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. It’s Okay to Want Something Different for Yourself with Dr. Natasha Ramzan

    14 HRS AGO

    It’s Okay to Want Something Different for Yourself with Dr. Natasha Ramzan

    In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Natasha Ramzan joins Dr. Robyne for an honest and thoughtful conversation about ADHD, self-worth, cultural narratives, and the pressure so many people feel to constantly keep going. Together, they unpack why ADHD is often overlooked in women, the impact of masking and self-criticism, and how culture, family expectations, and hustle culture shape our relationship with self-care, rest, and productivity. Through personal stories and grounded insight, this conversation invites us to slow down, become aware of our stories and patterns, and give ourselves permission to move through life differently, guided by our inner voice and what we truly need.  ***   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:  Why Does Everybody Hate Me? by Alex Partridge Connect with Dr. Natasha:  Website: https://innervoicetherapy.ca/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.natasharamzan/ 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
  2. The Fear of Hope with Dr. Ross Ellenhorn

    MAY 20

    The Fear of Hope with Dr. Ross Ellenhorn

    In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Dr. Ross Ellenhorn, psychotherapist, social worker, and CEO of one of the most robust community integration programs in the United States, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about hope, mental health, and human connection. Together, they explore the fear of hope and how repeated disappointment can make hoping again feel vulnerable and risky, leading people to protect themselves by staying the same. Drawing from decades of experience supporting individuals navigating psychiatric diagnoses, addiction, and recovery, Dr. Ellenhorn challenges the narrative of “brokenness” and highlights the importance of rebuilding social connection, self-worth, and faith in oneself and others. They also reflect on why embracing different ways of being, cultivating belonging, and caring for each other are not only essential to healing, but acts of resistance and hope in an uncertain world. ***   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: How We Change (And Ten Reasons Why We Don’t) by Ross Ellenhorn, PhD Connect with Dr. Ellenhorn: Website: https://www.ellenhorn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenhornPACT 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

    43 min
  3. I Didn’t Know I Couldn’t with Stu Saunders

    MAY 13

    I Didn’t Know I Couldn’t with Stu Saunders

    Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with community builder and champion for youth Stu Saunders for an uplifting conversation about nurturing the next generation, the magic of creating community, and the courage to dream big, even when you don’t know how things will turn out. Together, they explore the ripple effects of student leadership, the importance of helping young people connect beyond screens, and the life-changing impact of encouragement, belonging, and healthy risk-taking. Through heartfelt stories, from youth conferences and summer camps to documentary filmmaking and a childhood pitch to the Toronto Argonauts, Stu reminds us what becomes possible when people feel seen, supported, and believed in. ***   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:  Ward Bingham – Mondonation Connect with Stu: Website: https://peregrineleadership.ca/Website: https://theepiccommunity.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stu_saunders70/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-saunders-2783ba137 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

    51 min
  4. A Life Shaped by Story and a Mother’s Strength with Ernest Hillen

    MAY 6

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • Show Website
    Life By Design

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