Rock the Damn Boat

Christy Hughes
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Rock the Damn Boat is a podcast for women who were raised to be good, grateful, and quiet—and are ready to unlearn all three. Host Christy Hughes grew up in the Bible Belt, where the “right” path meant being practical, pleasing others, and not rocking the boat. As an empath and lifelong people-pleaser, she learned early how to read the room, put everyone else’s needs first, and silence her own instincts in the name of peace. But eventually, that way of living came at a cost. Nearly a decade sober from alcohol, her former coping mechanism, Christy blends personal storytelling with honest conversations about boundaries, burnout, sobriety, identity shifts, and redefining success—especially for women leaving corporate life, navigating midlife transitions, or stepping into leadership without losing themselves. You’ll hear from female founders, former high achievers, quiet leaders, and recovering people-pleasers who chose courage over compliance. This podcast is for women who were taught to stay small, be sensible, and keep the peace—but feel called to live louder, truer, and on their own terms. If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no, followed the “safe” path while your heart wanted more, or felt the tension between empathy and self-respect, Rock the Damn Boat is your permission slip to choose differently. You can learn more about Christy's personal and corporate coaching programs and retreats at www.thrivewithchristy.com

  1. I Don't Want That Life: Moving from Corporate Retail to Spiritual Coaching with Nicole Beaudin, pt 1

    5h ago

    I Don't Want That Life: Moving from Corporate Retail to Spiritual Coaching with Nicole Beaudin, pt 1

    What happens when you're succeeding on paper but falling apart on the inside? In Part 1 of this RTDB conversation, Christy sits down with Nicole Beaudin — alignment leadership coach, Reiki-trained facilitator, and author of the This Way to Lightness Substack — to talk about the corporate career that looked impressive from the outside and felt hollow from within. Nicole shares her path from Williams-Sonoma and West Elm to Tory Burch, and the moment a psychic in Wisconsin handed her a piece of black tourmaline and changed everything. She opens up about discovering she's an empath, learning Reiki as an act of self-preservation, and what it felt like to look up at the women ahead of her in corporate and think: I don't want that life. In this episode of RTDB, you'll hear: How Nicole's reference to an archaelogical dig reminded Christy of a transformative bookWhy high-achieving people pleasers are often the most disconnected from their own needsWhat empaths are (and the neuroscience behind why they experience the world differently)How Reiki became Nicole's entry point into intuitive healingThe moment Nicole knew corporate retail wasn't her final chapter — and how she leaned into spiritual practice instead of pushing through Learn more and work with Nicole at nicolebeaudin.com Follow her Substack here: https://substack.com/@nicolebeaudin Order your copy of Something More by Sarah Ban Breathnach from Thrift Books

    37 min
  2. When Manifesting Isn't Enough: Why I'm Going Back to Corporate After 7 Months

    2d ago

    When Manifesting Isn't Enough: Why I'm Going Back to Corporate After 7 Months

    Seven months into building a business from scratch, Christy Hughes gets honest about what entrepreneurship in this economy actually looks like — and why the disappointment so many women feel isn't a sign they didn't believe hard enough. In this Sunday Shortie, she shares how a new corporate opportunity found her when she stopped forcing it, what it sounds like when intuition speaks up, and why The THRIVE Collective isn't going anywhere. If you're building something while wondering if you're doing it wrong, this one's for you. What You'll Hear: Why business disappointment in this economy is normal — not a personal failingThe manifesting myth: why you didn't think your way into struggleHow Christy's new role landed when she listened to her gut instead of pushing harderWhat intuition actually sounds like in a job searchWhy The THRIVE Collective continues — and why going back to corporate makes it strongerThe case for a life that holds both professional success and personal wholeness Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a woman who's building something and wondering if she's failing. Learn more about The Thrive Collective at thrivewithchristy.com

    19 min
  3. When Pets Come First: Lori Wahl on Reinvention, Animal Advocacy, and Pursuing Nonprofit Passions

    May 27

    When Pets Come First: Lori Wahl on Reinvention, Animal Advocacy, and Pursuing Nonprofit Passions

    In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Lori Wahl — a pet industry veteran with 15+ years in rescue and pet sales — to talk about the unexpected ways those two worlds overlap. Lori went from the corporate pet industry to serving as Development Director for Heidi's Village in Phoenix, one of the most meaningful pivots she's made. Now, after relocating to Charlotte for her husband's career, Lori is navigating yet another reinvention — and she's honest about how hard it is to leave something you love. This one is for anyone who's ever had to close a chapter they weren't ready to close. What You'll Hear: How Lori and Christy connected through the pet industry (shoutout to the Pet Firm in Phoenix)The surprising synergies between corporate pet work and animal rescueWhat led Lori to leave corporate for nonprofit — and what that transition actually looked likeHer role as Development Director at Heidi's Village and what that work meant to herRelocating to Charlotte and stepping away from nonprofit lifeWhy it's okay to change your mind — and how to stop apologizing for itStarting a new chapter even when the previous one wasn't "finished"How to find and get involved with your own local rescue — and why it matters more than you think Resources/Links: Heidi's Village: heidisvillage.orgNational Rescue: aspca.org or bestfriends.org Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-wahl/Feeling inspired? Find your local rescue and show up — even in a small way. It adds up.

    36 min
  4. Avoiding Conflict at All Costs: Why Enneagram 9 Needs to Learn to Rock the Damn Boat

    May 24

    Avoiding Conflict at All Costs: Why Enneagram 9 Needs to Learn to Rock the Damn Boat

    In this Sunday Shortie episode of RTDB, Christy explores Enneagram Type 9 — The Peacemaker — and what it really means to keep the peace at your own expense. After testing equal parts Type 2 and Type 9, Christy digs into the 9's core patterns: avoiding conflict, numbing out, and the slow fade of self. She connects the 9's spiritual potential to the eight limbs of yoga as a grounding framework for growth — and gets honest about how the unhealthy 9's pull toward addiction showed up in her own life. Development tips sourced from the Enneagram Institute round out this bite-sized but powerful episode. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why Christy tested as both a Type 2 and Type 9 — and what the overlap revealsCore Type 9 traits: the peacemaker, the conflict-avoider, the one who disappears into the backgroundWhat "not rocking the boat" actually costs youThe healthy 9: becoming a spiritual seeker, grounded in contentmentHow the eight limbs of yoga support a 9's growth pathThe shadow side: how the 9's numbing tendency can fuel addiction (and Christy's personal connection to this)Growth tips for Type 9s from the Enneagram Institute Resources Mentioned: Enneagram Institute — Type 9The Eight Limbs of Yoga

    19 min
  5. Burnout Recovery, Nonprofit Leadership & Finding Joy Again with Beckie Irvin

    May 20

    Burnout Recovery, Nonprofit Leadership & Finding Joy Again with Beckie Irvin

    In this episode of RTDB, I sit down with Beckie Irvin to talk about the hidden cost of mission-driven work and why so many nonprofit leaders quietly struggle with burnout. Beckie shares her personal experience navigating exhaustion, overwhelm, and the emotional weight that can come from constantly serving others without the systems and support needed to sustain the work. We discuss how nonprofits often rely on passionate people operating in survival mode — and why proper infrastructure, boundaries, leadership support, and sustainable operations matter just as much as the mission itself. We also explore the healing side of burnout recovery: the small practices that helped Beckie reconnect with herself, the role creativity and photography played in restoring joy, and how building tiny, manageable habits can help people slowly find their footing again after a difficult season. This conversation is a reminder that recovery doesn’t usually happen through dramatic overnight transformation. More often, it begins with small decisions, gentle routines, and giving yourself permission to rebuild one step at a time. If you’re a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, caregiver, helper, or high achiever who feels emotionally exhausted, this episode offers an honest look at burnout, healing, nervous system recovery, and the importance of creating a life that includes joy alongside responsibility. In This Episode of RTDB, We Discuss:Burnout in nonprofit leadership and mission-driven careersWhy passion alone cannot sustain unhealthy systemsThe importance of infrastructure and operational supportCompassion fatigue and emotional exhaustionRecovering from burnout without shamePhotography, creativity, and hobbies as healing toolsSmall daily habits that support mental wellnessLessons inspired by Atomic Habits by James ClearHow to slowly rebuild motivation, energy, and hopeAbout Beckie IrvinBeckie Irvin is passionate about helping organizations and individuals create more sustainable, healthy ways of working and living. Through her consulting work and creative pursuits, she advocates for balance, intentionality, and finding joy again after burnout. Learn more at beckieirvin.com For more about Christy's work or to apply to be on the show, visit thrivewithchristy.com

    46 min
  6. Enneagram Two: The Helper - Are You Helping Others Because You Need to Feel Loved?

    May 18

    Enneagram Two: The Helper - Are You Helping Others Because You Need to Feel Loved?

    In this episode of RTDB, Christy dives into Enneagram Type 2 — The Helper. If you're a Two (or love one), this episode is your permission slip to stop giving from an empty cup. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Type 2s are the ultimate people pleasers — and what's really driving itThe genuine strengths that make Twos magnetic, generous leadersThe unhealthy patterns that can leave Twos burned out, resentful, and invisible to themselves5 practical development tips for Type 2s ready to break the people-pleasing cycleStrengths of the Enneagram Type 2 Deeply empathetic and emotionally intuitiveNatural connectors who make people feel seen and valuedGenerous, warm, and fiercely loyalMotivated by genuine love and care for othersUnhealthy Patterns to Watch Chronic self-sacrifice that leads to burnoutDifficulty saying no — or even knowing what they wantSeeking approval and validation through givingResentment when help isn't reciprocated or recognizedSuppressing their own needs to feel worthy of love5 Personal Development Tips for Type 2s (as shared by the Enneagram Institute) Notice the martyr pattern — Ask yourself if you're giving freely or keeping score unconsciously.Practice receiving — Allow others to help you without deflecting or minimizing.Name your own needs — Daily check-ins: What do I actually need right now?Set boundaries without guilt — A "no" to others is often a "yes" to yourself.Separate worth from helpfulness — You are enough without doing a single thing for anyone today.👉 Learn more about the Enneagram Type 2 at The Enneagram Institute Connect with Christy Join The THRIVE Collective: thrivewithchristy.comFollow on Instagram: @rockthedamnboatSubscribe & leave a review — it helps more women find the boat 🚤

    19 min
  7. This is 50: Reflections on a Roller Coaster Year of Sobriety, Menopause and ADHD

    May 13

    This is 50: Reflections on a Roller Coaster Year of Sobriety, Menopause and ADHD

    If you'd like to be part of a community that supports this season of life, visit thrivewithchristy.com In this episode of RTDB, Christy shares the unfiltered reality of 50 becoming one of the hardest — and most transformative — years of her life. What began as a season of exhaustion, brain fog, emotional overwhelm, and feeling like she was “falling behind” eventually led to deeper answers: menopause, hormonal shifts, an ADHD diagnosis, and a complete reevaluation of work, identity, and success. Christy reflects on how her 8th year of sobriety felt like year one because of the chaos of perimenopause and post-menopausal changes that affected her focus, emotional regulation, confidence, and ability to perform in high-pressure corporate environments the way she always had before. This episode is an honest conversation about what happens when high-achieving women suddenly realize they can no longer “push through” symptoms that are biological, neurological, and deeply intertwined. Christy discusses the grief of leaving a career she worked hard to build, the fear and shame that can come with executive dysfunction and burnout, and why so many women are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or silently struggling during midlife transitions. She also shares why seeking support matters — from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) conversations to finding qualified mental health and psychiatric care that understands the intersection of hormones, ADHD, anxiety, burnout, and women’s health. If you’ve ever felt like you suddenly stopped recognizing yourself, this episode is a reminder that you are not lazy, broken, weak, or failing. Sometimes your brain, body, and nervous system are asking for support — not more pressure. In This Episode of RTDB:What 8 years of sobriety has taught Christy about resilience and self-awarenessThe unexpected ways menopause impacted focus, mood, motivation, and emotional regulationHow ADHD symptoms became impossible to ignore during hormonal changesThe reality of struggling professionally after years of high performanceWhy leaving a corporate role can feel both devastating and freeingThe connection between hormones, executive function, anxiety, and burnoutWhy women deserve informed conversations about HRT and psychiatric supportHow midlife can become a starting line instead of an endingListen If You’ve Ever:Felt like your brain changed overnightWondered if menopause was affecting your mental healthStruggled to keep up at work despite trying harderBeen diagnosed with ADHD later in lifeFelt ashamed of burnout or emotional overwhelmQuestioned your identity after leaving a careerNeeded permission to ask for help Because sometimes “This is 50” isn’t about slowing down — it’s about finally understanding yourself clearly for the first time. Resources: Dr. Mary Claire Haver, thepauselife.com Ashleigh Auth (FL only), Pausitive Women's Care Hormones by Design (TX only), https://hormonesbydesign.com/ She Recovers, https://sherecovers.org/

    33 min
  8. Choose Empowering Language Over Apologies: What Meeting Jess Ekstrom Taught Me About Taking Up Space

    May 10

    Choose Empowering Language Over Apologies: What Meeting Jess Ekstrom Taught Me About Taking Up Space

    I drove to San Antonio for the NAWBO conference specifically to hear Jess Ekstrom speak. As someone navigating entrepreneurship, visibility, podcasting, and leadership after corporate life, I deeply wanted to learn from women who are already standing confidently in rooms I’m still growing into. But despite intentionally putting myself in that room, despite years of leadership experience, I still caught myself saying something so many women say automatically when I asked for a photo: “Can I bug you…” The moment itself was harmless. But the language behind it revealed something bigger. Why do so many women instinctively apologize before taking up space? Why do we minimize ourselves before making even the smallest request? Why do capable, accomplished women still feel like they’re inconveniencing people simply by existing in the conversation? In this episode of RTDB, we unpack the subtle language patterns that expose deeper conditioning around people-pleasing, self-worth, visibility, and confidence. We talk about: How phrases like “sorry to bother you” quietly diminish our presenceThe hidden ways people-pleasing shows up in professional settingsWhy women often place others on pedestals instead of seeing themselves as equalsThe connection between language, nervous system safety, and confidenceHow to replace minimizing language with grounded, empowering communicationWhy visibility starts long before the stage, microphone, or business launchRemembering that every successful person is still just another human being This conversation is about more than wording. It’s about identity. Confidence isn’t always built through giant leaps. Sometimes it’s built by simply removing unnecessary apologies from our everyday language. If you’ve ever overexplained yourself, softened your needs, apologized for asking questions, or felt intimidated in rooms you worked hard to enter — this episode will resonate deeply. Follow Jess at jessekstrom.com Join The THRIVE Collective at thrivewithchristy.com

    15 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Rock the Damn Boat is a podcast for women who were raised to be good, grateful, and quiet—and are ready to unlearn all three. Host Christy Hughes grew up in the Bible Belt, where the “right” path meant being practical, pleasing others, and not rocking the boat. As an empath and lifelong people-pleaser, she learned early how to read the room, put everyone else’s needs first, and silence her own instincts in the name of peace. But eventually, that way of living came at a cost. Nearly a decade sober from alcohol, her former coping mechanism, Christy blends personal storytelling with honest conversations about boundaries, burnout, sobriety, identity shifts, and redefining success—especially for women leaving corporate life, navigating midlife transitions, or stepping into leadership without losing themselves. You’ll hear from female founders, former high achievers, quiet leaders, and recovering people-pleasers who chose courage over compliance. This podcast is for women who were taught to stay small, be sensible, and keep the peace—but feel called to live louder, truer, and on their own terms. If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no, followed the “safe” path while your heart wanted more, or felt the tension between empathy and self-respect, Rock the Damn Boat is your permission slip to choose differently. You can learn more about Christy's personal and corporate coaching programs and retreats at www.thrivewithchristy.com

Information

  • Creator
    Christy Hughes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Christy Hughes
  • Show Website
    Rock the Damn Boat

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