Join this audio revolution to ignite the fire for meaningful change within yourself and amplify the way for others.
Through honest, thought-provoking conversations, this podcast explores what it really means to break the mold, listen deeply to your intuition, and take risks without regret. Host Paula Shepherd spotlights people living life on their own terms and making a positive impact through bold, fearless action, sharing their unconventional stories to inspire listeners to step into their own audacity. Each episode features everyday people who followed their inner voice to create innovative solutions, start influential businesses or change-making movements, or pursue seemingly "crazy" dreams against all odds.
Episode 99: Making Education Special For All with Dr. Amy Matthews-Perez
Paula Shepherd talks with Dr. Amy Matthews Perez about her 34-year career in public education, her retirement, and why she launched MESA, which stands for making education special for all. The conversation centers on special education, relationship-building, and how parents, educators, and administrators can work together more effectively around the table.
Dr. Amy brings deep experience as a classroom teacher, speech pathologist, diagnostician, special education coordinator, assistant principal, principal, director of special education, and director of special programs. She shares a practical, people-first approach to reducing conflict and creating progress in IEP and ARD meetings.
Connect with Dr. Amy via email at dramymp@gmail.com (mailto:dramymp@gmail.com) or dramyperez.com/ (http://dramyperez.com/)
(https://dramyperez.com/)Link to read her article - “Power Poker” at IEP Meetings (https://simplebooklet.com/legacyspring2026#page=69)
Want to make it easy to be introduced to the very best people? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button so I can help you do just that!
Have an idea for a future podcast? Email me at hello@thecourageblueprint.com (mailto:hello@thecourageblueprint.com)
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Welcome to the episode and why Dr. Amy’s work matters
02:24 - Dr. Amy’s fifth-grade calling
06:41 - The hidden workload of parenting an adult child with special abilities
08:55 - Reframing “special” versus “special education”
10:04 - What “making education special for all” really means
11:24 - Why later is expensive in special education
14:09 - Why vulnerability matters in IEP and ARD meetings
20:26 - The need to set ego aside
29 Aug 2026
Episode 98: Progress Over Perfection with Carolyn Langley
What does it take to move from decades in corporate leadership roles into entrepreneurship?
This week Paula sits down with Carolyn Langley, owner and managing partner of Input Idea, for a candid conversation about leaving corporate life, building a business, and learning to trust your own voice.
We talk about the realities behind big career changes, the hidden conditioning that can show up in male-dominated workplaces, and how Carolyn is committed to helping small business owners simplify tech and content marketing.
This is a practical and personal episode about growth, self-awareness, and creating work that fits your life.
Connect with Carolyn at carolyn@inputidea.com (mailto:carolyn@inputidea.com) or inputidea.com (http://inputidea.com)
Want to make it easy to be introduced to the very best people? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button so I can help you do just that!
Have an idea for a future podcast? Email me at hello@thecourageblueprint.com (mailto:hello@thecourageblueprint.com)
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Welcome back and meeting Carolyn through a chance connection
03:09 - From corporate roles to helping businesses demystify tech
05:45 - Why leave a successful corporate career for entrepreneurship
08:22 - Work-life balance, personal relationships, and the right timing
15:45 - The silent conditioning of male-dominated workplaces
17:44 - Speaking up without being labeled aggressive
21:39 - Turning reactions into questions instead of comments
24:33 - Grassroots building through community
32:37 - Why the human in the loop still matters
21 Aug 2026
Episode 97: Email over Social Media with Liz Wilcox
This week Paula sits down with email marketer Liz Wilcox to talk about something I think a lot of us need to hear: marketing doesn't have to be complicated to work.
Liz built a thriving $9/month membership in spite of the naysayers, because it made sense for her life and her audience.
We get into the scrappy start of her RV travel blog, why she bet on email over social media as her main channel, and how a practical skill turned into a real, sustainable business. We also talk about giving yourself permission instead of chasing validation, and what it actually looks like to build something that fits your life instead of burning yourself out in the hustle game.
If you've ever felt like marketing has to be dancing to trending music, yelling into the algorithm voice, or super complicated to work, this one's for you.
Snag Liz’s $9/month email marketing membership here👇
https://fearless4life--lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/email-marketing-membership/ (https://fearless4life--lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/email-marketing-membership/)
Heads up…some of the links in this post/email are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products, services, and tools I use and genuinely believe in.
Connect with Liz and grab her FREE email swipes👇
lizwilcox.com (http://lizwilcox.com)
Want to make it easy to be introduced to the very best people? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button so I can help you do just that!
Have an idea for a future podcast? Email me at hello@thecourageblueprint.com (mailto:hello@thecourageblueprint.com)
TIMESTAMPS
(2:02) - Going all in on email
(4:21) - Why consumers respond to unpolished, human advertising
(8:26) - Why Liz rejected high-ticket business pressure
(16:12) - Pricing as a long-term strategy, not a quick fix
(27:01) - Why not me? Replacing doubt with action
(29:49) - Giving yourself permission before giving yourself time
(33:03) - Why human-to-human email beats polished corporate crap
(37:08) - Paula’s results using Liz’s email marketing membership
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
57 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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