What happens when you finally put the phone down — not for a weekend, but for real?

In this deeply honest episode, I share what led me to take an unplanned two-month break from social media — and how that time away changed everything. This isn’t your typical “three tips to limit screen time” conversation. It’s a vulnerable look at what it feels like to step away from the noise, face the withdrawal that comes with it, and rediscover what peace, presence, and clarity actually feel like in real life.

I’ll talk about the quiet that followed the scroll, the freedom that came when I stopped living in other people’s lives, and the surprising ways distraction still tried to creep back in. Whether you’ve been craving a digital detox, feeling overwhelmed by constant comparison, or just wondering if more presence is possible in your everyday life — this episode will meet you there.

Tune in to learn:

✨ What really happens when you stop scrolling

✨ The hidden ways distraction shows up (even off social media)

✨ How quieting the noise can bring back clarity, peace, and purpose

It’s not about perfection — it’s about honesty, healing, and finding your way back to what truly matters.

👉 ⁠The Strategic Reset Course⁠ — a 90-day planning framework designed to help you align your goals, routines, and values with your current season.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

If you’ve ever found yourself on the couch with your planner, a pile of pens, and a desperate promise that this time you’ll finally get your life together — this episode is for you.

In Tired of Trying to Get Your Life Together? 5 Honest Lessons I’ve Learned About Real Change, we’re getting real about the endless cycle of burnout, overhauls, and “fresh starts” that leave us more exhausted than empowered.

Vanessa shares five hard-won lessons about what it actually takes to reset your life — lessons learned from years of chasing perfection, hitting burnout, and learning the power of small, sustainable shifts. You’ll discover why massive overhauls rarely work, how to find peace in the middle of chaos, and what to do when you feel the urge to “burn it all down” and start over.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just craving a little clarity, this episode will help you trade stress for strategy and create change that actually lasts.

💛 Mentioned in this episode:
👉 The Strategic Reset Course — a 90-day planning framework designed to help you align your goals, routines, and values with your current season.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Why You Don’t Have to Wait for January: How to Set Life-Giving Goals and Plan Your Next 90 Days

Are you tired of waiting until January 1st to set goals and make a plan for your life? In this episode, I’m breaking the mold and showing you why the fall—or any season—can be the perfect time to get intentional about your goals, habits, and planning.

We dive into why traditional annual planning often sets us up for failure and how the 90-day year approach can help you focus on what truly matters in just the next three months. I’ll walk you through five practical steps to create a life-giving, actionable plan that fits your season, values, and real-life circumstances.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Start with your values – Make sure every goal aligns with what truly matters to you.

• Name your season – Understand the unique circumstances, opportunities, and challenges in your life right now.

• Use SMART goals effectively – Set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Keep score – Learn simple methods to track your progress and stay accountable without overwhelm.

• Plan beyond January – Embrace flexibility and start achieving your goals right now, instead of waiting for a calendar reset.

I’ll also share why the Strategic Reset course I created can help you implement these strategies in a structured, approachable way—without the stress of traditional goal-setting. Whether you’re aiming to improve your time management, productivity, personal growth, or habits, this episode will give you actionable tips to make your next 90 days intentional and fulfilling.

Don’t wait for a new year to start living aligned with your goals. Tune in and discover how to set life-giving goals and create a plan that works for your season of life.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Smarter Goals, Stronger Plans: How to Avoid the Top 5 Mistakes

Setting goals can feel exciting—but also overwhelming when you’re not sure where to start or how to stay consistent. In this episode of [Your Podcast Name], I’m unpacking the five most common goal-setting and planning mistakes that keep us stuck, scattered, or burned out. Think of it like a golf course: there are sand traps and water hazards along the way, but if you know where they are, you can avoid them and play a stronger game.

You’ll learn:

• Why setting goals disconnected from your values leads to frustration (and how to fix it)

• The dangers of hyper-fixating on long-term goals—and of neglecting them entirely

• How to keep your goals visible and actionable instead of “set it and forget it”

• Why annualized goal setting doesn’t work anymore—and what to do instead

• Practical, life-giving strategies to plan smarter for the season ahead

Whether you’re planning for your personal life, career, or big dreams, this episode will help you anchor your goals in what matters most, avoid common pitfalls, and create a plan that actually works.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When you hear the words strategic planning, do you instantly picture corporate boardrooms, stuffy suits, and sterile binders full of charts? You’re not alone—but the truth is, strategy isn’t just for business. In fact, good strategy is often the difference between a plan that succeeds and one that fizzles out.

In this episode of the Inspiring Heights Podcast, we’re kicking off a 3-part series on planning with strategy. I’ll share how strategy has shaped my own career and life—from leadership tables to personal goal-setting—and why it’s the foundation for creating plans that actually work.

Here’s what we’re diving into today:

• 🎯 Why strategy starts with values and vision (and helps us filter out what doesn’t matter)

• 🧭 How strategic planning sets focus so we don’t drop goals after three weeks

• 🚧 The power of identifying barriers that hold us back—and what to do about them

• 🔎 Why reflection and assessment help us replicate the good in every season

• 🌟 How strategy creates a roadmap that turns big dreams into daily, doable steps

Whether you’re setting personal goals, planning for a new season, or simply trying to live more present, this conversation will help you see that strategy isn’t complicated—it’s practical, life-giving, and essential for lasting change.

If you’ve ever struggled with goals that feel scattered, overwhelming, or impossible to sustain, this episode is your reminder that the right strategy makes all the difference.

👉 Tune in to Episode 114: Planning with Strategy and discover how strategy helps you align your plans with your purpose, reduce stress, and live with intention.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Do you love fall as much as I do? Pumpkins, golden leaves, cozy sweaters, and yes—pumpkin spice everything. But here’s the thing: as much as I adore autumn, I don’t want to rush through summer just to get there. In this episode, I’m sharing how I intentionally plan the transition into fall—choosing a date to welcome the season in my home, staying present in the moment, and creating space for what matters most.

We’ll dive into my fall planning strategies that help me balance work, life, and homesteading, especially during the full (but beautiful) month of September. You’ll hear about:

• Planning ahead without burning out

• Making realistic to-do lists (that actually fit into your week!)

• Focusing on what really matters when time is limited

• Placing plans where they make sense instead of just pushing tasks forward

Whether you’re a fall lover eager for pumpkin spice season or someone who wants to build more intentional routinesand margin as you move into autumn, this episode will give you inspiration to plan with purpose—and truly enjoy the season you’re in.

So grab your favorite cozy drink and tune in to this special fall planning podcast episode. 🍁

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fall is coming fast—and here’s the truth: none of us can escape the change of seasons. We can resist it, drag our feet, or pretend it’s not happening… but my sweet friend, autumn will arrive!

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Janessa to talk about transitioning into fall as an educator. We dive into both the practical strategies and the emotional side of seasonal transitions—so whether you’re in the classroom or just navigating life’s changes, you’ll walk away feeling grounded and ready.

Listen in to prepare your heart, mind, and routines for the shift into fall!

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome back to the Quarter 3 Coffee Chat with the Host—your go-to space for honest, heart-led conversations over coffee. These episodes feel like you and I are catching up across the table, just two friends sharing life.

This episode’s theme? The Random Thoughts of Summer’s End 🌻

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• The popular phrase I’m officially unsubscribing from

• Thoughts on boundaries and where they should really come from.

• That Fall/Winter to-do list 

• Seeing real-life moments with clarity (for the value they really are)

This is raw, real talk for women navigating real life. So grab your favorite drink, pull up a chair, and let’s chat.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Feeling stretched thin this summer? In this episode, When Everything Feels Like Too Much: How Leaders Can Find Focus in Wild Seasons, we talk about what it means to lead well when life feels chaotic—both at work and at home. From navigating shifting team schedules to deciding what projects to push off and which ones need attention now, this episode will help you build clarity around what matters most.

Whether you're dealing with summer PTO requests, internal transitions, or just trying to keep your team afloat while everything else feels a little wild—this 15-minute leadership coaching session offers practical tools for communicating priorities, balancing flexibility, and making confident decisions in busy seasons.

Perfect for business owners, team leaders, and anyone navigating leadership in real life—not just on paper.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

It’s Not Too Late: A Mid-Year Check-In to Realign Your Goals and Rhythms

We’ve officially hit the halfway point of the year—but that doesn’t mean the year is over. In fact, now is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and make sure you're headed where you actually want to go.

In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple, powerful mid-year check-in—one that helps you recalibrate your goals, name what matters most right now, and gently realign your rhythms for the rest of the year.

If you’ve felt off-track or tempted to write this year off as “too far gone,” this is your reminder: it’s not too late. There's still time, space, and purpose ahead.

We’ll explore:
✔ Why mid-year matters more than you think
✔ How to shift out of all-or-nothing thinking
✔ Questions that bring clarity to your current season
✔ Ways to finish the year with intention—not exhaustion

Plus, I created a free printable Mid-Year Reset Guide to walk you through the process step by step. You can download it at: inspiringheights.org/reset

Let’s make the second half count—starting today.

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/