The RISE Experience
It’s not always about becoming someone different.
Sometimes it’s about realizing you’ve been disconnected from yourself for longer than you thought.
The RISE Experience is a podcast for the woman who can handle everything — except herself. The one who shows up, gets things done, keeps things together… but quietly feels like something isn’t landing the way it should.
Shannon Denniston is a behavior change coach and the founder of RISE. What she talks about here isn’t behavior on the surface. It’s what sits underneath it — patterns, beliefs, and identity-level disconnects that make consistency feel harder than it should.
A lot of what gets called “starting over” isn’t starting over at all. It’s noticing what’s been running in the background for a long time, and learning how to move differently from there.
Not forced. Not rushed. No reinvention, no reset, just more aware, more honest with where things actually are, and returning to yourself in a way that holds.
The RISE Experience
Why Forcing Discipline Backfires and How Regulation Creates Steady Growth.
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Trying harder isn’t always better. Sometimes, pushing through discipline leads to exhaustion, stress, and even burnout. What if the real key to consistency isn’t force, but steadiness?
Welcome to The RISE Experience, a podcast for women who are rebuilding trust with themselves — in health, leadership, faith, and everyday life. This is a space to slow down when everything feels loud, to lead from steadiness instead of urgency, and to listen again. Here, identity, faith, the body, and quiet inner wisdom matter. A place to pause, reflect, and rise from clarity instead of pressure.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, the discussion explores the difference between discipline and regulation in personal growth. Discipline, often seen as control, can backfire when it causes stress and pressure. Regulation emphasizes the body’s ability to sustain demands, helping consistency emerge naturally. Listeners are encouraged to focus on steadiness, safety, and supportive routines rather than forcing self-discipline.
Episode Outline
Understanding Discipline and Regulation
- Discipline is commonly perceived as a way to achieve consistency but often leads to exhaustion.
- Regulation focuses on capacity and sustainability, not force.
- Discipline can feel heavy and counterproductive; regulation promotes steadiness.
The Science Behind Discipline and Regulation
- The nervous system governs consistency and emotional regulation.
- Overstraining the nervous system undermines discipline.
- Discipline failures reflect the body’s limits, not lack of effort.
The Role of Faith and Self-Control
- Self-control is framed within faith, love, and wisdom.
- Galatians describes self-control as a fruit of the Spirit.
- Creating a supportive environment fosters consistent action without pressure.
The Importance of Regulation for Consistent Growth
- Regulation leads to real consistency by making routines sustainable
- Consistency comes from steadiness, not willpower.
- Listeners are guided to choose repeatable, manageable actions over “impressive” efforts.
The Need for Safety and Trust in Consistent Growth
- Feeling safe inside is more important than pushing harder.
- Regulation maintains balance when discipline alone is insufficient.
- Reflect on areas where discipline feels forced and replace with steadiness.
The Role of Prayer and Reflection
- Episode closes with a prayer for guidance in building safe, sustainable rhythms.
- Emphasis on listening to the body and regulating rather than overriding.
- Encouragement to share the episode with others and approach the nervous system kindly.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:07 Understanding Discipline and Regulation
02:45 The Science Behind Discipline and Regulation
05:02 The Role of Faith and Self-Control
06:01 The Importance of Regulation for Consistent Growth
07:53 The Need for Safety and Trust in Consistent Growth
09:49 The Role of Prayer and Reflection
Action Taken
- Reflect on areas where discipline feels forced. Ask: “Where in my life am I forcing discipline, and what would change if I chose steadiness over control?”
- Share the episode with someone who may benefit from a reminder to slow down and focus on regulation.
Conclusion
Consistency is not about doing more or pushing harder; it’s about creating an environment that supports steadiness and trust. By prioritizing regulation over discipline, growth becomes sustainable