62. Finding Your Way Through the Unexpected with Laura Bratton

63. How Fascinating: Rethinking Failure, Resilience, & Growth with Tom Hicks

Failure tends to feel personal. A missed opportunity. A mistake at work. A relationship ending. A plan falling apart. For a lot of us, failure doesn’t just feel like something that happened. It feels like evidence about who we are. In this episode, I’m with keynote and workshop speaker Tom Hicks to talk about what happened when a really difficult season of life unexpectedly led him to a set of juggling balls…and ultimately to a completely different relationship with failure. Tom now teaches people and organizations how to juggle while helping them rethink perfectionism, growth, resilience, and what it actually means to fail. We talked about: * Why so many high-achievers struggle with failure * The difference between understanding growth mindset intellectually vs. actually experiencing it * Why play matters more than we realize as adults * How curiosity changes our relationship with mistakes * The phrase “how fascinating” and why it’s more powerful than it sounds * Why many “failures” are actually redirections * The importance of kindness toward ourselves  One of my favorite parts of the conversation was this reminder…You already have the ability to navigate failure. You’ve been doing it your entire life. You may just need to reconnect with it. Also… it feels important to mention that we had multiple technology issues and recording glitches during this episode…which made the entire “how fascinating” conversation even more fitting. 😂  About Tom Tom Hicks is the founder and CJO (Chief Juggling Officer) of Throw & Catch Consulting based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He provides practical and fun leadership development experiences that blend storytelling, reflection, and active learning to create deeper connections while playing with a purpose for individuals, teams, and organizations.  Tom has worked at all levels in higher education for the past 20+ years and has coached thousands of students, staff, and executives on failure, growth, and resilience. When he’s not on campus or conducting workshops, Tom enjoys cycling and traveling with his wife Megan and cheering on their daughter Emily in all of her activities. Here’s where you can find Tom… * Website: tom-hicks.com [http://tom-hicks.com/] * LinkedIn: Tom Hicks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hickstr/] And here’s where you can find me… * Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset [https://www.thedashmindset.com/]. * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-zevenbergen/]. * Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it! [https://www.thedashmindset.com/contact-sheri] If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dash-mindset-podcast/id1689097248], scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0AKj1JZ2x2enLFKjMDm5x8], just select “Rate Show.”  Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a meaningful way.

62. Finding Your Way Through the Unexpected with Laura Bratton

What if the thing you never saw coming…became the very thing that shaped how you move forward? Laura Bratton was diagnosed with a rare eye disease as a child and lost her sight as a teenager…several years earlier than anyone expected. We talk about what it looked like to navigate that kind of change in real time…without a roadmap, without certainty, and without the option to pause life while she figured it out. But this conversation isn’t about blindness. It’s about what happens when life doesn’t go the way you thought it would…and how you keep going anyway. We explore what actually helped her move forward, how she learned to stop fighting reality, and why “enough” might be the most powerful shift of all. What We Explore * Grit and gratitude…together Not as buzzwords…but as real, usable resources. Why it’s not one or the other, and how the balance of both is what actually helps you move forward. * Living in the moment (when everything feels overwhelming) When the future feels too big, too uncertain, too much…what it looks like to narrow your focus to today, and why that’s not giving up. It’s survival. * Why “enough” matters more than you think How redefining what counts as “enough” can shift everything, especially in seasons of change, grief, or uncertainty. * The stories we believe about strength Why pushing through, ignoring emotions, and being “fine” can actually make things harder…and what happens when you stop fighting what you feel. * What real support actually looks like Not pity. Not fixing. Not making things easier. But people who believe in you…even when you don’t believe in yourself. * The pressure of uncertainty (and how to navigate it) Why the uncertainty doesn’t go away…and what you can control instead. * Letting yourself feel what’s real From anxiety to grief to anger…why turning toward your emotions (instead of pushing them down) changes everything. About Laura At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight.  Laura adjusted to her new normal and was able to move forward in life as she graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in psychology. She then was the first blind student to receive her Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.   She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude. Here’s where you can find Laura… * Website: https: laurabratton.com [http://www.laurabratton.com/] * Video Highlight Reel: Speaker Reel [https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/lau/FMfcgzQfBstJhBbzZHkhmStJTKFFgFMT?projector=1] And here’s where you can find me… * Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset [https://www.thedashmindset.com/]. * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-zevenbergen/]. * Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it! [https://www.thedashmindset.com/contact-sheri] If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.  On iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dash-mindset-podcast/id1689097248], scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”  On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0AKj1JZ2x2enLFKjMDm5x8], just select “Rate Show.”  Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a meaningful way.

61. Same Dandelion. Different Story.

Do you love dandelions…or hate them? Because people tend to have very strong opinions about this. In this episode, I share why I still love them…even knowing everything that comes with them… a really simple example of something we do all the time. Two people can look at the exact same thing…and see something completely different. Same situation. Same conversation. Same moment. Completely different reactions. And when that happens, we often assume the other person just doesn’t get it. But what if it’s not that they don’t understand… What if they’re just seeing something different? We explore what’s actually driving those reactions, why it creates so much unnecessary friction, and how expanding your capacity for difference can make things feel a whole lot easier. Because it’s usually not about the dandelion. 😉 What We Explore Same thing, different experience Why two people can look at the exact same situation and walk away with completely different interpretations…and why that’s more normal than we think. It’s not just the moment How past experiences, beliefs, preferences, and expectations shape how we see and respond to things (often without us even realizing it). “They just don’t get it…” Why we assume others are wrong or missing something…and what’s actually happening instead. Capacity for difference What it is, why it matters, and how expanding it reduces tension in conversations, relationships, and everyday interactions. Letting go of the need to convince Why there isn’t always a clear right or wrong…and how much easier things feel when we stop trying to force it. A Question to Consider Where are the “dandelions” showing up in your life right now? What’s something you feel strongly about…that someone else sees completely differently? And what might they be seeing that you’re not? And here’s where you can find me… Learn more about working together at The DASH Mindset [https://www.thedashmindset.com/]. Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-zevenbergen/]…I’m pretty active there and always love hearing from you. Have an idea for a future episode? I’d genuinely love to hear it…send it my way! If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.  On Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dash-mindset-podcast/id1689097248], scroll down and tap the stars (and write a review if you’re up for it). On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0AKj1JZ2x2enLFKjMDm5x8], just select “Rate Show.”  Your support helps more people find the podcast…and ultimately helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that actually feels meaningful.

60. What If You Don’t Have to Choose? with Kris Lehman

What if you’re not stuck…you just think you have to pick one lane and stay in it? Kris Lehman is a full-time HR leader…who’s also leading international retreats, taking a group of women to Croatia, and buying a house in Costa Rica. She made a choice and decided against the “pick one lane and stay there” route. We talk about what shifted for her, how she moved from “either/or” to “and,” and why so many of us keep waiting to live instead of actually doing the things we want now. What We Explore * From “or” to “and” How letting go of the pressure to choose one identity or path opened up entirely new possibilities…and how “and” creates space instead of pressure. * Boundaries that actually feel good Not just saying no…but building your life around what matters most so your “no” becomes clear, confident, and grounded. * Why we wait to live (and how to stop) The trap of postponing joy for “someday”…and what it looks like to start living now…without blowing up your life in the process. * The stories we don’t realize we’re telling ourselves From “I should clean my own house” to “I don’t deserve that”...We discuss how these unexamined beliefs quietly shape our choices. * Contemplative practice (without the woo-woo) What it actually means to be more present in your life…and how it can be as simple as a few breaths, a walk, or noticing what’s happening in the moment. * Your mind is not you One of the most powerful shifts: realizing you can observe your thoughts instead of automatically believing them. About Kris Kris Lehman, MBA, SHRM-SCP, is the founder of The Common Thread, an organization dedicated to cultivating inner wisdom, meaningful connection, and intentional living and leadership. Kris creates experiences that blend professional insight, contemplative practices, and community—helping people translate reflection into practical change.  With a background as an executive leader in higher education and nonprofit organizations, Kris has spent her career helping teams succeed by pairing business strategy with curiosity, compassion, and continuous learning. Alongside her professional work, Kris has spent years exploring meditation, grounding practices, and restorative travel as pathways for insight and clarity. Through The Common Thread’s workshops, gatherings, and international retreats, she creates spaces where people can step out of daily life for a moment, to reconnect with what matters most. Here’s where you can find Kris… * Website: www.thecommonthread.world [http://www.thecommonthread.world] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonthreadconnections/ [https://www.instagram.com/thecommonthreadconnections/] * LinkedIn: Kris Lehman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-lehman-mba-shrm-csp-5b552660/] And here’s where you can find me… * Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset [https://www.thedashmindset.com/]. * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-zevenbergen/]. * Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it! [https://www.thedashmindset.com/contact-sheri] If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.  On iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dash-mindset-podcast/id1689097248], scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”  On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0AKj1JZ2x2enLFKjMDm5x8], just select “Rate Show.”  Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a meaningful way.

59. Making Work Suck Less with TJ Bennett

What if work didn’t have to feel so…sucky? TJ Bennett is on a mission to help people figure that out. We talk about his DesuckifyWork® podcast, his path through advertising, the pressure we put on ourselves to have everything figured out (even though none of us do), and what actually makes work…and life…feel better. A fun and honest conversation about how things actually unfold. TJ didn’t have some perfectly mapped-out plan. He followed what was interesting, paid attention to what felt off, and made changes along the way. From randomly discovering advertising…to realizing later in his career that something had shifted…to leaving a successful career to try something new without knowing exactly how it would all work. We also talk about how early experiences shape the way we see work and life, and how sometimes it takes something significant to make us pause and rethink what actually matters. And throughout the conversation, this idea keeps coming up: We think we need to know first…and then act. But most of the time, it’s actually the opposite. We try something. We figure it out as we go. We adjust. That’s the process. It’s simple. Not always easy. But much truer than the story most of us are carrying. We Talk About: * The unexpected path that led TJ into advertising (and how one seemingly random moment can change everything) * Why not knowing how is usually the thing keeping us stuck  * How a major health experience early in life shifted how he thinks about work and what actually matters * The moment “Desuckify” became a thing…and why he committed before he had it all figured out * Why “fine” can be dangerous * The pressure we all feel to have it figured out (and the fact that none of us actually do) * Why enjoyment might be one of the most underrated tools we have About TJ Bennett TJ is the founder, CEO and executive coach at The Pudding Factory, a work desuckifying consultancy. He began his coaching career after 25 years as an advertising executive, creative director and writer for agencies big and small., including TBWA\Chiat\Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy and Hill Holliday. He helped Fortune 500 clients like Verizon, Toyota, MetLife and Panasonic sift through the noise to solve big creative challenges. And he helped his teams do the same. His mission is to DesuckifyWork®. And he hosts a popular podcast with the same name. His cat Carl offers this review: “less talking, more treats dude." As an ICF-certified executive coach, TJ helps leaders and brands find calm in the chaos and grow what matters.  Ready to make sense of the muck? Talk to TJ.  Here’s where you can find TJ… * Website: https://www.thepuddingfactory.net/ [https://www.thepuddingfactory.net/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teejaybee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teejaybee/] * Substack: https://tjbennett.substack.com/ [https://tjbennett.substack.com/] And here’s where you can find me… * Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset [https://www.thedashmindset.com/]. * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-zevenbergen/]. * Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it! [https://www.thedashmindset.com/contact-sheri] If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.  On iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dash-mindset-podcast/id1689097248], scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”  On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0AKj1JZ2x2enLFKjMDm5x8], just select “Rate Show.”  Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.