Real Things Living

Healing becomes possible when we stop hiding and start talking. In this open and compassionate conversation, Andrea McKenna Brankin joins Brigitte on Real Things Living to share her journey with bipolar disorder—from the years she struggled in silence to the moment she chose to speak out and reclaim her life. Andrea also reflects on the practices that helped her heal, including community support,...

Join host Brigitte Cutshall on Real Things Living as she speaks with Natasha Skolny, executive coach and founder of The Leadership Cabin. This uplifting conversation explores why so many women doubt themselves, how early beliefs shape our behaviors, and how curiosity, courage, and self-care can transform the way we lead and live. Natasha shares her personal journey from corporate learning and deve...

True leadership starts with how you make people feel. In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Taylor Scott, founder of Lead with Hospitality and author of "Give Hospitality." Taylor shares how his career in the hospitality industry—and lessons learned from Walt Disney World—shaped his belief that the best leaders focus on making people feel welcome, c...

When you focus on becoming better, not busier, everything changes. In this inspiring episode, host Brigitte Cutshall talks with Bishop Kevin Forman, known as The People’s Bishop. He delivers an energizing message about competing with yourself and embracing your own evolution. From building one of Denver’s largest faith communities to leading with authenticity and compassion, Bishop Forman shares h...

Sometimes the lessons our children teach us are the ones we need most. In this heartfelt episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall talks with Sara Hartley ~ healthcare marketing executive, ADHD and neurodiversity coach, and author of the "Purposefully Me" children’s book series. Sara shares her personal journey of navigating Lyme disease and ADHD while raising a neurodiverse...

Author, Justin B. Long, spent decades bouncing through life like a pinball, reacting to everything but directing nothing—until trauma therapy at age 40 showed him that childhood wounds don't have to define his adult life. His raw, honest conversation reveals how one man's journey from abuse to authenticity is changing workplace culture and proving that asking for help isn't weakness, i...

Life doesn’t pause when everything falls apart—but that’s often where freedom begins. In this uplifting episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with Retha Nichole—speaker, entrepreneur, and life & business coach—about how life’s hardest experiences can lead to purpose. Retha shares how trauma led her to help other women navigate both personal and professional challenges, and why...

Jeremy Horne believes it’s time to turn technology into a bridge, not a barrier, to help families reconnect through the power of storytelling. Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Winny, part of the Human Connection Company. He shares how technology can help us feel more human. Inspired by the VHS interviews he recorded with his grandparents as a child, Jeremy created Winny—an app designed to preserve...

Political conflict isn’t our greatest threat. Misinformation is. Kira Shishkin, CEO of Informed, joins Brigitte Cutshall to discuss how fear-driven media has created an information war. He shares how news manipulation is fueling division and mistrust, and why the solution starts with facts and independent thinking. His mission: help people become informed without being influenced. Kira knows this...

The "safe" $200K corporate job nearly kept Bronson Hill trapped forever—until a room full of entrepreneurs showed him the one decision that changed everything. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Bronson, managing member of Bronson Equity, podcast host, and author of "Fire Yourself." The conversation explores the coming AI revolution, the import...

Life is about engaging with the choices you can make right now, and embracing uncertainty with the courage to choose again and again. In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall speaks with entrepreneur and author, Hussein Hallak, about his book "The Dark Art of Life Mastery" and his mission to turn lived experience into legacy. They explore why making choices—big or sm...

The key to surviving AI isn't fighting it; it's learning to use technology to become more human. In this thought-provoking episode, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Arthur Powells, a tech entrepreneur who's spent years in "basement mode" developing solutions to humanity's biggest challenges. 3 Key Takeaways: (1) We're at a Critical Evolution Point: Arthur argues we'r...

The key to raising resilient children isn't protecting them from failure — it's teaching them they're capable of handling whatever comes their way. In this inspiring episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Dana Sutton, a veteran tutor and children's book author. Dana discusses her transition from tutoring students (preschool through university) to writing...

Is creativity the key to unlocking better mental health? In this inspiring episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall talks with Rafael McMaster—artist, author, youth mental health advocate, and founder of Indivisible Arts—about the powerful connection between creativity and youth mental health. Rafael shares how redefining art as “the language of the soul” can transform not only how we...

Everyone is creative in their own way. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Ali Hall, a contemporary fine artist whose abstract and nature-inspired works bring calm and joy to those who experience them. Ali shares her journey—from discovering painting as a child, to rediscovering it after a decade-long pause and major life challenges. They explore how creativity fos...

In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Pia Leichter—author of "Welcome to the Creative Club" and founder of Kollektiv Studio—to explore how creativity shows up in our daily lives. Pia shares her journey of breaking through limiting beliefs, writing her book, and embracing collaboration as a powerful form of expression. Together, they discuss why creativit...

How do you rebuild your life after illness shakes everything you thought you knew about health? In this Real Things Living episode, Sandra Silverman talks about how her path shifted after serious health scares and how holistic practices—from acupuncture and micronutrient testing to spiritual healing—played a pivotal role in her recovery. She opens up about the lessons behind her books ("From...

What if your emotions were signals guiding you toward growth, balance, and joy? In this episode of Real Things Living, I sit down with Monique Elliott—licensed clinical social worker, life coach, and host of Mind Health Matters, to explore how passion, authenticity, and self-care can transform your life. This episode is a reminder that growth, gratitude, and self-kindness are essential for navigat...

When grief takes you to the edge, how do you find your way back? Author, Diandra Ford-Wing, transformed personal loss into a powerful memoir, "Red Bird," and discovered strength she never knew she had. In this heartfelt episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with Diandra Ford-Wing about navigating the loss of her mother and aunt within 14 months, and how writing became a...

In the race toward smarter machines, the real challenge is keeping humanity at the heart of the future. In this thought-provoking episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall sits down with tech entrepreneur, investor, author, and pattern breaker, Jeff Burningham to discuss his new book, "The Last Book Written by a Human." From the “old game” of division and control to a “new game” r...

When you embrace who you are and lead with compassion, uncertainty becomes an advantage—not a roadblock. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Scott Stirrett—founder of Venture for Canada and author of "The Uncertainty Advantage." He shares his journey from Wall Street to social impact, including the bold decision to leave Goldman Sachs and start a nonprofit aligned...

Author and changemaker, Afarin Bellisario, explores the lasting power of compassion, community, and history in today’s chaotic world. In this episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall reconnects with Afarin to talk about the importance of mentorship, moral grounding, and embracing both history and change. Drawing from her personal journey and work with young entrepreneurs, Afarin shares ins...

What happens when the kids leave, the house goes quiet, and you're left wondering ~ what now? Brigitte Cutshall sits down with writer and fellow runner Rita Lussier, author of "And Now Back to Me." Together, they explore the often-overlooked emotional reality of becoming an empty nester, and the parallels between parenting and retirement. Rita shares how her journey from active paren...

What do you do when life unravels? Michelle Hensley turned unimaginable grief into a thriving business built on joy, creativity, and care. After losing her husband and starting over at age 50, Michelle founded Nifty Package Co., the largest mobile gift-wrapping company in the U.S. In this inspiring episode, she shares how faith, resourcefulness, and a heart for service helped her build a business...

Let’s face it—being human is hard. Tanya Ruckstuhl is a Seattle-based therapist and author of the brilliantly titled "How to Be Human and Not an Asshole." Tanya shares how her life experiences and years of clinical work shaped her understanding of social connection, self-awareness, and the importance of emotional generosity. It’s a refreshingly honest, insightful, and at times hilarious look at ho...