UpShift Podcast

Angel Howard
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

“Upshift” is a community where change-makers gather, ideas are exchanged, and real talk happens. Host Angel Howard brings her own perspective as a corporate executive-turned-movement therapist to discuss everything from innovation to self-discovery. Her guests are pioneering leaders who share how they gain traction, sustain momentum, and propel their visions forward. This is an upshift for your mindset. Let’s see how far you can go.

  1. Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves on How High-Potential Women Can Stay Grounded in Values

    14h ago

    Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves on How High-Potential Women Can Stay Grounded in Values

    In this conversation, Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, coach, consultant, former professor, and author of Leading with Courage: A Career-Long Guide for Idealistic Women, discusses how women can lead with more confidence, clarity, and purpose across every stage of their careers. She explores the pressure many women feel to overcommit, stay likable, and respond to workplace urgency, while also naming the leadership skills often shaped by motherhood, caregiving, and emotional agility. The discussion covers boundaries, delegation, confidence, intergenerational mentorship, AI, workplace change, and the need for deeper relationships that help women stay grounded in their values and build meaningful careers. Takeaways High-achieving women need habits that help them pace themselves, stay self-aware, and remain grounded in their values.Overcommitment often comes from a mix of visibility pressure, people pleasing, and gendered workplace expectations.Workplace urgency can lead to burnout when leaders fail to set clear priorities and healthy communication norms.Women are often expected to be both competent and nice, while men are more often judged on competence alone.Skills linked to motherhood and caregiving, such as listening, emotional agility, conflict management, and flexible thinking, are true leadership skills.Strong boundaries help leaders listen well without taking on everyone else’s stress or energy.Delegation can empower team members when leaders match tasks to people’s strengths and energy.Confidence is not fixed. It grows through practice, support, reflection, and a clear sense of one’s own value.Intergenerational mentorship helps younger and older women learn from each other, challenge age-based bias, and share wisdom.Meaningful leadership grows through deep relationships, not only broad visibility or public platforms. Today's guest, Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, can be found at: Website: https://www.jodivandenberg-daves.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-vandenberg-daves-2b459116/ Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords Women’s leadership, workplace culture, emotional agility, boundaries, delegation, caregiving, motherhood, confidence, mentorship, intergenerational learning, workplace urgency, burnout, values, career development, leadership coaching, diversity, equity, inclusion, AI, change management, work life balance, resilience, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, professional growth

    29 min
  2. Meeky Hwang on Cultural Agility and Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Business

    Jun 16

    Meeky Hwang on Cultural Agility and Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Business

    In this conversation, Meeky Hwang, CEO and co-founder of Ndevr, discusses her journey from navigating different cultures as a young person to leading a technical development agency that helps companies build, maintain, and strengthen digital platforms. She explains how Ndevr supports clients through audience experience, creator experience, and developer experience, with a focus on secure, scalable, and reliable websites and platforms. The discussion also explores communication between technical and business teams, the role of curiosity and transparency in leadership, the practical use of AI in development work, online security risks, entrepreneurship, and the value of quiet confidence in a male-dominated industry. Takeaways Cultural agility helped shape Meeky Hwang’s patience, awareness, and ability to work across different backgrounds.Ndevr builds and maintains custom websites and digital platforms for companies that need strong technical support.A strong platform must serve three groups: the audience, the content creators, and the developers behind the system.Audience experience includes site speed, ease of use, clear navigation, and smooth customer interaction.Creator experience helps teams publish content, manage updates, and stay competitive.Developer experience supports security, monitoring, checkout flows, data tracking, and platform stability.Accurate data collection matters because poor setup can lead to double counting, missed users, or flawed business decisions.Meeky values open, curious clients who are willing to learn, adapt, and consider new technology.Clear communication between technical and business teams can reduce conflict and keep projects moving.AI is useful for prototyping and tedious pattern-based tasks, but expert human review is still needed for quality, security, and strategy. Today's guest, Meeky Hwang, can be found at: Website: https://www.meekyhwang.com/, https://www.ndevr.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meekyhwang/ Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords Technical development, digital platforms, website maintenance, website security, scalability, audience experience, creator experience, developer experience, e-commerce, analytics, customer behavior, data accuracy, communication, cultural agility, curiosity, transparency, entrepreneurship, AI, prototyping, coding, cybersecurity, passwords, online security, leadership, quiet confidence, business technology

    44 min
  3. Reversing Chronic Illness: The Power of Plant-Based Diets with Dr. Amanda Adkins

    Jun 2

    Reversing Chronic Illness: The Power of Plant-Based Diets with Dr. Amanda Adkins

    In this episode of The UpShift, Angel Howard speaks with Dr. Amanda Adkins, a board-certified internal medicine physician and certified lifestyle medicine specialist, about the power of plant-based nutrition and holistic health. Dr. Adkins shares her personal journey from being an overweight teenager in Indiana to becoming a physician focused on preventing and reversing chronic disease through lifestyle changes. The conversation explores the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, movement, stress reduction, restorative sleep, social connection, and reducing toxic substances. Dr. Adkins explains why nutrition is often overlooked in traditional medical training, discusses the role of inflammation in chronic illness, and offers practical advice for busy people trying to improve their health without extreme diets or perfection. The episode also covers weight loss medications, heart health, smoking cessation, and how small sustainable habits can create long-term change. Takeaways Dr. Amanda Adkins became interested in health and nutrition through her own experience as an overweight teenager.She chose lifestyle medicine to help prevent and reverse chronic illnesses through sustainable habits.Traditional medical education often provides very little training in nutrition.One of the most important lessons she learned was that you cannot out exercise a bad diet.The six pillars of lifestyle medicine are plant-predominant nutrition, movement, stress reduction, restorative sleep, social connection, and reducing toxic substances.Social connection became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic and plays a major role in overall health.Dr. Adkins encourages patients to make small changes first rather than trying to change everything at once.Adding more leafy greens and vegetables is one of the easiest ways to reduce inflammation and improve health.Weight loss medications can be useful tools, but they are not replacements for lifestyle changes.Sustainable health improvements come from consistent habits, not quick fixes or extreme restrictions. Today's guest, Dr. Amanda Adkins , can be found at: Website: https://www.dramandamd.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-adkins-28071a39/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7HwQ88Xn1FhK5eKtoOIkw Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords plant-based medicine, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, chronic illness, inflammation, leafy greens, holistic health, wellness, preventive medicine, diabetes, blood pressure, heart health, stress reduction, restorative sleep, social connection, exercise, movement, smoking cessation, whole foods, obesity, vegetarian, plant-predominant diet, healthy lifestyle, wellness journey, healthcare, internal medicine, lifestyle changes, chronic disease prevention, food as medicine, sustainable health, hormones, inflammation reduction, fiber, healthy eating, mindfulness, self-care, weight loss, bariatric surgery, blood sugar, functional medicine, integrative medicine

    43 min
  4. Redefining Success: Art Blanchford on Burnout and Mastering Midlife Transitions

    May 19

    Redefining Success: Art Blanchford on Burnout and Mastering Midlife Transitions

    In this episode of the UpShift podcast, Angel Howard sits down with transition coach and former global executive Art Blanchford to discuss burnout, identity, purpose, and what happens when success no longer feels fulfilling. Art shares his journey from leading multi-billion dollar companies and earning a seven-figure income to walking away from corporate life after severe burnout forced him to rethink everything. Together, they explore the emotional struggles many high-achieving men face, including workaholism, lack of meaning, depression, and the pressure to constantly perform. The conversation also dives into vulnerability, relationships, emotional awareness, and how partners can support each other through major life transitions. Art explains why connection, stillness, and self-reflection are essential for creating a meaningful second half of life, and why purpose matters more than status or achievement. Takeaways Art Blanchford left a high-level corporate career after burnout forced him to reevaluate his life.Many successful people discover that achievement alone does not create fulfillment.Transition periods often feel messy, uncertain, and uncomfortable, but growth happens inside that space.Workaholism and constant performance can lead to emotional exhaustion and “deaths of despair.”Men often struggle with emotional literacy because they were taught to suppress vulnerability.Authentic connection with other people is critical during periods of depression or identity shifts.Slowing down and creating silence helps people reconnect with purpose and inner guidance.Relationships improve when partners support each other’s personal growth without shame or control.Retirement without purpose can lead to depression if people do not develop meaning beyond work.Purpose, service, and self-awareness create a more fulfilling second half of life. Today's guest, Art Blanchford, can be found at: Personal Website: https://artblanchford.com/ Website: https://pinnacleleadership.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-blanchford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artblanchford/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/art.blanchford Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeInTransitionPodcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-in-transition-podcast/id1655416159 Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords burnout, transition, purpose, fulfillment, workaholism, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, depression, success, meaning, coaching, relationships, self-worth, men’s mental health, leadership, identity, recovery, emotional literacy, mindfulness, connection, retirement, personal growth, authenticity, spirituality, healing, transformation, self-reflection, life transition, mental wellness, coaching for men

    43 min
  5. Defining Your Dream Life: Clarity & Community with Dr. Corey Winn

    May 5

    Defining Your Dream Life: Clarity & Community with Dr. Corey Winn

    In this conversation, Dr. Corey Winn discusses how women can lead, grow, and pursue their dreams from a place of clarity, trust, and joy. She explains why many women lose touch with what they want, how societal expectations shape their choices, and why community, coaching, and self-investment can help them move into a more aligned life. The discussion also explores fear, self-trust, non-negotiables, changing friendships, and the courage it takes to stop asking for permission and start building the life you truly want. Takeaways Clarity begins with asking, “What do I want?”Women often lose touch with their own needs while caring for others.Knowing what you do not want can help reveal what you do want.Joy and delight can guide better life and business choices.Societal expectations often keep women in roles that no longer fit.Growth may require letting go of relationships that no longer support you.Supportive community helps women hold bigger dreams.Journaling can help uncover desires, non-negotiables, and next steps.Investing in coaching can help build self-trust and confidence.Women do not need permission to pursue the life they want. Today's guest, Dr. Corey Winn, can be found at: Website: https://coreywinn.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywinn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywinndpt Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords leadership, women entrepreneurs, self-trust, coaching, clarity, joy, alignment, purpose, wealth, legacy, community, personal growth, non-negotiables, mindset, confidence, entrepreneurship, self-investment, dreams, burnout, life transitions

    19 min
  6. Embracing Your Neuro-Spicy Brain: Different Not Deficit with Dr. Kristin Williamson

    Apr 21

    Embracing Your Neuro-Spicy Brain: Different Not Deficit with Dr. Kristin Williamson

    In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with Dr. Kristen Williamson, a professional counselor specializing in neurodivergence, about what it means to have an ADHD or autistic brain, which she refers to as “neuro-spicy.” Dr. Williamson shares her personal diagnosis journey and explains how differences in dopamine processing, executive function, and cognitive patterns shape behavior, productivity, and emotional regulation. The conversation explores common traits such as task initiation challenges, hyperfocus, sensory sensitivities, and the need for structure, while also reframing these traits as strengths rather than deficits. They also discuss practical strategies for self-awareness, workplace leadership, and communication, including how to better support neurodivergent individuals in professional environments. The episode emphasizes normalization, self-acceptance, and leveraging unique cognitive styles for creativity, productivity, and success. Takeaways “Neuro-spicy” is a reframing of neurodivergence that highlights strengths and individuality.ADHD and autism involve differences in dopamine regulation, affecting motivation, focus, and reward.Executive dysfunction can impact task initiation, completion, and time management.Neurodivergent individuals may experience cycles of hyperfocus followed by loss of interest.Sensory sensitivities and cognitive rigidity are common, especially in autism.Many adults may be undiagnosed due to cost and limited access to assessments.Self-awareness and environmental adjustments can be as powerful as formal diagnosis.Structure helps neurodivergent individuals thrive, even if they resist imposed systems.Workplace leaders can better support teams by focusing on strengths and providing clear expectations and flexibility.Spoon theory explains energy management, showing how daily tasks deplete limited mental and physical resources. Today's guest, Dr. Kristin Williamson, can be found at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkristenwilliamson/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrKristenLPC Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords neurodivergence, ADHD, autism, neuro-spicy, dopamine, executive dysfunction, hyperfocus, sensory sensitivity, cognitive rigidity, spoon theory, mental health, productivity, workplace leadership, time management, emotional regulation, self-awareness, entrepreneurship, creativity, brain function

    38 min
  7. Navigating Midlife Dating: Skills, Myths, and Mindset with Bernardo Mendez

    Apr 7

    Navigating Midlife Dating: Skills, Myths, and Mindset with Bernardo Mendez

    In this episode, Angel Howard speaks with relationship and dating coach Bernardo “Bern” Mendez about the realities and opportunities of midlife dating. Bern explains why many people struggle in relationships, not because they are flawed, but because they were never taught the necessary skills for intimacy and connection. The conversation explores how limiting beliefs formed early in life can shape dating patterns, and how shifting emotional states, daily habits, and nervous system responses can create lasting change. Bern also challenges common myths about love, including “the one” and instant chemistry, while offering practical strategies for building confidence, redefining relationship expectations, and reigniting intimacy in long-term partnerships through vulnerability and communication. Takeaways Midlife dating offers a unique opportunity to redefine relationship goals with greater self-awareness.Relationship struggles often stem from a lack of learned skills, not personal failure.Emotional “state” or mindset directly influences beliefs, confidence, and dating outcomes.Daily rituals like movement, breathing, and intentional habits can shift mindset and behavior.Regulating the nervous system is key to overcoming fear and triggers in dating.Many limiting beliefs are reinforced over time but can be changed through new experiences.Common dating myths, such as “the one” or instant chemistry, can limit relationship success.Expanding non-negotiables versus nice-to-haves increases the chances of finding a partner.Vulnerability and honest communication are essential for rebuilding or deepening intimacy.Asking meaningful, emotionally open questions can reconnect partners and spark deeper connection. Today's guest, Bernardo Mendez, can be found at: Website: https://bernmendez.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bernmendez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernmendez-relationshipexpert/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bern_mendez/ Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords midlife dating, relationships, dating coach, intimacy, emotional state, nervous system, confidence, limiting beliefs, communication, vulnerability, dating myths, attraction, habits, mindset, self-awareness, connection, marriage, companionship, personal growth

    29 min
  8. Tammy Cox on Healing Generational Trauma and Reprogramming Limiting Beliefs

    Mar 24

    Tammy Cox on Healing Generational Trauma and Reprogramming Limiting Beliefs

    In this episode of The UpShift, trauma specialist Tammy Cox joins host Angel Howard to explore the profound impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and personal identity. Tammy details her unique subconscious reprogramming modality, which combines hypnosis, somatics, and inner child healing to locate and neutralize limiting beliefs planted between the ages of zero and five. The conversation delves into the physical manifestation of trauma, the necessity of moving beyond talk therapy to address "issues in the tissues," and the liberating process of stripping away survival-based coping mechanisms to reveal the authentic self. From discussing the shifting landscape of midlife crises to the power of emotional integration, this dialogue highlights how healing individual trauma creates a powerful ripple effect that can transform entire family lineages and future generations. Takeaways Traumatic patterns from early childhood often remain dormant until triggered by adult relationship turmoil or midlife crises.Effective healing requires reaching the subconscious mind to identify "life commands" or limiting beliefs formed between ages zero and five.Traditional talk therapy often falls short because it fails to address the somatic or emotional tags stored within the physical body.Pain acts as a diagnostic tool and a gift: when felt without resistance for approximately 30 seconds, it can be dissolved and neutralized.Many adult personalities are actually a collection of coping mechanisms developed solely to survive the family of origin.Authenticity is achieved by chipping away the traits and behaviors adopted to please others or maintain safety.The heart center is a primary site for stored emotional blockage, requiring conscious expansion to integrate and release old pain.Healing is an energetic shift that impacts the individual as well as their ancestors and future generations through epigenetic changes.Self hate often stems from a lack of connection to the eternal being or the true self that exists beyond the physical meat suit.Recognizing that the body is a vehicle for experience rather than the totality of identity helps alleviate the fear of aging and death. Today's guest, Tammy Cox, can be found at: Website: https://reclaimurmarriage.com/breakthrough-session LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-cox-884b7a30/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammyncox7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tammy.cox.543 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tamhothair TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tcoxmarriagecoach X: https://x.com/tamncox Your host, Angel Howard, can be found online at: Website: https://angelhoward.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-angel/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelhowardissuescoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelhowardofficial/ Get Angel's book: https://amzn.to/4o4UcEi Keywords Trauma Recovery, Subconscious Reprogramming, Somatic Healing, Inner Child, Hypnosis, Limiting Beliefs, Midlife Crisis, Relationships, Epigenetics, Emotional Intelligence, Self Love, Mental Health, Healing Journey, Coping Mechanisms, Identity, Personal Growth, Wellness, Psychology, Spirituality, Transformation

    35 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

“Upshift” is a community where change-makers gather, ideas are exchanged, and real talk happens. Host Angel Howard brings her own perspective as a corporate executive-turned-movement therapist to discuss everything from innovation to self-discovery. Her guests are pioneering leaders who share how they gain traction, sustain momentum, and propel their visions forward. This is an upshift for your mindset. Let’s see how far you can go.

Information

  • Creator
    Angel Howard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Angel Howard
  • Show Website
    UpShift Podcast