The Change Effect - Inspiration and Strategies for Creating Success on Your Own Terms

Ready to make a change but keep hitting a wall? You know you’re ready for more; more purpose, more visibility, more freedom, but you can’t seem to get there? 

You’re not alone. 

Whether it’s a career shift, launching that business, leaving a relationship, or finally speaking up, I want to help you find what’s actually blocking you and give you the tools to move through it. 

This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about how to uncover what’s blocking your breakthrough!

In this episode, I discuss:

• The most common invisible barriers women face when pursuing change.
• Reflective questions and journaling prompts to help you identify your unique roadblocks.
• Why normalizing your fear and taking small, micro actions are the keys to breaking free.
• A simple, powerful challenge: name your invisible block, decide on one micro move, and share it for accountability.

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

Content Warning: While this episode does not contain explicit details, it has a heavy focus on mental health and mentions of suicide.

When we think about our childhood, we often remember both the joys and the silent struggles that shaped us. But what happens when generations of silence around pain, mental illness and addiction surface?

This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Meg Kissinger, Pulitzer Prize finalist, nationally acclaimed journalist, and author, shares the courageous journey of how her family’s experience with mental illness and loss ultimately led her to write her groundbreaking memoir, While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence.

Meg Kissinger, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author, will help you see and think about people with mental illness in a new light. Her best-selling memoir, “While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence,” has been praised for its incisive reporting, boundless compassion and surprising humor. It was named as an Outstanding Work of Literature winner and an editors’ choice by the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Amazon, Goodreads and Independent Booksellers Association. Audible chose it as the Best of the Year.  

Meg spent more than two decades traveling across the country for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to report on our nation’s failed mental health system, winning more than a dozen national honors, including two George Polk Awards and the Robert F. Kennedy National Journalism Award. She taught investigative reporting at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and is a trainer for the school’s Dart Center on Trauma and Journalism.

In this episode, Meg and I discuss:

• How Meg’s journalist instincts helped her both explore and process the family trauma of losing two siblings to suicide, and why she ultimately decided to turn that investigation into a memoir.
• The overwhelming challenge of unearthing family secrets and gathering records while honoring everyone’s unique perspective and place in the grieving process.
• Why giving readers “permission” to talk about mental health and family pain is so vital, and the profound stories readers have shared about how Meg’s book helped them finally break their own silence.
• The importance of acknowledging both the light and dark in family history, and how compassion deepens when we see our parents and ourselves as fully human.

Meg’s story is a testament to the resilience of family, the power of truth-telling, and the healing that happens when we let go of silence and step into the light.

Connect with Meg:

Website

While You Were Out Book

Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:

The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith 

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

Letting go of something sounds so simple… until you actually have to do it. It can feel a lot like you’re surrendering, but it doesn’t have to! 

Whether you’re sending a child off to college, leaving a long-term career, or saying goodbye to the version of life you always imagined, letting go is not about loss, but about making space for something new to grow. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m talking about the art of letting go!

In this episode, I discuss:

• The psychological factors that keep us clinging to old roles and stories, even when they no longer serve us.
• Practical steps to let go, reclaim your identity, and set the vision for your next chapter. 
• A mini practice you can do to reframe your situation, find the joy in the moment, and embrace what’s to come. 

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

Have you ever dreamed of dropping everything and starting anew in a beautiful foreign land, but felt unsure how to make it happen? 

Today’s guest shares her inspiring journey of transformation, leaving behind life in the Netherlands after the pandemic to take on the challenge of restoring a centuries-old property in the French countryside. 

This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Alethea Clarke and I are talking about lessons in patience and transformation: building a dream in the French countryside. 

Alethea Clarke is a seasoned communications professional with over 30 years of experience working with international clients across a wide range of industries, from fashion to healthcare. A serial organiser and events pro, she’s known for bringing bold ideas to life with precision and flair. But that’s just one side of her story. 

With an international background and a habit of throwing everything up in the air to start afresh, Alethea is also a self-confessed accidental renovator. She’s taken on projects across three countries and is now in the midst of her most ambitious challenge yet: transforming a beautiful 1730s property in the French countryside into both a home and a business. 

She sets out to share her hard-won lessons, smart tips, and lots of inspiration for anyone seeking guidance or dreaming of a fresh start, whether small, a new country, or a big, brave, life-changing pivot. 

In this episode, Alethea and I discuss:

• Building a dream: her vision for turning a 1730s farmhouse into a creative retreat space for guests from around the world.
• The logistical rollercoaster of French renovations—managing 100+ artisans, language barriers, and unexpected issues.
• The emotional journey: overcoming moments of overwhelm and isolation, and finding joy in community, daily routines, and the beauty of rural life.
• The importance of patience, letting go of perfection, and savoring the transformation as it unfolds.
• Practical advice for anyone considering a similar leap—whether to France or another dream destination.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Alethea:

Sign up for the Newsletter: Adventures & Ateliers

Instagram @domainelesplonges

Vacation Rental: La Petite Maison 

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

Let’s face it: We all procrastinate. Fortunately, procrastination is not a personality flaw but an outdated coping strategy that helps no one. That’s why I wanted to take the time this week to break down the real reasons we procrastinate and share my strategies and advice to help you stop stalling and start moving forward, one (tiny) step at a time. 

This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m giving away my procrastination hacks so you can finally get stuff done!

In this episode, I discuss:

• The real reasons behind procrastination– and why it’s more about emotion than time management. 
• Common procrastination triggers that you might not realize are affecting you. 
• Three simple hacks to help you overcome procrastination. 
• Tips for rewiring your mindset around big, intimidating tasks so you can get stuff done.

Procrastination loses its power the second you break it down, make it social, visualize the finish line, and ritualize the start. It’s all about getting your time– and your power– back.

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and as we all know, regardless of how predictable we like our lives to be, this journey is ever evolving and more of a path than a straight line. 

One of my favorite parts about interviewing guests on this podcast is hearing the honest stories of people following their passions and taking charge to fill a need– without waiting around for someone else to do it. 

Today’s guest, Laura Jawad is no different as she left her PhD behind to step into several roles that she herself needed and continues to help other women along the way. 

This week Laura shares her path to helping others find online success by demystifying SEO.

As an SEO strategist for female service providers and female-founded small businesses, Laura Jawad helps entrepreneurs attract more clients through the power of their websites. 

Laura built two successful businesses through SEO, demonstrating firsthand the transformative power of well-executed SEO in competitive markets. Armed with a PhD and a deep passion for helping women-owned businesses thrive, Laura is the go-to expert if you’re ready to make your website the hardest-working member of your marketing team.

In this episode, Laura and I discuss:

• Her journey from PhD scientist to birth doula, pregnancy/ postpartum personal trainer, and now SEO strategist for women entrepreneurs. 
• How algorithms have changed over time, requiring a multi-pronged visibility strategy to gain visibility.
• Actionable advice for anyone looking to grow their business or brand without relying on social media. 
• Choosing the platforms that align with your energy, goals, and audience– and letting go of the pressure to “do it all."

Whether you're feeling stuck in your current path, looking for new ways to market your business, or just love hearing how multi-passionate women design careers on their own terms, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace change and follow the next right step for you.

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Laura:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

The first step in my Power Pivot Method is to identify your success story and create a magnetic personal brand, but it’s not what you might think. Many people think of personal branding as something influencers build to stand out on the internet, BUT the personal branding I’m talking about is so much more than that. 

It’s about how you build a reputation and presence offline that reflects who you are, what you stand for, and the contribution you want to make in the world.  This week on Journeys Through Change, I am sharing the 4 mistakes to avoid when creating a personal brand!

In this episode, I discuss:

• What it means to have a personal brand. 
• 4 Mistakes to avoid when crafting your personal brand. 
• The magic that happens when you build a brand that is authentic to who you are.

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

In celebration of my 100th podcast episode, I wanted to bring back a special friend and past podcast guest Lisa Conners to talk about something near and dear to both of our hearts: personal power. 

Not just what is it, but how it manifests in our lives and how we can harness more of it to navigate changes and challenges with resilience and vision. 

This week Lisa and I discuss how you can pivot with purpose and step into your personal power!

Lisa Conners is an Executive and Leadership Coach, keynote speaker, and the creator of Generative PowerTM, a program for individuals and teams to elevate their impact by developing internal power and resilience. 

An authorized Partner for Everything DiSC Assessments and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, Lisa uses these tools to help individuals and teams become more aware of their own communication styles and behaviors and better relate to others. Her podcasts, Ever Better® Today, and Founders and Startups, are currently on hiatus. However, her shows can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other popular podcast platforms. 

In this episode, Lisa and I discuss:

• Harnessing personal power means to set a vision, work towards it, and develop resilience along the way.
• Lisa’s “Generative Power” program aims to help individuals tap into their power and apply it to their personal and professional goals. 
• The importance of community and connection in building and sustaining personal power. 
• My own upcoming “Power Pivots” masterclass, which focuses on helping women navigate change, both internally and externally. 

Thank you again for cheering me on for 100 podcast episodes. I am truly grateful for all of my guests and listeners for being along on this journey with me. I look forward to the next 100 episodes and all of the amazing conversations I will continue to have. 

Use the discount code NEW20 for 20% off your first Day by Daybook®  here.

Connect with Lisa: 

Ever Better Coaching and Consulting

LinkedIn

Ever Better Today Podcast

Instagram

Facebook

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

LINKS REFERENCED:

Ep 5: Lisa Conners: How Seismic Life Shifts Led to a Thriving Leadership and Executive Coaching Practice

Ep 22: The Road Trip: 8 Signs to Look for When Making a Big Change

Ep 4: My Story of Change and Sobriety

Support the show

The key to unlocking the next level of your career isn’t just about working harder; it’s about connecting smarter. Last week on the podcast, I talked about stepping up in your career, and today, I want to talk about one of the ways to do that: building supportive relationships. 

In today’s world, networking goes beyond merely exchanging business cards or LinkedIn connections. It’s about building meaningful, strategic relationships that open the doors to new career possibilities. 

This week on Journeys Through Change, I am talking about building a supportive professional network. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• The shift from transactional to transformational networking and how adding value to others can benefit you long-term.
• Identifying those "next level" connections that align with your career goals and strategies. 
• Innovative ways to show up where your dream connections are, including industry conferences and online communities.
• The "give first" approach to strengthening relationships by offering value before making requests.
• Mastering the art of warm outreach to foster effective and genuine connections.
• Using content as a magnet for the right connections and nurturing your network consistently to ensure it's strong and beneficial when opportunities arise.

Strong networks are built before you need them. Keep relationships warm by checking in with people regularly. Even in the smallest of ways, a well-maintained network ensures you're top of mind when the right opportunity arises.

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Ep 98: Reenergizing Your Professional Journey and Stepping Up in Your Career

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show

Most of us spend upwards of 80% of our weeks working. Whether it’s full-time, in corporate, or owning your own business, you cannot underestimate the amount of energy you put into your livelihood. 

So what happens when you start hitting a plateau? 

I wanted to share with you a few strategic moves you can make to reenergize the work you do and how you show up to contribute. This week on Journeys Through Change, I’m discussing how to reenergize your professional journey and step up in your career!

In this episode, I discuss:

• Reclaiming your influence, positioning yourself as a thought leader, and gain the recognition you deserve. 
• Finding the power of personal branding and learning to articulate your unique value, skills, and experiences. 
• Strategies to go from being invisible to invaluable in your career. 
• Expanding your network with purpose, building genuine relationships along the way.
• Embracing the psychology of confidence to overcome self-doubt, design meaningful work, and lead without permission. 
• Mastering the art of self-promotion without feeling sleazy. 

Change is inevitable. That’s why I designed the Day by Daybook®, a guided journal to help you face the discomfort of those shifts in life that are pushing you to that next level of growth and learning. Get your Day by Daybook® here. 

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.

Connect with Noelle:

https://www.noellevan.com

https://www.youtube.com/@noellevanv

https://www.instagram.com/noellevanbeyond

Support the show