Ordinary To Badass

Think happiness comes after achievement? Think again. ... In this remix episode, holistic life coach and healer Carolina Ayala shares powerful, practical techniques to help you cultivate happiness, confidence, and inner strength — starting right now , not someday. ... We dig into how shifting your energy, setting daily intentions, and celebrating yourself can transform the way you lead, the way yo...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I just wanted to ask…” or “Maybe this is a silly question…” ? ... You’re not alone — and those small phrases might be quietly shrinking your authority. ... In this Badass Debrief , Marie unpacks a powerful idea from her conversation with Rosie Zilinskas in Episode #405: “The language we use minimizes the value we bring to the table.” ... You’ll learn how to r...

Think your hard work will speak for itself? Think again. ... In this episode of Ordinary to Badass , career-confidence coach Rosie Zilinskas drops truth after truth about why women can’t afford to leave their careers on autopilot. From surviving a contentious divorce and rebuilding from scratch to landing executive leadership roles and launching her own business, Rosie proves that intentional acti...

Ever wondered what 140 miles of blisters, coffee stops, and breathtaking views can teach you about confidence and leadership? ... In this episode, Marie takes you behind the scenes of her solo trek on the Camino de Santiago —sharing ten raw, funny, and unexpected lessons about grit, self-trust, and the beauty of ordinary moments. ... From facing brutal hills to realizing that momentum is medicine,...

Think dropping hints is “kinder” than being direct? Think again. ... In this episode of Ordinary to Badass , Marie pulls back the curtain on a leadership habit that feels safe in the moment—but slowly destroys trust on your team: passive-aggressive leadership. From circling around the issue to making side comments, she shares how she broke the habit, the exact words she uses now, and how you can s...

Think courage means being fearless? Think again. ... In this Badass Debrief , Marie unpacks the boldest lessons from Diane Gansauer’s 3,100-mile solo hike at 61 years old—and shows how they translate into leadership moves you can use right now. From facing fear in grizzly country to realizing persistence beats speed, these are the truths that separate ordinary leaders from badass ones. ... ✨ Them...

Think courage has an age limit? Think again. ... At 61 years old, Diane Gansauer set out to hike the entire Continental Divide Trail—3,100 miles of mountains, rivers, and grizzly country. Along the way, she didn’t just prove her grit on the trail—she rewrote her story, discovered the power of persistence, and reminded us all what it means to carry only what truly matters. ✨ Theme: Resilience Stor...

🎉 400 Episodes of Ordinary to Badass! 🎉 Can you believe it? We’ve hit episode 400 , and this one’s all about stopping the self-sabotage and finally leading like the badass you already are. ... In this milestone episode, I’m getting real about what feels ordinary (hello endless checklists 👀) versus what feels badass (training for the Camino de Santiago 🙌). More importantly, I’m breaking down th...

Think failure means you’re not cut out for leadership? Think again. In this episode, Marie Sonneman—Lieutenant, coach, and host of Ordinary to Badass —shares how failing promotion boards more times than she passed didn’t stop her from becoming the only female lieutenant in a department of nearly 700. From almost giving up before her first detective role to rising into leadership, Marie breaks down...

Think promotions automatically go to the hardest worker in the room? Think again. ... In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman—Lieutenant, coach, and host of Ordinary to Badass —shares why effort isn’t the deciding factor in moving up the ladder. From her own missed opportunity with an undersheriff to earning three promotions in a predominantly male industry, Marie reveals the real reason some women g...

Think talking about your wins makes you arrogant? Think again. In this episode of Ordinary to Badass , I’m breaking down how ambitious women can make their work visible—without the cringe. Because here’s the truth: promotions don’t always go to the hardest worker in the room… they go to the most visible one . ✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy We’re talking about how to stop shrinking, start shar...

Think thriving after a promotion should feel like a victory lap? Think again. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the real reason so many women find themselves struggling once they’ve got the title. From being handed the keys to the kingdom with zero training to feeling like you’re leading on an island without a support system—you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakt...

Think chasing the title will finally make you feel fulfilled? Think again. In this episode, Marie unpacks the lessons from Pav’s powerful career pivot—leaving a $300K CEO role to chase purpose on her own terms. From ticking off all the “success” boxes to realizing they weren’t her boxes at all, this Badass Debrief is for anyone who’s secretly stuck playing it safe. ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs...

Think financial security means staying safe in your 9–5 forever? Think again. In this episode, Pav—Corporate Climber turned Financial Coach and Freedom Advocate —shares how she traded corporate prestige for personal power. From burnout and rigid schedules to designing a life on her own terms, Pav gives us an inside look at what it really takes to own your freedom —financially, emotionally, and pro...

Think you have to lead like “one of the guys” to be taken seriously? Think again. In this Badass Debrief, we break down the biggest takeaways from episode 392 with Tina Irwin—former Navy Commander turned metaphysical powerhouse—and what her story means for your leadership journey. Spoiler: You don’t need louder opinions or more bravado to make waves. You need strategy. Clarity. And the audacity to...

Think you need permission to lead boldly? Think again. In this episode, Tina Erwin —retired Navy Commander, metaphysicist, and ghost helper—shares how she went from being the first woman in the room to rewriting the rules for everyone who followed. From being told “women don’t teach here” to teaching submarine captains when to launch a missile (no big deal), Tina gives us an unfiltered look at wha...

Think you need to check every box before going for the job or promotion? Think again. In this episode, Marie breaks down why not fitting the job description might be your biggest advantage . Drawing from Darlene Green’s powerful story, this Badass Debrief is all about rewriting the rules , owning your worth, and leading in rooms that weren’t built for you— even when no one hands you a map . ✨ The...

Think you need permission to lead? Think again. In this episode, Darlene Green —military trailblazer and health-tech innovator—shares how she went from being underestimated at every turn to commanding teams of over 1,200 people and launching a wellness revolution in her 60s. From being told women didn’t belong in the military, to being rejected for a job she ultimately crushed, Darlene’s story is...

Think leadership comes with a rulebook? Think again. In this week’s Badass Debrief , Marie Sonneman breaks down the hidden truths behind episode 388—and the gut-punch reality of what it actually feels like to lead in rooms that weren’t built for you. From crying in your car to losing friendships you thought were solid, this isn’t about being weak. It’s about being real . And Marie’s walking you th...

You think getting promoted means you’ve made it? Think again. ...The truth is, leadership doesn’t come with a rulebook—it comes with curveballs. In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman cracks open the real truths about leading in rooms that weren’t built for you. ... From crying in the car to calling out condescending vendors, this is the pep talk (and permission slip) every badass woman in leadershi...

Quitter? Or Leader? Why Walking Away Might Be the Boldest Move You Make Think quitting means failure? Think again. In this episode, Marie Sonneman flips the script on what it really means to walk away—from roles, relationships, or responsibilities that no longer serve you. Inspired by her conversation with Doris Jackson Shazier (Episode 386), Marie unpacks why sometimes quitters win —and how to kn...

Think quitting means failure? Think again. In this episode, Doris Jackson-Shazier —leadership coach, author, and the woman redefining resilience—shares why walking away isn’t weakness… it’s wisdom. From growing up in a neighborhood where no one graduated high school to leading 70,000 employees as a senior director, Doris rewrote every rule in the leadership playbook—and built her own damn table....

Think you have to hide your awkward to be taken seriously? Think again. In this solo episode, Marie flips the script on awkwardness and shows you why owning your quirky, unscripted moments is a leadership flex—not a flaw. From stumbling over your words in meetings to overthinking every sentence, she’ll help you stop editing and start leading out loud . ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs We’re talking...

Think Badass women never feel awkward? Think again. In this episode, Andy Vargo —speaker, author, and awkwardness advocate—joins Marie Sonneman for a joint conversation that’s part real talk, part pep talk, and all about what it really means to own your story. From canceled podcast interviews to closet doors that slammed shut on confidence, Andy and Marie explore what it takes to lead louder in sp...

Think you need to match the loudest voice in the room to lead? Think again. In this episode, host Marie Sonneman delivers a powerful follow-up to Episode 382 with a no-fluff reminder that shrinking yourself to fit a space doesn't earn you credibility—it robs you of your edge. From a story of holding silence for four months before making a leadership move, to calling out performative confidence...