Épisodes

  • New Year, Real You

    New Year, Real You
    Jan 7 2026
    Episode Summary: In this heartfelt classic, Cheri Flake (aka the Stress Therapist) returns with timeless wisdom to help you rethink New Year’s resolutions—for good. With her signature mix of humor, honesty, and soul, Cheri shares why the January 1st “fresh start” fantasy sets us up to fail—and what to do instead. You'll learn her favorite fill-in-the-blank method for long-term goal setting, how to actually feel good about your goals (so your brain wants to do them), and why the whole year—not just one day—is magical. Bonus? A deeply soothing guided meditation featuring the mantra “Om” to help you embody your desires from the inside out. 💫 🧠 3 Key Learning Points:
    • January 1st isn’t magical—you are. Sustainable change happens gradually, not in a flash. Stop waiting for a perfect day and start imperfectly now.
    • Feel good = real change. If you feel bad about your goal, your brain thinks you don’t want it. Learn how to trick it into wanting transformation.
    • Chunk it down. Use monthly check-ins and micro-goals to build big dreams into your real life without overwhelm or burnout.
    📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🧘 Upcoming Workshop: From Resolution to Routine – Jan 17, 2026 at Vista Yoga in Atlanta.
    • 🌴 Beach Retreat: March on beautiful Jekyll Island – sign up at ilovetherapy.com.
    • 🧵 Natural Life: Cheri’s favorite cozy brand – naturallife.com. "You can always change your mind" tee makes a cameo.
    • 🎵 Sonic Yogi: Provides the dreamy music during the meditation segment.
    • ✉️ Email List: Jump on it at ilovetherapy.com so you “don’t stress or miss one thing.”
    🎙️ Produced and edited by Owen Flake.
    💖 Hosted with heart by Cheri Flake, your Stress Therapist.
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    33 min
  • Holiday Stress Isn’t Mandatory

    Holiday Stress Isn’t Mandatory
    Dec 24 2025
    The holidays don’t magically create more time — but they do give us an opportunity to choose how we spend our energy. In this episode, Cheri Flake shares practical, compassionate ways to reduce holiday stress by setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and intentionally choosing joy. Drawing from her 25+ years as a psychotherapist, Cheri explores why over-scheduling leads to burnout, how mindfulness can transform even the most dreaded holiday tasks, and why presence — not perfection — is the real gift of the season. This episode also includes a guided loving-kindness meditation to help you reconnect with peace, abundance, and love during a busy time of year. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
    • How to decide what to say yes and no to during the holidays
    • Why complaining increases stress — and what to do instead
    • Simple mindfulness practices for shopping, gifting, and family gatherings
    • Creative, thoughtful gift-giving ideas (even if it’s not your love language)
    • How being present can reduce anxiety, irritability, and overwhelm
    • A short, heart-centered meditation to reset your nervous system
    🧘‍♀️ Mentioned in this episode:
    • Weekly Meditate & Restore Yoga with Cheri at Vista Yoga (Atlanta)
    • Upcoming Beach Retreat at Jekyll Island
    • September meditation & yoga retreat (perfect gift idea!)
    📬 Stay Connected:
    • Email Cheri to receive the Holiday Gift Guide & join the mailing list:
      cheri@thestresstherapist.com
    • Website: thestresstherapist.com
    • Instagram: @thestresstherapist
    • Twitter/X: @stresstherapy
    🎧 Credits Host: Cheri Flake
    Produced & Edited by: Owen Flake
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    35 min
  • Thanksgiving: Find the Good, Feed the Gratitude

    Thanksgiving: Find the Good, Feed the Gratitude
    Nov 19 2025

    ✨ Episode Summary:
    In this heartwarming holiday episode, Cheri pops out of her retreat-mode to drop a cozy, candid Thanksgiving chat straight from her pink treehouse. Inspired by a silent meditation retreat and a real-talk moment with a client, she gets real about why gratitude sometimes feels forced—and how to gently shift into a more loving, ease-filled practice. With stories of chapstick, cranky teens, and making lunches with love, Cheri invites us to stop overthinking gratitude and start living it. This episode ends with a beautiful, breath-centered guided meditation on love and thankfulness.

    🔑 Key Learning Points:
    Gratitude doesn't need a journal. You don’t have to write it down to feel it—just find the good in everyday moments and let the thankfulness naturally flow.
    Resentment vs. Reverence. The way we frame our daily “chores” can turn obligation into a sacred act of service—and that shift changes everything.
    Love makes life taste better. Whether you're cooking, cleaning, or just breathing, doing it with love transforms your entire experience (and maybe even the flavor).

    💌 Mentions & Shout-Outs:

    🧘 Self-Realization Fellowship – Cheri’s recent silent meditation retreat that inspired this soulful drop-in.
    📚 Gratitude Journals – The pros, cons, and Cheri’s “just live it” alternative.
    💖 "It's Easy and I Like It" Tattoos – Cheri’s go-to mantra and mini gift from her talks.
    📺 NewRealityTV.com + URView TV – Where you can find Cheri’s video meditations.
    📬 Cheri’s Gift Guide & Retreat Newsletter – Sign up at TheStressTherapist.com
    to get it!
    📧 Email her anytime: cheri@thestresstherapist.com
    💕 Follow Cheri:
    Instagram: @thestresstherapist
    Twitter/X: @stresstherapy

    🎧 Produced by Owen Flake – Mixing the vibes and polishing the magic, thank you for making it all sound so good!
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    32 min
  • When Everyone's Driving You Nuts (Classic Replay)

    When Everyone's Driving You Nuts (Classic Replay)
    Oct 23 2025
    ✨ Episode Summary: Ever have one of those days where it feels like everyone is out to test your patience? In this classic replay, Cheri Flake dives deep into what’s really going on when the world feels extra annoying—and (spoiler!) the answer might not be them. With wisdom from retreats, a powerful teaching by Pema Chödrön, and reminders from A Course in Miracles, Cheri unpacks the empowering truth of owning your inner landscape. This episode includes a deeply grounding "Train Station OM" meditation to help you return to your center and choose peace over reactivity. 🔑 3 Key Learning Points:
    • It’s not them, it’s you: When everyone is getting on your nerves, it's time to look inward, not outward.
    • Replace the loop: Stop affirming negative states (like saying "I’m tired")—your brain listens and responds accordingly.
    • You get to choose: Every moment is an invitation to respond consciously rather than react unconsciously.
    📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🎭 TV Show: Shrinking — sparked the convo about honesty in therapy
    • 🧘‍♀️ Pema Chödrön — her short retreat video inspired the episode’s key metaphor
    • 📚 A Course in Miracles — quoted for its teaching on inner change sparking outer peace
    • 🧳 Retreat Center: Ignatius House, Atlanta — Cheri’s pre-recording getaway
    • 🏔️ Upcoming Retreats:
      • Blue Ridge, GA (June & Oct) – Mountain meditation & yoga escape
      • Jekyll Island (Aug) – Beach retreat with sunrise yoga & bonfire bliss
        👉 Reserve Your Spot
    • 👩‍🏫 Yoga with Cindy Dollar – returning favorite teacher from Asheville
    • 🥗 Chef Christina Law – farm-to-table meals + Thai massage
    • 💌 Mailing List Perk: Jump on Cheri’s mailer to stay stress-free and in the loop!
    • 🛠️ Producer Credit: Huge thanks to Owen Flake for producing this classic replay 🙌
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    31 min
  • Classic Replay: Davidji on Making Meditation Stick

    Classic Replay: Davidji on Making Meditation Stick
    Sep 24 2025
    ✨ Episode Summary: This classic replay episode is one of those golden ones that deserves a second (or third!) listen. In this heartfelt and high-energy convo, Cheri welcomes the legendary Davidji—named one of USA Today's top five meditation teachers to follow—to wrap up her 12-week series with a deep dive on making meditation a lifelong habit. From his iconic "RPM" method to the science behind morning rituals and his game-changing 16 Seconds to Bliss technique, Davidji offers wisdom that's wildly practical and deeply soulful. Plus, there’s a beautiful guided meditation and a few tender moments about Peaches (yes, the Buddha-princess pup). A must-revisit for anyone ready to recommit to stillness—one breath at a time. 🎧 Originally aired thanks to our dear friend Owen—this is a lovingly handpicked replay. Enjoy the magic all over again. 🧘 Key Learning Points:
    • Ritual beats willpower. Davidji’s "RPM" formula—Rise, Pee, Meditate—makes your practice as natural as brushing your teeth.
    • Subtle wins are still wins. Meditation changes your brain and your life, but the signs might whisper, not shout—so stay tuned in.
    • 16 Seconds to Bliss works—even if you know the trick. A simple breath technique can stop stress in its tracks and bring you back to the now, anywhere, anytime.
    📚 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🧔‍♂️ Davidji – Meditation master, author, and founder of the Masters of Wisdom & Meditation Teacher Training
    • 🐶 Peaches – Davidji’s mindful Morkie and tiny teacher of unconditional love
    • 📖 Books by Davidji:
      • Secrets of Meditation – the OG foundation (and all proceeds go to charity!)
      • Destressifying – Cheri’s favorite, packed with real-world tools like SODA and SQUEEZE
      • Sacred Powers – a deep dive into transformation through powerful inner questions
    • 🧪 Study Mention: Broadcasting Happiness by Michelle Gielan – research showing how your first 30 minutes shape your entire day
    • Special thanks to Owen Flake – For helping bring this classic episode back to the feed through producing and editing. We love you!
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    45 min
  • Back to the Basics, Baby

    Back to the Basics, Baby
    Sep 3 2025
    ✨ Episode Summary: Welcome to Season 2! In this warm and witty kickoff, your favorite stress therapist brings us back to what matters: stillness, consciousness, and the radical magic of not saying “I’m tired.” Through heartfelt stories (including a rainy river trip that turned into a core memory), this episode reminds us why meditation matters and how we can reclaim our peace—one breath at a time. It all leads to a gentle guided breath meditation to help you get grounded, get quiet, and just be. Whether you're new or returning, this episode is your loving nudge to start again—with humor, honesty, and heart. 🧘‍♀️ 3 Key Learning Points:
    • Tired is a choice—stop saying it! You create your reality with your words. Saying “I’m tired” only fuels the fatigue.
    • Complaining makes things worse. Every. Single. Time. Even in miserable moments, keeping humor and presence can transform the experience.
    • Meditation is not about nothing. It’s training your mind to focus on one thing—your breath, a mantra, or stillness—and taking custody of your consciousness.
    💫 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🛶 Rainy canoe trip with Andre – a core memory filled with laughter and no complaints.
    • 📿 "You create your reality" – inspired by Parmahansa Yogananda.
    • 🧠 Quote nod to Michael A. Singer – on the mind being separate from the self.
    • 📵 The Brick – a real gadget the host uses to remove distractions from her phone.
    • 💬 Classic quote reimagined: "All of man’s problems stem from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone for 15 minutes."
    • 🧘‍♂️ Guided Meditation Included – a back-to-basics breath-focused meditation with gentle grounding.
    • 📩 Special Love for Owen Flake – for producing the show with care and clarity!
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    29 min
  • Pickleball Energy for Your Soul: The Secret to True Motivation

    Pickleball Energy for Your Soul: The Secret to True Motivation
    Aug 19 2025
    🪷 Show Notes: Ever wonder why you just can't seem to get motivated — even for the stuff you actually want to do? In this soul-sparking episode, Cheri breaks down the true nature of motivation and why it's not what you think. Spoiler: it doesn't magically show up before the action... it comes after. From her early days working with people living with schizophrenia to her own personal spiral of stress and transformation, Cheri shares raw stories, real science, and hilarious truth bombs that will make you want to lace up your sneakers (or at least drink some water). We unpack the little-by-little mentality, the “Pickleball Principle,” and the magic of doing less so you can feel more. Plus, a peaceful guided meditation using the powerful mantra “Om” awaits at the end — perfect if you’re ready to start showing up for yourself with love, not pressure. ✨ 3 Key Takeaways:
    • Motivation follows action, not the other way around. If you're waiting to feel motivated before you start, you'll wait forever.
    • Do less, feel better. Start small and stop on a high note — your brain and habits will thank you.
    • Feel good first. When a behavior feels good, you’re far more likely to stick with it (hello, pickleball people!).
    🙌 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🧠 Volition vs. Motivation — insight from psychiatric work
    • 🧘‍♂️ Davidji – Cheri’s beloved meditation teacher & voice of “RPM: Rise, Pee, Meditate”
    • 🎾 Pickleball People – the ultimate metaphor for effortless motivation
    • 🐾 Cheri’s Retreats – beachy, mountainy, dog-friendly, magical (come along!)
    • 🎵 Sonic Yogi – musical support for the guided Om meditation
    • 🛠️ Cheri’s garage – a hot mess, but metaphor gold
    • 💧 Hydration struggles & spousal water-bragging rights 😂
    • 🚘 Shout-out to her “CHEROKEE” license plate — and the evolving school of “Cheri Flake School”
    🧘‍♀️ Guided Meditation Included: Yes! A short, centering mantra-based meditation using “Om” to bring you back to center and energize your mind. Produced & edited with heart by 🎧 Owen Flake.
    Hosted by Cheri Flake, The Stress Therapist.
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    28 min
  • No One Is Coming to Save You....And that's GOOD News!

    No One Is Coming to Save You....And that's GOOD News!
    Jul 30 2025
    ✨ Episode Summary: In this fiercely empowering episode, Cheri Flake dives deep into the illusion of control and the ultimate truth: you are the master of your life. Through reflections on Lucinda Williams' haunting lyrics and personal stories from her therapy practice, Cheri explores how we give our power away—and how to take it back. She challenges us to stop waiting for permission, resolution, or the perfect moment, and instead embrace radical responsibility for our healing and joy. The episode wraps with a powerful guided chakra meditation to help you turn inward and reconnect with your innate light. 🧠 Three Key Learning Points:
    • 🌪️ Control is an Inside Job: Real empowerment begins the moment you take 100% responsibility for your life—no exceptions, no blame.
    • 💡 Joy Isn’t Lost, It’s Buried: Stop searching “out there”—happiness lives within, waiting to be uncovered through stillness and silence.
    • 🔥 Unresolved Isn’t Always Unfinished: What you can’t fix might be sacred. Acceptance can be the most divine protection of all.
    📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:
    • 🎸 Lucinda Williams – Her song “Joy” is a soulful metaphor for the search we all do outside of ourselves.
    • 📚 Wayne Dyer – His teachings on radical responsibility helped shape this episode’s core message.
    • 🧘‍♀️ Silent Retreats – Cheri shares insights from her mountain retreats and upcoming offerings.
    • 📍 Georgia Retreats – 🍂 September 2025 in the Blue Ridge Mountains & 🏖️ Jekyll Island retreats: meditation, yoga, and transformation in stunning locations.
    • 💌 Join the mailing list at ilovetherapy.com so you don’t miss a thing!
    • 📲 Instagram: @thestresstherapist
    • 🐦 Twitter/X: @estresstherapy
    🎧 Production Credit: Big love and thanks to 🎧 Owen Flake for producing and editing this episode with care and clarity.
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    29 min
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