Beste Mckenna podcaster (2025)

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People-Pleasing / Fawning 47:05

1d ago47:05

47:05

Solo Episode - This week on Beyond Survival – The Therapy Podcast, I’m unpacking the truth behind people pleasing. So often we think of it as a habit or personality trait - but in reality, it’s a deeply ingrained survival response. When a child grows up in dysfunction, their nervous system learns that safety comes from centering others and erasing …

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270 | Jenny Han (The Summer I Turned Pretty): Writing Love, Longing & Coming of Age 42:15

2d ago42:15

42:15

Jenny Han - creator, showrunner, and bestselling author of THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY - joins Lorien to talk about the art of writing love, longing, and growing up. From balancing fandom expectations to crafting authentic emotion, Jenny shares how she translates deeply personal themes to the screen, keeps romantic tension alive over multiple season…

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How do I let go of all the rage? (S2 Ep10) 54:05

9d ago54:05

54:05

This week a listener asks a question: How do I let go of all the rage? After years of no contact with her abusive family, she’s exhausted by how much power the past still has over her present. She doesn’t want revenge or empty apologies - she just wants peace. But how do you move forward when there will never be justice? In this episode, we explore…

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269 | Writing Horror with the Carved Creative Team (REBROADCAST) 1:16:26

9d ago1:16:26

1:16:26

With Halloween around the corner, we’re revisiting one of our favorite spooky episodes. Join us for a conversation with the team behind Hulu’s CARVED — director and co-writer Justin Harding, co-writer Cheryl Meyer, and star Peyton Elizabeth Lee — as they share how they brought their campy slasher film to life and what it takes to write really great…

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Living on High Alert (S2 E9) 48:04

16d ago48:04

48:04

This week, I read a letter from a listener who’s been no contact with her mother for two years - but still feels like she’s living with her shadow. Every bark of the dog, every knock at the door, sends her body into high alert. Even something as simple as checking the mailbox feels dangerous. Myself and Dr. Ruth Callaghan will explore what it’s lik…

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268 | Where to Begin as a Screenwriter (REBROADCAST) 53:02

16d ago53:02

53:02

So you want to be a screenwriter… now what? In a rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes, we dig into the essential questions every writer should ask before jumping into a draft — questions that are just as valuable for seasoned pros as they are for those starting out. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorie…

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The Trap (S2 E8) 53:22

23d ago53:22

53:22

Question - "I'm never going to find her easy but how do I regulate after exposure to her?" In this episode, we hear from a listener - an only child - who has spent a lifetime navigating exhaustion, guilt, and confusion in her relationship with her aging mother. Her mother calls her “my everything,” professes deep love, yet never asks about her life…

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267 | The Elevator Pitch + Austin Film Festival Prep Workshop (REBROADCAST) 1:31:11

23d ago1:31:11

1:31:11

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so With the Austin Film Festival coming up next week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes to help everyone attending get ready to share their stories! --- The Austin Film Festival is known for many things — but few are as legendary as its annual 90-Second Pitch Competition, where writers hav…

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When a Mother Can’t Let Go (S2 E7) 50:23

30d ago50:23

50:23

This week, we read a powerful letter from a listener whoasks myself and Dr. Ruth Callaghan the question: "How do I decide whether or not to go no contact? I can't seem to spend time with them that doesn't involve drama?" The listener describes growing up with a mum who seemed caring on the surface — "never shouting, just nagging, crying and houndin…

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266 | Emmy-Winner Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere) on the Myth of the “Big Break” 50:41

1M ago50:41

50:41

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Meg was already a fan of Jeff Hiller from his Emmy-winning performance in SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, but after listening to his moving and hilarious memoir Actress of a Certain Age, she fell completely in love with his honesty, humor, and heart. She knew she had to have him on the show — and we were deepl…

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Learning to Trust Love (S2 Ep6) 46:42

1M ago46:42

46:42

Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse Q "What I’m currently struggling with is this pattern I have where if there is a pause in our physical intimacy due to life stress or other circumstances I feel incredibly afraid and triggered into feeling worthless and think our relationship is doomed." In this deeply moving episode, we explore the lasting impact of c…

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265 | KPop Demon Hunters Directors: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans on Balancing Heart, Humor & Music 50:36

1M ago50:36

50:36

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so This week, we’re joined by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the writer-directors of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, to unpack the craft behind one of the year's biggest movies. From finding the emotional core of their story to shaping "Golden" into a late-breaking "I Want" song, Maggie and Chris share how they…

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Can she change? (S2 Ep5) 52:02

1M ago52:02

52:02

These weeks listener asks these 3 questions Is it unrealistic to expect her to change? How do I get her voice out of my head that I’m in the wrong? Have others found a way to be in a relationship with a mother with narcissistic tendencies Listen as Ruth & Katie unpack these questions and what they really mean for your healing, your boundaries, and …

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264 | Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend, Star Trek): Turning Writing Into a Job (and a Life) 57:44

1M ago57:44

57:44

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so We’re thrilled to welcome Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman for a masterclass on making writing sustainable. For Akiva, the real “tragedy” is living in the anxious space between drafts. His cure? Treat writing like a job: set hours, clock out, and commit to the work. Akiva unpacks his process – why a fir…

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Responsibility, Triggers and Fears (S2 E4) 51:40

2M ago51:40

51:40

How do we learn to parent, or even reparent ourselves, if we never had a model of healthy parenting? In this week’s episode, we explore three powerful themes: our responsibility as parents, how to navigate our own triggers, and whether it’s really possible to “overlove” a child and risk raising a narcissist. We also share some of our own fears and …

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263 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklist: 8 Elements to Turn a Situation Into a Movie (REBROADCAST) 1:10:12

2M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Check out our premium TSL WORKSHOPS program here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so STORY ENGINE. Two words we so often dread, but let's be honest: the engine of your story is what POWERS your movie. It's make, or break. And today, we break down eight elements to test whether or not you are on your way to a feature film story engine that will take you…

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Indie Film Craft 5 | How a Celebrity-Free Microbudget Feature Premiered at SXSW (ft. GG Hawkins) 1:07:34

2M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

What does it take to make a celebrity-free, microbudget feature and premiere at one of the most competitive festivals in the world? Filmmaker and No Film School podcast host GG Hawkins joins Jeff to share how she turned a family house in Panama, a tiny team, and a three-month timeline into I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND, a breakout SXSW premiere with no …

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Is There Hope with My Enabling Parent? (S2 E3) 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

This week’s listener has worked hard to build a life where she feels confident, loved, and free to be herself. But when she begins to hold her boundaries, her mother shows her true colours and the cracks in the family dynamic become impossible to ignore. Her enabling father seems to make attempts at connection, but the question remains: How do you …

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Toxic Guilt: Why it still feels like my fault (S2 Ep2) 48:00

2M ago48:00

48:00

Toxic guilt is that heavy, misplaced guilt that convinces us we’ve done something wrong, even when we haven’t. It’s one of the hardest legacies of childhood trauma, and it can follow us into adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves and our relationships. In this episode of Beyond Survival, I read a letter from a listener who grew up in a large Irish…

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262 | Writing (and Directing) Intimate, Personal Films That Feel Cinematic (ft. Sorry, Baby's Eva Victor) 1:02:08

2M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg sits down with writer, actor, and filmmaker Eva Victor to discuss their debut feature, SORRY, BABY — a darkly funny, deeply personal story about friendship, trauma, and hope. They dig into how to make a personal story feel truly cinematic, both in the writing process and on set…

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The Fixer’s Trap: Managing Compulsive Thoughts (S2 Ep1) 44:10

2M ago44:10

44:10

In series 2 of Beyond Survival – The Therapy Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Ruth Callaghan where we explore two powerful listener questions. First, how can you be a better parent when you’ve grown up as a “fawn type” people-pleaser, and why do your underlying motivations matter so much? Then, we dive into the challenge of managing intrusive, compulsive…

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Indie Film Craft 4 | How to Make Your Script Undeniable to an Indie Producer (ft. Julie Waters) 56:17

2M ago56:17

56:17

Join TSL Workshops: tslworkshops.circle.so Every writer dreams of getting their script into the right hands — but what actually makes a producer want to fight for your project? This week, Jeff sits down with powerhouse indie producer Julie Waters (Watermark Media), fresh off producing OH, HI! — one of the few films sold at Sundance this year and no…

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Ep.10- 'Breaking The Cycle' with Maggie Nick 56:18

3M ago56:18

56:18

This week I’m joined by Maggie Nick, a recovering burned-out overachiever, people-pleaser, perfectionist, pushover, and shape-shifting chameleon, what she calls a Recovering Good Kid. Now a trauma therapist, parenting expert, and cycle-breaking mother, Maggie knows firsthand what it’s like to grow up as “the one nobody ever needed to worry about.” …

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261 | Clarity, Subtext, and Want vs. Need: Kaz Firpo on Crafting Great Screenplays 1:18:49

3M ago1:18:49

1:18:49

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien sit down with Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) to talk about the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay. From writing scenes that still land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page, Kaz shares why subtext is the secret engine of great…

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Ep.9- What do I need? 34:49

3M ago34:49

34:49

When you grow up in a dysfunctional family system, you are conditioned to silence your needs to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or gain approval. Over time, it can feel impossible to even recognise what you truly want or need. In this solo episode, I discuss how that conditioning takes root, how to start recognising the needs you’ve been taught to …

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260 | From Barf Draft to Next Draft: 5 Steps to Take Now 1:02:58

3M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script. They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, tonally inconsistent (hello, surprise aliens!), or just plain confusing.…

1
Ep.8- Relentless Whispers 50:42

3M ago50:42

50:42

In this solo episode, I explore the relentless whispers of the inner critic - that constant, internal voice that undermines, judges, and shames. I delve into where it comes from, how it develops (especially in childhood), and what function it might have served. Most importantly, I share practical ways to challenge, quiet, and reduce its power so yo…

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259 | Costume As Character: What (& What Not) To Include in Your Screenplay (ft. Courtney Hoffman) 1:07:15

3M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Costume designer turned writer/director Courtney Hoffman has worked on some truly iconic films (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BABY DRIVER) and beloved indies (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, THE BOY NEXT DOOR). These experiences have profoundly shaped how she approaches storytelling, especially now that she’s writing and …

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Ep.7- 'The Cult of Family' with Daniella Mestyanek Young 47:56

3M ago47:56

47:56

The Cult of Family explores the reality of growing up in a narcissistic system that demands silence, obedience, and self-erasure. In this episode, I sit down with Daniella, a scholar of cults, extreme groups and extremely bad leadership, who also brings her own lived experience of being raised in a cult. Together, we unpack the unsettling parallels…

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258 | From Assistant to Executive Producer: Frida Perez on Co-Creating The Studio 57:05

3M ago57:05

57:05

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Apple TV+’s THE STUDIO is both a razor-sharp satire and a surprisingly heartfelt love letter to Hollywood — born out of Seth Rogen’s own frustrations and empathy for studio executives. For co-creator Frida Perez, the show explores the spectrum between art and commerce, a balance that serves as a gu…

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Ep.6- 'Never Enough' with Claire Fealy 55:23

4M ago55:23

55:23

Exploring the Fear beneath Perfectionism and High Achievement In this deep dive, Podcast Host & Mindset Coach Claire Fealy joins me to unpack the fear that hides beneath high achievement and perfectionism, and how we can begin to heal what's really driving it. We identify the inner critc and discuss the hidden beliefs driving our anxiety, how fear …

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257 | Getting Repped in a Post-Strike Industry - Part 2 (ft. Daniela Gonzalez & Garrett Greer) 48:13

4M ago48:13

48:13

Join TSL Workshops: ⁠https://tslworkshops.circle.so⁠ In part two of this incredible conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today. How do writers getting their second staffing job, what are some red flags we should avoid when repped,…

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Ep.5- Empathy Without Enmeshment 28:52

4M ago28:52

28:52

If you grew up in a narcissistic or emotionally chaotic household, chances are you were taught to feel for others, but not for yourself. In this episode, we’re unpacking what empathy actually is, why it often gets distorted in dysfunctional families, and how to reclaim it as something healthy, mutual, and safe. We explore the three different types …

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256 | Getting Repped in a Post-Strike Industry - Part 1 (ft. Daniela Gonzalez & Garrett Greer) 50:41

4M ago50:41

50:41

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In part one of a two-part conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today. Even as the industry pulls back and fewer projects are greenlit, getting repped isn’t out of reach. In some w…

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Ep.4- The Invisible Wounds of Childhood 33:03

4M ago33:03

33:03

In this solo episode, I'm exploring the invisible wounds that form in childhood when you're raised in dysfunctional or narcissistic family systems — ranging from hyper-dependence to hyper-independence — and how these patterns follow us into adulthood. I’ll also talk about the roots of these behaviours, including parentification and unhealthy parent…

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Indie Film Craft 3 | How to Get Life Rights As an Indie Filmmaker (and Make the Biopic Indie Audiences Actually Want) ft. The Bragg Brothers 1:01:03

4M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so How do you turn a real-life moment into a movie — without studio backing or a big festival launch? Jeff talks with The Bragg Brothers about making PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME, an indie biopic about GQ journalist Roger Sharpe, who helped overturn New York’s ban on pinball in 1976. They share…

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Ep.3- ‘External Control’ with Adele Martelle (Part 2) 36:40

4M ago36:40

36:40

Control is everywhere, often disguised as protection, tradition or morality! This is part 2 with Adele Martelle, where we're unpacking the subtle and not-so-subtle way control operates with society and religion. From rigid belief systems to social expectations that suppress individuality, we explore how control can disconnect us from our inner know…

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Ep.2- 'How to Build Trust' with Adele Martelle (Part 1) 39:33

4M ago39:33

39:33

How do we lose touch with who we really are? This week I am delighted to be joined by Adele Martelle, who specialises in treating complex CPTSD and Religious Trauma. In part one, we dive into how early attachment dynamics can lead us to disconnect from our needs, our instincts and our inner knowing. We'll explore how survival often meant adapting, …

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255 | From Finalist to Staffed: How Austin Film Festival Helped Us Break In (ft. Sylvia Batey Alcalá & Mac Smullen) 1:16:57

4M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

This week, we’re spotlighting two incredible TV writers whose journeys were meaningfully shaped by the Austin Film Festival. Sylvia Batey Alcalá (A MAN ON THE INSIDE, PRIMO) and Mac Smullen (SOUVENIR, ALASKA) share how AFF helped get their names out there —building momentum, sparking connections, and opening doors that had long felt closed. But a f…

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Ep.1 - 'Coercive Control' with Ann Larkin 51:20

4M ago51:20

51:20

In this powerful episode I’m joined by Ann Larkin, CEO from Women's Aid Dundalk, to explore the insidious nature of coercive control in romantic relationships. We discuss how coercive control can look in everyday life, the emotional and psychological tactics abusers use to maintain power, and why it’s so often misunderstood or overlooked. Whether y…

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254 | "I'm Stuck": What to Do When the Writing Just Isn't Working 1:01:47

5M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

In this episode, Meg gets real about where she’s at in her writing process — the doubts, the stalls, and the honest truth of feeling stuck. We answer listener questions about momentum, mindset, and the tough question of when it’s time to move on from a project that just isn’t working. Whether you're in a rut or wrestling with a story that won’t coo…

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Introduction 8:56

5M ago8:56

8:56

In this first episode, I’m introducing Beyond Survival – The Therapy Podcast and sharing more about who this space is for and what you can expect from future episodes. I’ll tell you a little bit about myself, my work as a psychotherapist, and the common patterns I’ve seen in people who grew up in emotionally immature, narcissistic parents & dysfunc…

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253 | Producing a Hit Studio Movie: What Writers Should Know ft. Sheila Hanahan Taylor (Final Destination: Bloodlines) 1:10:03

5M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, friend of the show Sheila Hanahan Taylor is back to share the ins and outs of producing a studio movie. What can writers do to develop a good relationship with a producer? How does a producer serve both the studio's voice and the writer's voice? On today's episo…

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252 | Creating a Complex Protagonist with a Simple Goal ft. Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex) 1:03:14

5M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so This week, we’re joined by Kim Rosenstock (DYING FOR SEX) to explore how a complicated protagonist with a simple goal drives interesting, rich, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Through the lens of her deeply personal and genre-blending show, which she co-created with Liz Meriwether, Kim share…

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251 | Writing with Your Partner (in Life & Work): Joe Forte on Collaboration, Mentorship, and Creative Retreats 58:22

5M ago58:22

58:22

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What’s it like to collaborate creatively with your spouse — and still want to have dinner together after? This week, we’re joined by Joe Forte, screenwriter (Firewall) and longtime writing partner (and husband!) of Meg LeFauve. We talk candidly about the unique dynamics of working with your life pa…

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How to Use SEO to Explode Your Business and Rule the Online Space | Better Life School w/ Ana McKenna 19:34

5M ago19:34

19:34

Is your website basically a digital ghost town? 👻 Tired of being invisible online? You’re not alone — but you don’t have to stay that way. In this episode of Better Life School, I sit down with journalist-turned-SEO-expert Danielle Gagnon, who’s helped everyone from bloggers to brick-and-mortar businesses go from “unsearchable” to page-one powerhou…

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250 | Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along): Having a “Take” When Pitching on IP — or Anything 1:06:10

5M ago1:06:10

1:06:10

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so When you’re pitching — whether it’s on studio IP or your own original idea — what sets you apart is your take. But what does that actually mean? This week, Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along) breaks it down. For Jac, a great take starts with the emotional core — “what is the deep down” th…

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How One PT Built a Thriving Women’s Health & Sports Rehab Brand | Better Life School w/ Ana McKenna 24:52

6M ago24:52

24:52

In this episode of Better Life School, Anna McKenna sits down with Dr. Natalie Tilton, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Owner of Ability Allies DPT—a women-owned practice specializing in sports rehabilitation, women’s health, and personalized care. From working with elite athletes to supporting women through pregnancy, menopause, and beyond, Natalie …

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249 | Screenwriting & Social Media: How Being Online Can Help Your Career 1:31:02

6M ago1:31:02

1:31:02

In this special roundtable, we’re joined by three working screenwriters — Nic Curcio, Kristen Tepper, and Julia Yorks — who have each built successful writing careers while also growing authentic, engaged followings online. We talk candidly about the growing pressure for writers to maintain a social media presence. From expanding your network to at…

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The CEO Mindset Shift: Build a Business That Doesn’t Burn You Out | Better Life School w/ Ana McKenna 30:57

6M ago30:57

30:57

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or drowning in admin chaos? You’re not alone. In this episode of Better Life School, Anna McKenna chats with systems strategist and entrepreneur Kim Laduke (KO Strategies) about how small business owners — especially women — can finally fix their messy operations, stop burnout for good, and scale smarter. 💼 Whether you'r…

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