Podcast
Elevated Life Academy
Hosted by Cherie Lindberg · EN
Welcome to Elevated Life: Stories of Hope and Healing with your host, Cherie Lindberg. Join us on a transformative journey, as Cherie engages in provoking conversations with leaders of the diverse realms of therapy and mental healing.
Embark on a quest to understand the intricate tapestry of the human mind as we uncover the power of therapeutic modalities, new healing methods, and the intersection of psychology and spirituality. "Elevated Life: Stories of Hope and Healing" is not just a podcast; it's your compass on a journey to well-being, self-discovery, and societal harmony.
Subscribe now to join Cherie Lindberg and her esteemed guests as they share insights, stories, and practical tips that illuminate the path to mental and emotional wellness. Whether you're a seasoned therapist, someone curious about mental health, or simply seeking inspiration for your own healing journey, this podcast is your guide to unlocking the potential within and fostering a more compassionate world. Tune in on Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms – because healing begins with understanding.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
70 Annie McCarty on Feminine Reclamation and Healing Generational Exhaustion
1w ago00:21:46Tap to summarizeWhat if the exhaustion so many women carry isn’t personal, but ancestral? In this profound conversation with Annie, founder of Reclaiming Her Flame, we explore what it means to be a woman in the sandwich generation: holding space for aging parents while raising daughters who are watching our every move.Annie helps women break free from inherited patterns of over-functioning, over-giving, and overriding their own needs. She invites us back into the wisdom of our bodies, our natural rhythms, and our power to lead without draining ourselves dry. Together, we unpack generational healing, feminine reclamation, and the shift from survival mode to rooted leadership.Annie also shares a glimpse into her new mini course, “Raising Her Regulated,” designed to support mothers of teenage daughters who want to model emotional regulation, authenticity, and balance, even while navigating the complex dynamics of multigenerational caregiving.In this episode, we explore:What it means to be the “bridge” between generationsHow women can consciously transform family patterns of burnout and silenceThe body’s hidden role in generational healingHow to raise a regulated daughter while caring for aging parentsWhy feminine leadership begins with slowing downWhether you’re a mother, caregiver, or change-maker ready to free your lineage from inherited exhaustion, this episode will help you remember: the healing begins with you.Annie, founder of Reclaiming Her Flame, supports women in the sandwich generation who feel the weight of what came before them and the responsibility of what comes next for our daughters (and sons). Her work focuses on generational healing, feminine reclamation, and helping women step out of survival patterns that have shaped their families for generations. She calls women back to their natural cycles and rhythms, rejecting the pressure to over-function, over-give, and override their bodies, and guides them into rooted leadership instead of inherited exhaustion. She challenges women to become the bridge ... the ones who transform their lineage rather than unconsciously repeat it.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comcapGuest Links:Https://instagram.com/reclaimingherflameHttps://facebook.com/annie.v.mccartyHttps://reclaimingherflame.com
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69: From Wild Spirit to Manifestation Therapist: Judy Hawley’s Journey of Healing, Alignment, and Purpose
Jun 100:17:37Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you stop fighting your intuition and start trusting where it leads? In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Judy Hawley, a trauma therapist, clinical social worker, and creator of Manifestation Therapy®: a powerful integration of neuroscience, somatic psychology, emotional processing, and universal energetic principles.Judy’s path has been anything but linear. From her early days studying child psychology, navigating undiagnosed ADHD, and traveling the world after leaving university, to a first career in computer programming that left her restless, Judy eventually returned to her true calling: healing and human transformation.After a profound personal loss, Judy followed her intuition into social work, earned multiple degrees in record time, and became a single mom while building a career in hospital and crisis treatment settings. Today, she combines evidence-based practices like Brainspotting, IFS, and EMDR with spiritual intuition to help clients regulate their nervous systems, heal emotional patterns, and manifest lives aligned with their highest purpose.In this conversation, we explore:Judy’s remarkable shift from logic-driven careers to soul-led workHow Manifestation Therapy® bridges science and spiritThe role of intuition in trauma recovery and personal transformationWhat it means to live in energetic alignment after hardship and healingIf you’ve ever felt torn between practicality and passion, or wondered how to integrate evidence-based therapy with deeper spiritual work, this episode offers both guidance and inspiration.Judy Hawley, is a trauma therapist, clinical social worker, and Manifestation Coach. She has authored books and created Manifestation Therapy®, a modality that integrates neuroscience, somatic psychology, emotional processing and universal energetic principles. She supports purpose-driven individuals to heal emotional patterns, regulate their nervous systems, align with their deeper purpose and highest self. Judy blends evidence based modalities such as Brainspotting, IFS, EMDR and more with spiritual intuition to support clients and create lasting transformation.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comcapGuest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manifestationtherapy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manifestation_therapyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyhawley/Website: https://manifestationtherapy.com/Podcast: https://manifestationtherapy.com/manifestation-therapy-podcast/Buy the Book: https://a.co/d/fyllWosTake the Free Universal Principles Course:https://manifestationtherapy.com/courses/
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68: Katrina M. Johnson & Dr. Steven J. Rippe: Building Hope from the Inside Out: How Students Are Redefining Belonging in Schools
May 1800:27:50Tap to summarizeIn this powerful follow-up conversation, Katrina M. Johnson and Dr. Steven J. Rippe return to explore what happens when schools stop guessing what students need and start listening.Together, they unpack a growing movement inside schools that centers on belonging, resilience, and student-led change. This episode builds on a recent student conversation, where young people shared firsthand how initiatives like Sources of Strength and emerging group Brainspotting practices are transforming their school culture from the inside out.With limited time and resources, this school community made a bold “reset/refresh” decision: prioritizing space for students to explore what hope and belonging truly feel like. The results are already rippling outward.You’ll hear how:Student voice is becoming a driving force behind school-wide transformationPractices like Brainspotting are being thoughtfully introduced in group and implicit waysBelonging is shifting from a concept to a lived, shared experienceHope is being operationalized, not just talked about, in real timeMost importantly, this episode amplifies what the students themselves are saying:“It brings the school together.”“It helps us understand ourselves and each other.”“It gives the school more hope… more unity… more energy.”This is a conversation about more than programs; it’s about creating systems where every student feels seen, valued, and connected.If you care about youth mental health, trauma-informed education, or building sustainable cultures of belonging, this episode offers both inspiration and a blueprint.Katrina M. Johnson is a licensed clinical and school social worker, Brainspotting therapist, systems strategist, mother, and dairy farmer advancing the science of hope through comprehensive school mental health systems. As the founder of Connect Strength, she leads data-driven, cross-sector work to expand equitable access to care in rural communities. She specializes in elevating youth voice as a core driver of resilience, bridging neuroscience, lived experience, and community collaboration. Her work creates sustainable pathways for belonging and well-being for youth and the systems that support them.Dr. Steven J. Rippe is a successful educator, principal, and university administrator. He partners with students and educators to create nationally recognized schools and high-performing, joyful learning communities—grounded in the transformative power of hope.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comcap
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67: Turning Pain Into Purpose: How Jonny Imerman Built a Global Network of Hope
May 400:19:05Tap to summarizeWhen life throws you its toughest challenge, how do you respond? For Jonny Imerman, the answer was connection, compassion, and action.At just 26, Jonny was living a healthy, active life when an unexpected testicular cancer diagnosis changed everything. Two years of chemotherapy and surgeries later, Jonny realized a critical gap in the cancer journey: too many patients were going through it alone. What began as a small group of survivors mentoring newly diagnosed patients became Imerman Angels, a Chicago-born nonprofit that now connects over 16,000 cancer survivors and families across 120+ countries.In this episode, Jonny shares:How his personal fight with cancer inspired a movement of one-on-one peer mentorship around the world.The power of community and shared experience in healing and resilience.His evolution from survivor to social entrepreneur through CLOZTALK, a mission-driven B Corp helping nearly 500 nonprofits share their identity through custom apparel.Jonny’s story is a masterclass in transforming adversity into purpose-driven impact. You'll come away believing that even in our hardest seasons, connection can be the spark that creates something extraordinary.Listen now to discover how one person’s pain became a global network of hope and healing.Jonny Imerman grew up in Metro Detroit, and shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan, he was diagnosed with advanced cancer & had 2 years of chemo & surgeries.Jonny co-founded ImermanAngels.org, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides free one-on-one peer cancer support for thousands of cancer families each year in 120+ countries.Jonny also co-founded, CLOZTALK.com, a B Corp that creates web stores, & designs & sells logo apparel, for nearly 500 nonprofits.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/imermanangels/
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66: Less Tired, More Inspired: How Givers Can Thrive Without Burning Out with Phil Januszewski
Apr 2000:23:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Phil Januszewski, nationally known keynote speaker, tattooed joy ambassador, and former high school chemistry teacher turned professional inspirer. After 20 years of teaching and witnessing too many brilliant educators, healthcare workers, and helping professionals running on empty, Phil made it his mission to help our world’s givers flourish again.Phil’s message? Thriving isn’t luck, it’s lifestyle. He shares the pivotal moment a single book, Big Potential by Shawn Achor, flipped his perspective and sparked his journey into the science of positive psychology. With his signature blend of energy, humor, and soul, Phil unpacks his framework from his keynote, “Less Tired, More Inspired,” guiding listeners through:How to identify the “-ers” that lift you higher (energizer, supporter, encourager).Why scheduling joy isn’t selfish, it's strategic.Ways to let go of the noise that drains your spark.Get ready for a conversation that mixes motivation with science, storytelling with self-discovery, and leaves you ready to show up to your life with more energy, more purpose, and more you.Tune in to learn how to rekindle your passion, sustain your purpose, and redefine what giving can feel like.Phil Januszewski is a nationally known dynamic keynote speaker that empowers our “givers” in the world to flourish more in their personal lives in order to create greater impact in their careers and community; all while avoiding burnout, boredom, and cynicism.Phil is an energetic speaker (since 2013), experienced educator (20 years), and charismatic creator. He holds a bachelor’s in chemistry, a master’s in teaching leadership, and a positive education certification. Known for his high energy, blend of entertainment and impact, and heavily tattooed skin, Phil lives out his personal mission of creating and spreading happiness through motivation, education, and entertainment.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:Website: https://philjanuszewski.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilJanuszewskiSpeaksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philjanuszewskiYouTube: https://youtube.com/@philjanuszewskiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philjanuszewskiTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philjanuszewskiTwitter/X: https://x.com/philjanuszewskiPositive Growth Clothing Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PositiveGrowthStoreLink to Subscribe to Positive Growth Lounge Emails: https://mailchi.mp/efbb1914fa7b/join-the-positive-growth-lounge-email-list
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65: From Illiterate to Illuminated: The Transformational Path of John R. Spender
Apr 600:30:31Tap to summarizeThis episode dives deep into the remarkable journey of John R. Spender, founder of A Journey of Riches, writing coach, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and living embodiment of resilience. Once unable to read or write until age ten, John has since co-authored over 45 books, guided more than 450 authors across 50+ countries, and created an award-winning film, The Gift in Adversity, featuring thought leaders like Jack Canfield, Michael Beckwith, and Dr. John Demartini.In this intimate conversation, we explore how John transformed his early challenges, including childhood trauma and educational struggles, into fuel for purpose-driven storytelling that heals and inspires. He shares his evolution from landscaper to life coach, the pivotal moment his teacher recognized his gift, and how his time in Bali and the world of NLP shaped his coaching philosophy.Listeners will walk away with powerful insights on how to:Turn personal adversity into creative expression and purpose.Reframe life’s challenges through storytelling as a vehicle for healing.Build a global legacy rooted in authenticity, service, and resilience.This episode is a masterclass in transformation and a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to rewrite its story: one chapter at a time.John R. Spender is the founder of A Journey of Riches, a writing coach, and an award-winning documentary film director whose life journey is rooted in resilience and transformation. Despite being illiterate until the age of ten, John co-wrote more than 45 books and founded Abundant Publishing, helping over 450 authors from 50+ countries share their stories and achieve bestseller success. His award-winning documentary, The Gift in Adversity, which features global thought leaders Jack Canfield, Michael Beckwith, Dr. John Demartini, continues to impact audiences worldwide. John’s work centers on helping people turn life’s challenges into purpose-driven stories that inspire healing, growth, and authentic living.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:https://www.facebook.com/john.rspender/www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-spender-7a171630www.ajourneyofriches.comwww.youtube.com/@ajourneyofriches3672
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64: The Sacred Unknown: Grief, Play, and Becoming Who’s Next with Megan Malick
Mar 2300:28:54Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the life you’ve built no longer fits, even as you’re still living it? In this episode, we sit down with Megan Malick, grief guide, speaker, and author of A New Path: A Practical Workbook and Planner for the First Year of Grief and Settling Your Person’s Affairs. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified Brainspotting Practitioner, Megan invites us into a profound conversation about loss, identity, and the courage to live within the mystery of transformation.Three weeks before her first Brainspotting training in 2022, Megan’s mother died unexpectedly. By the end of that same training, her father’s illness and dying had begun. What followed was a season of deep reckoning: self-spotting, journaling, and learning to bring soul into the most practical parts of grief.In this conversation, Megan shares how her healing journey and Brainspotting experiences reshaped not only her work but her very sense of self. We explore how grief can be a creative companion, why “play” became her compass during uncertainty, and how listening to the quiet invitations of the soul can open portals to profound healing and purpose.If you’ve ever found yourself suspended between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, this episode is a tender and illuminating guidepost for your own unfolding path.Key themes:Living with “the sacred unknown”Grief as a creative and spiritual processBrainspotting as a tool for self-healingThe power of play in personal transformationBringing soul into the practical realities of lifeMegan Malick is a grief guide, speaker, and author of A New Path: A Practical Workbook and Planner for the First Year of Grief and Settling Your Person’s Affairs. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and certified Brainspotting Practitioner, Megan draws on her background in education, ministry, and psychotherapy to create soulful spaces of meaning and transformation. Megan believes the “mundane” is often a portal for healing and growth.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:https://a-new-path.com/https://meganmalick.substack.com/https://www.facebook.com/revmeganmalickhttps://www.instagram.com/meganmmalick/https://www.linkedin.com/in/revmeganmalick/https://youtube.com/@meganmalickhttps://a.co/d/fsN9b6J
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63: The Human Curriculum: Teaching, Suffering, and the Art of Being Human with Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk
Mar 900:37:12Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to teach and live, with our humanity at the center? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, an educator, researcher, mental health practitioner, and parent whose work bridges the College of Education and the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. Grounded in decades of experience and reflection, Dr. Judy developed The Human Curriculum: a framework that helps educators, practitioners, and communities navigate the beautiful struggle of being human together.She reminds us that teaching and caring for others begins with our own self-care: what she calls the “self-care to care gift.” Built around the guiding process of Aware, Care, Cope (ACC), The Human Curriculum invites us to become more conscious of our needs and the needs of others, to integrate care as an intentional practice, and to cultivate skills that support coping, resilience, and collective well-being.In this conversation, Dr. Judy shares her realization that no one is truly “trained” for the complexity of the human condition, yet it is precisely through our shared suffering, striving, and surviving that we become most capable of genuine teaching and connection. Whether you’re an educator, clinician, parent, or simply someone trying to do your best in an imperfect world, this episode will leave you reflecting on your own human curriculum.Topics covered:The origins and evolution of The Human CurriculumSurviving and thriving in education and care professionsThe Aware, Care, Cope process as a daily practiceThe “self-care to collective care” principleReframing imperfection and struggle as essential to growthDr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk, RTC, MTC, is the Well-being Coordinator in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Faculty member and Researcher in the College of Education. Judy brings over two decades of educational expertise and clinical practice to her endeavours, and has a keen interest in the intersections of mental health, leadership, and education. Therapeutic and healing-centred practices are her current focus. Judy believes self-care and personal well-being are essential for strong leadership, especially for those in caregiving professions, i.e., anyone in a position that holds humans at the heart of their work.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:Social Media: Instagram: @drjudyjaunzemsfernukFacebook: Prairie Sky EducationWebsites: http://www.drjudyjaunzemsfernuk.comwww.therapeuticteaching.comwww.prairieskyeducation.cawww.thehumancurriculum.caOrder The Human Curriculum™ Journal:https://www.amazon.ca/Human-Curriculum-Reflective-Journal-Self-Discovery/dp/B0DGQ1VVZJ
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62: Interrupting the Silence: Gilly Kahn on Women, ADHD, and the Power of Her Story
Feb 2300:32:54Tap to summarizeJoin us for an inspiring conversation with Gilly Kahn, Atlanta-based psychologist, mother, and debut author of Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women's' ADHD. Originally from Miami and now calling Atlanta home, Gilly opens up about her journey from curious child to clinical expert, and how parenting her own "baby bears" informs her approach to both writing and therapy.Gilly's new book brings long-overdue attention to the emotional side of ADHD in girls and women, breaking down the myths and misunderstandings that surround adult ADHD—especially how it often flies under the radar. As a regular contributor to Psychology Today, Attitude Magazine, and beyond, Gilly shines a compassionate light on neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, OCD, and body-focused behaviors .In this episode, you’ll hear:What finally motivated her to write Allow Me to Interrupt—and the impact she hopes it will have.Why emotional dysregulation is often at the heart of women's ADHD, and what that looks like in daily life.How Gilly blends her passion for writing with her role as a therapist in a bustling group practice.The unique clinical challenges that come with working with kids, adults, and parents on the full neurodiversity spectrum.Gilly's take on how having ADHD herself drives her passion for variety and creativity, both in and out of the therapy room.Tune in if you want an eye-opening look at what women with ADHD truly experience—and why giving voice to these stories changes lives.Gilly Kahn, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist based in Atlanta and specializing in neurodiversity and emotion regulation. When not seeing clients or mommying, you’ll usually find her writing, probably about something psychological. Gilly is the author of Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.comGuest Links:https://www.drgillykahn.comhttps://www.instagram.com/drgillykahn/https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilly-kahn-m-a-ph-d-1996892b4/https://www.facebook.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@dr.gillykahn
Transcribe →61: Sacred Knowing: Choosing Healing After the Hurt with Cherie Lindberg, PhD
Feb 900:21:13Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt conversation, trauma therapist-turned-coach Cherie Lindberg opens up about her deeply personal journey and the inspiration behind her new book, Sacred Knowing. After two decades helping others navigate trauma, Cherie experienced a profound shift following the loss of her childhood best friend, a moment that sparked her decision to move beyond trauma work and into coaching focused on flourishing, thriving, and living an elevated life.Cherie shares why she felt compelled to write this book and how it became a reflection of her own healing—an exploration of what it means to release pain, reclaim self-love, and trust the sacred inner knowing that guides us toward wholeness. Through stories, reflections, and a look at key chapters, Cherie reminds listeners that even those with high Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores are not defined by their history. With support, intention, and compassion, healing and transformation are possible.In this episode, you’ll hear:How a personal loss led to Cherie’s pivot from trauma therapy to high-performance coaching and healing work.Why Sacred Knowing is as much a guidebook for healers as it is for those reclaiming their lives after trauma.The science behind healer burnout and the importance of energy clearing for long-term well-being.Cherie’s invitation to see healing not as an endless journey of “fixing,” but as an opportunity to flourish, love again, and thrive.If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond your pain story and live from a place of sacred authenticity, this conversation offers both inspiration and a roadmap.Cherie Lindberg, PhD, is a transformational coach, speaker, advisor, and psychotherapist with over 20 years of guiding individuals into the highest expression of who they are: personally, professionally, and spiritually. At the heart of her work is a sacred mission to awaken high-performing healers, leaders, and changemakers who are ready to break through old patterns, reclaim their energy, and step into embodied leadership. As a Brainspotting Trainer and Consultant, Cherie weaves Brainspotting, Parts Work, and leading-edge modalities with neuroscience, consciousness practices, and nervous system regulation to create deep, lasting change. Rooted in Peruvian and Celtic wisdom traditions, she supports clients in releasing developmental, collective, and ancestral trauma while reconnecting with their intuitive intelligence. Married for 35 years, a proud mom of two sons, and an animal lover, Cherie brings warmth, humor, and heart to every space she enters.Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing.Resources:CherieLindberg.comElevatedLifeAcademy.com
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