PLAN GOAL PLAN | Goals, Transformation for Women, Mindful Time Management, Balance, Working Moms

Danielle McGeough, PhD | Burnout Recovery Strategist
  • 5.0 (108)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

** Top 1.5% Globally Ranked Podcast ** You know that feeling—when life looks full of achievement, but something inside still feels... off-script? Welcome to the Plan Goal Plan Podcast, where we turn planning and goal setting into a ritual of self-revelation and intentional living. I’m Danielle McGeough—professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and ritual nerd. After years of chasing big goals and crossing off endless to-do lists, I hit a milestone—and felt completely unmoored. That’s when I stopped planning to prove myself, and started planning to be myself. Each episode offers tools, insights, and rituals to help you: Set meaningful goals that reflect who you truly are Create intentional routines that support joy and purpose Turn everyday planning into a powerful personal growth practice Feel focused and fulfilled—without the burnout Whether you’re leading a team, managing a household, or navigating change, this podcast will help you reclaim your time, reimagine your goals, and build a life that feels lived-in—not just productive. Let’s plan a life that feels like yours—on purpose, with heart, and one gentle step at a time. Learn more: https://www.plangoalplan.com/ Email: support@plangoalplan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-b673334

  1. 1D AGO

    Is Your Need for Control Actually Killing Your Goals? What Trust Has to Do With It | Ep. 281

    I grew up in Iowa where Mardi Gras wasn't really a thing. Then I moved to Baton Rouge for my PhD at LSU—and everything changed. In this episode I'm connecting my love of Mardi Gras, my research on the carnival, and our February theme of TRUST in the most delightfully nerdy way possible. Here's the question: What if chaos is actually a SIGN of trust? Here's what we're covering: Why carnival only works where there is trust (structured freedom not rigid control) What masks reveal about where safety hides (and our modern version of the mask) Why humor is a trust barometer (when teams can't laugh together, fear has entered the room) How controlled chaos builds communal trust (collective ridiculousness = collective vulnerability) The dangerous side: when play turns violent and trust breaks completely The 4 Trust Lessons from Carnival: 1. Trust requires structured freedom. Medieval carnival flipped the social order—servants mocked nobles, priests were parodied. But everyone knew when it started and ended. Trust isn't built through constant control. It's built when people know there's space for expression without the system collapsing. 2. Masks reveal where safety hides. When social risk disappears, honesty increases. Think about it: a sarcastic joke hiding real resentment. "Just kidding" as cover for actual truth. If someone only feels safe telling you the truth through humor—what does that tell you about trust? 3. Humor is a trust barometer. Regimes that lose their sense of humor become fragile. Relationships that can't tease each other anymore signal something is off. Can your team challenge you without fear? Can you and your partner tease each other without defensiveness? If not, trust might be low. 4. Controlled chaos builds communal trust. Everyone looks foolish TOGETHER. This lowers status anxiety and builds connection. You cannot build trust in permanent professional mode. Trust grows when people experience small disruptions together and recover together. The dangerous side: Trust can tolerate tension, critique, and inversion. But trust CANNOT survive betrayal. Carnival works because everyone knows the rules. Trust breaks when the rules change mid-game without consent. The big takeaway: Trust is not control. It's SAFE LOOSENESS. The confidence that we can step into chaos together and return without losing ourselves. Your challenge this week: Where can you create safe looseness in your life, your goals, or your relationships? Mentioned in this episode: Mikhail Bakhtin (carnival theory) Stallybrass and White (carnival scholarship) Michael Bruner "The Carnivalesque State" Performance studies and social transformation Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334 Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

    14 min

  2. FEB 10

    Why Don't Plans Work Out? How Broken Promises Erode Self-Trust | Ep. 280

    Dr. Ryan McGeough is back! We're unpacking what happens when plans don't go as planned—and how that slowly erodes trust in ourselves, our follow-through, and even other people. Here's what we're covering: Why broken micro-commitments chip away at self-trust The difference between self-confidence (broad) and self-efficacy (skill-specific) Attribution theory: Do you blame yourself or circumstances when goals fail? How the US became a low-trust culture ("stranger danger" anyone?) Hannah Arendt on forgiveness (breaking the past) and promises (building the future) Ryan's morning hack: Headspace before scrolling My Instagram/Facebook sabbatical experiment The trust erosion cycle: You make plans → things don't go as planned → you stop trusting that planning matters → you break commitments to yourself → self-trust crumbles. The key insight: Some people fail at goals and think "bad goal, bad circumstances." Others internalize it: "I'm a piece of crap." Attribution theory explains why—and how to change the pattern. Ryan's trust lesson: That 6am lake running goal? Bad goal. Not because he can't accomplish things—because it didn't fit his reality. Now he knows which goals are longer shots and builds more structure around those. The Valentine's Day truth: Annual goal-setting together builds trust beyond reliability. When your partner actively supports what matters to you, it creates space to take risks and pursue things that excite you—even if they don't match your 10-year-old plans. Mentioned in this episode: Attribution theory Hannah Arendt's Between Past and Future Headspace app Self-efficacy vs. self-confidence Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334 Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

    31 min

  3. FEB 3

    Can I Really Trust Myself? Rebuilding Self-Trust for Bold Goals | Ep. 279

    Can I really trust myself? Am I being too much? Not enough? What if they find out I'm just figuring it out as I go? If you've found yourself second-guessing, over-preparing (that's me!), or holding back just to feel safe—this episode is for you. We're digging into TRUST—the theme for February—and how women in high-pressure roles can rebuild it, starting with themselves. Here's what we're covering: Why over-preparing, over-explaining, and over-justifying reveal a lack of self-trust The difference between self-trust (confidence in your ability to feel, think, act, recover) and interpersonal trust How cultural patterns teach women to seek validation instead of self-reference The relationship between control and trust (if you trusted yourself completely, where could you loosen your grip?) Brené Brown's insight: intuition isn't magic—it's a collection of all your knowledge and experience Why perfectionism actually shows you don't trust yourself Mentioned in this episode: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown How to Begin by Michael Bungay Stanier Performance studies and embodied knowing Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334 Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

    18 min

  4. JAN 27

    How Do You Pursue Multiple Goals at Once? Motivation Science Explained with Ayelet Fishbach | Ep. 278

    So many women I work with don't struggle with having goals, but they struggle with having TOO many. And trying to carry them all at once, which makes this episode absolutely perfect. I'm sitting down with Dr. Ayelet Fishbach, one of the world's leading experts on motivation and decision-making (and author of Get It Done), to unpack what actually helps people follow through on meaningful goals, even when life is banana pants. Here's what we're covering: Why ambitious goals are good (unless they paralyze you—then they're not) The buffet problem: when all your goals are amazing individually but create a terrible meal together Multi-finality: the game-changing concept of feeding many birds with one scone (goals that serve multiple purposes!) Why tracking matters more than you think (and how to use multiple data points to stay motivated) The difference between avoidance goals (lose weight) and approach goals (gain health)—and why it matters Why incentives can backfire (the coloring study that changes everything) How goals actually strengthen relationships (not just distract from them) The big insight: Your goals might all be wonderful on their own, but if they don't fit together—if they pull you in opposite directions—you'll create a mess. The key is creating HARMONY, not just adding more goals. What is multi-finality? Identifying activities that pursue several goals simultaneously. Like biking to work (exercise + commute + maybe socializing if you bike with friends). Or listening to audiobooks while walking (reading + movement). The magic is finding means that connect multiple ends. Why we resist multi-finality: We believe "pure" activities are stronger. If biking is ONLY for exercise, we feel it's more legitimate. But that's usually a mistake—if you can make biking serve multiple purposes, you'll bike MORE. On too-ambitious goals: They need to be abstract enough to be motivating (ask "why" until you find the deeper purpose) but not so abstract you lose the "how." Numbers are motivating (they make everything below feel like a loss), but too easy = boring, too hard = giving up. The incentive trap: External rewards can dilute intrinsic motivation (the kids who got paid to color were less likely to color again without payment). But adults usually know why they do things—paying artists makes them create MORE art, not less. Goals and relationships: We choose friends and partners who support our goals. Sometimes we even choose goals to MAINTAIN relationships. Goals are how we relate to each other—they're not just individual pursuits. Dr. Fishbach's challenge: Think about your goals like a buffet. Everything looks amazing, but will they work together on the same plate? Or will you end up with dessert touching the entrée in all the wrong ways? If you're a woman in a high-pressure job trying to figure out how to pursue multiple meaningful goals without losing yourself—this episode is packed with research-backed strategies that actually work. Connect with Dr. Ayelet Fishbach: Website:ayeletfishbach.com Book: Get It Done Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334 Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

    34 min

  5. JAN 20

    Why Does Starting Feel So Heavy? Using Rituals to Begin Bold Goals | Ep. 277

    You're sitting at the edge of something you want. Maybe a new project, maybe a decision you've been circling for months. The calendar says it's time to begin. But your body hesitates. Not because you're unclear, but because starting feels heavier than it should. Y'all, that heaviness isn't a flaw. It's a threshold. And in this episode, I'm diving into why beginnings are actually identity moments (not just logistical tasks) and how rituals can help you cross that threshold when readiness feels impossible. Here's what we're covering: Why ambitious women interpret starting friction as personal failure (and what to do instead) The concept of liminality: being "betwixt and between" who you were and who you're becoming Three types of beginning rituals: opening rituals, reset rituals, and courage rituals The difference between habits (that manage time) and rituals (that assign meaning) Why identity often lags behind your desire and your action Real stories: from helping my daughter release anxiety with dance moves to writing "I am a savvy business woman" every morning The big insight: Beginnings don't ask for readiness. They ask for orientation. And ritual can be the doorway you're allowed to walk through slowly. Your challenge this week: Choose one moment that feels slightly resistant Pick your threshold (start of workday? returning to a dream? saying yes to fear?) Add a sensory marker or identity question: "Who am I invited to become here?" Meet yourself at the threshold—not with pressure, but with presence If you're a woman in a high-pressure job who wants to pursue bold goals without losing yourself—even when life feels banana pants—this episode is your permission slip to begin with ritual, not just willpower. Next week: I'm talking with Ayelet Fishbach (author of Get It Done) about why procrastination shows up when goals threaten our identity. You won't want to miss it! Mentioned in this episode: Simply Bold 8-week group program (for women in high-pressure jobs pursuing bold goals) Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal Performance studies concepts: liminality, ritual, witnessing Resources: Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals) Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats) Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334 Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

    16 min

  6. JAN 13

    Why Do I Keep Procrastinating? Understanding the Emotional Side of Starting Goals | Ep. 276

    Starting is never just about the task. It's about the fear, the friction, and the stories we tell ourselves. And sometimes, it's about doing it together. In this conversation with my husband Ryan (Dr. Ryan McGeough), we get honest about what holds us back, what gets us moving, and what we've learned from books like Tiny Habits, Get It Done, and How to Begin that changed how we start. What we talk about: Why activation energy makes starting so hard (especially with ADHD) The difference between rewards and incentives How perfectionism disguises itself as procrastination Why telling the right people about your goals matters (and the wrong people can derail you) The surprising research on rewards: why giving yourself a "dollar to color" backfires Habit stacking and productive procrastination techniques How couples can support each other's goals by removing friction (not solving) Why self-trust erodes when you don't follow through—and how to rebuild it Key insights from books: Tiny Habits (BJ Fogg): Start ridiculously small. Rewards (immediate pleasure) build habits better than incentives (distant payoffs) Get It Done (Ayelet Fishbach): Wrong rewards can kill intrinsic motivation. Kids who got paid to color were less likely to color again without payment Self-Determination Theory: External controls (deadlines, forced language, performance rewards) can actually reduce motivation by squashing autonomy Ryan's brain hack: Write down 3 daily tasks. Pick the one you should do most—but procrastinate freely by working on the other two. "Number two is in real danger." How we support each other: Annual goal-setting practice together means we know what matters to each other. We can remove friction, budget accordingly, and cheer each other on. Most importantly? We give each other space without having to negotiate every time. Join me this January (all the beginning things!): Break Free From Busy mini-course (free) Your Bold Goal Workshop (Jan 16) Book Club: "How to Begin" (Jan 21 - no reading required!) Resources: Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals) Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats) Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

    38 min

  7. JAN 6

    How Do I Start When Life Is Already Full? A Guide for Overwhelmed Goal-Setters | Ep. 275

    How do I begin? Where do I start? If you've been waiting for things to calm down or trying to earn permission to focus on yourself, this episode is for you. Beginning isn't about having clarity—it's about creating a container where clarity can emerge. What you'll learn: Why you don't need a perfect plan to begin (just a "starter plan") How to start something meaningful without quitting your entire life Why overthinking is actually disguised fear The psychology of the "fresh start effect" and how to create your own Using tiny experiments to test bold goals without destabilizing everything The truth: Many high-achieving women believe they succeeded by managing everything. Starting something for yourself means asking: "Who am I allowed to be?" You don't need to earn the right to begin. Confidence comes from acting, not from waiting. You can pursue bold goals through small experiments—no grand reinvention required. Join me this January (all the beginning things!): Break Free From Busy mini-course (free) Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreat (Jan 9) Your Bold Goal Workshop (Jan 16) Book Club: "How to Begin" (Jan 21 - no reading required!) Links at plangoalplan.com Books mentioned: "Start" by Jon Acuff, "Lean Learning" by Pat Flynn, "How to Begin" by Michael Bungay Stanier You don't need to quit your whole life to do something meaningful. You just need to start. Resources: Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals) Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats) Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

    18 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Why You Need to Dream Bigger (And How Hope Actually Works) | Ep. 274

    When was the last time you really let yourself DREAM? Like, gave yourself full permission to get wild and audacious about your future?If you're like me, you might think you're a big dreamer—but you're actually thinking smaller than you're capable of.  In this solo episode, I'm getting nerdy about the relationship between dreaming big, hope, and your future self. And here's the surprising discovery: hope isn't an emotion—it's a learnable skill. What you'll learn: Why hope is a state of mind, not an emotion (and why that matters for goal-setting) How hopeful people are better problem-solvers with more cognitive flexibility The concept of "utopian performances"—how imagining your future changes your present Why dreaming big might feel arrogant or dangerous (but your utopia always includes community) The 5-year dreaming activity that challenged me to think bigger Here's what the research shows: Hopeful people are more motivated, better at problem-solving, and have brains that can imagine multiple possible futures. The coolest part? Hope is trainable. I geek out a bit on performance studies (my research area!) and talk about how theater creates spaces where people rehearse living different futures. Brazilian theater practitioner Augusto Boal used "Theater of the Oppressed" to help people literally rehearse for revolution. The Big Question: Are you holding back on a goal because it seems too scary? Does naming it out loud feel too hopeful—like you're setting yourself up for disappointment? Your Challenge: Before you set your next goal, check your state of mind. Are you feeling hopeful? If not, cultivate a hopeful mind first—one that's motivated, good at problem-solving, and able to imagine your ideal future self. By just dreaming, you'll find yourself acting differently in the present. Your future self will come together faster than you ever thought possible. Mentioned in this episode: Mitch Matthews (Dream Think Do & Encouraging the Encouragers podcasts) Brené Brown's "Atlas of the Heart" Jill Dolan's "Utopia in Performance" Augusto Boal's "Theater of the Oppressed" Resources: Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals) Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats) Connect with me: Email: support@plangoalplan.com Facebook Group: Join Here Website: PlanGoalPlan.com LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

    11 min
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** Top 1.5% Globally Ranked Podcast ** You know that feeling—when life looks full of achievement, but something inside still feels... off-script? Welcome to the Plan Goal Plan Podcast, where we turn planning and goal setting into a ritual of self-revelation and intentional living. I’m Danielle McGeough—professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and ritual nerd. After years of chasing big goals and crossing off endless to-do lists, I hit a milestone—and felt completely unmoored. That’s when I stopped planning to prove myself, and started planning to be myself. Each episode offers tools, insights, and rituals to help you: Set meaningful goals that reflect who you truly are Create intentional routines that support joy and purpose Turn everyday planning into a powerful personal growth practice Feel focused and fulfilled—without the burnout Whether you’re leading a team, managing a household, or navigating change, this podcast will help you reclaim your time, reimagine your goals, and build a life that feels lived-in—not just productive. Let’s plan a life that feels like yours—on purpose, with heart, and one gentle step at a time. Learn more: https://www.plangoalplan.com/ Email: support@plangoalplan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-b673334

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