Life By Design

Why does Sunday evening so often come with that pit in your stomach about the week ahead? The Sunday Scaries are something many of us experience, but few realize what the feeling is actually telling us. In this solo episode, Dr. Robyne explores the anxiety that comes with anticipating our responsibilities, why we often leave little room for rest and recovery, and how to find more ease in the every...

What would it take to chase a goal that feels almost impossible? At just 16 years old, Ingrid Wells is preparing to take on the Great World Race alongside her dad, Dr. Greg Wells. Seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Together, this father-daughter duo is stepping into the unknown, pushing their limits, breaking records, and discovering what’s possible when you have a big enough "wh...

Sometimes the decisions we need to make aren’t the problem. The state we’re in when we make them is. In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with award-winning entrepreneur, national media personality, and keynote speaker Robyn Thompson. A former wealth management executive turned decision-making strategist, Robyn’s experience led her to uncover a powerful realization: the connection between...

This week, Dr. Robyne is joined by Dr. Lisa Woodruff, psychologist, productivity expert, and visionary founder of Organize 365, for a conversation that might just change the way you think about running your home. From the invisible work of keeping everyone organized to the never-ending laundry, cleaning, and question of “What's for dinner?”, Dr. Lisa helps us understand the systems behind househol...

On today’s episode, Dr. Robyne invites us to look at gratitude a little differently. Rather than simply naming the things we’re thankful for, she reflects on what happens when gratitude moves from something we think about to something we can actually feel, and how it can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.  She explores why gratitude can be especially meaningful in difficult se...

On today’s episode of Perspective Shift, Dr. Robyne unpacks a question so many parents, caregivers, partners, and leaders may have wondered: Am I allowed to be happy when someone I care about isn’t? She explores what happens when we become the “happiness coordinator” for the people around us, taking responsibility for everyone else’s emotions and trying to create lives free from frustration, disap...

On today’s episode, Dr. Robyne and social worker and psychotherapist Jake Ernst take a closer look at one of the questions many parents, educators, and adults are asking: Are screens actually the problem? What if the bigger question is what we’re doing on our screens, what we’re missing when we’re on them, and whether our relationships are still intact? How do we help kids practice sitting with di...

Have you ever come up short on something you worked really hard for? In this solo episode, Dr. Robyne shares a story from a recent ultra-endurance challenge that didn't unfold the way she had hoped. Drawing on neuropsychology and her experience on and off the mountain, she reflects on what it means to face disappointment, recognize where we may have dropped the ball, and still meet ourselves with...

In this episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with integrative spiritual consultant, chaplain, and bestselling author Catherine Duncan for a thought-provoking conversation about slowing down, awakening to the present moment, and reconnecting with what truly matters. Together, they explore what can happen when we quiet the noise enough to listen to our bodies, our intuition, and the wisdom that emerges in...

This special episode continues the live conversation from the tea party celebrating the launch of Dr. Robyne's latest book, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It's Hard . In this audience Q&A, Dr. Robyne responds to thoughtful questions about self-compassion, belonging, routines, ADHD, overwhelm, and what it really looks like to choose hope in everyday life. Together, they explore simple...

In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the tension between everything and enough, and what happens when our drive to achieve, grow, and do more turns into a perpetual game of chase. Drawing on a journal entry she wrote a year ago, she reflects on the pressure to keep reaching for “the next thing,” the ways we can begin to tie our worth to achievement, and how the finish line can keep moving. She inv...

In this episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes the original Phillie Phanatic, Hero of Happiness, keynote speaker, author, and brand consultant Dave Raymond for a conversation about finding lightness, connection, and joy, even when life feels its heaviest. As the man inside the giant green costume for 16 years, Dave shares how creating moments of joy for millions revealed the deeper power of fun and ultimate...

In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores how our genetics, circumstances, and habits influence our capacity to experience happiness. She also shares a four-step framework she uses in coaching to help navigate sticky situations, solve problems, and figure out what to do next. Plus, what becomes possible when we tap into the perspective, insight, and collective wisdom of a community.  Continue the Conve...

Sometimes one idea, one question, or one new way of seeing a situation can change everything. In this episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the next season of the podcast and explores why perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating stress, relationships, leadership, and everyday life. Through relatable stories, psychology-backed insights, and practical perspective shifts, she sha...

This special episode was recorded live at a tea party celebrating the launch of Dr. Robyne's latest book, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It's Hard . Joined by her dear friend Natalie Davison and a room full of thoughtful guests, they explore what it means to choose hope, the stories that inspired the book, and why hope is something we can strengthen, even in life's hardest seasons. You'll...

What stories have been quietly shaping your life for years without you even realizing it? Today on Life by Design , Dr. Robyne is joined by leadership keynote speaker, author, and joy expert Amanda Gore for a conversation about joy, fear, and the stories we tell ourselves. Together, they explore how childhood beliefs continue to influence our adult lives, why fear often sits beneath our reactions...

Today on Life by Design , Dr. Robyne is joined by criminal defence lawyer Jordana H. Goldlist. From surviving addiction and living on the streets as a teenager to becoming one of Canada's leading criminal defence lawyers, Jordana's journey shows that reinvention happens one courageous step at a time and that creating distance from the environments that keep us stuck can open the door to a differen...

In this uplifting episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes comedian and mental health and well-being expert Jessica Holmes for a conversation about the power of humor and wholehearted living. Together, they explore why joy can feel so out of reach during difficult seasons, and how simple practices like sharing a laugh, telling a story, or looking at a challenge through a different lens can offer real relief....

In this episode of Life by Design , Dr. Robyne sits down with nationally syndicated radio host, former CFL player, and media personality Brad Smith for a thoughtful conversation about growth, reinvention, and owning your story. Together, they explore how to embrace the opportunities in front of you, learn from the past without being defined by it, and navigate the complexities of life with ADHD. T...

Feeling weary, overwhelmed, or caught in a never-ending stress cycle? In this solo episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the Four R's of Nervous System Recovery: Restoration, Regulation, Reflection, and Reimagining. She explores why restoration must come before regulation and shares practical insights to help listeners tune into what their body, heart, mind, and community truly need. Through reflective q...

In this episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Matt Young, a former professional footballer turned performance coach and keynote speaker, to explore identity, reinvention, and finding purpose after major life transitions. Together, they discuss what it means to move beyond the labels that define us, why asking "What do I want now?" can be more powerful than "What should I do now?", and how to create a...

What do you do when you sense there’s something more calling you forward? In this episode of Life by Design , Dr. Robyne sits down with executive coach, business advisor, moderator, podcast host, and keynote speaker Marissa Teeter to explore the courage it takes to bet on yourself and pursue a new chapter. Together, they discuss career pivots, the illusion of certainty, identity beyond job titles,...

This week on  Life by Design , we're doing something a little different. Rather than sitting in the host's chair, Dr. Robyne is the guest. In this special episode, originally recorded for Jordana Goldlist's podcast,  Who Judges the Judge? , Jordana interviews Dr. Robyne about her journey, from struggling in school with undiagnosed ADHD, to being institutionalized at 16, to surviving a near-death c...

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Natasha Ramzan joins Dr. Robyne for an honest and thoughtful conversation about ADHD, self-worth, cultural narratives, and the pressure so many people feel to constantly keep going. Together, they unpack why ADHD is often overlooked in women, the impact of masking and self-criticism, and how culture, family expectations, and hustle culture shape our relat...

In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Dr. Ross Ellenhorn, psychotherapist, social worker, and CEO of one of the most robust community integration programs in the United States, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about hope, mental health, and human connection. Together, they explore the fear of hope and how repeated disappointment can make hoping again feel vulnerable and risky, leading pe...