264. This isn't the vulnerability you think | Flipping the leadership paradigm with Cortney McDermott
Release Date: 03/23/2026
268. Awaken Your Purpose, Elevate Your Leadership! Interview with Suzanne Adams
Happy Whole You
In this uplifting conversation, Suzanne Adams joins the Happy Whole You podcast to share her powerful spiritual awakening story and how it led her to support heart-centered leaders and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. She describes the moment in 2013 when “time froze,” catalyzing a journey from numbing and surface-level happiness into deep soul alignment, self-love, and quantum manifestation. Suzanne and Dr. Anna Marie explore playing by two “rule books” in life—the limiting matrix vs. the quantum field of possibility—how to recognize which one you’re in, and practical ways to shift...
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267. Cecilia: Women Life & Science
Happy Whole You
In this episode of the Happy Whole You podcast, Dr. Anna Marie talks with Cecilia Zapata-Harms, the founder of Women Life and Science, Inc., about how a synchronistic moment turned a simple idea into a podcast, a nonprofit, and an annual conference and retreat for women in science and beyond. Cecilia shares the story of how she went from casually imagining a show for “regular women” to building a growing community, navigating fears, doubts, and logistics along the way, and creating programs that support women from high school through entrepreneurship. Key Points: How a commute-time...
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266. Intuition, Manifestation & Inner Alignment with Renée Walker
Happy Whole You
In this episode of the Happy Whole You Podcast, Dr. Anna Marie and Renée Walker dive into intuition, manifestation, and what it really means to co-create with a higher power. Renée shares her 20+ year journey from living by expectations to reconnecting with her inner knowing, and offers grounded, practical ways to slow down, tune into intuition, and navigate fear as we expand into our next level. Key Points: Renee’s journey from “doing what’s expected” to spiritual and mindset teaching Intuition as a constant conversation with a higher power/energy Why intuition is easiest to...
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265. 4000 Mondays: Live better by acknowledging you will not live forever! with Jodi Wellman
Happy Whole You
In this episode, the Dr. Anna Marie with Jodi Wellman, founder of 4000 Mondays, about using the reality of our mortality as a powerful motivator to actually live. Drawing from her personal story of losing her mother, her work in positive psychology, and the concept of “memento mori,” Jodi explains how acknowledging death can wake us up from autopilot, help us savor ordinary moments, and push us to avoid “pre-grets”—the regrets we’re on track to have if we don’t course-correct now. They explore savoring past, present, and future, living both wider (more fun, vitality) and deeper...
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264. This isn't the vulnerability you think | Flipping the leadership paradigm with Cortney McDermott
Happy Whole You
In this conversation, Dr. Anna Marie, with Cortney, unpacks and reframes what vulnerability truly is—shifting it from oversharing, venting, or seeking validation to a deeper state of relaxation, safety, and authenticity in ourselves and with others. They explore how this redefinition transforms leadership, client work, and relationships, emphasizing that real vulnerability begins with being honest and gentle with ourselves. The discussion also offers practical ways to notice tension in the body, create inner safety, and use pause and non-reaction as powerful leadership tools. Key...
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263. Healing Your Gut by Addressing the Root Cause with Dr. Sameer Islam
Happy Whole You
If you are tired of treating symptoms without real answers, this conversation challenges how you see modern medicine. You are invited to look beyond prescriptions and quick fixes and start asking why your body is reacting in the first place. Stress, lifestyle, and inflammation often sit at the center of gut issues like IBS, reflux, and chronic discomfort. You will hear why fiber, sleep, movement, and community matter more than most people realize. Rising gut disorders and colon cancer in younger adults make prevention and early awareness critical. Instead of labeling yourself by a diagnosis,...
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262. Why Most Leadership Models Are Broken And What Actually Works with Anthony Cudio
Happy Whole You
In this powerful, high-frequency conversation, Dr. Anna Marie welcomes back Anthony, a transformational coach who has spent nearly three decades helping people optimize their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Building on their earlier episode together (“Unlocking the Code of Human Potential” – Episode 229), they explore new paradigms of personal development that help leaders and individuals step into who they were truly designed to be. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: How your words, thoughts, and beliefs shape your health, finances, and relationships Why...
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261. What Your Body Knows That Your Mind Has Been Ignoring with Jen Aks
Happy Whole You
In this episode of the Happy Whole You Podcast, Jen Aks shares her powerful journey from feeling “not smart enough” in a test-score-driven world to reclaiming her innate wisdom and creating a body-based practice that helps others do the same. She and the host explore multiple forms of intelligence—kinesthetic, emotional, and somatic—while challenging the old stories that keep us small. Jen also guides a simple, hands-on somatic exercise live on the show to demonstrate how we can listen to and love our bodies, calm our nervous systems, and reconnect with our authentic selves. Key...
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260. Can You Drink Wine and Still Lose Weight: The Science with Melanie Avalon
Happy Whole You
What if optimizing your health is less about guessing and more about testing? You explore the science behind diet and intermittent fasting while learning why food quality, timing, and even your wine choices matter more than most people think. The focus shifts toward intentional living—where data, not trends, guides your next move. You’ll also look into practical biohacking tools you can actually use, from blue light blockers and red light therapy to continuous glucose monitors and cold exposure. The big idea is simple: when you measure what’s happening inside your body, you make smarter...
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259. The Becoming Years (Part 7): Success After 40
Happy Whole You
In this final episode of The Becoming Years series, the conversation reframes midlife as an identity shift and powerful invitation rather than a breakdown. Dr. Anna Marie explores loneliness among high-achieving women, the impact of nervous system burnout, and how changing bodies and roles call for new ways of living. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize self-care, deepen relationships through honest conversations, and courageously pursue what they truly desire in the second half of life. Practical reflection tools—like the “seven whys” exercise—are shared to help uncover deeper...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Dr. Anna Marie, with Cortney, unpacks and reframes what vulnerability truly is—shifting it from oversharing, venting, or seeking validation to a deeper state of relaxation, safety, and authenticity in ourselves and with others. They explore how this redefinition transforms leadership, client work, and relationships, emphasizing that real vulnerability begins with being honest and gentle with ourselves. The discussion also offers practical ways to notice tension in the body, create inner safety, and use pause and non-reaction as powerful leadership tools.
Key Points:
- Vulnerability is deep relaxation and safety in the presence of others.
- It is not gossip, oversharing, or “airing dirty laundry.”
- Many confuse vulnerability with venting and victimhood to get validation.
- True vulnerability means sharing without needing validation or agreement.
- In leadership, vulnerability is a calm, grounded presence in any context.
- People are drawn to leaders who feel safe, relaxed, and steady.
- Real vulnerability starts with being honest and gentle with yourself first.
- Your body’s tension or relaxation is a key signal of safety or misalignment.
- You don’t have to respond immediately—there is power in pause and silence.
- “Don’t give it oxygen”: choosing not to fuel drama or reactivity is a core vulnerable leadership move.
About Cortney McDermott:
Cortney McDermott is an award-winning author and speaker and celebrity coach. Her work in self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women’s Health, NBC, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and SUCCESS, and her talks on human potential have been shared on stages including TEDx, Mindvalley, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.
With a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, Cortney blends academic rigor with real-world experience to help individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Her career highlights include executive roles at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and successfully running her own businesses, where she has worked with brands such as Universal Music Group, Nike, Kickstarter, and Google.
Fluent in four languages, Cortney splits her time between Italy and the US.
Connect with Cortney:
Connect with Anna:
Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com
Website: www.happywholeyou.com / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou
Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com
Instagram: @happywholeyou
Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie
Facebook: Happy Whole You
LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank
Venmo: @happywholeyou