That was the card we pulled in this week’s Conversation Starters episode:
“When was the last time you felt genuinely surprised?”
It sparked a conversation about courage, trust, and how life often meets us halfway when we take bold, scary steps toward what feels right.
Todd shared how sending his book Recovering from Emotional Trauma: Essential Tools to Help Calm Your Emotions, Heal Your Sense of Self, and Strengthen Relationships, to a respected leader in the field was both terrifying and transformative.
A part of him hesitated before doing it and expected silence, or even criticism, but instead he received unexpected praise and a podcast invitation. That surprise became a powerful reminder that our biggest fears often hide our greatest growth.
I shared a story from my own life: an unexpected work opportunity that landed in my inbox just when I was in a period of uncertainty. It felt like life saying, “See? You made space, and here’s what’s next.” Those moments remind me that trusting your heart (and acting with integrity) tends to create openings you can’t always plan for.
We both found ourselves circling back to one truth:
Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. It happens when you do the scary thing and trust that something good will come from it—even if you can’t see how yet.
Why it matters
So often, we wait to act until we feel ready, confident, or certain. But life’s surprises rarely arrive in those moments. They find us when we’re willing to leap without guarantees.
When you take a risk that feels aligned, you’re signaling trust in yourself and in life’s unfolding. That’s often when doors open, people appear, and opportunities seem to “come out of nowhere.”
Courage builds momentum: every brave act strengthens your sense of agency.
Trust creates space: letting go of control allows new possibilities to emerge.
Fear can be a compass: it often points toward what’s most meaningful to you.
Doing the scary thing shifts your story, from self-doubt to self-trust.
Takeaways
The things that scare us most often hold our biggest growth.
Trusting your heart can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Making space for what’s aligned invites life to surprise you.
You don’t have to see the full path, just take the next brave step.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome back to the Private Conversation Starters series
00:42 – The card: “When was the last time you felt genuinely surprised?”
01:00 – Todd’s story: sending his book to a respected trauma leader
03:50 – What fear can teach us about growth and self-trust
08:03 – Dannie’s story: an unexpected opportunity arriving “out of the blue”
10:00 – Making space for new beginnings
12:00 – Doing the scary thing and trusting what’s meant for you
Reflection Question
When was the last time you did something that scared you,
and what surprise came after?
We’d love to hear your reflections in the comments.
Our Private Conversation Starters series is normally reserved for paid subscribers: little behind-the-scenes chats between Todd and me. But every so often, we’ll share one publicly so everyone can join the conversation.
P.S. If you’re sitting on the edge of a big decision, this is your gentle reminder:
Sometimes the only way forward is through the fear.
P.P.S: If you haven’t read it yet, here’s a little peek at Todd’s new book — a heartfelt deep dive into emotional healing and growth. Stay tuned for his upcoming appearance on Tim Fletcher’s podcast!
