PODCAST · business
Anxiously Ambitious
by Janette Downie
Hi! I’m Netty, three-time founder, mom, and your host of Anxiously Ambitious. Welcome to the podcast where we embrace imperfection, honour our humanity, and prove you don’t have to have your sh*t together to build something amazing. This is for my fellow deep feelers, sensitive souls, and anxious go-getters trying to grow without completely losing it. Together, we’ll dive into the messiness of ambition, how to balance big dreams with actual self-care (hint: it’s not easy, but it’s worth it) and how to thrive without sacrificing your sanity. Every week, I bring you honest conversations with entrepreneurs, experts, and other beautifully flawed humans who’ve walked this path. We’ll share real stories, practical advice, and maybe even a few laughs, all to help you build a business and a life that feel like you. If this sounds like your kind of space, hit follow and join me as we rewrite what success looks like: messy
Episodes
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The Trap of Perfect with Emily Anderson
Most people think showing up visibly in their business means looking polished, put together, and just like everyone else in their industry. Emily Anderson has spent fifteen years proving that wrong. In this conversation we talk about what actually happens when you keep waiting for perfect, what…
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The Passive Income Conversation Nobody's Having (with Ellie McMakin)
The biggest breakthrough in your business probably isn't creating something new. It's seeing what you already have differently. We're told the path to more freedom is simple: create another offer, launch another course, build another income stream. But what if that's the very thing keeping us...
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Inside The Chill Space's New Free Online Community
In this episode, Netty shares about the free online community she started, aptly called The Chill Space, built for people who are tired of adapting, masking, and performing just to belong in a group. She walks through the four spaces inside: Open Hours (a no-agenda, body-doubling-friendly drop-in...
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Getting Good at Business Won't Make You a Worse Artist
If you have been avoiding the business side of your creative work because some part of you believes that getting good at it will make you less of an artist, you are not alone and this episode is going to hit close to home. Netty spent years in that exact place, talented at her craft and…
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Why Entrepreneurship Is Hard for Sensitive Creatives
If you have ever felt like the entrepreneurship world was not built for you, this episode is going to feel like a relief. Netty gets into why building a business as a sensitive creative, an HSP, a projector, or just someone who feels things deeply and needs space to do their best work is…
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Permission To Start Over (why I rebranded the podcast...again)
She's back — and everything has changed. If you've been here before, you know this show has had a few names. And if you're brand new... perfect timing, because this is the beginning of something that finally feels right. In this episode, Netty tells the full story of rebranding her podcast…
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Ellie Steinbrink: Trusting Your Style, Trusting Yourself
Send us a text In this episode of Anxiously Ambitious, I’m joined by Ellie Steinbrink — Expert Stylist, Personal Brand Coach & Speaker, and the founder of Style Decoded. Ellie spent over 20 years in marketing and branding before realizing she was on the wrong path. In the messy middle of burnout,...
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Jana Boyko: The Personal Side of Business
Send us a text What if the bravest business move isn’t a new offer, but finally listening to yourself? In this episode of Anxiously Ambitious, I’m joined by Jana Boyko: entrepreneur, business coach, and creator of the guided journals Bedside Business Plan and Employee to Entrepreneur. Jana shares...
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Lil Nas X and the Performance of Success
Send us a text What happens when success starts to feel like a performance instead of a life you actually want to live? In this solo episode, I reflect on a recent headline about Lil Nas X and what it reveals about the impossible standards we place on celebrities, on each other, and on ourselves....
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Caley Dimmock: Owning Your Story & Building a Personal Brand That Lasts
Send us a text What does it really mean to “own your story” and how do you decide what’s worth sharing online? In this special live episode of Anxiously Ambitious, recorded at the stunning Greenhouse on Strawberry Lane in Nova Scotia, I sit down with my friend and mentor, Caley Dimmock. Caley is…
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Evie Tavares: Finding A Voice That Feels Like Your Own
Send us a text What happens when you leave corporate to find freedom—but end up hustling harder than ever? In this episode of Anxiously Ambitious, I’m joined by Evie Tavares, a copywriter, brand photographer, and creative marketing expert who helps entrepreneurs sell with empathy and show up in a...
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Crystal Shadwell: You're Allowed To Want More (Motherhood, Ambition & Saying Yes Before You're Ready)
Send us a text What happens when you walk into a room before you feel ready, not with confidence, but with curiosity? In this episode of Anxiously Ambitious, I’m joined by Crystal Shadwell. Award-winning educator, speaker, podcaster, and co-founder of Something Beyond Mom for an honest…
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Rebecca Ogilvie: How to Protect What You’re Growing
Send us a text What if your skincare routine was more than self-care, it was a radical act of self-respect? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Ogilvie, founder of Detour Co., to explore how slowing down, embracing imperfection, and building true community can transform your life and…
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Chanelle Jefferson: Building a Life That Makes No Sense (But Feels So Right)
Send us a text What if the path to healing and purpose isn’t about fixing yourself but remembering who you’ve always been? In this conversation, contemporary artist and certified Practitioner Chanelle Jefferson joins me to explore how embracing softness, stillness, and even our “weirdness” can...
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Kirsten Schmidtke: The Sales Mindset Shift You Didn't Know You Needed
Send us a text What if sales didn’t have to feel icky, pushy, or inauthentic? In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Schmidtke, sales coach and former tech sales leader, to talk about how to build a more honest, empowering relationship with selling. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling...
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Kathryn Spears: Overwhelmed, Overachieving, and Out of Sync
Send us a text What if your productivity is actually your body’s survival response? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Kathryn Spears to unpack how nervous system dysregulation fuels burnout, perfectionism, and dissociation especially for high-achieving women. What We Cover: Why being...
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Jodie Heffren: The Healing Power of Nature & Inside Rooted Woodland
Send us a text In this joint episode of Anxiously Ambitious and The Community Podcast, Janette and Kristina are joined by Jodie Heffren, founder of Rooted Woodland. Jodie shares her inspiring shift from nursing to entrepreneurship, where she now curates powerful experiences in nature that foster...
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Laurie Hawkins: The Spark, the Shift, and the Safety to Change
Send us a text What if the signs you’re ignoring are actually guiding you to something better? In this episode, I chat with Laurie Hawkins, coach, strategist, and soulful entrepreneur, about learning to listen to life’s gentle nudges before they become impossible to ignore. What We Cover:...
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Puja Malhotra: Don't Let Anyone Else Tell Your Story
Send us a text What does it mean to truly take up space in rooms not built for you? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Puja Malhotra, founder and CEO of Roop Creative Agency, to explore how culture, motherhood, and resilience have shaped her journey as a branding expert and...
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Jenna Goodhand: Rethinking Coffee, Hustle & the Pressure to Be 'On'
Send us a text What happens when the business you built to slow down starts to speed up? In this conversation, I’m joined by intuitive entrepreneur and podcast host Jenna Goodhand, founder of Cafèzia Coffee, to explore the tension between ambition and alignment—and what it really means to grow a...
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Kristina Bartold: Boss Mode Is Back! Oct 2025 Retreat Preview
Send us a text What if the biggest shifts in your business, and your life, happen when you finally let yourself be fully supported? In this episode, I’m joined again by my good friend Kristina Bartold, co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women, to reflect on the magic of our first Boss...
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Andrea Parker: Let It Be Fun Again
Send us a text What if the joy you're craving doesn’t come from doing more but from finally allowing yourself to do less? In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, I’m joined by Andrea Parker, conscious leadership coach, keynote speaker, and co-founder of FunX, who shares how reconnecting…
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LIVE Podcast with Monique Bryan: How to Show Up Even When You’re Not Ready
Send us a text Have you ever felt like the sidekick in your own story? Like you’re doing all the things but still shrinking, still playing small, still waiting for someone to hand you permission to shine? This episode is your sign to stop waiting. Recorded live at High Vibe Women, this…
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Slowing Down Doesn’t Mean You’ve Given Up
Send us a text What if the hardest thing you ever did... was stop pushing? In today’s solo episode, I’m talking about a belief that gets wildly misunderstood: slowing down in business. Somewhere along the way, we started equating hard work with self-destruction. But what if there’s a third path?...
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Carly Ottaway: It’s Time to Stop Editing Your Own Story
Send us a text In this episode I’m joined by Carly Ottaway—brand storyteller, founder of Web of Words, and a voice of calm clarity in the noisy world of creative entrepreneurship. After years of helping others shape their stories, Carly is now embracing her own, letting go of perfection, and...
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Bridgitte Mallinson: The Things We Ignore in The Pursuit of Success
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Bridgitte Mallinson, founder and CEO of GutPersonal, to talk about gut health, burnout, and why feeling terrible all the time is NOT normal. Bridgitte spent years exhausted, on meds, and getting zero answers—so she took things into her own hands.…
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Hailey Roper: The Art of Becoming - Creativity, Loss & Growth
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Hailey Roper, founder of Studio Kinship, to explore the intersection of grief, creativity, and intentional living. After the loss of her son Ivar, Hailey’s perspective on work and life profoundly shifted. She discovered that grief and beauty could...
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Kathie Powell: The Truth About Grief and Why Healing Isn’t What You Think
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Kathie Powell, a grief coach, end-of-life doula, and bestselling author, to explore the profound nature of grief and how to move forward without leaving our love behind. After losing her husband, Kathie turned her own journey through loss into a...
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Maria Tassi: Overthinking, People-Pleasing & Breaking Free From It All
Send us a text What if the version of you that you've been trying so hard to maintain… isn’t really you? In this episode, I sit down with Maria Tassi, co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women, to talk about: ✨ The moment she realized she was out of alignment—and how she found her way...
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Kerri Hallman: Why Your Body Feels Off (And What To Do About It)
Send us a text Ever feel like your body is working against you? (Same.) Turns out, your hormones might be running the show. I sat down with Kerri Hallman, a Stress-Reduced Fat Loss Practitioner & Certified Hormone Specialist, to talk about: ⚡️ Why hormones impact everything (energy, metabolism,...
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Boss Mode Retreat Recap with Kristina Bartold
Send us a text I am joined once again by my good friend Kristina Bartold, host of the podcast Community and Co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women. In January we finally ran our first Boss Mode Retreat and in this episode recap the weekend and the amazing transformations that…
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Mallory Rowan: Success Without the Struggle
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Mallory Rowan, a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, and marketing expert, to discuss the darker side of hustle culture—and how to break free from the burnout cycle. At just 22, she built a multi-six-figure global e-commerce brand, but the...
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The Business Owner’s Guide to Crying in Public
Send us a text Ever found yourself on the verge of a full-blown entrepreneurial meltdown in a less-than-ideal location? Whether it’s your car in a parking lot (elite crying spot) or a Zoom call with your camera on (nightmare fuel), this episode is for you. We’re ranking the best and worst places…
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Why I Rebranded (And Why It Feels Like Home)
Send us a text Cool, Calm & Rich never fully clicked for me—so I changed it. In this episode, I’m breaking down why Anxiously Ambitious is the name I should’ve had all along, what this shift means, and why it might just hit home for you, too. If you’re ambitious, sensitive, and figuring it out as...
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High Vibe Women Meditation: 2 Minutes For Busy Entrepreneurs
Send us a text In this special episode, I’ve created a custom 2-minute meditation for the ambitious women at the High Vibe Women event designed to help you pause and reconnect with yourself during a busy day. Whether you're juggling business meetings, deadlines, or personal commitments, this…
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Is Balance *Actually* Bullshit ?
Send us a text In this episode, I’m challenging the popular notion that “balance is bullshit,” especially for entrepreneurs. You’ve probably heard people say, “Go all-in now, balance will come later.” But if you’re waiting for balance to magically appear in some future season, you’re setting...
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Going Boss Mode with Kristina Bartold
Send us a text In this exciting episode, I am joined once again by my good friend Kristina Bartold, host of the podcast Community and Co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women, to discuss a new idea we've been dreaming up for some time and have finally put into action -our upcoming…
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Lauren L'Heureux: Turning Pain Into Purpose
Send us a text I am deeply grateful to have the remarkable Lauren L'Heureux on the podcast today! Founder and CEO of the La.Rue brand, Lauren’s journey is one of profound transformation, turning unimaginable pain into a powerful purpose. She’s built an inspiring brand and thriving business,...
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Carly Burr: Living Offline in a Social Media World
Send us a text Do you think you could ever quit social media for good? Well my amazing guest, Carly Burr, has been living life offline- specifically without social media, for over 9 years! Feeling called to share her journey only on youtube and through her podcast of how she ultimately decided to...
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Kristina Bartold: Are We Influencers Now?
Send us a text In this chatty joint episode with my good friend Kristina Bartold, host of her own podcast Community and Co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women, we decided to talk about a recent influencer/creator event hosted by TikTok and Later we attended together and the new...
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Dr. Noor Ali: Why Failures Matter
Send us a text Success is never glamorous and comes with a ton of pitfalls that often go unseen. In today’s episode, I’m delighted to have guest Dr Noor Ali with us! Dr Noor, a medical doctor and surgeon turned health insurance consultant, opens up about her journey and incredible pivot when her...
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You're Sabotaging Your Success by Staying Stressed
Send us a text In this special episode of the Cool, Calm, and Rich podcast, we recorded live from the beautiful and nostalgic Camp Wenonah. This episode is all about debunking the myth that success requires constant stress and sacrifice. I'll discuss how to prioritize self-care while pursuing…
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Being Authentic Doesn't Always Feel Good (Do It Anyway)
Send us a text Being your true self doesn't always feel good, especially with all the conflicting advice out there about how to show up, run your business, and grow your personal brand. But here's the thing – it's still the most important thing you can do. We'll dive into why it feels tough and…
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Easy Ways to Prioritize Self-Care
Send us a text Welcome to another episode of Cool, Calm & Rich! Today, we’re chatting about how to build a self-care routine that doesn’t fall apart after day three. Self-care isn’t just a luxury, it’s a must for keeping your sanity while you juggle a million things in your life. I’ve got real,...
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Why Ups and Downs Are Normal in Business
Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the cyclical nature of business and the personal experiences of navigating the inevitable ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship. From understanding the phases of your business cycles to learning how to detach and persevere through tough times,...
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A LIVE Panel on Money Mindset with Mariangelica Forero, Staci Millard & Andrea Crisp
Send us a text Earlier this year, Janette had the privilege of hosting a live panel at High Vibe Women’s Full Day Experience Event, and we are excited to bring that recording for you to listen to today! In this panel, prepare to be inspired and motivated by 3 extraordinary industry leaders,...
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Jaclyn Johnson: When to Hold On and When to Let Go
Send us a text A powerhouse and serial entrepreneur with an impressive track record, Jaclyn sold her first business by the time she was 28 and went on to launch and sell her second multimillion-dollar company, Create & Cultivate before the age of 35. As an entrepreneur, Jaclyn recognized a gap in...
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Marina Middleton: Taking Control of Your Own Life
Send us a text Today on this episode of Cool, Calm & Rich, Janette is delighted to invite Marina Middelton to the podcast! Marina is a mother, wife, serial entrepreneur, CEO of Create & Cultivate, and podcast host, who’s committed to empowering women all around the world both personally and...
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This Week I'm Letting You Read My Journal
Send us a text On this episode of Cool, Calm & Rich, join Janette for an authentically real and raw conversation as she shares the power that journal writing can truly have on your thoughts and mindset, especially when you feel uncertain or stuck in your own head. Janette opens up about her…
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Tamara El-Farr: Finding Balance, Fulfillment and Joy After Burnout
Send us a text Today on this episode of Cool, Calm & Rich, Janette welcomes guest Tamara El-Farr to the show! Tamara is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, business owner and artist currently based out of Annapolis, Nova Scotia. Originally from Ottawa Ontario, Tamara spent many years in the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hi! I’m Netty, three-time founder, mom, and your host of Anxiously Ambitious. Welcome to the podcast where we embrace imperfection, honour our humanity, and prove you don’t have to have your sh*t together to build something amazing.
This is for my fellow deep feelers, sensitive souls, and anxious go-getters trying to grow without completely losing it. Together, we’ll dive into the messiness of ambition, how to balance big dreams with actual self-care (hint: it’s not easy, but it’s worth it) and how to thrive without sacrificing your sanity.
Every week, I bring you honest conversations with entrepreneurs, experts, and other beautifully flawed humans who’ve walked this path. We’ll share real stories, practical advice, and maybe even a few laughs, all to help you build a business and a life that feel like you.
If this sounds like your kind of space, hit follow and join me as we rewrite what success looks like: messy
HOSTED BY
Janette Downie
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Anxiously Ambitious have?
Anxiously Ambitious currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Anxiously Ambitious about?
Hi! I’m Netty, three-time founder, mom, and your host of Anxiously Ambitious. Welcome to the podcast where we embrace imperfection, honour our humanity, and prove you don’t have to have your sh*t together to build something amazing. This is for my fellow deep feelers, sensitive souls, and anxious...
How often does Anxiously Ambitious release new episodes?
Anxiously Ambitious has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Anxiously Ambitious?
You can listen to Anxiously Ambitious on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Anxiously Ambitious?
Anxiously Ambitious is created and hosted by Janette Downie.
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