Think Your Way to an Epic Life

Kara Schug

Coach Kara Schug interviews guests on how they have changed their lifestyles with the power of their mind, thoughts and actions, leading to an Epic life! 

  1. FEB 17

    The Science of Belonging: 5 Indicators That Transform Teams, Schools & Lives

    In this episode, I’m joined by Andrea Carter, an organizational scientist and the creator of the Belonging First Methodology — a validated, award-winning framework designed to measure and strengthen belonging in individuals, teams, schools, and organizations. Andrea breaks down the science of belonging and explains why it’s not a “soft” concept, but a measurable, actionable driver of performance, wellbeing, and human connection. At the core of the Belonging First Methodology are five key indicators of belonging: - Comfort - Connection - Contribution - Psychological Safety - Wellbeing In this conversation, we explore: -What belonging actually is (and what it isn’t) - Where belonging most often breaks down in organizations, teams, and families - How leaders, coaches, and educators can quickly identify gaps in belonging - Practical steps to rebuild belonging when it’s missing - Why belonging directly impacts performance, learning, and long-term success Andrea’s motivation is simple but powerful: getting the research out into the world so people can clearly see where belonging is breaking down — and know exactly how to fix it. 🎁 Free Resource: Take Andrea’s Belonging Breakdown and identify where belonging may be missing for you or your team: 👉 https://belongingfirst.com/belongingbreakdown 🔗 Connect with Andrea Carter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreadcarter/ Substack: https://substack.com/@andreadcarter If you’re a leader, coach, educator, parent, or anyone responsible for culture and people, this episode will completely change how you think about belonging — and how you build it intentionally.

    54 min
  2. FEB 3

    How Breathwork Improves Leadership, Focus, and Career Performance

    In this podcast episode, Karen Canham—founder of Karen Ann Wellness, board-certified wellness coach, and nervous system specialist—shares a step-by-step approach to becoming more successful as a leader and professional by regulating your nervous system. Rather than relying on motivation or willpower, Karen explains why breathwork and nervous system regulation are the real foundations of sustainable performance, emotional intelligence, and confident leadership. This conversation goes beyond mindset and into the physiology of how we lead, communicate, and make decisions under pressure. Throughout the episode, we discuss: - Why stress and reactivity limit leadership performance - How breathwork directly impacts clarity, confidence, and decision-making - The neuroscience behind nervous system regulation - Simple breathwork practices you can use immediately - How leaders can prevent burnout while still performing at a high level - What “embodied leadership” really means in day-to-day work - Moving from reactivity to resilience in your career and life Karen has helped hundreds of driven professionals and corporate teams move from burnout into calm, connected, and sustainable success—improving communication and emotional intelligence by over 40% in organizational settings. This episode is ideal for: ✔ Leaders and executives ✔ Coaches and high-performing professionals ✔ Anyone dealing with stress, burnout, or overwhelm ✔ People looking to improve leadership presence and emotional regulation 🔗 Connect with Karen Canham 🌐 Website: www.karenannwellness.com 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karenannwellness 📸 Instagram: @karenannwellness 🎁 Free Resource: Download Karen’s Nervous System Regulation Toolkit at karenannwellness.com

    43 min
  3. JAN 27

    Curiosity-Driven Leadership: Turning Fear into Clarity & Confidence | Krystal B. Clark

    In this episode, we sit down with Krystal B. Clark—founder of Moving With Meaning, leadership coach, speaker, and data management professional—to explore a powerful framework for moving from fear and uncertainty into clarity, self-trust, and intentional leadership. Krystal shares her philosophy of Curiosity-Driven Leadership, a mindset that helps individuals and teams deepen connection, comprehension, and credibility—both professionally and personally. Drawing from her experience in the fast-paced tech world and her work as a life coach, Krystal bridges emotional resilience with real-world leadership demands. We talk openly about: - Overcoming anxiety and panic rooted in childhood trauma - Learning to trust yourself after fear and self-doubt - Why vulnerability is not weakness—but a leadership skill - How curiosity can transform how you lead, communicate, and make decisions - Building emotional resilience while navigating modern corporate culture Krystal also shares her personal journey as a mother, her path to healing generational patterns, and how creative writing and storytelling play a role in shaping our emotional decisions. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone searching for clarity in a season of uncertainty, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Connect with Krystal B. Clark: 🌐 Website: https://www.movingwithmeaning.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalclark/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movingwithmeaning82/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@movingwithmeaning 🎁 Free Resource: Download Krystal’s Branding Bootcamp Cheatsheet on her website 💼 Special Offer: 25% off first-time coaching packages

    32 min
  4. JAN 20

    How to Overcome Social Anxiety: 5 Practical Steps with Nick Shelton

    In this episode, we sit down with Nick Shelton — bestselling author, TEDx speaker, former U.S. Air Force member, and creator of The Reset Button — to talk openly about social anxiety and the practical steps you can take to overcome it. Nick breaks down around five actionable steps to help you understand where anxiety comes from, why it shows up in social settings, and how to start reclaiming confidence without trying to “be someone you’re not.” - This conversation goes beyond surface-level tips. We dive into: - Why anxiety often affects thoughtful, driven, and introverted people - How identity, purpose, and alignment play a role in social fear - Practical tools you can start using immediately - How to rebuild confidence without forcing extroversion Nick also shares insights from his own journey — from serving in the U.S. Air Force, retiring early from a successful career, and ultimately redefining his purpose after realizing that freedom without direction can feel empty. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed in social situations, or unsure of who you’re becoming, this episode will resonate deeply. 🎁 Free Resource: Nick offers a Dignity Scan Worksheet you can download for free to help clarify your values and regain internal confidence. 🌐 Learn more about Nick: Website: https://resettheman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasleonshelton/ 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, growth, performance, and becoming your best self.

    41 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Coach Kara Schug interviews guests on how they have changed their lifestyles with the power of their mind, thoughts and actions, leading to an Epic life!