Lessons Earned: Discomfort, Courage & Our Word of the Year for 2026

In our first episode of 2026, Mandy Balak (President of The Gathering) and Owen Reader, sit down to debrief the lessons learned—and earned—from 2025. From fear and hesitation to edge-work, decisive action, and the power of integration, this is a candid conversation about what it takes to lead when the playbooks are burned.They unpack practical takeaways like studying your edges, packing light (literally and metaphorically), and using the RICE framework (Revenue, Impact, Confidence, Ease) to filter distractions and focus on what actually moves the mission forward.To close, Mandy and Owen share their Word of the Year for 2026—Boldness and Conviction—and challenge listeners to choose their own word, make it visual, and step into the year with intent.This episode explores:Why your “word of the year” often attracts the opposite lessons you needHow fear creates hesitation—and how action breaks the cycleWhat it means to “study your edge” and stop holding backHow to prioritize change using the RICE filter (Revenue, Impact, Confidence, Ease)Why integration (rest + reflection) is part of the work—not a break from itBuilding out loud in a world full of polished, AI-generated sameness🎟️ Join us at The Gathering 2026 | October 21–24[Get Tickets Here]