Elsplend Realities

Why do so many accomplished women remain the best-kept secret in their industry? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, personal branding strategist Shauna Smith explores the inner and outer journey from being highly capable but overlooked to becoming a trusted, visible authority. Drawing from her own experience of building other people's brands before claiming her own voice, Shauna shares why vis...

Why do some brands and experts naturally earn trust while others struggle to be noticed? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, marketing strategist and buyer psychology expert Dr. Jackie Noelke explores the deeper principles behind visibility, trust, and effective communication. Rather than chasing trends or producing endless content, Jackie explains how clear messaging, intentional positioning,...

Why do so many healthy habits fail—not because we lack motivation, but because they don't fit the way we actually live? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Ole Hovde, founder of Switchback Foods, shares how a personal desire for better health led him to create a simple, practical solution for busy lives. His journey reveals that lasting wellness isn't built on perfection or extreme discipline,...

What makes a story stay with us long after we've finished reading it? Is it the plot—or the deeper truths it reveals about human nature? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, award-winning novelist Gerald Everett Jones explores the art of storytelling and the moral questions that give great fiction its lasting impact. Drawing from a career spanning fifteen books, Gerald shares how he crafts compe...

What do you hold onto when life changes in an instant? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, long-term cancer survivor, author, and patient advocate Rick Hill reflects on a journey that began with a life-altering diagnosis and evolved into decades of learning about resilience, healing, and hope. Rather than focusing solely on physical recovery, Rick shares how mindset, personal beliefs, and inten...

What happens when life leaves you feeling spiritually weary, disconnected, or uncertain about who you are? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Prophetess Lashonda Hartidge shares a heartfelt conversation about faith, healing, and the journey of rediscovering our identity in Christ. As the founder of Sapphire Sista, she offers wisdom on overcoming spiritual exhaustion, embracing God's restoratio...

Why do we react the way we do under stress? And what if greater clarity isn't something we wait for—but something we can intentionally develop? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, clinical psychologist Dr. Gregory T. Obert explores how stress, burnout, and emotional overload shape our thoughts, behaviors, and decision-making. Drawing from over 15 years of clinical experience, he shares practica...

Making money is one thing. Building lasting wealth is another. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, financial expert and longtime H&R Block franchisee Christopher Wilson shares practical insights on moving beyond earning a paycheck to creating long-term financial security and a meaningful legacy. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Chris explains why wealth isn't just about income—it...

What if the biggest leadership breakthroughs don't come from working harder—but from seeing the bigger picture? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, strategic advisor and systems-thinking expert Dr. Esther Zeledon shares how leaders can navigate complexity with greater clarity, recognize pivotal decision points, and create meaningful, lasting change. Drawing on her experience working with govern...

What does it really mean to live a healthy life? Is it simply the absence of illness, or is it something much deeper? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, licensed clinical social worker, author, and podcast host Glen Alex explores the idea of "Wellth"—a life enriched not only by physical health, but also by emotional resilience, meaningful relationships, healthy boundaries, and inner peace. Tog...

What if the peace you're searching for isn't something you need to find—but something you need to uncover beneath the noise? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Kay Cordell Whitaker, elder, teacher, and lineage keeper of the ancient Ka Ta See tradition, shares timeless wisdom on releasing fear, quieting self-judgment, and reconnecting with our authentic selves. Drawing from more than four decad...

Every life tells a story—but some journeys challenge us to see the world in entirely new ways. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, documentary filmmaker Jeremy Norrie reflects on a life that has spanned concert promotion, combat sports journalism, the emerging cannabis industry, and ultimately, filmmaking. Through those experiences, he discovered a passion for telling honest stories that explor...

Some of the most meaningful creations begin in the most unexpected moments. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, fantasy author Danielle Orsino shares how a story told to comfort a patient during her time as a nurse grew into The Legacies of Light & Dark—an immersive fantasy series and a thriving creative community. Together, we explore the power of imagination, the connection between creativity...

What if the biggest obstacle to financial freedom isn't just a lack of money—but the story we've come to believe about it? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, financial coach, bestselling author, and Give A Heck podcast host Dwight Heck shares his remarkable journey from raising five children as a struggling single father to helping families and entrepreneurs build lasting financial confidence....

What happens when life changes in an instant—and everything you thought you knew about yourself is suddenly rewritten? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Fierce Manson to explore a journey marked by profound loss, extraordinary resilience, and unwavering faith. From surviving a life-threatening brain aneurysm and rebuilding after homelessness to navigating grief and supporting...

What happens when we spend so much time living in our minds that we lose touch with our bodies? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, embodiment mentor Patty Alfonso explores how reconnecting with the body's wisdom can transform the way we experience ourselves, our emotions, and our relationships. Through a thoughtful conversation on self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and self-trust, Patt...

What happens when the mindset that once fueled your success begins to work against you? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Nancy Deyo shares her deeply personal journey from leading in Silicon Valley to navigating years of chronic pain, misdiagnosis, and the difficult process of rebuilding her life. Through her story, she reflects on identity, resilience, and the courage to let go of old defin...

What if the stress you carry isn't a personal failure—but your body's way of asking for safety? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Hailey Coleman, The Psychic Nervous System Coach, shares her journey from living in constant survival mode to helping others find calm, clarity, and emotional balance. Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, anxiety, and healing, she explains how nervous syst...

In a world filled with constant noise, pressure, and distraction, how do we cultivate lasting peace? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Buddhist monk and mindfulness teacher Rev. Amitha Khema shares how mindfulness can help us navigate stress, regulate our emotions, and respond to life with greater clarity and compassion. Drawing from more than fifteen years of monastic life and his work guidi...

Faith is often tested not in life's mountaintop moments, but in the quiet seasons where the path ahead feels uncertain. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Christian speaker, author, and Made Whole founder Jessica DeYoung shares what it means to live a faith that is authentic, practical, and deeply rooted in everyday obedience. Together, we explore how to trust God without having all the answer...

Some of life's most important turning points don't arrive with certainty—they begin as a quiet invitation to pay attention. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, author and coach Kristin Kurtz shares her journey of transformation and the lessons she's learned about trusting God, embracing change, and discovering identity through life's unexpected transitions. Together, we explore why so many peop...

Healing from narcissistic relationships isn't just about leaving toxic people—it's about reconnecting with yourself. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, psychotherapist, author, and founder of The Narcissism Recovery Project, Darren Elliott, explores the emotional impact of narcissistic abuse and why healing begins with reclaiming clarity rather than living in fear. Drawing from both his person...

What if the fullest life isn't built by choosing one path—but by courageously pursuing the passions that make you come alive? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Brandy Von Holten shares an extraordinary journey that spans international martial arts competition, science education, entrepreneurship, authorship, and ranch ownership. Rather than seeing these as separate careers, she reveals how ea...

Success isn't always a sign of alignment. Sometimes, the most accomplished people are carrying the heaviest burdens—not because they're doing too much, but because they've lost sight of who they truly are. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with LaTonya Renee Flood, Servant Leader, Kingdom Strategist, and founder of the True FACE Foundation, to explore the connection between identi...

What happens when the beliefs you've inherited no longer feel like enough—but you're not ready to abandon the search for meaning? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Matt Ward shares his journey from a four-decade career in the audio industry to developing New Atenism, a framework that explores reason as a foundation for personal growth, purpose, and collective understanding. Together, we exami...