Ever been told you’re so good at something you secretly hate? Yeah. Same.

This episode kicks off with the truth about the “zone of excellence”—aka that comfy little trap where you're praised for doing something well... even if it’s not what you’re meant to do. I talk about how I spent years being the “perfect” teacher (because people said I’d be great at it) while totally ignoring the part of me that wanted to build and lead and run things.

I am joined on this episode by my partner in life and business, Michael, who was the business guy that turned out to be... a writer. Together, we unpack why the zone of genius is so hard to claim, how we each tried to follow the script, and what finally made us throw it out.

Come hang out, question the script, and remember: the only way to get life wrong is by living someone else’s version of it.

My guest:

Michael Hartmann is a writer, photographer, and the creator of The Wandering Cape Codder—a lifestyle brand rooted in literary curiosity, global flavor, and the art of elevated living. When he’s not writing books or dreaming up boutique travel experiences, you can find him savoring whiskey, searching for the perfect light, or talking philosophy with strangers.

Explore his world at michaelhartmannbooks.com

Me... In third person so it feels super official...

Amy Hartmann is the host of Lemonade and the founder of SoTrue, a podcast strategy agency helping business owners turn conversations into conversions. She’s built multiple six- and seven-figure businesses, but her real genius is asking the kind of questions that make people pause, laugh, and rethink everything. Lemonade is her latest act of rebellion against the life script—and a celebration of the messy, human stuff we don’t talk about enough.

Learn more at ⁠amyhartmann.com⁠

In this raw, reflective preview episode, host Amy Hartmann shares the early morning identity crisis that cracked open her desire for something more. What began with an aching shoulder and a question—“Who am I?”—became a deeper examination of the roles we play, the stories we inherit, and the choices we never realized we had. Amy takes listeners inside the moment she realized the life she was living might not be one she consciously chose.

This podcast isn’t about blowing up your life. It’s about turning what you already have into something real, delicious, and deeply yours.
If you’ve ever looked around and thought, Is this really it?, this podcast is your invitation to question the script—and start choosing yourself instead.