The Rabbit Hole with Jacqui and Megan

This one was supposed to be a mini rabbit hole. It was not a mini rabbit hole, lolz.

What started as a quick chat about affirmations — following up on last episode's froggy card lightning round — turned into a full-on deep dive into why affirmations work for some people and completely don't for others, what it actually means to use them well, and why "just believe it harder" might be the worst advice in the personal development world.

Jacqui and Megan talk about their own complicated histories with affirmations (laminated shower cards, anyone?), why repeating "I am a money magnet" while drowning in debt creates more tension than transformation, and what the research actually says about the relationship between beliefs, brain chemistry, and real change.

Spoiler: your brain is smart enough to raise an eyebrow at an affirmation it doesn't believe. And that's not a you problem.

Mentioned in This Episode

The Power of Beliefs by Shawn Achor

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

What happens when you take a deck of 52 affirmation cards featuring a very fashionable frog in stilettos and put them through a totally unscientific but extremely entertaining vibe check?

This episode, that's exactly what Jacqui and Megan do.

In a lightning-round format (Megan has zero warning, zero prep, maximum reactions), Jacqui pulls cards from her beloved The Little Frog's Guide to Self-Care deck and they explore what makes an affirmation land vs. what makes it fall flat, feel like a project, or just make you go... huh?

They also accidentally tumble into the Mandela Effect, debate Chick-fil-A's spelling history, and end the episode with three affirmations you can borrow for the rest of your day.

In This Episode

→ Why "I'm going to be nicer to myself" might be a sentiment but not quite an affirmation
→ The card Jacqui has never been able to send to anyone (and Megan's reaction confirms why)
→ "It's so brave of me to exist" — what does that even mean and who is it for?
→ What makes an affirmation feel like a soft place to land vs. a self-improvement project
→ Permission given to just not connect with an affirmation 
→ The Mandela Effect mini rabbit hole (Berenstain Bears, Fruit of the Loom, Chick-fil-A — buckle up)
→ Three affirmations to choose from for the rest of your day

The Affirmation Lightning Round Breakdown

🐸 "I'm going to be nicer to myself" — good sentiment, weird future-pacing energy, questionable mirror illustration. Possible send? Maybe.

🐸 "I am smart" — falls a little flat on its own. BUT the fine print says "in both conventional and unconventional ways" — and that version hits.

🐸 "I am a work in progress" — decidedly no for the send pile. You are not a self-improvement project.

🐸 "It's so brave of me to exist" — the most debated card on the table. What are your thoughts on this one?? Megan and Jacqui want to know.

Your Three Affirmations for Today (Pick One)

→ I will make laughter a priority in my life.
→ I am becoming the kind of person who I would love to meet.
→ I am on my own timeline. I will not compare my journey to anyone else's.

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

In this episode, Megan and Jacqui unpack the motivational quote that's everywhere: "You didn't come this far to only come this far."

At first glance, it sounds inspiring. But is it always?

Inside this episode:

• Where this quote actually came from
• Why it became such a staple in personal development
• When it's the exact reminder you need to keep going
• When it becomes permission to fall into the sunk cost trap
• The difference between perseverance and knowing when to pivot
• How to tell if you're moving forward because it's aligned or because you've convinced yourself you "have to"
• Questions to ask yourself before using this quote as your next life motto

As always, we're less interested in whether a quote is "good" or "bad" and more interested in the nuance behind it. Because sometimes the most helpful thing isn't another motivational saying... it's knowing when that saying actually applies.

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10-minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We'd love to hear from you!

Jacqui's Instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan's Instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

If you'd like, I can also Make the text a little funnier and more Rabbit Hole style to better match the personality of the show.

We’re diving into joy today! In this episode, Megan and Jacqui smash open the cliché “follow your joy”, getting real about why the joy advice both works and backfires.

In this episode

• The Myth of “Follow Your Joy”: Why this feel-good mantra misses the messier parts of being human (08:22)
• Joy vs. Happiness vs. Pleasure: Your brain on emotions, and why getting the definition right changes everything (13:39)
• How to Actually Find Joy: The micro-moments that matter (spoiler: you can’t manufacture joy on demand, but you can make it more likely to show up) (18:41)
• Why Chasing Joy Is NOT About Avoiding Pain: Real talk on grief and foreboding joy (12:08, 33:43)
• Our IRL stories: Jacqui’s horse rescue adventures, Megan’s book journey, and why YouTube trolls aren’t the boss of your feelings (05:27, 20:18)
• Book recs: “The Joy Reset” by Mary Catherine McDonald, “Joyful Anyway” by Kate Bowler, plus the movie that had Megan sobbing – in a good way (17:42, 32:55).

If you’ve ever felt secretly sabotaged by "good vibes only" culture, or wondered why joy sometimes makes you uneasy, this episode will make you feel SEEN. Megan and Jackie don’t sugarcoat — expect punchy honesty and way more nuance than your average self-help chat.

Hit play and discover:

• Why joy and grief are buddies, not enemies
• How to spot (and savor) small joys, even in a dumpster-fire week
• Strategies for emotional agility — without toxic positivity

Links & Resources

• The Joy Reset – Mary Catherine McDonald
• Joyful Anyway – Kate Bowler
• Inside Out (Film)
• Voicemails with Isabel (Netflix)

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

We’re diving into joy today! In this episode, Megan and Jacqui smash open the cliché “follow your joy”, getting real about why the joy advice both works and backfires.

In this episode

• The Myth of “Follow Your Joy”: Why this feel-good mantra misses the messier parts of being human (08:22)
• Joy vs. Happiness vs. Pleasure: Your brain on emotions, and why getting the definition right changes everything (13:39)
• How to Actually Find Joy: The micro-moments that matter (spoiler: you can’t manufacture joy on demand, but you can make it more likely to show up) (18:41)
• Why Chasing Joy Is NOT About Avoiding Pain: Real talk on grief and foreboding joy (12:08, 33:43)
• Our IRL stories: Jacqui’s horse rescue adventures, Megan’s book journey, and why YouTube trolls aren’t the boss of your feelings (05:27, 20:18)
• Book recs: “The Joy Reset” by Mary Catherine McDonald, “Joyful Anyway” by Kate Bowler, plus the movie that had Megan sobbing – in a good way (17:42, 32:55).

If you’ve ever felt secretly sabotaged by "good vibes only" culture, or wondered why joy sometimes makes you uneasy, this episode will make you feel SEEN. Megan and Jackie don’t sugarcoat — expect punchy honesty and way more nuance than your average self-help chat.

Hit play and discover:

• Why joy and grief are buddies, not enemies
• How to spot (and savor) small joys, even in a dumpster-fire week
• Strategies for emotional agility — without toxic positivity

Links & Resources

• The Joy Reset – Mary Catherine McDonald
• Joyful Anyway – Kate Bowler
• Inside Out (Film)
• Voicemails with Isabel (Netflix)

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

In this episode, Megan and Jacqui dive straight into the origin, meaning, and real-life application of that classic self-help mantra: “Protect your peace.”

We get into how this saying exploded in 2020, how it feels different depending on your background, and why sometimes “protecting your peace” is code for healthy boundaries…and sometimes it might be an excuse to stuff your feelings down deep.

Inside this episode:

Mini Rabbit Holes: 

  - Megan’s full-on *House of Dragon* obsession — family trees, behind-the-scenes, the whole digital dragon's lair [03:33]  

  - Accidental algorithm deep-dives into *shows you never meant to care about*  

  - The donut that made a grown woman drive 40 minutes (twice)  

  - Dogs, hotel ghosts, and sleepless nights

Protecting Your Peace IRL:

  - Where did “protect your peace” actually come from? [10:17]

  - Why 2020 made this phrase go viral—and why THAT MATTERS [11:33]

  - When “protect your peace” is about fighting racial burnout, not just “muting” annoying content [25:14]

  - Screentime, boundaries, and the line between self-care and avoidance

  - The difference between protecting *your* peace vs. protecting peace as a community  

  - Bonus: Navigating “family drama season” without losing your mind

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

We’re doing a deep-dive into FUN — yes, the F-word you might be missing in your life! 

In true Rabbit Hole fashion, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty and nuance surrounding fun.

We kick off with Broadway dreams, childhood meltdowns for VIP perks, and the magic (or mayhem) of singing boat life. Then we go all-in on the science and psychology of fun, inspired by *The Power of Fun* by Catherine Price. Here’s what you’ll get:

What You’ll Hear:

- The Pressure to Have Fun: Why summer can feel like a “fun test” for adults and how to ditch the guilt trip.  

- True Fun vs. Fake Fun: The holy trinity of True Fun—playfulness, connection, and flow. Plus, a breakdown of *why* binging Netflix solo might not cut it.  

- Adulting vs. Joy: How productivity, competition, and “getting serious” can kill your fun gene—and why it’s not your fault.

- Barriers to Fun: Self-consciousness, judgment, and why having fun can make you feel… weird.

- Tiny Experiments: Why trying new things (and failing gloriously) might be your pathway to more joy.

- Permission to Redefine Fun: Whether it’s puzzles, horses, or a yacht club where no one owns a boat (true story), we unpack how to discover your UNIQUE flavor of fun without shame or shoulds.

WE WANT YOUR FUN! Seriously, tell us: what’s your version of joy? What mini or major experiment could you try this week? DM us, email us, or tag us—let’s inspire each other with new ideas. (Looking at you, non-curling curling club and boatless yacht party goers.

If you’re feeling stuck in “adulting mode” and want to bring more energy, aliveness, and connection back into your life, this episode’s the jumpstart you need. Press play—and let’s get FUN back on your radar.

Resources mentioned:

- The Power of Fun by Catherine Price

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

Welcome back to The Rabbit Hole, where Jacqui and Megan tear into the gooey middle of self-growth clichés faster than you can say, “Pick your poison.”

On the docket this week: “Choose Your Hard”.

So what’s the deal – is this just hustle culture camouflaged, or is there a deeper magic to owning the hard stuff in life? Grab your headphones—a friendly roasting of toxic positivity awaits.

In This Episode:

- The science of beliefs and how “choose your hard” is more than an Instagram quote—backed by research, not wishful thinking [07:21]

- Ways to counterbalance “choose your hard” with “let it be easy” without getting stuck in self-improvement overwhelm [18:44]

- A closer look at envy, comparison, and why everyone’s “hard” looks different on the outside [20:17]

Key Takeaways:

- The “hard” you choose today—waking up for a 5am gym session, making that tough decision—often means a softer landing for *future you* [16:56]

- It’s not about going full drill sergeant on yourself. Pair discipline with ease for personal growth that lasts [19:03]

- You can change deep-rooted beliefs, but it’s about shifting probability, not instant miracles [22:34]

- “Choose your hard” isn’t one-size-fits-all. [20:12]

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: *The Power of Beliefs* by Shawn Achor [07:24]

Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed.

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

Donut drama, cinnamon roll cravings, AND a takedown of the “let it be easy” self-help cliché? Oh, you’re in for a treat.

Join Megan and Jacqui as they tunnel into:

- The universal search for the *perfect* donut (from Canadian bakeries to UK supermarkets)
- The subtle but crucial difference between “easy” and “ease” 
- How to “let it be easy” without rebelling by clenching your butt cheeks  
- Real-life examples of finding ease in grief, business burnout, and big (or little) transitions

Key Timestamps: 

- Mini Donut Rabbit Hole — global donut obsession, local bakery recommendations, fights over sprinkles [00:00:00]  

- Cinnamon Roll vs. Bun — plus the great raisin debate [00:04:38]  

- The National Donut Day Debacle: When social holidays are made up (but still delicious) [00:07:47]  

- Deep Dive: Is “Let it Be Easy” helpful or annoying? [00:10:22]  

- Real Life Examples: Grief and finding small pockets of ease [00:15:14]  

- Business Burnout: Letting go of pressure, comparison, and the “shoulds” [00:21:53]  

- Does every goal need a timeline? [00:24:01]  

- Your turn: Share your own associations, reactions, and clenchy moments with us! [00:28:06]

Links etc

- Ratio Bakery, Vernon BC (for Friday donuts!)

- Ginger and Pickle, Nantwich UK (find that legendary cinnamon roll!)

Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed.

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

You've heard it a thousand times (especially if you’re a fan of Kelly Clarkson). Maybe you've said it to yourself. Maybe someone said it to you at exactly the wrong moment and you had to work very hard not to throw something.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

In this episode, Jacqui and Megan (who is currently sweaty, living on a boat, and very much in a life transition) dissect this classic motivational quote, and you won’t be surprised to hear: there’s nuance inside.

They talk about resilience — why it builds through difficulty, and why being told you have it is sometimes the least comforting thing anyone can say. They get into the difference between hard things you choose (the gym, moving onto a boat with no boating experience) and hard things that just happen to you — and why that distinction matters more than the quote accounts for.

Plus: Love Trapped podcast, word-of-the-year regret, Megan sings Kelly Clarkson alone, Jacqui abandons her, and the science of why we bond over mutual dislike.

This week’s mini Rabbit Holes

🎧 Love Trapped podcast — a twisty, can't-look-away story involving The Bachelor's most disliked lead 
⛵ Megan's current obsession: tiny coastal US towns, discovered one boat stop at a time

Dive in even deeper with us!

Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience 

Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart

We’d love to hear from you!

Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree

Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching