The Greatness Together Podcast

From raising a daughter to navigating New Brunswick through the challenges of COVID-19 as the Provincial Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jennifer Russell has faced her fair share of burnout, defeat, and moments of overwhelming pressure. Simonne and Sarah had the privilege of joining Jennifer and her daughter Olivia, a psychology student at the University of New Brunswick, for insightful conversations a...

What if every compliment you received became an opportunity to lift someone else up? In this episode of The Greatness Together Podcast, we explore how recognizing strengths in others creates a ripple effect of positivity. Compliments aren't just nice words—they shape self-perception and reinforce greatness. Quote of the Week: "The best way to accept a compliment? Pass one on." Simonne McVanel Grea...

One could argue that what we worry about most as humans is whether others are judging us. These patterns of overthinking often lead to distress and uncertainty, holding us back from pursuing our goals. But what if I told you these worries could actually have benefits? In this week's episode, Simonne and Sarah explore the advantages of being yourself.  Quote of the Week: "It comes down to…you don't...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we dive into why so many of us struggle to accept compliments. Have you ever brushed off a kind word, feeling like you didn't really deserve it? You're not alone. But what if accepting recognition wasn't about ego—but about reinforcing what makes you great?   Quote of the Week: "Acknowledging your abilities isn't arrogance—it's accepting the truth...

What keeps us from taking bold steps in our careers, relationships, and lives? In this special episode of The Greatness Together Podcast, Sarah and Simonne sit down with Margie Warrell, a bestselling author and one of Sarah's most influential role models. Margie's latest book, The Courage Gap, explores how fear keeps us from stepping into our potential—and what we can do to change that. This conve...

Disappointment is a feeling we all experience. Whether it is being disappointed that your boss made you work late or if you were disappointed that the coffee shop was out of your favourite pastry. Sometimes, the disappointment is turned inward; you feel you could have done a better job, be more supportive, and "should" have more restraint when it comes to said pastry (when they are in stock)! We'v...

Have you ever felt pressure to act in a way that wasn't true to how you were feeling? In this episode, we explore the impact of societal role expectations in our lives and what happens when we don't always meet them. We discuss the consequences for mental health and relationships when we can't keep up with the demands placed on us, how to cope with and embrace imperfection and how burnout and stre...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we explore a simple yet profound act: smiling. Can smiling for just five seconds really make you feel happier? Spoiler alert: science says yes! Let's dive into how this small action can have a big impact on your mood and the people around you.   Quote of the Week:  "When people smile, they create a shared experience and a moment of connection with...

Self-love is more than pampering or indulgence—it's about cultivating kindness toward yourself. Inspired by Sarah's recent yoga practice, this episode dives into what self-love truly means. During a yoga class focused on self-love, Sarah was guided to breathe in compliments and exhale criticisms. This intentional focus revealed a surprising truth: while compliments from others are frequent, truly...

Have you ever been surrounded by people yet still felt deeply lonely? In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we delve into relational poverty—how our workplaces and social environments can leave us starved for meaningful connection. Join us as we explore the critical importance of human connection and the consequences of its absence, particularly in professional and academic settings....

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we explore the fascinating world of curiosity and its delicious impact on learning. Who doesn't like to dish on the virtues of growth and how to enable it?! Did you know that curiosity motivates us to seek new experiences and enhances our memory retention? Join us as we delve into the science behind curiosity and how it can unlock your potential....

In our last podcast episode , we promised to explore the idea of living for ourselves rather than living for others. As we prepared for this episode, we realized that, at its core, this is about deconstructing people pleasing. Coming from a long line of kind and accommodating people, we've often noticed how easy it is to prioritize harmony by setting aside our own needs. But is there a point where...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we dive into the heart of individuality and the pursuit of authentic self-acceptance. We find ourselves talking a lot on this podcast about comparison, and here we are again, deepening that exploration and getting curious as to why we so often question why our traits and achievements don't quite measure up to others. What if the secret to happines...

As we celebrate episode 20, we thought it was about time to honour one of our earliest listener's requests: "Can you please cover the topic of 'What Ifs" and why they hold you back?"  It's a great topic, and one everyone can relate to. How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of those little "what if" worries? In this episode, we're talking about how those sneaky doubts can stop...

Ever feel like you're failing when you need to take a step back? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into why stepping back feels so tough—whether it's switching degrees, leaving a management role, or losing progress on personal goals. Let's get real about why we struggle with this and how it might not be as bad as we think. Quote of the Week: "Failure isn't stepping back. It's often an act...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we build on a previous conversation about comparison. Did you know that there is a difference between upward and downward comparison? You may be wondering, why does it even matter? Well, we're glad you asked.   Quote of the Week: "I really think that our psychological state or standpoint depends on what we're comparing to." Simonne McVanel   Great...

Think the concept of "friendship" is soft? Not very professional? Maybe a nice to have, not a need to have? Think again. Quote : "When I travel and stay in hostels, I notice how interested everyone is in each other's histories, each other's culture, each other's perspectives. This fuels friendships." Simonne McVanel Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: How to attract friends. 0:00 Similar circum...

This episode comes with a warning: listening to it will lead to cravings for travel and culture. Get ready to start saving! Quote: "I went to a Rotary Camp where a bunch of people who were doing their exchange all came together with their partners. I met so many people through that and I now have a house in so many countries. " Simonne McVanel Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Should all youn...

Can you take the most painful times in your life and use them as fuel for kindness? That is exactly what our first guest on the Greatness Together Podcast did. Quote of the Week: "It doesn't have to be perfect. You just say, "I'm thankful because…" or "I want to recognize your greatness." You just say it, and then you do it again and again and again." Sonja Regier Greatness Together Podcast Highli...

On this episode of The Greatness Together Podcast, we're talking about recognition, healing, and helping. If you or someone you know has ever had cancer, this episode will touch your heart. Quote: "If one idea isn't so great, that's okay because the one that sparked the next idea, to the next idea, to the final output. So everything counts, everything matters." Sonja Regier Greatness Together Podc...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we explore when the different roles society has assigned to us create dissonance. Quote of the Week: "The conflict can be the lack of boundary setting. We are allowed to shift roles, turning off one role and turning on another." Sarah McVanel Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: What is role conflict? 0:00 It's a trade-off. 1:00 It is all about...

In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we build on the last episode , which focused on busyness and how to avoid its unhealthy and stressful aspects. This organically led to a question of what benefits boredom might play. Could it help combat busyness? Is being bored a good thing? Quote: "During times of boredom, it's more valuable just to be bored because your brain will process thing...

On this episode of the Greatness Together Podcast, we're tackling the B-word. Busy. Quote: "If we are so busy and fixate on our value being output, then we miss the opportunities to experience our life." Sarah McVanel Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: The problem with busy. 0:00 We've been busy! 1:00 Thank you for the suggestion, Josee. 3:00 The cycle of busy. 5:00 It's a delicate balance. 8:...

In this episode of the Greatness Together podcast, Simonne shares some great ideas about how she copes with stress. Too often, we think that we need to teach and mentor our kids (young and adult) what our life strategies are. They have so much to teach us if we're ready to receive it.  Quote of the Week : " I love how you found so many coping strategies that work. The key is to keep persisting." S...

In this episode of the Greatness Together Podcast, we explore the introversion-extroversion continuum. Is one better than the other? What are the differences, and which one are you? Quote: "I like meeting people. Being more introverted, I'd be satisfied if I met three people. My goal is not to connect with every single human at the function." Simonne McVanel Greatness Moments: Is it better to be i...