What if rage isn’t something to suppress but something sacred trying to guide you home? In this powerful episode, Denise sits down with writer, poet, and cultural thinker Joy Donnell to explore sacred rage, devotion over discipline, and how discomfort can become the blueprint for a more honest, liberated life.

This conversation explores how anger can be informational rather than destructive, how grief and rage signal what we are devoted to, and why many of us feel an unshakable knowing that “we deserve better than this.” Together, Denise and Joy unpack how transformation happens when we stop numbing discomfort and start listening to it. In this episode, we explore:

Why sacred rage is a signal for change, not something to repress

How devotion is more sustainable than discipline

The difference between healing and bypassing discomfort

How creative work becomes a vessel for transmuting rage into vision

Why remembering who you are is a political, personal, and spiritual act

How to stop shaping your life around survival and start shaping it around meaning

This episode is for anyone who feels unsettled by the status quo, exhausted by self-abandonment, or quietly aware that a truer life is calling.

Joy Donnell is a wordsmith of well-being. Her short fiction has appeared in Grist and Short Edition, and her poetry has been honored by the Science Fiction Poetry Association. Her first book, Beyond Brand, explores personal branding through the lens of personal development. Joy’s short documentary, Inseparable from the Sunlight, illuminates how our health is connected to plants, the Earth, and the cosmos. Her poetry collection, Show Us Your Fire, celebrates disruption as a path to ease and our birthright to inner peace.

You can follow her @doitinpublic

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.

In this solo episode, I’m diving deep into two things:

How to confidently advocate for yourself in interviews, pitches, and career transitions

Why being a beginner is actually your greatest superpower

After changing industries four times, taking big swings, failing publicly, and starting again, I’ve learned a lot about identity, reinvention, intuition, and believing you’re allowed to take up space. We talk about:

Why you’re the expert of your own story

Getting over the fear of “bragging” in interviews

Letting yourself be bad at something new

How to build confidence through consistent practice over time

Turning perceived weaknesses into unexpected strengths

The power of intuition in shaping your career

If you’ve ever felt behind, unqualified, or scared to start — this episode is your reminder that small steps create massive impact. If this resonated, leave a comment with your own six-word memoir — where you are now, and where you want to be.

Keywords: career confidence, how to pitch yourself, self advocacy tips, being a beginner, fear of starting, career advice for women, early career tips, interview confidence, intuition and creativity, reinventing yourself, personal growth podcast, self development motivation

In this powerful episode, Denise sits down with trauma specialist and educator Jimanekia Eborn to discuss healing from sexual assault, navigating complex trauma, and finding safety in uncertain times. Jimanekia, founder of Tending the Garden nonprofit and host of the Trauma Queen Podcast, shares her personal journey as a survivor and expert with over 17 years of experience in mental health and sexuality education. This conversation covers essential topics including:

Understanding trauma: Complex trauma vs. acute trauma and how it shapes our lives

The difference between somatic therapy and talk therapy for trauma recovery

Practical grounding techniques using your five senses

The trauma response of "fawning" and why it's a valid survival mechanism

How to ask for support from your community during triggering moments

Finding the right trauma-informed therapist (and why not all therapists are equipped for trauma work)

Building resilience and safety during politically turbulent times

The importance of joy and community connection in healing

Why anger is informational and how to use it for positive change

Listeners will learn actionable tools for regulation, how to create a personal grounding kit, the importance of interviewing therapists, and ways to show up for social justice work based on individual skills and comfort levels.

This episode includes discussions of sexual assault and may be triggering for some listeners. Please practice self-care while listening.

Jimanekia Eborn is a trauma specialist, educator, and strategist with over 17 years of experience in mental health, sexuality education, and survivor advocacy. She is the founder of Tending the Garden, a nonprofit organization that supports survivors of sexual assault from marginalized communities, and the host of the Trauma Queen podcast. Jimanekia’s work bridges care, culture, and systems change consulting with media, education, and wellness organizations on trauma-informed practices and equity-driven leadership. She is also the co-founder of CINTIMA, expanding representation in intimacy coordination across film and TV.

You can follow her @jimanekia

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.

In this solo episode, Denise explores the critical difference between wounded ambition and healthy ambition and how understanding this distinction can transform your entire approach to work and success. In this episode, you'll discover:

What wounded ambition is and how to recognize it in your own life

The psychological concept of the hedonic treadmill and why external achievements never satisfy

How to identify your core values using proven methodologies (including free tools)

The difference between hedonistic and eudemonic pleasure—and why it matters for lasting fulfillment

Practical steps to transition from burnout-driven achievement to purpose-driven success

Why successful people are often unhappy and how to avoid the same trap

How to maintain big dreams while prioritizing relationships and well-being

Perfect for ambitious professionals, recovering workaholics, entrepreneurs experiencing burnout, anyone feeling like success is coming at too high a personal cost, and career-driven individuals seeking more alignment and fulfillment.

Key concepts discussed: Values alignment, sustainable leadership, work-life integration, nervous system regulation, purpose-driven career development, and building success without self-betrayal.

Whether you're in the middle of a career crisis or simply sensing that your ambition is costing you too much, this episode offers a roadmap for transformation, proof that you can still achieve your biggest dreams while becoming more present, loving, and fulfilled.

Works referenced:

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Gallup CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Assessment

The Values Bridge by Suzy Welch

On this week’s episode of Too Much, we sit down with Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, and creative director CJ Baran to explore his unconventional path in music, theater, and immersive experiences. From producing hits for Panic! At The Disco, Melanie Martinez, and Marina, to co-creating the visionary musical Cages, CJ shares the lessons, failures, and triumphs of a truly diversified creative career. We dive into:

The evolution of music production and concept albums

How CJ built Cages, blending theater, CGI, and music

His creative process and philosophy on inspiration

The future of the music industry in the age of streaming & AI

Whether you’re an aspiring musician, producer, or creative thinker, this episode is packed with insights on how to redefine success and build worlds that captivate audiences.

CJ Baran is a Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, and creative director whose work lives at the intersection of alternative rock and pop. Known for his genre-bending approach and cinematic sonic palette, CJ has written and produced hits for a wide range of artists, including Panic! At The Disco, COIN, Melanie Martinez (multiple albums), Nessa Barrett (AFTERCARE and upcoming project), Carly Rae Jepsen (Emotion), and MARINA (Princess Of Power), among many others. After a having publishing deals with Max Martin’s MXM and Pulse he founded his own creative collective, VAMP, which focuses on forward-thinking alternative pop with focus on concept albums. In addition to his work in mainstream music, CJ co-wrote and produced the immersive gothic musical CAGES, acclaimed by Forbes and the Los Angeles Times for its visionary staging and music. He also recently composed the score for the two Michelin-starred VESPERTINE, in collaboration with Sigur Rós.

Subscribe for more conversations about creativity, entrepreneurship, and redefining pathways to success

You can follow him @cjbaran

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.

What if the secret to a more connected, meaningful, and joyful life is simple? What if it’s curiosity?

In this episode of Too Much with Denise Love Hewett, internationally recognized curiosity expert and TED speaker Scott Shigeoka joins to explore how curiosity can transform not just our relationships, but the way we see the world. Scott is the award-winning author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, and his research at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center dives into how asking better questions and staying open can heal divides, build empathy, and increase our well-being. In this conversation, Denise and Scott discuss:

How curiosity strengthens emotional intelligence and connection

The difference between shallow and deep curiosity

How to stay open in a divided world

Practical tools to cultivate curiosity in your daily life

Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationships, find your purpose, or simply live with more wonder, this episode will remind you that curiosity isn’t just a trait, it’s a practice.

Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, TED speaker, and the award-winning author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. His work focuses on how we can strengthen our well-being and relationships, including at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. He is also a playwright and artist, and was born and raised in Hawaii but now lives in California.

You can follow him at @scottshigeoka

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or submit questions for advice.

Struggling with your job search? In this episode, I share career advice that changed my life: don't say no before they say no. Learn how to stop self-rejecting and limiting your opportunities during tough job markets.

I share personal stories about landing jobs I was "underqualified" for, moving across the country for unexpected opportunities, and how believing in yourself can open doors you never imagined. From getting turned down as overqualified in New York to becoming an executive producer in LA, to showing up uninvited at Nylon Magazine's office to land my dream internship, these stories prove that audacity and openness to possibilities matter more than checking every box. In this episode, you'll learn:

Why you should apply for jobs even if you don't meet all requirements

How to overcome imposter syndrome and self-rejection in your career

Real examples of taking career risks that paid off

How to navigate career transitions and job hunting during recessions

The power of letting opportunities guide your path instead of rigid planning

Perfect for recent graduates, career changers, entertainment industry professionals, and anyone facing a challenging job market. Stop limiting yourself—your next opportunity might be the one you almost didn't apply for.

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.

In this episode of Too Much, host Denise Love Hewett talks with award-winning actor, producer, director, singer, and writer Hailie Sahar. From making history on Ryan Murphy’s Pose as Lulu, Mother of the House of Ferocity, to starring on Freeform’s Good Trouble, Hailie shares her journey as a trailblazing trans woman in entertainment. They discuss:

Discovering her calling in grade school and pursuing it despite societal barriers Navigating rejection and setbacks in the entertainment industry Turning failures into lessons and tools for growth Launching her lifestyle brand House of Sahar and her debut music video Star Traveler Advocacy work and using her platform to create impact

Whether you’re a fan of Pose, Good Trouble, or exploring a creative path without a clear blueprint, Hailie’s story offers inspiration, actionable insights, and a masterclass in courage, determination, and authenticity.

Hailie Sahar is an award-winning actor, producer, director, singer, and writer. She made history as one of the five transgender lead actors in Ryan Murphy's groundbreaking FX series Pose, where she starred as Lulu, Mother of the House of Ferocity. The ensemble went on to achieve global recognition and multiple Emmy Awards across three celebrated seasons. Sahar also made history as the first transgender actor to appear on two television shows simultaneously, starring as Lulu in Pose and as Jazmin in Freeform's Good Trouble, all while holding a national commercial contract with Descovy. Expanding her creative reach, Sahar released her debut music video Star Traveler and launched her lifestyle brand, House of Sahar, which debuted with her signature fragrance Sultana. Her film and stage credits include portraying community pioneer Sylvia Rivera in HBO Max's Equal, recurring as Jazmin in Good Trouble, appearances in Amazon Studios' Transparent and USA's Mr. Robot, and starring in the Off-Broadway production of Charm at New York City's MCC Theater. She also executive produced and co-directed the documentary Beyond Ed Buck, supported by Gilead, which ran in film festivals nationally and internationally and secured distribution with AMC's ALLBLK Network. In 2020, Deadline announced Sahar's collaboration with Emmy Award-winning director Anthony Hemingway on the Sir Lady Java biopic, in which she will executive produce and star as the trailblazing Los Angeles icon. Her visibility and impact extend beyond performance. She has been featured in Vogue, Essence, Variety, Allure, and OUT Magazine, and was named one of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" in 2020. She is also one of the few trans women to be profiled by Playboy Magazine, furthering representation and solidarity. Crowned both "Miss L.A. Pride" and "Queen U.S.A.," Sahar continues to use her platform for advocacy. She was invited to speak on the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center for the 57th Presidential Advisory Council in Washington, D.C., and remains actively involved with the East L.A. Women's Center against domestic violence.

Subscribe to Too Much for new episodes about redefining success, building wholeness, and creating your own blueprints for life.

You can follow her @hailiesahar and at houseofsahar.com

You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett

Email hello@deniselovehewett.com for any suggestions or advice.

#HailieSahar #TooMuchPodcast #PoseFX #GoodTrouble #TransRepresentation #CreativeJourney #HouseOfSahar #Trailblazer