What happens when the life you’re living doesn’t look anything like the one you imagined? In this honest, heart-centered episode, we’re talking about unmet goals, shifting timelines, and learning to find peace in the in-between.



If you’ve been feeling out of sync with your vision, this conversation is a gentle reminder that your path still holds value, even when it doesn’t follow the plan. From the glow-up dreams that never took off to the quiet growth you didn’t see coming, we’re holding space for all of it.



Because hope isn’t about pretending everything’s fine—it’s about trusting that something meaningful can still unfold.

S 8 Episode 18 | When Life Doesn’t Match the Vision Board

Shaun Murphy, also known as Mister Motivation, is redefining what it means to be a motivational speaker. A speaker, educator, and U.S. Army veteran, Sean is the author of “Unbreakable Valor: Triumph Through the Soul of Resilience (May 2025).” A Brooklyn native raised in poverty and without a father (who was murdered when Shaun was six), he turned pain into purpose — serving in the U.S. Army, overcoming academic setbacks, and rising to national prominence as an educator and recruiter for the nonprofit organization Teach for America. While recruiting veterans, he became a national face of the program, landing on CBS Evening News and earning a Michelle Obama Service Award.



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misterm0tivati0n [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmisterm0tivati0n&user_uuid=GAGDF6TO4TQAORTX&stage=1&hmac=9535d212a42fda012306b53b8b9130a8a84867340907dfa1467e25d216273087]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmurphy1/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmrmurphy1%2F&user_uuid=GAGDF6TO4TQAORTX&stage=1&hmac=cad84cdcaf0de426e2dfde709a394bb9bb6ca7a561a01b8ef5163c6161e7c4d6]
https://www.youtube.com/@mistermotivation492 [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2F%40mistermotivation492&user_uuid=GAGDF6TO4TQAORTX&stage=1&hmac=dd9974e05c9cd4d1d68ffb399bd7efeca64241b7e68d67a6ba5337cf046dc8c1]
https://www.instagram.com/misterm0tivati0n/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fmisterm0tivati0n%2F&user_uuid=GAGDF6TO4TQAORTX&stage=1&hmac=559e88a192b3b9052bdcd11915bed8d916ecf9d633667c4362fa2670bbcfac3f]

S 8 Episode 17 | Mister Motivation

In this episode of the Live To Thrive Podcast, host Lizzy Koetsier shares her personal experiences with anxiety and the emotional complexities that arise during significant life events, such as her recent honeymoon. She emphasizes the importance of taking breaks, holding space for oneself, and acknowledging feelings of overwhelm. Lizzy encourages listeners to practice self-compassion and to understand that thriving does not mean always being okay. The episode serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health and to give oneself permission to rest and feel.



Takeaways

 * I've been feeling a lot of anxiety lately.
 * It's okay to feel overwhelmed.
 * Choosing rest isn't avoidance.
 * Honoring your limits is not a weakness.
 * You are not alone.
 * Thriving isn't about always being okay.
 * You deserve to take care of yourself.
 * It's important to hold space for yourself.
 * Rest without guilt is essential.
 * Sometimes all you need is a pause.











S 8 Episode 16 | Importance of Taking Breaks

S 8 Episode 15 | Michelle Dean

Hey friends — so much has happened lately, and I’m excited to finally share it with you! I recently got married (!!) and have been soaking in all the joy and love that came with this new chapter. 💫Now that things are settling down, I’m officially back to weekly podcast episodes — and I couldn’t be more excited to reconnect with you all. Expect fresh conversations, real talk, and inspiring stories every week on Live to Thrive. Let’s keep growing together. 🌱Thanks for being here. Let’s get back to it 💛

Life updates

Building Creative Community with Kyla In this special episode of the Live2Thrive Podcast, we switch things up with a unique roundtable format featuring four amazing guests and a spotlight interview with Kyla—a talented brand strategist, photographer, and all-around awesome human being.We dive deep into the importance of community, especially for creatives navigating life and work in Seattle. Kyla shares personal stories, professional insights, and how connection fuels creativity and resilience. Plus, our group explores what it really means to build meaningful support systems as artists, entrepreneurs, and humans.Tune in for real talk, creative wisdom, and inspiration to thrive in your own journey.

S8 Episode 14 | Building Creative Community with Kyla

From Boston to Seattle and soon heading To the Midwest, Francisca Moliere is a first-generation Haitian American with over 9 years of experience in Media Advertising. Throughout her career, she has worked with major brands such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Ulta Beauty, Amazon Fresh, and BECU, helping clients navigate complex business challenges and drive impactful audience engagement.

In addition to her professional work, Francisca is deeply passionate about community-building. She is the co-founder of Serenity Urban Retreat, an event bringing young professionals of color together, and the former Marketing Director of Queens Co., a membership organization for women of color.

Outside of work, Francisca loves to travel, collecting foreign currency along the way, and is an active participant in a flag football league.

S8 Episode 13 | Francisca Moliere

This week, we’re talking about the pressure to always show up, even when your tank is on empty. If you’ve ever felt guilty for not meeting expectations—yours or someone else’s—this one’s for you. Let’s unpack the power of grace, rest, and redefining what it means to be “enough.”

S8 Episode 12 | Pressure to always show up

Cynthia Pong, JD, is an award-winning executive coach and speaker who empowers women of color leaders to advance their careers into positions of power. A Forbes Contributor and LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Career, she has been featured in HBR, The Atlantic, and on NBC, CBS, NPR, and more. As Founder and CEO of Embrace Change, Cynthia leads an elite, all-BIPOC team who provide specialized coaching and training programs for high-performing women of color up to the C-suite. Equipped with Cynthia’s strategic guidance, her clients break down barriers, lead with authenticity, and have collectively negotiated over $750K in salary increases. Her Anthem Award-winning Leadership Accelerator program has propelled women of color to prestigious fellowships, promotions, and top graduate program admissions. Cynthia’s book, Don’t Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color, has cemented her as a foremost voice on career advancement, negotiation, and thought leadership.

S8 Episode 11 | Cynthia Pong

In this episode of the Live To Thrive Podcast, I open up about my personal struggles with mental health in a chaotic world. I share my experiences with finding joy, the impact of social media on my well-being, and the importance of community support. Through honest conversations and personal reflections, I want to remind you that it’s okay to not be okay—and that surrounding ourselves with positivity and support can make all the difference.

contact me at: livetothrivepodcast@gmail.com

S8 Episode 10 | It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

This show is here to prove to all POC who have been bogged down and underestimated by life - that their story is still unfolding. We magnify POC ambition and success to create more POC victories. You will find infectious and inspiring stories from people who were exactly where you are, and they will tell you how they made it through to the top despite the odds. Entrepreneurs, changemakers, and innovators join the show to share anecdotes of how they’ve bet on themselves and adopted resilient mindsets to create a thrilling and thriving life. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livetothrive/support

Elizabeth Koetsier

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