A Life of Greatness

Here’s something we’re rarely told about family: you can love someone, care about them and still not particularly like them.In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah explores why accepting that truth can actually make difficult family relationships easier — especially when you stop expecting someone to become the person you wish they were.Maybe it’s the parent who never gives you the emotional support you need. The sibling who turns everything into a competition. Or the family member who always seems to know exactly which button to push. Often, the frustration isn’t just about who they are — it’s about who you keep hoping they’ll eventually become.Sarah shares three practical ways to protect your peace: lower your expectations without lowering your standards, decide your boundaries before you see them, and stop taking the bait when familiar comments inevitably come.Because acceptance doesn’t mean approving of someone’s behaviour. It means recognising what they are capable of giving you — and choosing your response accordingly.You don’t have to defend every decision. You don’t have to correct every opinion. And you certainly don’t have to hand over your peace simply because someone is family.You may not get to choose your family, but you absolutely get to choose how much access they have to you.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

What happens when powerful people stop hearing the word no?In this compelling episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with journalist, author and Rampart founder Joe Aston for a candid conversation about power, ambition, addiction and the stories that have defined his career.Joe shares his unlikely journey from working inside Qantas PR to becoming one of the journalists most closely associated with scrutinising the airline and its former CEO, Alan Joyce. He reveals the moment he believed something had shifted in Joyce, and what reporting on Australia’s most powerful people taught him about ego and influence.Joe also opens up about his difficult relationship with alcohol, how drinking became intertwined with his career in journalism, and the frightening point when it began affecting his ability to think, remember words and write.You’ll learn:What Joe believes prolonged power can do to a personWhy success can sometimes enable destructive behaviourWhat finally forced Joe to confront his relationship with alcoholWhy he walked away from the Australian Financial ReviewHow he deals with criticism after years of criticising othersThe lesson of acceptance that has changed how he approaches lifeThis conversation will take you behind the headlines to the human cost of power and ambition, and leave you thinking about what it means to succeed, to change, and to build a life around what you love.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.If this conversation resonated with you, please follow A Life of Greatness, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

You can have the house, the career, the family and a life you once dreamed about — and still somehow feel like you’re falling behind.In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah explores the hidden reason so many of us struggle to feel satisfied with what we have: we’ve quietly turned the people around us into our competition.A friend renovates and suddenly your kitchen feels tired. Someone books an incredible holiday and your weekend away feels small. They get the promotion, buy the car or hit another milestone — and although you’re genuinely happy for them, underneath it can sit that uncomfortable thought: Am I falling behind?Sarah unpacks the psychology of relative deprivation, why our brains naturally judge what we have against the people around us, and how social media has supercharged that comparison by exposing us to thousands of carefully curated lives every day.Because comparison doesn’t just steal your joy. It can quietly decide how much joy you believe you’re allowed to have in the first place.Your friends were never meant to be your measuring stick. They were meant to be your people.The scoreboard isn’t real. And the moment you stop keeping score might be the moment you finally get to enjoy the life you were too busy comparing to actually live.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

On December 14, 2025, Valentyna and Michael Britvan took their daughters to a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. It was meant to be an afternoon of family, food and celebration. Instead, gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing their 10-year-old daughter, Matilda.In their first sit-down podcast interview, Matilda’s parents join Sarah Grynberg for one of the most important and deeply moving conversations ever shared on A Life of Greatness.Valentyna and Michael speak candidly about what happened during the Bondi massacre, the desperate moments trying to save Matilda and the unimaginable reality of learning to live without their daughter.They also share who Matilda truly was: funny, kind, generous and deeply loved. A beautiful Australian Jewish girl who loved playing with her sister, giving hugs and making people smile.In this episode, you’ll hear:What happened to the Britvan family at Bondi BeachHow they are navigating grief and unimaginable lossTheir concerns about antisemitism and safety in AustraliaThe people who risked their lives to help others that dayWhat they hope will come from the Royal CommissionWhy they refuse to let hatred define Matilda’s memoryThis is a powerful conversation about grief, love, faith, antisemitism and two parents determined to ensure their little girl is never forgotten.They want Matilda to be remembered with warmth, smiles, love and light.May Matilda’s memory be a blessing. To support Matilda’s legacy, please consider donating to The Matilda Foundation or the family’s GoFundMe via the links below.Matilda Bee: Foundation: https://matildabee.org/Matilda's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-loving-memory-of-matildaThis episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.If this conversation resonated with you, please follow A Life of Greatness, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

Dolly Parton was famous for the big hair, rhinestones, unmistakable voice and infectious personality. But behind it all was an extraordinarily sharp woman who understood something powerful: being underestimated can be an advantage.In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah reflects on Dolly’s journey from growing up as one of 12 children in rural Tennessee to building an extraordinary career on her own terms.At the heart of the episode is a defining decision: when Elvis Presley wanted to record I Will Always Love You, Dolly refused to give up half of her publishing rights — even though saying no meant walking away from a dream. Years later, Whitney Houston’s recording would prove just how significant protecting her ownership had been.For Sarah, Dolly’s story carries a lesson far bigger than music: know what you’re worth, protect what belongs to you and don’t give it away simply to be liked, accepted or to keep someone more powerful happy.Let people underestimate you. You don’t have to convince them otherwise.As Dolly famously put it: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”In this episode, Sarah explores knowing your worth, trusting yourself, protecting your value and the quiet power of refusing to make yourself smaller for somebody else.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

Are you dealing with a narcissist, whether it’s a partner, parent or someone at work, and how do you protect yourself when you can’t simply leave?In this episode, Sarah Grynberg speaks with Dr Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, bestselling author and one of the world’s leading experts on narcissism and narcissistic abuse.You’ll learn:The warning signs of narcissismHow to recognise love bombing, gaslighting and manipulationWhy trauma bonding makes unhealthy relationships difficult to leaveHow to deal with narcissistic parentsHow narcissistic bosses and toxic workplaces operateWhether a narcissist can ever truly changeHow radical acceptance can help you protect yourselfHow to rebuild your identity and trust your intuition after narcissistic abuseThis powerful conversation will help you recognise toxic relationship patterns, set boundaries and begin healing, without losing yourself.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.If this conversation resonated with you, please follow A Life of Greatness, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it.As discussed in the episode, Dr Ramani Durvasula will be touring Australia next year: tickets herePurchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

Why are we so quick to tear down people who seem to have everything?In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the psychology behind jealousy, judgement and our urge to find flaws in people who are beautiful, successful or confident.You’ll learn what your criticism of someone else might actually reveal about you, why diminishing their success could be quietly limiting your own, and how to turn jealousy into something far more useful.Before you judge someone for shining a little too brightly, this episode might make you think twice.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg#SarahsThoughts #SarahGrynberg #ALifeOfGreatness #Jealousy #Mindset #Comparison #SelfWorth #PersonalGrowth #Confidence #Success #SelfDevelopment

Why does your dog become anxious, destructive or refuse to listen, and what are they really trying to tell you?In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with world renowned dog behaviourist Cesar Millan to uncover what sits behind some of the most common and confusing dog behaviours.Cesar reveals the biggest mistakes owners make, how much exercise dogs really need, the right way to greet a dog, and what may be driving separation anxiety and destructive behaviour. He also explains how dogs communicate, what they can sense that humans often miss, and what it truly takes to raise a calm, happy and balanced dog.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Cesar believes your dog’s behaviour starts with your own energyThe common mistakes we make when walking and greeting our dogsHow to choose a dog whose energy suits your lifestyleCesar’s approach to boundaries, destructive behaviour and separation anxietyWhy he says, “I train people, I rehabilitate dogs”What dogs can teach us about presence, gratitude, love and lossThe life philosophy Cesar uses to stay calm, confident and groundedIf you have ever wished you could understand what your dog is thinking, this conversation is for you.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.If this conversation resonated with you, please follow A Life of Greatness, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg

Why do we sometimes sabotage the very things we’ve worked so hard to get?In this short episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores why love, success and stability can sometimes make us want to pull away, create conflict or blow things up just when life is going well.You’ll learn why your brain can mistake familiar for safe, how past experiences can shape what feels “normal”, and what to do when something good suddenly starts making you uncomfortable.If you’ve ever wondered why you keep getting in your own way, this episode might change the way you see your behaviour.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg