In this episode of Make Discomfort Your Btch*, I talk with Brandon Marshall, founder of MAPS Staffing, about the moment everything shifted - when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult. Brandon shares how that unexpected and life-altering diagnosis became a catalyst for radical self-responsibility, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose in both life and business.

We explore how learning to live with a chronic illness forced him to stop outsourcing his well-being and start taking ownership of his mindset, habits, and choices. From this deeply personal journey came the values that now shape his leadership and the people-first approach at MAPS Staffing.

This is a conversation about resilience, rethinking your limits, and the power of turning a hard moment into your greatest teacher. You don’t want to miss it.

MORE ABOUT BRANDON:

Brandon Marshall is the founder of MAPS Staffing, a fast-emerging agency specializing in educational and healthcare staffing across Arizona and beyond. With nearly a decade of experience in the staffing industry, Brandon launched MAPS Staffing to redefine how schools and healthcare facilities access high-quality talent. His expertise spans recruitment, workforce planning, and strategic talent acquisition, all of which laid the foundation for MAPS Staffing’s people first approach.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago and now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Brandon remains actively involved in local initiatives and regularly engages with educational and healthcare leaders nationwide. His mission for MAPS Staffing is simple: Ensuring that students, patients, teachers, clinicians, and the clients we serve receive the care they need and deserve to thrive and succeed.

Website: www.MAPSstaffing.com

IG: MAPS.staffing

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

In this powerful conversation, Sahar Modares and I unpack a truth that many of us are just beginning to understand: growth doesn’t have to come through suffering.

We talk about how hope is a skill—one many of us need to relearn—and how reclaiming it can shift everything from how we lead to how we live.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the belief that struggle is the only path forward, this episode will breathe fresh air into your mindset and offer a new lens on healing, growth, and resilience.

MORE ABOUT SAHAR:

Sahar Modares is a catalyst for light, sparking transformation in those she meets. She helps people move from their head into their heart and body, where authentic connections and true collaboration can flourish. Her background in sales and marketing and studies in psychology lead her to become an entrepreneur, writer, energy worker, and mother. Her journeys span continents building businesses, creating executive support, conducting and supporting luxury sales, and finally ghostwriting for CEOs.

Through her work, she amplifies leaders’ voices, crafting stories that inspire growth and deepen trust. Sahar’s mission is to help others remember their own brilliance and make a positive impact, one meaningful connection at a time.

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

What does it really mean to become your own authority? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliantly quirky Tanya Ruckstuhl - psychotherapist, writer and author of How to Be a Human and Not An A$$hole - to talk about self-trust, personal growth and why social skills matter now more than ever.

We explore how to stop outsourcing your power, navigate relationships with more clarity and embrace the messy, magical work of being fully human.

Tune in for wisdom, humor and a few unexpected truth bombs that inevitably drop when two therapists get together.

MORE ABOUT TANYA:

Tanya Ruckstuhl, LICSW is a writer and psychotherapist working with individuals and couples in North Seattle, and a mother and step mother to three twenty-three-year-olds who crown her biggest dork on the planet. She loves gardening, dancing and hanging out with friends. She recently published a self-help book on social skills, How to Be a Human and Not An A$$hole, available at Amazon.com. You can find her website at www.TherapistSeattle.net as well as her award-winning mental health blog at

https://seattletherapist.wordpress.com/

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* If you know (or are) a business owner, nonprofit leader, or team manager who’s ready to invest in their people and create real, lasting change, connect us! Let’s partner to build workplaces where well-being and success go hand in hand. My online membership space is an incredible and affordable value add that helps you get at the root of obstacles to success and overall wellness.

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

What does it look like to move through discomfort without rushing to escape it?

In this honest and powerful episode, I sit down with Hope Rose - former ultra-endurance athlete, self-published author and master of navigating the middle - to talk about what it means to stay with hard things while they’re still happening.

We dig into:

🔥 The power of not bypassing discomfort
🧭 Daily practices that support staying present through struggle
🌱 How living intentionally—even in pain—creates lasting transformation
💡 Why discomfort isn’t the enemy, but a teacher

Hope doesn’t just talk about resilience - she lives it. This conversation is raw, grounded and full of wisdom for anyone in the thick of it.

Press play when you’re ready to make discomfort your b*tch!

MORE ABOUT HOPE ROSE:

Sometimes life calls us to a purpose we never expected. That’s exactly what birthed Hope Rose. A movement inspired by the Founder’s own extreme loss and grief. Believing that a life altering event this big serves a divine purpose, she is lending her voice to share with others that their story can be transformed into a beautiful masterpiece.

Rising from the ashes can be beautiful but often times lonely. The vision is to bring Hope Rose to every soul that is in desire of support, guidance, and a way to transform their ashes into alchemy.

Hope Rose’s background in several decades of entrepreneurship is the perfect foundation for this next endeavor. A previous sponsored ultra endurance athlete, a self-published author of a health+wellness book, and featured in many publications such as NBC Nightly News, Today Show, Hope Rose is excited to birth the next chapter of her life and serve+support as many souls as possible.

www.instagram.com/hoperosespeaks

www.hoperosespeaks.com

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* If you know (or are) a business owner, nonprofit leader, or team manager who’s ready to invest in their people and create real, lasting change, connect us! Let’s partner to build workplaces where well-being and success go hand in hand. My online membership space is an incredible and affordable value add that helps you get at the root of obstacles to success and overall wellness.

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

In this episode, I talk with Daniel A. Miller - best-selling author, poet, painter and former attorney - about what happens when our need for control becomes the very thing holding us back. Danny shares how a series of life-shaking events forced him to confront his tightly gripped approach to life, which was leading to self-neglect and outcomes far from what he truly wanted.

Through his book The Way of the Wave and our conversation, Danny invites us to consider a different way: one built on self-trust, acceptance and riding the natural currents of life rather than resisting them. If you’ve ever white-knuckled your way through change or tried to force clarity before it’s ready, this episode is your permission slip to soften, trust and let the wave carry you forward. 🌊

Tune in for powerful insight on how surrender isn't giving up—it’s the beginning of truly showing up.

MORE ABOUT DANNY:

Daniel A. Miller is a best-selling author, former attorney, painter, poet and nationally ranked senior tennis player who spent much of his life tightly gripping control—until a rapid-fire series of traumatic events brought him to his knees. His latest book, The Way of the Wave: Nature’s Model for Navigating Life’s Currents, distills the lessons from his nearly 40-year journey of learning to “go with the Wave”—a path that helped him let go, find peace, and move forward with greater clarity and trust. He is also the author of Losing Control, Finding Serenity and The Gifts of Acceptance.

Website: https://danielamiller.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielamillerauthor

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wave-Natures-Navigating-Currents-ebook/dp/B0D9HZY1GR

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* If you know (or are) a business owner, nonprofit leader, or team manager who’s ready to invest in their people and create real, lasting change, connect us! Let’s partner to build workplaces where well-being and success go hand in hand. My online membership space is an incredible and affordable value add that helps you get at the root of obstacles to success and overall wellness.

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.

In this episode, I sit down with Tara Harris—visionary CEO and founder of Femeflex, the revolutionary brand behind the world’s first Pantiless Panty Liner—to talk about the power of the pivot.

Tara shares how a bold life shift opened up a new world of possibility for her and others, and how her lifelong pattern of ingenuity and being solutions-focused helped her disrupt an entire industry.

From college halls at Morris Brown to Emmy gift bags in Hollywood, Tara’s journey is one of innovation, empowerment, and redefining comfort on her own terms.

💡 If you’re navigating a transition or dreaming up something big—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts.

MORE ABOUT TARA:

Tara Harris is the visionary CEO and Founder of Femeflex, a groundbreaking brand behind the world's first Pantiless Panty Liner. A proud graduate of Morris Brown College, Tara brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship in the feminine hygiene industry. With a mission to empower women and redefine comfort, she has created a product that challenges traditional approaches to feminine hygiene and personal freedom.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Founder and CEO of Femeflex, innovator of the Pantiless Panty Liner

• Graduate of Morris Brown College, a Historically Black College and University

• Collaborator with Impressions of Beauty on HBCU campuses

• Disruptor in the feminine hygiene industry

• Featured in Hollywood Emmy Award Nominees' gift bags in 2023

• Entrepreneur focused on women's empowerment and liberation

@femeflex on IG

MORE ABOUT ME:

I'm a mental health therapist, speaker, author and educator who helps organizations bridge the gap between knowing and doing the things that foster well-being, resilience and success. With expertise in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional intelligence (SEI), I help teams address the root causes of issues such as burnout, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change—rather than just treating surface-level symptoms. My engaging, evidence-based approach equips audiences with the skills to navigate discomfort, build trust and create healthier, more adaptive workplaces.

I'm also a "Resolutionist" with Empowered Workplace Dispute Resolution, where I leverage my trauma-informed expertise to guide difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I create safe spaces for resolving conflicts, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Whether working with frontline workers, organizational teams or educational leaders, I help people feel seen, heard and valued—transforming disputes into deeper understanding.

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ME:

* Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content, the latest news and more! I post a few times a month so I won't be inundating your inbox

* If you know (or are) a business owner, nonprofit leader, or team manager who’s ready to invest in their people and create real, lasting change, connect us! Let’s partner to build workplaces where well-being and success go hand in hand. My online membership space is an incredible and affordable value add that helps you get at the root of obstacles to success and overall wellness.

* Book me for a workshop or speaking event! Email me at cher@cheranderton.com

* Read or listen to my book Could It Be Better? An unorthodox approach to experiencing more joy and connection in relationships

* Find me @cheranderton on Instagram and TikTok

Disclaimer: My podcast and other work on social platforms are for educational purposes only and are not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health services. We are not creating a client/therapist relationship through social media, including comments and direct messages. This platform is not monitored 24/7 so if you feel unsafe or need immediate help in any way, please call an emergency number that can meet your needs.