Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney

In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , I sit down with the one and only Vaibhav Nahata , a.k.a. “Happy” ( www.speakervideos.com )—a joy-fueled video marketing pro, teen speaker, and TV show producer from Nepal who has turned discomfort into his superpower . Once the bullied kid at school, now a bold entrepreneur interviewing CEOs and inspiring youth around the world, Happy’s story is...

Running on Empty? Let’s Talk Emotional Energy (and Why You Keep Snapping at People). Ever find yourself saying, “I know better, but I still lost it…” or “I had every intention of staying calm… until I didn’t”? Yeah. That’s emotional energy at work—or more accurately, at low battery. In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney dives into the unsung hero of emotional intelligence...

Think de-escalation is just for law enforcement? Think again. In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney chats with Drew Moldenhauer ( https://drewthespeaker.com/ )—former police officer, emotional intelligence advocate, and founder of Blue Ethos ( https://blue-ethos.com/ ) —about the surprising science and strategy behind de-escalation, communication, and psychological safety...

Ever been in a conversation where the heat rises... fast? 🥵 In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com) breaks down the power of taking a strategic timeout when emotions start to hijack a productive dialogue. Whether it’s a tense team meeting, a tough feedback session, or a workplace conflict headed off the rails, knowing when (and how) to hit p...

What do you do when 175 acres of your beloved land go up in flames? If you’re HeatherAsh Amara ( www.warriorgoddess.com ), you don’t just rebuild—you listen . In this powerful and earthy episode, author of Warrior Goddess Training and all-around badass HeatherAsh Amara shares how losing nearly everything in a wildfire became an unexpected invitation to slow down, tune in, and completely reimagine...

Overwhelm.  Burnout.  So much is changing these days, and it's really easy to feel like you're being knocked around in the endless barrage of change!  If you want to feel a little better about your situation, especially when things get hairy, do what we talk about in this episode.  Focus on what you can CONTROL! Thanks for listening.   Anne Bonney, CSP®, is an electrifying keynote speake...

In this profound and deeply human episode, Anne Bonney sits down with speaker and mental wellness advocate Ryan Gallik to explore a life shaped by trauma—and transformed by healing, purpose, and leadership. As a witness to and survivor of a middle school school shooting, Ryan’s journey through grief and trauma led him to a life of service—as a firefighter, paramedic, and now the founder of the Men...

What if the expiration date on your current life isn’t a dead end—but an invitation to reinvent yourself?  In this inspiring, high-energy episode, Anne Bonney chats with Ken Hartley www.kenhartley.com   award-winning speaker, singer, and corporate magician, about his wild and courageous career pivot at 50 years old. After 36 years leading music ministries, Ken walked away from everything stable an...

Ever catch yourself getting irritated because someone doesn’t think, talk, or act like you?  Surprise! That’s not a character flaw on their part—it’s just reality. In this episode, your host Anne Bonney (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com) drops a truth bomb you didn’t know you needed:   Stop expecting you from other people. We're diving into the emotional intelligence mindset shift that can make...

Ever feel like connection is harder than ever these days?  You’re not alone—but this week’s guest says it doesn’t have to be that way. Join your host Anne Bonney as she chats with connection evangelist and keynote speaker Ginger Johnson (https://gingerjohnson.com/) , who’s here to blow up the myth that human connection is complicated. (Spoiler alert: it’s not!) From waving at strangers to building...

 In a world where people feel more isolated and overlooked than ever, belonging isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a leadership superpower . In this short but powerful episode, keynote speaker and discomfort-zone navigator Anne Bonney (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com) breaks down what it really means to create belonging for others—and how to do it with intention, whether you’re leading a team or simply...

What do unicycling in Japan, teaching English, and building a career in motivational speaking have in common? Joe Fingerhut, that’s what! ( www.joefingerhut.com ) In this upbeat, laugh-filled, wisdom-packed episode, Anne chats with speaker, author, and eternal curiosity-chaser Joe Fingerhut to explore what it really means to turn limitations into launchpads. Joe’s life is proof that bold action, a...

Ever had a bold idea or dream and immediately heard, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” or “What if it doesn’t work?” Cue the naysayers. 🙄 In this episode with your host Anne Bonney (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com), we’re unpacking the well-meaning, fear-fueled advice that often shows up just as we’re about to take a leap. (pair those with the voice of doubt already yelling "WTF ARE YOU DOING...

Ready to trade safe and expected for wild and extraordinary ? In this bold and inspiring episode, Steve Fredlund (https://stevefredlund.com/) takes us on a journey from buttoned-up actuary to gorilla-hugging nonprofit founder (ok, he didn't HUG the gorilla...listen in to find out what he actually did!).  He's a professional speaker, and author of Do the Unright Thing . Spoiler alert: the...

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a mental game of tug-of-war between what you should do and what you actually want to do? Welcome to the club, my friend—membership: basically everyone. In this episode, your host Anne Bonney (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com) dives into the oh-so-human struggle between following the path society (or family or convention) paved for us… and the one that lights our own fir...

What if joy was the key to economic recovery? That’s exactly what consumer strategist and data whiz Lisa W. Miller (https://www.lwm-associates.com/) discovered when the world turned upside down in 2020. Instead of getting stuck in fear and uncertainty, Lisa had a bold realization: When joy is greater than fear, everything starts to turn around. Armed with this insight, she launched the Journey Bac...

  When the Job Hunt Drags On: Laurie’s Journey from Unemployed to Unstoppable Job searching is rough—but nine months of rejection? That’s next-level tough. In this episode, Laurie gets real about what it’s like to be a seasoned professional suddenly feeling unemployable in a brutal job market. From self-doubt to ageism to the soul-crushing sting of rejection emails, she shares the highs, the lows,...

What do business strategy, leadership coaching, and fronting a metal band have in common? Amber Swenor! (https://www.amber-swenor.com/)  This powerhouse entrepreneur and rockstar joins us to talk about the wild, sometimes uncomfortable journey of living authentically —even when the world expects you to fit into a neatly labeled box. From trying to play by the rules in pageants (until she unleashed...

What happens when you embrace life’s uncertainties and rewrite the rules as you go? In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney chats with Carmen Mims (https://www.relaxathand.com/), a fearless adventurer and holistic wellness practitioner who turned depression into discovery and boundaries into breakthroughs. From a silent Vipassana retreat to life-changing moments in Thailand...

Fasten your seatbelt—this episode is about to take off! Anne Bonney welcomes Emma Henderson ( www.emma-henderson.com ), a former airline captain, leadership expert, and charity founder, to share her journey of resilience, leadership, and making a difference. Emma’s story takes you from the skies to the frontlines of the pandemic, with lessons that will inspire you to lead with humanity, humility,...

Get ready for a dynamic dive into unlocking human potential with Speaker and executive performance coach Cindra Kamphoff (https://cindrakamphoff.com/)! In this upbeat episode, Cindra reveals her inspiring journey from competitive athlete to a sought-after mindset mentor for high-profile clients—including the Minnesota Vikings. With a mix of personal anecdotes, practical tips, and a spunky attitude...

Tired of feeling let down by life’s curveballs? Whether it’s annoying experiences or frustrating people (you know the ones), Anne’s got the ultimate mindset hack to help you rise above the chaos!   Learn how to stop sweating the small stuff, sidestep disappointment, and take on life with a fresh perspective. This episode is your fast pass to a frustration-free mindset—don’t miss it! Your host Anne...

What does it take to develop true bravery? In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney sits down with Jill Schulman—Marine Corps veteran, corporate leadership expert, and positive psychology researcher—to explore how bravery is built, not born. Jill shares actionable insights on stepping out of your comfort zone, balancing optimism with realism, and creating a "bravery mus...

 🚦 Stuck in Hesitation Nation ? 🚦 You know you need to act, but fear’s got you frozen like a deer in the headlights!  What if it doesn’t go as planned? What if you fail? Sound familiar? This week, Anne’s dishing out her secret sauce for finding those 3 seconds of courage to punch fear in the face, shake off the doubt, and take action! Whether it’s a bold decision, a tough conversation, or just g...

 In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone , Anne Bonney dives into an insightful conversation with productivity powerhouse and author Marcey Rader. Together, they tackle the challenges of finding balance, reclaiming your workday, and prioritizing mental health for long-term success. If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling too much, this episode is your golden ticket to a healthier, more...