The Bold Not Beige Podcast

Ep: 8 The Messy Middle

Think you’re stuck, behind, or doing life “wrong”? Think again. In this episode, Erin and Ellen explore the messy middle—that uncomfortable, disorienting space between who you used to be and who you’re becoming. It’s the part of growth most people try to rush through, avoid, or fix. But what if nothing is wrong? What if this is exactly what transformation feels like? They unpack why uncertainty feels so intense for high achievers, how grief often shows up inside identity shifts, and why we confuse performing with becoming. Through deeply personal stories—including Ellen’s experience of being laid off and rebuilding her identity—they reveal what it really takes to stay in the in-between without abandoning yourself. You’ll also hear this week’s Bold Tips: simple practices to help you stay grounded when life feels unclear, including a way to track what actually energizes you and a powerful mantra to anchor you in transition. If you’ve been questioning your direction, your identity, or your next step—this episode is for you. * What the “messy middle” actually is (and why it’s not a problem to fix) * Why uncertainty triggers urgency, overthinking, and control-seeking * The difference between performing your life and actually becoming it * Ellen’s story of identity loss after being laid off—and what shifted * Why grief is often part of growth, not a sign you’re doing it wrong * The “Spark List” and how to notice what’s quietly pulling you forward * Why slowing down is often the most powerful leadership move Follow us on Instagram Instagram @boldnotbeigeco and visit us at BoldNotBeige boldnotbeige.com.

Ep 7: Is Coaching Just Therapy in a Cute Outfit?

Think life coaching is just therapy with better branding? Think again. In this episode, Erin and Ellen pull back the curtain on what coaching actually is — and why it's a completely different kind of partnership than therapy. They break down the real reasons women stay stuck (hint: it's rarely about the thing you think it's about), share vulnerable personal stories about people-pleasing, the "Nice Girl Trap," and the belief that rest has to be earned — and walk through how coaching helped them rewrite those stories from the inside out. You'll also get this week's Bold Tip: one simple question you can ask yourself right now to interrupt the thoughts quietly running your life. If you've ever said "I'll be happy when…" or stayed silent when you had something to say — this episode is for you. In this episode: * What the ICF definition of coaching actually means (and why it matters) * Why feelings aren't random — and what's really underneath them * Erin's "Nice Girl Trap" and how it was keeping her small * Ellen's breakthrough around rest, productivity, and self-worth * The Bold Tip of the Week: "What am I thinking that's causing this feeling?" Follow us on Instagram @boldnotbeigeco [http://instagram.com/boldnotbeigeco] and visit us at boldnotbeige.com [http://boldnotbeige.com]. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review and subscribe — it helps more women find their way here.

Ep 6: Permission to Want More (Without the Guilt)

Have you ever caught yourself wanting something — more freedom, more joy, more you — and immediately felt guilty for it? Ellen and Erin get into exactly that in this episode, unpacking why so many high-achieving women have been conditioned to shrink their desires, and what it actually looks like to want more without apology. They explore where the guilt comes from (hint: it's been baked in for decades), why self-sacrifice has been falsely sold as a virtue, and how the way we dress, speak, and take up space is all connected to what we believe we're allowed to want. You'll also hear both Ellen and Erin get real about their own "quiet wants" — the ones they've been too guilty to claim — and walk through the small, practical steps they're each taking to change that. In this episode: * Why desire is a muscle, and how to start building it * The link between your wardrobe and your willingness to ask for what you need * What self-concordant goals actually are and why they matter * How modeling your own desires gives silent permission to the people around you Bold Tip of the Week: Write down three things you've been quietly wanting but haven't let yourself claim. Don't filter, don't justify — just write. Then pick one micro-step toward one of them.

Ep 5: The Capsule Wardrobe Lie

The capsule wardrobe has been sold as the ultimate style fix — ten neutral pieces, zero stress, a perfectly curated life. But for most real, multi-dimensional women? It's more limiting than liberating. In this episode, Ellen sits down with style coach Erin to unpack why the classic capsule wardrobe formula so often falls flat, and what actually works instead. Erin introduces the concept of wardrobe zones — intentional mini capsules built around the different versions of you that show up throughout your week. Your power pieces for the boardroom. Your comfy-but-still-you weekend uniform. Your cozy-at-home staples that don't require you to choose between cute and comfortable. They also dig into something most style advice skips entirely: getting dressed is emotional. Your clothes aren't just covering your body — they're supporting your nervous system, your confidence, and your sense of self. When your wardrobe is working, you barely have to think about it. When it isn't, you feel it. Plus, Erin shares a simple, low-lift tip you can try this week to cut through decision fatigue and start your day feeling grounded. Listen now, then find us on Instagram @boldnotbeigeco [https://instagram.com/boldnotbeigeco] and visit boldnotbeige.com [http://boldnotbeige.com]. If this episode resonated, please subscribe and leave a review — it helps other women find the show and start showing up fully, just like you.

Ep 4: How to Measure a Life Worth Living

What if the finish line you've been chasing was never yours to begin with? In this episode of Bold Not Beige, Ellen and Erin get honest about why achieving more so often leads to feeling less — and what we might want to measure instead. They unpack the inherited "scorecards" most of us grew up with (career titles, relationship status, the curated Instagram feed), share real stories about the invisible labor behind big decisions, and explore the quiet trap of "someday" thinking — the way satisfaction always seems to be one more milestone away. The conversation lands on a genuinely different question: instead of asking was I productive today?, what if you asked did today energize me? Ellen and Erin introduce their Bold Metrics framework — RISE — as a way to start tracking what actually makes a life feel good to live: R — Radiance (did I show up as myself?) I — Integrity (was I honest with myself and others?) S — Synergy (did I experience real connection?) E — Energy (did I protect and restore my energy?) This one is for anyone who's hit a milestone and felt... nothing. Or who's tired of sprinting toward a finish line that keeps moving.