Brilliantly Resilient

“Confidence is the resolution of fear.” Alyssa Dver ~ Founder of the American Confidence Institute and ERG Leadership Alliance and best-selling author of 8 books, including Confidence is a Choice and Kickass Confidence How confident are you? Confidence is a loaded word—we all want it, but we don’t always (or often) feel it, especially when it’s needed for something important to us. Founder and head of both the American Confidence Institute and ERG Leadership Alliance and best-selling author of 8 books, Alyssa Dver is an expert who blends brain science, data and insights to help build confidence while creating lasting personal and cultural change. While most of us think confidence is a personality trait you’re born with or without, Alyssa disagrees. She notes that confidence is actually a skill—one that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time. Drawing on brain science, coaching experience, and years of research, Alyssa shows how confidence is built not by eliminating fear, but by understanding it and responding to it intentionally. Alyssa believes that fear often masks deeper concerns about failure, rejection, or belonging, and dealing with the sources of fear can effectively build confidence. One of the most compelling connections in relation to the Brilliantly Resilient mindset is the relationship between confidence and personal values. Alyssa argues that true confidence isn't about pushing through every challenge or saying yes to every opportunity. Instead, confidence comes from understanding what matters most and making decisions that align with those values. She encourages others to look beneath the surface of their fears, identify what is truly important to them, and use those priorities as guideposts. For women who often find themselves carrying responsibilities, meeting expectations, and putting others first, this perspective offers a powerful framework for making more intentional choices. The place of confidence also relates to belonging, self-trust, and the freedom that comes with experience. Alyssa suggests that many of our fears are rooted in concerns about what other people think and how those fears can keep us from showing up authentically. By learning to identify the real fear, challenge it, and take ownership of the decision-making process, individuals can develop greater confidence in themselves and their choices one decision at a time. For more of Alyssa’s wisdom, listen to this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to check out these additional bits of brilliance: "Confidence is the result of a decision." "You took agency over that fear." "The fear isn't the presentation. There's something underneath there that's really causing it." "What's the worst that could happen? Let me give it a try." "That takes confidence—to admit you screwed up, you're wrong, you failed." "The older we get, the more we realize 99% of what freaked us out when we were young was so trivial." "If it's something that you really feel you need to do for whatever reason, then step into that and say, 'This is important to me.'" "Don't violate your own values and you'll be confident." "Every fear is (grounded in) this fear of not belonging." "The real boundaries, the rule book, is your values." Let’s all be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"These courses are a roadmap — they guide you to not only uncover your resilience but to rise, thrive, and ultimately find your brilliance within life's challenges." ~ Mary Fran Bontempo, Creator of the Brilliantly Resilient Mini-Course Series Today it's me--sharing the story behind the creation of the Brilliantly Resilient Mini-Course Series — Reset with Resilience, Rise and Thrive, and Reveal Your Brilliance. After years of helping people bounce back from life's challenges through her books, speaking, and podcast, I wanted to create a hands-on way for anyone to learn and live the Brilliantly Resilient process at their own pace. Through short, powerful video lessons and guided workbooks, these mini-courses will take learners from simply surviving to thriving — one intentional step at a time. Reset with Resilience helps you uncover your core values and reclaim control over what truly matters. Rise and Thrive guides you to identify transferable strengths, build supportive tribes, and take imperfect action toward progress. And finally, Reveal Your Brilliance leads you to discover your unique gifts and let go of rigid outcomes so your brilliance can shine in every area of life. These courses were born from a desire to make resilience doable. Whether you're facing a major life shift or simply ready to grow, this series offers practical, heartfelt guidance for anyone ready to reset, rise, and reveal their brilliance — one brilliantly imperfect step at a time. Tune into this podcast to learn more, and access the courses through this link: https://brilliantlyresilient.mvsite.app/pages/view/11354/. Be sure to use Promo Code EARLY BIRD for big discounts! "Nobody really tells us how to become resilient. Well, that's what I've been able to do with the Brilliantly Resilient process and the new mini-course series." "Reset with Resilience teaches you quite literally how to tap into your inherent resilience through your value system, your perception of challenges, and controlling your controllables." "These courses are a roadmap — they guide you to not only uncover your resilience but to rise, thrive, and ultimately find your brilliance within life's challenges." "The good news about these courses is not only do they teach you to find your resilience, but how to rise and thrive beyond the initial crisis and continue to move forward." "When we lead with our hearts, the best of us comes through — we can discover our brilliance through service." "The places where we think we're going to find our brilliance aren't always where we end up — and yet, there's always brilliance to share wherever we land." "I really believe these courses are the perfect way to help individuals and organizations reset, rise, and reveal their brilliance — in the easiest, most personal way possible." I know these mini-courses will be a great tool to help you live a Brilliantly Resilient life. Let's learn to be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"I realized I was battling in a system that valued the system over the child — and that was a big wake-up call." ~Victoria Lenormand, Former Police Detective, Founder of Gemini Directions and Author of The Magic of Not Fitting In Have you ever felt like you just didn't fit in? Occasionally, and especially during the teenage years, everyone feels like they don't belong. But how would you manage feeling like that every day? And if you were a parent watching your child struggling with such feelings, how would you help them (and you) through it? Victoria Lenormand is a former police detective from the U.K. who has used her acute skill set to help her autistic son navigate a world where he doesn't always "fit" within the systems society has in place. Victoria's journey from investigation to advocacy revealed the cracks in systems designed to serve but not always to see the individuals they are meant to help. Once her son was diagnosed with autism, Victoria found herself confronting institutions that valued rules and systems over people. That moment became a call to tap into resilience with courage as she began to ask questions and challenge the status quo with compassion and clarity. Recognizing an ever evolving diverse population within her community, Victoria pushed for growth and change through flexiblity, observation and adaptation. Further, she openly advocated modeling mistakes for children and embracing imperfection, thus empowering parents, educators, and leaders to take small, intentional steps toward changing systems to better serve communities. Victoria reminds us that "we're better when we're together," offering everyone the chance to shine their own brilliant light through differences to build vibrant communities. Her book, The Magic of Not Fitting In, invites us to celebrate diversity as a source of strength. By shifting focus from fixing those who are different to understanding, adapting and learning, she shows how true brilliance is revealed not in conformity, but in compassion, curiosity, connection and the willingness to institute change. Learn more about Victoria here and tune in for more of her wisdom on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance: "I realized I was battling in a system that valued the system over the child — and that was a big wake-up call." "Our children don't fit the narrative, so we have to create another narrative." "When the community shows itself to be diverse, the system can't respond if it remains the way it is." "If a child is in trauma in that environment, it's not for us to critique their resilience — it's for us to meet the need." "Resilience...is the ability to flex, to step back, and to ask better questions." "We don't develop resilience from the comfort place — we develop it through the rough stuff." "Let me model mistakes for you. Learn to laugh at yourself. You don't have to measure everything as a pass or fail." "Maybe if we focus first on helping children discover who they are — and make that okay — we'll start to see real growth." "We're better when we're together. Diversity should be echoed in our systems, not othered by them." Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"We have to reshape how we talk about neurodivergence in the workplace--shift from it being a disability that needs to be accomodated to a form of cognitive diversity we can cultivate and harness to drive success." Rita Ramakrishnan ~ Founder and CEO of Iksana Consulting What if the very things you've seen as challenges are actually your greatest strengths? Rita Ramakrishnan was diagnosed as neurodivergent and autistic as a young adult, but she always knew she was different. Getting her diagnosis proved to be the proverbial light bulb, explaining much of what made Rita wonder about how she functioned in the world. But labels like neurodivergence and autism can be scary--at least at first. The idea of a brain that operates differently can be difficult to understand by those who are neurodivergent as well as others, who may see different as a liability, especially in the workplace. As founder of Iksana Consulting, Rita works with neurodivergent leaders as well as corporations and shares her powerful perspective that neurodivergence is not a flaw but a different operating system—one that often brings extraordinary gifts like creativity, rapid problem-solving, and unique pattern recognition. She reminds us that resilience isn't about bouncing back, but about "bouncing forward" by experimenting, adapting, and embracing flexibility--a message relevant to us all. (In Sanskrit, "Iksana" means thoughtful observation, including a mindful and attentive presence to truly see and understand the needs and potential of a person or situation.) Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that Brilliance and Resilience come in all shapes and sizes--and there's room for everyone. Rita reminds us that brilliance doesn't come from sameness—it comes from authenticity, diversity, and the courage to rise in your own way. As we recognize differences and treat them with openness and respect, we become open to sharing the knowledge and wisdom of others, expanding our tribes, and our power to solve problems and build a better world, opening the door to grace and possibility rather than shame. Find out more about Rita's important work at Iksana Consulting here, and tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Rita's wisdom. Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance: "For a lot of neurodivergent folks, you spend a lot of your life feeling like a square peg in a round hole… and getting a diagnosis or some understanding is really helpful to put that into context." "I like to think of most neurodivergence as an operating system that processes inputs differently, and therefore the outputs look different too." "I want us to stop labeling these things as different. Let's have a holistic view about how you process information." "Resilience for a neurodivergent person isn't just about bouncing back—it's about bouncing forward." "To me, the resilient aspect of neurodivergence is acknowledging that you're not broken. We are brilliant in our own respect. I love my brain." "My clients have gifts that are going to be transformative for their organizations… this isn't something to be tolerated, it's something to be harnessed." "Neurodivergent brains often see patterns much faster, process information more quickly, and generate creative alternative solutions." "Half the time, all people want is to be understood… simply saying, 'Tell me more,' creates room for brilliance to emerge." "The best definition of happiness I've seen is the intersection of peacefulness and productivity. Imagine if workplaces valued both equally." Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran P.S. I just LOVED this episode! Thank you, Rita!!!

"The very thing you're afraid to say is often what will inspire someone else to keep going." ~ Sara Connell, Best-selling Author and Founder of Thought Leader Academy Have you ever thought about writing a book but believe you have nothing to say? For those of us living "ordinary" lives, it's easy to feel our stories have little meaning beyond our own lives. Yet Sara Connell holds the opposite to be true. As founder of the Thought Leader Academy and a 5x Bestselling author, Sara knows that even everyday stories can have profound impact. In fact, the experiences that test us but which we often overlook as meaningless to others can be the very ones that inspire people to uncover their own resilience and reclaim their power. Sharing our stories enables us to give voice to our own truth, find meaning, and heal as we rise from challenges. Each time we share our journey--the messy parts--the vulnerable parts, we strengthen our own resilience and provide a roadmap for someone else to rise. Ultimately, Sara notes that Brilliance is not about a perfect story, but about sharing authenticity. Our stories, no matter their scope, hold the potential to heal, connect, and inspire, becoming catalysts for resilience, transformation, and brilliance that ripple outward into the world. Learn more about Sara and the Thought Leader Academy where she helps coaches, experts and entrepreneurs scale impact + create 6-7 figures by becoming bestselling authors and in demand/TEDx speakers. Tune in for more of her wisdom on this week's Brilliantly Resilient podcast and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance and check out Sara's FREE GIFTS BELOW: "Stories are the bridges that connect us—we heal ourselves and others every time we tell them." "You don't need a blockbuster story to make an impact. Your everyday story can be the light someone else needs." "When we give voice to our story, we reclaim our power." "Your story isn't what happened to you—it's the meaning you choose to create from it." "Stories are proof that we survived, and they become roadmaps for others to rise too." "The very thing you're afraid to say is often what will inspire someone else to keep going." "Sharing your story doesn't just free you—it gives others permission to share theirs." "Every time you tell your story, you expand the possibility of what's available—for yourself and for others." "Brilliance isn't about perfection—it's about showing up in your truth, story and all." Check out these FREE GIFTS from Sara! 7 Steps to Write a Revenue Generating Bestselling Book (in as little as 2 months even if you've never written before) PLUS: Sara's bonus templates and worksheets that have generated hundreds of bestsellers: https://www.saraconnell.com/7-steps-to-write-a-revenue-generating-bestselling-book 6-Step Pitch Power Training: In this training, Sara shows you her 6-Step Pitch- which has resulted in thousands of podcasts, conferences, virtual events, and media appearances: https://saraconnellcoaching.lpages.co/pitch-process/ Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"The happiest people in retirement are the ones who stay curious." Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons ~ Retirement Transition Expert, Former Attorney and Author of Encore, a High Achievers Guide to Thriving in Retirement. When you began your work life, do you remember thinking about retirement? For many decades, retirement was the 65-year-old's goal: the end of the "job" and the entry into leisure and relaxation until...um...the end??? Too often, though, the relaxation didn't materialize--at least not in the way it was intended, especially for those who not only enjoyed working, but whose work life seemed to define them. Too many retirements seemed less than satisfying, maybe downright boring. Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons challenges the traditional narrative of retirement. Using a Brilliantly Resilient mindset and adjusting perspective, Elizabeth advises viewing retirement as a "graduation" instead of a final chapter. She reframes retirement as a vibrant reset—a time to step into freedom, creativity, and self-defined purpose. With warmth and humor, she reminds us that "nobody really wants 365 Saturdays," because lasting fulfillment comes from living with intention, not just endless leisure. By encouraging curosity, Elizabeth offers those in retirement the opportunity to explore passions they may have set aside during their working years, and see retirement as a season for growth rather than retreat. Whether that growth comes from volunteering, traveling, starting a new venture, or learning a skill just for fun, she proves that energy and excitement aren't bound by age or career stage. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that our Brilliance is always available to us. As Elizabeth notes, it doesn't "retire when we do." Our knowledge, experiences and passions can be transferred into this life phase, creating excitement and repurposing our lives with possibilty, resilience and joy. Get your copy of Encore, a High Achievers Guide to Thriving in Retirement. here, and tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Elizabeth's wisdom. Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance (note the relationship of the quotes to the Brilliantly Resilient method): Retirement isn't the end of your story—it's the start of a whole new chapter you get to write." Reset: See it as a fresh beginning, not a closing door. "If you wait for life to slow down before you start living, you'll wait forever." Rise: Take action toward the life you want now. "The goal isn't to stop working—it's to start living with more freedom and joy." Reveal: Redefine what work and purpose mean to you. "Your identity isn't your job title. Who you are goes far deeper." Reset: Separate self-worth from professional labels. "You can bring your brilliance into retirement—it doesn't retire with you." Rise: Use your skills and wisdom in new, meaningful ways. "The happiest people in retirement are the ones who stay curious." Reveal: Curiosity keeps you engaged, joyful, and resilient. "It's not about filling your time, it's about fulfilling your soul." Reset: Align your days with your core values. "Retirement is your opportunity to finally create without constraint." Rise: Give yourself permission to explore bold new ideas. "Every transition is an invitation to grow—even the ones we think should be all rest and relaxation." Reveal: Brilliance evolves through every life stage. "Nobody really wants 365 Saturdays in a row." Reset: True happiness blends leisure with purpose. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"I was standing there in front of this half-eaten birthday cake realizing like... what am I doing? This is not success." No Half Cakes Founder and Podcast Host Jim Sabellico How do you define success? Most of us are or were under the impression that success means money, status, and stuff--all obtained through a brutal amount of work and time. Jim Sabellico thought so too. At least until the night his wife had to relight the candles on his six-year-old son's half-eaten birthday cake so he could sing Happy Birthday to his boy. Jim missed the family moment because he was "busy working." Men have generally been tasked with being "successful" to provide for their families. Unfortunately, the definition of success has too often focused on money and materialism while leaving out family, relationships, presence and purpose. Jim's wake-up moment changed that for him. He began to reset by owning his situation clarifying his values (family, honor and integrity), and taking action to rise and rebuild his definition of success. Jim's commitment to reshaping his life served as a model for not only himself, but his children and others, particularly men who have sacrificed their relationships and sense of self to "success." That's when the No Half Cakes podcast was born. Since then, Jim has made it his mission to share his strategies for genuine personal and professional success through the No Half Cakes podcast and his HeartCore Program. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we recognize the power of perspective and taking the time to know and be true to your values to live a Brilliantly Resilient life. Learn more about Jim's work here, and be sure to listen to the No Half Cakes podcast. Tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Jim's wisdom and listen for these additional bits of Brilliance: "I had no relationship with my kids, no relationship with my wife... and by every other metric, I was a total failure." "After I made the promise to myself, I started the hard part—recognizing that it's not everyone else's fault. I had to stop placing blame." "If you don't know where you are, no instructions will get you where you're going. You need to know your starting point." "You can't be good for other people if you're not good for yourself first." "Your kids need to see you struggle. They need to understand that mom and dad are not perfect—and how we handle that matters." "Children cannot be what they cannot see... you have to model the life you want them to emulate." "I now live like there's a documentary crew following me—I act with honor and integrity so there's nothing to hide." "Start journaling, talking, or even just voicing your feelings to yourself. That's how you find the real you underneath it all." "This isn't an on/off switch. It's a 0.2% shift every day. I'm a totally different person than I was five years ago—and that's the goal." Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran

"Great leadership starts by leading with a mindset that's scalable—being willing to see things bigger. What would this look like if...?" ~ Ivy Slater, CEO of Slater Success and Author of Best of the Best: Lead Boldly, Scale Rapidly, Create Your Legacy What does the word "scalable" mean to you? If you are an entrepreneur, or work with an organization seeking to build (aren't we all?), the word "scalable" should motivate and inspire. Yet, "scalable" also holds some weight, and can be intimidating. Slater Success CEO and author Ivy Slater reminds us that all businesses are scalable. And if the word intimidates, Ivy says, "Scaling is intimidating to you? Throw the word out. Just say: I'm going to grow." Grow. Yes; that we can do. Ivy reminds us that growth takes intention, flexibility, the willingness to pause, reevaluate and accept that scaling often comes not in giant leaps but in grounded, thoughtful steps. One of the most basic steps is intentional alignment with values-driven leadership, thus providing a strong foundation for present and future growth. Followed by imperfect but intentional action, scaling becomes a manageable process that also begins to create a legacy for a sustainable, growth-oriented organization. Ivy also reminds us to build relationships--one former client returned to her years later with a new project based upon their past relationship. Values, tribe, imperfect intentional action--all foundations of the Brilliantly Resilient method, useful in business and in life. Be sure to pick up your copy of Best of the Best: Lead Boldly, Scale Rapidly, Create Your Legacy. Tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Ivy's wisdom and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance: "When you're faced with an obstacle and you're just looking at the obstacle, it doesn't disappear." "It is not easy. When you're dealing with things that are spinning… what we want to do is ground it. And you ground it by stepping away, shifting your perspective, and asking: what is actually possible right now?" "Stop and take a breath. Walk away from your desk. Shift your environment, because when we stay in the same environment, we are a horse in a horse race running with blinders." "If you're scaling a company and you don't know your values, it reflects in your hiring. It reflects in your clients. There has to be alignment or there's no opportunity to scale." "Great leadership starts with leading with a mindset that's scalable—being willing to see things bigger. What would this look like if...?" "When you respond with an emotional reaction, you're doing a disservice to yourself. You don't get to look as brilliant as you truly are." "Your best resources show up with an open mind and an open heart to see things from an unbiased opportunity." Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran