“What The Why?!?”

Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills

"What The Why?!?" is a podcast featuring conversations with a wide variety of leaders from all walks of life about why they do what they do and how they figured things out. Now in its fifth season, the podcast continues to explore the insights, experiences, and perspectives that shape leadership, growth, and personal and professional success. Earlier seasons of "What The Why?!? with Barbara Anne" are also available, giving listeners access to a rich library of conversations across multiple platforms. Access our episodes on your preferred platform here: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA

  1. 3d ago

    Religious Trauma & Deconstruction: Rebuilding Your Identity | Morgan Piercy (Part 1)

    What happens when the beliefs you grew up with no longer reflect who you are? In this thought-provoking episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills welcomes licensed therapist Morgan Piercy for an honest conversation about religious trauma, faith deconstruction, identity reconstruction, and finding the courage to live authentically. Morgan shares her journey from growing up in a conservative religious environment to working as an engineer before discovering her purpose in therapy. Drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise, she explores how fear, shame, and rigid expectations can influence identity and how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help people reconnect with their values. 👤About Our Guest Morgan Piercy is a licensed therapist at Deconstruction Counseling in the Kansas City area. She specializes in religious trauma, deconstruction, ADHD, and identity reconstruction after high-control or spiritually harmful environments. Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Morgan helps people move beyond fear, shame, and rigid expectations toward greater authenticity, values-based living, and psychological flexibility. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 CONNECT WITH MORGAN 🌐Website: https://www.morganpiercy.com 🌐Deconstruction Counseling: https://www.deconstructionkc.com 🌐Social Media & Resources: https://linktr.ee/deconstructionkc 🎥 Watch video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/vWbs2vD5LQ4 ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #deconstruction #ReligiousTrauma #MentalHealth #MorganPiercy #WhatTheWhyPodcast

    Religious Trauma & Deconstruction: Rebuilding Your Identity | Morgan Piercy (Part 1)
  2. Oct 20

    Medicare Explained: What Seniors Need to Know Before Choosing a Plan | Felicia Petersen

    💚 MEDICARE MADE SIMPLE: Understanding Your Options with Confidence! Are you feeling overwhelmed by Medicare choices? You're not alone! 🎙️ On this episode of "What The Why?!?", host Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills welcomes Felicia Petersen, a Licensed Independent Medicare Broker known as “Your Medicare Friend.” With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources and employee medical benefits, Felicia has made it her mission to help seniors navigate Medicare with clarity, compassion, and confidence. ✨ In this inspiring conversation, discover: ✅ Why Medicare isn't one-size-fits-all ✅ The differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans ✅ Why understanding enrollment periods matters ✅ How informed healthcare decisions can bring greater peace of mind ✅ How Felicia transformed her professional experience into a purpose-driven mission to serve others 👤About Our Guest Felicia Petersen is a Licensed Independent Medicare Broker with more than 15 years of Human Resources experience specializing in employee medical benefits. Today, as “Your Medicare Friend,” she helps individuals navigate Medicare with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Felicia believes Medicare is never one-size-fits-all. Her mission is to educate clients about their options and help them understand the reasons behind their decisions. Guided by faith, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve seniors, Felicia is committed to making complex information easier to understand and providing peace of mind. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 CONNECT WITH FELICIA PETERSEN 🌐 Website: www.yourmedicarefriend.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felicia.petersen/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourmedicarefriend/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMedicareFriend 🎥 Watch video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/hAALNN9AnAc ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #MedicareExplained #MedicareEnrollment #FeliciaYourMedicareFriend #WhatTheWhyPodcast

    Medicare Explained: What Seniors Need to Know Before Choosing a Plan | Felicia Petersen
  3. Oct 14

    A Father's Unexpected Awakening From Dementia | Dan Cohen

    What if one unexpected moment with someone you love could change the way you see life forever? After nearly a decade of watching his father live with dementia, Dan Cohen experienced something extraordinary, an unexpected moment of clarity and reconnection that would change his life. In this heartfelt episode of "What The Why?!?", hosted by Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, Dan opens up about his father's dementia journey, the emotional realities of caregiving, and how love, acceptance, and meaningful connections can transform our perspective on life. 🎙️ Meet Our Guest: Dan Cohen Dan Cohen is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience and a passion for brand building, strategic thinking, and developing meaningful relationships. Beyond his entrepreneurial journey, Dan is the author of Awakenings In Real Life, a deeply personal account of his father's unexpected awakening during his journey with dementia, and how that experience sparked Dan's own transformation. He also hosts the Awakenings In Real Life podcast, where he shares other people's remarkable stories of meaningful experiences and personal transformation. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Danny Cohen 🌐 Website: www.awakeningsinreallife.com 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583499191705 ▶️ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@AwakeningsInRealLife 💼 Instagram: www.instagram.com/awakening.in.real.life2025/?__pwa=1 🌐 Threads: www.threads.com/@awakening.in.real.life2025?__pwa=1 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/HRQT4njcVzk ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #WhatTheWhyPodcast #DanCohen #AwakeningsInRealLife #DementiaAwareness #Caregiving #FindingPurpose

    A Father's Unexpected Awakening From Dementia | Dan Cohen
  4. Oct 5

    Your Job Is Killing You: How to Recover From Burnout Without Losing Your Purpose | Deidre Gestrin

    What happens when the work you feel called to do starts costing you your health? In this powerful episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Deidre Gestrin, founder of Abundant Wellness Essentials, Certified Health Coach, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, for an honest conversation about burnout, workplace stress, whole-person wellness, boundaries, and purpose. Deidre knows burnout firsthand. After experiencing burnout multiple times in a demanding career, she reached a frightening turning point when her doctor told her that her job was harming her health. Yet she still knew she was doing work she felt called to do. Her experience led her to explore the connection between physical and mental health and ultimately expand her work into functional medicine coaching. 👤About Deidre Gestrin Deidre Gestrin is the founder of Abundant Wellness Essentials. She is a Certified Health Coach and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who understands the challenges of a high-performing career. Through her personal experience with burnout, Deidre learned to fully embrace the connection between physical and mental health. Her journey led her to obtain a functional medicine coaching certification and a Fast Like a Girl Certification. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Deidre Gestrin 🌐 Abundant Wellness Essentials: https://abundantwellnessessentials.com 🌐 Stress to Peace: https://stresstopeace.com 🌐 Burnout Basics: https://burnoutbasics.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgestrin/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidregestrin ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbundantWellnessEssentials 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/ARS2qBfWXxk ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #burnoutrecovery #workplaceburnout #WorkplaceWellbeing #StressManagement

    Your Job Is Killing You: How to Recover From Burnout Without Losing Your Purpose | Deidre Gestrin
  5. Sep 29

    Laughter Yoga for Stress, Joy & Well-Being | Cathy Nesbitt

    What if your path to purpose looked nothing like you originally imagined? Cathy Nesbitt spent approximately 20 years working as a secretary before an unexpected journey led her into entrepreneurship, worm composting, wellness—and eventually, Laughter Yoga. In this uplifting episode of What The Why?!?, Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Cathy to explore what happens when we become open to reinvention and intentionally create more joy in our lives. As a Health and Wellness Advocate, Laughter Yoga Teacher, and Laughter Ambassador, Cathy helps people move out of stress and into joy using laughter, tapping, Brain Gym, and other energy and wellness techniques. 👤 About Our Guest Cathy Nesbitt is a Health and Wellness Advocate dedicated to promoting joy and vitality through laughter and energy techniques. She is a Laughter Yoga Teacher and was appointed a Laughter Ambassador in 2017 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga. She incorporates tapping, Brain Gym, and other healing modalities to help people move from stress into joy. Cathy is also the founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters and Cathy’s Sprouters. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Cathy 🌐 Website: https://www.cathysclub.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathynesbitt/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CathyLaughter 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/GEEAK0Oj0kE ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #laughteristhebestmedicine #laughteryoga #stressmanagement

    Laughter Yoga for Stress, Joy & Well-Being | Cathy Nesbitt
  6. Sep 18

    Mind Coaching for Home Builders & Trades Professionals | Jay Meacham

    What if one of the hardest experiences of your life eventually helped reveal your purpose? When Jay Meacham was 13, his family lost their home to a fire—an experience he later recognized as deeply connected to where he was called to serve. Today, Jay is the go-to Mind Coach for home builders, remodelers, and trades professionals, helping leaders build clarity, resilience, and purpose. His journey also included leaving a decades-long corporate career to pursue more meaningful work. ✨ A few lessons from our conversation: • Difficult experiences can point us toward where we're meant to serve. • Finding purpose often requires reflection, faith, and courage. • Your past career doesn’t have to define your next chapter. • Meaningful change can begin with one intentional decision. 👤 About Our Guest Jay Meacham is the go-to Mind Coach for home builders, remodelers, and trades professionals. Drawing on decades of operational and executive experience, he helps leaders build clarity, resilience, purpose, and confidence. His work bridges faith, leadership, and transformation, helping people become who they were created to be. Jay also serves as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church, bringing together faith, leadership, transformation, and service. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Jay Meacham 🌐 Website: https://coachjaymeacham.com/ 💼 LinkedIn – Jay's Permanent Deacon milestone: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jay-meacham-6a66668_a-milestone-im-honored-to-share-with-my-activity-7474939889839448064-jAzo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGFWl4Byrv4-RhU3M_7OWqg1cznsa7Tuwo 🏠 LinkedIn – Home building/leadership: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jay-meacham-6a66668_at-homoly-design-build-every-home-is-a-activity-7442678210108059650-lYce?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGFWl4Byrv4-RhU3M_7OWqg1cznsa7Tuwo 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/VJEm1Y8x6AI ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #faithandleadership #purposedriven #leadership #resilience #careertransition #careerchange #businesscoaching #businessleadership #personaltransformation #WhatTheWhyPodcast #BarbaraAnneGardenhire-Mills

    Mind Coaching for Home Builders & Trades Professionals | Jay Meacham
  7. Sep 12

    The 8 Pillars of INFINITE Leadership | Kylee Leota PART 2

    What if the biggest risk isn’t making a change—but staying exactly where you are? In this powerful two-part conversation on "What The Why?!?", Kylee Leota, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework, explores the connection between personal transformation and the way we show up as leaders. In Part 1, Kylee opens up about courage, fear, change, and the cost of inaction—reminding us that fearlessness doesn’t mean having no fear. It means recognizing what we’re afraid of and choosing to move forward anyway. Then, in Part 2, the conversation shifts to leadership as Kylee takes us inside her INFINITE Leadership Framework and explores psychological safety, emotional intelligence, innovation, service-based leadership, and continuous growth. ✨ A few powerful takeaways: • Consider the cost of doing nothing when you're afraid to make a change. • Meaningful transformation can begin with one small, intentional choice. • Psychological safety creates space for people to belong, learn, contribute, and challenge respectfully. • Great leadership requires us to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn. • Leadership isn't a destination—we continue to evolve as the people and leaders we become. 💭 What could change if you stopped asking, “What if I fail?” and started asking, “What will it cost me if nothing changes?” 👤About Kylee Leota Kylee is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework. A globally recognised leadership and behaviour expert with more than 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and organisations create cultures of psychological safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her practical, human-centred approach helps leaders navigate change, unlock human potential, and create lasting transformation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share the conversation with someone who may benefit from Johannes's message. Connect with Kylee: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/elements4success 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylee-leota-leadershipexpert/ 🌐 Website: https://elements4success.com.au/ 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube Part 1: https://youtu.be/5otTYTeWzNI Part 2: https://youtu.be/Bqi0AC7s1ro ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #elements4success #WhatTheWhyPodcast #KyleeLeota #InfiniteLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipTransformation #HumanCenteredLeadership #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership

    The 8 Pillars of INFINITE Leadership | Kylee Leota PART 2
  8. Sep 12

    The Fear of Change vs. the Cost of Staying the Same | Kylee Leota PART 1

    What if the biggest risk isn’t making a change—but staying exactly where you are? In this powerful two-part conversation on "What The Why?!?", Kylee Leota, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework, explores the connection between personal transformation and the way we show up as leaders. In Part 1, Kylee opens up about courage, fear, change, and the cost of inaction—reminding us that fearlessness doesn’t mean having no fear. It means recognizing what we’re afraid of and choosing to move forward anyway. Then, in Part 2, the conversation shifts to leadership as Kylee takes us inside her INFINITE Leadership Framework and explores psychological safety, emotional intelligence, innovation, service-based leadership, and continuous growth. ✨ A few powerful takeaways: • Consider the cost of doing nothing when you're afraid to make a change. • Meaningful transformation can begin with one small, intentional choice. • Psychological safety creates space for people to belong, learn, contribute, and challenge respectfully. • Great leadership requires us to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn. • Leadership isn't a destination—we continue to evolve as the people and leaders we become. 💭 What could change if you stopped asking, “What if I fail?” and started asking, “What will it cost me if nothing changes?” 👤About Kylee Leota Kylee is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework. A globally recognised leadership and behaviour expert with more than 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and organisations create cultures of psychological safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her practical, human-centred approach helps leaders navigate change, unlock human potential, and create lasting transformation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share the conversation with someone who may benefit from Johannes's message. Connect with Kylee: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/elements4success 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylee-leota-leadershipexpert/ 🌐 Website: https://elements4success.com.au/ 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube Part 1: https://youtu.be/5otTYTeWzNI Part 2: https://youtu.be/Bqi0AC7s1ro ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #elements4success #WhatTheWhyPodcast #KyleeLeota #InfiniteLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipTransformation #HumanCenteredLeadership #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership

    The Fear of Change vs. the Cost of Staying the Same | Kylee Leota PART 1
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About

"What The Why?!?" is a podcast featuring conversations with a wide variety of leaders from all walks of life about why they do what they do and how they figured things out. Now in its fifth season, the podcast continues to explore the insights, experiences, and perspectives that shape leadership, growth, and personal and professional success. Earlier seasons of "What The Why?!? with Barbara Anne" are also available, giving listeners access to a rich library of conversations across multiple platforms. Access our episodes on your preferred platform here: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA