The Rising with Janel Gonzalez

How to Stop Blaming Others and Take Responsibility for Your Life with Chad Taylor

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t other people—but the stories you keep telling yourself? In this powerful conversation, psychotherapist and author Chad Taylor joins Janel to discuss addiction, recovery, ego, self-awareness, personal responsibility, emotional healing, and why lasting transformation begins when we stop blaming others and start looking inward. Drawing from his own recovery journey, Chad shares the wisdom behind his book It's You, Oh Fck, It's Me* and explains how awareness, community, gratitude, and self-reflection can help us break free from destructive patterns and create meaningful change. In this episode: * Why blaming others keeps us stuck * The role of ego in our suffering * Addiction, recovery, and personal transformation * How to become more self-aware * The power of community and connection * Why healing requires honesty * The truth about AA and the 12-step process * How to stop escaping and start facing yourself * Gratitude, simplicity, and intentional living 📖 Get Chad's book:  https://www.itsyouohfuckitsme.com [https://www.itsyouohfuckitsme.com] 🌎 Learn more about Chad: https://chadtaylorpsychotherapy.com.au/ [https://chadtaylorpsychotherapy.com.au/] 📸 Follow Chad: https://www.instagram.com/chadtaylor.itsyou [https://www.instagram.com/chadtaylor.itsyou] 👉 If this episode helped you, please rate, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reset. Click here to follow Janel on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co/] Click here to WATCH this episode. [https://www.youtube.com/@therisingpod]

Why Escaping Your Life Is Keeping You Stuck

What are you using to escape your reality? In this episode, Janel explores the ways we numb, distract, and disconnect from our lives through unhealthy escapism—whether it’s overworking, staying busy, alcohol, devices, fantasy thinking, or avoiding our emotions altogether. This honest conversation is about learning how to stop running from discomfort and start reconnecting with the life that’s actually in front of you. Through reflection, gratitude, acceptance, and mindset shifts, Janel shares how to stop living in a false reality and begin creating peace within your current one. In this episode: * The difference between healthy enjoyment and unhealthy escapism * Why we avoid discomfort and emotional pain * How devices, distractions, and fantasy thinking disconnect us * Learning to accept your current reality without giving up * Why gratitude changes your perspective * How to stop comparing your life to others * Finding joy in the present moment * Reframing difficult seasons with intention and awareness ✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal:  https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF [https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF] ✨ Explore VIVÉA 44: https://vivea44.com [https://vivea44.com] 👉 If this episode helped you, please rate, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reset. Click here to follow Janel on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co/] Click here to WATCH this episode. [https://www.youtube.com/@therisingpod]

Are You The Captain of Your Own Life?

Are you steering your own life—or letting everyone else choose the direction for you? In this episode, Janel explores what it really means to become the captain of your own life. Through the metaphor of navigating a ship at sea, she shares a powerful conversation about personal responsibility, emotional resilience, boundaries, rest, peace, and learning how to reconnect with your own internal compass. This episode is an invitation to stop drifting through life on autopilot and start intentionally choosing the direction you want your life to take. In this episode: • How to stop living on autopilot • Why personal responsibility changes everything • Reconnecting with your internal compass • Learning to navigate difficult seasons • How to protect your peace and energy • Choosing relationships that support your growth • Why rest and reflection are necessary • Taking ownership of your life direction ✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal:https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF ✨ Explore VIVÉA 44:https://vivea44.com 👉 If this episode helped you, please rate, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reset. Click here to follow Janel on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co/] Click here to WATCH this episode. [https://www.youtube.com/@therisingpod]

Spring Clean Your Identity: How to Shed the Old You and Step Into Who You're Becoming

What if this season isn't asking you to do more—but to release what no longer fits? In this episode, Janel explores the concept of identity evolution and why shedding old versions of yourself isn't a crisis—it's a calling. Through the lens of the RISE principles—reflection, intention, simplicity, and enjoyment—this episode is an open invitation to audit who you are now, reconnect with your authentic self, and step boldly into a new season. Spring cleaning isn't just for your home. It's for your identity too. In this episode: • Why an identity shift is not a crisis • How to audit who you are right now • Releasing roles and personas that no longer fit • How societal conditioning keeps us stuck • Why midlife can be your most powerful awakening • Using reflection and free writing to reconnect with yourself • Making decisions from your future self • How enjoyment unlocks parts of you that you didn't know existed ✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF [https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF] ✨ Explore VIVÉA 44: https://vivea44.com [https://vivea44.com] 👉 If this episode helped you, please rate, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reset. Click here to follow Janel on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co/] Click here to WATCH this episode. [https://www.youtube.com/@therisingpod]

The Truth About Motherhood, Burnout, and Finding Joy in the Messy Seasons

Motherhood can be beautiful, overwhelming, joyful, exhausting—and all of those things can exist at the same time. In this special Mother’s Day episode, Janel opens up about the duality of motherhood, navigating overstimulation, mom guilt, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and learning to find joy in the messy, imperfect seasons of raising children. This honest conversation explores how the RISE principles—reflection, intention, simplicity, and enjoyment—can help mothers reconnect with themselves while still showing up for their families. From setting boundaries and simplifying your calendar to learning how to truly be present with your children, this episode is a reminder that “perfect motherhood” doesn’t exist—and that good enough is enough. Janel also shares more about creating intentional routines, protecting your peace, and building a life rooted in calm and simplicity—something that inspired her skincare and wellness brand, VIVÉA 44, designed to elevate your natural beauty through intentional self-care rituals.  In this episode: • Why motherhood can feel both joyful and overwhelming • Learning to release perfection and comparison • How reflection and quiet mornings help reset your nervous system • Why saying “no” protects your family’s peace • The importance of rest, recovery, and slowing down • How 20 minutes of presence can deeply impact your child • Finding joy in motherhood—even in difficult seasons ✨ Shop VIVÉA 44: https://vivea44.com/ 📖 The Rising Quote Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF 👉 If this episode helped you, please rate, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reset. Click here to follow Janel on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co/] Click here to WATCH this episode. [https://www.youtube.com/@therisingpod]