Life By Design

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • 4.9 (11)
  • 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. 5d ago

    From the Streets to One of Canada's Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers with Jordana Goldlist

    Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by criminal defence lawyer Jordana H. Goldlist. From surviving addiction and living on the streets as a teenager to becoming one of Canada's leading criminal defence lawyers, Jordana's journey shows that reinvention happens one courageous step at a time and that creating distance from the environments that keep us stuck can open the door to a different future. Together, they discuss the realities of addiction, recovery, and the criminal justice system. It's a conversation about the power of hope, support, and honest dialogue, and recognizing that a person's hardest season does not erase their potential or define their entire story. Additional Resources:  Jordana’s Podcast: Who Judges the Judge?Jordana’s TEDx Talk: Who Judges the Judge?Dr. Robyne on Who Judges the Judge? Connect with Jordana:  Website: https://www.jhgcriminallaw.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanagoldlistLinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jgoldlist 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

    From the Streets to One of Canada's Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers with Jordana Goldlist

  2. Jul 8

    Finding Lightness in the Hard: Humor, Hope, and Wholehearted Living with Jessica Holmes

    In this uplifting episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes comedian and mental health and well-being expert Jessica Holmes for a conversation about the power of humor and wholehearted living. Together, they explore why joy can feel so out of reach during difficult seasons, and how simple practices like sharing a laugh, telling a story, or looking at a challenge through a different lens can offer real relief. Through personal rituals, family moments, and the science behind noticing the funny, the hopeful, and the simply kind, they share practical ways to lighten hard days without minimizing them. You'll also hear why asking our loved ones what they truly need can strengthen our relationships and why we were never meant to carry life's challenges alone. Additional Resources:  Depression the Comedy by Jessica HolmesI Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Connect with Jessica:  Website: https://www.jessicaholmes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyfunholmes/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-holmes-50ab90202/  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

    Finding Lightness in the Hard: Humor, Hope, and Wholehearted Living with Jessica Holmes

  3. Jul 1

    Owning Your Story and Creating Your Next Chapter with Brad Smith

    In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with nationally syndicated radio host, former CFL player, and media personality Brad Smith for a thoughtful conversation about growth, reinvention, and owning your story. Together, they explore how to embrace the opportunities in front of you, learn from the past without being defined by it, and navigate the complexities of life with ADHD. They also discuss handling criticism, the power of self-awareness, and why so many high performers find themselves chasing a feeling they can never quite recreate.  Additional Resources:  Brad’s Podcast: No BS with Brad SmithPrevious episode with Dr. Ross Ellenhorn: The Fear of HopeWhy Does Everybody Hate Me? by Alex Partridge Connect with Brad:  Website: https://www.nobswithbs.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradcsmith/ 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

    Owning Your Story and Creating Your Next Chapter with Brad Smith

  4. Jun 24

    The 4 R’s of Nervous System Recovery 

    Feeling weary, overwhelmed, or caught in a never-ending stress cycle? In this solo episode, Dr. Robyne introduces the Four R's of Nervous System Recovery: Restoration, Regulation, Reflection, and Reimagining. She explores why restoration must come before regulation and shares practical insights to help listeners tune into what their body, heart, mind, and community truly need. Through reflective questions and relatable stories, she encourages a balanced self-awareness that honors both challenge and progress while helping you close stress loops, rebuild capacity, and reimagine what is possible on the other side of hard seasons.  Ready, Set, Rest Workshop: Nervous System Recovery for Educators  Ready to move from exhaustion to restoration? Join Dr. Robyne for Ready, Set, Rest, a one-hour live workshop designed to help educators recover from a demanding school year, restore their nervous system, and step into summer with greater intention, spaciousness, and well-being. Offered live on June 26 or June 29. Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/ 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

    The 4 R’s of Nervous System Recovery 

  5. Jun 17

    What Do You Want Now? with Matt Young

    In this episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Matt Young, a former professional footballer turned performance coach and keynote speaker, to explore identity, reinvention, and finding purpose after major life transitions. Together, they discuss what it means to move beyond the labels that define us, why asking "What do I want now?" can be more powerful than "What should I do now?", and how to create a life filled with meaning, connection, and possibility. Drawing on lessons from professional football, ultramarathon running, and his own reinvention, Matt shares practical insights on navigating change, challenging self-imposed limits, and building a future that truly lights you up. ***  Are you an educator heading into summer exhausted but unsure how to actually rest? Ready, Set, Rest is a one-hour live workshop for educators on nervous system recovery, with a real framework to carry into the summer ahead. June 26 or June 29, live virtually with Dr. Robyne. Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/      Additional Resources:  Matt’s Podcast: Elevate Your Mind Connect with Matt:  Website: https://www.mattyounglc.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattyounglc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-young-mitm/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattyounglc 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

    What Do You Want Now? with Matt Young

  6. Jun 10

    Embracing Your Second Summit with Marissa Teeter

    What do you do when you sense there’s something more calling you forward? In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with executive coach, business advisor, moderator, podcast host, and keynote speaker Marissa Teeter to explore the courage it takes to bet on yourself and pursue a new chapter. Together, they discuss career pivots, the illusion of certainty, identity beyond job titles, and the stories we tell ourselves about success. They also share practical advice for navigating change, building an exit strategy, and managing the tension between what we feel we “should” do and what truly matters most. ***  Are you an educator heading into summer exhausted but unsure how to actually rest? Ready, Set, Rest is a one-hour live workshop for educators on nervous system recovery, with a real framework to carry into the summer ahead. June 26 or June 29, live virtually with Dr. Robyne. Register here: https://drrobyne.ca/ready-set-rest-workshop/      Additional Resources:  Marissa’s Podcast: Teeter TalksPrevious episode with Marissa: Trusting Your Future SelfThe Art Of Leadership for Women Connect with Marissa:  Website: https://www.marissateeter.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa.m.teeterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-teeter-2223aa4/ 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

    Embracing Your Second Summit with Marissa Teeter

  7. Jun 3

    The Story Behind the Hope (Jordana Goldlist Interviews Dr. Robyne)

    This week on Life by Design, we're doing something a little different. Rather than sitting in the host's chair, Dr. Robyne is the guest. In this special episode, originally recorded for Jordana Goldlist's podcast, Who Judges the Judge?, Jordana interviews Dr. Robyne about her journey, from struggling in school with undiagnosed ADHD, to being institutionalized at 16, to surviving a near-death car accident, and how her mother’s question, “How do you want to feel?” instead of “What are your goals?” changed everything. Together, they explore the lessons she has learned about healing and belonging, the people who helped her find her way when she could not yet see a future for herself, and the experiences that continue to inform the work she does today with leaders, educators, teams, and high performers around the 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:  Jordana’s Podcast: Who Judges the Judge? Dr. Robyne on the Mark Divine Show I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe  Connect with Jordana Goldlist:  Website: https://www.jhgcriminallaw.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanagoldlist  LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jgoldlist   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

    The Story Behind the Hope (Jordana Goldlist Interviews Dr. Robyne)

  8. May 27

    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

    It’s Okay to Want Something Different for Yourself with Dr. Natasha Ramzan
See All (98)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
11 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
    98
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
  • Show Website
    Life By Design

You Might Also Like