Figuring It Out

We may only be one person but through compassion, inquisition, and developing a deeper understanding of the world, people, and culture around us, together, we can create change. Welcome to Figuring It Out, the podcast where wellness means living well in a way that feels authentic to our individuality. I'm your host Hailey, a multi-passionate 30-something, navigating the twists and turns (the highs and the lows) of life right there with you and trying to...well...you guessed it Figure it out. Together, we'll dive into the topics that can help us really live well and all the little things that bring us joy along the way. I hope you walk away from each episode with something that can help you make this one life you’ve got great. I'm so glad you're here.

Modern relationships, the delicate balance of boundaries and compromise, and vulnerability for deeper intimacy and happiness with Charisse Cooke 05/09/2025

Modern relationships, the delicate balance of boundaries and compromise, and vulnerability for deeper intimacy and happiness with Charisse Cooke Charisse Cooke is a London-based psychotherapist and author who specializes in attachment theory. With over 20 years of experience, she uses her expertise in relationship dynamics to help people develop healthy bonds. Her approach is rooted in compassion and understanding, and she offers practical strategies for managing negative thoughts and improving nonverbal communication. She is also an online educator with a mission to mend the fabric of relationships through understanding and emotional resilience. Charisse’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in adult attachment theory, offering a compassionate lens through which to view and transform one’s relational universe. Modern dating dynamics and how relationships have changed during her 20 years of working with couples and how roles have shifted as the socio economic climate has changed, specifically around the change for men Shifting standards and expectations as we settle down in life later and how to bring two individual, independent lives together successfully Why self-awareness and courage are so important so that you can understand your own behaviors and feelings within the context of your relationship but also express vulnerability and assert your own needs. How to recognize emotional patterns and understand how your past experiences may play a role in shaping your present interactions Common reactions to vulnerability, including stonewalling and how to get more comfortable with being vulnerable to unlock more potential from your relationship The power of open communication What a healthy relationship looks like and how to ensure yours is on the right path We explore the delicate balance between boundaries and compromise, the emotional labor, and how joy and pain can both provide opportunities for growth /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/36506055

What I’m loving lately, building more confidence at work, and a holiday mindset 05/02/2025

Unpacking subconscious stories, intentional growth, and aligning your mindset with your behaviors for an expansive life with with Megan Shekleton 04/25/2025

Unpacking subconscious stories, intentional growth, and aligning your mindset with your behaviors for an expansive life with with Megan Shekleton Megan is a certified Life + Leadership Coach who empowers leaders and founders to achieve their wider visions through internal and external transformation. With expertise in breathwork, meditation, and subconscious mindset modalities, she helps clients, whether it be in their careers, businesses, relationships, or any other area of their life that they are wanting to create transformation in, break past feelings of being stuck and unlock their full potential. As a 3x founder and entrepreneur with 10+ years of experience in brand strategy and marketing, Megan brings a unique blend of corporate and entrepreneurial insight to her coaching practice. She has partnered with incredible women like Alex Elle, Taryn Toomey of the Class, Tiffany Aliche of The Budgetnista, the founders of Glow Recipe and with brands like Athleta, Bumble, PureWow and Kendra Scott. If you’re on the precipice of transformation, are craving a different vision for your life or are trying to get unstuck from the stories you tell yourself that are holding you back… If you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, unclear, dissatisfied, craving something bigger, know that you’re on the precipice of transformation, yearning for something more, feeling tension and you don’t know where it’s coming from. This episode is for you. Developing a deep sense of self to find more satisfaction, success and joy How ‘should’ can block us from getting in tune and identifying what we really want Hitting pause and engaging in deep self exploration to feel more expansive How she’s creating accessibility to coaching tools for transformation Coaching vs. therapy and how coaching helps you look at where you are right now and define where you want to go Mindset management, nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and behavioral alignment Getting curious about the stories that you tell yourself and not accept the first story Quieting the loud inner critic, non-linear iterative growth, Attaching our worth to external markers of success and what to do when it’s all stripped away How to embark on big transformation and how to identify when you’re on the precipice and explore your desires 5 tools she keeps in her tool box /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/36306305

What I loved about my wedding and what I would have done differently 04/16/2025

Mastering your mind and mental narratives to beat overwhelm and anxiety using the CRATE Method with Dessy Levinson 03/19/2025

Mastering your mind and mental narratives to beat overwhelm and anxiety using the CRATE Method with Dessy Levinson Dessy T. Levinson is an executive strategist and relational integration coach, creator of the CRATE Framework for cognitive and emotional resilience, and founder of . Drawing from over two decades of experience across advertising, venture capital, and high-performance coaching, she helps leaders navigate complexity and transform overwhelm into flow. Her approach combines deep psychological insight with practical business acumen, enabling individuals and teams to achieve lasting change through narrative and emotional alignment. She lives in the New York area with her husband and teen children. "We are not thinking creatures who feel; we are feeling organisms who happen to think." - This quote from Damasio is highlighted to illustrate the relationship between emotions and reasoning. The feeling of overwhelm, how to work with our emotions and what different emotions feel like in the body How we naturally navigate and perceive the world based off our previous experiences and interactions but why that might actually get in our way by inventing fear Our brain works and is basically a predictive machine that is trying to orient to what is relevant, we can start to control our reactions Examining traumatic narrative to reshape and build more sufficiently sound models to serve our experiences better Tapping into our emotions and feelings to navigate the negative moments with more ease and better use signals to orient ourselves in the world How our nervous system processes intensity and pressure and how to manage compounding pressure and intensity to better support your health especially for women in a modern world The CRATE framework to help regulate and manage stress and overwhelm and the value of getting in the flow state Testing our assumptions, recognizing true fear response and what is not, and building more trust in ourselves so we’re prepared to tackle whatever life throws our way /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/35722660

It’s not you it’s me - how I shifted my dating mindset and met my husband, lessons from my first year of marriage, and what I’m loving lately 02/14/2025

The power of acupuncture to support fertility with Erika Prinz Ben-Zur 02/06/2025

How I want to feel in 2025, how I set realistic goals and what I’m loving lately 01/31/2025

Transforming cravings, navigating beauty standards, and getting in touch with your unique needs using intuitive eating with Lula Brown 01/22/2025

Transforming cravings, navigating beauty standards, and getting in touch with your unique needs using intuitive eating with Lula Brown Lula Brown is a holistic health and intuitive eating coach. She uses personal experience, compassion and experience to guide women to break free from restrictive eating to develop a healthier, more positive relationship with food and their bodies. She empowers her clients to cultivate self-trust, self-care and a more positive body image helping them heal years of programming and live a happier, more content and meaningful life. We cover a lot of ground, everything from transforming cravings, the dangers of dieting, discovering your body’s unique needs and desires, to overcoming beauty standards, navigating diet myths, and unlocking the mind body connection… I feel really connected to this conversation from my own experiences over the years. During our conversation we discuss: The societal pressure to look a certain way, the noise around “what to eat” and why embracing our individual super powers and unique qualities is empowering to living more freely. What intuitive eating is and the common challenges that people face when they try to adopt intuitive eating How restrictive eating can cause symptoms beyond mental health and can actually have physical manifestations and cause hormonal issues. Why wanting to look and feel good doesn’t have to be at odds with intuitive eating - it’s actually a very normal, human thing. The principles of intuitive eating and practical ways to break free from restrictive eating to cultivate self-awareness around your. The power of getting in touch with yourself and your own unique needs is the key to unlocking the power and benefits of intuitive eating. The connection between intuitive eating, self-care, and body positivity and how intuitive eating can lead to increased self-trust, acceptance and well-being. Lula also shares her very personal experience in the health and wellness space and how she used intuitive eating to heal physically, spiritually, and emotionally. /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/34954865

Top 10 What I’m Loving Lately from 2024, making hard pivots softs and what I want more of in 2025 01/13/2025

Navigating the world of ‘wellness products’, the importance of muscle for longevity, with Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz 12/18/2024

Navigating the world of ‘wellness products’, the importance of muscle for longevity, with Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, also known as Dr. Swathi, is an award-winning pharmacist passionate about the intersection of personalized medicine and healthcare innovation. With experience spanning patient care, biotech, clinical research, academia, and CPG, Dr. Swathi has paved the way for healthcare professionals to pursue non-traditional career paths through creating postdoctoral training programs, industry internships, and online educational programs. Dr. Swathi founded and runs Varanasi & company, a full-service consulting and advisory group for healthtech and CPG companies. She has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and featured in Yahoo, mindbodygreen, Well+Good, Self, Men's Health, Entrepreneur, Forbes Health, and more. In 2023, Dr. Swathi was voted one of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy. Dr. Swathi received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the Medical University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Carleton College. She is the first pharmacist in the United States with formal postdoctoral residency training specializing in integrative medicine and preventative health. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Affairs in biotech and a nutrition certificate from Cornell University. We discuss: Her unique career path at the intersection of integrative medicine, pharmacy and entrepreneurship and how you can follow your curiosity to find work that fits your passions and skills How she manages her time working with so many different companies The value of integrative medicine and the importance of creating your own definition of what health and wellness means The many lifestyle factors that can be tested before supplements or medication if we really look at the whole person The work she does with CPG companies, how she decides what type of companies she works with and what YOU should look for when choosing supplements, snacks and other wellness products to ensure they’re safe and meet efficacy standards Why she keeps her wellness practices simple, how to pick the ones that work for you and that Instagram isn’t reality The critical role of muscle for longevity and quality of life but the recognition that it’s part of a multi-faceted approach that includes nutrition, movement and mindfulness. Common misconceptions about health including nutrition, supplements, and exercise Practical tips for everyday life and how you can take charge of your health by understanding, asking questions and the science to make informed choices that work for you. /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/34500350

Reclaiming connection & building meaningful relationship in a digital world with Palak Dave 12/11/2024

Holiday visitors, travel essentials, sondering and what I’m loving lately 12/09/2024

How to make a career change, navigating imposter syndrome and building confidence with Lindsay Coleman 12/04/2024

How to make a career change, navigating imposter syndrome and building confidence with Lindsay Coleman This episode is extra special because today’s guest is the real estate agent who helped my husband and I find our first home. I won’t get into the whole story about how we met her but needless to say, you never know who you can meet when you’re open to making connections. A random encounter led to us finding Lindsay. Not only did she seamlessly guide us through the homebuying process, making us feel comfortable every step of the way, we’ve also become friends! Lindsay made a huge career change from software sales to real estate during COVID after realizing she was unhappy with the status quo. After taking all of the necessary steps, cold calling and putting herself out there she landed a job with the Kirsten Jordan team at Douglas Elliman where she is a rising star in the industry and contributed to over $35MM in real estate transactions. But this conversation isn’t all about real estate, it’s about taking that scary leap into something new, trusting your instincts and claiming your confidence to be in a job that feels right. If you’ve ever had that gut feeling telling you “this isn’t right” then this conversation is for you. We discuss What inspired her to make a big career change, how self reflection helped her figure out what the next step would be and considerations everyone should take into account when assessing their own situation if they’re in an unsatisfying job How she knew it was the right time to take the leap The value of transferable skills and how she applied her sales experience to her new career Navigating imposter syndrome and using what she knows to be true to build confidence How she takes care of herself with a busy and demanding schedule Building a support system of like-minded people for inspiration and advice The challenges of maintaining work-life balance in a flexible work environment and strategies for time management and effectively structuring the day Real estate market insights and trends including what to consider when you’re looking to buy a home Lindsay reminds us that it’s never too late to make a change and pursue the things that you feel passionate about if you just take the right next step. /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/34281800

Mineral imbalances, modern diets, supplements and the path to optimal wellness with Dr. Chris Melestis 11/27/2024

The dress didn’t fit, seasons of life, and what I’m loving lately 11/25/2024

Launching a business with a full-time job, entrepreneurship, and healthier snacking with David Jacobowitz of Nebula Snacks 11/20/2024

Launching a business with a full-time job, entrepreneurship, and healthier snacking with David Jacobowitz of Nebula Snacks David Jacobowitz is a marketer turned chocolatier…well actually he impressively still does both. He is the founder and sole employee of Nebula snacks. As a self-proclaimed super snacker he found himself taking his sweet tooth to the next level, and maybe a bit too far during COVID….experiencing weight gain, poor sleep and inflammation due to excess sugar intake. It was through this that he had the idea to create Nebula a chocolate free of sugar, sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. It took him three years of experimenting to develop his treat for today’s conscious super snacker - chocolate that delivers the flavor without the sugar. Launched at the end of 2021, Nebula Snacks started with two zero sugar chocolate bars, a dark and an oat milk chocolate. While many enjoyed the chocolates, there was a plethora of feedback from the crew requesting smaller sizes and exciting flavors. Back to the drawing board, it took nearly a full additional year to create the new Nebula Zero Sugar Added Chocolate Bites! He invites us all to join the sweet rebellion and fight for a healthier snacking future. During our conversation we discuss: Falling into entrepreneurship, his journey into the hustle life, and transitioning from marketing to launching his own chocolate brand How his late night COVID chocolate binges, a passion for snacking and a spark of an idea and turning it into a business How he balances his time having a full-time job and being the only employee of Nebula snacks Why he wanted to create a low sugar chocolate that’s free from artificial ingredients, which ingredients he uses and the trial and error creating the recipe - how he created the mint flavor is fascinating Gathering customer feedback to define the products and brand The obstacles he faced in starting a business, embracing a learning mindset to navigate the food industry, and learning how to handle a “no” The importance of surrounding yourself with likeminded people and how he leans on fellow entrepreneurs for learning opportunities especially around brand building His future aspirations for Nebula snacks Use code FIO at checkout at Nebulasnacks.com to receive 15% off. LINKS: /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/34032742

Holiday Gift Guides 11/19/2024

A mindset shift bring back the holiday magic, my gift giving strategy, tips for finding the perfect gift…stress free! 11/18/2024

Replay - Tuning in with your intention and purpose to thrive in your career and life with Amina AlTai 11/13/2024

Anxiety take over, what I’m loving lately, and how to look & feel like your best self (it’s not what you think) 11/11/2024

FBF - The Power of When, Discovering Your Chronotype, and quality sleep with The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus 11/08/2024

FBF - The Power of When, Discovering Your Chronotype, and quality sleep with The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus Dr. Michael Brues has found the perfect science to tell us how to schedule our lives for optimization through our chronotype and how we sleep -- like when to run, eat a cheeseburger, ask for a raise and even….when to have sex. His book the Power of When presents a groundbreaking new program for getting back in sync with your natural rhythm by making minor changes to your daily routine including SLEEP. is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is one of only 168 psychologists in the world to have passed the Sleep Medical Speciality board without going to Medical School. Dr. Breus was recently named the by Reader’s Digest, and one of the . Dr. Breus is on the clinical advisory board of and so much more. During the episode we talk about: The impact of 2020 stress ie presidential election and COVID have been negatively affecting the average American’s sleep schedule this past year How you could wake up NATURALLY at the exact same time every day That quantity of sleep is actually less important than quality of sleep and how your chronotype can tell you what you need Finding the perfect time to have sex, eat a cheeseburger, go for a run and even ask for a raise by knowing your chronotype and improving your sleep Treating sleep disorders through lifestyle changes before turning to medication and how to identify where to start for yourself Of course we talk about exercises, supplements, and reputable supplement brands conducive to healthy living, and quality sleep There are no rules when it comes to sleep, or anything in our life. It’s all about reflecting upon yourself, listening to your body, your mind, and learning from past experience. Get in Touch with Dr. Breus Stay in Touch with Me: Books Supplements Podcast /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/33846562

Finding a root cause approach for women’s gut health, hormones, and integrative nutrition with Anna Brown 11/06/2024

Resilience, softening, and what I’m loving & wishing for lately 11/04/2024

Strengthening your inner voice, overcoming imposter syndrome and cultivating more self-esteem with Dr. Simone Alicia, “The Self Esteem Doctor” 10/30/2024

Strengthening your inner voice, overcoming imposter syndrome and cultivating more self-esteem with Dr. Simone Alicia, “The Self Esteem Doctor” Dr. Simone Alicia, The Self Esteem Doctor, is an internationally recognized authority on self-esteem, renowned TV subject matter expert, and award-winning motivational speaker. The #1 secret to her success is her commitment to unveiling underutilized empowerment tools and little-known methodologies that deliver extraordinary results. With a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Science, a specialization in Holistic Life Coaching, and certification as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, she consistently produces measurable outcomes in the field of personal-development. Through her breakthrough methods and proven tools, Dr. Simone masterfully blends science and philosophy to ignite personal growth, achievement, and lasting success in every audience she touches. Her unique definition of self-esteem and the integration of the power of thoughts and emotions Why people struggle with low self esteem consistently, the internal and external factors that affect it, and how to build resilience Programming and why some of us are more susceptible than others to low self-esteem The intersection of spirituality and self-esteem and the importance of solution-focused thinking The top reasons people come to her to work on and build their self-esteem and spoiler alert, it includes a lot of high-performing women and imposter syndrome Dr. Simone explains that NLP is a technique that helps individuals understand how their brains process information and how they can change their thought patterns to improve their self-esteem. How we can make our inner voice more confident The importance of self-awareness and self-compassion in understanding thought patterns and behaviors, the tools and tactics you can use to build your self-esteem and how each of our tools need to be unique Flushing out negativity to create more connection And stay tuned for a special gift at the end :) LINKS: SHOP MY PICKS HERE: /episode/index/show/howwelllive/id/33680962

Solo - Political tolerance, not waiting for perfect, and what I’m loving lately 10/28/2024

Recovering from burnout and the 7 types of rest we all need with Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith 10/23/2024

What I’m loving lately & don’t forget the small stuff 10/21/2024

FBF - Healing acne from the inside out, hidden acne triggers, and what to watch out for with Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina from CLEARSTEM skincare 10/18/2024

Real talk on female friendships, vulnerability & intimacy in relationships, and rejecting wellness with Katie Lowell 10/16/2024

Figuring It Out

TOPICS