She Changed Her Mind

Emma Jones

You've built your whole life by someone else's blueprint: the training, the schedule, the version of success you were handed before you ever got to choose it. What if you could redesign it, on purpose, starting now? She Changed Her Mind is for the physician and high-achieving professional who did everything right and still feels stuck. Each week, we bring design thinking (the same rigor you'd apply to any hard problem) to the parts of life that feel unsolvable: burnout, identity, ambition, the quiet sense that something needs to shift. You'll learn to build your own Life by Design Blueprint, a living draft you get to keep revising as you change, instead of a fixed plan you're failing to follow. This isn't about forcing yourself into a better mood or grinding harder toward someone else's finish line. It's about capacity: building the internal steadiness to notice what you actually want, and the practical skill of acting on it. Expect real tools, honest conversation, and permission to treat your own life as a work in progress worth designing well. Hosted by Dr. Emma Jones, a pediatric palliative care physician and burnout coach who's done this redesign in her own life and now guides other high-achieving women through it.

Episodes

  1. 7h ago

    The Power of Acting As If: Habits That Shape Us

    Summary Emma explores how habits, rituals, and acting 'as if' can influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She shares personal stories, scientific insights, and practical tips on using actions to shape inner states and foster positive change.  Key  topics The role of rituals and habits in reinforcing love and emotional bonds The concept of 'acting as if' and its scientific basis in neuroplasticity How small actions and language shifts can lead to profound inner change The importance of repetition and devotion in forming new neural pathways Practical examples of rituals that promote calmness, confidence, and compassion The influence of the reticular activating system on attention and awareness The power of external cues and clothing in shaping internal states Using language, especially replacing 'but' with 'and', to foster abundance mindset The importance of practice and consistency in habit formation Emma's personal stories and scientific insights on behavior change Key Quote "Change your words, change your thoughts"  Resources James Clear - Atomic Habits -https://bookshop.org/a/88238/9780735211292 Reticular Activating System - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_activating_system Emma's Scripts for Communication with Confidence - Coming Soon! Get in touch with Emma Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejones_md/ Website https://www.emmajonesmd.com/ Subscribe the the Self Trust Newsletter https://www.emmajonesmd.com/newsletters/self-trust-newsletter/subscribe

  2. Jul 27

    Uncovering the Sensible Lie

    Summary Emma explores the common limiting beliefs we tell ourselves, how our brains create these 'sensible lies' to keep us safe, and how recognizing these can lead to a more fulfilled life. This episode offers insights into neurobiology, cognitive dissonance, and practical steps to shift our mindset. Key  topics The concept of 'sensible lies' and their role in self-protection Neurobiology behind belief formation and change Cognitive dissonance reduction and defensive pessimism The impact of limiting beliefs on life satisfaction and regret Practical steps to recognize and reframe self-limiting thoughts Key takeaways Your brain creates 'sensible lies' to keep you safe, not necessarily to serve you. Recognizing these lies is the first step toward change and growth. Neuroplasticity means your brain can change at any age. Limiting beliefs often stem from decisions made long ago, not fixed traits. Living in fear of disappointment can lead to regret and unfulfilled potential.   Key quotes "Some beliefs are just lies your brain has built for you." "Your brain rewrites hope to keep you safe." "The cost of these lies is potential lost." Chapters 00:00 The common belief that limits us is often a lie 80:32:14 The 'sensible lie' and how it sounds like wisdom 2027:45:42 How our brains rewrite stories to avoid dissonance 4083:19:06 The role of threat detection and safety in belief formation 7361:05:49 The cost of defensive pessimism and shutting down hope 10833:19:16 Identifying specific limiting beliefs: hope, identity, timing 16861:06:09 The debt of potential lost and life regrets 22666:39:38 Practicing awareness without trying to fix immediately 24944:26:22 The power of recognizing and observing your own mind resources Neuroplasticity - The Brain's Ability to Change - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity Cognitive Dissonance Theory - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognitive-dissonance Get in touch with Emma Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejones_md/ Website https://www.emmajonesmd.com/ Subscribe the the Self Trust Newsletter https://www.emmajonesmd.com/newsletters/self-trust-newsletter/subscribe

  3. Jul 20

    The Water We Swim In: Recognizing and Redesigning Your Life

    Summary Emma explores how internalized beliefs and outdated life scripts shape our decisions and perceptions, and introduces a new approach to designing a life aligned with our true purpose and capacity. Key  topics Internalized beliefs and their impact The old life blueprint and its limitations The concept of Dharma in life planning Design thinking as a tool for life redesign The Phoenix Blueprint: rebuilding after burnout The importance of self-compassion in change Prototyping and iteration in personal growth The mismatch between life scripts and real life Takeaways Most of our beliefs are absorbed early and feel like facts, not opinions. The old blueprint for life was never designed for the diversity of real human experiences. Dharma asks what we are here to do, beyond societal scripts. Life by design involves intentionally creating and revising your life blueprint. Prototyping and iteration are key to discovering what works for you. Burnout can be a catalyst for rebuilding a more authentic life. Internalized beliefs are always evolving; awareness is the first step. The water we swim in is invisible until we see it and choose to change. Notable Quotes "The water we have been swimming in is invisible." "Dharma asks what we are here to do." "Burnout can be a catalyst for rebuilding." Chapters 00:00 The Water We Swim In 05:41 The Old Blueprint vs. New Possibilities 10:38 Introducing Dharma and Life by Design 15:21 The Phoenix Blueprint and Moving Forward  Resources The High Women - Redesigning Women Bhagavad Gita - https://bookshop.org/a/88238/9781586380199 Get in touch with Emma Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejones_md/ Website https://www.emmajonesmd.com/ Subscribe the the Self Trust Newsletter https://www.emmajonesmd.com/newsletters/self-trust-newsletter/subscribe

  4. Jul 20

    The Power of Changing Your Mind

    Summary Emma explores the transformative power of changing your mind, neuroplasticity, and how to develop this crucial skill to adapt, grow, and live a more authentic life. She shares personal insights, scientific concepts, and practical frameworks to help listeners embrace flexibility and resilience. Key  topics The importance of neuroplasticity in personal growth Changing beliefs about helping and success The neurobiology of resistance to change Reframing the narrative around flexibility and open-mindedness The impact of identity on the ability to change Building capacity to handle discomfort during change Design thinking applied to life and career Challenging inherited blueprints for a sustainable life Take aways Changing your mind is a skill, not a failure. Neurobiology makes change uncomfortable but possible. Resistance to change is rooted in evolution and identity. Practicing change increases capacity and resilience. Questioning inherited beliefs is essential for growth. Notable quotes "Your brain is a prediction machine." "Your brain uses evidence to predict your identity." "Changing your mind can feel like ripping the rug out." Chapters 00:00 The Art of Changing Your Mind 02:16 Understanding the Role of Helpers 05:42 The Skill of Flexibility 10:17 Navigating Neurobiology and Resistance 13:31 Revising the Inherited Blueprint resources The Phoenix Blueprint by Emma Jones Emma Jones  on Instagram Neuroplasticity Explained - TED Talk  by Lara Boyd Get in touch with Emma Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ejones_md/ Website https://www.emmajonesmd.com/ Subscribe the the Self Trust Newsletter https://www.emmajonesmd.com/newsletters/self-trust-newsletter/subscribe

About

You've built your whole life by someone else's blueprint: the training, the schedule, the version of success you were handed before you ever got to choose it. What if you could redesign it, on purpose, starting now? She Changed Her Mind is for the physician and high-achieving professional who did everything right and still feels stuck. Each week, we bring design thinking (the same rigor you'd apply to any hard problem) to the parts of life that feel unsolvable: burnout, identity, ambition, the quiet sense that something needs to shift. You'll learn to build your own Life by Design Blueprint, a living draft you get to keep revising as you change, instead of a fixed plan you're failing to follow. This isn't about forcing yourself into a better mood or grinding harder toward someone else's finish line. It's about capacity: building the internal steadiness to notice what you actually want, and the practical skill of acting on it. Expect real tools, honest conversation, and permission to treat your own life as a work in progress worth designing well. Hosted by Dr. Emma Jones, a pediatric palliative care physician and burnout coach who's done this redesign in her own life and now guides other high-achieving women through it.