Lily Sais | Finding Peace From Within

Writer Caroline Donofrio returns to Here For Me to discuss the significant life events she experienced over the last year and what she's learned about grief and burnout. She shares how she faced a decision to quit, pivot, or pause in her work and how it led to self-discovery and growth. She also shares insights on personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of quieting the noise to hear your inner voice, setting boundaries, and how saying no creates space for aligned, meaningful opportunities.

Lily Sais, a former school psychologist and founder of Peace From Within, shares her personal experiences with anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, detailing how her struggles led her to discover a simpler, more compassionate way to understand her feelings. Through the lens of the three principles—mind, thought, and consciousness—she learned to recognize her innate wisdom, the transient nature of thoughts, and that anxiety did not have to define her. Lily also emphasizes that the only thing wrong with us is the belief that there is something wrong with us.

Author, podcast host, and consultant Cavanaugh James shares his journey from a childhood steeped in evangelical Christianity to a more authentic expression of self, particularly regarding his faith and sexuality. Cavanaugh reflects on pivotal moments that led him to embrace his true identity, including a transformative conversation with the Lord that encouraged him to live authentically without abandoning his faith. He also shares more about his book, Read the Room, which offers tools for building relational equity and developing meaningful connections in life and business.   

In the premiere episode of Season 5, Nicole opens up about her journey of choosing herself and living with purpose, not just because trauma forced her to do so, but because it's what's right for her. She shares how recent experiences—from moving cities to a sudden health scare—have shaped what it means to be here for herself. Nicole also emphasizes that living purposefully isn't always about grand life-changing moments, but that it can simply be about living authentically, which also requires immense courage and patience.

Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld shares her personal journey of overcoming tragedy, including the murder of her father when she was just 16 years old, the subsequent disconnection from her Jewish roots, and how her search for meaning ultimately led her to an integrated approach to Judaism, connecting people, and healing.  As a spiritual leader, Judy encourages everyone to embrace their imperfections, feel into their experiences, and explore spirituality beyond the confines of traditional Judaism. Known for her vibrant approach to integrating various healing modalities into Jewish rituals and traditions, and welcoming interfaith families as well as those who feel disconnected from Judaism, Judy's story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, self-discovery, and creating community.

Life coach and intentional living expert Catherine Andrews shares how she transformed her successful-on-paper life into a purposeful, spiritually attuned journey. She provides tangible tips and techniques for how we can all follow suit, pushing past deep fear, self-judgement, and shame—even embracing what feels delusional but is really a sign of true desire—to find inner trust, alignment, and live the life that's meant for us.

James Beard award-winning chef and author Renee Erickson joins Here For Me's first-ever live show, recorded in April 2023 in Seattle. Renee shares the story of how a part-time job at a Seattle restaurant turned into an unexpected, yet remarkable career as a renowned chef and restaurateur, and all the setbacks and challenges she's encountered along the way.

We're doing something a little different with this episode—Nicole is in the guest chair! Kelly Henderson, host of the Velvet's Edge podcast, and Nicole dive deep into Nicole's riveting personal story of overcoming narcissistic abuse, finding authenticity, and starting over. In addition to sharing her insights on the damaging effects of abusive relationships, Nicole also reveals how her battle with health issues, including a debilitating virus and eye cancer, led her to reassess her life and relationships. This ultimately led Nicole to leave her corporate career and her marriage, launch a business and podcast, and dedicate herself to healing through therapy, storytelling, and music. Kelly and Nicole also open up about their similar experiences with narcissistic abuse, emphasizing the importance of recognizing how others' behavior impacts us and sharing how these dynamics played out in their lives.

Parenting activist, best-selling author, and founder of Tilt Parenting Debbie Reber shares her story of raising a differently wired child and riding out life's many unexpected detours. From becoming an outspoken voice in neurodivergent parenting to discovering her own neurodivergence, Debbie shares her wisdom for letting go of control, being gentle with and accepting of yourself and others, and advocating for what you—and your family—need in your life.