Fear shows up quietly. It shapes how we make decisions, how we measure progress, and how long we stay in situations that no longer feel right.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett, an organizational psychologist, researcher, and author, to talk about what happens when logic, effort, and planning stop being enough on their own.

We explore why life can start to feel like a constant gap, where the horizon keeps moving and progress never quite feels satisfying. Why comparison, noise, and fear distort how we see ourselves and our work. And why intentionally looking back at what you’ve already built is often the missing piece for clarity and fulfillment.

Dr. Laura also shares how trust, intention, and timing play a role in moving forward when certainty isn’t available. Not as blind optimism, but as a grounded way of taking the next step with purpose, support, and self-awareness. We talk about fear and risk, entrepreneurship and mindset, and the difference between pushing harder and aligning your energy with work that actually adds value.

The conversation also moves into leadership and systems. Why toxic workplaces often persist through avoidance and silence. What compassionate leadership actually looks like in practice. And why honest, difficult conversations are essential for healthy teams and long-term trust.

This is a thoughtful, practical conversation about navigating uncertainty, making grounded decisions without guarantees, and learning how to move forward when fear tries to keep you still.

Connect with our guest, Dr. Laura:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

Connect with Jeff Humphreys

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Location & Production:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Off Set Studios