Thriving in the Messy Middle

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , Amy P Wilkins explores the challenges and growth opportunities for women leaders who find themselves in transitional or difficult phases of their careers. Drawing inspiration from a story shared by Linda Thomas Brooks , Amy emphasizes the notion that success is not merely about winning but about how you play the game, which resonates with leaders s...

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , host Amy P Wilkins talks with Linda Thomas Brooks, an accomplished leader in media, marketing, and communications. Linda shares how her career, filled with pivotal moments and decisions, highlights the importance of pushing boundaries, staying adaptable, and maintaining core values. Her extensive experience across various sectors offers invaluable...

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , hosted by leadership coach and former media executive Amy P Wilkins, we delve into the complexities and pivotal moments women leaders face in transitional phases of their careers. Amy provides an introspective look into the concept of building a guiding coalition within organizations, inspired by her enlightening conversation with Sarena Diamond ....

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , your host Amy P Wilkins has an enriching conversation with Sarena Diamond on navigating and thriving in transformation leadership. With a career spanning over thirty years, Sarena sheds light on the importance of leading with heart and embracing the inevitable chaos within change processes. She recounts her own journey from a corporate transformati...

Join Amy P Wilkins on Thriving in the Messy Middle as she shares insights on the pressures that come with leadership roles when we find ourselves in the " messy middle" of our careers and lives. This state is typified by transitions, challenges, and complexities that can often lead to confusion and self-doubt. Many individuals report feeling "off" or lost in their roles, yet often struggle to name...

Join leadership coach Amy Wilkins in this Messy Middle Moment episode, as she delves into the often daunting topic of personal branding. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a personal brand well before it becomes a necessity and how this can be a powerful tool in professional growth, even when navigating the uncertain terrains of career transitions. Drawing from conversations and experie...

This IN HER VOICE: STORIES OF LEADERSHIP episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, hosted by Amy P Wilkins, features an insightful conversation with branding strategist and LinkedIn guru, Melissa Cohen.  Melissa shares her journey from a high-powered fashion career to becoming a personal branding expert. Amy and Melissa discuss how Melissa's unexpected career pivot at Ralph Lauren during the pandem...

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , Amy P Wilkins, leadership coach and former media exec, draws listeners into a compelling reflection on choosing a "word of the year" and its transformative power in leading a purposeful life. Amy unveils her chosen word for 2026, "AWE," exploring its profound significance beyond just being the name of her company. With a thorough understanding of n...

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, Amy Wilkins delivers a thoughtful reflection on the crucial, often overlooked practice of year-end reflection for leaders.  As 2025 draws to a close, Amy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both big and subtle wins, supporting your leadership, relationships, and well-being. Discover the AWE framework—Awareness, Willingness, and Energy—to help...

In this episode of "Thriving in the Messy Middle," host Amy Wilkins shares profound insights on growth and leadership during life's most challenging moments. Amy emphasizes that these "messy middle" moments — times when life feels most chaotic and unsteady — are indicators that exponential growth is coming. Drawing on her own experiences and those of last week's podcast guest, Allison Arden , Amy...

In a riveting episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , host Amy Wilkins welcomes Allison Arden , a pioneer in emotional intelligence within business environments. This episode takes listeners through Allison's transformative journey from a high-stakes leadership position at Ad Age to founding Elements of Us™, her groundbreaking framework for understanding and leveraging emotions at work to achiev...

In this Messy Middle Moment episode, Amy Wilkins shares a profound reflection on the power of gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches, Amy delves into how the simple act of saying "thank you" can transform relationships and dynamics in both personal and professional settings. Her personal experiences highlight the impact of expressing gratitude and the changes it can bring to team morale and perform...

In this Messy Middle Moment , leadership coach Amy Wilkins delves into the power and importance of building a supportive network, especially in challenging professional environments. Through personal anecdotes and evidence from research, Amy underscores networking as vital not just for career advancement but also for emotional and strategic support. The episode highlights the often-overlooked aspe...

In this enlightening episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle , host Amy Wilkins welcomes Kelly Wenzel to explore thriving in the challenging "messy middle". Kelly, with her rich experience as a seven-time CMO in the tech industry, offers a unique perspective on balancing professional growth with personal values and responsibilities. The episode dives deep into the challenges faced when navigating...

In this episode, Amy Wilkins explores the value of the "swing route," named for the football play, as a strategy for navigating life's challenges. Combining neuroscience and personal anecdotes, she discusses the importance of pausing to reset and rethink, highlighting how these moments can offer new perspectives and opportunities. Drawing on Barbara Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build theory, Amy emph...

In this enlightening episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, host Amy Wilkins dives into the concept of saboteurs—the negative inner voices and critics that hinder personal and professional growth. These saboteurs, shaped by early experiences, can hold women back from reaching their potential by fostering self-doubt and fear. Amy introduces the Positive Intelligence ®️ framework, developed by Shi...

In this Messy Middle Moment episode Amy Wilkins introduces listeners to strategies for reflection, reset, and rise during life's turbulent periods. Using her expertise, Amy delves into how moments of disruption often reveal unexpected strengths and opportunities, transforming adversity into avenues for growth. Throughout the episode, Amy emphasizes resilience, drawing on the concept of "ordinary m...

In the debut episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, host Amy Wilkins sets the tone for a podcast dedicated to women leaders navigating life's in-between moments. This show is especially for those who look successful on the outside but feel scattered, stretched, or stuck on the inside. Amy begins by sharing her own experience as a former media executive. From the outside, her life looked like a h...

Welcome to Thriving in the Messy Middle — the podcast that champions the courage, clarity, and creativity it takes to navigate life's in-between moments. Hosted by Amy Wilkins, each episode explores what it means to show up fully in the middle of transitions, transformations, and the tension between what was and what's next. Whether you're reimagining your purpose, pivoting in your career, or simp...