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Ashleigh Marie, a former neuroscientist and corporate ML leader turned transformational life coach, joins Jeff to talk burnout, the default mode network, Reiki, and how beliefs shape reality. Find her at tranquility-summit.com.

Carissa Karban, co-founder of Astrapuffs, shares her path from Cisco engineer to AI game builder, with a sabbatical, burnout, and hard lessons along the way, and why leaning into life's swerves beats trying to control them.

Bunni Ambrosia, author, coach, and trucker, shares her path from skipping school to earning her CDL in four weeks, her late ADHD and autism diagnoses, and her new AI book, The Frog in the Machine. Spite plays a starring role.

Mark Daoust is the founder of Quiet Light Brokerage, an online consultancy which helps owners of online businesses plan a financially successful exit from their businesses. He is the father of 7 kids. Between business and family, his life has ample veer and vroom. From Mark's Website "In 2007, a year after having sold his first online business, a friend asked Mark if he would be willing to help him sell his web hosting company. During the previous year, Mark was evaluating whether or not to start a consultancy firm to assist owners of profitable websites who wanted to divest of their websites. With the call from this friend, Quiet Light was officially born. Mark retained his friend’s business, put the listing out to market, and within two months had found a buyer at a price that was higher than average web hosting companies were fetching in the marketplace. Since that first business in 2007, Mark has personally helped dozens of small business owners and entrepreneurs and has also expanded Quiet Light to the team it has today. In building out a team of advisors to help other small business owners, Mark has always emphasized the importance of honesty, working in the client’s best interest (even if that means not working in his own best interest), and thorough preparation of all listings before they are brought to market. Before Quiet Light Brokerage, Mark founded an online publication and grew it’s subscriber base to 220,000 members. Mark has been a presenter at top conferences and seminars as well as a guest author for numerous publications." Mark Daoust Vroom Veer Stories Not your typical entrepreneur kid in high school; he was NOT the kid selling candy out of his locker; fun fact spent 5-years in high school w/o getting held backWanted to study the classics and philosophy in college; his parents steered him toward a business degreeFell into a job in a web-hosting company; was tagged as one of three college students to open a new branch; took the job with the goal of getting firedHis first business started making money right away; until his credit card merchant account provider dropped himStarted a content based business that actually gained some sustainable tractionSold his 2nd business for all the wrong reasons; ego, hubris, boredom--but learned a lot about selling a businessQuietlight was started when one of his former clients and now a friend called him to help him sell his businessRadical/Reckless honestly is about telling the truth to clients even when it means the company won't make money from that truth Mark Daoust Connections Website

Gregg is a Professional and Certified Mental Strength Coach and Personal Fitness Trainer. He owns Warrior Mind Coaching and Training along with Warrior Fitness Coaching and Training. His high quality, high content programs are thoroughly researched and delivered in a unique, energetic and powerful straightforward manner. Vrooming in corporate Sales Pre 2000, Gregg was making great money in corporate sale in the telcom business. He sales region include California and Hawaii Then around 2000 the telcom bubble burst, telcoms stopped buying infrastructure and Gregg was out of a job. His veer awakening unfolded over the next five years following being "downsized" from his job. He and his fiancé decided to "downsize" their lifestyle which included moving from California to Bend, Oregon. Gregg then vroomed back into corporate telcom sales living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area of California That vroom lasted about three years and Gregg was downsized again Veer into Coaching Gregg started working with the idea of turning his "passion" into a business The problem was that he had multiple passions and he had to figure out which passion he authentically enjoyed sharing with others Most of his passions he were just for him...he enjoy doing them, but not sharing them. His big A-HA moment was when he discovered that he really enjoyed coaching people. Almost Veered off a mountain Gregg tells the story of surviving an avalanche during a mountain climbing trip. He described a new sort of inner peace and gratitude for being alive. This inner peace helped Gregg see that so much of the little things in life that hold us back just don't matter. We discuss building structures in our life to help us cultivate this inner peace. Mystery School Learning the secrets of the universe through transformation experiences. 10 day retreat in Joshua Tree including a practice in native american shamanism. Dance and movement 5 rhythms dance shamanic trance dance ecstatic dance Links Warrior Mind Coaching

Veronika (Verca) Partikova is a kung fu and self-development (online) coach, World Champion, professional MMA fighter, speaker, and academic researcher.Driven by her passion for Kung Fu, she relocated alone to Hong Kong, where she lived for eight years. During that time, she earned a Ph.D. in Sports Psychology, taught coaching at a university, and shared her knowledge of kung fu with both locals and international students.In 2022, she moved to Thailand to pursue MMA training and turned professional at the age of 36. Alongside her fighting career, she remains an active academic researcher, presenting at international conferences and publishing papers on the connection between psychology and martial arts.She currently coaches kung fu online through her Kung Fu Scholars program, which blends traditional martial arts with modern training methods, including mobility, strength conditioning, and psychological tools. The program has attracted students from more than 15 countries across four continents. Veronika (Verca) Partikova Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary This week's guest is Vercha Partykova of Kung Fu Academic (kungfuacademic.com), joining the show jet-lagged after a trip from a summer visiting family in the Czech Republic back to her home base in Phuket, Thailand. Verca teaches Hung Ga Kung Fu and self-development skills online, holds a PhD in sports psychology from Hong Kong, fights professionally in MMA and Muay Thai, and publishes academic research on the psychology of martial arts. It's a rare combination — as Jeff puts it, she's got "the whole package," Buckaroo Banzai style. Verca grew up in what was then Czechoslovakia (now Czechia), starting martial arts as a kid with karate and judo during an era when access to kung fu training was scarce behind the Iron Curtain — students traded bootleg VHS tapes and magazines just to catch a glimpse of the art. She wasn't drawn to fighting out of fear or trauma, the narrative often pinned on fighters; she loved it purely as a discipline, the way a "peaceful warrior" would. The conversation traces her winding path: a half-year exchange in Hong Kong that left her hungry for deeper training, a grueling stretch teaching English in a windowless tutorial center to earn her way back, and two years living in what amounted to a bed with walls around it — cockroaches included. She eventually formalized her training under her Sifu, Wong Sifu, through a traditional "baai si" ceremony (a kneeling, tea-and-red-envelope oath that bonds student to teacher for life), completed her PhD, and taught sports coaching at a Hong Kong university before COVID pushed her to sell everything and relocate to Thailand within a month to pursue MMA full time. She and Jeff dig into the difference between martial arts as "dance" (forms without real fighting experience) versus martial arts tested in live combat — and why she felt she needed real fight experience to responsibly coach others, even online. Roughly a third to half of her current students are ex-military, drawn to traditional styles after already having plenty of real-world combat experience. Verca also breaks down her coaching framework, the "Warrior Scholar," built on four pillars: practice (kung fu technique), body (health and longevity), mind (focus and emotional health), and direction (goals and daily habits). The back half of the episode turns personal, with Jeff and Verca comparing notes on sleep, meditation routines, and the "woo-woo" reputation of gratitude practices — Verca's take is that they're less about positivity and more about grounding yourself in process over outcome. Topics Covered Growing up doing martial arts in a closed-off, post-communist Czechoslovakia The move to Hong Kong, a rough early apartment, and the "baai si" master-student ceremony Earning a PhD in sports psychology while training and teaching The shift from academia into marketing, then into full-time online kung fu coaching Relocating to Thailand for MMA training during COVID Her professional MMA (1-2) and Muay Thai (4-1) fight records Traditional martial arts vs. combat-tested fighting ("dancing" vs. the real thing) Coaching ex-military students in traditional styles The "Warrior Scholar" framework: practice, body, mind, direction Sleep habits, meditation, and grounding practices for anxiety Connect with Verca Autumn mini-cohort (foundation course): September 21 – October 4 Website: kungfuacademic.com Search: Kung Fu Academic / Kung Fu Scholars Facebook: Kung Fu Academic Instagram: @VirtraKungFuAcademic YouTube: Kung Fu Academic

Eric Zimmer (BOV) is an inspiration to me.  Listening to his podcast is like free therapy that I didn't even know I needed...so for sure "best of" material.  This conversation goes to the darker places of life, but manages to walk back up the stairs into more light-hearted chat as well.  You might need some tissues, but  you will be laughing along the way. Eric has built companies for 15 years, and work in technology longer.  He led major software programs for Fortune 20 companies and he started his own Solar Energy company.   The most cool project Eric is rocking now is The One You Feed podcast, named "Best of iTunes" in 2014. Eric Zimmer (BOV) Vroom Vroom Veer Stories Eric pointed out that increasing the frequency of moving from Vroom to Veer...like daily is a worthy goal. In Eric Zimmer's experience, that longer the Vroom Vroom period, the more dramatic the VEER can become. The Tim Ferriss podcast Episode #2 included a chat about a martial artist who likes to win in "transition" between moves and holds. Eric Zimmer (BOV) Addiction to getting Sober 24 years old homeless, living in a van sleeping on a couch in the back of the van that he picked up out of a dumpster This went on for about 7 years of drinking and drugging. Eric was too numb and was seeking highs from drugs and drinking. Downward spiral of getting high, and feeling bad...trying to get sober. He was dying and headed for jail. One day he was arrested, lost his job, and his van and he didn't have anywhere else to go. So he checked in to re-hab... The treatment center suggested that he should do the 28-day treatment program...1st he said no... Later he changed his mind because he had a moment of clarity and knew he would die if he went back out into the world. The problem was his strategy of dealing with life. Eric Zimmer (BOV) Depression and Feeling bad Eric was thinkin "I don't like the way I feel, I want to feel different" and using drugs to feel different. Realizing that having a mood or feeling bad is ok and it's not an emergency. When in reactive, addicted mode, there is a feeling of panic when one feels bad..one feels compelled to take some action, be that a cigarette, sex, tv, food, drugs, beer what have you. Eric learned that emotions are not emergencies. If we are not so afraid of emotions we can just let them be. From Pema Chodron's book "getting unstuck" , "Shenpa" is like triggered into fight or flight mode. Some awareness will help you steer back to a better state. Did that detox Stick? Yes, but after a relapse.  He went and got high...then he went back to 28-day treatment. One day at a time, is the commitment in recovery. Book called "The tools" A concept of "exoneration"  The idea that the day will come where I have done what I needed to do and life will be easy moving forward.  Sort of wishing for a life without sadness or problems, but that will never be. He will have problems but we don't need to struggle so much. It's our resistance to problems that cause most of the pain and struggle. All the Rage Episode of One you feed talking with Michael Galinsky about the work of Dr. John Sarno Job to layoff He got a job at compuserve in customer service He got promoted into corporate training. AOL bought compuserve and Eric got laid off. Invested severance pay into some IT training and he got into internet start ups. This pattern of employment ending abruptly continued to the point where Eric started to welcome the changes. What happened in the Dark Hallway between Door? You act your way into right action Emotions can't be directly controlled. Thoughts and behavior can be directly controlled, emotions can only be influenced not directly controlled. He learned to keep going and have faith. Failing back into Addiction Eric took a trip on Hedonistic Treadmill and started drifting away from recovery after his 1st wife left him. He convinced himself that he could handle drinking. Over several years, he became a functional alcoholic. Then finally he went back to AA and stay sober for 8 years. Eric Zimmer (BOV) Links The one you feed podcast Subscribes, Ratings, Reviews = LOVE! :D

Regan Caruthers: Regan’s path was informed by her early schooling where she meditated daily, practiced Tai Chi, and learned about the power of Divine Love and conscious thought. But she would reject these teachings as she sought to fit in and find social acceptance. Quickly rising through the ranks, Regan had a successful career as a Silicon Valley corporate executive in the educational software industry. But corporate ascension, an extra-marital affair, and a tumultuous first marriage were mere reflections of her brokenness and need for deep healing. Once she consciously committed to practicing what she had learned so young, her life began to change. Regan recently moved back to Missouri from Santa Cruz, CA. She’s the founder of Aset Yoga Center and dedicates her life to teaching and helping her clients achieve a more intimate and disciplined inner life. Her compassionate approach creates safe spaces for transformation and wellness, through one-on-one coaching, yoga sessions, and her Ready to Awaken courses. She conducts yoga classes for her community as an act of service at no charge Above all, Regan cherishes her roles as a devoted wife to Jim and a loving mother to her sons, Connor and Ian. Regan Caruthers Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary Regan and Jeffrey Share Experiences In the meeting, Regan and Jeffrey discussed their past experiences and shared stories. Regan, a yoga teacher, talked about her excitement for the spring weather and her property coming alive. She also mentioned her book, Tragic Magic, and her interest in getting the word out about it. Jeffrey, on the other hand, shared his experience of being on a school team in high school and his involvement in a computer-aided graphics competition. They also discussed their respective locations, with Regan living in a beautiful area and Jeffrey mentioning the weather in Vegas. The conversation ended with Jeffrey expressing his excitement for the upcoming conversation about Regan's life and business. Service, Discipline, and Self-Care Regan and Jeffery discuss the importance of service, discipline, and self-care in their lives. Regan teaches yoga to seniors as an act of service, while Jeffery emphasizes the value of effort in maintaining health. They both agree on the significance of discipline in personal growth, with Regan stressing its importance over mere motivation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on overcoming depression through physical activities and practicing gratitude, even in difficult times. Nature's Impact on Well-Being and Friendship Jeffery and Regan discussed their morning meditation experiences and the impact of nature on their well-being. They shared their fondness for the desert's unique scents and bird songs, as well as the grounding effect of walking barefoot in their respective natural environments. Regan expressed her love for her childhood, despite its challenges, and highlighted the positive influence of her grade school, which taught meditation and other life skills from a young age. They also reminisced about their long-standing friendships and the importance of maintaining connections from their past. Regan's Experiences With Dark Energy Regan shared her personal experiences of encountering dark energy and demonic entities from a young age. She described how she commanded them to stop and how this led to a change in her life and spiritual path. Regan also discussed her corporate career and how her awakening affected her work and personal life. She emphasized the importance of radiating love towards the demonic visitors to stop their visits. Regan also criticized popular spiritual teachers for not addressing the dark side and their own shadows. Regan's Personal Journey and Spiritual Awakening In the meeting, Regan shared their personal journey, discussing their challenging home life and how it influenced their decisions. They mentioned their academic achievements and how they sought to escape their home environment. Regan also discussed their spiritual awakening in their mid-40s, which led to a more disciplined and stable life. They emphasized the importance of divine guidance and acting upon it. The conversation also touched on Regan's experiences in college and their decision to repeat the 9th grade, which was a turning point in their adolescent life. Regan's Inner Voice Guidance Experience Regan shared her experience of receiving guidance from her inner voice. She described the voice as matter-of-fact, emotionally neutral, and very specific in its instructions. In December 2021, she was told to urgently move home, which led her to relocate from California to Missouri. Despite initial skepticism from her community, she followed the guidance and found a home with a geothermal well, which she believed was a sign from her guides. Regan's Miraculous Medical Journey Regan shared a personal story about a life-threatening medical condition she was born with, which was only discovered after a series of urgent medical appointments. She underwent open heart surgery at a renowned medical facility, Barnes Hospital, and was fortunate to have a successful recovery. The surgeon, Ralph Damiano, was amazed by the clinical outcome and attributed it to a miracle. Regan also shared a subsequent miracle where the scar on her chest formed the shape of a crucifix, which was confirmed by her surgeon. Regan's Spiritual Awakening and Gnostic Gospels Regan shares her experience of facing death without fear, attributing her calmness to her spiritual beliefs and knowledge of her eternal, divine nature. She discusses her interest in the Gnostic Gospels, which were hidden texts discovered in Egypt in 1945, and how they provide alternative perspectives on early Christianity. Regan also recounts a transformative moment when, after an awakening experience, she felt overwhelming love and was able to express it to her previously abusive stepfather, leading to a significant change in his behavior. Regan's Yoga and Meditation Practices Regan discussed her work at the center, which includes teaching yoga to her community, conducting a workshop on fundamental yoga poses, and sharing breathwork practices. She also mentioned her involvement in Heartmath retreats, plant medicine ceremonies, and private coaching sessions. Regan described her home as a beautiful, 3,000 square foot space where she practices meditation and yoga. She also mentioned a unique outdoor space at the back of her property, which she uses for ceremonies and safe fires. California Living Challenges and Regan's Book Regan and Jeffery discuss the challenges of living in California, particularly in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. They talk about the increasing problems with homelessness, crime, and drug use in these areas. Regan mentions her upcoming visit to California and how she misses certain aspects of it, but not others. They also briefly discuss Regan's book "Tragic Magic" and how people can connect with her through her website, social media, and discovery calls for inner life coaching. Connections Website

In this episode of Vroom Vroom Veer, host Jeff Smith sits down with author Wendy Haller to discuss her transition from early childhood special education to becoming a published novelist. After a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis forced her to leave teaching, Wendy turned to writing to process the change. She shares insights on her Flanagan Girls trilogy, working with a hybrid publisher, managing chronic pain, and how life experiences shape her fiction.

Tom Schwab is a digital marketing engineer who specializes in Inbound Marketing, a public speaker, and entrepreneur. Tom found a winning solution when he started to focus his efforts on an inbound strategy, thus turning his regional business into a national leader and now helps others discover the power of Inbound Marketing. Tom Schwab Vroom Veer Stories What was more fun?  Peeing in a cup, or watching others pee in a cup?  hmmm. Did you know mostly people working on nuclear submarines are in their 20's? After thinking he would make the navy a career, the fall of the Soviet Union changed his mind Thinking he was set in career sales management, until the 2nd great depression changed his mind How the Navy uses the Fire (once) , aim, FIRE FIRE FIRE method of dialing in a target Growing a local business to a national business uses "inbound marketing" Being a podcast guest is WAY easier than creating a podcast yourself (amen) Even as a podcasters, most conversions come from an external audience, by being a guest Tom Schwab Links

Annie Vinje spent two decades moving between corporate marketing and teaching fitness before founding The Feel Good Method. An integrative health practitioner and meditation teacher, she helps high-achieving women navigate burnout and midlife transition, trading the chase for nervous system regulation and a path back to feeling like themselves. Annie Vinje Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary In this episode, host Jeff Smith sits down with Annie Vinje to explore her transformation from a high-tech marketing professional to an integrative health practitioner. After experiencing a major health collapse in 2018 marked by extreme, unexplained exhaustion, Annie realized that standard medical brush-offs—and taking dozens of daily supplements—weren't addressing the root cause of her burnout. Annie shares how she systematically rebuilt her vitality by shifting her focus from merely "not being sick" to genuinely "feeling good." Together, Jeff and Annie unpack the power of personalized health over one-size-fits-all diets or extreme fitness trends. They dive into actionable strategies for managing chronic stress, optimizing sleep, navigating mid-life health shifts, and customizing meditation practices to fit your actual life. Key Highlights & Discussion Points The Journey to Healing: Annie's transition through high-tech marketing, homeschooling, and a severe 2018 health crash that led her to pursue certifications in yoga, meditation, and integrative health. Redefining Your Baseline: Why sitting at "fine" shouldn't be the standard, and why severe fatigue in your 30s or 40s shouldn't be dismissed as a "normal" part of aging. The Personalization Principle: Why popular health trends like keto or CrossFit might work for a friend but fail for your unique biology, and why a shelf full of supplements isn't a long-term solution. Demystifying Meditation: Overcoming the myth that meditation requires "stopping your thoughts." Annie discusses personalized approaches to mindfulness—including walking, journaling, or nature—and the value of simple observation. Hormones & Modalities: Why extreme cold plunges can sometimes disrupt female hormones, and why heat modalities (saunas, hot yoga) are often better suited for women’s recovery. Overcoming 2:00 AM Wake-Ups: Practical approaches for middle-of-the-night restlessness, including non-sleep rest, tactile focus rituals, morning light exposure, and optimizing dinner macros. Practical Takeaways Morning Routine: Get natural sunlight in your eyes shortly after waking, delay checking email, and ease into the day to prevent early cortisol spikes. Evening Wind-Down: Support overnight blood sugar stability by eating adequate protein and healthy fats at dinner while reducing evening sugar and alcohol. Stress First: Chronic fight-or-flight states will undermine even the best diet and workout routines. Address baseline stress to get real results from nutrition and exercise. Resources & Connect with Annie Follow Annie: Search Annie Vinje on Instagram, YouTube, and your favorite podcast player for regular video updates and health tips. Website: annievinje.com (Spelled V-I-N-J-E) Free Resource: Download Annie’s "Why Am I Tired" checklist on her website. If you check off more than five items, it’s a great sign to reach out for individual guidance.

Colleen Budde is an entrepreneur, business owner, and former mechanical engineer who left a successful corporate career to build a life centered on flexibility, family, and meaningful work. After working in the automotive and defense industries, she and her husband purchased a business and began the transition from traditional employment to entrepreneurship.Today, Colleen owns multiple businesses, including a coworking space, consulting practice, and e-commerce brand. She is passionate about financial discipline, sustainable business growth, leadership, and helping people build lives that align with their values rather than external expectations.As a mother of three young children, including twins, Colleen speaks openly about career transitions, burnout, identity shifts, entrepreneurship, and the realities of balancing ambition with family life. Her perspective combines practical business experience with an honest look at what it means to redefine success and create a life that genuinely fits. Colleen Budde VroomVroom Veer Show Summary Former test engineer Colleen Budde left her $140k corporate career to build a life centered on flexibility, family, and purpose. In this episode, she breaks down her journey from corporate employee to coworking franchise owner, why business growth shouldn't become a new jail cell, and how to design a business around the lifestyle you actually want. Connect with Colleen https://www.buddeconsultinggroup.com Office Evolution LinkedIN

Dalene Higgins is a money coach and retirement strategist who helps women and couples over 40 stop worrying about retirement and start taking action so they can create the retirement they want sooner while still enjoying life today. Dalene Higgins Vroom Vroom Veer Summary In this episode of Vroom Vroom Veer, Jeff sits down with Danlene Higgins of elevatefinances.us to talk about building real retirement confidence — especially for women and couples navigating their forties and beyond. Danlene brings a unique lens to money coaching: nearly two decades split between a local police department and a county sheriff's office, the second half spent as a budget manager overseeing tens of millions of dollars and a team of twenty-two. Danlene walks through her path from an introverted high schooler on the drill team to a career handling subpoenas, arrest warrants, and search warrants alongside detectives — work she says gave her an unvarnished, "dark side" view of the world that TV cop shows never quite capture. That same analytical, numbers-driven mindset later shaped how she approached her own retirement and eventually became the foundation of her coaching business, which she launched the same summer she retired. A big chunk of the conversation digs into how government budgeting actually works behind the scenes — the pressure to spend down leftover funds, the culture clash between departments that reward saving versus those that punish it, and the odd incentives auditors create. Jeff and Danlene trade stories from their own experience with purchase cards and program funding, offering a rare inside look at how public money really moves. From there, the conversation shifts to what Danlene sees most often in her coaching practice. Her take may surprise people: most of her clients aren't actually overspending. The real issue is the lack of a system — something that turns vague financial anxiety into a clear, confident plan. She's especially focused on helping clients plan for irregular expenses (think annual insurance premiums or quarterly bills) that don't line up neatly with a regular paycheck. She's also skeptical of leaning too hard on budgeting apps, arguing that they mostly just document history rather than help you build a path forward. Her preferred approach: define where you are today, define where you want to end up, and build the plan that connects the two points. Key takeaways from the episode: Most financial stress isn't caused by overspending — it's caused by not having a system Planning for irregular expenses (insurance, quarterly bills) is one of the most common gaps Danlene sees Subtract guaranteed income (like Social Security) from expenses to find your real retirement gap The biggest limiting belief clients face is simply: "I don't have enough"Most clients are working within a 5–20 year retirement horizon Practical strategies Danlene shares: The "savings percent challenge" — increase your savings rate by one percentage point at a time until it feels tight, then hold steady before pushing further (Danlene used this to grow her own savings rate from 12% to 22% over 13 years)Set retirement contributions as a percentage of pay, not a fixed dollar amount, so raises automatically boost savings without requiring a new decision Regularly scrutinize recurring bills — insurance, phone plans, subscriptions — for savings opportunitiesFind small, enjoyable ways to embrace frugality, from homemade soap to smarter shoe-shopping to lower-cost phone plans Danlene also opens up about the emotional side of retiring — how even after running the numbers again and again, actually deciding to walk away from a paycheck is a psychological leap. A simple piece of advice from her nephew ("you can always go get another job") ended up giving her the confidence to finally set a date, which she timed perfectly to enjoy a full summer off. The episode also touches on how forced slowdowns, like pandemic lockdowns, can reveal how much discretionary spending was more habit than necessity — and how that awareness can translate into lasting savings. Danlene breaks her coaching philosophy down into a few core "levers" for retirement progress: income, savings, debt, and expenses. Her goal with clients isn't just spreadsheets — it's translating financial and audit-speak into plain English people can actually act on. Where to find Danlene: Website: elevatefinances.usPodcast: Wealthy After FortyFacebook community: Retirement ReadyFree monthly webinars available through her website If you're feeling behind on retirement planning, or just want a clearer system for handling day-to-day money decisions, this episode is packed with grounded, practical advice from someone who's lived both sides of the budgeting world — government and personal.

Heather Melville Helps everyone have healthy, fulfilling relationships in their life, but also focused on helping those, specifically women, who have endured the opposite of a healthy relationship. Helping them heal and recover after a Toxic Relationship. Heather Melville Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary Intro: Jeff welcomes Heather to the show and asks how she’s doing. Heather says she’s trying to stay cool in the summer heat (in the desert). Jeff notes Heather is at healthyrelationships.info and asks what she’s excited about in her work. Heather’s mission and definition of healthy relationships: Heather describes her mission—to help people have healthy relationships—and her “utopian” vision of a world where people feel safe, fulfilled, satisfied, and their complete selves in relationships. She clarifies that healthy relationships are not argument-free; conflict will happen and may remain unresolved, but it becomes a problem when conflicts are allowed to deteriorate the relationship. She references John Gottman’s book The Seven Principles for a Happy Marriage to make the point that some conflicts are unsolvable but that doesn’t mean the relationship can’t be healthy. Focus on survivors of toxic relationships: Heather explains she mainly helps people who have suffered toxic relationships, sharing that she recovered from one herself and works on helping people come back to themselves, heal, and stop letting past trauma tint their view of relationships. She speaks about using scars as stepping stones toward authenticity and ongoing healing, and says she’s grateful for lessons learned. Books and flow: Heather and Jeff trade impressions about reading. Heather mentions several books she’s been reading (including The Radiant Life Project and Flow), and discusses the concept of “flow” — being so passionate about something that it drives you. She says the relationship-coaching work gets her into that state of joy and purpose. Heather’s early life and theater background: Jeff asks about Heather in high school. Heather describes being insecure then but already having “seedlings” of who she is now—playful, authentic, kid-at-heart. She wanted to be an actor, did plays (had to drop a musical for softball), and loved theater’s immediacy. She recounts watching The Glass Menagerie and being moved by its themes of authenticity and self-belief. Stage fright and authenticity: Heather says her stage fright came from portraying characters rather than being herself; now, in her coaching and speaking work, she feels no anxiety because she shows up as Heather, not as a character. Theater technical experience: She explains theater training made her a jack-of-all-trades—lighting design, sewing, painting, woodwork, working with lathes, etc.—and she enjoyed hands-on, physical work. She tells an OSHA-unsafe anecdote about holding onto poles instead of climbing down ladders. She also mentions an interest in pyrotechnics/chemical engineering because chemicals produce colors of light. Career transition and toxic relationship context: Heather moved toward engineering partly for financial reasons while living in an expensive city and being financially tied to a partner who had issues with alcohol. She describes pressure from friends/family about getting a “real job,” poor grades during her theater degree (2.4 GPA), then much stronger academic performance later in engineering (3.96 GPA). She reflects on how college as a default path can pressure young people into costly decisions before they know themselves. Patterns that led to and sustained the toxic relationship: Heather describes how she got into and stayed in a toxic relationship: depression, seeking external validation, people-pleasing, codependency, and being neurologically conditioned by highs and lows (trauma bonding). She acknowledges the partner’s issues (PTSD and alcohol) as context but not as excuses. She notes that labels like “narcissist,” “gaslighting,” and “toxic” can help identify patterns but cautions against overusing them so you don’t lose personal accountability. Abuse details and decision points: Heather says the first time she was hit she rationalized it as a one-time incident; after a second physical-abuse incident (about a year and a half in) she knew something was seriously wrong, but she continued in the relationship for years. She stayed for eight years overall. She identifies key triggers that should have signaled problems: explosive arguments early on, a partner showing up injured at her door, controlling or jealous reactions, and later family/friends reacting negatively to him. Turning points and leaving: Heather recounts critical turning points that led toward leaving: Her partner told her that if he got into PA school he would leave for six months in Europe and that she would have to “figure out her own way” if she wanted to go—this led her to seek a German internship and to fund herself. Going abroad (Germany internship) gave her space and empowerment; she emphasizes the transformative power of solo travel to build resilience, independence, and clarity. While living apart and hiking in Flagstaff she had the realization that after eight years the likely next steps were marriage and kids — and she could not raise children in the environment she had experienced. She realized she was already alone in the relationship and would rather be actually alone than remain in that situation. A family wedding where her partner angered her dad and others reinforced the sense that the relationship would not be supported by her close circle. Healing approach and insights: Heather explains major lessons from recovery: Self-worth is the root issue behind many relationship conflicts—fear of not being loved or not being enough often underlies arguments and boundary problems. Respect is a basic human decency, not something to be earned; admiration is what’s earned. Expecting someone to “earn” respect can justify ongoing disrespect and perpetuate mutual disrespect. Healing requires examining one’s own patterns (people-pleasing, seeking validation externally) rather than only blaming the partner. Trauma bonding and neurological patterns explain why people stay, and understanding brain/emotion mechanics is part of her coaching work. Practical relationship advice: Get curious: Heather says the core advice she’d put in a book titled Get Curious — use curiosity to explore why someone feels a certain way, where feelings originate (personal history, your own actions), and to open perspective-taking rather than assuming you’re fully right. Curiosity can mediate conflict and open paths to mutual understanding. Build something together: She suggests testing relationship dynamics by building or doing something together (Jeff jokes about building a bus or living in a very small space) to reveal how partners handle cooperation, design choices, stress, and shared responsibility. New shared challenges also bring variety and dopamine that can help sustain relationships. Solo travel as growth and empowerment: Heather advocates solo travel as a way to build decision-making, resilience, and independence—especially valuable for people leaving toxic situations. Don’t underestimate your power to change yourself; don’t overestimate your power to change others (Wayne Dyer quote Heather references). Focus on what you can control: your reactions, boundaries, and growth. Attitude and broader reflections: Heather speaks about balance, ripples from small acts of kindness, humility about fame, and the value of small actions (saying hello, helping someone) in creating positive change. Jeff and Heather reiterate that life and relationships benefit from curiosity, self-awareness, and steady personal growth. Closing logistics and contact: Jeff and Heather wrap up, plan future episodes, and Heather gives places to find her online: her website healthyrelationships.info and on social platforms. She lists Instagram as healthyrelationships.coach, Facebook as Healthy Relationships Coaching, and says she hosts monthly webinars on Eventbrite under Healthy Relationships. Key themes and takeaways Healthy relationships are not conflict-free; safety, mutual respect, and constructive handling of disagreements matter more than the absence of arguments. Trauma, low self-worth, people-pleasing, and trauma-bonding dynamics can keep people in toxic relationships; understanding neurological/emotional patterns helps recovery. Healing requires reclaiming self-worth, stopping external validation seeking, taking responsibility for one’s patterns, and setting boundaries. Curiosity and perspective-taking are powerful tools to reduce conflict and foster connection. Solo experiences (e.g., travel) and shared creative/challenging projects can catalyze growth and reveal relationship dynamics. Practical next steps Heather offers: learn about the patterns (webinars), get curious about motives and feelings, work on self-worth, and consider building or traveling solo to test and grow. Connections Website http://healthyrelationships.info LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermelville756 Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558475200026 YouTube URL https://www.youtube.com/@HealthyRelationships-Love Instagram https://instagram.com/healthyrelationships.coach

Brian Sachetta is an author, blogger, and mental health advocate based in Boston. After working through his own battles with anxiety and depression, he created Get Out of Your Head® — a brand and book series that helps others navigate their mental health through practical, real-world tactics. Brian Sachetta Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary The episode opens with host Jeff Smith welcoming guest Brian Sachetta. Jeff asks Brian what he’s most excited about in his business. Brian explains “get out of your head” is his writing and mental health brand. He has books—one focused on anxiety and another on depression—coaches clients, appears on podcasts, and sometimes writes blog posts. He clarifies he is not trying to replace a therapist but wants to supplement therapy by helping people “fill those gaps” between appointments with advice, storytelling, and tactics. He also says he is a software developer by trade who does the writing and mental-health work nights and weekends, and is working on a revised edition of his first book for about its tenth anniversary. Jeff and Brian note how common mental-health struggles are. Jeff shares that he was depressed in his twenties (not diagnosed) and has stories from that time. Jeff asks Brian about his early life. Brian says he grew up north of Boston in a little suburb and attended a public high school. He describes persistent fear and nervousness in high school that he couldn’t name—he felt anxious but didn’t talk about it. He reflects that home life was loving, but they “didn’t necessarily talk about a lot of problems,” and the culture led to repression. He describes ping-ponging between school (where he felt fear) and home (where he didn’t feel he could process or discuss it). Brian says his anxiety ramped up in college. After his freshman year he was extremely anxious; his mother noticed, and after he broke down and cried she asked what was going on—Brian calls that a turning point, a “fear and the healing point.” Jeff shares a family anecdote about his mother swallowing a bottle of aspirin while drunk at a party and then making herself vomit; he uses the story to illustrate generational repression and how people “speak about it never again.” Brian commends Jeff for talking about it publicly. They discuss “big T” traumas versus many “little t” experiences. Both agree small, cumulative “lowercase t” events can build up, be invisible, and cause long-term problems. Jeff says he closely watched his mother after that incident and that his role in high school changed. Jeff reveals that later in his twenties he had depression and suicide moments, describing an existential dread and the feeling that “life was absurd.” He says he made a couple suicide attempts, recounting one episode where he took rat poison, didn’t die, felt very ill, “went to work,” and then reached a “f**k it stage” where he decided he wouldn’t kill himself—he contrasts that as a phase, not true health. Brian relates: his second book focuses on existential depression. He describes how doubts about religion, reading, climate-change research, and Tolstoy’s A Confession contributed to his depressive thinking about meaning and death. He shares that during his depression he feared death and the idea of oblivion consumed him. He explains where he ultimately landed: acknowledging life is hard, finding joy in small moments, doing your best on the ride, and accepting that the ride will end. Jeff observes that for him suicide was more about avoiding problems than truly wanting to die. Brian agrees this rings true and transitions to describing an Ayahuasca journey he did, which he frames as something that helped reveal the underlying issues driving his suicidal thinking. Brian introduces the Ayahuasca experience: he and friends went to a ceremony; he watched a Netflix episode about such a place beforehand; he says the medicine shows “layers of the onion” and can reveal things you’ve pushed down. He describes visions, voices, and the sense of seeing “the shadow side.” He stresses it’s not for everyone and depends on openness, setting, etc. Brian recounts what the Ayahuasca showed him: it focused on relationships and how he kept people “at arm’s length.” The medicine showed him that he often avoided direct confrontation or honest communication, keeping relationships manageable rather than honest. He explains that during the journey he saw imagery (parents as celestial orbs, doors representing aspects of his life) and heard messages like “you have to let go of your parents.” Brian discloses a longstanding private struggle: growing up in the 1990s, the word “gay” was used as a derogatory label and created fear. He had a particular fetish since childhood that led him to fear it meant he was gay; that fear contributed to a depressive episode in college where he felt he had to hide or outrun it. He recounts poor experiences with therapy (an unhelpful therapist who suggested fetishes come up only when depressed) and antidepressants that didn’t help. In the Ayahuasca vision, Brian describes doors his dad (as a celestial orb in the vision) opened: one door indicated a woman he’d dated “was not your person”; another vision told him “you have to let go of your parents.” Then his dad showed many doors representing trauma—most were small or empty, until a large, spotlighted door appeared in the middle. Behind it he saw a woman doing the fetish. The message from the vision was that the core healing work was finding someone to share everything with—truth, honesty, and openness in relationships—not hiding parts of yourself. Brian emphasizes that it wasn’t just about the fetish but about a “lifestyle of truth” and that keeping people at arm’s length was sustaining anxiety and depression. Brian gives concrete sensory details from the ceremony: he felt visions breaking, and when a particular vision evaporated he passed gas, noting that people often symbolically release tension (vomiting, gas, sighs, etc.). He frames Ayahuasca as a way to reveal the “water” you swim in—the habitual background shaping your life—and says the medicine can help you see and cut through that. Brian stresses that the real work is communication and deep relational honesty; that anxiety and depression often stem from not having relationships in which you can share everything. He says therapy could also get you there over time if done well—Ayahuasca is a faster, more intense route, while meditation and other practices are slower ways that can lead to similar insights. Jeff describes his own early exposure to energy work and meditation (an “energy work” session on a massage table with an older mentor) and says those experiences were like a BIOS update; that led him to seek meditation and other tools. He prefers slower approaches like meditation and says psychedelics/plant medicine can produce a “firmware update” but aren’t his personal choice due to the physical purging aspect. The conversation moves to beliefs about afterlife and meaning. Both Jeff and Brian describe an agnostic stance: they want to believe in meaning or something beyond death but acknowledge they don’t know. Jeff says he leans toward agnosticism—he wants to think consciousness continues but can’t be sure; he reasons that if atheists are right and there is nothing after death, it can’t be all that bad. Brian agrees, saying he tries to stay agnostic, hopes for meaning, and recognizes the arrogance of claiming absolute certainty. As the episode wraps up, Jeff offers to continue but they agree to end. Brian provides contact info from the transcript: his website getoutofyourhead.com (no dashes, no spaces) and Instagram @getoutofyourhead (no dashes, no underscores). He mentions the full Ayahuasca story is available on the Mind Body Matters podcast by Greg Rennie. He invites people to DM him—“DMs are open.” Closing banter: Jeff jokes about the show’s usual “vroom vroom” style and veers; they both reflect that the conversation was a veer off the traditional path but valuable. They thank each other and sign off. Key themes and takeaways (as presented in the episode) Get Out of Your Head is a brand/project aimed at supplementing traditional therapy with books and coaching focused on anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression often come from both obvious and subtle sources; many people carry “lowercase t” experiences that accumulate. Honest relationships—openness, communication, and trust—are central to healing for both guests. Brian’s Ayahuasca journey emphasized that sharing your true self is core work. Psychedelic or intense spiritual experiences can rapidly reveal underlying issues, but slower methods (therapy, meditation) can lead to similar insights over time. Both hosts take an agnostic, non-dogmatic view on meaning and the afterlife while valuing practices that help them live better now. Practical contact: getoutofyourhead.com, Instagram @getoutofyourhead; full Ayahuasca account on Mind Body Matters by Greg Rennie; Brian’s DMs are open. Connections Website