In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, Anne Brinkman sits down with author and career coach Sandy Johnson to discuss her inspiring new book Experience Not Required. Part memoir, part self-help, and part adventure story, Sandy’s book encourages readers to embrace the freedom of being a “rookie” and step into new experiences—even when they don’t know how to begin.
Sandy shares the sparks that led her to writing, from childhood inspiration with Harriet the Spy to publishing her first articles, and ultimately to embarking on adventures like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running a race in the Sahara Desert. She opens up about the discomfort of learning something new, the power of recommitting when doubt sets in, and how confidence grows not before action, but because of it.
Together, Anne and Sandy explore themes of adventure, belonging, confidence, and possibility—reminding us that trying something new doesn’t require expertise, only a willingness to begin.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why embracing the role of “rookie” can be freeing rather than embarrassing
The connection between discomfort, persistence, and growing confidence
How sharing your dreams out loud invites support, resources, and new opportunities
Noteworthy quotes from this episode:
“Confidence isn't something that you just decide you're going to feel. I need to feel more confident. It's a result of actually doing.”
“When we're little kids, we just say out loud, oh, “I want to be an astronaut,” “I want to be the president.” We say things because we have no idea about what's required to get there. And as adults we know what's required. So we just shut things down as that's not possible. That's the problem.”
“Everybody that ever tried something new or invented something didn't know anything, we are figuring it out as we go along.”
“I find that a lot of us, when we get to a certain stage of life we are afraid to admit that we haven't done something before. We want to appear capable and experienced and even experts. And it can be embarrassing to say “I don't know how” or “I haven't done this before” “
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Experience Not Required by Sandy Johnson — Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback)
Visit Sandy’s website: experiencenotrequired.ca
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey
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In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, Anne Brinkman sits down with author and career coach Sandy Johnson to discuss her inspiring new book Experience Not Required. Part memoir, part self-help, and part adventure story, Sandy’s book encourages readers to embrace the freedom of being a “rookie” and step into new experiences—even when they don’t know how to begin.
Sandy shares the sparks that led her to writing, from childhood inspiration with Harriet the Spy to publishing her first articles, and ultimately to embarking on adventures like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running a race in the Sahara Desert. She opens up about the discomfort of learning something new, the power of recommitting when doubt sets in, and how confidence grows not before action, but because of it.
Together, Anne and Sandy explore themes of adventure, belonging, confidence, and possibility—reminding us that trying something new doesn’t require expertise, only a willingness to begin.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why embracing the role of “rookie” can be freeing rather than embarrassing
The connection between discomfort, persistence, and growing confidence
How sharing your dreams out loud invites support, resources, and new opportunities
Noteworthy quotes from this episode:
“Confidence isn't something that you just decide you're going to feel. I need to feel more confident. It's a result of actually doing.”
“When we're little kids, we just say out loud, oh, “I want to be an astronaut,” “I want to be the president.” We say things because we have no idea about what's required to get there. And as adults we know what's required. So we just shut things down as that's not possible. That's the problem.”
“Everybody that ever tried something new or invented something didn't know anything, we are figuring it out as we go along.”
“I find that a lot of us, when we get to a certain stage of life we are afraid to admit that we haven't done something before. We want to appear capable and experienced and even experts. And it can be embarrassing to say “I don't know how” or “I haven't done this before” “
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Experience Not Required by Sandy Johnson — Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback)
Visit Sandy’s website: experiencenotrequired.ca
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey
How to communicate in a way to get yourself heard and others to respond well to you.
In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman reviews Marshall Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication, which explores a communication strategy to minimize “violence” and increase understanding in conversations. Coach Anne highlights key concepts such as how to approach conversations with empathy, without judgment, and being clear on feelings and needs.
Coach Anne also explores Rosenberg’s tips for fully using the strategy and where we might get hung up.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
The 4 steps to communicate in a non-violent way
How to respond to someone else to make them feel heard
What to watch for in this communication
Noteworthy quotes from this episode
“Now the English language isn’t really helping when we’re talking about feelings – it sort of puts a veil over them. When we talk about feelings, just because you say “I feel hurt”, does not mean hurt is a feeling. “
“Then when you share your need, it’s not what the other person did. It’s NOT like “you made me feel angry because you borrowed my shirt without asking” No one can make you feel something. “
“And JUST because you make a request, doesn’t mean they need to do it. You need to be willing for them not to agree to it.”
“And what this really is creating is not just that person being heard, but it’s also focusing on your empathy for that person. When we are feeling empathetic, we are more likely to be able to take their hateful or mocking words and recognize them as unmet needs and an expression of their pain.”
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Buy on Amazon or Bookshop *
Junto’s Emotion Wheel
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey
* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
As a Bookshop affiliate, I receive a commission, and every book you buy on Bookshop.org also supports local, independent bookstores.
Books to Better Your Life
In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, Anne Brinkman sits down with author and career coach Sandy Johnson to discuss her inspiring new book Experience Not Required. Part memoir, part self-help, and part adventure story, Sandy’s book encourages readers to embrace the freedom of being a “rookie” and step into new experiences—even when they don’t know how to begin.
Sandy shares the sparks that led her to writing, from childhood inspiration with Harriet the Spy to publishing her first articles, and ultimately to embarking on adventures like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running a race in the Sahara Desert. She opens up about the discomfort of learning something new, the power of recommitting when doubt sets in, and how confidence grows not before action, but because of it.
Together, Anne and Sandy explore themes of adventure, belonging, confidence, and possibility—reminding us that trying something new doesn’t require expertise, only a willingness to begin.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why embracing the role of “rookie” can be freeing rather than embarrassing
The connection between discomfort, persistence, and growing confidence
How sharing your dreams out loud invites support, resources, and new opportunities
Noteworthy quotes from this episode:
“Confidence isn't something that you just decide you're going to feel. I need to feel more confident. It's a result of actually doing.”
“When we're little kids, we just say out loud, oh, “I want to be an astronaut,” “I want to be the president.” We say things because we have no idea about what's required to get there. And as adults we know what's required. So we just shut things down as that's not possible. That's the problem.”
“Everybody that ever tried something new or invented something didn't know anything, we are figuring it out as we go along.”
“I find that a lot of us, when we get to a certain stage of life we are afraid to admit that we haven't done something before. We want to appear capable and experienced and even experts. And it can be embarrassing to say “I don't know how” or “I haven't done this before” “
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Experience Not Required by Sandy Johnson — Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback)
Visit Sandy’s website: experiencenotrequired.ca
Connect with Anne Brinkman
Website: www.betteryour.life
LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman
Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio
Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts
Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey
