Hosted by CEO, leadership expert, keynote speaker and author Jaime Taets, Go First explores what happens when successful people stop waiting for certainty and start moving before they feel ready.
Through honest conversations with CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs, athletes and high-performing leaders — along with Jaime's solo insights — the show goes behind the highlight reel to explore the decisions, fears, failures and transformations that shape successful people.
Episodes explore leadership development, personal growth, resilience, burnout, decision-making, vulnerability, organizational change, energy, purpose and what it takes to create meaningful change in your work and life.
Because clarity doesn't always come before action. Sometimes you have to Go First.
If you're navigating a career transition, leading through change, questioning what success means now, facing a difficult decision or simply know there's another version of yourself waiting on the other side of action, this podcast is for you.
Go First with Jaime Taets gives leaders practical insights, honest stories and the courage to take the next meaningful step.
Why leaders keep hitting play: 1. It names the fear you're not supposed to admit. Waiting to feel ready is often just waiting. If you're a leader stuck at the edge of a decision, hoping for more certainty before you move, this show gives you permission and a push to go first anyway.
2. It's tactical, not just inspirational. Every episode delivers frameworks you can use immediately - how to separate the fear you should listen to from the fear that's just noise, how to make a decision without full information, how to build the kind of energy management that makes moving first sustainable instead of reckless.
3. The guests have actually gone first. This isn't theory from consultants who've never made the call under pressure. Listeners have heard from a crisis-communications founder who rebuilt her career and her family through her son's cancer diagnosis, a Super Bowl champion who had to find purpose beyond the game that defined him, and CEOs who scaled companies while unlearning the need to have all the answers before they acted.
4. It reframes hesitation as a leadership signal, not a character flaw. Instead of glorifying certainty, Go First treats the instinct to wait as data, a signal about what you're actually afraid of losing, and what needs to change so you can move anyway.
5. It's built for the leader standing at the edge of their next decision. Whether you're weighing a career pivot, a business bet, a hard conversation, or a change you already know you need to make, this show offers a way to move, not just a reason to keep thinking about it.
Who should listen to Go First: Executives, founders, entrepreneurs, coaches, and high-performing professionals who know what they should do next but are stuck waiting to feel ready. If you Google "how to make decisions without all the information," "overcoming fear of failure as a leader," "how to take action despite uncertainty," or "podcast for leaders who feel stuck," this is the show built for exactly that search.
What you'll actually learn: How to make high-stakes decisions before you have full information. How to tell the difference between the fear that protects you and the fear that stalls you. Practical energy management for leaders operating without a guarantee. Why the leaders who move first aren't fearless, they've just built a different relationship with fear. How clarity is a result of action, not a precondition for it.
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Stop Seeking External Validation to Feel Worthy: A Solo Episode on the Addiction to Validation
Épisode 113
mardi 15 septembre 2026 • Durée 12:43
Why do so many leaders feel empty despite achieving everything they set out to accomplish? The answer might surprise you. It's not about insecurity or weakness. It's about validation, and it's addictive.
In this solo episode, Jaime Taets pulls back the curtain on a theme she's seen emerging in leaders everywhere: the relentless need for external approval. She shares why validation isn't about being insecure, how early career success trains us to seek it, and why the addiction cycle keeps leaders chasing applause that never lasts.
If you've ever felt like you're performing for an audience that's never satisfied, or you're staying in rooms you've outgrown because they still make you feel needed, this episode is for you. It's a call to examine your motivations, find worth in the quiet, unseen work, and ground your value in who you are, not what you achieve.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Welcome and why these solo episodes exist 1:15 The theme emerging from leaders 2:11 Why validation isn't about insecurity 3:44 How success trains us to seek approval 4:57 The addiction cycle of validation 6:15 When validation becomes a dependency 7:30 The ego trap of senior leadership 8:45 Where are you seeking validation? 9:47 The quieter work no one applauds 10:30 Examining your motivations 11:12 Internal vs. external validation 11:57 Inspiring others by going first 12:31 Closing reflection
Quotes from the Episode
"Validation is addictive."
"Yesterday's applause doesn't last today. Today you need more of it."
"If you can remain grounded in who you are when the world is no longer validating you, that's the real test of leadership."
Leadership Insights
Q: Why is validation addictive for leaders? A: Validation triggers the same reward pathways in the brain as other addictive behaviors. Early career success trains leaders to seek approval through performance, problem-solving, and visible achievements. Over time, that need for external validation becomes a dependency. It requires more frequent and bigger wins to feel the same sense of worth. The applause that once felt satisfying no longer lasts, and leaders find themselves chasing the next achievement just to feel seen.
Q: How can leaders break the cycle of seeking validation? A: Breaking the cycle starts with examining your motivations. Ask yourself: Am I taking this on because it's the right thing to do, or because I want to be seen? Are you staying in rooms you've outgrown because they still make you feel needed? The shift happens when you begin to find worth in the quiet, unseen work and ground your value in who you are, not what you achieve. The real test of leadership is whether you can remain grounded when the world stops applauding.
If this episode challenged how you think about validation and leadership, share it with another leader who needs to hear it.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
Redefining Success After the Title Is Gone: Dr. Linda Schubring on Identity, Control & Healing
Épisode 112
mardi 8 septembre 2026 • Durée 46:28
What happens when the mountain you finally climbed disappears beneath your feet? Dr. Linda Schubring faced that exact moment and learned that losing a job doesn't mean losing your purpose.
Dr. Linda Schubring joins Jaime Taets for an honest conversation about leadership, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to heal. Linda shares her journey from aspiring college president to reaching a leadership role at 29, losing that position, rebuilding her identity, becoming a mother and business owner, and navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Along the way, she discovered that our hardest experiences can become sources of wisdom, connection, and contribution. Together, Linda and Jaime explore why leaders need to manage their hunger for control and importance, how to separate identity from work, and what it really means to heal.
If you're navigating transition, redefining success, or leading through uncertainty, this conversation will give you a different way to think about what's next.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Dr. Linda Schubring 2:18 Linda's leadership journey: the mountaintop 4:04 You can have more than one mountain 6:15 Three lessons from reaching the top 11:42 When success doesn't protect you from setbacks 14:11 Separating your identity from your work 17:00 Turning difficult experiences into contribution 21:59 Learning to heal through adversity 28:23 What Linda had to unlearn 29:24 Redefining success 31:24 Managing your hungers for control and importance 34:20 Managing your energy as a leader 38:40 Hope, resilience, and leadership 42:46 Linda's book and leadership influences 44:10 Reflect, act, reflect
Guest Bio
Dr. Linda Schubring is a leadership coach, author, speaker, and co-founder of Leadership Vision Consulting. She helps leaders, teams, and organizations become healthier, more engaged, and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. She is also the national bestselling author of .
Leadership Burnout: The Real Cause and What Leaders Get Wrong with Jaime Taets
Épisode 111
mardi 18 août 2026 • Durée 10:24
What happens when you're a high-performing leader who loves the work, but you're exhausted in a way that a vacation won't fix? Jaime Taets gets honest about her own journey with burnout and what she's learned about the weight of responsibility.
Jaime shares why burnout is one of the most overused words in leadership, and why it's often misunderstood. It's not about hating your job. It's about caring so much that you take on everything: every problem, every outcome, everyone's emotions. That sense of responsibility is what makes you successful, but it can also quietly become the thing that drains you.
She explores the difference between rest and recovery, why letting go of control is harder than it sounds, and how a thousand small shifts can create more space than one dramatic change. She also challenges leaders to ask themselves one question: What are you carrying today that might not be yours to carry?
If you've ever said "I'm busy" when asked how you are, or felt like you can't set anything down, this episode is for you.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Welcome to Go First 1:30 Why burnout is overused and misunderstood 2:15 Working hard vs. carrying too much responsibility 3:45 The fatigue of believing nothing can be set down 5:30 Why success increases the weight you carry 6:45 Letting go of what used to be yours 8:00 Rest vs. recovery 9:15 What are you carrying that isn't yours to carry?
Quotes from the Episode
"Burnout isn't always caused by working too many hours. It comes from carrying too much responsibility for too long."
"The better you perform, the more successful you are, the more responsibility you carry."
"It's not one dramatic decision that fixes burnout. It's a thousand small ones."
Leadership Insights
Q: What is leadership burnout? A: Leadership burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged responsibility, decision fatigue, and the pressure to hold everything together. Unlike general tiredness, burnout often affects leaders who love their work and care deeply, but have taken on more than they can sustainably carry. It's not about working too many hours. It's about carrying too much responsibility for too long.
From Problem Solver to Coach: Matt Ropchak on Imposter Syndrome, Leadership Development & Redefining Success
Épisode 110
vendredi 7 août 2026 • Durée 39:45
Leadership development doesn't happen where you're comfortable. Matt Ropchak shares why the biggest breakthroughs begin the moment you stop keeping both feet in the familiar.
Leadership development isn't about collecting promotions. It's about growing through uncertainty, embracing discomfort, and developing people instead of simply solving problems. Matt Ropchak joins Jaime Taets to share the experiences that reshaped his leadership, from overcoming imposter syndrome to surviving a life-changing heart attack that redefined his perspective on success. Together, Matt and Jaime explore why leaders should embrace change, coach instead of always providing the answers, and build a legacy by developing others.
Whether you're leading through uncertainty or redefining success, this conversation will give you a different way to think about what's next.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Matt Ropchak 2:11 The pivotal moment that changed everything 3:44 Don't keep both of your feet in the familiar 8:57 From imposter syndrome to confident leadership 11:13 Coaching instead of providing all the answers 15:13 Leadership, priorities, and making difficult decisions 22:50 The life-changing health event that shifted everything 30:11 Redefining success and building a lasting legacy 39:05 Leadership habits, mindset, and final reflections
Guest Bio
Matt Ropchak is President of Orvita US, bringing nearly three decades of leadership experience in engineering, operations, and supply chain. Before joining Orvita, he spent 27 years at General Mills, including an expat assignment in Europe and leading the Canadian supply chain. He helps organizations build high-performing teams through authentic leadership and resilience.
Quotes from the Episode
"Don't keep both of your feet in the familiar."
"Coach more. Solve less."
"Your attitude makes a difference every day. Are you gonna be a disease or are you gonna be a miracle drug?"
You Have the Right to Dream and Change: Andrea Sullivan on Identity, Success & Doing the Damn Thing
Épisode 108
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 35:22
What happens when you finally achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to realize it doesn't feel like enough? Andrea Sullivan shares why your next chapter may begin when you give yourself permission to dream again.
Personal growth can require letting go of the identity that made you successful. Andrea Sullivan, CEO and Co-Founder of vYve and former Chief Marketing Officer of VaynerX and Interbrand, joins Jaime Taets for a candid conversation about identity, success, and the courage to become someone new. Andrea shares her journey from the Midwest to New York City, through nearly two decades in corporate leadership and into entrepreneurship. Along the way, she discovered that titles, achievements, and external validation can become so closely tied to our identity that they eventually keep us from seeing what could come next.
Together, Andrea and Jaime explore identity shifts, imposter syndrome, community, resilience, intuition, and why what got you here won't get you where you're going next. They also talk about finding the right rooms, creating space for reflection, and becoming more human in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Whether you're navigating a career transition, redefining success, or wondering what's next, this conversation will give you permission to dream again.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Andrea Sullivan 6:04 From corporate leadership to building vYve 7:30 When success looks right but doesn't feel right 10:39 You have the right to dream and change 13:50 Why the rooms you're in shape your growth 14:47 Letting go of titles, achievement, and external validation 17:09 Discovering who you are beyond serving others 19:44 Redefining success and releasing the CMO identity 22:15 What got you here won't get you there 25:29 Finding grounding through running and active meditation 28:16 You don't have to navigate your next chapter alone 32:06 Trusting your intuition 33:26 Andrea's message for leaders
Guest Bio
You Have the Right to Dream: Lindsay Holden on Building Odele, Intuition & Progress Over Perfection
Épisode 109
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 36:17
You don't need to have everything figured out before taking the next step. Lindsay Holden shares why trusting your instincts, embracing progress over perfection, and believing in your vision can lead to extraordinary growth.
Building a successful business isn't about having all the answers. It's about staying curious, making decisions with confidence, and continuing to move forward even when the path isn't clear. Lindsay Holden, Co-Founder of Odele Beauty, joins Jaime Taets to share her journey from leading merchandising at Target to building one of the fastest-growing hair care brands in mass retail. Together, they explore trusting your intuition, navigating the shift from founder to leader, balancing growth with personal priorities, and why there is no single formula for success.
Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or preparing for your next big leap, this conversation will give you a different way to think about what's next.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Lindsay Holden 2:15 Leaving corporate life to build Odele 8:42 Building a brand with purpose and accessibility 15:10 Progress over perfection in entrepreneurship 22:18 Transitioning from founder to leader 30:40 Protecting creativity, energy, and relationships 38:12 Learning to trust your intuition 46:05 There's no one right way to build success 51:30 Bonus Round
Guest Bio
Lindsay Holden is the Co-Founder of Odele Beauty, a fast-growing hair care brand redefining premium products at accessible prices. After spending eight years as a merchant at Target, she co-founded Odele in 2020, growing the company to more than 15,000 retail locations nationwide. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, and building brands that combine purpose, performance, and accessibility.
Quotes from the Episode
"Progress over perfection."
"There's no one right way to do anything."
Leadership Burnout: Alignment Is Not a Soft Skill with Erin Newkirk
Épisode 100
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 38:42
Leadership burnout isn't always about working too hard—it can be a signal that something is out of alignment. Erin Newkirk shares why leaders need to pause, ground themselves, manage their energy, and stop confusing performative work with productive leadership.
Erin Newkirk joins Jaime Taets for a conversation about career transitions, leadership, energy management, and the inner work that often gets ignored when success becomes the goal. From General Mills to entrepreneurship, healthcare, and Caribou Coffee, Erin's career has been less about climbing a straight ladder and more about building a body of work around her strengths, curiosity, creativity, and purpose.
Jaime and Erin explore why alignment is not a soft skill, how burnout can reveal deeper misalignment, and why leaders don't have to be "on" all the time. They discuss Erin's four-step process of grounding in reality, opening to possibilities, leading with love, and taking aligned action—and why becoming your own Chief Energy Officer may be one of the most important leadership skills you can develop.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Erin Newkirk and Her Career Journey 4:05 Why Careers Aren’t Supposed to Be a Straight Line 6:19 The Hidden Cost of Misalignment and Burnout 9:04 Erin’s Four-Step Process for Getting Unstuck 15:06 Energy Management: Breathing, Meditation, and Daily Rituals 22:25 Redefining Success Around Fulfillment 23:51 Becoming Your Own Chief Energy Officer 26:26 What to Do When You’re Stuck: Ground in Reality
Guest Bio
Erin Newkirk is a brand-building and marketing leader whose career spans General Mills, entrepreneurship, consumer technology, healthcare, advisory work, and Caribou Coffee. She has worked on major brands including Cheerios, Old El Paso, and Pillsbury and later founded the consumer technology startup Breadstamp, growing it to a few million users before selling it to Taylor Corporation.
Erin went on to lead marketing and brand strategy at Caribou Coffee before beginning her next career chapter. Her leadership philosophy centers on alignment, inner work, curiosity, creativity, energy management, and building a career around strengths rather than simply chasing titles.
Filter the Voices Holding You Back with Giselle Ugarte
Épisode 106
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 37:43
You control more than you think. Giselle Ugarte shares why you're more powerful than you realize and how to stop giving your power away to other people's opinions.
Giselle Ugarte, performance coach, international speaker, and executive coach, joins Jaime Taets for a candid conversation about control, confidence, authenticity, and the pressure of other people's expectations.
After leaving college without a plan, Giselle reinvented herself multiple times before launching her own business during the pandemic. She opens up about difficult seasons involving mental health, illness, and identity — and how those experiences taught her to take responsibility for what she can control. She also shares a powerful mindset shift: "Respectfully, you are not my audience." Not everyone who loves you or has an opinion about your choices is qualified to advise you on where you're going next.
Jaime and Giselle discuss how to filter outside opinions, ask for the support you need, and build a circle that helps you grow. They explore why authentic connection requires someone to go first, how vulnerability creates a ripple effect, and why success is ultimately about using what you've been given to make a positive impact on others.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Giselle Ugarte 3:05 From TV Host to Entrepreneur: Reinventing Yourself 7:00 The Importance of Being Seen and Sharing Your Story 9:00 Health Struggles and Showing Up Authentically 13:23 Changing Your Identity and Your Circle 16:00 How to Handle Criticism Without Becoming Defensive 19:12 Letting Go of Family Approval 22:58 "Respectfully, You Are Not My Audience" 25:22 Redefining Success and Creating a Ripple Effect 29:19 Protecting Your Energy and Building a Reflection Practice 34:31 Ask for the Support You Need
Guest Bio
Giselle Ugarte is a performance coach, international speaker, executive coach, and professional speaker. Her career has included television hosting, multiple career reinventions, and launching her own business during the pandemic. Her work centers on confidence, trusting yourself, authenticity, purpose, and helping people recognize their full potential.
The Fear You Choose: Kristi Piehl on Resilience, Hard Things & Choosing Fear Before It Chooses You
Épisode 107
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 30:09
Resilience isn't built only when life gets hard. Kristi Piehl explains why choosing difficult things when you can may prepare you for the fear you can't choose.
Kristi Piehl, Founder and CEO of Media Minefield, joins Jaime Taets for a vulnerable conversation about resilience, fear, leadership, identity, and the moments that force us to rethink what matters most. After losing her television news career during the 2008 economic crisis, Kristi spent nearly two years figuring out what came next before founding Media Minefield. Years later, her son's cancer diagnosis created another life-changing moment that reshaped her perspective on family, work, success, and what truly matters. Through both experiences, Kristi learned to control what she could control, lean on community, and choose the hard things when they were still a choice.
Together, Jaime and Kristi discuss how difficult experiences can clarify your values rather than completely change who you are. They explore why leaders need to know who they are, why you cannot go through hard times alone, how relationships can change during adversity, and why success can ultimately mean having the freedom to make meaningful choices and help others.
Whether you're facing a crisis, navigating transition, or simply wondering how to build resilience before you need it, this conversation will give you a different way to think about fear and hard things.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Kristi Piehl 2:35 From TV news reporter to entrepreneur 7:51 Control what you can control 9:26 Choose hard before life chooses it for you 11:23 When adversity reveals what really matters 12:59 Success equals freedom 16:32 Know who you are before you lead others 21:22 Take the next right step 23:28 The fear you choose vs. the fear that chooses you 28:26 Be yourself, lean into it, and leave a trail
Guest Bio
Kristi Piehl is the Founder and CEO of Media Minefield, a national award-winning public relations firm specializing in media relations, executive social media, reputation management, crisis communication, and training. Before launching Media Minefield in 2010, Kristi spent 12 years as an Emmy Award-winning television news reporter. She is also the author of , host of the Flip Your Script podcast, an experienced keynote speaker, and a Forbes Councils contributor. Kristi has been recognized with multiple PRNEWS awards and named one of Minnesota's 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders. She earned her Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School.
Trust With Yourself Before You Chase More Success with Ashley Hawks
Épisode 101
lundi 3 août 2026 • Durée 49:46
Trust with yourself is the foundation of sustainable success. Ashley Hawks shares what happened when the success she built no longer made her happy and how she rebuilt her life, leadership, and purpose from the inside out.
Ashley Hawks, serial entrepreneur and owner of SOAR Leadership Groups, joins Jaime Taets for an honest conversation about what happens behind the highlight reel. From building and selling Forever Bride to David's Bridal, navigating corporate leadership, health challenges, burnout, and nearly losing connection with her marriage, Ashley explains why reaching the top is not always the finish line.
Jaime and Ashley explore self-trust, sustainable success, leadership burnout, radical accountability, energy management, and redefining what success actually means. Ashley shares practical ways to create momentum through small actions, protect your energy, and stop letting perfectionism dictate your decisions.
Timestamped Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Ashley Hawks
2:04 From Bridal Shop Roots to Entrepreneurship
7:25 When Success Doesn't Feel Successful
8:42 Childhood Experiences, Identity, and Community
12:39 The Hidden Cost of the Girl Boss Mentality
17:10 When Business Success Hides Relationship Problems
24:18 Radical Accountability and Owning Your Choices
27:51 Redefining What Success Actually Means
29:38 Why Meaningful Friendships Matter
34:46 Ready, Fire, Aim: Stop Waiting for Perfect
37:00 How to Get Unstuck Through Small Movements
38:41 Building Trust with Yourself
39:00 The People Around You Shape Your Life
44:04 Finding the Right Rooms and Communities
Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane
Quotes from the Episode
"You can lose your job, but that doesn't mean you lose your purpose."
"Healing is different from moving on."
"Reflect, act, reflect, act, reflect, act."
Leadership Insights
Q: What does it mean to manage your hunger as a leader?
A: Managing your hunger means recognizing and regulating the internal drives that can influence how you lead. Drawing from the adaptive leadership work of Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky, Dr. Linda Schubring explains that leaders need to manage their hunger for control and their hunger for importance rather than allowing those desires to control their behavior. When leaders don't manage what drives them, they can become rigid, defensive, or disconnected from the people they lead.
Q: Why is separating identity from work important for leaders?
A: Separating identity from work allows leaders to recognize that losing a role, title, or position does not mean losing their purpose or worth. Linda's experience of having her leadership position eliminated forced her to reconsider who she was beyond her career. That separation ultimately opened the door to new forms of leadership, family, business, and contribution. When you know who you are beyond your title, you lead with more freedom and less fear.
If this conversation gave you a new perspective on leadership, identity, or navigating a difficult season, share it with another leader who may need to hear it.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
Q: Why do leaders struggle to let go of responsibility? A: Leaders often tie their identity and value to their ability to solve problems and make decisions. Letting go can feel like losing usefulness. But holding onto tasks that others can do limits growth for both the leader and their team. Learning to release responsibility is a sign of maturity, not weakness. The shift happens when you begin to see recovery not as rest, but as a practice of clearing mental space and imagining a different way of being.
If this episode shifted how you think about burnout, share it with a fellow leader who needs to hear it.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
Leadership Insights
Q: What is leadership development? A: Leadership development is the ongoing process of building the mindset, skills, and behaviors needed to lead people effectively. It includes self-awareness, coaching others, sound decision-making, and continuous growth through new challenges. As Matt Ropchak explains, it means shifting from "doing" to "leading"; creating the next set of capable people rather than solving every problem yourself.
Q: Why is stepping outside your comfort zone important for leaders? A: Leaders grow by intentionally taking on unfamiliar challenges. Matt learned this firsthand when he took a role that moved him across geographies, cultures, and functions simultaneously. Stepping beyond what's comfortable builds confidence, adaptability, and stronger decision-making while preparing leaders to navigate change. The hard things are what make you better.
If this episode challenged the way you think about leadership development, share it with another leader who could benefit from these insights.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
Andrea Sullivan is the CEO and Co-Founder of vYve, a company focused on helping entrepreneurs and C-suite leaders become their best and happiest selves. She previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerX and Interbrand, building a career around branding, leadership, and helping organizations and leaders grow. Through vYve, Andrea helps high-performing leaders explore where they may be stuck, identify what is holding them back, and design their next chapter with greater clarity and authenticity.
Quotes from the Episode
"You have the right to dream and to realize those dreams."
"What got us here is definitely not going to be getting us to wherever it is that we're going."
"We're not in this alone."
Leadership Insights
Q: What is personal growth for leaders?
A: Personal growth is the ongoing process of becoming more self-aware, resilient, and intentional about who you are and what you want next. Andrea's story shows that growth can mean letting go of an identity built around titles, achievements, and external expectations so you can make room for a more authentic version of yourself. It often requires stepping into new rooms and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to evolve.
Q: Why can identity hold successful leaders back?
A: When titles, achievements, reputation, and external validation become part of how leaders define themselves, letting go of them can feel like losing part of who you are. Andrea experienced this firsthand when she wanted to hold onto her CMO title even after launching vYve. Releasing that identity created space to dream again, trust her intuition, and step into a new chapter she never imagined for herself.
Resources
Learn more about vYve and its community for entrepreneurs and leaders.
Learn more about Jaime Taets and her leadership work.
If this conversation challenged the way you think about personal growth, identity, or success, share it with another leader who could benefit from these insights.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
"Trust your intuition."
Leadership Insights
Q: Why is trusting your intuition important in leadership?
A: Strong leaders gather advice, but they don't ignore their own experience. As Lindsay Holden explains, founders and leaders know more than they think they know. Trusting your instincts allows you to make confident decisions while staying true to your values, especially during periods of growth and uncertainty. Balance the opinions of others with what your gut tells you.
Q: What does progress over perfection mean for leaders?
A: Waiting for perfect conditions often slows growth. Leaders who embrace progress over perfection learn from mistakes, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward instead of becoming stuck by fear or unrealistic expectations. As Lindsay shares, mistakes happen even printing errors on product packaging but they don't derail the mission. Learn, fix, and keep going.
If this episode encouraged you to dream bigger and trust your own leadership journey, share it with someone who needs the reminder.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
Quotes from the Episode
"Alignment is not a soft skill."
"The who is even more important than the what."
"Don't compromise who you are and what you believe in."
Leadership Insights
What is leadership burnout?
Leadership burnout can happen when the way a leader is operating becomes disconnected from their values, energy, purpose, or the environment around them. Erin describes the importance of recognizing the "slow burn" of cognitive dissonance and misalignment rather than waiting for a major crisis to force a change.
What does alignment mean in leadership?
Alignment means creating greater consistency between who you are, what you value, the work you're doing, the people you're working with, and the purpose you're pursuing. Erin explains that when purpose, people, process, and platforms aren't working together, leaders can experience dissonance, lack of growth, and burnout.
How can leaders become their own Chief Energy Officer?
Being your own Chief Energy Officer means taking responsibility for understanding and managing your energy rather than constantly saying yes or trying to remain "on." Erin emphasizes practices such as deep breathing, meditation, reflection, journaling, stillness, curiosity, and being intentional about what you put on your plate.
If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure why success no longer feels the way you expected it to, this conversation is a reminder to pause before pushing harder. Your discomfort may not mean something is wrong—it may be telling you that something needs to change.
Subscribe to View From the Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, resilience, personal growth, and the journey from success to significance.
Will see you at the top, and beyond.
Jaime Taets
Giselle is also the creator of Action-Forward Coaching, a confidence and communication boot camp designed to help you be seen and heard.
Quotes from the Episode
"Respectfully, you are not my audience."
"You are in more control than you think."
"Ask for what you need."
Leadership Insights
What does "control more than you think" mean?
"You control more than you think" means recognizing the areas of your life where you can take responsibility instead of giving all of your power to circumstances, other people, or outside opinions. Giselle encourages listeners to focus on what they can influence, ask for the support they need, and take ownership of the choices available to them.
How do you know whose advice to listen to?
Not everyone who gives you advice is qualified to guide your next move. Giselle's framework is to ask whether the person is your audience or a mentor: have they done what you're trying to do, or are they someone you actually want to serve? If not, their opinion may not deserve the weight you're giving it.
Why is it important to ask for support?
Many people expect others to read their minds and then feel disappointed when support doesn't come. Giselle explains that asking for help is part of taking responsibility. If you need encouragement, accountability, or a cheerleader, you have to name it and ask for it.
Resources
Connect with Giselle Ugarte: giselleugarte.com | Hub for performance coaching, speaking, and her newsletter.
If you have been waiting for permission to stop letting other people's opinions define your path, this is your sign. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that they are in more control than they think.
Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about control, confidence, and the journey from success to significance.
Will see you at the top, and beyond.
Jaime Taets
Flip Your Script: Own Your Story & Unlock the Positive Power of Social Media
Quotes from the Episode
"Choose hard when it's a choice."
"Success equals freedom."
"If you choose fear when you can, you are more ready to be available for the fear that chooses you."
Leadership Insights
Q: What is resilience and how can leaders build it before a crisis?
A: Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and continue moving forward when faced with difficult circumstances. Kristi's experience shows that resilience can be strengthened before a crisis by intentionally choosing challenges, building supportive relationships, and learning how to focus energy on what you can control. As she puts it, "Choose hard when it's a choice" practice doing difficult things in ordinary moments so you're more prepared when circumstances become genuinely difficult.
Q: How can difficult experiences change leadership and clarify values?
A: Difficult experiences can clarify what matters most without requiring someone to become an entirely different person. For Kristi, adversity reinforced the importance of family, meaningful work, authentic leadership, and using her position to help others. Rather than creating a new identity, hard times can "galvanize" the values you already have and show you what you're truly willing to fight for.
Resources
Learn more about Kristi Piehl and her work in leadership, media, and storytelling.
Explore Media Minefield, Kristi’s public relations and reputation management agency.
Listen to Flip Your Script, Kristi’s podcast about transformation, storytelling, and using social media for positive impact.
Learn more about Jaime Taets and her work in leadership development and organizational growth.
If this conversation challenged the way you think about resilience, fear, or the hard things in life, share it with another leader who could benefit from these insights.
Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.
Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.
Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.
Jaime Taets
46:43 You Are Worthy
Guest Bio
Ashley Hawks is a serial entrepreneur and owner of SOAR Leadership Groups, a community helping entrepreneurs and business leaders grow through connection and accountability. She previously built Forever Bride, which she sold to David's Bridal, before returning to her purpose of helping people build businesses while creating lives filled with health, relationships, and joy.
Quotes from the Episode
"Small actions create momentum and momentum creates trust with yourself."
"Self-discipline is the highest form of self-love."
"You are worthy."
Leadership Insights
What does it mean to trust with yourself?
Trusting yourself means consistently following through on the small commitments you make to yourself. Ashley explains that small actions, getting up when you said you would, moving your body, journaling, reaching out for help, or taking one uncomfortable step, create evidence that you can rely on yourself when bigger decisions arrive.
What is sustainable success?
Sustainable success is success that allows you to achieve meaningful professional goals without sacrificing your health, relationships, joy, or sense of purpose. For Ashley, success has shifted from titles and achievements to waking up genuinely excited about her day and building a life she actually enjoys.
Why is the voice in your head so powerful?
The negative voice in your head can grow louder over time, especially when you are trying to maintain a perfect outer shell and not asking for help. Ashley explains that you have to get control of that voice early on, because if you let it run rampant, it becomes harder and harder to quiet. The first step is recognizing that the voice is not telling you the truth.
If you have ever felt like you are succeeding on paper but falling apart inside, this conversation is your permission slip to stop pretending. Share it with a leader who needs to be reminded that they are worthy of building a life they actually enjoy.
Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about self-trust, sustainable success, and the journey from success to significance.
Will see you at the top, and beyond.
Jaime Taets
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