When Deanna Cooney's marriage ended, she walked away with $50,000 in debt, zero financial literacy, and two young children relying on her. Her nervous system in complete disarray, she spent two years terrified.

Through vulnerability and honesty, Deanna shares how she learned to sit with her fear instead of avoiding it. She picked up 'The Barefoot Investor' and built practical financial skills. As her competence grew and her confidence followed, she added breathing techniques and nervous system regulation tools to feel safe. Together, these tools, along with reaching out for support, helped her rewrite inherited money stories and step into her own fierce capability and self-sovereignty.

Deanna's story reminds us we have the capability within us to navigate life's messiest challenges, but we don't have to do it alone. Small, consistent steps become the pathway to lasting growth.

About Our Guest

Deanna Cooney helps smart, capable leaders and high performers find their voice when the pressure is on. With 30 years as a professional performer and over a decade of teaching and coaching, she understands fear from the inside out. Her body-first approach builds nervous system capacity alongside practical speaking skill – going well beyond surface-level confidence. Working across corporate, creative, and leadership environments, Deanna translates performance tools from stage and screen into real-world communication that holds up when it counts.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e3

00:00 The Moment That Changed Everything

01:39 Facing Financial Illiteracy

06:08 The Fear of Loss and Judgment

10:29 Rewriting Money Stories

14:34 Finding Internal Strength

17:33 The Importance of Support

20:58 Breaking Free from the Feedback Loop

25:44 The Role of Support in Shifting Beliefs

29:11 Creating Internal Safety for Growth

33:58 Managing the Nervous System for Change

37:49 Building a Future Self through Safety

42:29 Lessons from Fear and Self-Trust

45:48 It's A Wrap

Kerry Milligan opens up about one of life's most difficult decisions: placing her aging mother Emmie in residential care. After seven and a half years of caring for her mother at home, dementia forced an impossible choice that triggered massive guilt and forced her to confront lifelong patterns of self-sacrifice.

Kerry explores the tension between her rational brain, which knew care was necessary, and her emotional brain, which screamed betrayal. Through support from Violet, a carer advocacy organisation, she discovered that asking for help wasn't weakness. It was the only way to truly care for her mother without completely sacrificing herself.

Along the way, Kerry shares how this experience connects to her broader journey of standing in her own power. This is a story about learning you cannot pour from an empty cup, that guilt and love can coexist, and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you need help. Kerry's journey offers honest wisdom for anyone navigating caregiving, family dynamics, or the weight of trying to do it all alone.

About Our Guest

Kerry Milligan appeared for 10 years on the award-winning TV show Gogglebox alongside her mother Emmie and daughter Isabelle. Together, the three generations wrote a bestselling memoir, "Out of the Box," exploring important issues in women's lives through three distinct generational perspectives. When Emmie was diagnosed with dementia after seven years of living with Kerry, the family navigated the difficult transition to aged care. Emmie passed away in July 2025 at age 96.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e2

00:00 A Life-Changing Moment

02:49 Navigating Care Decisions

05:35 The Emotional Burden of Guilt

07:55 Finding Support and Resources

10:29 The Struggle with Guilt and Self-Advocacy

12:45 Understanding Aged Care Choices

15:14 The Journey of Letting Go

17:43 Balancing Care and Self-Care

19:53 The Long Goodbye and Grief Process

22:16 Navigating Aged Care Decisions

25:50 Life After Loss: Finding Joy and Community

27:39 Coping with Grief and Seeking Support

30:25 The Burden of Caregiving: Women's Experiences

34:01 Empowerment Through Education and Independence

37:21 Reclaiming Power and Identity

41:25 Lessons Learned: Advice for Future Generations

42:59 It's A Wrap

Alan Furlong shares his journey from high-achieving executive and entrepreneur to discovering authentic purpose. Throughout his successful career, including building and leading the team that scaled a business to £42 million in revenue, he admits he found himself living in shades of grey, successful on paper, but silently disconnected from what truly mattered. When burnout forced him to stop, hospitalised with what seemed like a heart attack, Alan began a journey of deep questioning and reflection. He reveals how his relentless drive for success masked deeper childhood trauma and also left him feeling hollow. Through vulnerability and courage, Alan shares how he learned to trust himself and walk away from everything. He now helps people with barriers to education and employment to build their own remarkable lives and describes his transformation simply: "Life is colourful." A story about recognising when grey is asking for your attention and discovering that letting go is the first act of courage that can transform your life.

About Our Guest

Alan Furlong is a successful former entrepreneur and executive who built and mentored multiple start-ups, and used his hard-won commercial expertise to help scale one business to £42 million in three years. Yet despite this extraordinary achievement, he realised he was living someone else's idea of a successful life. After stepping away from it all to wrestle with the deeper question "What is the point of me being here?" Alan now dedicates himself to teaching and helping people live more meaningful, impactful, and healthier lives.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e1

00:00 Facing Life's Challenges: A Personal Journey

04:20 The Turning Point: Embracing Change and Surrender

14:09 The Messy Middle: Navigating Uncertainty and Growth

19:45 Spiritual Awakening: Trusting the Process

22:53 The Journey of Surrender and Spiritual Growth

24:28 Navigating Career Transitions and Personal Insights

27:12 Understanding Fear and Embracing Change

30:00 Finding Color in Life: From Gray to Vibrant

31:30 The Power of Physical Challenges and Self-Discovery

36:13 Lessons from Pain and Growth

38:08 Advice to My Younger Self: Faith and Courage

39:34 The Gift of Peace Through Life's Journey

40:41 Top Tips for Embracing Your Calling

42:29 It's A Wrap

In this special season finale episode, we pause together as co-hosts to reflect on Season 1's remarkable journey through challenge, fear, and growth. We share our personal takeaways from eleven powerful conversations, exploring how each guest's story revealed unexpected gifts within life's challenges. From creating "3am friends" to embracing vulnerability, we discuss how these conversations have changed our own lives while sharing our excitement about Season 2's inspiring stories launching January 28th, 2026.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e12

00:00 Season One Wrap-Up and Reflections

01:33 Key Takeaways from Guests

03:46 The Importance of Vulnerability and Support

05:35 Looking Ahead to Season Two

07:37 Diversity of Stories and Guest Experiences

09:26 Listener Engagement and Feedback

What happens when shared learning challenges become an unexpected gift? In this powerful conversation, father and daughter Michael Grinder and Krista Grinder-Dettloff reveal how their early struggles with reading sparked a transformative journey. As a teacher who had taught himself to read after high school, Michael understood his daughter's challenges uniquely. Together, they discovered that different minds process information differently. Now an internationally recognised pioneer in nonverbal communication, Michael, alongside Krista who became a reading specialist, shares insights about fear, self-acceptance, and learning differences. Their story demonstrates how embracing our unique ways of understanding the world can unlock extraordinary potential in ourselves and others.

About Our Guests

Michael Grinder, internationally recognised pioneer of nonverbal communication and founder of Michael Grinder and Associates, has trained thousands of executives and educators worldwide. With over 40 years of experience, he helps people assess others more accurately and connect more deeply through his expertise in translating nonverbal communication into practical leadership strategies.

Krista Grinder-Dettloff, CEO of Michael Grinder and Associates, brings over 30 years of educational expertise spanning from preschool through college level as a specialist and classroom teacher. Known for her insight, warmth, and practical application, she transforms complex concepts into accessible strategies that help others discover their unique potential.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e11

00:00 Intro Michael Grinder & Krista Grinder-Dettloff

09:04 Understanding Learning Styles and Their Impact

17:55 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

25:56 Building Self-Love and Overcoming Fear

31:53 The Power of Poetry and Self-Reflection

34:48 Understanding Nonverbal Communication

40:22 The Role of Nonverbal Cues in Relationships

45:27 Impact of COVID-19 on Communication

47:35 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

52:33 Lessons from Childhood and Personal Growth

01:02:17 It's A Wrap

What happens when your world crumbles to the point where you can't afford a ham sandwich? Martin Mileham shares his compelling journey from unstoppable success to standing at an ATM with just $2.40 to his name. When the Asian currency crisis hit, Martin lost everything society told him equalled success, but in this loss, he discovered an unexpected gift.

With remarkable honesty, Martin reveals how his "ham sandwich moment" became his greatest teacher, eventually leading him from Perth to Dubai, where he rose from site inspector to Vice President overseeing iconic projects like the Burj Khalifa. His story challenges our assumptions about success and security, while offering powerful insights about resilience and the courage to begin again.

About Our Guest

Martin Mileham has an Architecture degree and over 40 years of experience as a registered Architect. He has worked internationally on everything from delivering enormous palm-shaped islands in the Arabian Gulf, to being responsible for the tallest building in the world, through to designing one-off street furniture. He has been the CEO of the City of Perth, the capital of Western Australia and has lived in London, Dubai, Muscat and Melbourne. Martin and his wife now reside back home in Perth where Martin continues to consult in construction and development.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e10

00:00 Martin Mileham Intro

04:18 Lessons from Financial Struggles: Pride and Reality

08:28 Reassessing Values: What Truly Matters

12:41 The Journey to Dubai: Luck and Opportunity

20:53 Personal Growth: Flexibility and Life Lessons

22:15 Navigating Failure and Courage

25:34 The Liberating Experience of Disconnection

30:15 Embracing Change and the Concept of Luck

35:03 The Role of Fear in Motivation

39:44 Lessons from the Ham Sandwich Moment

43:01 It's A Wrap

International speaker Amanda Gore reveals how teaching others about joy led to an unexpected discovery: she had forgotten how to live it herself. When the pandemic halted her global speaking career, she was forced to confront the disconnect between teaching joy and experiencing it. Through exploring three life-changing events, including a courageous move overseas at 68, Amanda shares how childhood fears shaped her life choices and how slowing down revealed wisdom she didn't know she needed. This powerful conversation shows us that transformation often begins not when we master our fears, but when we pause long enough to listen to them.

About Our Guest

Amanda Gore is a Hall of Fame motivational speaker who is redefining leadership, communication and wellness in the Age of Change and Uncertainty. The antidote to burnout is joy!

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e9

00:00 Amanda Gore Intro

04:30 Self-Discovery Through Crisis

09:35 Authenticity and Personal Growth

14:28 Navigating Emotions and Fear

19:44 The Power of Connection and Love

27:20 Creating Safe Spaces for Connection

28:15 Evolving Audience Feedback and Connection

29:11 Facilitating Change and Self-Discovery

31:10 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Authenticity

34:06 Growth Through Crisis and Life Events

36:33 Understanding Core Fears and Self-Love

39:50 Questioning Belief Systems and Self-Reflection

43:25 Messages to Our Younger Selves

45:04 Seeing Challenges as Opportunities

48:10 Practical Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety

51:31 It's A Wrap

In this conversation, Nick Tsakiris shares his journey of discovering a different approach to life when the pandemic disrupted his hospitality career. Already questioning the sustainability of late nights and demanding schedules, he found himself facing an unexpected opportunity to reimagine success. Through reflection, Nick reveals how shifting from asking "What do I want to be?" to "How do I want to live?" transformed his perspective on daily joy and fulfilment.

Drawing inspiration from Greek village life and even his dogs' enthusiasm for simple pleasures, Nick shares how he learned to create a life that feels like a holiday rather than waiting for retirement to truly live. His transition from hospitality to cybersecurity isn't just about career change, it's about choosing to prioritise present-moment happiness over future achievements. Nick's experience reminds us that when we dare to question how we want to live, rather than what we want to be , we open ourselves to a more authentic and joy-filled life.

About Our Guest

Nick discusses the challenge that lockdown posed whilst working in hospitality and the fear associated with a lack of direction in life. On reflection, the extreme uncertainty propelled an embrace for change and a philosophical approach to life centred around lifestyle and maximising joy.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e8

00:00 Nick Tsakiris Intro

03:23 The Struggles of Hospitality: Late Nights and Personal Sacrifice

07:31 Finding Direction: The Search for Meaning Beyond Hospitality

11:45 Existential Questions: How Do I Want to Live?

15:02 Maximizing Happiness: Living in the Moment

19:25 Reflecting on Life Choices

24:37 Redefining Success

27:45 Navigating Career Changes

31:37 Embracing Change and Happiness

36:18 It's A Wrap