Thrive Hive Podcast

LAST CHANCE to join my Thanksgiving Boundary Bootcamp! Give us an hour, and we’ll give you the tools to take back your holiday and enjoy the Thanksgiving you deserve.

⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 8:30 AM EST⁠⁠

⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 12:30 PM EST

Hey, Podsters!  We are back, and we are all about boundaries this week!  Right in time for Thanksgiving...

I am beyond thrilled to welcome back the amazing Barb Nangle; Boundary Boss, for today’s episode and buckle up, Podsters because we are diving head first into ALL THINGS BOUNDARIES. 

Such as:

Why boundaries are so important any time, and specifically during the holiday season.

As you know, boundaries have been a game-changer for me, and when Barb was here last time – I could not keep up with your incredible feedback.  So, I invited her back, and together we are hosting a Boundary Bootcamp next week. That’s right – if you find yourself wanting more after listening today, or if you already KNOW you want more – we are setting you up to replace that holiday fear with holiday cheer.

Why are we doing this? Well, setting boundaries, especially during the holidays, can be challenging.  Today we unpack why people find it so hard to establish limits. Guilt, shame, family expectations—these are the ongoing boundary struggles.

And, bonus! We share our own personal experiences when establishing boundaries, including Barb's huge realization during her 12-step recovery journey. She discovered that setting boundaries isn't about controlling others, as changing someone else is beyond your control. Boundaries are about establishing how YOU will live.  What YOU will accept and how you will communicate what is and is not ok.  That responsibility lies with you.

Did you know it’s okay to completely opt out of family gatherings?   And, you can set a time limit on how willing you are to participate in the gathering. 

Here’s the thing:  YOU get to decide what is best for you.  In this episode we have a brief role play where I get to challenge Barb as our most difficult relative might also do…and she handles it like a BOSS.

Amazing.  Am I right?

The holidays are a time when many of us feel obligated to let go of our own boundaries for fear of what other people will think and feel. If this sounds like you – here’s one thing you can do to make this easier.   Be quick and be kind with your boundaries; be polite, and offer alternatives when “NO” is not an option.

The key thing we want you to remember here is to focus on yourself. It’s okay to seek approval and let’s also ensure you are approving of how you live YOUR life first.

Boundaries are about self-love, not controlling others.

So, if you're navigating the holiday chaos, join us on November 15th for the Boundary Bootcamp. It's time to reclaim your holidays, Podsters!

⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 8:30 AM EST⁠⁠

⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 12:30 PM EST

Join the Thanksgiving Boundary Bootcamp. Give us an hour, and we’ll give you the tools you need to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday you deserve.

⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 8:30 AM EST⁠

⁠CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 12:30 PM EST

Buckle up, Podsters, Today we get real about what you are feeding your mind, your heart, and your life.

When you think about consumption, most of the time you think of food. Would you eat a plate of nachos if you knew you had to run a 5k later that day? Probably not, so let’s apply this principle to what we are consuming in our BRAIN.

What do you do when you want to get physically fit or ensure your body is performing at its peak? You make strategic decisions about how to fuel your body. You pay attention to what you are consuming.

We need to look at the same strategy when it comes to the things we invite into our minds. Why do we sometimes scroll through a news feed that does not serve our highest good? Why do we continue conversations that suck the life out of us? We KNOW energy vampires drain our minds of all energy, so why do we invite them into our lives?

Think about the billions of pieces of data you are “ingesting” daily. Are these creating thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that are serving you?

Social Media: Your social media feed is meant to be informative and entertaining, so why follow a cringey influencer or that family member who makes you feel less than others? Why keep seeing the same triggering content? Try “unfollow Friday” to clear out the old and make room for the new.

People: The people you surround yourself with WILL influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, so let’s make sure your circle is bringing you joy. Although we might not have control over every energy vampire interaction, we can make a conscious choice to change the situation in which we have to engage with the person.

You CAN feel inspired every day, and YOU get to decide what gets your precious energy.

It's time to set boundaries around what and how we consume.

Who’s with me?

Join the Thanksgiving Boundary Bootcamp. Give us an hour, and we’ll give you the tools you need to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday you deserve.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 8:30 AM EST

CLICK HERE TO JOIN the November 15th 12:30 PM EST

Hey, Podsters! Ready to master your emotional reactions during difficult conversations? How about turning these moments—the last 8% and most difficult part of the discussion—into an opportunity for you to build your brand and be remembered?

Have you ever thought to yourself: "I should've said that" or "Wow, I blew it and should have really said my truth”? You're not alone. Most people get close to resolving conflicts or complex decisions and then back off at the last minute.

Our platform at Unmute Yourself – The Podcast is all about how to make sure we are heard and how to speak up for ourselves. Today we turn the tables and talk about how as a leader, a parent, a partner, and as a human being you can make sure people feel heard and valued. How to create a culture of courage and connection, which is really what psychological safety is all about.

Today we go deep and tap into:

Why is it so much harder for some of us to unmute ourselves at home?

Discovering if you are an avoider or a mess-maker

Understand why up to 77% of women avoid the last 8% of a crucial conversation and why that number is almost as high for men.

My very special guest, Bill Benjamin, is with the Institute for Health and Human Performance, and today he talks with us about emotional intelligence and how to master this “last 8%." Bill shares the tools and training he has used with NASA, Marriott, Intel, United Airlines, and even with his own kids when handling emotions in high-stakes conversations.

Buckle up, Podsters, and get ready to truly unmute yourself when it matters the most.

Unmute Yourself and own the room with a monthly dose of inspiration and actionable tools in my ⁠Confidence Community. ⁠

Unmute Yourself and own the room with a monthly dose of inspiration and actionable tools in my Confidence Community.

Words matter.  You know it and I know it.

It’s time to talk about HOW MUCH the words you choose, the thoughts you have (and can control, by the way) and the way you speak impacts the life you live.

Don Draper said it best back in the Mad Men era… "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."

I just returned from delivering a keynote speech to a group of inspiring women who are thriving in an under-represented industry.  When they approached me to come speak, they asked me to talk about working in a male-dominated industry.  I was thrilled to come back and speak again to this powerhouse group, and I had only one request.  Stop using the term “male-dominated”.      

Why would we ever voluntarily use a term that lends power to being dominated?  If you are already talking like you are subservient, how can you expect your mind to support NOT being deferential or subservient?  Why would we voluntarily use a term that is triggering to so many of us?

Why not change the conversation?

So, we did.  We talked about perceptions, how we speak to each other, our families, and most important, how we speak to ourselves.

We talked about how our thoughts are the driving force behind our lives and how we can use our thoughts and confirmation bias to engineer the life we truly want.

Are you I'm overwhelmed or are you overextended?  One is a feeling, the other is a fact.  Instead of “I can't afford it" how about "It's not a priority right now."  Take back your power.

Here’s my challenge for you, Podsters for this week. Think about a phrase you’re been using that’s not serving your highest vision for you, your career, or your life.  How can you change the conversation?

“Chill phase”.   This expression caught my attention recently, and I am Here. For. It.

I’m not talking about self-care and I’m not talking about a few minutes of meditation each day (although both of these are highly recommended).

What I’m talking about is allowing ourselves to listen to our bodies when they are telling us to slow down.  Listening to our thoughts when they too are telling us to slow down.  And most importantly, listening to our inner voice when it loudly and proudly is telling us to chill.

This concept of seasons, peaks, and valleys, managing energy flows is not new.  So why do we resist? So many of us forget to give ourselves real chill time – to do pretty much nothing and allow our minds to just wander.

I believe we resist because we don’t believe we deserve this time.  All our lives, being busy is a badge of honor.  Being active and productive is admired. Taking time off feels selfish.

This is our ego-talking Podsters, and perceiving rest or recovery as slacking off is costing us our physical and mental health. Not to mention true productivity.

Do you think it’s a coincidence that your best ideas come to you when you’re in the middle of doing something mindless?  My best idea of the day is my first idea of the day - oftentimes before I’m even out of bed.  Because my brain has been given REST.  It has rested and is now recovered.

Personally, I've struggled with this - pushing through tough times and not allowing myself to chill out and I’ve seen first-hand that this can lead to burnout or breakdowns.

Well, not today, Podsters! Last week I spent a quick 24 hours in Vermont unwinding and unplugging, and the clarity, confidence, and motivation that came roaring back to me is truly mind-blowing.

As the holiday season approaches, let’s keep this expression “chill phase” top of our minds.  Everything is temporary so take time when you need it, knowing that you’ll power back up again when you’re ready.

Who’s with me?

Send your feedback, topics you'd like to hear more about, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach me:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Catch Brenda and Tiffany's podcast (which I loved and you will too) here!

You know who she is, the woman who owns the room without even saying a word.  She radiates confidence and seems so very

Well Podsters, today we are sharing the deets on how she does it.  We will explore how body language impacts

After today’s episode you will be locked and loaded to share your message like a boss while staying true to who you are.

So, what can you do to own the room?

1 – Make sure you’re comfortable and not trying to wear something that you

2 - If you’re looking for unshakable confidence, try power posing.  That is, taking up physical space.  If it’s a meeting room, spread out your

3 – Be mindful of your body language. This is a natural next step to taking up space.  What's your body saying? Are you power posing?  Arms open? Hands

Remember, our mantra here at Unmute Yourself is to Speak Up, Stand Out and Step Up and your body language is the perfect opportunity to literally step in to

We’re rooting for you!

Send your feedback, topics you'd like to hear more about, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach me:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Hey Podsters, we are talking about HOW TO OWN THE ROOM.  And we mean, ANY room.

You know who she is…that woman who walks into the room and immediately all eyes are on her.  The one who gets her point across kindly, firmly, and with grace.

How does she do it?

We start with listening skills and as you know, the ability to listen before we react is a game changer, and the more you listen, the more likely you are to get our point across.   My car salesman story will show you just how powerful the art of listening can be… at home, at work, and most definitely in sales.  Spoiler alert – he blew the sale because he didn’t listen.

So, after listening: what is the best way to show your verbal communication chops?

Lots, lots, and lots of things you can do to master the art of communication with your words, your tone, your timing, and your intent.

The most powerful storytellers take time to prepare, hone their message to get straight to the point, and will roll with the inevitable challenges that come their way.  We are talking failed sound systems, slide deck not working, interruption, lost clothing – you name it!

In fact, the ability to course correct and truly embrace the chaos will ensure an instant connection with your audience.

And let’s not forget that big dose of confidence, that comes with practice because as we all agree:

Confidence Impacts Outcomes.

Lots of tools to help you hone your communication skills in my confidence community.  Sign up for your weekly shot of confidence here. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/gWU7owR

Send your feedback, topics you'd like to hear more about, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠http://www.thatsaspade.com⁠⁠⁠

Podsters, listen up - we put a lot of attention on what we say yet we don't always give the same attention to what other people are saying. We are talking about focused listening here. In this episode, our guest expert, Laura Janusik, gives us some tips on being better listeners.

What's the big deal about listening? Well, it creates interaction, connection, and understanding. One of the biggest obstacles to quality listening is the overuse of devices - phones, tablets, computers - you know what we're talking about.

If you're ready to learn how you can listen better or get others to listen better to you, now is your chance!

Laura is here with us today to help you understand how the brain works and what you can do and say in the moment to increase the chances that you’ll get what you want!

You'll learn three key questions you can ask people around you to assess how good of a listener you are, then Laura will provide the three most important skills for you to learn so you can enhance your listening, develop better relationships, and make better decisions, both personally and professionally!

Send us your feedback, topics you'd like us to cover, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach us:

⁠⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠http://www.thatsaspade.com⁠⁠⁠

Coffee Chat with Beth:

https://bit.ly/2P0f9Vq

Laura Janusik, Communication/Listening Coach, Trainer, Consultant

Listening to Change

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajanusikphd/

Enhancing Relationships & Decisions: The Science of Active Listening

https://courses.ruzuku.com/courses/enhancing-relationships-decisions-the-science-of-active-listening--5a45e6f8-148f-4428-888c-1005954cadae/salespage

This is a LIVE 50-minute coaching call! Introductory Session for $99!

Come hang out in Nancy’s Confidence Community: ⁠Sign Up⁠

Join Beth’s Better Content Write Now Facebook group: ⁠Better Content Write Now | Facebook

Nancy’s Do The Thing Retreat On Cape Cod:⁠ **apply here.**⁠

Human connection has never been more important, Podsters and in this week’s episode we discuss the magic that happens when you let people see you for who you really are. On stage, in a meeting, with a client and even (or especially) at home. Vulnerability is the key to success in all areas of our lives, yet, we are often times afraid to be ourselves.

All our lives we’ve been taught to fit in, to conform. Think about it – we start with a clean slate, a happy baby. Then we get to school and realize that the more we mold ourselves to other people’s expectations, the easier it is to be accepted. Then high school, remember the cliques? There’s a reason they’re called mean girls. Then for some of us, college. Sororities, clubs, more teachers, and trying to figure out where we fit in.

Fitting in and being where you belong are very different.

What if, instead of trying to fit in, we use that time and energy to find our people?

Our fear of judgment hold us back. Adjusting to what we know will be accepted, rather than who we know we are. You will always be judged. This is a fact of life. And once you accept that you will be judged no matter what you do, you can enjoy the freedom to do what you are meant to do and be who you are meant to be.

When you are vulnerable at work you can hone in on exactly what you want to do. When you are real and relatable, you will find the team, the career or business where you can leverage who you are, rather than try to fit the mold. You will see the holes in your business, the gap between what you’re doing and what you WANT to be doing, and this is where the magic happens!

When you are vulnerable at home you get to build the relationships which honor the true you. You can be unfiltered, real and find the people who will love you at your best, and still love you at your worst.

Maybe you have to learn this skill - or maybe you’re already there.

Either way, this episode will reveal a few things you can do to take that chance, do the thing and live your truth!

Send us your feedback, topics you'd like us to cover, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach us:

⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

http://www.thatsaspade.com⁠⁠

‌

Come hang out in Nancy’s Confidence Community: Sign Up

Join Beth’s Better Content Write Now Facebook group:

Better Content Write Now | Facebook

Nancy’s Do The Thing Retreat On Cape Cod:⁠ **apply here.**⁠

Welcome back, Podsters.

It's time to stop giving away your power. At work, at home, with your family, partner, boss, and even with your friends. Micro changes to you what you do and what you say will have an immediate and huge impact on your happiness and will help you get closer to the life you want.
‌
Are you bringing homemade cookies into the office? Stop. Clearing the conference table after a meeting? Stop. Coordinating the meeting details, every time? Stop. You are not the caregiver at work and these subtle nuances will change how you’re perceived and boost your executive presence.

Words matter. Starting your sentences with “I just wanted to say”, “I’m not sure this is a good idea but…” and “you may have already thought of this” is undermining your authority. Think about it. You’re apologizing for speaking before you’re even speaking.
‌
How about at home and with your finances? It doesn’t matter if you’re partnered up or still living la vida loca as a single person…do you know how much money is coming in and out? Where the savings is located? The passwords? Power of attorney? Many of us shy away from the daily details of our finances and many of us are left with a big surprise when a life-changing event occurs.
‌
Buckle up, Podsters, it's time to figure out where you're giving away your power and how to take it back.

Send us your feedback, topics you'd like us to cover, and of course, rave reviews of how the podcast is going. Here's how to reach us:

⁠⁠http://www.nancymedoff.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

http://www.thatsaspade.com⁠⁠

Beth’s Application to join Women’s Business League: Apply to WBL - Women's Business League‌: https://womensbusinessleague.com/apply-form/

Amy Cuddy TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are