#169 Intrusive Thoughts, Anxiety, & the Journey to Everyday Bravery

Today, I interview Renee Zukin who spent years caught in fear and intrusive thoughts that silenced her voice. For much of her life, anxiety and self-doubt made her question whether she could ever step into leadership or express herself authentically. She carried the weight of comparison, believing that courage belonged only to those who could do the big, bold things she thought she couldn’t.

Her turning point came when she redefined bravery. Instead of measuring herself against others, she began to see that courage could be found in the smallest steps — getting out of bed, showing up for work, or speaking honestly in the moment. That shift allowed her to reclaim her sense of worth and begin showing up in her life with more authenticity and compassion.

Over time, Renee committed to the inner work, embraced mentors, and put her story into the world. She discovered that she didn’t need to be “fixed” to move forward — every step of bravery became part of her healing and part of her voice.

Today, she is an author, coach, and educator. Through her book Every Day I’m Brave, she shares her story along with journal prompts that guide others to reflect, find awareness, and take their own brave steps toward reclaiming their voice.

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Renee Zukin is an author, educator, coach, and mental health advocate committed to doing the inner work that creates outer change. With more than 20 years of experience in education, writing, and entrepreneurship, she has also studied multiple psychological and healing modalities that sustain her and support those she works with.

Passionate about creating safe spaces, Renee helps others use the written word as a tool for self-transformation and empowerment. Her debut book, Every Day, I’m Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear (Wonderwell Press, August 2025), is both memoir and manifesto — an invitation to embrace bravery in the face of fear and to reclaim a life of authenticity and connection.

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Find Renee here:

https://www.reneezukin.com/

https://www.reneezukin.com/brave-book

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I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.