Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris

“70% of the money stress that people experience comes from actually not knowing what's happening with your money.”
If you’ve ever:
Avoided looking at your bank account
Felt anxious every time you spend
Wondered where your money actually goes
You’re not alone—and according to this week’s guest, Scarlett Stanhope (The Biz Hippie), you’re not “bad with money.”
In this conversation, she breaks down what financial wellness really means—and how to bring simple spiritual practices into your financial life so you can start feeling more in control right now.
We talk about:
Why money stress isn’t really about income
The surprising way tracking your money creates freedom
How your mindset shapes your financial reality
Simple steps to feel more in control—starting today
Because as Scarlett says, “Clarity creates control—and control creates peace.”
To learn more about Scarlett’s coaching services and The Empowered and Abundant Podcast, visit thebizhippie.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #79 The Simple Path to Financial Freedom with Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter and Episode #25 From Stress to Success: Three Ways Mindfulness Upgraded My Life and Career. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#financialwellness #moneymindset #personalgrowth #financialfreedom #abundancemindset #podcastlife #selfworth #moneytips #intentionalliving

“I didn't have on my bucket list to be a sober person at all. My bingo card did not include this.”
What if giving up alcohol didn’t take your life away—but gave you a whole new one?
In this honest, relatable—and often funny—conversation, host Donna Ferris and sobriety coach Lori Massicot share their real-life journeys of quitting alcohol in midlife. They explore the unexpected gifts of sobriety, from better sleep and reduced anxiety to renewed confidence and a deeper sense of purpose.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What really happens in the first 30–100 days of sobriety
How alcohol affects anxiety, sleep, and hormones in midlife
Why more women are rethinking their relationship with alcohol
Practical tools to manage cravings and emotional triggers
How sobriety can open the door to an entirely new way of living
Whether you’re sober curious, rethinking your “wine habit,” or ready to stop drinking, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
To learn more about Lori, her podcast, and coaching services, visit lorimassicot.com. The link to the To Fifty and Beyond episode with Donna is here, and the link to the mentioned Ten Percent Happier episode with Annie Grace is here.
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast on your podcast provider or YouTube, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#SoberCurious #MidlifeWomen #QuitDrinking #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFree #WomenOver50 #AlcoholFreeLiving #Perimenopause #SoberLiving #WomenSupportingWomen #MidlifeTransformation #Sobriety #QuitDrinking #SobrietyPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AlcoholAwareness #HealthyLifestyle #WomenOver50 #SobrietySupport #WellnessJourney

“Grief sucks your energy up, but you have all of this love that you just don't have anywhere to put... the walking and the hiking and being outside — I felt so connected to the earth and so connected to myself.”
Just six weeks after her wedding, Cindy Francois became a widow at 28. Her husband Wayne — her best friend of 10 years — died suddenly of cardiac arrest. What happened next is extraordinary: instead of staying stuck, Cindy loaded up her car and drove 45,000 miles through 47 national parks, spreading Wayne's ashes along the way, writing her memoir Traveling Through Grief, and finding a path back to life.
In this episode, Cindy shares:
Why she felt a "magnetic pull" toward national parks after her loss
How hiking and walking became unexpected grief therapy
The profound signs she received from Wayne
Her advice for anyone facing devastating loss
Her top national park recommendations for healing
If you're navigating grief, loss, or a major life transition — or if you love powerful stories of resilience and the healing power of nature — this episode is for you.
To learn more about Cyndi and her book, visit cyndifrancois.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #5 “Leave Guilt Behind” with Erin Byron or Episode #13 “Find Happiness After Loss” with Maria Sirois. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#GriefTravel #HealingAfterLoss #NationalParks #YoungWidow #GriefPodcast #NatureHealing #TransformationalTravel #WidowLife #BounceBackStronger #MentalHealthTravel

“It’s like a pebble in a pond. Ripples out from each of us...because we’ve chosen to get better instead of getting worse.”
How do you build resilience while coping with grief, loss, and emotional overwhelm?
Sometimes it begins with a book.But more often, it begins with a person.
This episode honors beloved bookshop owner Gee Gee Rosell, who passed away last month. Through her steady presence and heartfelt book club gatherings, she created a powerful space for community healing, grief support, and resilience during times of loss, stress, and uncertainty.
In this conversation, Gee Gee and her book club members explore practical tools for coping with grief and strengthening emotional resilience, inspired by Donna Ferris’ book Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens. As the discussion unfolds, we receive wisdom from the group, including:
✔ Practicing self-care during difficult times✔ Using meditation to ease grief and anxiety✔ Replacing negative thought patterns with affirmations✔ Choosing to get better together rather than surrender to despair alone
If you’re navigating grief, facing a life transition, or searching for ways to build resilience without hardening your heart, this episode offers support, perspective, and practical steps toward lasting emotional healing.
To learn more about Gee Gee, click here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to another group discussion in Episode 73 “Raising Awareness and Hope: A Trans Parent Conversation.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast on your podcast provider or YouTube, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#GriefSupport #ResilienceAfterLoss #CommunityHealing #EmotionalWellness #SelfCareFirst #FindingJoy #LeadWithLove #BounceBackStronger

“When you wake up at 3 AM, your brain isn’t trying to ruin your sleep — it’s trying to protect you. It thinks you’re in danger.”
Have you ever found yourself wide awake staring at the ceiling, wondering why your body won’t just stay asleep?
You’re not alone—and according to sleep expert Julie Wright, these middle-of-the-night wakeups are often your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and hormone imbalance.
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with Julie (author of The Natural Sleeper and founder of We Sleep) about what’s really happening inside your brain and nervous system when insomnia strikes.
If you’ve been Googling:
Why do I keep waking up at 3 AM?
How do I calm anxiety at night?
What should I do when I can’t fall back asleep?
…this episode will give you clarity, comfort, and a toolkit to help you finally rest.
To learn more about Julie’s book, events, and services, please visit wesleep.co.uk. 
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Julie’s last Episode #31 or Episode #46 “The Art of Being Enough” with Jennifer Schelter.
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#Sleep #Insomnia #RestorativeSleep #JulieWright #WeSleep #TheNaturalSleeper #SleepHygiene #CircadianRhythm #SleepTips #AnxietyRelief #InsomniaHelp #BetterSleep

“2026 is the year of fire. It’s the year of beginnings. It’s the year of passion. It’s the year of getting your sh*t in order.”
After an emotionally intense 2025, the astrology of 2026 invites you to stop waiting and start becoming. In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris is joined by astrologer Cosmi-Colleen Dixon to break down the biggest planetary shifts of the year and what they mean for your future.
You’ll learn how Neptune and Saturn in Aries, Jupiter in Leo, and major eclipse changes are reshaping identity, purpose, career direction, and relationships.
You’ll discover:• Why 2026 is a “found” year• Who will experience the biggest transformations• Where to expect career and leadership growth• Relationship themes to look for during Venus retrograde• How to align with the energy of action
If you’re done waiting and ready to take confident action in 2026, this episode is for you.
To listen to Colleen’s podcast (which I highly recommend), click here. You can also find her on Instagram @cosmicolleen or on Facebook @colleendixon.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Colleen’s last Episode #62 or Episode #43 “Mindful Living: Finding Balance in a Chaotic World” with Aruni Futuronsky.
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #2026Astrology #FireYear #AstrologyForecast #Horoscope #PersonalGrowth #AstrologyPodcast #action

“Your spiritual guides don’t want you to live in lack or victimization. They want you to live in joy, abundance, happiness—and they support you every step of the way.”
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris welcomes back psychic medium Cristina Leeson for a grounding conversation on staying connected to higher energy, trusting spiritual guidance, and navigating uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
Together, they explore:
Why staying in higher energy isn’t “woo-woo”—it’s essential right now
Why 2025 was a year of endings and shedding, and how 2026 opens the door to greater freedom, courage, and abundance
How to tell the difference between intuition, imagination, and genuine guidance from your spirit guides
If you’ve been feeling called to let go, trust yourself more deeply, or notice the signs around you, this episode will help you step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and calm.
If you would like to learn more about Cristina’s services and meditations, visit her website cristinaleeson.com or innerlighthc.com. Her book Live in the Light, Respect the Dark can be purchased here or wherever books are sold.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 – “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek or Episode #22 - “Heart-Centered Advice That Will Change Your Life with Shawn Elizabeth George.”
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or on Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #psychic #medium #MeditationPractice #SettingBoundaries #OvercomingUncertainty #SelfCareStrategies #NavigatingChallenges #SpiritualGrowth #SpiritGuides #Intuition #EnergyHealing #RaisingYourVibration #LivingInAlignment #SignsFromTheUniverse

A Lullaby for 2025: Vienna Teng on Music, Hope, and Connection
 ”I see you, and I'm telling you my story in hopes that you'll see me. And from there, there's so many more things that are possible.”
In this conversation, Donna Ferris sits down with singer, songwriter, and pianist Vienna Teng—an artist whose music has long served as a bridge between people, ideas, and lived experiences.
From her iconic song City Hall, inspired by the legalization of same-sex marriage in San Francisco, to her newest work We’ve Got You (released November 2024), Vienna explores how music can hold complexity, invite empathy, and create space for honest conversation—especially in divided times.
Together, Donna and Vienna talk about:
Writing songs that start conversations, not arguments
Holding two truths at once in polarized times
Music as modern-day folk storytelling
Ending with a tender lullaby sung by Vienna, this conversation offers a moment of gentleness, meaning, and hope for the holiday season.
If you would like to learn about Vienna’s music or upcoming concerts, visit viennateng.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #68 “Breaking the Trance of Unworthiness” or Episode #60 “How to Cope in a Changing World” with Sharon Salzberg. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. Thank you.
If you would like to join Donna’s free weekly centering group, email donna@donnayferris.com. To find her guided meditations on Insight Timer, visit https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To learn about Donna’s books, coaching services, and events, visit donnayferris.com. Follow Donna on Instagram, BlueSky and YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #DonnaFerris #ViennaTeng #MusicHeals #HolidayListening #HoldingTwoTruths #CityHallSong #IndieFolk #MusicAndMeaning #lgbtq #samesexmarriage #lullaby #goodbye2025 #2025 #lgbtq #connection

“I grew up among funny people who, the darker the event, the more opportunity for lightness and absurdity, and I've always loved that.”
What if laughter really is a kind of medicine—especially when we’re experiencing loss? In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna sits down with Thurber Prize-winning humorist and New Yorker columnist John Kenney about his latest novel, I See You’ve Called In Dead.
With warmth, wit, and a generous dose of honesty, John shares how humor doesn’t erase our pain—but it can make healing feel more possible.
In this episode, we explore:
How humor supports emotional healing
Life after loss and rediscovering joy
Why writing helps us process grief
What midlife reinvention really looks like
Letting go, starting over, and finding purpose again
If you’re moving through a tough season—or simply need a good laugh with a side of wisdom—this conversation is for you.
To learn more about John's writing and books, click here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 – When Gratitude is Hard and  Episode #79 – Finding Inner Peace and Joy with Agapi Stassinopoulos. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our weekly centering group on Sundays at 4 PM EST or our email list, email donna@donnayferris.com. You can also follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #JohnKenney #HealingJourney #LifeAfterDivorce #NewBeginnings #GriefSupport #MidlifeReinvention #HumorHeals #WritersOfInstagram #EmotionalHealing #BreakupRecovery #HeartbreakHealing #StartOverAgain #MindfulnessTools #WritingThroughIt

“Astoundingly, you find joy, and it coexists with the grief…It's like the grief kind of moves over a little bit and lets joy in.”
If you’re doing life with a broken heart this holiday season, this episode is for you.
In this moving conversation, Donna talks with award-winning journalist and novelist Gwen Florio about what it means to keep showing up for life after loss.
Gwen shares her experience of losing her child, the suffocating early days of grief, and the small, stubborn acts of living—walking, traveling, noticing beauty in unexpected places—that helped her breathe again.
Together they explore:
How people actually survive deep grief
What helps (and what doesn’t) when every day feels impossible
The surprising relief of being somewhere no one knows your story
How creativity and movement open new pathways in the brain
The unexpected moments of beauty that kept her afloat
Why community matters more than perfect words
If you’re navigating the world with a tender or tired spirit, Gwen’s story offers truth, compassion, and the reminder that grit and grace can coexist.
To learn more about Gwen’s books, writing, and events, please visit gwenflorio.net.
If you found this episode helpful, you might want to listen to Episode 57 “Nevertheless She Persisted” with Jenny Lisk, Episode 13 “Finding Happiness After Loss” with Maria Sirois, and Episode 5, “Leave Guilt Behind” with Erin Byron. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this podcast with others. Thank you.
If you are interested in guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email donna@donnayferris.com.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. Click here to subscribe to, or read our latest newsletter. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #GriefJourney #BrokenHeartedButBrave #GriefSupport #HolidayGrief #HealingAfterLoss #GwenFlorio #DonnaFerris #Resilience #MoveForward #Grief #childloss