Designed To Thrive with Colleen Tobey

Colleen Tobey
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Welcome to Designed to Thrive — the podcast for the entrepreneurs, the mothers, the dreamers. Here, we explore what it means to design a life inside and out: from the spaces that hold us, to the dreams that drive us, to the ways we thrive in business, motherhood, and beyond. Think of this as us curled up on the sofa together, chit chatting about life, the little shifts, and the big dreams — all the things that help us thrive.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 32: You Are Not a Fixer-Upper | Living From Your Original Blueprint

    What if the parts of yourself you've been trying to change are actually the things holding you up?When renovating a home, one of the first things you need to understand is which walls are load-bearing and which spaces are meant to stay open. And as it turns out, the same principle can apply to understanding ourselves.In this episode of Designed to Thrive, Colleen brings together her two worlds — Interior Design and Human Design — to explore what she calls the Interior of the Self.Using the nine energy centers in a Human Design chart as a metaphorical floor plan, Colleen explains how our defined centers act like the structural walls of a home, while our undefined and open centers are the flexible spaces where we absorb energy, learn, and develop wisdom.She explores what happens when we try to tear down the parts of ourselves that are naturally consistent, or build walls around the parts of us that were never meant to be rigid. From burnout and people-pleasing to identity and self-worth, Colleen invites us to consider where we've been trying to renovate ourselves into someone we're not.She also shares her own Human Design as a Splenic Projector, how her open G center influences her relationship with her environment, and why understanding her personal blueprint has changed the way she approaches her work, energy, and everyday life.In this episode, Colleen talks about: The connection between Interior Design and Human DesignUnderstanding the nine energy centers as rooms in your personal floor planThe difference between defined, undefined, and open centersWhy open centers aren't weaknesses, but opportunities for wisdomHow each of the nine centers influences the way we think, communicate, work, feel, and relate to othersThe two biggest renovation mistakes we make with ourselves: tearing down our natural strengths and forcing structure where we need flexibilityHow conditioning can make us feel like we're living in someone else's houseThe difference between a perfectly staged home and one that feels authentically lived inWhat Colleen's own Human Design chart has taught her about her identity, energy, and environmentA five-step Human Design walkthrough to help you better understand and honor your own blueprint A moment to take with you:You are not a fixer-upper.You don't need to gut yourself and start over. Some parts of you are designed to provide structure and consistency. Others are meant to remain open, adaptable, and full of possibility.The goal isn't to fix your floor plan. It's to understand it, honor it, and create a life that feels like home.Question to Consider:Where in your life have you been trying to change something about yourself that might actually be part of your natural design?And what might shift if you stopped trying to renovate yourself into someone else and finally moved into who you already are? Mentioned in this Episode Jenna Zoe (https://www.myhumandesign.com) Connect Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

  2. Sep 28

    Ep. 31: On the Other Side of Hard | What Hiking Mt. Katahdin Taught Me

    What happens when you willingly sign up for something that is really, really hard? For Colleen, it meant hiking Mt. Katahdin in Maine with her dad and sister — a 10.5-mile, 4,000-foot-elevation-gain adventure that took 12 hours, pushed her fear of heights to its limits, and became one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. In this episode, Colleen takes you along for the journey: from flying into Boston and reconnecting with family to choosing the perfect weather window, climbing massive granite boulders above the tree line, and finally reaching the iconic wooden Mt. Katahdin sign at the end of the Appalachian Trail. But this episode isn't really about hiking. It's about doing hard things. It's about what happens when you are scared and keep going anyway. About being completely present because there is no room to think about anything else. About the people who help you when the path gets difficult. And about how sometimes the hardest experiences become the ones you never forget. Colleen shares the emotional significance of reaching the summit with her dad and sister — including honoring her brother Sean, who died in a car accident at 16, by carrying his ashes to the top of the mountain and tying one of his shoelaces to the iconic summit sign. She also shares the unexpected moments that made the journey memorable: meeting inspiring hikers along the trail, including Samuel Tobin, who was hiking on crutches after surviving a motorcycle accident, getting a ride from a stranger at the end of a very long day, eating Maine lobster, and discovering just how much her body and mind could handle. In this episode, Colleen talks about: Hiking Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in MaineThe Appalachian Trail and what it means to reach its northern terminusTaking on a Class 3, extremely strenuous and technical hikeFacing her fear of heightsWhy hard experiences can bring you completely into the present momentThe power of having her dad and sister beside herHow her sister Catherine's rock-climbing experience helped them navigate the most technical sectionMeeting inspiring people and hearing their stories along the trailHonoring her brother Sean by bringing his ashes to the summitThe unexpected kindness of a stranger at the end of a 12-hour hiking dayWhy this became a trip Colleen knows she'll never forgetAnd the reminder that we can do hard things A moment to take with you Sometimes we don't know what we're capable of until we're already in the middle of something hard. And sometimes the thing that makes an experience meaningful isn't that it was easy — it's that you were scared, exhausted, challenged, emotional, or unsure... and you kept going. We can do hard things. And when we do them with people we love, they can become part of the stories we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Question to consider: What is something hard you've done that you're proud of — and what did it teach you about yourself? Connect Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

  3. Sep 14

    Ep. 30: When Your Worth Isn’t on a Pay Stub

    What makes a life feel like a dream? For Colleen, the answer started with an ordinary dog walk and a conversation with her business coach that completely reframed how she thinks about money, contribution, and her own worth. In this episode, Colleen shares a realization that has been sitting with her: her life doesn't feel extraordinary simply because her husband makes good money. It feels extraordinary because of what they are building together — and what she does with his contribution. Running a household. Raising kids. Managing schedules and appointments. Keeping food in the fridge. Creating a home that feels good to come back to. Building a business. Creating a life. Not all of those contributions come with a paycheck. But that doesn't make them less valuable. Colleen explores the process of deconditioning the belief that our value has to be monetary and what happens when we stop treating contribution like a competition or a scorecard. She also gets honest about her relationship with Home Craft Design — a business she's built over seven years — and why she can simultaneously feel stuck in parts of her business while knowing that she doesn't actually want to give it up. For her, the business is more than income. It's a creative outlet and a part of her identity that exists outside of motherhood. Most importantly, Colleen shares the realization she's still practicing: You can still be figuring out your worth and already be worthy. In this episode, she talks about: The unexpected realization that her life feels like a dreamWhy monetary contribution isn't the only measure of valueThe invisible work that turns income into a lifeReframing household management as a form of contributionLetting go of the idea that one person's role is more valuable than another'sThe difference between want to and have toWhy Home Craft Design still matters to Colleen, even when business feels hardHow a business can be a creative outlet without being the foundation of your worthWhat Human Design has taught her about deconditioningLetting "I'm still figuring it out" and "I'm already worthy" exist at the same time A question to sit with What is your worth — and what brings value to your life — aside from monetary things? Your contribution doesn't have to be measurable on a spreadsheet to matter. It counts. You count. As you are, right now — even in the middle of figuring it out. Connect Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/

  4. Sep 7

    Ep. 29: The Identity You're Outgrowing (Season 2 Begins!)

    Welcome back to the Designed to Thrive Podcast — and welcome to Season 2! After an unintentional summer break, Colleen is back and reflecting on what the pause taught her about being selective with her time, shedding perfectionism, and giving herself permission to step away without needing to explain it. And she's coming back with a big declaration: She wants to do Human Design. In this deeply personal episode, Colleen shares the realization that she has been circling this truth for a while — and what finally happened when she stopped letting her mind and ego talk her out of it. She explores: Why we become so attached to the identities we've builtWhat it feels like to outgrow a career, passion, or version of yourselfHow Human Design has helped Colleen understand her own identity and directionHer experience as someone with an Undefined G CenterWhy saying "I don't want to do interior design anymore" doesn't mean everything she's built was a mistakeThe relationship between Human Design, interior design, wellness, and intentional livingHer vision for combining Human Design and interior design through The Be Well Home EditWhat it means to speak the vision and let others handle the operational controlAnd, ultimately, what alignment feels like when you finally stop fighting who you are Colleen also reflects on the many identities she's inhabited throughout her life — from wanting to be a marine biologist and forensic scientist to becoming a social worker and eventually an interior designer — and how those seemingly disconnected chapters may actually be evidence of how she's designed to move through the world. This episode is an invitation to ask yourself: What identity are you holding onto simply because you've worked so hard to build it? And what might become possible if you gave yourself permission to let it evolve? Connect Connect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/ To learn more about The Be Well Home Edit visit: https://www.homecraftdesign.com/be-well-home-edit-virtual-interior-design-support For Human Design Readings visit: https://www.homecraftdesign.com/store/p/4m6mn09puk9d90yje4cybrwsso8p0d

  5. Jun 15

    Ep. 28: Love, Home, and Human Design: Building Relationships That Feel Safe

    In this deeply personal anniversary episode, Colleen reflects on fourteen years with her husband and eleven years of marriage, exploring the profound connection between love, nervous system regulation, and the homes we build together. Drawing on neuroscience, family systems research, and Human Design, she explains why healthy relationships aren't just emotionally fulfilling—they're biologically supportive.From the science of oxytocin and emotional safety to the unique ways each Human Design authority navigates love and decision-making, this episode offers a powerful framework for creating relationships and homes that help you feel seen, supported, and fully yourself.In this episode, Colleen discusses: Why secure, long-term love changes your brain and nervous systemHow trusted relationships help regulate the amygdala and reduce stress responsesThe role of oxytocin in emotional bonding, health, and resilienceWhy emotionally safe homes support creativity, presence, and higher-functioning decision-makingHow the emotional climate of a home shapes children's lifelong wellbeingWhy creating beauty and intentionality in your home is foundational—not frivolousHow Human Design authority influences communication, decision-making, and relationship dynamicsWhat each authority type needs in order to feel supported and understood in loveWhy honoring your natural decision-making process creates healthier, more aligned relationshipsHuman Design Authorities Covered Emotional / Solar Plexus Authority Needs time and patience before making decisionsFinds clarity after moving through emotional highs and lowsBenefits from partners who don't rush resolutionSacral Authority Operates through immediate gut responsesThrives with direct yes/no questionsNeeds trust in embodied knowing over mental analysisSplenic Authority Relies on quiet, in-the-moment intuitionNeeds stillness and spaciousness to hear inner wisdomBenefits from relationships that don't create pressure or urgencySelf-Projected Authority Discovers truth by speaking it out loudNeeds attentive listeners rather than problem-solversFinds clarity through authentic self-expressionEgo / Heart Authority Guided by desire and willpowerNeeds mutual respect and reciprocityLearns to trust that wanting something is valuable informationMental / Outer Authority Processes through conversations with trusted peopleNeeds healthy environments and thoughtful dialogueUses sounding boards to access inner clarityLunar Authority Requires time—often a full lunar cycle—for major decisionsBenefits from patient, grounded relationshipsGains wisdom through observing experiences over timeKey takeawayLove is not a feeling you fall into. It’s a home you build. And like any good home, it takes intention. It takes design. It takes knowing what you actually need—and being brave enough to ask for it.Reflection QuestionsDoes your home feel like a place where your nervous system can exhale?How do you make important decisions in relationships—and does that align with your Human Design authority?What does emotional safety look like for you?Are you honoring your natural rhythm when communicating your needs and making choices?What kind of emotional climate are you creating in your home? If this episode resonatedConsider how both your relationship and your home support—or challenge—your ability to feel safe, seen, and regulated. Sometimes the most meaningful design work isn't about furniture or finishes. It's about creating spaces and relationships that allow you to fully come home to yourself. Connect Connect with Colleen on Instagram ⁠@the_homecraftdesign⁠ or her website ⁠https://www.homecraftdesign.com

  6. Jun 8

    Ep. 27: Human Design and Interior Design Belong Together —Trusting Your Voice and Designing for Your Chart

    Designed To Thrive with Colleen Tobey

  7. Jun 1

    Ep. 26: Human Design, Abundance & Building Your Dream Life

    What if the life you want isn’t unrealistic — just waiting for you to fully claim it? In this deeply personal episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen shares a recent birthday weekend experience that sparked a powerful realization about abundance, self-worth, dreaming bigger, and trusting the life she’s building. From a spontaneous shopping moment at Marine Layer to dreaming about slow summers in Europe with her family, this episode explores what happens when scarcity starts giving way to gratitude — and when you stop apologizing for wanting more from your life. Colleen also dives into the role Human Design has played in helping her trust herself, understand her gifts, and release the pressure to have every step figured out before moving forward. Inside this episode: The mindset shift from scarcity to gratitudeWhy dreaming is not the opposite of doingReframing jealousy as proof of possibilityThe power of creating specific, vivid visions for your futurePassive income, freedom, and designing a life with more choiceThe difference between “want to” vs. “have to”Why not knowing the full plan doesn’t mean you’re lostAn introduction to Human Design as a personal blueprintColleen’s Human Design gates: Gate 23, Gate 45, and Channel 23-43How Human Design helped her understand her voice, purpose, and leadership styleWhy self-understanding changes the way you pursue your dreamsJournal prompts to help clarify your own vision and desires This episode is an invitation to stop shrinking your desires into something more “reasonable” and start getting honest about the life you actually want to live.Because dreaming isn’t frivolous.It’s often the first signal toward the life you’re meant to build.If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone who’s ready to dream bigger and trust themselves more deeply. ConnectConnect with Colleen on Instagram ⁠@the_homecraftdesign⁠ or her website ⁠https://www.homecraftdesign.com Visit  https://www.myhumandesign.com to get your free human design chart.

  8. May 25

    Ep. 25: How to Attract What You Want Using Human Design

    What if attraction isn’t about chasing harder — but aligning more deeply with who you already are?In this episode of the Designed to Thrive Podcast, Colleen dives into the intersection of Human Design, manifestation, nervous system alignment, and the environments we live in. Through the lens of all five Human Design types, she explores how we’re each uniquely designed to attract opportunities, relationships, creativity, abundance, and success.This conversation goes far beyond “vision board” manifestation culture. Instead, Colleen shares a grounded and embodied perspective on attraction — one rooted in strategy, self-trust, energetic alignment, and creating a home that supports the version of you you’re becoming.Inside this episode:What attraction actually means (beyond manifestation trends) How each Human Design type is designed to attractThe difference between forcing vs. magnetizingWhy your authority matters in decision-makingHow your nervous system impacts what you call inThe connection between your environment and alignmentWhy your home can either support or block your next levelThe role of rest, recognition, momentum, and intuition in manifestationColleen’s experience as a Splenic ProjectorWhy “waiting” and “initiating” look different for every typeThe Human Design environment types and how they shape wellbeingSimple steps to start attracting from alignment instead of exhaustionColleen also shares her excitement about beginning Erin Claire Jones’ HD Genius certification program and how she plans to bring even more Human Design depth into her work through the Be Well Home Edit and Style Alchemy.If you’ve been feeling stuck, burnt out, disconnected from your intuition, or frustrated that things aren’t flowing the way you hoped — this episode is an invitation to stop forcing and start aligning.Because the things meant for you may not be missing.They may just be waiting for you to meet them as yourself.If this episode resonated, be sure to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone who’s ready to attract from alignment instead of pressure.ConnectConnect with Colleen on Instagram @the_homecraftdesign or her website https://www.homecraftdesign.com/To learn more about The Be Well Home Edit visit: https://www.homecraftdesign.com/be-well-home-edit-virtual-interior-design-support

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Welcome to Designed to Thrive — the podcast for the entrepreneurs, the mothers, the dreamers. Here, we explore what it means to design a life inside and out: from the spaces that hold us, to the dreams that drive us, to the ways we thrive in business, motherhood, and beyond. Think of this as us curled up on the sofa together, chit chatting about life, the little shifts, and the big dreams — all the things that help us thrive.

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