You don’t have to know everything

 

September 29, 2025 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

You don’t have to know everything My husband and I are in the mountains of Colorado. During this trip we embraced the uncertainty of the weather, the terrain, the wildlife and altitude.  Dear Empowered Reader, How about a moment of mindful reflection to begin your day? Take a few moments to breathe and ponder the following questions,  Do you feel uncertain?  What if your uncertainty is a quiet calling from your inner wisdom?  What if being a little lost, feeling restless, or sensing “something more” is the best sign you’ve got? In our loud world overflowing with hot takes, hacks, and “just three steps to transformation”, sometimes what we need isn’t another answer, but space for deeper questions. Most people are thirsty for wisdom, not just information. We scroll, accumulate courses, ask AI experts… and yet, the essential insight feels missing. Pause with me.  What if not knowing and living in the uncertainty is exactly where you need to be? Standing at the Crossroads You care. You’re changing. You’re seeking something different, something more. Whether you’re at a crossroads in your career, contemplating a leap, feeling “lost,” or dreaming of a “second mountain,” that foggy, fidgety not-knowing might be your next best step. What I have seen time and again in the Mountain 10 retreats: People don’t arrive with all the answers. They arrive with a willingness, a longing, a readiness. That sense of “this can’t be all there is”, it’s the spark. The Mountain 10 Journey Mountain 10 is not your average workshop. It’s a guided retreat designed to help you access your inner wisdom through presence, reflection, and gentle inquiry. It’s a transformative process for individuals, teams, and organizations, whether you crave renewed direction after your children leave home, wish to rejuvenate your career, or simply reconnect with yourself. In each Mountain 10 experience, you’ll:  Welcome and ground yourself, setting a clear intention for your journey. Be guided through four terrains: Awareness, Letting Go, Vision, and Realization. Reflect quietly, journal, and share insights in small, supportive circles. Explore what needs release, what’s possible, and tangible steps to bring new visions to life. Leave with a practical action plan and the supportive company of others walking their own path. What Makes This Different Mountain 10 focuses on accessing your innate wisdom through structured reflection. You leave with concrete actions, not just insight. Many participants say it’s unlike anything else, opening a space for profound change and clarity — even when you start out not knowing what you want. “Anyone with the urge to unlock your potential — go for it.” — Participant feedback Here’s what you walk away with:  Clarity around a decision or direction Renewed sense of purpose A practical action plan Supportive community Tools for ongoing growthMountain-10-Proposal-3-2.pdf You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Begin.  If you’re ready to move “sometime later” to “now”… That’s what Mountain 10 is for. You’re invited to show up just as you are, with your curiosity, your longing, your ambiguity.  You’ll find community, rhythm, and resources to break bold ideas into doable steps, supported every way along the journey.  You do not have to do it alone. What’s the best that could happen if you step into not knowing? Ready to Begin? You don’t have to know everything to start. You just have to begin. Take your next courageous step.  Curious? Intrigued? Longing for something more? Reach out today and let Mountain 10 meet you exactly where you are.  Email me info@empowerpossible.com, noting you are interested in learning more about Mountain 10, or scan the QR code below. Want to hear from a Mountain 10 participant? Check out the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/7pxFMcmRFBcJqUGH1bruOc Take care, dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine Founder, Empower Possible  Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription.

Empower Possible Upcoming Events Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any burning questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com  Mountain 10 Workshop sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form    St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN, October 8 and 9 The St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is celebrating 43 years! Their theme for 2025 is Courageous Connections: The Human in Humanity. What does the “Human in Humanity” mean to you? How do you see people? The people you serve, people you work with or maybe the person at the check-out counter? How do you bring Humanity into these spaces? We work in a tough industry that has great purpose. Strengthening ourselves and our community sometimes requires reflection, understanding the human condition, and embracing ourselves. For more information, go to: https://minnesotachildrensalliance.org/training/43rd-annual-st-louis-county-health-human-services-conference/ Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 1 Sharing the techniques and structures for creating effective engagement and support for a diversity of individuals involved in active body pursuits.  Using culturally and physically sensitive language, and physically embodying activities designed for diverse groups.

Kind Words from a  Client A special thanks to one of my clients for sharing a few kind words about her experience. In The Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media, I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  Thank you to Katy Murray from the GingerBiz podcast for the insightful conversation! Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of redefining your career goals? Take a listen to the podcast as we dive deep into strategies for setting clear objectives, staying focused, and pivoting effectively during times of transition. During the conversation, Katy and I share strategies for navigating transitions with confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset. From redefining goals to honing skills and networking effectively, this episode offers a direction for transforming challenges into triumphs when navigating career changes.  Listen to the full episode, https://lnkd.in/gvigadgA Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Your Guide to Growth

 

September 16, 2025 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Your Guide to Growth Just like roots on a tree, we need a foundation to help guide us through change. Dear Empowered Reader, Have you ever felt that spark, the quiet nudge that it’s time to take your next step? I know that feeling well. That’s why I’m excited to share something close to my heart: the Empower Possible Goal Setting Workbook.  This guide isn’t just another worksheet; it’s designed to help you turn those ideas swirling in your mind into clear, purposeful action you can actually feel good about. Whether you’re on a personal growth path, aiming for a breakthrough at work, or strengthening connections within your team, think of this workbook as a trusted companion, one that meets you exactly where you are. Now, why a workbook? I get it: goal-setting can sometimes feel overwhelming or just like another box to tick.  But this workbook? It’s different. It’s filled with thoughtful reflection prompts, easy-to-follow exercises, and mindful practices that honor your unique journey and cultural context.  These are the same approaches I use when coaching clients, refined into practical tools that gently guide you to: Notice your strengths and build on what’s already working beautifully in your life. Dig deep into what truly matters to you—your values—and connect with them fully. Move through stress and procrastination with kindness, focusing on inclusion, accountability, and clear intention. Craft a personalized roadmap, milestones included, with the support of a community who’s cheering you on. My hope is that this workbook offers you a safe and encouraging space where exploration, reflection, and planning feel not only doable but freeing. What’s inside? Step-by-step sections that lead you through identifying your strengths, reflecting on values, envisioning your future, and plotting concrete next steps. Worksheets prompts designed to hold your ideas, celebrate your wins, and map out your journey all in one place. Dedicated space to find or name your accountability partner because we all need someone in our corner. Tips to keep your momentum strong, helping you stay on track beyond the first week. Who is this for?  Simply put, it’s for anyone ready for clarity, momentum, or a fresh start. Whether you’re a leader, a lifelong learner, part of a team, or flying solo, the workbook adapts to your rhythm and your goals. Maybe you’re cultivating a wellness habit, facing new leadership challenges, or dreaming of a more fulfilling next chapter, this workbook can be your guide. Ready to begin?  Click here.  Your next step toward empowerment is waiting or click the button below. Take Care, Dear Reader, Julie  Owner and Founder Empower Possible Take me to the download! "Our Action Are Our Future" A piece of art I created in a community gallery.   Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription.

Upcoming Events Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com Mountain 10 Workshop sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form    She Leads Conference, Rochester, MN, September 26 Join us for a transformative day where women from all walks of life come together to empower, inspire, and grow in a supportive community. For more information, go to: https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/do/she-leads-conference St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN, October 8 and 9 The St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is celebrating 43 years! Their theme for 2025 is Courageous Connections: The Human in Humanity. What does the “Human in Humanity” mean to you? How do you see people? The people you serve, people you work with or maybe the person at the check-out counter? How do you bring Humanity into these spaces? We work in a tough industry that has great purpose. Strengthening ourselves and our community sometimes requires reflection, understanding the human condition, and embracing ourselves. For more information, go to: https://minnesotachildrensalliance.org/training/43rd-annual-st-louis-county-health-human-services-conference/ Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 1 Sharing the techniques and structures for creating effective engagement and support for a diversity of individuals involved in active body pursuits.  Using culturally and physically sensitive language, and physically embodying activities designed for diverse groups.

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.

Use the Good Soap

 

September 14, 2025 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Use the Good Soap My "Good Soap" from a Minnesota Maker, Sweet Land Farm. Dear Empowered Reader, There’s a lesson in something as simple as the statement, "use the good soap," that relates to how we live our lives and embrace possibility. In our busy, sometimes overwhelming world, how often do we "save something for special occasions" only to find that the moment never quite arrives? Or when it does, what we saved is no longer fresh or usable? Today, I invite you to "use the good soap" to embrace your gifts, moments, and resources fully, right now. What Does It Mean to Use the Good Soap? Using the "good soap" is a metaphor for living in abundance and appreciation. It’s about valuing what we have and not delaying joy or care for a better time, which might never come or come too late. When you use the good soap, you are choosing to honor yourself with the best, the kindest self-care, and the fullest expression of your potential. A Colleague’s Story A few years ago, a colleague shared that she had made a batch of homemade soap. She said, “You actually have to use it, or it will dry out. Don't save the good soap! ” It struck me how often we save things, good soap, resources, time, emotions for some elusive 'someday special'. But if the soap dries out, it loses its purpose and power. Imagine all the times we hold back our kindness, talents, or dreams, thinking “not now” or “I’ll save it for later.” We risk everything drying out, losing its luster, or worse, being wasted. At Empower Possible, I believe in fostering empowerment and building communities to live fully, recognizing the importance of using everything we have to grow and change the world today. The focus is on championing the courage to act, to embrace opportunity, and to regenerate possibilities for ourselves and others. Like using the good soap, the mission is about not waiting for permission or perfect timing; it’s about making now the moment for action and transformation. An Affirmation for You "I choose to live boldly in the present. I welcome abundance and allow myself to use what is good and true now." Reflection Questions 1. What are you holding onto, waiting for the “right” moment to use?   2. How can you bring your full gifts into today’s world without delay?   3. What small act of ‘using the good soap’ can regenerate your spirit right now? A Personal Moment I remember a time when I received a beautiful journal, something I thought was too precious to write in casually. I kept it safe, waiting for the “right” inspiration. Months later, the cover had faded, and the pages were yellowed from waiting. It taught me that the preciousness wasn’t in the journal itself but in the moments and thoughts I poured into it. In the same way, our good soap, our cherished moments, our potential, they come alive when used, not saved. I invite you to join me in reclaiming your “good soap”, your gifts, your moments, and your power and to use them fully now. In doing so, you regenerate not only yourself but the world around you. Take care, Dear reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine   Founder, Empower Possible One of the ways I "use the good soap" is by traveling. I took a photo of this bar of soap in a shop in Fort Collins, Colorado, during a recent trip. Idlewild is the name of a street I used to live on! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. The Summer Day by  Mary Oliver Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?

In The Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs.  In this empowering episode of Whole Mom, I sat down with Liz Adams and Rachel Gilbertson to explore Mountain 10 — a transformative process that weaves together intention-setting, labyrinth walking, and deep reflection to guide us through life’s challenges. We talk about how they discovered this work, the power of intentional spaces to grow and connect, and the ways Mountain 10 helps us navigate fear, find clarity, and reconnect with our truth and desires. Liz also shares what a recent retreat with Rachel sparked in her, and how these moments of stillness and intention can ripple into our everyday lives. If you’re feeling ready for a change or transition or in the middle of one right now, this conversation will inspire you to pause, breathe, and take your next step with courage and heart. Click HERE to check out the podcast Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Upcoming Events Embark on an extraordinary journey of growth and possibility by joining the upcoming EMPOWER Possible events!  Should you have any burning questions or want more details, don't hesitate to drop me an email at info@EmpowerPossible.com  Mountain 10 Workshop sign up for the waitlist, please click HERE to complete the form    She Leads Conference, Rochester, MN, September 26 Join us for a transformative day where women from all walks of life come together to empower, inspire, and grow in a supportive community. For more information, go to: https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/do/she-leads-conference St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN, October 8 and 9 The St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference is celebrating 43 years! Their theme for 2025 is Courageous Connections: The Human in Humanity. What does the “Human in Humanity” mean to you? How do you see people? The people you serve, people you work with or maybe the person at the check-out counter? How do you bring Humanity into these spaces? We work in a tough industry that has great purpose. Strengthening ourselves and our community sometimes requires reflection, understanding the human condition, and embracing ourselves. For more information, go to: https://minnesotachildrensalliance.org/training/43rd-annual-st-louis-county-health-human-services-conference/ Active Bodies, Motivational Interviewing Seminar, Northfield, MN, November 1 Sharing the techniques and structures for creating effective engagement and support for a diversity of individuals involved in active body pursuits.  Using culturally and physically sensitive language, and physically embodying activities designed for diverse groups.

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.