In this conversation, Mary and Stel explore the sometimes-blurry lines between therapy and coaching: when each is helpful, what they’ve personally gained (or not gained) from both, and how feeling safe, seen, heard, and understood is the foundation for transformation. They talk about the importance of inner and outer vision, emotional self-regulation, and how to shift your focus away from self-preoccupation and toward purposeful action.

If you're curious about whether coaching or therapy might be right for you - or what it looks like to fully commit to your own growth - this episode offers a thoughtful, compassionate place to begin.

Resources:

Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert Bly - Book

Becoming Your Vision by Angela Petal – Book

What's in it for them? by Joe Polish - Book

When was the last time you felt joy; not the big, Instagram-worthy kind, but the small, quiet, surprising kind? In this episode, we talk about joy: where we find it, how it sneaks up on us, and how to stay open to it even when life is messy, mundane, or downright hard.

Mary, Stel, and James explore what it means to find joy when you're not actively looking for it. From a broken coffee machine that turns into a three-hour espresso-and-leadership-training adventure, to a high-stakes night at a Jelly Roll concert with unexpected emotional resonance, the crew shares how joy can be created, discovered, or reframed - especially in the mundane or the messy.

Resources:

“I Am Not OK” – Song by Jelly Roll - Link

Dale Carnegie Courses - Website

Mary’s One Thing Thursday email newsletter - Website

In the final episode (we think) of our mini-series on relationships, we explore one of the trickiest terrains of human connection: endings. From romantic splits and friendship fades to workplace goodbyes, we unpack what it means to consciously, gracefully – or awkwardly – close a chapter. Along the way, we detour through ego death, emotional resilience, identity shifts, and a surprisingly emotional rescue kitten story.

We talk about:

• Why not every relationship is meant to last – and why that’s okay
• Ghosting, dissolving, and directness: different endings for different situations
• Why endings can feel like rejection, even when they’re necessary for growth
• How purpose, clarity, and personal energy guide the hard choices
• That one dinner party where we knew the friendship was over – and we never scheduled another

Resources mentioned:

• Prime Concerns – website
• When Harry Met Sally – movie