Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast

Samantha Elizabeth

Welcome to Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast.Hosted by me, Samantha Elizabeth—coach, consultant, and a medically diagnosed stressed-out human.Let’s be real: life is a chaotic dumpster fire sometimes, and stress? It’s the gasoline. Whether it’s work, relationships, your never-ending to-do list, or just existing in a world where emails never stop—this podcast is your judgment-free zone to unpack it all.Each episode, we’ll dive into the real shit that makes us unravel—and more importantly, how to stitch ourselves back together. Some days it'll be me ranting with love and truth bombs. Other days I’ll bring in guests to spill their stress stories and survival tactics.Swearing sometimes happens (and that’s okay).This isn’t your typical "breathe in, breathe out" wellness podcast. It’s honest, occasionally inappropriate, and always aimed at helping you go from a full-blown stress mess… to just slightly less of a mess.Let’s stress less, together.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 32: Energy Overdraft! with Sarah Deane

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 33: Energy Overdraft! with Sarah Deane Your energy is a finite resource. Are you paying attention to where you spend it? In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha is joined by Sarah Deane of MEvolution to discuss human capacity, energy management, and what happens when we repeatedly demand more from ourselves than we have available to give. Sarah compares energy to a bank account: when we continually spend without restoring our capacity, we eventually end up in an energy overdraft. Samantha and Sarah explore how constant urgency, unrealistic expectations, rumination, overextending ourselves for others, and trying to control uncontrollable outcomes can quietly drain that account. They also discuss: • Why being productive around the clock is not sustainable • How to distinguish between control and influence • Why someone else’s urgency does not always require an immediate response • How beating yourself up creates even more energy drain • The importance of consciously choosing where your energy goes • How small, daily practices can support sustainable performance and well-being Connect with Sarah and MEvolution: Website: https://www.jointhemevolution.com/ Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdeane MEvolution on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mevolution-inc MEvolution on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jointhemevolution/ SPECIAL OFFER FOR STRESS MESS LISTENERS Get 20% off the MEvolution Explorer Pass and receive three months of on-demand classes, experiments, and practices designed to help you build and sustain your human capacity through energy management. Use code STRESSLESS by December 13, 2026: https://www.jointhemevolution.com/energyexplorer Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC samanthaelizabeth.com

    Episode 32: Energy Overdraft! with Sarah Deane
  2. Aug 11

    Episode 31: Talk About It! with Elvia de la Garza Morales

    Send us Fan Mail What happens to the stress we never talk about? In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha is joined by Elvia de la Garza Morales, co-founder of DLG Research, a consumer research firm specializing in Hispanic and multicultural consumers. Through her work conducting focus groups and individual interviews, Elvia has seen how conversations that start with products, services, and consumer behavior can uncover something much deeper: the emotions, worries, and stress people are carrying beneath the surface. Samantha and Elvia talk about how our upbringing, culture, family dynamics, gender expectations, and relationship with money can shape the way we experience and express stress. They dive deeper into the expectations placed on men, particularly Hispanic men, to be strong, provide for their families, remain grateful, and handle their struggles without talking about them. They also discuss why vulnerability and strength can coexist, the importance of creating judgment-free spaces for people to talk openly, and why simply becoming aware of what we are feeling can be a powerful first step. Because sometimes stress isn’t just about what we’re going through. It’s also about what we’re carrying without ever saying out loud. In this episode: How upbringing can shape our relationship with money and stressDifferences in how men and women may express emotionsCultural and family expectations surrounding mental healthThe pressure Hispanic men may feel to provide and remain strongHow gratitude and positivity can sometimes make it harder to acknowledge strugglesWhy psychological safety matters when encouraging someone to open upThe connection between vulnerability, resilience, and strengthWhy emotional awareness is an important first stepHow we can normalize conversations about feelings, especially with the boys and men in our livesConnect with Elvia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elviadelagarzamorales/ DLG Research: https://dlgresearch.com/ Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC samanthaelizabeth.com

    Episode 31: Talk About It! with Elvia de la Garza Morales
  3. Apr 28

    Episode 27: Panic Attack or Heart Attack?! with Dr. Joseph Luftman

    Send us Fan Mail What if the thing you think is just stress… isn’t? In this episode of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Joseph Luftman, a board-certified physician with over 25 years of experience, who experienced a near-fatal “widowmaker” heart attack that completely changed how he understands stress, burnout, and healing. As a physician, he thought he understood the body. But when he became the patient, everything shifted. We talk about:  The difference between panic attacks and heart attacks—and why it’s not always clear  How chronic stress and burnout can show up physically  The role of inflammation and long-term stress on the body  Why high achievers often ignore warning signs  Micro practices for stress relief that actually fit into real life  Mindfulness, sound, and practical ways to reset your nervous system Dr. Luftman is the author of The Widowmaker’s Gift: Balancing Science and Well-Being in Healthcare, a powerful blend of personal story and practical tools for healing burnout and reconnecting with yourself.  If you’ve ever brushed something off as “just stress,” this episode might make you think twice. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Joseph Luftman Website: https://saturationofsound.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saturation_sound LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephluftmanmd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saturation_of_sound X: https://x.com/saturationsound 📘 About the Book The Widowmaker’s Gift shares Dr. Luftman’s journey from burnout and a life-threatening heart attack to a more balanced, intentional approach to health. It blends Western medicine with mindfulness, sound healing, and simple, time-efficient practices designed for real life—no retreats or rigid routines required. Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC samanthaelizabeth.com

    Episode 27: Panic Attack or Heart Attack?! with Dr. Joseph Luftman

About

Welcome to Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast.Hosted by me, Samantha Elizabeth—coach, consultant, and a medically diagnosed stressed-out human.Let’s be real: life is a chaotic dumpster fire sometimes, and stress? It’s the gasoline. Whether it’s work, relationships, your never-ending to-do list, or just existing in a world where emails never stop—this podcast is your judgment-free zone to unpack it all.Each episode, we’ll dive into the real shit that makes us unravel—and more importantly, how to stitch ourselves back together. Some days it'll be me ranting with love and truth bombs. Other days I’ll bring in guests to spill their stress stories and survival tactics.Swearing sometimes happens (and that’s okay).This isn’t your typical "breathe in, breathe out" wellness podcast. It’s honest, occasionally inappropriate, and always aimed at helping you go from a full-blown stress mess… to just slightly less of a mess.Let’s stress less, together.