Ask For An Answer

📝 Get Field Notes: One story and one practice every Tuesday. https://jimfieldingfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=s3e08 How do you turn physical strength and bodily awareness into a tool for emotional healing after severe trauma? Jess Mather, CPT, LPTA, SFG, FRCms, FMS joins Ask for an Answer for a conversation on resilience, listening to your body, and redefining what strength truly means. As a physical therapy and rehabilitation professional with over 14 years of experience who has spent a decade operating a global telehealth practice at the intersection of movement, complex chronic pain, and trauma, Jess shares how physical training can serve as a grounding anchor when navigating life's heaviest stressors. Jim and Jess explore her journey from a TEDx stage to founding the Chronic Pain & Trauma Curriculum for healthcare professionals, diving into the subtle art of quiet confidence over flashy performance. They unpack the realities of normalizing physical pain, the importance of psychological safety in workout spaces, and why tuning into natural body rhythms through programs like Feminine Strength builds lasting emotional resilience. Jess also opens up about her passion projects, including training her Rottweiler to serve as a therapy dog in children's hospitals and veterans' facilities. IN THIS EPISODE: How strength training acts as a spiritual and emotional anchor during recovery from major life trauma. Why syncing workout intensity with natural body cycles creates sustainable long-term fitness. Understanding the trauma pain trifecta and how chronic physical discomfort gets normalized over time. How to build psychological safety in movement spaces for individuals healing from past stress. The distinction between quiet professional confidence and external performance-driven arrogance. Why letting go of perfectionism makes high-stakes public speaking moments far more authentic. How unconditional support in relationships creates a stable foundation for personal growth. Using functional strength to build practical capability rather than just aesthetic appearance. How training service animals brings comfort to individuals recovering from surgery and illness. Why real leadership means focusing on adding value and leaving every environment better than you found it. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 01:07 Connecting Through the TEDx Journey 06:15 Navigating Post-Performance Expectations 11:06 Menstrual Cycle Syncing and Weight Training 15:37 The Connection Between Trauma, Stress, and Chronic Pain 21:15 Realizing How Much Physical Pain We Normalize 24:57 Creating Safe Spaces for Healing and Strength 29:58 Choosing Quiet Confidence Over Displayed Arrogance 33:17 The Power of Human Connection Behind Big Stages 44:34 Building Unconditional Support in Relationships 48:47 Training a Therapy Dog for Children and Veterans 52:07 Closing Thoughts and Leading With Curiosity Meet Jess Mather Jess Mather, CPT, LPTA, SFG, FRCms, FMS, is a strength and rehabilitation professional, educational provider, and founder of the Chronic Pain & Trauma Curriculum. With over 14 years of experience supporting thousands of individuals aged 9 to 99, she operates a successful telehealth practice working with clients across more than a dozen countries. Jess trains physicians, physical therapists, and health professionals to approach chronic pain through a trauma-informed lens while helping women build resilient bodies through her Feminine Strength programs. ✨ Connect with Jess Mather 🌐 Website: rebuildingbody.com 💼 Instagram: instagram.com/liverehabited 💼 Facebook: facebook.com/jess.mather.75 🎁 Free Resource: rebuildingbody.com/femstrengthkit 🎙️ Podcast: rebuildingbody.com/femstrengthpodcast ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: 🌐Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding 🔗 Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation. #EmotionalResilience #TraumaRecovery #FeminineStrength #MindsetShift #Leadership #AskForAnAnswer #PhysicalTherapy #QuietConfidence #MindBodyConnection #LifelongLearning

What happens when life flips the script and forces you to step up as the parent to your own parents? Vivian Olodun joins Ask for an Answer for a conversation about high emotional intelligence, financial literacy, and the messy reality of navigating the sandwich generation. A best-selling author, CEO of Flourish Media, marketing strategist, and creator of Proximity to Money, Vivian built a life around building strong relationships and applying hard-won wisdom. From growing up as a military child across nine schools to launching her Substack, Vivian has dedicated her work to teaching others that proximity changes what is possible. In this episode, she and Jim dig into the emotional toll and financial maze of caring for aging parents with cognitive decline. Can Financial Literacy Save You in a Family Crisis? The conversation shifts to the stark realities of elderly care and why financial preparedness is non-negotiable. Vivian and Jim shed light on the unexpected gaps in traditional health insurance, the immense cost of memory care, and how proximity to money creates real solutions when high-stakes decisions arise. Vivian emphasizes the value of veteran resources, while Jim reflects on the foresight of long-term care insurance. The episode concludes with practical wisdom on emotional resilience, accepting help without judgment, and leading through life's hardest transitions with empathy and grace. KEY TAKEAWAYS How growing up in dynamic environments like military life can build exceptional emotional intelligence and adaptability. Why seeking proximity to financially successful people accelerates personal growth and financial literacy. How cognitive decline often shows up through subtle signs like hiding symptoms, hoarding, or double-paying bills. Why caring for an aging parent requires redirecting conversations rather than constantly correcting their reality. How the emotional burden of caregiving can create unique friction and stress among siblings. Why traditional health insurance often fails to cover long-term memory care or cognitive decline facilities. How long-term care insurance and proactive financial planning serve as essential safety nets for families. Why reducing an aging parent's environment or routine can actually give them greater comfort and security. How specialized veteran resources can offer critical, high-quality support for cognitive decline care. Why leading through family adversity demands letting go of perfectionism and embracing vulnerability. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 01:35 Meet Vivian Olden: Entrepreneurship and Proximity to Money 07:26 Growing Up Military: Developing Emotional Intelligence Through Change 13:18 Stepping Into the Sandwich Generation: Toddlers and Aging Parents 17:38 Navigating Dementia: Military Benefits and Social Work Support 21:58 Financial Red Flags, Hoarding, and Sibling Dynamic Stress 27:06 Medication Management and The Decision for Assisted Living 33:13 Understanding Care Costs, Insurance Realities, and Memory Care 42:40 Handling Behavioral Changes and Loss of Filters with Humor and Patience 53:08 Treating Parents Like Toddlers: Creating Safe and Smaller Spaces 56:37 Planning Ahead: Long-Term Care Insurance and Estate Protection 01:02:44 Closing Thoughts and Final Words Meet Vivian Olden Vivian Olodun is a best-selling author of Stumbling Through Adulthood, CEO of Flourish Media, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist. She is the creator of Proximity to Money, where she teaches ambitious individuals how habits, identity, and tribe dictate wealth and opportunity. Drawing from her background as a military child who attended nine schools, she leverages public relations and high emotional intelligence to help people navigate business, relationships, and financial growth ✨ Connect with Vivian Olden 🌐 Website: vivianolodun.com 💼 Substack: Proximity to Money 📚 Book: Stumbling Through Adulthood ♥️ Instagram: instagram.com/vivianolo 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vivianolodun 📩 Contact: [email protected] ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer 🌐Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding 🔗 Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation. #SandwichGeneration #EmotionalIntelligence #CaregivingJourney #FinancialLiteracy #ProximityToMoney #LeadershipPodcast #AskForAnAnswer

What happens when you trade external validation and financial success for internal alignment and emotional freedom? Hans joins Ask for an Answer for a conversation about personal transformation, overcoming addiction, and the courage to start over. Hans spent two decades in North Carolina after moving from Germany at 25 to work in his family's veneer manufacturing business. From the outside, he seemed to have everything a person could dream of. On the inside, he felt empty, hollow, and profoundly disconnected, eventually leading to severe depression, anxiety, and an eight-year struggle with opioid addiction. Everything changed when he chose to stop running, step away from the family business, and embrace the power of plant medicine and breathwork. Now a breathwork facilitator and integration coach, Hans helps others release suppressed emotions, heal trauma, and rediscover their true purpose. Jim and Hans explore the moments that sparked this profound shift. Hans shares how an unscripted trip to Peru for an ayahuasca ceremony shattered his expectations and showed him the path toward recovery. He discusses why letting go of control allowed him to surrender to his inner guidance and break free from addictive patterns. Hans also opens up about his recent decision to relocate his entire life back to his hometown in Germany with his wife and two children, proving that true growth requires stepping into the unknown. IN THIS EPISODE: How external markers of success can mask deep internal emptiness, depression, and disconnection. Why real personal change occurs when the fear of remaining unchanged outweighs the fear of the unknown. How letting go of rigid expectations creates space for unexpected healing and personal insight. How somatic breathwork helps access the inner healer to process suppressed emotional pain. Why revisiting past trauma through conscious breathing allows people to reframe their stories and take full ownership of their lives. Why integration coaching, journaling, and daily habits are vital for turning emotional insights into permanent life shifts. How practicing radical gratitude for past hardships breaks the cycle of addiction and self-blame. Why trusting the process and surrendering control lowers anxiety during massive life transitions. How simple conscious belly breaths can serve as a daily reset tool when feeling overwhelmed or distracted. How authentic personal growth positively impacts immediate family dynamics and personal relationships. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 01:12 Welcoming Hans: A Major Transition Back to Germany 03:27 Moving to America at 25: Chasing Financial Success 06:43 Feeling Hollow: The Long Journey to Recognizing the Need for Change 09:18 Quitting the Family Business and Choosing Trust Over Fear 13:11 The Hidden Struggles: Opioid Addiction, Depression, and Anxiety 14:40 The Ayahuasca Experience: Dropping Expectations and Finding Inner Peace 17:35 Breaking Free: Reclaiming Curiosity, Sobriety, and Personal Growth 20:49 Discovering Somatic Breathwork as a Powerful Path to Healing 22:45 How Breathwork Sessions Work: Surrendering to the Inner Healer 31:32 Transforming Pain with Gratitude: Finding Freedom from Past Addiction 38:39 Virtual vs In-Person Breathwork: Building a Practice Across Borders 48:46 The Importance of Integration Coaching and Daily Action Steps 54:05 Closing Reflections: Leading with Curiosity, Kindness, and Awareness Meet Hans Hans is a breathwork facilitator and integration coach dedicated to helping individuals break free from emotional suppression, addictive patterns, and internal stagnation. After spending 20 years in North Carolina working in engineering and manufacturing, he navigated a personal recovery journey from opioid addiction, depression, and burnout through somatic breathwork, plant medicine, and self-reflection. Today, he works with clients globally, combining deep breathing practices with structured integration coaching to facilitate lasting emotional healing, self-trust, and resilience. He lives in the Black Forest region of Germany with his family. ✨ Connect with Hans Weygoldt 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hans-andreas-weygoldt-151777356 📱 Facebook: facebook.com/hans.whygold ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer 🌐Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding 🔗 Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

How Do You Raise Capital and Build Success When the System Wasn't Built for You? Allison Byers joins Ask for an Answer with Jim Fielding to discuss self-trust, overcoming trauma, and reclaiming power in venture capital. After walking away from corporate management consulting following a maternity leave ultimatum, Allison co-founded a medical device company out of MIT, raised nearly $10 million, and brought an FDA-registered product to market. When a Series B round stalled, an asset sale turned into a painful wake-up call. The all-male acquiring team went on to raise $55 million using her team's assets. Instead of playing the victim, Allison dived deep into capital allocation research, exposing systemic bias and founding Scroobious to level the playing field for every underrepresented founder. Jim and Allison dig into what it truly takes to navigate inequity without losing your identity. They unpack the power of turning personal hardship into systemic change, why equity investing is a form of everyday voting, and how setting healthy boundaries protects high performers from burnout. Allison also opens up about her grassroots political work with Founders for Kamala, her role in co-authoring California's landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law, and why entrepreneurship gave her back her professional identity. IN THIS EPISODE: 1. How to spot and reframe real-time bias during high-stakes investment pitches. 2. Why separating your personal identity from your company protects mental health. 3. How physical burnout and stress signal the need for immediate boundaries. 4. The key differences between fiduciary venture funds and angel investor groups. 5. How groupthink inside angel networks can accidentally block funding for great ideas. 6. Why female founders deliver more profit per dollar invested despite receiving less capital. 7. How alternative funding sources can liberate founders from demoting themselves for venture money. 8. Why legislative policy and data collection are mandatory for long-term systems change. 9. How treating everyday spending and investing as voting shapes our economy. 10. Why entrepreneurship offers a vital lifeline for reclaiming professional agency. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 01:06 Welcome Allison Byers, author of Fundraising for the Rest of Us 02:40 Origin story: From management consulting to spinning out an MIT medical device 03:45 The asset sale, systemic disparities, and turning trauma into action 08:31 How historical bias shapes check-writing decisions 12:28 Identifying bias inside the room and shifting the narrative 16:50 Physical limits: Battling facial shingles from extreme stress 18:50 Healing through community, partnership, and separating self from business 22:40 Launching Scroobious in 2020 and building a movement 38:34 Why founders shouldn't dim their light for venture capital 42:28 Writing California's historic Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law 55:53 Why consumer dollars and investments dictate daily life 01:00:03 The final question: Why entrepreneurship matters so deeply MEET ALLISON BYERS Allison Byers is a founder, investor, capital access advocate, speaker, and author of Fundraising for the Rest of Us: How to Build Your Pitch, Navigate Bias, and Raise Capital on Your Terms. She is the founder of Scroobious, a relationship-first capital access platform built to scale startup growth for underestimated founders. With experience spanning corporate management consulting and medical device innovation out of MIT, Allison co-authored California’s landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law and serves on multiple boards. ✨ Connect with Allison Byers 🌐 Website: allisonbyers.com | scroobious.com 💼 LinkedIn: Allison Byers | Scroobious 🦋 Bluesky: @apbyers.bsky.social 📸 Instagram: @apbyers | @scroobious 📚 Book: Fundraising for the Rest of Us ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer 🌐Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding 🔗 Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation. #LeadershipPodcast #FundraisingForTheRestOfUs #WomenInBusiness #StartupCapital #Resilience

What happens when you stop running from your past and finally claim your full story? Dr. Joel Davis Brown joins Ask for an Answer for a deep, soul-stirring conversation about the messy reality of personal transformation, emotional growth, and what it truly means to lead an authentic life. As an awareness agent, organizational development consultant, university professor, and Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, Dr. Joel shares how unaddressed trauma and unhealed wounds silently govern our choices until we take ownership of our narrative. Jim and Dr. Joel unpack the subtle art of inner work. They explore why real leadership starts from the inside out, how to break free from generational patterns, and why forgiveness is a physical release rather than a quick, surface-level exercise. Dr. Joel opens up about his journey writing his latest book, reflecting on his relationship with his late father, learning to parent himself, and finding true freedom in total vulnerability. IN THIS EPISODE: How claiming every part of your personal story eliminates the leverage others have over your self-worth. Why authentic leadership requires doing deep internal healing work before attempting to lead external organizations. How unaddressed emotional trauma and anger eventually bleed out onto loved ones and colleagues if left unchecked. Why true healing involves learning to parent yourself and stepping into full governance over your own narrative. How to break the cycle of generational trauma when caring for aging parents or navigating family dynamics. Why forgiveness is an active, physical release of bitterness that makes you lighter rather than a one-time gesture. How overextending yourself for others can actually be a subtle symptom of unhealed personal wounds. Why reframing leadership beyond corporate titles allows you to show up better in everyday personal relationships. How embracing complete stillness without overstimulation restores emotional energy and prevents burnout. Why self-acceptance and inner peace are essential prerequisites before building healthy long-term partnerships. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 00:37 Welcoming Dr. Joel Davis Brown to Ask for an Answer 01:05 What It Means to Be an Awareness Agent and Strategic Storyteller 05:28 The Inspiration Behind Souls of Queer Folk and Redefining Leadership 10:14 Embracing the Beauty and Complexity of Intersectional Human Identity 15:44 Finding Belonging, Community, and Authenticity Across Different Cities 24:09 I Had to Become the Father: Unpacking Healing, Repair, and Letting Go 31:58 Navigating Generational Trauma and Caregiving for Aging Parents 42:42 Owning Your Truth and Finding Total Freedom in Vulnerability 45:49 Redefining Family, Parenting, Mentorship, and Healthy Relationships 53:36 Prioritizing Self-Care Through Stillness and Peace 56:56 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Meet Dr. Joel Davis Brown Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, Esq., PCC, is the Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC. As a certified leadership, life, and executive coach trained in somatic coaching, Gestalt methodology, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Joel works collaboratively with organizations, civic groups, and professionals to create synergistic cultures, breakthrough performance, and dynamic leaders. He teaches strategic storytelling at a university in France, specializes in cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and organizational strategy, and has spent nearly 30 years working with Startups, Non-Profits, Philanthropic Organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. He is the author of Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Cultural Values Can Transform Your Leadership Practice and I Had to Become the Father: The Art of Healing, Reconciliation, Repair, and Letting Go. ✨ Connect with Dr. Joel Davis Brown 🌐 Website: pneumos.com 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelanthonybrown 📧 Email: [email protected] 📚 Books: Souls of Queer Folk & I Had to Become the Father ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: 🌐Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding 🔗 Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation.