Elsplend Realities

Elo Oghenevwede Splendour

Elsplend Reality Show with [ELO Oghenevwede Splendour(Elsplend)] is where real stories meet real lessons — the unfiltered kind. Join Elsplend every week as she laughs, reflects, and talks about faith, emotions, and the wild process of growing up without a manual. From awkward conversations to emotional intelligence, from overthinking to finding peace — this podcast is about learning, healing, and being honest about the messiness in between. No perfection, no pressure — just honest talk, warm vibes, and a sprinkle of laughter every episode.

  1. Oct 22

    Beyond Burnout: When Workload, Not Willpower, Is the Problem

    What if your exhaustion isn't proof that you're failing, but a sign that you've been trying to sustain something that was never designed to work? When overwhelming demands become part of everyday life, it's easy to blame ourselves for struggling, believing we simply need more discipline, resilience, or better time management. But sometimes, the problem goes deeper than our personal habits. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Candice Elam, Doctor of Nursing Practice, board-certified family nurse practitioner, educator, and founder of SignTheChart, challenges the way we understand burnout. Drawing from her experience working full-time in a demanding New York City healthcare environment, Candice shares how taking work home, sacrificing personal time, and constantly trying to keep up led her to question the systems and expectations driving professional exhaustion. Together, we explore why capable, dedicated people often blame themselves when they become overwhelmed, how workplace structures can normalize unsustainable workloads, and where the line lies between meaningful commitment and harmful overextension. Candice also reflects on how illness reshaped her understanding of productivity, why boundaries can be difficult for people who define themselves through helping others, and what changes when we begin separating our worth from our output. This conversation offers a different way to think about burnout—not simply as a personal failure to manage stress, but as a signal worth examining. Whether you're a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, caregiver, or employee, it invites you to look beyond what you can endure and consider what needs to change. Because sometimes, the path toward a healthier life doesn't begin with learning to carry more. It begins with recognizing that you were never meant to carry everything alone.

  2. Oct 22

    Beyond the Spotlight: The Hidden Figures, Quiet Influence, and Untold Stories That Shape History

    History often celebrates the names we recognize, but some of the people who shape the world's most consequential moments remain largely unknown. Behind celebrated leaders and landmark decisions are individuals whose influence may be profound, even when their stories rarely make it into the spotlight. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Steve Vesce, entrepreneur, former CEO of three pioneering companies, and award-winning author of One Ordinary Man, joins us to explore the remarkable life of Harry L. Hopkins. A trusted adviser to Franklin D. Roosevelt, a key figure behind the New Deal, and an influential strategist during World War II, Hopkins played a significant role in shaping history while remaining less widely recognized than many of the leaders around him. Through years of archival research, Steve brings greater attention to the man behind the historical record. Together, we examine what makes certain people influential, how trust and relationships shape leadership, and why some contributions become celebrated while others fade into the background. Steve also reflects on the process of reconstructing a historical figure's life, balancing accuracy with compelling storytelling, and what his research has revealed about the often-unseen forces behind major decisions. This conversation invites us to look beyond famous names and reconsider what it truly means to make a difference. Influence doesn't always come with recognition, and meaningful contributions aren't always visible to the world. Sometimes, understanding history more fully begins with paying attention to the people and stories we have overlooked—and recognizing how much they can teach us about leadership, service, and our own potential to shape the lives around us.

  3. Oct 22

    Beyond Survival: Military Leadership, Personal Reinvention, and the Courage to Begin Again

    We often associate resilience with the ability to endure—to keep going through difficult circumstances, carry responsibility, and find the strength to face whatever comes next. But what happens when survival has shaped so much of our lives that we struggle to imagine who we might become beyond it? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Ken Webb, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 33 years of military service, shares a journey shaped by childhood adversity, leadership under pressure, and deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. Having spent decades in demanding environments, Ken brings a thoughtful perspective on perseverance, responsibility, and the personal experiences that influence how we navigate life's challenges. Now living in Peru and working on his debut psychological thriller, Trapped in Deception, he is embracing a new chapter centered on creativity, learning, and personal growth. Together, we explore how early experiences can shape our approach to leadership and adversity, what military service can teach us about responsibility beyond the battlefield, and how we navigate the transition from familiar roles into new identities. We also discuss the human complexities behind trust, betrayal, and manipulation, the challenges of pursuing creative ambitions later in life, and the importance of remaining curious when life offers us an opportunity to begin again. This conversation reminds us that resilience is about more than enduring what life brings our way. It is also about giving ourselves permission to evolve, explore new possibilities, and release identities that no longer define us. No matter how much of our lives have been shaped by hardship or responsibility, there is still room to discover who we can become when we move beyond simply surviving.

  4. Oct 22

    Beyond the Hustle: Building a Sustainable Business Without Sacrificing Your Freedom

    What does success really mean if the business you're building leaves you with less time, less energy, and less freedom to enjoy your life? In a culture that often equates constant work with ambition, it's easy to become so focused on growing that we lose sight of what we wanted success to give us in the first place. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Chloé Midy, a business, marketing, and sales coach, shares how an unexpected layoff during the pandemic led her to build a thriving freelance career on her own terms. From navigating uncertainty to developing a high-income business and working remotely across more than 36 countries, Chloé has learned to approach success through a different lens—one grounded in clarity, sustainability, and intentional living. Together, we explore why working harder doesn't always lead to better results, how simplifying your offers and strengthening your positioning can transform a freelance business, and why pricing, client selection, and self-trust matter more than constantly chasing new opportunities. We also examine the emotional pull of hustle culture, the fear of turning away unsuitable clients, and the difference between healthy ambition and a cycle of overwork. This conversation invites us to rethink the relationship between achievement and fulfillment. Because building a successful business isn't simply about earning more or reaching the next milestone. It's about creating something that supports the life you want to live, rather than consuming the time and energy you need to enjoy it. Sometimes, real growth begins when we stop asking how much more we can do and start asking what we can do differently.

  5. Oct 22

    The Joy Reflex: Building Faith, Resilience, and Peace in Life’s Hardest Seasons

    When life takes an unexpected turn, fear can become our first response. A difficult diagnosis, an uncertain future, or a season of overwhelming pressure can challenge everything we thought we knew about strength. But what if resilience isn't about eliminating fear, but learning how to respond to it differently? In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Jenna Schutt, a former cardiac registered nurse, Christian author, and bone marrow transplant survivor, shares her remarkable journey through a rare incurable disease diagnosed at age 30, more than ten rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and ongoing health challenges. Having experienced both sides of healthcare—as a caregiver and as a patient—Jenna brings a unique perspective to navigating uncertainty while holding on to hope. Together, we explore her concept, The Joy Reflex™, and what it means to cultivate joy beyond temporary happiness. Jenna shares insights on responding to fear, developing practical habits that support emotional resilience, and drawing strength from faith when circumstances remain difficult. We also reflect on motherhood, the power of ordinary moments, and how caregivers and those facing personal challenges can find space for peace amid uncertainty. This conversation is a reminder that resilience doesn't require us to pretend everything is fine. It invites us to face life's difficulties honestly while choosing what we nurture within ourselves. Even when we cannot control what happens next, we can gradually learn to respond with greater presence, faith, and hope—and discover that joy can coexist with hardship.

  6. Oct 17

    When Life Changes You: Grief, Recovery, and Finding Purpose Through Life’s Hardest Seasons

    Some of life's most defining moments arrive through experiences we never would have chosen. Loss, uncertainty, and personal struggles can change how we see ourselves and the world around us. Yet, even in the most difficult seasons, there may be room for healing, deeper understanding, and a renewed sense of purpose. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Gina Economopoulos joins us to share a deeply personal journey shaped by grief, faith, recovery, and transformation. Following the loss of her mother, Gina spent twelve years in the convent, searching for meaning and direction. Her path later led her through addiction, relationship challenges, and the difficult work of rebuilding her life. Today, as an End-of-Life Doula, she brings compassion and understanding to individuals and families navigating life's final transition. Together, we explore how grief can influence the choices we make, what recovery teaches us about self-awareness and responsibility, and how our beliefs and perspectives can evolve through life's unexpected turns. Gina also shares how accompanying others through the end of life has shaped her understanding of what matters most, from the relationships we nurture to the moments we often take for granted. This conversation reminds us that resilience isn't about having everything figured out or emerging from hardship unchanged. It's about learning, growing, and finding ways to move forward with greater compassion. Sometimes, the chapters we struggle most to understand become the ones that deepen our appreciation for life and help us show up more meaningfully for others.

  7. Oct 17

    Beyond Survival Mode: Understanding Trauma, Rebuilding Self-Trust, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

    What if some of the things you criticize yourself for are actually patterns you developed to survive? Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant need to achieve can look like personality traits, yet sometimes they reflect deeper fears and experiences we have never fully understood. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Anu Verma, Trauma Specialist, Embodiment Coach, podcaster, and founder of Victim 2 Victor, joins us to explore how past experiences can shape our sense of self, our relationships, and the ways we navigate everyday life. Drawing on her professional expertise and lived experience, Anu offers a thoughtful perspective on trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and the process of rebuilding self-trust. Together, we examine why survival patterns can become so difficult to recognize, why behaviors that once protected us may eventually leave us exhausted, and how we can begin to move beyond shame and self-judgment. We also explore the discomfort of changing familiar patterns, the difference between coping and healing, and how to find purpose without allowing painful experiences to define ourly identity. This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn't mean becoming a completely different person. It means understanding yourself with greater compassion, recognizing the patterns you've outgrown, and gradually learning to trust yourself again. Sometimes, the first step toward a fuller life isn't trying harder to change who you are—it's understanding what you've been carrying and giving yourself permission to move forward.

  8. Oct 17

    The Stories History Leaves Behind: Forgotten Innovators, Invisible Contributions, and the Meaning of Legacy

    How much of the world we understand is shaped by the stories we've been told—and how much depends on the stories we've never heard? Behind many of humanity's greatest breakthroughs are people whose contributions went unrecognized, whose names disappeared from the record, or whose work became so deeply embedded in everyday life that we stopped noticing it. In this episode of Elsplend Realities, Daina Bouquin, librarian, data scientist, developer advocate, and host of Found in the Machine, joins us to explore the overlooked people and unexpected events that helped shape our digital world. Drawing on her work across library science, scientific research infrastructure, data science, and open-source software, Daina reveals how the history of innovation is often more complex—and more human—than the familiar stories suggest. Together, we examine why some contributions are remembered while others fade into obscurity, how accidents and unexpected decisions influence technological progress, and what happens when the people behind important discoveries are left out of the narrative. We also explore the challenges of preserving meaningful stories in an age of overwhelming information, the value of collaboration, and how recognizing invisible contributions can reshape our understanding of credit, success, and legacy. This conversation invites us to look beyond what is celebrated and pay attention to what may be missing. Because understanding history requires more than remembering what happened; it requires asking whose voices were heard, whose work made a difference, and whose stories still deserve to be told. And sometimes, the most meaningful discoveries begin with the simple decision to look closer.

4.8
out of 5
72 Ratings

About

Elsplend Reality Show with [ELO Oghenevwede Splendour(Elsplend)] is where real stories meet real lessons — the unfiltered kind. Join Elsplend every week as she laughs, reflects, and talks about faith, emotions, and the wild process of growing up without a manual. From awkward conversations to emotional intelligence, from overthinking to finding peace — this podcast is about learning, healing, and being honest about the messiness in between. No perfection, no pressure — just honest talk, warm vibes, and a sprinkle of laughter every episode.