The Kristen Boss Podcast

• 242. The Messy Middle

  Description:In this raw and relatable episode, Kristen invites listeners into an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked—but essential—parts of any transformation: the messy middle. From career pivots to personal growth, Kristen shares why this unglamorous phase is where true change actually happens.Using stories from her own life—unexpected setbacks, frustrating gym reps, snow days without WiFi, and even a drooping houseplant—Kristen makes a powerful case for why resilience, self-compassion, and showing up when it’s boring and hard are the keys to sustainable success.Whether you're building something new, working through a tough season, or just tired of not seeing quick results, this episode is a must-listen. Kristen gives practical mindset shifts to help you stick with your goals after the excitement wears off—and before the big wins arrive.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why most people quit in the messy middle—and how you can be differentHow boredom, frustration, and slow progress are actually signs you're on the right trackThe importance of building "frustration tolerance"How to retrain your brain to spot micro-wins and signs of lifeWhy downsizing your goals can help you actually follow throughHow to find purpose and pride, even when the results aren’t visible (yet)Key Takeaways:Progress is often quiet, slow, and unsexy—but it's still progress.The “messy middle” isn’t a problem; it’s the process that transforms you.You don’t need motivation to stay committed—you need consistency.Building something meaningful requires boring, repetitive reps over time.Boredom is a gateway to creativity, not something to run from.Timestamps:0:58 – Recording from the basement: Life without internet2:45 – Why we love beginnings and endings—but struggle with the middle4:44 – What Kristen’s “skyscraper year” taught her about digging deep foundations7:34 – Lessons from her daughter’s piano practice (and adult frustration tolerance)10:13 – Why high achievers struggle when they’re not good at something right away13:18 – Training your brain to look for signs of life15:21 – How to stay in the game when results are slow17:23 – 5 ways to thrive in the messy middle20:03 – Reflecting on 2025: Measuring internal wins, not just external resultsConnect with Kristen:Visit www.kristenboss.com for coaching, courses, and more resources.Loved the episode?Screenshot and share it on Instagram—tag @thekristenboss so she can shout you out!Leave a rating and review to help others discover the show.Send it to a friend who’s stuck in the messy middle and needs a dose of real talk

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• 241. Hope Hustler: Addicted to the Idea of Change

  Today Kristen Boss pulls back the curtain on a common struggle so many high-achievers face which is being addicted to the idea of transformation rather than the actual process of it.If you’re someone who constantly finds themselves buying planners, signing up for new programs, and telling yourself, “This time will be different” only to fizzle out days later? This episode is a must-listen. Kristen introduces the concept of the “Hope Hustler”: someone hooked on the emotional high of fresh starts but who struggles to stay committed when the novelty wears off.She breaks down the psychology behind this pattern, the nervous system’s role in resistance, and how our obsession with speed and excitement keeps us from real transformation. Kristen also outlines a better way forward — one that prioritizes sustainability, nervous system regulation, and a grounded approach to growth.Key Takeaways:Why dopamine and novelty trick us into starting but not finishingHow being a “Hope Hustler” erodes self-trust over timeThe four nervous system stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) and how they show up in goal-settingWhy tolerating boredom is essential for long-term successThe true cost of chasing intensity over intentionalityHow to build a relationship with process, not just outcomesResources & Links:If you’re a Hope Hustler, you need to be at the 3-Day Success Rewire Challenge happening December 8-10th! Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome + Quick Event Announcement2:00 – The dopamine hit of fresh starts5:30 – Who is a Hope Hustler?8:00 – Why desire isn’t the problem — resistance is13:00 – How our stress responses sabotage progress19:00 – The cost of false starts and eroded self-trust25:00 – How to break the Hope Hustler cycle29:00 – Redefining success: continuity over intensity32:00 – Final thoughts + How to join the Success RewireIf this episode resonated with you, leave a quick review or share it on Instagram and tag @thekristenboss—she just might repost you! ❤️For more resources and to connect with Kristen, visit: www.kristenboss.com

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• 240. Gratitude in the Hard

  Kristen Boss opens up about the difficult realities of 2025 and how she's navigating grief, loss, and uncertainty with intentional gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches, Kristen invites listeners into a compassionate, honest conversation about finding meaning in hardship without resorting to toxic positivity.She shares personal stories from her own challenging year and instead of glossing over the pain, Kristen explores how to extract lessons, build resilience, and reclaim agency even when life feels brutally hard.If you're feeling weary, stuck, or overwhelmed heading into the holidays, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a warm hug. Kristen reminds us that we don’t have to wait for life to get better—we get to decide how we show up in the midst of it.Episode Highlights:Kristen’s deeply personal reflection on a difficult yearWhy she rejects toxic positivity and honors emotional honestyHow to find gratitude without bypassing grief or painReframing hardship as a chance to build resilience and self-compassionWhy waiting for external circumstances to change creates powerlessnessTangible advice for reclaiming agency and creating change in your lifeHoliday survival tips for navigating tricky family dynamics with graceCall to Action:Register for the 3-Day Success Rewire happening December 8–10 12pm CT each day. Join this event BEFORE you buy the pretty planner for 2026. This reset designed to help you become the consistent, empowered version of yourself in 2026—without relying on another planner or resolution.Timestamps:0:00 — Welcome + Thanksgiving reflections1:20 — A hard year and why this episode had to be different3:30 — Kristen’s personal stories: grief, health scares, and life transitions6:40 — Resilience through adversity9:20 — The myth of January 1st as a magical reset11:00 — How to be the agent of change in your own life13:00 — Holiday mindset hacks and boundary tips14:30 — Final encouragement and sign-offShare the Love:If this episode resonated with you, leave a quick review or share it on Instagram and tag @thekristenboss—she just might repost you! ❤️For more resources and to connect with Kristen, visit: www.kristenboss.com

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• 239. Guilt Driven Goals: How They Set You Up to Fail

  This week Kristen Boss dives deep into a sneaky and self-sabotaging pattern that shows up in goal-setting—guilt-driven goals. As the end of the year approaches, many people fall into the trap of using shame and guilt to set overcompensating goals, only to end up feeling burned out, unmotivated, and even more disconnected from themselves.Kristen breaks down how guilt-fueled goals are rooted in shame rather than genuine desire, and why they often lead to failure, burnout, and eroded self-trust. She challenges listeners to shift their goal-setting framework from punishment to purpose, offering tangible questions and mindset shifts to help you set kinder, self-honoring goals that actually stick.Plus, Kristen shares personal anecdotes, coaching insights from inside her Sonara Signature membership, and offers a sneak peek into her upcoming 3-Day Challenge: The Success Rewire—designed to help you radically shift how you approach goals in 2026.Key Takeaways:Guilt-driven goals are reactionary and come from shame, not purpose.These goals often ignore your current season, bandwidth, and values.Guilt only creates short-term compliance—not sustainable change.Self-compassion and values-based goals create lasting motivation.Small, kind, consistent goals build self-trust and long-term success.Questions to Reflect On:Is this goal coming from shame or desire?Would I still want this goal if no one was watching?Does this goal feel kind and aligned with my current season of life?Mentioned in This Episode:🌟 The Success Rewire — Kristen’s new 3-day event to help you set meaningful goals that align with your values and create lasting results. Just $9 to join!📅 Dates: December 8–10 | Replay available | Get your ticket here.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + intro to guilt-driven goals01:54 – Year-end urgency and the guilt trap04:34 – Upcoming 3-day event: The Success Rewire06:18 – Real-life coaching example of a guilt-driven goal09:11 – How shame hijacks your objectivity14:56 – Guilt goals vs. kind, values-based goals22:36 – How your nervous system reacts to shame25:23 – The hidden cost: eroded self-trust29:33 – Turning guilt into sustainable change32:00 – Anchoring goals in identity and self-love35:32 – The slow and sustainable path37:53 – Kristen’s personal reflections on failure and resilience

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• 238. The Moral Crisis of Marketing

  Episode Summary:In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Kristen opens up about the emotional challenges of the past year, including the unexpected loss of her beloved dog Hank. But this conversation is about much more than personal hardship—Kristen invites listeners into her raw reflections on the moral dilemma of marketing, the unhealthy patterns often baked into the personal development space, and how the industry subtly preys on people’s insecurities.She shares powerful insights from behind the scenes of entrepreneurship, including conversations with high-level business leaders who are grappling with the same ethical concerns. Kristen explores the difference between building a business from empowerment versus shame, and why she’s committed to creating sustainable, holistic success through her new venture, Sondera.You’ll walk away with a renewed sense of clarity, challenged thinking, and the motivation to pursue growth from a place of wholeness—not hustle. This is a must-listen for anyone who’s tired of burnout, tired of the same old formulas, and ready to rewire success on their own terms.What You'll Learn:Why fast fixes and dopamine-driven purchases keep us stuckThe hidden ways marketing tactics prey on fear and urgencyThe difference between empowered growth and shame-based actionWhy so many people struggle to implement what they’ve learnedKristen’s behind-the-scenes journey in building a truly holistic business modelHow to break the cycle of self-growth shame and finally experience sustainable changeKey Takeaways:Success isn't just about results—it's about how we become in the process.The personal development industry often teaches transformation from a place of lack. It’s time to shift that.You don’t need more strategy. You need better tools for implementation.Buying from panic and shame rarely leads to lasting transformation. Empowered decisions do.🎉 Special Announcement:Kristen is hosting a brand new 3-day event: 🎯 The Success Rewire 🗓️ December 8–10 💸 Just $9This event will help you stop quitting on yourself and finally follow through on the growth you’ve been chasing. No gimmicks. No shame. Just tools that work.Follow @thekristenboss on Instagram for updates and keep an eye on your email.Timestamps:00:00 – Holiday reflections and recent personal losses04:30 – The broken model of hustle-based business building09:20 – A conversation with a high-level entrepreneur on burnout12:45 – The ethical dilemma of scarcity marketing18:40 – The psychology of empowered vs. shame-based purchases23:50 – What Sonera is really about and why it matters27:00 – Announcing the 3-Day Event: The Success Rewire32:00 – Breaking the cycle of self-growth shame35:00 – Final thoughts and invitationConnect with Kristen:Instagram: @thekristenbossWebsite: www.kristenboss.com or www.sonderalife.comIf this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you rethink success—share it on Instagram and tag @thekristenboss. She might just shout you out!

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