In this insightful episode, Monique expands on one of the key themes from Episode 15, Foundation Not Fumes, diving deeper into the nuanced and often misunderstood topic of overwhelm. More importantly, the critical difference between legitimate temporary overwhelm and lifestyle overwhelm. Drawing inspiration from Mel Robbins and her own lived experi…

In this episode, Monique Schafer sits down with Michele Ashby, a trailblazing executive, board director, and founder of ACE LLC. With over three decades of experience in finance and capital markets, and eight board seats under her belt, Michelle is on a mission to train 1,000 women to step into corporate boardrooms with confidence, clarity, and imp…

In this first fireside chat, Monique Schafer brings together three dynamic women - Crystal Harvey, Danielle Deanna, and herself - to explore the critical theme of building strong foundations in life. Though their paths and experiences differ, they share a common thread: the importance of intentionality, self-awareness, and purposeful growth across …

What happens when two driven, high-achieving people fall in love and try to do life — careers, kids, dreams — together? You get high-powered love, with all the magic and the mess that comes with it. In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and deeply grounded Heather Clark, a licensed therapist and expert trained in trauma reprocessing and ED…

Picture this: It’s late. The day’s been a lot, and we’re in post-bedtime haze when big thoughts come out. The ones when something from work is still swirling in your head, and you just need to say it out loud to someone who gets it. That’s exactly where this episode begins. In this episode, you’ll hear a real-time conversation between me and my hus…

There are moments in life when you’re doing all the “right” things — you’re showing up, you followed the plan, you played by the rules — and somehow, it’s still not working. It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking. And it can leave you questioning everything. In this episode, I’m opening up about those exact moments — the ones that test your patience,…

Let’s be real: AI is here, and it’s flipping the script on how we work, lead, and connect. But here’s the thing they don’t tell you — the most valuable thing in the age of AI is still YOU. Your humanness, your intuition, your vibe, and your ability to make meaning out of a mess. In this episode, I’m spilling the tea on the top 5 human skills that r…

You know that moment when something feels “off” — you can’t quite name it, but you know you’re not where you’re meant to be? Maybe you’re over-functioning. Maybe you’re burned out. Or maybe life just feels muddy, and you’re ready to gain clarity, lit up, and be aligned again. Today, I’m joined by my mentor and one of the original voices in the coac…

Ever walked into a room, a new team, a class, or a board meeting and thought, “Should I say something? Or just listen and blend in? Yeah, me too. In this episode of Ask Monique, I’m sharing the conversations I’ve had with real friends and clients who were navigating those few uncertain steps in new spaces. Whether you’re stepping into a new job, jo…

What if the thing that breaks you is also the thing that builds you? In this episode, I sit down with my jiu-jitsu training bestie, Chelsea Ottaviano, to talk about career pivots, job loss, and what really happens when your career path doesn’t go as planned. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by your career, sat in your Banana Republic slacks questioni…

Hello everyone! Today, I’m so excited to bring you the very first episode of the “Ask Monique” series here on The Great Life Experiment Podcast — this is where I take your real questions—the messy, nuanced, “what do I even say or do right now?” kind of moments—and give you practical tools, honest language, and a little pep talk so you can show up w…

Let’s talk about something we all go through — change. Whether it’s a career shift, a relationship ending, a big move, or just stepping into a new season of life, change is inevitable. But here’s the thing: change is not just about the ending or the new beginning — it’s also about the “in-between”, where things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and so…

Life’s a series of plot twists, right? One moment, you’ve got everything figured out, and then you’re wondering what’s next, who’s coming along for the ride, and how to even begin recalibrating. If you’ve ever felt the weight of big life transitions, shifting friendships, or just a need for a reset, this episode is for you! In this episode, I sit d…

If we were sitting across from each other right now, you might ask, “How did you get into tech?” And I probably would have laughed because the truth is — I never planned for any of this. I didn’t dream of working in a billion-dollar company. I didn’t go to school for product management. I didn’t even know this career existed when I was younger. I’v…

Let’s get real — how are you feeling right now? Are you running on caffeine and sheer willpower trying to keep up with work, relationships, family, and maybe—just maybe—your own sanity? Does life feel like a chaotic circus act where you’re juggling responsibilities, dodging curveballs, and hoping something does not crash—trust me, you are not alone…

Getting groups of people to work together, especially on big, complex, high-stakes projects, is one of the hardest things in business. And guess what? AI isn’t going to solve this for us. We still have to figure out how to align different personalities, priorities, and working styles to make progress. In this episode, we’re diving exactly into that…

You know that moment when you’re starting something new, heart pounding, wondering, “Can I actually do this?” Yeah, we’ve been there — on the mat, in life, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, I am joined by my Jiu-Jitsu bestie, Chelsea Ottaviano, to talk about what it’s really like to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a woman. Just so we’re clear …

Welcome to The Great Life Experiment Podcast! I’m your host, Monique Schafer, and together, we’ll grapple with the messy and beautiful, and ever-changing world of business and life. There is no one right way to do life. That’s why we’re here — to test, try, and experiment. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, building your own things, or j…