Ep 168: The Space Between No Longer and Not Yet

In this reflective episode, Margaret and David explore the concept of liminality: the space of “no longer and not yet.” It is a profound psychological state that affects us all, whether you are between jobs, recovering from a major life event, or shifting the very identity of your business. As leaders, we are often programmed to seek solidity, plans, and clear direction. We struggle to let ourselves float. Yet, as we discuss in this episode, sitting in that discomfort is often where the most necessary growth occurs.

Have you ever found yourself standing in a darkened hallway, staring at a closed door behind you, while the window ahead hasn’t quite cracked open yet? That uncomfortable, groundless feeling where the old is gone but the new hasn’t arrived? That, my friends, is liminal space. And while our instinct as high-performing leaders is often to rush through the darkness to find the light switch, what if the real work—the deep work—happens right there in the pause?

We are living this lesson in real-time with you. After a year of sitting in our own liminal space—debating, reflecting, and waiting for that lightning strike of clarity—we are thrilled to announce a significant evolution for this show. We are officially retiring the “Fundraising Leadership” name in 2026 to make way for The Leadership Deep Dive.

Why the change? We realized that our conversations with you have evolved beyond functional skills. We are interested in the subterranean aspects of leadership—the mindset shifts, the emotional intelligence, and the courage required to lead authentically. This change isn’t just cosmetic; it represents a commitment to leaving behind surface-level advice.

As we stand on the precipice of a new year, we also share our personal strategies for tolerating the unknown. How do we stop fighting the current and instead greet this transition period as a friend? We invite you to join us in a simple yet powerful practice inspired by Positive Intelligence: acknowledging what you are proud of from the past year. It doesn’t have to be a grand metric of success. For David, the victory was the hard-won lesson of patience during a grueling recovery from knee surgery. For Margaret, it was finding delight in stability and focus after years of turbulence.

We also tackle the difficult art of finding the gift within the struggle. We often say life happens for us, not to us, but living that truth is difficult. Sometimes, the business slows down so you can finally prioritize your physical healing. Sometimes, a passion project needs to stay in the drawer so you can clear the mental space for something even better. These aren’t failures; they are the wisdom of the liminal space protecting us until we are truly ready.

So, before you rush to set those aggressive goals for 2026, pause with us. What are you leaving behind? What is waiting to be born? And can you find the courage to just sit in the dark for a moment longer, trusting that the window will open exactly when it’s meant to?

Join us for this honest, vulnerable conversation as we dive deep into the uncomfortable, beautiful space of becoming.