Chronicles of the Phoenix

We talk a lot about connection, loneliness, and the importance of having support systems. But what if meaningful connection isn't something that just happens? What if it can be intentionally built? In this episode, we sit down with Molly Keehn, co-creator of CoJourn, a program that combines accountability, self-compassion, and human connection to help people move toward meaningful goals while buil...

Burnout doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. It’s not just exhaustion or having too much on your plate. Sometimes it shows up as disconnection. From yourself. From others. From the things that once felt meaningful. In this episode, we explore what burnout actually feels like in real life. The version that looks like functioning on the outside while quietly feeling depleted, irritated, or c...

One year ago, we made the decision to leave full-time work and build something of our own. In this episode, we reflect on what this past year has really taught us. Not just about running a business, but about identity, connection, and what it means to build something while also being changed by it. We talk about the people who shaped this experience in meaningful ways, the role of connection and c...

During Mental Health Awareness Month, conversations about mental health are more visible than ever - but awareness alone doesn’t always translate into access, support, or meaningful change. In this episode, we explore the realities behind mental health stigma and the barriers that still exist when it comes to asking for and receiving help. We spend time talking specifically about boys and men, how...

What happens when you walk into a professional conference and everything signals that you don’t have to perform? In this episode, we share an experience from a recent conference where the theme was not just decorative, but intentional. A circus. Playful. Unexpected. And immediately, something shifted. People softened. Conversations felt different. Connection came easier. From that moment, we explo...

Spring break travel has a way of revealing exactly who we are. What we need, what stresses us out, and where we thrive becomes much clearer when we leave our routines behind. In this episode, we take the Enneagram on the road and explore how each type tends to show up while traveling. We share Enneagram‑informed insights into how different types plan or avoid planning, handle stress, seek freedom...

This episode is an invitation to slow down and notice the progress we so easily overlook. Inspired by a poem from Haley Grace that begins, “I might not be everything I want to be today, but I am everything I wanted to be two years ago,” we explore why healing often goes unnoticed and why acknowledging how far we’ve come matters just as much as envisioning where we’re going. We talk about the tende...

This episode is a compassionate, honest look at what is really driving the anxiety crisis among children and adolescents in the United States, and why so many kids are struggling under the weight of pressure that was never meant for them to carry. Using Alex Warren’s song “You’ll Be Alright Kid” as a grounding thread, we explore how today’s kids are growing up inside multiple pressure systems at o...

Turning 40 deserves its own moment, and this episode is exactly that. To celebrate Courtney stepping into a new decade, we’re doing something special: Erin and our first‑ever guest, Bill Cox, take over the mic to interview her with a mix of heartfelt curiosity, unhinged humor, and questions she absolutely did not see coming. We open with a light reflection on how birthdays shape identity and how m...

This episode explores the deeply human, biologically driven patterns that lead us to protect ourselves when we feel exposed. Courtney and Erin take listeners through the neuroscience of defensiveness, how shame triggers activate the limbic system, and why our bodies shift into self‑protection before we even realize it. Grounded in Brené Brown’s research, the episode examines the types of emotional...

In this lighter, laughter‑filled episode, Courtney & Erin invite you into the winter versions of themselves — the cozy, the chaotic, the exhausted, and the slightly unhinged. If you’ve ever wondered why winter changes your motivation, your mood, or your entire personality, this one’s for you. Blending humor with real seasonal science (circadian rhythms, sunlight, dopamine dips, energy changes) and...

What if the story you believe about yourself didn’t start with you? In this episode, Courtney and Erin explore how limiting beliefs take root in early experiences—often before we’re old enough to understand or question them—and how those beliefs silently shape the risks we take, the challenges we avoid, and the version of ourselves we allow to exist in the world. Drawing inspiration from Jen Hatma...

When life feels heavy or hopeless, it’s easy to believe that nothing you do will make a difference. But relational theory and systems thinking tell a very different story: change in one part of a system inevitably impacts the whole. In this episode, Courtney and Erin explore why hopelessness is often relational, not personal-and how even the smallest shift in your behavior, boundaries, or presence...

In this episode, we dive into the Enneagram—a powerful framework for understanding the nine core motivations that shape how we think, feel, and act. When you know what truly drives you (and the people around you), you can create change that lasts, improve relationships, and build stronger teams. We’ll cover: -A quick overview of all nine Enneagram types and their core motivations -Why understandin...

It’s the last episode of the year, and we’re getting real about what 2025 looked like for us—the highs, the lessons, and the surprises along the way. We’ll share how our words of the year shaped our choices (and sometimes challenged us!) and interview each other with questions that are both meaningful and fun. Then, we’ll guide you through a simple but powerful practice to set intentions for 2026...

In this episode, Courtney and Erin explore how constant comparison and external pressures—especially amplified by social media and seasonal expectations—can rob us of joy and disconnect us from what truly matters. Drawing inspiration from Andrea Gibson’s poem Instead of Depression and insights from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, they unpack the difference between external and intrinsic m...

Explore gratitude beyond the holiday table in this episode of Chronicles of the Phoenix. Inspired by the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, we dive into everyday magic, ancestral wisdom, and intuitive practices that help us heal and belong. Perfect for the season of reflection.

How can humor help us heal? In this episode, we explore the science and soul behind laughter as a coping tool for stress and trauma. From first responders to healers, discover why humor—yes, even dark humor—can be a lifeline in high-pressure professions. We unpack its power to build resilience, foster connection, and bring light to the darkest places. Tune in for stories, insights, and a fresh per...

*Trigger Warning* This episode includes discussion of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider reaching out to a mental health professional or contacting a crisis line in your area. In this episode, Erin and Courtney explore the transformative power of leaning into pain rather than avoiding it. Through personal stories, reflective insights,...

As we lean into the fall season, a lot is changing. In this episode, join your hosts for a discussion on how to know when change is upon us, and how to release what is no longer serving us so we can move toward something better. We explore the emotional, mental, and practical sides of letting go--and how to begin. The poem written by E.H. recited: "Hold on, hold on, hold on" they said, "You're a d...

Get to know your podcast hosts, Erin and Courtney, as they share their personal journeys, the origin of Chronicles of the Phoenix, and more!

Listen for a quick overview of what you can expect from future episodes and an introduction to your hosts, Erin & Courtney.