Normal Lies

Episode 58. "How many times have you heard, "never give up." It sounds great,  just keep working hard, don’t give up and your dreams will come true. It makes my head want to explode because I think to live by "never give up" is stupid and destructive."

Yes, you heard her right, Linda can't stand it when she hears the advice to never give up. In this episode, Linda recounts an experience where she wouldn't give up and  the toll it took on her physically, mentally and emotionally.

Linda talks about:
- the work situation that just about killed her
- what it's taken for her to heal from the trauma of the situation
- the impact  "gaslighting" had on her as a child
- what you can do to discern whether it's time to give up

Here's  the  Psychology Today article that Linda references on Gaslighting.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 57. “…everybody's talking about the great resignation. I think it's just the great reshuffling.”

 Bill Gilliland is an award winning business coach, best selling author, presenter, and a 5X business owner and entrepreneur.

Bill found his true purpose in coaching other business owners to success and has worked with 100's of business owners to achieve EPIC results, while also helping them achieve their personal goals.

Bill is currently one on the top ActionCOACH business coaches in the world and is on a mission to provide world-class, life-changing business coaching and education to 10,000 entrepreneurs. 

Bill loves to teach entrepreneurs how to live out their purpose and he shares some of his insight with Linda.

• “People sometimes think that their accountants should be their coach. They want to be your accountant. They want to do your numbers. They want to be your tax person. They can give you great advice and you should have a great accountant, but most of them don't want to be a coach for you or your business.”
• “If somebody’s generally happy and they make a lot of money, they’re probably still going to be happy. If they're miserable and they make a lot of money, they're still going to be miserable.”
• “If you think that money's going to make you happy that isn't going to work. You need to get yourself worked out first and then you can enjoy the money.
• “If you don't get help, then you don't have any freedom. You end up working a hundred hours a weeks and missing soccer games and those kinds of things.  Define success for yourself.”

 Bill's podcast is Epic Entrepreneur. Check out Bill’s website BillGilliland.ActionCoach.com. Connect with Bill on Instagram, Facebook and Linked In, email him at [email protected]. 

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 56. “It’s our culture that cannot be denied. Whether it's music, whether it's motion pictures, whether it's television, the creativity in America is unbelievable.”

Mitchell Fink returns for part two of his conversation with Linda. In this  episode, Mitchell not only shares more of his experiences as a celebrity reporter, but how fame and celebrity has changed over the years.

Mitchell also talks about the impact American culture had had on the rest of the world and his insight into the September 11th attack, the subsequent clean up and its devastating effects. 

Mitchell Fink is a New York Times Bestselling author, an internationally recognized journalist, a columnist at the New York Daily News, People magazine, and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, as well as an on-air correspondent at CNN, FOX, CBS, and "Access Hollywood." 

Mitchell is also the New York Times Bestselling author of NEVER FORGET: AN ORAL HISTORY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. 

His other published books include THE LAST DAYS OF DEAD CELEBRITIES, which chronicles the last days and weeks in the lives of fifteen very famous people, including John Lennon, John Belushi, Orson Welles, Lucille Ball, and Tupac Shakur.  And,  CHANGE OF HEART, the racially charged love story about a black man who was transplanted with the heart of a white woman.

Tune in to see Mitchell hosting the upcoming show, Celebrity POV. On the show, he will shine a spotlight on issues and current events across politics, business, entertainment, sports, and the burgeoning cryptosphere. Online audiences can ask questions and interact directly with guests during the approximately one-hour live, unfiltered broadcasts. 

The twice-monthly show, streaming alternating Wednesdays at 7 PM ET will debut summer of 2022. Celebrity POV will appear on the Fireside multimedia platform founded by Falon Fatemi and Mark Cuban, and will also stream live on TruthDAO's YouTube channel.

Be sure to connect with Mitchell on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to get the latest updates on when this show will debut.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 55. “Nobody ever took a course in a college or a high school that teaches you how to be famous. So everyone who becomes famous is learning it in real time.”

Mitchell Fink is an internationally recognized journalist and a columnist at the New York Daily News, People magazine, and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, as well as an on-air correspondent at CNN, FOX, CBS, and "Access Hollywood." 

Mitchell is also the New York Times Bestselling author of NEVER FORGET: AN ORAL HISTORY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. 

His other published books include THE LAST DAYS OF DEAD CELEBRITIES, which chronicles the last days and weeks in the lives of fifteen very famous people, including John Lennon, John Belushi, Orson Welles, Lucille Ball, and Tupac Shakur.  And,  CHANGE OF HEART, the racially charged love story about a black man who was transplanted with the heart of a white woman.

Mitchell discusses with Linda what he has learned about celebrity and fame through his years as a journalist and columnist. 

Mitchell talks about:

• his experience around the tragic death of singer, Whitney Houston
• how news outlets handle celebrity obituaries. A hint? They aren’t always dead before they’re written.
• the advice he gave Julia Roberts when dealing with journalists and the paparazzi
• how he got Barbara Streisand, Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone and other celebrities to speak with him 
• the one lie most celebrities struggle with (you probably do too).

Linda also shares the announcement that Mitchell will be hosting the upcoming show, Celebrity POV.  On the show, he will shine a spotlight on issues and current events across politics, business, entertainment, sports, and the burgeoning cryptosphere. Online audiences can ask questions and interact directly with guests during the approximately one-hour live, unfiltered broadcasts. 

The twice-monthly show, streaming alternating Wednesdays at 7 PM ET, will debut summer of 2022. Celebrity POV  will appear on the Fireside multimedia platform founded by Falon Fatemi and Mark Cuban, and will also stream live on TruthDAO's YouTube channel.

Be sure to connect with Mitchell on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to get the latest updates on when this show will debut.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 54.  Juneteenth celebrates the day that the last of the slaves in this country were freed. It is truly a day for all of us to celebrate!

In honor of the upcoming Juneteenth celebration, Normal Lies is replaying episode 16, The White and the Black of it, with Michelle Wescott. 

Michelle and Linda discuss topics from Linda's perspective as a white woman and Michelle's perspective as a black woman. 

Michelle and Linda discuss:

• how they each relate to the term "melting pot"  as a description of our country. 
• terms like Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, how to know what  the right term is to use and the simple practice that Michelle uncovered that we can all begin using right now! 
• and, Linda offers important information EVERY US citizen should know about the Juneteenth holiday. 

 For more information about Juneteenth, go to BlackPast.org. When you do, please leave a donation.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 53. “This isn't going to look perfect. This is going to be messy, but as long as it gets done and keeps moving in a forward direction, it doesn't matter how many steps you take. It's part of being a parent and starting a business, embracing the mess.”  

After spending a decade as a dental hygienist, Elle made the leap to being her own boss by becoming a copywriter. She now helps busy coaches, consultants, and course creators increase conversions with authentic copy that’s true to their unique brand voice. 

Elle shares the struggles and “lies” when it comes to being a business owner AND mom to 2 little boys.

• “(as a business owner)…you’re the only one calling those shots. so you're both the CEO and the employee. And I don't know about you, but I can be a bit of a jerk as a CEO to myself as the employee.”

• "The perfectionism, it holds you back. “…done is better than perfect” because at least then you're moving forward. Otherwise you're stuck in the same space, stuck in that perfectionism hole.”

•  “We’re so busy, saying like, "we've got it all together,” that we don't actually stop and wonder if we really do.  And then take that time to give ourselves a little bit of grace and space to say, “Maybe I'm not okay.”

Check out Elle’s website, ClearCopyWorks.com.
You can reach Elle at [email protected] and here on Linked In.  

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 52.

Meet Golden Madume, a teacher, coach and speaker. 

Born in Nigeria, Golden moved to the United States as a teenager in 2007 and began his journey of education and self-discovery. 

Golden is a Gallup-certified strengths coach and has a background in Life and Career Coaching. His passion is to support people in knowing who they are deeply through their strengths so they may find inner peace, confidence and take the next best step in their life. 

Golden’s passion is evident throughout his conversation with Linda:

• “Your voice matters. It might not matter to every single person in the world, but your voice matters to someone who needs it and who will be impacted by it.”

• “Why did I even expect that I was supposed to have superpowers by the age of 55? There's no timeline, there's no expectation. I believe everyone blossoms and blooms in their own time. And we all go through the challenges that we need to and the lessons that we need to absorb at the time that they're presented for us.”

• “Whether it's knowledge and wisdom, whether it's strength, whether it's realization, whether it's our voice. We realize that, “Wow, I had it in me all along.” I just had to pay this little price of experience to get to that point.”

Linda also shares a review from one of her steadfast supporters.  

You can reach Golden at [email protected] and here on Instagram. 

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

 Episode 51. “…everyone’s really excited about a new baby, and so is the mom, don't get me wrong. But ask mom if she's okay too. It's possible, she’s really not.”

A few months ago, Megan Mills introduced Linda to the term, “postpartum anxiety.”  Most people are aware of postpartum depression but postpartum anxiety is not as widely known. 

Megan shares candidly about her struggle with postpartum anxiety after the traumatic birth experience she had with her son. 

To help other mothers, Megan currently volunteers on the Board of Directors for Saving AJ. She joins Nyeshia Gibson (Episode 50) in supporting mothers who struggle with mental health issues due to postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. 

Megan shares:

 “I think it's just a little reminder to be kind to people, you don't know what's going on with them.”

“For people that feel like they need to hide it, you don’t. Share it. Because ever since I started sharing this, I've found so many people that have similar stories.”

“…there’s women out there that really need help and they don't know where to get it. And maybe they don't have the ability to lean on a husband or lean on a best friend or, or maybe their family doesn't believe that anxiety and depression are a thing. ‘Oh, it's just in your head. Everything's fine. You're just having the baby blues,’ which makes me crazy. We need to support them.” 

Megan is the owner of the Flanagan Mills Agency. She has worked in the insurance industry for 15 years in various capacities.

Megan and her husband, Brady have two children a daughter, Ada, and a son, Jackson.

You can reach Megan at [email protected] and her website is TheMillsAgency.com.

If you’re suffering from postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression, there is support available. 

If you live in the Rochester, NY area, you can call the Saving AJ hotline at 866-222-6250.  To learn more about Saving AJ’s services go to SavingAJ.agency. 

Outside of Rochester, there is a hotline sponsored by a non-profit called Parents Helping Parents. You can call their 24 hour Parental Stress Hotline at 800-632-8188.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 50. Nyeshia Gibson is 31 years old, a single mother of three and the CEO of Saving AJ, Inc. 

Nyeshia spends her days working with single moms, victims of domestic violence, victims of rape, victim of circumstances, postpartum moms and mothers incarcerated. She provides free childcare for moms so they can focus on getting the help they need.

 This is Nyeshia’s passion because she understands what it feels like to battle depression, she knows what it feels like to lose yourself while searching for fulfillment from others. 

In Nyeshia’s words,
 “Because of where God has brought me from, I understand now where he is taking me. I remember going to counseling and feeling like I couldn't open up in fear of losing my children. I remember never being able to talk to anyone about it because of fear of what others may think. I am here to tell you that no matter what your short comings in life are or were, you can help others by just sharing your story. You never know where telling your story may take you. You never know how telling your story can help others. You can turn your story and experiences into your testimony. With God all things are possible. Never give up, Never lose hope. The harder your journey, the bigger your testimony!”

To contact Nyeshia or for more information, go to SavingAJ.agency or, call the Saving AJ hotline at  866 -222- 6250.

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.

Episode 49. "You can never be productive if you’re exhausted."

Vaida Cesnulyte is a numbers girl from Lithuania who has her Bachelor's and Masters's degrees in Applied Mathematics. She then moved to Finland to get her Ph.D. in Applied Physics in the field of Climate Change. 

While Vaida loved understanding the climate and physical processes behind it and enjoyed presenting her research at  various conferences, while collaborating with other scientists, she realized that the world of academia was not her future. 

So after 4.5 years, she walked away. For the next 4 years Vaida worked at jobs from Marketing Analyst to following her love of cars and worked at a small, private car import firm. While there, she started to put systems and tools in place to optimize and automate it better. 

That was when Vaida realized she had the skills, knowledge, and desire to help people not only be more productive and organize their time better but also help them set and achieve their goals.

In January 2021, Vaida started her consulting business helping established business owners grow their 6 figure businesses to multiple 6 & 7 figures all while working fewer hours. 

Vaida focuses on up-leveling their productivity skillset and becoming better at setting goals, organizing, prioritizing, managing emails and the calendar, eliminating distractions, and changing the mindset around effective work. 

Vaida is a firm believer that people are meant to do more in life than just work and this is the focus of her conversation with Linda. 

In addition to discussing toxic productivity and its effect on us, they cover blending work and life, and what Vaida advises clients do to reach their goals.

Vaida’s insight:

“When you buy a book, you also buy the time to read that book…”

“Achieving goals is a habit. Not achieving goals is also a habit.”

“Other people are masters at filling our calendars.”

“The most important lesson is to focus on the things we can control: our thoughts, our values, our actions…”

Connect with Vaida on Linked In. 

What came up for you as a result of this conversation?  Let Linda know by going to Normal-Lies.com and leave a review.  

Linda reads every one and every month, she chooses one review to read on air.  Who knows, she may choose yours!

If you have a question or a topic you'd like addressed on an upcoming episode, go to Normal-Lies.com and click the contact page to send Linda a message. Or, click on the microphone icon at the bottom right of the page to leave a voicemail. 

For information about coaching with Linda or to set up a coaching consultation go to LiveInspiredLifeCoaching.com.

Be sure to follow Linda on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.