Needy and Normal Podcast

"Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?", with author and guest, Dr. Robert Smith

EP 68 | Dr. Robert Smith, or Bob as he prefers in his well earned retirement years, is a bit of a whistle blower. Not aiming for controversy as much as he’s aiming for change, Bob has written “Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?”, to inform the public of what needs to change in the medical industry around mental health. 
His extensive research reveals that only 2% of medical school requirements focuses on mental healthcare. He claims, backed by his decades as a practicing and educating doctor, that we need that number to change to 30%.
Why? To be as direct as Bob, people are dying. People are being misdiagnosed. Patient care is rushed, and things are being missed and mistreated.
While Dr. Smith could be traveling and kicking his heels up in retirement, his mission is grand and unfinished. From our conversation, there is much action to be taken, first by spreading awareness and hope.
Listen for what you can do NOW, including ways to self advocate, and increase personal wellbeing. Bob encourages awareness for yourself and others, especially if this matter affects you or someone you care for in your life.
YOUR NEEDS MATTER, BECAUSE YOU MATTER.
To fetch your own copy of Bob’s book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Why Our Mental Health System is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure It, and to be apart of bringing light and awareness to this massive issue, visit www.robertcsmithmd.com.
BIO: Robert C. Smith, MD, MACP is a retired University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and a pioneer in patient-centered communication and primary care mental health. He is the author of Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Why Our Mental Health System is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure It.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Please rate the show before you go, and share your favorite episode with a friend! Follow @needyandnormalpod on IG, and also find Ashley Levering on Linked In and IG @abllifecoaching.
Visit www.abllifecoaching.com to learn about transition life coaching, and to inquire about your own (FREE) discovery session. Accepting new clients for Fall 2025.

Game changing tips for getting results!

EP 67 | As promised from episode 66, tough love, this short listen is an extension of HOW to get results.
Work harder. Effort matters. We don't usually love the hard work required for results, but it needs to happen. Otherwise, why bother? It's a dream you'll look at, but without action, it's not achievable.
Listen for the TWO game changing tips (plus a bonus tip), proven to work for anyone who applies themselves. 
Ready to dedicate and commit to the things you want, for real this time? This could be the push you've needed.
Your needs matter, because you matter.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Follow on IG @needyandnormalpod and review the show before you go! Share your favorite episode with a friend, and DM me which one it is! I'd love the feedback!
For information about life coaching, visit abllifecoaching.com and follow @abllifecoaching on IG. Accepting new clients September 2025.

Do you need some tough love?

EP 66 | Admit it! That thing you want so badly is on the back burner, because you will need to put in the uncomfortable work. So you procrastinate, push it out, ignore it. Or perhaps you are avoiding the thing that NEEDS to happen, but it's scary as hell! The "easy way" is often worse than taking a deep breath and doing the hard thing!
Choose your own adventure! As I move through this list of scenarios, you will relate to one or more.
Towards the end, this list will be reviewed and you'll leave with encouragement. We all need that.
Episode 66 is about self love, which in this case, is about discipline. This could be the dose of tough love you really need right now.
Your needs matter, because you matter!
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Please rate and review the show before you go, and share it with a friend!
Would you like to be my guest? Do you have an extraordinary story or your expertise to share with the Needy community? Email me at ashley@abllifecoaching.com or DM me on IG @needyandnormalpod.
To learn more about transition life coaching, visit abllifecoaching.com. New clients will be accepted come September 2025.
 

Life balance is BS, here's the comforting truth

EP 65 | I call BS on the “story” we tell ourselves about finding “balance” in our lives. No, this life coach does not think it’s impossible to achieve balance, but I do believe there is a healthy dose of reality we can all tap into to help us feel better. 
You can find balance in small moments or big moments. But when the balance doesn’t come by way of what society tells us balance is, or how you set out to overachieve beyond your own capacity, you feel like a failure. 
Let me connect you to different perspective, where you can feel balanced every day, no matter what.
Listen for comforting content, such as:
Deciding what balance actually looks like for you
Positively accepting reality
Mindset and perspective shifting
Making healthy decisions for yourself
Resetting your priorities (story time)
Reflection check
“Positive survival” rather than “survival mode”
Tending to essential routines no matter what
Taking the wins now
Staying positive for yourself
Your needs matter, because you matter.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Please rate and review the show before you go, and follow it so you don’t miss an episode. Please pass this or your favorite episode on to a friend and follow @needyandnormalpod on Instagram. 
For information about coaching together, visit ABLlifecoaching.com. Currently accepting new clients this September 2025. Get to know me more @abllifecoaching on IG.

Abuse, powerlifting, and life changing decisions with guest, Tracey Quast

EP 64 | This week on Needy and Normal, we welcome Tracey Quast, my amazing client and friend who made massive changes in her life. If you can't relate or find inspiration by the end, I will buy you a cup of coffee.
In this episode, Tracey shares her journey from an abusive marriage of over 30 years, to finally building the courage to end it in divorce, and breaking patterns that no longer served her.
Listen for:
How to take control (the powerlifting story)
The power of advocating for yourself
Finding self worth
Owning your confidence and strength
Being grateful
Being authentic
Doing hard things
Being okay with wanting more and better for your life
I hope you take from this conversation, that saying yes to your wants and needs is a good thing. Taking care of you is important, and you deserve a good life.
Your needs matter, because you matter.
BIO: Tracey Quast is a personal trainer and teacher of the Livestrong cancer survivor class. She is a badass who is full of heart. Tracey's been a competitive (and record holding) powerlifter since 2017, the year she became a grandmother. She now has eight grandchildren and is living in her dream home being loved well and owning her worth.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast, please rate and review the show before you go and follow us on IG @needyandnormalpod.
For information about coaching together, and to feel the power of coaching like Tracey did, visit abllifecoaching.com. Initial sessions are complimentary.

REPLAY - Negative vs Positive Thinking and Reactions (EP 22)

EP 63 [REPLAY of EP 22] | This topic follows us around. In a time where negativity can seep in easily, let's be reminded of the control we DO have over our own reactions and thoughts.
Living in a negative headspace is not helpful. I am not discounting that difficult times happen, nor am I encouraging false positivity.
I am, however, encouraging the right we have to live in a safe headspace. I am challenging you to learn how to recognize your thoughts and behaviors as they lean towards the negative. I am challenging you to logically respond rather than emotionally react.
Listen for stories, tips and tools from episode 22, to help you move through negativity.
You may need just what this episode has to offer.
Your needs matter, because you matter.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Please share the show and rate and review it before you go! Follow @needyandnormalpod on IG.
For information about coaching together, book a free consultation at www.abllifecoaching.com and follow @abllifecoaching on IG.

Is it time for your comeback, to yourself?

EP 62 | Have you gotten into the rhythm of life, where you're going through the motions? Or have you arrived at the place in your career where you're not feeling fulfilled? Are you having a full-on identity "crisis"? This episode is for you!
I'll walk you through how NOT to feel badly about feeling lost or disconnected from yourself. Rather, I encourage you to feel brave for finding the awareness.
Now, what is next? What's first? How can you take action to reconnect to yourself and do what matters to you? Is it your turn? Is it time to COMEBACK to yourself?
Listen for helpful tips and tools directly from a certified life coach. Jot down some notes on the how-to's in this episode, and take the encouragement and comfort with you.
Your needs matter, because you matter. 
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast. Please share, rate and review the pod before you go, follow the show and add it to your IG follows, @needyandnormalpod. 
To learn about coaching together, follow @abllifecoacing on IG and visit www.abllifecoaching.com and book a complimentary discovery session! ABL Life Coaching was founded in December 2019, and has successfully helped hundreds of clients reach goals and transition into new phases of life. 

Is it Friday yet? Burnout sucks!

EP 61 | You've probably said it: Is it Friday yet? I need a nap! I want to quit! I need a drink! I'm so busy, life is crazy! And if you're in my shoes, over 35, you might even be dealing with physical burnout. In this episode, I share my "over 35" ailments and how in real time I am trying to heal from overdoing it! You too?
Listen for:
1. How to recognize burnout,
2. how to create and use go-to's for preventing and conquering burnout,
3. some undeniable facts,
4. tips on mindfulness of your own behavior,
5. and how to listen to your higher self and use your intuition.
Stay until the end for some memorable burnout quotes for you to takeaway from this episode.
Your needs matter, because you matter.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast, for sharing the show with a friend, and for leaving me a review and a rating before you go!
Follow @needyandnormalpod and @abllifecoaching on IG, and book a free discovery session on abllifecoaching.com!

Life of a 10 year old, with guest, Brock Levering

EP 60 | GUEST EPISODE! Something I have wanted to do for a long time is have my son, Brock, on the show. The time has come. Enjoy both the seriousness and the giggles as we talk about:
Brock's view of our life as a Major League Baseball family
What it's like to be in team sports "these days"
Social media and the "addiction' to phones already in the fourth grade, and
Bullying and friendships.
Listen towards the end, when we put the life coach "hat" on Brock. I offer him three scenarios to tackle with his imaginary clients. You can't miss out on his answers!
Thank you for listening, sharing, following, rating and reviewing the Needy and Normal Podcast. Make sure to follow the show on IG @needyandnormalpod, too! Send me a DM anytime to continue the conversations from any episode. 
For information about life coaching, visit ABLlifecoaching.com to book a free initial session, and find me on IG @abllifecoaching.
Your needs matter, because you matter. Take care.

Near death car accident, lessons learned, and healing from the trauma

EP 59 | I haven't told this story in a long time, so thank you for lending an ear and a soft heart. I could have died. This is a historical event from my life that has shaped me in many ways. While I am no longer haunted by the man who tried to drive me off the road, I am grateful for escaping with my life and taking much needed lessons with me.
My hope is that you learn how different decisions/using your boundaries, forgiving yourself, facing your fears and learning to manage the tough feelings, can help you heal and move on from trauma.
While healing isn't easy, and often takes time, it is possible.
Your needs matter, because you matter.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal podcast. Please rate and review the show, subscribe, and share this episode with that one friend - you know who. 
To follow along, find @needyandnormalpod and @abllifecoaching on Instagram. And visit ABLlifecoaching.com to book a free initial consult. I would love to support you.
Thank you for being here. Take care.