Sandra K. Doyle (Sandy) is a mother of seven, grandmother of nineteen, and great-grandmother of three. Her book, “My Life at the Cemetery: It’s Not as Dead as You Think: My Spiritual Journey through Life and Death” details the events of her 12-year career in the deathcare industry and how her encounters made her rethink her relationships, life, and spirituality. She has belonged to the Optimist International organization for over 26 years. Sandy loves spending time with her family, friends, traveling, and coming up with great ideas to help enrich the lives of children in her community. She served as the Vice-President for Middle America. Optimism, spirituality, and gratitude are the core of her story, and sharing this message is her passion.

Connect with Sandra:

Website: https://www.sandydoyle-author.com/

Get Sandra's book:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9798886446609

https://readerhouse.com/product/my-life-at-the-cemetery-its-not-as-dead-as-you-think/

https://books.apple.com/us/book/my-life-at-the-cemetery-its-not-as-dead-as-you-think/id6458192440

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

00:00 Introduction

00:48 The Journey of Self-Discovery

05:36 The Power of Self-Love

12:57 Lessons from Death and Life

23:39 Navigating Grief and Loss

32:09 Understanding the Death Care Profession

38:30 Life Lessons from the Cemetery

43:18 Wisdom in the Journey of Life

Heike Yates is a Midlife Fitness Expert, speaker, podcast host, and author of Pursue Your Spark. She helps midlife women rebuild strength, energy, and confidence through realistic fitness, nutrition, and mindset strategies that fit real life—without extremes or perfection.After leaving a 9-to-5 job and moving to Washington, D.C., Heike rediscovered her sense of self through fitness. That personal reset became a lifelong mission. As a single mom raising two children on $300 a month, movement became her anchor through every difficult season.In 2010, she created Pilates with Resist-A-Ball, a joint-friendly, strength-focused approach designed to help people feel strong without pain. With certifications in Pilates, strength training, and nutrition—and lived experience as a bodybuilder and Ironman triathlete—Heike brings over 35 years of practical and professional expertise to her work.She is the founder of Pursue Your Spark and host of the Pursue Your Spark Podcast, where she shares honest conversations and actionable tools to help women stop shrinking their lives and start living fully again.Connect with Heike:Website: https://heikeyates.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pursueyoursparkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heikeyates/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heike-yates/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIeOesGLGAOD5RhI2KYjcAPodcast - Pursue Your Spark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pursue-your-spark-midlife-fitness-nutrition-mindset/id1231586317Book - Pursue Your Spark: https://amzn.to/4mD5xL7 00:00 Introduction 00:46 The Transformative Power of Exercise04:03 Overcoming Mental Barriers to Fitness09:36 Challenging Limiting Beliefs13:30 Taking the First Step Towards Change16:12 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care20:26 Navigating Guilt and Self-Advocacy22:44 Embracing Authenticity and Personal Growth24:36 Navigating Support and Resistance from Others27:09 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Resilience30:00 Overcoming Perfectionism and Embracing Progress32:58 The Importance of Ownership and Accountability35:36 Mindful Eating and Making Conscious Choices38:41 Challenging Diet Myths and Embracing Flexibility42:30 Finding Freedom in Choices and Lifestyle45:54 Connecting and Sharing Wisdom

Deborah Ninolowo is A Faith-Based Business Consultant and Life Coach that assists women in their careers and life to develop balance and emotional wellness by curating self awareness by building the confidence and courage for authentic, transparency and vulnerable partners and relationships by implementing biblical principles for greater impact and sustainability.

Connect with Deborah:

https://about.me/deborahhendricks-gilmore

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Holly McNeill spent 26 years as an architect, hit quarter-life crisis at 34, then spent 20 years studying neuroscience, psychology, and Buddhism. Now she's The Mindfulness Architect, teaching people how to escape autopilot living through the P.E.R.L.O.V.E. Formula. Spoke at Yale 2025. Host of "Pay Attention" podcast. Find her at HollyMcNeill.com

Nick Gaylord is the creator of Grief Is Not A Dirty Word Podcast, a show that normalizes conversations around grief, trauma, and loss — and creates space for others to process what they’ve lived through.

What began as a way to navigate his own heartbreak has become a growing community where no story is too heavy, and no one has to grieve alone.

Connect with Nick:

https://www.ourdeaddads.com/

00:00 Intro

02:28 The Importance of Processing Grief

04:17 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversations

07:04 The Power of Listening and Holding Space

10:00 Understanding Emotions and Grief

12:54 The Complexity of Grief Beyond Death

15:59 Navigating Loss in Everyday Life

19:09 Honoring Memories and Conversations

21:52 The Impact of Words in Grief

25:08 Building Connections Through Shared Stories

33:10 Embracing Presence in Grief

37:03 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Loss

45:36 Forgiveness and Letting Go

59:50 Lessons from Grief and Community

01:11:13 The Ongoing Process of Healing

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Carolyn Boras is a RTT Practitioner and Certified Hypnotherapist on a mission to help overwhelmed teachers break from the stress and build a life that they don't need a holiday from.

Connect with Carolyn:

https://carolynborashypnotherapy.com/

00:37 Empowering Teachers: A Principal's Wisdom

03:36 The Role of Leadership in Education

09:30 Navigating Challenges in Teaching

15:40 The Importance of Support and Community

21:49 Finding Purpose and Making Changes

28:34 Creating an Exit Strategy

35:39 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

39:21 Finding Purpose Through Discontent

42:01 Visualizing a Future Without Limitations

44:31 Commitment and Accountability in Achieving Goals

46:34 Overcoming Perfectionism and Embracing Imperfection

52:19 Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

58:32 The Power of Change Driven by Discontent

01:03:39 Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Teaching

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Melissa Schwartzman is a therapist and divorce consultant who has spent over 25 years helping people navigate the emotional and practical challenges of breakups, co-parenting, and rebuilding life after separation.

Connect with Melissa:

https://www.melissabethcounseling.com/

00:45 Trusting Yourself: The First Step to Healing

03:42 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Trust

06:49 Navigating Cultural Norms and Expectations

09:55 Dealing with Rejection and Loneliness

11:14 The Importance of Self-Love and Acceptance

12:43 Learning Through Experience: Embracing Mistakes

18:11 The Power of Mindset in Achieving Goals

24:08 Building Confidence Through Action

27:40 Building Confidence After Setbacks

33:15 Navigating Relationships and Self-Worth

37:51 Healing After a Breakup

45:11 Supporting Each Other Through Life's Ups and Downs

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Amita Sharma is a co-founder of NourishDoc, a global wellness platform supporting women through hormonal transitions — from PMS to postmenopause — using holistic, evidence-informed care.

Inspired by her own perimenopausal journey while working in the high-tech world, Amita felt unsupported and underserved — so she built the resource she needed.

Connect with Amita:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amita-sharma-nourishdoc

00:46 Listening to Yourself: A Journey of Self-Discovery

05:54 The Birth of NourishDoc: A Personal Mission

11:00 Breaking the Silence: The Shame of Midlife

13:54 Key Lessons from Conversations with Women

18:23 Navigating Perimenopause: Understanding the Journey

19:34 Understanding Women's Health in Midlife

24:21 Lifestyle Changes for Better Health

29:11 The Role of Hormones

34:28 Community and Support Systems

39:21 Embracing Change and Letting Go of Fear

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Terry Tucker - speaker and author on topics of mindset and self-improvement.

He’s been a college athlete, a SWAT hostage negotiator, and now a sought-after speaker on mental toughness and personal excellence.

Connect with Terry:

https://www.motivationalcheck.com

00:50 Transforming a Death Sentence into a Life Sentence

02:48 Finding Meaning in Misery

04:53 Isolation and Connection in Difficult Times

10:46 The Search for Purpose in Life

12:10 Decades of Discovery: Finding Your Path

17:08 Curiosity and Continuous Learning

22:44 Purpose in Pain: Embracing the Journey

26:23 Navigating Plateaus and Valleys

30:15 The Power of Hope and Resilience

35:10 Building Resilience Through Discomfort

40:23 The Fear of Success and Personal Responsibility

45:14 Resilience in the Face of Adversity

50:52 Connecting with Others and Finding Purpose

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

Shannon Karafanda is a renegade pastor, transformational leadership coach, and the original #HolyMischief Maker — using faith-inspired acts of kindness to spark connection, courage, and change.

Connect with Shannon:

https://shannonkarafanda.com/

00:49 The Power of Growth Mindset

02:40 Prioritizing Relationships

06:03 Being Present in Relationships

09:21 Navigating Different Growth Levels in Relationships

10:57 Understanding Self-Worth

12:58 Redefining Failure

15:47 The Importance of Progress Over Results

19:41 Cultivating a Growth Mindset

21:48 The Role of Patience in Growth

23:44 Navigating Food and Health Challenges

27:19 Navigating Disagreements for Growth

29:36 The Gift of Triggers and Self-Exploration

31:48 The Impact of Comparison on Self-Worth

34:26 Mindfulness and Action in the Age of Distraction

37:15 The Importance of Connection and Community

40:23 Acts of Kindness: Transforming Lives

44:45 The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

51:13 Building a Culture of Kindness

Apply to be a guest on the podcast:

https://forms.gle/k4bcndvL3j7cH2Bg9

Connect with Austra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austra-putnina/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/