Ever felt so overwhelmed that when someone asks what’s wrong, the only answer that comes out is “everything?"
In this episode, Michele introduces a simple but powerful tool inspired by the classic game Mad Libs and adapted from education: a “fill-in-the-blank scaffold” that helps transform vague frustration into clear, actionable steps.
When we’re vague, we stay stuck. Specificity can feel risky, but clarity doesn’t need to solve everything—it just needs to shine a light on the next step.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why vague help requests create overwhelm and stall progress.
The origins of Mad Libs and how professors use scaffolds to guide students.
A practical “fill-in-the-blank” template you can use to get unstuck.
A plant-based lifestyle example: moving from “I’m bad at meal planning” to identifying a specific, solvable problem.
How clarity, even when imperfect, reduces the fog and opens up possibilities.
The Scaffold: Fill in the Blanks
I need help with: __________
One example of where I’m stuck is: __________
Three things I’ve already tried are:
- _____________________________________
- _____________________________________
- _____________________________________
- I don’t have trouble with: __________
- So I think the main problem might be: __________
- What I hope to achieve is: __________
Listener Challenge
This week, choose one area where you feel stuck. Your vegan journey or any other area . Use the scaffold prompts to fill in the blanks and read it back to yourself—or share it with someone supportive. Notice whether it feels clearer and whether it suggests one or two next steps.
Clarity doesn’t have to be perfect. It only needs to be specific enough to help you move forward—one step, one choice, one meal at a time
Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.
For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit veganatanyage.com or email info@micheleolendercoaching.com
Music, Production, and Editing by Charlie Weinshank. For inquiries email: charliewe97@gmail.com Virtual Support Services: https://proadminme.com/
