As change makers, we an become overwhelmed and anxious about our place in the world, the impact we have, and the resources we have to create it. These feelings often stem from deeper fears, like that of losing what we cherish or even the fear of dying. This can leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, and unable to act.

For therapist Agnes Otzelberger, facing these fears head-on helped her feel more alive and capable. She believes we can find strength by connecting with others, embracing creativity, and building a better relationship with ourselves and the natural world.

When we ignore our fears, they can paralyse us. We can feel numb or powerless, unable to make decisions or take meaningful action. This
disconnection from ourselves and others only deepens the sense of hopelessness.

This conversation will help you

• Explore how fear can be acknowledged and integrated for personal growth and resilience
• Understand practical ways to reconnect with nature, creativity, and community to navigate overwhelming emotions
• Address feelings of scarcity, stress, and paralysis in the face of global challenges

Highlights

• [00:02:16] A breathless tightening
• [00:08:26] How we respond to hopelessness
• [00:14:42] The need for community
• [00:22:13] Survival mode
• [00:28:16] Managing yourself to care for others
• [00:33:21] Agnes' deepest fears
• [00:41:31] What Fearless Forward means to Agnes
• [00:43:32] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Agnes via LinkedIn
• Work directly with Agnes
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn
• Waking the Tiger: Healing the Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Overcome Overwhelming Experiences, by Peter Levine
• 30 Lies about Money: liberating your life, liberating your money, by Peter Koenig
• Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy, by Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone
• The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred work of Grief, by Francis Weller
• Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Many of us struggle with finding peace and quiet in our fast-paced, noisy lives. This lack of space to reflect and connect with ourselves can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and stuck in patterns that don’t serve us.

The solution is to embrace quietness, slow down, and create intentional space for reflection and connection. Pete Mosley’s approach shows us how we can live more in tune with our nature by making deliberate choices about how we spend our time and where we focus our energy.

Without time to pause, we risk becoming trapped in a cycle of stress and disconnection. Our thoughts can overwhelm us, and we might lose sight of what’s truly important, leaving us feeling unfulfilled despite all our efforts.

This conversation will help you

• Explore how embracing quietness can lead to personal and professional growth
• Understand the importance of creating workplace cultures where both quiet and loud individuals can thrive
• Learn practical techniques for managing thoughts and reducing mental clutter through cognitive diffusion and mindfulness practices

Highlights

• [00:01:53] Peak experience
• [00:04:56] A move to Cyprus
• [00:12:08] Choosing independence
• [00:14:51] Contemplating the time we have remaining
• [00:17:20] Pete's journey to quietness
• [00:20:51] Finding clarity in community
• [00:23:55] Making slow transitions
• [00:26:54] You are not your thoughts
• [00:31:59] Learning to give up control
• [00:36:18] On "pushing through"
• [00:39:06] Pete's quiet trilogy
• [00:43:33] Moving past introversion vs extroversion
• [00:44:30] What Fearless Forward means to Pete
• [00:45:47] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Pete via LinkedIn
• Pete’s books
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is a devastating experience. It can be even harder when the circumstances involve negligence and injustice. Many of us might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of seeking accountability, or unsure of how to move forwards while grappling with grief.

Nigel Burt, father of Olivia who was killed in a preventable accident while queuing at a night club, shows us a way through this. He focused on breaking the overwhelming challenge into smaller, manageable steps. He sought expert legal help, relied on his professional skills to problem-solve, and leaned on his network for support. By focusing on what could be done each day, he avoided being paralysed by the bigger picture.

This honest and emotional discussion will help you

• Discover how focusing on actionable challenges can help navigate overwhelming grief and adversity
• Understand the transformative power of channeling loss into meaningful change
• Learn how perseverance and leadership skills can overcome systemic obstacles in pursuing justice and accountability