Podcast Summary: The Heart & Hustle Podcast

Episode #464: Entrepreneurs, Listen to This If You Need a Pep Talk
Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a concise, energetic pep talk for entrepreneurs feeling stuck, discouraged, overwhelmed, or battling imposter syndrome. Evie and Lindsey offer tough love, real talk, and actionable advice to help listeners push through difficult seasons, overcome comparison, reframe failure, and reignite their motivation. With relatable stories and practical tips, the hosts remind creative business owners that progress—no matter how slow—is still progress, and that they have the power to shape their business and life.

Key Discussion Points

The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

• Acknowledgement of Struggles:
  Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs, and difficult seasons are normal and universal.

  "There are times in this roller coaster of business that can be up and that can be down." (Evie, 00:28)

• Purpose of the Episode:
  A short “power punch” full of tough love and encouragement for entrepreneurs who need a boost.

  "This is going to be a short, sweet power punch. Get ready to get some tough love." (Lindsey, 00:41)

Slow Progress is Still Progress

• Comparison Trap:
  Progress can feel painfully slow compared to others, especially online, but forward is forward.

  "Sometimes slow progress is the best progress. That's the only thing you can do in this season and that is okay. You're still moving forward." (Lindsey, 03:07)

  "It can be so easy to look at... somebody else who's at least based on online perception seems like their progress is faster... which is not always real." (Evie, 03:28)

• Seasons Differ for Everyone:
  Life and business stages, resources, and boundaries are unique—so focus on your lane.

  "They may be in a different season of life or business, they may have different resources available to them, or ... have made different life choices, set different boundaries." (Lindsey, 03:49)

Asking for Help is Strength, Not Weakness

• Community is Essential:
  You can't build a business or a life alone; seeking support is wise and necessary.

  "You were not born to be in a silo... Even if you're solopreneuring it, you still need community support in your corner." (Evie, 04:24)

  "That does not mean you are a failure in that thing. No, that means you are wise enough to actually ask for help and humble yourself enough to be like, I cannot do this alone." (Evie, 05:11)

Redefining Failure

• Failure = Attempting Something New:
  Failure is inevitable and critical for learning, refining, and growth. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.

  "Failure, quote unquote, means you're trying to. And failure, quote unquote, is inevitable." (Lindsey, 05:44)

  "Reframe failure... as something more, as 'hey, I learned a lesson. This was a stretching opportunity.'" (Lindsey, 06:28)

• Comparison and Social Media:
  We only see others’ highlights, not failures, so our personal setbacks feel bigger.

  "Rarely do people ever share their failures publicly... And so because we don't see the failures... we think that nobody else is failing. And so that when we fail, we are the only ones that suck. And that's not true. Everyone sucks. Yay." (Evie, 07:31)

• Examples of “Famous Failures”:
  Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, and others faced rejection and defeat before success.

  "Oprah Winfrey was fired from a newscaster position, told that she would never be good on TV... Let's just laugh at that." (Lindsey, 08:09)

Her Win ≠ Your Loss

• Abundance Mindset:
  Other people's achievements do not diminish your worth or opportunities.

  "Her win does not equate to your loss... When someone else... is killing it... it does not mean your loss. Just because somebody else wins... does not equate to your value." (Evie, 10:08)

  "That does not mean that you are worthless. That does not mean that you don't deserve it. You are just on a completely different journey." (Evie, 11:15)

Practical Productivity Hack: The Five Minute Rule

• Science-Backed Motivation:
  Overcome inertia by giving yourself permission to just start a dreaded task for five minutes.

  "Studies... show that if you kind of like trick your brain by telling yourself, 'I only have to do this thing for five minutes,' and ... I'm gonna work on that and then I can quit, it's like a way to almost trick your brain." (Lindsey, 14:36)

• Most Tasks Aren’t as Hard as We Imagine:
  Starting is the hardest part; once begun, tasks usually feel more manageable.

  "Oftentimes we build up this thing... it took me to an invoice that I could just pay for it online... And I was like, you've been putting that off for like weeks... that was too easy." (Evie, 16:56)

  "Your biggest obstacle, which is that first resistance that... starting up, like to ride a bike... those first few pedals are the hardest part." (Lindsey, 18:06)

Own Your Agency & Take Action

• Intentional Living:
  You have the power to shape your daily life, adjust goals, and correct your course.

  "You are the author of your day-to-day life... You are the person who gets to decide what your days look like, what your life looks like, what your goals look like, what your emotions look like at the end of the day." (Lindsey, 22:30)

• Tough Love Encouragement:
  If you’re unhappy or longing for change, get honest about what needs to shift and take that first step.

  "You are not powerless in what you're feeling right now... Make the shift, whatever it needs to be—speeding up, slowing down, changing directions... This is an incredible opportunity for you to really assess and to really shift directions if needed." (Lindsey, 23:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sometimes slow progress is the best progress. That's the only thing you can do in this season and that is okay. You're still moving forward.”
  — Lindsey, 03:07

• “You cannot do life alone and you cannot do business alone.”
  — Evie, 04:27

• “If you're not failing, you're not trying.”
  — Lindsey, 06:29

• “Everyone sucks. Yay.”
  — Evie, 07:47 (lighthearted encouragement about universal failure)

• “Her win does not equate to your loss.”
  — Evie, 10:08

• “Your biggest obstacle, which is that first resistance that... initial, I mean about starting up, like to ride a bike... those first few pedals are the hardest part.”
  — Lindsey, 18:06

• “You are the author of your day-to-day life... You are not powerless in what you're feeling right now.”
  — Lindsey, 22:30

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:22–01:11: Setting the scene—acknowledging entrepreneurial struggle, offering encouragement.
• 03:08–04:24: Slow progress and the danger of comparison.
• 04:24–05:44: The power of asking for help and community.
• 05:44–09:32: Failure as learning; social media and comparison; famous examples.
• 10:08–11:34: Her win ≠ your loss—abundance over comparison.
• 14:36–18:06: Five minute rule for productivity; stories of simple tasks built up in our minds.
• 20:08–23:36: Reflecting on happiness and agency—practical tough love on making change.

Final Takeaways

• Progress, even if slow, is valid and valuable.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help—community and support are essential.
• Redefine failure as learning and progress—everyone faces setbacks.
• Other people's wins are not your loss—your path is unique.
• Start tasks with the five minute rule to break inertia.
• You are the creator of your day-to-day; take ownership and shift as needed.

Evie and Lindsey close the episode by encouraging listeners to take at least one step—however small—toward what matters most, and to remember that they’re not alone in the journey. The tone is warm, energetic, and compassionate, providing both motivation and the permission to make changes or simply rest, depending on what’s needed in this season.