Refine and Shine with Angelina Rivera

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t your body… but your mindset?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with wellness coach and personal trainer Lorayne Michaels to uncover the real reason so many women struggle to see results in their health, confidence, and life.

Lorayne shares how true transformation starts from within—addressing the mental barriers, limiting beliefs, and past experiences that shape how we show up every day. From fitness and nutrition to faith and purpose, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes...

In this eye-opening episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with Dejeuné Harris, founder of Your Style Is Forever, to uncover a surprising truth—your closet might be holding you back more than you realize.

This conversation goes far beyond fashion. Dejeuné shares how our wardrobes often reflect our past, our mindset, and even the parts of our identity we’ve outgrown. From emotional attachments to clothing to the fear of stepping into a new version of ourselves, your closet can either keep you stuck or help you step into your next level.

...

What happens when you hit rock bottom and finally decide to take your life back?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with Deborah Yager, master NLP trainer and high-performance coach, who shares her raw and transformational journey from addiction, toxic relationships, and self-doubt to building a thriving life and business rooted in purpose.

Deborah opens up about overcoming shame, breaking free from a victim mindset, and using neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and other healing modalities to rewire her beliefs and reclaim her worth. Together, Angelina and Deborah explore...

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with internationally recognized motivational speaker, bestselling author, and resilience expert Amberly Lago.

Amberly’s story is one of extraordinary grit and determination. After being struck by a car while riding her motorcycle, she suffered devastating injuries, underwent 34 surgeries, and was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Doctors told her she would likely never walk again.

But Amberly refused to accept that outcome.

Instead, she chose resilience. Through faith, discipline, gratitude, and daily non-negotiable habits, she rebuilt her li...

What happens when doctors dismiss your pain?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with empowerment coach and podcast host Kathy Mou to discuss her journey through infertility, endometriosis, and learning to advocate for her own health.

For years, Kathy struggled with painful symptoms that were minimized by medical professionals. Eventually she discovered the root cause, endometriosis, which forced her to become her own advocate and explore holistic approaches to healing.

Kathy shares how this experience transformed her life and led her to create the...

In this episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with entrepreneur, coach, and international best-selling author Michelle Paczesny to talk about the biggest mistake many burnt out women make when trying to rebuild their lives and careers.

After leaving corporate America to care for her daughter, Michelle began a journey that led her to discover her true passion for helping women rediscover theirs. Today, she coaches women who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to turn their passion into a business that aligns with their life.

Michelle shares her Ignite...

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with licensed psychologist Dr. Connie Stapleton to explore the deep connection between addiction, trauma, and personal transformation.

Dr. Stapleton shares her remarkable journey from struggling with alcoholism, anorexia, and pain medication addiction to becoming a respected psychologist, author, and expert in bariatric psychology. Starting her psychology career at age 40, Connie reveals how her own healing journey led her to help others overcome emotional barriers related to food addiction, self-esteem, and weight loss.

The conversation dives into the hidden psychological challenges...

Welcome back to the Refine and Shine Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lyman Montgomery to discuss how structure, systems, strategies, simplicity, and sustainability can elevate your business. This conversation is packed with insights on improving your productivity and implementing effective time management techniques, challenging the way you think about personal development. We explore how a shift in mindset can lead to better goal setting and overall success. In this episode, we address feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck, and how a lack of structure might be the root cause. Dr. Lyman Montgomery introduces his 5S Framework...

In this special solo episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera shares heartfelt birthday reflections after recently delivering a powerful speech on identity, beginnings, and belief.

Born in low-income housing and facing the statistics surrounding poverty and teen pregnancy, Angelina reflects on the odds stacked against her — and the spiritual truth that changed everything.

In this episode, she unpacks:

• Poverty statistics and upward mobility
• Teen pregnancy and resilience
• The quiet beliefs that shape our lives
• Acts 20:24 and finishing the race
• Alignment, identity, and purpose
• Why your beginning does...

What if your diagnosis isn’t the end of your story?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with integrative health practitioner Krista Story to discuss root cause healing, emotional trauma, gut health, thyroid dysfunction, Lyme disease, and the courage to rewrite your health journey.

After experiencing the stillbirth of her son due to undiagnosed thyroid issues, navigating divorce, and battling Lyme disease, Krista refused to settle for symptom-based care. Instead, she pursued holistic certifications and founded Rewrite Your Story to help women uncover hidden imbalances affecting their he...

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with registered nurse, intuitive energy healer, and manifestation coach Heather Pham to explore what it truly means to heal from the inside out.

After surviving cancer and later experiencing deep grief following the loss of her mother, Heather discovered that many physical symptoms stem from unresolved emotional trauma. She shares how trapped emotions, subconscious beliefs, and inherited patterns can affect our health, relationships, and even financial success.

Together, they discuss trauma release, raising your vibration, meditation, limiting beliefs, ancestral healing, and...

In this deeply moving episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with trauma and grief expert Marcia Earhart, founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, to discuss what it truly means to rebuild life after devastating loss.

Marcia shares her raw and courageous journey of losing two sons, one in a tragic accident and another through murder, and how faith, intentional healing, and strong boundaries helped her family survive what felt unsurvivable. She opens up about navigating mental health challenges, supporting grieving children, the physical impact of unprocessed emotions, and how to find hope...

What does it take to go from a 1.7 GPA and a childhood marked by addiction and adversity to becoming a globally recognized entrepreneur and podcast host?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Justin Schenck shares his journey from rock bottom to building a life of purpose, impact, and freedom. As the host of the Growth Now Movement and founder of Growth Now Summit Live, Justin opens up about resilience, investing in yourself, overcoming scarcity mindset, and the five types of people you need in your life to grow.

We also dive...

Welcome back to the Refine and Shine podcast! Today, we are joined by Bridget Bennett, a devoted mother of four and a professional paralegal with 21 years of experience, ready to share her insights as a custody battle survivor. We'll explore her personal growth through this challenging experience, offering hope and strength to others navigating similar paths in family law. This conversation is a testament to the healing journey that comes from overcoming adversity.

In this raw and eye-opening episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Bridget Bennett, a mother of four, 21-year...

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Angelina Rivera sits down with Monica Connolly, certified holistic health coach, master life coach, and international best-selling author, to explore what happens when high-achieving women live too long in survival mode.

Monica shares the story behind her new book, The Lie Is Loud, unpacking the quiet lies women believe while holding everything together, how unprocessed trauma shows up in the body, and why healing is not about becoming someone new, but returning to who you were created to be.

Together, Angelina and Monica talk about nervous system regulation...

In this compelling episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Giermaine Kinnick for a real, grounded conversation about discipline, faith, and choosing the harder path when comfort would be easier.

Giermaine shares her journey from competing at the CrossFit Games to becoming a firefighter in a male-dominated field, all while homeschooling her children and navigating motherhood across very different seasons of life. She opens up about the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy in her 40s, postpartum recovery, hormonal shifts, inflammation, and the moment she realized that doing “all the right th...

In this compelling episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Simone Knego, international speaker, empowerment coach, and author of Real Confidence, to uncover the real reason so many women still struggle with confidence.

Spoiler alert: it’s not because you’re broken, behind, or lacking something.

Simone breaks down why confidence is not something you’re born with, but a skill you build through daily self-respect, intentional choices, and honest self-talk. She shares her powerful REAL Method—Respect Yourself, Embrace Your Failures, Ask Yourself What You Want, and Live Without Limits—a...

What if the thing holding you back from growth, clients, and confidence isn’t strategy—but fear of being seen?

In this powerful episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with women’s visibility and confidence coach Louise Kirk to unpack why so many women struggle with being visible and how authenticity, connection, and trust change everything.

Louise bravely shares her deeply personal story of being unknowingly caught in a drug-smuggling situation at 18 that led to six months in a Dutch prison—and the shame, fear of judgment, and invisibility that fol...

In this powerful episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Edit B Kiss, an international holistic mentor, success habit coach, and former petroleum engineer, to explore what it truly means to transform your life from the inside out.

Edit shares her remarkable journey from a high-stress, male-dominated engineering career to a purpose-driven life in holistic healing. After experiencing panic attacks, burnout, and health challenges, she discovered ancient healing techniques rooted in over 60,000 years of yogic wisdom combined with modern neuroscience. That discovery not only changed her life, but now helps clients around...

In this raw, courageous, and deeply human episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera is joined by Jim Serrano, an adoptee, survivor, husband, father, and advocate who has transformed decades of pain into purpose.

Jim shares his powerful story of being adopted at birth, growing up with unanswered questions about identity and belonging, and surviving childhood sexual abuse that he kept silent for more than 50 years. Carrying shame, abandonment wounds, and unprocessed trauma, Jim turned to alcohol at a young age to numb the pain, beginning a long battle with addiction that lasted well into adulthood.<...

In this milestone Episode 100 of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera reflects on the journey behind the microphone and the deeper meaning behind this moment.

What makes this episode especially powerful is the timing.

The very first episode of Refine & Shine was released during a week that holds deep personal significance. It coincided with the time Angelina’s daughter would have been celebrating her birthday, and the same season when, 24 years earlier, Angelina learned of her loss in 2002.

Now, Episode 100 lands in that same emotional window, a full-circle moment that reminds us ho...

In this powerful episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with Brian Snow, a veteran broadcaster and stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor, to explore the exact moment he chose to fight back against overwhelming odds.

Brian opens up about receiving a diagnosis with less than a 2% survival rate, navigating depression as a man, grieving the loss of loved ones, and finding the strength to keep going through faith, community, and unwavering support from his wife. This conversation goes beyond cancer. It is about resilience, mental health, and the power of deciding not to quit when...

In this episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Ryan Schwartz, founder of Schwartz Trial Law, to explore what it really means to build a law firm rooted in trust, integrity, and service rather than flashy marketing.

Ryan shares his unconventional path from consulting and accounting to law, revealing why chasing money left him unfulfilled and how helping people became the true driver behind his success. He opens up about transitioning from criminal defense to personal injury law, why personalized client relationships matter more than case volume, and how smaller caseloads...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with performer, photographer, and community advocate Karen Diaz to explore her journey from trauma and anxiety to advocacy, healing, and impact.

Karen opens up about her experience with childhood trauma, bullying, panic disorder, and an eating disorder, and how years of survival eventually led her to seek therapy, faith, and true community support. She shares the pivotal moments that reshaped her life, including her mental health breaking point in 2019 and how returning home to heal became the foundation for...

In this episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with Behdad Jamshidi to explore his transition from engineering to entrepreneurship and what it truly means to redefine success. Behdad shares how alignment, intentional risk, deep self-reflection, and meaningful relationships shaped a business and life he doesn’t need to escape. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success without alignment will never feel fulfilling.

In this episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera welcomes Behdad Jamshidi, founder of CJam Marketing Connector, for a grounded and insightful conversation about career transitions, al...

What happens when a single moment of discouragement silences your passion for decades?

In this deeply moving episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with singer, musician, and podcaster Teresa Phillips to explore her powerful journey of reclaiming her voice after trauma, grief, and years of self-doubt.

Teresa opens up about how a painful experience in junior high led her to walk away from music for decades, and how the loss of her parents ultimately became the catalyst for healing and rediscovering her God-given gifts. Through music, self-love practices, and...

In this episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera is joined by Sarah Fui, a former trauma therapist turned intuitive coach, to unpack what burnout really is and why so many high-achieving women feel stuck in cycles of exhaustion, self-sabotage, and overwhelm.

Sarah shares how trauma-informed healing, inner child work, and intuition play a powerful role in breaking burnout patterns and creating sustainable success, both personally and professionally. Together, they explore how healing and ambition can coexist, and why slowing down can sometimes be the fastest path forward.

Burnout is not just...

In Episode 93 of the Refine and Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Tom Lyman, a men’s coach and faith-based mentor, for a raw and powerful conversation about addiction, recovery, purpose, and redefining success.

Tom shares his deeply personal journey from outward success and hidden addiction to surrender, healing, and intentional living through faith. Together, Angelina and Tom unpack what it truly means to live aligned with your values, not society’s definition of success. This episode explores vulnerability, accountability, faith, and the daily habits that lead to lasting transformation.

Listeners will walk away...

In this episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Jenny Beres, founder of Pink Shark PR, a woman-owned Los Angeles PR agency specializing in fintech, AI, and innovative consumer brands.

Jenny breaks down why earned media builds more trust than social media, how third-party credibility shapes public perception, and why founders must take control of their brand narrative before the internet does it for them. From her journey as a former waitress turned copywriter to leading a respected PR agency with clients featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and TechCrunch, Jenny...

In this inspiring episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, host Angelina Rivera sits down with Kristen Bonkoski, a former Fortune 100 corporate project manager who walked away from burnout to build multiple successful online businesses rooted in her passion for cycling. Kristen shares her journey from crying in a corporate bathroom stall to creating a lifestyle-aligned business that supports her family, mental health, and purpose. She breaks down how she started her first business in 20-minute increments, why passion—not money—must come first, and how women can build sustainable businesses without sacrificing motherhood, wellness, or joy. 

This episo...

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Cyn Sass’s journey from elite athletics to functional fitness & nutrition

Why “one-size-fits-all” health plans don’t work

The limitations of traditional Western medicine for chronic conditions

How stress and the central nervous system impact inflammation, hormones, and healing

The role of functional testing (including hormone and root-cause testing)

Why advocating for yourself in healthcare matters more than ever

Simple, practical ways to regulate stress and support whole-body wellness

How personalized, HIPAA-compliant care creates safer, more effective out...

In This Episode:

Kirsten’s story of MS symptoms, physical decline, and turning to acupuncture

How she entered remission and rebuilt her system from the ground up

Why your menstrual cycle reveals underlying issues like inflammation, low progesterone, and adrenal burnout

The surprising truth about clotting, cramping, spotting, and cycle length

The Conceivable App: how it customizes food, supplements, sleep, energy, cycle support, and hormone insight

How the app increased conception chances by up to 260%

Signs stress may be silently impacting fertility

Why wo...

Meet Dr. Carl Rothschild

• His journey from biology major → chiropractor → red light therapy pioneer
• The early struggles of being in an “unaccepted” profession in the 70s

How Red Light Therapy Entered His Life

• The orthopedic surgeon who changed everything
• The surprising truth: red light doesn’t melt fat
• How red light makes fat cells temporarily porous
• Why the lymphatic system is the missing piece in fat loss programs

The Birth of the Trifecta Bed

• Designed during COVID to minimize physical contact
• How whole-body light therapy created unexpected...

In today’s episode, Angelina welcomes Sam Willing, an executive coach, speaker, and strategic partner to corporate leaders with over 25 years in HR. Sam opens up about her lifelong struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and tying her worth to work — and how her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis forced her to reevaluate everything.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover:

Sam’s early identity as “the easy child” and how people-pleasing shaped her adult life

Why achievement and perfection became her coping mechanisms

The moment she realized her identity was built on things she could lose

Guest:

Rudi Riekstins — Leadership Expert, Top 20 Thought Leader, Mindfulness-Based Business Strategist, Co-Host of The Empowered Life Podcast

🔍 What This Episode Covers

In this deeply inspiring conversation, Rudi Riekstins breaks down:

✨ His early journey

Growing up in South Africa in a loving but financially limited home

The childhood experiences that shaped feelings of not being “enough”

Why he thought becoming a millionaire would finally make him worthy

The realization at age 26 that money doesn’t heal inner wounds

✨ Understanding the human brain + emotional patte...

Content Note:
This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicide loss. Please listen with care and take breaks as needed. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person, local resources, or a crisis hotline in your area.

This episode is one of the most heartfelt and important conversations to date. Angelina sits down with Carla Williams, who courageously shares the story of losing her daughter, Kelcie, to suicide on January 3rd, 2025. Through grief, faith, community, and honesty, Carla is determined to break the silence around suicide loss and mental...

Content Note:
This episode includes discussion of suicide, suicide loss, and chronic pain. Please listen with care and take breaks as needed. If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person, local resources, or a crisis hotline in your area.

In This Episode

In this deeply moving episode of the Refine and Shine Podcast, Angelina sits down with author, speaker, and suicide loss advocate Tiffaney Childers.

After losing both parents to suicide just one year and five days apart, Tiffaney went into survival mode—raising two yo...

In this inspiring episode of the Refine & Shine Podcast, Angelina Rivera sits down with the incredible Cindy Witteman—international bestselling author, action mastery specialist, founder of Force Magazine, and creator/host of the powerful Little Give TV Show.

Cindy opens up about her remarkable journey from a childhood marked by poverty, instability, and hardship to rising above domestic violence and rebuilding her life as a single mom. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and turning pain into purpose.

You’ll hear how Cindy founded Driving Single Parents, a nonprofit that gifts vehicles to single pare...

In This Episode, We Cover:

Corree’s journey from shy introvert to entrepreneur, financial coach, and nonprofit founder

Growing up in scarcity and learning to earn her own money at age 8

Becoming a teen mom and shifting her entire life trajectory

Navigating medical hardships, bankruptcy, and rebuilding with intention

Moving to Montana on faith and building a business from the ground up

The truth about foster care, aging out, and the statistics no one talks about

How small businesses can help change the foster care-to-homelessness pi...

✨ In This Episode, We Talk About:

How to heal from childhood trauma, generational pain, and heartbreak

Infertility, PCOS, thyroid struggles, and the emotional toll

Her 200+ lb weight loss journey and mindful eating

Navigating miscarriages, grief, and blocked fallopian tubes

Becoming a Reiki Master and transforming her mental health

Why she calls herself a Love & Body Mentor

Breaking free from people-pleasing and setting boundaries

Choosing love after years of pain

Leaving corporate America after 17 years to walk in purpose

Learning Sp...