Creatures of Change Episode #6: Caitlin Faas on Rewriting Stories Personally and Professionally

By Valerie Martin

The Creatures of Change podcast ended up being way more meta for me than I’d planned…

After recording a season of 6 episodes with incredible guests, I landed on clarity about MY next big change professionally— which means hanging up my hat with this iteration of podcasting to make room for the next thing.

But these episodes will live on as a mini-season within my main podcast feed, because the conversations were incredibly inspirational and instructive examples of embracing change— perhaps none more than the guest for the final episode, Dr. Caitlin Faas.

Caitlin has basically rebuilt her life in the last 3 years. Some of those changes were chosen and planned, but other life-altering ones unfolded completely unexpectedly, bringing down the house-of-cards identity that we so often build around our roles. I am incredibly inspired by Caitlin’s resiliency, adaptability, vulnerability, and humility through her process of change, and honored to call her a friend.

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or visit this link to find the episode in your favorite podcast player. There will not be additional new episodes of Creatures of Change, but the existing episodes will live on in Valerie’s main podcast feed (which is now Bad B*tch Therapist podcast).

About Caitlin

Caitlin Faas, Ph.D. is a certified master life coach instructor who helps experts get out of the hamster wheel for good. Common issues include: overeating, overdrinking, and overworking. She was a tenured psychology professor and department chair before leaving to be a full-time entrepreneur. Dr. Faas has worked with thousands of professionals every year who were once addicted to running in the hamster wheel of endless expectations. She is also the author of Unstuck: Three-step system to help high achievers move from stress to flow. Dr. Faas delivers easy-to-follow advice about “growing up, showing up, and cleaning up” your life and explains the data-backed scientific roots of your stress from emotional, social, economic, academic, and mindfulness perspectives,

Additional Links + Resources

• The Life Coach School

• The Summers School of Yin Yoga and the River Bird Sangha with Josh & Terry Summers

• Instinctive Meditation with Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to

Creatures of Change Episode #5: Melanie Reese on Expanding Perspectives with Religion, Healing Chronic Illness, and More

By Valerie Martin

You never know when an old acquaintance will chance to cross your path again.

In this case, Melanie Reese— a therapist I worked down the hall from for over a year— saw the news about this podcast and reached out about being a guest. In this ~40 minute conversation, we connected on a deeper level than we ever did during that whole year.

It was a joy to hear Melanie share some of the growth and healing she’s experienced personally throughout the pandemic, and how that continued evolution has allowed her to support her clients in new and deeper ways.

In this episode, Melanie and I talk about the the huge business leap she took just prior to the pandemic (spoiler alert, it involved OFFICE SPACE 💀😂) and what she learned weathering that challenge, the process of shedding her Christian identity (and the difficulties that arose in some family relationships), and how her own experience of living with chronic pain and illnesses has continued to evolve along with her spirituality, impacting the way she approaches her client work as well.

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or visit this link to find the episode in your favorite podcast player. There will not be additional new episodes of Creatures of Change, but the existing episodes will live on in Valerie’s main podcast feed (which is now Bad B*tch Therapist podcast).

About Melanie

Melanie Reese is a board-certified, psychotherapist and owner of Trauma Therapy of Nashville, LLC, a private practice specializing in holistic trauma healing. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified Brainspotting Practitioner. Melanie and her team of therapists specialize in the treatment of trauma, women’s issues, relationships and chronic pain & illness. Melanie’s education and professional background in both the mind and body gives her a unique and effective approach to therapy with clients. She works heavily from a neuroexperiential perspective, using modalities such as Brainspotting, EMDR, mindfulness, somatics and body movement. As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Melanie also helps guide clinicians in their development as skilled therapists and individuals.

Additional Links + Resources

• @traumatherapynashville on Instagram

• The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

• Perrennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent - edited by Rabbi Rami Shapiro

• The Daily Stoic podcast with Ryan Holiday: Episode with guest Daniel Lubetzky (founder of KIND Snacks)

Did you love this episode? Please leave a review, tell a friend, and subscribe to Creatures of Change for a new episode every 2 weeks!

✨ Creatures of Change episode archives and show notes

✨ Watch the video version of the podcast on my YouTube channel (click subscribe! 💜)

✨ Want to be a guest or know someone who should be? If you or someone you know has an interesting and inspiring story about change, or want to be considered for coaching with Val on a future episode, reach out to creaturesofchangepodcast@gmail.com, or direct potential guests to our submission form at bit.ly/creaturesofchangeguest.

✨ Sister podcast Bodyful

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to

Click Here for More About Creatures of Change

Creatures of Change Episode #4: Jenny Blake on Navigating Pivots & Creating More Free Time

By Valerie Martin

I found Jenny Blake online way back in 2015— I don’t recall exactly how, but probably after hearing her on someone else’s podcast.

I resonated immediately with her message, her love of systems, and unique ideas about personal and professional growth. I followed everything she’s created since— her podcasts, different iterations of her online communities, and her two books, Pivot and Free Time.

I am honored to call Jenny not just a mentor, but a friend (a friendtor!) — and I continue to be inspired by her all the time. If you are navigating a career transition, Pivot — the book and the podcast — are a must. And if you’re an entrepreneur, Free Time (the book and the podcast) is a goldmine of strategies for making your business and life run more smoothly so you can reclaim more of your most precious asset: your time.

I hope you love this conversation with Jenny Blake— and if you do, make sure to check out the show notes for the link to my 2019 interview with her on my previous podcast, and where you can join her online community!

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or search & subscribe to Creatures of Change on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

About Jenny

Jenny Blake is an award-winning author, podcaster, and keynote speaker who loves helping people move from friction to flow through smarter systems, powered by Delightfully Tiny Teams. Her third book, Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business (Ideapress, March 2022) will free your mind, time, and team for more of your best work. Jenny’s previous book, Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One (Portfolio/Penguin Random House, 2016), won the Axiom award for best business book in the careers category.

Celebrating over a decade of running her own business after five years at Google, Jenny now licenses her content to clients like Google and CHANEL. She hosts two podcasts with over one million downloads combined: Free Time for Heart-Based Business owners, and Pivot with Jenny Blake to help others navigate change.

After working at a Silicon Valley startup, then at Google for five years in coaching and career development, Jenny moved to New York City in 2011 to launch her own business. She loves yoga and buys too many books. Jenny lives in Manhattan with her husband and angel-in-fur-coat German shepherd. Learn more and take the Free Time quiz at ItsFreeTime.com.

Additional Links + Resources

In addition to all the links in Jenny’s bio above that you should definitely check out—

• Listen to her 2019 interview on my previous podcast, “What’s the F***ing Point?”

• If you listen and know you need more Jenny in your life, join me in her BFF community!

• One Stone Creative - the podcast production co Jenny uses that I mention in the intro (run by a fellow BFF member!)

• Never tried Peloton? Use this link to try the app free for 60 days! (yoga, barre, strength, outdoor walking/running tracks— all kinds of no/low-equipement stuff aside in addition to their treadmill & bike classes)

Did you love this episode? Please leave a review, tell a friend, and subscribe to Creatures of Change for a new episode every 2 weeks!

✨ Creatures of Change episode archives and show notes

✨ Watch the video version of the podcast on my YouTube channel (click subscribe! 💜)

✨ Want to be a guest or know someone who should be? If you or someone you know has an interesting and inspiring story about change, or want to be considered for coaching with Val on a future episode, reach out to creaturesofchangepodcast@gmail.com, or direct potential guests to our submission form at bit.ly/creaturesofchangeguest.

✨ Sister podcast Bodyful

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to

Click Here for More About Creatures of Change

Creatures of Change Episode #3: Rosa Castano on Leaving the Family Business to Forge Her Own Path

By Valerie Martin

When I first met Rosa Castano in 2019, she was kicking ass and taking names in the tourism industry— which is BIG business here in Nashville. Fast forward 3 years and 1 pandemic later, and she’s now a mom and CEO of her own business offering wellness coaching/education services to businesses and individuals.

Rosa is one of those dynamic people whose personality and gifts far exceed anything I could say in writing. In this conversation, we explore not only her own personal career pivots, but also what she has learned from embracing changes, big and small. Rosa truly walks her talk, and was a joy to sit down with for this conversation. I hope you love it!

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or search & subscribe to Creatures of Change on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

About Rosa

Rosa Castano spent more than five years as a seasoned expert in the Tourism & Hospitality field, leading sales campaigns across the country for two of the largest tourist industries in the Nashville, TN market. Like many others in the space, Castano was forced to pivot to a new path after the COVID-19 global pandemic put a halt to her tourism career. The shift allowed Castano to take the time to re-evaluate her career aspirations, landing her with an industry she has long been passionate about: the wellness industry. Throughout her years working successful careers in the tourism and corporate sectors, Castano knew wellness would always be a priority for her life.

Outside of work, she completed a 200HR Yoga Teacher training in 2019. With this certification, Castano began to lead yoga classes for her former employers’ wellness programs. Since the pandemic, Castano completed an additional certification adding a 200HR Meditation Teacher training. With the full time focus on wellness, Castano is trailblazing ahead with her business where she offers Workplace Well-Being both in the Corporate Setting and for Individual One-on-Ones.

Follow Rosa on IG @wellbeingwithrosa

Additional Links + Resources

Did you love this episode? Please leave a review, tell a friend, and subscribe to Creatures of Change for a new episode every 2 weeks!

✨ Creatures of Change episode archives and show notes

✨ Watch the video version of the podcast on my YouTube channel (click subscribe! 💜)

✨ Want to be a guest or know someone who should be? If you or someone you know has an interesting and inspiring story about change, or want to be considered for coaching with Val on a future episode, reach out to creaturesofchangepodcast@gmail.com, or direct potential guests to our submission form at bit.ly/creaturesofchangeguest.

✨ Sister podcast Bodyful

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to

Click Here for More About Creatures of Change

Creatures of Change Episode #2: Ray Holloman on the Liberation of Change, from Gender to Work from Home

By Valerie Martin

Ray Holloman (often at his most hilarious in tandem with his wife Alicia) is one of those people whose facebook posts cause you to actually cackle.

He’s witty, kind, silly, freakishly productive, obsessed with dinosaurs— and until 6 years ago, was living in a body that didn’t feel like his own.

In this episode of Creatures of Change, Ray shares about how transitioning his gender not only resulted in feeling more at-home in himself than he’s ever felt, but also equipped him to embrace all kinds of other changes, including leaving a company he’d been with for 12 years.

We also talk about balancing change with routine, because the comfort zone is NOT an inherently bad place to hang out. Also, for real, read Ray’s bio below… the man is HELLA impressive. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed having the conversation!

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or search & subscribe to Creatures of Change on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

About Ray

Ray Holloman is a Black, transgender man that lives in the south. His unique identity gives him the ability to see multiple sides of marginalized communities. Ray currently works doing Disaster Recovery for a large tech company. Ray has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University, and Masters degrees from Lipscomb University and Tennessee Tech University. Ray is married, with 4-ish dogs, 20-ish chickens and 9-ish quail.

Ray has worked with groups including the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, Trans Empowerment Project, Nashville Technology Council, and other various nonprofits. He currently chairs the New Leaders Council Pride Caucus Transgender education subcommittee, is on the Vanderbilt University Medical Center LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and chairs the Tennessee Department of Health HIV Prevention Transgender Task Force. Ray enjoys sharing his story to educate the public about transgender and queer people. In his limited spare time, he enjoys farmstrong, quilting and cooking.

Additional Links + Resources

Did you love this episode? Please leave a review, tell a friend, and subscribe to Creatures of Change for a new episode every 2 weeks!

✨ Creatures of Change episode archives and show notes

✨ Watch the video version of the podcast on my YouTube channel (click subscribe! 💜)

✨ Want to be a guest or know someone who should be? If you or someone you know has an interesting and inspiring story about change, or want to be considered for coaching with Val on a future episode, reach out to creaturesofchangepodcast@gmail.com, or direct potential guests to our submission form at bit.ly/creaturesofchangeguest.

✨ Sister podcast Bodyful

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to

Click Here for More About Creatures of Change

Creatures of Change Episode #1: The Story of My Life in 10 Changes

By Valerie Martin

Welp, not to make it ~aLL aBoUt Me~ 😝 but for the first episode of Creatures of Change, I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the changes I’ve made or experienced throughout my 36 years so far.

Once I finished outlining the 10 changes I wanted to touch on, I realized that in many ways, I sort of accidentally told the story of my life (in 30 minutes— buckle the F up! 😂).

That’s pretty cool to think about: my intention was to talk about changes, and it turns out that those changes were all the moments that were either pivotal in getting me to where I am today, and/or are a big part of my daily life now. This insight just reaffirms my excitement about exploring change with a variety of guests on future episodes.

🎧 To listen to the episode, stream from the podcast player below, or search & subscribe to Creatures of Change on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

More About Creatures of Change

We’ve all said it at some point: “ I’m just a creature of habit.” And sure, there’s a lot to say for consistency and routine. But what about that other saying, “the only constant in life is change”? Maybe we’re creatures of change, too…

Creatures of Change explores the concept and practice of change from a variety of perspectives: stories of folks who’ve made huge changes in the trajectory of their lives, others who have made small but lasting and impactful changes in their day-to-day lives, and— we’ll also just nerd out about the science of human behavior, and how we can get better at executing the small changes, and embracing the big ones.

Oh, and if you’re looking to make a change in your life and want some guidance and support to set yourself up well for it? We’ll also do episodes featuring coaching with podcast host Valerie Maritn, who happens to be both a therapist and self-development supergeek.

Additional Links + Resources

Did you love this episode? Please leave a review, tell a friend, and subscribe to Creatures of Change for a new episode every 2 weeks!

✨ Creatures of Change episode archives and show notes

✨ Watch the video version of the podcast on my YouTube channel (click subscribe! 💜)

✨ Want to be a guest or know someone who should be? If you or someone you know has an interesting and inspiring story about change, or want to be considered for coaching with Val on a future episode, reach out to creaturesofchangepodcast@gmail.com, or direct potential guests to our submission form at bit.ly/creaturesofchangeguest.

✨ Sister podcast Bodyful

✨ In Tennessee and looking for therapy? Check out The Gaia Center.

✨ Get the monthly Gaia Center newsletter with exclusive content & tips from our therapists

✨ Learn about coaching, speaking, and other stuff Val is up to