Explore every episode of the podcast Girl, Take the Lead!
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 294. SOUND BITE – Hope, Trust, and the Leaders Who Are Coming | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:06:57 | |
After my conversation with Sheryl Robinson in Episode 293, I found myself sitting with an unexpected feeling: Hope. Not because everything is suddenly okay. Not because the challenges facing our communities have disappeared. And not because the future comes with guarantees. Instead, I found myself wondering: What exactly is hope? Is it optimism? Is it trust? Or is it something else entirely? In This Sound Bite In this Sound Bite, I reflect on the work of Brené Brown and psychologist C.R. Snyder, whose research suggests that hope is not simply an emotion but a way of thinking—one that involves goals, pathways, and agency. I also explore the connection between hope and trust, why it's easy to focus on what's declining as we grow older, and the question that stayed with me after talking with Sheryl: What's still growing? What if hope isn't about ignoring reality? What if hope is seeing evidence that people are still learning how to care, contribute, and lead? And what if trust is what allows us to invest in that future?
Inspired By Episode 293: 🎙️ "Hearts of Gold: How the Girl Scout Gold Award Builds Leaders for Life with Sheryl Robinson" Watch on YouTube: Episode 293 with Sheryl Robinson Or wherever you catch your podcasts. About Sheryl Robinson Sheryl Robinson is an author, podcaster, speaker, and leadership advocate who helps teens and young adults discover their gifts, talents, and abilities while creating meaningful change in their communities. She is the creator of the Hearts of Gold podcast and the Hearts of Gold book series, which share stories of Girl Scout Gold Award recipients from across the country. The series is designed to help young people develop leadership skills, identify root causes, and create lasting impact. Learn more: Hearts of Gold Podcast & Resources Free Resources Available:
Both are available through the Hearts of Gold website. Stay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead! 🌟 Website: 💌 Newsletter: 💝 Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: Hosted by Yo Canny #GirlTakeTheLead #SoundBite #Leadership #Hope #Trust #BreneBrown #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #GirlScouts #GoldAward | |||
| 293. Girl Scout Gold Award: Building the Next Generation of Leaders | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:22:05 | |
What gives you hope for the future? In this inspiring episode, Yo Canny sits down with Sheryl Robinson—author, podcaster, speaker, and longtime Girl Scout volunteer—to explore how the Girl Scout Gold Award helps young women develop confidence, leadership skills, and the belief that they can make a difference in the world. As a troop leader for more than 20 years and a member of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council's Highest Awards Committee, Sheryl has witnessed firsthand the transformation that occurs when young women take on meaningful community challenges and lead sustainable solutions. Inspired by the remarkable Gold Award Girl Scouts she has mentored, Sheryl launched the Hearts of Gold Podcast, interviewing Gold Award recipients from around the world. She has now adapted those stories into the Hearts of Gold book series, helping middle school students discover their own gifts, talents, and ability to create positive change. Together, Yo and Sheryl discuss what the Gold Award is, why it matters, and how young women are developing the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to become the next generation of leaders. In This Episode You'll Learn:
Key Takeaways ✨ Leadership grows through experience. ✨ Confidence comes from tackling challenges and seeing them through. ✨ Great mentors guide with questions rather than answers. ✨ Young people thrive when given ownership, responsibility, and support. ✨ The next generation is already learning how to lead—and that gives us reason for hope. What Sheryl Would Tell Her 20-Something Self "Stay open and flexible. Life's going to take you different places than you plan. That's where the growth happens." About Sheryl Robinson Sheryl Robinson is an author, podcaster, coach, and speaker helping teens and young adults discover their unique gifts, talents, and abilities so they can create a plan to achieve their dreams. She holds a Master of Arts in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University and has been involved with Girl Scouts for more than 25 years. Her passion for supporting high school Girl Scouts pursuing their Gold Award inspired the creation of the Hearts of Gold podcast, YouTube channel, and book series showcasing young women from across the country who have earned Girl Scouting's highest award. Connect with Sheryl Website: Email: Facebook: Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube: Free Resources Visit Sheryl's website for:
Hearts of Gold Book Series The Hearts of Gold series shares real stories and leadership lessons inspired by Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. Through themes such as Inclusion, Advocacy, STEM, Health, Community, Creative Voice, and Earth Guardians, readers learn how to identify problems, uncover root causes, and create meaningful change. Stay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead! 🌟 Website: 💝 Cards & Gifts: Facebook Group: Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube: | |||
| 293. SOUND BITES | Your Worth Was Never the Problem A Reflection Inspired by Ep 292 with Marisa Handler | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:05:54 | |
What happens when the way we've measured our importance no longer fits our lives? In this first Girl, Take the Lead! Sound Bite, I reflect on a question that surfaced after my conversation with Marisa Handler: If I am no longer defined by my title, accomplishments, or responsibilities, what makes me important? After 42 years in corporate leadership, retirement invited me into a different kind of impact—one measured less by titles and achievements and more by conversations, creativity, relationships, and contribution. Yet I found myself wrestling with an uncomfortable question: Do I still matter? In this reflection, I explore the difference between achievement and worthiness, why comparison can reveal deeper beliefs, and what it means to create a new definition of significance in this stage of life. In This Sound Bite: • Why gratitude and worthiness are not the same thing • The hidden challenge many high-achieving women face after retirement • How comparison can reveal old beliefs about success and importance • Why achievement and worthiness are often confused • The question: "Who am I when there's nothing left to prove?" • Creating a new definition of significance and contribution Reflection Questions for You: Have you ever found yourself using an old definition of success to measure your value? What might change if your worth was never tied to your accomplishments in the first place? Inspired By: Episode 292. From Shame to Worthiness: Living Your Creative Genius with Marisa Handler Watch or listen: Connect with Girl, Take the Lead! Website: Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: Join Our Facebook Community: YouTube: Thank you for joining me for this first Sound Bite. These shorter reflections are designed for moments when you want insight but don't have time for a full conversation. Until next time— Listen inward. | |||
| 292. From Shame to Worthiness: Living Your Creative Genius with Marisa Handler | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:40:50 | |
What if the shame you've been carrying isn't evidence that you're broken—but an invitation to discover your worth? In this deeply moving conversation, award-winning author, poet, singer-songwriter, and creative coach Marisa Handler joins Girl, Take the Lead! to explore authenticity, creativity, leadership, and the journey from shame to a deeper sense of worthiness. She is the author of Loyal to the Sky (Nautilus Gold Award) and the forthcoming Sanctuary. Marisa shares her personal story of growing up in apartheid South Africa, immigrating to the United States, and navigating what she describes as a "dark night of the soul" that ultimately transformed her understanding of belonging, creativity, and self-worth. Together, we explore how fear, grief, anger, and shame can become unexpected guides on the path back to ourselves. We also discuss why creativity is essential to leadership, how women can stop performing their lives and start living them, and why our worth was never something we had to earn. Along the way, Marisa shares her beautiful poem Grace and treats us to a live excerpt from her song Seed and Star. What Marisa Would Tell Her 20-Something Self If you've ever found yourself striving to be impressive instead of being fully yourself, Marisa's wisdom offers a gentle invitation to come home—to your creativity, your voice, and your worthiness. Because perhaps the path forward isn't about becoming someone new. It's about remembering who you've been all along. In This Episode, We Discuss: • What it means to stop performing and start living authentically • Why fear is often the doorway to growth and transformation • How anger can reveal boundaries that need a voice • Grief as a pathway back to belonging • The hidden role shame plays in keeping us small • Moving from shame to a deeper sense of worthiness • Why creativity and leadership are deeply connected • Trusting your intuition and creative process • The difference between being impressive and being real • Grace, authenticity, and living from your full aliveness • A live excerpt from Marisa's song Seed and Star "Stop trying to be impressive. Start trying to be real." About Marisa Handler Marisa Handler is an award-winning author, prize-winning poet, singer-songwriter, and creative coach whose work lives at the intersection of personal transformation and collective awakening. A Fulbright Fellow and Iowa Writers' Workshop alumna, she has worked with thousands of people through her coaching practice, retreats, and teachings at Spirit Rock, Esalen, Stanford, and Gaia House, as well as through her signature program, Live Your Creative Genius. If you're ready to stop playing small and step into the fullest, most luminous version of yourself, Marisa is your guide. Connect with Marisa Handler Website Creative Archetypes Quiz (Free) Live Your Creative Genius Complimentary Unleash Your Creative Genius Breakthrough Session LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Connect with Girl, Take the Lead! Website Listen & Subscribe Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop Join Our Facebook Community YouTube Channel | |||
| 291. Can AI Lighten the Heaviness? with Dawn Andrews | 27 May 2026 | 00:36:08 | |
What if AI wasn’t about replacing people… but helping us carry less? In this thought-provoking and surprisingly human conversation, Dawn Andrews joins Yo to explore the emotional side of AI, leadership, creativity, and the mental load so many of us carry every day. Dawn is the Founder & CEO of Free Range Thinking, a boutique business strategy consultancy helping entrepreneurs and leaders build smarter, more sustainable systems without sacrificing themselves in the process. She’s also the host of the She's That Founder podcast and creator of the Female Leadership Accelerator. Together, Yo and Dawn unpack:
One powerful takeaway from the episode: “AI informs. You decide.” Whether you’re AI-curious, already using tools like ChatGPT, or simply wondering how to navigate change without losing yourself in the process, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful perspective. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome & Dawn’s background in leadership and strategy1:27 – Why AI feels exciting…and overwhelming4:16 – The fear of AI replacing jobs6:09 – Using AI for podcasting, creativity & discernment9:03 – How to make AI challenge your thinking13:15 – AI, mental health & emotional support17:00 – Dawn’s favorite AI tools right now20:20 – Multi-agent workflows & saving time23:09 – “What would you do with the time back?”25:29 – Boundaries, burnout & staying human28:28 – Curiosity, play & not trying to “keep up”30:20 – What Dawn would tell her 20-something self32:14 – “Drop the shame” around using AI Connect with Dawn Andrews 🌐 Website: dawnandrews.com💼 LinkedIn Community: AI for Founders📧 Email: dandrews@freerangethinking.com🎙️ Podcast: She's That Founder📱 Instagram: @freerangethinking | @shesthatfounder Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🌐 Website: Girl, Take the Lead!🎁 Shop Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: Girl, Take the Lead! Shop📺 YouTube: Girl, Take the Lead! on YouTube👥 Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group | |||
| 290. Shattering the Mirror — What Breaks Can Also Heal with Lena Fein | 20 May 2026 | 00:44:39 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore leadership, healing, identity, and the stories that help us reclaim our voice and lead with intention. In this deeply moving episode, Yo welcomes author Lena Fein to talk about her memoir, Shattering the Mirror, and the healing journey that unfolded after a lifetime of living behind distorted beliefs formed through childhood trauma. Lena shares how achievement, perfectionism, and high performance became her armor — and how, later in life, she began peeling back the layers to rediscover her true self, her voice, and her heart. Together, Yo and Lena explore: Lena also shares one of the original songs that became part of her healing journey and reclaiming of her voice. 💡 In this episode:
🎧 Timestamps: 🦋 About Lena Fein: 🔗 Connect with Lena: 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who may need this conversation today. | |||
| 289. What Do You Want? Reinvention, Gratitude & the Courage to Choose Yourself with Carmell Clark | 13 May 2026 | 00:44:52 | |
What if the most important question in your life isn’t what should I do next… but: “What do I truly want?” In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, I’m joined by Carmell Clark, founder of the Center for Transformational Influence, executive coach, and global leader in advancing women’s leadership and sustainability. Together, we explore what it really means to reinvent ourselves across life’s thresholds — from grief and loss to growth, purpose, and expansion. This episode is a conversation about gratitude, conflict, identity, self-trust, and the courage it takes to choose yourself again and again through every stage of life. 🌿 What you’ll walk away with from this episode: • A deeper understanding of why reinvention often begins with loss or change 💡 In this episode: • Why reinvention is a path — not a quick answer 🌿 A few moments that stayed with me: “Gratitude heals a broken heart.” “Reinvention is a path.” “I am the decider of my day.” “We don’t have to sacrifice our lives to the expectations of others.” 👤 About Carmell Clark Carmell Clark is the founder of the Center for Transformational Influence (CTI), a global organization focused on advancing leadership, sustainability, and gender equity across sectors. With over 25 years of experience, Carmell has coached executives and professionals, launched women entrepreneurs, helped female-led businesses scale, and developed transformative leadership trainings for women across industries. Through CTI, Carmell works globally with companies and entrepreneurs to create meaningful and sustainable change. She leads flagship programs, takes influencers on international adventures, and works directly with executives and entrepreneurs navigating pivotal life and leadership transitions. Currently based in Salt Lake City, Carmell lives a life of exploration — rock climbing, running RAGNAR races, traveling internationally, and creating large-scale abstract oil paintings. 🔗 Connect with Carmell 🌐 www.carmellclark.com 💬 Let’s keep the conversation going What resonated most with you? 👉 Join our Facebook Group and share your thoughts: 🎧 Listen wherever you catch your podcasts. 💬 What resonated most with you from this conversation? Share in the comments below — we’d love to hear your thoughts. 🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!: | |||
| 288. Becoming Who You Are—Even as You Grow | Marques Ogden on Authenticity | 06 May 2026 | 00:40:35 | |
A powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and rebuilding after rock bottom—why becoming who you are is a lifelong journey. In this episode:
👤 About Marques Ogden: Marques Ogden is a former NFL player, inspirational keynote speaker, founder and CEO of Ogden Ventures LLC, five-time best-selling author, business coach, and host of Get Authentic with Marques Ogden. After facing a career-ending setback and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up—using his experiences to inspire leaders and teams worldwide. He has delivered keynotes for over 90 Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, and Home Depot, and his story has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Cheddar News, and Authority Magazine. Marques empowers audiences to embrace challenges, grow through adversity, and turn setbacks into opportunities for success. 🎧 Timestamps: 00:02 – Welcome + introducing Marques Ogden03:00 – The Success Cycle: ambition, drive, and hard work07:45 – From NFL career to losing everything13:00 – Rock bottom and the wake-up call18:30 – Starting over and building a speaking career24:30 – Authenticity, failure, and self-belief30:30 – Mentorship, growth, and breaking through33:00 – What Marques would tell his 20-something self 🌱 Key Takeaways:
💬 Favorite Quote: “Authenticity is knowing who you are—even as you grow.” 🔗 Connect with Marques:
Want to go deeper into Marques’ framework for success? The Success Cycle: Three Keys to Achieving Your Goals in Business and Life 📘 Marques’ Book:👉 https://www.amazon.com/Success-Cycle-Achieving-Goals-Business/dp/B08CVTDWV8 🎤 Upcoming Speaking Engagements: If you’re inspired by Marques’ journey and want to experience his work live:
🌸 A Note from Me: This conversation reminded me that becoming who we are isn’t something we do once—it’s something we return to again and again. There are moments in life when everything we’ve built shifts… and we’re asked to begin again. Marques’s story is a powerful reminder that those moments aren’t the end—they’re an invitation. To grow.To realign.To become even more of who we truly are. 🎧 Listen + Subscribe: Listen wherever you catch your podcasts 💌 Join the Conversation:👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748 🛍️ From the Heartfelt Card Shop: Explore cards and gifts designed to encourage and uplift:👉 https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop | |||
| 287. After the Moment — What Stayed With Me: Confidence, Connection & Love (Part 3) | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:15:42 | |
What happens after the moment you’ve been preparing for? In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m reflecting on what stayed with me after my daughter’s wedding—and how the experience brought together a lifetime of growth, healing, and self-discovery. What I didn’t expect was just how present I could be… This episode is about what remains when everything settles— 🎧 The Series: At the Threshold If you’re just joining, this is part of a 3-part series created during this meaningful life moment:
(All episodes are also available wherever you catch your podcasts.) 💛 In This Episode:
✨ 3 Takeaways 👉 Confidence is self-trust. 👉 Connection comes from presence. 👉 Love is allowing. 🌿 A Deeper Reflection This moment wasn’t just about one day… It was about a lifetime of growth— And what stayed with me most was this: A deep knowing that my daughters will be okay. And that everything I’ve worked through… made it possible for me to be fully present to witness it. 💭 For You What has stayed with you… after a moment that mattered? And what might shift if you focused not just on what went wrong… 🔜 Coming Next Next week, I’ll be joined by Marques Ogden. After a career-ending injury and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up. Today, he helps leaders grow through adversity and show up more authentically. After everything we’ve explored in this series, his story offers a powerful next step—how we move forward with what we’ve learned. 💌 Stay Connected 💬 Join the conversation: 🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts: | |||
| 286. The Quiet Grief We Carry: Identity, Loss & Letting Go - At the Threshold Series (Part 2) | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:15:34 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead!—where we explore leadership not just in our work, but in the moments that shape who we are. This episode is part of my 3-part series, At the Threshold, created during a deeply personal time as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding. And what I didn’t expect to surface in this moment… was grief. Not just grief as loss—but grief as change. 💛 Why This Episode Matters Weddings are often seen as purely joyful occasions. But what I’m discovering is that they can also bring forward something quieter… more layered.
So for this episode, I’ve curated moments from past conversations—each one offering insight into grief, healing, identity, and letting go. Think of this as an episode to keep nearby—especially when you find yourself in a moment that feels emotionally charged or unexpectedly vulnerable. 🎧 In This Episode, We Explore:
✨ 3 Takeaways 👉 Grief doesn’t only show up in loss—it shows up in change. 👉 Not all grief is ours alone. 👉 We don’t have to hold onto everything. 🎥 Featured Conversations (Also available wherever you catch your podcasts)
💭 A Reflection for You What might you be carrying…that isn’t fully yours? And what might become possibleif you allowed yourself to release it? 🔜 Coming Next In the final episode of this series, I’ll share what actually happened… 💌 Stay Connected 💬 Join the conversation: 🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts: | |||
| 285. The Good Daughter — When Pleasing Hurts At the Threshold Series (Pt 1) | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:21:25 | |
This episode is part of a special 3-part series I’m calling At the Threshold—a real-time reflection on what this season of life is bringing up for me as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding. And what surprised me most… was how much it brought me back to my own experience as a daughter. 💛 Why This Episode Matters Now As I look back on my own wedding, I can see how much of it was shaped by my desire to be the good daughter. The one who keeps the peace.The one who makes things easier for everyone else.The one who doesn’t rock the boat. At the time, I didn’t have language for it.But now… I can see the pattern clearly. 🎧 In This Episode, We Explore: In this episode, I revisit my conversation with Kathryn Fabrizio, author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, and share a curated set of moments that helped me understand:
✨ 3 Takeaways to Reflect On 👉 1. The good daughter role often begins as a way to feel safe and loved. 👉 2. Guilt is often the signal that something is shifting. 👉 3. The real work is becoming your own person. 🎥 Watch the Full Original Conversation If you’d like to watch the full, unedited episode with Kathryn Fabrizio, you can find it here: 👉 https://youtu.be/DzxYJwLPCbo 💭 A Reflection for You As you listen, I invite you to consider: Where might you still be playing the role of the good daughter… 🔜 Coming Next In Part 2 of this series, I explore something I didn’t expect to show up in this moment—grief. Not just grief as loss… but grief as change, identity, and what we carry forward. 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need it too. 💛 | |||
| 284. When Pushing Through Becomes Breaking — Rethinking Burnout with Lynn Blades | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:36:10 | |
What if burnout isn’t something that suddenly happens to us… In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with executive leadership coach and author Lynn Blades to explore what she calls “The Quiet Burn”—the slow, invisible erosion of energy, identity, and self-worth that so many women experience. Drawing from both her personal experience and her work with global leaders, Lynn shares how the constant pressure to prove ourselves, push through, and “hold it all together” can eventually lead us to break. This episode is an invitation to pause… ✨ In This Episode, We Explore:
🎥 Cultural Reference from the Episode During our conversation, we referenced the iconic Enjoli commercial — a moment that many women will remember, and others may be hearing about for the first time. It’s a powerful example of how cultural messaging shaped expectations around women “doing it all” — often without question. Take a look here: 💬 A Few Moments You’ll Want to Sit With: “If you normalize overwhelm, burnout isn’t a risk—it’s an outcome.” “Rest doesn’t have to be earned.” “No is a beautiful word.” “There is no one more deserving of your own rescue than yourself.” “Confidence is contagious.” 🌿 About Lynn Blades Lynn Blades is the inspirational founder of Legacy Leadership, an executive coaching consultancy dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive 21st-century workforce. As a distinguished Marshall Goldsmith Executive Coach with over two decades of experience, Lynn has guided leaders across industries—from finance and law to tech, media, and luxury—working with global organizations including Nike, KPMG, British Airways, Royal Bank of Canada, Sony Music, BBC, and Warner Bros. Before her coaching career, Lynn was an award-winning journalist working with major international networks such as CBS, CNN, CNBC, BBC, ITV, Viacom, and Showtime. She is also a champion for the next generation of female leaders, hosting leadership summits and retreats designed to build confidence, capability, and community. Her bestselling book, The Quiet Burn, brings together her professional expertise and personal experience to help women recognize burnout early—and reclaim their energy, agency, and worth. 🔗 Connect with Lynn
📰 Subscribe to her newsletter: The Power Play — featuring female leaders across industries 🌍 Upcoming Retreat: 💛 Final Thought This conversation is an invitation to pause…to notice…and to ask yourself: Where am I pushing through… when what I really need is to stop? And what might change if instead of proving your worth… 🔗 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://girltaketheleadpod.com | |||
| 283. Sisters, Secrets, and the Stories That Shape Us with Leslie A. Rasmussen | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:30:02 | |
Families carry stories — some we share openly and others that remain hidden for years. In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo Canny sits down with award-winning author Leslie A. Rasmussen to talk about her latest novel, When People Leave, and the powerful role family relationships play in shaping who we become. Leslie’s newest book follows three sisters who return to their childhood home after the unexpected loss of their mother. As they search for answers, they uncover long-held family secrets and discover how differently each of them processes the same experience. In their conversation, Yo and Leslie explore the complexity of sibling relationships, the emotional layers of family dynamics, and how storytelling can help us better understand our lives. Leslie also shares her fascinating career journey — from writing television comedies for stars like Roseanne Barr, Burt Reynolds, Norm Macdonald, and Drew Carey, to becoming an award-winning novelist whose stories explore identity, family bonds, and the resilience we discover in life’s most difficult moments. At the heart of the episode is a reminder that the stories we tell — and the ones we uncover — shape how we see ourselves and each other. In This Episode You'll Learn About:
Leslie A. Rasmussen Leslie A. Rasmussen is an award-winning author and former television comedy writer who has written for well-known comedians and shows including Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm Macdonald, Drew Carey, The Wild Thornberrys, and Sweet Valley High. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leslie graduated from UCLA before launching her career in television writing. After stepping away from the entertainment industry to raise her two sons, she earned a master’s degree in nutrition and ran her own business for ten years. During that time, she continued writing humorous essays and has been published more than twenty times in the Huffington Post. Leslie is the author of three novels:
She frequently speaks on panels about female empowerment and is a member of the Writers Guild of America, Women in Film, and the UCLA Alumni Association. Leslie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons. Memorable Moments from the Episode On family dynamics “Sisters can argue, tease each other, and still know that the bond between them will always be there.” On storytelling “Fiction can help people see themselves in the characters and feel less alone.” On life’s unexpected paths “You never know where your life is going to end up.” Leslie’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self “Keep writing, follow your passion, and take more risks. Even if you fail, you might succeed.” Connect with Leslie A. Rasmussen Website Listeners can purchase signed copies of Leslie’s novels directly through her website. Email Facebook Instagram TikTok Learn more about Girl, Take the Lead! https://girltaketheleadpod.com Explore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop Reflection Question What stories from your family have shaped who you are today?
| |||
| 282. Energizing Your Happiness & Writing Your Outcome with Michele Phillips | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:39:08 | |
What if happiness wasn’t something we waited for—but something we could intentionally energize? In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo welcomes back Michele Phillips, leadership coach, speaker, and author, who first appeared on the podcast in Episode 130. Since then, Michele has continued her mission of helping individuals and organizations shift from operating on adrenaline to alignment—a powerful shift that brings greater clarity, energy, and purpose to work and life. As President of Key Performance, Michele has spent more than two decades working with leaders around the world to help them harness their personal energy and create meaningful results. Her work blends positive psychology, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and habit science, offering practical tools for building sustainable happiness and performance. In this conversation, Michele shares insights from her newest book: Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your Destiny. Together, Yo and Michele explore how beliefs shape our experiences, why managing our personal energy matters, and how each of us has more agency in shaping our lives than we may realize. As Michele reminds us: “You may not have written your beginning—but you get to write your outcome.” A Memorable Moment Early in her career, Michele once received feedback on a performance evaluation describing her as: “Alarmingly enthusiastic.” Instead of dimming that energy, Michele chose to embrace it—and today she teaches others how to manage and direct their energy rather than suppress it. The Belief → Thought → Emotion → Action Connection One of Michele’s powerful insights is how our internal beliefs shape the lives we experience. She explains that our daily experiences often follow this pattern: Beliefs → Thoughts → Emotions → Mood → Actions When we question limiting beliefs and shift our perspective, we can change the entire chain—and ultimately our outcomes. Michele’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self “It’s not that serious. Stop the drama.” Looking back, Michele says many of the worries that once felt overwhelming now seem far less significant. More About Michele Phillips Michele Phillips is the President of Key Performance and a globally recognized leadership coach, speaker, and author who helps individuals and organizations harness personal energy to create extraordinary outcomes. In 2025, Michele celebrates 25 years in business, marking a career dedicated to transforming how people lead, live, and work—with intention, clarity, and joy. Michele is the author of: Happiness Is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals That Increase Energy, Improve Well-Being, and Add Joy to Every Day and her newest book: Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your Destiny She is also the host of the Write Your Outcome Podcast, where she interviews leaders and changemakers about the inner work behind meaningful success. Connect with Michele Website Email Instagram https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-phillips-9409707/ Podcast Free Resource Inspired by Michele’s message, Yo created a special card featuring Michele’s quote: “Remember, you may not have written your beginning, but you get to write your outcome.” 🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead! 🎙️ Listen to more episodes: 💌 Explore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop: 📺 Watch clips & full episodes on YouTube 💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook Group Reflection Question What belief might be quietly shaping how you see your life right now? And what might change if you questioned whether that belief is actually true? | |||
| 281. The Light Within Us: Healing Identity, Grief, and Belonging with Michelle Madrid | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:44:22 | |
In this deeply moving conversation, Yolanda welcomes Michelle Madrid — author, speaker, and midlife coach for women — to Girl, Take the Lead!. As a former foster child in the UK and an international adoptee, Michelle has spent a lifetime opening pathways toward her truest sense of identity and purpose. Today, she supports women navigating what she calls midlife grief — the quiet, often hidden grief that appears as life shifts: children leaving home, changing bodies, evolving relationships, and the question many women ask in midlife: Who am I now? Michelle believes midlife grief isn’t something to avoid or suppress. Instead, she describes it as: “Love colliding with change.” In this conversation, Yolanda and Michelle explore grief as a messenger — one that can guide us toward healing, identity, and reclaiming our voice. Michelle also shares the inspiration behind her powerful framework UNBOX, a process she created to help women unpack suppressed emotions and reconnect with their aliveness as they step into the next version of who they’re here to be. This episode is both deeply personal and universally relatable — touching on adoptee identity, people-pleasing, trauma responses, and the courage it takes to live from our authentic voice. And it leaves us with a beautiful reminder: “The light around us is great… but the light within us is greater.” Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & Michelle’s work supporting midlife women through hidden grief 02:24 – Yolanda reflects on grief and joy as her daughter prepares to marry 05:27 – Michelle’s definition of midlife grief: when love collides with change 09:18 – The hidden grief many adoptees carry and why emotions were often suppressed 20:19 – Limiting beliefs and the moment Michelle realized the baggage of others was never hers to carry 31:17 – From ache to action: the small steps that begin healing 36:04 – A powerful affirmation: “The light around us is great, but the light within us is greater.” More About Michelle Michelle Madrid is an author, speaker, and midlife coach for women. She also hosts the new podcast: Most Myself Her work focuses on helping women navigate midlife grief — the quiet grief that accompanies life transitions such as empty nesting, changing bodies, shifting relationships, and identity changes. Through her UNBOX framework, Michelle guides women in uncovering the emotions they’ve suppressed and reconnecting with their truth, voice, and next chapter. She is the author of: Let Us Be Greater — a book for any woman in midlife navigating identity, grief, and the adoptee experience. Michelle also hosts the podcast: Unboxed, Unburdened, Unstoppable Coming in 2026! Michelle recently launched a free monthly online group gathering called Midlife, Together. She has also launched a 4-week 1:1 coaching experience guiding women through her proven Ache to Action formula. Look for more ways to connect and work with Michelle, coming in 2026. Visit her website to stay informed. Website Free tools available on her website. Other ways to Connect with Michelle: Instagram Connect with GTTL: Website Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations and insights. Visit the Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop | |||
| 280. The Leadership Skill No One Teaches: Intuition | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:49:59 | |
What if one of the most important leadership skills… is the one we’re rarely taught to name? | |||
| 279. Reputation, Relationships & Results — The Power of Professional Equity | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:42:20 | |
How women leaders build influence that lasts Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to lead lives that break old cycles and create new possibilities. Today’s guest brings clarity, strategy, and grounded leadership wisdom to a powerful conversation about influence, visibility, and career ownership. Meet Dr. Karen Hills Pruden — CEO of Pruden Global Business Solutions Consulting (PGBSC), bestselling author (30+ publications), global leadership speaker, and creator of the Professional Equity framework. With over 30 years of experience spanning corporate leadership and entrepreneurship — including 17+ years in senior leadership and the C-suite — Dr. Pruden has built a career rooted in service, strategy, and measurable results. But what truly stands out is her belief that influence isn’t accidental — it’s built. In this candid conversation, Dr. Pruden joins Yo to explore how reputation, relationships, and area expertise create professional equity — and how women leaders can leverage that equity to elevate their careers without waiting to be chosen. Whether you’re navigating corporate leadership, preparing for your next promotion, pivoting your goals, or building influence inside your organization, this episode offers practical insight and empowering perspective. 🌟 In This Episode, Dr. Karen & Yo Explore: 💛 Why relationships — not transactions — are true leadership currency 👩🦰 What Dr. Karen Would Tell Her 20-Something Self “Don’t be so goal-oriented that you won’t remove a goal that no longer serves you.” After pursuing law school simply to complete a lifelong goal, Dr. Pruden realized that growth sometimes means pivoting — even when the goal once defined you. 🧭 Memorable Quotes “Silence is not a superpower.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden “You are the pilot of your career, not the co-pilot.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden “Managers do tasks. Leaders are visionary.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden “If you’re good for them, you’ll be good somewhere else.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden “My relationships are not transactional.” — Dr. Karen Hills Pruden ✨ Key Takeaways • Build professional equity through reputation, relationships, and expertise. 🌟 Connect with Dr. Karen Hills Pruden 🌐 Website: https://drkarenhillspruden.com Dr. Pruden joins us to promote her coaching programs and leadership development frameworks that help women convert their expertise into measurable business success. 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎙️ Listen on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | |||
| 278. From Performing to Presence: Influence, Shame & Authentic Leadership with Sara Anderson | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:39:02 | |
What if influence doesn’t come from proving yourself — but from being seen? In this episode, Yo sits down with leadership coach and founder of Lead Out Loud, Sara Anderson, to explore why so many capable women leaders feel like they’re acting their way through success. From imposter syndrome and perfectionism to nervous system triggers in high-stakes conversations, Sara explains how leaders often adapt themselves into a version that works… but no longer feels like them. And the surprising truth? The more we perform, the less influence we actually have. This conversation blends emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and lived leadership experience into a powerful reframe: You don’t become influential by becoming more impressive. In This Episode We Talk About:
A Key Takeaway Many leadership programs teach communication strategies first. Real influence starts internally — by recognizing triggers, calming the nervous system, and allowing others to see you as human. When leaders stop performing, they gain presence. Memorable Quotes “Perfectionism isn’t protecting you from shame — it’s a function of shame.” “You can’t override the animal body you live in.” “If you wait until you know everything, you’ll get left behind.” “People are drawn to those who no longer feel shame about their story.” “Be yourself — the world will adjust.” Sara’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self Stop trying to be impressive. Connection — not polish — moves your life forward. Resources from Sara Free Resource: Influence Audit (AI-guided self-assessment) 🌐 Website: https://www.saraanderson.co Programs:
Lead Out Loud is a 12-week influence accelerator for women leaders who are done performing and ready to lead with real presence. Through nervous system regulation, embodied communication, and The Resonance Method™, participants learn to command a room without losing themselves in the process. Learn more at https://saraanderson.co/lead-out-loud-virtual Sara chose the card: “Be yourself and the world will adjust.” A reminder that leadership isn’t about sanding off your edges — it’s about letting the right people find you. Shop the collection: 💌Connect with Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://girltaketheleadpod.com | |||
| 277. Transforming the Way You Move Through Life with Vicki Gold | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:35:40 | |
What if aging wasn’t about decline — but about becoming more capable, more aware, and more confident in your body and your life? In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yolanda Canny is joined by C. Vicki Gold, a retired physical therapist with more than 50 years of experience and the author of Aging Safely, Wisely, and Well. At 80 years, Vicki is still learning, teaching, and standing tall — literally and figuratively. She shares powerful insights on the mind–body connection, fear of falling, slowing down, posture, breathing, beliefs, and how small daily practices can transform the way we move through life at any age. As Vicki reminds us: If you’re lucky, you’re going to get old. This conversation shows how to do it with strength, awareness, and grace. In This Episode, We Explore:
🧠 Vicki’s Two ABC Frameworks: The ABC Mind–Body System
The ABCs of Human Growth & Transformation
“Fear tightens the body — and a tight body can’t balance well.” “I am tall, strong, and confident.” “Nothing and no one is going to rush me.” “Aging isn’t about slowing down — it’s about learning how to slow down.”
Vicki chose the card that reads: “Wherever you plant yourself, bloom with grace.” A perfect reflection of this episode — standing tall, slowing down, and moving through life with awareness and confidence. 🔗 Resources & Freebies & Connect w Vicki
🎁 Free Resources on the Website
🎧 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!
If this episode resonated, please consider following, rating, and sharing the podcast — it helps more women across generations find their voice and lead with confidence. | |||
| 276. From Capability to Power: Women Need Access, Not Fixing | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:31:29 | |
Women don’t lack ambition.They don’t lack skills.And they don’t lack drive. So why do so many capable women — especially women from minority backgrounds — stall before reaching positions of power? In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, I’m joined by Alexandra Gantier, a French public relations, public affairs, and leadership advisor with more than 18 years of international experience across France and the United States. Alexandra is the co-founder of The Poderosas, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding leadership access for women from minority backgrounds through mentorship and sponsorship. Alexandra brings a deeply global perspective to leadership — shaped by her upbringing in France, her formative years in South America, and her professional journey in the U.S. She is currently completing a PhD at the Toulouse School of Management, where her research explores female leadership, representation in decision-making spaces, and how structural barriers shape access to power. Together, we unpack a powerful truth: This conversation goes beyond confidence and skill-building to name the systemic and relational dynamics that determine who advances, who is sponsored, and who is invited into rooms where decisions are made. We also explore Alexandra’s retreat work through Empowering Women Global Leaders, which creates space for women to pause, reset, and reconnect with their values — including retreats in Paris and the south of France.
“Keep your values as your inner compass. She also chose the Trust Your Gut card — a reminder that leadership often begins by listening to what you already know. 🌍 Learn More & Connect with Alexandra Websites
Email Follow Alexandra
Get Involved
💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts | |||
| 275. Leading from Capacity — Nervous System Wisdom for Sustainable Leadership | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:34:08 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — this episode invites us to question a belief many high-functioning women have been taught to accept as normal: That leadership requires constant tension. What if leadership doesn’t start with mindset, strategy, or productivity — My guest today is Kathryn Spears, a Neuro Somatic Practitioner who specializes in high-performance regulation for women whose nervous systems are carrying a lot — senior leaders, founders, changemakers, and disruptors who are holding big careers, big visions, and big responsibilities… often from a place of perpetual tension that society has normalized. Kathryn’s work is deeply personal. She knows firsthand what it’s like to lead from survival physiology — over-functioning, perfectionism, and chronic stress — while appearing successful on the outside and silently burning out on the inside. Decisions made from adrenaline. Connection guarded by hyper-vigilance. Burnout disguised as ambition. Today, Kathryn helps women stop working against their nervous systems and start leading with them — using applied neurology and neurosomatics to create real, physiological capacity for clarity, presence, and sustainable leadership. This is not about fixing yourself. Together, Yo and Kathryn explore: ✨ Why Chronic Stress Becomes Invisible ✨ Why You Can’t Mindset Your Way Out of Burnout ✨ High Performance vs. Survival Performance ✨ Stress, Overwhelm, and the Protective Nervous System ✨ Completing the Stress Cycle ✨ Why Regulation Is Personal, Not Prescriptive ✨ From Self-Abandonment to Authentic Leadership ✨ Capacity as the Missing Link in Change ✨ Liberation Over Fixing 🌟 Memorable Quotes “You can’t mindset your way out of a state shift in the body.” “Burnout disguised as ambition is still burnout.” “You don’t need to be fixed. Your nervous system is doing its job — protecting you.” “Capacity changes everything. It’s what allows you to respond, lead, and choose differently.” 💡 Kathryn’s Leadership Reminder If what you’ve tried hasn’t lasted — When we stop overriding the body and start working with it, leadership becomes clearer, more grounded, and far less exhausting. This isn’t about doing less. 💌 Connect with Kathryn 🌐 Website: beyondyourmindset.com 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube & wherever you listen or view your podcasts | |||
| 274. Laughing Our Way to Change — Humor as Power, Resistance, and Repair with Lynn Harris | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:49:51 | |
⚠️ Warning: You may laugh during this episode! Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! Today’s episode is smart, funny, and deeply meaningful. Our guest is Lynn Harris — a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and author/co-author of six books whose comedy and campaigns for social justice and gender equity have helped change laws and conversations from Capitol Hill to NASCAR. Lynn is the founder and CEO of GOLD Comedy — the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary folks build comedy careers or creative side hustles, find community, and make funny stuff with purpose. In this conversation, Lynn reframes humor as far more than entertainment. She shows us how comedy builds trust, creates connection, signals confidence, and helps us navigate moments of fear, tension, and uncertainty with more humanity — and sometimes, more courage than we knew we had. ✨ In This Episode, We Explore:
🎭 Comedians Lynn Recommends When asked who she’s loving right now — especially voices that are original, fearless, and deeply relatable — Lynn shared these favorites:
Each of these comics brings a distinct voice, lived experience, and point of view — and together they reflect the diversity, originality, and connection Lynn is so passionate about creating in comedy. 🎬 A Pandemic Moment Worth Revisiting One of Lynn’s favorite examples of comedy as connection came from early in the pandemic — when dozens of comedians and actors recreated The Princess Bride scene by scene from their backyards, kitchens, and living rooms. If you need a smile (or a reminder of how creative humans can be), you can watch it here: 👉 The Princess Bride – Home Movie Version I loved seeing the cameo by Rob Reiner - RIP. Thank you for making our journeys a bit lighter! 🌟 Memorable Quotes “Comedy doesn’t just take us out of reality — it puts us into it and helps us create the reality we want.” – Lynn Harris 🎓 About GOLD Comedy GOLD Comedy is a comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators build comedy careers, develop original work, and find a community where they truly belong. With a community-first model and an annual membership approach, GOLD supports long-term growth, collaboration, experimentation, and connection — helping creators turn ideas into real projects, pitches, and performances. As Lynn puts it: it’s easy to find a class anywhere — but the real question is, where do you belong? 🔗 Connect with Lynn & GOLD Comedy 🌐 Website: www.goldcomedy.com 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts | |||
| 273. We’re All in This Together — Kindness, Courage, and the Power of One Moment | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:23:12 | |
Today’s episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t always look like a title, a stage, or a strategy. Sometimes, it looks like choosing kindness in a cramped airplane seat. My guest today is Vanessa Confessore — a brand marketing and experiential leader by day, and a deeply human storyteller by life. Vanessa has spent over 20 years designing unforgettable brand experiences and global activations, while also navigating motherhood, partnership, recovery, and the invisible mental load so many women carry. She’s also the creator behind Sober Spouse on TikTok, a space she never intended to grow — but one that became a lifeline for people seeking honesty, hope, and real connection around recovery and relationships. In this conversation, Vanessa shares how leaning into authenticity on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok transformed her personal brand — not through polish or performance, but through vulnerability, kindness, and truth. What emerged wasn’t just engagement — it was community. Together, Yo and Vanessa explore:🌟 ✨ Why the Most Powerful Personal Brands Are Human Ones ✨ Living Alongside Recovery ✨ The Airplane Story That Sparked a Movement ✨ Kindness as a Leadership Practice ✨ The Ripple Effect ✨ AI, Community, and Lightening the Mental Load ✨ Friendship as Self-Care ✨ Less Pressure, More Joy Memorable Quotes “When you feel good, you do good — and it multiplies.” – Vanessa Confessore “Humans are craving connection. The more digital our world gets, the more important real connection becomes.” – Vanessa Confessore “Friendships are the best form of self-care.” – Vanessa Confessore “The plan doesn’t have to go exactly as planned to be beautiful.” – Vanessa Confessore “You create the energy around you.” – Vanessa Confessore 💡 Vanessa’s Gentle Reminders Not everything has to be polished. If you’re thinking it — share it. It takes one moment to create connection. And sometimes, that moment changes everything. 💌 Connect with Vanessa @soberspouse on tiktok or Vanessa Confessore on linkedin Her article in the NY Post 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube & wherever you listen or view your podcasts | |||
| 272. Financial Confidence, Intentionally: Values, Partnership, and Clear Choices | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:35:44 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we reimagine leadership, challenge the status quo around aging, and share the conversations that help us break cycles, find our voice, and lead our lives with intention. Money is one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — tools in our lives. In today’s episode, we slow the conversation down and take the fear out of finances — replacing it with clarity, confidence, and choice. Our guest, Tiffany Irving, is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management with more than 25 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations. She’s also a proud mom of three and a fierce advocate for educating and empowering women and girls around money. Tiffany’s journey into finance was shaped early — growing up with a single mom, watching financial stress up close, and quietly deciding that independence and stability would matter deeply in her own life. That lived experience now fuels her passion for helping women understand money not as something to fear — but as a tool to support the lives they want to build. In this grounded and empowering conversation, Yo and Tiffany explore what it really means to build financial confidence — intentionally. ✨ In This Episode, We Explore: ✨ From Silence to Strategy ✨ Money as a Tool, Not a Test ✨ Financial Confidence Across Generations ✨ Partnership and the Money Conversation ✨ The Myth of “I’m Not Wealthy Enough” ✨ Why Written Plans Matter ✨ Choosing an Advisor (and Asking the Right Questions) ✨ What She’d Tell Her 20-Something Self 🌟 Memorable Quotes Be bolder. Be more confident. Don’t fear failure — because growth lives on the other side of it. “Money is stressful — even for financial professionals. That’s why learning how to use it as a tool matters.” — Tiffany Irving “Financial confidence comes from clarity, communication, and knowing what you own and why.” — Tiffany Irving “If you set a goal and do nothing to get there, that’s just a wish.” — Tiffany Irving “Failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen. It’s how we learn and grow.” — Tiffany Irving “There are no dumb questions. If you’ve never been exposed to it, how would you know?” — Tiffany Irving 🎯 Tiffany’s Intention for This Conversation To promote financial empowerment and education for women — and to help more women feel confident engaging in money conversations, making intentional choices, and using available resources to support their goals. 🔗 Connect with Tiffany
💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify (or wherever you listen or view your podcasts) | |||
| 271. Capture the Culture — Intentional Leadership, Mentorship, and Meaningful Hustle with Erin Krueger | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:39:07 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to lead lives that break old cycles and create new possibilities. To kick off 2026, today’s guest brings heart, grit, and a fresh perspective on what true leadership looks like. Meet Erin Krueger — top-ranked Nashville realtor, nationally recognized expert, bestselling author of Capture the Culture, and a woman whose leadership journey began long before she built one of the most successful all-female real estate teams in the country. Her team has sold more than $2 billion in real estate to date, with nearly $225 million in 2024 alone — but it’s her authenticity, intentionality, and heart-centered leadership that stand out most. Erin joins Yo for a candid conversation about building culture (at home, in business, and within ourselves), navigating adversity, choosing who we want to become, and leading with humanity in an era of rapid change. Whether you’re entering 2026 with big goals, seeking a healthier work culture, or looking to lead in a more intentional way, this episode is filled with wisdom and tools to help you design the life and leadership path you want. 🌟 In This Episode, Erin & Yo Explore: 💛 How childhood shapes leadership 🧭 Intentional leadership (and why it matters more than ever in 2026) 🫶 Culture as the heartbeat of a team 👁️ Authenticity over performance 🌱 Mentorship that changes everything 🛠️ Her hiring and DISC process 💎 "Some days are dirt, most days are diamonds" 🧡 Meaningful appreciation 🔄 Owning our mistakes 🌬 Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success 👩🦰 What Erin would tell her 20-something self You’ll learn:
🧭 Memorable Quotes “Difficult days don’t define you. What you do with them does. Keep moving forward — better days are ahead.” “Not every day is a good day — but most days are diamonds.” — Erin Krueger ✨ Key Takeaways for 2026
🌟 Connect with Erin Krueger 📚 Book: Capture the Culture 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎙️ Listen on YouTube & Spotify | |||
| 270. Becoming Whole — The Art of Kintsugi and the Beauty in Our Cracks with Laura G. Patac | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:44:02 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we reimagine leadership, challenge the status quo around aging, and share the stories that help us break cycles, find our voice, and trust our own becoming. Today’s episode is a stunning way to close out the year. Our guest, Laura G. Patac, is an entrepreneur, author, poet, and former global corporate executive who has lived and worked in seven countries across five continents. After 25 years in sales, operations, and product leadership, she stepped into entrepreneurship — and the transition cracked open a profound identity crisis that reshaped her understanding of purpose, courage, and value. Rather than hiding the cracks, Laura learned to honor them — and ultimately, to treat them the way the Japanese art of kintsugi treats broken pottery: not as flaws to conceal, but as golden seams that make us more whole, beautiful, and true. Her journey — and her writing — will move you. In this intimate and heartfelt conversation, Laura shares how storytelling, poetry, and reflection helped her rebuild a self beyond titles and corporate identity, and how she now empowers others to do the same through her books Stories with Purpose and her newest release, Whole Not Perfect. Together, Yo and Laura explore: ✨ What Happens When Your Title Disappears ✨ The Five “Aha Moments” That Defined Her Leadership Journey ✨ Why No One Is Coming to Save You ✨ Storytelling as a Tool for Reinvention ✨The Kintsugi Metaphor ✨ Moving From Insight to Intention ✨ Redefining Success After Corporate Life ✨ What She Would Tell Her 20-Something Self 🌟 Memorable Quotes “Every person coming into your life is teaching you something.” – Laura G. Patac “Nobody is coming to save you. You have to save yourself — and the answers are inward, not outward.” – Laura G. Patac “Your cracks are not wounds. They are the golden lines that make you whole.” – Laura G. Patac “I help people not just tell stories — but become a story.” – Laura G. Patac “Purpose is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Values are how you move through the world.” – Yo & Laura 📚 Explore Laura’s Work LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-patac 🎁 Free book: https://www.storiesholdpurpose.com/book 📧 Contact: laura@empower-quest.com 📘 Books: 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify 💬 Join the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group 🛍 Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop | |||
| 269. A Single Candle — Love, Loss & Living Fully in a Life You Didn’t Plan with Becky Galli | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:38:49 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore real, raw, and remarkable stories of resilience, healing, and what it means to live and lead with courage through every season of life. Today’s guest is Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli — author, columnist, and thoughtful observer of the human experience. Becky writes about love, loss, and healing, drawing from a life shaped by profound, unchosen challenges. Her journey includes the death of her 17-year-old brother, her son’s degenerative disease and passing, parenting a daughter with autism, divorce, and—just nine days later—paralysis caused by transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord. Rather than turning away from grief, Becky has transformed her lived experience into a body of work that reminds us: life can still be good — not perfect, but good — even when it doesn’t go as planned. In this deeply moving conversation, Yo and Becky explore wisdom drawn from Becky’s books Morning Fuel and Rethinking Possible, along with reflections from her popular Thoughtful Thursdays newsletter. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 🧋 The Milkshake MethodA story about Becky’s father and a failed ice cream experiment that became a lifelong lesson in optimism, creativity, and seeing possibility within the limits of the present moment. 🌲 Unchosen Paths & Patterns of CopingHow Becky has learned to recognize her own patterns when navigating grief and major life disruptions — and why understanding how you cope can bring comfort, patience, and self-trust. 💛 Practicing Gratitude as a Daily ResetWhy gratitude isn’t about denying pain, but about shifting perspective — and how noticing small moments of goodness can change how we move through difficult days. 🌸 Beauty in What’s BrokenBecky shares how turning shattered dishes into mosaic art mirrors the healing process itself: gathering broken pieces, allowing messiness, and discovering unexpected beauty along the way. 🕯️ A Single Candle (Holiday Reflection)A powerful reading about grief during the holidays, the love that remains after loss, and how lighting a single candle can help us focus on love instead of darkness — especially when traditions must change. This episode is especially meaningful for anyone navigating grief, major transitions, disability, caregiving, or the emotional complexity of the holiday season. Becky’s words offer companionship, perspective, and hope — like a steady candle glowing when the world feels dark. About Becky Galli💌 Rebecca (Becky) Faye Smith Galli is an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Her unexpected but prolific writing career emerged from surviving multiple life-altering losses and transitions. Her website, BeckyGalli.com, features more than 400 published columns, and she continues to write Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a beloved newsletter that shares reflections on staying positive and grounded when life is hard. 📚 Books: Morning Fuel | Rethinking Possible💌 Email: rfsgalli@gmail.com🌐 Website & Free Resource: “Seven Strategies to Stay Up When Life Is Pulling You Down”👉 https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/📰 Thoughtful Thursdays Newsletter Signup:👉 https://rebeccafayesmithgalli.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwriter/🐦 X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/chairwriter Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen & Subscribe on YouTube Music, YouTube, Spotify & wherever you get your podcasts | |||
| 268. You Can Have It All—But You Can’t Do It All with Dr. Denise Brown, The Fairy God Doctor | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:46:16 | |
Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we talk honestly about leadership, womanhood, and all the messy, beautiful parts in between. Today I’m joined by Dr. Denise Brown, also known as The Fairy God Doctor — a Stanford-trained physician, former CEO, wife, mom, and now author of The Fairy God Doctor’s Guide to a Good Life: A Prescription for the Working Woman. Fairy God Doctor+1 If you’re listening to this in December while you’re juggling holidays, work deadlines, family expectations, and maybe an elf on a shelf you forgot to move 🙃, this episode is here to give you permission to do less and feel more satisfied. We talk about why “success” is external but satisfaction is internal, how comparison and “shoulds” steal our joy, what it really means to ask for partnership instead of help, and how to reframe our lives and careers as non-linear wanderings in the woods instead of one perfect, straight ladder to the top. We also get teary (yep, both of us) as Denise reads the poem “If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again” and shares what true self-care looks like when your house is quiet, the kids are grown, and you suddenly realize what really mattered most. In This Episode, We Talk About:
Memorable Quotes “Success is external. Satisfaction is internal.” “You can have it all, but you cannot do it all.” “If you’re asking for help, you’re still carrying the weight. When you ask for partnership, you’re sharing it.” “There isn’t work and life — there’s just life. There isn’t physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing — there’s just wellbeing.” “Someday your house will be quiet and clean. And you’ll realize what really mattered was the people, not the counters.” Resources & Links Mentioned
From the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop 💌 In this episode, Denise chose our Snarky Cat card that says “Trust Your Guts” — because your gut usually does know what to do, especially when you give it a little time and space to speak up. You’ll find that card (and more “listen to yourself” goodness) in the Stay Connected
| |||
| 267. A Life Rewrapped — Creativity, Grit & New Beginnings with Michelle Hensley | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:36:27 | |
Today’s guest is Michelle Hensley — founder of Nifty Package Co., creator of the gig app FeteTango, mother of three, grandmother of nine, and a woman who rebuilt her entire life after losing her husband to metastatic melanoma. At 51, Michelle found herself navigating profound grief, financial uncertainty, and a complete identity shift. What began as a small spark — “Could I work when I want instead of when I have to?” — evolved into a thriving mobile gift wrapping business serving everyday families, luxury brands, celebrities, and even a presidential administration. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the courage to begin again — with creativity leading the way. Together, Yo and Michelle explore: 🎁 How Michelle rebuilt her life after lossFrom pastor’s wife and nonprofit founder to entrepreneur learning cost of goods, pricing, networking, and profit — one brave step at a time. 🎀 Why gift wrapping is a timeless artAnd how a 3:45 a.m. idea and an underused van sparked a whole new business model. 🚐 The rise of the mobile gift wrapping movementIncluding the early client who hated wrapping gifts, the celebrity referrals, and the moment Michelle realized she was truly a business owner. ✨ Creating income opportunities for women 50+Why Michelle believes flexible, creative work is a powerful path to financial dignity and freedom. 📊 Business lessons Michelle learned the hard wayPricing for profit, investing in quality, and vetting team members — with honesty and humor. 📱 Introducing FeteTangoMichelle’s new gig app for creatives offering services like wrapping, decorating, porch pumpkins, cookie baking, and more — all with lower fees so women keep more of what they earn. 🕯️ Her message to widows and women starting overGrief has no timeline. Identity must be rebuilt slowly. And new beginnings are possible — even when you have no idea what comes next. 💬 Her advice to her 20-something selfFind a mentor. Listen to people who’ve lived more life. Be less judgmental. And soften your words, especially toward yourself. 🧭 Memorable Quotes “Sometimes you don’t know your idea is good — you just take the next step and it leads you somewhere new.” – Michelle “Women are incredibly resourceful. What scares us most is not that we can’t do it — but that we don’t know it yet.” – Michelle “I’ve been in the wilderness so many times I can give tours. Mistakes are part of the process.” – Michelle “You don’t have to care what everyone thinks — listen to yourself and take the next step.” – Yo & Michelle ✨ Connect with Michelle Hensley Website & Coaching: michellemhensley.comFree Book & Downloadables: available on her siteGift Wrapping Business: Nifty Package Co.Facebook Group: Unwrapping Your Life and BusinessYouTube: Mobile Gift Wrapping CoachGig App for Creatives: FeteTango.comMasterclass: michellemhensley.com/masterclass-registrationEmail: Michelle@niftypackage.co 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! Because reinvention doesn’t ask whether you’re ready — it invites you to trust yourself, take the next step, and begin wrapping a new life with courage and creativity. 💖 | |||
| 266. Reframing the “Good Daughter” Story — with Andrea Mein DeWitt | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:53:17 | |
Today’s guest is a dear friend of the show, Andrea Mein DeWitt — Professional Certified Coach (PCC), author, and creator of the transformational Name, Claim & Reframe® methodology. Her bestselling book, Name, Claim & Reframe: Your Path to a Well-Lived Life, was featured on NBC’s TODAY Show as the Best Motivational Read of 2023, and is now available as an audiobook, complete with a powerful PDF companion. Congrats to Andrea!!
Andrea works with high-achieving leaders navigating challenging relationships, identity shifts, and life transitions — especially the roles we often inherit inside our families. In this deeply moving conversation, she and Yo explore the complicated terrain between daughters and aging mothers, including grief, identity, boundaries, and the “good daughter” narrative many of us have carried for decades.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, responsible, guilty, or stuck in old roles with your mother — especially during moments of caregiving or family gatherings — this episode offers both companionship and real tools for the messy middle. Timing for this episode is perfect with the holidays which adds extra pressure around the good daughter/bad daughter trap!
Together, they explore: 💔 The cultural and generational expectations 🧭 Integrity as the anchor 🌪 Understanding the emotional hurricane 🌗 Grieving the mother we thought we had 🧱 Compassionate boundaries
💡 Using Name, Claim & Reframe® in real time • Name the emotional trigger • Claim the belief or value that helps you stay in integrity • Reframe the moment so you don’t internalize guilt, shame, or projection
🎧 Andrea’s new audiobook as a companion for healing Transformation doesn’t happen in one big moment — but in the pauses: the walk, the drive, the breath you take between conversations. Her audiobook was created for those moments.
🧭 Memorable Quotes
“You cannot have grace without grit. The grit lets you pause and choose who you want to be.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt “When you respond instead of react, you’re back in your power.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt “Not everyone deserves unlimited access to your energy.” – Andrea Mein DeWitt “Maybe what we’re grieving isn’t just our mother — it’s the story we carried about who she was.” – Yo & Andrea
🌺 Key Takeaways
Integrity — not approval — is your compass when navigating difficult family roles. You can be kind and clear at the same time — clarity is kindness. Grieving the mother you thought you had is real grief, and allowing yourself to feel it is deeply healing.
Other episodes to check out on the topic Ep 248 When Pleasing Hurts: Healing the Mother-Daughter Dynamic with Katherine Fabrizio Ep 48 A Discussion with Andrea Mein Dewitt About Her Book: Name, Claim Reframe, Your Path to a Well-Lived Life Ep 72 Andrea Mein Dewitt, Name Claim & Reframe (NCR) Author, Returns and Relates NCR to Female Bullying Ep 153 & 154 Be Confident. Be Resourceful. Be Graceful. Name Claim and Reframe Workbook.
✨ Connect with Andrea Mein DeWitt 🌐 Website: andreadewittadvisors.com 🎧 New Audiobook on Audible (released December 2, 2025) — includes a PDF companion Leadership Quiz: https://www.andreadewittadvisors.com/leadership-quiz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreaMeinDeWitt Book links: Name, Claim & Reframe: https://www.amazon.com/dp/157826958X Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578269962
🧰 NCR Toolkit: https://www.andreadewittadvisors.com/ncr-toolkit 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mein-dewitt-98694068/ Be sure to check out her Beyond the Reframe Articles 📸 Instagram: @andreadewittcoaching
💌 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 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram
Because leadership — and healing — begin when we have the courage to see ourselves clearly and choose integrity over old family roles. 💖 | |||
| 265. Holiday Check-In: Your Health, Wealth & Worth with Nancy Griffin | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:22:51 | |
This holiday season, we’re inviting you to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself — because as this week’s guest reminds us, you are your greatest asset.
🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify Because leadership — and connection — begin when we dare to understand ourselves and each other more deeply. 💖 | |||
| 264. Unlocking Neurodiverse Brilliance — Empathy, AI & Real Support with Derek | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:29:38 | |
Today’s guest is Derek, an educator at heart whose life journey—rooted in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia—has been shaped by a lifelong quest to transform confusion into clarity. Diagnosed at age 50, he finally gained the language, belonging, and understanding that helped him make sense of decades of feeling “different.” That clarity became his calling. Professionally, Derek’s path spans the trades, automotive manufacturing, entrepreneurship, process engineering, and ultimately talent development—where he became the architect behind Amazon’s highest-rated employee training program, earning an extraordinary 92 NPS and 4.92/5 rating. Today, he is the visionary behind Human-First AI, including his book, Human First AI, which lays out a powerful and accessible blueprint for building AI systems that augment humanity rather than replace it. His company, Practical AI, builds tools like Pocket Mentor, offering voice-based, just-in-time support so no one ever feels stuck, judged, or alone again. This episode explores what it really means to unlock neurodiverse brilliance—and how empathy and human-centered AI can change the way we learn, collaborate, and lead. 📚 Featured Resource Recommended by Derek ✨ Dr. Nancy Doyle’s “What Is Neurodiversity” framework, including the plus-10/minus-10 graph that helps explain ALL human skill variation. “My whole life was trying to turn confusion into clarity — and that became the foundation of everything I build.” – Derek 🌺 Key Takeaways 1. Neurodiversity is the human condition. 2. Diagnosis can bring healing—not limits. 3. Empathy-based leadership allows brilliance to shine. 4. Human-First AI supports—not replaces—humans. ✨ Connect with Derek Support is rooted in celebrating strengths and releasing judgment. 📘 Hero Book – Human First AIRead the first chapter free: https://www.humanfirstai.net 🌐 Practical AI (organization & nonprofit community) 👥 Community 💼 LinkedInSearch “Derek” + “Human First AI” 💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead! 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Spotify Because leadership — and connection — begin when we dare to understand ourselves and each other more deeply. 💖 | |||
| 263. How to D.R.E.A.M. Your Way to Wisdom with Lori Pappas | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:39:28 | |
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, we meet Lori Pappas, one of the first female computer sales reps in the world, an award-winning entrepreneur, and founder of the Global Team for Local Initiatives, where she spent over a decade in Africa helping more than 100,000 people. After years of chasing success, Lori discovered that the true magic of life comes from saying yes—yes to forgiveness, boundaries, curiosity, and self-discovery. Her journey inspired the D.R.E.A.M. Framework, a practical guide for transforming challenges into wisdom. In this episode, Lori and Yo talk about reinventing yourself at every stage of life, the myths that hold women back from self-advocacy, and how forgiveness and reflection unlock our deepest wisdom. 💡 Key Takeaways ✨ The Power of Choice 💖 Turning Struggles into Wisdom 🌿 Boundaries as Self-Care 💬 Favorite Quotes from Lori “Our struggles and challenges really are the keys to finding our wisdom.” “Let’s really work on that noise. Let’s just get rid of that crap. If I had done that earlier, I could have traveled farther and touched more people.” 📚 Resources & Links
⏰ Episode Chapters 00:00 — Lori’s story: from rebellion to resilience 💖 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!
| |||
| 262. Awakening Ancestral Wealth — Turning Wounds into Power with Michelle Jeovanny | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:41:37 | |
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:
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 🌺 Key Takeaways
✨ Connect with Michelle Jeovanny 🌐 Magik Mystery School — monthly channelings, programs, and resources 💌 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. 💖 | |||
| 261. Trust Yourself — Pathfinding for the Modern World with Hillary Spiritos | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:34:42 | |
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:
⏱️ Episode Highlights
💡 Key Takeaways
📚 About Hillary Spiritos
💌 Store Highlight
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
| |||
| 260. Life’s Too Short to Act Normal — The Wild, Witty Journey of Sue Hincenbergs | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:23:32 | |
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:
⏱️ Episode Highlights
💡 Key Takeaways
📚 About Sue Hincenbergs
💌 Store Highlight
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
| |||
| 259. Speak Before It Feels Comfortable — Finding Your Voice with Salvatore Manzi | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:39:56 | |
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:
⏱️ Episode Highlights
💡 Key Takeaways
✨ Connect with Salvatore Manzi
💌 Store Highlight
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host
| |||
| 258. The Heart of Story — Sarah M. Eden on History, Hope, and the Art of Romance | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:30:26 | |
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
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sarah M. Eden 💡 Key Takeaways
✨ Connect with Sarah M. Eden 🌐 Website & Newsletter: sarahmeden.com 🎬 Coming Soon:
💌 Store Highlight Sarah’s favorite from our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop is “Finding Joy” — featuring a hummingbird and flowers. “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 | |||
| 257. The Heart of Fairtrade — Leading with Purpose and Presence with Arisbe Mendoza | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:35:17 | |
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) 💡 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 💌 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.
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host 🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com | |||
| 256. The Power of a Careerquake — Turning Loss into Leadership with Uma Thana Balasingam | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:36:49 | |
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:
⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Uma Thana Balasingam 💡 Key Takeaways
✨ Connect with Uma Thana Balasingam
💌 Store Highlight
📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host | |||
| 255. Go Be Great: Irma Neal on Resilience, Bullies and Chaos | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:38:11 | |
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:
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 💡 Key Takeaways
✨ Connect with Irma Neal 🌐 Website: onyx2rise.com 💌 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 | |||
| 254. Rita Lussier on Love, Loss, and Rediscovering Yourself | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:39:10 | |
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:
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 💡 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 Connect with Yo, Your Host: Instagram: @yocanny Facebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead! | |||
| 253. We Got This: Thriving Through Cancer, Grief, and Community with Elissa | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:46:07 | |
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:
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
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:
| |||
| 252. Rewriting Memories, Rekindling Connections with Amy Weinland-Daughters | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:35:15 | |
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:
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 Episode Takeaways
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:
📬 Connect with Yo:
| |||
| 251. Permission to Be You: Embracing Passion and Purpose | 11 Sep 2025 | 00:45:38 | |
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:
🔑 3 Big Takeaways:
🛍️ Online Store Highlight:
📬 Connect with Alaina:
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
| |||
| 250. Empowering The Next Generation Girls to Lead with Mary Jane Strom | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:32:24 | |
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:
⏱ Timestamps & Highlights
💬 Notable Quotes
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
🌐 Resources & Links
🛍️ Online Store Highlight 📬 Connect With Mary Jane
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
| |||
| 249. Give Up to Grow – Overcoming Fear, Limiting Beliefs, and Taking Control with Lana Shepard | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:38:24 | |
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:
🎧 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
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
📬 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 | |||
| 248: When Pleasing Hurts: Healing the Mother-Daughter Dynamic | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:44:58 | |
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:
⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Katherine 💬 Memorable Quotes
🔑 3 Big Takeaways
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
🛍️ Online Store Highlight Katherine chose a card representing self-empowerment and boundary-setting: 📬 Connect With Katherine https://www.facebook.com/thegooddaughter https://www.instagram.com/katherinefabrizio/ 📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo | |||
| 247. Beyond the Budget: Leading Yourself to Money Freedom | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:32:17 | |
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:
🎧 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 💬 Memorable Quotes “Debt will always be the abattoir of creative dreams.” – Elizabeth Gilbert (quoted by Veronica) 🔑 3 Big Takeaways
🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned
🛍️ Online Store Highlight 📬 Connect With Veronica 📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo | |||
| 246. Centering Energy, Claiming Power, Creating Legacy | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:32:20 | |
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:
🎧 Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome 💬 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
🛍️ Online Store Highlight 📬 Connect With Sylvia
📬 Stay Connected With Your Host, Yo
| |||