The Courage Effect

#50: Suzanne celebrates our 50th episode by kicking off the first Courageous Challenge!  In these monthly “Courage Up!” challenges, she invites us to take small, courageous steps to spark positive change in our lives and communities.  Our first challenge: Reconnect with someone meaningful we haven't spoken to in a while.   So . . . who will you reach out to this month?  Join The Courage Effect com...

#49 | 5.22.2024: Suzanne discusses the world’s loneliness epidemic with Dr. Jeremy Nobel. They explore the types of loneliness – and the vital distinction between solitude and isolation – with Dr. Nobel sharing his insights on how engaging with the arts and community can lead us out of isolation and into connection.   Dr. Jeremy Nobel is a primary-care physician, public health practitioner, and aw...

#17 | 8.2.2023: In a conversation about personal safety, Barb talks through the work she does at Always Bev , an organization she founded following her sister’s death, who was tragically killed by gun violence. She and Suzanne discuss the importance of trusting our intuition, not ignoring the “yellow flags” we see (and feel) from others, and the journey Barb has taken to process her grief and take...

#48 | 5.8.2024: Suzanne dives deep with the incredible Kate Isler , co-founder of The WMarketplace (an innovative ecommerce accelerator and online sales channel supporting women-owned businesses) and a true trailblazer in the tech industry and beyond.  Kate speaks to her journey of breaking boundaries and empowering women entrepreneurs globally. In addition to being the co-founder WMarketplace , K...

#47 | 4.24.2024: Rebecca Weaver talks through the wounds we collectively experienced during the pandemic (and shares a powerful personal story) through the lens of "post-traumatic growth."   She and Suzanne discuss the complexities of navigating personal and professional challenges, reframing our need to rush back to normalcy (such as returning to the office), and coming to terms with the realizat...

#46 | 4.1.2024: Hey, Courage Champions! Suzanne Weller here, celebrating one transformative year of The Courage Effect. We've delved deep into tales of triumph and heartbreak, revealing how facing fear unlocks possibility and growth.  In this show, we hear my reflections on past shows, featuring the wisdom of previous guests Elsa , Susan Mann , Ruby Love , Troy Livingston , and Chezik Tsunoda . Or...

#45 | 3.27.2024: : Kate Walker talks with Suzanne about her book A Candid Conversation: Lessons in Life, Love, and Leadership, a combined memoir and guide that shares relatable lessons in life for all the girls and women who feel unworthy, agreeable, codependent or helpless. Kate Walker is an executive consultant, life coach, HR expert, and author of the Amazon Bestseller A Candid Conversation: Le...

#44 | 3.1.32024: : What is solutions-journalism?  Roxanne Patel Shepelavy (Executive Editor and Co-Executive Director of The Philadelphia Citizen ) talks with Suzanne about her path to founding a nonprofit media outlet that stands for democracy , ignites civic action and advocates for innovative solutions .  Thanks to the support of our show sponsor BetterHelp.  Go to https://betterhelp.com/courag...

#43 | 3.6.2024: Suzanne gets inspired by Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act , and speaks to how wecan tackle one of our biggest creativity killers: overthinking. Thanks to the support of our show sponsor BetterHelp. Go to https://betterhelp.com/courage for 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help #sponsored   More information abo...

#42 | 2.21.2024: Andreas Gebhard talks with Suzanne about how we grow through the courageous acts of others (sharing an experience that shifted his thinking and made him a better leader), and the possibilities that arise when we do things differently (particularly in corporate environments, where we struggle to effectively communicate and build connection). Andreas Gebhard is CEO of Forward Moment...

#41 | 2.7.2024: Suzanne talks with Filmmaker Chezik Tsunoda , about the courageous path she’s taken as an impassioned water safety advocate after her 3-year-old son Yori’s tragic drowning. Chezik shares her thoughts on pushing through challenges, and invites us to think about what we’re looking away from and the power of redirecting our gaze. Chezik Tsunoda is an impassioned water safety advocate...

#40 | 1.31.2024: : Suzanne talks with guests about the books that inspired them to be more courageous. They include: Nicole Christie - Kiss Off Corporate America by the Lisa Kivirist Rick Ehlers - The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom by Dr. Angeles Arrien Dr. Adeola Mead - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Rebecca Rockafellar - The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by...

#39 | 1.24.2024: Dr. Thomas Curran , the world's leading expert on perfectionism and author of the best-selling book The Perfection Trap , talks with Suzanne about the 3 different types of perfectionism, how they are all steeped in deficit thinking, and how it’s fed by our “growth at all costs” economy.  Thomas Curran is a professor of psychology at the London School of Economics whose TED Talk on...

#38 | 1.17.2024:  Lara Zahaba , the Co-Owner of Stoup Brewing , talks with Suzanne about the courage it took to start their brewery, and the challenges of maintaining and growing the business. She shares how their team came together to survive the pandemic, touches on the evolution of the beverages space, and how Stoup’s business partnership trio (including herself, her husband Brad Benson and Rob...

#37 | 1.10.2024: Susan Mann talks with Suzanne about why courage is a vital tool for us in navigating what she calls the “vulnerability sh#tshow” we’ve been living through these past few years. She anchors on the importance of having agency in uncertain times, providing recommendations for what we all can do to move through trauma and loss.  Susan Mann is a leadership coach, workshop facilitator,...

#36 | 1.3.2024: Suzanne talks us through intention-setting for 2024, shares her word of the year, and ideas around how we might bring more courage into the next 12 months.  Resources mentioned in this show include her 2023 year-end blog post on closure , and her recommended Start, Stop, Continue framework . Thanks to the support of our show sponsor BetterHelp. Go to https://betterhelp.com/courage...

#35 | 12.20.2023: Cindy Elkins shares her experiences of being a leader, mother, and Cindy how she’s tapping her courage as an advocate (or “torch bearer”) for causes including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for depression, art - healing - and loneliness , and blood donation.   Cindy Elkins is a biotech and high tech leader, board director, and mom of two amazing college wo...

#34 | 12.13.2023: When is it time to pursue a new job, or stay where you are? Lora Poepping and Suzanne talk about taking the time to discern what’s best for you, and the courage involved in either saying “yes” to a new opportunity, or settling in to appreciate the value you’re realizing in your current role. Lora Poepping is the founder and president of Plum Coaching & HR Consulting , a firm...

#33 | 12.6.2023: Elsa shares her story of becoming a successful sports photographer, which started when she shot a football game in high school and has led to covering some of the most preeminent events including the Olympics, World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, US Open, and FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cup. She talks with Suzanne about learning to bet on herself, the courage it takes to work in...

#32 | 11.29.2023: Now we’re in the holiday season, there’s a good chance we’ll be having hard or awkward conversations with family, friends, or colleagues. Our host Suzanne Weller talks through some ways to prepare for what she calls a “courageous conversation” so we can transform these dreaded discussions into empowering, mutually beneficial exchanges. More information about Weller Collaboration:...

#31 | 11.22.2023: Suzanne talks with Alisha Fernandez Miranda about her book My What If Year – where she details her adventure of pausing her career for a year to explore the “what if” jobs of her dreams, which took her from internships at a Broadway theater, a London art gallery, a Scottish luxury hotel, and a virtual fitness studio (Zumba, anyone?!). It’s a joyous conversation about taking risks...

#30 | 11.15.2023: Melissa Kirsch , deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle at The New York Times , talks with Suzanne about two essential ingredients in the writing process: vulnerability and courage. More information about Weller Collaboration: wellercollaboration.com Sign up for Suzanne’s Reimagine Growth newsletter here

#29 | 11.8.2023: Sarah shares the story of waking up to what truly made her happy and the journey of creating positive change in her life through ditching the hustle and grind mentality and achieving success differently.  Sarah O'Brien Hammond is a community creator, life and career coach and recruiter. She creates safe and judgment-free containers for women to gather and talk about the things tha...

#28 | 10.25.2023: Amy – who’s living in her “why not?” moment – talks about how powerful the act of storytelling can be, and how vital it is for us to not only share narratives broadly but bring others along to do the same.     Amy Kugler is a media executive, writer, and founder of BEAM - a venture that illuminates the unseen corners of motherhood with human-scale storytelling. She is the host of...

#27 | 10.18.2023: Justin talks through the turns of his professional career in the advertising industry, and the importance of knowing who you are to not only thrive but survive in work environments. Justin Reed is a seasoned advertising, marketing, public relations, and communications professional based in the New York area. More information about Weller Collaboration: wellercollaboration.com Sig...