#66: Is Your Alignment Built To Last? The Ultimate Stress Test

#71: The Plan Often Changes. The Dream Doesn't Have To

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772/fan_mail/new] The Plan Changed. The Dream Didn't. What if being "off track" is actually part of the path? For years, we've been taught that success comes from setting goals, creating plans, tracking progress, and staying disciplined enough to reach the destination. But what happens when life presents an opportunity that wasn't part of the plan? In this episode of Just Count Me In, Sari shares the deeply personal story of how a dream of relocating to South Carolina unfolded in a way she never could have predicted. What started as a clear goal and timeline transformed into something far better than the original plan. Along the way, she explores: • Why our brains crave structure and certainty • The neuroscience behind goal-setting and planning • The difference between having direction and becoming attached to a specific route • The dangers of having no structure at all • The hidden cost of becoming married to a plan • How intuition and action work together • Why "being off track" may actually be life's redirection • What this means for students choosing careers, adults seeking change, and business owners pursuing growth Most importantly, you'll learn how to hold a vision while remaining open to possibilities you could never have planned. Reflection Questions * What feeling are you truly seeking beneath your goals? * Where might you be forcing a plan that no longer fits? * What standards do you want to live by regardless of the outcome? * What opportunities might be waiting beyond your current timeline? * What if you're not off track at all? Key Takeaway The dream didn't change. The vision didn't change. The feeling didn't change. Only the path changed. Connect with Sari Stone * Follow Just Count Me In * Share this episode with someone navigating their own breakthrough season * Leave a review to help more listeners discover the show LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sari-stone-5065b163/] Buzzsprout-Just Count Me In [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772] Influential Women Verified [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UtY9SMRuTfOV2suTajh3ttrBYH-9VmWj/view?usp=share_link] Instagram- Just Count Me In [https://www.instagram.com/saristone2025/] Facebook-Just Count Me In [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566883002270] Thank you for joining me! If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration today!

#70: What's Your Breakthrough Moment? An Interview with Zac Deane

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772/fan_mail/new] On this episode of Just Count Me In, I sit down with Zac Deane — entrepreneur, podcast host, and someone deeply focused on sharing successful entrepreneurs' transformational “breakthrough moments” in both business and life. Zac shares the deeply personal experiences that reshaped his path, including losing his business, relationship, and sense of identity before rebuilding from a completely different foundation.  This conversation moves beyond surface-level motivation into the real work of growth: listening inward, making aligned decisions, and taking action before you feel fully ready. We also explore: * The connection between health, mindset, and entrepreneurship * Why many high achievers still feel disconnected internally * How podcasting creates trust and authentic human connection * Masculine and feminine energy in leadership and business * The role of adversity in personal transformation * What “breakthrough moments” really look like in everyday life * Rebuilding after burnout, heartbreak, or failure * Why authenticity is becoming the new currency If you’ve ever felt like your life looked successful on the outside but disconnected on the inside, as though the best parts of you have yet to be expressed, and you have so much more to give, this episode will resonate deeply. About Zac Deane Zac Deane is an entrepreneur, podcast host, and coach focused on helping founders and creators share transformational breakthroughs in business and personal growth. Through long-form conversations and coaching, he explores the mindset, identity shifts, and decisions that create lasting change.  Connect with Zac * Zac Deane Official Website [https://zacdeane.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * The Breakthrough Moment Podcast [https://zacdeane.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Zac Deane LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/youtube-com-zacdeane?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Connect with Sari Stone * Follow Just Count Me In * Share this episode with someone navigating their own breakthrough season * Leave a review to help more listeners discover the show Thank you for joining me! If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration today!

#69: Beyond Commitment: The Missing Piece of Transformation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we explore the difference between commitment and devotion—and why understanding both matters in parenting, leadership, business, relationships, and personal growth. We discuss: * Why commitment and devotion feel emotionally different * The neuroscience of intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation * Self-Determination Theory and resilience * Whether devotion can actually be cultivated * Bruce Lipton, Marisa Peer, David Hawkins, and Wayne Dyer’s perspectives on identity, meaning, and emotional energy * Parenting children through discomfort without teaching avoidance * Leadership, business culture, and expectation mismatches * Why devotion is identity-based while commitment is behavioral * The balance between flow, responsibility, discipline, and alignment Key Concepts * Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation * Identity-based behavior * Neuroplasticity * Emotional resilience * Leadership culture * Parenting and grit * Alignment vs avoidance * Sustainable motivation * Meaning and belonging Buzzsprout-Just Count Me In [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772] Influential Women Verified [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UtY9SMRuTfOV2suTajh3ttrBYH-9VmWj/view?usp=share_link] Facebook-Just Count Me In [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566883002270] Instagram- Just Count Me In [https://www.instagram.com/saristone2025/] Thank you for joining me! If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration today!

#68 Endings, Identity, and the Rituals We Forgot to Keep

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772/fan_mail/new] This episode explores why life transitions—graduation, empty nesting, sobriety, loss, and reinvention—can feel disorienting, even when they’re positive. Through neuroscience, psychology, and cultural insight, we unpack how identity shifts happen, why we often self-sabotage during growth, and how reclaiming simple rituals can help us move through change with more clarity and connection. What We Cover: * Why endings disrupt identity (not just circumstances) * The “identity lag” and how long change really takes * Neuroplasticity and how the brain forms a new self-concept * The “upper limit” problem and self-sabotage patterns * Why modern society struggles with transitions * The loss of rites of passage and its impact * How technology fragments attention during key life moments * Simple ways to create personal rituals for change Key Takeaway: Endings are not just something to get through—they are something to mark. When we intentionally acknowledge transitions, we help our brain and nervous system integrate the new identity more fully. Call to Action: Take 5 minutes today to create a simple ritual to honor something you’re letting go of. Facebook-Just Count Me In [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566883002270] Instagram- Just Count Me In [https://www.instagram.com/saristone2025/] Influential Women Verified [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UtY9SMRuTfOV2suTajh3ttrBYH-9VmWj/view?usp=share_link] IW Badge [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1je1nvqJl7I5U--HPEP_YJKXWD8Qi4n0A/view?usp=share_link] Buzzsprout-Just Count Me In [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772] Thank you for joining me! If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration today!

#67: The Moment I Got Clear On Boundaries and Started Leading

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772/fan_mail/new] Buzzsprout-Just Count Me In [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420772] Influential Women Verified [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UtY9SMRuTfOV2suTajh3ttrBYH-9VmWj/view?usp=share_link] Episode Summary: This episode explores the often-overlooked third layer of alignment: letting go. After setting boundaries and making aligned decisions, true growth requires releasing what no longer fits—whether in relationships, business, or personal identity. Key Concepts: * Cognitive dissonance as a signal, not a flaw * How neuroplasticity shifts your standards * The cost of avoiding clear decisions * Letting go as a leadership skill Takeaways: * Misalignment often shows up as resentment or frustration * Growth changes what you can tolerate * Avoiding “no” creates long-term friction * Letting go creates space for alignment CTA: If you’re navigating a decision, relationship, or leadership challenge and want clarity without the emotional noise, I offer 1:1 coaching sessions designed to help you move with precision and confidence. Thank you for joining me! If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend who needs a little inspiration today!