Quieting the Noise: What I Learned in Nine Months Without Alcohol

Are You Waiting for Change or Choosing It?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428365/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle Friday sits down with speaker, coach, and podcast host Bob Mathers to ask a simple question with big consequences: Are you waiting for change, or choosing it? Bob shares the two moments that reshaped his life - getting sober after decades of weekend drinking and facing his son’s sudden brain surgery and how those experiences moved him from coasting to living with intention. Together, Jenelle and Bob connect story to science. Jenelle breaks down the amygdala–hypothalamus–prefrontal cortex loop and how fear, habit, and chemistry keep us stuck. Bob shows what interrupting that loop looks like in real time: prioritizing sleep, scheduling “high-energy” work before 11 a.m., and adopting Morning Pages to find his voice onstage, with clients, and online. They also explore the practice of savoring positive moments for about 17 seconds to counter negativity bias, and Bob’s “Cookie Jar” — a simple way to bank proof of past wins so you can act with courage when your brain throws up doubt. If you’ve been feeling the pull to change but don’t know where to start, this conversation gives you a blueprint. You’ll walk away with practical steps to journal without judgment, protect your best creative hours, slow down for small joys, and choose intentional action when the old pattern calls you back. Resources: * Connect with Bob on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmathers/) * Listen to The Growth Mixtape podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4yJWl0GtV3wgVGzsoMysq6?si=8149fff0304c4dd5) * Explore Bob’s speaking and work: bobmathers.ca * Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (https://a.co/d/1J38SNc) * Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins (the “Cookie Jar” concept) (https://a.co/d/2E75Z9f) * Quote referenced: “Take responsibility for the energy you bring to this place.” — Oprah Winfrey Referenced ideas and tools: * Energy mapping your day to match work with your natural peaks * Morning Pages: three handwritten pages first thing in the morning, no editing, no sharing * Savoring: linger with a positive moment for ~17 seconds * The Cookie Jar: write past wins on notes and pull one when you need courage Whether you’re rebuilding after a hard season or simply ready to stop running on autopilot, this episode invites you to pause, choose, and lead your life on purpose.

Is Freedom Just One Breath Away?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428365/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Friday Feelings, Jenelle Friday sits down with transformational speaker and author Sam Kabert to explore a deceptively simple question: Can your breath change your life? The answer, according to Sam and the science he shares is a resounding YES! Sam opens up about the moment breathwork transformed his world from the inside out, despite outward success as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur. He dives into the concept of Soul Life Balance, shares his 6-step BREATH framework, and explains why surrender isn’t about giving up, it’s about letting go of control and finding power in presence. Together, Jenelle and Sam unpack how breathwork can help us confront trauma, regulate emotions, and stop living on autopilot. This powerful conversation bridges the gap between neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and spiritual growth, offering tangible practices like the 90-second rule and the "ninja breath" to help you lead with intention and clarity. Whether you're skeptical or searching for something more, this episode invites you to pause, breathe, and see what's waiting beneath the surface. Resources: * Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabert/ * Listen to his podcast Soul Seeker: https://open.spotify.com/show/17i3xvuAhNxO80SVARfvnb?si=dc2e0054e30e47b0 * Check out his website: https://samkabert.com/ * Grab your copy of his book "Soul Life Balance" here: https://a.co/d/3QE4mwo * Join Sam's Breath Club here: https://samkabert.com/breathclub/ Referenced Materials: * Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell: https://a.co/d/2w0zCrz

Can One Thankful Thought Rewire Your Entire Brain?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428365/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Friday Feelings, we explore the life-changing power of gratitude. Jenelle is joined by guest Nick Venturella, musician, marketer, father, and creator of the Grow Loop Journal, for an honest and inspiring conversation about how gratitude transforms our mindset, builds resilience, and reshapes how we experience life’s hardest moments. Together, Jenelle and Nick unpack how gratitude works at the level of the brain and body, why it’s a practice (not just a feeling), and how it can be cultivated even in seasons of loss, uncertainty, and survival mode. You’ll hear practical ways to begin building a gratitude habit whether through journaling, breathwork, relationships, or reframing your toughest experiences. This conversation will leave you encouraged, empowered, and ready to embrace one of the most profound tools for emotional intelligence and life transformation: gratitude. Resources * Connect with Nick! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickv/ * Check out his website: https://www.nickventurella.com/ * The GrowLoop Journal: https://www.lulu.com/shop/nick-venturella/the-growloop-journal/paperback/product-95me2ry.html?page=1&pageSize=4 Referenced Material: * The Tools by Phil Stutz: https://a.co/d/2CK7ur0 * The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: https://a.co/d/gLb9TrD * The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: https://a.co/d/99S0dRX

Are You Emotionally Available For Your Team?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428365/fan_mail/new] In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Jenelle welcomes leadership coach and former CS leader Norma Serena to explore an often overlooked but crucial leadership question: Are you emotionally available for your team? Together, they unpack what it truly means to show up for your people, not just in body, but in mind, heart, and presence. From defining the difference between being physically present versus emotionally engaged, to breaking down why so many leaders unintentionally disconnect, Norma and Jenelle dive deep into the reality of today’s hustle-driven workplace culture. They explore practical ways leaders can build trust, foster empathy, and regulate their own nervous system to create safe, empowering environments. The episode also offers tactical advice for individual contributors on how to advocate for their own needs when their leader isn’t emotionally available. Key takeaways include: ✅ Why your team craves emotional presence, not just leadership checklists ✅ Simple practices to regulate your stress before 1:1s and meetings ✅ How reframing your mindset can align work with your personal values ✅ Practical breathwork tools to reset and refocus ✅ Tips for individual contributors navigating absent leadership Whether you’re a seasoned manager, a new leader, or an individual contributor wanting more from your leadership experience, this episode will inspire you to bring more humanity, awareness, and connection into every interaction. As always, remember: transformation starts from within. Resources * Connect with Norma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/normaserena/ * Norma's website: https://intentionalleadership.ca/ [https://intentionalleadership.ca/] * https://intentionalleadership.ca/#freeResources [https://intentionalleadership.ca/#freeResources] * Link to book a 1h reset call with Norma: https://calendly.com/normahogan/intentional-leadership-adhoc-1-1 [https://calendly.com/normahogan/intentional-leadership-adhoc-1-1]  * What people can expect: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/normaserena_if-you-were-looking-for-a-sign-to-take-a-activity-7336395767084982274-I99k [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/normaserena_if-you-were-looking-for-a-sign-to-take-a-activity-7336395767084982274-I99k])

Quieting the Noise: What I Learned in Nine Months Without Alcohol

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428365/fan_mail/new] In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Friday Feelings, host Jenelle Friday sits down with Jay Nathan, a respected tech leader and founder of Baloa Solutions, to explore a rarely discussed topic in the professional world: the emotional roots of alcohol dependency. Jay vulnerably shares his story of giving up alcohol, not for a challenge or a cleanse, but to reclaim his peace, identity, and purpose. What started as a glass to take the edge off evolved into a daily crutch that masked anxiety, insecurity, and a deeper emotional disconnect. Together, Jay and Jenelle unpack how vices often stem from unmet emotional needs and what happens when we stop avoiding and start healing. This episode is a raw look at what it means to step away from numbing and step into emotional intelligence, radical self-awareness, and sustainable life change. Key Takeaways: * Why dependency is often a symptom of deeper emotional wounds * How business culture normalizes drinking and how to opt out without shame * Jay’s tactical tools: therapy, consistency, habit stacking, and coaching * The role of identity, faith, and community in long-term change Resources: * Connect with Jay on LinkedIn:  * Jay’s Newsletter: chiefcustomerofficer.io [https://chiefcustomerofficer.io/] Resources Mentioned: * Program: Celebrate Recovery [https://www.celebraterecovery.com/]: https://celebraterecovery.com/ * Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://a.co/d/e3o7e2Q * Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://a.co/d/fYOZW4w > Trigger Warning: This episode includes sensitive content related to addiction and mental health.