The Art of Conscious Conversations with Chuck Wisner

Episode Description:
What if the key to improving your relationships, teams, and leadership was simply learning how to have better conversations? In this episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we explore The Art of Conscious Conversations with Chuck Wisner—author, thinker, coach, and advisor to leaders at companies like Google, Apple, Tesla, Rivian, and more.

Chuck has spent over three decades helping individuals and organizations unlock the power of language and human dynamics. After witnessing the transformative impact of intentional dialogue, he wrote The Art of Conscious Conversations—a practical guide to understanding why conversations work, why they don’t, and how to navigate them more effectively both at work and at home.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The 4 hidden elements behind every opinion or judgment:
  
  
  1. Desires and goals
     
     
  2. Concerns about the future
     
     
  3. Authority and power dynamics
     
     
  4. Standards of right/wrong or good/bad (often inherited unconsciously)
     
     
• How to prepare for conversations by reflecting on these four areas to become more self-aware and empathetic
  
  
• The role of ego in clouding our judgment and how it affects how we listen
  
  
• The 4 types of conversations and why we often skip the most crucial ones:
  
  
  1. Storytelling
     
     
  2. Collaborative
     
     
  3. Creative
     
     
  4. Decision-making/Commitments
     
     
• What “conversational bypass” means and how it blocks creativity and true connection
  
  
• Why we need to slow down, ask questions, and listen deeply to create space for collaboration and learning
  
  
• How to recognize your own conversational patterns and rewire your brain with intentional practice over time
  
  

Powerful Insight from Chuck Wisner:

“We love telling our stories. And we love taking action. But we often skip the middle two steps—collaboration and creativity—where true connection and possibility live.”

Whether you're navigating tough talks at work or strengthening communication at home, this episode will help you break free from default patterns and begin building conversations that are conscious, collaborative, and truly transformative.

Connect with Chuck Wisner:
🌐 Website: https://www.chuckwisner.com
📖 Book: The Art of Conscious Conversations

🎧 Tune in to learn how to speak less, listen more, and unlock the real potential in every conversation you have.

#ConsciousConversations #ChuckWisner #EmotionalIntelligence #MindfulCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #CollaborativeLeadership #OrganizationalExcellence #NeuralPathways #SelfAwareness #LindasCornerPodcast #InspirationForABetterLife

Fasting Mimicking for Longevity, Weight Loss & Hormonal Balance with Renee Fitton

Have you ever wondered how to get the powerful benefits of a 5-day water-only fast—without having to give up food entirely? In this fascinating episode, we’re joined by Renee Fitton, longevity dietitian and Director of Education at L-NUTRA, to explore the science and strategy behind fasting mimicking.

You’ll learn how the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) delivers the same biological benefits as prolonged fasting—like fat burning, autophagy, cellular rejuvenation, and metabolic reset—without the intensity or deprivation of traditional fasting.

Learn more or try it yourself

• 🌐 Website: https://prolonlife.com
• 🌐 Website: https://l-nutrahealth.com/
• 📸 Instagram: @fittonnutrition

🧠 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Why 5 Days?
Discover why 5-day fasting (or fasting mimicking) is the sweet spot for triggering autophagy, cellular renewal, and immune system rejuvenation.

✅ Biological vs. Chronological Age
How fasting impacts your biological age—and how studies show that doing FMD just 5 days a month for 3 months can reverse biological age by up to 2.5 years.

✅ Weight Loss & Metabolic Health
Lose up to 5 pounds in 5 days, reduce waist circumference by 1.5 inches, and protect muscle mass while improving blood sugar regulation.

✅ Women Over 40: Why It Matters
Learn how fasting mimicking supports hormonal balance, eases symptoms of peri- and post-menopause, and addresses metabolic shifts unique to midlife women.

✅ Skin & Cardiovascular Health
Boost skin hydration by 25%, improve fine lines and tone, and learn how fasting mimicking is 6X more effective than the Mediterranean Diet for heart health.

✅ Energy, Focus & Motivation
Feel more energized, clear-headed, and motivated as your body enters a deep state of cellular optimization.

✅ Chronic Illness & Healing Support
Hear how fasting mimicking can benefit those with type 2 diabetes, and how it's even been used to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

🥦 What is the Fasting Mimicking Diet?

The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a 5-day, scientifically-formulated meal plan that nourishes your body while keeping it in a fasting state. You reap all the benefits of fasting without fully abstaining from food. It supports:

• Longevity & healthy aging
  
  
• Fat loss & metabolic reset
  
  
• Hormonal health for women over 40
  
  
• Muscle preservation
  
  
• Blood pressure & cardiovascular health
  
  
• Improved skin tone & hydration

Episode Title: Breaking Free from Alcohol Dependency with Hamza Najam of BreatheSober

Episode Description:
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we welcome Hamza Najam, founder and head coach of BreatheSober, as he shares his incredible journey of overcoming alcohol dependency—not through willpower alone, but through rewiring the nervous system with breathwork.

Hamza opens up about how his relationship with alcohol started off manageable, then spiraled into nightly drinking, weight gain, self-loathing, and the painful cycle of trying and failing to quit. Like so many, he believed he could stop whenever he wanted… until he actually tried. That’s when the real battle began.

But everything changed when he discovered mindfulness and breathwork. Inspired by the science-based teachings of Dr. Joe Dispenza, Hamza learned that the root of alcohol dependency isn’t alcohol—it’s the nervous system. Through breathwork, he was able to reset his system, rewire his subconscious mind, and finally find the peace and freedom he had been seeking.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Alcohol isn’t the real problem—your nervous system is.
  
  
• You don’t need more willpower—you need to rewire your brain.
  
  
• The third day of quitting alcohol is the hardest because it takes 72 hours for the body to metabolize it completely.
  
  
• Most people use alcohol to escape uncomfortable emotions—but healing begins when you’re willing to feel them.
  
  
• Breathwork can give you the same “feel better” effects without the harm.
  
  
• You are capable of living a joyful, free, and authentic life—one breath at a time.
  
  

Quote from Hamza:
"Alcohol lowers your vibration and kills brain cells. Breathwork lifts your vibration and fills you with light."

Connect with Hamza Najam:
🌐 Website: https://breathesober.com

Instagram @hamzanajam.sobrietycoaching

YouTube BreatheSober

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol dependency, this episode offers hope, practical tools, and a new perspective on healing from the inside out.

Creating a Life of Legacy with Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Episode Description:
What does it truly mean to live a life of legacy? In this inspiring episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, we’re joined by Rabbi Daniel Cohen—motivational speaker, author, personal development mentor, and co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Rabbi and the Reverend. Rabbi Cohen’s powerful message transcends any single faith or philosophy and speaks to the heart of what it means to live with purpose, intention, and kindness.

As the author of The Secret of the Light and What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?, Rabbi Cohen helps us reimagine our lives not just as a series of events, but as opportunities to build a meaningful and enduring legacy—one thoughtful act at a time.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• The true definition of a “life of legacy”: living in a way that is worthy of future memory
  
  
• The difference between living by calling vs. living from crisis to crisis
  
  
• Why your gifts matter and how you were called to use them
  
  
• The profound impact of “Elijah moments”—small acts of kindness that ripple into someone else's miracle
  
  
• How Rabbi Cohen partnered with the mayor to launch the Stamford Kindness Project and amplify compassion in communities
  
  
• His simple yet transformative 3-Minute Daily Practice to raise your vibration and light the world:
  
  
  1. Pray – Ask for strength and remember you're not walking alone
     
     
  2. Be Grateful – Journal one new thing you're thankful for each day
     
     
  3. Give Light – Offer hope, strength, or kindness to someone else
     
     

Powerful Quote from Rabbi Cohen:
"We don’t know how many years we’ll be in this world—that’s up to God. But what we do with each day? That’s up to us."

Whether it’s a smile, a text, or a listening ear, every moment is a chance to choose kindness and leave a legacy of light. You don’t have to change the whole world—but you can change someone’s world in an instant.

Connect with Rabbi Daniel Cohen:

🌐 Website: https://www.rabbidanielcohen.com
📚 Books: The Secret of the Light and What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?
🏛 Learn more about The Legacy Academy at rabbidanielcohen.com

🎙️ How Not to Die in the Hospital: Taking Charge of Your Healthcare with Dr. Julie Siemers

💡 Episode Summary:
In this eye-opening episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, I’m joined by patient safety expert, nurse leader, and TEDx speaker Dr. Julie Siemers. With over 40 years of experience in nursing care, education, and executive leadership, Dr. Siemers is on a mission to reduce preventable harm in healthcare—and to empower YOU to become an active, informed participant in your own care.

Dr. Siemers is the founder of Lifebeat Solutions, author of the bestselling book Surviving Your Hospital Stay: A Nurse Educator's Guide to Staying Safe and Living to Tell About It, and the voice behind the powerful TEDx talk "How Not to Die in the Hospital." In this conversation, she explains why medical error is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., and what we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

🎯 In this episode, we discuss:

• How communication failures contribute to 70% of hospital errors
  
  
• What CUSS words are—and why you should use them in a hospital setting
  
  
• The importance of asking questions and being curious, not combative
  
  
• How to speak up with confidence when something doesn’t feel right
  
  
• Why knowing your Patient Bill of Rights is essential
  
  
• How to access your own medical information and advocate effectively
  
  
• Why prevention is more powerful than cure when it comes to long-term health
  
  

🗣️ What are CUSS words?
CUSS is an acronym to help patients and caregivers communicate clearly when something feels off:

• Concerned
• Uncomfortable
• Scared
• Safety issue

For example:
🗨️ “I’m concerned about that medication…”
🗨️ “I’m uncomfortable with what I’m seeing…”
🗨️ “I’m scared this isn’t right…”
🗨️ “I think there’s a safety issue here…”

These simple, respectful statements can redirect attention and prevent serious harm.

📘 Learn More About Dr. Julie Siemers:
Website: https://lifebeatsolutions.com
Book: Surviving Your Hospital Stay
TEDx Talk: How Not to Die in the Hospital

🎧 Listen and Subscribe:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and at HopeForHealingFoundation.org

🧡 If this episode helped you feel more confident navigating the healthcare system, please share it with someone you love. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help others discover the show and join the journey to hope and healing.

#PatientSafety #DrJulieSiemers #HospitalStayTips #AdvocateForYourHealth #MedicalErrorAwareness #LindasCornerPodcast #HopeAndHealing #CUSSwords #NurseEducator #HealthcareEmpowerment #SurvivingYourHospitalStay

🎙️Turning Challenges into Opportunities with Kijuan Amey

💫 Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode of Linda’s Corner: Inspiration for a Better Life, I’m joined by motivational speaker, author, and U.S. Air Force veteran Kijuan Amey. Kijuan is the founder of Amey Motivation LLC, vice president of a chapter of the Blinded Veterans Association, and an ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warriors program.

After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver, Kijuan was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent life-saving surgeries from head to foot. Though he lost his eyesight, he never lost his vision—his powerful mindset, resilience, and commitment to rising above his circumstances.

Kijuan's story is not only one of survival, but of thriving. From rock climbing to archery, rowing, and skiing, Kijuan shows the world what’s possible when we refuse to be defined by our limitations. His message is one of hope, empowerment, and unwavering determination.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kijuan turned a life-altering accident into a platform for motivation
  
  
• Why he believes “I may have lost my sight, but I did not lose my vision”
  
  
• The difference between being “disabled” and “differently abled”
  
  
• The mindset shifts that empower personal progress and purpose
  
  
• How to stop asking “Why me?” and start asking, “What now?”
  
  

💬 Memorable Quotes from Kijuan:

• “I lost the ability to see, but I still have vision. Vision is a mindset thing.”
  
  
• “Don’t let your limitations define who you are. You are the one who defines who you are.”
  
  
• “I’m not dis-abled, I’m differently abled.”
  
  
• “To empower those who feel less than they once were.”
  
  
• “To show people they still can, even when they think they can’t.”
  
  

🌐 Connect with Kijuan Amey:
Website: https://ameymotivation.com/

🎧 Listen and Subscribe:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and at HopeForHealingFoundation.org

🙏 If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone who may need encouragement. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps others find the show and join the healing journey. 💛

#Resilience #DifferentlyAbled #KijuanAmey #BlindButNotBroken #Motivation #AirForceVeteran #TurnPainIntoPurpose #LindasCornerPodcast #HopeAndHealing #MindsetMatters #EmpowermentThroughAdversity

The Science of Trauma & Joy with Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald - Trauma Researcher, Speaker and Author

🧠 Episode Overview:

In this compelling episode, we’re joined by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, a trauma researcher affectionately called the “Brené Brown of trauma.” Dr. McDonald brings a deeply compassionate, science-backed perspective on trauma and healing—reframing the trauma response not as a weakness, but as a strength-based adaptation.

We explore why joy can actually feel threatening to people with a history of trauma, and how we can begin to retrain the nervous system to trust, feel safe, and reconnect with joy, peace, and hope.

🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss:

✨ Why joy can feel scary
For trauma survivors or those in chronic stress, joy often feels unsafe. Dr. McDonald explains why our nervous system may reject joy as a protective defense—and how to gently change that.

✨Hope isn’t Fluffy, it’s Neuroscience

How joy and hope rewire the brain for resilience.

⚠️ The 6 barriers to joy
Learn the six common blocks that keep us from experiencing joy and hope:

1. Hypervigilance
   
   
2. Emotional numbing
   
   
3. Fear of loss
   
   
4. Conditioning
   
   
5. Guilt
   
   
6. Shame
   
   

🧠 Fear vs. Hope
Fear inhibits imagination, creativity, and joy. But here's the twist—hope can inhibit fear. Discover how reclaiming hope helps calm the fear center in the brain.

🔁 The problem with numbing
You can’t selectively numb your pain without also numbing joy. Find out why numbing as a coping strategy keeps you stuck—and how to reawaken your emotional life gently and safely.

🌿 Joy as a healing practice
Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s a form of nervous system regulation. Dr. McDonald shares practical tools like the “20-second joy practice” to prove to your brain and body that joy is safe.

🌟 Trauma reframed
You are not broken. Your trauma response is your body’s brilliant way of keeping you safe. And you can heal. Learn how to honor the wisdom of your nervous system while helping it learn new patterns of safety.

🛠️ Resources & Links:

• Visit Dr. McDonald’s website: alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Connect on Instagram: @alchemycoaching.life
  
  
• Explore her books, trauma curriculum, and online courses to begin your healing journey.
  
  

🎧 Listen now and learn:

• Why joy and gratitude regulate the nervous system
  
  
• How trauma impacts your belief that things will be okay
  
  
• How to slowly and safely reintroduce joy into your daily life
  
  
• Why your nervous system might be afraid of letting its guard down—and how to teach it that it’s safe now
  
  

Whether you're a trauma survivor, a clinician, or simply someone looking to reconnect with hope and wholeness, this episode offers deep insights and gentle, actionable tools to begin reclaiming joy—one breath at a time.

🎙️ Turning Trauma into Triumph with Alisa Gracheva
🌐 Website: https://since.life/
📱 Follow Alisa on social media for healing insights and inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/alisagracheva89 and @alisa_art

💫 "Every experience in our life, no matter how traumatic, can lead us to something much greater—maybe even our purpose." – Alisa Gracheva

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Linda’s Corner, I sit down with licensed psychotherapist and trauma specialist Alisa Gracheva to explore how we can transform deep wounds into meaningful growth, resilience, and even our life's purpose.

Alisa shares her own inspiring story—growing up in the Soviet Union, arriving in the U.S. at 18 with no money and no English, and rising through perseverance and healing to become a guide for others. She reminds us that trauma doesn’t have to be dramatic to be damaging. Even subtle emotional wounds or unmet childhood needs can shape our lives in painful ways—until we find the courage to face and heal them.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How generational trauma affects us, and how to begin healing inherited wounds
  
  
• Why spirituality (in any form) can help us shift perspective and restore safety
  
  
• The importance of logotherapy and meaning-making, inspired by Viktor Frankl
  
  
• Alisa’s 3-step healing process:
  
  
  1. Become self-aware
     
     
  2. Be willing to explore your past and patterns
     
     
  3. Be ready to change — intentionally and courageously
     
     
• Tools for healing, including EMDR, somatic work, and rewriting self-limiting beliefs
  
  
• Why chaos is a necessary part of change—and how it can lead to freedom
  
  
• How to shift out of autopilot, end self-sabotage, and truly live
  
  

🛠️ Healing is not easy. It’s not for everyone. But if you’re willing to do the inner work, there is hope, freedom, and a fulfilling life waiting for you on the other side.

🎧 Tune in now and be inspired to begin your own transformation from trauma to triumph.

✨ “There’s always a solution. You’re not broken. You’re just stuck—and you can get unstuck.” – Alisa Gracheva

🔗 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
#TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastForHealing #AlisaGracheva #SinceLife #Logotherapy #SelfAwareness #RewriteYourStory #YouCanHeal #LindasCornerPodcast #HolisticHealing #FromStuckToFree #EMDR #SpiritualHealing #HealingIsPossible