In this joyful, heartfelt, and inspiring episode, Susanna talks with Rhayne Thomas about following your passions, embracing what makes you unique, and finding ways to bring light into the lives of others. A blues singer, actor, author, breast cancer survivor, and lifelong advocate, Rhayne shares the remarkable story behind her movement, PrunesAreSexy!, and how a childhood love of prunes evolved into nearly fifty years of fundraising, awareness, and support for cancer survivors around the world.

Together, Susanna and Rhayne explore the power of persistence, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, and how one conversation can change the course of a life. Rhayne reflects on overcoming a difficult childhood, the unwavering support of her husband, and the countless creative projects she has launched in service of others. Through laughter, storytelling, and plenty of prune enthusiasm, this conversation reminds us that our quirks can become our greatest gifts when we have the courage to share them with the world.

00:46 – Introducing Rhayne Thomas

03:15 – Rhayne shares the origin story of her lifelong love of prunes and how National Prune Day was born.

06:09 – The evolution of PrunesAreSexy! and how a personal passion became a global fundraising and awareness movement supporting cancer survivors.

16:33 – Susanna and Rhayne share the story of their chance meeting in an airport and the friendship that grew from a single conversation.

21:55 – Rhayne discusses her special-edition PrunesAreSexy! glasses collaboration and discusses using creativity as a force for fundraising and connection.

36:02 – Rhayne reveals the one message she hopes listeners will remember.

Rhayne Thomas, entertainer, inspirational humorist and breast cancer survivor, born and raised in The Bronx, has been a volunteer spokesperson and fundraiser for cancer and breast cancer since 1976.

Born and raised a Bronx, NY girl, Rhayne Tomas has a serious passion for fun, healing, laughter and Prunes. Yes, the fruit! She is a Blues vocalist, actor, author, voluntary spokesperson and fundraiser for cancer/breast cancer. Being grateful and blessed with so many gifts, she has always focused on making others feel alive through her voice and sense of humor, which led her to create her all-encompassing wellness and thought-provoking company, “PrunesAreSexy!” over 15 years ago.

Anyone who knows her knows she is “an experience junkie” because she believes the world is full of wonderful things everyone should see, feel, do, and eat, and she doesn't want to miss any opportunity to inspire others who also inspire her!

On July 15th, 2021, Rhayne became a 10 year cancer Survivor and that milestone made it very clear to her there’s a lot more work for me to do with her continued Warrior Spirit!!

Owner of “PrunesAreSexy!”, “Prunes! Making YOU Run for breast cancer!” and “National Prunes Day, June 15th", Rhayne’s ultimate goal is to inspire through laughter and prunes, her all-time favorite fruit. “People judge it from the outside when all the beauty is on the inside. Like people. If we can move past physical judgments, the world would be so much happier!”

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In this thoughtful and expansive episode, Susanna talks with John P. Schuster about what it truly means to answer your deepest calling and the inner work required to live it. Drawing from decades of experience as a coach, teacher, and author, John shares how his work has evolved from traditional coaching into what he calls “coaching from the mystic core,” a practice rooted in spirituality, presence, and deep inner awareness.

Together, Susanna and John explore the connection between inner mastery and outer impact, and why lasting change in the world must begin within. They discuss the role of meditation, intuition, and spiritual practice in helping us quiet the noise of everyday life so we can hear what is calling us forward. This conversation is a powerful reminder that we are not separate from the wisdom we seek. It already lives within us, waiting for us to listen.

00:47 – Introducing John P. Schuster
04:22 – John shares his journey from traditional coaching into spiritually informed “mystic core” work.
15:58 – John and Susanna explore the concept of inner mastery and outer impact, and the five core energies of purpose, wisdom, love, growth, and self-realization.
31:49 – John shares what he hopes listeners will remember from this conversation.

John P. Schuster is a leadership coach, teacher, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations connect with purpose and create meaningful impact. He has taught at Columbia University and the Hudson Institute, where he has guided leaders and coaches in deepening their work. John is the author of Answering Your Call: A Guide to Living Your Deepest Purpose and continues to explore the intersection of spirituality and coaching through his work with the Mentora Institute. His approach invites people to look within, cultivate presence, and trust the wisdom that emerges from their own inner life.

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In this insightful episode, Susanna sits down with conflict resolution educator and content creator Shannon Thompson, who shares her transformative journey from education to facilitating meaningful conversations around conflict. Shannon discusses her passion for making complex conflict dynamics accessible through practical communication tools and her experience in mediating high-stakes discussions.

Throughout the episode, Shannon articulates the importance of emotional regulation in conflict situations and the necessity of empathy in communication. She reflects on her career transition, addressing the fears and challenges that accompany stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Together, Susanna and Shannon explore how personal growth can emerge from navigating conflict and the courage it takes to continue on one’s journey, no matter how daunting it may seem.

01:14 – Introducing Shannon Thompson
18:21 – Susanna and Shannon explore the dynamic of conflict resolution in educational settings, particularly IEP meetings.
25:10 – Shannon discusses the importance of empathy and understanding in conflict situations, managing impostor syndrome, and staying persistent through challenging transitions.
35:47 - Shannon shares what she hopes listeners will take away from her conversation with Susanna about the relationship between emotional regulation and effective communication.

Shannon Thompson is a conflict resolution educator dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenging conversations with clarity and confidence. Through her work as a mediator and content creator, she translates complex conflict dynamics into digestible lessons, focusing on practical communication skills that foster understanding and resolution.

With a passion for bridging knowledge gaps in conflict resolution, Shannon’s efforts are aimed at empowering everyday people to engage more meaningfully in their personal and professional lives.

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