Today’s guest is Michelle Jeovanny — a renowned spiritual life coach, mentor, channel, and successful entrepreneur who helps individuals create wealth on all levels: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, energetically, and financially.
Michelle’s work blends ancient wisdom with modern consciousness — guiding her clients through ancestral healing, somatic freedom, ceremony, and spiritual power to unlock their truest potential. Her mission? To help people live in freedom, fulfillment, and flow.
In this episode, Michelle and Yo dive deep into the alchemy of turning wounds into power — exploring how the stories passed through our lineage shape our beliefs about wealth, worth, and identity. You’ll hear Michelle’s extraordinary story of awakening, from her childhood connection to Spirit, to a near-death moment at sea that became a divine calling to step fully into her spiritual gifts.
Together, they explore:
🌿 What ancestral wealth really means — and how to awaken it within
🔥 The process of transforming pain and grief into creative power
💎 How our body is the first bank account — and what true wealth feels like
🕊 Practices for stillness, surrender, and rewriting family patterns
💫 Why money is the byproduct of who we become
Whether you’re navigating your own healing, exploring spirituality, or simply curious about the unseen threads that shape your story, this episode invites you to see your wounds not as weaknesses — but as doorways to power.
🧭 Memorable Quotes
“Our body is the first bank account. It is our altar of wealth and abundance.” – Michelle Jeovanny
“Beyond the wounds is a creative intelligence — the gold within the onion.” – Michelle Jeovanny
“I was running toward success, but the more I ran, the further I felt from myself.” – Yo Canny
🌺 Key Takeaways
True wealth begins with self-honoring — when you’re wealthy on all levels, money follows as an energetic reflection.
Ancestral healing allows us to see and release patterns we’ve inherited, transforming unconscious loyalty into conscious freedom.
Stillness and surrender aren’t weakness — they’re the portals to divine guidance and co-creation.
Writing down your desires and releasing limiting beliefs through ceremony can open you to a higher frequency of abundance.
✨ Connect with Michelle Jeovanny
🌐 Magik Mystery School — monthly channelings, programs, and resources
📸 @michellejeovanny
💌 Mention “Girl, Take the Lead!” for Michelle’s free PDF: How to Create with AI — with Soul
💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!
🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group🛍 Explore the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram
Because leadership — and healing — begin when we have the courage to see ourselves clearly. 💖
Today’s guest is Hillary Spiritos (Millennial) — a pathfinding coach and founder of Bat Outta Hell, where she helps young adults find the courage, creativity, and resilience to build lives that feel authentic, invigorating, and meaningful.
A former university advisor at Duke, NYU, and Northeastern, Hillary has guided countless students and early professionals through crossroads moments — from choosing a major to choosing themselves. Her work now focuses on helping Millennials and Gen Zers define success on their own terms, navigate anxiety about the future, and trust that their unique paths can lead to purpose.
In this conversation, Yo and Hillary explore how social media, uncertainty, and shifting definitions of success are shaping a new generation — and why trusting yourself might just be the most radical act of all.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
The challenges today’s young adults face — from cynicism to social media overload
How to redefine success based on your values, not your title or salary
How social media can inspire and overwhelm — and how to use it intentionally
The difference between satisfaction and success
Why authenticity is the new currency of connection
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Hillary Spiritos
00:33 – The mission behind Bat Outta Hell
01:59 – From college advising to pathfinding: how it began
03:55 – Empowering Millennials and Gen Z to create change
07:55 – What makes this generation’s challenges unique
09:51 – The role of anxiety and cynicism in today’s world
15:26 – Redefining success through your own values
21:11 – Is social media friend or foe?
27:15 – Why authenticity beats perfection online
30:09 – Navigating a tough job market with resilience
35:27 – Facing fear, failure, and the courage to try
💡 Key Takeaways
You define success — not your title, salary, or feed.
Awareness turns social media from a trap into a tool.
Courage grows through action, not perfection.
You don’t have to follow the rules — you can write your own.
The world needs your authentic voice.
📚 About Hillary Spiritos
Hillary Spiritos, M.A., C.L.C. is a pathfinding coach and founder of Bat Outta Hell, where she helps young adults and early-career professionals overcome fear and self-doubt to create meaningful, sustainable lives. She holds degrees from Duke University and NYU, has lived abroad, and led workshops on resilience, leadership, and thriving through rejection and change.
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @bat.outa_hell
💌 Store Highlight
Hillary’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal.”It’s a joyful reminder to embrace your quirks, follow your own rules, and celebrate the life you’re creating — one bold step at a time.
Explore guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop.
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories of people breaking cycles, finding freedom, and leading with courage.
Today’s guest is Sue Hincenbergs (Boomer) — a former television producer turned #1 bestselling author whose debut novel, The Retirement Plan, has taken Canada by storm. Now translated into 20 languages and headed for the big screen, this darkly funny thriller proves that it’s never too late to follow your dreams — or plot a little creative mayhem along the way.
After three decades producing award-winning TV programs, Sue decided at 59 to finally keep a promise she made to herself (and Bruce Springsteen!) at 20: to write a novel. The result? A hit book, a movie deal, and a wildly inspiring story of reinvention.
In this conversation, we explore the humor, humility, and heart behind her success — and why midlife might just be the perfect time to unleash your creative spark.
✨ Other Topics Covered:
How Sue turned a lifelong dream into a #1 Canadian bestseller
The 40-year promise inspired by Bruce Springsteen
Lessons from her TV career that made her a tighter, funnier writer
What makes a great storyteller — and why tension matters
The courage to start something new at any age
What she’d tell her 20-something self about patience, humility, and timing
Why “If not now, when?” became her personal mantra
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sue Hincenbergs
00:57 – “If not now, when?”: deciding to write at 59
02:20 – The Retirement Plan — murder, marriage, and midlife reinvention
04:58 – The Bruce Springsteen concert that sparked a lifelong promise
07:45 – From television producer to novelist: learning on the fly
09:39 – How tension and clarity make a great story
13:53 – Editing, rewriting, and the art of brevity
15:43 – Her advice to younger writers and her 20-something self
17:09 – Sue’s card pick: Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal
18:35 – “Why not me?”: believing it’s never too late
💡 Key Takeaways
Dreams don’t expire — they evolve when you do.
If you don’t try, nothing can happen.
Good storytelling blends honesty, tension, and heart.
Courage grows with age (and a sense of humor helps).
It’s never too late to take your creative leap.
📚 About Sue Hincenbergs
Sue Hincenbergs is a former television producer who’s worked on multiple award-winning programs. She lives in Toronto with her (very much alive) husband, her scruffy, middle-aged rescue dog, Kramer, and the rooms full of stuff her three sons left behind. The Retirement Plan is her debut novel.
🌐 suehincenbergs.com
💌 Store Highlight
Sue’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Celebrate — Life’s Too Short to Act Normal.”Featuring a circle of dancing women, it’s a reminder that joy, laughter, and a touch of mischief keep us young at heart.
Explore guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop.
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Salvatore Manzi (Gen X) — a leadership communication coach, speaker, and author who helps mission-driven leaders transform their insight into influence. With two decades of experience coaching executives from Silicon Valley to the United Nations, Salvatore believes your leadership goes beyond how you show up and communicate your truth.
In this episode, Salvatore and Yo dive into the art and science of communication — exploring how content, delivery, and presence shape our impact. They discuss how introverts can command the room, why communication training often fails analytical thinkers, and how reframing fear into excitement can help you speak with confidence.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
How to own the spotlight no matter your comfort level with public speaking
The three pillars of communication: content, delivery, and presence
How to “reframe the rush” from fear to excitement
Why asynchronous communication (emails, texts) often misfires
The importance of intention and feedback in becoming a better communicator
How to adapt your communication style without losing authenticity
Taking up space — physically and emotionally — when you’ve been conditioned not to
What Salvatore would tell his 20-something self about voice and courage
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Salvatore Manzi
01:00 – The missing link in communication training for introverts
04:40 – The three pillars: content, delivery, and presence
06:55 – Why presence matters most in today’s world
09:35 – Dialogue, not download — and why metaphors move minds
11:02 – “You may be on mute, but your body isn’t”
13:18 – Expanding what feels authentic
15:31 – Reframing the rush: fear into excitement
18:23 – How to add warmth to asynchronous communication
22:17 – Setting intention before you speak
23:42 – Why feedback fuels growth
26:35 – Communication as context: knowing your audience
29:15 – Taking up space and overcoming conditioning
32:24 – Body and mind hacks to restore presence
36:33 – “Speak before it feels comfortable” — Salvatore’s 20-something-self advice
💡 Key Takeaways
Presence is built through self-awareness, not performance.
Communication is both art and science — it can be learned.
Fear and excitement feel the same in the body; label them wisely.
Every voice deserves space; every story deserves to be heard.
✨ Connect with Salvatore Manzi
🌐 Website & Free Resources: salvatoremanzi.com/ccpb
📸 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/CommsCoachSalvatore
📧 Email: salvatore@salvatoremanzi.com
💌 Store Highlight
Salvatore’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is the “You Got This” card — a reminder to trust your worth, wisdom, and voice. Explore this and other guest-inspired cards at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Sarah M. Eden (Millennial) — a USA Today best-selling author, screenwriter, and creative powerhouse whose witty, award-winning historical romances have sold over a million copies worldwide.
Known for blending her obsession with history and affinity for tender, hopeful love stories, Sarah has written more than eighty-five novels and is now expanding her storytelling into film. Her upcoming movie, Seeking Persephone, reimagines the myth of Hades and Persephone as a Regency-era romance — and her latest novel, The Tides of Time, explores how love, guilt, and hope transcend centuries.
In this episode, Sarah and Yo explore the heart of storytelling itself — why stories matter, how creativity lifts us through life’s oppositions, and why romance will always promise hope.
⏱️ Episode Highlights
How writers “train” their minds to see stories everywhere
The spark behind The Tides of Time and its time-travel premise
What adapting her own novel taught Sarah about letting go
How romance fiction empowers women and offers hope
Why joy is essential to creative longevity
How resistance and opposition help us rise — in life and in art
Sarah’s gentle message to her 20-something self
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sarah M. Eden
01:29 – How a dare launched her writing career
02:25 – The story behind The Tides of Time — time travel meets the French Revolution
04:20 – What makes a good storyteller — and how it can be learned
07:42 – Letting go: when your story belongs to the world
09:59 – Adapting Seeking Persephone for film and what changed in the process
13:39 – Finding joy in creativity, even when it’s “work”
14:38 – Sarah’s advice for aspiring writers: love the stage you’re in
19:27 – Why romance fiction endures — and what hope it offers
24:34 – The Finding Joy card story and how opposition gives us lift
💡 Key Takeaways
Storytelling is an act of hope — a way to connect across time and emotion.
Opposition builds strength; resistance helps us rise higher.
Romance fiction celebrates women’s agency and resilience.
Creativity is joy — and joy sustains the creative life.
Every stage of your journey has meaning; don’t rush past it.
✨ Connect with Sarah M. Eden
🌐 Website & Newsletter: sarahmeden.com
📸 Instagram: @sarah_m_eden
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/SarahMEden
🎬 Coming Soon:
Mercury Raine (Books 1 & 2) — releasing October 2025
Seeking Persephone — film premiere expected late 2025
💌 Store Highlight
Sarah’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Finding Joy” — featuring a hummingbird and flowers.
She shared how her love of physics and birds reminds her that:
“What allows birds to fly is opposition. As they flap down, they’re lifted up. Strength is found in opposition.”
Explore this and other guest-inspired cards at: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Dr. Arisbe Mendoza (Gen X), Director of Global Impact, Advocacy, and Partnerships atFairtrade International in Bonn, Germany. A proud Mexican woman and passionate advocate for women’s leadership, Arisbe believes that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about impact.
In this inspiring conversation, we explore how Fairtrade transforms global trade into a force for equity, how women’s leadership creates ripples of change, and why joy, empathy, and authenticity are essential to leading with heart.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Arisbe Mendoza (Gen X)
00:30 – Leadership as impact, not title — how Fairtrade reflects that mission
01:49 – The Fairtrade story: from Mexican coffee farmers to a global movement
04:42 – Why producers stay committed — and the challenges they face today
06:45 – Connecting farmers to fair markets and meaningful partnerships
09:29 – Empowering women through the Fairtrade Women’s School of Leadership
11:24 – Youth advocacy and the Fairtrade Ambassador Program
12:18 – Arisbe’s personal journey from Mexico to global leadership
15:28 – The strategic vision for Fairtrade’s next decade
17:18 – Sustainable livelihoods and the shared responsibility of supply chains
20:36 – How listeners can support Fairtrade and ethical consumption
24:00 – Why Arisbe remains hopeful amid global economic shifts
27:07 – Her message to her 20-something self: trust your voice, even when it shakes
28:34 – Her favorite pick from the GTTL shop — “Joy in the Everyday”
30:03 – Final reflections and celebration of Fairtrade Month
💡 Key Takeaways
🌍 Fairtrade began as a movement for justice — and continues to support millions through dignity and fair pay.
💫 Leadership thrives on empathy, purpose, and impact — not position or title.
🌱 Sustainable livelihoods depend on shared responsibility across the entire supply chain.
👩🌾 When women lead, entire communities rise.
💛 Joy and purpose often live in the everyday moments that connect us.
🗣️ Trust your voice, even when it shakes — that’s where leadership begins.
✨ Connect with Dr. Arisbe Mendoza & Fairtrade International
📧 Email: info@fairtrade.net
🌐 Website: fairtrade.net
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/fairtrade
📸 Instagram: @fairtradeofficial
💌 Store Highlight
Arisbe’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop was our “Joy in the Everyday” card — a gentle reminder that true leadership often lives in small, intentional moments. She also loved our You Bundle (“You Got This,” “You’re Amazing,” “You Rock!”) — the perfect way to lift others up with kindness and gratitude.
Explore these and more guest-inspired designs at girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Uma Thana Balasingam (Gen X) — a powerhouse global tech executive turned founder, movement builder, and podcast host. Uma grew up in Malaysia, put herself through university, and rose from engineer to Vice President of Sales for global tech companies, leading more than 800 people across 48 markets and managing over $1 billion in revenue.
Now, Uma is building her second career by launching companies and movements at the intersection of leadership, reinvention, and media. As founder of The ELEVATE Group, she’s architecting a future where five million women rise with her. Her hit podcast, RAW with UMA, amplifies raw, real voices across Asia Pacific — bridging strategy and soul, and inspiring women everywhere to rethink what’s possible.
In this openhearted conversation, Uma shares what it’s like to experience what she calls a “careerquake” — that seismic professional shift that shakes your identity and calls you to reinvent. Together, we explore how grief and growth coexist, how sponsorship accelerates careers, and how to find belonging again when everything changes.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
What a careerquake really means — and how it can spark reinvention instead of regret
The emotional journey of leaving a beloved role: love, grief, and belonging
How to reframe career breaks as growth chapters, not gaps
Why workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how to play with integrity
The two currencies that drive careers: performance and relationships
How sponsorship (not just mentorship) accelerates opportunity
The leadership lessons from an inclusive boss who amplified women’s voices
The story behind RAW with UMA — and why she’s tackling the “hard things”
Uma’s powerful message to her 20-something self about colorism, courage, and challenging norms
⏱️ Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Uma Thana Balasingam
00:59 – Defining the “careerquake” and how it reshaped her sense of identity
02:28 – From love to grief: what leaving behind success really feels like
05:39 – Why workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how power truly flows
09:28 – The inclusive boss who modeled how to amplify women’s voices
11:22 – How to confidently reframe career breaks in interviews
17:01 – The origin of Lean In Singapore and Uma’s Walk the Talk sponsorship platform
23:11 – The backstory of RAW with UMA — turning eulogies into empowerment
28:44 – Uma’s message to her 20-something self: challenge everything
30:42 – Her favorite pick from the GTTL shop — and the birth of the “Careerquake” card
💡 Key Takeaways
Careerquakes are breakthroughs, not breakdowns. Every shake-up reveals who you truly are.
Where there is love, there is grief. Transitions are emotional because they matter.
Belonging fuels leadership. Losing it can invite you to rediscover it within.
Workplace politics are simply the unwritten rules of power — learn them, don’t fear them.
Career breaks build resilience and perspective; own your story with confidence.
Sponsorship is the hidden accelerator for women’s advancement.
Challenge everything. Growth begins with asking bold questions, not having all the answers.
✨ Connect with Uma Thana Balasingam
🌐 Website & Courses: linktr.ee/elevateasia
📧 Email: uma@elevateasia.org
🎙️ Podcast: RAW with UMA (on YouTube and all major platforms)
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/umathana
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma__raw/
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564066752294
💌 Store Highlight
Uma inspired a new "Careerquake" card for our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop. Explore this and more guest-inspired cards here: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Irma Neal — seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and author of Leading in Chaos: Insights to Lead Through the Storms. From her early years growing up poor as the oldest of eight, to leadership roles in government, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurship, Irma brings hard-won wisdom about resilience, courage, and staying true to values even when storms rage.
In this candid conversation, Irma shares what it means to lead in the midst of chaos and how every challenge can make us stronger.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
Why her father’s mantra “there’s no such word as can’t” shaped her entire career
The leadership lessons of asking for help, documenting facts, and not dumbing down your intelligence
How resilience is like muscle memory: the more chaos you face, the stronger you get
Light bulb moments that reveal when it’s time for change
Facing bullying, politics, and even extreme hate — and choosing courage and clarity
Why celebrating victories, big and small, fuels momentum and resilience
This episode is a masterclass in courage under fire — and a reminder that storms don’t define us, but how we lead through them does.
⏱️ Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & intro to Irma Neal
00:31 – From humble beginnings to Fortune 500 VP
01:26 – The lessons her parents instilled: “no such word as can’t” and “get an understanding”
03:43 – Leading in Washington, D.C. amid chaos, overdoses, and politics
06:05 – Leadership insights: documenting facts and asking for help
08:21 – When problems resurface again and again
09:46 – Light bulb moments: knowing when it’s time to move on
12:40 – Building resilience through chaos
15:28 – Staying true to values when the noise swirls
15:56 – Not dumbing down your intelligence to fit in
19:20 – Facing hate head-on: working for a KKK leader in Indiana
21:49 – Learning to discern what’s racial and what’s ignorance
25:32 – Bullying in the workplace: lessons and failures
30:25 – Remembering we only know a slice of people’s lives
31:51 – Irma’s advice to her 20-something self: “Go be great.”
32:21 – Her favorite card pick: Celebrations
💡 Key Takeaways
Resilience builds like muscle memory: every storm makes you stronger.
Good documentation is better than a character witness — facts matter.
Asking for help is a leadership strength, not a weakness.
Don’t dumb down your intelligence to fit in. Own your voice.
Celebrate small wins — they fuel confidence and resilience.
✨ Connect with Irma Neal
🌐 Website: onyx2rise.com
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/onyx2rise
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/onyx2rise
📸 Instagram: @onyx2rise
📝 Free Resource: Money Mindset Quiz
💌 Store Highlight
Irma’s favorite from our card and gift shop is the Celebrations card — because she believes victories, big or small, are worth celebrating. Explore it and more guest-inspired cards here: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
📸 Instagram: @yocanny
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore the real, raw, and remarkable stories of people breaking cycles, finding freedom, and leading with courage.
Today’s episode features Rita Lussier, Boomer, writer, longtime Providence Journal columnist, and now author of And Now, Back to Me. Her debut book reflects on the bittersweet transition from hands-on motherhood to empty nesting, weaving together grief, gratitude, and the journey of rediscovery.
✨ In this conversation, we cover:
Why the empty nest often feels harder — and more layered — than expected
How small symbols (like a child’s blanket or a grocery-store snack) can trigger powerful emotions
Practical ways to “rewire” after years of care giving and start investing in yourself again
The importance of finding bliss in everyday moments — new windows, banana bread, or a neighbor’s smile
How strength, reinvention, and gratitude emerge through life’s transitions
Rita’s heartfelt stories remind us that while change may bring loss, it also offers an invitation: to rediscover who we are, to create again, and to embrace the journey with joy.
⏱️ Timestamps📖
00:00 – Meet Rita Lussier: journalist, columnist, and debut author
01:27 – Why she wrote And Now Back to Me and how it resonated beyond parenting
04:18 – A moving passage about motherhood, grief, and creating again
07:15 – Yo’s story of sending her daughter to college and the moment of grief that followed
08:42 – The “power bar” story and how everyday objects spark emotions
10:09 – Fat Pinky, blankets, and the bittersweet speed of time
11:05 – Rewiring: investing in self-care after years of care giving
13:28 – Finding joy in everyday moments and “the good old days”
18:23 – Gratitude, new windows, and seeing with fresh eyes
25:05 – How the empty nest brings focus back to relationships
26:00 – Rediscovering your own voice beyond roles of motherhood and career
27:44 – The strength that comes from embracing transitions
31:07 – Stress and hardship as invitations to grow
💡 Key Takeaways📬
Rewiring is essential. After years of care giving, investing in your own joy and self-care helps you heal and rediscover yourself.
Gratitude transforms perspective. A neighbor’s smile, a new window, or even laundry can become sources of joy when we learn to see fully.
Strength is built in the process. Grief, change, and even hardship become catalysts for resilience and growth.
Resources & Links:
Rita’s book: www.amazon.com
Available NowBookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Connect with Rita:
Website: ritalussier.com
Email: rita@ritalussier.com
https://www.facebook.com/ritalussierauthor/
Connect with Yo, Your Host:
Instagram: @yocanny
Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
In this heartfelt episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, I sit down with Elissa Kalver, Millennial author of We Got This, stage 4 metastatic breast cancer thriver, nonprofit founder, and advocate for re-imagining how we support one another through life’s hardest challenges.
Elissa shares how her diagnosis just before her daughter’s first birthday reshaped her perspective on life, grief, and community — and how it led to her mission of normalizing support through her groundbreaking nonprofit registry, WeGotThis.org.
Timestamps:
00:28 – Elissa’s diagnosis and redefining survival
02:26 – Her book We Got This and what it means to “beat” cancer
04:40 – “Surviving is not enough”: choosing to thrive
07:59 – Clarity in the midst of trauma
11:19 – Lessons from grief
13:36 – Why community and action matter in grief and healing
18:46 – Passage from her book on grief as cancer’s parallel
24:15 – Honoring the journey: why Elissa keeps her chemo photos
25:43 – Eye-opening stats on metastatic breast cancer
29:05 – WeGotThis.org Registry: practical and joyful support
31:22 – How to donate and get involved
33:10 – Elissa’s favorite passage: “Never forget to dance”
37:18 – What she’d tell her 20-something self
Key Takeaways:
Thriving > Surviving – Elissa reminds us that it’s not enough to simply endure illness or grief; we deserve to live fully and joyfully.
Grief as Transformation – Grief can metastasize like cancer if ignored, but it can also open pathways to clarity, empathy, and new ways of living.
Redefining Support – Her nonprofit registry makes it easier for patients and families to ask for and receive help — from wigs and mouthwash to concert tickets.
Living Intentionally – Whether it’s dancing nightly with her daughter or driving an hour for the best olive oil, Elissa shows us how to savor the everyday.
Community Matters – Moving from “You got this” to We got this reflects the collective strength we find in supporting one another.
Favorite Quotes
“I don’t need to be in remission or cured to beat this. I’m beating it by living my life fully.”
“Grief, like cancer, can metastasize if ignored — but it can also transform us.”
“Even if you’re facing the trial of a lifetime, don’t forget to dance.”
“It’s not wrong to say ‘You got this.’ But ‘We got this’ feels stronger — because it’s about community.”
Resources:
Store Tie-In 💌
This episode inspired new We Got This card in the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop — a reminder that support is stronger when shared. Send one to someone in your circle who needs to feel the we.
📬 Connect with Elissa:
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host:
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.
Today’s guest is Amy Weinland-Daughters — Gen X keynote speaker, satirist, and author of both fiction and nonfiction works that explore memory, connection, and the surprising power of handwritten letters.
In this heartfelt conversation, Amy takes us on two remarkable journeys:
✨ Through her fictional book, You Cannot Mess This Up, where she time-travels back to 1978, revisits her 10-year-old self, and re-examines childhood memories through the wiser lens of adulthood.
💌 Through her nonfiction experience captured in Dear Dana, where a single supportive letter grew into 600 handwritten notes that transformed her relationships, her perspective, and her sense of connection across divides.
This episode is about more than books or letters — it’s about memory, healing, and rediscovering the value of slowing down to connect with each other in meaningful ways.
00:00 – Welcome
01:20 – Meet Amy Weinland-Daughters: author, speaker, mom
01:46 – Writing herself back to 1978 You Cannot Mess This Up
03:14 – How memories shift, heal, and shape us
07:37 – Honoring the fearless child within
11:25 – Generational perspectives on change and rebellion
17:56 – How 600 handwritten letters began with one old friend
20:40 – The loss of Parker and continuing to write letters
22:36 – Two years of modern-day pen pal exchange
23:59 – Writing 580 letters: how it transformed Amy’s life
25:55 – Reading a powerful excerpt from Dear Dana
28:48 – How listeners can connect with Amy
29:18 – Amy’s advice to her 20-something self
Episode Takeaways
Memories are malleable. Revisiting them with fresh eyes can bring healing and compassion for ourselves and others.
Our real lives matter. Every story — even suburban childhoods or “ordinary” experiences — has profound value.
Connection changes everything. A single handwritten note can make someone feel deeply seen and valued.
Small gestures are powerful. Slowing down, writing, and caring intentionally can reshape relationships and even bridge divides.
Amy reminded us how powerful handwritten notes can be. To make it easier for you to spread kindness, check out the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts shop. Each card is designed to spark joy and connection — perfect for your own “Dear Dana” moments.
📬 Connect with Amy:
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Author, Boomer, and CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, Alaina Love, is a nationally recognized leadership coach and purpose expert, helping people lead better lives for more than 20 years.
Her book, Permission to Be You: Discover Your Purpose and Passions to Bring Your Best Self to Everything—and Everyone, just launched and reveals the power of passion-centered living to bring clarity and fulfillment to work, relationships, and life’s biggest transitions.
Love was formerly a research scientist and executive director of global human resources at Merck & Co., Inc. She has served as a leadership columnist for Bloomberg Business Week, The Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, and SmartBrief.
💡 We explore:
The concept of self-expansion in relationships and life
Understanding your passions and bringing them into work and personal life
Giving yourself permission to fail, choose yourself, and live authentically
How younger generations navigate purpose, passion, and practical life challenges
Practical ways to integrate passion-centered experiences into daily life
🔑 3 Big Takeaways:
You can bring your authentic self to any situation, career, or relationship.
Giving yourself permission to fail and to choose yourself is crucial for growth.
Understanding and nurturing your passions fuels fulfillment and connection.
🛍️ Online Store Highlight:
Check out our specially designed bookmark “Embrace the Journey”—perfect to accompany Permission to Be You or to remind you to honor your own journey: Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts
📬 Connect with Alaina:
Website: www.permissiontobeyoubook.com
Instagram: @alainalove
LinkedIn: Alaina Love
Facebook: Alaina Love
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Today’s guest is Mary Jane Strom, the CEO of Girl Scouts Northern California since April 2025. Mary Jane has over 20 years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and outdoor programming. She’s a lifetime Girl Scout member and a Gold Award recipient—the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve.
Mary Jane has been with Girl Scouts for decades, starting as a youth member, growing into a young adult staff member, and now leading the organization. She’s passionate about empowering girls to take the lead and creating opportunities that meet the needs of today’s youth.
💡 In this episode, we explore:
How youth-led initiatives and task groups are transforming Girl Scouts.
The importance of moving at the pace of today’s girls.
Strategies to reduce barriers to participation and expand access to underserved communities.
The role of supportive adult volunteers in fostering growth and leadership.
The impact of outdoor programs, STEM opportunities, and entrepreneurship experiences.
MJ’s advice to her 20-something self: take action, don’t wait for permission.
⏱ Timestamps & Highlights
11:45 – MJ explains youth-led initiatives and mentoring programs for girls.
12:15 – MJ reflects on her personal journey from Girl Scout to leader.
13:34 – Rethinking rules and letting girls take the lead in decisions.
14:32 – Pride in Girl Scout properties and camps, preparing girls for outdoor experiences.
15:27 – Expanding access through community programs and school partnerships.
16:23 – Introducing the “third space” concept: Girl Scouts alongside home and school.
17:22 – The importance of social connection, troop meetings, and sisterhood.
19:17 – The role of supportive adult volunteers in guiding girls’ leadership.
21:12 – STEM and entrepreneurship programs, including Space Cookies robotics and the cookie program.
24:26 – How to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts Northern California.
25:24 – MJ’s advice to her 20-something self: don’t wait to take action.
💬 Notable Quotes
“We can’t afford to slow down. We have to keep moving forward. We have to keep progressing. We have to keep being what girls today need.” – MJ Strom
“If something bugs you about the place that you’re working or volunteering, ask why it’s done that way and then make the change you want to see.” – MJ Strom
“Girl Scouts is a sisterhood full of supportive adults and opportunities for girls to take the lead.” – MJ Strom
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
Youth-Led Leadership Matters: Girls thrive when they’re empowered to make decisions and take ownership of programs.
Volunteers Amplify Impact: Adult mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and real-world learning experiences.
Opportunities for All Girls: From STEM to outdoor adventures and entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts creates multiple pathways for personal growth and leadership development.
🌐 Resources & Links
Learn more about Girl Scouts Northern California: gsnorcal.org
Volunteer or become a troop leader: Volunteer Opportunities
Donate to support camperships and leadership programs: Spring Appeal & Opportunity Fund
Watch MJ on Episode 7: Ep 7 with Mary Jane Strom
Shop the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: Online Store
🛍️ Online Store Highlight
Mary Jane chose the Girl Scouts-themed card: “Lead with heart. Inspire action.”
Her reflection: “Leadership is about creating opportunities for others to shine—and that starts with our girls.”
📬 Connect With Mary Jane
Website: https://www.girlscoutsnorcal.org
Email: Contact via website
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
Email: yo@yocanny.com
Instagram: @yocanny
FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
Online Store: Your Cards & Gifts for Connection – Shop Now
Lana Shepard, Boomer, business coach, author, and financial literacy advocate, joins us to explore mindset shifts, transformational lessons, and practical strategies that fuel both personal and entrepreneurial growth.
Drawing from her 40+ years of experience supporting over 1,300 small business clients, Lana shares how letting go of limiting beliefs, embracing fear, and leaning on support can ignite success and resilience.
💡 In this episode:
Lana’s journey from bookkeeping and payroll to authoring the Give Up series
The pivotal lesson from her mentor: success comes from what you give up, not what you hold on to
Fear of failure and lifelong beliefs that shape our decisions
Transformative experiences, including Tony Robbins’ fire walk
Learning to ask for help and building supportive networks
Embracing financial literacy and overcoming fear of numbers
Practices to cultivate gratitude, courage, and momentum
🎧 Timestamps (Major Moments)
0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Lana Shepard1:30 – The Give Up book series and key lessons3:28 – Overcoming fear of failure and limiting beliefs8:59 – Stepping outside comfort zones: the fire walk 12:06 – The role of support systems and asking for help13:31 – Financial literacy: understanding numbers 16:45 – Practices to cultivate gratitude, courage, and momentum
💬 Memorable Quotes
"Holy Hockey!"
“Success is less about what you take on and more about what you give up.”
“You can’t have fun until the work ends—and sometimes the work never ends, unless you let it.”
“Once you take that first step, momentum carries you forward.”
“Fear is often inherited from old beliefs—awareness is the first step to letting it go.”
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
Awareness empowers action: Recognizing hidden beliefs and self-talk patterns is essential for growth.
Courage is cultivated: Stepping out of your comfort zone builds confidence, momentum, and resilience.
Asking for help is strength: Support systems accelerate success personally and professionally.
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
Give Up Ignition by Lana Shepard (amazon.com)
📬 Connect With Lana
Website: www.giveupbook.com
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Website: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: yo@yocanny.comInstagram: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
Katherine Fabrizio, Boomer, psychotherapist with 35 years of experience, joins us to explore the often hidden dynamics between mothers and daughters. Drawing from her extensive clinical work and her book, Katherine dives into how good daughters navigate boundaries, individuation, and maternal expectations—and how understanding these patterns can unlock personal freedom.
💡 In this episode:
Katherine’s journey from practicing alongside her mother to finding her own voice
Why the “good daughter” role can feel both protective and paralyzing
Differentiating narcissistic, borderline, and covert mothers in real-life dynamics
Recognizing internalized guilt and patterns of approval-seeking
Practical insights for reclaiming boundaries and autonomy
⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Katherine
0:31 – Katherine’s early career and working with her mother
1:56 – Making the difficult choice to leave the shared practice
2:24 – Boundaries and individuation: why they weren’t taught
3:22 – The inspiration for writing her book
4:21 – Reconciling with her mother at the end of her life
5:17 – Understanding different maternal patterns
6:17 – Narcissistic, borderline, and covert mothers explained
11:08 – Reading the 10 scenarios of the “good daughter trap”
14:19 – How childhood patterns shape adult responses and shame
16:40 – Taking charge of your inner child
17:09 – Understanding the difficult mother
💬 Memorable Quotes
“Staying would break me. Leaving broke her heart—but I survived. So did she.”
“Boundaries weren’t even a thing back then; learning them was revolutionary.”
“Many daughters carry guilt for differentiating. Understanding your mother’s patterns can be liberating.”
“The good daughter cycle is like an accent—you internalize it and it becomes normal.”
“Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your mother is to step into your own life fully.”
“Healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about reclaiming your power in the present.”
“We often try to please to survive. Learning that you can exist authentically is life-changing.”
“Mother-daughter patterns don’t define you—you define your response to them.”
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
Awareness is freedom. Understanding the maternal dynamics you grew up with allows you to break generational patterns.
Boundaries are essential. Differentiating from a mother—even a loving one—can be painful but necessary for personal growth.
Healing is relational. Reconciling with the past, while not condoning harm, creates space for autonomy and self-compassion.
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
The Good Daughter Trap by Katherine Fabrizio – available wherever books are sold
Psychotherapy insights on boundaries, individuation, and mother-daughter dynamics
🛍️ Online Store Highlight
Katherine chose a card representing self-empowerment and boundary-setting:
"Know your worth, set your limits, honor your story."
Check out our online store here!
📬 Connect With Katherine
Website: Are you a "Good Daughter" Free Quiz https://daughtersrising.info/good-daughter-quiz/
Email: katherinefabrizio@daughtersrising.info
https://www.facebook.com/thegooddaughter
https://www.instagram.com/katherinefabrizio/
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
Email: yo@yocanny.com
Instagram: @yocanny
FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
Veronica Deraleau—financial coach, Army veteran, fintech leader, opera singer (!), and author of Making Money is Simple—joins us for an eye-opening conversation about money mindset, debt, and the courage to rewrite your financial story.
Through personal experience and her signature ARIA money model, Veronica helps us shift from shame and confusion into clarity and intentionality around money. You’ll walk away inspired, empowered, and ready to take action—from a place of alignment.
💡 In this episode:
What it means to be “money stuck” and how to break free
The ARIA money model: Awaken, Reframe, Intention, Action
Why mindset (not math!) is the first step toward financial freedom
The surprising role opera played in Veronica’s money journey
How cultural and family beliefs shape our money stories
A fresh take on caregiving, values-based spending, and tough trade-offs
The myth of “having it all” and the power of ruthless prioritization
🎧 Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome0:30 – Veronica’s story: MBA, debt, and transformation2:00 – What “money stuck” means and how shame keeps us trapped2:55 – Excerpt: What is money freedom?4:24 – The ARIA model explained5:20 – Why opera helped fuel Veronica’s financial freedom8:39 – How our “autopilot” thinking gets in the way10:37 – Generational shifts: Comparison, social media, and caregiving12:56 – Hidden spending triggers (especially for moms)14:19 – Teaching kids trade-offs and modeling values-based spending15:46 – Money lessons from high-net-worth individuals17:43 – Shame vs. creativity: What truly motivates change18:42 – Who the book resonates with—and why it surprised her
20:34 – Couples, money, and mismatched financial engagement22:31 – Breaking inherited financial scripts
💬 Memorable Quotes
“Debt will always be the abattoir of creative dreams.” – Elizabeth Gilbert (quoted by Veronica)
“Money freedom starts when we change how we think—not just what we do.”
“You can’t just budget your way out of shame. You have to reframe.”
“Don’t pre-reject yourself. Even trying and failing is feedback.”
“Your values—not guilt—should guide your financial decisions.”
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
Mindset is the foundation of financial freedom. Veronica’s ARIA model guides us to awaken, reframe, set clear intentions, and take action—with purpose.
We must unlearn inherited money beliefs. From immigrant households to societal norms, we all carry invisible scripts that shape how we view and handle money.
Caregivers need to prioritize sustainability. Spending out of love can still lead to burnout and debt. Teaching children about trade-offs is a gift for their future.
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
Making Money is Simple by Veronica Deraleau – available on Amazon
Website: makingmoneyissimple.com
Social: @makingmoneyissimple (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest)
🛍️ Online Store Highlight
Veronica chose our “Trust Your Gut” snarky cat card. Wrapped in red threads and full of attitude, this card captures her message of courage and trusting your inner wisdom.
📬 Connect With Veronica
Website: makingmoneyissimple.com
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Pinterest: @makingmoneyissimple
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Website: girltaketheleadpod.comEmail: yo@yocanny.comInstagram: @yocannyFB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Online Store: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop
Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau, executive coach, author, and global change agent, joins us to explore what it really means to lead with power in today’s chaotic world. Her book Who’s in Charge? is more than a leadership guide—it’s a call to consciousness.
From energy and embodiment to legacy and self-awareness, Sylvia invites us to look inward before stepping outward.
💡 In this episode:
The difference between transformational and transformative leadership
How leaders can claim their power by embodying presence
Why legacy starts with the choices we make daily
A deeply personal story of writing her own obituary as a turning point
How joy, art, and truth-telling are powerful leadership tools
🎧 Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome
8:09 – Book overview: A guide for leaders in a chaotic world
10:03 – Energy, Power, Legacy: The three core elements
12:30 – Why energy management is foundational
24:51 – Awareness, embodiment, and voice: The physicality of leadership
27:00 – Joy in the process: Why embodiment brings freedom
30:12 – Every action counts: Small-scale leadership still changes the world
34:15 – Owning your voice even after past regrets
36:10 – Humility as a powerful leadership trait
💬 Memorable Quotes
“Choose your actions—because when they’re made in choice, they’ll make a difference.”
“Joy comes when we embody who we truly are—not just function how we’ve been conditioned.”
“Leadership isn’t about being at the top—it’s about being in integrity with yourself.”
“You don’t need to be loud to be powerful. You need to be aligned.”
“Spill your story—even if no one’s listening. It’s yours to tell.”
“Follow your bliss. It’s the path to fulfillment and, ultimately, success.”
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
1. Power is presence. True leadership comes from managing your energy, owning your voice, and being fully embodied in the moment—not from titles or external control.
2. Every action builds legacy. Whether you’re a CEO or just starting out, how you respond to daily choices defines your leadership. You are shaping your legacy moment by moment.
3. Leadership is a practice—anchored in truth. Sylvia invites us to “spill our story” and follow our bliss, because when we lead from authenticity, we lead from power.
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
Who’s in Charge? by Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau – available on Amazon
SmartPowerMethod.com – Access Sylvia’s Power Scorecard
LinkedIn: Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau
🛍️ Online Store Highlight
Sylvia chose the Frida Kahlo card: “Paint your story. Spill your truth.” Her reflection? “Dare to tell your story and your truth—even if no one’s listening.”
📬 Connect With Sylvia
Website: https://smartpowermethod.com
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
Website: girltaketheleadpod.com
Email: yo@yocanny.com
Instagram: @yocanny
FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
Online Store: Your Cards & Gifts for Connection
Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it starts with leading yourself. In this lively and insightful conversation, Beth Chapman Kaufmann and Nicole Santonastaso share how getting clear on who you are, what you do best, and where you’re headed can transform the way you lead.
With plenty of laughs, relatable stories, and practical takeaways, Beth and Nicole dive into CliftonStrengths, True North Statements, and why reflection time is the secret ingredient for intentional leadership. Whether you’re leading a team, your family, or just yourself, this episode will inspire you to embrace your strengths and confidently chart your own course.
💛 What You’ll Hear in This Episode
0:00 Introduction
3:17 Nancy Walton Laurie Chi Omega Intentional Leader Workshop takeaways
8:56 Can you truly lead others when you cannot lead yourself? Modeling intentional leadership for others
11:43 CliftonStrengths: how they make us unique and spark action
29:00 Balcony and Basement clarity
32:31 Human Design as a framework for thinking and problem-solving
34:32 Creating your True North Statement
47:16 Why reflection time is essential for self-leadership
48:42 How to follow Nicole and Beth
52:00 20-something advice for future leaders
53:27 Online store card choices
💬 Memorable Quotes
"Leadership begins with me – I have to do the work myself to move other people.”
"To take time to think about who I am and where I want to go is an incredible gift to yourself and to those around you.”
"When you have confidence in what you do best you don’t have to fear what other people do best.”
"The True North Statement is a way to remind myself: this is who I am, this is why I’m here on this earth—and that helps me decide what to say 'yes' to."
"Don’t be scared to fail…if it doesn’t work, maybe the hypothesis was wrong. We can try something different."
🔑 3 Key Takeaways
Self-leadership comes first. You can’t lead others effectively until you know who you are and where you want to go.
CliftonStrengths and True North give clarity. Tools like CliftonStrengths and a True North Statement help you build confidence in your unique strengths and guide your decisions.
Reflection fuels growth. Taking time to pause, reflect, and ask tough questions is essential to becoming an intentional leader.
🌟 More About Nicole Santonastaso
Nicole Santonastaso, Millennial, RDN, LD, IBCLC, CDCES, CD (DTI), is the Prevention Program Supervisor for Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome, Alaska. Her passion lies in increasing food literacy, making movement enjoyable, and building community. She also serves on multiple healthcare committees, supporting team-based care and policy development. A dedicated volunteer for Chi Omega Fraternity, Nicole promotes collegiate women’s wellness through curriculum development and facilitation. She lives in Alaska with her husband and two cats, Edgar and Iris, and loves photography, cooking, and John Mayer concerts.
🌟 More About Beth Chapman Kaufmann
Beth Chapman Kaufmann, Gen X, is the president of Vide Consulting (pronounced Vee-day), where she specializes in leadership development, CliftonStrengths coaching, and group facilitation. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Beth is known for her humor, insight, and powerful questions that inspire action. Originally from Kentucky, she now lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two kids.
📬 Connect with Nicole
• Website: nicoledionphoto.com• Email: nsantona@gmail.com• Instagram: @nicoledionphotography• LinkedIn: Nicole Santonastaso
📬 Connect with Beth
• Email: beth@videconsultinginc.com• LinkedIn: Beth Chapman Kaufmann
🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo
• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: yo@yocanny.com• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
Peggy Sullivan, author of Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less, joins us for a refreshing and deeply practical conversation about why busyness has become the ultimate addiction—and how to break free from it. A self-described “busyness addict in recovery,” Peggy shares her personal wake-up calls, from a stress-induced heart attack to accidentally eating cat food in a haze of distraction, and how those moments pushed her to develop her Busy Busting Framework.
This episode is for anyone who has ever worn “busy” like a badge of honor, felt guilty about slowing down, or wondered how to reclaim time for what truly matters. Peggy shows us that freedom and joy are found not in doing more, but in doing less—intentionally.
💛 We explore:
0:00 – Intro: Why busyness functions like an addiction, complete with dopamine highs
3:16 – The true costs of busyness—health scares, relationship strain, and chronic stress
6:32 – Why “busy” is a toxic four-letter word and not a badge of honor
9:48 – Peggy’s 3-step Busy Busting Framework: Subtraction, Happiness Rituals, and Values Alignment
13:04 – How to use happiness rituals (like Peggy’s daily dark chocolate “reset”) to boost energy and focus
16:20 – The 4 core values that light us up: self-care, human connection, growth, and authenticity
19:36 – How to use a Values Report Card to track alignment and reduce stress
22:52 – Letting go of perfectionism and “destination thinking” to embrace the present
26:08 – Peggy’s hopeful perspective: why optimism is a strategy and joy a daily choice
29:24 – A moving passage from Beyond Busyness about the power of subtraction—getting more by doing less
32:40 – What Peggy would tell her 20-something self about slowing down and savoring life
💬 Memorable Quotes
"Busy is a four-letter word — stop wearing it like a badge of honor."
"We get a dopamine hit from busyness, just like any other addiction."
"If you’re too busy for relationships, you’re too busy, period."
"One low-value activity eliminated can give you five hours back in your week."
"Hope is a strategy—optimism points us toward better outcomes."
"The here and the now is amazing if you just take a pause and appreciate it."
🔑 3 Key Takeaways
Busyness is an addiction, not a virtue. The constant rush keeps us in a dopamine-fueled haze, undermining health, happiness, and relationships.
Subtraction is freedom. Eliminating even one low-value activity or adding small happiness rituals can reclaim hours each week and restore energy.
Be present, not perfect. Joy, productivity, and hope thrive when we let go of perfectionism, stop chasing the “next thing,” and focus on the here and now.
📖 Peggy Reads from Beyond Busyness
Peggy closes the episode with a powerful excerpt on subtraction—sharing a climber’s story of how letting go of the desire to succeed brought focus, joy, and better performance. “Get more by doing less,” she reminds us.
🌟 More About Peggy Sullivan
Peggy Sullivan is a former corporate executive, bestselling author, and speaker who helps people escape time poverty and live with more health, joy, and productivity. Through her Busy Busting Framework, she has helped thousands reclaim 4–6 hours a week for the things that matter most.
👉 Get the Book
Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More with Less is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
📬 Connect with Peggy
• Website: peggysullivanspeaker.com• LinkedIn: Peggy Sullivan
🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo
• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: yo@yocanny.com• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: [Cards & Gifts that spark connection]• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!
Judy Henderson and Jimmy Soni join us for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, forgiveness, and hope in the face of injustice. Judy spent 36 years wrongfully imprisoned, a journey that could have broken most people—but instead, she transformed it into a story of grace, growth, and unwavering strength. Alongside Jimmy, her co-author and champion, they share how hope can be actively created, bitterness overcome, and the power of choosing to be better, not bitter.
Judy’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and thrive despite the darkest circumstances. Together, Judy and Jimmy illuminate the personal practices, family bonds, and daily choices that fueled her fight for freedom and her mission to reform the justice system.
💛 We explore:
• The mantra “Don’t be bitter, be better” — a guide through decades of hardship
• How forgiveness played a role, including reaching out to the prosecutor
• The importance of hope and family presence through 36 years behind bars
• Practical daily choices in prison that shaped resilience and dignity
• Jimmy’s relentless advocacy and “breaking through concrete walls” to tell Judy’s story
• Insights about parenting and nurturing children as “miniature adults”
• What Judy and Jimmy would tell their 20-something selves today
• Plus: A heartfelt passage about finding light in the darkest places
🎧 Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome & introductions with Judy Henderson and Jimmy
4:30 – Judy’s resilience: fueled by anger, love for family, and confronting fear
6:30 – Jimmy on Judy’s physical and mental endurance in prison and beyond
11:26 – Judy on forgiveness and writing a letter to her prosecutor
14:07 – Jimmy explains the mantra “Don’t be bitter, be better”
16:25 – Judy and Jimmy share each other’s superpowers: graciousness & breaking walls
18:20 – The uphill battle to publish the book and Jimmy’s warrior spirit
20:17 – Judy reads a poignant passage about hope, choice, and growth in prison
22:17 – Jimmy on the power of family presence and creating hope during incarceration
24:53 – Judy’s message: find your talents and purpose; create your own happiness
26:37 – What Judy and Jimmy would tell their 20-something selves
29:40 – Parenting insights: treating children with respect and nurturing bonds
31:58 – Closing reflections and gratitude
💬 Memorable Quotes
"Don’t be bitter, be better.""Even in chains, our choices remain our own.""I chose to see the humanity in the guards.""Hope isn’t accidental — it’s something you create.""Your children are just miniature adults; their feelings deserve respect.""That thing you think will break you can be a source of profound strength."
🔑 3 Key Takeaways
1. Resilience is a daily practice. Judy’s story shows how small choices — meditation, education, kindness — build unbreakable strength over time.
2. Forgiveness frees the soul. Choosing understanding over anger helped Judy release bitterness and find peace despite deep injustice.
3. Hope is created, not given. Family love, presence, and intentional actions sustain us in the hardest times — and empower us to create light in darkness.
🌟 More About Judy & Jimmy
Judy Henderson spent 36 years wrongfully incarcerated before finally gaining her freedom and becoming a powerful advocate for justice reform. Jimmy is an author and storyteller who partnered with Judy to share her remarkable journey in their book When the Light Finds Us — a testament to endurance, hope, and transformation.
👉 Get the Book
When the Light Finds Us is available wherever books are sold.
Amazon link for the book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Light-Finds-Us-Transformed-ebook/dp/B0CR93DD34
📬 Connect with Judy & Jimmy
jhenderson0701@gmail.com
judyannhenderson.com
IG: judy.henderson.77312
🎙️ Connect with Your Host, Yo
• Website: girltaketheleadpod.com• Email: yo@yocanny.com• Instagram: @yocanny• Online Store: Cards & Gifts that spark connection• FB Group: Girl, Take the Lead!