HIListically Speaking with Hilary Russo

When you think of the word "inclusivity", what comes to mind? More importantly, how do you incorporate it into your own life? Do you know your own blind spots and are you asking questions that spark deeper conversations? Let's be honest…inclusivity is more than an office buzzword. It's about making everyone feel valued, changing unfair practices and providing the same opportunity to everyone to ma...

"You can do hard things". Whenever Michael Roderick questions a difficult task, he's reminded of these words often shared with his daughter, Juniper. Life is full of trials and tribulations. Ups and downs. Successes and failures. And for Michael…who is in the business of "turning thoughtful givers into thoughtful leaders", connection is everything. And making sure people know what you need (what M...

Recently I asked listeners this question. "When it comes to a healthy relationship, what is most important for it to thrive?" These are the answers I received. Communication. Respect. Trust. Honesty. Unconditional love. Listening. Validation. Just to name a few. The truth is, whether you're getting into one, getting out of one or still on the lookout…love can be messy. And if we don't do the inner...

It's hard to believe a man who was once Mr. Universe, Mr. World and Mr. Europe felt small at any point in his life. But for this former heavyweight and high performance coach, life wasn't always easy for Nordine Zouareg. In fact, it was a struggle right from the very beginning. As in… the moment he was born. On this episode of HIListically Speaking Podcast, Nordine shares his journey from the womb...

We all have a story. But sometimes sharing it isn't always easy. So, how do you turn your mess into your message with confidence and connection? Melissa Ruiz has been in front of an audience most of her life. From small-town community theatre and the Miss New Jersey stage to most recently, TEDx. So, It's no surprise speaking in front of others comes naturally. But owning the story took time. And s...

What's your clutter threshold?  That's the question Decluttering Expert, author and blogger Dana K. White always asks when it comes to getting organized.  Whether it's your home, a room, or just your desk. Clearing up the clutter not only helps your physical space, but your head space too.  But keeping things organized isn't always easy. The older we get, the more stuff we collect. And before we k...

If you think body dysmorphia is gender specific, think again. Christopher Krietchman battled it for years. As a professional bodybuilder, numbers mattered. Add a learning disability on top of that fit fix and you have a potential formula for disaster.  It took years for Chris to turn his life around. But when he did, the shift created a wonderful opportunity to serve others in healthy living…and W...

What do you think of when you see or hear the word FAT? For far too long, the word has been seen as negative, insulting and even embarrassing. But, as Executive Presence Coach Joanna Lovering of Copper + Rise shared, "it's just a descriptor". Fat is merely a word that should be seen the same way as you describe the color of your eyes. Joanna spent years battling the ups and downs of her weight. An...

No question. 2020 has been one for the books. Hilary Russo goes deep and gets personal with you, the listener. She reflects on what we can learn from this year and how we can move forward with resiliency and more. And, stick around for a moment of gratitude to be kind to your mind. You'll be glad you did.  If you have a great story to tell or want to be the first to know about upcoming guests, giv...

How well are you sleeping, eating, performing and well…living? If you struggle with any area of your health, it may come down to missing some important information that could change your life. Justin Roethlingshoefer gets it. Because he's been there. He lived and breathed hockey for years. It kind of comes with the territory when you're from Canada. He's worked as a performance director in the NCA...

It's not easy being a rock star. Actually, it's hard as hell. Kat Robichaud has been rocking out with her raspy voice since college. And after years fronting two bands, a spot on NBC's The Voice and a lot of questions about whether or not she's doing the right thing in life, she's found her place… her voice. On this week's special holiday episode of HIListically Speaking, get to know Kat on a more...

It's not uncommon for tragedy to bring people together. There's a feeling of "I'm not alone" that can be both healing and empowering. And can even spark the most miraculous shifts in life. Jessica Cordova Kramer can attest to that. She's a former Wall Street lawyer and podcast producer who lost her brother after a long battle with addiction. And when she heard fellow podcaster Stephanie Whittels W...

You can learn a lot about a person if you just take time to listen to their story. Michelle Hobgood came into my life as my health coach. With over 15 years in the fitness industry, keeping me accountable on my wellness journey was second nature to her. And frankly, she continues to inspire me, which you'll soon find out. But, what I didn't know about Michelle at the time was that she was fighting...

Jeffrey Small had everything going for him. Friends, family and a great job back in his hometown. When you're a news anchor, you're in many ways a celebrity in your local community. I know this because Jeffrey and I were co-anchors in Louisiana during our early days in TV News. But a move to St. Louis brought a different kind of fame. Something that changed his entire world when cocaine and meth c...

The healing arts is big business. And for anyone who works in health or healing, there's a responsibility that comes with showing up for yourself and others. If you're one who is seeking guidance rather than providing it, that overwhelming feeling that has you asking, "who is right for me" can be just as challenging. It can also leave you with a lot of questions unanswered. David Gandelman knows t...

If there is one show that has brought me to happy tears each time I watch, it is definitely The Kindness Diaries on Netflix. Every episode, Leon Logothetis takes us on an epic journey across the globe relying completely on the kindness of strangers. Many have little room to spare or food to give. Or do they? There in lies the lesson. So, why is a former stockbroker from London choosing to travel t...

My grandmother used to say, "be sure to taste your words before you spit them out". The problem is, we aren't considering the impact those words or that inner dialogue has on ourselves before it leaves our lips. Imagine if coming from a place of love and kindness started with embracing the source. When I first read Sarah Peyton's book Your Resonant Self, I was shocked at some of the sabotaging sel...

We tell ourselves a lot of stories about why the right kind of love hasn't entered our lives. To the career driven woman out there, we've whined and wined over a number of them, haven't we? Here are a few of my favs. My success is intimidating to men. There's no good ones left after divorce. I'm "too busy" to date because I'm so career focused. They want the young ones anyway. And the ever so popu...

What does it mean to be an empath? If this question sparks curiosity, it's likely you are one. But, let's dig deeper, shall we? Do you tend to take on the emotions of others as your own? Are you someone people (even strangers) often come to for help and/or advice? Perhaps you have found yourself in narcissistic relationships time and time again. Maybe large crowds feel overwhelming. Does the energ...

If moments of gratitude make up a symphony, then Chris Palmore is the conductor. But finding the light can be difficult after loss. And it certainly didn't happen overnight. In 2015, Chris' mom Laura lost her battle with breast cancer. A few months prior, he was writing her a letter of gratitude. That love note and tremendous loss paved the way for a new way of being. Soon after, this coach and cr...

"You have cancer." These are three words an organic-eating wellness-teaching yoga-loving gal like Bethany Webb never thought she would hear. But her boobs were telling her a different story. And after going through every emotion possible, this Yoga Therapist/Mindset Coach went from cancer survivor to cancer thriver. But it wasn't easy. That BS (belief system) can get in the way. You need to check...

Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, grain free…food labeling alone will cause you to break out. Interestingly enough, it's not uncommon to be misinformed, misdiagnosed and definitely misunderstood. And if we don't get to the source, we can face a lifetime of discomfort or far worse. Linda Mechner has been down that uncomfortable road many times. But as a Certified Holistic Health Coach who has stud...

What is one number you would like to change in your life? I've been asking people that very question all week leading up to this episode. The answers varied. From making more money to losing weight. Wishing you were younger or hoping a loved one lived longer. Some of you even shared numbers that you believe will make a difference in the world. Like increased voter turnout and a decline in COVID ca...

When is the last time you really sat down and spoke to the older generation in your family? Whether it's a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, we can learn a lot about our lineage if we take time to listen. The trouble is, many families (if not all) face some type of ancestral trauma. And talking about history can stir up major upsets. Sometimes it can even leave family members feeling disconnecte...

Let's have a nervous breakdown! No, really. Michael C. Bryan said it's OK. In fact, as someone who has faced the demons of childhood abuse and trauma himself, he encourages you to go dark. After all, once we break, what to do you think shines through the darkness? You guess it. How else do you think he became a "ray of freakin' sunshine"? But behind the humor, the glitter and the "tell it like it...