Elizabeth Cruz: Why You Don't Need Permission to Be Powerful

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, James Ferrigno and Elizabeth Cruz dive deeper into the mechanics of anxiety, fear, and presence—and what actually helps when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your direction.

James shares a counterintuitive insight: real fear is often easier than anxiety, because anxiety is fear turned inward, poked at, analyzed, and fed by the mind. Together, they explore how doing something genuinely challenging—rather than stewing in thought—can retrain the nervous system and restore grounded confidence.

Elizabeth reflects on her own journey with anxiety, coaching, and service, tracing how her lived experience became the foundation for helping others. She speaks candidly about self-worth, aging, career uncertainty, and the tension between internal growth and external measures of success. The conversation also unpacks the difference between real confidence and “fake confidence,” how ego overrides authenticity, and why so many leaders operate from disconnection rather than presence.

This episode also explores:

• Why meditation helps before anxiety—but not always during it
• How fear exposure can be healing when done consciously
• The importance of embodiment and physical regulation
• Serving others from lived experience, not theory
• Navigating family relationships with boundaries and compassion
• Why presence, listening, and space-holding matter more than being “right”
• The value of community in liminal, transitional life phases

The episode closes with Elizabeth offering a simple but profound invitation for anyone who feels lost: pause, breathe, listen inward, and don’t do it alone.

This is an honest, grounded conversation for anyone navigating anxiety, uncertainty, identity shifts, or the quiet question: “Where am I right now—and what’s next?”

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The views, opinions, and statements expressed by guests on Say It Anyway are their own and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the host, James Ferrigno, or the producers of this podcast. Say It Anyway does not endorse or assume responsibility for any statements made by guests. The content of this program is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.