From Hiding in the Hustle to Leading with Authenticity with Stacy Raske

From Hiding in the Hustle to Leading with Authenticity with Stacy Raske

Many leaders spend years chasing success—building businesses, advancing careers, and achieving goals—only to discover they're exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from who they truly are. In this powerful episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, host John Geyston sits down with Iraq War veteran, entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and leadership coach Stacy Raske to discuss what it means to stop hiding behind achievement and start leading from a place of authenticity. Stacy shares her journey from military service and pharmaceutical chemistry to entrepreneurship and coaching, revealing the lessons she's learned about self-leadership, boundaries, burnout, confidence, and sustainable success. Together, John and Stacy explore: ✅ Why so many high achievers feel unfulfilled despite outward success ✅ The hidden cost of hustle culture and people-pleasing ✅ How self-sabotage keeps leaders stuck ✅ The importance of healthy boundaries in leadership and life ✅ What it means to become "InFLOWential" instead of simply influential ✅ How authenticity creates stronger relationships, teams, and businesses ✅ Practical strategies for leading with purpose, confidence, and alignment If you've ever felt trapped by expectations, overwhelmed by responsibility, or disconnected from your true self, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to redefine success on your own terms.

The #1 Reason Your Business Isn't Growing (And It's Not Marketing)

Most business owners think they have a marketing problem. They don't. They have a leadership problem. In this episode of Embrace Your Awesome, John Geyston reveals why growth doesn't expose your strengths—it exposes your weaknesses. Discover the hidden bottlenecks that keep entrepreneurs trapped in the daily grind, why more customers won't solve broken systems, and how to build a business that thrives without depending on you every minute of every day. If you're ready to stop working in your business and start leading through your business, this episode is your roadmap to sustainable growth, stronger leadership, and lasting success. 🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with another entrepreneur who's ready to break through their next level. 🎙️ Podcast TitleSpotify Episode Summary

What Depression Really Feels Like: The Conversation Every Family Needs to Hear | Pamela J. Wells

What if the person you love is silently battling depression... and you don't know how to help? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston sits down with author Pamela J. Wells, who courageously shares her journey through years of severe clinical depression, multiple hospitalizations, and surviving a suicide attempt. Rather than allowing her pain to define her, Pamela transformed it into purpose by writing In Their Shoes: A Journey of Understanding and Supporting Depression—a powerful book filled with real stories from people living with depression, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Together, they reveal what truly helps, what unintentionally hurts, and how we can better support those we love. This isn't a conversation about statistics or diagnoses—it's about real people, real pain, real hope, and real healing. * What depression really feels like from the inside * The warning signs families often miss * What to say—and what not to say—to someone who is struggling * How caregivers can support loved ones without feeling helpless * The power of empathy, listening, and hope * Why recovery is possible, even after life's darkest moments Whether you're facing depression yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply want to better understand mental health, this episode will leave you with greater compassion, perspective, and hope. 🎧 Subscribe to the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast for inspiring conversations on leadership, resilience, faith, mental wellness, and personal growth that empower you to become the very best version of yourself. Spotify Episode DescriptionIn this episode, you'll discover:

The Hidden Cost of Hate: Why Letting Go Sets You Free

The Hidden Cost of Hate: Why Letting Go Sets You Free Every one of us has been hurt. We've been betrayed, rejected, lied to, misunderstood, or disappointed by someone we trusted. But while pain is unavoidable, allowing that pain to become resentment or hate is a choice that ultimately costs us far more than the person who hurt us. In this powerful solo episode of the Embrace Your Awesome Podcast, John Geyston explores the psychology behind hate, why our brains naturally hold onto painful experiences, and how bitterness slowly becomes a prison of our own making. You'll discover why hate is rarely the first emotion we feel, how resentment creates the illusion of control, and why forgiveness isn't about excusing someone else's behavior—it's about reclaiming your own peace. Whether you're struggling with past hurt, broken relationships, disappointment, or simply looking for greater emotional freedom, this episode offers practical wisdom, faith-based encouragement, and a roadmap toward healing. Because true strength isn't found in revenge... It's found in choosing growth over bitterness. ✔ Why hate is usually rooted in pain—not strength ✔ The dangerous illusion that anger gives us control ✔ How your brain reinforces resentment ✔ Why forgiveness sets YOU free ✔ The path from hurt... to healing... to hope If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this message today. Remember... "Hate doesn't imprison the person you hate. It imprisons you." In this episode you'll discover:

Living Your Truth: The Path to Happiness, Purpose, and Success

Today’s guest is someone whose journey is both powerful and deeply relatable. Hugo Maynard is a father, traveler, entrepreneur, storyteller, former Olympian, educator, and speaker whose life experiences have taken him across industries, continents, and personal transformations. From growing up in poverty… to building businesses… to discovering that life’s greatest wealth isn’t material… Hugo now helps people reconnect with something many have lost: their authentic inner voice. Today we’re going to talk about identity, success, emotional honesty, journaling, manhood, purpose, and what it really means to embrace your awesome.