The Short Rest

Tiffany Sattler

The Short Rest is a storytelling podcast where guests share the real, raw moments that shaped them: grief, growth, resilience, and everything in between. These aren’t expert interviews or highlight reels. They’re lived experiences told with heart. Each episode invites you to pause, reflect, and connect with stories that remind us: ✨ You’re not alone. ✨ Healing isn’t linear. ✨ There’s hope in the middle of the mess. No matter where you are in your journey, there's a seat for you by the fire. Subscribe today and take your Short Rest.

Episodes

  1. Mar 9

    TSR S2 E1: The Person You Become After Brain Injury - Clara Schroeder

    At 25, Clara Schroeder’s life changed in an instant when a car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. The athlete, horseback rider, and outdoor adventurer she had always been, suddenly couldn’t balance on one foot, hold a conversation, or recognize the life she was living. What followed was a year and a half of misdiagnoses, invisible disability, and rebuilding her life piece by piece. Along the way, Clara discovered a resilience she never knew she had, deepened her calling as an ecotherapist, wrote her bestselling book ReNature, and found a new path rooted in healing—both for herself and others. If you’ve ever had to rediscover who you are after life forces everything to change, this one’s for you. Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized TBI is disability, full stop.There is light at the end of the tunnel, even when you can’t see it.It was all worth it because I met parts of myself that I don’t know I would have met otherwise. Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests Dr. Michael “Micky” Collins - UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion ProgramUniversity of California, San Francisco’s Outdoor Program The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Clara Schroeder’s LinkedInclaraschroeder.comReNature: How Nature Helps Us Feel Better and Do Better by Clara Schroeder---- Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/justin-lee/halcyon-days License code: I94CXG4ORITIG8ZF

    18 min
  2. 07/09/2025

    TSR S1 E5: Survivor's Guilt After Camp Fire In Paradise — Scott Mayfield

    In the chaos of California’s deadliest wildfire, Scott Mayfield grabbed his gas mask, knocked on doors, and evacuated neighbors single-handedly until smoke blinded him and fear finally won. What followed was years of self-punishment, survival guilt, and a slow, hard-fought climb back to joy. Now a multi-business owner with a life steeped in fantasy cartography and real estate deals, Scott shares the quiet war that followed the flames. Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized For a long time, I was just like, you have to go through more bad to prove that you are worth it when you are good.I did anything to get a sense of community, to feel like somebody loved me, because I could not for myself.Your grief is a ball in a box. It’s always moving, and every time it touches the side, you feel the grief and pain. In the beginning, the ball moves very fast, but as time goes by, the ball slows down.The story I told about myself, I said I deserve this.I felt this duty of trying to live for the 86 people that died, but I was trying to live for them in the agony they felt on their last day, not living to the best of what I could. Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests BetterHelp The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Scott’s Instagram - check out his art! ---- Music Credit: Upon the Waves by Aeris | https://freetouse.com/music/aeris Free To Use | ⁠⁠https://freetouse.com/music

    29 min
  3. 06/04/2025

    TSR S1 E4: Leaving Abuse to Become Whole — Sonja Ecklund

    At 26, Sonja Ecklund left an emotionally abusive relationship, moved into her mom’s basement, and started her life over from scratch. She thought she’d failed, but she was really set free. That experience reshaped her and became the foundation for how she now helps others do the same. Today, Sonja is a behavior change expert, financial social work coach, and board-certified health and wellness coach with 13+ years of experience guiding people through major transitions. Her work is rooted in clarity, compassion, and the belief that it’s never too late to choose yourself. Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized “Abuse never starts with the extreme. It’s a subtle erosion.”“Don’t stay in a relationship with someone who makes you feel small”.“My dog advocated for me in a way I had never been able to advocate for myself.”“Curiosity is what really helped me find the courage to move forward.”“I wish I realized sooner that money isn’t everything and my wellbeing was worth so much more than any number of thousands of dollars I lost by walking away from that relationship.” Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests Power And Control Wheel by Domestic Abuse Intervention ProjectOur family and friends who’ve come alongside us to help us heal. The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Sonja’s LinkedInSonja’s coaching and resource website: https://www.sonjaecklund.com/Sonja’s Planning for Meaningful Change Worksheet: https://www.sonjaecklund.com/planning-for-meaningful-change ---- Music Credit: Upon the Waves by Aeris | ⁠https://freetouse.com/music/aeris⁠ Free To Use |⁠ ⁠⁠https://freetouse.com/music

    31 min
  4. 05/24/2025

    TSR S1 E3: Building a Career from D&D — Joshua Selesnick

    Josh Selesnick is a visionary facilitator who transformed a bold idea—using Dungeons & Dragons for corporate team-building—into a full-time role as an L&D specialist at a global consultancy of 700+ consultants. Through storytelling, strategy, and unwavering belief in the power of play, he’s reshaping how remote teams connect, collaborate, and grow. But his journey from start-up to living the dream wasn’t as magical as it sounds. In this episode, Josh shares the winding road from living off savings and sheer belief to grinding for years in his startup…until one “yes” landed his biggest contract and set him on the path to his dream job.   If you’ve ever wondered whether your weird idea could work or questioned whether creativity has a place in corporate spaces, this episode is for you! Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized “No amount of enthusiasm can make a corporation make its decisions.”“I didn’t dream this would be where I ended, but I’m still getting what I dreamed about.”“The more fun you make using a tool, the more people are gonna learn everything it can do more deeply than they would if they went to a bootcamp or dry discussion.” Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests Self-development program: https://landmarkworldwide.com/Dvorah—Josh’s fiancé and shieldmate in this quest of life.Harlan—the benefactor who made this journey financially viable.Elizabeth—who turned my quest into a career.*And countless others who have supported Josh along the way!* The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Joshua’s LinkedInJosh’s Podcast Critical Role Models—Learn how to be a better storyteller, role-player, and GM by reflecting on the players/characters of Critical Role. ---- Music Credit: Upon the Waves by Aeris | https://freetouse.com/music/aeris Free To Use | ⁠⁠https://freetouse.com/music

    26 min
  5. 04/02/2025

    TSR S1 E2: From the Streets to C-Suite — Mishkin Cyr

    Mishkin Cyr is a recovered addict turned executive leader who empowers others to overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary growth. He inspires those who seek to make a real difference in the world, drawing on his unconventional journey and practical strategies for building resilience, fostering collaboration, and leading with integrity. In this episode, Mishkin shares how early trauma, isolation, and untreated dyslexia shaped his struggle with substance abuse (and the messy years-long climb out of it). From selling farm kittens for cash to sitting on the edge of Lake Ontario ready to end it all, his journey is brutally honest, unexpectedly funny, and deeply human. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your path, or whether it’s too late to change, this one’s for you. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions on substance abuse, addiction, and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care.  If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent help, dial 911 (US or Canada)For suicide or a mental health crisis, dial 988 (US or Canada) Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized “Somebody once told me: I’m not an alcoholic when I drink, I’m an alcoholic between drinking ‘cause that’s when I can't live with myself.’ For me, that was the truth.”“My integrity was so out of line that there was no self-worth within me.”“All the choices I had made in my life led me to this…Maybe I need to try somebody else’s path.”Karen said something in treatment that stuck. “If you could see yourself the way I do, you’d love yourself.” Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests USA: SAMHSA’s National Helpline (800) 622-4357Canada: Free treatment through the provincial healthcare program. Find resources across Canada here. The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Mishkin’s LinkedInThe Cyr Method: Negotiation Coach for Leaders ---- Music Credit: Upon the Waves by Aeris | https://freetouse.com/music/aeris Free To Use | ⁠⁠https://freetouse.com/music

    21 min
  6. 03/05/2025

    TSR S1 E1: Fired, But Not Finished — Michael Pyle

    Michael Pyle thought he had time to build his dream…until he was suddenly fired. With a pregnant wife and three young kids at home, he was forced to rebuild his income, identity, and confidence from the ground up. In this episode, Michael shares the hidden costs of launching a business mid-crisis, what it’s really like to market yourself on LinkedIn, and why conviction (and support) can be the difference between folding and forging forward. If you’ve wondered what it takes to go all-in on yourself (even when you’re scared out of your mind), this episode is for you. Bardic Inspiration - Words so wise they’re memorialized “Any bad moment can be a good moment, but sometimes you gotta dig a little deeper to find ‘em”.“I am not just the paycheck.”“You can’t listen to those numb nuts on social media who follow the bumper sticker lifestyle that most people are living in.” Allies & Artifacts - Honoring the people and tools that aid our quests Meal TrainAmerican ChimneyYNABMonarch The Guest’s Guild - Your portal to their world and works Michael’s LinkedInMichael’s website: challengeeverythingfinancial.comMichael’s DIY financial community: ⁠skool.com/moneycoaching⁠ DISCLAIMER The information provided in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. None of the statements made constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. ---- Music Credit: Upon the Waves by Aeris | https://freetouse.com/music/aeris Free To Use | ⁠https://freetouse.com/music

    24 min

About

The Short Rest is a storytelling podcast where guests share the real, raw moments that shaped them: grief, growth, resilience, and everything in between. These aren’t expert interviews or highlight reels. They’re lived experiences told with heart. Each episode invites you to pause, reflect, and connect with stories that remind us: ✨ You’re not alone. ✨ Healing isn’t linear. ✨ There’s hope in the middle of the mess. No matter where you are in your journey, there's a seat for you by the fire. Subscribe today and take your Short Rest.