In this episode of The Dr. Melissa Show: The Stories That Shape Us, Dr. Melissa Carman—licensed therapist, executive coach, and founder of CNY Mental Health Counseling—sits down with Kate Houck, Executive Director of David’s Refuge and founder of Brave CNY.
Kate is a seasoned nonprofit leader, speaker, and culture-builder who shares what it really takes to lead with intention, build trust, and hold yourself accountable in both professional and personal spaces. She opens up about the feedback that changed her leadership style, how emotional regulation shaped her impact, and the honest work of staying aligned with your values while managing the invisible weight many leaders carry.
This conversation is raw, reflective, and rich with tools you can use.
Together, Dr. Melissa and Kate explore:
Whether you're an executive, a caregiver, or a high-performing professional navigating identity and growth, this episode will give you something real to hold onto.
🎧 Featured Resources from This Episode:
⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling or mental health treatment. Listening to this podcast does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, please reach out to a licensed professional.
🔹 Brought to you by CNY Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
We proudly serve individuals, couples, and families across New York State and partner with schools, nonprofits, and corporate teams to support mental wellness and resilience.
🌐 Learn more: www.cnymhc.com
📍 Please note: Due to state licensure laws, services are only available to residents of New York State.
Looking for executive or performance coaching support?
Explore Dr. Carman’s work with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing teams:
🌐 www.drmelissacarman.com
👍 Like, Subscribe & Share
If this conversation moved you, helped you feel seen, or inspired you to reflect more deeply on your own story—please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs it.
This is what we explore in depth inside my private executive coaching practice. If you're a high-performer or leading a team navigating growth, identity, or burnout—let’s talk.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.