SolFul Connections

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda connects with counselor and community activist Ariel Virk, MA, LPC, a woman who embodies a rare and beautiful balance: deep gentleness paired with fierce protection. The daughter of immigrant parents from Honduras and India, Ariel shares what it was like growing up between cultures, learning to navigate identity, belonging, and the quiet art of code-s...

This week on SolFul Connections , we interrupt our regularly scheduled deep conversations to discuss: • Celebrity family drama • Public text message chaos • High School Musical friendships • And the ongoing debate over the proper way to staple I gathered a panel of thoughtful, intelligent women and asked them to care deeply. They did not. But they showed up anyway. Sometimes the conversations that...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda connects with William Schutt, founder and former chairman of MATCOR, Inc., engineer, innovator, philanthropist, musician, and now author of Don’t Hire Stupid People — They’re Too Much Work . Bill is known for his frank honesty, sharp humor, and no-nonsense approach to leadership. But beneath the directness is a thoughtful philosophy about words, cultu...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda connects with Dr. Michelle El Khoury for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about the paths we choose, the ones we fall into, and the moments in life that ask us to pause, reassess, and begin again. While Michelle’s work centers on supporting women through their pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting journey, the heart of this conversation reaches...

In this episode of the SolFul Connections podcast, Amanda sits down with Steven Wright, author of The Weight I Carried: Hiking Through Grief and Healing on the Appalachian Trail . Steven’s story is one of humility, profound grief, faith, and quiet resilience. Steven shares the deeply painful story of losing his wife, the love of his life, and the immense suffering that followed her passing. He als...

In this episode of SolFul Connections, I sit down with Kevin P. Henry and discover a story shaped by a loving childhood, a powerful family truth held quietly for years, and a life deeply intertwined with music, meaning, and humanity. Kevin takes us back to a time many of us remember fondly: listening to full albums, reading liner notes, letting music shape how we understood the world and ourselves...

For more than three decades, Tracy Davidson was a familiar, trusted presence in local news, showing up daily with warmth, professionalism, and calm. Behind the sunny demeanor, she has been living a life of light, purpose, and resilience , finding strength and connection through challenges many would never see. In this episode of SolFul Connections , Tracy steps into a verydifferent role: telling h...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda connects with Courtney Schulnick , a former litigator who made the bold decision to step away from a fast-paced, successful legal career after experiencing the profound impact mindfulness had on her life. Courtney shares what it was like to live inside a demanding profession, outwardly successful, inwardly disconnected, and how mindfulness helped her...

In this engaging conversation, Blaine Greenfield, known as Chief Encouragement Officer, connects with Amanda on the importance of encouragement, the concept of rewirement instead of retirement, and the significance of pursuing passions and creativity. Blaine discusses the value of relationships, navigating change, and the influence of childhood on career choices. He emphasizes the power of communi...

What happens when you leave behind a full life to beginagain somewhere new? In this episode of SolFul Connections , I connect with Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez, MBA , international speaker, award-winning social media strategist, and co-author of The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever , for a conversation that blends business insight with deep humanity. Valentina shares what it was like to move to a ne...

Guest: Craig Pelkey-Landes Writer | Entrepreneur | Author | Podcast Host Founder of Words Beyond Content Author of A Brief History of White Nonsense Host of the Yell Fire podcast In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda sits down with writer, entrepreneur, and cultural commentator Craig Pelkey-Landes for a thoughtful, honest conversation about race, privilege, responsibility, and inner peace...

In this moving episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda connects with Manizha Wafeq, the founder of the first Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan. Manizha shares what it took to build opportunities for women in a country where leadership came with real risk, and how her childhood, culture, and inner world shaped her vision long before she had language for it. Manizha discusses what it felt lik...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Amanda sits down with Kelly Schaefer, mom of four, business owner, advocate, and founder of The Concierge Academy and Operation Panda Healing. Kelly’s story didn’t start with privilege or ease. She faced adult responsibilities long before most people do, and the challenges of her early years could have easily written a different ending. Instead, she built a...

Meet Gloria Walker . Gloria is known for her cheerfulness, her professionalism, and her steady presence in every room she enters. She shows up—consistently, prepared, and engaged. But there’s far more to her story than what meets the eye. In this episode of SolFul Connections , Gloria reflects on decades of determined leadership and professional growth through her work with Mary Kay. Her path hasn...

In this powerful episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda sits down with former U.S. Congressman James Greenwood for a grounded and human conversation about leadership, courage, and the responsibility we share in today’s fractured moment in history. Jim reflects on the moral complexities of public service, the bravery required to speak truth in dangerous political climates, and the values that guided...

Welcome to SolFul Connections, where we share the stories that shape us. In this episode Judith Zozzaro is a successful corporate leader, a two-time author, and a lifelong seeker of personal growth. She’s now channeling that passion into a new venture designed to support women through meaningful books, workshops, and honest conversations. Judy opens up about the lessons that shaped her, some forge...

In this SolFul Connections podcast episode, Amanda talks with Beatriz Victoria Albina, MPH, NP, author of End Emotional Outsourcing, about what it means to reclaim your emotional autonomy. Beatriz shares how so many of us unknowingly give away our emotional power seeking validation, peace, or self-worth from others, and how we can begin to take it back. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasin...

In this heartfelt episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda sits down with best friends Cheryl and Todd to explore the rare and beautiful gift of deep, supportive, and honest friendship. Their story is one of mutual respect, laughter, and trust, afriendship that defies easy labels and reminds us what it means to truly see and be seen. Cheryl and Todd share how their bond began, how it’s grown over the...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , I talk with Laurie about her new calling as an End of Life Doula, a role rooted in compassion, courage, and connection. Laurie shares her hope to bring dignity and comfort to all as they approach life’s next stage, including those in our unhoused community , who often lack support and companionship at the end of life. We also talk about her fascinating, matr...

What happens when you mix The Newlywed Game, two pairs of best friends, and one very brave host? You get the most unpredictable, laugh-out-loud, and heart-filled episode of SolFul Connections yet. It all started when Jenny Salisbury said, “Friendship doesn’t get nearly enough attention.” One idea (and one drink - or was it two?) later, The BestFriendlyWed Game was born hosted by the ever-patient C...

Change is never easy. But it’s the one constant we all share. Dr. Andrea “Andi” Simon, corporate anthropologist, author, and storyteller, has spent her career helping people and organizations evolve. I’ve long admired Andi’s work, and it was a joy to sit down with her for this conversation about the nature of change, how it challenges us, shapes us, and sometimes even saves us. Andi sees change as...

In this episode of SolFul Connections , Christy and Amanda dig into the power, potential, and realities of being a woman at work, from claiming your voice and setting boundaries to navigating leadership, career shifts, and life’s bigger changes. It’s an honest, energizing conversation about what it takes to lead, thrive, and lift one another up in 2025 and beyond. For more on the Power Your Potent...

This week on SolFul Connections, I’m joined by Dr. J Stone, a neuropsychologist with decades of experience helping people understand the fascinating relationship between brain, behavior, and life. J isn’t just a scientist, he’s also a business owner, husband, father, and community leader who has been part of my professional world for many years. Our conversation covers: What exactly a neuropsychol...

In honor of the fourth anniversary of SolFul Connections ,I’m sitting down with a very special guest—my husband, Victor Soler. Victor may be best known for running Soler Plumbing LLC (and for being devastatingly handsome), but he’s also my partner of nearly 40 years, the father of our children, and the person who knows me best. In this episode, we talk about everything from pipes andplumbing to ma...

What does it really mean to live with CORE Energy? In this episode of SolFul Connections , I sit down with Kurt Bruckmann — author, speaker, coach, and host of The CORE Energy Experience podcast — to explore the journey that took him from childhood loss and the high-pressure pit of Wall Street to becoming a CORE Dynamics Master. We talk about inner work on every level — physical, mental, emotional...