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What if your greatest self-care superpower isn’t doing more — but pausing?

In this deeply reflective conversation, Kathy Love sits down with Laura Brennan Ballet to explore the concept of neutrality as a life skill — the pause between reaction and response that allows us to live, lead, and heal with intention. Together, they unpack generational self-care, emotional regulation, empowerment through awareness, and how learning to “see it through” can change everything. This episode is a reminder that self-care is not indulgence — it’s preparation for life

Neutrality as a Self-Care Superpower

Laura introduces neutrality as the pause that allows us to break patterns of reaction, judgment, and emotional overwhelm. Neutrality creates space for awareness, clarity, and choice.
Resource: The Science of Empowerment

The conversation explores how self-care is taught — not through words alone, but through behavior. Laura shares how her mother and grandmother modeled self-prioritization and how those lessons are now passed on to her daughters.

Negative, positive, or neutral — learning to recognize emotional energy helps us respond instead of react. Neutrality becomes a learned skill that can be practiced at any stage of life.

Self-care includes conscious decision-making. Laura discusses the importance of thinking ahead, understanding consequences, and choosing paths that serve both personal and collective well-being.

Laura shares the personal story that led to her book — a life-altering injury that required mental, emotional, and energetic rehabilitation. The episode highlights how empowerment is built through accountability, critical thinking, and self-love.

This episode is sponsored by The Outlier Project, a global community dedicated to personal growth, leadership, and meaningful connection.

As the #1. International Bestselling Author of The Science of Empowerment, Thought Energy Mindset Transformational Coach and Speaker, and Mind Development & Human Awareness Activator, Laura’s skill set, gathered wisdom, and personal discipline to advance human potential is evident in her creative work.
The care and consideration that supports her clients, attendees, and listeners around the globe, is evident at first greeting. High energy output and the feeling that all things are possible, begins the Co-creative relationship that she is sought after and known for.

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In this deeply grounding and eye-opening episode, Kathy Love sits down with Kimberly Arnold, founder of Somatic Leadership, to explore what it actually means to bring the body into the conversation—especially in leadership, work, and everyday life.

This conversation introduces somatic healing in a way that is accessible, practical, and immediately useful. Kimberly explains why thinking your way out of stress doesn’t work—and how simple, physical shifts in the body can quickly restore clarity, calm, and connection.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, reactive, exhausted, or stuck in fight-or-flight, this episode offers a powerful new lens—and real tools you can use right away.

🧠 Key Concepts

Somatic Awareness
Somatic work intentionally brings the body into awareness.

The Nervous System Reality
80–90% of vagus nerve signals travel from the body to the brain.

Resilient Reset
A Resilient Reset is a brief, physical micro-practice that helps you shift out of reactivity and back into clarity, presence, and resilience—often in under a minute.

💼 Somatics & Leadership

Kimberly shares how she works with leaders and teams to build collective resilience.

Kimberly Arnold teaches leaders how to shift from adrenaline-driven execution to regulated, repeatable performance under pressure. Even self-described skeptics are surprised by how simple her Resilient Reset body-based practices are—many describe them as life-changing. Her approach helps leaders stay composed, credible, and human in crisis, rather than defaulting to burnout or reactivity, with 94% continuing to use the practices months later. Kimberly is an organizational resilience expert and a sought-after speaker, strategic advisor, executive coach, and corporate trainer, bringing decades of executive leadership at PwC, Salesforce, and Blue Shield of California, alongside deep somatic training rooted in Aikido, Tai Chi, Qigong, Feldenkrais and conscious dance.

Learn more about Kimberly’s work at Resilient Reset:

Science-backed practices for regulated, repeatable performance under pressure

https://www.ResilientReset.com

Try Resilient Reset practices on YouTube:

Short, practical somatic tools you can use in real time

https://www.youtube.com/@SomaticLeadership

Join Kimberly’s biweekly newsletter:

Simple insights and practices to stop running on adrenaline and lead with clarity

https://tinyurl.com/ResilientReset

Book a conversation with Kimberly:

Explore how Resilient Reset supports leaders and teams under pressure

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In this powerful and deeply relatable conversation, Kathy Love sits down with Brian Sacheta, author of Get Out of Your Head, to talk about anxiety, looping thoughts, nervous system regulation, and what real self-care actually looks like when your mind won’t slow down.

Brian doesn’t come at mental health from a clinical or textbook place. He comes from lived experience—years of panic attacks, OCD, overthinking, and learning how to function in a world that didn’t leave much room (especially for men) to talk about feelings.

Together, Kathy and Brian unpack:

• Why anxiety loops happen
• How our brains are wired for survival—not modern life
• Why logic alone won’t calm an anxious nervous system
• And how movement, compassion, and awareness can interrupt the spiral

This episode is honest, practical, and grounding—especially if you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just stop thinking like this?”

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why anxiety is a protective mechanism, not a personal failure
• How the fight-or-flight response shows up in modern stress (hello, performance reviews 👀)
• What it really means to “get out of your head”
• Why movement and breath are often more effective than positive thinking
• How to recognize when you’re stuck in a mental loop—and how to gently interrupt it
• Why talking to yourself like a trusted friend matters more than you think

🧠 Brian’s Core Framework: The 10 Steps to Getting Out of Your Head

Brian shares insights from his book, including:

• Moving your body or eyes to signal safety to your nervous system
• Using breath to bring your prefrontal cortex back online
• Evaluating all possible outcomes—not just the worst-case scenario
• Reconnecting with compassion instead of self-criticism

This isn’t about “fixing” yourself.
It’s about learning how to work with your brain instead of fighting it.

💬 A Moment That Really Landed

🤍 Who This Episode Is For

• Anyone living with anxiety, overthinking, or looping thoughts
• Men who were never given language for emotional experiences
• People who are tired of being told to “just calm down”
• Anyone ready to practice self-care that’s grounded, realistic, and human

Contact Brian:
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In this heartfelt and raw conversation, Doug and I explore the journey of self-discovery, breaking free from codependency, and the power of truly knowing yourself. Doug shares his story of how he spent most of his life letting others define him, until he had a profound awakening that led him to embrace self-love and ownership of his identity. We dive into the importance of personality assessments like the MBTI, the Enneagram, and even human design in helping us understand ourselves at a deeper level. We also touch on relationships—how codependency shows up in partnerships, and how true self-care isn’t about avoiding conflict, but embracing it with honesty and compassion. Doug’s evolution from people-pleasing to owning his boundaries and trusting his intuition in business and life is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of self-love.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Self-love begins with knowing yourself.
   Doug’s journey highlights that falling in love with yourself starts with understanding your personality, your strengths, and the way you process the world. The more you know, the more confidently you can make decisions aligned with who you truly are.
2. Codependency stems from letting others define you.
   Codependency often arises when we disconnect from our true selves and allow others' expectations to shape who we are. The path to healing begins with reclaiming your identity and trusting your own judgment.
3. True self-care involves tough conversations.
   True self-care isn’t always easy or comfortable. It’s about setting boundaries, engaging in difficult conversations, and honoring your needs, even when it means stepping into discomfort to protect your peace.

Connect with Doug Skoke on LinkedIn

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What happens when you leave a 100-year corporate legacy… and then get fired six months later?

In this honest and energizing conversation, Kathy Love sits down with Lyndsay Dowd — leadership expert, speaker, and founder of Heartbeat for Hire — to unpack reinvention, resilience, shame, confidence, and the power of intentional community.

From 23 years at IBM to being unexpectedly fired, Lyndsay shares how that painful pivot became the catalyst for building a purpose-driven business focused on modern leadership and culture. Together, Kathy and Lyndsay explore how true self-care includes nurturing your network, surrounding yourself with belief-builders, and learning that visibility is a skill — not a personality trait.

This episode is for anyone navigating a career shift, recovering from a setback, or realizing that the circle you’re in may not be the only one available to you.

Lyndsay Dowd is a leadership expert, speaker, author, and founder of Heartbeat for Hire. After spending 23 years at IBM building high-performing teams and cultivating culture, she transitioned into entrepreneurship to help organizations develop emotionally intelligent, modern leaders. Lyndsay specializes in refining leadership behavior, elevating executive presence, and creating irresistible cultures that drive results.


After 23 years at IBM and a 100+ year family legacy with the company, Lyndsay left on her own terms — only to be fired six months later from her new role. She shares the emotional impact of shame, identity loss, and starting over.

The Three Self-Care Questions That Changed Everything

When everything fell apart, Lyndsay asked herself:

What am I really good at?

What do I love to do?

How can I help people the most?

Those three questions became the foundation for her business and a roadmap for anyone navigating reinvention.

From Shame to Power

Losing her job initially felt humiliating — but it became the most relatable and powerful part of her story. We discuss how setbacks often become the very thing that makes us accessible and impactful.

Can Bad Leaders Be Taught?

Yes — and many of them are simply insecure or never shown another way. Lyndsay talks about “reformed assholes,” leadership awareness, emotional intelligence, and why good leadership is absolutely learnable.

Building Your Personal Board of Advisors (PBA)

Why surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, speak your name in rooms you’re not in, and remind you who you are is essential self-care. Community isn’t optional — it’s fuel.

Visibility as a Skill

If you struggle to be seen, start by celebrating others. Shouting out the people who inspire you builds confidence, connection, and authentic visibility.

Reinvention Is Ongoing

Lyndsay shares why she’

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In this episode, Kathy Love is joined by Jennifer Chapman, Founder of Just Commit Coaching, Coach, Speaker, Stroke Survivor who helps high-performing leaders break free from their limitations and lead from within. With a powerful personal story and a heart for helping others navigate change, Jennifer shares her insights on the power of adaptability. As someone who has faced major life changes, including surviving a stroke, Jennifer explains how adaptability can be cultivated and how it serves as a foundational element in building resilience and self-trust. Whether you're going through a personal transformation or simply looking for ways to thrive through life's inevitable changes, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adaptability Can Be Learned: Jennifer shares how adaptability isn’t just something you’re born with—it can be developed by being open to change and willing to let go of what no longer serves you.
2. The Power of Self-Trust: Jennifer emphasizes the importance of building trust with yourself, especially during times of transition. Cultivating this internal trust helps you adapt more easily to life's challenges.
3. Embrace the Resistance: Resistance often stems from fear, but as Jennifer explains, facing and questioning that resistance is a crucial step in building adaptability. By embracing change rather than fighting it, you can move through life with greater ease and clarity.

Topics Discussed:

• Jennifer’s personal journey from stroke survivor to thriving leader
• How adaptability differs from resilience and why it’s an essential life skill
• Building trust with yourself during times of change
• Overcoming internal resistance and learning to embrace change
• The importance of self-awareness and self-care in building adaptability
• How letting go of old identities and roles can create space for new growth

Resources Mentioned:

• Jennifer's Website: Just Commit Coaching
• Jennifer's Community Newsletter: Subscribe for journal prompts, self-growth tips, and valuable coaching insights
• Jennifer's LinkedIn: Follow her for weekly "Friday Celebrations" and motivational posts

Quotes:

• "Adaptability is one of the most underrated forms of self-care."
• "The more you fight change, the harder it becomes. Leaning into adaptability feels empowering."
• "You can only build trust with yourself when you stop looking for it externally."

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us inspire more people to lead with adaptability, resilience, and self-trust.

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If you’ve been struggling with emotional codependency or want to learn how to establish a healthy balance of independence and vulnerability in relationships, join Kathy on this transformative journey. Be sure to subscribe to My Self-Care Sht* and leave a review!

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What do you do when life hands you a death sentence — literally?

In this profoundly moving episode, Kathy Love sits down with Terry Tucker, a former college athlete, police officer, SWAT hostage negotiator, and cancer survivor who has been living with a rare and aggressive form of melanoma for nearly 14 years. What unfolds is a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, faith, mental endurance, and the quiet, life-changing impact of simply showing up.

This episode isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending things aren’t hard. It’s about finding meaning in misery, making deep human connections, and understanding that your life exactly as it is right now — matters more than you may realize.

Terry shares his cancer diagnosis story and how he reframed a two-year prognosis into a lifelong commitment to meaning, connection, and contribution.

The Mental Battle of Chronic Illness

Why the psychological toll of illness can be harder than the physical pain and how faith, honesty, and endurance carried Terry through his darkest moments.

Purpose Found in the Middle of the Struggle

Purpose didn’t return after healing — it showed up during the suffering. Terry explains how purpose often reveals itself quietly, without our awareness.

The Power of Human Connection

From waiting rooms to hospital chairs, Terry shares how going deeper with people — really seeing them — creates healing on both sides.

Why Your Life and Your Story Matter

A powerful story of a nurse whose life direction changed simply by watching how Terry showed up, proving that impact often happens when we don’t even realize it.

Redefining Success

Drawing on John Wooden’s definition of success, Terry reframes achievement as peace of mind and giving your best — not titles, money, or recognition.

The Four Truths That Guide a Life

Terry shares the four foundational truths that shape his philosophy:

• Control your mind or it will control you
• Embrace pain and difficulty
• What you leave behind is what you weave into others
• As long as you don’t quit, you can never be defeated

Episode Sponsor: The Outlier Project

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Four Truths and a Lie, Ancient Wisdom for Living Your

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In this uplifting episode of the Self-Care Sht* podcast, host Kathy Love sits down with her friend Clayton, a leadership trainer and mindfulness teacher, to explore how a 20-year finance career evolved into a life devoted to presence, service, and practical self-care.

Clayton shares the inflection point that changed everything: a values-based approach to money (inspired by George Kinder) that unexpectedly led him out of finance and into not-for-profit work, meditation, and eventually corporate leadership training grounded in mindfulness and neuroscience. From the “brain’s negativity bias” to why gratitude works on a biological level, this conversation is equal parts science, storytelling, and totally usable tools.

You’ll hear how meditation can live far beyond the cushion—on the pickleball court, in the shower, or in a tough conversation in your kitchen—and why the real magic is noticing (without judgment) and then choosing your next best action. Also: the funniest unexpected benefit of meditation? Becoming “a little less of a jerk.” 😂

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Mind–Heart Alignment: A successful career can still feel misaligned. Mindfulness helped Clayton move from “head only” to a purpose rooted in service.
• Meditation Is a Tool, Not a Trophy: It’s not about bliss; it’s about practicing awareness so you can choose your response when life gets real.
• Negativity Bias Is Normal: Our brains are “Velcro for threat and Teflon for reward.” Gratitude—specific and embodied—helps rebalance the system.
• Everyday Mindfulness Works: Showers, walks, eating, golf, pickleball—if you intentionally engage your senses, you’re training presence.
• Humor Heals: Laughter can downshift tension and create space for wiser choices (and kinder relationships).

👤 About the Guest

Clayton is a leadership trainer and mindfulness teacher who blends neuroscience, soft-skills coaching, and practical meditation for real-world impact. After two decades in finance and a decade in nonprofit fundraising, he now helps teams and leaders build clarity, calm, and courage through mindful presence. He hosts a free Friday Morning Online Meditation featuring centering practice, a short talk, and guided meditation, with open community sharing afterward. (Details and contact in the links below.)

Connect with Clayton:
Friday Morning Meditation

Meditation4Leadership

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