Shelly O’Neal From the Green Velvet Couch

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with internationally acclaimed violinist Dina Nesterenko to explore performance anxiety, fear, control, and what it truly means to reclaim freedom in both art and life. What unfolds is an honest, vulnerable conversation about healing in unexpected ways and learning to trust yourself again. Dina shares her extraordinary journey from...

In this warm and encouraging episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Kelsey Marie , a talented esthetician and young entrepreneur who is redefining wellness through confidence, consistency, and genuine connection. Together, they explore the relationship between inner well-being and outer care, and how intentional self-care can be both healing and empowering. Kelsey shares how her passion for aesthet...

In this beautiful and thought-provoking episode, Shelly O’Neal welcomes internationally acclaimed orchestral conductor Raffaele Livio Ponti , whose life story is as compelling as the symphonies he brings to life. Together, they explore the intersection of music, humanity, resilience, and the changing rhythms of our modern world. Raffaele shares his family’s immigrant beginnings, his early years su...

In this insightful and empowering episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Amy Hartmann , founder and CEO of SoTrue , a podcast production agency that helps businesses grow through meaningful conversations and authentic storytelling. Together, they explore the intersection of wellness, leadership, and entrepreneurship—and how intentional choices can transform not only how we work, but how we live. Am...

In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Sara Horak , creator of The Know Your Neighbor Game , to explore how one simple idea sparked a movement toward connection, empathy, and mental wellness. What began as a way to help her children make friends has now grown into a nationally recognized social-emotional learning tool used in schools, workplaces, and homes across the...

In this uplifting and inspiring episode, Shelly O’Neal welcomes motivational speaker and two-time cancer survivor Adrienne Slaughter for a conversation about resilience, mindset, and choosing joy no matter what life brings. From surviving childhood bone cancer and a double mastectomy to thriving after a near-fatal car accident, Adrienne’s story is one of extraordinary faith, perseverance, and purp...

In this engaging and practical episode, Shelly O’Neal welcomes Dr. Tanner Evans of West Kentucky Chiropractic, along with his teaching sidekick, “Benny the Skeleton”, to explore the often-overlooked power of breathwork and body awareness. Drawing from his chiropractic practice, Dr. Evans explains how breathing impacts everything from spinal alignment to emotional regulation, and why the diaphragm...

In this candid and encouraging episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Heather Thompson, CHRO of the Nashville Zoo, to explore what it really takes to balance a demanding career, family life, and personal well-being. Drawing from her years in HR, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership, Heather shares how intentional boundaries and realistic expectations have helped her navigate seasons of change, heav...

In this insightful and timely episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with physician assistant and children’s mental health expert Haley Herndon to talk about digital detox, and why it matters now more than ever. With screens dominating so much of our daily lives, especially for kids and teens, Haley unpacks what constant digital engagement is doing to our brains, emotions, relationships, and ability to...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Kim and Jason Cates for a candid conversation about marriage, addiction recovery, and what it really takes to build a healthy, intentional life after years of chaos. Together for over three decades, Kim and Jason share the highs and lows of their journey, from the moment Jason decided to seek help to how they’ve learned to rebui...

In this powerful and deeply encouraging episode, Shelly O’Neal welcomes Danette Mahabeer Turner—Mrs. Kentucky Petite USA 2025, domestic violence survivor, and serial entrepreneur—for a raw and empowering conversation about healing, starting over, and redefining wellness. Danette shares what it was like to rebuild her life from the ground up while seven months pregnant, the resources that helped he...

Love is more than just an emotion—it’s an energy, a force, and a deep connection that transcends time. In this episode, Shelly O’Neal is joined by Dr. Raj, a renowned physician with a passion for exploring love, spirituality, and human connection. Together, they take a deep dive into the transformative nature of love—from its cultural and spiritual significance to the way it imprints on us and sha...

In this episode, Shelley O'Neal welcomes Lauren Reed Williams, CEO of REED Public Relations in Nashville Tennessee, to discuss the integration of wellness and leadership. Lauren shares her journey of prioritizing mental well-being within her company, achieving a platinum-level certification from Mental Health America. She highlights the importance of a supportive workplace culture, viewing turnove...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal sits down with Sydney Dumler, the founder of Forza Pilates in Nashville Tennessee.  The conversation highlights Sydney's unique approach to Pilates, blending her Italian and Japanese heritage into the studio's ethos, emphasizing strength, resilience, and the holistic benefits of movement. Sydney shares insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, par...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal sits down with Teresa Bailey, president of Waddell and Associates in Nashville. Shelly and Teresa explore the deep connection between financial and emotional health and  illuminate the psychological underpinnings of financial decisions, the significance of early financial literacy, and the challenges women face in a historically male-dominated field. They offer insig...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal sits down with Sonda Kunzi, CEO of Coding Advantage, to delve into the complexities and nuances of billing and coding in the mental health sector. Kunzi shares her extensive experience and passion for supporting behavioral health providers, emphasizing the importance of understanding each organization's mission to provide tailored billing solutions. They disc...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal sits down with Liza Graves and Susan Griffin to delve into the intersections of mental health, beauty, and wellness in the workplace. Together, they discuss the profound impact of societal pressures and social media on mental well-being. They also talk about the vital importance of confidence and the challenges of work-life balance, particularly as working mothers. -...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Briar Harvey explore the fascinating world of neurodiversity and accessibility in the workplace. In this riveting conversation, Briar provides an in-depth look at the neurodivergent brain, encompassing autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dysthymia, shedding light on both the positives and negatives of these diverse traits. Shelly and Briar also delveinto the challenges f...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Maurie McGarvey explore the essence of work-life harmony and its positive ripple effect on our external relationships. In this candid discussion, Maurie shares some of the challenges she has faced in her life, the influence of her differently-abled sister, and she shares the unique strategies she uses to foster a nurturing workplace culture. Shelly and Maurie als...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Anna-Vija McClain explore the power of effective communication, transparency, and trust in shaping the workplace. Drawing from their personal triumphs over challenging work environments, and their experiences in founding their respective companies, they share valuable insights for fostering a positive work culture. They emphasize the critical elements of bein...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Real Estate Agent Becca Cunningham dive into the importance of slowing down, finding joy in everyday life, and the transformative power of self-development. Shelly and Becca discuss Becca’s journey of sobriety, shedding light on the remarkable changes and transformations that can occur when one embraces a life free from alcohol. They explore various tools and pra...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Dr. Laurie Ballew discuss the significance of holistic approaches and resilience in mental health care. They explore the definition of mental illness and the importance of treating a person as a whole. They also discuss the connection between mental and physical health, the impact of addiction on families, and the potential of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (T...

In this episode, Shelly O'Neal and Dr. Alex Elswick discuss the power of resilience in addiction and recovery. They explore the importance of recovery capital and challenge the misconception that recovery can only be achieved through abstinence-based programs. The interview explores harm reduction as a viable approach and stresses the significance of mindfulness, exercise, and social support i...