She describes herself as courageous.  Yes, I definitely saw that.  I also saw beauty and radiance woven together in the most delightful way.  Christelle Biiga grew up wondering if random strangers were happy.  That early curiosity drove her from Cameroon to California where she has been able to take that desire, and marry it with her love of speaking.  She wants to inspire and empower others.  If she can do that through booking people on podcasts so that they have more visibility, then Christelle’s at the sweet spot of her passion and purpose. She wants you to know, you too, have what it takes to do what is possible.You can find Christelle at Exposure Maven.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

What if you were called to a hard life?  What if your closest loved ones needed your passion and purpose to survive and to thrive?  Amber Jeann Parker didn’t realize her interest in evidenced-based science would marry so well with her faith; that her life would revolve around literally helping her family stay alive.  Her husband has faced mental health challenges after serving our country in combat resulting in PTSD.  And two of their kids have life-threatening disorders that need a mom to be vigilant on their behalf.  All of this and Amber’s focus is still to choose joy, even in the midst.  She’s a truth teller.You can find Amber on Instagram at Choose Joy in the Midst.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

When you realize what a butterfly goes through to become, you have an idea that beautiful things can develop from struggle, from breaking free.  Such is the case with Estelle Polevoy who used to wake up feeling anxious.  She realized the life she was living was not the life she wanted, so she set about to heal by visiting her inner child and doing the necessary work of transformation.  If you get to the root that is where the power starts.  From there it’s ok to say no to that which isn’t beneficial, and yes to discovering all of who you are.  Women are fierce, they have hidden potential just waiting to be realized. You can find Estelle on Instagram at Fierce Female Co.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

You take a small town girl who marries early, has kids and enjoys a couple of successful careers.  But along the way two of your children grow up to become addicted to drugs.  One started with experimentation and got hooked.  A year later the other one was given pain medication after a surgery and ended up becoming dependent.  How on earth do you help?  Dawn R. Ward found herself somewhere she’d never thought she’d be - helping other parents with children who are in the throes of addiction. Of course this was after her own sons were recovering.  It’s been years of practice, learning what works, what doesn’t, and now she can encourage others.  She has faith to flourish.

Conversations.  Are they a lost art?  In this Information Age of texting, emailing, and social media we may be losing authentic connection.  This week’s guest Chris Burnett wants to change that.  It started with 50 recorded conversations in one week with family and friends and its turned into a conversations movement.  He was amazed by what he discovered and the richness that followed.  Chris is finding all kinds of different ways to encourage us to experience the same benefits.  Taking the time to ask questions, to learn, and to truly connect, is where the sweet spot of coming together is.  Let’s not lose that.You can find Chris on Instagram at Conversations Movement.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

Who knew?  Some would consider this change too small to make a difference, and yet there it was.  Christine Nicole Cooper found out that keeping her nails looking nice led to a boost of confidence that she didn’t expect.  Going from low self-esteem to empowering other women was not in the original blueprint either.  Yet you can go from diesel mechanic and volunteer firefighter to helping other women feel better about themselves, all through the power in self-care.  The nails are a good place to start.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

Sometimes a surrender is small but that doesn’t necessarily mean its easy.  There was a time when Addie Cooley lived in India for five years.  She was not used to the custom of unannounced visitors.  Out the window went the American way of calling first or having a scheduled time.  And to be a good host you needed to offer refreshments, to be gracious during the visit.  So forget the things you thought you were going to get done that day.  It took a while to surrender her old custom of planning.  Through lots and lots of practice Addie did, and it helped her learn to live a more fluid life.  In doing so she was able to thrive.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

It’s complicated.  Who controls the resources, in this case the minerals?  Different armed groups fight to dominate so there is violence, chaos.  And what if you are a woman in the Democratic Republic of Congo where violence and poverty prevail?  What then?  Caitlin Sturgis got the nudge early on to help the women and children in a place far from home, a place she’d never been.  She has a heart for social justice and was happy to lend what she could to help.  What if we are for one another?   What could that look like?You can find Caitlin at Moseka Action Project. Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

You’re at your father’s funeral and you find out what your sister really thinks of you.  She has checked all the boxes of who you are.  In her mind.  But she’s wrong.  Erin Sur decided not to leave it there.  She chose to have the hard conversation, in love, not defense, to be better understood by her sister.  Not knowing how it was going to go, she had to try.  There was more in store after her dad’s passing.  Lots of relationships changed and some even went away.  It was like God was moving the pieces on a chess board.  This is what she had to surrender to.  And it was hard.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

Eighteen doctors. That’s how many Stephanie Shaw went to for her symptoms not to mention the $20,000 out of pocket.  Menopause.  And it hit her hard.  Hair loss, tingling, all kinds of physical and emotional turmoil due to the change in hormones.  It wasn’t until she realized she was doing things she didn’t need to do, that she surrendered to God to figure out what was going on with her body.  The more she prayed and  meditated, “Help me with this,” the more it became clear what to do next.It all became fuel for her podcast “Hello Hot Flash” where she shares her experience and has other guests on to help women who need the support.  We can be afraid to speak our mind and Stephanie is big on encouraging women to build confidence.  Sound familiar?  And I like the connection she makes between surrender and trust.  A point well made and one worth remembering.You can find Stephanie at Hello Hot Flash.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

She’s in it right now.  Surrender.  Something she didn’t want, didn’t plan for and yet most of the pieces of her life came apart.  Toni Marinucci shares her business, her finances, her flame, and her living situation all changed.  One right on top of the other.  What did she do?  How did she get through?  Toni is quick to point out yes, she is still in it but she’s looking at the failure as feedback, as a way to completely regroup and start over.As she points out, we’re put on this earth to help people.  Toni is shedding the old layers to grow new ones, better ones, to rebuild all the parts of her life.  Being in the messy middle is simply temporary.  She has learned it’s ok to not be ok, and by letting go of her ego she is surrendering to a new beginning.  “I know the qualities of the person I want to become.”  I for one know she will become that and much more.  And I will be on the sidelines cheering her on.Toni has been on the show before in We All Start as a Beginner episode 83.You can find Toni at Tips with Toni.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

Two hundred. Wow, how did that happen?  That’s right, today we are celebrating the 200th episode of Unabashed You and here to bring his premier conversational skills to the party, is none other than Shaun Conde.  He asks me various questions about these past few years, how it all came to be, and what I’ve learned.What I know is that it has been an extraordinary pleasure to connect with each guest, for each conversation.  And if you’re wiling, we will continue on hopefully inspiring you to be a bit more you, fueling you with confidence to go out and do the thing that only you can do.  Encouragement  is our thing.  Let us know how we can encourage you.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

The answer was no.  The application for a visa to study in Canada was denied.  Surrendering to this only fueled his desire to find a way.  Enitan Balogun gave himself a day to feel down, all the human emotions you have when a roadblock is put in the way of a goal.  He would not let any fear define him.  Then Enitan honed in on exactly what the problem was, the why. Once you determine the why of a problem, you can best find a solution.  The roadblock may be beyond your control but don’t run away from it, Enitan advises.  Face your fears, surrender with a “Here I am” attitude and start strategizing a way to move forward.  You pick yourself up because you have faith there are better days ahead. Enitan has been on the podcast before in Capturing Life through a Lens - episode 76; Consistency and Prayer - episode 102; And the Sky will be Your Starting Point - episode 186.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

“It’s already done.”  This is the moment of surrender when you know you have done all you can and you recognize the best choice is to release the outcome.  This week’s guest Sarah Harbut leaves what happens next  to God.  She looks to him for guidance, and she seeks his voice over her own.  Sometimes those are hard to differentiate.  And that is another level of surrender.Sarah was led to write her story because she felt there was at least one someone out there who needed to hear it.  She experienced generational domestic abuse.  Writing about it was painful, and healing.  Sarah knew this was the beginning of surrendering to the right influences.  When you use your voice you have peace and are secure with who you are.  What comes next?  According to Sarah, now it’s God’s turn.Sarah has been on the podcast before in I’m Going to Write a Book episode 170.You can find Sarah on Instagram at Less Fear More Fire.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

You start out with a vision.  The vision is grand because, why not?  You are in your mind.  Once you work to make it a reality, things likely shift.  This was true for T-Bone Rube, this week’s guest in our Surrender series.  He had an idea to create a spectacular show during the holidays with gifted performers, merry music and then book that in Manhattan.  Yet circumstances were beyond his control.Slowly things changed and it was clear this was not going to turn out to be what T-Bone created in his mind.  He had to decrease the scale of the show to fit realistic expectations, some of the cast had to drop the show for a variety of different reasons, and there was not an ample amount of advance ticket sales.  So what did he do?  He surrendered to what was, and ended up doing an acoustic one-man show. And, it was good. He has been on the show before in Frankie Valli is his Biggest Inspiration episode 144.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

What does surrender mean to you?  As in, you find yourself in a circumstance that you have no control over.  How do you react?  Do you fight it kicking and screaming?  Do you get caught up in obsessive worry about the outcome?  Ellen Burgan is our guest this week and she begins this new series of, you guessed it, surrender.  She explains it takes practice and a lot of self compassion if you want to make the most of it.  And you do.Ellen shares you can grow your acceptance of the situation by listing the things you can control vs the things you can’t.  Focus on what you can do by getting info on the unknowns, being patient with yourself and finding a way to add something positive to the experience.  Just like she did when her son went to New Zealand and she blogged about his adventures.  Having to surrender?  You likely didn’t ask for it, but you’re here so make the best of it.  Let surrender be a catalyst for change.She was on before in I Knew There was More Out There episode 159.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

We often say we “just want to be happy” or that we “just want our kids to be happy.”  Is that really the goal for our lives?  I was on Kelly Robinson’s podcast “Kelly Minds Her Manors” recently and had the opportunity to flesh out some different thoughts I have.  It was during her Fearless Five portion of the show when she asked me “Something you think other people value that you don’t.”  For me, happiness is fleeting, flighty even, not sustainable and definitely not a goal. That just can’t be it.  It doesn’t speak to character-building by going through the hard things, being fulfilled by the weighty things or the great sense of joy which I find a deeper, more satisfying place to be. So this is me, on Kelly’s show.Kelly asked me about my coaching style.  I shared how much I relish small group work while being hands on throughout.  We learn so much from each other when we are willing to be vulnerable.  Intimacy is built and there is a safe space to interact, to connect.  I want each person I work with to be seen, and to be encouraged.  On our way we will set goals and track progress.  Think about the person you are in your imagination.  Now compare that to how you show up in your real life.  Those two should be closely aligned and if they’re not, let’s do some work to get there.  You’ll be glad you did. Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

As a young girl she wanted to be a nurse because she thought the uniforms were cute.  Then she realized the doctors are the ones that tell the nurses what to do so she changed her mind.  Tolulope Olabintan did become a doctor.  She paid attention to the restlessness inside of her.  Of course it wasn’t easy, what is?  Tolu did the hard things, made the sacrifices and became confident in her chosen field.Part of the journey came when her beloved aunt died from asthma.  That spurred Tolu on to focus on lifestyle medicine so that what she imparts will outlive her.  Big picture thinking, and wanting what’s best for each person, are hallmarks of who she is.  Tolulope emphasizes the value of recognizing and nurturing one's own unique talents, and not being distracted by comparing oneself to others.  Here, here!Her 2023 takeaways?  This was a “stretchy” year and she realized, “Our challenges are not meant to break us but to increase our capacity.”  Mic drop.  And her looks ahead into 2024?  “It is never too late.”  You can make positive changes, try new things, live your best life in the later decades in your 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  Follow her advice: don’t give up.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

“Time leaves no fruit on the tree.”  This is a lyric from a John Mayer song and a phrase that Johanna Lobo lives by.  It reminds her to seize the day and not put off important or enjoyable things so she takes the advice to heart daily.  Another practice is paying attention to self-talk.  Are you harder on yourself than you would be to anyone else?  If so, stop.  Be as good to yourself as you would be to someone you loved, which should include you.If you believe you are capable then by all means step out, and take a risk.  It will take courage Johanna explains as the two are woven together in ways hard to describe.  If you are courageous, you will be more confident.  If you are confident, you will be more courageous.  These two characteristics, truly are something we can all have.  You just plain have to feel it inside, and allow yourself the time to get better at it.  Then watch out!Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐

"You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do." - Eleanor Roosevelt.  This is the quote Amy DeFehr and I could not quite recall.  It’s so true and one we should remember because the fear of what others think is the number one reason we don’t try things.Amy defined confidence as, “a feeling of knowing you can do anything, taking it out of the heart and into the head. I don’t need anyone to tell me, because I know.”Here are Amy’s 3 suggestions to increase confidence:You have to do things that scare you; get past the feeling, once you do one it leads you to the nextDo something that is a release, accomplish something that is hard (like a workout) or get in natureSurround yourself with really good people; they see you, know you, and are cheering you onAmy has been on the podcast before in Walking Off a Cliff episode 26.Thank you for being a part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.  Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes.  We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired. 🍐