Hot Takes on Healing with Jess Leone

Episode #11: Midlife, ”Seasons”, & Self-Care: Redefining Rest & Rewriting the Rules with Melanie Tarr

In this episode, I’m joined by my best friend and co-founder of Woogle (woahhh-flashback! IYKYK), Melanie Tarr!
Melanie is a compassionate advocate for people seeking to live brighter, overcome the effects of trauma, and embrace their own intuitive gifts. With a background in energy healing, psychology, and recovery support, Melanie brings incredible wisdom and warmth to our #MindfulMonday call we had LIVE in our Facebook Community last week!
Together, we dive deep into:
the shifting seasons of life and what it means to navigate midlife,
societal programming many of us grew up with and,
the work it takes to undo those old narratives—especially the one that says you have to earn rest. (Spoiler: You don’t, boo!)
We share personal stories about how self-care evolves in your 40s, why fun and joy are so critical for your well-being, and how tricking your brain by prioritizing something playful can help you reclaim balance. Melanie and I also reflect on the beauty of midlife as a season of growth, change, and unapologetic self-prioritization. This conversation is packed with relatable moments, insightful reflections, and plenty of laughs (aka- the first minute or so of this recording!).
Connect with Melanie:
Website: www.MelanieTarr.com
Resources: TriCircle | SMART Recovery’s 4-Point Program
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Let’s keep the conversation going:
This episode was streamed and recorded LIVE in 'the soundboard' community ⁠⁠—a space where we dive deeper into conversations like this and connect on a more personal level. Want to be part of the action and get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content? Join us ⁠HERE⁠!
✨Interested in the "Self-Love Revival Challenge? Join us HERE!
✨Friendly reminder to PLEASEEE subscribe, comment, review, and stay tuned for our next episode! I will be entering the first 100 people (I'm more than 1/2 way there!) into a raffle for a $50 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support. (P.S. - Make sure you COMMENT on an episode to get entered, as it's the only metric I can actually use to enter you into the raffle. Thank you!)
We will see you next Wednesday for our next episode!

NEW SERIES: ”Fly on the Wall” – Episode 1: When Friends Become FRAMILY

Welcome to my new series within Hot Takes on Healing: "Fly On a Wall", where you get an all-access pass to the deep, inspiring, & unfiltered conversations I’ve had with some of my closest friends.
These are the moments we’ve always wished other people could hear—the real, *no edits*, NO-BS chats where nothing is off-limits. We’re talking about the stuff that hits you right in the gut, the kind of truths that stick with you, and the kind of honesty that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting right there with us.
In this very first episode of the Fly On a Wall series, I’m joined by my bestie Sarah where we talk about grief, love, family, and the messy, beautiful journey of finding connection and healing in unexpected places.
Sarah opens up about her journey and how stepping into Sacred Circle (aka: 'circle') profoundly changed her life; when she first walked in, she was skeptical, closed off, and, in her own words, an atheist who thought we were all a little nuts. (Spoiler: she doesn’t think that anymore! LOL.) We explore how the women in circle have truly become closer to us than our own 'blood'.
Speaking of "family", we both share some deeply personal stories about our relationships with our blood relatives—we've come accept that unfortunately, we can't change people who aren't ready. In my case, I chose my family—and Sarah is one of those people. It's a reminder that family doesn’t always mean those you’re born into; sometimes, it’s the people you find along the way who become the most meaningful part of your journey.
As we wrap up this deeply personal conversation, I invite you to reflect on the power of community and the healing that comes from sharing our stories in sacred spaces. Whether you’re part of Sacred Circle or you’re looking for that kind of connection, remember that there’s always room for growth, love, and understanding when we open ourselves to what’s possible.
If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to join us in the Soundboard community, where these kinds of raw, honest conversations happen regularly. Together, we can continue to build spaces that support and nurture our journeys.
And as always, if you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it and let us know your thoughts.
Let’s continue talking about the things that matter TOGETHER. And who knows—you might just feel like a fly on the wall in the best way possible.

Episode #10: Routines over Resolutions: How to Create ACTUAL Change in the New Year

Happy 1st Episode of 2025! 🎉🎉🎉
This episode was *actually* recorded LIVE into my Facebook group, The Soundboard on the last #MindfulMonday of 2024! Quite a few of our members contributed to this discussion about morning routines, momentum, and finding balance in the chaos. It was beautiful to peel back their layers of fear surrounding new/old habits, all-or-nothing thinking, and more!
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✨Friendly reminder to PLEASEEE subscribe, comment, review, and stay tuned for our next episode! I will be entering the first 100 people (I'm more than 1/2 way there!) into a raffle for a $50 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support. (P.S. - Make sure you COMMENT on an episode to get entered, as it's the only metric I can actually use to enter you into the raffle. Thank you!!!)
✨Join our space where we dive deeper into conversations like this and connect on a more personal level. Want to be part of the action and get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content? Join us ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!
✨Follow HTOH on Instagram HERE!
✨Learn more and follow me ⁠HERE⁠!

Episode #9: The Cage Was Open All Along: Reflecting on 2024 & Beyond

In my very last episode of 2024, I’m taking a moment to reflect—not just on this past year, but on the last seven years, the time when I feel I really started living my life. I will never forget my husband (during the first six months of dating, might I add) saying:"You're a bird in a cage with the door wide open—I have no idea why you aren’t flying."
Since then, I've started shared my journey publicly of learning to spread my wings and fly, leaving behind the safety of the cage I had unknowingly built around myself.
In this episode, I will share what my career and life looked like before starting my business and how I’ve embraced a new way of LIVING—one where I’ve let go of trying to control every single goddamn outcome. I’ve learned to trust that what is meant for me will always find its way no matter what. It’s a lesson in faith, in surrender, and in realizing that detaching from the outcome is the ultimate act of freedom.
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✨Join me in the Soundboard community to continue the conversation, share your reflections, and connect with others who are on the same journey of growth and discovery.
✨Don’t miss our Manifestation Letter Workshop—the perfect way to start 2025 with clarity, intention, and purpose. Together in community, we will reflect on 2024—the good, the bad, and the lessons. We will also be writing a letter to our future selves, envisioning who we *really* want to be.
✨Friendly reminder: PLEASE subscribe, comment, review, and stay tuned for our next episode! I will be entering the first 100 people into a raffle for a $50 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support. (P.S. - Make sure you COMMENT to get entered, as it's the only metric I can *actually* use to enter you into the raffle. Thank you!)
✨Follow along & learn more about how to connect with me ⁠HERE⁠. You can also follow HTOH on Instagram ⁠HERE⁠!

Episode #8: Bag, Barter, or Better: Unlocking Your Inner Compass with Jade Starbala

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Jade Starbala, founder of Spring Fed Solutions, educator, writer, holistic healer, and Wayfinder Life Coach-in-Training. Jade’s work is all about helping you discover your innate power to heal, thrive, and align with your truest self. In this episode, we explore a tool she uses called ⁠The Body Compass—a powerful method for connecting with your body’s wisdom to guide you in making aligned decisions.
This begins with tuning into your physical sensations, using both positive and negative emotions as cues. By identifying how your body reacts to different feelings, you start to build awareness of what feels good and what doesn’t. Jade shares how this practice is more than just tuning in—it’s reclaiming your power.
You start with small experiences, focusing first on identifying negative sensations. Why? Because it builds the muscle you’ll need to navigate those tricky moments in real time, like when a negative thought or emotion pops up. From there, you can apply this method to bigger decisions, moving toward choices that feel attuned and aligned with your values and desires.
I had a session with Jade and can personally attest to how transformative this process can be. It’s like learning a new language—one where your body does the talking, and you finally learn how to listen. This February, Jade and I are hosting a group session at Ananta Wellness & Beauty Boutique in Wallingford, CT, where we’ll be using the Body Compass in a community setting. This is your chance to try this powerful practice in real-time and be witnessed by others who are on a similar journey! Check back HERE for updates!
If you’re ready to:
✨Let go of outdated narratives,
✨Tune into what your body is telling you, and
✨Take back your power by making choices that feel aligned...
then this episode is for you! Your body already knows the way—now it’s time to trust it. (P.S.: Jade's favorite pump up song is "Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony, which has been added to our ✨ Official HTOH Podcast Playlist✨ I created for our listeners!!)
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Follow HTOH on IG HERE:
Want to apart of our online community? Join us ⁠HERE⁠!
Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and stay tuned for our next episode (I only know if you do this if you COMMENT! It's the only metric that I can track!). I will be entering the first 100 people into a raffle for a $50 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support!

Ep #7: Stop F-in Letting Yourself Down: Building Habits, Boundaries, & a Better YOU with Jen Harris

In this episode, I sit down with Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach and personal trainer Jen Harris to dive deep into the choices that shape our physical, emotional, and mental health. She shares her no-nonsense approach to understanding the why behind our habits—whether it’s food, sleep, or boundaries—and how to build a lifestyle that works for you, not against you.
Key Topics Covered:
The importance of correcting your posture and being aware of your body’s signals.
Why carrying too many responsibilities is a recipe for burnout—and how to prioritize.
Setting boundaries not just with others, but with yourself.
The truth about January: It’s NOT the ideal time to take on new goals. (Habits take time and accountability is key to long-term success!)
The danger of canceling plans with yourself—and what it teaches your brain.
How to start today with small, actionable steps toward a new way of being.
Jen’s mission is to empower individuals to build a sustainable, balanced lifestyle by creating personalized nutrition and wellness strategies that last. Whether you’re just starting your health journey or looking to break through a plateau, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach, dig into your why, and make changes that stick. Learn more about working with her HERE!
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This episode was streamed and recorded LIVE in our Soundboard community—a space where we dive deeper into conversations like this and connect on a more personal level. Want to be part of the action and get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content? Join us HERE!
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Follow Jess HERE!
Follow HTOH on IG HERE!
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Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and stay tuned for our next episode (I only know if you do this if you COMMENT! It's the only metric that I can track!). I will be entering the first 100 people into a raffle for a $50 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support!

Episode #1: Welcome to ’Hot Takes on Healing’ – Personal Stories, Real Talk & New Perspectives 🔥

Hello and WELCOME to 'Hot Takes on Healing'!
In this episode, I kick things off by sharing a bit of my own story—how my healing journey began and how the recent challenges of grief have shaped me. These experiences inspired me to create Hot Takes on Healing, which offers an honest voice in wellness where healing isn’t just a journey of positivity— it also embraces "the mess" and the pain.
Community played a huge role in my journey (and still does). Here, I'll talk about my Facebook community, 'The Soundboard', which brings people together for real, vulnerable discussions about life and growth, where we can share our experiences, even those that are painful, and find comfort in connection. Stories connect us, empower us, and help us heal — and we need more spaces to share our real, unfiltered experiences.
If you’re ready for bold conversations, deep dives, and perspectives on healing that honor both joy and pain, you’re in the right place. Thank you for tuning in to Episode 1 and stay tuned for our next episode – we’re only getting started!
P.S. - If you subscribe AND leave a review before 12/12/24, you will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card of your choice!

Episode #6: ”New Cells Every Day” – This Episode *JUST* Might Save Your Life

In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into the power of being your own advocate with Amy Conroy, a true anomaly who beat an incredibly rare and aggressive cancer. Amy’s journey not only contributed to advancing medical understanding of her rare condition, but underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the miraculous ability of our bodies to regenerate every seven years.
Amy shares how, even on her worst days battling cancer, she reminded herself: new cells every day. This mantra became her anchor, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the power of small, daily victories in her healing journey. She also talks about her powerful concept "invisible paint"—an energy she carries with her everywhere she goes (so vibrant that people notice when it’s missing!).
The episode concludes with Amy sharing her favorite song, "Rise Up" by Andra Day, which has been added to our ✨ Official HTOH Podcast Playlist✨ I created for our listeners! Join us for this heartfelt conversation that will leave you inspired to advocate for your health and to see the miracles in everyday life.
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Follow Jess HERE
Follow HTOH on Instagram HERE
Follow our FB Community HERE
Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and stay tuned for our next episode (if you subscribe/like before 12/11, you will be entered to win a $25 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support!)

Episode #5: ”Hey Jess — Why Do You Hate Yourself?”

In this episode, I reflected on a pivotal moment back in 2020 when Jenn asked me, "Why do you hate yourself?" — a question that shifted my entire healing journey with Fibromyalgia. Together, we discussed the process of recognizing and transforming limiting beliefs, the role of the body in signaling authenticity, and the importance of taking small, intentional steps toward change.
The conversation also explores:
⭐How the "merry-go-round" of spiraling thoughts impacts healing and how to step off.
⭐The connection between spiritual gifts, self-acceptance, and personal growth.
⭐Practical tools, like AI, for breaking down big goals into actionable steps.
⭐The role of community and storytelling in the healing journey.
The episode concludes with Jenn sharing her favorite song, “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME”, which has been added to our ✨Official HTOH Podcast Playlist✨ I created for our listeners!
Jenn is a Psychic medium, medical medium, tarot reader, and energy worker. Her journey began over a decade ago when she realized she was channeling messages for her salon clients—something she had unknowingly done since the age of three. Based in Colorado, Jenn she hosts LIVE group readings, private parties, and vendor events, connecting individuals to Source, Guides, and the Akashic Records to provide clarity on life paths and romantic journeys. Connect with her further here: http://psychicjennsanders.com
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Follow Jess HERE:
Follow HTOH on Instagram HERE
Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and stay tuned for our next episode (*if you subscribe & comment before 12/11, you'll be entered to win a $25 gift card of your choice to thank you for your support!)

Episode #4: Learning to Thrive Where You At (& Being Okay with It) with Jennifer Lima

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Lima for #MindfulMonday inside 'The Soundboard", a Certified Professional Health Coach and practicing Herbalist, to explore her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship and what it truly means to thrive where you are.
Jen shares her personal story of leaving a nearly 30-year career in clinical research to pursue a life of authenticity, plant-based wellness, and helping others reconnect with their best selves. We dive deep into the challenges of transitioning from survival mode to a state of thriving, discussing the physical and emotional process that comes with such a shift. Together, we unpack: the habits of learned behavior that often keep us stuck, the importance of showing up for yourself every day, even in small ways, and how connecting with the earth and embracing plant-based wellness can support personal growth.
Jen’s insights and personal journey remind us that it’s okay to thrive right where we are and that taking care of ourselves is not just about surviving—it’s about creating a life of meaning and alignment. You can learn more about her work at www.BellaVitaAlchemy.com.
Tune in to hear Jen’s inspiring story, practical advice, and how she helps others rediscover the magic of living authentically. Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more episodes! (P.S.:If you subscribe AND leave a review before 12/12/24, you will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card of your choice!
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Learn more and connect with me HERE!