Life By Design

Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by the insightful Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer, a passionate global learning strategist, educator, and author dedicated to making learning more efficient and enjoyable for students of all ages. Together, they unpack the real challenges of learning within rigid educational systems and discuss how holistic learning strategies can empower students to find ease, confidence, and even joy in their educational journeys.
Dr. Deena shares why “learning how to learn” is the missing skill, how technology and AI can be harnessed ethically to enhance study habits, and why rest, connection, and self-compassion are non-negotiable for sustainable achievement.
Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear practical tools and thoughtful guidance for students, supporters, and educators, including what tends to get in the way of learning and what we can begin doing differently to foster true resilience and well-being.
If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on how to support your children, your students, or even yourself, this episode will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and equipped to bring more compassion, clarity, and relief into the learning process.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How holistic learning strategies and building a personalized toolbox can transform the education experience for learners of all ages
• Why learning can and should feel good, and how that’s possible even within rigid educational systems
• Insights into why tests and timed assessments are still used
• How using free AI tools and the Awakened Learning Method can support students’ study practices
• Effective ways parents and educators can support learners without added pressure
• Practical ways to foster confidence, curiosity, and self-advocacy in any learning environment
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Dr. Robyne’s new book, I Hope So, is now available! Order your copy today by visiting: https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Feel Good Learning: On how to prioritise, focus, study, and learn everything better by Deena Kara Shaffer, PhD
• Raising Well Learners: Helping parents support students from stress to success by Deena Kara Shaffer, PhD
• Free Resources for Learners – Awakened Learning
• Low-Cost Resources for Learners – Awakened Learning
• All-Welcome Skill-Build – “The Essentials”: Giving students, parents, and educators practical, holistic learning strategies
• Awakened Learning newsletter – Get free resources and learning strategies straight to your inbox
• Free AI tools mentioned to support learning/studying: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Magic ToDo, NotebookLM
Get in Touch with Dr. Deena:
• Website: http://www.awakenedlearning.ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenedlearning/
• LinkedIn:

In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes author, personal branding strategist, and entrepreneur Rory Vaden for a practical and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to create lasting change, both for ourselves and for the people we serve. Together, they explore why the highest performers don’t chase shortcuts but instead commit to doing the difficult, meaningful work others often avoid. Rory shares his “take the stairs” philosophy, reminding us that real progress comes from consistently choosing long-term results over immediate comfort.
You’ll hear why enjoyment isn’t a requirement for meaningful action, how the “pain paradox” reveals that tough choices today often create an easier future, and why unglamorous, boring habits can radically transform your life. They also discuss why hope isn’t just a soft skill but a tactical advantage, and how shifting your thinking from “Is it possible?” to “How could it be possible?” unlocks new pathways and opportunities.
If you’re ready to redefine your habits, design your future with intention, or find the courage to share your story, this episode is your invitation to think long-term, commit to the work, embrace the messy middle, and trust that every setback is preparing you for something greater.
Listener note: This conversation includes mention of suicide. If this topic feels sensitive for you, please take care while listening.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The four levels of influence and how understanding them can multiply your impact
• Why the highest performers aren’t chasing shortcuts
• The “pain paradox” and how embracing tough moments now leads to easier, more fulfilled living later
• How hope is both a strategy and a superpower for leadership, personal growth, and resilience
• Tactical mindset shifts to help you ask better questions and unlock new possibilities
• Why you’re most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were
• What it truly means to unlearn limitation, reprogram your thinking, and step into identities you once thought impossible
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Dr. Robyne’s new book, I Hope So, is now available! Order your copy today by visiting: https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden
• Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time by Rory Vaden
• Wealthy and Well-Known: Build Your Personal Brand and Turn Your Reputation into Revenue by Rory & AJ Vaden
• Rory’s podcast with his wife AJ: Wealthy and Well-Known Podcast
• TEDx Talk: How to Multiply Your Time | Rory Vaden
• Have a calling on your heart and interested in learning more about how to turn your passion into a business? - Request a free brand call with Brand Builders Group by visiting www.freebrandcall.com/lifebydesign
Get in Touch with Rory:
• Website: https://roryvaden.com/
• Website (Brand Builders Group):

How do we protect hope and keep our hearts open when the world feels heavy and uncertain?
In this week’s episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by Dr. James Rouse, a high-performance coach, author, speaker, and functional medicine doctor, for a heart-opening conversation about hope and purposeful living in challenging times.
Together, they explore the science and soul behind hope as a collective remedy, the importance of giving ourselves permission to embrace possibility, and practical strategies for giving cortisol a job and channeling stress into meaningful action. From the transformative practice of “soft eyes” – seeing ourselves and others with compassion – to riding the natural rhythms of our day, Dr. James shares actionable insights to help us find strength, joy, and openness, especially when we’re tempted to turn inward or shrink in the face of adversity.
This conversation is a call to stand audaciously in hope, to care deeply, and to become a disruptive force for good, no matter how dark or loud the world becomes. Whether you’re searching for a dose of hope or practical self-care, you’re invited into a field beyond right and wrong, where you can meet yourself and others with love, openness, and the courage to co-create big, bright futures.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How embracing hope, even in times of adversity and uncertainty, is a science-backed remedy for personal and collective resilience
• What it means to protect hope, and why humanity needs this heroic activity now more than ever
• How to give cortisol a job and finish the stress cycle through high noticing, intentional practices, and meaning-making
• The power of “soft eyes” as a daily practice for self-compassion, trust, and agency
• Why giving yourself permission to care, stay open, and love deeply transforms personal relationships and leadership
• The importance of showing up with authenticity, audacious hope, and collaborative spirit, even when the world asks us to turn down our light
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Dr. Robyne’s new book, I Hope So, is now available! Order your copy today by visiting: https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Dr. James’s Podcast with wife Dr. Debra Rouse: Love & Life Elevated
• Books by Dr. James Rouse
• Dr. James’s Free Resources
Get in Touch with Dr. James:
• Website: https://www.drjamesrouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjamesrouse/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjamesrouse/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
• Watch episodes on YouTube
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Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with entrepreneur, author, and membership expert Stu McLaren for an energizing conversation about the power and potential of building authentic communities.
Stu shares the origins of his passion for helping entrepreneurs create sustainable, engaged membership communities, along with the experiences that shaped his approach. From releasing guilt around money and reframing it as a vehicle for generosity and impact, to offering a clear framework for evaluating membership market potential and attracting your people, Stu brings grounded insights and real-world examples for anyone looking to grow their work with intention.
You’ll hear reflections on the power of asking for help, the role of community in personal and professional resiliency and success, and why serving even one person well can spark momentum and meaningful transformation.
This episode is an invitation to lead with purpose, build spaces where people feel they belong, and remember that the good we put into the world expands when we step up, serve, and aren’t afraid to ask.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why memberships are more than just transactions, and how they become part of your identity
• How defining community values shapes engagement and long-term retention
• Insights on overcoming money guilt and reframing profit as a pathway for generosity and impact
• Three key indicators to know if your idea is membership-worthy
• How to navigate resistance and setbacks, and why the courage to ask unlocks support and possibility
• Why qualitative data, such as personal stories and case studies, can be just as powerful as big numbers when building trust with your audience
• Insights on managing boundaries, prioritizing family, and aligning your work with your core values
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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Additional Resources:
• Predictable Profits by Stu McLaren
• Stu’s Podcast: Marketing Your Business
• Stu’s Nonprofit: Village Impact
• Stu on The ONE Thing Podcast with Jay Papasan
Get in Touch with Stu:
• Website: http://membership.io/
• Website: http://stu.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumclaren/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stumclaren/
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Coach Carey, a keynote speaker, life coach, and EDI consultant who thoughtfully weaves lived experience, professional expertise, and deep compassion into everything she shares.
Together, they explore the evolving understanding of resilience and what it means to cultivate self-awareness in a noisy, distracted world. Rather than pushing through at all costs, this conversation reframes resilience as knowing when to rest, reflect, and set boundaries that honor your energy.
Coach Carey shares her transformative “giving from the overflow” philosophy, encouraging us to nurture ourselves first so we can genuinely support others. She also shares practical tools, like her four-question self-inventory, to help you notice patterns, identify what energizes and drains you, and intentionally create more space for what fuels your well-being.
They also speak openly about their lived experiences with ADHD, offering thoughtful insights into attention, distraction, and the importance of finding what truly works for you.
This episode is your permission slip to rediscover joy through playful restoration, honor your limits without apology, and approach growth with compassion and curiosity.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why giving from your overflow is more sustainable than pouring from a full cup
• How honest self-inventory questions can help you track patterns, boost self-awareness, and make meaningful change
• The importance of choosing what you consume (including social media, entertainment, and even conversations) to protect your well-being
• Strategies for refueling your energy
• Why aligning your tasks with your energy (and giving yourself compassion on low days) can transform productivity
• Practical ways to manage ADHD, distractions, and information overwhelm
• Why showing up authentically is its own superpower
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Pre-order your copy of I Hope So (releasing February 10, 2026) by visiting https://drrobyne.ca/hope/
Get in Touch with Coach Carey:
• Website: www.careycoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach.carey/
• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/coachcarey
Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne:
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• Get Dr. Robyne's book: