Beyond The Quo

Stacey Luces
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

If you’ve felt that restlessness—that feeling like there’s more than the midlife crisis or navigating a never-ending To do List - something beyond the status quo…. you’re in the right place. Beyond The Quo isn’t about following the script; it’s about tearing it up. I’m Stacey Luces, and each week, I invite you to join me and our extraordinary guests - leaders, innovators, disruptors, and dreamers who’ve dared to challenge “the quo.” This podcast is where we go past the expected, beyond the ‘shoulds’ and ‘musts,’– we break down old narratives about success, purpose, and authenticity. In each episode we explore raw and honest stories filled with profound insights, strategies and practical advice that leads to bold transformation. So, if you’re ready to claim your next chapter on your terms, If you’re done with the limits, the labels, and you’re ready to redefine success, and build a life that goes beyond the ordinary, hit that subscribe button and Join us each week for Beyond The Quo. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows that inspire change…you’ve already done ‘the quo’—now let’s go beyond.”

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 97 - Beyond Overwhelmed: Why Doing More Isn't the Answer in Midlife

    Feeling overwhelmed in midlife? What if the problem isn't your time management, but the number of responsibilities you're carrying? Between careers, entrepreneurship, family, aging parents, health, finances and building a legacy, life gets complicated. And the advice to "just prioritize" isn't cutting it anymore. In this candid solo episode of Beyond the Quo, Stacey challenges the productivity advice we've heard a thousand times and introduces the capability trap: when being the person who always figures things out becomes the reason everyone depends on you. Drawing on 25+ years in leadership and transformation, Stacey explores why success creates more responsibility, why asking for help doesn't always lighten the load, and why entrepreneurship doesn't automatically mean freedom. You'll learn how to: - Transfer ownership instead of simply delegating tasks. - Recognize the hidden mental load of being everyone's go-to person. - Put a price on your YES and protect your time. - Have better conversations about support at home and work. - Conduct a simple 7-day life audit to identify what needs to change. CHAPTERS 00:58 Midlife Overwhelm Season 04:39 Rethinking Overwhelm 10:46 Life Mirrors Organizations 13:28 Success Adds Maintenance 18:45 The Capability Trap 24:24 Transfer Ownership, Not Tasks 27:54 Put a Price on Your Yes 31:11 The Founder Freedom Myth 34:50 Support Agreements That Work 37:54 The 7-Day Life Audit ABOUT BEYOND THE QUO Hosted by Stacey Luces, *Beyond the Quo* explores what it means to redefine success, live authentically and lead courageously. You've already done the quo. Now it's time to go beyond.  staceyluces.com  Instagram: @stacey.luces See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. Oct 7

    Ep. 96 - Beyond Proving Yourself: Who Are You When You Have Nothing Left to Prove?

    What happens when the fuel that got you here starts poisoning your experience of being here? For many high achievers, proving yourself works. Prove you’re smart enough. Prove you belong. Build the career. Make the money. Raise the kids. Survive the setback. Walk into rooms that weren’t designed for you and show that you deserve to be there. But what happens when you already have the evidence? In this solo episode of Beyond the Quo, Stacey Luces, founder, leadership and transformation strategist, entrepreneur and Co-Founder of WE WHISTLE Global, explores a question she’s confronting in her own evolution: If I stop proving, will I stop achieving? Drawing from her immigrant story, career, burnout and life redesign, Stacey examines why proving can become such a powerful fuel source and why, eventually, it can become expensive. Pasted text Because proving requires an audience. A boss. A parent. An industry. Someone who underestimated you. Sometimes someone who hasn’t been in your life for decades. And if you never decide what “enough” looks like, the goalpost keeps moving. This episode explores the identity of the strong one, the hidden costs of constantly proving your worth, and what it means to enter a chapter where ambition comes from somewhere different. From proving to purpose. From fear to curiosity. From validation to conviction. From “I’ll show you” to “I want to see what I’m capable of creating.” Pasted text  In This Episode 02:16 When Success Turns Toxic 06:00 The Immigrant Drive to Achieve 08:06 The Audience Problem 09:27 The Red-Stick Goalpost 11:31 Midlife + Enoughness 15:36 The Identity of “The Strong One” 19:19 The Real Costs of Proving 24:08 Changing Your Fuel Source Maybe the question is no longer, “What else do I need to prove?” Maybe it’s: “I know what I’m capable of. What do I want to do with it now?” Pasted text You’ve already done the quo. Now it’s time to go beyond.  Connect with Stacey Luces: staceyluces.com | Instagram: @stacey.luces | LinkedIn: @StaceyLuces See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. Sep 22

    Ep. 95 - When Good Finally Arrives: Why We Self-Sabotage Success

    You did the work, the business is growing, someone said yes, and the calendar is full of things you once prayed for. So why are you procrastinating, picking fights, overthinking, and saying yes to everything except what matters? In this episode, Stacey Lucis takes on a different side of self-sabotage: not what happens when you're failing, but what happens when things finally go right. She explores why high achievers who are great at the chase can struggle with the arrival, and why the skills that got you here aren't always the ones that keep you here. Stacey unpacks: Identity lag, when your circumstances change faster than the story you tell about yourself The "upper limit" idea and why we manufacture problems to get back to a familiar baseline Why busyness, struggle, and urgency feel safe, and peace doesn't How self-sabotage often looks responsible: more research, one more version of the deck, underpricing your work How success reshapes relationships, boundaries, and belonging Why the real question may be capacity: can the life you've built hold the life you're asking for? She closes with three things to experiment with: catch yourself restoring the familiar, identify what your new reality requires (not what it took to get here), and practice tolerating the good thing. Maybe you're not afraid of success. Maybe you're just inexperienced at having this much of what you wanted, and that is a skill you can build. This is Beyond the Quo. We've done the quo. Now it's time to go beyond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ep. 95 - When Good Finally Arrives: Why We Self-Sabotage Success

  4. Sep 16

    Ep. 94 - Beyond the Mask: Why a ‘5 out of 10’ Life Isn’t Enough with Stacey Luces

    What if I told you... you’re allowed to outgrow the life you once prayed for? You’ve checked every box—but now you’re asking, Is this really it? What do I want now?Join Stacey Luces—Executive Coach, Reinvention Strategist, and Founder of the Living Beyond Movement—for a powerful solo episode of Beyond the Quo as she shares lessons from 20 Visionary Leaders on Living and Leading Unapologetically.After hosting over 20 dynamic conversations with visionary leaders from around the globe, Stacey distills the most profound lessons on what it really means to redefine success, live authentically, and lead courageously. Drawing from both her guests' wisdom and her own journey—from burnout to building global communities—Stacey explores the critical role of community, courage, and personal reinvention.This episode is a call to action for anyone tired of performing at life’s ‘5 out of 10’—an invitation to question the metrics you’ve inherited, align with your core values, and take the lead in your own transformation. If you’re ready to rise beyond the status quo and live on your own terms, this one’s for you. 🎧 In this episode:• 01:38 Three Pillars of Purposeful Living• 06:35 Redefining Success• 07:40 Community and Courage• 19:20 The Essence of Wealth• 26:09 Living Authentically: The Struggle and the Reward• 28:55 The Necessity of Reinvention• 31:16 Outgrowing Relationships and Embracing Change• 32:59 The Battle of Authenticity• 47:16 Living Beyond the Status Quo💡 Key Takeaways:• You’re Allowed to Outgrow the Life You Once Prayed For: You’re not ungrateful for wanting more—you’re evolving. Stacey reminds us that we don’t need to justify our growth. Whether it’s relationships, careers, or roles you’ve outgrown, it’s okay to say: “This no longer fits who I am becoming.” That awareness is not weakness—it’s wisdom.• Redefining Success Means Choosing Alignment Over Achievement: Success is no longer about titles, money, or how “together” you look. Every guest affirmed that true success is about alignment—with your values, your peace, and your purpose. Stacey challenges us to ask, “What does peace look like for me?” because success without soul is just survival.• Living Authentically Is a Daily Act of Courage: Authenticity isn’t a vibe—it’s a battle. It’s choosing yourself even when it’s easier to wear the mask. Stacey vulnerably shares how hard it still is, as a woman of color and immigrant, to shed old identities and show up as her full, true self. But doing so makes space for others to do the same—and that’s leadership.• Leading Courageously Begins With You: Courageous leadership doesn’t require permission, applause, or a platform. It requires ownership. Stacey defines it as “building a stage under your own feet,” moving forward even when you’re scared, broke, or misunderstood. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about having better questions.You’ve already done the quo—now it’s time to go beyond. 🔥 Feeling inspired? Don’t keep it to yourself!• Subscribe, share and follow Beyond the Quo and I’d deeply appreciate your five-star rating so more people can listen and learn!✨ Connect with Stacey Luces:• Free Global Community - Rising Beyond Power Collective: https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity/about See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. Sep 9

    Ep. 93 - Beyond Achievement: What Will You Do With Everything You’ve Earned? with Stacey Luces

    You spent decades becoming successful. Now what are you going to do with all of it? We spend much of our lives accumulating: degrees, promotions, money, relationships, credentials, influence, experience and access. But eventually, the more interesting question may not be "What can I achieve next?" It may be: "What becomes possible because of what I've already achieved?" Welcome to Beyond the Quo, the podcast for accomplished people who have done many of the things they were "supposed" to do and are now asking bigger questions about how they want to live, lead and contribute in the next chapter. Hosted by Stacey Luces, founder, leadership and transformation strategist, executive coach and entrepreneur, Beyond the Quo explores what happens when the definition of success that got you here is no longer enough for where you want to go next. In this solo episode, Stacey explores the second act of ambition: after decades building yourself and your life, what are you going to do with everything you've earned? And she isn't just talking about money. There's experience capital: what you've learned from decades of living, leading, building, succeeding and getting things spectacularly wrong. There's relationship capital: the people who trust you, take your call, value your judgment or can help open a door. And there's scar-tissue capital: the lessons you paid for through failure, loss, difficult relationships, career mistakes, health challenges and experiences no classroom could have taught you. But what happens to all that capital if it simply stops with you? Stacey explores why achievement eventually loses its emotional charge, how networks can become transactional, and why an introduction, honest conversation, mentorship or opened door can create more lasting impact than another trophy on the shelf. She also challenges the shadow side of contribution: performative generosity, martyrdom, gatekeeping and turning "giving back" into another way to prove our worth. Real stewardship means being intentional about where your experience, access and influence can genuinely create value. Maybe the second half of ambition isn't about proving you can become somebody. Maybe it's deciding what to do with everything it took to become who you already are. 🎧 In This Episode 01:06 Beyond Achievement: What Happens After Success? 02:38 The Second Act of Ambition 03:11 When Self-Development Has to Become Action 04:36 The Capital You May Not Realize You Have 07:26 Achievement vs. Contribution 10:49 Authenticity, Performative Giving & Stewardship 14:22 Legacy Doesn't Start When You're Gone 17:12 Three Questions for Your Second Act 💡 Key Takeaways You may be wealthier than you realize.Achievement and contribution ask different questions.Your network is more than a contact list.Contribution isn't martyrdom.Legacy happens while you're alive.Three Questions to Ask Yourself What have I accumulated that I don't fully recognize as an asset?Where could that asset create immense value if I put it to work?What am I still accumulating for myself that I'm finally ready to put into circulation?Sometimes the next level isn't about acquiring more. It's about putting what you already have to work. You've already done the quo. Now it's time to go beyond. 🔥 Subscribe, share and follow Beyond the Quo. If the show makes you think, challenge something or take action, leave a five-star rating so more people can find the conversation. ✨ Connect with Stacey Luces: staceyluces.com | Instagram: @stacey.luces | LinkedIn: @StaceyLuces See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ep. 93 - Beyond Achievement: What Will You Do With Everything You’ve Earned? with Stacey Luces

  6. Sep 2

    Ep. 92 - Beyond "Knowing Better": Why You're Unable To Do What You're Supposed To Do with Stacey Luces

    You know what you need to do. So why aren't you doing it? Better boundaries. Delegating. The hard conversation. The idea you keep sitting on. You know — so why the gap? In this solo episode, Stacey Luces explores why we can be deeply self-aware and still repeat the same patterns. Knowing isn't the problem — living what you know is. She unpacks the hidden payoffs behind behaviors we say we want to change: overworking gives significance, people-pleasing gives belonging, rescuing others makes us feel needed, keeping a dream in your head protects you from trying and failing. In midlife, "eventually" stops feeling infinite. Stacey covers how self-awareness becomes an alibi, how broken self-promises erode self-trust, and how unrealized potential curdles into a story about what could've been — then offers three ways forward: name the payoff, shrink the gap between truth and action, rebuild trust one promise at a time. Growth stops being about discovering more truths about yourself. It becomes about whether you'll live the ones you already have. 🎧 In This Episode 01:48 Why We're Exhausted 04:08 Why Knowing Isn't Enough 08:03 The Hidden Payoff 13:32 Midlife's Changing Math 15:57 Self-Awareness as Alibi 18:00 Eroding Self-Trust 20:00 Potential as Just a Story 21:54 Turning Insight Into Action 28:17 The 48-Hour Challenge Key Takeaways Awareness isn't transformation. History can explain you without governing you. The behavior may still be serving you. Every pattern has a payoff. Self-trust is built through evidence — following through, not just believing you can. Know. Decide. Act. Repeat. Close the gap while the truth's still warm. Midlife makes "eventually" expensive. Some futures need different choices now. Your 48-Hour Challenge Name one truth you've sat on for 3–6+ months. Ask: What am I getting from not changing it? What's it costing me? What can I do in 48 hours to prove I'm serious? Not a fix. Just proof you're moving. You've done the quo. Now go beyond. 🔥 If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share it with someone who's been waiting too long to bet on themselves, and leave a five-star review so more leaders can join the conversation.✨ Connect with StaceyWebsite: staceyluces.comInstagram: @stacey.lucesLinkedIn: Stacey Luces See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ep. 92 - Beyond "Knowing Better": Why You're Unable To Do What You're Supposed To Do with Stacey Luces

  7. Aug 26

    Ep. 91 - Beyond the Followers: Own Your Story, Build Wealth & Have Creative Freedom with Dr. Sheena Howard

    We're bringing back one of our favorite conversations! What if everything you've been told about visibility and success is wrong? You don't need millions of followers. You don't need to wait for a publisher, platform, or gatekeeper. And you certainly don't need to water down your brilliance to fit someone else's mold. In this episode of Beyond the Quo, host Stacey Luces—executive coach, reinvention strategist, and founder of the Living Beyond Movement—sits down with award-winning author, filmmaker, professor, and creative powerhouse Dr. Sheena C. Howard. Dr. Howard was the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award at San Diego Comic-Con. But her success didn't come from playing the game—it came from rewriting the rules. Through her platforms Nerdworks and Power Your Research, she teaches creatives, scholars, and entrepreneurs how to own their voice, monetize their genius, and build six-figure brands without waiting for permission. Together, they unpack the emotional labor of representation, the myth of perfection, and what it really takes to thrive as a culturally-rooted entrepreneur in spaces that weren't built for you. Whether you're an academic, a creator, or a leader building something bold—this episode will remind you: your story is your power. And if you missed it the first time (or just want to hear it again), this one's worth the replay. 🎧 In This Episode 01:53 – Authenticity and Social Media 06:32 – Embracing Imperfection in Leadership 12:48 – The Emotional Labor of Representation 24:58 – Commitment Over Motivation 26:26 – Setting Honest Goals (Not Just Impressive Ones) 32:03 – Empowering the Next Generation 36:07 – Rediscovering Identity Mid-Journey 39:33 – Nerdworks and Owning the Creative Lane 💡 Key Takeaways Visibility Is Power Being seen isn't about vanity—it's about creating space for others to rise. Representation shifts culture, not just algorithms. Start Small, Then Scale A massive audience is not a requirement. Offer value, listen deeply, and grow from there. Wealth is built in the refinement. You Don't Need Permission The publishing and media world is evolving. Now more than ever, creators can publish, platform, and profit—on their own terms. Nerd Culture Is Not a Niche From comic books to cosplay, pop culture is a battleground for equity, identity, and imagination. Claiming that space matters. 🔁 You've already done the quo. Now it's time to go beyond. 🔥 Feeling seen? Here's how you keep the momentum going: Hit subscribe to Beyond the Quo so you never miss a conversation that challenges the status quo. Leave a five-star review and share this episode with that friend who's sitting on their genius. 📱 Connect with Dr. Sheena C. Howard IG/LinkedIn: @drsheenahoward Website: sheenachoward.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ep. 91 - Beyond the Followers: Own Your Story, Build Wealth & Have Creative Freedom with Dr. Sheena Howard

  8. Aug 19

    Ep. 90 - Beyond the Treadmill: Crafting a Life Where Movement Meets Meaning with Paul Christopher

    80 percent of us skip the bare-minimum workout—and pay for it in boardrooms, bedrooms, and bank accounts.Welcome to Beyond the Quo, the show that dismantles “good-enough” living. I’m Stacey Luces, transformation & leadership strategist and founder of the Living Beyond Movement. Each week we explore courageous self-leadership and practical ways to rise above burnout.Today’s guest is Paul “PC” Christopher, founder of Gravity + Oxygen. For 20 years he’s helped clients reclaim vitality through functional training, mindset shifts, and holistic wellness. Together we unpack what it takes to lead yourself first, juggle the sandwich-generation squeeze, and design routines that stick.⏰ Episode Roadmap• 02:32 The Sandwich Generation & Invisible Burnout• 07:02 Micro-Strategies for Busy Lives• 09:02 Building Sustainable Health Habits• 23:14 Fitness on Any Budget• 29:50 Reverse-Parenting Your Parents• 30:55 Keeping Kids Active & Engaged• 35:42 The 4 Pillars of Nutrition• 41:07 Why Community Beats Willpower• 46:25 Linking Health, Happiness, and High Performance💡 4 Rapid-Fire Takeaways1. Command the DayOwn the early hours—hydrate, walk, or lift before anyone else’s demands hit. Morning momentum kills the “too busy” excuse.2. Health Is Your BullseyeSleep, water, whole foods, strength work, and cardio are non-negotiable. Nail the center, and every outer ring—family, career, community—levels up.3. Make Movement PlayfulBake joy into your workouts: dance, beach walks, Zumba, surf camp with the kids. Culture and community turn exercise from chore to lifestyle.4. Fuse Body, Mind, and PurposePeak leadership depends on physical energy + mental clarity + mission. Micro-shifts (meal prep, 10 K steps, resistance sessions) keep you humming in the 8-9 zone—far beyond “fine.”You’ve mastered the quo; now it’s time to live beyond.🔥 Ready to Turn Inspiration into Action?Claim your free “Break Free from Burnout” micro-masterclass—a 30-minute power reset packed with the exact exercises and mindset prompts PC and I swear by. Grab it here ➜ stacey-luces.com/masterclass.✨ Stay Connected• Join my free global community: Rising Beyond Power Collective → https://www.skool.com/risingbeyondglobalcommunity• Follow Beyond the Quo: Subscribe, share, and drop a 5-star review so more leaders can rise beyond.📩 Connect with Paul• IG & LinkedIn: @pcology | @gravityandoxygen_fitness• Web: gravityandoxygen.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ep. 90 - Beyond the Treadmill: Crafting a Life Where Movement Meets Meaning with Paul Christopher
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About

If you’ve felt that restlessness—that feeling like there’s more than the midlife crisis or navigating a never-ending To do List - something beyond the status quo…. you’re in the right place. Beyond The Quo isn’t about following the script; it’s about tearing it up. I’m Stacey Luces, and each week, I invite you to join me and our extraordinary guests - leaders, innovators, disruptors, and dreamers who’ve dared to challenge “the quo.” This podcast is where we go past the expected, beyond the ‘shoulds’ and ‘musts,’– we break down old narratives about success, purpose, and authenticity. In each episode we explore raw and honest stories filled with profound insights, strategies and practical advice that leads to bold transformation. So, if you’re ready to claim your next chapter on your terms, If you’re done with the limits, the labels, and you’re ready to redefine success, and build a life that goes beyond the ordinary, hit that subscribe button and Join us each week for Beyond The Quo. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows that inspire change…you’ve already done ‘the quo’—now let’s go beyond.”

Information

  • Creator
    Stacey Luces
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024, Stacey Luces, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Quo