A Fresh Story

This episode answers the question: How do I prevent myself from burnout? We chatted with burnout coach and therapist Abbey Sangmeister about recognizing and preventing burnout, a state of overwhelm and anxiety that stems from trying to do it all without pause. Abbey explains that burnout often manifests as frustration and exhaustion from nonstop activity. To avoid it, she emphasizes the importance...

This episode answers the question: How can I add a workout routine to my life without feeling overwhelmed? We chatted with Rebecca Stewart, a personal trainer and mobility coach, about simple ways to integrate a workout routine into your life without feeling overwhelmed. Rebecca shared the importance of movement for both physical and mental health, emphasizing the benefits of incorporating strengt...

This episode answers the question: How can I manage stress and anxiety more effectively in today's fast-paced world? We chatted with Kristen Curtis, an EFT tapping practitioner and Akashic Records reader, about managing stress and anxiety in today’s fast-paced world. Kristen shared how becoming present and intentionally slowing down can help reduce feelings of overwhelm. She explained the signific...

Alix Strauss is a trend, culture and lifestyle journalist; an award-winning, four-time published author; and speaker. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, among other publications. She is currently on tour with her recently re-issued cult classic novel, The Joy of Funerals which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Her other books include: Based Upon Availability (Harper Collins),...

This episode answers the question: How can I cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in my career and personal life? We chatted with Meg Trucano, a life coach for ambitious women, about cultivating a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in both career and personal life. Meg shared the importance of finding clarity about what you truly want, rather than simply chasing conventional ma...

This episode answers the question: What is gut health and how do I make sure my gut is healthy? We chatted with Amanda Sauceda, a registered dietitian, about the fascinating world of gut health and how to ensure your gut is thriving. Amanda breaks gut health into three key components: digestion, the gut microbiome, and the mind-gut connection. She shares practical tips for boosting gut health, suc...

We chatted with Leslie Streeter and Lynne Childress, twin sisters with an unshakable bond, about their experiences growing up as twins and navigating life together. They shared touching stories of their childhood, moving frequently, and the resilience they developed while facing bullies and stereotypes. Central to their story is the strong foundation their parents provided, instilling values of se...

Welcome to The Sibling Series, the series where we explore sibling dynamics and relationships. What's it like growing up as half-siblings? We brought our sister Tess on the show to discuss our experiences growing up in a blended family, specifically from her perspective as the youngest in the family, who grew up with a different mother. We explore the challenges and complexities of having differen...

This episode answers the question: How much money do I need in my emergency fund? We chatted with Janice Berner, a CPA and comprehensive financial planner, about the vital role emergency savings play in building financial security. Janice shared practical advice on why an emergency fund is essential to navigate unexpected challenges like job loss, medical expenses, or divorce. She explained that t...

This episode answers the question: Are there any energy healing modalities or practices that can help me feel more aligned and connected? We chatted with Candice Erickson-Perham, an energy healer, about how energy healing practices can help you feel more aligned and connected. She explained how emotional blockages and unprocessed feelings often manifest as physical pain, and how energy healing can...

This episode answers the question: I have a lot of sentimental items. How can I keep them organized without sacrificing space? We chatted with Kat Green, an ADHD organizing specialist, about how to manage sentimental items without sacrificing space. Kat shared practical tips for decluttering and identifying essentials first, then creatively displaying sentimental items, like using shadow boxes or...

This episode answers the question: Are there specific mindfulness or meditation techniques that can help me stay present and grounded amidst life's challenges? We chatted with Jo-Anne Suriel, an energy healer, about how mindfulness and meditation techniques can help us stay grounded amidst life's challenges. Joanne introduced singing as a surprisingly powerful practice to reconnect with our bodies...

This episode answers the question: How do I stop hating myself in photos?! We chatted with Terrie Alfieri, a talented visual storyteller and photographer, about how to love the way you look in photos. Terrie highlights the importance of self-love and confidence as the foundation for appreciating your photos. She encourages focusing on what you love about yourself instead of fixating on perceived f...

This episode answers the question: I share my home with roommates/family. How can we create an organizational system that works for everyone? We chatted with Angela O'Brien, a professional organizer and Enneagram coach, about creating harmonious organizational systems in shared living spaces. Angela emphasizes the importance of open communication and understanding each person’s organizing style to...

This episode answers the question: How can I start fresh after a toxic relationship? We chatted with Dr. Victoria Latifses, a licensed clinical psychologist, to explore how to start fresh after a toxic relationship. Dr. Latifses shares practical advice for healing and moving forward, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection to identify lessons learned and patterns that may need adjustment. Sh...

This episode answers the question: What questions do I ask an aesthetician to make sure I am getting the services I need? We chatted with Michelle Doran, a nurse practitioner and owner of RN Aesthetics, about how to ensure you're getting the right services from an aesthetician. Michelle emphasized the importance of customized consultations and treatment plans to address individual skincare needs e...

This episode answers the question: I am overwhelmed by having to make myself food every day?! How can I make it way less worse? We chatted with Whitney Cardosi, founder of Wellness with Whit, about tackling the daily overwhelm of making food for yourself. Whitney shared her practical approach to meal preparation, emphasizing the importance of understanding your personal goals and how your food cho...

This episode answers the question: How can I make my new place feel like home? Can I create a new house registry? We chatted with Holly Martins, a real estate agent, about how to make a new place feel like home. Holly emphasizes the importance of reflecting your personality in your space, tailoring it to your unique needs and desires. She suggests incorporating personal touches like artwork and ch...

This episode answers the question: How can I use my intuition and listen to my gut in business and job hunting? We chatted with Chelsea Fournier, an online business strategist and marketing agency owner, about how to harness intuition in business and job hunting. Chelsea explains that intuition is a powerful inner guidance system that goes beyond logic and reasoning, offering deep wisdom to help n...

This episode answers the question: What are some simple ways to lean into my spiritual practice that feels good in my body? We chatted with Chelsea Kim Long, a writer helping women explore spirituality beyond fundamentalist frameworks, about finding practices that feel good to both body and soul. Chelsea encourages listening to yourself, embracing emotions and intuition, and focusing on practices...

This episode answers the question: My routines are chaotic, and my home reflects that. How do I establish organizing systems for daily tasks? We chatted with Lindsey Mahanna, a professional organizer, about creating organizing systems to tame chaotic routines and establish a more peaceful home. Lindsey recommends starting small by identifying the most chaotic part of your day and making simple cha...

This episode answers the question: How do I move my body without it feeling punishing or in a way I don't hate? We chatted with Rachel Lovitt, who shares how to move your body in ways that feel joyful and fulfilling, rather than punishing. In this conversation, we explore how diet culture has shaped our perception of exercise and how we can shift our mindset to focus on pleasure and enjoyment inst...

This episode answers the question: What do I need to have in order financially to buy a house? We chatted with Renee Coleman, a residential mortgage lender, about the essential financial steps to prepare for buying a house. Renee highlights the importance of knowing your credit score, understanding your debt-to-income ratio, and talking to a lender early in the process. She explains how these step...

This episode answers the question: My house feels cluttered, where on earth do I start? We chatted with Briana and Erica Spruille from Just Be LLC to answer the question: “My house feels cluttered, where on earth do I start?” Briana and Erica offer thoughtful and practical advice on tackling clutter and organizing your space to reflect your values and bring calm to your life. They encourage starti...

This episode answers the question: How do I move on after a break up? We chatted with therapist Oona Metz about how to move on after a breakup, offering practical advice for navigating the healing process. Oona emphasizes the importance of treating yourself gently and being mindful of both your emotional and physical well-being during this time. She recommends surrounding yourself with supportive...