We trace how tiny moments of self-abandonment scatter your spark, then map a science-backed path to call it home. Quiet power replaces people pleasing through five practical steps, somatic anchors, and small choices that rebuild trust in yourself.

• micro moments that teach the brain to shrink
• rejection and shame as felt threats not facts
• survival mode turning into self-abandonment
• the kitchen floor clarity and choosing yourself
• manager codes and neural pathways for change
• the puzzle piece metaphor for gradual return
• five-step practice to reclaim power
• protecting reclaimed energy with alignment
• somatic anchors to make change stick
• quiet power, not volume, as the goal

You want to share it with a friend, you know, they might want to hear it too
Just make sure you're on that mojo mastery list because that next chapter of your story, girl, she's gonna be fierce

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Ever order the sushi to keep the peace when all you wanted was the burger? That tiny moment says everything about approval addiction—how our brains chase praise like a survival resource and how that chase slowly shrinks our lives. We unpack why the dopamine loop makes people-pleasing feel like oxygen, then show how to break it with simple, believable steps that rebuild confidence from the inside out.

We start with clear, relatable stories that highlight the hidden costs of the “easy yes”—exhaustion, quiet resentment, and an identity built on applause. From there, we translate neuroscience into action: naming triggers, staying present with discomfort, and learning to self-approve so your brain releases its own reward instead of waiting for claps. Steph shares the pivotal reframes that turned childhood gold stars into adult sovereignty, including permission statements that anchor new beliefs in your body and tiny, real-world acts of authenticity that stack into a sturdy sense of self.

You’ll learn how to choose one repeat scenario, surface the truth beneath the habit, and ask the question that cuts through noise: what would I do if approval wasn’t on the line? We also explore the difference between fitting in and belonging, and how to gather people who can hold your no without punishment. The result is a practical path: pick the moment, name the fear, grant permission, embody it, take one small action, and repeat. Approval is nice, but it’s not oxygen. Your worth isn’t a vote, and your voice doesn’t need a standing ovation to be valid.

If this spoke to you, follow Pocket Full of Mojo, share it with a friend who’s tired of living for gold stars, and leave a review with one thing you’re no longer apologizing for. Your future self will thank you.

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A simple question can shake an entire life: 

What do I really want? 

Not what looks impressive, not what keeps the peace—what actually lights you up. We dive into why that question triggers the body’s alarm bells, how self‑silencing gets wired in, and what it takes to reclaim autonomy without blowing everything up. 

From the lens of neuroscience and self‑determination theory, we unpack why familiar patterns feel safe, why uncertainty reads as danger, and how to retrain your system to choose alignment over approval.

I share two vivid journeys—Leah, the reliable fixer who learns the power of the pause, and Maya, the connector who swaps obligatory yeses for one brave no and a seat at a pottery wheel. These aren’t tales about quitting your job; they’re stories about permission. 

When want is named, intrinsic motivation turns on, creativity rises, and energy returns. We also get practical: a hell‑yes/hell‑no list to map your energy, separating want from guilt, letting desire exist without proof, and stacking micro moves that rebuild self‑trust. If the life‑level question feels too big, we zoom into today: the morning you want, the habit you’re done pretending to like, the small step that signals you’re on your own side.

Expect clarity without clichés, compassion without coddling, and tools you can use before the episode ends. 

This is about moving from autopilot to authorship, trading gold stars for grounded choices, and letting your nervous system learn that alignment is safe. If this sparked something, share it with someone who needs the nudge, subscribe for more honest mojo, and leave a review to help others find their way back to their own voice. 

What’s your next micro move?

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What happens when the name tags come off? 

We dive straight into the sticky truth: roles like “busy mom,” “rock star employee,” or “supportive spouse” can earn praise and belonging, but they can also erase the person underneath. 

With humour, candour, and a little sass, we unpack how people-pleasing and external validation rent your worth—and how to take it back without burning your past to the ground.

We explore why labels feel safe (and why safety isn’t satisfaction), how communities push back when you change the script, and what to do when life transitions-kids leaving, jobs shifting, relationships evolving- leave an empty box where a role used to be. 

Through real stories from Jason, Priya, Michelle, Dan, and Eleanor, we show the parent gap, career gap, relationship gap, and social gap in action, and how small, honest choices can rebuild identity from the inside out.

You’ll get practical tools you can use today: the Mirror List to name qualities beyond roles, the Desire Audit to reclaim wants that are actually yours, the “me date” to feed your energy, and the Stoplight Test to move your calendar toward green-light activities. 

We share a powerful reframe—name the label, name the gift, name the cost, and choose the next step—so the you that kept you safe can shake hands with the you that’s ready to grow. Labels can explain what you do; they don’t define who you are. 

If you’re tired of being the dependable one at half power, this is your permission slip to step back into your life, full voltage.

Ready to reclaim your identity with momentum and support? Tap the link in the show notes to join the seven-day Mojo Makeover Challenge, subscribe for more tools each week, and leave a review telling us which label you’re ready to outgrow. Your voice might be the spark someone else needs.

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Stop chasing the polished reveal and step into the part no one posts: the messy middle. We go straight at the awkward, foggy, sometimes tear-streaked stretch between “before” and “after,” and show why it’s the most creative, honest stage of becoming. Steph shares a raw closet moment—when a wardrobe full of other people’s expectations sparked a rebellion in the form of a bright orange top—and connects it to a bigger truth: those uncomfortable realizations are data, not drama. From playlists stuck in the past to calendars nobody remembers choosing, we uncover the breadcrumb trail that leads back to your real preferences and your real confidence.

We tie lived experience to research on self-concept clarity, explaining why identity feels shaky after breakups, career pivots, or an empty nest—and how tiny, intentional choices rebuild your internal map. You’ll hear practical, heart-forward stories: a divorcee who used her daily coffee order to practice choosing for herself; a longtime caregiver who mapped what she loves, what she might love, and what she doesn’t; and a burned-out executive who finally gave herself permission to pivot into work that fits her values. Each story proves the same point: micro choices compound into momentum, and momentum restores self-trust.

Then we get tactical. Five moves you can start today—start ridiculously small, let it be messy, borrow confidence from curiosity, practice a weekly reintroduction, and try the friend mirror test—turn abstract advice into repeatable habits. Most importantly, we reframe the narrative: you’re not starting from scratch; you’re starting from truth. Your pantry is stocked with lessons, tastes, and resilience. Use them. Treat the middle like your montage—your growth lab and spark factory. If this conversation lights a spark, share it with someone in their own middle, and try one micro choice this week that’s just for you. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what tiny decision will you choose today?

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Imagine waking up each morning with $1,000 worth of energy to spend. By noon, you're broke—and somehow, none of it went toward what truly matters to you. Sound familiar?

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the concept of your "energy budget" and how recovering people pleasers unconsciously bankrupt themselves by saying yes to everyone else's priorities. I'll show you exactly how hustle culture has conditioned us to measure our worth by productivity, leaving us exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from our own desires.

The game-changer? The 3-2-1 Formula for energy management. This simple but powerful approach transforms your overwhelming to-do list into a strategic plan that puts YOU back on the agenda. You'll learn how to identify your three must-dos (things that actually move the needle), two nice-to-dos (helpful but not urgent), and one non-negotiable joy activity (because that's fuel, not fluff).

For those who've spent years filtering decisions through others' needs, I address the blank stare that comes when asked "what do you want?" With practical exercises and permission to start small, you'll begin reconnecting with your authentic preferences after years of putting them on mute.

This isn't about becoming selfish—it's about becoming intentional. When you treat your energy like the CEO of your life rather than the intern, you show up more powerfully for everyone around you. Because living in alignment doesn't take more energy than living out of alignment—it actually leaves you with a surplus.

Ready to stop running your life like a clearance sale and start treating your energy like the valuable resource it is? Listen now, and let's put you back in charge of your own energy budget.

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When did "busy" become your brand? That exhausted, overwhelmed state we wear like a badge of honor isn't the flex we think it is. In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the uncomfortable truth about our addiction to busyness and why it might be the cheapest status symbol you're carrying.

Busy isn't who you are—it's just what you're doing. As people-pleasers, we've mistaken productivity for self-worth, convincing ourselves that if we're not constantly available and helpful, we're somehow less valuable. But this episode reveals the real cost of that thinking: a backpack full of other people's rocks that leaves us hunched over, staggering under responsibilities that don't even belong to us.

For parents especially, the guilt around wanting "me time" can be overwhelming. But what if protecting that slice of life isn't selfish but essential? What if your kids need to see you rested and pursuing things that light you up? This conversation offers a permission slip to put yourself back on your priority list without apology.

Your energy is currency, and you only get so much to spend each day. Being "in demand" doesn't mean you're in alignment. Just because your calendar is full doesn't mean your soul is. This week's challenge: identify your top three priorities and say no to one thing that doesn't align with them. Because at the end of the day, you're not here to be booked and busy—you're here to be aligned and alive.

Ready to trade busy for something that actually looks good on you? Listen now, grab your Mojo Gummies, and remember: don't be just busy, be fucking you.

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That queasy feeling after setting a boundary isn't your conscience—it's your breakthrough. For recovering people-pleasers, the "guilt hangover" arrives like clockwork after we finally stand up for ourselves, bringing with it anxiety, second-guessing, and that unmistakable pit in our stomach.

But what if this discomfort isn't a warning sign at all? What if it's actually evidence that you're finally breaking free from patterns that have kept you small? Throughout this episode, we dive deep into why setting boundaries triggers such intense emotional reactions, especially for those of us who've been wired to believe our worth comes from keeping everyone else comfortable.

We explore what boundaries truly are (hint: not weapons or walls, but acts of clarity and care) and what they aren't. Through relatable analogies—like boundaries being the thermostat of your life or the foam that protects your internal battery—we redefine these essential tools for wellbeing. You'll learn to recognize when your guilt is simply your old operating system freaking out because you're challenging your survival programming.

The heart of this episode is the Four Rs method for moving through boundary guilt: Recognize the hangover, Return to your breath, Reframe the discomfort, and Ride it out. Through personal stories and practical examples, you'll discover how to implement these steps in real-life situations. Because the ultimate goal isn't eliminating guilt—it's retraining your brain to see boundaries as normal, healthy, and empowering.

Ready to transform your relationship with boundaries? Take our challenge to set one small boundary this week and practice moving through the guilt hangover with grace. Because every shaky "no" is a rep in the self-respect gym, and you've had a membership there all along. Your voice matters, your needs matter, and your energy deserves protection. Subscribe now and join our community of recovering people-pleasers who are learning that awkward is just the doorway to freedom.

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Ever caught yourself holding back—not because you didn't want to do something, but because it felt too awkward? That gut-wrenching sensation isn't actually warning you of danger—it's signaling growth.

Awkwardness is the toll we pay to step into our next chapter. For recovering people-pleasers especially, that discomfort feels catastrophic because it represents the death of our familiar, safe selves. But what if that cringe-worthy feeling is actually the doorway to the authentic life you've been craving?

This episode dives deep into recognizing when you're ready for change (hint: if you're exhausted from carrying others' expectations or find yourself envying people who seem comfortable in their own skin, you're there). We explore what breaking through actually feels like—spoiler alert: less like Beyoncé in formation and more like "Bambi on ice, blindfolded." But don't worry! That awkward phase is temporary and necessary.

You'll learn five practical steps to push through discomfort: renaming awkwardness as growth, attempting "micro dares" to build your courage muscle, collecting evidence of your resilience, and finding "expanders"—people who normalize authenticity until you can do it yourself. We also look at icons like Oprah, Lady Gaga, and Brené Brown, all of whom weathered intense awkwardness before emerging into their power.

Remember, confidence doesn't precede awkwardness—it follows it. Your homework: choose one tiny rebellion against your comfort zone this week. Because on the other side of cringe is confidence, and on the other side of confidence is freedom. Your Beyoncé days are coming—but first, embrace being Bambi.

Subscribe now and join our community of people turning awkwardness into their superpower. What tiny act of courage will you try today?

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Ever felt that strange disorientation that comes with personal growth? That moment when you've done the work, made the changes, but suddenly feel like you're wearing someone else's skin? Don't worry—you haven't taken a wrong turn. That wobbly feeling is actually confirmation you're exactly where you need to be.

Breaking up with your old identity is a profound journey that few people talk about. After years of performing roles that kept you safe but small—the people-pleaser, the overachiever, the one who puts everyone else first—stepping into authenticity can feel simultaneously liberating and terrifying. This episode walks you through the four essential phases of this metamorphosis: the release of who you thought you had to be, the vulnerable emergence of your true self, navigating the world through fresh eyes, and the crucial practice of celebrating your evolution.

Through personal stories (including my own transformation from corporate workaholic to "President of Doing Whatever I Want"), we explore how to honor your past self while embracing the new. We dig into the uncomfortable truth that some relationships may shift or fall away as you grow, and why that's not just okay—it's necessary. You'll learn to recognize the difference between "unknown" and "unsafe," how to reframe imposter syndrome, and why those awkward growing pains are actually signs you're getting stronger.

Whether you're in the midst of transformation or sensing change on the horizon, this episode offers a roadmap for the journey ahead. Remember: "I release who I was, I embrace who I am, and I trust who I'm becoming." Your wobbliness will soon become a stride, and then a confident strut—that's mojo in action.

Ready to step fully into your authentic self? Share this episode with someone navigating their own transformation, leave a review to help others find their mojo, and tune in next week when we tackle how to stop letting the awkwardness of life hold you back from its greatest treasures.

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