A Conversation with Julie Nise, Relationship Trainer and Communication Strategist

A Conversation with Elana Auerbach, Author of "The Sure Thing: A Pleasure Practice to Revive the Spark"

Elana Auerbach is a lover, author, mother, mentor, activist and priestess. She spent her childhood and young adulthood on what she calls “the conveyor belt of life,” being the good girl and doing what others expected of her. This looked like graduating Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA, working on Wall Street for a Japanese investment bank, and marrying someone with whom she felt no chemistry. It all fell apart in 2001 when Elana realized she’d been living a lie and found the courage to leave her marriage. She entered a world of sensuality and sex, researching orgasm in a San Francisco pleasure-centered community. This is where she met Bill, who would become her loverman for life. In 2005, Elana founded “Sensuelle: A Woman’s Journey into Sensuality,” a program supporting women to fall in love with themselves, connect with their authentic voice and ignite their passion. Then, in 2011, a few years after becoming an ordained priestess with the Sanctuary of the 13 Moon Mystery School, Elana was certified to teach their year-long immersion into the feminine mysteries, where she taught for more than a decade. She released her book The Sure Thing: A Pleasure Practice to Revive the Spark on February 3, 2026, just in time for Valentine’s Day. In The Sure Thing, Elana invites readers to bring joy, intimacy and passion back into their relationships through a simple weekly pleasure practice. Drawing from the ritual that transformed her own long-strained partnership, she presents a clear, accessible and fun framework for reconnecting with desire. Readers learn how to release shame, understand what they truly want, create a sustainable ritual of pleasure and meet resistance with play instead of pressure. “This book is personal,” Elana says. “For twelve years, my spouse and I struggled over sex. We tried everything—expert advice, toys, techniques—but nothing changed until I created The Sure Thing. What emerged was a practice that actually works.”  Inside The Sure Thing, readers will discover: •              How to break free from shame, conditioning and the pressure to “perform” intimacy •              Why most couples drift apart—and how to reverse it through intention and play •              How to navigate resistance and rekindle curiosity •              A step-by-step guide to crafting a personalized Sure Thing pleasure practice •              Why a weekly ritual can transform not only your sex life, but your entire relationship with pleasure Elana joined us from Berkeley, California. Learn more and follow Elana: https://surethingexperiment.com [https://surethingexperiment.com/] https://www.facebook.com/ElanaAuerbachAuthor/ https://www.instagram.com/elana.auerbach

A Conversation with Julie Nise, Relationship Trainer and Communication Strategist

Julie Nise is a Relationship Trainer and Communication Strategist known for her direct, results-oriented approach. With more than two decades of combined corporate, entrepreneurial and clinical experience, Julie brings a rare balance of empathy and practicality to her coaching. She has successfully guided more than 8,000 individuals and couples through challenges in communication, trust and leadership, offering clear, actionable strategies that create lasting change. Her insight and authenticity have earned her national recognition, including multiple appearances on the Dr. Phil Show, where her compassionate yet focused style resonated with both audiences and producers. As a regular commentator on NewsRadio KTRH Houston, Julie shared expert perspectives on relationships, communication, current events and leadership. In this episode, we discuss: --The Communication Reset: How to Stop Arguing and Start Understanding --Building Real Connection in a Digital World --Rebuilding Trust After Betrayal: The Step-by-Step Path to Healing --Leadership Through Listening: What Great Relationships Teach Us About Influence --From Conflict to Clarity: Turning Relationship Stress into Growth "Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people—including couples on the brink of divorce and leaders seeking clarity in their relationships—achieve breakthroughs and focus on creating positive change," Julie says. "Whether you’re looking to improve your marriage, reconnect with your family, or lead your team with confidence, my goal is to provide the clarity, tools, and strategies you need to thrive.... We are who we practice to be." Her new book, Romance ESP--Seeing Patterns and Responding to the Changes in Your Relationship, comes out in 2026. Among other things, readers will learn how to master the art of understanding and reacting to the non-verbal clues that influence relationship dynamics. Outside her work, Julie enjoys time with family, coastal living and encouraging others to grow in purpose and connection. Learn more and follow Julie: https://www.outcomesonly.com/ https://www.instagram.com/outcomesonly/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Outcomes-Only/61572479851741/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Outcomes-Only/61572479851741/]

A Conversation with Ally Shaw, Author of “Chasing Tigers in the Dark, Life Lessons of a Fierce Survivor”

Ally Shaw is a fierce survivor who has reinvented herself multiple times after devastating loss. Ally is a proud cancer survivor who became an opera singer. She also is an award-winning entrepreneur who became an author. Ally and her husband Kevin recently retired as business owners of a multi-state Domino's franchise, after achieving eight Gold Franny awards (top 2% of franchisees worldwide). Ally launched a new career as a speaker in 2016, presenting to audiences of 100 - 10,000. Her passion for writing had always played understudy but the quietness of the pandemic provided time for inspiration to grow. Ally became a first-time author of the narrative non-fiction book Chasing Tigers in the Dark, Life Lessons of a Fierce Survivor (Library Tales Publishing/Simon & Schuster) in 2022/2026. She won an International Impact Book Award for her memoir in 2026. Ally recently signed a two-book contract for a new fiction project with Wicked Ink Publishing in Canada. The novels (Tiger Eye and Daisy Chain) will shine a spotlight on the global human trafficking crisis and are slated to launch in 2026 and 2027. The title of her book and accompanying book tour speech (“I Caught the Tiger, Now What?”) are metaphors for facing the fears that attempt to stunt our productivity and prevent us from achieving our ultimate success. This topic feeds her evolving purpose of building awareness around mental health struggles (affecting more than 50% of the population) and providing resources for healing complex trauma (affecting more than 70% of the population.)  Ally earned a bachelor's degree from Elon University and a master's degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Ally is also a graduate of Leadership NRV, a prestigious leadership program facilitated in southwest Virginia. Proceeds from Ally's books support cancer, domestic abuse, hurricane relief and human trafficking recovery charities. Ally's "fierce tiger lady" brand is characterized by positivity, vulnerability, and embracing the art of reinvention. She is a proud wife and mother of seven children and lives in Sunset Beach, NC. Learn more and follow Ally: www.fiercetigerlady.com [http://www.fiercetigerlady.com/] https://www.tiktok.com/@allyshawauthor?_t=ZP-8tHeKsDAWFy&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@allyshawauthor?_t=ZP-8tHeKsDAWFy&_r=1] https://www.facebook.com/allyshawfiercetigerlady? [https://www.facebook.com/allyshawfiercetigerlady?]       https://www.instagram.com/allyshawauthor?igsh=MTFjM3M2NTYybWFwaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/allyshawauthor?igsh=MTFjM3M2NTYybWFwaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

A Conversation with Katie Asmus, Somatic and Nature-Based Therapist, International Teacher/Speaker, Ceremonialist and Rites of Passage Guide

With several decades of experience in outdoor education, therapy, teaching, mentoring and rites of passage guiding, Katie Asmus, MA, BMP, LPC, incorporates present-moment awareness, relationship to the natural world, body-mind connection and ceremonial practices to support people in more deeply and compassionately connecting to themselves, others and the earth. She believes strongly in the power of spending time in nature as a way to deeply listen inward, and has a long history of creating, practicing and facilitating personally meaningful, culturally relevant ceremonies and rites of passage.  Katie also has had a 30-plus-year career working with therapy and coaching clients and over 20 years teaching wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, ecotherapy and somatic therapy at a graduate level. Currently, Katie directs and facilitates rites of passage trainings and experiences, sees therapy and coaching clients, guest teaches and trains therapists and healers through The Somatic Nature Therapy Institute in Colorado, though she also has online offerings. She is known for saying that “Inner work is world peace work.” https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/ [https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/somatic-nature-therapy-institute [https://www.linkedin.com/company/somatic-nature-therapy-institute]  https://www.instagram.com/somaticnaturetherapy/ [https://www.instagram.com/somaticnaturetherapy/] https://www.facebook.com/somaticnaturetherapy [https://www.facebook.com/somaticnaturetherapy] https://www.youtube.com/@infosomaticnaturetherapy [https://www.youtube.com/@infosomaticnaturetherapy]  https://www.tiktok.com/@snti_boulder [https://www.tiktok.com/@snti_boulder] https://www.pinterest.com/somaticnaturetherapyinstitute/nature-therapy/ [https://www.pinterest.com/somaticnaturetherapyinstitute/nature-therapy/]

A Conversation with Lisa Skinner, Behavioral Expert in the Field of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Lisa Skinner has dedicated her career to teaching people the skills to effectively manage brain disease. She is a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In her 20-year career as a community counselor and regional director of senior care facilities, she has helped thousands of families find the best care options for their loved ones. She spreads her important message as a trainer, adviser and public speaker. Lisa wrote the book, Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost, Stories of Hope for Families Facing Alzheimer’s and Dementia [https://amzn.to/2eBDiy5] for those who are coping with loved ones afflicted with a dementia-related illness, and crumbling with the anguish of helplessly standing by, watching their loved one decline, and not knowing how to make it better for all who are affected. She also co-wrote Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's: Its Secret Faces (including an accompanying workbook), which includes effective responses for dealing with loved ones with dementia. In this episode we talk about some things we can do to decrease our risk of having Alzheimer's (including what not to eat and certain activities) and ways to care for loved ones with dementia. Lisa joined us from Napa, California. Learn more at www.mindingdementia.com [http://www.allseniorssafeandsound.com/] https://www.facebook.com/notallwhowanderneedbelost