2025 Haircut of the Year winner Ricky Hodge is a celebrity hairstylist, fashion icon, and one of the most authentic humans I've ever sat across from. He pivoted into cosmetology in his late 30s after selling his grandparents' real life ‘Schitt’s Creek’ motels. Today, he has a roster of high-profile clients and at 57 years old, has amassed a social following closing in on 1M. His personal brand is so distinctive it basically has its own gravitational pull.
Read moreUse Spiral Movement to Come Alive | Ting Ting Guan
After following Ting Ting’s work for a year, I am so excited to feature her on the show! Ting Ting’s GuanJing Method is aliveness in motion.
This episode is for those who have been feeling stuck, stagnant, and lacking a sense of vitality. Or perhaps you’ve been feeling that your yoga or running practice isn’t making you feel as alive and strong as it used to.
Ting Ting Guan’s GuanJing Method is a spiral-based practice at the intersection of Qigong, yoga, dance, and Chinese medicine. Ting Ting and Kate dive into how stress and disconnection show up in the body, how spiraling movement helps release energetic blockages, and how softness, play, and rest can coexist with real strength in both personal healing and how we show up in the world.
Key takeaways
🌊How to keep emotions from getting stuck in your body
🌀What’s so special about spiral, dynamic body movement
🏵️How to feel strong in your softness and vulnerability
👯Why vitality lives in presence and play
Timestamps
(01:11) Meet Ting Ting Guan
(02:26) The Birth of the GuangJing Method
(07:09) Transformation Story
(10:08) Understanding Stuck Emotions
(17:29) Managing Disassociation and Emotions
(22:49) Embracing Vitality and Aliveness
(27:59) Overcoming Self-Judgment
(28:53) The Power of Breath and Movement
(30:14) Building Confidence Through Dance
(31:19) The Michelangelo Approach to Self-Discovery
(33:21) The Significance of the Spiral
(37:45) Balancing Softness and Strength
(46:04) The Future Vision for Guang Jing Method
(48:26) Upcoming Retreats and Opportunities
(53:11) Embracing Rest and Fun
(55:06) Conclusion and Future Plans
Engage with Ting Ting
Connect with Kate Manser
Be immersed in living an alive life.
Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
The Life & Death Storyteller: Niki DiGaetano
Niki is a death doula, writer, designer, and backpacker who came to death work following a career and existential crisis in 2019.
By day, she works in design and copywriting. By night and by passion, she helps her clients tell the stories of their and their loved ones' lives. She also helps the bereaved navigate loss through individual grief support sessions.
In her free time, she is working on a book that explores death's transformative call to live - and how that call once saved her life - all set against the story of her 900 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Key takeaways
🪴Grief never just “goes away”—we grow around it, learning to hold loss over time.
👯♀️Support from others, including professionals and peer mentors, is invaluable in heavy times.
🌅There’s no set timeline for healing; everyone’s process is different and deserves respect.
🌊Expressing grief and seeking validation helps counter shame and unnecessary suffering.
🥾Embracing uncertainty and “wandering” is essential both in recovery and in everyday life.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Reflections on Mortality
(01:10) A Journey into Death Work
(02:43) Early Life and Career Path
(04:01) The Turning Point: Discovering a New Path
(08:09) Volunteering and the Birth of a Death Doula
(11:28) Blending Passions: Graphic Design and Storytelling
(16:44) Personal Transformation and Overcoming Darkness
(19:12) The Appalachian Trail Adventure
(29:17) New Beginnings in Utah
(30:52) Transition to Death Doula Work
(31:26) Starting Grief Support
(32:55) The Power of Letting Go
(37:43) Lessons from Grief Work
(45:31) Embracing the Wandering
(53:38) The Importance of Pattern Disruption
(57:34) Concluding Thoughts on Aliveness
(01:02:29) Closing Remarks and Future Plans
Engage with Niki Visit Niki's grief support website to learn more or book sessions: numbereddays
Subscribe to Niki’s newsletter (writing + grief insights)
Connect with Niki on Instagram
What are your top 3 topics & areas of expertise?
Grief work/support/education: no, you're not "crazy" for not being "over" the death of your loved one after 2.5 months. It's neuroscience.
Legacy and storytelling: how to document and capture your stories, your loved one's stories, and why it matters.
Death's call to Live: we are impermanent. Everything and everyone we love is impermanent and will die someday. Sound morbid? It's not. It's a way to laser-focus your priorities, get clear on priorities, and enhance your relationships.
Connect with Kate Manser
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
The Aliveness Experiment - Join by 2/14/26
The Aliveness Experiment: Join the experiment!
Learn more: katemanser
Sign up: Forms
This is a groundbreaking research study exploring the conscious awareness of being alive and how it may influence well-being and anxiety.
❤ Why JOIN? To shift your aliveness from just a background detail to an embodied, conscious experience.
To discover what awakens within you when you pause each day for 10 days and become consciously aware of the life you exist within.
To reconnect to the foundational experience of being alive.
📲 In this free 10-day experiment, you will:
✔ Receive one text message per day for 10 days. Each text message will be a poetic, powerful reminder to feel your aliveness.
✔ Complete two short surveys (takes 5-7 minutes) at the beginning and end of the experiment.
✔ [optional] Meet one-on-one with the researcher, Kate Manser, in a 30-minute Zoom interview to more deeply uncover your experience and what shifted for you.
This research study is done under the supervision of Alef Trust University, Liverpool John Moore's University, and advisor Scott Buckler.
Art will save us | Rachel Cohen on Be Alive with Kate Manser
Rachel Cohen is a masters-level recreational therapist and the founder of UNBOREDROOM, a creative and inclusive art space for neurodivergent and disabled people. Rachel is serious about using art and play with measurable outcomes to change lives.
If you're looking for science-backed inspiration to prioritize art, creativity, and play - you NEED to listen to Rachel on this episode.
In this episode, Rachel also shares the story of how she thoughtfully created a her epic INCLUSION PROM event for neurodivergent and all-abilities people, complete with therapeutic DJing, artmaking, calm and sensory rooms, and of course, costumes -- illustrating how art and play unite and uplift diverse individuals.
This episode will help you:
🌟 Learn how to better relate to neurodivergent and all abilities people
👩🎤 Create your own definition of what it means to call oneself an artist
🙃 Find out how to inject more joy and whimsy into your everyday life
Timestamps
(01:16) Introducing Rachel Cohen: Founder of Onboard Room
(02:28) The Magic of Unboredroom: A Creative Haven
(02:53) Rachel's Journey and the Impact of Space on Creativity
(04:31) What is the role of Recreation Therapy?
(07:04) Teaching Art and Discovering Strengths
(09:28) The Importance of Self-Expression for People with Disabilities
(22:33) Creating Inclusive Spaces and Events
(38:20) The Importance of Play and Flow State
(40:52) Creating a Gingerbread Village
(41:23) Balancing Passion Projects and Day Jobs
(42:45) The Power of Community and Volunteerism
(46:59) Overcoming Failures and Persevering
(58:15) The Need for Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout
(01:03:28) The Role of Recreation During the Pandemic
(01:08:36) Adaptive Leadership and Community Support
(01:12:16) Encouraging Participation and Support
(01:14:31) Conclusion and Future Plans
Engage with Rachel: unboredroom
UNBOREDROOM on Instagram
Connect with your host Kate Manser
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me⚡
A Mouse Living in my Engine & Slowing Down for Winter | Stories [Solo Episode]
A quick life update with some reflections on the year, a Kate versus Mouse story, and what's going on in my world for the rest of 2025. I hope it brings you a laugh and some reflections for your own life. As always, sending you lots of love with every episode.
Coming up on 50 episodes of Be Alive with Kate Manser 🥳 Subscribe & share this show - let's spread the ALIVENESS in 2026 and beyond. ⚡️
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Life Update
01:09 Nomadic Lifestyle Reflections
03:56 2025 Personal Growth Project: Cutting Some Cords
07:17 Pajamas almost died but she is alive!
09:52 The Mouse was Living in my Engine
15:17 My Winter Experiment: Can I still be productive if I turn down my intensity?
20:03 Winter Travel Plans and Final Thoughts
Be Unshakeable - Haters, Confidence, & Resilience | Juls Bindi
Juls Bindi is an entrepreneur on fire. Featured on one of the funniest episodes of Shark Tank, a former celebrity massage therapist, inventor, and author...Juls has been on the receiving end of a lot of haters throughout her journey.
What do you do when you get death threats online, lawsuit threats, and people making fun of you? Listen to this episode to hear Juls' take on how to manage online and offline resistance to you, your business, invention, book, outfit - whatever.
Juls Rule #1: Not everyone will like you or your product.
In this episode, learn:
✅ How to make better decisions in business and in life
❤️🩹 The 1 essential element to emotional freedom and breaking generational trauma
🧒 How to build children’s emotional intelligence
🔁 How to see yourself as an evolving work of art rather so you can grow and realign over time.
(01:08) Introducing Juls Bindi
(03:02) My 1st Invention
(04:48) Going Viral and Shark Tank Success
(07:07) Handling Criticism and Death Threats
(10:00) Personal Growth Through Adversity
(15:22) Forgiveness and Childhood Trauma
(23:04) Empathy and Breaking Generational Trauma
(29:35) Empowering Children with EQ Kid Books
(32:21) Discovering Life Lessons
(33:52) A Life-Altering Divorce
(34:46) The Birth of a Children's Author
(36:34) Rebuilding a Business
(42:37) Embracing Emotional Intelligence
(44:12) The Power of Forgiveness
(48:34) Living a Vibrant Life
(57:38) Final Thoughts and Gratitude
🌐 Engage with Juls Attend Juls Bindi’s "Unshakeable" Zoom coaching sessions held first and third Thursday of each month, donation-base (under the "Unshakeable" section)
About Juls Bindi
Based in Austin, TX, Juls Bindi has been the driving force behind her self-funded ventures since 2003, specializing in sourcing, manufacturing, and strategic business planning. Her profound passion for animals and people inspired her to establish ZuGoPet in 2013. In 2017, ZuGoPet was internationally acclaimed as one of only three pet manufacturers globally to achieve perfect scores in the Center for Pet Safety crash tests. ZuGoPet's revolutionary product remains the world’s only multifunctional pet car harness that maximizes chances of survival for dogs in car accidents. Her entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap when Juls appeared on ABC’s 'Shark Tank', where the episode was celebrated as “The Most Hilarious Shark Tank Episode Ever Aired.” This exposure propelled the brand to new heights.
In 2017, Juls ventured into the e-mobility space, prototyping models that led to the creation of ZuGo Bike. Launching officially in 2019, ZuGo Bike rapidly generated over $20 million in sales within three years, capturing the attention of industry leaders and consumers across the U.S.
Juls's contributions to business and society have not gone unnoticed. She was nominated for the "Woman Making a Difference Award" by the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been featured extensively across major platforms including ABC, FOX, NBC, Business Insider, Business Rockstars Radio, Women Worldwide Radio, Press Pass LA, Product Hunt, Top Dog Tips, Cars.com, and more.
As a personal emotional intelligence coach and single mom, Juls draws on her experiences to create EQ KiD Books, which helps children and parents navigate difficult conversations. Each book sold results in a donation to a school or children’s organization, supporting community and family wellness. Launching this winter 2025, The first book released from the "Harmony Hills Collection" is My Body, My Rules. The collection encourages emotional growth, communication, and self-discovery, empowering families to connect and build stronger relationships.
Juls: What does living my most alive life mean to me?
Living my most alive life means being in full alignment with who I am, why I’m here, and how I serve—without abandoning myself to fit into someone else’s mold. It’s about living from a place of truth, emotional freedom, and creative expression, where every decision is guided by intuition, not fear.
It’s waking up with a sense of clarity and courage, knowing that even on the hard days, I’m walking a path I chose. It’s showing my daughter what it means to live fully, love fiercely, and never dim your light to make others comfortable.
To me, “alive” is expansion, connection, and impact—whether that’s through writing a book that helps a child feel safe in their body, helping an entrepreneur shed old beliefs in coaching, or riding an e-bike through Austin feeling the wind on my face after rebuilding what I lost.
⚡️ Connect with Kate Manser
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
You're overthinking your art | Monika Filipek, Artist & Gallerist
I met Monika while walking the streets of Oxford on a trip in 2024. I was immediately enchanted by Monika, her art, and her story. I'm thrilled to bring her wisdom on artmaking, sustainability, and creativity to the show.
In this episode of Be Alive with Kate Manser, Kate interviews Monika Filipek, an artist known for her unique upcycled cart gallery discovered in Oxford, UK. Monika shares her journey from Poland to the UK, detailing her passion for sustainable living, upcycling, and creating art from found objects. She discusses her artistic process, the importance of intuition, and the impact of embracing creative freedom.
In this episode:
🫠How to overcome self-criticism
👁️ On following one's creative intuition
🗑️ Finding beauty in trash, sustainability, & everyday life
00:00 Introduction to Art Creation
00:59 Meet Monika Filipek
02:00 The Journey of the Cart Gallery
02:56 Sustainable Living and Upcycling
03:48 The Magic of Oxford
04:39 Creative Intuition and Process
20:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists
26:37 Embracing Artistic Possibilities
27:06 Dealing with Criticism and Haters
27:50 The Collective Project of Art
29:54 Observations on Humanity
36:11 The Decision to Move to the UK
43:33 The Influence of English Art and Culture
48:08 Conclusion and Future Plans
About Monika Filipek, artist & founder of CArt Gallery
I am a Polish artist living and working in the UK, with a focus on ecophilosophy and sustainability. Over the last six years, I have been connected to Oxford and London, where I’ve developed my creative practice, experimenting with sustainable art movements and initiatives rooted in the circular economy and sustainable development. As the founder of The CArt Gallery—a mobile art space—and active participant in other initiatives supporting sustainability, I actively engage in creating innovative projects that bridge art, ecology, and social movement.
Connect with Monika:
monikafilipek.com
cartmobileartgallery.com
Monika's answer to, "What does it mean to you to be alive?" To be alive means to me to create my own vision of reality, where even small steps and actions have a powerful impact on the rest of the world and can make a big change. I believe that we are all connected somehow, and only through our unique skills and individuality we can make a change. By sharing our unique gifts and ideas with the world we can grow all together as a society. I believe that even small actions and initiatives have the potential to change the world. For me, being alive is to be aware of your mission and what your skills are and follow this path without fear, even if it seems to be uncomfortable. By choosing trust over fear, risk over conformism, and, by seeing the results of this, you can really feel alive:)
Connect with Kate Manser:
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
ICU Nurse: What I Learned about Dying | Megan Titcomb
What are the lessons about living and dying that stick with an ICU nurse for life? Megan Titcomb shares the challenges of navigating the survival-focused medical system, the importance of listening to one's intuition about when it’s time to "call it," and her own journey transitioning career paths. The episode highlights the beauty and courage in facing mortality honestly and using that awareness as a catalyst to experience life fully.
⚕️Why navigating the healthcare system requires understanding about its survival-driven mindset.
❤️🩹What to do to prepare for unexpected illness or death (for you and the people you love)
🌻How an ICU Nurse lives after being around illness & death for years
👉Key points
(01:10) Introducing Megan Titcomb: A Journey from ICU Nurse to Life Coach
(03:03) The Realities of Nursing and Burnout
(04:41) Transitioning to Coaching: Finding New Purpose
(05:44) Defining Holistic Nursing
(07:44) Experiences in the ICU During COVID
(09:16) The Importance of Accepting Mortality
(12:35) Navigating the Medical System and End-of-Life Decisions
(22:43) Living in Alignment: Coaching for a Fulfilled Life
(30:25) Introduction to Dr. Irvin Yalom's Work
(31:36) Transition to Physical Wellness Coaching
(34:18) Personal Growth Through RV Renovation
(35:15) Facing Fears and Building Confidence
(40:55) The Nomadic Community Experience
(43:59) Reflections on Alternative Lifestyles
(49:10) Future Plans and Affirmations
(54:55) Closing Remarks and Gratitude
⚡️Megan’s answer to: What does living your most alive life mean to you?
It means living a life that is in line with my values and not a life of fear or hiding my true self. It means embracing the fact that one day I will die and I want to be prepared for that in both the logistical ways ("having affairs in order") and emotional and spiritual ways.
I've had many experiences with death throughout my life, each shaping my beliefs around it. A few particularly profound moments during my time working in the hospital have stood out, offering me great comfort and deepening my understanding.
About Megan Titcomb
Megan is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Yoga teacher, and Certified Critical Care nurse. For years, I've straddled the divide between conventional medicine and holistic healing. Unfortunately, these worlds often operate independently. My passion is bridging that gap. I'm dedicated to helping others navigate the complex world of Western medicine while uncovering their own inner compass, allowing them to make informed life (and end-of-life) choices. Thus empowering them to live a more purposeful life that honors them and their uniqueness.
Connect with Kate Manser:
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
Radical Accountability & Energy Alignment with Laura Morrice
Laura Morris is a speaker and coach from Scotland who teaches chakra healing and radical accountability. I am a huge proponent of coaches and healers who blend energetic practices with tangible mindset work. Laura’s work blends chakra & energetic alignment with healing for body and mind. She teaches her clients to align their energy centers AND intentionally work on thought patterns and conditioning.
In this episode, Laura begins with her story of going from being a heroin addict at 16 years old...to the awakening that led her to spiritual centering and radical accountability. Listen to this episode (and follow Laura lauramorrice_thechakracoach ) to cut the BS and align your body, mind, and soul.
👉Key points
(01:21) Meet Laura Morrice: A Force of Nature
(04:37) Laura's Early Life and Struggles
(11:02) The Turning Point: Discovering 'The Secret'
(13:27) Embracing Energy Healing and Chakras
(31:43) Living in Alignment: Mind, Body, and Spirit
(34:46) The Inner Voices: Navigating Daily Decisions
(35:29) Choosing Love Over Negativity
(38:01) Radical Responsibility and The Secret
(39:34) Aligning with Love and Higher Self
(44:17) Understanding Chakras and Emotional Healing
(47:10) Leadership and Divine Feminine Power
(57:17) Embracing Radical Responsibility and Personal Power
(59:41) Daily Practices for a Joyful Life
(01:03:09) Working with Laura Morris
(01:06:37) Conclusion and Future Plans
About Laura Morrice
Laura Morrice is not just an energy healer and mindset coach – she's a catalyst for transformation, a beacon of light guiding you towards alignment with your truest self and your highest potential. With over two decades of experience in her arsenal, Laura has honed her craft to perfection, specializing in removing the blockages that hinder your path to greatness.
Certified in an array of modalities including Reiki, Crystal Healing, EFT/TFT Tapping, Meditation, and Life Coaching, Laura seamlessly weaves together science-backed techniques with ancient wisdom to deliver profound results. Her approach is holistic, her methods are grounded, and her impact is undeniable.
Through her guidance, clients embark on a journey of self-discovery, shedding limiting beliefs, and stepping into their authentic power. Laura's mission is clear: to empower women leaders, visionaries and entrapreneurs to lead from their true essence, making a profound impact in every facet of their lives and the world at large.
Laura’s book: Signposts to Source
What does living your most alive life mean to you? For me, it's about doing everything from a place of energetic alignment. Everything is energy and everything has it's optimal vibrational frequency. I am passionate about living a life that is aligned with my highest purpose and potential.
I envision a future where the children of tomorrow don't have to go through the same amount of trauma healing as we have, so that they can experience and begin to grow from a place of optimal alignment. I believe my work (and other healers’ work) to create aligned conscious leaders now will help to create the bright new future for all.
Alignment = authority and we must all become the authors of our own life!
Connect with your host, Kate Manser
Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️
My Wife Died 6 Months Ago - What I Know So Far | Danny LesslieMy Wife Died 6 Months Ago - What I Know So Far | Danny Lesslie →
This episode is a message from the edge of everything from Danny Lesslie, a girl dad of 2 whose wife died just 6 months ago. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who will go through a profound challenge in life -- so, it's for all of us.
📌Preorder Danny & Rafaella's book, Thank you, Cancer
This episode will speak into your heart and help you:
🫶 Reawaken to the preciousness of the time with the people you love
🌊 Get a true look into what raw grief feels like and how to move through it
💔 Hear about what Danny is doing to take his broken heart and turn it into love and art
👉Key points
(00:41) Reading Danny's Profound Instagram Post
(04:36) Interview kicks off: Welcoming Danny Lesslie
(05:25) Coping with Loss and Sharing the Journey
(07:39) The Nature of Grief
(11:11) Finding Balance Amidst Grief
(26:53) The Role of Resilience
(36:41) Exploring Grief and Individual Journeys
(37:39) Practical Exercises for Coping: Weighted vest, memory wall & more
(38:08) Memories and Honoring Loved Ones
(41:05) Challenges of Moving and New Beginnings
(42:30) Navigating Relationships and Avoiding Complacency
(44:39) The Power of Writing a Death Letter
(54:48) Finding Purpose Amidst Pain
(01:00:03) Faith and Miracles in Difficult Times
(01:06:53) Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
More About Danny Danny Lesslie is a Widower, Girldad, and Coach. He and his girls live in Texas.
Follow Danny on Instagram: @momentumwithdanny
What does living your most alive life mean to you? I think about swimming in the moments. After my wife passed I can't imagine moving through life without purpose. I lived the majority of my life pretty numb, in my marriage I found a depth of joy and love I had never known. In that feeling, I find that I feel alive. God lights my path.
-Danny
👉Connect with your host Kate Manser: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Get free weekly heart messages when you need them most & 1:1 replies from Kate
Thank you for being alive with me ⚡️
The Art of Seeing: Marfa Models CEO Arianna Alexis
👉What does it mean to see the world like an artist? This episode will inspire you to think differently, see opportunity where you thought there was none, and take risks in your art and your life. Arianna Alexis is a fashion designer, CEO of Marfa Models, and has a working art gallery in her laundry room. The message of this episode featuring this interesting human? Creativity is in you. Do the thing...and be who you are.
In this episode, you'll hear:
🧺 How Arianna created an art gallery in her laundry room
🦵 Learn about pushing the edges of figure drawing to include all body types
👁️ How to see life with a creative, curious artist's eye
👉Key points
(00:00) Intro to the Show
(01:01) Meet Ariana Alexis: Artist and Founder
(01:25) The Birth of Galerie Ego
(02:06) The Unique Concept of Galerie Ego
(04:32) Experiencing Galerie Ego
(07:09) The Vision Behind Galerie Ego
(19:17) Ariana's Journey in Fashion and Art
(24:14) The Evolution of Mind Lines and Marfa Models
(28:51) The Importance of Presence and Creativity
(32:21) Generational Perspectives
(33:25) Challenging the Status Quo
(36:15) The Power of Art
(45:55) Flow State and Meditation
(53:20) Final Thoughts and Inspirations
More About Arianna Alexis
Arianna Alexis is a visual artist and filmmaker known for her multidisciplinary and performative work that exhibits and reflects the duality of the body as a model and mechanical being. Encouraging the alienation of self, her work hones to body image, idealization, self discipline and representation of labor within fashion. She received her MFA, at Parsons Paris where she resided for 5 years. Relocating to Marfa, TX she continues her artistic practice, where she has founded Marfa Models & galerie ego
What does it mean to Arianna to feel alive? Being in tune with your true self and being honest with yourself which effects the path and purpose of living in alignment of authenticity, which to me equals to being most alive!
🌐Check out Arianna on the web: marfamodels and galerieego
Arianna's Instagram: @ariannaalexis / ariannaalexis
Connect with Kate Manser On Instagram: thealivekate
Visit Kate’s website
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me ~
Former model Stephanie Douple: My journey out of addiction & into self-love
⚡️I hope you love this one! Stephanie Douple has a fascinating story of being plucked off the streets of Vegas to become a model, then falling into addiction, and is now many years into a journey as a gifted therapist. She's funny, she's real, she's a beautiful soul.
👉Key points
(00:34) Meet Stephanie Douple
(02:29) How a guy named Breakfast in Vegas launched my modeling career
(05:20) Struggles with Addiction and Self-Worth
(15:22) The Path to Sobriety and Self-Discovery
(25:20) Understanding Harm Reduction and Sobriety
(33:09) Embracing Energy Work and Therapy
(36:03) Detaching from Results in Therapy
(37:23) Understanding EMDR and Trauma Integration
(38:25) Grounding Techniques for Therapists
(41:06) Overcoming Negative Thoughts
(42:45) Embracing Unique Life Paths
(44:41) Generational and Personal Healing
(01:00:20) Navigating Social Media and Mental Health
(01:08:14) Exploring Addiction and Dissociation
(01:14:25) Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Topics: how a guy named Breakfast in Vegas launched my modeling career, going from addiction to sobriety, disabilities, body dysmorphia, becoming a therapist, how to step into your higher timeline every night, and what it's like being a therapist for Gen Alpha clients.
About Stephanie Douple
Stephanie is the founder of Embrace Mind Health, which supports individuals with substance misuse and mental health challenges. Stephanie believes that a path that leads to saving yourself is aligned with supportive people who have been where you are, have walked the path before you, and are willing to sit knee-to-knee with you and support you while you find the answers within you. Stephanie lives near Austin, TX and enjoys sunshine, good food, and being silly.
This week’s show features a candid conversation in which we explore Stephanie’s journey through addiction, self-worth, and sobriety. Stephanie shares her background as a performing arts instructor and model, describing how external validation through beauty and success masked deep struggles with body dysmorphia, addiction, and self-acceptance.
She reflects on her experience growing up with physical differences and a chaotic family environment, which shaped her self-image and challenges. Stephanie emphasizes the difficulty of recalibrating self-worth away from external achievements toward intrinsic value, a process she describes as ongoing and requiring constant self-observation and compassion.
The episode also touches on the normalization of drug use in certain social circles and how Stephanie’s spiritual awakening and sobriety began in her thirties, leading her to a path of healing and self-love.
In this episode, you'll hear:
🦋 Self-worth must be recalibrated from external validation to intrinsic value, which is a lifelong and evolving process.
🦵 Body dysmorphia and negative self-talk can be managed by observing and naming the critical inner voice, allowing space for self-compassion.
🍷 Addiction often masks deeper emotional and spiritual pain; sobriety can be a path to rediscovering light, love, and joy in life.
🚧 Healing from trauma and addiction requires patience and acceptance that setbacks and struggles are part of the journey.
🎂 Spiritual awakening and self-love can emerge later in life, showing it’s never too late to transform one’s relationship with oneself.
What does living your most alive life mean to you? "Living my most alive life means that I am able to operate within the frequency of flow, being willing to forget everything I think I know so that I can have a new experience." --Stephanie Douple
🌐Follow Stephanie Douple Website
IG / reels
LinkedIN / stephaniedouple
👉Connect with Kate Manser thealivekate
Visit Kate’s website
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me ⚡️
Alexandra Keller: Bridging Earthly & Divine Experiences
What is it like to transition from skepticism to spiritual awakening? Alexandra shares her experience going from skeptic to "woo woo" energy healer, and how she is still working to balance the spiritual with earthly experience and even science.
In this episode, you'll hear:
🦋 The importance of self-love, integrating the ego, and living a meaningful life
🌱 Her transformative experiences doing a 400-hour mentorship with Shipibo Shamans
🌉 Her commitment to balancing the mystical with the practical, aiming to be a bridge between spirituality and everyday life
Alexandra is also a classmate of mine at Alef Trust as we work on attaining our Master of Science in Transpersonal Psychology, Consciousness, and Spirituality!
Alexandra's answer to "When you think about living your most alive life - what does that mean to you?" I've dealt with a lot of hardship, trauma, and abuse but I never lost my faith in a better life. When I was 18 I got a tattoo that said "inspire a beautiful life" because I was determined to make my life more beautiful and help others see that they could build a more beautiful life, too. Ten years later when I felt I had finally moved from victim to creator consciousness, I got a tattoo that says "I create my reality" to always remind me that my outer world is a reflection of my inner world. Now my journey is focused on truly embodying unconditional love. It's a constant work in progress!
Special offer for Be Alive with Kate Manser listeners:
$150 off reiki training $50 off reiki healing email hello@healeralexandra.co to claim, using code KATE
About Alexandra Keller
Alexandra is on a mission to raise the vibration of our collective consciousness. As an Energy Healer and Spiritual Advisor, she uses psychedelic medicine and integration, mindfulness practices, and Reiki to help heal the mind, body, and soul. Alexandra has worked with hundreds of clients in group and individual settings. She is double Reiki Master certified by the International Center for Reiki Training. Her other training includes a 400-hour mentorship with Shipibo Shamans, Fluence Introduction to Ketamine, Heart Coherence Healing, and Psychic and Medium Development. She is obtaining her Master of Science in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology, and has a B.A. in journalism. In addition to her professional work, Alexandra is passionate about increasing access to holistic wellness and supporting BIPOC and marginalized communities. She believes that by healing ourselves and raising consciousness, we improve the well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants.
👉Key points
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Journey
(00:58) Grounding Exercise
(04:10) Daily Spiritual Practices and Intuition
(07:08) Values and Routine in Spiritual Practice
(12:48) Journey of Self-Love and Healing
(16:53) Energy Shift and Impact of Self-Love
(23:25) Living a Life of Joy and Play
(26:35) Discovering Meditation and Spirituality
(28:08) Embracing the Path of a Healer
(30:55) Ayahuasca Journey in Peru
(35:26) Balancing Woo and Science
(38:16) From Skeptic to Believer
(40:29) Creating Your Reality
(46:40) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
👉To connect with Kate Manser on Instagram: thealivekate
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me
Death to Luxury Brands: The Impact of Brand Labels on Self-Worth
The Impact of Brand Labels on Self-Worth
This is a brief but potent exploration into aliveness, fulfillment, and the pitfalls of relying on external signals of self-worth. I assert that luxury labels are usually used as tools to prop up hollow self-worth while making others feel a sense of lack.
True aliveness & fulfillment come from an examined life. Let this powerful episode propel you to question the role of labels/brands, wealth signaling, and true value in your life.
What will matter to you when you're on your deathbed?
In this episode:
💠 Kate discusses the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic self-worth
👜 The effects of wearing ostentatious labels for yourself and others
🙋🏼♀️ A guide to questioning your use of brand labels
⚡️ How to lean on your inner light to convey your worth and wealth
00:00 Introduction to Aliveness
01:10 The Role of Labels in Our Lives
03:13 The Impact of Labels on Self-Worth
18:38 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Self-Worth
25:46 A Call to Examine Your Life
27:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
👉Connect with Kate Manser on Instagram: / thealivekat. .
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me!
Building a Business with HEART | Interview with Gina Schaefer
At a time when it seems like everyone with money, power, and success is using it for evil instead of good, founder and CEO Gina Schaefer is an example of how to do it right.
In this episode, you'll hear: 🪚 How and WHY Gina is transferring ownership of her business to her employees 🛠️ Why Gina started hiring drug addicts and felons 🧰 How to be a powerful mentor 🗜️ What it means to lead with love and purpose
About Gina Gina
Schaefer is the founder and former CEO of 13 hardware stores in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD, and Virginia. As a member of the Ace Hardware Cooperative, Gina employs more than 300 people and has begun a transfer of ownership through an ESOP to her teammates. Her big passion lies in developing urban markets, supporting small businesses, and helping women to succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields. She serves on the corporate board of CCA Global Partners and is the Chair of the non-profit board of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Learn more about Gina Schaefer at recoveryhardware.com and acehardwaredc.com
Gina's answer to "When you think about living your most alive life - what does that mean to you?" "I lead by cheerocracy - my glass is always overflowing and I am MOST happy when I can talk about others - brag about another business or its team, build confidence in a teammate or lend my voice to a cause. Life is too short to not SHOUT!"
📌Learn more about Gina Schaefer at recoveryhardware.com and acehardwaredc.com
🌐Follow Gina:
LinkedIn / ginaschaefer-speaker
IG: / ginaschaeferdc
👉Key points
(00:00) Introduction: Embrace Your Potential
(00:53) Meet Gina Schaefer: A Humble Leader
(02:57) Gina's Journey: From Software to Hardware
(05:27) Lessons from Non-Traditional Teachers
(09:18) Creating Meaning in Everyday Work
(15:32) The Power of Trust and Openness
(25:19) Building a Legacy: Impact and Fulfillment
(35:09) Conclusion: Ripples of Positivity
Your Host, Kate Manser:
👉Connect with Kate Manser on Instagram: thealivekate
Visit Kate’s website
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me
My dog had a stroke! How to prepare for losing a pet or loved one
2 weeks ago, my dog, Pajamas, had an early morning stroke while she slept. This experience reminded me of the power of pre-grieving those we love. 'Pre-grieving,' also known to others as anticipatory grief, is the process of meditating on or visualizing the death of someone you care about before they die. WHY would we want to grieve before we absolutely have to?
Pre-grieving will help you: ❤️🩹 Cope with unexpected emotions in advance 😱 Reduce the shock of mortality 💪 Help you be the best guardian and guide for your dying pet or loved one, 🎁 And most of all -- cherish the present moment you have with them while they're totally ALIVE.
In this episode, hear the story of Pajamas' stroke and get a quick download on the power of Pre-Grieving.
00:00 Introduction & My new favorite afternoon pick-me-up tea 01:18 A Scary Morning with Pajamas 04:40 Understanding Pre-Grieving: How to prepare for the death / loss of a pet or loved one 07:10 Benefits of Pre-Grieving 09:10 Personal Reflections on Pre-Grieving 11:38 Embracing Mortality and Grief 20:16 Practical Tips for Pre-Grieving 23:58 Conclusion and Gratitude
Video cuts out around 7:30 - stuff happens :)
Get Kate’s free weekly texts to help you live more alive: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
instagram: thealivekate Thank you for being alive with me!
To Hell with Societal Expectations with Marcia Drut-Davis
Meet Marcia Drut-Davis—an icon in the childfree movement and a woman who has been boldly challenging traditional expectations for over 50 years. She made national headlines when she publicly declared she never wanted children on 60 Minutes in the 1970s.
If you've ever struggled to stand up for what you believe in, or wonder what happens to your life in the long run after you do...this episode is for you.
Marcia Drut-Davis is a groundbreaking advocate of the child-free lifestyle. In 1974, Marcia "accidentally" appeared on 60 Minutes and stood up for her controversial perspective...and it changed her life forever. Today, she is an inspiring figurehead not only for a child-free lifestyle, but for courageously owning your story -- even when people disagree with you.
Learn about the importance of making life choices that align with your values, breaking free from societal expectations, and living a legacy of joy and authenticity. Don't miss Marcia's captivating stories and actionable advice on living a vibrant and regret-free life!
🌻 Marcia's story of how she "accidentally" ended up on 60 Minutes 🌻 How that interview changed the course of her life 🌻 What it's like to be a pioneer and figurehead for a controversial viewpoint 🌻 How to release expectations and live a vibrant, meaningful life 🌻 The importance of making informed decisions in your life
Follow Marcia on Instagram: / childfree_guru
00:00 Introduction to the Bold Life of Marcia 00:20 Marcia's Bold Claim on 60 Minutes 02:17 Discovering the Child-Free Lifestyle 03:11 The National Organization for Non-Parents 04:31 Facing Family and Societal Expectations 05:53 The Fallout from 60 Minutes 08:05 Life After the Bold Choice 11:06 Navigating Personal and Societal Pressures 13:55 Reflecting on Parenting and Societal Norms 25:59 Acknowledging a Pioneer's Impact 28:04 Legacy and the Meaning of Life 30:47 The Importance of Friendships 31:36 Top Five Regrets of the Dying 32:56 Living a Vibrant and Meaningful Life 34:48 Releasing Expectations and Embracing Diversity 36:57 Encouraging Children to Think Freely 42:27 Cultural Conditioning and Gender Roles 45:18 Honoring Parents and Personal Choices 48:44 Final Thoughts and Resources
👉Connect with Kate Manser on Instagram: / thealivekat. . Visit Kate’s website Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Thank you for being alive with me!
How to be More Compassionate with Shelby Forsythia →
**You will feel calmer and kinder after listening to this episode.** 👉Shelby is one of those people you meet who just exudes compassion but will push you to move in the direction you’re meant to go. This makes her a truly gifted grief coach.
In this episode: 🚑 Shelby’s story of the time she had a grand mal seizure ALONE in her apartment and how her life was saved
🩵 How to be more compassionate in your everyday life & tips to help you build your own “compassion muscle”
💝 How grief can be perceived as part of the sweetness of life
👓 Shelby explains what “grief glasses” are
💔 How to talk to people who are grieving
🥪 The weird story of visiting the spot Shelby laid mom's ashes & what it has to do with the best sandwich ever
🪴 How to be a good friend by skipping the effort & doing totally boring normal things together & so much more
...And so much more
Sorry if I come off a little fan-girly on this one…I am, in fact, a fangirl of this woman. I can be intense and have rough edges that are totally “me...” AND Shelby is an example of the love and authenticity I hope to be and share in my life. Both of these can be true, and this goes for all of our “conflicting” personality traits and hopes.
📌Life After Loss Academy: Start moving forward with peace, purpose, and even joy.
🌐Follow Shelby
@shelbyforsythia on IG
👉Key points
(00:00) Starting the Day with Gratitude
(00:45) Introducing Shelby
(01:49) Shelby's Journey and Expertise
(03:49) Life After Loss Academy
(07:17) The Concept of Growing Through Grief
(08:30) Personal Reflections and Metaphors
(09:38) Empowering Through Grief
(12:36) Integrating Grief into Life
(14:11) The Impact of Grief on Life Choices
(26:48) The Preciousness of Life and Voice
(40:13) Exploring Compassion and Boundaries
(40:39) The Impact of Grief on Compassion
(40:57) Recognizing and Responding to Suffering
(42:09) Personal Stories of Compassion
(44:24) The Gift of Space Holding
(46:01) The Universality of Grief
(48:15) Near-Death Experience and Its Impact: My grand mal seizure
(51:53) Life After a Near-Death Experience
(01:04:32) Romanticizing the Mundane
(01:16:38) Celebrating Life and Being Present
(01:18:14) Closing Remarks and Gratitude
👉Shelby Forsythia BIO
Shelby Forsynthia
Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions. Following her mother’s death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a “student of grief” and now devotes her days to reading, writing, and speaking about loss. Through a combination of mindfulness tools and intuitive, open-ended questions, she guides her clients to welcome grief as a teacher and create meaningful lives that honor and include the heartbreaks they’ve faced. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine.
👉Connect with Kate Manser on Instagram
Visit Kate’s website
Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thank you for being alive with me
Stories from Publishing My Book feat. Stephen King & Susanna Kaysen →
Stories from publishing my 1st book In the end stages of publishing a book, all authors and publishers must do quote approvals. This means you have to get direct, written permission to use any quotes in your manuscript. It ended up being a really fun + interesting part of publishing my book! It resulted in me getting thoughtful emails from Stephen King, Susanna Kaysen (author of Girl, Interrupted), Carsie Blanton, among others. This process and the emails I got contained messages I think you''ll find INSPIRING & thought-provoking.
In this episode I share the stories about how all this went down & the wise words shared by King & Kaysen that could change the way you look at creating art or showing up in your life today.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:46 The Book Publishing Journey
01:35 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Book Launch
03:49 Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
06:20 Securing Quotes for the Book
08:24 The Story Behind 'Girl, Interrupted' Quote
11:03 The Importance of Authenticity
13:12 The Influence of Susanna Kaysen
18:14 The Carsi Blanton Story
21:29 Reflections on the Book's Success
23:15 Conclusion and Call to Action
Follow me on IG check out my website Sign up to get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850
Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️