How You Can Find Hope After Hitting Rock Bottom
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Aaron Ryan, a best-selling author who has navigated the highs and lows of a creative career. Aaron shares his deeply personal journey, from his early days in the toxic "Illuminati" of the voiceover world to the devastating breakdown that became his greatest breakthrough. He reveals the story of hitting rock bottom, crying on his bathroom floor, and clinging to the one quote that kept him going: "The temptation to quit is always greatest just before your greatest success." Aaron offers invaluable wisdom on overcoming imposter syndrome, the profound joy of...
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How Listening to My Body's Intuition Changed My Health
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Rebecca Russell, a metabolism and lifestyle coach who turned her own health crises into a calling. After receiving a prediabetes warning and later battling a debilitating, multi-year struggle with chronic pain that led to a fibromyalgia diagnosis, Rebecca rejected the traditional path of symptom management. She shares her journey of listening to her body, doing her own "homework," and demanding answers until she found the true root cause of her suffering. Rebecca reveals how she reclaimed her life through a holistic approach, using natural solutions like...
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Why Successful Entrepreneurs Set Boundaries
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Chris Shurian, a self-proclaimed "entrepreholic" who has spent 39 years building, operating, breaking, and resurrecting companies. Chris shares his story of achieving massive success only to face financial devastation during the 2008 recession. He reveals the mindset of an entrepreholic (where chasing new business opportuntities and building companies feels addicting) and how that can be both a superpower and a critical weakness. Chris explains why life balance isn't a luxury but a core business strategy, and how setting firm boundaries from day one is the...
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The Art of True Connection in a Lonely World
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Dr. Anthony Silard, a professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology and author of Love and Suffering. Dr. Silard dives into the modern epidemic of loneliness, revealing the surprising fact that the youngest generation is now the loneliest. He shares his powerful framework for breaking the "emotional chains" that hold us back, distinguishing between the negative pull of loneliness and the positive strength of solitude. Dr. Silard challenges the cliché of "forgive and forget," offering a new model where forgiveness is for personal development, but...
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Are You Avoiding Failure or Guaranteeing It?
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Mark DeCarlo, an Emmy-winning comedian and author who makes a compelling case that the most important job you have is to be happy. Mark shares how a near-death experience in high school completely reoriented his life, teaching him to use happiness as the ultimate "North Star" for every decision. He argues that fear is always self-destructive and that failure isn't just an option: it's a requirement for discovering your purpose. Mark offers a simple yet profound framework for identifying what truly brings you joy and challenges the myth that you have to suffer...
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Why Young Adults Are More Stuck Than Ever
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Joanna Lilley, a therapeutic consultant who specializes in helping "emerging adults" navigate the overwhelming transition into adulthood. Joanna explains why today's young people are more anxious and "stuck" than ever, often feeling paralyzed by too many choices and a lack of external structure after college. She offers a compassionate yet direct roadmap for both parents and young adults, tackling tough questions like: Will your child be able to survive without you? And is that a real boundary or just distress intolerance? Joanna provides several strategies...
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How to Trust Your Intuition After Trauma
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Mandi Pratt, a speaker and self-leadership expert who turned a life-shattering crisis into a powerful mission. Mandi shares the harrowing story of leaving an abusive marriage only to discover her ex-husband was wanted by the FBI for a string of bank robberies, a plot twist that left her feeling completely burned to the ground. She reveals her raw and honest journey of moving from constant survival mode to a life of clarity, confidence, and inner stability. Mandi explains why trusting your intuition is a critical survival skill and offers practical tools, like...
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How to Reclaim Your Energy When You're Burned Out
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Dianne Andree, an award-winning speaker and burnout prevention specialist who shares her own journey of standing on the brink of exhaustion. After years in education and leadership, Dianne realized the "hurry culture" and a constant pressure to achieve were draining her energy and purpose. She reveals how she learned to fight back against burnout not just with self-care, but by harnessing the “power of pause,” setting firm boundaries, and learning to say no in order to say yes to what truly matters. Dianne offers practical strategies for high performers...
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The Hidden Tactics Narcissists Use to Control You
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Jackie Miller, a high-conflict divorce coach who shares her own story of surviving a 16.5-year narcissistic marriage. Jackie details the nature of covert abuse, from the "frog in boiling water" beginning to the complete financial control that left her feeling trapped and erased. She reveals how the abuse escalated post-separation, with her ex-husband weaponizing the legal system to continue his campaign of control. Jackie shares her rock-bottom moment wandering her backyard in a daze, and the powerful epiphany that allowed her to see the manipulation for the...
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How to Find Purpose in Your Biggest Struggles
Phoenix and Flame Podcast
In this episode, Dana is joined by Holly Kostrzewski, an international keynote speaker whose life was first shattered by a traumatic brain injury at 18 that forced her to relearn how to walk, talk, and read. Just as she rebuilt her life, she faced a second "burn" when her father became a paraplegic, thrusting her into the role of a caretaker. Holly shares her powerful story of resilience and how losing her federal job became the third flame that forged her true calling. She introduces her "Junk Drawer" philosophy—a transformative guide to stop hiding the hard parts of our lives and instead...
info_outlineWhy do women tend to resist "shooting their shot?" In this generation of female empowerment, why arent' more ladies putting it out there and going after what they want? This episode examines why and how to change that dynamic.