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The Mel Robbins PodcastThe Mel Robbins Podcast

How to Speak So That People Listen: #1 Rule for Getting the Support You Need

Today you’re learning the best relationship advice no one ever tells you. Because the BEST relationships start with better conversations. Nobody teaches you that. If you’ve ever been in a situation where family and friends don’t agree with you, or they don’t like the direction you’re taking your life, it’s frustrating. Not knowing how to deal with that can damage relationships with people you love. Today’s episode will teach you how to speak so that people listen, so you can keep the people in your life that you really care about. Today @LisaBilyeu joins Mel on the podcast. Lisa is the co-founder of the billion-dollar brand Quest Nutrition and president of Impact Theory Studios. Her wildly successful career started with a childhood dream to make movies. But in a traditional Greek family that didn’t support her ambitions and wanted her to be a housewife, that dream caused a lot of friction. Lisa had to build a framework for having difficult conversations and get the people she loved to understand her dreams and support her career. This framework made it easier to go after her dreams, while staying close to the people she loved. Learn how YOU can use this framework so that people in your life want to listen when you speak. Follow Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu For more resources, including the link to Lisa’s book, Radical Confidence, click here for the podcast episode page: http://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-159 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:00: Have you ever had a dream that nobody supported? 06:20: If you were told this as a young girl, it’s impacting you now. 08:40: This is where your belief system starts, and it’s important to know this. 10:40: Use a “frame of reference” when people say things that are hurtful. 14:50: How to improve the relationships in your life. 20:15: What to do with those negative voices in your mind. 22:50: The first date that completely shattered Lisa’s frame of reference. 28:10: 2 powerful ways to use frame of reference in your life. 29:30: 3 questions to ask yourself to determine YOUR frame of reference. 30:15: What we are too quick to do that damages relationships. 34:30: The moment you introduce a special partner to your family. 37:10: A story you’ve never heard from Mel when she was engaged to Chris. 43:05: What Lisa Bilyeu’s father said when Tom asked for her father’s blessing. 46:25: How to think about the big and small decisions in your life. 47:15: How to handle people in your life that you disagree with. 49:30: The 6 words to ask yourself when you’re worried things won’t work. 50:05: How to flip your mindset when you’re doing something scary. 54:40: How Chris and Mel decided to have a third child. 55:30: Do THIS before you have a difficult conversation. 56:35: Listen to this if you’ve chosen to not have children. 59:10: Use this technique before you make any change in your life. 1:05:00: How do you correct a mistake you made as a parent? 1:09:35: Is there something wrong with being an introvert? 1:10:50: If you want a raise at work, you need to do this. 1:12:48: Feeling stuck when it comes to your dreams? Here’s advice. 1:20:20: When something feels really big, approach it this way. 1:22:00: How to get what you want with someone who doesn’t agree. 1:25:45: If you’re not feeling confident, you need to hear this. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostLisa Bilyeuguest
Mar 28, 20241h 27mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Stop Waiting for “When”: Speak Up, Own Your Life, Get Support

  1. Mel Robbins interviews entrepreneur and author Lisa Bilyeu about how to stop living for other people’s expectations and start speaking so others actually support you. Lisa shares her journey from a traditional Greek upbringing and bored housewife to billion‑dollar founder and confident creator, highlighting the inner rewiring it required. A central tool is “frame of reference” — understanding the beliefs and experiences shaping both your own and others’ reactions so you don’t take things personally or get derailed. Together they unpack scripts, mindset shifts, and concrete examples for navigating family pushback, major life choices, and everyday conversations about your dreams.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Use “frame of reference” to depersonalize others’ reactions.

When someone doubts you or disapproves, ask, “What would have to be true about their life and beliefs for them to see it this way?” This helps you see their comment as a product of their upbringing and experiences, not a verdict on your worth.

Question your own frame of reference instead of defending it.

We often treat our beliefs (about money, marriage, work, kids) as universal truth. Lisa shows how deliberately examining where those beliefs came from lets you update them when they no longer fit who you are or the life you want.

Eliminate “when-then” thinking that keeps you stuck.

Sentences like “I’ll do X when I have money/when the kids are older/when my spouse is stable” are socially acceptable excuses. Ask, “What if the ‘when’ never comes?” and then design the smallest possible version of your dream that you can start now with what you have.

Decide whose story you’re living: theirs or yours.

When loved ones say “no” to your choices (partner, career, where you live, having kids), recognize they’re reacting from the story they’ve written for your life. Your job is to decide what’s right for your story, even if it means conflict or the possibility of failure.

Prepare emotionally and practically before hard conversations.

Before talking to family or a partner, get clear on what you want, why you want it, and what you’re willing to risk. Then communicate with respect: show you understand their perspective, state your truth clearly, and invite them to problem‑solve with you rather than just announcing an ultimatum.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

It was the word ‘when.’ ‘I will do this when.’ The when is so powerful to us, that keeps us stuck.

Lisa Bilyeu

What happens if the when never came?

Lisa Bilyeu

It’s not that they don’t believe in you; they believe in the laws of physics.

Lisa Bilyeu

Everyone wants to be seen and heard. If I shut my dad down, I’m not showing him respect.

Lisa Bilyeu

Confidence becomes the byproduct of taking action. If you don’t take action, you cannot be competent enough to get to confidence.

Lisa Bilyeu

Frame of reference: understanding others’ and your own conditioningNavigating family expectations and cultural traditionsMaking big life decisions (partner, kids, career) on your termsMoving from “when-then” thinking to taking action nowCommunicating hard truths and setting boundaries with respectBuilding confidence as a skill through small, repeated actionsHandling criticism, lack of support, and others’ doubts

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