Conversations with Joan

A recent American Psychological Association study found that 83 percent of Americans consider worry about the nation’s future a significant source of stress. And while it is a stressful time, Karen Brailsford believes that it is a period of tremendous possibility and transformation. According to Karen, when we consciously choose to align with the Divine within, we tap into wellsprings of faith, ho...

Many people today are living lives that fall short of what they truly desire. According to Kimberly Friedmutter, we have the ability to design the life of our dreams, and the power lies within us. Kimberly works with hollywood A-listers, politicians, CEOs, and titans of industry to help them connect to their subconscious to get what they truly want out of life. Kimberly believes that everyone has...

Today, more couples are divorcing later in life. As the divorce rate for older adults soars, so too does the number of adult children who are experiencing parental divorce. And these children are often overlooked. According to Dr. Carol Hughes and Bruce Fredenburg, whenever the children of gray divorce express their feelings and experiences, the most important people in their lives frequently igno...

Research has found that married people enjoy better health and longevity. Unfortunately, gray divorce is on the rise. For many couples, the empty nest forces an evaluation of their relationship. Do they know each other and more importantly, do they still like and love each other? Julia Mayer tackles the most common challenges of sustaining loving relationships and emotional wellness in the 50s, 60...

Many of us live life stressed out ready to be triggered. But are we really at the mercy of something outside us? According to Guy Finley, stress is an unseen killer that crushes its victims with the pressure of their own thoughts. When we understand where those thoughts come from and what they really mean, that pressure is released. Guy offers tools to help us live a stress-free life. Guy Finley i...

Have you ever met someone who overcame self doubt and turned their challenges into opportunities? Building mental strength is a lot like building physical strength … you need good habits. According to Amy Morin, when you give up the things that are holding you back, you can accomplish incredible feats. Amy discusses strategies we can use to exercise mental and emotional strength. Amy is a licensed...

Scientists are discovering that the thoughts and beliefs we continually repeat to ourselves create neuro-pathways like deep grooves in our brains. These pathways affect the way we see and experience the world. It is believed that if we can re-groove our minds, opportunities for success will present themselves in miraculous ways. May McCarthy has helped grow six companies to as large as $100 millio...

John Chambers, the former executive chairman and CEO at Cisco, served as the company’s global leader for more than two decades. John went from being a dyslexic kid from West Virginia to one of the world’s most successful business leaders. In his book, Connecting the Dots, John shares leadership principles that helped him outmaneuver competitors to grow a multi-billion dollar company. He has worked...

What would it take to make you happy? A fulfilling career, a big bank account, or the perfect mate? What if it didn’t take anything to make you happy? What if you could experience happiness from the inside out – no matter what’s going on in your life? Marci Shimoff offers an approach to being happy that doesn’t depend on achievements, goals, money, relationships, or anything else out there.  Marci...

Are you able to think independently no matter what is going on in your life, or do you find yourself believing that you a victim of circumstance, with little power over what you experience? Do you look outside for external validation or to things to give you pleasure? According to Michael Bernard Beckwith, you have the ability to create the inner conditions that will enable you to grow, expand, th...

When faced with her husband Sean’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis, FOXLA’s morning meteorologist, Maria Quiban Whitesell, found herself in a position she could not have imagined. She had to learn to deal with illness, death and grief, all while caring for her son and wearing a smile every day in front of millions on LA’s morning show, Good Day LA. Maria shares her journey and offers actionable in...

Emotions can sink us or they can power us like fuel to succeed. Susan Packard, co-founder of HGTV. has developed a program that can help us grow emotional fitness and thrive in all areas of life. According to Susan, “Success is an inside job!” Susan worked on the start up teams for HBO and CNBC, and is a speaker and guest expert on television and radio. She is a pioneer in the industry she helped...

Courage involves facing our fears, but it is also about resilience, grit, and having a built-in BS detector and knowing when and how to use it. Evy Poumpouras, author of the new book, Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly, discusses how we can heighten our natural instincts to move from fear to fearlessness. She shares lessons and insights l...

Growing up autistic, Jude Morrow faced immense challenges. Once a nonverbal and aggressive child, he transitioned into a hard working, responsible father to a non-autistic son. According to Jude, those with autism can have difficulty understanding the world around them and can find it hard to find their voice. But Jude found his and he uses it to break down the misconceptions and societal beliefs...

Many people are in search of ways to reach their highest potential. They want to be wise, strong, happy, and loving. According to Dr Rick Hanson, science is revealing how these ways of being are based on changes in our own nervous system, making them more attainable than ever before. He explains the new neuroscience of awakening and how this can be an effective path to handling stress, healing old...

The origins of infectious diseases are as varied as their symptoms, yet they have one thing in common: a devastating impact on society. As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, many ask, how did this happen? Dr. Michael Greger explains where viruses come from and how we can stop them. Dr. Greger is a founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, a physician, au...

Bonny Meyer has lived her life set in the romantic era of Napa Valley. Bonny and her husband, Justin, established and owned two wineries. They shared the ups and downs of life and business, and along with a few prominent wineries of the time, they helped revolutionize Napa Valley. Bonny’s story is one filled with deep grief and abiding love. She shares wisdom and advice for living a full life with...

According to Mark Nepo, after we are physically born we must be spiritually born a second time, a process that takes place through the labor of a lifetime. Mark teaches that no matter what is going on in the world around us, we can tap into our inner wisdom and strength for sustenance. Mark was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People. He has...

The pain and devastation resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic can cause one to search for the meaning behind it. Why is there so much suffering and what are we to learn from it? Life as we know it no longer exists, but is it possible that there could be a plan, one for our greater good? Rabbi Daniel Cohen discusses how we can remain strong, remain hopeful, and turn this experience into somethin...

As states begin to reopen, social distancing lessens and many wonder if there is anything we can do to improve our odds of remaining healthy. According to Dr. Paul Zeitz, there are actions we can take that may make a difference. Dr. Zeitz is a leading public health expert and former Obama and Trump administration official. He currently serves as the founder of Build A Movement 2020 and as co-chair...

With today’s technology we are more connected than ever before and yet, it has been reported that social isolation is a growing epidemic in the United States. The number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985, and more Americans are living alone, particularly people over 60. As it turns out, we can have hundreds of “friends” on social media without having any meaningful relation...

Bad things can and do happen and sometimes the world can seem like a very scary and dangerous place. Fortunately, there are things we can do to become personally responsible for the security and safety of ourselves and our loved ones. Former FBI special agent, John Iannarelli, provides tools that can help us in every day life. John spent more than 20 years in the FBI and he is the author of five b...

Life can present many challenges as most of us know from recent events. A pandemic, financial concerns, isolation, and health issues can create anxiety and fear. Emerging from a crisis takes inner strength and determination. The good news is that according to Panache Desai, you have the power to do it! Panache is a bestselling author, thought leader, and business and life catalyst. He has been int...

The name Jackie Robinson is synonymous with breaking down barriers, which he did throughout his life. Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend and civil rights icon, Jackie Robinson, experienced some of the most important events in history, including the March on Washington. She discusses her father's life and legacy. Sharon is the author of numerous children’s books honoring her father’s...

Every child who has ever played baseball has dreamed of being the hero of Game 7 of the World Series. Ron Darling had that dream too, and he got to live it. But, as many of us have learned, dreams don’t always turn out as imagined. Ron is the author of the book, Game 7, 1986, Failure and Triumph in the Biggest Game of My Life. He discusses what he experienced that night in Shea Stadium and the les...