My Rejection Story

• Arielle Estoria on The Human Need for Belonging & Unfolding

  What if the fear of rejection is actually a fear of being fully seen?In this poetic and soul-searching episode, author and spoken word artist Arielle Estoria opens up about what it means to grow beyond who the world expects you to be—and how devastating, liberating, and cyclical that journey can be.Best known for her viral Arielle Estoria poems, her book The Unfolding, and her ability to speak straight to the soul, Arielle shares the deeply personal story behind her own “unfolding.” She discusses the grief of leaving behind old identities, the risk of becoming someone new, and the human need for belonging—especially when you no longer fit the roles that once made you feel loved.We talk about how her relationship with her husband gave her the courage to question inherited beliefs, why creativity is a core value in her life, and what it means to trade approval for truth. Whether you're in the middle of your own unfolding story or afraid to let go of the identity you’ve outgrown, this conversation is a balm for anyone who's ever felt the sting of having no sense of belonging.What We Cover:The awakening: What it feels like to outgrow the life that once felt safeHow Arielle’s husband became a catalyst for growth and authenticityGrief as part of growth: What we don’t talk about when we talk about becomingLetting go of people, labels, and spaces that no longer reflect who you areWhy creativity as a value is about healing, not performanceThe cost of honesty: Losing gigs, friends, and familiarity—and choosing truth anywayWhat it means to rewrite your “too much” narrativeHow her book The Unfolding and her album The Art of Unfolding were created for her own healing firstThe one Arielle Estoria quote every creator needs to hearHow rejection became redirection—and why the work always finds who it’s meant forUsing art to create belonging, not applauseWhy even non-artists can use creativity for healingQuotes That Hit Hard:💬 "I’d rather have friends who love me whole than love me half."💬 "That’s the old story. Now, what’s the new one?"💬 "Creativity is not about sounding good—it’s about speaking soul to soul."💬 "Rejection isn’t a dead end. Sometimes, it’s a reroute to yourself."Chapters:00:00 – Intro01:30 – Awakening vs autopilot living04:45 – How her husband gave her permission to explore08:30 – The grief of growing and letting go12:00 – Rejection, community loss, and spiritual dissonance15:10 – Redefining self-worth and belonging18:20 – How Arielle Estoria poems became a healing practice22:45 – Why her writing isn’t for the ears—but for the soul26:10 – Her response to low book sales and how she redefined success30:45 – Can anyone access healing through art? (Yes.)35:00 – The raw vulnerability of publishing your truth40:00 – What rejection taught her about audience, ego, and trust43:00 – Rewriting the unfolding story in real timeResources:📚 Arielle Estoria books: The Unfolding🎧 The Art of Unfolding – Spoken word album (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)🔗 Website: www.arielleestoria.com📲 Instagram: @arielleestoria

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• Marques Ogden on Life After NFL, Identity Loss, Losing a $25M Construction Biz, & More

  What happens when the dream ends and you're left with nothing?In this raw and powerful episode of My Rejection Story, former NFL player turned motivational speaker Marques Ogden shares his incredible journey through identity loss, business collapse, and ultimately, self-reinvention.At one point, Marques was at the top: running a $25 million construction company, driving luxury cars, and living the life of a successful ex-athlete. But behind the scenes, ego, poor financial decisions, and misplaced trust led to a devastating fall. He lost it all—his home, his cars, and his sense of purpose.What followed was even harder: a humbling stint as a night-shift custodian, addiction recovery, and facing the painful truth about his role in it all. This episode doesn’t just explore rejection. It unpacks what happens when you stop blaming the world and start taking ownership.Marques shares openly about grief, addiction, bankruptcy, and the moment he decided to rebuild his life—this time on truth, not illusion. If you've ever asked yourself “What is entrepreneurial ego?” or wondered how to bounce back from failure, this one’s for you.What We Cover:Life after the NFL: Why 78% of athletes go broke and how Marques found himself spiralingGrief, addiction, and the tattoo that became his wake-up callBuilding a $25M company from scratch—and the early cracks he ignoredBusiness debt meaning: how undocumented deals led to financial ruinThe fine line between confidence and arrogance in entrepreneurshipLosing it all: how one client’s handshake deal cost him everythingHitting rock bottom as a custodian—and learning to tell the truthHow he became a full-time Marques Ogden speaker and keynote coachHis current relationship with external validation and humilityHow gratitude and discipline helped him reclaim purposeThe importance of listening to your team and trusting the right peopleThe role of Marques Ogden’s wife and daughter during his hardest seasonsWhy rejection is often the best data point we can getChapters00:00 – Intro02:00 – Life after NFL: Expectation vs reality04:30 – Rock bottom: Addiction, grief, and survival mode08:00 – The tattoo incident that changed everything12:30 – From redemption to arrogance: Building and losing the biz18:45 – The phone call that ended everything23:00 – Repossession, foreclosure, and starting over26:00 – Ego and ignored advice: What Marques would do differently30:00 – The moment he realized he was a “fake and a phony”34:00 – The spilled milk story: Rock bottom reenacted37:00 – Becoming a speaker and rebuilding his reputation41:00 – The discipline myth: You don’t need to be gifted43:00 – Gratitude, ego, and redefining successResources Mentioned:Marques Ogden podcast: Get Authentic with Marques OgdenWebsite: www.marquesogden.comThe Marques Ogden App (with exclusive content and coaching offers)Instagram & LinkedIn: @marquesogdenEmail: [email protected]

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• Dr. Amanda Crowell: The “Great Work” Psychologist & How Defensive Failure Is Getting In The Way

  Ever heard of defensive failure? What about productive failure?In this deeply honest and psychologically rich episode, cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Amanda Crowell unpacks what it means to do the work that truly matters. We explore the Great Work framework, the emotional toll of overachievement, and the quiet sabotage of “defensive failure”—a pattern that stops us from even attempting the things we care about most.Amanda shares her own story of striving for approval, hitting burnout, and experiencing a health collapse that forced her to radically rethink her life. From panic attacks and autoimmune flare-ups to a TEDx talk viewed by 1.7M+ people, her story is a roadmap for finding meaning at work, rediscovering your voice, and finally choosing yourself.This conversation is for anyone yearning to feel more alive—whether by finding purpose at work, outside of work, or figuring out how to enjoy work again after years of burnout. It’s also a must-listen if you’ve ever doubted your potential, or convinced yourself you’re “not that kind of person.”What We Cover:Why most people fail before they even start—and how to spot “defensive failure” in your own lifeThe pressure to overachieve: How childhood patterns, trauma, and external validation drive burnoutAmanda’s breaking point: a panic attack that led to an unexpected health crisis and major life resetWhat “great work” really means—and how to spot your own great work threadThe surprising way intrinsic motivation works (and why competitive goals often backfire)How to build momentum in the smallest ways—and stop self-rejection in its tracksReframing rejection as data, not defeatFinding purpose at work worksheet (included in Amanda’s book!)How to do less, enjoy more, and feel alive againWhy burnout recovery requires joy, not just restChapters:00:00 – Intro02:40 – Her first memory of rejection: the cheerleading squad05:10 – The invisible weight of early identity labels08:05 – How Amanda became a triathlete after years of saying she “wasn’t athletic”11:50 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation: how to enjoy work life again15:45 – The real reason most people never start18:50 – Behind the viral TEDx talk (and the bra strap seen around the world)23:30 – The panic attack that sent her to the hospital26:50 – Finding purpose outside of work (and inside a slower life)31:00 – Giving up the hustle—and discovering Great Work36:45 – Why rejection is an advanced problem40:50 – How to get comfortable being a beginner again44:20 – Two clues to help you find your Great Work48:15 – Free resources and monthly classes to help you go deeperQuotes That Hit Hard:💬 “Rejection is an advanced problem. Most people fail defensively—before they ever start.”💬 “I was hiding inside my own excellence and getting really, really bored.”💬 “You either live in the arena, making mistakes—or you keep doing what you’ve always done.”💬 “Your identity is not a fixed thing. It’s a prison you can walk out of.”💬 “Stop tap dancing for approval. Let the failure happen. It’s not as painful as avoiding it forever.”Resources Mentioned:Amanda’s website: www.amandacrowell.comGet the Great Work book + journal (includes the “Finding Purpose at Work” worksheet!)Free monthly Great Work classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-great-work-series-classes-3888663Follow Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-crowell-51188130/

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• Alice Draper: How to Cope With Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

  What if the thing that hurts the most isn’t rejection itself, but how your brain processes it?In this emotionally resonant solo episode, host Alice Draper unpacks the lived experience of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): a lesser-known but deeply felt condition experienced by many, especially those with ADHD. Through childhood memories, Reddit stories, and peer-reviewed research, she explores why RSD feels like a punch in the gut, and what we can do to cope with it.Alice shares a painful moment from her teenage years that still echoes today: being excluded by a close friend in front of others, and the full-body shutdown that followed. It’s a familiar story for many people with rejection sensitive dysphoria ADHD, particularly rejection sensitive dysphoria women navigating friendships, love, and work in a world that often mistakes sensitivity for weakness.You’ll hear from others too: Stories pulled from rejection sensitive dysphoria Reddit communities that reveal just how common and debilitating these experiences are. Alice also walks through evidence-backed strategies pulled from a rejection sensitive dysphoria workbook by Neurodivergent Insights, and introduces a free rejection sensitive dysphoria test that listeners can use to assess their own experience.Whether you're searching how to cope with rejection sensitive dysphoria, how to overcome rejection sensitive dysphoria, or curious about rejection sensitive dysphoria ADHD treatment options, this episode offers understanding, science, and self-compassion in equal measure.If you’ve ever felt “too sensitive,” this conversation will help you feel a little more seen, and a lot less alone.What We Cover:What rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) actually is—and why it’s not just about being overly sensitiveThe neuroscience behind why social rejection activates the same part of the brain as physical painA deeply personal story from Alice’s teenage years and how those feelings still show up todayRaw, relatable Reddit posts from people living with RSDThe staggering statistic that children with ADHD hear 20,000 more negative messages by age 10 (via Dr. William Dodson)A reputable, expert-backed rejection sensitive dysphoria test you can take to assess your symptomsA resource-rich article from Neurodivergent Insights that doubles as a rejection sensitive dysphoria workbookTools and strategies for emotional regulation, black-and-white thinking, and self-compassionWhen (and how) to seek professional help—and what to know about ADHD treatment for rejection sensitive dysphoriaChapters:00:00 Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)04:28 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Reddit Stories07:50 How Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Ended A Friendship Of Mine10:54 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Test: An Overview11:47 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Workbook12:16 How To Cope With Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria16:18 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Regulation Techniques18:13 Case Study On How To Overcome Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria21:33 Seeking Professional Help and Support for Rejection Sensitive DysphoriaResources mentioned:🧠 Take the RSD test by ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-symptom-test📄 Use this article as a rejection sensitive dysphoria workbook: Neurodivergent Insights - How To Deal With RSD🔍 Read the full article on the 20,000-message stat by Dr. William Dodson: ADDitude article💬 Browse experiences in the rejection sensitivity dysphoria Reddit and rejection sensitive dysphoria ADHD women communities: r/ADHDwomen

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• Jessica Zweig: "It Was More Painful To Stay!" Walking Away From A Successful Business To Find Alignment

  What happens when success becomes a prison?In this candid and soul-baring episode, bestselling author and branding expert Jessica Zweig opens up about the emotional cost of staying in a business that no longer aligned with her truth. She shares the moment she realized it was more painful to stay than to leave—and what followed was a journey of healing, identity loss, and radical self-reinvention.Jessica speaks about the real-life complexities of leaving a business partnership without an agreement, navigating debt in entrepreneurship, and the slow unraveling that comes when you’ve built something that no longer serves your growth. Through her story, we unpack what it really means to change your life—not through hustle, but through alignment.This episode will resonate deeply with anyone feeling stuck, burnt out, or silently questioning the cost of their own ambition.What We Cover:Why Jessica left her first company, even though it looked like a dream from the outsideThe emotional and financial aftermath of splitting a business partnership with no formal exit planThe toll of chronic burnout and situational depression—despite outward “success”How to begin healing when your identity has been tied to achievementThe meaning of spiritual entrepreneurship and how Jessica integrates it into her life todayPractices that supported her transformation and helped her change her life for the betterWhat sovereignty means—and why it’s not a luxury, but a necessityChapters:00:00 – Intro03:15 – The rejection that shaped her confidence06:42 – Building a business from burnout09:30 – Leaving a business partnership without an agreement13:20 – The illusion of success vs. internal collapse17:00 – Depression, debt, and detangling identity from output24:45 – Spiritual awakenings and redefining ambition30:11 – What is a spiritual entrepreneur?34:52 – How to change your life in 30 days40:28 – Letting go of hustle culture for nervous system healing46:05 – How Jessica lives in alignment todayQuotes That Hit Hard:💬 "The pain of staying was greater than the pain of leaving."💬 "I was succeeding outwardly and dying internally."💬 "I walked away with no plan—and found myself in the process."💬 "We are sovereign. We just forget."Resources Mentioned:Jessica’s website: www.jessicazweig.comJessica on Instagram: @jessicazweigJessica’s podcast: The Spiritual Hustler

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