Roots+Rebirth™ with Terri R. Broussard

Terri R. Broussard
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Spirituality
  • Semimonthly

Life is full of peaks and valleys—but from our roots, we find rebirth. In Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard dives into the moments that spark transformation. Through honest conversations with changemakers, seekers, and spiritual leaders, she uncovers stories of growth, adversity, and joyful legacy. This podcast is your invitation to explore purpose, truth, and the profound moments of adversity that reshape our paths.

  1. 2d ago

    How to Find Peace When Life Feels Overwhelming: 3 Tools That Actually Help

    What happens when everything you've prayed for finally arrives, but your mind and body are struggling to keep up? In this deeply personal solo episode of Roots+Rebirth™, author, award-winning lobbyist, and changemaker Terri R. Broussard opens up about navigating one of the most transformational seasons of her life. After years of living alone, Terri is adjusting to life as a bonus mom, building a blended family with her fiancé, preparing to move into their dream home, and balancing the demands of a high-pressure career and family responsibilities. It's a life filled with love, gratitude, and answered prayers. But it's also a reminder that even positive change can feel overwhelming. Terri shares how she's learning to move beyond fight-or-flight mode, release the need to control every detail, and create more peace through mindfulness, asking for support, and intentional visualization. Drawing on lessons from previous Roots+Rebirth™ guests and her own spiritual practices, she offers three practical tools for finding calm during seasons of uncertainty. Because sometimes rebirth isn't about doing more. It's about creating enough space to enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build. What We Talk About Why even beautiful life transitions can leave us feeling overwhelmed The unexpected emotional and physical adjustments of becoming part of a blended family Recognizing when structure and control are creating more tension instead of peace Using mindfulness, meditation, and visualization to create moments of calm Why asking for help is an essential form of self-care The power of journaling and speaking your intentions in the present tense Moving from a transactional career mindset toward more transformational, soul-aligned work Learning to embrace the life you've manifested without losing yourself in the process Three Tools for Finding Peace 1. Return to the medicine within you. You already have tools to help you reconnect with yourself. Whether it's breathwork, meditation, mindful moments, or simply imagining sunlight warming your face, small intentional practices can help you slow down and feel more grounded. 2. Ask for the support you need. You don't have to manage everything yourself. Learning to delegate, communicate your needs, and give yourself permission to rest can create more room for connection and joy. 3. Visualize the life you want to experience. Instead of focusing only on everything that needs to get done, begin imagining how you want your life to feel. Journal about it, meditate on it, and speak those intentions in the present tense. Key Takeaways Gratitude and overwhelm can coexist. Not every challenge requires more structure, sometimes it requires more softness. Asking for help doesn't diminish your strength. You can create peaceful moments before your circumstances become peaceful. Transformation doesn't always require a dramatic change. Sometimes it begins with one small, intentional decision. Memorable Quotes from Terri "Life could not be more rich." "Everything you need already exists inside of you. That medicine is inside of you." Terri, recalling a lesson from Dr. Alyse Snyder. "I find myself oftentimes taking care of others and not always taking care of myself." A Question for You What would change in your life if you stopped trying to manage every detail and started creating more space for peace? This week, choose one small practice that helps you return to yourself. Connect with Terri Host: Terri R. Broussard Website: movementmaker.com Instagram: @TerriRBroussard Podcast Instagram: @rootsandrebirthpodcast Listen, subscribe, and follow Roots+Rebirth™ on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform.

  2. Oct 20

    The Art of Being Present with John Astin: Finding Wholeness in an Ever-Changing World

    What if the peace and fulfillment we're searching for have been here all along? In this episode of Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard sits down with author, psychologist, musician and spiritual teacher John Astin to explore the nature of human experience, the power of presence and what it means to find wholeness in everyday life. John's spiritual journey began at 19, sparking decades of meditation, research and self-discovery. But during a retreat in 2001, a profound realization changed his perspective: presence wasn't something he needed to achieve. It was something that had been there all along. Through his "wave world" and "water world" philosophy, John uses the ocean as a metaphor for life. While our circumstances, emotions and experiences constantly change like waves, the underlying wholeness of existence remains. Together, Terri and John explore why we chase fulfillment, how our perspectives shape our experiences and what happens when we learn to embrace uncertainty rather than resist it. From navigating life's challenges to finding meaning in ordinary moments, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what it means to truly be present. An invitation to stop chasing the next extraordinary experience and recognize the beauty of what's already here. In This Episode We Talk About John's early introduction to spirituality and meditation The transformative experience that reshaped his understanding of presence Why we're constantly searching for the next meaningful experience Understanding "wave world" and "water world" through the metaphor of the ocean How our perspectives influence our sense of happiness and fulfillment Finding stability amid life's inevitable changes and challenges The relationship between presence, wholeness and human suffering Why uncertainty and not knowing can open the door to deeper understanding Recognizing the extraordinary within ordinary moments Simple ways to reconnect with the present in everyday life Key Takeaways Presence is already here. Being present isn't something we have to perfect or achieve. It's about recognizing what has always been available to us. Life changes, but our foundation remains. Like waves in the ocean, our experiences come and go, but the underlying wholeness of existence is constant. Fulfillment isn't always found in what's next. Chasing the next achievement or extraordinary experience can keep us from appreciating what's already here. Wholeness doesn't mean life without difficulty. Peace isn't about eliminating discomfort or uncertainty, but developing a different relationship with those experiences. There's beauty in not knowing. Embracing curiosity and the mystery of existence allows us to experience life beyond our usual assumptions and expectations. About John Astin John Astin is an author, psychologist, musician and spiritual teacher whose work explores human experience, spirituality and well-being. He holds a PhD in health psychology and is an internationally recognized scholar in mind-body medicine, specializing in the applications of meditative and contemplative practices in psychology and health care. John has authored five books, including This Extraordinary Moment and his latest, In Every Wave, the Entirety of the Sea (2024). He is also a singer, songwriter and recording artist who has produced seven CDs of original spiritual-contemplative music. Through his writing, music, teaching and retreats, John encourages others to discover the depth and wholeness of everyday experience. Connect with John Astin Website: https://www.johnastin.com/ Instagram: @thisisalwaysit Explore John's books, music, teachings, workshops and retreats through his website. Resources Mentioned Books by John Astin Too Intimate for Words (2005) This Is Always Enough (2008) Searching for Rain in a Monsoon (2012) This Extraordinary Moment (2018) In Every Wave, the Entirety of the Sea (2024) Philosophical and Spiritual References Jiddu Krishnamurti Alan Watts Tao Te Ching Socrates Final Thought We spend so much of our lives searching for the next milestone, breakthrough or experience that will finally make us feel fulfilled. But what if what we're looking for has been here all along? John reminds us that life, like the ocean, is constantly changing. There will always be waves of joy, uncertainty, loss and growth. Yet beneath those changes is something that remains. Perhaps peace isn't about controlling life's circumstances or waiting for everything to fall into place. It's about recognizing the wholeness of the moment we're already in. Follow and Connect with Terri! @terrirbroussard Follow Roots+Rebirth! @rootsandrebirthpodcast

  3. Oct 6

    The Career Pivot You Are Afraid to Make with Hannah Nokes: Why Your Next Chapter Starts Small

    What if your purpose is not something you have to find, but something that has been quietly following you all along? In this soulful episode of Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard sits down with entrepreneur, interior designer and Commissioned co-founder Hannah Nokes for an honest conversation about career reinvention, faith, creativity and the courage to follow the quiet voice within. Hannah built the kind of career many people are taught to want. She attended business school, earned an MBA, worked for multinational corporations, served in the nonprofit sector, led corporate community-impact work and launched a consulting practice. Then the pandemic disrupted her business and left her questioning what came next. The answer arrived as a persistent inner whisper: do design. Hannah resisted. Interior design did not seem to fit the professional story she had spent years building. It felt too creative, too frivolous and too disconnected from her corporate résumé. Yet saying yes to that small voice opened the door not only to a thriving design practice, but also to Commissioned, a faith-centered community supporting women entrepreneurs in creative fields. Terri and Hannah explore the pressure to make a career look logical, why failure can redirect us toward work that fits more fully, and how skills from every chapter can become part of a larger purpose. They also talk about motherhood, financial realities, faith in public life, creating beauty as an act of worship and the importance of being present enough to notice the people and moments right in front of us. This conversation is an invitation to stop waiting for the entire plan and begin with the next honest step. In This Episode We Talk About How living in the Middle East expanded Hannah's view of the world Following the prescribed corporate path and discovering that plans can change What a 2002 layoff taught Hannah about identity, security and reinvention Moving between corporate, nonprofit, consulting and entrepreneurial work The pressures working mothers faced when showing up at work was treated as nonnegotiable How the pandemic disrupted Hannah's consulting business and created space for a new direction The quiet inner voice that kept telling Hannah to pursue interior design Why Hannah feared her career story would no longer make sense to other people How every earlier skill became useful when she co-founded Commissioned Talking openly about faith while welcoming women with different beliefs Why creativity and beauty can be meaningful forms of service and worship Balancing purpose with the financial realities of raising a family Building a legacy through presence, relationships and how we make people feel Coming home to the artistic, playful and joyful parts of ourselves Key Takeaways Your purpose may already be visible. The interests and gifts you dismiss as impractical may be clues to the work that fits you most fully. A career does not have to look linear to be meaningful. Skills from corporate work, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship and creative pursuits can combine into a story that only becomes clear in hindsight. Failure can be redirection. A layoff, a struggling business or an unexpected ending may create room for work you would not otherwise have considered. Start before the conditions are perfect. Creativity can be introduced into the life and work you already have. Small acts of permission often create the next opportunity. Presence is part of legacy. Accomplishments matter, but people are more likely to remember how you welcomed them, noticed them and made them feel. About Hannah Nokes Hannah Nokes is an entrepreneur, interior designer and co-founder of Commissioned, a faith-centered community created to support women building businesses in creative and often independent fields. Her career has spanned corporate business, nonprofit leadership, corporate social responsibility, social-impact consulting and entrepreneurship. Through Commissioned, Hannah helps women find community, encouragement and the boldness to pursue the work they were created to do. Resources Mentioned Commissioned livingcommissioned.com Commissioned on Instagram @commissioned__ LumenKind mindful marks  lumenkind.com Saalt period care  saalt.com Final Thought: A meaningful career rarely reveals itself as a perfect sequence of logical moves. Sometimes it looks like a layoff, a detour, a business that no longer works or a quiet interest we keep dismissing because it does not match the identity we have built. Hannah's story reminds us that no chapter is wasted. Purpose can gather the skills, disappointments, relationships, faith and creativity from every version of our lives and turn them into work we could not have planned. We do not need to see the entire path. We need enough courage to honor the next true step. Follow and Connect with Terri! @terrirbroussard | Follow Roots+Rebirth! @rootsandrebirthpodcast

  4. Sep 22

    The Hidden Link Between Pain and Emotion with Dr. Rachel Bailey

    What if the pain in your body is carrying a story your mind has already moved past? In this deeply personal episode of Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard sits down with chiropractor Dr. Rachel Bailey to explore the connection between physical pain, stress, emotional experiences and the body's remarkable memory. Rachel shares how a life-changing health crisis redirected her from veterinary medicine to chiropractic care, and how her own healing journey led her to combine traditional chiropractic techniques with soft-tissue work, applied kinesiology, acupressure and Neuro-Emotional Technique. Her approach begins with a simple truth: every body has a history, and no two bodies tell that history in exactly the same way. Terri recounts a striking session with Rachel that brought her back to a painful childhood memory about feeling unattractive. Their conversation opens into a larger exploration of the beliefs, sensations and survival patterns we can carry long after they stop serving us. Rachel also offers a gentle at-home practice for becoming curious about pain, explains why we can physically absorb stress from people we love, and reminds us that healing often begins when we slow down enough to notice what our bodies have been trying to say. This conversation is not an argument that every pain is emotional. It is an invitation to consider the whole person, seek qualified care and listen more closely to the wisdom of the body.   In This Episode We Talk About How a serious illness changed Rachel's path from veterinary medicine to chiropractic care Why Rachel uses a highly individualized blend of chiropractic and complementary techniques How the body may retain physical, sensory and emotional associations with earlier experiences Terri's childhood picture-day memory and the belief it shaped for years Neuro-Emotional Technique, applied kinesiology and how to find trained practitioners Why pain is shaped by the nervous system and may not always have an obvious physical trigger How empathy for a loved one's stress can show up in our own bodies A simple EFT-inspired awareness practice for exploring pain at home The patterns families repeat long after the original reason has disappeared Intuition, energy, nonverbal communication and Rachel's lifelong spiritual curiosity Rachel's commitment to gathering small moments of joy with her family Leadership, service and what Rachel witnessed in Terri during a difficult season   Key Takeaways Your body has a story. Injury, stress, sensory information and emotional experiences can all influence how the nervous system responds in the present. What once protected you may no longer serve you. Patterns can remain long after the original situation has changed. Awareness creates room for a new response. Pain deserves curiosity and appropriate care. Notice what you feel, when it appears and what else is happening, while seeking qualified medical evaluation for persistent, severe or unexplained symptoms. Healing is individual. A method that helps one person may not be right for another. Credentials, trusted referrals and personal fit matter. Joy is a practice. Rachel's current purpose is to notice and receive the ordinary moments of connection that are easy to miss when life becomes too busy.   Try This If you notice a familiar pain or tension pattern, pause and describe it without trying to diagnose it. Ask: Where do I feel it? If it had a color, shape, texture or size, what would it be? What was happening just before I noticed it? What memory, emotion or person comes to mind? What does my body need right now: rest, movement, reassurance or professional care? This is an awareness exercise, not a substitute for medical or mental health care. Seek prompt professional evaluation for severe, new, worsening or persistent pain, or for symptoms such as weakness, numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, chest pain, shortness of breath or signs of stroke.   About Dr. Rachel Bailey Dr. Rachel Bailey is a Central Texas chiropractor and the founder of Austin Hills Chiropractic in West Lake Hills. Her individualized approach blends multiple chiropractic techniques with soft-tissue work, acupressure, applied kinesiology and Neuro-Emotional Technique. She works with patients seeking support for physical pain, stress patterns and the ways earlier experiences may continue to affect the body. Resources Mentioned Austin Hills Chiropractic  austinhillschiropractic.com Neuro-Emotional Technique practitioner directory  netmindbody.com International College of Applied Kinesiology practitioner directory  icak.com The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Polyvagal theory and the work of Stephen Porges Emotional Freedom Techniques  EFT Thought Field Therapy  TFT Blink by Malcolm Gladwell Insight Timer guided meditations   Follow and Connect with Terri! @terrirbroussard Follow Roots+Rebirth! @rootsandrebirthpodcast

  5. Sep 1

    Your Past Is Running Your Life with Tina Lifford: Here's How to Change It

    What if the thoughts you never challenge quietly become the life you live? In this deeply soulful episode of Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard sits down with acclaimed actress, author and Inner Fitness pioneer Tina Lifford for a conversation about the relationship we spend our entire lives inside: the one we have with ourselves. Known to millions for her work on Queen Sugar and a career spanning more than 100 television and film characters, Tina's work today reaches far beyond the screen. Through The Inner Fitness Project, she is helping people strengthen their inner lives with the same intention we bring to strengthening our bodies, careers and relationships. Tina shares the unforgettable story of her godmother, Aunt Pang, a magnetic and beautiful woman whose life was ultimately shaped by a painful belief she had absorbed about herself. Her story opens a larger conversation about the "lies" we inherit, how our thoughts become reality when left unchallenged, and why knowing that we are inherently whole, purposeful and worthy can change the way we experience our lives. Terri and Tina also explore Tina's framework of the surviving self, thriving self and infinite self, and why healing does not require rejecting the parts of ourselves that once protected us. The conversation becomes deeply personal as Terri shares what her recent back pain has revealed about years of prioritizing work over her body and herself. Tina responds with a remarkable story about an ankle injury she carried for decades until one unexpected act of acknowledgment changed her relationship with the pain. This isn't a conversation about fixing yourself. It is an invitation to remember yourself. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT Why Tina describes herself as an "old soul" Being different and learning to see difference as a gift Why every person is inherently whole, purposeful and worthy The "big lies" we absorb about ourselves Tina's powerful story of Aunt Pang and the consequences of believing someone else's definition of you Why principles only transform us when they become actions How an uninterrupted thought can become our reality The difference between the surviving, thriving and infinite selves Why Tina doesn't believe we need to destroy or reject our "shadow" selves What physical pain can reveal about emotional experiences we have never acknowledged Terri's realization about the relationship between her back pain, work and rest Why inner fitness can be trained just like physical fitness A simple question Tina recommends using to interrupt an unwanted thought KEY TAKEAWAYS You are inherently whole, purposeful and worthy. Your experiences may make you forget that truth, but they do not erase it. A thought uninterrupted can become reality. When an old belief appears, you have the ability to interrupt it, question it and create space for something truer. Your surviving self is not your enemy. It helped you navigate what came before. Growth means learning to support that part of yourself while strengthening the part that can imagine something new. Acknowledgment can be healing. Sometimes what a wounded part of us needs most is not to be overcome, analyzed or ignored. It needs to finally be seen. Inner fitness is trainable. We deliberately exercise our bodies and educate our minds. Tina believes we can bring the same practice and discipline to our inner lives. ABOUT TINA LIFFORD Tina Lifford is an acclaimed actress, author and the founder of The Inner Fitness Project. Across a career spanning decades, she has portrayed more than 100 characters on television and film and is beloved by audiences for roles including Violet Bordelon on Queen Sugar. Her work beyond the screen focuses on helping people build their Inner Fitness, strengthening their capacity to understand themselves, trust themselves and navigate life with greater wisdom. She is the author of The Little Book of Big Lies and creator of Inner Fitness practices and tools designed to help people live well from the inside out. RESOURCES MENTIONED Tina Lifford and The Inner Fitness Project The Little Book of Big Lies Tina's Inner Fitness practices Self 365: Inner Fitness in a Box Tina's "Dream" video on YouTube Follow and Connect with Terri! @terrirbroussard Follow Roots+Rebirth! @rootsandrebirthpodcast

  6. Aug 18

    The Wisdom Hidden Inside Caregiving: Erica Olenski on Healing, Grief, and the Soul's Greatest Teachers

    What happens when life asks you to surrender everything you thought you could control? In this deeply moving conversation, Terri Broussard sits down with healthcare communicator and patient advocate Erica Olenski to explore the extraordinary lessons born from caregiving, grief, healing, and purpose. After her infant son, August, was diagnosed with brain cancer, Erica's world shifted from career ambitions and carefully crafted plans to a profound journey of presence, resilience, and spiritual awakening. Rather than allowing tragedy to define her family, Erica discovered that August wasn't simply someone to be healed, he was a teacher whose life transformed everyone fortunate enough to know him. Together, Terri and Erica reflect on trusting intuition, navigating life's biggest transitions, recognizing signs from loved ones, and finding the courage to become who you were always meant to be. This conversation is ultimately about remembering that healing is not something we arrive at. It is a way of living. In This Episode You'll Learn Why caregiving became Erica's greatest leadership education How one diagnosis transformed every aspect of her life The surprising connection between healthcare and spirituality What it means to become a steward instead of trying to control outcomes How to trust your inner knowing, even when it contradicts conventional wisdom The role intuition plays in healing Why grief can become one of our greatest teachers How loved ones continue communicating after death Why believing in yourself is often the most spiritual act you can take How life's hardest seasons often reveal our deepest purpose About Erica Olenski Erica Olenski is a healthcare communications strategist, patient advocate, entrepreneur, and transformational storyteller whose life was forever changed when her infant son, August, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Through years of caregiving, advocacy, and profound personal loss, Erica has become a compassionate voice helping others navigate healing, resilience, and purpose with authenticity and grace. About Roots+Rebirth™ Roots+Rebirth™ explores the moments that transform us. Through honest conversations with leaders, authors, healers, innovators, and changemakers, host Terri Broussard uncovers the experiences that shape who we become and the wisdom we gain when we embrace both our roots and our rebirth.

  7. Jun 16

    How to Heal What Logic Can't Explain with Sheryl Netzky: The Power of Intuition + Healing

    What if the healing you've been searching for is already inside of you? In this deeply personal and expansive episode of Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard sits down with healer, teacher, and founder of Good Energy Heals, Sheryl Netzky, for a conversation about intuition, emotional healing, grief, embodiment, spirituality, and returning home to yourself. Terri shares how Sheryl's work helped transform her own life during one of its most difficult seasons, navigating a concussion recovery, burnout, grief, identity shifts, and the unraveling of a marriage. Together, they explore the whispers we ignore, the cost of disconnection, and the profound healing available when we learn to listen inward. Sheryl explains how her journey began with meditation and stress physiology at age 14, evolved through decades in education and yoga, and ultimately expanded into shamanic energy work focused on helping people restore balance physically, emotionally, spiritually, energetically. This conversation is both grounding and expansive. It is for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from themselves, overwhelmed by life, grieving deeply, or quietly sensing that there is another way forward. What We Talk About How stress and thoughts affect the body physically  The connection between stillness, intuition, and healing Why high achievers often disconnect from themselves  Teaching, energy sensing, and embodied awareness  Where to Find Sheryl and Terri: Website: https://www.goodenergyheals.com/ Instagram: @sherylnetzky Facebook: Sheryl Netzky LinkedIn: Sheryl Netzky Instagram: @TerriRBroussard @rootsandrebirthpodcast

  8. Jun 2

    How to Build Community When the World Feels Divided with Jason Green

    In this episode of Roots and Rebirth, Jason G. Green joins Terri R. Broussard for a deeply personal conversation about family, purpose, identity, and the power of community. Jason reflects on his journey from working in the Obama White House to rediscovering his roots through the stories of his grandmother and the historic Black community of Quince Orchard, Maryland. Together, they explore the inspiration behind his bestselling memoir, Too Precious to Lose, and discuss what it means to preserve generational stories, embrace belonging, and build stronger, more compassionate communities in today's world. The conversation also touches on grief, legacy, faith, ancestry, and the moments in life that quietly redirect us toward who we are truly meant to become. Connect with Jason Green: Instagram: @jasongerardgreen Book: Too Precious to Lose: A Memoir of Family, Community, and Possibility Too Precious to Lose explores the power of family legacy, community, identity, and the stories that shape who we become.   Follow and Connect with Terri! @terrirbroussard Follow Roots+Rebirth! @rootsandrebirthpodcast   #RootsAndRebirth #Podcast #JasonGerardGreen #TooPreciousToLose #Community #FamilyLegacy #Storytelling #GenerationalWisdom #Ancestry #Identity #Belonging #Purpose #PersonalGrowth #Healing #Faith #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #Memoir #BlackHistory #FamilyHistory #Transformation #TerriBroussardWilliams #SelfDiscovery #Connection #MeaningfulConversations

See All (31)

Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Life is full of peaks and valleys—but from our roots, we find rebirth. In Roots+Rebirth™, Terri R. Broussard dives into the moments that spark transformation. Through honest conversations with changemakers, seekers, and spiritual leaders, she uncovers stories of growth, adversity, and joyful legacy. This podcast is your invitation to explore purpose, truth, and the profound moments of adversity that reshape our paths.

Information

You Might Also Like