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Episode 24 How to Move Forward When Life Feels Uncertain  

After 24 episodes of exploring how to experiment in life using the scientific method, I’m wrapping up Season 1 of Authenticity Lab and introducing something new. Something deeper.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How in the hell did I get here?" then this episode is for you.

I also share a wild story when I jumped into a relationship to avoid pain, skipped the inner work, and ended up in one of the most chaotic situations of my life.

It taught me something I now live by:
➡️ You can’t experiment with your life

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Episode 23: Uncertainty Isn’t a Problem to Solve, It’s a Chance to Practice Being YOU  

Have you ever found yourself waiting to feel “clear” before you make a move… rewriting the email, second-guessing the post, holding off on the decision?

In this episode, I flip the script on uncertainty and show you why uncertainty isn’t something to fix, it’s a space to practice being you.

I share a personal story about writing my speaker one-sheet and I share how clarity often comes after aligned action, not before.

If you’ve been stuck in overthinking or waiting for the “right time,” this episode offers a…

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Episode 22: Stop Getting Excited About Being Chosen and Start Choosing Yourself  

Getting chosen can feel amazing…like you're finally seen, finally enough. But what happens when the person who chose you… suddenly backs out?

In this episode, I share the story of my recent breakup that ended over the phone, with no warning. Total emotional whiplash.

But here’s what I realized: the most stable thing you can do is choose yourself.

In this episode, I talk about:

The emotional crash of being picked and then discarded.

Why external validation can never fill the void.

How choosing yourself can help…

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Episode 21: You Did the Work. Can You Let Go of the Outcome?  

You studied for the test. You went on the date. You submitted the application. You hit send. And now you wait… stuck in that space between effort and outcome. 

In this episode, I break down why our brains spiral in the unknown, and why stress feels like control (even though it’s not). We’ll explore the science behind why worrying doesn’t help — and introduce a life experiment to build trust in the pause.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the loop of “what ifs” after doing everything you could… this one’s…

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Episode 20: Why Choosing Yourself Feels Wrong Before It Feels Right  

In this episode, I talk about what it actually feels like to choose yourself… not the cute, Instagram version, but the real-life version that’s messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright scary. I share one of the hardest choices I ever made in my early 20s, and why saying “yes” to yourself can feel so uncomfortable… before it feels like freedom. If you’re standing at a crossroads, or still dealing with the aftershocks of putting yourself first, this one’s for you.

Music moment: I share a clip from my song…

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Episode 19: Navigating the In-Between—What to Do When You Don’t Know What’s Next  

In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I explore the power of embracing the "in-between" space—the uncertain, messy middle ground where you're not quite where you want to be yet. I’ll share how letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out can open up the possibility for true growth. Drawing from my own experiences, including my journey with music and creating my I Am Lyrical experience, I discuss how taking small steps, gathering data, and running life experiments can help you navigate…

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Episode 18: How to Turn Any Day Around in 2 Steps  

Do you ever wish you could hit reset and instantly feel a shift into peace? In this episode, I share a two-step process rooted in scientific observation and soul-deep wisdom to help you move from judgment to curiosity—fast. This is the exact framework that helped me go from burned out (see Episode 17) to thriving.

If you're navigating uncertainty, self-doubt, or just a tough day, this might be your moment to turn it all around.
Let’s dive in.

Get your I AM lyrical journal here: www.kelseymiles.com/100days

And…

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Episode 17 You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out. I See You!  

Burnout isn’t about being lazy.

In this episode, I’m sharing my own experience with burnout as the semester comes to a close. I’m tired…like, really tired, and I know I’m not alone in feeling like I’ve been running on fumes for weeks. I talk about what burnout really looks like, how high achievers are often hit hardest, and how we can show ourselves the same kind of care we so easily pour out for everyone else.

If you’ve been pushing yourself too hard, this one’s for you. You’re not lazy. You’re burned out…

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Episode 16 The Time I Almost Opened for Pat Benatar (And What It Taught Me)  

Have you ever had something huge lined up? something you knew was going to change everything only to have it slip right through your fingers? 

I was booked to open for Pat Benatar… a dream gig. And then? The show got canceled. 

In this episode, I share how I worked through the disappointment, shifted my perspective, and found gratitude even when things didn’t go as planned. Inspired by my song The Lighthouse, we’ll talk about how to stay steady through uncertainty, trust that what’s meant for you will come…

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Episode 15: Trusting the Process: My Journey from Madison to Kansas City  

In this episode, I share the story of how I trusted myself when I moved to Kansas City to pursue music full-time, only to find an unexpected opportunity in chemistry that changed the course of my life. When my boyfriend passed away by suicide a month later, the stability my chemistry job provided helped me through an incredibly difficult time. 

Remember, sometimes the life experiments you didn’t plan are the ones that give you the most growth.

Get your I AM lyrical journal here: kelseymiles.com/100days

And if…

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Episode 14: Shining a light on Shame—Darkness Leads You to the Light  

Shame thrives in secrecy. I thought if I shared my struggles—especially about body image—it would make the shame worse. But then I ran an experiment. I told a trusted friend about my discomfort with my body and eating habits.

The results were shocking—the shame didn’t grow heavier, it got lighter. My vulnerability didn’t burden them; instead, it made them feel seen too.

In my song Shadow, I sing "darkness leads you to the light." This episode is about what happens when you stop hiding the parts of yourself…

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Your Conclusion Isn’t the Final Answer — It’s Just a Snapshot in Time - Episode 13  

What if the conclusion you’ve drawn about yourself — like “I’m not creative,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m not capable” — isn’t actually the final answer? What if it’s just… incomplete data?


In this episode, we’re wrapping up our series on using the scientific method to guide your personal growth. Today’s focus? Conclusions. In science, a conclusion is never the final answer. It’s simply a reflection of the data you have right now. And if you gather more data? The conclusion can change.

And that’s exactly…

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Steps 4, 5 and 6: Collecting Data, Analyzing Data, and Drawing Conclusions - Episode 12  

Every day, your senses collect millions of bits of data—yet only a fraction makes it into your conscious awareness. What if paying attention to this data could transform the way you approach life, creativity, and personal growth?

In this episode of Authenticity Lab, we explore how to observe, analyze, and interpret the data from your own experiences.

This episode is Part 4 of our Authenticity Lab mini-series on the scientific method for self-discovery. So far, we’ve covered:

1️⃣ Ask a Question – What do you…

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Steps 2 and 3: Crafting Your Hypothesis and Designing Your Life Experiment  

Welcome back to Authenticity Lab, where we celebrate reconnecting with our authentic selves! I'm Dr. Kelsey Miles—musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—and in this episode, part of our mini-series on applying the scientific method to everyday life, we take the next crucial steps: forming a hypothesis and designing a life experiment.

In Episode 10, you crafted a personal question through guided meditation and journaling. Today, we'll build on that foundation by learning how to form a robust…

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Step One: How to Identify Your Question - Episode 10  

The first step in any great experiment—whether in science or in life—is making a clear observation that leads you to a clear question. But how do you know what to look for? How do you recognize the patterns, fears, and beliefs that are shaping your decisions?

In this episode, I’ll guide you through an exercise to pinpoint the real questions you need to ask yourself—the ones that will help you break through fear, self-doubt, or uncertainty.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a powerful question that will…

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Start Here: Finding Purpose Through Experimentation - Episode 9  

This is the perfect episode to start with if you're new to the podcast. It kicks off a special mini-series on how to use experimentation to uncover purpose and create meaningful change.

What if you didn’t have to “find” your purpose—but instead, you could discover it through small, intentional experiments?

In this first episode of my new mini-series, we explore why you don’t need all the answers to move forward and how every experiment—whether intentional or not—brings you closer to clarity. I share how one…

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Episode 8: Stop Waiting for a Permission Slip  

Have you ever caught yourself waiting—waiting for someone to say, Yes, you’re ready. Yes, you can do this? I’ve been there. I almost let someone convince me that I couldn’t stand on my own and that I needed them to succeed. Instead of giving in to this fear, I ran an experiment. I took a risk, and it paid off!

In this episode, we’re talking about why we wait for permission, how to break that habit, and how running small life experiments can help you collect proof that you’re more capable than you think. At…

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Episode 7 - Time and Again: Breaking Free From Toxic Relationship Patterns  

Are you stuck in the same frustrating patterns, hoping for change that never comes? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I share a personal story of chasing potential in relationships and the hard truth I had to face to break free. We’ll explore why it’s so easy to fall into these cycles, how hope and expectations can cloud reality, and why repetition isn’t failure—it’s part of the lesson. You’ll learn how to identify your own patterns, embrace the wisdom they bring, and take small but powerful steps to…

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Episode 6 – The Real Reason You're Avoiding Opportunities.   

Have you ever avoided an opportunity because you didn’t feel ready or didn’t know what to say? In this episode of Authenticity Lab, I'm discussing avoidance and why we do it! I also share a vulnerable story about a moment when imposter syndrome made me hesitate to respond to an exciting email—and how I moved through this to build momentum and gain confidence. 

Song Inspiration: This episode is inspired by "Save My Soul" from my I Am album—a song about imposter syndrome.

Episode 5 How to Balance Self-Critique with Self-Celebration  

Do you struggle with an overly loud inner critic? Or find it hard to celebrate your wins without feeling like you’re letting yourself off the hook? In this episode, I share a personal story about competing in the International Blues Challenge—how I almost let self-critique overshadow my accomplishments, and the powerful lesson I learned about finding balance.

Discover how embracing both self-critique and self-celebration can lead to a life filled with curiosity and growth. You’ll hear practical tips for…

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Episode 4 Exhale – The Power of Letting Go  

🎵 Listen to the song in this episode: Exhale lyrical video: 

Do you ever feel like you’re holding your breath, trying to control every little thing, even when it feels impossible? In this episode, I share a personal story about the stress and uncertainty I faced while preparing for an international blues competition—juggling tight deadlines and the pressure to create something new.

When I finally let go of my expectations and accepted what I already had, something unexpected happened: relief, creativity, and…

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Episode 3 - From Shadows to Light: Embracing Hidden Passions  

Do you ever feel like you’re hiding parts of yourself from the world—whether it’s a passion, a dream, or a part of your personality? In this episode, I share my story of secretly learning to play guitar and writing songs while juggling the demands of graduate school in chemistry. Through a simple yet life-changing life experiment, I took the leap to share my hidden love for music—and it changed everything.

You’ll discover how to design life experiments that encourage growth without creating chaos. Plus, I’ll…

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Episode 2 - Finding Joy Beyond the Plan: A Life Experiment in Authenticity  

What happens when you challenge the expectations you’ve placed on your life? In this episode, Dr. Kelsey Miles shares a personal story of stepping out of her routine and rediscovering joy in an unexpected place: a karaoke bar. With a simple life experiment based on the scientific method, she invites you to reimagine what fulfillment can look like.

Episode 1 - The Power of Experimenting in Your Life  

In this debut episode of Authenticity Lab, Dr. Kelsey Miles—a musician, songwriter, and chemistry professor—shares how one small but life-changing experiment helped her find her voice and trust herself again. Using her background in music, science, and personal growth, she introduces a simple framework for running your own life experiments based on the scientific method.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to try your first bold experiment: speaking up for yourself in one…

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