Plus, Emma Watson, in her very first podcast appearance, shares the inner shift that helped her see sensitivity as a strength, not a flaw.

Where I live in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the beginning of autumn. The transition from summer to winter. The season where temperatures get cooler, days get shorter, and perhaps most famously, the leaves fall from the trees.

It reminds me of something my friend Mel Robbins said on a recent episode of my podcast.

In New England, where Mel lives, the changing colors of the leaves are beautiful. A sight to behold. But something she brought up to me is how, from the tree’s perspective, this process is anything but beautiful.

Trees aren’t just letting the leaves go.

They’re pushing them away. 

See, leaves have a huge surface area. They require a lot of water. And once winter comes, there’s not the same amount of rainfall that happens in spring and summer. If the leaves are still there when winter comes, the tree will die. 

Trees push the leaves away to conserve energy.

We put so much energy into holding onto things that don’t serve us. It takes so much energy to hold onto a relationship that makes us feel bad. It takes so much energy to walk into a job we hate. 

What if, instead of clinging to the things that don’t serve us and feeding them negative energy, you redirected that energy towards something else? 

What if you could let go of the gossiping and the complaining, the way a tree lets go of its old leaves? What if you could use that energy for yourself?

Try This: Think of all the leaves you’re holding onto right now. The responsibilities you have at home, at work, and in your social life. If you have the time, really list out each one. What are the tasks and the relationships you pour your energy into every day?

If these were actually leaves, what color would they be? Would they be bright, shiny green leaves, full of beautiful energy? Or would they be withering brown leaves that are sapping you dry?

What would it take to let go of those dying leaves?

This week on the podcast, I had the honour of sitting down with Emma Watson for her very first podcast conversation. We all know Emma for the roles that defined a generation. But in this episode, we meet her beyond the screen. She opens up with honesty and heart about what it’s truly been like to grow up in the spotlight, carry the weight of public expectation, and slowly, intentionally, find her way back to hers

We spoke about the pressure to be perfect, the challenge of separating your identity from your image, and the beauty of returning to the things that truly matter. Vulnerability, learning in public, letting go of what no longer serves you, this conversation touches all of it.

If you've ever felt like you had to keep it all together or questioned whether you're living in alignment with your values, Emma’s honesty might just meet you where you are.

Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

What’s one dead or dying leaf you can let go of this week to make room for more in your life? Reply to this email right now and tell me. You deserve this.

Last week, I challenged you to do something to bring yourself more peace. There were so many beautiful responses, and I am praying for your peace.

Reader Kathy responded with a fitting way to bring herself more peace:

Excellent idea, Kathy. That will help you so, so much.

Reader Laurie said,

I love that you not only came up with a goal, but a specific amount of time you would take each day.

Reader Jeremy responded,

Jeremy, I love this so much. Not only are you giving yourself positivity, but you’re sharing it with your students. Absolutely brilliant.