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In this episode of The Phoenix Table, we sit down with Michele Hecken, a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and author who built her first business from scratch while raising two young daughters, and later transformed it to run entirely without her.

Michele opens up about the “messy middle” of entrepreneurship: burnout, guilt, and the fear of letting go. She shares how redefining work-life balance as work-life harmony helped her create true freedom, both in business and in life. From learning the power of saying no to trusting herself again, Michele’s story is a masterclass in designing a life on your own terms.

If you’ve ever felt torn between ambition and well-being, this conversation will remind you that you can build both, and thrive.

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In this solo episode of The Phoenix Table, Sam opens up about what it really means to love someone through their healing — and how to stay whole while doing it.

She reflects on the quiet, complicated space between care and self-preservation: the moments when you want to help, but you’re scared of saying the wrong thing; when you hold back to keep the peace and end up feeling disconnected instead.

Through honest storytelling, Sam shares what she’s learned about partnership, communication, and the courage it takes to tell the truth — even when it’s messy. It’s a reminder that love isn’t about fixing or saving someone. It’s about learning to walk beside them, without losing yourself.

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The Phoenix Table is where raw stories rise from the fire. If today’s episode moved you, consider subscribing and leaving a review — it helps others find this space.

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The Phoenix Table is where raw stories rise from the fire. If today’s episode moved you, consider subscribing and leaving a review — it helps others find this space.

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In this episode of The Phoenix Table, we sit down with Travis Scott, who transformed a period of intense depression and grief into an extraordinary 2,500-mile journey on a bicycle.

Travis shares the emotional weight of losing his cousin Brent, a dedicated cyclist, and how the unexpected acquisition of Brent’s Trek Madone road bike became the spark he needed to find new purpose. He realized that this monumental challenge—riding from Spokane, Washington, to Indianapolis, Indiana—could not only honor his cousin but also fuel a mission to help others.

This episode is a powerful exploration of grief, the mind-body connection, and how finding a singular purpose can be the ride of your life.

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In this episode of The Phoenix Table, Nicole Donnelly shares her journey as an entrepreneur, detailing the rise and challenges of her company Baby Legs, the emotional and financial struggles during economic downturns, and the importance of resilience and connection.

Through it all, she reflects on the power of resilience, connection, and storytelling, and the joy she’s found in rebuilding a life that’s grounded in integrity, purpose, and love.

This conversation is a reminder that even in our hardest seasons, there’s beauty in starting again and strength in choosing to tell our story with honesty and grace.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes references to sexual assault and may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening.

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In this mini episode, the first in a mini-series called “Coffee Breaks,” Sam reflects on what it really means to be brave, not in the loud, world-shifting moments, but in the quiet, unseen choices we make every day.

Bravery, she reminds us, often looks like showing up when it would be easier to disappear, choosing honesty over comfort, and moving forward even when your heart is trembling.

This is a gentle invitation to slow down, take a breath, and remember that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it sounds like you, choosing to begin again.

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In this raw and insightful episode of The Phoenix Table, Todd Palmer shares how losing his father at just five years old shaped his beliefs about success, leadership, and self-worth. What began as a drive to “do it all” as an entrepreneur eventually led him into burnout, debt, and the brink of bankruptcy.

Todd opens up about the brutal truth a coach gave him, the neuroscience that rewired his thinking, and the shift from seeing himself as a victim to leading with vulnerability. Along the way, he unpacks how childhood wounds echo into adulthood, why “failure” is really just learning, and what it means to finally believe you are enough.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that our greatest breakdowns can become our greatest breakthroughs, and that true leadership starts not with titles or revenue, but with healing ourselves first.

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In Part 2 of I’m Not Okay, Sam shares the next chapter of her journey following a traumatic family event. What does it really look like to heal after everything falls apart?

From the fog of grief to the unexpected freeze moments that shut her down, Sam walks through the physical, mental, and emotional realities of trauma recovery. She reflects on the shame tied to “being okay,” the danger of repressing emotions, the surprising power of therapy, and the metaphor that changed how she carries grief moving forward.

This isn’t a story of quick fixes—it’s about spiral staircases, invisible backpacks, and the slow, divine timing of healing. And ultimately, it’s about choosing joy, reconnecting with love, and learning to live fully again.

Whether you’re walking through your own messy middle or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and that joy is still possible.

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In this raw and heartfelt episode of The Phoenix Table, Sarah shares her journey of shifting from the CEO of a top HubSpot agency in the Philippines to becoming the full-time caregiver for her mother diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

She opens up about the hard decisions, the grief of watching her mom fade, and the surprising lessons she discovered along the way—about identity, leadership, and what truly matters. From hospital scares to family council meetings, Sarah’s story captures both the heartbreak and the grace of caregiving.

This is a story of letting go of titles, redefining success, and choosing presence over ego. It’s also a reminder that leadership is not about status—it’s about love, values, and the impact we leave on others.

Whether you’re a caregiver yourself, navigating family challenges, or simply seeking a story of resilience and perspective, this conversation will remind you to pause, breathe, and hold on to what matters most.

Support the show

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🔥 Stay Connected:

The Phoenix Table is where raw stories rise from the fire. If today’s episode moved you, consider subscribing and leaving a review — it helps others find this space.

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