Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney

Anne Bonney
  • 4.8 (25)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a little too, because life is serious enough. We need a little cha cha, and a little ha ha every once in a while! Welcome to the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney!

  1. The Surprising Truth About Quitting

    6d ago

    The Surprising Truth About Quitting

    What do a rock-and-roll roadie, a resilience researcher, and a CPA-turned-yogi have in common? More than you think. At first glance, June's guests seemed to disagree completely.  Amy Vetter embraced reinvention.Scott Scovill preached tenacity. Courtney Clark advocated quitting. But when I looked closer, I realized they were all teaching the same lesson: Don't quit because it's hard. Quit because it's wrong. In this month's wrap-up episode, I connect the dots between three incredible conversations and explore what turned out to be the difference between giving up on a dream and giving up on a plan. You'll discover: • Why persistence and adaptability are partners, not opposites • The difference between a goal and a plan • How fear disguises itself in different ways but can always get in the way • Why success is more like dancing than walking (hence the name of this podcast!) If you've ever wondered whether you should keep pushing, change direction, or completely reinvent your approach, this episode will help you find the sweet spot between grit and flexibility.    Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    11 min
  2. Quitters Might Actually Win with Courtney Clark

    Jun 22

    Quitters Might Actually Win with Courtney Clark

    What if "Never Give Up" is terrible advice? (watch this full interview on YouTube.  https://youtu.be/6ROfazVZBco) We've all heard it: Quitters never win. Winners never quit. But what if hanging on too long is actually what's holding you back? In this fascinating conversation, resilience researcher, change strategist and keynote speaker Courtney Clark (https://courtneyclark.com/)  shares why adaptability, (NOT POSITIVITY!) is the real secret to thriving in this uncertain world. After surviving cancer four times and discovering a life-threatening brain aneurysm, Courtney learned that resilience isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about knowing when to persevere, when to change direction, and how to create a new path forward.  In this episode:  Why adaptability beats positivity  The surprising downside of grit  When "never give up" becomes bad advice  How to know when it's time to change course Why successful people quit more often than you might think  The difference between goals and plans  How to stop chasing someone else's definition of success  Why every "yes" is a "no" to something else (this was my favorite part!)If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, overcommitted, or afraid to change direction, this episode might be exactly what you need. Because sometimes the fastest path forward starts with letting go.  Want more from Courtney?  It's all on her website!  https://courtneyclark.com/ GRAB A FREE CHAPTER OF HER BOOK at https://shortcutbook.com Courtney Clark is the luckiest unlucky person in the world. After witnessing the terrorist attacks of September 11th from her office just 18 blocks north, she thought she had escaped unscathed. She had no idea the events of 9/11 would cause her to develop cancer for the first time a few years later. Her experiences caused her to become a recognized resilience strategist and speaker whose national research studies reveal insights into how modern teams face change. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and three dogs, all of whom she found at the Humane Society… including the husband. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    42 min
  3. How a College Dropout Ended Up Touring with the Rolling Stones with Scott Scovill

    Jun 15

    How a College Dropout Ended Up Touring with the Rolling Stones with Scott Scovill

    What if the thing standing between you and your dream... is your fear of failing? (Watch the full video interview on YouTube here. https://youtu.be/nEINMa-lDJU) Scott Scovill (www.scottscovill.com and https://tenaciousbook.com/ ) was flunking out of college, waiting tables, and terrified to try when a chance encounter with a touring crew from U2 changed everything. Two years later, he was on tour with the Rolling Stones.  (whaaaaat??!)  But this isn't a story about fame. It's a story about what happens when you stop letting fear make your decisions...true Dancing in the Discomfort Zone territory. In this powerful conversation, Scott shares how he learned to keep going despite anxiety, rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt, and why tenacity isn't about stubbornly and stupidly banging your head against a wall. It's about refusing to give up on the destination, even when you need a new route.  In this episode we talk about:  Why fear can be both your greatest enemy and your greatest motivator  The difference between being stubborn and being tenacious  What the Rolling Stones taught Scott about chasing impossible dreams  The fact that successful people fail more often than most people realize  How to know when it's time to pivot instead of quit  The surprising truth Taylor Swift shared about success and fear  Why life is a team sport—and you shouldn't do it alone If you've ever wondered if you should keep going, change direction, or finally take the leap, this episode is for you. Because the dream isn't found in the comfort. It's on the other side of trying.  Want more from Scott? Get the book.  https://tenaciousbook.com/  Hit his socials:  https://www.instagram.com/scottscovillcreative https://www.facebook.com/scottscovillcreativehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-scovill-943a4022/Scott Scovill is an award-winning entrepreneur and creative powerhouse, founder of Moo TV, and author of Tenacious: The Art of Relentlessly Pursuing Your Wildest Dreams.  Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    47 min
  4. What Leaders Get Wrong About Work-Life Balance with Amy Vetter

    Jun 8

    What Leaders Get Wrong About Work-Life Balance with Amy Vetter

    Most people think business success and personal wellbeing live in separate worlds. Amy Vetter thinks that's exactly why so many leaders are burned out. In this fascinating conversation, Amy Vetter https://www.amyvetter.com/ shares her journey from accountant to partner, from burnout to balance, and from classical violinist to electric rock performer. Along the way, she discovered that fulfillment isn't a "soft skill"...it's a business strategy.  In this episode, you'll discover:  Why work-life balance is actually a leadership issue  The surprising connection between fulfillment and business results  How burnout often starts long before your career does  Why Gen Z isn't "lazy", they just need something different  The hidden cost of never disconnecting  How learning something new makes you a better leader  Why Amy now plays electric violin from the keynote stage If you've ever wondered whether success has to come at the expense of joy, this conversation might completely change your perspective. Because sometimes the path to better leadership isn't working harder—it's learning how to reconnect with yourself first.  Want more from Amy? @amyvettercpa - all socialhttps://www.amyvetter.com/https://www.businessbalancebliss.com/Amy Vetter, CPA, CSP, Yogi, Musician, a dynamic keynote speaker and CEO of The B³ Method Institute. She uniquely blends her expertise as a business leader, CPA, yogi, and wellness practitioner. Through her innovative B³ Method®—Business + Balance = Bliss—and Fulfillment ROITM measurement system, she demonstrates how well-being directly drives business success.  Drawing from over 25 years of finance and technology leadership experience and her training as a certified health and life coach, Amy empowers organizations to achieve sustainable growth through connected leadership. Host of the Breaking Beliefs podcast and author of "Disconnect to Connect," she continues to transform how leaders create thriving, purpose-driven cultures. Anne Bonney your host is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    33 min
  5. You Can’t Change Until You Accept This

    May 25

    You Can’t Change Until You Accept This

    What if the reason you’re stuck… is because you haven’t accepted what’s true? In this month’s wrap-up episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, Anne Bonney pulls together a powerful insight from all 3 May guests: You can’t change anything… until you accept reality. From parenting challenges to toxic relationships to business collapse and reinvention, this episode explores the pivotal moment where everything shifts; the moment you stop resisting, stop denying, and finally face what is. You’ll learn:  Why acceptance is the real starting point for change  How resisting reality keeps you stuck  The identity shift required to move forward  What happens when you finally tell yourself the truth Because real growth doesn’t start with action…it starts with acceptance. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    9 min
  6. Courage Before Proof: The Leadership Skill You Need

    May 18

    Courage Before Proof: The Leadership Skill You Need

    What happens when everything you’ve built… disappears overnight? In this powerful episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, Anne Bonney sits down with Lisa Pagotto, founder of Crooked Compass (https://www.crooked-compass.com/) to talk about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to lead when there is absolutely no clear path forward. When the pandemic shut down global travel, Lisa’s entire business came to a halt for nearly three years. No revenue. No team. No roadmap.  Most people would have waited it out. Lisa? She learned how to fly… and accidentally built a second business that saved the first. This conversation is packed with real-world lessons on:  Leading before there’s proof (and why waiting is a trap) The truth about resilience (hint: it’s NOT “just push harder”) How to recognize burnout before it breaks you Why discomfort, travel, and uncertainty make you stronger The mindset shift that turns crisis into opportunityAnd here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:  👉 Strength is not about endurance… it’s about knowing when to pause. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or just trying to figure out your next step—this episode will challenge how you think about risk, growth, and what it really takes to move forward when plans fall apart. Because the people who thrive aren’t the ones with the best plan…  They’re the ones willing to move without one. Want more from Lisa?   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-pagotto/https://www.instagram.com/lisapagotto_/https://www.facebook.com/Crookedcompasstravel/https://www.youtube.com/@CrookedCompasshttps://www.crooked-compass.com/ Lisa Pagotto is the founder of Crooked Compass, an immersive travel company built on depth, cultural respect, and meaningful experiences in complex destinations. A business owner shaped by uncertainty, she speaks on resilience, leadership, and decision-making when there is no clear roadmap. Drawing from lived experience building, adapting, and reinventing through crisis, Lisa brings grounded insight on risk, reinvention, and what it

    34 min
  7. Addicted to Love: When Chemistry Turns Toxic

    May 11

    Addicted to Love: When Chemistry Turns Toxic

    Why do we ignore red flags… even when we know better? In this raw, revealing, and wildly relatable episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, Anne Bonney sits down with Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards—speaker, spiritual counselor, and author of The Venus Flytrap (https://vft23.com/)—to unpack the messy, magnetic, and sometimes destructive reality of toxic relationships. Stephen shares the true story behind his book.  It's about a passionate, chaotic relationship that had everything: intense chemistry, emotional highs, devastating lows… and a whole lot of red flags he chose to ignore.  So why do we do that? This conversation dives deep into:  🔥 The real reason we overlook obvious warning signs  🔥 How we slowly lose ourselves in relationships (without even noticing)  🔥 The hidden beliefs—like worthiness, trust, and fear of abandonment—that drive our choices  🔥 Why toxic relationships can feel addictive (yep, literally) 🔥 How to break the cycle and stop repeating the same patterns in a different person Stephen doesn’t hold back.  He owns his mistakes, shares the uncomfortable truths, and reveals how hitting “enough is enough” became the turning point for real change. And here’s the kicker:  You already know the red flags when you see them… you’re just choosing not to listen. This episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and ask: What am I tolerating… and why? Because the real transformation doesn’t happen when you find the “right” person  …it happens when you finally face yourself. Want more from Dr Edwards?  Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/venusflytrap23_official/?next=%2F]X [https://x.com/vftofficial23?s=21]Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1adJdxdm9D/?mibextid=wwXIfr]LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemiracles/]TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vft23_official?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]Website [https://vft23.com/]Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    38 min
  8. When Love Isn’t Enough: A Mother’s Fight, Faith & Fierce Advocacy

    May 4

    When Love Isn’t Enough: A Mother’s Fight, Faith & Fierce Advocacy

    How do you keep going when the life you planned is replaced by a daily battle for survival? In this moving episode, host Anne Bonney sits down with Nancy Ferraro—attorney, author of When the Bough Breaks, and keynote speaker—to discuss the raw, unfiltered reality of raising a child with severe disabilities and violent behavioral challenges.  Nancy shares her journey of adopting her son, George, from Romania, only to discover he suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and severe attachment disorders. From the "Hurricane George" years of daily violence to the soul-crushing realization that she "could not love the disability out of him," Nancy reveals how she traded shame for strength and became a fierce advocate for her son and her family.  In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The "Bough-Breaking" Moment: Redefining parental expectations when "neurotypical" isn't an option. Advocacy as Love in Motion: Why learning the "language of power" (like FAPE and Section 504) is the ultimate act of love. The Power of Community: How a chance encounter in a grocery store shifted Nancy's perspective from "why me?" to "aren't we blessed?". Breaking the Silence: Overcoming the social shame and isolation of traumatic parenting. Securing the Future: Vital legal insights into special needs planning, guardianship, and why "love alone is not enough" when it comes to your child's long-term care. Want more from Nancy?   https://www.facebook.com/nancy.annferrarohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ferrarolaw/www.ferrarolawpalmbeach.comNancy Ferraro is an attorney, author, and keynote speaker whose enthusiasm for life and compassion for humanity are hallmarks. A fierce protector, Nancy is passionate about serving and empowering others. With legal expertise in estate planning, probate, and guardianship Nancy shapes futures and builds legacies that fulfill clients’ desires. A lawyer who raised an adopted son suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome, Nancy has unique insights into parenting and decisions affecting children. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    32 min
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4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a little too, because life is serious enough. We need a little cha cha, and a little ha ha every once in a while! Welcome to the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney!

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