Unblocked

What if you stopped putting limits on yourself and your dreams? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Debbi-Jo Horton, owner of DJ Horton & Associates and the visionary behind Advantages to Aging. With over 50 years in the accounting world, Debbi-Jo has seen firsthand how outdated systems and burnout steal possibility from people. And she’s determined to change it. We talk about: Why...

In this episode of Unblocked , I sit down with entrepreneur Kurt Karjalainen , owner of Premier Merchants Group, LLC . What started as a college side hustle with a single ATM has grown into a thriving business with more than 3,000 ATMs across 42 states. Kurt shares: How he spotted opportunity in a market others overlooked. Why being willing to start as a beginner matters more than being perfect. T...

It’s here!!! My new book In Pursuit is officially out in the world, and in this bonus episode I’m giving you a taste of what’s inside. So many of us are living in what I call the Prison - chasing approval, checking the boxes, proving our worth. Life looks fine on paper, but inside it feels gray and numb. This book (and this episode) is for you if: You’ve done everything “right” but still don’t fee...

In this episode of Unblocked , I sit down with Mireia Mugica, founder of Bare & Brave, to explore what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and consciousness. Mireia brings a unique perspective to leadership, blending deep inner work with practical strategy. We dive into: Why self-awareness is not just personal growth, but a business strategy The difference between reactive vs. creat...

What does it look like to lead a business, and a life, rooted in purpose and integrity? In this episode of Unblocked , I sit down with Josh Culp, retired military officer, entrepreneur, and owner of Hammerdubs. After 26 years of service, Josh has translated his discipline and leadership into building businesses alongside his wife, including their current venture where P.R.I.M.E. values are the fou...

What if the next big leap in your business isn’t about more leads but better partners? In this episode of Unblocked , I’m joined by Phil Hayes-St Clair, founder of PHILHSC and trusted advisor to growth-minded leaders around the world. Phil pulls back the curtain on the quiet force behind exponential business growth: strategic partnerships built on trust, not tactics. We talk about: ·       Why par...

What does it really mean to be free ? In this episode of Unblocked, I sit down with Caverly Morgan—spiritual teacher, author, nonprofit founder, and one of 2025’s most powerful women in the mindfulness movement. With a background that includes eight years in a silent Zen monastery and the creation of the nation’s first for-credit mindfulness program in public high schools, Caverly brings profound...

On today's episode I’m joined by Laura Bokobza, strategic consultant and founder of LBK Consulting. Laura is known for helping bold founders uncover the real reason their business isn’t growing, and more often than not, it has nothing to do with the market, pricing, or product. In this episode, we explore how your mindset as a leader is often the greatest factor in whether your business scale...

On today's episode, I’m joined by Dana Zellers. She's an executive coach, founder of Dana Zellers Coaching, and creator of the Career Control Framework .  In this conversation, Dana and I explore something we both witness daily. It's the constant pressure to do more, achieve more, and be more. But rarely do we stop to question whether it's actually working. Dana shares how to g...

Are you the bottleneck in your own business or life? In this episode of Unblocked , I sit down with Joe Patneaude, creator of the STAR Scalability Method, to unpack why so many high-performers unknowingly build businesses that drain them instead of freeing them. For 15 years, Joe has been coaching leaders in financial services to scale smarter, delegate with clarity, and build teams that align wit...

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t fear of what you’ll miss but fear of what you’ll have to leave behind? In this episode of Unblocked , we’re flipping the script on F.O.M.O. We’re not talking about Fear of Missing Out. We’re talking about Fear of Moving On. That job you’ve outgrown. That relationship you keep justifying. That version of you that no longer fits. Let’s talk about why you’re...

What if someone else having a hard feeling didn’t mean you did something wrong, and what if connection didn’t require perfection but honesty? In this episode of Unblocked , I unpack the deeply ingrained belief that emotional discomfort signals danger in our relationships. From friendships to romantic partnerships to family ties, many of us tiptoe through our connections silencing ourselves, shape-...

Sometimes the most courageous act isn’t holding on, it’s letting go. In this powerful episode of Unblocked , I sit down with Hannah Rose — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, speaker, consultant, founder of Rose Wellness Counseling, and former Survivor 45 contestant — to explore when walking away is the bravest, most self-honoring move you can make. Hannah is no stranger to bold pivots. On n...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Mays - executive coach, founder of Mays Leadership, and a trusted guide to some of the nation’s top leaders. With a background in behavioral science, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Kevin helps high-impact individuals strengthen their leadership from the inside out. And that’s exactly what this conversation is about. Too many people...

When was the last time you held back what you really wanted to say because you didn’t like how you sounded? Worried you’d be “too much”? Not enough? Too emotional, too aggressive, too soft? In this firecracker of a conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Samara Bay - Hollywood speech coach, bestselling author of Permission to Speak , and a leading voice in helping people reclaim their own. Sama...

In this episode, I’m joined by Carey Davidson, founder of Harmin Labs and author of The Five Archetypes . Carey brings a transformative lens to understanding yourself and others by integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, and behavioral science into a powerful system of self-awareness and relational healing. If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive patterns, misunderstood in your relat...

Are you gripping tightly to beliefs, behaviors, or identities that are holding you back from becoming who you were designed to be? In this episode of Unblocked , we're diving deep into the real reasons why letting go feels so hard—even when we know something isn't serving us anymore. We explore the neuroscience, the psychology, and the emotional truth behind why we stay stuck in people-p...

On this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we are joined by the radiant and resilient Dr. Mecca Nelson—a Gold Star spouse, wellness entrepreneur, author, and founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness. After losing her husband, Army Sergeant Mario Nelson, in 2006, Mecca embarked on a powerful journey of grief, growth, and transformation. In this deeply moving conversation, she opens up about nav...

Have you ever made a decision, stood by it, committed to it, only to later question if it was the right one? Have you ever worried that changing your mind would make you seem flaky, unreliable, or like you failed? In this episode of Unblocked , we’re tackling the fear and stigma around changing your mind.  We explore:  ✅ The real reason changing your mind feels so hard  ✅ The guilt of breaking a...

The biggest thing holding you back isn’t your circumstances but, rather, the way you think about them. In this episode of Unblocked , I'm introducing you to what I call Thought Alchemy. This is the process of transforming your thoughts to create the results you actually want. This is not about toxic positivity or wishing your way into success. It’s about real, actionable mental rewiring and l...

Have you ever felt awkward, guilty, or even unworthy when someone compliments you? Do you instinctively deflect praise or feel like agreeing with it makes you arrogant? If so, you're not alone. Many high achievers, perfectionists, and recovering people-pleasers struggle with receiving recognition without discomfort. In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we break down why praise c...

In today’s episode, I’m addressing a listener’s reaction to my discussion on B-minus work and why this concept is so misunderstood. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism or felt like you couldn’t put something out into the world unless it was flawless , this episode is for you. We’ll explore why perfectionism is not the same as excellence , how it actually slows us down, and why allowing B-m...

Are you trying to do all the things but feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and running 100 miles an hour in different directions?  In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re tackling the buffet mentality. This is that urge to say yes to everything, take on every opportunity, and fill your plate to the brim. While it might feel like you’re being productive, the truth is, spreadin...

Fear is something we all experience, but it doesn’t have to stop us. In this episode I cover some powerful ways we can reframe fear and use it as a compass to guide us toward what really matters. You’ll learn why fear feels so paralyzing, how to ask the right questions to uncover its hidden messages, and practical tools like fear-setting to turn fear into your ally.  Whether you’re facing a career...

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we’re diving into what it really takes to break through fear, redefine success, and build a life that feels truly extraordinary. Joining me is Dr. Lucette Beall. She is a veterinarian, international bestselling author, speaker, and coach who has transformed her own challenges into a life of resilience, purpose, and impact . From surviving cancer a...