In this episode of Uncensored Entrepreneurs, the hosts sit down with Elyssa Smith, a trauma-informed executive coach and creator of the Ultimate Self-Regulation Method. Elyssa shares how her personal healing journey led her to uncover the hidden ways trauma shows up in leadership, productivity, and decision-making, especially for high-achieving entrepreneurs and executives.

The conversation explores how survival mode often disguises itself as procrastination, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout, and why traditional mindset strategies fall short without nervous system regulation. Elyssa breaks down practical tools for recognizing stress responses, restoring a sense of safety, and shifting out of adrenaline-driven performance. This episode offers listeners a deeper understanding of how emotional regulation supports sustainable success, clearer thinking, and healthier leadership over the long term.

Key Takeaways:

• Survival mode blocks high-level thinking: Chronic stress shuts down executive function, making it harder to lead, prioritize, and make strategic decisions effectively.

• Procrastination is a nervous system response: Avoidance, perfectionism, and last-minute urgency often signal unresolved stress rather than a lack of discipline.

• Regulation comes before mindset work: Calming the nervous system restores access to focus, creativity, and problem-solving capacity.

• Small signals of safety create lasting change: Simple practices like breathwork, sensory grounding, and support compound over time to retrain stress responses.

• Adrenaline is not a sustainable productivity tool: Long-term reliance on urgency and pressure leads to burnout, health issues, and diminished performance.

Featured Guest:

Elyssa Smith is a trauma-informed executive coach and creator of the Ultimate Self-Regulation Method. She helps women leaders and entrepreneurs address survival-based patterns like burnout, procrastination, and imposter syndrome through nervous system regulation. Elyssa is a TEDx speaker, host of the Unlock Your Blocks podcast, and has been featured in Forbes and on Fox 59 Morning News.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.elyssasmith.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@Elyssa-Smith

Your Hosts:

Starr Codd is a business strategist, SaaS founder, and seven-figure entrepreneur who helps business owners scale online with automation, lead generation, and systems that create real freedom. After breaking through corporate glass ceilings and building a seven-figure beauty brand, she launched her all-in-one software and now empowers others to stop admiring someone else’s empire and build their own. Learn More: shehasclients.com

Tina Torres-Wilson is a self-publishing expert and founder of Pink Door Marketing Agency, helping female entrepreneurs and coaches write, publish, and market their books to become best-selling authors. After overcoming personal hardships, she rebuilt her business and now empowers women to share their stories and grow their brands through her signature programs like Aspiring Authors Academy and 120 Days to Best Seller. Learn More: ⁠pinkdoormarketingagency.com/ ⁠

Robert Wall is a best-selling author, transformational speaker, and business strategist who’s helped launch over $28 million in new programs. As the founder of The Branding Collaborative and creator of the YOUniversal Brand Alignment method, he guides entrepreneurs and leaders to build authentic brands aligned with their heart, mind, and soul. On stage or behind the mic, Robert brings real-world wisdom, unshakable faith, and a mission to help others rise, reconnect with purpose, and create lives they don’t need a break from. Learn more: brandingcollaborative.com

In this episode of Uncensored Entrepreneurs, the hosts sit down with Hannah Nichol, founder of MANE Impact, a marketing and website development agency serving value-driven brands. Hannah shares her non-linear journey from education into marketing and explains how a desire for meaningful, purpose-led work shaped the agency she leads today.

The conversation explores what it actually means to run a values-driven business beyond surface-level messaging, why many marketing strategies fail without a strong foundation, and how alignment between brand, content, and audience drives sustainable growth. Hannah also discusses the balance between automation and human connection, the importance of research before execution, and how marketing can be both profitable and responsible. This episode offers founders a grounded perspective on building authentic brands that grow without sacrificing integrity or impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Values must be operational, not performative: Businesses build trust when values are reflected in leadership decisions, internal culture, and measurable accountability.

• Marketing starts with research, not platforms: Understanding the audience, message, and purpose creates clarity before investing time or money in tactics.

• Alignment drives effectiveness: When websites, content, and marketing strategies work together, brands create stronger engagement and clearer pathways to conversion.

• Human connection cannot be automated: Tools and AI can support efficiency, but authenticity comes from leaders showing up and staying visible in their messaging.

• Consistency builds long-term trust: Clear communication and repeated, aligned actions shape culture and brand credibility over time.

Featured Guest:

Hannah Nichol is the founder of MANE Impact, a marketing and website development agency that partners with value-driven and mission-focused brands. With a background in education, design, and user experience, Hannah brings a holistic approach to marketing that integrates strategy, storytelling, and ethical growth. Through MANE Impact, she helps organizations align their online presence with their mission, build authentic connections with their audience, and grow their impact without compromising their values.

🔗 Learn more: https://maneimpact.com/

Your Hosts:

Starr Codd is a business strategist, SaaS founder, and seven-figure entrepreneur who helps business owners scale online with automation, lead generation, and systems that create real freedom. After breaking through corporate glass ceilings and building a seven-figure beauty brand, she launched her all-in-one software and now empowers others to stop admiring someone else’s empire and build their own. Learn More: shehasclients.com

Tina Torres-Wilson is a self-publishing expert and founder of Pink Door Marketing Agency, helping female entrepreneurs and coaches write, publish, and market their books to become best-selling authors. After overcoming personal hardships, she rebuilt her business and now empowers women to share their stories and grow their brands through her signature programs like Aspiring Authors Academy and 120 Days to Best Seller. Learn More: ⁠pinkdoormarketingagency.com/ ⁠

Robert Wall is a best-selling author, transformational speaker, and business strategist who’s helped launch over $28 million in new programs. As the founder of The Branding Collaborative and creator of the YOUniversal Brand Alignment method, he guides entrepreneurs and leaders to build authentic brands aligned with their heart, mind, and soul. On stage or behind the mic, Robert brings real-world wisdom, unshakable faith, and a mission to help others rise, reconnect with purpose, and create lives they don’t need a break from. Learn more: brandingcollaborative.com

In this episode of Uncensored Entrepreneurs, the hosts sit down with Kelly Price, founder of Thrive HR and a seasoned human resources leader with experience spanning hospitality, corporate HR, and executive leadership. Kelly shares how her unconventional career path shaped her people-first approach to leadership and why so many founders struggle once their business growth outpaces their management skills.

The conversation explores the hidden cost of fear-based decision-making, the realities of workplace culture, and why human resources is not just a compliance function but a strategic foundation for sustainable growth. Kelly also reflects on pivotal moments from her corporate career that reshaped her values, boundaries, and definition of success. This episode offers founders a grounded, human perspective on leadership, accountability, and building teams that thrive without sacrificing integrity or well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership sets the emotional tone: A leader’s attitude, behavior, and self-awareness directly influence team morale, engagement, and performance.

• People strategy is business strategy: Without clear expectations, consistent processes, and intentional communication, long-term growth becomes unsustainable.

• Fear delays progress: Avoiding difficult conversations or decisions often creates larger problems that are harder to fix later.

• Turnover and disengagement are early warning signs: Declining productivity and quiet quitting signal deeper cultural or leadership issues that require attention.

• Boundaries protect sustainability: Defining values, limits, and non-negotiables helps leaders build businesses that support both performance and personal well-being.

Featured Guest:

Kelly Price is the founder of Thrive HR and a seasoned human resources executive with experience ranging from Marriott International to serving as Vice President of HR for a high-growth, multi-location organization. With a background that blends psychology, hospitality, and leadership development, Kelly partners with small and mid-sized businesses to build strong people strategies, navigate growth challenges, and create healthier workplace cultures. Through audits, advisory support, and consulting, she helps founders align their business goals with the realities of managing people effectively.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.thrivehrkc.com/

Your Hosts:

Starr Codd is a business strategist, SaaS founder, and seven-figure entrepreneur who helps business owners scale online with automation, lead generation, and systems that create real freedom. After breaking through corporate glass ceilings and building a seven-figure beauty brand, she launched her all-in-one software and now empowers others to stop admiring someone else’s empire and build their own. Learn More: shehasclients.com

Tina Torres-Wilson is a self-publishing expert and founder of Pink Door Marketing Agency, helping female entrepreneurs and coaches write, publish, and market their books to become best-selling authors. After overcoming personal hardships, she rebuilt her business and now empowers women to share their stories and grow their brands through her signature programs like Aspiring Authors Academy and 120 Days to Best Seller. Learn More: ⁠pinkdoormarketingagency.com/ ⁠

Robert Wall is a best-selling author, transformational speaker, and business strategist who’s helped launch over $28 million in new programs. As the founder of The Branding Collaborative and creator of the YOUniversal Brand Alignment method, he guides entrepreneurs and leaders to build authentic brands aligned with their heart, mind, and soul. On stage or behind the mic, Robert brings real-world wisdom, unshakable faith, and a mission to help others rise, reconnect with purpose, and create lives they don’t need a break from. Learn more: brandingcollaborative.com