What if the same principles that build great products could help you build a life that feels more aligned, intentional, and alive? In this episode, Monique reflects on the unexpected ways product thinking has shaped the way she creates, leads, and makes decisions that matter. She shares how the principles of discovery and design apply not just to business, but to family rhythms, unfinished ideas, and the quiet callings that never seem to fade.  Through honest insight and practical wisdom, Monique invites you to rethink how you approach your own “soulful idea” and to start designing a life that can actually hold it. Because sometimes the difference between stuck and starting again isn’t more time or talent, but learning to see your life as the most important thing you’ll ever build. Let’s dive in! In this episode: (01:28) - The intersection of product and life (02:09) - Defining the problem you are solving for (02:52) - Applying product thinking to home projects and priorities (05:31) - Using AI wisely: how prompts shape your outcome (07:10) - Discovery and Design - why iteration matters (09:01) - The “Soulful Idea” and the struggle with capacity (12:09) - Sneak Peek of The Great Life Experiment Sprint (13:50) - Progress, not perfection - embracing constraints Ready to move your “soulful idea” forward? Join The Great Life Experiment Sprint • Learn more and reserve your spot | https://greatlifexperiment.com/sprint  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

There will always be more time to do than the time we have to do it.  In this intimate birthday reflection, Monique invites you into the truth most high-achievers avoid: There will always be more ideas, more ambition, more responsibility than there will ever be time. And strangely, accepting that might be the most liberating shift of your life.  Monique explores the transition between seasons, the grace required, the courage to slow down, and the deep wisdom of listening to the whisper before it becomes a roar. This episode is for the person who is grateful and grounded, yet quietly overwhelmed with the weight of everything he carries, for the leader who cheers others on to rest but can’t give himself the same permission, and for the mother who can hold the world together but rarely has a moment to breathe.  This isn’t about abandoning ambition. It’s about creating capacity for what your soul is actually asking for next.  In this episode: (00:00) - Introduction to the Great Life Experiment (00:44) - Reflections on Birthdays and Seasons (02:38) - The Importance of Health and Self-Care (06:35) - Taking Time Off for Health (08:50) - Creating Capacity for Personal Growth (11:37) -  Prioritizing What Matters Most (15:20) -  Invitation to reimagine capacity for the next season Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Product leadership has always been about navigating complexity - people, priorities, and pressure to deliver. But in a world being reshaped by AI, where change is faster than our ability to process it, the real challenge isn’t what we do, it’s how we think.  In this episode, Monique sits down with Ravi Mehta, one of the most respected voices in modern product leadership. Ravi has served as Chief Product Officer at Tinder, Product Director at Facebook, and VP of Consumer Products at TripAdvisor, where he led large-scale teams and helped drive billion-dollar growth. Today, he is a hands-on advisor to fast-growing consumer and AI startups and the co-creator of Reforge’s Product Leadership and AI Strategy Programs, where he teaches the frameworks that help leaders scale themselves, not just their products.  Together, Monique and Ravi unpack the mental frameworks behind exceptional product leadership and how to build systems that think, not just teams that execute. They explore the necessity of self-promotion, the balance between speed and quality in decision-making, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Ravi shares insights on recognizing when to transition in one’s career and the significance of aligning strategic goals with customer value. This is a conversation for anyone redefining what great leadership means and how to think like the kind of leader the future will need.  Timestamps: (05:53) - Why Product Leadership Needs Its Own Playbook (11:02) - Navigating Career Transitions (14:03) - AI’s Impact on Product Management (20:39) - Understanding Customer Needs (22:59) - The Escalator Analogy in Career Progression (25:56) - The “Impact = Environment × Skills” framework for career clarity (28:37) - The Power of Frameworks (32:01) - Recognition and Impact in Organizations (33:57) - Self-Promotion as an Act of Service (36:34) - Velocity vs Latency in Decision-Making (43:59) - Strategic Goal Setting: Why Goals Are Not A Strategy (51:23) - Ravi’s message to every product leader navigating AI change Connect with Ravi: • Website | https://www.ravi-mehta.com/  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravimehta/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

The best leaders aren’t setting goals. They are setting puzzles.  In this episode, Monique sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to explore a new paradigm for leadership in a world obsessed with metrics. Radhika’s framework has been adopted across 40+ countries, helping leaders, founders, and teams replace goal-chasing with vision-led learning.  Through her concept of puzzle setting, Radhika invites us to shift from controlling outcomes to cultivating curiosity, from chasing performance to building meaning. She explains why traditional frameworks like OKRs can erode creativity, and how leaders can learn to navigate uncertainty by framing better questions instead of setting faster goals.  This conversation bridges innovation and introspection, challenging every listener to reflect not just what they’re building, but why. Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or your own transformation, this episode will shift how you think about leadership, from hitting targets to solving meaningful puzzles. In this episode: (01:37) - Radhika Dutt’s Diverse Career Journey (05:42) - The Mindset of Puzzle Setting and Solving (10:00) - Challenging Conventional Goal-Setting: The OKR Debate (15:00) - The Limitations of OKRs in Complex Work Environments (22:07) - The Iterative Process of Learning and Experimentation (29:12) - Redefining Metrics: From Vanity to Leading Indicators (35:47) - Public vs. Private Companies: The Metrics Dilemma (44:10) - The Impact of Short-Term Thinking on Business Practices (47:04) - The Human Element in Business (52:48) - Long-Term vs Short-Term Mindset (48:52) - Navigating Existential Threats as a Leader (54:19) - Balancing Vision and Survival (01:02:16) - The Hippocratic Oath of Product (01:19:42) - Personal Vision and Life Experimentation Grab your copy of Radhika’s Book: • Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter | https://a.co/d/cEe6HKA  Connect with Radhika: • Website | https://rdutt.com/  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Collaboration doesn’t have to feel complicated. With the right framework, teamwork can become clear, aligned, and surprisingly easy.  In this episode, Monique introduces the P.A.I.D Model, a framework designed to bring clarity to collaboration. By identifying four key roles — Pilot, Advisors, Informed Stakeholders, and Decision Maker —  teams can navigate complexity with less friction.  Monique explores what happens when these roles aren’t clearly named, why decisions often stall without a clear decision-maker, and how leaders can step into the courage it takes to pilot an initiative. She also shares practical examples of how she has used this tool in her own career, and why it remains one of her most relied-upon frameworks.  This is one of those episodes, you may want to come back to because the P.A.I.D Model isn’t a “one and done.” It’s a tool you’ll practice, refine, and return to every time you find yourself in the middle of group dynamics.  In this episode: (02:45) - The two tools Monique always comes back to in leadership (03:25) - Introducing the P.A.I.D Model (04:42) - When to use the P.A.I.D Model (05:55) - The Pilot: Bringing direction and focus (07:18) - Advisors: the right input vs too many voices (08:35) - Informed Stakeholders: Keeping everyone aligned without overwhelm (09:27) - Decision Makers: The most overlooked but critical role (10:48) - How to diagnose what’s missing when collaboration feels stuck (13:02) - Why leaders hesitate to pilot or decide - and how to step in (17:17) - Applying the P.A.I.D Model in real projects and organizations (18:23 ) - Recap and encouragement Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

We’ve all had those seasons where our career feels stuck, where the questions are loud, but the answers feel far away. But what if the way forward isn’t another job search, but a different way of seeing your path? In this episode, Monique shares a simple yet powerful framework that has guided her own career moves. This practical tool helps you uncover what you truly want out of your career, recognize the strengths you already bring, and map the future experiences you need to grow. It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about creating a structure that frees you from feeling stuck and empowers you to move forward with intention.  Whether you’re building a corporate career, dreaming of entrepreneurship, or navigating a pivot, this process will give you a way to evaluate your options, expand your opportunities, and unlock your potential.  In this episode: (01:45) - Why overthinking often does not lead to clarity (03:09) - Writing down what you really want (05:49) - The 3-Step Career Roadmap Activity (06:56) - How to spot your strengths, gaps, and growth opportunities (09:14) - What to do when your current job can’t give you the skills you need (12:17) - How to apply the Career Roadmap to your own path (14:18) - Your free downloadable template + next steps Put the Career Roadmap Activity Into Action Today • Sign up and Receive Your Free Career Roadmap Template | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

How are you, really? Sometimes it feels easier to give the polite answer than to name what’s true when the world feels heavy and your heart is carrying more than words can hold. In this reflective solo episode, Monique opens up about what it means to live with the weight of so many emotions at once and why protecting our energy is our first responsibility. She shares the small but powerful practices that kept her grounded - closing the door on noise, making space for joy, and giving herself permission to feel without staying stuck. Because when life feels too much, and the world feels broken, the question isn’t how to fix it all. The question is: how do we keep showing up whole for ourselves, our families, and the people who depend on us? If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, this is an invitation to pause, to be honest about how you’re actually doing, and to remember that you’re not alone in the weight of it all.  In this episode: (00:53) - When “How are you?” isn’t just small talk (01:47) - Carrying sadness, anger, fear, and confusion all at once (02:41) - Why managing your energy is the non-negotiable (03:53) - Choosing light and joy when you can’t fix the brokenness (05:37) - Creating boundaries with media and inputs to protect your heart (06:59) - It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility (08:30) - You are not alone Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

When the rules of the game keep shifting, what does bold leadership look like? In this episode, Ben Schafer (Rev Op Leader and husband) joins Monique (Product Leader and Advisor) to explore a listener’s questions: do we make bold moves in uncertain times? And how do you, as a leader, show up with all this uncertainty? Together, Monique and Ben explore the nuances of courage, risk, why inaction is often the riskiest of all, and how to make decisions when the future refuses to give you clarity. This is a conversation that moves beyond easy answers and into the deeper work of leadership, navigating complexity, staying grounded in first principles, and helping others metabolize change.  Through both personal and professional stories, from parenting during the pandemic to the disruption of AI, Monique and Ben reveal what it takes to lead with intentionality when uncertainty is the only constant. You’ll walk away with clarity on why boldness doesn’t mean recklessness, how to navigate the risks of the status quo, and what it looks like to lead others through change without losing sight of your values or purpose. In this episode: (01:47) - The HBR headline that sparked this conversation (05:44) - What “being bold” really means (and doesn’t mean) (10:49) - Why even small bold moves carry hidden risks (13:20) - When not making a decision is a decision, and often the riskiest one (18:28) - Unpacking uncertainty at both personal and business levels (19:31) - Parenting during the pandemic: making bold moves when the stakes are high (23:38) - AI disruption and the temptation of reactive boldness (31:11) - Experiment over analysis over paralysis (35:47) - Time horizons and pacing bold decisions (39:51) - The boldness of speaking truth into leadership (47:24) - Playing your own game without losing your core strengths (50:37) - Lessons from hard choices: one-way vs two-way doors (55:44) - Final reflections: brave, intentional, uncomfortable action in uncertain times Links and Resources: • Harvard Business Review (September/October 2025) | https://store.hbr.org/product/harvard-business-review-september-october-2025/BR2505 Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

What if the tension you are feeling right now, whether in your career, business, or life, isn’t a problem to solve, but an invitation to step into flow? In this episode, Monique sits down with Kathy Keating, a technology executive and bestselling author of Liquid. With more than 30 years of experience as a CTO, founder, board director, and advisor, Kathy has walked leaders through the fire of SaaS, FinTech, HR Tech, and healthcare, always in the moments where growth felt the most complex.  Kathy’s framework is simple yet profound: complexity isn’t something to fix. It’s something to influence. She reveals why speed is an outcome -  not a checklist item, why leaders who embrace stretch unlock the deepest growth, and what AI really means for the future of our work. She also shares why discomfort isn’t a threat, but the most powerful signal of expansion.  This episode will shift how you see leadership, growth, and change, not just in your career, but in the way you live your life.  In this episode: (03:27) - Sneak peek of Kathy’s new book, Liquid (04:49) - Complexity, systems theory, and leadership choices (05:59) - Boling, freezing, and liquid: a new metaphor for business (09:47) - The myth of speed, and why chasing it makes you slower (13:18) - Speed as an emergent property (14:35) - The Four Sentinels (18:17) - Stretching into discomfort and rethinking growth (21:50) - Why separating actions from outcomes changes everything (24:16) - Where AI is really heading (29:52) - What leaders get wrong about productivity gains vs workforce cuts (33:06) - Influence, tension, and how mid-level leaders speak truth up (36:52) - Pivots, networks, and the hidden work of building influence (40:35) - Why progress is built on tiny iterations, not one big leap Grab your copy of Kathy’s Book: • Liquid: How CEOs & CTOs Unlock Flow and Momentum in Complex Systems | https://ctosentinel.com/  Connect with Kathy: • Website | https://kathkeating.com/  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathykeating/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

When what you’ve always done stops working, it can feel unsettling. But disruption often carries a quiet invitation: maybe the only way forward is going back to the basics of who you are and what you truly believe. In this episode, Monique explores what happens when life, work, or the world no longer responds to the patterns that once made sense. Whether it’s shifting industries, changing careers, or personal rhythms that suddenly feel heavy, she invites listeners to lean into the power of first principles. She offers a reminder that going back to the basics isn’t about stepping backward. It’s about rediscovering clarity, anchoring in values, and building something new with intention.  In this episode: (01:31) - Why many of us feel both stuck and energized in change (03:28) - Lessons from the movie, La Grande Maison Paris (05:50) - What this means for careers, product management, and leadership (08:18) - Why impact matters more than output in uncertain times (09:24) - Introspection, core beliefs, and new possibilities Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Taking a moment to pause, reset, and be present. Monique shares a quick update as she steps away for a two-week break to honor rest, family, and disconnection. The Great Life Experiment returns August 21 with fresh episodes and deeper conversations. Until then, take care of yourself, enjoy your people, and we’ll be back soon.  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

What do you do when change is happening and you’re not in charge? In this candid AMA-style conversation, Monique sits down with her husband and long-time tech executive, Ben Schafer to unpack what it means to lead through change, especially when you’re not in a formal leadership role.  Monique shares real stories from her own career pivots - from consultant to product leader to director, and breaks down what most people miss about internal transitions, leadership identity, and decision-making during moments of uncertainty. From soft power and emotional intelligence to tactical frameworks, this is the conversation most people wish they had earlier in their leadership journey.  If you’re ever found yourself asking: Why does this feel off? Am I outgrowing something? Am I still valuable here? This one’s for you. In this episode: (02:57) - Defining and recognizing transitions (05:04) - The importance of the in-between period (08:17) - Monique’s real-life example of the true inner work of every career pivot (11:54) - How to lead when you’re not in a position of leadership (15:01) - Example of leadership in consulting (18:49) - Grounding people in the business objective (22:23) - Leadership is all about empowering people (24:09) - Decision-making frameworks that move teams forward (26:15) - Reconciling personal beliefs and emotions about change (35:52) - Navigating resistance and shutdowns with compassion (and boundaries) Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

You don’t need millions to start investing. You just need curiosity, intention, and the willingness to begin before you feel ready.  In this episode, Monique Schafer sits down with Natalie Levy, founder of She’s Independent, to explore how angel investing becomes a pathway not just to financial returns, but also to confidence and leadership.  Natalie shares how her journey, from Wall Street to values-aligned investing, was never about having it all figured out. It was about starting scared, taking intentional steps, and letting each decision deepen her sense of self and purpose. Together, they explore how wealth, influence, and impact can begin with something as simple as curiosity, and how the act of investing (even in small amounts) can unlock success, board opportunities, and belief.  This episode is not just about money. It’s about reclaiming power, building the muscle of confidence through action, and choosing a life that aligns with who you truly are. In this episode: (01:36) - Introducing Natalie Levy & the story behind She’s Independent (06:07) - Breaking into Wall Street: early pushback, grit, and finding her voice (08:10) - Mindset shifts that changed everything: how Natalie made bold pivots (12:24) - Confidence isn’t a pre-requisite. It’s a by-product of action (14:47) - Redefining risk and unpacking your money story (17:23) - Why mission and values belong at the core of your investing decisions (21:01) - The illusion of financial freedom without fulfillment (22:27) - Natalie’s investing journey (27:16) - How to start investing as a corporate employee (31:45) - Skills that companies are looking for in advisory and board members (34:25) - How pitch days help you refine your edge (and build your voice) (37:17) - Resources, next steps, and Natalie’s upcoming book Links and Resources: • She’s Independent | https://shesindependent.com/  • YouTube - She’s Independent | https://www.youtube.com/@ShesIndependent  Connect with Natalie: • Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nattygram_and_b  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliedlevy/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

You’ve returned to work after a necessary break—maybe it was for your health, family, or just life. But now you’re wondering… why does it feel like you’re starting from scratch? In this episode, Monique offers a grounded, strategic take on what it really looks like to return to work after a career pause and the quiet courage it takes to advocate for yourself in the process. Drawing from a real-life conversation, she shares the story of a professional who came back to work only to feel like she had lost her place.  Through thoughtful guidance and practical insight, Monique unpacks how to re-establish visibility, align with leadership, and position yourself as a strategic asset, not a problem to solve. This episode is a permission slip to stop waiting for recognition and start initiating the conversations that will move your career forward. At its core, it’s not just about getting your old projects back. It’s about owning your worth, communicating with clarity, and building the future you’re still deeply called to lead.  In this episode: (02:00) - Returning to work after a break (03:45) - “I’m back… but everything I built moved on without me” (05:10) - Clarity with leadership around your role and the current business needs (06:30) - How to express readiness without overexplaining (07:11) - Offering solutions - why framing matters (11:04) - What to do when your manager isn’t a natural advocate (12:41) - Advocating for yourself is leadership in motion Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

Do you ever feel a mix of emotions when revisiting places connected to your family history? Whether it’s a relative’s home, a cherished childhood vacation spot, or a community where you spent a lot of time steeped in memories, sometimes these ”family spaces” can feel complicated. We evolve, these places change, and the history can be heavy. But what if these complicated places offered an unexpected opportunity for personal growth and creating new, meaningful connections? In this personal episode, Monique shares her journey back to her family’s farm in the rural Midwest. This isn’t where she grew up, but it’s a ’family space’ that forms a rich part of her family’s roots, steeped in generations of stories, transformations, and memories. Monique unpacks the emotional nuances of returning to spaces with mixed feelings and reveals how she chose to see familiar places, create new experiences, and make new meaning for this next generation. This episode is your invitation to acknowledge that more than one truth can exist simultaneously. You don’t have to have it all figured out, and it’s okay for things to feel uncertain. Learn how to create new, positive associations and memories in places that once felt fraught. It’s time to embrace the art of rediscovery: redefining your relationship with these spaces, fostering new peace, and deepening your connection to your roots, all on your own terms. In this episode: (01:11) - A quiet pause in the Midwest (02:30) - The emotional nuance of returning to “happy” places with mixed memories (05:10) - A new home on old land (07:18) - Rediscovering like a tourist (08:58) - When the middle of nowhere becomes peace (09:36) - Becoming a tourist in your own town (10:49) - A love for both the city and the quiet country (12:31) - Appreciating your roots while choosing new rhythms Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

In this special case study episode, Monique takes listeners inside an experiment of her own — using Google’s AI tool, NotebookLM, to analyze the first 20 episodes of this podcast.  Part recap, part reflection, this episode blends AI with insight and gently explores how technology can help us see our evolution more clearly. Monique shares surprising themes that emerged and offers a simple invitation: What might you discover if you used a tool like this on your work… or your own life? Whether you’re new to this podcast or have been here from the start, this is the perfect moment to catch up and maybe see your own story with fresh eyes. Let’s dive in! In this episode: (01:40) - Exploring NotebookLM: An AI Tool for Summarization (04:14) - Insights and Limitations of AI Summarization (06:04) - Themes of Resilience and Human Skills in a Changing World (07:28) - Engagement and Feedback from Listeners NotebookLM - AI Generated Audio Overview (09:46) - Navigating the Nonlinear Journey (14:25) - Cultivating a Resilient Mindset for Growth (18:09) - Practical Frameworks for Sustainable Progress (21:41) -  Building a Supportive Ecosystem Links and Resources: • NotebookLM | https://notebooklm.google/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

What if your next professional breakthrough isn’t about doing more but showing up differently? In this episode, Monique Schafer sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur and social media strategist, Mary Robb. As the founder and CEO of Social Practice, Mary brings the kind of clarity and warmth that cuts through the noise and reminds us what social media was always meant to be: connection, storytelling, and service. Together, Mary and Monique unpack the messy, beautiful, and often emotional process of showing up online, not just as a business, but as a whole human. They talk about the difference between business and personal branding (and how to do both without losing your mind), why values should lead your content, and how to create boundaries that protect your mental health while still building real influence. This one’s for the multi-passionate leader, who’s been silently asking: How do I put myself out there without losing myself? For the high-achiever who’s built a career but hasn’t quite figured out how to bring their voice forward. And for anyone who just knows it’s time to start using her voice with intention — imperfectly, honestly, and on purpose. Let’s dive in! In this episode: (05:00) - Business Brand vs Personal Brand: What’s the Difference? (07:31) - Know Your Values, Know Your Voice (13:24) - Creating a Personal Brand with Intention (09:46) - The Identity Beyond the Job Title (14:07) - Showing Up Before You’re Polished (17:49) - Why Boundaries Are a Brand Strategy (23:18) - Creating Before Consuming (24:13) - Rethinking Vulnerability Online (29:40) - Attracting Talent Through Social Media (30:45) - Why Developing Your Personal Brand Is Key in This New Era of Work (36:26) - Two Questions to Get You Started (41:22) - You’re Not a Resume — You’re a Story (42:47) - Getting Over Yourself and Posting It Anyway Links and Resources: • Social Practice | https://social-practicetx.com/  • Book - The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins | https://a.co/d/5FSHIck  • FORDIFY with Emily Ford | https://www.instagram.com/fordifymybrand/  Connect with Mary: • Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/maryelizabethrobb  • Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/socialpracticeus/  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryerobb/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

This episode is a little different. No guest. No perfectly mapped-out lesson. Just me — showing up in the middle of a quiet, in-between season. You know those times when the words don’t come? When everything feels a little slower, a little foggier… and you’re not quite sure what’s next, but you know you’re not where you used to be? That’s where I’ve been.  Today, I’m inviting you into the pause. The space between clarity and action. The soft unraveling that happens when you finally let your nervous system breathe. This isn’t an episode with big “aha” moments — it’s one that meets you exactly where you are, especially if you’ve been craving permission to slow down, feel more, and do a little less.  If you’re in a season of reflection, reset, or just needing a little more quiet in a loud world — you are not alone.  In this episode: (01:33) - Reflections on a Week of Uncertainty (02:51) - The In-Between Season (03:53) - There Is Power in Not Knowing Yet (05:00) - Embracing the Stillness (05:36) - Finding Clarity and Wisdom in Waiting Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

In this episode, Monique Schafer welcomes powerhouse executive Katie Kruger for a raw, riveting, and deeply relatable conversation on transformation, grit, and redefining what success looks like.  Raised in rural Alaska, dreaming of skyscrapers while hauling firewood and joining an exclusive male workforce in the oil fields, Katie now leads in the C-suite of a $35B company and has become a sought-after policy influencer and mentor. Her story is a masterclass in reinvention — not the loud, flashy kind, but the kind that happens when no one is watching, when you say “yes” to growth, over and over again, even when it’s hard.  She shares what it was like being one of the only women in the oil fields, how she taught herself policy in a coffee shop, and why her version of success has nothing to do with titles — and everything to do with relationships, service, and staying grounded. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a version of yourself that no longer fits, if you think you’re too late to pivot, or that your past defines your ceiling, you need to hear this one. In this episode: (08:38) - Katie’s Early Years in Rural Alaska (10:46) - Incremental Transformation (11:11) - Strategic Career Pivots: Katie’s Journey to Becoming a Policy Expert (12:27) - Katie’s Rigorous Self-Study Routine (15:55) - The Power of Building Relationships and Adding Value to Others (27:09) - The ROI of Giving Without Expecting (35:57) - Balancing Work and Personal Life, Especially for Working Parents (40:56) - The Importance of Taking Risks and Being Curious in Personal & Professional Growth (41:25) - The Role of Policy in Supporting Working Parents (43:48) - Believing You Can Become Something New Connect with Katie: • Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-kruger-colorado/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

In this heartwarming episode, Monique reconnects with her college roommate and lifelong friend, Kelsey Murray, a former ad agency director with a deep background in marketing and digital strategy. After more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder, she made the bold decision to step away in pursuit of motherhood and a more intentional way of living. Her career journey has included becoming a stay-at-home mom, launching a photography business, consulting as a fractional CMO, and ultimately stepping into franchise ownership. Each pivot was less about chasing titles and more about rediscovering what truly lights her up.  Together, Monique and Kelsey explore how ambition can evolve, how motherhood can feel both sacred and stifling, and how we can integrate every season of our lives into a more whole version of who we are becoming. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a season that was supposed to fulfill you or if you’re currently navigating a pivot, this episode will remind you that it’s not too late to begin again. Let’s dive in! In this episode: ((05:19) - Kelsey’s Unexpected Pivot (07:00) - Motherhood and the Guilt That No One Talks About (10:20) - Finding Community and the Power of Shared Experiences (13:04) - The Season of Self-Discovery (21:33) - Beyond the Resume: Redefining Your Personal Brand (22:43) - Legacy, Family, and the Story Behind Kelley Blue Book (29:19) - Releasing the Need for Perfection and External Validation (32:45) - The Importance of Staying Open to What’s Next (34:14) - God Whispers and Soul Alignment Links and Resources: • Book - The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav | https://a.co/d/byYJUm9  Connect with Kelsey: • Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mrsmurray923/  Connect with Monique: • Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/  • Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast • Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer  • YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment  Ask Monique Got a question that’s keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem?  ’Ask Monique’ is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let’s dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together.  https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8