[Podcast #298] Wise Effort with Diana Hill  

Brave Writer Podcast

Have you ever felt exhausted from giving your all, yet still worried you aren’t doing enough?

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we’re joined by Dr. Diana Hill, clinical psychologist, podcast host, and author of Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most. Diana shares her refreshing, science-based approach to reclaiming our natural strengths and using our “genius energy” wisely, rather than trying to fix ourselves or do more.

Dr. Diana Hill
Dr. Diana Hill

We explore:

  • how our gifts can sometimes get off track,
  • why honoring paradox and values leads to better solutions,
  • and how building wise habits starts with small moments of self-awareness.

Diana’s wisdom encourages us to embrace interdependence and resilience, transforming not just ourselves but our communities.

Listen to the full episode for more practical strategies and inspiration from Diana Hill on how to bring wise effort—and more joy—into your family and life.

Show Notes

A New Approach to Genius Energy

Diana Hill challenges the cultural obsession with self-improvement. Rather than suggesting we “fix” ourselves, she encourages us to notice and honor the unique “genius energy” already present in each of us—those qualities and strengths that come naturally, whether it’s emotional sensitivity, persistence, idea generation, or being a calming presence. Her approach blends psychological science with a touch of the mystical, encouraging us to see our personalities not as problems to be solved but as gifts to be directed with wisdom.

When Our Gifts Go Off Track

One of Diana’s key insights is that our greatest strengths are often double-edged swords. That genius quality—be it creativity, responsibility, or drive—can help us flourish, but when we overuse or misuse it, we risk burnout and disconnection. Diana outlines how our genius can go off track: when we get stuck in old stories about ourselves, when we use our strengths to avoid discomfort, or when we cling too tightly to familiar roles and routines. The solution is not to abandon these gifts but to become more skillful and flexible in their use.

Embracing Paradox, Prioritizing Values

Through her Wise Effort podcast and writing, Diana encourages us to welcome the paradoxes of life. We can hold multiple values at once—creativity and order, solitude and connection, responsibility and rest. Instead of treating these as conflicts to be resolved, she guides us to experiment and reflect, finding creative solutions that align with our values and our family’s needs. Sometimes, as Diana shares from her own homeschooling experience, that means brainstorming ways to honor both a child’s creative messiness and a parent’s need for calm, perhaps by moving the activity outside or creating new routines together.

Building Wise Habits, Moment by Moment

Diana’s “wise habits” framework is a refreshing alternative to traditional habit advice. Rather than rigid routines, she focuses on “choice points”—those moments when we notice ourselves drifting from our values. By pausing and checking in with our inner awareness (what Diana calls the “heart-mind”), we can make small, compassionate shifts that lead to more meaningful, regenerative effort.

The Beauty of Interdependence

Perhaps Diana’s most powerful message is the importance of interdependence. Drawing on ideas from Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, she reminds us that resilience and growth come from our connections with friends, family, and community. When we seek help, offer support, and allow others to shine in their genius, we all thrive.

Through Diana Hill’s lens of wise effort, we’re invited to move beyond exhaustion and perfectionism, discovering more joy, creativity, and connection in our daily lives. Her work is a timely reminder that our energy is precious, and when directed with wisdom, it can transform both ourselves and those we love.

Resources

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Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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