Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Elevated Leader with Leigh Ann Mastronardi

If you act rich before you are rich, you’ll stay broke. In this episode, I share why living below your means, delaying gratification, and committing to long-term stewardship is the foundation of true wealth. I talk about the early years of our marriage,renovating an old farmhouse ourselves, budgeting every dollar, driving a farm truck with the window stuck open in the dead of winter, and choosing discipline over appearances. This is a message every young entrepreneur needs to hear.

If you’re in your building season and want guidance, support, and someone to walk with you as you grow, I offer 1:1 mentorship for young entrepreneurs.
Book a free 30-minute call to talk about working together:Let’s Talk About Your Business Idea by @elevateleadershipmentor | Stan

What will people think?
That question stops more businesses from ever being born than failure ever will.

In this episode, Leigh Ann gets real about the fear of being judged, why it’s so common when you’re starting a business, and how to stop letting opinions hold you back. She shares her own stories of building multiple companies while tuning out the noise, plus the mindset shifts and practical tools that will help you finally launch what’s been sitting in your notes app.

If you’ve been scared to start, post, or speak up, this is your permission to stop waiting for approval and start building your dream.

🎧 Listen in to learn how to:

• Overcome fear of what others think

• Build confidence before you feel “ready”

• Take action even when it feels uncomfortable

👉 Apply for Leigh Ann’s 90 Days to Launch Mentorship, the program for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to build a business that actually takes off visit elevateleadershipmentor.com

If you’ve ever sat at your desk, stared out the window, and thought, “There has to be more than this,” this episode is your wake-up call.

You’re not broken. You’re just not meant to build someone else’s dream.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really means to be wired differently , how to know if you’re meant for the entrepreneurial path, why that restless feeling inside you isn’t a curse (it’s your calling), and how to finally take ownership of the life you’re here to build.

I’ll share the story of how I walked away from corporate life, what it taught me about leadership, and the mindset shift that changed everything.
You’ll leave this episode fired up, focused, and clear on one thing: now is the time to start building what’s yours.

🔥 Ready to take the first step?
Book a free Startup Strategy Call with me and let’s map out your next move:
👉 Book Your Strategy Call

What if the thing holding you back from your next level isn’t a lack of motivation, but what you do to escape it?

In this episode, Leigh Ann gets real about the habits that quietly kill drive, clarity, and purpose, especially in your twenties. She breaks down how alcohol affects your brain, your discipline, and your ability to stay connected to the vision God placed on your heart.

If you’ve ever wondered why your goals feel harder to reach when you’re “doing all the right things,” this conversation will shift your perspective. You’ll walk away with the truth about what the grind really looks like, how to protect your purpose, and why skipping the party might be the most powerful decision you ever make.

🎧 Tune in — then ask yourself: What if the thing you’re numbing is the very calling you’re meant to live out?

If this episode hits home and you’re ready to get serious about building the life and business you were meant for — not the one you’re settling for — book a free clarity call with me.

We’ll map out how to reconnect with your purpose, build momentum, and start leading the life God’s been calling you to.

👉 Book your call here: https://stan.store/elevateleadershipmentor/p/strategy-call-with-leigh-ann?fbclid=PAVERFWANJR0ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpxgpcX1nFf63HCUMc4H2Kp0m2oPV8t5TR7bqhHiTEmAaAXkNQuowJr09Kct-_aem_nQuJb89et9_H4AXhdrl46g

Everyone’s talking about how AI can start a business for you and while yes, AI can do a lot,vit will never replace the humanness of entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Leigh Ann breaks down how to leverage AI the right way  to move faster, get unstuck, and finally bring your business idea to life.

Whether you’re in your 20s with a big dream or stuck wondering where to start, this episode will give you the mindset and strategy to use AI as a launchpad, not a crutch.

You’ll learn how to use AI to brainstorm, plan, and execute while keeping your authenticity, leadership, and vision at the center.

💡 Because tools can build systems. But leaders  build businesses.

Ready to start yours?

I am launching a beta course:

90 Days to Launch & Lead

The step-by-step program for first-time entrepreneurs who want to build something real.

🔗 Book a free call with me to discuss your business idea https://stan.store/elevateleadershipmentor/p/strategy-call-with-leigh-ann

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to follow the show for more episodes on leadership, mindset, and building your dream business with clarity and confidence.

If you’re in your 20s and you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business, building something that’s yours, or creating a life with more freedom and purpose...this episode is for you.

The world will tell you to wait. To get the degree, get the job, climb the ladder, and then think about chasing your dreams. But the truth is, your 20s are the most powerful time to start building, because you have energy, time, and fewer responsibilities than you ever will again.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:
🔥 Why your 20s are your most strategic window to become an entrepreneur
🔥 The emotional and financial freedom that comes with building something of your own
🔥 Why failure is your greatest teacher (and why now is the safest time to fail)
🔥 The priceless skills you’ll gain that no classroom could ever teach you
🔥 How to start -even if you have no idea where to begin

This isn’t just about business. It’s about designing a life that actually feels like yours, one filled with freedom, purpose, and impact.

💡 Ready to turn your idea into something real? Book a free strategy call with me, and let’s talk about your vision, your next steps, and how I can help you build a business that changes your future. 👉 https://stan.store/elevateleadershipmentor/p/strategy-call-with-leigh-ann

Culture isn’t a buzzword, it’s the heartbeat of your business. In this episode, I break down why company culture matters more than strategy, perks, or even your vision itself. Because without a healthy culture, you simply won’t get far.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this 1-hour deep dive:

• The tangible business benefits of a healthy culture: retention, performance, and profitability.

• How culture impacts employee well-being, mental health, and psychological safety.

• Why healthy cultures fuel innovation and adaptability, while toxic ones hold companies back.

• The real costs of toxic culture—turnover, presenteeism, disengagement, and even health issues.

• Practical insights leaders can use to start shaping culture intentionally.

I’ve lived both sides—thriving inside healthy cultures and struggling inside toxic ones—and I can tell you, the contrast is everything.

👉 Special offer: I’m opening up 5 free Culture Audit Calls. In this 30-minute session, we’ll take a close look at your company’s culture, identify where it’s helping or hurting, and outline the next steps to create a team that’s aligned, engaged, and ready to grow. Spots are limited, so grab yours before they’re gone.

📌 Book your free Culture Audit Call here

Because culture isn’t just part of your business—it is your business. And when you get it right, everything else becomes possible.

What if your morning routine wasn’t just about getting ahead—but about coming home to yourself first?

In this episode, I’m sharing what my real morning routine looks like—not the perfectly curated one, but the one that keeps me grounded, present, and leading with clarity (especially on the hard days). We’re talking nervous system safety, intention setting, and why how you start your day determines how you show up as a leader.

You’ll also hear about a powerful research-backed practice that can help you actually stick to your intentions—and some simple ways to start building your own elevated morning, even if you’re short on time.

Grab your coffee, take a breath, and let’s talk about how to start calm... so you can lead strong.

Start your day with clarity, balance, and intention.

This 10-minute guided meditation is designed for busy business owners and leaders who want to ground their energy, release stress, and set a powerful tone for the day ahead. Together, we’ll focus on creating balance, aligning your energy, and setting clear intentions so you can step into your work with confidence and presence.

Take this time for yourself before the emails, the meetings, and the demands of the day. Your energy sets the tone for your business, so lead it well.

Press play each morning and give yourself the reset you deserve.

Whether you’re preparing for a big competition or just want to fall back in love with dance, this episode is your go-to mindset reset. Based on my leadership talk for competitive dancers, we’ll dive into vision alignment, overcoming comparison, choosing progress over perfection, and leading yourself with confidence. You’ll hear inspiring stories (including one about a dancer who broke free from perfectionism), guided reflection questions, and a short visualization you can use before every performance.

Listen anytime you need to get grounded, focused, and ready to dance your best, no matter what’s happening around you.

Episode 4: What Does It Mean to Be an Elevated Leader?

What does elevated leadership actually look like-and how do you know if you’re leading from alignment or just running on autopilot?

In this episode, Leigh Ann gets real about the difference between traditional leadership and elevated leadership. She shares her personal story, the burnout that changed everything, and the 4 core pillars that now guide her work with entrepreneurs and CEOs who are ready to lead with more clarity, presence, and purpose.

You’ll learn:

• Why “self-leadership” is where everything starts

• How to stop leading from pressure and start leading from vision

• What it takes to build an empowered culture (even in hard seasons)

• How to create success that doesn’t cost you your peace

This is the episode you’ll come back to when you’re ready to reset, realign, and rise.

In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing the moment that brought me to my knees, literally.

It was a quiet morning, the kids had just left for school, and I found myself on the kitchen floor, completely undone. That moment of surrender cracked something open in me and marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just in my personal life, but in how I lead, live, and show up for others.

Over the past few years, I’ve evolved into a different person. I’ve experienced heartbreak, healing, and growth that has pushed me toward a deeper calling: leadership development rooted in self-awareness, faith, and alignment.

This episode is about the internal work.
I’ll walk you through:

• -The burnout and perfectionism that led to my breaking point

• -How The book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz  became part of my healing and mindset shift

• -The leadership lessons I’ve learned through surrender and spiritual growth

• -What it really means to lead with presence, purpose, and people-first focus

If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside while falling apart inside, this episode is for you.

Grab a warm drink, take a breath, and join me for a conversation about the moment everything changed, and how it led me home to myself, to my faith, and to a more grounded way of leading.

In this episode of The Elevated Leader, I’m taking you back to a defining moment in my leadership journey—the day I was asked to fire an entire team on my very first day as a manager at just 22 years old.

I share how that one uncomfortable moment shaped the kind of leader I am today, and why doing the hard thing with integrity is the foundation of real leadership.

We’ll talk about:

• What I learned working on my uncle’s farm and restaurant as a kid

• Why I believe leaders are built through challenge

• A simple framework to help you have hard conversations with clarity and courage

• How avoiding discomfort protects you, not your team

• And what it really means to lead with integrity—even when no one’s watching

This episode is both gritty and gentle—a mix of real-life leadership, personal growth, and a reminder that every hard thing we face is shaping us into the leader we’re meant to be.

In this episode, Leigh Ann talks all things leadership. What it means to be a great leader and the importance of vulnerability in leadership. With 24 years of leadership experience, Leigh Ann shares important leadership insights.