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My guest today is a longtime friend of the show, and every time he joins us, you love him. It’s the brilliant and hilarious Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and truly one of the funniest humans walking the earth.

Today, we’re digging into what procrastination really looks like. Not the obvious kind where you’re scrolling instead of working, but the sneaky version that hides inside your productivity. The kind that shows up even when your calendar is full, and you’re checking all the boxes.

Jon breaks down why the thing you keep almost starting is costing you more than you think and how to finally stop circling it and actually move forward. I’m sharing what this looks like in my own life, too, because wow… it hits close to home.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just start the thing?” This episode is your new favorite. It’s packed with clarity, encouragement, and practical tools to help you communicate with yourself (and others) in a healthier way. You may want to listen twice.

Timestamps:

(10:44) - When Planning Turns Into Procrastination (And How to Spot It)

(12:54) - The Simple Framework That Helps You Actually Finish Things

(17:09) - The Hustler’s Trap and Jon’s Surprisingly Smart Way to Use AI

(22:23) - Auditioning Your Ideas: When to Keep Going and When to Let Go

(27:41) - Burned Out or Just Bored? How to Tell the Difference

WATCH ALLI ON YOUTUBE

Links to great things we discussed:

• Procrastination Proof: Never Get Stuck Again
• Jon’s Show Recommendations - House of David, The Chosen, & Young Sherlock
• Jon’s Book Recommendations - Theo of Golden & The Road Less Stupid
• Jon’s Product Recommendations - Tom Bihn Briefcase, Blackwing Pencils, & F3
• Wise Woman Era

• The Uplift app is here!
• Purchase your Mother’s Journal TODAY

I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!

xo,

Alli

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY

There’s always that woman you admire. The one stepping into bold, meaningful work while you’re still sitting with your coffee, wondering if you’re even allowed to start. We all have her in our minds—the woman who seems braver, more polished, more prepared.

But here’s the truth most people miss: she’s probably not more qualified than you. She’s just more willing to try.

Today I’m recording my 500th episode, and I can promise you this—if I had waited until I felt fully ready, this show would never have existed. Not one episode. Not one conversation. Not one life changed.

No fancy studio. No perfect plan. Just cardboard boxes stacked around me, a cheap microphone, and the courage to begin before I felt qualified. And that tiny, imperfect start turned into a podcast that’s reached millions.

If you’re searching for the courage to begin, or Googling “how to start before you’re ready,” let me save you some time: readiness is a myth. Confidence grows from action, not the other way around.

Today I’m sharing what 500 episodes taught me about starting scared, showing up imperfectly, and choosing obedience over overthinking. Because the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn’t talent or training—it’s willingness.

Timestamps:

(05:14) - The Truth About That Woman You Admire: She’s Not More Qualified, Just More Willing to Try

(05:26) - The Lie We Believe About Being “Qualified” Before We Begin

(07:18) - The Real Superpower: Why Willingness Beats Talent Every Time

(08:00) - Feeling Behind? Here’s the Truth About Your Timing

(09:35) - Practical Next Steps: How to Start Before You Feel Ready

WATCH ALLI ON YOUTUBE

Links to great things we discussed:

• The Weekly Focus Filter
• Wise Woman Era
• Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY

I hope you loved this episode! 🎉Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a thing. And guess what? We're on YouTube! If you're loving the content, show us some love by leaving a review and giving us some stars—it means the world to me! Take care, and stay fabulous!

xo,

Alli

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY -

Jason VanRuler is back on the show today, and we’re diving into something every relationship relies on, but most of us get wrong: communication. Because here’s the truth—so many of us think we’re communicating well when we’re really just talking.

Jason breaks down five communication styles and why understanding yours (and your spouse’s) can completely shift the way you connect. I share what I’ve learned about my own style, what my husband’s looks like from the other side, and why I’m fully embracing my delightfully high‑maintenance era.

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, That’s not what I meant at all, this episode will give you the language, clarity, and tools you need for healthier communication and stronger relationships. It’s practical, eye‑opening, and a whole lot more hopeful than you might expect.

Timestamps:

(03:30) - The 5 Communication Styles (And Which One You Are)

(10:51) - On-Ramps & Off-Ramps: Why Conversations Go Wrong

(16:25) - Why Intention Changes Everything

(20:42) - The Real Secret to Hard Conversations

(24:28) - Learning to Recognize Your Needs and Give Yourself Permission to Honor Them

WATCH ALLI ON YOUTUBE

Links to great things we discussed:

• Discovering Your Communication Type
• PATHS Assessment
• Jason’s TV Show Recommendation - Train Dreams
• Jason’s Book Recommendation - Thinking in Systems
• Jason’s Product Recommendations - Moreless Protein Gummies
• Wise Woman Era

• The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days.

I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!

xo,

Alli