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What happens when two people with extensive recovery journeys sit down to talk about what they're still struggling with? Magic, vulnerability, and profound wisdom emerge.

Dr. Samantha Harte welcomes Dave Meltzer – successful entrepreneur, sought-after keynote speaker, author, and as she describes him, "an amazing human" – for a raw conversation that quickly moves beyond the expected topics into deeply personal territory. Despite 16 years of sobriety and all the external markers of success, both open up about their ongoing internal work with disarming honesty.

The discussion moves seamlessly between profound topics: the dangers of unhealthy codependency in recovery, the armor we build around our hearts even in loving relationships, and the poisonous nature of guilt and shame. Hart vulnerably shares her current work on disentangling from unhealthy patterns stemming from "mother hunger" while navigating a 22-year marriage rich with both love and betrayal. Meltzer offers his perspective on responding to our natural protective reactions rather than being controlled by them.

Perhaps most moving is Harte's revelation about her evolving grief journey after losing her sister to a drug overdose three years ago. She describes how she's finally reaching a place where she can look for spiritual connection with her sister – something unimaginable to her even six months earlier. This leads to a fascinating exploration of spirituality, with Meltzer sharing his concept of "best option faith" and Harte contemplating the relationship between intuition, highest self, and God.

Whether you're in recovery or simply interested in personal growth, this conversation demonstrates that healing is never "done" – it's a continuous unfolding that reveals new layers of awareness, connection, and meaning throughout our lives. Join these two authentic souls as they model what it means to keep showing up for your own growth while helping others with theirs.

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Death isn't always the end of the story. Sometimes, it's just the beginning of something extraordinary.

Frank Parisi didn't just approach death's door – he walked through it. During what began as treatment for a persistent cough, Frank found himself on a ventilator with his heart, liver, and kidneys failing. What happened next defies conventional understanding: he died, left his body, encountered his deceased friend, and was given the choice to stay or return. For the sake of his young son, he chose to come back.

This episode takes us through Frank's remarkable journey from addiction to sobriety, from death to rebirth through a heart transplant, and from survival to profound purpose. Frank shares the incredible synchronicities that unfolded – how his doctors mysteriously all had connections to his father's past in organized crime, how a medium revealed information only his deceased father could know, and how he eventually met the family of his 19-year-old heart donor, Kaylee.

"God is everything, he is nothing," Frank reflects, sharing how his relationship with spirituality transformed throughout his recovery journey. Despite facing pain medications during recovery (after 14 years of sobriety), he maintained his commitment to sobriety and focused on rebuilding his body and mind through exercise, prayer, and gratitude.

Today, Frank leads multiple companies focused on helping humanity, has written a bestselling book, and speaks about his experiences. His message is clear and powerful: "Never let this life break you. It doesn't matter where you started or what your circumstances are – always have a vision, audit your circle, and take massive action every day."

Whether you believe in miracles or remain skeptical, Frank's story offers a profound perspective on the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility that our existence extends far beyond what we can physically perceive. Listen with an open mind, and you might just find yourself reconsidering what you thought you knew about life, death, and everything in between.

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What happens when you build your entire identity on who others expect you to be – then finally find the courage to live as your authentic self? In this extraordinarily vulnerable conversation, I speak with Romy Marie – certified identity coach, mother, entrepreneur, and former cast member of Showtime's "The Real L Word" – though we'd never met before hitting record.

Romi takes us through her journey that began with childhood survival, where she learned that creating drama and "being sick" would earn her the attention she desperately craved from her busy single mother and absent father. This pattern followed her into adolescence, where mental health diagnoses became part of an identity that eventually led to substance abuse as a means of numbing her inner turmoil.

The conversation reaches profound depths when Romi courageously discusses how her sexuality became intertwined with her search for validation and attention. After years in the public eye as a lesbian reality TV star, therapy helped her question whether this identity had been another survival mechanism – a realization that challenged everything about how she'd presented herself to the world.

"I don't need the attention. For the first time in my life, it's so relaxing and quiet and calm," Romi shares, describing her current life that prioritizes peace, motherhood, and spiritual connection over external validation. She reveals how sobriety, faith, and radical honesty with herself have created a contentment she never thought possible.

This conversation isn't just about addiction recovery – it's about the universal human struggle to separate who we truly are from the identities we construct to survive. Whether you're navigating sobriety, questioning aspects of your identity, or simply feeling exhausted by performing for others, Romi's journey offers hope that returning home to your authentic self is not only possible – it's the gateway to the peace you've been seeking all along.

Ready to explore your own authentic identity? Connect with Romi at MadreRomi.com to book a discovery call and see if working with her might support your journey.

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What happens when the very traits that once helped you succeed become the prison bars holding you captive? In this raw and revelatory solo episode, Dr. Samantha Harte takes us on a deeply personal journey through her battle with perfectionism—a character trait that drove her to academic excellence, cocaine addiction, marital crisis, and ultimately, profound transformation.

Drawing from her recent Harte Conscious Creators event, Dr. Harte vulnerably shares how her need to control everyone and everything manifested when facing failure or uncertainty. From plagiarizing a college paper to preserve her straight-A identity to overdosing on cocaine the very night she was accepted into a doctoral program, she illustrates how perfectionism created an illusion of control while actually destroying her life.

The breakthrough came during her marital crisis, five years sober but spiritually broken. Though physically clean from substances, she was still trying to control outcomes and people, particularly her husband. Working the 12 steps with specific focus on her marriage revealed a powerful truth: she had no power over her husband's feelings, potential infidelity, or their relationship's ultimate outcome—but she did have power over her healing, self-talk, and the meaning she gave her experiences.

Dr. Harte's most profound insight came when asked if she'd ever made amends to herself. As a perfectionist, the concept was foreign—everything was her fault because that maintained the illusion she could fix it. Learning to forgive herself became the foundation for later forgiving her husband and rebuilding their marriage. Through losing her father and sister, she faced more tests of surrender, ultimately leading to writing her book modernizing the 12 steps for everyone.

The gift Dr. Harte offers listeners is the courage to trust the process of imperfection. As she powerfully states: "Everything good, everything magical that has ever happened to me has happened in the messy middle." Her message transforms the 12 steps into universal tools for living, loving, parenting and working with greater authenticity and peace.

Want to break free from your own invisible prison? Listen now and discover how embracing imperfection might be your greatest pathway to freedom.

To book a FREE discovery call with Dr. Harte, click the link below:

https://calendly.com/drharte/free-discovery-call-w-dr-harte

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Every so often, an unexpected friendship forms that cuts through the superficial and dives straight into soul-deep connection. That's exactly what happened when I met Brooke Burke—someone I'd admired from afar for years as she graced television screens with her natural charisma and undeniable presence.

What I discovered behind the public persona was truly remarkable: a deeply spiritual woman whose superpowers had nothing to do with her on-camera talent and everything to do with her genuine desire to lift others up. In this intimate conversation recorded in Brooke's backyard, we explore territory rarely covered in celebrity interviews—spiritual rock bottoms, the universal nature of addiction, and how loss can ultimately transform us.

Brooke vulnerably shares her own struggles with control and perfectionism, realizing through our friendship that addiction manifests in countless ways beyond substances. We reimagine recovery principles through a trauma-informed lens, distinguishing between mere acceptance and the deeper practice of surrender. Her insights about maintaining spiritual connection while balancing a busy blended family life offer wisdom applicable to anyone juggling multiple responsibilities.

The conversation takes a particularly powerful turn when we discuss grief and healing. Having both experienced significant losses, we explore how checking in with your heart—asking simple questions like "How does your heart feel today?"—can create space for authentic healing. Brooke's willingness to have a "broken heart" rather than closing herself off from love demonstrates a courage that transcends her public achievements.

Whether you're navigating recovery, processing grief, seeking balance, or simply curious about the person behind the persona, this episode offers rare insights into two women's journeys toward authenticity and healing. Listen in, and you might just discover your own path forward through life's most challenging moments.

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What happens when your entire world collapses, your body betrays you, and even the medical establishment refuses to believe your pain? For Deborah Weed, this nightmare became reality during a three-year health crisis that transformed her from a successful corporate executive to a bedridden patient fighting for her life—and her dignity.

Deborah's remarkable journey began at the peak of her career. As Director of Development for Citibank overseeing 19 branches and leading major projects with Disney and Universal, she embodied professional success. Then came the pain—excruciating, relentless pain that doctors repeatedly misdiagnosed or dismissed entirely. For three agonizing years, she received conflicting diagnoses ranging from MS to Lou Gehrig's disease, while others told her it was "all in her head." With iron levels dangerously low at 3-6 (normal being 15), she was literally dying while fighting to be believed.

The turning point came from an unexpected source: a 1943 copper penny. Learning that such a seemingly ordinary object could be worth a million dollars sparked a profound realization about self-worth. "If people walk by a penny thinking it's worthless, then who am I?" she wondered. This metaphor became the foundation for her first musical, "The Luckiest Penny," teaching children about inherent worth regardless of external circumstances.

After finally receiving proper diagnosis and treatment for a grapefruit-sized tumor pressing against her spine, Deborah emerged with a crystal-clear understanding of the difference between self-esteem and self-worth. "Self-esteem is what we do. Self-worth is what we say we're worth," she explains with hard-won wisdom. This distinction fuels her current mission—the Quills Up movement and development of "Paisley the Musical," a Broadway-scale production about reclaiming personal power.

Deborah's story reminds us that sometimes our deepest pain becomes our greatest purpose. When everything falls apart and you have nothing left but yourself, you discover what you're truly made of. Are you ready to reclaim your power and declare your worth? Visit paisleysfashionforest.com to join Deborah's movement and transform your own pain into purpose.

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What if those moments we dismiss as "coincidences" are actually glimpses into something more profound? After spending most of my life as a determined atheist who believed spiritual people were simply not intelligent enough to rely on themselves, I've undergone a remarkable transformation.

Sixteen years into sobriety and eleven years into an unexpected spiritual journey, I've completely reimagined what "God" means to me. No longer the rigid cultural construct I was taught to reject, I've discovered what I call "the whisper of God"—that intelligent, intuitive knowing within that guides us toward clarity, peace, and compassion when we're willing to listen.

But recently, I've been drawn toward something even more intriguing: the realm of miracles. Those moments when you think of someone and they immediately call. When you feel compelled to reach out to a friend who, unbeknownst to you, is in crisis. Are these really just random coincidences, or could they be something more?

After reading a book called "Signs," I decided to conduct a personal experiment, asking my departed father and sister to send me specific signs—butterflies for my dad and hearts for my sister. What followed defies logical explanation: a monarch butterfly appearing outside my window during a coaching call, and later, a profound experience in Texas involving a hotel clerk named Jessica (my sister's name) who assigned me to the 13th floor (the date of my sister's passing was March 13th). When I shared this synchronicity with her, she broke down crying, confiding her struggle with alcoholism and believing our meeting was divinely arranged.

Whether you're a spiritual seeker or a confirmed skeptic, I invite you to join me on this experiment into the unknown. What might we discover if we remain open to possibilities beyond our understanding? Share your own experiences with signs or synchronicities—I'd love to hear your story as we navigate this mysterious terrain together.

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Traumatic experiences shape us in profound ways, often gifting us with remarkable strengths that help us survive—but what happens when those same strengths become barriers to our healing?

This captivating panel discussion features Paige and Joe, two individuals who've faced devastating traumas yet found ways to transform their adaptive traits from potential liabilities back into personal assets. Their stories offer a masterclass in self-awareness and emotional growth.

Joe, paralyzed after a military service injury in 2007, shares how his unwavering positivity and resilience helped him adapt to life in a wheelchair. While these traits enabled him to build a beautiful family with three children, they also created what he calls a "hardened shell" that limited his emotional range. "I started seeing life in black, white, and gray," he reveals, explaining his recent journey to experience "more color" by finally allowing himself to process long-suppressed grief.

Paige, who lost her father to suicide at age ten and later became a military spouse, identifies as a "survivor." This trait carried her through unimaginable hardships but eventually morphed into a pattern of neglecting her own needs. Through her work as a yoga studio program manager, she's learning to apply the mindfulness practices she teaches to her own healing journey.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when discussing parenting, with both guests sharing vulnerable moments where they recognized opportunities for growth. These stories highlight how we can model accountability and self-compassion for our children while healing ourselves.

What makes this episode exceptional is its practical wisdom about balancing seemingly contradictory needs: How do we honor our emotions without becoming consumed by them? How do we maintain boundaries while validating feelings? How do we break unhealthy cycles without breaking ourselves?

Ready to transform your own character liabilities back into assets? Listen now, and discover how embracing your full emotional spectrum might be the key to living a more authentic and fulfilling life.

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What happens when the very traits that make you successful in your career become obstacles in your personal life? This riveting panel discussion featuring coaches Alejandra Perez and Michael Graham explores the fascinating terrain of redirecting character traits from liabilities into assets.

Alejandra, a self-described driven optimist who reinvented herself multiple times across engineering, sales, and entrepreneurship, reveals how excessive positivity without preparation led to business failure. Rather than abandoning her optimistic nature, she found ways to ground it in reality while maintaining its motivational power. Her journey offers profound insights for dreamers who struggle to bridge the gap between vision and execution.

Michael brings a unique perspective as a retired police sergeant whose authoritative presence and problem-solving abilities were crucial in law enforcement. He shares vulnerably about recognizing how these same traits created disconnection with his wife and children at home. His discovery that the gentleness required for horse training mirrors what's needed in parenting provides a powerful metaphor for anyone struggling to balance professional strengths with personal relationships.

The conversation weaves through perfectionism, problem-solving tendencies, optimism, and authority – examining how these traits manifest both positively and negatively in our lives. You'll gain practical insights for recognizing patterns, understanding the root causes of challenging behaviors, and redirecting your natural tendencies toward healthier expressions. Whether you're a parent, partner, or professional seeking greater balance, this episode offers compassionate guidance for living more authentically across all domains of your life.

Ready to transform potential liabilities into your greatest assets? Listen now and discover how small shifts in awareness can create profound changes in how you live, love, parent and work.

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What happens when a physical healer discovers that treating the body alone isn't enough? After years of helping patients recover physically while maintaining my own fragile sobriety, I faced a devastating wake-up call that transformed everything.

The moment my sister lost her battle with addiction, something fundamentally shifted in me. No longer could I separate my professional identity as a physical therapist from my personal journey through recovery. The carefully constructed walls between these worlds came crashing down, revealing a truth I'd been avoiding: true healing requires addressing the soul sickness that manifests in our bodies, relationships, and lives.

My journey from doctoral studies to founding Strong Harte Fitness was driven by seeing how the healthcare system discharged patients only 60% healed. Yet even as I built a successful practice, I recognized the same patterns in my clients that I witnessed in recovery rooms - not addiction to substances, but to control, people-pleasing, productivity, and impossible standards. These manifestations were preventing true healing just as effectively as any substance.

For years, I resisted the spiritual aspects of recovery, relying instead on rigid control as my drug of choice. It worked until it spectacularly failed during a personal crisis, teaching me that perfection always collapses in matters of the heart. Only then did I discover that the 12 steps, reframed in trauma-informed, non-religious language, offer powerful tools for anyone suffering from the disconnection and soul sickness of modern life.

This episode takes you through my transformation and offers a glimpse into how these principles can help you break generational patterns, heal from past wounds, and connect more deeply with yourself and others. Whether you're battling addiction or simply feeling disconnected from your purpose, there's something here for you. Ready to explore the infinite power of your light? Listen now and take your first step toward integrated healing.

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