Thriving by Nature

Most of us were taught grammar, manners, and to raise our hand before speaking. Very few of us were taught how to listen so someone feels safe, or how to say the hard thing without shutting down or blowing up.

In this episode I share why communication is a life skill, not a personality trait, and what it looks like to learn it as an adult and as a leader.

In this episode I share:
1. The story of two people having the same conversation over and over, and ending up further apart every time
2. Dr. John Gottman's Four Horsemen of communication breakdown, and the learnable antidote to each one
3. Dr. Brené Brown's research on vulnerability and the armor we wear when honesty feels risky
4. What Harvard Business Review research says about listening and leadership
5. What Montessori has known for over a century about teaching communication, plus three practices you can use in your very next conversation

Your next step: if your voice has been waiting, I would love to talk with you about the Executive Presence Speaking School. Book a free call here:
https://calendly.com/thrivingbynaturecoaching/executive-presence-speaking-school-inquery

Connect with me
Website: https://www.thrivingbynature.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving_by_nature_coaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-stone-speaking-leadership

Thriving by Nature is part of the PodFather Network.

This episode is different. It isn't polished or structured. It's real.

Life can feel heavy and beautiful at the same time. In this episode I share what it looks like to hold both, grief and hope, pressure and purpose, and how to keep showing up when your heart feels full and tired all at once.

If you lead people, run a business, or care for a family while carrying something heavy, this one is for you. You don't have to choose between strength and softness. You are allowed to hold both.

Your next step: if you're carrying a lot right now, you don't have to carry it alone. Come sit with us at drop in group coaching on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Five seats each, and you can come as often as you need.
https://www.thrivingbynature.com/special-offer

Chapters
00:00 Showing up real instead of perfect
00:30 When life feels heavy and overwhelming
01:10 Watching someone you love struggle and holding hope
01:50 Grief, loss, and the weight of real life
02:30 Why we think we can only feel one emotion at a time
03:00 Holding grief and gratitude at the same time
03:40 Hope in the middle of hardship
04:15 Being present in loss
04:45 The urge to stay busy instead of feeling
05:10 Simplifying when everything feels like too much
05:45 Letting go of perfection and just showing up
06:10 What "happiness is a choice" really means
06:45 How to keep going when your heart feels heavy
07:15 Holding strength and softness
07:40 Closing thoughts

Connect with me
Website: https://www.thrivingbynature.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving_by_nature_coaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-stone-speaking-leadership

Thriving by Nature is part of the PodFather Network.

You cannot expect a seed to grow in soil that has not been prepared, and neither can you. In this episode, I share what 20 years as a Montessori educator taught me about the power of a prepared environment, plus the research behind why your space shapes your choices, your stress, and your health more than you realize.

We talk about the kitchen, the cake, the clutter, and the science of choice architecture, and I give you three practical steps to prepare your own soil this week.

Want to go deeper? The Five Domains Business Reset is open for early access now at www.thrivingbynature.com/prelaunch

Have you ever felt lost even when life looks good on the outside? In this episode, we talk about what happens when you spend your life chasing approval instead of living in alignment with who you actually are.

I share the story of a woman who built her entire sense of worth on gold stars and praise, and what happened when the world stopped giving them to her. We dig into the science of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, why high achievers are especially vulnerable to the shiny object trap, and three practical steps to start making decisions from the inside out.

If you have been feeling scattered, disconnected, or like something is just off, this one is for you.

Want to go deeper? Early access to the Five Domains Business Reset is closing soon. Grab your spot at thrivingbynature.com/prelaunch

Bethany explores ageism, multi-generational living, and the powerful wisdom that comes from staying connected to our elders. Through personal stories from her classroom and family life, she reflects on how intergenerational relationships foster compassion, emotional well-being, and a deeper sense of belonging.Connect with Bethany Here