Brutal truth: I’ve experienced more professional rejection in 2022 than any other year in my 19 years of business.  

I’m talking about this because no one talks about this side of growth, professional or otherwise. But, it is a very real and common experience when you decide to stretch yourself in new ways. 

Rejection is often the result of an audacious act, a brave reach, or a leap into uncharted territory. Rejection comes on the backside of courage, determination, and vulnerability.

It’s easy to feel beaten down, if not completely swallowed, by rejection. It’s easy to overlook the fact that you stepped up to the plate in a bold way to say, “I’m here. I’m ready. I can do this.”  

In the face of rejection, we typically say, “I’m not worthy”, instead of, “I was qualified for that and not getting it is not a reflection of my talent or worth.” Or, “I’m really proud of myself for trying. Now I feel ready and even more prepared to go for something else big like this.”

I pitched myself for something I really wanted this fall. I was rejected. At first I was mad, even hurt. A few days after getting that NO, another opportunity - a better one - came up for the same time. I realized that NO was a gift and made space for me to pitch the same thing to an even better organization.  

It’s time we talk about rejection as a necessary part of growth instead of a quiet pool (ocean?) of shame. 

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how I’ve been managing rejection as I uplevel and how you can do the same.  

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Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers host the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics, which was named one of 2021’s best shows by Apple Podcasts and has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America 3, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and Parents Magazine. They are also the authors of “I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation” and “Now What?: How to Move Forward When We're Divided About Basically Everything”. 

Sarah and Beth met in college before going their separate ways for law school. Sarah pursued a career in politics as a congressional staffer and campaign aide and Beth practiced law before serving as a human resources executive. Sarah lives in Paducah, KY, with her spouse, Nicholas, and children Griffin, Amos, and Felix. Beth lives in Union, KY, with her spouse, Chad, and children Jane and Ellen. Sarah’s dog, Cookie, and Beth’s dog, Lucy, are beloved (and involuntary) contributors to their work.

When I heard Sarah and Beth had a new book out, I immediately asked them to come on the show. The way they navigate and guide hard conversations in incredibly divisive times is so important and powerful. I always learn so much from them. 

Listen in to hear Sarah and Beth share:

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I know it’s not officially fall yet, but hear me out.... Fall is coming - fast. And I want you to be prepared.  

As you straddle this end of summer/back to school/almost fall season, I want you to consider what you want for yourself, for your kids and out of motherhood. I always joke that September is January for moms. It’s when we start fresh, try new routines, recommit to things that serve us, dump the junk that doesn’t. It’s basically our New Year. Cheers to a New Year, friend. 

As I was thinking through what I want for myself this fall, I was trying to get clear on what I want to say YES to and what I want to say NO to. I love defining these things for myself with each new season - recognizing that in each new season I have grown a bit, as has my child. We each need different things than the season before. I always want to honor that in how I show up for myself and how I show up in motherhood. 

In this episode, I walk you through 3 things to say YES to as you walk into fall. My hope is that these 3 things will bring you clarity, ease and JOY! 

I’m inviting you to say YES to a reorg of your needs, habits and routines, as well as those of your kids. 

I’m inviting you to challenge yourself, your voice and your skills.

I’m inviting you to say YES to joy, celebration and fun. 

I am inviting you to seriously consider your YESes and NOs as we broach this new season. Don’t let the wrong YESes fall out of your mouth so you don’t have space for the actual YESes you desire, my friend. 

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Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and award-winning author who helps frustrated families break free from Stable Misery™ and unhelpful parenting and partnership patterns, so they can create more harmony at home.

Over 20 years of journeying with countless clients led her to design the research-supported Elemental Living® Model and her P.A.T.H.S. Relationship Framework. These powerful tools help parents and partners improve communication, minimize overreactions, and transform intergenerational trauma. Her programs have supported parents across the globe - in South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dr. Willis’s multi-award-winning book, My Forgotten Self: A Story about a Girl, a Powerful Encounter, and a Universal Message, received high acclaim from individuals such as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, author of The Conscious Parent and “Oprah’s Parenting Expert”. Dr. Willis lives in Georgia with her husband and their two children.

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I sat down to write notes before recording this episode at least 14 times. 

Each time I could not find a starting point. Or an ending point.  

So, I decided to just hit record. With no notes.  

In this episode I share my relationship with my dad with you. For the last 10 years, it was complicated and confusing. It was a relationship that never had closure, but ultimately has peace. 

Since his passing, so many of you have reached out to share your love. Thank you. I appreciate you - so much.  

I have also heard from many of you who have complicated and confusing parent relationships. I recorded this for you. When we have pieces of our lives that are complicated and confusing it helps so much to hear from others who have a similar lived experience. It makes you feel seen and held. It helps you feel less alone and more normal. I SEE YOU. You are not alone.  

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Tanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school that values innovation, empathy, and strength and incorporates a unique neuro-development program for children with physical disabilities. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, change what’s broken in the American education system and that all children can receive a rigorous, well-rounded education. She is the host of the Rebel Educator podcast, an Edpreneur, an International Speaker, and the author of her new book, Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact.

As soon as I learned about what inspired Tanya to build her own school, I knew I wanted to have her as a guest on the show. She has a powerful and important story about education and how she will forever honor her daughter, Eliza.  

Listen in to hear Tanya share:

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I spent three days last week in a Trauma-Informed Practice Intensive for Coaches and Leaders. One of the things we kept coming back to over the course of these three days was making sure we, as coaches, are creating spaces that allow our clients a strong sense of agency.  

As we dug into this from various angles and examined it through the lens of trauma, I got more and more curious and started doing my own research on the side. I know, super nerd alert. I love geeking out on this stuff.  

While I won’t bore you with the super coachy stuff, I do want to share with you the juicy parts - the pieces I know will benefit you right away. 

One of the best parts of my job is providing you with tools to see your own power and your own ability to make choices that serve you. I want you to feel confident in your own sense of self and sense of agency that guides your decision-making and action-taking.

In this episode I dig into:

It is my hope that developing your sense of agency will give you clarity and discernment around who you are and who you are becoming. 

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Asha Frost (she/her) is an Indigenous Medicine Woman and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. She is from the Crane Clan, the totem of leadership, and believes in holding space from vision and heart. As an energy healer, homeopath, and mentor, Asha has guided thousands of people through profound and lasting transformation.

Impacted by generational trauma and colonization, Asha has been on a lifelong journey of reclamation. A lupus diagnosis sent her on a path of studying and practicing a multitude of energy Medicine modalities with many guides. She has blended this life experience with her innate gifts and the wisdom of her Ancestors. She loves sharing her Medicine in powerful ways through Ceremonies, teachings, and speaking events. Through this work, she loves seeing people reclaim their roots, find their healing wisdom, and rise into their power.

She is the author of You are The Medicine published by Hay House and has an Oracle Deck coming out next year. She is also a Shameless Mom to her 5 and 10 year old sons.

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I’m training for my first triathlon in 18 years. It has definitely been a little daunting getting back into tri training. As I’ve been hopping in the water, onto my bike, and into my running shoes, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the grit, fortitude, and tenacity it takes for us to get to any start lines in our lives.  

When we cross a finish line, there is often a decent amount of fanfare. People show their support, give you all the accolades, and boost your confidence with cheers. But no one congratulates you for getting to the start line.

Getting to any start line typically involves quiet, vulnerable, and methodical decision-making. It takes overcoming self-doubt, shutting down negative self-talk, and deciding, “I am worthy, qualified, and capable to START.”  

It takes a lot of grit, fortitude, and tenacity that no one ever sees and no one ever gives you credit for.  

I would argue that it’s substantially harder to get to a start line than a finish line.  

In this episode, I talk through what it looks like to get yourself to the start line and how to own, honor and embrace what a character-building experience it can be. 

I SEE YOU approaching start lines in your life. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I am proud with you and so excited for you. 

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Christina Roulund is the founder of Size: Happy, a movement focused on helping women on their journey to self-love heal from and rebel against the unattainable standards that society inflicts on them, and instead... embrace their own unique beauty.

After suffering from Breast Implant Illness, Christina went through explant surgery and experienced nearly complete healing from the multitude of symptoms and side effects of having breast implants. She is now recognized as an expert in the Breast Implant Illness Community, helping other women reclaim their health and happiness through education on her blog at SizeHappy.net ...and through her Facebook group, Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation & Education with Christina.

I was unaware of the prevalence of Breast Implant Illness until I did this interview. Fascinatingly, after doing this interview, I started hearing stories about BII from a number of women. This conversation is for anyone who has implants, knows someone with implants, who has struggled with your relationship with your breasts, or who has been unheard or unseen by the medical community. 

Listen in to hear Christina share: 

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