It Starts With You

In this mini pre-holiday episode, I invite you to pause, take a breath, and reflect. As you prepare to enjoy some time off and gear up for the new year, this is the perfect moment to look back on your year through a different lens: the lens of good . Instead of focusing on the unplanned, the unexpected, or the hard moments we all inevitably face,  I encourage you to shift your perspective and inte...

In this episode, I explore one of the most transformative qualities we can cultivate: humility. Not the kind that weakens us, but the kind that grounds us, shapes us, and quietly strengthens our leadership, our relationships, and our sense of self. I’m diving into what it truly means to be humbled by life, often at the exact moment we didn’t know we needed it. These unexpected lessons have a way o...

In today’s episode, we’re going deep. Deep into identity, self-trust, and what it really means to know who you are beyond the roles you play and the accomplishments you've earned. So often, we define ourselves by external markers such as our title, our work, our achievements, our team, our business. But what happens when those things change? What happens when you lose a job, shift careers, or...

In this episode, I’m bringing you inside our recent Executive Forum-The Future of Work: What Leaders Must Prioritize for 2026. This panel discussion featured two powerhouse leaders-Jane Hessler, Professional Development Manager, and Megan Rhoades, Director of Learning & Development. As organizations prepare for 2026, leaders are navigating a rapidly shifting workplace landscape. In this conver...

In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Kolenda, a globally respected leadership advisor, retired Army colonel, founder of the Saber Six Foundation , and author of multiple award-winning books . Chris brings a rare combination of deep combat experience and strategic business insight, offering powerful lessons for leaders navigating today’s complex workplace challenges. Chris shares how his journey sh...

In today’s episode, we dive into the truth about competitive advantage - what really sets you apart in your professional journey. So many of us fall into the trap of trying to replicate someone else’s path, believing that if we just follow their steps, mimic their strategies, or become more like the people we admire, we’ll find the same success. But that’s not how it works. We often forget the mes...

In this episode, we delve into one of the most challenging aspects of growth: navigating difficult relationships. Whether it’s with a coworker, a boss, or even a friend or family member, how we present ourselves in relationships can significantly shape our overall experience. I’m sharing insights and tools I’ve been using with my clients to help them better understand communication styles, identif...

Today we’re diving into a topic most people  really don’t like to talk about… failure. If you’re someone who prides yourself on excellence, performance, and doing things “right,” the idea of failing might make you cringe. I get it,  it used to be one of my biggest fears too. In this episode, I share a story about my son's trunk-or-treat event, and how it brought back a high school pottery cla...

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s been top of mind lately-how to protect your peace when it feels like you’re surrounded by negativity. Whether it’s online, social media, or in your day-to-day interactions, negativity can slowly drain your energy and focus if you’re not intentional about how you handle it.  In this episode, I’m talking about: -How to recognize when negativity is pull...

If you are a leader in an organization, an aspiring leader, or someone responsible for developing talent within your teams, you’ll want to tune in to this episode. Fresh from the NHRMA Conference in Alaska, I’m sharing my session on how to close the leadership skills gap and build a resilient workforce prepared for the future of work. We can get so caught up in the day to day that we forget to zoo...

It’s been one year since I had surgeries for melanoma that was on my face  and this episode is a personal reflection on the past year. I’m sharing what this experience has taught me about control, perspective, community, and grace through life’s hardest seasons. If you’re in a tough season right now, I hope these lessons remind you that you’re not alone, that you have more strength than you realiz...

In this episode,  I’m sharing  insights and reflections from my recent trip to Alaska, a place full of beauty, adventure, and unexpected lessons. Too often, we get caught up in chasing the destination-the goal, the result, the achievement- and forget to enjoy the experiences along the way. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why focusing only on the end goal can rob you of joy and fulfillment. How to f...

We often hear conversations about performance-how we measure it, improve it, and recognize it. But is performance really enough to carry us forward? In this episode, I dive into the powerful distinction between performance and potential , and why just talking about performance isn’t going to cut it anymore. Performance is measurable, observable, and rooted in the past and present. It tells us what...

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Lu Ann Cahn, an 8-time Emmy Award–winning journalist, author, and speaker. Lu Ann is the author of I Dare Me, a book inspired by her year-long journey of doing one new thing every single day to get her life unstuck. Lu Ann has lived a remarkable career in investigative journalism, telling powerful stories across the globe. But despite her many accomplishments, she...

There is so much power in simply being the person who shows up. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when you say yes to the unexpected and go the extra mile for the people in your life. I share a recent experience where, despite every logical reason not to, I felt a strong gut pull to show up for my clients at a leadership event. That decision meant rearranging my schedule, renting a c...

We’re going deep in today’s episode with a powerful concept that has shifted how I think about performance, potential, and why we sometimes fall short of the goals we say we want. Let me ask you, what’s your thermostat set at? And no, I don’t mean the temperature in your room. I’m talking about your internal thermostat, the one that controls your success, your happiness, and your ability to achiev...

In today’s episode, we have Katie Bolen-Irwin joining us. She’s a financial powerhouse by day and Nerf battle queen by night. Katie is the CEO of KBI Accounting and Consulting and the CFO of the Graduate School of Banking at UW–Madison. With her CPA and CNAP credentials, Katie brings both heart and strategy to the world of finance, helping mission-driven organizations stay financially strong witho...

Whether you're presenting on a stage, in a boardroom, or on Zoom, if you’re communicating ideas to others, you are a speaker . In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to command a room —in-person or virtual—and the not-so-secret secrets to growing your influence and confidence as a speaker. You’ll learn how to:  - Show up with energy and clarity  - Prepare like a pro so you can stay prese...

What if you could fully embody and embrace your most confident self and totally nail the big thing you have coming up? Whether it's a major meeting, presentation, interview, or conversation, this episode is for you. I’m sharing powerful tips, tricks, and mindset shifts to help you let go of anxiety and fear and instead show up as the version of you that’s calm, confident, and fully prepared....

In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Burnett—a learning and leadership development expert with a deep passion for helping people grow through meaningful experiences. With over 20 years of experience building thriving learning cultures, Dan shares his unique perspective on how curiosity, clarity, and communication fuel both personal and organizational growth. From empowering teams through thoughtfu...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Katharine Manning, author, consultant, and leading voice in trauma-informed leadership. With over 25 years of experience working with trauma and victimization, including high-profile cases at the U.S. Department of Justice, Katharine brings deep insight into how leaders can build more resilient, empathetic workplaces. We explore what it means to lead with empath...

This week, we’re joined by a powerful voice in the personal growth space- Hooman Ghazanfari, a 25-year veteran of the Sacramento Fire Department turned certified coach, who brings deep wisdom, compassion, and lived experience to the conversation around healing and transformation.  Hooman shares his courageous journey as an Iranian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. during the height of the hostage...

In this episode, we’re diving into the often-overlooked truth that indecision is still a decision. If you find yourself stuck, overthinking, or waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ to act-you’re not alone.  We’re exploring how the fear of the unknown, perfectionism, and lack of clarity can paralyze us-but also how awareness, honesty, and small steps can break the cycle. If you’ve been sitting on a big...

Today we have the inspiring Letty Benavides joining us! She’s a passionate voice in the personal development space that helps others step into their power by building limitless belief that turns doubt into possibility.  Join us as we talk about: -What led Letty to the personal development space -What it means to build belief in yourself -Why mindset, support systems, and action must go hand in han...

In today’s empowering episode, we’re joined by Melanie Stuber, the founder and CEO of Cultivate & Thrive. With 25 years of experience in corporate financial services, Melanie now dedicates her career to helping women leaders break barriers, elevate their leadership, and thrive with clarity and confidence. We dive into a powerful conversation on the importance of presence, using your voice, and...