This Is Nothing New™

Michelle Gruening
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement

This Is Nothing New™ is the podcast where Michelle Gruening drops the trends, gets back to the basics, and uncovers the lessons hiding in everyday life. Through honest stories, grounded conversations, and practical takeaways, Michelle explores the timeless ideas that help us move forward — from confidence and leadership to goals, mindset, growth, and the real-life messes in between. Because most of the time, we don’t need a brand-new answer. We need a better reminder of what already works.

  1. 1d ago

    Conversation: Kim Byrne on Identity Clutter and Who You Are Now

    What happens when a role, career, or version of yourself that once fit no longer does? In this conversation, Michelle sits down with life and leadership coach Kim Byrne, founder of Seeds to Stories, to explore the “identity clutter” we carry from old roles, expectations, accomplishments, and definitions of success. They talk about navigating major life transitions, grieving identities we’ve outgrown, separating our worth from what we do, and learning to trust ourselves when we don’t yet know what comes next. Sometimes what we uncover from the past isn’t something to discard; it’s a clue to what has been true all along. This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t always require becoming someone new.  Sometimes it starts by asking a much simpler question: "Who am I now?" About Kim Byrne: Kim Byrne is a life and leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Seeds to Stories. Her work explores the identity clutter we carry through major life transitions — the old roles, expectations, and definitions of success that once served us but may now be keeping us from becoming the most honest version of ourselves. Website: https://seedstostories.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-byrne-s2s/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kimbyrne1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KimByrneCoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimbyrnecoaching/ Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

    Conversation: Kim Byrne on Identity Clutter and Who You Are Now

  2. Aug 19

    Stop Making Today Pay for Yesterday

    What happens after something doesn’t go the way you wanted? After months of looking forward to a camping weekend, Michelle made the responsible call to turn around when torrential rain, flooding, and dangerous conditions made continuing a bad idea. She knew it was the right decision. She was also pissed about it, and that frustration followed her long after the decision was made. Then, less than 24 hours later, she realized she had broken a 225-day streak of walking outside every single day. Her reaction this time? Shrug, lace up her shoes, and get back to it. In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, Michelle explores why some disruptions are easier to recover from than others, the difference between feeling an emotion and continuing to feed it, and why consistency has far less to do with perfection than we often think. Because disappointment happens. Plans change. We screw up. The real skill is learning how to recover without carrying yesterday into today. Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

  3. Aug 12

    Two Things Can Be True at the Same Time

    What if two things that seem contradictory can both be true at the same time? In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, Michelle explores the tension between grief and joy, burnout and growth, discipline and rest, fear and courage, and knowing a decision was right while still grieving what you left behind. Through personal stories, coaching examples, and the Stockdale Paradox, she unpacks why we create unnecessary suffering when we believe one emotion, choice, or truth has to cancel out another. Sometimes you can be happy and grieving. You can be burnt out and still want to grow. You can be scared and still be courageous. Both can be true. Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

  4. Aug 5

    Conversation: Nic Collins on Authenticity, Community, and Starting Today

    What happens when the life you built no longer feels like your own? In this conversation, Michelle sits down with mental health professional, author, and speaker Nic Collins to talk about leaving corporate America, rebuilding his identity, and learning to see vulnerability as a strength rather than something to hide. They explore the power of saying things out loud, finding community that allows you to show up honestly, releasing the pressure to be everything for everyone, and taking action before you have the entire path figured out. Because you’re not behind, and step one is simply taking one step. Learn more about Nic: Nic Collins is a public speaker, mental health professional, and author with a passion for helping others live with authenticity, confidence, and alignment. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Maxwell Leadership certified speaker, coach, and facilitator.  He is the author of ADVANCE: Discover Alignment and Authenticity by Living in Concert With Your Situation. He is creator and co-host of the Constant Quest Podcast, and curator of The Constant Quest men's gathering in the mountains of north Georgia, focusing on community, connection, and growth. Connect with Nic: Website: https://niccollinsauthentic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_collins_authentic/ Purchase a copy of ADVANCE: https://a.co/d/0cv8hWGN Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

    Conversation: Nic Collins on Authenticity, Community, and Starting Today

  5. Jul 28

    Reminders from the Men's World Cup

    Michelle never expected to become a soccer fan, but the Men’s World Cup pulled her in fast. In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, she shares the reminders she found in the tournament: the power of community, the joy of being a beginner again, the clarity that comes from participation, and why talent means very little without character. It’s a light, personal episode about learning something new, finding unexpected joy, and paying attention to the lessons hiding in the things we love. Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

  6. Jul 21

    Don’t Be a Lone Wolf

    For years, Michelle believed doing everything herself was proof that she was capable. In reality, the lone-wolf mindset was keeping her isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported. In this episode of This Is Nothing New™, she shares the five roles that make up a strong personal advisory board: the mentor, connector, accountability buddy, coach, and contrarian. She breaks down what each person brings to your life, why one person cannot be everything for you, and how to identify the role you need most right now. You were never meant to do this alone. The real question is: who’s missing from your board? Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

  7. Jul 14

    Conversation: Jessica Millhiser on Getting Back to the Basics

    In this episode of This Is Nothing New™️, Michelle sits down with Jessica Millhiser, owner of JMills Consulting, to talk about what it really means to get back to the basics in business. They explore defining success for yourself, building a business around the life you actually want, and why sustainable growth requires more intention—not more trends, tools, or platforms. Jessica also shares the practices that keep her grounded, from protecting her calendar to removing social media from her phone, and explains why every service-based business is ultimately in the business of hospitality. The reminder is simple: slow down, gain clarity, and take action toward the business and life you actually want. More about Jessica Millhiser: Jessica is the owner of JMills Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs build better businesses through stronger structure, clearer strategy, and intentional growth. With nearly 20 years of experience in operations, administration, and leadership, Jessica works with service-based business owners to create the internal foundation their businesses need to grow sustainably. Her work focuses on operational clarity, client experience, strategic planning, and building systems that support long-term growth. Jessica holds a master’s degree in Coaching & Administration and is known for her collaborative, direct, and action-oriented approach. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and their two cats. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn. Learn more about JMills Consulting. Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

    Conversation: Jessica Millhiser on Getting Back to the Basics

  8. Jul 7

    One Step at a Time: Climbing Kilimanjaro

    Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wasn't on Michelle's bucket list. It started with a simple "yes" to a friend's question and became a year-long journey of training, setbacks, self-doubt, 60-mile-an-hour winds, and one unforgettable summit. In this episode, Michelle shares the story of climbing Kili—from recovering after COVID and learning the meaning of pole pole ("slowly, slowly") to sleeping in a flipped tent and standing on Uhuru Peak in a whiteout. Along the way, she uncovers timeless lessons about resilience, focusing on the next step, celebrating progress, adapting when plans fall apart, and staying committed to the work instead of obsessing over the outcome. Because the biggest goals aren't reached all at once. They're reached one next step at a time. Have a question? Send us a message! Connect with Michelle: Website: michellegruening.com Instagram: @michellegruening LinkedIn: Michelle Gruening

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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This Is Nothing New™ is the podcast where Michelle Gruening drops the trends, gets back to the basics, and uncovers the lessons hiding in everyday life. Through honest stories, grounded conversations, and practical takeaways, Michelle explores the timeless ideas that help us move forward — from confidence and leadership to goals, mindset, growth, and the real-life messes in between. Because most of the time, we don’t need a brand-new answer. We need a better reminder of what already works.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Gruening
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This Is Nothing New™
  • Show Website
    This Is Nothing New™

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