Conversations with Sekani

Joy Okolobi

Conversations with Sekani is a podcast for ambitious young adults navigating the confusing crossroads of career, health, and purpose.

Hosted by Joy “Sekani”, a calm, open, deeply curious thinker, the show follows her journey to gain clarity by having honest conversations with people who’ve walked different paths. Nothing is scripted. Nothing is perfect. Just real, raw, inspiring dialogue.

From career pivots to mental health, from chasing big dreams to handling setbacks, each episode helps listeners move from overwhelmed to confident

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159 episodes
Avg 30 min
English

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September 27 · 25 min
Your Health Is Your Wealth — Stop Eating Your Feelings | Pam Sherman
Pam Sherman is a health and wellness coach with over 28 years of experience helping women build healthier, happier lives. She’s a seven-time author, international speaker, running coach, and trainer whose mission is simple: to help women eat, move, and live in ways that allow them to truly love themselves. Her motto is “Your health is your wealth.” In this practical and encouraging conversation, Pam shares: • What life looked like in her 20s — weight struggles, emotional eating, and denial • Why restrictive diets and fad diets never work long-term • The power of feeling your feelings instead of eating them • How she built a career around movement while raising kids • Looking in the mirror with self-love (not judgment) • Why strength training matters more than most women realize • The life-changing lesson from being hit by a car • How to treat your body with kindness starting in your 20s If you’re in your 20s navigating body image, emotional eating, energy, or simply wanting to build a healthier relationship with food and movement, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance. Timestamps below ⬇️ #PamSherman #HealthIsWealth #EmotionalEating #SelfLove #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Pam Sherman Website:https://www.pamsherman.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-sherman-84582134/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pam_sherman1/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Pam Shaman 1:40 - Her 20s: College, Weight Struggles & Emotional Eating 8:15 - Don’t Restrict — Feel Your Feelings Instead 15:30 - Denial, Baggy Clothes & the Scale Moment 23:10 - Looking in the Mirror with Self-Love 31:45 - How Movement Became Her Career 40:20 - Building a Flexible Life Around Family & Fitness 48:50 - “Your Health Is Your Wealth” Explained 57:15 - The Car Accident That Reinforced Strength Training
September 27 · 32 min
Biblical Money Principles That Actually Work | Murray J. Lee
Murray J. Lee is a retired Big Four accounting firm partner, author of The Financial Armor of God, and a financial strategist who spent more than 30 years helping families and businesses navigate money, wealth, and long-term financial decisions. After retiring at 55 through disciplined stewardship and intentional living, Murray now teaches practical faith-based financial principles that help people break free from money stress and build lives of purpose and peace. In this clear and practical conversation, Murray shares: • Growing up with parents who taught financial responsibility and faith • The aha moment when biblical principles and solid finance overlapped • Joseph’s story: saving during abundance for future famine • Esau & Jacob: why short-term relief can cost long-term priorities • The Parable of the Talents and why growing resources is good • How money stress impacts family, service, and spirituality • Why personal finance is a spiritual principle • Taking control of money instead of letting money control you If you’re in your 20s trying to build a healthy relationship with money, reduce financial stress, and align your finances with purpose and peace, this episode offers timeless, practical wisdom. Timestamps below ⬇️ #MurrayJLee #FinancialArmorOfGod #BiblicalFinance #MoneyStress #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Murray J Lee Website:https://financialarmorofgod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murraylee59 If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Murray J. Lee 1:40 - Growing Up: Parents, Responsibility & Faith 8:15 - Accounting Career and Studying Scripture 15:30 - The Aha Moment: Bible Meets Finance 23:10 - Joseph’s Lesson: Save in the Years of Abundance 31:45 - Esau, Jacob & Short-Term vs. Long-Term Thinking 40:20 - Parable of the Talents & Growing Resources 48:50 - Why Personal Finance Is a Spiritual Principle 57:15 - Controlling Money Instead of Being Controlled by It
September 27 · 25 min
Heal Trauma Without Reliving It — Phoenix Women Healing | Anissa Hudak
Anissa Hudak is the founder of Phoenix Women Healing. After experiencing sexual trauma herself and through her experience as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and a military spouse, Anissa dedicated her life to helping women heal from trauma and reclaim their sense of safety, power, and self-trust. Through neurosomatic therapy, hypnotherapy, and mind-body practices, she helps women move beyond survival mode without having to relive painful experiences over and over again. In this compassionate and practical conversation, Anissa shares: • What life looked like in her 20s after sexual trauma • Years on the talk-therapy “hamster wheel” • Why traditional talk therapy is limited for deep trauma healing • How trauma is stored in the unconscious (and why that matters) • Gentle, effective techniques that don’t require re-living the pain • Somatic work, hypnotherapy, timeline therapy & NLP • The transformations she sees in the women she works with today If you’re in your 20s carrying trauma, stuck in survival mode, or afraid that healing means going back into the pain again and again, this episode offers a different, hopeful path. Timestamps below ⬇️ #AnissaHudak #TraumaHealing #PhoenixWomenHealing #Neurosomatic #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Anissa Hudak Website:https://www.phoenixwomenhealing.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anissahudak Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/phoenixwomenhealing If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Anissa Hudak 1:40 - Her 20s: Trauma, Marriage & Becoming a Mother 8:15 - Navigating the Aftermath with Talk Therapy 15:30 - The Talk-Therapy Hamster Wheel 23:10 - Why Healing Doesn’t Require Reliving the Pain 31:45 - Conscious vs. Unconscious Mind 40:20 - Somatic Work & Moving Trauma Out of the Body 48:50 - Hypnotherapy, Timeline Therapy & NLP 57:15 - Transformations: From Survival to Safety & Power
September 27 · 43 min
From Gambling Addiction & Cancer to Blaze of Resurrection | Michael Grayson
Michael Grayson is a nurse, cancer survivor, and author of Blaze of Resurrection. His story is one of resilience, recovery, and finding meaning through adversity. Growing up surrounded by addiction and loss, Michael faced challenges from an early age. He later battled a gambling addiction, built a career in nursing, and endured the heartbreaking loss of both of his parents to cancer. Just when life seemed to be stabilizing, Michael himself was diagnosed with a rare form of esophageal cancer. Through surgery, grief, trauma, and recovery, he discovered that some of life’s greatest challenges can become our greatest teachers. Today, he speaks openly about resilience, addiction, recovery, mental health, grief, post-traumatic growth, and how people can find hope even in the darkest moments. In this raw and powerful conversation, Michael shares: • Growing up on the autism spectrum in a home marked by scarcity and silence • Childhood bullying and the people-pleasing patterns that followed • The progression of his gambling addiction and near-breaking points • What finally led him into recovery and Gamblers Anonymous • Building a nursing career amid ongoing challenges • Losing both parents to cancer and facing his own diagnosis • Turning trauma into meaning, hope, and his book Blaze of Resurrection If you’re in your 20s navigating addiction, grief, self-doubt, or major life adversity and need proof that recovery and growth are possible, this episode offers real hope and hard-won wisdom. Timestamps below ⬇️ #MichaelGrayson #AddictionRecovery #CancerSurvivor #Resilience #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Michael Grayson Website:https://www.lightningshadowcrossroads.org/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Michael Grayson 1:40 - Childhood: Scarcity, Silence & Autism Spectrum 8:15 - Bullying, the Baby Bird Incident & People-Pleasing 15:30 - Early Gambling Addiction and Functional Years 23:10 - Near-Breaking Points and the Path to Recovery 31:45 - Surrender, Gamblers Anonymous & Cutting Ties 40:20 - Building a Nursing Career 48:50 - Losing Both Parents to Cancer 57:15 - His Own Cancer Diagnosis, Recovery & Finding Meaning
September 27 · 33 min
Workplace Gaslighting Almost Broke Me — Here’s How I Reclaimed My Voice | Brittany Benson
Britney Benson is a passionate advocate for psychological safety in the workplace and someone whose story is one of resilience, healing, and reclaiming her voice. As a neurodivergent woman of color, Britney experienced workplace bullying, gaslighting, and subtle forms of emotional abuse that left her emotionally exhausted and questioning herself. Despite seeking support from leadership and HR, she found herself navigating the pain largely alone. Through therapy, the support of loved ones, and a commitment to healing, she transformed one of the darkest chapters of her life into a mission to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered. Today, she’s using her voice to advocate for healthier workplace cultures and remind people that no one should have to suffer in silence. In this powerful conversation, Britney shares: • Growing up as a neurodivergent kid who later found clarity • How early definitions of success were shaped by “keep your head down” advice • Why she fell in love with recruiting and building relationships • The moment she realized something was deeply wrong at work • How gaslighting and microaggressions eroded her confidence • The mental and emotional toll of workplace abuse of power • Healing, reclaiming her voice, and turning pain into purpose If you’re in your 20s navigating toxic workplaces, gaslighting, self-doubt, or the pressure to stay silent, this episode offers validation, clarity, and real hope. Timestamps below ⬇️ #BritneyBenson #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceGaslighting #Neurodivergent #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Brittany Benson Website:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanybenson3 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanybenson3 If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Britney Benson 1:40 - Childhood & Discovering Neurodivergence 8:15 - Early Definitions of Success 15:30 - Falling in Love with Recruiting 23:10 - The Microaggression That Changed Everything 31:45 - Gaslighting, Performance Pressure & Confusion 40:20 - How It Affected Confidence and Mental Health 48:50 - Seeking Support and Beginning to Heal 57:15 - Reclaiming Her Voice and Advocating for Others
September 27 · 28 min
Healing Beyond Symptoms — PEMF, Trauma & the Body’s Deeper Layers | Andrew Scheim
Andrew Scheim is a wellness practitioner, educator, and researcher who specializes in PEMF therapy, hydrogen therapy, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, and integrative wellness technologies. For decades, Andrew has explored the deeper causes of illness and recurring health challenges, combining hands-on clinical experience with insights from naturopathy, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and modern wellness technologies. His philosophy is simple: healing often requires looking beyond symptoms and understanding how the body, mind, emotions, environment, and even our beliefs work together. Known for a systems-based approach and the belief that microbes work 24/7 (so recovery often needs a 24/7 strategy), Andrew helps people facing chronic illness, fatigue, digestive issues, mood challenges, and unresolved symptoms find practical pathways toward greater health and resilience. In this insightful conversation, Andrew shares: • Generational imprints, ancestral trauma, and systems like Ho’oponopono • How years of playing blues music connected to body work and emotional release • What drew him to naturopathy, Chinese medicine, and integrative technologies • Why looking beyond symptoms is essential for real healing • The role of the gut, grief, and the nervous system • PEMF and other tools that reach deeper layers of the body • Practical pathways for chronic issues and lasting resilience If you’re in your 20s dealing with fatigue, digestive problems, unresolved symptoms, or simply curious about integrative approaches to health, this episode offers a grounded, multi-dimensional perspective. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Bluez #AndrewScheim #PEMF #TraumaRecovery #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Andrew Scheim Website:https://bluezwater.com/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Andrew Sheim 1:40 - Generational Imprints and Childhood 8:15 - Blues Music and the Body Connection 15:30 - Discovering Integrative Healing 23:10 - Naturopathy, Chinese Medicine & Overlap 31:45 - Turning Points and the Decision to Keep Learning 40:20 - Why Looking Beyond Symptoms Matters 48:50 - Gut, Grief, Nervous System & Trauma Loops 57:15 - PEMF, Technologies & Practical Recovery Paths
September 27 · 34 min
15 Years of Corporate Success Left Me Drained — Then I Chose Myself | Baiba Wisse
Baiba is the host of the Life in Technical podcast and creator of the Era of You method, where she helps women reconnect with their purpose, reignite their energy, and create lives that truly feel like their own. After spending 15 years in the corporate world checking all the boxes of success, Baiba found herself feeling drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected from who she really was. Rather than settling for a life lived only for weekends and vacations, she began the journey of rediscovering her essence and creating work and a life that felt energizing and meaningful. Today, through her podcast, community, and mentorship programs, she helps others realize they are capable of creating a life that aligns with who they truly are. In this honest conversation, Baiba shares: • Growing up under the Soviet system and the transition that followed • Her 20s ambition to build a new life in America • Courage, low fear… yet struggling to feel happiness • 15 years in corporate talent acquisition and rising through the ranks • How stress, fatigue, and burnout started taking over everyday life • The fears of stepping away from the traditional definition of success • Choosing alignment and creating a life that feels like her own If you’re in your 20s (or beyond) checking the boxes but feeling drained, disconnected, or ready for something more aligned, this episode offers real insight and encouragement. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Baiba #CorporateBurnout #Purpose #Alignment #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Baiba Wisse Website:https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/17568429248612531390c2fc8 If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Baiba 1:40 - Growing Up in the Soviet Union & the Transition 8:15 - 20s Ambition: Coming to America 15:30 - Courage, Low Fear… but Little Happiness 23:10 - Entering Self-Help and Personal Growth 31:45 - 15 Years in Corporate Talent Acquisition 40:20 - How Stress and Burnout Affected Everyday Life 48:50 - Fears of Leaving the Traditional Success Model 57:15 - Choosing Alignment and Creating Her Own Path
September 27 · 34 min
From Bonham to Buddha — Rock Drummer & Spiritual Path | Clementine Moss
Clementine Moss is a musician, writer, spiritual counselor, and the founding drummer of Zeparella, the internationally acclaimed all-female-led Led Zeppelin tribute band. Beyond her life on stage, Clementine has spent over 30 years studying meditation and contemplative practices. She is a spiritual counselor, a minister with the Foundation for the Sacred Dream, and the author of From Bonham to Buddha and Back: The Slow Enlightenment of the Hard Rock Drummer — a memoir that explores how music, spirituality, and everyday life intersect. In this grounded and inspiring conversation, Clementine shares: • Growing up with supportive parents who encouraged exploration • Discovering drumming at 27 and the three-year commitment that changed everything • How a silent meditation retreat set her on a lifelong spiritual path • Why spirituality and rock & roll actually complement each other • Becoming the observer of your thoughts instead of reacting to them • Finding presence amid the chaos of touring and performing • Lessons from both transcendent stage moments and ordinary struggles If you’re in your 20s exploring creativity, purpose, spirituality, or simply trying to stay grounded while life gets loud, this episode offers real wisdom and encouragement. Timestamps below ⬇️ #ClementineMoss #Meditation #RockDrummer #Spirituality #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Clementine Moss Website: http://www.clemthegreat.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clementinemossmusic/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Clementine Moss 1:40 - Growing Up: Happy Kid Who Loved Learning 8:15 - Discovering Drumming at 27 15:30 - The Three-Year Commitment Advice 23:10 - Beginning the Spiritual Journey 31:45 - The 10-Day Silent Retreat 40:20 - How Meditation Complements Rock & Roll 48:50 - Becoming the Observer of Your Thoughts 57:15 - Presence On Stage and Off Stage
September 27 · 32 min
Navigating Grief, Stress & Burnout Without Losing Yourself | Dr. Vanessa La bode
Dr. Vanessa Labode Richman is a clinical neuropsychologist, speaker, and creator of the Four World Method — a practical framework designed to help people navigate stress, burnout, grief, and life’s hardest moments without losing themselves in the process. Drawing from both her professional expertise and deeply personal experiences, Dr. Vanessa blends psychology with what she calls “brain dollars” — the hidden cognitive and emotional cost we pay when we carry chronic stress, grief, and emotional overload for too long. In this honest and practical conversation, Dr. Vanessa shares: • Growing up with a chronically ill father and the losses that shaped her • The immigrant-family belief that you can survive hard things • Dropping out of medical school and finding her path in neuropsychology • Walking away from a prestigious fellowship for her mental health • What “brain dollars” really means and the cost of chronic overload • Practical ways to move through grief, stress, and burnout without losing yourself • Building resilience while protecting your sense of self If you’re in your 20s navigating loss, stress, burnout, or the pressure of hard life moments and want tools that actually help you stay grounded, this episode offers clear, compassionate insight. Timestamps below ⬇️ #DrVanessa #Grief #Burnout #BrainDollars #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Vanessa Labode Website:http://www.drvanessaonline.com/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Dr. Vanessa 1:40 - Growing Up: Love, Illness & Early Challenges 8:15 - Losing Her Father at 20 and Finding Strength 15:30 - Immigrant Roots and the Belief You Can Survive 23:10 - Leaving Medical School for Psychology 31:45 - Discovering Neuropsychology 40:20 - Walking Away from a Prestigious Fellowship 48:50 - Brain Dollars: The Hidden Cost of Overload 57:15 - The Four World Method for Hard Moments
September 27 · 30 min
From Broken Leg & Financial Wipeout to Frequency Healing | Michael Upstone
Michael Upstone is an author, researcher, and president of Keep Health Research. For nearly two decades, he has explored the world of energy and frequency-based healing technologies, working with clinicians, doctors, and individuals looking for new approaches to health and recovery. He’s the author of the Frequency Healing book series, where he explores how emerging technologies combined with nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic health practices may support the body’s natural healing processes. His work challenges people to think differently about health while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. In this curious and practical conversation, Michael shares: • What life looked like in his 20s as a young management consultant • The army path, injury at Sandhurst, and major career pivots • Building a digital photography company and the financial wipeout that followed • How hard work and quality standards carried him forward • What frequency healing actually means • How energy and information interact with the body’s systems • Technologies that may support recovery, regeneration, and resilience If you’re in your 20s navigating setbacks, career pivots, or simply curious about emerging approaches to health and healing, this episode offers grounded insight and encouragement to keep going. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Micheal #FrequencyHealing #Health #Resilience #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Michael Upstone Website:https://keephealthresearch.org/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeupstone/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Michael Upstone 1:40 - His 20s: Management Consulting and Psychometric Insights 8:15 - Army Path, Sandhurst Injury & Leaving 15:30 - Photography Success and the Digital Training Company 23:10 - Financial Wipeout and Getting Back Up 31:45 - Lessons on Quality, Boundaries & Hard Work 40:20 - What Frequency Healing Really Means 48:50 - Energy, Information & the Body’s Systems 57:15 - Technologies Supporting Recovery & Regeneration
September 27 · 48 min
Figuring Out Who You Are in Your 20s — Unlearning & Building Your Voice | Melissa Crook
Melissa Crook is the host of the Fe podcast, where she creates an open and supportive space for women to have honest conversations about self-care, emotional health, boundaries, and the many layers of being a woman. Her work is shaped by her own journey of discovering how deeply our emotional lives affect the way we experience ourselves and our lives. She’s passionate about helping women feel seen, supported, and empowered to learn, grow, and prioritize their well-being. In this honest conversation, Melissa shares: • What life looked like in her 20s as a first-generation college graduate • Questioning family narratives, faith, and inherited expectations • Starting therapy and beginning to break generational patterns • Navigating early marriage, motherhood, and career in the 1990s • The hard choices around work and staying home • The advice she now gives college women about knowing who they are • Claiming your voice without apology and choosing spaces that welcome you If you’re in your 20s figuring out identity, values, career, relationships, or how to stop shrinking yourself, this episode offers real-life wisdom and encouragement. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Melissa #SelfDiscovery #Women #Voice #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Melissa Crook Website:https://www.embracinglayers.com/ Twitter:https://twitter.com/embracinglayers LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/embracinglayers/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Melissa Crook 1:40 - Her 20s: First in Family to Go to College 8:15 - Questioning Narratives and Walking Away from Faith 15:30 - Starting Therapy and Breaking Generational Patterns 23:10 - Early Career in Human Resources 31:45 - Marriage, Unexpected Motherhood & Career Choices 40:20 - Staying Home and Redefining Success 48:50 - Advice for College Women: Know Who You Are 57:15 - Claiming Your Voice Without Apology
September 24 · 28 min
Making Mental Health Support Accessible from Home | Stephanie McAlister
Stephanie McAlister is a counselor, researcher, and entrepreneur dedicated to making mental health support more accessible. She’s the founder of Virtual Connect Counseling Clinic, a Canada-wide virtual practice created to help people find the right support from the comfort of their homes. With a background in addiction research and clinical counseling, Stephanie has worked with individuals and couples navigating trauma, anxiety, addiction, and relationship challenges. She’s trained in approaches such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Gottman couples therapy, bringing both evidence-based knowledge and real-world experience to the people she serves. In this grounded conversation, Stephanie shares: • What growing up and moving often taught her about connection • The hard lesson of relying on yourself and taking ownership of your choices • How chance placements led her into addictions, trauma, and anxiety work • Why she created Virtual Connect Counseling Clinic • What makes virtual counseling different and more accessible • Matching people with the right support without the overwhelm • Practical insight for young adults navigating anxiety, trauma, and relationships If you’re in your 20s struggling with mental health, looking for support, or curious about accessible ways to get help, this episode offers clear, practical perspective. Timestamps below ⬇️ #StephanieMcalister #MentalHealth #VirtualCounseling #Trauma #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Stephanie McAlister Website:https://virtualconnect.ca/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual%E2%80%94connect/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/virtual_connect_counselling/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Stephanie McAlister 1:40 - Growing Up: Moving Often and Becoming Outgoing 8:15 - Always Knowing She Wanted to Be a Counselor 15:30 - The Hard Lesson of Relying on Yourself 23:10 - How She Entered Addictions Work 31:45 - Trauma, Anxiety & Domestic Violence Counseling 40:20 - Why She Created Virtual Connect 48:50 - What Makes Virtual Counseling Different 57:15 - Making Support Accessible Across Canada
September 24 · 27 min
Stop Waiting for Permission — Take Ownership of Your Career | Julia Toothacre
Julia is a career coach, strategist, and founder of Ride the Tide Collective, where she helps professionals stop waiting for permission and start taking ownership of their careers. With more than 14 years of experience in career development and coaching, Julia has guided thousands of professionals through career transitions, burnout, toxic leadership environments, and moments of reinvention. Her approach blends strategy with deep self-awareness, helping people align their work with their values without burning out or losing themselves in the process. In this practical conversation, Julia shares: • Her own relationship with work and achievement growing up • The post-graduation struggle that changed how she saw herself and work • The career advice she wishes someone had given her in her 20s • What burnout actually looked like before she recognized it • How high achievers often slide into burnout • What career ownership really means beyond motivational language • Aligning work with who you are at your core If you’re in your 20s navigating career uncertainty, burnout, toxic workplaces, or the pressure to follow someone else’s plan, this episode offers clear, actionable insight on taking real ownership. Timestamps below ⬇️ #julia #CareerOwnership #Burnout #SelfAwareness #ConversationsWithSekani If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Julia 1:40 - Growing Up: Trial and Error with Career Paths 8:15 - Post-Graduation Reality Check 15:30 - The Career Advice She Wishes She Had Earlier 23:10 - What Burnout Looked Like Before She Recognized It 31:45 - High Achievers and the Slide into Burnout 40:20 - What Career Ownership Really Means 48:50 - Aligning Work with Your Core Identity 57:15 - Practical Steps for Taking Ownership
September 24 · 20 min
You Don’t Need to Be Successful to Mentor — Start Now | Dr. Deborah Heiser
Dr. Deborah Heiser is an applied developmental psychologist, speaker, author, and researcher whose work explores one of the most important questions we all face: How do we live a meaningful life that leaves a lasting impact? As the founder of Mental Mapping and My Legacy Tree and the author of The Mentorship Edge, Deborah has spent years studying aging, purpose, mentorship, and personal growth. Her research challenges the idea that getting older is simply about decline — showing instead that every stage of life offers new opportunities to learn, contribute, and build a meaningful legacy. In this insightful conversation, Deborah shares: • How a change in her grandmother sparked her path into psychology and aging • Why mentorship is a fundamental part of human development • Lateral mentoring — how anyone can mentor based on what they’re already good at • Why you don’t need to “arrive” or reach a certain age to start mentoring • How people in their 20s can begin discovering purpose without having everything figured out • The biggest misconception young people have about growing older • Building a legacy through contribution at every stage of life If you’re in your 20s navigating purpose, growth, or the pressure to have it all figured out, this episode offers clear, research-backed encouragement and practical perspective. Timestamps below ⬇️ #DrDeborahHeiser #Mentorship #Purpose #Legacy #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Dr Deborah Heiser Website:http://www.deborahheiser.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-heiser-phd-3963693/ Twitter:https://twitter.com/deborahheiser If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Dr. Deborah Heiser 1:40 - Growing Up and the “Grandma Fixer” Spark 8:15 - Why Mentorship Is Fundamental to Development 15:30 - Lateral Mentoring and Everyday Helping 23:10 - You Don’t Need to Be “Successful” to Mentor 31:45 - Discovering Purpose in Your 20s Without Having It All Figured Out 40:20 - Life as a Winding Path and Transferable Skills 48:50 - The Biggest Misconception About Aging 57:15 - Building Legacy at Every Stage of Life
September 21 · 31 min
From Over-Responsible to Calm Authority — Leadership Without the Weight | Jacqueline Young
Jacqueline Young is a former CEO turned leadership consultant and keynote speaker who works with high-performing women in senior roles. After more than three decades in leadership, she uncovered something most conversations about leadership completely miss: even the most capable, experienced leaders can feel overwhelmed, over-responsible, and internally pressured in ways that don’t match reality. Her work goes beneath surface-level strategies to explore the unconscious patterns that quietly shape how we lead — especially under pressure — and how to move into what she calls calm authority: leading with clarity, steadiness, and confidence without carrying the emotional weight of everyone around you. In this insightful conversation, Jacqueline shares: • Who she was becoming as a young teacher in her 20s • Early patterns of reading the room, strong ethics, and overcompensating • How leadership challenges often begin long before the leadership role • The mind-body connection and what happens when we live out of alignment • The difference between being responsible and being over-responsible • Why emotional over-responsibility is especially common for women • How to step into calm authority without carrying everyone’s weight If you’re in your 20s (or beyond) stepping into leadership, feeling the pressure to manage everyone else’s emotions, or noticing that success is costing your health and peace, this episode offers clear, practical wisdom. Timestamps below ⬇️ #JacquelineYoung #CalmAuthority #Leadership #OverResponsibility #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Jacqueline Young Website :https://the-mindshift-coach.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-d-young-017908168/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Jacqueline Young 1:40 - Her 20s: Optimistic Young Teacher in Toronto 8:15 - Early Patterns That Shaped Her Leadership 15:30 - Strong Ethics and the Cost of Staying True 23:10 - Leadership Challenges Don’t Start in Leadership 31:45 - Mind-Body Connection and Physical “Leakage” 40:20 - Emotional Over-Responsibility Explained 48:50 - Responsible vs. Over-Responsible 57:15 - Moving Into Calm Authority
September 21 · 29 min
The Hidden Patterns That Make You Succeed at Work But Fail at Love | Ingeborg Mooiweer
Ingeborg is an executive coach with over 35 years of experience helping high-achieving leaders break the hidden patterns that make them exceptional at work but struggling in their personal lives. She works with executives who have built successful careers, influence, and results — yet still can’t seem to create the kind of love life or inner peace they actually want. Her work goes deep: she explores what she calls “survival codes” — patterns formed early in life that quietly shape how we lead, love, and relate as adults. Often the same patterns that helped us succeed professionally are the ones sabotaging our closest relationships. In this honest conversation, Ingeborg shares: • What success looked like in her 20s and what was happening beneath the surface • Growing up with a narcissistic mother and the trauma that followed • Moving to London and reclaiming freedom after a difficult childhood • What survival codes really are and how they form • Why the patterns that help you succeed at work can sabotage love and peace • How to begin recognizing and breaking these lifelong patterns • Why healing usually requires guidance and emotional safety If you’re in your 20s building a career while noticing repeating struggles in relationships or inner peace, this episode offers deep insight and real hope for change. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Ingeborg #SurvivalCodes #ExecutiveCoaching #Relationships #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Ingeborg Mooiweer Website :http://www.metamindbreakthrough.com/ LinkedIn:http://linkedin.com/in/ingeborgmooiweer If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Ingeborg 1:40 - Success and Emotional Reality in Her 20s 8:15 - Leaving Home at 16 and Childhood Trauma 15:30 - Moving to London and Reclaiming Freedom 23:10 - What Survival Codes Really Are 31:45 - How Childhood Patterns Shape Adult Life 40:20 - Why Success at Work Can Sabotage Relationships 48:50 - How to Begin Breaking These Patterns 57:15 - Healing, Emotional Safety & What’s Possible
September 21 · 25 min
Visibility Isn’t Enough — How to Become the Trusted Choice | Andrew Colsky
Andrew is the founder of Be Picked and creator of the Credibility Generator. He’s also the author of Elect of Trust, where he explores how professionals can become the trusted expert before the first conversation even happens. With a background as both a trial attorney and a mental health professional, Andrew saw firsthand that the real challenge in business isn’t just getting noticed — it’s being chosen. That realization led him to build systems that help professionals move from visibility to credibility and ultimately turn that credibility into clients. In this practical conversation, Andrew shares: • The path he was on in his 20s and early confidence in it • Always being a problem-solver (including his first patent in law school) • Why visibility is not the same as credibility • The difference between marketing that attracts attention and marketing that builds trust • How young professionals can start building trust material early • Why what you post online matters more than you think • Turning credibility into real opportunities and clients If you’re in your 20s building a career, personal brand, or business and want to move beyond just being seen to actually being chosen, this episode delivers clear, actionable insight. Timestamps below ⬇️ #AndrewColsky #Credibility #Visibility #Trust #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Andrew Colsky Website:https://www.andrewcolsky.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewecolsky/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Andrew Colsky 1:40 - His 20s: Law School and Feeling on the Right Path 8:15 - Always a Problem-Solver (Even in Elementary School) 15:30 - Inventing a Safer Needle While in Law School 23:10 - Visibility vs. Credibility 31:45 - Marketing That Attracts Attention vs. Builds Trust 40:20 - Creating Trust Material Early in Your Career 48:50 - Why What You Post Online Matters 57:15 - Turning Credibility into Clients and Opportunities
September 21 · 27 min
Why High-Achieving Women Still Feel Burned Out — A Physicist’s Take | Zoa Conner
Zoa Conner is a physicist turned wellbeing lifestyle alchemist, travel strategist, and author of Wellness in Motion. After years in science, she noticed a pattern: high-achieving women doing everything right, yet still feeling burned out, disconnected, or physically off with no clear explanation. Now she applies a physicist’s lens to wellbeing — designing precision retreats and lifestyle interventions that help people understand their nervous system, restore energy, and feel at home in their bodies again. Her work challenges traditional ideas of self-care and reframes travel not as escape, but as a strategic tool for healing and renewal. In this clarifying conversation, Zoa shares: • What drew her to physics and how it still shapes her work • Ignoring the body while focusing on high achievement • How motherhood shifted her focus to systems of health • Why “feeling off for no reason” is usually a multi-system issue • The difference between treating symptoms and optimizing systems • How travel can become a strategic tool for healing (not just escape) • Practical ways to restore energy and feel at home in your body If you’re in your 20s (or beyond) doing everything “right” yet still feeling depleted, disconnected, or physically off, this episode offers a science-backed, systems-level perspective you can actually use. Timestamps below ⬇️ #Zoa Conner #Wellbeing #Burnout #NervousSystem #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Zoa Conner Website:https://linktr.ee/zoaconner LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoa-conner/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Zoa Conner 1:40 - Drawn to Physics and Understanding How the World Works 8:15 - High Achievement While Ignoring the Body 15:30 - Motherhood and the Shift Toward Lifestyle Health 23:10 - Why High-Achieving Women Still Feel Off 31:45 - The Science of “Feeling Bad for No Reason” 40:20 - Symptoms vs. Multi-System Issues 48:50 - Travel as Escape vs. Strategic Healing Tool 57:15 - Restoring Energy and Feeling at Home in Your Body
September 21 · 22 min
Childhood Trauma Changes the Body — Even When Kids Don’t Remember | Dr. Brandi Hawk
Dr. Brandi Hawk is a licensed clinical psychologist and CEO of Redleaf Psychology, a therapy clinic and training center focused on supporting children and families navigating trauma. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked extensively with foster and adoptive families, co-developed the evidence-based parenting program PCIT, and trains professionals around the world on trauma-informed care, parenting, and the lasting impact of early experiences. She’s also the co-host of the Nerdy Psychologist Book Club, where she makes complex psychological concepts accessible through stories, books, and real-life conversations. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Hawk shares: • What drew her to psychology at 17 and the path from pre-med to psychologist • The biggest misconception about trauma in young children • How early traumatic experiences shape the body even without memory • What makes PCIT different from traditional parenting programs • The simple daily shift that strengthens parent-child connection • How unresolved trauma in adults quietly shows up in parenting • Her transition from academic hospital work to running her own practice If you’re in your 20s thinking about family, healing, or understanding how early experiences shape us, this episode offers clear, research-backed insight and practical hope. Timestamps below ⬇️ #DrBrandiHawk #Trauma #Parenting #PCIT #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Brandi Hawk Website:https://redleafpsychology.com/brandihawk/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Dr. Brandi Hawk 1:40 - Discovering Psychology at 17 8:15 - From Pre-Med to Fully Committing to Psychology 15:30 - The Biggest Misconception About Childhood Trauma 23:10 - How Trauma Shapes the Body Without Memory 31:45 - What Makes PCIT Unique 40:20 - The Power of Daily Undivided Play 48:50 - How Adult Trauma Shows Up in Parenting 57:15 - Building Redleaf Psychology and the Path Forward
September 21 · 22 min
Character Is the Only Thing That Compounds | Omar Harris
Omar Harris is a former Fortune 500 pharmaceutical executive, leadership strategist, best-selling author, and founder of Intense Consulting. After more than two decades building high-performing teams and leading commercial operations across continents, he made the leap from corporate leadership to helping organizations build cultures that last. He is also the creator of the HOME Character Intelligence Assessment — a science-backed framework designed to help individuals and teams understand the critical role character plays in long-term success. In this practical conversation, Omar shares: • Who he was in his ambitious 20s and the clear goals he set early • Early international experience at Pfizer and becoming a marketing director by 29 • Navigating bad managers, constant moves, and learning to write • Why he left corporate to build Intense Consulting • Why character is the only thing that compounds • How culture functions as strategy, not just something an organization “has” • The HOME Character Intelligence Assessment and measuring character vs. personality If you’re in your 20s building your career, leading teams, or wondering what actually drives lasting success beyond talent, this episode delivers clear, actionable insight. Timestamps below ⬇️ #OmarHarris #Character #Leadership #Culture #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Omar Harris Website:https://omarlharris.com/ LinkedIn:http://linkedin.com/in/omarlharris Instagram:http://instagram.com/omarl.harris If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Omar Harris 1:40 - His Ambitious 20s and Early Goals 8:15 - International Experience and Career Moves 15:30 - Challenges: Bad Managers and Constant Transitions 23:10 - Leaving Corporate to Build His Own Company 31:45 - Why Character Is the Only Thing That Compounds 40:20 - Culture as Strategy 48:50 - The HOME Character Intelligence Assessment 57:15 - Practical Advice for Building Lasting Success

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