Breaking the Silence

Focusing on Life Changes That Shift Our Peace — Major Life Transitions

PR Connections — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:28:07 -0700

Major life transitions can shift our peace, reshape our relationships, and make us wonder who we are becoming. In this episode of Breaking the Silence: After Midnight, we explore how to navigate change with honesty, grace, and hope.

The stories, views, and opinions shared on BREAKING THE SILENCE are intended for educational, inspirational, and reflective purposes only. This podcast may explore personal growth, leadership, transformation, emotional wellness, and life experiences, but it is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, financial, or therapeutic advice. Guest perspectives are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Gail A. Larson, Legacy Lifestyle Coaching LLC, PR Connections, or any affiliated organization.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Finding Small Lights and Hope in the Darkness

PR Connections — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:47:30 -0700

This episode reflects on those sleepless nights when the darkness can feel heavier than the night — the sadness, emotional heaviness, and memories that sometimes follow us from childhood into adulthood. We will also make space for something just as important: the possibility of light. Sometimes that light comes through a memory, a song, a prayer, a conversation, a deep breath, or the simple reminder that we do not have to carry our emotional stress alone.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Moments When the Mind Refuses to Be Quiet

PR Connections — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:34:00 -0700

Sometimes the mind refuses to be quiet because something within us is asking for attention, reassurance, or release. Anxiety may get loud after midnight, but it does not have to have the final word. My surprise guest knows this all too well, but shares her process for turning after-hours anxiety and sleeplessness into a positive, productive experience!

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit https://lifewave.com/VernDixon and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

The Weight We Carry After Midnight - Stress and Overwhelm

PR Connections — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:37:28 -0700

This episode begins with a weight many of us know too well: stress and overwhelm — the responsibilities we carry, the pressure we hide, and the thoughts that refuse to rest when the world goes quiet. My guest, Krystina, considers herself to be a “domestic engineer” in all senses of the term and will share the challenges that keep her up at night within and outside of that role.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

The Possibility You've Been Holding Back

PR Connections — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:25:23 -0700

In this Season 2 finale of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, Gail reflects on the powerful conversations, courageous stories, and defining moments that shaped the season. Through each guest’s journey, we saw what becomes possible when people stop shrinking, step into new spaces, and begin living beyond the boundaries that once limited them.

As the season closes, Gail also opens the door to what’s next: Season 3, Breaking the Silence: After Midnight — What Keeps You Up at Night? Inspired by the familiar warning, “Nothing good happens after midnight,” this new season will explore the thoughts, decisions, fears, dreams, and unfinished conversations that tend to surface when the world gets quiet.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Allowing Yourself to Be Fully Transparent

PR Connections — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:49:34 -0700

In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to communicate more honestly across generations, particularly with fathers or as a father…and how to move beyond old roles, old assumptions, and old emotional boundaries.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Living Beyond the Boundaries

PR Connections — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:56:17 -0700

What happens when growth becomes more than a moment—and instead becomes a way of life?

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by accomplished author and poet Lydia Pejovic, whose work reflects the complexity of identity, perspective, and personal transformation. Her recent novel, Shifting Tides, explores life through three shifting perspectives, an approach that mirrors the evolving ways we learn to see ourselves and the world around us.

Together, we explore what it means to live beyond the boundaries that once limited us...embracing change, new experiences, and continued personal growth. From writing and storytelling to her desire to become more fluent in Spanish while spending time with her husband’s family in Mexico, Lydia shares how living beyond the boundaries often begins with the willingness to remain curious, open, and continuously evolving.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Sharing the Story You’re Ready to Own

PR Connections — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:49:47 -0700

After more than two decades as a speech pathologist, this episode’s guest shares what it truly means to step into a new identity. Now traveling the world through her entrepreneurial journey in the jewelry industry, she reflects on the evolution of her voice and her story. In “Sharing the Story You’re Ready to Own,” she opens up about embracing change, redefining her narrative, and confidently living in alignment with her authentic truth.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

When Your Voice Expands the Room

PR Connections — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:03:42 -0700

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by Steve, a longtime educational leader whose journey took him from classroom educator to Vice President of Humanities for a renowned educational publishing company. Along the way, Steve became known as an accomplished speaker, engaging regional, national, and international audiences across all subject areas. Steve will reflect on how the power of voice and presence has shaped his purpose-driven leadership.

Together, we will explore what it means to grow into a voice that carries influence, inspires connection, and expands the room through authenticity, confidence, and impact.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Courageous Conversations that Build Connections

PR Connections — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:42:13 -0700

For this episode, my guest is author and speaker Phil Randazzo, founder of American Dream U, a nonprofit dedicated to helping our military gain the education and resources they need to find their dream job or start their own business. In this episode, he shares powerful insights on how courageous conversations can build meaningful connections and create lasting impact.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Speaking Up for What Matters Most

PR Connections — Sat, 30 May 2026 13:57:21 -0700

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, Chaka Meyers, an Army veteran and transportation operations leader joins me to discuss leadership, purpose, and speaking up for what matters most. This conversation comes full circle, as she was once my student over 40 years ago—and today, we reflect on growth, voice, and the power of staying connected across generations.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Speaking Into New Spaces

PR Connections — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:54:11 -0700

In this episode, Speaking Into New Spaces, the focus will be on new roles, environments, and stepping into growth. Pat, who is a group coordinator for Go Ahead Tours, has successfully stepped into her own growth while discovering that sharing her passion for travel can afford her more travel opportunities. She wants to help those who want to travel and don't want to have to do the planning, or they don't want to travel alone. Finally, Pat would like to reach people who would like to travel more but don't have unlimited funds to do so.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Giving Yourself Permission to be Seen

PR Connections — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:44:52 -0700

What’s holding you back from being seen? In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, we explore what it really means to step out of the shadows, take up space, and give yourself permission to be visible—without waiting for validation from anyone else.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

What are you ready to say now?

PR Connections — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:39:35 -0700

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by a former police sergeant II, Steve Adams, who is sharing stories he’s held back — but ready to share now. Through his experience in law enforcement, we explore how perceptions of policing have shifted over time, and what it means to finally speak about the realities behind the uniform. This conversation goes beyond profession — it’s about voice, timing, and the courage to express what’s been carried quietly for years. If you’ve ever held back something meaningful but are now ready to reveal it… this episode will resonate.

This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit www.LifeWave.com/VernD and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle today!

Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries Launch

PR Connections — Sun, 03 May 2026 14:51:44 -0700

This introductory episode will launch Season 2 of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries . Whereas the first season was about finding the courage to speak, Season 2 is about moving past the limits we once believed defined us. Through powerful conversations and personal reflection, this season explores how growth, courage, and confidence empower us to use our voice more boldly, pursue greater possibilities, and step fully into who we are becoming.

This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

Your Voice Moving Forward

PR Connections — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:48:41 -0700

This episode is called “Your Voice Moving Forward.”
And it’s about what happens after you begin breaking the silence. The episode isn’t about fixing anything. It’s about integrating what we’ve learned — and looking ahead. With 8 years of experience in IT, a degree in biomedical laboratory science, and a background in epidemiological research, Rebecca Brosig has built a career solving technical problems. But what truly energizes her is something else: public speaking and delivering presentations that move people to think differently and act boldly. As someone with ADHD, Rebecca has developed the ability to think creatively, connect patterns quickly, and adapt in real time — strengths that make her especially dynamic on stage. What some see as a challenge has become one of Rebecca's greatest assets in communication: high energy, deep focus, and multidimensional thinking.

This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. It's Election Time! Vote! Your voice matters! Don't Sit It Out!

Being Heard Without Being Loud

PR Connections — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:18:18 -0700

In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Finding the Courage to be Heard, we’re exploring the idea of Being Heard without Being Loud. I’m joined by Sonya Smallwood, a results-driven sales professional with a strong track record of exceeding goals and building lasting client relationships. Known for her strategic mindset and hands-on approach, she thrives in fast-paced environments and brings deep expertise in territory management and CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot. Sonya will share how being present and intentional with her message allows her to be heard—without ever needing to raise her voice.

This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. It's Election Time! Vote! Your voice matters! Don't Sit It Out!

When Your Voice Shakes and Why That’s Okay

PR Connections — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:45:05 -0700

Host Gail Larson's guest, Kristina Goldstein is currently pursuing a career in either Radiation Health or Nuclear Engineering. She is the ideal candidate to talk to us about When your Voice Shakes and Why That’s Okay! Even with her years of service in the Navy and advanced education, she would still get quiet at times when she lost her confidence. This episode will explore how having self-compassion when feeling shaky, reminding yourself that it isn’t failure, but actually growth.
Kristina graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She was honored to receive a commission from the US Navy and served 10 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, which means driving big ships, lots of paperwork, and thus, not much speaking!
This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

The First Time You Speak Anyway

PR Connections — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:25:31 -0700

“Today on Breaking the Silence, I’m joined by Dane Larson, a seasoned corporate marketing communications manager who has spent his career guiding marketing strategy and growth across biomedical industries, advancing diagnostics and saving lives. But today, Dane will be sharing more personal stories — about the moments he felt intimidated to speak up… and what happened when he decided to "break the silence and do it anyway.”
This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

Speaking Up in Rooms that Intimidate You

PR Connections — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 20:44:08 -0700

In this episode entitled, Speaking Up in Rooms that Intimidate You, Jesse Oakley III and I will chat about the power dynamics that show up in both professionally and personal environments, like meetings, panels, and even classrooms. We will discuss how possibly gender, age, race, or any physical attributes could be a factor in this feeling of intimidation, and how small acts of “voice” can build confidence in a big way. Jesse Oakley III is an experienced author with a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry. He is a strong media and communication professional as demonstrated as host of the Sunday Morning Chat Series Podcast, and as the Past International Director of Toastmasters International. This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Speaking

PR Connections — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:45:15 -0700

The focus of this episode is to explore a speaker’s mindset and inner dialogue. It will ask the question, “What story has fear been repeating, and is any of it true?” Helene Rose will share her experiences, particularly in language shifts that build courage. Helene Rose is a mindset and personal growth expert who helps individuals and teams reconnect with their inner power—so they can create real, lasting transformation both personally and professionally.
This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

Finding Your Voice (Before You Find Your Words)

PR Connections — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:55:09 -0800

This episode will focus on identity and self-trust when speaking. We will explore the question of whose voice are you afraid to sound like, or not sound like, either personally or professionally, and when to use your authentic voice vs. professional voice. My guest, Mary Jo Aganad has worked in the field of nursing for over 45 years, and since retirement is specializing in home health care. Mary Jo will bring a fresh perspective to these topics.
This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus

When Fear Takes the Microphone

PR Connections — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:39:47 -0800

This episode will focus on why does fear show up in our bodies before we speak? Our guest will share stories about physical symptoms and anxiety associated with public speaking, and suggest how to cope. This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at www.ClassyCommunications.net

The Myth of the Confident Speaker on Breaking the Silence

PR Connections — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:48:18 -0800

Focus: Debunking perfection - Core Question: Is confidence something you’re born with — or something you build? Angles: Why “they’re just confident” is a lie

Confidence vs. courage

Speaking while scared

🎯 Outcome: Removes intimidation and comparison.

Calvin Dorsey is President of Dorsey Management Services, and has trained more than 100,000 people from various countries around the world. He is a member of the of the National Speakers Association , ATD and Toastmasters International This podcast is brought to you Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactusy

Why We Stay Silent on Breaking the Silence

PR Connections — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 20:27:26 -0800

Focus: Naming the fear : Core Question: What are we really afraid of when we don’t speak up? Discussion Points: Fear of judgment, failure, rejection, visibility. Early experiences that taught us silence = safety. Reframing silence as learned, not permanent
Outcome: Listeners feel seen and understood. My guest, Sheryl Lynn is the founder of JOYeLY. At the heart of her work is the JOY Intelligence JQ Framework and the Chair of JOY, a 60-second practice that helps people recognize and process emotions without judgment, calm their nervous systems, which is critical in overcoming fears about public speaking. This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success. Contact us at classycommunications.net/contactus