Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Episode 692: Lynn Smith on How to Stop Letting the Brain Bully Win

Released: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, John R. Miles welcomes former national news anchor turned media coach and author Lynn Smith to discuss how to conquer the "brain bully," build authentic confidence, and foster resilience for adults and children alike. Through candid storytelling and actionable insights, Lynn explores pivoting away from a secure career, overcoming the inner critic, and how her new children’s book, Just Keep Going, instills these lessons from an early age.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Leaving a Secure Identity for a Fulfilling Life

• Lynn’s Career Pivot:
  • Lynn recounts her decision to leave a prestigious 15-year career in national news, motivated by a lack of fulfillment and a desire to spend more time with her children.
    • “If you're not fulfilled, if you're not passionate about what you do, it doesn't matter what your title is...” (07:44, Lynn Smith)
  • She describes the fear and uncertainty of pivoting toward entrepreneurship.
    • “No matter how many credentials you have, there is no easy launch into an entrepreneurial journey.” (08:26)

2. Defining “Passion Struck”

• John asks Lynn what 'passion struck' means to her:
  • For Lynn, it’s about genuine excitement and purpose—the “fire in your belly” that can’t be faked.
    • “It's not work, it's purpose, it's results, it's excitement.” (09:53, Lynn Smith)
  • Encourages listeners to keep seeking that feeling and to help others in the process.

3. The Central Role of Communication—and Its Saboteur

• Communication as Currency:
  • Both discuss how effective communication is essential in life and business.
    • “Our communication is our currency. It's how we get people to be moved by our words. And if we can't communicate effectively... the idea doesn't exist.” (11:02, Lynn Smith)
• The Brain Bully (Inner Critic):
  • Lynn introduces the concept of the “brain bully”—the pervasive inner critic sabotaging confidence and communication.
    • “It's that voice in your head that's saying... ‘you're not good enough.’ ...It is the root cause of poor communication.” (00:33 / 15:58, Lynn Smith)
  • She explains how even high performers, from executives to astronauts, are held back by their own inner dialogue, not a lack of skills.
    • “I had to go through that lowest of the low moment to discover what I now teach, which is how to beat your brain bully.” (17:40, Lynn Smith)

4. Performance, Presence, and Public Perception

• High-Pressure Communication:
  • John and Lynn discuss how even extraordinary professionals falter in high-stakes, public situations.
    • “Even people who have done truly amazing things... still fear being in front of the camera.” (20:15, John Miles)
• Rapid Judgment & Building Trust:
  • Lynn cites research underscoring how quickly impressions are formed: “Princeton research found 1/10 of a second is how quickly our minds make a decision about somebody.” (23:14, Lynn Smith)
  • Emphasizes the importance of owning your presence from the start.

5. Social Media and Authentic Connection

• Adapting Communication Online:
  • Advice for creating impactful, authentic content, including visual hooks and immediate value.
    • “It's that first visual hook… and then, what you say—are you within those first three seconds giving value?” (25:19, Lynn Smith)
• Sales & Influence:
  • Effective sales hinge on authentic communication, not just traditional “sales training.”
    • “Sales is all about effective listening and communication. If you can't articulate the value... people will not buy.” (27:19, Lynn Smith)

6. Just Keep Going: Turning Rejection into Resilience

• The Origin Story:

  • Lynn opens up about her new children’s book, inspired by her own struggles with rejection in publishing and entrepreneurship.
    • “Six-year journey from idea to this right over my shoulder. ...the only reason this book was made was because I just kept going.” (33:01, Lynn Smith)
  • The story follows a little mouse, symbolizing perseverance, courage, and the support of friends.
    • “There are times in our lives where we just need that reminder from a friend.” (38:30, Lynn Smith)

• Mindfulness and Managing ‘Big Feelings’:

  • Lynn integrates mindfulness and emotional regulation in her book, aiming to teach coping skills to children (and parents).
    • “Mindfulness is so key... Why aren't we learning this as kids?” (41:06, Lynn Smith)
  • She stresses the importance of allowing children to feel and manage disappointment, instead of fixing every problem immediately.

7. Breaking the Perfectionism Cycle

• Addressing Achievement Culture:
  • Lynn and John reflect on how perfectionism and achievement culture fuel anxiety in both adults and children.
    • “Connection doesn't happen from perfection. It happens from being human.” (52:05, Lynn Smith)
  • Failure, they agree, is key to growth and must be normalized early.
    • “If our children can learn... that failure is inevitable. And actually it's exciting.” (53:42, Lynn Smith)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Walking Away from Security:
  • “If you're not fulfilled... you are left with this kind of looming doom feeling... I pivoted, which was terrifying.” —Lynn Smith (07:44)
• On Authentic Purpose:
  • “It's that fire in your belly. ...It's not work, it's purpose.” —Lynn Smith (09:33)
• On Facing the Brain Bully:
  • “It's the voice in your head that's running the show… it is the root cause of poor communication.” —Lynn Smith (00:33; 15:58)
• On Confidence and Learning from Failure:
  • “Courage is doing something in spite of fear. ...Brave isn't something that you inherently are—it's something you choose to do.” —Lynn Smith (40:45)
• On Perfectionism and Connection:
  • “Perfection kills connection. When you compromise yourself in that way... you really reevaluate a lot of things.” —Lynn Smith (14:00)
• On Resilience for Kids and Adults:
  • “Why did I have to wait until my 40s to learn this? Couldn't we learn it when we're four?” —Lynn Smith (34:27)
• On Just Keep Going:
  • “The only reason this book was made was because I just kept going.” —Lynn Smith (33:01)
• Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation:
  • “Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out... it's so essential, I think, that children learn not to bottle their emotions, but how to manage their emotions.” —Lynn Smith (41:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• The Meaning of “Brain Bully” — [00:33], [15:58]
• Career Transition: Leaving TV News — [07:28]
• Describing “Passion Struck” — [09:33]
• The Power and Pitfalls of Communication — [11:02]
• Dealing with the Inner Critic — [15:58], [17:40]
• Rapid First Impressions, Public Perception — [23:14]
• Social Media Tactics and Authenticity — [25:19]
• Book Journey: The Making of Just Keep Going — [33:01], [38:30]
• Mindfulness in Parenting and Childhood — [41:06]
• Perfectionism and Achievement Culture — [52:05], [53:42]

Resources & CTAs

• Learn More:
  • Lynn Smith’s coaching, book info and free guides: justkeepgoingbook.com & lynnsmith.com
  • John’s companion workbooks: theignitedlife.net
• Connect with Lynn:
  • Social: @LynnSmithTV

Closing Reflections

John recaps the central takeaways:

“Walking away from a secure identity takes courage, but it also creates possibility. The brain bully is real and learning to quiet it is the gateway to authentic communication. Confidence grows from repetition, alignment, and allowing yourself to be imperfect. And resilience isn’t something we outgrow—it’s something we teach, share and renew.”

For more actionable insights from this episode, listen to the full interview or access resources and discussion guides via the links above.