Using Stories to Change How We See Disability – Sean Adelman

Conversation with Empowerment Strategist Vesta Hurlbutt

Vesta Hurlbutt is an empowerment strategist, cardiovascular technologist, Ho'oponopono practitioner, health coach, and single mother. She works with strong women and men who have forgotten their power and want it back. As a single mother and provider, she has tested the tools that cultivate self-love and compassion in the throes of stress and responsibility. ‎ ‎In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: ‎‎- What being stuck looked like for Vesta – and the turning point ‎- The changes she made to find her happy – and which mattered most ‎- The hardest season as a single mother – and how she got through it ‎- The difference between earned self-esteem and inherent self-worth ‎- How to forgive yourself for past mistakes ‎- The role of forgiving others in your own healing ‎- What "choosing yourself" actually looks like in daily life ‎- What Ho'oponopono is – and how the four phrases create healing ‎- How to open your heart after being hurt ‎- Letting go of expectations – without losing your standards ‎- Navigating role changes when children become adults ‎- How to deal with grief and loss – while still choosing happiness ‎- One small thing you can do today to start reclaiming your power ‎ ‎If you have ever felt stuck, forgotten your own power, or wondered how to find happiness in the midst of real life – this conversation is for you. ‎You are not stuck forever. Your power is not gone – it has just been forgotten. And you can reclaim it – one small choice, one moment of self-love, one act of forgiveness at a time. ‎ ‎Connect with Vesta Hurlbutt ‎Website: vitalitywithvesta.com ‎Podcast: Open Heart Healing Podcast ‎Instagram: VlHurlbutt ‎follow and rate the show

Why You Feel Overwhelmed – and How to Come Back to Yourself – Isa Lara Marie

Isa Lara Marie is a spiritual intuitive, energy medicine practitioner, and author of the #1 bestselling memoir First Light. After healing from profound trauma and learning to return to her body and inner authority, she now helps others do the same. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: ‎‎- Isa's journey of healing profound trauma – and the turning point ‎- What it means to "return to yourself" – and why it feels so difficult ‎- How to recognize disconnection from yourself in your own life ‎- What spiritual awakening really is – and how it's misunderstood ‎‎- Why people feel overwhelmed by emotions or disconnected from them ‎- What true healing is – and why trying to fix yourself doesn't work ‎- The role of the body in emotional healing and transformation ‎- How to feel emotions without becoming overwhelmed ‎- Why sensitive or intuitive people often struggle – and how that becomes a strength ‎- How to stop absorbing other people's energy ‎- What it looks like to live from inner authority instead of external validation ‎ ‎If you have ever felt disconnected, overwhelmed, or like you've lost yourself – this conversation is for you. ‎You are not broken. You may have just been away from yourself for a while. Healing is not about fixing – it is about returning. And that return is possible, one small moment of presence at a time. ‎ ‎Connect with Isa Lara Marie ‎Website: isalaramarie.com Book: First Light (Amazon #1 Bestselling Memoir) Follow and rate the show ‎

The Truth About Baby Sleep No One Tells New Moms – Felicia Nassif

If you are a mom who has ever found yourself awake at 3am, Googling "why won't my baby sleep" while running on fumes and second-guessing everything – this conversation is for you.‎ ‎Felicia Nassif is a Pediatric Registered Nurse with over 17 years of experience in adult trauma and pediatric care. She is a certified lactation educator, parent coach, and pediatric sleep consultant. Her own transition into motherhood included medical complications, prolonged bed rest, and challenges with feeding and sleep – experiences that brought feelings of isolation and self-doubt. ‎ ‎Now she helps overwhelmed working moms go from exhausted and Googling at 3am to rested, confident, and connected in motherhood – without rigid schedules or cry-it-out methods. ‎ ‎In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: ‎‎- Why moms are overwhelmed from uncertainty – not just lack of sleep ‎- What was missing from the support Felicia received as a new mom ‎- Why modern moms feel like they're failing at baby sleep ‎- The hidden factors keeping babies awake every 1–2 hours ‎- How a mother's nervous system impacts baby sleep ‎- Why rigid schedules fail working moms ‎- The biggest misconception about sleep training ‎- How to get better sleep without You are not failing because your baby isn't sleeping. The system was not designed to support you. But with the right information, the right tools, and the right support – calmer nights are possible. ‎ ‎Connect with Felicia Nassif Website: felicianassif.com ‎Free clarity call – decide if Felicia's gentle sleep approach is right for you Follow and rate the show.

Using Stories to Change How We See Disability – Sean Adelman

Sean Adelman is an orthopedic surgeon, Air Force veteran, and father whose daughter has Down syndrome. He shares the moment of her diagnosis, what he would tell a new parent, and what was missing from his medical education. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: ‎- The moment Sean's daughter was diagnosed – and what went through his mind ‎- What he would tell a parent of a child with a new diagnosis ‎- What was missing from his medical education and life experiences ‎- How his perception of success has changed ‎- What Raise Expectations is – and why that name ‎- How low expectations become a self-fulfilling prophecy ‎- How his daughter Devon lives independently, is employed, and coaches ‎- The difference between inclusion and acceptance ‎- How schools and workplaces can move from token inclusion to true belonging ‎- Why representation matters in books, media, and entertainment ‎- How his other children have been shaped by having a sister with Down syndrome ‎- How being a trauma surgeon affects his perspective on disability ‎- One small thing you can do today to raise your expectations ‎ ‎If you want to understand inclusion, acceptance, and the power of expectations – this conversation is for you. ‎Our expectations shape not only our own perspective, but the lives of those around us. When we raise expectations, we open doors. When we share stories, we change minds. And when we truly accept, we create belonging. ‎ ‎Connect with Sean Adelman ‎Website: raiseexpectations.com Follow and rate the show.

Why Your Child Needs a Coach on Your Parenting Team – Renaye Thornborrow

Renaye Thornborrow is the founder of Adventures in Wisdom, a company that certifies life coaches to work with children using a story-based curriculum. She shares how motherhood sparked a global movement, why life coaching is so important for children, and how coaching differs from counseling and parenting. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: ‎- How motherhood sparked a worldwide movement ‎- Why life coaching is so important for children today ‎- How life coaching helps children be confident and prepared for life ‎- The difference between coaching, counseling, and parenting ‎- Why coaches use coaching stories instead of lectures or worksheets ‎- What a coaching session with a child actually looks like ‎- What self-talk is – and why it's the foundation of self-esteem ‎- 3 traps that crush self-esteem – and how to beat them ‎- What a "parenting team" is – and why you need one ‎- How to become a children's life coach ‎- What makes a great children's life coach ‎- One simple exercise a parent can do with their child today ‎ ‎If you are a parent who wants to raise resilient, confident kids – or someone who wants to become a children's life coach – this conversation is for you. ‎Our children are facing a mental health crisis – but there is hope. Life coaching for kids is a powerful, proven solution that helps children build the mindset skills they need to thrive. And it starts with a story. ‎ ‎Connect with Renaye Thornborrow ‎website: adventuresinwisdom.com/free-story ‎Book: A Parent's Guide to Life Coaching for Kids Follow and rate the show.