This week on SolFul Connections, we interrupt our regularly scheduled deep conversations to discuss:

• Celebrity family drama
• Public text message chaos
• High School Musical friendships
• And the ongoing debate over the proper way to staple

I gathered a panel of thoughtful, intelligent women and asked them to care deeply.

They did not.

But they showed up anyway.

Sometimes the conversations that “don’t matter” reveal more than we expect... about how we think, how we judge, how we laugh, and how we connect.

This one is semi ridiculous.
It’s honest.
It’s slightly unhinged.
And yes… it’s still SolFul.

SolFul Living Meditation Bundle
If you’re looking for guided meditations to help you navigate fear, overwhelm, or simply return to yourself, you can explore the SolFul Living Meditation Bundle here:
https://solfuliving.com/10-minute-meditations/

In this episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda connects with William Schutt, founder and former chairman of Matcor, engineer, innovator, philanthropist, musician, and now author of Don’t Hire Stupid People — They’re Too Much Work.

Bill is known for his frank honesty, sharp humor, and no-nonsense approach to leadership. But beneath the directness is a thoughtful philosophy about words, culture, mentorship, and what it truly means to build something that lasts.

We talk about:

• The story behind the book (and its unforgettable title)

• The “So What?” principle and why perspective changes everything

• Why words like employee and customer matter more than we think

• Building culture intentionally

• The role of mentorship in a meaningful life

• Working internationally and navigating culture

• Why success isn’t enough. You have to build a life

This conversation brings the book to life through personal stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of humor.

If you care about leadership, culture, communication, and investing in the next generation, this one is for you.

Get Bill’s book here: https://a.co/d/0dQoEU9H

In this episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda connects with Dr. Michelle El Khoury for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about the paths we choose, the ones we fall into, and the moments in life that ask us to pause, reassess, and begin again.

While Michelle’s work centers on supporting women through their pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting journey, the heart of this conversation reaches far beyond any single life stage.

Together, they explore how culture shapes our expectations, how identity evolves, and how the “boulders” that show up in our lives often invite deeper reflection.

Michelle shares how breath can be a powerful form of yoga, and how simply learning to pause and be present can help us reconnect with ourselves in the middle of full, complicated lives.

This episode is for anyone who has ever taken stock of where they are, wondered where they’re headed, or felt the quiet nudge to live more intentionally, no matter their age, role, or season of life.

Dr. Michelle El Khoury is founder of Yogamazia® and a perinatal wellness expert who blends science, mindfulness, and compassion to support people through life’s major transitions. Her insights in this episode offer gentle reminders for all of us: sometimes the most meaningful shifts begin with awareness, curiosity, and one simple breath.

For more, visit: Yoga, Doula & Perinatal Support | Dr. Michelle H. El Khoury

In this episode of the SolFul Connections podcast, Amanda sits down with Steven Wright, author of The Weight I Carried: Hiking Through Grief and Healing on the Appalachian Trail. Steven’s story is one of humility, profound grief, faith, and quiet resilience.

Steven shares the deeply painful story of losing his wife, the love of his life, and the immense suffering that followed her passing. He also reflects on childhood trauma and other formative experiences that shaped how he carried grief throughout his life.

Through hiking the Appalachian Trail and writing The Weight I Carried, Steven reflects on what it truly means to survive, wrestle with faith, and ultimately return to life after unimaginable loss.

This episode is a testament to the power of truth-telling, presence, and taking one step forward even when the weight feels unbearable.

Resources & Support:If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, you are not alone. Help is available:

• Call or text 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.), 24/7, free, confidential

• For additional support and resources, visit The Liv Project

For a copy of the book: https://a.co/d/gQIA48l

In this episode of SolFul Connections, I sit down with Kevin P. Henry and discover a story shaped by a loving childhood, a powerful family truth held quietly for years, and a life deeply intertwined with music, meaning, and humanity.Kevin takes us back to a time many of us remember fondly: listening to full albums, reading liner notes, letting music shape how we understood the world and ourselves. His years as a music journalist aren’t just about sound, they’re about connection, culture, and the stories that live inside songs. Music lovers, this one is especially for you.The conversation explores Kevin’s work in diversity, equity, and trauma-informed spaces, work that is grounded not in theory, but in lived experience, deep listening, and care for people. We talk about family, belonging, and what it means to stay human while doing work that asks a lot of your heart.This episode is a reminder that our stories are layered, that art matters, and that the way we listen (to music and to each other) can change everything.To learn more about Kevin and his work, visit kevinphenry.com.

For more than three decades, Tracy Davidson was a familiar, trusted presence in local news, showing up daily with warmth, professionalism, and calm. Behind the sunny demeanor, she has been living a life of light, purpose, and resilience, finding strength and connection through challenges many would never see.

In this episode of SolFul Connections, Tracy steps into a verydifferent role: telling her own story. She reflects on a childhood that included real challenges, the inner strength it took to overcome them, and how those early experiences quietly shaped the way she moves through the world.

Tracy shares how authenticity, friendships, and spirituality carried her through life’s trials, including her journey with breast cancer, and how those connections continue to guide her today.

Now retired from a decades-long career in broadcast journalism, Tracy is navigating a powerful life pivot, one many of us can relate to. This conversation explores what it feels like to step away from a role that, at least on the outside, defined you, how to sit with uncertainty, and how purpose can evolve rather than disappear.

Whether you’re standing at the edge of change, redefining who you are beyond a title, or simply curious about the woman behind the public persona, this episode offers insight, honesty, and light.

Why This Conversation Matters

At some point, all of us face change: a pivot we didn’t plan for, or a chapter ending we once built our identity around. Tracy’s story reminds us that reinvention isn’t about losing who you were, but living fully into the light, purpose, and resilience that already exist within us.

Check out Tracy’s upcoming Programs

Virtual: (Jan. 21):

https://LiftingYourVoiceJanuaryVirtualEvent.eventbrite.com

In-Person Event:

https://LiftingYourVoiceMarch2026.eventbrite.com www.tracydavidson.com⁠

About the Podcast
SolFul Connections is a podcast about real people and their stories: the ones shaped by challenge, growth, and the search for meaning. Hosted by Amanda Soler, each episode invites honest conversations that help us feel less alone and more connected to ourselves and to one another.

Listen & Connect
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Follow SolFul Living for episode highlights:

Instagram:@solfuliving

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LinkedIn:SolFul Living

In this episode of SolFul Connections, Amanda connects with Courtney Schulnick, a former litigator who made the bold decision to step away from a fast-paced, successful legal career after experiencing the profound impact mindfulness had on her life.

Courtney shares what it was like to live inside a demanding profession, outwardly successful, inwardly disconnected, and how mindfulness helped her reconnect with herself, her values, and a deeper sense of presence and joy. That reconnection ultimately led her to leave the courtroom and pursue a path centered on mindfulness education, yoga therapy, and emotional well-being.

Together, Amanda and Courtney explore common misconceptions about mindfulness, including the belief that you need a quiet mind to practice. They discuss how awareness, compassion, and choice can transform how we relate to stress, parenting, and everyday life. Courtney also reflects on midlife transitions, listening to inner wisdom, and what becomes possible when we choose alignment over autopilot.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered, “Is there another way to live?” and felt both the fear and the pull toward something more meaningful.

Chapters00:00Introduction to Mindfulness and Music04:25Courtney's Journey to Mindfulness11:49Understanding Mindfulness and Its Misconceptions19:54Mindfulness in Parenting25:23The Impact of Mindfulness on Personal Growth31:58Future Aspirations and Mindfulness ProgramsEmbark on your mindfulness journey with Courtney: https://bit.ly/48uuqEdFor more on Courtney: Courtney Schulnick Mindfulness

In this engaging conversation, Blaine Greenfield, known as Chief Encouragement Officer, connects with Amanda on the importance of encouragement, the concept of rewirement instead of retirement, and the significance of pursuing passions and creativity.

Blaine discusses the value of relationships, navigating change, and the influence of childhood on career choices. He emphasizes the power of communication, the impact of influential figures in his life, and the importance of truthfulness in discussions.

The conversation concludes with his personal mantra for soulful living, one that just might help everyone who listens in to this episode of the SolFul Connections podcast.

For more: Blainesworld - Blainesworld.net

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Blaine Greenfield

04:07 The Concept of Rewirement

08:30 Pursuing Passion and Creativity

12:17 The Importance of Relationships

17:16 Navigating Change and Identity

21:18 Childhood Influences and Career Choices

24:59 The Power of Communication

28:39 Influential Figures in Blaine's Life

34:07 Pet Peeves and Truthfulness

37:52 Soulful Living and Personal Mantras