Life Check Yourself

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Corey Allan—husband, father, author, speaker, and seasoned marriage and family therapist—to unpack the truth about long-term love, personal growth, and staying connected through change. We go beyond surface-level advice to talk about what really keeps relationships alive, why personal responsibility is non-negotiable, and how to navigate shifts in yourself and your partner without losing the bond.     3 Main Takeaways: Face the relationship you have—not the one you wish you had. Personal growth will shift the relationship—be ready to adapt. Strong connections are built on presence, self-respect, and shared growth.     3 Main Topics with Timestamps, Citations, and Explanations: 1. Work with Who Your Partner Really Is (05:03) "I'm fighting for the spouse I wish I had… rather than I'm actually working with who they are." Explanation: Real progress comes when energy is spent on understanding and relating to the actual person in the relationship—flaws, strengths, and all—instead of chasing an idealized version that only exists in imagination.     2. Change in One Partner Shifts the Entire System (13:25) "One person makes a change, so it's going to impact the system… The other person is left with a couple of choices." Explanation: Every change—whether intentional growth, a lifestyle shift, or a new boundary—ripples through the relationship. How each person responds determines whether the bond strengthens, adapts, or drifts apart.     3. Presence Beats Time Quantity (33:25) "My wife benefits… from 20 minutes of a hundred percent of my presence more than she does of an hour of 50% of my presence." Explanation: Deep connection is built through focused, intentional engagement rather than simply being in the same space. Quality attention fuels emotional closeness far more than distracted time together. Connections: Sexy Marriage Radio Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life  

Episode Introduction: In this episode, we explore how grief—often avoided, misunderstood, and pushed down—can actually become the catalyst for living fully and authentically. Dr. Michelle Petticola shares powerful insights on transforming complex grief into fuel for life’s purpose. You’ll discover why facing your emotions is essential, how reframing loss can shift your experience, and the hidden costs of suppressing what your heart needs to feel.     3 Main Takeaways: Surrender is the first step to transformation — Allowing emotions to flow opens the door to healing and self-discovery. Reframe grief as a measure of love — Shifting perspective transforms pain into a lasting, meaningful connection. Unprocessed grief impacts every area of life — Avoidance drains energy, creates emotional blocks, and can keep you from living true to yourself.     3 Main Topics with Timestamps, Citations, and Explanations: 1. The Power of Surrender (14:01) "You have to surrender to the experience... There’s no magic pill. There is no quick formula. You have to go through the process. And it’s good because when you go through the process, you transform." Explanation: Accepting and fully feeling emotions instead of resisting them prevents them from becoming trapped in the body. This openness can lead to personal breakthroughs and deeper self-awareness.     2. Reframing Loss as Love (22:32) "What if instead of looking at it that way, you look at it as your grief is a measurement of your love for this woman." Explanation: Changing the meaning you give to grief shifts the emotional experience. Viewing grief as evidence of deep love creates an empowering connection rather than a debilitating wound.     3. The Hidden Impact of Unprocessed Grief (20:24) "If you don’t grieve, the emotions get stuck in your body… As soon as they start to get that relief… suddenly they have all this energy that they didn’t have because… you’re exhausted." Explanation: Suppressing emotions requires constant effort, which drains vitality and can manifest as physical or mental health challenges. Releasing them restores energy and emotional clarity. Connections: Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life Secrets Of Life and Death Complex Grief Checklist  

Today’s conversation dives deep into the intersection of identity, nervous system regulation, authentic connection, and lasting love. This is about understanding the body’s role in transformation, breaking patterns that keep relationships stuck, and reclaiming the confidence to live and love from a place of wholeness. 3 Main Takeaways Healing Can Be Accelerated in the Right Environment – Safety, preparation, and integration are key to lasting breakthroughs. Connection is the Core of Transformation – Deep healing happens when we reconnect with ourselves, others, and nature. Psychedelics Are a Tool, Not a Shortcut – The real work is in integration and living the lessons learned. Main Topics & Timestamps Creating a Safe and Structured Healing Space (04:12) "People need to feel safe enough to let go, so the healing process can truly begin." When trust and safety are built into the experience, the mind and body can release long-held trauma, making transformation possible. Why Connection Heals (12:45) "The medicine reminds us we’re part of something larger than ourselves." This sense of belonging counteracts isolation, helps dissolve anxiety, and fosters a deep inner calm. Integration Is the Real Transformation (18:27) "The retreat isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of a new chapter." The insights gained must be applied in daily life to create sustainable change and authentic alignment. Nature as a Co-Facilitator (25:10) "Being in nature accelerates the sense of awe and connection." Immersion in natural settings supports nervous system regulation, emotional grounding, and spiritual openness. Shaping the Future of Psychedelic Healing (32:02) "We’re building a model that prioritizes ethics, accessibility, and long-term impact." A vision for making this work safe, legal, and accessible to more people without losing its integrity. Connections: Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future  Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life Learn More About Myles  

 This week I’m talking with Erin Washington—author, former college athlete, podcast host, and the founder of “Squats and Margaritas.” Erin is a fierce voice for women breaking free from perfectionism, diet culture, and comparison traps. Her story of going from disordered eating and self-doubt to empowered confidence is raw, real, and refreshing. She teaches women how to create sustainable wellness and lasting joy—without shrinking themselves or their lives.     🌟 What You’ll Walk Away With: Confidence has nothing to do with perfection. Healing starts when the comparison stops. Your identity isn’t your body—it’s your energy.     ⏱️ Key Topics + Takeaways with Timestamps     1. Confidence Comes from Owning, Not Fixing 🕐 [08:11] “I was always striving for this perfection, and when I got there, I still wasn’t happy.” Explanation: Chasing perfection creates a cycle of never-enoughness. True confidence is built by honoring progress over performance. The shift from fixing flaws to owning wholeness rewires self-worth from the inside out.     2. Comparison Is the Thief of Healing 🕐 [12:32] “I had to unfollow the ‘perfect’ moms and start living my real life.” Explanation: Healing requires protecting energy from comparison triggers. Constantly measuring against filtered highlight reels feeds shame and erodes joy. Choosing authenticity over aspiration restores inner peace and creates space for meaningful growth.     3. Your Worth Isn’t Measured in Pounds 🕐 [17:45] “I was finally in a healthy body, but it was still not enough—because I didn’t heal my mind.” Explanation: Even external transformation feels empty if internal beliefs remain rooted in scarcity. Sustainable healing happens when identity expands beyond appearance and aligns with truth, joy, and purpose.     💬 Notable Quotes: “It’s not about the squats or the margaritas—it’s about the freedom to enjoy both.” [20:01] → Balance is not the goal—it’s the byproduct of self-acceptance. “Confidence is a decision, not a destination.” [22:18] → You don’t wait to feel worthy—you show up like you already are. “Your body doesn’t need to be fixed. Your beliefs do.” [25:40] → When mindset shifts, everything else follows.     📘 Go Deeper: Check out Erin’s book Squats and Margaritas: A Journey to Finding Balance and tune into her podcast for real talk on wellness, motherhood, and confidence—minus the BS.     ✨ Final Word: Lasting change doesn’t come from willpower—it comes from healing. And healing begins when perfection is no longer the price of admission. Confidence is available now—not 10 pounds from now, not next year. Now. Choose you. As you are. Today. 💥   Connections: Buy From Pain to Purpose: Finding Meaning in the Mess Listen to thERINpy with Erin WashingtonVisit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life

Guest Introduction: On this episode, I’m joined by Megan Walrod—writer, speaker, and transformational guide whose journey from overachieving to aligned living will crack open something deep inside you. Megan walked away from a life that looked “perfect on paper” to rediscover her voice, power, and soul’s deeper calling. What she found? A life of freedom, joy, and magnetic abundance that didn’t require her to hustle, perform, or prove.     🌟 3 Takeaways to Anchor In: Real wealth begins with honoring your inner truth. Doing less can actually open the portal to more abundance. Letting go of the “good girl” creates space for authentic power.     🔑 3 Main Topics with Time Stamps: 1. The Cost of Over-Giving and Performing ⏰ [00:06:10] “It looked like the dream life, and yet I was feeling more and more empty inside.” This moment reminds us that external success without inner alignment leads to depletion, not fulfillment. When our energy is tied to validation or performance, we burn out—not just physically, but spiritually. Letting go of over-giving is how we begin to reclaim joy, peace, and power.     2. How Doing Less Becomes a Money Magnet ⏰ [00:17:45] “I realized the less I did from a place of force, the more space I had for miracles.” Shifting from hustle to receptivity doesn’t mean giving up ambition—it means aligning energy with intention. When effort is replaced by embodiment, creativity and opportunities multiply. It’s not about stopping, it’s about syncing with a higher rhythm.     3. Breaking the “Good Girl” Spell ⏰ [00:27:30] “The moment I stopped trying to be liked, I started being respected—and paid.” Releasing the need to please creates magnetic confidence. True power isn’t loud or aggressive—it’s grounded in self-worth. When the good-girl conditioning fades, bold choices rise. And those bold choices lead to new levels of success and self-expression.     💬 Notable Quote: “Wealth isn’t just numbers in a bank account. It’s the freedom to be who you truly are.” This quote reframes abundance in a revolutionary way—one where fulfillment becomes the foundation, not the afterthought. Because when you become the truest version of yourself, life starts meeting you in unexpected, generous ways.     Let me know if you’d like this formatted for Substack, your show notes template, or converted into an Instagram carousel. Connections: Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy It's Always Been Me by Megan Walrod  

 This week’s guest is the extraordinary Larry Michel—founder of the Institute of Genetic Energetics, relationship innovator, coach, and author of Lasting: 11 Illuminations and Essential Questions for a Co-Creative, Evolutionary Partnership. Known as the “Love Shepherd,” Larry has spent over three decades reshaping the way people find and build love. His work dives deep into the science of human connection, compatibility, and co-creation.     🔥 This Episode Will Help You: Stop treating love like a transaction and start showing up with truth. Shift from judgment to curiosity to unlock deeper relationships. Understand why “preparing” for love is more powerful than repairing it.     ⏱️ 3 Key Takeaways + Topics with Timestamps     1. Love Is Not a Transaction—Stop Playing the Algorithm ⏰ [02:42] “Anytime we make ourselves a commodity, it's hurting us.” Explanation: When love becomes gamified by apps and algorithms, people lose the depth of authentic connection. Reducing ourselves to filters, swipes, and profiles undermines intimacy and reinforces insecurity. Instead, when we approach dating and connection as a human process—not a tech transaction—we reclaim our power to be seen and valued.     2. Chemistry Isn’t the Goal—Clarity Is ⏰ [10:31] “Chemistry plays a huge role... when it’s on, you’re all doped up on brain chemicals.” Explanation: Falling for someone based on “chemistry” alone often leads to distorted decision-making. When your body is flooded with feel-good hormones, it’s easy to miss red flags. By learning how to see clearly through the chemical fog, you can create meaningful, conscious connections rather than ones based purely on dopamine and fantasy.     3. Don’t Repair—Prepare for Real Love ⏰ [25:45] “85% of professionals are focused on repairing what’s broken... but we need to prepare more than repair.” Explanation: Healing shouldn’t begin only after heartbreak. Proactively asking the right questions, cultivating emotional intimacy, and clarifying shared values before problems arise builds resilience. True connection comes from intentional preparation, not reactive fixing.     ✨ Notable Quotes: “Love is not an action. It’s not a verb. Love is your life force.” [26:43] → When you remember that love is who you are, you stop seeking it and start expressing it. “We’ve been conditioned to judge instead of staying in inquiry.” [16:10] → Growth happens not when we’re proving ourselves right, but when we stay open to discovering more. “Be surprised by the truth. That’s where the real magic is.” [17:20] → The best connections often come from the unexpected. Stop scripting the story and start listening for what’s real.     Connections: Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life  

In this episode of Life Check Yourself, I sat down with the brilliant behavioral expert and author Tracy Crossley to unpack the real root of relationship crisis. Whether you're stuck in an on-again, off-again dynamic, feeling emotionally unseen, or quietly questioning your future with someone—this is the conversation that will shift everything. We explore the hidden habits that keep us stuck, the unconscious fear that fuels dysfunction, and how you can finally experience the kind of intimacy and power you’ve always wanted—without playing the blame game.     🎯 3 Powerful Takeaways: Victim Thinking Blocks Healing Emotional Intimacy Begins With Responsibility You Can Outgrow Your Attachment Style     💡 Episode Topics & Time Stamps: [03:33] Victim Language & “He Made Me” Thinking “Whenever I hear 'he made me,' it’s always an attachment. It’s always a victim position.” This mindset limits any possibility of real change. Shifting out of blame and into self-responsibility is the first step to emotional freedom. Otherwise, you’ll keep attracting the same relationship dynamic in different clothing. [09:17] How Fear Pretends to Keep You Safe “I had a lot of bullshit excuses, but most of all—I had fear.” Fear isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s disguised as logic or control. But what it really does is trap you in indecision, making you believe you’re stuck when you’re actually just scared to want more. [34:07] What To Do When You’re Always Thinking About The Problem “You’re in the kitchen, doing dishes…what are your thoughts? They’re on a story about a relationship problem.” Most of us don’t realize how much mental energy we give to unspoken stories. Tracy explains how interrupting this cycle with awareness and curiosity—not accusation—can lead to more connection than any “fix it” talk.     🔥 Notable Quotes: 🗣️ “You’re punishing yourself when you’re stuck in blame.” 🗣️ “Most people aren’t afraid of being alone. They’re afraid of intimacy.” 🗣️ “If you don’t give your partner space to grow, they’ll stay trapped in the past version of themselves you keep projecting.”     🎯 Why This Episode Matters: This isn’t just about romantic relationships—it’s about reclaiming the emotional agency you’ve handed over. When you become the chooser in your life, your relationships naturally shift too. The path to peace doesn’t start by changing someone else—it starts by finally seeing yourself clearly. Connections: Tracy’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Insecure-Attachment-Recognizing-Relationships/dp/1646042506 Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life  

✨ Introduction: In this episode, I sit down with Christine Lang—former New York attorney turned intuitive healer, energy translator, and author of the upcoming book Ask Your Spirit: Receiving Life-Changing Wisdom from Your Elevated Intelligence. Christine has spent nearly 30 years helping people decode the messages from their body, spirit, and nervous system—so they can stop feeling stuck and finally start living in alignment. We dive deep into how to shift from chronic pain and fear into clarity, confidence, and true prosperity—without bypassing the messy human stuff.     💡 3 Life-Changing Takeaways: Pain has a purpose—your discomfort is a wake-up call, not a punishment. When you stop outsourcing answers and tune in, you unlock your truest wisdom. Your nervous system holds the key to lasting abundance, not just mindset work.     🔑 Topics + Time Stamps + Explanations: 1. 🧠 The Real Reason We Stay Stuck in the Victim Pit [05:48] “Make space to have the human reaction... when we try to cut that off by doing the spiritual thing of ‘I should just see it as beautiful,’ you're just doing suppression.” Suppressing emotion under the guise of spiritual bypassing keeps stress trapped in the body. When people allow their emotional "tantrum" without judgment, they regain access to their clarity and personal power. Real healing begins when we acknowledge our humanity instead of shaming it.     2. 💥 Shift the Question, Change Your Life [17:40] “Ask: Who do I become around each person? And which version of me do I like better?” By focusing inward instead of asking disempowering questions like “Why are men like this?” or “What’s wrong with me?”, people begin to access elevated intelligence. Self-inquiry shifts from blame to embodiment—and choices become clearer and more aligned.     3. 🌀 Your Body is Speaking—Are You Listening? [22:31] “Chronic symptoms are emotional stressors in concrete form. They hold a mirror to what you’ve stopped looking at.” Chronic pain isn’t random or “just aging.” It's often an unresolved emotional loop the body is holding as a signal. When that stressor is decoded, transformation isn’t just physical—it’s energetic. Energy returns, emotional freedom is restored, and decisions become easier to make.     🔁 Notable Quotes: “Sometimes your gifts from the universe come in really shitty wrapping paper.” “Your spirit isn’t punishing you. It’s coaching you—lovingly—toward the freedom you keep asking for.” “Every time you say, ‘I have a bad picker,’ your spirit says, ‘No, you’re just not listening yet.’” “You don’t need to hustle to earn your healing. You need to receive the message.”       Connections Christine’s website: https://www.christinelang.org/ Christine’s book: https://www.askyourspirit.com/book Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life  

In this heartfelt and hilariously real episode of Life Check Yourself, I’m joined by my longtime friend and soul sister Bobbi Palmer. Bobbi became a first-time bride at 47, is now divorced, and back in the dating game at 66—this time with more confidence, peace, and joy than ever. She's a nationally recognized dating coach for women over 40, and in this conversation, we dive into the TRUTH about what dating looks like when you’re grown, wise, and absolutely done with BS. Whether you’re single, newly divorced, or wondering if it’s “too late” for you (spoiler: it’s not), this episode will have you laughing, crying, and most importantly—believing again.     🔥 Top 3 Takeaways: 1. You’re Not Too Late—You’re Right on Time Love doesn’t expire. The moment you take responsibility and rediscover who you are, the game changes. 2. Fix Your "Man Picker" By Feeling, Not Listing It’s not about height, salary, or education. It’s about how you feel—safe, respected, sexy, and seen. 3. Control Is an Illusion—Let Go and Let Love In You don’t have to control how it happens. You just have to show up, do the work, and stay open.     💡 Core Topics + Time-Stamped Highlights 🕒 05:06 – Fall In Love With Your Grown-Up Self “That woman you were before the hard marriage—she’s still there.” Before re-entering the dating world, Bobbi shares how the biggest challenge wasn’t external—it was about re-connecting with the part of herself that had been muted. The foundation of any new relationship starts with reclaiming your worth. 🕒 13:30 – How To Know If You’re “Too Picky” or Just Guarded “You need to feel safe, respected, sexy… That’s what sustains a long-term relationship.” When fear drives the dating checklist, it turns into control. Real discernment means focusing on emotional connection—not resume details. Filtering by height or alma mater? That’s fear, not standards. 🕒 22:36 – Take Responsibility (Without Shame) “I was the common denominator in all my failed relationships.” Healing happens when you stop pointing fingers and start asking better questions. Bobbi’s reframe around her 18-year marriage is powerful: “It wasn’t all bad. I chose it, I learned, I grew—and now I know better.”     ✨ Notable Mic-Drop Moments “Being brave isn’t not being afraid—it’s moving forward anyway.” “It’s your fear of rejection that’s getting you rejected.” “There is a man out there who will love you for exactly who you are.”     This is one of those episodes to bookmark, re-listen to, and send to your sister-friend who’s secretly lost hope. Whether you’re in a small town, fresh out of a relationship, or feeling like all the good men are taken—Bobbi and I are here to remind you: hope is not foolish, it’s fuel. 🌟 Learn more about Bobbi and grab her free resources at datinglikeagrownup.com 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube for bangs-envy and bonus sass 💌 Subscribe for more episodes that will life check your heart, soul, and inbox       Connections 🌐 Learn more about Bobbi at https://datelikeagrownup.pages.ontraport.net/marni Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life

In this powerhouse episode of Life Check Yourself, I sit down with JM Ryerson—leadership coach, international speaker, and bestselling author of Let's Go Win and Upgrade. JM is the founder and CEO of Let's Go Win and has helped companies double (and sometimes triple!) their revenue by simplifying leadership, alignment, and performance. If you're navigating work stress, team dysfunction, or feeling stuck in victim-mode, this episode is a must-listen. We dive deep into what it takes to thrive in the ever-changing world of work—especially if you're juggling it all in midlife. From mindset hacks to leadership strategies, JM shares no-fluff wisdom that’ll help you stop spinning your wheels and start winning with intention.     🔥 Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Stop Mistaking Activity for Alignment Being busy doesn’t mean you’re being effective. Clarity and simplicity are the secret weapons for massive growth. 2. Focus Creates Flow Interruptions are killing your productivity. Protect your energy and time like it’s sacred—because it is. 3. Boundaries Build Freedom Every 'yes' is a 'no' to something else. Learn how to say no without guilt, and watch your joy, health, and impact rise.     🧭 Key Moments & Topics Covered: 🕒 4:29 – Upgrade Your Mindset, Don’t Resist Change “Write down how you're feeling… Once it’s out, we can focus on the upside.” Change is inevitable, but how we interpret it is optional. Writing out your resistance helps you move from reactive to reflective, allowing you to design your next move instead of defaulting to fear. 🕒 10:18 – Turn Off Notifications, Turn On Productivity “Be intentional about setting boundaries with your time and tasks. It’s not rocket science, but it is discipline.” Productivity doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters, undistracted. Design your environment (like JM's no-distraction computer setup) to match your goals, not your temptations. 🕒 21:13 – Every 'Yes' Is a 'No' to Something Else “People won’t say no to others, but they’ll say no to themselves all day long.” Boundaries aren't about being selfish—they’re about being in integrity. Saying yes to one more late call might mean saying no to your kids, your rest, or your creative flow. Get clear on your why so your no’s feel empowering, not scary.     💥 Mic-Drop Quote: “Past is pain, future is anxiety, present is everything.” — JM Ryerson This episode is your permission slip to slow down, get present, and start winning on your terms. Hit play, take notes, and then take one powerful action to create more harmony, courage, and clarity—starting today. 🎧 Listen now and remember: it’s your responsibility to Life Check Yourself.     Connections 📘 Grab JM’s book Let’s Go Win for FREE🌐 Learn more about JM at letsgowin.com📲 Follow him on all the platforms and check out his podcast Let’s Go Win Visit us: MarniBattista.Com Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With MeTake the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life