In this eye-opening episode of The Calm Collective, we’re diving into one of the most essential (and misunderstood) pillars of wellness: sleep.

From late-night wake-ups to trouble falling asleep, we’re debunking common myths and offering real, actionable tools to help you get the deep, restorative rest your body and mind crave.

We explore the surprising connection between blood sugar and sleep, how much sleep you actually need, and simple shifts—from food choices to bedtime routines—that can make a big impact. Plus, we talk about the emotional resistance many of us have to slowing down and how to gently work through it.

What You’ll Learn:💤 Common myths around waking in the night or struggling to fall asleep
💤 The ideal number of sleep hours (and why it matters)
💤 How blood sugar fluctuations may be sabotaging your rest
💤 Nourishing foods that naturally support healthy sleep
💤 The benefits of quality sleep you might not know about
💤 How to build a calming bedtime routine that sticks
💤 Why we resist rest—and how to shift that pattern

Resources + Tools:Check the show notes for sleep-supportive tools, bedtime routine guides, and our favorite sleep-promoting foods and supplements.

• Follow us on Instagram: @colleen_mindfullynourished and @ashlee.livingstone

  
  

  Whether you’re a light sleeper, a night owl, or just craving more energy—this episode is your invitation to reclaim rest and finally wake up feeling refreshed.

In this episode of The Calm Collective, we turn the spotlight on Ashlee as she shares her transformative journey into personal growth and breathwork. Ashlee opens up about how her own challenges with stress, overwhelm, and balancing a busy life led her to explore breathwork as a powerful tool for healing and empowerment. She breaks down the science behind breathwork, how it helps regulate the nervous system, and why building a supportive community is essential for lasting change.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Ashlee’s path to personal growth and discovery
✨ How breathwork transformed her relationship with stress and overwhelm
✨ The science behind breathwork and its incredible benefits
✨ Practical ways to balance health and wellness amidst a busy life
✨ Why community and support are key to long-term well-being

Resources Mentioned:

• Try a short breathwork here - Download Calm Waves and breathe your way to calm

• Connect with Ashlee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee.livingstone/
  

Get ready to be inspired as Ashlee shares how small, intentional shifts can create lasting transformation!

About Ashlee:
Ashlee Livingstone is a transformation coach and breathwork facilitator who empowers high-achieving women, busy moms, and entrepreneurs to release stress, create clarity, and build habits that support their well-being.

As a mom to an only boy, a wife, and a devoted dog mom, Ashlee understands firsthand the challenges of balancing a full life while staying connected to yourself. Through her work, she helps women overcome limiting beliefs, prioritize their emotional health, and build lives filled with confidence, calm, and freedom.

In this episode of The Calm Collective, Colleen opens up about her personal journey from burnout and chronic exhaustion to reclaiming her health and vitality. We explore the pivotal moment that shifted her perspective, the difference between dieting and sustainable lifestyle changes, and how she learned to trust her body again. Colleen’s story is a powerful reminder that true wellness isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about honoring your body’s wisdom and making choices that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ Colleen’s struggles with chronic fatigue and health challenges
✨ Her turning point and journey toward lasting change
✨ Why sustainable lifestyle shifts are more effective than diets
✨ How nutrition can empower women to reclaim their energy
✨ Practical tips and trusted resources to support your own wellness journey

Resources Mentioned:

• [Insert relevant books, websites, or tools here]
• Connect with Colleen on IG: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_mindfullynourished/
  

Colleen is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner,Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and co-host of The Calm Collective podcast.

With a no-nonsense yet deeply supportive approach, she helps burnt-out, anxious moms in their 30s and 40s regain their energy, calm, and clarity. Through functional lab testing, whole-food nutrition, and nervous system support,

Colleen empowers women to break free from exhaustion and thrive. When she's not diving into all things wellness, you’ll find her soaking up nature on walks or at the beach, spending time with friends/family, or reading (usually more than one book at once)

Reclaim your energy guide link - https://mindfully-nourished.myflodesk.com/reclaimenergy

Join us as we uncover how small, consistent changes can lead to profound transformation!

Welcome - we are so glad you landed here. This is episode number 1 of The Calm Collective - a wellness podcast for women.

In this kick off episode we share who we are (hi we are Colleen and Ashlee), why we started this podcast and what you can expect.

It's short and sweet but a great way to connect and get to know us and the podcast!

For more information about Colleen follow her here:https://www.instagram.com/colleen_mindfullynourished/

For more information about Ashlee follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee.livingstone/

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Colleen takes you on a deep dive into the powerful link between mindset and healing. She unpacks how your thoughts, beliefs, and patterns can either support or sabotage your health journey—and why true transformation starts from within.

Colleen shares the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset, why consistency (not perfection) is essential for lasting change, and how small daily shifts in awareness and intention can create profound healing over time.

You'll walk away with simple, practical strategies to start rewiring your mindset and supporting your body’s natural ability to heal.

What You’ll Learn:

1. How your mindset directly impacts your health and well-being
2. The key differences between a fixed and a growth mindset
3. Practical strategies to create sustainable mindset shifts
4. Why consistency matters more than doing it perfectly
5. How awareness and intention are foundational for true healing

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee dives deeper into the practice of breathwork—what it really is, why it works, and how to use it in a safe, grounded, and empowering way.

Ashlee shares her personal perspective on the importance of trauma-informed breathwork and why safety and intentionality must come before intensity. She unpacks how your breath directly influences your nervous system, your emotions, and your overall health—and how to build a supportive relationship with breathwork that aligns with your unique needs and life.

Whether you’re brand new to breathwork or deepening your practice, this episode will help you understand its transformative potential—not just in healing moments, but as a daily anchor to return to yourself.

What You’ll Learn:

• What breathwork actually is (and isn’t)
• Why non-trauma-informed approaches can be harmful—and how to recognize red flags
• The importance of safety, consent, and nervous system awareness in your practice
• How breathwork supports emotional processing, insight, and nervous system regulation
• The physical and mental health benefits of consistent breathwork
• How to gently integrate breathwork into your everyday routines

Resources Mentioned:

In this solo episode, Colleen opens up about her personal journey with hormonal imbalance, including being diagnosed with endometriosis at age 14 and told she’d likely never be able to have kids. She shares how that difficult diagnosis led her down a path of learning how to support her body naturally—through nutrition, lifestyle, and foundational healing.

Colleen unpacks the common myths around hormone health and explains why hormones are responders, not the root cause. If you’ve been chasing symptoms and still not feeling better, this episode offers the clarity you’ve been craving.

💡You'll Learn:

• Why hormone health is about more than just your period
• How gut health, blood sugar, and stress directly impact your cycle
• Why PMS, cramps and mood swings aren't normal (even if they are common)
• Foundational habits to restore hormonal balance - without quick fixes

Simple, sustainable nutrition and lifestyle changes that actually work

Whether you're struggling with painful cycles, feeling exhausted around your period, or just want to feel more in control of your health—this episode will give you the insight, encouragement, and practical tools to feel more energized and at ease in your body.

👉 Ready for deeper support? Join the Fatigue toFlourish group coaching program to get to the root, restore your energy, and experience better cycles—all in a powerful, supportive community.

DM Colleen the word “Flourish” or click the link: https://fatiguetoflourish.my.canva.site/

Follow us here: Ashlee & Colleen

In our very first guest expert episode, we’re joined by Rachel Robertson, Founder of Return to Form—a passionate movement specialist and wellness guide—for a powerful conversation about redefining how we relate to movement, stress, and rest.

Rachel shares her wisdom on the importance of recovery, how stress impacts the body’s ability to heal, and why building a more intuitive relationship with movement is essential for long-term wellness. Together, we explore what it means to listen to your body, rest without guilt, and stay consistent with movement in a way that feels good—not forced.

We also dive into the willingness to change, how it is often met first with resistance but creates opportunities to feel so good on the other side.

What You’ll Learn:
The connection between movement, recovery, and your nervous system
How to build trust with your body through intuitive movement
Why rest is not a reward—but a requirement
Ways to incorporate mindful movement into your daily life with consistency
How to soften into change, let go of "shoulds," and lead with self-trust

Follow Rachel here: Return to form

• Check out Rachel's Online Mat Class Here

In this humorous & heartfelt episode of The Calm Collective, we get real about the messy, beautiful truth of motherhood—especially the moments that don’t go as planned.

We explore how hustle culture and nervous system dysregulation contribute to those “mom fail” moments, and why they’re not signs of failure, but powerful invitations to slow down, reflect, and realign.

Through honest conversation, we share personal parenting mishaps, what they taught us, and how we’re learning to hold grace and growth side-by-side.

You'll also hear tips for managing the invisible mentalload, balancing responsibilities, and setting yourself up for more ease and less overwhelm—without needing to be perfect.

What You’ll Learn:
- Why “mom fails” often stem from doing too much, too fast- The weight of the mental load—and how to manage it with more intention- How to find a more sustainable balance in parenting responsibilities- Ways to regulate your nervous system in the thick of motherhood
- Planning ahead with compassion (and flexibility!) for more grounded days- How to move from guilt to grace—and turn mishaps into meaningful growth

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠Ashlee⁠& ⁠Colleen

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee takes you deeper into the dynamics of drama and how it drains your energy, disrupts your nervous system, and keeps you stuck in survival mode.

She unpacks the emotional toll of staying in the DramaTriangle (Victim, Rescuer, Persecutor) and how these patterns often show up unconsciously in everyday life. Ashlee then shares simple but powerful nervous system regulation tools to help you reclaim calm in the moment—and introduces the Empowerment Dynamic as a healthier path forward.

Through personal insight and practical guidance, Ashleeshows how personal growth work helps you move through drama faster, respond instead of react, and stay grounded in your own power.

What You’ll Learn:

- The energetic cost of staying stuck in drama

- Tools to regulate your nervous system when triggered

- How the Empowerment Dynamic helps you shift from reactivity to conscious choice

- The role of personal growth in building emotional resilience - How to create space between stimulus and response so you can lead with intention

Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠Ashlee⁠& ⁠Colleen

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Colleenshares her personal journey with boundaries—what she’s learned, what she’s unlearned, and how redefining her limits transformed her health, energy, and relationships.

The episode explores why boundaries aren’t walls but bridges to self-respect, clarity, and peace.

Colleen unpacks the most common myths around boundaries (like "boundaries are selfish" or "they’ll push people away") and offers practical, compassionate steps for settingand maintaining them.

You’ll also hear how prioritization, delegation, and anhonest look at your energy leaks can help you create more space for what truly matters—without the guilt.

What You’ll Learn:
Why boundaries are essential for your well-being—not a luxury or a last resort
Common myths that keep women from setting healthy boundaries
Practical steps to set and hold boundaries with more confidence

The connection between delegation, prioritization, and honoring your limits
How embracing change and self-care go hand-in-hand with boundary work
An invitation to conduct an Energy Leak Audit to get honest about what’s draining you

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Colleen & Ashlee: Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode of The Calm Collective, we explore a powerful framework that can completely shift the way you relate to stress, conflict, and healing: the Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Dynamic.

We break down what the Drama Triangle is, the three roles people unconsciously step into—Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor—and how these patterns keep you stuck in stress, anxiety, and disempowerment. Then, we guide you into the alternative: the Empowerment Dynamic, where you become the Creator, Coach, or Challenger in your life.

This episode is packed with insights, real-life reflections, and practices to help you notice when you're in the triangle—and how to consciously shift into a more empowered, healing space.

What You’ll Learn:
🔺 What the Drama Triangle is and how each role (Victim, Rescuer, Persecutor) shows up
🔺 How living in the Drama Triangle keeps you in stress and survival mode
🔺 The Empowerment Dynamic and how to shift into Creator, Coach, and Challenger roles
🔺 Why awareness is the key to transformation—and how to build it
🔺 Practices to help you stay out of drama and rooted in personal power

Resources Mentioned:

• Download Journal prompts to dig deeper: Access Here

• Have questions? Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this empowering episode of The Calm Collective, we’re exploring the deep connection between your mindset and your ability to heal. So often, true healing is blocked—not by your effort or intentions—but by old, unconscious patterns rooted in stress, fear, and perfectionism. Together, we peel back the layers of conditioning and share personal stories and practical tools to help you break free.

What You’ll Learn:
How cultural, family, and personal conditioning create hidden resistance to healing
The Stress-Healing Loop: why chronic stress keeps women stuck in exhaustion and how overgiving, perfectionism, and control patterns fuel it
Why mindset work alone isn’t enough if the nervous system is still stuck in survival mode
The power of awareness: spotting self-sabotage, perfectionism, and fear-based habits
Personal stories of when we realized we were stuck—and the mindset shifts that changed everything

Actionable Challenge:
This week, we invite you to identify one limiting belief or fear-based pattern and shift it. Awareness creates choice—and small shifts lead to powerful transformations.

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee.livingstone/

  https://www.instagram.com/colleen_mindfullynourished/

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee shares how deep healing begins when we reconnect with the wisdom of our own bodies.

She explores the powerful role the mind-body connection plays in our health, how chronic stress traps us in survival mode, and how breathwork becomes a bridge to healing, balance, and lasting transformation.

Ashlee also offers practical ways to integrate breathwork into your daily life—making it a simple, accessible tool to support your nervous system, shift your mindset, and deepen your healing journey.

What You’ll Learn:
🌿 How the mind-body connection impacts your ability to heal
🌿 Why breath is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) healing tools
🌿 The shift from living in survival mode to living in a healing state
🌿 Simple ways to weave breathwork into your daily routine

Resources Mentioned:

• Access your free breathwork audio here

• Connect with Ashlee on Instagram: @ashlee.livingstone

In this solo episode with Colleen, we’re diving into the gut–mood–energy connection and the two functional tools she swears by in practice.

If you’ve been feeling constantly tired, anxious, foggy, or bloated—and your labs keep coming back “normal”—this episode is for you.

Colleen breaks down why your gut might be the missing piece behind your symptoms, and how these two tests can finally give you real answers.

You’ll learn:

• How your gut impacts seotonin, dopamine, and your emotional healing
• What stress actually does to your digestion and energy
• The two poerful tools Colleen uses in her practice to get real answers
• How mineral balance, adrenal health and gut health all work together
• Simple, doable steps you can take right now to support your gut

This episode is filled with the truth and clarity you’ve been craving if you're burnt out, bloated, and ready to feel like yourself again.

Feel like your energy is gone and never coming back?

Get Colleen's FREE Reclaim Your Energy Guide here ( to get real actionable steps you can take today tostart getting your energy back!

Ready for support on your health journey? Schedule a FREE clarity call with Colleen to dive into your health concerns and goals and what healing looks likefor you.

In this episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee and Colleen have a real and relatable conversation about stress—what triggers it, how it shows up, and the tools we lean on when life feels like a lot.

We normalize the reality that stress is ongoing—it’s not about eliminating it, but learning how to recognize it sooner and support ourselves through it with more intention and compassion.

We each share our go-to tools and practices—from breathwork and movement to journaling and mindset shifts—and offer simple ways you can start using these strategies in your own life.

What You’ll Learn:
- Common causes of stress
- Breathwork as a nervous system reset
- Journaling to process and release emotional clutter
- Movement as medicine
- Why awareness is your most powerful tool
- How to support yourself before you hit burnout

This episode is your reminder that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed—but you don’t have to stay there. You have tools. You have support. And you can move through it with more ease.

Resources Mentioned:

Let’s face the chaos together—with curiosity, breath, and a few powerful tools in our back pocket.

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee dives into what it really means to become the main character of your own life—instead of drifting through your days like a Non-Player Character (NPC).

She explores why so many of us end up feeling like background characters in our own story, from conditioning and expectations to patterns of numbing and disconnection. Ashlee shares practical, compassionate ways to start stepping back into your power and living with intention.

What You’ll Learn:
- Why and how we slip into NPC mode
- The power of intention-setting and reflection to reclaim your story
- How to recognize when you’re numbing out—and what to do instead
- The importance of putting yourself on your calendar
- How to create your “joy list” to reconnect with what lights you up

This episode is your invitation to wake up from autopilot and start living your life with purpose, presence, and joy—because you are the only one who can play your role.

Connect with us: Ashlee & Colleen

Take some time for you with this grounding breathwork audio: Download here

Feeling exhausted but wired? Crashing every afternoon? Getting hangry when you're hungry? Your symptoms aren't character flaws - they're your body's way of telling you something important about your cortisol and blood sugar balance.

In this solo episode, Colleen is breaking down the hidden connection between what you eat and how you feel.

You'll discover why that 3 PM energy crash happens, what's really going on when you feel anxious out of nowhere, and how to use nutrition to stabilize your energy and mood naturally.

What you will learn:

✨ The cortisol-blood sugar connection - Why these two systems are intimately linked and how they affect every aspect of how you feel

✨ The real reason you're tired but wired - How blood sugar imbalances trigger stress hormones that leave you exhausted yet unable to relax

✨ Why skipping meals backfires - How under-eating or irregular eating creates chronic cortisol elevation

✨ The mood-food connection - Why you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or irritable when hungry (it's not just being "hangry")

✨ Foods that stabilize vs. sabotage - Specific nutrition strategies to keep your blood sugar and cortisol in their happy place

✨ How to build the perfect plate - The exact macronutrient balance that supports stable energy and calm mood all day long

Key Takeaways:Your afternoon energy crashes aren't normal - they're blood sugar crashes triggering cortisol spikes 

Feeling anxious when hungry is a physiological stress response, not a personal weakness
Every meal should include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs for optimal hormonal balance 

Consistent meal timing is just as important as what you eat 

When you support stable blood sugar, you're supporting your entire nervous system

This episode is perfect for you if you're tired of feeling like you're at the mercy of your energy levels and mood swings. It's time to work WITH your body's natural systems instead of against them.

Resources Mentioned:

Protein Powder: Equip Prime Protein - my go-to for easy, clean protein to stabilize blood sugar:  https://www.equipfoods.com/COLLEEN15Ready for More? Join Colleen's Fatigue to Flourish group coaching program for the complete system to transform yourenergy and calm your nervous system: https://fatiguetoflourish.my.canva.site/fatigue-to-flourish

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee and Colleen sit down for an honest conversation about consistency especially during summer when routines often shift.

We explore why staying consistent with your habits is soimportant for maintaining momentum in your health and wellness journey. We chat about ditching excuses, letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset, and share our own non-negotiables that help us stay grounded and feeling good, no matter what the season brings.

You’ll also hear us discuss:
☀️ Why perfection isn’t required for progress
☀️ How boundaries help you create capacity (and maintain consistency)
☀️ The importance of knowing what actually supports you
☀️ Why taking a break from healthy habits can set you back
☀️ Simple ways to keep your routines flexible yet strong this summer

 This episode is your reminder that consistency isn’t about rigidity—it’s about choosing what feels good and supportive for you, over and over again.

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this honest conversation, Ashlee and Colleen unpack the common reasons women put off getting support—even when they know they need it. From waiting for the “perfect timing,” feeling guilty about investing in yourself, or fearing change (and even fearing no change), we shed light on the very real barriers that keep so many women stuck in cycles of stress, burnout, and self-doubt.

We explore the hidden cost of waiting, the ripple effects of not taking action, and why small shifts—when paired with support and accountability—can lead to powerful transformation. This episode is both a gentle reminder and a loving nudge that your future self is waiting for you.

 Inside the Episode:

– Why we avoid asking for or receiving support

– The illusion of “perfect timing”

– How guilt and fear hold us back

– The cost of waiting vs. the power of small shifts

– Why support + accountability = game changer

– What’s waiting for you on the other side: your future self

Whether you’re holding back because of fear, guilt, or uncertainty, this episode will inspire you to take the next step toward the life you truly want—because waiting rarely leads to change, but choosing yourself always does.

In this heartfelt guest episode, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Kristi Simons—coach, podcast host, and intuitive guide—to explore the power of living in alignment with your inner wisdom.

Together, they dive into the journey of learning to trust your intuition, how limiting beliefs and negative self-talk disconnect us from our truth, and the transformation that happens when you start choosing yourself consistently.

Kristi shares her own soul-led story of personal growth through motherhood, sobriety, and running—and how those experiences helped her reconnect with freedom, emotional resilience, and spiritual self-trust.

They also discuss the challenges of emotional resistance, overcoming fear, and learning how to actually listen to what your soul is trying to tell you.

This episode is an invitation to put yourself back on the calendar, soften self-doubt, and embrace a life of alignment.

Inside the Episode:

– What keeps women disconnected from their intuition

– Kristi’s personal story of growth and trusting her soul path – Negative self-talk, limiting beliefs & the power of positive reprogramming

– Overcoming emotional resistance and fear of failure

– Making self-care a non-negotiable part of your growth

– Why aligning with your inner truth matters more than external validation

– Tools to begin reconnecting with yourself

Next Steps for You:

Try tuning into your thoughts today—notice how you speak to yourself

Put you on your calendar for intentional self-check-ins

Listen to Kristi’s podcast: Intuition for Women and Teens

Reach out to Kristi on Instagram for questions or connection

Download her free Self-Love Meditation via her website https://kristisimonscoaching.com/download 

Whether you're in a season of change, growth, or simply seeking clarity—this episode will remind you that your intuition is a powerful compass, and you already have what you need to begin.

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this solo episode, Ashlee shares how she turned her rushed, reactive mornings into a grounding and nourishing ritual that changed her energy, mindset, and even her relationships.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for a morning routine,” this episode will meet you where you are—and inspire a shift.

Ashlee walks you through the evolution of her own practice—from resistance to ritual—and why even 15 intentional minutes can bring more ease and clarity to your entire day.

She also introduces her free Morning Practice Guide (linked in the show notes), which includes a breathwork audio and planner to help you get started.

Ready to reset your mornings?

• Download the Morning Practice Guide + Breathwork Audio
  

• Join Ashlee live for her FREE 5-Day Morning Practice on Zoom, happening Sept 8–12 @ 9:30–10:00 AM EST
  Can't make it live? Replays will be available!
  

• Share the love: Invite a friend who could use more calm and connection in their mornings too.
  

Whether you’re just starting or need a gentle reset, this episode is your invitation to begin your day with intention—and actually look forward to it.

Ever wonder why you feel anxious, unmotivated, or “wired but tired” — even when you’re trying to do all the right things?

In this episode, I’m breaking down how amino acids are the building blocks of your neurotransmitters — the brain chemicals that influence your mood, focus, energy, and sense of calm. We’ll cover how supplements like 5-HTP, GABA, and L-Tyrosine can help refill your “empty buckets,” why gut health plays such a huge role in mental health, and how diet and lifestyle changes provide longer-lasting support than medications alone.

You’ll learn:

✨ Why amino acids are precursors to serotonin, dopamine, and GABA

✨ What happens when your neurotransmitter “buckets” run low

✨ How modern life (hello, social media dopamine hits!) is draining your brain chemistry

✨ The powerful role of the gut-brain connection in mood and energy

✨ Why food is the most underrated mood booster — and what to eat for steady energy & calm

Takeaway: You can’t heal your brain on an empty tank. Supplements can help in the short-term, but the real game-changers are food, gut health, and sustainable lifestyle shifts

Resources & Freebies

• Book a complimentary coaching call with me → Click here
  
• Download my free Breakfast Builder Guide → Click here
  

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.

Connect with us on the Gram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode of The Calm Collective, the roles flip—Colleen interviews Ashlee to explore a question she gets all the time: “Are you really that calm?”

Ashlee shares the real story behind her calm—how she once lived in constant survival mode, overwhelmed, reactive, and rushing through life without truly feeling present. She explains that calmness isn’t about never feeling stressed; it’s about learning to regulate the nervous system so you can respond rather than react.

Together, they discuss:

• What calm actually means (and what it doesn’t)
• How chronic stress becomes a way of being
• Why breathwork is uncomfortable—and why that’s exactly why it works
• Building tolerance for calm and joy (not just chaos)
• How mindfulness changes communication, parenting, and relationships
• Simple practices to regulate in the moment (even in traffic or family gatherings!)
  

Ashlee reflects on her shift from searching for external solutions to doing the internal work that changed everything—and how this practice is available to anyone willing to meet themselves with compassion and consistency. This conversation is relatable, grounding, and a reminder that calm isn’t a personality trait—it’s a practice.

Ready to access your calm? Grab Ashlee’s Calm for the Holidays Audio Bundle on sale now for $21

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Maurice Thibodeau, creator of The Life Inventory Assessment, to explore why so many of us feel misaligned—and what it really takes to create meaningful change.

Maurice shares how our lives reveal misalignment not through dramatic breaking points, but through subtle signs: loss of energy, chronic frustration, emotional exhaustion, and the quiet feeling that something’s “off.”

Together, we dive into how our subconscious attempts to keep us “safe” can actually keep us stuck—and how awareness is the first key to transformation.We discuss:

• Why people wait until crisis to seek support
  
• How life mapping provides clarity and direction
  
• The emotional weight women carry trying to “hold it all together”
  
• Releasing shame and judgment in the growth process
  
• Building trust with yourself and the professionals who guide you
  
• Why small aligned shifts create change across every area of life
  

Maurice also speaks to the importance of curiosity and acceptance—learning to meet yourself where you are while also being open to where you’re going.

This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask: What would life feel like if I allowed myself to get the support I need?

Connect with Maurice

Are you a coach? Want to add this to your toolkit? Learn more here

Ready to explore your life? Take The Life Inventory Assessment with Ashlee → A 90-minute deep-dive into your life and priorities. This session includes a Life Inventory Assessment and a guided review of your life map. You will walk away with clear insight into where to focus your time, energy, and effort to maximize your impact and create a more intentional life.

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee explores the transformative power of taking radical responsibility for your life.

Many of us wait for circumstances or others to change before pursuing personal growth—but true empowerment comes from owning your choices and actions.

Ashlee breaks down how shifting from a victim mindset to an empowered creator mindset can transform your life. She explains the difference between the drama triangle and the empowerment dynamic, showing how understanding your power of choice can help you live intentionally and align with what truly matters.

You’ll learn how to:

• Clarify your personal priorities and focus on what’s truly important
  
• Identify and move past limiting beliefs that keep you stuck
  
• Take inspired, courageous action to create lasting change
  
• Cultivate self-compassion and curiosity instead of judgment
  

Ashlee also shares tools, reflections, and a guided audio on radical responsibility and breathwork to support you on your personal growth journey. This episode is for anyone ready to stop waiting for life to “happen” to them and start creating a life they’re proud of—one conscious choice at a time.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Colleen dives deep into the powerful connection between the mind and the gut, and how it impacts mental health, hormones, immunity, and overall physical wellness.

Drawing from her work as a functional nutrition practitioner and clinical therapist, Colleen breaks down how chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma show up in the body—and why addressing them in isolation won’t lead to true healing.

She explores:

• How stress and fight-or-flight responses affect digestion, hormones, and immunity
  
• The three nervous system states and why feeling safe is essential for healing
  
• The gut-brain connection and why 90% of serotonin is made in the gut
  
• How nutrition, protein intake, and functional lab testing support mental and physical health
  
• Why chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, and mental health symptoms feed into each other
  

Colleen also shares practical insights for rebuilding your body and mind together, so you can finally feel safe, supported, and empowered on your healing journey.

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And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

In this inspiring episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Dr. Jennifer Schlueter, a certified trauma-informed hypnotherapist, to explore the profound connection between the mind and body in the healing process.

Dr. Jennifer shares her research on endometriosis and how hypnotherapy can be a powerful pathway to deeper healing and self-trust.

Together, they unpack what hypnotherapy really is, how it supports nervous system regulation, and why addressing stored emotions and subconscious patterns is essential for long-term well-being.

This conversation dives into:

• Understanding the mind-body connection in healing
• How hypnotherapy works and what to expect in a session
• The role of trauma in physical health challenges
• Building self-trust and reconnecting with your body
• Rediscovering joy and purpose through inner work
  

Tune in to learn how gentle subconscious healing can open the door to physical relief, emotional balance, and greater alignment with yourself.

Connect with Jennifer here:

The Psychological Root Causes of Endometriosis

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Spiritual Hypnosis Training

https://mindyoursubconscious.com/spiritual-hypnosis-training

In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee invites you into a powerful gratitude practice—one that shifts the focus from external achievements to honoring the past versions of yourself who carried you here.

She shares the story of a transformative client session, where guided breathwork opened the door to deep appreciation for the resilience, strength, and choices that created today’s reality.

Ashlee also reflects on her own journey of moving through challenge and loss, and how gratitude for her former selves became a source of healing and growth.

This isn’t about comparing where you are to where you “should” be—it’s about recognizing that every version of you has had value, and every step has shaped your story.

In this episode, you’ll be guided to:

• Connect with past versions of yourself through gratitude
  

• See your growth and resilience from a new perspective
  
• Explore a breathwork practice to anchor gratitude into your daily life
  

Ashlee encourages you to try this practice, notice what comes up, and share your reflections with her on Instagram.

Connect with Ashlee & Colleen on the Gram!:

Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee sits down with Colleen for an open and refreshing conversation about perimenopause—one of the most important yet often misunderstood transitions in a woman’s life.Together, they unpack:

• What perimenopause really is and when it begins
• The role of hormones, adrenal health, and stress in shaping your experience
• Why symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings aren’t “normal” (and what they actually signal)
• Foundational lifestyle practices—nutrition, movement, boundaries, and rest—that make all the difference
• How small, intentional changes now can set you up for a healthier, easier transition into menopause

This episode is a powerful reminder that perimenopause doesn’t have to be something we silently endure—it’s an opportunity to reclaim your health, energy, and boundaries.

Whether you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or already navigating the shift, this conversation will leave you feeling more informed, empowered, and supported.

Connect with us on Instagram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this episode, Ashlee and Colleen explore how your mindset shapes everything—from the way you handle challenges to the way you dream about what’s possible.

We unpack the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset, and how your inner dialogue and self-reflection play a crucial role in personal transformation.

Together, we navigate the fears that often come with change, the resilience built through embracing disappointment, and the importance of self-trust when stepping into new possibilities.

Through real-life stories and practical tools, you’ll learn how to take small steps toward big dreams, reframe setbacks as opportunities, and build the foundation for lasting change.Connect with us on the gram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this powerful conversation, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Kristina Hudson—occupational therapist, bestselling author, and coach—who helps women break free from toxic and narcissistic relationships.

Drawing from her own experience of surviving a traumatic divorce, Kristina shares how the cycle of narcissistic abuse impacts not only emotional well-being but also physical health through constant nervous system dysregulation.She introduces her RISE Method to help women recognize warning signs, understand the abuse cycle, and begin rebuilding self-trust one small, empowering choice at a time.

Kristina also highlights the importance of supportive communities, safe therapy, and daily rituals that restore balance and self-worth after leaving unhealthy relationships.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The phases of narcissistic abuse and why “love bombing” isn’t love
  
• Warning signs of toxic patterns and how to spot them early
  
• How trauma bonds affect the nervous system and physical health
  
• The role of self-care, rest, and support systems in healing
  
• Practical ways to rebuild self-trust through small daily actions
  
• Why leaving a toxic relationship, though difficult, leads to freedom and a healthier future
  

• Kristina’s book Rise Up and Thrive (available on Amazon)
  
• Free quiz: Is Your Relationship Narcissistic?
  
• Kristina’s coaching program Message Me First
  
• Special offer for listeners: a 50-minute call with Kristina (normally 20 minutes)

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt stuck in a toxic dynamic, or struggled to rebuild after heartbreak, this episode will give you validation, hope, and tools for reclaiming your life.

Follow us on the Gram: Ashlee & Colleen

In this solo episode, Ashlee challenges the cultural narrative that rest must be earned or that slowing down is a sign of weakness.

Speaking directly to high-achieving women and leaders, she explores the misconceptions around rest, why so many resist it, and how reframing rest as a powerful productivity tool can change everything.

Ashlee shares her personal reflections and practical tips for weaving restful moments into busy days—helping the nervous system slow down, bringing clarity, and reducing mistakes. She highlights how true rest looks different for everyone, from naps to baking to simple silence, and why it’s essential to discover what feels genuinely restorative for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why rest is essential for high-performing women (not optional)
  
• Common myths and fears about slowing down
  
• How busyness can act as a coping mechanism
  
• Practical ways to integrate 1–5 minutes of rest into your day
  
• Why sleep is the foundation of true rest—and how to support it
  

• Experiment with different forms of rest to find what works for you
  
• Start small: schedule 1–5 minutes of intentional rest each day
  
• If you struggle to rest, DM Ashlee on Instagram for tools and support

Ashlee reminds us that rest isn’t indulgent—it’s the key to showing up with energy, clarity, and strength.

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In this holiday episode of The Calm Collective, Ashlee dives into the real mental and emotional load mothers carry this time of year. From creating “holiday magic” to managing work, family, and endless expectations, she unpacks why so many women feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and disconnected during a season that’s supposed to feel joyful.

Ashlee explores:

• The invisible holiday workload for working moms

• Letting go of traditions that no longer serve you

• Setting boundaries without guilt

• Designing an intentional, values-led holiday season

• Protecting your time, energy, and presence

• Choosing meaningful moments over perfection

If you’re craving a calmer, simpler, more aligned December—with more presence and less pressure—this episode is your permission slip.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

The holidays don’t have to leave you exhausted, bloated, or stressed. In this solo episode, Colleen shares how to savor the season without the holiday hangover — from simple, meaningful traditions with your family to my top self-care “non-negotiables” that keep your energy, mood, and sanity intact.

You’ll get permission to slow down, enjoy the little moments, and skip the holiday chaos.

✨ Grab easy weeknight holiday-friendly recipes here:

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And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

In this powerful conversation, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Kimberly Roy—visibility strategist and founder of Pitch With Kim—to explore what it really takes for women entrepreneurs to be seen, heard, and supported.

Kimberly shares how she helps women amplify their stories through authentic visibility, while breaking down the resistance, self-doubt, and old narratives that hold so many back.

Together, they dive into the journey of self-discovery, the role of nervous system regulation in leadership, the importance of aligning strategy with soul, and why confidence grows through small, consistent steps.

This episode is an invitation to embrace your voice, deepen self-trust, and allow yourself to be fully seen in life and business.

Grab Kim’s 4 Steps to Consistent Lead Generation: Download here

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In our final episode of the season, Ashlee and Colleen slow things down and walk you through the power of year-end reflection before jumping into 2026 goal-setting. 

We explore what it really looks like to review the past year with gratitude—not judgment—by celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and noticing the habits and patterns that shaped the year. 

We also share our own reflection process, why aligning goals with how you want to feel matters more than checking boxes, and how to set yourself up for a more intentional year ahead.

Want your own year end reflection tool? DM us on IG to grab yours: Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

In the Season 2 premiere, Ashlee and Colleen break down why so many women set the same goals year after year and what it really takes to finally move forward.

From fitness and business goals to creating more space in your overwhelmed schedule, they explore how to set specific, measurable, and meaningful intentions that actually stick.

You’ll learn why vague goals like “get in shape” keep you stuck, how limiting beliefs make you afraid to be specific, and why “doing less” is sometimes the most powerful goal you can set.

They share practical ways to apply SMART goals, create supportive habits, and build accountability that feels empowering, not punishing.

Ashlee and Colleen also highlight the importance of celebrating small wins, aligning goals with how you want to feel, and making consistent progress without perfection. If you’re ready to finally stop recycling your goals and start creating real momentum, this episode will help you step into the new year with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Want support? Join Ashlee's Free Goal Setting Workshop on January 13th at 12 (est): Join Here

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In this episode, Ashlee and Colleen dive into one of the most overlooked ingredients of successful goal-setting: consistency.

They unpack why motivation fades, how the all-or-nothing mindset keeps people stuck, and why showing up imperfectly still counts.

Through real-life examples—from fitness and meal planning to breathwork and self-care—they explore how small, sustainable actions create momentum over time.

This conversation is a reminder that consistency doesn’t mean perfection; it means having a plan, staying curious, and continuing even when it feels messy.

If you’ve ever set a goal with the best intentions only to fall off track, this episode will help you rethink consistency, build trust with yourself, and create habits that actually last.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

“I know what I need to do… so why can’t I follow through?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, this solo episode is for you. Ashlee unpacks the gap between awareness and action—why knowing isn’t the problem, and why implementation can feel so hard even when the answers are clear.

She explores the hidden layers of resistance that keep women stuck, including fear of change, self-worth blocks, nervous system dysregulation, and the subtle fear of outgrowing people or identities. Rather than pushing harder or adding more to your plate, Ashlee invites you to start smaller, calmer, and more intentionally, building self-trust through tiny, consistent actions.

This episode is a compassionate reminder that you don’t need more discipline—you need safety, support, and a regulated nervous system to create lasting change.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

In this episode, Colleen is talking about a very unsexy day in her life — the simple, mostly free habits that actually keep her feeling happy, energized, and yes, pooping daily.

She dives into morning sunlight, walking, protein at every meal, sitting down to eat, and small nervous system resets — the boring stuff that truly supports gut health, mental health, and hormone balance.

Ladies, if you’ve ever felt like you need all the fancy tools, biohacks, or trends to feel good, this episode is your reminder: you don’t. Foundations first, consistency matters, and simple rhythms are what make the real difference.

Tune in and discover why the unsexy habits are the secret to feeling good every day.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

In this episode, Ashlee and Colleen have an honest conversation about something so many women feel—but rarely say out loud: loneliness.

They explore why adult friendships can feel harder than ever in a hyper-connected, tech-driven world, and how social media often gives the illusion of connection without the depth of real community.

From parenting-centered friendships to introversion labels, busy schedules, and fear of vulnerability, they unpack the subtle ways we avoid building the connections we actually crave.

Ashlee and Colleen share personal stories, reflections on grief and life transitions, and practical ways to begin shifting from isolation to intentional community—without needing a massive social circle.

This episode is an invitation to take inventory of your relationships, redefine what community means to you, and take small, courageous steps toward deeper connection and support.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, unseen, or longing for more meaningful relationships, you’re not alone—and this conversation is for you.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

In this episode, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with Alex Long to talk about what it really looks like to align your life with your priorities—and continue evolving as you grow. Alex shares her powerful journey of leaving an abusive marriage, rebuilding her life, and redefining success beyond titles, roles, and external expectations.

This conversation explores why there’s no single breakthrough moment or magic solution, but rather an ongoing practice of self-honesty, recommitment, and alignment.

Together, they discuss letting go of old identities, setting clear priorities, celebrating small wins, and consistently choosing actions that reflect who you are becoming.

If you’re navigating change, craving more authenticity, or feeling called to evolve into the next version of yourself, this episode is a grounded reminder that meaningful growth happens one intentional choice at a time.

Follow Alex here: Alex Undefined

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

Adult friendships aren’t failing, they’re being tested.

In this solo episode, Ashlee dives into why connection feels harder in your 30s and 40s, why some friendships quietly fall away, and why that doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong. Between family, work, kids’ schedules, and constant overstimulation, many of us are craving deeper connection… while feeling too exhausted to maintain it.

Ashlee unpacks:

• Why outgrowing friendships is often necessary (not selfish)
• How to tell the difference between acquaintances and true friends
• Why surface-level connection feels draining instead of fulfilling
• The role your nervous system plays in boundaries, clarity, and connection

She also introduces Regulate, her 6-week program designed to help you calm your nervous system, stop overgiving, and create relationships that actually feel supportive, not obligatory.

If you’ve ever thought “Why does friendship feel so hard now?” this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen in, then share it with someone who’s been on your heart.

In this powerful conversation, Ashlee and Colleen sit down with burnout and alignment coach Mel Grime to unpack what burnout really is — and why so many high-capacity women are silently living in it.

Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s chronic stress without relief. It’s functioning on empty. It’s the pressure to perform across career, motherhood, relationships, and home — all while appearing “fine.”

Mel shares her personal story of hitting a breaking point after years of people-pleasing and perfectionism, and explains why traditional self-care advice often doesn’t work when someone is deeply burned out. Instead of quick fixes, she walks us through the power of small, safe, incremental healing — and why recovery requires patience, community, and self-compassion.

In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between stress and true burnout

• Why high-functioning women are especially vulnerable

• The hidden impact of unpaid labor and mental load

• Why asking for help feels so hard

• How to begin healing when you feel completely depleted

• The role of community and vulnerability in recovery

  
  

  This conversation is honest, validating, and deeply reassuring for any woman who feels like she’s carrying too much for too long.If you’ve been running on empty — or know someone who is — this episode is one to share and try out Mel’s supportive community free for 30 days: The Aligned Woman Membership

  
  

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In this solo episode of The Calm Collective, Colleen shares heartfelt reflections on the role of community during life’s hardest seasons, including the loss of her daughter, Ainslie, in 2018 and another challenging chapter in 2024.

Through honest storytelling, she explores what real support actually looks like—the people who show up quietly, consistently, and without needing the right words—and reminds listeners that true community isn’t about everyone, but about the right people at the right time.

Colleen also offers gentle encouragement and practical insight on building meaningful connections through vulnerability, intentionality, and mutual care, inviting listeners to take small steps toward creating the kind of community that can hold them through both grief and healing.

Please share with someone who has been there for you.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

What do you do when your child calls you from school, heart-broken and wanting to be picked up because of a haircut and a group of mean kids? 

I’m sure, like many of us, your first instinct is to rescue. You want to drive to the school, pick them up, and protect them from the world. But this week on The Calm Collective, Ashlee is sharing why that "rescue" might actually be doing more harm than good.

She’s taking you behind the scenes of a recent, raw experience with her 13-year-old son—from the anxiety of a new haircut to navigating mean kids at school. We explore the difficult transition from being the "Rescuer" to becoming the "Empowering Coach."

In this solo episode, Ashlee dives into:

• The Drama Triangle: How to spot when you’re falling into the "Rescuer" role and why it unintentionally reinforces a victim mentality in our kids.

• Self-Regulation in the Storm: The exact tools she used to calm her own physical stress response (the "Mama Bear" activation) so she could show up for her son with clarity, not impulsivity.

• The "Guidance Counselor" Victory: Why letting your child use their own voice to set boundaries is the ultimate confidence builder.

Parenting isn't about removing every obstacle; it’s about giving our children the tools to climb over them. If you’ve been feeling "activated" by your child's struggles lately, this episode is a roadmap for coming back to center and leading from a place of empowerment.

Wanna chat more about this or any of our episodes? We'd love to hear your feedback - connect with us here: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

What if the key to a calmer home isn’t a better schedule, but a better boundary?

This week on The Calm Collective, Ashlee and Colleen are getting honest about the high-stakes challenge of raising independent kids in a world designed to distract them.

We explore the vital link between our own emotional regulation and our children’s behavior, diving into why "gentle parenting" doesn't have to mean "no boundaries." 

Join us as we discuss:

• The Screen-Free Shift: How a simple backpack of activities can reclaim family dinner time.

• The Boredom Benefit: Why we need to stop "arranging" our kids' lives and let them figure it out.

• The Summer Sanity Saver: How structured routines and daily checklists turned chaos into cooperation.

• Co-Regulation: Why your office door rule (and your own self-care) is actually a gift to your kids.

It’s time to trade the tech-tantrums for a little more presence and a lot more peace. Whether you’re navigating different family rules at the rink or trying to survive a public meltdown, we’re here to help you stay calm, stay firm, and stay connected.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

Are your kids picky eaters? Struggling with mood swings, anxiety, or focus issues? You might be surprised how much their diet—and your approach to feeding them—plays a role.

In this episode, I break down the biggest nutrition myths for kids and share what really matters: real, balanced food. From sugar and juice to “kid-only” foods and picky eating, we’ll explore how diet affects behavior, gut health, and even development. I’ll also share practical tips for making family meals fun, approachable, and stress-free—without cooking separate dinners for everyone.

Plus, if you’re ready to take it a step further, I’ll explain how functional lab testing can help uncover the root causes of health concerns and support lasting changes for you and your kids.

🎁 Bonus: Book a complimentary consultation call with me and receive a quick & easy breakfast guide, pulled straight from our family favorites.

Whether you’re struggling with picky eaters, behavioral challenges, or just want your family to feel energized and nourished, this episode is packed with insights and actionable steps you can start today.

Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.