You've done everything right. You've built the career, earned the recognition, checked all the boxes — and yet, deep down, something still feels… off.
It's subtle. Hard to name. But it's there — the quiet space between your success and your sense of fulfillment. That's what I call the Purpose Gap.
In Season Six of Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin, we're exploring what the Purpose Gap is, why it happens, and how to close it — so you can create a life and work that truly reflect who you are.
Through powerful conversations with high-achieving women, you'll hear real stories of turning points — moments where they stopped following someone else's definition of success and started making aligned choices that brought more meaning and authenticity into their leadership, careers, and lives.
Many of us are searching for our purpose, hoping to discover the path that will bring us meaning and fulfillment. But what if your purpose isn't something you have to find out there? What if it's already within you — waiting to be expressed?
That's the heart of the PurposeMAKER™ philosophy:
Your purpose isn't something you find. It's something you express by living fully as who you are.
If you've ever achieved the title, earned the promotion, or reached the milestone but still felt inner unfulfillment or disconnect, this season is for you.
It's your invitation to understand what's been missing, to close the Purpose Gap, and to step into more profound meaning, true purpose, and lasting fulfillment in your life and work.
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How to Make Purpose-Aligned Decisions at a Career Crossroads | Ep 280 with Dr. Robin
Season 6 · Episode 280
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • Duration 14:17
This week's "At Her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin.
"Sometimes an aligned decision feels deeply right and deeply costly at the same time. True and vulnerable at the same time. Relieving and stretching at the same time."
If you've been sitting in the tension between what looks good on paper and what actually feels true to you, this episode will help you think about career decisions differently. I'm exploring why so many high-achieving women still make choices from pressure, fear, urgency, or external expectations — even after doing the inner work to understand themselves more deeply. And I share what it really means to make a purpose-aligned decision and why the most aligned path is not always the easiest one.
Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode:
If you've been overthinking a career decision, this episode will help you separate fear from truth so you can stop making choices based only on what feels safest or most explainable.
You'll hear a practical framework for making decisions that reflect who you are now — not just the version of yourself shaped by old expectations, conditioning, or external pressure.
This conversation will help you recognize the difference between a difficult decision that stretches you and a misaligned decision that slowly wears you down over time.
I'm Dr. Robin, leadership expert, executive coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER™ framework. Through Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin, I help high-achieving women close the gap between external success and true fulfillment by making more purpose-aligned decisions in their careers, leadership, and lives.
Why Values Matter More Than You Think | Ep 279 with Dr. Robin
Season 6 · Episode 279
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 • Duration 17:23
This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin.
"Sometimes high-achieving women at a career crossroads think it's just an issue of stress, or maybe they think it's timing or workload. But sometimes the deeper issue is that they're succeeding inside conditions that violate what matters most to them."
In this episode, I'm talking about why so many career crossroads feel confusing — especially when the decision looks good on paper, but something inside still feels unsettled. I share why values are often the missing piece in the decision-making process, how values conflicts can quietly shape exhaustion and disconnection, and why clarity starts to change when you stop asking only "What should I do?" and begin asking "What actually matters most to me?"
Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode:
If you've been feeling torn between a "smart" career move and what genuinely feels right for you, this episode will help you understand why those two things are not always the same — and why that tension matters.
You'll learn how values often show up through friction, resentment, exhaustion, or disconnection — and why those feelings may actually be important clues instead of something to ignore.
I walk through practical questions you can ask yourself to make more purpose-aligned decisions, especially if you're in a season where success no longer feels as fulfilling as it once did.
I am a professor, speaker, author, coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER philosophy, framework, and platform. Through the Leadership Purpose podcast, I help high-achieving women close the gap between success and fulfillment so they can create a life and work filled with more meaning and true purpose.
Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to
The Career Crossroads High Achieving Women Don't Expect | Ep 270 with Dr. Robin
Season 6 · Episode 270
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 • Duration 12:24
This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin.
"Many of us were taught to think about careers as a straight line. Choose a direction, work hard, advance, continue succeeding. But real careers rarely unfold in such a simple way. As people grow, their sense of identity grows as well. Values start to become clearer, interests deepen, priorities shift, and sometimes the career path that once felt perfectly right begins to feel incomplete."
Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode:
You'll understand why career uncertainty often appears after success, not at the beginning of a career. If you've ever wondered why something that once felt right now feels unclear, this episode will help you make sense of that moment.
You'll hear how the career crossroads shows up for many high-achieving women — including the subtle shift from asking "How do I succeed here?" to asking "Is this actually the direction I want my career life to go?"
You'll walk away with a powerful reflection question that may help you recognize whether the uncertainty you're feeling is actually a signal for deeper alignment in your work and life.
I'm Dr. Robin L. Owens, professor, speaker, author, coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER philosophy, where I help high-achieving women close the gap between outward success and inner fulfillment so they can create work and lives that feel truly aligned.
Empathy, Integrity, and Legacy with Dr. Tenia Davis | Ep 181
Season 4 · Episode 181
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 • Duration 35:41
Is that really what makes you whole?
"I think having the intention around, what is it that you want to do, and really being honest with yourself. Are you doing it for this reason, or are you doing it for that reason? And does that fulfill you? Is that really what makes you whole? And a lot of times, we compromise to have that image and vision of what we think success is, and that success might not be fulfilling to us."
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Tenia Davis, M.B.A., Ph.D.
Tenia Davis is the author of the book, "8 Essential Steps to Inspire Others & Build a Thriving Workforce." She is the Chief Human Resources Officer NORC at the University of Chicago.
She has directed Human Resources and Operations for massive domestic and international companies and has managed high-stake and high-value brands such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz, The Oprah Winfrey Foundations, and the Oprah Winfrey Network.
She is also a recognized community leader who expresses particular care and interest in mentoring the next generation of leaders and volunteers, and was recently acknowledged by the United States' Senate and received Congressional recognition for her efforts to inspire the world's future leaders.
In this episode we discussed:
Tenia's changing career expectations and motivations
maintaining personal integrity in leadership roles
having empathy and understanding in engaging and retaining employees
the Importance of mentorship for employee development
We can extend both vertically, horizontally, diagonally, spiralled. It's not linear, success. It takes you by surprise.
"Maybe it's time to go to another ladder or to take another little walk on that plateau you're on and find a ladder you want to continue climbing. I don't think it ever ends. I don't think it's like, that's it, we've achieved the pinnacle, and there's nowhere to go. Because we can extend both vertically, horizontally, diagonally, spiralled. It's not linear, success. It takes you by surprise. That's the serendipitous moments that you should always be at."
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Donna Griffit
Donna is a gifted corporate storyteller and pitch alchemist. She's the author of the groundbreaking book, Sticking To My Story, The Alchemy of Storytelling For Startups.
Donna has worked globally for two decades in over 30 countries with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors. And she magically spins raw data into compelling stories that captivate audiences and drive results.
In this episode we discussed:
Donna's aspirations from an early age
how assisting a cardiothoric surgeon with his tech startup pitches led to her new career and purpose
how supporting other women and self-empowerment is important in your life
Transforming Burnout into Purpose with Daisy Auger-Dominguez | Ep 179
Season 4 · Episode 179
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 • Duration 32:35
Cultivate the relationships with women in your life because they will bring you through life.
"We forget that to build and cultivate relationships with women, it's about intentionality. It's about taking time and effort to build relationships, because the women in our lives will see us through our lives. They will lift us up when we need to. They will check us when we need to be checked. They will send us the flowers that we deserve. They will hold us through the gnarly and the scary and the dark, and they will also show us the way."
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Daisy Auger-Dominguez.
Daisy is a sought after speaker, recognized for her vision and success. She is the author of the upcoming and highly anticipated book, Burnt Out to Lit Up, How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People.
Daisy also has a book out called Inclusion Revolution, The Essential Guide to Dismantling Racial Inequity in the Workplace. And her insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes and several other leadership books.
In this episode we discussed:
growing up in the Dominican Republic and Daisy's experience of otherness in the United States while at college
how Daisy noticed people's struggles with access and opportunity due to racial and diversity issues
the role of reflection and inquiry in finding purpose in your life
How to Find Your True Power with Rúna Bouius | Ep 178
Season 4 · Episode 178
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 • Duration 22:19
True power is when you are literally able to claim your authentic self.
"Start by thinking about what success means to her and whether that is based on expectations from, say, her parents, from her education, from society in general, from her friends, from her, position that she has now claimed, or whether that is coming from a deeper place where the definition of purpose where when she is expressing truly who she is, her authentic self. And I that's what I call true power, when you are literally able to claim your authentic self."
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Rúna Bouius.
Rúna is an accidental entrepreneur and says of herself 'this Icelandic trailblazer wasn't always a catalyst for leadership empowerment.' She crushed it as an entrepreneur and CEO in her native Iceland before ditching the suit for a bigger and more purpose driven mission, which is guiding leaders that become conscious leaders.
Rúna is also a futurist, speaker, author, executive coach, and social change agent. And she's on a quest to build a better world, one empowered leader at a time.
In this episode we discussed:
how Rúna began focusing on conscious leadership after a devastating personal loss
becoming aware of your impact on others and society
reflecting on your own definition of success, and questioning societal norms
Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube?Head on over to
How to Never Hate Mondays Again with Tammy Alvarez | Ep 177
Season 4 · Episode 177
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 • Duration 33:40
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Tammy Alvarez.
"You need to give yourself permission to put yourself first. High achieving women put everyone else before themselves. And so you need to get comfortable with knowing the whole, 'put your own mask on first in an aeroplane'. When you take care of yourself first, everything else gets better."
Tammy is the author of the book Escaping the Career Trap, and the CEO of the Career Winners Circle. She's a professional keynote speaker, inspirational coach, and former corporate executive.
Tammy's spirited break all the rules approach helps business professionals create a big impact, and get this . . . love every Monday again!
In this episode we discussed:
losing your passion in your career
discovering which of your strengths you love and can use to enhance career enjoyment
how a work-first mindset may have unintended consequences in your life
focussing on life harmony rather than the over-used idea of work-life balance.
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Danielle Cobo.
"If you're feeling like you're not feeling fulfilled, I would say look at how you're spending your time. What activities are taking up your time where you're feeling fulfilled versus the ones that are not, and how could you work towards a shift towards the ones that are more fulfilling?"
Danielle is the author of the outstanding book, Unstoppable Grit, and a former Fortune 500 sales manager. She is renowned for empowering individuals with grit, resilience, and courage to thrive both professionally and personally.
Danielle is also an acclaimed speaker and thought leader, and her life's work epitomizes grit and resilience, and I can't wait for you to hear more about it.
In this episode we discussed:
how Danielle's personal and professional challenges led to her realigning her career and personal life priorities
how to recognise the physical and emotional signs of burnout
why relationships and community help to have a fulfilled life
The Art of Leadership and Team Success with Pam Fox Rollin | Ep 175
Season 4 · Episode 175
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • Duration 26:39
This week's "How She Finds Purpose" insight comes from Pam Fox Rollin.
"To have people who know you well enough to say, 'I remember you had this goal. I remember accomplishing this is really important to you. How are you taking care of that now? And if there's some way I can help, let me know.' And just that being witnessed, being seen for someone who has that purpose, who has something that they're aiming to accomplish, but they're not just an accomplishment, they're also a human living a life that has all sorts of parts to that story."
Pam is a coach of top teams and C levels in Silicon Valley and globally with Altus Growth Partners, boosting the effectiveness of leaders at all levels.
She has written two books:
42 Rules for Your New Leadership Role
Growing Groups Into Teams
In this episode we discussed:
Pam's very early curiousity about efficiency and business
the differences between groups and teams
the two essential elements of a team
how important it is to have a supportive community or group
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