Healthy vs stealthy expectations

“Protect your peace”

In this episode, Megan and Jacqui dive straight into the origin, meaning, and real-life application of that classic self-help mantra: “Protect your peace.” We get into how this saying exploded in 2020, how it feels different depending on your background, and why sometimes “protecting your peace” is code for healthy boundaries…and sometimes it might be an excuse to stuff your feelings down deep. Inside this episode: Mini Rabbit Holes:    - Megan’s full-on *House of Dragon* obsession — family trees, behind-the-scenes, the whole digital dragon's lair [03:33]     - Accidental algorithm deep-dives into *shows you never meant to care about*     - The donut that made a grown woman drive 40 minutes (twice)     - Dogs, hotel ghosts, and sleepless nights Protecting Your Peace IRL:   - Where did “protect your peace” actually come from? [10:17]   - Why 2020 made this phrase go viral—and why THAT MATTERS [11:33]   - When “protect your peace” is about fighting racial burnout, not just “muting” annoying content [25:14]   - Screentime, boundaries, and the line between self-care and avoidance   - The difference between protecting *your* peace vs. protecting peace as a community     - Bonus: Navigating “family drama season” without losing your mind Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

The F-word you might be missing in your life

We’re doing a deep-dive into FUN — yes, the F-word you might be missing in your life!  In true Rabbit Hole fashion, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty and nuance surrounding fun. We kick off with Broadway dreams, childhood meltdowns for VIP perks, and the magic (or mayhem) of singing boat life. Then we go all-in on the science and psychology of fun, inspired by *The Power of Fun* by Catherine Price. Here’s what you’ll get: What You’ll Hear: - The Pressure to Have Fun: Why summer can feel like a “fun test” for adults and how to ditch the guilt trip.   - True Fun vs. Fake Fun: The holy trinity of True Fun—playfulness, connection, and flow. Plus, a breakdown of *why* binging Netflix solo might not cut it.   - Adulting vs. Joy: How productivity, competition, and “getting serious” can kill your fun gene—and why it’s not your fault. - Barriers to Fun: Self-consciousness, judgment, and why having fun can make you feel… weird. - Tiny Experiments: Why trying new things (and failing gloriously) might be your pathway to more joy. - Permission to Redefine Fun: Whether it’s puzzles, horses, or a yacht club where no one owns a boat (true story), we unpack how to discover your UNIQUE flavor of fun without shame or shoulds. WE WANT YOUR FUN! Seriously, tell us: what’s your version of joy? What mini or major experiment could you try this week? DM us, email us, or tag us—let’s inspire each other with new ideas. (Looking at you, non-curling curling club and boatless yacht party goers. If you’re feeling stuck in “adulting mode” and want to bring more energy, aliveness, and connection back into your life, this episode’s the jumpstart you need. Press play—and let’s get FUN back on your radar. Resources mentioned: - The Power of Fun [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57569793-the-power-of-fun] by Catherine Price Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“Choose your hard”

Welcome back to The Rabbit Hole, where Jacqui and Megan tear into the gooey middle of self-growth clichés faster than you can say, “Pick your poison.” On the docket this week: “Choose Your Hard”. So what’s the deal – is this just hustle culture camouflaged, or is there a deeper magic to owning the hard stuff in life? Grab your headphones—a friendly roasting of toxic positivity awaits. In This Episode: - The science of beliefs and how “choose your hard” is more than an Instagram quote—backed by research, not wishful thinking [07:21] - Ways to counterbalance “choose your hard” with “let it be easy” without getting stuck in self-improvement overwhelm [18:44] - A closer look at envy, comparison, and why everyone’s “hard” looks different on the outside [20:17] Key Takeaways: - The “hard” you choose today—waking up for a 5am gym session, making that tough decision—often means a softer landing for *future you* [16:56] - It’s not about going full drill sergeant on yourself. Pair discipline with ease for personal growth that lasts [19:03] - You can change deep-rooted beliefs, but it’s about shifting probability, not instant miracles [22:34] - “Choose your hard” isn’t one-size-fits-all. [20:12] Resources Mentioned: - Book: *The Power of Beliefs* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235699995-the-power-of-beliefs] by Shawn Achor [07:24] Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed. Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“Let it be easy”

Donut drama, cinnamon roll cravings, AND a takedown of the “let it be easy” self-help cliché? Oh, you’re in for a treat. Join Megan and Jacqui as they tunnel into: - The universal search for the *perfect* donut (from Canadian bakeries to UK supermarkets) - The subtle but crucial difference between “easy” and “ease”  - How to “let it be easy” without rebelling by clenching your butt cheeks   - Real-life examples of finding ease in grief, business burnout, and big (or little) transitions Key Timestamps:  - Mini Donut Rabbit Hole — global donut obsession, local bakery recommendations, fights over sprinkles [00:00:00]   - Cinnamon Roll vs. Bun — plus the great raisin debate [00:04:38]   - The National Donut Day Debacle: When social holidays are made up (but still delicious) [00:07:47]   - Deep Dive: Is “Let it Be Easy” helpful or annoying? [00:10:22]   - Real Life Examples: Grief and finding small pockets of ease [00:15:14]   - Business Burnout: Letting go of pressure, comparison, and the “shoulds” [00:21:53]   - Does every goal need a timeline? [00:24:01]   - Your turn: Share your own associations, reactions, and clenchy moments with us! [00:28:06] Links etc - Ratio Bakery [https://www.instagram.com/ratiobakery/], Vernon BC (for Friday donuts!) - Ginger and Pickle, Nantwich UK (find that legendary cinnamon roll!) Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed. Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”

You've heard it a thousand times (especially if you’re a fan of Kelly Clarkson). Maybe you've said it to yourself. Maybe someone said it to you at exactly the wrong moment and you had to work very hard not to throw something. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." In this episode, Jacqui and Megan (who is currently sweaty, living on a boat, and very much in a life transition) dissect this classic motivational quote, and you won’t be surprised to hear: there’s nuance inside. They talk about resilience — why it builds through difficulty, and why being told you have it is sometimes the least comforting thing anyone can say. They get into the difference between hard things you choose (the gym, moving onto a boat with no boating experience) and hard things that just happen to you — and why that distinction matters more than the quote accounts for. Plus: Love Trapped podcast, word-of-the-year regret, Megan sings Kelly Clarkson alone, Jacqui abandons her, and the science of why we bond over mutual dislike. This week’s mini Rabbit Holes 🎧 Love Trapped [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/love-trapped/id1878220033] podcast — a twisty, can't-look-away story involving The Bachelor's most disliked lead  ⛵ Megan's current obsession: tiny coastal US towns, discovered one boat stop at a time Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching