Cyndi Zaweski is an award-winning journalist, storytelling marketer, and entrepreneur. A little over six months ago, she made a bold move: she stopped posting on social media (yes, as a digital entrepreneur). What happened next? Her sales jumped 176%.

In this episode, she breaks down how it’s even possible…how leaning into search and her background in SEO drove consistent traffic to her offers. We also explore the mental shift that came with unplugging: from withdrawal and fear to clarity, creativity, and finally hearing your own voice again.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How her sales went UP 176% after quitting social
• How SEO, email, and search-driven content bring in clients without social
• The shift from constant output to intentional, meaningful creation

CONNECT WITH CYNDI ZAWESKI:

• Website: https://www.cyndizaweski.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyndizaweski/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/164

Joshua Coburn is a marketer, creator, and storyteller…but if you ask him what he does, his answer is simple: he makes people’s lives better.

Joshua shares how years of success, setbacks, and personal battles reshaped his understanding of confidence, purpose, and what actually matters. From learning that confidence is earned through adversity, to navigating the tension between strength and empathy, to choosing connection in a world designed to divide us, this episode is a reminder that impact isn’t about scale…it’s about how you show up, one person at a time.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Confidence is earned: why adversity is required, not optional
• Strength + empathy: leading without losing your humanity
• The algorithm vs. real life: choosing connection over division

CONNECT WITH JOSHUA COBURN:

• Website: https://repputationmarketing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuacoburn/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/163

Jesi Stracham is an entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate who, after surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident and paralysis, discovered the power of resilience, faith, and authentic self-expression.

From a life-threatening injury and near-death experiences to writing her book Power in the Roll and founding the Wheel With Me Foundation, Jesi’s journey is about transforming trauma into purpose, honoring the body as a temple, and choosing to live with presence and intention. In this conversation, Jesi explores self-trust, embracing imperfection, and breaking cycles of shame so you can fully live…no matter your circumstances.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Faith and near-death experiences as catalysts for spiritual growth
• The body as a temple: fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness
• Redefining self-identity and breaking cycles of shame, judgment, and self-doubt

Watch my previous episode with Jesi: https://youtu.be/XbHVdmO8oVI

CONNECT WITH JESI STRACHAM:

• Website: https://jesistracham.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesistracham/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/162

Anthony Trucks is a former professional football player turned speaker, author, and transformational coach. Known for his “Dark Work” and “Identity Shift” frameworks, Anthony helps people overcome limiting beliefs, trauma, and past experiences to step into higher levels of performance. After growing up in foster care, navigating abuse, losing his NFL career to injury, and rebuilding his life from rock bottom, he now teaches others how to intentionally reshape who they are and create lasting success.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Dark work vs. shadow work: doing the real work after awareness
2. Identity shift: why you build who you become (not find it)
3. Using adversity as fuel without being defined by it

CONNECT WITH ANTHONY TRUCKS:

1. Website: https://www.anthonytrucks.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonytrucks/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/161

Shannan Martin is the bestselling author of Counterweights, Start with Hello, and The Ministry of Ordinary Places, as well as the voice behind the popular Substack…The Soup. A self-described wannabe gardener, news geek, justice-seeker, and thrift store enthusiast, Shannan writes about the intersection of faith, everyday life, and community.

In this conversation, Shannan explores the concept of “counterweights”, the practice of holding the heaviness of life while intentionally noticing small, life-giving moments that keep us grounded. From faith shifts and justice work to navigating apathy, anger, and hope in a complicated world, she shares a deeply honest look at what it means to stay human, present, and connected when everything feels overwhelming.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Carrying life’s pain while intentionally noticing beauty and hope
2. How community reshaped her views on justice and belonging
3. Why joy, rest, and small everyday moments are not escapism, but survival

CONNECT WITH SHANNAN MARTIN:

1. Website: https://www.shannanmartin.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannanwrites/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/160

Joe Zimmerman is a stand-up comedian whose resume includes The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan, Last Comic Standing, and his own Comedy Central Half Hour special. His first one-hour special, Cult Classic, directed by Nate Bargatze, was called “One of the best specials of the year” by The Comedy Bureau.

In this conversation, Joe shares what it really takes to build a creative career, learning to trust the slow process while staying playful with the work. We talk about writing, curiosity, and why his approach flips the classic advice to “write what you know.”

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. How journaling, free-writing, and imperfect drafts unlock stronger ideas
2. Letting outside interests…feed originality and prevent burnout
3. Why curiosity, not ambition, is often the real engine behind meaningful creativity

CONNECT WITH JOE ZIMMERMAN:

1. Website: https://www.zimmermancomedy.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joezimmerman
3. Listen to ‘Joe Zimmerman – Cult Classic Full Special (Stand-Up Comdey)’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3N0pAhTbRcs0X1Sqyi1Dns

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/159

Patrick Murphy is a somatic coach for high-achievers who feel stuck in anxiety, perfectionism, and overwhelm.

Today, he shares how unresolved trauma shows up in our bodies and why mindset work alone isn’t enough. We also talk about healing generational trauma and why experiencing anger can be a sign of healing.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Generational trauma and its impact on our nervous system
2. Healing family wounds when you still have to be around your family
3. Why when we get healed we often get angry

CONNECT WITH PATRICK MURPHY:

1. Website: https://www.murph.live/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murph.live/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/158

Brian Nietzel says he's always known two things about himself. One, Jesus is his hero. And two, he is gay. At one point, his faith and sexuality felt divided, because he didn’t just want God’s tolerance—he wanted His blessing. Today, Brian shares his journey of rediscovering the heart of Jesus and knowing in his bones that God’s got him and the LGBTQ+ community. Coming out didn’t take his faith away—it deepened it.

As the founder of Making Things Right, Brian facilitates powerful events where hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals and families (many who are conservative) show up to rediscover Jesus, heal old wounds, and engage in meaningful, restorative conversations that bridge divides. These conversations are RAW, but he leads them with grace and kindness because, as he says, he is not here to defend positions, but to defend people.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Being gay and Christian (and knowing God's got you)
2. Doing justice vs. fighting injustice
3. How to have difficult conversations about faith & sexuality with grace

CONNECT WITH BRIAN NIETZEL:

1. Website: https://makingthingsright.org/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannietzel/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

1. Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
2. Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/157