Authenticity Over Approval

In this week’s episode of "Authenticity Over Approval," I sit down with author and speaker Bethany Howard to explore the complexities of embracing authenticity in the midst of significant life changes. Recently relocated from Atlanta to Connecticut, Bethany shares candidly about the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, the pressures of seeking approval in unfamiliar places, and the journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. Through her narrative, listeners will glean insights into the importance of showing up as oneself, the value of patience and self-awareness in new settings, and the courage required to live authentically regardless of external expectations. This episode promises a deep dive into how embracing one's true self can lead to profound connections and a more fulfilling life, even when it means standing alone.

About Our Guest

Bethany writes to encourage others to find their fierce and to embrace her own. She shares permission slips to run towards what you are made for in her book “Permission Granted: Embrace Who You Are, Cultivate Courage, Impact Your World”. If you were to visit her unannounced there’s a good chance you would find her jamming to music in a messy kitchen while looking for a crunchy snack and avoiding the dishes. Don’t worry, she would invite you in for snacks and laughs.

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In this week's episode of Authenticity Over Approval, Lori's guest, Cheri Gregory, delves into her journey as an Enneagram type 2 and highly sensitive person, exploring the nuances of transitioning from a life of seeking approval through meeting others' needs to one of self-care and attentiveness to her own needs. You will learn the value of acknowledging and responding to your body's cues, the importance of genuine apologies and the power of listening without defense. Cheri's candid discussion on the multifaceted nature of who you are is a reminder that authenticity does not equate to perfection but encompasses the whole spectrum of human experience, including your struggles and vulnerabilities. Through Cheri's experiences, you will gain insights into embracing your multifaceted selves, understanding that authenticity allows for growth and change depending on the scenario, and recognizing the strength in vulnerability and self-compassion.

Mentioned In This Episode

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Lori Young warmly welcomes Kathi Lipp into a cozy conversation about the beautiful journey toward embracing authenticity and shedding the heavy cloak of approval-seeking. Kathi, with her gentle storytelling and deep reflections, shares her personal path from simplifying her life of clutter to discovering the profound joy in living true to her heart, despite the challenges along the way. Together, Kathi and Lori share their vulnerable moments of trying to fit into molds not meant for them and the deep connections they've found on the other side of authenticity.

The episode is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering listeners three precious takeaways: the strength found in vulnerability, the freedom in embracing one's true self amidst criticism, and the journey of self-love that can lead to transformative decisions reflecting one's inner truth.

Kathi's narrative is a warm embrace, reminding us all of the beauty in being authentically ourselves and the importance of surrounding ourselves with voices that uplift and support our true paths, all while navigating life's disagreements with grace and authenticity.

 About Our Guest

Kathi Lipp is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of 20 books, including The Accidental Homesteader, An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can’t Get Away, Overwhelmed, and Clutter Free. Along with being a part of the InCourage at Dayspring writing team, she is the host of Clutter Free Academy Podcast, Facebook Group and Clutter Free for Life. As a writing and marketing coach, she is also the host of the Writing at the Red House Podcast, and runs both The Writing at the Red House Retreats and The Red House Writers Collective – a writing program that helps authors develop their writing, their platform and their business. Kathi lives on her Red House mini-homestead with her husband Roger, a dog, and eight chickens and holds cozy writer retreats for content creators.

In this week’s episode of "Authenticity Over Approval" featuring Cassie Rajewich, listeners are taken on a profound journey of self-discovery and the interplay of faith in defining authenticity. Cassie openly discusses the struggles she's faced in integrating her faith into her leadership and business roles, especially when her vibrant and "larger than life" personality has often led her to downplay her true self to gain acceptance. The episode delves deep into the universal human challenge of seeking approval, the fear of rejection, and the pivotal moments or "rear view mirror moments" that shape our perception of self-worth. With raw honesty, Cassie highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive figures and setting boundaries to protect one's mental and emotional space, especially in public roles. This episode is a candid exploration of the balance between being true to oneself while navigating societal expectations.

Cassie Rajewich is a writer and speaker. She encourages Christian women leaders to stop doubting the adventure so they can live out their bravest story. She’s been in the online space since 2015 and along the way she’s picked up a few side hustles, Certified Money Gal and online Launch Strategist. She currently resides in The Central Valley of California with her husband, where they are raising their four girls and leaning into their own brave story. When she’s not chasing her three wild and free girls she can be found in the kitchen conjuring up sweet yummy goodness or dreaming up her next adventure and helping others navigate theirs.

You can find her at 

Kristen Judd delves into the concept of authenticity and its significance in today's world, which often revolves around societal expectations and approval. As the conversation evolves, the focus shifts towards the weight of "shoulds" in our lives, which often impose both spoken and unspoken expectations on individuals. This, in turn, can lead to a lack of self-trust, causing internal unease and incongruence. Highlighting her journey within the financial industry, Kristen also touches on the importance of disrupting conventional paradigms and encourages listeners to trust their instincts, even when going against established norms. The underlying theme emphasizes the empowering and freeing nature of authentic living, urging individuals to embrace their true selves.

Kristen Judd is a financial expert and successful businesswoman who has dedicated her career to helping others achieve financial success. As the founder of her own financial education company and an author of the self-published book "Own Your Future," Kristen is committed to educating her clients and empowering them to take control of their finances. With over six years of experience as a top performer in her field, Kristen has consistently been recognized as one of the top 10 agents out of 5,000+ in her company. She has also been recognized for her exceptional leadership skills and ability to mentor a team of agents to build a business they can be proud of. By sharing her expertise and guiding her clients to create better financial habits, Kristen is helping them achieve the life they want.

In this enlightening episode, Samantha Markey delves into the tension between seeking approval and remaining authentic, drawing on her experiences from the corporate hospitality world and her journey into entrepreneurship. From climbing the corporate ladder at a young age to embracing her true self, Samantha illuminates the liberating power of authenticity in both personal and professional realms. Lori Young, the host, and Samantha engage in a candid discussion about the challenges of navigating customer service mindsets, the transformative nature of social media, and the evolving perceptions of self-worth and value. Tune in to hear Samantha's insights on breaking free from the shackles of approval, the profound impact of being genuine on social media, and the self-awareness required to stay true to oneself. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a professional, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of self, this episode offers valuable lessons on the importance of authenticity in a world often dominated by the need for validation.

Samantha Markey is the founder of More Than Serendipity Visual Marketing, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve their marketing goals with intention. Samantha's entrepreneurship journey began in 2011 when she started a family photography business to honor her mother's memory. Through this experience, she discovered her passion for helping others plan and create successful marketing strategies.

Benjamin Adams, reflects on the evolution of his self-identity, highlighting the pivotal role that societal approval played during his early years. Benjamin reminisces about his youthful endeavors in sports, academics, and his early professional career, explaining how he often sought validation from peers, coaches, and superiors. However, significant life events, particularly a divorce in 2018, served as catalysts for him to re-evaluate his priorities and self-worth. These events led to a profound self-realization, pushing him towards embracing authenticity over the need for external approval. Through the course of the conversation, Benjamin also pays tribute to the influence of his mother, her resilience, and her commitment to personal growth despite life's adversities. Emphasizing the importance of positive self-talk and self-compassion, he shares his approach to personal growth, which involves acknowledging imperfections without judgment while striving for continual improvement. The overarching theme suggests that true fulfillment arises from authentic self-expression and living in alignment with one's values, rather than seeking external validation.

Ben Adams is an esteemed, well-rounded mortgage professional with more than a decade of mortgage experience. He has distinguished himself with an unmatched level of service and commitment to his customers after spending time in various roles including underwriting, management, origination, and more. Above all though, he practices a genuine care and a great concern with each customer he gets the privilege to serve. Ben has a positive meaningful impact on each life he touches by putting his customer’s financial interests first, keeping them informed every step of the way, and empowering them to pursue their homeownership dreams. His goal is to call each customer, “a customer for life”.

In this candid episode, Cheryl Schuberth delves deep into her personal journey from being immersed in the corporate world to realizing the importance of authenticity and being present for her family. After spending 25 years striving to provide the best for her kids and working tirelessly, Cheryl shares a poignant moment that served as a wake-up call for her to re-evaluate her priorities. Drawing on her own experiences, she underscores the challenges many women face trying to fulfill multiple roles at once, and the dangers of seeking approval over authenticity. Cheryl's insights about self-awareness, self-worth, and the power of gratitude resonate deeply, offering listeners a chance to reflect on their own paths and the choices they make.

Cheryl Schuberth, Founder of Peacing it Together, is a sought-after coach, mentor, and a respected corporate leader. She holds multiple coaching and leadership certifications from the Project Management Institute, Scrum Alliance, and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead. As a wife, mom, and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. After 25 years leading program teams and counseling executives in the male-dominated technology world, Cheryl stepped away and embarked on a mission to build better connections with her teenage sons. She now empowers other women to become more curious about their options and reevaluate their own priorities. She coaches women to find themselves again, so that they can create better connections with their teens, tweens and other important people in their lives. Cheryl helps them create a life by Design; A life driven by Intention, so that they can serve at their highest level.

In the episode "Authenticity Over Approval," Dr. Vickie Petz delves deep into the challenges of confronting personal vulnerabilities and the transformative journey of recognizing one's authentic self. As someone who once epitomized strength and independence, Dr. Petz faced a sudden illness that left her profoundly weak and dependent on others. This shift led her to grapple with an internal spiritual journey, wherein she confronted her fears of failure and the self-imposed pressures of living a 'perfect' life. Through her candid revelations, the podcast sheds light on the intricate balance between seeking internal approval and embracing the authentic self, urging listeners to recognize and honor their personal truths.

In this heartfelt episode, Kelly Wilbanks joins Lori Young to explore the complexities of living authentically in a world that often demands approval. Kelly shares her journey of self-discovery, the challenges she faced in understanding her true self amidst external pressures, and her ultimate pursuit of genuine authenticity. Through insightful conversations and relatable anecdotes, the episode delves into the significance of vulnerability, the weight of carrying other's burdens, and the courage to prioritize self-truth over external validation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Authenticity is vulnerable, and to truly embody it, one must shed the burdens and expectations placed upon them by others.
2. Approval, when misinterpreted, can become a weight of responsibility for others' emotions and reactions, leading to emotional exhaustion.
3. Personal growth requires the strength to prioritize self-awareness and mental well-being over external validation, even when faced with societal or relational pressures.

Kelly Wilbanks lives with her husband and three energetic daughters in Yakima, Washington. She has a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications, Bible and theology, and English with a professional writing emphasis. She has been a consistent parent contributor for the internationally recognized brand, "Baby Center," and her local newspaper, The Yakima Herald."

She considers herself a "Newsletter Sherpa." Kelly's "Newsletters Made Easy" business provides coaching, organizational tools, and done-for-you services. She has launched newsletters for several authors, creating systems and curating content, opening the door for consistent communication. Kelly loves seeing authentic connections develop between authors and their audiences through this timeless tool.

You can find her at 

Lori and Jessica share their experiences with Authenticity Over Approval as entrepreneurs. Jessica shares her tips for maintaining authenticity while growing a business. 

In this episode you will learn:

1. How to stay authentic while building your business identity.

2. How to stay authentic when you're starting out and trying to pay the bills.

3. The surprising secret to attracting the perfect customers. 

Jessica is a business consultant that brings people back to the fundamentals. She helps business owners and entrepreneurs get better organized, more focused, and prepared for internal growth. This includes establishing their Business Identity (who they are, what they’re about and where they’re going), time management tactics, assessing their processes and procedures, developing organizational strategies, documenting tasks and projects, as well as creating manuals to better facilitate hiring, training, onboarding and managing a team (even if that team is small!). Her job is to give them more time to focus on the strategic aspects of running their business by implementing tangible practices that positively impact work quality, production and culture.

You can find Jessica on: