Life By Design

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
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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

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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
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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:
Watch episodes on YouTube

In this gentle solo episode, Dr. Robyne invites you to pause amid the busyness of the season, offering a warm, compassionate space to simply exhale.
She reflects on the complexity of the holidays, from the full spectrum of emotions and the pressure to make everything magical, to the messy, sometimes uncomfortable “in-between” days that follow. Along the way, she shares thoughtful invitations for protecting your peace, setting meaningful boundaries, holding big emotions with compassion, and honoring time for rest and recovery.
Whether you find yourself celebrating, recalibrating, or simply catching your breath, this is your gentle reminder to make what matters most matter most, cherish your progress, and nurture hope as you enter the new year.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the holiday season can feel overwhelming and full of complex emotions
Why rest might feel uncomfortable if you thrive on busyness
How to make peace with productivity guilt and accept that you’ve already done enough
Strategies for giving yourself spaciousness and setting boundaries
How adjusting expectations can help protect your peace
A gentle approach to big emotions
The power and necessity of self-kindness and self-care
How to use this season for planting little seeds of hope for the future
The value of community and connection in difficult times

***
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:
Dr. James Rouse

Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
Watch episodes on YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur Dorie Clark for a thought-provoking conversation about long-term thinking and cutting through the noise in our fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Together, they discuss how small, intentional actions today can transform your tomorrow, why protecting white space in your schedule is vital, and why getting methodical about what you say yes (and no) to helps you stay focused on what matters most. They also share practical advice on the importance of setting realistic priorities and how to openly and collaboratively approach your manager when you’re feeling overwhelmed with a full plate.
Plus, a powerful reminder that we’re all experimenting, learning, and adjusting as we go, and no one has it perfectly figured out.
If you’re feeling pulled in too many directions or longing to play the long game, this episode offers wisdom, real-world examples, and inspiration to make choices today that your future self will thank you for.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The power of doing favors for your future self
The importance of creating “white space” in your calendar to enable creative thinking, reflection, and long-term planning
Why seeing yourself as a “speedboat” rather than a “jellyfish” can help you navigate life’s uncertainties
How to make thoughtful decisions and say yes (or no) with intention
How to work collaboratively with managers and colleagues to set realistic priorities
Insights into the emotional undercurrents that drive our busyness
How societal worries shift and evolve, and how beliefs that feel absolutely true now may be challenged or disproven in the future
The liberating truth that no one has it all figured out, and that meaningful progress comes from ongoing experimentation and curiosity
The impact of increased life expectancies and technological advancements on human health and the future of work

Additional Resources:
Dorie’s TED Talk: The real reason you feel so busy (and what to do about it)
Books by Dorie Clark
The Long Game Self-Assessment
Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia
The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Get in Touch with Dorie:
Website: www.dorieclark.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorieclark/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec/

Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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Today on Resiliency Redefined, Dr. Robyne welcomes NFL referee, founder of Blind Zebra Consulting, keynote speaker, and podcast host Bryan Neale.
Bryan shares his remarkable journey: from the anxiety of bankruptcy in his twenties to the thrill of officiating the Super Bowl. He talks about what it takes to officiate at the highest level, including how he handles public criticism, stays focused under pressure, and leans on habits and routines to deliver excellence.
Together, they explore why doing what you love for reasons bigger than yourself matters, how discipline creates freedom, and how the magic of sport (especially in college stadiums) can bring communities together and create lifelong memories.
Plus, Bryan shares a moving story about witnessing the on-field revival of NFL player Damar Hamlin and how he carries that gratitude and perspective forward.
Whether you’re a sports fan, a parent cheering on the sidelines, or someone looking for real stories of hope and reinvention, this episode is a heartfelt masterclass on betting on yourself, showing up for the work, and finding fulfillment in the journey.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
We are all more resilient and capable than we might realize
The reality of making mistakes in high-stakes roles, and strategies for handling criticism and self-judgment
Why slow, steady, and consistent habits are the foundation for high performance
How discipline and routine actually create freedom and make it easier to perform at your best
The power of betting on yourself and designing your life intentionally
The transformative impact of collective experiences and shared moments, particularly in sports
Why capability is the ultimate gift we can help foster in our children
The truth behind those football referee hand bands
The profound presence of hope in the most critical moments

Additional Resources:
Bryan’s podcast co-hosted with Bill Caskey: The Advanced Selling Podcast
The Four Qualities of Unique Ability by The Strategic Coach Team
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink

Get in Touch with Bryan:
Website – Blind Zebra: www.blind-zebra.com
Website – Bryan Neale Speaks: www.bryanneale.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigneale/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanneale/

Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
Watch episodes on YouTube