HER COMEBACK WITH LISA PANOS - EPISODE NOTES https://hercomebackpodcast.com – Hosted by Michelle Thompson

GUEST: Lisa Panos Author of "Big Girl Pants" | Relationship Advisor | Naples, Florida

ABOUT LISA: Lisa Panos has been helping individuals and couples navigate meaningful change for over 12 years. Trained through the Martha Beck Institute (Oprah's life coach) and the Gottman Institute (world-renowned for research-based relationship approaches), Lisa's work is rooted in emotional awareness, personal responsibility, and the belief that change begins when we stop blaming others and start listening to our feelings. She specializes in working with people in midlife—often in second marriages, blended families, or long-term partnerships under pressure—who want lasting change, not quick fixes.

KEY MOMENTS:

· The Third Grade Turning Point: Lisa shares the pivotal moment when she was held back in third grade after switching to private school. This experience planted the seed of "I'm not smart enough"—a belief that shaped her relationships for years. By seventh grade, unable to process feelings of jealousy and insecurity, she became a "mean girl" and was suspended. This early chapter reveals how unprocessed emotions can drive destructive behavior.

· From Mean Girl to Mentor: Today's Lisa is unrecognizable from that seventh grader. Through growth and self-awareness work, she learned to pause and identify her emotions—asking herself "What am I feeling right now?" This skill transformed how she navigates all her relationships, allowing her to respond rather than react.

· The Power of Emotional Awareness: Lisa emphasizes that we weren't taught to deal with emotions growing up. Now, she helps clients sit with "big, scary feelings" like jealousy, insecurity, and suffocation. Understanding these emotions is the gateway to healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

· Evolving Beyond Her Own Book: In a candid moment, Lisa reveals that re-reading "Big Girl Pants" (written 10 years ago) showed her how much she's grown. What felt like guru-level wisdom then now feels incomplete—much of it was about blaming her husband rather than the deeper self-awareness work she practices today. A new book may be on the horizon.

· New Program Launch: Lisa is launching a 6-month intensive coaching program combining individual and couples work. Using research-backed tools from the Gottman Institute—tools she wishes she'd had in her first marriage—she'll help clients develop self-awareness while teaching practical relationship skills. The goal: To bring better versions of themselves to the relationship and practice new tools together.

Why This Work Matters

The most fulfilling moments for Lisa come when couples enter a session angry and disconnected, then leave touching and reconnecting after using the tools. "Everyone needs help," she says, and watching transformation happen makes her feel complete, happy, and fulfilled, allowing her to be a better partner, friend, and mom.

CONNECT WITH LISA:

Website: www.lisapanos.com (under construction with new programs)

Services: Zoom sessions available nationwide; in-person sessions in Naples, Florida

EPISODE THEME:

Growth isn't linear—it's a continuous journey of becoming better versions of ourselves. Lisa's story proves that our greatest struggles can become our greatest gifts when we're willing to look inward and do the work.