Some stories don’t just inspire ~ they unfold like a movie that reminds you of your own.In this cinematic-style episode, we sit down with Carmen Johnson, a powerhouse executive, strategic advisor, and advocate for women’s empowerment who dives into her developmental years and how she turned a life that could have gone one way into something extraordinary.Through the scenes of her life, we witness what happens when the script flips unexpectedly ~ from early loss and diagnosis to the strength found in community and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about breast cancer ~ it’s about transformation, resilience, and the courage to keep rewriting the story even when life doesn’t go as planned.You’re invited to sit in the metaphorical theater with us, to watch real life unfold, and to ask yourself:If this were your story playing on the screen ~ how would you react?✨ Inside This Episode🎞️ How Carmen’s early choices shaped the foundation for her resilience later in life💔 The moment her life shifted from caregiver to patient overnight🌿 What it means to find grace and gratitude in the middle of grief💗 How humor, community, and purpose became her medicine🌅 Why Carmen believes legacy is about how you live now, not just what you leave behind💭 Listener Reflections~ What scene of your life are you currently living, and what lesson is it revealing?~ How can you let others help direct the story when your energy runs low?~ What does legacy mean to you today ~ and how are you living it right now?💕 Loving LinksCarmen continues to champion organizations that empower, educate, and uplift women through every phase of their journey. She’s living proof that advocacy doesn’t end when treatment does ~ it evolves into legacy.🌸 iRise Above Foundation ~ Supporting young women facing breast cancerCarmen and others sponsored and donated toward the publishing costs of Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer for the foundation’s benefit.🔗https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/📚 Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast CancerBy Gillian Lichota | ISBN: 9781958472231An anthology that amplifies voices of resilience and healing, supporting the iRise Above Foundation.🔗 https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/🏡 Carolina Breast Friends ~ The Pink HouseProviding comfort, community, prosthetic fittings, and education for women in treatment and recovery.Carmen proudly serves on the Board and plans to chair the Technology Board in 2026.🔗 https://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/🌿 TumbleweedAgentic AI for End-of-Life Planning, Legacy, and 24/7 Caregiver Support.Carmen supports this tech startup to help others prepare with clarity and compassion.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/🎙 Sandwiched PodcastStories and support for the Sandwich Generation and caregivers ~ reminding us we’re never truly alone in caregiving.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwichedhttps://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwiched🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
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Some stories don’t just inspire ~ they unfold like a movie that reminds you of your own.In this cinematic-style episode, we sit down with Carmen Johnson, a powerhouse executive, strategic advisor, and advocate for women’s empowerment who dives into her developmental years and how she turned a life that could have gone one way into something extraordinary.Through the scenes of her life, we witness what happens when the script flips unexpectedly ~ from early loss and diagnosis to the strength found in community and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about breast cancer ~ it’s about transformation, resilience, and the courage to keep rewriting the story even when life doesn’t go as planned.You’re invited to sit in the metaphorical theater with us, to watch real life unfold, and to ask yourself:If this were your story playing on the screen ~ how would you react?✨ Inside This Episode🎞️ How Carmen’s early choices shaped the foundation for her resilience later in life💔 The moment her life shifted from caregiver to patient overnight🌿 What it means to find grace and gratitude in the middle of grief💗 How humor, community, and purpose became her medicine🌅 Why Carmen believes legacy is about how you live now, not just what you leave behind💭 Listener Reflections~ What scene of your life are you currently living, and what lesson is it revealing?~ How can you let others help direct the story when your energy runs low?~ What does legacy mean to you today ~ and how are you living it right now?💕 Loving LinksCarmen continues to champion organizations that empower, educate, and uplift women through every phase of their journey. She’s living proof that advocacy doesn’t end when treatment does ~ it evolves into legacy.🌸 iRise Above Foundation ~ Supporting young women facing breast cancerCarmen and others sponsored and donated toward the publishing costs of Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer for the foundation’s benefit.🔗https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/📚 Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast CancerBy Gillian Lichota | ISBN: 9781958472231An anthology that amplifies voices of resilience and healing, supporting the iRise Above Foundation.🔗 https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/🏡 Carolina Breast Friends ~ The Pink HouseProviding comfort, community, prosthetic fittings, and education for women in treatment and recovery.Carmen proudly serves on the Board and plans to chair the Technology Board in 2026.🔗 https://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/🌿 TumbleweedAgentic AI for End-of-Life Planning, Legacy, and 24/7 Caregiver Support.Carmen supports this tech startup to help others prepare with clarity and compassion.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/🎙 Sandwiched PodcastStories and support for the Sandwich Generation and caregivers ~ reminding us we’re never truly alone in caregiving.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwichedhttps://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwiched🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
Some stories don’t just inspire ~ they unfold like a movie that reminds you of your own.In this cinematic-style episode, we sit down with Carmen Johnson, a powerhouse executive, strategic advisor, and advocate for women’s empowerment who dives into her developmental years and how she turned a life that could have gone one way into something extraordinary.Through the scenes of her life, we witness what happens when the script flips unexpectedly ~ from early loss and diagnosis to the strength found in community and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about breast cancer ~ it’s about transformation, resilience, and the courage to keep rewriting the story even when life doesn’t go as planned.You’re invited to sit in the metaphorical theater with us, to watch real life unfold, and to ask yourself:If this were your story playing on the screen ~ how would you react?✨ Inside This Episode🎞️ How Carmen’s early choices shaped the foundation for her resilience later in life💔 The moment her life shifted from caregiver to patient overnight🌿 What it means to find grace and gratitude in the middle of grief💗 How humor, community, and purpose became her medicine🌅 Why Carmen believes legacy is about how you live now, not just what you leave behind💭 Listener Reflections~ What scene of your life are you currently living, and what lesson is it revealing?~ How can you let others help direct the story when your energy runs low?~ What does legacy mean to you today ~ and how are you living it right now?💕 Loving LinksCarmen continues to champion organizations that empower, educate, and uplift women through every phase of their journey. She’s living proof that advocacy doesn’t end when treatment does ~ it evolves into legacy.🌸 iRise Above Foundation ~ Supporting young women facing breast cancerCarmen and others sponsored and donated toward the publishing costs of Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer for the foundation’s benefit.🔗https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/📚 Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast CancerBy Gillian Lichota | ISBN: 9781958472231An anthology that amplifies voices of resilience and healing, supporting the iRise Above Foundation.🔗 https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/🏡 Carolina Breast Friends ~ The Pink HouseProviding comfort, community, prosthetic fittings, and education for women in treatment and recovery.Carmen proudly serves on the Board and plans to chair the Technology Board in 2026.🔗 https://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/🌿 TumbleweedAgentic AI for End-of-Life Planning, Legacy, and 24/7 Caregiver Support.Carmen supports this tech startup to help others prepare with clarity and compassion.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/🎙 Sandwiched PodcastStories and support for the Sandwich Generation and caregivers ~ reminding us we’re never truly alone in caregiving.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwichedhttps://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwiched🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
Everyday rituals aren’t just routines — they’re anchors for your nervous system, your mindset, and your soul. In this episode, Robin dives into how simple, intentional acts woven throughout your day can completely shift your energy, mindset, and emotional resilience. 💫You’ll hear how the smallest choices — from morning gratitude to daily connection — create powerful ripple effects in how you show up, how you feel, and how you lead yourself.✨ In this episode, we explore:How consistency and connection are the foundation of mental and emotional strength 🌿Why micro-rituals rewire your brain toward gratitude, calm, and confidence 🧠The science of how simple, repeated actions build a bendable, resilient mind 💪Because resilience isn’t built in grand gestures ~ it’s created in the quiet consistency of how you breathe,🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
Rocky taught us to fight harder. Elsa told us to “let it go.” Bill Murray showed us the same day over and over again until he got it right.But what if Hollywood got resilience half right ~ and the rest of the story is what truly matters?In this episode, Robin and Cliff break down the truth behind the movie moments that shaped how we think about strength, perseverance, and emotional recovery. From Rocky’s snow-soaked grit to Elsa’s lonely independence, they unpack what those stories got right ~ and what they forgot to show: the quiet, messy, unseen work of building real resilience.💬 Robin shares how these cinematic lessons reflect our own lives ~ where transformation doesn’t happen in the highlight reel, but in the pauses between takes. Cliff connects it back to sports and coaching ~ where mental toughness isn’t found in the game-winning play, but in the practice you show up for when no one’s watching.💡 In this episode you’ll learn:~ Why grit is overrated without emotional recovery~ How isolation is often mistaken for freedom~ Why repetition is one of resilience’s greatest teachers~ How trust (not belief) helps you fly when the feather falls away~ The truth about what actually builds a resilient mind and heart🪞 Favorite Quotes from the Episode:“It’s not the montage that makes you ~ it’s the mornings.”“You can’t ‘let it go’ until you’ve let others in.”“If it keeps repeating, maybe it’s not punishment ~ it’s practice.”🎬 Movies discussed: Rocky IV, Frozen, Groundhog Day, and Dumbo (for the ones who still believe in the feather 😉).🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
No one tells you that doing everything “right” doesn’t always lead to the outcome you wanted. No one warns you that being good won’t stop people from misunderstanding you. And no one explains that resilience isn’t learned through winning — it’s earned through the quiet moments when you decide to keep showing up anyway.In this episode, Robin and Cliff unwrap the real lessons life forgot to mention — the invisible curriculum of adulthood, compassion, and authenticity. From misunderstood intentions to redefining success beyond validation, this conversation gets honest about what it means to be good in a world that doesn’t always see good clearly.Robin opens up about one of her deepest realizations:“One of the biggest lessons I learned is that I would be viewed as bad, even though I am good.”Together, Robin and Cliff explore how to stand grounded in your integrity, even when perception doesn’t match your truth — and why the most important lessons are the ones we live, not the ones we’re taught.💡 In this episode you’ll learn:Why being misunderstood can actually be a sign of alignmentHow resilience grows in the gap between perception and truthThe power of rewriting life’s “unspoken rules”How to find peace when others misread your intentionsWhy silence and struggle can be the world’s most profound teachers🪞 Favorite Quote from the Episode:“Resilience is trusting your integrity when your reflection in someone else’s lens looks distorted.”🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
What wins games isn’t always talent or stats ~ it’s chemistry. The invisible glue that bonds teammates, lifts energy when pressure hits, and fuels resilience when the scoreboard doesn’t go your way.In this episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff break down the real MVP of sports and life: team chemistry. From the dugout to the boardroom, from everyday champs to elite athletes, we explore how energy frequency, mindset, and mental skills shape the way teams rise together or crumble apart.You’ll learn:✨ Why team chemistry = energy frequency (and how to know what frequency you’re playing on)✨ Mental skills that build chemistry: awareness, reframing, self-talk upgrades, resilience✨ Everyday stories of athletes and champs who reset the vibe with one choice✨ How micro-moments create trust, alignment, and contagious energy✨ Practical takeaways ~ from energy audits to reset rituals ~ you can use with your team, your family, or yourselfWhether you’re leading a team, parenting a champ, or trying to show up with more intentional energy in daily life, this conversation will leave you with tools to shift the frequency and elevate the chemistry.Because chemistry isn’t luck ~ it’s built. And the higher the frequency, the stronger the team.🔗 Connect & Share💡 What’s your best team chemistry story? Share it with us on IG using #CandyForBreakfast + #ResilientAF.🃏 Want weekly resilience tools? Check out our Resilient AF card game and Substack newsletter for everyday champs and athletes.✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📧 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 linktr.ee/l4map📖 Robin’s Book:The BEAUTY Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief into Gifts
This week we are coming at you with the first ever Coach’s Corner with Cliffy T! Cliff takes the lead alongside co-host Robin as they dig into one of the biggest game-changers in sports and leadership: communication.Together, they unpack how different coaching styles impact players, teams, and recruitment ~ and whether your communication style is lifting athletes up or quietly holding them back.They explore:• 🗣️ Coaching communication styles ~ are you using yours effectively or mismanaging it?• 🤝 Supporting each athlete’s individuality while building team culture.• 😏 The sarcasm debate ~ when it connects and when it backfires.• 📖 Storytelling as a coaching tool ~ normalizing challenges through shared experiences.• 🎯 Purposeful communication goals that hit the mark.• 📡 Finding the right “frequency” with your players.• 🔄 The importance of reset and refuel moments for coaches and athletes.With their mix of storytelling, practical tools, and honest debate, Cliff and Robin show how communication done well doesn’t just create better players ~ it creates stronger, more resilient people.✨ Takeaway: Communication is your strongest coaching asset. When you learn to tune your style, you’ll connect deeper, lead better, and fuel your players to thrive.🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff:www.L4Livin.comRobin@L4Livin.comIG @candyforbreakfastpodcasthttps://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book:https://www.amazon.com/BEAUTY-Within-Tragedy-RESILIENT-Grief/dp/1737890704/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7CHM7AJTQGQV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MFq5SIB3gpXEi8ZwUX9hXA.KzSzWzARozj7HKYlig3Dj_Wd5K3WOUqPtDyr1-QCpiw&dib_tag=se&keywords=robin+gargano&qid=1740166215&sprefix=robin+gargano%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1
Welcome back to Candy for Breakfast ~ the sweet, the sour, and everything in between that makes life real.In today’s episode, we tackle one of the hardest realities of our world right now: opposition has turned toxic. Disagreement has become dangerous. Too often, instead of finding unity through debate, we default to hate and even violence.💡 But here’s the truth: opposition is not the enemy ~ hate is.🌟 What We’ll Talk About*The Power of Opposition: why disagreement is proof of life and growth, not division.*Resilience as the Bridge: how to pause, breathe, and reframe before triggers become reactions.*Compassion vs Violence: respecting humanity without needing agreement.*Unity Through Debate: how strong nations, and strong people, are built on discussion, not destruction.*The Hard Question: “What has gotten you to the point of low confidence in your decision to be who you are that you are allowing triggers to dictate a violent reaction?”🧠 Key ReflectionWhen you’re grounded in your identity, differences don’t shake you. Low confidence makes every disagreement feel like an attack, and that’s when triggers hijack us. Triggers aren’t enemies ~ they’re teachers. They reveal where healing still needs to happen.Resilience is the art of asking: “Why did this touch me so deeply, and how can I choose compassion instead of violence?”✨ Closing ThoughtImagine a culture where we could disagree with grace. Where debate sharpened us instead of dividing us. Where resilience gave us the strength to sit at the table and see each other as human first.That’s not just possible ~ it’s necessary. And it starts with the courage to turn opposition into opportunity.
The world needs some leadership right now and for the next two weeks we are reminding society why compassionate leadership is necessary. In a world where voices are loud and opinions are many, true leadership stands out not because of power, but because of presence.In this episode, we dive into the heart of leadership ~ exploring different leadership styles and unpacking why communication and compassion are the two most important pillars for anyone guiding others.We’ll talk about how great leaders adapt their style, why asking the right questions matters more than assigning blame, and how constructive criticism only works when it’s asked for and delivered with care. You’ll also hear why leadership means embracing our shared humanity ~ recognizing that mistakes aren’t failures, they’re level-ups.Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or just showing up as a leader in your own life, this episode will give you tools to communicate better, lead with empathy, and create stronger connections.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:~ The five common leadership styles and why adaptability is key~ Why communication and compassion are the foundation of true influence~ The importance of knowing your team and asking questions before making judgments~ Why leaders don’t blame ~ they reframe mistakes as learning opportunities~ The truth about constructive criticism ~ when it helps, and when it harms~ A reminder that being human means messing up ~ and every mess-up can be a level-upKey Quote from the Episode"You are not a victim, you are a designer of your life. Every time you mess up, it’s not the end ~ it’s a level up."Call to ActionThis week, take a moment to reflect ~ Am I leading with my voice, or with my heart? Share your thoughts with me on social @ResilientAF or drop me a message ~ I’d love to hear how you’re choosing to lead with communication and compassion.🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff:www.L4Livin.comRobin@L4Livin.comIG @candyforbreakfastpodcasthttps://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book:
Welcome back to Candy for Breakfast ~ where we talk about the sweet, the sour, and everything in between that makes life real.This week, I’m joined by sisters Rachel & Adriana Gioeni. In 2019, they lost their mom ~ and that loss flipped life upside down. They were thrown into adulthood carrying grief, identity shifts, and the pressure to figure out who they were becoming.But here’s the thing: this conversation isn’t just about loss. It’s about what grief teaches you ~ how to keep moving, how to laugh again, how to stop sweating the small stuff, and how to see life for what it is right now instead of waiting for tragedy to shake you awake.✨ In this episode, we dig into: 💔 The messy, raw days of grief. 🎂 Shadow events ~ birthdays, milestones, the gut-check reminders. 👭 What it feels like to grow into womanhood while carrying loss. 🌱 The tools and mindsets that actually helped them heal. 💡 Their best advice for our generation on living fully, now.🎙️ This is a raw, real, and necessary conversation for anyone in their 20s trying to figure life out. And you might just be pleasantly surprised by how these 20-somethings can teach any generation through the wisdom they’ve gained by choosing to heal through pain.👉 Hit play. This one’s gonna stay with you.
What if every obstacle in your life wasn’t an opponent, but a training partner? In this solo episode, Robin dives deep into adaptability—the hidden edge that helps athletes and everyday champions thrive no matter what life throws their way.From the dugout to the boardroom, from parenting chaos to game-day pressure, adaptability is the difference between staying stuck and moving forward with purpose. Robin shares her personal story of resilience, introduces the neuroscience behind adaptability 🧠, and walks you through practical tools from her L4 training—including the brand-new A.D.A.P.T. Method™ and the quick-hitting Bendable Brain Drill.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✨ Why adaptability is the ultimate competitive advantage for both athletes and everyday champions.✨ How resilience (your shield 🛡️) and adaptability (your sword ⚔️) work together to help you thrive.✨ The science of neuroplasticity and why 63 seconds is all it takes to start rewiring your brain.✨ How to use the ART Framework (Awareness → Reframe → Take Action) in everyday life and under game-day pressure.✨ A step-by-step practice of the A.D.A.P.T. Method™—a brand new resilience tool exclusive to L4.✨ Real-life examples: how athletes reset after mistakes and how parents/professionals pivot in the middle of chaos.Resources + Links Mentioned in This EpisodeDr. Caroline Leaf’s work: Switch On Your Brain https://amzn.to/4mOX5sb 🧠NABA Community → Join here https://naba.com/robin 🌐Challenge for You:This week, notice one moment where you choose to adapt instead of resist. If you’re an athlete, pay attention to how adaptability shifts your performance under pressure. If you’re an everyday champion, watch how adaptability creates peace in the middle of chaos.Share your story with Robin—DM her on Instagram or tag Candy for Breakfast with your breakthrough moment. 🏆"Resilience is your shield 🛡️ Adaptability is your sword ⚔️ Together, they don’t just help you survive~they help you live freely and expansively 🌟🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff:www.L4Livin.comRobin@L4Livin.comIG @candyforbreakfastpodcasthttps://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book:https://www.amazon.com/BEAUTY-Within-Tragedy-RESILIENT-Grief/dp/1737890704/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7CHM7AJTQGQV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MFq5SIB3gpXEi8ZwUX9hXA.KzSzWzARozj7HKYlig3Dj_Wd5K3WOUqPtDyr1-QCpiw&dib_tag=se&keywords=robin+gargano&qid=1740166215&sprefix=robin+gargano%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1
In this episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff sit down with the influential Nick Hiter—leader, social media strategist, podcaster, and father—to explore the multifaceted world of leadership and growth. From building The Hitlab podcast brand, to navigating the realities of parenting teens in a digital age, Nick shares insights that challenge conventional thinking and offer practical tools for living a more intentional life.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeLeadership Beyond the Basics: Underrated traits of strong leaders, how failures shape perspective, and why vulnerability is a leader’s hidden strength.Social Media as a Leadership Tool: How to leverage platforms for influence without sacrificing authenticity or integrity.The Story Behind Hitstreak: What inspired Nick’s podcast, his most memorable guests, and the lessons leaders can take from powerful conversations.Parenting a Teen in the Digital Age: How Nick balances guidance and independence, teaching his teen to make wise choices.Shifting Your Leadership Mindset: Reflective questions that challenge assumptions about ego, failure, and growth.Key TakeawaysLeadership is not about titles—it’s about influence, adaptability, and empathy.Social media can amplify leadership but requires authenticity to be sustainable.Failure and vulnerability are not weaknesses; they are gateways to resilience and growth.Parenting teens today requires open communication, clear boundaries, and space for independent learning.Self-reflection can uncover blind spots in leadership and personal growth that traditional advice misses.Where to Find Nick HiterEmail: nick@nickhiter.comFacebook: facebook.com/nickhiterofficialTikTok: tiktok.com/@nickhiterTwitter/X: x.com/nickhiterInstagram: instagram.com/nickhiterYouTube: Nick Hiter ChannelLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickhiterThe Hitstreak Podcast: Apple | SpotifyJoin the Conversation How do you define leadership in your own life? Have you reflected on your relationship with ego, failure, or vulnerability? Share your thoughts with us using #CandyForBreakfast on social media.Connect with Robin & Cliff Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be RESILIENT in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
In this episode, Robin and Cliff unpack what it really means to lead with compassion—not as a soft or “feel-good” idea, but as a bold, resilient leadership strategy grounded in neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and even a wild thought experiment featuring a dinosaur. Together, they explore the radical truth that grace is power, and compassion is not the weaker option—it’s the smartest and most strategic move a leader can make.Through a blend of science, storytelling, and soul work, you’ll discover what happens when you stop performing strength and start leading with it from the inside out.What You’ll Explore in This Episode:A storytelling journey into the future with “Aya,” a reimagined T-Rex raised in loveThe real science behind the “Chickenosaurus” project and what it teaches us about genetic memoryWhy compassion isn’t soft—it’s a strategic leadership advantageHow compassion for self and others strengthens resilienceThe mindset shift that comes from leading with graceWhat true coexistence means in leadership and lifeKey Talking Points:The Chickenosaurus Project: What it reveals about science, possibility, and transformationCompassion for Self: Mistakes don’t diminish worth—grace fuels growthCompassion for Others: Leadership built on awareness, curiosity, and understandingRelativity in Leadership: Equity of understanding matters more than equality of responseResilience and Softness: Why being unbreakable doesn’t require being hardJournal Prompt for Listeners: Where in your life or leadership could giving grace unlock a new level of growth—for you or for someone else?Quote to Remember: “Compassion doesn’t erase your edge—it sharpens your humanity.”Bonus: Stay tuned for the story behind “Aya,” the dinosaur in this episode, and why her name—drawn from the Japanese words for “color” and “woven pattern”—symbolizes what leadership can become when rooted in compassion.Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff TerracusoConnect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be RESILIENT in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
In this episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff explore a challenge that affects athletes, professionals, and everyday people alike—self-sabotage. Whether it’s choking under pressure, avoiding your goals, or feeling stuck in life, self-sabotage can quietly block you from reaching your full potential.Robin unpacks what self-sabotage is, the fears that fuel it, and how to shift your mindset to break free from these destructive cycles. You’ll walk away with tools to spot self-sabotage in your own life and pivot toward growth-oriented action.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What Self-Sabotage Is: How it shows up in sports and daily life, from procrastination to perfectionism to negative self-talk.The Fear Behind Self-Sabotage: Why fear of failure—or even fear of success—can unconsciously drive your behavior.Recognizing Self-Sabotage: Common signs, such as avoiding risks, delaying action, or being overly self-critical.Freud’s Perspective: How unconscious conflict and repression can explain self-sabotaging behaviors.Shifting Out of Self-Sabotage: Practical strategies like self-compassion, visualizing success, breaking goals into smaller steps, and focusing on effort instead of outcome.Suppressed vs. Repressed Emotions: The difference between consciously avoiding feelings and unconsciously burying them—and why both matter.Key Takeaways:Self-sabotage often operates unconsciously and stems from deep psychological fears.Addressing suppressed or repressed emotions is key to breaking the cycle.A growth mindset helps shift focus from avoiding failure to embracing learning and progress.Freud’s work on repression offers valuable insights into why we undermine ourselves—and how to heal.Resources & Mentions:Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol DweckCognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders by Aaron BeckThe Neuroscience of Fear and Self-Sabotage by Dr. David RothFreud’s theories on the unconscious mind and repression (Psychoanalysis Overview)Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff TerracusoConnect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be RESILIENT in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
In this eye-opening and compassionate episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff unpack the growing anxiety epidemic among children—and trace its roots to something most parents overlook: our own stress. From biological co-regulation to emotional inheritance, they explore how adult dysregulation silently teaches kids how to respond to the world.This isn’t about blame. It’s about reclaiming awareness, resilience, and emotional leadership—so our kids don’t have to carry what we haven’t processed. Whether you’re a parent, coach, teacher, or simply care about the next generation, this episode offers powerful mindset shifts and grounded, science-backed tools to help kids thrive—starting with how we show up.What You’ll Learn:Why kids co-regulate with adults—and how our nervous system becomes their blueprintWhat “emotional inheritance” means and how to break cycles of chronic stressWhat adult wellness is missing in today’s culture of productivity and performanceHow to raise resilient kids without being a “perfect” parentPractical tools to shift emotional tone at home (even in just 5 minutes)Key Science & Insights:9.4% of children have been diagnosed with anxiety (CDC)Parents with chronic stress can pass elevated cortisol to their kids (Biological Psychiatry)Kids don’t need perfection—they need repair, regulation, and relational wellnessTakeaway Tools:Co-regulation strategiesEmotional vocabulary buildersMicro-practices for visible, relational wellnessA journal prompt that challenges how you show up emotionally in your homeJournal Prompt: “What emotional tone am I modeling in my home? What could I shift this week to support regulation and resilience?”Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff TerracusoConnect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be RESILIENT in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
In this powerful episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff unpack how the rise of women in sports is not just changing the game on the field, but also reshaping leadership in boardrooms, businesses, and beyond. From groundbreaking athletes breaking barriers to the explosive growth of women’s sports leagues, this conversation dives into the cultural, psychological, and economic shifts happening in real time.If you’ve ever wondered how women athletes are paving the way for future leaders—or why women’s sports are finally receiving the recognition they deserve—this episode delivers the answers. Robin and Cliff explore how these athletes lead with vulnerability, authenticity, and resilience—and how their influence extends far beyond the scoreboard.What You’ll Learn:How social identity theory explains our emotional connection to women athletesWhy we’re seeing a cultural shift in the perception of women’s sportsHow women athletes are dominating in both athletics and the corporate worldThe rise of new women’s sports leagues and what it means for equity and opportunityWhy fan engagement with women’s sports is building more than viewership—it’s creating communityKey Concepts Mentioned:Social Identity Theory: How our sense of self is shaped by group affiliationsGender Stereotypes: How women athletes are rewriting the narrative of power and confidenceThe Gender Equity Movement in Sports: Economic and social forces driving visibility for female athletesTools for Embracing the Shift:Champion a female athlete by attending events and sharing their storiesEngage with athlete-led brands, media coverage, and new leaguesLearn leadership lessons from women in sports: grit, confidence, and emotional intelligenceJournal Prompt:“How has watching women in sports changed my perspective on leadership? In what areas of my life can I embody the resilience, authenticity, and leadership they show on the field?”Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff TerracusoConnect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be Resilient in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
In this permission-giving episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff unpack the invisible rulebooks we live by—and why it’s time to question them. From cultural conditioning to psychological patterns, they explore how rules we never consciously agreed to can lead to burnout, shame, and chronic self-criticism.If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so easy to give others grace but so hard to give it to yourself, this conversation offers a psychological lens, emotional validation, and practical tools to help you rewrite the rules.What You’ll Learn:How family, culture, and society shape the "rules" you follow without realizing itWhat self-discrepancy theory is—and how it explains why you're so hard on yourselfWhy perfectionism and burnout are often symptoms of inherited expectationsHow to identify the difference between your values and someone else’s rulesReal-world strategies for rewriting your personal rulebook with more grace, flexibility, and freedomKey Concepts Mentioned:Social Conditioning: Absorbing beliefs and expectations based on external reward systemsSelf-Discrepancy Theory (E. Tory Higgins): Emotional distress stems from the gap between who you are and who you think you should beEmotional Legacies: Internalized "rules" passed down unconsciously through family, culture, or societyTools for Breaking the Rules:Do a Rule Audit: Write down three rules you live by—then ask, "Who gave me this?"Replace should with could to reduce internal pressureAsk yourself: "What do I need—not what do I owe?"Model new rules in real time, especially if you're in a leadership roleJournal Prompt:What rule have I been following that no longer serves me? What would freedom look like instead?Connect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be Resilient in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
If you’ve ever been told to “just be positive,” this episode is for you. Share it with someone who might be holding it all together instead of giving themselves permission to break through.In this episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff take a bold look at one of the most overlooked issues in the wellness world: spiritual bypassing. From toxic positivity to manifestation myths, they break down how “high vibes only” thinking can actually stall emotional healing and shut down real connection.Using real-life examples, research from the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, and personal insights from years of coaching and performance work, they uncover the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways people avoid the emotions that lead to true growth. This episode provides powerful reframes and practical tools to help you move from avoidance to authentic, embodied healing.What You’ll Learn:What spiritual bypassing really means and where it shows upHow positivity culture can unintentionally silence people in painThe emotional risks of avoiding discomfort and difficult feelingsWhy bypassing is common in wellness, coaching, and spiritual circlesHow to spot bypassing in your own self-talk or conversations with othersLanguage shifts that encourage depth, honesty, and compassionTools to sit with discomfort, honor your emotional process, and deepen your healingKey Terms and Concepts:Spiritual Bypassing (coined by John Welwood): the use of spiritual practices or beliefs to avoid facing emotional discomfort, unresolved wounds, or personal accountabilityToxic Positivity: the cultural pressure to maintain a positive mindset at all times, even when it’s harmful or inauthenticEmotional Reframes: ways to shift from dismissive or minimizing language to grounded, supportive languageCliff’s Rule: “Emotions are messengers, not enemies.”Journal Prompt:What emotions do I avoid—and what might they be trying to teach me?Connect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be Resilient in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
New Episode: “It’s Not Disrespect—It’s Development” Candy for Breakfast Podcast | Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff TerracusoIn this deeply validating episode, we unpack what’s really happening when teens challenge, dismiss, or distance themselves from their parents. It’s not always disrespect—it’s development.Robin and Cliff explore how adolescent brain chemistry, identity formation, and social pressures all shape teenage behavior, and how parents can meet those changes with empathy, resilience, and understanding.What You'll Learn:How the teenage brain develops, including the lag between emotional and rational processingWhy teens reject advice or connection, and how it’s tied to Erik Erikson’s “Identity vs. Role Confusion” stageThe “imaginary audience” effect and how peer relationships shape behaviorResearch-backed ways to build empathy and reduce parent-teen conflictHow to stay grounded and emotionally steady as a parent in high-stress momentsResearch & Highlights:Teens use the amygdala (emotional brain) more than adults to read emotional cues – Casey & Tottenham, 2008Identity development during adolescence often includes rejecting familiar beliefs – Erikson’s Psychosocial TheoryTeens often feel watched and judged, increasing emotional reactivity – David Elkind, Imaginary Audience EffectParents who practice emotional reframing experience 31% less stress – APA Research on Emotional RegulationReflection Prompts:What is my teen teaching me about myself right now?Where can I choose calm over control?Resources Mentioned:The Adolescent Brain – Casey & TottenhamThe Hurried Child – David ElkindErikson’s 8 Stages of DevelopmentAmerican Psychological Association – Parenting & Emotional RegulationConnect with Robin & Cliff: Website: www.L4Livin.com Email: Robin@L4Livin.com Instagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/l4mapRobin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: How to Be Resilient in Grief, Loss, and Heartbreak
The Forgotten Superpower – Why Play MattersPlay isn’t just for kids—it’s a biological and leadership necessity. In this eye-opening episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff uncover how play fuels emotional health, innovation, and performance in every area of life.🧠 Featuring insights from Dr. Stuart Brown, the NASA creativity study, and the chilling case of Charles Whitman, this episode challenges the myth that play is frivolous—and makes the case that it’s essential.🔍 What You’ll Learn:The neuroscience of play & decision-makingWhy school systems suppress creativity (and how to reclaim it)How leaders benefit from neoteny (staying youthful on purpose)The link between play, emotional resilience & trustMicro-ways to bring play into your daily life💬 “Play isn’t childish. It’s your nervous system’s way of recalibrating.”📓 Journal Prompt: “Where in your life have you traded joy for productivity—and is it time to reimagine that contract?”🎧 Listen now on:SpotifyApple Podcasts✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff: 🌐 L4Livin.com 📧 Robin@L4Livin.com 📱 Instagram @candyforbreakfastpodcast 🔗 linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy
🎙 New Episode: Emotional Hangovers – What They Are & How to HealEver get stuck in a loop replaying one hard conversation, piece of feedback, or moment of conflict? That lingering tension? That’s an emotional hangover—and it’s more science than weakness.In this powerful episode of Candy for Breakfast, Robin and Cliff unpack what happens in your brain and body when emotions overstay their welcome—and how to clear the residue without numbing or avoiding it.🔑 What You’ll Learn:What emotional hangovers really are—and why they lingerThe role of cortisol, adrenaline & the vagus nerveHow athletes carry emotions into the next game—and how to resetTools to clear emotional energy and protect your mental spaceDaily rituals to support emotional recovery & resilience💬 “Your brain doesn’t know it’s over just because it’s quiet now.”🎧 Listen now on:SpotifyApple PodcastsOr wherever you stream your podcasts✨ Connect with Robin & Cliff:Website: www.L4Livin.comEmail: Robin@L4Livin.comInstagram: @candyforbreakfastpodcastLinktree: linktr.ee/l4map📚 Grab Robin’s Book: Beauty Within the Tragedy: Be RESILIENT Through Grief 👉 Buy on Amazon#CandyForBreakfastPodcast #EmotionalHealth #MentalPerformance #ResilienceTools #EmotionalHangover #HealingInHighPerformance
Some stories don’t just inspire ~ they unfold like a movie that reminds you of your own.In this cinematic-style episode, we sit down with Carmen Johnson, a powerhouse executive, strategic advisor, and advocate for women’s empowerment who dives into her developmental years and how she turned a life that could have gone one way into something extraordinary.Through the scenes of her life, we witness what happens when the script flips unexpectedly ~ from early loss and diagnosis to the strength found in community and purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about breast cancer ~ it’s about transformation, resilience, and the courage to keep rewriting the story even when life doesn’t go as planned.You’re invited to sit in the metaphorical theater with us, to watch real life unfold, and to ask yourself:If this were your story playing on the screen ~ how would you react?✨ Inside This Episode🎞️ How Carmen’s early choices shaped the foundation for her resilience later in life💔 The moment her life shifted from caregiver to patient overnight🌿 What it means to find grace and gratitude in the middle of grief💗 How humor, community, and purpose became her medicine🌅 Why Carmen believes legacy is about how you live now, not just what you leave behind💭 Listener Reflections~ What scene of your life are you currently living, and what lesson is it revealing?~ How can you let others help direct the story when your energy runs low?~ What does legacy mean to you today ~ and how are you living it right now?💕 Loving LinksCarmen continues to champion organizations that empower, educate, and uplift women through every phase of their journey. She’s living proof that advocacy doesn’t end when treatment does ~ it evolves into legacy.🌸 iRise Above Foundation ~ Supporting young women facing breast cancerCarmen and others sponsored and donated toward the publishing costs of Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer for the foundation’s benefit.🔗https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/📚 Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast CancerBy Gillian Lichota | ISBN: 9781958472231An anthology that amplifies voices of resilience and healing, supporting the iRise Above Foundation.🔗 https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/🏡 Carolina Breast Friends ~ The Pink HouseProviding comfort, community, prosthetic fittings, and education for women in treatment and recovery.Carmen proudly serves on the Board and plans to chair the Technology Board in 2026.🔗 https://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/🌿 TumbleweedAgentic AI for End-of-Life Planning, Legacy, and 24/7 Caregiver Support.Carmen supports this tech startup to help others prepare with clarity and compassion.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/🎙 Sandwiched PodcastStories and support for the Sandwich Generation and caregivers ~ reminding us we’re never truly alone in caregiving.🔗 https://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwichedhttps://tumbleweedplan.com/sandwiched🎙 Hosted by Robin Gargano & Cliff Terracuso🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Connect with Robin & Cliff:🌐 www.L4Livin.com📩 Robin@L4Livin.com📸 IG @candyforbreakfastpodcast🔗 https://linktr.ee/l4map📚 Robin’s Book:The Beauty Within Tragedy: How a Resilient Soul Can Turn Grief Into Giftshttps://amzn.to/4o6XKp6
