Life By Design

In this insightful episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by licensed clinical social worker, author, and business consultant Debra Roberts for a meaningful conversation about communication and the small, intentional shifts that can strengthen relationships at home, at work, and everywhere in between.
They explore how our upbringing shapes the way we express ourselves, the common traps we fall into during difficult conversations, and how a few practical strategies can help us build personal agency and ask for what we need with greater clarity and confidence.
They also discuss concrete, compassionate ways to raise awareness, both in ourselves and others, without confrontation or blame, and offer real-life examples of how subtle changes in language and approach can lead to better outcomes.
This episode is filled with accessible, real-world insights you can put into practice right away, whether you’re working to voice your needs more clearly, set healthier boundaries, or bring more kindness and understanding into your everyday conversations.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How foundational communication skills are often missing from early education, and how this impacts our relationships
• The role of assumptions and narratives in how we approach conversations
• Simple but powerful practices for building self-awareness and personal agency, even in moments of stress or conflict
• Strategies to gently raise others’ self-awareness and strengthen conversations without triggering defensiveness
• The transformative impact of intentionally choosing when (and how) to engage in difficult conversations
• Why the way we speak matters as much as, if not more than, the message itself
• Why changing your communication patterns can prompt positive changes in those around you and help build healthy relationships, both personally and professionally
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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• The Relationship Protocol: How to Talk, Defuse and Build Healthier Relationships by Debra Roberts, LCSW
• Get 10% off Debra’s program My Communication Tools by visiting mycommunicationtools.com and using coupon code MCT10RHD at checkout
Get in Touch with Debra:
• Website: https://www.therelationshipprotocol.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debraroberts_lcsw/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-roberts-99b620b3/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and creator Scott D. Clary for a conversation about the realities of success and what it really takes to build something meaningful over time.
Together, they explore the mindset behind the “10-year rule,” a long-term approach that reshapes not only how we pursue goals, but how we navigate discomfort, setbacks, and seasons of imbalance. They discuss the power of designing supportive environments and systems that make consistent action easier, as well as the role of an inner circle that both challenges and champions your growth. Plus, why being willing to start imperfectly, put in the reps, and keep iterating is the key to progress.
Whether you’re building a business, creating content, or developing any habit, this episode offers practical insight into the real “price of entry” for starting something new, and steady encouragement to keep going, especially on the hard days.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Scott’s approach to content creation and communicating ideas in ways that resonate
• The “10-year rule,” and how committing long-term transforms your mindset, expectations, and approach to setbacks
• The difference between motivation and discipline, and how to design your life for follow-through
• Why having a trusted circle that challenges and champions you is critical to leveling up both personally and professionally
• Why there may be seasons where you have to prioritize building over balance
• The power of adapting, iterating, and learning as you go, and how to leverage real feedback and data to sharpen your edge
• Why we’re living in the golden age of entrepreneurship, opportunity, and creativity
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Scott’s Podcast: Success Story with Scott D. Clary
• If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World with Dorie Clark
Get in Touch with Scott:
• Website: https://www.scottdclary.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/scottdclary
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottdclary
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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In this week’s episode, marking the start of Season 2, Dr. Robyne is joined by fitness and nutrition coach, business owner, and podcast host Brad Jensen, also known as The Sober Bodybuilder, for a grounded conversation at the intersection of physical wellness, mental health, and human resilience.
Brad shares openly about his decade-long struggle with addiction, how hitting rock bottom became a turning point, and the role fitness played in his recovery and sustained sobriety as he rebuilt his life from the ground up.
Together, they explore the dangers of wellness misinformation, the deeper reasons we pursue health and well-being, and why beginning the day with simple rituals that nourish the mind, body, and spirit can help us show up more fully for ourselves and for the people who are counting on us.
Filled with honest reflections and moments of levity, this episode is a reminder that transformation is possible. Whether you’re starting over for the first time or the thirtieth, hope, joy, and purpose can be rebuilt, one intentional day at a time.
Listener note: This episode includes discussion of addiction, substance use, and recovery. Some listeners may find this content sensitive.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• That personal comebacks are possible
• It’s never too late to start fresh or build something meaningful
• Why humor is a powerful part of resilience
• What it can look like to support a loved one navigating addiction and recovery
• Why fulfillment and happiness cannot be found solely through external achievements
• The risks of health trends and misinformation on social media
• Real, rooted reasons to pursue fitness and well-being
• How morning rituals that nourish the mind, body, and spirit help you show up better for yourself and those counting on you
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Brad’s Podcast: The Brad Jensen Show
• Past episode mentioned: Leadership and Resilience from the Inside Out with Mark Divine
• Dublin City University study on social media health and wellness trends
Get in Touch with Brad:
• Website: https://becomenextlevel.com/coaches/brad/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoberbodybuilder/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne is joined by workplace culture expert, founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, author, and keynote speaker Heather R. Younger for an uplifting conversation about leadership, hope, and well-being.
Together, they explore the importance of aligning actions with core values, holding yourself accountable with compassion, and moving from "waiting for permission” to becoming your own green light. They unpack the hidden costs of social comparison and how reframing comparison into celebration can invite learning, connection, and collaboration. Their conversation also highlights the power of intentionally choosing hope as a steadying force in uncertain times, creating space for possibility, growth, and purposeful action.
Through real-world stories and actionable insights, this episode offers encouragement and practical ways to cultivate strength, steadiness, and unshakable leadership, so you can show up for yourself and for others at your best.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why self-leadership is the root of caring leadership
• How knowing and living by your values creates alignment
• Why waiting for permission or “a green light” from others can keep us from living and leading fully
• The importance of developing practical self-care routines that enable sustainable performance and leadership
• The distinction between hope and optimism, and why hope is the remedy the world needs right now
• The importance of collaboration and community in personal and professional growth
• Simple mindset shifts and strategies for managing overwhelm, reframing social comparison, and showing up authentically for yourself and those around you
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Heather’s Podcast: Becoming Unshakable
• The Art of Self-Leadership: Discover the Power Within You and Learn to Lead Yourself by Heather R. Younger
• Books by Heather R. Younger
• Dr. James Rouse
• Dr. Jen Wolkin
Get in Touch with Heather:
• Website: https://heatheryounger.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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In this final episode of the year, Dr. Robyne invites us to set aside the relentless pressures of “new year, new you,” and instead approach January with greater self-compassion and a gentler pace.
She reflects on the familiar cycle of well-intentioned resolutions that often don’t last and shares practical guidance for building habits that feel sustainable and aligned with our genuine capacity, energy, and the feelings we truly want to cultivate.
Rather than wiping the slate clean or striving for a total reset, she also offers a tender reminder that there is wisdom and hard-earned learning worth carrying forward from both the challenges and the bright moments of the year behind us.
Plus, a fresh perspective on what we’re really searching for in the “scavenger hunt” of life in 2026, and why hope might be the key.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why many resolutions are abandoned by mid-January, and how to approach change with more kindness and realistic expectations
• Why January doesn’t have to represent a dramatic “fresh start” and how to bring last year’s hard-earned wisdom forward
• The concept of “feeling casting” and designing your days with intention
• Practical strategies for holding difficult conversations
• Insights on habit formation: understanding cues, behaviors, and the role of rewards and reinforcements
• The power of self-awareness and positive reinforcement in creating lasting behavioral change
• How to use curiosity instead of judgment when reflecting on your own behaviors and routines
***
Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
***
Next Stress Wisely Lab: January 12, 2026
Join Dr. Robyne for a 90-minute, research-informed experience designed to help you understand your habits, shift what’s no longer serving you, and build routines that better support how you want to feel and show up in your days.
There’s a spot waiting for you.
Bring a friend for free with our 2-for-1 offer: add two tickets to your cart and use coupon code 2for1 at checkout.
Learn more and register today: https://drrobyne.ca/stress-wisely-labs/
Additional Resources:
• Previous episode mentioned: How to Have a Difficult Conversation
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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• Get Dr. Robyne's book: