Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast
Welcome to Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast. Hosted by me, Samantha Elizabeth—coach, consultant, and a medically diagnosed stressed-out human. Let’s be real: life is a chaotic dumpster fire sometimes, and stress? It’s the gasoline. Whether it’s work, relationships, your never-ending to-do list, or just existing in a world where emails never stop—this podcast is your judgment-free zone to unpack it all. Each episode, we’ll dive into the real shit that makes us unravel—and more importantly, how to stitch ourselves back together. Some days it'll be me ranting with love and truth bombs. Other days I’ll bring in guests to spill their stress stories and survival tactics. Swearing sometimes happens (and that’s okay). This isn’t your typical "breathe in, breathe out" wellness podcast. It’s honest, occasionally inappropriate, and always aimed at helping you go from a full-blown stress mess… to just slightly less of a mess. Let’s stress less, together.
Episodes
What if the thing you think is just stress… isn’t?
In this episode of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Joseph Luftman, a board-certified physician with over 25 years of experience, who experienced a near-fatal “widowmaker” heart attack that completely changed how he understands stress, burnout, and healing.
As a physician, he thought he understood the body. But when he became the patient, everyt...
In this episode of Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast, Samantha sits down with Jamilah Robinson, founder of a marketing consultancy and co-founder of Missing Pieces Support Group, a nonprofit created to support women and families experiencing pregnancy loss.
Jamilah shares how her personal experiences with recurrent miscarriage led her to seek support, find community, and ultimately build an organization dedicated to...
What happens when a relationship ends and you’re left trying to figure out who you are again?
In this episode, Samantha sits down with Amanda Warlick, a certified divorce coach, to talk about the reality of life after a relationship ends. While divorce is often talked about in terms of legal steps and logistics, this conversation focuses on the emotional, mental, and physical impact—and what it takes to rebuild from ...
In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with AJ for a powerful and refreshingly honest conversation about growth, mindset, and the stories we tell ourselves.
This episode is especially meaningful because it marks AJ’s very first time as a podcast guest, and Samantha is honored to be part of that milestone.
Together, they explore the pressure of the “should” voice, the internal dialogue that tells us we’re b...
In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Eric for a conversation about how our relationship with money, experiences, and productivity has changed across generations.
What starts as a discussion about spending habits quickly turns into a deeper conversation about the “experience economy” and why so many people feel pressure to always be productive instead of simply enjoying life.
Eric shares reflections ...
In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Ariana Lum, a graphic designer and children’s book author who created her first illustrated book as a way to help children navigate anxiety, grief, and emotional overwhelm.
After leaving her corporate job and moving to Europe, Ariana experienced a deep identity shift that led her back to childhood creativity, drawing, storytelling, and imagination. What began as...
What happens when you stop shrinking your goals and start trusting what’s actually possible?
In this episode of Stress Mess, Samantha sits down with Lawrence, a youth empowerment speaker who began his speaking journey at fifteen and now works with teens and young adults on confidence, identity, and mental health.
Lawrence shares the difference between talking and speaking, why journaling is one of the most powerful to...
Every January, we’re told to set goals, make resolutions, and completely reinvent ourselves.
But what if there’s a quieter, more sustainable way to move through the year?
In the first Stress Mess: A Stress Less Podcast episode of 2026, Samantha Elizabeth explores the idea of choosing a Word of the Year—a simple but powerful intention that helps guide decisions, energy, and mindset without pressure or perfection.
This s...
Narcissism in leadership isn’t always what you think.
In this episode, Erika Weed, certified executive coach and organizational consultant, joins me to unpack narcissism as a spectrum—not a stereotype. We explore the difference between clinical and subclinical narcissism, how it shows up at work, and what you can do when you’re working with (or for) someone with those traits.
We also talk about:
- How narcissis...
In this episode, I chat with my friend and fellow business owner, Rebecca Burley, founder of Purple Page Marketing, about the art of doing less, and doing it better.
They unpack how focusing on your core strengths, setting clear client boundaries, and embracing realistic goals can actually reduce stress and increase success.
Key themes include:
- How to manage client expectations without overpromising
- Why outsourcing ...
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 per...
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 ...
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 leadersh...
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” session...
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 soc...
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 bo...
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...
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 th...
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,” ...
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 th...
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