The Sow to Speak Podcast with Kristy Mandour

Your leadership vision can’t be clear until your internal state is in check. When you’re grounded, aligned, and intentional, everything else — your decisions, communication, and presence — flows clearly and confidently. In this episode, we’re kicking off the year with a fresh perspective. Forget “new year, new you.” This is about embracing wholeness and leading from a place of integrity — where ev...

Let’s talk about the voice in your head—the one that critiques, questions, and sometimes holds you back. In this episode of The Sow to Speak Podcast , we’re wrapping up our series on navigating difficult conversations by turning inward. I’m sharing three practical strategies to help you reframe your inner dialogue, quiet the noise, and create more space for clarity and confidence. Because if we ca...

We LOVE the holidays and YET: Holiday family gatherings can be a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected questions, and, sometimes, passive-aggressive remarks that leave us feeling overwhelmed. But what if you had strategies to handle those sticky moments with clarity, confidence, and genuine compassion? In this episode, we’re diving into actionable ways to navigate the challenges of holiday gatherings...

This week on The Sow to Speak Podcast, we’re diving into one of the trickiest parts of leadership: giving feedback on underperformance during tough conversations. Whether addressing a new teammate, navigating power dynamics with a former peer, or managing a challenging direct report, these conversations test your emotional intelligence and communication skills. In this episode, I share practical h...

In today’s episode, we’re continuing our December series on Navigating Tough Talks by tackling one of the most challenging leadership skills: giving feedback. If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between being candid or compassionate, this episode is for you. I’m sharing three powerful ways to prepare for feedback conversations that honor the person and the issue. We’ll also walk through rea...

In today’s episode, I’ll show you how to navigate disagreement with curiosity, empathy, and confidence—whether it’s in a meeting, with a colleague, or even with your boss. You’ll walk away with a simple yet powerful practice to transform tension into teamwork. Episode Highlights: Why conflict feels uncomfortable—and how to shift your mindset. The Curiosity First approach: ask, listen, and co-creat...

Ever felt like your intuition is trying to steer you in a direction you really don’t want to go? Maybe it’s whispering that you need to have that awkward conversation or rethink a decision you’ve already made. It’s tempting to ignore it and stick with what’s comfortable—but when you build the courage to lean in, even when it feels inconvenient, the rewards are undeniable: more clarity, less regret...

In the wake of the election results, it’s easy to feel the weight of fear, disgust, and blame swirling around us. But with clarity comes the power to decide what’s next. In this episode, we explore how intuition—your inner GPS—can help you navigate uncertain times with confidence and calm. Through real-life examples and actionable practices, we’ll dive into strengthening your connection to that qu...

This episode is all about reconnecting with a sometimes underappreciated ally: your intuition. As we dive into November’s theme of Strengthening Intuition , we’re exploring The Wise One, the final archetype in my Personification Posse Method. What You'll Learn: Meet The Wise One: The calmest member of the Posse, The Wise One offers steady guidance and reminds you, “You already know.” Fear vs. Intu...

In this episode, we're diving deep into our fourth archetype in the Personification Posse Method™: The Wizard —the high-energy, visionary part of us that fuels creativity and keeps us open to possibility. This one’s especially for high-achieving leaders who need a little extra spark amid the daily grind (and mounting election season stress!). Here's what we cover: Meet the Wizard : Discover how to...

In today's episode, I sit down with Taylor Hodge, Director of Partners for Education and Business at MACNY (Manufacturers Association of Central New York) and a former coaching client of mine. If you need a boost to reignite your sense of purpose and the impact you’re making, this conversation is for you. Taylor shares her journey from nearly a decade in higher education and community engagement t...

Hey there! I’m so excited to have you with me for this episode. After a run of solo shows, I’m thrilled to bring a guest back on—and today’s conversation is with my friend Nina Lockwood. Nina’s had such a rich and varied career, from working in the corporate world to running a business in floral design, to being a lifelong artist. Now, she’s found her true home in coaching women in midlife who wan...

In today's episode, we're talking all about  The Warrior —the part of you that thrives on action, getting things done and being the go-to person both at work and at home. If you're a high-achieving leader and a parent, you know exactly what this feels like. You love excelling in both areas, but sometimes your Warrior energy can slip into overdrive, leaving you feeling burnt out. We'll dig into how...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the October theme: the personas we carry inside us. And this time, it’s all about unmasking a sneaky little character I call The Whipper . That voice inside your head that’s quick to criticize, doubt, and question every move you make. You know the one. 🙃 What we’ll cover: ​ Meet The Whipper : The tricky internal voice that loves to judge, criticize, and keep...

Hey there! In today's podcast episode, we’re kicking off October with a special series inspired by the spirit of Halloween. But we’re not talking about costumes—we’re diving into the different personas we all wear, especially as leaders, parents, and humans. These are the characters in our heads, pulling the strings behind the scenes and influencing how we show up. Here’s what we’re covering: This...

In today’s episode of The Sow to Speak Podcast , we’re wrapping up September’s theme of reframes with one perfect for high-stakes communication. Whether presenting to a client, delivering a keynote, or sharing your ideas with your team or senior leadership, this simple reframe will help you stop rambling, avoid freezing, and speak confidently. Here’s what you’ll get from today’s episode: A proven...

All September, we’ve been diving into reframes that can change how you lead, communicate, and show up. Today’s episode? It’s all about trust—but not in the usual sense. We’re flipping the script on building trust with your team by considering it a window instead of a magnet . I’ll share some small, practical shifts to help you build stronger, more genuine connections with your team. These subtle c...

Ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of being the “best” in every role—whether that’s at work, at home, or even in your personal life? It can be a lot, right? In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at how the word “best” sneaks up on us, creating pressure we didn’t ask for. The good news? There’s a simple reframe that can change everything. In this episode, you’ll hear: ​Why the word...

How do you deal with anger? Do you feel that how you deal with it helps or hinders the path you take to speak confidently as a creative leader or entrepreneur? In this episode, I’ll help you reframe how you see anger so you can lead with more clarity and confidence. Leading out loud isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about taking what’s happening inside you and using it to lead...

Welcome to September on the Sow to Speak podcast! As we transition into the fall months, we’re diving into some of my favorite mindset and reframe strategies to help you reset, reboot, and refocus—whether you’re at work or at home. In this episode, we’re tackling those feedback conversations you’ve been putting off—the ones that might be keeping you up at night. I’m sharing three powerful reframes...

In this episode of The Sow to Speak podcast, I'm sharing three practical and innovative strategies to help you focus on self-leadership—especially if you're an anxious leader determined to make a difference. Here’s what you can expect: Lean into Micro-Moments of Courage . Discover how small, brave steps can lead to big shifts in your confidence and leadership. Create a Personal Leadership...

In today's episode, I'm sharing three creative and simple (and kinda fun) ways to improve your self-leadership skills and enhance your communication abilities. Here's a preview of what I'll cover: 1. A daily challenge that's more enjoyable than a regular to-do list 2. A Friday tradition that will tap into your inner adventurer. 3. A mindset trick that's like having your own...

In this episode of The Sow to Speak Podcast , we dive into how understanding and aligning with your core values can help you make decisions with less stress and more confidence at home and work. Here’s what you can expect: * Discover the difference between conscious core values and default values (the ones you’ve inherited from family or society). * Learn a simple way to identify your core values...

Ever feel like life's on autopilot? Ready to take control and become the Neo of your own story? In today's episode, I'm kicking off August's focus on self-leadership with a mind-bending concept I call The Matrix Moment. I'll share with you: What I mean by a "Matrix Moment" and how it can revolutionize your daily interactions The liberating power of changing "I ha...

Welcome to The Sow to Speak Podcast's July wrap-up, where we're tackling those pesky non-verbal communication worries. Today's Episode: Keeping It Real - Simple Tips for Authentic Speaking. We're covering: Eye Contact Made Easy • Chat with one person at a time • No need to scan the room like you're searching for Waldo Standing Comfortably • Feet hip-width apart, like you're...