Sliding Doors: The Moments That Changed Everything

The Climb Within Returns: Inside Our Second Mt. LeConte Retreat

The Climb Within is back! In this episode, Averie Thayer, occupational therapist, owner of Living Revived Therapy, and retreat co-host, joins me to share everything you need to know about our second annual Mt. LeConte Women’s Retreat. After an incredible first year, we’re expanding the experience to help you feel even more prepared, supported, and connected before you ever step onto the trail. We talk about our three-month training program designed to help participants build confidence, endurance, and strength leading up to the hike. Averie shares how her background as an occupational therapist will help prepare women physically while we both focus on the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the journey. We also introduce our new VIP experience beginning Thursday, October 29, where participants can gather the evening before the hike to connect, settle in, and begin the retreat together. The adventure officially begins on Friday, October 30, as we hike approximately six miles to LeConte Lodge, spend the night on the mountain, enjoy dinner together at the lodge, and soak in one of the most unforgettable sunsets and sunrises the Smokies have to offer. On Saturday, October 31, we’ll hike back down the mountain and celebrate the completion of our journey with a special Greenhouse Dinner at the Wellness Farmhouse. This retreat is about so much more than reaching the summit. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of, pushing beyond your comfort zone, building meaningful friendships, and realizing that the climb often mirrors life itself. If you’ve been looking for a sign to challenge yourself, reconnect with nature, and experience personal growth in a supportive community, this just might be it. We can’t wait to climb with you! Registration information and retreat details are available through the Wellness Farmhouse. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable weekend of adventure, growth, and connection.

Stories from the Chair: What Your Hairdresser Wishes You Knew

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the salon chair, this episode is for you! In this fun and lighthearted conversation, Jill sits down with her best friend, Michelle Hurst, who has spent more than 30 years behind the chair as a hairstylist. Together, they share some of the funniest, most surprising, and unforgettable stories from Michelle’s career, along with tales she’s heard from fellow hairstylists over the years. From awkward moments and hilarious client encounters to the things every hairstylist secretly wishes their clients knew, this episode is full of laughter, honesty, and plenty of “I can’t believe that happened!” moments. Whether you’re a regular salon-goer, a fellow beauty professional, or just enjoy hearing entertaining stories about people and life, you’ll leave this episode with a whole new appreciation for the work that happens behind the chair.

The Life You Didn’t Plan Might Be the One You’re Meant to Live

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, I never saw this coming? In this solo episode, Jill shares how a series of small nudges, unexpected conversations, and repeated encouragement led her from massage therapy and yoga into sound healing, breathwork, podcasting, and now creating guided audio meditations. She explores why the biggest pivots in life rarely begin with certainty, why fear doesn’t always mean “stop,” and how the compliments people consistently give you may actually reveal gifts you’ve overlooked. If you’ve been feeling called toward something new, wondering if it’s too late to reinvent yourself, or talking yourself out of a dream because it feels unfamiliar, this episode is your reminder that the next chapter of your life may begin with something as simple as listening to the whisper instead of the doubt.

The Art of Receiving: Why Accepting Can Be Harder Than Giving with Lauren Jewel

We often hear about the importance of giving, serving, and showing up for others. But what happens when it’s our turn to receive? In this heartfelt episode, Jill sits down with mind-body practitioner Lauren Jewel to explore a challenge that many women quietly struggle with: receiving. Lauren shares a powerful story from a birthday trip to Peru that unexpectedly became one of the greatest lessons of her life. Surrounded by strangers who wanted to celebrate her, honor her, and offer gifts of kindness, she found herself face-to-face with something surprisingly uncomfortable—allowing herself to receive. Together, Jill and Lauren dive into why so many of us have been conditioned to pour into others while feeling guilty, uncomfortable, or even undeserving when love, support, or generosity is directed toward us. They discuss the delicate balance between masculine and feminine energy, how both exist within each of us, and why embracing our feminine energy often requires us to soften, trust, and open ourselves to receiving. This conversation is an invitation to examine where you may be over-giving, over-functioning, or carrying more than your share. It’s a reminder that receiving isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Whether it’s accepting help, receiving a compliment, allowing someone to care for you, or simply resting without guilt, learning to receive can be one of the most healing practices of all. If you’ve ever struggled to let others show up for you, this episode may be exactly what your heart needs to hear. INFO: Name: Lauren Jewel Job title: Trauma-Informed Mind-Body Practitioner — specializing in decoding stress-driven physiology — her work bridges functional nutrition, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and identity recalibration to create real, sustainable change at the root. Email: Jewelandcoaching@gmail.com [Jewelandcoaching@gmail.com] Social Media Handles: IG: @Lauren_michelle_jewel FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AG9EPzFEn/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1AG9EPzFEn/]

The Summer of Calm: Simple Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System

What if the things that help heal and regulate us aren’t complicated at all? In this solo episode of Soul Stories with Jill, Jill explores the importance of nervous system regulation and why so many of us are living in a constant state of stress without even realizing it. From racing thoughts and difficulty relaxing to feeling overwhelmed by everyday life, chronic stress can show up in ways we often overlook. Jill shares the signs of a dysregulated nervous system, why rest can sometimes feel uncomfortable, and how our bodies often respond to imagined worries the same way they respond to real threats. She also dives into the science behind nature, laughter, connection, and simple summer activities that can help shift us out of survival mode and back into a place of calm. From walking barefoot in the grass and watching a sunset to spending time with loved ones and creating your own “Nervous System Menu,” this episode is a gentle reminder that healing doesn’t always require doing more. Sometimes it begins by slowing down, reconnecting with what brings us joy, and remembering how to simply be. If life has felt heavy lately, consider this your invitation to take a deep breath, step outside, and discover the power of small moments that help your mind, body, and spirit find balance again. Take a listen and let this be your reminder that peace isn’t something you have to earn. It’s something you can begin practicing today.