• EP192 I Stopped Competing With Everyone, Here’s What Happened
    Oct 7 2025

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    What if the person standing in your way isn’t your competition at all but you?

    In this episode, Sami and Angela sit down with Jake Thompson, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, to talk about what it really means to compete with yourself instead of everyone else. Jake opens up about how years of chasing other people’s success left him feeling drained and unfulfilled, and how shifting his focus inward completely changed his perspective.

    Together, they explore how to balance ambition with peace, drive with gratitude, and growth with rest. This conversation is about redefining what winning looks like, learning to enjoy the process, and realizing that self-care is not selfish, it is strategic.

    You will walk away knowing how to push yourself without burning out, find satisfaction without settling, and build habits that help you show up as your best self every day. If you have ever felt like you are always running but never arriving, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and rediscover what it means to grow in a healthier way.

    Listen now to learn how to stop competing with everyone else, start growing into your best self, and go be freaking awesome.

    🎙️ This is Part 1 of our conversation with Jake Thompson.
    Part 2 drops next week and dives into how competition shows up with others and how to turn comparison into connection.

    💡 Resources and Links Mentioned

    Connect with Jake Thompson
    Website: CompeteEveryDay.com
    Instagram: @JakeThompsonSpeaks
    LinkedIn: Jake Thompson
    Podcast: Compete Every Day Podcast

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    24 mins
  • EP191 The Magic of Everyday Storytelling
    Oct 1 2025

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    What if the most powerful story you could ever tell isn’t the big dramatic one but the small, everyday moment that changed how you saw the world?

    In this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford sit down with storyteller, podcast producer, and author Sara Losey (Open This Book) to uncover why everyday stories often connect more deeply than headline-worthy ones. From pens that carry stories across states to learning how to avoid “victim-y” storytelling, Sara shares practical tips that will change the way you think about your own experiences.

    You’ll discover:

    • Why your audience, not you, is the true focus of storytelling
    • How to find the right details and ditch the rest
    • Why “ordinary” moments are often the most relatable
    • Tips for practicing storytelling in low-stakes settings so you can shine on bigger stages
    • How storytelling can help you connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impact

    Don’t wait for a “big story” moment. Your everyday life is full of stories worth telling. Hit play now and learn how to find the magic in your own story.

    Connect with Sara and grab her book Open This Book at openthisbook.com
    . You’ll also find her socials and more resources there.

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    43 mins
  • EP190 Finding Strength in the Messy Middle with Amy Wilkins
    Sep 24 2025

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    Ever feel like you’re stuck in that “in-between” space where life feels uncertain, overwhelming, or just plain messy? You’re not where you were, but you’re not where you want to be yet. That’s the messy middle, and it can be one of the hardest seasons to walk through.

    In this episode, Angela and Sami sit down with Amy Wilkins, Messy Middle Mindset Coach, to talk about what it really takes to find strength in the middle of life’s transitions. Together, we unpack why pausing isn’t weakness, how perfectionism keeps us stuck, and why you don’t have to do this season alone. You’ll hear personal stories, practical mindset shifts, and the reminder that growth often happens right in the thick of the mess.

    If you’ve been feeling like you’re just surviving instead of thriving, this conversation will give you hope, tools, and encouragement to reframe your messy middle as a season of transformation.

    👉 Tune in now and discover how to let go of perfection, embrace rest, and start moving forward with resilience and clarity.

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

    Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    33 mins
  • EP189 Doing the Hard Thing (Even When It’s the Right Thing)
    Sep 16 2025

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    Sami returns to the podcast with an honest look at what life has been like after becoming a mom of three through an unexpected guardianship that is now on the path to adoption. She shares the emotional highs and lows of bonding with a toddler, navigating work transitions, and leading a major community project all at once.

    This episode unpacks what it means to follow through on something meaningful even when it’s incredibly hard. Sami also tells a powerful story about a simple act of kindness that made a big impact during one of her toughest days.

    If you've ever found yourself in a season where you’re stretched thin, trying to do what’s right while barely holding it all together, this conversation will make you feel seen.

    What We Talk About

    • Parenting a third child with very little prep time
    • Balancing family, work, and leadership responsibilities
    • The return of TEDxFayetteville and the tension of timing
    • Learning to let go of old parenting rules
    • The emotional impact of being seen in a hard moment
    • Why small kindnesses matter more than we think

    This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and find meaning in the moments that often go unnoticed. Whether you are leading, parenting, or just trying to make it through the week, you will walk away feeling encouraged and a little less alone.

    Resources and Links

    • Learn more at TEDxFayetteville
    • Want to learn more about coaching with Sami? Book a free 30-minute call: calendly.com/tbg_sami/30-min

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

    Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    19 mins
  • EP188 When It’s Time to Stop: Permission to Pivot and Redefine with Stacy Ryan
    Sep 9 2025

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    What if the bravest thing you could do… was stop?

    In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Angela sits down with fellow podcaster and author Stacy Ryan to talk about what it really looks like to consciously walk away from something—even something meaningful, purpose-driven, and healing.

    Stacy shares her journey through surviving cancer, losing her husband, launching a podcast and book series about grief—and then making the bold decision to stop telling that story in public. Together, we unpack the emotional toll of constantly revisiting trauma, and the power of giving yourself permission to move forward into a new chapter.

    Whether you're stuck in a role, a project, or a season of life that no longer fits—this episode is for you. You’ll walk away feeling seen, empowered, and maybe even a little more free.

    🔗 Resources & Where to Find Stacy Ryan:

    • 💻 Website: https://stacyryanauthor.com
    • 📖 Books: Whole New Life book series — available on Amazon
    • 🎧 Podcast: Whole New Life — streaming on all major podcast platforms
    • 📸 Instagram: @stacyryanauthor
    • 👥 Facebook: Stacy Ryan Author
    • 🧘‍♀️ Wellness Studio: Follow Stacy’s latest adventure opening a yoga and wellness space on her socials!

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    34 mins
  • EP187 Rewrite the Script in Your Head: The Beliefs That Set You Free
    Sep 2 2025

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    Happy September! In this solo episode, Angela reflects on why this time of year feels like the real New Year and how we can use it to reset, reflect, and rewire the beliefs that are holding us back.

    She also celebrates the anniversaries of publishing Be Freaking Awesome (2017) and Traveling Light (2023). Angela shares what she’s learned since writing them, what’s shifted in her healing journey, and why rewriting your internal script is the key to moving forward with more freedom and peace.

    You’ll walk away with questions to ask yourself, a fresh take on goal-setting, and encouragement to step into the next season of your life feeling lighter and more aligned.

    In This Episode:

    • Why September might be a better time for resolutions than January
    • The seven core beliefs that shape how you show up in the world
    • How to know if you're moving toward growth or running from fear
    • Behind the scenes of Angela’s book anniversaries and what they’ve taught her
    • A self-check-in: What will you stop doing, start doing, and keep doing in the rest of 2025?

    📚 Grab Angela’s Books:

    • Traveling Light: Free Yourself from the Crap in Your Head
      → Buy on Amazon

    • Be Freaking Awesome: How to Create a Life You Love
      → Buy on Amazon

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

    Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    11 mins
  • EP186 From GED to PhD: Hope, Healing, and a Hunger to Learn with Dr. Jessi Brewer
    Aug 26 2025

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    🎙 Episode 186: From GED to PhD: Hope, Healing, and a Hunger to Learn

    with Dr. Jessi Brewer | Part 2 of 2

    What if the way back to yourself started with a book?

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jessi Brewer, we move from big systems to deeply personal transformation. Jessi opens up about growing up below the poverty line, navigating limited access to formal education, and how discovering books and community college helped her chart an entirely new path — from a GED to earning her PhD.

    This episode is about more than just reading. It’s about reclaiming the right to learn, rethinking what literacy really means, and giving yourself permission to grow in your own way.

    We talk about:

    • Redefining what counts as “reading” (spoiler: audiobooks totally count)
    • Quitting books without guilt
    • Why access to public libraries matters more than ever
    • How education can be a lifeline, not a luxury
    • The small steps that lead to big change

    This one’s full of warmth, wisdom, and honest encouragement — for anyone who’s ever felt behind, overlooked, or just hungry for something more.

    📲 Connect with Dr. Jessi Brewer on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessibrewer

    🎧 If you missed Part 1, go listen to “What Literature Teaches Us About Justice” — an eye-opening dive into how 19th-century novels helped shape the modern prison system and why imagination is essential for justice.

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    31 mins
  • EP185 What Literature Teaches Us About Justice with Dr. Jessi Brewer
    Aug 19 2025

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    🎙 Episode 158: What Literature Teaches Us About Justice with Dr. Jessi Brewer

    Part 1 of 2 with Dr. Jessi Brewer

    What does Victorian literature have to do with modern prisons?

    This week, we’re joined by Dr. Jessi Brewer, a literary scholar and Arkansas native, for a conversation that just might blow your mind. From GED to PhD, Jessi’s journey is packed with grit, purpose, and a radical rethinking of what justice could look like.

    In Part 1 of this two-part series, we explore:

    • The literary roots of the modern prison system
    • How 19th-century British novels helped normalize incarceration
    • The difference between prison reform and prison abolition
    • Why literature gives us the language to imagine something better
    • Jessi’s take on how carceral logic impacts everyday people

    This episode is equal parts thought-provoking and hopeful, and it’s just the beginning.

    👉 Be sure to come back next week for Part 2, where we’ll dive into Jessi’s powerful personal story and talk about how books, libraries, and second chances really can change lives.

    📲 Connect with Dr. Jessi Brewer on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessibrewer

    Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

    Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

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    Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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    22 mins