
Hosted by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe · EN
Perspective Shift with Dr. Robyne is a weekly podcast for curious people who want to think more clearly about the things that matter most. Each episode explores one idea, one conversation, or one perspective that helps us make better sense of work, relationships, leadership, parenting, stress, hope, and the beautifully messy business of being human.
This isn't a podcast about quick fixes or easy answers. It's about slowing down long enough to see something differently.
My hope is simple.
That every episode leaves you with one just-in-time perspective.
Because sometimes that's all it takes to change everything.

This week on Life by Design, we're doing something a little different.Rather than sitting in the host's chair, Dr. Robyne is the guest.In this special episode, originally recorded for Jordana Goldlist's podcast, Who Judges the Judge?, Jordana interviews Dr. Robyne about her journey, from struggling in school with undiagnosed ADHD, to being institutionalized at 16, to surviving a near-death car accident, and how her mother’s question, “How do you want to feel?” instead of “What are your goals?” changed everything.Together, they explore the lessons she has learned about healing and belonging, the people who helped her find her way when she could not yet see a future for herself, and the experiences that continue to inform the work she does today with leaders, educators, teams, and high performers around the world. *** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community.Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Additional Resources: Jordana’s Podcast: Who Judges the Judge? Dr. Robyne on the Mark Divine Show I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Connect with Jordana Goldlist: Website: https://www.jhgcriminallaw.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanagoldlist LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jgoldlist Connect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Natasha Ramzan joins Dr. Robyne for an honest and thoughtful conversation about ADHD, self-worth, cultural narratives, and the pressure so many people feel to constantly keep going. Together, they unpack why ADHD is often overlooked in women, the impact of masking and self-criticism, and how culture, family expectations, and hustle culture shape our relationship with self-care, rest, and productivity. Through personal stories and grounded insight, this conversation invites us to slow down, become aware of our stories and patterns, and give ourselves permission to move through life differently, guided by our inner voice and what we truly need. *** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/ Additional Resources: Why Does Everybody Hate Me? by Alex PartridgeConnect with Dr. Natasha: Website: https://innervoicetherapy.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.natasharamzan/Connect with Dr. Robyne:Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

In this week’s episode, Dr. Robyne welcomes Dr. Ross Ellenhorn, psychotherapist, social worker, and CEO of one of the most robust community integration programs in the United States, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about hope, mental health, and human connection. Together, they explore the fear of hope and how repeated disappointment can make hoping again feel vulnerable and risky, leading people to protect themselves by staying the same.Drawing from decades of experience supporting individuals navigating psychiatric diagnoses, addiction, and recovery, Dr. Ellenhorn challenges the narrative of “brokenness” and highlights the importance of rebuilding social connection, self-worth, and faith in oneself and others. They also reflect on why embracing different ways of being, cultivating belonging, and caring for each other are not only essential to healing, but acts of resistance and hope in an uncertain world.*** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Additional Resources:How We Change (And Ten Reasons Why We Don’t) by Ross Ellenhorn, PhDConnect with Dr. Ellenhorn:Website: https://www.ellenhorn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenhornPACTConnect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

Today on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with community builder and champion for youth Stu Saunders for an uplifting conversation about nurturing the next generation, the magic of creating community, and the courage to dream big, even when you don’t know how things will turn out. Together, they explore the ripple effects of student leadership, the importance of helping young people connect beyond screens, and the life-changing impact of encouragement, belonging, and healthy risk-taking. Through heartfelt stories, from youth conferences and summer camps to documentary filmmaking and a childhood pitch to the Toronto Argonauts, Stu reminds us what becomes possible when people feel seen, supported, and believed in.*** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community.Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Additional Resources: Ward Bingham – MondonationConnect with Stu:Website: https://peregrineleadership.ca/Website: https://theepiccommunity.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stu_saunders70/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-saunders-2783ba137Connect with Dr. Robyne:Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

In this special episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Canadian writer, journalist, and longtime Saturday Night editor Ernest Hillen. At 92, he reflects on a life shaped by hardship and resilience, from years in internment camps as a young boy during the Second World War to building a new life in Canada.At the heart of this conversation is a powerful tribute to his mother, a woman whose strength, wisdom, and gift for turning anything into an adventure became a guiding light for her sons, even in the darkest of times. Through his stories, Ernest offers a perspective on what it means to keep going: to find humor where we can, hold onto hope, and move forward when so much is outside of our control. This episode is a reminder of the legacy we carry, the power of the stories that shape us, and the small, steady choices that carry us through. *** Feeling stretched thin or stuck in constant output mode? Join Dr. Robyne’s Day in Quarters workshop and learn how to design your days with intention, so you can show up fully at work, at home, and in life.May 7 & 8 | Two live 55-minute sessions. Save your spot: https://drrobyne.ca/day-in-quarters-workshop/*** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community.Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Additional Resources: The Way of a Boy: A Memoir of Java by Ernest Hillen Small Mercies: A Boy After War by Ernest Hillen A Weekend Memoir by Ernest HillenConnect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

This week on Life by Design, Dr. Robyne sits down with high-performance coach Justin Mize – someone who knows what it means to push limits, face adversity, and rebuild when everything changes in an instant.From discovering his passion in the adrenaline-fueled world of freestyle motocross to surviving a catastrophic injury that shattered not just his body but also his identity, Justin shares what it really takes to come back physically, mentally, and emotionally.Together, they explore what happens when your sense of worth becomes tied to achievement and external validation, the power of perspective and self-trust, and how to redefine what progress really looks like, especially when you can’t measure it on a scoreboard.This conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience is built in the quiet, consistent reps of showing up for yourself, and that shared hope and encouragement can make all the difference.***If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing ends April 30th.Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/ ***Feeling stretched thin or stuck in constant output mode? Join Dr. Robyne’s Day in Quarters workshop and learn how to design your days with intention, so you can show up fully at work, at home, and in life.May 7 & 8 | Two live 55-minute sessions.Save your spot: https://drrobyne.ca/day-in-quarters-workshop/ Additional Resources: Books by Justin MizeI Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-DafoeConnect with Justin:Website: https://www.justinmize.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinmize/Connect with Dr. Robyne:Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

In today’s episode, Dr. Robyne sits down with Melanie Deziel, a Creative Systems Architect, author, keynote speaker, and award-winning branded content creator, for a conversation on unlocking creativity and deepening self-understanding in all areas of life.Together, they explore how our systems and environments can stifle or support creative thinking, why the best ideas rarely happen at boardroom tables, and the importance of intentional spaciousness in our days to think, wonder, and reflect. They also talk about how the very imagination that fuels our worries and catastrophizing can just as powerfully be used to envision positive possibilities. Melanie also shares her experience of being diagnosed with autism in adulthood, the clarity it brought, and the freedom that comes from understanding and accommodating how your mind works, and from meeting yourself with grace. *** If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing is available for a limited time. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/ Additional Resources: The Content Fuel Framework by Melanie DezielProve It by Melanie DezielCreative Constructs NewsletterLate Diagnosed Diaries NewsletterConnect with Melanie: Website: https://www.melaniedeziel.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/meldezielLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/melaniedezielConnect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

In this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne welcomes Phil M Jones, a globally recognized expert on influence, persuasion, and communication, and author of Exactly What to Say®.Together, they explore the true nature of sales, challenging stereotypes and outdated tactics, and reframing it as the art of helping people move from where they are to where they want to be.Phil shares how asking the right questions and seeking useful truth can build deeper relationships and align solutions with people’s real needs, whether you’re selling a product, pitching a service, or coaching. Plus, the value of business education, learning in the classroom versus the real world, and why being able to confidently recommend against yourself can be just as important as recommending for yourself.If you’ve ever felt uneasy about selling or want to build a life and business rooted in service and authenticity, this episode will equip you with the strategies and perspective shifts to transform your impact and sell and serve with integrity.***If you’re ready to show up for your work, your people, and yourself in a genuinely well way, come hang out, learn, and build better days inside Dr. Robyne's Good Day by Design Community. Founding Member pricing is available for a limited time. Visit: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Additional Resources: Exactly What to Say by Phil M JonesThey Ask, You Answer by Marcus SheridanConnect with Phil: Website: https://philmjones.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/philmjonesukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philmjones/Connect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/Community: https://drrobyne.ca/membership/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehdNewsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/Disclaimer

On this episode of Life by Design, Dr. Robyne is joined by human performance scientist Dr. Andy Galpin for an insightful and actionable conversation about managing well-being and pursuing health goals, especially when navigating stressful, demanding seasons. From deciding your priorities ahead of time and identifying your biggest anchor to understanding the power of prioritizing one thing or going all in, Dr. Andy shares practical wisdom and real-world examples to help you focus on what truly moves the needle and confidently let go of what is no longer serving you. They also explore when tools like wearables are helpful versus when they add more noise than value, along with practical advice for parents, coaches, and those supporting young athletes during peak season. Whether you’re feeling under-resourced, overwhelmed by information, or unsure where to start improving your well-being, this conversation is a reminder that clarity reduces friction, and that doing one thing well, consistently, can create meaningful change over time.Additional Resources: Dr. Andy’s Podcast – Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin Dr. Andy’s Newsletter – The Catalyst Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard by Ken Rideout The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Connect with Dr. Andy: Website: https://www.andygalpin.com/ Instagram: @drandygalpin LinkedIn: Andy Galpin YouTube: @drandygalpin Connect with Dr. Robyne: Website: https://drrobyne.ca/ Instagram: @dr_robynehd LinkedIn: drrobynehd YouTube: @dr_robynehd Newsletter: https://drrobyne.ca/newsletter/ Disclaimer