This week we have a bonus episode for you. It's a great big gift from Dr. Keri and Kelly: an audio chapter from their book Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life's Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations, where they introduce their BREAK model for change. So sit back and enjoy some of this fantastic guide for Breakouts of all kinds!

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Keri and Kelly Links:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The only one that cares about the extra five pounds you put on is you…Everybody in your life…should want to enjoy your presence and your photos.” For many women, having their picture taken is an excruciating experience; it’s something they’d do anything to avoid. That intense self-criticism is something that portrait photographer Elizabeth Snyder wanted to address. So, a few years back, she shifted to a unique speciality. Working primarily with women aged 35 years and up she’s developed a thoughtful, step-by-step process that's about learning to see yourself differently and letting go of shame.

The results are extraordinary because the thing that makes Elizabeth, the perfect person to help these women overcome their doubt are the incredible trials and tribulations she's endured on her own path to self-fulfillment.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a portraiture artist, confidence expert, and workshop leader passionately committed to helping women feel their best. She has helped hundreds of women feel comfortable in front of the camera. Elizabeth has been exploring photography for the last 33 years, starting with working in her family's darkroom at age eight. Since then, she’s won many awards for her artistry, including the Portrait Masters competitions, the Castellani Art Museum's 20/20 vision: Women Artists in Western New York Exhibition, the Wedding Wire Couples Choice award, and the Top 10 Photographers in Buffalo through Expertise.

Links

Elizabeth Synder Photography

Elizabeth’s book: Unbroken

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Keri & Kelly Links:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to effective leadership wasn't having all the answers, but rather creating space for genuine human connection? In this enlightening conversation with Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther, co-founders of the Abbracci Group, we explore the transformative power of compassion in the workplace.

The dialogue begins with a fundamental truth: people want to feel cared for, regardless of whether they're at home or at work. Despite this simple reality, many managers struggle to show genuine empathy and vulnerability—often because they've been conditioned to maintain professional distance or believe they must always provide immediate solutions to every problem.

As Keri points out, it is hard to fully listen as humans, especially in our hyper-connected, distraction-filled world. Yet this skill becomes increasingly crucial in times of uncertainty. Kelly emphasizes that managers needn't have answers to every question; sometimes their most valuable contribution is simply acknowledging, "I don't know what's going on, but as soon as I have information, I'll share it with you."

The conversation navigates the delicate balance between compassion and boundaries. Contrary to popular belief, these concepts aren't opposites—in fact, clear expectations and boundaries are themselves compassionate acts. Without them, managers risk becoming ineffective "besties" rather than leaders who can guide their teams through challenges.

Perhaps most compelling is the business case for compassion. When employees don't feel cared for, engagement plummets, discretionary effort disappears, and eventually, customer experience suffers. It might not happen right away, Keri warns, but eventually you will lose customers, clients, and revenue.

Through personal stories and practical insights, this episode offers a masterclass in human-centered leadership that acknowledges our shared vulnerability while maintaining the structure necessary for organizational success.

About Keri and Kelly

Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther are the founders of Abbracci Group, co-authors of “Whatever the Hell You Want," and hosts of The Breakout podcast. Dr. Keri Ohlrich has over two decades in HR leadership, and embodies a passion for transforming workplaces into thriving ecosystems. Kelly Guenther brings a holistic approach to people and talent, focusing not only on the organization but also on the individuals who create teams.

Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trystan Reese is a dad to three great kids, he has a loving partner, and a fulfilling career. It's a beautiful, somewhat typical life. But as a transgender man, there's nothing typical about how he got here.

How he grew his family – from an unexpected adoption, to his very public trans pregnancy – is a huge part of how Trystan does his LGBTQ+ advocacy work. And in this episode, we hear Trystan’s family story, how he pushes past judgment to tell his story, and why, even with the war on DE&I, he thinks there’s still hope.

About Trystan

Trystan is a transgender storyteller, facilitator, and parent. His family exploded into the public eye after being featured on the parenting podcast The Longest Shortest Time. His family’s story has since been covered by hundreds hundreds of news outlets across the globe.

Riveting, emotional storytelling has garnered Trystan Reese national recognition, critical acclaim, and devoted fans. In addition to running his consulting firm, Collaborate Consulting, Trystan works as an executive coach and author.

Links

Trystan Reese.com

Instagram: @biffani

Trystan’s Recommended Resources on LGBTQ+ Issues

Erin in the Morning Substack

Instagram: @chasestrangio

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Links:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

In this episode of Season of Stuck, Deanna sits down with Kelly Guenther and Dr. Keri Ohlrich, co-hosts of The Breakout, authors of Whatever the Hell You Want, and co-founders of the Abbracci Group. They'll discuss what it means to get unstuck and how to navigate the fear, resistance, and challenges that come with change. From personal experiences to professional insights, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories to help you move forward.

Learn about:

• Why defining and understanding your "why" is crucial for creating meaningful, lasting change
• How humor can unlock creativity and forward momentum—and help you get unstuck
• How to escape the “what-if” spiral—and get unstuck in the process
• Why messy, small actions are often more effective than waiting for the "perfect" next step

About Season of Stuck

Have you ever felt stuck? Like you can’t move forward even though you want to—or don’t know what you would move forward to even if you could? If so, this podcast is for you. Join host Deanna deBara (who is no stranger to stuck!) as we take a deep dive into all things stuck: how and why stuckness happens, what it feels like, how to learn and grow from it, and ultimately, how to get unstuck and step into the next version of ourselves and our lives. Stuck isn’t a you thing or a me thing; it’s a human thing. So, why not explore it together? Find the show wherever you listen to podcasts and visit seasonofstuck.com

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Books:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Connect:

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I had a budding career as an attorney. I was making more money than I knew how to spend. I was living in the Upper East Side. Everything looked promising.

On paper, it seemed like Justin Maffett had achieved the life he'd always wanted, but instead of enjoying it, he felt trapped in a career that was making him miserable.

Then in 2020, COVID lockdowns forced Justin into a state of physical and emotional isolation, and that simmering resentment he felt towards his work turned into a mental health crisis - followed by arrests and felony charges - that would upend his entire life.

May is Mental Health awareness month, so in this episode we're hearing about Justin's long journey back from the brink, and why when it comes to Mental Health, we need radical transparency.

About Justin

Justin Maffett is a writer, lawyer, and current graduate student at HEC Paris Business School. Previously, he was a New York City and later Washington, D.C. based corporate lawyer at two premier international law firms where he specialized in financial regulations. He currently lives in Paris, France and New York City.

Links

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/justinmaffett

Book: Profiles in Mental Health Courage

Film: The Wildest Pearl

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Books by Keri and Kelly:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Connect with Kelly and Keri

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

Is entrepreneurship truly a solo journey, or would you rather start a business with a friend? For Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther, co-founders of the leadership and HR consultancy the Abbracci Group and co-hosts of “The Breakout” podcast, the answer is clear: collaboration is key. Together, they’re on a mission to help women and entrepreneurs navigate both professional and personal changes, big and small. Their book, “Whatever the Hell You Want”, is a guide to identifying the “boxes” that confine us, creating a roadmap to break free, and living a life of choice and freedom. Keri and Kelly’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of partnership and support.

In this episode, Erin, Keri & Kelly dive into themes of change, growth, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Hear how taking bold, sometimes daunting steps can help break free from traditional paths and bring about lasting happiness.

About Hotter Than Ever

Women over forty have started to realize that our fantasy of "having it all" is both a myth and a trap (how many New York Times articles until it’s just accepted fact?). We've jammed ourselves into someone else's ideas of success and happiness, and while our lives might look pretty and buttoned up from the outside, there's a rebel inside of us yearning to break free.

Hotter Than Ever unearths the unconscious rules that keep us feeling trapped and taking care of everyone other than ourselves. We all have dreams, and fantasies, and grand visions for our lives, and you deserve the chance to make them all come true.

Hear from amazing people about how they broke the rules and reshaped their lives for the better. We’ll talk about career, ambition, reinvention, relationships, divorce, dating, sex (and more sex), aging, body image and more in a frank, irreverent way that also manages to be deep as f*ck.

https://www.hotterthaneverpod.com/

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters.

Find more from Keri and Kelly at these links:

• Instagram: @thebreakoutpod
• YouTube: @thebreakoutpodcast
• Facebook: @thebreakoutpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I often say that creativity is rooted in refusal. That you refuse to accept that the world as it is, is just fine as it is, because  you recognize that the world as it is can be altered”.

Dr. Tasha Golden wants everyone to see the extraordinary power in creativity. Tasha is a behavioral scientist, and a leading expert in how creativity drives transformative change. And she should know.

Because before Tasha became a scientist, she was a successful singer and songwriter touring the world, until a shattering case of burnout forced her to change everything. Music had been the only thing she ever wanted to do, and now she needed to reimagine her entire life.

In this episode, we learn about how big change is all about creativity, and how Tasha uses the arts to help organizations innovate, grow, and find new ways to solve old problems. She explains how integrating the arts into things like healthcare, and even the judicial system can make a profound impact on everyone's lives.

Sometimes big change means reimagining everything, and Tasha is here for it. And so are we.

About Dr. Golden

I’m an international speaker and consultant, career singer/songwriter, and PhD scientist. As a leading expert in Creativity, Behavior, and Wellbeing, I help leaders across industries harness unconventional thinking to spark innovation, reimagine wellness, and drive powerful change.

Connect with Dr. Golden

Tashagolden.com

Tasha Golden LinkedIn

About The Breakout

The Breakout is the hit podcast hosted by human resources and change experts Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. The founders of Abbracci Group, a results-driven coaching, HR Management and consulting firm, Keri and Kelly are laser-focused on getting the best out of people. They launched The Breakout in early 2023 to find the best stories and advice on busting boundaries and making change, and since then the show has charted #1 in self-improvement, #1 in education, and #7 in all podcasts. From huge transformations to quiet shifts, The Breakout highlights why every change matters. At Abbracci Group, Keri and Kelly offer a four-step coaching process to help you increase your self-awareness, break out of expectations, and live life on your terms.

Books by Keri and Kelly:

Whatever the Hell You Want

The Way of the HR Warrior

Connect with Kelly and Keri

Instagram - @thebreakoutpod

The Breakout on Facebook

YouTube

Take a minute to fill out our listener survey and help us make The Breakout Podcast even better. Your feedback means the world to us! 💬

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.