This episode covers extremely sensitive topics, including violence. Listener discretion is advised. Please prioritize your well-being while listening.

What would you do if someone you loved confessed to an unthinkable crime? Claudia St. John faced this impossible question when her father casually admitted to murdering her grandmother – 26 years after the fact.

With raw honesty, Claudia shares the month-long moral crisis that followed – consulting doctors, prosecutors, priests, and even the brother of the Unabomber as she grappled with an impossible choice. Should she protect her father or report him? The decision she and her sister ultimately made speaks to profound questions about family loyalty, moral responsibility, and personal integrity.

This powerful testimony isn't just about trauma. it's about resilience in the face of unimaginable betrayal. While few will face circumstances as extreme as Claudia's, her story offers profound insights for anyone confronting difficult truths or painful choices. Listen and discover how even the darkest experiences can ultimately lead to growth, wisdom, and healing.

Guest Bio:

Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors™, a leading HR consulting and training firm specializing in equipping businesses with the consulting support and people skills they need to grow.

She is an SPHR (Senior Professional in HR), SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional), and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst who empowers organizations with evidence-backed insights, so they can navigate the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, engagement, and retention with confidence and foresight. Known as The Workplace Advisor™, she helps organizations zoom out, shift their mindset, and build businesses that lead their industry.

A frequent keynote speaker, Claudia is a regular media contributor on the topic of HR. She wrote the book, Transforming Teams: Tips For Improving Collaboration and Building Trust, a book for leaders that addresses why fundamental breakdowns happen within organizations, and what they can do to correct them.

Claudia holds an Undergraduate degree in Employee Benefits & Labor Relations from The American University and a Master’s degree in Business & Public Administration from The George Washington University, in addition to numerous HR and behavioral science certifications.

Connect with Claudia:

LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

A chance meeting in a Bronx apartment building sparked a 13-year mentorship journey that transformed both lives and careers. When Sarah Simoneaux rushed to New York after her daughter Nicole hadn't been heard from in weeks, she discovered not only her daughter in crisis but also an unexpected connection that would reshape her understanding of purpose and success.

During her extended stays supporting Nicole's recovery, Sarah met James Passarelli, her daughter's upstairs neighbor who was finishing a history degree with uncertainty about his future. Years later, as Sarah contemplated scaling back her work to spend more time with family, James proposed a collaboration that allowed her to continue meaningful work while reclaiming precious personal time. "James has given me that gift of time, which is incredibly precious," Sarah shares, highlighting how mentorship often comes full circle.

Listen now to discover how human connection can transform not just careers but entire life trajectories, and consider how you might step into your own pivot, whether by circumstance or by choice.

Guest Bio:
Sarah Simoneaux, CPC is the founder and president of Simoneaux Consulting Services. SCS specializes in helping firms with retirement services technology and operations consulting, training tailored to retirement services firms’ client-facing associates, finding opportunities from government legislation and regulation of qualified plans, and strategic planning. Sarah is an experienced keynote speaker who specializes in weaving compelling stories into ERISA and management topics.

Connect with Sarah:
LinkedIn

Guest Bio:
James Passarelli, based in Boulder, CO, US, is currently a President at Carta Consulting. James Passarelli brings experience from previous roles at ftwilliam.com, Complect and EGPS. James Passarelli holds a 2011 - 2013 Master of Arts (M.A.) in History @ Fordham University. With a robust skill set that includes Copy Editing, Writing, Research, Online Publishing, History and more.

Connect with James:
LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

From functioning alcoholic to emotional freedom expert, Helen McConnell's life transformation began with a terrifying realization: "I'm going to lose it all." Though outwardly successful with the elegant BMW, beautiful condo, and executive career, Helen's inner world was crumbling under addiction. Her powerful pivot started with sobriety through AA, but something still felt missing.

The true revelation came years later when Helen discovered Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) – commonly known as "tapping." Within just two minutes of trying this simple practice, she experienced what she describes as an "energetic release" of decades of stuck emotions. This moment led Helen to not only transform her own life but to dedicate herself to helping others find similar freedom as a certified EFT practitioner.

This episode features a live tapping demonstration that showcases the technique's remarkable efficiency. Host Ivana experiences a dramatic reduction in tension about an upcoming speaking engagement after just one round. The physical release was visibly apparent as stress literally "dumped out" of her body.

Discover how this deceptively simple practice could transform your relationship with stress, trauma, and emotional barriers. Ready to experience what Helen calls "participating in a miracle"? Listen now and tap into your own emotional freedom.

Guest Bio:
Helen is an exceptionally skilled and gifted practitioner of emotional freedom technique with a true passion for empowering all professionals, and especially women. She is a leading tapping expert and her expertise lies in helping people achieve success and enjoy their lives to the fullest. With a focus on stress reduction, Helen teaches simple tools that effectively eliminate stress and all its symptoms. Her dedication to her clients’ well-being shines through in her work, as she guides them on a transformative journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Connect with Helen:
YouTube, LinkedIn, Book,

Online Resources:
"How to Tap", "What if I Could Stop Worrying So Much?" , "Tapping for Neck Pain, Stress & Tension"

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Welcome to the finale of our two-part conversation with Jeff Acheson.

A parable about saving starfish opens this profound conversation with Jeff, who shares his journey of transforming devastating personal loss into purposeful action. After losing his daughter Amber two years ago, Jeff founded Amber's Aces to partner with ROX (Ruling Our Experiences), an organization dedicated to building confidence and self-esteem in young women. Through tears and powerful insights, he reveals how "Amber is not here, but she's not gone," as her legacy continues through this mission to help girls overcome the same struggles she faced.

Jeff breaks barriers by openly discussing grief, mental health, and emotional intelligence in the retirement industry, creating pathways for others to share their experiences. His perspective bridges gender divides, reminding us that mental health affects everyone.

His approach shifts from curative to preventative mental health support, channeling grief into meaningful change that extends far beyond one life. Learn how you can support this mission by visiting our website to find information about ROX and Amber's Aces.

Guest Bio:
After 46 years in financial services, investment management, and retirement planning, I’ve chosen to focus the most strategic chapter of my career on entities and professionals I deeply respect—law firms, lawyers, and lobbyists. Our shared commitment to precision, discipline, and excellence makes serving the legal community both a professional and personal mission.

As CEO of the Advanced Strategies Group (ASG), I’m leading a targeted effort to modernize retention and retirement strategies in the legal industry. Too many plans offered them still follow one-size-fits-all templates that ignore the complexity and sophistication today’s legal professionals require. That’s why I developed the Law Firm Benefits and Planning Platform. These solutions are powered by The Attorney’s Edge, our virtual-first planning platform, and ASG MAPS—an investment strategy framework built to optimize 401(k) outcomes for high-balance participants.

I hold seven professional designations as validation of my commitment to being a trusted authority in my field, and I’m a past president of both National Association of Plan Advisors and the American Retirement Association. I also co-authored the NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) designation curriculum and serve as a consultant to my peers in this space.

ASG’s history was built beyond the legal sector, but today we’re fully invested in serving it—offering a sophisticated alternative to the status quo.

The focus of my personal life is on pursuing my definition of Ikigai and helping others find theirs in loving memory of my daughter Amber, who couldn't find hers.

Connect with Jeff Acheson:

Amber's ACE's for ROX, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

The moment Jeff Acheson's daughter Amber passed away two years ago, his world changed forever. What followed wasn't just grief, but a powerful transformation that's touching countless young lives today.

Through vulnerability and courage, Jeff illuminates the critical distinction between diagnosed mental illness and the broader spectrum of mental health challenges: self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth issues that can silently devastate lives while appearing outwardly functional. His story provides a wake-up call for parents, educators, and anyone who works with young people: sometimes it's not just kids being teenagers.

After Amber's passing, Jeff partnered with Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) to create AMBER's ACES—Advocates and Champions for Expansion—raising $100,000 in its first year to help middle and high school girls develop healthy relationships and strong self-confidence. At $100 per participant for the 12-week program, that's 1,000 young lives potentially changed.

Join us for this deeply moving conversation about turning pain into purpose and discovering how, sometimes, a person's greatest impact comes after they're gone.

Guest Bio:
After 46 years in financial services, investment management, and retirement planning, I’ve chosen to focus the most strategic chapter of my career on entities and professionals I deeply respect—law firms, lawyers, and lobbyists. Our shared commitment to precision, discipline, and excellence makes serving the legal community both a professional and personal mission.

As CEO of the Advanced Strategies Group (ASG), I’m leading a targeted effort to modernize retention and retirement strategies in the legal industry. Too many plans offered them still follow one-size-fits-all templates that ignore the complexity and sophistication today’s legal professionals require. That’s why I developed the Law Firm Benefits and Planning Platform. These solutions are powered by The Attorney’s Edge, our virtual-first planning platform, and ASG MAPS—an investment strategy framework built to optimize 401(k) outcomes for high-balance participants.

I hold seven professional designations as validation of my commitment to being a trusted authority in my field, and I’m a past president of both National Association of Plan Advisors and the American Retirement Association. I also co-authored the NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) designation curriculum and serve as a consultant to my peers in this space.

ASG’s history was built beyond the legal sector, but today we’re fully invested in serving it—offering a sophisticated alternative to the status quo.

The focus of my personal life is on pursuing my definition of Ikigai and helping others find theirs in loving memory of my daughter Amber, who couldn't find hers.

Connect with Jeff Acheson:

Amber's ACE's for ROX, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode of Step Into The Pivot, Theresa and Dr. Ivi (Ivana) share deeply personal reflections on July 4th, and how the meaning of this holiday has shifted for each of them over time.

Theresa recalls the joy and innocence of childhood fireworks. For Dr. Ivi, the explosions once triggered traumatic memories from her war-torn childhood in Croatia. But instead of avoiding the pain, she chose a bold pivot: transforming the holiday into a ritual of personal liberation.

Through mindful sensory engagement and deep inner work, she rewired her nervous system and turned July 4th into her own Independence Day. This journey inspired her to create the Courage Cards, tools that help others uncover truth, heal gently, and honor their evolution with playfulness and depth. One card, “Toast Your Triumphs,” reminds us that real transformation is layered, courageous, and lifelong.

Tune in to explore how intentional rituals can help you reclaim parts of your life that still need healing. What might your personal independence day look like?

If you want more information about purchasing your own deck of Courage Cards—or are simply curious—reach out to grow@courageousbeing.com or visit our website at www.courageousbeing.com.

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

What happens when you realize the person you've been presenting to the world for decades isn't your true self? Jay Washington's powerful conversation takes us on a journey through authenticity, emotional growth, and unexpected life pivots.

The conversation takes a deeply moving turn as Jay shares his transition from being the fun uncle ("funkle") to becoming a father figure ("dunkle") for his niece and nephew after they lost both parents. Rather than seeing this unexpected responsibility as a burden, Jay discovered it became his North Star, providing purpose and healing wounds he didn't know existed. "To make the choice to love a child that you didn't biologically create is a special gift," he reflects.

Jay's insights on setting boundaries, emotional intelligence, and breaking generational cycles offer practical wisdom for anyone navigating their own pivot. His simple yet profound advice to his younger self "I would hug him and tell him you are enough" encapsulates the core message of his transformation. For men especially, his advocacy for emotional expression challenges harmful societal norms: "The more emotionally in touch you can be as a man, it takes security in yourself to go against what society has prescribed for you."

Guest Bio:
Jay Washington is Client Advisor, Vice President Workplace Retirement Solutions for JPMorganChase. He works with Chase Business Bankers and other intermediaries provide a turnkey 401(k) solution to business owner plan sponsors. Jay Joined JPMC in March 2025. Prior to that, Jay spent 25 years in the retirement space in various client facing roles, where his passion for better participant outcomes provided a wealth of opportunities.

Jay graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with degrees in Economics and Journalism, and obtained his MBA from Point Park University— in addition to several industry designations. He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 licenses.

In his spare time, Jay enjoys working out and traveling. He is an active father-figure to his niece and nephew, as well as an active member and officer of five nonprofit boards.

Connect with Jay:

LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

When we first met Lia Bliss at a business conference, she captivated the room with her LinkedIn expertise, delivering insights so valuable that attendees could barely keep up with their note-taking. Behind this polished presentation style lies a story of persistence and transformation that began with 20-hour shifts split between retail and bartending while supporting herself as a single mother.

The turning point came when Lia invested in a business coach despite financial constraints, finding support from an unexpected source who believed in her potential. Then COVID hit. Rather than seeing disaster, Lia recognized opportunity. She began creating content about working from home, which caught the attention of her father, a career CMO needing help with corporate training during the pandemic lockdown.

For a year, Leah delivered multiple 90-minute sales trainings weekly, receiving intense camera training and feedback after each session. Simultaneously, she worked with professional speakers, published a book, and built the foundation for her future business. When both positions ended abruptly on the same day, she faced the ultimate pivot: fully embracing entrepreneurship.

Today, Leah delivers memorable keynote presentations and thrives on connecting with inspiring professionals.

Guest Bio:
Lia Bliss transforms digital engagement into measurable business growth. As a LinkedIn strategy expert with algorithm intelligence that cuts through the noise, she operationalizes social selling for Fortune 500 executives and high-growth entrepreneurs alike. Beyond traditional platform tactics, Lia's systematic approach converts digital presence into revenue through her Executive Thought Leadership programs, Enterprise Training for sales teams, dynamic Keynote Speaking, and exclusive Entrepreneurs Mastermind. With a background in sales enablement and a reputation for delivering results, she brings both strategic vision and tactical precision to professionals navigating the digital landscape. When corporate leaders need digital engagement that performs, they turn to Lia for the systematic advantage their competition hasn't seen before.

Connect with Lia:
TheBlissMagic.com

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot