Hey Rhona: Let's talk ...

11. Let's Talk: Breaking Silence, Finding Freedom with Tonya Peck

In this week’s episode of The Hey Rhona Podcast, Tonya shares her journey of finding freedom and purpose by breaking the silence on what she once kept hidden. Her story is a powerful reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s a path to healing and can be scary even in places that should feel safe. We talk about creating safe spaces as leaders, and how shame loses its power when we speak our truth. Tonya reminds us that sharing our story is a gift that creates a safe space for others to find freedom.  If you’ve ever wondered how to step into your own story and stop sitting in silence, here are three ways to start: 1. Own it privately. Take time to write it down, pray through it, or reflect in a safe space. Naming what you’ve hidden begins the journey of release. 2. Share it safely. Speak with someone you trust—a friend, mentor, or small group. Practicing vulnerability builds confidence.  3. Reframe it as a gift. Your story can inspire and heal others. Speaking what was once secret allows connection and hope to flourish. 🌱 Put It Into Practice Conversations bring clarity, but practice brings change. This week’s small step toward freedom: * Spend 10 minutes writing one part of your story you’ve kept quiet. End with: “This is part of my story, but it does not define me. This story can dismantle the shame and bring freedom to others when I'm willing to share.” * Share a small piece of it with a trusted person. * Reflect on how your story could encourage or free someone else. Remember, your story matters, your voice carries hope, and you don’t walk this road alone. Keep living with courage and grace. Cheers to hope + healing,  Rhona Have a Question? Shoot me a text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/support] Click HERE [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]  to take my free assessment and unlock your gifts in life + leadership. Nothing's wasted. The seasons that shape you are filled with challenges. These challenges create and opportunity to sink into your struggles or step into your gifts. Your primal question will stunt your growth or propel you into your greatest gifts. Start Today at www.heyrhona.com [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]

10. Let’s talk: childhood grief, inner city schools, and finding freedom

What happens when a teacher becomes the student of her own healing? Brittany Cooper-Castro opens up about childhood trauma, stepping away from the classroom, and rewriting her family’s legacy—one boundary at a time. This episode is a tender reminder that healing isn’t just about the past—it’s about choosing how we show up today for ourselves and those we love. Brittany shares her journey in education teaching at inner-city schools from Chicago to Miami for over a decade. The conversation takes a deeper turn as Brittany shares about childhood grief—the tragic loss of her grandparents and great-uncle—and how those early wounds shaped her perspective on life, empathy, and leadership. As an adult, therapy became a path to healing and breaking free from the weight of unprocessed trauma. Together, Rhona and Brittany explore the importance of self-care, setting healthy boundaries, and intentionally rewriting generational patterns.  Your past may shape you, but it doesn’t have to define the story you write next. The “3Rs of Intentional Living” You can apply Brittany’s insights to your own life with this simple journaling prompt: 1. Reflect: What childhood experiences still influence how you parent, lead, or love today? 2. Reframe: What beliefs or patterns are you ready to release or rewrite? 3. Reset: What’s one boundary or self-care practice you can put in place this week? Whether you’re parenting, teaching, in the healing process, or navigating a new life chapter, Brittany’s story will meet you with grace and encouragement. Cheers to hope + healing ❤️‍🩹 Have a Question? Shoot me a text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/support] Click HERE [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]  to take my free assessment and unlock your gifts in life + leadership. Nothing's wasted. The seasons that shape you are filled with challenges. These challenges create and opportunity to sink into your struggles or step into your gifts. Your primal question will stunt your growth or propel you into your greatest gifts. Start Today at www.heyrhona.com [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]

11. Let’s talk: renewing your mind, meteorology, and dystopian novels with Sandra Shaw

Today Rhona sits with Sandra Shaw. She shares her story of pivoting from the news room to the weather room. Join our conversation on faith, healing, and living with intention. Sandra opens up about her journey of knowing about God but not truly knowing Him, and how hitting rock bottom became the turning point that awakened her faith and reshaped her future. Together, she and Rhona talk about the everyday discipline of renewing the mind, the  work it takes to heal from trauma, and how faith carried them through. Sandra also shares her debut novel—a futuristic story that blends AI, philosophy, and faith.  If you’re in a season of rebuilding, questioning your path, or searching for purpose—you’re not alone. This conversation is for you. Have a Question? Shoot me a text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/support] Click HERE [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]  to take my free assessment and unlock your gifts in life + leadership. Nothing's wasted. The seasons that shape you are filled with challenges. These challenges create and opportunity to sink into your struggles or step into your gifts. Your primal question will stunt your growth or propel you into your greatest gifts. Start Today at www.heyrhona.com [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]

9. Let’s Talk: Sacred Seasons. Starting Scared. Shaping Stories. with Erin Cuccio

What if the fear you feel isn’t a stop sign—but a starting point? In this heartfelt episode, Rhona sits down with author, speaker and coach Erin Cuccio to talk about what it really looks like to begin again after loss, shift direction, and chase dreams that feel too big (or too soon). From leaving a steady career to walking through grief, Erin opens up about how purpose often finds us in our most uncertain seasons—and why she believes, “You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to start scared.” 3 Ways to Lead When You’re Starting Scared: ✨ Be honest. Let others see the real you—it builds trust. 🤝 Go slow. Lead with care, not pressure. 🔥 Stay anchored. Purpose matters more than polish. Ask yourself: “What’s one small, brave step I can take today?” Then take it—even if it’s messy. Forward is forward. The questions underneath our decisions—Am I safe? Am I good enough? Do I have purpose?—shape how we lead through transition, grief, and growth.  Your Primal Question will remind you: healing and clarity begin when we answer those questions with truth, not fear. Having a clear perspective of your primal imprint will fuel growth or keep you from it. Check out my website to learn more about WORKING TOGETHER. Learn more about Erin: erincuccio.com [https://erincuccio.com/podcast/] Have a Question? Shoot me a text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/support] Click HERE [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]  to take my free assessment and unlock your gifts in life + leadership. Nothing's wasted. The seasons that shape you are filled with challenges. These challenges create and opportunity to sink into your struggles or step into your gifts. Your primal question will stunt your growth or propel you into your greatest gifts. Start Today at www.heyrhona.com [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]

Let's talk: Grief in Surrender, Anxiety, and Cultivating a Creative Community

This week, I sit down with Andrea for a vulnerable conversation about the grief in surrender, identity, and the work God as we move from anxiety to self-leadership. Andrea shares her journey of walking away from an engagement, building a thriving career as a wedding photographer, and facing the anxiety that came with letting go of the life she once pictured. We talk about how easy it is to anchor our identity in relationships and work — and what happens when God invites us to release those things to discover who we truly are. Grief isn’t just about death; it shows up in breakups, career shifts, and the loss of old dreams.  Through it all, Andrea found purpose in her pain, and a deeper sense of community and calling on the other side. If you're in a season of transition, heartbreak, or questioning who you are beyond what you do or who you’re with, this episode will remind you that letting go is not the end — it’s the beginning of becoming. In this episode, we talk about: * How grief often begins with letting go of identities, not just people * The connection between anxiety and losing what once defined you * How God meets us in the "in-between" seasons with purpose and healing * Why cultivating honest community is essential in times of change 3 Tips for Navigating Grief and Transition: 1. Release false identities tied to work and relationships. Your worth isn’t built on what you do or who you’re with. 2. Find purpose inside the pain, not after it. God often uses broken seasons to plant the seeds of your next calling. 3. Surround yourself with community that speaks truth when you forget it. Healing rarely happens in total isolation — we need safe spaces and safe people as we navigate grief and transition.  How to Support Someone Letting Go of a Dream ✨ Just Be There “I’m here with you.” No fixing. Just presence. 💔 Validate the Loss “It’s okay to grieve what you hoped for.” What they lost mattered. 🌊 Make Space for All Emotions “Whatever you feel right now is allowed.” Grief is messy. Let it be. ⏳ Name the In-Between “You’re in the space between what was and what’s next.” This is a tender and sacred place. 🌱 Hold Hope Without Rushing “You don’t have to make sense of this yet.” Let healing come slowly. 🫶 Invite Gentle Sharing “If you ever want to talk, I’m here to listen.” Have a Question? Shoot me a text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354070/support] Click HERE [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]  to take my free assessment and unlock your gifts in life + leadership. Nothing's wasted. The seasons that shape you are filled with challenges. These challenges create and opportunity to sink into your struggles or step into your gifts. Your primal question will stunt your growth or propel you into your greatest gifts. Start Today at www.heyrhona.com [https://rhonarubiocoaching.outgrow.us/rhonarubiocoachingmikefostercoachingV2]