Harder Than Life

VYVECAST

I’m Kelly Siegel, and this is Harder than Life. A podcast about self-love, self-awareness, business, and health. We tell outrageous stories and boil everything down to simple, practical advice you can start using today. Let’s get living!

  1. 4D AGO

    Your Voice Doesn't Disappear | It Gets Silenced

    Your voice doesn’t disappear overnight. It gets trained to stay quiet. In this episode of Harder Than Life, Kelly Siegel sits down with Charlotte Dobre for a raw conversation about voice, identity, people-pleasing, and reclaiming authenticity. Charlotte shares how fear of judgment, online criticism, and performance culture can mute self-expression — and how confidence is rebuilt through self-trust. This episode explores authenticity over approval, creativity without shame, and why owning your voice changes how you lead, create, and live. Key Takeaways 🟥 Fear, not talent, silences voices 🟥 People-pleasing is learned survival 🟥 Authenticity builds confidence 🟥 Self-trust disarms judgment (00:00) - Introduction (01:11) - Early Life and Struggles (02:11) - Journey to YouTube Stardom (05:11) - The Rise of The Bridezilla Videos (06:39) - The Importance of Social Media for Businesses (08:21) - Authenticity and Humor in Content Creation (10:48) - Navigating Dating and Relationships (12:33) - Meeting Mike (15:16) - Dating Icks (21:46) - Importance of Communication (24:50) - Challenges of Being a Female Creator (28:30) - Protecting Your Peace (30:43) - Handling Online Criticism (36:09) - Finding Joy in Acting (38:29) - Creating 'The Swipe Life' (40:21) - Challenges in the Entertainment Industry (44:19) - Building a Supportive Community (49:07) - Advice To Younger Self (51:22) - Rapid Fire Questions 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you heal, lead, and live Harder Than Life. Harder Than Life: 🔴 Apple 🔴 Spotify 🔴 YouTube ⚫ Instagram ⚫ Facebook ⚫ LinkedIn ⚫ TikTok ⚫ Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m
  2. FEB 3

    Your Voice Gets Stolen by Survival, Not Talent | Benny Salas

    Your voice isn’t missing. It’s been muted by survival. In this powerful episode of Harder Than Life, Kelly Siegel sits down with Benny Salas for a raw conversation about trauma, voice, identity, and what it really takes to step into your purpose. Benny shares deeply personal stories of childhood abuse, shame, addiction, and silence—and how reclaiming his voice became the foundation for healing, leadership, and legacy. Together, Kelly and Benny break down why most people don’t fear public speaking—they fear judgment, rejection, and being fully seen. This episode explores authenticity over performance, confidence built through clarity, and why your story isn’t your weakness—it’s your assignment. Key Takeaways 🟥 Trauma silences voices long before talent ever fails 🟥 Fear of judgment is the real blocker, not fear of speaking 🟥 Authenticity creates transformation, not performance 🟥 Confidence is built through truth, not perfection 🟥 Legacy begins when someone else finds their voice (00:00) - Introduction (02:54) - The Power of Vulnerability (06:09) - Therapy and Personal Growth (07:53) - Embodying Other People (10:18) - Imposter Syndrome (13:45) - Benny's Childhood (16:13) - Coaching and Legacy (22:01) - Public Speaking and Overcoming Fear (28:02) - 3 Ps of Public Speaking (34:18) - Three Core Essentials for Confidence (37:56) - The Art of Storytelling (42:58) - Leadership and Team Dynamics (45:53) - Giving Yourself and People Grace (48:35) - The Importance of Pausing (54:00) - Embracing Authenticity and Overcoming Shame (56:04) - Online Resources (58:13) - Staying Curious (59:34) - How To Listen Better 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you heal, lead, and live Harder Than Life. Harder Than Life: 🔴 Apple 🔴 Spotify 🔴 YouTube ⚫ Instagram ⚫ Facebook ⚫ LinkedIn ⚫ TikTok ⚫ Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m
  3. JAN 29

    Doing Everything Right But Still Broken? Here's Why

    We’ve been sold a lie about “having it all.” More money. More status. More freedom. But before Kelly Siegel ever understood success, he understood damage. And this episode reframes “having it all” from the inside out. In this powerful solo episode, Kelly breaks down the five pillars most people chase without understanding: health, family, money, purpose, peace, and seasons and how each one is completely misunderstood when you grow up in chaos, survival, or scarcity. This isn’t an episode about optimization. It’s about liberation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel exhausted, conflicted, or misaligned, this episode will give you language for what you’re experiencing. Because having it all isn’t about doing more. It’s about healing enough to receive what you already built. Key Takeaways: 🟥 Health is not an add-on; it’s the foundation of sustainable success 🟥 Family stops being pressure when you heal and show up present 🟥 Money is a tool for freedom, not proof of worth 🟥 Purpose often starts as survival and clarifies with healing 🟥 Peace is not control. It’s regulated surrender 🟥 Life happens in overlapping seasons, not clean phases (00:00) Intro (00:50) Understanding Health as a Foundation (03:52) From Pressure to Presence (07:17) How Poverty Affects Your Brain (10:21) Purpose Evolves As You Heal (13:25) Control vs. Peace (16:28) Navigating Life’s Seasons 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you heal, lead, and live Harder Than Life. Harder Than Life: 🔴 Apple 🔴 Spotify 🔴 YouTube ⚫ Instagram ⚫ Facebook ⚫ LinkedIn ⚫ TikTok ⚫ Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min
  4. JAN 27

    Adaptability Over IQ | The CEO Skill Everyone's Missing

    What happens when a fighter pilot’s discipline collides with Silicon Valley ambition? In this powerful episode of Harder Than Life, Kelly Siegel sits down with Illana Golan—former F-16 fighter pilot, tech executive, and founder of Leap Academy—to unpack reinvention, adaptability, and fearless leadership. Illana shares her journey from military service to Silicon Valley, the failure that reshaped her identity, and why adaptability is the most critical skill in the age of AI. This episode explores leadership under pressure, portfolio careers, personal branding, and how to leap into your next chapter with clarity and confidence. Key Takeaways 🟥 Adaptability is the new competitive advantage 🟥 Failure accelerates reinvention 🟥 Your brand is your career insurance 🟥 Clarity comes from action, not thinking 🟥 Reinvention is a lifelong skill (0:00) - Intro (1:19) - Early Life And Military Experience (3:10) - Lessons in Leadership and Discipline (4:46) - Challenges and Gender Equality In The Military (10:32) - Transition to Tech And Entrepreneurship (12:01) - Take On Israel's Current Events (13:39) - The Importance of Failure and Reinvention (18:28) - The LEAP Mindset (21:54) - Checklist For Winning (27:00) - Portfolio Career (30:35) - Importance Of Adaptability Quotient (33:34) - Reinvent Yourself (35:39) - What A Unicorn Is (38:00) - Advice For Feeling Stuck (41:23) - Toxic Badges of Honor in Tech (43:07) - Non-Tech Habits for Success (44:14) - Lessons from Top Founders (46:40) - Empowering Women In Tech (47:58) - Rapid Fire Questions (49:38) - Final Thoughts On Reinvention 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes with real, raw guests who live, speak, and fight Harder Than Life: 🔴 Apple 🔴 Spotify 🔴 YouTube ⚫ Instagram ⚫ Facebook ⚫ LinkedIn ⚫ TikTok ⚫ Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    58 min
4.7
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

I’m Kelly Siegel, and this is Harder than Life. A podcast about self-love, self-awareness, business, and health. We tell outrageous stories and boil everything down to simple, practical advice you can start using today. Let’s get living!