What if the thing holding you back isn’t laziness, procrastination, or perfectionism—but fear wearing a clever disguise?
In this unforgettable episode of A Joyful Rebellion, Emmy Award-winner and Fearless Living founder Rhonda Britten shares the unthinkable story of what happened to her at age 14—and the decades-long journey that followed. After witnessing the murder-suicide of her parents, Rhonda spiraled into guilt, addiction, and self-destruction. But a failed suicide attempt became the moment she decided to start over. And she did.
Today, she’s helped thousands reclaim their lives using the Wheel of Fear and Wheel of Freedom, tools that help people stop trying harder and start transforming. We talk about emotional fear vs. physical fear, why most self-help doesn’t stick, and how real change comes through awareness, not willpower. Whether you’re overwhelmed, people-pleasing, or perfectionist-ing your way through life, this conversation will shift how you see yourself—and what you do next.
Show Notes & Chapters
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[00:00] What fearlessness really is (it’s not skydiving)
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[02:00] Rhonda’s backstory: Emmy-winner, coach, and trauma survivor
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[04:30] The worst day of her life—and the guilt that followed
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[07:30] Alcohol, suicide attempts, and the turning point
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[09:00] The gold star calendar that changed everything
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[11:00] Why knowledge doesn’t equal transformation
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[13:00] What fear actually looks like in daily life
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[14:30] The fear quiz (and how you probably passed it 100%)
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[17:00] Reframing “problems” as fear responses
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[19:00] Identifying your core fear—and how it runs the show
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[22:00] The Wheel of Fear vs. Wheel of Freedom
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[25:00] How shame melts when fear is named
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[28:00] Healing, regret, and radical self-forgiveness
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[31:00] Rhonda’s essential nature: authenticity
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[34:00] Generational trauma and fear in your DNA
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[36:30] Why your worst behavior doesn’t define you
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[38:00] Age, awareness, and how fast change can happen
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[40:00] The #1 fear people don’t talk about
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[43:00] Coaching that actually works—and why
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[46:00] Stretch, Risk, or Die: tools for transformation
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[49:00] Fear as your outdated protector (and how to retrain it)
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[52:00] The difference between venting and complaining
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[55:00] Building sovereignty and agency—one choice at a time
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[58:00] What healthy people really look like—and how to find them
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[01:00:00] Final takeaway: There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just fear.
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Website: fearlessliving.org
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Free Video Class: Stretch Risk or Die | Fearless Living
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Book: Fearless Living by Rhonda Britten
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Instagram: @rhondabritten
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