Plucky Not Perfect Podcast

How I’m Approaching Fear of Surgery (#32)

In this episode, Carrie shares her personal journey of facing the fear of surgery following her battle with colorectal cancer and past traumatic hospital experiences. She discusses the emotional challenges of preparing for surgery, the importance of acknowledging fear, and the role of mindfulness and community support. Carrie discusses the Plucky Challenge as a way to build courage and emphasizes that who we are matters more than our actions in moments of fear. She encourages listeners to embrace their fears and lean into their inner courage. The episode concludes with a listener’s insight. 
 
Resources & Links:
This Simple Mind Hack Will Help You Overcome Any Fear: www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-15/
Connect with your host: www.instagram.com/carriejobradley.
 

From “Too Shy to Speak” to Top 1% Podcaster with Teri Holland (#31)

Do you ever hold yourself back because you’re afraid to speak up — or worried what people will think?
Today’s guest, Teri Holland, knows that fear well. Once nicknamed “Mouse” for how quiet she was as a child, Teri has transformed into a confident speaker, coach, and top 1% podcaster.
We trace her journey from a shy little girl whispering to her parents, to a coach who has given a TEDx talk and helps others use their voices with courage and confidence. 
Teri shares:
How a single solo line in a Christmas concert changed everything
What acting taught her about safety, scripts, and control  and how she learned to be confident without them
How burnout and illness led her to the world of NLP, hypnotherapy, and timeline therapy
The story behind starting her podcast, Success in Mind — and what happened when imposter syndrome shut it down at its peak
What it really takes to build confidence and transform self-doubt
How courage and confidence are skills we can all practice and grow
🎧 This conversation will remind you that courage and confidence aren’t fixed traits, they’re muscles we can build. Teri proves that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about a fulfilling life fueled by growth, grit and courage.
Resources & Links
www.instagram.com/theteriholland www.teriholland.ca
Connect with your host, on www.instagram.com/carriejobradley. 

Rebuilding Life After Loss: A Young Widow’s Story of Courage with Lindsay Aho (#30)

Carrie reconnects with her friend Lindsay Aho (Kuehster), who shares her powerful story of loss and rebuilding with courage. Lindsay opens up about life behind the façade of perfection — navigating her husband’s alcoholism and PTSD and facing unimaginable loss when he took his own life.
Through it all, Lindsay found the strength to start again, to heal, and to redefine what grace looks like. Her story reminds us that courage isn’t about pretending everything is fine; it’s about facing the truth, asking for help, and rebuilding one brave step at a time.
In this episode:
The hidden pain behind “having it all together”
Recognizing when it’s time to leave and finding the courage to do it
Healing from trauma and loss through writing and community
The power of forgiveness for ourselves and others
What “strength” looks like when you don’t feel strong
Resources & Links
Lindsay’s memoir: Redefining Grace
Connect with Carrie: @carriejobradley

Ten Types of Courage: How to Build Your Plucky Muscles in Everyday Moments (#29)

Courage isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this episode, I share 10 types of courage—from beginning and speaking to resting and persisting—and how small, daily acts of bravery can strengthen your “plucky muscles.” Plus, learn more about the 100-Day Plucky Challenge to grow your courage one small step at a time.
📥 Want to Join the Challenge?
Email thecarriejobradley@gmail.com to get a printable checklist with 100 small dares to help you grow your courage one day at a time.
💛 Stay Connected
Follow @carriejobradley on social media and share your acts of courage. Remember—it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being plucky.

Mental Performance Tools for Building Confidence and Resilience with Ashley Wiles (#28)

Ashley Wiles—founder of Sole Girls, TEDx speaker, Ironman athlete, and mom—joins Carrie to talk about building resilience. Ashley shares powerful tools from her new program, The Inner Game, and offers tangible ways parents can model resilience, recover from mistakes, and build authentic confidence without perfectionism.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to support girls (and yourself) after mistakes or setbacks
A simple “mistake ritual” to stop the shame spiral
Why confidence is an inside job
The power of using and instead of but to hold two truths
Ashley also opens up about her own struggles, from prenatal depression to self-doubt, and shares practical mental performance tools parents and kids can use right away.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Ashley’s programs: Sole Girls Mental Performance Training for Sports Girls
Follow Ashley on Instagram: @sole_girls, @evaruns
Connect with Carrie on Instagram: @carriejobradley
 

Don’t Let Your Candle Melt in the Closet: Stop Waiting and Start Living with Tedx Speaker Gillian Parlane (#27)

What if the things you’re saving for that perfect “someday” are holding you back today? In this episode of Plucky Not Perfect, Carrie talks with TEDx speaker and communication coach Gillian Parlane, whose talk Change Your Closet, Change Your Life has reached over 3.2 million views.
Gillian shares how a melted candle became the catalyst for her life motto: don’t let your candle melt in the closet. From daring to wear what you’ve been saving, to moving toward your fears, to finding courage in public speaking, Gillian reveals practical ways to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start living fully right now.
You’ll hear:
Why saving your best things for the perfect moment can hold you back
The two scarcity mindsets—I’m not enough and I don’t have enough—that keep us stuck
How courage comes before confidence (and why small steps matter most)
The surprising ripple effects of improving your communication skills
Why public speaking is more like giving a gift than delivering a performance
Whether you’re holding onto a necklace, an unopened bottle of champagne, or a hidden dream, this conversation will challenge you to use what you have, wear what you love, and take action before you feel ready.
Links & Resources:
Watch Gillian’s TEDx Talk: Change Your Closet, Change Your Life
Learn more about Gillian’s Public Speaking Playground and coaching: gillianparlane.ca
Follow Gillian on Instagram: @gillianparlane
Connect with your host, @carrriejobradley
If this episode inspired you, take a photo of something you’re finally using or wearing and tag us—let’s start a movement of not letting our candles melt in the closet!
 

Resilience in the Messy Middle: 3 Practices for Women Navigating Change (#26)

In this first episode of Season 2 of Plucky Not Perfect, we get real about what it means to show up in the messy middle of life, especially when things don’t go as planned.
After a year marked by cancer treatments, complications, and unexpected setbacks, Carrie shares three practices that carried her through hard days:
Accepting help and letting others in — why strength isn’t about going it alone
Gaining perspective with reflection — how journaling turns hardship into growth
Taking it one day at a time — simple tools to stay present when life feels overwhelming
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a storm, this short episode will remind you that resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, one imperfect step at a time.
Let us know your thoughts and ideas for Season 2! 
Connect with your host, Coach Carrie @carriejobradley. 

#25 Permission to pause: 4 reflection questions + journal prompts to help you make resolutions that stick

Let’s embrace the gift of winter—slowing down, reflecting, and preparing for what’s next.
In This Episode:
The value of honoring the season you’re in.
How to rethink limitations as opportunities for growth.
Four reflection questions to guide your year-end review or seasonal reset.
A tip for turning your resolutions into actionable, motivating questions.
Reflection Questions Mentioned:
What worked?
What didn’t?
What did you learn about yourself?
What do you want more or less of?
Links and Resources:
Book Mentioned: Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss Season 2 coming this spring!
Let's connect: find me on Instagram @‌carriejobradley or email thecarriejobradley@gmail.com.
Next Steps:
If you’re setting resolutions this year, try turning them into questions:
Example: Instead of “I will eat more vegetables,” ask, “What would help me eat more vegetables?”
Journal prompts–
How did last year compare to what I originally expected?
How would I describe the past year in one word?
What challenges did I face? How did I grow?
What were my proudest accomplishments? 
What brought me the most joy and meaning in the last year?
What do I want to focus on most next year? 
What resources and support do I need to reach my goals?
If I had to give a name to this season I’m in, what would it be? 
 
Join Me in Season 2:I’ll be back in the spring with more interviews and solo episodes exploring how limitations can shape who we’re meant to become. Until then, stay plucky and thank you for listening to Season 1!
 

#24 The Secret to Change

Change is inevitable, but that doesn't make it easy! Here is my advice for navigating change. 
I also give an update about life after surgery, including some exciting news. 
 
Connect with your host: Coach Carrie @‌carriejobradley.
 

#23 How rejecting self-pity and embracing self-compassion helped me reach a big goal

I didn't know if I would be able to complete the 100-kilometer Tour De Cure bike ride and raise funds for research during cancer treatment. But I'm happy to report that goal is completed! Many thanks for my supporters. 
Tune in to hear why self-compassion is more helpful than self-pity and how you can use this powerful mindset to propel you to do hard things softly. 
Links mentioned: 
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
Connect with your host: Coach Carrie @‌carriejobradley or email thecarriejobradley@gmail.com. 
Remember to share your #pluckynotperfect moments on social media. Tag me and use the hashtag when you show up bravely and imperfectly. I want to celebrate with you!