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What if the bravest move isn’t to push harder, but to let go? We sit down with visionary salon owner and mentor Erin Mills to explore how profound loss reshaped her purpose, how she built spaces where clients and teams feel safe and seen, and why she’s choosing to close her first salon to protect her health, values, and future. Erin opens up about navigating a male-dominated industry—being asked for the “owner” or “husband” while she was standing right there—and the daily realities of gender bias in service work, from tip disparities to trust gaps. Her answer wasn’t bitterness; it was building a brand rooted in care, transformation, and nervous-system calm.

The conversation moves from inspiration to infrastructure. Erin shares how rapid growth to 55+ team members and seven figures in revenue exposed a hard truth: grit is not a business model. She breaks down the difference between momentum and maturity, how scaling too close to your first location can cannibalize focus, and why systems, standards, and pricing structures must come before expansion. When survival energy became the operating system, boundaries slipped, hiring compromised, and the mission strained. That’s when the decision emerged—close one location, consolidate, and rebuild on process, not personality.

We also talk about burnout that shows up in the body, the unraveling many high-capacity women experience, and the courage it takes to separate self-worth from outcomes. Erin offers practical insights on client experience, accountability, marketing habits, and leading through a down economy without abandoning your values. It’s a frank, hopeful roadmap for anyone who feels stretched thin by their own success and needs permission to choose alignment over ego.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

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Fire often looks like numbers on a dashboard—until life forces you to measure heat a different way. Sarah joins us to share how selling her exam-prep company collided with a late pregnancy diagnosis: her daughter Meadow’s tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. The celebration turned into a sprint through cardiology consults, oxygen monitors, and an unforgettable ICU stretch that included an emergency re-opening of Meadow’s chest and a brain bleed. It’s a raw, unflinching account of what it means to make the right decision when every option is bad and time is a luxury.

We talk candidly about identity under pressure. Sarah goes back to work six weeks postpartum, learning in real time which parts of leadership bend and which must break. She pushes back on being boxed in as “just a mom,” while discovering the power of a company designed to run without a single key person. Then the story pivots: advocacy becomes a throughline. With Conquering CHD, Sarah helps reauthorize the Congenital Heart Futures Act, championing long-term research and better outcomes as more children with CHD live into adulthood. We explore emerging innovations like transcatheter valve replacements that could reduce future open-heart surgeries and change the trajectory for thousands of families.

There’s another turn—one too many founders will recognize. After 18 years of misdiagnosed symptoms, Sarah receives an OCD diagnosis and enters intensive treatment. She explains why exposure and response prevention works when talk therapy can backfire, and how her definition of success shifted from revenue milestones to sustainable presence: being a steady parent, a clear-eyed advocate, and a writer building language for hard things. She previews her memoir and children’s series, including Meadow and Her Four Leaf Clover Heart, a tender reframing of rarity and resilience for young readers.

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Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

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What actually reignites a tired mind: more hustle or better design? We dig into the moments that drain us and the choices that light us back up, starting with Natalie’s behind-the-scenes look at a 13-hour reality-TV shoot and the mental gymnastics it demands. That raw, human story sets the tone for an episode about resilience that isn’t performative—it’s practical.

Our guest, Sarah Michelle Bose, MSN APRN FNP-BC, walks us through the unlikely rise of SMNP Reviews, a seven-figure brand built by solving the real problem nursing grads faced during COVID: anxiety and uncertainty, not just content gaps. She breaks down how a $15 review grew into sold-out live cohorts with a pass guarantee, why early word-of-mouth beats ads when the product truly works, and how hiring a coach plus two key team members unlocked her best ideas. We unpack the shift from creator-does-everything to leader-designs-experiences, the difference between time management and energy management, and the operational fixes that stop burnout before it starts.

Growth wasn’t tidy. Sarah shares the hard lessons from a costly “junk code” app, the strain of keywoman syndrome, and the decision to seek strategic partners without compromising values. She and her husband set a non-negotiable number, evaluated culture fit, walked away from a low offer, and ultimately exited on their terms—while preparing for a new season of life. Along the way, you’ll hear clear takeaways on building confidence into your product, guaranteeing outcomes you can control, and designing programs that reduce anxiety and increase mastery.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

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Fire rarely reignites in a noisy room. We bring in a veteran divorce mediator to show how quiet skills—neutrality, boundaries, and deep listening—turn high-conflict standoffs into agreements people can live with. From personal triggers to client blowups, he walks us through the real work behind “staying neutral” and why it’s not a stance but a job: set expectations, shut down disrespect, and come prepared with options that honor both the numbers and the nerves.

You’ll hear why drama often spikes when there’s less to divide, how confidentiality protects everyone, and what it takes to read the iceberg beneath each demand. Instead of positional bargaining—my way versus yours—he uses interest-based negotiation to find the option no one named but both can accept. Think Thai food when the room is stuck on burger versus pizza. Along the way, small affirmations and clear math lessons become turning points. When people feel seen and understand the tradeoffs, the thunderstorm passes and progress starts.

We also talk about the circle around the couple. Friends and family can help most by asking “How can I help?” and then sitting with the answer, even if it’s silence. Presence beats advice. The mediator shares why he sometimes ends a case to protect the process, how he prepares between sessions to save clients time and money, and why service above self starts with local acts of care. If you’re navigating divorce, leading a team through conflict, or just trying to argue less and understand more, these tools will steady your next hard conversation.

Want more resources and a steady guide? Visit equitablemediation.com for checklists, videos, and a free call where available. If this conversation helped, follow Reignite Resilience, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review so others can find it too.

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Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

Send us a text

A better divorce starts with better decisions. We sit down with Joe, a seasoned divorce mediator and finance pro, to unpack how couples can end a marriage without burning down their futures. Instead of letting a stranger define “fair,” Joe shows how to bring control back to the table: build a realistic budget, map parenting time with intention, and negotiate support and property division with eyes wide open.

We dig into the four pillars of divorce—parenting plan, child support, alimony, and property—and why three of them are really money conversations in disguise. Joe explains how courts of equity can feel unpredictable, how biases sneak into decisions, and why mediation gives you a faster, clearer path to outcomes you can actually live with. Along the way, we talk candidly about the emotional costs of litigation, the whisper network of friends who mean well but make things worse, and the power of seeing your numbers on paper before you fight over them.

What sets Joe’s approach apart is the blend of financial rigor and emotional coaching. His team keeps conversations calm, uses proven communication tools to stop unhelpful patterns, and helps both people focus on what will matter in ten years, not ten minutes. If you care about protecting your kids, preserving your wealth, and recovering your peace of mind, this conversation offers a practical roadmap from crisis to clarity.

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Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

Send us a text

Fire fades. Momentum stays if you know how to rebuild it. In this episode, Dr. Christiana Schroeder shares a clear system for turning goals into action. Her STEP method—Simplify, Tell, Examine, Praise—helps you speak goals into existence, track small wins, and understand where real resilience comes from on both strong and weak days.

We talk about voice as more than tone. It’s your message, your work, and your purpose. Christiana walks through her journey from the runway to the TEDx stage. She talks about preparation, nerves, and what happens after the spotlight fades. Planning the “after” matters as much as the moment itself. Scheduling the next step keeps momentum and prevents the post-goal crash.

The conversation moves through vulnerability, leadership, and growth. Admitting what you don’t know builds trust faster than trying to look perfect. It’s how founders and students learn faster and lead better.

We cover the tools behind Step Into Your Voice, her coaching program built to turn reflection into results. You’ll also learn about a free superpower assessment that connects your strengths to your goals.

You will leave with steps to apply now:
• Simplify your goals
• Speak them out loud
• Examine progress with honesty
• Praise small wins

If you want to regain focus and keep moving forward, listen in. Follow the show, share it with someone who needs direction, and leave a review to share your next step.

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Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

Send us a text

Your spark hides under noise, routine, and goals that don’t fit anymore. In this episode, Dr. Christiana Schroeder, TEDx speaker, professor, and best-selling author, explains how small rituals help you rebuild focus and energy. She calls it Petite Practice—tiny, repeatable actions that move you forward every day.

Christiana shares lessons from her move from Germany to the U.S., where structure met hustle. She breaks down how to find your superpower by tracing your story’s roots, why health messages often fail to change behavior, and how better pricing and language drive adoption. Her process helps you act with clarity, save energy, and grow with intention.

We also discuss a short networking exercise that helps you move past small talk and form real connections fast. The conversation covers brand clarity, aligning with trends that matter, and finding confidence through work that fits who you are today.

You will leave with tools you can apply now:
• Micro-rituals that make planning productive
• Short scripts that sharpen your pitch and message
• A daily system to align action with purpose

If you want progress without burnout, this episode gives you the reset you need. Follow the show, share it with someone who needs direction, and leave a review to share which Petite Practice you will start first.

About Dr. Christiane Schroeter

https://facebook.com/doctorchristiane
https://instagram.com/@doctor.christiane
https://www.amazon.com/shop/doctor.christiane
https://linkedin.com/in/christianeschroeter/
https://www.tiktok.com/@hello.happy.nest
https://www.pinterest.com/doctor.christiane/
https://www.youtube.com/@doctor.christiane
https://www.threads.net/@doctor.christiane

Subscribe to The Reignite Resilience Thinkletter

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Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC

Send us a text

Burnout is loud. Recovery is quiet and intentional. In this episode, author, coach, and veteran journalist John DeDakis shares how real resilience takes shape in workplaces and in life. We focus on practical ways leaders and teams build human-centered cultures that perform without exhaustion.

John outlines a simple vision for change: make space for life so attention returns to the present. Pair experienced employees with newer talent to exchange wisdom and skills. We discuss psychological safety, how ideas get lost in meetings, and what it means to credit voices in real time. The conversation goes deeper into immigrant grit, accent adaptation, and code switching—how it helps people survive and how organizations can lessen its hidden cost.

John also shares his journey with dyslexia, from shame to ownership. He explains how cognitive diversity drives stronger solutions when leaders value different ways of thinking.

Writing connects it all. Memoir heals. Journaling brings clarity. Storytelling turns pain into purpose. John gives insight into writing his memoir, mentoring authors, and teaching interviewing techniques that reveal truth.

You will leave with a plan for sustainable resilience:
• Protect time for recovery
• Build two-way mentorship
• Create inclusive meeting habits
• Use reflective writing to turn experience into growth

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find their way back to resilience.

Subscribe to The Reignite Resilience Thinkletter

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Subscribe to Our Weekly ThinkLetter
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Check out our Book Series:

Magical Mornings Journal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The co-hosts of this podcast are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided by the podcast hosts or guests is solely at your own risk.

Pamela Cass is a licensed broker with Kentwood Real Estate
Natalie Davis is a licensed broker with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC