When my husband goes out of town, I have a little tradition: I pick a show we wouldn’t normally watch together and plow through an entire season. This time, I chose the show Alone. I ended up loving it so much that I knew I had to bring it into today’s podcast episode.

If you’re not familiar, Alone is a wilderness survival show where contestants are dropped into extreme conditions to see how long they can last. As I watched, my coach brain kicked in (as it always does!), and I started thinking: How does this apply to real life?

Thankfully, most of us won’t ever face a wilderness survival scenario. But the challenges contestants face on Alone reveal some powerful lessons about resilience, adaptability, and mindset that we can learn from.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing five key takeaways from Alone and showing you how to apply them to your own life:

1. Energy Is Finite—Spend It Wisely: Focus your energy on what truly matters to you, and don’t waste it on things that drain you unnecessarily.
   
   
2. Success Requires Both a Plan and Adaptability: Plan for the results you want, but be ready to pivot when life throws you a curveball.
   
   
3. You Are So Much More Capable Than You Realize: Challenge yourself to push past your perceived limits—you might just surprise yourself.
   
   
4. Mindset Matters: Your attitude can make all the difference. Practicing positivity can help you overcome even the toughest challenges.
   
   
5. Keep the Big Picture in Mind and Allow Yourself to Change Your Mind: Life isn’t static. When your priorities shift, it’s okay to give yourself permission to change your mind.
   
   

Mentioned on the Show:

• Reality Show Life Coach Podcast
• Courageously Unconventional podcast, Changing Your Mind is a Sign of Growth, Not Flakiness

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

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Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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Being able to make decisions and giving yourself permission to change your mind is essential if you want to transform your life. Without making intentional choices, you’ll often find yourself stuck in a cycle, experiencing the same things over and over again.

If you’re happy with your life as it is, that’s amazing! But if something feels off, staying on autopilot can lead to years of feeling unfulfilled. True momentum comes when you take responsibility for your choices and decide to act.

If you’re grappling with a decision that feels impossible to reverse, remember: most decisions aren’t permanent. Allow yourself the freedom to change your mind and create a life that aligns with your future dreams — not one shaped solely by past decisions.

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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On today's episode I talk about those moments in life when everything feels shaky and uncertain—like you’re just holding on, waiting for the dust to settle. We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re in it right now, stuck in that strange space where the future is a big question mark and our minds spin with all the “what ifs.”

We’ve all been there, and while we can’t control everything, we can take small steps to ground ourselves, even in times of uncertainty. Whatever you’re facing, remember that you have options, even if they’re small ones.

Tune in to hear more about staying steady through life’s “death wobbles” and leaning into simple actions to help you stay calm and centered.

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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This week on the Courageously Unconventional podcast, I’m excited to introduce my coaching client, Dr. Mia Woodward.

Mia Woodward M.D. MSc is a tenured clinician-scientist and certified life coach, a graduate of Yale College and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, she integrates her foundation in medicine with her deep passion for clinical behavior change research. She loves investigating perspectives and outcomes. She has published over 130 peer-reviewed manuscripts. In coaching spaces, she works with wellness centers and life coaches to evaluate their programs. You can learn more about her work in research for wellness and coaching at miawoodward.com

In today’s episode, Mia shares her inspiring story of taking a four-month sabbatical this past summer. We talk about:

• Her experiences with imposter syndrome
• How coaching played a role in creating her sabbatical
• The challenges she faced in setting boundaries and learning to say no
• The impact of this intentional break on her perspective around life, family, and career
• What her future looks like post-sabbatical

If you’re considering a sabbatical or seeking a more fulfilling work-life balance, this episode offers lots of insights and inspiration!

Enjoy my conversation with Dr. Mia Woodward!

Connect with Dr. Mia Woodward

• Website: miawoodward.com
• Instagram @perspectiveswithmia
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-woodward-md-msc-94429169/

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Sabbatical Project
• Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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For today's podcast, I want to share something I wrote a few years ago. It’s a bit different from my usual episodes, but it feels fitting right now.

As the seasons shift from fall to winter, many of us may start to feel a little off, or even stuck, in a seasonal funk. In this episode, I explore how you can approach these feelings with curiosity and self-compassion, reminding you that sometimes, emotions are simply sensations in our bodies—not a sign that something has gone terribly wrong.

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about having a purpose. Like what’s the point of it all? I think this is a pretty common question to ask yourself—especially when you’ve reached a point in life where you’ve checked off many of those big, cultural milestones that are supposed to define “success.” Maybe you’ve built a career, started a family, or bought a home, and now you’ve settled into your routines. You pretty much know how most days will go from here on out.

So it seems like you should feel fulfilled at this point, but certain questions might start coming up for you: Is this it? Should I be doing something more with my life? It can feel pretty unsettling to be in that place, and may leave you wondering if what you’ve created is enough.

But what if it's not about doing more—but about seeing your life differently? What if your purpose isn’t something out there to find, but something you can uncover in the life you’re already living?

That’s what I’ve been thinking about lately, and in today's episode, I explore how you might reframe the idea of purpose without changing a single thing about your external circumstances.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Job Crafting, https://hbr.org/2020/03/what-job-crafting-looks-like
  
  

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/
  
  

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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In today’s episode, I’m talking about a framework called the Emotional Cycle of Change developed by psychologists Don Kelley and Daryl Connor. It explains the emotional journey we undergo when we voluntarily decide to change our lives.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely experienced a roller coaster of emotions when tackling a challenging goal or trying to shift a habit. However, Kelley and Conner assure us that this experience isn’t as chaotic as it may seem. The emotions we encounter are actually quite predictable and normal.

By understanding the cycles of change in advance, you can map out and anticipate what's happening ahead of time and help yourself along the way. For instance, when you find yourself in Stage Three, the Valley of Despair, you’ll recognize it as a sign to keep pushing forward rather than quitting on yourself.

So, as you listen, I encourage you to reflect on your own experiences with change. What stage are you in? What's coming next? How can you help yourself keep going, even if that critical voice in your head is telling you to give up?

Because I promise, if you keep going and don’t quit on yourself, what’s waiting on the other side is absolutely worth it.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Brian Moran and Michael Lennington The Twelve Week Year

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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This week, I’m excited to have Annie Margaret, PhD, on the podcast!

Annie Margaret, PhD, is a dynamic educator, leader, and public speaker serving as Executive Director of the Post-Internet Project and teaching faculty at the ATLAS Institute, University of Colorado Boulder. With a focus on neuroscience and evidence-based approaches, she helps individuals and teams learn to regulate their nervous systems and manage their relationships with technology. Through her teaching and coaching, she addresses social media dependency, attentional focus, and alignment with personal values, fostering a sense of joy, meaning, and purpose in today’s digital world.

In our conversation, we dive into:

• How to align your media use with your personal values to live a more meaningful life.
  
  
• How screens impact kids' developing brains and what to do about it.
  
  
• Some simple, practical steps to build healthier digital habits starting right now.

Connect with Annie Margaret, PhD:

• Website: www.postinternetproject.org
• Apply for the PRISM program to help you transform your relationship with social media and your smartphone
• Connect with Annie on LinkedIn
• Follow Post-Internet Project on Facebook
• Follow Post-Internet Project on Instagram
• Sign up for free resources related to social media and smartphone use.
  
  

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale
• Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, Anna Lemke
• The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt
• Mental Wellbeing Score and Mental Health Quotient from Sapien Labs
• Phone-Free School Movement
• The Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
  
  

Connect with Lynn Grogan:

• If you’re curious about coaching and want to experience it for yourself, sign up for a free 1:1 private coaching session with me at https://lynngrogan.com/work-with-me/
  
  
• Let's Connect! Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngrogan/

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Courageously Unconventional on your favorite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful!

Original music by David Delaney of The Whiskey Boys: Linktr.ee/whiskeyboys

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