Elsplend Realities

How do you manage competing demands, financial pressure, and daily overwhelm without losing yourself in the process? For single parents, thriving isn't about perfection—it’s about building practical systems, reliable support networks, and sustainable routines that work in the real world. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Pat Hankin, author of The Field Guide for Single Par...

Most leaders treat communication as a transactional skill—a set of techniques to master or words to polish. But what happens when we shift from viewing communication as something we do to living it as a mindset? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with David Firth, an internationally recognized author, executive consultant, and speaker with over 30 years of experience advising gl...

How do we teach children courage, empathy, and kindness in a world that often moves too fast? The foundation for character-building and emotional intelligence starts early, and often in the simplest moments—through stories, play, and everyday routines. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Kirsten Telan, author of the children's book A Tale of Two Dogs and creator of The Confe...

Many high-performing individuals struggle when stepping into leadership—not because they lack discipline, but because they are caught in the trap of trying to do the work of the team instead of the work of leading. When pressure increases and responsibility expands, relying on charisma alone leads straight to burnout. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Ed Tyson—former Marin...

Life can change in a moment, leaving us to navigate circumstances we never expected. Yet even in the face of profound challenges, there can be room for hope, purpose, laughter, and a new understanding of what it means to truly thrive. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Stephen “Swags” Wagstaff, founder and CEO of SwagAbility, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate disabili...

Some stories stay with us long after the screen goes dark. A character, a scene, or a line of dialogue can give language to feelings we struggled to understand, connect us with others, and change how we see ourselves. But what makes certain stories resonate so deeply across generations and cultures? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Alyazia Aldhaheri, a pop culture journalist and f...

Sometimes, the most profound difference we make in another person’s life comes not from having all the answers, but from choosing to show up, remain present, and care through the difficult moments. One meaningful connection can leave a lasting impact on both the person receiving support and the person offering it. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Dennis “DJ” Quinn, an author, ment...

Grief can change the way we see life, love, and even ourselves. But what if, over time, our deepest losses could open the door to a new understanding of meaning, acceptance, and inner peace? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Steve Ferrara, nationally recognized speaker, author, and thought leader in spiritual awakening. Through his book, From Grief to Gratitude: A New Paradigm on D...

What happens when life changes in an instant and even the simplest daily tasks become extraordinary challenges? Sometimes, rebuilding our lives begins with changing how we see the obstacles in front of us. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Dan MacQueen, a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor who rebuilt his life after devastating brain hemorrhages. From relearning how to walk a...

Some of the strongest people you know may also be carrying the heaviest burdens—not because they are weak, but because they’ve become experts at functioning while silently struggling. But true healing isn't about becoming someone else; it’s about creating enough internal safety to meet yourself with honesty instead of judgment. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Dr. Fernand...

Most people don’t realize they are already carrying the very capabilities they’ve been searching for. We often assume resilience and leadership are built later—after life becomes easier or after we "get it together." But in reality, what makes us capable under pressure is formed in the very moments we would never choose to repeat. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Misty Ca...

Most of us don’t realize how much of our life is being lived on autopilot—the automatic reactions, familiar fears, and roles we step into without questioning. Over time, these patterns start to feel like who we are, even when they were never consciously chosen. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Marta Swaffer, author of You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For. Marta shares...

Many of us carry a quiet kind of exhaustion—not just from overworking, but from being deeply disconnected from our own bodies. We push through tension, normalize fatigue, and call it discipline—until our body starts speaking louder than our mind can ignore. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, host sits down with Sheldon Victorine, a Certified Athletic Trainer with over two decades of experience...

There is a question that shows up quietly in our hardest seasons—and sometimes even in our most peaceful ones: What does all of this mean, and where was God in it? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Russ Fish—former pastor, co-founder of Summit University, and author of A Happy Ending. Together, we explore what it means to look past the surface of our experiences, navigate tra...

What if the biggest barrier to receiving care isn’t access or expertise, but fear, shame, and the feeling of not being understood? Sometimes, the most meaningful innovations begin by recognizing the human emotions behind a problem we have long overlooked. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Frankie Casey, a London-based startup founder who left a 22-year career in wealth management t...

Have you ever felt that your life was moving forward, yet something within you was asking for change? Sometimes, the most important transformation begins when we stop living on autopilot and start paying attention to who we are, what we feel, and who we are becoming. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Stacie Shifflett, bestselling author, entrepreneur, coauthor with Jack Canfield, a...

Can heartbreak become the beginning of something that brings hope to others? Sometimes, the most meaningful legacies emerge from our deepest losses—not because the pain was easy, but because love finds ways to keep making a difference. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Michael Gomoll, founder of Joey's Song, a nonprofit organization established in honor of his son, Joey, who passed...

Technology is changing how we live, work, communicate, and understand the world. But as innovation accelerates, an important question remains: Are we consciously shaping technology, or is technology quietly shaping us? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Ken Chester, a nationally syndicated automotive journalist, technology communicator, entrepreneur, and CEO of TechMobility Producti...

What does it take to build something meaningful when the path ahead is uncertain? Sometimes, growth begins not when we have all the answers, but when we find the courage to take the next step. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Dave Gulas, entrepreneur, podcast host, and co-founder of EZDC 3PL. After more than two decades in corporate leadership within the medical and pharmaceutical...

In a world filled with uncertainty, competing opinions, and predictions about the future, how do we distinguish truth from fear—and how should our beliefs shape the way we live today? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Branch Isole, an author, poet, storyteller, podcast host, and lifelong student of human choice, responsibility, and consequence. Drawing from his extensive writing an...

What if the pain we experience is only part of a much bigger story? Sometimes, the key to meaningful recovery isn't simply treating where it hurts, but understanding the deeper patterns contributing to the problem. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we speak with David Jeter, a physical therapist with more than two decades of experience and owner of Acceleration Physical Therapy, about pain, m...

Why do the same misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional patterns keep showing up in our relationships, even when we genuinely want things to change? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we speak with Chris Fields, a relationship coach, NLP Master Practitioner, certified hypnotherapist, Marine Corps veteran, and former private investigator, about the hidden patterns that influence how we thin...

What happens when the responsibility of fatherhood becomes so overwhelming that a man begins to lose connection with himself? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we speak with Tyler McAdams, single father, coach, and founder of Inspiring Father, about the emotional realities of fatherhood, the challenges of rebuilding after divorce, and the importance of becoming emotionally present for yoursel...

Why do some organizations struggle despite having talented people, clear strategies, and ambitious goals? Often, the problem lies beneath the surface—in the behaviors, relationships, and unhealthy patterns that quietly shape the workplace. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we speak with Dr. Bryan Hughes, an author, speaker, and leadership and organizational health consultant with three decade...

What if the clothes we wear, the stories we consume, and the things we buy reveal more about us than we realize? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Courtney Barriger, an award-winning artist, published author, sustainable fashion designer, and storyteller, to explore the deeper connections between fashion, sustainability, psychology, mythology, and human consciousness. Through...