Choose Life Boldly

About Choose Life Boldly

A podcast with Julia McElgunn about unleashing your extraordinary potential through courage, bold action, and grace.

Publisher

Julia McElgunn

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Jul 2026

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Avril Millar: Embracing Midlife Challenges with 'Feral'

   A conversation on women's journeys and the power of change. Avril Millar shares her inspiring journey through diverse careers, the importance of reinventing oneself, and empowering women to embrace their worth and potential in a society that often undervalues them. This episode explores how women can navigate midlife challenges, leverage AI, and redefine success on their own terms. key topics Avril Millar's diverse career journey from engineering to finance to tech The importance of reinvention and lifelong learning Women's challenges in midlife and societal expectations The role of AI and remote work in empowering women Reframing money and self-worth for financial independence The concept of the 'feral' mindset for breaking free The impact of education and skills beyond formal degrees Strategies for women to value their work and negotiate pay The importance of self-belief and boldness in life choices Practical advice for women to step into their power Sound Bites "The only person who can change this is you." "Money needs time and compounding to become of value." "Step forward into the good things with hope." For More Information on Avril – you can find her on many different platforms! Avril's Book Feral https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781339961 Find Avril on IG: https://www.instagram.com/avrilmillar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrilmillar/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrilmillar/) Website: https://www.avrilmillar.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: FDTHMMYQ6BYDYQ83

2. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Rediscovering Self-Love and Leadership with Lorraine Mary

   In this episode, Julia talks with Lorraine Mary a transformational leader and author, to explore the profound journey of self-love and the evolution of leadership.  She talks about her path from executive recruiting in corporate healthcare to spiritual channeling and coaching conscious leaders at a threshold. They explore self-love, unconditional love, confidence, failure, intuition, and how choosing from inner alignment can change both personal life and leadership. Lorraine also shares how her book work, including a self-love journal and Love Letters from God, fits into her larger mission of helping humanity know its divinity. Some key insights include Unconditional love and self-acceptance, failure as opportunity, and body-based decision making. Key topics Lorraine introduces her current work helping conscious leaders who feel called to a new leadership iteration and need clarity, grounding, and her broader mission: helping humanity connect with the divine within and live from unconditional love, self-acceptance, and joy. Lorraine describes her former corporate life as an executive recruiter in healthcare, working with CEOs, CFOs, chief nursing officers, and other C-suite leaders. She shares the turning point that led her to spiritual channeling. Julia and Lorraine discuss how upbringing, religion, strict parenting, and cultural messaging can create a disconnect from soul, intuition, and self-worth. They unpack the idea that God or source is not outside of us, but within us, and that unconditional love does not require earning. Lorraine explains how self-acceptance changes the way we relate to others, reducing judgment, comparison, and conflict. She reflects on how confidence used to be a mask in corporate life, and how real confidence emerged from a felt sense of her divine self. Lorraine redefines failure as an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and new truth rather than something to avoid. She shares a practical decision-making tool using body-based yes and no signals to help bypass mental overthinking and choose in alignment. Notable quotes "There is no such thing as failure. It's just an opportunity for more growth." "Unconditional love is unconditional." Find Lorraine Mary at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorrainemary1111/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemary/ Lorraine's Self Love Journal: https://a.co/d/09f6YUp6 Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: EBRFT6BTABIJZZNO

3. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Permission to Pivot with Julia

   Julia shares a solo episode about what happens when you outgrow a formula, a role, or a plan that once fit. What starts as a behind-the-scenes update on podcasting and business messaging turns into a broader reflection on friction, authenticity, and why change is not failure. In this episode, she talks candidly about the discomfort of trying to force an old version of her story into current marketing, and why listening to that resistance may be the real act of choosing boldly. Key topics Julia shares that she is feeling stuck about digging into past experiences, because those stories feel outdated and disconnected from who she is now. Julia connects this friction to a larger pattern she has seen in work and career transitions: the moment when excitement turns into confinement. Her core insight is that growth can push against the boundaries of an environment until it no longer fits, and that pressure needs somewhere to go. She reframes the current struggle as a sign of expansive growth rather than a sign that she is failing. Julia gives herself permission to stop forcing progress, pause the to-do list, and consider a pivot instead of pushing through. She closes by defining "choosing life boldly" as slowing down, noticing when something no longer fits, and admitting it honestly. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 7F8NPQUUDMEVTEJL

4. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Navigating Transitions with Chase Petersen

   Julia welcomes her fellow author and friend Chase Petersen for a conversation about life transitions, nervous-system regulation, and what it really means to choose visibility over camouflage. Chase shares how his background as an OB-GYN, surgeon, and parent shaped the way he now helps people move through threshold moments with more presence and less fear. They discuss how dissociation can become a default state, why regulated people change the atmosphere around them, and how inner safety comes from learning to trust your own voice. Chase also shares his definition of choosing life boldly and explains why being seen can be both an act of self-love and a way to attract the right opportunities. Key topics Chase introduces himself less by titles and more by the work he feels called to do now: helping people move through life transitions and transformation. How his OB-GYN training and surgical work taught him to sit with vulnerability, uncertainty, and high-stakes change. How his father's illness and death influenced his sense of vocation and his comfort around life-and-death transitions. Why dissociation is often a survival strategy rather than a conscious choice. How dysregulation can leave the nervous system stuck in hypervigilance, narrowing attention and hiding available solutions. How co-regulation works, especially in childhood, and why regulated people can help others settle simply by being present. How caregiver anxiety, family systems, and early environments shape a child's baseline sense of safety. Why being around regulated people can feel transformative when your own system is used to stress and urgency. Chase's definition of choosing life boldly: choosing visibility, trusting intuition, and creating safety from within rather than hiding. Notable quotes "Choosing to be visible in life. No more camouflage. No more playing it safe." "When your inner voice knows that you will listen when it speaks, that is where safety comes from." "How are your people supposed to find you if you're camouflaged amongst everybody else?"

5. 

   21 Aug 2026

   I've Got Your Back with Veronique Borbonus

   Julia speaks with Veronique Borbonus, author of I've Got Your Back, about surviving years of suicidal ideation, healing through truth-telling, and learning to see life as a whole rather than through isolated wounds. The conversation also explores choice, resistance, self-worth, nervous system memory, and how reflection can become a tool for healing. Veronique shares deeply personal experiences while offering language and metaphors that make difficult inner work easier to understand. Key topics Veronique explains why she wrote I've Got Your Back: if the book helps save even one life, the pain and honesty were worth it. She shares that she lived with suicidal ideation for more than 18 years, once believing those thoughts were normal. Julia and Veronique discuss why raw conversations about suicide matter, especially when people feel ashamed to say they are hurting. Veronique introduces the idea of seeing life as a whole, not as holes, describing how trauma can make a person feel fragmented and disconnected. She explains the shift from asking, "Why is this happening to me?" to "Why is this happening for me?" even when the answer takes years to reveal itself. Veronique describes choice as central to survival, including the repeated decision to keep living even when pain kept returning. Resistance comes up as a recurring theme, especially when she made a decision to heal and felt darkness push back hardest. She talks about the "I'm not enough" wound and traces it back to early life, including a lack of maternal connection and the long-term impact of that emotional absence. Julia and Veronique discuss the difference between what the mind forgets and what the nervous system remembers, including how ordinary events can bring up body-based fear. Veronique shares her analogy of being strapped into a roller coaster in the dark to describe how trauma responses can feel when the body reacts before the mind understands. She explains the future letter exercise from her 2019 trauma work and how imagining a future self can create direction, comfort, and accountability. The conversation closes with reflection and mirroring, including how noticing what bothers us in others can reveal what we need to heal in ourselves. Connect with Veronique Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/borbonusv/ Buy her Book I've Got Your Back: https://a.co/d/0aBcik0R

6. 

   8 Aug 2026

   Reinvention and Imagination with Sharon Marshall

   Sharon Marshall joins Julia to share how childhood hardship, imposter syndrome, ageism, and divine timing shaped her path toward reinvention. This conversation is for anyone wondering if it is too late to start over, trust their instincts, or build something meaningful from lived experience. We discuss how imagination expands possibility, why setbacks are not proof of failure, and how Sharon built a career and business ecosystem around helping women, especially Indigenous women in remote communities, create income and confidence. Key topics ·       Sharon shares how growing up with poverty, abuse, and alcoholism shaped her drive to better herself and rely on her own resourcefulness. ·       Julia and Sharon discuss imagination as a doorway to expansion, not something childish to outgrow. ·       Sharon describes following intuition and feeling divinely guided, especially when she is making major life decisions. ·       The conversation explores how societal expectations can shrink people, especially women, by prescribing rigid timelines for marriage, education, and success. ·       Sharon shares a powerful MBA story from starting the program at 59 and realizing that imposter syndrome affects people at every level. ·       We discuss how naming imposter syndrome out loud often gives others permission to be honest about it too. ·       Sharon explains what she means by brilliance how lived experience becomes wisdom when it is met with awareness and willingness to learn. ·       In the episode, Sharon breaks down her Diva Accelerator Program, which teaches Indigenous women virtual assistant skills, communication, listening, and confidence. ·       Sharon shares how her book, How to Become a Kick-Ass Virtual Assistant from Side gig to the Thriving VA Business, was written as a practical companion to her training work. ·       Sharon explains divine timing as a course corrector, helping people reinterpret disappointment without turning it into self-blame. ·       Sharon closes by defining choosing life boldly as knowing your purpose, facing fear, and moving forward with belief in yourself. Notable quotes "Imagination is the doorway to expansion." "Choosing life boldly, it's being courageous or brave, having purpose." Connect with Sharon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonannmarshall/ How To Become a Kick-Ass Virtual Assistant: From Side Gig to a Thriving VA Business: https://a.co/d/0dIsBlnn

7. 

   30 Jul 2026

   Redefining Ambition with Rosi Bremec

   In this episode, Julia talks with Rosi Bremec, exploring how women are redefining success and ambition outside traditional corporate paths. Rosi shares her insights on the emotional impact of career transitions, the concept of agency, and the importance of human connection in redefining purpose. We explore how women are reshaping what success means and embracing authenticity in their personal and professional lives. Key Topics: ·       Rosi's background spanning multiple countries and industries, including gaming and operations ·       The emotional impact of corporate exit: shame, identity loss, and grief ·       How corporate environments often suppress authentic self-expression ·       The concept of redefining ambition beyond titles and traditional success ·       Women's collective support and the analogy of female constellations ·       The importance of human connection, both in personal growth and community building ·       Embracing uncertainty as a space for exploration, creativity, and self-discovery ·       Practical ways to regain agency and create personal streams of income and purpose ·       The "magical middle" - navigating the messy transition from corporate to authentic self ·       The significance of continuous reinvention and iterative self-improvement ·       The empowering idea that you can change your narrative and re-align with your core values Resources & Links: Rosi Bremec at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosibremec/  for insights on career transitions and empowerment and articles on redefining ambition and identity recovery. Ladys Realm Community that makes work better for women: http://www.theladysrealm.com/ Rosi's Substack & Agency Letters https://rosibremec.substack.com/

8. 

   28 Jul 2026

   Embracing your Authentic Self with Haleigh Howland

   In this episode, Julia chats with Haleigh Howland about her journey through trauma, self-expression, and rewriting her story in her latest book Rewritten: A Memoir of Abuse, Survival, and the Fire That Forged Me. They explore themes of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and living boldly, intertwined with personal stories and insights on overcoming shame and embracing authenticity. Key topics: Haleigh's background as an author, singer, and creative self-expression Her journey of reclaiming self-worth through boudoir photography Overcoming societal shame, especially around sexuality and femininity in Utah The impact of childhood shame and navigating abusive relationships The story behind the title of her book, Rewritten, and its significance The power of forgiveness and self-compassion in healing How choosing oneself daily fosters a bold life The importance of setting boundaries and honoring core beliefs Resources & Links: Rewritten: A Memoir of Abuse, Survival, and the Fire That Forged Me (Amazon) Area:    https://a.co/d/0cMi1kjg Blood Moon Majesty – Haleigh's band https://www.bloodmoonmajesty.com/ Invictus song – a song about overcoming and resilience – Apple https://music.apple.com/ng/album/invictus-single/1678897403 Invictus song  – a song about overcoming and resilience – Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6vrfoXe9m1fPZnGOyvwtsg Ashes to Ashes – song reflecting transformation on Apple https://music.apple.com/ng/album/ashes-to-ashes-single/1827286908 Ashes to Ashes – song reflecting transformation on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/1H3XQmCj153gWHbyGKll1V Connect with Haleigh: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/haleigh.howland/)

9. 

   10 Jul 2026

   Choosing Joy and Authentic Confidence with Heather Taylor

   In this episode of the Choose Life Boldly Podcast, Heather Taylor shares her journey of building confidence, valuing relationships, and living boldly in her diverse career. Heather offers insights on authenticity, ambition, and aligning values to find joy at work and in life. Key Topics: Heather's career in oil and gas and non-technical risk management The myth of confidence versus showcasing confidence Navigating imposter syndrome and confidence erosion in corporate life Building authentic relationships and reputation for success The importance of values, vision, and joy in choosing a bold life Strategies for managing feelings, self-talk, and emotional resilience The subtle yet powerful ways women can project ambition The significance of authenticity, joy, and living intentionally Living boldly is about alignment, authenticity, and choosing joy. Heather's story reminds us that confidence is often a facade, and true strength lies in self-awareness, values, and cultivating genuine relationships.

10. 

    6 Jul 2026

    Step Into Life with Friederike Baumeister

    ### Step into Your Life: Embracing Change and Growth In the inaugural episode of *Choose Life Boldly*, host Julia welcomes her sister, Friederike Baumeister, to discuss a powerful theme: stepping into your life. This conversation delves into the courage it takes to embrace change, the importance of personal choices, and how our past does not define us. #### The Courage to Choose #### Anger as a Catalyst for Change #### Listening to Your Body #### Micro Choices Matter In this enlightening episode, Julia and Friederike inspire listeners to take ownership of their lives by making conscious choices and embracing the journey of self-discovery. They encourage everyone to step into their lives boldly, as true growth comes from the courage to change and the willingness to listen to oneself.

Contact Choose Life Boldly

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.