The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Wynne Leon
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

What happens when trying matters more than getting it right? The Life of Try is a personal growth and self-help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—especially when it’s uncomfortable or not your idea. Hosted by Wynne Leon, episode alternate between interviews and real-world stories to explore reinvention, resilience, and what it takes to keep going when plans fall apart. If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty and start your try-cycle, you’re in the right place. The Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go.

  1. 13h ago

    Unleash Your Humanity: Courage, Resilience & Purpose with Yasmine Sherif

    How can courage, resilience, and authentic leadershiptransform adversity into meaningful change? In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon talks with Yasmine Sherif—human rights lawyer, longtime United Nations humanitarian leader, and author of Unleash Your Humanity—about choosing humanity over fear and living with faith, joy, creativity, and purpose. Yasmine traces her journey from a multicultural childhoodand a life-changing promise to serve humanity to decades of humanitarian work in conflict zones. She shares how persistence opened the door to the United Nations, what she learned while helping refugees return home after the DaytonPeace Accords, and how trust and intuition helped her act courageously when lives were at risk. Together, Wynne and Yasmine explore how courage becomes a habit, why growth often begins outside the comfort zone, and how personal awakening can inspire collective change. Their conversation offers a hopeful perspective on resilience, human potential, service, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership—while reminding us that every person can help move the world toward greater humanity. Listen to discover: ·       How to build courage through repeated choices ·       Why adversity can become an opportunity for growth ·       How authenticity and intuition support resilient leadership ·       What it means to lead through service and shared humanity ·       How joy, empathy, and creativity can fuel meaningful change Follow The Life of Try for more inspiring conversations about courage, curiosity, personal growth, and what becomespossible when we keep trying. After this episode, listen to The Way Will Open: How to Trust Life’s Timing for more on faith, patience, and moving forward when the path is unclear.

  2. Oct 14

    Stop Hustling For Your Worth: A Better Way to Grow

    What separates healthy ambition from hustling for your worth? In this motivational episode of Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores the hidden connection between hustle culture, perfectionism, productivity, and self-worth. A baseball camp “hustle” award sparks an honest reflection on why we try—and how effort driven by curiosity and courage feels different from striving for approval. Through personal stories and insights inspired by Brené Brown and Dr. Vicki Atkinson, Wynne shares how to recognize fear-driven productivity, step away from the pressure to prove yourself, and choose a more wholehearted path to personalgrowth. You will learn how to: ·       Recognize when achievement is tied to self-worth ·       Distinguish purposeful effort from approval-seeking ·       Replace perfectionism with curiosity and courage ·       Use two simple questions to reconnect with gratitude and meaning Listen next to Art of Meaningful Conversation with Dr. Vicki Atkinson, celebrating 200 episodes. Follow Life of Try on Spotify for more episodes about courage, resilience, mindset, self-worth, and beginning before you feel ready.

  3. Oct 7

    Way Will Open: How To Trust Life's Timing

    Feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward? In this reflective episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores the Quaker phrase “way will open” and the unexpected guidancehidden in closed doors, delays, and seasons of waiting. Through personal stories of illness, motherhood, life transitions, and lessons from Parker J. Palmer and Mark Nepo, Wynne shares how to trust the process, stop forcing theoutcome, and recognize the next honest step. Listen for an encouraging reminder that rest is not failure, progress does not always look like motion, and the path ahead may become clearer when we notice what has closed behind us.

  4. Sep 30

    How to Stop Procrastinating and Start: The 10-Minute Rule for Taking Action

    What if the key to overcoming procrastination isn’tfinishing—it’s simply starting? In this episode of The Life of Try,Wynne Leon shares a practical 10-minute strategy for beginning before you feel ready, taking imperfect action, and building momentum when a goal feels overwhelming.Explore why starting can feel so difficult, how the Zeigarnik effect may keep unfinished tasks active in your mind, and why one small first step can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence. You’ll leave with a simple challenge: set a timer, make one imperfect move, and give yourself a clear next step.If you’re ready to stop procrastinating, get unstuck, and take action on something that matters, this episode is your invitation to begin. Then continue building momentum with How to Build Habits That Stick featuring Dr. Mike Rucker.What will you start today?

  5. Sep 23

    The Art of Meaningful Conversations: Lessons from 200 podcast episodes

    What can 200 podcast episodes teach us about betterconversations, meaningful connection, and personal growth? In this milestone episode of The Life of Try, Dr. Vicki Atkinson turns the tables and interviews host Wynne Leon about nearly four years of podcasting—and the courage, creativity, and consistency it takes to keep going. Wynne shares why authentic conversations require bothpreparation and presence, how perfectionism can block openness, and why serving your audience matters more than simply publishing content. She and Vicki explore podcast audience growth, building trust over time, creating meaningful work in the age of AI, finding the right collaborators, and learning from the people who say yes. If you feel stuck, uncertain, or impatient with your progress, this encouraging conversation is a reminder that growth does not have to happen quickly. One thoughtful conversation, one genuine connection, and one brave try can move you forward. In this episode: ·       How to have deeper, more authentic conversations ·       Why preparation leads to better podcast interviews ·       How to let go of perfectionism and stop editing yourself ·       Why trust and audience growth take time ·       How small acts of courage can help you get unstuck Related themes: personal growth, authenticcommunication, podcasting lessons, creativity, overcoming perfectionism, getting unstuck, building an audience, courage, resilience, and human connection.

  6. Sep 16

    The Power of Saying Yes

    How can you say yes to more family adventures—without overspending or overplanning? In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon talks with Natasha Dillinger about raising adventurous kids, family camping, low-cost activities, preparing kids for new experiences, and staying flexible when plans fall apart. Discover practical ways to build confidence, resilience, and connection through imperfect adventures close to home. In this conversation: ·       How to raise kids who are willing to try new things ·       Why saying yes to adventure can become a family habit ·       Simple strategies for planning group trips ·       How to prepare children for change and uncertainty ·       Why flexibility and humor matter when plans fall apart If this episode resonates with you, listen next to WhenYour Plans Fall Apart for more encouragement on navigating unexpected turns with creativity, humor, and resilience. Subscribe to The Life of Try for more honest conversations about courage, personal growth, family adventure, resilience, and the joy of trying.

  7. Sep 9

    Growth Takes Energy| How Rest Helps Habits Stick

    Why does growth feel so exhausting—and could rest be themissing ingredient that helps new habits stick? In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon connects Carol Dweck’s growth mindset research, Adam Grant’s ideas about habits and identity, and the restorative power of sleep,fewer decisions, intentional breaks, and creativity. Through stories from the first day of school, middle-school drop-off, mountain climbing, and her daughter’s crochet project, Wynne shares three practical ways to protect yourenergy while building sustainable change. If you’re navigating a transition, working on personal growth, or trying to avoid burnout, this episode is a reminder that rest is not stepping away from the try—it is what helps you return. Listen next: Identity Before Strategy withKevin Yoder, a conversation about why lasting change begins with who we believe we are—not simply with a better plan. ABOUT MEHi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying.Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention.🌍 Website: https://wynneleon.com

  8. Sep 2

    When You Know You're Not Going to Make It

    What do you do when you realize the goal you were aiming for is no longer within reach? In this motivational episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon shares a winter climb on Mt. Whitney that became a powerful lesson in resilience, self-compassion, letting go of shame, and finding meaning when life does not go as planned. In This Episode You'll Learn: → Not reaching the summit is not the same as failing. Sometimes the value of a try is not in achieving the goal, but in what the attempt teaches us. → Pause before reacting to disappointment. When urgency, panic, or shame rises up, taking a moment can help us see the next right step more clearly. → Take the learning and leave the shame. Self-criticism makes the climb heavier; self-compassion helps us learn, adjust, and keep going. → Widen the definition of success. A try can still matter even when the original outcome changes. Courage, honesty, effort, and accepting help all count. → Accepting help is part of resilience. Being helped does not make the try less meaningful. Sometimes it is exactly what allows us to continue becoming someone who tries. If you are navigating disappointment, burnout, uncertainty, or a dream that feels too heavy to carry, this spoken-word reflection offers encouragement to pause, learn, accept help, and keep becoming the kind of person who tries. The Life of Try is a personal growth and self-improvement podcast about resilience, courage, mindset, creativity, reinvention, and learning to keep trying when life doesn't go according to plan. If you're ready to embrace uncertainty, build resilience, and discover the power of consistent effort, you're in the right place. 📘 Order Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest 🌍 Show notes and more inspiration: https://wynneleon.com 🔗 Connect with Dr. Kristin Neff • Website:→ https://self-compassion.org/ • Linkedin: → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinneff/🔔 Subscribe to The Life of Try for more conversations on:personal growth, creativity, reinvention, resilience, writing, and mindset. 📌 Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel & Stay Updated ABOUT ME Hi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention. 🎥 Watch Next ➡️ Letting Go Of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving ➡️ Why Second Place Isn't Failure | The Hidden Power of Persistence & Resilience ➡️ When Your Plans Fall Apart | How to Stay Resilient, Adapt & Keep Moving Forward 🔗 CONNECT WITH ME: • Website:→ https://wynneleon.com/ • Instagram:→ https://www.instagram.com/wynneleon/ • Facebook:→ https://www.facebook.com/wynne.leon/ • Amazon: → https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002IKWX14 Remember: Success isn't always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.

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5
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3 Ratings

About

What happens when trying matters more than getting it right? The Life of Try is a personal growth and self-help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—especially when it’s uncomfortable or not your idea. Hosted by Wynne Leon, episode alternate between interviews and real-world stories to explore reinvention, resilience, and what it takes to keep going when plans fall apart. If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty and start your try-cycle, you’re in the right place. The Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go.

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