Elsplend Realities

What shapes a leader before the world ever recognizes them? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Scott Badler, Kennedy scholar and author of Becoming JFK: John F. Kennedy’s Early Path to Leadership, to explore the formative years of one of the most iconic presidents in history. Rather than focusing on the well-known legacy of John F. Kennedy’s presidency, Scott takes us back to...

What if scaling your business didn’t have to feel like constant firefighting? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Amanda Rosazza, founder of Imagine8, to explore how leaders and entrepreneurs can build structured, scalable systems that bring clarity, consistency, and ease into their work. Amanda has helped over 180 organizations and 3,500 individuals transform the way they oper...

Why do emotional patterns we thought we had outgrown still show up in moments of stress, conflict, or overwhelm? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Mark Siedler and Lynetta Avery, co-authors of The Trauma Bible, for a grounded and practical conversation about trauma, emotional regulation, and the lived experience of healing. Drawing from decades of personal experience and surv...

What if the most powerful parenting tool isn’t discipline or strategy—but emotional presence? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dr. David Marcus, Clinical Psychologist with over 40 years of experience in family therapy, child advocacy, and parent-child communication, to explore what it truly takes to build emotionally healthy relationships with children. Dr. Marcus shares his...

What if the life you’re trying to build doesn’t require you to become someone else—but instead invites you to return to who you already are? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Karin Velická, certified self-love and mindset coach, former professional athlete, and author of Dear Me Letters, for a grounded and heartfelt conversation about identity, healing, and personal transformation....

What does it truly take to lead people well—across cultures, across uncertainty, and across life-changing experiences? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dr. Joy Owens, CEO of Butler Travel, educator, adventure racer, former missionary kid, and mother, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, emotional awareness, and the transformative power of experiential travel. Dr. Owe...

What if the boundaries we believe in—about age, ability, and potential—are far more flexible than we think? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Jeff Seckendorf, world-record-holding cyclist, coach, educator, and lifelong adventurer, to explore what it truly means to live and perform with purpose across decades. At 70 years old, Jeff continues to break world records in ultra cyc...

What if the life you've always imagined is still waiting for you—no matter your age, past choices, or current circumstances? In this inspiring episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Melora Fern, author of Whistling Women and Crowing Hens, for a heartfelt conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the courage to embrace a new chapter later in life. After building a successful career as a CP...

Why do some people seem to command attention effortlessly while others struggle to express what they truly mean? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dr. Tim Newman—communication coach, podcast host, educator, and creator of The Formula for Public Speaking and the Confident Connection Formula—to explore the mindset and skills behind impactful communication. Drawing on more than...

What if recovery is about more than breaking a habit? What if it’s ultimately about reclaiming your identity, rebuilding self-trust, and learning to live with greater honesty and awareness? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Dr. Larry Smith, author, recovery advocate, and a man with more than two decades of lived recovery experience. Drawing from his personal journey and years of re...

What happens when the very qualities that helped you succeed become the ones that leave you exhausted? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Ashlee Hirschfeld, intuitive strategist and former COO, for a deeply honest conversation about quiet burnout, over-responsibility, and the journey back to self-trust. For years, Ashlee built her reputation as the person who could handle it all—the...

Why do so many people understand what needs to change, yet still find themselves repeating the same emotional patterns, relationship struggles, and stress responses? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Ranbir Puar—TEDx Speaker, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Nervous System Architect, and Life Strategies Coach—to explore the powerful connection between the mind, body, and emotional we...

What if true transformation isn't about trying harder—but about renewing your mind, embracing your identity, and healing from the inside out? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Dr. Laurette Willis joins us for a powerful conversation on faith, emotional healing, and whole-person transformation. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist, author, international speaker, and founder of PraiseMoves®️, Dr...

What separates founders who scale extraordinary businesses from those who remain stuck? According to Patrick Sweeney, the answer often has less to do with talent, funding, or strategy—and more to do with belief. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Olympic-level athlete, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor Patrick Sweeney shares powerful insights from decades of ex...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore a challenge many high-achievers quietly face: how to pursue excellence, lead effectively, and create meaningful impact without sacrificing personal well-being. Joining us is Dr. Cynthia Coy, Founder and CEO of Uncaged Solutions, for a thoughtful conversation about the hidden costs of success, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and why...

What happens when everything you've built—your career, financial security, relationships, and sense of identity—suddenly falls apart? More importantly, how do you find the strength to begin again? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with John Diggs, former professional football player, entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of Mappineering and the I AM System. John's journey is one of e...

Many of the struggles we face in adulthood aren't created in the present moment—they're rooted in experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns we've carried for years. The challenge is that these patterns often operate beneath our awareness, quietly shaping our relationships, decisions, confidence, and sense of self. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Jamie Green, Trauma Relea...

What does it take to transform an idea into a book that not only gets published but creates lasting impact? The answer lies at the intersection of creativity, strategy, clarity, and resilience. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Wiebke Tasch, self-publishing strategist, founder and CEO of Digital Authors, and an expert in helping non-fiction authors bring their knowledge to th...

Money can feel intimidating, especially when investing seems like a world reserved for experts. But what if building wealth could be approached with clarity, confidence, and a mindset rooted in long-term growth rather than fear? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Dr. Danica Cicmil, finance expert, educator, and founder of the Investing Academy by Dr. Danica Cicmil. Drawing from her...

In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Dr. Josh Waddell, integrative psychiatric provider, educator, and founder of Arukah Well, to explore a more thoughtful and human-centered approach to mental health. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms and labels, Dr. Waddell invites us to ask deeper questions about what drives our emotional experiences and how biological, psychological, e...

What does it mean to build a life defined not by limitations, but by curiosity, reinvention, and lived experience across the world? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we welcome Kerry Damiano, a global traveler, creator, and longtime figure in the pageant world whose journey spans over 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states. From pageantry and mentorship to fashion design, entrepreneurship, and...

What happens when the pain we’ve buried for years finally begins to surface—and we can no longer outrun it? In this deeply human episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Linda Feig Knipe, a retired high school counselor with over two decades of experience supporting young people through crisis, grief, and mental health challenges, and the author of the memoir Braving Therapy. Linda shares h...

What does it take to build organizations that are not only high-performing—but deeply human? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Oksana Lukash, a people strategist, culture architect, and executive advisor with over 20 years of experience leading people strategy in high-growth and high-pressure environments. From her early experience immigrating at the age of 13 to becoming a C...

Anxiety is often experienced in silence—but rarely understood in full. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we explore anxiety through both science and lived experience with Dr. Troy Rohn, a neuroscientist with over three decades of research in brain function, neuropsychiatric conditions, and emerging treatment approaches. Dr. Rohn brings a rare dual perspective: scientific expertise combined wi...

What if the qualities you’ve been told might hold you back are actually the ones that make you an exceptional leader? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, we sit down with Emily Jackson, a Senior Channel Manager at rf IDEAS, Inc., whose career spans fitness, aviation, IT distribution, and channel sales. Emily shares her journey of navigating multiple industries as a self-described introvert, cha...