The Other Side of Potential

In this thought-provoking solo episode, Dr. Sharon Spano explores the distinction between hope and surrender—two concepts often seen as opposites but deeply intertwined. She reflects on personal experiences, including her journey with her late son, to discuss when to persist with hope and when to embrace surrender. This episode provides insight into recognizing patterns in our lives, making balanc...

Betrayal—it’s something most of us have experienced, and unlike other forms of trauma, it cuts deep. The personal nature of betrayal makes it harder to heal from, and without the right support, many people stay stuck in patterns of pain that affect their mental and physical health for years. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the Post Betrayal Transformation (PBT) Institute...

In this solo cast, Dr. Sharon Spano takes a deeper dive into the concept of stress management and motivation, using insights from the Harrison Assessment's Paradox Theory. As stress continues to impact leaders and entrepreneurs at unprecedented levels, Sharon shares strategies to help you identify where you fall on the spectrum of self-motivation and stress management—and how to move toward p...

In this inspiring episode of The Other Side of Potential , Dr. Sharon Spano sits down with Shamara "Star" Cox—TV producer turned marketing coach. Star shares her incredible journey of stepping out of fear and into faith, leaving a successful TV career to pursue her calling. Now, as a marketing coach, she helps entrepreneurs and leaders create binge-worthy content that sells while embraci...

In this episode, Dr. Sharon Spano speaks with Dr. Michelle Prince, founder of M. Prince Consulting and author of Creating Your Encore Career: A Guide to Finding Purpose and Prosperity in Your Third Act . Together, they explore the journey of transitioning into an encore career, the challenges of ageism, and strategies for finding purpose and fulfillment in later stages of life. Dr. Michelle Prince...

In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Sharon Spano reflects on entering 2025 with a fresh perspective—one focused on being rather than doing. After a challenging year marked by personal and environmental disruptions, Dr. Spano shares how she is intentionally stepping away from relentless goal-setting to embrace a life centered on presence, freedom, and trust. She explores the concept of non-du...

We’ve explored many aspects of loss in the past few episodes, and today we’re diving into another profound form of loss: divorce. Divorce is a tremendous loss. It’s the loss of a dream, the loss of what was, and what could have been, but with the unique complexity that the other person is still alive. Unlike grief from death, divorce can bring judgment or divided loyalties from those around you, m...

Feeling disappointed, angry, or even hopeless after the recent election? In this installment of the Understanding Loss series, Dr. Sharon Spano addresses the emotional toll of political division and reveals how we can move forward together. In the fourth installment of the Understanding Loss series, we unpack the frustration, fear, and disconnection that can arise during times of uncertainty. With...

Navigating the loss of a loved one during the holidays can be extremely difficult, especially if the loss is recent, but even if it isn’t. Without this other person, the holidays again can feel empty and meaningless. There is a heaviness abounding in what is supposed to be the joyful traditions.  Over the past two weeks, we’ve looked at survivor’s guilt and PTSD, and for the next two weeks, we shi...

What if the weight of loss is holding you back from truly living? Today on The Other Side of Potential, we unpack the hidden struggles of survivor’s guilt and PTSD, exploring how unresolved trauma shapes our lives and offering a path toward healing. In part two of the Understanding Loss series, Dr. Sharon Spano reflects on her own guilt after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, shedding light on the emo...

What does it mean to truly process loss and turn it into a source of growth? In this solo episode of The Other Side of Potential, Dr. Sharon Spano delves deep into the multifaceted experience of loss and the journey toward resilience. Considering recent natural disasters and global challenges, Dr. Spano provides a heartfelt exploration of the emotions that often accompany loss and how these can se...

When you’re in the midst of burnout, it can be difficult to recognize the signs and take action. Things may feel the same, but with a depleted amount of overall energy to take on what you normally would. So how can we learn to recognize the signs of burnout? And how can we build resilience in the process?    Joining us today to discuss this complex topic is Dr. Gary Simonds, who, for the past 14 y...

We never understand why disasters happen, but we can use them as an opportunity to be more present, loving, and generous within our communities. Asheville has displayed the most incredible sense of community in the wake of the devastating hurricane that has squashed many homes and businesses and even taken lives.  In light of this tragedy, we welcome Wendy White back to the show to discuss her new...

Quantum leaps are those life-changing events that reshape every aspect of our existence. Collectively, are we approaching major disruptions as we should be, or are we still clinging to old ways that have zero effect on an increasingly unpredictable way of life?  Mark Monchek is our go-to guest and friend of the show for topics that transform the way we think, so it’s no surprise that he’s back wit...

What is a malignant narcissist? And what would America look like if it were run by someone who displays such extreme, grandiose, selfish, and destructive behavior? At such a critical time in our political history, this is a very real possibility with Donald Trump in the presidential running.  In the last episode of The Other Side of Potential, author, Ph. D. survivor, Jungian analyst, and clinical...

The word “narcissist” is thrown about so often these days. Nearly everybody thinks they know someone who displays narcissistic tendencies, but narcissism is more than an inflated ego or an infatuation with one’s own reflection; it’s a serious psychological disorder. To learn more about this deeply misunderstood mental health issue, Susan Schwartz, Ph. D., a Jungian analyst and licensed clinical ps...

Women are often required to juggle multiple roles and it can be a challenge to maintain balance, especially when life throws curveballs. Today, we explore the art of rebalancing your life and finding personal and professional fulfillment with Carol Enneking, an accomplished human resources executive, trusted adviser, and author of The Rebalancing Act. With extensive experience in HR, operations, a...

Leadership is more than a title; it’s a continuous journey of learning and growth. No one knows this better than today’s guest, Dr. David Robertson, a respected expert in leadership science and Director of the National Leaderology Association.     With a rich background in organizational development and leadership theory, Dr. Robertson joins us today to share his insights on the science of leaders...

True beauty and strength can be found through surviving life’s struggles. Your darkest moments are the ones that ultimately define you and help you realize when your life needs to be turned around. So many people in positions of leadership battle with isolation and the constant need to strive for greatness. But there is always a need for rest, restoration, and enjoyment in order to find true fulfi...

Travel has the power to transform. It opens your heart to compassion and understanding in ways that no book can fully capture. By immersing yourself in a new place, engaging with its people, and learning its history, you don’t just observe; you begin to empathize. The stories of a place come to life, deepening your connection and perspective. Once again, we welcome a friend and colleague, Mark Mon...

Understanding people is key to developing strong middle management leaders, an area often overshadowed by executive leadership. In today’s episode, we're joined by Jeffrey Sigel, who has built a remarkable career on this very principle.    With extensive experience in strategy and marketing, Jeff has held prominent roles at Cracker Barrel, Ahold, the Hershey Company, and Kraft Nabisco. Curren...

Over the past several weeks, Dr. Spano has been unpacking the fundamental Stages Framework, designed to help listeners better understand who they are and where they want to go. If you haven’t yet listened to episodes 305 through 308, we encourage you to go back and check them out, as they lay the foundation for today’s discussion. The third tier of the Stages Framework, the Meta-Aware Tier, is oft...

During this episode, Dr. Sharon Spano unpacks a very important framework to support you on your journey from where you are to where you want to go. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or at a crossroads in your career or in your life, the Stages Matrix is for you.  Having used it in her own life and coaching practice, she considers it a powerful way to find what’s next in your business and your...

In this solo cast episode of The Other Side of Potential, Dr. Sharon Spano delves into the complex world of human development and its profound impact on leadership. Drawing from her own workplace experiences, she shares a compelling story of a challenging business relationship that highlights the importance of understanding the different stages of human development.  In today’s episode, Dr. Spano...

We can only absorb new information and implement changes based on our current mindset, way of being, and how we perceive the world around us. How you think shapes what you do, and it all depends on where you are in your current stage of human development. Join Dr. Spano for the second installment of her four-part series as she delves into a life-changing framework, one she is deeply passionate abo...