Episode 361: Better Than Normal w/ MaryAnn McKibben Dana

2026-05-03

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Most of us were handed a script, right? THIS is what success looks like. THIS is what a good life is. THIS is what it means to be normal. BUT. What happens when that script starts to crack, when it just doesn't work anymore? In this episode, I’m joined by MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of the amazing book, Better Than Normal; and we talk about what it means to step off that script - especially when that might be scary, costly, or misunderstood. We get into topics like anxiety, parenting, deconstruction, and the quiet courage it takes to live a ...

Most of us were handed a script, right? THIS is what success looks like. THIS is what a good life is. THIS is what it means to be normal.

BUT.

What happens when that script starts to crack, when it just doesn't work anymore?

In this episode, I’m joined by MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of the amazing book, Better Than Normal; and we talk about what it means to step off that script - especially when that might be scary, costly, or misunderstood.

We get into topics like anxiety, parenting, deconstruction, and the quiet courage it takes to live a life that actually fits who you are… instead of who you were told to be.

Yes.

What if “better than normal” isn’t out there somewhere, but begins the moment we stop trying to be what we think everyone expects us to be?

SHOW NOTES:

MARYANN MCKIBBEN DANA: https://substack.com/@maryannmckibbendana

BETTER THAN NORMAL: https://amzn.to/4eIXQll

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj

ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art

EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project

SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

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