Shameless Leadership

Britt Frank is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MSW from the University of Kansas, where she later became an award-winning adjunct instructor. Britt is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Level 3 training in Internal Family Systems. I was introduced to Britt via a past SMA guest, Andrea Owen. Andrea su...

Last weekend, we hosted our Fall Retreat for our membership community. The theme of this retreat was Tap Into Your Intuition. One of the activities we did early in the retreat was build-out our Self Trust Resumes. We had members take a look at their past skills & strengths (those that are innate and those they have trained). Members were invited to take a close look at how their education, profess...

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, and the host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts. She is also a wife, a Shameless Mom of three kids, and a Marvel movie super fan. Amber originally worked in the...

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, and the host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts.  She is also a wife, a Shameless Mom of three kids, and a Marvel movie super fan. Amber originally worked in th...

Kat Vellos is a trusted expert on the power of cultivating healthy teams and meaningful friendships in adulthood. Formerly a UX designer at Slack, Pandora, and multiple startups, her work today focuses on helping people design belonging into their lives and workplaces. She is the author of We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. Her work has been featured in The New Y...

I had a 4am realization last week. 4am realizations are the best…  My realization had to do with “the space between”. I realized that so much of my discomfort of the last few years has come from having to live in “the space between”.   The space where one thing has ended, but the next thing hasn’t started yet.  The space between realizing something has changed permanently and you cannot go back to...

Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW is on a mission to help ambitious moms play big without burning out. Author of the award-winning book, Breathe, Mama, Breathe and Don’t Forget to Breathe, she is a Psychotherapist, Life Balance Coach, Therapreneur, and Podcast Host. Shonda serves on the board of Shanthi Project, an education nonprofit providing evidence-based mindfulness services to children and adults. S...

When I’m working with private business & leadership coaching clients, one of the things we are always talking about is building traction. When you’re eager to grow and evolve in your leadership (in a business, the workplace, or your community), it’s easy to overlook the significance and impact of small (tiny!) actions over time.   Tiny action adds up. But you have to be paying attention. Notice ho...

Denisha Seals was raised by her mother, a single parent, who had not had a childhood. She was a teenage mom in an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, the unresolved trauma from her mother’s past was projected onto Denisha from the time she was very young, leaving Denisha with low self-esteem and vulnerability to people who exploited her innocence.    A high school teacher helped Denisha realize s...

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak to multiple groups on mindset. In researching and prepping for these conversations, I dug into some hard truths around our current culture. Namely, the fact that we are all enduring Collective Trauma - and no one is talking about it.   An article in Psychology Today (linked in this episode’s show notes) teaches that “Collective trauma is...

Amy Lang, MA has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years. With her lively, engaging and down-to-earth style she helps parents become comfortable and confident talking to their kids. Amy’s books, online solutions center and podcast, show parents they really can become their kids' go-to birds and bees source. Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parentin...

This one is for all my friends who have spent their lives collecting A+’s and doing all the extra credit.   I know perfectionism kept me in my own way for a lot of my first 20 years of life. If I couldn't do something to an A+ level, I didn't want to do it at all. In the last 15 or so years, I've learned that the fun, power, and momentum that allow me to have the most impact in the world comes whe...

Peter Mutabazi is an entrepreneur, an international advocate for children, and the founder of Now I Am Known, a corporation that supplies resources that encourage and affirm children. A single father of one white son and foster dad to many, Peter is a former street kid who has worked for World Vision and the International Committee of the Red Cross and has appeared on media outlets such as the BBC...

We are really good at finding reasons to wait. And sometimes waiting is warranted. But often, we wait because we have made up a story that we are not yet ready, worthy, capable, or qualified. Often that story is a bold-faced lie.   When we wait to go after what we want, take action, or accomplish something that makes us proud, we waste our precious mental and emotional resources, our energy, and o...

Fareedah Shaheed is the CEO and Founder of Sekuva SehKOOvuh, where she helps parents and caretakers protect their kids online. She has taught thousands of people online security & safety, has hosted lunch and learns, and has delivered keynotes on the subject. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and is currently serving on the Forbes board for the Under 30 community.   Fareedah was named Cybersecur...

Last weekend I did my first triathlon in 18 years. It was an incredible experience - which I almost put it off until next summer. I’m so glad I didn’t wait. I shifted a 12-month goal to a 2-month goal and it paid off - big time.   Whether you’re working toward a new goal or returning to a goal from the past, I want to invite you to take a look at how you’re approaching your goal. Your perspective...

Beth Syverson is a mom of an 18-year-old son, Joey, who has been struggling with addiction and mental health issues for several years. She struggles with addiction as well, though not with the same substances as her son. This experience has given her empathy for her son's struggles. She has learned to maintain firm boundaries while still nurturing a positive relationship with Joey. She is walking...

When we get overwhelmed or frustrated or feel the universe is working against us, we tend to drop our heads, metaphorically and literally. We stop seeing the good around us. We stop seeing potential. We stop seeing opportunity. We look down and miss the magic that is right in front of us, if not passing us by.   I’m only able to describe this because I’ve been there. When I feel overwhelmed or rej...

Sue Holt is the founder of Mommy's Life Coach. Sue coaches moms who yell at their kids. She helps them to stop feeling guilty and enjoy being a mom. As a stay-at-home mom for the past 16 years to four children, Sue remembers sitting at the bottom of her steps with her head in her hands crying, not because she yelled so loud that her throat hurt from screaming at her daughter for spilling salad dre...

A couple of months ago, we did our annual Shameless Summer Survey to find out what you all needed - where you were struggling most and what you were craving. Over and over again you said you were overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck. You said you were tired of the constant chaos. You said you were craving calm.   I hear you.   It is common to feel all of this at any stage of motherhood, but when you...

Trudi Lebrón is the author of The Antiracist Business Book: An Equity-Centered Approach to Work, Wealth, & Leadership. Trudi is also the CEO of ScriptFlip! LLC and creator of the Institute for Equity Centered Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm, that helps entrepreneurs build antiracist businesses and become equity-centered coaches and leaders through their certification programs, consulting...

Brutal truth: I’ve experienced more professional rejection in 2022 than any other year in my 19 years of business.   I’m talking about this because no one talks about this side of growth, professional or otherwise. But, it is a very real and common experience when you decide to stretch yourself in new ways.  Rejection is often the result of an audacious act, a brave reach, or a leap into uncharted...

Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers host the popular podcast Pantsuit Politics, which was named one of 2021’s best shows by Apple Podcasts and has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Good Morning America 3, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and Parents Magazine. They are also the authors of “I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation” and...

I know it’s not officially fall yet, but hear me out.... Fall is coming - fast. And I want you to be prepared.   As you straddle this end of summer/back to school/almost fall season, I want you to consider what you want for yourself, for your kids and out of motherhood. I always joke that September is January for moms. It’s when we start fresh, try new routines, recommit to things that serve us, d...

Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and award-winning author who helps frustrated families break free from Stable Misery™ and unhelpful parenting and partnership patterns, so they can create more harmony at home.   Over 20 years of journeying with countless clients led her to design the research-supported Elemental Living® Model and her P.A.T.H.S. Relationship...