Compass Stories

Veronica Sterling
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement

Welcome to Compass Stories with Veronica Sterling — a podcast about navigating disruption with clarity, connection, and courage. Through honest conversations, storytelling, and reflections from the road, Veronica explores what it means to move forward with purpose during seasons of change. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and creator of The Commitment Compass, Veronica brings listeners into meaningful conversations about resilience, grief, leadership, caregiving, healing, reinvention, and the courage to realign when life feels uncertain. Each week features authentic guest conversations alongside personal travel diary reflections recorded during a cross-country journey in a 42-year-old Airstream motorhome. From national parks to small towns and big cities, these episodes explore the experiences, questions, and moments that shape us most. If you’ve ever felt stuck in transition, burned out, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, Compass Stories offers thoughtful conversations and practical encouragement to help you rediscover meaning, strengthen connection, and move forward with courage. Topics include resilience, purpose, grief and healing, burnout, caregiving, first responder wellness, personal growth, leadership, mental wellness, and navigating life transitions.

  1. Aug 10

    The Power of Failure: How to Grow Through Life's Storms

    In this episode, John Kelly shares insights on failure, resilience, and the importance of having tough conversations with others. Discover how embracing failure as a learning tool can transform your life and relationships. Guest Bio: National keynote presenter and law enforcement life coach, Retired Sgt. John Kelly faced several attempts on his life from suspects over his 30 year career in law enforcement. None of these attempts came as close to killing him, as he did to killing himself. "Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds, A Deputy's Life of Redemption" chronicles his life journey. An alcoholic, addict, and adulterer, confronting PTS, and suicidal ideation, John tears open his life, to provide a roadmap to personal accountability and growth. His “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” Program takes a tactical approach to personal development and team building. John's vulnerability in discussing his failures gives the audience permission to forgive themselves and more importantly the courage and strength to keep getting up, striving to be better today than yesterday. Key Topics The importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity The role of tough conversations in relationships and growth The myth of bouncing back and the real meaning of resilience The impact of seasons in life and how to navigate them The importance of community and support in overcoming storms The dangers of victim mentality and empowering self-responsibility Sound Bites "Seasons change, and so do we." "Love enough to have tough conversations." "Your story is a never-ending book." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background03:27 Failure as a moral obligation to share lessons06:47 The OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act11:42 Training for a triathlon as a metaphor for failure16:44 The importance of early intervention and tough conversations25:08 Protecting your peace and setting boundaries33:38 Seasons of life and personal growth41:43 The power of community and support systems49:54 Overcoming victim mentality and taking responsibility58:33 The simplicity of reaching out and having honest conversations1:06:43 The significance of presence and human connection1:07:51 Lessons learned from travel and life experiences1:16:55 Redefining resilience and moving forward with uncertainty1:39:59 The ongoing journey of self-improvement and growth [1, 2] Resources Connect with John www.lawenforcementlifecoach.com John on LinkedIn John Kelly | LinkedIn John's Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/law-enforcement-life-coach-sometimes-heroes-need-help/id1618348574 Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com

    The Power of Failure: How to Grow Through Life's Storms

  2. Aug 6

    Travel Diary: White Rim Road & How Our Values Guide Us When Life's Trail is Unclear

    In this final travel diary from the road, Veronica shares the adventure of traversing in the back country of Canyonlands National Park. She shares the 3D Value Check for choosing our core values and aligning our actions to it. Key topics Using adventure as a metaphor for life's journeyThe importance of defining and displaying core valuesMaking decisions aligned with personal valuesThe concept of a 3D values checkTrusting your direction without seeing the entire road Takeaways Your core values should guide all aspects of your life, not just work or family.Visible actions aligned with values indicate you're on the right path.Decisions should be based on alignment with values, even if uncomfortable.Trust the direction of your values, even when the road is unclear. Sound Bites "Where's the road? I can't see the road.""Use your values as your compass.""Decide what to do based on alignment." Chapters 00:00Exploring the White Rim Road 07:52Navigating Life's Uncertainties with Core Values Resources: Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com

  3. Aug 3

    Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway, But First IMAGINE It: Life Lessons from a Trauma Therapist

    In this insightful conversation, Mary Vicario shares her personal journey from education to trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces and understanding behavior as communication. Discover practical strategies for fostering resilience and healing in both children and adults. Guest Bio Mary Vicario, LPCC-S is the Founder of Finding Hope Consulting and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor, Certified Trauma Specialist who holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute.  Through her affiliation with the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at Wellesley College and ongoing training at Harvard Medical School, Mary translates Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) and neuroscience into in-home and community-based trauma programming to build resilience and improve stability for individuals of all ages and ability levels.  Sound bites "Limits connected with safety give us felt safety." "Shame makes people feel like they are the mistake." "Resilience is adaptation, not bouncing back." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 01:02 Mary Vicario's background and journey 03:20 Story of Sue and Steve: Building trust and safety 1033:18:52 The importance of saying no before saying yes 17305:32:24 Applying trauma-informed principles in adult life 20333:19:08 Using limits and safety to foster healing 24111:05:50 Creating safe spaces and the significance of safety signs 26916:39:13 The brain's negativity bias and resilience 33416:39:13 Practicing fear and imagining success 36888:52:33 The power of positive prediction and visualization 43388:52:36 Trauma-responsive care and understanding behavior 52916:39:34 The layers of emotion: anger, sadness, fear 60999:59:46 The impact of shame and guilt on behavior 70138:53:12 The message of resilience and healing 83944:26:40 Resources and closing remarks Keywords trauma-informed care, resilience, safe spaces, behavior as communication, healing, education, mental health, neuroscience, connection, safety Resources – Reading List From This Episode Bruce Perry: What Happened to You: Conversations of Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Lou Cozolino: The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection Daniel Siegel: Personality and Wholeness in Therapy: Integrating 9 Patterns of Developmental Pathways in Clinical Practice Resources – Mentioned in This Episode Chief Tom Synan on Compass Stories: Watch Full Convo Hear Matthew Gellen on Compass Stories: Watch Full Convo Hear Connect With Mary: Home | Finding Hope Consulting, LLC Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com

    Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway, But First IMAGINE It: Life Lessons from a Trauma Therapist

  4. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    Travel Diary: Bryce Canyon, Self Discovery & Realizing Shifting Perspective and Growth

    Veronica Sterling shares her transformative journey of travel, self-discovery, and how her perspective has evolved through her adventures in Bryce Canyon and beyond. This episode explores the importance of curiosity, reflection, and embracing change in life. Keywords self-discovery, travel, Bryce Canyon, perspective, personal growth, reflection, adventure, life changes, inspiration Key topics Travel as a catalyst for self-discovery The importance of reflection and curiosity The transformative power of nature and landscapes Personal growth through life experiences The role of perspective in understanding ourselves and the world Takeaways Travel can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and understanding. Reflection and curiosity are essential for personal growth. Experiencing nature deeply can change our perspective on life. Building a life around purpose and exploration leads to fulfillment. Change in perspective often comes from immersive experiences, not just observation. Sound bites "Travel stopped being just fun, it became purposeful." "The view is spectacular, but the real change is within me." "Some journeys are made for wonder, not conclusions." Chapters 00:00 The Origin Story of Travel 05:21 Personal Growth Through Exploration Resources Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com

  5. Jul 27

    The Power of Curiosity in Neurodiversity & Inclusion

    In this episode, Laura Anthony shares her journey from childhood experiences with neurodiversity to her work as a disability lawyer and advocate for neurodiverse workplaces. She discusses the importance of understanding, curiosity, and systemic design in creating inclusive environments that benefit everyone. Laura Anthony is a nationally recognized speaker, disability attorney, and workplace consultant with decades of experience in neurodiversity, inclusive leadership, and dispute resolution. Drawing from her training and roles leading neurodiverse teams, Laura works with leaders who want to transform their workforce and culture through neuroinclusion. She partners with organizations ranging from global brands to local schools, helping them to recognize the different ways people think and communicate and to design systems where those differences spark innovation and growth. Laura has delivered keynotes and led corporate trainings for a variety of audiences, including Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, education institutions and associations representing legal, health care, education, and human resources professionals. Her work has been featured in Forbes and on leading podcasts, reflecting the growing recognition of neurodiversity as a workforce and talent priority. You can learn more about Laura’s work at lauraganthony.com. Keywords neurodiversity, inclusion, leadership, systemic design, curiosity, workplace culture, disability law, neurodiverse workforce Key topics Neurodiversity and systemic design Assumption of the risk and behavior interpretation Creating inclusive environments through systemic ramps The importance of curiosity over assumptions Leadership's role in fostering neuroinclusive cultures Personal stories illustrating neurodiversity in care and work The misconception of neurodivergence as superpowers Expanding the lens on diversity and inclusion Sound bites "Great minds don't think alike" "Ask how they are, not what’s wrong" "Neurodivergence is not a superpower" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 00:29 Guest's childhood and career path 188:50:50 Living with neurodiversity in the family 48055:32:34 The importance of empathy and authentic connection 139166:39:15 The risks of assumptions in interpreting behavior 200555:32:39 Core concepts: Great minds don't think alike 237777:46:05 Universal systems as ramps for inclusion 276944:26:10 Diversity, inclusion, and expanding the lens 318333:19:33 Applying neurodiversity understanding outside of work 378888:52:56 Personal story of caregiving during COVID 431388:52:57 Lessons from caregiving and making assumptions 550833:19:49 The myth of neurodivergence as a superpower 672499:59:56 Creating environments that support everyone 696111:06:38 How to fix a stubbed toe in relationships 786111:06:40 The importance of valuing differences in systems 812777:46:40 Closing thoughts and appreciation Resources Laura's Website www.lauraganthony.com Laura's LinkedIn Laura G. Anthony | LinkedIn Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com Veronica Sterling | LinkedIn

    The Power of Curiosity in Neurodiversity & Inclusion

  6. Jul 23 ·  Bonus

    Travel Diary: Zion NP Believing in the Possibility & Being Accountable to Making the Dream Come True

    In this travel diary, Veronica Sterling reflects on her journey to visit 50 out of 63 national parks, sharing insights on accountability, perseverance, and the importance of taking actionable steps towards achieving dreams. She emphasizes that extraordinary lives are built through consistent effort and decision-making, rather than relying solely on belief or talent. Takeaways Celebrating milestones is important in any journey. Achieving big dreams requires accountability and action. It's not about being superhuman, but about taking steps forward. Every setback can be an opportunity to ask, 'What is the next step?' Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary lives through consistent effort. Dreams should not be left on a shelf for someday. The journey is filled with challenges, but perseverance is key. Building a life you love is a series of decisions. Self-doubt can be overcome by focusing on actionable steps. Celebrating progress is essential to staying motivated. Sound Bites 00:00 "We just kept waking up every day." 05:02 "What is the next step?" 07:41 "Being superhuman isn't required." Chapters 00:00 Celebrating Milestones in Nature 05:59 Building Extraordinary Lives Through Action Resources: Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com

    Travel Diary: Zion NP Believing in the Possibility & Being Accountable to Making the Dream Come True

  7. Jul 20

    Jay Ehrnschwender: The Hidden Layers of Pain, Understanding Emotional & Physical Suffering

    In this insightful conversation, Jay Ehrnschwender, a pain expert and physical therapist, explores the complex nature of pain, its emotional and physical components, and how understanding these can help us navigate suffering and foster healing through connection, curiosity, and self-compassion. Jay is a physical therapist working near Cincinnati OH.  He started his career with a focus in orthopedics but has shifted to working with patients stuck in chronic pain.  Jay has been trained in a biopsychosocial approach to pain symptoms.  This training is notable because it requires not only the consideration of the physical self but also includes the influence of interpersonal dynamics and primitive protective reactions that often exist within the complexities of long-maintained pain. Keywords pain, emotional pain, physical pain, healing, connection, curiosity, self-compassion, pain management, mental health, physical therapy Key topics The dual nature of pain as sensory and emotional experience The role of curiosity in pain management and healing The impact of shame, stigma, and social support on pain and suffering Strategies for cultivating safety, connection, and authenticity in pain recovery The interconnectedness of physical and emotional pain and how to navigate it Sound bites "Masking often hides shame." "Fear is a major driver of pain." "Small wins build resilience." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pain and Therapy 02:53 Understanding Pain: A Dual Experience 05:52 Curiosity as a Tool for Navigating Pain 08:35 The Nature of Pain: Sensory and Emotional Components 11:31 The Cycle of Pain and Emotional Distress 14:23 The Interconnection of Emotional and Physical Pain 17:32 Stigma and Shame in Pain Experiences 20:27 Overcoming Shame and Building Connection 27:57 Understanding Suffering and Connection 29:31 The Role of Authenticity in Healing 31:42 Promoting Autonomy in Recovery 33:25 Healing Together in Shared Pain 37:45 Self-Compassion and Internal Support 40:19 The Intersection of Joy and Pain 43:20 Finding Hope in the Midst of Pain Resources International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) - https://www.iasp-pain.org/ Listen to Jay's Podcast, Rewiring Resilience https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewiring-resilience/id1819464502 Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com

    Jay Ehrnschwender: The Hidden Layers of Pain, Understanding Emotional & Physical Suffering

  8. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    Travel Diary: The Loneliest Road & Scripts to Repair Disconnected Relationships

    Veronica Sterling reflects on loneliness, connection, and reconnection strategies inspired by her journey along the Loneliest Road in America. She offers practical scripts to help rebuild relationships and emphasizes personal accountability in overcoming loneliness. Keywords loneliness, reconnection, relationships, communication scripts, personal accountability, mental health, emotional well-being Key Topics Loneliness as a mismatch between desired and actual social connections Personal accountability in relationships Scripts for reconnecting after disconnection The importance of small acts of courage in relationships Reflecting on long-term relationship neglect takeaways Loneliness is about the mismatch between desired and actual social connections. Taking responsibility for disconnection can facilitate healing. Using specific scripts can help own your behavior and open dialogue. Small acts of courage deposit trust in relationships. Relationships are rebuilt through consistent, small deposits of effort. Sound Bites "You deserve consistency, and I’m sorry I disappeared." "I hate that this situation has created a distance between us." "Sometimes we participate in the circumstances that create loneliness." Chapters 00:00 The Loneliest Road in America 13:24 Reconnecting Through Accountability SCRIPTS I Crumbled Under Pressure Hey, I want to apologize for going radio silent over the last few months. I got really overwhelmed by personal things and completely shut down, which isn't fair to you. You deserve consistency, and I'm sorry that I disappeared. I want you to know I value our friendship so much. And there isn't any pressure right now, but when you're ready, I'd love to buy you a cup of coffee and catch up properly.   Repairing a Direct Conflict Script Hey, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how things left off between us. I am sorry for my part in how it was handled. I was defensive. I didn't listen to where you were coming from. And I hate that this situation has created a distance between us. And I don't expect to fix things overnight, but I want to apologize. And I'd love to listen when you're open to talking again.   Acknowledging Steady Drift Script hey, I was reflecting on things, and I realize how much distance has grown between us. Honestly, it makes me sad. I know life gets busy, but I haven't been as present or as proactive as I should have been to keep our connection strong. I'm sorry for my silence, and I'd love to start putting in the effort to rebuild things at a pace that's comfortable for both of us. Resources Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com

    Travel Diary: The Loneliest Road & Scripts to Repair Disconnected Relationships
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Compass Stories with Veronica Sterling — a podcast about navigating disruption with clarity, connection, and courage. Through honest conversations, storytelling, and reflections from the road, Veronica explores what it means to move forward with purpose during seasons of change. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and creator of The Commitment Compass, Veronica brings listeners into meaningful conversations about resilience, grief, leadership, caregiving, healing, reinvention, and the courage to realign when life feels uncertain. Each week features authentic guest conversations alongside personal travel diary reflections recorded during a cross-country journey in a 42-year-old Airstream motorhome. From national parks to small towns and big cities, these episodes explore the experiences, questions, and moments that shape us most. If you’ve ever felt stuck in transition, burned out, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, Compass Stories offers thoughtful conversations and practical encouragement to help you rediscover meaning, strengthen connection, and move forward with courage. Topics include resilience, purpose, grief and healing, burnout, caregiving, first responder wellness, personal growth, leadership, mental wellness, and navigating life transitions.

Information

  • Creator
    Veronica Sterling
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Veronica Sterling