Ditch the ‘Should Life’: Marni Battista on Embracing Radical Living with Courage and Clarity Ditch the ‘Should Life’: Marni Battista on Embracing Radical Living with Courage and Clarity
Ditch the ‘Should Life’: Marni Battista on Embracing Radical Living with Courage and Clarity
In this insightful episode of Life Intended, Kelly Berry sits down with transformational life design expert Marni Battista to discuss how we can step out of a “should” life and into radical, meaningful living. Marni shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, detailing how we can challenge our ingrained limiting beliefs, redefine success on our own terms, and embrace the journey toward a fulfilling life. They cover everything from navigating mid-life career transitions to creating agency in the face of life’s challenges. This conversation offers practical strategies, humor, and radical wisdom for anyone ready to live more authentically.
Embracing a Radical Life of Authenticity
Marni Battista emphasizes the importance of courageously moving away from societal “shoulds” to pursue a life that’s true to you. With her own journey as an example, Marni discusses how focusing on authenticity rather than societal benchmarks can lead to a more fulfilling life. From breaking free of comparison traps to reevaluating your priorities, she encourages listeners to shed external expectations and create a life based on personal values and desires.
Challenging Limiting Beliefs
Kelly and Marni explore how limiting beliefs, such as binary “right or wrong” thinking, often keep people stuck. Marni’s approach, which she calls “living in shades of gray,” invites curiosity and openness instead of rigid beliefs. This mindset shift allows individuals to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, helping them move beyond self-imposed limitations to see challenges as growth experiences.
The Power of Redefining Success
In her coaching work and her upcoming book Your Radical Living Challenge, Marni encourages redefining success. Whether it’s prioritizing time with family or finding purpose outside of work, Marni’s framework helps individuals evaluate what success truly means to them, outside of societal pressures. She also discusses her own journey from corporate success to living in an RV and creating a new, purpose-driven business aligned with her core values.
Living with Intention Through Small Steps
Marni’s radical life design approach involves taking manageable steps to test new ways of living and iterating as needed. By viewing life as a series of “experiments” rather than a fixed path, individuals can discover what brings them joy and meaning. She emphasizes the value of taking action without making drastic, irreversible changes—showing that small steps can lead to significant life shifts.
Creating as a Path to Fulfillment
Both Kelly and Marni agree that creating something—whether new thoughts, relationships, or career paths—leads to a more meaningful and engaged life. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, Marni believes that creativity is innate and essential to feeling fulfilled. They encourage listeners to explore their creative potential, no matter their profession or role, as a path toward deeper personal satisfaction.
