What if finding peace didn't require having all the answers just asking the right questions?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes award-winning coach, author, and TEDx speaker Anne Barry Jolles, creator of the Grace Trail, a simple yet powerful framework designed to help people move from overwhelm to clarity through five transformative questions.

Rather than trying to fix every problem, Anne explains how slowing down, becoming curious, and listening to your inner wisdom can create lasting emotional resilience and personal growth. Together, they explore how gratitude, releasing what no longer serves you, accepting the present moment, challenging old beliefs, and embracing new possibilities can help anyone navigate life's uncertainty with greater peace and purpose.

Anne also shares the inspiring story behind the Grace Trail, real-life examples of its impact, and how the framework is helping veterans, communities, and individuals facing stress, anxiety, and major life transitions.

Key Moments:

• The five questions behind the Grace Trail framework
• How to calm an overwhelmed mind and reduce stress
• Why curiosity is more powerful than self-criticism
• Practical ways to build resilience through gratitude and acceptance
• How to let go of limiting beliefs and embrace new possibilities
• Why emotional wellness begins with listening instead of fixing

Key Learning:

05:49 Exploring Grace Trail questions

09:57 Focusing on what you can control

11:09 Discussing acceptance and acknowledgment

16:48 Prioritizing your next steps

18:49 Imagining possibilities with a magic wand

21:20 Meeting animals in nature

24:36 Owning and reacting to our story

29:18 Installing Grace Trail at Brockton VA

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, or searching for greater clarity and purpose, this conversation offers practical tools you can begin using immediately to cultivate more peace, resilience, and joy.

Tune in and discover how five simple questions can help you move from chaos to calm one step at a time.

About the guest :

Anne Barry Jolles found herself overwhelmed by the noise and busyness of daily life, just like so many others. Amidst the chaos, she was fortunate to hear five powerful words - five simple questions - that she wrote down and began to use. This moment sparked the creation of Grace Trail, a process that guides people to quiet their minds and discover their own answers. Anne’s story is one of transforming personal moments into a gift for others, helping people navigate fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. Through her Grace Trail, Anne empowers individuals to step back, listen to themselves, and confidently choose their next steps in a noisy world.

How to connect Anne Barry Jolles :

Website : www.GraceTrail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracetrailofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grace_Trail_Official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracetrailofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annejolles/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What if the greatest freedom isn't found by changing your circumstances - but by changing the way you see yourself?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore how comparison, past experiences, and limiting beliefs can quietly keep us disconnected from who we were created to be. Together, they share practical tools for grounding yourself in the present, embracing self-compassion, and finding the courage to live authentically.

From breathwork and embodiment practices to shifting your inner dialogue, this conversation offers simple yet powerful strategies to help you break free from old patterns and reconnect with your true self. Dr. Steve and Kenya remind us that healing doesn't begin by becoming someone else - it begins by fully accepting who we are today.

• Why comparison steals joy and keeps us feeling stuck
• How grounding practices can calm the mind and body
• The connection between past trauma and present-day thinking
• Simple ways to cultivate self-compassion and emotional resilience
• How courage grows through presence, not perfection
• Why authenticity is one of the greatest forms of personal freedom

Key Moments:

05:31 The impact of social comparison

08:47 Understanding suffering and faith

10:36 Embracing diverse perspectives

14:52 Finding personal power through movement

17:58 College spring break cave adventure

22:37 Embracing Playfulness and Possibility

26:47 Words of encouragement and love

Whether you're navigating self-doubt, healing from past experiences, or simply looking for practical ways to become more present, this episode offers encouragement and actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence and peace.

Tune in and discover that true freedom begins the moment you stop comparing yourself and start embracing who you were meant to be.

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What does it truly mean to be free?

In this inspiring episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore a different kind of independence the freedom that comes from healing emotional wounds, letting go of limiting beliefs, and reclaiming your authentic self.

As we reflect on the meaning of freedom, they invite listeners to look beyond external celebrations and consider the internal battles that often keep us feeling stuck. From childhood experiences and family patterns to self-criticism and fear, they discuss how our past can quietly shape our present and how intentional healing can help us move forward with greater peace and purpose.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What emotional freedom really means
• How old wounds and family patterns influence your daily life
• Why awareness is the first step toward lasting change
• Practical ways to break unhealthy emotional cycles
• The power of self-compassion, forgiveness, and intentional living
• How to celebrate life with greater joy, presence, and authenticity

Key Moments:

03:54 Importance of Celebrating Holidays

06:26 Reflections on Freedom and Intentional Living

12:09 Finding inner freedom through truth

13:09 Self-reflection and personal responsibility

18:15 Inner child and parental patterns

21:13 Discussing childhood bullying and past trauma

23:32 Borrowing Courage and Self-Reflection

Whether you're working through past hurts, seeking deeper self-awareness, or simply longing to experience more peace and freedom, this conversation offers practical encouragement and timeless wisdom for your healing journey.

Tune in and discover that true freedom isn't just something we celebrate - it's something we choose every day.

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

Burnout doesn't happen overnight - and neither does healing.

In this powerful episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, author, and speaker Keith Cole for an honest conversation about recovering from burnout, overcoming trauma, and finding hope through faith.

After experiencing the realities of combat in Vietnam, Keith carried the emotional weight of grief, loss, and unresolved trauma for years. Like many high achievers, he pushed forward until the hidden wounds eventually led to burnout. In this candid discussion, Keith shares how his journey through emotional exhaustion, anger, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and personal loss ultimately became a journey toward healing and purpose.

Together, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Keith explore the deep connection between trauma and burnout, why true recovery requires more than simply managing stress, and how faith, surrender, and community can play a vital role in restoring emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why unresolved trauma often leads to burnout
• The difference between coping and true healing
• How grief and emotional pain can silently affect everyday life
• Practical lessons for overcoming burnout and finding resilience
• The role of faith, hope, and purpose in long-term recovery

Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, navigating personal loss, supporting a loved one, or simply searching for a healthier path forward, this conversation offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and hope that healing is always possible.

Tune in and discover why recovering from burnout isn't about becoming stronger - it's about becoming whole.

Key Moments:

03:55 Wartime injury experience

08:50 Questioning survival and faith

12:59 Hospital stay and I and I duty

16:45 Leaving the Marine Corps

18:54 Late-night office drinking session

20:57 Reflecting on personal experiences

About the guest :

Keith Cole is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, retired CPA, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others overcome burnout, trauma, and life's toughest challenges. After serving in Vietnam and building a successful professional career, Keith experienced severe burnout that led him on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal.

Drawing from his lived experiences, Keith shares practical insights on resilience, faith, and the importance of moving beyond self-reliance to find lasting recovery. His book, Burnout: God's Recovery Plan, combines personal stories with actionable principles to help individuals navigate stress, emotional exhaustion, and life's unexpected hardships.

Today, Keith speaks to business leaders, caregivers, veterans, and organizations, inspiring others to embrace hope, healing, and purpose through authentic storytelling and faith-driven wisdom.

How to connect Keith : https://www.RecoveryByFaith.com

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What does it take to heal after experiencing profound loss and the realities of war?

In this meaningful Fourth of July episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins, licensed professional counselor and Army veteran, welcomes Keith Cole - a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, retired CPA, and author - for an honest conversation about grief, military service, resilience, and finding purpose after trauma.

Keith shares how the loss of his father redirected his life, leading him to enlist in the Marines during the Vietnam War. He reflects on the emotional challenges of combat, the lifelong impact of military service, and the healing that became possible through storytelling, reflection, and helping others.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How grief can shape life's biggest decisions
• Keith's journey from Marine Corps combat to personal healing
• Why talking about difficult experiences is essential for recovery
• The power of brotherhood, service, and community
• Lessons on resilience, purpose, and emotional growth after trauma
• What freedom truly means beyond the battlefield

Whether you're a veteran, have loved ones who served, or simply want to understand the resilience of the human spirit, this conversation offers timeless lessons about healing, courage, and hope.

Key Moments:

05:49 Joining the Navy as a chaplain

08:42 Ambushed during jungle patrol

12:25 Helicopter landing under potential fire

15:15 Teen's realization and prayer moment

18:04 Family reactions during Vietnam War

21:36 Returning from Vietnam

About the guest :

Keith Cole is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, retired CPA, author, and speaker dedicated to helping others overcome burnout, trauma, and life's toughest challenges. After serving in Vietnam and building a successful professional career, Keith experienced severe burnout that led him on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal.

Drawing from his lived experiences, Keith shares practical insights on resilience, faith, and the importance of moving beyond self-reliance to find lasting recovery. His book, Burnout: God's Recovery Plan, combines personal stories with actionable principles to help individuals navigate stress, emotional exhaustion, and life's unexpected hardships.

Today, Keith speaks to business leaders, caregivers, veterans, and organizations, inspiring others to embrace hope, healing, and purpose through authentic storytelling and faith-driven wisdom.

How to connect Keith : https://www.RecoveryByFaith.com

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What happens when millions of people lose everything - and the world barely notices?

In this powerful episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins continues his conversation with humanitarian Brad Brandon, founder of Across Nigeria, to uncover the realities facing families living inside Nigeria's Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Brad shares firsthand stories of communities displaced by violence, the devastating effects of corruption, and the extraordinary resilience of people who continue to live with hope despite overwhelming hardship.

Together, they discuss:

• The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Northern Nigeria
• Life inside Nigeria's IDP camps
• How corruption affects education, healthcare, and basic survival
• Why community, compassion, and dignity matter during crisis
• Lessons about gratitude, resilience, and purpose that apply to all of us
• What we can learn from people who continue choosing hope despite unimaginable circumstances

This episode is a reminder that resilience isn't built in comfort - it's revealed through adversity.

Whether you're interested in humanitarian work, leadership, faith, or simply understanding a part of the world rarely covered by mainstream media, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on courage, compassion, and our shared humanity.

Key Moments:

05:05 Impact of corruption on aid

07:03 Nigerian hospitality and resilience

12:01 God, suffering, and contentment

14:00 Discussing spiritual challenges

19:48 Canary in the coal mine analogy

22:08 Focusing on Gospel Simplicity

24:43 Frog in the kettle analogy

About the guest : Brad Brandon is the founder and CEO of Across Nigeria. Pastor Brad is a graduate of Concordia University. Since 2018, he has been actively serving in the foreign mission field. He primarily serves in high-risk, highly persecuted areas such as Northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Through Pastor Brad and the Across Nigeria team, groundbreaking work is underway to bring the gospel to areas with the most intense opposition. His passion is to reach people in these areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help persecuted Christians who live under the constant threat of violence because of their faith in Christ.

He is a skilled speaker and teacher. His years of serving in some of the most dangerous places on earth have made him highly sought after for churches, conferences, and as an interview guest.

How to connect Brad: Website : https://www.acrossnigeria.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-brandon-a02b7944/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What happens when everything you've worked for suddenly changes?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Brad Brandon, founder and CEO of Across Nigeria, to discuss how a near-death experience transformed his understanding of success, purpose, and service.

After leading a successful megachurch in Connecticut, Brad found himself fighting for his life in an ICU. That experience forced him to reevaluate everything he believed about ministry, leadership, comfort, and calling.

Today, Brad serves in Northern Nigeria, one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians, helping provide education, clean water, medical care, and humanitarian support to underserved communities.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why comfort can become the enemy of growth
• How adversity often reveals purpose
• The difference between control and surrender
• Why many people struggle to discover their true calling
• What Brad calls "Finding Your Nigeria"
• The hidden humanitarian challenges facing Northern Nigeria
• How small steps of faith often lead to extraordinary impact

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, searching for purpose, or wrestling with uncertainty, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for taking the next step forward.

Key Moments:

02:33 The ICU Experience That Changed Everything

05:58 When Success Becomes a Work of the Flesh

10:50 Learning to Hear Through the Noise

15:05 What’s Your Nigeria?

17:54 The One-Way Ticket That Started It All

23:57 The Hidden Reality of Northern Nigeria

About the guest : Brad Brandon is the founder and CEO of Across Nigeria. Pastor Brad is a graduate of Concordia University. Since 2018, he has been actively serving in the foreign mission field. He primarily serves in high-risk, highly persecuted areas such as Northern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Through Pastor Brad and the Across Nigeria team, groundbreaking work is underway to bring the gospel to areas with the most intense opposition. His passion is to reach people in these areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help persecuted Christians who live under the constant threat of violence because of their faith in Christ.

He is a skilled speaker and teacher. His years of serving in some of the most dangerous places on earth have made him highly sought after for churches, conferences, and as an interview guest.

How to connect Brad: Website : https://www.acrossnigeria.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-brandon-a02b7944/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this special Father's Day episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins explores the profound impact fathers have on the emotional, relational, and spiritual development of their children.

Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Steve discusses why fatherhood is about far more than providing financially - it's about presence, connection, guidance, and creating a safe foundation where children can thrive.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why a father's presence matters more than perfection
• The lasting impact fathers have on a child's emotional wellbeing
• How healthy fatherhood strengthens families and communities
• Breaking generational cycles and creating a new legacy
• Practical ways fathers can show up more intentionally
• Why healing often begins with connection and consistency

Whether you're a father, a son, a daughter, or someone reflecting on your own family story, this episode offers encouragement, wisdom, and hope for building stronger relationships across generations.

🎧 Listen now and discover how everyday acts of presence can create a legacy that lasts far beyond a lifetime.

Key Moments:

05:13 Reflecting on parenting and presence

08:23 Fatherhood and responsibility talk

10:03 Reflecting on lessons from father

14:07 Managing school and work together

16:45 Fatherhood and God's love

21:54 Importance of Being a Present Father

24:13 Reflections on fatherhood responsibilities

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/