Why Trying to Control Your Future Is Making You Miserable with Brianna Sylver
Mon Jan 26 2026
What if uncertainty isn’t a sign you’re failing, but proof you’re growing?
In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Brianna Sylver, innovation leader, author of Leading Through Freefall, and a trusted voice featured in The Washington Post. Brianna has spent over 20 years leading organizations through uncertainty, change, and disruption, and today she breaks down what no one teaches you about navigating the moments when everything feels out of control.
In this conversation, we unpack how to stop fighting uncertainty, why clarity is a superpower you claim (not find), and how resistance, self-doubt, and discomfort are actually signals pointing you toward growth.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why trying to control your future is holding you back
• How to lead yourself through discomfort instead of avoiding it
• What “freefall moments” really mean and how to use them
• How to stop shrinking when you hit resistance or self-doubt
• Simple habits to stay grounded, focused, and emotionally resilient
About Brianna Sylver:
Brianna Sylver is a global innovation leader and the author of Leading Through Freefall: How Innovators Turn Turbulence Into Trust. She works with Fortune 50 leaders and teams to help them navigate change, uncertainty, and emotional resistance and turn it into impact.
In this episode:
00:00 – Why the future is never predictable
02:40 – Letting go of control & leading through discomfort
05:00 – The freefall moment that changed everything
09:00 – How clarity becomes your superpower
12:00 – Why comparison quietly destroys confidence
14:30 – Reframing resistance as a gift
19:00 – The biggest mistake young professionals make
24:50 – The emotional side of innovation no one talks about
33:30 – Habits to prepare emotionally for change
38:30 – One small action to regain momentum
42:30 – Why you should read Leading Through Freefall
47:00 – Advice Brianna would give her 17-year-old self
50:30 – The daily ritual that unlocks clarity
If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.
It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.
Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!
📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist
📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.
📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor
Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/
Your story is not over. It’s still being written.
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What if uncertainty isn’t a sign you’re failing, but proof you’re growing? In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Brianna Sylver, innovation leader, author of Leading Through Freefall, and a trusted voice featured in The Washington Post. Brianna has spent over 20 years leading organizations through uncertainty, change, and disruption, and today she breaks down what no one teaches you about navigating the moments when everything feels out of control. In this conversation, we unpack how to stop fighting uncertainty, why clarity is a superpower you claim (not find), and how resistance, self-doubt, and discomfort are actually signals pointing you toward growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why trying to control your future is holding you back • How to lead yourself through discomfort instead of avoiding it • What “freefall moments” really mean and how to use them • How to stop shrinking when you hit resistance or self-doubt • Simple habits to stay grounded, focused, and emotionally resilient About Brianna Sylver: Brianna Sylver is a global innovation leader and the author of Leading Through Freefall: How Innovators Turn Turbulence Into Trust. She works with Fortune 50 leaders and teams to help them navigate change, uncertainty, and emotional resistance and turn it into impact. In this episode: 00:00 – Why the future is never predictable 02:40 – Letting go of control & leading through discomfort 05:00 – The freefall moment that changed everything 09:00 – How clarity becomes your superpower 12:00 – Why comparison quietly destroys confidence 14:30 – Reframing resistance as a gift 19:00 – The biggest mistake young professionals make 24:50 – The emotional side of innovation no one talks about 33:30 – Habits to prepare emotionally for change 38:30 – One small action to regain momentum 42:30 – Why you should read Leading Through Freefall 47:00 – Advice Brianna would give her 17-year-old self 50:30 – The daily ritual that unlocks clarity If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet! 📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist 📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books. 📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/ Your story is not over. It’s still being written.