Open Doors Podcast

About Open Doors Podcast

Open Doors is an interview-style podcast hosted by marketing and media veterans Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt, who bring years of professional experience and an insatiable curiosity to every conversation. Inspired by Jay Shetty’s idea that our work in life is to walk through open doors, the podcast explores the pivotal moments when individuals took a leap, embraced change, or discovered something new about themselves. Through thoughtful dialogue with influencers, leaders, and creative thinkers, Open Doors dives into the personal and professional stories that shape who we are and how we live. Guests range from CMOs and travel influencers to experts in mindfulness, technology, career transitions, and leadership. Conversations cover topics like emerging trends in media and marketing, building community, embracing change, and finding balance in a busy world. Lauren and Shannon are not just here to ask questions—they’re here to share, learn, and uncover insights alongside their guests. As they’ve grown and navigated their own paths, they’ve realized the power of authentic stories and meaningful connections. With Open Doors, they invite listeners to do the same, finding inspiration in the moments that challenge us to step through and grow. Whether you’re a professional seeking fresh perspectives or someone who loves compelling stories, Open Doors will keep you engaged, entertained, and inspired. This is more than a podcast—it’s a journey through the opportunities life offers, one open door at a time.

Publisher

Open Doors Podcast

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Mar 2025

Latest episode

26 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Jan 2026

   S2E9 What Did You Shed This Year? (And What's Coming Next)

   If 2025 felt like a year of letting go—relationships, jobs, identities, roles you used to play—you weren't imagining it. According to the Chinese zodiac, last year was the Year of the Wood Snake. And snakes? They shed. But here's the thing: shedding isn't loud. It's quiet, internal, and it happens on your timeline, not anyone else's. Maybe you let go of being the person who solves everyone's problems. Maybe you stopped chasing validation. Maybe you ended a friendship or left a job that couldn't continue. We break down what we each shed this year, the identities and roles we're leaving behind, and what it means to move into the Year of the Fire Horse—where the energy shifts from quiet reflection to forward momentum. Plus: why Lauren's word of the year is a full sentence and Shannon's is one powerful word.If you're standing between who you were and who you're becoming right now, this episode will help you name what you're leaving behind—and what you're stepping into. In This Episode: What the Year of the Wood Snake taught us about letting go The identities and roles we shed this year and why it matters Moving from the quiet snake energy to the fire horse momentum Our words of the year: Focus vs Good Things Keep Happening to Me Why saying no is an act of self-preservation, not selfishness How to settle into a new chapter without forcing what's next Ready to name what you're leaving behind? Start with one word for 2026.Listen to Open Doors wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧P.S. What's YOUR word of the year? Drop it in the comments or DM us on social—we want to hear it.

2. 

   12 Dec 2025

   15. You're in the Middle and It Sucks: Here's How to Keep Going

   The hosts discuss the challenging middle phase of pursuing long-term goals, emphasizing perseverance and finding motivation when progress seems distant.

3. 

   5 Dec 2025

   14. How to Actually Practice Mindfulness When Your Life Is Complete Chaos

   Mindfulness practitioners explore how to integrate mindfulness into chaotic lives by finding micro-moments and shifting perspectives, potentially offering listeners a sense of calm.

4. 

   5 Dec 2025

   13. The Future of Work Just Changed (And Nobody Knows What to Do About It)

   This episode explores the evolving future of work, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly changing landscape, potentially unlocking creative opportunities.

5. 

   29 Oct 2025

   12. 3 Things I Wish I Knew in My 20s (That Would've Saved Me Years of Pain)

   The host reflects on three pivotal lessons learned in their 20s, including the impermanence of feelings, the importance of reciprocal relationships, and redefining wealth for future well-being.

6. 

   16 Oct 2025

   11. How to Find Your Life Purpose (When You Have No Idea What You're Doing)

   The host explores how to discover your life purpose by focusing on personal transformation and aligning decisions with desired feelings, rather than seeking external validation.

7. 

   16 Oct 2025

   10. Are You Building Someone Else's Dream or Your Own Legacy? How to Handle Life's Pivots

   The hosts discuss navigating unexpected life changes, emphasizing resilience and proactive adaptation when faced with unforeseen circumstances, offering guidance for personal and professional growth.

8. 

   16 Oct 2025

   9. The Three Tiers of Asking for Help (Most People Get This Wrong)

   The hosts of Open Doors Podcast explore the three tiers of asking for help, examining how societal shifts impact our ability to seek support and how it intertwines with self-worth.

9. 

   16 Oct 2025

   8. You're Afraid of the Wrong Thing When You Post Online

   The hosts discuss the discomfort of self-promotion online, exploring the fears behind it and how to overcome them by embracing authenticity and personal growth.

10. 

    21 May 2025

    S1E7 Self-Reliance with Special Guest Maha Abouelenein

    In this episode, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt sit down with powerhouse communicator and author Maha Abouelenein to unpack one of the most transformational mindset shifts we can make: self-reliance. Maha shares the inspiration behind her book, The Seven Rules of Self-Reliance, and how these principles can help anyone stop waiting for permission and start building the life they want. From building your personal brand to ditching the “waiter” mindset (think: stop waiting, start doing), Maha shares how to invest in yourself and take control of your future. They also unpack the challenges of speaking up as a woman, navigating imposter syndrome, and getting out of your own way to actually move forward. Whether you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or like you’re just waiting for your next opportunity, this episode is your invitation to stop waiting and start doing.Link to Maha's book: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance

11. 

    21 May 2025

    7. Self-Reliance with Special Guest Maha Abouelenein

    In this episode, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt sit down with powerhouse communicator and author Maha Abouelenein to unpack one of the most transformational mindset shifts we can make: self-reliance. Maha shares the inspiration behind her book, The Seven Rules of Self-Reliance, and how these principles can help anyone stop waiting for permission and start building the life they want. From building your personal brand to ditching the “waiter” mindset (think: stop waiting, start doing), Maha shares how to invest in yourself and take control of your future. They also unpack the challenges of speaking up as a woman, navigating imposter syndrome, and getting out of your own way to actually move forward. Whether you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or like you’re just waiting for your next opportunity, this episode is your invitation to stop waiting and start doing. Link to Maha's book: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance

12. 

    23 Apr 2025

    6. Goals Before The End: Bucket Lists

    In this reflective episode, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt explore the concept of bucket lists, not just as a checklist of "must-dos" before we die, but as a lens to reimagine how we live with intention. From rethinking what truly matters in a world that rarely slows down to asking hard questions about dreams, creativity, time, and purpose, this conversation goes far beyond travel goals and skydives. They unpack how we make space for what actually matters in a world full of calendar invites, text chains, and to-do lists that never quit. Along the way, they share personal stories, laugh through their Enneagram quirks, and challenge each other, and you, to reclaim just one hour of time in the week ahead. If you've ever felt too busy to think, too distracted to dream, or just curious about what truly fills your cup, this episode is for you.

13. 

    16 Apr 2025

    5. Keeping Calm and Carrying On

    In a world that’s always on, always demanding more, so many of us are quietly overwhelmed, trying to keep it together while feeling like we’re falling apart. This episode of Open Doors is all about keeping calm and carrying on and choosing yourself with honesty, humor, and heart. Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt unpack how to find moments of peace amongst all of our daily stresses, and what it really means to show up for yourself, especially when the world is pulling you in a million directions. Whether you're walking, commuting, or curled up on the couch, take a breath, tune in, and know you’ve got this.

14. 

    13 Mar 2025

    4. Dear Future Me: The Happiness Advice We Wish We Knew Sooner

    What if the secret to happiness is just a conversation with your future self? We’re getting deep—and maybe a little teary—this week as we talk about happiness and what it really means. Inspired by a thought-provoking article, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt dive into the idea of picturing our future selves and asking: what would they tell us today? From big life choices (do I want kids? What’s my legacy?) to tiny daily decisions (why do I keep making plans my future self will hate?), we’re unpacking what it means to truly honor ourselves—now and years from now. Plus, Shannon gets real about learning to slow down, Lauren has a revelation about motherhood, and we break down the difference between a trip vs. a real vacation (trust us, it matters). We explore how sometimes, happiness isn’t about chasing the extraordinary, but finding joy in the quiet, ordinary moments. Listen in—because happiness isn’t a destination. It’s happening right now.

15. 

    8 Mar 2025

    1. Unfiltered, Unscripted, and Just Getting Started

    🚪 Welcome to Open Doors! 🚪 A fresh, real, and thought-provoking podcast hosted by Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt—two friends who’ve spent years having deep (and sometimes hilariously unfiltered) conversations about life, careers, success, failures, and everything in between. This podcast is all about those moments when one door closes, another opens—and the messy, magical space in between. In this inaugural episode Lauren and Shannon dive into the transitions, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that shape who we are. And what better day to air the first episode than on International Women's Day hearing from these two boss ladies. Through honest conversations, shared experiences, and amazing guest stories, Open Doors is about embracing change, rethinking success, and navigating the craziness of work, relationships, and life’s curveballs. So, come hang out with us! Because sometimes, the best opportunities are the ones we never saw coming. 🎧 Hit play and join the conversation!

16. 

    8 Mar 2025

    3. Climbing the Ladder… Or Climbing Out? Women & The Workplace Shift

    Women are leaving the workforce—or at least stepping back—and we need to talk about why. In this episode, we’re diving into the big workplace study from McKinsey and Lean In, and let’s just say…the numbers aren’t great. A third of women are saying peace out to full-time work, promotions are still playing favorites (spoiler: not with women), and the whole “work-life balance” thing? Yeah, still a mess. But here’s the real question: Are we redefining success, or just tired of playing the game? In this episode of Open Doors, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt get into the “broken rung” problem, generational shifts in ambition, and whether success now means more than just climbing the corporate ladder. Plus, Shannon opens up about a major life milestone, Lauren shares her own winding path post-job loss, and we introduce a new segment that forces us to actually reflect on what we just talked about. It's a juicy one. Hit play and join the convo.

17. 

    8 Mar 2025

    2. You’re Not Stuck, You’re Just In-Between

    How do you know when it's time to pivot? What happens when the life or career you built no longer fits? And how do you move forward when everything feels uncertain? In the second episode of Open Doors, Lauren Douglass and Shannon Pruitt dive into the messy, exhilarating, and sometimes terrifying process of reimagining yourself. From career upheavals to personal transformations, they explore the unraveling that often happens in midlife (yes, we’re calling it that) and how embracing change can lead to something even better than what you had planned. Expect real talk on identity, purpose, and those WTF moments that make you question everything—plus stories of resilience, reinvention, and the unexpected open doors that come from trusting the process. 🎧 Hit play and join us as we navigate the twists, turns, and wild ride of transformation.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Open Doors Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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