In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner are joined by the dynamic Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston. Deborah shares her inspiring journey through adversity, reflecting on personal growth, resilience, and leadership. Together, they explore the role of anxiety in shaping our responses to challenges, discuss the importance of embracing failure, and reveal how we can turn life’s obstacles into opportunities for growth.

 Key Points:

- [0:40] - Introducing Deborah Duncan  

  Deborah recounts her career journey, including her time as a news anchor and talk show host, and how life’s challenges shaped her path.

- [6:02] - Anxious Moments and Public Life  

  A hilarious and poignant start: Deborah’s Halloween mishap and a reflective discussion on managing anxiety in public roles.

- [10:50] - The Power of Failure and Resilience  

  How childhood struggles with math and an empathetic teacher taught Deborah the importance of persistence and asking for help.

- [20:30] - Navigating Workplace Challenges  

  Deborah opens up about workplace adversities, the lessons they taught her, and how they prepared her for greater opportunities.

- [30:45] - The Cost of Overprotection  

  A candid conversation about how shielding younger generations from adversity can hinder growth and resilience.

- [40:20] - Leadership and Constructive Feedback  

  Deborah shares her approach to coaching employees, balancing humor, compassion, and accountability to foster growth.

- [48:12] - Failure as a Stepping Stone  

  Insights into reframing failure as a natural part of growth, and how to use it to propel you toward success.

 Quotable Moments:

[10:55]  "Failure isn’t the end—it’s the clearing for what’s next." - Deborah Duncan  

[30:47]  "We’ve done a disservice by shielding people from adversity; it’s the struggle that builds strength." - Cali Werner  

[48:15]  "The alligator eats the most! It’s about finding the way you learn best." - Deborah Duncan  

 Links Mentioned:

• Great Day Houston: https://www.greatdayhouston.com
• What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey: https://a.co/d/7hxRLsk
• The Anxiety Society Podcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com

Deborah Duncan’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and perspective. By embracing adversity and reframing failure, we can all grow stronger. Don’t forget to subscribe, share the episode with friends, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.