Every once in a while, I meet someone whose words feel like a deep exhale, and Sneha Villalva is one of those souls. In this heartfelt conversation, we talk about what it really means to cut to the essence in life, in love, and in how we show up in the world.

Sneha is an award-winning storyteller, author, and one of MSN’s Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow in 2025. Her upcoming book Cut to the Essence is all about living with intention and grace by Clarifying your values, Uncovering your essence, and Treasuring your time. I love the way she talks about subtraction as a way to expand our lives, reminding us that sometimes less really is more.

We also talk about the “power of a pause,” letting go of perfectionism, and learning to live with permission. Sneha opens up about her own story of burnout, healing, and rediscovering peace. This episode is full of gentle wisdom for anyone feeling the weight of doing too much or trying to be everything to everyone.

She reminds us that confidence does not have to be loud, peace does not have to be perfect, and the adventure we are seeking is already happening right here, right now.

Key Takeaways

• How the Cut to the Essence framework can help you live with clarity and calm
• Why subtraction can lead to a fuller, more meaningful life
• The difference between perfection and permission
• Simple ways to lighten your emotional load and reclaim peace
• The beauty of quiet confidence and grounded presence
• Why every great story begins with connection and heart

Links and Resources

• Visit www.snehav.com to learn more about Sneha Villalva’s work and download The Cutting Board, her free reflection guide
• Follow Sneha on
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snehav_official/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@snehav_official
• Connect with Sneha on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehaabrahamvillalva/

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I love when a conversation leaves me both inspired and calm at the same time, and this sneak peek with Sneha Villalva does exactly that. Before her full interview airs on Friday, November 7, I wanted to share this short and powerful moment with you.

Sneha is a storyteller, speechwriter, and award-winning author who has spent over twenty years helping people find their voice and share it with confidence. Named one of MSN’s Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow in 2025, she carries a deep understanding of how words can connect, heal, and inspire.

In this preview, Sneha introduces her upcoming book Cut to the Essence, a thoughtful guide that helps you Clarify your values, Uncover your essence, and Treasure your time. We also explore the power of a pause, the gift of simplicity, and how letting go can actually create more space for what truly matters.

If you ever feel like you’re juggling too much or trying to perfect every detail, this minisode will remind you to slow down, breathe, and remember that you are built on grace, not perfection. The full conversation goes even deeper into these themes, so stay tuned for Friday’s episode, it’s one you will not want to miss.

Key Takeaways

• The three life-giving shifts behind Cut to the Essence: Clarify, Uncover, Treasure
• How pausing allows us to speak and live with more clarity and calm
• Why subtraction can create expansion in life and purpose
• How simplicity leads to stories and lives that truly resonate

Learn more about Sneha Villalva and download The Cutting Board reflection guide at www.snehav.com

Be sure to tune in on Friday, November 7 for the full episode with Sneha Villalva

Support the show

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...

What if the wildest adventure isn’t in a faraway forest or on a mountaintop, but right outside your door?

In this episode, I talk with Susie Spikol, an award-winning naturalist, author, and environmental educator who has spent over thirty-five years helping people rediscover their sense of wonder. From exploring the sidewalks of Brooklyn to teaching families in rural New Hampshire, Susie reminds us that connection begins with curiosity.

Her book The Animal Adventurer’s Guide invites families to explore the world of “everyday animals” like ladybugs, crickets, worms, and frogs. She believes that holding a creature in your hand is a kind of “skin-to-skin connection” that deepens our bond with the natural world. In Forest Magic for Kids, she inspires children and adults to create fairy homes, secret forts, and tiny worlds using natural materials. Her upcoming Book of Fairies blends science and imagination, showing that nature can be both magical and real.

We talk about how unstructured play is disappearing from childhood and what happens when we reclaim it as adults, the beauty of imaginative play, and how domestic animals like backyard chickens can bring us closer to the wild. Susie also shares her passion for place-based education and how truly knowing where we live helps us feel rooted and alive.

Takeaways:

• Everyday nature can rekindle your curiosity
• Play matters for both kids and adults
• Domestic animals connect us to the wild
• Imagination deepens our bond with the Earth

Connect with Susie Spikol:

• Website: susiespikol.com
• Instagram: @susiespikol

Books:

• The Animal Adventurer’s Guide
• Forest Magic for Kids
• The Book of Fairies

Susie’s work reminds us that we don’t have to go far to find magic. The wild is already here, inviting us to look closer, play more, and remember that we are part of it all.

Support the show

✨ Join My TEDx Spokane Journey!
Get early updates, BTS moments, and reflections as I prep for TEDx Spokane.
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Limited-time offer:
✔️ 4 x 60-min Zoom sessions
✔️ 4 Voxer Days
All for $750 USD — save $250!

Seeking clarity, healing, or guidance? This sacred space is for you.
✨ Spots are limited!
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🌟 Stay Connected & Support the Show
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