The Living on Purpose Podcast

Mari welcomes K'ai Roberts Fu - Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Mensa member, retired Argentine tango professional, and author of 12 Mis-Steps (released May 19, 2026) - to pull back the curtain on how 12-step programs can harm trauma survivors. K'ai spent 12 years in various 12-step programs (EA, AA, Al-Anon) and breaks down why the foundational messages - admit you're powerless, be restored to sanity, turn your will over to an outside power - are antithetical to trauma recovery, which centers empowerment, agency, and understanding you're not crazy. They discuss the cognitive dissonance of being told to surrender after surviving abuse, making amends to your abusers, finding "your part" in everything (including being victimized), the lack of oversight that enables predators, why there's no exit strategy, and how Argentine tango helped K'ai reclaim her agency by learning to lead. Plus, the relief of learning that if something doesn't work for you, it's not your fault - it's just not a fit. Connect with K'ai: 12 Mis-Steps available now on Amazon in e-book and paperback https://a.co/d/0hZaUqCi

In this episode, Mari is joined by repeat guest and productivity expert Elise Enriquez to discuss the evolution of the coaching industry and announce an exciting new faculty model for The Crew. They dive into the trust deficit plaguing coaching, why traditional productivity advice fails women, and how they're creating a more accessible and sustainable approach to expert coaching. Key Highlights: How the coaching industry's explosive growth led to bad actors and a trust deficit - with clients being burned by expensive programs that over-promise and under-deliver Why productivity systems designed by "white men in white collars" don't work for women carrying the invisible workload of family management Mari's coaching burnout story: nearly quitting then revealing her vision for a faculty model during a session with Elise The new Crew faculty model: expert coaches in specialized areas (productivity, mindset, wellness and more) providing consistent monthly coaching rather than one-off guest sessions Elise's 16-year coaching evolution: from career transitions to discovering that women need foundational systems before they can work on bigger goals Why "Build Your Bonus Brain" works: creating external systems so your brain can focus on creativity and presence instead of remembering everything The Faculty Philosophy: Unlike the "guru" model where one coach claims to solve all problems, this approach brings together specialists who focus on their areas of expertise. Faculty members are compensated (not just guest experts selling their services) and provide consistent, ongoing support rather than inspirational one-time sessions. Why This Matters: The coaching industry has become expensive and inaccessible, with many programs costing thousands. The Crew maintains its $97/month price point while adding three expert coaches, making quality coaching accessible to more people. Links: Take a Tour of The Crew: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=23922280&appointmentType=36084804 Join The Crew: https://the-crew-100.circle.so/checkout/the-crew Elise's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisemenriquez/ Check Out Build Your Bonus Brain: https://www.eliseenriquez.com/bonusbrain?affiliate_code=2a52d0

"Unplugged" Newsletter: https://mari-wuellner.mykajabi.com/unplugged Savor Your Summer: https://www.mariwuellnercoaching.com/savoryoursummer Mari's Email: mari.j.wuellner@gmail.com In this vulnerable and honest episode, Mari shares her decision to take a complete 5-month break from social media and what she's learned in just the first week. She opens up about the surprising ways social media was affecting her self-worth, emotional regulation, and authentic living. Key Highlights: Why she decided on a 5-month complete social media break after hearing other women step away and recognizing unhealthy patterns How seeking validation through likes and comments was creating an unhealthy cycle of self-worth based on external metrics The "vegan shrimp" comment that became the breaking point - realizing negative comments from strangers were affecting her daily mood Week one discovery: using social media as a numbing tactic during difficult emotions instead of fully processing feelings The surprising absence of FOMO - without seeing others' highlight reels, her "okay" July 4th felt perfectly fine Living life without documenting for others allows for more authentic, present experiences (and potentially more comfortable kids)

In this episode, Mari continues her lake house dream saga with the exciting conclusion - from finally getting an offer to moving in and experiencing the reality of a decade-long dream coming true. She shares the unexpected challenges that come with achieving major life goals and the lessons learned along the way. Episode Highlights: The strategic moves that led to finally selling their house (double listing and price reduction) Getting "the offer" on their 20th wedding anniversary during a fancy date night in Bellevue Moving day reality: the overwhelming challenge of no garage storage vs. two-car garage worth of belongings Amazing pinch-me moments: surfing back to their own house, hosting more people than in 15 years The unexpected safety anxiety of managing teenagers around water activities How a month of constant celebrating completely derailed all established routines Key Takeaways: Dreams are worth chasing even when the outcome looks different than expected - you'll never know unless you try "New levels, new devils" is real - achieving goals brings new challenges and that's completely normal Getting off routine is a productivity and mood killer - the basics matter more than we think Alone time isn't selfish, it's essential for preventing resentment and maintaining energy It's okay to accept help even when you don't technically "need" it Creating external deadlines (like hosting a party) can motivate faster action Announcement: Savor Your Summer 2025 is open - an 8-week coaching cohort ($297) designed to help you reclaim summer joy and create your favorite summer on record. Link to Join Savor Your Summer: https://www.mariwuellnercoaching.com/savoryoursummer

In this episode, Mari opens up about her family's current journey of buying their dream lake house while facing unexpected challenges selling their current home. Instead of waiting for the perfect ending to share her story, she invites listeners into the "messy middle" of this transition. Episode Highlights: Mari shares her decade-long dream of living on a lake and how it's finally becoming a reality The unexpected approach that led to finding their dream lake house (posting in a community Facebook group!) The surprising "lease to own" opportunity that emerged The challenge of their current home not selling as quickly as anticipated after 3 weeks on the market Mari's journey from excitement to fear and back to possibility thinking How turning "Worry into Wonder" can open up new perspectives and opportunities Key Takeaways: Sometimes the universe delivers what we need in unexpected ways that are better than what we imagined We don't need to wait until everything is perfect to share our stories When things don't go according to plan, turning "Worry into Wonder" can reveal new possibilities Joy can exist even without ease - sometimes the challenging path is where we find the most joy When manifestation doesn't work as expected, it may be time to reimagine something even better Join The Crew: https://mari-wuellner.mykajabi.com/offers/NXbrTohB

Susan Hyatt is a Master Certified Life Coach, Bestselling Author, and TEDx Speaker. She's on a mission to ignite 'Big Yes Energy' in women everywhere. From boosting your bank account to supercharging your self-confidence, from elevating your energy levels to amplifying your joy, Susan is the go-to expert for women who want more. With 17 years of coaching experience under her belt, Susan has guided thousands of women through their personal revolutions. She's a crusader against diet culture and a vocal advocate for closing gaps – in wages, confidence, and yes, even orgasms. She is also the creator of BARE - a groundbreaking process that's inspired women all over the world to stop shrinking their bodies and start expanding their lives. Susan's impactful work has graced national TV, leading podcasts, and top magazines including O: The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Woman's World, and Call Her Daddy. Her dedication to women's empowerment and entrepreneurship also earned her a spot as a finalist for the prestigious Athena Award. When she's not hyping up her clients, leading epic retreats, or making a scene, Susan can be found weightlifting, marathon training, globetrotting, or cozying up in her hygge corner. She's also not shy about advocating for equality at home, regularly reminding her husband about the importance of sharing the "invisible workload," so she can continue to earn big and play big. https://www.susanhyatt.co https://www.facebook.com/susan.ohyatt https://www.instagram.com/susanhyatt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanehyatt

In this episode, we're talking about the in-between—the stepping stones on the path to a life you truly adore. Too often, we focus on the big, dreamy end goal and forget that the journey isn't always linear. Sometimes, we go from barely tolerating life to simply liking it before we ever get to loving it. And that's okay. Using my own experience of moving through five "stepping stone" homes before reaching my dream house, I explore how embracing each stage—without rushing—can make the process feel more attainable, compassionate, and real. The Crew: https://mari-wuellner.mykajabi.com/offers/NXbrTohB