If you’ve ever found yourself crying in your car, wondering how the heck you’re supposed to “have it all” when you can barely keep it together… this episode is going to land deep.

I sat down with two women I deeply respect, Crystal Rose Harvey and Danielle Deanna, for our first-ever fireside chat. All three of us are women in the thick of it — raising kids, running a business, holding marriages together, and trying not to lose ourselves in the process.

This is a conversation about building a life with roots, where your business, family, and your identity don’t pull you in different directions but actually support each other. It’s raw, it’s encouraging, and filled with practical wisdom for when you’re burnt out and don’t even know where to begin. We cried, we laughed, and we got really honest about the things we wish someone had told us sooner. So if you’re in a season where everything feels like a lot, this one's for you.

(01:56) - Meet Crystal and Danielle (06:15) - How Motherhood Revealed the Cracks (10:44) - Embracing Family Life with Intentionality and Grace (17:33) - Burnout: The Cost of Building Without A Solid Foundation (19:18) - Why You Need to Prioritize Your Marriage Above All Else (23:43) - The Be-Do-Have Framework (26:46) - Why Awareness Is Key (29:02) - Overwhelm Is A Choice (43:03) - Relationship Killers and How to Stop Them Before It’s Too Late (58:47) - Productivity and Automation Tips and Tools

• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/crystalroseharvey/
• Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/crystalroseharvey
• The Home on the Rock | https://www.instagram.com/thehomeontherock/

• Website | https://danielledeanna.com/
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thedanielledeanna/
• Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/danielle.klineiarussi/

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment

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What happens when two driven, high-achieving people fall in love and try to do life — careers, kids, dreams — together? You get high-powered love, with all the magic and the mess that comes with it.

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and deeply grounded Heather Clark, a licensed therapist and expert trained in trauma reprocessing and EDMR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She works specifically with high-performing couples who are navigating success, stress, and the sacredness of their relationships. Think of powerhouses who are crushing it at work but are feeling disconnected at home! Heather is the creator of the upcoming High-Powered Love Method, and she’s here to drop some real talk and proven tools to stop putting your relationship on the back burner and actually grow deeper, stronger, and more in sync as life gets fuller.

Whether you’re running a business, climbing the corporate ladder, raising babies, or all of the above, this episode will hit home, so let’s dive in!

(02:49) - What Is EDMR (and why is it magical)? (05:22) - The Unique Struggles of High-Performance Couples (06:40) - My Love Story: What Ben and I Learned About Keeping Our Relationship Stronger (10:25) - Rituals That Root You Back to Each Other (14:37) - Planning vs Presence: How to Balance It All (18:36) - Creative Staycation & Vacation Hacks (Even with Little Kids) (25:13) - Teamwork Makes the Dream (and Marriage) Work (26:21) - Who Are You Sharing Your Wins With? (30:05) - Why “We’re Fine” Is the Scariest Thing You Can Say (32:47) - Change Can Start With One

• Website | https://www.heatherclarktherapy.com/
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/heatherclark_la

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment

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Picture this: It’s late. The day’s been a lot, and we’re in post-bedtime haze when big thoughts come out. The ones when something from work is still swirling in your head, and you just need to say it out loud to someone who gets it.

That’s exactly where this episode begins.

In this episode, you’ll hear a real-time conversation between me and my husband, Ben, as we talk through a super common leadership challenge — what to do when you’re already maxed out and someone adds another priority to your plate? How do you respond when everything is “important”, nothing can wait, and no one wants to make the tough call?

This episode is real and raw! And it’s for anyone who’s been caught between expectations and capacity. We’re talking strategy, self-advocacy, and what it really looks like to lead when no one else is drawing the line. Let’s dive in!

(02:13) - Picturing Ben’s Week: Full Plates, Restructures, and Big Deliverables (06:50) - How to Ask Leadership to Prioritize When Everything Feels “Top Priority” (10:27) - Visual Prioritization Framework (14:58) - Weighing the Real Cost of A Task (21:17) - Our Careers Are A Marathon, Not A Sprint (27:20) - The Reality of A Pushback

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

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• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer

There are moments in life when you’re doing all the “right” things — you’re showing up, you followed the plan, you played by the rules — and somehow, it’s still not working. It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking. And it can leave you questioning everything.

In this episode, I’m opening up about those exact moments — the ones that test your patience, your plans, and your belief in what’s possible. We’ll also explore what it really takes to make decisions when clarity feels far away, and you’re craving direction but getting silence. Whether it’s showing up in your business, your relationships, or the quiet corners of your own self-worth, this episode is about loosening your grip, reimagining outcomes, and remembering that you are enough, no matter what the results say. Let’s dive in!

(02:04) - You’ve Done Everything Right, But It’s Still Not Working (04:03) - You Are Enough — Even When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned (05:25) - How to Bounce Back When External Circumstances Disrupt Your Plans (06:48) - Creating Space to Reimagine (08:50) - Practical Framework for Decision-Making (13:50) - One-way Decision vs Two-Way Decision (15:38) - Blast Radius Decisions (19:12) - Navigating Life’s Big Choices: Making Decisions About Money, Home, and Security

• Previous Episode - #06: Change Happened… Now What? | https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WH7hnztKDGazK7HwDvZ0a?si=265de9b5049e491d

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

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• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer

Let’s be real: AI is here, and it’s flipping the script on how we work, lead, and connect. But here’s the thing they don’t tell you — the most valuable thing in the age of AI is still YOU. Your humanness, your intuition, your vibe, and your ability to make meaning out of a mess.

In this episode, I’m spilling the tea on the top 5 human skills that research says will actually matter as AI continues to evolve. These are not just fluffy soft skills. These are power tools for your career, your creativity, your leadership, and your peace of mind.

I’m breaking it down with real talk, backed by reports from Microsoft, McKinsey, and the World Economic Forum. So whether you’re pivoting careers, leading a team, or just trying to stay sane in the swirl of it all, this episode is your field guide to staying irreplaceable. Let’s dive in!

(03:58) - The Importance of Analytical Thinking (07:44) - Resiliency, Flexibility, and Agility (10:52) - Practical Tips to Build Resiliency and Agility (13:56) - Developing Strategies to Handle Stress (15:33) - Leadership and Social Influence (16:47) - Why Leadership Is All About Orchestration (18:02) - Empathy and Active Listening (22:21) - Curiosity and Lifelong Learning (26:18) - How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

• Economic Forum Report | https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
• McKinsey Report | https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work
• Microsoft Work Trend Index | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.

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• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer

You know that moment when something feels “off” — you can’t quite name it, but you know you’re not where you’re meant to be? Maybe you’re over-functioning. Maybe you’re burned out. Or maybe life just feels muddy, and you’re ready to gain clarity, lit up, and be aligned again.

Today, I’m joined by my mentor and one of the original voices in the coaching space, Cathy Hawk. Cathy is the founding director of Clarity International™ and the co-creator of the groundbreaking Choice Point Map and Clarity River frameworks that have helped thousands reconnect with their gifts, get clear on their purpose, and live what she calls a “lights on” life.

In this episode, we dive deep into how to notice, nurture, and navigate your inner light, especially when the world feels loud, overwhelming, or dim. You’re going to walk away with mindset tools, visual frameworks, and real-life strategies to help you tune into clarity, even during chaos. If you’ve ever asked, “Is this really how I want to live?” — this episode is your permission slip to explore what else is possible. Let’s dive in!

(04:34) - How Passion Is Physiological (10:06) - The Soul’s Journey: Why Purpose Isn’t Optional (14:25) - The Choice Point Map: A Guide for Your Inner World (17:16) - Self-Gossip, Confusion, and the Fastest Way to Recalibrate (19:39) - Life As A Movie: Writing Your Own Story (21:47) - Energy Leadership In Action (24:46) - The Power of “I Choose” (31:44) - The Near Field & Remote Field: Managing Energy in a Loud World (35:44) - Thoughts As Waves: Influencing the World with Intention (41:15) - The Journey on the River: Flowing Through Transition

• GET CLARITY® Choice Point & Attention Guide | https://www.getclarity.com/product/get-clarity-choice-point-and-attention-guide/
• River Journey Map | https://www.getclarity.com/product/get-clarity-journey-map-pdf/
• Shift Course: https://www.getclarity.com/shift-course/
• Clarity Cards: https://www.getclarity.com/product/get-clarity-card-deck/

• Website | https://www.getclarity.com/
• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhawk/
• Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/getclaritytoday
• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/getclaritynow
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/user/livelightson

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

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Ever walked into a room, a new team, a class, or a board meeting and thought, “Should I say something? Or just listen and blend in? Yeah, me too.

In this episode of Ask Monique, I’m sharing the conversations I’ve had with real friends and clients who were navigating those few uncertain steps in new spaces. Whether you’re stepping into a new job, joining a leadership team, or just trying to figure out your role in a new community, this one’s for you!

Because here’s the truth: your voice matters. So let’s talk about how to bring your voice forward with confidence and wisdom without feeling like you’re overstepping or underplaying your brilliance. Let’s dive in!

(02:03) - Navigating a New Learning Environment (04:39) - New at Work or on a Team (06:55) - A Seat at the Table: Using Your Voice in Leadership & Board Roles

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.

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• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer

What if the thing that breaks you is also the thing that builds you?

In this episode, I sit down with my jiu-jitsu training bestie, Chelsea Ottaviano, to talk about career pivots, job loss, and what really happens when your career path doesn’t go as planned.

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by your career, sat in your Banana Republic slacks questioning your purpose, or wondered how to actually show up human in a world inching toward AI — this episode is a must-listen.

Chelsea shares her evolution from a deeply unfulfilled techie at a pharma company to a fierce advocate for human-first research, and we get personal about burnout, being laid off, rediscovering purpose, and why your identity is so much more than your job title. Let’s dive in!

(03:08) - Career Pivots: Embracing Change (04:13) - Lessons from Early Career Experiences (12:02) - The Call That Wasn’t A Promotion (20:02) - Finding Purpose and Value In Our Work (24:36) - The Importance of Personal Branding Even in the Corporate Space (26:40) - AI and Human-Centric Work: How to Value and Amplify Humans in an AI-Driven World (32:19) - The Power of Collaboration and Seeking Feedback from Colleagues (35:17) - Creating Safe Spaces In Research and Beyond

Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?

'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.

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• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer