Laurel Holland and Laurel Boivin explore how inner strength is cultivated through our relationship with difficult emotions. Rather than avoiding or numbing hard feelings, they discuss how learning to sit with them builds emotional resilience and deep inner power.

Through personal reflection and practical insights, the conversation highlights the idea of the “feeling muscle,” the importance of observing emotions without identifying as them, and why inner strength is an inside-out experience. This episode invites listeners to develop the awareness and fortitude needed to navigate life’s challenges with greater presence, health, and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What it really means to manifest inner strength through emotional awareness rather than avoidance

• How building the “feeling muscle” allows you to sit with and outlast hard emotions

• Why numbing, distracting, or suppressing feelings can weaken us over time

• Simple practices for observing emotions without becoming them

• The difference between inner strength and external power

• How emotional resilience supports your ability to navigate life’s biggest challenges

Journaling prompts suggested to further your exploration. 

1. When a difficult feeling shows up, what do I usually do?

2. What emotions do I tend to avoid or push away?

3. How do I typically respond to myself when I’m experiencing a difficult emotion?

4. What do I reach for when I don’t want to feel what I’m feeling?

5. What patterns do I notice in how I handle uncomfortable feelings?

Links/Books mentioned

The Feeling Muscle: How to Sit With and Outlast Hard Feelings, by Jen Drummond Rapkin

Death, by Sadhguru

The email to send questions to Laurel Boivin is [email protected] and for Laurel Holland - [email protected]

Host/Cohost/Guest Info

Guiding others to become effective leaders of their own lives, Laurel Holland has been on a journey of awakening and transformation throughout her life. Writing about inner work, Laurel has authored four books, including Crossroads and Love’s 8 Laws. Her books, Live Your Inner Power, the Journal, and Courageous Woman, introduce, share, and explore the eight foundational practices for creating transformation from the inside out. Through her books, programs, and innovative talks, Laurel’s great desire is to lift others up and courageously step into the life they came here to live. You can learn more about Laurel, her books, and work she does at www.liveyourinnerpower.com.

Laurel Boivin is a leadership coach, speaker, and workshop facilitator. Founder of Flux+Flow Professional Coaching, Laurel works with high-performing professionals and mission-driven organizations to shift from achievement to alignment — helping them connect deeply to purpose, lead with confidence, and create environments where people thrive. A Reiki master and yoga practitioner, collector of sea glass and antiques, she lives in New Hampshire and summers in Maine. You can learn more about Laurel and the work she does at www.fluxflowcoaching.com.