Shift Happens: From Pain to Purpose

Have you ever felt like you don’t fully belong anywhere? Have you ever stepped into a life transition — pregnancy, a move, a pivot in business — and thought, Why does this feel harder than I expected?

What happens when the things that should have broken you… actually become the very things that shape who you are? My guest today is Lauren, host of the podcast The Ex-Wives Lounge—a platform where women talk honestly about life after divorce, healing, and starting over. But Lauren’s story didn’t start there.

How much of your success is rooted in purpose… and how much of it is rooted in pressure?

What happens when your highlight reel doesn’t match your real life? And somewhere along the way… you start to lose who you are?

What do you do when your perfectly healthy two-year-old stops responding as they typically do? How do you learn how to do life with a child with profound autism? How do you grieve what you thought life would look like — while still fighting for the child right in front of you?

What does the word manifestation stir up in you? Today we talk about what manifestation actually means, how it intersects with Christianity, and I challenge if prayer might be more connected than we think.

What do you do when you’re almost 50, starting over again, and faith is all you have left? This episode is about grief, identity, hyper-independence, shame, radical provision… and the moment on a beach when she heard God whisper, “It’s all true. I am real.”

If you’ve ever wondered, ‘Does my story even matter?’—this episode is going to remind you that it absolutely does. Today on Shift Happens, I’m joined again by Thais Eliasen. She is someone who deeply understands the power of sharing your story. We’re diving into what happens when you stop hiding behind your pain and start using it as purpose. Because here’s the truth—your story carries healing, not just for you, but for the people who need to hear it. And when you step into that truth, it can also open doors for opportunity, connection, and yes—even profit. In this conversation, we’ll talk about the courage it takes to own your story, how storytelling becomes a pathway to freedom, and why no one else can replicate what you’ve lived through. Thais and I are going to unpack the beauty, the rawness, and the transformation that comes when you finally stop running from your past and start embracing it.

As a parent, have you ever looked at your child and wished the world would see them for who they are — especially if they have a disability or delay? Have you ever felt the ache of wanting them to feel fully included, only to realize the simplest things, like clothing, can make them feel different? Imagine a world where every child is celebrated exactly as they are — where even what they wear gives them confidence, dignity, and joy. Today’s guest is building that world. Elicen Renz is the founder of Benny Bee, an adaptive clothing brand designed to empower every kind of child. At Benny Bee, the mission is simple yet powerful: to honor all abilities and remind the world that no one is defined by their difficulties or delays. Elicen’s journey to building this brand is rooted in heart, grit, and a vision for inclusivity that goes far beyond fashion. What started as a response to a need has become a movement thaat’s giving kids confidence and giving parents hope. In this conversation, we’ll dive into Elicen’s personal story, the why behind Benny Bee, the challenges of starting something so unique, and her vision for a future where every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated.

What do you do when your parent is tragically taken from you? How do you keep going after life keeps hitting you again and again? In this gripping episode, Jeremy Swanson shares the story he’s held onto for nearly a decade—starting with the day his father was suddenly and violently taken from him. What followed was a spiral of unimaginable loss, heartbreak, and rock bottom moments that tested every part of who he was: as a son, a husband, a father, and a man of faith. From wrestling with rage and responsibility to rebuilding his life piece by piece—Jeremy’s story is one of raw honesty, pain, and purpose. If you’ve ever felt like life won’t let up, this episode will meet you in the depths and remind you that survival is only the beginning.

What would you do if one decision changed the course of your entire life? Have you ever felt like your past disqualified you from a better future? Or wondered if it’s really possible to start over after you’ve hit rock bottom? At just 20 years old, Brett Booker was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison. But his story isn’t about staying stuck in a system—it’s about defying the odds, reclaiming identity, and using rock bottom as a foundation for growth. In this episode, Brett walks us through his childhood, the choices that led him into drug dealing, and the life-altering moment everything came crashing down. Now a coach and mentor helping others break free from their own strongholds, Brett shares what it looks like to start over when the world has already labeled you—and how to rewrite your story no matter where you’ve been. If you’ve ever struggled to believe that your past doesn’t define you, this conversation is your wake-up call. Brett doesn’t just talk about second chances—he lives it. RESOURCES Are you looking for a coach that will help you process, uncover, and potentially USE your story? I'd love to help! Click HERE so i can get to know more about your personal and professional goals! FOLLOW @itsbrettbooker @alexisnandra @theshiftcreative @shifthappensthepod

What happens when you grow up with little but dream of building a lot? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laleh—cosmetic dentist, business owner, wife, and mother—to unpack how her early experiences of financial instability and her parents’ sacrifices lit a fire to succeed. From finishing dental school before 24 to carving a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, Dr. Laleh shares the behind-the-scenes pressures, the moments she was underestimated, and how she chose to rise anyway. We explore the mindset shifts required to juggle a growing practice and growing family, and why waiting for permission is never the answer. This conversation is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, you have the power to create your own opportunities—and redefine what success looks like on your terms. RESOURCES Are you looking for a coach that will help you process, uncover, and potentially USE your story? I'd love to help! Click HERE so i can get to know more about your personal and professional goals! FOLLOW @alexisnandra @theshiftcreative @shifthappensthepod