Side Trips: How is Meditation Like Chocolate?

Michelle DeKeyser found herself wondering if this is all there was. That simple question was the beginning of a midlife quest that would transform her world. In response, Michelle created Connecting Mamas, a community that connects entrepreneurially minded mothers through authenticity and support. The conversation touches on the vital role of community in fostering creativity and collaboration among women. Michelle believes that when mothers come together to share their experiences and support one another, they can create something truly powerful. This episode is a reminder that it’s okay to feel lost and that seeking connection can lead to profound personal growth. If you’re a mother looking to embrace your ambitions while balancing family life, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the journey of self-discovery and the importance of creating a supportive network. Be inspired to take the next step in your own journey!   Subscribers can enjoy exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️   

Marbeth Dunn's story is one of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Growing up in a traditional environment in New Jersey, she took a leap of faith and ran away to Haiti with her husband, where they lived in the mountains without electricity or running water for seven years. Along the way, Marbeth found herself coping with potentially life threatening asthma which sent her on a quest to heal. In seeking to heal herself, Marbeth became a healer. Margot is also an empath. This unique ability eventually led her to develop her practice in somatic healing, which focuses on the body-mind connection. She describes somatic healing as a way to reintegrate emotions stored in the body, helping others to release trauma and find peace. She emphasizes the importance of feeling emotions rather than suppressing them, and how this process can lead to profound healing. Marbeth’s story is not just about overcoming personal struggles; it's also about embracing adventure and the unexpected paths life can take. It's a reminder that our challenges can be our greatest teachers. Marbeth encourages listeners to trust their intuition, embrace their journey, and recognize that they are not victims of their circumstances. Instead, they have the power to change their thoughts and, ultimately, their lives. Subscribers can enjoy exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️   

Are talented children more difficult to raise? Sally Raymond's first son was a remarkably intelligent child, began reading signs and engaging in debates at an astonishingly young age. But beneath the facade of the perfect of the perfect child, life wasn't so perfect. Her son was emotionally vulnerable, as all children are. For him, a series of critical life events eventually led to his suicide. Sally bravely hares her story of navigating the complexities of parenting, emotional intelligence, and the profound lessons learned. Through her journey, Sally became a psychotherapist, dedicating her life to helping others navigate similar challenges. She highlights the significance of social emotional skills, which are often overlooked in traditional education. As she shares her insights, listeners are encouraged to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery and healing. The episode culminates in a powerful message: 'Everything we survive, we can heal.' Sally’s story is not just one of loss; it is a testament to resilience, growth, and the enduring bond between a mother and her son. Join this compelling conversation. It just might make you assess your life, and the life of those you love, a bit differently.   Subscribers can enjoy exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️   

What is happiness? And where do you find it? Teresa Greco had a fulfilling career, a loving family and material comforts. But none of this filled the void she felt within. This "lack" sent her on a quest. For over a decade, she embarked on a journey of healing, meditation, and spiritual exploration seeking to for whatever it was that might fill that void. This story is about one woman's personal transformation, but it's also a call to action for all of us to embark on our own paths of self-discovery, to find our purpose and live our most authentic life. Teresa shares practical steps to cultivate happiness, including gratitude practices, being present in the moment, and following our bliss. As she puts it, "Happiness is always leading us towards our happiest life." If you feel that void, don't despair. Instead, be inspired. Join the conversation.   Subscribers can enjoy exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️   

Midlife can be a transformative phase, filled with both challenges and opportunities. With a growing awareness of limited time, many of us reassess where we are and where we want to go. Jean Alfieri's story is about a midlife journey of self-discovery and reinvention.  One of the key themes Jean discusses is the concept of invisibility that often accompanies midlife, particularly for women. She reframes this as a potential superpower founded on life experience, skills and wisdom.  Tackling these challenges and transiting this liminal midlife space through fear and insecurity requires courage. Courage that Jean shows again and again. Whether it's through writing, community service, or embracing new hobbies, Jean encourages listeners to explore their passions and leave a meaningful legacy. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, gratitude, and the continuous pursuit of purpose. Learn how you can embrace midlife as a time of growth and transformation,creating purpose and motivation for this phase of your life. Subscribers can enjoy exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️   

Joni Rodgers is, first and foremost, a storyteller. She's also a critically acclaimed novelist and New York Times selling ghostwriter. She's worked with many well known people including Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber and Elizabeth Smart. Her ability to translate people's paths into a compelling narrative is unparalleled. "As a novelist, memoirist, and collaborator, I’m dedicated to storytelling that makes an impact and provokes thought. I believe in the power of a parable and in the art of memoir as a sort of cosmic cartography. We each have a small piece of the map of human experience; sharing our stories, we bring clarity and empathy to a collective understanding." The list of Joni's publications is long. Her drive comes partly from being given just five years to live due to a seemingly dire non-Hodgkins lymphoma. "What can I do in just five years? What type of handprint of loving kindness could I leave for my children?" she pondered. The answer lies in her extensive list of publications, crafting powerful memoirs that resonate with all of us. And that five year window is thankfully in reset mode. Enjoy this terrific podcast.   Subscribers can enjoy excllusive, extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️     

Finding one's voice can be a daunting journey. For Laura Reid it meant overcoming a severe stutter. Yet today, she's a polished public speaker teaching others the ins and outs of effective communication. For Laura the key was to embrace her own vulnerability and using it as a superpower.  It was when she discovered the power of storytelling, that she found an energetic connection with her audience. This connection, she explains, is where true communication happens. It's not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about having something meaningful to say. And Laura has so many meaningful things to say. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation.   Subscribers can enjoy extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️     

Margot Black is an award-winning publicist who shares her secrets to help you navigate life’s bumps. Margot is first and foremost a story teller. She has a key eye for detail, market trends and human nature. As an award-winning publicist and marketing executive, Margot Black helps people “fail forward” with style and grace to achieve their goals and objectives. Her book, Life’s A Pitch: How to Win What You Want in Business and in Life, is a masterclass in navigating life. It’s about being willing to leave your comfort zone to pursue your dreams. Playing it safe is the least safe thing we can do. Margot inspires listeners to become the heroes of their own stories, conquering both internal and external dragons along the way. She especially advocates for women to step out and pursue their dreams. Join us to discover how you can shine your brightest and create a life full of possibilities. Make your story the story you dream of.   Subscribers can enjoy extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️     

Doug Stoddard’s story is inspirational. After facing bankruptcy and personal turmoil, he turned to neuroscience to understand the habits of thinking that had taken hold of his life. And there he found answers. He argues that 90% of what we experience in our professional lives is rooted in our emotional responses and habitual thought patterns. This is a powerful reminder that self-awareness is crucial for both personal and professional growth. And the first step in greater self awareness is observation. What might we learn from observing our own reactions? What motivates our automatic responses and how can we re-gain control of ourselves? Doug provides consulting and coaching services to business leaders. Whether you are at work or at home, your subconscious rules. Doug offers some tangible steps towards to transform your bumps in the road into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Subscribers can enjoy extended conversations from this podcast. To subscribe, go to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com     What they're saying:   “This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road.” –Pragito Dove   “Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth.”   –Gary Hensel   Learn more at   Follow Bump on: ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️  ➡️