EPISODE · May 4, 2026 · 51 MIN
Episode 361: Better Than Normal w/ MaryAnn McKibben Dana
from What If Project · host Dr. Glenn Siepert
Most of us were handed a script, right? THIS is what success looks like. THIS is what a good life is. THIS is what it means to be normal. BUT. What happens when that script starts to crack, when it just doesn't work anymore? In this episode, I’m joined by MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of the amazing book, Better Than Normal; and we talk about what it means to step off that script - especially when that might be scary, costly, or misunderstood. We get into topics like anxiety, parenting, deconstruction, and the quiet courage it takes to live a life that actually fits who you are… instead of who you were told to be. Yes. What if “better than normal” isn’t out there somewhere, but begins the moment we stop trying to be what we think everyone expects us to be? SHOW NOTES: MARYANN MCKIBBEN DANA: https://substack.com/@maryannmckibbendana BETTER THAN NORMAL: https://amzn.to/4eIXQll MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support (**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)
What this episode covers
Most of us were handed a script, right? THIS is what success looks like. THIS is what a good life is. THIS is what it means to be normal. BUT. What happens when that script starts to crack, when it just doesn't work anymore? In this episode, I’m joined by MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of the amazing book, Better Than Normal; and we talk about what it means to step off that script - especially when that might be scary, costly, or misunderstood. We get into topics like anxiety, parenting, deconstruction, and the quiet courage it takes to live a life that actually fits who you are… instead of who you were told to be. Yes. What if “better than normal” isn’t out there somewhere, but begins the moment we stop trying to be what we think everyone expects us to be? SHOW NOTES: MARYANN MCKIBBEN DANA: https://substack.com/@maryannmckibbendana BETTER THAN NORMAL: https://amzn.to/4eIXQll MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support (**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)
NOW PLAYING
Episode 361: Better Than Normal w/ MaryAnn McKibben Dana
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Apr 15, 2026 ·28m
Mar 31, 2026 ·54m
Mar 27, 2026 ·14m
Mar 24, 2026 ·42m
Mar 20, 2026 ·42m
Mar 17, 2026 ·41m