Stress Therapy with Cheri Flake: Meditation & Stress Relief for Real Life

Be Still & Know: Why You Need a Retreat

✨ Episode Summary In this raw and hilarious episode, Cheri Flake (a.k.a. The Stress Therapist) lays it all out about meditation retreats—why they matter, what actually happens, and why silent retreats are the real game-changer. From ego flare-ups to full-on hornet attacks, Cheri shares stories from the cushion with her signature honesty and wit. She also breaks down why most retreats miss the mark after you leave—and how hers are built to help you make meditation a lifelong habit. There’s even a short guided yes/no body wisdom meditation to help you decide if a retreat is calling your name. 🧘 Three Key Learning PointsSilent retreats aren’t quiet escapes—they’re wake-up calls. They show you your mind, your habits, and how to finally befriend yourself.Cheri’s retreats focus on what happens after. You’ll learn how to actually keep meditating once you’re home—no guilt, no stress, no BS.Even imperfect retreats are transformational. Whether it’s a hurricane or a hornet sting, every moment is the practice.💬 Mentions & Shout-Outs🧘‍♀️ Southern Dharma Retreat Center – Cheri’s favorite silent retreat spot in NC🔊 Sonic Yogi – Providing sound healing at upcoming retreats📿 Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, David Chernikoff – Legendary retreat teachers🧱 The Brick – A digital detox device Cheri swears by📖 Yogaville – The unexpectedly serious retreat center where it all began🌀 That Time a Hurricane Hit the Retreat – Chaos + enlightenment💕 “Boyfriend Monk” Moment – A hilarious silent retreat crush story💌 Come Retreat With Me – Details at ilovetherapy.com🎧 Produced & Edited by: Owen Flake🎙️ Hosted by: Cheri Flake, The Stress Therapist

New Year, Real You

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt classic, Cheri Flake (aka the Stress Therapist) returns with timeless wisdom to help you rethink New Year’s resolutions—for good. With her signature mix of humor, honesty, and soul, Cheri shares why the January 1st “fresh start” fantasy sets us up to fail—and what to do instead. You'll learn her favorite fill-in-the-blank method for long-term goal setting, how to actually feel good about your goals (so your brain wants to do them), and why the whole year—not just one day—is magical. Bonus? A deeply soothing guided meditation featuring the mantra “Om” to help you embody your desires from the inside out. 💫 🧠 3 Key Learning Points:January 1st isn’t magical—you are. Sustainable change happens gradually, not in a flash. Stop waiting for a perfect day and start imperfectly now.Feel good = real change. If you feel bad about your goal, your brain thinks you don’t want it. Learn how to trick it into wanting transformation.Chunk it down. Use monthly check-ins and micro-goals to build big dreams into your real life without overwhelm or burnout.📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:🧘 Upcoming Workshop: From Resolution to Routine – Jan 17, 2026 at Vista Yoga in Atlanta.🌴 Beach Retreat: March on beautiful Jekyll Island – sign up at ilovetherapy.com.🧵 Natural Life: Cheri’s favorite cozy brand – naturallife.com. "You can always change your mind" tee makes a cameo.🎵 Sonic Yogi: Provides the dreamy music during the meditation segment.✉️ Email List: Jump on it at ilovetherapy.com so you “don’t stress or miss one thing.”🎙️ Produced and edited by Owen Flake.💖 Hosted with heart by Cheri Flake, your Stress Therapist.

Holiday Stress Isn’t Mandatory

The holidays don’t magically create more time — but they do give us an opportunity to choose how we spend our energy. In this episode, Cheri Flake shares practical, compassionate ways to reduce holiday stress by setting boundaries, saying no without guilt, and intentionally choosing joy. Drawing from her 25+ years as a psychotherapist, Cheri explores why over-scheduling leads to burnout, how mindfulness can transform even the most dreaded holiday tasks, and why presence — not perfection — is the real gift of the season. This episode also includes a guided loving-kindness meditation to help you reconnect with peace, abundance, and love during a busy time of year. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:How to decide what to say yes and no to during the holidaysWhy complaining increases stress — and what to do insteadSimple mindfulness practices for shopping, gifting, and family gatheringsCreative, thoughtful gift-giving ideas (even if it’s not your love language)How being present can reduce anxiety, irritability, and overwhelmA short, heart-centered meditation to reset your nervous system🧘‍♀️ Mentioned in this episode:Weekly Meditate & Restore Yoga with Cheri at Vista Yoga (Atlanta)Upcoming Beach Retreat at Jekyll IslandSeptember meditation & yoga retreat (perfect gift idea!)📬 Stay Connected:Email Cheri to receive the Holiday Gift Guide & join the mailing list:cheri@thestresstherapist.comWebsite: thestresstherapist.comInstagram: @thestresstherapistTwitter/X: @stresstherapy🎧 Credits Host: Cheri FlakeProduced & Edited by: Owen Flake

Thanksgiving: Find the Good, Feed the Gratitude

✨ Episode Summary:In this heartwarming holiday episode, Cheri pops out of her retreat-mode to drop a cozy, candid Thanksgiving chat straight from her pink treehouse. Inspired by a silent meditation retreat and a real-talk moment with a client, she gets real about why gratitude sometimes feels forced—and how to gently shift into a more loving, ease-filled practice. With stories of chapstick, cranky teens, and making lunches with love, Cheri invites us to stop overthinking gratitude and start living it. This episode ends with a beautiful, breath-centered guided meditation on love and thankfulness.🔑 Key Learning Points:Gratitude doesn't need a journal. You don’t have to write it down to feel it—just find the good in everyday moments and let the thankfulness naturally flow.Resentment vs. Reverence. The way we frame our daily “chores” can turn obligation into a sacred act of service—and that shift changes everything.Love makes life taste better. Whether you're cooking, cleaning, or just breathing, doing it with love transforms your entire experience (and maybe even the flavor).💌 Mentions & Shout-Outs:🧘 Self-Realization Fellowship – Cheri’s recent silent meditation retreat that inspired this soulful drop-in.📚 Gratitude Journals – The pros, cons, and Cheri’s “just live it” alternative.💖 "It's Easy and I Like It" Tattoos – Cheri’s go-to mantra and mini gift from her talks.📺 NewRealityTV.com + URView TV – Where you can find Cheri’s video meditations.📬 Cheri’s Gift Guide & Retreat Newsletter – Sign up at TheStressTherapist.com to get it!📧 Email her anytime: cheri@thestresstherapist.com💕 Follow Cheri:Instagram: @thestresstherapistTwitter/X: @stresstherapy🎧 Produced by Owen Flake – Mixing the vibes and polishing the magic, thank you for making it all sound so good!

When Everyone's Driving You Nuts (Classic Replay)

✨ Episode Summary: Ever have one of those days where it feels like everyone is out to test your patience? In this classic replay, Cheri Flake dives deep into what’s really going on when the world feels extra annoying—and (spoiler!) the answer might not be them. With wisdom from retreats, a powerful teaching by Pema Chödrön, and reminders from A Course in Miracles, Cheri unpacks the empowering truth of owning your inner landscape. This episode includes a deeply grounding "Train Station OM" meditation to help you return to your center and choose peace over reactivity. 🔑 3 Key Learning Points:It’s not them, it’s you: When everyone is getting on your nerves, it's time to look inward, not outward.Replace the loop: Stop affirming negative states (like saying "I’m tired")—your brain listens and responds accordingly.You get to choose: Every moment is an invitation to respond consciously rather than react unconsciously.📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs:🎭 TV Show: Shrinking — sparked the convo about honesty in therapy🧘‍♀️ Pema Chödrön — her short retreat video inspired the episode’s key metaphor📚 A Course in Miracles — quoted for its teaching on inner change sparking outer peace🧳 Retreat Center: Ignatius House, Atlanta — Cheri’s pre-recording getaway🏔️ Upcoming Retreats:Blue Ridge, GA (June & Oct) – Mountain meditation & yoga escapeJekyll Island (Aug) – Beach retreat with sunrise yoga & bonfire bliss👉 Reserve Your Spot👩‍🏫 Yoga with Cindy Dollar – returning favorite teacher from Asheville🥗 Chef Christina Law – farm-to-table meals + Thai massage💌 Mailing List Perk: Jump on Cheri’s mailer to stay stress-free and in the loop!🛠️ Producer Credit: Huge thanks to Owen Flake for producing this classic replay 🙌