Episode 18 – Authenticity: Showing Up As You
Finding the balance between being real and being raw
Episode Overview
In a world of filters, polished feeds, and curated perfection, what does it really mean to be authentic? Is it about baring it all — or is there a smarter, braver balance between being real and being raw?
In this episode ofBig Dreams & Little Things, hostsKarina Kampe (certified transformational coach, artist, creative entrepreneur, and songwriter) andMaria Wronski-Ellis (artist, songwriter, educator, and author of the upcoming The Mindful Songwriter) dive deep into the art of showing up as your true self.
FromMalala Yousafzai’s fearless stand to Greta Thunberg’s unapologetic voice, we explore the science and stories behind authenticity — and how you can harness it as your strength (without oversharing or burning out).
And yes, Karina really did record this one without a shower, makeup, or sleep… talk about walking the talk. 😉
You’ll hear Arianna Huffington’s dramatic collapse and redefinition of success, discover why your brain clings to unfinished tasks (the Zeigarnik effect), and get practical nudges and tiny experiments that help you reclaim presence at home — without losing momentum at work.
Topics Covered
- Why perfection can actually make us boring
- Malala Yousafzai: authenticity under fire (literally)
- Greta Thunberg and the teenage fire for truth
- Self-Determination Theory & mirror neurons (science of why we connect with realness)
- Authentic vs. transactional vs. transformational leadership
- Where authenticity ends and overexposure begins
- Reality TV vs. real life: when “authentic” is just strategy
- Boundaries as part of being real (personal but not private)
- Tiny Experiments: “Blossoming Through the Eyes of the Authors I Choose”
Time Stamps
00:00 – Why perfection dulls our sparkle
03:00 – Malala’s story: standing up for truth
07:00 – Greta Thunberg’s courage at the UN
10:00 – The psychology of authenticity (SDT, mirror neurons)
12:00 – Leadership styles: transactional, transformational, authentic
13:00 – Reality TV vs. reality: what’s real, what’s staged
16:00 – Artists, labels, and the push for “more”
18:00 – Adele, boundaries, and congruence
20:00 – Authenticity + business values
22:00 – Tiny Experiment: Reading as blossoming
References & further reading
- 🌍Greta Thunberg at the UN – “How dare you?”
- 🧠Mirror Neurons Research – Why your brain lights up when others are real.
- 📖 All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert – her brave new book after Eat, Pray, Love.
