Self-Discovery Episodes

After a colon cancer diagnosis at 38, Brooks Bell learns to listen to her body, release perfection, and rediscover joy in being alive.

Country singer Andrew Mitch shares how leaving a PhD program, coming out, and an unexpected angel-like encounter launched his authentic music career.

A guided way to slow down, notice what’s real, and see what’s shifting.

Maria Gallucci shares how growing up as a child of deaf adults and facing profound losses shaped her commitment to inclusion, compassion, and building connection across communities.

In this episode, Isabelle Daikeler shares how surrendering during a decade of pain sparked a profound transformation toward healing and authenticity.

Heidi Blackie shares how loss, illness, and perfectionism led to one pivotal vow to believe in her body’s ability to heal.

Chris Jordan shares how six words on his grandfather’s headstone became the guiding mantra that shaped his creative life and choices.

Replay of Taylor Coffman’s 2024 Life Shift episode, honoring aHUS Awareness Day and her story of survival, resilience, and patient advocacy.

After hitting six figures and still feeling empty, Kevin Palmieri left everything behind to rebuild a life rooted in self-belief, purpose, and growth.

Marine Corps veteran Jill Schulman shares how a moment of unexpected empathy helped her redefine bravery, resilience, and what it means to keep going.

Real people. Honest moments. Life, unfiltered. The Life Shift Podcast is a collection of candid conversations with people who’ve experienced the moment when everything changed – and chose to keep going. If you’ve ever felt stuck, cracked open, or quietly transformed, there’s probably an episode for you. Share this clip with your friends if you're a fan of The Life Shift – you never know who might need to hear the stories on this show. 🎧 Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts or at w...

When Lisa Sugarman was ten, she was told her father died of a heart attack. But decades later, one unexpected question revealed a long-held secret that shifted everything. In this open and emotionally honest conversation, Lisa and I explore what it means to grieve someone twice, how silence can shape our stories, and the power of finally speaking the truth out loud.

After ten years in the classroom, Ryan Hennessey realized he was running on fumes. A powerful moment at a heart-led business retreat cracked something open in him and gave him the clarity he’d been chasing. He didn’t just walk away from teaching—he walked toward a life built on freedom, integrity, and impact.

When Mikelann Valterra sat across from her husband at their favorite sushi spot, she didn’t plan to end her marriage with a handshake. But that one act, quiet and deeply human, cracked open the life she had built and forced her to rebuild it from scratch. At 40, with her son by her side, she moved into her childhood bedroom and began the long, messy, and ultimately beautiful work of becoming herself again.

In this episode, Miron opens up about the grief, clarity, and courage it took to choose a new path. His story is a reminder that we’re allowed to outgrow our dreams and that starting over doesn’t mean failure. It can actually be the beginning of real freedom.

In this episode, I talk with artist and creative nomad Danny Suede about the bold decision he made as a teenager that changed everything, and how that one moment opened the door to a life he never imagined — one full of art, travel, and purposeful creation. Danny’s story reminds us that we can reimagine what “normal” looks like. That there’s nothing wrong with choosing something different. And that starting before you’re ready might just be the bravest thing you ever do.

This bonus episode brings back Elizabeth Rosenberg, a past guest on The Life Shift, to reflect on her journey since we last chatted. She shares how her perspective has evolved over the months, particularly regarding vulnerability and sharing personal stories. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of leaning into our truths and how doing so can lead to unexpected growth and healing. It’s fascinating to hear how her experiences have shaped not just her personal life but also her professional endeavo...

Leyla King grew up in a vibrant family surrounded by food, faith, and love, but she did not have the language or clarity to name her Palestinian identity. In this episode, Leyla shares how a high school film screening shifted everything, leading her to reclaim her heritage, record her grandmother’s stories, and write Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations.

Chantal Watts joins me again to dive into what’s changed since her first appearance on The Life Shift podcast. We get real about the impact of sharing her story, especially how it resonated with her former teacher and classmates. Chantal reflects on the healing power of being open about her past and how it helped her connect with those who once knew her. It's all about the significance of vulnerability and how our stories can touch others, creating community and support. This bonus episode is a...

Sometimes, the life you built no longer fits who you are becoming. The old habits, the roles you played, the way you showed up in the world – it might feel familiar, but also a little tight, a little scratchy, like a favorite sweatshirt that doesn't quite belong to you anymore. That’s not failure. That’s growth. This short reflection explores what it means to feel the tension between who you were and who you're becoming. It's a quiet invitation to honor your past self – the version of you that...

Starting over is never easy. Whether you're in a new job, a new city, a new relationship, or simply facing a new season of life, there's a part of us that resists feeling new. It whispers things like, "I should have figured this out by now," or "I shouldn't feel this lost." But feeling like a beginner isn't failure – it's growth in disguise. This short reflection offers a gentle reminder that the discomfort of starting over is also an invitation: "You’re not behind – you’re becoming." If yo...

Alex Knight joins me again to share how his life has shifted since we last chatted on The Life Shift. We kick things off by revisiting the pivotal moments that shaped his relationship with music and how those experiences continue to influence his life decisions. Alex shares that music has been a constant anchor, helping him navigate expectations and societal pressures. Since our last episode, he’s become more aware of how music plays a role in his happiness and creativity, emphasizing the import...

In this special solo episode of The Life Shift Podcast , I step away from interviews to reflect on the three people who shaped me most—my mother, my grandmother, and my father. Mother’s Day has always felt complicated, layered with grief, gratitude, and unexpected resilience. I share how losing my mom at eight changed everything, how my grandmother stepped in and became my safe place, and how my father quietly carried the weight of it all while helping me find my way forward. This episode is...

Have you ever felt trapped by the need for certainty in your life? Allison Carmen, a spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster, shares her journey from being addicted to certainty to embracing the power of "maybe." Allison takes us through her early years, where anxiety and worry dominated her life. She recounts the pivotal moment when a simple Daoist story about a farmer and his horse opened her eyes to a new way of thinking that would change her life forever. From Certainty Addiction t...