The Courage to Say No and Stop Living by an Old Story with Scott Simon
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RSS Feed What if the most courageous thing you could do is stop living according to a story that no longer fits who you are?
Courage isn't always about taking a leap, making a big decision, or pushing through fear. Sometimes it begins with a question you've been avoiding. Other times, it means saying no to something you've spent years believing you should want.
In this episode of Your Passion, Purpose, and Personal Brand, Lisa McGuire sits down with Scott Simon, author, speaker, and founder of the global Scare Your Soul movement, to explore how we develop courage, overcome fear, and make choices that reflect who we really are.
Scott shares the childhood experience that silenced his singing voice for 35 years and the moment he finally challenged that story by performing in front of a restaurant full of strangers. That courageous decision eventually inspired a movement encouraging people worldwide to practice courage through small, intentional actions.
Together, Lisa and Scott explore the relationship between fear, identity, uncertainty, and the courage to choose differently.
They also discuss Scott's collaboration with bestselling author Gregory Stock on The Book of Questions Courage, a collection of thought-provoking questions and challenges designed to encourage honest self-reflection and deeper human connection.
And when Scott turns one of those questions on Lisa, the conversation becomes unexpectedly personal.
In this conversation, you'll discover:
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How early experiences and other people's opinions can shape the stories we believe about ourselves.
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Why courage is a practice you can develop rather than a personality trait you either have or lack.
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Scott's three-part approach to courageous action: accountability, survivability, and the joy that follows doing something difficult.
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Why saying no, stepping back, or releasing an old identity can require more courage than taking another opportunity.
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The difference between risk and uncertainty, and how to move forward without guarantees.
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How meaningful questions reveal hidden fears, challenge assumptions, and create deeper relationships.
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Why accomplished professionals sometimes struggle to recognize when the roles that made them successful no longer reflect who they've become.
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A simple courage challenge you can practice this week.
One question worth sitting with:
What have you been unwilling to admit because you're afraid it might ask you to change?
You may already know more about what you want than you've been willing to acknowledge.
This conversation is an invitation to hear your own answer and consider what becomes possible when you stop pretending you don't know.
Resources mentioned:
The Book of Questions Courage by Scott Simon and Gregory Stock
Download the free 13 Questions That Lead to Courage resource on the book's website.
Learn more about Scott Simon and Scare Your Soul:
Connect with Lisa McGuire:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlisamcguire/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamlisamcguire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mcguire/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamlisamcguire/videos
If this conversation brings someone to mind, share the episode with them. One thoughtful question may open a conversation you both need to have.