In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Blamphin for a powerful conversation about play, presence, and reconnecting with the body in the midst of busy, high-performing lives. Julie shares why tuning into your body is not woo-woo or complicated, but a practical, essential practice for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to feel better, move better, and live more fully. From pelvic floor health to redefining what “normal” really means, this episode offers simple, accessible ways to feel grounded, supported, and more connected to yourself every single day.

Episode Topics:

1. The role of play, joy, and creativity in business and leadership
2. Mind-body connection and what it really means to “listen” to your body
3. Pelvic floor health for women, men, and even children
4. Why common discomforts don’t have to be your “new normal”
5. Aging, self-talk, and changing the narrative around your body
6. Time, priorities, and integrating wellness into everyday life
7. Simple practices to feel grounded, calm, and supported throughout the day
8. Ep 130 1.29.26

Insights:

1. Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal or inevitable
2. The body is always communicating, first through whispers, then through louder signals
3. Pelvic floor health impacts posture, balance, intimacy, confidence, and overall stability
4. You don’t need more time, just more awareness of where you are, how you’re there, and how long you stay there
5. Small shifts, like getting on the floor or changing positions, can have a big impact
6. Play, rest, and stillness are not luxuries, they’re necessities for sustainable success
7. A single breath, sigh, and smile can shift your nervous system and your entire day

Highlights:

00:00 Key Statement Hooks, Welcome and Intro

00:32 Playfulness and Business

04:24 Tuning Into the Body

11:05 Pelvic Floor Background and Concepts

19:28 Commonality vs Normalization of Symptoms

24:27 Practical Habits and Accessibility

34:51 Daily Practices and Routines

39:17 Podcast episode ended

Resources:

1. Julie Blamphin
2. Website, Instagram, and Facebook: Stretch Your Spirit
3. LinkedIn: Julie Blamphin
4. Pelvic floor yoga, private coaching, retreats, and online membership resources
5. Free resource offered by Julie to help protect posture and support your body as your ambitions...

In this powerful conversation, real estate entrepreneur and author Garrett Maroon shares his journey from grinding 60-hour weeks to redefining success on his own terms. With five kids at home and a thriving business, Garrett reveals how he doubled down on what truly matters—family, faith, and fulfillment—without sacrificing profitability. This episode challenges the hustle culture narrative and offers a refreshing roadmap for entrepreneurs who want to win at work without losing at life.

Episode Topics:

• Redefining Success Beyond Revenue: Why traditional metrics of success leave entrepreneurs empty and how to create your own scoreboard
• The Breakdown That Led to Breakthrough: Garrett's pivotal moment realizing his business was getting in the way of the life he wanted
• Hustle in a Box: How to channel ambition within healthy boundaries instead of letting it consume your life
• Playing to Your Superpowers: Why trying to be good at everything keeps you working more while earning less
• The Ego vs. Family Account: Recognizing which account you're depositing into with every business decision
• Faith in Business: Navigating authenticity and showing up as your whole self in an increasingly secular marketplace
• Ambition vs. Submission: The tension between dreaming big and surrendering to divine timing

Insights:

• Success should be measured by personal goals like family time and profit targets, not just industry standards for sales volume
• Working within defined boundaries actually increases profitability because it forces you to eliminate unnecessary tasks and delegate effectively
• Like Einstein's fish judged on tree-climbing ability, entrepreneurs often pursue strategies that don't align with their natural strengths, leading to burnout
• Building a business around your unique superpower allows you to do less work while earning more because you're focusing on your highest-value activities
• Asking "how do I achieve X?" is incomplete—the better question is "how do I achieve X without sacrificing Y?"
• Faith and identity aren't a backpack you can take on and off—authenticity means showing up as your whole self in every context
• Burnout is often a signal that you're operating outside the boundaries of your intended purpose

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

02:28 Motivation for Writing Book

11:22 Defining Personal Scoreboard

16:06 Reducing Hustle While Growing

25:54 Faith and Authenticity in Business

33:40 Purpose, Stewardship, and Contentment

38:25 Practices to Hear Guidance

43:56 Book Launch and Contact Info

45:54 Podcast episode ended

Resources:

• Book: The Balanced Breakthrough: Winning at Work Without Losing at Life by Garrett Maroon (Launches November 25th - Available for pre-order)
• https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Balanced-Breakthrough/Garrett-Maroon/9781637634752
• The Balanced Breakthrough is a call to redefine success by aligning your business with your values, so you can thrive professionally without sacrificing what matters most. Drawing from his experience as a top-producing real estate agent, Garrett Maroon shares the PDA Formula—Predictability, Dollar-Productivity, and Authenticity—to help others build intentional, profitable businesses. The book challenges the industry’s toxic scoreboard and guides readers to create their own, measuring success on their own terms. It’s a practical and heartfelt roadmap to...

In this heartfelt episode, Kara Chaffin Donofrio delivers a powerful living prayer designed to be your go-to source of encouragement and inspiration. This is more than just an episode—it's a pep talk you can return to whenever you need a reminder of your inherent worth, power, and purpose. Kara speaks directly to your soul, affirming the unique gifts you possess and reminding you that you are exactly where you're meant to be in this moment. Whether you're stepping into a new year, facing a challenging day, or simply need a dose of courage, this episode offers the encouragement and affirmation your spirit needs.

Episode Topics:

• Embracing your unique gifts and talents
• Understanding your worthiness of love, abundance, and wealth
• Developing and trusting your intuition
• Setting healthy boundaries while blessing others
• Finding beauty in the present moment while creating your future
• Turning past challenges into fuel for growth
• Stepping into your authentic power and presence

Insights:

• You Are Intentionally Created: Your presence on earth at this exact moment in time is no accident—you were meant to be here, experiencing this life journey.
• Past Doesn't Define Future: While circumstances and events have shaped you, they don't determine where you're going. Your past has prepared you and given you fuel for what's next.
• Worthiness Is Inherent: You don't need to earn your worthiness—you are worthy simply because you exist. This applies to love, abundance, wealth, and all good things.
• Intuition Is Learnable: You are naturally intuitive, and this ability grows stronger as you practice opening yourself to questions and answers from the universe.
• Boundaries Are Sacred: Blessing people as they leave your life doesn't make you unkind—it means you honor your boundaries and your own growth journey.
• Beauty Exists Now: You don't need to wait for "the next thing" to feel validated. There is beauty and goodness to appreciate in your current moment.

Resources:

• Book: "We Lead Volume 3" - Collaborative book featuring Kara's chapter "The Queen Within: Three Truths to Reclaim Your Power in Business" (Chapter 19) - Launching November 18th, available on Amazon (ebook $1.99)
• Coming Soon: Recorded affirmation bundles for different facets of life (launching in the new year)

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

00:05 Encouragement and Personal Growth

07:02 Empowerment and Self-Worth

14:03 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

14:14 Podcast episode ended

Save this episode as your personal pep talk and return to it whenever you need encouragement. Download Kara's free Dynamic Life Journal and affirmation list at freegiftfromkara.com to continue your journey of self-empowerment. Mark your calendar for November 18th to grab "We Lead Volume 3" on Amazon and read Kara's chapter on reclaiming your power. Connect with Kara to continue the conversation and share how this episode resonated with you.

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook -...

In this solo episode, host Kara shares a powerful yet simple year-end reflection exercise to help you gain clarity on what to carry forward into 2026 and what to leave behind. Using just your phone's photo library and a pen and paper, you'll discover emotional patterns, identify what's working (and what's not), and create a clear roadmap for the new year. This intentional practice will help you move from stuck to clear, empowering you to create the purposeful life and business you truly desire.

Episode Topics:

• Year-end business and life reflection exercise
• Using your phone's photo library as a self-awareness tool
• Identifying emotional and behavioral patterns throughout the year
• Creating clarity around personal and professional goals
• The power of intentionality and setting space for introspection
• Letting go of what no longer serves you
• Calling in support and expertise when needed
• Business planning with emotional intelligence

Insights:

• Clarity drives action: When you're feeling stuck, it's often because you lack clarity on what you want or where you're going
• Photos reveal patterns: Your phone's camera roll provides a visual timeline of your year's highs and lows, making patterns easier to spot
• The top-3 method: For each month, identify the top three positive experiences and top three challenges to quickly assess what's working
• Recurring issues need intervention: If the same challenge appears month after month, it may be time to hire expert help (coach, trainer, consultant)
• Intentional space creates results: Block dedicated time for reflection without feeling rushed—consider combining it with self-care activities
• Written clarity is powerful: Writing things down creates a different level of awareness than just thinking about them
• You are a creative being: Your power to create the life you want starts with getting clear on what you actually desire

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

01:06 Reflection and Planning for 2026

06:01 Clarity and Intentionality for the New Year

12:21 Closing Remarks

12:24 Podcast episode ended

Ready to gain clarity for 2026? Grab your phone, a pen, and paper, then carve out 30-60 minutes for this transformative exercise. Start with January and work through each month, noting your top three wins and top three challenges. Download Kara's free Dynamic Life Journal at freegiftfromkara.com to support your reflection practice, and connect with her on Instagram @KaraChaffinDonnaFrio to share your insights from this exercise!

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karachaffin1?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KaraChaffin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karachaffin/

Don't forget to visit

In this powerful conversation, Phil Gerdes opens up about the evolution from building businesses driven by survival to leading with crystal-clear purpose. Phil shares his journey from being a 17-year-old entrepreneur knocking on doors to becoming a faith-based coach who helps leaders make internal shifts that transform their external results. This episode dives deep into what it really means to serve, how to transfer confidence across different areas of life, and why being "excuseless" separates true leaders from pretenders. Phil's raw honesty about his path from atheism to faith-centered business, combined with practical wisdom on presence and intentional living, makes this a must-listen for anyone ready to step into their highest influence.

Episode Topics:

• The Evolution of Purpose: How Phil's driving force shifted from being "completely lost" at 17 to having absolute clarity about his purpose and calling
• Service vs. Giving: Understanding the critical distinction between transactional giving and true service—and why the receipt for service is the act itself
• Confidence Transfer: How to move confidence from areas where you're comfortable to new territories where you want to grow
• Excuseless Leadership: Why successful leaders eliminate excuses entirely and the "die on the treadmill" mentality that separates achievers from pretenders
• Faith in Business: Navigating the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship, from real estate regulations to running a faith-based coaching company
• The Pause Principle: Why life happens in the pause—like the breath between inhaling and exhaling—and how to honor those moments
• Presence as Practice: Practical ways to be fully present, from putting phones face-down at volleyball games to teaching kids about communication through real-world negotiations
• The Joseph Story: How strife and setbacks are God pulling the arrow back so you can fly farther than you ever imagined

Insights:

• "You'll never beat me on a treadmill because one of two things will happen: You're going to get off or I'm going to die." Phil's challenge to 150 people (and subsequent 35 one-arm push-ups against a D1 athlete) perfectly illustrates his philosophy of total commitment.
• Experience creates wisdom, not age. Phil dismantles the myth that clarity comes with age, explaining that intentional experience and how you receive each moment is what builds true wisdom.
• Confidence is earned by doing the thing without confidence first. The paradox of confidence: you need it to succeed, but you only get it by doing the work before you feel ready. The solution? Commit to systems so simple anyone could do them.
• Dreams happen when you're asleep; work happens when you're awake. Phil challenges the overplayed "what's your why" culture, arguing that purpose isn't manufactured at events—it's given through God or lived experience and demands faithful execution.
• Be a supporting cast member winning awards. You're not the main character in anyone else's life but your own. Your job is to serve exceptionally, not to demand the spotlight.
• If it doesn't fit the purpose and intention, say no—especially if money is the only reason you're considering it. Phil's current filter for opportunities ensures alignment over income.

Phil Gerdes built his real estate career on execution, not theory—and now, he’s built the system agents were missing.

As founder of Shift Immersive Coaching, Phil delivers micro-level strategies that fuel macro-level growth. This isn’t motivation. It’s movement. Through SOPs, KPIs, and The Profitable Persuasion Method, Phil coaches agents...

In this episode, Kara shares her insights on building an authentic social media presence for your business. Drawing from her own journey of growing from one Instagram photo to over 8,000 followers, she discusses how to use social media as a tool for genuine connection rather than just selling. Learn about content pillars, the shift from "how-to" to "how I" content, and why showing up authentically matters more than ever in the age of AI.

Episode Topics:

• The evolution of social media marketing and why connection matters most
• Setting clear goals: lead generation vs. brand recognition
• Defining your content pillars (3-4 key themes that represent you)
• Personal brand vs. business page: why you need both
• The content shift from "how-to" to "how I" videos
• Authenticity in the age of AI-generated content
• Overcoming the fear of showing up on video
• Why specificity and emotion drive engagement
• Staying top of mind with your sphere of influence

Insights:

• Start before you're ready: Kara began her Instagram journey in 2019 with just one photo and consciously decided to go all-in during COVID, proving it's never too late to build your presence
• The "how I" revolution: People don't want generic how-to content anymore; they want to be brought into your world through personal stories and experiences
• Authenticity is your competitive advantage: As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, showing up as your real, multifaceted self creates deeper connections
• Content pillars create consistency: Focus on 3-4 themes that represent different aspects of who you are—not just your business
• Video builds trust: While it can be intimidating, video allows people to connect with the real you before they ever meet you in person
• Avoid divisiveness: In a politically divided world, focus on connection points rather than controversial topics that might alienate potential clients

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

00:43 Marketing and Social Media Strategy

06:30 Content Creation and Authenticity

12:22 Shift in Content Creation Strategies

16:37 Podcast episode ended

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karachaffin1?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KaraChaffin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karachaffin/

Don't forget to visit freegiftfromkara.com for our special giveaway, the Dynamic Life Journal to help you maintain your authentic voice and intuitive wisdom while navigating the balance between technology and human connection in your business and personal life.

Special Listener Offer: Unlock Your Soul-Aligned Brand with Jen Cudmore

As a gift to our Soul Inspiring...

In this heartfelt episode of Soul Inspiring Business, Kara explores the powerful concept of walking by faith, not by sight. She shares her evolving understanding of manifestation, co-creation, and the delicate balance between taking inspired action and surrendering to a higher purpose. Kara introduces her new tagline "Love Being on Purpose" and invites listeners to examine how they can show up more intentionally in their work, business, and personal lives while trusting in divine guidance.

Episode Topics:

• Walking by faith versus walking by sight in business and life
• The evolution from "me-focused" manifestation to humble co-creation
• Understanding hustle flow: the balance between inspired action and surrender
• Carving out time for meditation, prayer, and silence in a busy life
• Recognizing and acting on divine nudges and inspired guidance
• The power of gratitude in shifting perspective

Insights:

• Co-creation is about aligning personal desires with a higher purpose rather than forcing outcomes through willpower alone
• What we say yes to is also an indicator of what we're saying no to—examining how we spend our time reveals our true priorities
• Sometimes answers come through windows when we're looking for doors—remaining open to unexpected solutions
• Walking by faith means being aware enough to recognize divine coincidences and in tune enough to take action on them
• We are spiritual beings having a physical experience, which means both faith and action are required
• Course corrections aren't failures—they're guidance helping us navigate more effectively

Resource: Chakra Vibrations on YouTube (sound healing meditation)

Start small this week: carve out just 5-10 minutes for quiet meditation or prayer. Instead of scrolling social media, spend that time getting clear on what you're asking for in your business, relationships, or personal growth. Then practice surrendering the "how" and remaining open to inspired action. Notice where you're being led and trust enough to follow those divine nudges.

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

03:14 Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

06:53 Walking by Faith in Business

13:45 Walking by Faith in Business

20:19 Podcast episode ended

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karachaffin1?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KaraChaffin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karachaffin/

Don't forget to visit freegiftfromkara.com for our special giveaway, the Dynamic Life Journal to help you maintain your authentic voice and intuitive wisdom while navigating the balance between technology and human connection in your business and personal life.

Special Listener Offer: Unlock Your Soul-Aligned Brand with Jen Cudmore

As a gift to our Soul...

In this powerful episode, Kara sits down with Acacia Walker-Weinstein, head coach of the Boston College women’s lacrosse team and head coach of Team USA. Acacia shares the secret sauce behind building championship teams—from taking Boston College from never winning a national title to securing two championships and becoming the winningest program since 2017. This conversation is packed with leadership lessons, culture-building strategies, and mindset practices that apply far beyond the field. Acacia opens up about the power of unselfishness, the art of hard conversations, and how visualization shapes performance. She also shares her journey to becoming Team USA's head coach and how she balances coaching 40 athletes with raising three kids. Whether you're a leader, athlete, coach, or parent, this episode will inspire you to elevate your game in every area of life.

Episode Topics:

• Building a Championship Culture: How Acacia transformed Boston College lacrosse from underdog to two-time national champion through culture over talent
• The Power of Unselfishness: Why putting the team before personal goals creates unstoppable momentum
• Leadership & Hard Conversations: The importance of tackling difficult conversations instead of sweeping issues under the rug
• Team USA Journey: The moment Acacia got the call to lead the U.S. Women's National Lacrosse Team to the 2026 World Championship in Japan
• Visualization & Mental Training: How mental rehearsal can be more powerful than physical practice
• Balancing Work & Family: Merging two worlds—coaching 40 athletes while raising three kids with family support
• The Role of Mentorship: How legendary coach Cindy Timshaw shaped Acacia's coaching philosophy and approach

Highlights:

00:00 Building Championship Team Culture

05:41 Building Team Culture in Coaching

10:35 Building Team Culture and Unselfishness

15:27 Team Culture and Communication

19:08 Team USA Coaching Journey

23:56 Visualization and Mental Training

28:44 Balancing Family and Coaching

31:20 Team USA Follow-Up

32:32 Podcast episode ended

Insights:

• Culture beats talent in tight games. When it's tied and a championship is on the line, the team with stronger culture and deeper connections wins.
• The "you before me" mentality creates exponential returns. When 30 players all focus on empowering each other, everyone gets elevated simultaneously.
• The in-between moments reveal true character. Great coaches pay attention to how athletes treat each other on the sidelines, after wins, after losses, and when no one's watching.
• Mental reps are as powerful as physical reps. Visualization done properly from a calm state creates neural pathways that translate to real performance.
• You can't build culture alone—your staff must embody it first. Everything trickles down from leadership, so alignment at the top is essential.
• Hard conversations are skills that require practice. Avoiding conflict weakens teams; diving in, breaking it down, and working through it strengthens bonds.
• Redemption can be a powerful motivator. Acacia's drive to win stemmed partly from not winning a championship while playing under her mentor at Maryland.

Resources:

• Follow Team USA Lacrosse: Instagram @USALacrosse
• Follow Boston College Women's Lacrosse: Instagram @BCLacrosse
• Jerry Lynch: Sports psychologist who works with