The Greatness Together Podcast

Sarah McVanel
The Greatness Together Podcast

The Greatness Together Podcast has Sarah and Simonne McVanel embark on their journey of creating Mother-Daughter Conversations that Delve into the Heart of Psychology!

  1. FEB 20

    How Do We Build Courage Curiosity?

    What keeps us from taking bold steps in our careers, relationships, and lives? In this special episode of The Greatness Together Podcast, Sarah and Simonne sit down with Margie Warrell, a bestselling author and one of Sarah’s most influential role models. Margie’s latest book, The Courage Gap, explores how fear keeps us from stepping into our potential—and what we can do to change that. This conversation is not just for young people like Simonne—it’s for anyone who wants to lean into courage, embrace uncertainty, and stop playing small. It’s never too late to rewrite your story and move forward with more bravery and less fear. Sarah shares how Margie’s book Stop Playing Safe helped her take the leap to start her own business, and Margie offers insights on how we can all close the gap between fear and action, no matter where we are in life. Quote of the Week: “Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to act despite it.” – Margie Warrell Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: How do we build courage curiosity? 0:00 How Fear Holds Us Back – The real reason we hesitate to take risks. 3:00 Going against the grain. 8:00 The Courage Gap – What keeps us stuck and how to push through it.   12:00 Anxiety is higher today than ever before. 16:00 Lessons from Margie’s Book – Practical strategies for everyday courage.  21:00 Never Too Late – How people of all ages can step into their power.  25:00 Never Too Late – How people of all ages can step into their power. 29:00 Next time: Why is it so hard to accept a compliment? 29.34 The Psychology of Fear and Courage Margie discusses the brain’s built-in negativity bias—our natural tendency to overestimate threats and underestimate our ability to handle them. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Theory, she explains how challenging negative thoughts and taking small, courageous steps can rewire our brains for confidence. Many of us let fear shape our decisions, believing we must be fully ready before taking action. The truth is that courage is built in action—not in waiting. Margie shares powerful insights into how we can retrain our minds to see fear not as a stop sign but as a signal that we are growing. She explains how self-doubt is a universal experience, not something we must overcome before moving forward. Instead of seeing fear as a weakness, we can view it as proof that we are stretching into new territory. Breaking Through Fear in Everyday Life Many believe courage is only required in extreme situations—leaving a toxic job, making a significant life change, or standing up for yourself in difficult moments. But Margie emphasizes that courage is needed in everyday life. It’s in the small moments—speaking up in a meeting, setting boundaries, taking that first step toward a dream—where we can practice courage regularly. The more we act bravely daily, the more confident we become when more high-stakes challenges arise. She also shares a powerful mindset shift: Instead of waiting for fear to disappear, ask yourself, What would I do if I trusted myself more? This question helps us break the cycle of hesitation and step into action despite uncertainty. Stepping into Courage: A Challenge for You Margie challenges listeners to identify one fear holding them back and take a single step toward overcoming it. It doesn’t have to be a big leap—sometimes, the smallest steps lead to the biggest transformations. Whether you are considering a career change, want to build deeper relationships, or are simply looking to stop overthinking and start doing, this episode will inspire you to take action. This episode is an inspiring reminder that the most immense opportunities often lie just beyond our comfort zones. It’s never too late to show up for yourself with more courage and less fear. Did you love this episode as much as we did? We know you did! Why not grab her books, visit her at margiewarrell.com, and tune into her podcast “Live Brave.” If you liked this episode of ours, we know you’ll also dig: Greatness Together Podcast Links: EP 7: Do You Compare Yourself to Others? Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    34 min
  2. JAN 29

    How Do You Handle Disappointment?

    Disappointment is a feeling we all experience. Whether it is being disappointed that your boss made you work late or if you were disappointed that the coffee shop was out of your favourite pastry. Sometimes, the disappointment is turned inward; you feel you could have done a better job, be more supportive, and “should” have more restraint when it comes to said pastry (when they are in stock)! We’ve all experienced disappointment, and as benign as it seems, it can sting for us high achievers. Want to explore disappointment with us? It might not seem like “fun” stuff, but we’ll try to make it so!   Quote of the Week: Maybe we have to ask, “How is it serving you to be holding on to the disappointment?” Sarah McVanel   Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: How do you handle disappointment? 0:00 Why we’re talking about disappointment? 2:00 Do high expectations result in disappointment? 5:00 How long should disappointment last? 7:00 Keep on keeping on… 14:00 How much energy should you give it? 18:00 Don’t wallow too long. 22:00 Next time: Dr. Margie Warrell – The Courage Gap. 29.34   Disappointment Happens In this heartfelt episode, Simonne and Sarah deconstruct the foundation of disappointment and how much we should let it affect us. Simonne covers a conversation about allowing disappointment to have its time and day. She speaks about how important it is for our well-being to process our disappointments and move on rather than letting the melancholic emotions take us over for unsubstantial amounts of time. For example, what feels better, finding out you didn’t get the promotion and letting the disappointment take over your every waking thought? Or, when you did not get said promotion, do you reflect on how you could do better in the future and how you will have a higher chance of succeeding, letting those feelings drive you to improve? It is very easy to let go of ourselves in times of disappointment and grieve a little, though you do not have to let it take over your life.   Moving Through Disappointment  We cannot add days to our lives, but we can add a life to our days. Forgiving yourself, others, situations, and even things beyond our control can be liberating (and essential!) Acknowledging disappointment and then moving through and beyond it is a form of taking care of yourself; it is crucial not to stay stuck or dissatisfied. Tune into this episode of the Greatness Together podcast to learn how to wrestle your way through the inevitability of disappointments so that you come out stronger than ever! Build your self-awareness and self-compassion muscles in the process!   Greatness Together Podcast Links: EP 18: Why Do We Compare? EP10: Coping with Disappointment EP 7: Do You Compare Yourself to Others? EP 5: Do you have high expectations? EP 26: Does Smiling Do a Body Good? Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    30 min
  3. JAN 16

    Is Your Role Leading to Burnout?

    Have you ever felt pressure to act in a way that wasn’t true to how you were feeling? In this episode, we explore the impact of societal role expectations in our lives and what happens when we don't always meet them. We discuss the consequences for mental health and relationships when we can't keep up with the demands placed on us, how to cope with and embrace imperfection and how burnout and stress affect individuals who are trying to meet these expectations.   Quote of the Week:  "We are not our role. We are human beings. We are wired for connection." Sarah McVanel    Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Are There Consequences of Not Always Acting in Your Role? 0:00 Unrealistic expectations. 1:00 Challenges can create burnout. 5:00 Finding balance is essential. 8:00 You have to ask for what you need. 11:00 Depend on your support team. 13:00 You deserve your downtime. 16:00 You can’t be your role all of the time. 19:30 Next time…Disappointment. 21:53   Creating Balance Listen in as we discuss constructing a sustainable balance between our many life roles and the need to relax. Notice we didn’t say balance! We don’t believe that’s a realistic goal. Nor is burning the candle at both ends. Upon Simonne’s prompting, Sarah shares her experience of expecting herself to be a motivational speaker and engaged mother all the time. The result? She is left burnt out and frustrated when she feels she’s falling short, and, as a result, can judge herself harshly as ‘inauthentic.’ Perhaps ridiculously high expectations are at play.   Do our roles define us? Whether you're a parent, motivational speaker, doctor, actor, psychologist, or any other person with a defined role, society places certain expectations on you. Yes, we put it on ourselves, but society sends us signals of what performance looks like. Anything less, and we know it. So what happens when you, as an individual, fall short of these expectations? For example, mothers are expected to be loving, happy, and nurturing all the time, but what about those moments when they're tired, frustrated, or just ‘done’? Do these conflicting expectations cause harm? Should society continue to place these demands on individuals? What are the potential internal and external consequences of failing to live up to these ideals?   Protecting Our Self-Concept When we feel we are supposed to live up to our roles, the damage is caused to our self-identity when we do not feel good enough. Damage is additionally caused to others when we get angry at them for expecting us to behave so highly all the time.  Sometimes, we must reflect on what is possible, reasonable, and enough. It might align, and it might not, with what external expectations are. And it might be different than what we’re used to expecting of ourselves. Sometimes, that is the essential journey we must be on: rediscovering and defining ‘reasonable’ expectations and letting this shape who we see and know ourselves to be.   Join us as we dive into the psychological, social, and emotional ramifications of not always fulfilling the roles society expects of us and explore how breaking free from rigid role expectations might lead to a healthier, more authentic you.   Links: EP13: What is Role Conflict? EP: 26: Does Smiling Do a Body Good? EP 5: Do you have high expectations?

    22 min
  4. JAN 1

    Does Smiling Do a Body Good?

    In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we explore a simple yet profound act: smiling. Can smiling for just five seconds really make you feel happier? Spoiler alert: science says yes! Let’s dive into how this small action can have a big impact on your mood and the people around you.   Quote of the Week:  "When people smile, they create a shared experience and a moment of connection with others." Sarah McVanel    Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Does smiling do a body good? 0:00 A quick experiment: smile for five seconds and see how you feel. 1:00 The cause and effect of smiling. 5:00 The many benefits of smiling. 11:00 The ripple effect of smiling. 16:00 Your health is affected, too. 18:00 Nervous smiling and the inappropriate effect. 24:30 Smile during physical activity. 27:00 A smile creates a mind shift. 31:00 Next time: Societal Roles. 36:04 Simonne was riveted this semester by how much evidence kept popping up in her textbooks about smiling, so she suggested we need an entire episode. We hope you agree.   The Science of Smiling Have you ever smiled and instantly felt a little lighter? That’s not just in your head—smiling activates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, giving you a mood boost. This isn’t just an individual benefit; when we smile, we influence others. Mirror neurons in the brain encourage people to mimic the smiles they see, spreading positivity like wildfire (the good kind). Smiling is contagious and a catalyst for connection. It improves our well-being and makes those around us feel better, too. It’s a simple, effective way to foster a happier environment...immediately!   Why a Smile Matters Did you know smiling can lead to pro-social behaviour? Research shows that smiling people are likelier to be kind, cooperative, and approachable. It’s a chain reaction—one smile can inspire a whole room. In fact, Sarah has found that one of the best qualities of being a successful entrepreneur is being likeable; Simonne has seen the same in making friends and in her travels, adjusting to the culture as an outsider.   In this episode, we’ll invite you to perform our five-second experiment and see how a smile transforms your mood and interactions (listen to the first minute to get the goods on it). You might be surprised by how much happiness you can create with this small act. Essentially, a smile is contagious—when you smile, you not only feel better but can also uplift those around you.   Smiling’s Ripple Effect Smiling can create a ripple effect, especially in caregiving environments. Caregivers, who often carry heavy emotional burdens, may benefit from the simple act of smiling, which can reduce their stress and improve their emotional health. Additionally, residents in care who smile are more likely to thrive, creating a positive cycle for both caregivers and families. A smile may be small, but its effects can be profound. Listen and learn how smiling can improve your mood, health, and the environment around you. You’ll learn how this small action can release neurotransmitters in the brain that make you feel better and make those around you feel better.   Links: Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    36 min
  5. 12/10/2024

    Do You Show Yourself Love?

    Self-love is more than pampering or indulgence—it’s about cultivating kindness toward yourself. Inspired by Sarah’s recent yoga practice, this episode dives into what self-love truly means. During a yoga class focused on self-love, Sarah was guided to breathe in compliments and exhale criticisms. This intentional focus revealed a surprising truth: while compliments from others are frequent, truly accepting them is rare. So, what does self-love look like, and how can we practice it daily?     Quote of the Week:  “If you have a poor model of what a relationship should look like, you’re just going to mimic that in your own relationship.” Simonne McVanel    Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Self-Love Uncovered: Are You Your Own Best Friend? 0:00 The triangle of love. 2:30 Self-love isn’t our focus. 5:00 The seven different types of love. 8:00 Channeling self-love. 13:00 Take the compliment. 20:00 The research is positive. 25:00 It’s just a scratch… 28:00 Next time: Does smiling do a body good? 33:01   Why Is Self-Love So Important?   Intentionally cultivating a mindset and practice of loving yourself isn’t trite, nor is it just a feel-good exercise; it has profound psychological and physical benefits. Positive psychology research shows that self-compassion can build resilience, improve mental health, and strengthen relationships.  During Sarah’s recent yoga practice, her teacher directed the class to focus on self-love. Not only did it help her endure 104-degree heat, but it also helped her balance and maintain her energy. Every breath - with deep meditative yoga breathing of in for four, out for five - Sarah would breathe in a compliment and out a criticism. She realized that kind words are always shared - after a keynote, from a friend, or even walking through the market (“That’s a nice colour on you”) - yet how often do they land? She thought she had made progress because she used to respond with a joke or disagree because accepting compliments was uncomfortable. (Sarah finds many audience members share this.) This mindful practice of taking in past compliments was transformative.   What Are the Benefits of Practicing Self-Love?   Self-love offers a range of benefits, from increased resilience to greater happiness. When we treat ourselves with compassion, we unlock new levels of energy, focus, and well-being. Sarah and Simonne discuss how embracing self-love can enhance your personal and professional life. Drawing on insights from positive psychology, this episode highlights why investing in self-love is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.     Can Self-Love Make You Physically Healthier? Self-love is good for your mind and body. Studies have found that self-compassion can reduce stress hormones and improve overall health. This can lower the risk of heart disease and improve long-term physical well-being. By prioritizing self-care, we create a positive ripple effect on our mental and physical health.   How Can You Start Practicing Self-Love Today?  Cultivating self-love doesn’t require a yoga mat or a 75-minute practice. In this episode, we share practical techniques to incorporate into your daily life, like reframing negative self-talk, practicing gratitude, and allowing compliments to land. With intentionality and mindfulness, you can transform how you treat yourself—and see the ripple effects in all areas of your life.   These insights stemmed from Sarah’s yoga class. If you’re unfamiliar with yoga, you might be interested in knowing that class is referred to as a “practice” because it emphasizes continuous learning and growth. This philosophy aligns perfectly with self-love, which is also a journey, not a destination. As you'll hear in this episode, Simonne is NOT keen on yoga; however, for Sarah, it’s become a non-negotiable aspect of her physical and mental fitness. Wherever yoga is, self-love can be more easily found. Whenever she needs to get grounded and wrestle her high-expectations inner critic to the ground, she goes to the mat. Hopefully, you’ll find your self-love true north in this episode. Are you ready to consider how loving yourself might be nonnegotiable for you, too?   Greatness Together Podcast Links: Do you have high expectations? Curiosity Unleashed Google Scholar Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    33 min
  6. 11/27/2024

    What is Relational Poverty?

    Have you ever been surrounded by people yet still felt deeply lonely? In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we delve into relational poverty—how our workplaces and social environments can leave us starved for meaningful connection. Join us as we explore the critical importance of human connection and the consequences of its absence, particularly in professional and academic settings.   Quote of the Week:  “Every person needs - from the start of life to the end - is to know that they matter to someone else and can depend on each other for support.” Sarah McVanel   Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Relational Poverty: 0:00 A complaint is a poorly worded request. 4:00 Everyone needs connection. 8:00 Coming together in times of crisis. 12:00 Realizing who your people really are. 16:30 Tell them… 18:30 Thank them! 21:00 Next time: Do You Show Yourself Love? 23:20   If Sarah has ever asked you after a keynote or book signing, “Is it okay if I hug you?” you know she is trying to respect your boundaries and that you got her in the feels! As we discuss in this episode, for most, the answer is “yes, please,” and for a few, if she hugged them, it would be the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard if she did. So, where’s the line? How do we navigate it? Why do we need to ask these questions? So we aren’t at risk of relational poverty. A lack of meaningful connection, whether through touch, talk, or other forms of connection, can lead to feelings of emptiness and disengagement. It impacts mental health, satisfaction, and productivity in all our lives.   Understanding Relational Poverty Relational poverty refers to the lack of meaningful connections and relationships in someone’s life, leading to feelings of isolation and emotional neglect. We discuss how this lack of deep connection can lead to feelings of isolation, even when surrounded by colleagues, friends and fellow students. The episode highlights the parallels between emotional and physical neglect, emphasizing how critical individuals need to feel seen and valued.   Recognition as Relational Currency Recognition is vital for fostering meaningful connections in the workplace. Of course, Sarah would bring it back to recognition! Specifically, Sarah explains how recognition serves as relational currency, while rewards offer transactional currency; if you’re wondering why giving gift cards falls short in creating lasting engagement and yet a simple thank you yields vast results, you’ll understand the importance of relational currency. Authentic acknowledgment fosters a sense of belonging and community, which is essential for a thriving workplace culture.   The Importance of Touch Research shows that physical touch is vital for development and emotional well-being. We’ve all heard of the effects on the babies in Romania who were in orphanages and were left in cribs most of the day; their cognition, social and emotional development suffered. Could adults also suffer, even if it’s not a developmental issue? Of course. We touch on the effects of societal norms that restrict touch in professional settings, particularly in roles like teaching. We should have boundaries; we just need meaningful verbal and visual cues for connection (look for more in an upcoming episode on mimicking, where we dive into the psychology behind mirroring).   We want you to listen because understanding relational poverty can transform how you engage with others at work and in your personal life. Discover strategies with us in this episode on how to build deeper connections and enhance your overall sense of fulfillment.   Greatness Together Podcast Links: You Are Already Greatness: A Thank You Book Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    23 min
  7. 11/14/2024

    Curiosity Unleashed

    In this episode of The Greatness Together podcast, we explore the fascinating world of curiosity and its delicious impact on learning. Who doesn’t like to dish on the virtues of growth and how to enable it?! Did you know that curiosity motivates us to seek new experiences and enhances our memory retention? Join us as we delve into the science behind curiosity and how it can unlock your potential.   Quote of the Week:  “Curiosity is a door anyone can open to learn, grow and expand to realize their potential.” Simonne McVanel   Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Curiosity Unleashed. 0:00 Simonne’s curiosity fulfillment. 0:30 The brain loves curiosity. 2:30 TikTok is captivating. 6:30 Creating curiosity can be challenging. 9:00 Curiosity gives purpose. 12:00 Curiosity drives us. 15:00 Does your environment create curiosity? 22:00 Next time: Relational Poverty. 26:24    In this episode, we’re exploring the power of curiosity and discussing its role in enhancing our learning experiences. Perhaps this won’t surprise you, listeners, as Simonne is knee-deep into her second year of psychology, rocking it out with her textbooks about human behaviour in its many wild and wonderful forms, while Sarah travels back and forth across Canada, chatting with motivated and curious humans about how they can influence people processes and change in their organizations. We share personal insights and ground them in theory and data. There is a fascinating link between neuroscience and the study of curiosity. So, how do we prime our brains for deep engagement and activation through curiosity? We’re glad you asked. We chat about that from a personal, academic and workplace lens.   Curiosity and Learning Curiosity is not just a fleeting interest for us; it's a powerful learning driver we know you lean into. Research shows that when individuals are curious, they are more likely to engage with new information and retain it effectively. We’ll discuss how curiosity fuels motivation and exploration, making learning not just an obligation but a delightful adventure.   The Neuroscience of Curiosity Curiosity activates specific areas of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation. You don’t just have to believe us, though. We touch on a 2014 study proving individuals retain information better when presented in a context that sparks their curiosity. We'll dive into the findings of this study and discuss how understanding the neuroscience of curiosity can help educators and learners alike. You probably tuned in because you’re curious about how to nurture curiosity (or because you adore us…maybe both…we hope) and how curiosity can transform your approach to learning and life.   Greatness Together Podcast Links: Are Your “What Ifs” Holding You Back?   Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    26 min
  8. 10/31/2024

    Is Your People Pleasing a Problem?

    In our last podcast episode, we promised to explore the idea of living for ourselves rather than living for others. As we prepared for this episode, we realized that, at its core, this is about deconstructing people pleasing. Coming from a long line of kind and accommodating people, we’ve often noticed how easy it is to prioritize harmony by setting aside our own needs. But is there a point where this habit of compromise crosses into unhealthy territory?    Quote of the Week:  "We don’t do others a favour when we fail to support ourselves." Sarah McVanel    Greatness Together Podcast Highlights: Deconstructing People Pleasing. 0:00 Noticing the concept. 1:00 Prioritizing others vs. ourselves. 5:00 Finding a balance. 8:30 Does society or gender play a role? 10:00 Is it selfish to put yourself first? 13:00 When it’s good to be selfish. 15:30 Next time…Curiosity Unleashed. 22:08 Conflict theorists, such as Ken Thomas and Ralph Kilmann, say compromise often leaves no one truly satisfied. If you’re not so sure, research their model. It’s fascinating.  Sarah grew up thinking that compromise was the healthiest form of navigating conflict. Imagine her surprise when she learned it’s not always, and in some contexts, it does more harm than good. It was a window into the default setting of a card-carrying People Pleaser. And it was a gateway to seeing how it wasn’t always serving her. As she shared in last week’s episode: People pleasing is a way to be invisible to yourself.   When People Pleasing Becomes Problematic In this episode, we delve into the moments where people pleasing is not just about being kind but becomes problematic. We discuss how to recognize these moments and what we can do to stop the cycle. Whether in personal relationships, academic contexts, or professional settings, understanding when to draw the line is crucial to maintaining a healthy balance between caring for our needs and prioritizing what others and the group need. As the saying goes, “Pick your battles.” The key here is “pick.” Others’ needs being the default is not intentional. Those of us set to people pleasing as our default mode may not notice we abdicate (yep, clock the fancy word…we’re serious about this) our needs.   The Roots of People Pleasing Where does this tendency come from? We explore our personal narratives and societal influences. Sarah has found that professional caregivers often have to battle this, and women (including our lived experience) might be socialized and more likely to internalize this. By examining these influences, we can better understand why many of us fall into people pleasing habits.  When we are more aware, we can leverage that awareness for intentional reflection and action rather than automatic response and reaction.   When Is It Useful, and When Should People Pleasing Be Evicted? While people pleasing can be harmful, there are times when it can serve a purpose. In certain situations, prioritizing others may be beneficial. For example, is something not that important to you, and it’s apparent that it is to someone else? In this case, you might intentionally prioritize their needs as an act of love, acknowledgement, or support. (Sarah covers this in an article she released recently on the 26 secrets of marriage.) The key is knowing when it’s functional and when it’s detrimental. We’re curious about how to keep the best parts of this tendency while breaking unhealthy patterns, and we bet you are, too.   Owning Who You Are Our previous episode discussed the importance of owning who you are. We hope this episode helps you further that journey—standing for your values, needs, and opinions while being an outstanding contributor to your family, friends, community, and workplace. Can we serve both ourselves and others? Absolutely! It requires vigilance, confidence, and a willingness to break free from long-standing habits of people pleasing. After all, those who genuinely care about us will appreciate it when we express and stand for our own needs.   Greatness Together Podcast Links: Revealed: 26 Insider Secrets to a Successful and Healthy Marriage Do You Own Who You Are Greatness Magnified Subscribe to The Greatness Together Podcast

    22 min

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The Greatness Together Podcast has Sarah and Simonne McVanel embark on their journey of creating Mother-Daughter Conversations that Delve into the Heart of Psychology!

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