EP 003: The Courage to Scale Down: Why I Walked Away From My Thriving Business

Meghan reveals why the words to Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart" isn't just feel-good advice—it's scientifically backed wisdom your body's been trying to tell you all along. Meghan breaks down the biology behind intuition, explains why your mind keeps you stuck in familiar (but soul-crushing) territory, and shares simple practices to tune into the expansion vs. contraction signals your body is constantly sending you. Whether you're standing at a crossroads, feeling disconnected from your current path, or exhausted from overthinking every decision, this episode offers a refreshing alternative: trusting the intelligence you already carry within. Learn to distinguish between fear-based thinking and heart wisdom, and discover why the most courageous pivots don't come from logic—they come from truth. Perfect for anyone ready to stop gaslighting their own inner knowing and start making decisions that actually feel aligned. Links + Resources Full show notes Learn: Try my FREE Coherence session Blog: How to Retrain Your Brain for Happiness Blog: Creating Inner Harmony in 30 Seconds Shop: Try this HeartMath Inner Balance Coherence Device Shop: 30% off Rise + Shine: Guided Path to Heart-Led Living and Leadership

Have you ever felt the pull toward something that makes absolutely no logical sense? Angela de la Agua's story will remind you why following your heart is the most radical act of courage—and why it's worth every uncomfortable moment. From fashionista to desert mystic, Angela shares what happens when you finally stop ignoring the whisper and leap into the complete unknown. This conversation gets real about the messy middle of transformation: the relationships that shift, the identity crises that hit, and how to trust your inner knowing when everyone around you thinks you've lost it. We explore the difference between mind wisdom and heart wisdom, what it takes to rebuild your life from scratch, and why the most aligned path often looks like the craziest one. Angela's journey proves that sometimes the thing that terrifies you most is exactly what your soul is calling you toward. If you've been sensing that your current life no longer fits, or you're afraid of what might happen if you actually listen to that persistent inner nudge, this episode offers both inspiration and permission to trust the mystery. Essential listening for anyone ready to discover what becomes possible when you choose alignment over approval. Links + Resources Subscribe on Substack Full show notes 30% off Rise + Shine: Guided Path to Heart-Led Living and Leadership

What happens when everything you've built stops feeling like you? This isn't a story about burnout or business failure—it's about the radical courage to honor who you're becoming, even when it makes zero logical sense. In this episode, Meghan shares why she walked away from a globally successful business that was thriving by every metric. The real moment she knew. The price tag of freedom. And the terrifying question every successful person faces: "Who am I without this?" If you've ever felt disconnected from something you worked hard to build, wondered if you're allowed to want something different, or questioned whether success is supposed to feel this heavy—this conversation will hit different. Because sometimes the most courageous pivot isn't growing bigger. It's trusting the whisper that says it's time to scale down and come home to yourself. Perfect for anyone ready to redefine what success actually means. Links + Resources Subscribe on Substack Full show notes 30% off Rise + Shine: Guided Path to Heart-Led Living and Leadership

Before the big dramatic moment, before the crisis, before the leap—there's always a whisper. That quiet inner knowing that something isn't quite right anymore. The subtle nudge that says, "This isn't it." In this episode, we explore how to recognize and honour those early signals before they become overwhelming. You'll discover what the whisper actually sounds like, why we resist listening to it, and how to tell the difference between a passing frustration and a true call for change. If you're feeling that quiet stirring, that sense of "something more," this episode will help you trust what you're sensing and take the first courageous step: simply listening. Ready to stop ignoring your inner wisdom? Tune in and discover the power of the whisper. Links + Resources Subscribe on Substack Full show notes 30% off Rise + Shine: Guided Path to Heart-Led Living and Leadership

What if courage isn't about fearless leaps, but about speaking from the heart? In this debut episode, host Meghan Telpner redefines what it means to make a "courageous pivot"—those quiet, heart-led decisions to realign with who you're becoming, even when everything looks successful from the outside. Meghan explores why transformation isn't about burning it all down, but about choosing alignment over obligation. If you've been feeling the whisper that something needs to shift, or you're ready to redefine success on your own terms, this episode offers a new framework for navigating life's crossroads with authenticity and grace. Essential listening for anyone questioning their current path or ready to give themselves permission to begin again. Links + Resources Subscribe on Substack Full show notes 30% off Rise + Shine: Guided Path to Heart-Led Living and Leadership

The Courageous Pivot is a podcast for anyone who’s ever felt that quiet nudge—that whisper that says, “this isn’t it anymore.” Hosted by Meghan Telpner, this show is your companion through life’s big, heart-led shifts. Whether it’s mid-career, mid-life, or a moment in between, The Courageous Pivot is about trusting your intuition, tuning into your inner wisdom, and daring to take the leap—especially when it makes no sense on paper. Through honest stories, meaningful conversations, and grounded inspiration, this is your permission slip to come home to yourself and live in alignment with who you are today. Subscribe now and join the journey. Links and Resources The Courageous Pivot Podcast Website Subscribe on Substack

Ever feel like life is stuck on repeat? The good news is—you don’t need a drastic reset to shift your personal algorithm. In this episode, Meghan dives into a simple yet powerful practice: curating your own highlight reel. Instead of endlessly scrolling through others’ lives, what if you took a moment to revisit your own? By focusing on joyful moments and tuning into what truly lights you up, you can begin attracting more of what you want. Where our attention goes, our energy flows—so let’s be intentional about what we’re calling in. Episode Highlights: How are you curating the algorithm of your life? Just like social media, what you engage with shapes your reality. Your focus determines your experience—more of the same brings more of the same. Mindfully choose what you give energy to. Small shifts create big impact: change what you read, who you follow, and how you respond to life’s challenges. Instead of doom-scrolling, scroll through your own life. Revisit joyful moments and recognize the highlights in your present. The key to change? Ask yourself: What’s within my control that I can shift? The answer is always your energy, perspective, and response Related Episodes: Episode 027: In Pursuit of Purpose and Rising Together Episode 029: Why Are We Afraid To Create Links & Resources:  Click here to join Meghan's Community and be part of this new project Click here to access your FREE coherence class Enjoy special discounts on Meghan's preferred brands and products

Join Meghan and Susan Baker in an intimate conversation that delves deep into the heart of motherhood, autism, and the journey towards acceptance. In this raw and vulnerable episode, Susan, author of the poignant book 'A Life Beyond Words,' shares her profound experience raising Andrew, her nonverbal autistic son. Susan opens up about her initial struggles, holistic approaches, and the transformative moment of surrender that changed everything. From challenging moments of despair to finding unexpected paths of communication, Susan's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.  Through tears and laughter, they explore the complexities of autism, the power of acceptance, and the beauty of embracing one's unique journey. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound love that binds families together, transcending words and limitations.  More from Meghan Subscribe: http://fun.meghantelpner.com Shop all courses: http://fun.meghantelpner.com/shop Join her community: https://fun.meghantelpner.com/communitylearning In this conversation Meghan and Susan discuss: Releasing expectations of a 'perfect life' and being a 'perfect' mother. The true test of resilience in motherhood. Managing the heated climate of autism terminology and how to know the 'right' and 'wrong' words to use. Susan's initial observations of Andrew's atypical development and communication and the process of diagnosis. Vxns and autism -- yes, we dare to go there. Transitioning from the need to fix her child to embracing him for who he is. The discovery of a unique method of communication for Andrew and the introduction to a brain-body movement therapy and its impact on Andrew's regulation. Susan's realization of the importance of letting go of control while still embracing holistic principles. The strength that comes from actively surrendering to what is.

This is an audio recording of a written essay. Read the full essay and access all referenced links at http://meghantelpner.com/climate More from Meghan Subscribe: http://fun.meghantelpner.com Shop all courses: http://fun.meghantelpner.com/shop We’re being told ‘climate change’ is the crisis we need to pay attention to. If this is true, is it possible we’re being pointed in the wrong direction regarding both primary causes and solutions? And what if it’s not true, or not in the way we’re being led to believe? This distinction could make a world of difference. What follows is a nuanced view. This is not a black-or-white issue but one that is deeply complex and that requires more thought and action than news headlines and public figures are leading us to believe. This episode explores: What we really need to consider when it comes to whether our climate is in fact changing Some important questions to ask regarding how much impact day-to-day human activity is having The habits and culture that should be addressed as it relates to our care for the environment The potential impact of clearing forests, modifying weather, and tech-based solutions What true ecological care means How we can learn from those who walked these lands before us

Here is a written version: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/showing-up-this-is-your-time More information on my 4-Week Wake-Up and Rise + Shine Intuition Masterclass: https://www.meghantelpner.com/superpowers Access to a free Coherence Session here:  https://www.meghantelpner.com/magic -- It's time to show up - because you get to write and re-write the instructions for how you operate in your life. This episode of On My Mind is about tuning in and rising up, ditching any fear or reservations you have about pursuing what brings you into the full expression of who you are. If we all operated from this place for as many minutes or hours of the day as we could manage, we’d be living in a very different world - on both the individual scale and the big wide world scale of things. Get the full scoop - along with simple tips for how to do this - in today's episode.