Explore every episode of the podcast the Working Mother's Mentor

Executive influence, senior leadership, and high stakes decision making sit at the heart of this episode.

We unpack the gap between the power you hold on paper and what actually moves when you speak, and clarify the real difference between power and influence at senior levels. 

You will learn how your decisions, your presence in high pressure rooms, and your reputation in the rooms you never enter all combine to shape your impact. 

You will leave with concrete moves you can test this week to make your voice easier to follow and your decisions easier to execute.

If this conversation lands for you, connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieappiahfinn/

Layoffs, restructures, and relentless change have left even the strongest teams uneasy. 

Many executives are now leading people who don't feel safe and doing it while managing their own uncertainty.

When confidence wavers, between executives, teams, or across the organization, alignment fractures and results slow.

In this episode, Julie Finn unpacks how senior leaders can rebuild trust across the system, not just personally, but collectively. Learn how to:

• Recognize the subtle patterns that signal erosion of trust
• Balance speed and alignment in decision-making
• Rebuild credibility through clarity, consistency, and open conversation

Learn more about how Julie can support you and your team in rebuilding trust and strengthening alignment.

Visit juliefinnstrategies.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Feedback, leadership, and psychological safety all hinge on one thing: knowing how to have hard conversations when the stakes are high.

In this episode, I share neuroscience-backed and communication-based frameworks to help senior leaders navigate tension with calm, precision, and courage.

Learn how to manage emotional triggers to hold people accountable without aggression, and model candor that strengthens trust across your team.

Because leadership isn't tested when things are easy. It's tested when honesty feels risky.

Learn more about executive advisory and facilitation at juliefinnstrategies.com

Most of us don't recognize negative self-talk when it's happening.
We just feel the hesitation, the pressure, the dread.

But underneath those emotions are distorted thoughts quietly shaping how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.

In this episode, I unpack how cognitive distortions create stress and stall decision-making.

You'll learn how to spot these spirals early, name them for what they are, and take small, deliberate actions that help you rebuild trust in your own judgment.

🎧 Listen if you're feeling stuck, hesitant, or caught in overthinking loops  and want tools to move forward with grounded clarity.

Free Masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence

https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

You know you shouldn't compare yourself to others… but you still do.
That quiet thought creeps in: "I thought I'd be further by now." It's subtle, powerful, and it can shape your biggest decisions without you even realizing it.

In this episode, we unpack the real impact of comparison and doubt: why it shows up, how it hijacks your confidence, and most importantly, how to break the spiral and refocus on what actually matters to you.

You'll learn:

• How comparison quietly drives hesitation and overthinking

• The mental shift that stops the "I should be further" spiral

• Practical tools to get clear on your priorities and take meaningful action forward

Comparison is human. Staying stuck doesn't have to be.

This is a grounded, research-backed conversation for anyone ready to quiet the noise and move forward, whether you're making a career pivot, navigating leadership decisions, or simply tired of second-guessing yourself.

👉 Free Masterclass: https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

The thought that it's too late for bold career moves can keep you circling the past instead of shaping the future.

The truth: it's not too late, not too late to pivot, to reinvent, to bounce back after layoff. But most people keep rehearsing the wrong story.

In this episode, I break down the lie behind "too late" thinking and the real steps back into forward motion.

Join me inside the free Get Unstuck Masterclass and I'll show you how to start building again: https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

How do you decide to go for it when failure feels too risky?

You've done the analysis, run the numbers, had the coffee chats and you're still circling, not because you're careless, but because you're responsible.

In this episode, I walk you through five grounded shifts to help you decide without waiting for certainty that will never come:

This isn't about rash moves.

It's about rigorous, thoughtful steps that honor your responsibility while breaking the cycle of spinning.

➡️Free Masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence

https://www.theworkingmothersmentorcollective.com/navigator-webinar-optin

"What should I do next?" It's the question leaders ask when they've achieved success on paper but still feel restless, stuck, or unsure how to move forward.

Grab my free on-demand masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward With Confidence https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

In this episode, I offer a strategic framework for navigating that season of uncertainty.

Drawing on research and extensive coaching experience, I unpack how to move from circling the same questions to building a next chapter rooted in clarity, impact, and legacy.

You'll discover why more options often make decisions harder, how to reframe constraints as signals, and why reinvention is less about leaping and more about testing.

This episode will help you stop circling and start moving.

High achiever, you're not lazy, you're drowning. 

Between late-night work, endless meetings, kids' schedules, aging parents, and the constant pull of competing priorities, even the most organized leaders feel like there's no time left for what they want.

In this episode, I'll share why procrastinatio and even workload are not the root problem, exhaustion is. 

And I'll walk you through practical, psychology-backed strategies to reclaim your time and energy so you can finally make space for the things you've been putting off: a run, dinner with friends, time with your kids, or just a moment to breathe.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional time management hacks don't work for ambitious professionals
  
  

• The science of decision fatigue and how it keeps you stuck
  
  

• Simple frameworks to create boundaries without guilt
  
  

• How to design small shifts that compound into lasting change
  
  

If you've ever thought, "I just don't have time for myself," this episode will show you how to change that story, worrying about destroying your career or letting people down.

Feeling stuck? This Weekend Reset will help you clear emotional, physical, and digital clutter so you can finally breathe, think clearly, and move forward with confidence.

You're not lazy. You're carrying too much. And clutter, emotional, physical, digital, feeds on exhaustion. That's why weekends often feel like survival mode, not rest.

This isn't about perfection. It's about creating breathing room so you can show up with clarity and build momentum.

Free Masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward With Confidence https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

Turning 50 isn't a finish line, it's the launchpad for your most intentional, empowered decade yet. Whether you're feeling the pressure to catch up or you're staring at a blank canvas of possibility, your 50s are where wisdom meets opportunity.

In this episode, I share why your 50s are the perfect time for a bold new chapter, no matter your starting point. As a high-achieving professional, you've got the experience, clarity, and resilience to redefine what's next, on your terms.

Watch my free on demand masterclass, Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence   https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

At 45, the demands on your time haven't slowed, but something in you starts to pause. 

You may still be leading, parenting, caregiving, and producing at full tilt, but your inner voice is asking a quieter, more persistent question: Is this still the life I want to be living?

In this episode, I share what I wish I knew about identity at 45, why this is a golden window of possibility, how to recognize the quiet pivot, and what it means to design your next chapter from curiosity and discernment, not just momentum.

You don't have to know the whole plan to start. You just have to listen and be willing to respond.

Watch my free on demand masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence → https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

You've built a solid life, but something's shifting.

At 40, many ambitious leaders feel the tension between stability and growth. You're not looking to burn it all down, but the identity you built may no longer feel aligned. 

This episode unpacks what I wish I knew at 40 about navigating big internal shifts during high-stakes years, and how to move forward without losing momentum, or yourself.

Watch the free masterclass: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

At 35, your identity isn't fixed, it's still unfolding.

This episode is for ambitious leaders navigating the quiet tension between career success and personal evolution. Whether you're pivoting professionally, redefining success, or just trying to keep your head above water, you'll hear wisdom, honesty, and practical insight to help you embrace the "and" in your life. You don't have to be just one thing.

You don't have to do it alone.

Sign up for the free webinar: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

What's really holding you back from making that decision?

In this episode, I unpack what's really behind hesitation, especially at the senior or executive level.

You'll learn:
– Why smart, capable leaders stall (hint: it's not indecision)
– The hidden commitments that create inner conflict
– How to navigate external resistance
– Executive coaching tools to move forward strategically

This is leadership under pressure, decoded.

At the senior level, every decision feels heavier. 

In this episode, I share key strategies every leader needs to make strong decisions, even in fast-paced environments and a complex world.

Listen to learn how to make confident, resilient decisions that align with your leadership and your organization's future.

Subscribe for more leadership and decision-making strategies.

The first 90 days in a senior executive or C-Suite role can make or break your tenure. What you do, and what you don't do, in those first three months sets the tone for your leadership, your credibility, and your ability to deliver results.

In this episode, I share a clear, research-backed roadmap for your first 90 days as an SVP, EVP, or C-suite leader. 

If you're stepping into the C-suite, or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.

Layoffs and career pivots don't just disrupt your income, they can shake your confidence and sense of identity. In this episode, I'll show you how to quiet shame, rebuild your self-worth, and create real opportunities by connecting strategically and authentically.

Free masterclass: GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE → https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

If you're navigating a layoff, pivot, or reinvention, this episode will show you how to rebuild career momentum through strategic rhythms and intentional action. We'll explore how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to support your process—and why waiting for clarity might be holding you back.

Free masterclass: GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE →https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

Join me for the free masterclass: GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE → https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

Rebuilding or reinventing your career isn't just about making moves—it's about making them sustainably.

This episode shows you how to create momentum without burning out by redesigning your rhythm, protecting your energy, and taking aligned action even through uncertainty.

Free Masterclass:  Get Unstuck and Move Forward With Confidence

https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

Rebuilding your career after a layoff—or while craving reinvention—doesn't mean you have to walk away from everything you've built. In this episode, we explore how to take strategic action without starting from scratch. Whether you're in transition or simply feeling stuck, you'll learn how to move forward with clarity, purpose, and stability.

Layoff, career decision, or feeling stuck—this episode will help you find clarity when the path ahead feels overwhelming.

Whether you're navigating a recent layoff or questioning if your current role still fits, the pressure to make the "right" move can feel paralyzing. 

But clarity doesn't come from spinning—it comes from asking better questions and using a smarter framework.

GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE
👉 https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

In this episode, I'll walk you through 5 powerful steps to help you:

Clarify what matters most in this season

Identify real, aligned options—even if you think you don't have any

Understand the emotional drivers behind your choices

Focus on the 20% of options that create 80% of the shift

Start small, smart, and with confidence

Want more guidance? Grab my free masterclass:
 

GET UNSTUCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE
👉 https://dub.sh/UnstuckMoveForward

Rewrite What's Possible in Your Life and Career.  This episode is your invitation to rewrite the story you're telling yourself — about your future, your ambition, and your impact.

Whether you've been laid off, passed over, or you're just ready for more, the next chapter is yours to define.

Don't miss the free training I created to help you reset, realign, and move forward with confidence:

https://bit.ly/unstuckandmoveforward

Feeling stuck after a layoff or major career shift?

Or perhaps you're ready to make a change, but just aren't sure what to do about it.

You're not alone — and this episode is your starting point.

If you've checked all the boxes, built a solid career, and still find yourself thinking "How did I get here… and what now?" — this conversation is for you.

Whether you've been laid off, burned out, or are simply feeling disconnected from the life you worked so hard to build, we're walking through three powerful steps to help you get clear, feel grounded, and reconnect with what really matters.

You'll learn:

• Why so many ambitious women feel lost right now (and what to do about it)
  
  

• The first step to take when your path feels unclear
  
  

• How to reclaim your direction without blowing up your life
  
  

• What it means to move forward with confidence — on your terms
  
  

🎓 Ready to go deeper? Join the free training: Get Unstuck and Move Forward with Confidence 

This is not about settling.

It's about redefining success, finding your next right step, and building a life that feels like yours.

If you're an ambitious woman leader navigating change, pressure, or politics — and you're ready to be seen not just as reliable, but as executive material — this episode is your strategic advantage.

In seasons of layoffs, restructures, and cultural breakdown, leadership isn't about keeping up appearances. It's about building clarity, trust, and momentum in environments that feel anything but stable. 

That's what sets the most respected leaders apart — and it's exactly what I'm breaking down in this episode.

These are not feel-good ideas. They're practical, enterprise-level tactics you can use right now to shift team energy, regain focus, and get noticed by the people who matter. 

You'll walk away with clear, actionable ways to strengthen your executive presence, influence across functions, and lead culture on purpose — no matter what's happening around you.

How to Lead Teams Through Uncertainty Without Burning Out Your People—or Yourself

When burnout is rising and change feels relentless, your team silently wonders: Can I trust you to lead us through this?

In this episode of The Working Mother's Mentor Leadership Series, executive coach Julie Finn shares the high-impact leadership strategies used by today's most effective leaders to guide their teams through uncertainty, complexity, and change—without losing momentum or morale.

Whether you're a senior executive, team manager, entrepreneur, or change agent, you'll learn actionable strategies to help your team feel steady, safe, and supported—even when the path forward is unclear.

🔑 In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Lead the emotional climate of your team (your state is contagious)
  
  

• Build psychological safety that fuels speed, trust, and resilience
  
  

• Activate distributed leadership without losing control
  
  

• Create team-wide resilience (not just individual grit)
  
  

• Operationalize learning from failure
  
  

• Normalize and manage change fatigue
  
  

• Use micro-visibility to increase connection, trust, and morale
  
  

These are the people-first, performance-driven strategies that help leaders like you avoid burnout, maintain influence, and drive results—even during chaos.

Perfect for anyone navigating high-stakes leadership challenges.

Subscribe and share with a friend or colleague who leads through high stakes.

For more support, visit www.theworkingmothersmentor.com/programs

You can't lead others through complexity if you're not first leading yourself. 

In this episode, I share seven strategies to strengthen your leadership and show up with clarity, confidence, and staying power—especially when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear.

If you're an executive, manager, entrepreneur, or ambitious professional leading through change, burnout, or decision fatigue, this conversation will help you:

✔ Reclaim strategic thinking time
✔ Protect your energy and leadership margins
✔ Lead decisively without waiting for perfect answers
✔ Challenge false certainty and earn real trust
✔ Build adaptability into your leadership toolkit

Whether you're leading a team, a business, or your household, you'll discover how to stay grounded, make smart decisions faster, and become a steady force others trust—no matter what's happening around you.

This episode is especially for high-achieving women who want to lead with strength and sustainability without sacrificing what matters most.

Do you ever look around and wonder, "Shouldn't I be further along by now?"

If comparison, regret, or fear of judgment have you questioning your career, life choices, or even your worth, this episode is for you.

Today, we're pulling back the curtain on:

• Why successful women still struggle with self-doubt
  
  

• How comparison and perfectionism quietly sabotage progress
  
  

• How worrying about what others think keeps you stuck
  
  

• The real reason it's never too late to change your story
  
  

Join me for a little tough love, a lot of truth-telling, and real strategies to stop letting old stories or outside opinions define your future.

✨ Please share and subscribe!

In this episode, we challenge the conventional belief that resilience is the ultimate solution for high-achieving women.

We explore how the pressure to constantly 'push through' can lead to burnout, emotional suppression, and a disconnect from one's purpose. 

Discover the significance of creating a balanced approach that includes self-awareness, emotional agility, and the necessity of rest and purposeful connections.

Learn why real leadership strength comes from being grounded, supported, and emotionally healthy. This episode is a call to every strong woman to redefine their approach to leadership.

Feeling the pressure to hold it all together—even when everything feels off?

You're not alone. In this episode, I unpack the real weight professional women are carrying right now—and why community isn't a luxury, but a strategic act of leadership.

If you've been silently wondering "what about me?" this is your space to exhale, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

For ambitious women ready to lead differently, live fully, and feel less alone—this is for you.

Let's discuss ten ways the system fails us and focus on the power we have to create the life we deserve.

Julie discusses the power of making the decision to bet on yourself.

Julie provides a quick update about the re-launch of the podcast and a special gift for her listeners.

In this episode we discuss important advice for anyone seeking to live a happier, more peaceful life, regardless of relationship status.  Gabrielle Hartley is a divorce attorney who helps couples navigate divorce in a non-toxic way. Her book is endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow and reveals Gabrielle's unique approach which keeps 99% of clients out of the courtroom. In addition to being an attorney, Gabrielle is a coach, mediator, speaker and author of Better Apart: The Radically Positive Way to Separate.

Dr. Darria Long Gillespie is a Yale and Harvard trained ER doctor and a regular TV expert on the HLN, CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and Fox News. She just released her new book, Mom Hacks, in which she took over 100 of the most high-yield and science-backed solutions to help mother and baby thrive together. Darria resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children, and a Bullmastiff.

Julie talks about automatic negative thoughts and how they can wreak havoc on your emotions.  She discusses practical steps you can do TODAY to help you to tame your negative thinking and to gain more control over your emotions.

Tanya Van Court left an illustrious career in the corporate world to launch Goalsetter, a goal-based savings and gifting platform that encourages kids to save in a way that's fun and engaging. A mom of three with a partner who sometimes has to live 30 miles away, Tanya urges working moms to cultivate and maintain as many supportive relationships as they can.

Jess is a podcast host, online course builder, and leader at Teachable, an online course platform.  Jess shares a ton of specific advice on how to design and build a great online course.  She also discusses how the environment in which she grew up shaped her drive and entrepreneurial spirit.

Rachel is the mom of 7 and author of the globally popular blog, Findingjoy.  Drawing on her own experiences surviving a difficult divorce and years of poverty, she shares her deeply held belief in the power of the human spirit to overcome.  Rachel is an inspiring teacher on parenting and the courage it takes to live an authentic life.

Jess shares her nutrition and behavior modification expertise as we discuss strategies to help busy families eat healthy meals.  Jess will help you to see that food is medicine and how taking a wellness approach to life with affect your eating decisions.  You will also learn about the successful social enterprise, Good Measure Meals, and how they leverage an income generating business in order to help fund their social impact programs.  Jess discusses how she integrates her work and family life, how she, as a leader, creates an environment for her teams to thrive, and the best advice she's ever received.

Melisa is an energetic, passionate leader who supports women entrepreneurs in living their best lives. She is the founder of a global network to connect and educate women, particularly women of color, business owners. She is a thyroid cancer survivor who shares how her journey affects the joy and enthusiasm she brings to every day life. She also provides great, concrete advice on how to find your purpose and to live a full, abundant life.

Jen Kem is a powerhouse entrepreneur successfully running multiple multi-million dollar businesses while raising her kids.  She gives a ton of no-nonsense, very specific advice about business, relationships, and parenting. 

Bobbi takes us behind the scenes of her fascinating career journey that has led her from the TV anchor desk at Reuters, to becoming a best-selling author and podcast host.  She shares how she made the big decision to leave TV in order to pursue her dream of helping others to find financial freedom as they become Financial Grownups.

Dr. Jo Boaler is an education professor at Stanford University and the author of many books including her most recent book, Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers. Jo has spent decades studying the impact of beliefs and bias on education and is determined to spread the word that "we can all learn anything."

Lara Schulte is co-founder of Generation.Mom, a platform focused on guiding, connecting and supporting women navigating modern day motherhood. She is also co-host of their podcast, where they dive deep on everything from breastfeeding to postpartum depression. Lara lives in San Diego with her husband and two sons.

Leigh Rawdon is the inspiring co-founder and CEO of the globally inspired children's clothing line, Tea Collection. Tea Collection has grown into a multi-million dollar brand that helps educate its followers about different cultures while also giving back. Leigh shares her wisdom on navigating a start-up, building a global business, and raising great kids.

In this episode, Vicki Palefsky shares a ton of practical, inspiring advice about how to live a great life. Vicki is a retired management consultant with a lifelong commitment to the arts.  Today, she pours her time, energy and resources in civic engagement, currently serving on the boards of the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, GCAPP, and ArtsATL. In 2019, Vicki and husband, Howard Palefsky, were honored with an ArtsATL Luminary Award for Philanthropic Legacy. 

Julie discusses the many questions you may be asking yourself about your life and career, and provides a heart-felt lesson on the power and wisdom of betting on yourself.

Julie discusses the 6 types of permission you may need to give yourself in order to move with confidence toward your goals and dreams.

Julie generously provides a ton of concrete advice on how to navigate parenthood at different stages and to re-calibrate the way you spend your time. We tackle timely, specific issues including how to stop feeling guilty about how much (or how little) time you feel you spend with your kids, managing screen time, and how to talk to your kids about values in a contentious world.