In this uplifting episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine sits down with Lori Rogers—mindset expert, speaker, and co-founder of a multimillion-dollar woman-owned business—to talk about how burnout, fear, and anxiety led her to an unexpected breakthrough.

Laurie’s story is one of radical reinvention—from high-pressure hustle to deep inner peace. Along the way, she created Positive Activity™, a mindset-based approach that helps people build resilience, shift their thinking, and create powerful daily habits rooted in joy, compassion, and clarity.

She opens up about her personal experience raising a child with special needs, how it reshaped her perspective on gratitude and self-worth, and the specific practices—like meditation, appreciation, and kindness—that helped her transform anxiety into peace. Laurie also shares the books that changed her life, including You Can Heal Your Life, and offers grounded advice for anyone struggling to believe that change is possible.

This episode is full of real tools, real talk, and a reminder that you don’t need a perfect plan to heal—you just need the willingness to start.

Connect with Lori"

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In this enlightening episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine sits down with world-renowned physician, researcher, and Psychology Today contributor Dr. Laura Gabayan to explore one of life’s most powerful resources: wisdom.

Through her groundbreaking Wisdom Research Project, Dr. Gabayan interviewed 60 individuals across North America—people widely considered wise by those who knew them best. What she discovered became the foundation for her new book, Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life. From resilience and kindness to emotional regulation and spirituality, she outlines the eight key traits that help people navigate life’s hardest moments with grace and clarity.

Together, Christine and Dr. Gabayan discuss what wisdom really is, how we cultivate it, and why patience plays such a vital role in our growth. Whether you’re facing a major life shift or simply longing for deeper understanding, this episode offers science-backed insight—and a powerful reminder that wisdom isn’t reserved for the elderly or enlightened. It’s a skill we can all build.

Plus, hear about Dr. Gabayan’s Wisdom IQ Test, a unique tool for self-discovery that helps you reflect on your own path toward a more meaningful life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:45 The Journey to Understanding Wisdom

06:41 The Eight Elements of Wisdom

09:56 The Role of Adversity in Wisdom

12:47 Cultivating Wisdom and Personal Growth

16:02 The Wisdom IQ Test and Its Importance

18:53 Final Thoughts and Resources

20:56 Podcast Outro.m4a

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In this empowering episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine is joined by Leadership and Life Coach Gary Montalvo, whose grounded, compassionate approach to personal growth has helped people transform pain into purpose for nearly two decades.

Gary shares his powerful journey from working as an art director to stepping into his calling as a coach—and what it really means to lead yourself through change. Together, they explore themes of personal leadership, emotional resilience, and why vulnerability isn’t weakness, but wisdom in motion.

This conversation dives into what happens when we stop avoiding discomfort and instead learn to navigate it with clarity, courage, and practical tools. Gary reminds us that true leadership begins within—and that asking for help is one of the strongest moves we can make.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to take aligned action—on your own terms.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Leadership: A Personal Story

10:16 Tools for Navigating Stressful Situations

16:56 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

24:04 Embracing Pain and Growth

31:59 Redefining Leadership: Authenticity and Community

Connect With Gary

Website: https://www.garymontalvo.com/

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In this thought-provoking episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine sits down with Joan K. Peters—professor, author, and self-proclaimed late bloomer in healing—to talk about the power of psychoanalysis and the courage it takes to look inward.

Joan shares her deeply personal journey from a painful childhood to uncovering the hidden layers of her unconscious mind through psychoanalysis. Drawing from her latest book, Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis, she opens up about what traditional therapy couldn’t reach, and how exploring her dreams, memories, and family dynamics led to profound transformation.

Together, Joan and Christine explore what makes psychoanalysis different, how understanding your past fosters self-compassion, and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for healing. Joan also offers thoughtful insight into how psychoanalytic ideas can be made more accessible and how we can all begin the process of untangling our emotional lives—regardless of where we start.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in old patterns or wondered how your past still shapes your present, this conversation offers both depth and hope.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Ojai: A Dream Realized

02:50 Understanding Psychoanalysis: A Deeper Dive

06:43 The Impact of Childhood Trauma

12:55 Uncovering the Unconscious: Dreams and Nightmares

18:45 The Role of Psychoanalysis in Personal Growth

25:04 Resistance and Relationships: A Psychoanalytic Perspective

30:59 Writing 'Untangling': The Process and Purpose

41:01 Learning from Psychoanalysis: Insights and Applications

Connect With Joan

untanglingjoan.com

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In this raw and soul-stirring episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine sits down with wellness coach, author, and retreat leader Carrie Asby, whose journey from burnout to balance is a testament to the quiet power of personal truth.

Once a fashion designer living what looked like a dream life in San Francisco, Carrie was privately self-destructing—numbing pain, chasing validation, and pushing herself to the brink. Her turning point came at rock bottom: eight bottles deep, completely alone, and whispering to herself, "This is not Carrie Asby." That moment cracked something open.

From that breakdown came a breakthrough—beginning with a pay-what-you-can yoga class, and leading to a lifestyle rooted in mindful rituals, nature, and radical self-compassion. In this episode, Carrie shares how she rebuilt from the inside out and now helps others reconnect with calm, clarity, and purpose.

Together, Christine and Carrie explore the power of morning rituals, the beauty of reconnecting with your true self, and why self-love isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline.

If you’ve ever felt lost in the life you built, or afraid you’ve gone too far to come back to yourself, this conversation will remind you: it’s never too late to begin again.

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In this powerful episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine sits down with Blair Sorrel—a witty, refreshingly candid author who has not only lived with Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) but has also written a hilarious and insightful memoir about it.

Growing up in the 60s and 70s, there was no diagnosis, no name for the emotional disconnection and intense inner world Blair experienced. With an emotionally distant mother and an absent father, she turned to pop culture and rock music to survive—and eventually, to thrive. It wasn’t until the age of 33 that she finally received her diagnosis, a turning point that helped her make sense of her past and reframe her future.

Blair describes herself as “an open book and a cautionary tale,” and in this episode, she opens up about identity, confidence, resilience, and the struggle to forge meaningful connection in a world that often misunderstands mental illness. She shares how volunteering, community engagement, and writing became powerful outlets—and how she’s learned to embrace who she is on her own terms.

If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, misunderstood, or like you had to fight for your own identity, Blair’s story will resonate deeply. Her voice is a reminder that healing doesn’t always look like what we expect—and that purpose and power can emerge from even the most unexpected places.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Schizoid Personality Disorder

04:01 The Impact of Childhood Experiences

06:57 Navigating Life with Schizoid Personality Disorder

09:56 The Role of Confidence in Personal Development

12:49 Overcoming Challenges through Volunteering

15:37 Finding Purpose and Connection

18:54 The Importance of Being Present

21:43 Transforming Pain into Purpose

25:01 Advice for Those Struggling with Mental Health

27:54 Conclusion and Resources

Connect With Blair:

http://www.RockingTributes.com

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In this heart-opening episode, H. Lee Shapiro—a true renaissance man and long-time relationship counselor—shares his personal and professional journey into the art of resolving conflict with compassion. With 45 years of experience helping people heal and grow through relationship struggles, Lee offers practical tools for navigating tough conversations, setting boundaries, and embracing the power of “do-overs.” We explore the difference between requests and demands, and how creating emotional safety can turn pain into connection.

Lee’s background is as inspiring as his insights—he’s also an engineer, former hospital administrator, artist, author, and nationally recognized watercolorist, best known for illustrating the beloved children’s classic There’s No Such Place as Far Away by Richard Bach. He now leads seminars and recently released his new book, The Art of Melting Conflict in All Relationships. This episode is full of wisdom for anyone walking through change, longing for deeper connection, or ready to shift from conflict into clarity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lee and His Journey

04:15 Understanding Conflict and Communication

07:06 Emotional Awareness and Self-Reflection

10:28 The Dynamics of Control in Relationships

13:18 Navigating Power Struggles

16:10 Techniques for Effective Communication

19:04 The Importance of Active Listening

22:28 The Power of Do-Overs in Relationships

25:23 Setting Boundaries and Recognizing Abuse

28:07 Finding Clarity and Connection

31:26 Compassion and Conflict Resolution

34:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Lee

hleeshapiro.com

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After cancer, loss, trauma—or years of just holding it all together—it can feel almost wrong to let life be good again. In this special solo episode of The Live Free Podcast, Christine shares her personal journey of navigating pregnancy after cancer and the surprising emotional blocks that can come with healing.

She explores why joy can feel unsafe, how we unconsciously protect ourselves from happiness, and what it really takes to receive life’s goodness after pain. Whether you’ve gone through illness, heartbreak, or just feel stuck in survival mode, this episode is a gentle but honest invitation to soften, open, and start believing again.

Plus, Christine shares a quick update about what’s changing on the podcast—and how it will make space for deeper, richer conversations moving forward.

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Joy After Pain

03:44 Navigating Life Changes and New Beginnings

06:38 Overcoming Fear and Resistance to Joy

09:28 The Journey from Happiness to Joy

12:38 Practical Steps to Invite Joy

15:34 Building a Supportive Environment for Joy

18:05 Trusting in Joy and Future Possibilities

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