The Story I'm Telling Myself

Is your "perfect" life built on a hollow foundation? From the outside, Holly McNeill had it all: the handsome husband, the beautiful home, a thriving career, and children. It was the "idyllic," picture-perfect life we are told to want. But inside, a destructive narrative of low self-worth and the belief that she was "unlovable and unworthy" was quietly rotting the str...

What if the thing you’ve been muting your entire life is the very thing meant to heal you? Grab the companion journal In this deeply moving episode, Rachel shares how being literally hit by a truck became the catalyst for reclaiming a dream she had silenced for decades. While out for a run with her husband, Rachel was struck by a truck, leaving her with a compression fracture and alone in a trauma...

What if the reason your marketing isn’t working has nothing to do with your tactics and everything to do with how you’re positioning yourself? In this Season One finale of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita is joined by Brad Luttrell , founder of Prologue Stories LLC , for a powerful live conversation on marketing, storytelling, personal branding, and relationship-driven growth. At the cente...

Do you feel stuck in self-doubt, constantly battling negative thoughts, or struggling with an inner critic that never seems to rest? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with executive coach, workshop leader, and international speaker Michelle Phillips to explore the transformative power of discovering, naming, claiming, and taming your internal narrators. Michelle...

What happens when being late to a dinner changes your entire leadership philosophy? In this episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita sits down with John Brooks, CEO of Warehouse on Wheels, to explore a transformative moment that redefined his approach to business leadership and company culture. John shares the remarkable story of arriving late to a CEO dinner—only to find himself sea...

In this powerful episode of “The Story I’m Telling Myself,” host Rita sits down with global executive assistant trainer and bestselling author Bonnie Low-Kramen ( Be the Ultimate Assistant , Staff Matters ) to unpack the true cost of burnout, poor boundaries, and the internal narratives that keep high achievers—especially women—stuck in toxic work habits. Bonnie shares her dramatic wake-up call af...

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Kelly Blackmon , founder of BE Consulting , for a powerful and timely conversation about the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in today’s workplace. With DEI facing public scrutiny, political backlash, and leadership burnout, Kelly challenges the idea that DEI is “dead” and instead explores how it can evolve...

Ever felt like you're one mistake away from being “found out”? That no matter how accomplished, capable, or praised you are… there's still a voice whispering you don’t belong? In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with educator, author, mentor, and former CPA Deborah Kevin to peel back the layers of impostor syndrome, high-achiever burnout, perfecti...

In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Dr. Nikki Lanier, CEO of Harper Slade and founder of the Rare Woman Collective, for an honest and deeply moving conversation about fear, race, motherhood, and the narratives that shape our lives. Through the lens of her lived experience as a Black mother raising a son in America , Dr. Lanier opens up about the...

In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Dr. Nikki Lanier, CEO of Harper Slade and founder of the Rare Woman Collective, for an honest and deeply moving conversation about fear, race, motherhood, and the narratives that shape our lives. Through the lens of her lived experience as a Black mother raising a son in America , Dr. Lanier opens up about the...

In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Melissa Trelfitt , a seasoned fractional HR leader with over 25 years of experience, to unpack one of the most relatable workplace experiences: that moment when you start asking yourself, “Am I crazy, or is this place actually toxic?” Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What toxic leadership and organizational dysfu...

What really drives you to make a career change, fear or purpose? In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with leadership and organisational development consultant Suze Shaner-Brodax to unpack the push and pull behind major career transitions. From corporate life to entrepreneurship and back again, Suze has navigated the professional world three different time...

What do you do when you lose your job, the one you’ve given your time, energy, and heart to? In this special edition of The Story I’m Telling Myself Podcast , Rita sits down with Liz Dehart , a marketing expert who was recently laid off after six years at Glasser’s Collision Centers. Instead of reacting with anger or resentment, Liz chose gratitude, grace, and growth, inspiring this honest and hop...

Have you ever done everything right , followed the rules, checked every box, worked hard, and still wondered why things weren’t working out? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Jenn Whitmer , an international keynote speaker and workplace culture consultant, to challenge the hidden narrative that obedience guarantees success. Together, they...

Are you over 40 and wondering if it’s too late to pivot your career or redesign your life? In this empowering episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Andrea Bjorkman , CEO & Co-Founder of Find Your Fizz , to talk about breaking free from age-related stereotypes, self-limiting beliefs, and outdated societal expectations. At 58, Andrea left a high-level corporate execu...

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with professional speaker and coach Olivia Fitchett to talk about overcoming crippling anxiety, self-doubt, and the self-limiting stories that hold so many of us back. Olivia’s inspiring journey, from growing up in Southern Indiana with clinical anxiety to unexpectedly landing a White House internship where she even crossed paths wit...

Are you ready to break free from limiting beliefs and step into unstoppable growth? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Sabrina Victoria , founder of Her Nation Global, to uncover how she transformed her life from victimhood to victor Sabrina opens up about the turning points that forced her to confront her inner narrative, growi...

In this deeply moving episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself podcast, Rita sits down with Karen Taylor , grief integration coach, to explore the complexities of grief, loss, and guilt. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I to blame?” after losing a loved one, this episode is for you. Karen shares her personal journey of grief after the tragic loss of her sister and explains the difference between...

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Kelly Charles, a high-stakes communication expert, keynote speaker, and four-time author, to explore the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our lives. Kelly opens up about her journey from thriving lawyer to professional speaker , sharing the pivotal moment when she realized she could “cashflow what she knew” inst...

Have you ever felt left out, unseen, or “not chosen” and instantly turned that moment into proof that you’re not enough? In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself Podcast , host Rita is joined by Tracy Borreson , a marketer and coach, to explore the powerful self-help concept of being “leavable.” High achievers and driven professionals often carry silent fears of abandonment, rejection, or b...

Will I Be as Good? The Leap from Corporate Peak to Entrepreneur with Susan Collins What if the best time to make a career change… is when you’re at your peak? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Susan Collins , career strategist, coach, and “The Network Concierge” to talk about her bold decision to leave a thriving 25-year career in corporate talent acquisition to start her own business. S...

What’s Stopping You From Asking for Help? The hard truth every high-achiever needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt like asking for help makes you look weak, incapable, or not cut out for leadership, this episode is your permission slip to think again. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, host Rita is joined by Leanne Elliot , Chartered Organizational Psychologist and host of Truth, Lies, and...

What if the voice telling you “you’re not ready” is the very reason you need to step up? In this powerful episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, we sit down with Elisa Juarez, author, speaker, DEIB consultant, and Board Chair of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, to explore what it takes to lead with purpose, even when imposter syndrome whispers, “Why you?” Elisa opens up about her journey na...

What do you do when life feels unbearable? When your body gives out, your joy disappears, and you feel like a burden to the people you love? In this powerful and emotional episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , host Rita sits down with Misha Safran, a woman whose world was turned upside down by chronic illness, unimaginable grief, and internal self-doubt. Misha opens up about the darkest season...

Have you ever worked hard to prove your worth, only to feel invisible anyway? In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself , Rita sits down with Sharon K. Summerfield , also known as, to unpack the painful and often hidden experience of being undermined at work . Sharon shares her personal story of working in a corporate environment where her contributions were quietly dismissed, her e...