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In this episode of It’s an Inside Job, we take on the often overlooked reality of domestic abuse with Deena Kordt—advocate, author, and podcaster. Drawing on her lived experience of emotional and psychological trauma, Deena explains how non-physical abuse works, why it’s hard to name, and how it can reshape a person’s sense of self and safety. She shares her path from a strict conservative upbringing to surviving an abusive marriage for more than three decades.

We talk about the patterns that keep abuse hidden: silence, “invisibility” as a coping strategy, and the slow build of control. Deena breaks down how hyper-vigilance and people-pleasing can become survival habits—and how they often persist even after someone leaves. Her reflections challenge the myth that abuse must be physical to be real, and spotlight the manipulation that makes emotional and psychological abuse so difficult to recognize and describe.

Deena also offers practical guidance for supporting someone who discloses abuse: validate what they’re telling you, protect their confidentiality, and show steady, non-judgmental concern. We also address common misconceptions and stigma, including the fact that men can be victims too—and often face additional barriers to seeking help. Deena argues for more open, informed conversations so support becomes easier to access and shame loses its grip.

The episode closes with three concrete actions for anyone experiencing—or witnessing—abuse: tell a trusted person, document what’s happening, and build a clear, practical exit plan for when it’s safe. Deena’s message is simple and hard-won: reclaiming your voice starts with recognising your worth, and none of this has to be faced alone.

Life Changes Channel Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7lvBpq6n1Otj42xcKTk5VX?si=6cbe25a55c704260

Websites:
https://DeenaKordt.com/
https://LifeChangesMag.com/

Deena Kordt LI profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deenakordt/

UGlowGRL FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/UGlowGRL19/

UGlowGRL IG acct:
https://www.instagram.com/u.glow_grl/?hl=en

Life Changes & Divorce IG:
https://instagram.com/lifechanges_divorcemagazine_ca?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Life Changes & Divorce FB Pg:
https://www.facebook.com/lifechangesdivorcemagazinecanada/

Life Changes & Divorce LI Pg:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/divorcemagazinecanada/

Life Changes & Divorce YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@U.Glow_GRL

Shift Happens Talk Show:
https://deenakordt.com/shifthappensshow

Books:
https://deenakordt.com/makeshithappen

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“The problem for the future isn’t production. It’s consumption.” - Darrell Bricker

Global population decline is accelerating faster than anyone expected—and it will reshape economies, politics, and society. In this episode of It’s an Inside Job, I speak with population expert Darrell Bricker about fertility collapse, aging societies, and what leaders must understand to prepare for an “empty planet.”

What happens to economies, innovation, and social stability when the world stops having children?

Key Takeaway Insights and Tools

• Global population decline is driven by fertility collapse, not mortality.
  Declining birth rates—across both developed and developing nations—are the single most important factor shaping future population size.
  00:04:00–00:05:24
• Urbanization fundamentally changes family formation.
  As women gain access to education, careers, and income, partnership and childbearing are delayed—and family size shrinks permanently.
  00:06:01–00:07:34
• Below-replacement fertility is now the global norm.
  China, India, Europe, and the Nordics have all fallen below replacement rate, making long-term population decline mathematically unavoidable.
  00:10:16–00:12:16
• Economic growth is threatened more by lack of consumption than production.
  Aging populations consume less, innovate less, and hold most of the wealth—while younger generations shrink in number and purchasing power.
  00:17:02–00:22:24
• Policy incentives alone do not reverse fertility decline.
  Even generous childcare, parental leave, and financial support (e.g., Norway, Canada) have failed to meaningfully increase birth rates.
  00:36:44–00:39:17

Bio

Darrell Bricker is the Global CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, one of the world’s largest public opinion research organisations. Based in Toronto, he is the co-author of Empty Planet, a bestselling and widely debated book that challenges the long-held belief that overpopulation is humanity’s greatest threat.

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“Confidence is about how you feel. Performance is about what you do.” - Dr. Dana Sinclair

How do you perform at your best when pressure is highest? In this episode of It’s an Inside Job, performance psychologist Dr. Dana Sinclair breaks down practical, evidence-based tools for staying focused, calm, and effective when it matters most—without relying on confidence or empty positivity.

What if peak performance isn’t about feeling confident—but about knowing exactly what to do when pressure hits?

Key Takeaway Insights and Tools

• Pressure derails performance when attention drifts from task to distraction
  Fears, self-doubt, expectations, and results-thinking pull focus away from execution. The solution isn’t elimination—but rapid redirection.
  00:10:15–00:10:58
• “Shift when you drift” is the core performance skill
  High performers anticipate mental drift and pre-plan how to bring attention back to the task—again and again.
  00:10:58–00:11:15
• Positive self-talk can hurt performance if it’s vague or unrealistic
  Platitudes and affirmations fail when they’re not grounded in facts or relevant to the task.
  00:11:47–00:12:44
• Negative self-talk can be useful—if you work with it
  Negative thoughts can signal what needs adjusting. Reframing or redirecting them is more effective than suppressing them.
  00:13:30–00:24:56
• Smart Talk = Facts + Constructive Self-Guidance
  Performance self-talk should be built on factual evidence (past successes, competence) and used actively during pressure moments.
  00:17:49–00:26:24
• Confidence is unreliable—action is what matters
  Confidence fluctuates and doesn’t predict performance. Execution depends on behaviours, not feelings.
  00:28:30–00:30:48
• Performance cues anchor attention in the moment
  One or two simple, task-relevant cues (posture, listening, mechanics) keep performers grounded and effective.
  00:33:47–00:37:11
• Breathing is the fastest way to regain control under pressure
  A single slow nasal inhale and extended exhale can calm the nervous system and reset focus in seconds.
  00:38:03–00:41:53
• Post-performance evaluation accelerates improvement
  A quick review—rating performance, noting what worked, and identifying one adjustment—builds skill and self-compassion.
  00:43:01–00:45:49
• Visualization works best in short, frequent “mental clips”
  Brief, sensory-rich mental rehearsals strengthen performance readiness without becoming burdensome.
  00:52:04–00:58:51

Bio

Dr. Dana Sinclair is a performance psychologist, clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, and author of Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most. She works with elite performers across sport, medicine, business, and education—including athletes from the NFL, NBA, NHL, Olympians, surgeons, CEOs, and students—helping them perform under pressure with clarity and control.

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