Stay On Course: Ingredients for Success

Happiness Is a Skill: Neuroscience, Resilience, and the Triumph Steps Framework
Guest: Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver, Licensed Psychotherapist and Creator of Triumph Steps Host: Julie Riga

Overview

What if happiness was not just a feeling but a skill you could learn, practice, and master?

In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, Julie Riga sits down with Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver, a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience and the creator of Triumph Steps, a neuroscience-based framework transforming the way clinicians, coaches, and institutions approach emotional literacy. Beatriz breaks down the science behind why thoughts shape reality, how fear disguises itself in daily life, and why resilience is a muscle that anyone can build. Whether you are navigating a difficult season, chasing purpose, or simply ready to fall in love with your life again, this episode delivers practical tools and real inspiration to help you stay on course.

Happiness Is a Skill: Neuroscience, Resilience, and the Triumph Steps Framework

About the Guest

Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver is a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience, a community mental health center founder, and the creator of Triumph Steps. Her work bridges clinical therapy and purpose-driven coaching, making emotional fitness and resilience accessible to everyone who needs it. Over the past decade she has focused on prevention and coaching, believing every single person deserves to know how to be happier. Originally from Colombia, she serves clients globally with a team of certified coaches and clinicians.

Key Topics Covered

The Neuroscience of Happiness There is a direct connection between what we think and how we feel. Positive thoughts produce dopamine and serotonin. Anxious thoughts trigger a completely different neurochemical response. The core equation: Thought leads to Feeling, Feeling leads to Action, Action leads to Results across four life domains: Relationships, Health and Well-Being, Vocation, and Time and Financial Freedom.

The Eight Steps to Emotional Fitness Happiness is a learnable skill and an emotional muscle. The Triumph Steps framework guides clients through eight steps beginning with identifying a clear vision, building a bridge from where they are today to where they want to be three years from now, and taking one small controllable step at a time.

Befriending Fear Fear disguises itself as procrastination, avoidance, and victim thinking. Clients learn to name it, understand it, and act despite it. Something better always waits on the other side of fear.

Purpose and Service as Ingredients for Happiness People who turn their gifts outward toward the good of others discover a deeper and lasting happiness. Purpose is not simply found. It is built through intentional service and the courage to ask how your talents can make a difference.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Inhale deeply to a count of four, pause, then exhale slowly to a count of six. Repeat three to five times. This practice immediately resets the nervous system and reconnects you to your inner clarity and wisdom.

Memorable Quotes
"Not everybody needs mental health services, but every single person needs to know how to be happier."
"Your past does not define your future. Your future is designed with the thoughts of today."
"We act despite the fear. That is what gets us to triumph."
"How would you love your life to look three years from now?"

Connect with Beatriz Martinez-Peñalver
Email: [email protected] Website: www.triumphsteps.com

Connect with Julie Riga
Explore all of Julie Riga resources, books, and coaching programs at: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts and share this episode with anyone ready to build a life they love.

#StayOnCourse #HappinessIsASkill #TriumphSteps #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationJourney

Resilient Leadership Starts Within: The Three Practices That Change Everything
Guest: Dr. Trisha Vinatieri, Clinical Psychologist and Healthcare Leadership Consultant Host: Julie Riga

📌 Visit the Episode Stack:stacklist.app/julieriga | All the links, resources, and key information from this episode in one easy place.

Overview

What does it truly take to lead with resilience when the world around you is shifting and you are running on empty? In this episode, Julie Riga sits down with Dr. Trisha Vinatieri, a clinical psychologist and organizational development expert, to unpack the three foundational practices of resilient leadership: self-reflection, values alignment, and purpose connection. Whether you are a healthcare executive, a corporate leader, or an entrepreneur navigating the tension between surviving and thriving, this conversation will challenge you to look inward and lead better because of it. If you have ever felt like a fraud in your own career, burned out in a role that did not fit who you are, or wondered whether your purpose is worth fighting for, this episode is for you.

Resilient Leadership Starts Within: The Three Practices That Change Everything

About Dr. Trisha Vinatieri

Dr. Trisha Vinatieri is a clinical psychologist and organizational development expert with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of mental health and leadership. She served as Chief Wellbeing Officer at a large healthcare system before launching Clinician Care Consulting, where she helps healthcare leaders understand and combat staff burnout using evidence-based frameworks. Her mission is to help medical leaders build insight so clinical staff can do the work they signed up for.
Fun Fact: Dr. Trisha loves Ethiopian food and could live on injera for the rest of her life.

The Three Ingredients for Resilient Leadership

Self-Reflection: See Yourself Clearly
Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership. Leaders who do not examine their blind spots and emotional wellbeing create the conditions for burnout and toxic culture. Research shows that 70% of people leave jobs because of their manager. When leaders commit to honest self-reflection, they move from operating out of dysfunction to leading from strength and empowering the people around them.
Values Alignment: Act with Integrity and Purpose

When your daily work conflicts with your core values, your resilience erodes. Dr. Trisha shares examples from healthcare where doctors are forced into decisions that contradict their oath. She and Julie explore the fraud feeling that arises when you live in misalignment with what you believe in and how that disconnection drains your energy and wellbeing over time.

Purpose Connection: Stay Energized Through the Hard Seasons

Purpose is what Julie calls Vitamin P and it is the anchor of resilient leadership. Without meaning, people fill the void with distractions and disconnection. Dr. Trisha and Julie share honest stories of nearly quitting their entrepreneurial journeys and what kept them going. Purpose is not a feeling. It is commitment, discipline, and the long game.

Memorable Quotes
"When leaders are willing to self-reflect and ask what are my blind spots, that is when everything starts to change."
"If you do not have a sense of meaning in your life, it is a desolate life."
"You are the author of your day."
"The light inside of you needs to come out. It is the thing you do not quit."
"Be the purpose you are looking for. The world needs more purpose."

Connect with Dr. Trisha Vinatieri
Website: www.cliniciancareconsulting.com LinkedIn: Dr. Trisha Vinatieri

Connect with Julie Riga
Explore all of Julie's leadership programs, resources, and coaching offerings: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen. Share this episode with every leader who needs to hear it.

#StayOnCourse #ResilientLeadership #PurposeDriven #LeadershipMindset #AuthenticGrowth

Thriving in College: What Nobody Tells You
Guest: Danielle Barone, LCSW, Founder of Waves Therapy Group Host: Julie Riga

📌 Visit the Episode Stack:stacklist.app/julieriga | All the links, resources, and key information from this episode in one easy place.

What if the gap between struggling and thriving in college came down to a few key skills nobody ever taught you? In this episode, Julie Riga sits down with licensed clinical social worker, trauma-informed therapist, and founder of Waves Therapy Group, Danielle Barone. Together they unpack the mindset shifts, power skills, and confidence-building strategies that prepare students and their parents for one of life's most transformative transitions. From boundary setting and building resilience to finding your people and navigating college like a professional in training, this conversation is a must-listen for every family stepping into the college journey.

Thriving in College: What Nobody Tells You
About the Guest

Danielle Barone, LCSW is the founder of Waves Therapy Group in Boca Raton, Florida. She specializes in helping adolescents and young adults navigate trauma, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and emotional regulation through compassionate, evidence-based care. With roughly half of her caseload made up of college students, Danielle brings deep clinical expertise and real parent experience to this conversation. Her work is rooted in building emotional resilience, self-leadership, and lasting confidence.

What You Will Learn
The "Nobody Told Me" Gap 94 percent of incoming college freshmen experience homesickness in their first semester. Students arrive academically prepared but emotionally underprepared. Nobody teaches them how to write an email to a professor, how to find campus resources, how to set boundaries with a roommate, or how to ask for help. College is not 13th grade. It is the beginning of your professional life.
Julie's Ingredients for Success Find a friend in every class within the first two days. Build a study group. Make sure your professor knows your name. Attend office hours. Get involved in clubs, Greek life, or campus jobs. Every one of these actions is professional development in action. One of Julie's first jobs came directly from a professor recommendation.
The Parent Role: Guide, Do Not Carry Parents must resist solving every problem for their child. Resilience is built through productive struggle. Julie shares the story of her son Michael, who missed an exam twice during fraternity pledging and called her in a panic. Her advice was simple: explain your situation to the professor. The answer is already no if you do nothing. He sent the email. The professor reopened the exam. He learned a life skill that no parent could have given him.
Boundary Setting as a Core Skill Living in the dorm, navigating roommate conflict, learning to say no, and advocating for yourself in uncomfortable situations builds the self-esteem and courage needed throughout life. These are not small moments. They are the foundation of personal growth.

The Thrive in College Workshop
Julie Riga and Danielle Barone are co-hosting a two-day workshop at the FAU Alumni Center in Boca Raton on June 26 and 27. Designed for incoming college students and their parents, the event covers professional development, mental health awareness, social navigation, boundary setting, and everything nobody told you about thriving in college. Lunch is provided.
To register or learn more, email [email protected] or visit wavestherapygroup.com.

Connect

Danielle Barone: wavestherapygroup.com

Julie Riga: julieriga.com | [email protected]
Resources and Links: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

#StayOnCourse #ThriveInCollege #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Transformation

🎧 Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts 💡 Share this episode with every student and parent in your network

Redefining Healthcare Through Relationships, Purpose, and Personalized Care with Dr. Stevi Jenkins-Kelly
Guest: Dr. Stevi Jenkins-Kelly, PharmD, Founder of My Concierge Pharmacy Host: Julie Riga

What if your pharmacist knew your name, your goals, and your complete health story rather than just your prescription number?

In this episode, Julie Riga sits down with Dr. Stevi Jenkins-Kelly, a visionary pharmacist and founder of My Concierge Pharmacy. Together they explore how she left corporate pharmacy to build something new, a practice grounded in personalized service, trust, and a whole-patient approach to wellness. If you have ever felt like just a number in the system, this episode will inspire you to lead with more intention in your own work and life.
Redefining Healthcare Through Relationships, Purpose, and Personalized Care
About the Guest

Dr. Stevi Jenkins-Kelly is a licensed pharmacist with over 25 years of experience, including time at major chains such as CVS and Publix. She founded My Concierge Pharmacy in West Palm Beach, Florida after finding that most systems are built for volume, not genuine patient care. Her practice is completely independent, self-trademarked, and rooted in one guiding principle: pharmacy as a relationship, not a transaction.
She holds advanced certifications in diabetes care and collaborative practice and specializes in medication management, chronic disease support, and preventative health. She serves patients across Florida and Pennsylvania, with direct delivery and personalized consultations at every stage of life.

Fun Fact: Dr. Stevi loves salmon in every form. Lox and bagels with capers and onions is her absolute go-to.

The Three Ingredients for Concierge Success
1. Service as a Foundation True service is never transactional. Dr. Stevi built her team culture around being service-minded at every level. When you are moving a patient out of a system that has failed them, you must become the new definition of what great care looks like.
2. Trust Through Follow-Through Trust is built by doing what you say you will do, every single time. My Concierge Pharmacy proactively manages patient profiles, coordinates with providers, and connects with each patient a minimum of six times per year. Patients soon find they do not need to chase anyone because someone is consistently and genuinely watching over their care.
3. Customization That Feels Personal Concierge care is never cookie-cutter. Whether the patient is a parent preparing for summer, an elderly person managing chronic illness, or a performance athlete focused on longevity, every care plan is built specifically around that individual. Intentional personalization is what sets real concierge care apart from everything else.

Key Insights from This Episode
Pharmacists are trained in anatomy, biochemistry, and treatment protocol, making them the chemistry and treatment counterpart to a physician's diagnostic approach. Most patients never access this full depth of knowledge because corporate environments do not allow for it. Concierge pharmacy is changing that reality.
Dr. Stevi also applies a micro-therapy model, focusing on one health challenge at a time rather than overwhelming patients with everything at once. This approach builds clarity, confidence, and a genuine sense of control over personal health, growth, and life balance.

Connect with Dr. Stevi Jenkins-Kelly
Website: www.myconciergepharmacy.com Book a consult to explore whether concierge pharmacy is right for you. Service covers Florida and Pennsylvania with direct home delivery available.

Connect with Julie Riga
Explore leadership coaching, transformation, and purposeful living at the link below.

Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts and share this episode with someone who deserves better from their healthcare journey.

#StayOnCourse #PurposeDriven #LeadershipMindset #AuthenticGrowth #TransformYo

The Trust Advantage: How Leaders Turn Complexity Into Confidence
Overview

In this episode of the Stay On Course Podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with Jeff Willinger, a globally recognized digital transformation leader, Microsoft MVP, and one of the leading voices in enterprise AI and the future of work. Jeff shares the three ingredients that separate visionary leaders from those who fall behind. In an AI-driven world, the most valuable thing a leader can offer is not a solution. It is confidence. Whether you are a corporate executive, an entrepreneur, or a professional navigating change, this episode will shift the way you think about trust, technology, and your own leadership legacy. This conversation is for leaders who are ready to stop reacting and start leading with clarity and conviction.

The Trust Advantage: How Leaders Turn Complexity Into Confidence
Guest: Jeff Willinger, Digital Transformation Leader, Microsoft MVP, Director at Turn Digital Host: Julie Riga

About Jeff Willinger

Jeff Willinger is a globally recognized digital transformation leader, Microsoft MVP, and Director at Turn Digital. With over 20 years of experience in the Microsoft ecosystem, Jeff bridges the gap between business and technology. He makes tools like Microsoft SharePoint and AI Co-Pilot simple, tangible, and powerful for organizations of every size. His leadership philosophy centers on clarity, accountability, and always moving toward where the opportunity is going to be before anyone else sees it.
Fun Fact: Jeff is a proud New Yorker and a dedicated seafood lover. His ideal meal is king crab with drawn butter and lemon. When he is in a rush, nothing beats a classic New York pizza slice.

The Three Ingredients for Leadership Success
1. Clarity Over Complexity
If people do not understand it, they will not act on it. Jeff leads with insight, paints a clear before-and-after picture, and earns trust by delivering real value before asking for anything in return. Simplifying the message is not a soft skill. It is a core leadership advantage that drives growth, alignment, and real transformation.
2. Proof Over Promise
Every leader talks about what AI can do. Jeff shows it. He uses readiness assessments, fast pilots, and measurable results within two weeks to build genuine confidence. Make it tangible, make it fast, and let the results do the talking. This approach drives adoption, closes deals, and creates unstoppable momentum.
3. Reduce Risk at Every Step
Every deal and every transformation decision is a risk decision at its core. Jeff breaks big changes into safe, digestible steps and proof-of-concept pilots that let teams experience real results without fear. His goal is not to push a deal through. It is to make saying yes feel like the obvious, safe, and smart choice for every stakeholder.

Key Quotes
"Everyone goes to where the puck is. I go to where the puck is going to be."
"If they do not understand it, they will not buy it."
"People are not buying your solution. They are buying your conviction and your clarity."
"What took 20 hours in the past is taking 10 minutes with AI and you cannot unsee that productivity."
"Bring value wherever you go and you will always have a job and you will always have a client."

Key Takeaways
Clarity is a competitive advantage in leadership and in business
Proof beats promise every single time in business
AI is not optional for organizations that want to grow and stay relevant
The human edge in leadership is real, irreplaceable, and truly essential
Governance creates real freedom, not limits, when built well

Connect with Jeff Willinger
LinkedIn: Jeff Willinger Instagram: @TheRealJWillie Company: Turn Digital

Connect with Julie Riga
Explore all resources, tools, and episode links at: https://stacklist.app/julieriga

#Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AILeadership #StayOnCourse #Transformation