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If you’ve ever sat through a workplace training that sounded great in theory but didn’t change a thing, this episode is for you.

Angela and Sami are pulling back the curtain on why team trainings often fall flat, what “improving communication” actually means (hint: it’s not just talking nicer), and how to approach development that truly sticks. From metaphors about runny noses to real-world stories of transformation, this episode is packed with practical insights and a fresh take on what it really takes to build stronger, healthier teams.

Sami also shares her approach to team training and why one-time workshops rarely work. Instead, she’s helping teams move from friction to flow through a layered, series-based model that actually builds new habits.

Whether you're a manager, business owner, or just someone tired of the same old “we need to communicate better” conversation, this one’s going to hit home.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why “communication problems” are often symptoms, not root issues
• The dangers of one-and-done team trainings
• How to diagnose what’s actually wrong with your team dynamics
• The role of repetition and real-world application in lasting change
• The “communication doctor” metaphor and how it reframes team development
• Encouragement for leaders and individuals to create small but powerful shifts

🛠️ Resources & Links

Want to improve communication and connection on your team?
Visit bfreakingawesome.com

Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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Welcome to Episode 200, our first ever live episode! We’re celebrating a huge milestone, giving major shout-outs, reflecting on what this podcast has meant so far, and sharing what’s next for the journey of Be Freaking Awesome.

What’s Inside This Episode

• Live recorded energy and community vibe: This is our first time doing a live broadcast, complete with real-time chats, emojis, and surprise guest drop-ins. We love you all for being here.
• Reflections on success: What does success really mean for a podcast, a business, or your life? We talk about how we define success (spoiler: it’s not just numbers) and why sharing value and joy matters.
• Behind-the-scenes gratitude: A huge shout-out to everyone who helps make this podcast possible, from our technical crew to our editing team and our listeners. You keep this bus rolling.
• Guest catch-ups: We brought on past guests, including DonJay Rice, Gary Ware, and Josh (our original host), to hear what they’re up to now and ask, "What are you doing these days that’s freaking awesome?"
• Live messages and advice on being “freaking awesome”: Real-life wisdom from our guests, from rediscovering childhood passions (like magic) to embracing authenticity and knowing it's never too late to reboot your path.
• Major announcement: Be Freaking Awesome is becoming its own standalone brand. We’re leveling up with more coaching, training, speaking, and maybe even books.
• Looking ahead: We asked each other (and our listeners) to record a “time capsule” message to our future selves. What do we want to thank ourselves for one year from now, when we hit five years?

Why This One Matters

Episode 200 isn’t just a milestone. It’s a marker of growth, gratitude, and intention. It reminds us (and you) that doing the work, showing up, and staying true to yourself matters. It shows a podcast evolving from a side project into a mission-driven brand.

Key Takeaways

• Success isn’t just a number. Sometimes it’s a message sent, a life changed, a mindset shifted.
• It’s OK to show up messy, imperfect, and human. That’s where connection happens.
• You don’t have to monetize everything. Sometimes the thing that brings you joy is worth doing just because.
• It’s never too late to change course, try something new, or rediscover something old.
• Community, consistency, and authenticity are where real impact lives.

Want More?

If you enjoyed this live celebration, consider:

• Revisiting some of our favorite episodes (like Episode 64 on taming the inner critic)
• Signing up for our email list to stay in the loop on what’s next for the BFA brand
• Sending us a “time capsule” voice note of your own—what you want to thank your future self for a year from now: bfreakingawesome.com/message

Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.

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In this powerful and personal episode, Angela and Sami sit down with speaker, leadership trainer, and PhD researcher Summer Jelinek to talk about what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace.

From masking and burnout to emotional intelligence and late diagnoses, we explore how modern work culture often fails to support neurodivergent thinkers and what we can do about it. Summer shares her journey of being diagnosed with autism later in life and how that led her to research how neurodivergent women lead, mask, and navigate professional spaces differently.

Sami and Angela get honest about parenting, people-pleasing, crying in the office, and learning to feel your feels without shame. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or just want to create a more human-centered workplace, this episode will open your eyes and soften your heart.

In This Episode

- What “neurodivergent” really means and why it's more than just ADHD or autism
- How masking impacts performance, connection, and burnout
- Why neurodivergent women often go undiagnosed for decades
- The emotional labor of “being professional” at work
- How leaders can support team members who think differently
- Why curiosity beats judgment every time

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend, a teammate, or your boss. Conversations like these are how we make change.

Resources and Mentions
- Get the first 3 chapters of Summer’s book: unlockingthemagicofleadership.com/myf
- Connect with Summer Jelinek:
- Website: summerjelinek.com
- LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram: @SummerJelinek

Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at podcast@bfreakingawesome.com.