EP 29: How Do We Build Courage Curiosity?
Sarah McVanel, MSc, CSP, PCC, CHRL, CSODP
Chief Recognition Officer | Canada's Recognition Expert | Professional Speaker | Coach | Author | 'FROG Lady'
What keeps us from taking bold steps in our careers, relationships, and lives? In this special episode of The Greatness Together Podcast, Sarah and Simonne sit down with Dr Margie Warrell , a bestselling author and one of Sarah’s most influential role models. Margie’s latest book, The Courage Gap, explores how fear keeps us from stepping into our potential—and what we can do to change that.
This conversation is not just for young people like Simonne—it’s for anyone who wants to lean into courage, embrace uncertainty, and stop playing small. It’s never too late to rewrite your story and move forward with more bravery and less fear. Sarah shares how Margie’s book Stop Playing Safe helped her take the leap to start her own business, and Margie offers insights on how we can all close the gap between fear and action, no matter where we are in life.
Quote of the Week:
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to act despite it.” – Margie Warrell
Greatness Together Podcast Highlights:
The Psychology of Fear and Courage
Margie discusses the brain’s built-in negativity bias—our natural tendency to overestimate threats and underestimate our ability to handle them. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Theory, she explains how challenging negative thoughts and taking small, courageous steps can rewire our brains for confidence. Many of us let fear shape our decisions, believing we must be fully ready before taking action. The truth is that courage is built in action—not in waiting.
Margie shares powerful insights into how we can retrain our minds to see fear not as a stop sign but as a signal that we are growing. She explains how self-doubt is a universal experience, not something we must overcome before moving forward. Instead of seeing fear as a weakness, we can view it as proof that we are stretching into new territory.
Breaking Through Fear in Everyday Life
Many believe courage is only required in extreme situations—leaving a toxic job, making a significant life change, or standing up for yourself in difficult moments. But Margie emphasizes that courage is needed in everyday life. It’s in the small moments—speaking up in a meeting, setting boundaries, taking that first step toward a dream—where we can practice courage regularly. The more we act bravely daily, the more confident we become when more high-stakes challenges arise.
She also shares a powerful mindset shift: Instead of waiting for fear to disappear, ask yourself, What would I do if I trusted myself more? This question helps us break the cycle of hesitation and step into action despite uncertainty.
Stepping into Courage: A Challenge for You
Margie challenges listeners to identify one fear holding them back and take a single step toward overcoming it. It doesn’t have to be a big leap—sometimes, the smallest steps lead to the biggest transformations. Whether you are considering a career change, want to build deeper relationships, or are simply looking to stop overthinking and start doing, this episode will inspire you to take action.
This episode is an inspiring reminder that the most immense opportunities often lie just beyond our comfort zones. It’s never too late to show up for yourself with more courage and less fear.
Did you love this episode as much as we did? We know you did! Why not grab her books, visit her at margiewarrell.com, and tune into her podcast “Live Brave.”
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