The Life Coach Lounge

Complaining, Criticizing, and Comparing: Breaking Free from Mindset Traps Ever catch yourself grumbling about the day, picking apart someone else, or measuring your life against another's? In this episode series, Emily, Angela, and Lisa unpack the three traps of complaining, criticizing, and comparing, and how they quietly shape our mindset and our relationships. In part one of this series, th...

Ever feel your mind running a "movie" of every what-if? In this episode of the Life Coach Lounge, Angela, Lisa, and Emily talk about worry, including how it showed up for Angela while planning her daughter's wedding. They cover: Why worry and control are "twin sisters" Worry vs. anxiety, and being prepared vs. predicting every what-if Simple ways to get out of your head: mo...

Your nervous system doesn’t need more pressure. It needs a few simple tools you can use in the middle of real life. In this final episode of the Nervous System Series, Lisa, Angela, and Emily move from theory to practice with free, portable ways to shift out of fight-or-flight and back toward safety. You’ll hear about: Emily’s faith-based breathwork with scripture and Breath as Prayer Angela’s twi...

Why do you feel wired, foggy, shut down, or calm on different days? Lisa Gates, Emily Kolars, and Angela Pleune break down polyvagal theory and the window of tolerance in simple terms, using a traffic light analogy (green, yellow, red) to help you recognize your nervous system's cues. They share personal stress patterns and what widens their capacity, plus how nervous system states show up in...

Most stress advice misses the real issue: your body may be stuck in survival mode. In part two of our four-part nervous system series, Emily Kolars, Lisa Gates, and Angela Pleune make the vagus nerve, vagal tone, and the gut-brain connection simple and reassuring, especially if you deal with anxiety, burnout, panic, or unexplained physical symptoms. If you've ever felt wired but exhausted, or...

Your body may be trying to tell you something long before your mind catches up. If you've been pushing through burnout, anxiety, or the invisible stress of midlife, this conversation will help you understand what's really happening inside your nervous system. In the first episode of a four-part series on calming the chaos, Emily Kolars, Angela Pleune, and Lisa Gates unpack why "just c...

Dolly Parton's life is a blueprint for confidence, resilience, and joy, and this episode pulls out the quotes that still hit hardest. Lisa, Emily, and Angela celebrate Dolly's legacy through faith, coaching, and real-life wisdom. From her iconic line, "find out who you are and do it on purpose," to the reminder that rain and rainbows belong together, they turn each quote into som...

Ever look fine on the outside while your brain is paddling like mad underneath? Lisa Gates, Emily Kolars, and Angela Pleune get real about what it's like to be human in the middle of health scares, wedding chaos, and the kind of fear that turns a headache into a worst-case scenario in seconds. What starts as a parking lot breakdown turns into a practical conversation about anxiety, looping tho...

Wellness culture can help you heal — or quietly become the next thing making you anxious. Emily Kolars, Lisa Gates, and Angela Pleune unpack the line between wise stewardship and obsession, and show how to simplify your health routine without guilt. If you've ever felt like you're failing at clean eating, supplements, morning routines, or "doing wellness right," this one's fo...

Your child gets engaged, and suddenly joy, grief, pride, fear, and nostalgia all show up at once. If you're a parent navigating this season, this episode will help you make sense of the emotional whiplash — and remind you that you're not doing it wrong. Angela opens up about her daughter's surprise engagement and the mix of excitement, gratitude, and unexpected loss that followed. Lisa...

"I honor my word to myself" sounds empowering—until it starts feeling like pressure, guilt, or failure. Lisa Gates, Angela Pleune, and Emily Kolars unpack why this popular coaching phrase works for some people and backfires for others—and what to pay attention to instead. A casual Marco Polo chat turned into a sharp, funny coaching conversation about goals, habits, identity, and the stor...

Feeling stuck making decisions? This episode breaks down decision fatigue, overthinking, and how to build confidence in both small and big life choices. In this episode of the Life Coach Lounge, Emily Kolars is joined by Angela Pleune and Lisa Gates for a practical, honest conversation about overthinking, decision fatigue, and learning to trust yourself more. They unpack what indecision really cos...

What do a free car, a near-drowning, and learning American Sign Language have in common? They're all things these three best friends never knew about each other — until now. On this episode of The Life Coach Lounge, hosts Angela Pleune, Lisa Gates, and Emily Kolars go completely unscripted and swap the stories they've somehow never told each other in 3+ years of friendship. Angela shares t...

Map your life story with a simple, powerful self-reflection exercise. In this episode, Lisa, Angela, and Emily each share how they've used personal frameworks — letters, acronyms, and single words — to track their growth through every season of life. Lisa shares her "letters of life" from her 20s to today, revealing how her focus shifted from perfection to possibility. Angela breaks...

What did your life look like before you started doing the inner work? In this deeply personal episode, Emily, Angela, and Lisa pull back the curtain on their own coaching journeys — the habits, coping mechanisms, and emotional patterns they used to live in, and who they've become through faith-rooted, self-aware growth. They get real about what "before" looked like: stuffing emotions...

Happiness comes and goes with your circumstances — but joy? Joy is something deeper. In this episode, Emily, Angela, and Lisa dig into the real difference between happiness and joy, and why joy is a fruit of the Spirit you can actually cultivate, even when life feels hard. Pulling wisdom from James 1:2, Nehemiah 8, and Psalm 30, they share practical, faith-rooted habits — gratitude, worship, commu...

Do you know the difference between empathy and sympathy — and why it matters in your relationships? In this episode of The Life Coach Lounge, Emily Kolars, Angela Pleune, and Lisa Gates unpack what it really means to show up for someone in pain, without trying to fix, advise, or minimize what they're feeling. Drawing on emotional intelligence research and insights inspired by Brené Brown, the...

Rediscovering your personal style in midlife is about more than fashion — it's about confidence, self-expression, and dressing in a way that reflects who you really are. In this episode, Angela, Emily and Lisa explore how to declutter your wardrobe, define your confidence statement, and curate a closet that feels authentically you. Embrace your evolving style as a beautiful reflection of who y...

Discover why accountability often feels heavy or resistance-inducing, and how embracing it can be the key to achieving your goals. Join Emily, Angela, and Lisa as they share personal stories, real-life examples, and practical insights into how accountability can propel you forward in various areas of life, from spiritual growth to health, relationships, and personal projects. Main topics: The true...

In this episode, we explore the chaos and magic of summer, sharing nostalgic memories and practical advice for making the most of the season—whether with young children or in quieter times. Our conversation offers insights on staying cool, avoiding sunburn, bug management, and creating joyful summer traditions. From favorite memories to healthy summer hacks, this episode is packed with insights to...

In this episode, the hosts demystify what it truly means to be a life coach. They share different ways to describe their profession, bust common myths, and explain how coaching differs from therapy—highlighting the core focus on results and growth. Perfect for anyone curious about coaching or trying to explain it to others. The hosts explore various descriptions for what they do, from "mentor...

Discover how keeping and using memorable quotes can transform your mindset, serve as daily inspiration, and deepen your understanding of yourself and others. From journal prompts to meaningful conversations, learn practical ways to incorporate quotable quotes into your life. Main Topics Covered: The concept and benefits of a commonplace book Creative ways to use quotes for reflection and motivatio...

Join Emily, Angela and Lisa as they explore the fun and quirky world of garage sales, sharing hilarious stories, etiquette tips, and the psychological insights behind decluttering and treasure hunting. Perfect for anyone looking to add a little joy and community connection to spring cleaning. Key Topics: Garage sale terminology and regional differences Fun stories of unique items found and sold Ne...

How do you embrace the season you’re in—even when it’s hard? Emily, Angela, and Lisa explore the biblical meaning of life’s seasons, from spring and summer to fall and winter, sharing personal stories, faith-filled encouragement, and practical wisdom for navigating transitions with gratitude and hope. Whether you're currently experiencing a life season of spring, summer, fall, or winter, discover...

In this episode, Lisa, Angela, and Emily explore how color personality tests can serve as insightful tools for self-awareness, communication, and relationship dynamics. They share their own results, discuss what the colors reveal about their personalities, and how understanding these traits fosters stronger relationships both personally and professionally. Key Topics: How color personality tests w...