Conversations with Joan

Finding peace in a world filled with conflict, division, and constant noise can seem almost impossible. But what if peace isn’t about changing what’s happening around us, but changing the way we relate to ourselves, our experiences, and the people around us? Michael Schauch talks about finding greater peace and connection by letting go of our attachment to the stories and identities we hold on to. Michael is a mountaine...

Personal growth isn’t about becoming someone else — it’s about becoming more aware of who we are, learning from our experiences, and making choices that help us become the person we want to be. Change doesn’t happen all at once; it happens through small, intentional decisions that shape our lives over time. Norm Rieger isn’t someone who spent his life chasing perfection or searching for a magic formula...

Holistic psychiatry is an emerging approach to mental healthcare that focuses on the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social factors that contribute to mental health issues. Dr. Judy Tsafrir shifted from a conventional practice of psychiatry to one that treats the whole person.  She discusses the limitations of conventional psychiatry and why it’s important to integrate the spiritual, emotional, and physical dim...

Our lives are often shaped by forces we can’t always see—intuition, synchronicities, and the subtle guidance that can lead us toward healing, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose. Exploring our spiritual heritage can offer powerful insight into who we are and why we’re here. Alisha Das talks about angels, divine guidance, spiritual ancestry, and how reconnecting with our higher selves can help us better understa...

Dr. Laura Copley believes that at the core of most toxic relationships is a painful trauma wound desperate to be healed. She contends that trauma survivors try to navigate romantic relationships in the only way they know how – fearfully and painfully. She discusses how to untangle trauma bonds and transmute toxic patterns into healing opportunities for intimacy and connection. Dr. Copley is a licensed professional counselor a...

To combat negative life events, we need resilience. But what is resilience and how do we get it? Sally Baker offers a guide to developing a deeper understanding of how we can successfully emerge from life’s inevitable challenges. She discusses strategies to help us re-assess unhealthy coping mechanisms so we can gain resilience from the inside out. Sally is a therapist who began her training working with women survivors of se...

What if you could flip the script on the pain in your life and learn how to cultivate purpose and joy not after grief but during it? John Tsilimparis contends that we can understand our emotions and reframe grief that opens us up rather than shuts us down. He discusses how grief and loss can empower us to build emotional resilience in a difficult world. John is a psychotherapist, mental health consultant, writer, podcast host, and ...

Do you believe that it’s possible to use your nighttime dreams as a practical tool to develop your fullest potential and live a life of purpose? According to Dr. Bonnie Buckner, we all have a “secret mind” that can be accessed through dreams. She shares her method for translating the mystery of dreams so you have access to your inner powerhouse for transformation. Dr. Buckner is the founder and CEO of the Internat...

In a world that feels more anxious, divided, and uncertain than ever, many of us are searching for a way to find calm, clarity, and inner peace. Dr. Stephen Post offers a science-based roadmap to cultivating love, resilience, and harmony. He draws on decades of research, real-world examples, and practical exercises, to show how embracing the power of unconditional love —. toward ourselves and others — can transform not ...

Relationships can be complicated, and often the challenges we face aren’t just about differences in personality, they’re rooted in the ways we form attachment and connect emotionally. Whether it’s fear of getting too close, pulling away when things get serious, or repeating patterns that keep love out of reach, understanding attachment styles can be a game-changer in creating lasting, fulfilling relationships. Jam...

Perfectionism is something many people strive to achieve. It can drive high standards and motivation. But according to Dr. Greg Chasson, perfectionism does not necessarily equate to excellence. He contends that those who establish such a high standard of rigid ideals for themselves often become paralyzed because they’re afraid that they will make mistakes or fail to meet expectations. He offers practical strategies to manage ...

In a world obsessed with trends, filters, and impossible standards, many women are left questioning their worth every time they look in the mirror. But what if beauty was never about fitting into someone else’s mold but instead about embracing who you already are, at every age and every stage of life? David Kibbe talks about style, aging, self-worth, and his philosophy of love-based beauty. David helps women discover their au...

Many people today are struggling with anxiety, depression, and burnout. Dr. Greg Hammer contends that there is a path toward personal resilience that can be implemented by anyone, anywhere, in just a few minutes a day. He talks about his GAIN method for self care that he says can improve mental, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Hammer is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, a physician, best-selling author, and...

Roughly a quarter of American children experience complex trauma resulting from abuse, neglect, catastrophic illness, or other adversity. Traumatic experiences can initiate emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Dr. Donna Bevan-Lee knows first-hand the devastating impact of childhood trauma. She suffered through years of abuse that had profound and lasting consequences. Dr. Bevan-Lee discusses h...

The human body is designed to fight disease. And with the right fuel, this hidden power can be amplified. Dr. William Li believes that each of us has an enormous opportunity to take charge of our lives using food to transform our health. He talks about the new science of how the body heals itself. Dr Li  is an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New...

Life has a way of throwing challenges at us — some we expect, and others that completely upend everything we know. How we choose to navigate those moments often defines who we become. Jackie Pflug knows this truth more than most. Jackie survived the 1985 hijacking of EgyptAir Flight 648, an event that forced her to confront trauma, resilience, and reinvention in the deepest sense. Now, with her new book Wake Up, she invi...

What happens when the place that once inspired you almost becomes the reason you walk away—and how do you turn that moment into a mission instead? Billy Pinckney shares his journey from batboy for the New Jersey Jackals to becoming an author and speaker dedicated to inspiring the next generation. Through his story, Billy reveals how challenges in the game he loved led him to a greater purpose—empowering young people wit...

Fear, trauma, and the instinct to protect ourselves are deeply human experiences, yet conversations around PTSD, self-defense, and the realities of the criminal justice system are often complex and overlooked. Liz Lazarus talks about surviving trauma and empowerment. Liz is the author of the psychological thriller Dawn Before Darkness, a gripping novel inspired by real-life events. Through her storytelling, Liz explores the gaps in...