Girl, Take the Lead!

What if the most important question in your life isn’t what should I do next… but: “What do I truly want?”In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, I’m joined by Carmell Clark, founder of the Center for Transformational Influence, executive coach, and global leader in advancing women’s leadership and sustainability.Together, we explore what it really means to reinvent ourselves across life’s thresholds — from grief and loss to growth, purpose, and expansion.This episode is a conversation about gratitude, conflict, identity, self-trust, and the courage it takes to choose yourself again and again through every stage of life.🌿 What you’ll walk away with from this episode:• A deeper understanding of why reinvention often begins with loss or change• Insight into the emotional patterns that may be keeping you stuck• A new perspective on conflict and why many women avoid it• Encouragement to reconnect with your own desires, needs, and voice• A reminder that healing, growth, and self-discovery are possible at every age and stage of life💡 In this episode:• Why reinvention is a path — not a quick answer• How gratitude can become a healing force during difficult seasons• The powerful question: “What do I want?”• Why women often avoid conflict — and how to begin changing that• Understanding emotional patterns: fear, obligation, guilt, and shame (FOGS)• The difference between internal vs. external conflict• How to carry your own sense of safety• Why aging invites us to either expand or contract• Letting go of external validation and reclaiming your voice• The role of courage in becoming a pioneer in your own life🌿 A few moments that stayed with me:“Gratitude heals a broken heart.” “Reinvention is a path.” “I am the decider of my day.” “We don’t have to sacrifice our lives to the expectations of others.” 👤 About Carmell ClarkCarmell Clark is the founder of the Center for Transformational Influence (CTI), a global organization focused on advancing leadership, sustainability, and gender equity across sectors.With over 25 years of experience, Carmell has coached executives and professionals, launched women entrepreneurs, helped female-led businesses scale, and developed transformative leadership trainings for women across industries.Through CTI, Carmell works globally with companies and entrepreneurs to create meaningful and sustainable change. She leads flagship programs, takes influencers on international adventures, and works directly with executives and entrepreneurs navigating pivotal life and leadership transitions.Currently based in Salt Lake City, Carmell lives a life of exploration — rock climbing, running RAGNAR races, traveling internationally, and creating large-scale abstract oil paintings.🔗 Connect with Carmell🌐 www.carmellclark.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmellclark/📧 [email protected]💬 Let’s keep the conversation goingWhat resonated most with you?👉 Join our Facebook Group and share your thoughts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🎧 Listen wherever you catch your podcasts.💬 What resonated most with you from this conversation?Share in the comments below — we’d love to hear your thoughts.🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!:🌐 Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.com💜 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

A powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and rebuilding after rock bottom—why becoming who you are is a lifelong journey.In this episode:Living with authenticity—not perfectionFrom the Jacksonville Jaguars to losing everything—and rebuildingMotivation vs. inspiration (and why it matters)How ego can derail success—and what it takes to recoverWhy rock bottom can become a turning pointThe power of perseverance and resilienceInvesting in yourself at every stageGrowing, evolving, and staying true to who you are👤 About Marques Ogden:Marques Ogden is a former NFL player, inspirational keynote speaker, founder and CEO of Ogden Ventures LLC, five-time best-selling author, business coach, and host of Get Authentic with Marques Ogden.After facing a career-ending setback and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up—using his experiences to inspire leaders and teams worldwide.He has delivered keynotes for over 90 Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, and Home Depot, and his story has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Cheddar News, and Authority Magazine.Marques empowers audiences to embrace challenges, grow through adversity, and turn setbacks into opportunities for success.🎧 Timestamps:00:02 – Welcome + introducing Marques Ogden03:00 – The Success Cycle: ambition, drive, and hard work07:45 – From NFL career to losing everything13:00 – Rock bottom and the wake-up call18:30 – Starting over and building a speaking career24:30 – Authenticity, failure, and self-belief30:30 – Mentorship, growth, and breaking through33:00 – What Marques would tell his 20-something self🌱 Key Takeaways:Authenticity isn’t fixed—it evolves as you do.Your setbacks are not the end of your story.Investing in yourself is always worth it.💬 Favorite Quote:“Authenticity is knowing who you are—even as you grow.”🔗 Connect with Marques:Website: https://www.marcusogden.comPodcast: Get Authentic with Marques OgdenEmail: [email protected] to go deeper into Marques’ framework for success?The Success Cycle: Three Keys to Achieving Your Goals in Business and Life📘 Marques’ Book:👉 https://www.amazon.com/Success-Cycle-Achieving-Goals-Business/dp/B08CVTDWV8🎤 Upcoming Speaking Engagements:If you’re inspired by Marques’ journey and want to experience his work live:Global Scrum Gathering📍 Vancouver, BC | 📅 May 3–4, 2026From Locker Room to Boardroom: Building Agile Teams That Win TogetherBig I New York Conference📍 Syracuse, NY | 📅 May 4–5, 2026How To Make The CEO Mindset Shift to Achieve Maximum Success in BusinessMassMutual Sales Summit📍 Boston, MA | 📅 May 20–21, 2026The Road to the Summit: Elevating Your Success in Sales🌸 A Note from Me:This conversation reminded me that becoming who we are isn’t something we do once—it’s something we return to again and again.There are moments in life when everything we’ve built shifts… and we’re asked to begin again. Marques’s story is a powerful reminder that those moments aren’t the end—they’re an invitation.To grow.To realign.To become even more of who we truly are.🎧 Listen + Subscribe:Listen wherever you catch your podcasts 💌 Join the Conversation:👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ From the Heartfelt Card Shop:Explore cards and gifts designed to encourage and uplift:👉 https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

What happens after the moment you’ve been preparing for?In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m reflecting on what stayed with me after my daughter’s wedding—and how the experience brought together a lifetime of growth, healing, and self-discovery.What I didn’t expect was just how present I could be…not managing, not controlling… but truly in it.This episode is about what remains when everything settles—and how those insights can shape how we move forward.🎧 The Series: At the ThresholdIf you’re just joining, this is part of a 3-part series created during this meaningful life moment:Episode 285: The Good Daughter — Where It Begins👉 https://youtu.be/WtQ20qsLf04Episode 286: The Quiet Grief We Carry👉 https://youtu.be/sXDRydYO_-wEpisode 287: After the Moment — What Stayed With Me (this episode)(All episodes are also available wherever you catch your podcasts.)💛 In This Episode:A redefinition of confidence as self-trust—not controlHow connection shows up in small, present momentsA new understanding of love as allowing, not managingThe deeper realization that our life experiences prepare us for these momentsLetting go of what went wrong—and reconnecting with what went right✨ 3 Takeaways👉 Confidence is self-trust.Not about being in charge—but about knowing you can handle what comes.👉 Connection comes from presence.Not from managing or performing—but from simply being there.👉 Love is allowing.When we release control, we open ourselves to experiencing more of it.🌿 A Deeper ReflectionThis moment wasn’t just about one day…It was about a lifetime of growth—healing family patterns, moving through loss, practicing forgiveness, and learning to let go.And what stayed with me most was this:A deep knowing that my daughters will be okay.That they are strong, supported, and surrounded by love.And that everything I’ve worked through… made it possible for me to be fully present to witness it.💭 For YouWhat has stayed with you… after a moment that mattered?And what might shift if you focused not just on what went wrong…but on what went right?🔜 Coming NextNext week, I’ll be joined by Marques Ogden.After a career-ending injury and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up. Today, he helps leaders grow through adversity and show up more authentically.After everything we’ve explored in this series, his story offers a powerful next step—how we move forward with what we’ve learned.💌 Stay Connected💬 Join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead!—where we explore leadership not just in our work, but in the moments that shape who we are.This episode is part of my 3-part series, At the Threshold, created during a deeply personal time as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding.And what I didn’t expect to surface in this moment… was grief.Not just grief as loss—but grief as change.As identity.As what we carry forward.💛 Why This Episode MattersWeddings are often seen as purely joyful occasions.But what I’m discovering is that they can also bring forward something quieter… more layered.Reflections on who we’ve beenAwareness of what’s shiftingEmotions we may not have fully namedSo for this episode, I’ve curated moments from past conversations—each one offering insight into grief, healing, identity, and letting go.Think of this as an episode to keep nearby—especially when you find yourself in a moment that feels emotionally charged or unexpectedly vulnerable.🎧 In This Episode, We Explore:Why grief can show up alongside joyThe concept of ancestral grief and what we inheritHow to name and reframe emotional patternsThe connection between grief and identityLetting go of control and releasing what isn’t ours to carry✨ 3 Takeaways👉 Grief doesn’t only show up in loss—it shows up in change.In shifting roles, evolving identities, and meaningful life transitions.👉 Not all grief is ours alone.Some of what we carry comes from family patterns and inherited experiences.👉 We don’t have to hold onto everything.When we question, name, and release what isn’t ours, we create space for clarity and choice.🎥 Featured Conversations(Also available wherever you catch your podcasts)Episode 281: The Light Within Us — Healing Identity, Grief, and Belonging (Michele Madrid)https://youtu.be/zC_6vg2NR6sEpisode 262: Awakening Ancestral Wealth (Michelle Jeovanny)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J55dz-YRqpgEpisode 266: Navigating Mothers, Boundaries & the Holidays (Andrea Mein DeWitt)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3MmK96NkFAEpisode 251: Permission to Be You – Embracing Passion and Purpose (Alaina Love)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emx7151PPIMEpisode 215: Exploring The Let Them Theory as a Way to Live with Love & Intentionalityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF7s5CcTgL0💭 A Reflection for YouWhat might you be carrying…that isn’t fully yours?And what might become possibleif you allowed yourself to release it?🔜 Coming NextIn the final episode of this series, I’ll share what actually happened…and what I learned walking through this experience in real time.💌 Stay Connected💬 Join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

This episode is part of a special 3-part series I’m calling At the Threshold—a real-time reflection on what this season of life is bringing up for me as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding.And what surprised me most… was how much it brought me back to my own experience as a daughter.💛 Why This Episode Matters NowAs I look back on my own wedding, I can see how much of it was shaped by my desire to be the good daughter.The one who keeps the peace.The one who makes things easier for everyone else.The one who doesn’t rock the boat.At the time, I didn’t have language for it.But now… I can see the pattern clearly.🎧 In This Episode, We Explore:In this episode, I revisit my conversation with Kathryn Fabrizio, author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, and share a curated set of moments that helped me understand:Where this pattern beginsWhy it feels so hard to changeAnd what it looks like to begin letting it goHow the “good daughter” role is formed early in lifeWhy guilt is often the strongest emotion keeping us stuckThe connection between people-pleasing and emotional safetyWhy setting boundaries can feel so overwhelmingThe powerful reframe: the opposite of a good daughter isn’t a bad daughter—it’s becoming your own person✨ 3 Takeaways to Reflect On👉 1. The good daughter role often begins as a way to feel safe and loved.It’s not something we consciously choose—it’s something we learn.👉 2. Guilt is often the signal that something is shifting.Especially when we begin to consider setting boundaries or doing things differently.👉 3. The real work is becoming your own person.Not abandoning relationships—but showing up with awareness, clarity, and choice.🎥 Watch the Full Original ConversationIf you’d like to watch the full, unedited episode with Kathryn Fabrizio, you can find it here:👉 https://youtu.be/DzxYJwLPCbo💭 A Reflection for YouAs you listen, I invite you to consider:Where might you still be playing the role of the good daughter…and what might be ready to change?🔜 Coming NextIn Part 2 of this series, I explore something I didn’t expect to show up in this moment—grief.Not just grief as loss… but grief as change, identity, and what we carry forward.💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts💬 Join the conversation in the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | InstagramIf this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need it too. 💛

What if burnout isn’t something that suddenly happens to us…but something that quietly builds over time?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with executive leadership coach and author Lynn Blades to explore what she calls “The Quiet Burn”—the slow, invisible erosion of energy, identity, and self-worth that so many women experience.Drawing from both her personal experience and her work with global leaders, Lynn shares how the constant pressure to prove ourselves, push through, and “hold it all together” can eventually lead us to break.This episode is an invitation to pause…to notice the signs…and to rethink what we’ve been taught about strength, success, and sustainability.✨ In This Episode, We Explore:Why burnout doesn’t happen overnight—it builds quietly over timeThe powerful “burnt toast” metaphor and how it reflects our lived experienceThe progression from stress → overwhelm → burnoutWhy “pushing through” is often what leads us to breakThe hidden cost of constantly proving our worthWhy rest is not something we have to earnHow guilt, shame, and fear keep us stuck in over-functioningReframing self-worth beyond productivity and external validationWhy confidence is contagious—and how it impacts everyone around us🎥 Cultural Reference from the EpisodeDuring our conversation, we referenced the iconic Enjoli commercial — a moment that many women will remember, and others may be hearing about for the first time.It’s a powerful example of how cultural messaging shaped expectations around women “doing it all” — often without question.Take a look here:👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_kzJ-f5C9U💬 A Few Moments You’ll Want to Sit With:“If you normalize overwhelm, burnout isn’t a risk—it’s an outcome.”“Rest doesn’t have to be earned.”“No is a beautiful word.”“There is no one more deserving of your own rescue than yourself.”“Confidence is contagious.”🌿 About Lynn BladesLynn Blades is the inspirational founder of Legacy Leadership, an executive coaching consultancy dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive 21st-century workforce.As a distinguished Marshall Goldsmith Executive Coach with over two decades of experience, Lynn has guided leaders across industries—from finance and law to tech, media, and luxury—working with global organizations including Nike, KPMG, British Airways, Royal Bank of Canada, Sony Music, BBC, and Warner Bros.Before her coaching career, Lynn was an award-winning journalist working with major international networks such as CBS, CNN, CNBC, BBC, ITV, Viacom, and Showtime.She is also a champion for the next generation of female leaders, hosting leadership summits and retreats designed to build confidence, capability, and community.Her bestselling book, The Quiet Burn, brings together her professional expertise and personal experience to help women recognize burnout early—and reclaim their energy, agency, and worth.🔗 Connect with LynnWebsite: www.lynnblades.comEmail: [email protected] & Facebook: @execcoachblades📰 Subscribe to her newsletter: The Power Play — featuring female leaders across industries🌍 Upcoming Retreat:Tune Out, Tune In Retreat for High Performing Women📍 Corfu, Greece | June 4–8💛 Final ThoughtThis conversation is an invitation to pause…to notice…and to ask yourself:Where am I pushing through… when what I really need is to stop?And what might change if instead of proving your worth…you chose to protect your energy?🔗 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://girltaketheleadpod.com💬 Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📲 Follow on LinkedIn | Instagram

Families carry stories — some we share openly and others that remain hidden for years.In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo Canny sits down with award-winning author Leslie A. Rasmussen to talk about her latest novel, When People Leave, and the powerful role family relationships play in shaping who we become.Leslie’s newest book follows three sisters who return to their childhood home after the unexpected loss of their mother. As they search for answers, they uncover long-held family secrets and discover how differently each of them processes the same experience.In their conversation, Yo and Leslie explore the complexity of sibling relationships, the emotional layers of family dynamics, and how storytelling can help us better understand our lives.Leslie also shares her fascinating career journey — from writing television comedies for stars like Roseanne Barr, Burt Reynolds, Norm Macdonald, and Drew Carey, to becoming an award-winning novelist whose stories explore identity, family bonds, and the resilience we discover in life’s most difficult moments.At the heart of the episode is a reminder that the stories we tell — and the ones we uncover — shape how we see ourselves and each other.In This Episode You'll Learn About:How sibling relationships influence the way we experience life’s challengesWhy family secrets often shape our understanding of the pastHow storytelling can help us process complex emotionsThe importance of community and connection during life’s transitionsLeslie’s journey from Hollywood television writer to award-winning novelistWhy following your creative passion sometimes requires taking risksLeslie A. RasmussenLeslie A. Rasmussen is an award-winning author and former television comedy writer who has written for well-known comedians and shows including Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm Macdonald, Drew Carey, The Wild Thornberrys, and Sweet Valley High.Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leslie graduated from UCLA before launching her career in television writing.After stepping away from the entertainment industry to raise her two sons, she earned a master’s degree in nutrition and ran her own business for ten years. During that time, she continued writing humorous essays and has been published more than twenty times in the Huffington Post.Leslie is the author of three novels:After Happily Ever After — winner of more than fifteen awardsThe Stories We Cannot Tell — winner of eleven awards and featured on NPR and XM radioWhen People Leave — released in May 2025She frequently speaks on panels about female empowerment and is a member of the Writers Guild of America, Women in Film, and the UCLA Alumni Association.Leslie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.Memorable Moments from the EpisodeOn family dynamics“Sisters can argue, tease each other, and still know that the bond between them will always be there.”On storytelling“Fiction can help people see themselves in the characters and feel less alone.”On life’s unexpected paths“You never know where your life is going to end up.”Leslie’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self“Keep writing, follow your passion, and take more risks. Even if you fail, you might succeed.”Connect with Leslie A. RasmussenWebsitehttps://www.lesliearasmussen.comListeners can purchase signed copies of Leslie’s novels directly through her [email protected]://www.facebook.com/lesliearasmussenauthorInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/leslierauthorTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@leslieauthorLearn more about Girl, Take the Lead!https://girltaketheleadpod.comExplore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shophttps://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopReflection QuestionWhat stories from your family have shaped who you are today?

What if happiness wasn’t something we waited for—but something we could intentionally energize?In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo welcomes back Michele Phillips, leadership coach, speaker, and author, who first appeared on the podcast in Episode 130.Since then, Michele has continued her mission of helping individuals and organizations shift from operating on adrenaline to alignment—a powerful shift that brings greater clarity, energy, and purpose to work and life.As President of Key Performance, Michele has spent more than two decades working with leaders around the world to help them harness their personal energy and create meaningful results. Her work blends positive psychology, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and habit science, offering practical tools for building sustainable happiness and performance.In this conversation, Michele shares insights from her newest book:Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your Destiny.Together, Yo and Michele explore how beliefs shape our experiences, why managing our personal energy matters, and how each of us has more agency in shaping our lives than we may realize.As Michele reminds us:“You may not have written your beginning—but you get to write your outcome.”A Memorable MomentEarly in her career, Michele once received feedback on a performance evaluation describing her as:“Alarmingly enthusiastic.”Instead of dimming that energy, Michele chose to embrace it—and today she teaches others how to manage and direct their energy rather than suppress it.The Belief → Thought → Emotion → Action ConnectionOne of Michele’s powerful insights is how our internal beliefs shape the lives we experience.She explains that our daily experiences often follow this pattern:Beliefs → Thoughts → Emotions → Mood → ActionsWhen we question limiting beliefs and shift our perspective, we can change the entire chain—and ultimately our outcomes.Michele’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self“It’s not that serious. Stop the drama.”Looking back, Michele says many of the worries that once felt overwhelming now seem far less significant.More About Michele PhillipsMichele Phillips is the President of Key Performance and a globally recognized leadership coach, speaker, and author who helps individuals and organizations harness personal energy to create extraordinary outcomes.In 2025, Michele celebrates 25 years in business, marking a career dedicated to transforming how people lead, live, and work—with intention, clarity, and joy.Michele is the author of:Happiness Is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals That Increase Energy, Improve Well-Being, and Add Joy to Every Dayand her newest book:Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your DestinyShe is also the host of the Write Your Outcome Podcast, where she interviews leaders and changemakers about the inner work behind meaningful success.Connect with MicheleWebsitehttps://[email protected]://www.instagram.com/keyperformance/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-phillips-9409707/PodcastWrite Your OutcomeFree ResourceSign up for Michele’s newsletter and receive:Five Super Habits That Energize ResultsInspired by Michele’s message, Yo created a special card featuring Michele’s quote:“Remember, you may not have written your beginning, but you get to write your outcome.”🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Listen to more episodes:https://girltaketheleadpod.com💌 Explore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📺 Watch clips & full episodes on YouTube💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook GroupReflection QuestionWhat belief might be quietly shaping how you see your life right now?And what might change if you questioned whether that belief is actually true?

In this deeply moving conversation, Yolanda welcomes Michelle Madrid — author, speaker, and midlife coach for women — to Girl, Take the Lead!.As a former foster child in the UK and an international adoptee, Michelle has spent a lifetime opening pathways toward her truest sense of identity and purpose. Today, she supports women navigating what she calls midlife grief — the quiet, often hidden grief that appears as life shifts: children leaving home, changing bodies, evolving relationships, and the question many women ask in midlife:Who am I now?Michelle believes midlife grief isn’t something to avoid or suppress. Instead, she describes it as:“Love colliding with change.”In this conversation, Yolanda and Michelle explore grief as a messenger — one that can guide us toward healing, identity, and reclaiming our voice.Michelle also shares the inspiration behind her powerful framework UNBOX, a process she created to help women unpack suppressed emotions and reconnect with their aliveness as they step into the next version of who they’re here to be.This episode is both deeply personal and universally relatable — touching on adoptee identity, people-pleasing, trauma responses, and the courage it takes to live from our authentic voice.And it leaves us with a beautiful reminder:“The light around us is great… but the light within us is greater.”Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Michelle’s work supporting midlife women through hidden grief02:24 – Yolanda reflects on grief and joy as her daughter prepares to marry05:27 – Michelle’s definition of midlife grief: when love collides with change09:18 – The hidden grief many adoptees carry and why emotions were often suppressed20:19 – Limiting beliefs and the moment Michelle realized the baggage of others was never hers to carry31:17 – From ache to action: the small steps that begin healing36:04 – A powerful affirmation: “The light around us is great, but the light within us is greater.”More About MichelleMichelle Madrid is an author, speaker, and midlife coach for women. She also hosts the new podcast: Most MyselfHer work focuses on helping women navigate midlife grief — the quiet grief that accompanies life transitions such as empty nesting, changing bodies, shifting relationships, and identity changes.Through her UNBOX framework, Michelle guides women in uncovering the emotions they’ve suppressed and reconnecting with their truth, voice, and next chapter.She is the author of:Let Us Be Greater — a book for any woman in midlife navigating identity, grief, and the adoptee experience.Michelle also hosts the podcast:Unboxed, Unburdened, UnstoppableComing in 2026!Michelle recently launched a free monthly online group gathering called Midlife, Together. She has also launched a 4-week 1:1 coaching experience guiding women through her proven Ache to Action formula. Look for more ways to connect and work with Michelle, coming in 2026. Visit her website to stay informed. Websitethemichellemadrid.comFree tools available on her website.Other ways to Connect with Michelle:Instagram@themichellemadridConnect with GTTL:Websitehttps://girltaketheleadpod.comJoin the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations and insights.Visit the Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shophttps://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

What if one of the most important leadership skills… is the one we’re rarely taught to name?In this episode, Yo Canny sits down with Jessica Pryce-Jones — executive coach and author — for a grounded, research-informed conversation on intuition as a legitimate leadership capability.Jessica shares what she’s learned after 25 years in learning and leadership development, why intuition becomes more essential the higher you rise (including the striking insight that 99% of CEOs say they use it), and how to strengthen your “inner knowing” without slipping into bias, ego, or wishful thinking.This conversation brings intuition out of the “woo-woo” category and into practical leadership language — including simple tools you can use immediately, like Jessica’s Yes/No body-based exercise and the surprising coin-flip method that reveals what you truly want.________________________________In This Episode, We Explore*   What intuition really is: a “feeling of knowing”*   Why leaders often hide intuition — and how to “reposition” it in corporate language*   The research behind intuition and senior leadership (and why it’s critical for strategy)*   The different forms of intuition, including:   *   Expert intuition   *   Non-expert intuition   *   Moral intuition   *   Temporal intuition (timing)   *   Social intuition   *   Team intuition   *   Creative intuition*   Why a positive mindset improves intuitive accuracy — and how stress shuts it down*   How to recognize an intuitive leader (hint: it’s not “I have a hunch, do it my way”)*   A practical way to identify your internal YES / NO signals*   The “coin toss” technique that doesn’t rely on the coin — it reveals what you truly want________________________________Memorable Moments*   “Intuition is a feeling of knowing.”*   “If you’re not using your intuition, somebody else will be.”*   “Intention is the action. Intuition is inaction — you open the door to see what comes in.”*   “It’s not where the coin lands — it’s where you want it to land.”________________________________Jessica’s Tools You Can TryThe Yes / No Body CheckJessica walks us through a simple exercise to learn what YES feels like in your body (lightness, openness, expansion) and what NO feels like (tightness, heaviness, contraction).Over time, those physical cues become your personal decision signals.The Coin Flip TechniqueToss a coin in your mind — not to follow the result, but to notice:Where do you want the coin to land?That instinctive preference often reveals what your intuition already knows.________________________________About Jessica Pryce-JonesJessica Pryce-Jones is an executive coach, speaker, and author who helps leaders strengthen intuition, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. Through her work, she supports professionals in making wiser decisions, building trust, and leading with greater clarity and impact.Jessica is passionate about helping leaders reconnect with their inner guidance and develop the confidence to lead authentically in complex environments.________________________________Connect with Jessica Pryce-JonesLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-pryce-jones/?originalSubdomain=ukBooks on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Books-Jessica-Pryce-Jones/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJessica%2BPryce-JonesEmail:[email protected]________________________________Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.comHeartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopListen on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltaketheleadJoin our Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/girltakethelead________________________________Your TurnWhen have you known something — but talked yourself out of it?And what might change if you treated intuition as a skill you can strengthen, instead of something you either “have” or don’t?

How women leaders build influence that lastsWelcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to lead lives that break old cycles and create new possibilities.Today’s guest brings clarity, strategy, and grounded leadership wisdom to a powerful conversation about influence, visibility, and career ownership.Meet Dr. Karen Hills Pruden — CEO of Pruden Global Business Solutions Consulting (PGBSC), bestselling author (30+ publications), global leadership speaker, and creator of the Professional Equity framework. With over 30 years of experience spanning corporate leadership and entrepreneurship — including 17+ years in senior leadership and the C-suite — Dr. Pruden has built a career rooted in service, strategy, and measurable results.But what truly stands out is her belief that influence isn’t accidental — it’s built.In this candid conversation, Dr. Pruden joins Yo to explore how reputation, relationships, and area expertise create professional equity — and how women leaders can leverage that equity to elevate their careers without waiting to be chosen.Whether you’re navigating corporate leadership, preparing for your next promotion, pivoting your goals, or building influence inside your organization, this episode offers practical insight and empowering perspective.🌟 In This Episode, Dr. Karen & Yo Explore:💛 Why relationships — not transactions — are true leadership currency🧭 The difference between management (tasks) and leadership (vision)🫶 How to build relationships up and down the chain of command👁️ Why “silence is not a superpower” for women leaders🌱 The power of mentorship — including hiring the right mentor🛠️ The Professional Equity (PE) Framework: Reputation, Relationships & Area Expertise💎 “You are the pilot of your career — not the co-pilot.”🧡 How to speak about your wins without apology🔄 Navigating difficult bosses without losing your power🌬 Why experience — not AI — remains a leader’s greatest asset👩‍🦰 What Dr. Karen Would Tell Her 20-Something Self“Don’t be so goal-oriented that you won’t remove a goal that no longer serves you.”After pursuing law school simply to complete a lifelong goal, Dr. Pruden realized that growth sometimes means pivoting — even when the goal once defined you.🧭 Memorable Quotes“Silence is not a superpower.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden“You are the pilot of your career, not the co-pilot.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden“Managers do tasks. Leaders are visionary.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden“If you’re good for them, you’ll be good somewhere else.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden“My relationships are not transactional.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden✨ Key Takeaways• Build professional equity through reputation, relationships, and expertise.• Advocate for yourself — promotions are not automatic.• Develop a clear specialty — your “secret sauce.”• Choose when to speak — and when strategic restraint builds credibility.• Pivot when necessary. Goals should serve your growth, not trap it.🌟 Connect with Dr. Karen Hills Pruden🌐 Website: https://drkarenhillspruden.com📧 Email: [email protected]👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏽 Facebook Group: Sister Leaders Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/620772105210546📸 Instagram: @drkarenhillsprudenDr. Pruden joins us to promote her coaching programs and leadership development frameworks that help women convert their expertise into measurable business success.💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Listen on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts💬 Join: Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore: Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts🔗 Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

What if influence doesn’t come from proving yourself — but from being seen?In this episode, Yo sits down with leadership coach and founder of Lead Out Loud, Sara Anderson, to explore why so many capable women leaders feel like they’re acting their way through success.From imposter syndrome and perfectionism to nervous system triggers in high-stakes conversations, Sara explains how leaders often adapt themselves into a version that works… but no longer feels like them.And the surprising truth?The more we perform, the less influence we actually have.This conversation blends emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and lived leadership experience into a powerful reframe:You don’t become influential by becoming more impressive.You become influential when you become more present.In This Episode We Talk About:Why many women leaders feel they’re performing instead of leadingThe hidden role of shame underneath imposter syndrome and overworkingHow perfectionism protects us — but also disconnects usWhat’s happening in your brain during fight, flight, or freezeThe space between stimulus and response — and where leadership livesHow “polishing” yourself can reduce influenceMoving from comparison → collaborationThe power of being seen in process, not just in polishWhy connection — not impressiveness — builds real leadershipA Key TakeawayMany leadership programs teach communication strategies first.But you can’t use strategy when your body thinks you’re in danger.Real influence starts internally — by recognizing triggers, calming the nervous system, and allowing others to see you as human.When leaders stop performing, they gain presence.Memorable Quotes“Perfectionism isn’t protecting you from shame — it’s a function of shame.”“You can’t override the animal body you live in.”“If you wait until you know everything, you’ll get left behind.”“People are drawn to those who no longer feel shame about their story.”“Be yourself — the world will adjust.”Sara’s Advice to Her 20-Something SelfStop trying to be impressive.Let people see you in process.Connection — not polish — moves your life forward.Resources from SaraFree Resource: Influence Audit (AI-guided self-assessment)🌐 Website: https://www.saraanderson.co📧 Email: [email protected]💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraandersoncoaching/📸 Instagram: @sara.anderson___Programs:Lead Out Loud CohortsInvisible InfluenceLead Out Loud is a 12-week influence accelerator for women leaders who are done performing and ready to lead with real presence. Through nervous system regulation, embodied communication, and The Resonance Method™, participants learn to command a room without losing themselves in the process. Learn more at https://saraanderson.co/lead-out-loud-virtualSara chose the card:“Be yourself and the world will adjust.”A reminder that leadership isn’t about sanding off your edges — it’s about letting the right people find you.Shop the collection:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop💌Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://girltaketheleadpod.com💬 Join the Conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748

What if aging wasn’t about decline — but about becoming more capable, more aware, and more confident in your body and your life?In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yolanda Canny is joined by C. Vicki Gold, a retired physical therapist with more than 50 years of experience and the author of Aging Safely, Wisely, and Well.At 80 years, Vicki is still learning, teaching, and standing tall — literally and figuratively. She shares powerful insights on the mind–body connection, fear of falling, slowing down, posture, breathing, beliefs, and how small daily practices can transform the way we move through life at any age.As Vicki reminds us: If you’re lucky, you’re going to get old. This conversation shows how to do it with strength, awareness, and grace.In This Episode, We Explore:Why fear of falling is as much a mindset issue as a physical oneHow fear and tension can actually increase the risk of fallingThe power of simple, embodied language: “I am tall, strong, and confident”Why slowing down improves balance, safety, and presenceThe myth of multitasking — and how Start–Act–Stop can change how we live and workHow alignment, breathing, and centering can become everyday practicesWhy aging well matters for every generation, not just older adultsDiscovering purpose early — and letting it evolve across a lifetime🧠 Vicki’s Two ABC Frameworks:The ABC Mind–Body SystemA – Alignment: Posture and body awarenessB – Breathing: Conscious breathing to reduce stress and restore energyC – Centering: Mind and body working togetherPlus: Slow Motion as a tool for strength, balance, and safetyThe ABCs of Human Growth & TransformationA – Attitudes: The perspectives that shape our experienceB – Beliefs: Often unseen, deeply rooted, and powerfulC – Choice (or Commitment to Choose): Where empowerment begins💬 Memorable Quotes“If you’re lucky, you’re going to get old.”“Fear tightens the body — and a tight body can’t balance well.”“I am tall, strong, and confident.”“Nothing and no one is going to rush me.”“Aging isn’t about slowing down — it’s about learning how to slow down.”Keep going — you’re already on your pathFind your purpose; everything becomes easier once you doQuestion mental limitations and beliefs about being “good enough”Your uniqueness isn’t better or worse — just different, and neededVicki chose the card that reads:“Wherever you plant yourself, bloom with grace.”A perfect reflection of this episode — standing tall, slowing down, and moving through life with awareness and confidence.🔗 Resources & Freebies & Connect w Vicki📘 Book: Aging Safely, Wisely, and Well🌐 Website: Thera-Fitness Inc.👉 https://thera-fitness.com🎁 Free Resources on the Website9 Mind–Body Tips and Tricks for Relieving Stress ⭐ (recommended)Additional handouts on stress reduction and graceful agingAn 8-minute audio introduction to the book📧 Email: [email protected]📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheraFitness💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvickigoldptma/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.vicki.gold/🎧 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🌐 Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.com🎙️ Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and wherever you listen to podcasts💬 Join the Conversation:Girl, Take the Lead! Community (Facebook Group)https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748📘 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/girltaketheleadpod📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yocanny💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandacannyIf this episode resonated, please consider following, rating, and sharing the podcast — it helps more women across generations find their voice and lead with confidence.

Women don’t lack ambition.They don’t lack skills.And they don’t lack drive.So why do so many capable women — especially women from minority backgrounds — stall before reaching positions of power?In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, I’m joined by Alexandra Gantier, a French public relations, public affairs, and leadership advisor with more than 18 years of international experience across France and the United States. Alexandra is the co-founder of The Poderosas, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding leadership access for women from minority backgrounds through mentorship and sponsorship.Alexandra brings a deeply global perspective to leadership — shaped by her upbringing in France, her formative years in South America, and her professional journey in the U.S. She is currently completing a PhD at the Toulouse School of Management, where her research explores female leadership, representation in decision-making spaces, and how structural barriers shape access to power.Together, we unpack a powerful truth:Women don’t need fixing — they need access.This conversation goes beyond confidence and skill-building to name the systemic and relational dynamics that determine who advances, who is sponsored, and who is invited into rooms where decisions are made.We also explore Alexandra’s retreat work through Empowering Women Global Leaders, which creates space for women to pause, reset, and reconnect with their values — including retreats in Paris and the south of France.Why women aren’t advancing — and why it’s not a confidence problemThe difference between mentorship and sponsorship (and why both matter)Structural barriers that shape access to leadership and powerNavigating politics, relationships, and visibility at workGenerational shifts in how women approach work, ambition, and voiceWhy you can do everything — just not all at the same timeThe courage to stop shrinking and build your own room“Keep your values as your inner compass.Never stay in a space where you feel you need to shrink yourself — you can build your own room.”She also chose the Trust Your Gut card — a reminder that leadership often begins by listening to what you already know.🌍 Learn More & Connect with AlexandraWebsitesPersonal & Retreats: https://www.alexandragantier.comNonprofit: https://www.thepoderosas.comEmail📧 [email protected] AlexandraInstagram & LinkedIn: @alexandra.gantierInstagram & LinkedIn: @thepoderosasGet InvolvedApply as a mentor or mentee with The PoderosasSupport the nonprofit through donationsLearn more about upcoming women’s leadership retreats in France💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — this episode invites us to question a belief many high-functioning women have been taught to accept as normal:That leadership requires constant tension.That urgency equals effectiveness.That burnout is simply the cost of ambition.What if leadership doesn’t start with mindset, strategy, or productivity —but with capacity?My guest today is Kathryn Spears, a Neuro Somatic Practitioner who specializes in high-performance regulation for women whose nervous systems are carrying a lot — senior leaders, founders, changemakers, and disruptors who are holding big careers, big visions, and big responsibilities… often from a place of perpetual tension that society has normalized.Kathryn’s work is deeply personal. She knows firsthand what it’s like to lead from survival physiology — over-functioning, perfectionism, and chronic stress — while appearing successful on the outside and silently burning out on the inside. Decisions made from adrenaline. Connection guarded by hyper-vigilance. Burnout disguised as ambition.Today, Kathryn helps women stop working against their nervous systems and start leading with them — using applied neurology and neurosomatics to create real, physiological capacity for clarity, presence, and sustainable leadership.This is not about fixing yourself.It’s about learning the language of your nervous system — and reclaiming agency, energy, and choice.Together, Yo and Kathryn explore:✨ Why Chronic Stress Becomes InvisibleHow stress isn’t just a feeling — but a full-body state shift that quietly becomes our baseline.✨ Why You Can’t Mindset Your Way Out of BurnoutHow the nervous system governs clarity, decision-making, and resilience before conscious thought ever kicks in.✨ High Performance vs. Survival PerformanceWhy many high-achieving women succeed despite their physiology — and what changes when capacity replaces overdrive.✨ Stress, Overwhelm, and the Protective Nervous SystemHow overwhelm, procrastination, imposter syndrome, and the inner critic are not flaws — but protective responses.✨ Completing the Stress CycleSimple, science-backed ways to modulate out of stress and return to homeostasis — without pushing, forcing, or overriding the body.✨ Why Regulation Is Personal, Not PrescriptiveWhy nervous system work must be customized — because each nervous system is as unique as a fingerprint.✨ From Self-Abandonment to Authentic LeadershipHow early adaptive patterns shaped by safety and belonging can be updated — without shame.✨ Capacity as the Missing Link in ChangeWhy habit change, healing, and growth often fail — and how physiological capacity makes change possible.✨ Liberation Over FixingWhy nothing about you is broken — and how real transformation happens when the body is heard.🌟 Memorable Quotes“You can’t mindset your way out of a state shift in the body.”– Kathryn Spears“Burnout disguised as ambition is still burnout.”– Kathryn Spears“You don’t need to be fixed. Your nervous system is doing its job — protecting you.”– Kathryn Spears“Capacity changes everything. It’s what allows you to respond, lead, and choose differently.”– Kathryn Spears💡 Kathryn’s Leadership ReminderIf what you’ve tried hasn’t lasted —it’s not because you failed.It’s because no one taught you how to speak the language of your nervous system.When we stop overriding the body and start working with it, leadership becomes clearer, more grounded, and far less exhausting.This isn’t about doing less.It’s about leading with capacity instead of survival.💌 Connect with Kathryn🌐 Website: beyondyourmindset.com📱 Instagram & LinkedIn: @kathrynspears.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-spears/ 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & wherever you listen or view your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

⚠️ Warning: You may laugh during this episode!And you may also find yourself rethinking leadership, connection, and how humor helps us survive uncertain times.Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! Today’s episode is smart, funny, and deeply meaningful.Our guest is Lynn Harris — a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and author/co-author of six books whose comedy and campaigns for social justice and gender equity have helped change laws and conversations from Capitol Hill to NASCAR.Lynn is the founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy — the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary folks build comedy careers or creative side hustles, find community, and make funny stuff with purpose.In this conversation, Lynn reframes humor as far more than entertainment. She shows us how comedy builds trust, creates connection, signals confidence, and helps us navigate moments of fear, tension, and uncertainty with more humanity — and sometimes, more courage than we knew we had.✨ In This Episode, We Explore:Why humor is linked to leadership — and what research says about trust and connectionReading the room as a form of empathy and emotional intelligenceWhy humor is a sense, not a talent reserved for a fewCreativity, courage, and vulnerability in comedy and leadershipComedy as social change — through what we say and who gets to show upAnd why in 2026 we may all need a go bag… a snack… and a really good sense of humor🎭 Comedians Lynn RecommendsWhen asked who she’s loving right now — especially voices that are original, fearless, and deeply relatable — Lynn shared these favorites:Bob the Drag QueenCameron EspositoMaria BamfordNaomi EkperiginMichelle ButeauEach of these comics brings a distinct voice, lived experience, and point of view — and together they reflect the diversity, originality, and connection Lynn is so passionate about creating in comedy.🎬 A Pandemic Moment Worth RevisitingOne of Lynn’s favorite examples of comedy as connection came from early in the pandemic — when dozens of comedians and actors recreated The Princess Bride scene by scene from their backyards, kitchens, and living rooms.If you need a smile (or a reminder of how creative humans can be), you can watch it here:👉 The Princess Bride – Home Movie Versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR8pA_WV9QII loved seeing the cameo by Rob Reiner - RIP. Thank you for making our journeys a bit lighter!🌟 Memorable Quotes“Comedy doesn’t just take us out of reality — it puts us into it and helps us create the reality we want.” – Lynn Harris“When everyone gets the same joke, it means they’re connected.” – Lynn Harris“It’s a sense of humor. It’s just a sense — it’s not a PhD.” – Lynn Harris“The more specific you are, the more relatable you become.” – Lynn Harris“It’s not a distraction from the thing. It is the thing.” – Lynn Harris🎓 About GOLD ComedyGOLD Comedy is a comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators build comedy careers, develop original work, and find a community where they truly belong.With a community-first model and an annual membership approach, GOLD supports long-term growth, collaboration, experimentation, and connection — helping creators turn ideas into real projects, pitches, and performances.As Lynn puts it: it’s easy to find a class anywhere — but the real question is, where do you belong?🔗 Connect with Lynn & GOLD Comedy🌐 Website: www.goldcomedy.com📧 Email: [email protected]📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOLDcmdy📱 Instagram | LinkedIn | Social: @goldcomedy💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

Today’s episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t always look like a title, a stage, or a strategy.Sometimes, it looks like choosing kindness in a cramped airplane seat.Sometimes, it looks like crying on the internet.And sometimes, it looks like being gentle with yourself — and letting that be enough.My guest today is Vanessa Confessore — a brand marketing and experiential leader by day, and a deeply human storyteller by life. Vanessa has spent over 20 years designing unforgettable brand experiences and global activations, while also navigating motherhood, partnership, recovery, and the invisible mental load so many women carry.She’s also the creator behind Sober Spouse on TikTok, a space she never intended to grow — but one that became a lifeline for people seeking honesty, hope, and real connection around recovery and relationships.In this conversation, Vanessa shares how leaning into authenticity on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok transformed her personal brand — not through polish or performance, but through vulnerability, kindness, and truth. What emerged wasn’t just engagement — it was community.Together, Yo and Vanessa explore:🌟 ✨ Why the Most Powerful Personal Brands Are Human OnesHow Vanessa committed to showing up consistently online — and discovered that authenticity, not perfection, is what people are truly craving.✨ Living Alongside RecoveryWhat it means to be a partner to someone in recovery, and how empathy, tools, and compassion shape everyday leadership at home and beyond.✨ The Airplane Story That Sparked a MovementVanessa shares the vulnerable moment that led to her viral LinkedIn post — a painful encounter on a flight that became a call for kindness, humanity, and perspective.✨ Kindness as a Leadership PracticeWhy choosing compassion — even when it’s hard — creates connection, diffuses harm, and builds trust in ways no strategy ever could.✨ The Ripple EffectHow small, seemingly insignificant acts — a smile, a compliment, a moment of grace — can create waves of impact far beyond what we see.✨ AI, Community, and Lightening the Mental LoadHow Vanessa co-created AI Moms™ to help exhausted moms reclaim time, space, and energy — and why human connection still matters most in a digital world.✨ Friendship as Self-CareWhy long-standing friendships become sacred anchors through life’s hardest seasons — and why being known without performance is a form of healing.✨ Less Pressure, More JoyVanessa’s intention for the year ahead — letting go of performative happiness and choosing quiet, everyday joy that multiplies outward.Memorable Quotes“When you feel good, you do good — and it multiplies.” – Vanessa Confessore“Humans are craving connection. The more digital our world gets, the more important real connection becomes.” – Vanessa Confessore“Friendships are the best form of self-care.” – Vanessa Confessore“The plan doesn’t have to go exactly as planned to be beautiful.” – Vanessa Confessore“You create the energy around you.” – Vanessa Confessore💡 Vanessa’s Gentle RemindersNot everything has to be polished.Not everything has to be perfect.If you’re thinking it — share it.If you’re feeling it — honor it.It takes one moment to create connection. And sometimes, that moment changes everything.💌 Connect with Vanessa@soberspouse on tiktok or Vanessa Confessore on linkedinHer article in the NY Post💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube & wherever you listen or view your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we reimagine leadership, challenge the status quo around aging, and share the conversations that help us break cycles, find our voice, and lead our lives with intention.Money is one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — tools in our lives.And for many women, it’s also one of the most stressful.In today’s episode, we slow the conversation down and take the fear out of finances — replacing it with clarity, confidence, and choice.Our guest, Tiffany Irving, is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management with more than 25 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations. She’s also a proud mom of three and a fierce advocate for educating and empowering women and girls around money.Tiffany’s journey into finance was shaped early — growing up with a single mom, watching financial stress up close, and quietly deciding that independence and stability would matter deeply in her own life. That lived experience now fuels her passion for helping women understand money not as something to fear — but as a tool to support the lives they want to build.In this grounded and empowering conversation, Yo and Tiffany explore what it really means to build financial confidence — intentionally.✨ In This Episode, We Explore:✨ From Silence to Strategy✨ Money as a Tool, Not a Test✨ Financial Confidence Across Generations✨ Partnership and the Money Conversation✨ The Myth of “I’m Not Wealthy Enough”✨ Why Written Plans Matter✨ Choosing an Advisor (and Asking the Right Questions)✨ What She’d Tell Her 20-Something Self🌟 Memorable QuotesBe bolder. Be more confident. Don’t fear failure — because growth lives on the other side of it.“Money is stressful — even for financial professionals. That’s why learning how to use it as a tool matters.” — Tiffany Irving“Financial confidence comes from clarity, communication, and knowing what you own and why.” — Tiffany Irving“If you set a goal and do nothing to get there, that’s just a wish.” — Tiffany Irving“Failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen. It’s how we learn and grow.” — Tiffany Irving“There are no dumb questions. If you’ve never been exposed to it, how would you know?” — Tiffany Irving🎯 Tiffany’s Intention for This ConversationTo promote financial empowerment and education for women — and to help more women feel confident engaging in money conversations, making intentional choices, and using available resources to support their goals.🔗 Connect with TiffanyLinkedIn: Search Tiffany IrvingWebsite: www.mesirow.comTiffany welcomes introductory conversations and questions — no matter where you’re starting from.💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify (or wherever you listen or view your podcasts)💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to lead lives that break old cycles and create new possibilities.To kick off 2026, today’s guest brings heart, grit, and a fresh perspective on what true leadership looks like.Meet Erin Krueger — top-ranked Nashville realtor, nationally recognized expert, bestselling author of Capture the Culture, and a woman whose leadership journey began long before she built one of the most successful all-female real estate teams in the country. Her team has sold more than $2 billion in real estate to date, with nearly $225 million in 2024 alone — but it’s her authenticity, intentionality, and heart-centered leadership that stand out most.Erin joins Yo for a candid conversation about building culture (at home, in business, and within ourselves), navigating adversity, choosing who we want to become, and leading with humanity in an era of rapid change.Whether you’re entering 2026 with big goals, seeking a healthier work culture, or looking to lead in a more intentional way, this episode is filled with wisdom and tools to help you design the life and leadership path you want.🌟 In This Episode, Erin & Yo Explore:💛 How childhood shapes leadership🧭 Intentional leadership (and why it matters more than ever in 2026)🫶 Culture as the heartbeat of a team👁️ Authenticity over performance🌱 Mentorship that changes everything🛠️ Her hiring and DISC process💎 "Some days are dirt, most days are diamonds"🧡 Meaningful appreciation🔄 Owning our mistakes🌬 Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success👩‍🦰 What Erin would tell her 20-something selfYou’ll learn:Why everyone needs a mentorHow to become a mentor who empowers othersThe bittersweet truth that mentees will one day fly🧭 Memorable Quotes“Difficult days don’t define you. What you do with them does. Keep moving forward — better days are ahead.”“Not every day is a good day — but most days are diamonds.” — Erin Krueger“People want to be around leaders who look them in the eye, care, and tell the truth.” — Erin Krueger“Mentors help you see the opportunities others would miss.” — Erin Krueger“You can have a hustle culture that honors health, family, and joy.” — Erin Krueger“Feedback is a gift — and what you do with it defines your leadership.” — Erin Krueger✨ Key Takeaways for 2026Intentionality is your superpower. Paint the picture of what you want — then build toward it.Culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s created through clarity, consistency, appreciation, and trust.Mentorship accelerates your growth. Find mentors who challenge your assumptions and expand your vision.Authenticity wins — every time. People can sense when you're real, and they respond with loyalty.You don’t have to do everything. Hire well, delegate, and let others rise.Feedback keeps culture alive. Leaders grow when they listen, adjust, and own their missteps.Grief, adversity, and hard days don’t define you. What you do with them does.🌟 Connect with Erin Krueger📚 Book: Capture the Culture🌐 Website: https://capture-the-culture.com✨ Free quizzes and leadership resources available📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @capturetheculture_🏠 Real Estate: The Erin Krueger Team (Instagram)💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we reimagine leadership, challenge the status quo around aging, and share the stories that help us break cycles, find our voice, and trust our own becoming.Today’s episode is a stunning way to close out the year.Our guest, Laura G. Patac, is an entrepreneur, author, poet, and former global corporate executive who has lived and worked in seven countries across five continents. After 25 years in sales, operations, and product leadership, she stepped into entrepreneurship — and the transition cracked open a profound identity crisis that reshaped her understanding of purpose, courage, and value.Rather than hiding the cracks, Laura learned to honor them — and ultimately, to treat them the way the Japanese art of kintsugi treats broken pottery: not as flaws to conceal, but as golden seams that make us more whole, beautiful, and true.Her journey — and her writing — will move you.In this intimate and heartfelt conversation, Laura shares how storytelling, poetry, and reflection helped her rebuild a self beyond titles and corporate identity, and how she now empowers others to do the same through her books Stories with Purpose and her newest release, Whole Not Perfect.Together, Yo and Laura explore:✨ What Happens When Your Title Disappears✨ The Five “Aha Moments” That Defined Her Leadership Journey✨ Why No One Is Coming to Save You✨ Storytelling as a Tool for Reinvention✨The Kintsugi Metaphor✨ Moving From Insight to Intention✨ Redefining Success After Corporate Life✨ What She Would Tell Her 20-Something Self🌟 Memorable Quotes“Every person coming into your life is teaching you something.” – Laura G. Patac“Nobody is coming to save you. You have to save yourself — and the answers are inward, not outward.” – Laura G. Patac“Your cracks are not wounds. They are the golden lines that make you whole.” – Laura G. Patac“I help people not just tell stories — but become a story.” – Laura G. Patac“Purpose is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Values are how you move through the world.” – Yo & Laura📚 Explore Laura’s Work LinkedIn ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-patac⁠       🎁 Free book: ⁠https://www.storiesholdpurpose.com/book⁠📧 Contact: [email protected]📘 Books:• Stories with Purpose: Your Story Has Purpose Too• Whole Not Perfect — a powerful guide to embracing your strengths, cracks, and future story💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore real, raw, and remarkable stories of resilience, healing, and what it means to live and lead with courage through every season of life.Today’s guest is Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli — author, columnist, and thoughtful observer of the human experience. Becky writes about love, loss, and healing, drawing from a life shaped by profound, unchosen challenges. Her journey includes the death of her 17-year-old brother, her son’s degenerative disease and passing, parenting a daughter with autism, divorce, and—just nine days later—paralysis caused by transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord.Rather than turning away from grief, Becky has transformed her lived experience into a body of work that reminds us: life can still be good — not perfect, but good — even when it doesn’t go as planned.In this deeply moving conversation, Yo and Becky explore wisdom drawn from Becky’s books Morning Fuel and Rethinking Possible, along with reflections from her popular Thoughtful Thursdays newsletter.In this episode, you’ll hear about:🧋 The Milkshake MethodA story about Becky’s father and a failed ice cream experiment that became a lifelong lesson in optimism, creativity, and seeing possibility within the limits of the present moment.🌲 Unchosen Paths & Patterns of CopingHow Becky has learned to recognize her own patterns when navigating grief and major life disruptions — and why understanding how you cope can bring comfort, patience, and self-trust.💛 Practicing Gratitude as a Daily ResetWhy gratitude isn’t about denying pain, but about shifting perspective — and how noticing small moments of goodness can change how we move through difficult days.🌸 Beauty in What’s BrokenBecky shares how turning shattered dishes into mosaic art mirrors the healing process itself: gathering broken pieces, allowing messiness, and discovering unexpected beauty along the way.🕯️ A Single Candle (Holiday Reflection)A powerful reading about grief during the holidays, the love that remains after loss, and how lighting a single candle can help us focus on love instead of darkness — especially when traditions must change.This episode is especially meaningful for anyone navigating grief, major transitions, disability, caregiving, or the emotional complexity of the holiday season. Becky’s words offer companionship, perspective, and hope — like a steady candle glowing when the world feels dark.About Becky Galli💌 Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli is an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Her unexpected but prolific writing career emerged from surviving multiple life-altering losses and transitions. Her website, BeckyGalli.com, features more than 400 published columns, and she continues to write Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a beloved newsletter that shares reflections on staying positive and grounded when life is hard.📚 Books: Morning Fuel | Rethinking Possible💌 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website & Free Resource: “Seven Strategies to Stay Up When Life Is Pulling You Down”👉 https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/📰 Thoughtful Thursdays Newsletter Signup:👉 https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwriter/🐦 X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/chairwriter Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen & Subscribe on YouTube Music, YouTube, Spotify & wherever you get your podcasts💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn & Instagram

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we talk honestly about leadership, womanhood, and all the messy, beautiful parts in between.Today I’m joined by Dr. Denise Brown, also known as The Fairy God Doctor — a Stanford-trained physician, former CEO, wife, mom, and now author of The Fairy God Doctor’s Guide to a Good Life: A Prescription for the Working Woman. Fairy God Doctor+1If you’re listening to this in December while you’re juggling holidays, work deadlines, family expectations, and maybe an elf on a shelf you forgot to move 🙃, this episode is here to give you permission to do less and feel more satisfied.We talk about why “success” is external but satisfaction is internal, how comparison and “shoulds” steal our joy, what it really means to ask for partnership instead of help, and how to reframe our lives and careers as non-linear wanderings in the woods instead of one perfect, straight ladder to the top.We also get teary (yep, both of us) as Denise reads the poem “If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again” and shares what true self-care looks like when your house is quiet, the kids are grown, and you suddenly realize what really mattered most.In This Episode, We Talk About:Success vs. satisfactionNon-linear womanhood & careersComparison, guilt, judgment & shameHelicoptering, snowplowing & leadership at work“You can have it all… but you cannot do it all.”Real talk about the holidays & overdoing itThe heart of self-careWhat she’d tell her 20-something selfMemorable Quotes“Success is external. Satisfaction is internal.”“You can have it all, but you cannot do it all.”“If you’re asking for help, you’re still carrying the weight. When you ask for partnership, you’re sharing it.”“There isn’t work and life — there’s just life. There isn’t physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing — there’s just wellbeing.”“Someday your house will be quiet and clean. And you’ll realize what really mattered was the people, not the counters.”Resources & Links MentionedBook: The Fairy God Doctor’s Guide to a Good Life: A Prescription for the Working Woman by Dr. Denise S. Brown Amazon+1Dr. Denise’s Website:Author / leadership site: denisesbrownmd.com denisesbrownmd.comBook site: thefairygoddoctor.com Fairy God DoctorInstagram:@thefairygoddoctor Instagram@denisesbrownmd InstagramFrom the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop 💌In this episode, Denise chose our Snarky Cat card that says “Trust Your Guts” — because your gut usually does know what to do, especially when you give it a little time and space to speak up.You’ll find that card (and more “listen to yourself” goodness) in theStay Connected👉 Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts online shop.Podcast: Girl, Take the Lead! (follow, rate & review if this episode made you feel seen 💕)Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead! Group – join us to go deeper on success vs. satisfaction, partnership vs. help, and holiday self-care.Instagram: @yocanny

Today’s guest is Michelle Hensley — founder of Nifty Package Co., creator of the gig app FeteTango, mother of three, grandmother of nine, and a woman who rebuilt her entire life after losing her husband to metastatic melanoma.At 51, Michelle found herself navigating profound grief, financial uncertainty, and a complete identity shift. What began as a small spark — “Could I work when I want instead of when I have to?” — evolved into a thriving mobile gift wrapping business serving everyday families, luxury brands, celebrities, and even a presidential administration.This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the courage to begin again — with creativity leading the way.Together, Yo and Michelle explore:🎁 How Michelle rebuilt her life after lossFrom pastor’s wife and nonprofit founder to entrepreneur learning cost of goods, pricing, networking, and profit — one brave step at a time.🎀 Why gift wrapping is a timeless artAnd how a 3:45 a.m. idea and an underused van sparked a whole new business model.🚐 The rise of the mobile gift wrapping movementIncluding the early client who hated wrapping gifts, the celebrity referrals, and the moment Michelle realized she was truly a business owner.✨ Creating income opportunities for women 50+Why Michelle believes flexible, creative work is a powerful path to financial dignity and freedom.📊 Business lessons Michelle learned the hard wayPricing for profit, investing in quality, and vetting team members — with honesty and humor.📱 Introducing FeteTangoMichelle’s new gig app for creatives offering services like wrapping, decorating, porch pumpkins, cookie baking, and more — all with lower fees so women keep more of what they earn.🕯️ Her message to widows and women starting overGrief has no timeline. Identity must be rebuilt slowly. And new beginnings are possible — even when you have no idea what comes next.💬 Her advice to her 20-something selfFind a mentor. Listen to people who’ve lived more life. Be less judgmental. And soften your words, especially toward yourself.🧭 Memorable Quotes“Sometimes you don’t know your idea is good — you just take the next step and it leads you somewhere new.” – Michelle“Women are incredibly resourceful. What scares us most is not that we can’t do it — but that we don’t know it yet.” – Michelle“I’ve been in the wilderness so many times I can give tours. Mistakes are part of the process.” – Michelle“You don’t have to care what everyone thinks — listen to yourself and take the next step.” – Yo & Michelle✨ Connect with Michelle HensleyWebsite & Coaching: michellemhensley.comFree Book & Downloadables: available on her siteGift Wrapping Business: Nifty Package Co.Facebook Group: Unwrapping Your Life and BusinessYouTube: Mobile Gift Wrapping CoachGig App for Creatives: FeteTango.comMasterclass: michellemhensley.com/masterclass-registrationEmail: [email protected]💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!Listen on YouTube & SpotifyJoin the GTTL Facebook GroupExplore the Heartfelt Card & Gift ShopFind Yo on LinkedIn & InstagramBecause reinvention doesn’t ask whether you’re ready — it invites you to trust yourself, take the next step, and begin wrapping a new life with courage and creativity. 💖

Today’s guest is a dear friend of the show, Andrea Mein DeWitt — Professional Certified Coach (PCC), author, and creator of the transformational Name, Claim & Reframe® methodology. Her bestselling book, Name, Claim & Reframe: Your Path to a Well-Lived Life, was featured on NBC’s TODAY Show as the Best Motivational Read of 2023, and is now available as an audiobook, complete with a powerful PDF companion. Congrats to Andrea!! Andrea works with high-achieving leaders navigating challenging relationships, identity shifts, and life transitions — especially the roles we often inherit inside our families. In this deeply moving conversation, she and Yo explore the complicated terrain between daughters and aging mothers, including grief, identity, boundaries, and the “good daughter” narrative many of us have carried for decades. If you’ve ever felt unseen, responsible, guilty, or stuck in old roles with your mother — especially during moments of caregiving or family gatherings — this episode offers both companionship and real tools for the messy middle. Timing for this episode is perfect with the holidays which adds extra pressure around the good daughter/bad daughter trap! Together, they explore:💔 The cultural and generational expectations🧭 Integrity as the anchor🌪 Understanding the emotional hurricane🌗 Grieving the mother we thought we had🧱 Compassionate boundaries 💡 Using Name, Claim & Reframe® in real time• Name the emotional trigger• Claim the belief or value that helps you stay in integrity• Reframe the moment so you don’t internalize guilt, shame, or projection 🎧 Andrea’s new audiobook as a companion for healingTransformation doesn’t happen in one big moment — but in the pauses: the walk, the drive, the breath you take between conversations. Her audiobook was created for those moments. 🧭 Memorable Quotes “You cannot have grace without grit. The grit lets you pause and choose who you want to be.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt “When you respond instead of react, you’re back in your power.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt“Not everyone deserves unlimited access to your energy.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt“Maybe what we’re grieving isn’t just our mother — it’s the story we carried about who she was.” – Yo & Andrea 🌺 Key Takeaways Integrity — not approval — is your compass when navigating difficult family roles.You can be kind and clear at the same time — clarity is kindness.Grieving the mother you thought you had is real grief, and allowing yourself to feel it is deeply healing. Other episodes to check out on the topicEp 248 When Pleasing Hurts: Healing the Mother-Daughter Dynamic with Katherine FabrizioEp 48 A Discussion with Andrea Mein Dewitt About Her Book: Name, Claim Reframe, Your Path to a Well-Lived LifeEp 72 Andrea Mein Dewitt, Name Claim & Reframe (NCR) Author, Returns and Relates NCR to Female BullyingEp 153 & 154 Be Confident. Be Resourceful. Be Graceful. Name Claim and Reframe Workbook. ✨ Connect with Andrea Mein DeWitt🌐 Website: andreadewittadvisors.com🎧 New Audiobook on Audible (released December 2, 2025) — includes a PDF companionhttps://www.audible.com/pd/B0G2F5448HLeadership Quiz:  https://www.andreadewittadvisors.com/leadership-quizYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreaMeinDeWittBook links:Name, Claim & Reframe: https://www.amazon.com/dp/157826958XWorkbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578269962 🧰 NCR Toolkit: https://www.andreadewittadvisors.com/ncr-toolkit💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mein-dewitt-98694068/Be sure to check out her Beyond the Reframe Articles📸 Instagram: @andreadewittcoaching 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram Because leadership — and healing — begin when we have the courage to see ourselves clearly and choose integrity over old family roles. 💖

This holiday season, we’re inviting you to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself — because as this week’s guest reminds us, you are your greatest asset.In this uplifting and practical conversation, Nancy Griffin, founder of Women, Worth & Wellness®, joins Yo to explore the powerful connection between women’s health, wealth, and self-worth — especially during a time of year when stress, overspending, and over-giving tend to take over.Nancy has spent more than 30 years supporting women in building stronger financial foundations and stronger personal foundations. Her holistic approach to net worth, self-worth, philanthropy, and wellness gives us a fresh, timely reminder:Your life is a privilege. Take care of yourself first — so you can take care of everything else with joy.💛 In This EpisodeWe cover:The hidden connection between women’s health and women’s wealthWhy women need to think about health-related planning (and what great advisors look for)How generosity — not just financial, but emotional — strengthens self-worthNancy’s powerful 5-minute morning holiday check-in ritualThe danger of perfectionism and the wisdom of the 80% ApproachWhy you should consider repurposing old life insurance as a philanthropic legacyThe importance of recognizing yourself as your number one assetNancy’s inspiring message to her 20-something selfHer signature mantra: “Stay vertical and keep smiling.”🎄 Why This Episode Is Perfect for the HolidaysThis time of year can pull us in a hundred different directions. Nancy offers simple, grounded ways to:-center your own well-being-manage holiday overwhelm-reset spending expectations-rediscover joy in small, spontaneous moments of generosity-choose what really matters as you head into a new yearIt’s the perfect episode to send to a friend who needs a gentle reminder to take five minutes for herself.👑 About Our Guest: Nancy Griffin (Boomer)Nancy is a connector and influencer. She attributes her success to personal courage, determination, and joy, especially when focusing on women’s health and wellness, which led her to create Women, Worth & Wellness®. Nancy enjoys every opportunity to inspire and inform women about their personal health and wealth, net worth and self-worth, philanthropy and legacy—so that women feel fabulous, generous, joyful, confident, and on top of their game every day.Nancy Griffin established Women, Worth & Wellness in 1994 as a Private Client Wealth Advisor for her female clients and their families. She continues to promote and inspire Daring & Caring Leaders, encouraging them to step up and lead in the world, following in the footsteps of many powerful women leaders before her. Her overall purpose is to connect and influence for positive impact every chance she gets.Connect with Nancy:📧 [email protected]🌐 WomenWorthWellness.com (brand updates coming soon!)📱 Social: @womenworthwellness across platforms✨ Key TakeawaysYou cannot enjoy your wealth without your health — and both require intentional care.Women’s financial planning must include health-related what-ifs.Generosity strengthens self-worth — and it doesn’t have to cost money.A simple five-minute morning check-in can change the tone of your entire day.Don’t wait for perfect: aim for 80% and take action.You are worthy, unique, and capable — and your life is a privilege.💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Follow on LinkedIn & InstagramBecause leadership — and connection — begin when we dare to understand ourselves and each other more deeply. 💖

Today’s guest is Derek, an educator at heart whose life journey—rooted in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia—has been shaped by a lifelong quest to transform confusion into clarity. Diagnosed at age 50, he finally gained the language, belonging, and understanding that helped him make sense of decades of feeling “different.” That clarity became his calling.Professionally, Derek’s path spans the trades, automotive manufacturing, entrepreneurship, process engineering, and ultimately talent development—where he became the architect behind Amazon’s highest-rated employee training program, earning an extraordinary 92 NPS and 4.92/5 rating.Today, he is the visionary behind Human-First AI, including his book, Human First AI, which lays out a powerful and accessible blueprint for building AI systems that augment humanity rather than replace it. His company, Practical AI, builds tools like Pocket Mentor, offering voice-based, just-in-time support so no one ever feels stuck, judged, or alone again.This episode explores what it really means to unlock neurodiverse brilliance—and how empathy and human-centered AI can change the way we learn, collaborate, and lead.📚 Featured Resource Recommended by Derek✨ Dr. Nancy Doyle’s “What Is Neurodiversity” framework, including the plus-10/minus-10 graph that helps explain ALL human skill variation.🧭 Memorable Quotes“My whole life was trying to turn confusion into clarity — and that became the foundation of everything I build.” – Derek“Empathy unlocks neurodiverse brilliance.” – Derek“Judge people for what they do well, not for what they don’t.” – Derek“AI should make humans irreplaceable — not replace them.” – Derek“Just-in-time knowledge reduces cognitive load and restores confidence.” – Derek“We’re all different. The more we understand each other, the better we all become.” – Yo Canny🌺 Key Takeaways1. Neurodiversity is the human condition.Dr. Nancy Doyle’s work reframes neurodiversity as a continuum of strengths and challenges that all humans share.2. Diagnosis can bring healing—not limits.For Derek, learning he was autistic at 50 unlocked understanding and belonging.3. Empathy-based leadership allows brilliance to shine.His Amazon success was made possible by a leader who supported his strengths and covered his gaps.4. Human-First AI supports—not replaces—humans.Just-in-time learning tools like Pocket Mentor can reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and preserve institutional knowledge.✨ Connect with DerekSupport is rooted in celebrating strengths and releasing judgment.📘 Hero Book – Human First AIRead the first chapter free: https://www.humanfirstai.net🌐 Practical AI (organization & nonprofit community)https://www.practicalai.app👥 Communityhttps://www.practicalai.app/community💼 LinkedInSearch “Derek” + “Human First AI”💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 Follow on LinkedIn & InstagramBecause leadership — and connection — begin when we dare to understand ourselves and each other more deeply. 💖

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, we meet Lori Pappas, one of the first female computer sales reps in the world, an award-winning entrepreneur, and founder of the Global Team for Local Initiatives, where she spent over a decade in Africa helping more than 100,000 people.After years of chasing success, Lori discovered that the true magic of life comes from saying yes—yes to forgiveness, boundaries, curiosity, and self-discovery. Her journey inspired the D.R.E.A.M. Framework, a practical guide for transforming challenges into wisdom.In this episode, Lori and Yo talk about reinventing yourself at every stage of life, the myths that hold women back from self-advocacy, and how forgiveness and reflection unlock our deepest wisdom.💡 Key Takeaways✨ The Power of ChoiceAt 17, Lori learned one of her life’s defining lessons: she had choice. That insight—realizing we don’t have to “swallow” what life hands us—became the foundation for how she navigated every transformation that followed.💖 Turning Struggles into WisdomHer years in Africa illuminated that our challenges are not obstacles but teachers. When we take time to reflect, our struggles become our superpower.🌿 Boundaries as Self-CareDrawing from her work, Lori shares common myths that keep us from setting boundaries—like believing others’ needs are more important than our own—and how self-advocacy is an act of self-worth.💬 Favorite Quotes from Lori“Our struggles and challenges really are the keys to finding our wisdom.”“Boundaries are the bedrock of self-care.”“Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting—it means dropping the hundred pounds of stones we carry on our back.”“Fear can become your rocket fuel.”“Wisdom is information minus the noise, over time.”“Let’s just clean the closet of the noise.”“Let’s really work on that noise. Let’s just get rid of that crap. If I had done that earlier, I could have traveled farther and touched more people.”📚 Resources & Links🌐 Website: loripappas.com💌 Free Resource: Download a free D.R.E.A.M. framework of your choice → loripappas.com/dream📘 Book: The Magic of Yes: Embrace the Wise Woman Within💬 Email: [email protected]💕 Join: Wise Woman Sisterhood Facebook Group⏰ Episode Chapters00:00 — Lori’s story: from rebellion to resilience03:00 — The moment in the Sahara that changed everything06:00 — Saying yes to life and boundaries09:00 — The myths that keep us from self-care16:00 — Learning to self-advocate18:00 — Forgiveness and flipping the script21:00 — Lori’s formula for wisdom25:00 — The D.R.E.A.M. framework revealed29:00 — Turning fear into rocket fuel35:00 — Curiosity as nourishment for the mind37:30 — Advice to her 20-something self💖 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💌 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop💬 Connect with Yo Canny on LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Michelle Jeovanny — a renowned spiritual life coach, mentor, channel, and successful entrepreneur who helps individuals create wealth on all levels: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, energetically, and financially.Michelle’s work blends ancient wisdom with modern consciousness — guiding her clients through ancestral healing, somatic freedom, ceremony, and spiritual power to unlock their truest potential. Her mission? To help people live in freedom, fulfillment, and flow.In this episode, Michelle and Yo dive deep into the alchemy of turning wounds into power — exploring how the stories passed through our lineage shape our beliefs about wealth, worth, and identity. You’ll hear Michelle’s extraordinary story of awakening, from her childhood connection to Spirit, to a near-death moment at sea that became a divine calling to step fully into her spiritual gifts.Together, they explore:🌿 What ancestral wealth really means — and how to awaken it within🔥 The process of transforming pain and grief into creative power💎 How our body is the first bank account — and what true wealth feels like🕊 Practices for stillness, surrender, and rewriting family patterns💫 Why money is the byproduct of who we becomeWhether you’re navigating your own healing, exploring spirituality, or simply curious about the unseen threads that shape your story, this episode invites you to see your wounds not as weaknesses — but as doorways to power.🧭 Memorable Quotes“Our body is the first bank account. It is our altar of wealth and abundance.” – Michelle Jeovanny“Beyond the wounds is a creative intelligence — the gold within the onion.” – Michelle Jeovanny“I was running toward success, but the more I ran, the further I felt from myself.” – Yo Canny🌺 Key TakeawaysTrue wealth begins with self-honoring — when you’re wealthy on all levels, money follows as an energetic reflection.Ancestral healing allows us to see and release patterns we’ve inherited, transforming unconscious loyalty into conscious freedom.Stillness and surrender aren’t weakness — they’re the portals to divine guidance and co-creation.Writing down your desires and releasing limiting beliefs through ceremony can open you to a higher frequency of abundance.✨ Connect with Michelle Jeovanny🌐 Magik Mystery School — monthly channelings, programs, and resources📸 @michellejeovanny💌 Mention “Girl, Take the Lead!” for Michelle’s free PDF: How to Create with AI — with Soul💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 LinkedIn | InstagramBecause leadership — and healing — begin when we have the courage to see ourselves clearly. 💖

Today’s guest is Hillary Spiritos (Millennial) — a pathfinding coach and founder of Bat Outta Hell, where she helps young adults find the courage, creativity, and resilience to build lives that feel authentic, invigorating, and meaningful.A former university advisor at Duke, NYU, and Northeastern, Hillary has guided countless students and early professionals through crossroads moments — from choosing a major to choosing themselves. Her work now focuses on helping Millennials and Gen Zers define success on their own terms, navigate anxiety about the future, and trust that their unique paths can lead to purpose.In this conversation, Yo and Hillary explore how social media, uncertainty, and shifting definitions of success are shaping a new generation — and why trusting yourself might just be the most radical act of all.✨ In this episode, we cover:The challenges today’s young adults face — from cynicism to social media overloadHow to redefine success based on your values, not your title or salaryHow social media can inspire and overwhelm — and how to use it intentionallyThe difference between satisfaction and successWhy authenticity is the new currency of connection⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Hillary Spiritos00:33 – The mission behind Bat Outta Hell01:59 – From college advising to pathfinding: how it began03:55 – Empowering Millennials and Gen Z to create change07:55 – What makes this generation’s challenges unique09:51 – The role of anxiety and cynicism in today’s world15:26 – Redefining success through your own values21:11 – Is social media friend or foe?27:15 – Why authenticity beats perfection online30:09 – Navigating a tough job market with resilience35:27 – Facing fear, failure, and the courage to try💡 Key TakeawaysYou define success — not your title, salary, or feed.Awareness turns social media from a trap into a tool.Courage grows through action, not perfection.You don’t have to follow the rules — you can write your own.The world needs your authentic voice.📚 About Hillary SpiritosHillary Spiritos, M.A., C.L.C. is a pathfinding coach and founder of Bat Outta Hell, where she helps young adults and early-career professionals overcome fear and self-doubt to create meaningful, sustainable lives. She holds degrees from Duke University and NYU, has lived abroad, and led workshops on resilience, leadership, and thriving through rejection and change.🌐 batoutahell.net📸 Instagram & TikTok: @bat.outa_hell💌 Store HighlightHillary’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal.”It’s a joyful reminder to embrace your quirks, follow your own rules, and celebrate the life you’re creating — one bold step at a time.Explore guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop.📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories of people breaking cycles, finding freedom, and leading with courage.Today’s guest is Sue Hincenbergs (Boomer) — a former television producer turned #1 bestselling author whose debut novel, The Retirement Plan, has taken Canada by storm. Now translated into 20 languages and headed for the big screen, this darkly funny thriller proves that it’s never too late to follow your dreams — or plot a little creative mayhem along the way.After three decades producing award-winning TV programs, Sue decided at 59 to finally keep a promise she made to herself (and Bruce Springsteen!) at 20: to write a novel. The result? A hit book, a movie deal, and a wildly inspiring story of reinvention.In this conversation, we explore the humor, humility, and heart behind her success — and why midlife might just be the perfect time to unleash your creative spark.✨ Other Topics Covered:How Sue turned a lifelong dream into a #1 Canadian bestsellerThe 40-year promise inspired by Bruce SpringsteenLessons from her TV career that made her a tighter, funnier writerWhat makes a great storyteller — and why tension mattersThe courage to start something new at any ageWhat she’d tell her 20-something self about patience, humility, and timingWhy “If not now, when?” became her personal mantra⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sue Hincenbergs00:57 – “If not now, when?”: deciding to write at 5902:20 – The Retirement Plan — murder, marriage, and midlife reinvention04:58 – The Bruce Springsteen concert that sparked a lifelong promise07:45 – From television producer to novelist: learning on the fly09:39 – How tension and clarity make a great story13:53 – Editing, rewriting, and the art of brevity15:43 – Her advice to younger writers and her 20-something self17:09 – Sue’s card pick: Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal18:35 – “Why not me?”: believing it’s never too late💡 Key TakeawaysDreams don’t expire — they evolve when you do.If you don’t try, nothing can happen.Good storytelling blends honesty, tension, and heart.Courage grows with age (and a sense of humor helps).It’s never too late to take your creative leap.📚 About Sue HincenbergsSue Hincenbergs is a former television producer who’s worked on multiple award-winning programs. She lives in Toronto with her (very much alive) husband, her scruffy, middle-aged rescue dog, Kramer, and the rooms full of stuff her three sons left behind. The Retirement Plan is her debut novel.🌐 suehincenbergs.com💌 Store HighlightSue’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal.”Featuring a circle of dancing women, it’s a reminder that joy, laughter, and a touch of mischief keep us young at heart.Explore guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop.📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Salvatore Manzi (Gen X) — a leadership communication coach, speaker, and author who helps mission-driven leaders transform their insight into influence. With two decades of experience coaching executives from Silicon Valley to the United Nations, Salvatore believes your leadership goes beyond how you show up and communicate your truth.In this episode, Salvatore and Yo dive into the art and science of communication — exploring how content, delivery, and presence shape our impact. They discuss how introverts can command the room, why communication training often fails analytical thinkers, and how reframing fear into excitement can help you speak with confidence.✨ In this episode, we cover:How to own the spotlight no matter your comfort level with public speakingThe three pillars of communication: content, delivery, and presenceHow to “reframe the rush” from fear to excitementWhy asynchronous communication (emails, texts) often misfiresThe importance of intention and feedback in becoming a better communicatorHow to adapt your communication style without losing authenticityTaking up space — physically and emotionally — when you’ve been conditioned not toWhat Salvatore would tell his 20-something self about voice and courage⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Salvatore Manzi01:00 – The missing link in communication training for introverts04:40 – The three pillars: content, delivery, and presence06:55 – Why presence matters most in today’s world09:35 – Dialogue, not download — and why metaphors move minds11:02 – “You may be on mute, but your body isn’t”13:18 – Expanding what feels authentic15:31 – Reframing the rush: fear into excitement18:23 – How to add warmth to asynchronous communication22:17 – Setting intention before you speak23:42 – Why feedback fuels growth26:35 – Communication as context: knowing your audience29:15 – Taking up space and overcoming conditioning32:24 – Body and mind hacks to restore presence36:33 – “Speak before it feels comfortable” — Salvatore’s 20-something-self advice💡 Key TakeawaysPresence is built through self-awareness, not performance.Communication is both art and science — it can be learned.Fear and excitement feel the same in the body; label them wisely.Every voice deserves space; every story deserves to be heard.✨ Connect with Salvatore Manzi 🌐 Website & Free Resources: salvatoremanzi.com/ccpb📸 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi📘 Facebook: facebook.com/CommsCoachSalvatore📧 Email: [email protected]💌 Store HighlightSalvatore’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is the “You Got This” card — a reminder to trust your worth, wisdom, and voice. Explore this and other guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Sarah M. Eden (Millennial) — a USA Today best-selling author, screenwriter, and creative powerhouse whose witty, award-winning historical romances have sold over a million copies worldwide.Known for blending her obsession with history and affinity for tender, hopeful love stories, Sarah has written more than eighty-five novels and is now expanding her storytelling into film. Her upcoming movie, Seeking Persephone, reimagines the myth of Hades and Persephone as a Regency-era romance — and her latest novel, The Tides of Time, explores how love, guilt, and hope transcend centuries.In this episode, Sarah and Yo explore the heart of storytelling itself — why stories matter, how creativity lifts us through life’s oppositions, and why romance will always promise hope.⏱️ Episode HighlightsHow writers “train” their minds to see stories everywhereThe spark behind The Tides of Time and its time-travel premiseWhat adapting her own novel taught Sarah about letting goHow romance fiction empowers women and offers hopeWhy joy is essential to creative longevityHow resistance and opposition help us rise — in life and in artSarah’s gentle message to her 20-something selfTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sarah M. Eden01:29 – How a dare launched her writing career02:25 – The story behind The Tides of Time — time travel meets the French Revolution04:20 – What makes a good storyteller — and how it can be learned07:42 – Letting go: when your story belongs to the world09:59 – Adapting Seeking Persephone for film and what changed in the process13:39 – Finding joy in creativity, even when it’s “work”14:38 – Sarah’s advice for aspiring writers: love the stage you’re in19:27 – Why romance fiction endures — and what hope it offers24:34 – The Finding Joy card story and how opposition gives us lift💡 Key TakeawaysStorytelling is an act of hope — a way to connect across time and emotion.Opposition builds strength; resistance helps us rise higher.Romance fiction celebrates women’s agency and resilience.Creativity is joy — and joy sustains the creative life.Every stage of your journey has meaning; don’t rush past it.✨ Connect with Sarah M. Eden 🌐 Website & Newsletter: sarahmeden.com📸 Instagram: @sarah_m_eden📘 Facebook: facebook.com/SarahMEden🎬 Coming Soon:Mercury Raine (Books 1 & 2) — releasing October 2025Seeking Persephone — film premiere expected late 2025💌 Store HighlightSarah’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Finding Joy” — featuring a hummingbird and flowers.She shared how her love of physics and birds reminds her that:“What allows birds to fly is opposition. As they flap down, they’re lifted up. Strength is found in opposition.”Explore this and other guest-inspired cards at: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Dr. Arisbe Mendoza (Gen X), Director of Global Impact, Advocacy, and Partnerships atFairtrade International in Bonn, Germany. A proud Mexican woman and passionate advocate for women’s leadership, Arisbe believes that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about impact.In this inspiring conversation, we explore how Fairtrade transforms global trade into a force for equity, how women’s leadership creates ripples of change, and why joy, empathy, and authenticity are essential to leading with heart.✨ In this episode, we cover:The powerful origin story of the Fairtrade movement — and its deep roots in MexicoHow Fairtrade works with more than 1.9 million farmers and workers across 67 countriesWhy true leadership is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and purposeThe Fairtrade Women’s School of Leadership and its impact on confidence and equalityHow young people are driving awareness through the Fairtrade Ambassador ProgramWhat sustainable livelihoods really mean — and how fair pricing changes livesHow global collaboration and trust build resilience across supply chainsArisbe’s reflections on capitalism, resistance, and the ongoing relevance of FairtradeHer message to her 20-something self about trusting her voice and being boldThe leadership lesson behind her favorite phrase: “Joy in the everyday”⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Arisbe Mendoza (Gen X)00:30 – Leadership as impact, not title — how Fairtrade reflects that mission01:49 – The Fairtrade story: from Mexican coffee farmers to a global movement04:42 – Why producers stay committed — and the challenges they face today06:45 – Connecting farmers to fair markets and meaningful partnerships09:29 – Empowering women through the Fairtrade Women’s School of Leadership11:24 – Youth advocacy and the Fairtrade Ambassador Program12:18 – Arisbe’s personal journey from Mexico to global leadership15:28 – The strategic vision for Fairtrade’s next decade17:18 – Sustainable livelihoods and the shared responsibility of supply chains20:36 – How listeners can support Fairtrade and ethical consumption24:00 – Why Arisbe remains hopeful amid global economic shifts27:07 – Her message to her 20-something self: trust your voice, even when it shakes28:34 – Her favorite pick from the GTTL shop — “Joy in the Everyday”30:03 – Final reflections and celebration of Fairtrade Month💡 Key Takeaways🌍 Fairtrade began as a movement for justice — and continues to support millions through dignity and fair pay.💫 Leadership thrives on empathy, purpose, and impact — not position or title.🌱 Sustainable livelihoods depend on shared responsibility across the entire supply chain.👩‍🌾 When women lead, entire communities rise.💛 Joy and purpose often live in the everyday moments that connect us.🗣️ Trust your voice, even when it shakes — that’s where leadership begins.✨ Connect with Dr. Arisbe Mendoza & Fairtrade International📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: fairtrade.net📘 Facebook: facebook.com/fairtrade📸 Instagram: @fairtradeofficial💌 Store HighlightArisbe’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop was our “Joy in the Everyday” card — a gentle reminder that true leadership often lives in small, intentional moments. She also loved our You Bundle (“You Got This,” “You’re Amazing,” “You Rock!”) — the perfect way to lift others up with kindness and gratitude.Explore these and more guest-inspired designs at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Uma Thana Balasingam (Gen X) — a powerhouse global tech executive turned founder, movement builder, and podcast host. Uma grew up in Malaysia, put herself through university, and rose from engineer to Vice President of Sales for global tech companies, leading more than 800 people across 48 markets and managing over $1 billion in revenue.Now, Uma is building her second career by launching companies and movements at the intersection of leadership, reinvention, and media. As founder of The ELEVATE Group, she’s architecting a future where five million women rise with her. Her hit podcast, RAW with UMA, amplifies raw, real voices across Asia Pacific — bridging strategy and soul, and inspiring women everywhere to rethink what’s possible.In this openhearted conversation, Uma shares what it’s like to experience what she calls a “careerquake” — that seismic professional shift that shakes your identity and calls you to reinvent. Together, we explore how grief and growth coexist, how sponsorship accelerates careers, and how to find belonging again when everything changes.✨ In this episode, we cover:What a careerquake really means — and how it can spark reinvention instead of regretThe emotional journey of leaving a beloved role: love, grief, and belongingHow to reframe career breaks as growth chapters, not gapsWhy workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how to play with integrityThe two currencies that drive careers: performance and relationshipsHow sponsorship (not just mentorship) accelerates opportunityThe leadership lessons from an inclusive boss who amplified women’s voicesThe story behind RAW with UMA — and why she’s tackling the “hard things”Uma’s powerful message to her 20-something self about colorism, courage, and challenging norms⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Uma Thana Balasingam00:59 – Defining the “careerquake” and how it reshaped her sense of identity02:28 – From love to grief: what leaving behind success really feels like05:39 – Why workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how power truly flows09:28 – The inclusive boss who modeled how to amplify women’s voices11:22 – How to confidently reframe career breaks in interviews17:01 – The origin of Lean In Singapore and Uma’s Walk the Talk sponsorship platform23:11 – The backstory of RAW with UMA — turning eulogies into empowerment28:44 – Uma’s message to her 20-something self: challenge everything30:42 – Her favorite pick from the GTTL shop — and the birth of the “Careerquake” card💡 Key TakeawaysCareerquakes are breakthroughs, not breakdowns. Every shake-up reveals who you truly are.Where there is love, there is grief. Transitions are emotional because they matter.Belonging fuels leadership. Losing it can invite you to rediscover it within.Workplace politics are simply the unwritten rules of power — learn them, don’t fear them.Career breaks build resilience and perspective; own your story with confidence.Sponsorship is the hidden accelerator for women’s advancement.Challenge everything. Growth begins with asking bold questions, not having all the answers.✨ Connect with Uma Thana Balasingam 🌐 Website & Courses: linktr.ee/elevateasia 📧 Email: [email protected]🎙️ Podcast: RAW with UMA (on YouTube and all major platforms)💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/umathana📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma__raw/📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564066752294💌 Store HighlightUma inspired a new "Careerquake" card for our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop. Explore this and more guest-inspired cards here: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Irma Neal — seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and author of Leading in Chaos: Insights to Lead Through the Storms. From her early years growing up poor as the oldest of eight, to leadership roles in government, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurship, Irma brings hard-won wisdom about resilience, courage, and staying true to values even when storms rage.In this candid conversation, Irma shares what it means to lead in the midst of chaos and how every challenge can make us stronger.✨ In this episode, we cover:Why her father’s mantra “there’s no such word as can’t” shaped her entire careerThe leadership lessons of asking for help, documenting facts, and not dumbing down your intelligenceHow resilience is like muscle memory: the more chaos you face, the stronger you getLight bulb moments that reveal when it’s time for changeFacing bullying, politics, and even extreme hate — and choosing courage and clarityWhy celebrating victories, big and small, fuels momentum and resilienceThis episode is a masterclass in courage under fire — and a reminder that storms don’t define us, but how we lead through them does.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & intro to Irma Neal00:31 – From humble beginnings to Fortune 500 VP01:26 – The lessons her parents instilled: “no such word as can’t” and “get an understanding”03:43 – Leading in Washington, D.C. amid chaos, overdoses, and politics06:05 – Leadership insights: documenting facts and asking for help08:21 – When problems resurface again and again09:46 – Light bulb moments: knowing when it’s time to move on12:40 – Building resilience through chaos15:28 – Staying true to values when the noise swirls15:56 – Not dumbing down your intelligence to fit in19:20 – Facing hate head-on: working for a KKK leader in Indiana21:49 – Learning to discern what’s racial and what’s ignorance25:32 – Bullying in the workplace: lessons and failures30:25 – Remembering we only know a slice of people’s lives31:51 – Irma’s advice to her 20-something self: “Go be great.”32:21 – Her favorite card pick: Celebrations💡 Key TakeawaysResilience builds like muscle memory: every storm makes you stronger.Good documentation is better than a character witness — facts matter.Asking for help is a leadership strength, not a weakness.Don’t dumb down your intelligence to fit in. Own your voice.Celebrate small wins — they fuel confidence and resilience.✨ Connect with Irma Neal🌐 Website: onyx2rise.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/onyx2rise📘 Facebook: facebook.com/onyx2rise📸 Instagram: @onyx2rise📝 Free Resource: Money Mindset Quiz💌 Store HighlightIrma’s favorite from our card and gift shop is the Celebrations card — because she believes victories, big or small, are worth celebrating. Explore it and more guest-inspired cards here: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore the real, raw, and remarkable stories of people breaking cycles, finding freedom, and leading with courage.Today’s episode features Rita Lussier, Boomer, writer, longtime Providence Journal columnist, and now author of And Now, Back to Me. Her debut book reflects on the bittersweet transition from hands-on motherhood to empty nesting, weaving together grief, gratitude, and the journey of rediscovery.✨ In this conversation, we cover:Why the empty nest often feels harder — and more layered — than expectedHow small symbols (like a child’s blanket or a grocery-store snack) can trigger powerful emotionsPractical ways to “rewire” after years of care giving and start investing in yourself againThe importance of finding bliss in everyday moments — new windows, banana bread, or a neighbor’s smileHow strength, reinvention, and gratitude emerge through life’s transitionsRita’s heartfelt stories remind us that while change may bring loss, it also offers an invitation: to rediscover who we are, to create again, and to embrace the journey with joy.⏱️ Timestamps📖 00:00 – Meet Rita Lussier: journalist, columnist, and debut author01:27 – Why she wrote And Now Back to Me and how it resonated beyond parenting04:18 – A moving passage about motherhood, grief, and creating again07:15 – Yo’s story of sending her daughter to college and the moment of grief that followed08:42 – The “power bar” story and how everyday objects spark emotions10:09 – Fat Pinky, blankets, and the bittersweet speed of time11:05 – Rewiring: investing in self-care after years of care giving13:28 – Finding joy in everyday moments and “the good old days”18:23 – Gratitude, new windows, and seeing with fresh eyes25:05 – How the empty nest brings focus back to relationships26:00 – Rediscovering your own voice beyond roles of motherhood and career27:44 – The strength that comes from embracing transitions31:07 – Stress and hardship as invitations to grow💡 Key Takeaways📬 Rewiring is essential. After years of care giving, investing in your own joy and self-care helps you heal and rediscover yourself.Gratitude transforms perspective. A neighbor’s smile, a new window, or even laundry can become sources of joy when we learn to see fully.Strength is built in the process. Grief, change, and even hardship become catalysts for resilience and growth.Resources & Links:Rita’s book: ⁠www.amazon.com⁠Available Now⁠Bookshop⁠ | ⁠Amazon⁠ | ⁠Barnes & NobleConnect with Rita:Website: ritalussier.comEmail: [email protected]://www.facebook.com/ritalussierauthor/https://www.instagram.com/ritalussierauthor/⁠Connect with Yo, Your Host:Instagram: ⁠@yocanny⁠Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

In this heartfelt episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, I sit down with Elissa Kalver, Millennial author of We Got This, stage 4 metastatic breast cancer thriver, nonprofit founder, and advocate for re-imagining how we support one another through life’s hardest challenges.Elissa shares how her diagnosis just before her daughter’s first birthday reshaped her perspective on life, grief, and community — and how it led to her mission of normalizing support through her groundbreaking nonprofit registry, WeGotThis.org.Timestamps:00:28 – Elissa’s diagnosis and redefining survival02:26 – Her book We Got This and what it means to “beat” cancer04:40 – “Surviving is not enough”: choosing to thrive07:59 – Clarity in the midst of trauma11:19 – Lessons from grief13:36 – Why community and action matter in grief and healing18:46 – Passage from her book on grief as cancer’s parallel24:15 – Honoring the journey: why Elissa keeps her chemo photos25:43 – Eye-opening stats on metastatic breast cancer29:05 – WeGotThis.org Registry: practical and joyful support31:22 – How to donate and get involved33:10 – Elissa’s favorite passage: “Never forget to dance”37:18 – What she’d tell her 20-something selfKey Takeaways:Thriving > Surviving – Elissa reminds us that it’s not enough to simply endure illness or grief; we deserve to live fully and joyfully.Grief as Transformation – Grief can metastasize like cancer if ignored, but it can also open pathways to clarity, empathy, and new ways of living.Redefining Support – Her nonprofit registry makes it easier for patients and families to ask for and receive help — from wigs and mouthwash to concert tickets.Living Intentionally – Whether it’s dancing nightly with her daughter or driving an hour for the best olive oil, Elissa shows us how to savor the everyday.Community Matters – Moving from “You got this” to We got this reflects the collective strength we find in supporting one another.Favorite Quotes“I don’t need to be in remission or cured to beat this. I’m beating it by living my life fully.”“Grief, like cancer, can metastasize if ignored — but it can also transform us.”“Even if you’re facing the trial of a lifetime, don’t forget to dance.”“It’s not wrong to say ‘You got this.’ But ‘We got this’ feels stronger — because it’s about community.”Resources:Elissa’s Book: We Got This Elissa's Websites: elissakalver.com, wegotthis.orgWeGotThis.org Registry & Donations: wegotthis.orgMediviver.org – for up-to-date metastatic breast cancer statisticsStore Tie-In 💌This episode inspired new We Got This card in the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop — a reminder that support is stronger when shared. Send one to someone in your circle who needs to feel the we.📬 Connect with Elissa:Website: elissakalver.com and wegotthis.orgIIstagram, LI: @elissakalver across all platformsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/elissa.kalverPodcast:  Live Like It Matters with Elissa Kalver📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host:Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.comInstagram: @yocannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yolanda.canny

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Amy Weinland-Daughters — Gen X keynote speaker, satirist, and author of both fiction and nonfiction works that explore memory, connection, and the surprising power of handwritten letters.In this heartfelt conversation, Amy takes us on two remarkable journeys:✨ Through her fictional book, You Cannot Mess This Up, where she time-travels back to 1978, revisits her 10-year-old self, and re-examines childhood memories through the wiser lens of adulthood.💌 Through her nonfiction experience captured in Dear Dana, where a single supportive letter grew into 600 handwritten notes that transformed her relationships, her perspective, and her sense of connection across divides.This episode is about more than books or letters — it’s about memory, healing, and rediscovering the value of slowing down to connect with each other in meaningful ways.00:00 – Welcome 01:20 – Meet Amy Weinland-Daughters: author, speaker, mom01:46 – Writing herself back to 1978 You Cannot Mess This Up03:14 – How memories shift, heal, and shape us07:37 – Honoring the fearless child within11:25 – Generational perspectives on change and rebellion17:56 – How 600 handwritten letters began with one old friend20:40 – The loss of Parker and continuing to write letters22:36 – Two years of modern-day pen pal exchange23:59 – Writing 580 letters: how it transformed Amy’s life25:55 – Reading a powerful excerpt from Dear Dana28:48 – How listeners can connect with Amy29:18 – Amy’s advice to her 20-something selfEpisode TakeawaysMemories are malleable. Revisiting them with fresh eyes can bring healing and compassion for ourselves and others.Our real lives matter. Every story — even suburban childhoods or “ordinary” experiences — has profound value.Connection changes everything. A single handwritten note can make someone feel deeply seen and valued.Small gestures are powerful. Slowing down, writing, and caring intentionally can reshape relationships and even bridge divides.Amy reminded us how powerful handwritten notes can be. To make it easier for you to spread kindness, check out the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts shop. Each card is designed to spark joy and connection — perfect for your own “Dear Dana” moments. 📬 Connect with Amy:dividesWebsite: www.amydaughters.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokinhotamys/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyweinlanddaughtersauthor📬 Connect with Yo:Instagram: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

Author, Boomer, and CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, Alaina Love, is a nationally recognized leadership coach and purpose expert, helping people lead better lives for more than 20 years. Her book, Permission to Be You: Discover Your Purpose and Passions to Bring Your Best Self to Everything—and Everyone, just launched and reveals the power of passion-centered living to bring clarity and fulfillment to work, relationships, and life’s biggest transitions. Love was formerly a research scientist and executive director of global human resources at Merck & Co., Inc. She has served as a leadership columnist for Bloomberg Business Week, The Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, and SmartBrief.💡 We explore:The concept of self-expansion in relationships and lifeUnderstanding your passions and bringing them into work and personal lifeGiving yourself permission to fail, choose yourself, and live authenticallyHow younger generations navigate purpose, passion, and practical life challengesPractical ways to integrate passion-centered experiences into daily life🔑 3 Big Takeaways:You can bring your authentic self to any situation, career, or relationship.Giving yourself permission to fail and to choose yourself is crucial for growth.Understanding and nurturing your passions fuels fulfillment and connection.🛍️ Online Store Highlight:Check out our specially designed bookmark “Embrace the Journey”—perfect to accompany Permission to Be You or to remind you to honor your own journey: Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts📬 Connect with Alaina:Website: www.permissiontobeyoubook.comInstagram: @alainaloveLinkedIn: Alaina LoveFacebook: Alaina Love📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.com Email: [email protected]: @yocanny FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: Your Cards & Gifts for Connection

Today’s guest is Mary Jane Strom, the CEO of Girl Scouts Northern California since April 2025. Mary Jane has over 20 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and outdoor programming. She’s a lifetime Girl Scout member and a Gold Award recipient—the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve. Mary Jane has been with Girl Scouts for decades, starting as a youth member, growing into a young adult staff member, and now leading the organization. She’s passionate about empowering girls to take the lead and creating opportunities that meet the needs of today’s youth.💡 In this episode, we explore:How youth-led initiatives and task groups are transforming Girl Scouts.The importance of moving at the pace of today’s girls.Strategies to reduce barriers to participation and expand access to underserved communities.The role of supportive adult volunteers in fostering growth and leadership.The impact of outdoor programs, STEM opportunities, and entrepreneurship experiences.MJ’s advice to her 20-something self: take action, don’t wait for permission.⏱ Timestamps & Highlights11:45 – MJ explains youth-led initiatives and mentoring programs for girls.12:15 – MJ reflects on her personal journey from Girl Scout to leader.13:34 – Rethinking rules and letting girls take the lead in decisions.14:32 – Pride in Girl Scout properties and camps, preparing girls for outdoor experiences.15:27 – Expanding access through community programs and school partnerships.16:23 – Introducing the “third space” concept: Girl Scouts alongside home and school.17:22 – The importance of social connection, troop meetings, and sisterhood.19:17 – The role of supportive adult volunteers in guiding girls’ leadership.21:12 – STEM and entrepreneurship programs, including Space Cookies robotics and the cookie program.24:26 – How to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts Northern California.25:24 – MJ’s advice to her 20-something self: don’t wait to take action.💬 Notable Quotes“We can’t afford to slow down. We have to keep moving forward. We have to keep progressing. We have to keep being what girls today need.” – MJ Strom“If something bugs you about the place that you’re working or volunteering, ask why it’s done that way and then make the change you want to see.” – MJ Strom“Girl Scouts is a sisterhood full of supportive adults and opportunities for girls to take the lead.” – MJ Strom🔑 3 Big TakeawaysYouth-Led Leadership Matters: Girls thrive when they’re empowered to make decisions and take ownership of programs.Volunteers Amplify Impact: Adult mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and real-world learning experiences.Opportunities for All Girls: From STEM to outdoor adventures and entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts creates multiple pathways for personal growth and leadership development.🌐 Resources & LinksLearn more about Girl Scouts Northern California: gsnorcal.orgVolunteer or become a troop leader: Volunteer OpportunitiesDonate to support camperships and leadership programs: Spring Appeal & Opportunity FundWatch MJ on Episode 7: Ep 7 with Mary Jane StromShop the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: Online Store🛍️ Online Store HighlightMary Jane chose the Girl Scouts-themed card: “Lead with heart. Inspire action.”Her reflection: “Leadership is about creating opportunities for others to shine—and that starts with our girls.”📬 Connect With Mary JaneWebsite: https://www.girlscoutsnorcal.orgEmail: Contact via website📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: Your Cards & Gifts for Connection – Shop Now

Lana Shepard, Boomer, business coach, author, and financial literacy advocate, joins us to explore mindset shifts, transformational lessons, and practical strategies that fuel both personal and entrepreneurial growth. Drawing from her 40+ years of experience supporting over 1,300 small business clients, Lana shares how letting go of limiting beliefs, embracing fear, and leaning on support can ignite success and resilience.💡 In this episode:Lana’s journey from bookkeeping and payroll to authoring the Give Up seriesThe pivotal lesson from her mentor: success comes from what you give up, not what you hold on toFear of failure and lifelong beliefs that shape our decisionsTransformative experiences, including Tony Robbins’ fire walkLearning to ask for help and building supportive networksEmbracing financial literacy and overcoming fear of numbersPractices to cultivate gratitude, courage, and momentum🎧 Timestamps (Major Moments)0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Lana Shepard1:30 – The Give Up book series and key lessons3:28 – Overcoming fear of failure and limiting beliefs8:59 – Stepping outside comfort zones: the fire walk 12:06 – The role of support systems and asking for help13:31 – Financial literacy: understanding numbers 16:45 – Practices to cultivate gratitude, courage, and momentum💬 Memorable Quotes"Holy Hockey!"“Success is less about what you take on and more about what you give up.”“You can’t have fun until the work ends—and sometimes the work never ends, unless you let it.”“Once you take that first step, momentum carries you forward.”“Fear is often inherited from old beliefs—awareness is the first step to letting it go.”🔑 3 Big TakeawaysAwareness empowers action: Recognizing hidden beliefs and self-talk patterns is essential for growth.Courage is cultivated: Stepping out of your comfort zone builds confidence, momentum, and resilience.Asking for help is strength: Support systems accelerate success personally and professionally.🛠️ Tools & Resources MentionedGive Up Ignition by Lana Shepard (amazon.com)Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within (UPW) fire walk experienceByron Katie Judge Your Neighbor Worksheet https://thework.com/resources/📬 Connect With LanaWebsite: www.giveupbook.com📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

Katherine Fabrizio, Boomer, psychotherapist with 35 years of experience, joins us to explore the often hidden dynamics between mothers and daughters. Drawing from her extensive clinical work and her book, Katherine dives into how good daughters navigate boundaries, individuation, and maternal expectations—and how understanding these patterns can unlock personal freedom.💡 In this episode:Katherine’s journey from practicing alongside her mother to finding her own voiceWhy the “good daughter” role can feel both protective and paralyzingDifferentiating narcissistic, borderline, and covert mothers in real-life dynamicsRecognizing internalized guilt and patterns of approval-seekingPractical insights for reclaiming boundaries and autonomy⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Katherine0:31 – Katherine’s early career and working with her mother1:56 – Making the difficult choice to leave the shared practice2:24 – Boundaries and individuation: why they weren’t taught3:22 – The inspiration for writing her book4:21 – Reconciling with her mother at the end of her life5:17 – Understanding different maternal patterns6:17 – Narcissistic, borderline, and covert mothers explained11:08 – Reading the 10 scenarios of the “good daughter trap”14:19 – How childhood patterns shape adult responses and shame16:40 – Taking charge of your inner child17:09 – Understanding the difficult mother💬 Memorable Quotes“Staying would break me. Leaving broke her heart—but I survived. So did she.”“Boundaries weren’t even a thing back then; learning them was revolutionary.”“Many daughters carry guilt for differentiating. Understanding your mother’s patterns can be liberating.”“The good daughter cycle is like an accent—you internalize it and it becomes normal.”“Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your mother is to step into your own life fully.”“Healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about reclaiming your power in the present.”“We often try to please to survive. Learning that you can exist authentically is life-changing.”“Mother-daughter patterns don’t define you—you define your response to them.”🔑 3 Big TakeawaysAwareness is freedom. Understanding the maternal dynamics you grew up with allows you to break generational patterns.Boundaries are essential. Differentiating from a mother—even a loving one—can be painful but necessary for personal growth.Healing is relational. Reconciling with the past, while not condoning harm, creates space for autonomy and self-compassion.🛠️ Tools & Resources MentionedThe Good Daughter Trap by Katherine Fabrizio – available wherever books are soldPsychotherapy insights on boundaries, individuation, and mother-daughter dynamics🛍️ Online Store HighlightKatherine chose a card representing self-empowerment and boundary-setting:"Know your worth, set your limits, honor your story."Check out our online store here!📬 Connect With KatherineWebsite: Are you a "Good Daughter" Free Quiz https://daughtersrising.info/good-daughter-quiz/Email: [email protected]://www.facebook.com/thegooddaughterhttps://www.instagram.com/katherinefabrizio/📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Veronica Deraleau—financial coach, Army veteran, fintech leader, opera singer (!), and author of Making Money is Simple—joins us for an eye-opening conversation about money mindset, debt, and the courage to rewrite your financial story.Through personal experience and her signature ARIA money model, Veronica helps us shift from shame and confusion into clarity and intentionality around money. You’ll walk away inspired, empowered, and ready to take action—from a place of alignment.💡 In this episode:What it means to be “money stuck” and how to break freeThe ARIA money model: Awaken, Reframe, Intention, ActionWhy mindset (not math!) is the first step toward financial freedomThe surprising role opera played in Veronica’s money journeyHow cultural and family beliefs shape our money storiesA fresh take on caregiving, values-based spending, and tough trade-offsThe myth of “having it all” and the power of ruthless prioritization🎧 Timestamps0:00 – Welcome0:30 – Veronica’s story: MBA, debt, and transformation2:00 – What “money stuck” means and how shame keeps us trapped2:55 – Excerpt: What is money freedom?4:24 – The ARIA model explained5:20 – Why opera helped fuel Veronica’s financial freedom8:39 – How our “autopilot” thinking gets in the way10:37 – Generational shifts: Comparison, social media, and caregiving12:56 – Hidden spending triggers (especially for moms)14:19 – Teaching kids trade-offs and modeling values-based spending15:46 – Money lessons from high-net-worth individuals17:43 – Shame vs. creativity: What truly motivates change18:42 – Who the book resonates with—and why it surprised her20:34 – Couples, money, and mismatched financial engagement22:31 – Breaking inherited financial scripts💬 Memorable Quotes“Debt will always be the abattoir of creative dreams.” – Elizabeth Gilbert (quoted by Veronica)“Money freedom starts when we change how we think—not just what we do.”“You can’t just budget your way out of shame. You have to reframe.”“Don’t pre-reject yourself. Even trying and failing is feedback.”“Your values—not guilt—should guide your financial decisions.”🔑 3 Big TakeawaysMindset is the foundation of financial freedom. Veronica’s ARIA model guides us to awaken, reframe, set clear intentions, and take action—with purpose.We must unlearn inherited money beliefs. From immigrant households to societal norms, we all carry invisible scripts that shape how we view and handle money.Caregivers need to prioritize sustainability. Spending out of love can still lead to burnout and debt. Teaching children about trade-offs is a gift for their future.🛠️ Tools & Resources MentionedMaking Money is Simple by Veronica Deraleau – available on AmazonWebsite: makingmoneyissimple.comSocial: @makingmoneyissimple (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest)🛍️ Online Store HighlightVeronica chose our “Trust Your Gut” snarky cat card. Wrapped in red threads and full of attitude, this card captures her message of courage and trusting your inner wisdom.📬 Connect With VeronicaWebsite: makingmoneyissimple.comInstagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Pinterest: @makingmoneyissimple📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau, executive coach, author, and global change agent, joins us to explore what it really means to lead with power in today’s chaotic world. Her book Who’s in Charge? is more than a leadership guide—it’s a call to consciousness.From energy and embodiment to legacy and self-awareness, Sylvia invites us to look inward before stepping outward.💡 In this episode:The difference between transformational and transformative leadershipHow leaders can claim their power by embodying presenceWhy legacy starts with the choices we make dailyA deeply personal story of writing her own obituary as a turning pointHow joy, art, and truth-telling are powerful leadership tools🎧 Timestamps0:00 – Welcome8:09 – Book overview: A guide for leaders in a chaotic world10:03 – Energy, Power, Legacy: The three core elements12:30 – Why energy management is foundational24:51 – Awareness, embodiment, and voice: The physicality of leadership27:00 – Joy in the process: Why embodiment brings freedom30:12 – Every action counts: Small-scale leadership still changes the world34:15 – Owning your voice even after past regrets36:10 – Humility as a powerful leadership trait💬 Memorable Quotes“Choose your actions—because when they’re made in choice, they’ll make a difference.”“Joy comes when we embody who we truly are—not just function how we’ve been conditioned.”“Leadership isn’t about being at the top—it’s about being in integrity with yourself.”“You don’t need to be loud to be powerful. You need to be aligned.”“Spill your story—even if no one’s listening. It’s yours to tell.”“Follow your bliss. It’s the path to fulfillment and, ultimately, success.”🔑 3 Big Takeaways1. Power is presence. True leadership comes from managing your energy, owning your voice, and being fully embodied in the moment—not from titles or external control.2. Every action builds legacy. Whether you’re a CEO or just starting out, how you respond to daily choices defines your leadership. You are shaping your legacy moment by moment.3. Leadership is a practice—anchored in truth. Sylvia invites us to “spill our story” and follow our bliss, because when we lead from authenticity, we lead from power.🛠️ Tools & Resources MentionedWho’s in Charge? by Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau – available on AmazonSmartPowerMethod.com – Access Sylvia’s Power ScorecardLinkedIn: Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau🛍️ Online Store HighlightSylvia chose the Frida Kahlo card: “Paint your story. Spill your truth.” Her reflection? “Dare to tell your story and your truth—even if no one’s listening.”📬 Connect With SylviaWebsite: https://smartpowermethod.comEmail: [email protected]📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, YoWebsite: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: Your Cards & Gifts for Connection

Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it starts with leading yourself. In this lively and insightful conversation, Beth Chapman Kaufmann and Nicole Santonastaso share how getting clear on who you are, what you do best, and where you’re headed can transform the way you lead.With plenty of laughs, relatable stories, and practical takeaways, Beth and Nicole dive into CliftonStrengths, True North Statements, and why reflection time is the secret ingredient for intentional leadership. Whether you’re leading a team, your family, or just yourself, this episode will inspire you to embrace your strengths and confidently chart your own course.💛 What You’ll Hear in This Episode0:00 Introduction3:17 Nancy Walton Laurie Chi Omega Intentional Leader Workshop takeaways8:56 Can you truly lead others when you cannot lead yourself? Modeling intentional leadership for others11:43 CliftonStrengths: how they make us unique and spark action29:00 Balcony and Basement clarity32:31 Human Design as a framework for thinking and problem-solving34:32 Creating your True North Statement47:16 Why reflection time is essential for self-leadership48:42 How to follow Nicole and Beth52:00 20-something advice for future leaders53:27 Online store card choices💬 Memorable Quotes"Leadership begins with me – I have to do the work myself to move other people.”"To take time to think about who I am and where I want to go is an incredible gift to yourself and to those around you.”"When you have confidence in what you do best you don’t have to fear what other people do best.”"The True North Statement is a way to remind myself: this is who I am, this is why I’m here on this earth—and that helps me decide what to say 'yes' to.""Don’t be scared to fail…if it doesn’t work, maybe the hypothesis was wrong. We can try something different."🔑 3 Key TakeawaysSelf-leadership comes first. You can’t lead others effectively until you know who you are and where you want to go.CliftonStrengths and True North give clarity. Tools like CliftonStrengths and a True North Statement help you build confidence in your unique strengths and guide your decisions.Reflection fuels growth. Taking time to pause, reflect, and ask tough questions is essential to becoming an intentional leader.🌟 More About Nicole SantonastasoNicole Santonastaso, Millennial, RDN, LD, IBCLC, CDCES, CD (DTI), is the Prevention Program Supervisor for Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome, Alaska. Her passion lies in increasing food literacy, making movement enjoyable, and building community. She also serves on multiple healthcare committees, supporting team-based care and policy development. A dedicated volunteer for Chi Omega Fraternity, Nicole promotes collegiate women’s wellness through curriculum development and facilitation. She lives in Alaska with her husband and two cats, Edgar and Iris, and loves photography, cooking, and John Mayer concerts.🌟 More About Beth Chapman KaufmannBeth Chapman Kaufmann, Gen X, is the president of Vide Consulting (pronounced Vee-day), where she specializes in leadership development, CliftonStrengths coaching, and group facilitation. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Beth is known for her humor, insight, and powerful questions that inspire action. Originally from Kentucky, she now lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two kids.📬 Connect with Nicole• Website: nicoledionphoto.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @nicoledionphotography• LinkedIn: Nicole Santonastaso📬 Connect with Beth• Email: [email protected]• LinkedIn: Beth Chapman Kaufmann🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Peggy Sullivan, author of Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less, joins us for a refreshing and deeply practical conversation about why busyness has become the ultimate addiction—and how to break free from it. A self-described “busyness addict in recovery,” Peggy shares her personal wake-up calls, from a stress-induced heart attack to accidentally eating cat food in a haze of distraction, and how those moments pushed her to develop her Busy Busting Framework.This episode is for anyone who has ever worn “busy” like a badge of honor, felt guilty about slowing down, or wondered how to reclaim time for what truly matters. Peggy shows us that freedom and joy are found not in doing more, but in doing less—intentionally.💛 We explore:0:00 – Intro: Why busyness functions like an addiction, complete with dopamine highs3:16 – The true costs of busyness—health scares, relationship strain, and chronic stress6:32 – Why “busy” is a toxic four-letter word and not a badge of honor9:48 – Peggy’s 3-step Busy Busting Framework: Subtraction, Happiness Rituals, and Values Alignment13:04 – How to use happiness rituals (like Peggy’s daily dark chocolate “reset”) to boost energy and focus16:20 – The 4 core values that light us up: self-care, human connection, growth, and authenticity19:36 – How to use a Values Report Card to track alignment and reduce stress22:52 – Letting go of perfectionism and “destination thinking” to embrace the present26:08 – Peggy’s hopeful perspective: why optimism is a strategy and joy a daily choice29:24 – A moving passage from Beyond Busyness about the power of subtraction—getting more by doing less32:40 – What Peggy would tell her 20-something self about slowing down and savoring life💬 Memorable Quotes"Busy is a four-letter word — stop wearing it like a badge of honor.""We get a dopamine hit from busyness, just like any other addiction.""If you’re too busy for relationships, you’re too busy, period.""One low-value activity eliminated can give you five hours back in your week.""Hope is a strategy—optimism points us toward better outcomes.""The here and the now is amazing if you just take a pause and appreciate it."🔑 3 Key TakeawaysBusyness is an addiction, not a virtue. The constant rush keeps us in a dopamine-fueled haze, undermining health, happiness, and relationships.Subtraction is freedom. Eliminating even one low-value activity or adding small happiness rituals can reclaim hours each week and restore energy.Be present, not perfect. Joy, productivity, and hope thrive when we let go of perfectionism, stop chasing the “next thing,” and focus on the here and now.📖 Peggy Reads from Beyond BusynessPeggy closes the episode with a powerful excerpt on subtraction—sharing a climber’s story of how letting go of the desire to succeed brought focus, joy, and better performance. “Get more by doing less,” she reminds us.🌟 More About Peggy SullivanPeggy Sullivan is a former corporate executive, bestselling author, and speaker who helps people escape time poverty and live with more health, joy, and productivity. Through her Busy Busting Framework, she has helped thousands reclaim 4–6 hours a week for the things that matter most.👉 Get the BookBeyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.📬 Connect with Peggy• Website: peggysullivanspeaker.com• LinkedIn: Peggy Sullivan🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: [Cards & Gifts that spark connection]• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Judy Henderson and Jimmy Soni join us for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, forgiveness, and hope in the face of injustice. Judy spent 36 years wrongfully imprisoned, a journey that could have broken most people—but instead, she transformed it into a story of grace, growth, and unwavering strength. Alongside Jimmy, her co-author and champion, they share how hope can be actively created, bitterness overcome, and the power of choosing to be better, not bitter.Judy’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and thrive despite the darkest circumstances. Together, Judy and Jimmy illuminate the personal practices, family bonds, and daily choices that fueled her fight for freedom and her mission to reform the justice system.💛 We explore:• The mantra “Don’t be bitter, be better” — a guide through decades of hardship• How forgiveness played a role, including reaching out to the prosecutor• The importance of hope and family presence through 36 years behind bars• Practical daily choices in prison that shaped resilience and dignity• Jimmy’s relentless advocacy and “breaking through concrete walls” to tell Judy’s story• Insights about parenting and nurturing children as “miniature adults”• What Judy and Jimmy would tell their 20-something selves today• Plus: A heartfelt passage about finding light in the darkest places🎧 Timestamps0:00 – Welcome & introductions with Judy Henderson and Jimmy4:30 – Judy’s resilience: fueled by anger, love for family, and confronting fear6:30 – Jimmy on Judy’s physical and mental endurance in prison and beyond11:26 – Judy on forgiveness and writing a letter to her prosecutor14:07 – Jimmy explains the mantra “Don’t be bitter, be better”16:25 – Judy and Jimmy share each other’s superpowers: graciousness & breaking walls18:20 – The uphill battle to publish the book and Jimmy’s warrior spirit20:17 – Judy reads a poignant passage about hope, choice, and growth in prison22:17 – Jimmy on the power of family presence and creating hope during incarceration24:53 – Judy’s message: find your talents and purpose; create your own happiness26:37 – What Judy and Jimmy would tell their 20-something selves29:40 – Parenting insights: treating children with respect and nurturing bonds31:58 – Closing reflections and gratitude💬 Memorable Quotes"Don’t be bitter, be better.""Even in chains, our choices remain our own.""I chose to see the humanity in the guards.""Hope isn’t accidental — it’s something you create.""Your children are just miniature adults; their feelings deserve respect.""That thing you think will break you can be a source of profound strength."🔑 3 Key Takeaways1. Resilience is a daily practice. Judy’s story shows how small choices — meditation, education, kindness — build unbreakable strength over time.2. Forgiveness frees the soul. Choosing understanding over anger helped Judy release bitterness and find peace despite deep injustice.3. Hope is created, not given. Family love, presence, and intentional actions sustain us in the hardest times — and empower us to create light in darkness.🌟 More About Judy & JimmyJudy Henderson spent 36 years wrongfully incarcerated before finally gaining her freedom and becoming a powerful advocate for justice reform. Jimmy is an author and storyteller who partnered with Judy to share her remarkable journey in their book When the Light Finds Us — a testament to endurance, hope, and transformation.👉 Get the BookWhen the Light Finds Us is available wherever books are sold.Amazon link for the book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Light-Finds-Us-Transformed-ebook/dp/B0CR93DD34📬 Connect with Judy & [email protected] IG: judy.henderson.77312🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Jim Carlough, seasoned executive, leadership coach, and author of Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success, joins us for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about the human side of leadership. Through powerful personal stories, Jim challenges the outdated model of command-and-control and instead champions compassion, integrity, and empathy as leadership superpowers.Jim’s stories span a lifetime—from defending a classmate from a bully in middle school to leading a tech team through a slow-motion sunset with unmatched transparency and care. His message is clear: real leadership isn’t about ego or hierarchy. It’s about consistency, self-awareness, doing the right thing when it’s hard—and knowing when to lighten the mood with humor.💛 We explore:• The six pillars of effective leadership• Integrity: The question Jim has asked himself nightly since 1983• Compassion: Standing up to bullies and learning from our missteps• Empathy: How he downsized a team without breaking trust• Why humor is a powerful tool for reframing tension and reconnecting teams• Stories from the book that reveal the emotional core of leadership• What Jim would tell his 20-something self today• Plus: A surprise giveaway for listeners!🎧 Timestamps0:00 – Introduction0:31 – Meet Jim Carlough: Author, coach, and values-first leader2:18 – The six pillars: where they come from and why they matter4:20 – Integrity: The nightly question that shapes Jim’s leadership10:56 – A pivotal lesson from the youngest city council member12:53 – Yo’s own integrity test: a personal confession from her 20s14:59 – Trade show drama: when fairness is put to the test17:39 – Compassion: The middle school fight that defined Jim’s values20:56 – A principal’s call and a father’s unexpected kindness27:41 – Empathy: How Jim led a sunsetting team without anyone losing income30:59 – The secret to their sky-high employee satisfaction score33:58 – Giving people choice: The power of transparency and options35:23 – Humor as a leadership strategy (and FBI pens at LifeScan!)💬 Memorable Quotes"Did I do anything today for my own self-benefit at the expense of someone else?""You don’t get away with being out of integrity—someone always notices.""It wasn’t rocket science. I just treated people the way I’d want to be treated.""We’re not going to win a war pricking people’s fingers!""Humor helps people breathe again.""It will be okay. Adulting is hard—but it will be okay."🔑 3 Key TakeawaysIntegrity is a daily decision. Asking the right question each night can keep you grounded and accountable—even decades later.Empathy builds trust during change. Jim’s leadership during downsizing shows how transparency, choice, and compassion can retain dignity—and satisfaction.Humor heals. When tension runs high, a well-timed joke (or penlet) can reconnect a team and reframe fear into resilience.🌟 More About JimJim Carlough is a seasoned executive and leadership mentor who believes the greatest strength in business lies in human connection. His book, Six Pillars of Effective Leadership, offers timeless guidance and modern relevance for those who want to lead with purpose.👉 Get the BookSix Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and jimcarlough.com🎁 Special Giveaway!The first 3 listeners who leave a comment (positive or constructive) on the podcast forum or social post will receive a free signed copy of Jim’s book. Just don’t leave your address—Yo will reach out to you for details!📬 Connect with Jim• Website: jimcarlough.com• LinkedIn: Jim Carlough🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Michele Weldon, Boomer, award-winning author, journalist, and emerita faculty member at Northwestern University, joins us to reflect on the deeply personal and cultural shifts we experienced during the pandemic years. Through her latest book, The Time We Have: Essays on Pandemic Living, Michele invites us to examine how the global crisis changed everything—from how we work to how we grieve.With her signature wit and emotional clarity, Michele shares how writing through 2020–2024 became both a mirror and a memory, capturing what so many of us felt but never had the words to say. From holding our breath when strangers passed by to the fear of unknowingly infecting loved ones, Michele gives voice to our collective anxiety, love, loss, and resilience.💛 We explore:• The story behind The Time We Have• Writing through grief, fear, and cultural shifts• How COVID changed relationships, work, and everyday rituals• The role of misinformation and cultural defaults in pandemic response• Public shame, gender roles, and the emotional labor of women• Why we all need "captions" to help us make sense of life• The sacred, sensory joy of holding new life after loss🎧 Timestamps0:00 – Introduction1:09 – About The Time We Have and why she wrote it2:20 – How the pandemic changed us culturally and personally4:45 – Joy, loss, and the strangeness of pandemic rituals5:43 – Trauma, grief, and the unknown in early 20206:40 – Book passage: Fear and protecting loved ones8:25 – The weight of decisions in pandemic life9:25 – Lies, disinformation, and a “parallel pandemic”13:35 – Public shame, gender norms, and the agency to choose16:27 – Parenting, silence, and how women internalize expectations18:39 – “Captions” and why we need context to define ourselves21:27 – Brownie rebellion, self-expression, and family dynamics23:30 – Can we have too much self-esteem?25:27 – Participation trophies, parenting patterns, and healing27:24 – Book passage: The sacred scent of a newborn and pandemic joy30:47 – What she’d tell her 20-something self💬 Memorable Quotes“Every interaction seemed to offer an incendiary fuse.”“I had to protect him from me.”“The disinformation was deadly. It wasn’t just a mistake—it was deliberate.”“Acceptance isn’t surrender. It’s choosing what you will carry.”“We need captions to understand our lives—not labels, but meaning.”“The dreams you have—you can achieve, one step at a time.”“Even the gravitas of the pandemic stepped aside to allow happiness its own space.”🔑 3 Key TakeawaysThe personal is historical. Michele's essays remind us that our individual stories during COVID are part of a much larger cultural reckoning.Shame is not yours to carry. Public judgment, especially toward women, has long been used to control behavior. We get to decide what we internalize and what we release.Hope coexists with grief. In one hospital room, in a COVID-weary world, joy and relief can bloom with the scent of new life. We need to make room for both.🌟 More About MicheleMichele Weldon is a veteran journalist, author of seven nonfiction books, and speaker on topics of media, identity, and culture. Her latest work, The Time We Have, chronicles our shared and personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with humor, grief, and insight. She does private editing and writing coaching, you can contact here: [email protected].👉 Get the BookAvailable at Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, libraries, and online retailers everywhere.📬 Connect with Michele•Website: https://micheleweldon.com/•Instagram: @micheleweldon•Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/michele.weldon.35⁠•LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-weldon-1209906/⁠🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: [email protected]• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!

Meet Molly Smith – a Gen X Breakthrough & Emotional Wellness Coach, best-selling author, and founder of Next Best Step LLC. Affectionately known as the female “Ted Lasso” for her grit, heart, and contagious optimism, Molly helps people break free from what’s holding them back and build sustainable, soul-aligned momentum.After 25 years in the corporate world—including time in the C-suite—Molly made the bold pivot to pursue purpose-driven work that lights her up. Through her signature tools like the STEP Formula™ and Mindset Inventory™, along with Dr. Bradley Nelson’s Emotion Code®, she empowers real transformation from the inside out.She’s also the creator of the Next Best Step Journal, a columnist for FORCE Magazine, and the award-winning author of What the Funk?! (2025). Her mission? Help women ditch perfection and take one meaningful step at a time toward the life they want.💬 What We Talked About:0:00 | Intro to Molly Smith3:00 | What is the Emotion Code?6:07 | How Muscle Testing Works11:14 | The Power of Alignment20:48 | The Mindset Inventory25:27 | Fear, Scarcity, and Emotional Roots28:23 | Emotional Healing Practices32:00 | Book Reading: What’s Your Next Best Step?33:37 | Molly’s Advice to Her 20-Something SelfMemorable Quotes from Molly:“Only 5% of how we operate every day comes from the conscious mind.”“The Emotion Code is pressing the gas on transformation.”“Our beliefs are just practiced thoughts—and limiting beliefs are the ones that keep you small and stuck.”“Alignment isn’t a destination you reach once and for all.”“Living congruently means your values and your actions are in sync.”“A lot of my funk came from trying to protect myself from humiliation and shame.”🔑 Top 3 Takeaways:1. Emotion Code & Muscle Testing:Unspoken emotions can get stuck in the body and throw us off balance. The Emotion Code helps release these trapped emotions, and muscle testing allows us to ask the subconscious mind yes/no questions to locate them.2. Pivoting into Alignment:Want to move out of a funk? Molly’s 3-step process:What is your current reality?How do you feel in that reality? (Name it!)How do you want to feel—and what action has helped you feel that way before?3. Mindset Inventory = Input Check:Before we address our thoughts, we must check what we’re consuming. What are you watching? Who are you following? The media, people, and content we take in shape our thinking—and ultimately our results.Other Resources:Molly’s book: What the funk?! https://amazon.comIFS Therapy with Uri TablorInside Out: Unveiling the Layers of IFSEp. 115 Part 1Ep. 116 Park 2https://open.spotify.com/episode/4j5goFU03mtMnXvCFKlCI9?si=68SyiYxLR6W54nrlXYqWBwFeelings Wheelhttps://feelingswheel.com/🗳 Molly’s Ask:She's been nominated for FORCE Magazine’s Top Author & Top Coach awards! Show your support by voting before August 15th:🔗 Vote Here: https://app.brandbuilderai.com/v2/preview/8plWHVdygu1hgBlGYYxp🎁 Free Resources from Molly:Take the Mindset Inventory or Breakthrough Blocker Quiz:👉 Click Here: https://nextbeststep.co/offer-page-8098🎧 More from Molly:The Momentum Podcast🎙️ Listen on Applehtthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-momentum-podcast/id1786199179ps://www.facebook.com/groups/403723179475263Contact Molly:✉️ [email protected]🌐 www.nextbeststep.co📷 Instagram👥 Facebook Group🌟 More from Girl, Take the Lead!:💌 Email: [email protected]🌐 Podcast Website🛍️ Online Store👩‍👧 Public FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!📸 Instagram💼 LinkedIn📌 Pinterest: [email protected]▶️ YouTube