This episode of Counterfeited Emotions features a powerful conversation between Curtis Morley and guest Jill Schulman, former Marine, leadership expert, and author of The Bravery Effect. Together, they explore how fear silently shapes our decisions, how bravery is built like a muscle, and why discomfort is essential for growth. Jill shares her personal journey—from struggling through Marine Corps training to skydiving on her book launch day—and illustrates the neuroscience, psychology, and practical strategies behind becoming braver.
Curtis and Jill also dive deep into counterfeit emotions, fear vs. excitement, the role of mindset, the science of stress, and why meaningful, noble goals are the foundation for true bravery (as opposed to bravado). The episode blends storytelling, research, and transformational tools listeners can apply immediately.
Key Themes & Takeaways
1. Fear Is Invisible but Universal
Fear often doesn’t show; even elite performers have deep personal fears. It’s unique to each individual and rooted in both evolutionary psychology and personal experience.
2. Bravery Requires Fear
There is no bravery without fear. Bravery = voluntary action in the presence of fear toward a noble goal.
3. Bravery vs. Bravado
Bravado is performative, ego-driven, and rooted in counterfeit emotions like control or image.
Bravery is grounded in meaning, service, and authenticity.
4. Meaningful Goals Must Serve Others
Noble goals are other-oriented. Self-serving motivations often lead to bravado, burnout, or emptiness.
5. Fear Can Be a Messenger
Fear can either keep us physically safe—or signal that something important and meaningful is on the other side.
6. Stress Isn’t the Enemy
Reframing stress as “enhancing” improves performance, health, and resilience. Stress about stress leads to illness; excitement about stress leads to growth.
7. Mindset Shapes Physiology
A single mindset shift (e.g., “I’m excited”) can measurably improve performance, heart health, and cognitive function.
8. Bravery Is Built Like a Muscle
You start small, push a little past your comfort zone, and increase the challenge over time.
9. Your Future Self Is a Guide
Asking “What does my future self want me to do?” helps break fear-based paralysis.
10. Growth Requires Discomfort
“Comfort and growth cannot coexist.” Discomfort, pain, and fear are the raw materials of transformation.
CONNECT WITH JILL SCHULMAN:
*Book - a.co/d/01rWRjW
*Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jillschulman/
*Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/
LISTEN/WATCH/SUBSCRIBE TO THE “COUNTERFEIT EMOTIONS” PODCAST:
*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/counterfeit-emotions-podcast-with-curtis-morley/id1815869994
*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0aGzO1BVLAXyGKfb4absPn?si=8c746decf9514fe3
*YouTube Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/@AuthenticCurtis/podcasts
*Amazon Music Podcasts - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/05e74308-205e-4416-bc73-8fecd006f528/counterfeit-emotions-podcast-with-curtis-morley
*iHeartRadio Podcasts - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-counterfeit-emotions-podca-276824817
*Audible -
CONNECT WITH THE “COUNTERFEIT EMOTIONS” PODCAST
*Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authenticcurtis
*LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtismorley/
*
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.