In this episode of Deep Work Out Loud, host Julie Harris Oliver talks with executive coach Laurie Luh about why we resist change—even when we know what we want—and how to move forward with low-stakes “micro steps.” They explore common patterns like procrastination, fear of failure, fear of success, people-pleasing, and the “immunity to change” concept (the hidden commitments that keep us stuck). Laurie shares practical tools like asking better questions, journaling, visualization, surrounding yourself with people who model the change you want, and taking tiny experiments (write for 15 minutes, record a post without sharing it, draft a newsletter you don’t publish). Laurie also opens up about her own resistance to writing a book and how the “shitty committee” in our minds can be loud—but not true. 

Connect with Julie: https://julieharrisoliver.com 

Connect with Laurie: https://laurieluh.com Follow

Laurie’s Substack “Soul Business Newsletter”

#DeepWorkOutLoud #ExecutiveCoaching #Leadership #ChangeManagement #PersonalGrowth #CareerGrowth #Mindset #Procrastination #ImposterSyndrome #Writing #Newsletter #Substack

00:00 Welcome to Deep Work

00:33 Meet Laurie Luh

02:07 Laurie’s Coaching Path

04:00 Why We Resist Change

04:37 Three Coaching Buckets

07:25 Micro Steps and Mindset

09:21 It’s Never Too Late

11:57 Low Stakes Experiments

12:52 Fear of Success

13:51 Immunity to Change

15:39 Pain of Staying Put

18:50 Gremlins That Follow

20:53 Triggers and Fear Data

22:46 Resisting Writing a Book

24:22 Newsletter Becomes Book

25:09 Fear of Success

26:07 Self Publishing Math

27:43 Write Like a Journal

29:45 Shitty Committee Mind

31:38 Front Door Is Heavy

33:27 Letting People Go

36:13 Divine Timing Limbo

38:54 Be Real Not AI

39:59 Tiny Next Steps

44:28 Where to Find Laurie

45:29 Podcast Wrap Up