podcast 019: keep your inner light burning bright
In this episode, Deb sits down with Ali Schroer to explore how sustaining our "stellar core"—the self—is foundational to true human flourishing.
“If we want to shine, we have to take care of our stellar core—because that’s where everything else begins.”
Ali shares a powerful framework for thinking about self-care not as a luxury, but as the essential fuel for every other part of our lives. Together, they dig into the messy reality of suffering, resilience, and growth, offering candid reflections and practical tools for cultivating wellbeing even through life's hardest seasons. This conversation reminds us that flourishing isn't compartmentalized—it's an integrated, courageous journey of honoring all parts of ourselves.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to move beyond survival mode and build a resilient, radiant human experience.
Key Highlights:
Why tending to your "stellar core" is essential for sustaining every area of your life
How soul-filling activities create a personal recipe for resilience and wellbeing
Why suffering and flourishing are deeply interconnected—not opposites
How practicing reflection after hardship builds emotional strength and hope
Concrete ways to recognize when you're drifting from flourishing—and how to course-correct
About Our Guest:
Ali Schroer is a mental health innovator who bridges clinical practice with organizational consulting. As Executive Director of Mental Scope Consulting, she helps companies integrate wellbeing principles throughout their operations rather than siloing them in a single department. Through her workshops on courageous conversations, leading through challenges, and navigating grief and loss, Ali equips organizations with practical tools for fostering authentic human connections. Her "Mental Health Ready" equipping series provides tailored strategies for specific organizational cultures. Ali lives in Denver, Colorado with her family, including two young children, giving her firsthand experience with balancing professional excellence and personal wellbeing.
About The HX Collective:
The HX Collective is a movement to elevate the human experience—at work, in relationships, and with ourselves. Through honest conversations and strategic insight, we explore how connection, context, and compassion can create a more flourishing world, starting right where we are.
