Your Aha! Life

Tonya Harris Cornileus

Welcome to Your Aha! Life podcast! This is the home for the seekers, the dreamers, and the doers who want more for their lives - more joy, more purpose, and more fulfillment. Each episode features real stories from people who've had life-changing "aha" moments on the path to living their best life. You'll hear stories of overcoming, discovery, and transformation that will inspire you on your own journey of self-fulfillment. But that's not all. Enjoy our latest blog articles in audio format, which is perfect for listening on the go. Join us, subscribe today, and begin living Your Aha! Life.

  1. 12/06/2025

    Ep. 58 The Quiet Yearning: Helping Men Heal, Grow, & Come Home to Themselves

    Summary: The episode "The Quiet Yearning: Helping Men Heal, Grow, and Come Home to Themselves" features a deep conversation between Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., and Sean Harvey, Founder of the Warrior Compassion Institute and a leading voice on men, masculinity, and extremism. The episode explores the challenges and transformations men face in today's society, focusing on the need for deeper connections, authenticity, and personal growth. Sean Harvey shares his journey from high-pressure environments to founding the Warrior Compassion Institute, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces for men to express vulnerability and engage in meaningful dialogue. Keywords: men's healing, masculinity, personal growth, Warrior Compassion Institute, vulnerability, societal pressures, Sean Harvey, Tonya Harris Cornileus Takeaways Men yearn for deeper connections and authenticity.Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.Creating safe spaces for men to express themselves is crucial.Societal pressures often hinder men's personal growth.Sean Harvey's journey highlights the importance of compassion in leadership.The Warrior Compassion Institute focuses on healing and growth for men.Men's circles provide a supportive environment for personal exploration.Understanding 'dude psychology' is key to engaging men effectively.Personal growth should be integrated into professional development.Men are not broken; systems are often the issue.Systems are broken and broken systems wound men (people). Sound bites: "Men yearn for deeper connections." "Vulnerability is a strength." "Safe spaces are crucial for men." "Societal pressures hinder growth." "Compassion in leadership matters." "Men's circles support exploration." "Dude psychology is key." "Growth in professional development." "Men are not broken." "Healing men heals society." Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:03:00 Sean Harvey's Journey00:09:00 The Importance of Vulnerability00:15:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Men00:21:00 Understanding Societal Pressures00:27:00 Warrior Compassion Institute00:33:00 Men's Circles and Support00:39:00 Integrating Personal Growth00:45:00 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsTo learn more about Sean Harvey and the work he's doing to support men, go to www.warriorcompassion.com, get his book, Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of Men (you can find it on Amazon or ask for it at your indie bookstore), and follow him on his new substack: Dude Psychology. Thank you for listening and following Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. Please share this podcast, leave a review, and hit follow to help this podcast reach other listeners like you. To learn more about Your Aha! Life, go to my website at https://www.yourahalife.com XOXO, Tonya

    55 min
  2. 11/18/2025

    Ep. 57 Navigating Life Transitions with Resilience and Authenticity with Dr. Cheryl Jordan

    Summary In this episode of 'Your Aha Life,' Dr. Tonya Cornileus hosts Dr. Cheryl Jordan to discuss navigating life and career transitions with resilience and authenticity. Dr. Jordan is the founder of U.magine Performance Consulting and an international bestselling author of "Hang on Tight, Pray," a memoir about her experience as a caregiver to her mom, who experienced a severe stroke. After her mother's passing in 2018, Cheryl published her book as a balm for herself and other caregivers. Cheryl says she wrote the book as a "testimony of what anyone can experience when faced with trauma. The book portrays an alchemy for finding moments to learn to breathe again. In this episode, Tonya and Cheryl explore the role of emotions as a form of intelligence, the impact of fear, and the importance of embracing change with awareness and authenticity. You'll hear how Cheryl chose, when given the opportunity, to leave her corporate job and start her own successful executive coaching and performance consulting firm. Walking into the unknown, Cheryl talks about an inner knowing, listening from within, aligning with her values, and moving forward even in the face of uncertainty and fear. She is an inspiration to anyone navigating life and career transitions. You can learn more about Dr. Jordan and U.magine Performance Consulting at www.umagineperformance.com or you can find her on Instagram @drcherylwrites Keywords: life transitions, career transitions, resilience, authenticity, emotions, fear, personal growth Takeaways: Emotions are a form of intelligence.Fear is a common emotion that can lead to dysfunction.Embracing change requires awareness and authenticity.Understanding emotions aids in personal growth.Building emotional awareness is crucial for decision-making.Resilience is key in navigating life transitions.Authenticity helps align personal and professional life.Community support is vital during transitions.Vulnerability can lead to personal and professional growth.Embracing one's path leads to opportunities. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you enjoy the episodes, please follow, leave a review, and share with others. This is the way the podcast will get noticed and heard by others. Also, great things are coming for Your Aha! Life. If you've been a casual follower or if you're new to Your Aha! Life, please head over to https://yourahalife.com and sign up to receive your gift, the Your Aha! Life monthly newsletter and so much more. Then stay tuned for the big relaunch in early 2026. I want you to be a part of all that's coming. XO, Tonya

    39 min
  3. Ep. 56 Grief, Recovery, & Finding Joy Again with Jenn Andreou

    10/28/2025

    Ep. 56 Grief, Recovery, & Finding Joy Again with Jenn Andreou

    Yay! Two reasons to celebrate this podcast episode: 1. Video is available; and 2. I'm speaking with my guest, Jenn Andreou, PCC, and Grief Recovery Method Specialist. If you've been with me for a while, you're aware that it's been a while since I've had video or guests. I'm excited to bring this episode to you and hope you'll listen on your favorite podcast platforms and watch the video on Spotify and/or YouTube. This is such a great episode because it teaches us that grief is normal and provides practical tools and actions we can take as we navigate the grief journey. Here's more of what this episode is about: Summary: In this heartfelt episode of "Your Aha Life," host Tonya Cornileus welcomes Jenn Andreou, a grief recovery method specialist and founder of Springboard Coaching. Together, they explore the profound journey of grief, sharing personal stories and insights into how loss shapes our lives. Jenn opens up about her own experiences with grief and the transformative power of healing. Tune in to discover how acknowledging and processing grief can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that normalizes grief and offers hope for recovery. #GriefRecovery #HealingJourney #YourAhaLife How to connect with Jenn Andreou and learn more about her work as an Actualized Living Coach and a Grief Recovery Method Specialist - https://springboardcoaching.org and jenn@springboardcoaching.org Join the Your Aha! Life Community by signing up at: https://yourahalife.com Keywords: grief, healing, recovery, emotional support, grief recovery method Takeaways: ​Grief is a normal and natural reaction to any kind of loss, not just death or divorce.​Grief is emotional, not intellectual, and requires feeling your way through it rather than thinking your way through it.​Society often perpetuates myths about grief, such as "time heals all wounds," which can hinder emotional healing.​Support during grief involves listening with empathy and without judgment, often described as being a "heart with ears."​Establishing personal boundaries and self-care practices can help maintain well-being during the grieving process.​Healing is possible, and community support can play a vital role in the recovery process. Soundbites ​Grief is more than just death.​Healing is possible; you're not alone.​Grief is emotional, not intellectual.​Support others by being a heart with ears.​Create a safe space for emotions. Chapters ​00:00:00 Introduction​00:01:30 Jenn's Background​00:05:00 Defining Grief​00:10:00 Personal Stories​00:15:00 Grief Myths​00:20:00 Supporting Others​00:25:00 Self-Support​00:30:00 Moving Forward​00:35:00 Aha Moments​00:40:00 Conclusion Thank you for listening and watching this episode. Please follow for more, leave a comment or rating, and share with your friends. XO Tonya **Intro/Outro music composed by Kayla McGuinn, a film music composer, University of Georgia, Class of 2025

    37 min
  4. Blog: How to Find Your Way When Feeling Lost

    09/20/2025

    Blog: How to Find Your Way When Feeling Lost

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus explores the theme of feeling lost as a natural part of personal growth. She emphasizes that moments of uncertainty are not failures but opportunities for transformation. By embracing obstacles and revisiting one's core values, individuals can navigate their unique paths toward authenticity and fulfillment. Dr. Cornileus provides practical steps to help listeners find clarity and purpose during challenging times, encouraging self-reflection and connection with others. Keywords growth, feeling lost, personal development, obstacles, self-discovery, resilience, purpose, journey, adventure, authenticity Takeaways Feeling lost is not failure, but a sign of growth.Moments of lostness indicate we are in transition.Obstacles can become part of the path to growth.Revisiting our 'why' helps reconnect with our values.Your journey is unique and not defined by others' expectations.Acknowledge feelings of being lost to open curiosity.Look for lessons in challenges to foster resilience.Trust your own path instead of following prescribed routes.Seek support from trusted friends or mentors.Reflect on your journey to rediscover your strengths. Sound Bites "Your journey isn't shown on any map." "Acknowledge, I feel lost." "The answers will arise within you." Chapters 00:00 Embracing the Feeling of Being Lost 03:46 Transforming Obstacles into Opportunities 06:42 Steps to Navigate Your Journey

    8 min
  5. 08/28/2025

    Ep. 55: Life is an Adventure: Let Your Imagination Lead the Way

    Summary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the theme of adventure in life, emphasizing the importance of imagination and the various metaphors we use to describe our experiences. She discusses how viewing life as an adventure can transform our mindset and encourages listeners to embrace qualities such as curiosity, openness, wonder, and courage. The episode concludes with practical invitations to incorporate adventure into daily life, reminding us that adventure is a mindset that can lead to joy and fulfillment. Keywords adventure, imagination, life metaphors, personal growth, exploration, mindset, curiosity, openness, wonder, courage Takeaways Life is defined by the metaphors we choose.Imagination is a free spirit that leads us to new possibilities.Adventure is a mindset, not just a physical journey.Curiosity is essential for expanding our experiences.Openness to new experiences enriches our lives.Wonder keeps our hearts alive and engaged.Wandering allows for unexpected discoveries.Courage is necessary to embrace adventure.Small choices can lead to a more adventurous life.Adventure is only a thought away.Sound Bites "Curiosity keeps life expansive." "Adventure calls for courage." "Adventure is a mindset." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adventure 04:17 Metaphors of Life 06:55 Life as an Adventure 10:39 Qualities of an Adventurer 18:33 Embracing Adventure in Everyday Life 23:45 Invitation to Adventure Thanks for listening to this podcast episode. If you love it, please leave a review, follow, and share with your friends. If you want to learn more about Your Aha! Life or me, go to my website at yourahalife.com (Your Aha! Life)

    25 min
  6. Ep. 54: Unapologetically You: Becoming the Person You Were Always Meant to Be

    06/30/2025

    Ep. 54: Unapologetically You: Becoming the Person You Were Always Meant to Be

    Summary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the journey of becoming unapologetically oneself. She discusses the societal pressures that lead individuals to perform roles for acceptance, the importance of recognizing one's true self, and the process of unlearning and reclaiming authenticity. The episode emphasizes that living authentically is a sacred journey, not a selfish act, and provides practical steps for listeners to begin their own journey towards self-acceptance and freedom. Keywords authenticity, self-discovery, unapologetic living, personal growth, self-acceptance, emotional well-being, self-identity, personal transformation, inner voice, self-worth Takeaways What would it feel like to be fully, freely, and unapologetically you?The journey to authenticity involves recognizing what holds us back.We learn to perform for acceptance from a young age.Socialization can lead us to lose touch with our true selves.Pretending to be someone else can become painful.Becoming who you are is a transition and a process.Unlearning roles and scripts is essential for authenticity.Living unapologetically means not shrinking to make others comfortable.You have to stop abandoning yourself for others' approval.Becoming yourself is a sacred act, not a selfish one.Sound Bites "We learn to perform for acceptance." "We lose touch with our own voice." "Pretending becomes too painful." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Authenticity 02:00 The Journey to Becoming Unapologetically You 03:08 Why It's So Hard to Be Yourself 09:16 Becoming You is a Transition 16:15 The Process of Unlearning and Reclaiming 17:13 What It Means to Live Unapologetically 23:22 Understanding Unapologetic Living 24:04 How to Begin 32:20 The Sacredness of Being You Thanks for listening. Please leave a review and share this episode with someone who will benefit from listening to it. I welcome you to join the Your Aha! Life Global Community. Go to https://yourahalife.com And follow me on Instagram @tonya.yourahalife. XO, Tonya

    36 min
4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Welcome to Your Aha! Life podcast! This is the home for the seekers, the dreamers, and the doers who want more for their lives - more joy, more purpose, and more fulfillment. Each episode features real stories from people who've had life-changing "aha" moments on the path to living their best life. You'll hear stories of overcoming, discovery, and transformation that will inspire you on your own journey of self-fulfillment. But that's not all. Enjoy our latest blog articles in audio format, which is perfect for listening on the go. Join us, subscribe today, and begin living Your Aha! Life.