Compass Stories

About Compass Stories

Welcome to Compass Stories with Veronica Sterling — a podcast about navigating disruption with clarity, connection, and courage. Through honest conversations, storytelling, and reflections from the road, Veronica explores what it means to move forward with purpose during seasons of change. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and creator of The Commitment Compass, Veronica brings listeners into meaningful conversations about resilience, grief, leadership, caregiving, healing, reinvention, and the courage to realign when life feels uncertain. Each week features authentic guest conversations alongside personal travel diary reflections recorded during a cross-country journey in a 42-year-old Airstream motorhome. From national parks to small towns and big cities, these episodes explore the experiences, questions, and moments that shape us most. If you’ve ever felt stuck in transition, burned out, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, Compass Stories offers thoughtful conversations and practical encouragement to help you rediscover meaning, strengthen connection, and move forward with courage. Topics include resilience, purpose, grief and healing, burnout, caregiving, first responder wellness, personal growth, leadership, mental wellness, and navigating life transitions.

Publisher

Veronica Sterling

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 May 2026

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   Healing Without Being Finished Personal Conversation About Identity, Growth, Living, Self Compassion

   In this episode, Jackie Stilling shares her journey of self-discovery, healing, and the importance of curiosity and the pause in personal growth. She discusses how recognizing triggers from the past and embracing vulnerability can lead to greater self-awareness and freedom. Guest Bio: Jacqui Stilling is an experienced therapist using mostly psychodynamic therapy which can help patients find freedom from being seduced by feelings and underlying/old emotions. When old defenses stop working, therapy can help one make meaning of maladaptive behaviors and begin creating new ways of being. She is a certified supervisor for LCPC's/LGPC's or anyone who would like a deeper psychodynamic way of looking at patients and the world. I offer supervision after an initial interview determining compatibility. She is also the founder of The Both/And Way which is a total wellness endeavor offering retreats, classes, coaching, and corporate presentations. Jacqui is available to teach Mindfulness and Meditation to individuals or groups and to speak to parents' groups teaching Mindful Parenting, Parenting Emerging Adults, and How Parents can Cultivate Emotional Muscle to parent Children of all Ages. Keywords self-awareness, healing, vulnerability, triggers, curiosity, meditation, retreat, boundaries, self-care, personal growth Key Topics The importance of curiosity in healing Recognizing triggers from the past The difference between being okay and being capable The significance of the pause and meditation Setting boundaries and self-care after deep work The impact of childhood stories on adult behavior The second arrow concept in emotional response The process of writing and sharing personal stories The journey of aging and self-acceptance Chapters 00:00 Embarking on a Healing Journey 00:41 Introduction to Compass Stories 00:45 Navigating Change in Life 00:50 Introduction and Background 03:01 The Importance of Connection and Community 04:54 Understanding Boundaries and Self-Care 07:33 Self-Marriage Ceremony: A Journey of Commitment 10:53 Breaking Free from Societal Expectations 13:16 Recognizing Triggers from the Past 17:16 Navigating Emotional Responses 21:05 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery 23:57 Curiosity as a Tool for Growth 27:34 Healing the Inner Child 28:54 Navigating Relationships and Expectations 30:45 Understanding Love and Self-Worth 32:27 The Second Arrow: Managing Emotional Pain 35:50 The Journey of Healing: Is There an Endpoint? 37:14 The Complexity of Human Emotions 39:12 The Role of Therapy in Personal Growth 40:48 Embracing Aging and Self-Acceptance 43:21 Finding Grace and Tenderness 48:25 The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness 51:43 Sharing Your Story: A Path to Healing 54:29 New chapter Resources: Connect with Jacqui: https://www.thebothandway.com/ (https://www.thebothandway.com/) Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com (https://www.veronicasterling.com)

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Chief Resilience Officer Shares Professional Insight & Personal Growth, Authenticity, Self-Reliance

   Rodger Ruge is the Chief Resilience Officer for Pathfinder Resilience. In this conversation, he shares the experience that created a fracture in him, and he shares what he’s learned about growth and resilience in the 30 year journey back to wholeness. Guest Bio After two decades in high-intensity law enforcement units—including SWAT and motors—Rodger faced the kind of internal battle no tactical training could prepare him for: complex PTSD. Among the first in the U.S. to undergo EMDR, he chose a different path forward—one of healing, truth-testing, and peak potential. From living among monks to training under Indigenous Shamans and martial arts masters, Rodger spent the last 30 years separating fluff from function in the world of wellness. Today, Rodger serves as the Chief Resilience Officer at Pathfinder Resilience and is a trusted guide to executive leaders who are ready to build bulletproof resilience while creating extraordinary, high-performance culture Keywords resilience, personal growth, organizational culture, vulnerability, leadership, mental health, balance, self-love, stress management, transformation Key topics Definition of resilience and its two parts: bouncing back and growth The importance of a growth mindset in adversity External resources and support systems for taking effective steps The role of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership Organizational resilience through cultural architecture The significance of body, mind, spirit balance Lessons from monks, shamans, and martial arts masters The power of love and self-love in resilience Overcoming the myth of self-reliance in trauma Practical tools for self-regulation and emotional mastery Sound Bites "Love is the hardest but most powerful path" "All parts of us are trying to protect us" "Create your own lifeline, save yourself" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Roger Rouge and His Journey 00:00 Lessons from Monks, Shamans, and Masters 00:28 Welcome to Compass Stories 00:32 Navigating Change in Life 00:37 Navigating Change in Life 01:24 Introduction to resilience and guest background 03:31 The two parts of resilience: bouncing back and growth 05:30 Stepping Forward When Uncertain 09:35 Learning to Build Your Cadre 13:20 Honor the Temple 18:55 Crash and Burn Experience 24:22 Repairing the Fracture 26:14 One Lesson Learned 30:07 Our Triggers are Clues 39:10 What Hindsight Reveals 44:29 Is Suffering Benefiting You? 49:21 "Stuck" in Average? 53:54 Rodger's Wellness Pet Peeve 55:42 Final Thoughts 57:19 Thank You for Listening Resources Email Rodger: rodgerruge@protonmail.com (mailto:rodgerruge@protonmail.com) Rodger on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodgerruge (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodgerruge/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BPoF9xHKHRrantlNm8j0Sqg%3D%3D) Pathfinder Resilience: pathfinderresilience.com (https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpathfinderresilience%2Ecom%2F&urlhash=MeFI&mt=rm6ijUliTT_o-ZT4VDZeqY6N4pMn9kT8kZKWoeBqgf3hY4ojQ0Kh6bql3AfSNq3ExjTxVVWCmmBTmkfuqLJ3f9c-dJ8&isSdui=true) Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com (https://www.veronicasterling.com)

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Self Promotion & Insecurity: How to Navigate Doubt and Embrace Your Authentic Story

   In this engaging conversation, Kelly Roehm emphasizes the importance of redefining self-doubt, embracing fear, and finding balance in self-promotion. She discusses the role of data, the significance of delusion and audacity in pursuing goals, and the responsibility of leaders in fostering confidence within their teams. The dialogue also explores the concept of purpose in work and self-mastery, challenging the notion that fulfillment must come solely from one's job. In this conversation, Kelly Roehm and Veronica Sterling explore the concepts of mattering and purpose in the workplace, discussing the importance of feeling seen and heard. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-advocacy, and the role of leaders in fostering a supportive environment. Kelly shares insights from her coaching experience, highlighting the significance of personal growth and the value of recognizing one's strengths. Guest Bio: Kelly Roehm is the founder of Gumption, a career coaching and personal branding company that helps professionals, women especially, turn the work they're already doing into language that gets them recognized, promoted, and paid what they're worth. She spent 20 years inside corporate HR and talent before she left to build Gumption, so she's sat on the other side of the table and knows exactly what the people making hiring and promotion decisions are actually looking for. She calls her approach speaking to impact: the shift from describing your job to proving what changed because you were in it. These days Kelly lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she runs Gumption and works with clients across the country. Her take is simple: most people aren't behind, they just haven't learned to tell the story of what they've already done. Sound Bites 00:00 "Fear does not mean you aren't qualified." 09:54 "Only sociopaths are never connected to emotion." 17:01 "Be more delusional and audacious." 19:14 "Act as if you've already achieved it." 20:50 "You might not be instantly good at it." 26:28 "Your purpose is much bigger than work." 27:55 "Mattering is a very innate, basic human need." 28:17 "People don't even feel seen or heard." 33:28 "We all can't be Gandhi." 41:46 "You as a leader play a very significant role." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kelly Roehm's Journey 02:55 Redefining Self-Doubt and Confidence 05:55 The Role of Data in Overcoming Self-Doubt 09:02 Embracing Fear as a Natural Emotion 11:45 The Journey of Realization and Learning 14:57 Navigating Career Transitions and Next Steps 18:03 The Power of Delusion and Audacity 20:55 Leadership's Role in Building Confidence 23:58 Finding Purpose in Work vs. Self-Mastery 27:55 The Importance of Mattering 30:01 Finding Purpose in Work and Life 35:53 Navigating Career Crises 40:57 The Role of Leaders in Employee Well-being 45:57 Self-Advocacy and Team Advocacy 49:06 Coaching and Personal Growth Resources: Kelly’s Website: https://www.get-gumption.com/ (https://www.get-gumption.com/) Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylroehm/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylroehm/) Connect with Kelly on Instagram: @kelly.gumption Veronica’s Website: https://www.veronicasterling.com (https://www.veronicasterling.com) Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/) Connect with Veronica on Instagram: @veronicasterlingspeaks

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.