Have you ever walked away from a conversation or a room full of strangers thinking, “Was that too much?”

I recently joined Michal McCracken on the Space and Grace podcast for a conversation that started with a simple question—why is authenticity in communication so important? What unfolded was an honest, heartfelt deep dive into what it really means to find your voice, use it boldly, and still navigate those moments when you feel like you’ve taken up too much space.

Spoiler alert: You’re not too much. You’re not “not enough”. You’re you—and the world needs all of it.

We’re Not Here for Polished Perfection

We live in a world that’s still shaking off the curated Instagram era. The one where perfection was currency and “relatable” was a branding tactic. And what people want now is realness. They want to connect with someone who shows up as themselves—flaws, quirks, awkward silences, and all.

Authenticity isn’t a performance. It’s not something you “achieve” and then move on from. ...

As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect—to replay milestones, challenges, growth moments, and even the things that didn’t go quite as planned. And as valuable as reflection is, the real magic happens when we shift our attention forward—toward what we’re choosing to create next.

2026 isn’t simply another calendar year. It’s a blank canvas, waiting for your ideas, your leadership, your intention.

And not only for yourself—what you design next will ripple outward, shaping how you show up for others: your team, your clients, your community, your family. That’s a powerful opportunity.

Why Creating What’s Next Matters

It’s easy to get stuck in reaction mode—responding to deadlines, demands, or the noise around us. And true progress comes from creation. From discovering who you are authentically and deciding what kind of energy you want to bring into your work, your relationships, your decisions.

This isn’t about setting lofty resolutions that fizzle out by February. It’s abou...

I recently shared an article in our “All The Things” email that explored a surprising idea: our brains can age at a pace that doesn’t always match the rest of us. What stood out wasn’t simply the science—it was the reminder that our cognitive patterns quietly influence how we show up every day. The researchers noted that these subtle shifts in brain-health can shape decision-making, emotional regulation, and even the way we interpret the world around us.

That insight stayed with me. Because if our internal processing changes the way we think, it naturally changes the way we communicate. The gaps, assumptions, or misunderstandings we experience in conversations often start long before words are spoken.

So, using that article as a launch point, with this blog I will take you into a more practical space—how communication actually works in our daily interactions, and a few intentional ways we can strengthen it.

When we communicate well, we shorten the distance between intention and unde...

And why it’s more than you think 

It’s easy to spot a missed deadline or a dropped ball. What’s harder to see—and often more damaging—is the ripple effect of poor communication across your team or organization.

There is a tendency to refer to “communication issues” as soft problems. Interpersonal. Inevitable. Something to bring up in a 360 review or a quarterly training. And here’s the truth: poor communication isn’t simply a culture issue—it’s a business risk. One that quietly erodes productivity, trust, and profitability every single day it goes unaddressed.

Let’s uncover what it really costs.

1- Lost Time You’ll Never Get Back

Misaligned priorities. Endless email threads. Meetings that feel like déjà vu. When teams aren’t clear on expectations, timelines, or ownership, even high performers can spin their wheels.

And it’s not only frustrating—it’s expensive.

According to a McKinsey study, employees spend an average of 28% of their workweek on email and another 20% on internal ...

We’ve all heard of the post-meal walk. Maybe you’ve even tried one recently—except now, thanks to social media, it has a slightly less elegant name: the fart walk. As unglamorous as it sounds, the science behind it is solid. Walking after eating can boost digestion, regulate blood sugar, and even lift your mood. And what if we expanded that concept?

What if we treated a quick walk as a digestive aid—and as a mental reset?

In the same way a fart walk helps the body process and release what it doesn’t need, a walk after (or before) a high-stakes meeting or presentation can help clear the cognitive clutter—stress, adrenaline, looping thoughts—so you can return with more clarity, focus, and presence.

Let’s call it a “fart walk for your brain.” 

Why Your Brain Needs a Digestive System, Too

Note “Scientifickness” incoming: When you walk, your body engages in a series of micro-movements that regulate everything from blood flow to mood. And there’s more going on under the surface. Mild...