Zero Fluff – Unfiltered Truth for Bold Minds

Are You Perfectionalizing Your Life? How to stop adding unnecessary tasks and start enjoying the moment

Are you turning simple tasks into epic projects? In this episode, Stef unpacks her latest article, "Are You Perfectionalizing Your Life?", which explores how seemingly innocent tasks can spiral into unnecessary to-do lists.
Dr. Huber shares a personal story of how a simple desire for an iced coffee on a sunny day turned into a marathon cleaning session—all in the name of making things “just right.” She calls this perfectionalizing: the act of complicating life by adding unnecessary steps to basic tasks.
Instead of waiting for the perfect conditions to relax, Dr. Huber suggests asking, “Is this really necessary, or am I just delaying joy?” The article also offers practical questions to help stop perfectionalizing in its tracks and enjoy life as it is—mess and all.
Dr. Huber discusses why we fall into this trap, how to spot it in daily life, and why letting go of “perfect” might be the best decision you make today.
🎧 Listen now—and start enjoying life without the extra steps.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and claim your free 45 min. coaching intro session on Stef's website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

The Paradox of Freedom: Why Structure Sets You Free: What feels like a limitation might be your ticket to real autonomy

Is total freedom really freeing—or quietly paralyzing? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s new article, "The Paradox of Freedom," which challenges the idea that more options automatically lead to more fulfillment.
Drawing on childhood memories, unstructured summers, and the modern reality of distraction and digital overwhelm, Dr. Huber illustrates how too much freedom can lead to stagnation, procrastination, and even anxiety. She explores the hidden power of intentional structure—committing to consistent practices not to limit life, but to expand it.
With practical examples and a metaphorical “contract with your future self,” the article shows how trading short-term freedom for long-term fulfillment is not a sacrifice, but a smart investment.
Dave and Zoe reflect on how discipline, when aligned with your deeper values, can actually unlock greater autonomy, purpose, and peace.
🎧 Listen now—and learn how the right structure can help you live more freely.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

049. The Retirement Lie: Why Saving for Later Might Be Your Biggest Regret. Rethinking money, time, and life through the lens of the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years

What if saving everything for retirement means missing the best part of life? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s article "The Retirement Lie", which challenges the conventional idea of deferring joy until our so-called golden years.
Dr. Huber introduces the concept of the "Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years", highlighting how our ability to enjoy and spend money naturally declines with age. Drawing on insights from Die with Zero by Bill Perkins, she suggests a bold reframe: use your money earlier to create meaningful experiences—while you still can.
Dave and Zoe dive into the cultural and emotional reasons we over-save for a future that may not require it, and explore how prioritizing memories over money might lead to a richer, more intentional life.
🎧 Listen now—and ask yourself if you're saving for a future you'll be too tired to enjoy.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

048. “I don’t know what I want” — Why Choosing a Direction Changes Everything

What if not knowing your goal isn’t the problem—but refusing to guess is? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s April 2025 article, "I Don’t Know What I Want," which tackles one of the most common blocks in personal growth: the feeling of being stuck without a clear goal.
Dr. Huber explains that while “I don’t know” is a natural and often honest response, staying in that place keeps us trapped. She argues that clarity comes from action, not waiting, and that even a rough, imperfect direction is better than none. Through relatable metaphors—like the travel agent who can’t book a trip without a destination—she illustrates the importance of choosing something to move toward.
The article offers a practical shift: stop focusing on what you don’t want and start imagining what “better” might look like, even in its smallest form. From there, momentum builds, and new possibilities unfold.
Dave and Zoe dive into the psychology behind indecision, the fear of wanting the wrong thing, and how self-permission is the first courageous step toward change.
🎧 Listen now—and take one small step in the direction that feels right.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

047. Stop Waiting for “Someday” — Your Best Years Are Now. Plan Your Life Like It’s Your One-Day Trip to Paradise. A Thought Experiment For The Daring!

Are you waiting for "someday" to chase your dreams? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s thought-provoking article on why we should plan our lives like we would plan a once-in-a-lifetime journey—with intention, clarity, and urgency.
Dr. Huber argues that instead of postponing goals to an undefined future, we should create a personal Bucket List and thoughtfully align those dreams with the different phases of our lives—especially considering that physical capacity declines over time. The key: tackle the more demanding adventures while your body still says yes.
The article encourages weaving these goals into everyday life, not just saving them for "later," because—as with any trip—time and energy are limited resources.
Dave and Zoe discuss how this mindset shift can help move dreams from the "maybe someday" pile into real life.
🎧 Listen now—and start planning the life you actually want to live.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
Recommended book for this episode: 
Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

046. Do It Scared: Why Courage Isn’t About Fearlessness — It’s About Taking Action Anyway

Is courage about being fearless—or about doing it anyway? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s take on why true courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it.
Dr. Huber explains how our brains are wired to mistake anything new or unfamiliar as a threat—but also how we can consciously reframe this reaction. By choosing to face fears instead of avoiding them, we actively train our “courage muscle” and expand what’s possible in our lives.
Dave and Zoe discuss how embracing fear can be the key to growth, opportunity, and real change—and why waiting for fear to disappear is the wrong strategy.
🎧 Listen now—and start choosing courage over comfort.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

045. Is Your Amygdala Having a Meltdown? Stuck in hyperdrive: What TikTok, notifications & screens are doing to our nervous systems — and how to calm down

Is your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight—because of your phone? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s April 2025 article on how constant digital input overwhelms the brain, particularly through platforms like TikTok and nonstop notifications.
Dr. Huber explains how the amygdala, our brain’s threat detection center, struggles to distinguish between real danger and digital stimuli—keeping us in a state of chronic alertness. This overstimulation sidelines the parasympathetic nervous system, which is crucial for rest, digestion, and long-term well-being.
The article offers actionable strategies to calm the system: digital detox, single-tasking, long-distance gazing, deep breathing, and mindfulness practices.
Dave and Zoe discuss why tech-induced stress often goes unnoticed—and how even small habits can help restore balance in a fast-paced world.
🎧 Listen now—and give your nervous system the reset it deserves.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.

044. How to Make Work Feel Better: 5 Simple Shifts That Change the Way You Work

Feeling drained at work without knowing why? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s April 2025 article on five subtle but powerful adjustments that can transform the way we experience our workday.
Dr. Huber identifies key balances we often overlook: social interaction vs. solo time, work vs. breaks, planning vs. doing, input vs. output, and reflection vs. action. By regularly checking in with ourselves across these areas, we can uncover small imbalances and make micro-adjustments that lead to more energy, clarity, and flow.
The article encourages readers to pursue intentional change through simple awareness, not drastic overhauls—making it both accessible and effective.
Dave and Zoe discuss how these five dimensions show up in everyday work life, and how tuning into them can make a big difference in long-term satisfaction.
🎧 Listen now—and bring more ease into your workday, one shift at a time.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

043. The Person You Have Called Is Temporarily Unavailable – 7 Dimensions of Unavailability for More Peace, Clarity, and Sanity at Work

Always reachable, always responsive—at what cost?
In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s article on why conscious unavailability has become a modern luxury, and how setting boundaries in a 24/7 world can lead to greater clarity, calm, and focus.
Dr. Huber outlines seven dimensions of unavailability, from delaying responses and limiting communication channels to protecting downtime and prioritizing personal space. She emphasizes that these aren’t acts of resistance—but strategies for healthier, more sustainable work and life rhythms.
The article also addresses leadership, calling on managers to model these boundaries themselves and foster cultures that respect focus, recovery, and individuality.
Dave and Zoe discuss how unavailability can be a form of self-respect—and even leadership.
🎧 Listen now—and learn how less access can mean more presence.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.

042. How to Hear Your Inner Voice in a World That Won’t Shut Up: Who Are You — When No One Is Watching?

When was the last time you truly listened to yourself? In this episode, Dave Flenagan and Zoe Hirsch explore Dr. Stef Huber’s April 2025 article on how to reconnect with your inner voice in a world that constantly drowns it out.
Dr. Huber argues that relentless input—social expectations, noise, distractions—pulls us away from our true selves. To reclaim authenticity, we need to create intentional space for inner reflection, reduce external interference, and ask ourselves meaningful questions.
The article offers practical ways to begin this process, from minimizing digital noise to making time for quiet introspection. The goal: to rediscover your own needs and values, and build a life that reflects them.
Dave and Zoe discuss why stillness is so powerful, how to spot borrowed beliefs, and what it means to live in alignment with yourself.
🎧 Listen now—and start tuning back in.
Read the full, original article here on Medium and discover Dr. Huber's coaching services on her website www.stefhuber.com.
This podcast contains AI-generated content that has been reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy.