Best Heather Holt Podcasts (2025)

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When Aloha Meets Goodbye - Sandie’s Story 21:39

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1d ago21:39

21:39

In this deeply moving episode, Heather sits down with Sandie, a quiet yet powerful voice in the world of caregiving and grief. Sandie shares the intimate story of her late partner Brian—a man full of light, love, and what Heather calls the “Aloha Spirit.” Together, they explore what it means to love someone through chronic illness, to watch them sl…

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Smile Drop: Growing Up Is a Scam (But So Are Half the Things I Google at 2 a.m.) 4:25

8d ago4:25

4:25

Welcome back to Smile Drops, the podcast equivalent of finding fries at the bottom of the bag or scoring the front parking spot on a rainy day. I'm your host, Heather Holt—audio storyteller, snack realist, and soon-to-be grandma—here with another bite-sized, brutally honest look at life. In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, we explore why growi…

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Visions, Spirits, and Ayahuasca: The Story of a Psychic Medium – with Sunni Dawson 1:09:00

10d ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Send us a text “This is the most you can hope for,” or “This is who you are.” We all do this. Internalize these voices, let them narrate our story so deeply that even when we start doing all the “right” things—getting the degree, landing the job, fitting the mold—there’s this haunting undercurrent of “I’m not enough,” or “I’m too strange,” or “I ca…

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The Woman Who Rewired Her Brain: Natalie’s Journey of Healing and Hope 25:28

15d ago25:28

25:28

At 49, Natalie was told she'd likely never recover from a traumatic brain injury. Doctors gave her no hope. But she had other plans. In this powerful episode, Natalie shares how she defied every expectation, rewired her brain through neuroplasticity, and discovered a deeper purpose rooted in radical self-love, spiritual growth, and the decision to …

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Sarah Landenwich, "The Fire Concerto" (Union Square Publishing, 2025) 37:33

15d ago37:33

37:33

This compelling debut novel explores the interconnected lives of three acclaimed female concert pianists: Clara Bishop; her teacher, Zofia Mikorska; and their nineteenth-century predecessor, Constantia Pleyel—best known for her arrest and subsequent incarceration for the murder of her own piano teacher, a composer named Aleksander Starza. Exactly h…

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The Shit Show — A Messy, Fierce, Real Love Story 44:18

22d ago44:18

44:18

What happens when cancer, caregiving, humor, and love collide? In this extended episode of Change Happened, Then What?, I sit down with Tim and Candy—partners whose nine-year cancer battle wasn’t just about illness and hospitals. It’s a messy, funny, heartbreaking, and deeply human love story that spans dark humor in operating rooms, caregiver exha…

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Sexual Trauma, and It's Quiet Spectrum: How It Impacts Women with Lisa Holt 1:26:35

26d ago1:26:35

1:26:35

Send us a text You want raw? You want no-bullshit authenticity? The latest episode of The Uncharted Way goes there—right to the jagged, unpolished root. Sari and Lisa aren't just talking about sexual trauma as a case study. They're laying their own stories bare. We're not playing in the “worst-case disaster” zone just to hit a peak—no, they're unea…

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Dennard Dayle, "How to Dodge a Cannonball: A Novel" (Henry Holt, 2025) 1:03:30

26d ago1:03:30

1:03:30

How to Dodge a Cannonball is a razor-sharp satire that dives into the heart of the Civil War, hilariously questioning the essence of the fight, not just for territory, but for the soul of America. How to Dodge a Cannonball (Henry Holt, 2025) is funnier than the Civil War should ever be. It follows Anders, a teenage idealist who enlists and reenlist…

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Smile Drop: Independence Edition – Fireworks, Freedom & Founding Father Fails 4:24

29d ago4:24

4:24

In this bite-sized bonus episode of Change Happened, Then What?, Heather Holt serves up a 5-minute celebration of America’s quirks, courage, and comedic history. From Jefferson’s iconic mic drop to John Adams confidently getting the date wrong, this Smile Drop takes you behind the scenes of July 4th with humor, heart, and a splash of sarcasm. Wheth…

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Smile Drop: Have We Met Before? 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

Ever met someone and felt like you’ve known them forever—even though you just locked eyes over a latte at Target? In this short Smile Drop episode, Heather Holt explores the magic of soul connections, the strangers who feel strangely familiar, and the people who show up in our lives like cosmic gifts (or warm cookies out of the oven). With cameos f…

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The Messy, Magic Collapse Before You Rise: This is 40 with Sari & Liz 54:12

1M ago54:12

54:12

Send us a text What if all that longing to be seen and loved isn’t a deficit, but a doorway? This episode is a celebration of my own birth!!! ( Into 40 that is) When I hit my “fuck it” moment—raw, crying on the beach, mad at myself—it gives us something we don’t talk about enough: the truth that discomfort, that total unraveling, is sometimes where…

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She Wasn’t a Mess, She Was Misunderstood - Jen’s Journey 21:07

1M ago21:07

21:07

In Episode 7 of Change Happened, Then What?, we meet Jen—a bold, fast-talking woman navigating ADHD, motherhood, and grief with humor and heart. Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Jen opens up about impulsivity, work anxiety, and the deep pain of losing her father to throat cancer. From feeling “too much” to realizing she was just misunderstood, Jen’s…

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Smile Drop: Grocery Store Psychology: The Cart, the Chaos, and the Cold Watermelon 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

Welcome to Smile Drops—your bi-weekly dose of humor, nostalgia, and relatable chaos, served fresh from the produce aisle of life. In this mini-episode, we explore the weird and wonderful world of grocery store psychology. From forgotten lists and fluorescent lighting to avocado anxiety and self-checkout drama, host Heather Holt takes us on a lighth…

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Jack Wang, "The Riveter" (HarperVia, 2025) 52:42

2M ago52:42

52:42

NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with author Jack Wang about his novel, The Riveter (HarperVia, 2025). In the vein of All the Light We Cannot See, a cross-cultural love story set against the dramatic backdrop of the Allied invasion of Europe during WWII. Vancouver, 1942. Josiah Chang arrives in the bustling city ready to make a new life for himself. …

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Criticizing by Creating: with Angel Robinson, Creator of SolarPunk Summit 1:16:47

2M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

Send us a text Angel and Sari dig into this place where our bodies and minds have been programmed to expect the worst, to look for what’s not working, and to brace ourselves for disappointment. And for so many people, that’s become the water they’re swimming in. You hear it when Angel talks about coming from the political activism world, like this …

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Shift Happens – Ericc’s Story 20:00

2M ago20:00

20:00

What happens when art becomes your lifeline—and transformation finds you on the road? In this episode of Change Happened, Then What?, Heather Holt talks with queer artist, musician, and long-haul truck driver Ericc Cram, whose journey is anything but ordinary. From surviving a hostile upbringing to using creativity as a healing tool, Ericc’s story …

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Karen Swan, "The Midnight Secret" (Macmillan, 2025) 47:58

2M ago47:58

47:58

Keeping details straight while writing a chronologically organized series is difficult enough. Focusing four full-length novels on the events of a single group experience in a single year, with back stories and future developments for a small group of heroines, each of whom has a chance to tell her own story of the central event and its consequence…

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Smile Drop: The Joy of Saying No 4:30

2M ago4:30

4:30

In this witty and heartwarming Smile Drops episode, Heather Holt explores the liberating power of saying no—with love, humor, and a healthy dose of self-awareness. From skipping “optional” Zoom meetings to prioritizing sock-drawer serenity over social pressure, this mini-episode celebrates the joy of boundaries and the magic of self-respect. Whethe…

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Unlock Wealth Freedom: Money Myths Shattered – with Heather Russo 1:08:29

2M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Send us a text This episode exposes just how baked-in and unconscious most of our money patterns are. Most people don’t even pause to wonder if there’s a different way—it’s just get paid, pay bills, cross your fingers, and sort of white-knuckle your way through the month. The inspiration from this conversation is in the tiny acts of rebellion Heath…

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Frank X Walker, "Load in Nine Times: Poems" (Liveright, 2024) 1:24:30

2M ago1:24:30

1:24:30

For decades Frank X Walker has reclaimed essential American lives through his pathbreaking historical poetry. In this stirring new collection, he reimagines the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers—including his own ancestors—who enlisted in the Union army in exchange for emancipation. Moving chronologically from antebellum Kentucky through Reco…

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When the Music Changed - Taraleigh’s Story 26:22

2M ago26:22

26:22

What happens when your identity shifts—and you finally stop apologizing for who you are? In this inspiring episode of Change Happened, Then What?, Heather Holt talks with Taraleigh Weathers—ADHD advocate, writer, dancer, and DJ—about the journey from self-doubt to radical self-love. Taraleigh shares how ADHD shaped her life, from childhood struggle…

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Smile Drop: Change Is My Comfort Zone 5:00

3M ago5:00

5:00

Welcome to Smile Drops—a short and sweet dose of joy from Holt Hill Studios. These bite-sized episodes are designed to lift your spirits, warm your heart, and maybe even spark a giggle (or a snort-laugh, we don’t judge). In this episode, we’re talking about change—yep, that unpredictable, sometimes messy, often magical force that keeps life moving.…

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Moving Beyond Casual Sex and External Validation in Dating with Louis Brantmeyer 1:11:53

3M ago1:11:53

1:11:53

Send us a text In today's dating......you’re supposed to go out, swipe for a partner, chase validation—because that’s the cultural script and it’s easier than sitting with your own hunger or loneliness? And yet, how many of us get stuck in that loop? We’re cycling through the same heartbreaks, the same bargains with ourselves, convinced pain is the…

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What she didn't say at the bar - Brooke's Journey 28:40

3M ago28:40

28:40

In this powerful episode of Change Happened, Then What?, Brooke shares the story she never told at the bar—her private journey through trauma, survival, and healing. She opens up about being stalked and sexually assaulted in college, living with chronic pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia (often called the “suicide disease”), and what it means to carry …

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Joanna Miller, "The Eights" (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2025) 43:22

3M ago43:22

43:22

Joanna Miller’s The Eights (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2025) follows four women attending the University of Oxford in 1920. They are not the first female university students in the United Kingdom, or even the first who can hope to attain a degree, but they are the first class of women who can, if they fulfill all the requirements, attain a university deg…

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Crashed Cars, Porn Checks, and Surrender - Why hiding never saves you, with Scott Hansen 1:14:16

3M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Send us a text You ever make a split-second decision that sits in your bones for years—something you’d swear nobody would ever understand if you actually told them? This is what happens when your whole life gets detonated on a random night in your 20s—with shame that stretches across years and the kind of public exposure that’d make most people dis…

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Heart of a Warrior, Soul of a Mother – Julie’s Journey 40:47

3M ago40:47

40:47

In this deeply moving episode of Change Happened, Then What?, host Heather Holt sits down with Julie—an adoptive mother of four, trauma-informed parenting advocate, and the heart behind Harmony at Last. Julie opens up about her journey from corporate engineer to entrepreneur, from adopting children with unique emotional needs to being diagnosed wit…

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Tim Welsh, "Ley Lines" (Guernica Editions, 2025) 33:24

3M ago33:24

33:24

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with debut Toronto author Tim Welsh about his novel, Ley Lines, published by Guernica Editions, 2025. Set in the waning days of the Klondike Gold Rush, Ley Lines begins in the mythical boom town of Sawdust City, Yukon Territory. Luckless prospector Steve Ladle has accepted an unusual job offer: accomp…

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Meet the Real Stars of the Hill: Waylon and Dalton 8:00

4M ago8:00

8:00

In this special Smile Drops episode of Change Happened, Then What?, host Heather Holt introduces her two beloved dogs—Waylon and Dalton. These lab mix fur-babies are more than just studio mascots—they’re snoring, slobbery, tail-wagging bundles of joy. You’ll laugh along as we share their quirks (like barking at delivery drivers and carrying pillows…

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Alka Joshi, "Six Days in Bombay" (Mira, 2025) 49:49

4M ago49:49

49:49

Sona Falstaff, a hospital nurse in Bombay, has things more or less where she wants them. Yes, she faces a certain discrimination, positive and negative, because of her mixed heritage, which makes her a “half-half” in the lingo of 1930s India. She lives in a poor section of the city, and she must work to support herself and her aging mother. India i…

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Body Shame, Identity Games & Finally Saying F*ck That with Sari & Liz 1:10:57

4M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Liz for a no-filter conversation about what it means to come home to yourself. We talk about the ways we’ve molded ourselves to fit in—into jobs, body ideals, relationships—and how fucking exhausting it is to keep up with an identity that was never truly ours. Together, we unpack the sh…

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Love against The odds - Cynthea's Heroic Journey 27:48

4M ago27:48

27:48

In Episode 2 of Change Happened, Then What?, Cynthea shares her deeply personal journey of surviving trauma, navigating PTSD, and ultimately rediscovering love. After being abducted and assaulted as a teenager, she faced unimaginable pain—but also found extraordinary resilience. This powerful conversation explores how trauma impacts the mind and bo…

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Smile Drop: Oh the Places You will go 13:35

4M ago13:35

13:35

In this uplifting debut of Smile Drops, Heather Holt delivers a heartfelt dose of motivation and joy to help you face life’s challenges with courage and confidence. Inspired by real-life moments and encouraging words, this bite-sized episode reminds us that even the smallest step forward can lead to something beautiful. Whether you're chasing a dre…

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Part 2: Army to Alchemy: Joshua Whiteland's Path of Service, Struggle, and Strength 1:09:40

4M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Send us a text Part 2 of this conversation is HERE!!!! Continue with us through Josh's story of resilience as he battles alcoholism and finds faith in himself and God. This story is a testament that even in your worst day, there is a bigger power that does have your back!!! Sari Cowsert Claim Your FREE Meditation! Instagram www.thegrowthgoddess.net…

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Ila’s Moon: A Story of Loss, Love, and Healing 31:48

4M ago31:48

31:48

In this powerful debut episode of Change Happened, Then What?, I sit down with Jeannie Lynch—a mother, spiritual coach, and dear friend—to share her moving story of grief, healing, and spiritual resilience after the sudden loss of her 8-year-old daughter, Ila. Jeannie opens up about navigating the emotional toll of child loss, staying spiritually c…

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Heather Akou, "Afterthought: A Family Story" (Indiana U Libraries, 2025) 55:30

4M ago55:30

55:30

Afterthought: A Family Story (Indiana University Bloomington Libraries Publishing, 2025) by Dr. Heather Akou focuses on the life of her grandmother, Lila Slaback, who grew up in a dysfunctional, working-class family in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the 1930s. In her short adult life, she gave birth to seven children with at least four different men and …

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Trusting Intuition 13:05

4M ago13:05

13:05

Join Heather Holt in "Change Happened, Then What?", where she and her guests share transformative moments that led to personal growth and revelations. Through engaging stories, Heather explores the power of intuition, sharing her journey from audio engineering to podcasting. Each episode offers inspiring narratives, healing and hope, and a special …

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Victoria Christopher Murray, "Harlem Rhapsody" (Berkley, 2025) 37:27

5M ago37:27

37:27

Most people in North America have probably at least heard the name W. E. B. Dubois. In the early twentieth century, DuBois—the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard—published and spoke extensively about his vision of equality through education. In particular, he edited The Crisis, the monthly magazine of the NAACP, while also writing …

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Part 1: Army to Alchemy: Joshua Whiteland's Path of Service, Struggle, and Strength 57:53

5M ago57:53

57:53

Send us a text In this episode: Joshua’s journey is just a reflection of that larger struggle a lot of us experience: performing rather than truly living and being authentic to ourselves. It's the whole deal of putting up this armor and not really addressing those underlying emotional issues because there’s this fear of being perceived as weak or i…

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Trailer - Inspiring journeys –The Friendship Chronicles 5:50

5M ago5:50

5:50

In this season, I'll share stories from those who helped me through tough times. These people, whom I met by chance and have become long-time friends, prove it takes a village to navigate life. Let's make our village vibrant and expansive again. I hope these stories bring you hope and inspiration. If you'd like to support the show, just click the l…

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The Future of AI: Transforming Fear into Opportunity with Edwin Jansen 1:08:32

5M ago1:08:32

1:08:32

Send us a text I think most people don't even comprehend the depths of what's possible with AI. It's like we're stuck in this traditional mindset of what business and productivity should look like, missing out on this mind-blowing tool that can radically amplify our lives. When Edwin talks about custom GPTs, he's not just giving us tech jargon. He'…

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Sara Adrien, "Instead of Harmony: A Second Chance Regency Romance" (2023) 35:37

5M ago35:37

35:37

Raphael Klonimus battles deep regret. Haunted by losing Laila, he sees himself as a coward for letting her slip away. But fate offers him a second chance. He whisks Laila away to a secluded castle, determined to reignite their passionate love. A single, soul-stirring kiss sparks hope, yet Raphael knows their journey to happiness will be challenging…

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Elyse Durham, "Maya & Natasha" (Mariner Books, 2025) 33:36

5M ago33:36

33:36

As Nazi tanks roll toward Leningrad in August 1941, an unmarried nineteen-year-old ballerina gives birth to twin girls in the soon-to-be besieged city. Bereft of hope, the dancer—once a rising star at the Kirov—slashes her wrists, but her babies survive, rescued by the devoted friend who arrives just too late to save their mother. The friend, too, …

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Emily E K Murdoch on the Governess Bureau Series 48:07

6M ago48:07

48:07

When the nobility and gentility of England are at their wits end, they send a discrete note to Miss Vivienne Clarke’s Governess Bureau. Only accepting the very best clients, their governesses are coveted, with every governess following three rules: 1.You must have an impeccable record. 2.You must bring a special skill to the table. 3.You must never…

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Allegra Goodman, "Isola" (The Dial Press, 2025) 23:10

6M ago23:10

23:10

Today I talked to Alegra Goodman about her novel Isola (The Dial Press, 2025) After Marguerite is orphaned as a young girl, her guardian leaves her alone in her family’s enormous home, where servants see to her needs until he hires a mother and daughter to tutor her in the ways of wealthy 16th century lords and ladies. The guardian sells her home a…

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Introduction - Change Happened, Then What? 3:15

6M ago3:15

3:15

An introduction to a new podcast that will be starting in the spring of 2025 where I will be interviewing guests to talk about topics that typically don't like to be discussed out loud. and how we all found our way out of those dark places with in ourselves and learned to smile again. We will cry, laugh and swear our way through to your heart and h…

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Rod Carley, "Ruff: A Novel" (Latitude 46, 2024) 37:21

7M ago37:21

37:21

RuFF (Latitude 46 Publishing, 2024) is Rod Carley’s highly-anticipated fourth novel. This historical fiction transports us to Elizabethan England, where we witness Shakespeare struggling through a midlife crisis while trying to win a national play competition to secure the King’s business. Hilarious hijinks ensue, with whip-smart dialogue and a cap…

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Fiona Davis, "The Stolen Queen" (Dutton, 2025) 28:50

7M ago28:50

28:50

Charlotte Cross has built a satisfying career as assistant curator in the Department of Egyptian Art at New York’s Metropolitan Museum. It’s 1978, the museum has just opened the Temple of Dendur and is preparing to become the last US stop for the King Tutankhamun exhibit, and Charlotte at sixty has almost completed her long-planned article on Hatho…

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Sara Lodge, "The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective" (Yale UP, 2024) 45:44

7M ago45:44

45:44

In The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective (Yale UP, 2024), Sara Lodge tells stories of women who brought 19th century criminals to justice, in real life and popular culture, as unacknowledged crime-fighters and feminist icons. On stage and in fiction, women detectives were sensational figures who fascinated the public with cross-dres…

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From Gossip to Growth: The Shut The Fuck Up Method with Jorge Perez 1:02:25

7M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

Send us a text In this episode we dive deep into Jorge’s philosophy on avoiding ego-driven conversations and gossip, emphasizing intentional and mindful speech. And let's be real—how many of us haven't felt the magnetic pull of superficial conversations or the need to fit in with the "right" crowd just to feel seen? This episode is genuinely a call…