Deeply Rested: Anti-Capitalist Conversations for Entrepreneurs

Ilise Benun, a seasoned business coach and author, offers wisdom for creative professionals navigating marketing stress. She introduces her framework, The Simplest Marketing Plan, which stresses intentionality and relationship-building over overwhelming content creation. Ilise breaks down the myth of 'word of mouth' as a viable strategy and shares tools for targeted outreach without the ick factor. She also discusses tackling the fear of rejection, encouraging listeners to simplify and find joy in their marketing efforts instead.

What if summer didn’t have to be a tug-of-war between doing what lights you up and keeping your business moving forward? What if joy and productivity could actually fuel each other?In this episode, Nancy and I explore the tension and possibility that arrive with the start of summer. Our June theme is all about balancing play and productivity in ways that feel intentional, spacious, and alive. We reflect on what surfaced for us in May (hello, black sheep wounds and scarcity fears) and share how those insights are guiding our approach to this next season.We also invite you into the conversation with three journaling prompts to help you set intentions for your summer. Whether you’re craving more creativity, deeper rest, or just some summer fun, this episode will help you name what matters most and plan accordingly.Here are the 3 reflection questions to guide your June intention-setting:What business projects do you want to work on this summer?How do you want to have fun this summer?How can you infuse playful energy into your work this summer?In this episode, we also explore:✨ Updates on May’s goals and how we’ve been working with them (13:06)✨ Our personal examples of obstacles and how we’re actively clearing them (23:15)✨ Why summer is the perfect time for intentional integration (32:48)✨ How perspective shifts are helping us see things more clearly (41:02)✨ The projects we’re focusing on this summer and making room for joy (45:12)If you’re feeling pulled in a dozen directions this June, this episode is your permission slip to find your own rhythm. We hope it helps you feel more grounded, creative, and aligned as we transition into summer.Fill Out Our Listener SurveyWe’d love to know what you think! Take a moment to fill out our listener survey, and share your thoughts on this behind-the-scenes experiment. We’re so excited to co-create with you. Want to join us?🌞 Portland locals: Email maegan@maeganmeson.com to join our Summer Solstice Ritual in the park (June 20th)💻 Work with us via our 3-month Catalyst private mentorship: deeplyrested.com/coaching🌲 Our next retreat is happening Oct. 9–13—sign up for the newsletter to get first access: deeplyrested.com/newsletterTo watch the video of this conversation, check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qyU2Eruzsas Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

Are you caught in the loop of constant growth and rigid planning? What if you could organize your life and business in a way that honors your natural rhythms instead?In this episode, I sit down with Kate Vanden Bos, creator of the Growth Cycle—a revolutionary framework for personal evolution rooted in rhythm, not hustle. We explore how to align your life and work with your own energy cycles, using Kate’s 12-phase growth model as a map for intentional living.Kate shares how her years of study in somatic healing, nature-based coaching, and her own burnout led to the creation of this grounded and magical system. We talk about ditching the five-year plan, redefining productivity, and letting the wisdom of nature shape your timeline.What You'll Discover:The origin story of the Growth Cycle (05:19)How the Growth Cycle helps you identify what season you’re in (13:44)Why traditional planning fails most entrepreneurs (25:06)What rest really looks like in the growth cycle (26:33)How to make room for both structure and soul in your personal and professional life (42:11)This episode is for the seekers, the overthinkers, the perfectionists, and the creatives. If you’ve been searching for a way to plan that actually makes sense for how you move through the world, this conversation will feel like coming home.You can watch this conversation between Maegan and Kate on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fnQgV5hovWs Connect with Kate Vanden BosGet your free personalized Growth Cycle mapConnect with Kate on Instagram: @katedvandenbosMentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

You know you need help in your business. The long hours, the never-ending to-do list, the tasks that only you can do—except… that’s not really true, is it?You could delegate. You should delegate. But actually hiring someone? That’s another story.What if they don’t do it right? What if it’s a waste of money? What if managing them just adds more work to your plate?I hear you. I’ve been there. And that’s exactly why I invited Online Business Manager Sandra Booker onto the podcast today.She’s breaking down her four-step process to help you hire and delegate with confidence—so you can finally get the support you need without the stress and second-guessing.Here’s what you’ll learn:How to know when it’s time to hire an assistant 3 specific steps to make sure your VA gets the job done right (and on time!)Where to find your next great assistant We’re also diving into the tough stuff—how to set clear expectations and, gulp, how to know when it’s time to let someone go. (Not fun, but necessary!).Honestly? I wish I’d had this conversation with Sandra before I started hiring support staff. It would’ve saved me a lot of money—and several dozen migraines.Learning how to hire support is a necessary ingredient if you want to be a deeply rested entrepreneur. Sandra’s advice in this episode will help you do it with ease. Connect with Sandra BookerWant to get started building your path to your goals? Grab Sandra's Bridge Building Blueprint here. https://sidekickcoo.com/ Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

Do you ever feel like the business world just wasn’t built for you?If the strategies that everyone else swears by feel draining or downright impossible, this episode is your invitation to pause, realign, and find your own way.In this conversation, I’m joined by Emma-Louise Parkes, founder of The Ambitious Introvert and the brilliant mind behind what she calls the “quiet power effect.” Together, we explore what it really means to be an introverted entrepreneur in a noisy digital world—and how to succeed on your own terms without sacrificing your energy.Emma-Louise shares her journey from air traffic controller to coach, how she discovered her introversion later in life, and why self-awareness is the key to building a business that actually sustains you.This episode is a soft but fierce call to remember: you don’t have to do it like everyone else. Your way is the right way for you. In this episode, we explore:When business strategies aren’t built for your energy (03:20)The identity shift of discovering you’re an introvert (07:13)How to navigate extroverted spaces as an introverted entrepreneur (18:27)Why authenticity is magnetic (30:15)The Five B’s of Rest: a framework for sustainable success (42:45)This episode is a gentle but empowering guide for ambitious introverts who want more energy, more ease, and more alignment in business and life.You can also watch this discussion on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W2Uzzzx5dX8 Connect with Emma-Louise ParkesCheck out the podcast: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/podcast  Join the newsletter: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/newsletter  Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

Are you running your business, or is your business running you?If you’re struggling with overwhelm and burnout, chances are your business boundaries need some attention.But wait, what are business boundaries?Are they different from regular life boundaries? Do you even have regular life boundaries?!Believe it or not, most business owners are really bad at enforcing boundaries in their work.… despite the fact that boundaries are essential for sustainable success! Fear not, my friend!Licensed Therapist, Private Practice Strategist, and self-proclaimed boundary enthusiast Jelisha Gatling is here to deliver the masterclass you need to rein in your business, improve your relationship with clients, and finally start living a life full of rest and joy.Here’s what you’ll learn…The fail-proof questions Jelisha asks to determine how much work is actually sustainable each week5 business boundaries you need to implement ASAP if you want to avoid burnoutWhy SILENCE might be your new secret weapon (this advice is 🔥🔥🔥)How to stop apologizing and start showing up with the confidence you need to THRIVEThat last bit of advice about apologizing? It came from a fiery conversation about capitalism and patriarchy—a must-listen for any business owner struggling to put their own needs first.Enjoy this deeply rested conversation with the fierce, funny, and incredibly wise, Jelisha Gatling. Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

Do you ever feel like you know what you want to create, but still find yourself spinning your wheels, second-guessing your next step, or bumping up against old resistance? What if that resistance isn’t something to power through, but a gentle nudge to pause and reflect?In this episode, Nancy and I are inviting you behind the scenes of our personal and professional process as we step into May. We start this episode by asking three grounding reflection questions:What lessons did we learn in April? What vision crystallized for us? What themes do we want to continue exploring in May?These questions are opening the door to something deeper. Because here’s the truth: even when clarity arrives, there will still be obstacles blocking our path. And rather than ignoring them, we’re slowing down and tuning in—naming the fears, old patterns, and limiting beliefs that bubble up when we’re on the edge of aligned action.Together we explore:The importance of reviewing the past month before diving ahead (04:15)Our April vision—and why we ultimately decided to change course (09:45)How fear, scarcity, and perfectionism get in the way of what we truly want (17:30)The four-step process we’re using to work through our blocks (34:50)How we're reclaiming trust and making space for deep rest retreats (43:45) Here's a reminder of the four steps we’re using this month to clear space and move forward with more ease:Get clear about the obstacles.Share them with someone you trust.Consider what kind of healing work or accountability is needed.Be realistic about what change actually looks like.This isn’t a formula—it’s a practice. We talk through the fears and narratives that shaped our April, why we’re shifting our May plans, and how we’re staying connected to trust and intention along the way.If you’ve been pushing through your resistance or trying to override your inner knowing in the name of productivity, this is your permission slip to slow down, reflect, and re-align. You don’t have to do it alone—we’re right here in it with you.Find us on YouTube to watch the video version of this discussion. https://youtu.be/7qNkALbsYc8 Listener SurveyThis podcast is a co-creation—and your feedback matters. Take a few minutes to fill out our listener survey, and help us shape future episodes.Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

What if healing your mindset started with a little more compassion and a lot less pressure?In this episode, I’m joined by Erica Rooney, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, for a powerful conversation about the hidden beliefs and behaviors that keep us stuck in fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt.While external systems and structural barriers—especially for women and marginalized folks—are very real, Erica invites us to also look inward: What are the internal patterns we’ve unconsciously absorbed that keep us stuck? What if the real barrier isn’t only the glass ceiling above us, but also a sticky floor beneath us?We talk about the subtle ways worthiness wounds show up in business, the difference between impostor syndrome and deep-rooted self-doubt, and how Erica’s SNAP method can help you shift limiting beliefs in the moment.  What You’ll Hear in This Episode:✨ Why starting a business stirs up so many internal fears (01:10)✨ Sticky floors vs. glass ceilings: how we unconsciously hold ourselves back (09:30)✨ Reframing imposter syndrome through the lens of worthiness (17:00)✨ How the SNAP method helps interrupt fear and shift your perspective (21:00)✨ Why success is about values and community, not just mindset (40:00)If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing, fear of being seen, or constantly second-guessing yourself, this one’s for you.You can watch Maegan and Erica chat on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ewZpr1akcYk Connect with Erica RooneyBuy the book on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3U7UFbLMentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

Have you ever hit a big milestone and thought, “Why do I still feel so empty?”In this episode of Deeply Rested, I’m joined by Danielle McGeough, PhD—award-winning professor, self-leadership coach, and creator of the Rise Ritual Method—for a heartfelt conversation about what happens when you follow the “right” path… and still feel totally disappointed by life.Danielle shares her story of reaching tenure as a professor—something she’d worked toward for years—only to find herself deeply unfulfilled. That moment became the catalyst for a completely different way of living and working, one centered on creativity, play, and intentional rituals rather than rigid habits and hustle culture.We explore how small, meaningful practices can help you feel grounded and connected in your daily life—and how designing your own rituals can be a powerful antidote to anxiety and burnout.What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ✨ Danielle’s unexpected emptiness after achieving tenure (03:45) ✨ How to overcome anxiety by designing playful rituals (10:20) ✨ The rise of playful planning: how creativity changes productivity (21:00) ✨ From habit to ritual: adding intention to your routines (30:40) ✨ Practical tips for creating rituals that ground and inspire (40:15)This episode is for anyone tired of chasing goals that don’t feel good—and ready to infuse their life and business with more meaning, magic, and ease.To watch the video version of this conversation, check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bjiTVx5Ptfc Connect with Danielle Join Danielle’s free Bold & Balanced Mini-Course and learn the art of saying no. https://plangoalplan.thrivecart.com/bold-and-balanced/ Mentioned in this episode:Want deep rest inspiration delivered directly to your inbox? Join the Deeply Rested newsletter for weekly emails that will help you deprogram from hustle culture and opt out of urgency in your life and business. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, Deep Rest Retreats, and other offerings from Maegan. Subscribe today by clicking the link.Join Our Newsletter

You’ve heard terms like decolonization and anti-oppression, but how do they apply to your business? Can you honestly say you’ve done the work to ensure your business is doing no harm?If you’re unsure where to start—or feel worried about getting it “wrong”—you’re not alone. Decolonization work isn’t about shame or perfection. It’s about love, liberation, and taking intentional steps toward building a more inclusive and just business.That’s why I invited Silvana Espinoza Lau, a liberation and decolonization consultant, to join me on Deeply Rested!Silvana helps coaches, therapists, and other service-based providers decolonize and liberate their businesses to make their services more welcoming and affirming for clients who hold marginalized identities.In this episode, Silvana shares: ✔️ Her expansive and compassion-focused definition of decolonization✔️ 3 resources you can use to begin decolonizing your business ASAP✔️ Non-exploitative, consent-based strategies for attracting more diverse clients✔️ How to privilege love, joy, and liberation in your decolonization workIf you’re ready to move beyond theory and start making real, tangible changes in your business—without fear or shame—I hope you’ll tune in.Connect with SilvanaSilvana has put together a un-checklist on the 9 Areas of Your Practice That You Can Start Decolonizing. This checklist will walk you through all the areas of your practice that you can start decolonizing to have a truly welcoming and affirming practice.Download the un-checklist: https://decolonizeyourpractice.com/You can also subscribe to her newsletter at: https://decolonizeyourpractice.com/newsletter