What The Shift

What if the first step to healing wasn’t more effort—but more honesty?

In this raw and redemptive episode of What the Shift, Gia sits down with award-winning TV host, author, and mental health advocate Marci Hopkins to uncover the truth behind the high-functioning mask.

Now 10 years sober, Marci shares the moment that shattered her façade—and the hard truth that saved her life. From growing up in chaos and surviving childhood trauma to navigating perfectionism, people-pleasing, and addiction as a high-achieving woman, Marci reveals the painful patterns that kept her stuck… and the daily practices that set her free.

Together, Gia and Marci unpack: The hidden cost of “having it all together” Why high-functioning doesn’t mean healthy The subconscious programming that drives our self-abandonment How to rewire your worth and reclaim your peace If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do this anymore”—this episode is your lifeline.

You are not broken. You are not alone. And it is never too late to choose a different story.

Learn more at wakeupwithmarci.com

You’ve reinvented your career. You’ve survived life’s pivots. But have you reprogrammed the internal wiring that keeps you stuck?

In this bold and illuminating episode of What the Shift, Gia sits down with 3x bestselling author and peak performance coach Hilary DeCesare—named one of Success Magazine’s Top 10 Coaches of 2025—for a conversation that redefines what it really takes to relaunch your life from the inside out.

Hilary shares how her signature 3HQ™ framework—aligning your Head, Heart, and Highest Self—helps high-achieving women ditch survival mode and unlock the next level of fulfillment, power, and impact.

Inside, you’ll learn:

Why getting “stuck” isn’t a dead-end—it’s outdated programming

The real reason success doesn’t feel satisfying anymore

How to shift your emotional state in under 2 minutes (yes, really)

Why your beliefs are shaping your reality—and how to break free

The one question to ask before your next big move

Plus: Hilary walks Gia through her signature “Tune-In” method live on air.

If you’re ready to upgrade your identity, not just your goals, this is the relaunch you didn’t know you needed.

What if your greatest power isn’t in adding more—but in undoing what was never you to begin with?

In this episode of What the Shift, Gia sits down with powerhouse speaker, CEO, and relationship strategist Barb Betts, whose journey from hiding to healing is nothing short of transformational.

From childhood disconnection and hair loss to reclaiming her voice and confidence, Barb shares how the very parts of herself she once tried to hide became the foundation of her impact and success.

Together, they dive into:

Why most people misunderstand authenticity—and what it actually means

The hidden cost of “fitting in” at work and in life

The four permissions every woman needs to stop hiding

Why your relationship with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever build

How real connection—not performance—creates trust and long-term growth

This conversation will challenge everything you think you need to do to be seen, heard, and successful. It’s not about becoming more—it’s about becoming you.

Learn more about Barb: www.barbbetts.com

You don’t need more willpower. You don’t need another mindset shift. You need to rewire the operating system that’s been running the show since childhood.

In this fascinating episode, Break Method founder and mental health innovator Bizzie Gold pulls back the curtain on why so many high-achieving women stay stuck in patterns they can’t seem to break—no matter how much therapy, self-help, or inner work they’ve done.

Her groundbreaking discovery? Self-deception follows predictable patterns that can be mapped, diagnosed, and rewired—with 98.3% accuracy.

Inside the episode:

Why your narrative is lying to you (and what to trust instead)

How Bizzie’s data-driven diagnostic system bypasses willpower entirely

The real reason high-performing women struggle in intimate relationships

Why traditional therapy and self-help often make things worse

This isn’t about coping. It’s about rewriting your emotional code so you can finally stop sabotaging the life, relationships, and success you actually want.

Because your brain is a filthy liar—and it’s time you stopped believing everything it says.

Learn more about Bizzie: https://bizziegold.com/bg-welcome

You know the addiction that gets rewarded with promotions, praise, and performance reviews?

In this episode of What the Shift, author and executive Barbara Burgess joins Gia to unpack the invisible addiction plaguing high-achieving women: doing more to feel like we matter. Together, they explore the voices of Enough and Not Enough, how to break the unconscious proving loop, and what happens when we finally stop performing our lives and start living them.

Barbara shares the story that sparked her book Enough—a simple moment of sidewalk chalk that cracked her open and let the light in.

Inside this conversation:

The identity shift from resume to realness

Why your body knows before your brain does

How to quiet the voice of “Not Enough” (and give it a name)

Why busyness is not a badge—it’s a barrier to presence

What it takes to stop measuring your worth in output

You don’t need to prove your value to earn your peace. Sometimes the boldest move is slowing down long enough to remember—you’re already enough.

Learn more about Enough: corluma.com/enough

You’ve done everything “right”—you’re successful, capable, and high-functioning. But beneath the polished exterior? You’re exhausted. Disconnected. Over it.

In this episode, Gia sits down with therapist, coach, and cycle-breaker Alyssa Scarano to unpack the truth about trauma responses that get rewarded—until they stop working. Together, they explore how coping mechanisms like over-functioning, hyper-independence, emotional suppression, and busyness are often rooted in childhood survival, not strength.

Alyssa opens up about her own identity shift through motherhood, the pressure to be everything for everyone, and the moment she realized being strong was costing her peace. If you’ve ever felt like the success you built came at the expense of your own well-being, this conversation will hit deep.

Topics We Cover:

The hidden trauma behind “doing it all”

Signs you’re stuck in survival mode (even if you look fine)

Why hyper-independence isn’t a flex—it’s a wound

How motherhood exposes generational patterns

The truth about self-loyalty and nervous system safety

What it actually looks like to break cycles and come home to yourself

This episode is for the woman who’s done mistaking exhaustion for excellence. Your coping got you applause. But it also got you anxiety. Disconnection. Collapse. You can’t heal by doing more of what broke you. It’s time to stop performing and start reclaiming.

Learn more about Alyssa here: collective-therapy.com

She had the six-figure job, the global title, the kids, the calendar—and a deep, unspoken sense that none of it actually fit.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Michelle El Khoury shares the story of what happens when your career and motherhood feel like parallel lives—and the moment she decided to stop splitting herself in two. A former pharmaceutical executive turned perinatal wellness expert, Michelle opens up about the burnout, postpartum struggles, identity loss, and the wake-up call that changed everything.

Together, we unpack:

If you’ve ever felt like you’re checking all the boxes but still losing yourself in the process—this episode will meet you right where you are.

You don’t have to choose between your ambition and your peace. But you do have to stop living two versions of yourself.

Learn More about Michelle: smartparentingwithmichelle.com

She wasn’t just a patient—she was a respected healthcare provider. And still… no one listened.

When Dr. Tara Harding faced infertility, endometriosis, and a series of alarming health crises, she expected answers.

Instead, she got dismissal, “it’s just bad luck,” and unexplained diagnoses that went nowhere. That moment changed everything.

In this raw conversation, Dr. Tara shares:

How medical gaslighting shows up—and why it’s so dangerous

The cultural conditioning that teaches women to downplay pain

Why “unexplained” is never an acceptable answer

The shift from playing it safe to building a purpose-driven business and clinic

How to trust your body—and never hand over your power

If you’ve ever been dismissed, doubted, or told “it’s normal” when you knew it wasn’t—this episode will remind you: Your body isn’t the problem. The system is. And you have more power than you think.

Learn more about Dr. Tara: www.drtaraharding.com

Why do so many high-achievers feel like they’re still not enough—even after checking every box? In this powerful conversation, Trevor Hanson joins Gia to unpack how anxious attachment, inner child wounds, and overfunctioning keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, self-doubt, and chasing approval. Trevor is a coach and founder of The Art of Healing. He teaches relationship and attachment skills through the Secure Self Club.

Trevor shares his deeply personal story of career loss, toxic relationships, and the turning point that forced him to confront the beliefs driving his self-worth. Together, they explore:

What anxious attachment really looks like in high-functioners

How to recognize your personal protection patterns—and break the cycle

Why overachieving is often just emotional avoidance in disguise

The Tempo Cycle framework that reveals where you're stuck (and how to shift)

How healing your inner child transforms your relationships, your confidence, and your peace

This episode is a must-listen if you’re tired of white-knuckling your way through life—and ready to feel secure from the inside out.

Learn more about Trevor: theartofhealingbytrevor.com

What happens when you walk away from a dream job—and the identity that came with it?

In this honest and energizing conversation, Gia sits down with Tara Clark—author, mental health advocate, and founder of Modern Mom Probs—to unpack what it really looks like to pivot, rebuild, and redefine success on your own terms.

From leaving her corporate media career at Nickelodeon to launching a parenting platform that now reaches millions, Tara shares the unfiltered story behind the polished bio—and what most moms don’t talk about when it comes to ambition, identity, and the emotional load of motherhood.

Together, they dive into:

The identity crisis that hits when you leave a powerful title behind

Why so many women struggle to give themselves permission to change

The “mental load” and loneliness of modern motherhood

The rise of the Type C Mom—and why balance isn’t about perfection

How to stop proving, start living, and lead with self-trust

If you’ve ever asked yourself Who am I without the job, the role, the resume?—this episode is your reminder: you’re allowed to pivot, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

🎧 Tune in now and discover what it really takes to redefine motherhood and success—on your own terms.

Learn more about Modern Mom Probs: modernmomproblems.com