Host Leslie Pagel interviews her friend Michele Meyer about living “to the beat of your own drum” and pushing against social norms. Michele attributes her assertiveness to impatience and self-reliance. She paid her own way through college, then joined the Peace Corps for nearly two and a half years, working in sustainable agriculture and environmental education with kids and farmers. Michele discusses gender and work as a woman in road construction. She emphasizes moving forward despite fear, practicing daily kindness and interconnectedness, and not letting social norms define one’s reality—“be the author of your own life.” 

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:57 Pushing Social Norms

04:16 Wild Childhood Freedom

06:54 Catholic School Clash

10:07 Choosing Peace Corps

14:00 Life in Nicaragua

16:04 Parents Reaction and Support

18:07 Women in the Workplace

22:47 Street Cred in Construction

23:31 Intimidation as Advantage

24:16 Always Moving Forward

25:45 Fear Fight or Flight

26:38 Gut Instinct vs Planning

29:20 Contentment and Retirement

30:40 Dark Period and Purpose

32:46 Choosing Change to Survive

34:16 Interconnectedness and Kindness

38:20 Smiling Leadership Style

39:15 Rejecting Social Norm Scripts

41:15 Stoic Closing Reflection

Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life’s purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:

Instagram: @purpose.project

LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media

TikTok: @purpose.project

Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life's purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
Instagram: @purpose.project
LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media
TikTok: @purpose.project

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