Have you ever had a gut feeling? Well, Samantha has, and that same gut feeling has led her on this path.

What path is that? It is the path to heal and that path has brought her to where she is today, teacher by day and an integrative health coach by night.

Samantha thinks that you should listen to your body when it is trying to tell you something. Through her own circumstances she found out that band aids are not always the best solution and believes getting to the root cause is what can truly help us. Samantha talks about healing and sealing the gut through simple practices such as mindful eating, deep breathing and listening to your body. If this conversation left you wanting more, having questions unanswered, or maybe you just want some functional labs, you can contact Samantha directly @gutfeelingsco_

If you want to continue to connect the dots or learn ways you can improve to be your best self take a listen to some of our other episodes!

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
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This week, your favorite duo sits down again with special guest, and friend of the podcast, Dave. Dave's a deep thinker who helps us flip the script, interviewing us about the glamorous experience of podcasting. He asks us about our favorite guests, and we get philosophical about what wellness means to each of us.

Dave drags us out of some tempting rabbit holes in this dialogue, and instead we gently explore the benefits of routine that Dave find to be stifling. And, you'll find out what Tim and Karen would do if someone else's view of wellness was something we found objectionable (ex: littering).

How does Karen define a good day? And what causes Tim to say, "nobody's content with being content"? Listen here for the answers! We're grateful to Dave for diving into the deep end with us again. This conversation is sweet, but not short, there's plenty more where this came from. Enjoy!

If you want to hear more from the Instigator, the Yogi, and Dave, check out our December 24, 2025 episode, Learn to Swim: Deep End Conversations with Dave.

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
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This week, Karen and Tim are delighted to share our conversation with Baya Voce.

Baya Voce is a relationship repair expert helping couples come back together after conflict. She holds an MSW from Columbia University, is in ongoing supervision with Esther Perel, and collaborates with Columbia University, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), and Rick Doblin on pioneering research into MDMA-assisted couples therapy. She regularly speaks at SXSW, and with over 5 million views, her TEDx talk on loneliness highlights the often-overlooked impact of relational disconnection.

Baya combines the depth of therapeutic techniques with the practicality and directness of coaching. She works with couples who feel like they’ve tried everything, offering a tailored approach grounded in the belief that repair, done well, is the antidote to loneliness and disconnection.

In our conversation, we reflect with Baya on how intimate relationships can bring us face to face with our own wounding, and the value of doing the work in partnership. Baya describes her characterization of phases of intimate relationships. Most people are familiar with the honeymoon phase at the beginning. This is followed by what Baya calls the "power struggle phase" (regular listeners will not be surprised that this phase is where we spent the most time!). For those relationships that last beyond the power struggle phase, the third phase is interdependence. As with most things, the path of any relationship is not necessarily linear, and many partnerships go back and forth between the various phases.

If you want to learn more about Baya, or work with her, visit https://www.bayavoce.com/. You can also check her out on IG @bayavoce. Enjoy!

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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How do you know if you're winning or losing? This question was the inspiration for this week's episode. We start with our usual exploration of the importance of personalizing what winning and losing look like for you.

The analogy this week is clear: Rocky Balboa. One of the P2W duo (you'll never guess which one!) is a huge Rocky fan. Rocky is the epitome of heart and grit, and his character demonstrates over and over the importance of showing up - going the distance. When we show up as authentically as possible in our lives, we're more able to readily access authentic relationships and joy. Even when we feel like we can't catch a break.

We talk a lot about the importance of mindset and perspective. For example, we can define winning as waking up to live/fight another day. Goal setting is also useful, defining what we're working toward. We want to let go of the outcome though, and emphasize showing up. Consistently.

So many amazing Rocky quotes to choose from, we'll end with this one: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done," ~ Rocky Balboa

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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This episode is a two-for. You get two episodes for the price of one! This week, the Instigator and the Yogi, and our friend Dave, talk about therapy.

First up, the Pieces to Wellness duo dig deep into what we think of therapy. As usual, we're trying to dispel some of the stigma that swirls around therapy, and share about our own personal experiences. We talk about what therapy is and what it's not.

One question we reflect on is, "If nothing's "wrong with you", what do you talk about in therapy?" We talk about how therapy can be used ongoingly or intermittently. Most importantly, we talk about how using therapy proactively to increase your options has served us both well.

Then, Ding, Ding! We transition to talking with Dave. Dave's been on the show before, interviewing Tim and Karen. Today, Dave asks us some deeply personal questions to gain our insights. Reminder we are not therapists, we are compassionate peers helping out our friend.

In true Dave form, he dives right in talking about the existential nature of time, and the feeling of wistfulness that accompanies the letting go of the past, and then we get into self-esteem, self-worth, and the enormous value of perception and perspective. Enjoy!

If you want to hear more from Dave, check out Episode 101: Learn to Swim: Deep End Conversations with Dave.

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? We love analogies here on Pieces to Wellness, and this week's episode is all about digging into wellness as a garden. And yes, this week we're extra full of puns, word play, even nursery rhymes!

Plants and humans, all living beings really, have many of the same basic needs. We all need water, sunlight, and nourishing foods. And we need these things consistently. One of this week's take-aways is that consistency beats motivation every time. Another nugget is that we all must identify our guardrails - the outer limits of what we will and won't do. Then we can work toward staying within our guardrails as much as possible.

Keep in mind that gardens don't bloom all the time (growth isn't linear). Not every season is harvest season. Sometimes we need to let some parts of the garden get dormant so that other things can take root. Strong roots don't worry about strong winds. Stay on top of pulling out your weeds - the things that interfere with your wellness and growth. This week, the Yogi's got lots of TLC for you, and the Instigator is full of gardening tips. Listen in and enjoy!

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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New Guest Alert! This week, the Pieces to Wellness duo is delighted to welcome Jen Degroff, coordinator and A.D.A.P.T. facilitator for Bring on the Spectrum (BOTS) in Albany, NY. BOTS is a community space and sensory gym. The community space offers a huge variety of classes and fun activities (from cabaret to self-defense to Pokémon) for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and groups. Using the approach of, "nothing about us without us", they co-create the calendar of activities in partnership with the people who use the space. They are dedicated to building a wildly inclusive shared sense of belonging for all, and have created an environment that centers personal strength and ability.

We are all about elevating lived experience here. Jen openly shares about her own experience with neurodivergence and how working with neurodivergent clients helped her get her energy back. The program she facilitates at BOTS is called A.D.A.P.T. (Actions to Draw All People Together). A.D.A.P.T. is an adaptable/portable classroom-style program for youth of all abilities in which participants learn about neurodivergent individuals including those with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities, develop integrated environments, and cultivate a “natural helper” mindset.

Jen also shares about her company, True Icon, in which she provides personal training, coaching, along with public speaking and workshops all focused on staying true to yourself, growing boldly, and finding/doing the things that give you joy.

If you're interested in connecting with Jen, visit her website: https://www.beatrueicon.com/ or follow her on IG @beatrueicon

Interested in bringing ADAPT to your school, workplace or other community setting? Email bots.adapt@gmail.com.

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

Send us a text

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91

This week the Instigator and the Yogi are talking about overthinking. We start with the questions: Does overthinking steal your joy? Can it be strategic or useful?

Thinking about thinking (metacognition), like so many things, is a behavior that has a whole spectrum of applications. There are so many possible ways our thoughts can be helpful/healthy or unhealthy/unhelpful. It all comes back to our perspective, how we look at things. We each share how black and white thinking tends to be on the unhelpful side for us, whereas talking with a trusted person helps us sort out our thoughts and broadens our perspective. Karen reflects on Norman Cousins who's known for using laughter, positive thinking, and megadoses of vitamin C to cure himself of a crippling connective tissue disease.

Our perspective is shaped by our experiences for sure. And, it's up to us to take a steadfast approach to maintaining the inner landscape of our minds. With gentleness, grace, and a relentless spirit. We're right there with you to help you find the way!

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
Like, Follow, Share 🧩

Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

Send us a text

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91