Wake Up with Marci

If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck, this conversation is for you.

How you feel right now doesn’t have to be how you feel forever. And you don’t have to figure out your next step alone.

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins sits down with clinical psychologist and Army veteran Dr. Stacey Krauss for an honest conversation about anxiety, fear, and who you are beyond what you’re going through.

Drawing on her Army background and her work leading Transitions Counseling and Consulting, Dr. Krauss explores the courage...

Were you raised to be the “good girl” always pleasing others, avoiding conflict, and putting everyone else’s happiness before your own?


What if being the good girl is actually destroying your happiness?


This week on Wake Up with Marci, host Marci Hopkins welcomes Cari Fund for a powerful conversation about Good Girl Syndrome, people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, toxic relationships, and reclaiming your self-worth.


Discover why so many women struggle to set boundaries, seek validation, and feel guilty putting themselves first and how to finally break free.


In This Episod...

Isolation can keep us trapped in addiction, but connection can help us find our way toward healing.

Why is community so important in addiction recovery? And how can meaningful relationships, compassionate support, and a sense of belonging help people break the cycle of addiction?

On this episode of Wake Up with Marci, host and mental health advocate Marci Hopkins welcomes Jennifer Carlson, President and CEO of FLACRA (Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling & Recovery Agency), to explore the power of community, connection, and whole-person healing in addiction recovery.

Jennifer shares how FLACRA supports individuals and families...

Does the fear of debt control how you think about money, make decisions, or plan for your future?

Simone Milasas, author of Getting Out of Debt Joyfully, joins Marci Hopkins on Wake Up with Marci to explore the fear of debt, money anxiety, financial stress, and how our beliefs about money influence our choices, emotions, and sense of freedom.

Whether you’re struggling with debt, constantly worrying about money, or feeling trapped by financial uncertainty, this conversation invites you to look at your relationship with money differently.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Why the fear of...

Does the fear of debt control how you think about money, make decisions, or plan for your future?

Simone Milasas, author of Getting Out of Debt Joyfully, joins Marci Hopkins on Wake Up with Marci to explore the fear of debt, money anxiety, financial stress, and how our beliefs about money influence our choices, emotions, and sense of freedom.

Whether you’re struggling with debt, constantly worrying about money, or feeling trapped by financial uncertainty, this conversation invites you to look at your relationship with money differently.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Why the fear of...

Why do we keep chasing happiness through success, relationships, and approval and still feel like something is missing? Positive psychology expert and celebrity happiness coach Robert Mack joins Marci Hopkins to discuss finding happiness within yourself and why external success doesn’t always bring inner peace.


In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Robert shares his personal experience with suicidal thoughts and the unexpected turning point that changed his understanding of happiness even before his circumstances changed.


An Ivy League educated expert and author of Happiness From the Inside Out and Love From th...

So much of how we introduce ourselves comes down to what we do and who we are to other people. But what happens when those roles change and we’re left asking, “Who am I today?”

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins sits down with Jennifer Speciale to talk about identity, the roles we play, and the vulnerability of discovering ourselves beyond them.

Whether it’s a shift in your career, relationships, or responsibilities, change can challenge the way you see yourself. This conversation explores that uncertainty and what it means to get to know...

Jeremy Lipkowitz knows what it’s like to struggle with an addiction that thrives in secrecy and shame.


His own experience with porn addiction became the beginning of an unexpected journey that eventually took him from studying genetics and genomics to becoming a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, coach, and founder of Unhooked Academy.


On this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Jeremy and I have an honest conversation about porn addiction, compulsive behavior, shame, and what may really be underneath the urge to escape.
We talk about why shame can keep people trapped, ho...

What does it really take to overcome alcohol addiction and build lasting sobriety?

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins welcomes Anthony O’Brien, addiction therapist and Director of Therapy Services at Rosglas Recovery in Ireland.

With more than 20 years of experience in addiction treatment, Anthony shares expert insights into alcohol addiction recovery, the path to sobriety, and the emotional and psychological work involved in lasting change. He also explains Rosglas Recovery’s personalized approach to alcohol addiction treatment and addiction recovery.

In this episode:
* How alcohol addiction develops and affects dail...

Healing after sexual assault is possible—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.


In this episode of the Telly Award-winning Wake Up with Marci, author and advocate Amy McKiernan shares her 20-year journey from trauma and silence toward healing, self-worth, and purpose.


Drawing from her book, More Than a Survivor: Eight Keys to Overcoming Sexual Assault, Amy opens up about motherhood as a turning point, finding strength through writing, and rebuilding trust in herself. Together, Amy and Marci explore why healing isn’t linear and how compassionate support can help survivors reclaim their...

In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins speaks with Brandon G. Handley, founder of Spirit of the Deal, about breathwork, sobriety, meditation, and asking for help.


Together, they explore how facing difficult emotions can lead to healing, clarity, and lasting personal transformation.


In this episode, you’ll discover:
* How breathwork supports sobriety and emotional healing
* The connection between meditation, recovery, and self-awareness
* Why asking for help is a sign of strength
* How to stop overthinking and get out of your own way
* Why facing difficult emotions ca...

Staying sober is a daily commitment, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

In this solo episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins shares five simple sobriety practices that have supported her recovery: moving your body, journaling, talking to someone, meditating, and practising gratitude.

Whether you’re newly sober, considering sobriety, or have been in recovery for years, this episode offers practical encouragement to help you stay grounded and take your recovery journey one day at a time.

Key Points:
Why moving your body can shift your energy and mindset* How...

How do you overcome trauma, face adversity, and rebuild your life? Mental health strategist Amanda Anderson joins Marci Hopkins to discuss resilience, emotional healing, and turning painful experiences into purpose.

In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Amanda shares powerful insights into navigating difficult seasons, caring for your mental health, rebuilding self-belief, and using personal experiences to help others. This inspiring conversation offers hope to anyone healing from trauma or facing major life challenges.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How trauma can affect your mental health* Ways to develop resilience through adversity* How to...

How do you rebuild your life after a near-fatal accident?
Vincent Van den Broeck was given just a 1% chance of survival but his recovery transformed how he views resilience, success, and living with purpose.


In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Vincent shares how he rebuilt his physical and emotional strength after the accident that changed his life. He opens up about accepting help, overcoming adversity, taking small daily steps, and breaking free from autopilot.


You’ll discover:
* How to rebuild after trauma
* Why small habits create lasting change
* Ho...

Can your mind influence your body’s ability to heal?
What role do stem cells play in regenerative medicine?
And what does it truly mean to experience transformational healing?


In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Dr. Joy Kong shares the science behind stem cell therapy, the powerful mind-body connection, and how physical, emotional, and mental healing work together to create lasting transformation. Learn how your beliefs, nervous system, and overall health are more connected than you may realize and why healing is about much more than simply treating symptoms.


In th...

After losing his 23-year-old son, Seth, to fentanyl poisoning and later his wife, Prudence, to alcoholism, Jeff Johnston faced unimaginable grief. Instead of allowing these losses to define his future, he turned his pain into a mission to help others.


In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Jeffery shares his journey through addiction, grief, and healing. He discusses the stigma surrounding substance use and mental health, the founding of the Living Undeterred Project, and how he transformed personal tragedy into meaningful change.


In this episode, you’ll learn:
* How Jeff navigated pr...

Feeling stuck in life? Waiting for the right opportunity or the perfect time to make a change? In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, author, entrepreneur, and coach Becky Vannes shares why the future you're waiting for can begin today.


Becky explains how awareness, intentional choices, and daily action can help you move past fear, stop waiting, and create the life you truly want.


In this episode, you'll learn:
* Why we stay stuck
* How to stop waiting for the perfect moment
* The power of daily choices
* How to begin...

Do you constantly fear being abandoned, overthink your relationships, or find yourself attracted to emotionally unavailable partners?


In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci sits down with Valerie Rubin, an anxious attachment specialist and trauma-informed somatic coach, to explore how anxious attachment develops, why fear of abandonment feels so overwhelming, and how healing your nervous system can completely transform the way you experience love and life.


Valerie shares practical insights into breaking unhealthy relationship patterns, regulating your nervous system, and building secure, fulfilling relationships after trauma. If you've ever struggled with relationship...

What if financial freedom has less to do with how much you earn and more to do with how you think about money?

In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci sits down with Kim Butler, wealth advisor, financial educator, and founder of Prosperity Thinkers, to explore how your relationship with money shapes your financial future.

Kim shares practical insights on building true financial security, overcoming limiting money beliefs, creating lasting wealth, and making confident financial decisions that support the life you truly want.

In this episode, we discuss:
* How to build...

What happens when you've achieved everything you thought you wanted, yet still feel unfulfilled?
In this episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci sits down with Melissa Franks business strategist, Fractional COO, speaker, founder of On Call COO, and advocate for domestic violence awareness and family court reform.


Melissa shares how her journey through personal and professional setbacks reshaped her definition of success. She opens up about surviving domestic violence, finding the strength to rebuild, and why true fulfillment comes from who you become not just what you achieve.


In this episode, we...

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances—but what you believe about yourself?


In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins sits down with Dawn Daigneault to explore the life-changing topic of self-worth and why it influences every area of our lives.


From relationships and career success to mental health, boundaries, and the ability to receive love, our sense of worth impacts far more than we realize. Dawn shares valuable insights on how to recognize limiting beliefs, stop seeking validation from others, and reconnect with the truth th...

What happens when the people who are supposed to love and support you become the source of your deepest pain?

In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins sits down with Shawn Howerton to discuss the heartbreaking realities of family estrangement, mental alienation, narcissistic behavior, and the long journey of rebuilding your life after profound loss.

Shawn shares his personal experiences navigating family conflict, emotional manipulation, and the difficult process of healing when relationships break down. Together, they explore how to recognize toxic dynamics, protect your mental health, establish healthy boundaries, and find...

Are you wondering what happens during the first 30 days of sobriety?


In this powerful solo episode of Wake Up with Marci, Marci Hopkins shares her personal recovery journey and the inspiration behind her new book, Wake Up, You're Not Broken: What to Expect in the First 30 Days of Sobriety.


Whether you're newly sober, sober curious, in addiction recovery, or supporting someone on their sobriety journey, this episode offers practical guidance, encouragement, and hope for navigating the challenges of early recovery.


In this episode, you'll learn:
✔️ What to expect during the firs...

How do you rebuild your life after addiction?


In this powerful episode of Wake Up With Marci, Anthony Samuels shares his incredible story of overcoming drug addiction, finding sobriety, and discovering a greater purpose through faith, community, and service.


Anthony opens up about hitting rock bottom, the difficult road to recovery, and the life-changing moments that led him to create a future filled with hope instead of hopelessness. Today, through his work with Lighthouse, he helps others struggling with addiction find healing and a path toward lasting recovery.


If you or...

Feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself? In this powerful episode of Wake Up With Marci, Marci Hopkins sits down with author and wellness advocate Tracy Doyle for an honest conversation about emotional burnout, chronic stress, self-healing, and learning how to reconnect with yourself again.


Tracy shares her personal healing journey, the inspiration behind her book, and practical insights on overcoming emotional exhaustion, anxiety, overwhelm, and mental fatigue in today’s fast-paced world.


If you’ve been feeling burnt out, emotionally stuck, or mentally exhausted, this episode will remind you that healing starts by r...

What really happens during menopause and can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) actually help?

This week on Wake Up With Marci, Dr. Paula joins us for an eye-opening conversation about menopause, hormone health, anti-aging, regenerative aesthetics, and functional medicine.

Dr. Paula shares how hormone imbalances can affect energy, mood, weight, sleep, skin, mental clarity, and overall wellness and why treating the body from the inside out matters.

In this episode, we discuss:
* Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
* Menopause symptoms & solutions
* Hormone balance and lab testing
* Functional medicine approaches
* Women’s wellness & lo...

This episode of Wake Up With Marci will challenge everything you believe about aging, health, and your future.

Marci sits down with Dr. Kyle Hulsebus, a third-generation chiropractor, author, speaker, and Health & Human Potential specialist, to reveal why turning 40 is NOT the beginning of decline… but the beginning of your strongest, clearest, most powerful chapter.

Most people slow down after 40. But what if that’s a mindset problem, not a reality?
Dr. Kyle, an experienced chiropractor, breaks down how spinal health, body alignment, mindset, and lifestyle are deeply connected—and how simple daily shifts can unlock...

What is it really like living with an invisible disability—and being told your dreams aren’t possible?
In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Michelle Steiner shares her inspiring journey of resilience, self-belief, and defying limitations. After being told “you can’t,” Michelle went on to earn her degree from Slippery Rock University, become a published writer, and build a meaningful career supporting students as a paraeducator.


This conversation sheds light on invisible disabilities, dyscalculia, and nonverbal learning disability, while offering real tools for overcoming self-doubt and stepping into your worth.


✨ In...

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Marci dives into a deeply honest and empowering conversation with Olivia Verhulst. Together, they explore the powerful message behind Marci’s new book Wake Up, You’re Not Broken—a reminder that no matter your past, healing is always possible.
Olivia, a sobriety coach and inner work guide, brings both professional insight and lived experience to the conversation. Through her work, she helps individuals break free from addiction patterns, reconnect with themselves, and build a life rooted in clarity, purpose, and emotional resilience.

From navigating substance and alcohol addiction to embrac...

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Jacqueline “Jack” Perez joins the conversation to break the silence around menopause and redefine what life after 50 can truly look like. From navigating physical and emotional changes to reclaiming confidence, purpose, and vitality, this episode is all about thriving, not just surviving.


Jack shares honest insights, practical wisdom, and empowering perspective shifts that every woman needs to hear. Whether you’re approaching menopause, in the middle of it, or supporting someone who is, this episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to step into your next chapter with streng...

What if understanding the 4 seasons of life could completely transform your purpose, mindset, and success?


In this powerful conversation, Christian Ray Flores opens up about his early life, the journey of building Xponential Life, and his transformative concept of the “4 seasons of life.” Discover how each season shapes your identity, purpose, and growth. Through his work, Christian helps professionals unlock clarity, purpose, and exponential growth in both life and business.


💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
* The 4 seasons of life and how to identify where you are
* How to navigate personal and profe...

What happens when life suddenly stops you in your tracks?


In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Helene Beck motivational speaker, educator, mental health advocate, and host of the Coming From The Heart Podcast shares her deeply personal journey through a nine-month battle with vertigo that changed everything.


From physical challenges to emotional struggles, Helene opens up about how this difficult season impacted her mental health and how she transformed pain into purpose.


In this episode, we cover:
* Helene’s 9-month battle with vertigo and its life-altering impact

Your past doesn’t define you—but healing requires truth. 🕊️✨
In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, Dina LaFountaine shares her journey from addiction to sobriety—and how she turned her pain into purpose, now helping others through her work at Mountainside Treatment Center.
Dina is also a featured expert in Marci’s upcoming book, Wake Up, You’re Not Broken, and in this conversation, she brings real, honest insight into what recovery actually looks like—beyond the surface.
Together, we talk about sobriety, healing, rebuilding self-worth, and the different paths available in recovery. Dina also explains Medic...

Healing after sexual assault is possible—and this episode shows you how.
In this powerful conversation, Amy McKiernan shares her journey from trauma and silence to healing, self-worth, and purpose.
If you or someone you love is navigating trauma, this episode offers real tools, hope, and transformation.


In this deeply moving and transformative episode of Wake Up with Marci, we are joined by author and advocate Amy McKiernan. Amy courageously opens up about her 20-year journey from the silence of sexual assault to a life of authentic power, peace, and purpose.


Amy’s bo...

What does it really take to overcome adversity, rebuild your life, and step into your purpose?


In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, I sit down with Richard Tate, a man whose story will challenge the way you see resilience, recovery, and personal transformation.


Richard opens up about his journey through struggle, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he turned his life around to create meaning, impact, and hope for others. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past, questioned your worth, or wondered if change is truly po...

On this episode of Wake Up with Marci, we sit down with nationally recognized adolescent psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Cam Caswell to discuss how to parent teens with less conflict and more connection.

As “The Teen Translator,” Dr. Cam has helped thousands of families navigate the chaos of adolescence with calm, clarity, and compassion. Today, she shares science-backed tools and real-world insights for parents feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure of how to reach their teens.

💡 What you’ll learn:
How to set boundaries without yelling or power struggles
What your teen’s behavior is really s...

This week on Wake Up with Marci, Marci sits down with human behavior expert Dr. John Demartini for a transformative conversation on self-discovery, personal values, and breaking free from the stories that keep you stuck.

Dr. Demartini explains how the narratives we repeat shape our identity — and how to consciously reframe them to create clarity, fulfillment, and purpose. He shares his powerful teaching that every challenge holds an equal opportunity, and how to apply that mindset during painful or uncertain seasons of life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why your story may be keeping you...

How can small moments of happiness transform your life and business?

This week on Wake Up With Marci, Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness, share how they built a brand rooted in intentional joy and meaningful connection. In this inspiring conversation, they open up about entrepreneurship, mindset, personal growth, and why embracing small daily moments can lead to lasting fulfillment.

If you're an entrepreneur, creative, or someone seeking more positivity and balance in everyday life, this episode will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered.

Follow Small Bits of Happiness:
...

Healing complex trauma and grief is not easy — especially after experiencing psychological abuse and navigating life with autism. In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, *Christopher Carazas* shares his personal journey of surviving emotional abuse, processing deep grief, and building resilience while living on the autism spectrum.

Christopher opens up about the long-term effects of psychological abuse, trauma recovery, autism awareness, and breaking free from survival mode. This conversation brings hope, validation, and practical insight for anyone struggling with complex PTSD, emotional trauma, or grief.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:
* Signs and...

Childhood trauma doesn’t stay in childhood. It can shape how we love, trust, attach, and see ourselves as adults.

In this powerful episode of Wake Up with Marci, licensed therapist Allison Kirvan breaks down:
How dysfunctional parenting impacts adult relationships* Signs of unresolved childhood trauma* PTSD symptoms rooted in early experiences* Emotional triggers and attachment wounds* How trauma affects self-worth and relationship patterns* Practical steps toward trauma healing and recovery
If you struggle with people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, toxic relationship cycles, anxiety, or emotional reactivity, this episode will help you understand the root cause and re...