The Butterfly of Why

When we think about helping people who have been forced to leave their homes, we often focus on what they need to survive. But what about the things that help them feel human? The beauty, connection, and sense of belonging that make a place feel like home? Stephanie Acker is the founder and executive director of Everyplace, a nonprofit transforming refugee camps, settlements, and reception centers...

Why is it so hard to set boundaries? Sometimes we stay quiet for too long, let resentment build, and then react when we’ve reached our limit, convincing ourselves we’re simply setting a boundary.  In this episode, we sit down with Molly Halbrooks, LMFT, founder of Restore Counseling & Therapy , to explore how anxiety, trauma, and our nervous system influence the way we use our voice, and how w...

Is there a perfect wine pairing for parenting? Maybe it’s patience, a splash of grace, and a healthy sense of humor. In this episode, we sit down with Danielle Frank, author of Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting , to talk about the realities of parenthood, the pressure to get it right, and finding the comedy of errors in everyday life...and maybe also a glass of wine in the beautiful chaos of raising...

What if the best way to think about the end of your life is to let it shape the way you live today? On this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur and HeirLight founder Jermaine Ee, a guided estate planning platform designed to help families navigate the conversations and decisions that matter most. Through stories of rebellion, curiosity, personal loss, and self-reflection, Jermaine shares why le...

Pressure is a part of life, but when does the pursuit of excellence begin to come at the expense of our wellbeing? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , I sit down with psychotherapist and coach Susan Podbielski to explore the relationship between perfectionism, anxiety, and identity. Drawing from her own experience transitioning from a career in network television production to over a decade...

What happens when a single act of generosity changes the course of a life? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , I sit down with Sabine Hutchison—entrepreneur, co-founder, co-CEO of Seuss+, founder of The Ripple Network, and author of Beyond the Ladder,  to explore the ripple effects of trust, opportunity, and human connection. Together, we discuss the balance between strategy and intuition, w...

What happens when a young girl growing up amidst conflict, neglect, and trauma decides to spend her life helping others heal? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , I sit down with trauma therapist, speaker, and podcast host Renée Zavislak to explore the experiences that shaped her journey, from childhood adversity and decades of personal therapy to becoming a specialist in trauma. Together, we...

Money touches every part of our lives—but we rarely stop to ask what it actually means to us. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P, CEO of WEALTHinsurance.com, to explore the emotional side of financial planning, the lessons that shape our relationship with money, and how early experiences can define the way we think about security, responsibility, and legacy. From navig...

What does it really cost to chase success? To further explore this idea, we sat down with James Barker—filmmaker, editor, and founder of Edits Etc.—who opens up about his journey through filmmaking, mental health, and personal growth, sharing the lessons behind his philosophy of making it in business without killing yourself.

In a world driven by control, certainty, and constant thinking, what happens when we begin to listen to the wisdom of the heart? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , we sit down with Christine Samuel, author of The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty , to explore the balance between head and heart, the courage it takes to look inward, and the power of surrendering...

Theo Harvey, co-founder of SynsorMed, joins  The Butterfly of Why to share the heart behind his mission to make healthcare more human. From a deeply personal experience to creating solutions that support millions living with chronic illness at home, Theo explores how technology and compassion can coexist, and what it takes to persist in reshaping one of the world’s most complex systems.

Could reconnecting with the body and nervous system be the key for men to reclaim their identity and authentic presence? On the latest episode of The Butterfly of Why , we sat down with Owen Marcus, expert in men’s somatic mindfulness and co-founder of MELD (Men’s Emotional Leadership Development). We explore how cultural expectations of masculinity shape men’s identities from adolescence onward,...

What if persistence isn’t just about surviving hard seasons, but about creating lasting change because of them? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Lamell McMorris , nationally recognized leader at the intersection of business, justice, and social impact, and author of The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience .  From Chicago’s South Side to the national stage, Dr. McMorr...

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Yonason Goldson, founder of Ethical Imperatives, LLC and author of Grappling with the Gray, to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity in a world full of moral ambiguity. Drawing on 3,000 years of Jewish wisdom, Rabbi Goldson, AKA “The Ethics Ninja,” unpacks how life’s detours shape our character, why the hardest choices often define us, and how e...

What if the life you’re striving for isn’t misaligned—but simply disconnected from who you truly are? In this episode, leadership expert Alaina Love explores the heart of her book Permission to Be You, a call to stop chasing external validation and start living in alignment with your core values. We explore how granting yourself permission to take risks, embrace vulnerability, and trust your passi...

Stephen Rue didn’t set out to become an author—he answered a calling he could no longer ignore. In this episode, Stephen shares how a life shaped by loss, physical challenges, and abandonment revealed a deeper truth: purpose isn’t a burden we carry, it’s a beacon that calls us forward. Drawing from his book, Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be , we explore the idea of MUST—those quiet, p...

What does it really mean to belong when belonging isn’t about fitting in, but about being seen, heard, and valued? To explore this question, this episode features Kim Dabbs, author of You Belong Here , in a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, and what it truly means to matter. Kim reflects on growing up with a deep sense of otherness, navigating adolescence, homelessness, and invisibi...

What does it really mean to keep walking forward when life hands you circumstances you didn’t choose? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Shree Walker , author of Resilient Walker —an educator, advocate, and leader whose life story is rooted in resilience. Raised in poverty as the eldest of six with no roadmap to follow, Dr. Walker became her own guide, transforming trauma and adversity into purp...

What does it mean to become a better version of yourself when you’re raising a child on your own? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , we sit down with Elena Patrice , founder of One Parent Wonder —a coaching and mentoring platform devoted to healing what broke so our children don’t have to carry it. Drawing from her lived experience, Elena unpacks what resilience actually looks like in singl...

What happens when you’ve faced death—and come back with a deeper understanding of how to live? Catherine Duncan, integrative spiritual consultant, hospice chaplain, and author of Everyday Awakening , sits down with us to share her perspective. Drawing from over twenty years of walking alongside people at the end of life, as well as her own near-death experience and childhood cancer journey, Cather...

How do you know when a dream is worth trusting, even when there’s no proof it will work? In this episode, Marianna Pammer shares how learning to trust her inner compass reshaped her career, her sense of purpose, and the way she shows up as a mother. We explore what it looks like to believe in a dream before there’s certainty, how ignoring that inner pull comes at a cost, and the courage required t...

What if travel could bring families closer and leave the world better than they found it? In this episode of The Butterfly of Why , Chris Hill shares the vision behind Hands Up Holidays, a luxury travel experience that blends cultural immersion with meaningful service. By inviting families to volunteer together in communities around the world, Chris redefines luxury as connection, gratitude, and p...

In this episode, we sit down with Angie Hanson , founder of Butterflies + Halos , a grief stationery brand born from unimaginable loss and a journey of meaningful transformation. Angie is also a grief educator and author of Chapters of a Resilient Heart , sharing her story of love, heartbreak, and resilience. Through her experiences, Angie offers hope and healing for anyone navigating life’s most...

Cheri Bergeron’s path to motherhood wasn’t a fairytale—it was a fight, a reckoning, and ultimately a rising. From infertility and loss to a landmark legal battle over donor conception, her journey sparked a mission to help women choose motherhood on their own terms. In this conversation, Cheri shares the courage, clarity, and quiet truths she gathered along the way. If you’re redefining what famil...

When grief cracked Scott Tavlin’s world open, it didn’t break him—it revealed the path he was meant to walk. In this powerful episode, Scott shares how he went from becoming a successful young radio host, with life seemingly ready to take off, to facing a tragedy that reshaped everything. What emerged was a mission that truly ignites him: helping people through his impactful series initiative, Dar...