In this Sunday Shortie, she shares how a new corporate opportunity found her when she stopped forcing it, what it sounds like when intuition speaks up, and why The THRIVE Collective isn't going anywhere. If you're building something while wondering if you're doing it wrong, this one's for you.

What You'll Hear:

• Why business disappointment in this economy is normal — not a personal failing
• The manifesting myth: why you didn't think your way into struggle
• How Christy's new role landed when she listened to her gut instead of pushing harder
• What intuition actually sounds like in a job search
• Why The THRIVE Collective continues — and why going back to corporate makes it stronger
• The case for a life that holds both professional success and personal wholeness

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a woman who's building something and wondering if she's failing.

Learn more about The Thrive Collective at thrivewithchristy.com

Now, after relocating to Charlotte for her husband's career, Lori is navigating yet another reinvention — and she's honest about how hard it is to leave something you love. This one is for anyone who's ever had to close a chapter they weren't ready to close.

What You'll Hear:

• How Lori and Christy connected through the pet industry (shoutout to the Pet Firm in Phoenix)
• The surprising synergies between corporate pet work and animal rescue
• What led Lori to leave corporate for nonprofit — and what that transition actually looked like
• Her role as Development Director at Heidi's Village and what that work meant to her
• Relocating to Charlotte and stepping away from nonprofit life
• Why it's okay to change your mind — and how to stop apologizing for it
• Starting a new chapter even when the previous one wasn't "finished"
• How to find and get involved with your own local rescue — and why it matters more than you think

Resources/Links:

• Heidi's Village: heidisvillage.org
• National Rescue: aspca.org or bestfriends.org
• Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-wahl/

Feeling inspired? Find your local rescue and show up — even in a small way. It adds up.

After testing equal parts Type 2 and Type 9, Christy digs into the 9's core patterns: avoiding conflict, numbing out, and the slow fade of self. She connects the 9's spiritual potential to the eight limbs of yoga as a grounding framework for growth — and gets honest about how the unhealthy 9's pull toward addiction showed up in her own life. Development tips sourced from the Enneagram Institute round out this bite-sized but powerful episode.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why Christy tested as both a Type 2 and Type 9 — and what the overlap reveals
• Core Type 9 traits: the peacemaker, the conflict-avoider, the one who disappears into the background
• What "not rocking the boat" actually costs you
• The healthy 9: becoming a spiritual seeker, grounded in contentment
• How the eight limbs of yoga support a 9's growth path
• The shadow side: how the 9's numbing tendency can fuel addiction (and Christy's personal connection to this)
• Growth tips for Type 9s from the Enneagram Institute

Resources Mentioned:

• Enneagram Institute — Type 9
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga

In this episode of RTDB, Christy dives into Enneagram Type 2 — The Helper. If you're a Two (or love one), this episode is your permission slip to stop giving from an empty cup.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why Type 2s are the ultimate people pleasers — and what's really driving it
• The genuine strengths that make Twos magnetic, generous leaders
• The unhealthy patterns that can leave Twos burned out, resentful, and invisible to themselves
• 5 practical development tips for Type 2s ready to break the people-pleasing cycle

Strengths of the Enneagram Type 2

• Deeply empathetic and emotionally intuitive
• Natural connectors who make people feel seen and valued
• Generous, warm, and fiercely loyal
• Motivated by genuine love and care for others

Unhealthy Patterns to Watch

• Chronic self-sacrifice that leads to burnout
• Difficulty saying no — or even knowing what they want
• Seeking approval and validation through giving
• Resentment when help isn't reciprocated or recognized
• Suppressing their own needs to feel worthy of love

5 Personal Development Tips for Type 2s (as shared by the Enneagram Institute)

1. Notice the martyr pattern — Ask yourself if you're giving freely or keeping score unconsciously.
2. Practice receiving — Allow others to help you without deflecting or minimizing.
3. Name your own needs — Daily check-ins: What do I actually need right now?
4. Set boundaries without guilt — A "no" to others is often a "yes" to yourself.
5. Separate worth from helpfulness — You are enough without doing a single thing for anyone today.

👉 Learn more about the Enneagram Type 2 at The Enneagram Institute

Connect with Christy

• Join The THRIVE Collective: thrivewithchristy.com
• Follow on Instagram: @rockthedamnboat
• Subscribe & leave a review — it helps more women find the boat 🚤

Beckie shares her personal experience navigating exhaustion, overwhelm, and the emotional weight that can come from constantly serving others without the systems and support needed to sustain the work. We discuss how nonprofits often rely on passionate people operating in survival mode — and why proper infrastructure, boundaries, leadership support, and sustainable operations matter just as much as the mission itself.

We also explore the healing side of burnout recovery: the small practices that helped Beckie reconnect with herself, the role creativity and photography played in restoring joy, and how building tiny, manageable habits can help people slowly find their footing again after a difficult season.

This conversation is a reminder that recovery doesn’t usually happen through dramatic overnight transformation. More often, it begins with small decisions, gentle routines, and giving yourself permission to rebuild one step at a time.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, caregiver, helper, or high achiever who feels emotionally exhausted, this episode offers an honest look at burnout, healing, nervous system recovery, and the importance of creating a life that includes joy alongside responsibility.

In This Episode of RTDB, We Discuss:

• Burnout in nonprofit leadership and mission-driven careers
• Why passion alone cannot sustain unhealthy systems
• The importance of infrastructure and operational support
• Compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion
• Recovering from burnout without shame
• Photography, creativity, and hobbies as healing tools
• Small daily habits that support mental wellness
• Lessons inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear
• How to slowly rebuild motivation, energy, and hope

About Beckie Irvin

Beckie Irvin is passionate about helping organizations and individuals create more sustainable, healthy ways of working and living. Through her consulting work and creative pursuits, she advocates for balance, intentionality, and finding joy again after burnout.

Learn more at beckieirvin.com

For more about Christy's work or to apply to be on the show, visit thrivewithchristy.com

In this episode of RTDB, Christy shares the unfiltered reality of 50 becoming one of the hardest — and most transformative — years of her life. What began as a season of exhaustion, brain fog, emotional overwhelm, and feeling like she was “falling behind” eventually led to deeper answers: menopause, hormonal shifts, an ADHD diagnosis, and a complete reevaluation of work, identity, and success.

Christy reflects on how her 8th year of sobriety felt like year one because of the chaos of perimenopause and post-menopausal changes that affected her focus, emotional regulation, confidence, and ability to perform in high-pressure corporate environments the way she always had before.

This episode is an honest conversation about what happens when high-achieving women suddenly realize they can no longer “push through” symptoms that are biological, neurological, and deeply intertwined.

Christy discusses the grief of leaving a career she worked hard to build, the fear and shame that can come with executive dysfunction and burnout, and why so many women are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or silently struggling during midlife transitions.

She also shares why seeking support matters — from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) conversations to finding qualified mental health and psychiatric care that understands the intersection of hormones, ADHD, anxiety, burnout, and women’s health.

If you’ve ever felt like you suddenly stopped recognizing yourself, this episode is a reminder that you are not lazy, broken, weak, or failing. Sometimes your brain, body, and nervous system are asking for support — not more pressure.

In This Episode of RTDB:

• What 8 years of sobriety has taught Christy about resilience and self-awareness
• The unexpected ways menopause impacted focus, mood, motivation, and emotional regulation
• How ADHD symptoms became impossible to ignore during hormonal changes
• The reality of struggling professionally after years of high performance
• Why leaving a corporate role can feel both devastating and freeing
• The connection between hormones, executive function, anxiety, and burnout
• Why women deserve informed conversations about HRT and psychiatric support
• How midlife can become a starting line instead of an ending

Listen If You’ve Ever:

• Felt like your brain changed overnight
• Wondered if menopause was affecting your mental health
• Struggled to keep up at work despite trying harder
• Been diagnosed with ADHD later in life
• Felt ashamed of burnout or emotional overwhelm
• Questioned your identity after leaving a career
• Needed permission to ask for help

Because sometimes “This is 50” isn’t about slowing down — it’s about finally understanding yourself clearly for the first time.

Resources:

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, thepauselife.com

Ashleigh Auth (FL only), Pausitive Women's Care

Hormones by Design (TX only), https://hormonesbydesign.com/

She Recovers, https://sherecovers.org/

As someone navigating entrepreneurship, visibility, podcasting, and leadership after corporate life, I deeply wanted to learn from women who are already standing confidently in rooms I’m still growing into.

But despite intentionally putting myself in that room, despite years of leadership experience, I still caught myself saying something so many women say automatically when I asked for a photo:

“Can I bug you…”

The moment itself was harmless. But the language behind it revealed something bigger.

Why do so many women instinctively apologize before taking up space? Why do we minimize ourselves before making even the smallest request? Why do capable, accomplished women still feel like they’re inconveniencing people simply by existing in the conversation?

In this episode of RTDB, we unpack the subtle language patterns that expose deeper conditioning around people-pleasing, self-worth, visibility, and confidence.

We talk about:

• How phrases like “sorry to bother you” quietly diminish our presence
• The hidden ways people-pleasing shows up in professional settings
• Why women often place others on pedestals instead of seeing themselves as equals
• The connection between language, nervous system safety, and confidence
• How to replace minimizing language with grounded, empowering communication
• Why visibility starts long before the stage, microphone, or business launch
• Remembering that every successful person is still just another human being

This conversation is about more than wording. It’s about identity. Confidence isn’t always built through giant leaps.
Sometimes it’s built by simply removing unnecessary apologies from our everyday language.

If you’ve ever overexplained yourself, softened your needs, apologized for asking questions, or felt intimidated in rooms you worked hard to enter — this episode will resonate deeply.

Follow Jess at jessekstrom.com

Join The THRIVE Collective at thrivewithchristy.com

In this Monday Mini, Christy breaks down all nine Enneagram types and what they can teach us about why we're wired the way we are. More importantly, she explores what happens in our bodies and nervous systems when we spend too much time performing a version of ourselves that doesn't fit — and how coming back to your actual type can be one of the most grounding, regulating things you do.

Whether you're a Type 2 who's burned out from giving or a Type 8 who's been told to soften, this episode is permission to stop working against yourself.

In this episode of RTDB:

• A quick breakdown of all 9 Enneagram types
• How your type connects to nervous system regulation
• The real cost of "type masking" — and how to come home to yourself

Perfect for: women in transition, overthinkers, anyone who's ever been told they're "too much" or "not enough"

Learn more at theenneagraminstitute.com

Join The THRIVE Collective at thrivewithchristy.com

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with JeanAnn Saint Grace, host of Shop Talk Her Way, to talk about grit, grief, and what it really means to lead with service.

JeanAnn spent more than a decade running a successful automotive service shop alongside her husband — until cancer took him. Now she coaches shop owners, carrying forward the philosophy that drove their business: service isn't a strategy, it's a standard.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How JeanAnn found her footing in a male-dominated industry — and why that's starting to shift (yes, even at the top of NAPA)
• The energy transfer between shop owners and customers, and why it matters more than your marketing
• How JeanAnn's spiritual practices carried her through grief — and how she quietly brings them into her coaching work
• What running a shop for 15+ years teaches you that no business course ever will

Whether you're in automotive, entrepreneurship, or just navigating what comes after the hardest chapter of your life — this one is for you.

Learn more about JeanAnn at jeanannsaintgrace.net

Listen to Shop Talk Her Way wherever you get your podcast content!

Coach with Christy: thrivewithchristy.com

In this bite-sized episode of RTDB, Christy Hughes breaks down how revamping her garden revealed the truth about growth: conditions matter more than effort.

She'll walk you through how that realization led her to stop circling Thrive Collective and finally launch — and what it means for you to stop waiting and start planting.

The THRIVE Collective is a membership for women needing to plant their own seeds and create the right environment: support, mindfulness practices, and practical coaching.

Learn more at thrivewithchristy.com

Danni shares her own sobriety journey — one she walked alongside her husband, musician Ash Grunwald — and the book they wrote together about it. She opens up about a year spent studying Compassionate Inquiry under the legendary Gabor Maté, and how that training reshaped everything she thought she knew about healing.

Now she's layering mindfulness and retreats onto her sobriety coaching, and this conversation is a masterclass in what it looks like to do the inner work and build something meaningful from it.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• The full-circle moment — Danni hosted Christy in 2022 when her sobriety memoir first published
• Danni and Ash Grunwald's sobriety journey and the book they wrote together
• What a year studying Compassionate Inquiry under Gabor Maté actually looks like — and how it changed her
• How manifestation guided hers and Ash's sobriety journey
• What sobriety, self-compassion, and safe spaces have in common

Connect with Danni:

• iquitalcohol.com.au
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiquitalcohol/
• Learn more about Christy's retreats and community at: thrivewithchristy.com

• Share this episode with someone quietly reconsidering their relationship with alcohol
• Please follow, subscribe and leave a review if you are loving this podcast

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How a LinkedIn post led to a meaningful online connection between two women who were in the same room without knowing it
• How Human Design shifted the entire trajectory of Courtney's business
• Courtney's honest reflection on asking for help and support at the event while navigating life with MS — and why that vulnerability opened doors
• The shared truth about how hard it is to ask for help (and why we resist it)
• Courtney's podcasting journey and what keeps her coming back — the pure joy of connecting women

Connect with Courtney:

• ROI of Peace Podcast: roiofpeace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtney.koenig/

Links + Resources:

• The THRIVE Collective is launching: www.thrivewithchristy.com
• Learn more about Human Design here

• Tag a woman you connected with online that turned into something real
• Leave a review if RTDB is your people

What you'll hear in this episode:

• What the Rise + Thrive Retreat actually looked like — and why the safe space it created mattered so much
• The corporate role Christy was interviewing for (and why she was a perfect fit on paper)
• How she used the THRIVE model to work through her own big decision — not just teach it
• Why she chose building safe spaces for women over a return to corporate
• A sneak peek at what's coming: a new community that brings together the RTDB and The Rooted Soul worlds

Key takeaway for me? The framework works — even when the decision is yours and the stakes are personal.

Links + Resources:

• Join the email list at thrivewithchristy.com
• Follow Christy on Instagram: @thrivechristyhughes

• If this episode resonated, share it with a woman standing at a crossroads
• Stay tuned — the community is coming and you can get a founding rate now

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Brie Kluytenaar, founder of Practicing Wellness, for an honest, human conversation about what it looks like to carry grief into the workplace and white-knuckle your way through the day alone.

Brie opens up about her own experience with pregnancy loss and how pushing through without support planted the seed for her company's mission. Christy adds her personal experience with menopause and feeling like a failure at work because of scrutiny rather than support.

Brie knows firsthand: when people feel held at work, they show up differently — for their colleagues, their clients, and themselves. Practicing Wellness can hellp provide this in a well-rounded way.

Key Takeaways:

• Brie's pregnancy loss experience became the foundation of Practicing Wellness — pain with purpose
• Compartmentalizing at work has a real cost — to performance, connection, and wellbeing
• Wellness isn't a perk — it's what makes people better employees and better humans
• Companies that support the whole person see it reflected in client service and team culture
• Workplace wellness belongs alongside work — not saved for after hours or HR emergencies

Learn more about Practicing Wellness:

www.practicing-wellness.com

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicing__wellness/

Subscribe on Substack:

https://practicingwellness.substack.com/

Brie's Boat-Rocking Role Model: https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

Christy has a 6-week THRIVE cohort launching soon!

Learn more at www.thrivewithchristy.com/coaching

Rock the Damn Boat in Tahoe, June 14-18

www.thrivewithchristy.com/tahoeretreat

Follow RTDB on Substack:

www.rockthedamnboat.com

In this episode:

• What intuition actually is (hint: it starts in your gut, not your brain)
• The mind-heart-gut connection and the science behind it
• Why somatic awareness helps you know what's truly right for you
• The modern-day snake oil problem — and how to spot it
• How to tell the difference between a "should" and a genuine inner calling

Whether you're chasing someone else's blueprint or second-guessing your own path, this episode is your reminder to get quiet, tune in, and trust what your body already knows.

And if you need some help launching what that inner wisdom is telling you, Christy has several ways to work together:

• Thrive Cohort — 3-week and 6-week options starting in May
• Texas retreat (April) + Tahoe retreat (June)
• 🔗 thrivewithchristy.com

After experiencing birth trauma followed by postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA), Casey found herself navigating a system that offers mothers a single six-week checkup—and very little support beyond that.

Her journey led her to therapy, deep healing, and ultimately to building a platform that advocates for more honest, ongoing care in motherhood.

We dive into:

• The emotional impact of birth trauma and how it can shape postpartum recovery
• How PPD and PPA can show up (even when everything “looks fine”)
• Why the standard six-week postpartum checkup falls short
• The role of therapy in healing and reclaiming your voice
• The mission behind The Alchemy of Motherhood and Casey’s growing community
• Creating spaces where mothers feel seen, supported, and not alone

Casey also shares how she’s building connection through her online platform and Discord group—because motherhood was never meant to be navigated in isolation.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dismissed, or like you should be handling motherhood “better,” this conversation will remind you that your experience is valid—and that support should extend far beyond six weeks.

Who this episode is for:
New and expecting mothers, women navigating postpartum recovery, those healing from birth trauma, and anyone passionate about improving maternal mental health care.

Connect with Casey:
Visit alchemyofmotherhood.com to learn more, join her community on Discord or Substack.

Stay updated on her upcoming book release at casey-keen.com or preorder now on Amazon.

Learn more about Christy's work or apply to be a guest on the show at thrivewithchristy.com

What I discovered changed the way I think about showing up for potential retreat guests without losing the warmth and authenticity that makes people say yes to a retreat space.

I also get reflective and share three retreat experiences that have genuinely shaped my perspective: two transformative weekends with my own yoga teacher and one soul-expanding journey to Bali. Because the best way to encourage someone to say yes is with truly remembering what it feels like to be held in one.

If you're a retreat host, wellness entrepreneur, or curious about using AI in a way that still feels deeply human, this one's for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Two podcasts worth adding to your list right now if you're a wellness entrepreneur or content creator
• A real mindset shift around using Claude AI to write retreat sales emails — and why it doesn't have to feel robotic or inauthentic
• How retreat experiences create an unmatched level of growth, celebration and friendships
• Reflections from three retreat experiences — two with my yoga teacher and one transformative trip to Bali
• How raising our hand may never feel easy, but it's worth it for the growth opportunity

🌿 Curious about retreats? Explore available spaces at thrivewithchristy.com/retreats

Shows to Follow:

🎙️ Real Time Creator with Alison Kinsey — https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/real-time-creator-a-career-break-diary/id1866730211

🎙️ We Know Marketing, We Promise — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-know-marketing-we-promise/id1801092716

Ashleigh is a women’s health provider specializing in perimenopause, menopause, and hormone optimization, with a deeply personalized and holistic approach to care. She’s on a mission to help women feel heard, validated, and empowered in their health decisions—especially during a season that’s often misunderstood or minimized.

We talk about what’s actually happening in your body during midlife, how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) fits into the conversation, and why individualized care—not cookie-cutter solutions—matters more than ever.

This conversation is for the woman who knows something feels off… but hasn’t been given real answers.

In this episode, we cover:

• What’s really happening during perimenopause and menopause
• Common hormone symptoms that get overlooked or dismissed
• The truth about HRT and who it may be right for
• Why traditional healthcare often falls short for midlife women
• The power of feeling heard, educated, and supported in your care
• How to advocate for yourself and find the right provider

If you’ve ever been told “your labs are normal” but you don’t feel normal—this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

If you are in Florida and fortunate enough to work with Ashleigh, you can book her services at:

https://www.pausitivewomenscare.com/

Follow Pausitive Women's Care on Facebook or Instagram for amazing tips on hormone health!

Learn more and work with Christy at thrivewithchristy.com

Interested in being a guest? Email christy@thrivewithchristy.com

perimenopause symptoms, menopause support, hormone replacement therapy, HRT for women, midlife health, women’s hormones, holistic gynecology, hormone imbalance, menopause podcast, women’s wellness

From virtual coffee chats and online networking to in-person moments at book club and mahjong, I’ve been reminded how powerful the right conversations can be. Not every connection will click—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to force it, it’s to find your people.

A conversation with my soul sister Kelsey brought something into sharp focus: I’ve been spinning too many plates. And not all of them are meant to keep spinning.

That clarity led me back to Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud—a book that hits especially hard if you’re questioning what’s next in your career or considering a corporate exit. Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about cutting what’s no longer working.

This episode is your reminder that clarity doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from the right conversations and the willingness to release what’s weighing you down.

Key Takeaways

• The right conversations can accelerate clarity—keep seeking them out
• If a group, coach, or connection doesn’t click, keep looking
• Spinning too many plates isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a signal
• Growth requires pruning: not everything is meant to come with you
• If you’re contemplating a corporate exit, Necessary Endings is a must-read

If you haven't watched it, check out this conversation with Kelsey: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-okay-to-change-your-mind-a-powerful/id1844202665?i=1000739550347

Buy the book: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud

I’m joined by Erika Hewlett of Compassion Wellness Nutrition to unpack what’s really happening during midlife—especially when it comes to adrenal function, declining estrogen levels, and the ripple effect they have on your energy, metabolism, mood, and overall health.

If you’ve been feeling more fatigued, wired-but-tired, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it used to, this conversation will help you understand why.

We talk about:

• How chronic stress impacts adrenal gland function and energy levels
• What drops in estrogen actually do to your body in midlife
• Why protein becomes even more essential for muscle, metabolism, and stability
• What HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing can reveal about your body
• Why mindfulness isn’t optional—it’s a critical tool for managing stress and supporting hormone health

This episode is about moving out of confusion and into clarity—so you can stop guessing and start supporting your body in a way that actually works for this season of life.

If you’re a thoughtful woman navigating midlife changes and looking for grounded, practical guidance, this conversation will give you a new perspective—and a way forward.

Work with Erika at compassionwellnessnutrition.com

Her favorite midlife experts:

Dr. Mindy Pelz https://www.drmindypelz.com/

Dr. Lisa Mosconi https://www.lisamosconi.com/

Dr. Sara Gottfried https://www.saragottfriedmd.com/

Alisa Vitti floliving.com

Maisie Hill https://maisiehill.com/

Regena Thomashauer https://mamagenas.com/

Learn more about working with Christy at

thrivewithchristy.com

The truth? You’re not alone. Research suggests up to 70% of people experience these thoughts at some point, often despite clear evidence of their competence.

Drawing from insights in TIME, we break down the five common ways impostor syndrome shows up—and why it has less to do with your ability and more to do with how you interpret challenges.

You’ll hear how impostor syndrome can look like:

• Perfectionism – believing anything less than flawless means failure
• Overworking – trying to “earn” your place through exhaustion
• Self-doubt loops – questioning your competence even after success
• Avoiding help – fearing that asking exposes you as a fraud
• Downplaying wins – crediting luck instead of your ability

We’ll also reframe what’s really happening: impostor syndrome isn’t proof you’re unqualified—it’s a pattern of thinking. And the difference between those who feel like impostors and those who don’t often comes down to how they respond to challenges, not their actual capability.

If you’ve ever thought, “Who am I to do this?”—this episode will help you recognize the pattern, challenge it, and take your next step with steadier confidence.

TIME Article: https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/

Visit thrivewithchristy.com to learn more about ways to implement the THRIVE framework to overcome impostor syndrome and pursue your dream!

Surrounded by ambitious founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs, Christy listened to inspiring speakers including Jonathan Van Ness and Emily McDonald, founder of Mindcraft, and walked away with a renewed belief in her ability to step into rooms that once felt intimidating.

This episode explores what it means to take brave steps—even as an introvert or self-described “quiet woman”—and why courage doesn’t always look loud or confident. Sometimes it just looks like booking the ticket, walking through the door, and trusting that you belong there.

Christy also reflects on how experiences like this shape her mission to help other thoughtful, capable women find their voice through the Rock the Damn Boat podcast and her upcoming women’s retreats.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready to take a leap, attend an event alone, or step into a new community, this conversation is for you.

Discussion Highlights:

• Why Christy made a spontaneous decision to attend Create & Cultivate Austin
• What it felt like to walk into a networking event alone
• Insights from speakers including Jonathan Van Ness and Emily McDonald of Mindcraft
• The quiet courage it takes to show up in unfamiliar spaces
• How stepping outside your comfort zone builds confidence over time
• Why Christy believes more introverted and thoughtful women deserve spaces to grow their voice
• How retreats, storytelling, and community can empower women to take brave steps forward

  
  Create & Cultivate Austin, women’s networking events, Jonathan Van Ness speaking event, Emily McDonald Mindcraft, women entrepreneurs conference, overcoming introversion in networking, confidence building for women, solo travel for conferences, women empowering women, Rock the Damn Boat podcast

  
  If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who’s ready to take a brave step of her own. And don’t forget to follow Rock the Damn Boat on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube for more conversations that inspire people-pleasers and quiet leaders to use their voice—even when it makes waves.

I offer a trigger warning for anyone who is sensitive to this topic.

This conversation is deeply personal for Christy. During college, she experienced abuse in a violent relationship—an experience that shaped her understanding of how complicated, isolating, and confusing abusive dynamics can be. That history is part of why raising awareness about domestic violence prevention and survivor support is so important to her today.

Dr. Jacob explains how organizations like The Archway support survivors in ways that go far beyond providing emergency shelter. From legal advocacy and safety planning to counseling and community partnerships, their work helps victims navigate the legal system, find safety, and begin rebuilding their lives.

We also talk about the warning signs of abusive relationships, why leaving can be so difficult, and the importance of accessible resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers confidential support for anyone who believes they—or someone they care about—may be experiencing abuse.

This episode is an honest and compassionate conversation about domestic violence awareness, survivor advocacy, and the systems working to protect victims.

Key Topics in This Episode

• Christy’s personal experience with an abusive college relationship
• Understanding systemic abuse and why it’s often misunderstood
• How domestic violence organizations work with victims and the justice system
• Services available beyond emergency shelter
• Warning signs of abusive relationships
• How the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims and loved ones

If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org.

Learn more about The Archway at https://www.thearchwaytx.org/ and reach their hotline in Tarrant County by calling 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-877-701-7233

During March Women's History Month, donate $25 to get a "Don't Mess with Texas Women" sticker, and check the website for ways to volunteer.

What began as a potential biography after the death of her grandmother Polly eventually transformed into something entirely different, a deeply personal memoir about Christy's sobriety journey and the influence of her beloved grandmother.

Christy also reflects on how learning more about her grandmother Gladys’ experience working in a WWII shipyard during the Rosie the Riveter era inspired an entirely new creative project five years later. It is a broader narrative about the women who stepped into unconventional roles during the war—echoing the spirit behind this month’s Women’s History Month conversations on RTDB.

If you’ve ever thought about writing your own story, Christy shares an encouraging reminder: writing isn’t reserved for a select few. Anyone can learn the craft if they’re willing to study the process, stay curious, and keep showing up to the page.

Key moments in this episode:

• Christy’s excitement about attending the Women in Publishing Summit
• How the loss of her grandmother Polly sparked the idea for her original memoir
• The surprising transformation of that book into a completely new creative project
• How learning more about her grandmother Gladys’ WWII shipyard work inspired a new project and new genre: historical fiction
• How these stories connect to RTDB’s Women’s History Month series celebrating women who rocked the boat in unconventional careers
• Why writing is a skill anyone can learn with patience and practice
• How the THRIVE framework can help you move from idea to action and start writing your own story

Whether you’re an aspiring author, a family historian, or someone feeling the quiet nudge to finally put your story on paper, this episode will encourage you to step up to the starting line and begin.

Our guest, Cindy Sims, was nominated by her daughter Courtney and selected as our Women’s History Month honoree for her remarkable life in unconventional roles. From running a small-town newspaper to working as a welder in a traditionally male trade, Cindy has spent decades quietly challenging expectations and showing what women are capable of.

With humor, heart, and plenty of stories, Cindy shares what it was like growing up in a small Texas town, stepping into jobs few women held at the time, and building a life fueled by curiosity and determination. Her energy and quick wit make this one of the most entertaining conversations we’ve had on the show.

We also talk about the women who inspired her—including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Cindy’s ultimate boat-rocking role model.

If you love stories about women breaking barriers, small-town resilience, and the courage to try something unexpected, this episode will leave you smiling.

In this episode of RTDB, we discuss:

• What it was like being a woman working as a welder
• How she came to own a small-town newspaper
• Growing up in rural Texas and the power of community
• Her unconventional career paths and what she learned as an American Sign Language interpreter
• Cindy’s Women’s History Month inspiration: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Sometimes the most powerful boat-rockers are the ones who never set out to be famous—just brave enough to follow their own path.

In this episode of RTDB, Christy talks about three simple but powerful mindsets helping her stay grounded during the messy middle of entrepreneurship: learning to live frugally and separate wants from true needs, taking the journey one step at a time—much like the “one day at a time” philosophy in sobriety—and choosing to believe in herself even when external validation is nowhere to be found.

If you’re navigating a career pivot, building a business from scratch, or standing at the starting line of something uncertain, this conversation is a reminder that progress often looks like quiet persistence.

In this episode:

• Why redefining wants vs. needs can reduce financial pressure while building a business
• How the “one day at a time” mindset helps solopreneurs keep moving forward
• The courage it takes to believe in yourself when others doubt your path
• Why persistence—not perfection—is what gets you to the next chapter

A short, honest pep talk for anyone walking the long road of entrepreneurship.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

We talk about historic Oscar milestones, unforgettable movie scenes that shaped cultural conversations, and the actresses who have built long, enduring careers in an industry that hasn’t always made that easy for women. From the early pioneers to modern powerhouses, we explore how storytelling both reflects and reshapes what women believe is possible.

This episode is equal parts celebration and reality check.

Yes, women have broken barriers in directing, screenwriting, producing, and acting. But equal representation, diverse voices, pay equity, and decision-making power remain ongoing conversations.

If you care about women’s leadership, media representation, Hollywood history, and the cultural power of storytelling, this conversation will remind you why it matters who gets to tell the story.

Discussion Highlights:

• Historic Oscar award milestones for women directors and actresses
• The firsts that paved the way — and the barriers that linger
• Memorable movie scenes that redefined female agency on screen
• Actresses who have built decades-long careers in Hollywood
• How representation in film and TV shapes identity, ambition, and voice
• Where the industry still has significant strides to make

Listen to Christy's show, The Screening Lounge, for weekly recommendations of binge-worthy TV shows and new films.

Some of the movies and filmmakers we discuss:

The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow

Nomadland - Chloe Zhao

Hamnet - Chloe Zhao

Norma Rae - Sally Fields

When Harry Met Sally - Meg Ryan

Barbie - Greta Gerwig

Black Panther - Rachel Morrison

If you’ve ever confused assertiveness with being rude, selfish, or unkind, this conversation will shift that belief. For people-pleasers, Enneagram 2's, and high-capacity women, staying quiet, over-explaining, or softening every request can feel safer. But over time, that pattern leads to burnout, resentment, and feeling invisible.

In this Sunday Shortie, I break down how to move from passive to direct — without becoming harsh — and share five practical ways to build assertive communication skills:

• Use “I” statements and direct language. Clearly state your needs with ownership: “I feel…” “I need…” Be honest and concise instead of meandering or over-explaining.
• Learn to say no. Healthy boundaries don’t require long justifications. “No” is a complete sentence when it protects your time and energy.
• Adopt confident body language. Stand tall, maintain eye contact, keep your posture open, and let your nonverbal cues match your message.
• Start with low-stakes practice. Build confidence in small moments — ask for a different table at a restaurant or clarify a scheduling mix-up — before tackling bigger conflicts.
• Manage emotions and stay calm. Pause, breathe, and regulate. Assertiveness is grounded clarity — not frustration spilling over into aggression.

Assertiveness isn’t about dominating a room. It’s about respecting yourself enough to be clear. And clarity, as we know, is kind.

If you’re ready to stop being the doormat and start communicating with calm, steady confidence, this episode will give you the mindset and language to begin.

SEO Keywords: assertive communication skills, how to be more assertive, people-pleasing recovery, setting healthy boundaries, how to say no without guilt, confident body language, overcoming fear of conflict, women and leadership communication, burnout prevention.

Approaching eight years of sobriety from alcohol herself, Christy shares incredibly vulnerable stories about her own sober-curious days and how she ultimately got and stayed sober. It is why she believes so passionately in Marin's mission.

After more than 15 years in enterprise tech and navigating her own sober journey, Marin founded Sobrynth to help organizations and professionals rethink how alcohol shows up at work — from networking events to leadership norms.

Her mission is clear: build workplace cultures where recovery, sober curiosity, and alcohol-free living are respected, normalized, and supported.

Together, Christy and Marin explore:

• What it actually means to create a recovery-friendly workplace
• The impact of workplace drinking culture on women’s leadership and advancement
• How high-performing professionals quietly question their relationship with alcohol
• The difference between sobriety, sober curiosity, and mindful drinking
• How leaders can build inclusive environments without relying on alcohol-centered connection

If you’re a leader, HR professional, entrepreneur, or ambitious woman navigating corporate culture, this episode will expand your thinking about inclusion, performance, and authenticity.

Learn more about Sobrynth at www.sobrynth.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobrynth/

Keywords: recovery-friendly workplace, sober curious, alcohol-free lifestyle, workplace drinking culture, women in leadership, corporate inclusion, sobriety journey, HR leadership, workplace wellness.

If you’ve ever:

• Practiced what you were going to say 47 different ways
• Played out worst-case scenarios in your head
• Replayed a conversation for hours (or days) afterward
• Wondered if you were “too much,” “too blunt,” or “not enough”

This episode is for you.

Why People Pleasers Rehearse Conversations

Rehearsing isn’t about preparation — it’s about protection.

When you grow up managing other people’s emotions, your brain learns that safety equals predictability. So before hard conversations, your nervous system tries to:

• Predict every possible reaction
• Script the perfect response
• Avoid conflict at all costs
• Control the outcome

The problem? You can’t control the outcome. And trying to creates anxiety, not clarity.

We’ll talk about the neuroscience behind rehearsing — how your brain’s threat system (hello, amygdala) activates when connection feels at risk — and why your body treats social tension like physical danger.

This Sunday Shortie is personal.

I’m sharing my own experience with medication adjustments that unexpectedly triggered intrusive and suicidal thoughts — not because I wanted to die, but because my brain chemistry shifted. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by anxiety, depression, or dark thoughts during perimenopause or postmenopause, you are not broken — and you are not alone.

We’ll talk about:

• The link between menopause, hormone shifts, and mental health
• Why medication changes (including HRT or antidepressants) can temporarily intensify symptoms
• Why to discuss this with your doctor, even if they are dismissive
• The importance of monitoring mood during hormonal r medication transitions

Menopause mental health is still wildly under-discussed — especially in high-functioning women who “look fine” on the outside.

If you’re navigating perimenopause, postmenopause, hormone therapy, antidepressants, ADHD, or mood instability in midlife, this episode is a reminder: your brain deserves support just as much as your body.

If this conversation resonates, please share it with a woman who might need to hear it.

And if you’re struggling right now, reach out for professional help immediately. You are not meant to carry this alone.

9-8-8 is the national suicide hotline in the United States.

You can reach me at christy@thrivewithchristy.com for more resources on substance abuse.

Learn about my upcoming retreats or work with me by visiting thrivewithchristy.com

In this episode, I explore theory of mind and how our ability (and tendency) to assume what others are thinking can quietly sabotage friendships. When we haven’t heard from someone in a while, our brains often jump to self-blaming stories: I did something wrong. They’re upset. They don’t care anymore.

But what if none of that is true?

I share how shame convinces us to stay silent and how we can move forward with courage: by reaching out without over-explaining, releasing relationships that have naturally run their course, and making peace with the fact that not every friendship is meant to last forever.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever stared at their phone, wanting to reconnect—but letting shame stop them.

In this episode:

• What theory of mind is—and how it works against us in adult friendships
• Why silence often has nothing to do with rejection
• How shame convinces us to assume the worst about ourselves
• The difference between grief and shame when friendships change
• When reaching out is brave—and when letting go is healthy
• How to stop making neutral situations mean something about your worth

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn’t protecting ourselves from rejection—it’s refusing to let shame write a story that was never true in the first place.

ACE shares her journey from the corporate world into full-time yoga teaching in Los Angeles—and the emotional, financial, and identity shifts that come with making a major career pivot. We talk candidly about entrepreneurial alignment, trusting intuition after years of external expectations, and how yoga becomes a grounding practice during seasons of uncertainty.

This episode is for women craving something more—those questioning the “safe path,” navigating a career transition, or craving more meaning in their work and lives. It’s a grounded, real-world look at what happens after you leap, and how to build something sustainable without losing yourself in the process.

In this episode, we explore:

• Leaving corporate life without a perfect plan
• Newfound freedom and nervous system regulation
• The realities of entrepreneurship for women
• Yoga as a tool for clarity, resilience, and self-trust
• Redefining success beyond productivity and income

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, creative, founder, or woman navigating a career change, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and permission to listen to what your body and intuition already know.

Follow ACE and support her work at aceyogala.com

Subscribe to her Substack The Life of a Ram

Check out three of her boat-rocking role models:

Rae Okino: https://www.raeokino.com/

Maryam Hasnaa: https://www.maryamhasnaa.com/

Imani Cohen: https://thehoodhealer.com/

Learn more about Christy's work at thrivewithchristy.com

including her upcoming Texas and Tahoe retreats

With more than a decade in the pet industry, Jessica shares what it took to stay the course long before the wins were visible — including the moment her brand finally lit up a Times Square billboard.

As a first-generation Latina founder, Jessica reflects on how her heritage, values, and commitment to community shape her leadership and business decisions. This conversation is a real-world example of the kind of steady persistence Christy coaches on — the quiet, resilient tenacity that compounds over time.

In this episode, we discover:

• Tenacity isn’t loud — it’s the daily choice to keep going when progress feels slow or invisible
• Leaving corporate doesn’t mean instant freedom; it means learning to trust your timing and instincts
• Representation matters — building a brand can also be about creating space for others
• Big moments (like Times Square billboards) are usually the result of years of unseen effort

If you’re in the messy middle, questioning your timeline, or wondering whether your determination is enough, this episode is your reminder to keep going.

Check out the full product line at https://bundlexjoy.com/

Follow Jessica Berger on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Learn how to work with Christy at thrivewithchristy.com

This episode explores the tension many women face after a big transition: staying productive without turning life into a constant cycle of self-promotion, metrics, and visibility. Christy shares why she’s choosing to prioritize joy, meaning, and alignment over relentless output—and what it looks like to trust yourself when the old structures are gone.

If you’ve left a corporate role, started a business, or are navigating an identity shift where busyness doesn’t equal fulfillment, this honest reflection will resonate.

In this episode:

• Life after corporate identity and why “busy” can still feel disorienting
• The pressure to self-promote—and why it can quietly drain joy
• Redefining success beyond productivity and external validation
• Choosing joy as a strategy, not a reward

Perfect for women in transition, former people-pleasers, and anyone learning how to build a life that feels good—not just looks good.

To learn more about what I'm up to now, check out thrivewithchristy.com

After years of building a thriving yoga business and online community, Allie reached a quiet but undeniable truth: she no longer felt like she was giving her work her all. Rather than pushing harder or forcing herself to keep going, she chose a braver path—taking a year-long sabbatical from her studio and embracing what author and entrepreneur Neha Ruch calls The Power Pause.

Inspired by Neha Ruch’s book, The Power Pause, Allie shares what it looks like to step back without guilt, redefine success beyond productivity, and trust that rest can be an intentional, strategic choice—not a failure.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why pausing can be a powerful leadership move for founders and creatives
• The identity shift that comes with stepping away from a business you’ve built
• How burnout often whispers before it screams
• What clarity, creativity, and alignment can emerge when you stop forcing momentum

Allie continues to support her community through accessible online yoga practices on her YouTube channel, Yoga with Allie Van Fossen (https://www.youtube.com/c/YogawithAllieVanFossen), even as she honors this season of rest and recalibration.

We talk openly about my own ADHD diagnosis later in life — and how so many symptoms didn’t fully make sense until hormones entered the picture. From perimenopause to chronic stress, we explore how fluctuating estrogen, cortisol, and nervous system overload can amplify ADHD traits like overwhelm, emotional reactivity, brain fog, and exhaustion.

Amy shares why so many traditional ADHD strategies fall flat for women, especially in midlife, and why nervous-system regulation is often the missing piece. We dig into what regulation actually looks like (beyond bubble baths and breathing apps), how safety and capacity come before productivity, and how women can begin working with their brains instead of constantly fighting them.

We also talk about how women can work with Amy through NeuroMagic Club — from personalized ADHD coaching to therapeutic approaches designed for neurodivergent nervous systems — and why community and compassion are just as important as tools.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Is this ADHD… or hormones… or both?”
• Why your old coping strategies stopped working
• Or how to calm your nervous system without shaming yourself into burnout

This conversation will make you feel seen — and give you a clearer path forward.

Learn more about Amy’s work at neuromagicclub.com.

Follow Amy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/neuromagic.amy/

When one person’s frustration shows up loudly, it can trigger the “1 in 100” negativity bias: our brains fixate on the single negative response instead of the many quiet affirmations. I unpack how this bias shows up in leadership, people-pleasing, and decision-making—and how to interrupt it with perspective and self-trust.

I also zoom out to acknowledge a deeper truth: the world is hurting right now. Global events, collective grief, and uncertainty are weighing heavily on so many of us. And yet, that reality has only strengthened my commitment to helping women use their voices with clarity and courage.

This episode is for anyone navigating disappointment, self-doubt, or emotional whiplash while still feeling called to lead, create, and make waves.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why negativity bias hits people-pleasers and leaders especially hard
• How global pain can sharpen—not silence—our sense of purpose
• Why helping women amplify their voices matters now more than ever

If you’re learning how to stay steady, speak up, and keep going—even when it would be easier to shrink—this one’s for you.

Ellen shares her midlife pivot from a successful career in sales to becoming a therapist, and how that transition reflects the deeper shifts many women experience in midlife. We explore how changes in neurochemistry and hormones affect emotional regulation, tolerance, and boundaries—and why people-pleasing often becomes unsustainable during this stage of life.

We also break down Ellen’s viral Substack article, which offers direct, practical guidance for anyone ready to stop over-explaining, over-giving, and prioritizing everyone else’s comfort over their own.

Ellen also previews her upcoming Midlife Clarity Assessment, designed to help women better understand where they are in midlife, what’s changing internally, and how to move forward with confidence and clarity.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• How midlife neurochemical changes impact boundaries and emotional tolerance
• Why people-pleasing is replaced by raw truth in midlife
• Career pivots, identity shifts, and redefining success in the second half of life
• Steps women can take at any age for more direct communication

Learn more about Ellen and her work at https://lifebranches.com, and watch for the launch of her Midlife Clarity Assessment.

Read the article that launched a movement here!

In this Sunday Shortie, I’m sharing the results of my recent psychological assessment—and what the testing process revealed during midlife, when symptoms are often harder to untangle.

I talk candidly about the complexity of ADHD assessments, how long and mentally demanding the tests were, and how my mind wandered throughout the process—a detail that turned out to be important data, not a failure.

My official diagnoses: ADHD, predominantly inattentive type, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

This episode explores how midlife and menopause can blur the lines between anxiety, hormonal changes, burnout, and ADHD—especially for women who’ve spent decades coping, masking, and pushing through.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a comprehensive ADHD and anxiety assessment actually looks like
• Why distraction, fatigue, and wandering focus during testing matter
• How midlife and menopause can amplify cognitive and emotional symptoms
• Why many women receive an ADHD diagnosis later in life
• How receiving clarity can feel grounding—not defining

If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and questioning what’s “hormonal” versus something deeper, this conversation offers perspective, validation, and steadiness.

Keywords / SEO tags:
adult ADHD diagnosis, inattentive ADHD, ADHD and menopause, perimenopause and ADHD, midlife mental health, women with ADHD, ADHD assessment, generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, late ADHD diagnosis

In this episode, I share the three truths that carried me through the highs and lows:
✨ We can do hard things
✨ Nothing is wasted in God’s economy
✨ Don’t dim to fit in

These are the lessons that reshaped my confidence, deepened my faith, and reminded me that even the chapters that don’t go as planned are still purposeful.

This episode is for anyone walking through a bittersweet ending, questioning their path, or learning to trust that every experience—especially the hard ones—can grow you in ways you never expected.

If you’ve ever wondered whether something you poured your heart into “counted,” this conversation will remind you: it absolutely did.

Today, I’m opening up about what it feels like to stand at the edge of a big decision, how fear disguises itself as practicality, and why staying in the comfort zone can sometimes keep us from our purpose. I’ll walk you through the exact moment I realized that closing the studio wasn’t failure— it was alignment. It was me choosing growth, expansion, and the next version of myself.

If you’re clinging to something because it feels safe, or you’re wrestling with a change your soul is begging for, this one’s for you.

Learn more about my new chapter at thrivewithchristy.com

Keywords: comfort zone, life transitions, personal growth, closing a business, listening to intuition, courage, new chapter, midlife reinvention, overcoming fear, alignment, Rock the Damn Boat podcast

But at what cost? If you are passionately pursuing a side hustle or ready to leave the 9-5 behind, what smart money moves can you make now to set you up for success?

I'll share my own financial journey and the stepping stones that led me to six figures in the bank to support self-employment (for at least 3 years). From real estate to index funds, you do NOT have to be an expert to make smart choices and start socking away Benjamins today.

Let me help you build the confidence and leader mindset to make your next move at thrivewithchristy.com

#savingmoney #smartmoneymoves #investing #careerpivot

If you’re navigating a new chapter, letting go of burnout culture, or trying to unlearn years of “be productive at all costs” conditioning, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

We talk self-trust, slowing down, restructuring your days, and the messy middle of building a business without breaking yourself in the process.

In this case, a practical one. I've asked my husband, Ryan Hughes, to come on the show and share his side of the story. His resounding "no" when I suggested leaving corporate to pursue coaching and speaking had me thinking my dream was dead in the water.

Together, we sharing the intimate conversations we had about compromise and supporting each other. If you have an eternal pessimist (or at least, a staunch realist) who you think always crushes your dreams, this episode is for you! Maybe you'll be inspired to bravely speak up and pursue your passions, with or without the support you expected.

In today’s Sunday Shortie, I unpack two very real moments from my week: my anger when my landlord refused to negotiate rent, and the spiral that followed after I ruminated on a gossip-filled social media post. One situation was strictly business — the other felt deeply personal… until I realized it actually wasn’t.

Drawing on my past 4th Step work in AA, I walk through how resentment forms, why it lingers, and how taking an honest look at my part helped me release what was never mine to carry in the first place.

This episode is for anyone who:

• Struggles to tell the difference between justified anger and self-sabotaging resentment
• Finds themselves replaying conversations, posts, or perceived slights
• Wants to process emotions without spiritual bypassing or self-blame
• Is learning how to let go — even when the feelings feel valid

Healthy anger can be clarifying. Resentment, left unchecked, can become a prison. This short reflection is an invitation to feel what’s real, take responsibility where it’s yours, and release the rest.

🎧 Tune in for a gentle but honest reminder: not everything is about you — and that realization can be incredibly freeing.

The holidays have a way of testing even our strongest boundaries.
Maybe you spoke up, said no, and protected your energy.
Or maybe you found yourself overgiving, overexplaining, and ending the season feeling depleted.

In this Sunday Shortie, I’m inviting you to reflect — not judge — how your boundaries actually played out over the holidays. We’ll explore what worked, what didn’t, and what your exhaustion (or peace) might be trying to tell you as we move into a new season.

Because boundaries aren’t about getting it perfect — they’re about learning, adjusting, and choosing yourself again and again.

✨ A gentle check-in for anyone who loves deeply… and is learning not to disappear in the process.

Don't forget to check out thrivewithchristy.com for coaching programs that help build confidence, especially when it comes to setting boundaries. Cohorts kick off in January.

Kelsey opens up about building a wildly successful boutique, sacrificing her health and her peace, and the moment she was life-flighted for what turned out to be a massive panic attack. That experience forced her to face the truth: perfectionism, pressure, and nonstop grinding were destroying the life she was trying to create.

Both Kelsey and Christy share how chasing perfection nearly broke them—and how “rocking the damn boat” means redefining success, choosing presence over pressure, and reclaiming their lives, even if the path ahead is unclear.

✨ In this episode, we cover:
• How Kelsey built The Lace Cactus from nothing to nationally recognized success• The mental, physical, and emotional toll of “doing it all”• Her life-flight experience—and the moment everything changed• The shared perfectionism that pushed both women to the edge• The courage it takes to slow down, step back, and reclaim your life• What redefining success actually looks like as a mom, leader, and human• How to recognize burnout before it hits

If you’ve ever felt burned out, stretched thin, or trapped by expectations, this episode will remind you that peace is worth fighting for.

Kelsey and Christy are soul sisters who share powerful conversations about trauma recovery and healing. They are scheming on a new spin-off podcast that will reignite your passion for soul-searching and growth-seeking.

🔗 Listen, subscribe, and join the movement to stop people-pleasing and start choosing yourself.
More resources + coaching: https://thrivewithchristy.com

From navigating burnout and people-pleasing to making hard decisions, redefining success, and choosing alignment over approval, this episode offers an honest look at what growth really looks like behind the scenes.

Inside this episode:

• Quarter 1: Intentions, expectations, and eternal optimism for the year
• Quarter 2: Burnout, boundaries, and falling out of love with retail professionally and personally
• Quarter 3: Letting go, uncomfortable clarity, and identity shifts
• Quarter 4: Rebuilding trust with myself and stepping into alignment, even with unsure footing

This episode is for anyone reflecting on their own year, questioning what’s next, or craving permission to evolve — personally, professionally, or creatively.

If you’re searching for inspiration, clarity, or a grounded way to move into the new year, this 2025 personal growth podcast episode will help you reflect, reset, and move forward with confidence.

✨ Perfect for year-end reflection✨ Ideal for journaling and goal setting✨ A reminder that growth doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful

I also rewatched Fried Green Tomatoes recently and resonated more with Kathy Bates than I did when the movie came out.

Who was your movie role model? Did you end up anything like them? Tawanda!

Homework: Read Step Into Your Moxie by Alexia Vernon

I share what led me to reevaluate my relationship with drinking, what sobriety has taught me about control and connection, and how learning to feel instead of flee changed everything.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your habits are helping you heal or keeping you stuck, this episode will invite you to look deeper — with compassion, not judgment.

✨ Listen in for a real conversation about letting go of old coping mechanisms, finding peace in presence, and learning to thrive without the crutch of escape.

🔗 Learn more at thrivewithchristy.com

Keywords: sobriety journey, recovery podcast, mindful living, personal growth, emotional healing, self-awareness, coping mechanisms, midlife awakening, Rock the Damn Boat podcast

In this episode of Rock the Damn Boat, I unpack how the need to be liked, approved of, or “not rock the boat” quietly morphs into over-preparing, over-performing, and never feeling like what you do is enough. We’ll talk about how perfectionism can be a socially acceptable mask for fear of rejection—and why it keeps so many thoughtful, capable people stuck, exhausted, and disconnected from themselves.

If you’ve ever:

• Felt crushed by your own high standards
• Delayed starting because you couldn’t do it “right”
• Tied your worth to productivity or praise
• Confused being responsible with being self-sacrificing

…this episode is for you.

This is an invitation to loosen the grip, question the rules you didn’t consciously choose, and begin separating your value from your performance—without swinging into apathy or burnout. You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to be honest.

I share my own experiences with staying grounded around alcohol, navigating social pressure, and holding your boundaries with grace (and sometimes grit). We’ll talk about:

✨ Why sobriety makes people uncomfortable
✨ How to respond when others question your choices
✨ Ways to stay connected, confident, and in your power at gatherings
✨ What to do when you feel triggered or out of place
✨ How to reclaim holiday joy without numbing yourself

And because I don’t shy away from rocking the damn boat… I’m also diving into the frustration of being judged for the very practices that have helped me heal—like sound healing, yoga, and other wellness tools that some folks love to label as “weird” or “woo.” We’ll unpack why people feel threatened by what they don’t understand, how to stand firm in your truth, and why your healing isn’t up for debate at anyone’s dinner party.

If you’ve ever worried about being “the odd one out” at a party—or felt judged for the things you do to protect your peace—this episode is here to remind you: you’re not alone, you’re not wrong, and you’re absolutely allowed to rock the boat.

Tune in and let’s navigate this season with intention, humor, and a whole lot of self-trust.

I’m also talking about why I’m taking a social media hiatus — because scrolling and posting started to feel less like marketing and more like gambling, waiting for a viral hit to save the day.

This episode is about letting go, noticing where we cling, and choosing presence over performance when an ending is unavoidable. If you’ve ever struggled to stop negotiating with something that’s already over, this one’s for you.

Around here, we talk about the things we’ve been taught to avoid — boundaries, guilt, burnout, self-worth — and how to find your voice again, even when it shakes a little. This is your permission slip to stop apologizing, start speaking up, and trust that rocking the boat might just be how you find your calm.

So take a deep breath, get grounded, and let’s rock the damn boat — together.

In today's episode, we're talking about the 15% minority club of which I'm a member: women without children. I talk about my own path to this ultimate outcome that I have zero regrets about. I also talk about how unfortunate it is when the 1 in 7 women we comprise are judged about how we spend our time, or the freedom we are perceived to have. It is not always by choice.

My hope is that everyone will think twice before uttering the phrase: "you don't have kids".

I reflect on what led me here—early ADHD patterns I can now recognize in hindsight, including Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)—and why seeking answers later in life feels grounding, not overwhelming.

This episode is less about labels and more about understanding how the brain works, especially when it comes to people-pleasing, emotional sensitivity, and chronic over-functioning.

• How people-pleasing is reinforced through dopamine and the amygdala
• Why the nervous system learns safety through approval and performance
• How insight and assessment can support healthier choices moving forward

When we understand the neurobiology behind our patterns, shame loses its grip. People-pleasing isn’t a personality flaw—it’s often a learned survival response shaped by the brain’s reward and threat systems.

For me, pursuing assessment now isn’t about rewriting the past. It’s about gaining clarity, self-compassion, and better tools for the decades ahead—so I can work with my brain instead of constantly pushing against it.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re so sensitive to feedback, driven by approval, or exhausted by always holding it together, this episode offers context—and relief.

🎧 Listen now for a grounded, honest conversation about mental health, ADHD awareness, and understanding your nervous system with more kindness.

Interested in the Rise + Thrive retreat? Visit:

www.thrivewithchristy.com

Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

The Pivot Year by Brianna Weist

I protect my mornings and feel a little off when I don't stick to it! Rocking the damn boat means carving out this time that you protect at all costs. That can be morning, evening, or any time in between. Set those boundaries!

Sabrina shares how she built her consulting business at the intersection of strategy, mindset, and artificial intelligence—and why AI doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, impersonal, or “out of alignment.” In fact, she’s the reason I finally became a ChatGPT convert.

We talk about:

• How Sabrina uses AI to support (not replace) human creativity
• Practical ways ChatGPT can save time and mental energy
• Using AI to create more personal freedom, clarity, and spaciousness in your work
• Why mindset still matters—especially when working with powerful tools

Whether you’re AI-curious, quietly skeptical, or looking for smarter ways to work without burning out, this conversation will help you see what’s possible when technology is used intentionally.

Learn more about Sabrina's work at thenextmoveconsulting.com and follow her on LinkedIn for more AI education.

✨ Less grind. More agency. Smarter support.

This is the behind-the-scenes story of burning down the parts of my life that were no longer aligned—and what it means to trust yourself enough to start again. I've stripped everything away to start on a blank canvas.

If you’re facing a big transition, feeling pulled toward something new, or wondering whether you’re allowed to burn it all down and rebuild… this episode is for you.

We’ll cover:

• Why I finally chose to leave my corporate career after decades
• The emotional and financial reality of closing The Rooted Soul
• How burnout, intuition, and self-trust collided
• What happens when you let go of an identity you’ve carried for years
• What is on the horizon for me
• How I’m rebuilding from a place of truth, purpose, and radical courage

Keywords: quitting corporate job, closing yoga studio, burnout recovery, major life transitions, personal reinvention, women in midlife, starting over, self-trust, healing journey, entrepreneur burnout.

This is the story behind the fire—and the rise that comes after.

---> Learn more about coaching at thrivewithchristy.com

Angela shares why she traded boardrooms for haunted hotels, how her business prioritizes family bonding, and how she found the courage to follow her intuition over traditional definitions of success.

We also dive into what it’s like to talk openly about spiritual messages, ghost encounters, and intuition in the Bible Belt, where skepticism runs deep and “sticking to the script” is the safer path. Angela’s story is a powerful reminder that trusting your inner voice—even when others question it—can lead you to your most authentic work.

If you love ghost stories, rich history, spiritual awakening, women’s empowerment, and stories about leaving corporate life for a purpose-driven path, this conversation will inspire you to follow your own inner calling.

Key Takeaways

• How Angela left a six-figure corporate job to build a business rooted in history, intuition, and the paranormal.

• What it’s like to talk about spiritual messages in the Bible Belt, where stigma and misunderstanding are common.
• Behind-the-scenes stories from her haunted walking tour at the iconic Baker Hotel.
• The power of trusting your gut—even when your path looks nothing like what others expect.
• How entrepreneurship and intuition intersect, especially for women reclaiming their voice and agency.

We talk candidly about how she prepared, but still didn't expect, this diagnosis, and how it shifted her life overnight . Her diagnosis forced her to release lifelong people-pleasing patterns and find the courage to ask for and receive help in multiple areas of her life. Dawn shares what it looked like to stop carrying everything alone, allow others to support her, and engage in honest—sometimes uncomfortable—conversations that ultimately transformed her family’s communication.

This conversation explores the emotional impact of cancer and how facing uncertainty can lead to deeper relationships and healthier boundaries. Dawn’s story is a powerful reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s often the doorway to real connection and healing.

If you’re navigating a breast cancer journey, supporting someone with cancer, or learning how to ask for help after years of putting everyone else first, this episode offers honesty, hope, and perspective you won’t forget.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why annual cancer screenings and early detection matter more than we often realize
• What it takes to shift from always giving care to learning how to receive it
• How releasing people-pleasing can create space for real support
• The role of hard, honest conversations in times of crisis
• How tragedy can unexpectedly bring families closer and deepen communication

Keywords: breast cancer journey, breast cancer screening, cancer diagnosis, people-pleasing, asking for help, receiving care, family communication, emotional healing, women’s health, midlife health, boundaries, support during cancer

• Weight Watchers in my twenties with a vicious cycle of bank the points, drink the points
• Macro Counting and a small notion of bodybuilding competitions, resulting in an indescribable shame cycle
• Intuitive Eating, which doesn't always work, but sure feels better than listening to a thousand experts give vastly different advice

While I haven't resigned myself to the fate of a "menopausal middle", I am learning to befriend my body, and to be a heckuva lot kinder to her. And also...less Blue Bell.

If you’ve ever wondered who you’d be without the job title, paycheck, or approval of others — this one’s for you. We’ll talk about identity, courage, and what it really means to put yourself first after years of people-pleasing.

Keywords: retail burnout, career change, women in transition, people-pleasing recovery, self-worth, boundary setting, midlife reinvention, personal growth

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Welcome to Rock the Damn Boat — a podcast for women who’ve spent their lives keeping the peace, playing it safe, and putting everyone else first. I’m Christy Hughes — recovering people-pleaser, yoga teacher, and believer in doing the inner work that lets us live with more freedom and truth.

Around here, we talk about the things we’ve been taught to avoid — boundaries, guilt, burnout, self-worth — and how to find your voice again, even when it shakes a little. This is your permission slip to stop apologizing, start speaking up, and trust that rocking the boat might just be how you find your calm.

So take a deep breath, get grounded, and let’s rock the damn boat — together.

The book was banned for several decades and Chopin barely wrote after its scathing reviews. A half century later, the book was praised for its scenery and characters. Both the author and her main character were ahead of their time.

A boat rocker in every sense of the word, Kate Chopin wrote about extramarital affairs, the pursuit of creativity, and the less glamorous side of motherhood. In other words, any Real Housewives season.

Follow and subscribe to Rock the Damn Boat on your favorite podcast platform!

Join her as she unpacks the link between early approval-seeking and adult burnout, offers tools to break the pattern, and reminds you that rocking the boat isn’t rebellion — it’s reclamation.

🎧 Recorded in the barn (no Mr. Ed this time — just real talk and maybe a few flies), this one’s for anyone ready to trade people-pleasing for purpose.

✨ Keywords: people pleasing, childhood conditioning, career change, self worth, women’s empowerment, midlife reinvention, boundaries, healing journey, Rock the Damn Boat podcast

🌐 Learn more at thrivewithchristy.com

After years of attending online yoga classes, I was ready to return to that sense of community that can only be found in a studio. It's been an uphill battle, but we have forged a small student base that is better together.

My "rock the damn boat" attitude really shines through when I teach that any body type can practice yoga. For one thing, what we do on the mat is only one limb of yoga: asana. And secondly, striving for physical perfection in yoga goes against the very idea of yogic philosophy.

This won't be the last you hear from me on this topic, but to understand my relationship with yoga is to understand my humble beginnings and how it has transformed me.

In this episode, I sit down with Tamera Heidelman, founder of Fat Girl Tallow, to talk about how she turned to an ancestral, often misunderstood ingredient—beef tallow—when conventional products failed. The result wasn’t just healthier skin, but a bold, unapologetic business rooted in clean ingredients, intuition, and punchy, scroll-stopping marketing.

We talk about:

• Why non-toxic skincare starts with questioning modern beauty norms
• The healing power of beef tallow and ancestral ingredients
• Turning motherhood into mission-driven entrepreneurship
• Building a brand with personality, confidence, and a little cosmic cowgirl rebellion

This conversation is for anyone curious about clean beauty, unconventional business paths, and what happens when you trust your instincts—even when the solution looks wildly different from the mainstream.

Find the full collection at fatgirltallow.com