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You've been told your whole life that if you don't call someone out, you're letting them get away with it. But what if that's completely wrong and it's actually making things worse?

Most of us are exhausted from trying to change the people around us. Whether it's a frustrating family member, a difficult coworker, or a friend with completely different values, we pour energy into trying to fix people who never actually change. And somehow we end up feeling like the problem.

In this episode Sami and Angela unpack one of the most liberating ideas you'll ever hear in a relationship context: accepting someone is not the same as approving of them. You'll discover why calling people out rarely works, how to know the difference between someone being frustrating versus genuinely toxic, and how to stop carrying other people's "dog poop" around like it's yours to deal with. This conversation will completely reframe how you show up in even your most difficult relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Allowing someone to be who they are is not the same as condoning their behavior
• Calling people out feels satisfying but rarely leads to actual change
• There is a real difference between someone being frustrating and someone being genuinely toxic
• The grace you give others is usually a direct reflection of the grace you give yourself
• You cannot control other people's behavior, only how you respond to it

Stop white-knuckling relationships that are draining you. Hit play right now and find out why letting people be who they are might be the most powerful thing you can do for them and for yourself.

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Every time we go after something meaningful, a new goal, a big conversation, a leadership role, or personal growth, fear and resistance seem to show up right on cue.

In this episode, Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford explore why resistance is not a sign you are doing something wrong, but often a signal that you are getting close to something important.

Together, they unpack how fear shows up in the body, why resisting discomfort actually makes it stronger, and how learning to lean into sensations and emotions can help you move forward instead of staying stuck.

You will hear real coaching stories, personal experiences, and powerful metaphors that reframe resistance as part of the process, not the problem.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why fear and resistance show up when you are pursuing growth
• How your nervous system responds to goals, change, and risk
• The difference between discomfort and actual danger
• Why avoiding fear often makes it worse
• How resistance can be a sign you are close to a breakthrough
• Practical ways to stop fighting your feelings and move forward
• What it looks like to enter the cave instead of running from it

If you have ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated by your own reactions when trying to grow, this conversation will help you see resistance in a completely new way and give you permission to keep going.

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Ever walked into a networking event or professional gathering wondering if you're wearing the right thing, saying the right things, or even supposed to be there? You're not alone. In this episode, hosts Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford reveal a simple mental shift that can transform how you show up in any room—and it has nothing to do with what others think of you.

Angela introduces the powerful concept of "host energy vs guest energy" and explains why belonging isn't something others grant you—it's something you claim for yourself. Learn how shifting from waiting for validation to actively creating welcome can change not just how you feel, but how everyone around you experiences the space.

What You'll Learn

• The difference between "guest energy" (waiting for confirmation you belong) and "host energy" (owning your presence and welcoming others)
• Why belonging is a decision you make, not permission others give
• How abandonment issues can impact your sense of belonging
• Practical ways to make others feel included (even when you're uncertain yourself)
• The "empty chair philosophy" and other subtle gestures that create belonging
• When it's healthy to leave rooms where you no longer want to belong
• Why being the smartest person in the room might mean you're in the wrong room

Key Takeaways

• "I belong to me" - Angela's breakthrough realization that belonging starts with self-acceptance, not external validation
• The host energy shift - When you walk into any space focused on making others feel welcome, you automatically claim your own belonging
• Fake it till you make it (sort of) - Even if you're uncertain about your own belonging, affirming others' belonging creates a positive feedback loop
• Small gestures matter - From making space in circles to always having an empty chair, little acts of inclusion compound
• Choose your rooms wisely - You get to decide which spaces align with who you want to be, and it's okay to consciously leave communities that no longer serve you

Resources Mentioned

• Traveling Light - Angela's program featuring the seven core beliefs, including belonging
• Belief Assessment - Tool used in Angela and Sami's executive coaching
• Bob Goff's Writers Conference - Example of host energy in action
• Gallup StrengthsFinder - Assessment that identified Sami's "inclusion" strength

About the Hosts
Sami Kinnison naturally scores high on belonging and has "inclusion" as one of her top Gallup strengths. She's passionate about making sure everyone has space in the circle.

Angela Belford has deeply studied belonging through the lens of abandonment and teaches the seven core beliefs in her Traveling Light program and executive coaching practice.

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If you’ve ever tried to silence your inner critic by sheer willpower, only to end up overwhelmed, anxious, or spiraling into imposter syndrome, this episode is for you.

This week, Angela and Sami unpack the truth about the inner critic. Spoiler alert: it’s not about getting rid of it. In fact, trying to push that voice away can sometimes make it come back louder and stronger. So instead of firing your inner critic, what if you gave it a new job?

In this honest and insightful conversation, they explore how the inner critic actually forms as a protection mechanism, how to recognize when it's driving your decisions, and how to reframe your relationship with it. You’ll learn how to stop letting fear and self-doubt take the wheel without swinging into toxic positivity or avoidance.

Plus, you’ll hear why Angela thinks of her inner world like a nonprofit boardroom (complete with term limits), how Sami gives a voice to the quieter parts of herself, and why both believe your eight-year-old and your 80-year-old selves should absolutely have a seat at the table.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• What the inner critic really is and why it shows up when you try to grow
• Why suppressing self-doubt often backfires and leads to panic or burnout
• How to invite other helpful voices into your mental space, not just the loudest one
• A powerful mental exercise to identify the "board members" in your mind
• The difference between resisting the inner critic and reframing its role
• Why having compassion for all parts of yourself is crucial for personal growth

This episode is packed with mindset wisdom, real-life examples, and practical tools to help you shift from self-criticism to self-leadership. Whether you're chasing a dream, stepping into something new, or just trying to quiet the noise in your head, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what it really means to be mentally strong and emotionally safe.

Listen in and start making peace with your inner critic, so you can take the next step toward being freaking awesome.

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Have you ever made a decision and still felt bad afterward? No matter what you choose, there is guilt, second-guessing, or that lingering feeling that you are letting someone (or yourself) down.

In this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford unpack one of the most common but least named challenges people face: conflicting values.

This is not about being indecisive or doing something wrong. It is about what happens when two things that both matter deeply collide in a specific season of life.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• What conflicting values actually are (and what they are not)
• Why guilt, angst, and indecision are often clues that values are colliding
• How competing priorities show up in work, parenting, relationships, and leadership
• Why you can care deeply about multiple things and still have to choose
• How seasons of life change which values need to come first
• The power of deciding what matters most right now
• Why being fully present where you are matters more than doing everything
• How to stop outsourcing your decisions to guilt or other people’s opinions
• Why naming the conflict helps you move forward with clarity and self-trust

Angela shares personal stories about navigating family, finances, career, and commitments, while Sami reflects on capacity, parenthood, and the reality of not having enough energy to give 100 percent everywhere. Together, they normalize the discomfort of hard choices and offer practical ways to approach them with intention instead of shame.

Key Takeaway
If you feel guilty no matter what you choose, you are probably not failing. You are likely holding conflicting values, and the work is not to eliminate the guilt, but to name the conflict, choose intentionally, and be where you are.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• (Including the principle “Decide what matters most” and the idea that priorities can change by season)
• The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra Adachi
• Big Little Feelings (especially the “10-Minute Miracle” for intentional connection with kids)

Coming Up Next
Next week, Sami and Angela dig into the Inner Critic, and why trying to “fire” it might actually make things worse. They will talk about a healthier, more realistic way to work with your inner voice instead of fighting it.

If this episode hit close to home, you are not alone.

Thanks for listening, and until next time, we hope you go Be Freaking Awesome.

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What if growth doesn’t make life easier… at least not right away?

In this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Sami Kinnison and Angela Belford get real about the unexpected side effects of emotional healing, like crying more, feeling stretched thin, questioning your capacity, and realizing that growth doesn’t mean you never struggle again.

This conversation is a follow-up to The Nonlinear Journey of Growth, but instead of theory, this episode lives squarely in the messy middle. From therapy breakthroughs to perfectionism flare-ups, from running out of emotional bandwidth to redefining what “enough” actually means, Sami and Angela unpack what growth really looks like when you’re in it.

You’ll hear:

• Why emotional healing can actually bring more feelings, not fewer
• How growth changes your nervous system, your expectations, and your coping mechanisms
• What it means when you realize you don’t have “enough of you to go around”
• Why bounce-back-ability (not perfection) is a better measure of growth
• A powerful story about letting go before you drown, and why holding on can be the real danger

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I’m doing the work… so why is this still hard?”
• “Why am I crying more now than before?”
• “I thought growth meant I wouldn’t feel like this anymore”

…this episode is for you.

This is an honest, compassionate conversation about personal growth, emotional healing, capacity, burnout, and resilience, and a reminder that having hard days doesn’t mean you’re failing. It might actually mean you’re healing.

✨ Growth isn’t about eliminating struggle.
✨ It’s about how you recover, recalibrate, and keep going.

Listen in, and if this episode resonates, send us a DM or share where you’re at in your own growth journey! We’d love to hear your story.

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In this conversation, Olympic medalist and entrepreneur Dominique Blake joins Angela and Sami for an honest, high-energy look at what it means to stay committed to growth when life doesn’t go as planned.

Dominique shares how setbacks in her athletic career sparked a powerful evolution—from running on the track to building businesses, leading wellness communities, and mentoring others through their own journeys. You’ll hear her take on personal responsibility, emotional regulation, and what it really takes to create lasting change.

She also offers perspective on raising confident, resilient kids and reflects on how her own upbringing shaped her drive and discipline. This episode is full of sharp insight, contagious motivation, and practical wisdom for anyone ready to show up fully for their life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• How to turn failure into fuel
• What discipline looks like in real life
• Building confidence by doing uncomfortable things
• Navigating perfectionism with clarity and compassion
• How childhood experiences shape future resilience
• The mindset shift that helps you keep going when things get tough

Ready for a dose of grit and growth?
Hit play now and hear Dominique’s powerful take on doing the hard things that lead to an extraordinary life. Whether you're in a rut or ready to level up, this episode will challenge and inspire you in all the right ways.

Connect with Dominique Blake:

• Instagram: @dominiqueblake
• Facebook: Dominique Blake Oly

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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Let’s be honest. Working with your family can be equal parts beautiful and bananas. And when the holidays hit? Whew. That’s when the lines between pass the gravy and circle back on that project get real blurry.

In this episode, Angela and Sami get vulnerable and hilarious about what it actually looks like to navigate work and personal relationships within a family business. From setting boundaries around when to talk shop (spoiler: not at Christmas dinner) to knowing when you need your mom versus your business partner, they break down real-life tools for keeping your sanity and your relationships intact.

What you’ll hear:

- Why it’s so easy to slip into work talk at family events and how to stop it
- How to clarify which "role" you're in (parent, boss, sibling, coworker)
- What healthy conflict actually looks like in close relationships and how to repair it
- A behind-the-scenes peek into Angela and Sami’s family business dynamics (yes, even the tears and awkward moments)

Whether you work with your family or just want to create healthier relationships with the people closest to you, these tips are for anyone looking for more clarity, better boundaries, and fewer stress-fueled conversations.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Do you work with your family? What’s been the hardest or most beautiful part? Message us on Instagram @BeFreakingAwesome or leave us a review with your thoughts.

Order Traveling Light wherever you get your books!

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