That’s The Beauty of It!
Live a beautiful life regardless of your circumstances. This podcast will address the fundamentals of emotional intelligence and resilience. I will also be inviting guests to share inspirational stories of rising above difficult circumstances and the beauty they discovered in their mess.
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Determined to Beat Depression and Anxiety- With Amie Verhagen
08/28/2023
Determined to Beat Depression and Anxiety- With Amie Verhagen
If you are currently facing the beast of depression and Anxiety, this episode is for you. Join me and my beautiful guest Amie Verhagen as she shares her battles with depression and anxiety and her faith-filled journey to overcoming and making something truly beautiful from it all. I had the privilege of being one of many that helped her during her time in Utah that she mentions in the interview. I was so touched back then by her indominable spirit and light. What a beautiful thing it is to be witness to how far she has come now! Amie Verhagen, is a homeschool mom of two bright young boys & wife to an incredible purpose-driven husband! They currently live in ice-cold Alaska. However, Amie grew up in sub-tropical Asia, and learned to make beauty out of the craziest of life situations. Having struggled through depression, miscarriage, chronic fatigue, and more, Amie on a mission to bring people out of their dark places, light them back up, and infuse them with passion and purpose again. She loves helping people become restored to a vibrant state, in tune with their purpose, and in love with their life -- because "one soul missing makes the world less bright." Here is the link to access the special Amie offered in the episode:
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One Woman's Journey with Trauma and Body Dysmporphia
08/14/2023
One Woman's Journey with Trauma and Body Dysmporphia
This month my podcast is focusing on women and the many challenges they face. This week I an excited to introduce the beautiful Jana Walker. In this episode, she was very brave to share the difficult things she has faced in her life. She shares her journey of wading through childhood trauma and an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. She is a beautiful soul and I am so honored to have her share her story. A bit about Jana: Jana was born in Provo, Utah and currently lives in Utah Valley. She is a wife and mother to three wonderful boys. She has been married for 10 years this past July. Her family is very important to her and she loves the time she gets to spend with them. She is a licensed cosmetologist and has been working on and off for 16 years. She has a Bachelor Degree in Community and Public Health from Utah Valley University. Go Wolverines!!! She has a very creative mind and enjoys music/art festivals, plays, DIY projects, and getting to know people. She enjoys trying new foods, adventures, and traveling. She thinks therapy is cool and everyone should give it a try. She hopes to leave a positive mark on the earth and teach her kids to do the same. She is doing her best to live an authentic life that aligns with her morals, values, and spirituality.
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Faith through Infertility-with Lela Odessa
08/07/2023
Faith through Infertility-with Lela Odessa
This month we are celebrating women and the unique challenges they face in all aspects of their lives. In this weeks' podcast episode, Lela Odessa shares how her faith in God and a determined decision that she was going to be happy no matter what, has helped her navigate some very difficult challenges. She specifically shares her story of facing infertility and all that comes with that. Lela Odessa is a young mother who has navigated through infertility, divorce, single motherhood and so much more. She is a gifted healor and just downright remarkable human.
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Postpartum depression: A Journey of Discovery-With Samantha Flores
07/31/2023
Postpartum depression: A Journey of Discovery-With Samantha Flores
Are you currently suffering from postpartum depression? Or, have you been through it and aren't sure you want to have another child because you are concerned it will happen again? So many women suffer from postpartum and either don't have the right tools and support or don't even know that is what they are dealing with. In this episode we will discuss the signs and the things you can do to navigate this difficult challenge. Samantha Flores is a mom of two and a survivor of postpartum depression. During her time as a new mom in 2017, Samantha discovered that writing helped decrease her symptoms of PPD. Since then, she has become a successful freelance writer specializing in ghostwriting books and blog posts while also helping businesses with email marketing and website content. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2013 followed by her master's degree in 2016. She lives in Texas with her family of 4, plus 3 furbabies. I love how through her unexpected postpartum challenge, Samantha discovered her love and gift for writing. We never know how difficult circumstances can actually help us grow and discover things about ourselves that shape our future forever. @samflores2013 facebook.com/sfwriting
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Facing the Unknown with Compassion-with guest Erin Fleming
07/24/2023
Facing the Unknown with Compassion-with guest Erin Fleming
For over 20 years, Erin has built a career focused on connection, learning, healing, and discovering creativity within conflict. She is grateful for her work experiences as a conventional classroom teacher, alternative education program founder and facilitator, parenting coach, and guest lecturer at organizations and learning institutions. These work experiences have offered Erin a chance to understand the challenges people face and the resilience they can foster when they follow their natural healing and learning processes. Connecting with real people has been humbling and influential in her current work as a compassion mentor. After being diagnosed with a rare lung disease in 2022, Erin made changes to better accommodate her health needs. She is now building her MetaMentoring community around compassionate processes, running a small urban farm with her partner, and unschooling her 3 children. She has written a book about her experience with her disease and deepening compassion through adversity, entitled "Finding Ahimsa". The book will be released 2023.
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Living with chronic pain-with guest Lauren Rose
07/17/2023
Living with chronic pain-with guest Lauren Rose
Are you currenly living with chronic pain or health issues? Those who live with this know it is a difficult path. The most difficult part can be finding purpose and meaning and maintaining a positive outlook in the midst of constant physical pain. In this episode, I bring in a beautiful woman Lauren Rose. Lauren Rose is a disabled wife & mom living with chronic pain, depression, & paralyzing anxiety. She is also a survivor of multiple types of abuse and assault. Last year, she started a podcast & blog as ways for her to put good into the world & encourage others with chronic pain, mental health issues, or previous trauma. She not only offers some great tips to help you cope, but also helps create an understanding of the underlying causes of chronic pain and illness. I loved this interview becuase this topic hits very close to home with my own experience. I hope that you will gain some hope as well as some useful tools to help you in your journey.
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No, you are NOT crazy, Lazy or Broken!
07/03/2023
No, you are NOT crazy, Lazy or Broken!
Have you been really struggling without really understanding why? Or, has life sucker punched you and you just can't seem to get back on your feet? I hear you! I feel you! I see you! I am here to tell you that you are NOT crazy, lazy, or broken because you can't just "snap out of it"! In fact, trying to just "snap out of it" might be doing more harm than good. Join me as we talk about the effects that trauma can have in our daily lives as well as some ideas on how you can get the support you need to heal from trauma and get back to feeling like your best self again. Also, I have an amazing 8 week program I call my Mini Inner Guru Academy that is a wonderful resource and support to give you the foundation you need to become stronger in yourself in spite of any trauma you have faced. My goal in these 8 weeks is to help you get out of survival mode and learn to thrive again! If you want to explore this option further, you can schedule a free discovery call . You can also check out my website here and explore testimonials of those who have worked with me You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
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Set Yourself Up for Success with Health Coach Mandy Mahon
06/12/2023
Set Yourself Up for Success with Health Coach Mandy Mahon
Have you ever tried to release weight and get healthy but ended up frustrated with your results? Join me and health coach Mandy Mahon as we discuss what it really takes to get healthy and stay that way. Mandy Mahon is a Wife, Mother, Dreamer, Crafter, Collector, Musician, Friend to all and Health Coach. She is super excited to share her unconventional story of what led her to be a 310 pound health coach. You can reach Mandy at or at (801)899-5591 Follow on FB at Follow on Instagram at @mandyflorencemahon Schedule a Dream Session Here
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What is Faith, and Why is it Essential? With Host Kara Brandt
06/05/2023
What is Faith, and Why is it Essential? With Host Kara Brandt
Can you imagine creating a beautiful life without faith? I have had a few episodes recently that touch on the principle of faith. So, it has been on my heart to dive deeper into this principle that I believe carries tremendous power. In this episode I explore faith, what it is and why it is so important. I believe that faith is an essential component to the creation process is also a principle of partnership with a higher power. After listening, I would love to hear your thoughts on Faith! Also, you can check out Beautiful Life Mentoring at:
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Trust vs. Faith and Overcoming Addiction with Marisa Shearer
05/29/2023
Trust vs. Faith and Overcoming Addiction with Marisa Shearer
A national survey done in 2021 showed that almost 22% of our population struggles with substance addiction. In this powerful and honest interveiw with the beautiful Marisa Shearer, we explore this disease that affect so many in the world. Her story is so beautiful as she describes how she had to learn how to walk through the fear and act on trust that things were happening for her highest good. As she learned to trust in a power greater than herself, she rose above her disease into a greater awareness and healing. Marisa is a grateful, recovering alcoholic. She began her recovery journey in 2017 and has been sober for just over five years. Getting sober was the hardest thing Marisa has ever done, and she now enjoys inspiring others with her story and lighting the way for people also seeking to move out of the darkness of addiction and find a full, meaningful life through the recovery process. (Thank you for your patience with the audio issues. We actually had all kinds of tech issues so I am grateful we were able to get anything recorded at all! I hope you can look beyond the less than perfect sound and connect to the heart of this episode instead. This is such an important topic and story!)
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Breaking Barriers, with communication expert Erin Woodruff
05/22/2023
Breaking Barriers, with communication expert Erin Woodruff
How much more beautiful could your life be with more meaningful connections? Healthy and effective communication is often the key to creating those connections we crave. We all need this more then ever after the isolation we all experienced during the pandemic. Join me and my special guest Erin Woodruff shares what effective communication looks and sounds like. Erin is a mom, wife, and CEO. She is a certified life coach who helps high-achieving women stay happily married to introverts. As a life coach, Erin helps you reconnect with yourself so you can create the abundant life you’re excited about. She teaches you how to communicate, love unconditionally, and create time for yourself. Erin helps you to uncover limiting beliefs, pitfalls, and other distractions you may not have noticed in your life. Her goal is to help you stop holding yourself back and to stop self-sabotage. Erin believes that you are the only one who can change you, that you are the only one in your own way, and that it’s time to be yourself again. Free Gift from Erin: Contact Erin at
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A Leap of Faith with LuAnn Cooper
05/15/2023
A Leap of Faith with LuAnn Cooper
Some are born into situations that are difficult to comprehend unless you have experienced it yourself. This was the case for my dear friend LuAnn Cooper. Lu Ann Cooper was born and raised in the Kingston polygamist clan. Her father was the leader til he died and now her half brother is the leader. When she was 15 she was married to her first cousin/nephew who was 23 as his 4th wife. And when she was 20 she escaped the group leaving with her two little girls ages 2 and 8 months old. She took a leap of faith leaving everything and everyone she knew not knowing where she would land with education or resources to help her start a new life in the outside world. Please join me for this incredible story of faith and courage! Lu Ann founded a non-profit helping others who have escaped polygamy You can learn more about this non-profit at . or email LuAnn directly at Please note: I want to make a note that not all who practice polygamy have this same experience. I have dear friends in another group that are happy and thriving. There are many different groups out there that have chosen this lifestyle but function very differently. While I wish for justice for all women and children who suffer at the hands of men, I ask you to be respectful of those who choose this lifestyle. These groups are not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
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Do The Thing Anyway with Michelle Steiner
05/08/2023
Do The Thing Anyway with Michelle Steiner
When you are told you can never do the "thing", what do you do? Do it ANYWAY! Well, at least that is what my special guest Michelle Steiner did! Michelle lives with an invisible disability and she was told several times that she would never go to college because of her disability. Well, she not only did the thing, she went above and beyond! Join me for this remarkable story of overcoming! Michelle Steiner has articles published on The Mighty, Non-Verbal Learning Project, Dyscalculia Blog, The Reluctant Spoonie, Imagine the World as one Magazine, Word Gathering, and her blog called Michelle’s Mission. She has had her photographs featured in Word Gathering and Independent and Work Ready. She works as a paraeducator in a school with students with disabilities. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two cats
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Sometimes WE are Messy! And that's the Beauty of US!
05/01/2023
Sometimes WE are Messy! And that's the Beauty of US!
How often do you find yourself feeling embarrassed or shaming yourself for messing up? How confident do you feel trying that thing again in the future? Does that shame, fear, and/or embarrassment cause you to become more timid in your approach to life? Today we get to talk about the power of normalizing our humanity and how important it is to ditch the shame. We all make mistakes. We are all human and that's OKAY! In fact your humanity is a beautiful part of who you are and essential component to your life experience. Join me as we explore the power of normalizing our humanity and stepping into a greater level of grace and love for ourselves and what is! If you would like to know more about the Inner Guru Academy, Click to schedule a free call with Kara
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Everyday I Am Just Deaf with Kellina Powell
04/24/2023
Everyday I Am Just Deaf with Kellina Powell
What would you do if an unexpected challenge changes you forever and will never go away? Well this beautiful guest of mine Kellina Powell has made the most of what she was given and is blessing lives along the way. Kellina is a young entrepreneur who loves to help people with their personal growth and educate others about the deaf community. Little do people know Kellina is actually a hard of hearing person. She became deaf at the age of 4. She recently graduated with a psychology degree and is now starting her own online coaching business while launching her book!
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For the Love of Journaling-With Bex Beltran
04/17/2023
For the Love of Journaling-With Bex Beltran
Have you heard of the benefits of journaling but have resistance to it? Maybe this podcast episode can help you shift your perspective as well as give you some great ideas on how you can start reaping the benefits of journaling sooner than later. Journaling has been a life saver for me in my own healing journey. In this episode, I have invited my friend Bex Beltran to share her love of journaling and how it could possibly be a game-changer for you in your own journey of overcoming. Bex Beltran is a journal creator, resistance coach and podcast host. She believes the only thing that holds us back in our lives is our own resistance, so her work is to help people recognize resistance that is holding them back and release it so they can have what they want. Bex lives in Gilbert AZ with her husband. Her passions include journaling, podcasts, personal development and dogs! You can check out all her goodness at
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The Art of Being
04/10/2023
The Art of Being
Do you ever find yourself living in fear about the future or regret and shame from the past? And, in the process you realize that life is passing you by in the present moment? A vital part of becoming the CEO of your life and overcoming hard things is to learn the art of BEING. In this episode we explore the concept of learning to be fully present in the moment and how this skill could be the very thing that helps you face and overcome whatever comes your way. (Please note: This episode is meant to build up on the episode featuring Daniel Carter in Episode 5: Where Love is Found. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, be sure to tune in!)
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Where Love is Found with Daniel Carter
04/03/2023
Where Love is Found with Daniel Carter
In this episode, Daniel Carter shares his story of overcoming and how it all helped him discover where love was all along. Daniel Carter was born in the sage brush of Idaho and learned to love the unlikely combination of country western music and Caruso’s opera recordings at an early age. At the age of 5, an accident cut a third of his right index finger off. Undeterred, he happily composed his own melodies on any keyboard he came across, since his family didn’t own a piano until he was about 10 years old. His teen years were filled with whatever was playing on the radio and a few false starts at piano lessons. By the time he was a junior in high school, he composed pieces in the style of major composers and decided it was time to get serious about learning piano skills and reading music. It was a struggle to catch up to university level piano performance and technique, but because of his composition skills, he found favor with a few key faculty members who mentored and advocated his abilities. Through the years, Daniel has composed and published hundreds of compositions, with a few titles selling several million copies throughout the world. A few of his pieces have been performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir on their weekly broadcasts of Music and the Spoken Word. In 2012 “Come unto Him” was recorded by The Choir on “This Is the Christ” CD which went to #1 status the first week of its release in June of that year. Daniel lives and works in Ivins, Utah.
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The Truth About The Truth
03/27/2023
The Truth About The Truth
Is looking in the mirror scary to you? Does owning your part or facing the truth about your own pain feel unsafe? This week I get more raw and vulnerable sharing more of my past and what I have come to discover about the truth. This episode was inspired by my interview with Portia Louder from last week. Disclaimer: This is my current perspective based in my own experiences. I never claim to be the holder of truth for anyone. I am on my own journey simply sharing what I discover along the way.
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Living Louder with Portia Louder
03/20/2023
Living Louder with Portia Louder
In this episode we get an inimate peek into the life experience of an amazing woman who learned the power in discovering who she is and owning her part, and the beauty that can come from the mistakes we make. Portia Louder, began her career documenting weddings as a photographer, and became involved in real estate in 2004. Portia was indicted for mortgage fraud and received a 7 year prison sentence. She left her husband Chad, and their 5 children and served 4.5 years in federal prison. Portia opens our eyes and hearts to the real challenges and struggles that people in prison face. She shares an account of compassion, faith and enduring friendships discovered in federal prison. Portia works with at-risk youth, and speaks regularly at prisons and detention centers. She lives in Saratoga Springs, UT with her husband Chad and enjoys a simple life with their children and grandchildren.
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It Was All Perfect!
03/13/2023
It Was All Perfect!
In this episode I give a snapshot view of my journey to finding myself and my purpose, and why it was all perfect for me. I will be sharing more detailed stories over the life of this podcast that are more in context of the topics I will cover. For now, you have a chance to get to know me better and why I do the work that I do.
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That's The Beauty Of It-Season One Trailer
01/24/2023
That's The Beauty Of It-Season One Trailer
Sometimes life is messy and that's the beauty of it! This podcast celebrates the beauty that is born from the ashes of the messy parts of life. Helen Keller once said, "Although the world is full of suffering, it’s also full of the overcoming of it." We will be celebrating powerful stories of overcoming and the beauty that can be found in the mess. I will also be sharing effective and practical tools you can use to rise above the mess, and create a beautiful life regardless of your circumstances.
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Sometimes Life Is Messy, And THAT'S The Beauty Of It!
03/06/2023
Sometimes Life Is Messy, And THAT'S The Beauty Of It!
How different would your life be if you could take anything that comes your way, with grace and optimism, and create something truly beautiful from it? In this first episode of this podcast we open the discussion about this idea of overcoming. What does it really mean to overcome those hard things and make something beautiful from them? And,... we also touch on the possibility that you can create a beautiful life NOW regardless of your circumstances.
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