Episodes
200
Latest episode
Apr 2026
Language
EN
Welcome to the Dear Me podcast with Amanda Kolbye where we have no BS conversations about figuring out life, pivoting, reinventing yourself, living a big life, balancing ambition and peace, mental health, relationships... all of it. It's the perfect balance of candid & honest yet still very insightful. Every episode is a note to myself hence "Dear Me," because we all need a little dear me moment with ourselves every week instead of endless learning, optimizing, and worrying.
Enjoy this raw, honest in the moment share about the real BTS of the past 8+ months trying to restart my business, balancing my passion vs logic, patterns I realized kept me stuck, what I've learned, what I wish I did differently and what you should know if you are pivoting, lost your spark, or have an inkling that you want something different.
In this conversation, I explain what’s actually happening beneath the surface when your life no longer fits the way it used to. This episode covers: why this phase feels urgent, confusing, and exhausting what happens when your old identity blueprint stops working why strategy, discipline, and “trying harder” don’t fix this phase what the in-between or liminal phase is actually for and why forcing clarity too early often recreates the same misalignment And you'll understand next steps to fully diagnose your situation and learn what you need to focus on next in order to gain clarity and start creating new alignment. 👉🏼 FREE RESOURCES MENTIONED Guide to Navigate the "In Between" Phase of Transition Misalignment Audit Links: Instagram: @amandakolbye Website: www.amandakolbye.com
There’s a moment most people don’t talk about where you question and then fully realize "“This isn’t it anymore," about your life or your business. And its very jarring because you might realize things arent working or you dont want the same things anymore, but you rarely know what is next right away. This episode helps you understand what is happening when you feel like "this isnt it anymore" how to decipher misalignment vs speedbumps along your path why this isn't actually a problem what you should and should not do about this and examples to help you understand what is happening in your life and what your next steps are 👉🏼 FREE RESOURCES MENTIONED Guide to Navigate the "In Between" Phase of Transition Misalignment Audit Links: Instagram @amandakolbye Website: www.amandakolbye.com
This is a special episode on a human to human level. It is a poem I created about what it actually feels like starting over your life, but not the big inciting incidences nor the moment you get your spark back... what it feels like to be in the midst of it, in transition, evolving, in the middle. I hope you enjoy this short & sweet episode to give you a brain break from learning and 5 tips & tricks, and just give you "a moment" where you can listen, tune in, tune out from everything around you, and feel seen! If you've had a rough season or simply a big season of change, I get you, I see you, and I have many things coming to support us all navigating real life and thriving in every season! Links Instagram Tik Tok Website Substack Youtube
It's been... a while.After a 2 year break/sabbatical, I'm finally back and ready to share the crazy personal journey I've been on as well as start this new chapter of life and business with you/ In this episode we cover: Why my "break" has been so complex & long Life updates from the past year (that you haven't heard yet) from the end of a 10 year relationship, new boyfriend, health chronicles and finally starting to rebuild my life High level overview of whats REALLY been going on BTS all these years What my new "transition" business is that I just launched casually on Instagram AND what my 2 new businesses are that Ive been teasing for months now (coming in 2026) Amanda Kolbye's Links: Instagram Website
This is the final episode in the sabbatical mini series, and to wrap it all up I am sharing 10 lessons I learned from my time away. I've broken the lessons down as business lessons and life lessons, and something in here is sure to be the takeaway you need at this very moment. I've loved sharing about my sabbatical and healing journey with you, and truly believe that we can all learn something from my experience! In this episode, we cover… Why we have to set realistic expectations The reality that you get to make the rules Playing the long game in business How hitting rock bottom can be a good thing Mindsets and mantras that have shifted my perspective Quotes "You make the freaking rules. And this is simultaneously - at least for me - a fact that is really hard and really freeing at the same time." "Never actually hitting rock bottom might be One of the worst things that can ever happen to you." "Taking a break is not weak. In fact, it is one of the bravest, strongest things you can do for yourself. You are the only one that has to be you, who has to live your life every day. And it's time, if you're not already, to start living for you and doing what you need." Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Laptop Lifestyle Co Links: Website Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Channel Other Links Mentioned: Instagram Post
One of the biggest questions I've gotten about my sabbatical is how I made it work financially. So I am pulling back the curtains and exposing how I funded my time away. This isn't just a vague explanation - I'm getting into the nitty-gritty and sharing the actual numbers. I'm covering everything from what my personal finances looked like prior to the sabbatical, to how much we spent in the business each month I was away. Plus, I'm giving you my best money management tips that helped set me up for success in this endeavor! In this episode, we cover… How I funded the seven month sabbatical What my personal spending looked like during the break 7 money management tips that helped me prepare My business income and expenses during the sabbatical Quotes "Ultimately at the end of the day how I funded this was accepting that there was no other option but to take this break. And I had to do whatever it took, whatever I could do to make it work." "I track all of the numbers in our life... And so that's really important because I'm never surprised. I always know what's going on, which gives me power. Power of choice and power to do something about my situation if I don't like it." "Plan for this. Even if you think you don't need it, plan for the extended break or the maternity leave or the sabbatical or whatever it is. And if you don't ever need it, you just got the bank, right?" Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Laptop Lifestyle Co Links: Website Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Channel
Ever thought about taking a break from business yourself? Or maybe you didn't even realize it was a possibility? In this episode I am breaking down the three types of breaks you can take in your business, and the business and personal prep needed to make each type work. I'm giving you a framework that you can take and apply to your own situation to make sure that your time away is exactly what you need, and that the business is ready for you when you come back. In this episode, we cover… Three types of breaks: extended breaks, maternity leave, and sabbaticals How to determine what kind of break you want or need Six steps to prepping your business for a break What personal prep and planning you need to consider Quotes "The hardest part is actually deciding to take the break." "No matter what your purpose is for taking a break, everyone within that break needs space. And space is probably uncomfortable for a lot of us, so don't get stuck in filling it with a lot of things, even if it's really uncomfortable." Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Laptop Lifestyle Co Links: Website Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Channel
I have gotten so many questions in my DMs since announcing my return from a seven month sabbatical, and this episode is dedicated to answering those questions for you! I'm covering everything from what my business looked like while I was away to how my physical health has improved over the last few months. Whether you are planning an extended break in your future or just curious about my sabbatical experience, this episode is full of honest reflections and juicy takeaways that will get you thinking! In this episode, we cover… Why I took a sabbatical and how I knew when it was time to come back How I adjusted to having less structure and routine The phases of my sabbatical My take on why other entrepreneurs have taken breaks What my business looked like during the sabbatical The physical health struggles I've dealt with and how things have improved. Quotes "It wasn't nourishing because I didn't have stability. I didn't have support. I didn't have community. The work for me to heal was facing every skeleton in my closet and stripping myself of my entire identity and everything I'd ever known." "It was very challenging in terms of going from 100 miles an hour to zero miles an hour." "You know what you have now. You know what's in front of you. And if you know that what's in front of you is not it, then you have no other choice but to try new and rest assured knowing you can always go back to what currently is. But something tells me you won't." Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Episode 140 - I'm Taking a Sabbatical: Why I've Decided to Take an Extended Break & How I'm Making It Happen Laptop Lifestyle Co Links: Website Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Channel
A lot has changed over the last seven months, both in my personal life and for the state of the business! And the biggest question I’ve been getting is: What’s next? In this episode I’m sharing the options I’ve considered moving forward, and filling you in on what the near future looks like. Chances are it’s not what you think! In this episode, we cover… Why I’m letting go of decisions I made prior to my sabbatical Making decisions without financial pressure Why my previous business direction felt unaligned Options I’ve considered for my business moving forward My current decision for what’s next Showing up as a work in progress and an authority Quotes "I'm no longer willing to do whatever it takes. I'm no longer willing to sacrifice a lot of different things or to let the pressure be the determining factor to check off those milestones or influence me to race to the finish line." "I'm excited to let you get to know the new/maybe more real, me as I get to know that version as well." "We're always in progress." Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Episode 140 - I'm Taking a Sabbatical: Why I've Decided to Take an Extended Break & How I'm Making It Happen Amanda Kolbye's Links: Website Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Channel
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