Sometimes the most courageous act isn’t holding on, it’s letting go.

In this powerful episode of Unblocked, I sit down with Hannah Rose — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, speaker, consultant, founder of Rose Wellness Counseling, and former Survivor 45 contestant — to explore when walking away is the bravest, most self-honoring move you can make.

Hannah is no stranger to bold pivots. On national TV, she stood up at Tribal Council and chose to leave the game, a decision that unleashed a flood of public judgment and shame, but it also sparked profound personal growth.

In this conversation, we talk about:
 ✨ How to know when quitting is an act of self-trust, not self-betrayal
 ✨ The difference between quitting on yourself vs. quitting for yourself
✨ Why shame keeps us stuck and how to break free from it
✨ The sneaky trap of "gratitude shaming"
✨ Why she believes "serial quitting" can actually be a superpower
✨ How mindfulness, boundaries, and radical self-ownership shape her decisions
✨ The one question to ask yourself when you're on the edge of a big decision

Hannah brings fierce honesty and hard-won wisdom to this conversation and reminds us that quitting can be one of the most liberating, aligned choices we ever make.

If you’ve been told to stick it out, muscle through, or never quit, this episode is your permission slip to reframe what it really means to choose yourself.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this.

Links and Resources:

• Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Connect with Hannah Rose:

Website: rosewellnesscounseling.com
YouTube | LinkedIn | Goodreads:  @hannahroselcpc
 

Let's Get Unblocked! 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Mays - executive coach, founder of Mays Leadership, and a trusted guide to some of the nation’s top leaders. With a background in behavioral science, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Kevin helps high-impact individuals strengthen their leadership from the inside out.

And that’s exactly what this conversation is about.

Too many people are trained to manage what’s happening "out there," the deadlines, the clients, the optics, the performance. But they never learned how to manage what’s happening "in here," their thoughts, their patterns, their internal experience.

Dr. Mays brings deep wisdom, grounded strategy, and lived experience to these questions. Together, we explore:

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness
• The root of burnout and how to dissolve it through presence
• How perfectionism, people-pleasing, and performance can become traps for leaders
• The difference between cognitive awareness and embodied awareness (and why both matter)

You’ll also hear about Dr. Kevin’s personal breaking point and how it shaped the way he now teaches leaders to access their full humanity.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Send it to the leader who’s always on but rarely off. To the executive who knows how to hit the goals but struggles to feel peace. To the person who’s great at managing everything except their own mind.

Links and Resources:

• Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Connect with Dr. Kevin Mays:

• www.maysleadership.com
•  Subscribe to his daily leadership email for powerful mindset + business insights
•  Coming soon: Lead Yourself First - Kevin’s new book on conscious leadership

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

When was the last time you held back what you really wanted to say because you didn’t like how you sounded? Worried you’d be “too much”? Not enough? Too emotional, too aggressive, too soft?

In this firecracker of a conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Samara Bay - Hollywood speech coach, bestselling author of Permission to Speak, and a leading voice in helping people reclaim their own.

Samara has coached Oscar-winning actors, presidential candidates, Fortune 500 executives, and everyday folks ready to stop performing and start connecting. And today, she’s here to help you ditch the vocal shame, drop the people-pleasing, and start speaking from your full, unapologetic self.

This episode is not about how to sound polished. It’s about how to sound like YOU with power, presence, and purpose.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why so many of us hate the sound of our own voice, and how to shift that narrative
• How the myth of the “sound of power” has kept us small
• What public speaking really is (hint: it’s not performance, it’s connection)
• Why authenticity is your greatest communication superpower
• How to show up with strength and warmth, even when your nervous system is freaking out

Samara breaks it all down with heart, humor, and a permission slip to show up fully. You’ll walk away with tools to stop editing yourself and start leading with your real voice.

And if your voice has been hiding, let today be the day you call it back. Start small. Start scared. Just start.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:

• Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Connect with Samara:

• Website: www.permissiontospreak.com
• Book: Permission to Speak (Available wherever books are sold)
• Instagram & LinkedIn: @samarabay

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

In this episode, I’m joined by Carey Davidson, founder of Harmin Labs and author of The Five Archetypes. Carey brings a transformative lens to understanding yourself and others by integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, and behavioral science into a powerful system of self-awareness and relational healing.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive patterns, misunderstood in your relationships, or unsure of how to access your full potential, this conversation will give you the framework and tools to shift, gently and powerfully.

We explore:

• The difference between personality types and the Five Archetypes as a dynamic energy system
• What each of the five elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood) represents and how they show up in your day-to-day life
• How to recognize when you're operating from stress and how to course-correct
• The connection between your dominant archetype and your emotional safety strategies
• The one practice Carey recommends to immediately begin using this framework in your life

Whether you’re a self-growth junkie or curious about what’s been getting in the way of feeling whole and in flow, this episode offers deep insights and actionable strategies to break free from inner blocks and reclaim your personal power.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:

• Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

Resources Mentioned:

• Discover your Five Archetypes - Take the assessment here!
• The Five Archetypes by Carey Davidson – Buy the Book
• Connect with Carey at www.careydavidson.com or on Instagram @careydavidsonofficial

Are you gripping tightly to beliefs, behaviors, or identities that are holding you back from becoming who you were designed to be?

In this episode of Unblocked, we're diving deep into the real reasons why letting go feels so hard—even when we know something isn't serving us anymore. We explore the neuroscience, the psychology, and the emotional truth behind why we stay stuck in people-pleasing, scarcity, shame, validation-seeking, and other protective patterns.

Inspired by a powerful question from Rachel Hollis’ book, “What must I let go of in order to be the person I want to be?”—this conversation breaks down the hidden blocks and provides a tangible path to freedom.

Inside this episode:

• Why your brain sees the familiar as safe, even if it’s painful
• The grief and identity loss that comes with letting go
• The 8-step Letting Go Map to help you release with intention
• A powerful walk-through using people-pleasing as a real-life example
• Thought-provoking reflection questions to move forward in purpose

Plus, I’m giving you a free companion worksheet to help you implement the letting go process in your own life. You’ll find the link below 

Download the FREE Letting Go Reflection Guide [Link to guide]

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:

• Are you ready to REALLY let go? Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

On this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we are joined by the radiant and resilient Dr. Mecca Nelson—a Gold Star spouse, wellness entrepreneur, author, and founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness.

After losing her husband, Army Sergeant Mario Nelson, in 2006, Mecca embarked on a powerful journey of grief, growth, and transformation. In this deeply moving conversation, she opens up about navigating trauma, reconnecting with her faith, and building a life rooted in purpose and holistic healing.

Dr. Mecca shares how she turned profound loss into a legacy of empowerment, creating The YOMA Method—a unique blend of yoga, martial arts, mindfulness, and meditation—and guiding others through grief, energy healing, and spiritual renewal. From founding a wellness center to becoming a Department of Education vendor, Mecca’s story is one of aligned action, divine timing, and unwavering resilience.

We talk about:

• What it means to be a Gold Star spouse
• The spiritual and emotional toll of trauma, and the power of naming it
• How Mecca rebuilt her life through intuition, energy work, and radical self-trust
• Learning to pause, pivot, and protect your energy
• The importance of releasing your story in order to receive your blessing
• The power of goals, spiritual alignment, and speaking life into your body

This episode is a sacred reminder that you can be blessed and hurt in life, and still rise. You’ll leave this conversation feeling inspired to trust your process, follow divine nudges, and choose yourself fully.

Featured Guest:

Dr. Mecca Nelson
Founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness
Co-Author of Blessed Not Broken and Still I Thrive
IG: @the_yoma_method and @drmeccanelson

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:

• Are you ready to revive and thrive? Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

Have you ever made a decision, stood by it, committed to it, only to later question if it was the right one? Have you ever worried that changing your mind would make you seem flaky, unreliable, or like you failed?

In this episode of Unblocked, we’re tackling the fear and stigma around changing your mind. 

We explore:
 ✅ The real reason changing your mind feels so hard
 ✅ The guilt of breaking a commitment
 ✅ Why staying in something that no longer fits doesn’t redeem the past, it just steals from the future
✅ How to reframe changing your mind as wisdom, not failure
✅ Practical questions to ask yourself when you’re resisting change

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro! 

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:

• Are you ready to make bold decisions without second-guessing yourself? Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

The biggest thing holding you back isn’t your circumstances but, rather, the way you think about them. In this episode of Unblocked, I'm introducing you to what I call Thought Alchemy. This is the process of transforming your thoughts to create the results you actually want.

This is not about toxic positivity or wishing your way into success. It’s about real, actionable mental rewiring and learning how to shift your thoughts so they drive the emotions, actions, and outcomes you desire. Because when you change your mind first, everything else follows.

Join me as we break down:
✅ Why external changes (new job, new partner, more money) won’t fix internal limitations
✅ How to stop self-sabotage by recognizing thought loops that keep you stuck
✅ A powerful Thought Alchemy framework to reshape limiting beliefs into action-driving thoughts
✅ The key to choosing thoughts that actually feel real so you can embody and act on them
✅ How small mindset shifts can create huge changes in your career, relationships, and confidence

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro! 

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Links and Resources:
Let's work together!  

• Are you ready to create emotional freedom and clarity in your life? Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!

Complimentary Resources: 

• Get your copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

Have you ever felt awkward, guilty, or even unworthy when someone compliments you? Do you instinctively deflect praise or feel like agreeing with it makes you arrogant? If so, you're not alone. Many high achievers, perfectionists, and recovering people-pleasers struggle with receiving recognition without discomfort.

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we break down why praise can feel so uncomfortable and, more importantly, how to shift your mindset so you can own your strengths with confidence.

Using neuroscience-backed strategies and practical tools, we’ll cover:
✅ Why our brains are wired to reject praise (hint: negativity bias is real!)
✅ How cultural conditioning (especially for women) makes us uncomfortable with recognition
✅ The hidden cost of downplaying your achievements and how it keeps you small
✅ The 4-step framework to receive compliments with ease and rewire your brain for confidence

By the end of this episode, you’ll have concrete strategies to accept praise without feeling awkward and maybe even start believing in your own greatness. 

Links and Resources:

• Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Get your complimentary copy of The Unblocked Journal
• Join My Do The Thing Community 

 
Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro! 

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Let’s Get Unblocked! 

In today’s episode, I’m addressing a listener’s reaction to my discussion on B-minus work and why this concept is so misunderstood. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism or felt like you couldn’t put something out into the world unless it was flawless, this episode is for you.

We’ll explore why perfectionism is not the same as excellence, how it actually slows us down, and why allowing B-minus work can lead to better results, less stress, and more impact.

And of course, we’ll talk about when A+ work is necessary (because no one wants "B-minus" brakes on their car!) and how to strike the right balance between high standards and actually getting things done.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between excellence and perfectionism
• How perfectionism slows down productivity, innovation, and decision-making
• Why B-minus work leads to more success than perfectionism ever could
• How to shift your mindset from overthinking to action
• Practical strategies for applying B-minus work in business and life

Links and Resources:

• Let's work together!  
  • Are you ready to create emotional freedom and clarity in your life? Click HERE to learn more about one-on-one coaching with me!
• Complimentary Resources: 
  • Download the D.I.L.I. Workbook for support on iterative work. Download here.
  • Get your copy of The Unblocked Journal to help bring awareness to perfectionist thinking and what it's creating in your life.
  • Join My Do The Thing Community 

 Let’s Connect:

• Follow me on Facebook & Instagram: @JessicaSmarro
• Share your thoughts and experiences with the hashtag #UnblockedPodcast and tag @jessicasmarro!

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro! 

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. 

Let’s Get Unblocked!