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What if the fastest way to dial down drama and crank up joy is as simple as giving everyone around you a permission slip to be themselves—including you? In this episode, Angela and Sami invite well-being therapist Jamie Lerner to spill the secrets of her Art of Allowing, a practice that turns judgment into curiosity and workplace chaos into something you can actually manage.

You’ll get:

• The story of why Jamie ditched traditional talk therapy and how her clients leap forward by focusing on right-now momentum instead of yesterday’s baggage
• A five-minute morning habit that rewires your inner chatter—no journals, glitter pens, or awkward affirmations required
• A pocket guide to spotting the exact moment you slip from setting healthy boundaries to running the entire show, plus how to pivot without the shame hangover
• The projection trick that melts irritation in real time, saving your energy for people and projects that deserve it
• Backup-deadline magic and other sneaky scripts for thriving when teammates ghost, stall, or show up late
• A fresh way to handle compliments so you soak in the goodness without handing strangers the keys to your self-worth

By the time the outro hits you’ll feel lighter, clearer, and ready to practice allowing with your kids, your coworkers, and—most importantly—yourself.

Want more Jamie in your life? Explore her work or book a session at jamie-lerner.com.

Press play now and start living the Be Freaking Awesome life today!

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Ever had a wild idea you couldn’t shake—even if it sounded totally out of left field? That’s exactly what happened to Deborah Niemann, a suburban mom who packed up her family, moved to the middle of nowhere, and accidentally became a nationally recognized goat expert.

In this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Deborah shares how her journey started with a desire to eat organic and live more intentionally. What unfolded was a story filled with goats, gardening, fiber animals, and one big mystery that led her to uncover a massive gap in veterinary knowledge. (Spoiler: when the experts told her she was wrong, she proved them otherwise—using research and a whole lot of persistence.)

We dive into what it takes to build a purpose-filled life, even if it looks nothing like what you imagined. From discovering the hidden dangers in our food system to building a homestead and creating a successful niche podcast (For the Love of Goats), Deborah’s story is both inspiring and deeply practical.

What you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why following your curiosity—even when it’s unconventional—is often the key to purpose
• How small, intentional food choices can lead to massive life change
• The power of problem-solving and self-advocacy when the experts fall short
• Why your weirdest passions might just be your greatest gifts

Whether you’re a fellow goat lover, a clean-eating enthusiast, or just someone craving a more intentional life, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you get started—right where you are.

🎧 Tap play now and discover what can happen when you dare to trust your gut, lean into the unknown, and live freaking awesome on your own terms.

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🌟 What if joy isn’t random—but a daily quest you can map out?

In this uplifting episode, wellness entrepreneur and podcast host Moyra Gorski joins Angela and Sami to reveal how she turned a season of overwhelm into a life anchored in grace-filled, repeatable joy practices. From mirror work to micro-habits and community, Moyra shares simple tools that anyone—no matter how busy—can start today.

🎧 Press play to laugh, learn, and launch your own Joy Quest!

💡 What We Talk About

• Moyra’s shift from Juggling the Chaos of Recovery to Your Journey to Joy
• The “oxygen-mask” rule of self-care (and why it’s not selfish)
• Tiny daily rituals—mirror work, morning moments, joy boxes—that actually stick
• How community (walking clubs, volunteer work) accelerates healing and happiness

📘 What You’ll Learn

• A 3-step framework to build a morning routine that fits any season of life
• Ways to spot hidden perfectionism and replace it with grace-based self-talk
• Practical tips for stacking small joy habits into big lifestyle change
• How to turn ordinary moments (a creek, a feather, a kind note) into joy anchors

🎧 Listen now and jump-start your own Joy Quest—from the inside out.

🔗 Connect with Moyra Gorski

• Website & Blog: moyragorski.com
• Podcast: Your Journey to Joy (Apple, Spotify, everywhere)
• Instagram: @moyra_gorski_wellness_advocate

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This episode is Part 2 of our 2-part conversation with writer and coach Omar Ferraira of A Soul’s Quest. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go back and start there—we explore life transitions, identity, and what it means to go on your own hero’s journey.

In this second half, we’re turning toward men’s mental health, emotional resilience, and what it takes to find your footing when life has fallen apart. Omar opens up about his personal story, the quiet suffering many men carry, and how imagination, values, and inner discipline can begin to heal what feels broken.

This is a powerful episode that honors Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month—and speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they’re quietly crumbling inside.

💬 In this episode:
- What keeps men from asking for help
- The emotional cost of trying to “hold it all together”
- Why imagination is key to mental well-being
- Reclaiming identity and self-worth after loss
- A vision-forward approach to healing for men

🎙️ Connect with Omar:
🌐 asoulsquest.com
📱 Follow the A Soul’s Quest Podcast on social media: @ASQPodcast

👉 This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.
Both episodes are available now, so if you missed Part 1, go listen to that next!

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This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation with writer and coach Omar Ferraira. Both episodes drop this week, so when you’re done here, hop over to Part 2 to continue the conversation.

We’re diving into life transitions, inner growth, and the search for purpose when it feels like you’ve checked all the boxes—but still feel like something’s missing. From Carl Jung and Maslow to the hero’s journey and cultural traditions, Omar shares a deep, reflective view on how we evolve—and what society often gets wrong about it.

It’s a rich, soul-stirring conversation that reminds us that we’re not alone in our questions.

🔥 In this episode:

- Why achieving the “dream life” can still feel empty
- The contrast between Eastern and Western perspectives on identity
- How our society neglects to teach us about psychological milestones
- What it really means to start your own personal hero’s journey

👉 Ready for more? Go listen to Part 2 of this conversation with Omar, Episode 177, where we dive into men’s mental health, emotional survival, and what it takes to rediscover purpose after life falls apart. It’s raw, real, and available now.

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This isn’t just a milestone—it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the practice of showing up. In this episode, Angela and Sami get real about what 175 episodes have taught them: how to let go of the pressure to be perfect, reframe what success looks like, and lean into meaningful, fun, and fulfilling work.

They talk about the doubts that almost stopped them early on, the episodes that unexpectedly took off, and why metrics like downloads and dollars don’t tell the whole story. It’s vulnerable, honest, and full of the kind of perspective that comes only from doing the work—one step at a time.

In this episode:

- The myth of being “flaky” and how to rewrite it
- Reframing low-performing episodes (hello, renaming magic)
- What success looks like when you stop chasing the algorithm
- Why podcasting became more than content—it became connection

Let’s keep this going.
If this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s taking their own small-but-mighty steps. And seriously—thank you for walking this journey with us.

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What if the colors around you could transform your mood, mindset, and even your life?

In this vibrant episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Sami and Angela sit down with brand architect and color psychology expert J. Nichole Smith (Nic) to explore the powerful (and often overlooked) connection between color, psychology, and joy.

From navigating burnout to creating joy-centered brands, Nic unpacks how we can all use color as a tool for emotional resilience, intentional living, and everyday rebellion against the beige life.

💡 In This Episode:

• The real difference between joy and happiness (and why it matters)
• How color works on a psychological level—and what that means for your home, wardrobe, and energy
• The subtle ways we avoid joy in the name of comfort or safety
• Why choosing color is a form of courage (yes, even your throw pillows count!)
• A practical challenge to help you feel the shift starting today

🧠 J. Nichole Smith (Nic) shares:

• Why joy is the antidote to fear and manipulation
• How her clients transform their brands and their lives through color harmony
• Her go-to framework: The Color Brand Method
• A peek into her upcoming book on “Joy-First Decision-Making”

🛠️ Take Action:

• 🌈 Challenge of the Week: For 7 days, avoid wearing black, white, or gray near your face—and watch what shifts.
• 🎨 Take Nic’s Color Quiz: Discover your personality-based color group at joyfirstworld.com
• 📲 Follow Nic on Instagram & LinkedIn: @jnicholesmith

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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We’ve all heard “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”—but what if that’s actually true and empowering? In Part 2 of our conversation with Anna Beth Gorman, we shift from financial literacy to the life-changing concept of social capital—and how women can build it with intention.

This episode is a masterclass in forming relationships that matter—not just for your career or business, but for your personal safety, freedom, and future. From building a “kitchen cabinet” of advisors to recognizing your value in the room, we’re talking about connection as a form of currency.

Angela, Sami, and Anna Beth share real-life stories of how knowing the right people opened doors—and how that wasn’t luck. It was a strategy. And it’s something you can start doing today.

If you’ve ever wondered how to network without feeling fake, how to surround yourself with the right people, or how to create opportunity for yourself and others—this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What “social capital” really means and why it matters so much for women
• How to create your personal board of directors (aka your “kitchen cabinet”)
• Why networking is often relational, not transactional—and how to do it well
• How women can leverage social capital to unlock financial opportunity
• Encouragement for women reentering the workforce or starting something new

🔥 Missed Part 1? Go back and listen to The Conversation Every Woman Needs to Be Having with Anna Beth Gorman to get the foundation on financial literacy, resilience, and the building blocks of real wealth.

Connect with our guest:

• Anna Beth Gorman is the CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas: https://womensfoundationarkansas.org
• Follow the WFA on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
• Support their mission: Even $25/month makes a huge difference in advancing women’s economic security in Arkansas!

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.