In this thought-provoking conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Xiaojue Hu, we explore how integrating spirituality with conventional psychiatry creates powerful new possibilities for healing.

Dr. Hu shares the remarkable story of her own unexpected spiritual awakening that occurred during her fourth year of psychiatry residency at NYU. Raised by atheist parents from communist China, she experienced a profound shift in consciousness that opened her to both spiritual exploration and psychedelic research simultaneously. This personal transformation fundamentally changed how she approaches mental health treatment.

The heart of our discussion centers around viewing psychological challenges through metaphors that honor their transformative potential. Dr. Hu introduces the concept of the "descent journey" where we descend into emotional darkness, are stripped of familiar identities, and eventually emerge transformed. She compares psychological suffering to childbirth: painful and intense, but ultimately creating something new and meaningful from the experience.

Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting loved ones through theirs, or simply curious about new paradigms for understanding psychological suffering, this conversation offers valuable insights for Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond. Join us in exploring how viewing suffering through a sacred lens creates space for more comprehensive healing.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Xiaojue Hu is a psychiatrist based in New York City. She’s an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the New York University Center for Psychedelic Medicine, where she's worked as the lead study therapist and co-investigator on multiple psilocybin clinical trials. Xiaojue has also worked with the pioneering nutritional psychiatrist Drew Ramsey as part of his group private practice Brain Food Clinic, where she has a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. She is trained in psychedelic integration and such mind-body therapeutic approaches as Internal Family Systems (IFS, Level 1) and Focusing. Xiaojue is especially interested in spirituality, women’s mental health, and cultural psychiatry (including issues around belonging, migration, race, and identity), and has previously worked as the leading psychiatrist at the Asian Bicultural Clinic at Gouverneur Health, a community mental health clinic providing care to the underserved.

Connect with Xiaojue:
PsychologyToday.com

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Bill Harmon, seasoned retirement industry executive, broke through the polished corporate veneer to share a deeply personal story.

Bill takes us through the life-changing moment when his son William was born with Down syndrome, and the emotional rollercoaster that followed. After initially struggling with clinical, limitation-focused medical resources, Bill discovered a beautiful metaphor that changed his perspective forever: "Welcome to Holland." This poem frames having a child with special needs as boarding a plane for Italy but unexpectedly landing in Holland, a different destination with its own unique beauty.

Through William, Bill learned to embrace authenticity in an industry often defined by careful personas. "If I had a superpower it would be to make everyone feel comfortable in their own skin," he shares, crediting his son with teaching him this invaluable lesson. The impact reached far beyond his family life, transforming Bill's leadership style from competitively driven to purpose-focused. His willingness to bring his whole self to work, emotions and all, made him stand out in financial services leadership.

Have you experienced a "Welcome to Holland" moment in your life? We'd love to hear how you navigated your own unexpected destination. Share your story in the comments or reach out, because as Bill reminds us, finding a community for support makes all the difference.

Guest Bio:
Bill Harmon has spent his career in the retirement industry. Starting his career with Great-West and leading them forward as they became Empower Retirement to lead their core market growth. Bill then continued with Voya Financial as he led their 401(k) Markets with an end result of improving client retention.

Currently Bill serves as President of Thrive Flexible Matching. With debt being a key inhibitor toward saving for retirement, Thrive helps employers meet their employees where they are. There is over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt from 44 million Americans, so the need to address this is great, and Thrive can help.

Bill’s career highlights his communicative and open-minded working culture with a passion for fostering professional development. An insightful influencer and thought leader, he has served on many industry and nonprofit boards and pursued various innovative business applications for industry-wide advancement.

Connect with Bill:
LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

What would happen if you woke up tomorrow fundamentally believing in your worthiness, regardless of your accomplishments? This question lies at the heart of our conversation with transformational leadership coach Toya Gavin, whose journey from burnt-out prosecutor to authentic coach reveals profound lessons about reclaiming our true selves.

Toya shares the vulnerable moment when she publicly admitted her burnout and depression to thousands of fellow attorneys, expecting little response. Instead, she received an outpour from others suffering silently with similar struggles. This act of courage not only launched her coaching practice but demonstrated the transformative power of vulnerability.

At the core of Toya's philosophy is "Woke Up Worthy", the revolutionary idea that our worth isn't tied to achievements or others' approval. This perspective offers liberation especially for women and people of color who often feel they must be perfect and never falter. As Toya explains, "We're expected to be these perfect things where nothing goes wrong and we never make mistakes...but for women and people of color, we don't get the room to try and see what we can create."

Guest Bio:
Toya Gavin is an attorney, coach, and founder of Woke Up Worthy. At Woke Up Worthy, Toya helps women of color stop chasing degrees so they can start going after the life they want.

Toya is an ICF-certified coach and holds a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers University. She also is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Toya's work as a coach is informed by numerous teachers, authors, artists, and practitioners, both personal and professional, including her sisters, aunts, husband, and mother.

Connect with Toya:
Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Substack

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Step into the remarkable journey of Melissa Terito, a dynamic guest who transitioned from a fulfilling teaching career to become a partner at a top CPA firm. In this episode, we explore how she navigated her career pivot, embracing the internal nudges that drove her towards a new path in accounting. With a deep appreciation for the skills acquired through her teaching background, Melissa discusses the unique ability to translate complex ideas into relatable concepts, a skill that serves her well in the financial industry.

Listen as she shares candid insights on the fears and challenges associated with her transitions, from how mentorship played a crucial role in her development to her newfound leadership aspirations. As she reflects on the importance of resilience, discipline, and physical well-being, Melissa inspires us to not only seek personal growth but to also mentor those who follow us. Join this engaging conversation, highlighting how embracing changes can lead to significant personal and professional fulfillment.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your own pivot stories with us!

Guest Bio:
It all begins with an idea. Melissa, or Missy to her friends and family, is the woman with all the ideas. Melissa attended Louisiana State University and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Education. After four years of teaching high school math, she returned to LSU part-time to see if she would enjoy the accounting profession. Something about it stuck and she resigned from teaching.

She was hired at Faulk & Winkler as an intern in the pension department, completed the courses to sit for the CPA exam, and received her CPA designation in 2012. Melissa’s brief career in the classroom was invaluable in positioning her to be a mentor in the CPA profession as well as giving her the communication skills to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. In 2020, Melissa started a podcast – Louisiana Ladies – wherein she speaks to local (mostly) female members of the Baton Rouge community. Many are entrepreneurs, some are domestic engineers, all are inspiring. She chats with them about their story, it is lighthearted and fun, and has a steady following with over 20k downloads.

In 2022, Melissa began her public speaking debut about Boundaries in the Workplace, something she is very passionate about, and has curated perfectly over the years. Melissa resides in Baton Rouge with her husband Patrick and their two dogs. They appreciate the local culture and flavor of the city, especially the culinary offerings. Away from the office, she enjoys reading, riding her Peloton, playing pickleball, traveling, and spending time with her five adorable nephews.

Connect with Melissa:
Website, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

This episode covers sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening.

What would you do if you had more courage? This question sits at the heart of our illuminating conversation with Dr. Margie Warrell, global thought leader on brave leadership and author of "The Courage Gap."

The courage gap affects us all, but particularly women. We explore how imposter syndrome manifests as underestimating our abilities while overestimating dangers. As Margie powerfully states, "We shouldn't be trying to prove our worth. We need to just own our worth." This simple shift in perspective can liberate us to pursue meaningful goals with confidence rather than doubt.

Through vulnerable personal stories, including surviving an armed robbery, Margie demonstrates her transformative "Three Ps" approach to reframing difficult situations. By choosing narratives that make us feel more Powerful, Positive, and Purposeful, we can create generative stories that shape our future rather than keeping us stuck. "You create your stories. But your stories then create you," she explains, offering practical wisdom for catching and redirecting unhelpful narratives. By giving ourselves permission to be imperfect, whether as parents, professionals, or creators—we open doors to experiences and growth we might otherwise miss.

What pivot might be revealing your path today? Listen in and discover how embracing courage in the face of uncertainty can transform your life's journey.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Margie Warrell is a globally recognized expert in leadership and human behavior, renowned for her ability to help leaders and organizations unlock untapped potential by countering the underlying dynamics that inhibit bold thinking, decisive action, and transformative growth.

A passionate advocate for advancing women in leadership, Margie has contributed to government roundtables, spearheaded initiatives to elevate more women to decision-making roles, and co-led Korn Ferry’s Power of All program during her tenure as a Senior Partner in their CEO & Enterprise Leadership Institute.

Margie’s latest book, The Courage Gap (Jan ‘25), distills her decades of research and experience, providing a roadmap for closing the gap between potential and performance.

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, Margie balances her professional endeavors with her love of adventure. A lifelong hiker and aspiring barista, she finds inspiration scaling mountains, including summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro with her husband and four children.

Connect with Margie:
Website, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode, we welcome the insightful Morgan Rysdon, who shares her inspiring journey of healing through trauma, loss, and the practice of the Alexander Technique. Morgan reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her, including her childhood experiences and the heartbreaking loss of her brother, leading her to embrace a path of resilience and choice.

Amidst profound sadness, Morgan discovered the Alexander Technique, which transformed her relationship with her body and mind. This approach emphasizes awareness and posture as tools for healing, enabling individuals to reconnect with themselves. We explore how Morgan’s experiences led her to understand that true healing begins within and the importance of making conscious choices in life. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the power of curiosity over judgment and the necessity of seeking movement, comfort, and joy in our everyday routines.

Join us for this insightful conversation, where Morgan’s wisdom will resonate deeply, inspiring you to reflect on your own choices and journey toward living fully. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences with us. How are you stepping into your own pivots?

Guest Bio:
Morgan Rysdon is a nationally certified Alexander Technique teacher and speaker. In 2013, she created Center Studio to help others improve their quality of life through increased awareness and mindfulness. Since then, she’s gone on to teach her work nationally and internationally, helping individuals elevate their performances in the workspace and recover from chronic pain, injury, stress, and anxiety. Committed to helping others, Morgan teaches workshops, introductory classes and works 1:1 with a focus on building self-awareness, self-confidence, and poise through improving the overall function of an individual’s mind, body, breath, and voice.

Connect with Morgan:
Website, YouTube, Instagram

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Have you ever felt like life threw you a 40-pound bag of lemons? Join us as we welcome Chase Sterling, an Army veteran, who shares her incredible journey of resilience through life's unexpected turns. From navigating a challenging childhood in an abusive adoptive home to her courageous decision for early emancipation at 17, Chase's story is a testament to strength and adaptability.

Her journey continues with the founding of the Wellbeing Think Tank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing workplace environments. By sharing the evolution of her consulting practice, Chase emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in fostering well-being. With monthly events that promote knowledge-sharing and interdisciplinary strategies, Wellbeing Think Tank aims to create uplifting environments that positively influence both personal and societal well-being. Through Chase's personal evolution and her blog "Evolution of Chase," we uncover nuggets of wisdom and reflect on the necessity of adapting to change, inspiring listeners to embrace resilience and become better versions of themselves.

Guest Bio:
Chase Sterling is an Army veteran having served from 1998 - 2005, both on Active duty and in the Reserves. She was an 88M and left the military as an E5.

After transitioning from the military, Chase has dedicated her career to improving both individual and organizational wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience, Chase brings passion combined with evidence-based expertise.

Dedicated to the mission of improving workplaces, Chase founded Wellbeing Think Tank which provides free educational events on workplace wellbeing. Additionally, Chase partners with organizations to drive employee engagement at HHP Cultures. She has held leadership, consultant and educator roles at a variety of organizations including Cigna, Wounded Warrior Project, Google and Sinclair Community College.

Chase holds a BS in Exercise Science and Health Psychology and an MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a concentration in Occupational Health Psychology. She holds numerous certifications related to health and wellbeing including Certified Wellness Practitioner, Mental Health Ally, DEI in the Workplace, and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Additionally. Chase has been published in the The American Journal of Health Promotion and serves on PAPREN, the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network Worksite work group.

Chase currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her rescue cat Fizzgig.

Connect with Chase:
LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Ever wonder what makes love last? This Valentine's Day, we’re thrilled to have Canadian psychologist Kathleen Henderson with us to unravel the mystery of successful relationships. Kathleen shares how addressing individual issues within the framework of couples therapy can be transformative. She emphasizes the power of slowing down emotional reactions to uncover underlying feelings, which can break cycles of misunderstanding.

The conversation serves as a mirror for therapists as well as clients, highlighting how their own development can intertwine with the progress of the people they help. Join us for a heartfelt reflection on the universal principle of practicing what we teach, and gather inspiration for embracing change and growth in your relationships.

Guest Bio:
Kathleen Henderson is a registered psychologist from Canada - a therapist specializing in helping couples reconnect and strengthen their relationships. Using a collaborative approach, Kathleen focuses on identifying and transforming patterns of communication that may cause disconnection.

Kathleen practices Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a method backed by research showing significant improvement in over 80% of relationships.

Committed to providing quality care, Kathleen encourages individuals and couples to seek evidence-based approaches to therapy and to prioritize finding the right fit in a therapist to meet their unique needs.

Connect with Kathleen:
psychologytoday.com
LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot