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In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Ariana Lum, a graphic designer and children’s book author who created her first illustrated book as a way to help children navigate anxiety, grief, and emotional overwhelm.

After leaving her corporate job and moving to Europe, Ariana experienced a deep identity shift that led her back to childhood creativity, drawing, storytelling, and imagination. What began as sketches during the pandemic turned into a meaningful children’s book focused on helping kids find peace within themselves and understand that emotional connection does not disappear, even through loss.

Together, Samantha and Ariana explore why mental health tools should be introduced early in life, how imagination supports emotional regulation, and why adults can benefit from reconnecting with their inner child. They also talk about movement as a stress outlet, emotional expression, and creating space for feelings instead of suppressing them.

This episode is a thoughtful reminder that managing stress, grief, and anxiety is a skill we can learn, practice, and strengthen at any age.

Learn more about Ariana and her work here:
https://www.aristravelsphere.com/

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

What happens when you stop shrinking your goals and start trusting what’s actually possible?

In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Lawrence, a youth empowerment speaker who began his speaking journey at fifteen and now works with teens and young adults on confidence, identity, and mental health.

Lawrence shares the difference between talking and speaking, why journaling is one of the most powerful tools for self-awareness, and how many of our limitations come from beliefs we absorbed long before we ever questioned them.

They explore emotional conviction, vision-setting, and why your mind doesn’t hear “don’t”—only what you focus on most. From learning how to “control the fire” to understanding why clarity matters more than wishful thinking, this conversation invites listeners to think bigger about who they are and what they want.

If you’ve ever felt different, stuck, or unsure how to move forward without losing yourself, this episode offers powerful insight and reflection.

Connect with Lawrence:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencec.empowers/
• Book a free coaching call: https://calendly.com/lawrencecharris/free-coaching-call

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

Every January, we’re told to set goals, make resolutions, and completely reinvent ourselves.

But what if there’s a quieter, more sustainable way to move through the year?

In the first Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast episode of 2026, Samantha Elizabeth explores the idea of choosing a Word of the Year—a simple but powerful intention that helps guide decisions, energy, and mindset without pressure or perfection.

This solo episode reflects on what happens when generosity turns into depletion, how easy it is to give without refilling yourself, and why clarity often comes from slowing down instead of pushing harder.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why traditional New Year’s resolutions tend to fall apart
• How a Word of the Year can create focus without burnout
• The emotional cost of always showing up for others first
• What it means to feel untethered—and how intention can bring steadiness back
• How to choose a guiding word that supports you all year long

The word itself is revealed in the episode—and the meaning behind it might surprise you.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by “New Year, New You” energy, this conversation offers a calmer, more human way forward.

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com