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

Raise Your Vibe, Raise Your Abundance

I've been broke. Sharing-a-can-of-tuna-with-my-cat broke. So I'm not coming at this from some high horse — I've been in it. But here's what I've learned since then: most of the time, we're not actually broke. We just feel broke. And that feeling? It's running the whole show. In this episode I'm talking about how your energy and your frequency around money shape what comes to you, what a craps table in Vegas taught me about choosing the right vibe, and a stat about income that might genuinely change the way you carry yourself today. We're also doing a guided meditation together calling on Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance — because sometimes you just need to sit still and remember what you already have. 💸 💡 3 Key TakeawaysIf you make $34K a year, you're in the top 20% of wealth globally. At $70K, top 10%. You're not broke — you're just comparing yourself to the wrong people.How you spend your money carries energy. Handing over your card with resentment sends one signal. Handing it over with gratitude for everyone that transaction touches sends a very different one.Gratitude isn't just a journaling trend — it's the frequency of "thank you, I already have it." Wayne Dyer picked up pennies with that energy. There's a reason it works.🎲 Episode HighlightsThe tuna-and-cat days and what it actually feels like to be stuck in a broke mindsetWhy I always win at craps in Vegas (and why my friends hand me a twenty every time I go)The elevator story — and why strangers have been telling me their secrets for as long as I can rememberLosing a reading bet to my daughter and ending up in Nantucket because of Elin HilderbrandA guided meditation through four memories — luck, wealth, happiness, and peace📣 Mentions & References🙏 Om Maha Lakshmi — the mantra in today's closing meditation, calling on the goddess of abundance📚 Joe Dispenza — Supernatural, You Are the Placebo (skip the first book, it's dense)📚 Byron Katie (thework.com) — questioning the thoughts that keep you feeling stuck🙏 Wayne Dyer — found abundance in aluminum cans and gratitude in pennies. A masterclass in frequency.📖 Elin Hilderbrand — Nantucket novels and the reason I lost a bet to my kid🐱 Loopy (RIP) — 22 years, 12 moves, one shared can of tuna. The best.✅ Try This WeekCarry a $100 bill and just notice how it shifts your thinking when you see something you wantWrite down 5 things you're grateful for — morning or night. When you're reaching for stuff like your favorite chapstick, that's when it's really working.Next time you pay for something, take a second to appreciate everyone that transaction supports🏡 Hang With Me🧘 Retreats — ilovetherapy.com, click on Retreats. Beach, mountains, meditation, good people.📺 TV — newreality.com or Cox Cable's Your View TV💌 thestresstherapist.com📲 @thestresstherapist on Instagram | @stresstherapy on Twitter🎙️ Produced and edited by Owen Flake.

How Your Ego Hijacks Your Meditation (And How to Take Back Control)

Okay, y'all. Your ego has been lying to you — and it's really good at it. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three sneaky ways your ego pulls you right out of your meditation practice every single time: time, body, and environment. We're talking fake sore throats, alarming thoughts about whether you left the front door open, and the "brilliant idea" trap that your ego absolutely loves to use on you. I'll also walk you through a gorgeous flower meditation using the mantra Aham Brahmasmi — because it's time to remind that divine, holy self of yours who's actually in charge. Spoiler: it's not your ego. You are the boss. Let's go. 🌸 💡 3 Key Learning PointsYour ego knows your weaknesses — time, body discomfort, and your to-do list — and it will use all of them to pull you off your cushion. Knowing that is half the battle.That sore throat, achy knee, or urgent thought to check the front door? It might be 100% your ego. Real but not real — but still real. You'll get it when you hear it.The mantra "This is all I'm supposed to be doing" isn't just motivation — it's ego defense. Use it.📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs🧠 Mantra of the episode: Aham Brahmasmi — "I am Brahman. I am the divine. I am connected to cosmic consciousness."🌸 Flower Meditation — A visualization practice for gently setting your ego's interruptions aside, petal by petal.💪 The Cheri Flake Willpower Challenge — 40 days of "I will" and "I won't" — a real-life lesson in what your body will fake to get you to quit.🍬 Hall's Cherry Cough Drop Gate — Possibly the most relatable addiction confession ever recorded.🧘 David G (davidg.com) — Cheri's beloved meditation teacher and the keeper of the Aham Brahmasmi mantra.🏡 Retreats with Cheri — Outdoor saunas, hot tubs, sound healing, group hypnotherapy, yin yoga, all-inclusive, zero dishes. Yes please.💌 thestresstherapist.com — Info on therapy, retreats, and joining the stress-free crew.📲 Follow Cheri: @thestresstherapist on Instagram | @stresstherapy on TwitterProduced and edited by Owen Flake.

Proof That There's Nothing Wrong With You (Even If You Think There Is)

Okay, y’all. Buckle up for a full-body reminder: there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode, I’m throwing down the truth about judgment (yours and everyone else’s), ego meltdowns, pink hair stereotypes, and what happens when you finally shut up long enough to hear what’s going on in your own head. We get real about red pepper anxiety, the silent retreat that changed me, and the quote that’s been living rent-free in my brain: “No one will ever love you the way you want to be loved… because that’s your job.” Spoiler: there’s also a blue breath meditation to clear out your throat chakra so you can speak your truth without all the noise. It’s part pep talk, part truth bomb, and all heart. Let’s go. 💡 3 Key Learning PointsYou’re the only one watching your red pepper game. Everyone else is busy with their own garlic.If you think others are judging you, check your own mirror. We tend to see in others what we’re doing ourselves.Let the ego talk—but don’t let it drive. You’re more than your opinions, your comparisons, and your raking style.📣 Mentions & Shout-Outs🎬 Wayne’s World – Cheri’s forever favorite (and a reminder that taste doesn’t have to be cool to be true).🧠 Quote of the day: “No one will ever love you the way you want to be loved… because that’s your job.”🧘‍♀️ Silent Retreat Stories – Featuring: raking epiphanies, bug goggles, and red pepper enlightenment.🎙️ Awaken Your Inner Awesomeness by Melissa Oatman – Fellow pink hair goddess and podcaster.💇‍♀️ Pink Hair as Botox – Cheri’s hairdresser said it best.🎤 Nancy Wilson from Heart – More pink hair legends.🎞️ The Incredible Shrinking Woman starring Lily Tomlin – Yes, we went there.✨ Chakra Talk – Meditation focused on the throat chakra using the “Hum” mantra.💌 ilovetherapy.com – Info on therapy, retreats, and joining the stress-free crew.📲 Follow Cheri: @hestresstherapist on Instagram | @stresstherapy on Twitter

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.