The Cost of Control: Healing Communication at Home and in the Boardroom with Tressa Yonekawa
Release Date: 07/01/2025
Reviving Human Connection in Sales with Sam Wakefield
The Story Engine Podcast
In a world dominated by clicks, funnels, and automation, is it possible we’ve lost the human touch? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Sam Wakefield, a sales expert and personal development leader who’s on a mission to bring door-to-door sales back into industries that have become overly reliant on digital marketing. Sam shares why face-to-face conversations are still one of the most powerful ways to build trust, how he’s reframing “old school” sales for modern markets, and why genuine human connection is a sales strategy that never goes out of style. If...
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Reinventing Coaching with Click Coach featuring Mitch Russo
The Story Engine Podcast
The coaching world is booming—but most platforms only make the business side more complicated. What if you had a tool that didn’t just organize your coaching practice, but actually made you a better coach? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mitch Russo, serial entrepreneur and founder of multiple software and coaching companies. Mitch introduces Click Coach, a powerful new platform designed to streamline the coaching process while helping coaches consistently deliver on the results they promise. We explore the unique features that set Click Coach apart, the...
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Unlocking the Power of Your Story with Amanda Johnson
The Story Engine Podcast
Every story you tell—whether on stage, in a book, or in a conversation—has the power to change how people see you, themselves, and what’s possible. But often, we miss the deeper truths in our own stories until someone reflects them back to us. On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Amanda Johnson, a master storyteller who helps people uncover new possibilities by expressing their truth in talks and books. Together, we explore Amanda’s own story while also unpacking practical storytelling strategies you can apply right away. From reframing limiting beliefs to...
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Finding Calm: Overcoming High Achiever Anxiety with Dr. Patricia Zurita-Ona
The Story Engine Podcast
High achievers often look successful on the outside—yet underneath, anxiety, self-doubt, and pressure can take a heavy toll. What if the very drive that fuels achievement could also lead to peace and calm, instead of burnout? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Patricia Zurita-Ona, a clinical psychologist who specializes in helping ambitious leaders and high performers break free from the cycles of fear and worry. Dr. Patricia shares why high achievers are especially prone to anxiety, the hidden ways it shows up, and how her approach empowers people to cultivate...
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Transforming Leaders Through Fitness with Mycal Anders
The Story Engine Podcast
What if fitness wasn’t just about building muscle or burning calories—but about reshaping the way you lead, work, and live? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mycal Anders, a fitness coach who helps high achievers and executives create total life transformation through the discipline of fitness. Mycal shares why training the body is the gateway to unlocking clarity, resilience, and purpose, and how his approach goes far beyond the gym to impact leadership, relationships, and mindset. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or simply someone striving for...
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Simplifying Business Systems with Lisza Crisalle
The Story Engine Podcast
Entrepreneurs often find themselves juggling too many platforms—emails, landing pages, websites, and social media—leaving them stuck in complexity instead of flow. What if you could bring all of that under one roof and create more freedom, ease, and simplicity in your business? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Lisza Crisalle, an expert at streamlining systems and building automation that supports growth without the overwhelm. Lisza shares her philosophy on simplifying business, her approach to integrating tools seamlessly, and how entrepreneurs can reclaim...
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From Grief to Joy: Alisa Cooper’s Cocoon to Butterfly Journey
The Story Engine Podcast
How do you move from the depths of grief to a life of joy, purpose, and transformation? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Alisa Cooper, founder of Cocoon to Butterfly—a movement, program, and experience designed to guide people through the painful seasons of loss and help them emerge with renewed hope and joy. Alisa shares her deeply personal journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the practices that allow her to support others on their own paths of transformation. This conversation is as much about resilience as it is about healing. Whether...
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Turning Fear Into Strength with Akshay Nanavati
The Story Engine Podcast
What if fear, stress, and even pain weren’t enemies to overcome—but powerful allies? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Akshay Nanavati, founder and author of Fearvana. Akshay has built his life and mission around transforming our relationship with negative emotions—teaching us how to channel fear, struggle, and discomfort into fuel for growth, clarity, and resilience. Drawing from his own extraordinary experiences, including life-threatening adventures and personal battles, Akshay shares his process for reframing fear and using it as a compass instead of a...
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Fighter Pilot Lessons & Divine Guidance with Ed Rush
The Story Engine Podcast
What if you could get clarity on life’s biggest decisions—not by overthinking, but by listening? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Ed Rush, former fighter pilot, serial entrepreneur, and bestselling author. Ed shares powerful stories from his time in the cockpit and the boardroom, and reveals the unique process he uses to talk to God and receive insights that guide his most important life and business choices. Whether or not you consider yourself spiritual, Ed’s approach offers practical tools for gaining clarity, tuning into intuition, and taking bold action....
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Storytelling Secrets for Startup Pitches with Ben Wiener
The Story Engine Podcast
What if the key to winning over investors wasn’t just in your numbers—but in the story you tell? On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Ben Wiener, author of Fever Pitch, a fictional story crafted to teach startup founders how to captivate investors. Ben shares why so many pitches fail, how storytelling bridges the gap between vision and funding, and why a well-told narrative often matters as much as your deck or financials. We dive into the storytelling formula behind Fever Pitch, why founders struggle to get their message across, and how investors can use this book...
info_outlineWhat if the traits that made you successful are the same ones sabotaging your most important relationships?
In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, communication coach and culture consultant Tressa Yonekawa unpacks the deeper truths behind high-performing leaders who struggle with connection, both in business and at home. Tressa shares how early childhood dynamics shape our ability to relate, how high-achievers often create chaos without realizing it, and why rapid transformation doesn’t always require a 10-year process. She also reflects on her own journey—from toxic partnerships to conscious communication—and offers simple but profound tools to create real connection, even in the most high-stakes relationships.
Whether you're leading a team, building a brand, or simply trying to relate more authentically, this episode offers a mirror for transformation.
In The Episode:
(01:20) Tressa shares how 30 years in corporate culture shaped her work with high-profile couples and leaders.
(04:31) The common root cause behind high-performer burnout and misaligned communication.
(06:18) How ego and perfectionism show up in business—and why they keep your team from taking ownership.
(11:42) Tressa’s unorthodox approach: why change doesn’t need a process, it needs clarity.
(13:09) The “hallway moment”: a raw story of verbal abuse that sparked a complete life transformation.
(21:04) A breath, a pause, and the power of relational tools—how one miscommunication turned into healing.
(23:16) Rebuilding a broken business partnership—what it takes to come back stronger and more aligned.
(31:00) Kyle reflects Tressa’s story back to her in a signature distillation—see how the narrative transforms when it’s truly seen.
(34:00) Tressa shares her final thoughts on reflection, healing, and the importance of being heard.