Burnout Proof Leadership: Identify Shift and Leadership Skills for Midlife Women Entrepreneurs

Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or like you’re constantly running on empty as a leader? What if the key to avoiding burnout and strengthening your leadership identity wasn’t about doing more—but about being more present? In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure leadership roles, burnout is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Many leaders feel stuck in survival mode, constantly juggling respo...

In this episode, we dive into a real-time leadership tension: how to lead through accelerated change while still caring deeply for the people carrying that change out. Spoiler alert—this isn’t a simple choice between speed or empathy. It’s a polarity. And knowing how to navigate it is one of the most important leadership skills of our time. You’ll learn how this polarity shows up in all levels of...

Do you feel like no matter how hard you work, you're still stuck at the same level in your leadership journey? What if working harder isn't actually the key to success—but the very thing holding you back? In this episode of Burnout Proof Leadership , Michelle and Tracy dive deep into the leadership myth that working harder equals success. They reveal the hidden reasons why so many leaders feel tra...

On April 23rd, we’re officially changing the name of The TRU Leader Podcast to Burnout-Proof Leadership ! In this announcement episode, we share: Why we’re making this change (and why now is the perfect time) What’s staying the same (don’t worry—we’re still here every Wednesday!) What new content you can look forward to (hello, Friday bonus episodes!) And how Burnout-Proof Leadership will better s...

Why does change feel so hard—even when we know it's necessary? What if resistance isn’t the enemy of progress, but the key to unlocking stronger leadership skills and real transformation? In this powerful episode, we dive into the wisdom of resistance and how great leaders learn to navigate it rather than fight it. Whether you're leading a team through rapid change, feeling the effects of burnout...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch a podcast—and keep it going for 300 episodes? What about leading a long-term initiative without burning out? Most podcasts (and leadership initiatives) don’t make it past the first year. But in this milestone episode, we reflect on the leadership skills, structure, and mindset that have helped us persevere. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or looking...

What makes a co-founder relationship successful, and how can you use leadership identity to avoid burnout while scaling your business? Many entrepreneurs and business leaders struggle with burnout and decision fatigue, often feeling isolated in their leadership roles. In this episode, we sit down with co-founders Lorie Spence and Carolyn Pritchard to uncover the power of partnership in leadership....

🔥 Are you leading your business—or is it leading you to burnout? Leadership is already challenging, but when you step into entrepreneurship, the stakes get even higher. How do you build a thriving business without sacrificing your well-being? What if the key to success lies in managing polarities—those hidden forces that drive both resilience and burnout if not leveraged well. 🚀 In this episode,...

🚀 How Does Mindset Shape Your Leadership Journey? Have you ever faced a setback that made you question your path as a leader? What if the key to resilience, success, and leadership identity lies in mastering your mindset? 🔥 Why This Episode is a Must-Listen In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Nick Mornard , entrepreneur, author of Mindset is My Degree , and a true example of leadersh...

❓ Who’s really responsible for building trust in teams?  Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team, but most workplaces struggle to create it. Many leaders think it’s their sole responsibility—but what if the key to trust wasn’t just about leadership? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth unpack the essential behaviors that foster trust and team success, reveal...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we dive into the transformative concept of encore careers with special guest Dr. Michelle Prince, author of "Creating Your Encore Career: A Guide to Finding Purpose and Prosperity in Your THIRD Act." With longer lifespans and shifting cultural norms, retirement is no longer about slowing down—it’s about aligning your passions with meaningful work. Michell...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Tracy and Michelle are joined by Ruchira Chaudhary. Ruchira shares her transformative journey from unfulfilling careers to a purposeful life as a leadership coach.  Drawing from her role as an executive coach at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and her groundbreaking book “Coaching: The Secret Code to Uncommon Leadership,” Ruchira...

In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle explore the art of building a thriving workplace using Polarity Intelligence®. They dive into the interconnected nature of workplace well-being, emphasizing the need for both physical and psychological safety. The discussion highlights how balancing seemingly opposing priorities—such as directive leadership and collabora...

In this moving episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Dr. Sasha Shillcutt shares her deeply personal journey of resilience through an extraordinary series of challenges. She recounts the heartbreaking loss of her brother-in-law, whose organ donation saved another family member’s life, intertwining grief with gratitude. Amidst this, Sasha’s home was destroyed by a catastrophic EF4 tornado...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle dive deep into the multifaceted concept of well-being, exploring its significance in both personal and workplace contexts. From mental, physical, and emotional health to social connection, we examine why prioritizing holistic well-being is more critical than ever amid today’s global challenges. You'll hear about emerging trends...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, co-hosts Tracy and Michelle celebrate the 7th anniversary of their company, MissingLogic®. They reflect on the journey of their business since its inception in 2018, sharing insights into their decision to launch the company, focusing on their mission to leave a lasting impact by equipping leaders with tools to manage complex challenges, particularly thos...

This week on The TRU Leader Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Jonathan Bennett, a former management consultant from Ontario, reflects on his transition after selling his company, which served non-profit and public sector organizations. While vacationing in Dublin, he realized the need to plan for his future, leading to a management buyout and his new role as an adviser and executive coach. He...

This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Dr. Alan Rozanski. His career journey which began with a passion for medicine and evolved into a focus on nuclear cardiology, research, and the mind-body connection in heart disease. His interest in silent ischemia and the effects of mental stress on heart health led him from academia to clinical practice, where he developed a comprehensive health mo...

This episode of The TRU Leader Podcast features Pennie Sempell, a lawyer who transitioned to a career in stress management, initially working in a mind-body clinic and later developing innovative strategies for lawyers and healthcare workers. Pennie’s work emphasizes psychological flexibility, which can be improved through interventions like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive be...

In the first-ever episode of The TRU Leader Podcast in 2025, Tracy and Michelle reflect on their evolving New Year’s Eve celebrations, exploring the concept of breakthroughs—both internal and external shifts that significantly impact life and leadership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in identifying subconscious beliefs and norms that limit progress, encouraging leader...

With a Christmas release day of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy share their holiday traditions, reflecting on family gatherings and gratitude. They discuss their new book, "Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic in Leadership", which promotes a shift from an either/or mindset to a both/and approach for adaptability in leadership. They also highlight the success of their Polarity Intel...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, Michelle and Tracy are joined by Dr. Mari Tietze and Steve Love, Deb Rio and Mike Edwards, and their husbands- Kevin Moore and Jerry Christopherson and to explore the transformative impact of the Breakthrough Year Mastermind program on personal and relational growth. Through in-person and virtual retreats featuring meditation, journaling, and education, t...

In this week’s episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, we delve into the topic of community and connection among visionary leaders, distinguishing between having a broad, innovative vision and a personal, goal-oriented vision. Tracy and Michelle discuss the transformative power of collaboration among like-minded individuals, particularly through small groups called masterminds, where leaders support ea...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, special guest Laurie Sudbrink joins us in an in-depth conversation on her GRIT® framework from her book "LEADING with GRIT", which focuses on the key leadership values of Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth. She emphasizes how each component contributes to effective leadership, with generosity fostering an abundance mindset, respect beginning with s...

In this episode of The TRU Leader Podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracy explore the concept of Thriving, Resilient, and Unstoppable (TRU) leadership, emphasizing the importance of resilient leaders for the success of organizations, communities, and families. They stress the need for leaders to reassess ingrained norms and limiting beliefs, which often lead to burnout, highlighting how the misconceptio...