The Phoenix Perspective Podcast

Kori Rae Kovacs, BSN RN
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

A podcast for women over 30 rebuilding their lives after loss and major life changes. A rupture happens in your life, and suddenly, you’re staring at a future that looks nothing like the one you planned. If you’re finding your way out of the rubble and want to build a new life full of meaning, joy, vitality, and abundance, this show is for you. Hosted by Kori Rae Kovacs — Registered Nurse, storyteller, and a woman who has spent the last decade rebuilding her own life after a sudden life-altering divorce — The Phoenix Perspective explores women’s health, personal growth, and spirituality through honest conversations with experts, fascinating women, and lessons from Kori’s own messy journey. We talk about what rebuilding actually looks like in health, relationships, career, and spiritual fulfillment. Because your life can still be beautiful, even if it looks nothing like the one you thought you’d have. Now is the time for you to rise like the Phoenix you are.

  1. 3d ago

    34. Career Loss & Starting Over: Rebuilding Confidence One Small Step at a Time | Lala Barlow

    What happens when the career you built your identity around disappears—and suddenly you’re left wondering who you are without it? Lala Barlow spent years building a successful career as a performing artist, working across Australia and the UK. But when COVID brought that chapter of her life to an abrupt end, she found herself without the career, community, and sense of identity that had shaped so much of who she was. What came next was an unexpected season of rebuilding that eventually led Lala to travel solo through South America on a motorcycle—and discover parts of herself she hadn't had space to know before. In this episode of The Phoenix Perspective Podcast, Lala and I talk about the grief that comes with losing an old version of yourself, learning to become a beginner again, and why rebuilding confidence doesn't require one enormous leap. Sometimes it begins with keeping one small promise to yourself. In this episode, we talk about: Career loss and the identity crisis that can followGrieving the life—and version of yourself—you thought you'd haveStarting over without knowing exactly where you're headedBuilding confidence through small, achievable stepsSelf-reliance, community, and allowing yourself to need other peopleSpirituality, synchronicity, and creating space to hear yourself againChoosing courage when fear tells you to stay smallAbout Lala Barlow:ala Barlow is a Melbourne-based adventurer, writer, artist, and former performing artist turned motorcycle traveler. After earning her motorcycle license during COVID, she completed a 6,000-kilometer (3,700-mile) solo ride through the Queensland Outback, followed by a two-year, 40,000-kilometer (25,000-mile) journey across South America. Lala inspires others to embrace discomfort, follow their curiosity, and discover what they're capable of. Connect with Lala: Instagram: @thewanderinglala Substack: @thewanderinglala Further Resources: 👉 Want to go deeper into Kori’s stories, life lessons, and cyclical wisdom? Find Kori’s witty, messy, and candid writings on Substack 👉 Looking for your next getaway with incredible women? Check out the Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival. Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: AROFP83EK5CAYWYM, 2LGWPIZP7XCVXCOD

    34. Career Loss & Starting Over: Rebuilding Confidence One Small Step at a Time | Lala Barlow

  2. Sep 10

    33. How to Get Back on Track With Weight Loss Without Beating Yourself Up

    What happens when you realize you haven't been taking care of yourself—and your first reaction is to beat yourself up for it? After an injury, a busy summer, and months of letting her usual wellness routines slip, Kori found herself 15 pounds heavier, uncomfortable in her body, and asking, How did I let this happen? In this vulnerable solo episode, Kori shares what she's learning about finding her way back to caring for herself without using guilt or shame as motivation. She explores why the routines that work in one season of life may not work in another, how body shame can affect far more than the way we see ourselves, and why trying to “get back” to an old version of ourselves may be the wrong goal altogether. In this episode: Why your self-care routines have to change when your life and capacity changeHow to take responsibility for your health without shaming yourselfWhy self-acceptance and wanting change can exist at the same timeHow to stop chasing an old version of yourselfOne simple way to start taking care of yourself again—without overhauling your entire life You don't have to punish yourself for how you got here. You don't have to start over, either. You can simply begin again. Further Resources: 👉 Want to go deeper into Kori’s stories, life lessons, and cyclical wisdom? Find Kori’s witty, messy, and candid writings on Substack 👉 Looking for your next getaway with incredible women? Check out the Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival. Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: AGHHOX2EOUSZRX8H, LMKYFIHIJVPSJTQQ

    33. How to Get Back on Track With Weight Loss Without Beating Yourself Up

  3. Sep 4

    32. PMS Isn't Just Something You Have to Live With | Amy Dave

    If you've ever been told that painful periods, PMS, exhaustion, or feeling miserable every month are simply “part of being a woman,” this conversation may change the way you think about your menstrual cycle. Kori sits down with physician assistant and women's wellness coach Amy Dave to talk about cycle syncing, PMS, and how tracking your cycle can help you recognize patterns in your energy, symptoms, stress, and everyday life.  Amy shares her own experience of discovering cycle awareness in her 40s after years of heavy periods and difficult symptoms—and why even healthcare providers aren't always taught to look at women's health through this lens. If you're ready to stop simply pushing through your cycle and start getting curious about what your body is telling you, this episode is a great place to begin. In This Episode:Why painful periods and PMS shouldn't simply be dismissedHow cycle tracking can reveal patterns in your symptoms and energyWhat cycle syncing can look like in everyday lifeWhy women's cycle education is often missing in healthcareHow body awareness can support self-advocacy and self-trustSimple ways to start without feeling overwhelmedAbout Amy Dave:Amy Dave is a Physician Assistant with 25 years of experience and a Women’s Wellness Coach who helps moms better understand and work with their menstrual cycles. After discovering cycle syncing in her 40s, Amy turned her own experience into a passion for helping women feel more energized and empowered in their health. She is also a mom of three and host of This Incredible Mom Life. Find Amy on Instagram: @thewealthofwellnessllc  Get your Free Guide: Live a Life Without PMS: https://subscribepage.io/LifewithoutPMS  Further Resources: 👉 Want to go deeper into Kori’s stories, life lessons, and cyclical wisdom? Find Kori’s witty, messy, and candid writings on Substack 👉 Looking for your next getaway with incredible women? Check out the Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival. Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: CNFBLZARMNYAUBIR, PXI6SO8FL9HIX1TO

    32. PMS Isn't Just Something You Have to Live With | Amy Dave

  4. Aug 28

    31. Losing Your Joy? It Could Be a Sign of Burnout | Ashleigh Grave

    What if losing your joy isn’t just a rough season—but a sign that you’re burning out? In this episode of The Phoenix Perspective, Kori sits down with burnout recovery specialist and certified nutritional practitioner Ashleigh Grave to talk about the signs of burnout in women, why exhaustion isn’t the only red flag, and what it actually looks like to rebuild your health and your life without turning recovery into another thing you have to perfect. After experiencing severe burnout herself, Ashleigh knows what happens when years of pushing through, people-pleasing, caregiving, and ignoring your own needs finally catch up with you. Together, Kori and Ashleigh explore nervous system regulation, burnout recovery, self-care, nutrition, asking for help, and why reconnecting with the things that bring you joy may be more important than you realize. You’ll hear why recovery can start with just one small thing, how burnout can affect your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, and why learning to listen to yourself may change far more than your health. If you’ve been exhausted no matter how much you rest, stopped looking forward to things you used to love, or simply don’t feel like yourself anymore, this conversation is an invitation to pay attention—and begin finding your way back to you. In this episode: Signs and symptoms of burnout in womenWhy losing interest and joy can be a burnout red flagPerfectionism, people-pleasing, and chronic stressNervous system support and burnout recoveryStarting small when you don’t have the capacity to “do all the things”Self-care, boundaries, and asking for helpCaregiver burnout and finding supportReconnecting with joy, authenticity, and the life you actually want About Ashleigh Grave: Ashleigh Grave, CNP, is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner and burnout recovery specialist who helps high-achieving women recover from chronic burnout. She is also the author of Navigating Dementia Together: A Holistic Guide to Supporting a Loved One with Dementia. Find Ashleigh on Instagram: @holistically_curated Further Resources: 👉 Want to go deeper into Kori’s stories, life lessons, and cyclical wisdom? Find Kori’s witty, messy, and candid writings on Substack 👉 Looking for your next getaway with incredible women? Check out the Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival. Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: VYIGQ8UOT7QI8UBM, IORMAYYGGCS3QRS6

    31. Losing Your Joy? It Could Be a Sign of Burnout | Ashleigh Grave

  5. Aug 19

    30. Life Transitions, Cycle Syncing & Creating a Life You Love (with Renae Fieck)

    What do you do when the life you thought you were building changes—and you’re not quite sure what comes next? In this episode, I’m joined by women’s business strategist Renae Fieck for a conversation about life transitions, cycle syncing, self-trust, and learning to honor the season you’re actually in instead of forcing yourself into someone else’s version of how life should look. Renae shares how her own path has unfolded in ways she never could have predicted, and why some of the experiences that once looked like failures or wrong turns became necessary parts of becoming who she is today.  We talk about what it means to take the next right step when you can’t see the whole path ahead—and how learning to listen to your body can help you create a life you love. We also dive into cycle syncing and menstrual cycle awareness; how your energy and capacity can shift throughout your cycle; and why cycle syncing shouldn't become another rigid set of rules women feel pressured to follow.  Renae shares how cycle awareness can move from tracking and information into something much deeper: embodiment and self-trust. We explore cyclical living, feminine wisdom, motherhood, entrepreneurship, personal growth, periods, rest, productivity, and the seasons of shedding and transition that happen far beyond the menstrual cycle. Because sometimes the question isn't, How do I get out of this season as quickly as possible? Maybe it's: What is this season asking of me? What do I need right now? And what is the next right step from here? If you're navigating a major life change, questioning the path you thought you'd be on, or simply tired of forcing yourself to live by a rhythm that doesn't feel like yours, this conversation is for you. ✨ Connect with Renae Fieck Instagram: @renaefieck Get your Free copy of “Cycle Sync Your Business” http://members.renaefieck.com/a/2148095145/zcvPseX9 If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a woman who's finding her way through her own messy middle. Further Resources: 👉 Want to go deeper into Kori’s stories, life lessons, and cyclical wisdom? Find Kori’s witty, messy, and candid writings on Substack 👉 Looking for your next getaway with incredible women? Check out the Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival. Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 7E6BECF7YITICQHN, LFPUBEKEAAQAAJ7V

    30. Life Transitions, Cycle Syncing & Creating a Life You Love (with Renae Fieck)

  6. Aug 12

    29. Body Hair, Beauty Standards & Questioning the Rules We Never Chose

    What if some of the choices you've made your entire life aren't really choices at all? This summer, I decided to grow out my armpit hair. But this episode isn't about whether women should shave. It's about body hair, beauty standards, self-trust, and the invisible rules women inherit about how we're supposed to look, behave, and exist in the world. The experiment began after I noticed myself having a surprisingly strong reaction to my daughter's unshaved armpits. Instead of asking her to change, I got curious about why something so normal was triggering me—and that question led me straight into some very real-time shadow work. In this solo episode, I explore how childhood experiences, relationships, beauty standards, and patriarchal expectations shaped my relationship with body hair—and why seeing other women break those rules sometimes triggered something deeper: envy for a freedom I hadn't yet given myself. We talk about body acceptance, triggers, motherhood, patriarchy, authenticity, self-expression, personal growth, and breaking generational patterns. Most importantly, I explore the difference between making a choice because you genuinely want it and making one because you've never realized you were allowed to choose differently. Because maybe your thing isn't armpit hair. Maybe its another cage that you never realized you were trapped in. At the heart of this episode, we ask: What rules are you still following simply because someone taught you that's what a woman is supposed to do? What do you actually want? What have you outgrown? And what could change if you gave yourself permission to choose? If you're rebuilding your life and questioning who you want to be from here, this episode is an invitation to get curious about the beliefs you're carrying—and decide which ones still deserve to come with you. Further Resources: 👉 Need a break from routine and time to connect with what inspires you? Check out the Desert Muse Festival, Sept. 25-27, 2026, in Scottsdale, AZ. Get 25% off registration when they use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout at desertmusefestival.com. 👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of a Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: BUKPDQVB8VOPLZQT, QBQJBQM1IFS7S5JH

    29. Body Hair, Beauty Standards & Questioning the Rules We Never Chose

  7. Aug 5

    28. Authenticity, Courage & Finding Your Way Through the Messy Middle (with Jenny Barmach)

    What happens when the marriage you've built no longer feels aligned with who you truly are? In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Jennifer Barmach—Arizona REALTOR®, marketing strategist, and founder of women’s wellness retreat Desert Muse Festival—to explore the courage it takes to embrace authenticity during life's biggest transitions.  Together, we talk about divorce, menopause, bisexuality, and the winding path of self-discovery, reminding us that even the messiest seasons can become powerful invitations for healing and personal growth. Jennifer shares how learning to trust herself transformed not only her relationships, but her understanding of what it means to live authentically.  We also explore the power of sisterhood, the importance of finding supportive community, and why creating spaces where women feel seen, accepted, and celebrated can change lives. In this episode, we discuss: Navigating major life transitions with courage and self-trustThe role of authenticity in creating a meaningful lifeDivorce, reinvention, and giving yourself permission to begin againMenopause and embracing change with compassionJennifer's journey of self-discovery and embracing her bisexualityThe healing power of women's community and sisterhoodWhy personal growth often begins in the uncomfortable middle Whether you're questioning your identity, navigating a major transition, or simply longing to feel more like yourself again, this conversation is about having the courage to keep saying yes to who you're becoming. ✨ Connect with Jennifer Barmach Instagram: @desertmusefestival | @jennybarmach Website: Women's Wellness Retreat at Desert Muse Festival Phoenix Perspective listeners receive 25% off admission to the event! Use code PHOENIX25MUSE at checkout.  If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a woman who's navigating her own messy middle.  Your support helps more women discover conversations that inspire healing, authenticity, and transformation. Further Resources: 👉 Want to connect with Kori and other women on their transformation journeys? Join The Phoenix Perspective on Patreon. Get behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, monthly sister circles, and more insights to build your vibrant life! 👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow the show on Instagram: The Phoenix Perspective Podcast 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: NJQ9NUFR5UKJZJAD, AJVVKFGZBDGUEXA1

    28. Authenticity, Courage & Finding Your Way Through the Messy Middle (with Jenny Barmach)

  8. Jul 29

    27. Nervous System Healing & Motherhood: Breaking the Cycle of Reactivity (with Ann Odom)

    What if your reactivity isn't a personal failure—but your nervous system trying to protect you? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with former child therapist and nervous system educator Ann Odom to explore how healing, attachment theory, and emotional regulation can transform the way we experience motherhood, parenting, and our relationship with ourselves. Together, we discuss how creating a secure attachment within yourself can help you become the calm, authentic parent you long to be—not through perfection, but through self-compassion, awareness, and intentional growth. Whether you're navigating constant overwhelm, snapping at your children, or feeling disconnected from your body, this episode is a reminder that you are not broken. Your body has been doing its best to protect you, and true healing begins when we learn to listen instead of judge. In this episode, we explore: How your nervous system shapes your reactions as a parentWhat attachment theory teaches us about healing ourselvesWhy emotional regulation starts with feeling safe in your bodyThe role of self-compassion in breaking generational cyclesWhy authenticity matters more than perfection in parentingSimple somatic practices to support nervous system healingHow community and co-regulation help us healFinding your way back to yourself through personal growth and embodied healing Healing doesn't happen because we become perfect mothers. It happens when we create a safe relationship with ourselves. As we nurture our own nervous system with compassion, authenticity, and support, we begin to change the emotional legacy we pass on to our children. Connect with Ann Odom: Instagram: @the.reprogrammed.parent Podcast: The ReProgram on Spotify Website: www.thereprogrammedparent.com Further Resources: 👉 Want to connect with Kori and other women on their transformation journeys? Join The Phoenix Perspective on Patreon. Get behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, monthly sister circles, and more insights to build your vibrant life! 👉 Order your Cycles Journal© HERE. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SACREDPHOENIX to receive 10% off your purchase! 👉 Follow Kori on Instagram: Kori Rae Kovacs 👉 Have a personal growth or women’s health question, interested in being a guest, or have an idea for the show? Email Kori at phoenixperspectivepod@gmail.com Thank you for listening!  Remember, you are so worthy of your Vibrant Life! 💖 Kori Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: RHIWFYS7DDXB4EXB, 4FX4SV2QMWXIVLQ4

    27. Nervous System Healing & Motherhood: Breaking the Cycle of Reactivity (with Ann Odom)
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast for women over 30 rebuilding their lives after loss and major life changes. A rupture happens in your life, and suddenly, you’re staring at a future that looks nothing like the one you planned. If you’re finding your way out of the rubble and want to build a new life full of meaning, joy, vitality, and abundance, this show is for you. Hosted by Kori Rae Kovacs — Registered Nurse, storyteller, and a woman who has spent the last decade rebuilding her own life after a sudden life-altering divorce — The Phoenix Perspective explores women’s health, personal growth, and spirituality through honest conversations with experts, fascinating women, and lessons from Kori’s own messy journey. We talk about what rebuilding actually looks like in health, relationships, career, and spiritual fulfillment. Because your life can still be beautiful, even if it looks nothing like the one you thought you’d have. Now is the time for you to rise like the Phoenix you are.

Information

  • Creator
    Kori Rae Kovacs, BSN RN
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Kori Rae Kovacs, BSN RN
  • Show Website
    The Phoenix Perspective Podcast