Elsplend Realities

Can faith and science truly coexist—or have we been taught to see them as opposites? In this thoughtful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dr. Angela Deulen to explore the profound intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and spiritual formation. Drawing from decades of clinical experience, behavioral neuroscience research, and Biblical scholarship, Angela unpacks how the human brain...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it means to build confidence, resilience, and self-trust in environments where you may feel unseen, underestimated, or outnumbered. This is a conversation about identity, leadership, and the quiet but powerful decision to stop shrinking in spaces that were not always designed with you in mind. Our guest, Samantha Kaye Harris, is a Workforce Re...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it truly means to slow down, reconnect with the body, and return to a sense of inner safety. Many people live in cycles of emotional overwhelm, survival mode, and disconnection without realizing how deeply their nervous system is shaping their daily experience. Our guest, Natalie Bedard—also known as NatNat—is an Emotional Healing and Nervous...

In this deeply moving episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it means to live with loss, navigate trauma, and slowly rebuild a sense of safety and meaning after profound tragedy. This conversation centers on grief, resilience, faith, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing healing when the past refuses to stay silent. Our guest, Allicia Johnson Niles—author, speaker, and educator—s...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the deeply personal and often difficult terrain of trust, betrayal, and emotional safety in relationships. Many people enter love seeking connection, only to find themselves navigating confusion, red flags they didn’t see in time, and the lasting impact of emotional harm. Our guest, Justin Smith—entrepreneur and founder of the dating safety app Cra...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it truly means to move out of survival mode and reconnect with the body’s natural intelligence. So many people are navigating chronic stress, burnout, and emotional disconnection while still appearing “fine” on the outside—often without realizing how deeply their nervous system has adapted to cope. Our guest, Kelly Hale (also known as Kelly Ka...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the foundation of all meaningful relationships: the one you have with yourself. From there, we move into the patterns, triggers, and communication styles that shape how we connect with others—and how those patterns can either create distance or deepen intimacy. We’re joined by Paige Farrington and Ashlyn Farrington, a mother-daughter duo behind Lov...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it truly means to move forward in the face of physical limitation, uncertainty, and fear—and how resilience is often built one careful step at a time. This conversation centers on courage not as a personality trait, but as a practiced way of showing up for life, especially when conditions are far from ideal. We’re joined by Darrow Kirkpatrick,...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore a life shaped by extremes—early adversity, high-stakes leadership in global corporations, pioneering work in early AI, and a parallel career as a novelist, inventor, and adventurer. It’s a conversation about how resilience is built, how judgment is sharpened under pressure, and how curiosity can become a lifelong operating system. We’re joined by G...

What happens when the life you built no longer feels fully aligned with who you’re becoming? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Shannon Russell — career transition coach, entrepreneur, author, and former television producer — for a grounded conversation about reinvention, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to choose a new chapter. After spending more than sixteen years p...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it really takes to turn ideas into working solutions in a world overflowing with tools, platforms, and possibilities. For many founders, entrepreneurs, and creators, the challenge is not a lack of ideas—it’s knowing how to execute without getting overwhelmed or overcomplicating the process. We’re joined by Dan Hafner, a builder who began creat...

Leadership often looks like momentum on the outside—but internally, it can feel like constant negotiation between pressure, identity, and purpose. In this insightful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Rahul Karan Sharma — leadership strategist, staffing industry expert, bestselling author, member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and host of The CLIMB Podcast. With over two decades of ex...

What if the exhaustion, stiffness, and mental fog so many people experience during the workday isn’t just “part of adult life” — but a signal that our bodies are craving movement, awareness, and reset? In this energizing episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Alessa Caridi — workplace wellness expert, certified Pilates instructor, speaker, and author of The Ultimate Workspace Toolkit. Kno...

What if healing wasn’t about forcing yourself to feel better—but learning how to finally listen to what your body has been trying to say? In this calming and deeply reflective episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Amy Vincze — certified EFT Tapping Coach, wellness advocate, and founder of the Soar with Tapping App. After navigating cancer, trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain in...

What if the version of strength we admire most is sometimes just fear in disguise? In this deeply reflective episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Dr. Dana Cowles — board-certified Emergency Medicine Osteopathic Physician, philosopher, and speaker whose life journey has been shaped by fear, loss, resilience, and profound self-examination. From a childhood marked by anxiety and a life-alte...

What happens when your body keeps signaling that something is wrong—but you’ve been told everything looks “normal”? In this deeply grounding episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Lola MacLean — Functional Gut Health Consultant, Family Nurse Practitioner, and founder of Haelan Empowered — to explore the often-overlooked connection between gut health, emotional wellbeing, stress, and self-...

Some forms of heartbreak leave no visible scars—yet they quietly reshape the way we see ourselves, our worth, and our voice. In this deeply honest episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Nikki Allen, author of the emotionally powerful novel Loved You, Hated You. What began as a song born from personal pain eventually evolved into a screenplay and then a novel—because fiction gave Nikki the...

Some of the hardest moments in life happen when the role, identity, or structure we once relied on no longer fits who we’re becoming. In this reflective episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by James Hilovsky — former minor league baseball player, entrepreneur, and franchise consultant who helps people navigate career transitions with greater clarity, intention, and self-awareness. After exp...

Music has the ability to reach places words alone often cannot. In this inspiring episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Tony Saint Tone — award-winning singer-songwriter, global performer, motivational speaker, and founder of the Spirit of Music Foundation. After more than 7,000 performances around the world, Tony has discovered that music is more than entertainment—it’s connection, heal...

Leadership can look powerful from the outside while feeling deeply isolating on the inside. In this insightful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dave Bates — executive coach, fractional operator, leadership advisor, and author of Engineering Wisdom: A Practical Guide to Building Leadership That Lasts. Drawing from decades of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, and trusted advisor, Dav...

What if the purpose of faith was never just about reaching heaven someday—but learning how to live with meaning, clarity, and spiritual authority today? In this thought-provoking episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Charles Cooper — author, theologian, and advocate for understanding the kingdom of God as a present reality rather than a distant promise. Together, we explore the deeper me...

What does it take to stay grounded while witnessing the most extreme and intimate moments of human experience across the world? In this thought-provoking episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore storytelling, emotional resilience, global perspective, and the psychology of human behavior with Craig D. Forrest — award-winning TV director, documentary filmmaker, author, educator, and global storytel...

What if resilience isn’t something people are born with — but something built through the hardest moments of life? In this deeply moving episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore grief, perseverance, healing, and the mindset shifts that help people move forward after profound adversity with Andy Campbell — survivor, author, and inspirational speaker whose life story is a testament to the power of...

Why do so many people feel lonely even inside loving relationships? In this honest and deeply reflective episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore intimacy, emotional disconnection, desire, and the courage it takes to be fully seen with Dr. Claudia Six — relationship counselor, clinical sexologist, and author of Erotic Integrity. Drawing from more than 35 years of experience working with individua...

What if the biggest barrier to homeownership wasn’t money — but belief? In this empowering episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore the mindset shifts, financial realities, and emotional resilience involved in moving from renting to ownership with John Collins — homebuyer educator, real estate expert, and founder of Own The Roof. After decades in real estate and sales, John discovered a deeper pu...