Emotion Well

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy welcomes life coach (as well as an EFR Life Coach), yoga instructor, and entrepreneur, Emily Manternach, for a thoughtful conversation about the transformative power of forgiveness. Emily speaks about her journey from her start as a chemical engineer and the road she took to become a yoga instructor and life coach. In this talk, they explore wh...

In this episode, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with mental health advocate and commercial real estate broker Matt Connolly to discuss his personal journey as someone who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Matt shares what it was like to live with untreated symptoms for more than a decade, the circumstances that led to him receiving his diagnosis, and how medication, support, and wellness prac...

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with Brock Milligan, Business Development & Community Relations at ThriveNow Recovery Centers, for a powerful and personal conversation about recovery. Brock shares his 19-year journey with alcohol use disorder, the pivotal moments that led him to seek treatment, and what ultimately made recovery stick. With honesty and vulnerabil...

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with certified health and wellness coach Nilay Gokdag, ICF-ACC, NBC-HWC, to explore how a chronic health diagnosis motivated her to change her lifestyle and ultimately find her calling in health coaching. Nilay shares how navigating different struggles in her life, including her move from Turkey to Iowa and managing cultural expectati...

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with Sara Klute Behn, owner of  Your Wise Self with Sara  and one of EFR’s newest wellness trainers. Sara shares her journey from two decades in nonprofit health care philanthropy to launching her own practice—an evolution she describes as a midlife awakening rooted in curiosity, courage, and intuition. Sara explains what yoga therapy...

In this episode, our host Johanna Dunlevy is joined by EFR colleagues Tammy Hoyman, CEO and Haley Pederson Hundley, Substance Abuse Programs Director, for a deeper look at the heart of EFR’s mission-driven work. While many people are familiar with EFR through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this conversation shines a light on the wide range of community outreach and prevention programs that...

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy sits down with fellow EFR employee—and  2025’s Funniest Person in Iowa —Mel Mackey. Mel shares how she got started with comedy and improv, what inspired her to take the stage, and how humor can be a powerful tool for connection and communication. Together, they explore how comedy can create an atmosphere of psychological safety and break down b...

In this episode of EFR’s Emotion Well Podcast, our host Johanna Dunlevy welcomes Ernest Phillips, founder of  Relationship Wealth Enterprises , to explore how understanding our values and emotions can strengthen every part of our lives. Ernest, an emotional intelligence coach, author, and speaker, shares his insights on self-awareness, ownership of our choices, and how we can give and receive “uni...

In this episode of Emotion Well, we talk with Nick Krehbiel from  Agri-Prime Consulting . Bringing over a decade of experience in facilitation, education, and organizational development, he is a certified DiSC partner, helping teams strengthen communication and performance. In this conversation, Nick shares real-world examples from his consulting work and explains what DiSC assessments are and how...

Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and the founder of  Happy at Home Consulting , where she helps individuals and families thrive in their own homes through practical, person-centered solutions—from simple adaptive tools to full remodel planning. A graduate of Drake University’s OT program with a background in kinesiology and public health, Sydney partners with clients, careg...

This episode discusses suicide and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In this episode of EFR’s Emotion Well Podcast, Hayl Bergeland, Suicide Prevention Grant Coordinator at EFR, joins us for an important conversation on suicide prevention, awareness, and support. Hayl discusses why suicide remains...

Are you a caregiver struggling with attending to your own self-care needs? In this episode of EFR’s Emotion Well Podcast, Melody Vachal, Amazon best-selling author, speaker, and caregiving advocate, shares her experiences on both sides of the caregiving journey—having spent many years as a primary caregiver to her son with special needs and then having to be the recipient of care after a serious c...

Do you want the children in your life to develop not only physical strength, but mental strength, resilience, and confidence? Laura Arneson, owner of The Little Gym, joins us to discuss how encouraging physical activity and participation in sports helps children develop these important life skills. Laura talks about her early experiences in sports and shares how the support of her parents and othe...

National Board–Certified Health Coach and Firefly Wellness owner Kimberley Jackman joins us to share why a workstation setup is more than a comfort perk—it’s foundational for whole‑person well‑being. From emotional wellness to physical fitness, she dives into how your workspace ergonomics impact both body and mind—and why small adjustments can lead to big changes in comfort, focus, and energy thro...

Licensed psychotherapist Bronwyn Schweigerdt—host of “Angry at the Right Things”—joins us to rethink anger as a vital barometer, not a character flaw. We talk alexithymia (the struggle to recognize and express feelings), why anger is often suppressed rather than expressed, and how tuning in to this emotion can reveal insightful information. Bronwyn shares practical tips for spotting the signals in...

Leadership can be as rewarding as it is challenging—especially when you focus on cultivating and motivating people, rather than just “fixing” issues. In this episode, we’re joined by international keynote speaker and author Jones Loflin, who shares a human-centered approach to leadership. Learn how embracing a gardener’s mindset and viewing team members as individuals first unlocks creativity and...

For 35 years, Joy Peterson lived with chronic health conditions that were dismissed, overlooked, or misdiagnosed. Doctors couldn’t connect the dots, but she knew something wasn’t right. When she finally received the diagnosis she had been searching for, everything clicked—"My life finally made sense." But a diagnosis isn’t a cure—it’s a starting point. Now armed with the right information, Joy is...

In a world of health fads and quick fixes, what does healthy living really mean? And how do you create a lifestyle that supports it? In this episode, we sit with Kevin Peterson, a lifestyle medicine provider, to discuss the foundational health practices that lead to lasting well-being. Kevin explains why it’s so important to meet yourself where you are right now. He explains how identifying what’s...

After five years as the voice of Emotion Well, EFR's Wellness and Marketing Manager Johanna Dunlevy steps into the guest seat to share how the podcast began, the episodes that left a lasting mark on her life, and how a trifecta of powerful resources—Al-Anon, Life Coaching, and Counseling—provided pivotal support while navigating life's most difficult changes.   Joined by colleague and host Jen Per...

Meet Wendy Padob, a board-certified health & wellness coach specializing in executive stress management. Wendy helps high-achieving professionals prevent stress from impacting their health and careers.   Before founding her practice, Wendy spent over two decades as a communications executive in high-pressure environments. Her unsustainable, fast-paced lifestyle led her to severe burnout and ph...

Join us for a conversation with Tammy Hoyman, CEO of Employee & Family Resources (EFR), as she takes us through the incredible journey of EFR— from its start in 1964 as the Iowa affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism, to establishing Iowa's first EAP, through its expansion today. With over 25 years at EFR and serving as CEO since 2009, Tammy provides insights into the growth of our EA...

For 1 in 10 women, the hormonal shifts of the menstrual cycle can trigger extreme, debilitating emotions. In this episode, we sat down with Meredith Gallivan for a vulnerable conversation about her experience with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Meredith describes the overwhelming 'hell week' she faced each month—like PMS on steroids—and how, after years of trying different medications fo...

Join us as Jennifer Anderson provides a glimpse into the unique challenges faced by the first responder community. Whether you're a front-line responder or behind-the-scenes dispatcher, exposure to constant unpredictability and moment-to-moment challenges can create repeated trauma. This stress extends to families, fueling anxiety and uncertainty about what their loved ones face each day. We'll di...

Join Mary as she shares her 25-year transformative journey with yoga as a participant and an instructor. She explores how this welcoming and inclusive practice reshaped her physical and mental health in unexpected ways. Mary and Johanna dive deep into how yoga transcends the mat, offering tools for mindfulness that improve everyday life. Whether you're new to yoga or an experienced yogi, we'll cov...

Join us as EAP/SAP Counselor Jessi Allard provides a glimpse through the lens of a mental health professional, unraveling the crucial role of self-advocacy in mental well-being. Breaking the silence can be challenging, but Jessi explains why it's essential for overcoming the barriers that stigma creates. She delves into how advocating for yourself bridges gaps in understanding and why this is espe...