This Is Nothing New™

Michelle Gruening
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement

This Is Nothing New™ is the podcast where Michelle Gruening drops the trends, gets back to the basics, and uncovers the lessons hiding in everyday life. Through honest stories, grounded conversations, and practical takeaways, Michelle explores the timeless ideas that help us move forward — from confidence and leadership to goals, mindset, growth, and the real-life messes in between. Because most of the time, we don’t need a brand-new answer. We need a better reminder of what already works.

Episodes

  1. 23h ago

    Conversation: Jessica Millhiser on Getting Back to the Basics

    In this episode of This Is Nothing New™️, Michelle sits down with Jessica Millhiser, owner of JMills Consulting, to talk about what it really means to get back to the basics in business. They explore defining success for yourself, building a business around the life you actually want, and why sustainable growth requires more intention—not more trends, tools, or platforms. Jessica also shares the practices that keep her grounded, from protecting her calendar to removing social media from her phone, and explains why every service-based business is ultimately in the business of hospitality. The reminder is simple: slow down, gain clarity, and take action toward the business and life you actually want. More about Jessica Millhiser: Jessica is the owner of JMills Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs build better businesses through stronger structure, clearer strategy, and intentional growth. With nearly 20 years of experience in operations, administration, and leadership, Jessica works with service-based business owners to create the internal foundation their businesses need to grow sustainably. Her work focuses on operational clarity, client experience, strategic planning, and building systems that support long-term growth. Jessica holds a master’s degree in Coaching & Administration and is known for her collaborative, direct, and action-oriented approach. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and their two cats. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn. Learn more about JMills Consulting. Have a question? Send us a message!

    Conversation: Jessica Millhiser on Getting Back to the Basics

  2. Jul 7

    One Step at a Time: Climbing Kilimanjaro

    Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wasn't on Michelle's bucket list. It started with a simple "yes" to a friend's question and became a year-long journey of training, setbacks, self-doubt, 60-mile-an-hour winds, and one unforgettable summit. In this episode, Michelle shares the story of climbing Kili—from recovering after COVID and learning the meaning of pole pole ("slowly, slowly") to sleeping in a flipped tent and standing on Uhuru Peak in a whiteout. Along the way, she uncovers timeless lessons about resilience, focusing on the next step, celebrating progress, adapting when plans fall apart, and staying committed to the work instead of obsessing over the outcome. Because the biggest goals aren't reached all at once. They're reached one next step at a time. Have a question? Send us a message!

  3. Jun 30

    You're Not Bad at Setting Goals, but Your Approach Is

    Most people don’t struggle with goals because they lack discipline. They struggle because the way they’re setting goals is broken from the start. In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle breaks down the real reasons your goals fall apart. From goals that were never actually yours, to plans that are too vague to execute, to systems that don’t account for what happens when things get hard. And in some cases, the deeper issue is avoidance. If you’ve ever started the year with momentum and lost it by February, or you keep circling the same goal without real progress, this episode unpacks what’s actually going on underneath that pattern. Michelle walks through what actually works: getting clear on what you want right now (not what you think you should want), building a plan you can actually execute, using a pre-mortem to anticipate obstacles before they show up, and creating checkpoints so progress is visible before the finish line. Remember, you’re not bad at goals. Your approach has been wrong. Interested in learning more about 1on1 coaching opportunities with Michelle? Click here to book a free discovery call. Have a question? Send us a message!

  4. Jun 24

    Conversation: Danny Gruening on Too Much of a Good Thing

    This week, I'm sharing a conversation I had on the Action Lab Leadership Podcast with host Danny Gruening, who also happens to be my husband. We explore how leaders accidentally hold their teams back by trying to protect them, why curiosity can sometimes become procrastination, what I've learned about giving difficult feedback, and how keeping promises to yourself impacts your confidence. Because sometimes the thing getting in your way isn't a weakness at all. It's a strength that's been taken a little too far. This is a conversation about self-awareness, leadership, and recognizing when your best qualities might be creating unintended consequences. Learn more about the Action Lab Leadership Podcast: https://actionlableadership.com/podcast/ Have a question? Send us a message!

  5. Jun 16

    When Your Attitude Gets in the Way

    In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle explores one of the simplest concepts in personal development—and one of the easiest to overlook: attitude. Through a candid story about a coaching client and a surprising realization from her own year-end reflection, she unpacks how quickly we can let other people's energy, feedback, or behavior shape our outlook. You'll learn why attitude is one of the few things completely within your control, how pessimism quietly influences your decisions and relationships, and why the people around you have a bigger impact on your perspective than you may realize. Because sometimes the difference between an ordeal and an adventure isn't the situation—it's the attitude you bring to it. Have a question? Send us a message!

  6. Jun 9

    What You Focus On Expands

    What if the quality of your life has less to do with what happens to you and more to do with the patterns running in your mind in response to it?  In this episode, Michelle explores a framework she's used in her mastermind groups for years — Focus, Meaning, and Action — originally taught by Tony Robbins as his Breakthrough Formula. Michelle will walk you through how these three questions run on autopilot in your brain all day long, why that's quietly shaping your results, and how to start choosing your answers instead of defaulting to them.  Plus, she issues a journaling challenge to close it out that will point your focus exactly where you want it to go. Pull up a chair and let's get back to the basics! Have a question? Send us a message!

  7. Jun 2

    Environment Is Stronger Than Willpower

    Ever feel like you’re trapped in a constant battle with your own willpower?  In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle breaks down a simple, timeless truth that the shiny self-help industry loves to ignore: your environment will always be stronger than your willpower. When your willpower inevitably runs out, it's your environment that will dictate your habits. Michelle shares a funny, grounded look at how a simple furniture shift completely transformed her marriage's dinner routine, and how keeping a phone in a separate room is sometimes the only "hack" you actually need. Whether you are dealing with a cluttered desk, a chaotic digital inbox, or a distracting corporate workspace, this episode is a call to take ownership of what you can control. This Week’s Challenge: Audit your primary space, identify one small environmental friction point, and change it. Remember, the biggest results come from the smallest shifts.  Pull up a chair and let's get back to the basics. Have a question? Send us a message!

  8. May 26

    Confidence

    In this episode of This Is Nothing New, Michelle breaks down why "I want to be more confident" is too vague to actually act on — and what to do instead. She unpacks the three types of confidence that matter most: skill confidence (built through practice and repetition), situational confidence (your ability to figure it out on the fly using past experience), and self-confidence (built by keeping the promises you make to yourself).  From Disney events to software boot camps to chess grandmasters, Michelle brings it all together with real stories and a simple challenge to take away. Get back to the basics — confidence is built one step at a time. Have a question? Send us a message!

  9. May 6

    Welcome to This Is Nothing New

    Tired of the next big hack, the secret formula, or the guru putting themselves on a pedestal? Same. This Is Nothing New is the podcast that strips away the noise and gets back to the boring, consistent, timeless fundamentals you already know — you just sometimes forget about them. Host Michelle Gruening brings her background in leadership, people management, and coaching to break down everyday topics like confidence, communication, adventure, psychology, choosing to be child-free, foster dog parenting, relationships, and more. Each episode goes deep and leaves you with a real-world reframe you can actually apply. No quick fixes. No labels. No gimmicks. Just a conversation — like pulling up a chair on the porch. If you're ready to drop the trends and get back to what actually matters, pull up a chair. This is your show. Have a question? Send us a message!

  • 9 Episodes

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This Is Nothing New™ is the podcast where Michelle Gruening drops the trends, gets back to the basics, and uncovers the lessons hiding in everyday life. Through honest stories, grounded conversations, and practical takeaways, Michelle explores the timeless ideas that help us move forward — from confidence and leadership to goals, mindset, growth, and the real-life messes in between. Because most of the time, we don’t need a brand-new answer. We need a better reminder of what already works.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Gruening
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This Is Nothing New™
  • Show Website
    This Is Nothing New™

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