Best Matt Gilhooly Podcasts (2025)

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Need to Dream Small Right Now? It's Okay If That’s What Fits 1:52

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3d ago1:52

1:52

In a world that glorifies big goals and five-year plans, it can feel like you’re falling short if you’re not constantly reaching for something massive. But not every dream has to be bold, loud, or scalable to matter. This short reflection invites you to embrace the beauty of small dreams – the kind that fit your life right now. The kind that don’t …

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Uncovering Hidden Roots: Linda Ambrus Broenniman on Family Secrets, Survival, and The Politzer Saga 1:15:58

4d ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Show Notes: In this profound episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin and guest interviewer Linda explore the extraordinary story of a woman whose Hungarian refugee parents survived World War II and the Holocaust. The guest recounts the shocking discovery of her hidden Jewish heritage within a family that had long believed they were …

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Cheryl Wilder on Shame, Healing, and the Long Road to Forgiveness 54:52

4d ago54:52

54:52

What happens when one choice alters the course of your life? At 20 years old, Cheryl Wilder made a decision that led to a devastating accident and decades of shame, guilt, and self-questioning. For years, she carried the weight of what she now calls moral injury, unsure if she even deserved healing. In this candid conversation, Cheryl opens up abou…

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What Maria Gallucci Learned From Telling Her Mom She Was Dying 57:48

4d ago57:48

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What happens when you grow up interpreting the world for your parents while carrying grief of your own? Maria Gallucci knows that experience well. As a child of deaf adults, she learned early how isolating life could feel for her parents and how small acts of inclusion could change everything. Later, she found herself in the painful role of interpr…

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The Calm Before the Fed: MBA Annual Recap, FHFA Pricing & Sparse Data | Oct. 27, 2025 46:00

5d ago46:00

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner, Kevin Foley, and Vimi Vasudeva to discuss the latest developments shaping the mortgage industry. The team explores the implications of sparse economic data, including CPI and labor trends, and previews the upcoming Fed meeting. They also dive into the FHFA’s potential pricin…

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Grieving Who You Could Have Been? It's Okay If That Loss Feels Real 1:44

10d ago1:44

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Grief isn’t always about what we’ve had and lost – sometimes, it’s about what we never got to have. The versions of ourselves that didn’t get to grow. The lives we might have lived under different circumstances. This short reflection explores the quiet ache of wondering who you could have been – if a relationship had lasted, if a dream had taken ro…

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Economic Crossfire: Shutdowns, Trade Tensions & Banking Jitters | Oct. 21 23:00

11d ago23:00

23:00

In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the economic turbulence surrounding the ongoing government shutdown, trade tensions with China, and emerging concerns in the banking sector. With limited data releases due to the shutdown, the team discusses the implications for mortgage rates, the upcoming Fed meeting, and CPI projections. They…

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Why Marty Ross-Dolen Believes It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Mind 59:07

12d ago59:07

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Have you ever felt the quiet pull to change everything you thought you were building? For Marty Ross-Dolen, that moment came on September 11, 2001. She had devoted her entire life to psychiatry, but as she watched the towers fall with her children nearby, something in her said it was time to let go. That decision set her on a new course — one that …

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How Isabelle Daikeler Found Strength in Surrender and Transformed Her Life 58:24

12d ago58:24

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What happens when life forces you to stop fighting and finally let go? For years, Isabelle Daikeler lived in pain and fear, holding tightly to identities that no longer fit. It all came to a breaking point on the floor of a bedroom in Hawaii, when surrender became her only option. What unfolded was not instant healing, but the start of a transforma…

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Haven’t Done the Work Yet? It's Okay If You’re Still Figuring Things Out 1:52

17d ago1:52

1:52

When it comes to healing, therapy, or personal growth, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind – like everyone else has done the work and you’re still just trying to start. But here’s the truth: there’s no set timeline for becoming your most whole self. This short reflection reminds us that being in process doesn’t mean you’re failing. You don’t have …

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Rebuilding After the Wreck: Cheryl Wilder on Accountability, Healing, and the Power of Creativity 1:33:57

18d ago1:33:57

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In this deeply moving episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin welcomes Cheryl Wilder, who shares her remarkable journey of survival, accountability, and transformation following a tragic car accident at age 20 that changed the course of her life. Cheryl recounts the night of the crash that left her friend severely injured and led to…

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Why Heidi Blackie Chose to Believe in Her Body’s Ability to Heal 1:00:47

19d ago1:00:47

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What happens when you realize you don’t actually believe you can heal? Heidi Blackie spent a decade battling chronic illness, grief, and perfectionism until one raw moment in her kitchen changed everything. She asked herself a simple but life-altering question: What am I believing about my ability to heal? In this conversation, Heidi shares how tha…

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Chris Jordan on Living a Life That Was Never Dull 58:50

19d ago58:50

58:50

What does it mean to live a life that is never dull? For Chris Jordan, the answer has been unfolding since he was twelve years old, standing in front of his grandfather’s headstone. Etched into the stone were six words his grandmother chose: It was never dull. What started as a simple phrase became a mantra that shaped every risk, every leap, and e…

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Trade Tensions Reignite: China and the U.S. Back in the Ring | Oct. 13, 2025 36:55

19d ago36:55

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley discuss the renewed trade tensions between China and the U.S., the ongoing government shutdown, and their combined impact on the mortgage and financial markets. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the indus…

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Feel Guilty for Wanting More? It's Okay If You Still Crave Something Deeper 1:52

24d ago1:52

1:52

Sometimes life looks good on paper – steady job, supportive community, meaningful work – and yet something in you still aches for more. More creativity. More alignment. More connection. And along with that desire often comes guilt. This short reflection is a reminder that wanting more doesn’t make you ungrateful. It means you’re alive. It means you…

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How Dan Boettcher Rebuilt His Life After a Mental Health Crisis 1:00:59

26d ago1:00:59

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Sally McQuillen on Carrying Her Son’s Light Forward After His Death 56:40

26d ago56:40

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Tradeweb’s Justin Monahan on MBS Liquidity | Market Update: Shutdown & Fed Policy 34:16

26d ago34:16

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley explore the effects of the government shutdown on market data, the Fed’s evolving stance on rate cuts and quantitative easing, and the mechanics of MBS pricing and trade execution. Special guest Justin Monahan from Tradeweb offers a deep…

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You May Like: Grief and Light – A Podcast About Life After Loss 3:00

27d ago3:00

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I wanted to share the new trailer for Grief and Light, hosted by my friend and former Life Shift guest, Nina Rodriguez. Nina created this show after the sudden loss of her only sibling, and it has become a beautiful space for honest reflections and conversations about life after loss. She explores grief as a lifelong companion, something that shape…

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Need to Unfollow, Unfriend, or Unplug? It's Okay If You Step Back 2:00

1M ago2:00

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Sometimes, the scroll gets too loud. The opinions, the highlights, the endless noise – it can overwhelm your system before you even notice it’s happening. And even when your mind says, “just deal with it,” your body often knows better. This short reflection is a reminder that it’s okay to set boundaries with your digital world. You’re allowed to un…

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Beyond the Pulpit: How One Pastor Challenged the Status Quo 1:21:27

1M ago1:21:27

1:21:27

Show Notes: In this thoughtful episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin visits John (Jonathan Heaslet) at his North Carolina home to reflect on a remarkable life of service, transformation, and storytelling. John shares his early years growing up near San Francisco, his studies in mathematics and economics, and his first career as a …

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Dan MacQueen on the Brain Injury That Changed Everything 56:52

1M ago56:52

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At 28, Dan MacQueen was thriving in London with career momentum, global travel, and Friday night pints. Then one morning on the tube, his vision went black. Days later, he was in emergency brain surgery. That should have been the turning point. But it was only the beginning. A massive brain hemorrhage, four weeks in a coma, and months of painful re…

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Inside the Fed’s Mind: Taylor Rule Talk + ACUMA Highlights | Optimal Insights | Sept. 29, 2025 39:53

1M ago39:53

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In the first half of this episode, Jim Glennon is joined by Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner to discuss current market conditions, the potential government shutdown, and the Taylor Rule – a formula used to estimate the ideal federal funds rate. The team analyzes Stephen Miran’s public application of the rule and his controversial suggesti…

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Just Trying to Get Through Today? It's Okay If That’s All You Can Do 2:16

1M ago2:16

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Some days aren’t meant for progress or productivity – they’re meant for surviving. Whether you're processing loss, holding emotional weight, or just feeling the heaviness of it all, it’s okay if all you can do is make it through. This short reflection is a gentle reminder that getting through the day is enough. You don’t need to be “on.” You don’t …

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Replay: Why Taylor Coffman’s Story of Survival Matters on aHUS Awareness Day 1:04:59

1M ago1:04:59

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This episode originally aired in 2024 and is replayed for aHUS Awareness Day to raise awareness of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. What happens when survival meets the unexpected reality of a rare disease? In September 2024, Taylor Coffman first shared her powerful story on The Life Shift. After giving birth to her daughter, she experienced a l…

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Alan Lazaros on Rebuilding His Life After a Near-Fatal Car Crash 1:06:43

1M ago1:06:43

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What happens when everything you’ve built feels like it’s built on the wrong foundation? Alan Lazaros was chasing all the right things on paper. The degrees. The job. The money. But a head-on car accident at 26, eerily similar to the one that killed his father when Alan was just 2, brought it all to a crashing halt. In that moment, he came face to …

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The Third Mandate and the Fed's Latest Moves | Optimal Insights | September 22, 2025 27:35

1M ago27:35

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, host Jeff McCarty is joined by Alex Hebner, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley to unpack the Fed’s recent 25-basis-point rate cut and its ripple effects across the mortgage and treasury markets. The team explores the implications of rising interest rates despite the cut, investor sentiment, and the looming deb…

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Feel Small in a Big, Loud World? It's Okay If You Do 1:52

2M ago1:52

1:52

There are days when the world feels overwhelming – too loud, too heavy, too divided. And in the middle of all that noise, it’s easy to wonder if your voice, your work, or your presence really makes a difference. This short reflection is a reminder that feeling small doesn’t mean you don’t matter. It means you’re paying attention. It means you care.…

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From Tragedy to Purpose: Linda’s Journey of Loss, Love & Service 1:02:57

2M ago1:02:57

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In this moving episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Linda, who shares her extraordinary journey of resilience and compassion. After the tragic murder of her best friend and her best friend’s mother, Linda made the life-altering decision to take in the five orphaned children left behind. What began as an act of love…

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Healing Through Grief with Britt Michaelian 59:47

2M ago59:47

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What happens when loss cracks you wide open and shows you who you’ve been all along? Britt Michaelian had built a beautiful, full life. She was raising her daughters, creating art, and moving forward. But when her mother passed away suddenly, Britt paused everything. Then, just as life began to settle, her sister was diagnosed with cancer. That sec…

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The Pulse of the Market: Interest Rates & Forum Reflections | Optimal Insights | September 15, 2025 44:28

2M ago44:28

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and James Cahill discuss inflation trends, labor market revisions, and expectations for the Fed’s upcoming rate decision. Later in the episode, Vimi Vasudeva joins Jim, Jeff, and James to share insights from the recent Optimal Insights Forum, including MSR pricing d…

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Don’t Know How to Celebrate Yourself? It's Okay If It Feels Uncomfortable 2:08

2M ago2:08

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Celebrating others often comes naturally. But when it comes to our own wins – even the big ones – we tend to downplay them, skip over them, or move straight to the next task on the list. This short reflection explores why it can feel awkward or even selfish to celebrate ourselves – and why it’s still worth doing. Acknowledging your growth, your eff…

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How Kevin Palmieri Changed His Life After Chasing the Wrong Dream 1:03:19

2M ago1:03:19

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What happens when success on paper leaves you feeling completely empty inside? Kevin Palmieri had the dream life. The job. The car. The paycheck. But beneath the highlight reel, he was unraveling. In this conversation, Kevin shares the quiet spiral that nearly ended everything and the honest decision that changed his life for good. What started as …

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Lower Rates Ahead? Breaking Down the Economic Signals | Optimal Insights | Sept. 8, 2025 33:05

2M ago33:05

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Alex Hebner unpack the latest jobs report, inflation trends, and the Fed’s rate outlook. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape. Key Topics Discussed: Jobs Report Analysis:…

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Keep Changing Your Mind? It's Okay If You Pivot Again 1:52

2M ago1:52

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There’s a lot of pressure to stick to one path, to commit and never waver. But what if changing your mind isn’t a sign of weakness – what if it’s a sign you’re listening to yourself? This short reflection explores what it means to pivot, start over, circle back, and shift directions without shame. You’re not flaky. You’re not failing. You’re evolvi…

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Post–Labor Day Market Watch: Fed Drama and Economic Signals | Sept. 2, 2025 21:44

2M ago21:44

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Is the FED Cook’d? A look at rate cuts, political pressure, and market reactions. In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the latest market dynamics, including the upcoming unemployment report, inflation trends, and the growing political pressure on the Federal Reserve. The conversation explores the implications of Lisa Cook’s legal b…

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Triumphing Over Trauma: Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson on Healing, Spiritual Awakening, and Self-Love 1:12:29

2M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

Show Notes: In this heartfelt episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Maria Teresa Pratico-Swanson, a shamanic healer, artist, and speaker whose life story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation. Maria opens up about her personal journey through trauma, addiction, and domestic violence, sharing how she overcam…

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Marie Alessi on Choosing Joy After Her Husband’s Sudden Death 1:04:47

2M ago1:04:47

1:04:47

What if grief could live beside joy instead of swallowing it whole? When Marie Alessi’s husband, Rob, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm while on a work trip, her life shattered in an instant. But instead of letting grief move in permanently, Marie made a quiet, powerful promise: to create the happiest life possible for her and their two young boy…

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A Letter to My 8-Year-Old Self: Living 36 Years Without My Mother 8:50

2M ago8:50

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In this special bonus episode of The Life Shift Podcast, I mark the 36th anniversary of my mom’s passing by sharing something deeply personal. Usually, I’m the one listening as guests reflect on their life-altering moments. But today, I turn the question back on myself. What would I tell the 8-year-old version of me – the boy who lost his mom in 19…

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Want to Let Go of What You Built? It's Okay If It No Longer Fits 1:52

2M ago1:52

1:52

Letting go of something you poured your heart into – a job, a relationship, a project, a version of yourself – can feel like betrayal. But sometimes, what once fit perfectly no longer feels like yours to carry. This short reflection reminds us that releasing something doesn’t erase its worth. The effort mattered. The time mattered. And choosing to …

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Kaila Yu on Surviving Shame and Writing Her Truth in “Fetishized” 57:27

2M ago57:27

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What happens when your earliest moments of intimacy are taken from you? In this raw and powerful conversation, author Kaila Yu shares the truth about a traumatic experience in her early twenties that splintered her sense of self. Raised in a household where emotions were rarely named, Kaila spent years seeking validation outside herself. When a mod…

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Shifting Tides: Rates, Jobs, and AI Momentum | Optimal Insights | Aug. 25, 2025 40:13

2M ago40:13

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley discuss the evolving interest rate environment, labor market complexities, and the accelerating adoption of AI in mortgage technology. They share insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape. Key Topics …

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Feel Like You’re Falling Behind? It's Okay If Your Pace Looks Different 1:44

2M ago1:44

1:44

When everyone else seems to be moving faster – checking boxes, hitting milestones, and living picture-perfect lives – it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. But that feeling isn’t always the truth. This short reflection is a reminder that there is no universal timeline. There’s no race. And the invisible checklists the world hands us? You do…

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Rewriting the Story: Derek Newborn on Resilience, Healing, and Spiritual Awakening 1:20:46

2M ago1:20:46

1:20:46

In this episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin travels to Clermont, FL and welcomes Derek Newborn, who shares his raw and inspiring journey from abandonment, trauma, and self-destruction to transformation, healing, and purpose. Growing up in Fort Myers, Florida, Derek faced the pain of parental incarceration, single-parent struggle…

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How Dr. Devin DeGreif Rebuilt Her Life After Her Mother’s Murder 59:29

2M ago59:29

59:29

What do you do when the world falls apart and your inner voice says, “Not yet”? Dr. Devin DeGreif shares a story so unimaginable it feels like fiction until you realize it is her truth. After the brutal loss of her mother, Devin unraveled, disassociated, and considered ending her life. But a thunderous inner "no" marked a turning point. What follow…

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What the Military Taught Jill Schulman About Bravery and Self-Worth 1:04:06

2M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

What if the bravest thing you can do is admit you’re struggling? When Jill Schulman walked into her ROTC unit ready to quit, she expected rejection. Instead, she was met with empathy. And that changed everything. In this powerful conversation, Jill shares the quiet, steady kind of bravery that helped her stay the course and eventually shape her lif…

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Market Trends, Consumer Sentiment & Optimal Blue’s Exciting Rebrand | August 18, 2025 33:51

2M ago33:51

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the economic landscape and Optimal Blue’s big rebrand announcement from last week. Main Topics: Economic indicators and market analysis Federal Reserve policy and interest rate expectations Labor market trends and consumer sentiment Optimal Blue's new brand and…

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Don't Want to Be the Strong One Today? It's Okay If You Let Go 2:08

3M ago2:08

2:08

Being the strong one can become a role you never asked for – the dependable one, the steady one, the one who keeps it together no matter what. But what happens when you're exhausted from carrying that weight? This short reflection is a gentle reminder that strength doesn’t always look like holding it all. Sometimes, it looks like stepping back, bei…

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Near-Death and Rebirth: Ash Perrow on Choosing to Live From the Heart 1:02:40

3M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

What happens when your life splits in two more than once? Ash Perrow was a schoolteacher with a plan and a future he could see clearly. Then he held his stillborn daughter in his arms. That moment shattered everything. Years of survival, anxiety, and silence followed. Then a near-death experience cracked him open in a way nothing else ever had. And…

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The Wildfire Didn’t Burn Her House – But It Changed Everything with Katie Svoboda-Rini 58:30

3M ago58:30

58:30

What if the perfect time never comes? Katie Svoboda-Rini spent years waiting for things to settle before she could finally chase her dream. But life had other plans, including the loss of both parents, a lifetime of body shame, and a wildfire that didn’t burn her house down but still took almost everything. In the rubble of grief, burnout, and surv…