Connect Inspire Create

Welcome to Connect Inspire Create — a podcast exploring meaningful conversations about life, work, creativity, and the ways we grow. I’m Carol Clegg, your host — an accountability coach and curious conversationalist — inviting guests from a wide range of backgrounds to share insights on how they live, think, and navigate change. These conversations go beyond business strategies. We explore: living with intention and self-trust alternative ways of thinking and being creativity, purpose, and personal growth navigating transitions in work and life what it really takes to follow through on what matters If you’re someone who enjoys reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue — this space is for you. Connect Inspire Create is about slowing down the conversation just enough to notice what inspires us… and how those insights shape what

Connect Inspire Create is a business podcast hosted by Carol Clegg, with 219 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Carol Clegg hosts Connect Inspire Create, a business show with 219 episodes published.

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  Episode #219

  What If Self Trust Is Your Real Success Metric with Jenna Smith

  Sep 22, 202629 minS7

  When you’re smart, capable, and driven, it’s easy to believe the answer to discomfort is more effort: more thinking, more optimizing, more self-improvement. But what happens when that approach stops working and you’re left with emotional pain you can’t logic your way through? That’s where this conversation gets real. I’m joined by Jenna Smith, creator of the Resourcing Method, to talk about what it looks like to reconnect with the intelligence of your mind, body, heart, and spirit. We dig into why left brain dominance can keep high achievers stuck, why emotions are meant to be metabolized in the body (not suppressed or “solved” in your head), and how nervous system support can change everything. Jenna shares a memorable client story that captures the shift from control and perfectionism into presence and a calmer, more flexible way of responding to life. We also get practical about self-trust and intuition. We explore self-trust as an actual relationship with yourself, how to tell intuition from anxious “ping pong” thinking, and what unconditional confidence looks like when it’s not tied to achievement, approval, or having a perfect day. If you’re tired of treating yourself like a problem to fix, you’ll leave with a gentle next step you can try right away, including a simple hand-on-heart practice and journaling as a tool to meet yourself honestly. If this resonates, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share the episode with a friend who overthinks, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Where to find Jenna Website: Instagram LinkedIn Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

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  Episode #218

  Functional Medicine Helps You Ask Better Questions with Jen Germain

  Sep 15, 202631 minS7

  A Crohn’s disease diagnosis can feel like a life sentence, especially when you’re told medication is the only option. I sit down with Jen Germain, a certified functional medicine health coach and founder of Compass Health Coaching, to share what changed when she started asking a different question: why is my body inflamed in the first place? Jen walks us through her health crisis in 2020, the fear and frustration of being dismissed, and the practical steps that helped her reclaim momentum. We break down functional medicine in plain English, talk gut health and root cause healing, and unpack the autoimmune protocol (AIP) as a structured way to reduce inflammation and identify trigger foods through careful reintroduction. If you’ve been searching for functional medicine guidance, autoimmune protocol tips, or a realistic path to chronic illness support, you’ll hear what actually mattered day to day. We also go beyond food. Jen calls out sleep and chronic stress as two of the most overlooked drivers of stubborn symptoms, and she shares mindset tools that make change possible, including her powerful reminder: you can’t heal a body you hate. We talk self-advocacy in healthcare, what to write down before appointments, and when it’s time to find a provider who will go deeper. Connect with Jen Website: https://www.compasshealthcoachingllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/compasshealthcoachingllc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifergermain/ https://www.facebook.com/compasshealthcoachingllc Video Consultations https://compasshealthcoachingllc.practicebetter.io/#/62efebd9960d0837f69830ae/bookings?step=services Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

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  Episode #217

  Grief Changes More Than Our Emotions with Lynn Banis

  Sep 8, 202629 minS7

  Grief can be lonely even in a room full of people and it can be confusing in ways nobody warned you about. When we lose a spouse, a child, a parent, or even a life role like a job or a marriage, we are not only missing someone or something. We are rebuilding a sense of identity, safety, and future. I sit down with Dr. Lynn Banis, a psychologist, coach, and grief and resilience mentor, to talk honestly about what helps when life breaks open and you are left trying to figure out who you are now. Lynn shares what surprised her most after experiencing compounded loss and why widowhood can feel so disorienting. We unpack brain fog, low motivation, and the nervous system’s fight or flight response so you can stop blaming yourself and start understanding what your mind and body are doing. We also name the hard moment when others assume you are “fine now,” even though the ache and the loneliness are still there. Lynn also offers guidance for friends and family who want to help but do not know what to say: show up, be specific, and skip the platitudes. You will find her free support community at WomenRisingTogether.org . Connect with Lynn LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

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  Episode #216

  Mindset Matters: A Gentle Sleep Story Drift With The Clouds with Carol Clegg

  Sep 1, 20269 minS7

  Falling asleep is often less about forcing sleep and more about creating the conditions where your nervous system finally believes it is safe to let go. This guided sleep story leans into that idea with a simple promise: right now there is nowhere to be, nothing to solve, and nothing expected of you. Using bedtime relaxation, mindful breathing, and a slow-paced visualization, the practice helps you shift from a busy mind into a calmer body. From there, let's drift into a calming visualization, floating on the softest cloud beneath a sky full of stars. As thoughts pop up, we practice notice the thought, name it gently as “thinking” or “planning,” and let it move on like a cloud passing the moon. We also pause to remember one small peaceful moment from the day, because even a tiny spark of joy can shift the nervous system toward safety. I close with affirmations you can whisper in the dark and a practical technique for insomnia and night waking: count your breath down from 10 to 1, restart when you need, and return to the count each time a thought pulls you away. If this helped, subscribe for more calming stories, share it with someone who needs better sleep, and leave a review with your favorite part of the wind-down. Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, a life coach offering gentle accountability coaching and I am a curious conversationalist. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 60-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

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  Connect Inspire Create

  When Your Mind Won't Stop: Finding Freedom from Overthinking with Shang Olsen & Michelle Lindhardt

  Aug 25, 202628 minS7

  When Worry Takes Over: A Simpler Way Beyond Overthinking What if overthinking isn't helping nearly as much as we believe it is? In this episode of Connect Inspire Create , I'm joined by Danish clinical psychologists Shang Olsen and Michelle Lindhardt for a thoughtful conversation about why our minds become caught in cycles of worry, overanalysis, and self-doubt—and how we can begin responding differently. Many of us assume that worrying means we're preparing, being responsible, or protecting ourselves. But as Shang and Michelle explain, worry often keeps us trapped in our thoughts rather than moving us toward meaningful action. Together, we explore the difference between worrying about the future and ruminating on the past, why trying to control our thoughts can sometimes make them stronger, and how a simple shift in perspective can help us feel calmer, more resilient, and better able to move forward. One of my favorite moments in the conversation is a practical framework for recognizing whether you're facing a problem that can actually be solved—or whether your mind is simply asking questions that have no answer. It's a gentle reminder that not every thought deserves our attention. We also explore the principles of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) , a research-backed approach that focuses less on changing the content of our thoughts and more on changing our relationship with them. Michelle and Shang share simple, practical strategies including the idea of a daily "worry window" that listeners can begin experimenting with immediately. In this episode, we explore: Why worry can feel productive even when it isn't The difference between worry and rumination How to recognize a problem you can actually solve Why trying to control thoughts often backfires A different way to think about mental resilience An introduction to Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) Practical tools for stepping out of overthinking and back into life A Gentle Invitation As you listen, notice what your mind does. Is there something you're trying to think your way through that might instead need one small action or perhaps gentle acceptance that not every uncertainty has an immediate answer? Sometimes the greatest freedom isn't finding the perfect answer. It's learning that every thought doesn't require your attention. Where to find Shang and Michelle Website Shang Olsen: https://metacognitivetherapycentral.com/ Website Michelle Lindhardt: https://www.michellelindhardt.com/home https://www.youtube.com/@Shangolsen I share insights about worry and rumination based on science and simple and effective strategies on how to step out of these unhelpful thought patterns https://www.instagram.com/shangolsen/ LinkedIn Shang https://www.linkedin.com/in/shangjulrasulolsen/ LinkedIn Michelle https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-l-1a6283127/ Let me know what you’d like to hear more about on the show Support the show I’m Carol Clegg, your host, an accountability coach and curious conversationalist inviting guests from a wide range of backgrounds to share insights on how they live, think, and navigate change. If you enjoy reflection, fresh perspectives, and honest dialogue, this space is for you. If you’d like to experience this work in community, I host a complimentary monthly Accountability Circle a supportive space to pause, gain clarity, and choose a gentle next step forward. More info at https://carolclegg.com/accountabilitycircle For those ready for deeper, more consistent support, I also offer a 90-day Accountability Package , designed to help you move from scattered ideas to steady, sustainable momentum. You can learn more at carolclegg.com Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Instagram , or join my LinkedIn Group Flourish: A Community for Women Business Owners

  ListenShow Notes

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