Chronicles of the Phoenix

Connection, Commitment, and the Space Between: Introducing CoJourn with Molly Keehn

We talk a lot about connection, loneliness, and the importance of having support systems. But what if meaningful connection isn't something that just happens? What if it can be intentionally built? In this episode, we sit down with Molly Keehn, co-creator of CoJourn, a program that combines accountability, self-compassion, and human connection to help people move toward meaningful goals while building deeper relationships along the way. Molly shares the personal story behind CoJourn, from her own struggle with anxiety during graduate school to creating a framework that has helped people strengthen relationships, increase follow-through, and create lasting change. Together, we explore the power of reciprocity, why so many people struggle to move beyond surface-level relationships, and how connection often emerges when we stop trying to fix one another and simply learn how to listen. We discuss loneliness, vulnerability, the research behind accountability and self-compassion, and why one consistent relationship can have a profound impact on wellbeing. We also dive into how CoJourn is being used in workplaces, schools, and communities, and why structure can sometimes be the very thing that makes authentic connection possible. Whether you're looking to achieve a personal goal, strengthen a relationship, or simply feel a little less alone, this conversation offers a practical and hopeful path forward. To learn more about CoJourn, visit www.cojourn.org or connect with Molly and CoJourn on LinkedIn (@cojourn) and Instagram (@cojourninternational).

Burnout Isn’t Just Exhaustion—It’s Disconnection

Burnout doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. It’s not just exhaustion or having too much on your plate. Sometimes it shows up as disconnection. From yourself. From others. From the things that once felt meaningful. In this episode, we explore what burnout actually feels like in real life. The version that looks like functioning on the outside while quietly feeling depleted, irritated, or checked out on the inside. We talk about the “burnout bubble” and how overwhelm can lead to isolation, which only deepens the experience. We also name the subtle signs people often miss. Avoiding texts, feeling resentful toward things you chose, or constantly defaulting to “I’m just busy” when something deeper is going on. Most importantly, we offer practical ways to begin reconnecting. Not through major changes or escapes, but through small, intentional moments that bring you back to yourself and others. Because burnout isn’t just about doing too much. It’s about feeling like you’re carrying it alone. If you’re feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or like you’re showing up without really being present, this episode offers a different way to understand what’s happening and a gentler way to move through it.

One Year In: What Building Something Taught Us

One year ago, we made the decision to leave full-time work and build something of our own. In this episode, we reflect on what this past year has really taught us. Not just about running a business, but about identity, connection, and what it means to build something while also being changed by it. We talk about the people who shaped this experience in meaningful ways, the role of connection and community, and what we’ve learned from being in rooms with others who are building something of their own. We also share the mistakes, the moments that didn’t go as planned, and the realities that don’t always get talked about when you step outside of something known and into something new. Woven into this conversation is a deeper thread. Growth often requires letting go of versions of ourselves we once depended on. There are moments in the process that feel like breaking down before they feel like becoming something new. This episode is not just for business owners. It’s for anyone who has taken a risk, made a change, or found themselves in the middle of something that is still unfolding. Brand Videos by Teresa Hnat Studio: https://www.phoenixrisect.com/videos Teresa Hnat Studio: https://www.teresahnat.com/ Resilience Circle Special Event Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-circle-special-event-cojourn-with-molly-keehn-edd-tickets-1988570843925

Mental Health, Stigma, and What Happens Between the Crises

During Mental Health Awareness Month, conversations about mental health are more visible than ever - but awareness alone doesn’t always translate into access, support, or meaningful change. In this episode, we explore the realities behind mental health stigma and the barriers that still exist when it comes to asking for and receiving help. We spend time talking specifically about boys and men, how they are often socialized away from emotional expression, and the impact that has on help‑seeking and mental health outcomes. We also look at how our systems are designed to respond to crisis -when things have already reached a breaking point -while often overlooking the quieter, less urgent space in between. This is where deeper work happens: work around childhood experiences, attachment patterns, trauma, identity, and values. While crisis care is essential, it is only part of the picture. Sustainable mental health is built in the space between those moments, through ongoing support, reflection, and intentional work. This conversation is an invitation to think differently about mental health. Not just as something to address when things fall apart, but as something to understand, invest in, and tend to over time.

What Happens When You Give People Permission to Play

What happens when you walk into a professional conference and everything signals that you don’t have to perform? In this episode, we share an experience from a recent conference where the theme was not just decorative, but intentional. A circus. Playful. Unexpected. And immediately, something shifted. People softened. Conversations felt different. Connection came easier. From that moment, we explore a deeper question: what happens when environments give people permission to be human? We discuss the role of connection in the workplace and beyond, why loneliness and disconnection were problems long before COVID, and how connection drives real outcomes like engagement, retention, and performance. We also reflect on moments of alignment with other organizations and what it means to truly “find your people.” Most importantly, we unpack why play is often misunderstood. It is not something you schedule or add on top of a demanding culture. It is something that emerges when people feel safe, seen, and allowed to show up more fully. We also explore the real tension leaders, parents, and individuals face. When pressure is high, play can feel optional. But its absence quietly impacts energy, creativity, connection, and sustainability over time. This episode is not just for leaders. It is for anyone who has felt the difference between environments that require performance and those that allow you to simply be.