Sometimes one idea, one question, or one new way of seeing a situation can change everything.

In this episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the next season of the podcast and explores why perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating stress, relationships, leadership, and everyday life. Through relatable stories, psychology-backed insights, and practical perspective shifts, she shares how broadening the way we see ourselves, others, and the situations around us can help us manage expectations, reduce unnecessary suffering, and create more space for clarity, compassion, and possibility. 

Continue the Conversation 

If this conversation resonated with you, we'd love to welcome you inside the Perspective Shift community. 

It's a place for thoughtful conversations, practical perspective shifts, and a community of people committed to living with greater clarity, compassion, and intention.

There's a place for you here. 

Join the Perspective Shift community → https://drrobyne.ca/perspective/  

Additional Resources: 

• Stress Wisely by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe 

• Dr. Arthur Brooks

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

This special episode was recorded live at a tea party celebrating the launch of Dr. Robyne's latest book, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It's Hard. Joined by her dear friend Natalie Davison and a room full of thoughtful guests, they explore what it means to choose hope, the stories that inspired the book, and why hope is something we can strengthen, even in life's hardest seasons. You'll hear the difference between hope and optimism, the power of belonging, and why sometimes we need to borrow hope from others until we can hold it ourselves. 

Additional Resources: 

• I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

• Dr. Robyne on The Mark Divine Show

Connect with Natalie Davison: 

• Website: https://nataliedavison.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_i_davison/

• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/natalie-davison

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

What stories have been quietly shaping your life for years without you even realizing it?

Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by leadership keynote speaker, author, and joy expert Amanda Gore for a conversation about joy, fear, and the stories we tell ourselves. Together, they explore how childhood beliefs continue to influence our adult lives, why fear often sits beneath our reactions to change, and how awareness, gratitude, and compassion can help us rewrite the narratives that no longer serve us.

If you've ever struggled with people-pleasing, self-judgment, or the feeling that you need to hold everything together, Amanda offers thoughtful perspective and practical tools for moving toward greater joy and inner peace. 

Additional Resources: 

• Joy Is an Inside Job by Amanda Gore & Lenore Lewis

• Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer

Connect with Amanda: 

• Website: https://amandagore.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandagorejoy/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalgore/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/amandagoretv

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by criminal defence lawyer Jordana H. Goldlist. From surviving addiction and living on the streets as a teenager to becoming one of Canada's leading criminal defence lawyers, Jordana's journey shows that reinvention happens one courageous step at a time and that creating distance from the environments that keep us stuck can open the door to a different future.

Together, they discuss the realities of addiction, recovery, and the criminal justice system. It's a conversation about the power of hope, support, and honest dialogue, and recognizing that a person's hardest season does not erase their potential or define their entire story.

Additional Resources: 

• Jordana’s Podcast: Who Judges the Judge?

• Jordana’s TEDx Talk: Who Judges the Judge?

• Dr. Robyne on Who Judges the Judge?

Connect with Jordana: 

• Website: https://www.jhgcriminallaw.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanagoldlist

• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jgoldlist

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer

In this uplifting episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes comedian and mental health and well-being expert Jessica Holmes for a conversation about the power of humor and wholehearted living. Together, they explore why joy can feel so out of reach during difficult seasons, and how simple practices like sharing a laugh, telling a story, or looking at a challenge through a different lens can offer real relief.

Through personal rituals, family moments, and the science behind noticing the funny, the hopeful, and the simply kind, they share practical ways to lighten hard days without minimizing them. You'll also hear why asking our loved ones what they truly need can strengthen our relationships and why we were never meant to carry life's challenges alone.

Additional Resources: 

• Depression the Comedy by Jessica Holmes

• I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

Connect with Jessica: 

• Website: https://www.jessicaholmes.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyfunholmes/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-holmes-50ab90202/

   

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer

In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with nationally syndicated radio host, former CFL player, and media personality Brad Smith for a thoughtful conversation about growth, reinvention, and owning your story. Together, they explore how to embrace the opportunities in front of you, learn from the past without being defined by it, and navigate the complexities of life with ADHD. They also discuss handling criticism, the power of self-awareness, and why so many high performers find themselves chasing a feeling they can never quite recreate. 

Additional Resources: 

• Brad’s Podcast: No BS with Brad Smith

• Previous episode with Dr. Ross Ellenhorn: The Fear of Hope

• Why Does Everybody Hate Me? by Alex Partridge

Connect with Brad: 

• Website: https://www.nobswithbs.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradcsmith/

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

Feeling weary, overwhelmed, or caught in a never-ending stress cycle?

In this solo episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the Four R's of Nervous System Recovery: Restoration, Regulation, Reflection, and Reimagining. She explores why restoration must come before regulation and shares practical insights to help listeners tune into what their body, heart, mind, and community truly need. Through reflective questions and relatable stories, she encourages a balanced self-awareness that honors both challenge and progress while helping you close stress loops, rebuild capacity, and reimagine what is possible on the other side of hard seasons. 

Ready, Set, Rest Workshop: Nervous System Recovery for Educators 

Ready to move from exhaustion to restoration? Join Dr. Robyne for Ready, Set, Rest, a one-hour live workshop designed to help educators recover from a demanding school year, restore their nervous system, and step into summer with greater intention, spaciousness, and well-being. Offered live on June 26 or June 29.

Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

In this episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Matt Young, a former professional footballer turned performance coach and keynote speaker, to explore identity, reinvention, and finding purpose after major life transitions. Together, they discuss what it means to move beyond the labels that define us, why asking "What do I want now?" can be more powerful than "What should I do now?", and how to create a life filled with meaning, connection, and possibility.

Drawing on lessons from professional football, ultramarathon running, and his own reinvention, Matt shares practical insights on navigating change, challenging self-imposed limits, and building a future that truly lights you up.

*** 

Are you an educator heading into summer exhausted but unsure how to actually rest? Ready, Set, Rest is a one-hour live workshop for educators on nervous system recovery, with a real framework to carry into the summer ahead. June 26 or June 29, live virtually with Dr. Robyne.

Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/   

Additional Resources: 

• Matt’s Podcast: Elevate Your Mind

Connect with Matt: 

• Website: https://www.mattyounglc.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattyounglc/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-young-mitm/ 

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattyounglc

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer

What do you do when you sense there’s something more calling you forward?

In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with executive coach, business advisor, moderator, podcast host, and keynote speaker Marissa Teeter to explore the courage it takes to bet on yourself and pursue a new chapter. Together, they discuss career pivots, the illusion of certainty, identity beyond job titles, and the stories we tell ourselves about success. They also share practical advice for navigating change, building an exit strategy, and managing the tension between what we feel we “should” do and what truly matters most.

*** 

Are you an educator heading into summer exhausted but unsure how to actually rest? Ready, Set, Rest is a one-hour live workshop for educators on nervous system recovery, with a real framework to carry into the summer ahead. June 26 or June 29, live virtually with Dr. Robyne.

Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/   

Additional Resources: 

• Marissa’s Podcast: Teeter Talks

• Previous episode with Marissa: Trusting Your Future Self

• The Art Of Leadership for Women

Connect with Marissa: 

• Website: https://www.marissateeter.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa.m.teeter

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-teeter-2223aa4/

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/

Disclaimer 

This week on Life by Design, we're doing something a little different.

Rather than sitting in the host's chair, Dr. Robyne is the guest.

In this special episode, originally recorded for Jordana Goldlist's podcast, Who Judges the Judge?, Jordana interviews Dr. Robyne about her journey, from struggling in school with undiagnosed ADHD, to being institutionalized at 16, to surviving a near-death car accident, and how her mother’s question, “How do you want to feel?” instead of “What are your goals?” changed everything.

Together, they explore the lessons she has learned about healing and belonging, the people who helped her find her way when she could not yet see a future for herself, and the experiences that continue to inform the work she does today with leaders, educators, teams, and high performers around the world. 

***  
If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community.

Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/

Additional Resources: 

• Jordana’s Podcast: Who Judges the Judge? 

• Dr. Robyne on the Mark Divine Show 

• I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe 

Connect with Jordana Goldlist: 

• Website: https://www.jhgcriminallaw.com/  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanagoldlist  

• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jgoldlist  

Connect with Dr. Robyne: 

• Website: https://drrobyne.ca/  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/  

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/  

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd  

• Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/  

Disclaimer