The Messy Truth of Transformation
The Messy Truth of Transformation is a podcast about what it actually looks like to grow, heal, and evolve. Forget the highlight reel—this is where we get real, and talk about the breakdowns, the breakthroughs, and all the WTF moments in between. This podcast shines a light on the chrysalis moments, emotional unraveling, and sacred chaos that often gets left out of the “love and light” narrative.
Hosted by Em Hollis, a guide who’s walked through the fire of personal and spiritual growth, this show is here to normalize the messy middle—the parts no one wants to talk about but everyone goes through.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing it “wrong” because your journey isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, you’re in the right place. Here, we normalize the breakdowns, celebrate the breakthroughs, and offer tools to navigate the in-between. If you’re walking your path, feeling alone in your journey, or questioning everything—this space is for you.
Welcome to the show, where your messy transformation is not just accepted—it’s honored.
For more messy truths, head on over to my website, www.emhollis.life
Or follow along on Instagram, @emhollis-thesage
Episodes
Oct 22, 2025
Oct 22, 2025
51 min
In this week's solo episode, I explore a topic that’s been trending a little too much lately — narcissism. And furthermore, spiritual narcissism.
We hear the word “narcissist” thrown around constantly online… but do we really know what it means? More importantly, do we know when we might unconsciously be embodying some of these traits ourselves, especially after having a spiritual awakening?
Inside this episode, I dive into:✨ What spiritual narcissism and spiritual bypassing actually are✨ How labeling others as “narcissists” can be a form of bypassing✨ 2 powerful questions to ask yourself to check your own alignment✨ The real difference between having compassion and taking ownership✨ How to navigate relationships without spiritually gas lighting your partner and still taking responsibility for yourself
This episode is all about taking radical responsibility for your emotional state without denying your impact on others. It’s for anyone doing the work and wanting to stay grounded, self-aware, and in integrity.
🎙️ New episodes weekly🩷 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share if this hits home
— Em Hollis
🔗 Let’s connect:IG → @emhollis_thesagePodcast IG → @themessytruthoftransformationFacebook → @emraehollisTiktok → @emhollis_thesage
Oct 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025
1hr 31 min
In this week's powerful pod episode, Em sits down with Stanton Carter — a dear friend with a remarkable story of transformation.
From years of numbing with alcohol to finally facing his emotions head-on, Stanton shares the raw, unfiltered truth about what healing really takes. He opens up about how alcohol became a "normal" part of life, what it looked like in his darkest hours, how he started his sobriety journey, what it taught him about emotional intelligence, and how he redefined self-love from the ground up.
This isn’t just a story of addiction — it’s a story of awakening and true healing.
🌀 Inside this episode:
👉🏻Why we numb, and how to begin feeling again
👉🏻The emotional rollercoaster of early sobriety
👉🏻What self-love looks like beyond affirmations
👉🏻The role of community and honesty in healing
👉🏻Real talk about addiction, shame, and inner growth
This one is real, honest, and deeply human — a must-listen for anyone walking the path of transformation, especially addiction.
✨ Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs this message. 🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday on all major platforms.
— Em Hollis
🔗 Let’s connect:
IG → @emhollis_thesage Podcast
IG → @themessytruthoftransformation
Facebook → @emraehollis
Tiktok → @emhollis_thesage
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
59 min
When Growth Gets Lonely: Navigating Relationships That No Longer Align
In this episode of The Messy Truth of Transformation, I open up about one of the hardest parts of personal and spiritual growth — losing relationships along the way. Whether it’s friendships, family, or partners, big inner shifts can sometimes mean certain connections no longer feel aligned.
I share a very personal story about the grief of watching relationships fade after a season of transformation, and what it taught me about authenticity, boundaries, and honoring your journey.
You'll also hear the 4 most important things to remember if you’re going through this too. Because yes, it’s painful — but it can also be an invitation to deeper alignment and self-love.
In this episode, we explore:
Why transformation can shake up your closest relationships
How to deal with the guilt and grief of outgrowing people
What to do when others don’t understand your evolution
Four practical tools to help you move through this season with grace
💬 Whether you're in the middle of a shift or have walked through this already, this episode is here to remind you that you are not alone — and that your growth is worth it.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!
🎙️ New episodes weekly🩷 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share if this hits home
— Em Hollis
🔗 Let’s connect:IG → @emhollis_thesagePodcast IG → @themessytruthoftransformationFacebook → @emraehollisTiktok → @emhollis_thesage
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
54 min
Ego Death, Rock Bottom, and the Road to Reinvention with Scott Hollis– Part 2
In this powerful continuation of Scott’s story, we go even deeper into his transformation journey—beyond the body, into the heart, and through the mind.
In Part 1, we explored how Scott overcame full body paralysis and endured the trauma of losing his best friend in a tragic drowning. In Part 2, the healing continues—but this time, through emotional release, ego death, and spiritual reckoning. Scott shares what happened during a life-altering week at a Dr. Joe Dispenza retreat—where buried emotions came to the surface and decades of pain began to melt.
But just as things seemed to stabilize, life delivered another blow: the loss of his business and identity after divorce. What followed was a deep unraveling... and the choice to begin again.
We also discuss:
The moment he realized emotional trauma was stored in his body
How breathwork and meditation began unlocking his inner healing
The surprising role ketamine therapy played in helping him move forward
What an “ego death” actually feels like—and what comes after it
Reclaiming purpose and possibility after the collapse
This episode is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human. If you’ve ever felt like everything you built came crashing down, or if you’re navigating the emotional layers of healing and letting go of who you thought you were… this one is for you.
🎙️ New episodes weekly
🩷 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share if this hits home
— Em Hollis
🔗 Let’s connect:
IG → @emhollis_thesage
Podcast IG → @themessytruthoftransformation
Facebook → @emraehollis
Tiktok → @emhollis_thesage
Sep 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025
59 min
In this powerful two-part conversation, I sit down with my husband, Scott, to share his story that’s both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Years ago, Scott found himself completely paralyzed — unable to move, unsure if he’d ever walk again. But through a journey of determination, inner healing, perseverance, and alternative therapies, he defied the odds and reclaimed his body.
To watch a visual of his journey through paralysis, check out the video we made documenting it here👇🏻
https://youtu.be/9DaHg-AUY2o?si=DA0uZ1zbiH3P6seW
Just when life began to feel normal again, a tragic event struck: while on a dream vacation with his best friends, Scott witnessed his best friend drown right in front of him… while he himself nearly didn’t make it out alive.
This is the beginning of a story about trauma, healing, survival, letting go of the ego, and the messiness of being on a human journey. We hope that by opening up about the darkest and most transformational parts of his journey, others will feel less alone in their pain — and more hopeful in their healing.
🎙️ Part 2 of this conversation drops next week — be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.
🎙️ New episodes weekly
🩷 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share if this hits home — Em Hollis
🔗 Let’s connect:
IG → @emhollis_thesage
Podcast IG → @themessytruthoftransformation
Facebook → @emraehollis
Tiktok → @emhollis_thesage
#TheMessyTruthOfTransformation #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #PodcastLaunch
Sep 17, 2025
Sep 17, 2025
42 min
Let’s get real for a second… why does it seem like when life gets chaotic and our nervous systems are out of whack, our bodies decide to literally hold everything in?
In this episode of The Messy Truth of Transformation, we’re talking about a subject no one wants to admit—but nearly every woman has experienced: constipation during chronic stress.
This isn’t just about digestion—it’s about the mind-body connection, emotional suppression, nervous system regulation, and how unprocessed stress and fear literally shows up in our gut.
We cover:
-Why so many women struggle with digestion when stressed
-The gut-brain connection (and how trauma impacts bowel function)
-How feeling unsafe to be in our bodies play a physical role
-Sustainable Tools I’ve personally used to regulate my body & get things moving again 💩
This episode is part science, part soul, and all truth. Because our bodies don’t lie—and sometimes, what’s stuck in your gut is what’s stuck in your life.
Check out the meditation mentioned, Calm Your Mind here👇🏻
https://emhollis.life/meditations-breathworks
🎙️ New episodes weekly
🩷 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if this hits home
🔗 Let’s connect:
IG → @emhollis_thesage
Podcast IG → @themessytruthoftransformation
Facebook → @emraehollis
#messytruthpodcast #guthealth #womenshealth #nervoussystem #stressrelief #spiritualgrowth #emhollis

Aug 19, 2025
Aug 19, 2025
41 min
Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Messy Truth of Transformation." Join us as we embark on a journey of authenticity, exploring the raw and unfiltered aspects of personal growth. In this episode, we delve into the challenges of overcoming perfectionism and the liberating power of embracing imperfection. Through candid storytelling, we uncover the beauty in vulnerability and the strength found in sharing our messy truths. Whether you're navigating personal growth, spiritual development, or inner healing, this episode offers insights and tools to help you feel less alone and more empowered on your transformative journey.
If you want more messy truths, follow me over on socials-
https://www.instagram.com/themessytruthoftransformation/
https://www.instagram.com/emhollis_thesage/
https://www.tiktok.com/@emhollis_thesage



