Live Brave with Dr Margie Warrell

For a long time, leadership was measured by how well we could perform under pressure, stay composed, and keep pushing through. But in a world that feels more chaotic, divided, and emotionally depleted than ever, I believe that model is breaking down. In this episode, I sit down with Amy Elizabeth Fox, CEO and co-founder of Mobius Executive Leadership and co-author with Nicholas Janni, of Leading in Chaos to explore why the inner life of a leader matters more now than ever.Amy shares what years of working with senior leaders have taught her about unresolved childhood wounds, emotional numbing, trauma, and the survival strategies that can quietly shape how we lead, relate, and make decisions. We talk about the insecure overachiever, the cost of carrying uncried tears, and why healing is not separate from leadership, but central to it.This conversation is an invitation to make peace with your past, extend more grace to yourself and others, and lead with more courage, wholeness, and emotional honesty. Because the old operating system of command and control is no longer enough. A braver, wiser, more humane kind of leadership is being asked of all of us.The Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mobius Executive Leadership Amy Elizabeth Fox, MA, is a leading expert in vertical development, transformational change and trauma informed consulting. Since 2005 she has led immersive executive leadership programs around the world and served as a pioneer in introducing healing into the field of organizational development.Get Leading in Chaos: https://amyelizabethfox.com/new-book-publication/

"I feel too encouraged," — said no one. Ever. Yet countless people are burdened with self-doubt. Which is why a few well-timed words of encouragement can make a profound difference. Encouragement isn't soft. It's a superpower - and research backs it up. In this episode, I explore why encouragement is like verbal sunshine and why giving it generously doesn't just lift the person receiving it, it transforms the person offering it too. I share the story of a new mother who nearly turned down the career opportunity of a lifetime until one phone call changed her mind, why one of America’s greatest CEO’s made encouragement a core leadership practice, and how speaking into who someone ‘can be’ - rather than their present fear - can help them close the gap between where they are and where they're capable of going. If you want to be the kind of person others want to work with, work for, or just have more of in their life, this episode will remind you that you hold more power to impact others than you may sometimes think. The Courage Gap — Available on Amazon + independent bookstores ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Gap-Steps-Braver-Action/dp/1523007249⁠⁠ The LinkedIn Course ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activating-courage-transform-discomfort-into-bold-confident-action

We live in a world that constantly invites comparison. Every time we pick up our devices, our newsfeeds flood us with curated images, updates, and highlights from everyone else’s lives. It’s designed to capture our attention—but all too often, it leaves us feeling “less than,” stoking insecurity and fueling endless comparisons.Comparison is human. Decades of research show it’s part of how we navigate the world. But when we measure our insides against other people’s outsides, or our weaknesses against their strengths, it drains our creativity, our energy, and our focus. It also shortchanges everyone else of what we might otherwise bring to the world (much less ourselves!)I’ve been there—more times than I care to admit. But over time, I’ve learned something powerful: no one else has your unique combination of talents, experiences, opportunities, passions, and hard-won wisdom. No one is positioned to make the impact you can make, right where you are.Your race. Your lane. Your pace. It’s time to stop scrolling, stop comparing, and start running your own best race.Stop letting comparison steal your confidence. Learn how to bravely run your own race and close the gap between your doubts and your potential. The Courage Gap — Available on Amazon + independent bookstores https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Gap-Steps-Braver-Action/dp/1523007249 The LinkedIn Course ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activating-courage-transform-discomfort-into-bold-confident-action

Disappointment hurts. It arrives when what we hoped for collides with what actually happened—when people fall short, plans unravel, or a future we were counting on quietly disappears. And yet, disappointment isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s evidence of care. In this episode, I explore the anatomy of disappointment—why it cuts so deeply, especially when it involves people we trusted or outcomes we were attached to. She unpacks how our expectations, often unexamined, intensify our pain—and how learning to hold hope without gripping too tightly can help us move forward with a wiser heart, not a closed one. You’ll learned why disappointment with people so often hurts more than disappointment with events, how unrealistic expectations quietly set us up for heartbreak, and how to look inward with honesty without self-blame. Margie draws a crucial distinction between optimism and attachment, trust and naivety —offering language and insight for moments when trust has been shaken or broken. This is not about lowering your standards or giving up on people or life. It’s about growing wiser without losing compassion. Guarding your heart without hardening it, transforming disappointment into refining discernment rather than diminishing hope.Because while disappointment will visit us all, it doesn’t get the final word. In this episode, I will help you trust that the dots connect backward, and that sometimes the disappointments we think are ruining our path are actually revealing it. Resources: Read my latest book, The Courage Gap: https://margiewarrell.com/thecouragegap/ Transform discomfort into bold, confident action: The LinkedIn Course https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activating-courage-transform-discomfort-into-bold-confident-action

Like it or not, change is coming. The question is: will you participate in it consciously, or spend your energy resisting what's already in motion?Whether change arrives as a disruption you didn't choose or as a quiet whisper you can't ignore, both ask the same thing of you—let go of what's familiar. And that can shake your sense of who you are. Who are you without the roles, routines, or identities that have defined you up until now?My recent trip to Egypt reminded me that even the most enduring structures don't stay the same. The pyramids are still standing, but they've been shaped by thousands of years of weather, time, and human touch. Part of us craves permanence and certainty. Another part of us is always being invited to grow, evolve, and step forward. That tension lives in all of us—especially when we're standing at a threshold.In this episode, I share three practical ways to move through change with more courage and emotional clarity:How naming what you're resisting actually loosens its gripWhy fear of loss drives more resistance than fear of change itselfWhy discomfort isn't a warning sign—it's an invitation to grow into a bigger version of yourselfChange might feel threatening, but it also carries the seeds of renewal, resilience, and deeper alignment with who you're becoming.Join me for the Courage Is Calling Reset Retreat: https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/courage-is-calling-reset-on-your-bravest-path/ Get my book The Courage Gap: https://margiewarrell.com/thecouragegap/

What happens when trust in leaders and institutions breaks down? In this episode, I'm joined by journalist and speaker Mariana Atencio, who grew up in Venezuela and witnessed firsthand what happens when trust slowly erodes across government, media, and social systems. That lived experience reshaped her understanding of courage, purpose, and self-trust. Her story isn't just about politics. It's about what we can all learn when certainty disappears and fear starts shaping decisions. We explore why self-trust is foundational to great leadership, how personal adversity can clarify purpose, and why authenticity is so vital in a fractured and polarized world. Mariana shares her concept of a "signal audit" to help leaders stay grounded when external validation falls away, and the power of giving ourselves permission to be imperfect to lead with greater courage and humanity. This conversation is an invitation to trust yourself more deeply and to lead bravely, even when the ground feels unsteady. Sign up for Mariana's Substack, PERMISSION TO BE by Mariana Atencio: https://substack.com/@marianaatencio?r=56ynk2&utm_medium=Click About Mariana Atencio Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning Venezuelan American journalist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker who helps leaders build trust and lead high- performing teams in times of change. A former Univision anchor and NBC News correspondent, she reported for over a decade from high-stakes environments where truth is tested and courage is essential. Mariana also teaches executive communication—helping professionals speak with clarity and confidence when it matters most. Her TEDx talk "What makes YOU special?" has over 25 million views. She writes PERMISSION TO BE by Mariana Atencio on Substack—an honest, practical space for anyone ready to give themselves permission to speak, lead, and be fully themselves. Join me in February for the Courage Is Calling Reset Retreat: https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/courage-is-calling-reset-on-your-bravest-path/ ✉️ Stay connected https://margiewarrell.com/newsletter/

So often we tell ourselves that growth will come once we feel more confident, more prepared, or more certain. But what I've learned, through my own life and through conversations like this one, is that growth usually begins much earlier than that. I sit down with Lisa Nichols to explore what happens when we stop waiting and start saying yes. Yes to what's already within us. Yes to the next step, even when it feels unfamiliar. And yes, to using our gifts, rather than focusing on what we think we lack. Lisa shares the deeply personal story behind her book Something Extra, inspired by her daughter Allie, and how that journey reshaped the way she thinks about courage, leadership, and possibility. Together, we talk about comparison and how easily it pulls us off course, the quiet ways we hold ourselves back, and why stepping forward before we feel ready is often the very thing that changes us. This conversation is an invitation to notice where you might be sitting on the sidelines of your own life and to consider what could shift if you simply said yes and stepped in. My question for you: Where are you being invited to say yes right now, even if a part of you would rather wait until you feel more ready? Get Lisa's book Something Extra: https://somethingextrabook.com/ Join me in February for the Courage Is Calling Reset Retreat: https://www.meawisdom.com/workshop/courage-is-calling-reset-on-your-bravest-path/ ✉️ Stay connected https://margiewarrell.com/newsletter/

How often do you put off the very thing you most need to do because it will feel awkward? You hold back from asking, saying, or doing what matters, not because it's wrong, but because it feels uncomfortable. In this episode, I explore why awkwardness is not a sign you're failing. It is often evidence that you're choosing your values over comfort. Confidence does not come before action. It follows it. Courage is not about eliminating discomfort or waiting until you feel ready. It is about acting in alignment with who you want to be, even when your nervous system would prefer you play it safe. Avoiding awkwardness does not make life safer. It makes it smaller and quietly sells you short. Every time you decide to brave an uncomfortable moment, you cast a vote for the person you are becoming and strengthen your capacity to lead with integrity, clarity, and influence. Episode Takeaways Avoiding awkward situations limits personal growth and leadership potential. Putting off uncomfortable conversations, requests, or actions keeps you stuck in patterns that feel safe but prevent progress. Awkwardness is a signal of values-aligned action, not failure. Feeling uncomfortable often means you are choosing integrity and long-term impact over short-term comfort. Confidence is built through action, not before it. Waiting to feel ready or confident delays growth. Taking small courageous actions rewires the brain and builds self-trust over time. The brain is wired to favor comfort and certainty. Understanding this helps explain why hesitation shows up even when you know what the right next step is. Leadership requires choosing values over emotional discomfort. Effective leaders act based on who they want to be, not how they feel at the moment. Repeated courageous behavior strengthens confidence and credibility. Neuroscience shows that practicing bravery makes future courageous actions easier and more natural. Resources Courage is Calling: Reset Your Bravest Path Transform discomfort into bold, confident action: The LinkedIn Course ✉️ Stay connected Www.margiewarrell.com/newsletter ▶️ Watch the Live Brave Podcast on YouTube @margiewarrell

Small daily actions shape our lives far more than big resolutions. Every courageous change I've ever made began with one simple choice — a choice to show up a little braver than I felt like being at the moment. In a world that constantly pushes us to "Go Big," I've learned that our greatest growth doesn't come from big, lofty actions but from the small, intentional acts we repeat every day. In this episode, I talk about how identity drives behavior, why momentum matters more than motivation, and how small daily wins slowly rewire our brains and expand our capacity to do bigger things over time. I share the moments when I doubted my path, the choices that helped me reclaim agency in difficult seasons, and the practical tools I rely on — including my favorite "One Brave Minute" practice — to stay grounded when life feels shaky or overwhelming. If you're navigating uncertainty, needing a 'reset' or just trying to become the person you know you're capable of being, this episode will help you begin right where you are… one choice, one action, at a time. Each small step, no matter how tiny, casts a vote for the person you're on the way to becoming. Episode Takeaways: Small daily actions create lasting change more reliably than big resolutions or dramatic resets. Courage is built through repeated micro-choices, not bold leaps or perfect timing. Identity drives behavior; choosing who you want to be clarifies what action to take next. Momentum matters more than motivation, especially during seasons of doubt or overwhelm. Small wins release dopamine that reinforces confidence and expands capacity over time. Agency is reclaimed by focusing on what you can control, even in difficult circumstances. The "One Brave Minute" practice lowers resistance and makes hard things feel doable. Each small action casts a vote for the person you are becoming. Read: The Courage Gap Join me in February for the Courage Is Calling Reset Retreat ▶️ Watch the Live Brave Podcast on YouTube @margiewarrell ✉️ Stay connected Www.margiewarrell.com/newsletter

What if the real cost of playing it safe isn't what you miss today—it's who you never become tomorrow? Your brain treats your future self like a stranger—and that's why you keep choosing comfort over courage. In this episode, I explore the neuroscience behind this disconnect and why it leads us to make decisions our future selves will regret. You'll discover why prioritizing what feels safer today is actually the riskiest choice you can make. I share Richard Branson's advice that inspired my climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro (with my four kids!) and why you need to risk more "worthy failure" - the kind you'll never regret. If you're ready to start making braver choices you'll never regret, this one is for you. In this episode: Why your brain treats your future self like a stranger—and how to change it The Timidity Tax: the invisible cost of letting fear make decisions How to build empathy for the person you are yet to become What worthy failure means—and why your future self will thank you for it Related Links & Resources Read The Courage Gap Free Webinar: Nov 25, 2025 Close Your Courage Gap Retreat: Courage is Calling — Feb 15-19 2026 with Modern Elder Academy LinkedIn article: "Don't Betray Your Future Self — Bet on Them" Read my Kilimanjaro story: "What's Your Kilimanjaro?"

Warning: This episode may not be your cup of tea if you'd rather not hear about nudity (or Oprah… or Jill Biden). Why? Because it starts with a wild and wacky story ripped straight from my morning. It might make you laugh, raise your eyebrows, and—hopefully—not judge me too harshly for failing to walk my own talk and say, "Could you please put your clothes on?" Let's face it: if our deeply ingrained patterns didn't sometimes win out, there'd be no need for courage. As I share in this episode, to be human is to be flawed, fallible, and to fail. But growth comes not from getting it right all the time—it comes from not missing the learning when we don't. In reflecting on my own recent lapse of courage, I'm reminded that some of our greatest treasures come from the times we trip up and fall short of showing up as the person we most want to be. Read my blog on this experience at www.margiewarrell.com and drop a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Order The Courage Gap

In this episode, I unpack a key principle from The Courage Gap—one I learned early in life: "Growth and comfort can't ride the same horse." Because while staying in our comfort zones might feel safe, over time, it can slowly cause us to shrink on the vine of our own lives. I share a few personal stories of my own dance with discomfort, including the time I risked looking like a borderline stalker as I refused to let my fear of feeling awkward keep me from taking the very actions that would open new doors and enable me to travel far… literally! We'll explore why the "tyranny of a comfortable life" can keep us stuck, what Maslow observed about our deep need for growth, and how neuroscience shows that even the smallest brave actions can rewire our brains and strengthen our 'courage muscles' over time. If there's something you've been putting off or playing small around, I hope this episode gives you the nudge (or loving kick) you need to step into your 'courage gap' and make peace with discomfort! Order The Courage Gap

Sweaty hands. Butterflies in the belly. A total sense of paralysis. Let's face it—fear is deeply physical. In this episode, I explore another key concept from The Courage Gap: how to reset your fear at the physiological level. Fear isn't just in your mind—it embeds in your body. Understanding this unlocks a powerful pathway to cultivating courage and harnessing the full power of your physical presence. I share a personal experience from 2020 when COVID-19 tilted my world totally off its axis, triggering my fear and leaving me awash with anxiety. While very humbling, it reinforced the importance of learning how to reset our 'defensive self' at the ground level and respond more effectively when stressors pile up. Learn how to turn the psychology of fear into the physiology of courage, so you can bring your bravest self, to your biggest challenges and boldest goals. Get ready to breathe in courage, breathe out fear and play your bravest game. Order The Courage Gap Write a review on Amazon Write a review on GoodReads