UpShift Podcast

In this episode, Angel Howard talks with retired attorney Wanda Sobieski about a life shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a drive to understand how laws and social expectations affect women. Wanda shares her path from growing up in a conservative Ozarks family to becoming an attorney and advocate for women’s rights. She also explores the long fight for women’s suffrage, Tennessee’s pivotal role...

Dr. Christiaan Oranje explores why people can achieve outward success yet still feel empty, exhausted, or trapped in repeating patterns. He explains his concept of the “triple dynamic,” which connects suppressed emotions, unconscious conditioning, and the role life experiences can play in revealing unresolved issues. Christiaan also discusses the difference between the subconscious and unconscious...

In this conversation, Mary Guerdoux-Harries discusses her approach to understanding and managing energy through four key sources: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Drawing from athletic performance principles, coaching methodologies, and her own personal journey, she explains how recognizing what boosts and drains each area can help people improve performance, prevent burnout, and make m...

In this conversation, mental health practitioner Kelly Nenezian discusses bioenergetics and the role of the body in processing trauma and emotions. Drawing from her own childhood experiences and years of somatic work, she explains how trauma can create lasting patterns of muscular tension, emotional suppression, and physical bracing that cannot always be resolved through cognitive approaches alone...

In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with dyslexia educator Russell Van Brocklen about his personal experience with severe reading and writing challenges and the teaching methods he developed from that experience. Russell explains how he uses a student’s area of strong interest, specific-to-general questioning, repetition, and a process he calls word analysis followed by articulation to build read...

In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with Jenna Udenberg, a disability activist, educator, and author, about redefining how society understands disability and accessibility. Jenna shares her personal journey from being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young age to becoming a leader in accessibility education and nonprofit work. The conversation explores the importance of language, the role o...

In this conversation, Angel Howard welcomes Kate McKay, keynote speaker, author, athlete, and entrepreneur, for a deep discussion on grief, grace, healing, and the strength it takes to live after loss. Kate shares the story behind her upcoming book, Grief and Grace, including the loss of her son to suicide and the earlier murder of her brother, and explains how these experiences shaped her work, f...

In this conversation, Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, coach, consultant, former professor, and author of Leading with Courage: A Career-Long Guide for Idealistic Women, discusses how women can lead with more confidence, clarity, and purpose across every stage of their careers. She explores the pressure many women feel to overcommit, stay likable, and respond to workplace urgency, while also naming the...

In this conversation, Meeky Hwang, CEO and co-founder of Ndevr, discusses her journey from navigating different cultures as a young person to leading a technical development agency that helps companies build, maintain, and strengthen digital platforms. She explains how Ndevr supports clients through audience experience, creator experience, and developer experience, with a focus on secure, scalable...

In this episode of The UpShift, Angel Howard speaks with Dr. Amanda Adkins, a board-certified internal medicine physician and certified lifestyle medicine specialist, about the power of plant-based nutrition and holistic health. Dr. Adkins shares her personal journey from being an overweight teenager in Indiana to becoming a physician focused on preventing and reversing chronic disease through lif...

In this episode of the UpShift podcast, Angel Howard sits down with transition coach and former global executive Art Blanchford to discuss burnout, identity, purpose, and what happens when success no longer feels fulfilling. Art shares his journey from leading multi-billion dollar companies and earning a seven-figure income to walking away from corporate life after severe burnout forced him to ret...

In this conversation, Dr. Corey Winn discusses how women can lead, grow, and pursue their dreams from a place of clarity, trust, and joy. She explains why many women lose touch with what they want, how societal expectations shape their choices, and why community, coaching, and self-investment can help them move into a more aligned life. The discussion also explores fear, self-trust, non-negotiable...

In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with Dr. Kristen Williamson, a professional counselor specializing in neurodivergence, about what it means to have an ADHD or autistic brain, which she refers to as “neuro-spicy.” Dr. Williamson shares her personal diagnosis journey and explains how differences in dopamine processing, executive function, and cognitive patterns shape behavior, productivity, and...

In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with relationship and dating coach Bernardo “Bern” Mendez about the realities and opportunities of midlife dating. Bern explains why many people struggle in relationships, not because they are flawed, but because they were never taught the necessary skills for intimacy and connection. The conversation explores how limiting beliefs formed early in life can shape...

In this episode of The UpShift, trauma specialist Tammy Cox joins host Angel Howard to explore the profound impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and personal identity. Tammy details her unique subconscious reprogramming modality, which combines hypnosis, somatics, and inner child healing to locate and neutralize limiting beliefs planted between the ages of zero and five. The conv...

In this episode, entrepreneur Raven Alvarez, founder of Seraphine Spa, shares her profound journey from chronic burnout and "masculine" overachievement to a life of intentional balance. After years as a health coach who failed to heed her own advice, Raven transitioned into the intense world of business acquisitions, only to realize that financial success did not resolve her underlying p...

In this conversation, Tiffiny Newton, a domestic violence survivor and author of Behind the Smile, shares her powerful story of recovery and renewal. She discusses how she fell into an abusive relationship despite having no prior exposure to domestic violence, highlighting the subtle red flags and manipulation tactics that often go unnoticed. Tiffiny defines complex concepts like gaslighting and n...

In this episode of The Upshift, host Angel Howard speaks with Emily McSherry, founder and CEO of Advize, a career learning and exploration tool for students. They discuss the challenges students face in navigating career choices, the importance of networking, and how Advize aims to bridge the gap in career guidance. Emily shares insights on the business model of Advize, the significance of alumni...

In this conversation, Laura Bratton shares her inspiring journey of overcoming vision loss and redefining courage. She emphasizes the importance of support systems, the tools of grit and gratitude, and the power of choice in navigating life's challenges. Laura encourages listeners to acknowledge their feelings, focus on the present, and trust that they are enough, regardless of their circumsta...

In this conversation, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller discusses the importance of empathy in leadership and its impact on business success. She shares her journey from being a professional musician to becoming an expert in empathetic leadership, emphasizing that empathy is a skill that can be learned and applied in various contexts, especially in the workplace. The discussion covers different type...

In this conversation, Layton Fulton shares his transformative journey from a successful career in construction to becoming a hypnotherapist. He discusses the importance of mentorship, emotional intelligence, and the role of intuition in leadership. Layton emphasizes the need for men to embrace their emotions and seek help when needed, while also highlighting the impact of a supportive work culture...

In this conversation, Angel Howard speaks with Lisa Sugarman, a mental health advocate and survivor of suicide loss. Lisa shares her personal journey, the importance of mental health awareness, and the resources available for those in crisis, including the 988 hotline. They discuss how to support friends in crisis, the significance of direct communication, and the need to normalize conversations a...

In this engaging conversation, Angel Howard interviews Kevin Palmieri, the founder and co-host of The Next Level University podcast. Kevin shares his inspiring journey from a troubled upbringing and suicidal thoughts to becoming a successful podcaster and coach. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, consistency, and a heart-driven approach in both personal and professional life. The discu...

In this enlightening conversation, Denise Stegall, author of 'Healthy Living, Happy Life', discusses the complexities of menopause and the importance of understanding hormonal changes. She emphasizes the need for women to advocate for their health, explore dietary impacts, and engage in strength training to enhance their well-being. The discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of m...

In this engaging conversation, Angel Howard interviews Christiania Schroeter, a business and wellness coach, about her approach to helping professionals achieve success through small, manageable steps. They discuss the importance of community, recognizing burnout, balancing passion with financial stability, and the significance of discovering one's superpower. Christiania shares her insights o...