Skip welcomes Jessica Cox, owner of Reflections Counseling Services, for a candid, myth-busting look at modern therapy that trades TV clichés for real tools that work. Jessica specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, healthy relationships, and major life transitions, and she explains why strength often looks like asking for help before life hits a breaking point.

We explore what it means to build an “invisible toolbox” of coping skills, starting with grounding techniques that bring anxiety down to something workable. From there, Jessica walks us through cognitive behavioral therapy in plain language—how to spot distorted thinking, test assumptions, and rewrite the inner script that keeps old patterns alive. She also shares why she focuses on individual therapy rather than couples work, creating a space where people can speak unfiltered and move faster toward clarity and change. Her current pursuit of certification in narcissistic abuse recovery offers vital perspective for survivors who need validation, language for what happened, and steps to rebuild agency and boundaries.

Beyond the clinical lens, we get to know Jessica’s love for nature, photography, and the office’s most popular teammate: Stevie, an English cream golden retriever who helps lower stress the moment clients walk in. Whether you’re a college student finding your footing or a midlife parent balancing everyone’s needs, you’ll find practical, compassionate guidance on how to navigate hard feelings without pretending they’ll vanish. Want to learn more or book a session—virtual or in-person with Stevie by your side? Visit www.reflectionscounseling.org. If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the support they need.

What if the best place to solve your toughest home project isn’t the biggest store in town, but the one that knows your name? We sit down with Brian Williams, third-generation owner of Leeper Hardware in Jefferson City, to trace a 1949 mercantile’s journey into a modern hardware, paint, rental, and outdoor power hub that still puts people first. From parts and service for Gravely and Husqvarna to hands-on guidance in every aisle, Brian explains how a local shop can match big box prices and outperform them on expertise and care.

The conversation moves from family legacy to real-world tactics: price shopping competitors to keep parity, diversifying into rental equipment and repair services, and building a team that can diagnose problems at the counter. Brian shares the hard truth about the post‑COVID landscape—volatile prices, supply chain whiplash, and the daily discipline it takes to offer fair pricing without losing the mission. His story blends strategy and heart: a return from overseas mission work, a calling to serve the community through business, and a store culture where listening, problem-solving, and even praying with a neighbor are part of the job.

You’ll hear how Leeper Hardware supports Jefferson City with practical solutions and a clear purpose. We dig into misconceptions about small hardware stores, why service depth matters more than aisle width, and how a strong local network becomes the best SEO any business can ask for. If you care about small business resilience, community-driven customer service, and the craft of getting things fixed right the first time, this conversation will resonate—and likely inspire your next visit to a local shop that still shows up for you.

If this story moves you, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more people can find local businesses worth supporting.

Ever felt like the same argument keeps looping no matter how carefully you choose your words? We sit down with counselor and supervisor Dana Vince, owner of Healing Hearts Counseling, to unpack how Emotionally Focused Therapy helps couples break those cycles and rebuild real connection grounded in safety, clarity, and care.

Dana shares the story behind growing from a solo practice in Florida to a thriving group practice in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina alongside her partner, Adam York. We dig into the EFT approach—what it is, why it’s backed by research, and how it moves beyond talk and into targeted change. Instead of playing referee, a skilled therapist maps the interactional patterns that fuel disconnection, helps partners name the softer emotions under anger or withdrawal, and guides them to reach for each other in new, effective ways. That shift—from blame to understanding—makes space for trust, intimacy, and lasting repair.

We also tackle common myths about couples therapy, like the idea that a therapist will take sides or simply rehash last night’s fight. Dana explains how her team of fifteen clinicians creates a safe, nonjudgmental space while using structured interventions that clients can practice at home. Along the way, she offers a grounded reminder: every relationship struggles at times, and there’s no shame in asking for help. For those ready to learn more, Dana points to resources on her site and EFT literature that demystify the process and show what good couples work looks like day to day.

If you’re curious about how to turn conflict into connection—whether you’re in crisis or just want a stronger bond—this conversation delivers practical insights and hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who could use encouragement, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want us to explore next.