268. Awaken Your Purpose, Elevate Your Leadership! Interview with Suzanne Adams

268. Awaken Your Purpose, Elevate Your Leadership! Interview with Suzanne Adams

In this uplifting conversation, Suzanne Adams joins the Happy Whole You podcast to share her powerful spiritual awakening story and how it led her to support heart-centered leaders and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. She describes the moment in 2013 when "time froze," catalyzing a journey from numbing and surface-level happiness into deep soul alignment, self-love, and quantum manifestation. Suzanne and Dr. Anna Marie explore playing by two "rule books" in life—the limiting matrix vs. the quantum field of possibility—how to recognize which one you're in, and practical ways to shift into alignment, purpose, and energetic expansion. They also dive into Suzanne's bigger vision: her books reaching millions, Girl Awakened becoming a film, teaching energetics in schools, and leading mass activations in arenas around the world. Key point: * Suzanne helps heart-centered leaders and entrepreneurs align with soul and prosperity * A 2013 spiritual awakening (the clock "freezing" at 4:59) shifted her from numbing to purpose * She moved from surface-level happiness and people-pleasing into deep self-love and healing * Discovery of soul work, retreats, and quantum physics transformed her life * Feeling stuck often means being trapped in the mind instead of listening to the heart * We choose between the rule book of limitation (matrix) and rule book of alignment (quantum field) * Your baseline frequency (how you usually feel/live) can be consciously upgraded * Emotional "activation" from others is a key manifestation tool and sign of your path * Doubt ("Who do you think you are?") is normal turbulence at every new level—keep going * Suzanne's vision: her books (Girl Awakened, Quantum Vibes), a film adaptation, big arenas, and teaching energetics in schools Connect with Suzanne Adams: Instagram: www.instagram.com/suzanneadamsinc/ [https://www.instagram.com/suzanneadamsinc/] Books: - Quantum Vibes: https://amzn.to/4sFHWfs [https://amzn.to/4sFHWfs] - Girl Awakened: www.amazon.com/dp/B08GG2DMVQ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GG2DMVQ] TEDx Talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RuCfTiCDjs&t=14s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RuCfTiCDjs&t=14s] Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com [http://www.happywholeyou.com/] / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou [https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou] Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com [http://www.drannamarie.com/] Instagram: @happywholeyou [https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/] Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You [https://www.facebook.com/happywholeyou] LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariefrankhappywholeyou/] Venmo: @happywholeyou [https://account.venmo.com/u/happywholeyou]

267. Cecilia: Women Life & Science

In this episode of the Happy Whole You podcast, Dr. Anna Marie talks with Cecilia Zapata-Harms, the founder of Women Life and Science, Inc., about how a synchronistic moment turned a simple idea into a podcast, a nonprofit, and an annual conference and retreat for women in science and beyond. Cecilia shares the story of how she went from casually imagining a show for "regular women" to building a growing community, navigating fears, doubts, and logistics along the way, and creating programs that support women from high school through entrepreneurship. Key Points: * How a commute-time idea sparked a podcast for "regular women" * Perfectly timed, "synchronistic" call inviting Cecilia to host a show * Jumping into a 13-week podcast pilot with no prior experience * Best friend as the very first guest and early supporter * Evolution of the show into Women Life and Science, Inc. * Creation of an annual Women Life and Science conference and retreat * Continued collaboration with keynote speaker Courtney McDermott * Mission to support women across all ages and career stages in science and beyond * Elevate Her program vision: STEM support + women entrepreneurs proving ideas * Community offerings like the monthly Science Café and yearly retreat in Greenville, SC About Cecilia Zapata-Harms: Cecilia Zapata-Harms, MS, MHA, is a founder, entrepreneur, and executive with over 30 years of experience in the life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. She has held leadership roles in strategy, startups, program administration, and mergers and acquisitions, beginning her career at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research under Dr. Robert Day and later working with Dr. Lee Hartwell and Dr. Stephen Friend. She went on to lead strategic development and oversee regional and international clinical research partnerships. In 2017, she founded 3rdEyeBio, LLC, an accelerator for early-stage biotech ventures, and in 2024, she founded and became CEO of Palmetto InnovaSphere, Inc., a life science accelerator in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She also serves as founder and board chair of Women, Life and Science, Inc., and is a board member of the Luskin Family Foundation. Check out the non-profit event on April 30th, 2026: https://wlscience.com/ [https://wlscience.com/] Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com [http://www.happywholeyou.com/] / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou [https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou] Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com [http://www.drannamarie.com/] Instagram: @happywholeyou [https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/] Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You [https://www.facebook.com/happywholeyou] LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariefrankhappywholeyou/] Venmo: @happywholeyou [https://account.venmo.com/u/happywholeyou]

266. Intuition, Manifestation & Inner Alignment with Renée Walker

In this episode of the Happy Whole You Podcast, Dr. Anna Marie and Renée Walker dive into intuition, manifestation, and what it really means to co-create with a higher power. Renée shares her 20+ year journey from living by expectations to reconnecting with her inner knowing, and offers grounded, practical ways to slow down, tune into intuition, and navigate fear as we expand into our next level. Key Points: * Renee's journey from "doing what's expected" to spiritual and mindset teaching * Intuition as a constant conversation with a higher power/energy * Why intuition is easiest to access in the present moment and through the body * Practical tools: meditation, breathwork, nature, movement, even mindful dishwashing * How to tell intuition from ego: love vs. fear, expansion vs. contraction * Intuition as a "muscle" that strengthens with attention and practice * Manifestation framed as co-creating with the universe toward soul purpose * The role of action, surrender, and becoming—not just "getting the thing" * Hitting upper limits: fear, self-sabotage, and expanding your capacity to be seen * Desire as a sign "it's meant for you" and an invitation to show up before you feel ready Connect with Renée Walker: Renée Walker is the founder of Renée Walker Wellness, a soul-led wellness and coaching practice devoted to helping women heal their mindset, reconnect with their intuition, and live in deeper alignment with their highest self. She is the host of the Spiritually Wired Podcast and the creator of the Spiritually Wired Membership, a sacred space where women come to deepen their spiritual connection, expand their awareness, and grow with intention. As a certified meditation teacher, NLP practitioner, spiritual life coach, and Reiki Master, Renée blends mindset work, energy healing, and embodied practices to support profound transformation. Through her programs, coaching, and live experiences, she guides women to release what no longer serves them and step fully into their purpose, power, and potential — in life, business, and beyond. Connect with Renée: Website: https://www.reneewalkerwellness.com/ [https://www.reneewalkerwellness.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reneewalkerwellness [https://www.facebook.com/reneewalkerwellness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneewalkerwellness [https://www.instagram.com/reneewalkerwellness] Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com [http://www.happywholeyou.com/] / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou [https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou] Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com [http://www.drannamarie.com/] Instagram: @happywholeyou [https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/] Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You [https://www.facebook.com/happywholeyou] LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariefrankhappywholeyou/] Venmo: @happywholeyou [https://account.venmo.com/u/happywholeyou]

265. 4000 Mondays: Live better by acknowledging you will not live forever! with Jodi Wellman

In this episode, the Dr. Anna Marie with Jodi Wellman, founder of 4000 Mondays, about using the reality of our mortality as a powerful motivator to actually live. Drawing from her personal story of losing her mother, her work in positive psychology, and the concept of "memento mori," Jodi explains how acknowledging death can wake us up from autopilot, help us savor ordinary moments, and push us to avoid "pre-grets"—the regrets we're on track to have if we don't course-correct now. They explore savoring past, present, and future, living both wider (more fun, vitality) and deeper (more meaning, purpose), and taking small but bold actions to get off the sidelines of our own lives. Key Points * Using the Grim Reaper / memento mori as motivation to truly live * Waking up from autopilot and choosing a "squander‑free" life * Jodi's mom's unfulfilled dreams as a powerful wake‑up call * Leaving a comfortable corporate job for more meaningful work * Creating 4000 Mondays and using "mortality math" to spark urgency * Savoring past, present, and future moments to feel more alive * Balancing life wider (fun, vitality) and deeper (meaning, purpose) * Noticing that disappointment and fear keep us from big dreams * Understanding regrets of omission (what we never try) hurt the most * Taking one small, concrete action now as a vote for being fully alive Connect with Jodi Wellman: Jodi Wellman is a leading authority on living lives worth living. As a TEDx speaker, researcher, and author, she helps people live squander-free lives while they're lucky enough to still be above ground—starting with the "big end" in mind. She named her business Four Thousand Mondays to shine a light on the finite number of weeks we have to truly live with intention. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she serves as an Assistant Instructor in the master's program and a trainer in the world-renowned Penn Resilience Program. Through her research, she developed a model that teaches the interplay between living wider (with vitality) and deeper (with meaning), empowering people to experience life more fully. A certified coach with 25 years of corporate leadership experience, she has coached hundreds of companies, teams, leaders, and individuals over thousands of hours to "carpe diem" at a highly advanced level. She regularly speaks on this topic, including her TEDx talk with over 1.3 million views, How Death Can Bring You Back to Life, and her book, You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets. Connect with Jodi: Email: jodi@fourthousandmondays.com Website: https://fourthousandmondays.com/ [https://fourthousandmondays.com/] Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com [http://www.happywholeyou.com/] / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou [https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou] Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com [http://www.drannamarie.com/] Instagram: @happywholeyou [https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/] Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You [https://www.facebook.com/happywholeyou] LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariefrankhappywholeyou/] Venmo: @happywholeyou [https://account.venmo.com/u/happywholeyou]

264. This isn't the vulnerability you think | Flipping the leadership paradigm with Cortney McDermott

In this conversation, Dr. Anna Marie, with Cortney, unpacks and reframes what vulnerability truly is—shifting it from oversharing, venting, or seeking validation to a deeper state of relaxation, safety, and authenticity in ourselves and with others. They explore how this redefinition transforms leadership, client work, and relationships, emphasizing that real vulnerability begins with being honest and gentle with ourselves. The discussion also offers practical ways to notice tension in the body, create inner safety, and use pause and non-reaction as powerful leadership tools. Key Points: * Vulnerability is deep relaxation and safety in the presence of others. * It is not gossip, oversharing, or "airing dirty laundry." * Many confuse vulnerability with venting and victimhood to get validation. * True vulnerability means sharing without needing validation or agreement. * In leadership, vulnerability is a calm, grounded presence in any context. * People are drawn to leaders who feel safe, relaxed, and steady. * Real vulnerability starts with being honest and gentle with yourself first. * Your body's tension or relaxation is a key signal of safety or misalignment. * You don't have to respond immediately—there is power in pause and silence. * "Don't give it oxygen": choosing not to fuel drama or reactivity is a core vulnerable leadership move. About Cortney McDermott: Cortney McDermott is an award-winning author and speaker and celebrity coach. Her work in self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women's Health, NBC, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and SUCCESS, and her talks on human potential have been shared on stages including TEDx, Mindvalley, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Richard Branson's private island, Necker. With a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, Cortney blends academic rigor with real-world experience to help individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Her career highlights include executive roles at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and successfully running her own businesses, where she has worked with brands such as Universal Music Group, Nike, Kickstarter, and Google. Fluent in four languages, Cortney splits her time between Italy and the US. Connect with Cortney: Cort's Website [https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/] Cort's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/] Cort's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cortneymcdermott/] Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com [http://www.happywholeyou.com/] / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou [https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou] Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com [http://www.drannamarie.com/] Instagram: @happywholeyou [https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/] Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You [https://www.facebook.com/happywholeyou] LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariefrankhappywholeyou/] Venmo: @happywholeyou [https://account.venmo.com/u/happywholeyou]