The SpelLIFE Podcast

What are we truly leaving behind for the people we love? It's about more than money, wills, and inheritance. It's also family photographs, meaningful possessions, personal stories, digital accounts, important documents, and the decisions our loved ones may be left to make when we're gone.

In this episode of the SPELL Life podcast, Jill and Gaynell welcome three experts who help families navigate the many sides of legacy planning: Heather Nickerson of Artifacts, Rachel Donnelly of Afterlight, and Kristen Goodman of Clicking with Kristen.

Together, they explore why preparing for the future is one of the most thoughtful gifts we can give our families. Without a plan, loved ones may find themselves sorting through years of belongings, trying to access digital information, searching for important paperwork, and guessing what someone would have wanted—all while grieving a loss.

The conversation covers how to preserve the stories behind treasured possessions, organize and protect family photographs, prepare digital assets, and make the responsibilities of settling an estate easier for the people who will handle them.

Our guests also share practical ways to get started, from identifying where your important documents and photos are kept to recording the stories behind meaningful objects and naming a legacy contact for your digital accounts.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why a meaningful legacy includes much more than financial assets.

• How sharing the stories behind family heirlooms can help preserve their meaning for future generations.

• Why organizing photographs, videos, and memorabilia now can prevent them from being lost or forgotten.

• How digital assets can complicate estate settlement.

• Why it's important to communicate with the people who may serve as your executor, trustee, or power of attorney.

• Simple steps you can take this week to begin preparing your family.

Your homework from our guests

You don't have to do everything at once. Choose one small step to take this week:

Kristen: Make a list of where your photographs, videos, hard drives, and other important belongings are located.

Heather: Choose five meaningful objects, document the stories behind them, and share those stories with the people who matter. If you know what you want to happen to those objects, record that, too. Rachel: If you use an Apple account, consider naming a Legacy Contact. If you use Google, explore its Inactive Account Manager. These tools can help the people you trust navigate your digital life.

The most important first step? Start the conversation. You don't have to share every financial detail to give your family a roadmap. You can begin by explaining where important information is kept, who will be responsible for what, and what matters most to you.

As our guests remind us, preparing for the people we love isn't simply about what happens after we're gone. It's about taking care of them while we're still here.

Heather Nickerson — Founder and CEO of ArtifactsHeather Nickerson founded Artifacts after inheriting approximately 6,000 square feet of belongings from her mother's estate and realizing how difficult it could be to understand what those possessions were and what her mother would have wanted done with them. Her work helps people document the stories, meaning, and wishes connected to the things they leave behind.

Rachel Donnelly — Founder of AfterlightRachel Donnelly helps people navigate the administrative complexities of settling an estate and organizing the many responsibilities that follow a loss. She is also the author of Late to Your Own Funeral: How to Leave a Legacy and Not a Log Jam. Her work highlights the importance of preparing and supporting the people entrusted with carrying out our wishes.

Kristen Goodman — Owner of Clicking with Kristen Kristen Goodman is a certified photo manager who helps families organize, digitize, preserve, and share their photographs, videos, documents, and memorabilia. Her work is rooted in helping people protect the memories that tell their stories and make them accessible to future generations.

Kristen also shares the inspiration behind The Legacy Effect, an event created to help people connect with resources and professionals who can support them with legacy planning. The event brings together experts from different fields to make these conversations more approachable and give families practical ways to prepare.

Learn more and register: [Add event registration link]

• Artifacts: https://artifacts.com

• Afterlight: https://myafterlight.com/

• Clicking with Kristen

• The Legacy Effect

Share this episode with someone who would benefit from starting the conversation. And as always, thank you for supporting SPELL Life and helping us share information that empowers people to be proactive rather than reactive.

For a lot of us, money is something we manage, but what would it take to actually own it?

In this episode of The SpelLIFE Podcast, Jill and Gaynell sit down with financial advisors Kay Anderson, CFP® and Jasen Gilbert, CFP® of Ciccarelli Advisory Services to to discuss the habits, mindset shifts, and practical steps that can help individuals build a stronger financial future.

Money topics can feel daunting for anyone—and often more so for women, who tend to navigate them across every season of life: career, raising a family, caretaking aging parents, and retirement, frequently while someone else "handles the money." Kay and Jasen unpack what financial freedom really means and how to get there.

Whether you're just starting to look at your finances or strengthening a plan you already have, this episode offers a warm, practical roadmap to financial freedom.

💡 What You'll Learn

• What "financial freedom" actually means and why it looks different for everyone

• How to build healthy financial habits and avoid common money pitfalls

• Strategies for reducing debt and improving financial confidence

• How to prepare for retirement and unexpected life events

• The role estate planning plays in long-term financial security

• Why taxes are a year-round strategy, not an April 15th scramble

• Practical steps you can take today to strengthen your financial future

🔧 Resources Mentioned

• Ciccarelli Advisory Services — Family Focused Wealth Management → www.CASmoneymatters.com

• The 12 Steps to Financial Independence

• Educational concepts referenced: the Rule of 72, Roth IRAs, dollar-cost averaging through a 401(k)

👤 About Our Guests

Kay Anderson, CFP® is a Financial Advisor at Ciccarelli Advisory Services, where her passion is educating and guiding every generation of a client's family to build a lasting legacy and make informed decisions. With 20 years in the industry, Kay works on financial plans and annual reviews with an emphasis on retirement, tax, and estate planning. Originally from England's Lake District, she relocated to Naples in 2004 and serves on the Board of Directors for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, where she is also Treasurer.

Jasen Gilbert, CFP® specializes in helping successful families, individuals, and business owners navigate life's major transitions: retirement, the sale of a business, legacy planning, and more. With more than 17 years of experience, Jasen is known for his collaborative approach and commitment to helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals. He lives in Naples with his wife, Ingrid.

🌱 Final Takeaway

You don't need to master every detail of finance to feel free. You need to know your numbers. Pick one step in the next 30 days: get organized, and put your balance sheet and a simple cash flow page on paper. That clarity is where peace, confidence, and real financial freedom begin. Disclaimer: Investment Advisory Services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser independent of Osaic Wealth Inc. Securities and additional investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment adviser. 9601 Tamiami Trl N, Naples, FL 34108 | 239-262-6577

What if the pain, fatigue, or other symptom you're experiencing is only one piece of a much bigger picture?

In this episode of The SpelLIFE Podcast, Jill and Gaynell sit down with Dr. Dawn Murrin, a licensed acupuncturist and integrative wellness practitioner, for a fascinating conversation about looking deeper than just symptoms and understanding the root cause of issues and how different parts of the body can be connected.

Dr. Dawn brings more than 30 years of medical experience to her work, beginning in traditional Western medicine before pursuing Eastern medicine and acupuncture. Her approach combines acupuncture with techniques including trigger-point release, moxibustion, cold laser therapy, nutrition, and other personalized wellness strategies.

Jill and Gaynell ask what actually happens during an acupuncture session, why Dr. Dawn looks at the tongue and pulse as part of her assessment, and how she approaches common concerns including pain, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, energy levels, and even fertility. She also explains why she believes treatment should be personalized to the individual rather than simply focused on the symptom that brought someone through the door.

Whether you've tried acupuncture before, are curious about Eastern medicine, or are simply looking for a more holistic way to think about your health, this episode offers plenty to consider.

• How Eastern and Western medicine can approach symptoms differently

• What acupuncture is actually doing in the body and how practitioners use meridians, pulse, and tongue assessment

• How trigger-point release, moxibustion, and cold laser therapy can be incorporated into a personalized treatment approach

• Why chronic pain can involve more than the area that actually hurts

Dr. Dawn Murrin has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and began her career in traditional medicine, working in radiology, MRI, and CAT scan before pursuing her passion for Eastern medicine. She earned her master's degree from the New York College of Health Professions and became a licensed acupuncturist in 2003.

She went on to build and run an eight-room acupuncture practice, Phoenix Wellness Center, in Garden City, New York, for 17 years. Today, her work combines acupuncture with a range of complementary approaches, including active trigger-point release, nutrition, orthopedic rehabilitation, yoga, moxibustion, and cold laser therapy. Her philosophy centers on individualized care and helping people better understand their own bodies. Learn more about where Dr. Dawn is practicing today in Naples, FL.

Hormones influence far more than hot flashes and mood swings. They affect sleep, energy, muscle mass, brain health, cardiovascular health, libido, and overall quality of life. Yet many women are still receiving outdated information about hormone replacement therapy and are left wondering whether treatment is safe—or even worth considering.

In this episode of the SPELL Life Podcast, Jill and Gaynell welcome back functional and precision medicine physician Dr. Eduardo Maristany for an eye-opening conversation about the evolution of hormone replacement therapy, what current research is revealing, and how personalized medicine is changing the way we approach aging and wellness.

Dr. Maristany explains how our understanding of hormones has shifted dramatically since the Women's Health Initiative study, why bioidentical hormones have become an important part of the conversation, and how individualized treatment plans can help address symptoms that many people are told are simply "normal aging."

Then the SpelLife duo tackles another growing health concern: Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses. Dr. Maristany shares why Lyme disease can be so difficult to diagnose, the wide range of symptoms it can mimic, and the promising new therapies being explored for patients who continue to struggle with chronic symptoms.

Whether you're navigating menopause, dealing with unexplained health challenges, or just interested in the future of personalized medicine, this episode offers valuable insights and practical considerations.

• How hormone replacement therapy has evolved over the past two decades

• The difference between traditional and bioidentical hormones

• The role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women's health

• What Lyme disease is and why diagnoses appear to be increasing

• Common Lyme disease symptoms and co-infections

• How to test and common treatments for Lyme

Dr. Eduardo Maristany is a physician specializing in functional and precision medicine with advanced training in hormone optimization, immune health, environmental medicine, advanced nutrient analysis, and genomic interpretation. After serving for more than a decade as an internal medicine physician, hospitalist, and clinical assistant professor, he shifted his focus toward helping patients uncover the root causes of chronic health issues through personalized medicine. Dr. Maristany combines evidence-based medicine with cutting-edge research to help patients optimize health, longevity, and quality of life.

Learn more at:

Maristany Medical

https://www.ilads.org/

Healing rarely happens in a straight line, and rarely in the way we expect it to. That's what Jordan Gatlin learned on the healing journey for her son and her entire family.

In this episode of The SpelLIFE Podcast, Jill and Gaynell sit down with Jordan—a former OB-GYN sonographer turned regenerative detox specialist—to talk about the years-long path that began when her infant son developed full-body eczema. What started as a desperate search for relief became something Jordan now shares with others, rooted in food, detoxification, emotional release, and learning to trust her own intuition.

Jordan speaks candidly about the ups and downs along the way, including one insight that surprised her most: how much a parent's own stress can ripple out to the whole family. Despite challenges along the way, Jordan shares the small, practical shifts that made the biggest difference.

Whether you're navigating a health challenge of your own, supporting a family member, or simply curious about a more natural approach to wellness, this conversation is a warm reminder to keep going, even when the path isn't linear.

💡 What You'll Learn

• Why Jordan believes setbacks are often a "healing crisis": a sign of progress, not failure

• How one parent's stress can affect the whole family

• What EFT tapping is, and how Jordan used it during her family's journey

• Jordan's approach to whole foods, hydration, and easing into healthier habits

• The mindset shift from reacting to responding

• The one place Jordan suggests starting: calming the nervous system

🔧 Resources Mentioned

• Linda Silva, LMHC → lindasilvalmhc.com

• Jordan's superfood recommendations (Purium) → ishoppurium.com/Environmental-Promise

• Also referenced in the conversation: EFT tapping, energy healing, Pure Haven clean home & personal-care products, and an at-home baking-soda test for stomach acidity

👤 About Our Guest

After a decade as an OB-GYN sonographer, Jordan Gatlin embarked on a healing journey with her family that reshaped her sense of purpose. Today she's a homeschooling mom of three boys and a regenerative detox specialist, emotion and body code practitioner, and quantum hypnosis guide, as well as a passionate provider of superfoods and frequency-based wellness tools. Drawing on what she learned guiding her own family back to health, Jordan now helps others reclaim their well-being.

🌱 Final Takeaway

You don't have to fix everything at once. If there's one place to begin, Jordan suggests calming your nervous system. Get present, get outside, and learn to listen to that quiet inner voice. Healing isn't linear, but every small step forward counts.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and reflects our guest's personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your or your family's health care.

Technology can feel overwhelming—especially when devices, apps, passwords and updates seem to change every day.

In this episode of the SPELLife Podcast, Jill and Gaynell sit down with tech educator and founder of TechKnowledgy, Erick Montano, for an open and encouraging conversation about building confidence with modern technology.

From smartphones and streaming apps to passwords, AI, scams, and cloud storage, Erick shares practical advice to help you feel less intimidated and more empowered in today's digital world.

The conversation explores:

• Why fear is often the biggest barrier to using technology

• Common scam red flags and how to protect yourself

• Password managers, passkeys, and digital safety

• Helpful smartphone tips most people don't know

• How AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify everyday life

Whether you're frustrated by constant updates, confused by cloud storage, or curious about AI, this episode offers reassurance, practical tools, and a reminder that learning technology is possible at any age.

Learn more about TeckKnowledgy at https://www.techknowledgyteam.com/

• Confidence with technology comes through repetition and experimentation

• Fear and urgency are major warning signs of scams

• Most tech problems can be fixed — you're unlikely to permanently damage your device

• AI can be a practical tool for travel planning, recipes, organization, and creativity

• Technology can improve independence, connection, and quality of life for older adults

Erick Montano is the founder of TechKnowledgy Team and a technology educator focused on helping adults feel more confident using modern technology. Before transitioning into tech education and support, Erick worked in the visual effects industry, contributing to major films including The Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

After moving into nonprofit work in Naples, Erick saw firsthand how overwhelming rapidly changing technology can feel for many adults and seniors. Today, he combines his technical expertise with a patient, approachable teaching style to help people navigate technology with greater confidence, accessibility, and peace of mind.

Stress is a part of life—but suffering doesn't have to be. In this episode, we sit down with licensed mental health counselor, George Drobinski, to explore practical, real-world tools for managing stress and anxiety. With over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families, George shares powerful insights into how our thoughts shape our emotions and our lives.

From the impact of technology and social media to the root causes of anxiety, this conversation is filled with actionable strategies you can start using today.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in negative thought patterns, or simply looking to build more resilience, this episode will give you a roadmap to help you better cope with stress and create a healthier, more balanced life.

• Why stress is unavoidable—but suffering is optional

• How your thoughts directly influence your mood and behavior

• The biggest hidden contributors to anxiety today (including technology)

• Practical tools to calm anxiety in the moment

• How to break negative thought patterns using cognitive behavioral techniques

• Simple daily habits that can improve your mental health immediately

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Reframing unhelpful thought patterns

• 4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique:

• 4 things you see

• 3 things you hear

• 2 things you feel

• 1 thing to refocus on

• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Releasing tension through breath and body awareness

• Time Management Awareness: Understanding where your time is actually going

• Leadership Collier Programs: https://www.leadershipcollier.org/lcf-programs

George Drobinski, MS, LMHC, PA, is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals, couples, and families. With a career spanning over two decades, George has worked extensively in both clinical and community settings, including leadership roles with Catholic Charities and Hope for Haiti.

He is deeply passionate about helping people understand themselves, overcome challenges, and live more fulfilling lives.

What if getting stronger—not smaller—was the real key to better health, fat loss, and longevity?

Jill and Gaynell sit down with metabolic health experts Chris Edwards and Nick Newell of Tricore Wellness to talk creatine, muscle, and metabolism.

Chris and Nick introduce the concept of the "metabolic master switch" and explain why building and maintaining muscle isn't just about fitness, it's essential for brain function, energy production, and long-term health.

They also break down common myths about creatine, explain how it actually works in the body, and share why eating less and overexercising may be doing more harm than good.

If you've ever felt confused by conflicting health advice—especially about the numbers on the scale—this episode will help you reframe your mindset and take a smarter, more sustainable approach to wellness.

• What metabolic health really means (and why it's more than just weight)

• Why lean muscle mass is the key driver of metabolism and longevity

• How creatine works as a "metabolic master switch" for energy and performance

• Why eating less can actually slow your metabolism and stall fat loss

• How to safely and effectively start taking creatine

• Common myths about creatine (water retention, kidney concerns, etc.)—debunked

• How to build sustainable habits using a "staircase approach"

• Tricore Wellness (Metabolic Health Coaching)

• Withings Body Composition Scale

• Creatine Monohydrate (most researched and widely used form)

👉 Learn more: https://tricorewellness.com/

Chris Edwards is the Founder and CEO of Tricore Wellness, a leader in metabolic health coaching and wellness management. With over 20 years of experience, Chris has built programs that support individuals, corporations, and communities through personalized, data-driven health systems. He was named one of the most innovative fitness professionals in 2023.

Nick Newell is a Pro Coach and Director of Programming at Tricore Wellness. He specializes in metabolic optimization, fitness, and nutrition, helping clients create sustainable lifestyle changes through education, accountability, and customized programming.

Stop viewing your body as something to shrink and start seeing it as something to strengthen and fuel.

Building lean muscle is one of the most powerful ways to support your metabolism, brain health, and longevity, and creatine can help you turn on that metabolic "master switch."

We spend so much time thinking about what we eat, how we move, and how we manage stress—but what about the air we breathe every day?

In this episode of The SpelLIFE Podcast, Jill and Gaynelle sit down with husband and wife team, Andrew and Rachael Sharpless, mold and indoor air quality experts and founders of Eco Mold Testing, to talk mold, mycotoxins, and preventive wellness.

Rather than fear-based warnings, Andrew and Rachael bring clarity and education to a topic that impacts many homes, especially in humid climates like Florida. Together, they unpack common issues that may affect air quality in your home and how proactive awareness can help protect your health before issues escalate. You'll learn when mold testing makes sense, common myths to ignore, and simple steps you can take to support healthier air in your home.

This conversation is empowering, practical, and focused on prevention, giving you tools to ask better questions about the spaces where you live and breathe.

• Why indoor air quality is a foundational part of wellness

• Common symptoms that may be linked to poor air quality or mold exposure

• The biggest misconceptions about mold testing and remediation

• How humidity, ventilation, and building materials affect mold growth

• How household items like scented candles and cleaning products impact air quality

• Simple, proactive steps homeowners and renters can take to improve indoor air quality

Andrew Sharpless is a mold and indoor air quality expert and the founder of Eco Mold Testing. With years of hands-on experience assessing residential and commercial properties, Andrew focuses on education-first testing, helping people understand what's happening in their environment without fear, pressure, or unnecessary remediation.

His work emphasizes prevention, transparency, and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their living spaces.

Learn more: ecomoldtesting.com

New year, new goals. But what actually sticks?

In this episode of The SpelLIFE Podcast, Jill and Gaynell ditch traditional New Year's resolutions and explore a more sustainable way to design your year: one that's rooted in systems, seasons, and small habits.

From the idea of Drop it. Keep it. Add it. to honoring the natural rhythms of life, the Jill and Gaynell walk through how to assess the past year, clarify what matters most, and build habits that work with your personality, not against it.

They share personal stories about health challenges, time management, movement, food as medicine, accountability, and why guilt-free growth is the key to long-term wellness. Whether you're craving more energy, clarity, balance, or joy, this episode offers practical tools to help you move forward so you can have your best year yet.

• Why most New Year's resolutions fail—and what works instead

• The power of Drop it. Keep it. Add it. as a decision-making framework

• How to assess your life using tools like the Wheel of Life

• How honoring seasonal rhythms can reduce burnout and guilt

• How to build habits by starting small

• How food, movement, and mindfulness support long-term health and longevity

• The Wheel of Life (IPEC and other versions online)

• The 5 Second Rule & Your Best Year Ever – Mel Robbins

• Atomic Habits – James Clear

• Shane Parrish - "The Knowledge Project" Remarkable Workbook

• Oura Ring (sleep, recovery, and wellness tracking)

• Kaiut Yoga (nervous system regulation & movement practice)

• Transcendental Meditation

• Food as Medicine principles (fiber, protein, whole foods)

👉 Full resource list will be shared on social media.