Relentless & Real

What separates good leaders from great ones? In this special Q&A episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny answer some of the most common leadership questions they've received from workshop participants, podcast listeners, and leaders across every industry. They discuss why people leave managers instead of companies, how to lead when leadership above you is inconsistent, when transp...

Could you sit in any chair at the table? In this episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny explore what that question reveals about trust, culture, and psychological safety inside an organization. They discuss why healthy cultures don't happen by accident, how cliques quietly undermine teamwork, and why leaders must protect culture long before problems become crises. You'll also...

She’s reliable. Capable. Organized. The one everyone counts on. And that’s exactly why she ends up carrying more than everyone else. In this episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny tackle a challenge many high-performing women know all too well: the more capable you become, the more responsibility gets handed your way. From extra projects at work to the invisible load at home, strong...

For years, Nicole Willis believed great leaders had to be tough, emotionally detached, and always in control. Working inside the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, that mindset was part of the culture. Armor up. Get the job done. Leave your emotions at the door. Then life changed. In the first guest interview on Relentless & Real , Nicole shares how a personal crisis transformed...

We like to believe people are judged solely on their talent, character, and performance. The research says otherwise. In this episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny tackle a topic that can feel uncomfortable to discuss but has very real implications in leadership, business, and everyday life: appearance, confidence, and the impact of first impressions. They explore the concept of &qu...

We all have things we carry. A mistake we regret. A conversation we avoid. A struggle we hide. A story we tell ourselves that no one else could possibly understand. In this episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny explore a powerful truth: the things we refuse to acknowledge often have the greatest impact on our health, relationships, leadership, and performance. From limiting beliefs...

Season 3 is here, and we’re starting with a conversation that hits close to home. In this episode of Relentless & Real , Heather and Jenny unpack the relationships we hold onto, the ones we outgrow, and the difficult truth that sometimes distance is a disciplined response. From friendships and professional connections to seasons of life that naturally shift, they explore what happens when rela...

Why do so many goals fall apart? Not because people are incapable of discipline, but because they were never truly connected to the goal in the first place. In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about the difference between empty goal setting and meaningful intention. Because saying you “should” change is not enough. External pressure will not sustain real behavior change. We discuss...

What happens when a woman becomes the breadwinner, but the expectations at home stay exactly the same? In this episode of Relentless & Real , we take on a conversation that still feels surprisingly hard to have out loud. What changes when she makes more? What does that do to identity, partnership, responsibility, and the unspoken dynamics inside a household? We talk about why this is still suc...

What are you holding on to that you do not actually need anymore? The extra stuff. The old habits. The past versions of yourself you have not let go of. In this episode of Relentless & Real , we unpack the idea of holding on, both physically and mentally, and how it quietly keeps you stuck. Because it is not just about clutter in your home. It is the thoughts you replay. The expectations you c...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we unpack one small habit that quietly impacts your confidence, credibility, and how others perceive you over-apologizing. We talk about why so many people (especially women) default to saying sorry, what it actually signals in a professional setting, and how it often stems from overcommitment, lack of boundaries, and operating on obligation instead of in...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about one of the hardest skills to build in leadership and in life: feedback . Why do so many people say they want it, but struggle to receive it well? And why do so many people give it at the wrong time, in the wrong way, and then wonder why it does not land? We unpack the difference between feedback and criticism, how to know when you are actual...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about the “inside voice” women often slip into at work and why it matters more than most people realize. It is not just what you say. It is how you say it. The volume, the hesitation, the nervous laughter, the trailing off, the apology before the idea even lands. All of it communicates confidence, or the lack of it. We unpack what causes women to...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about what it actually takes to finish a big goal. Not the idea. Not the intention. The execution. What started as a reluctant assignment to finish a book turned into a deeper conversation about discipline, ownership, and the difference between talking about a goal and actually completing it. We break down what gets in the way of big goals, from o...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about something every leader experiences but few people openly address: self-talk . The voice in your head that questions your decisions, criticizes your mistakes, and quietly shapes the outcomes you experience every day. We explore why negative self-talk is so common, why women tend to be especially hard on themselves, and how those internal narr...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about one of the hardest leadership moments to navigate: the unexpected trigger. The criticism you didn’t see coming. The awkward moment in a meeting. The conversation that suddenly turns emotional. These moments are predictable in leadership, even when the exact situation is not. We break down how to prepare for the unpredictable by focusing on t...

Mean girls are not just in middle school. They show up in meetings. In executive teams. In gossip circles. In passive aggressive emails. And sometimes, they are leading the room. In this episode of Relentless & Real , we unpack what “mean girls” look like in the professional world and why insecurity, scarcity thinking, and default reactions create toxic workplace dynamics. We talk about the ad...

In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about what it really means to make a difference that lasts. Not in a vague, feel good way, but in the daily choices that shape our influence at work, at home, and everywhere we go. We get honest about legacy, the kind of environment leaders create, and why saying yes is often the first step to becoming who you are meant to be. We also share what we...

We live in a world that rewards speed, shortcuts, and instant gratification. But real growth rarely works that way. In this episode of Relentless & Real , we talk about why meaningful progress happens slow, small, and daily and why that reality is so uncomfortable for most people. We unpack how impatience, distraction, and the desire for quick wins quietly sabotage careers, relationships, and...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we get blunt about the habits that quietly sabotage careers: defensiveness, excuses, blame/complain/defend, and resistance to change. These default reactions often feel justified in the moment, but over time, they shape how others experience you and whether you’re trusted with more. We unpack what real feedback actually is (and who you should never ask fo...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we’re talking about the small things that are actually the big things. The details are not the cherry on top. They are the whole sundae. We unpack why standards are not micromanaging, they are clarity. From how we travel, how we walk into a room, and how we set up a workshop space, to the way we care for the things we carry every day, we share how intenti...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we unpack what happened after a long, high stakes day that required honest feedback, real coaching, and a clear decision point. The takeaway is simple, but not easy. As leaders, we cannot choose comfort over clarity. This conversation is about how we show up when it matters most. Not with fluff. Not with avoidance. Not with “nice.” With honesty that is gr...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we pull back the curtain on something that has shaped Focus 3 from the inside out: The Culture Blueprint. We talk about what it really means to build culture on purpose, not as a document you file away, but as the blueprint for how people behave, make decisions, and hold each other accountable. We get into why we keep values simple, why alignment matters...

In this episode of Relentless & Real , we dig into how the words you choose, especially in small, everyday moments, shape accountability, trust, and influence. What started as a small moment in a meeting, “at my request,” opens up a larger conversation about how leaders communicate ownership, clarity, and accountability without ego. We explore how intentional language builds confidence in team...

In this episode, Heather and Jenny get real about one of the hardest leadership skills for women: saying no —clearly, calmly, and without guilt. Because the truth is: women don’t just overcommit… we yes ourselves into resentment . We say yes to be accommodating, flexible, and “a team player,” then end up exhausted, bitter, and stretched thin. This episode is practical and tactical. You’ll walk awa...