Messy & Magnificent with Karlee Fain

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You've been in that room. Everyone is talking, the agenda is moving, and somehow nothing real is getting said. The actual conversation, the one about the tension, the unspoken disagreement, the thing everyone's been thinking, that one waits until the parking lot or the group text.This isn't a communication problem. It's a comfort problem. And recognizing the difference is the key to finally changing it.This week, Karlee continues the series on unseen forces that shape how we think, decide, and lead. Today's force is one of the most quietly costly: adjacent talking. It's the way groups orbit what actually matters without ever quite landing on it. Whether it shows up in a boardroom, a team meeting, a family dinner, or a friend group, the pattern is the same. And it's far more workable than most of us realize.In this episode, you’ll learn what it looks like when a group is talking around something instead of about it, why this behavior is a human pattern rooted in decades of research rather than a personal failing, and three precise, low-pressure moves to shift a group from adjacent talking toward real, productive conversation.If you’re ready to understand why the most important conversations keep happening after the meeting, and what you can do to bring them into the room, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(4:22) What adjacent talking is and why every group does it(9:45) The research on groupthink and why even brilliant leaders aren't immune(14:30) Three real-world patterns of adjacent talking to watch for(20:15) Why speaking up is about the environment, not your confidence(25:00) Three shifts that move a group from circling to sayingResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 203: Why Everything Feels Urgent (Even When It Isn’t) | The Hidden Pattern Driving Rushed DecisionsEpisode 204: Why Bad Leaders End Up in Charge | How to Interrupt Adrenaline LeadershipEpisode 205: Why Bad Leaders End Up in Charge | How to Interrupt Adrenaline LeadershipJanis, Irving L. Victims of Groupthink: A Psychological Study of Foreign-Policy Decisions and Fiascoes. Houghton Mifflin, 1972.Edmondson, Amy C. "Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams." Administrative Science Quarterly, vol. 44, no. 2, 1999, pp. 350–383.Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You've walked into a room and felt it before you could name it. Something's off. The air is thicker than it should be. The conversation is polite, but doesn’t feel authentic. And without anyone saying a word, you've quietly shifted yourself to match the temperature.This isn't coincidence. It's contagion. And most of us are both affected by it and contributing to it, often without realizing it.This week, Karlee shares the third installment of an ongoing series on the unseen forces inside organizations. Drawing on research from social and organizational psychology, Karlee explores how emotional tone travels — quickly and largely unconsciously — and how the person with the most influence in a room often becomes the thermostat for everyone else in it.In this episode, you’ll learn how emotional climates form beneath the surface of even high-functioning teams. You’ll discover why the same question can either unlock your best thinking or shut it down entirely depending on who's asking, and what the difference between reactive and regulated leadership actually looks like in practice. You’ll also take away three quiet questions that can help you get oriented when a room feels like something is happening that no one is naming.If you’re ready to  stop doing invisible emotional labor and start putting that energy back where it belongs,  into the thinking, the voice, and the work that actually matters, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(4:45) What emotional contagion is and why leaders are especially powerful carriers(9:10) Challenge state vs. threat state: how the same question lands completely differently depending on who's asking(14:00) The difference between reactive leadership and regulated leadership(19:30) What a CEO did when she noticed an unspoken adversarial tone in her C-suite and why naming it was the turning point(24:15) Three questions to ask yourself quietly when a room feels tense but nobody's talking about itResources Mentioned in this Episode:Sy, T., Côté, S., & Saavedra, R. (2005).The contagious leader: Impact of the leader’s mood on the mood of group members, group affective tone, and group processes.Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(2), 295–305https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-02538-007Fonseca, R., Blascovich, J., & Garcia-Marques, T. (2014). Challenge and threat motivation: Effects on superficial and elaborative information processing. Frontiers in Psychology.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01170/fullMartin, Shannan. The Ministry of Ordinary PlacesPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Elaine HatfieldJohn T. CacioppoRichard L. RapsonJim Blascovich Shannan MartinUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: 

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Have you ever watched someone speak with such speed and conviction that the entire room just followed? No pause, no pushback, no second glance…and later wondered how things went so sideways?The most quietly damaging pattern inside many organizations isn't strategy. It's this: we confuse how someone sounds with how well they've actually thought something through. Intensity isn't competency. Conviction isn't accuracy. And once you see the difference, you cannot unsee it.This week, Karlee dives into part two of a multi-part series on the patterns that shape how we lead — often without us realizing it. She takes the conversation one layer deeper than urgency into what actually fuels it: adrenaline as a leadership style. In this episode, you’ll learn why certainty can feel like the most convincing thing in a room without being the most grounded. You’ll discover what research tells us about how confidence gets mistaken for capability, and you’ll take away practical questions you can use right now to shift any conversation from default speed to real productive thinking.If you’re ready to move from running on adrenaline to leading from something steadier and more true, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(7:22) What happens in the body and the room when adrenaline increases certainty(9:05) The research on why fast, confident speakers are perceived as more competent (11:17)Overconfidence bias: what the science says about people who are the most certain and the least accurate(15:44) A clear breakdown of intensity-led versus competency-led leadership and what each one actually produces over time(19:38) Questions that shift a room from untested certainty to inquiry Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 203: Why Everything Feels Urgent (Even When It Isn’t) | The Hidden Pattern Driving Rushed DecisionsDunning–Kruger Effect (Confidence ≠ Competence): Dunning, D., & Kruger, J. (1999). Unskilled and unaware of it: How difficulties in recognizing one’s own incompetence lead to inflated self-assessments. Journal of Personality and Social PsychologySpeaking First & Confidence Influence Group Perception: Anderson, C., & Kilduff, G. J. (2009). Why do dominant personalities attain influence in face-to-face groups? The competence-signaling effects of trait dominance. Journal of Personality and Social PsychologyTime Pressure & Decision-Making (Urgency Signal): Cisek, P., et al. (2021). Urgency disrupts cognitive control of decision-making. The Journal of NeuroscienceOverconfidence Bias: Moore, D. A., & Healy, P. J. (2008). The trouble with overconfidence. Psychological ReviewUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from moving fast and still ending up behind. A decision gets made in a meeting, not because the moment demanded it, but because the agenda was full and the next thing was already starting. It felt like forward motion. Three weeks later, the team is back at the table, unpacking assumptions, redoing the work.This is what unnecessary urgency looks like when it quietly becomes the operating system — and most of us are taught to run on it without ever consciously choosing it.This week, Karlee opens a new short series on the unnamed forces that erode our clearest thinking and most grounded leadership. First up: unnecessary urgency — what's fueling it beneath the surface, how it disguises itself as competence, and what opens up when we trade false speed for genuine clarity.In this episode, you’ll learn why your nervous system is wired to treat pressure like an emergency, how to tell the difference between a decision that genuinely needs to be made now and a question that deserves more time, and why awe, in the most unexpected, mundane, moments, turns out to be one of the most disarming leadership tools available to us.If you’re ready to stop sprinting past your own best thinking and lead with the kind of steadiness that doesn't require cleanup, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(9:22) Why unnecessary urgency isn't a personal failing (11:48) How time pressure lowers the brain's threshold for certainty(14:10) Urgency-led vs. clarity-led leadership (20:40) Why awe expands perception when urgency narrows it(28:05) The structural layer: when urgency gets baked into the organization itselfResources Mentioned in this Episode:ENROLL: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dacher KeltnerCitations:Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people's perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1130–1136.Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition & Emotion, 17(2), 297–314.Gordon, A. M., et al. Gordon, A. M., Stellar, J. E., Anderson, C. L., McNeil, G. D., Loew, D., & Keltner, D. (2017). The dark side of the sublime: Distinguishing a threat-based variant of awe. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(2), 310–328.Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟That late-night ping on your phone. The one that lights up after you've finally given yourself permission to be done for the day.You open it and find it's not urgent. And something in your chest tightens, because earlier that same day, the person who just sent it circulated an article about not overworking.That feeling is indicative of a leadership maturity gap. And it's more common, more costly, and more fixable than most of us realize.When we don't have language for what we're witnessing, we internalize dysfunction. But when we understand maturity as a leadership variable, we stop riding the emotional storm and start building the architecture that holds everyone to their best.This week, Karlee digs into one of the most practical distinctions in leadership: the difference between immature and mature leadership — not as personality types, but as nervous system patterns. She walks through how both show up behaviorally, why organizations so often reward the immature kind, and how to apply this framework to what's actually happening in your work and life right now.In this episode, you’ll explore why emotional regulation is measurably linked to leadership performance, how to recognize maturity gaps in yourself and others without shame or blame, and what it actually looks like to be the adult in the room.If you’re ready to trade the emotional roller coaster for something steadier, rooted, more clear, and genuinely effective, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(8:45) Immature leadership defined (14:30) What mature leadership actually looks like in real life(21:00) Why organizations keep promoting immature leaders(26:15) A four-part diagnostic for naming maturity gaps(32:30) How simple changes return our sense of coherenceResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 201: When Words and Actions Don’t Match · The 4 Types of PowerResearch: "Emotional Regulation Strategies and Leadership Performance." Frontiers in Psychology, 2023.Research: "Emotional Intelligence and Transformational and Transactional Leadership: A Meta-Analysis." Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 2010.Research: Springer Nature — Emotional intelligence, communication, and employee engagement outcomes in organizational leadership contexts.Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You've probably felt it lately…that low-grade frustration of watching a conversation that's supposed to go somewhere, go nowhere. Whether it's a congressional hearing, a leadership meeting, or a dinner table debate, there's a particular kind of disorienting feeling when the people in charge seem most skilled at not actually saying anything. Language expands, but meaning contracts. Lots of words, lots of volume — but what's really being communicated? And more importantly: what do you do when what someone says and what they do are two completely different things?The truth is: leadership behaviors are rarely random. They're almost always the expression of an underlying belief about power. When we understand the kind of power someone is operating from, we stop getting pulled into reactive cycles.  And we can stay focused on building the kind of structures that create real, lasting progress.This week, Karlee revisits one of the most foundational episodes of the show, originally recorded in 2020, but perhaps even more essential right now. She unpacks the 4 types of power operating all around us, and invites us to ask not just what kind of leadership we're witnessing — but what kind we're inhabiting.In this episode, you’ll learn that real leadership is about bringing out the potential in people, not hoarding power at the top. The more we share power, the greater it becomes. And whether you've been lifted up by a great leader or are currently weathering an ineffective one, this episode is a reminder that we deserve to be nourished by the structures we're part of, not diminished by them.If you’re ready to see beneath the surface of the power dynamics in your workplace, your community, and your politics, and choose how you want to respond, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(6:32) What leadership actually means and why it's a responsibility, not a rank(9:26) The purpose of your power: what you're really building when you claim it(13:24) The 4 types of power - and which one is quietly running the room you're in(15:52) What happens when leaders believe power is scarce(25:07) The Godzilla Effect: how to know what to trust when someone's words and actions aren't lining upResources Mentioned In This Episode: Buildings and Bridges by Ani DiFrancoDare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené BrownReal Teams Win: What Smart Leaders Need to Know Now About Achieving Peak Performance by Thomas L. StedingThe Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia GarzaBlack Lives MatterLady Don't Take No Podcast with Alicia GarzaPeople Mentioned In This Episode: Maria SiroisBrené BrownTom StedingAlicia GarzaUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Q

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."Mary Oliver wrote those words, and they've become something like a quiet compass for meaningful work. A reminder to stay awake to what's here, let it move you, and share what you notice.This week marks episode 200 of Messy & Magnificent—20 seasons, over six years, hundreds of conversations held between us. And what Karlee keeps noticing isn't just that the podcast has continued, but how.Most of us don't walk away from what matters because we stop caring. We walk away because the way we're trying to stay has become unsustainable.Staying with something that matters isn't about willpower. It's about creating conditions that make staying possible.This week, Karlee shares three specific practices that have made staying with the podcast possible, and the practices that are helping leaders stay with what matters to them, too. This milestone is less celebration, more reflection. Less confetti, more candlelight. It's a pause at the threshold to notice what actually makes it possible to keep showing up for work that matters without burning yourself down in the process.In this episode, you’ll learn why reaching out for support isn't a sign of weakness but a strategic move that turns mountains back into molehills. You’ll hear how giving your projects permission to evolve (rather than forcing them to stay the same or scrapping them entirely) creates the breathing room that makes long arcs possible, and why small, consistent progress beats perfection every time when it comes to staying engaged with meaningful work.If you’re ready to explore what makes staying with something meaningful feel possible instead of heroic, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(5:15) When asking for help becomes the next right step(11:30) How permission to evolve protects what matters most(14:45) What NASA's Mars Rover teaches us about adaptation(17:20) Why consistency matters more than perfection(22:45) The conditions that make long arcs possibleResources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work by Teresa Amabile & Steven J. KramerArticle: Amabile, Teresa & Kramer, Steven. "The Power of Small Wins." Harvard Business Review (2011)Research: Edmondson, Amy C. "Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams." Administrative Science Quarterly (1999)Book: The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy Edmondson, Wiley (2018)Article: "Why Flexibility Is Key in Modern Project Management." Agile Business ConsortiumPoem: Oliver, Mary. "Sometimes"Connect With Karlee: Website

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Do you regularly you reach for your phone to reply to messages or emails that could wait? Commit to things before you've even felt out whether it's a true yes? Try to keep up with a kind of momentum that you didn’t create?When the world around us feels compressed and urgent, a subtle kind of imbalance happens. We tend to match its pace without realizing we've made that choice. We lose our footing. We compress our days, shorten our response times, and mistake busyness for progress—all while telling ourselves this is what responsibility looks like.Sometimes that sense of urgency we feel comes dressed up as responsibility. But the underlying truth is that we’re being led by fear. This week, Karlee reflects on what she's been noticing in herself and in the leaders she works with: the creep of false urgency and what gets lost when we mistake speed for competence. In this episode, you'll learn how to distinguish between real urgency and inherited momentum, why the strongest leaders aren't always the fastest responders, and how to rebuild your sense of authority when everything around you feels like it's moving too quickly. If this sense of having to respond quickly and fast and perfectly is not quite working for you and what you're craving is more clarity than chaos, this is the episode for you..What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(7:18) What gets lost when we move too fast (12:35) Why the best teams follow leaders who ask questions(15:20) A simple practice for breaking the urgency cycle in real time(17:45) The shift that lets you stop proving and start leading from your own values(20:15) Why rest isn't something you earnResources Mentioned in this Episode:ENROLL: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Maria SiroisHeather Cox RichardsonAmy EdmondsonCitations:Edmondson, A. C. Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Wiley. Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383.Ericsson, A., Pool, R., & Coyle, D. Ericsson, A., & Pool, R. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Damasio, A. R. Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. Putnam.Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2009). Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization. Harvard Business Press.Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟What if the future you're longing for has already been trying to reach you?Your next season might not arrive with a blueprint. Instead of showing up as a clear strategy, it begins as something quieter: a gut feeling, a pull toward something you can't quite name yet.Our future starts the moment we stop overriding the small, honest signals inside ourselves.This week, Karlee concludes The Midnight Leadership Trilogy with Part 3, exploring the future that's already trying to get your attention. It's about learning to hear the whispers—the subtle leanings, the quiet longings, the hunches that feel alive even when they don't make logical sense yet.In this episode, you'll hear about a client who felt both bored and unsettled, and why it wasn’t burn out, but a calling forward. You’ll learn why baby sea turtles always paddle toward the ocean, no matter which way you hold them, and how your brain's default mode network stitches together past experience with future possibilities.If you're ready to respect those migration signals inside you and explore what's trying to emerge, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(4:33) A story of being called forward(6:01) Why we don't need to name what's next to begin moving toward it(6:51) Sea turtles, internal compasses, and your body's wisdom(9:46) The default mode network: clarity comes from pause, not pressure(13:41) Questions to flesh out your hunches and migration signalsResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 196- The Midnight Leadership Trilogy | Part 1:  The Thing You’ve Known All AlongEpisode 197- The Midnight Leadership Trilogy | Part 2:  The Weight You Don’t Have to Carry into the New YearREGISTER: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟What if the heaviness you're carrying isn't actually responsibility?Sometimes we mistake obligation for commitment, or we confuse what kept us safe with what will carry us forward. But underneath that sense of duty, there's often another truth… Some of the things you're carrying were never meant to be carried this long.And they're certainly not meant to be carried into what's next.This week, Karlee continues The Midnight Leadership Trilogy with Part 2, exploring the weight you don't need to take with you into the new year. Counter to dropping your priorities or having to choose between what matters most, this is about recognizing when you're carrying something in an outdated way that no longer serves you.In this episode, you'll hear a story about a soft but clear message of letting go. You'll discover why the identity that built your success isn't always the one that carries you forward, and why your brain already knows how to release what's complete.If you're ready to set down what no longer fits so there's room for what's trying to arrive, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(1:59) The founder who realized her old identity couldn't carry her forward(4:46) A pervasive myth: “If I don't hold everything, it will fall apart.”(6:50) The season of integration and the discomfort it brings(11:26) Synaptic pruning: how your brain already knows how to let go(16:18) Creating space for the future that awaitsResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 196- The Midnight Leadership Trilogy | Part 1:  The Thing You’ve Known All AlongREGISTER: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Does your inner season feel disconnected from what's on your calendar? The gap between what looks right on paper and what feels right in your body isn't confusion. That's wisdom trying to get your attention. It's a cue to pause and listen.Because the truth you've been avoiding,  the quiet knowing that something needs to shift, is exactly what will guide you forward.This is the bridge between what was and what's next, and it’s where transformation begins.This week, Karlee launches The Midnight Leadership Trilogy, a three-part mini-series for leaders, caregivers, and vision holders who are in the middle of their own story. This isn't about performing leadership the way you were taught. It's about the quiet, steady questions that make a life and career worth living.In this episode, you’ll learn why your body keeps an inner calendar and how to identify what season you're truly in. You’ll find out what becomes possible when you stop performing the season you think you should be in and start honoring the one you're actually living. If you're ready to name the truth you've been carrying — the thing you've perhaps known all along — then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(4:05) Asking yourself the deep questions(7:51) What the tug of inner knowing feels like(8:50) Determining what season you’re actually living(11:55) Why clarity comes from naming truth, not pushing forward(13:20) What's up next: The Heroic Leadership Journey and Part 2 Resources Mentioned in this Episode:REGISTER: The Heroic Leadership JourneyUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Here's a question we don’t tend to ask ourselves: What if the dark isn't something to escape?What if chaos, disintegration, and incoherence are just natural parts of living? Like soil in the earth where things regenerate and new life takes root.Instead of asking "How fast can I get out of this hard time?" What if we started asking, "What am I bringing to the dark?"That question hands the power back to you. It makes you the protagonist of your own story again, even when things feel out of your control.This week, Karlee concludes the 3-part series, Staying Steady. This is the final conversation she co-taught with Dr. Maria Sirois, where truth and tending mature into transformation. You'll hear Maria share the raw truth about a dark year, and why reflecting on the ancient myth of Persephone has helped her reframe the experience.In this episode, you’ll learn why dark moments aren't punishment but part of the work. You'll learn how to become the narrator of your own story, and three practical ways to stay steady when your eyes are still adjusting to what's now true. You’ll also learn the value of inviting mercy, humor, and presence into difficult seasons.If you’re ready to stop exhausting yourself trying to avoid what's uncomfortable and instead bring the best of yourself to the darkness, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(08:56) Permission to stop pretending the dark is easy(09:45) Ask yourself: "What am I bringing to the dark?"(10:13) How Persephone inhabits the underworld with purpose(11:21) What steadiness really means when your eyes are adjusting(15:19) Acts of bravery in times of chaosResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 193: The Steady Center Series | Part One: Fairy Wings in a Wild WorldEpisode 194: The Steady Center Series | Part 2: Regeneration Begins Where Depletion Is NamedREPLAY: Staying Steady in Chaotic Times with Karlee Fain and Maria SiroisREGISTER: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟If you woke up tired today, not from a crisis, but just from living, this one's for you.Because here's the thing: most of us don't break down because we're weak. We get worn out because we've been strong for too darn long.You know how to show up. You know how to push through. But do you know how to notice the person inside the body doing all of that?That's where regeneration comes in. And no, we're not talking about self-care Instagram posts or bubble baths (though those are nice). We're talking about what happens when your life and your work start giving back to you as much as you're giving to them.This week, Karlee rolls out Part 2 of the Staying Steady series, based on the course she co-taught with Dr. Maria Sirois. Together, they explore what it means to tend to what matters when the good and the difficult collide, and why work that lasts begins with honest tending, not heroic pushing.In this episode, you'll hear why fear multiplies itself and where to find "high safety" when things feel overwhelming. You'll discover the bold question about breaking the rules of complacency that can shift everything, and why narrowing the lens when overwhelm takes hold makes things feel possible. If you’re ready to stop leaking energy and create space for life to give back to you, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(06:36) Understanding fear as a multiplier(08:17) Three practical approaches for regenerative leadership(15:05) What rules of complacency did you break just to be here?(17:44) Chunking down: One act of care that's available right now(18:44) Why strong people get worn out (and what to do about it)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 193: The Steady Center Series | Part One: Fairy Wings in a Wild WorldREPLAY: Staying Steady in Chaotic Times with Karlee Fain and Maria SiroisREGISTER: The Heroic Leadership JourneyPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisMark NepoUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟We cannot transform what we won’t touch.It takes real valor to tell the truth about what’s not working,  especially when life feels both brutal and beautiful all at once. For leaders, caregivers, and high achievers, it can seem absurd to care so fiercely about the world and still need to answer emails, load the dishwasher, or fold laundry. Yet this is the paradox of modern leadership: holding what’s enormous and what’s ordinary in the same pair of hands.This week, Karlee launches a new three-part series, The Steady Center, for anyone determined to lead with courage and care in chaotic times. Together with her longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Maria Sirois, she explores how to stay steady when life wobbles.You’ll learn how to name what’s not working, find your footing between apathy and overdrive, and rediscover the quiet valor that steadiness requires, because honesty is the soil every kind of regeneration grows from.If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels alone and begin cultivating steadiness from the inside out, this conversation will remind you: honesty and tenderness are your most courageous starting points.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(05:41) Telling the truth about what’s not working(07:32) Nurturing honesty as the soil where steadiness grows(10:55) Why small, tender acts matter more than we realize(14:46) The two ends of the spectrum: apathy and overdrive(17:01) How to find your steady center between both extremesResources Mentioned in this Episode:REPLAY: Staying Steady in Chaotic Times with Karlee Fain and Maria SiroisREGISTER: The Heroic Leadership Journey*For book links: https://bookshop.org/shop/harriettsbookshop People Mentioned in this Episode:Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟If your brain still whispers, “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done,” you’re not alone.High-achievers and caregivers alike have been conditioned to believe that love means carrying it all — every project, every person, every crisis. But what if that belief is quietly depleting the very ecosystem you’re meant to thrive in?This week, Karlee invites us to explore what happens when we stop trying to be everything for everyone. She blends modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom to reveal how reciprocity — giving and receiving — restores balance in our lives.In this episode, you’ll hear how over-functioning crept into our culture, why our brains are wired for mutual care, and three gentle practices that make it safe to be supported again. Plus, Karlee shares her first-ever public poem, “Root Among Roots,” a heartfelt reminder that we were never meant to hold the whole mountain alone.If you’re ready to stop over-functioning and start belonging again, this is your invitation back to an ecosystem that holds you, too.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(8:21) The poem that started it all: Root Among Roots.(12:45) What neuroscience reveals about giving and reciprocity.(18:30) Why asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s biology.(22:12) Three practical ways to restore balance and receive support.(28:40) How to practice boundaries that breathe — and still belong.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Poem: Root Among Roots by Karlee FainJoin Karlee for free on SubstackStudy: Inagaki TK, Bryne Haltom KE, Suzuki S, Jevtic I, Hornstein E, Bower JE, Eisenberger NI. The Neurobiology of Giving Versus Receiving Support: The Role of Stress-Related and Social Reward-Related Neural Activity. Psychosom Med. 2016 May;78(4):443-53. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000302. PMID: 26867078; PMCID: PMC4851591.Retreat: Better Boundaries, Finally at Kripalu (Oct. 31 – Nov. 2)People Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Tristen InagakiMary OliverAdrienne Marie BrownDr. Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟The world tells us progress is measured in speed, output, and proof. Yet some of the most powerful shifts happen in the smallest, quietest moments—a breath you actually notice, a slow stir of the pot, a walk with no destination. What if the habits that seem “unproductive” are the very ones that make you steadier, clearer, and braver in your leadership?This week, Karlee unpacks the paradox of modern leadership: the more responsibility you carry, the more essential it is to slow down. She shares meaningful research on the link between boredom and creativity that demonstrates the healing effects of nature, proving that even just 30 seconds of steadiness in your day matters.In this episode, you’ll learn how to use simple pauses as fuel. You’ll explore why reclaiming slowness actually sharpens your decisions and deepens your impact. And, you’ll hear a true client story of how one small nourishing and practical exercise transformed their health and work life. If you’re ready to replace burnout with steadiness and lead with clarity, calm, and courage, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(3:12) Why wise leadership often begins with practices that don’t show up on a spreadsheet(10:18) How boredom activates the brain’s default mode network and sparks creativity(14:09) Why just 30 seconds of calm steadies your body and mind(18:02) A nurse’s story: one simple habit that restored energy and improved patient care(20:47) A practical question to anchor steadiness in your daily lifeResources Mentioned in this Episode:Study: Mann, Sandi and Cadman, Rebekah (2014) Does Being Bored Make Us More Creative? Creativity Research Journal, 26 (2). pp. 165-173. ISSN 1040-0419 Study: Hunter MR, Gillespie BW and Chen SY-P (2019) Urban Nature Experiences Reduce Stress in the Context of Daily Life Based on Salivary Biomarkers. Front. Psychol. 10:722. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722JOIN US October 14, 7pm EST: Leadership Circle: Staying Steady in a Chaotic Moment: Showing Up Bravely — Even When You Don’t Have All the Answers.People Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisSuzy Banks BaumMary OliverAlbert EinsteinMaya AngelouUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟The air is getting cooler, the light is waning earlier each night, and yet…the drumbeat to “finish strong” grows louder. The pressure to do more is palpable, to push harder and squeeze just a little extra out of yourself before the year ends. But that call to “finish strong”, well… by year's end, it leaves us feeling weaker. And if your inner life is running on fumes, is that really success?What if real strength felt less like exhaustion and more like steadiness? Less about overextending and more about aligning?This week, Karlee explains that finishing strong isn’t about how much you can wring out of your calendar.  Instead of driving yourself into the ground, what if you finished the year steady, replenished, and proud of the care you extended along the way?In this episode, you’ll hear why redefining success right now could change not just your calendar, but your nervous system and the well-being of everyone you lead. From honoring the natural rhythm of seasonal shifts to recognizing the hidden costs of emotional bankruptcy, this is your roadmap to finish the year steady, nourished, and genuinely strong.If you’re ready to measure success by both your solvency and your soul so you can finish the year grounded, joyful, and proud of how you led, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(03:11) The brilliance of seasonal shifts,  and why hustle culture gets it wrong(06:22) When did “success” become synonymous with exhaustion?(10:45) How neglecting your inner life impacts your team and home(16:09) The Money & Meaning practice: a reset you can do right now(17:45) One small, anchored step to hold for the next two weeksResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 189: Putting the Self in Success: How to shape your goals around what gives you joy and meaning.Join us at the Kripalu Center, October 31- November 2:  Better Boundaries| A Gateway to Authentic LivingPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisParker PalmerLinda HoganUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟As the air shifts and the year leans toward its close, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush. New strategies, fresh pivots, the endless push for “more.” But what if the most powerful move isn’t chasing something new, but noticing what’s already working and leaning into that?This is the season to reconnect with your own definition of success. Not the one shaped by other people’s expectations, but the one rooted in what truly nourishes you.Real, meaningful success depends on your reference point. Our goals have to be shaped around what we value in and for ourselves, rather than what others value in and about us. If you’re calibrating your goals based on the preferences, priorities, and needs of others over what you know to be true for you, then YOU aren’t the reference point. And that’s gotta change. In this episode, Karlee revisits one of our most-loved episodes about the difference between self-referencing a goal versus other-referencing a goal. She explains why the distinction matters if you want to feel less like you’re chasing and more like you’re coming home to yourself.You’ll hear stories of leaders redefining success in real time, lessons from a beloved grandmother’s enduring optimism, and a simple practice that will help you identify what’s most life-giving for you right now. You’ll be reminded that you already hold the wisdom, clarity, and resources to create goals that align with your joy and meaning. All that’s left is to pause, listen inward, and give yourself permission to honor what matters most.If you’re ready to lead your values at the forefront, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(9:39) Why progress without definition can feel like a moving target (12:57) The difference between self-referenced and other-referenced goals (15:10) A candid story of redefining success at a pivotal life moment(18:37) The 3 W’s that reveal your values (25:29) How to incorporate what you value into your plans and daily lifePeople Mentioned in this Episode:Jen Delos Reyes Nancy LevinResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 113: Building a Stronger Basket: How to plug up the leaks of what’s draining you and preserve more energy for the things you value.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟When was the last time you slowed down long enough to notice what truly matters?In a culture that glorifies endless productivity, it can feel radical to measure our lives not by what we produce but by what we prioritize. And yet, the research, and our lived experience, is clear…Doing more doesn’t necessarily mean achieving more.Choosing to honor your pace is not indulgence, it’s leadership. It’s innovation. It’s what makes your contributions last.This week, Karlee invites you into a season of discernment, replenishment, and permission to honor what’s essential. From an eight-year-old’s wisdom about the importance of water, to lessons from farmers, thinkers, and even board games, this episode is a reminder that true leadership isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about cultivating the rhythms that sustain us.In this episode, we’ll explore how to release the pressure of “shoulds,” how to spot the difference between real urgency and false urgency, and how to make space for the life-giving priorities that nourish us and those we lead. If you’ve been carrying too much, rushing through days without replenishment, or wondering what to let go of so that what really matters can flourish, you’ll learn practical ways to identify and focus on what matters most. If you’re ready to replenish where you can, let go of what you don’t need to carry, and remember what’s really important, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(1:45) How an 8-year-old reminded Karlee of life’s most essential priority(4:12) The surprising research that proves productivity plateaus(6:25) How prolific thinkers like Darwin sustained their genius(8:33) A farmer’s wisdom on discerning true urgency from false urgency(11:02) Three prompts to help you clarify what matters most this seasonPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Jen SalinetiReferences:1. Productivity drops after 50 hours a weekA Stanford University study found that output per hour sharply declines after 50 hours of work per week, and plummets entirely after 55 hours. People working 70 hours produce nothing more than those working 55.  Ref: John Pencavel, Stanford University, “The Productivity of Working Hours” (2014)2. Sleep deprivation = poor decision makingThe Harvard Business Review reports that lack of sleep costs U.S. businesses over $63 billion annually in lost productivity, primarily due to poor decision-making and reduced creativity. Ref: Hafner et al., RAND Corp (2016); HBR summary, “Sleep Deprivation is Killing You and Your Career.”3. Rest enhances creativity and innovationNeuroscientist Alex Soojung-Kim Pang documents how “deliberate rest” boosts creativity and productivity, showing that some of history’s most prolific innovators (Darwin, Dickens, etc.) worked only ~4 focused hours/day, leaving space for rest and reflection. Ref: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less (2016)Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟“Just to like live it.” That's what seven-year-old Julian said when asked about the meaning of life. Kids really do know things we forget.One of those things is the pure joy in the simplicity of just living life, basking in the moment. Why talk about basking when everyone's telling you to hustle harder? Because in a culture that equates worth with output, choosing your own pace isn't just self-care—it's revolutionary.We can't build regenerative leadership on speed alone. Even in a car, we shift our cadence when appropriate. Sometimes the most strategic thing you can do is slow down long enough to let something good actually land.So if you've been craving permission to not have it all figured out, to take a breath, and to remember what actually matters, you're in the right place.This week, Karlee shares lessons from "Aunt Camp", a sacred summertime tradition with her niece and nephews, about why basking isn't laziness. It's strategic. You'll hear real client stories about how tiny shifts can lead to major boundary changes, and why slowing down a lucrative business deal actually made it stronger.In this episode, you'll learn how to discern your right pace, why doing less in one area creates space for fullness in another, and how rest becomes resistance in systems built on exhaustion.If you're ready to be reminded that busy and impactful aren't the same thing, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(6:19) How to discern your right pace and intensity (8:52) Why doing less is often the most strategic option(11:16) Prompts to consider when you’re ready to start basking(12:03) Embracing the presence of joy and the power of rest(15:12) Permission to soften (without losing your edge)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Trisha HersheyBook: The Use Of Life by John Lubbock Quotes Mentioned in this Episode:"Rest is not idleness. And to lie sometimes on the grass, under the trees on a summer's day, is by no means a waste of time." John Lubbock from The Use of Life (1894)"Joy is not made to be a crumb." Mary Oliver poem: "Don't Hesitate" Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟If you're the one everyone comes to for solutions, the one who holds it all together at home and work, have you ever wondered…”Why is it always me?” Being "the fixer" isn't just about what we do. It's about the internal compulsion we feel to step in, solve problems, and carry the weight when things get hard. It's the guilt we experience when we can't fix everything, and the quiet exhaustion that comes from constantly managing not just our own lives, but everyone else's too.So why does it always fall on you? The truth is that you developed this role for good reasons. It's served you and others well. But if it's becoming unsustainable, there are ways to shift the dynamic without abandoning your natural gifts or feeling guilty about creating the boundaries you need. This week, Karlee teams up with trusted friend and colleague Jack Mason-Goodall for a live group conversation about what it means to be the one who fixes, holds, and carries, and what it costs when no one notices just how much you're managing.In this episode, you’ll join a thoughtful live audience as they explore why we fall into fixing roles, how these patterns develop from childhood, and most importantly, how to create more sustainable ways of showing up that honor both your capacity to help and your need for support.If you’re ready to understand the psychology behind your fixing patterns and learn how to shift from "fix or fail" to something more balanced, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(17:43) The three relationship roles we all inhabit and how they shape our interactions(21:58) How trust influences our tendency to step in and fix(26:18) Bringing awareness in to thwart our automatic responses(34:28) How to navigate resistance while changing your role in relationships (49:08) Vulnerability and self-compassion on the path to changeResources Mentioned in this Episode:Get your FREE "When Helping Gets Heavy" companion guide for this episodeBook: Games People Play: The basic handbook of transactional analysis by Eric Berne MD People Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Senem ErenConnect with Jack Mason-Goodall, BSc., MA, MBACP, MBPsS:LinkedInAutismOptimismInternational.comFocused on relationship‑based play therapy, autism family support, coaching for parents, professionals, and businessesHowToBeUs.comOffers individual and group psychotherapy/coaching with a commitment to inclusivity (LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti‑oppressive)Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟RSVP HERE to Join us for the LIVE Recording of Episode 186:  “Why Does This Always Fall on Me?: A Live Conversation About Stepping Out of the Fixer Role Without Burning Bridges."You’re at a project kickoff meeting and the energy is high. Your manager looks around the room…their gaze lands on you.  You’re told you’ll be handling logistics - keeping everyone organized. Meanwhile, everyone else gets assigned the creative, high-visibility tasks that could actually advance their careers.Or you’re at a neighborhood meeting planning an upcoming block party. You notice the same three people dominating the discussion while others,  like the new family who just moved in and the elderly couple from the corner house, sit quietly, occasionally nodding but never quite finding space to contribute their ideas.Whether it's boardrooms, community meetings, family, or friend groups, unspoken power dynamics shape every interaction. Some voices dominate while others quietly carry the weight. The problem isn't that people are trying to be unfair — it's that we're all operating within invisible systems of rank and privilege that we rarely acknowledge, let alone address.While these situations can feel delicate, the truth is that there IS a healthy, productive way to navigate them.It is possible to create more equitable spaces without blowing up the room.This week, Karlee is back with Jack Mason-Goodall, a UK-based psychologist who works in both clinical therapy and organizational consulting. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the power structures that either fuel collaboration or leave some people feeling silent resentment (while others remain blissfully unaware).You’ll learn the four distinct types of rank that operate in every group setting and why understanding them is crucial for healthy collaboration. You'll learn why talking about power feels so uncomfortable and how to move past that discomfort to create real change. You'll also walk away with practical strategies for addressing power imbalances without burning bridges or burning yourself out, whether you're the one feeling sidelined or the one with privilege who wants to be a better ally.If you're ready to stop feeling powerless in groups and start shifting dynamics for everyone's benefit, regardless of where you sit on the privilege spectrum, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(11:15) The four types of rank that shape group dynamics(14:34) How privilege comfortably takes up space(20:10) The real reason talking about rank and privilege feels so uncomfortable(26:53) How to address situations where your influence feels minimized(31:38) Practical first steps for addressing unspoken power dynamicsResources Mentioned in this Episode:Free Download:The Power Plays You Didn’t See Coming: A Quick Guide to Spotting Rank and Privilege in Groups (and What to Do About It)Connect with Jack Mason-Goodall, BSc., MA, MBACP, MBPsS:LinkedInAutismOptimismInternational.comFocused on relationship‑based play therapy, autism family support, coaching for parents, professionals, and businessesHowToBeUs.comOffers individual and group psychotherapy/coaching committed to inclusivity (LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti‑oppressive)Connect With Karlee:Website -

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Another work meeting, or family phone call, same exhausting dynamics.You know the scene: Someone brought snacks, there's polite chatter about the weather, and then... the same voices dominate while others quietly disengage. The tension builds, nothing really gets resolved, and you walk away thinking, "Why can't we ever just move forward?"Whether it's your work team, family group text, or friend group trying to plan a weekend getaway, the patterns are eerily similar.So, why do some groups just click while others feel like pulling teeth?It’s because every group has two essential elements: task and process. Most groups focus obsessively on the what while completely avoiding the more emotional (and sometimes messier) how.Groups get stuck when they avoid the messy work of actually being with each other. The way forward isn't around the feelings — it's through them.This week, Karlee kicks off Part 1 of a special 3-part series: How to Be in Relationship with People That Drive You Nuts. She’s joined by Jack Mason-Goodall, a UK-based psychologist who works in both clinical therapy and organizational consulting. Jack is her go-to collaborator when a client’s team dynamics require more than coaching; when the real issue is what’s happening beneath the surface.In this episode, you'll discover why some groups flow effortlessly toward their goals while others get trapped in frustrating loops of dysfunction. You'll learn to recognize the invisible emotional undercurrents that either fuel collaboration or sabotage progress. Most importantly, you'll walk away with practical tools to help any group, from your workplace team to your family dinner table, actually accomplish what they set out to do without losing their minds in the process.If you're ready to stop dreading group interactions and start understanding why they go sideways so you can help redirect them (without becoming the group therapist), then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(9:09) The difference between task and process(15:32) How the "superhero leader" myth keeps groups dysfunctional(21:26) Signs your group is leaning too heavily toward task or process(27:14) How to stop being the emotional holder(31:28) The radical idea that healthy groups can handle conflict and frustrationResources Mentioned in this Episode:Free Download: "Why You're Dreading That Meeting Again, and How to Stop Walking in Circles Together"RSVP HERE to join us for the LIVE Recording of Episode 3: Why Does This Always Fall on Me? How to Stop Being the Fixer in Every Room on Sunday, July 20th at 11am EasternPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Wilfred BionMaria SiroisConnect with Jack Mason-Goodall, BSc., MA, MBACP, MBPsS:LinkedInAutismOptimismInternational.comFocused on relationship‑based play therapy, autism family support, coaching for parents, professionals, and businessesHowToBeUs.comOffers individual and group psychotherapy/coaching with a commitment to inclusivity (LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti‑oppressive)Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You’ve finally gotten what you wanted—the freedom, the team, the space to breathe. So why does it feel so... strange? Somehow, the discomfort of this in-between feels more unsettling than the chaos you left behind.Or, maybe you’ve made the hard choice to step away from something that wasn’t serving you—or the world has shifted beneath your feet without your consent—only to find yourself floating in an unfamiliar space between what was and what’s next.Here’s what I know to be true: you’re not lost—you’re simply in the liminal hush. That powerful space between what was and what will be. But… this in-between isn’t a detour. It’s an invitation.This week, in the third and final part of our Navigating Change series, Karlee explores what it means to reside in the in-between—to no longer be who you were but not yet fully inhabit who you’re becoming. This tender, disorienting space is actually where transformation happens.In this episode, you’ll learn how to make room for the after and create space for what you’re becoming. You’ll hear prompts to help you identify the versions of yourself that can finally rest, and how to stay grounded through community and authentic discernment. You’ll also explore what it means to pause long enough for the wisdom to bubble up, rather than rushing to rebuild what wasn’t really working in the first place.If you’re ready to tend to your becoming rather than push through it, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:When change happens (even by choice)…and now it's weird? (0:45) Experiencing the Liminal Rush (or Hush) (2:14) When something new unveils itself (7:17)How to make room for the after (12:37)The wisdom of the in-between (18:05)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 181: This Was Supposed to Feel Better | What real change stirs upEpisode 182: Replace the 5-Year Plan | Why linear goals fail in nonlinear livesLiving Through the Unveiling by Adrienne Marie BrownWorkshop: Navigating Change: Steering Toward Your True North June 21–23People Mentioned in this Episode:Adrienne Marie Brown Dr. Maria SiroisQuotes Mentioned in this Episode:“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” -Lao TzuUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You’ve meticulously crafted the perfect five-year plan, only to watch life crumple it up like yesterday's newspaper. Maybe you've found yourself questioning whether you're off track because nothing is lining up the way it "should."Here’s the thing…Clarity doesn't always come first.Maybe you're not behind schedule—you're just moving to a different rhythm. Planning has its place, but reality often moves more like a spiral than a straight line.Sometimes the detour, the thing that feels like a kink in the railroad tracks, is the direction. And sometimes, a rigid timeline can feel more like a prison than a path forward.Lasting change begins not with forcing ourselves into plans that no longer fit, but with recognizing the season we're actually in.This week, Karlee shares her own story of a carefully constructed plan that got swept away in life’s wake—and how that interruption created space for what ended up laying the foundation for her work today. In this episode, you’ll hear how the space between the moment you’re in now and the clarity you’re looking for can harbor the unexpected. You'll learn to identify whether you're in a season of replenishment, emerging ideas, building, or harvesting wisdom, and how to take grounded actions that match.  You'll also learn how the concept of "spiral mapping" can help you make the right-sized movement that respects and honors the season you’re in now.If you’re ready to embrace what’s outside of the linear and see what presents itself in the spiral, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(0:53) When life interrupts your big plan(7:26) The problem with planning(8:31) Recognizing the season you’re in (11:22) The concept of spiral mapping(14:23) 3 prompts to get startedResources Mentioned in this Episode:Workshop: Navigating Change: Steering Toward Your True North June 21–23Book: Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia IbarraEpisode 181: This Was Supposed to Feel Better | What real change stirs upEpisode 177: Rooted, Not Rattled | Leading with a Unified Power When Others Push for ControlPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Change doesn't always arrive the way we expect it to.Have you ever had your world turned upside down, only to realize later it was the doorway to something better? Something bigger? Maybe even something more honest?Whether change knocks politely or crashes through your door uninvited, it always asks something of you—and it offers something in return.Change is never just logistical. It’s always personal.Beneath the disruption lies a tender terrain where grief and opportunity dance together. The unexpected emotions that arise during change aren't signs you're doing it wrong, but evidence you're growing into someone with greater capacity.Regenerative leadership, in life and in our work, begins not with denying the messy parts, but with giving yourself permission to feel it all.This week, Karlee kicks off part one of a three-part series on Navigating Change. She explores the multifaceted nature of change, acknowledging and embracing the complex emotions that accompany transitions.In this episode, you’ll hear personal anecdotes and client stories that illustrate how both chosen and unexpected changes can lead us through grief to growth and help us uncover new opportunities in the process. You’ll learn practical strategies for navigating change with resilience and emotional honesty, inspiring you to reflect on your own experiences and the lessons that came with them.If you’re ready to feel what’s necessary in this moment so that you can process the lessons and lean into the growth that awaits, then this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(5:00) Unraveling the complexity of change(9:10) Why change is always personal(10:09) The duality of grief and growth(14:55) Finding opportunity in disruption(18:48) Practical strategies for embracing changeResources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: Emotional Agility Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David Study: Reinventing Workplace Development, DeloitteLINK TO NAGIVATING CHANGE LIVE COURSE: https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/navigating-change-steering-toward-your-true-northPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SoroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Pssst…here’s something you need to know:You deserve good things. You are worthy of love, abundance, and joy. Now, how does it feel to take that in? What sensations do you feel? Whether it’s a resounding, “Heck yes, I do!” or if your stomach is rumbling with self-doubt, notice this: your body is always giving you answers. But culturally, historically, and capitalistically, we’ve outsourced the most critical aspects of our relationship to self to…everyone but ourselves. The truth?Measuring self-worth is an inside job. This week, Karlee rekindles memories with long-time friend, Jennifer Madriz, founder of Seventh House Designs. Having worked together in the fast and furious world of celebrity touring, finding sanity and stability amongst one another helped keep them tethered to reality. In this episode, we keep the focus on joy, understanding how it functions as a leadership tool for self and how it manifests in our professional endeavours. You’ll hear powerful examples of challenging dysfunctional norms in relationships and unhealthy work environments, and the steadiness of allyship when things feel anything but normal. You’ll also learn how to reconnect with your body, the meaning of specific physical sensations, and what it feels like to move through the day-to-day when your body’s needs are being met.If you’re ready to be the boss of your self-worth and tap into more joy, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(8:04) Reclaiming your right to feel and be seen(18:32) Your self-worth birthright (29:34) How to tap into your greatest internal resource(42:58) Challenging dysfunctional norms (47:04) Investigating your connection to self Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 178: What IS Joy, and Why Should I Care About It at Work?Guided MeditationA Course in Miracles by Helen SchucmanUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect with Jennifer Madriz:LinkedInInstagramSeventh House DesignsConnect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟If you’re languishing and you know it, clap your hands. (Or roll your eyes.)Why acknowledge something as unglamorous as languishing? Because recognizing how you’re really feeling is the first step to getting unstuck. It's the moment the door cracks open.If we want something to shift, we have to be willing to see it first.And clapping? Laughing when you’re frustrated? Groaning mid-eye-roll? These are small but mighty ways we invite a little movement into stuck places — tiny rebellions that make space for joy to sneak back in.Joy and sorrow aren’t opposites — they’re dance partners. Feeling the heavy stuff is what stretches our capacity to feel the good stuff too.So if things feel foggy or heavy lately, you’re not broken. You’re actually right on schedule. The way through it... leads you back to your joy.This week, Karlee brings back an episode that dives into how joy and sorrow are woven together, and why pretending we’re "fine" never really gets us anywhere. You'll hear how acknowledging the hard emotions protects your energy and opens you up to the kind of joy that lasts.In this conversation, you’ll learn why numbing out never works, how joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin, and practical ways to spark more everyday delight—especiall in tough times.If you’re ready to acknowledge your sorrows so that you can clear a path for the joy behind them, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(8:53) Joy isn’t one-size-fits-all — here’s the breakdown.(9:54) Joy + sorrow = deeper capacity.(12:09) Why acknowledgment changes everything.(18:14) Tiny ways to spark big joy.(21:03) The science says: joy is legit.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Article: Grant, Adam. “There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 Apr. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html. LISTEN NOW: The Boundary Brunch Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Website: King, Pamela Ebstyne. “Pamela Ebstyne King.” The Thrive Center for Human Development, 8 May 2021, thethrivecenter.org/about/pam-ebstyne-king/. TED Talk: Where Joy Hides and Where to Find it with Ingrid Fetell LeePeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dana LemayAdam GrantKahlil GibranDr. Pamela KingIngrid Fetell LeeUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInI

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟When’s the last time you felt a real spark of joy? Not just “this is nice” happy, but full-body, eyes-light-up, heart-exhale joy.Maybe it was curling up with your dog and a good book. Swinging with your kiddo at the playground. Or three whole minutes of peace with your coffee and the sunrise.That’s joy.And we don’t just want more of it—we need it.Joy isn’t fluff. It’s not a reward for getting everything right or being endlessly productive. It’s something we cultivate—with small, everyday choices. Because joy gives us the zest and energy we need to tend to the hard stuff, too. It makes us more resilient, not less real.And yes—joy precedes success. (It’s science, not just a sweet idea.)In this episode, we’re talking about what joy really is (hint: it’s not the same as happiness), why it matters so much for your health, work, and relationships, and how to actually practice it—even in the middle of your full, messy, meaningful life.You’ll learn how to recognize it, how to invite more of it in, and why joy might just be your most underestimated strategy for doing brave, beautiful things in the world.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Joy versus happiness (12:42)Why joy is important for our health (18:30)Joy in the workplace (20:22)Four ways to bring more joy into your life and work (31:31)Leaning into soft strength (36:02)People Mentioned in this Episode:Dana LemaySophie CliffResources Mentioned in this Episode:NotiflyLISTEN NOW: The Boundary Brunch Book:  The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Douglas Carlton Abrams,  Desmond Tutu,  Dalai LamaStudy: Martín-María, Natalia et al. “The Impact of Subjective Well-being on Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies in the General Population.” Psychosomatic medicine vol. 79,5 (2017): 565-575. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000444Study: “Positive Intelligence.” Harvard Business Review, 8 Oct. 2014, hbr.org/2012/01/positive-intelligence.Study: “Read @Kearney: Joy at Work.” Kearney, www.kearney.com/leadership-change-organization/article/?%2Fa%2Fjoy-at-work. Podcast: Joy@Work podcastVideo: Virtual Tour of Kickstarter OfficesUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Ever noticed how some people seem to move through chaos with a steady grace, while others create more chaos and disconnection in their wake?It has to do with the power they access.  But when we shift from seeing power as a control to understanding it as a path to more steadiness and deeper connection, we open ourselves up to a more sustainable way of being in the world.Those moments when you feel truly seen, supported, and capable... they come from a different kind of power dynamic. One that lifts everyone up rather than keeping others down.The way we hold power determines whether we feel exhaustion or a sense of steady calm.This week, Karlee explores the four types of power to help you pinpoint whether power is being used to fragment or unite. Because when you're not operating from a place of scarcity and fear, you get to create spaces where everyone can thrive. And that changes everything.In this episode, you’ll learn to recognize the different ways power shows up in your life and work. You'll hear how power over dynamics often lead to exhaustion, while power to, power with, and power within create steadiness and connection. You'll also hear about what Karlee calls "the Godzilla effect"—when someone's words and actions don't match, and what to do about it. If you’re ready to find more steadiness and clarity in how you move through chaos, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(1:41) Understanding what power isn’t—and why it’s not about control(7:14) How power plays into the way we lead and connect with others(8:54) An intro to the four types of power and how to use them wisely(16:01) Cultivating power within as your anchor(20:45) Why community care is especially important right nowResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 58: Being Lied To? The 4 Types of Power and What to Do When What Someone Says, And What They Do, Are DifferentResearch Paper: Brene Brown on Power and LeadershipUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Ever felt like you’re making a change, but instead of feeling accomplished, you just feel… awkward? Well, then welcome. You’ve landed in your very own "terrible fork phase".  It’s a funny way to define those moments when progress is slow and our initial efforts feel clumsy or underwhelming. But… however imperfect our actions, they represent important progress toward meaningful change. These flimsy forked phases are actually very necessary for growth.Because even small moves count as progress. And consistent progress IS change.This week, Karlee explores the concept of the "terrible fork phase" - a metaphorical stage of growth (based on a real fork) where progress feels awkward, imperfect, and potentially ineffective, but is nonetheless a step forward when you’re uncertain about what to do next. In this episode, we’re calling out those clunky, frustrating, not-quite-right-yet moments of growth and reframing them for what they really are—proof that you’re making progress. You’ll hear real-life stories of leaders and boundary-setters navigating their own terrible fork moments (think: tiny, useless branded blankets and a first-time “no” that came with a side of panic).  Plus, we’ll talk about why small, imperfect steps always beat waiting for perfection, and how self-compassion can help you stick with it even when it feels like a disaster.Because the truth? If it feels a little messy, you’re probably doing it right.If you’re ready to lean into the next step, even if it’s not the perfect one, and create momentum on the path to change, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The concept of the “Terrible Fork Phase” (0:37)Relatable examples of fork phases (5:26)A delegation disaster turned learning moment (9:43)How whispers of courage can become winds of change (13:01)A prompt to inspire a little movement (14:55)People Mentioned in this Episode:Mary Anne RadmacherDarnell Lamont WalkerBrendon BurchardUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Is it just me, or do you also feel like the world is especially loud right now?Between news cycles screaming for attention and social media's constant noise, it's no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. Or even completely checked out. But here’s the thing…Our attention is valuable. And where we choose to focus it shapes our experience and influences the world around us.So, if you’re experiencing feelings of panic or a sense of urgency that won’t seem to lift, then it’s time to reclaim your agency. Identifying what you actually want to champion is how you can become bigger than the moment you find yourself in, and create more purposeful value-aligned actions.This week, Karlee shares the skill of seeing the bigger picture when things feel chaotic to take a beat and reclaim your agency. When you dare to pause and recognize what truly requires your attention, you can respond intentionally rather than react impulsively. In this episode, you’ll learn how the fear we absorb from the world we live in affects our nervous system. You’ll hear a powerful alternative to panic that will help you reclaim your attention and find steadiness, rather than overreact to the noise. You’ll hear real-life examples of clients who reframed difficult situations, and learn how to focus on your integrity and take more intentional actions.If you’re ready to redirect feelings of panic into purposeful action, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(2:47) Why we need an alternative to panic(7:05 ) A three-step approach to see the bigger picture again (8:38) How urgency hijacks our nervous system (16:53) The powerful act of reclaiming your agency(18:29) A question that will refocus you on what truly matters Resources Mentioned in this Episode:The Boundary Academy: FREE Mini-Course Proven Boundary ScriptsPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Maya AngelouUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟When we reflect back on our successes, it’s normal for our sense of pride to swell up a little. It took hard work to get where you’ve gotten. But there’s another element of every success story that doesn’t always get enough of our attention. All of those good things that seem to happen without any effort on your part… the things that take place behind the scenes, you didn’t do them. But somebody did. You see, the narrative we’re told about being “self-made”, well it just isn’t accurate. Because somewhere, someone did something to help facilitate the chain of “good things” that got us here.This is how we open ourselves up to a better story—one of connection, gratitude, and the quiet support that makes the journey possible.This week, Karlee emphasizes the importance of recognizing and normalizing the unearned gifts and support we receive from allies, mentors, strangers, and guides, seen and unseen. Because if you’re not telling the story of being self-made, you get to tell a story of appreciation. And that changes everything. In this episode, you’ll learn to recognize the gifts, both big and small, that are available to you now and along your way. You’ll hear personal anecdotes and a handful of client stories that demonstrate how unexpected opportunities and moments of unearned goodness impact success stories. You’ll also get a simple prompt to help you reflect on when, where, and how the gifts you’ve benefited from have shown up in your life.If you’re ready to start weaving more appreciation into your success story, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(4:14) Gifts that deserve more recognition(7:08) The egocentricity of “self-made” (9:36) Considering your allies (11:32) Why success is a collective effort(13:57) A prompt for recognizing where good is showing up Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟What is your purpose in life?Gosh, that feels like a loaded question. One that we could spend a lifetime (or three) trying to answer.But what if finding “a” purpose didn’t have to feel so final? What if it was more flexible, and what if we could change it up year after year?This week, Karlee embarks on a journey of what it means to find “purpose”, and debunks the concept that it needs to find you. Instead, purpose can be chosen, and, guess what… it can be malleable throughout your life. In this episode, we’ll explore the concept of finding purpose, starting with the idea that you can embrace multiple truths simultaneously. You’ll learn why finding meaning doesn't require a lifelong quest. You’ll come away with a powerful exercise to help you identify what’s most important to you this year. If you’re ready to let your values become your compass for decision-making and move toward clarity and alignment, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(0:52) Navigating these vivid times(1:59) Accepting our multifaceted nature(8:04) Purpose versus push(11:02) A practical prompt to define your compass(15:21) Where to begin, an exercisePeople Mentioned in this Episode:Audre LordeBrené BrownUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Does the new year ever really feel so “new” and fresh for long? For many of us, the end of the calendar year means time spent with family, and hopefully a few days away from work. But the irony is that they can still feel physically and emotionally taxing. You see,  we were born into burnout culture. And that “two weeks PTO” carrot at the end of the stick ain’t cutting it. Vacations and holidays are wonderful, but they rarely leave us feeling rested. The holidays, and the winter months especially, are a fine time to step back and evaluate, perhaps even redefine, our relationship with rest and work.It’s time for a cultural shift away from the drudgery of burnout culture. It’s time to embrace a culture of rest.   This week, Karlee revisits a restful exchange with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought leader and author of numerous books, including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.  Her insight on the seven types of rest helps people understand their specific rest deficits as a means to overcome burnout, increase overall happiness, and live more meaningful lives.In this episode, you’ll identify what burnout looks and feels like, and you’ll start to recognize the effect sustained burnout can have on your quality of life and your relationships. You’ll recognize how living and growing up in a burnout culture has taught us to treat vacations as cures, and why those breaks never really relieve our emotional burdens. You’ll also learn about the seven types of specific rest you need, which of them you need more of, and practical ways you can start to nourish your rest deficits. If you’re ready to rip the bandaid off of burnout culture and take the time to deepen your understanding of what rest is and start to get more of it, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(3:07 ) Exploring the Seven Types of Rest (11:57) Why you don’t feel rested after vacations and holidays (18:00) Practical ways to approach rest(28:26) Reclaiming your best work and relationships(37:48) The normalization of burnoutResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 138: From Burnout Culture to Rest Culture with Saundra Dalton-SmithVideo: TED: The 7 types of rest every person needs Dr. Saundra Dalton-SmithBook: Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-SmithFREE Quiz: Personal Rest AssessmentConnect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:Website: DrDaltonSmith.comTwitter: @DrDaltonSmithFacebook: Dr. Saundra Dalton – SmithInstagram: @DrDaltonSmithPinterest: @DrDaltonSmithConnect With Karlee: Website

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟We know that rest is essential. But… for high achievers, it’s easy to see go-mode as just the natural flow of things.When we dare to pause (and dare others to do the same), we instantly recognize that we too are susceptible to the cultural norms that push us to prioritize work over rest.And as many of us gear up for another extra busy holiday season, it’s important to remind ourselves and one another:Rest is not the opposite of productivity; it’s the gateway to productivity.We must give ourselves permission to rest.Because allowing space for those pockets of joy in small moments can be transformative.This week, Karlee revisits a timely conversation with Faith Clarke, an Organizational Health & Inclusion Specialist. Through her work, she provides important cultural and historical context to how we navigate the “rules” of society, shedding a necessary light on how this conditioning affects us. In this episode, we unpack the reasons why you might be working so hard and resting so little. You’ll shift your culturally ingrained perspective on time and commitments and begin to open your days, weeks, months, and years to more opportunities for rest. By constructing your own imaginary world, you can break societal rules around productivity, regain your power, and creatively find more time for respite.If you’re ready to open up more pockets of joy in your life, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(6:11) Cultural constructs and the burden of work(09:05) Finding your Pockets of Power(11:50) How to create an alternate reality for rest(15:11) The interplay between self and community(18:01) Navigating the Zero-Sum GameResources Mentioned in this Episode:DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY of the ROADMAP TO REST FOR HIGH ACHIEVERSEpisode 135: Pockets of Power | How to be a able to say “yes” to joy in your way-too-busy life with Faith ClarkeArticle: Gilson, D. (2011) Overworked America: 12 charts that Will make your blood boil, Mother Jones. Available at: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/speedup-americans-working-harder-charts/ Website: Tricia Hersey  http://www.triciahersey.com/ Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.People Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Jovana WashingtonConnect with Faith Clarke:WebsiteConnect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟In phases of transition, here we understand that we are NOT lost. Oh, no no. We’re just floating quietly and calmly in the Fertile Void.We know that navigating change often comes with a bit of discomfort. Putting words to those feelings can help us cultivate the right language for what we’re experiencing. And through those words, we can tap into the courage and clarity that’s required to navigate changing currents or completely new bodies of water. (And unexpected plumbing disasters.)When things feel uncertain, we know that we can always find certainty in 3 simple words…“You got this.” This week, Karlee revisits an episode with Gayle Danley, former National Individual Poetry Slam Champion. She holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Howard University and an M.A. in radio, TV, and film from Syracuse University. Gayle performs slam poetry around the country, and is the author of two books of poetry: Naked: Poems that Uncover My Soul and Soulfull: A Study of Slam Poetry.In this episode, Gail shares her journey to self-affirmation through the power of words. You’ll hear how slam poetry has provided her with a sense of identity, purpose, and stability in times of change. You’ll learn how to “get good” with where you are in the moment, and how to cultivate a supportive inner voice.If you’re ready to tap into the power of your words and paddle bravely through seas of change, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(2:07) Ways to simplify when life feels complex(11:23) Getting “good” with wherever you are now(19:39) Finding voice through poetry (28:50) Gayle’s 4-step writing process(34:22) Being patient when we’ve lost our sense of directionResources Mentioned in this Episode:Claim your spot in The Boundary AcademyEpisode 128: “You Got This” | Engaging The Power of Your Words During Change with Gayle Danley People Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisKate NorthrupSuzi Banks BaumUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Does the level of uncertainty these days feel like it’s at a perpetual crescendo? You sure aren’t alone…If you’re also a voyager on these choppy seas,  then like many of us, the pace of unpredictability has you thinking about what, and who, is really important.    And how you can protect it.This week, Karlee opens up a candid conversation about authenticity, offering a more mature definition of what it means to be authentic in relationships- especially in times of uncertainty. In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach authenticity in a way that’s reciprocal, serving the needs of others while allowing you to hold true to your values. You’ll learn why authenticity is a two-way street that requires consideration of how we interact with others. And, you’ll hear a powerful prompt that will empower you to hold true to your values in a way that doesn’t cause harm to others.If you’re ready to anchor into stability through these uncertain times and build stronger, more authentic connections, then this episode is for you.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(7:02) A peek behind the scenes of Karlee’s latest workshop(8:08) The desire for reciprocity in relationships (11:13) Why real authenticity requires understanding nuance(14:00) Identifying what needs protecting(17:13) Developing a neuro pattern of sturdiness Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Kripalu Center for Yoga & HealthPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisBrené BrownUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Trying to control the choices of others takes up a LOT of space,  depleting us of precious energy that could be better spent elsewhere. But you don’t want things to fall apart without you either.Whether it's a lifestyle choice you don’t agree with, a work ethic that doesn’t seem sustainable from your perspective, or a loved one who isn’t doing what you think they should be doing in a crisis, trying to apply your agenda to someone else’s life is a losing game - for everyone involved.The trick is learning when to release your grip on others and focusing instead on what you can control….yourself. This week, Karlee shares practical advice to help you decipher when it makes sense to lean in, and when the best thing to do is to lean back and surrender your agenda.In this episode, we dive into the liberating shift from trying to influence others to refining our own inner responses. Explore how to recalibrate your boundaries, reclaim your energy, and refocus on what truly matters to you. We’ll share insightful, real-world examples and a straightforward, actionable prompt to help you tap into authentic self-control—leading to a deeper sense of agency and freedom. This episode offers a fresh, strategic perspective for savvy leaders ready to invest energy where it yields the greatest return: within.If you’re ready to surrender your agenda and reclaim your energy, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(7:18) Trying to change people who don’t want to change(9:28) Why micromanagement fails(12:56) Daring to pause when control efforts don’t work(18:21) How to replace frustration with acceptance(20:47) Surrendering your agenda to free up spaceResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 161: The Sinkhole Effect | What to do when good people have you feeling badCitations:Beer, M., Finnstrom, M., & Schrader, D. (2015). "Why Leadership Training Fails—and What to Do About It." Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from hbr.org.Llopis, G. (2019). "Why Leading by Example Matters." Forbes. Retrieved from forbes.com.Sutton, B. (2017). "The Science of Saying No: How Boundaries Improve Performance." Inc. Magazine. Retrieved from inc.com.Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟You’re pulled in a million directions, huh?  Gosh, it’s easy to lose a sense of who we are when this happens - but some people have a solution…Today’s most successful leaders do one very important thing…they know how to “unforget”.In this episode Karlee dives into the ancient Greek concept of unforgetting, a powerful idea introduced by Socrates himself. You know those moments when something just clicks, and you feel inspired or clear? That’s the magic of unforgetting—and it’s not about gaining more; it’s about remembering what’s already there, and there’s a system for helping this happen.This week, Karlee shares why the unforgetting of who we are is so important and how to de-clutter the external so you can unforget the internal.You’ll hear how successful leaders are realigning with their inner knowing by taking the time to be “un-influencers”.  You’ll also hear actionable prompts to help you make decisions based on what you know to be true for yourself and for those you lead.If you’re ready to clear the mental clutter and spark clarity by tapping into your inner knowing, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(5:48) What today’s most powerful leaders do differently (7:41) Real-life example of one pro leading from her inner compass(8:20) Why culmination and reflection is essential for progress  (11:27) Practical ways to reconnect with your inner wisdom(13:38) Prompts to help you unforget this week and lead with purpose this weekResources Mentioned in this Episode:On Culmination: Episode 145: Going Deeper, Not Faster | A Culmination Episode to Bolster Your Wits, Wisdom, and “Enoughness”Episode 90: Room for Rest: How to Reclaim Your Productive Downtime like a ProEpisode 73: The Purposeful Pause - How Women Get Colossal Results By Contracting Before We ExpandKripalu Workshop: Better Boundaries: A Gateway to Authentic Living Nov 15-17thPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisLarry Jackson – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Philosophy Lecturer at Columbia UniversityRobyn Hannigan - President of Ursinus College, GeologistQuotes Mentioned in this Episode:“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson“Authenticity is the collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real, the choice to be honest, the choice to let our true selves be seen.” -Brené Brown“Put your feet on the earth, feel the ground beneath you.” -Robyn Hannigan “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.” -Warren Bennis Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedIn

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟As the end of the year gets closer, do you feel the pressure heating up?Is there a little voice nagging at you to hurry up and meet those goals you set back in January, telling you it’s time to push harder?Before you decide to go full throttle, there’s something you should know…It’s all a trap.This week, Karlee explains why the end-of-the-year hustle is a never-ending cycle that doesn’t lead to sustainable success. Pushing to do it all before the calendar changes goes against the cues of the natural world, which shows us that this is a time to rest and regenerate. In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of setting goals through purpose rather than push. You’ll hear how sustained success depends on our ability to tap into a more regenerative way of approaching this season, highlighting the natural rhythms of life instead of an imaginary finish line. You’ll hear a simple, actionable tip for recalibrating your pace so you can carve out moments of rest - and reclaim some of your better thinking. If you’re ready to make the extraordinary decision to discern your own pace, then this is the episode for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(9:29) The importance of a purposeful pace(11:57) Taking stock of an eventful year(13:42) Looking to nature for guidance(18:06) Making extraordinary decisions (22:14) What sustained success looks likeResources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 138: From Burnout Culture to Rest Culture with Saundra Dalton-SmithKripalu Workshop: Better Boundaries: A Gateway to Authentic Living Nov 15-17thPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Maria SiroisQuotes Referenced in this Episode:“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya AngelouUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟What do you do when you don’t know what to do…next?Especially when you're the "together one in your circle, " people count on you... Uncertainty, for many of us, feels uncomfortable. But the in-between is far from a liminal space where we wait or try to force action. It’s an important phase that offers us something very rich indeed… the gift of simplicity. This week, Karlee unveils the wisdom of learning to live into the questions that simplify our thoughts and clarify our next steps. In this episode, you’ll hear how people experiencing the challenges of feeling checked out or in a fog reclaim purpose and lean into the richness of uncertainty. By asking themselves good questions, they could take that 3% step forward in their relationships, health, and career. You’ll learn the importance of honing your focus on the doable stuff so you can begin to embrace the fog as an opportunity for growth in all areas of your life.If you’re ready to make things more doable and thrive in the face of big questions, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(2:51) Feeling the need to show up even when you're unclear (4:27) Navigating the question: What happens next?(8:06) Moving things 3% forward(11:06) What to do when you’re in the fog(13:09) The power of leaning into simplicityResources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria RilkeBook: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Warren BuffetSteve JobsBrené BrownUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟How do you see yourself in this moment?Are you a person who’s working hard to become successful? Are you taking painting classes on weekends to become an artist? Are you a person with a lukewarm temper who wants to become someone who approaches life with a little more grace and forgiveness?What have you been wanting to be that you could just decide, right now, that you are?This week, Karlee shares stories of transformation that didn’t take years or decades to achieve. Simply by making the decision in the moment to see things differently, change happens. In this episode, you’ll learn how instantaneous shifts in perspective can change how we see ourselves and how we view the world around us. You’ll hear the inspiring stories of people who dared to pause and, just by taking that moment to reconsider, were able to recalibrate how they view themselves and others. You’ll also learn how to be that version of yourself you’ve been waiting to become, right now.  If you’re ready to make the brave choice to “be”, instead of waiting to “become”, then this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(5:40) An invitation to take a “goodly pause” to gain clarity(9:01)  What restores a genuine sense of hope(11:33) A simple shift in perspective to see things in a more positive light(17:49) How imagining bravery becomes actual bravery(22:20) Becoming the person you want to be, starting nowResources Mentioned in this Episode:Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert“Hope” poem by Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerHow to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope by James CrewsBoundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries: The Gateway to Authentic Living with Karlee Fain and Maria SiroisDirt Gems by Anne Louise BurdettEpisode 35: Trust Your KnowingEpisode 123: When Tradition Lays a TrapPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Suzi Banks BaumPolly HatfieldMaria Sirois Anne Louise BurdettUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folks at

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Resources Mentioned in this Episode:🌟  Click For a FREE Copy of Karlee's Regenerative Living + Working GuideLife is like a… Venn diagram. Yes, in our best times it’s also like a delicious box of dark chocolates. But in today’s episode, we’re pointing to something more specific: the career, health, and relationship trifecta. It’s what we call the “Big 3”. We all strive for a thriving career, vibrant health, and life-giving relationships. The thing we don’t realize is that there’s a point at which they all intersect. If your work-life mojo is in sync, then these 3 areas of life can actually help support each other. This week, Karlee helps you map out the current state of your Big 3 so you can recognize how, and where, to find support when one area needs attention.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to create kinship between life, work, and your relationships. You’ll gain access to a simple exercise that will help you Venn diagram your Big 3, so you can find the support you need by leveraging what's already good. You’ll also learn how to make these areas work regeneratively so they become allies to one another.If you’re ready to evaluate your mojo AND appreciate what’s already working, then this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(2:34) Standing in kinship to the ‘Big 3’ aspects of our lives(5:26) Ditch balance and opt for work-life mojo(8:27) Support wisdom from a Poet Laureate (15:09) How to know if your Big 3 are regenerative(18:07) Recognizing what’s already good Resources Mentioned in this Episode:🌟  Click For a FREE Copy of Karlee's Regenerative Living + Working GuidePeople Mentioned in this Episode:Kimberly Blaeser: Learn more and support her work here: https://www.kblaeser.org/About Standing (in Kinship) poem by Kimberley Blaeser: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/about-standing-in-kinship/Kamala Harris Venn diagram and human rights: https://www.yahoo.com/news/m-going-confess-love-venn-144616746.htmlUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folks at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟In the span of your day, how often do you get sidetracked by the unexpected?You’re super focused on a work project, and then wham!! An attention-grabbing subject line lands in your inbox and, well, it’ll just take a minute. Or you’re watching your kid’s basketball game and your pocket vibrates. Curiosity gets the better of you and before you know it, you’re swept into a work issue that pulls your attention away from the court.Those “little” things that interrupt our days and our thought processes can often completely take over our plans.Having a solid and supported system in place to face those distractions head-on is the only way to regain autonomy over your time. This week, Karlee helps you discover a way to hone your focus and dial in your discernment so you can decipher when it's necessary to change plans or simply say “no, thank you”. In this episode, you’ll learn how to reframe the distractions you come up against in your work and personal life so that you can prioritize what matters most. You’ll learn how to keep control of the wheel and not be led off course, especially when the unexpected doesn’t support you in the direction you want to go. And you’ll learn how to build a plan that binds you to your best choices. If you’re ready to stop feeling pulled and start making choices that support who you want to be and where you want to go,  this is the episode for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:(09:45) What it’s like when best-laid plans get interrupted (12:23) The invitation you’re being given when you feel pulled to do something(14:25) How to discern the distractions you come up against(17:40) A 3-part process for choosing what’s most important(22:23) The one element that will help you follow through on your values Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 161: The Sinkhole Effect | What to do when good people have you feeling badPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Kurt Vonnegut: https://www.vonnegutlibrary.org/Maria Sirois: https://www.mariasirois.com/Use the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folks at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Is there someone in your life who, as much as you care about them, often leaves you feeling not so good?Whether it’s a friend, a family member, a coworker, or anyone for that matter, the energy exchange you get from your encounters leaves you feeling drained. It’s like every time you meet, you descend a little bit deeper into an emotional sinkhole. And you have to spend the time between pulling yourself out of it before the inevitable next encounter.  The tricky part is that you know they aren’t bad people. They’re just in their own world right now, focused on their own things, unable to see how their actions affect you or your organization.These situations can feel exhausting and be challenging to navigate. But they aren’t impossible. This week, Karlee explains how the “sinkhole effect” works and how it affects our relationships with others. Toughing it out through these sticky situations isn’t good for anyone, and it’s a drain on your precious energy reserves.  In this episode, you’ll learn what it feels like to be in a sinkhole situation through real-life examples of people who have successfully navigated their way through one - without making things worse in the process. You’ll learn a simple exercise that will help you understand the emotional cost-benefit of keeping things the way they are versus instigating change, and where to start if change needs to happen.If you’re ready to give yourself some grace and stop doing the energetic heavy lifting, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The hitchhiker and the sinkhole (0:50)Compassion for others versus compassion for self  (11:13)Managing energy rather than managing time (12:26)An exercise in emotional cost-benefit analysis (14:02)Where to start now if something needs to change (20:16)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz Book: The Joy of Leadership: How Positive Psychology Can Maximize Your Impact (and Make You Happier) in a Challenging World by Angus Ridgway and  Tal Ben-ShaharUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Shame is a trickster.It can sneak up on us at the worst moments, kick us when we’re down, and make us feel inferior to others.But here in the Messy & Magnificent community, we’ve got a trick up our sleeves that can rival that ol’ dog we call shame… It’s recognizing what you’ve already done well already. Recognizing your strengths can snuff out the self-judgment so you can let yourself off the hook and start to focus on getting resourced for what’s next. This week, Karlee reveals that shameful trickster behind the curtain, showing you how to extinguish the insecurities you feel now and instead, acknowledge the strength and determination that got you where you are today.In this episode, you’ll discover why shame creeps up on all of us, and you’ll hear the familiar untruths it leaves in its wake. You’ll hear real-life examples of high-achievers who are battling the shame game and learn how to build up your gratitude as a feel-good defense mechanism to instantly shift your mindset. First, gratitude for how well you’ve done with what you’ve had. Then, it’s the right time to seek the knowledge and resources you need to move forward.If you’re ready to release the weight of shame, guilt, and self-judgement, and feel genuine gratitude for the “you” that got you here, and THEN focus on what’s next, then this episode is for you!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Understanding how shame messes with our game (4:38)Examples of self-judgment real people are experiencing (9:39)Why you’re off the hook if you’re feeling ‘not good enough’ (12:25)3 questions to help you seek the resources you need now (15:35)A powerful quote about boundaries that softens self-judgement (19:04)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Join us next year for the Navigating Change Workshop (note: the 2025 dates for this program will update soon - email [email protected] if you want us to let you now when enrollment officially opens)People Mentioned in this Episode:Maria SiroisPrentice HemphillUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Ever fall down the slide of rumination? Or get caught in a downward mental spiral that kicks you will you’re down?Whether it’s a career setback, an emotional hurdle, or a broken bone that seems like it’s taking forever to heal, you just can’t seem to get out from under that cloud of negativity.You know it's time for a shift, but “unicorn and fairy dust” levels of positivity don’t feel true.Have you thought about going neutral? This week, Karlee reminds us of a middle ground- a place between the emotional poles that can hold us when we’re in the in-between space. A place where we can allow ourselves to wander, and perhaps even our minds a new path to walk towards a genuinely more hopeful next moment.In this episode, you’ll learn that when things feel challenging or when we’re not at our best, there’s more than just positive and negative to choose from.  You’ll come away with two simple and pragmatic first steps that will help you shift your less helpful thoughts into something better, but not something that feels unrealistic or dishonest.If you’re ready to embrace neutral when nothing else seems to fit and create space for a little more wonder in your life, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:A proven way to get unstuck when negativity persists (7:26)What it means to have allies around you (11:10)When patience in problem-solving is important  (16:13)What happens when we experience wonder (19:30)Action prompts to shift your perspective (24:06)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Bai, Y., Ocampo, J., Jin, G., Chen, S., Benet-Martinez, V., Monroy, M., Anderson, C., & Keltner, D. (2021). Awe, daily stress, and elevated life satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(4), 837–860. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000267Positive Emotions Broaden and Build, Barbara Fredrickson, University of North CarolinaThe neural correlates of the awe experience: Reduced default mode network activity during feelings of awe. Michiel van Elk  1   2 , M Andrea Arciniegas Gomez  1 , Wietske van der Zwaag  2   3 , Hein T van Schie, Disa Sauterhttps://philosophybreak.com/articles/iris-murdoch-unselfing-is-crucial-for-living-a-good-life/   Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999) was an Irish-British philosopher People Mentioned in this Episode:Ethan Kross: https://www.ethankross.com/Iris Murdoch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_MurdochUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟Nature works in phases, rhythms, and cyclical patterns. This is essential for achieving balance and harmony.So when things are feeling particularly heavy or difficult, for you, for someone close to you, or someone in your organization, then it makes sense for us to take a cue from nature, too. When we allow ourselves and each other the space to wax and wane as life naturally dictates, it opens up valuable opportunities to co-collaborate. This week, Karlee shares how you can beautifully navigate situations that require balancing the specific needs of yourself or your organization with the needs of those who might need a little extra space in that moment. In this episode, you’ll learn why the bigger picture needs don’t have to heel to the needs of the individual while you dig deeper to create more understanding. You’ll be invited to hone in on the specific needs of the organization and focus on what’s truly important when light wanes from one direction. You’ll also begin to flip the default script and recognize that, often, the two sets of needs aren’t in competition, after all. If you’re ready to masterfully navigate the cyclical patterns of life and work, then this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Choosing compassion and performance in tough personal moments (6:21)Prioritizing what really matters when things feel overwhelming (9:15)The important first step in co-collaboration (12:29)Determining what is needed in order to do well (14:34)Recognizing that the needs of the person and the organization aren’t in conflict (17:43)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Article: Leaders Don’t Have to Choose Between Compassion and Performance by Mark Mortensen and Heidi Gardner. Harvard Business ReviewUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟When was the last time you sang at the top of your lungs from the driver's seat of your car or from the privacy of your shower? When was the last time you felt truly heard by your closest confidants? Or had a deep and meaningful conversation that left you feeling grateful to have such a sympathetic, understanding ear?Whatever those life-giving things are for you, one thing is probably certain…we all do better when they happen consistently.This week, Karlee shares a realization about that feeling we get when we’re truly at peace, in total comfort of our surroundings and who we’re surrounded by.In this episode, you’ll hear what it feels like to embrace natural tranquility and learn how to create awareness so that you can identify when you feel it and when you don’t. You’ll learn how to transform frenetic, anxious energy, even in the midst of chaos, to regain control of your impulse reactions and find your calm center. If you’re ready to stoke the bonfires of your better living, surrounded by people and experiences that feel life-giving, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The feeling of “being” together (1:41)Learning to observe without impulse (6:45)Primary food and secondary foods that we consume (8:38)Seeking out the life-giving moments (11:24)Prompts to help you identify what gives you life (14:23)Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Article: Developing Executive Presence HBR 2011 by Joshua Ehrlich Song: James Blunt’s Bonfire HeartPeople Mentioned in this Episode:Maria SiroisUse the “Text Karlee” option above to send your Audio Comments and Questions to us.Connect With Karlee: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramMessy and Magnificent is produced by the folks at Ginni Media.