Pockets of Knowledge

What if the distance you feel from others actually starts with the distance you feel from yourself? In this reflective conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Kristan Swan, M.Ed., a former business coach turned life and spiritual guide who helps people come home to themselves.Kristan shares her non-linear journey from business coach to spiritual guide, and how the pandemic's depletion led her to ask: what's one small way I could bring people together? Her answer: help people close the gap within themselves first. When we slow down enough to get curious about ourselves, we create space for authentic connection with others.She explores the three buckets of stories we carry—the ones we tell ourselves, the ones we've inherited, and the ones we're willing to share—and challenges the idea that our pasts define us. Every day presents choices to write a new chapter. Kristan tackles why changing your mind isn't a character flaw (it's what thoughtful people do), the practice of non-judgmental observation, and why slowing down is an act of kindness.She also introduces "mapping hope"—the idea that if we're skilled at imagining worst-case scenarios, we owe ourselves equal time exploring best-case possibilities. And she shares her journaling tools like "Spaghetti on the Wall" for daily awareness and "Heart Mapping" for when words fail.Whether you're feeling stuck, exhausted from proving yourself, or disconnected from who you are beneath the noise, this conversation offers permission to slow down, get curious, and remember: your story is still being written.Bio:Kristan Swan, M.Ed. is a business coach turned life and spiritual guide devoted to helping people come home to themselves. After years spent guiding entrepreneurs and leaders to build successful businesses, she now uses that same strategic insight to help people build lives that feel deeply aligned with who they are. Kristan’s work invites you to explore your deepest truths, question the beliefs you’ve inherited, and reconnect with the inner wisdom you may have been taught to ignore. She believes that curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we have — a way to approach our lives with openness, creativity, and compassion.Her work is rooted in the belief that our pasts do not define us — they inform us. And when we learn to honor where we’ve been, we create space to shape where we’re going. Kristan’s mission is simple yet profound: to help you see that your story is still being written — and to give you the courage, clarity, and creativity to write it on purpose.Connect with Kristan:Email: [email protected]: https://kristanswan.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristan.swan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristanbrowne/Books mentioned:The Book of Awakening-Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781590035009A Year with Hafiz: Daily Contemplations by  Daniel Ladinsky - https://amzn.to/479aAwZPodcasts mentioned:The Treatment with Elvis Mitchell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-treatment/id73330616

What if the depression, anxiety, or feeling of "not enough" isn't who you are—but just your body trying to tell you something? In this transformative conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank, the “Mindset Doctor”, to explore how our thoughts literally shape our biology and why healing starts with listening to your body.Dr. Anna Marie shares her journey that moment launched a 20-year journey into holistic health and brain science—leading her to walk away from an 18-year six-figure career at 40 to build Happy Whole You, her thriving wellness practice.She breaks down the science of epigenetics—how your environment (what you see, eat, listen to, touch) tells your cells how to behave—and explains how your brain's "Google search engine" filters reality to validate whatever you're looking for, and why a dysregulated nervous system is behind most struggles with health and decision-making.Dr. Anna Marie gets practical with tools like deep breathing techniques and pressure points to calm your nervous system. She also dives into her book "Stop Bullying Yourself: Identify Your Inner Bully, Get Out of Your Own Way & Enjoy Greater Health, Wealth, Happiness and Success," sharing how that relentless inner voice of "not good enough" can be silenced when you learn to lead with soul instead of ego.Whether you're battling that "not good enough" voice, stuck in a soul-sucking job, or exhausted from proving yourself, this conversation offers hope and a roadmap. You have more control over your biology than you think.Bio:Dr. Anna Marie, known as the Mindset Doctor, is a visionary leader with over two decades of expertise in human health and mindset, committed to transforming lives. Armed with a Ph.D. in Natural Medicine and certifications in Brain Health, Chinese Medicine, Traditional Naturopathy, and Herbology, she is a respected author, keynote speaker, and the host of "The Happy Whole You Podcast." As the founder of Happy Whole You, she leads the charge to destigmatize mental health and guide individuals toward holistic well-being.Dr. Anna Marie's groundbreaking brain-nutraceuticals, mindset rewiring techniques, and holistic practices are reshaping mental health. Her diverse background—from teaching to corporate wellness to CEO and business owner—provides a relatable perspective on how to live an extraordinary life for optimal health and happiness. Anna Marie healed her brain after years of depression and challenges with dyslexia and ADHD. Anna Marie walked away from an 18-year career at 40 years old to pursue her desire to help people become happy and whole by rewiring the mind and body that hold them back.Connect with Dr Anna Marie:EmailWebsite: https://drannamarie.com/https://happywholeyou.com/FacebookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.anna.marie/https://www.instagram.com/happywholeyou/LinkedInYouTubeBooks mentioned:Stop Bullying Yourself - Identify your inner bully, get out of your own way & enjoy greater health, wealth, happiness and success by Dr Anna MarieBooks by Louise HayDr. Daniel AmenDr. Bruce LiptonDr. Joe Dispenza Podcasts mentioned:Happy Whole You with Dr Anna Marie Frank———If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.

Getting fired two months into what was supposed to be your job until retirement sounds like a nightmare—but for Merry Korn, it became the catalyst for building one of the world's most successful for-profit social enterprises. In this powerful conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Merry, founder of Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., to talk about transformation, resilience, and what happens when rock bottom becomes your foundation.As a terrified single mother with two teenagers, Merry didn't crumble—she negotiated five months of severance for a two-month position and made a deal with God: show me what to do, and I'll dedicate my life to helping others. What followed was a company that grew to employ over 1,300 people across 30 states, with hiring priority given to disabled veterans, people with disabilities, and those in economically challenged communities.Merry shares her years of "imposter syndrome"—having the title and paycheck but no passion—and why being fired could be the best thing that ever happens to you. She gets brutally practical about negotiating severance, protecting yourself during termination, and rewriting your story so you don't show up as a victim in your next interview.Whether you've been fired, are stuck in a soul-sucking job, or feel disconnected from your purpose, this conversation offers both inspiration and real-world strategies. Merry's story proves that sometimes the worst thing that happens to you can lead to the most meaningful work of your life.Bio:Merry Korn is the visionary founder of Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., one of the world’s most successful for-profit social enterprise firms. After 20 years of pioneering innovation in social entrepreneurship, Merry now shares her expertise through nationally recognized content, speaking engagements, and advisory services for business owners seeking transformation and those ready to break free from career stagnation.As a single parent with two teenagers heading to college, I was terrified. That rock-bottom moment became my foundation. In the depths of my despair, I remembered the two most powerful influences in my life: my mother, a Holocaust survivor who escaped both a death train and a death march, and Oscar Schindler, who proved that creating meaningful work could literally save lives.Inspired by their examples, I launched a for-profit social enterprise specifically designed to hire people with the greatest barriers to employment—disabled veterans, veterans, military spouses, people with disabilities, and people living in the most economically challenged parts of the U.S. Within months, this venture grew to employ over 1,300 people across 30 states.Getting fired forced me to finally listen to the voice inside that had been screaming at me for years—and to honor the legacy of resilience and purpose I'd inherited.This experience inspired my book "Fired to Inspired" and my work helping thousands navigate career transitions.Connect with Merry:EmailWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInResourcesBooks mentioned:Fired to InspiredFeel the Fear... and Do It Anyway by Susan JeffersThe Artist’s Way by  Jules Cameron The Power of Now by Eckhart TolleMan’s Search For Meaning by Viktor FranklPodcasts mentioned:The Mel Robbins PodcastBrene Brown Dare to LeadThe Oprah Podcast———If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

What if you're not broken—just misaligned? In this conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Stefanie Carlstedt, a Certified Human Design Business Coach who helps entrepreneurs and teams ditch one-size-fits-all strategies and build success that actually fits. After 13 years of entrepreneurial trial-and-error, Stef discovered Human Design and everything changed. Now she helps others build businesses and lives that honor who they truly are—without the burnout and confusion.Stef shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to building a six-figure business that left her feeling empty. When her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, she walked away from her social work career to be with him and started fresh. After his passing, a text from her sister-in-law about Human Design finally gave her the clarity she'd been searching for—and transformed her business, her relationships, and her understanding of herself.So what is Human Design? Unlike personality tests that rely on a conditioned mind, Human Design uses your birth date, time, and location to create a personalized chart showing how you're meant to move through the world. Stef breaks down the five energy types and explains why some people thrive with hustle while others burn out, why following someone else's blueprint rarely works, and how understanding your unique decision-making process can help you stop saying yes when your body is screaming no.Whether you're an entrepreneur struggling to find your footing, a leader trying to support your team, or someone who's tired of feeling like life has to be so hard, this episode offers practical tools and a refreshing reminder: when you align with your true design, everything shifts.Bio:Stefanie Carlstedt is a Certified Human Design Business Coach for Entrepreneurs and Teams. After 13 years of trial-and-error in entrepreneurship, she discovered the power of Human Design to turn burnout and confusion into clarity and sustainable growth. Today she helps business owners and teams ditch one-size-fits-all strategies and build success that actually fits, by design.Connect with Stefanie:Website: http://stefcarlstedt.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefanie.carlstedt.2025Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniecarlstedt/Resources:http://stefcarlstedt.com/hdreporthttps://www.stefcarlstedt.com/magneticbusinessBooks mentioned:Outlive - The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9780593236598https://amzn.to/4trX2qaThe Gene Keys Embracing Your Higher Purpose by Richard Rudd - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781780285429https://amzn.to/46sPtFBPodcasts mentioned:The Human Design Advantage with Stefanie Carlstedt - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-design-advantage/id1818861491Be Magnetic Podcast with Tara Fischer - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-magnetic-podcast/id1660554761———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. Next Level Soul Podcast with Alex Ferrari - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari/id1560904383

In this expansive and energizing episode of Pockets of Knowledge, host Desiree Stanley sits down with award-winning author, speaker, and high-performance coach Cortney McDermott for a conversation that blends science, soul, and strategy. With a career that spans executive roles in global corporations, bestselling books, and appearances on stages like TEDx and Mindvalley, Cortney shares how real transformation starts from within—and how we can all access deeper alignment, joy, and purpose by tuning into our own innate wisdom.Cortney opens up about her personal journey from being miserably successful to becoming a conscious creator of a more aligned life and business. She and Desiree explore topics like intuitive decision-making, rewiring subconscious beliefs, and why “hustle culture” often leads us away from the very success we’re chasing. Cortney introduces the neuroscience behind change, the power of permission, and how curiosity can be a guiding force when we're stuck or in transition.Throughout the conversation, Cortney encourages listeners to stop outsourcing their power and start designing a life that actually feels good—not just looks good on paper. Whether you're a high-achieving professional, a curious seeker, or someone craving more clarity and calm in your life, this episode offers practical tools and soulful insights to help you return to your center, trust your inner voice, and create from a place of true alignment.Bio:Cortney McDermott is an award-winning author and speaker and celebrity coach. Her work in self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women’s Health, NBC, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, and SUCCESS, and her talks on human potential have been shared on stages including TEDx, Mindvalley, Oxford Saïd Business School, and Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.With a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, Cortney blends academic rigor with real-world experience to help individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Her career highlights include executive roles at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and successfully running her own businesses, where she has worked with brands such as Universal Music Group, Nike, Kickstarter, and Google.Connect with Cortney:Website: https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortneymcdermott/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@cortincResources:https://youtu.be/L2f8w1v-Hzo?si=e_Pu3GFB5w9YXGLSBooks mentioned:Give Yourself Permission. Be Confident. Be Happy. Be You. Cortney McDermott - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781736357019https://amzn.to/3ZS7Vnf Change Starts Within You: Unlock the Confidence to Lead with IntuitionCortney McDermott - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9780998955209https://amzn.to/4qi10Pl Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781585424337https://amzn.to/4rqn1w5Books by:Alan WattsWallace Wattles———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.