The Leadership Lounge with Karie Millspaugh

When was the last time you truly rested? Not while scrolling your phone. Not while answering one last email. Not while folding laundry with a podcast playing in the background. In this first episode of the Permission to Truly Unplug summer series, Karie explores why so many of us struggle to slow down—even when we desperately need it. Through personal stories, leadership insights, and research on...

Why Constantly Putting Out Fires May Be Creating More of Them In today’s fast-paced workplace culture, many leaders find themselves trapped in constant reaction mode — solving problems, responding to urgent requests, managing team dynamics, and carrying the weight of every decision. But what if constantly putting out fires is actually creating more fires? In this episode of The Leadership Lounge ,...

If you’re always the one holding it all together… this episode is for you. Overfunctioning can look like leadership, but it often leads to burnout, resentment, and imbalance in both life and work. In this episode, Karie Millspaugh unpacks: What overfunctioning really is (and how to recognize it) Why high performers fall into this pattern The hidden cost of “doing it all” What actually changes when...

You can be doing everything “right”… and still feel off. In this episode, Karie breaks down the 6 Pillars of a Fully Aligned Life and why focusing on just one or two areas—like physical appearance or career success—often leads to burnout, disconnection, or lack of fulfillment. True alignment comes from nurturing all areas of your life—not just the ones people can see. • Physical Health • Mental He...

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , KarieMillspaugh explores the hidden weight many high-capacity women carry—over-functioning. On the outside, it looks like strength, leadership, andhaving it all together. But underneath, it often means taking on emotional responsibility that was never yours to hold. Karie shares a personal reflection on being “the oneeveryone leans on”—as a daughter, sist...

Why does constructive feedback sometimes feel personal? Why can silence from leadership feel louder than words? In the final episode of the How You’re Wired at Work series, Karie explores how attachment patterns influence trust, communication anxiety, feedback response, leadership dynamics, and workplace safety. Listeners will gain: • Awareness of how attachment styles show up professionally • Rea...

Why do some professionals thrive in recognition-heavyenvironments while others disengage quietly? In Part 2 of the How You’re Wired at Work series,Karie explores how workplace appreciation styles influence motivation, burnout prevention, communication, and leadership effectiveness. Listeners will learn: • How each love language shows up professionally • Why recognition impacts performance and rete...

Personality differences are one of the biggest hiddendrivers of workplace conflict, communication breakdowns, and leadershipchallenges. In Episode 1 of the How You’re Wired at Work series,Karie explores how DISC personality styles shape workplace behavior,decision-making, and team dynamics. Listeners will learn: • How each DISC style communicates under pressure • Why personality mismatches create...

The Leadership Lounge with Karie Millspaugh is a leadership and personal growth podcast for busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and women in leadership who want to grow without burnout. This podcast offers a realistic, compassionate approach to leadership, mindset, and self-development—without hustle culture, toxic productivity, or overwhelming goal-setting advice. Through honest conversations, rea...

In this heart-opening and insight-packed episode of The Leadership Lounge , Karie Millspaugh explores one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—drivers of team performance: gratitude . Karie shares a relatable story from her coaching experience that reveals just how deeply appreciation impacts motivation, loyalty, and the way people show up at work. You’ll learn why employees who feel seen, hea...

💡 Episode Summary In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , Karie Millspaugh sits down with Andrew Oxley —author, executive coach, and founder of The Oxley Group —to unpack how great leaders turn frustration into focus and momentum. Andrew has coached leaders at top companies like Coca-Cola, CNN, Progressive Insurance, and Cox Communications , helping them cut through complexity, scale performan...

In this deeply moving solo episode of The Leadership Lounge , Karie Millspaugh pays tribute to the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk—founder of Turning Point USA, devoted husband, father, and fearless warrior for Christ. Karie reflects on Charlie’s mission to inspire a generation, his boldness in faith, his role as a husband to Erika Kirk, and the powerful example of their marriage and ministry toge...

Can you truly be both a successful parent and a successful leader? In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , host Karie Millspaugh shares her personal journey as a single mom to her now 21-year-old daughter—while also building a career as a motivational speaker, business strategist, and leadership coach. Karie explores the powerful overlap between parenting and leadership: active listening, casti...

Show Description: In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , Karie Millspaugh dives deep into one of the most talked-about yet misunderstood topics in today’s workplace: work-life balance —and why it takes more than time management to truly achieve it. Whether you’re working remotely, in person, or somewhere in between, the lines between work and life are blurrier than ever. Karie explores the rea...

What happens when the life, business, or identity you’ve built no longer fits who you are? In this raw and real episode, Karie Millspaugh opens up about the moment she realized she had outgrown the very version of success she once fought to create—and the radical decision to start over. From letting go of old labels to navigating fear, grief, and liberation, Karie shares how reinvention isn’t a se...

In this episode, Karie shares why visibility is essential for leadership success — and how to stand out both in-person and online . If you're doing great work but not getting noticed, this episode is for you. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why visibility is strategy , not ego 4 ways to stand out at work 4 LinkedIn tips to boost your presence A simple weekly challenge to grow your impact 🔗 Resources: C...

Feeling stretched too thin as a leader? In this episode, Karie Millspaugh shares powerful mindset shifts and practical tools to help you move from burnout to bold ownership. Learn how to lead through uncertainty with presence, purpose, and confidence—no superhero cape required. 🎧 Subscribe to The Leadership Lounge for more weekly insights on leading with heart in today’s evolving workplace. Karie...

What separates good leaders from truly great ones? In this episode, Karie sits down with leadership coach and former tech VP Ashley Rudolph, who shares the exact mindset and strategy that took her from individual contributor to executive in just five years. Ashley unpacks her signature “3 C’s” framework for powerful leadership—and gets real about what it takes to rise, lead, and make bold career m...

Your attachment style doesn’t just affect your love life—it influences how you lead, communicate, and show up at work. In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , Karie explores the four main attachment styles—Anxious, Avoidant, Fearful, and Secure—and how each impacts your leadership, team dynamics, and decision-making. You’ll discover how self-awareness and healing your attachment style can trans...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Leadership Lounge , I sit down with the incredible Terry Sidford —motivational TEDx speaker, author, life coach, and keynote speaker—to uncover the secrets to activating your inner superhero . Terry opens up about her personal journey of overcoming self-rejection, childhood trauma, and even the shocking lessons she learned from a con artist boyfriend ....

In this inspiring episode of The Leadership Lounge , I sit down with Shawna Mott, the creative force behind Sooo Creative Designs Decor . Shawna turned her passion for upcycling and home decor into a thriving work-from-home business—all while raising two young kids. We dive into her journey of transforming old, forgotten pieces into beautiful, one-of-a-kind treasures with paint, distressing, and a...

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , host Karie Millspaugh dives into the transformative power of mindfulness in leadership and relationships. Discover how being fully present can elevate your communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence—whether you're leading a team or nurturing personal connections. We’ll break down what mindfulness really means, how it differs from self-...

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , I sit down with John D. Marvin, President and CEO of Texas State Optical, a $110 million organization with a rich history dating back to 1936. As a visionary entrepreneur, acclaimed columnist, and dedicated advocate for health and wellness, John brings a wealth of knowledge on leadership, mindset, and faith. We dive into his journey—from his leadership ro...

In this laugh-out-loud yet eye-opening episode of The Leadership Lounge , host Karie Millspaugh dives into the horror stories of leadership gone wrong. From ghosting managers to micromanaging mayhem and credit-hogging catastrophes, we’re exploring the biggest red flags in leadership and what they teach us about how not to lead. Packed with real-life anonymous stories and actionable insights, this...

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge , host Karie Millspaugh dives into one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself—and those around you: personal development. Leadership starts with the relationship you have with yourself, and investing in your growth affects every relationship in your life and work. Join Karie as she shares five actionable tips to improve yourself, including develop...