The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast

Hosted by Rhonda Lavoie

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May 2026

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Ready to get out of your head and off your phone? This is a shame-free zone for women who are ready to stop scrolling and start doing. Welcome to The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast. Our voice is Compassionate Action: We get real about why we scroll (it's a coping mechanism, not a moral failing) and then we share the "get it done" fix. Each week, we explore the "6 Whys"—like Imposter Syndrome, Overwhelm, and Exhaustion —and the 'unfancy' systems to overcome them. This podcast is The Hub (The "Why"). I'm also building The Spoke: the Paced app (The "How"). New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit subscribe

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May 5, 2026Episode 1415 min

Friendship Bankruptcy: Why "Loyalty" is Blocking Your New Season

STOP STAYING SMALL JUST TO KEEP EVERYONE ELSE COMFORTABLE.We’ve all heard that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with, but we rarely talk about the GUILT that comes when that "average" starts to feel like a weight. If you’re always the one reaching out, playing therapist, or shrinking so you don't make others uncomfortable, this episode is your permission slip to START FRESH.I’m sharing the truth about THE LOYALTY LOOP TRAP—that habit of staying tethered to people from your past just because of the history, even when the common ground has turned into mud. We talk about THE MUD-SEASON PARADOX and why the "messy middle" of growth is actually where the magic happens.It’s time to stop being "loyal" to loops that don't fit your life anymore. I’ll show you how to stop using your phone as a PHONE SHIELD so you can actually find the people meant for your NEXT season. From the muddy prairies of Saskatchewan to the reality of building a business, let’s clear the dead debris so you can finally bloom.In This Episode:(00:04) - The Lock Screen Audit: Who is HOLDING your emotional energy?(03:12) - The Mud-Season Paradox: Why the tulips are worth the mud.(05:50) - The Loyalty Loop Trap: Permission to outgrow your history.(08:45) - The Messy Middle: Why growth feels UNCOMFORTABLE.(12:30) - Wait or Walk: How to find your "new five" without hiding behind a screen.(14:06) - Recap & Your Weekly Challenge.Resources Mentioned:RhondaLavoie.comThe Paced App (getpaced.app)This Week's Challenge:Stop being the initiator. For one week, pay attention to who meets you HALFWAY and who only shows up when they need something. Then, reach out to one "FILL" friend who actually makes you feel lighter.🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.comThe Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr.

April 21, 2026Episode 1311 min

Why "Strong & Capable" is a Trap + The Real Cost of Doing It All

You can’t outwork a storm, and you aren’t a machine. In this episode, I’m getting incredibly honest about a "Logic Trap" that nearly cost me my business and my peace of mind. We often believe that if we’re strong enough, we should be able to handle every family crisis and business demand without skipping a beat. But I recently hit a wall that left me in tears at my favorite cafe, realizing that even when you’re doing the "right" thing, it still takes a massive toll on your energy. I’m sharing the physical warning signs I ignored—like the "Frozen Shoulder Effect"—and how I had to have a raw, difficult conversation with my wife, Crystal, to save my dreams. We’re talking about why we "numb out" on our phones when we're overwhelmed and how a simple pattern interrupt can give you your perspective back. In This Episode:(00:59) - Why we’re actually stressed (Hint: It isn’t disorganization). (03:52) - The Campfire Analogy: What happens when you run out of wood in a blizzard. (05:49) - The breaking point: Why I almost stopped the development of the Paced app. (07:31) - The "Frozen Shoulder": How your body says "stop" when your brain won't. (09:07) - Using Paced to break the "Numb-Scroll Fog" and reclaim your day. Resources Mentioned:TOT Cafe The Paced App rhondalavoie.com This Week's Challenge:Find one small thing in your life right now—a work task, an errand, or a household chore—and hand it off to someone else before you hit your breaking point. 🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr. #BurnoutPrevention #WomenInBusiness #AuthenticLeadership

April 7, 2026Episode 1218 min

The "Just One Peek" Tax: Why your silence is so loud

Stop paying the hidden fee on your attention that is leaving you absolutely bankrupt this Easter break.Every guru and "wellness" influencer tells you the secret to peace is turning off your notifications. But what happens when silence becomes louder than the pings? In this episode, I’m getting "unfancy" about my own struggle with the Manual Check Loop—that twitchy impulse to refresh your apps even when your phone is silent. We’ve been sold the lie that staying busy is a personality trait, creating a Stealth Hustle Syndrome where we are physically at the park with our families but mentally composing emails in our heads.I’m breaking down the science of the "Just One Peek" Tax and why that three-second escape into Instagram actually costs you 23 minutes of deep focus. If you’ve felt like a failure for not mastering "digital minimalism," this is your permission slip to stop fighting your brain and start using friction to find your humanity again.In This Episode:(00:03) - The "Success Never Sleeps" Lie: Why hustle culture is a trap.(05:27) - Paying the "Just One Peek" Tax: The drain on your "Boss Energy".(08:55) - The Lesser of Two Evils: Why I turned my notifications back on.(11:32) - The 23-Minute Rule: The science of Attention Residue.(13:09) - Breaking the Trance: Using Paced as a pattern interrupt.(17:24) - Recap & Your Weekly Challenge.Resources Mentioned:RhondaLavoie.com The Paced App University of California Research on Attention Residue This Week's Challenge:Take a 2-Hour Digital Break today. Put your phone in a drawer in another room, close the door, and commit to "zero output"—no planning, no phone, and no "optimizing" your life.🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr.

March 31, 2026Episode 1015 min

Toxic Discipline: Stop Ignoring the Whispers

You don't need a permission slip from a virus to finally take a rest. Have you ever had one of those weeks where you’re doing everything "right" according to the gurus, but you feel absolutely terrible? You’re checking the boxes and staying disciplined, yet your body is starting to feel like it belongs to someone else. In this episode, I’m sharing a very raw, personal story about a recent "shivering fit" that I tried to bargain away as a torn rotator cuff—only to realize it was a total nervous system collapse. We’re diving into the reality of Toxic Discipline—the voice that tells you to "push through" even when your eyes are blurry and your body is screaming. We discuss why the "Bro-Culture" version of productivity doesn't work for women carrying a heavy mental load, and why your "check engine light" is the most important tool you own. In This Episode:(00:05) - The "bro-culture" sleep trap and why 4:00 AM isn't the morning. (05:06) - The Birthday Shivers: My raw story of a total nervous system collapse. (12:20) - The "Unfancy" Fix: How the Paced App catches your energy leaks before they become a flood. (13:13) - The Weekly Challenge: Identifying and closing your biggest energy leak. Resources Mentioned:Official Website: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.app This Week's Challenge:Identify one major "energy leak" this week—like a standard obligation you feel you "should" do—and close it. Choose to listen to the whispers instead of the toxic discipline that tells you to keep grinding. 🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.comThe Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr.

March 24, 2026Episode 1012 min

Why You Feel Like a Fraud: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and the Competence Trap

Are you addicted to your own competence? Have you ever felt like a total rookie, even though you’ve spent decades building a reputation as the expert? In this episode, Rhonda Lavoie dives into the "Identity Friction" that happens when your old, successful self fights the new "beginner" version of you. We often think Imposter Syndrome only hits those starting their first jobs, but it actually hits high achievers the hardest when we decide to pivot later in life. Rhonda shares her personal struggle with taking her new app, Paced, to the international stage and why we often "play it safe" just to avoid being seen in the learning phase. If you’ve been feeling like a fraud for winging it, this episode is your reminder that you aren't a fraud—you're a pioneer. In This Episode:(00:00) – The "Magnetic Rookie": Why being a student again is your superpower. (02:15) – The Competence Trap: How our "Expert Badge" becomes a cage. (04:30) – Identity Friction: The truth about playing it safe on the international stage. (06:15) – The 5 Faces of Imposter Syndrome (Which one are you?). (08:20) – The Strategy: 3 Steps to Filter the Truth and Relabel the Fear. (10:10) – Expansion Evidence: Why that "shaky" feeling is actually a win. (11:20) – The Weekly Challenge: Closing the loop on your wins. Resources Mentioned:Imposter Syndrome: The 5 Types (The Superperson, The Soloist, The Perfectionist, The Natural Genius, and The Discounter). The Paced App: getpaced.app Show Notes & Transcripts: rhondalavoie.com This Week's Challenge: Write down one thing you were proud of this week—not something you did perfectly, but something you were brave enough to do while still in the "not good at it yet" stage. 🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.app Instagram: @rhonda.lavoie Facebook: Rhonda Lavoie TikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr. #ImposterSyndrome #HighAchiever #TheCompetenceTrap

March 17, 2026Episode 911 min

Dealing with the "Cheap Seats" & My 3-Step Unfancy Sunday

Your mission is bigger than a stranger's "big ass" forehead comment.Have you ever had a moment that made you want to pull the plug on your big dreams? This week, I’m getting raw about the "cheap seat" remarks I received after putting myself out there on video—comments that weren't about my business, but about my appearance. I’m walking you through the "ouch" of being told I have a "big ass forehead" and how I moved from that initial gut-punch of hurt into a place of strength and laughter.But this isn't just about trolls; it's about your energy. I’m breaking down why your brain can't just "delete" a feeling and how unprocessed emotions leave a "threat file" open that drains your battery. I’ll share the three simple things we do in our house on an Unfancy Sunday to close those mental loops and protect our peace before the week begins.In This Episode:(00:05) - Why you are a victim of interruptions, not insecurities. (02:57) - The "Big Ass" Forehead: Dealing with trolls in the cheap seats. (06:10) - The Zeigarnik Effect: Why you can't just "delete" a mean comment. (07:13) - The Unfancy Sunday: 3 steps to keep it simple, laid back, and low key. (09:38) - Paced as a Pattern Interrupt: Breaking the digital trance. (11:13) - Showing up, big ass forehead and all. Resources Mentioned:Rhonda's Website: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.app This Week's Challenge: Try an "Unfancy Sunday." Don't try to be perfect or have gourmet meal prep for the sake of a photo. Just close the files: put the plan on the counter, discuss the meals, check the groceries, and look at transportation so you aren't guessing on Monday morning. Give yourself permission to have a cereal or frozen pizza night so you can actually enjoy your family. 🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.com Instagram: @rhonda.lavoie Facebook: Rhonda Lavoie TikTok: @rhonda.lavoie Follow the Paced App journey: getpaced.app Music for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr. #RhondaLavoie #PersonalGrowth #UnfancySunday #HandlingTrolls

March 10, 2026Episode 818 min

Why Being "Busy" is Making You Tired | The 4 Faces of Resistance

You aren’t lazy; you’re just redlining your engine in neutral. For the ambitious woman, procrastination doesn't look like sitting on the couch doing nothing. It looks like high-octane effort directed at the wrong targets. Whether you are scrubbing baseboards to avoid a difficult conversation or "researching" a new system for the tenth time, you are burning through your battery without moving the needle.In this episode, Rhonda Lavoie identifies the four "monsters" of resistance: The Perfectionist, The Dreamer, The Avoider, and The Adrenaline Junkie. We explore why your brain uses these "Safe Work Illusions" as a survival mechanism and why you wake up with a "guilt hangover" even after a night of supposed rest. Learn how to finally close those open mental tabs and trade your scrolling trance for real, deep recovery.In This Episode:(00:05) - Why "Lazy" is the lie you need to stop believing.(04:53) - The Perfectionist: Why your brain is redlining in neutral.(07:00) - The Dreamer: High vision vs. the "Tomorrow Tax".(08:18) - The Avoider: Using busyness as a shield.(10:02) - The Adrenaline Junkie: Stop using stress as a performance drug.(12:42) - The "Pattern Interrupt": Using physical movement to break the digital trance.Resources Mentioned:RhondaLavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.app This Week's Challenge:Stop the shame and identify your monster. Pick one "scary" task you’ve been avoiding and commit to being a "B-minus student" for just 10 minutes. Close the file so your brain can finally rest.🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.comThe Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr. #Procrastination #HighPerformance #RhondaLavoie #WomensEmpowerment

March 3, 2026Episode 713 min

Why You’re Always Tired: The Willpower Myth & Finding Real Rest

You aren’t losing a fight against yourself; you’re losing a fight against a trillion-dollar algorithm.Have you ever spent your entire evening "relaxing" on the couch, only to wake up feeling like you have a hangover? It’s not because you’re lazy, and it’s not a character flaw. It’s a biological reality called Ego Depletion. Your willpower is a limited resource—a battery that drains with every decision you make during your busy day.In this episode, I’m getting personal about my recent 50th birthday crash and why I chose to cancel a recording rather than "push through" . We’re breaking down the science of why your brain feels like a laptop with 50 tabs open and how you can finally stop the "mind-filled" scrolling that is bankrupting your mornings. It’s time to stop blaming your discipline and start looking at your systems.In This Episode:(00:05) - Why grit isn't enough to stop the scroll.(01:13) - Milestone crashes: Lessons from my 50th birthday and the Paced launch.(04:05) - The "Hungry Shopper" Syndrome: Why we crave digital junk food.(06:29) - The Jesse Story: Understanding the "Digital Hangover".(08:21) - The Zeigarnik Effect: Why your brain stays wide awake while you sit still.(10:39) - The Paced System: Becoming a "bodyguard" for your own focus.(12:46) - Your Weekly Challenge: Identifying your vulnerability window.Resources Mentioned:The Paced App: getpaced.app (Available on Google Play Store; Waitlist open for iOS).7-Day Free Trial: See if the system works for you at getpaced.app.This Week's Challenge: Identify your "vulnerability window"—that time of day when your willpower battery is at zero—and move your phone to the kitchen or use Paced to create a guardrail.🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.comThe Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr. #Willpower #RhondaLavoie #DigitalWellbeing #EgoDepletion #UnfancyLife

February 13, 2026Episode 506 min

50. The "Too Old" Myth & My Unfancy Tech Startup

I turned 50 today. The world says it’s time to wind down. I say it’s time to build an empire.I turned 50 today. The world has a script for this milestone: look for golf courses, slow down, and fade into the background. But I realized that I couldn't survive the next decade of my career if I followed that script. I needed to pivot. In this special bonus episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the "double life" I’ve been living this month. By day, I’m a Real Estate Agent in Saskatoon. By night (and early morning), I’ve been battling with code, fighting with the Google Play Store, and revisiting my past life as an SAP Analyst to launch a brand new app. This isn't a polished success story; it's the gritty reality of becoming a beginner again at 50. We talk about why punitive "blocker" apps fail (I call this the "Digital Warden" Trap), why I refuse to do pushups just to scroll Instagram, and how I built Paced—a Prairie solution to a Silicon Valley problem. In This Episode:(00:00) - The "Double Life": Real Estate Agent vs. Tech Founder (00:50) - 50: Why I refused to slow down on my birthday(01:23) - The Secret: My past life as an SAP Analyst (The Wisdom Stack) (02:37) - Why I refuse to use apps that act like a "Jail Warden" (04:04) - Introducing Paced: The "Kinetic Exchange" (Walk to Unlock) (05:10) - The Challenge: Using your 30s skills in your 50s Resources Mentioned:App: Paced: Habits & Screen Time (Available on Google Play Store) App Mentioned: PushScroll (The "Pushup" App) This Week's Challenge:Download Paced (if you are on Android) or simply practice the "Kinetic Exchange" manually: Before you open social media, force yourself to take steps. Connect your body back to your brain. 🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.com The Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr.#MidlifeReinvention #TechStartup #DigitalWellness

February 10, 2026Episode 616 min

Silence is a Strategy: The "Unfancy" Cure for Overwhelm

Why your brain feels like a browser with 400 tabs open (and how to close them).If you feel like you are working harder than ever but aren't moving forward, it isn't because you are lazy. It is because you are maxed out. We treat silence like a hole that needs to be filled with podcasts, playlists, and feeds, but in doing so, we drown out our own intuition.In this episode, Rhonda celebrates her 50th birthday by sharing the "unfancy" cure for the midlife crisis: turning the volume down. She identifies the "Content Drunk" trap—where we use learning as a form of procrastination—and breaks down the neuroscience behind why your brain physically needs boredom to create strategy. Plus, she introduces the Paced Protocol, a new tool launching today to help you stop the scroll and start the strategy.In This Episode:(00:00) - The "Rattle": Why your brain feels like a spray paint can.(04:27) - Are you "Content Drunk"? The difference between Input and Output.(06:40) - The Science: Inside "The Strategy Room" (Default Mode Network).(08:44) - The Calgary Drive: How silence creates million-dollar ideas.(13:55) - The Paced Protocol: A speed bump for your phone.Resources Mentioned:The Paced App: A tool designed to interrupt autopilot and put a "speed bump" between you and the scroll.This Week's Challenge:Find your "Calgary Drive." Whether it is your commute, the shower, or walking the dog—do it "digitally naked" (no headphones, no radio). Drive through the boredom until you get to the boardroom.🔗 CONNECT WITH RHONDAWebsite: rhondalavoie.comThe Paced App: getpaced.appInstagram: @rhonda.lavoieFacebook: Rhonda LavoieTikTok: @rhonda.lavoieMusic for The Rhonda Lavoie Podcast written and recorded by Wade and Tan Fehr.#UnfancyReset #DigitalWellness #PacedApp