Trail Talks

In this week’s Trail Talks episode, we unwrap something almost all of us carry around during the holidays: the Holiday Manual — that invisible rulebook we expect other people to follow… even though we never actually tell them.

We dive into:
 🧠 Why our brains create expectations in the first place
 💬 How unspoken “manuals” shape our relationships and stress
 ✨ When expectations cross the line into disrespect — and why the Golden Rule always wins
📘 The difference between healthy standards and secret demands
🌟 Five simple tools to ditch the manual and enjoy the season with more connection

Then for the detour: my cousin Jill joins us with the hilarious story of the year her kids opened every single Christmas present without her 🤣🎁 — and we wrap things up by tier-ranking holiday movies.

Whether you love the holidays, dread them, or sit somewhere in between, this episode brings perspective, laughter, and the freedom to rewrite your own manual.

In this heart-centered (and surprisingly fun) episode of Trail Talks, Kelly and Terra slow things down and explore what the holidays are really about: presence, connection, and the moments our brains actually remember.

We break down the neuroscience behind why gifts give us a quick dopamine spike, but presence creates deep, lasting emotional memories through oxytocin — the bonding hormone.

We also talk about why the holidays can feel stressful or heavy for some people, how old memories stored in the hippocampus can resurface this time of year, and why none of that means anything is “wrong” with you. Most importantly, we share how you can rewrite your holiday experience, create new emotional patterns, and build traditions that feel safe, joyful, and meaningful.

And because we always take a detour…
 you better believe we brought the fun:
 🎄 Holiday Hot Takes
 🎁 Christmas “This or That”

This episode is real, uplifting, science-backed, and full of laughter — the perfect reminder that presence truly is the greatest gift.

If today’s conversation helped you, made you laugh, or gave you something to think about, please share it with a friend and leave us a review.
 Learn more about coaching with Kelly at kellymichelecoaching.com.

In this episode of Trail Talks, we’re diving deep into one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — leadership tools: gratitude. Not the Instagram version, not the polite “thanks,” but the kind of gratitude that rewires the brain, strengthens culture, builds trust, and transforms teams.

Kelly and special guests CMSgt Courtney Strickler and SMSgt Jenny Sanchez break down the real science behind gratitude — dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and why your amygdala literally calms down when you feel appreciated. We explore Stoicism, Seneca, Carl Jung, identity, impact, and what it truly means to lead with presence and purpose.

And because it’s Coffee & Camo, we take a detour into full Thanksgiving chaos — favorite foods, wild family stories, military holiday memories, and the gratitude moments that shaped us.

We also give a huge shoutout to friends Jen, Julie, Ashley and Michelle, to the Coven (you know who you are) and Jenny's son Logan. We also gave a shoutout to our producer, Vanessa, who makes this show possible. And we missed you Terra! 

You’ll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of gratitude as a leadership discipline
• How gratitude activates the brain for creativity, trust, and resilience
• Practical tools you can use tomorrow to elevate your team
• A whole lot of laughter and holiday warmth

Whether you’re leading Airmen, leading a team, or leading yourself — this episode gives you the mindset and tools to make gratitude a daily leadership practice.

Grab your coffee. Grab your camo. And settle in — Part 3 starts now.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of War, or the U.S. Government.

Change. The word everyone avoids… until it shows up on your doorstep, your desk, or your deployment roster.

In this second installment of our Coffee & Camouflage series, Kelly and Terra sit back down with Chief Courtney Strickler for a raw, real, and unexpectedly funny conversation about leading through change — the messy kind, the personal kind, and the kind that hits before your coffee even cools.

Together, we explore:
 • Why the brain resists change (hello, amygdala 👋)
 • How leaders can create calm in chaos
 • What healthy change looks like at work and at home
 • Our biggest personal transformations
 • And a hilarious detour into smartphones, AI, and “how did we survive dial-up?”

This episode blends neuroscience, leadership wisdom, and misfit humor for a grounded, relatable take on navigating the C-word.

Whether you’re leading Airmen, leading a team, or just leading yourself through a new season of life, this one will leave you laughing, reflecting, and remembering that change doesn’t have to break you — it can build you.

Grab your mug and hit play. ☕

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of War, Department of the Air Force, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

Grab your mug and pull up a chair — this episode kicks off our Coffee & Camouflage series, where leaders get honest about what it means to serve, lead, and grow through the chaos.

In Part I, Kelly and Terra sit down with Courtney Strickler for a candid conversation about authenticity in leadership, vulnerability behind the rank, and the lessons learned from both life and service. Between the laughter, the stories, and a few spilled coffees, they unpack how staying human is the key to leading with strength.

Whether you’re in uniform, leading a team, or just trying to lead yourself through change, this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and reminded that leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection.

🎧 Tune in for:
• Real talk on leadership and life in uniform
• Why authenticity still wins — even in tough environments
• Lessons from the “mother of misfits” "catwoman" and the “powerhouse Chief”
• A few laughs, a few truths, and plenty of caffeine

What if the biggest ghost in your life isn’t from your past — but from your own mind?
In this Halloween-inspired episode, Kelly and Terra dive into how limiting beliefs are formed and what they sound like. They unpack how our senses and memories shape the stories we tell ourselves — and how to rewrite them.

You’ll learn:
 ✨ Why our safety sometimes depends on order — and how that becomes a belief
 ✨ How indulgent emotions keep us stuck in inaction
 ✨ Tools to spot, catch, and change your thought patterns
 ✨ Insights from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
✨ A self-coaching exercise to reframe fear into freedom

If you’ve ever felt haunted by your past or trapped by old patterns, this one’s for you.

🩶 Trail Talks is where personal growth meets real conversation — with humor, honesty, and a few detours along the way.

Trailblazing Growth Through Self-Awareness with Kelly Kruger and Terra Stinnett.

In the inaugural episode of Trail Talks, host Kelly Kruger, founder of Kelly Michelle Coaching, is joined by her friend and leadership trainer Terra Stinnett, the founder of Leading People, LLC. The episode delves into their personal journeys of self-improvement, emphasizing pivotal 'mirror moments' that inspired their purpose-driven coaching careers. They discuss key influences like Mel Robbins, Jim Kwik, and Brooke Castillo and share practical tools for self-awareness, such as self-assessments, vision boards, and personality assessments. The episode also includes detours into topics like Taylor Swift’s new album, Diane Keaton’s legacy, and favorite sports teams. The discussion highlights the importance of overcoming fears and embracing discomfort for personal growth.

00:00 Welcome to Trail Talks: Meet Your Hosts

01:22 Dedication to Fellow Misfits

02:02 Kelly's Journey to Coaching

03:12 Influential Figures and Inspirations

06:42 The Turning Point: Overcoming Adversity

12:02 Tara's Story: Finding Purpose During COVID

14:06 Personality Assessments and Self-Discovery

14:46 A Fun Detour: Taylor Swift's New Album

15:41 Introduction to Sport and Taylor Swift's NFL Parallels

16:13 Taylor Swift Songs and NFL Teams

17:18 Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelsey Connection

19:11 Diane Keaton Tribute

21:50 Self-Awareness and Personal Growth Tools

25:18 Personality Assessments and Their Impact

28:24 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics