Sisters MaryAnn Means-Dufrene and Emily McAnelly return to the mic after a long pause, diving into an open conversation about where they’ve been, how they’ve grown, and what’s next for The Great Noticing. From motherhood to mental health, discipline to body image, they unpack the layers of life with their signature honesty and warmth.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

00:00 Reconnecting After Time Apart
05:37 Navigating Personal Struggles
11:09 The Role of Discipline in Creativity
16:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery
22:23 Launching New Ventures
33:01 Navigating Overwhelm and Emotional Signals
39:12 Balancing Expectations and Reality
45:03 Exploring Resistance and Personal Growth
56:17 Creating a Supportive Environment for Children

In this episode, MaryAnn and Emily reflect on two years of transformation—sharing what’s been hard, what’s been healing, and how they’ve each grown into new versions of themselves. They talk candidly about the emotional weight of motherhood, the pressure to perform, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up.

From everyday messes to big identity shifts, the conversation uncovers what happens when you make space to slow down, speak honestly, and reconnect—with yourself, each other, and your purpose. Whether you’re in a season of rebuilding or just craving more real talk about life behind the scenes, this episode offers both comfort and connection.

Episode Hosts: Emily and MaryAnn

This episode of The Great Noticing is hosted by sisters Emily and MaryAnn, bringing you candid conversations about navigating motherhood, relationships, and life’s beautiful chaos. With Emily’s humor and MaryAnn’s practical advice, we’re here to help you laugh, reflect, and tackle the challenges of modern womanhood.

Thank you for noticing with us! We would love to connect with you!

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Summary

In this conversation, MaryAnn and Emily talk with Heidi Nel, COO of venture catalyst New Theory Ventures, and discuss the importance of closing the gap in financial knowledge and taking control of one's financial future. They explore the power of envisioning and pursuing financial goals, as well as the need to shift mindsets and overcome limiting beliefs. They also discuss the transition from an employee mindset to an investor mindset, and the challenges of navigating conversations about money with women. The conversation emphasizes the importance of leveling up and bringing others along, using economic power to create freedom and choice, and taking action to achieve financial success. The final takeaway is the challenge to read 'We Should All Be Millionaires' by Rachel Rodgers.

Takeaways

-Closing the gap in financial knowledge is essential for taking control of one's financial future.
-Envisioning and pursuing financial goals is a powerful way to create wealth and success.
-Shifting mindsets and overcoming limiting beliefs is crucial for achieving financial success.
-Transitioning from an employee mindset to an investor mindset is key to building economic power.
-Navigating conversations about money with women can be challenging but important for empowering each other.
-Leveling up and bringing others along is a way to create a supportive community of financially empowered women.
-Using economic power to create freedom and choice is a goal worth pursuing.
-Taking action and encouraging others is essential for achieving financial success.
-Read 'We Should All Be Millionaires' by Rachel Rodgers for a financial makeover kickoff

Chapters

00:00 Closing the Gap in Financial Knowledge
39:16 Envisioning and Pursuing Financial Goals
40:20 Shifting Mindsets and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
41:56 Transitioning from an Employee Mindset to an Investor Mindset
42:39 Navigating Conversations about Money with Women
44:13 Leveling Up and Bringing Others Along
45:29 Using Economic Power to Create Freedom and Choice
47:44 Taking Action and Encouraging Others
48:28 Challenge: Read 'We Should All Be Millionaires'

Thank you for noticing with us! We would love to connect with you!

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Hanna Isul Website

Summary

In this conversation, Sinead Norenius, a Product Management Executive who has worked at companies like Cision and Vericast, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of picking partners and investors wisely, complementing each others' weaknesses, holding on to opportunities, and solving real problems to set yourselves apart. Sinead also discusses the personal impact of her ventures and offers advice on safeguarding the future, including financial literacy, investing, asking for more, and building a network. She shares her own experience of overcoming challenges and self-doubt, encouraging others to embrace discomfort and take control of their lives.

Takeaways

-Choose partners and investors wisely, ensuring alignment and complementing weaknesses.
-Solve real problems and differentiate yourself in the market.
-Get financially literate and start investing as soon as possible.
-Ask for more and be comfortable with discomfort.
-Build a strong network and leverage connections for opportunities.
-Overcome self-doubt and embrace discomfort to achieve personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:32 Entrepreneurial Journey
10:53 Lessons Learned: Picking Partners and Investors
15:10 Lessons Learned: Complementing Weaknesses
17:48 Lessons Learned: Holding On and Solving Real Problems
23:03 Personal Impact of Entrepreneurial Ventures
28:08 Safeguarding the Future: Financial Literacy and Investing
32:45 Safeguarding the Future: Asking for More and Building a Network
38:46 Overcoming Challenges and Self-Doubt

Thank you for noticing with us! We would love to connect with you!

The Great Noticing Instagram

Collective Growth Instagram

Collective Growth Website

MaryAnn's LinkedIn

Emily's LinkedIn

Hanna Isul Website