In this episode, I explore one of the hidden drains on our confidence, relationships, and opportunities: silence.

We often think we’re playing it safe by holding back, but the truth is, staying silent comes with a cost.

I open up about my own journey from being the shy, quiet girl who silenced herself, to becoming someone who now teaches others how to speak with courage.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories of clients, everyday examples, and simple tools to help you notice where fear, judgment, or self-doubt might be keeping you silent — and how that’s impacting your life and business.

Using your voice isn’t just about public speaking. It’s about the everyday moments where you ask for what you want, give honest feedback, or say yes to being visible.

Your voice influences your presence, energy, and authority.

And when you choose silence instead, the opportunities, connections, and impact that could have been yours often slip away.

This episode is an invitation to stop paying the hidden cost of silence - and to start speaking up with courage.

Because your voice doesn’t just matter, it can change lives, starting with your own.

Key takeaways:

o Your voice is so much more than words and sound.

o Silence has a price.

o Asking for what you want is an act of courage.

o The real barrier to speaking isn’t speaking - it’s something else.

o Simple things you can do to feel more courageous using your voice.

o Being direct with your words is the kindest thing you can do.

o Your voice is tied to your worth and influences how people experience you.

** Courageous Speaking Masterclass – Wed 22 Oct 2025 **

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or professional who knows speaking is the ONE skill that could change the game for your business or career, this is for you.

~ Find out more or grab your spot here. ~

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayneBiz

Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to work out how you can use your voice with more impact.

What does it really take to move from “I’ve got an idea for a book” to becoming an author?

In this inspiring conversation, I reconnect with intuitive writing coach, editor, and publisher Ruth Fae to explore what it means to find your voice and courageously put your words into the world.

Ruth unpacks what “being an author” truly means, and why so many of the excuses we cling to (“I’m not a writer,” “my message isn’t worthy”) are simply myths.

She explains how writing is a creative muscle that grows stronger with use, why collaboration makes the process more powerful, and how writing circles give women the confidence, structure, and safe space to write.

I also share my own vulnerable journey of handing Ruth my first manuscript, facing fears of imperfection and discovering that authorship begins long before a book is published.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, or doubted whether you had it in you, this episode will shift your perspective, release the pressure, and remind you that your words matter.

By tuning in, you’ll discover:

o Why you’re already an author even if your book isn’t published yet.

o How intuitive editing helps your real voice and message shine through.

o The difference between planners and “pantsers” in writing (and how to find your flow).

o Why collaboration and safe creative spaces make writing easier and more fun.

o How to move past perfectionism and start with what you’ve got (even messy brain dumps).

o The importance of structure in shaping stories without stifling creativity.

o Ways to overcome resistance when the words don’t come.

o Why courage, community, and consistency matter more than rules when it comes to writing.

! Sign up for inaugural The Author in You. An 8 week writing course and bring the book inside you to life.

Learn about Ruth’s Writing Circles.

Find out more or get in touch with Ruth:

Website: Fae Blood Publications

Facebook: Ruth Fae-Writer

Instagram: @ruth_fae_writer

LinkedIn: Ruth Fae

Tiktok: @ruthfaewriter

Listen to Ruths first appearance on the podcast, episode 13 Rediscovering your identity through hope, healing, and storytelling.

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayne9Biz

Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line.

If you’ve ever faced loss or change and wondered how you could stay open to life and find joy, this is for you.

In this moving conversation, we hear from mindset coach Kathleen Quinn, who at 56 reinvented herself after retiring from a 35-year career at Stanford University.

Just as she was embracing her new path, Kathleen faced the devastating loss of her husband, Michael, during the pandemic.

Before he passed, he left her with a simple but profound request: “Struggle to stay open to life.”

Those words became the compass that guided her through grief, heartbreak, change, and loss, and eventually helped her rediscover joy.

Now at 63, Kathleen is living proof that it’s never too late to change your identity, feel deserving of abundance, and say yes to opportunities beyond your wildest dreams.

From honouring her husband’s wisdom to becoming a mindset coach, to stepping into authorship and public speaking, Kathleen’s story is a powerful reminder that courage isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about staying open to what life places before you, even when it scares you.

Kathleen’s purpose is to help people feel grounded, free, and fulfilled, and this episode will inspire you on your way.

Key takeaways:

o How Kathleen’s husband’s final wishes became her guiding principle.

o What it takes to start a new career at 56 and take on a completely different identity.

o What grief can teach us about growth and understanding.

o The freedom that comes from releasing expectations of others.

o The difference between wealth and abundance.

o Why friendships may play different roles and how to accept them.

o The importance of asking for what you deserve and breaking old scarcity patterns.

o How living by your values keeps you aligned, even when resistance shows up.

Where to find Kathleen:

Website: Kathleen Quinn

LinkedIn: Kathleen Quinn

Get a copy of her book (where she’s a featured author).

Infinite Impact – Stories of Alignment

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: Kim Payne Biz

Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action

In this episode, multi-passionate entrepreneur Kim McGann shares the story behind her many reinventions, from launching her first beauty salon at just 21, to building an award-winning bridal business, navigating family challenges, becoming a top 1% earner in network marketing, and now stepping into her next big vision with The More Method.

Kim reveals why life isn’t about having everything figured out but trusting that deep inner knowing that there’s more out there for you.

She reflects on how even during personal loss and upheaval, trusting the process can open unexpected opportunities far beyond what you could imagine.

You’ll hear how she’s embraced change when most would cling to comfort, how she’s using perimenopause as a catalyst for reinvention, and why she believes every woman is “made for more.”

This episode is both a permission slip and a blueprint to remind you that whatever you look for in life, you’ll find, so why not go looking for more?

Key Takeaways:

o Starting a business is a catalyst for deep personal growth.

o Life’s chaos often plants the seeds for your next big step.

o Every new chapter requires an evolved version of you.

o Even at the top, growth can call you to something more.

o The More Method offers a framework to create an extraordinary life.

o Reframe limiting beliefs so they no longer hold you hostage.

o Whatever you look for in life, you’ll find.

o Trust the process, as every step leads to what’s next.

o Three common fears keep many women from going all-in.

Follow or stay tuned for more with Kim McGann

Website: Kim McGann

Instagram: @itskimmcgann

Instagram: @madeformore_women

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayne9Rok

Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action

In this heart-opening episode, we meet personal brand fashion stylist Jane Mow to explore the many layers of courage that live beneath a stylish outfit.

Born in Fiji, Jane shares how moving countries, changing her accent, and uprooting her life repeatedly shaped her fierce independence and bold self-expression.

Jane's story isn't about fashion, it's about identity, reinvention, and following the whisper inside that says "you're going places."

From walking away from a "perfect" relationship to chase energetic alignment in a new city, to trading fashion editorial shoots for rugs and stone sales in search of herself, Jane lays it all bare.

Including the moment in couples counselling that reignited her true calling, and how she's now navigating one of her most courageous seasons yet.

Far beyond the clothes, Jane's work is about helping women reconnect with the version of themselves they've hidden away and giving them permission to come out and shine.

Sometimes that looks like hot pink pants.

Sometimes it's speaking up.

Sometimes it's simply showing up.

This conversation is a love letter to the parts of you still waiting to be seen and the courage it takes to finally let them out.

Key takeaways:

o Reinvention is a continuous recalibration, not a one-time decision.

o Energetic alignment matters more than logic—your body always knows.

o A mundane season can be the unexpected spark that leads you back to your purpose.

o Clothes can be a powerful gateway to reclaiming the real you.

o People aren't thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are.

o Every new season of life demands a mindset shift.

o Personal style is deeply linked to identity, confidence, and self-expression.

Get in touch with Jane:

Website: Jane Mow

Instagram: @janemowstylist

LinkedIn: Jane Mow

Check this out: The Unforgettable Style Workshop (every 2 months) https://janemow.com/workshop

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayneBiz

Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line.

In this episode, I flip the classic line "begin with the end in mind" and propose a fresh alternative that can be even more helpful when you're trying to get something off the ground.

If you're sitting on an idea, dream, or whisper of possibility but feeling overwhelmed because you don't have it all figured out - this is your call to action.

I share some personal stories, drop in a few juicy metaphors, and recount a memorable moment in a homewares store that unexpectedly sparked the name of this podcast: Courageous Me.

This one's for you if you've been saying "not yet," "maybe one day," or "I'm not ready."

Whether it's a big life decision, a creative nudge, or a simple personal change; uncertainty and 'not ready' aren't signs to delay, they're reasons to begin.

You don't need clarity to start. You need the courage to begin.

Key Takeaways:

o You don't need to have everything sorted before you start.

o The clarity you're waiting for often comes after you begin-not before.

o Momentum reveals the next step far more than overthinking does.

o Waiting for the perfect plan can lead to years of missed opportunity.

o Feeling unready isn't a reason to wait - it's part of getting ahead.

o If you've figured things out before, you can do it again.

o One decision to begin can change everything.

o You can't finish what you don't start.

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayne9Rok

**Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line. What have you got to lose?

How a life of uncertainty, solo parenting, and starting over can evolve into a story of purpose and meaning.

In this candid and uplifting episode, I chat with brand strategist Michelle McCarthy, who brings honesty, vulnerability, and wisdom as she shares the courageous choices that have shaped her life across three continents.

From walking away from the fast-paced dream of New York to building a business in Australia as a single mother, Michelle's story is about trusting your inner knowing, those quiet whispers that guide you when logic and plans fall away.

Michelle reflects on what it takes to own your "weird", find belonging without fitting into a box, and follow the inner pull for more, even when you can't yet define what it looks like.

Her story will resonate with anyone standing at a personal or professional crossroads, sensing change and searching for answers.

As a creative brand strategist, Michelle also shares how building a business is as much about self-discovery as it is about strategy, and how true authenticity starts from within.

This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt like you don't quite fit in… and are ready to trust yourself anyway.

You'll hear:

o How tuning into your inner knowing can point you in the right direction.

o Why discomfort is often the clearest signal that change is necessary.

o The power of being different and how it is your superpower when it feels safe to express it.

o What starting a business teaches you about yourself.

o Why not fitting in a box is why she stands out.

o The beauty of creativity for the joy of it, without a commercial agenda.

o The courage it takes to let go of what's been to become what could be.

Get in touch with Michelle:

Instagram: @immichellemccarthy

LinkedIn: Michelle McCarthy

Website

Book your FREE Client Attraction Strategy Call with Michelle here.

It will uncover the next-level opportunities for your brand—whether that’s amplifying your voice, expanding your influence, or turning recognition into legacy.

It isn’t a sales call—it’s a powerful conversation where we dive into your vision and potential, ensuring we’re the perfect fit before going on this transformative experience.

More about Michelle:

Michelle McCarthy is a brand strategist helping ambitious businesses and experts attract more dream clients through powerful, human-led branding. With 15+ years of experience, she's known for blending strategy and soul to create brands that drive results, without the burnout!

Where to find me:

Website: Kim Payne

LinkedIn: Kim Payne

Instagram: @iamkimpayne

Facebook: KimPayne9Rok