The journey to finding your true self often requires leaving behind the stories that no longer serve you.

In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall sits down with Robin Ferguson—an executive leader, coach, and author of "The Phoenix Effect."

Robin shares how her background as a nurse and minister shaped her understanding of resilience and self-acceptance. They discuss the "Phoenix Effect," a transformative process of breaking down old personas to ignite a more authentic version of yourself, and how "positive disruptors" can help anyone break free from a stagnant routine.

3 Takeaways:

(1) Self-Awareness is a Superpower: Understanding the stories and cultural messages that shaped your history allows you to consciously choose who you want to be today.

(2) Embrace Positive Disruptors: Stepping into uncomfortable territory—whether by taking a new class or simply changing your commute—breaks rote patterns and opens the door to new possibilities.

(3) The Power of Curiosity: Staying endlessly curious keeps the mind young, aids in navigating change, and serves as the heart of creativity.

Pick up a copy of Robin’s book, The Phoenix Effect, available on Amazon https://bit.ly/3Md4lkN

Barnes & Noble https://bit.ly/4rgLuUX

Connect with her at https://robin-ferguson.com

If you think your past defines your future, this story of Ivy League success, 20 years of homelessness, and ultimate redemption will change your mind.

Ken Miller joins Brigitte Cutshall to share his powerful journey from being a National Merit Scholar at Dartmouth to spending two decades battling addiction, homelessness, and incarceration.

Now 21 years sober and a successful business owner, Ken discusses the "internal problem" behind addiction, the courage required to face childhood trauma, and how he transitioned from a life of "negative secrets" to becoming a kind, gentle mentor for the next generation.

3 Key Takeaways

(1) Own Your Truth, Lose the Power: Healing begins by "turning the lights on" in the rooms of your past. By speaking his "big secrets" aloud, Ken stripped them of their power to cause him pain or shame.

(2) The Myth of the "Why": While trauma and environment are factors (antecedents), Ken emphasizes that rationalizing bad behavior through past pain prevents true recovery. Accountability is the first step toward change.

(3) Service as Self-Care: One of the fastest ways to build self-worth is to get "outside of yourself." Helping others—whether through formal mentoring or simply calling a lonely relative—creates the value you might feel you're lacking.

Grab a copy of Ken Miller’s book, Becoming Ken, on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4tDHdwA

"I don't think I had a choice—this is just how my river runs."

In this episode of Real Things Living, host Brigitte Cutshall talks with Yousef Benhamida, the systems-driven entrepreneur behind the national brand Humboldt’s Secret. Yousef shares his journey from childhood "hustles" to bootstrapping a national empire. He explains why he values a "clean house" and organized systems over raw hustle, and how a relentless refusal to lose drives his success.

3 Key Takeaways:

(1) Systems are the Wings: Radical organization is the only way to scale. You must eliminate chaos to make a business light enough to "fly."

(2) The Habit of Winning: Yousef trades the word "discipline" for a strategic focus on avoiding the habits that lead to losing.

(3) The Draft Moment: Success is years of quiet preparation meeting one massive opportunity. You have to be positioned to perform when the big contract appears.

Connect with Yusuf Benhamida - https://yousefbenhamida.com/

Humboldt’s Secret Supplies - https://humboldtssecretsupplies.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yousefbenhamida/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousefbenhamida/