Stress Mess: A Less Stress Podcast

In this episode of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, I sit down with Krista Hayes, founder of Zone Walk Solutions, to explore how a simple but powerful mindset—assuming good intentions—can transform workplace communication and trust.

We cover:

• Why “assuming good intentions” is a game-changer for leaders and employees
• HR’s evolving role and the challenges of trust, anonymity, and demographic data collection
• How perception shapes r...

My guest this week is my friend and bright shining star, Traci Shannon — aka Star Traci.

In this conversation, we dive into the heart of Suicide Prevention Month and explore what it really means to show up for each other. From her show The Pebble, where she tosses positivity into the sea of negativity, to her candid take on toxic positivity, Traci brings warmth, wisdom, and the courage to tackle tough topics.

We talk about:

• Why su...

What if “success” is less about you and more about the community you help thrive? In this episode, Wesam Samour shares a purpose-first mindset: your life’s job is to serve — and small, consistent contributions count. We explore emotional intelligence you can actually use, from reading real-time cues like a Sims status bar to the “100 excuses” strategy that stops stress spirals before they start.

We also talk leadership: respecting p...

What does it take to build a thriving community that lasts for more than a decade?
 In this episode, I sit down with my friend and mentor, Kami Huyse, co-founder of Social Media Breakfast Houston and CEO of Zoetica Media, to find out.

We talk about:

• The grassroots origins of SMBHOU (and its first 30 attendees on a coffee shop patio)
• How the format evolved to interviews, livestreams, and virtual “Coffee” sessions during COVID
• La...

What does it look like when medicine slows down long enough to actually listen?
 Dr. Wael Aboughali — or “Dr. A” as his patients call him — is a family physician with over 22 years of experience and the founder of My Doctor Primary Care Clinic in Pearland, Texas.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Tirzepatide — and why they work for some patients but not all.
• The role of motivation a...

Networking fails, true crime obsessions, and the universal fear of presenting in front of people — this episode has it all.

My guest, Libby Magliolo, is a presentation coach, slide wizard, and self-proclaimed introvert who knows what it’s like to feel awkward… but also how to show up with confidence in front of an audience.

We cover:

• Networking tips (spoiler: people won’t just come to you!)
• The psychology behind society’s obsession...

Episode 11 of Stress Mess is here! In this conversation with Nancy May, we dive into family, food, and the quirky traditions that tie generations together. From Chinese takeout on Christmas to the meals that carry our stories forward, it’s not just about what’s on the table — it’s about the memories, connections, and meaning that come with it.

Nancy is a seasoned storyteller and podcast host whose work ranges from boardrooms to fami...

Today’s episode is one you’re going to love. I’m joined by my friend, Mila Clarke — founder of Hangry Woman and a voice reshaping how we think about health and nutrition.

We dive into her journey through a diabetes misdiagnosis, the mindset shifts that helped her move forward, and how she’s turning her story into support for others. You’ll also hear about her app, Glucose Guide — a resource designed for people living with diabetes a...

In Episode 9: Habit Magic!, I’m joined by my friend and Feng Shui Wizardess, Julie Britt, for a conversation that blends productivity tips with life’s little joys. We talk about energizing morning routines, the power of time blocking, turning errands into friend time, and why “always leave a place better than you found it” might just be the best life rule ever.

We also dig into the magic of decluttering, the peace that comes from “a...

Change is hard. And fast. And usually happening at the worst time.

In this episode of Stress Mess, I talk to my friend Pam — a dynamic, tell-it-like-it-is change leader — about how she got started in the world of change, why transitions come with emotional whiplash, and what managers are seriously missing when it comes to guiding people through disruption.

We also talk about what it means to feel “not that exciting,” why serendipity ...

In this episode of Stress Mess, I chat with my friend Sean — a safety consultant who’s also a fellow professional tangent-taker. We start with entrepreneurship and OSHA compliance… and then spiral into ADHD rabbit holes, cleaning other people’s houses (because cleaning our own is just not it), a suspicious Uber ride that came with free Redbull, contact lenses vs. glasses, and the surprising power of decompressing through singing (a...

In this episode of Stress Mess, I'm joined by my friend and fellow deep thinker, Anh Nguyen. What started as a conversation about pandemic reflections and DEI quickly turned into a series of “Wait… is that true?” moments—followed by some impromptu Googling to find out.

We explore how the pandemic reshaped how we show up in the world, the evolution of DEI in both personal and professional spaces, and the power of staying curious...

Welcome (back) to Season 2 of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast! I'm Samantha Elizabeth—the original Stress Mess—and we’re kicking off this new season with a solo episode that gets real, fast.

✨ What’s new this season?
 Less formality. Shorter episodes. More guests. Occasional swearing (because, life). And a whole lot of unfiltered truth.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I hit pause on the podcast and what brought me back
• My...

In episode 2, I talk to Donna Durbin. Donna is a Clear English Coach, she teaches others to speak clearer so people can understand them, which is her own business. As I know, having your own business can be stressful. You often don’t have a lot of help to navigate the technology, business taxes, your own procrastination and being a perfectionist, or detail-oriented, as Donna calls it. So, how do you deal with this kind of stress?

In this first episode of the Stress Mess Podcast, I talk about my career journey. When I started my career, I had every intention of retiring with a large technology company, but after company-wide layoffs, it left me feeling lost and worthless. The years that followed, I had been through some stuff, including a 6 month layoff, which left me feeling lost and worthless again, but it wasn't my first rodeo. Join me in this episod...