Join Abhi and Ben as they explore career paths, mistakes, and lessons learned in the IT industry.
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Ben Climer Podcasts
Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a l ...
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Laid Off, Let Go, and Leveled Up with Sarena Diamond
37:58
37:58
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37:58What do you do when life hands you a layoff, single parenthood, and a house full of 28 years’ worth of memories… all at once? In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, I sit down with organizational change powerhouse Serena Diamond (www.diamondsolutionsgroupllc.com) —former IBM exec turned entrepreneur—who shares how she navigated a major …
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350 Episodes Later… and Still Dancing (You’ve Come Far Too, BTW)
7:12
7:12
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7:12It’s a milestone, y’all! In this solo episode, I’m throwing a little party in your ears to celebrate the 350th episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone! But don’t worry—it’s not just a victory lap. It’s a powerful reminder of one of the most overlooked confidence-building tools we’ve got: looking back. If you’re stuck in “I’m not there yet” mode, …
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Confidence Isn’t a Trait—It’s a Skill (and You Can Totally Learn It) with Diana Rogers Jaeger
36:14
36:14
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36:14In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, we’re busting the myth that confidence is something you either have or don’t. (Spoiler: that’s garbage.) Speaker, coach, and talent optimization strategist Diana Rogers Jaeger (https://www.dianarogersjaeger.com/) joins me to break down confidence into something way more approachable—and buildable. …
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Work Jerks, Beware: Rich "The HR Guy" Salon Is Here
36:47
36:47
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36:47You’ve met them—Two-Face Timmy, Micromanaging Maria, and Pessimistic Pete—and no, they’re not cartoon villains. They’re your coworkers… and they’re draining your soul. In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Rich Salon (aka “The HR Guy” https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-salon-sphr-shrm-scp/) to talk about how to handle jer…
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Imposter Syndrome, Street Magic, and the Bold Art of Being a Crappy Writer with Ben Whiting
33:36
33:36
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33:36What do rolling your ankle, pulling coins from thin air, and publishing a book have in common? They all show up in this refreshingly honest and hilarious conversation about the messy middle of personal growth. In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, we’re talking to Ben Whiting (benwhiting.com) about Imposter Syndrome, rejection sensitiv…
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Sticky Notes, Structure & Spark: Making Teams More Creative, One Idea at a Time with Dr Amy Climer
46:37
46:37
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46:37Wait… you don’t need glitter glue to be creative? Surprise! In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, I chat with Dr. Amy Climer —facilitator, speaker, and author of Deliberate Creative Teams—who’s on a mission to bust the myth that creativity is reserved for “artsy” people. Amy drops some serious (and seriously fun) wisdom about how to bu…
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Naive Arrogance: The Confidence to Charge Ahead Without a Clue (and Why It Totally Works)
10:15
10:15
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10:15Ever said “Screw it, I’ll figure it out” and leapt into something you had "no business" (according to some) doing? GOOD. That’s what we’re talking about in this fiery solo episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone—the bold, beautiful magic of naive arrogance. It’s that irrational confidence that gets things moving when logic, fear, and perfectionis…
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Episode 4 - Alden Wilson - From student sysadmin to Chief Meme Automation Officer
1:32:06
1:32:06
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1:32:06Summary In this episode of the Panda Awards Show, hosts Abhi Saini and Ben Climer welcome Aldlen Wilson, who shares his journey in the IT industry, from his early experiences with technology to his current role as a lead consultant. The conversation explores the importance of problem-solving skills, networking within the tech community, and the val…
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From Bullied Teen to TV Host: How Saying “Yes” Can Change Everything with Vaibhav "Happy" Nahata
31:48
31:48
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31:48In 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 inspir…
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Episode 3 - Brandon Pettit's Education Journey
1:02:12
1:02:12
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1:02:12Summary In this episode of the Panda Award Show, hosts Abhi Saini and Ben Climer engage with Brandon Pettit. They explore Brandon's unique career journey, his insights into YouTube content creation, and the importance of education in the IT industry. The conversation delves into the challenges of transitioning to leadership, the significance of tea…
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Episode 2 - Ben Climer's Story - From Habbo Hotel DJ to Rewst
1:46:26
1:46:26
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1:46:26Warning: This episode briefly discusses mental health and includes a non-graphic mention of a suicide attempt. Keywords technology, education, mental health, community, career development, personal growth, podcast, mentorship, high school, internships, IT career, mentorship, automation, MSP, technology, networking, consulting, leadership, job trans…
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Episode 1 - Abhi Saini's story From being fired at Geek Squad to owning an MSP
1:00:09
1:00:09
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1:00:09keywords self-discovery, technology, career journey, customer interaction, internal IT, business ownership, lifelong learning summary In this conversation, Ben Climer and Abhi Saini explore Abhi's journey through the tech industry, from his early fascination with technology to his experiences in various roles, including customer service, internal I…
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How to Hold it Together with Emotional Energy!
12:16
12:16
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12:16Running 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 div…
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Summary: In the inaugural episode of the Panda Award Show, hosts Ben Climer and Abhi Saini discuss their motivations for starting the podcast, the importance of managed service providers (MSPs), and the evolving landscape of IT careers. They share personal stories about their backgrounds, the significance of volunteering, and the challenges of navi…
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De-Escalation, Communication and Psychological Safety at Work: Lessons from Former Cop, Drew Moldenhauer
47:17
47:17
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47:17Think 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-escala…
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Need a Timeout? How to De-Escalate Conversations Before They Blow Up
7:03
7:03
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7:03Ever 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 heade…
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How to Lead Yourself Through the Fire (Literally and Figuratively) with Heather Ash Amara
37:48
37:48
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37:48What 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 t…
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Want less overwhelm? Focus on what you can do something about!
8:51
8:51
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8:51Overwhelm. 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®,…
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From Witness to Advocate: How a School Shooting Shaped Ryan Gallik’s Mission
46:34
46:34
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46:34In 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 fire…
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Leadership, Illusions, and Leaps of Faith with Ken Hartley
38:42
38:42
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38:42What 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 minist…
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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…
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Connection Isn’t Complicated: The Real J.O.B. of Belonging with Ginger Johnson
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49:06
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49:06Ever 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:…
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You Belong Here: How to Be a Human Welcome Mat (In a Good Way)
14:15
14:15
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14:15In 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 int…
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From Unicycles to Mic Drops: Curiosity, Courage & Creating a Life You Love with Joe Fingerhut
39:16
39:16
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39:16What 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 lau…
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Thanks for the Concern… But I’ve Got This: Understanding Naysayers
8:48
8:48
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8:48Ever 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…
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Gorillas, Growth & Going Off Script: Steve Fredlund’s Wild Life Pivot
48:46
48:46
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48:46Ready 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 …
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Whose Life Is This Anyway? Battling the internal tug-of-war between SHOULD and WANT
19:32
19:32
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19:32Ever 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)…
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The “Joy Wave” Effect: How Lisa W. Miller’s Research is Changing the Game!
43:47
43:47
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43:47What 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. Arm…
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Laurie Haley on Waiting for the Right Opportunity (even though it was SCARY!)
36:43
36:43
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36:43When 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 r…
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Amber Swenor with Authenticity, Metal, and the Messy Middle
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28:16
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28:16What 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 pl…
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Carmen Mims on Trusting the Process and Redefining Boundaries
54:45
54:45
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54:45What 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 Vipas…
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Flying High and Staying Grounded: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit with Emma Henderson
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48:49
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48:49Fasten 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 wi…
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Learn, Burn, Return: Your Blueprint for High Performance with Cindra Kamphoff
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43:28
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43:28Get 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 persona…
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Disappointment Detox: A Simple and Surprising Shift that Makes Life's Curveballs a Lot Less Terrible!
11:51
11:51
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11:51Tired 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 frustr…
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From Fear to Fierce: Jill Schulman’s Guide to Bravery and Resilience
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34:37What 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 optimi…
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From Fear to Go Mode: Anne's Guide to Moving Forward
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8:24
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8:24🚦 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 b…
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Reclaim Your Work Day with Health-Powered Productivity with Marcey Rader
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35:13In 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 epi…
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Master Your Mind: Harnessing the Cognitive Triad for Positive Change
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11:49Master Your Mind Through Mastering the Cognitive Triad Negative thoughts, negative feelings, negative actions—sound familiar? It’s a vicious cycle, right? Well, Aaron Beck nailed it back in the 1960s with his concept of the Cognitive Triad, which explains how our thoughts, emotions, and actions are all connected in a big feedback loop. But here’s t…
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Flip the Script: How Cognitive Flexibility Drives Success and Leadership with Dr. Matt Zakreski
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35:39
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35:39🎉 Bend, Don’t Break: Unlocking the Power of Cognitive Flexibility with Dr. Matt Zakreski! 🎉 Life’s curveballs got you stuck? Rigid responses dragging you down? Fear not! In this electrifying episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, your fearless host Anne Bonney teams up with the brilliant and oh-so-relatable Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychol…
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Why do we call it Dancing in the Discomfort Zone?
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9:13HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I've had a few people recently ask me, "Why do you call it Dancing in the Discomfort Zone podcast?". It's a great question, and I can't believe that in 317 episodes, I've never explained that! So we dedicated this podcast to explaining why we call it that! If you want a little more on my feelings about Embracing the Unfamiliar, ch…
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End of the Year, THANK YOU and Looking Towards 2025
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4:31As the end of 2024 comes careening towards us like the ground does for a skydiver who just realized their parachute isn't working, we here at Dancing in the DZ Podcast want to THANK YOU for your loyalty and for listening, and let you in on what we have planned in 2025 to continue to help you become stronger and more resilient with whatever mess 202…
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Unleashing Badass Networking with Donnie Boivin
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33:47This week, we’re turning traditional networking on its head with the bold and brilliant Donnie Boivin, founder of Success Champion Networking and host of the Bad Ass Business Summit! (https://successchampionnetworking.com/) If you’ve ever been stuck in the awkward referral loop at networking events, this episode is your ticket to breaking free and …
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From Caregiver to Playwright to Ireland and beyond! Breeda Miller's Inspiring Journey
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36:34This week on the Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, we sit down in the shower (you have to listen to get that one!) with the extraordinary Breeda Miller, creator of the award-winning one-woman show, Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home. (https://breedamiller.com/) What started as a daydream answer to the question, “What would you do if you couldn’t fail?” turned…
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Ready for Resilience: Thriving Through Crisis with Mark Hoffman
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40:58Ready for Resilience: Thriving Through Crisis with Mark Hoffman This week, we welcome the incredibly insightful (and delightfully relatable!) Mark Hoffman, a senior crisis management and business resilience consultant. Mark takes us on a rollercoaster of a conversation, blending his love of disaster movies with real-life crisis survival tips—from b…
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BONUS EPISODE: Ok, I'll admit it, I groan and gripe when I have to get all gussied up for a zoom meeting. I'm comfy in my home office, working hard in my baseball cap and sweatshirt, and I don't want anyone to see all of this unimproved goodness....but we miss out on so many relational/trust building benefits when we remove the visual from our comm…
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Leap Into the Unknown with Mimi Brown: Races, Bridges, and Adventuring with Anne Bonney
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27:00In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, your host Anne Bonney teams up with her adventurous (and hilarious!) friend Mimi Brown , Chief Motivational Officer at ampupsuccess.com. Together, they unpack some seriously bold adventures they recently shared—and the lessons learned from stepping waaaay outside their comfort zones. First Stop: Mi…
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Fact Attack! Face the Truth Now or Tackle Triple Turmoil Later!
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10:34Are you avoiding that awkward truth hoping it’ll magically disappear? Spoiler alert: it won’t! In this laugh-and-learn episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, we dive into the uncomfortable art of facing facts before they blow up in your face. Think of it as preventative care for life’s little disasters! Join us as we break down why staring down…
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From Grief to Healing: How Crystal Singing Bowls Transformed Jeralyn Glass's Journey in Sound Therapy
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44:08From Grief to Healing! In this transformative episode, sound healing expert Jeralyn Glass (https://crystalcadence.com/), founder of Crystal Cadence Sound Healing Studio, reveals how her journey with crystal singing bowls began after a tragic loss. As a classically trained musician, Jeralyn explains the profound healing power of sound therapy, its e…
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Tiffany Simms: Transforming Your Life Through Mind-Body Balance
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41:07In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the world of holistic wellness with expert coach Tiffany Simms. Far from being a "woo-woo" concept, holistic wellness is a practical approach to achieving balance in all areas of life. Tiffany shares her journey from corporate burnout to wellness advocate, sparked by a life-changing 5K at Disney. Key T…
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Amy Green Smith: Confessions of a Recovering People Pleaser: How to Say No Without Bursting into Flames
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42:12🎭 Ladies and gentlemen, step right up to the greatest show on Earth - or at least the most entertaining podcast about not being a doormat! Join your host, Anne Bonney, as she dives headfirst into the wacky world of people-pleasing with the fabulous Amy Green Smith (http://amygreensmith.com), certified life coach and master of saying "Nope" with a s…
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