PODCAST · business
Ordinary To Badass
by Marie Sonneman
A podcast for women who are capable—but tired of being overlooked in rooms not built for them. Hosted by Marie Sonneman, a law enforcement lieutenant turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations, practical career advice, and leadership strategies for women in predominantly male industries.From quiet confidence to strategic visibility, you’ll hear how women rise without shrinking or burning out—and how to build a life that doesn’t disappear in the process. If you’re ready to be unmistakable at work and protect what matters outside of it, you’re in the right place.
Episodes
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457: You Learned to Handle It Yourself. Now It’s the Reason You Can’t Let Go.
You got good at handling things yourself for a reason. It made you reliable. Capable. The person everyone could count on. ... And it probably helped you get promoted. ... But the same habit that helped you become a leader can quietly become the thing holding you—and the people you supervise—back....
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456: You Learned to Be the Go-To Person. Here’s Why It Can Stall Your Career.
Being the person that everyone relies on feels like a good thing. ... You know the answers. You solve the problems. You get things done. ... But what if the exact habit that made you valuable is also keeping you stuck? ... In this episode of Ordinary to Badass, Marie breaks down the hidden…
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455: 8 Leadership Lessons from Women Who Changed the Room | Part 2
Getting into the room doesn’t mean everyone has the same path forward. And sometimes, working harder isn’t enough to change what happens next. ... In Part 2, Marie explores four more women whose stories offer powerful lessons for navigating your career and leading with intention: Mileva Marić,...
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454: 8 Leadership Lessons from Women Who Changed the Room | Part 1
What can Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oprah Winfrey, Hedy Lamarr, and Rosalind Franklin teach us about leadership? ... A lot more than “be brave” and “keep going.” ... In Part 1 of this two-part episode, I’m breaking down four leadership lessons from women who changed the room—and the strategy behind how...
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453: The Biggest Promotion Mistake Happens Before You Apply
Most people start preparing for a promotion when the position opens. ... That’s already too late. ... In this episode, I’m breaking down how to start preparing before the opportunity shows up—so you’re not scrambling to prove you’re ready at the last minute. ... We’ll talk about: What your job...
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452: The Words That Quietly Give Away Your Power
What if the biggest thing holding you back at work isn't your ability… it's the way you talk about your ability? In this episode, I sit down with engineer, consultant, and creator Kim Porter to talk about imposter syndrome, leading in male-populated industries, and the subtle ways women...
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451: What Nobody Tells Women About Their First Promotion
Getting promoted is exciting… until you realize nobody prepared you for what comes next. Most women spend years working toward their first leadership role. But once you get there, the challenges change. In this episode, I share the 8 things nobody told me before my first promotion, including: Why...
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450: The Truth About Being "That Girl" at Work
She spent two and a half years watching the guys around her get away with the exact same mistakes that were landing her in someone's file — and the whole time, one thought kept running the show: I don't want to be that girl. Attorney and former undercover narcotics deputy and SWAT operator…
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449: Don't outshine the master
She spent 20 years earning a seat that was never built for her — and found out the hard way that being good at the job doesn't make you safer. It makes you a bigger threat. ... Retired Fire Chief Deena Johnson Lee joins Marie to talk about what actually happens once you start winning in a...
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448: You Don't Get What You Deserve—You Get What You Ask For
You were told to wait your turn. Be patient, keep your head down, and eventually it'll be your time. Here's the problem: the person who got promoted last quarter didn't wait for anything. ... In this episode, Marie breaks down why "wait your turn" is one of the most dangerous pieces of advice a...
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447: The Rules of the Game No One Explains
Have you ever watched a man get credit for an idea that came out of your mouth five minutes earlier? ... Or noticed that the women around you somehow became the party planner, office therapist, note taker, and scheduler—on top of the job they were actually hired to do? ... In this episode, we're...
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446:You Keep Waiting Until You're Ready—But Confidence Doesn't Work That Way
How many opportunities have you talked yourself out of because you didn't feel ready? ... In this flashback episode, I sit down with mindset coach, personal trainer, and Girls on the Run Long Island Chairperson Nancy Feinstein to talk about confidence, self-doubt, and why waiting until you feel...
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445: You Were Raised to Be Polite… But Leadership Requires Directness
If being direct feels mean, this episode is for you. ... Many women are taught from a young age to be agreeable, accommodating, and keep the peace. Then they step into leadership and discover that clarity, accountability, and difficult conversations are part of the job. That tension can make...
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444: You Were Taught Not to Brag—Now Leadership Can't See Your Impact
You were taught not to brag. Keep your head down. Work hard. Be humble. And for a lot of high performers—especially women—that sounds like good advice. The problem? Leadership can't advocate for work they can't clearly remember. In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest career...
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443: Hard Work Is Killing Your Promotion Chances
Most employees think: “if I work hard enough, leadership will notice.” That’s not how promotions work. In this sprint episode, I break down: why high performers get stuck how bosses actually evaluate leadership the “fraction problem” and why hard work alone can quietly sabotage your career.
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442: You Were Taught Not to Brag… But Your Boss Can’t Back What They Can’t See
Most women were taught: “Keep your head down.” “Work hard.” “Don’t brag.” Meanwhile… promotions are being decided in conversations happening behind closed doors. 👀 In this episode, I’m breaking down: ⚡ Why visibility feels so uncomfortable for high-performing women ⚡ The difference between...
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441: Why Hasn’t This Been Done? (And Why That Pissed Me Off)
Have you ever had someone say something at work… and technically it’s fine… but it lands completely wrong? In this episode, I break down the difference between what people say and what they actually imply—and why that’s where so much workplace friction comes from. From a coworker questioning me...
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440: You Learned to Work Twice as Hard… Now You Need to Stop
You learned to work twice as hard to prove yourself… ...…but what if that’s the exact thing holding you back? Think working harder gets you promoted? ...Think again. In this episode, I’m breaking down the quiet truth most people don’t realize until it’s too late: 👉 The people getting promoted...
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439: You Don’t Have a Confidence Problem — You’re Ignoring Your Intuition
Most people think they need more confidence to take action. ...But what if that’s not the problem? ... In this episode, we’re flipping the script. ... Because the truth is—you already know what to do. You’ve felt it in those quiet moments, in your gut, in that nudge you keep second-guessing. The...
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438: You Got Promoted… But Something Feels Off at Work
Ever walked away from a work conversation thinking, “Nothing they said was wrong… so why did that feel off?” In this episode, we unpack the quiet, often invisible shifts that happen when you step into leadership—especially the ones no one prepares you for. From changing team dynamics to subtle...
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437: You’re Not Broken—You’re Covered Up- From autopilot to alignment with Kathrin Fox
What if the reason your life doesn’t feel aligned… isn’t because you’re doing it wrong—but because it was never really yours to begin with? Think growth is about becoming better, stronger, more confident? Think again. In this remix episode, Kathrin Fox—a transpersonal psychologist and coach—dives...
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436: You Learned How to Fit In—Here’s How to Stand Out (Without Feeling Fake)
You did everything right. ...Worked hard. Stayed low-key. Easy to work with. So why are you still not the obvious choice for promotion? Because this isn’t a confidence problem. ...It’s a visibility problem. In Part 2 of this series, we flip the script. You’ll learn why being “easy to work with”…
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435: You Learned to Blend In… Now Leadership Requires You to Stand Out
You learned to blend in to survive… but leadership requires you to stand out. ... Think working hard, staying low-key, and “fitting in” is the path to promotion? ...Think again. ... In this episode, we’re diving into the invisible rules women learn in predominantly male industries—and how those...
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434: She Survived 91% Burns — Here’s What It Taught Her About Strength | Flashback Episode
Life doesn’t always go the way we planned. ... Sometimes the path completely changes—and we’re left figuring out who we are on the other side. ... In this Flashback episode of Ordinary to Badass, I sit down with Michelle Lauren Anderson, a burn survivor who experienced burns over 91% of her body…
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433: How to Change Your Perspective When Life Feels Hard | Laquita Monley
Think confidence comes first? Think again. In this flashback episode of Ordinary to Badass, Marie revisits a powerful conversation with Laquita Monley — speaker, coach, and Army wife — who shares how life experiences, identity struggles, and unexpected challenges helped her discover the strength...
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432: Resilience Isn’t What You Think It Is
We’re taught that resilience looks like confidence. Certainty. Toughness. Never doubting yourself. But that’s not real life — especially if you work in a high-pressure or predominantly male environment. In this episode of Ordinary to Badass, I break down what resilience actually looks like when...
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431: When a Promotion Doesn’t Go Your Way (And How to Stop Letting It Define You)
A failed promotion can mess with your head—even when you know you’re qualified. ... Suddenly you’re replaying conversations, questioning your value, and wondering what you missed or what’s wrong with you. And if you work in a predominantly male industry, that spiral can feel even heavier. ... In...
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430: Confidence isn't a feeling...it's a file Badass Debrief
Everyone says, “Just be more confident.” ...But no one tells you how confidence actually gets built—especially when you’re a quiet leader in a high-stakes environment. ... In this Badass Debrief, I’m breaking down the real lesson from last week’s conversation with leadership strategist Traci...
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429: You’re More Qualified Than You Think—Here’s the Proof
Think you need one more certification, one more year, or one more sign before you go after the role you want? Think again. In this episode of Ordinary to Badass, I’m joined by leadership coach and HR expert Traci Austin for a powerful conversation about confidence, self-doubt, and why so many...
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428: How to Push Back on Your Boss Without Tanking Your Reputation
Ever had a moment at work where your heart dropped… your blood started boiling… and you wanted to say something—but didn’t know how without risking your reputation? ... In this episode, Marie shares a real story about finding out in a group meeting that one of her responsibilities had been taken...
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427: Your Thoughts Are Only Powerful If You Feed Them (Mindset Reset with Lorna Green) Remix
Most mindset work assumes you need more motivation. Think again. In this remix episode, I’m bringing back one of the most grounding, steadying conversations in the Ordinary to Badass vault—my interview with Lorna Green, a yin yoga teacher and NLP master practitioner who blends science-backed...
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426: Becoming More of You (Why You Don’t Need Fixing in 2026)
Most New Year goal setting assumes you need fixing. ...New year. New you. Try harder. Do more. ... Nope. We’re not doing that here. ... In this episode of Ordinary to Badass, you'll discover a different kind of reset—one that doesn’t ask you to become someone new, but instead helps you become…
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425: Day 12: Your Adversity Is Your Evidence
You made it. Day 12 of the 12 Days of Badassery. ...And today, we’re ending with the truth you’ve proven over and over again… ... you are a woman who overcomes adversity. ... In this final episode, Marie walks you through the deepest layer of your confidence: the hardships, losses, trauma,...
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424: Day 11: Your Words Change People — Let’s Acknowledge It
Welcome to Day 11 of the 12 Days of Badassery, and today we’re celebrating a strength most women massively underestimate: ... Your ability to encourage, support, and lift other people up. ... You may not realize it, but your words, your belief in others, and your willingness to cheer someone on…
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423: Day 10: The Hardest Times Built You — Let’s Finally Acknowledge It
Welcome to Day 10 of the 12 Days of Badassery — and this one goes deep. ...Today, we’re naming the hard things. ...Not to relive them… but to finally honor the strength they built in you. ... In this episode, Marie guides you through the challenging moments of your life — the seasons of stress,...
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422: Day 9: Navigating Change — Proof You’re Stronger Than You Think
Welcome to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Badassery, and today we’re celebrating one of your most underrated strengths: your ability to navigate change. ... You might not think of yourself as someone who “handles change well,” but your life tells a different story. Every shift, every pivot, every...
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421: Day 8: Self-Love Isn’t Soft — It’s a Power Move
Welcome to Day 8 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we’re diving into the one practice women put off the longest — and need the most: self-love. ... This episode is your reminder that self-love isn’t indulgent, selfish, or soft. ...It’s strength. ...It’s fuel. ...And it’s the foundation of every...
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420: Day 7: How You Overcome Obstacles (Even the Tiny Ones That Changed Everything)
Welcome to Day 7 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we dig into one of the biggest sources of your confidence… the obstacles you’ve already overcome. ... And here’s the thing: ...Most women think obstacles have to be huge, dramatic, life-shattering events to “count.” ...But the truth? ...Your…
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419: Day 6: Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks — Your Resilience Is Showing
Welcome to Day 6 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we shine a light on something you do far more often than you realize: ... turning setbacks into comebacks. ... In this episode, we walk through the real moments—your moments—where things didn’t go as planned… and you rose anyway. Whether it was…
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418: Day 5: The Comfort Zone Lie—And Why You’re More Badass Than You Think
If stepping out of your comfort zone has ever felt more like panic than power… this episode is your permission slip to stop judging yourself and start celebrating yourself. ... On Day 5 of the 12 Days of Badassery, we’re digging into the moments you stretched, cracked, reached, trembled, and DID…
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417: Day 4: Why Your Small Wins Matter More Than You Think
Today is Day 4 of the 12 Days of Badassery, and we’re turning the spotlight onto something most women skip right past: your achievements — the big ones AND the tiny, easy-to-dismiss ones. ... In this episode, we dig into why you consistently overlook your own progress, how small victories quietly...
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416: Day 3: Defying Expectations (12 Days of Badassery)
What if being a badass isn’t about doing something dramatic… ...but about choosing yourself in small, everyday moments? Welcome to Day 3 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we’re talking about defying expectations—both the ones society puts on you and the ones you inherited without ever…
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415: Day 2: Resilience Is Your Superpower (12 Days of Badassery)
Think resilience means being tough, unshaken, and emotionally unaffected? ...Think again. ... Welcome to Day 2 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we’re talking about one of the most misunderstood qualities of strength: resilience. ... In this episode, we explore what resilience actually looks…
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414: Day 1: The Myth of Fearlessness (12 Days of Badassery)
Think being a badass means being fearless? ...Think again. ... Welcome to Day 1 of the 12 Days of Badassery, where we’re kicking things off by busting one of the biggest myths out there: that confidence means never feeling afraid. ... In this episode, we’re talking about embracing fear—not…
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413: Unwrapping Your Inner Badass: The 12 Days of Badassery Remix
What if the biggest injustice isn’t what you’ve been through—but that no one ever taught you to recognize how strong you are? ... In this remix episode, Marie kicks off the 12 Days of Badassery by breaking down one of the biggest lies women have been sold: that being a badass means being hard,...
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412: Your Doubt Isn’t a Problem—It’s a Direction REMIX episode
Self-doubt isn’t the villain you’ve been treating it like. ...It’s the breadcrumb trail. The flashing neon arrow. ...The GPS system pointing straight toward your next-level identity. Today’s remix episode pulls back the curtain on why doubt shows up the moment you’re about to rise — and how to…
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411: When Your Job Steals Christmas (and How to Take It Back)
Think burnout means you’re weak? ... Think again. Burnout doesn’t come from fragility—it comes from being too strong for too long without rest. ... In this solo episode, Marie pulls back the curtain on a year where 100% of women in her audience reported feeling burned out—and why that wake-up…
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410: How to Lead Like a Force (Without Being Loud): What Lisa Taught Us)
Some leaders walk into a room and dominate it with volume. ...Lisa walks in and changes it with one sentence. ... In this week’s episode, we’re breaking down the moment Lisa stopped a room full of men cold — not by yelling, not by matching the chaos, but by asking one calm, grounding question…
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409 – Staying Calm in the Chaos with Lisa Roberts: How to Lead, Rise, and Rebuild Your Career After a Break
Think you need to be the loudest person in the room to lead? ...Think again. ... In this episode, tech project leader Lisa Roberts shares what it really looks like to stay grounded, direct, and effective in workplaces where everyone else is losing their cool. From managing multimillion-dollar...
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408: What Carolina Ayala Knows About Happiness That Most Leaders Don’t
This week’s Badass Debrief dives into a truth most leaders never hear: ...Happiness isn’t a mood — it’s a skill. ...And Carolina Ayala breaks it down in a way that will completely reset how you lead, think, and take up space. ... If you’ve been grinding, over-functioning, or feeling like you’re...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast for women who are capable—but tired of being overlooked in rooms not built for them. Hosted by Marie Sonneman, a law enforcement lieutenant turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations, practical career advice, and leadership strategies for women in predominantly male industries.From quiet confidence to strategic visibility, you’ll hear how women rise without shrinking or burning out—and how to build a life that doesn’t disappear in the process. If you’re ready to be unmistakable at work and protect what matters outside of it, you’re in the right place.
HOSTED BY
Marie Sonneman
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ordinary To Badass have?
Ordinary To Badass currently has 437 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ordinary To Badass about?
A podcast for women who are capable—but tired of being overlooked in rooms not built for them. Hosted by Marie Sonneman, a law enforcement lieutenant turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations, practical career advice, and leadership strategies for women in...
How often does Ordinary To Badass release new episodes?
Ordinary To Badass publishes regularly with 437 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Ordinary To Badass?
You can listen to Ordinary To Badass on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Ordinary To Badass?
Ordinary To Badass is created and hosted by Marie Sonneman.
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