469: What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

In this reflective solo episode, Dr. Debi Silber shares an unexpected gift that came from a two-week battle with pneumonia — the forced stillness to ask herself one of life's most enduring questions: What do you want to be when you grow up? 

With her daughter's wedding just days away, Dr. Debi opens up about how illness slowed her down enough to take stock of what she's outgrown, what she's still settling for, and what she truly wants in this season of life. The result is a warm, honest, and deeply practical conversation about becoming more intentional — with your time, your energy, your relationships, and yourself. 

In This Episode, You'll Hear: 

• Why the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" deserves a second (and third) look — at every age 

• What a recent unprepared interview guest taught Dr. Debi about standards and saying no 

• The "Sit in the Seat" game Dr. Debi played with her family — and what it revealed about how she actually shows up 

• The yes/no confusion that keeps so many of us stuck — and how to start untangling it 

• How to use your body as a meter for who and what is truly good for you 

• The "cake ingredients" framework: what you're putting into your life, and why the outcome makes perfect sense 

• Why we become more of whatever we already are as we age — and why that's both a warning and an invitation 

Reflection Questions from This Episode: 

• What have you outgrown? 

• What are you still settling for? 

• What do you want your life to look, feel, and sound like now? 

• What are you saying yes to — and what does that force you to say no to? 

• If your highest and best self were watching, what would she say? 

Key Insight: 

"It starts with awareness. The next step is action." 

Connect with Dr. Debi Silber: 

🌐 thepbtinstitute.com 📲 Follow on social: @DebiSilber 🎙️ Subscribe to From Betrayal to Breakthrough wherever you listen to podcasts 

If this episode resonated with you, Dr. Debi would love to hear from you — what do YOU want to become more of as you grow?