Why Most Workplaces Handle Conflict Wrong | Yvette Durazo

You Need Work to Pay the Bills, But You Don't Need Stardom to Find Joy on Stage, Steven Michaels

In this episode of Intent on Purpose, host Laura Hansen Breksa welcomes Steven Michaels, a recently retired 29-year U.S. Navy Reserve veteran (O-6) and an accomplished engineer with a 35-year career in the communications and defense industries. Holding a master's degree in electrical engineering, a professional engineer license, a PMP certification, and serving as a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Steven brings a massive wealth of leadership and technical expertise to the table. Yet, despite his highly decorated military and engineering background, Steven reveals that his true calling has always been music. Reflecting on his roots growing up in a working-class neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago surrounded by steel mills, he explains how he navigated a practical career path to fuel his lifelong musical passion. Now a semi-professional keyboardist, guitarist, and singer with nearly 50 years of stage experience under his belt, Steven details the rigor it takes to perform at a professional level, the unique joy of playing timeless 70s and 80s anthems like "Hotel California" in his current Eagles cover band, and how music acts as a truly universal language that bridges cultures. Closing out the interview, Steven shares his deeply personal life philosophy: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). Inspired by his parents—both Army veterans—and shaped by a deployment to Afghanistan that left him with long-term health challenges, Steven discusses his determination to live intentionally. From hauling heavy band gear to serving as a neighborhood captain in Arizona, Steven proves that no matter what life throws at you, it’s never too late to invest your talents where they are matter most. Learn more about Steven at https://stevendeyoungmusic.com/ [https://stevendeyoungmusic.com/] INTERVIEW TIMESTAMPS * 00:05 – Welcome & Introduction * 00:34 – The Decorated Background: Military & Engineering Credentials * 01:13 – The Real Calling: Choosing a Day Job to Fund Music * 02:51 – The Physical Reality of the "Weekend Warrior" Lifestyle * 03:38 – Playing Keyboards & Harmonies in an Eagles Cover Band * 04:11 – The Evolution of Live Sound: 1980s Analog vs. Modern Digital * 06:37 – "Hotel California" & Seeing a Sea of Phone Lights in the Audience * 07:06 – Rewinding to 1978: The First Gig at Age 14 * 08:17 – The Ageless Appeal of 70s & 80s Rock as a Universal Language * 09:54 – Words for the World: The "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day) Philosophy * 10:30 – Walking Into the Recruiter's Office & Navigating the Navy Career * 11:57 – Managing Afghanistan-Related Lung Issues While Carrying Heavy Gear * 12:54 – A Tribute to Army Veteran Parents & Closing Remarks * #BalancingADayJobWithMusic * #WeekendWarriorMusician * #IndependentMusician * #SemiProMusician * #MusicianLife

Ukraine Is More Than War, Natailia Lototska, PhD Shares Her Belief in Ukraine and Its People

What does Ukraine look like beyond the headlines? In a compelling new episode of Intent on Purpose, Ukrainian PhD, professor, and software engineer Natailia Lototska shares an authentic perspective on her homeland's history, culture, innovation, and resilience. Laura Hansen Breksa's conversation with Nataailia explores how Ukrainians continue to build businesses, educate future generations, support communities, and preserve hope while living through ongoing conflict. This episode provides a timely and deeply human perspective that helps international audiences better understand Ukraine beyond news coverage. Get to know Natailia: Nataliia Lototska is a Ukrainian PhD, university associate professor, and software engineer at an international company, successfully balancing her academic career with the global tech industry. A proud wife and mother of two, she blends her professional and scientific expertise with a deep passion for her country's heritage. She is dedicated to sharing Ukraine’s rich history, vibrant traditions, and modern innovative spirit with the world. Through this episode, she aims to give global audiences a closer look at her homeland, showcasing why Ukraine is truly "More Than War." #IntentOnPurpose #Ukraine #Leadership #Resilience #Innovation A few facts about Ukraine: * Home to more than 40 million people before the full-scale invasion * Kyiv is among Europe's oldest cities * Approximately one-quarter of the world's black soil reserves are located in Ukraine * The Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote the original version of "Carol of the Bells" * Ukraine has one of Eastern Europe's strongest technology sectors * Ukrainian-founded innovations include globally used platforms such as Grammarly and GitLab * Ukraine is recognized for advanced digital government services * The country's history spans more than a thousand years

Why Most Workplaces Handle Conflict Wrong | Yvette Durazo

Most people fear conflict. Yvette Durazo says that’s exactly why we need to learn it. In this episode of Intent on Purpose, we unpack why conflict starts shaping us before age seven, why workplaces keep getting it wrong, and how conflict management is an essential skill. From HR systems to power dynamics, mediation, anxiety at work, and the hidden cost of toxic culture — this conversation changes the way you think about human behavior. Conflict isn’t the enemy. Avoiding it badly might be. 🎧 Listen now. Get to know Yvette: Yvette Durazo, MA, PCC, is a workplace conflict strategist and founder of Unitive Consulting. She helps organizations navigate high-stakes conflict, leadership strain, and cultural breakdowns before they become costly or damaging. A first-generation professional, Yvette brings lived experience, mediation expertise, and her proprietary Conflict-IQ® methodology to support leaders in building trust, accountability, and resilient workplace cultures. She is the author of Conflict-IQ® and In the High Heels of a Smart Negotiator, and a longtime instructor in conflict resolution and leadership development. #WorkplaceDrama #LeadershipTok #CareerGrowth #OfficePolitics #ConflictManagement #HumanBehavior #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealthyWorkplace #BusinessPodcast #SelfAwareness #TeamCulture #DifficultConversations * conflict resolution * workplace conflict * toxic workplace culture * HR and conflict * mediation skills * alternative dispute resolution * emotional intelligence

Crochet Therapy and Handmade Kindness: Jenny Chapman Shares Her Story

Jenny Chapman’s interview was part crochet masterclass, part comedy hour, and part heartfelt ode to creativity. From the moment she confessed that crochet was just the “100th craft” she’d picked up, Jenny’s personality unraveled faster than a badly counted stitch. What started as a calming hobby during a stressful job became a full-blown passion involving blankets, bath mats, “yarn chicken,” and enough acrylic yarn to survive the apocalypse. Jenny spoke lovingly about learning crochet from her Grammy, who passed down both the skill and the creative spark that now fuels Jenny’s life as a teacher, theater lover, audiobook addict, and self-proclaimed “hooker” — in the crochet sense, of course. She explained how repetitive stitches can calm an overactive brain, why lockdown brought fiber arts roaring back into style, and how she once mailed handmade blankets to flight attendants who bribed her with airplane snacks. Between stories about theater, teaching high school English, and intimidating lacework projects, Jenny’s real message was simple: make things, share them, and don’t hide what brings you joy. Whether she’s crafting blankets for graduating students, donating handmade gifts, or teaching teens to perform Antigone, Jenny stitches warmth into everything she touches — one row at a time. More about Jenny: Jenny has been crafting since the age of 5 and has hand made over 100 blankets as of today. She always has a craft in hand while traveling and can always recommend a great audiobook to listen to while crafting. #ADD #ADHD. #Crochet

Take the Trauma Out of Healing from Trauma. Don't Become Someone Else's Trauma. Get Help

What if healing your trauma isn’t about finding the right method—but finding the right support for you? In this powerful episode of Intent on Purpose, Laura Hansen Breksa sits down with somatic coach Victoria Duarte to break down the truth about trauma, anxiety, and emotional healing. Together, they explore why cookie-cutter solutions often fail, how even small childhood moments can shape your adult reactions, and what it really means to heal from the inside out. You’ll learn how trauma lives in the body, why you might still feel triggered even when nothing is “wrong,” and how to begin creating safety, self-compassion, and real change in your life. Whether you’ve tried therapy before, feel stuck in anxiety, or are just beginning your healing journey—this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. Get to know Victoria: Victoria is the co-founder of Healing Arts Center, a practice built around the healing modalities that supported her business partner Mark during his military retirement. With over 15 years of experience, Victoria works as a somatic and mindfulness coach helping military families and civilians find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety. She is deeply committed to making healing accessible to the Hampton Roads community, believing there is no one size fits all approach. She tailors every session to the individual sitting in front of her and creates a space where people feel safe enough to have honest conversations with themselves. https://www.healingartsvb.com/ [https://www.healingartsvb.com/] In this episode, you’ll discover: * Why trauma healing is not one-size-fits-all * How to recognize hidden trauma responses * The difference between coaching and therapy * Why your body—not just your mind—needs to heal * When it’s time to seek deeper support 🎧 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start—this episode is for you.