"You don’t get a badge of courage for doing what everyone else thinks you should be doing."

When the life you built starts to unravel, how do you find the strength to start again—especially when you're still standing in the middle of it? In this powerful podcast episode, Natalie Fairchild shares the deeply personal story behind building her business, Pacific Perks Coffee, while simultaneously raising kids and navigating her husband’s progressive chronic illness.

Natalie courageously opens up about the emotional toll of being her husband’s caregiver, the quiet unraveling of their emotional intimacy, and the internal war that raged inside of her between loyalty and self-preservation.

Natalie’s decision to ultimately end her marriage wasn’t simple—and certainly wasn’t celebrated—but it was necessary - especially once she realized the level of codependency in her marriage. Her reflections on how she dealt with judgment, grief, and the loss of identity in the process are brutally honest and deeply relatable.

What makes Natalie’s story so compelling is what came after: the messy, nonlinear path to clarity, and the inspiring new life that not only she – but her now ex-husband – have built for themselves.

If you or someone you know is struggling to make a hard decision to do what you know in your heart is right but what “society” tells you is selfish, this is a podcast episode you’re not going to want to miss.

About Natalie

Natalie Fairchild is Founder and Chief Inspirational Officer of Pacific Perks Coffee. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest. For the past 17 plus years she has been leading her company and recently Pacific Perks became a franchise. She contributes her success to surrounding herself with the right people, doing what she says she is going to do and being committed to a balanced life. She is most proud of the team and culture she has built at Pacific Perks, by creating jobs with flexibility and great pay for her employees.

Connect with Natalie

You can connect with Natalie on LinkedIn at Natalie Fairchild and on Facebook at Pacific Perks. You can follow Natalie on YouTube at Pacific Perks Coffee and on Instagram at Pacific Perks. To find out more about Pacific Perks Coffee visit the website Pacific Perks Coffee.

Coming Soon: Stay tuned for a new podcast – ToGet(HER)

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

What happens to our self-confidence when a marriage ends? For many, especially women, divorce not only shatters their relationship but also erodes their ability to advocate for themselves when they need it most.

In this podcast episode, Jeannette Seibly a veteran leadership coach and business advisor, breaks down the misunderstood art of “bragging” and explains why it’s crucial for rebuilding your confidence. With over three decades of experience, Jeannette reveals how learning to talk about your wins isn’t arrogant—it’s essential, especially when your self-worth has taken a hit.

Jeannette also explains how our reaction to the idea of “bragging” comes from societal norms that condition us to minimize our success, and how that tendency to play small holds us back during critical moments like job interviews, negotiations, or dating after divorce. Jeannette's unique method of harnessing the power of “bragging” helps people shift from feeling invisible to owning their power—with data, not drama.

About Jeannette

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, boasts over 32 years of hands-on experience. Her expertise helps leaders and bosses refine their hiring, coaching, and management practices and achieve their intended results. Along her journey, she has guided the creation of three millionaires and numerous six-figure earners, all while championing those ready to elevate their game to new heights. Her newest book is: "Get Your Brag On!"

Connect with Jeannette

You can connect with Jeannette on LinkedIn at Jeannette Seibly and on Facebook at SeibCo, LLC. To find out more about Jeannette’s work, visit her website at SeibCo, LLC where you can also find her book, “Get Your Brag On!".

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

Most people want a strong partnership—but what does it actually take to build one that’s equal, respectful, and emotionally connected? In this conversation, relationship coach Sharon Costanzo breaks down the hidden dynamics that keep couples stuck. Drawing from her work with high-achieving women, Sharon explains how unconscious habits and social conditioning can block true collaboration in marriage—and what it really takes to break those hidden patterns.

Throughout the conversation, Sharon shares candid insights about how to voice your needs without pushing your partner away, how to handle defensiveness and misunderstanding, and why assuming good intent can completely change the tone of a tough conversation.

As the discussion goes deeper, Sharon gets into the messy reality of navigating conflict, resentment, and unmet expectations in long-term relationships. She talks about accountability, emotional fidelity, and how to figure out whether your marriage can still meet your core needs.

Whether you're trying to repair a struggling relationship or just make a good one better, this conversation challenges the idea that love should be effortless—and makes a strong case that real intimacy requires courage, skill, and ongoing negotiation.

About Sharon

Sharon Costanzo is a relationship coach and the founder of Respected & Connected, where she helps high-achieving women create balanced, meaningful partnerships without over functioning or burning out. With a focus on navigating gender dynamics and fostering equity in relationships, Sharon empowers her clients to advocate for their needs with confidence and compassion. Through her private coaching, 'The Better Marriage Blueprint,' and other resources, she teaches practical strategies to build deeper intimacy and collaboration.

Connect with Sharon

You can connect with Sharon on LinkedIn at Sharon Costanzo and on Facebook at Sharon D Costanzo and you can follow her on Instagram at Respected and Connected. To find out more about Sharon’s work visit her website at Respected and Connected.

Bonus Offer

Sharon is offering a free guide called the Partnership Playbook: five simple steps to share the load, deepen your bond, and create a thriving partnership - without blame or guilt!

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

When you're trying to have a serious conversation but it keeps going sideways, it’s not always what’s being said that’s the problem. More often than not it’s about how you’re listening. In this podcast episode, communication expert and professional listener Deb Porter breaks down what it really means to feel heard and how most of us have never been taught to truly listen.

With a background in pastoral counseling and a business built around deep, empathetic listening, Deb shares her journey through caregiving, divorce, and ministry – as well was the lessons she learned along the way. Deb powerfully explains why she believes real listening – listening that picks up on both the message and the emotion behind it - is the missing ingredient in so many personal and professional relationships.

Deb also introduces her simple but powerful CORE Framework that helps people stay grounded and present in tough conversations. She explains how emotional regulation and clear intentions can change the way we connect with others, even in high-stakes moments like parenting conflicts or discussing divorce.

Whether you're talking with your spouse, your team, or your kids, Deb’s approach gives you the tools to create more meaningful conversations and stronger relationships.

About Deb

With a Master's specializing in Care & Counseling and experience in critical caregiving and divorce, Deb founded HOLD to provide the kind of support she once needed. As a professional listener and communication expert, she helps individuals find clarity through confidential listening sessions and teaches effective communication skills through courses and business training. Deb’s work focuses on fostering connection, empathy, and understanding—helping people feel truly heard in both personal and professional settings.

Connect with Deb

You can connect with Deb on LinkedIn at Deb Porter and on Facebook at Hearing Out Life Drama. You can follow Deb on Instagram at Hearing Out Life Drama and on her YouTube channel at Hold Listens. To find out more about Deb’s work please visit her website at Hearing Out Life Drama. You can find Deb’s guide, Thriving Through Divorce: Finding Peace, Purpose and Joy on her website here.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

Have you ever wondered why even small disagreements can explode into intense emotional battles? In this podcast episode, Dr. Greg Stewart, a counselor and executive coach, explores why negative emotions often become inflated, causing us to react disproportionately in our relationships.

Drawing from personal experiences, including his own struggles and extensive academic background, Dr. Stewart reveals how understanding the deeper sources of our insecurities can transform our emotional responses and strengthen our connections.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the phenomenon of "emotional inflation," in which small triggers evoke intense reactions because of unresolved insecurities. By learning to identify these triggers and understanding the deeper narrative they often signify, you can gain control over your emotional responses.

If you’re struggling in an emotionally volatile relationship, this episode will empower you to recognize emotional patterns, overcome destructive cycles, and create lasting, positive change.

About Dr. Greg Stewart

Dr. Greg Stewart lives in Rockwall, TX and is currently a full-time telehealth counselor, executive coach, and consultant. He has a BA in Organizational Leadership (Cornerstone University), a Master of Divinity (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary), a MA in Counseling (GRTS), and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (Regent U). His dissertation was The Relationship of Emotional Intelligence to Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment. He is the author of I3: Unlock the Inner Strength Behind Your Negative Emotions, and I3 for Couples: Facing Our Negative Emotions to Build Intimacy in Marriage. He is currently working on his third book, The Leadership Quotient, which will be available Fall of 2025.

Connect with Dr. Greg Stewart

You can connect with Dr. Greg on Facebook at Dr. Greg Stewart and on LinkedIn at Dr. Greg Stewart. You can follow Dr. Greg on his YouTube Channel at Becoming More CCC, on X at Dr. Greg Stewart and on Instagram at Dr. Greg Stewart. You can find out how to work with Dr. Greg by visiting his website at Dr. Greg Stewart where you can also find his books I-Cubed and I-Cubed for Couples.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

What if you could create an amazing marriage with the precision and effectiveness of an engineer? That's exactly what Gabriela Embon, a certified relationship coach and former engineer, helps couples do. Gabriela combines engineering strategy with deep emotional insights in a transformative relationship strategy, empowering couples to build legendary marriages through structured, actionable frameworks.

In her book, Becoming a Power Couple: Four Pillars to Engineer Legendary Marriages Gabriela helps couples reconnect, rekindle love, and establish meaningful rituals that sustain their bond. Gabriela highlights the importance of emotional attunement and proactive habits, making relationship-building a deliberate and strategic process.

Most importantly, Gabriela reassures couples that it's never too late to course-correct, even when a marriage is in crisis. Her unique blend of practical advice and emotional intelligence provides both hope and a clear path forward for anyone seeking genuine love and lasting connection.

About Gabriela

Certified coach and author Gabriela Embon believes that a fulfilling adult life hinges on two essential components: an ideal career and a thriving primary relationship. In the last 2 decades as a coach, Gabriela has dedicated herself to helping couples build fulfilling and enduring relationships. Gabriela utilizes the analytical and problem-solving skills from her engineering background, and applies them to the intricacies of human relationships. By combining the precision of engineering with the emotional depth of human behaviour, she empowers couples to transform their relationships, and become a Power Couple.

Connect with Gabriela

You can connect with Gabriela on LinkedIn at Gabriela Embon and Facebook at Gabriela Embon. You can also follow her on Instagram at Gabriela Embon and YouTube at Coaching Academy. To find out more about Gabriela’s work visit her website at Gabriela Embon.

Bonus:

Download the prologue of her book “Becoming a Power Couple - 4 Pillars to Engineer Legendary Marriages" here.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

Life often throws curveballs that leave us feeling overwhelmed or trapped - especially during challenging times like divorce. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Dr. Carrie Johansson, a psychologist and author affectionately known as "The Sensible Psychologist," introduces a powerful yet simple framework that will shift you out of the "Drama Triangle" so you can reclaim your life.

Throughout this podcast episode, Dr. Johansson reveals practical tools that allow you to honestly assess your situation without judgment and finally break free from the cycle of avoidance that’s keeping you stuck. She also highlights the crucial mindset shift that will help you stop waiting for motivation and move forward into action.

Dr. Johansson also challenges conventional wisdom about relationships, suggesting that collaboration - NOT compromise - leads to healthier partnerships. By changing predictable conflict patterns and accepting that some disagreements may never be fully resolved, couples can move from resentment to understanding, creating relationships that feel less like work and more like joy.

Dr. Johansson’s straightforward yet compassionate approach helps you discover your "next best move" in any situation, guiding you toward the outcomes you truly desire.

About Dr. Johansson

Dr Carrie Johansson is a psychologist turned speaker and author. Fondly known as The Sensible Psychologist, she works with teams, corporate audiences and dedicated individuals, to build resilience and help them skillfully navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs. On a personal note, Dr. Carrie works her own program to create a life she really enjoys. One of her favorite pastimes is baking muffins, ask her for your favorite flavor and she’ll make them for you!

Connect with Dr. Johansson

Connect with Dr. Johansson on Facebook at Dr. Carrie Johansson and LinkedIn at Self Help on the Go and follow her on YouTube. To find out more about the work Dr. Johansson does visit her website at Self Help On The Go and grab her book Self Help On The Go.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, life just keeps throwing more and more challenges at you? Psychologist Faust Ruggiero has spent over 35 years guiding clients through personal transformation by way of action. In his empowering “Fix Yourself” book series, Faust shares the keys to addressing anxiety, depression, anger, addiction, and life's countless hurdles through practical, action-based steps that anyone can follow.

Faust believes information alone isn't enough—real change happens when you put practical knowledge into action. That's why each book in his Fix Yourself Empowerment Series features short, accessible chapters paired with clear, measurable action steps.

If you're tired of repeating unproductive behavior patterns or staying stuck in unhappy relationships, Faust's approach offers a new way to help yourself break free of what's no longer working for you. By helping you define your struggles, reclaim your energy, and master personal accountability, Faust equips you to confidently overcome life's toughest challenges.

About Faust

Faust Ruggiero is a psychologist who has been in private practice for over thirty-five years. Before entering private practice, he worked in clinics for deaf children, prisons, nursing homes, substance abuse centers, inpatient facilities, and is a consultant for major national and international corporations. He is a published research author and a professional clinical trainer.

In the summer of 2016, he began to develop The Fix Yourself Empowerment Series based on the Process Life Program to help readers address difficult situations in their lives. The series currently includes The Fix Yourself Handbook, The Fix Your Anxiety Handbook, The Fix Your Depression Handbook, The Fix Your Anger Handbook and the new The Fix Your Addiction Handbook that was just released!

Connect with Faust

You can connect with Faust on Facebook at Faust Inspire and follow him on X at Faust Inspire and on Instagram at Faust Inspire. To learn more about Faust’s work visit his website at Faust Ruggiero where you can also find his The Empowerment Series – Handbooks.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.