, you have the opportunity to help others—and in doing so, you forgive yourself.”

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:40 Daniel's Background and Career
02:36 Fostering Journey Begins
03:51 Challenges and Rewards of Fostering
05:51 Trust and Partnership in Parenting
09:19 Communication and Forgiveness
12:07 Honesty and Social Skills
16:49 Dealing with Tough Moments
18:44 Teaching Through Forgiveness and Communication
19:42 Encouraging Kids to Pursue Their Passions
20:19 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Balance
21:44 The Power of Forgiveness and Communication
24:10 Embracing a New Day
25:54 Navigating Emotions and Finding Balance
29:16 The Paradox of Chaos and Healing
33:42 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Daniel is a 5X bestselling nonfiction social media author, audio engineer, video editor, and proud #1 LinkedIn Platform Data Guru. He’s also a world-class AI song producer—and most importantly, a loving husband and adoptive dad of 7 who puts the HUMAN back in humanity.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: Daniel B. Hall

He’s generous with his wisdom, so feel free to reach out to pick his brain on video, audio production, book creation—or how to raise 6 kids and still smile about it.

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you're dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com

When Christine Dziedzic was just 8 years old, quietly sitting in a cemetery office as her family fought over funeral arrangements, something life-changing happened: a stranger noticed her pain. He gave her crayons. He gave her dignity. He gave her a vision for her future.

That moment shaped her into the powerhouse she is today.

In this episode, Christine shares her unbelievable story: from a childhood spent in grief, to becoming a 36-year deathcare expert, to being literally run down by a client, and then rising up to build Bereavement AI, a revolutionary grief support tool changing how we experience death, comfort, and legacy.

This conversation is raw, heartfelt, and radically hopeful.

🎧 Key Takeaways:

• Why Christine left the traditional funeral industry behind - and how the pandemic pushed families to rethink grief

• How Bereavement AI is giving police officers, teachers, and families the right words during the worst moments

• The emotional and environmental costs of embalming, burial, and pressure-filled funerals

• Why “miss you much” became more than a phrase - it became a movement

• How Christine stays spiritually and emotionally centered, even through massive adversity

💬 Favorite Quote:
"The funeral industry has done sterile. People want something expressive now. They want to be seen."

✨ Find out more and connect with Christine Dziedzic:

Christine Dziedzic is the founder of Miss You Much, a grief-tech platform that combines Web3, virtual reality, and AI to support the bereavement journey.

She is the creator of Bereavement AI, a support tool trained specifically in grief, and has served the funeral industry for over three decades.

🔗 Website: missumuch.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christinedziedzic
Want access to Bereavement AI? Visit her site or request the QR code for free premium access.

And ...

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand you’re dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman’s Game.
🎁 Download your free chapter today at https://lafayawaypoker.com

It started with being held back in first grade.

No one said she was stupid. No one had to. Sabrina told herself that - and carried that belief into adulthood.

And yet today, she’s a professional speaker, a co-author of an international bestseller, and the proud creator of a powerful networking group for introverts.

How? Through faith, fierce self-awareness, and a relentless commitment to practicing courage.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow Speechless co-author Sabrina Schottenhamel to talk about what it really takes to overcome fear and find your voice, even when your nervous system is screaming “No!”

Whether you’re introverted, anxious, or simply tired of playing small, Sabrina’s story will remind you that the hand you’re dealt doesn’t define you but how you play it absolutely does.

Key Takeaways:

• The pivotal moment when Sabrina realized massage was more than just a job - it was her first step toward confidence.

• How Toastmasters helped her turn insecurity into impact (and led her to become Speaker of the Year).

• The physical signs of anxiety introverts often experience, and how to calm your nervous system through intentional breathwork and breaks.

• Why stepping outside (literally!) can be the most strategic move during a networking event.

• How faith and prayer now guide her through life’s challenges and decisions.

Favorite Quote:

“There is no saber-tooth tiger here. It just feels like it.”

Find out more and connect with Sabrina:

Bio: Sabrina Schottenhamel is an Introverted Leader and Professional Speaker dedicated to helping others build humble confidence while prioritizing health. Her journey began in 2013 with Woodridge Toastmasters, where she overcame her fear of public speaking and won the 2015 Best Speaker of the Year Award.

Since then, Sabrina has delivered keynotes and workshops at colleges, universities, libraries, and professional organizations. She is a member of Engaging Speakers, a professional speaker network, and a co-author of Speechless: Giving the #Voiceless a Voice.

Her writing has been featured in Skin Inc., DaySpa, Fender Bender, OfficePRO, and Sparkle & Rise eMagazine.

🖥️ Website & Links:
https://linktr.ee/Sabrinaschottenhamel

👥 Networking for Introverts Monthly Call (Free to Join):
Register here

📱 Connect on Social:
Facebook
Be Touched Facebook Page
LinkedIn
Instagram @sabrina.schottenhamel

And ...

If you're interested in learning more about playing the hand your dealt in this mental game of life, you'll love my book Poker: A Woman's Game. To download your free chapter today, visit https://lafayawaypoker.com