Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
Life By Design
Welcome to Life by Design with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. This podcast is a space for real conversations about well-being, resilience, performance, leadership, and everyday life – and how the small choices you make each day shape the quality of your life. Living a big, beautiful life isn’t reserved for a select few; it’s built in the ordinary moments, the routines that ground us, the acts of self-care that restore us, and the intentional decisions that align us with what matters most. Each week, we take big ideas and turn them into practical habits, tools, and practices you can actually use. Tho...
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Author
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Nov 4, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The Truth About Happiness 25.06.2025 32:38
In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the science behind happiness—what it is, what it’s not, and how much of it we can actually influence. She shares how our brain’s neurochemistry responds to small, daily actions, why the “arrival fallacy” keeps us chasing fulfillment that never quite lands, and how grief and joy can coexist. Through honest reflections and everyday strategies, Dr. Robyne invites...
Your Personal Permission Slip to Feel Well 18.06.2025 26:02
In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne explores the value of self-care in the midst of life’s chaos. She highlights the importance of matching your self-care with the type of rest and renewal you truly need—whether physical, emotional, or cognitive—and invites you to rethink the role of intuition in your daily life. She also offers a powerful reframe: instead of setting goals that le...
Self-Care When Life Feels Hard 11.06.2025 27:30
When life is calm, self-care can feel simple. But what happens when everything feels off track, heavy, or overwhelming? In this episode, Dr. Robyne walks you through the EASE framework as a roadmap to help simplify self-care during tough times. She shares practical and sustainable strategies for tending to your head, heart, and body without overcomplicating the process. This episode is a gentle re...
Why Self-Awareness Is More Than Knowing Your Flaws 04.06.2025 29:22
What does it really mean to be self-aware? In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne unpacks what it really means to see yourself clearly and kindly. She walks through the four archetypes of self-awareness, explains the difference between internal and external awareness, and shares why recognizing your strengths and what’s working well is just as important as noticing where there’s room to grow. You’ll also...
Sleep Strategies Made Simple 28.05.2025 24:33
How do you prepare your mind and body for rest? In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne is talking about sleep—an often-overlooked piece of well-being and performance. She explores how our morning habits, the way we wind down, and even what we do with our worries can dramatically impact the quality of our sleep. With practical insights and strategies, she shows how creating supportive...
Sleep: The Missing Piece of High Performance 21.05.2025 21:54
In this episode, Dr. Robyne dives into one of the most crucial foundations of our well-being, performance, and long-term success: sleep. While hustle culture glorifies 5 a.m. wake-ups and sleepless nights, research tells a different story—one where most adults need eight hours of quality sleep to truly operate at their best. She explores the science behind the powerful processes that unfold while...
How Nature Soothes Our Weary Nervous Systems 14.05.2025 24:52
In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne explores the deeply restorative effects of nature on our mental health and overall well-being. She unpacks the science behind how stepping outside—and escaping a world of 90-degree angles—can lower stress hormones, boost mood, and spark creativity. From morning sunlight and birdsong to the calming rhythm of water and the mesmerizing patterns of...
The Four C's of Engagement 07.05.2025 26:07
In this episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the “Four C’s of Engagement”—Crashing, Coasting, Cruising, and Championing—as a practical model for understanding motivation and momentum in the workplace and beyond. She explores how each state impacts our resiliency and performance and offers targeted strategies for leaders to support engagement at every level—from urgent intervention and clear goal setting...
Small Practices, Big Impact: Habits That Transform Your Well-Being and Everyday Life 30.04.2025 36:33
This week on Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne continues the conversation around habits—those small, repeated actions that quietly shape the quality of our lives. Inspired by listener questions, she explores why our habits matter so much and where to even begin when it feels overwhelming to make positive changes. She introduces the concept of the “health hierarchy,” explaining how focusing on fou...
Your Habits Make Up the Quality of Your Life 23.04.2025 38:31
In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne dives deep into the science of habit formation—exploring why we do what we do and how to create change that actually sticks. She breaks down the ABC model of behavior, explains how habit stacking can unlock big changes, and highlights why your self-talk and environment may matter more than you realize. You'll learn practical, science-backed strategies to build habits...
Navigating Change: Why It Feels Hard and How We Adapt 16.04.2025 22:38
How do we get better at navigating change? In this episode, Dr. Robyne unpacks the psychology behind our reactions to change—why some of us resist it while others embrace it. She explores the impact of our personal history with change, the importance of acknowledging and addressing fear points, and the power of agency in navigating change seasons. Whether you’re leading a team through uncertainty...
The Right Insight at the Right Time: Finding Your Unlock 09.04.2025 27:20
Have you ever had a moment where something just clicked—and suddenly, you saw everything differently? In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne dives into the power of unlocks and “aha” moments—those unexpected moments that shift our perspective, open new pathways, and allow us to move forward in ways we didn’t realize we needed. With a mix of storytelling and science, she explores ho...
The Power of Reinvention: Stretching into New Possibilities 02.04.2025 25:09
In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the powerful process of reinvention—how we evolve in our roles, careers, and identities, and what it takes to embrace change. Whether prompted by uncertainty, stress, or a deep longing for something more, reinvention challenges us to let go of the familiar and step into something greater. Dr. Robyne discusses why we tend to cling to the familiar, how reframing...
Championing Women's Success in the Workplace 26.03.2025 24:11
How do we truly support and advocate for women in professional spaces? In today’s episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne explores the challenges, biases, and structural barriers that women face in the workplace. She reflects on her personal experiences and highlights the power of storytelling in driving change. From mentorship and collaboration to the value of encouragement and workplace fle...
Breaking the Guilt Cycle and Rewriting the Rules of Self-Care for Women 19.03.2025 29:17
In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the historical context of women’s roles in society and highlights the incredible strides women have made—while also shedding light on the weight of the invisible labor many still carry. She unpacks the deep-rooted guilt that often accompanies prioritizing oneself, challenges the notion of self-care as a luxury, and reframes it as an essential act of self-stewar...
Burnout Part 2: The Rest You Didn't Know You Needed 12.03.2025 20:15
In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne continues the conversation on burnout by diving into practical strategies for recovery. While sleep and physical rest are important, she highlights that true recovery goes beyond that. From emotional and social rest to productivity and spiritual rest, she shares science-backed ways to restore a weary nervous system. Listen in to learn small but powerful practices t...
Burnout Part 1: The Curse of the Strong 05.03.2025 24:15
In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne sheds light on what burnout really is, why it happens, and how it affects us. She unpacks the three key signs—exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy—and explains how burnout isn’t about weakness; it’s often the curse of the strong. She also highlights that burnout isn’t only about long hours and heavy workloads—it's the time spent living and...
Just Get to the Shore 26.02.2025 23:51
In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne explores how emotions shape our experiences and how we can support ourselves when they become overwhelming. Instead of trying to problem-solve or force solutions in moments of distress and heightened emotions, she encourages us to first focus on “just getting to the shore”—a place of steadiness and regulation. This conversation will help you recognize how self-awaren...
Social Comparison: Wired into Us, But Not in Control of Us 19.02.2025 23:24
Why do we compare ourselves to others? It’s wired into us for survival—but in today’s hyper-connected world, it often leaves us feeling like we’re never enough. In this episode, Dr. Robyne unpacks the evolutionary roots of social comparison and why it’s both a natural instinct and a modern challenge. She shares strategies for how to recognize when it’s hurting rather than helping, what we can do t...
Love, Connection, and the Relationships That Are Good for Your Nervous System 12.02.2025 27:02
In this Valentine’s Day-inspired episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne is talking about love. She dives into the science of attachment, exploring how our earliest relationships shape the way we connect with others throughout our lives and why we’re drawn to certain people. She also discusses how the nervous system signals safety and trust, the importance of showing up for the relationships...
When Life Is a Lot 05.02.2025 23:37
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like you need a break from your own life or even yourself? In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the reality of resilience when life feels relentless and the curveballs keep coming. She unpacks the importance of leaning into self-care—even when it doesn’t feel like it’s working—addresses how social comparison adds to overwhelm, and offers strategies for honoring your...
From Vulnerability to Strength: How to Cultivate a Sense of Safety 29.01.2025 26:10
What does it mean to feel safe? In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne unpacks the concept of safety as it relates to psychology and stress—what it looks like, feels like, and how we can cultivate it in our lives. She discusses how our attachment styles shape the ways we seek or create safety, the importance of tuning in to our nervous system and trusting our instincts, and how to foster a sense of ease a...
Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap 22.01.2025 20:34
In this episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne explores the “knowing-doing gap”—the space between knowing what’s best for us and actually putting it into practice. Using relatable examples, she unpacks why we sometimes struggle to follow through, how all behaviors serve a purpose, and how self-awareness, curiosity, and intentionality can help us bridge the gap. Plus, the power of “feeling-se...
The Stress Bucket Concept: Understanding Your Limits and Finding Balance 15.01.2025 19:39
Is your stress bucket overflowing? From big rocks like grief and illness to life’s daily stressors, our buckets can feel perpetually full, leaving us overwhelmed and depleted. In this episode, Dr. Robyne explores the concept of the stress bucket and shares compassionate, research-backed practices for finding relief. Discover how to identify your most pressing stressors and cultivate physical, emot...
Navigating Life's Transitions: Embrace the Discomfort 08.01.2025 23:56
How do you transition from hustle to rest, from holidays to routine, or from work to home life? Transitions can often feel daunting, but in today’s episode of Resiliency Redefined , Dr. Robyne shares personal insights and actionable strategies to help you navigate them with greater ease and compassion. Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne: Watch episodes on YouTube Get Dr. Robyne's book: Calm With...
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