Think Courageously with Deb Cummins Stellato

On today’s episode of The Think Courageously Podcast, I welcome Alara Sage. Alara  is a teacher, mentor and healer.

What I loved about this episode is our common commitment to living courageously.

Alara’s journey to uncover her healing gifts started when working with horses. In the process of being a physical therapist for horses, she learned to listen to the universe in new ways. She took that knowledge and then  began working with animals as an animal communicator. Finally, she decided that she needed to conquer her own fears and start using her gifts in healing people. 

During our conversation, we did a deep dive into the power of fear in our lives. We talk about the continuum of being paralyzed by fear and being fearless. 

I love Alara’s notion that fear is a magnificent portal into becoming the best next version of ourselves. 

“Fear is the next version of me ready to blossom”. 

Moving towards fear gives us the opportunity to know ourselves better. 

Alara and I also connect the concepts of fear and courage…one of my favorite topics.  

We explore:

• Taking steps towards the fear
• How courage comes in tiny steps (remember…we can only eat an elephant one bite at a time)
• Not feeling we have to try to figure it all out
• Connecting women to their raw power

Alara provides us with some very practical techniques for dealing with the feelings that naturally come with fear. She suggests we start with mindful breathing to facilitate rest and relaxation and to support letting go.

We also have a powerful discussion around truly using and elevating our voices. Alara shares how we can powerfully speak what we desire into existence. She believes that all of this starts with how we speak to ourselves. What are we saying to ourselves regularly? How can we find clarity in our voices?

To learn more about Alara, visit:
https://www.alarasage.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/alarasage
https://www.instagram.com/alarasage

Ellen Elizabeth is an author, sober twin mom, recovery advocate, and infertility warrior.  

In today’s episode, I chat with Ellen about her journey to sobriety and motherhood. And the radical honesty it took her to get there. 

Ellen shares her powerful journey of finding “love and drugs” in her late teens. Like many women, Ellen felt that the only way to be loved was to morph into the wants and needs of a partner. She did this by learning how to use drugs to please her partner. 

After breaking free from this relationship, Ellen swapped drugs for alcohol as a way of healing from pain. 

She also found herself in a loving relationship. And with a strong desire to have a family she found the courage to get sober. 

In this episode, we talk about the worst day of Ellen’s life…the day she came face to face with her addiction. After showing up at work drunk and calling her husband for a ride , she shares the story of the intervention that changed her life. And how a life of self-loathing became a life of self-love

With sobriety came the opportunity to pursue a pregnancy. Ellen also shares her story of infertility and IVF. She also shares the joy she is now experiencing as the mother of twins. 

Ellen’s story of courage and transformation is inspiring. She is proud to ​​represent women who are dealing with the struggle and the shame that comes from feelings of inadequacy; not only feeling like they can't quit drinking but also not being able to bring a child into the world. She wants to inspire people to define who they want to be and to help people transform their demons into dreams through radical honesty.

Ellen has been featured in podcasts such as Sober as a Mother, Recovery Happy Hour, Infertility & Me, & InfertileAF.

She lives with her family of 5 (dog included!) in Colorado Springs, CO.  She loves speaking French or playing the flute and enjoy being a wellness influencer to anyone struggling with addiction, infertility, or parenting.

Learn more about Ellen at:

www.itsellenelizabeth.com
https://www.facebook.com/itsellenelizabeth
https://www.instagram.com/itsellenelizabeth/

On today’s episode of The Think Courageously Podcast, I am joined by Kara Richardson Whitely, a plus-size adventurer, influencer and advisor. 

Kara  is also the author of “Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds”, which is being made into a movie with “This Is Us'' actress Chrissy Metz producing and starring as her.

For years, Kara received stunning travel catalogs in the mail. But as a plus size woman, she continually pushed off joy because of her limiting beliefs around her weight. The story she told herself was that she would become a legitimate hiker girl when she lost the weight. 

Today, we take listeners on a journey of courage and small pivots. She candidly shares her life-long challenges with binge eating and the inner work she has done to love herself just as she is. 

This book is so much more than a travel memoir. Kara actually made three trips up Mount Kilimanjaro. Each trip led her closer down the path of self-acceptance and self-love. The book is the story of her personal transformation.

By having the courage to face her challenges, Kara has found a bigger purpose in her life…to advocate for size-inclusion with major brands. 

Kara  is a contributor to Backpacker and Outside Business Journal. She has helped brands such as L.L. Bean, KEEN and Discover Puerto Rico connect with plus-size audiences. She has presented for companies around the globe including Columbia Sportswear, Google, Pfizer, Smuckers Co. Uber, Dartmouth and Purdue. She has been featured in countless media outlets such as The New York Times, Good Morning America, The Today Show, She Explores and more.

You can learn more about Kara at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-richardson-whitely-a891b58/
https://www.instagram.com/kararichardsonwhitely/
www.kararichardsonwhitely.com
[email protected]

Linda is a wild feminine life coach and Qoya movement teacher who has been on a quest for the last decade to reclaim her wild authenticity. 

Linda pivoted and changed nearly everything in her external life; she switched careers and started her coaching business, met her husband, moved from Los Angeles to Austin, made new friends, and started new hobbies.

On today’s episode of The Think Courageously Podcast, Linda and I take a deep look into her journey of breaking out of the cage. 

We explore the concepts of wild feminine energy. How do we move away from the Tyrant King and our Good Girl patterns into reclaiming our relationships with ourselves. What do we need to let go of to bring our whole selves to the table? 

Linda shares her story of dismantling the cage she was trapped in and her ongoing journey to live an authentic life. And how she learned to dismantle the one cage that she couldn’t escape; the cage that existed within. 

We explore other topics including:

• The playfulness of curiosity
• Holding space for our journey of self-discovery
• Connecting the head and the heart
• And, the very special practice of Qoya. A movement practice that encourages women to reconnect with their wise, wild and free spirit. 

Learn more about Linda at:
www.singingbirdcoaching.com
www.instagram.com/singingbirdcoaching
www.facebook.com/singingbirdhealth

After more than 16 years in the financial industry, in Paris, London, and New York City, and a 'life happens' event, Mayda Poc left Investment Banking to become an international life and career coach, focusing on helping executives find more zen, fulfillment, and purpose in their lives and careers.

Today on The Think Courageously Podcast, Mayda shares her powerful story. 

Mayda's journey to think courageously began when she was just a child. When her family moved from Syria to Paris, she experienced xenophobia firsthand. Despite the challenges she faced, Mayda learned to become a high adapter. This courage and resilience would serve her well in the years to come.

Mayda's courage was put to the test when she began working on Wall Street. Like many finance professionals, Mayda was living in a high-pressure world where the grit and grind were rewarded. 

For two years, Mayda didn’t feel well but she was working too hard to trust her intuition. 

But her world changed in an instant when she collapsed on the streets of New York. Mayda was diagnosed with cancer, and she was forced to surrender to the situation.

During our conversation we talk about:

• Following the universes bread crumbs
• The “pause”
• Trusting the Process
• The difference between achieving and producing
• Challenging limited beliefs around success and achievement. 
• The curiosity mindset

Mayda’s powerful message is that yes, we will have obstacles. And, we  are always evolving on this journey called life.. Courage is found in showing up for yourself

“Courage requires curiosity, humility, honesty and authenticity. Courage is operating from the Soul and co-creating the life we want from a place of genuine and mature desire.”

As your typical overachiever, Mayda holds multiple certifications and accreditations: Life Coaching, Career and Corporate, as well as a Health coach.  A Certified Hypnotist, Mayda also uses Neuro-Linguistic Programming as well as Emotional Freedom Technique. She is a life and career coach for executives in high paced industries.

 Mayda speaks 4 languages, having spent part of her childhood in Syria then in France.  She now resides in New York City with her hubby.

For more information about Mayda, visit:

https://www.maydapoccoaching.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maydapoc/
https://www.instagram.com/maydapoc/
https://www.facebook.com/maydapoccoaching/

Today I welcome Allyson Hernandez to the Think Courageously Podcast. 

Allyson  is a Certified Executive Coach with over 20 years in corporate Human Resources and a dual career as an actress, composer, writer, and recording artist. 

She is passionate about empowering women to follow their dreams and to not blend in.

In this episode, we talk about Allyson’s BIG pivot…moving out of corporate HR into a life more aligned with her creative calling. What she calls her mid-life creative crisis.

We talk about everything from the comparison game to balancing motherhood and career to redefining self-care.  

Allyson shares the story behind her newly released book, Ballad of Dreams. Inspired by a true story, Ballad of Dreams sings of the power of friendship and dances through different eras of society from the 1930s to early 2000s. It combines the richness of storytelling and flare of musical theater by seamlessly weaving musical lyrics with the narrative.

She is the founder of AH Coaching Group, and when not writing, singing or coaching leaders and creatives, she's a proud soccer mom.

To learn more about Allyson, visit:

https://www.allysonhernandez.net
https://www.instagram.com/allysonhernandez_extra/
https://www.facebook.com/allysonhernandezextra
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-hernandez/

What does it mean to be an enlightened witness? On today's episode of The Think Courageously Podcast, my guest, Shauna Blue, takes us on a journey to understand how she pivoted into this sacred space.

Shauna Angel Blue has been working with Psychic Therapies, creating Transformational Love Experiences for the past 30+ years within her thriving private Tarot/Reiki practice. Over the years she has read for thousands of people guiding them to Love, Healing and Financial Security.
 
Shauna is also the creator of Alchemy & You, a daily private membership guiding people with Astrological Influences and Oracle Insights, for Divine Right Timing and Alignment to one's own spiritual/psychic realities to manifest the life of their dreams.
 
Shauna is a 5th Level Transformational Reiki Master/Teacher, Clairvoyant, Medium and Artist living in Chicago with her 2nd husband of 20+ years.

Our conversation takes us on an adventure of twists and turns. We talk about everything from the continuum of pivots and intuition to the way that COVID has impacted our collective listening.

Shauna shares her wisdom on listening to your heart as a powerful tool for personal transformation.

"Self-love is the first love!"

We also talk about the concept of creative intelligence and reigniting that spark of brilliance inside of ourselves.

Other topics include:
-The pivot continuum
-Creating sustainable change
-The role of judgment and fear in our lives
-Healing from trauma

To learn more about Shauna, visit: 

http://www.shaunaofthestar.com
www.venusinlove.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/alchemyandyou/
https://www.instagram.com/shaunaofthestar/
https://www.instagram.com/venuslovespells/

Today, I am introducing you to Mandy Hopp! Mandy Hopp designs brands and websites steeped in strategy for small businesses and entrepreneurs focused on impact who are ready to take their visual identity to the next level. I loved chatting with her on today’s episode of The Think Courageously podcast. 

After almost a decade of experience in design and marketing, Mandy decided one month before the pandemic hit that she was going to pivot her business and leave her corporate job. 

With the support of her husband and clarity around her personal values and vision, she went from crying under the Christmas tree to building her own design studio. 

In today’s episode, we talk about:

• The seamless nature of work life and personal life when you are passionate about what you do
• The comparison game
• Recovering from perfectionism
• The law of attraction
• Living a purposeful life

And of course, we discuss courage, compassion, success and pivots. 

Mandy has worked in-house and freelanced for dozens of businesses, has been part of an award-winning website team, and has had her own work published in leading industry publications.

Her coworkers are two big goofy dogs who snore during client calls (apologies in advance). You can find her drinking iced coffee just about every morning - even during the subzero Chicago winters!

To learn more about Hopp Creative, visit:
https://www.hoppcreative.com
https://www.instagram.com/hoppcreative/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandykhopp/

Today on the show, I am reflecting on Mother’s Day from a place of courage, vulnerability and self-compassion.

I have recently released a book with 14 other authors, (fondly known as the Book Mama’s) entitled “Elevate Your Voice”.  Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3v5pAZc

My chapter is called “Living and Grieving with Courage.”

This week on the show I am celebrating Mother's Day Week.  I take some time to reflect on my relationship with my own mom and my daughter. 

And I share a very personal experience…my recent Reiki session with Shauna Blue. Shauna reminded me of the connectivity and power of mother-daughter relationships.  

And  helped me to see that my grief journey continues and is always evolving.  I'm also opening myself up to forgiveness and self-compassion.

This is a continuation of a love story of the most powerful relationship in my life…and my journey to think courageously.

“To create success on your own terms takes courage especially when everyone will have an opinion on what they think is best for you. When you can acknowledge those opinions and still make the best choice that will contribute to your growth and your success despite it all is courage. In my line of work, I'm all about authenticity, being yourself and owning your greatness.” 
-LATRICE COLE

Today I welcome Latrice Cole, a certified image consultant and stylist for men and women, to the show.

In this episode of The Think Courageously Podcast, , Latrice and I talk about her personal pivot journey. With  ten years of experience working as a senior human resources professional, Latrice gave up the corporate gig to turn her passion into a reality. 

Latrice shares her own struggles around imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs and finding alignment. 

Latrice’s work is so important to all of us who think courageously. Why? Because once you’ve done all the work of clarifying who you are on the inside, it can be challenging to translate that into your unique personal brand.

Personal brands are important regardless of the work you do because they are the first thing people see when they are learning about you and building connection. 

In this episode, we also explore:

• Imposter syndrome
• Giving yourself permission to think courageously even when others aren’t always in your corner
• The power of trusting your intuition in making pivots
• The “one thing” that everyone can do, even on a budget” to show up as the best version of themselves.  

More about  Latrice…

www.instagram.com/lmoniqueconsulting/ 
www.latricemonique.net
www.linkedin.com/in/lmconsulting/