195 | I Practiced My Keynote by Recording This Episode (Let's Talk About Coming Home to Yourself)

In this behind-the-scenes solo episode of Wild & Waking, I’m inviting you into a very real moment in my life — the night before stepping onto a stage to deliver a keynote to hundreds of women in agriculture. Instead of standing in front of a mirror or typing out a perfectly polished speech, I did what felt most natural to me, I hit record. What started as a way to practice turned into a powerful reflection on the message I feel called to share — not just from the stage, but in every space where women are ready to rise into deeper alignment with themselves.At the heart of this conversation is a truth I’ve witnessed again and again in my own life and in the lives of the women I work with: you can check all the boxes, build a beautiful life, and still feel disconnected from yourself. For years, I lived in that tension — doing everything “right” on paper while quietly wondering why fulfillment still felt just out of reach. This episode explores the turning point that changed everything for me and the realization that the foundation beneath the life we’re building isn’t our achievements, our roles, or our productivity. It’s our relationship with ourselves.Whether you’re standing on the edge of a big transition, feeling the nudge that something in your life is ready to change, or simply craving a deeper connection to who you really are, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and take one small step toward the woman you’re becoming. Because the ripple effect of that decision to nurture the relationship with yourself has the power to transform not only your life, but your family, your work, your community, and your legacy.This conversation is raw, real, and recorded in the in-between, proof that sometimes the most meaningful growth happens not in perfectly prepared moments, but in the courage to show up exactly as you are.In this episode, I explore:The behind-the-scenes story of how I “life hacked” my keynote preparation by recording this solo episode — and why trusting your natural way of doing things can be more powerful than forcing perfectionWhat it really feels like to check all the boxes — career, family, farm, success — and still experience burnout, disconnection, or a quiet sense that something is missingHow many high-achieving women, especially women in agriculture and leadership roles, lose connection to themselves while trying to meet expectations and carry the weight of everyone elseWhy the foundation of a fulfilling life, strong leadership, and meaningful impact starts with the relationship you have with yourselfThe turning point that sparked my personal growth journey in 2019 — and the realization that external success doesn’t guarantee inner alignment or happinessHow personal development tools like the Enneagram, therapy, Human Design, and self-reflection can help you build self-awareness and reconnect with your authentic identityWhat it means to truly know yourself — including your strengths, values, desires, and who you are outside of your roles, responsibilities, and job titlesThe deeper definition of self-love — learning to accept and care for all parts of yourself, not just the polished, productive, or socially rewarded versionsWhy perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the “good girl” conditioning keep women stuck in cycles of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and overachievementHow life challenges, health struggles, and hard seasons can become powerful invitations for healing, resilience, and emotional growthWhat it looks like to rebuild self-trust after years of outsourcing your power to expectations, authority figures, or societal normsThe role of intuition, inner knowing, and body awareness in making confident decisions and leading from a place of alignmentWhy nurturing your relationship with yourself is not selfish — it’s essential for healthy relationships, strong families, thriving businesses, and sustainable leadershipHow small, courageous steps toward personal growth create ripple effects that impact your work, community, and legacyA simple but powerful reflection question to carry with you: What is one step toward the woman you’re becoming?Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss the latest episode!Connect with Emily:Website: www.EmilyReuschel.comInstagram: @emilyreuschelFacebook: Emily ReuschelLinkedIn: Emily ReuschelJoin my Book Insiders List: Sign up here!Resources and Links:Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to [email protected] or schedule a call hereWild & Waking – Produced by Jill Carr Podcasting | Learn More