Shows
Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossHealthy AF: Ditching the Diet & Creating Healthy Habits that Actually Work with Oonagh DuncanAre you sick of dieting, "falling off the wagon" and relying on willpower to be healthy? So was I. Until I came across this best selling author and her book entitled "Healthy AF" that simplified EVERYTHING for me. While everyone was gaining weight during the pandemic, I was losing weight, simply because I was implementing the principles of this book. On today's episode, I interview author and fitness expert Oonagh Duncan who cuts all the BS out of what the health industry is telling you and simplifies it all down to the basics. And guess what? It a...2025-05-201h 03Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossFrom Surviving to Thriving: A Holistic Health Approach with My Doctor, Dr. Joe Riccione, D.O.I'm so excited to have my personal doctor on the show this week, Dr. Joseph Riccione, D.O. Dr. Joe left the traditional medical field after several years of caring for patients because one year, while celebrating the 4th of July with his family, his son was bit by a tick. He ended up contracting Lyme disease and no other doctor, methods or medications were bringing his son the reprieve he and his wife were desperately searching for. So Dr. Joe decided to take measures into his own hands to start getting to the ROOT of his s...2025-05-1357 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossFrom the Edge of Death to Perfect Health Through Language, Awareness, and Daily Habits with Dane JohnsonThis episode is EVERYTHING you need to hear in order to HEAL your body, mind and soul. I urge you to listen to my interview with Dane Johnson, the Founder & CEO of Crohn's Colitis Lifestyle. He was on the brink of death with Crohn's & Colitis in 2014. He lived in a hospital. Every doctor and drug failed him. Until one day, everything changed for him. Dane became the CEO of his own health and decided to take complete control of not only his health, but his HAPPINESS. He went from 122 pounds, in a wheelchair to a healthy 185 today a...2025-05-061h 06Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossHealth, Wealth & Homemaking with Instagram Influencer Leslie BurrisIn this week's episode, I have the honor and privilege of chatting with Instagram Influencer, Leslie Burris, who is a mother of 7, an entrepreneur and YES, she's the woman who gave birth LIVE on Instagram, THREE TIMES. Leslie is an incredible example of how women can be both a homemaker and an entrepreneur, without sacrificing your sanity and peace. Enjoy this super fun episode as we talk about the challenges AND joys of childbirth, trying to conceive, running a beef liver bites for children business and standing firm in our faith in the face of adversity. ...2025-04-291h 06Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossTrying to Conceive While Balancing GriefThis episode is a super personal "update" on mine and my husband's journey of trying to conceive while still dealing with the grief of losing our daughter. I wanted to present a super real and raw monologue of what this time is like in our lives, completely unscripted with no notes in front of me. Thank you for always letting me be so vulnerable with you. I hope this episode can bring someone just a little bit of hope in their journey.2025-04-2246 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossThe Dark Side of Discipline with Craig BallantyneIn this episode of Beyond the Pain, host Emily Smaczniak interviews Craig Ballantyne, a renowned author and entrepreneur, discussing his latest book, The Dark Side of Discipline. They explore the importance of discipline, the concept of level 10 problems, and how to effectively implement habits for success. Craig emphasizes the need for reflection, planning, and the significance of subtracting negative influences from our lives to achieve true discipline and productivity. The conversation also touches on the distractions posed by social media challenges and the importance of maintaining a healthy routine, including sleep. In this conversation, Craig Ballantyne discusses the critical...2025-04-1552 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossThe Best Part About GriefIn this episode, Emily shares her personal journey through grief after the loss of her daughter, Layla. She reflects on the profound changes that grief brings, including a reevaluation of faith, relationships, and personal identity. Emily discusses the struggle of returning to church and the impact of worship music on her healing process. Ultimately, she emphasizes that while grief is painful, it offers a unique opportunity for introspection and growth, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.TakeawaysGrief can lead to profound personal transformation.The loss of a loved one challenges our beliefs and...2025-04-0814 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossQ&A: Answering YOUR Questions on Grief w/ Rachel McGonigleIn this episode, grief coach Rachel McGonigle returns to discuss various aspects of grief with Emily, including how to handle unexpected emotions, the importance of self-care, and the impact of cognitive distortions on healing. The conversation also explores different types of grief beyond loss of life, navigating relationships during grief, recognizing when to seek professional help, and the significance of surrounding oneself with caring individuals. Rachel emphasizes that healing is an active pursuit and that understanding and managing grief requires intentionality and self-compassion.TakeawaysEmotional shelving helps manage unexpected grief.Self-care is crucial for emotional resilience...2025-04-011h 01Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossFear vs. Your Dream LifeIn this episode, Emily discusses the profound impact of fear on our lives and how it often prevents us from pursuing our dreams. She shares her personal journey of focusing on health and fitness while confronting the fears that arise when stepping out of one's comfort zone. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that many fears are not based on real threats and encourages listeners to overcome these barriers to live authentically and without regret.TakeawaysFear often stands in the way of our dreams.It's important to confront our fears head-on.Anxiety...2025-03-2515 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossWhy Spring Cleaning Won't Change Your Life (but decluttering will) with Shannon LeykoIn this episode, Emily and decluttering expert Shannon Leyko discuss the transformative power of decluttering and the shift from traditional spring cleaning to a more intentional approach called spring clearing. They explore how decluttering can lead to a more manageable home, increased gratitude, and a more intentional life. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about decluttering, the joy of keeping meaningful possessions, and the financial implications of decluttering. Shannon emphasizes the importance of intentionality in both possessions and life choices, encouraging listeners to evaluate what truly matters to them. In this conversation, Emily and Shannon explore the emotional and...2025-03-1856 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossFast-Tracked Funerals and the Lonely GrieverIn this episode, Emily shares her personal experiences with grief, particularly focusing on the emotional turmoil surrounding funerals. She discusses the profound loneliness that often accompanies the grieving process, especially for those who are closest to the deceased. Emily highlights the disconnect between the grievers and outsiders, emphasizing how funerals can provide closure for outsiders while leaving grievers feeling abandoned and overwhelmed. Through her reflections, she aims to bring awareness to the complexities of grief and the need for better support systems for those who are mourning.TakeawaysGrief is a deeply personal journey that varies...2025-02-2524 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossOvercoming Anxiety (without over-spiritualizing it)In this episode, Emily shares her personal journey with anxiety, discussing its misconceptions and the profound impact it has had on her life. She emphasizes the importance of understanding anxiety as a physical and emotional response, particularly in the wake of trauma and loss. Emily provides practical strategies for managing anxiety, including the need to retrain the brain from a state of fight or flight to one of calm and relaxation. She highlights the significance of recognizing anxious thoughts as often unfounded and encourages listeners to take control of their mental health through consistent practice and self-care. In this...2025-02-181h 15Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossBecoming the Best Health AdvocateIn this episode, Emily shares her personal journey of becoming an advocate for her husband's health, navigating the complexities of caregiving, and the emotional toll of unresolved grief. She emphasizes the importance of self-education, asking questions, and taking control of health decisions while also highlighting the need for self-care as a caregiver. Through her experiences, she illustrates the delicate balance between trusting medical professionals and being an active participant in health management.Takeaways:Advocacy is crucial for health management.Personal experiences shape our understanding of health.Grief can significantly impact physical health.Education from medical professionals...2025-02-1135 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossWhat You Should NEVER Say to Those Who Are Suffering (..and what to say instead)In this episode, Emily discusses the complexities of grief and the impact of spiritual clichés on those who are suffering. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the grieving process and offers practical advice on how to support individuals in mourning. Emily highlights unhelpful phrases to avoid and suggests more empathetic responses that acknowledge the pain of loss. The conversation aims to foster a deeper understanding of grief and how to be a supportive presence for those in need.TakeawaysSpiritual clichés can be harmful to those grieving.Practical support is...2025-01-2821 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossStop Saying "God is Good"In this episode, Emily discusses the phrase 'God is good' and its implications in the context of grief and healing. She explores how this phrase is often used inappropriately during times of suffering and how it can feel dismissive to those in pain. Emily emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's goodness in all circumstances, not just when things are going well, and encourages listeners to be mindful of their words when supporting others through difficult times.TakeawaysThe phrase 'God is good' can be misused in conversations about grief.Cliché responses can feel dismissive to those s...2025-01-2111 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossNavigating Trauma: Insights from Trauma-Informed Certified Coach, Mike Ayala-WhiteIn this episode, Emily interviews Mike Ayala-White, a trauma-informed certified coach, discussing the complexities of trauma, grief, and healing. They explore the differences between traumatic events and the trauma that lingers, the body's response to trauma, and the importance of grieving. Mike emphasizes that trauma is not just the event itself but the lasting impact it has on individuals. They also discuss the necessity of community support in the healing process and the transformative power of facing pain. The conversation highlights the link between internal chaos and external circumstances, advocating for a holistic approach to healing that encompasses both...2025-01-1454 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossForget All The New Year Advice and Learn How To Do This One ThingIn this episode, Emily discusses the importance of redefining success for the new year based on personal priorities rather than generic advice. She emphasizes the significance of making hard choices and how they lead to growth and healing, especially after experiencing profound loss. Emily shares her personal journey of resilience, highlighting that true growth often comes from facing difficult situations head-on. She encourages listeners to embrace the harder path for long-term benefits and not to wait for life-altering events to motivate personal transformation.2025-01-0723 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossThe Silence of Stillbirth with Katherine LazarIn this episode, Emily Smaczniak and Katherine Lazar delve into the profound and often uncomfortable topics surrounding grief, particularly in the context of baby loss and stillbirth. Katherine shares her personal story of losing her son, Brody, and the subsequent journey through grief, healing, and the complexities of living with a 'loss lens.' They discuss the importance of community, the challenges of navigating relationships after loss, and the need for open conversations about grief. The episode emphasizes the significance of understanding and supporting those who have experienced loss, as well as the ongoing journey of healing and remembrance. 2024-12-311h 05Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossHealing Your Home to Transform Your LifeIn this episode, Emily Smaczniak discusses the profound connection between our living spaces and our emotional healing, particularly after experiencing loss. She shares her personal journey of transforming her home into a sanctuary for healing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean and organized environment as a means to foster mental well-being. Emily explores the duality of coping mechanisms—some find solace in cleaning, while others may feel overwhelmed by their surroundings. She provides practical steps for decluttering and organizing, highlighting that taking control of our homes can lead to greater control over our lives and emotional states. Ultimately, sh...2024-12-1734 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossGrief Unveiled with Rachel McGonigle: Understanding Its Impact and Path to RecoveryIn this episode, Emily Smaczniak and grief counselor Rachel McGonigle discuss the profound impact of grief on individuals and the importance of holistic healing. Rachel shares her personal journey of loss and how it shaped her approach to grief counseling. They explore misconceptions about grief, the physical toll it takes on the body, and the significance of self-care. The conversation emphasizes the power of choice in navigating grief and the importance of setting boundaries in relationships. Ultimately, they highlight the potential for empowerment and healing through understanding and addressing the complexities of grief.Follow Rachel on Instagram...2024-12-101h 09Beyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossPost Loss Trauma & Battle for HealthIn this episode, Emily Smaczniak shares her deeply personal journey of grief following the stillbirth of her daughter, Layla, and the subsequent health struggles of her husband, Rick. She discusses the early days of their grief, the coping mechanisms they employed, and the impact of their loss on their mental and physical health. Emily highlights the importance of seeking help, the challenges of navigating medical decisions, and the emotional toll of watching a loved one suffer. Ultimately, she emphasizes the possibility of healing and growth beyond pain, sharing her hope for the future.2024-12-0329 minBeyond the Pain: Heart and Home Healing After LossMy Story of StillbirthIn this heartfelt episode of 'Beyond the Pain,' Emily Smaczniak shares her deeply personal journey through grief, loss, and the quest for hope. From her struggles with infertility to the unexpected joy of welcoming three children into her home, Emily's story is one of resilience and love. The episode culminates in the heartbreaking experience of losing her daughter, Layla, and how this loss has shaped her identity and purpose. Emily's candid reflections offer listeners a glimpse into the complexities of healing and the importance of finding hope amidst pain.2024-11-1436 min