Shows
Stop Wasting Your LifeYou can’t control your anxiety’s timing, but you can control how you show up for yourself when it does.In part two of our anxiety series, Ava shares the story of the Paris trip that didn’t go as planned.What was supposed to be a dream vacation quickly turned into panic attacks, overwhelming triggers, and the difficult decision to go home. Through it all, she learned a powerful truth: you cannot always control when anxiety shows up, but you can choose how you respond to it.This episode is about self advocacy, listening to your body, and choosing healing even when it disrupts your plans. And yes… she...
2026-02-1826 minStop Wasting Your LifeStep Off Your Anxiety Ledge and Onto Your WOAH Ledge: Reframing How You View Your AnxietyIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava explores anxiety through her “ledge” metaphor. She describes anxiety as standing on the edge of a terrifying drop, where panic feels inevitable and overwhelming.But after a conversation with her therapist, she begins to see that not every ledge is meant for falling. Some are like the breathtaking “woah ledge” she’s experienced on the Nepali Coast, exhausting and scary to reach, but worth it for the view.The message is simple: anxiety is painful, but it can also lead to growth, beauty, and life changing moments if...
2026-02-1218 minStop Wasting Your LifeWhen Grief Meets God: Finding Hope After Unthinkable LossIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with Rick Mumford to talk about finding hope with God after devastating loss. Rick shares the story of losing his son, Mac, and how grief challenged his faith yet ultimately drew him closer to God instead of pushing him away.Together, they explore grief, doubt, suffering, and the hard questions that arise when life feels shattered. This conversation offers honesty, compassion, and hope for anyone walking through loss or searching for meaning in the midst of pain.Follow us on social!
2026-01-1451 minStop Wasting Your LifeWhen Grief Becomes a Teacher: What Loss Reveals About Love, Compassion, and Being HumanIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava Heinbach speaks with author Bryan Welch about how grief can become a powerful teacher. After losing his son, Bryan reflects on how profound loss reshaped his understanding of love, compassion, joy, and what it means to be human.Rather than closing him off, grief opened Bryan to deeper empathy, unconditional care, and a greater awareness of life’s inherent sadness and beauty. This conversation invites listeners to see grief not as something to avoid, but as a path toward connection, wakefulness, and a more honest way of living....
2026-01-1048 minStop Wasting Your LifeA Pastor’s Journey Out of Porn, Sex Addiction, and ShameIn this episode, Ava Heinbach speaks with Nate Larkin, a former pastor and founder of the Samson Society, about his decades-long struggle with porn and sex addiction, the shame that kept it hidden, and the recovery that transformed his life and marriage.Nate shares how early exposure to pornography, emotional vulnerability, and strict religious expectations led him to live a double life in ministry. He explains how shame fueled his addiction, distorted intimacy, and rewired his brain, ultimately escalating into infidelity.After his wife confronted him and said she...
2025-12-3148 minStop Wasting Your LifeMama Meg’s Six-Year Heartbreak and the Wisdom It SparkedIn this episode, Ava sits down with the legendary Mama Meg to unravel the story of her biggest heartbreak, the quiet warnings she ignored, and the inner compass that eventually pushed her toward a better life. Together they explore gut instincts, red flags, post-breakup grief, and finding clarity after chaos. It’s a conversation filled with honesty, humor, and the kind of lived-in wisdom you can only learn from Mama Meg.Perfect for anyone navigating a breakup, questioning their intuition, or needing a reminder that life has a way of steering you exactly where you’re meant to g...
2025-12-1056 minStop Wasting Your LifeFinding Your Purpose in Doing GoodIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with her producer, Kate Kruse, to talk about how volunteering can help you find purpose, community, and connection. Kate shares how moving to Kansas City with almost no friends led her to volunteering, and also tells the unforgettable story of Halo, an eight-year-old rescue dog she once found on the side of the highway and who is now looking for her forever home. Together, Ava and Kate break down simple ways anyone can start volunteering—even if you’re short on time or money—and how giving back can ch...
2025-11-2632 minStop Wasting Your LifeMy Go-To Grounding Exercises to Get Me Out of My HeadIn this solo episode, Ava opens up about her favorite grounding exercises — the simple, practical tools she’s used since childhood to calm anxiety, soften overwhelming emotions, and reconnect with the present moment. She breaks down what grounding really means, the different types (physical, sensory, mental, and emotional), and shares her personal go-to techniques for each one.Whether you’re looking for quick ways to soothe yourself or want to start building your own grounding toolkit, this episode is a comforting, honest guide to slowing down and coming back to yourself.Follow us on...
2025-11-1219 minStop Wasting Your LifeFaith as a Single Mother with Brooklynn SumonjaIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, host Ava Heinbach talks with Brooklynn Sumonja — a single mother, military member, and woman of faith — about finding strength, purpose, and grace through motherhood.Brooklynn opens up about facing an unexpected pregnancy, walking through shame and fear, and learning to rely fully on God. She shares how becoming a mom transformed her faith, healed her heart, and gave her life new meaning.If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, identity, or trusting God through hard seasons, this conversation will remind you that you’re never...
2025-11-0437 minStop Wasting Your LifeThe Secret Life of a 1960’s Flight Attendant: Mimi’s Life Lessons and StoriesIn this heartwarming and entertaining episode, Ava sits down with Mimi — her lifelong friend, honorary grandmother, and former TWA flight attendant — to talk about what it was really like to work the skies during the golden age of flying. From meeting celebrities like Maria von Trapp and Jimmy Dean (yes, the sausage man) to navigating beauty standards, cigarette-filled cabins, and unexpected turbulence, Mimi shares hilarious and heartfelt stories from her five years in the air.Beyond the glamour and chaos, she reflects on what flying taught her about people, confidence, and living fully. So fasten your seatbelts, grab...
2025-10-3038 minStop Wasting Your LifeSurviving the Brink of Hell: Danny’s Story of Recovery, Surrender, and FaithIn this powerful episode, Ava talks with Danny Crawford, who shares his journey from addiction and rock bottom to redemption through faith. After years of partying, drug abuse, and a near-fatal psychosis, Danny found healing in recovery and a renewed purpose through Jesus. Now sober and helping at-risk youth in Kauai, his story is a powerful reminder of hope, surrender, and the freedom that comes from trusting God.Follow us on social!Ava's Instagram | STYL InstagramStop Wasting Your Life is produced by KK Media...
2025-10-2248 minStop Wasting Your LifeHealing Out Loud Part 2 - Hannah Jarrah’s Experience with Big EmotionsIn this heartfelt episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava welcomes back her close friend and roommate Hannah Jarrah for an open conversation about big emotions — how they show up, how they feel in her body, and how she moves through them with more compassion.Hannah shares her personal journey with anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation, emphasizing that emotions aren’t problems to be “fixed” but messengers that offer insight into our needs. The episode blends emotional honesty, practical tools, and genuine friendship, offering listeners comfort in knowing...
2025-10-1429 minStop Wasting Your LifeHealing Out Loud - How I Work Through My Big EmotionsIn this heartfelt solo episode, host Ava Heinbach returns after a short break to open up about where she’s been, what she’s been going through, and how she’s been learning to navigate her big emotions.Ava vulnerably shares that she stepped away from the podcast to prioritize her mental health after a difficult personal situation that resurfaced emotions from a past relationship. She describes how grief, heartbreak, and anxiety resurfaced—and how she found healing by leaning into, rather than running from, her emotions.Throughout the episode, Ava walks listeners through...
2025-10-0756 minStop Wasting Your LifeKanak’s Story - From Finding his Birth Mom to Sharing Funny MemoriesIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with her longtime friend, Kanak Michael Masten. Kanak opens up about being adopted from India at age five, growing up in the U.S. with white parents, and the incredible experience of reconnecting with his birth family years later. Along the way, Ava and Kanak share hilarious memories from their friendship — from sneaking around strict college dorms, to nearly losing a passport in a Paris nightclub. It’s a conversation full of laughter, heart, and a powerful reminder that even when life feels uncertain, connection, spontaneity, and finding joy...
2025-09-0232 minStop Wasting Your LifeQuitting a Six-Figure Job to Chase a Passion: Mitch Case’s StoryWhat would make someone walk away from a six-figure career to start over from scratch? In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, host Ava Heinbach sits down with entrepreneur and father of three, Mitch Case, to unpack the bold decision he made to leave behind his stable engineering and sales career in pursuit of a more meaningful life. Mitch opens up about the turning points that shifted his priorities—from becoming a dad, to weathering the sacrifices of failed ventures, to finally creating a business that blends his passions for sports, connection, and entrepreneurship. To...
2025-08-2648 minStop Wasting Your LifeHow to Transform Your Life with the 10 Ps for a Growth MindsetIn this episode, host Ava Heinbach and her mentor and “second mom,” LeeAnn Shaw, continue their conversation on cultivating a growth mindset. Building on last week’s discussion, they introduce 10 practical strategies—“the 10 Ps”—that help shift from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented one.The 10 Ps they unpack are:Pain – facing it head-on and using it as purpose.Perspective – shifting your filter and outlook.Preparation – building tools before challenges hit.Patience –...
2025-08-1947 minStop Wasting Your LifeHow to be a Palm Tree: Using a Growth Mindset to Flourish in LifeIn this wisdom-filled and practical conversation, host Ava Heinbach sits down with her longtime mentor and “second mom” LeeAnn Shaw to unpack what it means to have a growth mindset. From personal stories and life’s unexpected valleys to strategies for building resilience, Ava and LeeAnn explore what it means to pivot, move forward, grow, and create a purposeful life. They talk about the difference between trying and training, the importance of flexibility (yes, even being a “palm tree”), and how to break free from overthinking loops. Whether you’re in a peak or a valley, this episode offers encouragemen...
2025-08-1243 minStop Wasting Your LifeAre You Still Connected to Your Ex? The Power of Energy Chord CuttingThis episode of Stop Wasting Your Life features Ava and her energy healer, Jamelle, diving deep into energy cords and how they shape relationships, especially with our partners. They explore what energy cords are, how they create lingering attachments after breakups, and why cutting these cords is key to emotional freedom. Ava shares her own struggle with still feeling tied to her ex-boyfriend, and Jamelle breaks down the spiritual and psychological sides of these bonds. The conversation also touches on how church teachings and religious beliefs influence our perception of energy and relationships...
2025-08-0537 minStop Wasting Your LifeStop Wasting Your Life and Start Healing Your Energy: Diving Into Energy With JamelleIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with energy healer and wellness coach Jamelle Zablow-Maloney to explore the often misunderstood world of energy work. They cover the science of Reiki, electromagnetic fields in humans, energy cords and so much more. Jamelle unpacks how energy healing isn’t just a spiritual practice, it’s deeply rooted in biology, physics, and emotional science.Ava opens up about her own journey with healing from past relationships, working on self-forgiveness and growth. Whether you're brand new to energy healing or already on a spiritual path...
2025-07-2938 minStop Wasting Your LifeThe Cream Rises to The Top: Mary Long’s Journey to Pro SoccerIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with Mary Long, a professional soccer player for the Kansas City Current, to talk all things soccer, confidence, and chasing your dreams—even when people tellyou not to. From growing up in Kansas City to scoring her first pro goal, Mary shares the highs, the setbacks, and what it really means to believe in yourself. Plus, rapid-fire questions and what her life looks like off the field.Follow Mary on InstagramClick HERE to enter the Hawaii house gi...
2025-07-2230 minStop Wasting Your LifeEven Beauty Can Come From Death: Ashlee’s Mental Health JourneyIn this episode, Ava sits down with one of her best friends, Ashlee, to talk about her journey through depression, therapy, and inpatient mental health treatment. Ashlee opens up about the moments that nearly broke her, the love that helped her hold on, and the healing that followed. With honesty, heart, and a touch of humor, the two reflect on grief, growth, and the truth that even beauty can come from death.Click HERE to enter the Hawaii house giveaway!Follow us on social!Ava's Instagram | STYL...
2025-07-0840 minStop Wasting Your LifeDo What You Can While You Can: Jordan’s Life After ParalysisIn this moving episode, Ava sits down with her friend Jordan Jacobs, who became paralyzed in 2022 after a brain tumor surgery. Jordan opens up about his life before and after the diagnosis, the emotional challenges of living with paralysis, and how he’s found purpose in creating music and bringing joy to others. Through vulnerability and wisdom, Jordan reminds us that life is a gift—and that even in limitation, there’s room for meaning, contribution, and connection.This episode is a raw conversation about identity, purpose, and how true fulfillment often comes from serving and loving others...
2025-07-0128 minStop Wasting Your LifeYour Period Pain Isn’t Normal: Optimizing Women's Health With Functional MedicineIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with longtime family friend and functional medicine expert, Dr. Randy James, to challenge the myths around women’s health—especially the belief that pain, irregular periods, and hormonal chaos are just “part of being a woman.”They dive deep into how young women are taught to treat their symptoms as normal, why that messaging is dangerous, and how personal agency in areas like nutrition, sleep, and stress response can radically change your well-being.From cultural conditioning to the potential consequences of early birth co...
2025-06-1751 minStop Wasting Your LifeDon’t Buy the Porsche: Lessons in Finances and Living IntentionallyIn this episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, Ava sits down with entrepreneur, advisor, and former dentist Christopher Majors to unpack what it means to him to live a flourishing, intentional life. Chris shares his journey from dentistry to wealth management, emphasizing that it's never too late to pivot careers or redefine success. The conversation touches on financial freedom, mentorship, budgeting, margin, and emotional well-being. With wisdom from decades of experience, Chris encourages young adults to define their own vision of a meaningful life—built on purpose, not pressure. Ava and Chris also dive into how our re...
2025-06-1034 minStop Wasting Your LifeBefriending Your Being: Hannah’s Journey of Healing and Self-AcceptanceIn this heartfelt and honest episode, Ava sits down with her friend and special guest, Hannah Jarrah, to explore the journey of befriending your being — learning to accept, love, and understand yourself through all seasons of life. Their conversation weaves through stories of childhood, cultural identity, shame, healing, and reconnecting with your inner child.Hannah shares her experiences with depression, family separation, and the emotional crash that followed early entrepreneurial success. Together, they reflect on radical self-acceptance, embracing your whole self (even the messy parts), and finding beauty in being human. Grounding and inspiring, this ep...
2025-06-1035 minStop Wasting Your LifeWho the Heck Is Ava and Why Does This Podcast Exist?In the premiere episode of Stop Wasting Your Life, host Ava Heinbach is joined by her best friend Raneem Alasmi, who flips the script and interviews Ava herself. Ava opens up about why she started this podcast — a deeply personal journey of figuring out how to live a fulfilling, intentional life. She shares her passion for mental health, anxiety awareness, adventure, and building a life that feels meaningful. The episode highlights authenticity, embracing vulnerability, and choosing the "harder" path to create a life you're excited to wake up to. Along the way, we hear about Av...
2025-06-1023 min