Beacons of Bravery Podcast

In todays episode we discuss the feeling of being "trapped" in situations in life--when it doesn't seem that there's a way out.

Rest assured, there is.

As the Indian poet Rabindraneth Tagore (1861-1941) said:

"The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you that must raise your sails."

We cover this metaphor, as well as a "bird in a cage" metaphor.

There is a journaling/visualization prompt that, if used, will help you set your sails to the brighter future that you desire.

My hope is that you will receive inspiration to keep going and live to your fullest potential.

Please contact me at:  [email protected]  

Especially, as we discussed on this episode, if you have a story about how you felt trapped in a situation of your life, and how you got out of that trap.  I would love to have you as a guest on this show!

As always, the best way to show your support for the show is to rate and and review it on Apple podcasts.  If you got something meaningful out of this episode, please share it with a friend who may need it.

Thanks!  Go out there and be brave today!

Welcome back my friends!

It's been a long while, but I've been thinking about you and this episode for a long time.

In this episode you'll learn how to "literally" and "figuratively" get out of the quicksands in your life.  If you've been stagnant and stuck, I hope this will help pull you out.  Let's do this New Year in a better place!

If you'd like to contact me please email [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you and help in any way I can.

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend.  If you would leave a rating or review on Apple podcasts, that would be the icing on top.  It helps other people find the show.

Thanks! 

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to episode 39 of the Beacons of Bravery podcast!

Tune in if you feel stuck in life and don't see a way through your current circumstances.  There's always a silver lining to whatever you're going through.

We'll talk about Neil Pasricha's work with the "Invisible Staircase" of our life and that we often are terrible predictors of our future.  Our current circumstances, set-backs and trials are often a blessing in disguise for a future far beyond what we could imagine.

We'll also talk about looking at our lives in the perspective of the growth rings of a tree, they tell a lot of our history but also show us why we are strong enough to face the future.

As always, I'd love to hear from you if you connect with anything on this episode.  You can email me at [email protected].  Or DM me on Instagram @ cari.normand or on Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand.

YOU are why I do this podcast!

In this solo episode we dive into an insidious fear, one that most of us don't think we have, yet it rears it's head when we least expect it.  The Fear of Success.

While we can all relate to the fear of failure, public embarrassment, etc.  We don't realize that our dreams and goals may be extinguished by the fear of success.

We delve into the phenomena of "Tall Poppie Syndrome" and the "Crabs in a Bucket" mentality.

Also referenced (and highly recommended) is the book "Change Your Story, Change Your Life" by Kendra Hall.  This book relates to all obstacles that may keep us from achieving our goals, not just the fear of success.

The book "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers, PhD is also referenced.  This book will be revisited frequently in the episodes relating to fears of all kinds.

If you have a take-away, or Ah-Ha moment, from this episode,  please share it on your social medial and tag me.  I can be found on Instagram @ cari.normand or on Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand.  Or email me at [email protected].

I will respond to every comment and would love to have you as a guest if your story can be of service to the BOB audience.

Thanks for listening! 

Welcome back to the Beacon's of Bravery podcast, where we rejoin the "What keeps us stuck? series."  Today I have a special guest, Colleen Frazier.  One of my very best childhood friends.  We lost touch after our high school senior trip, but reconnected 5 years ago.  We decided this past Christmas that we needed to go on a trip to celebrate turning 50 this year.

So we did just that and this episode gives a run down of our adventure in the UK and Ireland.  Yes, you could say it was "just a trip."  But we learned so much about ourselves and others during this time.  Its a broader perspective that can help us get "unstuck" in our lives.  I needed it, and if you're feeling stuck, I hope you will listen in to be inspired to do something you want to do, especially if it involves leaving your comfort zone.

As always, you can connect with me on Instagram @cari.normand.  Or give Colleen a shout on Instagram @colleen_frazier.  You can also message me on Facebook at Cari Yocom Normand.

If you liked this show, please share it with others who would enjoy it.  And if you would take the 30 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts it would be the icing on top.  Its the best way to help others find this podcast and spread the message of hope.

We're starting our themed series "What Keeps Us Stuck" with the first culprit--Perfectionism.

Perfectionism is what (we think) makes us appear good on the outside, while it keeps us small and unfulfilled in our lives, especially if we want to achieve new things and big goals.  It's what also keeps us from being relatable.

Even if you don't self-identify as a perfectionist, you should listen in to see how we all have a shade of perfectionism and also to help you understand the perfectionist you love.

We explore Brene Brown's explanation of perfectionism in her book "Daring Greatly" where she explains that this is one of the armors we pick up in our early years to protect us from feelings of shame and judgement.  

We also share quotes from Cathy Heller's book "Don't Keep Your Day Job", a quote from author Daniel Pink, some information from Carol Dweck's YouTube video on perfectionism, a quote from the famous inspirational speaker Les Brown and some helpful information from Sam Laura Brown's podcast "The Perfectionism Podcast."

I highly recommend you check out any and all of these people's work if you identify that perfectionism may be holding you back from fulfilling your dreams.  Credit goes all to them, I've just curated their information and given examples from my own life.

If you enjoy this episode, or if you would like to be a future guest,  please let me know by tagging or DM'ing me on social media @ Cari.Normand or Beacons of Bravery on IG, Cari Yocom Normand on FB or email me at [email protected].  Let me know how perfectionism has affected your life.  

And a huge thank you for listening, sharing and reviewing the Beacons of Bravery podcast.  You are why I'm here and I love to hear your feedback!

Welcome to this solo episode where we get into perspective on life, through good times and bad.  We've all had our ups and downs, and its easy to get stuck in the downs.  But we'll talk through it using the following concepts:

-Life isn't a strait, linear path; rather its a spiral staircase

-The first few lines of Charles Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities."

-Analogy of life like the game of "Chutes and Ladders"

-The Chinese parable of the Farmer who lost his horse

-Steve Job's quote about connecting the dots

My hope is that you walk away from this episode with perspective on your past and hope for your future.

If you want to connect with me or message me, you can find me on Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand and on IG @cari.normand or Beacons of Bravery.  If you liked this episode, please take a screenshot of the episode to share and tag me.  If you also rate and review the podcast  on Apple podcasts, send me that screenshot and I will send you a gift.

I love to hear from you!

Shannon Wallis is our featured guest today.  You won't want to miss her story because each of you will relate in some way.

Shannon is currently quite successful as an author of the outstanding book "WE the Change:  Launching Big Ideas and Creating New Realities."  She is also a consultant and coach to high level leaders. But this hasn't always been her story.  She describes her humble beginnings in a dysfunctional family living below the poverty line--that's why she believes change is truly possible.

In her book, and this episode, Shannon describes her pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile track across northern Spain.  It's used as a metaphor for our life journey.

Some of my favorite quotes from her book:

"Dragons are found guarding the treasure, the bigger the dragon, the bigger the treasure...facing and fighting the dragons is required to complete the journey."  And as Shannon describes in this episode, this dragon is often our inner critic who whispers in our ear that we are not worthy of the treasure.

As Shannon describes the most trying day in the pilgrimage, she relates a story of how we are never alone.  We need to find the help and supporters that will keep us on track.

And then there's her husband Joe's famous advice that reverberates throughout the journey:

"It wouldn't be a pilgrimage if it weren't challenging."  Meaning anything worth getting in life comes with a bit of a price and requires effort.

Here are a list of her recommended books:

"Your Lion Inside: Discover the Power Within and Live Your Fullest Life" by Kimberly Faith

"Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life" by Robert Fritz

Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership" by Joseph Jaworski

You can reach out to Shannon directly at:  [email protected]

or another staff member at: [email protected]

or on the Shannon Wallis Solutions Facebook Page.

Please reach out to her and tell her how her story impacted you--it makes all the difference in the world!

And finally, don't forget to get her book:  "WE the Change: Launching Big Ideas and Creating New Realities."

Welcome Back to the Beacons of Bravery podcast.

Today I discuss the somewhat difficult topics of depression, anxiety and panic attacks.  If you suffer from any of these, you are not alone!

I share my own struggles but also offer the ANT vs. BIRD strategy, if you suffer as well.

Most of all, after you listen to this episode and feel like you can relate or if you need help in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]

Your life matters and I'm here for you!

Welcome to today's solo episode where we talk about living fully.

We go over a scenario about meeting a death angel suddenly--would you beg for one more week?  Realize that you haven't been living the life you were meant to live?  This concept was adapted from Jennifer Forster's book:  "The Power of a Peaceful Woman."

Then we delve into the parable of the talents.  What it means literally and figuratively:  Don't bury your talents.  Referenced in the Bible, Matthew 25: 4-30.

I hope this inspires you to live each day to the fullest! (As it is a reminder for me to do the same)