Not Your Average Lives Podcast

Episode 371: The 10 Signs That You May Be Afraid of Change, Even If You Are Unhappy

mindset Oct 17, 2023

Are you feeling stuck in mud? Like you can't budge in the direction of positive change, even though you're not happy with where you are in life?

Well if that's you, you are likely what I call a "Scared Settler," someone who chooses to settle for the life she isn't happy in because she is more scared of change, of the unknown that she is fearing will be worse - not better.

Because the truth is, she sees other people who have it much worse so she continues to talk herself into staying in the mediocre life she's living, with zero passion or purpose about what she does every day.

She is far from excited about what's on her To Do list, which zaps all of her energy, so she escapes into non-productive, time-wasting activities, like scrolling social media. She ignores these feelings and instead continues going about her days doing the same things she did yesterday that will never get her out of the rut she's in.

And if she's over 50, she is probably blaming menopause for that lack of...

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Episode 370: Learning to Fly and Writing Fiction: Lifelong Dreams No Longer Delayed, with Mary Carroll Moore

mindset Oct 13, 2023

Today’s guest, Mary Carroll Moore is a multi-talented, Amazon-bestselling author. Mary's journey is nothing short of remarkable as she has worn many hats throughout her life, from being a chef and cooking-school owner to a celebrated cookbook author and syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times. 

Following a breast cancer diagnosis at age 50, Mary made a transformative decision to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She went back to school and got her Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing  from Goddard College and published her first novel at age 55. And her book was nominated for a PEN/Faulkner award!

In this episode, Mary shares:

  • the inspiration behind her latest book
  • her transition from a successful and lucrative food journalism career to writing fiction
  • how her cancer diagnosis gave her the courage to follow a long-desired dream 

To hear how Mary is embracing this second half of life is awe-inspiring, as she talks about her latest...

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Episode 369: Are You A Dream Doer, Dream Delayer, or Non-Dreamer?

mindset Oct 10, 2023

Unfortunately, most of us fall into the latter two categories of Dream Delayers or Non-Dreamers. But we all began life as Dream Doers and we can get back into dreaming very easily.

But in order to do that, you must understand the importance of having dreams. You need to know that it's ok to want more. As long as it is what YOU desire and excites you.

Don't make the mistake of going after someone else's dreams for you which is a mistake many of us make. We get into the wrong jobs because our parents dreamed of jobs that would make them proud. And we want that for them so and we think that will make us happy but we get there and BOOM! We realize we don't have any passion for that work.

That is just one simple example of why you need to dream. Dream about work that will drive you with deep passion and purpose. And imagine what that would look like...

To do that, carve out time to think about what you love to do in your spare time. Maybe there's something there that could be turned...

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Episode 368: The Soulmate That Never Showed Up Until She Was Ready, with Katie Carrol

career mindset Oct 06, 2023

Today’s guest, Katie Carroll, a compassionate soul whose life has been dedicated to nurturing and helping others shares her story of overcoming burnout and depression. As the eldest of three siblings and the only girl, Katie's love for children and innate desire to assist people guided her towards a fulfilling career in pediatric nursing.

With over 21 years of experience in the field, Katie has become a fierce advocate for her little patients. However, her purpose-fueled journey deepened as Katie decided to help burned-out nurses so she became a certified health coach and personal trainer, and she now empowers individuals in high-stress careers to embrace self-care and overcome burnout.

In this episode, Katie shares:

  • Her story of burnout and dealing with depression
  • Her thoughts about her failed dream of having a husband and four kids by her mid 30s. 
  • What it was that made her friend tell her she was “glowing.” 
  • The scariest thing she ever did that...
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Episode 367: Why Are You Not Getting What You Want?

mindset Oct 03, 2023

Today's episode was inspired by a fantastic conversation with a recent guest about why we might not be getting what we want. You know, that dream, that burning desire, that hasn't quite materialized yet?

Well, there are reasons for that, and I'm here to break them down for you. 

Remember that big goal you've had on your wishlist forever? Whether it's a soulmate, a dream job, or a significant life goal—these tips apply.

In this episode, I explain:

  • Why clarity about what you desire is so important.
  • Why many of us are too future-focused.
  • What happens when we become too "needy" about what we want.

What I've come to understand is that the universe has a magical way of delivering when you've made these shifts. So know what you want, don't hesitate to dream big, and start the work to align yourself with what feels good to you today. You might just be surprised by what shows up on your doorstep sooner than you think. 

If you enjoyed today’s topic, don't forget to...

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Episode 366: Making Up For Lost Time After Conquering A Lifelong Struggle With Alcoholism, with Maria Leonard Olsen

career mindset Sep 29, 2023

Today’s guest, Maria Leonard Olsen, shares her captivating life story. A woman of immense talent and ambition, Maria is a lawyer, journalist, author, and devoted mother to two wonderful children. She is also a podcaster and mentor to women in recovery.

Maria's dedication to philanthropy is evident through her involvement in various boards, including those of Children's National Medical Center BOV, the Catholic Coalition for Special Education, GirlsUp, and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Washington. However, one of her most notable things we talked about in this episode is her journey as a recovering alcoholic.

In this episode, Maria shares:

  • Overcoming alcoholism and her gradual emergence from depression
  • Her life-affirming journey that led to her helping other women in recovery
  • Valuable life lessons she learned about courage, trusting yourself and being intentional
  • Finding her true self and how that opened up a more passion-filled and purposeful life.

Maria's...

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Episode 365: Who Are You Really? (A Happier Life Begins With This Question)

mindset Sep 26, 2023

In today's episode I start with a simple question: Who are you really?

It might appear simple on the surface but it's meant to get you thinking about how you are showing up in the world. Are you hiding the real you, playing the roles taking the actions of the person you think you should be - to fit in, to get along, or to be accepted and valued?

If you're not sure, I share in this episode how you can tell so listen in and see what resonates most. I talk about the two versions of the "current you": the one in self denial and the one that is self actualized.

I also talk about the "future you" and how important it is to know that no matter what version of the "current you" is showing up today, you have a choice in who you show up as tomorrow. You can rediscover the real you by breaking the habits that have become so ingrained in you from doing them for so long that you are operating subconsciously.

That means most of us aren't even aware we are walking around as fake versions of...

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Episode 364: From Depressed to Intuitively Driven After Learning and Applying a New Mindset, with Laura Strachan

mindset Sep 22, 2023

Today’s guest, Laura Strachan, is someone I met 3 years ago when she joined a free training I did on Facebook, because she was so depressed she couldn’t get out of bed. Fortunately she took action that day and signed up for my training which changed her life.

I asked Laura to join me on my podcast today because we recently met in-person at my retreat and I was reminded of how she not only learned new mindset habits that gave her guidance and direction of purpose but how she continues to grow and explore new opportunities that unfold and challenge her. She is a master at continually to expand outside of her comfort zone.

I asked Laura to share her most recent breakthroughs, new lessons learned from the retreat experience and her tips on how she continues to shine her positive light on the world and gets divine guidance on the purpose-driven second half she’s created.

We dive into the importance of embracing change and not settling for complacency in life. Laura...

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Episode 363: Sedonaā€™s Lessons: 5 Things I Learned at my Retreat

mindset Sep 19, 2023

In today's episode, I'll be sharing some incredible insights that I gained from my recent retreat in Sedona, Arizona. This event was about stepping outside of my comfort zone to bring a long-held dream into my reality and fostering an environment for the participants so they could get profound insights and experience the pure magic of bonding with others who also desire a transformative experience. 

In this episode, I discuss:

  • Why it's so important to expose yourself to opportunities for self discovery and personal growth.
  • The incredible power of releasing control and surrendering to the guidance of the universe.
  • The feeling of “flow” that comes when you align with your most authentic self, get present, and focus on an activity you love.
  • Why finding the right environment and activities that allow amazing "aha" moments and profound breakthroughs to be received from the universe is key.
  • The transformative impact of connecting with like-minded souls who share similar...
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Episode 362: Embracing Change - A Conversation with My Two Adult Daughters

mindset Sep 16, 2023

In today’s episode, I dive deep into one of life's most constant companions: change. I'm joined by my two amazing daughters, Nikki and Kori, for a heartfelt conversation about navigating life's twists and turns. Together, they share their personal experiences dealing with some big life transitions, discussing everything from career changes to parenting decisions.

Here's what we covered:

  • Our personal journeys through some significant life changes, including relocating to new cities and making career shifts.
  • The world of parenting and the challenges and decisions that come with guiding our children through change.
  • The shifting perspectives on mental health across generations and the importance of therapy as a vital support system for handling life's changes.
  • How change, while often challenging, can lead to personal growth, valuable lessons, and newfound strengths.
  • The importance of trusting your instincts during times of change and the value of limiting external feedback.

...

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