Elsplend Realities

In this intimate episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when a woman who has done everything “right” begins to question the life she built. Polish-born author and poet Karina, writing under the pen name K. K. Biernath, shares the deeply personal journey behind her memoir Karina: One Woman’s Journey from Fear to Freedom — a story first written for her children and later offered to t...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the powerful connection between personal transformation and community impact. Public health writer, editor, and advocate Venchele Saint Dic joins the conversation to share how storytelling, resilience, and leadership intersect in her work to improve health access and empower families. From her journey as an author and founder of MESFAMI Care Inc. t...

In this energizing episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the powerful connection between physical strength and mental resilience. Because true confidence isn’t just about how you look — it’s about how you think, the habits you build, and the way you show up for yourself consistently. Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach McKenzie Jacobs joins the conversation to share her journey from...

In this uplifting episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore joy as a mindset, creativity as a life practice, and happiness as a choice we can return to again and again. Life and executive coach, speaker, and debut children’s book author 'Terry Bean' joins the conversation to share the inspiration behind her book ABRACADABRA and her belief that happiness is a superpower available to all of...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how resilience is built not through certainty, but through awareness, adaptability, and mindset. Our guest, Bart Merrell—international entrepreneur, author, and creator of Monetize Your Mindset—shares a life shaped by bold risks, creative ventures, and a deep belief in self-sufficiency. From turning ideas into income at a young age to embracing exp...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we turn our attention to the emotional and cognitive realities of dyslexia—and the often-unseen weight carried by children who struggle to read in systems not built for how they learn. Joining us is Russell Van Brocklen, known as The Dyslexia Professor, who brings clarity, compassion, and actionable guidance to parents and caregivers navigating daily reading...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it means to build a fulfilling life when traditional paths never quite fit. Author James Lee joins us to share his journey of resilience—from growing up with a learning disability and feeling overlooked by the education system, to finding purpose in healthcare, discipline through fitness and martial arts, and renewed confidence later in life t...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the inner landscape of self-doubt—how it forms, how it speaks, and how it can be navigated without letting it run the show. Award-winning author and professional nonfiction book coach Amy L. Bernstein joins us to unpack the emotional mechanics behind fear, confidence, and creative resistance. Drawing from her book Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fight...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit with a story that invites deeper empathy and a more expansive understanding of inclusion. Author, disability advocate, and accessibility educator Jenna Udenberg joins us to share her lived experience of navigating the world with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis from a young age. Drawing from her memoir Within My Spokes and her work through Above & Bey...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we turn inward to examine the quiet but relentless mental narratives that shape how we see ourselves and the world. Certified life, spiritual, and relationship coach Jacquie Elliott joins us to unpack what she calls Abusive Brain Chatter (ABC)—the internal dialogue that erodes confidence, clouds clarity, and keeps people stuck in cycles of self-doubt and peop...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how reclaiming focus and building real connection can unlock creativity, resilience, and purpose in a digitally saturated world. Strategist, speaker, and community builder Kelsey L. Green joins us to examine the impact of digital habits on our energy, relationships, and mental health—and how intentional boundaries can create space for what truly ma...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when a core part of identity is altered without warning. Eileen Meehan—a longtime special education teacher and lifelong choir member—shares her experience of living with a chronic voice disorder and the profound emotional shift that followed. As her voice changed, so did the way she communicated, connected, and understood herself. Wit...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore why business growth so often stalls—not because of strategy, but because of the unseen inner dynamics of leadership. Business Growth Strategist Maritza Davila, creator of the G.R.O.W. Methodology, joins us to unpack how self-awareness, trust, and emotional intelligence directly shape team performance and execution. Drawing from over a decade of ope...

In this episode of 'Elsplend Realities', we sit down with 'Michael T. Brown, LPC' — licensed professional counselor, leadership consultant, and author — for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and inspired action. With over two decades of experience working with individuals, families, businesses, and communities, Michael shares practical insights on what it truly mea...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the deep connection between clarity, purpose, and human behavior inside organizations. When teams lack direction, confusion, burnout, and fragmented effort often follow—but when the “where” and the “why” are clear, something powerful shifts. Joining us is Clare Treston, author of The Where and The Why and known as “The Where and The Why Whisperer.”...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we dive into the human side of security with Robert Siciliano—cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker, private investigator, and bestselling author. Robert helps us see that personal and digital safety isn’t just about technology; it’s about behavior, awareness, and emotional intelligence. From AI-driven scams to identity theft, he explains how our instincts, em...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the art and science of healing at the root level. Our guest, Dr. James Lovinsky—Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and founder of Opus Total Health—shares his journey from the tech world to holistic health, where personal experiences with chronic pain and stress inspired a deep commitment to integrative medicine. Dr. Lovinsky blends acupunc...

In this episode of 'Elsplend Realities', we explore what it truly means to rebuild a life after it has been broken open by loss, addiction, and upheaval. Our guest, Andrew Drasen—author of 'A Vision of Hope' and creator of a 90-day transformation framework—shares his journey from incarceration and addiction to clarity, purpose, and service. Andrew reflects on identity, grief, and t...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how remembering God’s faithfulness can bring clarity, healing, and renewed vision. Our guest, Brenda Savanhu — Zimbabwe-born author, devotional writer, and faith mentor — shares her journey through burnout, reflection, and rediscovery, and how it led to the creation of her book Memorial Stones. Together, we unpack the power of foundational miracles...

What if the quality of your closest relationship quietly shaped your leadership, creativity, and presence in the world? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the powerful connection between intimacy and influence with Eri Kardos, founder of Relearn Love, LLC, best-selling author, and 2025 TEDx speaker. Eri shares how her work with high-performing leaders revealed a consistent truth: un...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when the life you carefully built suddenly falls apart — and the identity you relied on no longer fits. Our guest, Karen Peters, a Resilience and Acute Trauma Transformational Speaker and Coach, shares deep insight into the emotional aftermath of trauma, loss, and public disruption. Together, we unpack the hidden cost of “veneer perfec...

What happens when life pauses—and eternity speaks? In this deeply moving episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore faith, mortality, and spiritual awakening through the testimony of Susan Bosma, widely known as Gospel Granny. After a near-death experience during surgery as a young mother, Susan’s understanding of life, purpose, and faith was forever transformed. With warmth and clarity, Susan refl...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it truly means to live in alignment with who you were created to be. Chris Behnke, best-selling author and creator of the NEXUS Profile, shares how understanding your unique design can transform the way you lead, relate, and make decisions. From uncovering hidden motivators to protecting against burnout and closing the gap between outward achi...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we dive deep into what it truly takes to rebuild your life when everything familiar — your memory, identity, and creative abilities — disappears. Tim Randall joins us to share his extraordinary journey of surviving severe emotional trauma and a traumatic brain injury that left him misdiagnosed, overmedicated, and experiencing daily seizures. For years, Tim fa...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore how mindfulness and emotional awareness are essential skills for effective leadership in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world. Joined by leadership and mindfulness expert Dalida Turkovic, the conversation examines how presence, compassion, and self-regulation shape not only personal resilience but also the cultures and teams leaders guide. Dalid...