🎙️ WHO ARE YOU BENEATH SURVIVAL MODE?
A Conversation on Healing and Authenticity with Elisha May

What if the version of yourself you've been showing the world isn't who you truly are?

In this powerful episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, host Christy sits down with Elisha May, Intuitive Energy Coach and Founder of Freedom of Self®, for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, grief, survival mode, people-pleasing, self-worth, and the journey back to your authentic self.

Elisha shares her personal experiences navigating PTSD, loss, emotional suppression, and the process of reclaiming her identity after years of surviving rather than truly living.

Together, Christy and Elisha discuss:

✨ Healing from trauma and PTSD

✨ Grief, loss, and rebuilding your identity

✨ Breaking free from people-pleasing

✨ Emotional safety and self-worth

✨ Trusting your intuition

✨ Living authentically and unapologetically

✨ Moving from survival mode to self-trust

✨ What Freedom of Self® really means

If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself, struggled to prioritize your own needs, or wondered who you are beneath the expectations of others, this episode is for you.

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🎙️ GUEST: ELISHA MAY

Intuitive Energy Coach

Founder, Freedom of Self®

Helping soul-led humans return to truth, freedom, and alignment.

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✨ CONNECT WITH ELISHA MAY

🌐 Website:
https://www.freedomofself.com

📧 Email:
elisha@elisha-may.com

📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iamelishamay

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🎙️ HOST: CHRISTY

Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarian Services

Trauma-Informed Life Coach

Mindset & Empowerment Coach

Speaker & Podcast Host

Author

Founder, Breaking Curses with Excellence

🌐 Website:
https://www.therusmix.com

💜 Explore coaching, books, speaking engagements, personal development resources, and more.

Breaking Cycles. Building Self-Worth. Leading with Purpose.

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available.

#TraumaHealing #PTSDRecovery #GriefHealing #PeoplePleasingRecovery #SelfWorth #AuthenticLiving #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #FreedomOfSelf #BreakingCursesWithExcellence

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Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

What happens when faith, healing, boundaries, and self-worth collide?
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Maz Alexander—Mental Wellbeing & Transformational Coach, Social Worker, Author, Speaker, Mother, and Comedian—to discuss breaking free from burnout, people-pleasing, emotional exhaustion, limiting beliefs, and the cycles that keep us feeling stuck.
Maz shares insights from her book, Arise Kintsugi Queens: You Are Becoming All You Were Meant to Be, and explains how our broken places don't disqualify us—they can become the very places where healing, strength, and purpose emerge.
In this episode we discuss: ✨ Healthy boundaries ✨ Faith and recovery ✨ Self-care without guilt ✨ Burnout and emotional exhaustion ✨ Reclaiming your identity ✨ Overcoming limiting beliefs ✨ Self-worth and personal transformation ✨ Breaking generational cycles ✨ Healing from rejection ✨ Living authentically
If you've ever felt overworked, depleted, rejected, unworthy, or trapped by expectations and traditions, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Episode Title: Heal Out Loud: Breaking Free from Burnout, Boundaries, and the Need to Prove Your Worth
Connect with Maz Alexander:
📖 Book Reviews: https://gettingtotherootwithdrreva.blog/2024/04/01/resilience-through-brokenness-lessons-from-arise-kintsugi-queens/
https://www.melanatedminds.co.uk/maz-alexander-arise-kintsugi-queens
🔗 Connect with Maz: https://linktr.ee/mazwellbeing

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Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this empowering episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, Christi Russell Strong sits down with author, speaker, and positivity strategist Cindi Goodeaux for a meaningful conversation about healing negative self-talk, rebuilding self-worth, emotional resilience, and learning how to choose purposeful positivity without denying real emotions.

Together, they explore the difference between toxic positivity and healthy mindset transformation while sharing practical tools for overcoming self-sabotage, rejection, identity loss, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and limiting beliefs.

Cindi introduces her powerful “Catch It. Check It. Choose It.” method — a practical approach to reframing negative thoughts, building confidence, and creating healthier emotional patterns.

This episode is for anyone navigating:
• Low self-esteem
• Trauma recovery
• Emotional healing
• Anxiety & overwhelm
• People-pleasing
• Negative thought cycles
• Personal growth & mindset shifts
• Confidence rebuilding
• Healing from emotional pain
• Learning to love yourself again

🎙 Episode Title:
Catch It. Check It. Choose It: A Path to Purposeful Positivity

Guest: Cindi Goodeaux
Host: Christi Russell Strong

Connect with Cindi Goodeaux:
https://linktr.ee/WriteCuteStories

Follow Breaking Curses with Excellence for more conversations centered around healing, self-worth, emotional wellness, breaking generational cycles, mindset growth, and purposeful living.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

What happens when trauma doesn’t just hurt you… but disconnects you from yourself?

In this deeply powerful episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, Dr. Stephanie Byerly joins us for an honest, transformative conversation about emotional numbness, survival mode, high-functioning trauma, radical self-compassion, and what it truly means to become “UNNUMB.”

Dr. Stephanie Byerly is an anesthesiologist, trauma-informed professional coach, TEDx & keynote speaker, founder of The UNNUMB Method & The UNNUMB Coaching Collective, helping people reconnect to themselves through healing, awareness, purpose, and emotional safety.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ How trauma quietly lives in the body and nervous system

✨ Why many high-achieving people secretly feel emotionally disconnected

✨ The hidden impact of survival mode, burnout, and perfectionism

✨ Reframing pain without minimizing your experience

✨ Radical self-compassion and reconnecting with your identity

✨ Learning how to live through a new lens of power, possibility, and purpose

This conversation is for the person who has spent years being “strong” while silently carrying emotional exhaustion, grief, pressure, or unresolved pain behind closed doors.

You are not weak for feeling numb. Many people learned numbness as protection. Healing begins when we safely reconnect with ourselves again.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and everywhere podcasts are streamed.

Connect with Dr. Stephanie Byerly:

🌐 http://www.stephaniebyerly.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebyerlymd

If this episode touched your heart, helped you feel seen, or encouraged your healing journey, and you would like to support the continued mission of these conversations, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated:

💜 PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/qrcodes/venmocs/8f846c0e-88d8-4870-8ac1-bacda255de55?created=1778962609

💜 Square:
https://square.link/u/UkJbTpBw

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this deeply honest and transformational episode, Christy Russell-Strong sits down with Tiyon L Simpson to discuss breaking inherited limitations, overcoming mental health struggles, healing from internal battles, and building a life beyond survival mode.
Together, they unpack generational patterns, mindset shifts, identity, emotional healing, purpose, and what it really takes to rise above the environments and beliefs that try to define us.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt stuck, overlooked, emotionally exhausted, or afraid they could never become more than what they came from.
You are capable of building a different future.

Connect with Tiyon L Simpson:
Facebook:
Facebook Profile
Instagram:
@tiyonlsimpson
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Profile
YouTube:
TLS E Vision YouTube Channel
The Life of Someone Extraordinary Podcast:
🎧 Listen on Spotify
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Stop playing small and start stepping into your purpose.

In this powerful episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, Christina sits down with Dr. Natasha Norris to talk about self-worth, confidence, visibility, and personal growth—and what it really takes to be seen, heard, and respected in your life and career.

This conversation dives deep into:
Overcoming self-doubt and fear
Breaking generational cycles and limiting beliefs

Building confidence and emotional healing
Stepping into leadership and purpose-driven success

Letting go of people-pleasing and shrinking

If you’re on a self-growth journey, looking to improve your mindset, heal from past experiences, and level up your life—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and take the next step toward becoming who you’re called to be.

Ways To Contact Dr. Norris

 MEDIA Collective https://www.natashanorris.com

SKINCARE

https://www.sbcmg.com

Email

Natashaspeaks@natashanorris.com

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Healing isn’t a straight line—some days feel like freedom, others like you’re drowning in the same old pain. In this real and raw episode, w

Healing isn’t a straight line—some days feel like freedom, others like you’re drowning in the same old pain. In this real and raw episode, we talk about the reality of healing setbacks: what they are, why they happen, and how to stop letting them define you.



Whether you're feeling stuck, tired of the same triggers, or questioning your progress—this episode is for you. I share practical strategies to help you shift your mindset, reset your emotions, and remind yourself that healing is still happening even when it feels hard.



This isn’t just inspiration—it’s your roadmap to keep going. 💪🏽

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we explore the lived experience of young men growing up in today’s world—from childhood to adulthood—through a powerful cross-cultural conversation with a guest from Ireland.
This discussion highlights the emotional and societal challenges faced by young men, with a deeper lens on the Black male experience, while offering insight that applies to all men and those raising them.
We cover:

• The impact of upbringing on young boys
• Emotional suppression and mental health in men
• Masculinity, identity, and societal expectations
• Healing from generational trauma
• How to support and raise emotionally healthy men

This episode is for parents, mentors, and anyone seeking to better understand the emotional world of men and how to break cycles that limit growth, connection, and self-worth.

Mr James Lumumba -Instagram account see the amazing Work he is doing!

https://www.instagram.com/dontbeafraidtotalk?igsh=N3lwNXQ0NzViYWZ0

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

At a party, someone greeted us with an odd question that carried a lot more weight than they realized: “So who’s the mom?”

For bonus parents and step parents, moments like this can bring up complicated emotions—love, pride, insecurity, and sometimes feeling unseen.
In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, Christi Russell shares her personal experience navigating the role of a bonus parent and the deeper truth about what it means to show up for a child who didn’t come from your body but still lives in your heart.

This conversation explores blended family dynamics, healing generational cycles, and redefining what real love and real parenting actually look like.
If you are a step parent, bonus parent, co-parent, or part of a blended family, this episode will remind you that showing up with love matters more than labels.

The parents who do the work's breaking generational curses anthem! 

Heal For You-LLoyd Nick's

https://youtu.be/PMShzkraWmM?si=FhpzGc1_BEplNNXS

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Parents are more than caregivers — they are the emotional foundation that shapes a child’s identity, confidence, and future relationships. In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, Christina Russell explores the powerful influence parents have on emotional health, attachment styles, and generational patterns within families.
Whether you are a parent trying to raise emotionally healthy children or an adult working to heal from childhood wounds, this conversation dives into the importance of intentional parenting, emotional intelligence, and breaking unhealthy family cycles.
Christina shares insights on how parenting styles affect self-worth, relationship choices, communication patterns, and long-term mental health. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on the foundations being built at home and how conscious parenting can help create stronger families and healthier future generations.
If we want emotionally healthy adults, confident leaders, and secure relationships, the work must start with the foundation we build as parents.
Tune in to learn how to break generational curses, build emotional resilience, and create a legacy of healing and love for the next generation.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

The relationship between a mother and daughter is powerful — but it can also be complicated.
Why do some mothers feel deeply connected to their sons, yet struggle emotionally connecting with their daughters? Why do daughters often feel misunderstood, judged, or emotionally unseen?
In this episode, we explore the emotional differences in how mothers connect versus sons connect — with a deep focus on mother–daughter dynamics.
We discuss: • Why emotional triggers often show up stronger between mothers and daughters
• The impact of generational trauma on female relationships
• How unhealed wounds create distance
• The “mother wound” and how it affects a daughter’s self-worth
Most importantly, I share key practical ways mothers can intentionally build a healthier emotional connection with their daughters — without guilt, shame, or defensiveness.
If you are a mother wanting to connect better…
Or a daughter wanting to understand your mother more clearly…
This conversation will open your eyes and give you tools for healing.
Because healing between women changes generations.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with a married couple whose love story began not with romance—but with heartbreak. After painful breakups and emotional wounds, neither was looking for dating or relationships. They were focused on healing, personal growth, and finding genuine friendship with someone who understood trauma and emotional recovery.
What started as two people bonding over shared pain and life lessons slowly grew into a healthy relationship built on emotional safety, trust, communication, and mutual respect. Today, they are married and thriving, having created a loving partnership rooted in healing, faith, and intentional love.
This episode dives into relationship healing, overcoming emotional baggage, breaking unhealthy relationship patterns, and how self-awareness and inner work can prevent self-sabotage in love. If you’re navigating heartbreak, dating after trauma, marriage growth, or learning how to build healthy love from the inside out, this conversation is for you.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

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After Trauma: What To Do When Survival Is Finally Behind You
December 11

You’ve left the traumatic situation. Now you’re facing the part no one prepared you for: the aftermath. The quiet. The questions. The emotional waves. The rebuilding.

Inside this episode, we unpack the real steps that help you heal once the chaos is gone — grounding, creating safety, regulating your nervous system, reclaiming identity, rebuilding confidence, and letting yourself exist without fear. This is the part of the healing journey that rarely gets discussed, and it’s one of the most important.

For anyone who’s learning to trust themselves again, trying to navigate life after trauma, or working to break generational cycles — this conversation will feel like a warm, steady hand on your back saying: “You are safe now. Let’s rebuild together.”

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we sit down with a family member who turned a passion for travel into a thriving business. This conversation goes beyond destinations and bookings — it’s about legacy, courage, and building something meaningful from the ground up.
We talk about what it really takes to step into entrepreneurship, especially when you’re breaking cycles, balancing family expectations, and learning to believe in yourself as a business owner. From challenges and sacrifices to faith, consistency, and vision, this episode highlights how travel entrepreneurship can become a vehicle for freedom, impact, and generational change.
Whether you’re dreaming of starting a business, growing one you already have, or redefining success on your own terms, this episode offers inspiration, real-life lessons, and encouragement to keep going — even when the journey feels uncertain.

DREAM WORTHY VACATIONS https://dreamworthyvacations.com

keishamj8@yahoo.com

865-604-2662

B.L.A.C.K LLC

info@vipblackevents.com

https://vipblackevents.com

865-604-2662

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we explore a truth that so many of us overlook: you are someone to be grateful for. When self-esteem is low, it’s easy to forget the quiet, everyday ways you show up for others — even when you’re exhausted, hurting, or doubting yourself.

We dive into why it's important to not only practice gratitude, but also recognize the attributes others appreciate about you. Maybe it's the way you take a moment to check on someone even when you’re overwhelmed. Maybe it’s the safe, nonjudgmental space you naturally offer — the kind of space people feel relieved to enter because they know they can be real with you. Or maybe it’s the compassion, patience, and understanding you give without expecting anything back.

This episode helps you uncover those hidden strengths, the parts of you people don’t always say thank you for — but deeply value. You’ll learn how to identify the qualities that make you worthy, loved, and impactful, even if you’ve struggled to see them your whole life.

What You’ll Learn:

How gratitude and self-worth work together to heal low self-esteem

Subtle ways you make a difference without realizing it

Signs that others appreciate you more than you think

How to start acknowledging your own impact with compassion and honesty

Practical ways to shift from self-criticism to self-recognition


If you’ve ever wondered whether who you are is “enough,” this episode will remind you that your presence, your heart, and your small acts of warmth are already creating change.

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this powerful first episode Against All Odds:

of Breaking Curses with Excellence, host Christy RusMix sits down with visionary entrepreneur Aly Breathe, who shares her journey of rising against all odds. From overcoming generational trauma to launching a purpose-driven brand, Aly opens up about the personal battles she faced, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and the healing work it took to break free from family patterns.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles that weren’t yours to carry—or doubted your ability to build something meaningful from struggle—this episode will remind you of your power. Aly’s transparency and courage are a testament to what’s possible when you choose healing, wholeness, and hustle.

What You’ll Learn:

How Aly identified and broke generational curses

The early struggles and breakthroughs behind her business

Real talk on resilience, purpose, and self-worth

You can reach Aly by using this link

https://linktr.ee/alybreathe

Subscribe to hear more stories of entrepreneurs who are breaking cycles and building lives of excellence—on their own terms.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we explore how the family dynamics we grew up in shape the families we create as adults. From communication patterns and emotional wounds to unspoken expectations and generational beliefs, we unpack how childhood experiences influence parenting, partnership, boundaries, and the way we show up in love. This conversation will help you recognize old patterns, break unhealthy cycles, and build a healthier, more intentional family rooted

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

In this heartfelt episode, we open up about the real, raw, and beautiful journey of blending our families. From navigating new roles to celebrating the wins and learning from the challenges, we’re sharing both of our perspectives—honestly and vulnerably.

If you're part of a blended family or preparing to become one, this episode is for you. We explore how healing from past wounds, embracing growth, and redefining what family looks like can lead to deeper connection, love, and long-term success.

Whether you're a stepparent, co-parent, or navigating new dynamics with your partner, you'll find encouragement, insight, and hope here.

Topics We Cover:

The challenges and breakthroughs of blending families

New roles as partners and parents

Co-parenting with grace and boundaries

Healing past trauma and creating safe space

Tips for communication and unity in the home

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Have you ever felt like you’re standing in your own way? I feel like it's something we don't see, I surely didn't see it! Self-sabotage is when our thoughts, fears, or behaviors stop us from reaching the life we tru In this episode, we’ll break down what self-sabotage really is, how it shows up in everyday life, and why so many of us—especially those healing from childhood trauma—fall into these patterns.

I’ll share some of my own experiences with self-sabotage, plus real-life examples of how it manifests in others, from procrastination and toxic relationships to fear of success and self-doubt. Most importantly, we’ll dive into how to break free: recognizing the root cause, shifting your mindset, and taking steps toward healing and growth. It’s time to stop holding yourself back and start stepping into your full potential!

Tune in now and let’s break the cycle together!

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Do you struggle with setting boundaries, attracting healthy love, or feeling truly valued in relationships? In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we dive deep into the powerful link between self-worth and the quality of our connections. Learn how your self-esteem shapes your relationships, impacts the love you attract, and determines the respect you receive.

Discover practical ways to boost your self-worth, break free from toxic patterns, and build relationships rooted in mutual love and respect. Whether you're healing from past wounds or striving for better connections, this conversation will empower you to create the love and support you deserve.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

Are you constantly giving to others, only to feel drained, unappreciated, or taken for granted? Or maybe you've been told that putting yourself first is selfish, but deep down, you know you need a change. Finding the balance between generosity and self-care is key to living a fulfilling life.

In this Patreon space, we’ll explore:

✅ The difference between healthy giving and overgiving

✅ Why overgiving can lead to burnout, resentment, and unhealthy relationships

✅ How to set boundaries without guilt

✅ The truth about “selfishness” and why self-care is necessary, not optional

✅ Practical steps to reclaim your energy, time, and self-worth

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

As parents, we often want to give our children everything we never had—especially if we grew up feeling oppressed, invalidated, or unheard. But in trying to protect them from the pain we experienced, we risk over-spoiling them and unintentionally creating entitlement instead of empowerment.

In this episode of Breaking Curses with Excellence, we explore the importance of balance in parenting—giving love and support without taking away the struggles that build strength, resilience, and independence.

We’ll discuss:

How our childhood wounds influence our parenting styles

 The difference between healthy nurturing and overindulgence

How to set loving boundaries that create capable, confident adults

Ways to break generational cycles of oppression without overcorrecting

If you’re striving to raise emotionally strong, independent, and fulfilled children, this episode is a must-listen!

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/

I’m Christina, a life and love coach helping you break generational cycles, overcome self-sabotage, and step into the best version of yourself. In this podcast, we talk about real healing — from childhood and relationship trauma to self-worth, faith, and personal growth.

Each episode gives you powerful insights, practical tools, and encouragement to build healthy relationships, embrace self-love, and create the life you deserve — with excellence.

If you’re ready to heal, grow, and break free from what’s been holding you back, this is your safe space to start.

Support the show

Music: Peachy
Musician: Rizensun
URL: https://rzznsnn.bandcamp.com/