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Not every customer is worth keeping—and that’s a lesson most business owners learn the hard way.

In this episode of Unexpected Advice, Esther sits down with Lynn Anderson, a childcare provider with over 30 years of experience, to explore what it really means to protect your business by letting the wrong clients go. While her world revolves around caring for children, the lessons she’s learned about boundaries, trust, and alignment apply to any business, in any industry.

Lynn shares how to recognize when a relationship isn’t the right fit, why trusting your gut matters more than we think, and how holding both yourself and your customers accountable can transform your business. She also opens up about the emotional side of “firing” a client—and how honesty, clarity, and a little grace can make even the hardest conversations worthwhile.

If you’ve ever held onto a difficult customer for too long, struggled to enforce your own policies, or felt the tension of misaligned expectations, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really looks like.

Because sometimes, the best way to grow… is to let go.

You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast

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How do you actually find your passion?

For many people, passion isn’t something you discover overnight. It’s something you uncover through experience, failure, and the willingness to keep asking questions about what truly drives you.

In this episode of Unexpected Advice, Esther sits down with Todd Thurman, Director of Athletics at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Todd’s career has taken him from national championship basketball player to professional athlete, coach, and athletic director. But the most powerful lessons he’s learned along the way aren’t just about sports — they’re about understanding your strengths and building a life around them.

Todd shares a question he often asks young coaches and professionals:

“If someone wrote a scouting report about you… what would the headline say?”

That question opens the door to a deeper conversation about identity, leadership, and discovering what you're truly passionate about.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to discover what you're actually passionate about
• Why building around your strengths matters more than fixing weaknesses
• The role failure plays in growth and leadership
• Why fear keeps so many people from pursuing their next opportunity
• How great leaders build teams and help others succeed

Todd’s advice is simple but powerful:
Know who you are, build to your strengths, and don’t let fear make your decisions.

Learn more about Todd:
Metro State Athletics: https://roadrunnersathletics.com/staff-directory/todd-thurman/217

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thurman-32216030/

You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast

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Some of the best decisions you’ve ever made… didn’t feel big at the time.

In this episode of Unexpected Advice, Esther sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist, ordained minister, and grief counselor Megan Malick to explore why your best decisions were made in the rearview mirror.

From choosing sobriety one day at a time to navigating the profound loss of both parents in quick succession, Megan shares how hindsight reveals resilience, strength, and growth we often miss in the moment. Rather than focusing on long-term “prize goals,” she encourages us to embrace process goals — doing the next right thing and allowing identity to evolve naturally over time.

This conversation explores:

• Why reflection builds emotional maturity
• How to rewire a brain that defaults to negativity
• The role of grief in reshaping identity
• The power of small, steady decisions
• And why you shouldn’t drive staring into the rearview mirror — but you should glance back

If you’ve ever questioned a decision, felt stuck in regret, or wondered whether you’re growing fast enough, this episode offers a grounded reminder: you’ve survived 100% of your days. There is wisdom in your past.

Connect with Megan Malick

Website:
https://a-new-path.com/

Substack:
https://meganmalick.substack.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/revmeganmalick

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/meganmmalick/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/revmeganmalick/

Her book on navigating grief (available on Amazon):
https://a.co/d/fsN9b6J

You can learn more about Unexpected Advice by visiting https://insightfullycurious.com/unexpected-advice-podcast