Connectedness

Making friends as an adult can feel intimidating, and this conversation with Rachel Magario will leave you feeling hopeful about it. Recorded in person in Denver, Colorado, this episode of the Connectedness Podcast is a heartfelt chat between two friends of 29 years about how to make friends, keep them, and stay kind to yourself along the way. Rachel Magario is a motivational speaker and AI strate...

At 12 years old, Mare survived a traumatic brain injury that erased her memory and forced her to rebuild her identity from scratch. Decades later, she founded Oshanah, a personal development practice rooted in neuroplasticity, to help other people do the same thing, on purpose. In this episode of Connectedness, Mare and I talk about what happens to a woman's sense of self after years of mother...

Jenny Ferran was a French teacher at a school with a tough reputation when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. She thought the hard part would be the diagnosis itself. It wasn't. The hard part came later, when she realized she'd spent years operating out of fear, measuring her worth by how useful she was to everyone else, and living a life that looked right from the outside but d...

Evan Oliver moved to Charlotte in her 30s with her husband and baby daughter, ready for a fresh start. Two weeks later she lost her job, and she didn't know a single person in the city. So she did something most of us are too scared to do. She posted one honest TikTok video asking if anyone wanted to be friends. That video went viral in Charlotte, and over 700 women messaged her. In this episo...

What if the thing you spent your whole life blaming yourself for was never a character flaw at all? In this episode of Connectedness, I sit down with Kathleen Long, founder of Coached by Kath and an ADHD life coach who spent over 20 years in education before being diagnosed with ADHD herself at 41. Kathleen coaches adults, teens, and families, and she brings a national board certification, trauma...

If you grew up with a narcissistic mother or father, you already know the confusion isn't really about one bad day or one hard conversation. It's a whole way of surviving that gets built into you before you even have words for it. In this episode of Connectedness, I sit down with Dr. Nzinga Cates, victimologist, licensed clinical mental health counselor, and one of the first researchers to center...

What happens when the life you built for 17 years falls apart overnight? Nicole Bright knows. She's the founder of the Nicole Bright brand, a strategic decision advisor during divorce, and a transformational speaker who helps high achieving women hold onto clarity, composure, and control during one of the most disorienting seasons of their lives. In this episode, Nicole opens up about the mome...

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like the woman looking back at you didn't quite match who you've actually become? That is exactly where today's conversation begins. My guest is Donna Hundley, founder of The Designed Presence™ and also the founder of Curvy Chix Chariot, one of the nation's first mobile fashion boutiques for plus-size women. Donna spent over 25 years help...

[TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains a brief mention of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself as you listen.]What does it really mean to "find yourself" after trauma? In this deeply moving conversation, I'm joined by Caroline Wienecke, author, entrepreneur, and storyteller behind the novel Finding You: Beyond Broken Pieces, a story of a woman who must learn to reclaim her voice, her iden...

Are the expectations you're carrying into dating helping you find love — or quietly blocking it? In this episode of the Connectedness Podcast, I sit down with Amy Schoen, a certified professional life coach and ICF PCC-credentialed relationship coach who has spent 20 years helping marriage-minded singles find lasting, committed love. And yes, she's been in those shoes herself. Divorced in...

In this episode of The Connectedness Podcast, we sit down with Rita, founder of Simple Self-Care, to explore the powerful connection between self-care, stress management, mental health, and healthy relationships. After facing overwhelming stress, burnout, and thoughts of hopelessness while navigating the challenges of motherhood, Rita discovered that true self-care isn't about indulgence—it&#3...

Have you ever looked around at your life and thought:"Everything is fine... so why doesn't it feel right?"In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with life coach and founder of Uncompromised, Elinor Miller, for a powerful conversation about self-trust, people pleasing, boundaries, personal growth, and what happens when you've outgrown the life you've worked so ha...

What if caring for a plant could help you care for yourself too? In this heartfelt episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Veronica Leon, founder of Verde Tribe, plant coach, community builder, and creator of the wildly popular Plant Bingo events in Charlotte. Together, they explore the deeper emotional connection between plants, mindfulness, wellness, and personal growth. Veronica share...

What if the secret to better communication, stronger relationships, and more confidence isn’t perfection… but play? In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Dayna Gowan: speaker, improviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, workshop facilitator, and host of the Improvly Speaking Podcast. They explore how improvisation can transform the way we communicate, connect, and show up in everyda...

What happens when the life you built no longer feels aligned with who you are? In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with Paula Lesso, divorce coach, speaker, and advocate for women navigating major life transitions. Together, they explore the emotional reality of divorce, identity shifts, healing, self-trust, and how women can move from surviving to truly thriving. Paula shares her...

Friendships don’t always end with conflict — sometimes, they simply fade. But what if they’re not actually over? In this episode of Connectedness , we explore the idea that many friendships aren’t lost… they’re just unmaintained. Building on the concept of “ambient distance,” we shift the focus from why relationships drift to how we can repair, revive, and sustain meaningful connections. We talk a...

In this episode of Connectedness, Fernanda sits down with health coach Sylvie Brockman to explore the powerful connection between gut health, perimenopause, and menopause. And how supporting your body during this transition can help you feel more energized, balanced, and fulfilled. If you’ve been struggling with bloating, brain fog, low energy, mood swings, or hormonal changes, this conversation w...

Are you pouring energy into friendships that leave you feeling drained, obligated, or quietly lonely — even when your life looks full from the outside? You're not alone. In this episode of the Connectedness Podcast, we're doing something most people have never done: mapping their entire social ecosystem with intention. Inspired by evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar's groundbreaking research on...

In this episode of Connectedness , we explore social anxiety—what it really is, where it comes from, and how to begin overcoming it. Joined by psychotherapist Danielle Frouws https://daniellefrouws.com/ , we break down the difference between shyness and social anxiety, why so many people struggle with fear of judgment, and what’s actually happening in your mind and body during anxious social momen...

What does it really take to stay married — and stay connected — for 39 years? In this episode, I’m joined by Fabi Preslar, entrepreneur and author of Wilted and Worthy , to talk about the real foundations of long-term love: respect, honest communication, shared laughter, and continuous growth. Fabi and her husband not only built a 39-year marriage — they work together full-time and run a publishin...

Motherhood doesn’t always look like the highlight reel. In this episode, I’m joined by Crystal, founder of Rotten Lemons (not2rotten), a maternal mental health initiative creating safe, trauma-informed spaces for moms to share honestly — without shame. We talk about postpartum struggles, anxiety, rage, grief, and why maternal mental health is a critical health issue — not a personal shortcoming. C...

Why do friendships feel harder in adulthood — and what actually makes them grow? In this episode of Connectedness , Fernanda explores the core lessons from Friendships Don’t Just Happen by Shasta Nelson. She breaks down the author’s powerful Friendship Triangle model — Consistency, Vulnerability, and Positivity — and explains how these three elements determine the depth of our relationships. You’l...

Why is making friends as an adult so hard? In this episode of Connectedness , I’m joined by Zayne for an honest, thoughtful conversation about adult friendships, loneliness, and what it really takes to build meaningful connection later in life. We talk about why friendships often fade as responsibilities grow, the emotional barriers that keep people disconnected, and why so many adults quietly str...

Why is making friends as an adult so hard? In this episode of Connectedness , I’m joined by Zayne for an honest, thoughtful conversation about adult friendships, loneliness, and what it really takes to build meaningful connection later in life. We talk about why friendships often fade as responsibilities grow, the emotional barriers that keep people disconnected, and why so many adults quietly str...

What actually makes online dating work? In this episode, we sit down with Tony and Jenny, a real-life couple who met through online dating 13 years ago and are still going strong. Together, we break down what went right in their dating experience—and what modern daters can learn from it today. We dive into the importance of being specific and intentional in your dating profile to attract the right...