You Cannot Lead People If You Refuse to See Their Pain

This week, Rachel joins her friend and business and wealth coach Terri Couser for a conversation originally recorded for Terri’s show about pursuing success without sacrificing your peace, your relationships, or who you are. Rachel opens up about decades of rushing, the pressure to always be “on,” and her growing desire to trade hustle culture for savor culture. Together, they explore making room for God to interrupt your plans, setting boundaries, and living with the same integrity in private that you show in public. Rachel also shares her “audacious hour,” a practical way to start asking for opportunities you’ve been quietly hoping will find you. If you’ve been accomplishing plenty but enjoying very little, this conversation offers a moment to consider what all that effort is building. Come back next week for part two!

What happens when you say something good about someone and other people start adding their own stories? You create an avalanche of joy. In this episode, I share how a post about P.J. Fleck sparked an outpouring of appreciation, along with the behind-the-scenes story of how he helped me grow as a speaker. I also ask a question worth sitting with: Are you a safe place for people, including yourself? We’ll talk about trust, keeping your word, and caring enough to help someone see what’s possible. Plus, hear from past ICTN retreat attendees about what happened when they made room for faith, friendship, play, and time for themselves. If you’ve been craving deeper connection or a chance to catch your breath, this might be your invitation. Who could you encourage this week? Your avalanche of joy can start with one person. Join my newsletter by texting JOY to 33777. PJ Fleck back story on IG What PJ Fleck Gets Right Appreciation Post on IG

What happens when you stop fighting what you love and give yourself permission to change course? In PART TWO of my conversation with poet, author, and educator Joseph Fasano, we explore his move from studying mathematics and physics at Harvard to building a life around poetry. Joseph shares how that decision grew from a desire he could no longer ignore, even without knowing what his future would look like. We also talk about the parts of ourselves we silence, why achievement and recognition can still leave us feeling empty, and how owning our gifts can help us serve others. Our conversation touches on AI, the human connection we’re craving, and Joseph’s approach to teaching the whole person. We close with a discussion about apologizing to our children, learning from our mistakes, and striving to be whole rather than perfect.

Poet, author, and teacher Joseph Fasano joins Rachel Joy Baribeau for a conversation about what it means to be human in a world that increasingly measures us by what we produce. A story about something his four-year-old son said opens the door to questions about empathy, the way we raise and educate children, and what artificial intelligence can never experience for us. Joseph shares the ideas behind his forthcoming book, How We Survive: A Guide to Being Human in a Time of AI. He and Rachel also talk about leading through service, the value of an unhurried morning, and why listening deserves as much practice as speaking. The episode closes with Joseph reading a poem whose final line may stay with you long after it ends. Join us next week for Part Two of this episode.

Life is precious, life is short, and too many of us live as if we will always have more time to handle the things that matter. In this raw and personal episode, Rachel shares the heartbreaking experiences that helped inspire her new book and the wake-up call she cannot stop thinking about. She also talks about preparing for difficult possibilities, preserving the stories behind the things we treasure, receiving feedback without reacting, and having the courage to make an audacious ask. This episode is an invitation to stop postponing the conversations, decisions and practical details that deserve your attention. Some of them may feel uncomfortable, but taking care of them now is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and the people you love.