Flourishing Flame: from Burning Out to Burning Bright

In this episode of the Flourishing Flame podcast, host Leah Brown interviews Dr. Benjamin Keyes, a seasoned expert in trauma and counseling. They discuss the various roles of counselors, the importance of seeking help, and the challenges faced during therapy. Dr. Keyes introduces his HEART model, which integrates spirituality with psychological practices, emphasizing the significance of forgiveness and personal growth in healing from trauma. The conversation also covers how to find the right counselor and the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, including when to persist or seek a new therapist.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Counseling and Trauma Expertise 02:05 Understanding the Role of Counselors 06:19 When to Seek Counseling 10:11 The Journey of Therapy: Expectations and Challenges 13:41 The HEART Model: Integrating Spirituality and Psychology 26:41 Forgiveness and Healing in Trauma 32:33 Finding the Right Counselor 37:06 Navigating Therapy: When to Persist or Change Counselors   Keywords: counseling, trauma, therapy, mental health, HEART model, forgiveness, spiritual healing, finding a counselor, personal growth, PTSD

In this episode of the Flourishing Flame podcast, Leah Brown reaches the last of the five relationships that help you meet your goals by exploring the role of therapists. She discusses the types of mental health professions that would be considered therapist and differentiates between therapy and counseling. Leah discussing various therapeutic modalities and provides guidance on when to seek therapy as well as how to find the right therapist. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the therapeutic process and the various professionals involved in mental health care.   Keywords: therapy, counseling, mental health, therapist, modalities, mental illness, emotional support, psychological services, self-help, personal growth

In this episode of the Flourishing Flame podcast, host Leah Brown speaks with consultant Ali Miller about her journey into consulting. Through her expertise in visual arts, clothing design, and behavioral science, Ali works with people to empowers clients to understand the importance of personal style and how to embrace their individuality. Ali shares her insights on the transformative power of fashion, the role of a consultant in personal growth, and in how a consultant can work with a group or organiztion. This conversation highlights how work with a consultant can help create meaningful change in general as well as specifially outlines how Ali supports the deep connection between self-perception and style. Her approach fosters confidence and authenticity in her clients.    In this conversation, Ali and Leah discuss understanding how you can use a consultant and what to look for. They use Ali's business as an example of the type of advice, products, and support a consultant can provide: understanding the importance of color theory in fashion, personalized style guides, and shopping - both in your wardrobe and and adding to it. They also discussed the innovative concept of personal therapy retreats. Leah shares her approach to therapy, emphasizing the benefits of intensive sessions, while Ali highlights the significance of expert guidance in personal development. The dialogue underscores the connection between self-acceptance, style, and mental health, offering insights into how individuals can enhance their lives through thoughtful choices in both fashion and therapy.  

In this episode of the Flourishing Flame podcast, Leah Brown interviews Kristin Bartholomew who shares her journey into coaching, the methodologies she employs with her clients, and some differences between individual and group coaching. Kristin discusses the importance of personal coaching for work-life balance and offers insights for those considering a coaching career. The conversation also highlights Kristin's podcast, 'MomLife Balance,' where she shares stories of motherhood and the challenges of balancing life and work.   Takeaways Coaching offers diverse perspectives and methodologies. Kristin transitioned from education to coaching after realizing her passion for development. She emphasizes the importance of intentional motherhood alongside professional growth in her own life. Coaching can help solopreneurs and organizations identify blind spots and improve strategies. Individual coaching allows for deep dives into personal challenges, while group coaching fosters shared learning. Personal coaching is valuable for those seeking change in their lives. Investing in coaching can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Exploring coaching as a career involves talking to current coaches and understanding the lifestyle. Kristin's podcast focuses on the balance of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Learn more about Kristin here: https://kmbcoaching.com MomLife Balance Podcast Get in contact with Leah here: https://leahlittlebrown.com    Keywords: coaching, personal development, motherhood, entrepreneurship, group coaching, individual coaching, coaching methodologies, work-life balance, coaching certification, leadership development

In this episode of the Flourishing Flame podcast, host Leah Brown interviews Megan Nilsen, a Kingdom Life Coach, who shares her personal journey from school counseling to coaching. Megan discusses the importance of counseling in her growth, the transition to coaching, and how to find the right coach. She emphasizes the value of accountability in coaching and offers practical tips for those interested in pursuing a coaching career. The conversation highlights the diverse experiences in coaching and the significance of personal development through faith-based practices. You can learn more about Megan and her coaching, podcasts, and books at meganbnilsen.com. Takeaways Counseling can provide essential support for personal growth. Investing in coaching can signify belief in oneself. Finding a coach requires trust and a personal connection. Coaching is unregulated; seek recommendations from trusted sources. Accountability is a key benefit of working with a coach. Coaching can help navigate transitions in life and career. Coaching offers real-world education without formal schooling. Life experience is valuable in the coaching profession. Keywords coaching, personal growth, counseling, life coach, spiritual coaching, mentorship, accountability, career transition

In continuation with the topic of meaningful connections and specifically mentorship, Leah interviews friend and fellow counselor, Thomas Delaney and shares his career experience as a priest and as a counselor. As the two discuss mentorship, they start with the origin of the word mentor and how there are two sides of mentorship, being the mentor and being the mentee. Thomas explains what it takes to be a good mentor as well as a good mentee, and they discuss the overlap and parallel between discipleship and mentorship. Since there were many opportunities for mentorship within priesthood and counseling, Leah asks Thomas about one of his greatest experiences with mentorship. He shares about being under supervision while becoming a counselor and how his supervisor turned mistakes into learning experiences.  In a more personal mentorship outside of the professional world, Thomas shares about his experience mentoring a youth in a church where he was a youth pastor and how important having a good relationship is within mentorship. Leah and Thomas then reminisce on how they have both been mentors to each other over the years and how they’ve gone to each other for advice. They discuss the benefits of mentorship and define more of what mentorship is. If you’re interested in learning more on how to pick a counselor or therapist and how to maximize your results in counseling or therapy, Leah and Thomas discuss these topics in some special episodes that you can request through this link.

Welcome back! In this episode, Leah is picking up where she left off last time with the topic of unity in our uniqueness.  Last week, she shared the first part of her conference presentation which discusses the question of whether unity means uniformity, and she explains our differences through the lens of a personality model called the DISC model. She explained the first two types, which are more outgoing types, so in this episode, she’ll be continuing with how we can be unified in our uniqueness and explain the more reserved types, “S” and “C.” She shares how these two types view the world and interact in it, while also sharing how they may struggle and gives some tips for those who are these types as well as some for those who work with these types. She also gives some biblical examples.  Understanding the four DISC types can help us to better understand ourselves and others and how they operate so that we can adjust ourselves and better support those around us.  Leah shares a practical story about how not utilizing her understanding around DISC caused a frustrating experience. She reflects on how implementing and applying her own frameworks around stress management allows her to readjust quickly and regain equilibrium in situations where life feels out of control. If you too are interested in learning about and building frameworks and tools to manage your personal and professional stress, you can check out the Burnout Buster Blueprint on Leah’s website, Leah little brown.com and schedule a call with her!  Be sure to tune in next time as Leah wraps up this topic by sharing some practical tips on developing community!  

Welcome back! For this week’s episode, we’re shifting gears on topics. Leah is going to the Boldly Conference in Dallas, Texas this week, and she’s presenting on unity and uniformity, so she wanted to share it with you all here as well!  She will be returning to last week’s topic of meaningful connections, but for the next couple episodes, Leah is discussing whether unity means uniformity. She reminds us that we are all created differently and uniquely, so we’re not all meant to be uniform. Those differences can be separated into three categories: personality, experience, and values.  One of the tools Leah uses with clients and students is the DISC model of personality, so she shares a simplified explanation of the model, what those types are, and the differences between them. She explains how personality traits vary between people, how that can look, and the different ways people operate in the world based on those traits.  Stay tuned for next week’s episode as Leah will be continuing this topic and the rest of her presentation! If you’re in the Dallas area, consider coming to the conference! For more information, go to: https://www.boldlyconference.com  

Welcome back! In this episode, Leah introduces us to the topic of meaningful connections and relationships. She explains what meaningful connections are and what that looks like in our relationships. Without meaningful relationships, we can find ourselves depleted and burnt out, so she shares how having mutuality and balance in those connections is important in keeping our flames lit.  Leah further discusses the importance of those relationships and why we need that connection. She continues on to explain what those connections require to be meaningful and how that looks in practicality. Over the next few episodes, we’ll continue to explore meaningful connections and how they relate to understanding and knowing what we need to keep our flames burning brightly, so be sure to tune in next time!

Welcome back! It’s a new season for many with the school year starting, but it’s also a new season of the podcast! Since it’s a new season, Leah invites you to reflect on your growth so far! Many are looking forward, as we should, but it’s also important to first look back and reflect on where we’ve been and how we got here.   Leah shares seven areas of our lives where we can look back and evaluate our growth. And once you recognize it, be sure to celebrate it! She also encourages you to share with her, so she can celebrate with you! You can do so either by email to leah@leahlittlebrown.com or on her website, leahlittlebrown.com. Leah then explains some important action steps to take with your reflection on your growth.  Now that you’ve reflected, the next part is looking forward and figuring out where you want to go. Leah shares some keys to evaluating your goals and how to get there.  If you need help moving forward and meeting those goals, she invites and encourages you to check out her Burnout Buster Blueprint that will be released later this month. You can learn more about it on Leah’s website and sign up for emails to be the first to know when it’s released! Book reference: The Work-Life Balance Myth: Rethingking Your Optimal Balance for Success by David McNeff

As we approach a new year, many of us set goals, dream of changes, and resolve to make progress. Yet, studies show that while 30% of people make New Year’s resolutions, only 9% actually achieve them. Often, the missing piece is support—the right kind of help to keep us moving forward. If you’re someone who’s always supporting others, you might find it hard to focus on your own needs. But the truth is, even the most supportive people need a strong network to lean on. In today's episode Leag is diving into the five types of relationships that can help you achieve your goals without burning out. This isn’t about leaning on others for everything—it’s about building intentional relationships that help you thrive. As we move into 2025, think about where these types of support fit into your life. This series will guide you through understanding and buidling these connections so you can feel empowered, supported, and ready to tackle your goals. Because sometimes, even the helper needs help.

Welcome back! In this episode, Leah talks about how the holidays, specifically Christmas time, can magnify and intensify the things going on in our lives, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.  As our lives and circumstances change, the things we enjoy about the holidays evolve. We can move into more gratitude and celebration and enjoy the time we have with our loved ones. Leah explains how the holidays can also magnify the bad, like loss and those we miss, as well as the ugly, like conflict among our families. In the midst of these, Leah offers practical encouragement for what you can do to support yourself and others. In noticing the good, take the time to slow down, and cherish and treasure the time you have with your loved ones. When handling the bad, Leah encourages taking the time to mourn and reaching out for support, or in other cases, be the one to support a loved one dealing with loss. And finally with the ugly, which is likely the hardest of the three, Leah advises to walk with wisdom and grace and to be a peacemaker among the conflict. Have a great Christmas and holiday season, and be sure to tune in next time!  

Welcome back to another episode with Leah! This week, she’s continuing with authenticity and is joined by her daughter Nyarai as they take a roadtrip! As they drive, they’ve been discussing how authenticity has become an important aspect for the younger generation and how it’s spread up into the older generations. They also dig into the trend of being overly authentic that the younger generation has adopted and talk about the rawness and lack of filter among the younger people in the name of authenticity. Leah and Nyarai expolore whether or not "rawness" and over sharing is actually authenticity.  After giving the definition of true authenticity, the two discuss what authenticity really is and that there’s a difference between true authenticity and rawness. With true authenticity, it’s necessary to know your core values. The two discuss them and how to figure out what your core values are. You can reachValues List PDF here. Using it can be helpful in identifying and implementing your core values. Depending on what’s happening in your life or who you’re with, there are times and situations for highlighting your values. Leah and Nyarai expand on that and discuss how it’s not being a different person; it’s just highlighting certain parts of yourself. They then discuss how we operate differently when we are authentic and aligned with our core values. Nyarai shares how you really have to do the work to choose and align with your core values. Along with that, Leah explains that when we identify them and are aligned with our core values, it can reduce our stress and tension. She also gives some more information on identifying your core values and how the PDF that’s linked can help with that.  Nyarai then asks Leah what her advice is for recognizing and changing over-authenticity within oneself and she shares some tips on how to address it and identify your core values so you can work to align with them. If you have found this episode helpful, be sure to leave a comment or review and let her know if you’d like another episode co-hosted with Nyarai! Or message Leah through her website or email!  Thanks for listening!   Access the Values List here: https://www.burnoutbusterblueprint.com/home-page-3126

Welcome back to another episode, and happy Thanksgiving week! This time, we’re diving into the connection between gratitude and meaningful relationships. Gratitude isn’t just about saying "thank you" or big grand gestures—it’s a mindset that can transform how we think and live. Gratitude has some powerful benefits, both for your health and your relationships. Studies show it can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and even boost your immune system. Beyond the physical, gratitude increases self-esteem and strengthens relationships by fostering mutual appreciation. When we intentionally look for things to be grateful for, we start seeing more—and that can change everything. The beautiful thing about gratitude is its ripple effect. As we grow in gratitude, it naturally deepens our ability to connect with others.  This Thanksgiving week, take time to fine-tune your gratitude practice. Whether it’s keeping a journal, catching moments of appreciation for others, or simply pausing to reflect, gratitude can flow into every area of your life, enriching your health and building deeper, more meaningful connections. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Welcome back to another episode with Leah where she continues with the topic of authenticity! This time she focuses on the blessings of living authentically.  As she discussed in the last episode, the two musicals her kids were in this fall have great examples of authenticity. She explains how living authentically is living in congruence between our inner lives and our outer experiences then goes on to give some examples from both Les Miserables and Cinderella.  Even though these are just fictional stories, we can see the benefits of living in alignment with our values. Leah explains what happens as a result of living authentically in our own lives and its importance for genuine connection and growing into who we really are so that we can walk into boldness and confidence.  Leah also shares some examples from a client and how living authentically has helped them work towards their goals and live more in tune with who they are. If you’re interested in working towards authenticity in your own life, you can contact Leah to have a conversation about it, or you can work through her Burnout Buster Blueprint. Both options are available through her website at leahlittlebrown.com. In the next episode, Leah will continue with this topic of authenticity and talk about the challenges of living authentically. Be sure to tune in next time!  

Welcome back! In this episode, Leah wraps up the topic of unity in our uniqueness. In the last few episodes, Leah has shared her discussion that she presented on, and so far, she’s talked about personality, experience, capacity, and values and that they’re important to understand so we can understand both ourselves and others. She also shared how understanding those things is an uncommon understanding.  In this episode, she continues with this uncommon understanding and communication and how important clear communication is for unity. She shares Heather Holleman’s four mindsets of a loving conversation from her book, The Six Conversations. With each mindset, she explains and expands on them and how they help with clear communication and foster conversation and connection. She also shares some tips on having those conversations and connecting with others. Leah then goes on to explain how being seen and known creates unity and how important it is for building connections. Tune in next time!  

In this episode, Leah discusses decision making, decision fatigue, and frameworks to lessen the toll of decisions.   In life, there are many opportunities and decisions that arise, and it can help to have “unshakeable unbreakables” or frameworks based on personal rules, values, and priorities. These frameworks can help protect you from decision fatigue, over giving and depleting your energy, and keep you oriented towards the things you want in life.  With some decisions, having personal rules makes the decision for you before you face a question, which can help take the pressure off in the moment. Taking your priorities and values to make a framework can look like personal rules, time blocking, and personal purpose statements. Time blocking helps to balance life and work, allowing for focus on specific commitments in their dedicated time block.  With personal purpose statements or personal constitutions, you can compare opportunities to what your purpose is and see how it aligns with your values and priorities and how they fit into what you want in your life. In Leah’s Burnout Buster Blueprint, she works with others to create their personal constitutions. Having your own personal purpose statement or constitution helps take the pressure off when opportunities and decisions arise, protecting you from decision fatigue and pressured yeses. You can compare opportunities to this framework and ask questions like “will this help with what I want in life or will it pull me away from where I want to go” or “does this align with my priorities?”  Having these frameworks already set in place can reduce pressure and decision fatigue while bringing relief, peace, and confidence, allowing for empowered nos and resounding yeses. 

Personal development involves a commitment to strengthening areas where we may be lacking. And, for many of us that’s a struggle with conflict. In today’s episode Leah explores how the DISC assessment plays a crucial role in navigating conflicts and fostering personal development.    The DISC assessment provides valuable insights into our communication styles, decision-making processes, and behavioral tendencies. Conflicts are inevitable in human relationships, and they can either create a rift or serve as catalysts for personal and relational growth. Leah reminds listeners on how essential it is to hit pause and reflect on the personalities involved. What is the personality type of the person you're in conflict with?    In rounding out this series on the deep dive into the DISC Assessment, it's crucial to emphasize the transformative power of self-awareness and understanding others. The DISC Assessment stands out as a valuable tool for understanding personality dynamics. By using this framework during moments of conflict, individuals can transform challenges into opportunities for personal growth and relationship development. Take the Disc Assessment  Contact Leah at leahlittlebrown.com for a special offer on your Disc Assessment Results  

In the pursuit of personal and professional growth, Leah embarked on a journey to explore the intricacies of personality types through the DISC assessment. It's essential to recognize that each of us embodies aspects of all four personality types to varying degrees. In today's episode, Leah is eager to shed light on the significance of understanding these traits in both professional and personal realms.   Exploring our personality types provides valuable insights into our strengths and areas for growth. Recognizing and accepting our tendencies allows us to adapt our behaviors to work more effectively in various situations. Leah encourages listeners to bring this understanding of personality traits into the workplace. Acknowledging and respecting diverse personalities is crucial for fostering a positive and productive environment. By recognizing each team member's strengths, we can allocate tasks accordingly.   Similar principles apply to family dynamics. Understanding the unique personality types within a family can lead to more effective communication and conflict resolution. As we grow in our understanding of ourselves and others, the ability to adapt and negotiate becomes a valuable skill. In both work and personal settings, individuals can negotiate responsibilities based on their strengths, leading to a more efficient and satisfying outcome.   As we evolve in our self-awareness and understanding of others, the ability to adapt and negotiate becomes a valuable skill. We can navigate the complexities of our personal and professional lives with adaptability, compassion, and a keen appreciation for the diverse strengths that each individual brings to the table.   Take the Disc Assessment  Contact Leah at leahlittlebrown.com for a special offer on your Disc Assessment Results  

Positioned as the fourth personality in the DISC assessment, the C personality stands out for its remarkable competence and inherent leaning towards caution. In today’s episode, Leah uncovers the various layers woven inside the C personality that enhance our understanding of others and lays a foundation for personal development and fostering relationships.   The C personality is characterized by competence and caution. Individuals with this personality type possess a deep-seated desire to comprehend the underlying reasons for their actions. Unlike some other personalities, they are not content with just the "what" and "how" – the "why" is equally crucial to them.   The C personality is often associated with a more serious demeanor. Their focus on detail and precision can create an air of intensity as they navigate through tasks with meticulous care. This seriousness, however, is an indication of their commitment to excellence.   The beauty of recognizing and understanding the various personality types, including the "C" personality, lies in its ability to foster effective communication and collaboration. By acknowledging the competence and caution that define the C personality, you can tailor your approach to encourage, support, and show appreciation to individuals with this trait.   Utilizing the DISC assessment doesn't just stop at gaining insights into individual personalities – it extends to understanding the dynamics within teams and families. Recognizing the diversity of personalities within a group allows for a more harmonious environment, where each person’'s strengths and preferences are valued. Take the Disc Assessment Contact Leah at leahlittlebrown.com for a special offer on your Disc Assessment Results