Change Academy podcast

Are you guilty of holding yourself (or others) to impossibly high standards?

In this episode, we’re exploring the concept of Ought implies can—the notion that we can only be obligated to do what we’re actually capable of. But how do we know where the limits of ability really are?

Are we being too hard on ourselves (or others)? Or are we making excuses?

Learning how to tell the difference can help you set fair, realistic, and empowering expectations—for yourself and everyone around you.

Continue reading “A sure-fire way to set yourself (and others) up for failure”

Feeling stuck in the daily grind? Quitting isn’t the only way out. In this episode, Dr. Jessica Grossmeier shares how to find meaning, connection, and even transcendence in the job you have now.

We explore:
✅ How small shifts in perspective can reignite purpose and satisfaction
✅ The power of workplace connections and why they matter more than you think
✅ Simple, science-backed practices to reset, refocus, and thrive at work
✅ Why transcendence is a job skill—and how to cultivate it

Whether you love your job, feel stuck, or are considering a change, this episode will challenge you to think differently about work—and yourself.

Continue reading “Transcending the grind: How to thrive in the job you have now”

Ever wondered why some changes seem impossible to sustain while others just click?

It’s not magic—it’s science.

In this episode, we’re talking about a 3-part recipe for behavior change that was first developed 30 years ago and is still making waves today. If you’ve struggled with change or are trying to help others make positive changes, you need to leverage all three of these key factors–in the right proportions. 

Read more: When we know better, we do better. Here’s why

Key Takeaways

1. Information, motivation, and behavioral skills all play important and interlocking roles in fostering positive behavior change. 
2. Strategies that address all three of these factors are likely to be the most effective. 
3. By considering the complexity of the behavior, we can tailor our approaches for maximum impact.

Related Episodes

Ep 129: Why it’s so hard to convert good intentions into action

Ep 11: The Attention, Intention, Action Cycle

Whenever we make plans or set goals, it’s important anticipate the inevitable bumps in the road, and be ready to adapt and course-correct. 

But sometimes, life doesn’t just serve up a bump in the road. It delivers an earthquake that shakes us to the core and opens up a chasm into which our entire life–and all of our fancy plans–are thrown.  In an instant, the goals, projects and ambitions that have been driving our thoughts, activities, and even our identities become irrelevant.

Today, psychologist Bethy Campbell joins me to talk about how to handle it when life goes completely off the rails.

Read more: How to cope when your life goes completely off the rails

Key Takeaways

1. Many of us tend to define ourselves by the goals that we set and accomplish. Consider the possibility that how we deal with life’s catastrophes may be even more revealing of our character and identity. 
2. Even when you’re stuck with something you didn’t choose, you still have the power to choose how you respond to and learn from those experiences.
3. Before we go looking for those silver linings or opportunities, it’s important to allow ourselves to acknowledge our grief and disappointment over what we may have lost. 
4. Even if we are forced to radically recalibrate our goals or our definition of success, setting doable goals gives us something to work toward and celebrate.

Mentioned

Life Directions Consulting with Dr. Bethy Campbell

Wellness Works Here

These final few days of the year are a great time to reflect on the year that’s past and think about what we’d like to focus on or accomplish in the New Year. And in this episode, I’m sharing a three-part process that might just become your new end-of-year ritual.  Instead of your New year’s Resolutions being a well-intentioned flash in the pan, we’re going to kindle a flame that will burn brightly all year. 

Continue reading “Resolution Remix: A 3-Step Ritual That Sets You Up for Success”

Wrestling with a tough choice? Trying to weigh the pros and cons but going in circles? In this episode, I’ve got a systematic approach to decision-making that can bring some welcome clarity to complex choices.

Whether you’re standing at a personal or professional crossroads, or debating different solutions to a problem, this framework will help you understand both the rational and emotional elements of your decision-making process–helping you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Continue reading “Going beyond pros and cons to get to the heart of tough decisions”

Struggling with hard-to-quit habits? Whether it’s the nightly glass of wine, mindless snacking, or endless social media scrolling, in this episode we’re talking about why these habits are so sticky – and more importantly, how to finally change them.

You’ll learn how your brain’s reward system actually works (it’s not what most people think!) and practical strategies for making lasting changes without giving up pleasure altogether.

You’ll learn specific techniques for navigating cravings, resetting your reward system, and creating new habits that satisfy your brain’s needs in more constructive ways. If you’re tired of feeling stuck in cycles of pleasure-seeking behaviors, this episode offers a fresh perspective and actionable solutions for lasting change.

Continue reading “Escaping the pleasure trap: How to break highly rewarding habits”

Our thoughts powerfully impact our lives—but we don’t always pay enough attention to what we’re telling ourselves. In this episode, we’ll take a look at four distinct categories of thoughts: those that are both true and helpful, those that might not be proven but serve us well, those that are true but get in our way, and those that are neither true nor helpful.

I even made you a cool decision tree worksheet to help you apply these concepts to your own thoughts and move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Continue reading “What to do with your negative thoughts”

In this first episode of a three-part series, we are digging in to why we so often resist making positive changes in our lives. Resistance isn’t simply stubbornness or laziness; it can be your brain’s way of keeping you safe. The key is to recognize what our resistance is trying to tell us, so that it doesn’t hold us back.  

Continue reading “How to Overcome Your Resistance to Change”

As the end of the year looms into view, you may feel some regret or disappointment about unmet goals or unrealized ambitions. Add in the chaos of holiday schedules, and it’s tempting to shelve all personal objectives until January.

This episode challenges that mindset, showing you how to turn these final months into a period of meaningful progress. Join me to reassess your goals without self-judgment, adapt your habits for the holiday season, and create a focused approach that will allow you to end the year feeling victorious.

Continue reading “Year-End Recalibration: Let’s Make These Last Two Months Count”