Chronicles of the Phoenix

Erin Saylor and Courtney Seely
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

The Chronicles of the Phoenix podcast is about creating space for real conversations about topics like emotional healing, creative ways to practice self-compassion, leadership from the inside out, and the stories that shape us. Erin & Courtney, mental health therapists, leadership strategy experts, and co-founders of Phoenix Rise Consulting take you on a journey of conversations to spark resilience, healing, of course, humor!

  1. Aug 7

    The Difference Between a Warning Sign and a Worry Story

    Have you ever found yourself wondering whether your gut is trying to tell you something important, or if anxiety is simply getting louder than usual? In this episode, we explore one of the most common questions we hear from clients, leaders, business owners, and parents alike: How do I know if this is intuition or anxiety? We unpack the difference between a warning sign and a worry story, and discuss how our nervous systems provide valuable information without always providing clear answers. Together, we explore what anxiety sounds like, what intuition feels like, and why so many people struggle to trust themselves when faced with uncertainty. We also look at the role of context, both internal and external, in making decisions. How do we balance the signals coming from our bodies with the facts in front of us? What happens when anxiety drives avoidance, impulsivity, or the pursuit of certainty that doesn't exist? And how do we build the confidence to move forward when we don't have all the answers? Finally, we discuss why decision-making doesn't have to happen in isolation and how trusted peers, perspective, and community can help us see what we can't always see on our own. Whether you're navigating a business decision, a leadership challenge, a family transition, or a personal crossroads, this episode offers practical tools for learning to trust yourself and move forward with greater clarity. Sometimes the goal isn't to eliminate uncertainty, it's learning how to listen closely enough that anxiety doesn't get the final vote.

    The Difference Between a Warning Sign and a Worry Story

  2. Jul 24

    The Parts of Ourselves We Leave Out

    Most of us show up differently depending on where we are. There's the work version, the family version, the helper, the achiever, the one who always has it together. Over time, those parts can become so compartmentalized that we lose touch with who we are when all of them come together. In this episode, we explore what happens when we begin reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we've left behind. We talk about compartmentalization, identity, self-sufficiency, codependence, and the process of becoming more fully ourselves. Along the way, we reflect on themes from Michelle Obama's Becoming and the idea that healing isn't about becoming someone new, but integrating who we've been all along. We also discuss how growth changes our relationships. As we become more authentic, we often find ourselves wanting different things from friendships, family relationships, and partnerships. What once felt comfortable may no longer fit. What we need from connection evolves as we do. And because no episode with us is complete without a little life update, we check in with Erin following her recent trip to Europe, hear about some of her favorite moments, and explore how travel can sometimes reveal parts of ourselves we don't notice in our everyday routines. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt lonely despite being surrounded by people, wondered why certain relationships have changed over time, or found themselves reconnecting with parts of themselves they thought were long gone. Because maybe the goal isn't to become someone else. Maybe the goal is to stop leaving pieces of yourself behind.

    The Parts of Ourselves We Leave Out

  3. Jul 10

    Connection, Commitment, and the Space Between: Introducing CoJourn with Molly Keehn

    We talk a lot about connection, loneliness, and the importance of having support systems. But what if meaningful connection isn't something that just happens? What if it can be intentionally built? In this episode, we sit down with Molly Keehn, co-creator of CoJourn, a program that combines accountability, self-compassion, and human connection to help people move toward meaningful goals while building deeper relationships along the way. Molly shares the personal story behind CoJourn, from her own struggle with anxiety during graduate school to creating a framework that has helped people strengthen relationships, increase follow-through, and create lasting change. Together, we explore the power of reciprocity, why so many people struggle to move beyond surface-level relationships, and how connection often emerges when we stop trying to fix one another and simply learn how to listen. We discuss loneliness, vulnerability, the research behind accountability and self-compassion, and why one consistent relationship can have a profound impact on wellbeing. We also dive into how CoJourn is being used in workplaces, schools, and communities, and why structure can sometimes be the very thing that makes authentic connection possible. Whether you're looking to achieve a personal goal, strengthen a relationship, or simply feel a little less alone, this conversation offers a practical and hopeful path forward. To learn more about CoJourn, visit www.cojourn.org or connect with Molly and CoJourn on LinkedIn (@cojourn) and Instagram (@cojourninternational).

    Connection, Commitment, and the Space Between: Introducing CoJourn with Molly Keehn

  4. Jun 26

    Burnout Isn’t Just Exhaustion—It’s Disconnection

    Burnout doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. It’s not just exhaustion or having too much on your plate. Sometimes it shows up as disconnection. From yourself. From others. From the things that once felt meaningful. In this episode, we explore what burnout actually feels like in real life. The version that looks like functioning on the outside while quietly feeling depleted, irritated, or checked out on the inside. We talk about the “burnout bubble” and how overwhelm can lead to isolation, which only deepens the experience. We also name the subtle signs people often miss. Avoiding texts, feeling resentful toward things you chose, or constantly defaulting to “I’m just busy” when something deeper is going on. Most importantly, we offer practical ways to begin reconnecting. Not through major changes or escapes, but through small, intentional moments that bring you back to yourself and others. Because burnout isn’t just about doing too much. It’s about feeling like you’re carrying it alone. If you’re feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or like you’re showing up without really being present, this episode offers a different way to understand what’s happening and a gentler way to move through it.

    Burnout Isn’t Just Exhaustion—It’s Disconnection

  5. Jun 12

    One Year In: What Building Something Taught Us

    One year ago, we made the decision to leave full-time work and build something of our own. In this episode, we reflect on what this past year has really taught us. Not just about running a business, but about identity, connection, and what it means to build something while also being changed by it. We talk about the people who shaped this experience in meaningful ways, the role of connection and community, and what we’ve learned from being in rooms with others who are building something of their own. We also share the mistakes, the moments that didn’t go as planned, and the realities that don’t always get talked about when you step outside of something known and into something new. Woven into this conversation is a deeper thread. Growth often requires letting go of versions of ourselves we once depended on. There are moments in the process that feel like breaking down before they feel like becoming something new. This episode is not just for business owners. It’s for anyone who has taken a risk, made a change, or found themselves in the middle of something that is still unfolding. Brand Videos by Teresa Hnat Studio: https://www.phoenixrisect.com/videos Teresa Hnat Studio: https://www.teresahnat.com/ Resilience Circle Special Event Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-circle-special-event-cojourn-with-molly-keehn-edd-tickets-1988570843925

    One Year In: What Building Something Taught Us

  6. May 29

    Mental Health, Stigma, and What Happens Between the Crises

    During Mental Health Awareness Month, conversations about mental health are more visible than ever - but awareness alone doesn’t always translate into access, support, or meaningful change. In this episode, we explore the realities behind mental health stigma and the barriers that still exist when it comes to asking for and receiving help. We spend time talking specifically about boys and men, how they are often socialized away from emotional expression, and the impact that has on help‑seeking and mental health outcomes. We also look at how our systems are designed to respond to crisis -when things have already reached a breaking point -while often overlooking the quieter, less urgent space in between. This is where deeper work happens: work around childhood experiences, attachment patterns, trauma, identity, and values. While crisis care is essential, it is only part of the picture. Sustainable mental health is built in the space between those moments, through ongoing support, reflection, and intentional work. This conversation is an invitation to think differently about mental health. Not just as something to address when things fall apart, but as something to understand, invest in, and tend to over time.

    Mental Health, Stigma, and What Happens Between the Crises

  7. May 15

    What Happens When You Give People Permission to Play

    What happens when you walk into a professional conference and everything signals that you don’t have to perform? In this episode, we share an experience from a recent conference where the theme was not just decorative, but intentional. A circus. Playful. Unexpected. And immediately, something shifted. People softened. Conversations felt different. Connection came easier. From that moment, we explore a deeper question: what happens when environments give people permission to be human? We discuss the role of connection in the workplace and beyond, why loneliness and disconnection were problems long before COVID, and how connection drives real outcomes like engagement, retention, and performance. We also reflect on moments of alignment with other organizations and what it means to truly “find your people.” Most importantly, we unpack why play is often misunderstood. It is not something you schedule or add on top of a demanding culture. It is something that emerges when people feel safe, seen, and allowed to show up more fully. We also explore the real tension leaders, parents, and individuals face. When pressure is high, play can feel optional. But its absence quietly impacts energy, creativity, connection, and sustainability over time. This episode is not just for leaders. It is for anyone who has felt the difference between environments that require performance and those that allow you to simply be.

    What Happens When You Give People Permission to Play

  8. May 1

    The Enneagram Goes on Spring Break: How Each Type Travels

    Spring break travel has a way of revealing exactly who we are. What we need, what stresses us out, and where we thrive becomes much clearer when we leave our routines behind. In this episode, we take the Enneagram on the road and explore how each type tends to show up while traveling. We share Enneagram‑informed insights into how different types plan or avoid planning, handle stress, seek freedom or structure, and navigate group dynamics on trips. Along the way, we weave in personal stories from Erin’s recent Type 7 trip to New York with loose plans and lots of options, and Courtney’s upcoming Type 9 trip to Paris, where the desire to go with the flow meets anxiety and a familiar stress‑line pull toward Type 6 planning. This is a lighter, playful episode with real insight about why travel can feel regulating for some people and deeply overwhelming for others. We talk about how awareness of your Enneagram type can help you travel with more compassion for yourself and the people you’re with, and how naming needs ahead of time can make trips more enjoyable for everyone involved. Whether you love an itinerary or thrive on vibes, this episode invites you to understand your travel style a little better and maybe plan your next trip with less stress and more grace.

    The Enneagram Goes on Spring Break: How Each Type Travels
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About

The Chronicles of the Phoenix podcast is about creating space for real conversations about topics like emotional healing, creative ways to practice self-compassion, leadership from the inside out, and the stories that shape us. Erin & Courtney, mental health therapists, leadership strategy experts, and co-founders of Phoenix Rise Consulting take you on a journey of conversations to spark resilience, healing, of course, humor!

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