In this episode
What if AI wasn't meant to think for you—but to help you understand yourself better?
In this episode of Real Chat with Kat, Diana Lee shares a refreshing perspective on using AI as a tool for self-reflection rather than a replacement for critical thinking. We explore how AI can help uncover unconscious patterns, clarify your values, and support personal growth when used with intention. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the greatest transformation isn't found in technology—it's found in how we choose to grow.
Meet my guest
Diana Lee is the founder of Waggle.ai, an advisor, educator, and entrepreneur who helps founders, leaders, and organizations navigate the intersection of AI, technology, and human potential. Her work empowers people to embrace change, build clarity, and use AI to amplify their authentic voice while staying grounded in their values.
Quote/Piece of Advice: Give yourself permission to want a different kind of life and want something more.
Connect with Diana:
Website: https://waggle.aiWebsite: https://dianaleeai.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaleeaiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianalee.aiTo connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelliMy Website: www.the-lotus-effect.comSubscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this episode, we explore what it truly means to live with intention and build a life that feels as good as it looks.
Elle Ballard shares her remarkable journey from leading billion-dollar oil and gas projects to creating a thriving global community for multinational women entrepreneurs. Together, we discuss the power of conscious living, holistic life planning, embodiment practices like dance, and letting go of society's "shoulds" to make room for genuine fulfillment.
This conversation is filled with practical tools, heartfelt wisdom, and powerful insights to help you align your personal and professional life while reconnecting with your purpose.
Meet my guest: Elle Ballard is a powerhouse entrepreneur, speaker, and author who brings decades of international leadership experience into her mission to empower women across the globe. With members from over 23 countries, her Women of the World Network provides a unique space for women in business to thrive while embracing every part of who they are. Elle combines strategy, soul, and embodiment to help others create success that’s deeply aligned—and she’s on a mission to impact 50,000 women in the next five years. Her story and perspective will leave you inspired to pause, reflect, and take aligned action in your own life.
Quote/Piece of Advice: Enrich your life and inspire others to do the same.
Connect with Elle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elleballard/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelleballardWebsite: elleballard.com
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelliMy Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇 https://www.youtube.com/@katpolsinelli
 

🔁 REPLAY EPISODE
We're bringing back one of our most impactful conversations! Whether you're listening for the first time or revisiting this episode, this replay is filled with timeless insights on purpose, healing, and personal transformation.
In this episode, Kat sits down with Ann Jonas, also known as The Love Messenger, for a soul-stirring conversation about the spiritual journey we're all walking. Together, they explore how life's challenges—the "mud"—aren't obstacles to avoid, but invitations to grow.
Ann shares how slowing down, embracing authenticity over perfection, and shifting from a victim mindset to a creator mindset can completely transform the way we experience life. Through vulnerability, presence, and a deeper connection with ourselves, we discover greater freedom, purpose, and inner peace.
Meet my guest: Ann Jonas, also known as The Love Messenger, is the founder of The Lotus Path — a space devoted to guiding others back to their true, spiritual nature. With over 25 years of experience as an intuitive bodyworker and birth doula, Ann brings a grounded, holistic approach to healing and growth. Her work centers on helping people walk through life’s most difficult moments with grace, compassion, and curiosity, using them as catalysts for transformation. Through virtual offerings, one-on-one sessions, and her 9-week Sacred Connection program, Ann supports seekers ready to remember who they truly are.
Quote/Piece of Advice: My job here, your job here is….the Joy Of Being. J.O.B.Connect with Ann:
Youtube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Website
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

🔁 REPLAY EPISODEOriginally aired previously—back by popular demand. Some conversations are timeless, and this is one worth revisiting. Whether you're listening for the first time or returning for another listen, we hope this replay offers fresh insights and practical takeaways for your personal growth journey.In this episode I sit down with Todd Bertsch, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and positive intelligence coach, to dive into the transformative power of mindset shifts. We explore how positive intelligence can rewire your brain, helping you move from fear-based “saboteur” thinking to a more empowering “sage” perspective. Todd shares practical strategies for cultivating a growth mindset, building mental resilience, and finding opportunity in every situation. If you’ve ever felt stuck in negative thought patterns or reactive behaviors, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you break free and embrace a more positive, fulfilled life.
 
Meet my guest:Todd Bertsch is a dynamic entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and life-optimization coach who has dedicated his career to helping individuals harness the power of positive intelligence. With a background in digital marketing and leadership, Todd has transformed not only his own life but also the lives of countless others through mindset coaching. After overcoming personal struggles with anger and emotional reactivity, Todd discovered the power of mental fitness and daily mindset practices. Now, he’s on a mission to help others shift their perspectives, find joy in the everyday, and create lasting, positive change. Quote/Piece of Advice: It’s all about Curiosity. If you can lean in, the lens through which you see, everything will change. Connect with Todd:
Website, Linkedin, Facebook, InstagramThe Bolt Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bolt-podcast/id1464938492To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

🔁 REPLAY EPISODE
 
We're bringing back this powerful solo episode because its message is just as meaningful today as when it first aired. In this episode, Kat explores what it truly means to heal out loud—with honesty, grace, and self-trust. Rather than striving for perfection or keeping struggles hidden, she encourages listeners to embrace the reality that healing is messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal. Kat shares why shame and isolation can keep us stuck, and how choosing honesty—even in small moments—creates validation, connection, and lasting growth. Through personal reflections and real-life examples, she explains how recognizing old patterns isn't a sign of failure but an opportunity to practice new responses and integrate what we've learned.
 
The conversation also highlights the importance of setting healthy boundaries as you evolve, extending grace to yourself through imperfect progress, and celebrating even the smallest victories. You'll be invited to reflect on one truth you're ready to embrace and one truth you're ready to release as you continue your own healing journey. Whether you're listening for the first time or revisiting this episode, we hope it offers encouragement, perspective, and the reminder that healing doesn't have to be perfect—it simply has to be real.
 
Quote/Piece of Advice: You don't have to heal alone, and you are not the only one trying to heal alone. 
 
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this deeply reflective episode, I reconnect with Jon Kohrs to explore his transformative journey of self-discovery, healing, and authenticity. Jon opens up about the courage it takes to peel back the layers of conditioning and face oneself fully, likening the process to a snake shedding its skin. We dive into the power of symbolism—falcons, lotuses, and hawks—as guides in personal growth, and discuss how these metaphors have shaped our perspectives. Jon shares insights from his upcoming book Horribly Lovely, where he reflects on fatherhood, relationships, and finding “home” within himself. Together, we emphasize the beauty in embracing every part of one’s journey, including past mistakes and struggles.
Meet my guest: Jon Kohrs is a design coach, consultant, and author who helps individuals and corporate teams transform the way they work and live. Growing up on a small farm in Kansas with therapist parents, Jon developed a deep interest in organizing chaos and fostering growth—both in the external world and within himself. He uses the Enneagram in his coaching practice to guide teams and individuals through unlearning old patterns and embracing new, authentic ways of being. Jon’s writing weaves together spiritual and psychological narratives, offering raw, honest reflections on love, transformation, and the human experience. His upcoming book Horribly Lovely is a testament to his journey through personal struggles, fatherhood, and self-acceptance.
Quote/Piece of Advice: Keep digging for your deepest story for that mythic tale. Let yourself be shattered….let yourself see what's the truth that's emerging inside of you.
Connect with Jon:LinkedIn, Instagram, His Book
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

In this episode of Real Chat with Kat, we dive into neurodivergence, ADHD in women, burnout, entrepreneurship, and the pressure of hustle culture. We explore how many women go undiagnosed for years due to internalized symptoms, often being labeled as anxious or overwhelmed, until life changes—like perimenopause—bring everything into focus.
We also talk about urgency culture, social media overwhelm, and the belief that we are “behind” in life or business. This conversation opens the door to a different way of thinking: simplifying your business, trusting your natural rhythms, and using tools like journaling to create clarity instead of chaos.
Meet my guest
Angela is the creator of the Calm Ambition framework and works with neurodivergent founders and leaders to build businesses aligned with their strengths. Her work is rooted in strategy, education, and human performance, helping people move away from overwhelm and toward sustainable success.
Her own journey into this work began while raising neurodivergent children, which later led to her own ADHD diagnosis in mid-life. Her message is simple but powerful: you are not broken—the ruler is.
Quote/Piece of Advice: When you're constantly filtering noise, you can't ever hear that voice, that internal voice.
 
Connect with Angela:
LinkedIn, Website
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

In this episode
Fear is something every single one of us experiences, yet most of us spend our lives trying to avoid it. In this powerful conversation, Kat sits down with Sabrina Shafer to explore a different perspective—what if fear isn't something to conquer, but something to learn from? Together, they discuss how fear can become a guide toward growth, confidence, and authenticity. From overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing to building self-confidence through uncomfortable action, this episode dives into the mindset shifts that can transform the way you approach challenges.
Sabrina shares her practical "Fear Forward" philosophy, while Kat reflects on her own journey of learning to embrace authenticity, celebrate others, and stop letting fear dictate her decisions. If you've ever felt stuck, afraid of judgment, or hesitant to take the next step toward something meaningful, this conversation will leave you inspired to move forward—even when fear comes along for the ride.Meet my guestSabrina Shafer is an investor, entrepreneur, behavioral analyst, keynote speaker, and the creator of the Fear Forward framework. As a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and a tech founder with multiple successful exits, Sabrina has built a career helping individuals and organizations navigate change, unlock growth, and lead with confidence. Known for her high-energy presentations, sharp humor, and science-backed approach, Sabrina specializes in simplifying complex human behaviors into actionable strategies that create real results. Through her Fear Forward philosophy, she empowers people to stop waiting until they're fearless and start taking action despite their fears—creating opportunities, growth, and transformation along the way. Her story, insights, and practical wisdom make this an unforgettable conversation for anyone ready to step outside their comfort zone and discover what's possible on the other side of fear.Quote/Piece of Advice: There might be something really awesome over here waiting for you if you're just willing to try, just willing to be scared and show up anyway.Connect with Sabrina:Website, Instagram, Youtube, LinkedInTo connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

In this episode
This conversation dives into what it really means to create a financial plan built around your life—not a one-size-fits-all system. We talk about why traditional financial models often feel overwhelming and impersonal, and how shifting the focus to your unique story changes everything. Mike Milligan breaks down the difference between fiduciary responsibility and suitability, how AI can support (not replace) financial conversations, and why financial planning should be accessible at every stage of life. At the core, this episode is about clarity, empowerment, and redefining how we think about money and planning for the future.
Meet my guest
I’m joined by Mike Milligan, founder of 1.OAK Financial, with over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Mike is passionate about simplifying finance and helping people build plans rooted in their “one-of-a-kind” lives. Inspired by lessons from his grandmother, Granny Elizabeth, his approach is deeply personal, transparent, and focused on impact over profit. In this conversation, he brings clarity, heart, and practical insight to an often confusing industry.
Quote/Piece of Advice: You are one of a kind. You are unique. You're special. And when you realize that, you'll then determine you need a financial plan that matches that so your money can be put in motion, so you can go do the things you're called to and you're passionate about. So go make an impact.
Connect with Mike
LinkedIn, Instagram
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this episode
Kat sits down for a raw and deeply honest conversation about trauma, codependency, self-worth, healing, and the patterns that keep people stuck in toxic relationships. Together, Kat and Kaja explore how childhood experiences, family dynamics, fear, and unresolved emotional wounds can shape the relationships we choose and the way we see ourselves. This episode dives into the connection between trauma and the body, the importance of self-awareness in healing, and how breaking generational cycles starts with being brutally honest about our own motivations, fears, and internal struggles. Kat and Kaja also discuss parenting, emotional healing, and how personal growth can completely transform relationships with our children and ourselves.
Meet my guest
Kaja Sokola is a courageous survivor, advocate, and Harvey Weinstein accuser who testified against Weinstein during his New York criminal retrial. Despite the personal cost and public scrutiny, Kaja chose to speak her truth in order to give voice to survivors everywhere — especially young women who have felt silenced, unseen, or powerless. Through incredible vulnerability and strength, Kaja shares parts of her personal journey, including her early experiences in the modeling industry, surviving abuse, overcoming codependency, and learning how to heal through self-awareness and honesty. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, and that speaking your truth can help others feel less alone.
Quote/Piece of Advice: Look in the mirror and try to be honest with yourself, all your deepest secrets. And once you're really honest with everything, tell yourself that you love yourself and that you're good and special and beautiful.
Connect with Kaja
Instagram, WebsiteTo connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Alicia Tappan to talk about human trafficking, trauma, healing, and prevention. We unpack how trafficking often happens through grooming and manipulation—not just force—and why it can be so hidden in plain sight. Alicia breaks down the warning signs, the psychology behind exploitation, and why open communication is one of the most important tools for protecting children and breaking cycles of silence. We also explore healing and what it looks like to move from trauma into awareness, empowerment, and change. This episode is both eye-opening and deeply educational, offering real insight into how we can better protect and support one another.
Meet my guest
Alicia Tappan is a survivor, advocate, educator, and Founder & CEO of Survivor-Led Solutions, a nonprofit focused on human trafficking prevention and survivor-led leadership. After surviving trafficking at 17, she turned her experience into a mission to educate, empower, and create systemic change. She is also the author of Brave Girl Diaries and is currently pursuing her PhD in Forensic Psychology.
Quote/Piece of Advice: We have to humanize humans, not objectify them.
Connect with Alicia
Instagram, Facebook, Website
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this episode
Part 2 with Elle Sojourner takes us into a powerful conversation around self-devotion, energy management, and what it really means to listen to your body before it forces you to stop. We explore practical, grounded tools you can use in everyday life to regulate your nervous system, shift your energy, and create more balance between your physical experience (3D) and your spiritual awareness (5D). From 5-minute rituals like humming and movement, to understanding how trauma can live in the body—especially the hips—this episode brings both science and spirituality together in a very real and applicable way. We also talk about anger as a signal, not something to suppress, and how unprocessed emotions can quietly impact both your mindset and your physical health over time.
Meet my guest
Elle Sojourner is a Certified Life Cycle Celebrant™, Soul Guide, Author, and Diviner who brings a deeply grounded yet spiritual approach to transformation and healing. She specializes in weaving ritual, behavioral science, and spiritual practice into meaningful tools that support real-life change. Through her work with Spirit Fire Life Ceremonies, Elle creates heart-centered ceremonies that honor life’s milestones with authenticity, love, and intention. In this conversation, she brings both wisdom and lived experience, offering practical ways to reconnect with yourself, release stored emotional energy, and step into a more aligned way of living.
Quote/Piece of Advice: If you believe you can, you will. If you believe you can’t, you won’t.
Connect with Elle
Instagram, Facebook,
https://bio.site/ElleSojourner
To connect with your host Kat:
@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇
https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect

In this episode
In this powerful conversation on Real Chat with Kat, we explore what it truly means to step out of a “season of default” and into a “season of discipline.” This episode dives deep into the patterns of people-pleasing, burnout, and self-neglect that so many women unconsciously live in—and what it actually takes to break free from them. We talk about the uncomfortable but necessary process of growth, including releasing old identities, setting boundaries, and learning to choose yourself without guilt. You’ll also hear how your values are not fixed, and why regularly re-evaluating them is essential for living a life that feels aligned, intentional, and fulfilling.
 
Meet my guest
Kisha Woods is a transformational mindset coach, author, speaker, and powerhouse entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals break generational cycles and step into purpose-driven lives. As the Founder and CEO of Upgraded MindsetZ and owner of UPM Business Suites, Kisha creates spaces and tools that support deep personal and professional transformation. In this episode, Kisha shares her raw and honest journey through burnout, job loss, financial hardship, and emotional breakdown in 2020—and how that pivotal season became the catalyst for rebuilding her life from the inside out. Through self-reflection, journaling, and radical mindset reconditioning, she stepped into a new identity rooted in alignment, discipline, and authenticity. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most painful seasons can become the beginning of your breakthrough.
 
Quote/Piece of Advice: Be your unapologetic self. Do whatever it takes to get to that point. Understand it's not an overnight switch, but it is a journey that is so necessary.
 
Connect with Kisha:
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Website
 
To connect with your host Kat:
@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelliMy Website: www.the-lotus-effect.comSubscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

In this episode of Real Chat with Kat, I sit down with April Wyett for a powerful conversation about coming back to self and learning how to be present in a fast-paced, constantly “on” world. We explore how the body holds trauma—and how it can also release it through Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release. April breaks down how breath, movement, sound, and emotional expression support nervous system regulation and emotional intelligence. We also talk about “pendulation,” a practice that helps the nervous system safely move between stress and safety so real healing can occur without re-traumatization. This episode is a reminder that even small pauses can shift everything. Meet my guestApril Wyett is a Somatic Performance Coach and nervous system specialist, and the founder of Living With Intention, CO. With over 15 years of experience in integrative mind-body work, she helps leaders and high-performing professionals restore clarity, confidence, and sustainable capacity from the inside out. Her work centers on nervous system regulation as the foundation for effective decision-making, presence, and leadership. Through her coaching, breathwork facilitation, and restorative retreats, April guides others in reconnecting with their bodies, releasing stored trauma, and building a greater capacity for calm, clarity, and resilience in everyday life.Quote/Piece of Advice: The trauma is an event that happened, but the body's still holding it.Connect with April: Facebook, LinkedIn, Website
To connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelliMy Website: www.the-lotus-effect.comSubscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect
 

In this episodeWe dive into one of the most important—and often avoided—conversations around parenting, safety, and child protection. I sit down with Alisha Lunsford to explore how we can create open, shame-free conversations about bodies, consent, and healthy relationships. We talk about why using correct anatomical terms matters, how it can directly support a child’s safety and ability to communicate clearly, and why distinguishing between “private” and “secret” can be a life-changing concept for children. We also unpack how adult discomfort and upbringing can unintentionally pass down shame, and what it really takes to break that cycle so we can show up differently for the next generation.
 
Meet my guestAlisha Lunsford, a bold and compassionate advocate for child safety and education who is committed to helping families have conversations many of us were never taught how to have. Inspired by deeply personal experiences, Alisha brings both heart and research into her work, encouraging parents and caregivers to step into discomfort for the sake of protecting and empowering children. Her mission is rooted in breaking cycles of silence and shame, and replacing them with clarity, confidence, and open communication that can truly change outcomes for children and families.
 
Quote/Piece of Advice: On average, a child tells seven different times before they will be believed that something’s going on.
 
Connect with Alisha:
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteTo connect with your host Kat:@TheLotusEffect or @KatPolsinelli
My Website: www.the-lotus-effect.com
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel 👇https://www.youtube.com/@the-lotus-effect