Courageous Me

Kim Payne

Hi, I’m Kim Payne. Welcome to the Courageous Me podcast—your go-to for incredible stories and practical tips to add more courage to your life. Imagine what’s possible if courage wasn’t reserved for heroic moments but became part of your everyday life. Whether you're dreaming big, going through a rough patch, or are ready to reignite the fire in your belly, this podcast is for you. Because courage is life’s secret sauce—it turns the ordinary into magic. And it all starts with you.

  1. 15H AGO

    125. Building the evidence for a life of love and enoughness with Dani Zetzer

    In this raw and deeply honest conversation, we meet Dani Zetzer, a family lawyer, founder of Respect Legal, and host of "Diary of a Divorced Lawyer," to explore what courage looks like when life falls apart and you rebuild from the ground up. From watching her childhood home repossessed to building her own law firm during lockdown, losing millions in crypto trading, and navigating single motherhood with three kids, Dani's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-honesty. She shares how going on "57 first dates" became the unexpected path back to herself, helping her rediscover what she loves, what she wants, and why rebuilding your life starts with rebuilding your sense of enoughness. You'll hear how Dani turned pain into purpose, used rock-bottom moments as her greatest teachers, and how she now helps other women access their courage, whether they're leaving a marriage, starting a business, or rediscovering themselves after years of losing their identity in others. This episode is a masterclass in emotional strength, financial independence, self-trust, and the kind of courage it takes to bet on yourself… again and again.   Key takeaways: o   Why doing scary things builds evidence that you'll be ok.  o   The surprising lessons from hitting rock bottom and reframing them for good. o   What losing millions taught her about self-worth, shame, and scarcity. o   Why bubble baths aren't the answer to real self-care, and what is.  o   The power of curiosity and trying new things at any age.  o   How trusting your gut feeling can save you from years of heartache. o   Why the most courageous choices are the ones made from love.   Get in touch with Dani Zetzer: Website: Respect Legal    Instagram: @respect_legal_       LinkedIn: Respect Legal   LinkedIn: Danielle (Dani) Zetzer      Facebook: Respect Legal           *COURAGEOUS SHIFT* Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out?  Get access now to The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move.  Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayne9Biz   Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help work out your next courageous move.

    55 min
  2. OCT 1

    124. Letting go to make space for what’s next with Kim Payne

    In this solo episode, I open up about one of the hardest (and most freeing) lessons we all face, knowing when to let go.  From scrapping my first book manuscript to deciding to close a business partnership after six years, I share raw stories of choosing release over attachment, even when it feels uncomfortable. Letting go isn't about giving up. It's about creating the space for something better, more aligned, and more life-giving to arrive.  Whether it's a business, a project, a friendship, or simply an old identity that no longer fits, the moment you release what's weighing you down, you invite in opportunities that energize and excite you. This conversation is a heartfelt invitation to ask yourself what you've been holding onto simply because you've already invested so much.  And what might be possible if you permitted yourself to let it go?   Key takeaways: o   Why clinging to something you've outgrown could be blocking opportunities. o   How to tell the difference between "not ready" and "not right." o   The surprising gift hidden in abandoned projects. o   A simple question that reveals whether it's time to walk away. o   What two women discovered when they faced the truth.  o   Why letting go doesn't always have to be dramatic. o    The powerful shift when you release what no longer serves you.   Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out?  Tune into The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move.  Get access now. Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne    Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayne Biz   Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you decide what needs to be let go.

    29 min
  3. SEP 24

    123. Rediscovering yourself through pain, self-trust and feminine power with Hacia Atherton

    If you want to discover how pain, power, and trust can lead you to your true self, this is for you.  In this beautiful conversation, I sit down with the extraordinary Hacia Atherton, consultant, speaker, principal consultant at All-Star Consulting, and founder of Empowered Women in Trades, to explore the true meaning of courage, healing, and feminine power. Hacia shares her extraordinary journey from a devastating horse-riding accident where she was told she may never walk unaided again, through years of pain and physical and emotional recovery, to rediscovering who she is as a woman, a leader, and a partner. Along the way, she discovered that courage is not just about the big, audacious leaps, but also about the micro-moments: getting out of bed when you don’t feel like it, asking for help when it scares you, and learning to trust again after betrayal. She shares her mission to transform outdated male-dominated workplace cultures, showing how vulnerability, empathy, and emotional intelligence aren’t weaknesses, but the very strengths that allow everyone to thrive. And we hear about her latest bold move to America, where she is stepping fully into her feminine energy, her purpose, and a new love that has challenged her to trust in ways she never thought possible. Her story reminds us that in our hardest seasons, we still carry the power to choose, the ability to trust, and the gift of rediscovering our true selves.   What we cover: o   What it takes to break old patterns and feel safe in love and relationships. o   The surprising truth about pain and how it can be a catalyst for growth. o   How to spot when ego, not intuition, is driving your choices. o   The overlooked cost of a victim mindset and how to free yourself from it. o   How anger, when harnessed, can fuel movements that change entire industries. o   How vulnerability and emotional intelligence are reshaping leadership even in the toughest industries. o   Why your feminine power is the key to rediscovering yourself.   Get in touch with Hacia: LinkedIn: Hacia Atherton     LinkedIn: Allstar Consulting Services      LinkedIn: Empowered Women In Trades      Instagram: @hacia.atherton          Instagram: @allstar_consulting_services    Instagram: @ewitrades  (Empowered Women in Trades)    Website: Hacia Atherton       **Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out?  Tune into The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move.  Get access now. Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayneBiz

    59 min
  4. SEP 17

    122. Unlocking freedom through the science of habits with Dr Tamsin Astor

    In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tamsin Astor, a neuroscientist aka Chief Habit Scientist, to explore what courage really looks like when life tests you to your core.  Tamsin, a naturally rebellious and fiercely intelligent woman who has never been afraid to question the rules, shares the raw truth of leaving a marriage that no longer served her, navigating her young son’s cancer diagnosis, and redefining who she was - all while modelling courage for her children. Through it all, she uncovered her resilience and the power of habits, freedom, relationships, and love to shape a life that feels deeply authentic. We dive into her journey from academia to yoga teaching, Ayurveda and executive coaching, and how she became a sought-after speaker and leadership consultant.  Along the way, she reveals how teaching yoga sharpened her ability to communicate, why vulnerability belongs in leadership, and how conscious choices ripple far beyond ourselves. This episode will inspire you to reflect on your own definitions of courage, freedom, and fulfillment, and to consider what habits and choices could help throughout the many seasons of your life.   Key takeaways: o   Where true courage really comes from (and it’s not what you think). o   Why walking away can be the bravest act of all. o   How life’s toughest challenges can reveal unexpected strength. o   The surprising link between daily habits and true freedom. o   What teaching yoga taught her about powerful communication. o   Why emotional awareness and vulnerability matter in business. o   What an ADHD diagnosis unlocked about her life and work. o   How self-awareness changes everything from the boardroom to the bedroom.   Get her book: Force of habit - Unleash Your Power by Developing Great Habits by Dr Tamsin Astor      Get in touch with Dr Tamsin Astor: Website: Tamsin Astor     LinkedIn: Tamsin Astor        Instagram: @tamisnastor         Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out?  Tune into The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move. Get access now. Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayneBiz

    58 min
  5. SEP 10

    121. The Cost of Staying Silent with Kim Payne

    In this episode, I explore one of the hidden drains on our confidence, relationships, and opportunities: silence.  We often think we’re playing it safe by holding back, but the truth is, staying silent comes with a cost. I open up about my own journey from being the shy, quiet girl who silenced herself, to becoming someone who now teaches others how to speak with courage.  Along the way, you’ll hear stories of clients, everyday examples, and simple tools to help you notice where fear, judgment, or self-doubt might be keeping you silent — and how that’s impacting your life and business. Using your voice isn’t just about public speaking. It’s about the everyday moments where you ask for what you want, give honest feedback, or say yes to being visible.  Your voice influences your presence, energy, and authority. And when you choose silence instead, the opportunities, connections, and impact that could have been yours often slip away. This episode is an invitation to stop paying the hidden cost of silence - and to start speaking up with courage.  Because your voice doesn’t just matter, it can change lives, starting with your own.   Key takeaways: o   Your voice is so much more than words and sound.  o   Silence has a price. o   Asking for what you want is an act of courage. o   The real barrier to speaking isn’t speaking - it’s something else. o   Simple things you can do to feel more courageous using your voice. o   Being direct with your words is the kindest thing you can do. o   Your voice is tied to your worth and influences how people experience you.   ** Courageous Speaking Masterclass – Wed 22 Oct 2025 ** If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or professional who knows speaking is the ONE skill that could change the game for your business or career, this is for you. ~ Find out more or grab your spot here. ~   Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayneBiz   Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to work out how you can use your voice with more impact.

    37 min
  6. SEP 3

    120. Unlocking The Author in You with Ruth Fae

    What does it really take to move from “I’ve got an idea for a book” to becoming an author? In this inspiring conversation, I reconnect with intuitive writing coach, editor, and publisher Ruth Fae to explore what it means to find your voice and courageously put your words into the world. Ruth unpacks what “being an author” truly means, and why so many of the excuses we cling to (“I’m not a writer,” “my message isn’t worthy”) are simply myths.  She explains how writing is a creative muscle that grows stronger with use, why collaboration makes the process more powerful, and how writing circles give women the confidence, structure, and safe space to write. I also share my own vulnerable journey of handing Ruth my first manuscript, facing fears of imperfection and discovering that authorship begins long before a book is published. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, or doubted whether you had it in you, this episode will shift your perspective, release the pressure, and remind you that your words matter.   By tuning in, you’ll discover: o   Why you’re already an author even if your book isn’t published yet. o   How intuitive editing helps your real voice and message shine through. o   The difference between planners and “pantsers” in writing (and how to find your flow). o   Why collaboration and safe creative spaces make writing easier and more fun. o   How to move past perfectionism and start with what you’ve got (even messy brain dumps). o   The importance of structure in shaping stories without stifling creativity. o   Ways to overcome resistance when the words don’t come. o   Why courage, community, and consistency matter more than rules when it comes to writing.   ! Sign up for inaugural The Author in You. An 8 week writing course and bring the book inside you to life.  Learn about Ruth’s Writing Circles.      Find out more or get in touch with Ruth: Website: Fae Blood Publications    Facebook: Ruth Fae-Writer      Instagram: @ruth_fae_writer      LinkedIn: Ruth Fae         Tiktok: @ruthfaewriter   Listen to Ruths first appearance on the podcast, episode 13 Rediscovering your identity through hope, healing, and storytelling.     Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayne9Biz Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line.

    1h 2m
  7. AUG 27

    119. Finding joy in the struggle to stay open to life with Kathleen Quinn

    If you’ve ever faced loss or change and wondered how you could stay open to life and find joy, this is for you. In this moving conversation, we hear from mindset coach Kathleen Quinn, who at 56 reinvented herself after retiring from a 35-year career at Stanford University. Just as she was embracing her new path, Kathleen faced the devastating loss of her husband, Michael, during the pandemic. Before he passed, he left her with a simple but profound request: “Struggle to stay open to life.”  Those words became the compass that guided her through grief, heartbreak, change, and loss, and eventually helped her rediscover joy. Now at 63, Kathleen is living proof that it’s never too late to change your identity, feel deserving of abundance, and say yes to opportunities beyond your wildest dreams. From honouring her husband’s wisdom to becoming a mindset coach, to stepping into authorship and public speaking, Kathleen’s story is a powerful reminder that courage isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about staying open to what life places before you, even when it scares you. Kathleen’s purpose is to help people feel grounded, free, and fulfilled, and this episode will inspire you on your way.   Key takeaways: o   How Kathleen’s husband’s final wishes became her guiding principle. o   What it takes to start a new career at 56 and take on a completely different identity. o   What grief can teach us about growth and understanding. o   The freedom that comes from releasing expectations of others. o   The difference between wealth and abundance. o   Why friendships may play different roles and how to accept them. o   The importance of asking for what you deserve and breaking old scarcity patterns. o   How living by your values keeps you aligned, even when resistance shows up.   Where to find Kathleen: Website: Kathleen Quinn     LinkedIn: Kathleen Quinn     Get a copy of her book (where she’s a featured author).  Infinite Impact – Stories of Alignment         Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne       LinkedIn: Kim Payne     Instagram: @iamkimpayne      Facebook: Kim Payne Biz      Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action

    56 min
  8. AUG 20

    118. Why your flops, failures and stuff ups can be your greatest wins with Clare Dea and Kim Payne

    This episode flips the polished success story on its head and celebrates the raw, real, and messy side of business and life. For a change, I’m the one being interviewed, chatting with the fabulous Clare Elizabeth Dee, host and organiser of Fck Up Nights Melbourne, in the lead up to MC’ing her next event.  If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an event where entrepreneurs share their biggest blunders and the powerful lessons that came from them. We unpack why it takes courage to own our mistakes, release the shame, and share the stories that connect us as humans.  I get vulnerable about my flops, from career changes to life-altering family conversations, while Clare shares how owning her most personal challenges has transformed both her work and her sense of self. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one messing things up, or you’re craving the honesty that’s missing from social media highlight reels, this episode will remind you that the real magic lies in the failures we’re courageous enough to share.   What you’ll learn in this episode: o   Why failures and flops are just as powerful as success stories and often more inspiring. o   The hidden strength in vulnerability and how it helps others feel less alone. o   How community and connection flourish when we normalize imperfection. o   Why taking the swing (even if you miss) beats standing still every time. o   A behind-the-scenes look at Fck Up Nights Melbourne - and why it’s more than an event…it’s a movement.   ⚠️ Heads up: This episode includes swearing. ⚠️ The F word is used throughout, because it’s part of the Fck Up Nights brand. If that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to skip this one. If not, you’re in for an honest, fun, and deeply human conversation.   Find out more about Fck Up Nights Melbourne or Clare Elizabeth Dea: Fck Up Nights is the global phenomenon that celebrates authenticity, imperfection, and the power of honest storytelling. Being held in over 250 cities across 80+ countries, this is not your average event.  It’s a full-bodied, heart-led, high-vibe experience for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone bold enough to ditch the highlight reel.   Socials:  Instagram:  @fuckupnights_melbourne    @clareelizabeth_dea   Facebook: Clare Elizabeth Dea   LinkedIn: Clare Elizabeth Dea   Website: Clare Elizabeth Dea      Grab a ticket for the next event on Wed 3 Sep 2025 or learn more for attend one in the future. Check out the conversation with Clare as guest here on Courageous Me.  Episode 82. Unmasking the truth will set you free with Clare Dea.     Where to find me:  Website: Kim Payne    LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne   Facebook: KimPayneBiz   Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get what's in your head out into the world.

    40 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hi, I’m Kim Payne. Welcome to the Courageous Me podcast—your go-to for incredible stories and practical tips to add more courage to your life. Imagine what’s possible if courage wasn’t reserved for heroic moments but became part of your everyday life. Whether you're dreaming big, going through a rough patch, or are ready to reignite the fire in your belly, this podcast is for you. Because courage is life’s secret sauce—it turns the ordinary into magic. And it all starts with you.

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