Connect Inspire Create

Hosted by Carol Clegg

Business Marketing Health FitnessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

Episodes

220

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Connect Inspire Create — a podcast exploring meaningful conversations about life, work, creativity, and the ways we grow. I’m Carol Clegg, your host — an accountability coach and curious conversationalist — inviting guests from a wide range of backgrounds to share insights on how they live, think, and navigate change. These conversations go beyond business strategies. We explore: living with intention and self-trust alternative ways of thinking and being creativity, purpose, and personal growth navigating transitions in work and life what it really takes to follow through on what matters If you’re someone who enjoys reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue — this space is for you. Connect Inspire Create is about slowing down the conversation just enough to notice what inspires us… and how those insights shape what we create in our lives. Let’s connect. Let’s explore. Let’s create — together.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 29, 2026Episode 22030 min

Anxiety As A Signal with Elke Scholz

Anxiety can feel like a glitch in your brain, but what if it’s actually a signal from your whole system? We sit down with Elke Scholz, a registered psychotherapist, certified EMDR therapist, and expressive arts therapist, to explore anxiety from both clinical experience and lived reality. The big shift is simple but powerful: instead of only trying to shut anxiety down, we learn how to listen to it, translate it, and respond with more self-trust. We dig into why anxiety sometimes has no obvious trigger and how “out of the blue” episodes can be rooted in physiology. We talk food sensitivities (not allergies), low iron, hormones, and thyroid issues that can mimic anxiety and depression, plus why it matters to “cover the bases” when life looks fine on paper but your body says otherwise. Elke also shares her layered way of thinking about anxiety, from social and cultural beliefs to perfectionism, negative thinking, high sensitivity, and the deeper layer of trauma that often needs extra care. Then we go practical. We explore a gentle body-awareness practice to rebuild trust in your own signals without becoming hyper-focused, and we make a strong case for creativity as nervous system regulation. Sketching, journaling, movement, and other expressive arts can interrupt rumination, process emotion you can’t yet name, and bring you back to presence. If you want more calm, clearer choices, and confidence you can actually feel, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. Where to find Elke Website: http://www.lovingyourlifebook.com/ LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/elkescholztherapist http://www.lovingyourlifebook.com Grab your copy of Proven Calming Techniques that work in a few minutes. - pdf Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

September 22, 2026Episode 21929 min

What If Self Trust Is Your Real Success Metric with Jenna Smith

When you’re smart, capable, and driven, it’s easy to believe the answer to discomfort is more effort: more thinking, more optimizing, more self-improvement. But what happens when that approach stops working and you’re left with emotional pain you can’t logic your way through? That’s where this conversation gets real. I’m joined by Jenna Smith, creator of the Resourcing Method, to talk about what it looks like to reconnect with the intelligence of your mind, body, heart, and spirit. We dig into why left brain dominance can keep high achievers stuck, why emotions are meant to be metabolized in the body (not suppressed or “solved” in your head), and how nervous system support can change everything. Jenna shares a memorable client story that captures the shift from control and perfectionism into presence and a calmer, more flexible way of responding to life. We also get practical about self-trust and intuition. We explore self-trust as an actual relationship with yourself, how to tell intuition from anxious “ping pong” thinking, and what unconditional confidence looks like when it’s not tied to achievement, approval, or having a perfect day. If you’re tired of treating yourself like a problem to fix, you’ll leave with a gentle next step you can try right away, including a simple hand-on-heart practice and journaling as a tool to meet yourself honestly. If this resonates, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share the episode with a friend who overthinks, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Where to find Jenna Website: Instagram LinkedIn Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

September 15, 2026Episode 21830 min

Functional Medicine Helps You Ask Better Questions with Jen Germain

A Crohn’s disease diagnosis can feel like a life sentence, especially when you’re told medication is the only option. I sit down with Jen Germain, a certified functional medicine health coach and founder of Compass Health Coaching, to share what changed when she started asking a different question: why is my body inflamed in the first place? Jen walks us through her health crisis in 2020, the fear and frustration of being dismissed, and the practical steps that helped her reclaim momentum. We break down functional medicine in plain English, talk gut health and root cause healing, and unpack the autoimmune protocol (AIP) as a structured way to reduce inflammation and identify trigger foods through careful reintroduction. If you’ve been searching for functional medicine guidance, autoimmune protocol tips, or a realistic path to chronic illness support, you’ll hear what actually mattered day to day. We also go beyond food. Jen calls out sleep and chronic stress as two of the most overlooked drivers of stubborn symptoms, and she shares mindset tools that make change possible, including her powerful reminder: you can’t heal a body you hate. We talk self-advocacy in healthcare, what to write down before appointments, and when it’s time to find a provider who will go deeper. Connect with Jen Website: https://www.compasshealthcoachingllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/compasshealthcoachingllc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergermain/ https://www.facebook.com/compasshealthcoachingllc Video Consultations https://compasshealthcoachingllc.practicebetter.io/#/62efebd9960d0837f69830ae/bookings?step=services Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

September 8, 2026Episode 21728 min

Grief Changes More Than Our Emotions with Lynn Banis

Grief can be lonely even in a room full of people and it can be confusing in ways nobody warned you about. When we lose a spouse, a child, a parent, or even a life role like a job or a marriage, we are not only missing someone or something. We are rebuilding a sense of identity, safety, and future. I sit down with Dr. Lynn Banis, a psychologist, coach, and grief and resilience mentor, to talk honestly about what helps when life breaks open and you are left trying to figure out who you are now. Lynn shares what surprised her most after experiencing compounded loss and why widowhood can feel so disorienting. We unpack brain fog, low motivation, and the nervous system’s fight or flight response so you can stop blaming yourself and start understanding what your mind and body are doing. We also name the hard moment when others assume you are “fine now,” even though the ache and the loneliness are still there. Lynn also offers guidance for friends and family who want to help but do not know what to say: show up, be specific, and skip the platitudes. You will find her free support community at WomenRisingTogether.org . Connect with Lynn LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

September 1, 2026Episode 2169 min

Mindset Matters: A Gentle Sleep Story Drift With The Clouds with Carol Clegg

Falling asleep is often less about forcing sleep and more about creating the conditions where your nervous system finally believes it is safe to let go. This guided sleep story leans into that idea with a simple promise: right now there is nowhere to be, nothing to solve, and nothing expected of you. Using bedtime relaxation, mindful breathing, and a slow-paced visualization, the practice helps you shift from a busy mind into a calmer body. From there, let's drift into a calming visualization, floating on the softest cloud beneath a sky full of stars. As thoughts pop up, we practice notice the thought, name it gently as “thinking” or “planning,” and let it move on like a cloud passing the moon. We also pause to remember one small peaceful moment from the day, because even a tiny spark of joy can shift the nervous system toward safety. I close with affirmations you can whisper in the dark and a practical technique for insomnia and night waking: count your breath down from 10 to 1, restart when you need, and return to the count each time a thought pulls you away. If this helped, subscribe for more calming stories, share it with someone who needs better sleep, and leave a review with your favorite part of the wind-down. Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

August 25, 2026Episode 21527 min

When Your Mind Won't Stop: Finding Freedom from Overthinking with Shang Olsen & Michelle Lindhardt

When Worry Takes Over: A Simpler Way Beyond Overthinking What if overthinking isn't helping nearly as much as we believe it is? In this episode of Connect Inspire Create , I'm joined by Danish clinical psychologists Shang Olsen and Michelle Lindhardt for a thoughtful conversation about why our minds become caught in cycles of worry, overanalysis, and self-doubt—and how we can begin responding differently. Many of us assume that worrying means we're preparing, being responsible, or protecting ourselves. But as Shang and Michelle explain, worry often keeps us trapped in our thoughts rather than moving us toward meaningful action. Together, we explore the difference between worrying about the future and ruminating on the past, why trying to control our thoughts can sometimes make them stronger, and how a simple shift in perspective can help us feel calmer, more resilient, and better able to move forward. One of my favorite moments in the conversation is a practical framework for recognizing whether you're facing a problem that can actually be solved—or whether your mind is simply asking questions that have no answer. It's a gentle reminder that not every thought deserves our attention. We also explore the principles of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) , a research-backed approach that focuses less on changing the content of our thoughts and more on changing our relationship with them. Michelle and Shang share simple, practical strategies including the idea of a daily "worry window" that listeners can begin experimenting with immediately. In this episode, we explore: Why worry can feel productive even when it isn't The difference between worry and rumination How to recognize a problem you can actually solve Why trying to control thoughts often backfires A different way to think about mental resilience An introduction to Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) Practical tools for stepping out of overthinking and back into life A Gentle Invitation As you listen, notice what your mind does. Is there something you're trying to think your way through that might instead need one small action or perhaps gentle acceptance that not every uncertainty has an immediate answer? Sometimes the greatest freedom isn't finding the perfect answer. It's learning that every thought doesn't require your attention. Where to find Shang and Michelle Website Shang Olsen: https://metacognitivetherapycentral.com/ Website Michelle Lindhardt: https://www.michellelindhardt.com/home https://www.youtube.com/@Shangolsen I share insights about worry and rumination based on science and simple and effective strategies on how to step out of these unhelpful thought patterns https://www.instagram.com/shangolsen/ LinkedIn Shang https://www.linkedin.com/in/shangjulrasulolsen/ LinkedIn Michelle https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-l-1a6283127/ Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

August 18, 2026Episode 21434 min

Self-Trust, Visibility, and Dreaming Big Again with Chanoa Inez

In this conversation, I’m joined by author and personal branding strategist Chanoa Inez , creator of MAGNETIZE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND™ and author of Dream On: How to Create the New Life of Your Dreams After Upheaval or Loss . Together, we explore the tender intersection of grief, identity, ambition, and reinvention. Chanoa shares honestly about sudden loss, the identity shock that can follow, and how long it can take to feel safe enough to dream again. We also talk about the deeper side of personal branding. Chanoa invites us to consider how inner healing, self-trust, and self-love shape the way we show up, the confidence we build, and the opportunities we are able to receive. In this episode, we explore: Chanoa’s story of sudden loss and the identity shift that followed Residual grief and the hidden ways it can shrink goals, confidence, and possibility How health challenges can become a wake-up call to address what remains unresolved The turning point of recognizing victim mindset and redefining self-love as action Mental resilience as a skill for both everyday setbacks and major life upheaval What it means to dream big again after loss, and why confidence needs stable footing Personal branding from the inside out: essence first, aesthetics second The burnout risk of building a brand persona that does not match who you really are Vulnerability, privacy, and how to share your story with purpose Visibility fears, fear of judgment, and choosing one small brave step forward Reinvention during life and business transitions Letting go of old identity patterns that no longer fit A gentle weekly practice: treating yourself like a friend and interrupting negative self-talk This conversation is for anyone who is rebuilding after loss, navigating change, or wondering how to bring more of their true self into their work and visibility. If today’s conversation sparked something for you, I would love for you to share it with a friend who might enjoy it too. https://chanoainez.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chanoainez Website - https://www.chanoainez.com/ Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

August 11, 2026Episode 21330 min

Faith And Wellness Reset with Dr Katherine Lanning

Burnout can make you feel like you’re failing at life, faith, and health all at once, even when you’re trying so hard to do “the right things.” I sit down with Dr. Katherine Lanning (Katie), an occupational therapist and founder of Transformed for Life Ministry, to talk about what happens when wellness is driven by insecurity and shame, and what changes when you finally have a foundation strong enough to hold your healing. Katie shares her story of growing up as a military kid, carrying a quiet sense of instability, and later navigating trauma that shaped her coping habits and self-image. We unpack why holistic health is more than clean eating and workouts, and how occupational therapy looks at real life: the habits, relationships, environments, and daily routines that either support you or slowly drain you. If you’ve ever wondered why your “good habits” don’t stick, you’ll hear a compassionate, practical way to rethink what’s actually getting in the way. We also explore Christian wellness in a way that offers support, not pressure. Katie explains how faith reframed her identity, helped her confront shame, and shifted self-care into stewardship rather than self-hate. She closes with one simple practice you can try this week: a Sabbath rhythm of rest, reduced screens, and small rituals that restore your mind, body, and spirit. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share this with a friend who needs a gentler path to healing, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Learn more about Transformed Life here https://www.transformedforlife.net/ Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

August 4, 2026Episode 21232 min

Your Body Is Protecting You More Than You Think with Cindy Costley

Your body is not being dramatic. It might be being brilliant. I sit down with Cindy Costley, speaker, trainer, and creator of the Electromagnetic Body Desensitization Technique (EBDT), to talk about the hidden patterns our bodies carry and why symptoms often have a purpose. Cindy shares her lived experience of severe allergic reactions that began in her teens, years of functioning in survival mode, and the startling realization that what looked like random illness was actually a patterned protective response tied to stress and trauma. We get practical and specific about trauma integration and nervous system regulation. Cindy breaks down the difference between releasing emotions and integrating safety, why “I am safe” can be more than a comforting phrase, and how restoration reconnects us with the truth that the body can return to homeostasis. We also explore her framework of the six frequencies of human regulation: spiritual, energetic, mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral, and why treating any one layer in isolation can leave the deeper pattern untouched. Cindy explains what makes EBDT different from many mind-body healing approaches: we start with today’s symptom pattern, identify what it is trying to protect us from, and then trace it back to the moment the body first coded that experience as unsafe. Along the way, we talk about triggers as useful data, the “purposeful pause,” and gentle first steps for anyone who feels disconnected from their body or overwhelmed by chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, or persistent physical symptoms. If this conversation sparks recognition, share it with someone who needs a new way to understand their body, and subscribe so you do not miss what is next. If you found it helpful, leave a review and tell us what pattern you are starting to notice. Body Awareness Survey here A free space to begin understanding what your body is communicating through patterns, symptoms, and stress—so you can restore balance from the inside out. If you want to keep exploring this conversation, you can also listen to The Underlying Answers Podcast, where we go deeper into how the body communicates and how to work with it in everyday life. Cindy's website Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

July 28, 2026Episode 2119 min

Mindset Matters: A Gentle Story Before Sleep with Carol Clegg

As the day comes to a close, I invite you to slow down, take a gentle breath, and allow yourself to simply be. In this first Stories for Unwinding – A Gentle Story Before Sleep , we begin with a few mindful moments to help your body soften and your mind become a little quieter. Through slow breathing and a simple Positive Intelligence® sensory exercise, you'll gently shift your attention away from the busyness of the day and into the present moment. From there, I'll guide you along a peaceful path beside the ocean at sunset. Feel the sea breeze, listen to the rhythm of the waves, and let your imagination carry you to a place where there is nowhere to be and nothing left to solve tonight. Before we say goodnight, you'll be invited to reflect on one small moment from your day that brought peace, joy, or even the faintest smile. Together, we'll pause to celebrate the quiet gifts that are so easily overlooked and end the day with gratitude, kindness, and self-compassion. Whether you're looking to unwind after a busy day, calm an overactive mind, or simply create a gentle evening ritual, I hope these moments help you find a little more ease before sleep. Thank you for spending this time with me. May you rest well, and may tomorrow arrive gently. Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners