How to Trust Your Intuition (Even When You REALLY Don't Want To)
Nov 01, 2026
Article by Amanda Kunkel
Universe whispers, nudges, practically smacks you upside the head because you've been ignoring it.
Guess which one happened to me? LOL. The 20-plus-year business psychic. HA!
Sitting in Amanda O's minivan, (BFF), doing the kiddo errands, when she casually dropped something into the conversation. "You should start a podcast."
My immediate response was NOPE. Absolutely not. That sounds like a HUGE pain in the ass. Followed almost immediately by FKKKKKK. (Think Roy Kent's version of "Fuck.")
Because here's the thing. I knew she was onto something, and I would have preferred to ignore it.
Ever wondered how to trust your intuition, especially when it's pointing you toward something you REALLY don't want to do, you might recognize yourself in this story. Those hardest intuitive nudges to follow are the ones we already know have something to them.
Sometimes the People Who Know Us Best See What We're Avoiding
Amanda has been through most of my life with me at this point. She knows me better than I know myself. We ALL need that person who can offer perspective when we're too close to our own lives to see what's happening.
If God had said, "Amanda Kunkel, you should start a podcast," I probably would have ignored him, too. YES, that happens to me.
At the time, I was EXHAUSTED. I'd spent the better part of a year healing from surgery, moving in pieces, and navigating unexpected pivots. I knew changes were coming, but I hadn't anticipated the intensity of them. The LAST thing I wanted was another project, especially one that sounded like a lot of work.
That is where things started getting interesting.
The First Intuitive Nudge I Tried to Ignore
The podcast conversation hadn't exactly come out of nowhere. I had another five-hour drive home coming up, and I'd finished my Kindle series. I was looking for something to keep ME entertained. Not the other way around. LOL.
Amanda suggested a few podcasts, including And That's Why We Drink. Somewhere in that conversation, she casually tossed out the idea that I should start my own.
I mentally filed that suggestion under "Things I'm Pretending I Didn't Hear" and went about my business.
When the Universe Starts Connecting the Dots
Fast-forward to my drive home. I put on And That's Why We Drink, a podcast where two women share paranormal and true-crime stories, with plenty of witty banter and laughter. I'd heard a few episodes in Amanda's car over the years, so I knew I enjoyed their personalities. I was simply looking forward to listening.
Somewhere near the Maryland border, my brain went from enjoying the stories to, "Oh, that wasn't a ghost."
Wait. What?
Suddenly, I was dissecting the paranormal experiences, identifying what was actually happening, and recognizing the spiritual connections behind the stories. Without even realizing I was doing it, I'd slipped right back into a part of myself I hadn't spent much time with in years.
I'd forgotten just how much odd information I've accumulated over the years. I haven't taught on some of these topics in ages. My work doing psychic business readings uses my business mind just as much as my intuitive mind, and this was an entirely different side of things. I was having FUN.
By my first stop in West Virginia, I was sending Amanda voice clips with my thoughts. Chatting away about the episodes, sharing what I thought was happening, and generally entertaining myself with all the connections my brain was making.
"You should start a podcast."
Face Palm. Face Palm.
What made it even more interesting was that just a few weeks earlier, I'd been thinking about how much I enjoyed being a guest on other people's podcasts. It had been a while since I'd done one, and I missed it. I LOVE having those conversations, sharing experiences, and reaching people I wouldn't otherwise connect with.
Well, shit. Now I had TWO things pointing in the same direction, and I knew if a third showed up, I was screwed.
The Third Nudge That Changed Everything
I stopped for gas, loaded up on caffeine, and got back on the highway. I was heading into that stretch of West Virginia where there aren't many cars, but there are LOTS of mountains. I decided to stop analyzing everything and just enjoy the podcast.
And then I hit Flatwoods.
Jennifer Lonnberg popped into my mind. Not just a passing thought, either. A literal vision of her face.
THAT was the moment I went, "Well, shit. Here we go."
I knew exactly who I wanted to do this podcast with. A quick message to Jennifer turned into voice clips back and forth, and by the end of the day, we were both ridiculously excited about what would become What the GOAT?!?
All of that happened around October 3rd. Here's the kicker. Jennifer and I had actually had a conversation about collaborating TWO YEARS earlier. But that's another story... it's a good one.
5 Signs Your Intuition Is Guiding You
Intuition doesn't always show up as a peaceful, beautiful, angelic moment of clarity. Sometimes it's inconvenient, annoying, and pointing you toward something you have absolutely NO interest in doing. Often our first response is a four-letter word. Or several.
So how do you recognize intuitive nudges, and how do you know when to trust them? Over the years, I've learned there are certain things worth paying attention to. Not because every coincidence is a message from the Universe, but because understanding our own patterns can help us recognize when something deserves a closer look.
1. The Same Idea Keeps Coming Back
I wasn't researching how to start a podcast or brainstorming new business ideas. I craved entertainment for a five-hour drive! ....this idea kept resurfacing in completely different circumstances.
When a thought keeps returning without me actively chasing it, I get curious about why it's showing up. Now, not every repeating thought is intuition. Could be I'm worried, excited, or simply fixated on something. Our brains are very good at revisiting things that have captured our attention. But when an idea continues to appear alongside experiences that feel meaningful, I it's worth exploring rather than automatically dismissing.
In my case, I wasn't looking for another project. Quite the opposite. But apparently, the podcast idea wasn't finished with me just because I'd decided I was finished with it.
2. Different Experiences Begin Connecting
Things can get really interesting. Amanda's suggestion was one thing, but then I found myself completely absorbed in the paranormal conversations, remembering how much I loved podcast guest appearances, and eventually seeing Jennifer's face in my mind. Individually, none of those moments would have convinced me to start a podcast. Together, though, they formed a pattern that felt significant.
The important part is not assuming you have to act on every connection. It's recognizing when something might deserve more attention than you've been giving it.
3. You Recognize the Difference Between Fear and Intuition
THIS one is big, and I think it's where a lot of people get tripped up. When Amanda first suggested the podcast, my immediate reaction was NO. But when I really looked at that response, I had to ask myself whether the idea actually felt wrong or whether I simply didn't want another responsibility. Those are two VERY different things.
We can mistake resistance for intuition, assume that because something feels uncomfortable, it must not be right for us. Discomfort can come from all kinds of places, including exhaustion, fear of change, uncertainty, or knowing something is going to require effort.
For me, the podcast didn't feel wrong. It felt inconvenient....HUGE difference.
Learning how to trust your intuition also means learning to question your initial reactions. Something makes you uncomfortable; get curious about WHY. Is there a genuine concern you need to address, or are you resisting because the possibility would require you to step outside what's familiar? The answer can really be no. That's perfectly fine, too. Trusting yourself includes knowing when something isn't right for you.
4. The Excitement Starts Showing Up Underneath the Resistance
Once I started imagining the conversations, the stories, and the possibility of doing this with Jennifer, I shifted. I was excited despite not having extra time, energy or mental bandwidth. THAT was worth paying attention to. We tend to become so focused on everything something will require that we forget to consider how it actually makes us feel. We immediately jump into logistics, responsibilities, potential problems, and all the reasons it might be difficult.
My business brain is VERY good at that. Underneath all those practical concerns, there can be genuine enthusiasm that deserves to be acknowledged.
That doesn't mean every exciting idea is meant to become your next project. I've had plenty of exciting ideas that were better left as ideas. LOL. But when something keeps returning, connects with what you already enjoy, and creates a sense of possibility, it's worth exploring.
5. You Don't Need the Entire Plan to Take the Next Step
When Jennifer popped into my mind, I didn't suddenly have a complete podcast strategy. I had no idea what equipment we'd use, how we'd record, what platforms we'd publish on, or how much work would be involved. I just knew I wanted to message Jennifer. That was it. One small step.
People get overwhelmed because they assume that acknowledging an intuitive nudge means immediately committing to some massive life change. It doesn't. You can explore an idea without making a permanent decision. Have a conversation, ask questions, do some research, or see whether the opportunity actually makes sense.
For me, sending Jennifer that message was enough to get things moving. The rest developed through conversations, laughter, brainstorming, and figuring things out as we went. You don't need the entire roadmap...simply willing to explore the next turn.
Intuition vs. Fear: How Do You Tell the Difference?
One of the questions I hear when people are learning how to trust their intuition is how to tell whether something is genuine intuitive guidance or simply fear, excitement, or wishful thinking. Good question, because not every strong feeling is intuition. Our emotions, past experiences, expectations, and desires can all influence how we interpret what's happening around us. Sometimes we see connections because we want something to be true. Other times we dismiss possibilities because we're afraid of what they might mean.
For me, the key is getting curious rather than immediately reacting. (Except those times I end up with my body physically moving to save a squirell my body doesn't know is trapped in a trash can. All I know is that my hand it all the suddent lifting the lid off on one...)
When something feels like an intuitive nudge, I try to look beneath my initial response. Am I reacting to the actual idea, or am I reacting to what it might require of me? Am I genuinely interested in this possibility, or am I trying to force an outcome because I desperately want something to happen? I also pay attention to what happens when I give myself a little time. Anxiety can create a sense of urgency, making us feel like we need to decide RIGHT NOW. In my experience, intuitive impressions don't always come with that same pressure.
Of course, there's no single feeling that proves something is intuition. That's why I believe in combining intuitive awareness with practical thinking. You can honor a gut feeling and still ask questions. You can notice a synchronicity and consider other explanations. You can be excited about an opportunity while also evaluating whether it makes sense for your life.
Trusting your intuition doesn't mean turning off your brain.
And thank goodness for that, because mine has enough going on already. LOL.
Learning to Trust Your Gut Without Overthinking Everything
In my case, it took a minivan, a five-hour drive, a paranormal podcast, several voice messages, and a vision of Jennifer's face somewhere in West Virginia. Apparently, subtlety wasn't going to work this time. Jennifer and I have a podcast called What the GOAT?!?
Two Capricorns. One Universe. Absolutely No Filter.
We're talking about spirituality, intuition, psychic experiences, the unexplained, and all those wonderfully weird things that make you question what you THINK you know....having a ridiculous amount of fun doing it. PLUS it is FLOWING. We spli the "work" end of it and when one can't get to the computer for it? GUess what, the other "magically" is available. THAT is divine flow. Which means, yup, this podcast was a divine instruction for both of us.
Are You Ignoring an Intuitive Nudge Right Now?
I'm not saying every nudge needs to become your next big adventure. But I do think it's worth asking yourself why you're resisting something, especially if it continues to capture your attention. Is it genuinely wrong for you, or is it simply inconvenient? Things that change our lives can begin with something we'd really rather ignore. I'd love to hear about your experiences with this. Have you ever had an intuitive nudge that you tried REALLY hard to ignore, only to discover later that there was something to it? Or maybe you're experiencing one right now and trying to figure out what to do with it.
Feel free to share your story. I genuinely love hearing how these experiences unfold for other people.
Because sometimes the Universe whispers, and sometimes it apparently needs a megaphone.
Happy What the Goat! 🐐
Amanda
Amanda Kunkel is a psychic intuitive, spiritual teacher, and business advisor who blends intuitive insight with practical, real-world wisdom. Known for her candid, down-to-earth approach and sense of humor, Amanda helps people navigate life's changes, trust their intuition, and recognize possibilities they may have overlooked. She is also the cohost of What the GOAT?!?, a fun, unfiltered podcast exploring spirituality, psychic experiences, and life's unexplained mysteries.
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