Life By Design

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • 4.9 (41)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Life by Design with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. This podcast is a space for real conversations about well-being, resilience, performance, leadership, and everyday life – and how the small choices you make each day shape the quality of your life. Living a big, beautiful life isn’t reserved for a select few; it’s built in the ordinary moments, the routines that ground us, the acts of self-care that restore us, and the intentional decisions that align us with what matters most. Each week, we take big ideas and turn them into practical habits, tools, and practices you can actually use. Those everyday choices are what allow you to be steady, capable, and even extraordinary when life calls on you. If you’re ready to be intentional about how you show up, what you prioritize, and the life you’re building over time, you’re in the right place. Together, we’ll explore what it truly takes to live well and be well by design. We’re so glad you’re here.

  1. A Life Shaped by Story and a Mother’s Strength with Ernest Hillen

    10 HRS AGO

    A Life Shaped by Story and a Mother’s Strength with Ernest Hillen

    In this special episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Canadian writer, journalist, and longtime Saturday Night editor Ernest Hillen. At 92, he reflects on a life shaped by hardship and resilience, from years in internment camps as a young boy during the Second World War to building a new life in Canada. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful tribute to his mother, a woman whose strength, wisdom, and gift for turning anything into an adventure became a guiding light for her sons, even in the darkest of times. Through his stories, Ernest offers a perspective on what it means to keep going: to find humor where we can, hold onto hope, and move forward when so much is outside of our control.   This episode is a reminder of the legacy we carry, the power of the stories that shape us, and the small, steady choices that carry us through.  ***  Feeling stretched thin or stuck in constant output mode? Join Dr. Robyne’s Day in Quarters workshop and learn how to design your days with intention, so you can show up fully at work, at home, and in life. May 7 & 8 | Two live 55-minute sessions.  Save your spot: https://drrobyne.ca/day-in-quarters-workshop/ ***   If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/ Additional Resources:  The Way of a Boy: A Memoir of Java by Ernest Hillen Small Mercies: A Boy After War by Ernest Hillen A Weekend Memoir by Ernest Hillen Connect with Dr. Robyne:  Website: https://drrobyne.ca/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd  Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer

    33 min
  2. Self-Worth Beyond Performance with Justin Mize

    APR 29

    Self-Worth Beyond Performance with Justin Mize

    This week on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with high-performance coach Justin Mize – someone who knows what it means to push limits, face adversity, and rebuild when everything changes in an instant. From discovering his passion in the adrenaline-fueled world of freestyle motocross to surviving a catastrophic injury that shattered not just his body but also his identity, Justin shares what it really takes to come back physically, mentally, and emotionally. Together, they explore what happens when your sense of worth becomes tied to achievement and external validation, the power of perspective and self-trust, and how to redefine what progress really looks like, especially when you can’t measure it on a scoreboard. This conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience is built in the quiet, consistent reps of showing up for yourself, and that shared hope and encouragement can make all the difference. *** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing ends April 30th. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/   *** Feeling stretched thin or stuck in constant output mode? Join Dr. Robyne’s Day in Quarters workshop and learn how to design your days with intention, so you can show up fully at work, at home, and in life. May 7 & 8 | Two live 55-minute sessions. Save your spot: https://drrobyne.ca/day-in-quarters-workshop/  Additional Resources:  Books by Justin MizeI Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Connect with Justin: Website: https://www.justinmize.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinmize/ Connect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer

    42 min
  3. Imagining What Could Go Right with Melanie Deziel

    APR 22

    Imagining What Could Go Right with Melanie Deziel

    In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Melanie Deziel, a Creative Systems Architect, author, keynote speaker, and award-winning branded content creator, for a conversation on unlocking creativity and deepening self-understanding in all areas of life. Together, they explore how our systems and environments can stifle or support creative thinking, why the best ideas rarely happen at boardroom tables, and the importance of intentional spaciousness in our days to think, wonder, and reflect. They also talk about how the very imagination that fuels our worries and catastrophizing can just as powerfully be used to envision positive possibilities.   Melanie also shares her experience of being diagnosed with autism in adulthood, the clarity it brought, and the freedom that comes from understanding and accommodating how your mind works, and from meeting yourself with grace.  ***   If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing is available for a limited time.   Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/  Additional Resources:  The Content Fuel Framework by Melanie DezielProve It by Melanie DezielCreative Constructs NewsletterLate Diagnosed Diaries Newsletter Connect with Melanie:  Website: https://www.melaniedeziel.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/meldezielLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melaniedeziel Connect with Dr. Robyne:  Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer

    39 min
  4. What Happens When We Ask Better Questions with Phil M Jones

    APR 15

    What Happens When We Ask Better Questions with Phil M Jones

    In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne welcomes Phil M Jones, a globally recognized expert on influence, persuasion, and communication, and author of Exactly What to Say®. Together, they explore the true nature of sales, challenging stereotypes and outdated tactics, and reframing it as the art of helping people move from where they are to where they want to be. Phil shares how asking the right questions and seeking useful truth can build deeper relationships and align solutions with people’s real needs, whether you’re selling a product, pitching a service, or coaching. Plus, the value of business education, learning in the classroom versus the real world, and why being able to confidently recommend against yourself can be just as important as recommending for yourself. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about selling or want to build a life and business rooted in service and authenticity, this episode will equip you with the strategies and perspective shifts to transform your impact and sell and serve with integrity. *** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing is available for a limited time.   Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/ Additional Resources:   Exactly What to Say by Phil M JonesThey Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan Connect with Phil:   Website: https://philmjones.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/philmjonesukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philmjones/ Connect with Dr. Robyne:   Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Community: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer

    39 min
  5. Becoming Who You Want to Be with Brian Ford

    APR 8

    Becoming Who You Want to Be with Brian Ford

    Today on Life by Design, behavior change expert Brian Ford joins Dr. Robyne for a conversation about the realities behind personal development and how we truly transform our lives. They explore why consuming self-help content leads to little change without consistent action, how setting clear standards, rather than relying on lofty goals alone, can help close the gap between intention and behavior, and how self-sabotage often shows up in subtle ways. Together, they highlight the importance of recognizing your impulses, adapting commitments to match your capacity, and practicing honest self-reflection so you can build consistency, strengthen self-trust, and reinforce the identity you want to embody. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you want to become, this episode will give you the clarity and tools to help you create lasting change. Additional Resources:  Brian's Podcast – Self Improvement DailyDr. Robyne on Self Improvement DailyThe Compound Effect by Darren HardyFor Purpose Foundation21 Day Super Habits Challenge (Starts April 13th) Connect with Brian:  Website: https://www.selfimprovementdailytips.com/  Instagram: @bford.purpose LinkedIn: Brian Ford  Connect with Dr. Robyne:  Website: https://drrobyne.ca/  Instagram: @dr_robynehd  LinkedIn: drrobynehd  YouTube: @dr_robynehd  Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/   Disclaimer

    38 min
  6. The One Thing Holding You Back the Most with Dr. Andy Galpin

    APR 1

    The One Thing Holding You Back the Most with Dr. Andy Galpin

    On this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by human performance scientist Dr. Andy Galpin for an insightful and actionable conversation about managing well-being and pursuing health goals, especially when navigating stressful, demanding seasons.  From deciding your priorities ahead of time and identifying your biggest anchor to understanding the power of prioritizing one thing or going all in, Dr. Andy shares practical wisdom and real-world examples to help you focus on what truly moves the needle and confidently let go of what is no longer serving you. They also explore when tools like wearables are helpful versus when they add more noise than value, along with practical advice for parents, coaches, and those supporting young athletes during peak season.  Whether you’re feeling under-resourced, overwhelmed by information, or unsure where to start improving your well-being, this conversation is a reminder that clarity reduces friction, and that doing one thing well, consistently, can create meaningful change over time. Additional Resources:  Dr. Andy’s Podcast – Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin Dr. Andy’s Newsletter – The Catalyst Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard by Ken Rideout The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan  Connect with Dr. Andy:  Website: https://www.andygalpin.com/  Instagram: @drandygalpin  LinkedIn: Andy Galpin  YouTube: @drandygalpin  Connect with Dr. Robyne:  Website: https://drrobyne.ca/  Instagram: @dr_robynehd  LinkedIn: drrobynehd  YouTube: @dr_robynehd  Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/  Disclaimer

    44 min
  7. How to Shift Your State and Transform Your Reality with Ian Lopatin

    MAR 25

    How to Shift Your State and Transform Your Reality with Ian Lopatin

    In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Ian Lopatin, co-founder of Spiritual Gangster and Of Course Sanctuary, and a noted entrepreneur in the spirituality space. Ian shares his non-linear journey from lawyer to yoga instructor to building movements rooted in community, positivity, and joy. Together, they explore how ancient wisdom and modern science intersect, and how our energy, mindset, and daily practices shape the way we experience our lives. Ian offers practical strategies for shifting out of low-energy states, moving beyond stress and scarcity, and cultivating abundance and connection. You’ll hear reflections on why success alone doesn’t guarantee fulfillment, the importance of infusing goals with emotion, why true wellness is deeply tied to connection, and how cultivating hope can open doors for transformation in ourselves and those around us. If you’ve felt weighed down by negative energy or disconnected from possibility, this conversation will leave you feeling energized, empowered, and ready to step into a more expansive way of living. Listener note: This episode includes mention of drugs, alcohol, and suicide. Some listeners may find this content sensitive. In this episode, you’ll learn: • The science and ancient wisdom behind practices that help regulate emotional states and foster connection to the self and others • How to shift your mindset from lack to abundance, even in challenging times • Ways to increase your energetic frequency each day, using practices like meditation, journaling, and breathwork • The connection between your personal state of being and thinking and the reality you experience • Why hope, connection, and belief are fundamental to creating meaningful change Additional Resources: • Spiritual Gangster • Of Course Sanctuary • Dr. Joe Dispenza Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne: • Watch episodes on YouTube • Get Dr. Robyne's book: Calm Within The Storm • Get Dr. Robyne’s book: Stress Wisely • Get Dr. Robyne’s book: I Hope So • Join Dr. Robyne’s Stress Wisely Labs • Follow Dr. Robyne on Instagram • Follow Dr. Robyne's LinkedIn • Visit Drrobyne.ca • Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox every week Disclaimer

    36 min
  8. Empowered Choices in Motherhood, Mental Health, and Self-Care with Ariana Joy Christie

    MAR 18

    Empowered Choices in Motherhood, Mental Health, and Self-Care with Ariana Joy Christie

    In this episode, Dr. Robyne is joined by Ariana Joy Christie, podcast host, content creator, and mom of three known for her honest reflections on motherhood, wellness, and showing up for yourself in every season of life. Together, Dr. Robyne and Ariana explore the power of changing course, embracing growth, and finding joy in the everyday, whether that looks like pivoting careers, stepping into new passions, or making wellness practices non-negotiable. Through stories of vulnerability and reckoning, they offer practical wisdom for trusting your intuition, finding agency when life feels overwhelming, and letting go of guilt around self-care, especially for women balancing work, family, and their own dreams. If you’re ready to break old rules, give yourself permission to choose joy, and model resilience for your loved ones, you'll find inspiration and actionable ideas to help you navigate any season and show up as your most resourced self. Listener note: This episode includes discussion of depression and mental health. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a trusted person or mental health support resource in your area. In this episode, you’ll learn: • The freedom and power that comes from allowing yourself to change your mind and embrace new paths • The importance of respecting yourself and making time for your own needs, especially as a caregiver and parent • Practical reframes for releasing guilt and rewriting outdated self-care “rules” • How movement, community, and respecting your body can spark joy and support mental wellness • Why modeling well-being for your kids lays the foundation for their own resilience • How to navigate criticism and online “noise” with self-compassion and grace • Small, practical ways to pour into yourself so that you can give more to the people and projects you care about Additional Resources: • Ariana’s podcast co-hosted with Renee Reina: Friend Of • Ariana’s podcast: Your Cup of Joy with Ariana Joy Christie • Dr. Robyne on Your Cup of Joy with Ariana Joy Christie • Dr. Robyne’s Psychology Today Post: 3 Ways Women Can Reclaim Their Wellness • Dr. Robyne’s Psychology Today Post: Small Ways to Care for Yourself When Life Is a Lot Get in Touch with Ariana: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianajoychristie/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arianachristie Get in Touch with Dr. Robyne: • Watch episodes on YouTube • Get Dr. Robyne's book: Calm Within The Storm • Get Dr. Robyne’s book: Stress Wisely • Get Dr. Robyne’s book: I Hope So • Join Dr. Robyne’s Stress Wisely Labs • Follow Dr. Robyne on Instagram • Follow Dr. Robyne's LinkedIn • Visit Drrobyne.ca • Sign up to receive new episodes to your inbox every week Disclaimer

    39 min
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4.9
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Welcome to Life by Design with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. This podcast is a space for real conversations about well-being, resilience, performance, leadership, and everyday life – and how the small choices you make each day shape the quality of your life. Living a big, beautiful life isn’t reserved for a select few; it’s built in the ordinary moments, the routines that ground us, the acts of self-care that restore us, and the intentional decisions that align us with what matters most. Each week, we take big ideas and turn them into practical habits, tools, and practices you can actually use. Those everyday choices are what allow you to be steady, capable, and even extraordinary when life calls on you. If you’re ready to be intentional about how you show up, what you prioritize, and the life you’re building over time, you’re in the right place. Together, we’ll explore what it truly takes to live well and be well by design. We’re so glad you’re here.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • Show Website
    Life By Design

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