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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

Narcissism in leadership isn’t always what you think.
In this episode, Erika Weed, certified executive coach and organizational consultant, joins me to unpack narcissism as a spectrum—not a stereotype. We explore the difference between clinical and subclinical narcissism, how it shows up at work, and what you can do when you’re working with (or for) someone with those traits.

We also talk about:

• How narcissism develops and what prevents it in childhood
• The role of empathy and psychological safety in leadership
• Strategies like “gray rocking” and documentation for protecting yourself
• Why awareness—not labeling—is the key to change

Erika’s expertise comes from years of coaching executives across industries, from healthcare to professional sports, and her research in human and organizational development gives this conversation real depth and compassion.

Connect with Erika:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikaweed
Website: ascendry.com

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

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In this episode, I chat with my friend and fellow business owner, Rebecca Burley, founder of Purple Page Marketing, about the art of doing less, and doing it better.

They unpack how focusing on your core strengths, setting clear client boundaries, and embracing realistic goals can actually reduce stress and increase success.

Key themes include:

• How to manage client expectations without overpromising
• Why outsourcing and collaboration protect both sanity and quality
• The power of Canva and Adobe Express for small-business efficiency
• Managing brain fog, burnout, and the myth of perfection
• Learning to give yourself grace — and take a real day off

It’s equal parts strategy, honesty, and friendship...the reminder every solopreneur needs that protecting your peace is good business.

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

In this episode of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, I sit down with Krista Hayes, founder of Zone Walk Solutions, to explore how a simple but powerful mindset—assuming good intentions—can transform workplace communication and trust.

We cover:

• Why “assuming good intentions” is a game-changer for leaders and employees
• HR’s evolving role and the challenges of trust, anonymity, and demographic data collection
• How perception shapes relationships, including Krista’s story of a misunderstood note-taking habit
• The difference between the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule in building stronger connections
• Why organizations should hire for culture addition rather than assimilation
• How linking employee, client, and partner experiences creates healthier ecosystems

This episode will give you fresh perspectives on communication, culture, and trust that you can bring back to your own workplace.

Connect with Krista Hayes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/engagekristahayes/

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

My guest this week is my friend and bright shining star, Traci Shannon — aka Star Traci.

In this conversation, we dive into the heart of Suicide Prevention Month and explore what it really means to show up for each other. From her show The Pebble, where she tosses positivity into the sea of negativity, to her candid take on toxic positivity, Traci brings warmth, wisdom, and the courage to tackle tough topics.

We talk about:

• Why suicide is about mental illness, not selfishness
• The surprising truth about ‘attention-seeking’ behavior
• Why toxic positivity often does more harm than good
• How a simple, genuine question like ‘How can I help you?’ can make all the difference
• The lasting impact of words — and why emotional scars often cut the deepest

This episode is a powerful reminder that even the smallest actions — like a phone call, or a kind word — can save lives.

✨ Connect with Traci on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarTraci

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com

What if “success” is less about you and more about the community you help thrive? In this episode, Wesam Samour shares a purpose-first mindset: your life’s job is to serve — and small, consistent contributions count. We explore emotional intelligence you can actually use, from reading real-time cues like a Sims status bar to the “100 excuses” strategy that stops stress spirals before they start.

We also talk leadership: respecting people’s time, ditching micromanagement, hiring for ethics and purpose fit, and why the chain of command protects your focus and your team. Plus, a practical approach to work-life rhythm — intense, focused work time followed by fully present family time.

In this episode:

• Purpose beyond self: contribution > individual achievement
• Reframing success: happiness, safety, and community > fame/wealth
• The Sims for EQ: reading plus/minus cues in conversations
• The “100 excuses” mental health hack for texts & delays
• Text tone traps & clarity tricks (exclamation system, emojis)
• Anti-micromanagement leadership & chain of command
• Respecting time, paying through personal crises, hiring for values
• Work-life integration: concentrated work, fully present weekends

Resources & Mentions:

• Key & Peele: Text Message Confusion — https://youtu.be/naleynXS7yo?si=V86ZaaHFwo9OX4mk

Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC
samanthaelizabeth.com