The Dare to Declare Podcast

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys interviews Dr. Elayna Fernandez, bestselling author, trauma researcher, five-time TEDx speaker, and Certified Canfield Trainer who grew up in poverty in the Dominican Republic and built a life-changing vision board out of a magazine she found in a landfill at age 7.That little girl pasted the picture into her notebook and decided: that is my life. That is who I am becoming.

What followed was not a smooth path.

At 19, Elayna survived a kidnapping and brutal assault. Six months later, a car accident left her trapped under a vehicle, revived after her heart stopped, and in a coma for eight days with two brain injuries and nineteen broken bones.

She eventually came to Michigan through a Work and Travel program and never left, building a life and a career grounded in the belief that the bravest thing any of us can do is stay alive.

What does it actually take to build a business that funds your life instead of consuming it?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi speaks with Mike Pietrzak, a business mentor who helps coaches and entrepreneurs grow revenue without burnout.

Mike shares his journey from working in Ontario politics to building (and burning out from) multiple businesses at once, including a solar energy venture in Africa, before rebuilding his life and career around what he now calls "Profit & Peace."

Together, they explore childhood conditioning and the beliefs we unknowingly carry into adulthood, the difference between hope and knowing when it comes to manifesting, and why unlearning old patterns is just as important as learning new ones.

Mike also opens up about hitting rock bottom before turning his life around, and shares real examples of manifestation in action, from covering an unexpected $2,500 repair bill to rebuilding his family's financial life from the ground up.

This candid conversation challenges listeners to stop chasing hustle-culture success and start building a business, and a life, rooted in clarity, intention, and genuine peace.

What does it take to create a workplace where neurodivergent employees can truly thrive?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi speaks with Karina Gaudier, founder and CEO of Autism Workforce Solutions and author of A Practical Guide to Autism in the Workplace.

Karina shares her journey from being a nonverbal autistic child to becoming an accomplished author, speaker, and advocate for neuro-inclusion.

Together, they explore autism in the workplace, inclusive leadership, practical accommodations, and the devastating effects of workplace discrimination and autistic burnout.

Karina also reveals how one supportive manager recognized her strengths and created an environment where she could excel.

This powerful conversation challenges organizations to move beyond autism awareness and create practical, inclusive workplace structures that allow every employee to succeed.

What if the very thing you thought would destroy you turned out to be the wake-up call that saved your life?In this raw and honest conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with former television director turned breathwork facilitator and brand strategist Meg Pearson to talk about addiction, toxic relationships, grief, and reinvention.

What if reinventing yourself was never about starting over, but finally becoming who you were always meant to be?

In this inspiring conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with award winning photographer and empowerment advocate Rita Zietsma to explore career reinvention, personal branding, self-worth, and what it truly means to be seen.

Rita's journey is anything but linear, from high school teacher to graphic designer to 10 years running a full-time photography business, her life is a masterclass in following curiosity over convention. She shares how traveling to over 35 countries shaped her perspective, what it takes to build a brand that truly connects, and the deeply moving story behind her Beautiful Beyond 40 empowerment project, a celebration of women over 40 that leaves every participant saying the same thing: every woman needs to experience this.

Rita Zietsma is an award winning Burlington-based photographer who helps entrepreneurs attract their ideal clients through compelling, empowering personal brand images. She has also created portraits for hundreds of people that have transformed the way they see themselves.

This episode is a reminder that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and show up, fully and unapologetically, in front of the camera and in life.

What if your appearance is communicating more than you realize?

In this fascinating conversation on the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with personal stylist, image consultant, and creator of the Beauty Codes Method, Anna Pataman, to explore how the way we show up visually impacts first impressions, confidence, relationships, and even business success.

Born in Ukraine and influenced by generations of strong, accomplished women, Anna shares her journey of immigrating to Canada, navigating personal loss, rebuilding her life, and discovering the importance of staying true to herself. She opens up about a pivotal season in her marriage, a transformative 10-day silent meditation retreat, and the powerful lessons she learned about listening to her heart instead of outside expectations.

Together, Debbi and Anna discuss the hidden messages behind colours, patterns, and personal style, and why confidence isn't about following trends but aligning your outer image with who you truly are.

Whether you're building a business, navigating a life transition, or simply curious about what your appearance says before you speak, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the image you present to the world.

What happens when you stop performing success…and start trusting yourself instead?

In this powerful conversation on The Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with speaker and mentor Vanessa Ortali to explore intuition, self-awareness, emotional healing, female friendships, motherhood, and the pressure high-performing women often place on themselves.

Together, they unpack the difference between fear and intuition, why so many women second guess themselves, and how true alignment comes from within, not from constantly searching for external answers.

Vanessa also shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her perspective, including losing her mother at a young age, building a global women’s community by following a simple inner nudge, navigating an $80,000 business loss, and redefining success through motherhood and embodiment.

Vanessa Ortali is a speaker and mentor who challenges the way high performers define success. She’s built a global community of over 140,000 women, created sold-out events and programs, and has been featured in Forbes and on television. She’s known for quickly identifying the gap between how someone is operating and what’s actually required to perform and lead at a higher level, helping people cut through the noise and make clearer, more aligned decisions.

This episode is a reminder that the answers you’re searching for may already exist within you.

What if you’re not stuck…you’ve simply outgrown the life you built?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with subconscious strategist and energy mentor Brenda Johnson for a powerful conversation about why success can start to feel flat, and what it’s really trying to tell you.

Brenda shares her journey from corporate success to inner misalignment, and how that led her to rebuild her life and business from the inside out using subconscious work, energy, and human design.

But this conversation goes deeper than feeling stuck.

Debbi and Brenda explore why high-achieving women hit invisible ceilings, how subconscious beliefs and nervous system patterns keep you plateaued, and what it really means to be leaking energy. They also dive into aligned messaging and why your energy is speaking long before you do.

Because the truth is…you’re not broken and you're not stuck. You may have simply outgrown who you were.

And when that happens, it’s not a sign to push harder. It’s an invitation to expand, realign, and declare what’s next.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming someone new.

What if the life you’re building, was one you didn’t feel the need to escape from?

In this powerful and deeply refreshing conversation on the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with Jennifer Szpigiel, Founder of Becoming Iconic® and Editor in Chief of Iconic Magazine®, to explore what it really takes to create a life and business that feels as good as it looks.

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about becoming the woman who can hold more.

Together, they unpack the truth about burnout, alignment, identity, and what it actually means to live fully expressed.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working toward a life you can finally enjoy “one day”, this episode will shift everything.

What if the vision on your heart was meant to carry you further than you ever imagined?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with global adventurer and author Polly Letofsky, the first woman to walk around the world… covering over 14,000 miles across four continents.

What began as a childhood dream became a global mission for breast cancer awareness, where strangers opened their homes and shared their stories along the way. But the journey wasn’t easy. Polly faced extreme conditions, danger, and even found herself navigating a rapidly changing world after September 11.

This conversation goes beyond the walk.

Debbi and Polly explore the power of vision, trusting your intuition, building the right support system, and why challenges are not a sign to stop… but part of the path forward.

Because the truth is…You don’t need permission to follow your vision.

You just need to take the first step.

What if everything you thought defined you, was actually meant to be rebuilt?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with reinvention catalyst, international speaker, and identity coach Carol Elizabeth for a deeply honest and powerful conversation about what it really means to start over… and rise again.

Carol shares her journey from being a fitness professional and high-performing entrepreneur to walking through some of life’s most defining challenges, including cancer, divorce, and losing the identity she once built her life around.

What emerged wasn’t a breakdown, but a breakthrough into truth, purpose, and a completely new way of living.

At 55, Carol calls herself a walking proof of possibility. A woman who has burned it all down and rebuilt from what’s real, not from what was.

But this conversation goes deeper than reinvention.

Debbi and Carol explore the difference between happiness and true joy, the identity shifts required to create a life on your terms, and the power of becoming the thinker of your thoughts instead of being controlled by them.

They also dive into the importance of community, surrounding yourself with people who expand you, and how choosing joy daily can transform even the hardest seasons of life.

Carol also shares her mission behind YouSchool™, her transformational work designed to help women upgrade their identity, reconnect with their truth, and create a life that actually feels aligned.

Because the truth is… you’re not here to stay the same.

You’re here to grow, evolve, and become.

And it’s never too late to become who you were always meant to be.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop living from your past… and start creating from your future.

What if the biggest impact you make in the world starts with simply following what you know is right… even when it doesn’t make sense on paper?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with entrepreneur and former preschool teacher Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, for a heartfelt conversation about purpose, leadership, and solving one of the biggest challenges facing early childhood education today.

Paul shares his unexpected career journey from working with preschool children, to spending nearly a decade in biotech manufacturing, and ultimately walking away from a stable corporate career to become a stay-at-home dad. That decision eventually led him back to the early childhood field in a completely new way.

Along the way, Paul discovered a major problem facing preschools everywhere: schools struggling to find teachers, and teachers struggling to find the right schools. What started as a small effort helping one preschool hire staff eventually grew into a full platform designed to connect educators and schools in a simpler, more supportive way.

But this conversation goes deeper than staffing.

Debbi and Paul explore the leadership lessons learned in early childhood education, the power of belief from a mentor, the role of energy in shaping our environments, and how trusting your calling can lead you to work that truly matters.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• How one mentor’s belief can shape the trajectory of someone’s life

• Why leadership in early childhood education matters more than ever

• The surprising skills that helped Paul succeed in the corporate biotech world

• What led him to walk away from a stable career to stay home with his son

• The major hiring gap affecting preschools and educators today

• How Ratio Staffing is helping schools and teachers find each other more easily

• Why creating calm environments for educators ultimately benefits children

Paul also shares the deeper mission behind his work: helping educators stay in the field they love, supporting preschool leaders who are stretched too thin, and ensuring children have access to the teachers they deserve.

Because when the right people come together in the right environment, everyone wins.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you stop worrying about what people think and start building something that truly serves others.

What if the life you’re longing for isn’t behind you… but waiting for you to decide it’s not too late?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and former engineer Dawn Mattera Corsi for a powerful conversation about reinvention, responsibility, and creating your best life after 40.

After years in the defense industry, Dawn realized the stress and burnout of corporate life were costing her more than they were giving her. She made the bold decision to walk away, rebuild her health, and redesign her life from the inside out. What followed was a complete reinvention: becoming a certified trainer in Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, an author, and a speaker dedicated to helping women over 40 rediscover purpose, confidence, and connection.

Together, Debbi and Dawn explore the life-changing principle E + R = O, Event plus Response equals Outcome, and how our response to life’s challenges ultimately shapes what comes next. Dawn shares how this mindset helped her navigate divorce, career change, and starting over in midlife, including the decision to move to Florence, Italy in her forties, a step that changed the trajectory of her life and led her to love again.

You’ll also hear Dawn’s Five Keys to a Dolce Vita, her philosophy for designing a life filled with purpose, connection, and enthusiasm, and why she believes it’s never too late to try something for the first time.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your best years are behind you, this episode will remind you they may just be getting started.

What if the thing holding your business back isn’t your time, your strategy, or your effort… but your relationship with money?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with speaker, author, and business strategist Kendra Cooke for a candid conversation about financial literacy, mentorship, and the courage it takes to stop avoiding the conversations that truly move your life forward.

Kendra shares her journey from entry-level receptionist at a Nashville brokerage to owning her own boutique firm and coaching professionals across the country. Along the way, she opens up about the moment she realized she didn’t have a time management issue at all, but a money issue, and how learning to face her finances head-on became one of the most freeing decisions of her career.

Together, Debbi and Kendra talk about the power of being in the right rooms, choosing the right mentors, and surrounding yourself with people who elevate your standards. They also dive into Kendra’s recent TEDx experience, what it took to step outside her comfort zone as a seasoned speaker, and why doing hard things is still essential, even when you’re already successful.

This conversation is both practical and personal, touching on the generational shifts around money, the importance of women understanding their finances, and the freedom that comes from being aware of where your money is going and what it’s building for your future.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why many women avoid their finances and how to change that

- The surprising realization that changed Kendra’s business and life

- How mentorship and accountability can accelerate your growth

- What stepping onto a TEDx stage taught her about doing hard things

- The importance of community, collaboration, and being in the right room

- How to create intentional schedules that support both business and life

- Why choosing a “word of the year” can shape your decisions and direction

- And how understanding your money can ultimately lead to more freedom

Kendra also shares practical insights on tracking your finances, building sustainable business systems, and creating a safe space for women to talk openly about money without shame or fear.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your finances, overwhelmed by the numbers, or hesitant to ask questions, this episode will remind you that awareness is the first step toward change and that freedom often begins with one honest conversation.

Because when you stop avoiding the conversation around money, you create space for clarity, confidence, and choice.

What if the breakthrough you’re waiting for isn’t about trying harder… but about staying the course long enough for life to meet you there?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with global keynote and TEDx speaker, author, and transformational strategist Ravi Prakash for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, patience, identity, and the quiet power of persistence.

Ravi’s story reads like a movie script. Born in India to a family shaped by revolutionaries, he faced early adversity, temporary blindness, and more than his fair share of doubt. He arrived in the United States with just $20 in his pocket and $2,000 borrowed, driven by a single conversation with a relative who told him he wouldn’t make it.

He proved them wrong.

Over the next two decades, Ravi went on to lead global teams of over 1,000 people, work across 80+ countries, and hold executive roles with companies like Salesforce, Oracle, Ericsson, Airbnb, and more. But one of the most powerful chapters of this journey is his recent TEDx talk, a dream that took 225 applications, 224 rejections, and years of unwavering commitment before finally becoming reality.

In this conversation, Ravi and Debbi explore what manifestation really looks like in real life, not as wishful thinking, but as consistent action, discipline, and identity-level decisions made long before the evidence shows up.

Ravi shares the stories that shaped him, from losing his sight as a teenager, to the moment a stranger handed him a blank check so he could buy his plane ticket to America, to the daily rituals and inner discipline that have guided his life ever since.

You’ll also hear why Ravi believes purpose isn’t something you decide once and for all, but something that reveals itself through action, and why he says, “Your heart knows. If you listen, it will always guide you.”

Ravi also shares powerful insights about health, focus, leadership, and inner alignment, including the story of how he transformed his own health, ran marathons, and even brought a blender into his children’s school to teach kids about nutrition and stamina for life.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by delays, rejection, or the feeling that your dream is taking too long… this episode will remind you that life works on its own timeline, and persistence is often the real manifestation tool.

Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about doing more.

It’s about becoming the person who stays committed long enough for the result to catch up.

What if the reason your goals aren’t manifesting has less to do with your mindset and more to do with your environment?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with world-renowned Feng Shui Master, teacher, and star of The Secret, Marie Diamond, for a powerful conversation about how your home, your workspace, and even where you sit each day are silently shaping your results.

Marie shares her extraordinary story, from a near-death experience at 15, to becoming an international lawyer, to eventually being guided into the work that would impact over 500 million people worldwide through The Secret. Along the way, she reveals how one simple change to her bedroom as a teenager completely transformed her life, and set her on the path to mastering the energetic principles of Feng Shui.

You’ll discover why Marie believes your environment acts like a three-dimensional vision board, how the images and objects around you are constantly programming your subconscious, and why decluttering is one of the fastest ways to create momentum in your life and business.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

- Why your home might be blocking (or boosting) your manifestations

- How to position yourself for more opportunity, money, and clarity

- The hidden mistake most people make with their vision boards

- How Marie worked behind the scenes with the creators of The Secret

- Why generosity is one of the most powerful marketing and manifestation strategies

- And how small, practical shifts in your space can create massive changes in your results

Marie also shares simple, actionable tips you can start using immediately, including how to activate different areas of your home for success, relationships, health, and wisdom, and why where you sit, sleep, and work matters more than you think.

If you’ve been doing the mindset work, setting goals, and creating vision boards but still feel like something is “off,” this episode might reveal the missing piece.

Because sometimes, the breakthrough isn’t about trying harder. It’s about aligning your space with the life you’re ready to live.

What if the story you were handed was never the one you were meant to keep? What if the parts of your past that felt the most devastating… became the very places where redemption takes root?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi sits down with Lainie Hartley, author, speaker, and former foster child turned cycle breaker, to explore what really happens when a childhood marked by neglect, abandonment, and survival is rewritten through healing, faith, and fierce generational change.

Lainie opens up about the painful realities behind her memoir, Simply Neglect, from going to bed hungry and knocking on neighbours’ doors in search of food, to being surrendered to foster care three separate times by the mother meant to protect her.

She shares openly about the systems that failed her, the shame that followed her into adolescence, and the defining moment when she decided her story would not end where it began.

But this conversation is not just about trauma.

It’s about the resilience that rises in the cracks, the grace that meets us in the unexpected places, and the profound healing that unfolds when someone chooses to break a cycle instead of repeat it.

As a bio, foster, and adoptive mother, Lainie brings a rare, 360-degree perspective to the child-welfare world. She speaks candidly about parenting through a trauma-informed lens, the complexities of repairing generational patterns, and how she now uses her voice to advocate for vulnerable children and families.

Her blend of honesty, compassion, and unwavering hope will leave you breathless.

And stay tuned until the end, because there’s a plot twist in Lainie’s story that you will not see coming.

If you’ve ever wondered whether healing is possible for the parts of your story that feel the most broken or whether your past disqualifies you from a redeemed future, this episode will remind you:

- No story is too broken for God to rewrite.

- No cycle is too strong to break.

- And no childhood defines the adult you choose to become.

What if the greatest measure of success isn’t wealth or status, but the courage to keep showing up, no matter what life throws your way?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi sits down with Tom LeNoble, executive leader, international speaker, resilience coach, and philanthropist, to explore how resilience, reinvention, and purpose can redefine what it means to truly live.

Tom’s remarkable career has spanned Fortune 500 powerhouses like MCI, Walmart.com, Palm (HP), and Facebook (Meta), as well as high-growth startups.

But behind the titles and boardrooms is a man who’s faced down three terminal diagnoses and lived to tell the world, “I’m still here.”

Together, Debbi and Tom dive deep into:

• The mindset that helped him transform survival into purpose.

• How his near-death experiences shaped his mission to give back.

• The lessons learned from working alongside some of the world’s biggest brands, and why he walked away to serve others.

• The power of philanthropy, not as charity, but as a way of living.

• What it really means to lead with empathy and vision in today’s world.

From global boardrooms to acts of quiet generosity, Tom’s journey is proof that true leadership begins with presence, service, and heart.

His book, My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels, captures the humor, humility, and hard-won wisdom behind his extraordinary story.

If you’ve ever faced a setback that made you question your purpose, or wondered what it means to live a life of impact, this conversation will leave you inspired to declare, just like Tom, “I’m still here.”

What if revisiting the simple joys of childhood could help us reconnect with creativity, purpose, and presence in a world of constant distraction?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi sits down with Adam L’Heureux, teacher, author, and former stand-up comedian from Victoria, BC, to explore how nostalgia, humour, and conscious parenting can guide us toward a more connected and intentional life.

Adam shares the story behind his debut book, Remember When, a heartfelt and hilarious collection of memories from growing up in the ’80s and ’90s that reminds readers of the beauty in simplicity and the power of imagination. He also opens up about his research on social media addiction and how technology has reshaped the classroom, offering honest insights on what parents can do to help their kids thrive in a screen-saturated world.

From manifesting a real-life connection with Chicken Soup for the Soul creator Jack Canfield through visualization, to finding joy in low-tech parenting and storytelling, Adam’s journey is a reminder that laughter and nostalgia aren’t just entertainment, they’re tools for healing, grounding, and rediscovering what matters most.

If you’ve ever longed for the slower pace of your own childhood, or wondered how to raise kids who value imagination over algorithms, this conversation will make you laugh, reflect, and remember when life felt a little lighter, and a lot more human.

What if the mindset that makes you feel lucky could also shape how you lead, connect, and grow your business globally?

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi sits down with Katherine Li, COO and cofounder of PulseFX, to explore the intersection of luck, leadership, and leveraging foreign exchange (FX) to build confidence and clarity in both business and life.

Katherine shares how her belief in “being a lucky person” isn’t about chance, it’s about mindset, openness, and creating opportunity. As one of the few women in the male-dominated world of finance and trading, she talks candidly about leadership, authenticity, and how empowering others begins with empowering yourself.

From her early days helping her mother with taxes to cofounding PulseFX, Katherine’s journey reveals how curiosity and courage can transform complexity into confidence. She explains how small and medium-sized businesses can save money and reduce risk through smarter foreign exchange strategies, turning what often feels like a headache into a strategic advantage.

You’ll also hear how Katherine reframes “sales” as service, why she believes genuine connection builds both business and friendship, and how optimism and action work hand in hand to create real-world success.

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend heart and strategy, or how to approach money conversations without fear or confusion, this conversation is your guide to leading, and living, with confidence and clarity.

What if the key to freedom wasn’t found in chasing success, but in surrendering everything that once defined it?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with soul-led business coach and founder of the Sovereign Mamas movement, Julia Jerg, to explore what it really means to let go and start over.

After years in the corporate world, Julia reached a breaking point that sparked a radical decision: she sold everything she owned, bought a one-way ticket, and began a decade-long journey of self-discovery as a digital nomad, mother, and mentor.

From burnout in Germany to beachfront life in Bali, Julia shares how intuition guided every leap, from love in the Chilean desert to creating a global movement for moms who want to lead and live from alignment, not exhaustion.

You’ll hear how her story weaves strategy with spirituality, motherhood with purpose, and why trusting your inner voice can become the most powerful business plan of all.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to trade structure for soul or wonder what freedom could look like for you, this episode will remind you: the moment you listen to that quiet nudge inside, everything changes.

What if the same curiosity that fuels a magic trick could also unlock your biggest breakthroughs in life and business?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with Ricky Locke, TEDx speaker, confidence coach, Jack Canfield Success Principles Trainer, NLP practitioner, and award-winning magician, to explore how curiosity, courage, and clarity combine to create real-world manifestation.

Ricky shares the story of how a single decision and a vision board turned into a nine-month journey from loss and uncertainty to landing his first TEDx Talk, “Magical Resilience: How Curiosity Unlocks Possibility.”

Through his signature mix of humour, mindset, and magic, he shows how trusting the detour and taking bold, curious action can transform setbacks into stage-worthy successes.

You’ll hear how his 20-year career in retail leadership built the foundation for resilience, how he now empowers others through The Confident Club and the UNLOCKED podcast, and why he believes there’s no failure, only feedback.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between uncertainty and opportunity, this conversation will remind you that the moment you choose curiosity over fear, magic isn’t far behind.

What happens when the burdens you’ve hidden quietly become the platform you were always meant to lead from?

In this episode, Debbi welcomes Marsha Vanwynsberghe, NLP trainer, six-time bestselling author, storyteller, and founder of the OUTSPOKEN leadership platform, to trace how she turned heartbreak, intuition, and crisis into her most powerful work.

Marsha walks us through her early years of perfectionism and armor, the deeply personal losses and health battles that would break her open, and the pivot that led her from hiding in shame to speaking boldly in purpose.

Along the way, you’ll hear how she wove together storytelling, subconscious reprogramming, radical responsibility, and embodied leadership to not just survive, but to become a beacon for others seeking to speak with truth and impact.

Marsha has spent over 25 years as a kinesiologist, personal trainer, and coach helping people transform their bodies and belief systems. Her own journey through addiction in her family, miscarriages, and aggressive endometriosis brought her to a crossroads: stay silent or use her voice. She chose the latter.

Today, Marsha runs OUTSPOKEN, offering NLP certification, writing programs, and coaching that support women to reprogram old stories, claim visibility, and become global thought leaders from their lived experience.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is too messy, too raw, or too broken to share, this is the conversation that shows you otherwise. Because when you own your choices with fierce responsibility, the life you declare becomes the life you lead.

Midlife doesn’t just bring change, it brings reinvention.

In this episode, Debbi sits down with Lisa R. Triggs and Rob Triggs, a Canadian couple whose personal transformation stories have become powerful catalysts for their professional lives.

After nearly 20 years of navigating menopause, grappling with depression, insomnia, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, Lisa embraced a radical mindset shift.

Through tools like visualization, journaling, and self-love, she not only reclaimed her sense of self, but also awakened her “Menopause Queen” persona. She’s now a best-selling author and speaker, using her platform, her book 'The Menopause Mindshift' and popular Self-Love Podcast, to empower women to embrace this phase as a powerful awakening rather than a decline.

Meanwhile, Rob spent years in high-pressure B2B sales and leadership roles, often feeling out of place until a mindset shift flipped everything. Inspired by Napoleon Hill’s Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, he crafted a sales system rooted in authenticity, not hype. Now, as founder of Rapid Transformational Results (RTR), he offers the CALM Sales Approach and Thrive community to help sales leaders and entrepreneurs succeed with integrity, structure, and real support.

Together, this episode explores how Lisa’s self-love practices and Rob’s recalibrated approach to sales became the foundations not only for thriving businesses but also for rediscovering their marriage.

It’s a conversation about choosing each other daily, building from within, and daring to step into your most authentic life, at any age.

What happens when you reach the peak of worldly success, only to realize something is still missing?

In this episode, Debbi sits down with Ray Higdon, CEO of the Higdon Group, best-selling author, speaker, and creator of the 4P Method, which has helped sales leaders and teams generate over 300,000 new customers and recruit more than 70,000 new sales reps. Ray has shared the stage with global icons including Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Robert Kiyosaki, Bob Proctor, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Magic Johnson, and his podcast Home Business Profits has been downloaded more than ten million times.

Ray opens up about his journey from million-dollar months and reality TV ventures to the discovery that true fulfillment couldn’t be found in hustle or wealth alone.

He shares how faith redefined his purpose, how discipline became his delight, and why putting God at the center changed not only his business but his life.

This is a conversation about more than success, it’s about consistency, surrender, and the kind of wealth that leaves a lasting legacy.

From basement startup to multi-million-dollar success, Julie Cole’s journey is one of grit, vision, and a mom-of-six’s determination.

In this episode, Debbi sits down with Julie, dynamic entrepreneur, recovered lawyer, and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, to talk about more than just building a business.

They explore how organization fosters independence in kids, why the small details matter, and the lessons Julie’s learned leading an award-winning company while raising a big family.

Julie is an award-winning businesswoman, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker who has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, and The Marilyn Denis Show. She’s deeply committed to mentoring entrepreneurs, advocating for women’s rights, and leading with humour, authenticity, and heart.

If you’re an entrepreneur, parent, or leader, this conversation will inspire you to build something meaningful, on your own terms.

Pregnant in her 40s, redefining home‑birth, building a movement, and now leading with clarity as she helps leaders thrive in the narrow spaces where work and life collide. In this episode, Debbi talks with Holly McIlwain, Chief Navigator at Narrow Spaces and founder of the Brave Women Project. Holly shares how she leaned into radical bravery, choosing home birth after 40, pivoting out of corporate, and creating initiatives anchored in identity, values, and community. With over 20 years of leadership in People + Culture and talent development, including roles in higher ed, nonprofit, fintech, and management consulting at Winner Partners, she now guides leaders to integrate work and life. They explore holistic leadership, mindset and visualization strategies, grief and resilience, and how to effectively serve whole-person culture. If you're balancing demanding leadership and life, or feeling stuck between calling and career, this episode offers insight, hope, and action.

In this inspiring episode, Debbi is joined by leadership coach Stephanie Brown, who shares how she transformed her experience of invisibility in corporate spaces into leadership clarity, grounded in faith and self-awareness. With over 36 years of corporate and startup experience, Stephanie supports Christian women in navigating male-dominated industries without compromising their values. We dive into mindset shifts, authentic leadership, dealing with criticism, and the power of aligning career with calling.

In this powerful conversation, Debbi chats with leadership coach and business mentor Melanie Mitro about what it really looked like to break away from traditional roles, shift family expectations, and pursue a bold vision. Melanie opens up about the early struggles in her marriage, the guilt of outgrowing the stay-at-home dream, and the moment everything changed with one honest declaration: “I want to work.”

Together, they explore the messy middle of growing a business while holding space for motherhood, marriage, and identity.

Melanie shares her journey of rebuilding her business from the ground up, twice, and how systems, communication, and clarity became her secret weapons.

This episode is honest, deeply relatable, and filled with encouragement for anyone trying to honour both their vision and their values.

In this heartfelt episode, Debbi welcomes adoption coach, speaker, and author Francine Apy to share her powerful mission of bringing adoption into the mainstream conversation, with honesty, hope, and heart. As a mom to three adopted sons and aunt to five adopted nieces, Francine speaks from experience, blending her personal journey with over 25 years in leadership and coaching.

Together, Debbi and Francine explore the importance of language, the power of sharing our stories, and how adoption can be a lens, but not the whole picture. Francine opens up about what inspired her children’s book Brianna’s Brave Day at School, her mother’s powerful story of survival and resilience, and how faith, family, and storytelling are at the heart of her work.

Whether you're an adoptee, adoptive parent, or simply curious about how to talk about adoption with more care and confidence, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and real-life perspective. Francine reminds us that love is powerful, but sometimes love needs a team.

What happens when everything falls apart but you choose faith anyway? In this episode, Feyi Smith shares how she went from surviving abuse and heartbreak to building a business, a nonprofit, and a brand-new life rooted in resilience and radical trust in God. From hospital prayers to IKEA miracles, Feyi’s story will leave you inspired to believe in second chances and in the power of declaring something better.

What happens when everything you’ve built, your identity, your community, your business, suddenly disappears?

Jenny Hillenburg spent over two decades rising to the top of the direct sales world, leading a team of over 125,000 people. She was the first consultant at Thirty-One Gifts and helped shape a movement that reached thousands.

But in 2024, everything changed.

In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Jenny opens up about what came next, the grief, the pivot, the quiet rediscovery of purpose. It’s a story about reinvention, boundaries, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

If you’ve ever faced an ending you didn’t see coming… this one’s for you.

What if it’s not your mindset holding you back, but the emotional wounds you haven’t healed yet?

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Debbi is joined by Gavin Conway, a certified life coach, trauma healing expert, and longtime student of spiritual wisdom and energetic laws. Together, they explore why true manifestation begins with healing, how trauma often hides in the body without us even realizing it, and what it really means to create emotional and energetic space for your next level.

From inner child work to nervous system regulation, this episode is a masterclass in self-compassion, soulful alignment, and meaningful transformation.

Join host Debbi Sluys and health and sexuality expert Camille Lawson, a Registered Nurse and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience, as they discuss the powerful link between stress, sleep, and confidence. Camille, who personally overcame severe stress-related health issues, shares her expertise on balancing cortisol, reclaiming vitality, and boosting self-confidence. Through her 11 and 30 Day Reset programs, Camille empowers women to enhance energy, promote sustainable weight loss, and thrive by addressing the profound effects of stress on health, weight, and relationships.

Today, we’re joined by Kristin Sullivan, founder of The Bridal Retreat, where wedding planning meets wellness. With over two decades of experience designing luxury weddings and high-profile events worldwide, Kristin brings a unique blend of creativity, organization, and a deep passion for celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. As a mentor for The Global Wedding Academy, a certified Dare to Declare Vision Board Instructor, and a multi-time bestselling author, Kristin is dedicated to guiding both clients and fellow wedding professionals in creating truly unforgettable experiences. Join us as we discuss the power of intentional event planning, the connection between wellness and weddings, and how visioning can transform both celebrations and everyday life.

Today we're joined by Erin Washington, a mom of two, an author, and the host of the top 1% personal growth podcast, "thERINpy with Erin Washington".

We delved into her journey of overcoming body image issues and self-worth struggles, which led her to create the Blue Butterfly Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring teen girls.

Join us as we explore the transformative power of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and the courage to pursue our dreams.

Today we're joined by Becca Heissel, a financial clarity trailblazer, transformational speaker, coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and individuals unlock their full potential!Drawing upon her hands-on experience, proven strategies, and a deeply empathetic approach, she guides audiences toward meaningful growth and sustainable success.

Live by design, not by default!

Recovering should-do list girl who learned to slow down, Llssa UN-hurried her heart (letting go of her addiction to controlling time, multitasking, and always doing). Her God-given mission: shift the way busy Christian women business owners approach time so they can finally stop chasing a clock, calendar (and their to-do lists)...and increase the ROI on their time through more impact + income. Lissa launched her business (while juggling multiple roles in her family & community) and discovered she couldn’t juggle all-the-things on her own…the key was doing it WITH-God!
She teaches her clients how to steward their time as a gift from God to stay balanced & growing as the C.E.O. (Christ Empowered Operator) of their WITH-God Life + Biz: investing their time wisely as a committed follower of Christ. And most importantly she wants women to know the truth: YOU. HAVE. TIME.

Today's episode with Jenny Natyshak is an opportunity for you to hold space to usher in your aligned self. 🙏
Jenny is a Heart-Centered Leader, retired Corporate Closet hippy, owner of The Lodge at Lakeshore and the founder of the inspiring Leading with Love Movement. With a passion for fostering love and compassion in all aspects of life, she serves as a Retreat Leader, Workplace Wellness Workshop Facilitator, a Trauma Informed Breathwork facilitator and a Wellness Coach, guiding individuals towards Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion and Self-Love. Jenny empowers others to tap into their inner leader to unlock their true potential while helping them harmonize their success with their well-being.

Welcome to The Dare to Declare Podcast! Today's episode features the fabulous Wendy Darling. Wendy is the founder of the Miraculous Living Institute. With over 44 years of experience as a relationship and transformational results expert, speaker, seminar facilitator, management and organizational development consultant, master healer and coach, Wendy has created a unique and innovative system, the Miraculous Living Method, that allows you to get the results you want with greater ease and speed. Wendy formerly hosted two of her own radio shows, and has been featured in Forbes, as well as numerous other publications. She is the #1 best-selling author of Create Your Miraculous Life - It’s NEVER Too Late and The Miracle That Is Your Life. Wendy’s clients repeatedly refer to her as their personal fairy godmother, for assisting them in turning their dreams into reality.

New England based Interior designer, Kimberly Levin has led her own firm, Verve Design for the past 17 years and recently launched Bespokle. Bespokle is an artisanal table collection that brings character and distinction to both residential and professional spaces. With this new venture, Kimberly is on a mission to create one-of-a-kind, distinctive tables that honor our authentic selves, our families, our businesses and the legacies we are crafting. In an era that is so externally-centric, Kimberly is on a soul based mission to unapologetically shift our focus and appreciation towards our own unique brands. Those legacies we are curating in our hearts and minds are a truly worthy heritage to be celebrated and honored.

After years of spiraling into self-loathing and self-sabotage, Jennie knew she had to change her direction.

She finally sought help and found the answers to healing through faith, counseling school, coaching certificates, and personal growth.

In addition to having a background as an entrepreneur, Jennie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, earned a diploma at counseling college, and is a certified John Maxwell coach.

Jennie is passionate about identifying tangible ways to release and move through limiting beliefs, emotions, fear, and negative mindsets. She thrives on helping others achieve through faith, vision, release, manifestation, exploration, and powerful daily habits—empowering others in applying actionable ways to break through, use their God-given gifts and shine fully as the light they were made to be in this world.

Today, Jennie is a Future-Self Coach, a best selling author, and an inspirational speaker.