THE GRIT SHOW

Shawna Rodrigues
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Dec 16, 2025 • 44min

From New Year Pressure to Cheering Self-Permission: Overcoming Saboteurs -140

Is it possible to truly stick to your New Year’s resolutions? This week, The Grit Show spotlights why big changes feel impossible at the start of every year. Shawna Rodrigues and Dr. Kelly Hamilton, a specialist in organizational psychology, reveal the science of the “fresh start effect,” explore hidden competing agreements, and introduce the Positive Intelligence Framework. These tools help listeners identify why their inner perfectionist, people pleaser, or rebel might be running the show—and what realistic steps can be taken to make real change. Curious about habit formation and how self-compassion fits in? Tune in for motivational tactics, expert insight, and a fresh perspective that could shake up your approach to personal development and goal setting.Kelly Hamilton, PhD, is an executive coach, consultant, and organizational psychologist who helps leaders deepen self-awareness so they can lead with greater courage, creativity, and resilience. His coaching blends psychological science with real-world experience, giving clients both the insight and the practical tools to navigate growth, transition, and complexity with more confidence. He works with values-driven leaders who want to grow with intention and lead with greater authenticity and impact.Before becoming an organizational psychologist, Kelly spent 15 years co-founding and leading media and marketing firms—bringing a pragmatic, entrepreneurial edge to his evidence-based consulting. His research on inclusive leadership and the workplace experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals has been recognized by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). Kelly earned his PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from Portland State University and has completed advanced training in the Co-Active coaching model.Learn more about Kelly:Instagram: @kellyhamiltonphdLinkedIn: Kelly Hamilton, PhDSubstack: @kellyhamiltonphdInterested in taking an assessment on your saboteurs? Find the link in Dr. Hamilton’s Substack ArticleHere's the link to the episodes Shawna mentioned: Episode 31 - with Gin Stephens Intermittent FastingEpisode 125- with Will Halpin - IFSShawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Dec 2, 2025 • 44min

How the 6 Working Geniuses Encouraged Me to Quit My Passion Project -139

What if discovering your true strengths meant stepping away from something you love? In this powerful episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues opens up about her decision to close the Authentic Connections Podcast Network, exploring the intersection of passion, burnout, and the search for meaningful impact. She weaves in insights from Patrick Lencioni’s “Six Working Geniuses” framework and shares lessons from her journey with breast cancer. Listeners get a teaser of how aligning your “zone of genius” with your mission can change everything and why self-awareness is crucial. Thinking about career pivots, purpose, or making tough decisions? Tune in to hear how growth can sometimes mean letting go and and learn more about women’s voices in podcasting. Don’t miss this episode if you crave inspiration, career clarity, or honest conversation about following your calling.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Nov 25, 2025 • 20min

Is Gratitude enough? It's a Meaningful Way to Focus on What Matters. -138

Is gratitude just something you dust off for Thanksgiving, or could it be a powerful daily practice that actually transforms your mindset? In this episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues unpacks how regular gratitude can shift your perspective, revealing the unexpected ways it impacts decision-making and well-being. She shares personal stories—including navigating breast cancer—and offers actionable steps for making gratitude a habit, not just a holiday tradition. Curious how gratitude can help you break out of toxic positivity, and create more meaningful connections? Tune in for a dose of real talk and practical wisdom that might just change how you look at everyday life.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Nov 11, 2025 • 31min

Delusional or Determined? Making Space: Our Lessons From Mom About Letting Go. -137

Are you in midlife, staring at a packed closet, wondering why letting go is so tough? In this episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues invites the inspiring writer and creative Vickey Brown to unpack the real reasons behind our attachment to “stuff”—from childhood scarcity mindsets to inherited family blueprints. Discover how downsizing, intentional living, and even being a little “delusional” can open the door to new possibilities. Curious about how meal planning, clutter, and shifting perspectives can truly transform your life? Tune in to hear practical stories and insightful reflections, all designed to help you make room for what’s next. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, emotional healing, and a fresh take on midlife transitions.Vickey Brown (writing as Ella Shawn)Vickey Brown is a Southern speculative fiction author, hybrid publisher, and founder of SOMO Publishing House, LLC. Writing under the pen name Ella Shawn, she brings raw, unfiltered conversations on creativity, resilience, and the audacity to take up space in the literary world. Her work centers the complexities of Black womanhood through a sacred, spiritual, and erotic lens.As a Southern Gothic erotic romance writer, Vickey is determined to "speak, so she can speak again." Heavily influenced by Zora Neale Hurston and William Faulkner, she endeavors to give voice to all the nameless people who were told to be quiet and "keep family secrets in the family." Through her Broken Souls series and as host of the Black Writer Therapy podcast, she champions the stories and lived experiences of unapologetic writers.She weaves tales of marginalized Southern women through a lens of liberation, creating a sanctuary for discerning readers wise enough to see beyond the ordinary and bold enough to embrace the extraordinary.Find her work:Substack: @vickeyellashawnbrown - My Chaotic Erotic Writer's LifeHost of Black Writer Therapy podcastAuthor of the Broken Souls seriesShawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Oct 28, 2025 • 16min

How You Spend Your Time -Revisiting a Time Audit to Elevate Your Joy - 136

Are your daily habits and influences helping you thrive—or holding you back? In this re-release episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues explores the hidden power of the inputs in your life: everything from playlists and podcasts to friendships and social feeds. Shawna shares her own “input audit” story and offers creative tips for curating what you allow into your world, striking a balance between joy and purpose. She touches on social media, the books you read, and even the TV shows you choose—challenging you to get intentional about your environment. If you’re seeking more positivity, resilience, and authentic connection, this episode’s full of thought-starters and practical takeaways. Discover why your inputs are the seeds you sow for your future. Curious what you might need to shift? Join us and find out.Other episodes referenced:Conversation with Justin (61)-Smash Limiting Belief Systems with These Clear Steps & Conquer Your Fears -61Conversation with Laurie (54)-Celebrating Time- The Anniversary of The Grit Show & How to Make/Keep Adult Friendships -54Conversations with Matt-Conquer the Stress Cycle & Focus on Your Well-Being- How to Escape Burnout: Part 1 -57Actionable Solutions, Blissful Rest & Modern Stressors- How to Escape Burnout: Part 2 -58Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Oct 14, 2025 • 45min

Know Your North Star: The One Thing That Makes Every Cancer Decision Easier -135

Are you facing a wave of decisions after a breast cancer diagnosis? In this heartfelt episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues peels back the layers of what really matters when breast cancer turns life upside down. Shawna shares her personal journey through a double mastectomy, tips for navigating overwhelming choices, and why knowing your “North Star” is more vital than any research or treatment plan. Listeners will catch insights on single vs. double mastectomy, Oregon’s groundbreaking out-of-state reconstruction access, insurance curveballs, and the real questions every patient should ask before surgery. Packed with candid storytelling and practical frameworks, this episode offers hope, clarity, and confidence to anyone touched by breast cancer. If you’re looking for support through Breast Cancer Awareness Month, decision-making tools, or just crave real talk about cancer, quality of life, and self-advocacy, you’ll find inspiration here!As mentioned in this episode, continue the conversation and find more inspiration by listening to: 🎧 Be in the Present – Episode 119Learn more about BRA Society - Breast Reconstruction Advocacy.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Sep 30, 2025 • 45min

Rediscovering Wonder with Laura Munson: Creativity and the Power of Awe -134

Ready to rediscover your creative spark? This episode of The Grit Show features author Laura Munson, whose new book "The Wild Why" inspires us to rethink creativity and wonder in our everyday lives. Host Shawna Rodrigues explores themes of self-expression, overcoming creative blocks, and finding awe—even in a world filled with distractions and self-doubt. Laura shares powerful stories about reclaiming your voice, the importance of curiosity, and how simple shifts—like changing the words you use—can help you unlock hidden inspiration.Whether you think creativity is reserved for “artsy” types or you’re just feeling stuck, this conversation offers uplifting guidance, practical tips, and a reminder that magic is for everyone. Tune in to learn how Montana’s landscape sparked Laura’s insights and pick up teasers about her transformative writing retreats. Don’t miss out if you’re searching for motivation, self-development, or a creative reset!Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana. For more information, visit: lauramunson.com. Connect with her on social media: Facebook- Laura MunsonInstagram- @lauramunsonauthor LinkedIn- Laura MunsonGet her book here.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Sep 16, 2025 • 31min

It's Darkest Before Dawn -How Can You Be Grateful When Everything Falls Apart? -133

Ever wondered how gratitude can survive when your world falls apart? On this powerful episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues opens up about her own journey after receiving a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis right in the middle of recording. Shawna explores what it’s like when “the collapse” happens—when plans unravel, certainty disappears, and surface-level priorities burn away. Using compelling stories and nature-inspired metaphors like the serotinous pine cone, Shawna teases out how destruction can set the stage for unexpected growth. If you’ve ever found inspiration in resilience, personal growth, or finding hope in difficult times, you’ll want to hear the three unique stages she reveals for moving from darkness to dawn. This episode is perfect for those searching for strength, mindful gratitude, and authentic hope amidst life’s toughest challenges.Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Sep 2, 2025 • 37min

How Attachment Styles Shape Relationships, and Leadership Growth -132

Ever wonder why some people are confident in relationships while others are filled with anxiety or tend to withdraw? In this eye-opening episode of The Grit Show, Dr. Jaime Goff unpacks the hidden force shaping our adult behaviors: attachment styles. Discover why your leadership style at work and the way you connect with loved ones might both be rooted in your earliest relationships. Host Shawna Rodrigues and Dr. Goff use familiar pop culture examples—think Michael Scott’s neediness and Miranda Priestly’s icy exterior—to illustrate the three primary attachment patterns. If you’re curious about how to improve your relationships, become a better leader, or simply understand yourself on a deeper level, this conversation offers actionable insights and a hopeful message for personal growth. Stay tuned and find out how your "blueprint" for connection can be transformed—no matter your past.Dr. Jaime Goff is the founder of The Empathic Leader, LLC, where she specializes in helping leaders unlock their full potential through executive coaching, insightful workshops, and thought-provoking keynotes. With her unique blend of expertise in psychology and leadership development, Jaime helps individuals and teams navigate their toughest challenges, build resilience, and achieve transformative growth.Dr. Goff’s thought leadership has been featured in academic journals and industry magazines. She shares her insights regularly on her blog and LinkedIn, where she engages a thriving community. A seasoned speaker, Jaime has delivered presentations and workshops at more than 30 professional conferences. Jaime holds a PhD in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University and a graduate certificate in executive coaching from Southern Methodist University. She is an ICF-certified coach and holds the SHRM-CP designation. With over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist, professor, and executive coach, she is passionate about helping leaders craft empowering stories that help them become more secure.When she’s not empowering others, you’ll find Jaime hiking with her husband, Eric; spending time with her dog Ursa and her cat Amos; painting, or building Lego sets.Connect with Dr. Jaime: Webiste- drjaimegoff.comLinkedIn- Jaime Goff, PhD, ACC, SHRM-CPInstagram- @dr_jaimegoffYoutube- Jaime GoffSupport your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Secure Leader: Discover the Hidden Forces That Shape Your Leadership Story-- And How to Change Them at Bookshop.org Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!
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Aug 19, 2025 • 27min

How Mirror Neurons can be a Helpful Friend or Foe -131

Ready to upgrade your approach to challenging conversations? In this episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues uncovers the surprising science behind mirror neurons—those “copycat” brain cells at the root of empathy, communication, and even emotional contagion. Shawna shares a fascinating story from a groundbreaking 1992 study in Parma, Italy, showcasing how a monkey’s brain responded to a researcher eating ice cream, changing everything we know about human connection. Curious why your mood sets the tone in any interaction, or why tension can seem contagious in a room? Discover how mastering your own emotional state can transform tricky discussions, both at work and at home. With real-life examples and practical tips, Shawna guides you to harness this brain science to create smoother, more empathetic conversations. Tune in to start using your “superpower” for deeper, more meaningful connections!Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact. She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.Connect with her journey: Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27Stay Connected to The Grit ShowFollow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcastsGrab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.comYou can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here  bit.ly/TGSMermaidReally love us and want to show it??Give us a review on your favorite platform and share this (or any) episode with a friend. Word of mouth builds podcasts - we appreciate your support!!

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