EP163 - Find Your Voice: Jess Ekstrom on Personal Storytelling

In this inspiring episode, Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Jess Ekstrom, founder of Headbands for Hope and Mic Drop Workshop, to explore the delicate balance between ambition and authenticity. Jess shares her journey from starting a business in college to becoming a bestselling author and motivational speaker, all while navigating the societal expectations placed on women and mothers. Jess also dives into the challenges of embracing one's true self in a world driven by external validation, the power of ordinary stories in connecting with audiences, and the importance of finding fulfillment in the process rather than the outcome. Whether you're striving to lead with impact, balance career and family, or simply seeking to live more authentically, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Connect with Jess: https://jessekstrom.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jess_ekstrom/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author/ Impact Driven Leader: Impact Driven Leader Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@impactdrivenleader  https://www.instagram.com/impactdrivenleader/  Tyler is on: https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/  https://www.facebook.com/tyler.dickerhoof.3  https://www.instagram.com/tyler_dickerhoof/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-dickerhoof-1960351b  What Was Discussed: 00:00 Intro 04:03 Starting Mic Drop Workshop 06:33 Why emotional connection matters in branding and communication 07:57 Helping people overcome the 'I don't have a story' mindset 12:29 Why do you keep comparing yourself? 19:20 Balancing ambition and authenticity 21:44 Celebrating others’ success 24:29 Finding joy in anticipation 27:39 Enjoying the process is key to success 30:59 Motherhood and career 36:22 Handling outside pressures to “do it all” 43:11 Why assumptions about women in the workplace need to change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices