Conversations with Joan

Latest Episodes:

When A Loved One is Dying May 11, 2026

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Death is one of the few experiences every one of us will face, yet it remains one of the most difficult to talk about. When someone we love is dying, we’re often left navigating not only grief, but uncertainty—unsure of what to say, what to expect, or how to provide comfort in a moment that feels anything but clear. And yet, within that space, there can also be profound connection, meaning, and even moments of unexpected peace. Maureen Groden talks about care and coping at the end of life. Maureen is a hospice nurse, educator, and author of the book When a Loved One Is Dying: Conversations About Care, Connection, and Coping.

Making the Shift to A Divinely Guided Life May 04, 2026

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Suzanne Giesemann knew how to live in a left-brained world as a Navy commander and aide to the head of the US military, but the death of her pregnant stepdaughter catapulted her on a journey leading to a very different destination. Suzanne believes that seeing from the eyes of the soul is the key to a joy-filled life. She discusses how we live from the soul’s perspective where she contends the highest answers lie. Suzanne is a spiritual teacher and author who was recognized on the Watkins list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People. She is the host of the Messages of Hope podcast and author of multiple books including, The Awakened Way: Making the Shift to A Divinely Guided Life.

Reigniting Intimacy Apr 27, 2026

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With constant demands on your time and attention it’s easy to neglect your romantic relationship. The spark may be gone and you may feel disconnected from each other. Carolyn Sharp offers a solution for relationships that are struggling, feeling stale, or just in need of a little extra care. Carolyn is a couples therapist who helps people build vital, vibrant, and secure functioning relationships. She is the author of the book, Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship.

Reclaiming Your Voice Apr 20, 2026

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High-control religion can shape identity, silence intuition, and leave lasting trauma—especially when faith, purity culture, and authority collide during adolescence. Darls Centola is a trauma therapist who explores how navigating faith under intense control shaped her path out of religious trauma and into healing. Darls shared a teenage friendship with Michael Jackson inside the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her new book, Finding Truth with Michael: A Memoir of Friendship, Faith, and First Love, offers a deeply human counterpoint to celebrity narratives and a timely lens on reclaiming one’s voice.

Reclaiming Your Self Worth Apr 13, 2026

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Feeling invisible can quietly erode our sense of worth, but being seen is often where healing begins. Oneika Mays is a meditation teacher who’s helped people from yoga studios to Rikers Island find compassion and resilience through mindfulness. She discusses how mindfulness and meditation can help us manage stress, build self-worth, and create healing spaces for those who feel forgotten. Oneika is the author of Sit With Me , A No BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation.

Reclaiming Your Voice Apr 06, 2026

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When a woman decides to choose herself, everything changes. It’s a moment that invites her to reclaim her voice, her truth, and her life after years of living according to expectations that no longer fit. Deborah Santana’s journey goes from a life shaped by heritage, to marriage to legendary musician Carlos Santana, to a spiritual and personal rebirth. She discusses why the fire meant to consume us can become the source of freedom. Deborah is an author, activist, and author of the book, Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom.

Healing from Shame and Unresolved Trauma Mar 30, 2026

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Some stories really challenge how we think about justice, silence, and the courage it takes to finally speak your truth. Darlene Lekowski was sexually assaulted by her two oldest brothers. She kept that secret for decades, building a successful life while carrying the heavy weight of shame and unresolved trauma until she finally began to heal and reclaim her voice. She talks about what happens when those long-buried secrets come to light, and how healing can start when a survivor finally tells her story. Darlene is an author, speaker, and advocate, and she wrote Shattering Silence: A Story of Survival, Justice & the Power of Telling the Truth.

Making the Decision to Rise for Change Mar 23, 2026

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Some voices have shaped history by speaking truth to power and fighting for equality. In this episode, we’re joined by two extraordinary women whose lifelong activism has touched lives around the world. Gloria Steinem, pioneering feminist organizer, writer, and advocate, and Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize-winning peace activist and women’s rights leader from Liberia, discuss their powerful collaboration. Together, they co-wrote RISE, GIRL, RISE: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together for All, a beautifully illustrated picture book that shares their stories of courage, sisterhood, and activism with young readers. From vastly different backgrounds but united by a shared commitment to justice, Gloria and Leymah explore the unifying power of sisterhood, the importance of speaking out, and what it means to inspire the next generation to rise for equality and change.

Creating A Secure Relationship Mar 16, 2026

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In a culture where love is often romanticized but rarely taught, many people find themselves repeating relationship patterns they don’t fully understand. We long for closeness and safety, yet struggle when conflict arises or connection feels threatened. The good news is that secure relationships aren’t reserved for the lucky few—they can be learned. Julie Menanno talks about what secure love really is, how it’s built over time, and the small but powerful shifts that help couples move from surviving conflict to feeling truly secure together. Julie is the expert couples therapist behind the popular Instagram account TheSecureRelationship, and the author of the national bestselling book Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime.

Avoiding Hidden Traps That Limit Growth Mar 09, 2026

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In a world where growth is often forced, over-managed, or prematurely pruned, some companies manage to scale with strength, longevity, and purpose. What separates the organizations that thrive for decades from those that stay small — or break under pressure — often comes down to how leaders think about growth, technology, and decision-making. Nicolas Darveau-Garneau has been at the center of the biggest digital transformations shaping business as we know it. He talks about what the top 5 percent of companies do differently, how leaders can avoid the hidden traps that limit growth, and what it really takes to build organizations designed to thrive in the age of AI. Nick is the former chief evangelist at Google, a founding member of MSN.com at Microsoft, and a serial entrepreneur who has co-founded four internet companies. He is also the author of the new book Be a Sequoia, Not a Bonsai: The Seven Growth Secrets of the World’s Most Successful Companies.

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