A Slice of Empathy
Welcome to A Slice of Empathy – a space where a 30-something navigating the ups and downs of life shares honest conversations about marriage, family relationships, work/life balance, and mental and physical health. I’m not an expert, just someone learning as I go, and I’ve come to realize that the idea of ”having it all together” is neither realistic nor relatable. This podcast is about embracing life’s imperfections and learning how to live more intentionally, without limitations, as we grow and support each other. Through sharing our struggles and experiences, we can create a sense of connection and remind each other that we’re not alone on this journey.
Episodes

Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Welcome back to the Slice of Empathy podcast! In this episode, we sit down with relationship expert, marriage educator, and board-certified coach, Dr. Jackie Black. With over 37 years of experience guiding thousands of couples across different countries, Dr. Black shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a full-time coach.
We delve into the distinctions between therapy and coaching, exploring how coaching focuses on forward-thinking and actionable steps to enhance relationships. Dr. Black provides invaluable insights on how to foster intimacy, effective communication, and vulnerability with your partner. Learn about the "you, me, we" rule and why compromise isn't always the best strategy for couples.
Dr. Black also shares her wisdom on handling personal growth when only one partner is ready to make changes, and how to navigate challenging times, such as dealing with a partner's or family member's illness. Tune in for practical tips and transformative strategies that can help you and your partner co-create a fulfilling, loving relationship.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation that could bring you closer to your partner and help you build a deeper, more satisfying connection.
Connect with Jackie: https://www.drjackieblack.com/
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Sunday Jun 30, 2024
Sunday Jun 30, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don St. John, a somatic relational psychotherapist, workshop leader, and author of the award-winning book "Healing the Wounds of Childhood" and his latest work, "Healing the Wounds of Childhood and Culture: An Adventure of a Lifetime." Dr. Don St. John shares his personal journey of overcoming a challenging childhood and how it shaped his life's work in helping others heal and evolve.
Join us as we explore key moments from Dr. Don St. John's life, his insights into the human journey of healing, and the transformative power of relationships. Learn about his unique approach to therapy, his continuum movement classes, and the profound impact of recognizing our own potential. Whether you're on your own healing path or looking to deepen your relationships, this episode offers valuable wisdom and inspiration.
Connect with Dr. Don St. John

Friday Jun 28, 2024
Friday Jun 28, 2024
Welcome to the "Slice of Empathy" podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Amanda (Panda) Ludwig, an award-winning entrepreneur and multi-company founder. Amanda has excelled in fields ranging from corporate finance to non-profit management, but the most profound part of her journey unfolds in a hospital room.
Join us as Amanda shares her insights on understanding the key motivators for high-performing achievers and the importance of celebrating our wins to end the perpetual cycle of never feeling enough. Amanda also dives into her journey from being a successful entrepreneur to becoming a spokesperson for the Anti-Hustle Movement.
Discover how a life-changing medical diagnosis forced Amanda to reevaluate her life, sell her company, and undergo a two-year medical leave. Learn how she maintained hope and motivation during this challenging period and how it led her to develop a framework to help others avoid burnout.
This episode is packed with valuable advice on identifying the signs of burnout, the importance of setting boundaries, and the transformative power of celebrating our achievements. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a caregiver, or someone caught up in the modern grind of life, Amanda's insights will inspire you to embrace a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation that could change the way you approach your career and personal life!
Connect with and learn more about Amanda here:
https://pages.amandaludwig.com/home/
www.linkedin.com/in/anludwig

Friday Jun 14, 2024
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Welcome back to the Slice of Empathy podcast! In this special episode, we celebrate our 18-year anniversary with a fun twist—playing the couple's edition of "We're Not Really Strangers." Joined by my husband Patrick, we dive deep into questions about our relationship, memories, and future plans.
From discussing what our friends thought when we first started dating to exploring our mutual love for travel, this episode is filled with heartfelt moments and laughter. We reflect on our journey together, the challenges we've faced, and the growth we've experienced.
Join us as we navigate through levels of perception, connection, and reflection, revealing insights and learning more about each other. Whether you're in a relationship or simply enjoy stories of love and commitment, this episode is sure to resonate with you.
Don't miss out on this intimate look into our 18-year journey. Tune in now and celebrate with us!

Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Welcome back to the Slice of Empathy podcast! In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Liz Jenkins, a seasoned marriage and family therapist and certified connection coach. With over 75,000 hours dedicated to helping couples, Dr. Liz shares her expertise on how to reconnect, repair, and reignite love in long-term relationships.
Dr. Liz discusses common challenges couples face, such as falling into predictable routines and taking each other for granted. She emphasizes the importance of manners, gratitude, and clear communication. Through relatable stories and practical advice, Dr. Liz illustrates how small changes can make a significant impact on relationships.
We also explore the role of forgiveness, the importance of setting boundaries with family, and the benefits of doing novel activities together to revive the spark. Whether you're navigating early relationship hurdles or dealing with more complex issues, this episode offers valuable insights to strengthen your connection with your partner.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Dr. Liz Jenkins and discover actionable strategies to enhance your relationship. Tune in now!
Connect with Dr. Liz here: www.drlizjenkins.com
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Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
On today's episode, we are speaking with Sara Miley, an experienced crisis advocate and an IFS-informed trauma recovery coach. Sarah is the owner and coach of Full Spring Circle Wellness LLC, the founder and consultant of the Personalized Trauma Healing System, and the host of the Trauma Survivorhood podcast. Join us as Sara shares her journey from trauma survivor to coach and advocate, and dives deep into the intricacies of trauma recovery and lifestyle design.
Sara discusses the importance of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, explaining how this modality helps trauma survivors by addressing their internal parts and fostering healing. She also touches on the significance of self-care and provides practical tools for self-regulation, such as grounding techniques and the use of a sunrise alarm clock for better sleep hygiene.
We explore how lifestyle design can play a crucial role in trauma recovery, addressing various pillars such as sleep, nutrition, socialization, and financial planning. Sara emphasizes the need for a customized approach to healing, tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
Additionally, Sara shares insights on how trauma can manifest physically, leading to chronic pain and other health issues, and highlights the importance of being your own advocate in seeking the right treatments and modalities.
For those navigating relationships post-family neglect or struggling with addiction, Sara offers valuable advice on how to approach these challenges and the importance of finding safe and supportive relationships for healing.
Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Sara for resources, support, and to learn more about her coaching services and the Trauma Survivorhood podcast. Visit Full Circle Wellspring for more information.

Friday May 24, 2024
Friday May 24, 2024
Join us in an inspiring conversation with Carolina Fonseca Jimenez, a DACA recipient and published author, as she shares her incredible journey of fortitude and resilience. Carolina discusses how her DACA story inspired her to write several books rooted in family unity and dreaming big. She also offers insights into how she continues to inspire her community today.
Carolina's story begins with her arrival in the United States at the age of two, navigating the public educational system, and eventually attending university and law school. Throughout her journey, she always carried her immigration story with her, which deeply influenced her writing. Learn how her desire to reconnect with her roots led to the creation of her beloved Lupita books.
In this episode, Carolina shares valuable advice for those going through similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of dreaming big and believing in oneself. She also discusses her career workshops for students, highlighting the unique challenges faced by undocumented students and offering practical solutions and resources.
Carolina's journey of resilience reaches a pivotal moment when she recounts her emotional and challenging process of returning to Mexico to apply for residency. Her story is a testament to the power of faith, dreams, and determination.
As a special highlight, Carolina provides insights into the significance of dreams in personal growth and decision-making. She shares success stories from her dream interpretation workshops and offers practical tips for those looking to understand and utilize their dreams for personal development.
This episode is a celebration of resilience, the power of dreams, and the importance of following one's passion. Tune in to be inspired by Carolina's remarkable journey and learn how you can connect with her and explore her work further.
To connect with Carolina Fonseca Jimenez and learn more about her work, visit her website at www.lupitainspires.com.
Instagram: @lupitainspires
Tiktok: @lupitainspires

Friday May 17, 2024
Friday May 17, 2024
In this powerfully inspiring episode, we delve into the life-journey of Shari Bookstaff, a marine biology professor and champion of empathetic healthcare. A brain tumor survivor, she shares the catalyst of her transformative venture, Impact of Empathy. Explore her remarkable journey to recovery, her revelations on the stark empathy deficit in healthcare, and the subsequent steps she undertook to bridge this gap.
Shari doesn't limit herself to healthcare alone. She broadens the scope of conversation, talking about her love for marine biology, her experiences teaching and exploring with her students, and her strategies for lifestyle adaptability in the wake of survival. Through her unique viewpoint on positivity and determination, she offers practical yet powerful techniques that reach far beyond generic advice.
Shari's stories also touch upon a surprising aspect: football's role in her recovery, providing her with life lessons to fight adversity face-on. She is indeed a living example of resilience made possible by the will to adapt and overcome.
Finally, Shari unveils insightful tips, borne from her work and experiences, on expressing empathy - the building block of her venture. Learn about the essential requirement of instant patient connection and the crucial role of empathy in work efficiency. Traverse through Shari Bookstaff's extraordinary path, from wrestling with life-changing adversity to spearheading positive change, only on this episode.
Also included is an intriguing narrative about a guest who had aspired for nursing but ended up making her mark in marketing. Listen to her underline the influential role of empathy in healthcare through invaluable anecdotes. The insights offered in this compelling conversation extend beyond the healthcare sector, touching upon the lives of individuals going through their distinct hardships.
Inspirations on facing and overcoming life's challenges in light of positivity, acceptance of help, the healing power of humor, and proactive empathy make this episode a must-listen. Packed with unparalleled personal experiences and practical takeaways, get ready for an episode that promises to redefine your perception of empathy and resilience.
Visit her website here: ImpactofEmpathy.net
When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Cranberry Juice!

Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
In this eye-opening episode of Slice of Empathy Podcast, our special guest, Katy Andrews recounts her remarkable journey from switching up her life in the United Kingdom to fearlessly pursuing her love for travel. Katy explores the transformative lessons woven into her experiences, touching on aspects of self-growth, adaptability, building resilience, and forming connections with like-minded individuals on her travels. She also advises on battling fears associated with enormous life changes, reassuring listeners by underlining the importance of rooting to 'why', crafting a clear vision, and setting definitive goals.
Deep-diving into a prevalent issue, Katy shares her struggle with stress and procrastination and how she uses travel as a coping mechanism. She bares the pressures of being a perfectionist and reveals helpful strategies in managing these challenges, endorsing self-awareness, practicing self-kindness, and maintaining pragmatic daily expectations.
Adding value to the conversation, our speakers further delve into the problem of procrastination. They introduce the eBook, "Time Ninja, Conquering the 9 to 5", that gives practical advice to professionals looking to effectively manage their time. The discussion emphasizes becoming self-aware, breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and constantly learning from past experiences in successfully managing procrastination.
Katy narrates her continuous journey across parts of South America, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Asia, encapsulating the liberation that came with detaching from material possessions. She stresses the positive impact of travel on personal and professional aspects of life, demonstrating how an uplifting environment and work-life balance influence one's happiness and client service quality.
In a memorable recount of her travel experience in Bogota, Katy explores the unpredictable nature of life and travel, emphasizing the importance of embracing uncertainties to nurture resilience. She also sheds light on coping strategies for job-related challenges and the value of self-care and passion projects when dealing with redundancy. Implementing these lessons derived from her travels, Katie encourages individuals to transform trials into opportunities for self-evolution and career growth.
On Katy's website, you can access the Time Ninja 60-page ebook right on the homepage. If you're feeling overwhelmed, check out the 14-day Time Management Plan. Additionally, you'll find two extra free ebooks in the store—one on overcoming procrastination and another on navigating the career search. Visit https://msha.ke/katyandrews to explore these resources.

Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
In this enlightening episode, Lindsay Andrews—an integrative trauma coach and host of the podcast 'Unstuck on You'—shares her personal experiences with overcoming codependency. Drawing from her struggles and self-healing journey, Andrews provides useful insights into therapy, journaling, and other aids for those striving to maintain healthy boundaries and relationships.
Andrews discusses her journey of self-discovery towards holistic healing and her endeavors to understanding the importance of setting boundaries amidst self-neglect and a tendency for people-pleasing — the hallmarks of codependency. She emphasizes the importance of being proactive and intentional in one's self-improvement journey and shares her experiences on how she developed effective communication skills and healthier relationships.
In this engaging conversation, the guests share their strategies for managing and overcoming codependency. They open up about their pasts, marked by feelings of anger and a sense of victimhood and how they navigated towards a healthier way of dealing with conflict resolution and relationships. They stress the importance of setting personal boundaries, especially for people struggling with issues like low self-esteem and obsessive worry about others' opinions.
The conversation extends to societal pressures that perpetuate codependent behaviors and offers relevant tips on starting small with something as empowering as saying "no." It underscores the importance of self-care and explores the challenges of holiday family dynamics and fears of disappointing others. The discussion underscores the critical role of self-awareness in managing personal responsibilities and emotions with emphasis on listening to one’s inner voice as an integral part of the healing process.
In the concluding segment of this episode, the guest sheds light on strategies for dealing with emotional addictions positively related to codependency. They stress the importance of finding support through therapists or support groups during rough phases. They encourage listeners to stay connected, tune into the podcast, 'Unstuck on You,' and they sign off with a note of gratitude – a testament to shared experiences and unity in self-reclamation.
Website: www.unstuckonyou.com
Instagram: unstuckonyou