Politics often feels like a battle between “us” and “them”—but what if it could also bring us together?

In this deeply personal episode of We’ll Be OK, Heather reflects on the relationships she built during her political career and why the people—not the policies—remain most meaningful years later. After attending a heartbreaking funeral for the unborn child of someone she first met through politics, Heather explores how unexpected connections can grow into friendships that feel like family.

Through stories ranging from Senator John McCain’s funeral to a spirited two-and-a-half-hour conversation with strangers over chips and salsa, Heather shares a powerful reminder: we don’t need fewer convictions—we need fewer enemies.

You’ll also learn a practical way to navigate politically charged moments: pause, identify what you’re feeling, decide what you’re truly going for, and take one intentional step in that direction. Because we can disagree without becoming disconnected—and when we choose curiosity, community, and human connection over division, we’ll be okay.

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What happens when a fear becomes so powerful that it starts making your decisions for you?

In this deeply personal episode of We’ll Be OK, Heather opens up about the greatest fear of her life: emetophobia, an intense fear of vomiting. It’s a fear that has followed her for decades, influencing everything from flying and career opportunities to pregnancy, motherhood, and some of the biggest choices she’s ever made.

Heather shares the opportunities fear caused her to walk away from—including a surprisingly memorable shot at driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile—and the moments when what she wanted from life finally became bigger than what she was afraid of.

But this episode isn’t really about one phobia. It’s about your fear.

Where is fear quietly making decisions in your life? When is it protecting you—and when is it preventing you from pursuing something you truly want?

Through the We’ll Be Okay practice of “feel it, face it, and keep going,” Heather explores how to recognize fear, name it, and then take one tiny inspired step toward the life you actually want. You don’t have to eliminate fear before moving forward. Sometimes courage simply means refusing to give fear the deciding vote.

And for anyone living with a major fear or phobia—and especially the parents supporting a child through one—Heather offers a powerful reminder from her own 57-year journey: fear can remain part of your story without becoming the author of it.

You can still choose your life. You can still take the next step. And no matter what…we’ll be okay.

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What happens when you meet someone who wants almost exactly what you want…and your first reaction is to cringe?

A seemingly ordinary conversation on a pickleball court gives Heather an unexpected sucker punch of self-awareness. When another woman shares her plans for the next chapter of her life, Heather catches herself judging her—only to realize she may actually be judging herself.

In this episode of We’ll Be Okay, Heather gets curious about that uncomfortable reaction and uncovers a much bigger question: Can you be genuinely grateful for the life you have and still want more?

She explores the strange tension between contentment and ambition, why we sometimes talk ourselves out of the things that light us up, and the difference between moving toward something because it inspires us versus running toward it because we're trying to escape where we are.

Plus, Heather has some new “life homework” for you: What do you want that you've been talking yourself out of because you're worried about what it says about you? And are you moving toward something you genuinely desire—or simply chasing the next thing because you haven't learned to be okay where you are?

Sometimes the moments that make us cringe the hardest are the ones holding up a mirror. And sometimes that mirror shows us exactly where we need to go next.

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In this heartfelt episode of We’ll Be Okay, Heather reflects on the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton - and the lessons we can carry forward into our own lives.

From watching 9 to 5 as an 11-year-old and learning that women could stand up, speak out, and change the workplace, to a childhood memory of hearing her parents sing “Islands in the Stream” and realizing what love looked like, Heather shares the deeply personal ways Dolly’s music, spirit, and example helped shape her own life.

But Dolly’s legacy was about far more than music. She dreamed unapologetically big while remaining grounded in kindness, gratitude, generosity, and where she came from. She knew what she wanted, took inspired action toward it, lifted others along the way, and focused less on fighting against the world she didn’t want and more on creating the world she did.

Through the lens of the We’ll Be Okay framework, Heather asks a simple but powerful question: What would happen if we all brought a little more Dolly into our lives?

Know what you want. Pour yourself a cup of ambition. Take the next step. Be kind. Lift people up. And leave your corner of the world a little better than you found it.

Because the best way to honor an extraordinary life is to live our own a little more boldly.

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What happens when the peaceful day you planned turns into one frustrating moment after another?

In this episode of We’ll Be Okay, Heather puts her own OK Framework to the test during a trip to Los Angeles to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. What was supposed to be a relaxing day alone quickly spirals into smoothie-shop anxiety, a parking-lot confrontation, moldy celery, a coupon-line showdown, no caffeine, hunger, and a seriously dysregulated nervous system.

Instead of letting the chaos ruin the rest of her vacation, Heather catches herself in the moment and makes a conscious decision to change direction. She shares how going back to the most basic needs—food, rest, safety, and one small next step—helped her reset, reclaim her day, and ultimately protect precious time with her family.

It’s a funny, vulnerable, real-life example of what it actually means to “walk the walk.” Because being okay isn’t about pretending everything is fine or waiting for someone else to tell you it will be. Sometimes it’s an inside job—and sometimes the first step really is as simple as eating something.

From moldy celery to meaningful breakthroughs, this episode is a reminder that you may not be able to control the ripples life throws your way, but you can decide what happens next.

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What happens when you give advice about separating your identity from your job—and almost immediately find yourself being tested on it?

In this follow-up to the conversation about why your job should never become your identity, Heather gets personal about a frustrating moment at work that triggered her, challenged her confidence, and forced her to put the OK Framework into practice in real time.

She explores the difference between self-esteem and self-efficacy, why criticism can hit especially hard when it touches something we believe we're good at, and how our relationship with work and identity can look very different across generations. Most importantly, Heather asks a deceptively simple question: Who are you when you take away your job title, family role, accomplishments, and all the things you do?

From stepping out of the room to reset your nervous system to challenging yourself to identify 100 different parts of who you are, this episode is about learning to become more grounded in your whole self—not just the roles you play.

Because we're human beings, not human doings. And when life hands us another trigger, maybe the goal is to cultivate the lesson, compost the rest, and remember that we'll be OK.

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What happens when the thing you’ve built your identity around suddenly disappears? In this deeply personal episode of We’ll Be Okay, Heather  explores the powerful idea that your job is not your identity—and shares the personal experiences that taught her why.

Heather reflects on being laid off early in her career, navigating the many identities we take on throughout our lives, and the challenge of knowing who we are beyond the roles we play as parents, spouses, caregivers, leaders, and professionals.

Then she shares the story of her father, a highly successful corporate executive whose career was suddenly taken away from him—and how forced retirement, a cross-country move, financial hardship, and the loss of his professional identity shaped the rest of his life.

The lesson is both simple and profound: we are human beings, not human doings. When life changes the roles we thought defined us, we have an opportunity to rediscover what truly anchors us.

If you've ever wondered “Who am I if I’m not doing this?”, this episode is for you.

Because even when things aren't okay right now… we'll be okay.

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What if the best part of your life isn't behind you -  but still waiting to be discovered?

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Heather sits down with one of her closest friends of more than 16 years, Cynthia, for a conversation about embracing what they call "The B-Side of Life." 

Borrowing inspiration from vinyl records—where some of the greatest hidden gems lived on the B-side—they explore how life's later chapters can become its richest, most meaningful ones.

Together they reflect on the friendship that began in the middle of a heated school board meeting, the grief of losing parents, navigating the empty nest years, and finding purpose beyond careers and job titles. Cynthia shares how an unexpected passion for growing plumeria, protecting Arizona's iconic saguaros, and giving back to the community transformed her retirement into an adventure filled with curiosity, service, and connection.

Whether you're in your 20s, 50s, or anywhere in between, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to wait for retirement to discover new passions, build meaningful relationships, or reinvent yourself.

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We've all been there—that moment when you're completely exhausted, emotionally drained, and wondering how you're supposed to keep going... but life doesn't hit pause.

In this deeply personal episode, Heather opens up about caring for her mother through Alzheimer's, navigating overwhelming life changes, and finding herself operating on fumes while still showing up for her family, work, and this podcast. Rather than offering unrealistic self-care advice, she explores what it actually looks like to move through life's biggest tidal waves when there simply isn't time to "fill your cup."

Using her powerful OK Framework, Heather shares a practical approach for navigating crisis with honesty, compassion, and intention. She explains how acknowledging what you're truly feeling, choosing the direction you want to move, and taking one small inspired step can help you find hope—even when you're running on empty.

If you're caring for a loved one, juggling impossible responsibilities, grieving, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to have it all together to keep moving forward.

Because even if you're not okay today... you will be okay.

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What do backing into parking spots, chewing gum, and running late have in common? More than you might think.

In this episode of We'll Be Okay, Heather  dives into the tiny everyday annoyances that can quietly snowball into stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm if left unchecked. Using her surprisingly passionate feelings about people backing into parking spots as the perfect example, Heather explores how our reactions to life's small frustrations often have very little to do with the actual event—and everything to do with the energy we carry into the moments that matter most.

Whether you're heading into an important meeting, showing up for your family, or caring for a loved one, learning how to recognize and regulate your emotional state can change everything.

You'll discover:

Because life isn't usually derailed by the big tidal waves. More often, it's the little ripples that catch us off guard. The good news? With awareness and practice, you can learn to navigate them with intention.

After all, life won't always be perfect—but even then, we'll be okay.

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