Elsplend Realities

What does it take to turn cultural heritage into a global experience? In this vibrant and insightful episode, Melina Mattos shares her journey of bringing Brazilian spirits—especially cachaça—onto the international stage. From her early work in education to navigating New York’s restaurant industry, Melina’s path reflects a deep commitment to authenticity, storytelling, and cultural pride. This co...

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like your own? In this deeply reflective episode, Jazzmyn Lauff shares her journey through profound loss, identity shifts, and the courageous process of starting over without a clear map. After the devastating loss of her teenage son, Jazzmyn was led into a radical realignment—one that required her to release external success and reconnect wi...

What if the real challenge in leadership isn’t doing more—but learning how to stay grounded while doing it? In this insightful episode, Carmen Wiesinger explores the often-overlooked connection between nervous system regulation and high-level performance. As ambitious leaders navigate pressure, visibility, and constant expectations, Carmen reveals why inner stability—not just strategy—is what dete...

What if the biggest limitations in your life aren’t external barriers—but internal patterns you’ve stopped noticing? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Stan Lewis, leadership and communication expert, former OSHA supervisory federal investigator, and mediator with over 15 years of experience navigating high-stakes human behavior, trust, and decision-making. Together, we explore...

What if healing isn’t found in light or darkness—but in the space between them? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Nadine Ellis, Australian poet, author of The Grey Between, university lecturer, and medical academic. Her work and lived experience move through abuse, single motherhood, and personal reinvention, offering a deeply honest reflection on resilience, identity, and tra...

What if burnout isn’t a personal failure—but a signal that the way you’ve been giving can no longer sustain you? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Helen Malinowski, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, founder of Beacon of Hope Counseling, and creator of the Catalyst Collective. From nearly experiencing full burnout to building a thriving 7-figure group practice with 27 clinicians...

What if the measure of success isn’t speed, funding, or certainty—but the decision to keep building something meaningful when none of those are guaranteed? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Joel Heath, indie game developer and co-founder of Ash Born Interactive, a small family-run studio creating story-driven RPGs under real-world constraints that many creators quietly face bu...

What if exhaustion isn’t just a personal issue—but a signal that we’re relying on the wrong kind of intelligence for the world we’re now living in? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Amah Sia, a consciousness guide working at the intersection of AI, leadership, and human awareness. Formerly a C-suite fashion executive in New York City, Amah now teaches what she calls “conscious...

What if the parts of you that never quite “fit” weren’t flaws—but signals pointing toward a different kind of intelligence? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Julie Legg, ADHD author, advocate, and host of the ADHDifference podcast. Diagnosed at 52 after a lifetime of following energy, creativity, and reinvention rather than traditional paths, Julie offers a deeply human perspe...

What if the moments that feel like collapse aren’t the end of your story—but the beginning of finally seeing it clearly? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by AmyNicole Ellis, founder of Fix Yourself & Flaunt It! and creator of The Debt Decoder™️. After navigating three bankruptcies and major life resets, AmyNicole now helps women uncover the emotional and behavioral patterns that...

What if the reason your expertise isn’t being recognized has less to do with skill—and more to do with visibility? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Carl Richards, 3x best-selling author, TEDx speaker, emcee, podcast host, and founder of Carl Speaks and Podcast Solutions Made Simple. With over 25 years behind the microphone, Carl has built a career around one central truth: in...

What happens when the story you’ve lived isn’t the one you chose—and healing begins with learning how to speak your own truth? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Dr. Liz DeBetta, scholar-artist-activist, trauma-informed educator, and founder of Migrating Toward Wholeness. Her work bridges storytelling, embodiment, and trauma recovery, offering a deeply human approach to healing...

What if exhaustion isn’t just about doing too much—but about staying in survival mode for too long? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Jess Vanrose, trauma-informed guide in nervous system regulation and host of the Life After Trauma podcast. Her work supports those who appear functional on the outside but feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or quietly exhausted beneath the surface...

What if the real reason your business feels busy—but not financially free—has nothing to do with growth, and everything to do with structure? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we’re joined by Marcia Riner, profit strategist, CEO of Infinite Profit®️, and creator of the Profit Booster®️ Growth Agency. With over 25 years of experience helping entrepreneurs move from hustle-driven chaos to syste...

What if the real skill behind great leadership isn’t charisma, confidence, or control — but sincerity? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Joshua Routh — clown, sword swallower, TEDx speaker, wildfire firefighter, and founder of Circus Kaput — to explore what it truly means to show up honestly in a world built on performance. From training under master circus traditions to work...

What happens when life doesn’t just inspire your writing—but becomes the reason you had to learn to write in the first place? In this powerful episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Kristof Morrow — a disabled U.S. veteran, award-winning journalist, photographer, and author of The Second Sun. His journey moves through addiction, sobriety, military service, disability, and a five-year sile...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it means to redefine success—not by external achievement alone, but by internal alignment, clarity, and conscious choice. Joined by Toni Will, professional sports executive, speaker, and General Manager of the Kalamazoo Wings, we dive into her journey of leading in high-pressure, male-dominated environments while choosing a more intentional an...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it means to live from presence rather than fear—and the quiet courage it takes to step beyond certainty into a more authentic way of being. Joined by Kimberly Braun, former monastic nun, theologian, TEDx speaker, and author of Miracles in the Naked Light, we dive into her journey of building a life rooted in trust, love, and deep spiritual awa...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore why so many people feel stuck or burned out—not because they lack effort, but because they’re operating within the wrong structure. Joined by Jaben Makings, founder of a real estate investment company built on partnerships and disciplined execution, we dive into what it really means to build with leverage instead of chaos. From early struggles with...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore why so many people feel stuck or burned out—not because they lack effort, but because they’re operating within the wrong structure. Joined by Jaben Makings, founder of a real estate investment company built on partnerships and disciplined execution, we dive into what it really means to build with leverage instead of chaos. From early struggles with...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what it really means to take ownership of your career—not just strategically, but emotionally and personally. Joined by Julia Toothacre, career coach, strategist, and founder of Ride The Tide Collective, we dive into why so many high-performing professionals feel stuck even when they’re doing everything “right.” With experience spanning higher educ...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when business growth begins to outpace the systems, people, and leaders holding it together. Joined by Bryan Baker, Fractional COO and systems thinker, we dive into why so many founders find themselves exhausted not from lack of success—but from becoming the bottleneck in their own businesses. With experience scaling a service company...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what truly separates technical skill from real-world impact: communication, clarity, and presence under pressure. Joined by Evgeniy Kharam—author, consultant, and former global technology leader—we dive into how high-performing professionals can struggle to be heard, not because of what they know, but because of how they translate it. With experien...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we step into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence—not through the lens of fear or hype, but through clarity, capability, and practical application. Joined by Erik Oehler, founder of Civic Dialog and strategist at the intersection of AI and business operations, we explore what it really takes for organizations to move from experimentation to m...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore what happens when personal frustration becomes the foundation for meaningful impact—and a scalable business. Joined by Nichole Daher, founder of Success On The Spectrum, the first autism treatment franchise in the United States, we dive into how lived experience, necessity, and compassion can shape organizations that serve both people and purpose....