Being misunderstood sucks.

Seriously.

It sucks when someone completely misses your heart, questions your intentions, or decides who you are without ever getting curious enough to actually know you.

I spent way too much of my life trying to explain myself.

Trying to be understood.

Trying to convince people that what they heard wasn't actually what I meant.

You know what I've discovered?

That sucks a whole lot more than being misunderstood.

Because here's the truth: most of the time, it isn't even about you.

People aren't listening to you.

They're listening through their own experiences, assumptions, confirmation bias, fears, and stories. They're responding to a version of you they've created in their own mind.

And once I really understood that...

I stopped feeling like I had to convince everyone to understand me.

In this first episode back after more than a year away, I'm sharing a story that happened here in Guatemala that completely shifted the way I think about being misunderstood, boundaries, "wise restraint," responding versus reacting, and why learning to listen to yourself might be the most important listening skill of all.

Because maybe freedom isn't finally being understood.

Maybe freedom is realizing you don't need to be.

Welcome back to Season 6 of Masterful Listening.

I'm really glad you're here.

ps. 

If this episode made you laugh, think, cry, or text someone, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who's tired of explaining themselves.

See you in Episode 2.

We're talking about something I think matters even more than loving yourself:

Actually liking yourself

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We are human beings, not human doings.
And sometimes, the doing doesn’t happen.
That doesn’t mean the being isn’t exactly, perfectly on time.

This episode of Masterful Listening is a powerful invitation to slow down and remember who you are beneath the noise. I’m joined by Patrick Tam, Vice President of Operational Excellence at ServiceNow, professor, father, and one of the most heart-centered humans I know.

Patrick and I first met years ago when he was a student in one of my classes. I later became his coach, and working with him has been one of the greatest honors of my career. He reminds me, consistently, what it means to lead with integrity, humility, and humanity—all while navigating high-level success.

This conversation isn’t about titles or performance. It’s about presence.
 It’s about creating a life that feels real, not just impressive.
 It’s about slowing down enough to actually listen—to yourself, to others, to what matters. Tune in for powerful reflections, unexpected wisdom, and a glimpse into what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in being.

The audio isn’t perfect. Life isn’t either.
 But the frequency of this one? It’s undeniable.

📚 Patrick’s LinkedIn & children’s book on happiness
🎓 His course at San Jose State University

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Listen. I spent decades chasing happiness as a researcher, a coach, and a seeker of light. My freaking name means “light.” But guess what? The real secret isn’t in pretending to be happy—it’s in giving yourself permission to feel like absolute crap sometimes.

This episode is that permission slip. You don’t have to hold it together. You don’t have to slap a smile on your face. You don’t have to “self-care” your way out of feeling low. Sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do is to sit in the dark for a bit, let yourself feel it, and stop fighting the waves.

I’ve spent a lifetime studying happiness, only to realize that true peace comes from embracing both the light and the dark. This is the episode I wish I had when I was too busy trying to “fix” my bad days instead of honoring them.

So if you’re feeling off today—good. That means you’re human. Let’s talk about why that’s actually a superpower.

Oh, and if you’re curious about the wildest healing technology I’ve ever discovered, I’ll share a bit about Solex, a frequency healing tool that’s been blowing my mind. No fluff, no gimmicks—just science, energy, and results.

📖 Radically Poetic—My book is coming soon. Stay tuned.

💡 Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Learn More About Solex

Purchase Solex Here

The Untethered Soul

The Body Keeps the Score

When The Body Says No

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Welcome to a radically poetic frequency drop—a masterclass in presence, paradox, and the art of truly listening. In this episode, I take you on a wildly unfiltered ride through the cosmos of my mind, where numerology meets music, grief meets self-love, and the universe is always speaking—if we’re paying attention.

I dive into the power of asking better questions, the illusion of time, and why being fully yourself is the most radical act of all. This episode is for the seekers, the overthinkers, the ones learning to trust their own rhythm. I share my journey of healing, walking again—dancing again—after deep loss, and how I chose to defy every diagnosis by believing in what I couldn’t yet see.

It’s about mastery—not just of listening, but of life itself. So breathe. Put down your phone. Tune into the frequency. And remember: you are exactly, perfectly on time.

Let’s get radically poetic.

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I’ve been asking myself this radical question for years: What if everything is happening perfectly? 

Today, I’m inviting you to sit with this idea and reflect on what it could mean for your life. 

I’m not here to preach toxic positivity or ignore the pain that life throws at us. I’ve had my fair share of breakdowns—times when I thought everything was falling apart. But now I see that those moments weren’t setbacks; they were stepping stones.

In this episode, I share how slowing down, waking up to my inner truth, and taking radical responsibility shifted everything. If you’ve been blaming the world for your struggles, consider this your invitation to reframe that story. 

I’m here to remind you that if you’re the problem, you’re also the solution. And maybe, just maybe, everything that’s happening right now is exactly what you need.

Let's explore how life’s messiest moments could be the most meaningful ones. It’s not about avoiding pain—it’s about taking responsibility and seeing the gift inside the chaos. Trust me, you’re exactly perfectly on time. 

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Why am I single? It’s a question I asked myself one peaceful morning, not in despair, but with curiosity and a heart wide open. In this episode of Masterful Listening, I reflect on the loves I’ve known—the heartbreaks, the highs, the wildly poetic moments—and how they’ve shaped the person I’ve become. This isn’t just my story; it’s for anyone who has loved deeply, lost profoundly, and still believes in love. It’s for the dreamers, the romantics, and the ones who dare to stay radically open, even when love has left its mark. And maybe, just maybe, my love is out there, listening too.

Let’s dive into the beauty of being single, satisfied, self-made, and soulfully open, and explore what it means to rise in love rather than fall into it. This one’s for you, for me, and for anyone who still chooses love—no matter what.

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“Sacred & Savage" is not just a comedy special; it’s a multidimensional masterclass in radical authenticity. We're going on a wild ride through the sacred and the savage—the heartbreak of losing her soul dog Rad, the chaos of adopting a screaming husky named Mello, and the life lessons of parking karma that somehow turned her into a cosmic investor.

Equal parts hilarious and profound, this special dives deep into the human experience: navigating grief, friendships, and the sheer absurdity of life while finding joy in the mess. Whether you’re here for the metaphors, the mantras, or just a good laugh, this is the episode that will make you cry, laugh, and reflect—all in the same breath.

Think Mel Robbins meets Amy Schumer with a sprinkle of Rumi—and a lot of cursing. If you’re ready to embrace the paradox that is life, this special is for you.

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In this deeply emotional episode, I’m joined by my friend and animal communicator Julie Hirt, whose gift helped me connect with my beloved soul dog Rad during his illness and after he passed. Rad was the first true, unconditional love I experienced, and even though he’s no longer with me in body, our relationship continues to grow. Today, I have the chance to reconnect with Rad and seek his guidance.

This episode is also about my next soul dog, Mellow. Mellow is so different from Rad—he’s loud, youthful, and full of energy—but I’m convinced Rad sent him to me for a reason. This is a chance to better understand Mellow’s unique spirit, deepen my bond with him, and learn how their spirits are connected.

With Julie’s guidance, we’ll explore how animals continue to teach us through love, loss, and presence, and how pain can become a portal to power. We’ll reflect on the playful irony of Rad being mellow in spirit while Mellow is truly rad (though not always mellow). Whether you’re grieving a pet, caring for one, or simply want to deepen your connection with them, this episode is a hopeful, heartfelt journey of love and healing.

Julie is a Certified Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Certified Heart Animal Soul Professional Communicator, Certified Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, and Certified Spirit Animal Sacred Alchemy Practitioner. Her Substack column, Trust the Animals, shares coaching messages from animals and a special series on grief. She is also a teaching assistant for the Danielle MacKinnon School and the co-host of The Animal Communication Podcast on Mind, Body, Spirit.fm. Julie celebrates the partnership we all have with our pets and believes our pets are our life coaches. Her own “dog-pack,” made up of both alive and in-spirit members, has guided her through trauma and physical injury. These experiences led her to co-create a life she never imagined for herself, and now, she helps others do the same with their beloved pets.

Connect with Julie here:

juliehirt-intuitive.com

Substack 

The Animal Communication Podcast  

Learn how to be an animal communicator with Danielle MacKinnon

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/juliehirtintuitive

https://www.instagram.com/juliehirt_intuitive/

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In this episode of Masterful Listening, I’m diving into what it really means to harness the superpower of ADHD. I’ll share my own story—the triumphs, the challenges, and everything in between—to show how mastering the waves of energy can turn absolute chaos into radical clarity. Whether it’s the rush of hyper-focus or the drag of mental gridlock, I’ll break down how to navigate life with ADHD, using real talk and humor.

We’ll explore the distinction between being “better at” and “better than” and the wisdom that comes when you stop comparing yourself to others. By recognizing that we all have our own unique superpowers, we can celebrate what makes us different and embrace who we are, without the need for comparison.

This episode is for anyone who has ADHD, wants to understand it, or is open to the idea that ADHD isn’t a deficit or a disorder but a path to tapping into your true superpower. Because if you’re going to tell a story, make it a good one—words are spells, after all.

Also check out this great book: ADHD is Awesome

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I believe it takes radical courage to go slow in a world of such urgency and haste. 

In the past three months, my life took an unexpected turn after the sudden loss of my beloved soul dog, Rad. The weight of grief hit me like a car, causing my legs to fail me and leaving me unable to walk. In this disabled state, I found solace in living each moment as a walking meditation, embracing the beauty and power of a slow-paced existence. As I surrendered to this new way of living, I made a conscious choice to continue down this path, even as my legs slowly regained their strength.

Through this journey, I came to realize that slow and steady doesn't just win the race—I see now that there is no race. No longer willing to partake in the urgency and stress of our culture, I share my story of how radical grief and pain led me to embrace my authentic spacious slower pace, despite the world's constant rush. 

In this episode of Masterful Listening my intention is to offer you, the listener, an invitation to not wait like I did for the universe to force you into a slow and handicapped state, but to choose to start practicing moving slow even if just a little bit every day. Ironically, the slower I move, the sooner the things I've been wanting seem to be coming to me. 

This one is dedicated to the greatest teacher of my life, Rad, who in his infinite wisdom is still teaching me lessons from beyond. 

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