Show Notes:

In this heartfelt and deeply honest episode of the HeyHannah Podcast, Dr. Mya sits down with Ashley Donegan—a mom, entrepreneur, and children's book author, who shares her powerful journey through trauma, loss, healing, and ultimately, purpose.

Ashley opens up about some of the most pivotal moments in her life, including a near-death car accident, miscarriage, and a season of deep questioning and spiritual awakening. Through it all, she reveals how those experiences, though painful, became the foundation for her healing and growth.

Together, Dr. Mya and Ashley explore:

• What it looks like to move from “Why me?” to “What now?”
• How grief and trauma can awaken deeper purpose
• The role of motherhood in healing and transformation
• Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome
• Using creativity as a tool for inner child healing
• Why community and support are essential during hard seasons

Ashley also shares how her daughter inspired her to step outside her comfort zone and begin writing children’s books—turning moments of connection and creativity into something meaningful for other families.

This conversation is especially for:

• Moms navigating healing and unexpected life changes
• Women searching for purpose after loss or trauma
• Anyone feeling called to something new but unsure where to start

💡 Key Takeaway:
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Healing is not linear, and sometimes the very things that break you open are the same things that lead you to your purpose.

Ashley Donegan
🌐 Website: onemommashart.com
📚 Books: Adventures of Snugs, Pirate Chickens Under Attack

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who may need hope today. Your share could be the encouragement someone else is looking for.

✨ Connect with Today’s Guest💛 Share the Encouragement

Episode Title:

The Simple Habit That Boosts Your Leadership and Builds Unshakable Confidence

What if the key to stronger leadership and unshakable confidence isn’t doing more—but showing up more authentically?

In this episode of the HeyHannah Podcast, Dr. Mya sits down with branding strategist and founder of Brand Studio Creative, Katie Holmes, for a powerful conversation on authenticity, empathy, and the emotional work behind being truly seen.

Together, they explore how to lead with intention in a noisy, over-saturated world—and why the simplest habits can make the biggest impact on your confidence, relationships, and purpose.

This conversation goes beyond branding. It’s about identity, grief, growth, and the courage it takes to show up as your full self.

• Why authenticity is the foundation of confident leadership
• The simple habit that strengthens relationships and builds connection
• How to navigate imposter syndrome and comparison in the digital age
• What empathetic leadership looks like in real life
• How to share your story without oversharing or feeling performative
• Why slow, steady growth is still powerful growth
• How grief and hard seasons can shape your purpose

• Connection over comparison: Real relationships matter more than curated online moments
• Authenticity builds confidence: The more you show up as yourself, the more secure you become
• Small steps matter: Growth doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful
• Empathy is a leadership advantage: People thrive when they feel seen and supported
• You don’t have to become someone else to lead well

• Katie on reaching out to people when they cross your mind
• The truth about “bed rot” and disconnection in the digital age
• A powerful reflection on grief and continuing forward
• Why imperfect, human-created work stands out more than AI perfection

Katie Holmes is a branding strategist and founder of Brand Studio Creative. She specializes in helping purpose-driven businesses build brands rooted in clarity, empathy, and authenticity. Katie is also an executive contributor to Brains Magazine and Authority Magazine.

• Website: brandstudiocreative.com
• Instagram: @brandstudiocreative

Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who is building, leading, or finding their voice.

You don’t have to become someone else to be impactful.
You were created to lead from alignment, empathy, and truth.

Episode Description:What You’ll Learn:Key Takeaways:Memorable Moments:About the Guest:Connect with Katie:Connect with HeyHannah:Closing Encouragement:

HeyHannah Replay

HeyHannah Replay

Finding Hope and Transformation Through Hardship: An Interview with Chelsea Fain. In this heartfelt episode, Chelsea Fain shares her powerful journey of healing from marriage trauma, loss, and miscarriage, illustrating how God uses our pain to write a divine story of redemption. If you're questioning God's presence in your suffering, this conversation offers encouragement, biblical insights, and practical hope.

Key topics:

• Chelsea's personal journey from a sheltered childhood to deep healing through divorce and trauma
• Understanding faith as personal ownership and the importance of spiritual maturity
• How God transforms pain into growth using biblical stories like Job and Joseph
• The significance of trusting God's plan during unanswered prayers and No's
• The hero's journey archetype as a framework for understanding our spiritual tests
• Practical steps to cope when answers from God feel delayed or disappointing
• The importance of recognizing that our difficult seasons are yielding purpose and fruit
• How to maintain faith and joyful worship amid life's storms
• Practical advice for those in the midst of grief, questioning, or spiritual dryness

• The Divine Plotline — Chelsea's inspiring book about biblical lessons on suffering and hope
• ChelseaFayne.com — Chelsea’s official website
• Chelsea on Instagram — Follow Chelsea for encouragement and updates

• Instagram
• Website
• Email Chelsea

Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome and episode overview: trusting God through heavy seasons
00:30 - Chelsea's background: childhood, faith development, and personal hardships
02:05 - The transition from inherited faith to personal relationship with God
03:33 - Impact of abusive marriage, and waking up daily to prayer and surrender
04:55 - Healing through divorce, custody battles, and God's transformative work
05:40 - Rebuilding life and faith after trauma: new marriage and motherhood
06:40 - Healing in secret: processing anger, bitterness, and God's massaging of the heart
07:38 - Understanding a true testimony: God's work in our entire life, not just salvation stories
09:03 - The significance of miscarriage and the "no" from God in our prayers
09:28 - God's presence in trauma and the journey toward trusting His plan
11:24 - Encountering God in lowest moments: miscarriage as a divine visit
12:18 - The divine message behind biblical stories of hardship, especially Job and Joseph
16:28 - Biblical figures who teach us about perseverance in suffering
16:42 - The story of Job: worship in pain, trusting God's sovereignty
19:09 - How Job’s faith exemplifies endurance and trust during life's chaos
22:38 - Modern misunderstandings of Christianity based on a prosperity mindset
23:24 - The necessity of trusting God's wisdom beyond our understanding
23:54 - Warranting hope in God's redemptive purpose amidst trials
29:02 - The hero's journey as a biblical pattern of transformation through hardship
29:55 - Anticipating fruit and growth from seasons of waiting and pain
33:36 - Resting in God's promise that all things work for good for those who love Him
34:20 - Practical encouragement: preserving faith through pain and trusting in God's plan
34:38 - Connecting with Chelsea: website, social media, and her new book, The Divine Plotline
35:33 - The importance of embracing life's divine story, even when it’s hard to understand
36:06 - Final piece of advice: let difficult seasons be fruitful by surrendering to Jesus.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Chelsea:

https://chelseafain.com/

Showing Up Authentically and Leading with Empathy: Insights from Brand Strategist Katie HolmesExplore how authenticity and empathy transform leadership, branding, and personal growth in today's noisy world. Katie Holmes shares her journey of purpose-driven branding, the importance of vulnerability, and how genuine storytelling cuts through digital clutter.Key Topics

• The power of authentic storytelling in a saturated digital landscape
• Building brands and leadership with empathy and integrity
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and cultivating confidence as a woman in leadership
• The emotional work of being truly seen and its impact on personal and professional life
• Practical steps to share your story without oversharing
• Leading with empathy: why it’s crucial in today’s changing climate
• Cultivating human connections in a digital age and combating "bed rot"
• Navigating kindness and boundaries with clients and colleagues
• The courage to be vulnerable with clients while maintaining professionalism
• How grief and purpose can fuel entrepreneurial growth

• Brand Studio Creative
• Katie Holmes on Instagram
• Books by Katie Holmes (search for her name for relevant publications and contributions)

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

• "You don't have to become someone else to be impactful. You were created to lead from alignment, empathy, and truth."
• "The more authentic you are, the more confidence you build, and that confidence translates into every area of your life."
• "Sharing your story honestly is trial and error, but taking small steps makes it manageable and genuine."

Timestamps00:00 - Welcome and episode overview: authenticity, leadership, growth
02:20 - Katie Holmes’ journey into purpose-driven branding and her creative background
04:50 - Building a brand with heart, purpose, and strategy
07:00 - The emotional work of being truly seen and the struggles women face in leadership
08:50 - The importance of community and authentic connections
10:30 - Navigating "bed rot" and intentional human connection amidst over-stimulation
12:00 - Balancing authenticity and professionalism with clients
16:00 - Defining empathetic leadership and its relevance today
22:00 - Why authentic storytelling cuts through noise and connects on a human level
25:30 - The significance of imperfections and human touch in branding and creative work
28:00 - How to share your story genuinely online without oversharing
31:00 - Katie’s vulnerable moments and the power of transparency in relationships
35:20 - Overcoming confidence challenges faced by women leaders
39:00 - How grief informs purpose and entrepreneurial journey
43:00 - The importance of slow and steady growth for sustainable success
46:00 - Connecting with Katie Holmes and her resources for branding and leadership
47:30 - Words of encouragement: "You can do anything you set your mind to. "Resources & Links: Connect with Katie Holmes: Notable Quotes

Ways to Connect with Katie Holmes:

1. Website: Brand Studio Creative
2. Instagram: @brandstudiocreative
3. LinkedIn: Katie Holmes

HeyHannah Replay

Summary

In this episode of the Hey Hannah podcast, Dr. Mya welcomes Keri Castillo, a leadership coach and suicide survivor, to discuss the profound impact of grief and mental health on personal growth and faith. Keri shares his journey through the devastating loss of his wife, who struggled with depression, and how this experience shaped his understanding of resilience and purpose. He emphasizes that while life can break us, it is through these fractures that we can find strength and a renewed sense of purpose, ultimately allowing us to serve others more effectively.

Keri's message is one of hope and encouragement for those grappling with their own pain. He highlights the importance of recognizing God's presence in our struggles and the value of community support. By sharing his story, Keri aims to inspire others to see their worth and the potential for healing, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their battles. The conversation delves into themes of faith, emotional honesty, and the transformative power of vulnerability, making it a compelling listen for anyone facing life's challenges.

Keywords

grief, mental health, resilience, faith, personal growth, leadership, emotional honesty, community support, healing, purpose

Takeaways

Life will break you; it's not a matter of if, but when.

God has never left you; He's right there.

Pain is an obstacle that can drive a wedge between us and God.

Strength is acknowledging and dealing with pain, not ignoring it.

There is a greater purpose to the pain we go through.

Connect With Kerri:

1. Instagram: Play Beautiful Coaching
2. TikTok: Play Beautiful Coaching