Unblocked

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Mays - executive coach, founder of Mays Leadership, and a trusted guide to some of the nation’s top leaders. With a background in behavioral science, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Kevin helps high-impact individuals strengthen their leadership from the inside out.

And that’s exactly what this conversation is about.

Too many people are trained to manage what’s happeni...

When was the last time you held back what you really wanted to say because you didn’t like how you sounded? Worried you’d be “too much”? Not enough? Too emotional, too aggressive, too soft?

In this firecracker of a conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Samara Bay - Hollywood speech coach, bestselling author of Permission to Speak, and a leading voice in helping people reclaim their own.

Samara has coached Oscar-winning actors, p...

In this episode, I’m joined by Carey Davidson, founder of Harmin Labs and author of The Five Archetypes. Carey brings a transformative lens to understanding yourself and others by integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, and behavioral science into a powerful system of self-awareness and relational healing.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive patterns, misunderstood in your relationships, or unsure of how to access ...

Are you gripping tightly to beliefs, behaviors, or identities that are holding you back from becoming who you were designed to be?

In this episode of Unblocked, we're diving deep into the real reasons why letting go feels so hard—even when we know something isn't serving us anymore. We explore the neuroscience, the psychology, and the emotional truth behind why we stay stuck in people-pleasing, scarcity, shame, validation-...

On this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we are joined by the radiant and resilient Dr. Mecca Nelson—a Gold Star spouse, wellness entrepreneur, author, and founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness.

After losing her husband, Army Sergeant Mario Nelson, in 2006, Mecca embarked on a powerful journey of grief, growth, and transformation. In this deeply moving conversation, she opens up about navigating trauma, reconnecting with her...

Have you ever made a decision, stood by it, committed to it, only to later question if it was the right one? Have you ever worried that changing your mind would make you seem flaky, unreliable, or like you failed?

In this episode of Unblocked, we’re tackling the fear and stigma around changing your mind. 

We explore:
 ✅ The real reason changing your mind feels so hard
 ✅ The guilt of breaking a commitment
 ✅ Why staying i...

The biggest thing holding you back isn’t your circumstances but, rather, the way you think about them. In this episode of Unblocked, I'm introducing you to what I call Thought Alchemy. This is the process of transforming your thoughts to create the results you actually want.

This is not about toxic positivity or wishing your way into success. It’s about real, actionable mental rewiring and learning how to shift your thoughts so...

Have you ever felt awkward, guilty, or even unworthy when someone compliments you? Do you instinctively deflect praise or feel like agreeing with it makes you arrogant? If so, you're not alone. Many high achievers, perfectionists, and recovering people-pleasers struggle with receiving recognition without discomfort.

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we break down why praise can feel so uncomfortable and, more im...

In today’s episode, I’m addressing a listener’s reaction to my discussion on B-minus work and why this concept is so misunderstood. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism or felt like you couldn’t put something out into the world unless it was flawless, this episode is for you.

We’ll explore why perfectionism is not the same as excellence, how it actually slows us down, and why allowing B-minus work can lead to better results, ...

Are you trying to do all the things but feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and running 100 miles an hour in different directions? 

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re tackling the buffet mentality. This is that urge to say yes to everything, take on every opportunity, and fill your plate to the brim.

While it might feel like you’re being productive, the truth is, spreading yourself too thin often ...

Fear is something we all experience, but it doesn’t have to stop us. In this episode I cover some powerful ways we can reframe fear and use it as a compass to guide us toward what really matters.

You’ll learn why fear feels so paralyzing, how to ask the right questions to uncover its hidden messages, and practical tools like fear-setting to turn fear into your ally. 

Whether you’re facing a career decision, struggling with self-doubt...

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re diving into what it really takes to break through fear, redefine success, and build a life that feels truly extraordinary.

Joining me is Dr. Lucette Beall. She is a veterinarian, international bestselling author, speaker, and coach who has transformed her own challenges into a life of resilience, purpose, and impact. From surviving cancer as a single parent to navigating financ...

Your year is a book. Are you writing each chapter with intention?

March is here, which means we’re turning the page to Chapter 3 of 12 in our year-long story. Instead of letting life happen to you, this episode will help you reflect, refocus, and reset so you can intentionally create the month you want.

In this episode, we’ll cover:
✔ How to reflect on the previous month and celebrate your progress
✔ How to title your upcomin...

Do you ever feel like there’s a voice in your head constantly whispering, “You’re not good enough”? That’s your inner critic, and it’s time to silence it.

In this episode of Unblocked, I talk about why we all have an inner critic, where it comes from, and, perhaps most importantly, how to stop letting it hold you back.

You’ll learn four powerful tools to rewrite the script in your head and build unstoppable confidence.

Wheth...

Fear of failure can paralyze us, keeping us stuck in inaction and disconnected from our potential. But what if you didn’t need to have it all figured out before starting? What if the secret to success wasn’t perfection but experimentation?

Today’s episode covers how you can overcome fear and build momentum by treating your goals, dreams, and challenges like experiments.

I introduce the powerful D.I.L.I. method to ...

When was the last time you paused to ask yourself: What do I really want?

Not what you think you should want. Not what others expect of you. But what you truly desire. Just for yourself.

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re exploring the power of reconnecting with your deepest desires and dreams. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like you’re just going through the motions, this conversation will guide you b...

Overthinking feels like you're solving problems, but more often than not, it's keeping you stuck. Have you ever replayed decisions over and over in your mind, weighed every possible "what if," or delayed taking action because you weren’t sure it was the perfect choice? You're not alone.

In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we get into how overthinking might be sabotaging your dreams and what you...

Do you ever feel like your emotions are running the show? Maybe you avoid them, resist them, or try to numb them out but deep down, you know they’re not going anywhere.

In today's episode, we’re diving into emotional freedom - what it means, why it matters, and how you can start feeling your feelings without letting them control you.

Emotional freedom isn’t about pretending everything is fine or controlling your emotions. It’s a...

How often do you catch yourself saying, “I’m such a perfectionist,” but not as a complaint, more like a humblebrag? It’s time to get real: perfectionism is not a badge of honor. It’s not helping you strive for excellence. It’s holding you back.

In this episode, we’re diving into the truth about perfectionism:

• Why it’s rooted in fear, not ambition.
• How it sneaks into your life disguised as a virtue.
• The ways it’s sabotaging your pro...