The Secret to Stopping Fear & Creating the Future You Want with Shonda Rhimes

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Nov 10, 2025

In this enlightening discussion, award-winning creator Shonda Rhimes, known for her groundbreaking shows like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, shares her journey of overcoming fear. Shonda reveals how a year of saying YES transformed her life, helping her confront fears and embrace new possibilities. She emphasizes the importance of small commitments to health, self-kindness, and discernment in saying no. With insights on overcoming self-doubt and the power of positive self-talk, this conversation inspires listeners to reclaim their lives and realize their potential.

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INSIGHT

Success Can Mask Inner Smallness

Shonda Rhimes felt successful publicly but lived a very small, fearful inner life disconnected from herself.
She discovered her creativity didn't translate to personal courage or real-world confidence.

ANECDOTE

Sister's Thanksgiving Wake-Up Call

Shonda's sister challenged her at Thanksgiving: "You never say yes to anything."
That question led Shonda to pledge to say yes to everything that scared her for one year.

ADVICE

Start With One Small Yes

Do one small scary thing to build momentum, like accepting a speaking invite even if it terrifies you.
Repeated small yeses undo fear by proving you can handle the situation.

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This episode is a MUST listen.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, small, or tired of letting fear dictate your life, you need to hit play.

This is the most eye-opening, empowering conversation you’ll hear this year.

It’s time to stop playing small.

There’s a bigger possibility for your life, you are more capable than you know, and you can manifest the future you want.

Today’s episode will show you how.

In it, Mel is joined by Shonda Rhimes.

Shonda is one of the most powerful voices in entertainment history. She’s the creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal and the Executive Producer of Bridgerton and How To Get Away With Murder. She’s won Golden Globes, Emmys, broken records, and built Shondaland, a global storytelling empire.

But this is not a conversation about groundbreaking TV shows. It’s about taking your life back.

Shonda reveals that despite all her success, she was still living in fear. Still hiding.

And in this conversation, Shonda will challenge you to do the same things she started doing: to stop doubting yourself, stop waiting for permission, and start saying YES, even when it’s terrifying.

This is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and finding your power.

By the time it’s over, you won’t just believe change is possible. You’ll know it is.

Because the life you want? It’s on the other side of YES.

And it starts right now.

For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page.

Get Shonda’s book, “The Year of Yes: 10th Anniversary Edition,” here.

If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Figure Out What You Really Want

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