How To Be Selfish, Cringe & Nosy (In A Good Way) To Get What You Want

Feb 25, 2026

Jenny Wood, former Google exec and author of Wild Courage, teaches bold, unconventional tactics to get over fear and ask for what you want. Short stories and practical systems show why embracing cringe, curiosity, and strategic selfishness accelerates careers and relationships. Expect nosy, shameless moves, networking scripts, risk-ranking tools, and tiny actions that create outsized momentum.

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ADVICE

Fail More To Succeed Faster

Double your success by quadrupling your failure rate: take many small risks and learn from repeated attempts.
Jenny's daughter practiced front walkovers and fell 30–50 times before succeeding, showing practice beats fear.

INSIGHT

Small Deviations Boost Perceived Competence

The Red Sneaker Effect shows small nonconformist signals increase perceived competence and authenticity.
Use a distinctive, authentic cue or speak up in meetings to stand out positively at work.

ADVICE

Lead With Your Power Assets

Identify your power assets by listing childhood loves, favorite projects, and things people tell you you're good at, then communicate them subtly.
Lead interviews or dates with your three strengths to shape others' perception of you.

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The life you want is actually on the other side of so many things you’re told NOT to do or be. How many times have you stopped yourself from sending that message, raising your hand, or asking for something because you didn't want to come off as weird or too much? That inaction could be costing you a happy, successful career, relationships, and life.

I sit down with Jenny Wood, a former Google executive and the author of Wild Courage, who built her life by doing the things you're “not supposed to do”. Today, she’s teaching you practical tactics to get over fears of failure, judgement, and rejection, and step into the dream life you deserve.

🎧 What you’ll learn:

• Why "cringe" behavior is actually your secret weapon for career advancement and relationship success

• A 3-step system to overcome fear of judgment, failure, and uncertainty (even when stakes are high)

• The exact words to use when asking for what you want (so you don't sound desperate or entitled)

• The psychology hack that makes rejection sting 70% less (and helps you bounce back faster)

• How to escape the "good worker" trap that keeps high-performers stuck and underpaid

• A simple text you can send today that will immediately accelerate your success

• The counterintuitive networking formula that turns strangers into career sponsors

If you liked this episode, check out this episode of The Liz Moody Podcast:

The 3 Simple Rules That Supercharged My Success

For more from Jenny Wood:

• itsjennywood.com/getpromoted

• itsjennywood.com/sayno

• https://wildcouragebook.com/

Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!

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The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy.

Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.

This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 408.

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