The Junel Popp Podcast

Fear. We all feel it. Most of us spend our lives trying to get rid of it.But what if we became friends with it?In this episode I talk about why fear never fully goes away — and why it was never supposed to. From the science of our freeze-fight-or-flight response to the wisdom of legendary free-solo climber Alex Honnold, I explore what it actually means to work with fear rather than against it.Because here's the truth: most of the fear keeping us stuck isn't a real threat. It's mind-made. It's the overthinking, the overanalysing, the running every scenario until we're too paralysed to take a single step forward.And that paralysis? That guilt? That cycle of wanting to act and then not acting? So many of us are living there right now.This episode is for anyone who has a dream, a decision, or a next step — and keeps finding reasons not to take it.Our special guest, Banjo is chomping a bone in the background. Of course he is.Happy Sunday everyone. As usual, if you have any feedback or would like me to talk about anything specific, please DM me on instagram: junel_popp. Sending love and light wherever you are.

Episode recorded end of March 2026, which explains the cray cray Spring weather in England. Self-esteem. One of the most important pillars of building the life you actually want — and one of the hardest things to develop when you've spent years as a people pleaser, constantly questioning yourself and seeking validation from others.In this episode I get personal about growing up with conditional love, becoming a chameleon to survive in every new environment, and looking confident on the outside while quietly begging to be accepted on the inside.And I talk about what finally changed everything — not therapy, not a book, not a morning routine. Hiking. Specifically, learning to climb 4,000ft summits in New Hampshire with someone who simply said: I believe in you. You can do this.Because sometimes all it takes is one person, one physical goal, and one summit at a time.If you've ever felt like your own worst enemy, like your head is the only thing standing between you and the life you want — this one is for you.As usual, if you have any feedback or would like me to talk about a specific topic in regards to self-esteem, please leave a comment here or DM me on instagram junel_popp.Have a wonderful week and thank you for being here.

In this follow-up episode I talk about those who are trying and it's not happening, those who never wanted children but felt the pressure anyway, and those still waiting for the right partner or moment. I talk about how hyper-focusing on what we don't have yet blocks us — and what happens when we surrender.And I share how I've found ways to fill that cup: from volunteering with children in Canada, to helping my local community in the US, to simply showing up fully for the people and animals around me.This episode is my love letter to everyone navigating this — whatever your story is.

Childless, childfree, or simply not there yet — this episode is for all of you.In this honest and personal episode, I'm talking about something I get asked about often: not having children at 37. From growing up Mormon with a vision of being a young mother, to three abortions, a marriage, and a partnership where it simply never happened — I'm sharing the full story.This isn't a sad episode. It's about finding peace with an unconventional path, learning to pour love into the world in different ways, and trusting that whatever is meant for you is on its way.If you're a woman in your 30s wondering about children, feeling the biological clock pressure, or simply navigating life differently than you expected — this one is for you. 💛

Burnout, career change, and finding purpose beyond the 9-to-5 — this week I’m sharing my full corporate story and why I finally walked away in 2024.From cold calling in Paris to opening offices in Munich, from startups to large corporations across Europe and North America, I spent 14 years in the tech and software industry. And throughout all of it, I kept asking myself the same question: why most of my colleagues look so unhappy?In this episode I talk about people-pleasing and survival mode from a young age, two burnouts and what they taught me, why I stopped going on LinkedIn, what people on their deathbeds say they regret most, and how I’m redefining success, freedom, and joy on a daily basis.This isn’t an anti-corporate manifesto. It’s an honest conversation about what happens when the feeling of miserable finally exceeds the feeling of comfortable — and what comes next.If you’re feeling stuck in your career, burned out, or quietly wondering if there’s another way — this episode is for you.

Personal growth isn't linear — and neither is life. In this episode, I'm talking about self-compassion, reframing failure, and why the unconventional path you've taken might be exactly right for you.Spring is here, and I've been going through 10 years of photos on my phone — and with them, 10 years of experiences I used to call failures. Cities, countries, jobs, relationships. A life that looked chaotic from the outside but was quietly shaping me into who I am today.My dad recently called me an explorer. It took me a long time to stop seeing that as a flaw.If you've ever looked back at your life and wondered "why did I have to go through that?" or asked yourself "how do I stop being so hard on myself?" — this one's for you.Because what if nothing was ever a failure? Just a lesson you hadn't finished yet. As always, Banjito makes a cameo.

My journey towards finding my definition of home, after moving more than 30 times in 37 years in multiple countries. Maybe this might help you re-think your own definition of Home and how your environment currently makes you feel… Enjoy!! And sorry for the background Banjito noises!!As usual, please comment or message me on instagram if you have any feedback or want me to talk about something specifically! Have a wonderful week everyone, sending lots of love 🫶

Authenticity is a word that we hear a lot lately.But what does it mean to be authentic, to be the real you, to find yourself.Here is my take on it, I hope you enjoy it !As usual, if you have any feedback or want me to talk about a specific topic, message me on instagram or via comment on the episode. Love!

For those who don’t know my story and my background: Where I lived and whenMoving countries when knowing almost nobodyWhat I learnedMy familyMy religious experienceSkip if you already know me too well ;-)

Welcome to the Junel Popp podcast! I am so very excited to have you here, thank you for listening! On this first episode, I share why I am doing this podcast and what to expect on here. This is a podcast based on learning, positivity, optimism, hope, and growing. If you have any questions or feedback, please message me on instagram: junel_popp