The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low

119. How Small Steps Lead to Big Successes, One Petite Practice at a Time (Dr. Christiane Schroeter)

What if the secret to reaching your biggest goals wasn't about working harder — but about taking smarter, smaller steps? In this warm and wisdom-filled conversation, Serena Low welcomes Dr. Christiane Schroeter, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, professor, and business and wellness coach, to explore how introverts and quiet achievers can break through self-doubt, find their voice, and create meaningful success — one petite practice at a time.Whether you've been putting off a big goal, shrinking on the stage, or wondering how your quiet strengths translate into real-world impact, this episode is your gentle nudge to begin — today.IN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE•   The Petite Practice framework — how breaking big goals into tiny, doable steps creates lasting transformation (and why "massive action" weekends so often fail us)•   Public speaking as an introvert — practical strategies to manage nerves, anchor your presence on stage, and connect authentically with any audience•   Shifting from self-focus to service — why reframing your talk as a message you owe your audience is the quiet achiever's most powerful confidence tool•   The introvert's entrepreneurial edge — how empathy, deep listening, and attunement to others' needs make introverts naturally gifted entrepreneurs•   FAIL as a First Attempt In Learning — embracing the missteps, pivots, and plateaus as essential parts of the journey to the red dot•   The danger of upward comparison on social media — and the liberating practice of looking back to see how far you've already come•   Dr. Christiane's upcoming book Step Into Your Voice — and what it means for introverts to claim their voice as an act of courage and serviceKEY TAKEAWAYS•   Your message matters more than your nerves. Instead of asking "What if I fail?", ask "What if I change someone's life?" Shifting from self-consciousness to service is the quiet achiever's most transformative mindset move.•   Small steps compound into extraordinary results. Dr. Christiane's Petite Practice method shows that a 10-minute walk beats a never-started marathon every time. Consistency in small actions builds the confidence that big leaps never can.•   FAIL = First Attempt In Learning. Every misstep on the way to your goal is not a setback — it's a curriculum. Share the runway, not just the red dot, and you give others permission to begin their own journey.•   Introverts are not broken extroverts — they are gifted connectors. Empathy, attunement, and depth of thinking are entrepreneurial superpowers. The ability to truly listen and align with others is the quiet achiever's greatest competitive advantage.•   Don't keep your goal a secret. Voicing your goal aloud brings it into the present moment. Share it, then take one small step today — because the world deserves your superpower, and so do you.ABOUT DR. CHRISTIANE SCHROETERDr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, business and wellness coach, and professor of marketing, innovation, and entrepreneurship at a top-ranked US university. Holding a PhD in health economics, she has earned national and international recognition for her ability to translate academic expertise into real-world strategy that actually works.As the host of the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast — ranked in the top 1% globally — Christiane shares high-performance strategies that weave together productivity, business growth, and holistic well-being. She is the author of three books, including the Amazon #1 new release How to Master Your Goals, and her signature Petite Practice framework is now at the heart of her latest works, Discover Your Superpower, and the companion Petite Practice Planner.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

118. Creativity Without Ego: A Conversation with Stan Lai, Asia's Most Celebrated Playwright

In this deeply insightful episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, Serena sits down with Stan Lai (Lai Shengchuan) — celebrated playwright, director, and thought leader in modern Asian theatre. Hailed as “the greatest Chinese-language playwright and director of our time", Stan shares his remarkable journey from academic beginnings at UC Berkeley to transforming the landscape of Chinese theatre with works like A Dream Like a Dream and Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land.Together, Serena and Stan explore:How accidents and necessity launched his creative careerThe relationship between wisdom and method in cultivating true creativityWhy silence and humility are essential to the creative processThe delicate balance between introspection and public presenceHow ego, self-awareness, and sincerity shape an artist’s pathFrom the metaphor of the warm baozi (steamed buns) to the transformative power of stillness, this conversation offers a profound look at what it means to create from the heart — and to stay true to oneself in a noisy world.Key TakeawaysCreativity is everyone’s birthright. Stan believes all humans are creative — but we often only learn method (skills), not wisdom (life insight).Silence is not emptiness. True creativity arises from inner stillness, where new ideas can emerge freely.Ego is the artist’s biggest obstacle. Self-awareness and humility allow creativity to flow without distortion.Ask “why” often. Regular self-questioning keeps your motives pure and your work authentic.Introversion is a strength. Quiet reflection nurtures wisdom, depth, and emotional resonance — essential for any artist or leader.Authenticity sustains energy. Public visibility becomes effortless when grounded in purpose and sincerity.Memorable Quotes“Silence is not emptiness. From silence, anything can emerge.” — Stan Lai “We are our own worst enemies — it’s our ego that stops us from finishing the work.” — Stan Lai“To be humble puts you in a low place — and from there, you see so much more.” — Stan LaiConnect & ExploreFind out more about Stan Lai’s workJoin the Visible Introvert CommunityThis episode was edited by Aura House Productions

117. Disrupt the Hidden Codes That Run Your Life (Candice Lyn)

Candice Lyn - disruptor of subconscious programming, and founder of The Frequency Lab - joins The Quiet Warrior Podcast to explore the hidden codes that quietly run our lives — the subconscious beliefs formed in childhood that shape how we show up, love, and seek safety. Drawing from her book Awaken and her own healing journey, Candice reveals how awareness, nervous system regulation, and curiosity can help us break free from survival mode and live from embodied truth.In This EpisodeThe invisible codes we live by: How subconscious beliefs about worth, love, and safety are encoded in early childhood — and how they influence our adult behaviour.People-pleasing and fawning: Why many introverts and “good girls” learn to stay small, keep the peace, and seek validation through perfection.Recognizing your survival response: The four responses — fight, flight, freeze, and fawn — and what they reveal about your nervous system’s default programming.The four stages of transformation:       Spot the code – noticing patterns and triggers       Disrupt – choosing to make a new decision       Regulate – calming the nervous system        Reclaim and Embody – stepping into your power from a grounded placeCuriosity over shame: How curiosity opens the door to healing, while self-judgment keeps us stuck in old loops.Breaking the burnout cycle: Identifying “I’m not enough” and “I’m unworthy” codes that fuel chronic overwork and emotional exhaustion.The power of rest: Reclaiming rest, stillness, and self-nourishment as radical acts of self-love.Spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity: How avoiding pain and focusing only on “good vibes” blocks real transformation.Returning to your essence: Remembering the childlike curiosity, imagination, and potency that existed before the world told you who to be.Key TakeawaysAwareness is the first step toward freedom — you can’t heal what you don’t see.Regulation is not a luxury; it’s a pathway back to your truth.Celebrate every moment of self-awareness, no matter how small.True awakening is not about perfection — it’s about remembering your innate wholeness.Connect with Candice LynWebsite: thefrequencylab.toBook: Awaken (available on Amazon)Instagram: @candicelyn_awakenStart your visibility journeyJoin the Visible Introvert Community at serenalow.com.au for psychologically safe ways to build authentic confidence and quiet leadership.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

116. The Science of Good Times: How to Design a Life of Flow and Fulfillment (Christian Schnepf)

In this thought-provoking episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I talk with Christian Schnepf, founder of The Science of Good Times and creator of the Good Times App — the world’s first data-based navigation system for life.Drawing on years of cross-cultural exploration and PhD-level research at Shanghai University, Christian shares his mission to make the conscious pursuit of good times the number one priority in human life. Blending philosophy, physics, and psychology, he reveals how we can cultivate more flow, joy, and fulfillment — not by doing more, but by learning when to let go, relax, and be fully present.Key TakeawaysThe turning point: Christian’s personal crisis led him to question conventional success and seek a more meaningful design for life.Defining a “good time”: A moment when you feel fully attracted to your experience — who you are, where you are, what you do, who you’re with, and what you receive.The five life areas:SelfSocial relationshipsActionsRewards (money, love, acknowledgement)EnvironmentThe flow of energy: Good times occur when energy flows freely; bad times signal energy blockages.The art of doing nothing: True rest means surrendering control — not performing, producing, or even trying to relax.Fear vs. love: We either move away from fear or toward love. Living consciously means walking toward what attracts and nourishes us.The role of awareness: Checking in with ourselves helps reveal what truly feels good, rather than what society or algorithms dictate.The Good Time Ratio (GTR): A simple metric to track how often you feel attracted to your experiences — a practical step toward more conscious living.Connect with Christian SchnepfWebsite: https://chrisw.coGoodTime App: https://goodtime.appYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chriswgtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisw.gt/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisw.gt/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisw-gtConnect with SerenaIf you’re a quiet woman leader ready to be visible without performing extroversion or burning out, the Visible Introvert community has the solution. Visit us at serenalow.com.au.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

115. The Samurai Approach to Leadership with David C. Olcott

In this deeply insightful and soulful conversation, I sit down with David C. Olcott, founder and CEO of Samurai Success, Inc., to explore what it truly means to live with awareness, purpose, and spiritual alignment.Drawing from over three decades of coaching experience, David shares how subconscious programming shapes our lives from childhood—and how we can reclaim our power through conscious choice, self-awareness, and personal ethos.From his early work with Tony Robbins to the creation of his transformative book Swords of Illumination, David offers wisdom on bridging the gap between human potential and divine consciousness. Together, Serena and David explore what it means to live as a modern samurai—disciplined, intentional, and in service to others.In This EpisodeThe evolution of coaching — how the industry has shifted from mass seminars to deeply personalized 1:1 transformation.Choice and programming — understanding how our beliefs and responses are formed before age seven, and how to rewrite them.From awareness to transformation — why awareness alone doesn’t create change, and what steps to take next.Divinity and consciousness — what it means to recognize the divine within, and how that awareness changes how we live and lead.Living the Samurai ethos — how service, discipline, and alignment become pathways to mastery and meaning.Identity and attraction — how our inner frequency shapes the opportunities and relationships we draw into our lives.Spiritual energy made practical — using mindset, authenticity, and intention to project the energy you want to attract.The ultimate reminder — you are not here to discover who you are; you are here to create who you say you are.Key TakeawaysAwareness is the first step, but change requires consistent new behaviors and beliefs.You are always making choices—whether consciously or through old programming.Spiritual energy is not abstract; it manifests in your attitude, presence, and authenticity.Your identity determines your alignment, coherence, and what you attract.True mastery is being in service to others while continually refining yourself.The greatest freedom comes from remembering your divinity and choosing who you become.About the GuestDavid C. Olcott is the founder, president, and CEO of Samurai Success, Inc., an international coaching firm based in Denver, Colorado. A nationally recognized speaker and author of Swords of Illumination, David integrates psychology, performance, and financial strategy to help individuals and organizations achieve sustainable success through conscious design and spiritual awareness.Learn more about David’s work and Swords of Illumination at samuraisuccess.com.Connect with SerenaIf you’re a quiet woman leader ready to be visible without performing extroversion or burning out, the Visible Introvert community has the solution to your struggle. Visit serenalow.com.au.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions