The Kristen Boss Podcast

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Kristen introduces listeners to a few of the powerhouse coaches behind Sondera — Chuck, Dan, Karen, and Nina — some of the real MVPs walking clients through life-altering transformation work every single day.These aren’t just any coaches. They’re trauma-informed, certified in many modalities, and deeply aligned with Sondera’s core mission: helping clients step out of a life lived on autopilot and into a life of conscious design. Kristen and the team peel back the curtain on what coaching really looks like, why it's different from therapy or friendship, and how true transformation happens when safety, trust, and the right tools are in place.Whether you're curious about coaching, struggling to break old patterns, or wondering how to finally make real change stick — this episode is your behind-the-scenes look into the soul of Sondera’s approach and the humans guiding it.In This Episode:Meet four of Sondera’s expert coaches and hear their unique coaching philosophiesWhat coaching is not — and why it’s often misunderstoodThe role of adaptive personality types and nervous system responses in personal growthWhy time management issues are often deeper than just “poor planning”The critical difference between reflection vs. ruminationWhat makes the Sondera process radically different (and wildly effective)Client transformation stories that will give you chillsKey Takeaways:Coaching isn’t about “fixing” you — it’s about uncovering the truth of who you already areYour survival patterns aren’t your personality — they’re just habits your nervous system learned to stay safeSustainable change isn’t about willpower — it’s about awareness, safety, and supportMen benefit from coaching just as deeply as women, even if the starting point looks differentYou’re not “bad at follow-through” — you’re likely stuck in a subconscious survival responseChange doesn’t come from shame. It starts with self-compassion.Notable Quotes:“We’re not here to fix people — we help them realize they’re both the problem and the solution.” – Karen“If you’re waiting for your circumstances to get better, you’ll wait your whole life. Coaching helps you get better.” – Kristen“Your adaptive personality is not who you are. It’s just how you learned to stay safe.” – Nina“Leadership coaching isn’t just about work. If you’re wonky at home, you’ll bring that to work — and vice versa.” – Chuck“Coaches aren’t your friends. We’re not here to co-sign your comfort. We’re here to protect the story you’re writing with your life.” – KristenEpisode Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome + why this episode is extra special2:00 – Kristen introduces the vision behind Sondera and its team3:00 – Meet Karen: executive coach on confidence, clarity, and showing up6:45 – Meet Chuck: fighting the “default life” and coaching for design12:30 – Meet Nina: trauma-informed coach bridging mindset and nervous system work18:40 – Meet Dan: military background, leadership coaching, and redefining resilience24:00 – Common misconceptions about coaching (especially for men)33:00 – Why shame never leads to transformation38:00 – Coaching vs. friendship: why your coach won’t tell you what you want to hear44:00 – Why you don’t need to “get your ducks in a row” to start coaching51:00 – The power of assessments, self-awareness, and seeing your growth1:00:00 – Real client transformation stories from each coach1:11:00 – Coaching as your “brain trust” to help you write a better story1:15:00 – Final thoughts + how to explore coaching with SonderaWant to Explore Coaching?If you're tired of repeating the same patterns and ready to live your life by design, not default, book a free breakthrough call with the Sondera team:Book a Breakthrough Call HereWe’ll help you explore your patterns, unpack what's keeping you stuck, and see if working with a Sondera coach is the next right step for you.Loved This Episode?Share it with a friend, leave a review, or tag us on social @thekristenboss with your biggest takeaway. Your story might just inspire someone else’s transformation.

Description:In this raw and relatable episode, Kristen invites listeners into an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked—but essential—parts of any transformation: the messy middle. From career pivots to personal growth, Kristen shares why this unglamorous phase is where true change actually happens.Using stories from her own life—unexpected setbacks, frustrating gym reps, snow days without WiFi, and even a drooping houseplant—Kristen makes a powerful case for why resilience, self-compassion, and showing up when it’s boring and hard are the keys to sustainable success.Whether you're building something new, working through a tough season, or just tired of not seeing quick results, this episode is a must-listen. Kristen gives practical mindset shifts to help you stick with your goals after the excitement wears off—and before the big wins arrive.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why most people quit in the messy middle—and how you can be differentHow boredom, frustration, and slow progress are actually signs you're on the right trackThe importance of building "frustration tolerance"How to retrain your brain to spot micro-wins and signs of lifeWhy downsizing your goals can help you actually follow throughHow to find purpose and pride, even when the results aren’t visible (yet)Key Takeaways:Progress is often quiet, slow, and unsexy—but it's still progress.The “messy middle” isn’t a problem; it’s the process that transforms you.You don’t need motivation to stay committed—you need consistency.Building something meaningful requires boring, repetitive reps over time.Boredom is a gateway to creativity, not something to run from.Timestamps:0:58 – Recording from the basement: Life without internet2:45 – Why we love beginnings and endings—but struggle with the middle4:44 – What Kristen’s “skyscraper year” taught her about digging deep foundations7:34 – Lessons from her daughter’s piano practice (and adult frustration tolerance)10:13 – Why high achievers struggle when they’re not good at something right away13:18 – Training your brain to look for signs of life15:21 – How to stay in the game when results are slow17:23 – 5 ways to thrive in the messy middle20:03 – Reflecting on 2025: Measuring internal wins, not just external resultsConnect with Kristen:Visit www.kristenboss.com for coaching, courses, and more resources.Loved the episode?Screenshot and share it on Instagram—tag @thekristenboss so she can shout you out!Leave a rating and review to help others discover the show.Send it to a friend who’s stuck in the messy middle and needs a dose of real talk

Today Kristen Boss pulls back the curtain on a common struggle so many high-achievers face which is being addicted to the idea of transformation rather than the actual process of it.If you’re someone who constantly finds themselves buying planners, signing up for new programs, and telling yourself, “This time will be different” only to fizzle out days later? This episode is a must-listen. Kristen introduces the concept of the “Hope Hustler”: someone hooked on the emotional high of fresh starts but who struggles to stay committed when the novelty wears off.She breaks down the psychology behind this pattern, the nervous system’s role in resistance, and how our obsession with speed and excitement keeps us from real transformation. Kristen also outlines a better way forward — one that prioritizes sustainability, nervous system regulation, and a grounded approach to growth.Key Takeaways:Why dopamine and novelty trick us into starting but not finishingHow being a “Hope Hustler” erodes self-trust over timeThe four nervous system stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) and how they show up in goal-settingWhy tolerating boredom is essential for long-term successThe true cost of chasing intensity over intentionalityHow to build a relationship with process, not just outcomesResources & Links:If you’re a Hope Hustler, you need to be at the 3-Day Success Rewire Challenge happening December 8-10th! Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome + Quick Event Announcement2:00 – The dopamine hit of fresh starts5:30 – Who is a Hope Hustler?8:00 – Why desire isn’t the problem — resistance is13:00 – How our stress responses sabotage progress19:00 – The cost of false starts and eroded self-trust25:00 – How to break the Hope Hustler cycle29:00 – Redefining success: continuity over intensity32:00 – Final thoughts + How to join the Success RewireIf this episode resonated with you, leave a quick review or share it on Instagram and tag @thekristenboss—she just might repost you! ❤️For more resources and to connect with Kristen, visit: www.kristenboss.com

Kristen Boss opens up about the difficult realities of 2025 and how she's navigating grief, loss, and uncertainty with intentional gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches, Kristen invites listeners into a compassionate, honest conversation about finding meaning in hardship without resorting to toxic positivity.She shares personal stories from her own challenging year and instead of glossing over the pain, Kristen explores how to extract lessons, build resilience, and reclaim agency even when life feels brutally hard.If you're feeling weary, stuck, or overwhelmed heading into the holidays, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a warm hug. Kristen reminds us that we don’t have to wait for life to get better—we get to decide how we show up in the midst of it.Episode Highlights:Kristen’s deeply personal reflection on a difficult yearWhy she rejects toxic positivity and honors emotional honestyHow to find gratitude without bypassing grief or painReframing hardship as a chance to build resilience and self-compassionWhy waiting for external circumstances to change creates powerlessnessTangible advice for reclaiming agency and creating change in your lifeHoliday survival tips for navigating tricky family dynamics with graceCall to Action:Register for the 3-Day Success Rewire happening December 8–10 12pm CT each day. Join this event BEFORE you buy the pretty planner for 2026. This reset designed to help you become the consistent, empowered version of yourself in 2026—without relying on another planner or resolution.Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome + Thanksgiving reflections1:20 — A hard year and why this episode had to be different3:30 — Kristen’s personal stories: grief, health scares, and life transitions6:40 — Resilience through adversity9:20 — The myth of January 1st as a magical reset11:00 — How to be the agent of change in your own life13:00 — Holiday mindset hacks and boundary tips14:30 — Final encouragement and sign-offShare the Love:If this episode resonated with you, leave a quick review or share it on Instagram and tag @thekristenboss—she just might repost you! ❤️For more resources and to connect with Kristen, visit: www.kristenboss.com

This week Kristen Boss dives deep into a sneaky and self-sabotaging pattern that shows up in goal-setting—guilt-driven goals. As the end of the year approaches, many people fall into the trap of using shame and guilt to set overcompensating goals, only to end up feeling burned out, unmotivated, and even more disconnected from themselves.Kristen breaks down how guilt-fueled goals are rooted in shame rather than genuine desire, and why they often lead to failure, burnout, and eroded self-trust. She challenges listeners to shift their goal-setting framework from punishment to purpose, offering tangible questions and mindset shifts to help you set kinder, self-honoring goals that actually stick.Plus, Kristen shares personal anecdotes, coaching insights from inside her Sonara Signature membership, and offers a sneak peek into her upcoming 3-Day Challenge: The Success Rewire—designed to help you radically shift how you approach goals in 2026.Key Takeaways:Guilt-driven goals are reactionary and come from shame, not purpose.These goals often ignore your current season, bandwidth, and values.Guilt only creates short-term compliance—not sustainable change.Self-compassion and values-based goals create lasting motivation.Small, kind, consistent goals build self-trust and long-term success.Questions to Reflect On:Is this goal coming from shame or desire?Would I still want this goal if no one was watching?Does this goal feel kind and aligned with my current season of life?Mentioned in This Episode:🌟 The Success Rewire — Kristen’s new 3-day event to help you set meaningful goals that align with your values and create lasting results. Just $9 to join!📅 Dates: December 8–10 | Replay available | Get your ticket here.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + intro to guilt-driven goals01:54 – Year-end urgency and the guilt trap04:34 – Upcoming 3-day event: The Success Rewire06:18 – Real-life coaching example of a guilt-driven goal09:11 – How shame hijacks your objectivity14:56 – Guilt goals vs. kind, values-based goals22:36 – How your nervous system reacts to shame25:23 – The hidden cost: eroded self-trust29:33 – Turning guilt into sustainable change32:00 – Anchoring goals in identity and self-love35:32 – The slow and sustainable path37:53 – Kristen’s personal reflections on failure and resilience