156 Beyond the Fix-It Mentality: Starting From Whole & Complete

Have you ever felt like you’re a project in need of fixing? Like if you could just conquer that flaw, stick to that habit, or find the right formula, you’d finally arrive? For years, Barb lived inside that story, and it left her with a constant hum of dissatisfaction and self-doubt.In this solo episode, Barb shares how the self-improvement path opened incredible doors, yet also kept her locked in a cycle of striving. What began to shift everything was the realization that she was never broken to begin with, that our true starting point is whole and complete.Through personal stories and real-life examples, she explores how this fix-it mentality sneaks into business, creativity, and leadership, and what changes when we begin to relate to ourselves from wholeness instead of lack.If you’ve been caught in endless self-analysis or always trying to “get better,” this conversation is an invitation to stop repairing and start creating, to inhabit your life and business fully, quirks and all, from the wholeness that’s already within you.Thank you for listening! Visit my website to learn more about The Innerverse of Business and Life Podcast and don't forget to follow for new episodes every Thursday.SHOW NOTES[00:00] – Introduction to The Innerverse of Business and Life Podcast[00:54] – The Illusion of Self-Improvement[03:54] – Breaking Free from the Fix-It Mentality[06:22] – Discovering Wholeness Beyond Fixing[09:27] – Embracing Our Essential Nature[12:17] – The Power of the Unknown[15:11] – Shifting Perspectives on Growth[18:15] – Living from Wholeness, Not Brokenness[21:40] – Thank you for listening!SHOW LINKSExplore Barb's WebsiteSubscribe to the podcast on YouTube Follow Barb on LinkedinFollow Barb on InstagramThe Innerverse Sessions – RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

What if money was never the problem, but our relationship to creativity and possibility?In this conversation, coach and author Aila Coats joins Barb to explore money, abundance, and the deeper source behind both. From her earliest entrepreneurial sparks as a child, to navigating pregnancy while reimagining her business model, Aila has continually discovered that wealth isn’t about formulas, it’s about creativity, resilience, and trust in the infinite source of life.Together they talk about:How scarcity is often just anxious thinking, not truthWhat it takes to stay open, curious, and willing when plans don’t go as expectedPractical and surprising ways to create money and resourcesThe deeper joy that comes from aligning with abundance rather than chasing formulasThis episode is an invitation to reimagine money, not as something scarce, but as energy flowing through creativity, service, and possibility.SHOW NOTES[00:00] – Introduction to Money Conversations[05:37] – Aila’s Early Entrepreneurial Spirit[08:38] – The Role of Creativity in Financial Success[11:36] – Navigating Life Changes and Business Adaptation[14:35] – Innovative Solutions During Challenges[17:45] – The Power of Mindset in Business[20:32] – Exploring Possibilities and Taking Action[23:37] – Encouraging Resilience in Entrepreneurship[26:25] – Overcoming Limiting Beliefs[29:33] – Staying Open to Opportunities[30:37] – Navigating Disappointment in Business[34:14] – The Art of Serving Through Enrollment[39:11] – Staying Open to New Possibilities[43:13] – Embracing Uncertainty and Abundance[49:02] – The Power of Gratitude in ExchangeSHOW LINKSExplore Aila’s websiteLearn more about Barbara Patterson and The Innerverse of Business and Life Podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/money-creativity-the-infinite-source-a-conversation-with-aila-coats/

What if true leadership isn’t about pushing harder or overriding your limits, but about listening more deeply to your body and your wisdom?In this conversation, Barb sits down with Julie Chazotte, transformational coach and co-founder of Simple SHIFT, to explore what it really means to embody leadership. Julie shares her own journey from overwhelm and pressure to discovering the transformative role of the nervous system, somatic awareness, and embodied presence.Together they dive into the hidden costs of ignoring our limits, how to recognize the signals of the body, and why befriending our humanity is the key to accessing greater clarity, resilience, and creativity. Julie offers real-life examples of working with leaders navigating overwhelm, people-pleasing, and high-pressure environments, and shows how honoring our inner cues can shift everything from the quality of our decisions to the depth of our relationships.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your head, caught in self-doubt, or disconnected from your own clarity, this episode will give you a new way to see, and a new way to lead.Thank you for listening to the episode! Follow Barb for new episodes of The Innerverse of Business and Life podcast every Thursday.SHOW NOTES[00:00] - Introduction to Embodied Leadership[02:07] - Julie Chazotte's Journey and Transformation[07:17] - Understanding Limits and Overwhelm[10:25] - The Role of the Nervous System in Leadership[17:56] - Practical Applications for Leaders[20:59] - Navigating Stress and Pressure[26:46] - The Importance of Trusting Inner Wisdom[31:25] - Embracing Change and Uncertainty[37:11] - The Call to Step into Leadership[44:34] - Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsSHOW LINKSVisit Julie's website.Interested in learning more about the podcast? Visit Barb's website.

We tell ourselves we’re waiting for the right moment, more information or better conditions. But often, those delays are just fear in disguise.In this solo episode, Barb unpacks how business has a way of shining a light on the patterns that keep us holding back, second-guessing, overthinking, playing it safe. She shares a personal story of a missed opportunity, and why real growth happens when we choose to engage with life and our businesses even when it's uncomfortable.Life, business, and creativity respond to our presence, our willingness to step in, and our willingness to make the first move.Thank you for listening! To learn more about the Innerverse of Business and Life Podcast visit my website BarbaraPatterson.com.SHOW NOTES[00:00] - Introduction to The Innerverse of Business and Life Podcast[00:55] - Life is Waiting for You to Engage[05:41] - The Fear of Taking Action[10:29] - Interactive Nature of Life and Business[14:37] - Invitation to Make the First Move[15:16] - Thank you for listening!SHOW LINKSExplore the WebsiteFollow Barb on LinkedinThe Innerverse Sessions - RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

What happens when the body refuses to play along with your plans—when the old drive, hustle, and push simply stop working?In this candid and inspiring conversation, BarB sits down with branding and marketing expert Lee Bjarnason to explore the unexpected “no” that changed the course of her career. Lee shares how a season of resistance and burnout revealed deeper wisdom, reignited her creativity through an unlikely side project about the Beatles, and ultimately transformed how she approaches her work and life.They talk about trusting your inner signals, reclaiming your voice after years in corporate environments, and helping brands tap into their own authentic story and soul. Whether you’re navigating a pivot, searching for renewed creativity, or trying to align your business with what feels true, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and permission to listen when your body says “no.”SHOW NOTES[00:00] - Navigating Career Fractures and Burnout[08:10] - Embracing Creativity and Finding Voice[14:34] - The Power of Authenticity in Business[21:52] - Trusting the Creative Process[27:35] - Identifying Blind Spots and Building Brands[36:19] - Exploring New Growth OpportunitiesSHOW LINKSConnect with Lee on LinkedInLearn more about The Innerverse of Being and Life Podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/the-innerverse-of-business-and-life-podcast/

What happens when we stop trying to be who we think we should be, and start showing up as we are?In this honest and thoughtful conversation, Barb sits down with Dan Wingard, real estate leader, business coach, and musician, to explore his personal journey from performance and perfectionism to presence and authenticity.Dan shares candidly about the evolution of his leadership, his marriage of nearly 30 years, and the internal shifts that helped him let go of the pressure to prove, perform, or have it all figured out. They talk about the trap of self-improvement, the myth of “finding your purpose,” and the freedom that comes when we appreciate where we are, rather than chasing who we think we should be.This episode is a meaningful reflection on presence, honesty, and what it means to live and lead with more connection, creativity, and peace of mind.SHOW NOTES:[00:00] - Introduction and Personal Growth[04:20] - The Importance of Presence in Leadership[07:19] - Authenticity vs. Perception[10:18] - Navigating Challenges in Leadership[13:25] - Embracing Vulnerability and Realness[16:12] - Transformations in the Real Estate Business[19:06] - Exploring Emotions and Mindset[22:11] - The Role of Music and Creativity[25:11] - Finding Purpose in the Present[28:15] - Appreciating the Journey[31:16] - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSHOW LINKS:Visit Dan's WebsiteFollow Dan on InstagramLearn more about the podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/from-polished-to-present-dan-wingard-on-real-leadership-real-life/

What does it really mean to live an embodied life? What does it mean to have a felt, experiential knowing of who we are beyond our thinking?In this solo episode, Barb explores her personal journey of embodiment and what it means to drop below the surface, listen to the intelligence of the body, and trust its guidance even in uncertainty.From a trip to Ecuador and the loss of a loved one, she shares how reconnecting to the body opened up new dimensions of clarity, trust, and presence.This episode is an invitation to let go of control, soften into sensation, and rediscover the wisdom that lives within. To feel it all. To allow it all.If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in your head, bracing against life’s intensity, or unsure how to move forward, this one’s for you.SHOW NOTES[00:00] – Exploring Embodiment: A Journey Within[05:11] – The Power of Embodied Experiences[14:54] – Navigating Life’s Challenges with Presence[16:42] – Embracing Change and Trusting the Process[25:35] – The Wisdom of the Body: A Call to ActionSHOW LINKSExplore the WebsiteFollow Barb on LinkedinLearn more about The Innerverse of Being and Life podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/embodied-living-trusting-your-body-feeling-your-life/

What keeps life and leadership fresh, even after decades in the game? And how do you stay curious, present, and willing to take risks when it would be easier to play it safe?In this conversation, Barb sits down with Terri Keogh, President & CEO of Castro Properties, a third-generation entrepreneur, to explore the mindset that has kept her learning, growing, and thriving in business and life.Terri shares stories from her early days making the shift from prosecutor to the real estate industry, learning to trust herself in big negotiations, and why admitting what you don’t know can be a secret weapon in business. She also talks about pressing pause, creating space for fresh thinking, and how staying engaged with life, saying yes to new experiences, even when inconvenient, has become essential to her success and happiness.This is a powerful reminder that presence, curiosity, and openness aren’t just nice ideas, they’re what keep us alive, evolving, and ready for whatever’s next.SHOW NOTES[00:00] – Generational Entrepreneurship and Its Impact[07:26] – Transitioning from Law to Business Leadership[12:53] – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome[15:52] – The Power of Curiosity and Listening[22:52] – The Importance of Presence and Pausing[29:46] – Embracing the Moment: Lessons from Life Events[32:02] – The Importance of Presence[34:35] – Navigating Life’s Challenges[38:06] – The Inner Game vs. The Outer Game[42:01] – Responding to Life’s Uncertainties[49:28] – Embracing Learning and Openness[55:35] – Introduction to Terry Keough and Her Journey[56:31] – Resilience Through Chronic Illness and Personal GrowthSHOW LINKSVisit Terri’s WebsiteLearn more about the Innerverse of Being and Life Podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/staying-curious-present-engaged-terri-keogh-on-business-life/

What happens when you stop living in fear, release the pressure, and start trusting yourself in the middle of the chaos?In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Barb sits down with Jenny Gering, acclaimed costume designer behind shows like The Diplomat and films like Limitless, to explore the inner shifts that changed everything.Jenny opens up about her unconventional path into Hollywood, the burnout that nearly pulled her out of the industry, and how a deeper internal transformation helped her navigate high-pressure sets, challenging personalities, and the unpredictability of freelance life with more ease, clarity, and joy.They talk about intuition, resilience, reactivity, and learning to stop managing everyone else’s emotions just to feel safe. Jenny’s story is a beautiful reminder that our inner climate shapes everything, including the opportunities we see and the way we show up in our work.Whether you’re a creative, a leader, or someone craving more peace in the pressure, this one’s for you.SHOW NOTES[00:00] - The Journey Begins: Discovering Career Paths[15:49] - Embracing Change: Transitioning to New Opportunities[21:44] - Navigating the Fast-Paced World of Costume Design[29:48] - Learning Boundaries: Personal Growth in a Demanding Industry[30:58] - Navigating Emotional Dynamics at Work[34:09] - Embracing Resilience and Adaptability[38:49] - Transforming Reactivity into Empowerment[44:38] - Finding Common Ground in Conflict[47:45] - Nurturing Creativity and Personal Growth[51:49] - Encouragement for Young ProfessionalsSHOW LINKSFollow Jenny on InstagramLearn more about the podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/behind-the-seams-inner-shifts-from-hollywood-costume-designer-jenny-gering/

We all start with a vision. A dream. An idea of how we’ll show up, and what it will give us in return. But what happens when reality doesn’t match that vision? When the results don’t come, the motivation fades, or the process is harder than we imagined? In this solo episode, Barb shares two personal stories, a move to Paris and the launch of a new program that didn’t unfold the way she’d imagined. Through these examples, she explores how we romanticize beginnings, how easy it is to judge ourselves too soon, and what’s actually available when we stay the course. If you’re navigating discouragement, unmet expectations, or wondering if you’re on the right track, this is your reminder: you’re not behind, and nothing’s gone wrong. Real progress isn’t always visible, it’s often the quiet act of staying true when things get real.SHOW NOTES[00:00] – The Romantic Vision of Change[05:05] – The Reality of New Beginnings[09:45] – Staying the Course Amidst Disappointment[13:30] – Embracing the Unfolding JourneySHOW LINKSExplore the WebsiteLearn about the upcoming EXPRESS TO EXPAND TrainingFollow Barb on LinkedinLearn more about the podcast: https://barbarapatterson.com/the-dream-vs-the-doing-staying-true-when-it-gets-real/