Unscripted 2.0

Fifteen years building a sales team. One leadership call with 30 minutes' notice, and it was gone.

Everybody wants the comeback story. This episode is about the first week, before anybody knew it would work.

In this episode:

The 30-minute call that ended 15 years of work

Who she called first, and why her husband's first call was to their financial planner

Why she refused to talk about new opportunities until she got her head right

Seven straight days on the phone with everyone in her network

How she chose what came next: what do I love, and what do I want to talk about every day?

Two years later, Melissa has rebuilt in wellness with Shaklee and co-founded the Clean Life Collective. This is how it started.

"Just because something ends, it's not the end."

Connect with Melissa McCarthy on Instagram

Clean Life Collective:  Instagram

Follow Unscripted 2.0 so you don't miss the next episode of Beyond the Vision Board: Instagram

I'm a Shaklee ambassador.  Link to my favorite products

I'm Jennifer. Unscripted 2.0.

Last December, I ended up on a floor in Fort Lee doing breathwork with a woman I'd just met. This episode is that woman.

Veruschka del Rio was a full-time teacher having panic attacks in her classroom — calling out from the car because she couldn't finish the drive. Her body made the decision her mind kept postponing. She took a three-month leave, rented a $500 office on a street she'd walked down every day for ten years and never looked up at, and built Zentuary Healing Center.

We talk about what the nervous system is actually doing when everything feels like a threat, what breathwork does about it, and the part of manifesting nobody posts: she did the visualization, then she got up and walked out the door. Found the space in two hours. Signed the lease in two days.

The board was never the part that did the work.

In this episode:

• Why her body started refusing to drive to work before she'd admitted she was leaving
• What a regulated nervous system actually buys you — capacity, and room to make a decision
• Breathwork and somatic alignment: where she tells people to start
• The $500 office: visualization in the morning, signed lease two days later
• Her three-part framework: get clear, feel it, then act
• One choice a day, and why thirty choices beats a plan

About Veruschka: Veruschka del Rio is a hypnotherapist, breathwork facilitator, somatic practitioner, and Level 2 Spinal Energetics facilitator. She's the founder of Zentuary Healing Center in Fort Lee, NJ, and the creator of The Zentuary Method, a nervous-system-led approach to healing.

Her first conversation with me goes deeper into her training and how she works.

Website:⁠ https://www.zentuary.co⁠

Instagram:⁠ https://instagram.com/veruschka_delrio⁠

Mentioned: Atomic

Habits, James Clear.

Follow Us: Instagram:⁠ https://instagram.com/unscripted_2.0⁠_ TikTok:⁠ https://tiktok.com/@unscripted_2.0⁠_

New episodes twice a month.

Beyond the Vision Board is a four-part series on Unscripted 2.0. I love a vision board. But the board never did the work. So I asked four people what they actually did to build the life they wanted. Not the mindset. The action.

My first guest is Rachel Pharn, founder of Seeds of Asha. She has a clinical master's in psychology from Columbia, survived a terrorist attack in 2017, and built Conscious Executive Leadership, a program for executives that blends psychology and spirituality. I asked her the question this series runs on: when you work with someone, what's the first thing you have them do? Not believe. Do.

In this episode:

• The first thing Rachel asks new clients for, and why some people can't answer it
• Ego screams, intuition whispers, and why most of us are living like there's a lion in the room 24/7
• The question I ask clients stuck on a decision: what does fear feel like in your body?
• When a stranger saying hello registers as a threat
• Why you only need to be one step ahead of someone to help them
• What Rachel would tell someone who wants this but hasn't started

Find Rachel:

Website: https://www.seedsofasha.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpharn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelpharn

I'm Jennifer. Unscripted 2.0.

Have you ever felt like you were "shrinking to fit" into a life that was just too small for you?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Darby Bonomi, a licensed psychologist and lifelong equestrian who has created a "trail map" for women ready to claim their space.

We aren't just talking about career moves; we’re talking about the "silent rules" that keep us quiet and the four-letter word "just" that acts as an invitation to self-betrayal. Whether you are a teenager navigating high school or a professional in a major life transition, this episode is a reminder that your ambition truly is your compass.

The Threads We Follow:

• Movement as Medicine: Why "saddling up" even when you're scared is the only way to find your center.
• The Perfectionism Paradox: When the drive that made you successful starts to become the curse that keeps you isolated.
• The "Just" Trap: How we diminish our own worth through the language we use every day.
• Mistakes as Data: Learning to see a "fall" in life the same way an equestrian sees a "fall" in the saddle as a lesson for the next ride.
• Intergenerational Enoughness: The one truth every woman, from 16 to 60, needs to hear about her own power.

Radical Takeaways:

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."

"A mistake is just a data point. It’s not a sign of failure; it’s a lesson for the next step."

Connect with Dr. Darby Bonomi

The Book:Unshrinkable

Website:⁠ darbybonomi.com

Instagram: @drdarbybonomi

Does your home serve your life, or are you serving your home? In this expansive conversation, Jennifer sits down with nationally recognized Realtor and author Kim Costa to deconstruct the emotional and psychological foundations of where we live.

Moving beyond the standard real estate checklist, Kim introduces The Wheelhouse Method™, a pioneering framework that aligns your physical environment with your truest self. Together, they explore how our homes act as the literal "containers" for our lives and discuss the profound realization that our "stuckness" in a space is often tied to deeper patterns of invalidation.

Key Topics:

• The Nervous System of a Home: Understanding how layout and environment can either soothe or trigger your internal state.
• Internal vs. House Anxiety: Distinguishing between the stress we carry and the stress our space creates.
• The Chapter 12 Breakthrough: A vulnerable look at how past invalidation prevents us from planting roots and trusting our own needs.
• Needs vs. Wants: Why "Bougie is wonderful," but not if it costs you your freedom and connection.
• The 4M Foundation: Kim’s blueprint for using your home as a launchpad for purpose, peace, and potential.
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• Resources & Connections
• Pre-Order the Book: ⁠Live in Your Wheel House⁠⁠,⁠ an empowering guide to Stay, Go, or Reno.
• The Lifestyle Lift: ⁠Lifestyle Foundations Official Website.⁠ Take the assessment and download Kim’s free workbook.
• Watch Kim: American Dream TV, inspiring stories of home and lifestyle transformation.
• Follow the Journey: ⁠@kim.e.costa on Instagram⁠. Daily tips on aligning your home with your life.

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Paul Buckley, a former biotech executive turned education innovator, to discuss a radical shift in how we staff early childhood education. Moving away from predatory and inefficient traditional models, Paul shares how his platform, Ratio Staffing, uses transparency and technology to empower educators and schools alike.

Together, they explore the systemic undervaluation of preschool teachers and how process improvements borrowed from the biotech world can reduce burnout, restore teacher agency, and ultimately create better outcomes for our youngest learners.

• From Biotech to the Classroom: Why Paul transitioned sectors and how "process excellence" can be a tool for empathy and support in schools.
• Breaking the Traditional Model: Identifying the flaws in predatory staffing agencies and how they contribute to teacher turnover.
• The Power of Agency: How direct connection and profile-based recruitment give educators and schools more control over their partnerships.
• Valuing Early Childhood Education: Addressing the societal gap in how we view the importance of early educators and the long-term impact of that neglect.
• Community & Enrichment: The role of specialized activities in fostering engagement and building stronger school communities.

• 00:00 – Introduction: The systemic challenges facing early childhood educators.
• 02:00 – Paul’s journey: Bringing biotech efficiency to the education sector.
• 04:00 – Analyzing the shortcomings of current job platforms and agencies.
• 08:00 – Combatting predatory staffing models with a mission-driven approach.
• 10:00 – Building for teachers: Why profit shouldn't be the primary driver in placement.
• 14:00 – How the platform works: Direct connections and teacher-first profiles.
• 18:00 – Reform over Band-Aids: Addressing the teacher shortage at its root.
• 22:00 – A cultural shift: Prioritizing teacher well-being as a societal necessity.
• 26:00 – Rapid Fire: Lessons from biotech, essential skills, and the future of schooling.

• Explore the Platform: Ratio Staffing
• Recommended Reading: The Heart of Learning and Teaching by Rose & Griffith
• Connect with Paul: LinkedIn | Contact Form

If you're in your 30s or 40s and wondering why you don't feel like yourself lately, this conversation is for you. Audrey Zona (@zo_healthy) joins me to break down the reality of perimenopause and how to navigate this transition with confidence, clarity, and the support you deserve

In this enlightening episode, Jennifer and Audrey Zona get into the complexities of menopause, discussing its stages, symptoms, and the importance of nutrition and exercise. They emphasize the need for open communication about menopause, both among women and with their families, and explore the psychological impacts of hormonal changes. Audrey shares practical tips for managing symptoms through diet, exercise, and potential hormone replacement therapy, while also addressing the social aspects of enjoying life during this transition. The conversation ultimately highlights menopause as a new beginning, filled with empowerment and self-discovery.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Menopause: A Masterclass Introduction

00:51 Audrey Zou's Journey: From Personal Struggles to Coaching

05:45 The Challenges Women Face: Diet Culture and Deprivation

10:40 Menopause Explained: Stages and Symptoms

15:23 Navigating Hormonal Changes: Diet and Exercise Adjustments

20:09 Hormone Replacement Therapy: Pros and Cons

28:03 Libido and Sexual Health: Addressing Changes

34:24 Mental Health and Nutrition: The Mind-Body Connection

38:17 Alcohol and Menopause: Finding Balance

47:50 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Tips

Meet Audrey Zona (@zo_healthy) Audrey is a weight loss and menopause coach on a mission to normalize the "taboo" conversations around women's health. With her background as a certified coach from the Institute for the Psychology of Eating and a national spokesperson for Prolon®, she provides women with a personalized roadmap to navigate perimenopause without the overwhelm. She specializes in helping women beat the brain fog and "meno-middle" through mindset, nutrition, and radical transparency.

• Instagram: @zo_healthy
• Website: livezohealthy.com
• Work with Audrey: The Zo Program

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Verushka del Rio, the visionary founder of Zentuary Healing Center. Verushka opens up about her personal battle with panic attacks and the transformative journey that led her to build a sanctuary for others to find their own path to peace.

Together, they dive deep into the "science and soul" of wellness, exploring how modalities like Hypnosis, NLP, and Spinal Energetics can rewire the nervous system. Whether you are a dedicated healing practitioner or someone searching for a way out of survival mode, this conversation offers a profound look at the power of community and the essential safety required to truly heal.

This episode of Unscripted 2.0 is brought to you by Shaklee.

If you’ve been listening to our conversation about nervous system regulation and are looking for a little extra support to find your calm, you have to try Shaklee’s Cheer Up & Chill Out Strawberry Gummies. They are the perfect companion for those days when you need to take the edge off and support a positive mood naturally. Shop Cheer Up & Chill Out Here

  In This Conversation, We Explore:

• The Catalyst for Change: Verushka shares her raw journey through panic attacks and how hitting rock bottom became the foundation for Zentuary.
• The Pillars of Healing: Why community and psychological safety aren’t just "nice-to-haves"—they are the requirements for deep emotional work.
• Demystifying Subconscious Modalities: A breakdown of how Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) shift your internal narratives.
• Spinal Energetics: An introduction to this powerful modality that helps release stored tension and trauma from the body.
• The Power of the Breath: Why breathwork remains one of the most accessible and immediate tools for nervous system regulation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Wellness

02:38 Verushka's Healing Journey

05:50 Understanding Hypnosis and Its Benefits

08:37 The Power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

11:20 Exploring Spinal Energetics

17:18 Community and Safety in Healing Spaces

22:53 Holotropic Breathwork Experience

28:27 Upcoming Events and Future Plans

Memorable Quotes

• How to identify the "safety triggers" your body needs to begin a genuine healing journey.
• The key differences between traditional talk therapy and subconscious modalities like NLP.
• Practical tips for using breathwork to anchor yourself during moments of high anxiety.
• Exclusive details on our upcoming collaborative event!

Join Jennifer and Verushka, in partnership with the Clean Life Collective, for a transformative in-person experience designed to help you release the past and step into your power.

• When: January 15th, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Where: Fort Lee, N.J.
• Register Here: Beyond Yesterday Tickets

• Verushka Del Rio | Founder of Zentuary Healing Center, Fort Lee N.J.
• Website: zentuary.co
• Instagram: @zentuaryhealingcenter & @veruska_hypnosis

In this conversation, Jennifer and Julie Kohn, founder of C3, explore the intersection of corporate excellence and parenting challenges. Julie shares her journey from a successful career at Google to becoming a certified parent coach, emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset, active listening, and the need for connection in family dynamics. They discuss misconceptions about sales, the evolution of training strategies, and the significance of empathy and respect in parenting. Julie highlights her coaching practice, C3, and the transformative impact it aims to have on families, ultimately fostering a more enjoyable parenting experience

Chapters

00:00 From Google to Parenting: A Journey Begins

13:27 The Aha Moment: Connecting Corporate Skills to Parenting

28:01 Taking the Leap: Leaving Google for Coaching

29:30 The Birth of C3: Connection, Coaching, and Consulting

32:13 Empowering Families: Collaboration Over Control

36:00 Respect and Empathy: Keys to Parenting and Leadership

39:55 Transforming Parenting: The Role of Coaching

42:51 Mindset Shifts: Viewing Family as a Team

48:57 Navigating Parenting Challenges: Embracing Imperfection

52:11 Future of C3: Workshops and Community Engagement

How to connect with Julie:

• Website: ⁠C3connectioncoaching.com⁠
• Schedule a Discovery Call: ⁠https://calendly.com/yourC3coach⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@JulieKohnC3⁠
• Register for 11/14/25
• workshop: ⁠www.bestatefit.com/nervoussystemreset⁠
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• From Chaos to Connection- A Parent's Nervous System Reset: 
• This high-impact workshop teaches parents how to use their own regulated nervous system as the most powerful tool for ending conflict at home. If you are ready for small, tactical shifts that make a big difference, register for the November 14th session here: ⁠www.bestatefit.com/nervoussystemreset⁠. 
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In this episode of Unscripted 2.0, host Jennifer welcomes Ashley Schwartz, a certified life transformation coach and creator of the Busy Mom Method. They discuss the unique challenges faced by busy moms, the importance of self-care, and practical strategies for time management and setting boundaries. Ashley shares her journey from personal trainer to life coach, emphasizing the need for a supportive community and accountability in achieving personal goals. The conversation highlights the significance of modeling healthy behaviors for children and the necessity of prioritizing self-care without guilt. Ashley also provides insights into effective delegation and the importance of saying no to maintain balance in life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Busy Mom Method

01:25 Ashley Schwartz's Journey to Coaching

04:18 Defining Busy: The Unique Struggles of Moms

05:52 What Sets the Busy Mom Method Apart

08:32 Time Blocking and Prioritizing for Busy Moms

11:38 Identifying and Protecting Non-Negotiables

15:38 The Importance of Delegation in Family Life

18:54 Buffer Time: Finding Space in a Busy Schedule

20:15 The Importance of Buffer Time

22:49 Building Discipline and Accountability

24:30 Modeling Behavior for Children

28:44 Debunking Self-Care Myths

32:09 Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

34:48 Rapid Fire Fun Questions

Connect with Ashley Schwartz:

Website: thebusymommethod.com

 Non-Negotiable Living Podcast on Spotify

 YouTube: @thebusymommethod

 Instagram: @thebusymommethod

Don't forget to subscribe to Unscripted 2.0 for more honest conversations on transformation and growth.