Unfolding: Audio Letters from the Middle of Becoming

Have you ever looked back and realized something that felt five years away happened in less than a year? That's exactly what happened to Erica.In this episode, Erica shares the story of how she went from a conversation with a business coach in August 2024 — where she was asked what it would feel like to collapse her timeline — to walking out of the library for the last time in May 2025. A 19-plus year career she thought she would be in for the rest of her life.This is about how three conversations in ten days that changed everything. A seed planted by a business coach. A warning from a career coach about repeating the same patterns. And a question from her business energetics coach that made her stomach drop.It's also about what happens when you stop looking at square nine and take the leap from square one to square two.Listen to the conversation with Erica's business energetics coach, HeatherBook your Life Patterns Review here.Follow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

In this episode, Erica is joined by Heather Wick, Chief Energetics Officer, to explore what it means to work with the energy of your business. Heather shares how businesses have their own energy and how separating your energy from your business can create more clarity, flow, and ease in how you lead and make decisions.They also talk about how this shows up in midlife, when many women begin to feel more discerning and less willing to carry what isn’t theirs. This conversation offers a different way to think about your work, your energy, and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.Hear Heather's Experience with Human Design in her family: Episode 8Schedule your free Business Energy Diagnostic with Heather sacredboardroom.com/diagnosticConnect with Heather on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wickInstagram: @theheatherwickWeb: https://sacredboardroom.com/—Book your Life Patterns Review here.Follow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

Midlife + Human Design Workshop on SubstackIn this episode, Erica explores the energy of cycles and how they shape the way we move through our lives, especially in seasons of growth. Through the energies of spring, Erica talks about the tension between feeling ready to burst out and grow quickly, and the reality that, just like in nature, slow growth makes for a stronger plant. She shares how easy it is to want to skip the planning, rush into action, or abandon something when it doesn’t unfold as quickly as we would like.Many women in midlife feel this pressure to figure things out or move faster than their energy actually allows. This episode is an invitation to tune into the energies we’re experiencing this spring.Book your Life Patterns Review here.Follow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

Book your Life Patterns Review here.In this episode, I reflect on a version of myself that has been coming up lately – my 13-year-old self. The girl who felt awkward, different, and like she didn’t belong anywhere. I share how those early experiences of trying to fit in shaped years of people-pleasing, following the “should” path, and choosing careers and expectations that never quite felt right.Many women in midlife still carry the patterns they developed when they were young – the ones that kept the peace, made others comfortable, or tried to prove their worth. This episode explores the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, and why noticing these patterns is the first step to changing them.Follow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

Book your Life Patterns Review here.In this episode, I share a personal story about losing my voice during a week when our entire household was sick, and how the quiet brought unexpected relief. That experience led me to a deeper reflection on when I first began to lose trust in my own voice. I trace back how small moments of doubt slowly shaped how I saw myself as a writer and whether I had anything valuable to say. I share how discovering Human Design and learning about our unique communication styles changed the way I understand my own voice and can help my clients claim their unique voice.Follow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

In this episode of Unfolding, I’m reintroducing myself to all the new listeners and my subscribers on Substack. I share what it really means to be a Decision Mentor and Inner-Trust Guide. Why I'm passionate about working with women in midlife, and how discovering my Human Design during burnout changed everything for me.Book your Life Patterns ReviewFollow me on Substack: https://substack.com/@ericavoellGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

In this episode of Unfolding, I’m sharing a realization that hit me like a ton of bricks this week: I have Shiny Object Syndrome. I talk about realizing that when I was trying to create new things for clients, I was missing what actually works best. So I'm going back to the basics.I know I'm not the only one with Shiny Object Syndrome. So many of us fall into, reaching for the next bright, shiny thing when things feel hard or uncomfortable. The new book, the new routine, the next plan that promises it’ll finally help us feel less stressed, less overwhelmed, less stuck.Book your Life Pattern Review, if you're ready to feel look at your patterns and how you get stuck in Shiny Object SyndromeGet the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

What happens when we start outsourcing our decisions to AI? What does it cost us, when we've already spent a lifetime being questioned, second-guessed, and conditioned to override ourselves?In this episode, we explore the growing trend of using AI as a decision-making partner and why it’s not as helpful as it might seem. Outsourcing decisions disconnects us from our bodies, our relationships, and our inner authority, especially for women in midlife who are already navigating decision fatigue, over-responsibility, and pressure to prove.Clarity doesn’t come from more information. Your body knows before your mind does. Erica offers simple ways to come back to yourself when you’re spiraling or feeling stuck.If you're ready to feel strong in your decisions, book your Clear Decision Audit Get the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

If you're ready to feel strong in your decisions, book your Clear Decision Audit.We are in the midst of a major era shift — collectively, personally, energetically. In this episode, I explore how Human Design, astrology, and even Chinese astrology all reflect the sense that something big is changing.I share how these global and generational cycles are happening alongside the cycles that happen in our lifetimes. We explore cycles we go through in our 30s, 40s and 50s, and how understanding the energy of these cycles can help you reclaim your inner authority, trust yourself more deeply, and make decisions that feel true.Get the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

→Register for the Decide by Design Masterclass on January 28thMuch like in astrology, the planets – specifically the Sun and Earth – create background energetic frequencies in Human Design.In this episode, I share insights about the energies of the past few weeks and why January may have felt slow or unsettled.Energetically, it’s not a time for rushing ahead, it’s a time for exactly where we are.The winter season and the background energies hold the potential for something deeper. So when the momentum returns as the seasons shift, we’re ready to plan, sprout, and grow as the season shifts into spring.If you're ready to feel strong in your decisions, book your Clear Decision Audit (formerly the Life + Energy Audit).Get the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

Register for the Decide by Design MasterclassDecision fatigue is the side-effect of having to make too many decisions. We have so many choices and are bombarded with so much information. Decision fatigue leaves us feeling depleted and it also clutters our minds, making even simple decisions feel overwhelming.Because we’re so cluttered and we worry about making the “right choice.”Making another decision can feel like too much.In this episode, I’m breaking down what decision fatigue actually is, how it shows up in your everyday life (yes, even what ketchup to buy counts), and what it looks like to stop outsourcing your decisions – and start trusting your own timing and truth again.

If you’re not feeling the pressure to "start your year off strong” or to get a jumpstart on your goals but you're not feeling it – this episode is for you.The rest of the world that tells us we need to hit the ground running on January 1. What if January is actually a time to pause, rest, and root down before we grow?If you're ready to feel strong in your decisions, book your Clear Decision Audit (formerly the Life + Energy Audit).Get the latest email newsletter: https://ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me: erica[at]ericavoell[dot]comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericavoell.coaching/

In the season of darkness near the Winter solstice, we notice the lack of light more than ever. What about your inner light? Is it glowing and are you a light for others? Or is it buried under expectations and burnout?Your brilliance has been there all along. If you feel disconnected or unsure of what lights you up anymore, this episode reminds you of your inner spark and why it's still there waiting for you to see it. Book Your Life & Energy Audit: ericavoell.as.me/intro-newGet the latest Unfolding email newsletter: ericavoell.com/newsletterConnect with me @ericavoell.coaching

Do you actually know what you want — or have you been setting goals based on what you “should” want?In this episode, I’m sharing how I went from setting safe, realistic goals that felt good on paper… to dreaming bigger than I ever thought I could. We’re diving into how to connect with your future self, why most New Year’s resolutions fail, and how writing down your dreams activates the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in your brain to help you notice aligned opportunities.You’ll hear how a planner changed my entire path — and why I believe dreaming is essential, even (especially) if it feels unrealistic.Whether you’ve felt stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed by the idea of goal-setting, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and reconnect to what you actually want.Register for the "What Do You Actually Want?" WorkshopDragontree Dreambook & Planner (mentioned in the episode)

Embracing the Pause: Slowing Down for True Self-ConnectionIn this episode we dive deep into the importance of slowing down and the concept of contraction as preparation for energetic expansion. I share my personal experiences and struggles with seasonal affective disorder, productivity pressures, and leaning into the need to pause. I also share about my transformative experience at a recent business retreat that was focused on deep personal and business reconnection. In this season of slowing down this is a time to pause and recharge to prepare for future growth and dreams.Book Your Life & Energy Audit

“How ironic that working on a workshop called What’s Actually Stopping You? would bring up so many of my own fears.”In this episode, I peel back the layers on fear. Not the kind that keeps you frozen on stage (though we talk about that too), but the quiet, persistent inner voice that shows up when you're right on the edge of your dreams.I share real-time insights from preparing for my upcoming workshop and the fears that surprised me most. And how Human Design gives you language for what may have felt like something you needed to bust through or has always felt like a personal failing. You're not meant to override fear but instead to understand it. Whether you're chasing a dream, navigating a big decision, or wondering why you keep getting stuck. You’ll find something here that reminds you: there’s wisdom under the fear. You don't have to go it alone. ➡️ Book a Life & Energy Audit – Discover where your energy is going, what’s working, and what’s quietly draining you. A grounded conversation to help you reconnect to what matters.➡️ Join the “What’s Actually Stopping You?” Workshop: November 18 or 20 Reserve your spot

An Interview with Angela Lee Angela is a working mom of three with a full-time job in marketing and the host of This Is How She Does It, a podcast for working moms navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood and careers. In this heartfelt conversation, Angela shares her burnout story, what it looked like to try and hold everything together during the pandemic, and how discovering Human Design helped her reconnect with her energy, purpose, and voice.We talk about motherhood, boundaries, being seen and heard, and how Angela’s journey back to herself led to a deeper connection with her son and a redefinition of what success really means. Whether you’re new to Human Design or deep in your own unfolding, there’s something here for you.Angela's Podcast This is How She Does ItAngela's Masterclass The Aligned Advantage

In this special episode of Unfolding, I introduce the Rewrite the Rules: A Midlife Reboot bundle, powerful, free collection of 20 handpicked resources to support women who are ready to stop putting themselves last. I shares why I created the bundle, what makes midlife a turning point (not a crisis), and how my own story shaped my mission for this bundle. Plus, I highlight every contributor and category — from parenting to perimenopause, career change to confidence — and explains how every opt-in supports better midlife care through donations to The Menopause Society and KC Care Health Center.Access the Bundle here: https://subscribepage.io/rewrite-the-rules-ev

We don’t talk enough about what it actually looks like to make a big life change. You see the polished highlight reel, but not the pivots, flops, and full-on "what-am-I-doing" days behind the scenes.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what the past five months have really been like since leaving my library career after 19 years to work for myself. From failed launches to surprising clarity, this is the roses and the sh*t—all in one day.If you’re in the messy middle of your own transition, this one’s for you.Book Your Life & Energy AuditFind all the Upcoming Workshops here

In this episode, I invite you to pause and reflect on your own becoming. Inspired by a powerful meditation with Sarah Jenks, I share the moment she I connected with my past self — the one who was just starting, afraid of getting it wrong, and deeply craving something more. What began with lighting a candle became the spark that started it all.If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or like you’re doing it all wrong, this is a reminder that there’s no “right way.” Just your way.➡️ Register for the Roadmap to You WorkshopsPrevious episodes mentioned:One Decision and an Interconnected WebExpectations Create a Wall...Book a Life & Energy Audit call

Overcommitment isn’t just a time issue — it’s a self-trust and worthiness issue. In this episode, I share how women, especially in midlife, find themselves stretched thin trying to be everything to everyone… and end up feeling invisible.We’ll talk about:The sneaky ways we abandon ourselves in the name of being "helpful"Why dropping a commitment isn’t failure, it's listening to your inner guidance of what's really right for youHow Human Design helps us know what to hold and what to releaseAnd a practice that became a non-negotiable for meIf you’re putting on everyone else’s oxygen mask first. This is your reminder to come back to yourself.→ Book your free Life & Energy Audit→ Follow + review the show if this resonated!

Have you ever hesitated to spend money on yourself—but not even blinked when it came to your kids, your partner, or your work? In this episode of Unfolding, I’m diving into the worthiness wound—why it runs so deep, how it shows up in everyday choices, and what Human Design can reveal about the stories we carry about proving our value.From the pressure to be the “good one” to the resentment that simmers beneath over-commitment, this episode invites you to gently examine your relationship with self-worth—especially if you have an undefined Ego Center or resonate with Gate 18 energy.✨ Want to explore your own Human Design chart?Book a free session with me at ericavoell.com/intro-new and let’s uncover what your chart says about your worth—and what’s not yours to carry anymore.Resources Mentioned:Christine Inge on Gate 18Glennon Doyle’s quote: “Your duty is to disappoint someone else.”

"Expectations create a wall to hang all of my disappointments on." In this episode, Erica Voell explores how tightly held expectations can actually block the flow of what’s trying to come through. She shares how this pattern has shown up over and over in her life, most recently in her transition into full-time coaching. And how understanding her Human Design helped her release the need to prove, deliver, and over-control outcomes. If things haven’t turned out the way you hoped and you’ve been gripping tightly to how you think it should be – I’ve been there too. Here’s a gentle nudge to loosen your grip and let something new come through.Get your 2026 Dreambook & Planner (affiliate link)Confidence GuideBook a free Coaching Session

What if the reason a productivity strategy didn’t work for you… wasn’t because you failed—but because it was never designed for your energy in the first place?In this episode, I explore the hidden trap of trying to follow advice, plans, and routines that don’t honor how you’re built to operate. Whether it’s the 5 AM club, viral business tips, or yet another self-help book, many popular strategies are designed for different energy types—and often, they’re built around male cycles and assumptions that don’t reflect the lives, rhythms, and responsibilities of women.Through real stories, Human Design insights, and personal reflections, we’ll explore how to stop blaming yourself—and start filtering advice through your actual energetic blueprint.If you’ve ever said “maybe I just need to try harder,” this one’s for you. Resources Mentioned:🎧 Season 2, Episode 2: Are Self-Help Books Keeping You Stuck? – listen to this one for part 1 of this conversation.Free Confidence Guide – Get a grounded intro to working with your Human Design type.📞 Book a Free Coaching Call – Let’s explore what’s coming up for you right now, through the lens of your chart.✨ Connect with Me:Instagram: @ericavoell.coachingWebsite: www.ericavoell.com

In this episode of Unfolding, Erica shares a personal shift around self-help books—and the deeper reason she had to stop reading them so often. If you’ve ever reached for a book hoping it would finally “fix” something inside you, this conversation will feel familiar. Erica explores the quiet harm of chasing the next strategy and what it looks like to trust your own energy instead.Learn more about your Human Design at: ericavoell.com/confidenceBook your Intro call: ericavoell.as.me/intro-newWebsite: ericavoell.com

The real reason you're overcommitting—and how to stop.If your calendar’s full but your body feels like screaming, this episode is for you.This is a powerful reminder: saying yes when you mean no isn’t kindness—it’s self-abandonment. You’ll hear why so many women in midlife feel exhausted before they even show up, how your Human Design can guide clearer decisions, and how to reclaim your energy with one strong, unapologetic no.Book a free Intro Coaching Call: ericavoell.com/booking

Where do your ideas come from? When was the last time you had a sudden lack of inspiration? In this episode, I share why I'm feeling a lack of inspiration and where I may need to go to get that inspiration back. Website: ericavoell.com

If you’ve ever felt like you're doing all the things and still wondering why it feels so hard, this episode is for you…I’ve had the honor of working with women who felt overwhelmed, over-responsible, and like they were falling short no matter how much they gave. Today, I want to share a few of their stories—how they went from stuck in the ‘shoulds’ to clear, confident, and aligned with how they’re actually wired to thrive.Include transformation themes like:From second-guessing to trusting their decision making processFrom decision fatigue to confident clarityFrom holding everyone else up to honoring themselvesGet your Parenting Roadmap at ericavoell.com/parentEpisodes mentioned:Episode 3 (Burnout): Spoiler: Saying "Yes" Did Not WorkEpisode 6: Interview with former client, NatalieEpisode 8: Interview with former client, HeatherBook your Intro Coaching Session at ericavoell.com/booking

Have you ever traced a turning point in your life back to one decision? One small “yes” that set a whole new course in motion?In this episode, I take you on a walk back through time—from a yoga class on a farm, through a series of deeply personal decisions, friendships, spiritual nudges, and healing journeys. All the way back to one moment that, at the time, felt simple and small: attending a Unitarian church while my husband and I began our adoption journey.That single decision created a ripple effect that would introduce me to dear friends, a Facebook ad for a journaling planner, an invitation into deep transformation work, coaching, Human Design, and eventually—my work as a full-time coach.This is a story about following the nudge. About noticing the invisible threads that connect the dots. About honoring the nonlinear, magical ways life unfolds.Book your free Coaching Session in JuneWebsite: ericavoell.com

In this Bonus episode, hear a sneak peak into the Parenting Roadmap companion private podcast. The Parenting Roadmap report and podcast are available for a limited time. The Roadmap and private podcast are all about helping you understand how you and your kid are wired, and how human design can bring more confidence and connection in your parenting. Interview with Heather Wick , who is also a coach. She's an intuitive business coach and energy mentor, and she has her own podcast called Sacred Boardroom, where she talks about how women are blending spirituality and strategy to do business differently.In this conversation, we talk about how she used her human design and to understand her family in a whole new way. We talk about how she learned about her design and then the designs of her partner and her kids, and how that shifted everything from communication to expectations and how she supports her people.Get your Parenting Roadmap at ericavoell.com/parentWebsite: ericavoell.com

In this deeply personal episode, I talk about transitions—why they’re so hard, how they can be beautiful, and what I’ve learned about myself (and my clients) in the messy middle.From leaving a nearly 20-year career in libraries to becoming a full-time coach and CEO of my business, this season has been full of big endings and uncertain beginnings. But as I’m learning, not all endings are about letting go—some are about celebrating what we’ve grown.Inside this episode, I explore:✨ Why we often cling to discomfort just because it’s familiar✨ How Human Design helps us navigate change with more ease✨ The surprising ways your gifts show up during transition✨ And why the void—the space between—isn’t empty at all (it’s sacred)Whether you’re moving through a career shift, identity change, or just feeling the stirrings of something new… this one’s for you. You don’t have to reinvent yourself—you just have to come home to who you’ve always been.Get your free Human Design report: ericavoell.com/confidenceWebsite: ericavoell.com

In this Bonus episode, hear a sneak peak into the Parenting Roadmap companion private podcast. The Parenting Roadmap report and podcast are available for a limited time. The Roadmap and private podcast are all about helping you understand how you and your kid are wired, and how human design can bring more confidence and connection in your parenting. Get your Parenting Roadmap at ericavoell.com/parentWebsite: ericavoell.com

In this episode of Unfolding, I explore how understanding your human design can enhance family relationships and parenting. Working with women in midlife, I emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring the unique energies that each family member possesses. I share personal anecdotes about my daughter and sister to illustrate the practical applications of human design in family dynamics. I also provide insights into how this understanding can reduce conflict and foster better communication, ultimately encouraging parents and partners to appreciate and support each other's inherent strengths. Curious about your family's Human Design download your Parenting Roadmap as part of the Chaos Contained Bundle for MomsLook up your Human Design roadmap at: ericavoell.com/confidenceWebsite: ericavoell.com

“What if your Human Design type isn’t a label—but a permission slip?” In this episode of Unfolding, I talk about type, parenting, burnout, and why I’ll never ask “What do you do?” the same way again.Learn more about your Human Design at: ericavoell.com/confidenceWebsite: ericavoell.com

Today, I’m sharing the real story behind my struggle with burnout –how I got there, what cracked me wide open, and how Human Design and how boundaries helped me heal.If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, stuck saying yes when you wanted to say no, or wondered if it’s safe to slow down… this episode is for you.I’ll also share how learning to trust myself (and my design) became the foundation for everything that’s unfolding now.Learn more: ericavoell.comBook a session: ericavoell.com/booking

Remember that show What Not to Wear? Well… I used to do the coaching equivalent: try to give people their entire Human Design chart in one session. But what I’ve learned—through coaching, practice, and my own design—is that real transformation doesn’t come from a firehose of info. It comes from the right insight at the right time.In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve restructured how I work with clients, how your Human Design is meant to unfold over time, and what I’ve been creating behind the scenes that I’m so excited to share.Listen in if…– You’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too much too fast– You’re craving a slower, more grounded way to learnGrab your FREE Human Design report at ericavoell.com/confidenceBook an Intro Coaching Call with me: ericavoell.com/booking

Spring is here, and with it comes the urge to bloom big and move fast. But what if your roots aren’t ready?In this first episode of Unfolding: Audio Letters from the Middle of Becoming, I’m talking about what it means to slow down, ground yourself, and root deeply—especially when the world feels buzzy, wobbly, and like your brain has 47 tabs open.We’ll explore:🌿 What spring energy stirs up (and why it can feel so intense)🌀 The connection between astrology, transitions, and feeling unsteady🧘🏽‍♀️ Simple rituals to help you ground right nowThis is your reminder to root first—so you can bloom from a solid place.