Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I just wanted to ask…” or “Maybe this is a silly question…”?
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You’re not alone — and those small phrases might be quietly shrinking your authority.
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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.”
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You’ll learn how to replace minimizing language with confident communication that builds credibility, clarity, and leadership presence — without sounding arrogant or aggressive.
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💪 Speak like the leader you are.
Tag me on IG @ordinarytobadass with your takeaways from this episode.
Think your hard work will speak for itself? Think again.
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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 action + self-advocacy = career freedom.
✨ Theme: Skill-Building Strategies & Confidence Without Apology
You’ll hear:
🔥 Why “hope is not a strategy” when it comes to promotions
...💡 How to use Rosie’s Promotion Readiness Roadmap to prepare year-round
...💬 Why advocating for yourself isn’t arrogance—it’s leadership
...💪 The mindset shifts that turn fear and failure into fuel
Plus, Marie gets real about her own limiting beliefs around money, love, and success—and what it means to choose your destiny, even when the metrics mess with your mind.
🎯 Never, ever shrink for a seat at the table—because you were born to build it.
Ever wondered what 140 miles of blisters, coffee stops, and breathtaking views can teach you about confidence and leadership?
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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.
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From facing brutal hills to realizing that momentum is medicine, she reveals how the trail reshaped her view of work, balance, and what it really means to be a badass.
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You’ll hear:
🔥 Why preparation matters more than the finish line—and how “ordinary” days build extraordinary results.
💡 How doing it your way (even when it’s unconventional) leads to lasting confidence.
💬 Why kindness, connection, and accepting help might be the strongest forms of leadership.
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If you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or like you’ve lost your spark—this one’s your reminder that you can do hard things, you can start again, and you don’t have to follow anyone else’s path to be powerful.
🎧 Listen now and walk the Camino one step at a time—with lessons you can carry into every area of your life.
👉 Follow @OrdinaryToBadass on IG for more stories of confidence, leadership, and badass growth.
Think dropping hints is “kinder” than being direct? Think again.
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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 shift from irritation to influence.
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✨ Theme: Skill-Building Strategies + Mindset Breakthroughs
...We’re talking about leading with clarity, building trust that lasts, and ditching the behaviors that keep your team second-guessing you.
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You’ll hear:
🔥 Why passive-aggressive habits erode trust faster than you realize
💡 A simple 5-step framework to handle tough conversations without the side-eye or sarcasm
💬 How being direct (without being a jerk) actually makes you a stronger, more respected leader
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🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
...💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this episode called you out in the best way
...⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because the world doesn’t need another “nice” leader who avoids conflict. It needs you leading with confidence.
Think courage means being fearless? Think again.
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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.
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✨ Theme: Resilience Stories + Mindset Breakthroughs
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We’re talking about leading with courage even when fear tags along, letting go of emotional baggage that weighs you down, and refusing to let anyone else write your story.
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You’ll hear:
🔥 Why courage isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about action anyway
💡 How persistence (not pace) creates real leadership impact
💬 The game-changing power of “traveling lightly” in leadership and life
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG with which lesson hit you hardest
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because the world doesn’t need leaders who wait for permission. It needs you, stepping into your story now.
Think courage has an age limit? Think again.
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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 Stories + Mindset Breakthroughs
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We’re talking about letting go of what weighs you down, finding courage in the messy middle, and realizing it’s never too late to live boldly.
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You’ll hear:
🔥 How grief, career pivots, and the wilderness shaped Diane’s confidence
💡 Why “traveling lightly” isn’t just about backpacks—it’s about life and leadership
💬 What it really takes to stand your ground, speak up, and refuse to shrink in male-dominated rooms.
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this episode fired you up
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because the world doesn’t need another carbon-copy leader. It needs you in your full badassery.
🎉 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.
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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 the truth behind Tracy Litt’s powerful reminder: “You are done being available for being against yourself.”
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✨ Theme: Confidence Without Apology
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We’re talking about:
🔥 Why ordinary habits often build the most badass results
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💡 How to silence that inner critic before she talks you out of your own greatness
...💬 Why your different way of leading might be exactly what your team needs
Whether it’s Bridget Jones owning her quirks or Ted Lasso leading with heart, this episode is your reminder that you don’t need perfection to lead—you just need belief in yourself.
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⭐ If this episode fired you up, share it on IG and tag me @ordinarytobadass. I’d love to hear what feels ordinary vs. badass in your world right now.
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Because the truth is simple: the world doesn’t need another carbon copy leader. The world needs you
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 why failure isn’t proof you’re unqualified—it’s proof you’re in the arena.
✨ Theme: Resilience Stories & Mindset Breakthroughs
We’re talking about the grit it takes to stay in the game, reframing setbacks into stepping stones, and why perseverance matters more than perfection.
You’ll hear:
🔥 Real stories from Marie’s own career—including the promotion she almost missed.
💡 10 iconic women who failed first (Oprah, Beyoncé, Sara Blakely, Lady Gaga, and more).
💬 A powerful reminder that your failed attempts don’t disqualify you—they shape your winning story.
🎁 Want the step-by-step playbook to land your next promotion? Check out Marie’s new course: How to Get the Promotion You Deserve—and Thrive as a Leader.
How to get the promotion you deserve Final
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review the podcast—your support helps more badass women rise into leadership.
Think promotions automatically go to the hardest worker in the room? Think again.
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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 get tapped for leadership while others get overlooked.
✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking about what it really takes to be seen, valued, and considered leadership material.
You’ll hear:
🔥 Why “humble” doesn’t get you promoted—and what does.
💡 3 practical shifts you can make right now to start positioning yourself for leadership.
💬 The mindset switch that turns self-doubt into strategy.
🎁 Want first access (and bonus extras) when Marie’s course How to Get the Promotion You Deserve—and Thrive as a Leader opens? Join the waitlist now: ordinarytobadass.com/promotion-waitlist
⭐ If this episode hit home, leave a review and share it with a friend who’s ready to stop being invisible at work.
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 sharing, and finally be seen for the badass leader you already are.
You’ll hear:
🔥 Why staying quiet and “letting your work speak for itself” keeps you invisible
💡 The 3 steps to share your wins with confidence, not ego
💬 A personal story of how not speaking up cost me an opportunity—and how you can avoid the same mistake
If you’ve ever worried that self-promotion = arrogance, this episode will flip that belief on its head.
🎁 Get on the waitlist for my brand-new course How to Get the Promotion You Deserve—and Thrive as a Leader → ordinarytobadass.com/promotion-waitlist
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—because more women deserve to own their wins and step into leadership.
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 Breakthroughs + Skill-Building Strategies
We’re talking about how to lead without a roadmap, build confidence in the unknown, and find allies (even when you think you don’t have any).
You’ll hear:
🔥 Why doubts about “doing it right” are actually proof you’re the leader we need
💡 How to create your own “promotion playbook” so you’re never scrambling for answers
💬 Why your best leadership mentors might be outside your industry—and how to find them
🎁 Get on the waitlist for my upcoming course How to Get the Promotion You Deserve—and Thrive as a Leader at ordinarytobadass.com/promotion-waitlist
💬 DM me on IG [@ordinarytobadass] if this episode hit home
⭐ If you loved this, share it with the woman who’s ready to stop being overlooked and start owning her leadership.
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 + Purpose-Driven Leadership
We’re talking soul-aligned ambition, breaking up with people-pleasing, and finally trusting yourself to want more.
You’ll hear:
🔥 The mic-drop quote that’ll snap you out of waiting for permission
💡 Why “following the rules” isn’t a shortcut to fulfillment
💬 A mindset reframe that’ll have you reevaluating your resume today
🎁 Grab the free guide Breaking Barriers to stop shrinking and start building a career that reflects your actual power.
💬 DM @ordinarytobadass if you felt this in your bones
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because we don’t gatekeep growth around here 💥
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 professionally.
✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Resilience Stories
We’re talking radical self-trust, money confidence, and designing a career that works for you.
You’ll hear:
🔥 How Pav went from hiding behind a corporate identity to boldly owning her true voice
💡 The one mindset shift that helped her stop waiting for permission—and start creating freedom
💬 What it looks like to rewrite your entire definition of success (and do it without guilt)
🎁 Grab the free [5-Minute to Badassery Assessment] at [ordinarytobadass.com/promotioncourse]
💬 DM me [@ordinarytobadass] if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—like a standing ovation in Apple Podcasts form 💁♀️
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 lead like you.
✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking how to stop waiting for permission, adapt without shrinking, and lead with more impact and less burnout.
You’ll hear:
🔥 Why being underestimated is actually leverage
💡 How to adapt without erasing who you are
💬 The reframe that turns self-doubt into strategy
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me “TACTICAL” on Instagram @ordinarytobadass and I’ll send you a journaling prompt to reclaim your voice
⭐ If this hit you like a wake-up call, rate + review the show—because every star is a mic drop for women rewriting leadership norms
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 what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and zero apologies.
✨ Theme: Leadership That Doesn’t Sound Like a TED Talk
We’re talking tactical confidence, spiritual strength, and bold moves that break invisible rules.
You’ll hear:
🔥 How to play office politics without compromising your values
💡 What to say when people underestimate you—and why language matters more than you think
💬 Why being “the first” is brutal... and also beautifully necessary
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—think of it like sending your favorite rebel a shot of espresso in review form ☕💥
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.
✨ Theme: Resilience Stories / Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking confidence when you’re underestimated, leadership that doesn’t ask for permission, and becoming the disruptor they didn’t see coming.
You’ll hear:
🔥 How Darlene went from “not qualified” to being called the best leader out of 350
💡 Why being the first—or only—woman in the room can actually be your power
💬 What to do when you’re doubting yourself and how to build your Badass Brag File
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM @ordinarytobadass if this fired you up
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—because one woman’s badass move can spark a whole damn movement
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 a masterclass in leading with grit, growth, and guts.
✨ Theme: Resilience Stories / Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking about owning your power, redefining what leadership looks like, and fighting for your health and voice when the system counts you out.
You’ll hear:
🔥 What Darlene did when her own team doubted her leadership (and how she earned their respect anyway)
💡 Why your resume isn’t the whole story—and how Darlene got hired for a VP role she “wasn’t qualified” for
💬 How stress, trauma, and perfectionism shaped (and nearly broke) her—and the practices that helped her heal and rise
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you in the gut
⭐ If this episode lit a fire under you, rate + review like you’re giving your badass mentor a standing ovation.
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 through what to do when leadership feels more like emotional whiplash than celebration.
✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Resilience in Leadership
We’re talking:
The identity shift no one prepares you for
Why emotional intelligence is your actual superpower
The truth about loneliness at the top (and how to reframe it)
You’ll hear:
🔥 A story of showing up while holding back tears
💡 Why empathy and intuition make you a better leader—not a weaker one
💬 A challenge to name one leadership truth you wish someone had told you sooner
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
⭐ Rate + review—because other badass women need to hear this too
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.
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From crying in the car to calling out condescending vendors, this is the pep talk (and permission slip) every badass woman in leadership needs.
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✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
...We’re talking:
Letting go of popularity contests
Leading even when it’s lonely
Speaking up for the promotion you deserve
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You’ll hear:
🔥 Why losing friendships is sometimes the price of leveling up
...💡 How to document your own playbook (even when no one shows you how)
...💬 What Beth Dutton can teach you about taking up space without apology.
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🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide: OrdinaryToBadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you in the gut
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—because this isn’t just a podcast, it’s a movement 💥
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 know when it’s time to move on.
✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking:
Letting go of roles that no longer serve you
Leading without shrinking
And training your inner voice to stop dragging you down
You’ll hear:
🔥 The dog-on-a-nail story that changed how Marie viewed “staying stuck”
💡 A powerful reframe: quitting isn’t failure—it’s strategy
💬 The mic-drop mantra: “I don’t stay just to prove a point. I move to make one.”
🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM Marie @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because this isn’t your average leadership podcast. It’s for the ones building their own rooms.
