The Becoming Years with Alina Wilson

Alina Wilson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement

The Becoming Years is an ad-free podcast built around meaningful, intergenerational conversations that shape how we live - where experience, curiosity, and perspective meet. This is not a debate or a performance, but a spacious, intelligent conversation designed to offer clarity and connection.

  1. 4h ago

    Debbie Longo: The Unexpected Power of Confronting Workplace Drama

    This episode explores how fear, resentment, and unchecked emotions shape workplace culture, from employer leadership to employee behavior. Alina speaks with Debbie Longo, a workplace development coach with 24 plus years of experience, about how self-evaluation, discomfort, and mindset shifts can change the energy of a business.We discuss how negative culture can take root, why fear shows up in both thoughts and behavior, and how employers and employees can each take responsibility for their role in creating a healthier environment. Main Topics Covered: How to identify and shift cultural negativity among staffThe power of self-evaluation and energy shifts for leaders and employeesPractical ways to manage fear and build resilient workplace environmentsThe impact of regular feedback—bosses evaluating themselves too!Why gut-wrenching discomfort can be your fastest route to success Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing Debbie Longo and the focus on workplace emotions 05:00 - Fear, worry, and how mental energy shows up at work 13:25 - How strong leaders monitor themselves constantly 16:27 - Why yearly feedback may be too slow to create change 17:54 - Discomfort as the real growth strategy 31:24 - How fear, gossip, and silence create workplace tension 35:17 - The roadmap for getting rid of fear 36:11 - Learning to shut off work behavior at home 38:07 - When a bad morning follows you into the workplace 39:46 - Direct feedback versus compassionate curiosity 40:22 - What to do when an employee's behavior is not acceptable 49:29 - Hire slow, fire fast 58:51 - Gratitude, beauty, and breathing as tools to move through fear 63:36 - Debbie's closing view: negativity can be turned into positivity Debbie's Resources & Links: Workplace Development Coaching — Debbie Longo's official siteEnergy Shift Concepts — YouTube video explaining the energy vibe beneath successLinkedInTwitter Follow Alina and her work here: - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingYears - Instagram - @bridgeportlaserandwellness: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeportlaserandwellness - Facebook - @bridgeportwellness: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeportwellness/ - Get Alina's Book! Thoughtful Aging - Restoring Honor to the Aging Process: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7D92HZ5/ - Get your free Thoughtful Aging Guide: https://www.bpwcenter.com/ Have A Question? - Have a Question For Alina That You’d Like To Hear Answered on the Podcast? Leave her a Voice Note Here: https://www.speakpipe.com/thebecomingyearspodcast

    Debbie Longo: The Unexpected Power of Confronting Workplace Drama

  2. Aug 10

    Margaret Gardiner: Damaged Beauty - The Stories Behind The Mirror

    In this episode of The Becoming Years, Alina and Margaret Gardiner, former Beauty Queen, Journalist, & Author, talk about her debut novel Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar and the deeper themes behind it: self-worth, people-pleasing, and the cost of performance. Margaret shares how her background in psychology and her early experiences in beauty and fashion shaped the story. Together, they explore how women are often trained to self-blame, stay likable, and put others first at their own expense. Margaret explains why her protagonist, Joey, is intentionally unlikable at first — because real healing often begins in uncomfortable, imperfect places. They also discuss how books can open difficult conversations between mothers and daughters and how compassion can coexist with strong boundaries. The episode closes on a hopeful note: you are not your image, you are not your mistakes, and it is always possible to change. Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar, is the kind of story that stays with you — honest, messy, powerful, and so worth reading. Timeline 0:01 — Introduction to Margaret Gardiner and her background1:13 — Margaret explains the inner voice and the book’s core message2:09 — Fiction vs. autobiography and why the story is partly personal8:12 — The hidden cost behind glamour and public images12:14 — Teaching younger generations what to do in hard situations13:57 — Why the book can spark mother-daughter conversations17:18 — Self-blame and people-pleasing in women20:28 — Breaking repeated patterns and creating new outcomes22:53 — Performative behavior and living for others’ expectations31:37 — Navigating obligation, self-sacrifice, and self-worth33:40 — Using tools to protect your emotional safety43:04 — Margaret shares a story about online bullying and responding with compassion52:09 — Shame, harmful habits, and the danger of self-destruction55:05 — The power of stepping back before falling too far58:34 — Final message: women don’t have to be perfect to change Win a signed copy of Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar - Here’s how to enter: Follow on Instagram:@margaret_gardiner and @thebecomingyearspodcast Tag a friend in the commentsEvery friend you tag = one extra entryWinner will be chosen randomly on 8/17/26 More about Margaret: https://www.margaretgardiner.com/ Order the book: https://a.co/d/02m6s3zg YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MargaretGardinerUniverse FB: https://www.facebook.com/MargaretGardinerOfficial IG: https://www.instagram.com/margaret_gardiner/

    Margaret Gardiner: Damaged Beauty - The Stories Behind The Mirror

  3. Aug 5

    Dame Clarissa Burt: You Are More Than Enough

    Unlock the secrets to boosting your self-esteem and transforming your life with wisdom from Dame Clarissa Burt, a knighted international media icon, former supermodel, and author of The Self-Esteem Regime. In this inspiring episode, Clarissa shares how her tumultuous childhood fueled her passion for helping others, revealing practical, bite-sized tools to strengthen confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence, especially when life feels overwhelming. You'll discover the four pillars of self-esteem - look good, feel good, be good, and give back—plus actionable steps to nurture each. Clarissa breaks down how to cultivate inner strength through boundaries, integrity, and a growth mindset rooted in genuine self-care. She shares personal stories from her time in fashion and television, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, perseverance, and a supportive tribe. Learn how to navigate rejection in industries rife with it, and why showing up with honesty and kindness creates ripple effects far beyond your expectations.This episode underscores why self-esteem isn’t just about feeling good—it’s your foundation for resilience during storms, your tool for meaningful connections, and your secret weapon for a life of purpose. Perfect for anyone seeking confidence, clarity, and connection - especially women navigating change, rejection, and growth. Leave feeling inspired, empowered, and equipped with tangible strategies to elevate your self-esteem from the inside out. Clarissa Burt is an award-winning media personality, former model, and social advocate, honored by the Vatican and renowned for her work empowering women through self-love and resilience. Her story of transformation proves that it's never too late to redefine your path and embrace your true power. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Clarissa Burt and her knighthood 01:07 - Clarissa's background and diverse career journey 02:47 - The motivation behind her book, The Self-Esteem Regime 04:29 - Navigating the self-help landscape and social media influences 06:56 - Handling life's storms with the right emotional tools 08:43 - Overcoming feelings of being 'too much' 09:43 - Building emotional intelligence and value systems 12:28 - Approaching personal growth as a journey, not a task 15:01 - Clarissa’s experience with the modeling industry and her purpose beyond appearances 18:32 - The importance of integrity and professionalism in rejection 21:02 - Clarissa’s process for enhancing self-esteem through her book’s chapters 22:45 - Empathy and understanding your purpose in helping others 25:24 - Highlighting her recognition by the Vatican and her charitable work 30:01 - Addressing domestic violence and creating pathways for escape 36:57 - Final thoughts on giving back and living with purpose Follow Dame Clarissa Burt Online! https://clarissaburt.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/ClarissaBurtInternational IG: https://www.instagram.com/clarissaburt/ The Self Esteem Regime

    Dame Clarissa Burt: You Are More Than Enough

  4. Jul 24

    Danielle Van Auken: How One Dream Became A National Franchise

    Some conversations feel less like interviews and more like catching up with a life-long friend—and that’s exactly what this episode is. Today, I’m joined by my dear friend Danielle Van Auken, founder of Organic Bronze Bar, to talk about the journey of turning a passion for helping women feel confident into a nationally recognized franchise rooted in purpose and connection. Danielle and I share more than a friendship—we share a belief that beauty is about so much more than appearance. It’s about how we make people feel, the stories we carry, and the communities we create along the way. In this conversation, Danielle opens up about the evolution of Organic Bronze Bar from a single spa location into a growing franchise, the importance of protecting what makes a brand truly unique, and why integrity, authenticity, and shared values matter more than rapid expansion. This episode is a beautiful reminder that the most successful businesses are often built on something much deeper than a product—they’re built on relationships, purpose, and the desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Join us for this inspiring conversation about friendship, entrepreneurship, and creating a legacy that empowers women one connection at a time. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Danielle Van Auken and the story behind Organic Bronze Bar 00:20 - What makes Organic Bronze Bar's formula unique? The importance of natural ingredients and transparency 02:28 - Challenges of protecting a formula without a patent, and actions taken to safeguard secrets 03:09 - Danielle’s inspiration from her early days in aesthetics and the evolution of spray tanning 03:54 - Building a business rooted in safe, clean, and effective products during a time of high UV risks 05:13 - The significance of community and customer stories in franchising growth 10:11 - From a single salon to a national franchise: the journey and the power of word-of-mouth 13:54 - The importance of purpose in franchising: empowering women and fostering a caring community 17:13 - Key qualities and values Danielle seeks in franchise partners: authenticity, love for women, respect 22:02 - Personal stories of franchise clients overcoming health struggles and feeling celebrated 25:42 - Protecting the culture: Danielle’s deliberate standards for selecting franchisees 26:49 - The societal shift towards ethical business and women’s empowerment 29:25 - Employee development and leadership as a core part of business growth 32:34 - Creating career pathways for employees and supporting women entrepreneurs 38:11 - Words of wisdom: following your passion with integrity and building options for yourself and others 40:10 - Connecting with Danielle and the legacy of Organic Bronze Bar Resources & Links: Organic Bronze Bar WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebook

    Danielle Van Auken: How One Dream Became A National Franchise

  5. Jul 13

    Amy Lenius: Rebuild Your Confidence With 3 Simple Steps

    If you’re ready to level up your self-worth, ditch the perfectionism, and celebrate even the smallest wins, then this episode is your new best friend. Join Alina & Amy on a rollercoaster ride through the wild worlds of hormones, success, and the core beliefs that shape our lives - told in a way that only Amy Lenius can deliver. This episode is packed with practical, hilarious insights on transforming your mindset and habits. Amy explains how tiny tweaks—like celebrating laundry or ditching perfection—can lead to massive success. If you've ever wondered how to thrive as a woman, embrace holistic growth, and stop self-sabotaging, this one's for you.Key Topics: The three foundational pillars: Self-Worth, Self-Belief, and ConsistencyThe power of celebrating small wins for building confidenceHow to tailor habit trackers to your unique season of lifeThe difference between self-esteem and self-worth explained in three sentencesFrameworks for creating unshakable self-belief: State, Prove, Self-AssignHandling core wounds: Defective, Unlovable, Unwanted—oh my!Vulnerability and authenticity in relationships with men and womenThe importance of personalized habit tracking and freeing yourself from perfectionismHow personality profiling informs effective self-growthThe magic of 'letting go' and embracing internal maps to liberation Resources & Links: Next Level UniversityBook Recommendations for Self-Confidence and GrowthConnect with Amy: InstagramFacebook Alina’s show notes: Resources: - Get Alina's Book! Thoughtful Aging - Restoring Honor to the Aging Process: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7D92HZ5/ - Get your free Thoughtful Aging Guide: https://www.bpwcenter.com/ Follow Alina and her work here: - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingYears - Instagram - @bridgeportlaserandwellness: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeportlaserandwellness - Facebook - @bridgeportwellness: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeportwellness/ Have A Question? - Have a Question For Alina That You’d Like To Hear Answered on the Podcast? Leave her a Voice Note Here: https://www.speakpipe.com/thebecomingyearspodcast

    Amy Lenius: Rebuild Your Confidence With 3 Simple Steps

  6. Jun 23

    Shannon Donahoe-Simpson: Choosing Joy - How to Magnetize the Life & Love You Deserve

    Ever feel like life keeps testing your patience and your joy? Today, Shannon Donahoe-Simpson is a TEDx speaker, cancer survivor, and joy enthusiast. She joins Alina to spill the tea on how she turned life's chaos into a pathway for awakening her inner happiness. Spoiler alert: it involves boundaries, bravery, and some awesome dance moves. In this episode:00:00 - Welcome to the Becoming Years: Finding Joy in the Journey 02:07 - Shannon’s childhood trauma and her breakthrough moment 03:50 - Sharing her story to empower others and break silence 06:44 - Filing her first police report against her grandfather 07:47 - Life crashing down: cancer diagnosis and managing autism 10:23 - The coaching journey and inner work through plant medicine 12:55 - The moment she realized she was asking her children to do her inner work 15:28 - Becoming the mirror: reflecting on anxiety and personal growth 16:48 - The profound insight: “It’s not everybody else, it’s me” 18:34 - How intuition and self-trust create peace amidst chaos 20:49 - The vulnerability of joy and the courage to love again 22:29 - Joy as a solo experience—learning to find happiness within 23:37 - Dancing as a daily practice for emotional regulation 26:17 - Grief and joy: how to make space for both 28:13 - Tools for calming the nervous system and staying present in relationships 30:37 - The importance of feeling safe and cultivating inner peace 36:44 - Communication, boundaries, and staying centered during conflict 39:05 - Recognizing when it’s safe to open your heart and find true safety 41:14 - Becoming magnetized to the love and joy you desire 45:43 - Practical steps for online dating and self-discovery 48:17 - Trusting your intuition and reading body language for better relationships 50:53 - The power of small steps and brave decisions in life and love 51:33 - Final words: follow joy, take action, and embrace your authentic self Resources & Links:Upcoming Brave Enough Workshop https://shannondonahoesimpson.com/workshops The Book of Awakening by Mark NepoShannon Donahoe-Simpson’s Website - https://shannondonaho simpson.comFollow Shannon on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shannondonohoesimpson/Toolbox Tuesdays Podcast https://shannondonahoesimpson.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.donohoesimpsonLinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/shannondonahoesimpsonTwitter https://twitter.com/shannondonahoesimpsonYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@shannondonohoesimpson/videos

    Shannon Donahoe-Simpson: Choosing Joy - How to Magnetize the Life & Love You Deserve

  7. Jun 15

    Andy Semotiuk: Real World Survival Guide for Young People

    Ever wonder what makes life worth living beyond the paycheck? Alina Wilson teams up with Andy Semotiuk, a Forbes columnist and international law expert, to tackle the heavyweight questions — Who am I? Why am I here? And how do we stay resilient when the world throws shade? Spoiler alert: It’s all about values, purpose, and a good dose of humor. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing Andy Semichuk: From Edmonton winters to Forbes columns 03:11 – Why these themes keep coming back in our lives and careers 05:39 – The philosophical foundation: Who am I and why am I here? 08:29 – Finding happiness through your unique abilities and flow 10:48 – The story of Carl Wallenda and risking it all for passion 14:24 – The evolution from a shy writer to a global communicator 15:44 – The story of struggling with self-doubt and self-definition 20:13 – Communicating complex ideas in simple, human language 22:19 – Ego, fear, and the vulnerability of speaking your truth 23:47 – When criticism comes knocking: Deal with it like a pro 25:42 – Developing resilience in a world of online trolls 27:17 – Living authentically: Your values as a life compass 32:29 – Cutting through the clutter: wisdom over information 37:30 – Defining core values: Integrity, honesty, love, humility, and more 40:24 – Universal vs. personal values and living true to yourself 41:53 – The debate: “Your truth” versus objective truth 44:47 – How to find common ground in a polarized world 46:40 – The role of humility and perspective in understanding reality 57:32 – The importance of character, resilience, and growth through hardship 67:55 – Parting words: Live your story, embrace purpose, and stay authentic Andy's resources & links: The Big Picture with Andy Semotiuk (YouTube)Pace Law Firm (Toronto)Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklBook: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiLinkedInTwitter Have A Question? - Have a Question For Alina? Leave her a Voice Note Here: https://www.speakpipe.com/thebecomingyearspodcast

    Andy Semotiuk: Real World Survival Guide for Young People

  8. Jun 8

    Terry Tucker: The 4 Truths of Meaning

    Ever wonder how someone can turn a life of adversity into a blueprint for success? Meet Terry Tucker—a former basketball star, SWAT negotiator, hospital admin, and cancer warrior—who's got lessons for us all. Fasten your seatbelt, because this episode is a rollercoaster of raw honesty, killer insights, and a whole lot of why not? Takeaways Resilience and determination in the face of adversityThe importance of advocating for oneself in healthcare Embracing discomfort leads to resilience and personal growth.Deep connections and meaningful conversations are essential for understanding purpose and passion in life. Chapters 00:00 Terry Tucker's Journey: From Basketball to Cancer05:15 Turning Adversity into Actionable Steps17:03 Advocating for Yourself in Healthcare27:49 Negotiating with Ourselves and Overcoming Fear33:32 Setting Time Limits for Uncomfortable Situations40:20 Finding Balance and Purpose in Life49:49 Deep Connections and the Three Questions59:35 Strength in Brokenness and Adversity Terry Tucker - Motivational Check: https://www.motivationalcheck.com/   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-tucker-9b5605179/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motivationalcheck X (Twitter):  https://mobile.twitter.com/terrytucker2012 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sustainableexcellenceauthor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl2CUA6R1zP2ZcjzhzGKWkQ  Books: Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles to Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life - Amazon Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSDLSM8S   Four Truths and a Lie, Ancient Wisdom for Living Your Modern Purpose - Amazon Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPMG37DF Alina's Resources: - Get Alina's Book! Thoughtful Aging - Restoring Honor to the Aging Process: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7D92HZ5/ - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingYears - Instagram - @bridgeportlaserandwellness: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeportlaserandwellness Have A Question? - Have a Question For Alina That You’d Like To Hear Answered on the Podcast? Leave her a Voice Note Here: https://www.speakpipe.com/thebecomingyearspodcast

    Terry Tucker: The 4 Truths of Meaning
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The Becoming Years is an ad-free podcast built around meaningful, intergenerational conversations that shape how we live - where experience, curiosity, and perspective meet. This is not a debate or a performance, but a spacious, intelligent conversation designed to offer clarity and connection.

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