Navigating Personal Growth

Holiday travel + family gatherings = emotional minefield, right? In this episode, I’m breaking down how to keep your peace when the people you love start pushing your buttons.

We’ll talk about why family tension is actually biological, how to set healthy expectations, and what to say when someone crosses a line — without starting World War III at the dinner table.

By the end, you’ll feel ready to show up grounded, handle tough moments with grace, and keep your joy intact this holiday season.

🔴 Subscribe to Brooke's Weekly Emails: https://www.brookeplack.com

👤 Connect With Me On Other Platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookeplack

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For Business Inquiries: [email protected]

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Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat.

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If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

🔴 Subscribe to Brooke's Weekly Emails: https://www.brookeplack.com

Have you ever left a conversation thinking, “That is NOT what I meant at all”? 😅

Yeah, me too — more times than I can count.

I’m sharing the simplest two-phrase neurodivergent hack that completely changed how I communicate — at work, at home, and honestly, with everyone in my life.

It doesn’t matter if you’re neurodivergent like me (hi, ADHD + anxiety club 🙋‍♀️) or just tired of being misunderstood — this one works for every brain.

Here’s what we’ll talk about:

✅ Why communication isn’t what you say, it’s what the other person understands

✅ The two phrases that instantly calm conflict and build connection

✅ How to use “What I’m hearing is…” and “What I meant was…” so both sides actually get it

✅ Real stories (and laughs) from my own marriage and leadership fails

✅ How this one shift can save your friendships, your sanity, and your time

If you’ve ever walked away from a convo feeling frustrated or unheard, this episode is going to change everything for you — and it’s way easier than you think.

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👤 Connect With Me On Other Platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram: instagram.com/brookeplack

For Business Inquiries: [email protected]

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Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat.

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

I used to believe self-care meant bubble baths and spa days — until I realized that real self-care is the stuff that keeps you sane when life feels like too much. In this episode, I’m helping busy women entrepreneurs build self-care habits that actually fit their schedules.

You’ll learn how to simplify your routines, drop what drains you, and create small, intentional moments that fill you back up — so you can show up better in your business, your relationships, and your life.

🔴 Subscribe to Brooke's Weekly Emails: https://www.brookeplack.com

👤 Connect With Me On Other Platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram: instagram.com/brookeplack

For Business Inquiries: [email protected]

______

Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat.

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

If the invites are piling up and your calendar already feels tight, this episode is for you. You don't have to head into the holiday season with dread and feeling overwhelmed before it even begins.

Protecting your calendar and your time will help you both enjoy the holiday season more fully - and stay laser focused on your goals. Your mental health does not have to suffer for everyone else to be happy.

You can be present for what truly matters to you this holiday season. Now it's up to you to decide what matters most?

✨ Don't forget to Follow for New Episodes dropping every Thursday ... next week's episode is about Realistic Self-Care that You Can Actually Fit into Your Busy Schedule (without spending a ton of money!)

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ You can say no and still care.

Setting boundaries doesn’t make you selfish — it makes you intentional. Real love can handle boundaries, and your peace matters just as much as everyone else’s plans.

2️⃣ Presence matters more than performance.

When you protect your “best yes,” you show up calmer, happier, and more connected — and that’s what people remember long after the holidays are over.

3️⃣ Done is better than perfect.

The memories your family treasures won’t come from flawless decorations or schedules — they’ll come from laughter, eye contact, and unhurried moments together.

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🔴 Subscribe to Brooke's Weekly Emails: https://www.brookeplack.com

______

👤 Connect With Me On Other Platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram: instagram.com/brookeplack

______

For Business Inquiries: [email protected]

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If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify (hyperlink Podcast link)! Your support helps us reach more busy leaders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Navigating Personal Growth Show! See you next week!

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Production by Clanton Creative www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat.

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

If you’ve ever caught yourself laughing in the middle of heartbreak and then felt guilty for it, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I open up about losing my mom to suicide—and how that loss taught me something I never expected: grief and joy can actually coexist. 

You’ll hear the story of what it felt like the first time I laughed after she died, and how that moment became the start of real healing.

I’ll walk you through three things that helped me stop fighting my feelings and start living again:

A reframe: joy doesn’t cancel grief—it honors the love underneath it.

A ritual: a simple way to remember and celebrate the person you miss without getting stuck in the sadness.

A mindset shift: why you don’t have to “move on,” you can just move with.

If you’ve lost someone, or something—a person, a relationship, a season of life—you’ll feel seen here. There’s no pretending everything’s fine, just real talk about how to keep living with your whole heart.

✨ New episodes drop every Thursday—real stories, real growth, and a little light for your next step.

Keywords: grief and joy, healing from loss, moving forward after loss, grief podcast, finding joy after grief, coping with grief, emotional healing, grief support, grief recovery, living with grief, moving with grief, joy after loss, grief ritual ideas, grief journey, how to heal from grief, grief quotes, grief stories, grief help, personal growth podcast, mental health and healing

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

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Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

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Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

If your days feel overloaded, cluttered, and heavy, this episode is for you. It’s time to give yourself permission to practice self-care and take time for healing even in the chaos of life. Together, we’re going to uncover how to clear the mental clutter, let go of what’s draining your energy, and rebuild habits that bring calm instead of chaos. 

I share personal stories, practical tools, and mindset shifts that have helped me through my own chaotic seasons — when life is messy, schedules are wild, and everything feels urgent. You don’t need a perfect system. You just need gentle, sustainable shifts that fit your current season.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

• Why “more” hasn’t been helping — and what to let go first

• A one-sentence filter to decide what actually deserves space in your life

• Three simple habits that lighten your days without losing your rhythm

• The truth about why “busy” has become your comfort zone (and how to change it)

• A plan to help you breathe easier, slow down, and feel lighter

If you’ve been feeling like there’s too much stuff, too many “shoulds,” or a constant tension running your days — press play. Let’s simplify together.

✨ And if this episode landed for you, share it with someone who needs space right now.

Keywords: simplify your life, how to simplify your life, decluttering tips, minimalism for busy women, mental declutter, simplify your schedule, reduce stress, simplify your home, declutter your life, organize your mind, overwhelmed women, self care habits, slow living tips, how to find peace, stress relief for moms, simplify your routine, letting go of chaos, time management for women, personal growth podcast, emotional wellness

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

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Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

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Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

If your chest’s been tight and your to-do list is bossing you around, this episode is for you. In the first few minutes you’ll learn how to spot when you’re chasing control instead of peace, use a two-minute pause that actually calms your nervous system, and adopt a “move with, not on” mindset so you can stay present—even when plans change.

What we cover (fast + practical):

- Recognize the control signals (micromanaging, refreshing texts, “what-if” loops) and swap them for a clear self-check: “Am I trying to change this, or respond to it?”

- The Power of the Pause: a quick grounding you can do anywhere—notice your breath, get still, then use the script:

“I’ll do what I can. I’ll let go of what I can’t control.”

- Design for freedom, not friction: set smart, loving constraints (weekly calendar check-ins, decision deadlines, simple night routines) so peace becomes your default—not a someday.

You’ll also hear a real-life story (hello, surprise policy change) and a reframe that sticks: “You can’t calm the storm by stopping the wind—you can only calm yourself in the storm.” By the end, you’ll have language, a ritual, and tiny systems to keep your peace without pretending life is tidy.

Try this today:

1. Catch a control cue → ask the self-check.

2. Do the 2-minute pause.

3. Pick one small constraint (weekly calendar huddle, a firm decision window, or a simple evening routine).

Bonus mantra: Done > perfect. Rest isn’t optional.

If this helped, share it with a friend who’s carrying a lot right now, and tag me with your takeaway. We’re navigating this together. 💛

Keywords: peace vs control, how to find peace, letting go of control, inner peace practices, how to stop controlling everything, dealing with anxiety and control, practical ways to find calm, mindfulness for women, personal growth podcast, emotional healing tools, how to reduce stress, mindset shift for peace, self care habits that work, breathing techniques for calm, spiritual growth podcast, how to find calm in chaos, releasing control and finding peace, stress relief strategies, personal development tips, mental health and peace

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

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Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

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Production by Clanton Creative www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

Stop doing it all alone. Learn how accepting help makes you stronger, not weaker — and how saying “yes” (the right way) deepens relationships instead of creating obligation.

Here’s what you’ll get in the first few minutes:

1. A mindset flip so you stop refusing help.

2. The words to say when receiving gifts, favors, and support without feeling awkward.

3. A tiny weekly practice to build your “receiving muscle” so accepting care becomes normal.

In this episode, I share the real moments I learned this the hard way, the simple one-sentence responses that actually work, and how to handle the guilt/“I don’t want to be a burden” loop. Try one script this week and notice what changes. 

These are practical, relational tools that helped me. Now is your chance to use what fits your season of life. 

Keywords: learn to receive, how to accept help, stop people pleasing, receive help without guilt, personal growth podcast, relationships podcast, emotional wellbeing, boundaries and receiving, how to accept help without feeling guilty, scripts for receiving help gracefully, stop saying ive got this, how to let people love you, ways to receive care and support, how to stop doing it all yourself, building the muscle to receive help, faith and relationships accepting help, people pleasing recovery, vulnerability and boundaries, healthy relationships tips, self care and receiving, friendship strengthening tools

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

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Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

*******************************************

Production by Clanton Creative www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

Get heard by your doctor, stop wasting appointments, and start a simple plan that actually moves your health forward. In this episode I give you the exact words to say at your next visit and quick ideas that are simple to implement immediately after this episode.

You’ll walk away with:

• Simple plans to track and improve your health.

• Quick verbiage, or words, to use with your doctor. 

• Easy to implement steps as soon as the episode is over. 

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. This episode shares advocacy tools and practical habits that helped me—always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Keywords: how to advocate for your medical care, what to ask your doctor appointment, how to track symptoms for your doctor, words to use at doctor appointments, how to get a second opinion from a doctor, take charge of your health journey, small habits to improve health. how to organize medical records and labs, stop being a passive patient

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

*******************************************

Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

*******************************************

Production by Clanton Creative www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.

We get attached to stuff — and leaving a house full of belongings can become an emotional burden for those we love. 

Inspired by The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, this episode reframes decluttering as a radical act of care: deciding now what truly matters, organizing important documents, and communicating your wishes so family can grieve and remember — not sort.

👉 In this episode you’ll learn:

-How to approach death cleaning with compassion (it’s not morbid; it’s generous)

-Practical steps to start: what to keep, photograph, donate, or pass on

-How to handle paperwork, digital legacy, and conversations with loved ones

-Take the pressure off the people you love — and discover how letting go can be freeing for you, too.

Keywords: Swedish death cleaning, decluttering before death, estate declutter, how to downsizing, leaving a legacy, death cleaning steps, organizing for family, end-of-life preparation, legacy planning, emotional decluttering

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Connect with Brooke:

Online | www.brookeplack.com

Email | [email protected]

Facebook | www.facebook.com/brookeplack

Instagram | @brookeplack

*******************************************

Be sure to check out Brooke’s other projects too:

Empire Kids • www.empirekidsar.com

Connect Academy for Children • www.connectafc.com

The Empact One Foundation • www.empactone.org

The Space • www.coworkthespace.com

*******************************************

Production by Clanton Creative  www.clantoncreative.com

All music is licensed through Premium Beat

If you know someone who this episode could benefit from this episode, please share it with them - it is truly our mission to help connect with others because we believe the more we share our truth the more we all realize we aren’t alone.