Done Pretending

Susan Houston
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Done Pretending is a sanctuary for the soul where healing meets authentic living. Host Susan Houston shares powerful stories of courage, freedom, and truth that inspire you to drop the mask, embrace who you really are, and live the life you were created for.

  1. 1D AGO

    Everything You Need Is Right in Front of You (But Are You Listening?)

    Tom Pizio thought he had it all figured out. Four decades in business, a 5x sales increase in an industry that grows at 3%, director-level success. Then the company sold, his health crashed, and he found himself with tubes coming in and out of his body, jobless, asking one simple question: what's next? The external validation was there, but the foundation wasn't. What followed was a journey from corporate pretending to authentic purpose, captured in over 100 videos shot in his backyard forest. Tom discovered that everything you need is right in front of you, but the real question is: are you listening This conversation explores the layers of reinvention, why change feels terrible before it feels good, and the critical difference between having all the right moves and having the right foundation. Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction [00:03:08] Why do we stop pretending as we age? [00:05:32] Clarity comes in stages. [00:07:18] What paved the way for “Walk Your Path” [00:10:00] Taking inventory: what am I good at vs. what do I like? [00:18:08] Taking small steps or building on layers.  [00:19:35] Finding your grounding stone: what would you die for? [00:23:15] You can't make decisions when confused. [00:27:01] Everything you need is right in front of you. Memorable Quotes “I had all this external validation of what I wanted to do, but I didn't have a foundation." – Tom Pizio "If you're on an airplane, and there's turbulence, and suddenly the masks fall down. You need to put that mask on yourself first to breathe oxygen before you can help anyone else." – Tom Pizio "The one piece of wisdom is everything that you need is right in front of you. The universe will speak to you. And the question I have is, are you listening?" – Tom Pizio Join our Weekly Wisdom on my website: www.thesusanhouston.com Connect with Tom Pizio: Website:https://www.tompizio.com/ Email: info@tompizio.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.pizio/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tompizio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tompizio/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomtalkswyp Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    30 min

  2. FEB 3

    Episode 11 | Why Being Seen & Heard Matters: Authenticity, Emotions, & True Connection

    We're all desperate to be seen and heard, but most of us are going about it completely wrong. We talk louder, explain more, polish our message, and somehow still don't land. What if the problem isn't that people aren't listening, but that we're speaking from the wrong place entirely? In this episode, I explore the uncomfortable truth about why performing never gets us the connection we crave, and what happens when unexpressed emotions get trapped in our bodies. Through raw personal stories, including a brutal caregiving day with my 91-year-old mother, I reveal why authenticity is a practice that requires honest feedback from people we trust, and not a mindset shift. Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:48] Connection is forged through presence.  [00:03:31] The surface self vs. the grounded self.  [00:04:28] Authenticity as a practice. [00:06:18] Emotion is energy.  [00:12:10] Being seen and being heard. Memorable Quotes: "Being seen and heard is a basic human need, not a luxury, not an ego thing. It's a need." [00:03:17] – Susan Houston "If you're trying to grow without true, honest feedback from people that you can trust, you're not evolving. You are rehearsing your blind spots." [00:05:32] – Susan Houston Join our Weekly Wisdom on my website: www.thesusanhouston.com Listen to the episode with Faith Rumer through these platforms:  Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tyukGESWz74DcqPCprVdS?si=owlxh4OKThm6hkNclOCHtg  Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-authentic-voice-is-your-power-interview-with/id1857909658?i=1000746825331  YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIR3sQ328Fs  Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    16 min

  3. JAN 27

    Episode 10 | Your Authentic Voice is Your Power - Interview with Faith Rumer

    What happens when a six-year-old in a pink dress gets told "it's not nice to show off"? For most of us, we learn to shrink. We perform instead of express. We seek approval instead of connection. Faith Rumer, Bestselling Author and Voice Coach to Academy Award winners and global CEOs, reveals why we're living in an epidemic of people not feeling truly seen and heard. She breaks down the science of how unexpressed emotions literally get stuck in our bodies, blocking our energy and authentic voice. But here's what's fascinating: the same place in your heart that holds grief also holds love. This is about aligning your mind, body, and spirit so that who you really are finally lands with others. Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:03:07] The epidemic of not being seen or heard. [00:07:11] The real basic human need of being seen and heard [00:17:26] The 7–55–38 communication rule. [00:20:21] The four stages of powerful communication [00:27:01] People are just people.  [00:28:23] Are we all trying to do this alone? [00:29:05] The importance of community.  [00:30:37] Raising Your Impact Coursework  Memorable Quotes: "To become an awesome communicator, my formula is we need dynamic presence plus genuine connection." [00:22:31] – Faith Rumer "Being seen and heard means that who you are is landing. It's not just the words you're saying. Because if your mind and your body and your spirit aren't aligned, you could be saying all the right things, but it's not gonna make a difference." [00:16:56] – Faith Rumer Ready to free and empower your emotions? Faith is offering an 8-week live online course, "Find & Empower Your Feelings," designed to help you reset your nervous system, unlock blocked emotions, and use the power of your voice and body to live with authenticity, confidence, and impact. Limited to 12 participants for personalized guidance. Sign up at: courses.raisingyourimpact.com/findyourfeelings-jan26. Connect with Faith Rumer: Website: https://raisingyourimpact.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithrumer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-rumer-7314817 Email: Support@RaisingYourImpact.com Connect with Susan Houston: Website: https://www.thesusanhouston.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    33 min

  4. JAN 20

    Episode 9 | The Artist Who Became a Mental Health Advocate: Journey Through Invisible Disability

    What happens when a struggling artist discovers her true calling isn't in selling her work, but in using her lived experience to help others heal? Sage Homan-Muise shares her powerful journey from navigating invisible disability as a child to becoming a mental health peer support specialist in Portland, Oregon. In this deeply personal conversation, Sage opens up about learning to self-advocate through years of vision challenges, the reality of being a self-employed artist, and how her struggles ultimately led her to meaningful work supporting others in their mental health journeys. Her insights into breaking stigma and the simple power of showing up for people without judgment offer hope for anyone feeling lost in their own path. This episode reminds us that our struggles often become our greatest strengths, and sometimes the most circuitous route leads us exactly where we need to be. Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:03:00] Sage's transition from art to mental health work [00:04:00] Lessons learned as a struggling artist [00:09:00] What peer support specialists do [00:14:00] Growing up with invisible disability [00:17:00] Learning to self-advocate in college [00:22:00] The power of showing up without judgment Memorable Quotes: "I learned what I liked and what I didn't like, and there's really only one way to do that and that it's through trying." [00:05:18] – Sage Homan-Muise "This isn't something I asked for and I wanna deal with, but I deserve to have an equal opportunity to others." [00:18:21] – Sage Homan-Muise Join our FREE Skool Community:  https://www.skool.com/done-pretending-susan-houston-4882 Connect with Sage Homan-Muise: Website: https://sageflanneryart.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sageflanneryart Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    27 min

  5. JAN 13

    Episode 8 | Family Trauma to Success with Brent Mortensen

    Family dynamics have a way of following us into adulthood, especially when childhood pressure, unspoken rules, and complicated relationships are part of the story. I open up a real conversation about how those early experiences shape our identity, our choices, and who we trust when things get hard. We talk about why having the right support system is often the difference between staying stuck and actually moving forward. I sat down with my close friend Brent Mortensen, a father of four from Boise, Idaho, and the Founder of The Loop Method, a practical system for mastering pressure, rebuilding identity, and making clear decisions under stress. Brent is also the creator of the Quantum Helix Platform (QHP), a wealth strategy built to turn complexity into durable, scalable outcomes by blending neuroscience, identity, and execution. He shares how his own personal struggles pushed him to build tools that help people think clearly and stay grounded when life feels overwhelming. We get honest about family pain, including what it was like for Brent to be disowned for speaking his truth and how that reshaped his sense of self. We also talk about processing emotions without getting consumed by them, and why healing isn’t about rushing to an endpoint. If you’ve ever felt crushed by pressure, unsure where you belong, or hesitant to use your voice, this conversation is for you. Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:03:12] Finding the right support. [00:07:16] Trust in friendships. [00:10:00] Family dynamics and trauma. [00:12:23] Family impact on personal identity. [00:15:46] The power of forgiveness. [00:20:13] Emotional connection in leadership. [00:24:54] Helping the underestimated. Memorable Quotes: "When you can be present with the person and see them, that person now sees the CEO or the leader as a person that's safe and they feel much better and they are much more productive." [00:21:40] – Brent Mortensen "That's the awe and wonder of life is accepting where your path is taking you and enjoying that journey the whole way." [00:27:03] – Brent Mortensen Join our FREE Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/done-pretending-susan-houston-4882 Connect with Brent Mortensen: Email: brentmortensen1@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortensenmethod LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/brent-mortensen Twitter/X: https://x.com/mortensenloop YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mortensenmethodtheloop Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    31 min

  6. JAN 6

    Episode 7 | Reflection Before Resolution: Why 2025 Is the Year to Shed What No Longer Fits

    The end of the year has a quiet way of asking us to pause, even when the world is telling us to hurry up and move on. Before I jump headfirst into 2026, I wanted to sit with what 2025 actually brought up for me and why that matters more than another list of resolutions. In this episode, I talk about why reflection is a necessary part of moving forward. If you’ve ever felt tired before February even hits, this conversation will feel familiar. I share why our brains naturally look for closure and how carrying unresolved emotions into a new year can quietly drain our energy and focus. I also talk about the Year of the Snake and what it really means to shed old identities, habits, and expectations that no longer fit. I walk you through simple but powerful questions to help you notice what you’re ready to release before setting intentions for 2026.  This episode is a gentle reminder that slowing down is not falling behind. I talk honestly about why putting yourself first isn’t selfish, it’s how real growth happens. Together, we create space to let go of pressure, self-judgment, and the need to have everything figured out. If you want to start the new year feeling grounded, clear, and more like yourself, this one’s for you. Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:00:21] Closure and moving forward. [00:08:12] Shedding old identities for growth. [00:10:45] True self and purpose. Memorable Quotes: "Some of you are exhausted because you're still wearing an identity that once protected you, and it no longer fits." [00:06:00] – Susan Houston "You cannot move powerfully forward with dragging all of this emotional weight behind you. Unreleased baggage does not fuel your momentum. It will turn your momentum into burnout." [00:09:18] – Susan Houston Join our FREE Skool Community:  https://www.skool.com/done-pretending-susan-houston-4882 Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    14 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    Episode 6 | Finding Connection: Why Feeling Alone in a Crowd is More Common Than You Think (And What Your Brain is Secretly Doing About It)

    Being around people doesn’t always mean you feel connected, and that quiet kind of loneliness can sneak up on you fast. I’m talking about crowded loneliness, those moments when you’re in a room full of people but still feel invisible or out of place. I share some very real experiences where I felt that disconnect firsthand, even when I thought I “should” feel connected. This conversation starts by naming that feeling and reminding you there’s nothing wrong with you for having it. We also get into what’s actually happening beneath the surface, including the science of loneliness and how your nervous system reacts in social settings. I break down why feeling disconnected isn’t a mindset problem or a personal flaw, but often a biological response to not feeling safe or understood. You’ll learn how to spot those signals in your own body and why awareness alone can be a powerful first step. It’s about understanding yourself better, not fixing yourself. From there, I share practical ways to create deeper, more meaningful connections without forcing it or pretending. We talk about finding safe people, having more honest conversations, and shifting away from surface-level interactions that leave you drained. These are simple, real-life tools you can start using right away.  Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:03:10] Proximity does not guarantee connection. [00:04:50] The dilemma of crowded loneliness.  [00:06:35] Why does modern life supercharge loneliness? [00:08:34] Breaking the patterns of loneliness. [00:12:04] You are not odd nor broken. Memorable Quotes: "Connection isn't about quantity, it's about depth, and your brain definitely knows the difference." [00:05:10] – Susan Houston "Connection is not about being surrounded by people. It's about being seen." [00:12:41] – Susan Houston Join our FREE Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/done-pretending-susan-houston-4882 Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    15 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Episode 5 | Healing While Broken: Real Recovery Strategies

    Healing is rarely neat or linear, and most of the time it doesn’t look like progress at all. I talk about what it’s really like to begin healing when you still feel messy, unsure, and very much in the middle of things. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to look healed to start healing. If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along by now,” this conversation is for you. I share a simple but powerful shift that changed how I see healing: readiness doesn’t come first, healing does. We talk about why our culture’s obsession with before-and-after stories can quietly keep us stuck. I also reflect on how breakdowns can hold clarity we don’t see until later.  You’ll hear three practical things you can do today, even if you’re exhausted or overwhelmed. I talk about naming one struggle, offering your body one small kindness, and reaching for connection without pressure. These aren’t big fixes, but they’re small moments that create movement. If your healing feels invisible right now, I want you to know it still counts. Key Timestamps:  [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:01:14] Healing begins in the mess. [00:04:26] The readiness myth of healing. [00:09:56] Healing is an internal process. [00:14:06] Healing through self-care actions. [00:20:36] Healing in connection. [00:23:18] Healing through breaking open. Memorable Quotes: "Healing does not begin when you're ready. Healing creates readiness." [00:05:43] – Susan Houston "The absence of visible progress is not the absence of progress." [00:10:35] – Susan Houston Join our FREE Skool Community:  https://www.skool.com/done-pretending-susan-houston-4882 Connect with Susan Houston: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhouston.kienitz/ Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Done Pretending is a sanctuary for the soul where healing meets authentic living. Host Susan Houston shares powerful stories of courage, freedom, and truth that inspire you to drop the mask, embrace who you really are, and live the life you were created for.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Houston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susan Houston
  • Show Website
    Done Pretending