If Only

Brenda McGregor
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During each episode, Brenda will explore the “If Only’s” stopping women from having a life they love.   What is your If Only? Perhaps it is- If Only my boss respected me more or maybe it is If Only my spouse did more around the house and with the kids, or maybe it is If Only my kids listened to me better…….then I would be happier and more successful…  Whatever it is for you, you will hear from Brenda and her guests who will share their personal successes in breaking through their If Only’s to create a life they love!

  1. Why Your Inner Critic Never Counts Your Wins

    2 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Why Your Inner Critic Never Counts Your Wins

    The fastest way to burn out in midlife is to treat your body like it’s supposed to run on deadlines and willpower forever. Brenda sits down with returning guest Cara-Michelle Nether, a midlife consistency consultant and founder of the Strength and Vitality Accelerator, to name the belief that quietly drives so many high-capacity women: “I’m not enough.” We talk about how that story shows up as playing small, skipping past your own wins, and constantly moving the finish line even when you are doing meaningful work. Then we get practical. Cara-Michele reframes self-care as an energy strategy, not a luxury, not a bubble bath, and not a perfection project. We dig into the habits that actually create mental and physical energy: movement, strength training, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress management. If you feel like you already “know what to do” but can’t follow through, you’ll hear why information is not the missing piece and why midlife brings unique challenges through menopause, shifting hormones, changing priorities, and heavier family demands. Cara-Michele shares her four-part framework for midlife consistency: anchor your vision, choose a realistic journey, build an environment that supports you, and create a bounce-back plan for the weeks that go sideways. We also talk about how to interrupt fear by noticing it in your body, slowing down, and telling the truth about what’s actually being asked of you. Visit Cara-Michele's website here:https://strengthvitalitywellness.com/  Connect with Cara-Michele on Linkedin-https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-michele-nether-781865155/ Checkout Cara-Michele's webinar here:https://strengthvitalitywellness.com/msvwebinar If you want a clearer, kinder way to feel better and stay consistent, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s running on an empty cup, and leave a review with the one habit you want to make easier. Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    55 phút
  2. Finding Your North Star

    14 THG 4

    Finding Your North Star

    One moment of shame can become a life sentence if we never challenge the story it creates. My guest, Colleen Clifford, knows that firsthand. After a painful STI diagnosis at 19 and the judgment that came with it, she quietly decided she was unlovable and lived for years with self-loathing, binge drinking, and a drive to disappear into work and distance, including decades in the commercial fishing industry on massive vessels in the Bering Sea.  We also go to the hard place: the loss of Colleen’s husband Scott to an alcohol-related suicide. Colleen shares what grief taught her about depression, how quickly someone can spiral, and the warning signs families can take seriously without shame or blame. We talk candidly about why alcohol and mental health can be a dangerous mix, and how speaking openly about suicide can create safety rather than fear.  The conversation doesn’t stay in the dark. Colleen explains her “95-5 factor” of binge drinking, what finally pushed her to quit, and how sobriety opened the door to real self-compassion. We dig into practical mindset tools, coaching, and the simple question that can interrupt an old narrative: “Is this story true?” If you care about resilience, recovery, suicide prevention, sobriety, or rebuilding self-trust, this one offers both depth and handholds.  Colleen is hosting a retreat in Bali Oct. 3-10 for women...The Exhale Retreat/Bali Here is link to purchase Colleen’s book available on May 5, 2026-Life Beyond The Edge   Connect with Colleen on Instagram here-https://www.instagram.com/purepotential.health/ Connect with Colleen on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/people/Pure-Potential-Health/61567862578775/ If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review with the one story you’re ready to stop telling. Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    49 phút
  3. Choose The Good Day

    24 THG 3

    Choose The Good Day

    If your inner voice defaults to doubt, Carol Rieg brings a radically practical alternative: treat optimism like a decision, not a personality trait. We sit down with Carol, a philanthropic strategist and longtime nonprofit leader whose career spans Capitol Hill advocacy, the Future City STEM competition, corporate social responsibility, and NASA. Her “if only” isn’t a regret. It’s a challenge to choose the good day and keep moving, even when the path looks messy or the next step feels unfamiliar.  We follow the throughline of her work: set goals, believe in yourself, help others, and take credit. Carol shares how Title IX-era expectations and a family focus on education shaped her independence, how she built tough communication skills while lobbying before modern tech made outreach easy, and how she grew Future City from a kitchen-table effort into a far-reaching experiential learning program. Along the way, she breaks down what real leadership looks like in engineering spaces and mission-driven organizations: empower people to solve problems without waiting for permission.  Then we shift into the world of strategic philanthropy and legacy giving. Carol explains how she helps individuals align charitable donations with values, especially as retirement tax planning, required minimum distributions, and donor-advised funds complicate decisions. She also previews the Resilience AI Challenge, a K–12 competition designed to teach emergency management, critical thinking, and responsible AI problem solving at the local community level.  If you want an episode that blends mindset, STEM education, nonprofit leadership, and values-aligned giving into one clear playbook, press play. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review telling us which principle you’re putting into practice next. Connect with Carol on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolrieg. Email Carol at CarolRieg@givemoreconnect.com.  Visit GiveMoreConnect at https://givemoreconnect.com/ Find out more about Carol's new educational project-https://www.resilienceaichallenge.org/ Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    49 phút
  4. Clarity Over Silence: Choosing Voice, Values, And Outcomes

    11 THG 3

    Clarity Over Silence: Choosing Voice, Values, And Outcomes

    Silence can look like humility from the outside and feel like invisibility on the inside. When a role Rachel Platt was ready for went to someone else, she discovered the hard truth: great work doesn’t speak for itself unless you give it a voice. We unpack how that moment reshaped her approach to career growth, leadership, and the people strategies she now builds with clients across industries. We walk through the real difference between being championed and being sponsored, and why many managers quietly hold back top performers they don’t want to lose. Rachel shares simple, repeatable ways to advocate without boasting—curious questions that open doors, clear boundaries that keep conversations professional, and outcome-focused language that resonates with decision-makers. Expect concrete scripts you can use this week, from asking for stretch assignments to debriefing a missed opportunity with grace and intent. From her consulting practice, Rachel shows how moving beyond compliance to true people strategy powers retention, speeds development, and strengthens the bottom line. We explore performance systems that include aspirations, communication that reveals the “why” behind decisions, and leadership habits that turn talent into a strategic advantage. Guided by the mantra clear is kind, we highlight how clarity at work and at home prevents assumptions, reduces friction, and builds trust. Reach out to Rachel and see what you can create together! rplatt@plattinumconsulting.com  https://calendly.com/plattinumconsulting/intro-networking  https://calendly.com/plattinumconsulting/30min-networking?month=2026-03 www.PLATTinumconsulting.com If you’ve ever waited to be noticed, this conversation hands you the tools to be heard—without losing your values or your voice. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a nudge, and leave a review with the one ask you’ll make this week. Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    46 phút
  5. From Layoffs To Leadership: Nicole Renee On Faith, Focus, And Building Tidy Systems

    24 THG 2

    From Layoffs To Leadership: Nicole Renee On Faith, Focus, And Building Tidy Systems

    What if years of detours could have been avoided by trusting your inner voice sooner? Sitting across from Nicole Renee—founder of Tidy Bee, certified Scrum Master, and pillar of encouragement—we unpack how faith, focus, and people-first systems help you rebuild after career shocks, lead your family with intention, and make real progress on the projects that keep stalling. Nicole shares how she moved from seeking approval to listening within, describing the quiet practices that protect clarity in a noisy world: prayer, reflection, and choosing her inputs with care. We talk candidly about social media becoming a default “source of truth” for teens and why the fix is relational, not just technical. From letting kids order their own meals to asking them how they want to spend time, small moments become training grounds for voice and confidence. We also walk through the emotional landscape of being laid off three times in five years—the grief we rarely name, the silence from leaders who may be bound by policy, and the hard question of identity without a job title. Nicole’s insights are both compassionate and practical, offering a path to heal while designing the next chapter with purpose. Then we shift gears into agile living: using Scrum to break big goals into two-week sprints, remove blockers, and put people over process. Whether you’re organizing a home or shipping a product, right-sizing the work turns momentum into a habit. For founders and side-hustlers, Nicole delivers a grounded blueprint: “Just start” to beat fear, then build a living business plan, refine your language as you pivot, and create a personal board of directors for finance, marketing, and accountability. Entrepreneurship isn’t solo heroism—it’s coordinated support that aligns with your values. If you’re craving clarity, ready to organize what matters, and willing to lead with heart, this conversation is your cue to turn down the world and turn up your own wisdom. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear what you’re sprinting toward next. Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    43 phút
  6. How Yvette Campbell Turned Doubt Into A Hospitality Powerhouse

    10 THG 2

    How Yvette Campbell Turned Doubt Into A Hospitality Powerhouse

    Ever been told you’re not ready or not the “right fit”? Meet Yvette Campbell, a meeting broker and hospitality leader who turned early doubt into a career built on creativity, precision, and care. We trace her path from a restaurant host stand to banquets, weddings, sales leadership, and global venue sourcing—showing how initiative and anticipation can replace pedigree and open doors across hotels and events. We dig into the skills that actually move careers forward in hospitality: reading a room, designing site tours that respect a planner’s time, and using thoughtful follow-ups to build loyalty long after checkout. Yvette unpacks what makes a winning site visit—greeting at the door, tailoring the walk-through to the group’s true needs, and presenting crisp proposals that make decision makers look like heroes. She also shares how constraints can fuel creativity, from reimagining complex cultural weddings in unconventional spaces to negotiating contracts that protect budgets without sacrificing experience. Resilience threads through her story. Yvette talks candidly about rejection, collecting no’s, and the difference direct feedback can make when paired with care. We explore women helping women, the post-pandemic training gap, and why small personal touches—like a guest’s favorite coffee or a handwritten card—create brand memories no ad can match. She also opens up about the joy of adopting her son and how faith and family keep her grounded while she sources venues around the world. If you lead teams, plan meetings, or want to grow in hospitality without a traditional degree, you’ll find practical playbooks and mindset shifts you can apply today. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a boost, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway so we can bring more conversations like this to your feed. Yvette can be reached via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbell4/ or email her at ycampbell@meetingsme.com Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    39 phút
  7. How Two Firings Led To Horses, Healing Hands, And A Mission To Save Women From Heart Disease

    27 THG 1

    How Two Firings Led To Horses, Healing Hands, And A Mission To Save Women From Heart Disease

    A chance firing. A racetrack gate. A hospital monitor that won’t slow down. Our conversation with Linda Pankala traces a remarkable arc from electronics lab to jockey silks to a healing practice and a powerful mission: help women prevent the number one killer they’re too often not told about—cardiovascular disease. We talk about the moment that changed everything: a trainer leaning down at Belmont and inviting Linda to try the path she hadn’t dared to name. From there, she learned pace, courage, and what it means to fall hard and get back up. Those lessons carried her into motherhood and a second career as a massage therapist, where hands and heart meet the nervous system one breath at a time. When AFib upended her rhythm, research led to advocacy and a book that turns complex heart health into a friendly guide, laced with “horsey hints,” humor, and practical tools. Together we unpack why women’s heart disease is underrecognized, how pandemic stress rewired daily life, and which small choices create outsized change: box breathing, hydration, movement, and community that actually lifts you. We zoom out on the noise, then zoom in on the micro decisions that steady your chemistry and protect your energy. If you’re feeling stretched thin, we offer boundaries that preserve calm, gratitude practices that shift physiology, and one mindset to start today: look in the mirror and say, “Yes, I am worth it to begin.” Listen for a blend of story and science, prevention and possibility, and leave with a simple plan you can start before the day ends. If this spoke to your heart, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more women find the tools that save lives. Would you like to find out more about Linda? Visit her on her website here:https://www.lindapenkala.com/ or on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-penkala-ba70887/ or send her an email to lpenkala96@gmail.com . Ready to purchase a copy of her book? You can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1917907540?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520 Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    47 phút
  8. When The University Said No, She Said Yes To Herself

    09/12/2025

    When The University Said No, She Said Yes To Herself

    What happens when you give everything to a role, ask for a fair raise, and get told no? For Madeline Miskie, that moment didn’t end the story—it rewrote it. We dive into how a voice teacher and yoga practitioner turned rejection into a values-led business that helps people reconnect with breath, body, and voice while honoring their worth. We talk about the power of a “career portfolio” mindset and why diversifying your professional life can make courageous choices more possible. Madeline shares the pruning metaphor and the “fertile void”—clearing space so new growth can emerge. Instead of chasing titles, she mapped the real-world outcomes of each path and chose congruence: a life where inner values and outer work finally match. Along the way, she reframed personal development with practical tools—calming breath, forward folds, mantra and meditation—that dial down anxiety and make clear decisions easier to act on. You’ll hear how a vocal injury shifted Madeline from achievement chasing to inner awareness, and how that inner work underpins her teaching today—holistic voice training, yoga for singers, nervous system regulation, and embodied communication. We unpack realistic goal setting too: removing barriers first, then building skills, and allowing timelines to flex. Whether you’re navigating burnout, seeking a raise, or contemplating a change, this conversation offers grounded strategies for self-worth, resilience, and sustainable growth. If you’re ready to take one small step—five minutes of breath, a single journal page, or reaching out for support—this story will meet you where you are. Subscribe for more conversations on aligned careers and embodied confidence, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that a no can lead to a better yes. Find out more about Madeline's online and in-person yoga and singing classes by visiting her website here:https://windsongvoiceandyoga.com/  Madeline is also available to share her beuatiful voice with you at an event. Find out more here: Sign up for Madeline’s newsletter for monthly updates and low-cost classes. Email: Madeline@windsongvoiceandyoga.com.  Ready to break through your own “If Only”? Let’s create your next powerful step together. Visit BrendaMcGregor.com to connect.

    45 phút
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During each episode, Brenda will explore the “If Only’s” stopping women from having a life they love.   What is your If Only? Perhaps it is- If Only my boss respected me more or maybe it is If Only my spouse did more around the house and with the kids, or maybe it is If Only my kids listened to me better…….then I would be happier and more successful…  Whatever it is for you, you will hear from Brenda and her guests who will share their personal successes in breaking through their If Only’s to create a life they love!

Thông Tin

  • Nhà sáng tạo
    Brenda McGregor
  • Năm hoạt động
    2023 - 2026
  • Tập
    76
  • Xếp hạng
    Sạch
  • Bản quyền
    © 2026 If Only
  • Trang web chương trình
    If Only