The Greatness Together Podcast

What happens when someone does a weird little jig, sticks out their tongue, and you do an even bigger jig right back? According to Simonne, you may have just found one of your people.

In this episode, Simonne introduces Sarah to one of her “undercover superpowers”: energy matching. It is the ability to notice how someone is showing up and meet them there. Sometimes that means matching their calm. Sometimes it means joining their silliness. And sometimes it means gently helping to lift the energy without barging in with a level of enthusiasm nobody asked for.

Sarah and Simonne talk about reading the room, the role of physical mirroring and how energy matching can help people feel safe, understood and free to be themselves. From family dinner tables to classrooms, workplaces, and speaking stages, the message is simple: be curious, accept the offering (a lesson from any improv group!), and, when the moment calls for it, do the jig. LOL! 

Quote of the Week:

“If somebody is showing up as who they are, accept the offering, and then you’ve got something shared to build from.” Sarah McVanel

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: 

• 00:00 Why “chill” has become one of Simonne’s favourite compliments
• 01:55 What energy matching actually looks like
• 04:15 How mirroring can help people feel more connected
• 06:04 Creating safety and trust by meeting people where they are
• 07:56 Why Sarah reads the room before trying to lift its energy
• 11:08 How energy matching can make someone a stronger educator
• 15:28 “Accept the offering” and let people be who they are
• 17:07 Curiosity, appreciation and gently shifting the energy
• 20:35 Put your real self out there and notice who matches it
• 24:54 Thanks for listening 

Do the Jig

Simonne has recently been hearing that she is easy to get along with and “chill.” She wasn't sure "chill" sounded like her at first, but she's come to appreciate what people are really noticing: she makes it easy for them to be themselves. Her theory? Energy matching. It’s not just an idea; it’s a way to build psychological safety and deeper connection.

Put Your Own Energy Out There 

Energy matching has another side. Simonne calls it being an energy seeker. Put your real self into the world, unapologetically, and notice who responds. The people who do the double jig when you offer a single one may be showing you, “I get you. You can be yourself with me.”

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like “How to Attract Friends.” Please use the existing link below.

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

How to Attract Friends https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-17-how-to-attract-friends/
Do You Live in the Moment? https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-55-do-you-live-in-the-moment/
Greatness Magnified: https://greatnessmagnified.com/
Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast: https://greatnessmagnified.activehosted.com/f/82

Is being “too nice” really the problem? Or is the problem being nice to everyone except yourself?

In this episode, Sarah and Simonne explore the differences between niceness, kindness and people-pleasing. Being nice doesn't have to mean ignoring your own needs, avoiding difficult conversations, or making everyone else happy. In fact, sometimes the kindest thing you can do is risk making someone a little uncomfortable.

Along the way, Sarah and Simonne accidentally invent a new concept: self-niceness. What if we treated ourselves with the same patience, politeness and consideration we so readily offer other people? Perhaps the world does not need less niceness; maybe we need niceness with boundaries, kindness with courage and a whole lot more self-niceness.

Quote of the Week: 

"The mantra of ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’ is more important than ever." Simonne McVanel 

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:
00:00 Can You Be Too Nice?

01:17 The difference between kindness and niceness

04:22 Turning kindness inward: self-niceness

07:32 The golden rule: treat others as you treat yourself

12:07 Using affirmations and recognition to boost self-kindness

16:45 Introducing the concept of self-nicing

19:44 Advice for younger generations on niceness

23:09 The future of niceness and social harmony

24:35  See you next time…

Simonne has been on an unapologetic mission to get Sarah to give her brain a break, including policing her habit of filling every quiet moment with her AirPods (audiobooks, podcasts, phone calls) and to live more in the moment. She recently insisted that her reluctant running friends complete a fireside compliment circle. They may have resisted at first, but she caught them trying to hide their smiles as the compliments began to land. Was she ‘nice’? Not necessarily. Was she kind, generous, and wonderful? Heck yes. Being ‘nice’ can be overrated and overpracticed. 

Both stories raise an interesting question. Can we care deeply about someone while pushing them outside their comfort zone? Sarah and Simonne talk about when niceness becomes people-pleasing, why genuine kindness sometimes requires honesty, and how the way we treat ourselves inevitably spills into how we treat everyone else.

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one on “Do You Practice Self-Care in Your Routine?”
https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-53-do-you-practice-self-care-in-your-routine/

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

How Compliments Create a Chain Reaction

Greatness Magnified

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What if rejection were not evidence that you should stop, but simply part of the backstory of doing anything meaningful? 

In Part Two of this joy-filled, wisdom-packed conversation, Sarah and Simonne continue chatting with bestselling author Emma Grey and criminology researcher Dr. Hannah Robertson about making an impact, surviving rejection, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing the freedom of being a beginner.

Across careers, creativity, motherhood and generations, they explore what becomes possible when women are honest about what they do not know, share what they have learned and cheer each other forward.

Quote of the Week:

“With every success comes this backstory of rejection and failure.” —Emma Grey

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: 

0:00  Every Success Has a Backstory of Rejection
1:20  Helping one person is still meaningful
4:30  How mothers and daughters shape each other
6:15  Chasing rejection
8:40  What failure can teach us
10:55 L.M. Montgomery struggled too
13:35 You have more time than you think
14:25 Perfectionism versus momentum
17:40 Pivoting after creative rejection
22:15 The beautiful freedom of being a beginner
24:25 Could vulnerability be a strength?
28:45 Motherhood without needing to get it perfect
31:30 Being honest when you are new
34:45 Why women need women across generations
36:30 Every success has a backstory of rejection
43.27 See you next time…

A Question to Reflect On

What would you attempt if rejection became part of your goal rather than proof that you had failed?

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one: "Could Discomfort Be Your Biggest Teacher?"

Both episodes explore what becomes possible when we stop treating discomfort as evidence that something has gone wrong and begin to see it as part of learning, courage, and meaningful growth.

And of course, if you missed last week’s episode with the first half of our scrumptious podcast with Emma and Hannah, listen now to Is it Ever Too Late to Begin Again?

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Could Discomfort Be Your Biggest Teacher?  

Is it Ever Too Late to Begin Again?
The Flip Side of Failing
Emma Grey’s books and website

Dr. Hannah Robertson’s research
Greatness Magnified
Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

What began with Sarah falling in love with one of Emma Grey’s novels became an international friendship—and now, a scrumptious conversation between two mothers and two daughters.

Joined by bestselling Australian author Emma Grey and her daughter, criminology researcher Dr. Hannah Robertson, Sarah and Simonne explore how stories can help us recognize grief, coercive control and realities we may not yet have words for. Together, they remind us that no matter how complicated life has become, it is never too late to reach out, reconnect and begin again.

Please note: This episode includes conversations about grief, coercive control, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence.

Quote of the Week

“It’s never too late to start over.” — Dr. Hannah Robertson

0:00 Is It Ever Too Late to Begin Again?
1:00 An international friendship begins
3:20 Mothers, daughters and creative collaboration
7:45 When criminology helps shape fiction
10:55 Why we need to see ourselves in stories
13:20 Coercive control can happen to anyone
18:15 Writing for our changing attention spans
24:15 Is it ever too late to start over?
28:45 Reaching back toward people who still love you
32:45 Remembering your own resourcefulness
36:35 Making online dating safer
43:00 Who is responsible for preventing gender-based violence?
45:51 See you in Part Two…

Stories do so much more than entertain us. They can offer language for experiences we have not been able to explain, allow us to recognize ourselves in someone else and help us imagine that survival—and even a different future—may be possible.

Emma shares that she began by writing the books she had needed during her own experience of grief and loss. Readers later told her that her novels helped them feel understood during bereavement, relationship breakdown and other life-altering experiences. Fiction allows us to step into another person’s world and, sometimes, rehearse our own way through something difficult.

That privilege also comes with responsibility. When Emma began writing Pictures of You, Hannah’s expertise in gendered violence helped shape both the story and its protagonist, Evie. Hannah was determined that Evie would not fit the stereotype of someone people assume is vulnerable to coercive control. She is strong, independent, feminist and highly capable—because coercive control does not discriminate.

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one on…Is That Your Path—or Just the Expected One?

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Is That Your Path—or Just the Expected One?
Emma Grey’s books and website
Dr. Hannah Robertson’s research or profile
Greatness Magnified
Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

When was the last time you sat still, looked at nothing, and thought about everything? In this reflective mother-daughter conversation, Sarah and Simonne explore the art of being fully present in a world that constantly pulls us toward distraction.

Drawing on Simonne's travels through Europe, cultural observations from some of the world's happiest countries, and their own experiences with busyness, technology, and everyday life, they discuss what it means to truly experience a moment rather than simply document it. If you've ever felt like life is moving too fast, this episode offers a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe, and notice the life that is unfolding right in front of you.

Quote of the Week: 

" It's really important for us to just sit, look at nothing, think of everything, reflect, and take in the present moment." Simonne McVanel

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

Do You Live in the Moment? 0:00

Embracing the Present Moment 3:00

Cultural Perspectives on Time and Presence 6:00

The Importance of Being Present 9:00

Advice for Mindfulness and Presence 12:00

Practical Tips for Grounding and Awareness 18:00

Slow down and take a moment 22:00

See you next time: 30:45

Join Sarah & Simonne to hear them talk about how:

When was the last time you sat still, looked at nothing, and thought about everything? In this deeply personal mother-daughter conversation, Sarah and Simonne reunite in person after months apart and explore a question many of us struggle with: Are we fully experiencing our lives, or simply rushing through them?

The conversation begins with a beautiful Spanish phrase Simonne learned from friends abroad: "Mirando nada, pensando todo", Spanish for looking at nothing, thinking of everything.

What follows is an honest discussion about why so many North Americans feel rushed, distracted, overstimulated, and disconnected from the present moment. Sarah and Simonne explore what it means to slow down enough to actually absorb our lives (spoiler alert: Sarah rarely does!)

This episode is a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, notice what's right in front of you, and remember that the moments you are living now are the moments you'll someday wish you had fully experienced.

What would your future self wish you had paid attention to today?

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one on “Can We Master the Art of Slowing Down?” https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-49-can-we-master-the-art-of-slowing-down/

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Can SLOWER Help You Unlock a Healthier Life? https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-47-can-slower-help-you-unlock-a-healthier-life/

Should all young people travel? https://greatnessmagnified.com/podcast-archives/ep-16-should-all-young-people-travel/

Greatness Magnified: https://greatnessmagnified.com/ 

Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast: https://greatnessmagnified.activehosted.com/f/82

When Simonne and I decided we wanted to do an episode on resilience—not the polished, poster-quote version, but what it actually looks like in real life—we didn’t have to think long about who to invite. We both knew it had to be Mark Black.

Mark doesn’t just speak about resilience, he’s lived it. Born with a congenital heart defect and undergoing surgeries as an infant, he later received a heart-double lung transplant in his twenties, and more recently, a kidney transplant. That kind of life experience changes how you see everything—time, control, and what really matters.

“Understanding how little control we have over life can actually ease the burden of hardship.” Mark Black

00:00 When resilience becomes real
03:05 Mark’s health journey
09:09 Living with intention
15:00 Bucket lists and regrets

18:04 Time and priorities
31:58 Choosing your path
34:20 Life without limits
44:41 Perspective shifts
56:22 Gratitude in hard moments
60:38 See you next time

What stands out in this conversation is how grounded Mark is. There’s no overcomplicating it, no forced positivity. Just a clear, lived understanding that life is unpredictable—and that trying to control everything often makes it harder.

Instead, he focuses on what is within reach: how we respond, how we show up, and how we use the time we have.

Mark has “Live Today” tattooed on his arm, and when he talks about it, you realize it’s not a slogan—it’s a decision.

It’s easy to live in the “when things settle down” version of life. But this conversation is a reminder that if we’re always waiting for better conditions, we risk missing what’s already here.

There’s a quiet reframe in this episode: when we accept that uncertainty is part of life, something softens. We stop resisting reality and start engaging with it more fully.

And that connects so naturally to recognition. When life feels uncertain, the small moments—being seen, acknowledged, appreciated—carry more weight than we think. They remind people they matter, right now, not someday. 

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one on “Can Appreciation Heal?”

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

“Why Cancer’s No Match for Kindness”.

Greatness Magnified

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What happens when you suddenly become the "sole architect" of your space? Simonne knows. In this episode, she gets vulnerable and shares the honest reality of living alone for the first time. Did we mention it’s an ocean away?
We’re diving deep into her personal journey, navigating "the independence curve" and the unexpected lessons she learned as she figured out how to manage her entire world solo. 

We’re leaving the “have a bubble bath” clichés of self-care behind in favour of an honest look at the importance of mental clarity through intentional routines, task anagement, and good planning, creating the foundation for true well-being that enables sustained independence.

Quote of the Week: 

"Daily routines have become my favourite self-care practice." Simonne McVanel

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

Do you practice self-care in your routine? 0:00

Navigating Independence: A New Chapter 1:00

The Importance of Organization and Self-Care 3:00

Completing Tasks for Mental Clarity 6:00

Daily Care: A Path to Easier Living 9:00

See you next time  12:54

We dive deep into how tiny, seemingly insignificant everyday decisions can help us live with empowered independence. Simonne walks us through her recently curated how-tos of organization, connecting the dots between tackling small tasks and crushing daily decision fatigue. Living on her own with no roommate, an ocean away, provided a crash course where crashing and burning wasn’t an option. So, in this episode, the strategies we discuss aren’t just theory. They are reframing daily care as a fundamental form of self-respect. We look at simple habits, like prepping for tomorrow tonight to banish that frantic morning chaos, and how they fundamentally shift your energy.

You'll get clear, practical steps for setting up routines that truly streamline your day, making your independent life less stressful and much more intentional. As you know, in our intergenerational podcast, we compare and contrast our lived experiences, and in this episode, we’re figuring out how to best unlock the often-overlooked power of completing tasks for mental clarity and how it leads to a smoother, more productive, and calmer life.

Did you like this episode?
Then you’ll probably also like this one, “Is Your Self-Care Non-Negotiable?”

Consider reflecting on your own self-care practices or sharing your experiences with us to build a supportive community around personal growth and independence.

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Do you show yourself love? 

Do you need Mental Beauty?

Greatness Magnified

Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

Get ready to be inspired by Simonne’s incredible journey as an international student in Finland, a place where happiness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s woven into the very fabric of society! We’re diving into the heart of Finnish culture, where a simple "hello" has its own regional flair and even the bus drivers share a friendly wave, reminding us that everyone’s contribution is deeply valued. From a work culture rooted in true equality to a lifestyle that honours movement through biking, walking, and the sacred "Right to Roam" in nature, there is so much we can learn about putting people first. Simonne highlights how accessible resources and a deep respect for the environment create a life of balance, proving that when we step into a new culture, we don’t just learn about them, we gain a profound sense of gratitude and a fresh perspective on our own lives.

Quote of the Week: Equality is such a deep social norm in Finland that you see it everywhere you look. Simonne McVanel

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

00:00 What makes Finland so happy?

01:00 Introduction and Finnish Greetings

06:01 Work Culture and Equality in Finland

11:45 Social Norms and Community Connection

18:07 Health and Lifestyle in Finland

23:58 Nature and Accessibility in Finnish Society

30:00 Reflections on Cultural Differences

33:50  See you next time 

Join Sarah and Simonne to hear them talk about how:

In this heart-centred conversation, Simonne and Sarah dive deep into the beautiful cultural tapestry of Finland, from the way the Finns greet one another to the secret sauce behind their world-renowned societal happiness. Simonne, living and going to school in Finland this semester, shares interesting observations she’s had and how, upon investigation, inquiry, and her courses on Finnish society, she's learned about the deep social norms that form the foundation for happiness. 

In their conversational, informal way, Simonne and Sarah explore a variety of aspects of Finnish life, from seamless transportation to greetings to a nature-friendly lifestyle to a work culture, and how all of these and more illuminate the widespread values of respect that elevate shared humanity.

Simonne gets real about what she wants to bring back with her to North America, and what is uniquely Nordic and why. 

If you’re curious about what makes some countries deeply happy and others with as much wealth yet are less so, you will love this episode.

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll probably also like this one that asks the question… Should All Young People Travel?

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Could Discomfort be Your Biggest Teacher?

Greatness Magnified
Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Sarah and Simonne invite a special guest, Salima Jadavji, to share and explore her concept of 'mental beauty,' emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

They discuss cultural differences in attitudes towards self-care, the generational shift in perspectives on work and mental health, and the significance of language in shaping our understanding of these concepts. If you are curious about how to cultivate more compassion and acceptance, and how to create safe spaces for open conversations about mental health, you will love this episode.

Quote of the Week: “Mental beauty isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself. It’s about embracing wholeness.” Salima Jadavji

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

0:00 Do you need mental beauty?

01:48 Understanding Mental Beauty

05:28 Cultural Context and Mental Beauty

10:06 Generational Perspectives on Mental Health

15:34 The Shift Towards Self-Compassion

19:56 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversations

24:08 Integrating Mind, Body, and Emotions

30:25 Redefining Work and Self-Care

35:30 The Importance of Language in Mental Beauty

40:13 Key Takeaways and Reflections

47:47 See you next time

Join Sarah, Simonne & Salima to hear them talk about how:

Mental beauty is an invitation to explore one's inner world with curiosity and compassion, and to realize how aligned and intertwined it is with our physical, spiritual, and a more ‘whole-self’ perspective. Like most conversations, Sarah and Simonne are curious about the generational component and build on past episodes that show how intergenerational integration is possible through embracing mental beauty. With Simonne still studying overseas, currently in Finland, of course, the conversation with Salima naturally navigated to cultural differences and similarities in how mental beauty is perceived and practiced, too. 

If you are curious about a fresh perspective on how mental beauty offers an enlightened view of well-being, self-care, and mental health, and how it provides a guilt-free lens for living a fulfilling life, you will love this episode.

If you would like to learn about this live and in person with Salima and Sarah, join them at Salima’s inaugural “Dare To Re-Treat” event on May 31, 2026, just outside Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Did you like this episode? Then you’ll likely also like this one, which asks the question… Is Your Self-Care Non-Negotiable?

Listen to learn how integrating your mind, body, and emotions leads to holistic well-being.

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Do You Show Yourself Love?

Greatness Magnified
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Can we just take a minute to celebrate that this is our 50th podcast?  

In the 50th episode of the Greatness Together podcast, Sarah and her husband Mark discuss the secrets to a joyful marriage, sharing insights on humour, teamwork, communication, and the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship - with themselves and each other. They reflect on their experiences as parents and partners, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and shared responsibilities. With a lot of wacky and a bit of wisdom, they highlight the significance of self-love and understanding in fostering a strong bond. Their marriage is not perfect, they're quick to point out, but that's actually what they feel all the more proud of.

Quote of the Week:  "We work well as a team, and it cannot be lopsided; it has to be 50/50. And you have to give it your all…all the time" Mark McVanel

Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:

• Can Communication Help Build a Stronger Marriage? 0:00
• The Secrets of Marriage Podcast Recap: 2:00
• Humour in Marriage and Parenting: 5:00
• The Importance of Teamwork in Marriage: 10:00
• Practices for Maintaining a Healthy Marriage: 15:00
• Communication and Planning in Relationships: 20:00
• What We Love About Each Other: 25:00
• See you next time: 34:22

Join Sarah & Mark to hear them talk about how:

Teamwork is essential for a successful relationship, and that humour is a must-have in marriage and parenting. They discuss how open communication helps resolve conflicts and that practicing self-love is crucial to loving others. 

They remind us that regular check-ins can strengthen relationships and that shared responsibilities create balance in marriage.  They talk about how it's okay to fight and reveal their favourite book about this - "The Principles Secrets for Making Marriage Work" - because healthy conflict is a sign of a sustainable marriage. Add in a little laughter to diffuse tense situations, and decades can fly by, still best friends as well as spouses.

Did you like this episode? Then you'll probably also like this one, from the last time Mark was a guest: "How Do You Make a Marriage Last?" 

Sarah & Mark together are sweet, poignant and funny! This is definitely one you won't want to miss!

Greatness Together Podcast Links:

Growing Together Without Losing Yourself
Greatness Magnified
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