

Start with Small Steps
Jill from The Northwoods
Start With Small Steps is a practical, thoughtful podcast about making meaningful progress in everyday life—without overwhelm. Each episode breaks big ideas into small, manageable steps you can actually use, whether you’re working on habits, health, productivity, faith, or personal growth.
Instead of chasing quick fixes or perfect systems, this podcast focuses on steady change, reflection, and realistic action. You’ll hear clear explanations, relatable examples, and simple frameworks designed to help you think better, choose wisely, and keep moving forward—even when life feels complicated or slow.
Start With Small Steps is for anyone who wants growth that fits real life: small actions, honest reflection, and progress that lasts.
Instead of chasing quick fixes or perfect systems, this podcast focuses on steady change, reflection, and realistic action. You’ll hear clear explanations, relatable examples, and simple frameworks designed to help you think better, choose wisely, and keep moving forward—even when life feels complicated or slow.
Start With Small Steps is for anyone who wants growth that fits real life: small actions, honest reflection, and progress that lasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 4, 2023 • 23min
134- Addicted to Certainty?
134 - Addicted to Certainty In this episode, I am going to talk about something that I think a lot of us struggle with: addiction to certainty. I wiilll dive into the difference between certainty and agency, and some personal reflections on why taking risks can be so important for growth.
To help illustrate this point, I’ll be drawing inspiration from Cheryl Strayed’s incredible book, Wild. We’ll explore how the bias towards certainty can actually hold us back from making positive changes in our lives, and I’ll be challenging you to consider taking some risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
So get ready to push yourself a little bit and try some new things! I truly believe that by challenging our addiction to certainty, we can unlock new levels of growth and fulfillment.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3484
https://open.spotify.com/episode/513Qm8Kyzfq4fSg0IYGfoj
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-brain-work/200910/hunger-certainty
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-certainty-bias/
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Mar 28, 2023 • 26min
133 - Steps to Be Funny
133 - Steps to Be Funny In this episode, I take a deep dive into the book Humor, Seriously, and share some amazing insights that will help you become funnier in your personal and professional life. We’ll explore the principles of humor, including the significance of heart and misdirection in-jokes. We’ll also cover the rule of three, analogies, and specifics, and discover the importance of practice and signature stories in developing humor. But we won’t stop there! The author also provides valuable advice on balancing gravity and levity and warns us against offensive humor. So, if you want to level up your humor game, then this is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss!
https://www.humorseriously.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJKDipbCzdc&t=7s
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3478
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Mar 21, 2023 • 26min
132 - Funny in the Workplace
132 - Funny in the Workplace Advice In this episode as we explore the powerful role that humor can play in the workplace! We’ll be diving into the book Humor, Seriously, which shows us how humor can help build connections, relieve stress, and make training more engaging. Whether you’re a natural comedian or just starting out, we’ll discover how humor is like a muscle that can be developed through practice, and how finding your own unique style can help you connect with your colleagues in new and meaningful ways. Plus, we’ll be discussing the importance of maintaining a playful, joy-seeking mindset at work, and how humor can even have health benefits that impact your overall well-being. Don’t miss out on injecting a little levity into your day-to-day routine!
https://www.humorseriously.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJKDipbCzdc&t=7s
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3471
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Mar 14, 2023 • 16min
131 - Great Bumpersticker Advice
131 - Bumpersticker Advice Are you a bumper sticker fanatic? Well, I’ve got some insights to share with you! I take a closer look at popular bumper stickers and separate the good advice from the bad. From “not believing everything you think” to “reading the manual,” there’s plenty of gems to uncover. But, watch out for the ones that suggest you shouldn’t wear pants while driving or skip using turn signals. So, keep your eyes peeled for those bumper stickers and discover some free advice that just might change your life!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/131-bumpersticker-advice/
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com j

Mar 7, 2023 • 22min
130 - Lazy Geniuses are Nice to Themselves
130 - Lazy Geniuses Are Nice to Themselves
Are you feeling overwhelmed and in need of some simple, yet effective life hacks? Look no further than “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi! This insightful read offers 13 game-changing principles to help you simplify your life and treat yourself with kindness. Learn how to invite people into your home, tackle tasks efficiently, prioritize what truly matters, and celebrate your victories. With Adachi’s guidance, you’ll discover how to value yourself and be your own biggest cheerleader. Get ready to revolutionize your approach to life!
https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com
https://www.youtube.com/@KendraTheLazyGenius
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3464
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Feb 28, 2023 • 20min
129 - Be Lazy with the Right Rules
129 - Be Lazy with the Right Rules
Let’s dive into the amazing world of “The Lazy Genius Way” and discover how to live in the right season, build the perfect routines, set house rules, and keep everything organized. I challenge you to come up with three rules that work specifically for you, making your life easier and stress-free. Remember, it’s all about doing the next right thing and not getting overwhelmed by your to-do list. Get ready to transform your life!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3461
https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com
https://www.youtube.com/@KendraTheLazyGenius
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/129-be-lazy-with-the-right-rules/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Feb 21, 2023 • 22min
128 - Be Lazy with Limited Goals and Small Steps
128 - Be Lazy with Limited Goals and Small Steps
Get ready to revolutionize your approach to productivity and organization with Kendra Adachi’s groundbreaking book, The Lazy Genius Way. Adachi’s unique perspective emphasizes the importance of making decisions once, taking small steps, and asking the magic question that will change your life forever: “What can I do now to make life easier later?” By following Adachi’s innovative principles, you can learn to be more efficient and effective in your daily life while still being kind to yourself and avoiding burnout. So what are you waiting for? Join the lazy genius movement and start living your best life today!
https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com
https://www.youtube.com/@KendraTheLazyGenius
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3453
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Feb 14, 2023 • 17min
127 - Star Trek Leaders in Tough Times
127 - Star Trek Leaders in Tough Times
Join me on an epic journey through the leadership qualities of Star Trek captains such as Jonathan Archer, Christopher Pike, and Kathryn Janeway! From navigating new technology to being stranded in a distant galaxy, these captains had to rely on their leadership skills to overcome monumental challenges. But that’s not all - we’ll also delve into the character of Worf and his inspiring honesty and courage. So listen up, because, by the end of this episode, you’ll be challenged to consider your own leadership skills in the face of the unknown!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/127-star-trek-leaders-in-tough-times/ Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Feb 7, 2023 • 24min
126 - To Boldly Go with Leadership
126 - To Boldly Go with Leadership
If you love science fiction and are fascinated by leadership qualities, then the Star Trek franchise is a must-watch for you! The franchise boasts some of the most incredible leaders in Captain James T. Kirk, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Captain Benjamin Sisko, and Captain Kathryn Janeway. These leaders have some fantastic qualities that are worth emulating, such as keeping calm, trusting your team, staying true to your morals, and above all, recognizing the humanity of those around you. So, if you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, give Star Trek a watch and learn from the masters!
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57414333
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/126-to-boldly-go-with-leadership/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jan 31, 2023 • 17min
125 - Escape Activities that Prevent Weight Loss
125 - Escape Activities that Prevent Weight Loss
Let’s dive into the fascinating book Mini Habits for Weight Loss by Stephen C Guise. The author shares some fantastic strategies for avoiding bad habits and staying on track with healthy habits, particularly when it comes to losing weight. He lays out eight powerful techniques, including direct resistance, negative reinforcement, and substitution. The key takeaway is to focus on making small, consistent tweaks and being mindful of our choices. Plus, he encourages us to focus on adding healthy habits rather than just cutting out the bad ones and to avoid judging ourselves harshly. Ultimately, he shows us that our lifestyle and weight are deeply interconnected and that gradual changes can lead to long-lasting results.
https://minihabits.com/mini-habits-for-weight-loss/
https://www.udemy.com/course/weight-loss-mini-habits/
https://twitter.com/StephenCGuise
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3435
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com


