Notes from the Edge

Latest Episodes:

Truth in the Shadows: Mental Health, Identity & the Stories We Tell Ourselves Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Some of the most important conversations happen in the gray areas.In this episode of Notes From the Edge, Lisa Lacy sits down with author and former military officer Richard Spegal for an honest conversation about leadership, identity, creativity, mental health, and the stories we build around ourselves to survive.Richard shares his journey from serving in the military to becoming an award-winning fantasy and paranormal author, explaining how writing became more than a career. It became a lifeline.Together, they explore:

Why creativity can become a survival strategy
The difference between media myths and the reality of living with bipolar disorder
Why morality is rarely black and white
How fiction can reveal deeper truths about the human experience
The importance of talking openly about mental health instead of relying on stereotypes
The question at the heart of Notes From the Edge: What did you perform in order to survive?

Whether you’re interested in psychology, leadership, trauma, storytelling, or simply understanding people a little better, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the complexities that make us human.Find Richard Spegal and his work:
Website: https://richardspegal.com
Explore his novels, including Eternal Nights and the Wolves & Ravens Trilogy, along with book trailers, updates, and upcoming releases.If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.I’m Lisa Lacy, Writer, Trauma Educator, Executive Advisor, and author of the upcoming memoir Notes From a Certified Madwoman.Learn more at: www.lisalacy.comWelcome to the Edge. Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sanctuary Bond: How to Build a Relationship That Feels Safe, Strong, and Lasting. Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when life gives you a second chance?In this powerful episode of Notes From the Edge, I sit down with Gaylen Wilson, heart transplant survivor, relationship coach, author, and founder of The Monument Method Institute. Gaylen’s story is one of extraordinary reinvention. From farm failure and alcoholism to career collapse, heart failure, and ultimately receiving a life-saving heart transplant, his journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and starting over.But what struck me most wasn’t just his survival story.It was the beautifully simple relationship framework he and his wife Heather developed through decades of hardship, recovery, healing, and love.Together, we explore what Gaylen calls the Sanctuary Bond: the idea that our relationships should become a refuge from life’s chaos rather than another source of stress.In this conversation, we discuss:• How emotional safety transforms relationships
• Why most relationship problems aren’t really communication problems
• The simple habits that strengthen connection and trust
• Reinvention after loss, failure, illness, and identity collapse
• Twenty years of sobriety and the lessons that came with it
• Men’s mental health, shame, and vulnerability
• Building a meaningful next chapter at any ageGaylen’s wisdom is practical, accessible, and immediately applicable. His zest for life is contagious, and his perspective is a reminder that no matter where you are today, your story is not over.If you’re struggling in a relationship, navigating a difficult season, wondering what’s next for your life, or simply need a dose of hope and inspiration, this episode is for you.Sometimes the strongest relationships aren’t built by extraordinary people.They’re built by ordinary people who learn how to become a safe place for one another.I’m Lisa Lacy, and these are the conversations we should have been having all along.Welcome to the Edge.www.Lisa Lacy.comWhere to find Gaylens’ Books and Work:
http://www.monumentmethodinstitute.com/
Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Game of Ten: Moving Beyond Fear, Self-Doubt, and Shame Jun 23, 2026

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What if the biggest obstacle to your success isn’t a lack of skill, knowledge, or opportunity but the invisible fears running beneath the surface?In this thought-provoking conversation, Lisa sits down with executive coach, author, and creator of The Game of Ten®, Steve Barton. Drawing from nearly five decades of business and leadership experience, Steve shares a powerful framework for helping high achievers move beyond fear, self-doubt, guilt, and shame so they can lead, perform, and live with greater clarity and confidence.Together, they explore why so many successful people still struggle internally, the difference between operating from fear versus awareness, and how the belief that “I am enough” can transform leadership, relationships, and personal fulfillment.More than a conversation about performance, this is a conversation about freedom.Steve’s wisdom is practical, profound, and deeply human. His zest for life is contagious, his perspective refreshing, and his message one we could all benefit from hearing.In this episode:
• Why success alone doesn’t create peace of mind
• The hidden mental patterns that keep high achievers stuck
• How awareness improves decision-making and leadership
• The connection between self-worth and sustainable success
• Practical steps for moving from overthinking into clarity and actionIf you’ve ever felt successful on the outside but uncertain on the inside, this conversation is for you.I’m Lisa Lacy, writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, and author of the upcoming memoir Notes From a Certified Madwoman and its field guide companion The Psychology of Performing™.Welcome to the Edge.www.lisalacy.com
How to Work with Steve: https://www.stevebartoncoaching.com/
https://www.linkedin/in/coach-steve-barton/
Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are You Performing Your Sex Life? Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

What happens when performance follows us into the most intimate parts of our lives?In this powerful conversation, Lisa Lacy sits down with relationship and embodiment coach Tracy Allyn to explore performative sex, disconnection from the body, and the hidden ways survival strategies shape our relationships, leadership, creativity, and sense of self.Together, they discuss the difference between performance and genuine connection, why so many high-achieving people become disconnected from desire and pleasure, the role of orgasm and sensual energy in overall well-being, and how reclaiming embodiment can unlock greater creativity, confidence, authenticity, and personal power.From the bedroom to the boardroom, this conversation challenges the idea that success requires performance and invites listeners to consider what becomes possible when we stop performing and start living.Notes From the Edge
Things we should be talking about, but don’t.
The conversations we’ve been having all along.www.lisalacy.comHow to Work with Tracy:Tracy Allyn: Unabashedly Embodied Tracy Allyn | LinkedIn Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Art of Saying No: Why Women Were Never Taught This Skill Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

Why is saying no so hard?For many women, it isn’t a communication problem. It’s a survival strategy.In this episode of Notes From the Edge, Lisa explores the psychology of people pleasing, the conditioning that teaches women to prioritize everyone else’s comfort over their own, and the hidden costs of a life built around approval, usefulness, and performance.Together, we’ll unpack why boundaries can feel unsafe, why guilt is often mistaken for danger, and how the survival roles many of us adopted as children continue to shape our relationships, careers, and identities as adults.Through 15 practical steps, Lisa offers a compassionate framework for understanding people pleasing, reclaiming your voice, and learning how to say no without abandoning yourself.If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted, overwhelmed, resentful, overcommitted, or wondering why everyone else’s needs seem to come before your own, this conversation is for you.Because the question isn’t simply:“How do I say no?”The question is:“What did I learn would happen if I did?”In this episode:
• Why people pleasing is often about safety, not weakness
• The difference between guilt and danger
• How survival roles shape our boundaries
• Why being needed is not the same as being loved
• The hidden control beneath people pleasing
• 15 steps to begin reclaiming your voice and your time“Most people pleasers don’t struggle to say no. They struggle to believe they’ll still be loved after they do.”Welcome to the Edge.www.lisalacy.com
Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I’m Fine”: The Hidden Cost of High-Functioning Survival Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

She has the career.The responsibilities.The accomplishments.The smile.Everyone thinks she’s doing fine.But what if competence has become camouflage?In this episode of Notes From the Edge, Lisa explores the hidden world of high-functioning survival, the adaptations, identities, and performances that help people survive difficult circumstances while quietly disconnecting them from themselves.Drawing from her own experience as a healthcare executive, trauma survivor, and woman who spent decades performing strength while struggling privately, Lisa examines why so many high achievers appear successful on the outside while feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or invisible on the inside.If you’ve ever been called resilient, strong, capable, or “the one who always has it together,” this conversation is for you.Because functioning is not the same thing as thriving.And sometimes the people everyone worries about least are carrying the most.Core Question:
What did you perform in order to survive?www.lisalacy.com#HighFunctioningSurvival #Trauma #MentalHealth #Resilience #Recovery #Identity #Women #ThePsychologyOfPerforming #NotesFromTheEdge
Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good Girl Conditioning: Survival or Personality? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Were you taught to be kind… or taught to disappear?In this episode of Notes From the Edge, Lisa explores Good Girl Conditioning through the lens of survival, adaptation, and identity. What happens when being agreeable, helpful, accommodating, and responsible stops being a choice and becomes a performance?From people-pleasing and perfectionism to high-functioning survival, this episode examines the hidden cost of earning approval and the question many women eventually face:Who am I if I stop being who everyone expects me to be?If you’ve ever struggled with boundaries, overachievement, self-erasure, or the pressure to hold everything together, this conversation is for you.Reflection Question:
What did being a good girl cost you?Notes From the Edge is hosted by Lisa Lacy, writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, author of the upcoming memoir Notes From a Certified Madwoman, and its field guide companion The Psychology of Performing™.What did you perform in order to survive?www.lisalacy.com Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the Label becomes the Cage Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a diagnosis, label, role, or identity becomes the lens through which you see your entire life?In this episode, Lisa explores the hidden cost of attaching ourselves to labels and why many of the things we call personality may have begun as survival adaptations.The question isn’t whether a label is accurate.The question is whether it still serves you.www.lisalacy.com
Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Did You Perform in Order to Survive? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the first episode of Notes From the Edge.I’m Lisa Lacy, writer, trauma educator, executive advisor, author of the upcoming memoir Notes From a Certified Madwoman, and its field guide companion, The Psychology of Performing™.In this opening episode, I share why this podcast exists, the question that changed my life, and the conversations we’ll be having here. Together, we’ll explore high-functioning survival, identity, trauma, addiction, recovery, leadership, relationships, mental health, reinvention, and the roles people perform in order to survive.Because sometimes what looks like personality is adaptation.Sometimes what gets labeled as dysfunction is survival.And sometimes the life that saved you becomes the life that confines you.The question at the center of it all:What did you perform in order to survive?Human conversations about the things people don’t talk about… but need to.Welcome to the Edge.www.lisalacy.com Notes from the Edge with Lisa LacyHuman conversations about trauma, identity, recovery, reinvention, relationships, leadership, and the lives we build after survival.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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