Becoming a Better YOU with Monica Brooks

In this episode of Becoming a Better YOU , Monica sits down with workplace culture expert Zoe Allerding to unpack the powerful leadership and workplace lessons hidden inside the TV show The Pitt . From psychological safety to team dynamics to managing highly skilled but difficult employees, this conversation goes far beyond entertainment. Monica and Zoe explore what organizations can learn from th...

In this episode of Becoming a Better YOU , Monica Brooks dives into the cost of disliking someone and how holding onto resentment can quietly steal your peace, energy, and joy. Not liking everyone is normal, but staying stuck in those feelings is where the real cost shows up. Monica shares a personal story, reflects on the weight of grudges, and talks about why life is too short to spend so much o...

So many of us put up with pain longer than we should, assuming it’s just part of life. You don’t have to live that way. The right physical therapy care can bring real hope back into your mind and body, helping you move with more confidence and build lasting resilience. Physical therapist Dr. Stephanie Duffey joins me to break down why we tolerate discomfort and what a PT notices that we often over...

Friendships aren’t always meant to look the same forever. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kara for an honest conversation about friendship and impermanence. We talk about why the idea of a “BFF” can create unrealistic expectations and how being open to the natural ebb and flow of friendships allows us to grow. Together, we explore what it means to step away, press pause, or move on from...

Death does not have to be dark or off limits. In this conversation with hospice and palliative care provider, Dr. Sarah Wittry, Monica explores how awareness can be a gift and how befriending mortality helps us live more intentionally. We talk about starting these conversations before a crisis, why our culture often avoids them, and simple ways to feel empowered when it comes to making decisions....

If a goal starts costing you your peace, it’s time to rethink it. In this episode, Monica reframes goals as tools, not identities, and shows how to spot the moment a goal shifts from helpful to heavy. She shares a personal story about a goal that triggered guilt and tension, then offers clear ways to shift, pivot, or release it. Letting go isn’t quitting on yourself. It’s choosing a smarter path t...

How often do you think about your pelvic floor? If you’re like most of us—probably not much. In this conversation, Monica Brooks talks with Dr. Allison Ingley, a pelvic floor physical therapist, about the vital connection between your pelvic floor, your body, and your emotions. You’ll learn what the pelvic floor really is, why tension and stress can show up in unexpected ways, and how tuning into...

In this episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal—a keynote I delivered at the Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer Gala , an event dedicated to supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s and 30s. As a survivor myself, this moment was emotional, meaningful, and powerful. The organization’s mission—offering medical stipends, peer support, and community—is a reminder that we all have t...

If you’ve never heard of EMDR therapy before, you’re not alone. It might sound like alphabet soup, but EMDR—short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is a unique and effective approach to therapy that helps people work through trauma, anxiety, emotional challenges, and more— in a way that’s very different from traditional talk therapy. In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Pritchard ,...

Do you ever catch yourself chasing likes, waiting for praise, or needing outside approval to feel like you’re doing enough? You’re not alone. In a world that thrives on external validation, it’s easy to believe that happiness, confidence, and success come from what others think of us. But here’s the truth: everything you’re looking for—self-worth, joy, motivation—is an inside job. In this episode...

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but in this episode, we’re diving deep into how you can take control and stress less in 2025. Joined by the amazing Dr. Emily, a Functional Medicine Practitioner, we explore where stress originates, how elevated cortisol levels impact our bodies, and the long-term risks of unmanaged stress. But it’s not all doom and gloom—Dr. Emily shares empowering insights...

Join me as I take you through my journey of leaving the corporate world and the valuable lessons I’ve learned over the past three years. In this episode, I’ll share the challenges and triumphs of taking a chance on myself, and why you don’t need to quit your day job to follow your passions. We’ll explore how you can build a side business, pursue your dreams, and utilize powerful tools like AI and...

In this episode, we explore how to find the right words when someone you care about is going through a tough time. Whether in personal or professional situations, offering support can be difficult—especially when you don’t know what to say. We’ll share simple, powerful phrases that show empathy without minimizing the other person’s feelings, discuss common pitfalls to avoid, and explore how to be...

In this episode of Becoming a Better YOU, we dive deep into the often dreaded world of feedback. Why does it so often feel like a personal attack? What's an effective way to give feedback? Monica Brooks unpacks the reasons why feedback sucks and offers practical strategies to transform it into a tool for growth. Whether you’re giving or receiving feedback, you’ll learn how to make the process...

Does everything happen for a reason? In this episode, Monica explores a question that was posed to her during a recent keynote. She shares her perspective on trauma, particularly in relation to her cancer diagnosis. While it may not be that everything happens for a reason, implying that bad experiences are deserved, it’s possible to view these challenges as opportunities for personal growth and se...

I'm back! In this episode, I'll be sharing valuable experiences that have taught me important lessons, such as insights gained from serving on my son's swim team board. I’ll talk about the importance of understanding relationships in everything you do, but also the importance of giving timely feedback and how it fosters a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect. Stay tu...

Have you ever thought about the difference between your character and personality? I encountered a revealing situation recently where this contrast became clear. During a call, the person inadvertently left me off hold, allowing me to overhear the entire conversation. It made me ponder: Who are we when nobody is watching or listening, and who are we when faced with challenges? In today's podc...

Is it possible to grow amidst grief? Recently, the world lost a shining light with the passing of my dear friend, Koreen, due to breast cancer. This was my first encounter with such profound loss, and I underestimated the depths of grief. Initially, I struggled to articulate the pain and sought to push it away. With the support of many friends, I have learned to embrace and endure the full spectru...

Meet Erin – a good friend who was determined to feel better in her own skin. In order to achieve this goal, she had to identify the "why" and "how" of her journey. This boiled down to two fundamental factors: diet and exercise. She began with a simple plan - to hop on the treadmill. But soon realized that nutrition was equally important. Erin made her health a top priority and...

Meet Lauren F*cking Neuburger, who once worked in the corporate world but is now a glowing example of personal growth. She's braved cancer, battled eating disorders, and even navigated the rocky road of entrepreneurship. But through it all, Lauren has remained committed to using her experiences to uplift the world around her. She is open and candid about her life's changes, including her...

If you're looking to shake things up in the new year, consider incorporating some unusual habits into your routine. While they may not be uncommon for everyone, they're a great way to establish new patterns. Some habits can be so basic that they don't appear unusual, but starting any new habit can feel uncomfortable at first. Tune in to hear how adopting new habits has changed my en...

Creating healthy boundaries is a foundational aspect of self-care and contributes significantly to a happier, more fulfilling life, both personally and in your relationships with others. Tune in and listen to Monica Brooks as she shares her insights on the importance of boundaries, recounting her personal growth over the past year.   She will describe her process of creating her own relationship b...

Have you ever felt like you're giving your all, but still falling short? In today's podcast, we draw inspiration from Joey Aguilar, Appalachian State's 2nd string quarterback, who had a remarkable season. We also consider the success of Tom Brady. What can we learn from them? Don't be discouraged by a lack of immediate results. Our podcast today will motivate you to keep strivi...

Many people ask me how I became an inspirational speaker. In this episode, I share my story of how I got to where I am today. Without giving too much away, I'll say that it takes a great deal of courage, risk-taking, and self-belief. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more updates. Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it. H...

What does it mean to be a heart-centered leader?  What skills and qualities are needed?  What are the benefits of being tapped into our heart?  Today's episode will discuss these questions with Jillian Robinson and steps you can start taking today to add this skill to your life and leadership. Jillian Robinson is a coach and consultant who is focused on enhancing the human experience of those...