September 10, 2025 • 13 mins
As we launch Season Six of HIListically Speaking, Host Hilary Russo shares how intentional reflection and quiet moments can unlock creativity, clarity, and personal growth. Alongside fresh insights, the new “Where Are They Now?” series revisits past guests, from bestselling authors to everyday changemakers, while diving deeper into the HUG It Out Method®, the expanding Book Nook, and stories rooted in neuroscience, storytelling, and holistic wellness. Tune in to fuel your best work through mindfulness, resilience, and the power of pause.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Hilary Russo (00:00):
How many times have you sat and wondered
about years gone by and thinking I never
thought I'd be where I am today?
And I remember touching on that in episode
193 of HIListically Speaking.
It was our last episode in season five
before we took this little hiatus and I
really have been thinking about it during
the summer because, you know, nothing's by
(00:22):
accident, because you know nothing's by
accident, and sometimes we try to plan and
things go a different way and it's just
been such a beautiful, unbelievable journey
and I think about how much the HIListically
Speaking podcast is a part of that.
You're a part of that.
All the guests are a part of that.
So, as I sit here and I had some time off
(00:44):
and that time really gave me a chance to
rest and repair, to work on some projects
I've been putting on the back burner and if
you understand that, you know that
sometimes you just need that little break
of doing to focus on more being, or maybe
not even focus, just be.
So during this time I've been thinking
(01:04):
about how do I want this podcast to look
going forward and what has been shared with
me from you and our listeners and the
people who watch us on YouTube, and what is
it you want for this show?
Because we have grown by leaps and bounds.
We have a wonderful community around the
world, and listening to you is a big part
(01:27):
of that, so thank you.
Let me just start by saying that I am in
such gratitude for that.
So in that time I thought look, there's a
big theme to this show, in addition to
having unbelievable spiritual luminaries
and visionaries in the health and wellness
and neuroscience field.
It's people just like you and me, and those
(01:50):
stories matter too.
But have you ever wondered where are they
now?
And you might know where they are now
because sometimes the folks that we've had
on the show in season one or two are doing
unbelievable things beyond their even
thought process.
One of the things we're going to be doing
during this season is I'll be bringing back
(02:12):
some of those folks.
Where are they now?
What is their journey been since they last
sat in the HIListically Speaking chair and
had these beautiful conversations with us?
These are bestselling authors, these are
coaches, these are practitioners, these are
everyday people that are doing incredible
things to be kind to their minds, to hug it
(02:33):
out with themselves and to help serve the
world.
So we're going to bring some of those folks
back.
You're going to hear those.
Where are they now?
Stories?
And one of the questions I'm going to ask
in this season and I asked this of you as
well is how do you hug it out in your every
day?
Now, if you're new to this show, hug it out
(02:54):
is my method.
It is in the healing that we do every day.
We find a little humor, even if we don't in
the time when things happen.
There's humor in the healing.
There's an understanding that we have to
have who we are, how we're showing up in
the world, what is that rock star song that
comes on when you cross the stage.
That's the understanding, right.
And then gratitude.
(03:15):
Can't talk enough about gratitude.
There's science behind it and we hear a lot
of people talking about the gratitude
outside of ourselves, but truly it's about
going within, the appreciation, the
gratitude you have for yourself, and I want
to hear that from our guests on the show.
I want to hear that from you as well.
So, while we're going along in this season,
while I'm completing writing this book and
(03:37):
getting it published the hug it out method
I want you to think about how you hug it
out in your every day, and we'll have more
conversations like that and you'll get to
hear from guests to find out how they're
choosing to hug it out.
So that's something we're going to do.
There's going to be a couple solo episodes.
Obviously, this is mainly a show that would
be considered an interview style.
(03:58):
I don't really like the term interview.
I like conversation because we're all in
this conversation together.
But on those occasions when we have this
just one-on-one dialogue, I am going to
share some really personal stuff, maybe
some things from my book, even stuff maybe
some things from my book even and also, you
know, give you a couple moments to witness
(04:18):
and take part in some of those speaking
engagements that I've done around the world
that have been recorded, and you'll get
excerpts of that, almost as if you're
sitting in the audience.
I'm going to share more of those
experiences too, because those little
nuggets when I'm live on stage whether it
is a keynote or presenting or even emceeing
there's something about the energy of being
(04:40):
in the room and I really want to share that
with you if you didn't have a chance to be
there.
So that's something we're going to do
differently as well, and I'm talking a lot
about where our guests are now going back
to that, but I also want to know where you
are now.
Your voice matters and if you think that
this show is something that could benefit
you as a guest, let us know.
(05:02):
This is a space where we share and we're
all masterclasses to each other in our
lives, and I've said that since the very
beginning in this show, that this show is
like a masterclass, because I don't know
everything, you don't know everything.
Even our guests don't know everything.
We learn in this world from each other as a
(05:23):
collective, so tell us your stories, let us
know about you, and I love when I do this.
There'll be a number of opportunities for
you to share your voice, as we've done in
the past, and those episodes are always so
beautiful when I get to hear your voice,
when you get to hear your own voice and the
(05:44):
stories that you have, because, like I said,
we learn from each other.
Another thing we're going to be focusing on
is the power of words.
Now, there are a lot of studies out there
about how micro reading is really good for
our well-being.
I'm an avid reader and it's one of the
reasons why we have so many amazing authors
(06:05):
on this show and towards the end of season
five, I launched the HIListically Speaking
Book Nook, which is a library of every
author who has been on this show and you
can find it at hilaryrusso dot com slash
book nook.
You can go through and find every author.
(06:25):
There's a link to their book and also the
show they were on, so that gives you a
chance to kind of be your own book club in
a way.
And if you want to go back and if you want
to read these books after listening to an
episode, it's there for you and I intend to
expand on this.
I intend to have my own book on there as
(06:46):
well.
The book nook took a lot of time to
cultivate and put together.
When you think of close to 200 episodes and
everybody having a story, there's a lot of
books to review, and I'm talking about
authors who are writing their memoirs, who
are sharing their expertise in different
(07:06):
areas of health and wellness and business.
These books are their insight into growth,
whether it's personal development, business
development.
Really, it always comes back to personal
development when you think about it, right?
Because it's everything we're thinking.
I want you to take a moment to check out
that book nook, you know, and suggestions.
(07:28):
We love suggestions here on HIListically
Speaking.
You can always leave a message for us.
We'd love to hear from you, we'd love to
get your thoughts and your ideas of how to
make this better for you and the listening
experience.
And, of course, every time you leave a
thoughtful response, a review or your words
(07:49):
of wisdom on the place where you tune into
this show, whether it's Apple Podcasts or
Spodcast Podcasts or even watching it on
YouTube.
Anytime you share, those words get read.
I promise you that I do it myself and I
have a team that loves to read them too,
because you share such beautiful things,
(08:10):
and you'll see, when you go back to some of
the words that were shared, how some of
those things have been implemented, because
that's the kind of show this is.
Your thoughts matter.
This is still a growing process.
So, again, the book nook is happening.
It's there for you and I'm just really
excited to see how it grows.
We're going to talk a little bit about the
(08:31):
hug it out method.
We're going to talk about my book.
I've had such a beautiful summer of that
book getting around and being seen and so
many beautiful accolades from publishers
and literary agents, and this book is going
to find a home.
I'm excited about it, but I'm more excited
about it, not only finding a home, but
(08:51):
finding a place in your home.
So the more we can talk about ways to hug
it out, the more we're going to see a
change in the most beautiful way to be kind
to our mind, right and heal, with that
humor, understanding and gratitude.
I've been so fortunate to have incredible
experiences this summer that I would not
trade for the world being able to spend
(09:13):
time with family and friends, people I love,
go to places, from the beaches to the
mountains, and go within as well.
You know, sometimes I need to be reminded
to hug it out with myself, and the
opportunities I've had have really been
presented to me in the most beautiful way.
And I'm curious what is something you've
(09:35):
done this summer that has given you a
chance to reflect on things, or what have
you been doing or what have you enjoyed
that has really been part of your hug it
out journey?
I'd love for you to share that with me.
You know there'll be links in the notes of
this podcast how you can get in touch with
me.
Just let me know what you're doing, because
I love these shared experiences.
(09:56):
Of course, you can always share on social
media as well.
Let me know as I'm posting, I want to hear
from you.
Drop it in my DMs, let's have a
conversation.
It is all about growing and connecting,
isn't it?
So for me, one of the things that I've
really enjoyed doing in addition to
journaling and just spending time in nature,
which is always one of my favorite things
(10:17):
to do is listening to fellow podcasts, but
also spending a lot of time with the guy I
call my spiritual daddy, dr Wayne Dyer.
He's no longer with us on earth, but he's
been gone for 10 years now.
This summer was 10 years.
That marked his passing but I've been doing
so much listening to his words and really
(10:40):
reflecting on changing your thoughts.
It'll change your life, going within,
really being present, learning to let go
and surrender.
And these are not new theories, these are
just ones that I really connect with.
When I listen to Dr Dyer and you know he's
one of my favorite authors as well Talk
(11:01):
about a bestselling author that you would
love to have on your show.
So if I can't have him here, he'll at least
be in the book nook, and you will hear me
talk about him frequently, because he
definitely is the guy I call my spiritual
daddy.
But what has it been for you, you know,
share those thoughts.
I'd love to know.
That is some of the ways that we can be
(11:21):
kind to the mind, you know, is just taking
a step back and reflecting, and it's good
when we do that.
We don't give ourselves the chance to do
that often enough.
I hope you'll consider more time being
present, and one of my favorite things that
I've been doing now is diving into the
world of Substack.
Are you a Substacker?
If you are, let's follow each other.
(11:42):
Brain Candy Blueprint that's where you can
find me at.
Hilary Russo that's where I am sharing on
Substack.
You're going to see parts of the book.
You're going to see more information about
this podcast, HIListically speaking, and
some really deep shares that I'm looking
forward to opening up about Some of them.
We've had moments on the show here, but I
think when I get to write, it really is an
(12:05):
additional way of it's a therapy for me, as,
as I know, journaling for many people it is,
but this is going a little deeper.
These are the kind of things you'll hear
about in the book as well, as well as
client stories and people who have chosen
to share with me on ways that they hug it
out in their everyday, if you want to be
part of the book as well, I would love to
(12:26):
have you.
So this is your launch episode for season
six.
I'm just going to keep it short.
I just want to let you know I'm back, I'm
here, I am ready to go, and it's been such
an incredible few months of cultivating how
we want this show to go forward and also
how I want my life to go forward.
So I leave you with that to think about
(12:46):
that.
We have some incredible guests.
I've already recorded some amazing episodes
for you that are going to blow you away on
every topic and during that time, take in
those masterclass moments and let's see
where we can go in season six and beyond.
(13:07):
I leave you with this Think about different
ways that you can hug it out with yourself
in the everyday what you tick, what makes
you happy, what brings you joy, what is it
that you are doing to be that happy and
healthy grown-up, and I hope that this show
continues to be part of that.
And, on that note, and as always, I love
(13:28):
you, I believe in you and I am sending hugs
your way.
Be well.
How many times have you sat and wondered
about years gone by and thinking I never
thought I'd be where I am today?
And I remember touching on that in episode
193 of HIListically Speaking.
It was our last episode in season five
before we took this little hiatus and I
really have been thinking about it during
the summer because, you know, nothing's by
(00:22):
accident, because you know nothing's by
accident, and sometimes we try to plan and
things go a different way and it's just
been such a beautiful, unbelievable journey
and I think about how much the HIListically
Speaking podcast is a part of that.
You're a part of that.
All the guests are a part of that.
So, as I sit here and I had some time off
(00:44):
and that time really gave me a chance to
rest and repair, to work on some projects
I've been putting on the back burner and if
you understand that, you know that
sometimes you just need that little break
of doing to focus on more being, or maybe
not even focus, just be.
So during this time I've been thinking
(01:04):
about how do I want this podcast to look
going forward and what has been shared with
me from you and our listeners and the
people who watch us on YouTube, and what is
it you want for this show?
Because we have grown by leaps and bounds.
We have a wonderful community around the
world, and listening to you is a big part
(01:27):
of that, so thank you.
Let me just start by saying that I am in
such gratitude for that.
So in that time I thought look, there's a
big theme to this show, in addition to
having unbelievable spiritual luminaries
and visionaries in the health and wellness
and neuroscience field.
It's people just like you and me, and those
(01:50):
stories matter too.
But have you ever wondered where are they
now?
And you might know where they are now
because sometimes the folks that we've had
on the show in season one or two are doing
unbelievable things beyond their even
thought process.
One of the things we're going to be doing
during this season is I'll be bringing back
(02:12):
some of those folks.
Where are they now?
What is their journey been since they last
sat in the HIListically Speaking chair and
had these beautiful conversations with us?
These are bestselling authors, these are
coaches, these are practitioners, these are
everyday people that are doing incredible
things to be kind to their minds, to hug it
(02:33):
out with themselves and to help serve the
world.
So we're going to bring some of those folks
back.
You're going to hear those.
Where are they now?
Stories?
And one of the questions I'm going to ask
in this season and I asked this of you as
well is how do you hug it out in your every
day?
Now, if you're new to this show, hug it out
(02:54):
is my method.
It is in the healing that we do every day.
We find a little humor, even if we don't in
the time when things happen.
There's humor in the healing.
There's an understanding that we have to
have who we are, how we're showing up in
the world, what is that rock star song that
comes on when you cross the stage.
That's the understanding, right.
And then gratitude.
(03:15):
Can't talk enough about gratitude.
There's science behind it and we hear a lot
of people talking about the gratitude
outside of ourselves, but truly it's about
going within, the appreciation, the
gratitude you have for yourself, and I want
to hear that from our guests on the show.
I want to hear that from you as well.
So, while we're going along in this season,
while I'm completing writing this book and
(03:37):
getting it published the hug it out method
I want you to think about how you hug it
out in your every day, and we'll have more
conversations like that and you'll get to
hear from guests to find out how they're
choosing to hug it out.
So that's something we're going to do.
There's going to be a couple solo episodes.
Obviously, this is mainly a show that would
be considered an interview style.
(03:58):
I don't really like the term interview.
I like conversation because we're all in
this conversation together.
But on those occasions when we have this
just one-on-one dialogue, I am going to
share some really personal stuff, maybe
some things from my book, even stuff maybe
some things from my book even and also, you
know, give you a couple moments to witness
(04:18):
and take part in some of those speaking
engagements that I've done around the world
that have been recorded, and you'll get
excerpts of that, almost as if you're
sitting in the audience.
I'm going to share more of those
experiences too, because those little
nuggets when I'm live on stage whether it
is a keynote or presenting or even emceeing
there's something about the energy of being
(04:40):
in the room and I really want to share that
with you if you didn't have a chance to be
there.
So that's something we're going to do
differently as well, and I'm talking a lot
about where our guests are now going back
to that, but I also want to know where you
are now.
Your voice matters and if you think that
this show is something that could benefit
you as a guest, let us know.
(05:02):
This is a space where we share and we're
all masterclasses to each other in our
lives, and I've said that since the very
beginning in this show, that this show is
like a masterclass, because I don't know
everything, you don't know everything.
Even our guests don't know everything.
We learn in this world from each other as a
(05:23):
collective, so tell us your stories, let us
know about you, and I love when I do this.
There'll be a number of opportunities for
you to share your voice, as we've done in
the past, and those episodes are always so
beautiful when I get to hear your voice,
when you get to hear your own voice and the
(05:44):
stories that you have, because, like I said,
we learn from each other.
Another thing we're going to be focusing on
is the power of words.
Now, there are a lot of studies out there
about how micro reading is really good for
our well-being.
I'm an avid reader and it's one of the
reasons why we have so many amazing authors
(06:05):
on this show and towards the end of season
five, I launched the HIListically Speaking
Book Nook, which is a library of every
author who has been on this show and you
can find it at hilaryrusso dot com slash
book nook.
You can go through and find every author.
(06:25):
There's a link to their book and also the
show they were on, so that gives you a
chance to kind of be your own book club in
a way.
And if you want to go back and if you want
to read these books after listening to an
episode, it's there for you and I intend to
expand on this.
I intend to have my own book on there as
(06:46):
well.
The book nook took a lot of time to
cultivate and put together.
When you think of close to 200 episodes and
everybody having a story, there's a lot of
books to review, and I'm talking about
authors who are writing their memoirs, who
are sharing their expertise in different
(07:06):
areas of health and wellness and business.
These books are their insight into growth,
whether it's personal development, business
development.
Really, it always comes back to personal
development when you think about it, right?
Because it's everything we're thinking.
I want you to take a moment to check out
that book nook, you know, and suggestions.
(07:28):
We love suggestions here on HIListically
Speaking.
You can always leave a message for us.
We'd love to hear from you, we'd love to
get your thoughts and your ideas of how to
make this better for you and the listening
experience.
And, of course, every time you leave a
thoughtful response, a review or your words
(07:49):
of wisdom on the place where you tune into
this show, whether it's Apple Podcasts or
Spodcast Podcasts or even watching it on
YouTube.
Anytime you share, those words get read.
I promise you that I do it myself and I
have a team that loves to read them too,
because you share such beautiful things,
(08:10):
and you'll see, when you go back to some of
the words that were shared, how some of
those things have been implemented, because
that's the kind of show this is.
Your thoughts matter.
This is still a growing process.
So, again, the book nook is happening.
It's there for you and I'm just really
excited to see how it grows.
We're going to talk a little bit about the
(08:31):
hug it out method.
We're going to talk about my book.
I've had such a beautiful summer of that
book getting around and being seen and so
many beautiful accolades from publishers
and literary agents, and this book is going
to find a home.
I'm excited about it, but I'm more excited
about it, not only finding a home, but
(08:51):
finding a place in your home.
So the more we can talk about ways to hug
it out, the more we're going to see a
change in the most beautiful way to be kind
to our mind, right and heal, with that
humor, understanding and gratitude.
I've been so fortunate to have incredible
experiences this summer that I would not
trade for the world being able to spend
(09:13):
time with family and friends, people I love,
go to places, from the beaches to the
mountains, and go within as well.
You know, sometimes I need to be reminded
to hug it out with myself, and the
opportunities I've had have really been
presented to me in the most beautiful way.
And I'm curious what is something you've
(09:35):
done this summer that has given you a
chance to reflect on things, or what have
you been doing or what have you enjoyed
that has really been part of your hug it
out journey?
I'd love for you to share that with me.
You know there'll be links in the notes of
this podcast how you can get in touch with
me.
Just let me know what you're doing, because
I love these shared experiences.
(09:56):
Of course, you can always share on social
media as well.
Let me know as I'm posting, I want to hear
from you.
Drop it in my DMs, let's have a
conversation.
It is all about growing and connecting,
isn't it?
So for me, one of the things that I've
really enjoyed doing in addition to
journaling and just spending time in nature,
which is always one of my favorite things
(10:17):
to do is listening to fellow podcasts, but
also spending a lot of time with the guy I
call my spiritual daddy, dr Wayne Dyer.
He's no longer with us on earth, but he's
been gone for 10 years now.
This summer was 10 years.
That marked his passing but I've been doing
so much listening to his words and really
(10:40):
reflecting on changing your thoughts.
It'll change your life, going within,
really being present, learning to let go
and surrender.
And these are not new theories, these are
just ones that I really connect with.
When I listen to Dr Dyer and you know he's
one of my favorite authors as well Talk
(11:01):
about a bestselling author that you would
love to have on your show.
So if I can't have him here, he'll at least
be in the book nook, and you will hear me
talk about him frequently, because he
definitely is the guy I call my spiritual
daddy.
But what has it been for you, you know,
share those thoughts.
I'd love to know.
That is some of the ways that we can be
(11:21):
kind to the mind, you know, is just taking
a step back and reflecting, and it's good
when we do that.
We don't give ourselves the chance to do
that often enough.
I hope you'll consider more time being
present, and one of my favorite things that
I've been doing now is diving into the
world of Substack.
Are you a Substacker?
If you are, let's follow each other.
(11:42):
Brain Candy Blueprint that's where you can
find me at.
Hilary Russo that's where I am sharing on
Substack.
You're going to see parts of the book.
You're going to see more information about
this podcast, HIListically speaking, and
some really deep shares that I'm looking
forward to opening up about Some of them.
We've had moments on the show here, but I
think when I get to write, it really is an
(12:05):
additional way of it's a therapy for me, as,
as I know, journaling for many people it is,
but this is going a little deeper.
These are the kind of things you'll hear
about in the book as well, as well as
client stories and people who have chosen
to share with me on ways that they hug it
out in their everyday, if you want to be
part of the book as well, I would love to
(12:26):
have you.
So this is your launch episode for season
six.
I'm just going to keep it short.
I just want to let you know I'm back, I'm
here, I am ready to go, and it's been such
an incredible few months of cultivating how
we want this show to go forward and also
how I want my life to go forward.
So I leave you with that to think about
(12:46):
that.
We have some incredible guests.
I've already recorded some amazing episodes
for you that are going to blow you away on
every topic and during that time, take in
those masterclass moments and let's see
where we can go in season six and beyond.
(13:07):
I leave you with this Think about different
ways that you can hug it out with yourself
in the everyday what you tick, what makes
you happy, what brings you joy, what is it
that you are doing to be that happy and
healthy grown-up, and I hope that this show
continues to be part of that.
And, on that note, and as always, I love
(13:28):
you, I believe in you and I am sending hugs
your way.
Be well.
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