Notes from the Edge

Gamut Podcast Network
  • 4.7 (122)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

Notes From the Edge is where polished stories end and the truth begins. Hosted by writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, and author Lisa Lacy, this globally ranked podcast explores survival, identity, trauma, addiction, recovery, leadership, relationships, and reinvention through raw, deeply human conversations. No scripts. No small talk. Just the stories we were taught to hide, the roles we performed to survive, and the truths that set us free. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the edge. www.lisalacy.com

  1. 17h ago

    What Happens When Survival Becomes Your Greatest Battle? Mental Health Support with Richard Spiegel

    What happens when everyone depends on you, but nobody notices you’re falling apart? Richard Spegel is back for round three on Notes From the Edge, and we’re going straight into the uncomfortable conversations about military service, mental health stigma, bipolar I disorder, and the exhausting performance of always being the strong one. With 21 years of military service, a leadership career, and a passion for storytelling, Richard knows firsthand what happens when asking for help comes with consequences. Together, we explore late-life mental health diagnoses, the importance of building trustworthy support systems, and how Richard’s dark fantasy novel The First Law reveals the emotional realities of trauma, survival, and vulnerability. From manic productivity to finding that one person you can finally fall apart with, this conversation is raw, darkly funny, and deeply human. In This Episode: 02:15 — When strength becomes a survival mask and why mental health stigma makes asking for help dangerous.05:00 — Building trustworthy professional and personal support systems and learning to communicate what you need.10:00 — The First Law: How a powerful Raven Princess reveals the hidden costs of trauma, responsibility, and emotional isolation.16:10 — Bipolar I, late-life diagnosis, manic productivity, and the unexpected consequences of military mental health evaluations.20:20 — Why dark fantasy explores real psychological pain, trauma, resilience, and the emotions we struggle to express. Connect with Richard: https://www.richardspegal.com Connect with Lisa: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Inside the Edge is our private membership for deeper conversations, exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live gatherings, personal growth resources, and genuine human connection. What did you perform in order to survive?  Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What Happens When Survival Becomes Your Greatest Battle? Mental Health Support with Richard Spiegel

  2. 1d ago

    What If Being Strong Is Breaking You? Grief and Gratitude with Laura Bratton

    Can You Grieve and Still Feel Joy? What happens when the life you expected disappears, but the world still expects you to be strong? Diagnosed with an eye disease at nine and eventually losing her sight, author and speaker Laura Bratton joins Lisa Lacy to explore the grief of losing something we love, the hidden cost of constantly pushing through, and why genuine resilience begins with acknowledging our pain rather than burying it. From grieving changes we actually wanted to finding gratitude without pretending suffering is a gift, Laura shares the lived experiences behind her book Harnessing Courage. Together, we explore grit, mentorship, self-compassion, and the freedom that comes from letting go of the performance of strength. Sometimes being human means giving ourselves permission to feel two things at once. In This Episode: 01:31 — Redefining resilience: Why pushing through everything can make us sicker.08:17 — Permission to grieve: Why grief doesn’t have an expiration date.16:28 — The hidden grief of positive life changes, promotions, and new beginnings.27:00 — Finding gratitude in life’s darkest valleys without spiritual bypassing.31:00 — Letting go of performing strength and discovering the power of self-compassion. Connect with Laura Bratton Website, speaking, coaching, and her book Harnessing Courage: https://www.laurabratton.com/ Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, monthly live experiences, and practical resources for deeper conversations and personal reflection. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What If Being Strong Is Breaking You? Grief and Gratitude with Laura Bratton

  3. 2d ago

    Can You Escape Your Past? Poverty & Addiction Recovery with Jerry Brazie

    How does a boy who grew up hungry, surrounded by violence and addiction, become a multimillion-dollar entrepreneur without losing himself along the way? Jerry Brazie grew up in generational poverty as one of nine children, dropped out of school at 15, survived brutal violence, and spent 25 years battling opioid addiction. Today, he’s an entrepreneur whose businesses have collectively generated nearly half a billion dollars in revenue. But in this raw conversation with Lisa Lacy on Notes From the Edge, Jerry reveals why his greatest accomplishments have nothing to do with money. From a near-death experience that forced him to rebuild his health to the moment fatherhood transformed his purpose, Jerry challenges conventional ideas about victimhood, entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and success. Together, Lisa and Jerry explore why doing what you love isn’t always the answer, how survival shapes ambition, and why mentorship, male connection, and showing up for your family may matter more than any financial achievement. IN THIS EPISODE: 03:00 — Growing up in generational poverty, childhood hunger, family addiction, and learning to survive through work.09:00 — A violent attack at 14, the mysterious voice that changed Jerry’s perspective, and his philosophy of personal responsibility.15:00 — Serious heart disease, repeated hospitalizations, rebuilding his health at 57, and choosing to live for his children.20:00 — Building businesses generating nearly $500 million in revenue, fatherhood as motivation, and why purpose matters more than passion.30:00 — The male loneliness epidemic, the importance of mentorship, and how the Kronos Group and Kronos Forge are creating spaces for connection and accountability. CONNECT WITH JERRY BRAZIE Explore Jerry’s entrepreneurial community, mentorship opportunities, and Kronos Forge men’s community. https://thekronosgroup.org CONNECT WITH LISA LACY INSIDE THE EDGE Join our private membership for exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live conversations, and resources for exploring identity, healing, and authentic living. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Can You Escape Your Past? Poverty & Addiction Recovery with Jerry Brazie

  4. 3d ago

    Is Being Seen Worth Losing Yourself? Authentic Brand Visibility with Sarah Snyder

    What if the biggest obstacle to being seen isn’t your message, but the person you think you have to become to deliver it? Why do so many accomplished leaders feel compelled to perform confidence while quietly fearing rejection? Lisa Lacy welcomes Sarah Snyder, licensed professional counselor and Head of Partnership Development at Wasabi Publicity, for a revealing conversation about trauma, emotional intelligence, authenticity, and the psychology behind being visible. Together, they explore why our need for approval can keep us hiding behind carefully constructed identities. From the fear of public criticism to the pressure to always be the strong one, Sarah explains how authentic storytelling builds credibility without sacrificing emotional well-being. They also explore the changing world of public relations, why genuine connection matters more than manufactured perfection, and how one small act of kindness can communicate more love than a thousand words. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:45 — How trauma, black-and-white thinking, and the fear of rejection keep leaders hiding or performing for approval.06:15 — Emotional intelligence, recognizing your needs, and building the internal security to show up authentically.16:35 — Why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI, and how to stop performing a version of yourself for public approval.22:10 — Handling online criticism, protecting your mental health, and how strategic publicity and social media work together.28:30 — The exhaustion of always being the strong one, the power of vulnerability, and Sarah’s moving story about how a handful of grapes became an act of love. CONNECT WITH SARAH SNYDER Learn how Sarah and the Wasabi Publicity team help entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders build credibility and visibility through authentic communication. https://wasabipublicity.com CONNECT WITH LISA LACY INSIDE THE EDGE Join our private membership for deeper conversations, exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live gatherings, and resources for exploring identity, healing, and authentic living. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Is Being Seen Worth Losing Yourself? Authentic Brand Visibility with Sarah Snyder

  5. 5d ago

    Edge Note: Why Going No Contact Is BS.

    Why is going no contact treated like the only way to heal from narcissistic abuse? The truth is, sometimes it’s simply unrealistic. When children, family relationships, finances, and shared responsibilities are involved, cutting someone off completely isn’t always possible. And healing shouldn’t come with another impossible set of rules. In this deeply personal Edge Note, Lisa Lacy shares her experiences with a clinically diagnosed narcissistic former husband, trauma bonding, betrayal, and complicated family dynamics involving her mother and daughter. She challenges traditional recovery advice and explores a different approach to boundaries: Your energy is a privilege, not an entitlement. You decide who gets access, how much, and for how long. In this episode, we explore: Why no contact isn’t always realistic in narcissistic abuse recovery.Trauma bonding and why leaving an abusive relationship is rarely simple.Navigating narcissistic family dynamics when children and generations are involved.Setting boundaries around your time, conversations, emotional availability, and energy.Reclaiming your autonomy without guilt, explanations, or abandoning yourself. Connect with Lisa Lacy: https://www.lisalacy.com Join Inside the Edge: Exclusive weekly episodes, monthly private live experiences, member resources, and deeper human conversations. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Edge Note: Why Going No Contact Is BS.

  6. 6d ago

    Edge Note: What If They Mistook Disability for Inability?

    What happens when other people decide what you’re capable of? After a spinal cord injury at 20, Ken Kunken returned to Cornell University in a wheelchair, only to find a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. The challenge wasn’t simply adapting to a different life. It was navigating a world that hadn’t made room for him. Ken went on to build a career spanning more than four decades as a trial attorney, become a husband and father of triplets, and write his memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were. We talk about disability, accessibility, depression, independence, asking for help, and why opportunity and inclusion matter far more than anyone’s assumptions about another person’s abilities. In this episode: 02:38 | Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury and redefining independence05:50 | The importance of family, community, and meaningful support08:03 | Returning to an inaccessible Cornell campus and pursuing a legal career10:15 | Writing his memoir, navigating personal challenges, and building a family17:45 | Self-confidence, disability stereotypes, and the importance of opportunity Connect with Ken Kunken Author of I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story https://kenkunken.com Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: Join us for exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and resources that encourage self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Edge Note: What If They Mistook Disability for Inability?

  7. 6d ago

    What If Your Adoption Was Never Legal? Black Market Adoption with Patricia Knight Meyer

    What if your adoption was never legal? Patricia Knight Meyer was handed over as an infant along a Texas hospital curb without an agency, a judge, or legal adoption paperwork. At 12, she discovered she had no birth certificate. At 47, she finally received one that reflected her true identity. In this deeply personal conversation, Patricia joins Lisa Lacy to explore black-market adoption, adoption trauma, abandonment, people-pleasing, and the complicated emotions of reuniting with biological parents. She also shares the story behind her award-winning memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black-Market Adoption, and why adoptee rights, identity, and family preservation deserve more honest conversations. In This Episode: 02:43 – How adoption trauma, abandonment fears, and people-pleasing shaped Patricia’s childhood.06:04 – Discovering her missing birth certificate and questioning whether she had been stolen.09:19 – Reuniting with her biological parents and confronting the identity she thought she knew.15:05 – Preparing for adoption reunions, managing expectations, and establishing healthy boundaries.24:25 – Writing Wonderland, surviving devastating losses, and reclaiming her personal history. Connect with Patricia Knight Meyer https://www.myadoptedlife.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and practical resources exploring identity, trauma, recovery, and personal growth. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What If Your Adoption Was Never Legal? Black Market Adoption with Patricia Knight Meyer

  8. Oct 30

    What If Being Strong Is Breaking You? Masculinity, Burnout & Leadership with Dave Rossi

    What happens when everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve starts costing you your health, happiness, and sense of self? Dave Rossi built a multimillion-dollar business, had the homes, the money, and every outward sign of success. Behind it all, he was burned out, physically unwell, and deeply unhappy. What happens when everything you’ve worked for becomes the very thing destroying you? Lisa Lacy and Dave Rossi explore the hidden costs of traditional masculinity, the pressure to perform, and why strength doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health or happiness. From the alpha male mindset to Dave’s Omega Man philosophy, this conversation challenges what we’ve been taught about success, vulnerability, identity, and conscious leadership. In This Episode: 02:18 – When having everything still feels like failure: Dave’s personal breaking point06:29 – How ambition, discipline, and constant achievement become a recipe for burnout19:54 – Alpha vs. Omega: redefining masculinity, strength, and the masks men wear34:03 – Building the awareness muscle, breaking old patterns, and finding the power to choose differently44:24 – Performing to be loved, letting go of approval, and why vulnerability is real strength Connect with Dave Rossi Website: https://www.daverossiglobal.com Explore his books, Alphas Die Early and The Imperative Habit. Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Inside the Edge is a private membership featuring exclusive weekly solo episodes, monthly live virtual experiences, and practical resources for deeper conversations about identity, healing, personal growth, and the human experience. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What If Being Strong Is Breaking You? Masculinity, Burnout & Leadership with Dave Rossi
See All (154)

4.7
out of 5
122 Ratings

About

Notes From the Edge is where polished stories end and the truth begins. Hosted by writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, and author Lisa Lacy, this globally ranked podcast explores survival, identity, trauma, addiction, recovery, leadership, relationships, and reinvention through raw, deeply human conversations. No scripts. No small talk. Just the stories we were taught to hide, the roles we performed to survive, and the truths that set us free. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the edge. www.lisalacy.com

Information

  • Creator
    Gamut Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Lacy
  • Show Website
    Notes from the Edge

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