Reflection 18 — Authenticity: Showing Up as You

Can you be authentic and still belong — or does honesty always come at a cost?

In this reflection episode of Big Dreams & Little Things, hosts Karina Kampe and Maria Wronski-Ellis explore the tension between truth and belonging, courage and restraint — a must-listen for creative entrepreneurs and solopreneurswho care about authentic leadership and real connection.

Maria admits she’s skeptical — “Are politicians even real people anymore?” — while Karina reflects on her own time “on the barricades,” standing up for what mattered but paying the price in bruises and burnout. Together, they ask: How much truth can we carry before it starts to hurt?

The conversation expands on Episode 18’s story of Malala Yousafzai, whose courage to speak up changed her life — and the world. What does she have in common with Jane Austen? And how does authenticity unfold through art, leadership, and literature? Karina also shares her honest (and slightly conflicted) thoughts on Liz Gilbert’s At the Way to the River.

And one of our listeners shares her story and gives us this week's Tiny Experiment!

The Tiny Experiment

This week’s practice:

Notice when you start to shrink your words or ideas.

Instead of saying, “Just a small thought…”, try saying,

“I have something to say.”

Observe what changes in your tone, posture, and confidence.

Tools & Takeaways

• Authenticity doesn’t mean exposure — it means alignment.

• Cherish your truth and protect your process.

• Body language can shape how authentic you feel — stand center-stage, breathe, and claim your space.

• Courage can be quiet. Sometimes it’s knowing when to pause, not when to speak.

Resources Mentioned

• I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai

• At the Way to the River – Elizabeth Gilbert

• Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert

About ECtA

The ECtA Method (Empower Change through Accountability) helps self-led creatives and solopreneurs stay in motion through structure, reflection, and community support.

Next up:

🗓 October 23rd — Strategic Focus: Doing the right things, not just more things

💻 Sign up at ectahub.net.

Next Week

We’ll explore Mindfulness and Creativity — diving into the mind of George Lucas, blending science, storytelling, and a few Tiny Experiments from Maria’s upcoming book The Mindful Songwriter.

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