Next Brave Thing Podcast

In this conversation, I connect with my dearest friend—actress, author, and poet Amy Leigh Wicks—to explore Brené Brown's guidepost on cultivating creativity and letting go of comparison. We dive into the messy, beautiful intersection of creativity, comparison, and self-compassion. We talk about how comparison often creeps into everyday life more than our art, the painful gap between our ideal and actual selves, and how practices like parts therapy can help us embrace every part of who we are. This is a heartfelt invitation to confront vulnerability, stay present, and rediscover the playful joy that fuels authentic creative expression.Key TakeawaysComparison often shows up in daily life rather than in art.Self-compassion is crucial for artists facing comparison.Creativity requires embracing all parts of oneself.The distance between ideal and actual self can be painful.Parts therapy helps in acknowledging different aspects of self.Comparison can act as a protector against vulnerability.Being present is essential for creativity to flourish.Artists must confront their pain to express themselves.Navigating uncertainty is part of the creative process.Finding joy in creativity is about learning to play.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__Check out Amy Leigh's website: https://amyleighwicks.com/Follow Amy Leigh Wicks on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyleighwicks/

Today I am exploring the guidepost Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith; Letting go of the need for certainty. Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a guilt trip, or had someone unload all their drama onto you, leaving you unsure how to respond? If so, this episode is for you. Today’s conversation is inspired by a simple yet powerful quote: “Observe, don’t absorb.” It’s a real skill to witness someone else’s energy or negativity without taking it on as your own—and learning how not to internalize other people’s stuff takes awareness and practice.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

Are you aware of when you’re triggered? Most of us aren’t—at least not until we begin paying closer attention to our emotional world. In this episode, I break down the signs of being triggered and share how I process, make sense of my emotions, and reframe my experiences to support healing.Join my 6 week emotional health course for woman starting Tuesday Oct 14!https://www.ella-hooper.com/group-coachingGet your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

Shame tells us we’re unworthy of love and belonging—but what if learning to face it could set us free? In this episode of The Next Brave Thing, I invited a returning guest Courtney Lancaster, a trauma-informed life coach, to unpack the complexities of shame, creativity, and the courage to be seen. Together, we explore how shame shows up in our lives, the self-protection strategies we use, and what it takes to move from hiding to wholehearted expression. Tune in for real stories, practical insights, and an honest conversation about what it means to own your story and step into visibility with courage.Learn more about Courtney Lancaster: https://www.courtneylancaster.co/Follow Courtney on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneylan/Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

(Guidepost 4)Gratitude and joy aren’t just feel-good emotions—they are spiritual practices and nervous system tools for living a wholehearted life. In this episode, we explore what it means to let go of scarcity and fear of the dark and instead lean into the beauty and presence of joy, even when it feels risky.Ella shares personal reflections, including how “glimmers”—small moments of safety and delight—helped retrain her nervous system to receive joy after years of powerlessness. We talk about how joy softens hard days, why we often resist feeling good, and how to notice what’s good on purpose.You’ll hear:What glimmers are and why they matter for trauma healingWhy we resist joy (hello, foreboding joy and upper limits)The science of gratitude and how it rewires your brainHow to begin scheduling joy as a deliberate act of self-connectionHow to make space for emotional safety, even when life is hardThis episode is your invitation to stop waiting for joy to arrive and start making room for it—to let gratitude pull you back to the present and remind you: you are safe enough to feel good, even here.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

“There are some very universal pieces of armor that we all wear: foreboding joy, perfectionism, and numbing.” — Brené BrownIn this episode of The Wholehearted Series, we explore what it means to cultivate a resilient spirit—a key guidepost in living a wholehearted life. At the heart of this guidepost is a liberating invitation: let go of numbing and powerlessness.Many of us have learned to disconnect from pain through busyness, perfectionism, or emotional shutdown. But numbing doesn’t just protect us from discomfort—it dulls our capacity for joy, creativity, love, and connection. In this episode, we unpack how to shift from powerlessness to purpose, and how resilience is less about pushing through, and more about recovering well, choosing hope, and staying connected to what makes us feel alive.You’ll hear:The five traits resilient people have in commonWhy hope is not an emotion but a way of thinking (thanks to Dr. C.R. Snyder’s research)The role of spirituality, storytelling, and recovery seasons in building inner strengthWhat it means to reclaim power when trauma has shaped your nervous system’s defaultHow I personally wrestled with powerlessness, and how nervous system awareness became a turning pointThe truth about numbing: why it’s not neutral, and how it slowly distances us from our fullest selvesWhether you’re healing from burnout, living through a hard season, or learning how to show up for yourself with more compassion, this episode will meet you where you are—with insight, encouragement, and the reminder that you’re not alone.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

In this transformative conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Margaret Nagib — clinical psychologist and spiritual development coach — to explore the vital role of the nervous system in both our emotional and spiritual health. Dr. Margaret unpacks how the nervous system forms the foundation for every area of life and why tending to it is essential for true balance and wholeness.We dive into how psychology and faith intersect, the dangers of spiritual bypassing, and why clarity is so important in your spiritual journey. You’ll learn practical tools for regulating your nervous system, building capacity for emotional experiences, and aligning your desires with your deeper purpose. This episode is an invitation to move beyond survival mode into a life marked by peace, presence, and authentic growth.Find out more about Margaret Nagib's programs: https://www.thedunamisproject.org/Follow Margaret Nagib: https://www.instagram.com/margaretnagib/

In this episode, I talk with Donna Winship about identity, belonging, and what it really means to hear God’s voice. Donna shares her journey from growing up in a Jewish community, to wrestling with big questions about God, to ultimately discovering a new identity through Jesus.We dive into her life with Jamie Winship—from his career in law enforcement to their years in high-conflict zones—and the surprising ways God showed up, even drawing the attention of the CIA. Donna unpacks how God speaks (always with love, never with condemnation), and how encountering Him transforms the way we see ourselves and others.This is a conversation about identity, connection, and the freedom of living fully as who God says we are.Donna Winship is a speaker, teacher, and co-founder of Identity Exchange. Alongside her husband, Jamie Winship, she has dedicated her life to helping others discover their true identity and live fearlessly. https://www.identityexchange.com/

In this episode of The Wholehearted Series, we explore the powerful shift from perfectionism to self-compassion. Perfectionism ties our worth to performance, fueling fear, shame, and disconnection. But self-compassion offers a new way—one rooted in kindness, common humanity, and mindful awareness.We unpack:The difference between self-esteem and self-compassionHow perfectionism mirrors a fixed mindsetWhy many of us resist self-compassion (hello, Backdraft)And how learning to meet ourselves with tenderness can transform how we live, relate, and growLetting go of perfectionism isn’t about lowering the bar—it’s about reclaiming your worth, exactly as you are.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity." – Brené BrownAs part of The Wholehearted Series, I knew we had to talk about a key ingredient of wholehearted living—and that is vulnerability. Honestly, I don't think you can live a truly wholehearted life without it. So I invited my friend and returning guest, Jon Toms, back on the podcast to explore this important topic.In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Jon and I unpack what it really means to be vulnerable—and why we so often resist it. We dive into the difference between vulnerability and transparency, the hidden fears that keep us from opening up, and the subtle ways we armor up through humor, perfectionism, anger, and numbing.We also share personal stories—moments where vulnerability opened something sacred… and moments where it fell flat or wasn’t received well. Along the way, we talk about self-protection patterns, the trap of oversharing, and how to practice discernment in knowing when and with whom to share our deeper stories.Finally, we explore how vulnerability can shift the way we do conflict, build safer spaces, and help us show up more compassionately—for ourselves and others.Whether you’re new to vulnerability or learning to live with an open heart in deeper ways, this episode offers gentle insight and practical tools for moving toward greater courage, connection, and freedom.Follow Jon Toms on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jontomsGet your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” — Brené BrownIn this episode of The Wholehearted Series, we explore the foundational guidepost of living a brave, connected life: Cultivating Authenticity by letting go of what people think.Authenticity isn’t a personality trait—it’s a daily, courageous practice. It requires self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the willingness to disappoint others rather than abandon ourselves.We’ll dive into:What happens when we lack self-awareness and self-knowledgeHow our need for belonging can lead to self-abandonmentToxic guilt, false responsibility, and people-pleasingWhy spiritual formation starts with knowing and accepting yourselfHow self-acceptance sets you free from performance and perfectionismThe cultural and church dynamics that can cause us to mask our true selvesMy personal stories of coming back to Australia, navigating cultural differences, and relearning what it means to belong without betraying myselfThis episode weaves in wisdom from saints, mystics, therapists, and theologians—from St. Teresa of Ávila to Thomas Merton and Pete Scazzero—alongside practical insights on how guilt, fear, and inherited expectations shape our identity.We ask deep questions like:Who did I learn I had to be in order to be loved?Where am I still waiting for permission to be who I already am?How do I come back to myself after years of self-abandonment?And we land in this truth: Your true self is the most generous, humble, and powerful version of you. When you live from that place, you stop performing and start becoming.This episode is an invitation to take up your space, tell the truth, and be who God always dreamed you to be.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

The Wholehearted Series – Inspired by Brené BrownWelcome to The Wholehearted Series on The Next Brave Thing podcast.This special season is a deep dive into what it means to live from the inside out—with integrity, alignment, and courage. Inspired by the transformative work of Dr. Brené Brown, we’re exploring the ten guideposts for wholehearted living from her book The Gifts of Imperfection.Often, when we're trying to find balance and healing, we find ourselves swinging between extremes. This series is about learning to live from your core values—not the ones handed to you by culture, family, or fear—but the ones that arise from your truest self. It’s about replacing the old operating system of punishment, people-pleasing, and perfectionism with one built on compassion, trust, and authenticity.Living wholeheartedly means getting our soul, body, and spirit on the same page—no more compartmentalizing, no more hustling for worth. It’s learning to recognize the difference between sacrifice and self-abandonment, and letting go of black-and-white thinking in favor of something deeper, slower, and more whole.Throughout the series, we’ll unpack these ten guideposts:Cultivating Authenticity – Letting go of what people thinkCultivating Self-Compassion – Letting go of perfectionismCultivating a Resilient Spirit – Letting go of numbing and powerlessnessCultivating Gratitude and Joy – Letting go of scarcity and fear of the darkCultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith – Letting go of the need for certaintyCultivating Creativity – Letting go of comparisonCultivating Play and Rest – Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worthCultivating Calm and Stillness – Letting go of anxiety as a lifestyleCultivating Meaningful Work – Letting go of self-doubt and “supposed to”Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance – Letting go of being cool and always in controlMy hope is that as you listen, your heart would widen, your body would relax, and your spirit would sit up taller. May you reconnect with emotions like joy, wonder, and peace—feelings that don’t need to be earned, just remembered.Brené’s words have served as a kind of midwife in my own life—delivering me into deeper truth, integrity, and freedom. This series is my way of passing on that gift to you.Let’s walk the wholehearted way—together.Get your free Wholehearted Living journal prompts. https://calm-sun-843.myflodesk.com/x5yo2oyoyuBook a free discovery coaching call: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on Instagram:@ella.hooper__

Today I’m wrapping up Season 5 with an episode all about understanding your emotions. Emotions can often feel abstract and ambiguous, so in this episode, I’m sharing some of the foundational things I’ve learned that can help make sense of them.I’ll be back in a few weeks with Season 6—and I’m excited to bring you a new series on how to live wholeheartedly!Check out my website or book in a coaching session here: https://www.ella-hooper.com/

In this episode of The Next Brave Thing, I sit down with the insightful and compassionate Hannah Wilson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to explore the deep and often tender intersections between trauma, emotional health, and spirituality. We talk about how trauma shows up in our relationships, shapes our personal growth, and influences our spiritual journeys.Hannah shares powerful insights on the importance of self-compassion, the process of healing, and how trust—especially in our relationship with God—can lead us to deeper freedom. We explore what it means to let go of control, how surrender can be a gateway to emotional resilience, and the subtle ways control can sneak into our relationships and decisions.Together, we unpack the impact of unresolved trauma on our discernment, the role rest plays in emotional regulation, and the beautiful connection between emotional and spiritual wholeness. We wrap up with a prophetic word on restoration and a heartfelt invitation to bravely release what no longer serves us.Learn more about Hannah and her work at horizonspiritualcoaching.com, and connect with her on Instagram @_hannahlwilson.

Is “doing your best” actually just fear in disguise? In this episode, I unpack the subtle but powerful difference between wholehearted living and perfectionism. We explore how striving to be perfect often stems from fear, shame, or a need to prove ourselves—and how living from love, grace, and authenticity sets us free.From religious pressure and wellness culture to motherhood and Christian performance, I share personal stories and spiritual insights around what it means to stop performing and start becoming. This episode is for anyone who feels exhausted by the pressure to be more, do more, or get it all right.✨ You’ll learn:Key differences between perfectionism and wholeheartednessHow fear disguises itself as “trying harder”The invitation to live under the law of love, not performanceWhy failure isn’t a threat—it’s a teacherLet’s trade fear for freedom and choose to live from a place of grace, not grit.🎧 Listen now and take your next brave step toward wholehearted living.Check out my website: www.ella-hooper.comFollow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ella.hooper__/Follow the next brave thing podcast on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextbravethingpodcast/

In this episode of The Next Brave Thing podcast, I have a heartfelt conversation with Lara Pilcher, diving deep into creativity, vulnerability, and personal growth. Lara opens up about her artistic journey, the challenges she faced while building her career in London, and the transformative experience of becoming a mother.We talk about the importance of embracing imperfection, staying authentic, and grieving the seasons we leave behind. As we explore Lara’s experiences, we reflect on what it means to live a creative life and the power of self-acceptance.Lara shares so openly about her journey of self-discovery, what it’s been like to embrace change, and why visibility matters so much in creative work. We talk through those moments of feeling stuck, finding the courage to be seen, and how our dreams evolve over time. Lara reminds us of the role grief plays in the creative process and encourages us all to keep showing up as our full, authentic selves.Lara Bianca Pilcher is an accomplished Australian actress currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. With a rich background in both theater and screen, she has captivated audiences around the world through her compelling performances in stage productions, films, and television.In addition to her work as an actor, Lara is also a wife, mother of two, author, and a professionally certified coach for artists. She is passionate about helping performers, writers, and visual artists reignite their creativity and take bold, meaningful action in their creative lives.Follow Lara on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larabiancapilcherCheck out her website: https://larabiancapilcher.com/

In this episode, I unpack a quote I stumbled across: “What is yours will find you.” It hit me in a tender, grounding way—like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed. It brought up some honest questions about control, striving, and self-preservation. Am I holding on too tightly? Trying to force things in my own strength?This quote offered me a kind of assurance—that maybe I can trust the timing of my life, that there are good things with my name on them. But it also brought up a tension: Do we just sit back and wait for life to happen? Or do we chase down our dreams, fight for opportunities, and knock on doors until they open? How do we know when to rest, and when to rise up?I also explore how true opportunities can’t really find us when we’re masked up in people-pleasing or performing for acceptance. The real you—the one under the roles and expectations—is the one meant to be found.Also, small disclaimer: I have no idea who originally said this quote! If you do, please send me a message—I love giving credit where it’s due.Follow me on Instagram: @ella.hooper__Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching

In this episode of The Next Brave Thing, I talk with Chris Cruz—creative director and former pastor—about identity, reinvention, and the courage it takes to start over.Chris shares his journey of leaving ministry to pursue his creative passions, the challenges of navigating societal pressures, and the healing that comes with embracing authenticity.We explore the tension between art and commerce, the power of self-expression, and the hidden growth that shapes our most meaningful transitions.Chris Cruz is an author, creative director, and former pastor known for his passion for spiritual formation and creativity. After 15 years in ministry at Bethel Church, he now works with Harbor + Union, a creative agency. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Lana, and their three kids. Follow Chris Cruz on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscruz/

This week, I had to let go of something—doubt. Not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I didn’t like the one I knew deep down was true. That tension pulled me into the tender terrain of surrender—a word we throw around often but rarely sit with long enough to understand.Surrender isn’t weakness. It’s not giving up or caving in. It’s arriving at a moment in your soul, in your body, where you stop striving and start trusting. For me, surrender feels weighty and tender. It’s not something I can force. It only comes after the obsessive overthinking, the looping, the internal wrestling.In this episode, I unpack what surrender has looked like for me lately—why it’s so hard to reach, how our subconscious blocks and early stories keep us holding on tight, and why letting go is actually an act of deep care, not defeat.I share how I’ve been growing my trust muscle with God, slowly learning that if I’m not ready to surrender, there’s probably a really good reason. That resistance isn’t failure—it’s a signpost.Letting go isn’t the end. It’s a sacred act of renewal. Just like autumn doesn’t fight winter, I don’t want to fight the shedding either. Nature makes room for new growth, and so will I.Follow me on Instagram: @ella.hooper__Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching