Pivotal People

Stephanie Nelson
  • 5.0 (27)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join us in conversations with inspiring, wise and kind guests. Their insights and experiences motivate us to find purpose, contentment and peace in every life situation. Our guests include authors, artists, leaders, coaches, pastors, business people and speakers who are making a difference in the world. Listen in and learn from their wisdom to improve your life each day.

  1. A Single Yes Can Be Life-Changing. What’s Your Next Yes?

    4D AGO

    A Single Yes Can Be Life-Changing. What’s Your Next Yes?

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! A 13-year-old says, “I want to go to Uganda,” and a whole future cracks open. That’s where our conversation with Dr. Janelle Aby goes, and it’s why it sticks. Janelle is a physician, a clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University, and the medical director of the newborn nursery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, but her most surprising work might be the stories she’s been brave enough to write down. We talk about her book-in-progress (working title: A Beautiful Mess) and why storytelling can cut through the endless noise and get us back to what matters. We dig into how she writes without formal writing training, how reading shapes voice, and why the best stories often start as moments you can’t forget but can’t fully explain. One memory about her son Jack and a homeless man becomes a lesson in generosity with no guarantees. If you’ve ever wondered how to journal, write a memoir, or simply make sense of your life, her process is a practical map: capture the scene, then stay curious until the meaning shows itself. Then the conversation turns to Uganda, global health, and faith in action. A connection with Damali and her orphanage grows into a community effort and, eventually, a newborn hospital project in a region with limited medical options. Janelle describes it like “surfing on a wave,” where you still take steps, but you’re not the one supplying the power. We also talk about obedience close to home, the courage to loosen control, and a relationship with a friend named Donna that proves community can be both hard and holy. If this story nudges you to take one next step, don’t ignore it. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    36 min
  2. A Diagnosis Changes Everything: Suddenly Brave Together

    MAY 14

    A Diagnosis Changes Everything: Suddenly Brave Together

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We talk with Jessica Patay about the moment a diagnosis changes a family’s life and what “bravery” looks like when caregiving becomes a daily reality. We share how community support can protect caregiver mental health and why her book, "Suddenly Brave Together" aims to meet moms right at the defining moment. • founding We Are Brave Together to reduce isolation for caregiving mothers • defining bravery as showing up, facing grief and advocating • naming altered motherhood and the hidden roles moms take on • using a private online group, connection circles, retreats, podcast and books for support • explaining the “suddenly” shift after diagnosis and the learning curve that follows • describing Prader-Willi syndrome, food security and anxiety-driven behaviors • navigating adulthood after school services end and the shortage of supports • shifting from "why me?" to "what now?" through validation and community • building confidence through doing, writing, networking and fundraising • funding retreats and scholarships through donors, grants and sponsors Find her website at WeAreBraveTogether.org You can order this book and previous books directly from their website. And if anyone out there listening has any ideas about how to get this book  into the hands of NICUs and pediatricians and geneticists, reach out to Jessica at WeAreBraveTogether.org Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    33 min
  3. Why Adult Friendships Can Be Hard—and How to Build Ones That Last

    MAY 4

    Why Adult Friendships Can Be Hard—and How to Build Ones That Last

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We sit down with Bailey T. Hurley to get honest about why adult female friendships feel so complicated and how to build the kind of connection that actually lasts. We talk practical questions, realistic expectations, and faith-driven ways to stop chasing approval and start showing up with courage. • why time gets scarce in adulthood and how to use it well  • the “cost” of meaningful friendship and what we have to give up  • simple questions that move a relationship past small talk  • replacing outdated friendship expectations with a new definition  • handling rejection and lack of reciprocity without spiraling  • initiating without keeping score and knowing when to redirect energy  • having honest conversations that create clarity and closure  • easy friend-date ideas that do not require hosting perfection  • Bailey’s new Friendship Devotional and what it is designed to do  If you would like a chance to win a free copy of Bailey's new book, you can send an email to me on my website, stephanienelson.com, sign up for the newsletter, and you'll be entered to win. Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    41 min
  4. Why Your Gut Health Might Be the Missing Piece to Feeling Better

    APR 23

    Why Your Gut Health Might Be the Missing Piece to Feeling Better

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We sit down with health coach Jen Trepeck to explain the gut microbiome in plain language and why it affects immunity, mood, hormones, skin, and cravings. We also share practical ways to rebuild gut balance with food, smarter supplement choices, and one small habit you can start right away. • what the gut microbiome is and why it matters beyond digestion  • dysbiosis explained as an imbalance of helpful and opportunistic bacteria  • common signs of gut imbalance including bloating, fatigue, brain fog, mood shifts, skin flare-ups, frequent illness, cravings  • how antibiotics can disrupt gut bacteria and why rebuilding can take time  • fiber from fruits and vegetables as the most reliable prebiotic strategy  • why plant diversity and more colors on the plate support resilience  • when stool testing may help and why foundations come first  • supplement quality, dosing, and why guidance matters  • how added sugar, artificial sweeteners, and ultra-processed foods affect gut health  • why calorie counting misses nutrient quality and real-world variables  • a realistic starting habit: more vegetables plus more water Connect with Jenn to get a free 15-minute discovery call at her website: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/ Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    42 min
  5. What If Connection Is The Real Strategy?

    APR 16

    What If Connection Is The Real Strategy?

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We talk with DEI strategist and leadership coach Israel Greene about why most DEI efforts don’t stick and what it takes to build cultures of real connection. We explore how listening, emotional intelligence, and business-aligned leadership practices turn inclusion into something durable instead of divisive.  • Israel’s path from tech to founding Mosaic Works  • Why DEI fails when it is not tied to business imperatives  • How to engage quiet sabotage with curiosity  • The 101% principle and finding common ground  • A focus group example where skeptics become implementers  • How language choices can trigger DEI backlash  • Why people feel less connected after COVID and remote work shifts  • Emotional intelligence as a core leadership skill  • Psychological safety and trust as drivers of performance  • Practical steps to connect with coworkers and difficult people  • The leadership question that matters most: how people feel after you leave  Learn more, get more information and connnect with Israel Greene via his website: https://www.israelgreene.com/ or at his company website mosaicworks.com. Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    31 min
  6. What Sports Are Doing to Our Kids’ Identity (And How to Fix It)

    APR 8

    What Sports Are Doing to Our Kids’ Identity (And How to Fix It)

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We talk with sports counselor Brooke Ewert about what athlete mental health really looks like behind the highlights and why support often starts with identity, grief, and better conversations at home. We share practical tools for anxiety, injury, perfectionism, and retirement transitions that apply to elite athletes and to the rest of us too.  • the difference between performance-focused sports psychology and sports counseling centered on mental health  • how athletes and teammates help break stigma and normalize therapy  • asking “Who are you away from your sport?” to build identity beyond athletics  • using CBT to challenge negative self-talk and reduce black-and-white thinking  • why injury can trigger anxiety and depression and how support changes recovery  • integrating faith as a source of strength and stability during transition points  • making room to grieve failures before rushing to lessons and silver linings  • goal setting with micro-goals and visible reminders to prevent skipping joy  • setting parent boundaries around postgame feedback and car-ride conflict  • what parent motivations can be under the surface and how that impacts kids  • how quitting or getting cut can shake identity and community, especially in college  For more information or to contact Brooke about counseling,  reach out to Rocky Mountain Sports Counseling Center in Englewood, Colorado  https://rockymountainsportscounselingcenter.com/ Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    31 min
  7. Rethinking Addiction: From Shame To Dignity, From Isolation To Community

    APR 1

    Rethinking Addiction: From Shame To Dignity, From Isolation To Community

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! We explore how identity, language, and harm reduction shape recovery and what friends and families can do that actually helps. Caroline Beidler shares her story, practical tools, and evidence-based resources that save time and protect dignity. • early trauma and the search for peace • finding faith, fellowship, and recovery purpose • identity-first language that reduces stigma • why labels delay help and fuel shame • harm reduction as a life-saving on-ramp • navigating social pressure and judgment • how to host inclusive, alcohol-free options • curiosity over control when offering help • mental health support for anxiety and trauma • fast access to treatment with Recovery.com • preorder bonuses and community resources Preorder “When You Love Someone in Recovery” (out April 7th) at CarolineBeidler.com for a candid video with her husband, a family recovery planning guide, and the opening of the audiobook. Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    32 min

  8. MAR 24

    The Power Of Regret: How to Use Regret as a Tool For A Better Life

    Let us know what you think about this episode and share it with a friend! Regret feels like a weight, but we treat it as a signal that points to what we value most and what we still can change. We break down Daniel Pink’s research on regret, share a personal reconnection story, and offer a simple way to turn regret into one small next step. • reframing regret as a useful emotion and a values signal • findings from the American Regret Project and how common regret really is • foundation regrets and the power of small repeated choices • boldness regrets and why we often regret inaction • moral regrets tied to identity plus guilt and shame • connection regrets and why relationships drift quietly • a real example of reaching out and restoring pivotal relationships • self-compassion as the middle path between ego and self-criticism • questions to extract the lesson and choose one forward action If you'd like a free worksheet to walk you through the process of reframing and learning from specific regrets,  just go to stephanienelson.com, go to the Contact button and send me an email. Tell me that you'd like this worksheet and I'll send it to you.  Subscribe to the Pivotal People newsletter for new episodes, giveaways and more: https://stephanienelson.com/newsletter/ Learn more at StephanieNelson.com Follow us on Instagram  @stephanie_nelson_cm Follow us on Facebook at CouponMom Order Stephanie's book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential

    22 min
See All (148)

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Join us in conversations with inspiring, wise and kind guests. Their insights and experiences motivate us to find purpose, contentment and peace in every life situation. Our guests include authors, artists, leaders, coaches, pastors, business people and speakers who are making a difference in the world. Listen in and learn from their wisdom to improve your life each day.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Nelson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pivotal People
  • Show Website
    Pivotal People

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