In this special episode of Boldly Becoming with Angie, I’m joined by Dana Liebermann Finestone for a conversation about leadership, community, personal growth, and the work we’re building together.

Dana and I met through our coaching journey, and despite only knowing each other for a short time, there was an immediate sense of connection. In this conversation, you'll get to know Dana, hear more about her story, and discover why our shared vision for creating supportive spaces for leaders has become such an important part of our work.

We explore:

• Getting to know Dana and the experiences that shaped her personal and professional journey
• How an unexpected connection through coaching became a meaningful friendship and partnership
• Why finding people who "speak your language" can be transformational
• The importance of community and belonging for leaders
• The work behind Thrive, Rise, and Bloom Leadership Circle
• Why leaders need spaces where they can show up authentically without carrying the weight alone
• How meaningful relationships can support both personal and professional growth
• The importance of creating communities where leaders can connect, learn, and grow together
• What happens when we stop trying to figure everything out on our own
• Why the next chapter of leadership may be less about achievement and more about connection

If you've ever felt like leadership can be lonely, wished you had a place to talk openly with people who truly understand, or wondered what could happen if you surrounded yourself with the right community, this conversation is for you.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do as leaders isn't find another strategy, take another course, or add another item to our already overflowing to-do list. Sometimes it's finding our people. The people who challenge us, support us, celebrate us, and remind us that we don't have to carry everything alone.

I'm so excited for the conversations ahead and for the opportunity to continue exploring what it means to lead, grow, and become alongside others.

Dana Liebermann Finestone is a strategist, facilitator and leader who helps people and organizations move from insight to meaningful action. With a PhD in Psychology and a career spanning public education and the charitable sector, Dana brings a unique combination of curiosity, evidence, systems thinking and a deeply people-centred approach to her work.

She is the Vice President of Research, Strategy and Impact Measurement at the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford, where she helps turn data, research and diverse perspectives into clearer decisions and stronger organizational impact. Previously, Dana held senior leadership roles in two Ontario school boards, leading work in research, organizational transformation and system improvement.

Dana is also the co-founder of Thrive & Rise Academy, where she creates spaces for leaders to connect, learn, reflect and grow. An experienced facilitator with Superintendent qualifications, she is especially interested in what helps people move beyond good ideas to changes that actually make a difference.

Connect with Dana:

Thrive & Rise Academy

Instagram

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

Mentioned in this episode:

Oct 1, 2026 - Bloom Leadership Event

https://thriveandriseacademy.mykajabi.com/bloom-leadership-circle-26-27

What if love wasn't something we left at the door when we stepped into leadership?

In this solo episode of Boldly Becoming, I explore one of my deepest core values: love. While leadership is often associated with strategy, accountability, and results, I invite you to consider a different perspective. What if love was a leadership strength rather than a weakness?

This episode is an invitation to reflect on how your values show up in your leadership, your relationships, and the decisions you make every day. It challenges the idea that we must be different people at work and at home and encourages us to lead as whole, authentic human beings.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why love belongs in leadership
• The difference between love and people-pleasing
• How compassion, empathy, and understanding strengthen leadership
• The connection between authenticity and leading with love
• Why boundaries and accountability are acts of love
• The importance of bringing both your head and your heart to decision-making
• How core values shape leadership during difficult moments
• The tension between professional identity and personal identity
• The role faith and personal beliefs can play in guiding leadership
• What happens when leaders disconnect from their humanity

Key questions:

• What does leading with love mean to you?
• Are your values visible in the way you lead and interact with others?
• How do you respond when you're overwhelmed, stressed, or disappointed?
• Who are you at work, and who are you at home?
• What would change if you viewed your heart as a leadership strength rather than a liability?

Leadership is not about leaving your humanity behind. Love is not weakness. It's the courage to tell the truth, hold boundaries, have difficult conversations, and see the humanity in others. When leaders bring both their hearts and their heads to the work, they create workplaces where people can thrive.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this solo episode of Boldly Becoming with Angie, I am talking about something that has been part of my story for as long as I can remember: finding my voice and learning to speak up for what feels fair and just.

You might be surprised to learn that I was once an incredibly shy little girl who rarely raised her hand in class because I was terrified of getting the answer wrong. But somewhere around Grade 7 or 8, something shifted. I discovered that while I might be afraid to speak for myself, I couldn't stay quiet when I saw someone else being treated unfairly.

That little girl who found her voice through compassion eventually became a leader in education, and that same strong sense of justice continued to guide me throughout my career.

• How being a shy child shaped my relationship with confidence and finding my voice
• Why compassion, rather than confidence, became the catalyst for speaking up
• How advocating for my brothers, classmates, students, and colleagues shaped my leadership
• The difference between following the rules and asking what is truly fair and just
• Why you don't have to love conflict to be willing to challenge injustice
• The lessons motherhood taught me about advocating for my children while also teaching them to advocate for themselves
• Why your silence can sometimes be interpreted as agreement
• How to advocate for yourself, particularly when it comes to your own health and well-being
• Why justice doesn't have to be loud, aggressive, or confrontational
• Simple ways to advocate for others, including asking one more question, checking in privately, refusing to gossip, giving someone credit, and inviting quieter voices into the conversation
• Why making space for quieter people is an important part of leadership
• The realization that finding your voice isn't necessarily about becoming more confident or louder
• How courage can mean speaking because someone or something is worth speaking up for

If you've ever stayed quiet because you were afraid of being wrong, misunderstood, judged, or labelled as difficult, this episode is for you. You don't have to dominate the room to make a difference. You don't have to become the loudest person in the room to find your voice.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this episode of Boldly Becoming with Angie, I’m exploring a question that stopped me in my tracks: When was the last time you intentionally sought out an idea that challenged you instead of validated you?

It started with a scene from a television show where a character shared a perspective that completely contradicted my own beliefs about sisterhood and community. My immediate reaction was, "What?" But instead of dismissing the idea, I sat with it. I got curious. And in doing so, I realized that being challenged didn't weaken my beliefs. It actually strengthened them.

That experience got me thinking about confirmation bias, leadership, relationships, and the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who don't always agree with us.

Today I explore:

• What confirmation bias is and why our brains naturally seek out information that feels safe, familiar, and validating
• Why surrounding ourselves only with "like-minded people" can limit our growth
• How thoughtful disagreement can strengthen our existing beliefs, spark new ideas, or interrupt deeply ingrained patterns
• The importance of seeking diverse perspectives in friendships, workplaces, leadership teams, and communities
• Why leaders need people who are willing to challenge the status quo and ask the hard questions
• How diverse perspectives have strengthened the community Angie and Dana are creating through Bloom
• The difference between challenging our ideas and challenging our values
• Why curiosity is more powerful than judgment when we're faced with a perspective we don't understand
• The question every leader should be willing to ask: What if this person is seeing something I am completely missing?
• Practical ways to intentionally expose yourself to different perspectives, including reading books, following thoughtful voices online, and having conversations with people who see the world differently

If you've ever found yourself surrounded by people who agree with you, consuming content that confirms what you already believe, or becoming defensive when someone challenges your perspective, this episode is your invitation to get curious.

You don't have to agree with everyone. You don't have to abandon your values. And you certainly don't have to tolerate hate. But there is tremendous growth available when we're willing to pause, listen deeply, and consider the possibility that someone else may be seeing something we're missing.

The strongest leaders in the room may not be the ones with all the answers. They may be the ones willing to question their own beliefs with openness, curiosity, and humility.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In Part 2 of my conversation with Marsha Vanwynsberghe, we go even deeper into the beliefs, patterns, and experiences that shape the way we see ourselves and lead others. This conversation is an invitation to examine the stories you've carried for years, challenge the ones that no longer serve you, and create space for a new narrative rooted in self-compassion, courage, and authenticity.

Together, we explore how healing isn't about becoming someone different—it's about remembering who you were before fear, expectations, and limiting beliefs convinced you otherwise.

• How subconscious beliefs quietly influence our decisions, relationships, and leadership
• Why self-awareness is the first step toward lasting transformation
• The role of self-compassion in breaking old patterns and creating meaningful change
• How childhood experiences can shape confidence, identity, and the way we show up as leaders
• Letting go of perfectionism and the pressure to constantly prove yourself
• The importance of vulnerability in building trust, connection, and authentic leadership
• Why healing ourselves creates a ripple effect for our families, teams, and communities
• How curiosity can replace judgment as we continue to grow and evolve
• Practical reflections for rewriting the stories that keep us feeling stuck
• Why becoming is an ongoing journey—not a destination

If you've ever questioned your worth, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered if lasting change is truly possible, this conversation offers both hope and practical wisdom. You are not defined by the stories you've inherited or the mistakes you've made. Every day is an opportunity to choose a new perspective, embrace your authentic self, and step more fully into the leader you're meant to be.

If this episode resonated with you and if Boldly Becoming is supporting your journey, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may be ready to rewrite their own story.

Marsha Vanwynsberghe — NLP Storytelling Trainer, OUTSPOKEN NLP Coaching Certification, Author, Speaker, and Podcaster

OUTSPOKEN QUIZ: https://nlp.marshavanw.com

OUTSPOKEN August Cohort: https://www.marshavanw.com/nlp

UNBOTHERED Mastermind: https://www.marshavanw.com/offers/w8WVE3Pa

Write Your Damn Book Program: https://www.marshavanw.com/writenow

OUTSPOKEN Publishing: https://www.outspokenpublishing.com

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this special episode of Boldly Becoming, I welcome my very first guest, Marsha Vanwynsberghe—NLP trainer, speaker, author, podcaster, publisher, and founder of Outspoken. Together, we dive into an honest and deeply personal conversation about the stories we've carried throughout our lives, the identities we've inherited, and how those beliefs quietly shape the way we lead, love, and show up in the world.

Marsha shares the remarkable journey that led her from a career in kinesiology through unimaginable personal challenges to discovering the transformative power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Along the way, we explore what it means to move beyond proving yourself, embrace your unique gifts, and rewrite the stories that no longer serve you.

• Marsha's journey from healthcare professional to NLP trainer, author, and entrepreneur
• How life's greatest challenges can become the catalyst for purpose and transformation
• The stories and labels we inherit in childhood—and how they continue to influence our leadership
• Why the qualities you were once told were "too much" may actually be your greatest strengths
• The connection between proving yourself and the deeply rooted belief of "not enough"
• How reframing old narratives creates space for confidence, authenticity, and personal growth
• The difference between shining your light and seeking validation
• Why both masculine and feminine leadership energies are essential for healthy, sustainable leadership
• The importance of curiosity, coaching, and self-awareness in rewriting subconscious patterns

If you've ever questioned your worth, felt like you didn't quite fit in, or found yourself constantly trying to prove yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your story isn't your limitation—it's your invitation to grow. The beliefs that once protected you don't have to define your future, and the very qualities you've tried to hide may become the greatest gifts you have to offer the world.

If this episode resonated with you and if Boldly Becoming is supporting your journey, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may be ready to see their story through a new lens.

Marsha Vanwynsberghe — NLP Storytelling Trainer, OUTSPOKEN NLP Coaching Certification, Author, Speaker, and Podcaster

OUTSPOKEN QUIZ: https://nlp.marshavanw.com

OUTSPOKEN August Cohort: https://www.marshavanw.com/nlp

UNBOTHERED Mastermind: https://www.marshavanw.com/offers/w8WVE3Pa

Write Your Damn Book Program: https://www.marshavanw.com/writenow

OUTSPOKEN Publishing: https://www.outspokenpublishing.com

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this episode of Boldly Becoming, I’m diving into a conversation that has been overlooked for far too long: the connection between menopause and leadership. For years, I believed the anxiety, brain fog, exhaustion, and self-doubt I experienced were simply the result of burnout during the pandemic. What I didn't realize was that menopause was also playing a significant role—and no one was talking about it.

Inspired by Dr. Mindy Pelz's groundbreaking book Age Like a Girl, I share how learning the science behind menopause completely changed my perspective. Instead of seeing this season as a decline, I've come to understand it as a powerful upgrade—one that prepares women to lead with greater wisdom, authenticity, and purpose than ever before.

• Why menopause is about so much more than hot flashes and hormonal changes
• How anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, and burnout can impact women in leadership
• The hidden ways menopause can affect confidence, decision-making, and professional identity
• The science behind the "Grandmother Hypothesis" and why postmenopausal women play a vital role in society
• How menopause can become a powerful neurochemical upgrade rather than a decline
• Why this season invites women to lead with greater clarity, intuition, and authenticity
• Letting go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the need to constantly prove your worth
• Reclaiming your purpose, leadership, peace, and legacy in the second half of life
• The importance of creating safe communities where women can openly discuss menopause and women's health
• How changing the conversation around menopause can empower the next generation of female leaders

If you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, this episode is for you. This chapter of life isn't asking you to shrink. It's inviting you to rise. Your wisdom, experience, and leadership are needed now more than ever, and perhaps the greatest contribution of your life is still ahead of you.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this episode of Boldly Becoming, I explore a question that's been sitting heavily on my heart: Can we become too focused on personal growth? While self-development has transformed my own life, I've come to realize that true transformation isn't something we achieve in isolation. It happens in relationship with others.

Inspired by the work of Robin Wall Kimmerer and the concept of the gift economy, I reflect on the beautiful balance between looking inward and showing up for community. Through stories from my own leadership journey and the creation of Bloom Leadership Circle, I share why growth isn't just about becoming the best version of ourselves. it's about using that growth to enrich the lives of those around us.

• Why personal development can become lonely when it's focused only on ourselves
• The difference between a transactional mindset and a gift economy
• How generosity, reciprocity, and belonging strengthen both individuals and communities
• Why vulnerability is one of the greatest gifts we can offer others
• The ripple effect that happens when we share our wisdom, experiences, and authentic stories
• How safe communities create space for healing, courage, and meaningful connection
• The value of receiving support without feeling the need to earn it or repay it
• Why coaching, reflection, and trusted relationships help us uncover our blind spots
• How true leadership is rooted not only in personal transformation but also in collective growth
• Why we were never meant to carry the weight of leadership alone

If you've been investing in your own personal growth but still find yourself feeling isolated, this episode is an invitation to widen the circle. Self-awareness is important, but transformation becomes even more powerful when it's shared. We don't just grow for ourselves. We grow so we can lift others, receive their wisdom, and build communities where everyone belongs.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In this episode of Boldly Becoming, I challenge one of the biggest lies we've accepted as leaders: that being busy somehow makes us more valuable. After years of balancing leadership, motherhood, and the constant pressure to be available to everyone else, I've come to believe that “busy” isn't a sign of success, it's often a form of distraction.

I share deeply personal stories from my career in educational leadership, including a painful moment early in my journey that forever shaped my belief that our health and our families must always come before our careers. Together, we'll explore why the idea of work-life balance may be setting us up to fail and what a healthier, more sustainable approach can look like.

• How busyness can distract us from burnout, exhaustion, and the conversations we need to have with ourselves
• The leadership lesson that changed my belief about putting family first
• Navigating motherhood while leading in demanding executive roles
• The hidden emotional labor leaders carry behind the scenes
• How one heartbreaking experience reshaped my boundaries around being constantly available
• Why the traditional idea of work-life balance doesn't work
• The difference between balancing your life and intentionally blending the parts that matter most
• How prioritizing your health and relationships creates a more meaningful legacy than any job title ever will

If you're a leader who feels stretched too thin, caught in the cycle of constant busyness, or wondering whether it's possible to lead well without sacrificing yourself or your family, this episode is for you. Your greatest contribution isn't how much you accomplish. It's how fully present you are for the people who matter most—including yourself.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135

In today’s episode of Boldly Becoming, I reflect on the unexpected lessons I've learned since leaving a 31-year career in education to become an entrepreneur. While my title has changed, my purpose hasn't. This transition has challenged my assumptions about success, productivity, health, relationships, and legacy, while giving me the freedom to design a life that feels deeply aligned with who I am today.

Through ten personal realizations, I share what this season of reinvention has taught me and why becoming isn't about starting over. It's about bringing your truest self into a new chapter.

• The surprising freedom and responsibility that comes with owning your own time and calendar
• Why prioritizing rest, sleep, and recovery has become a non-negotiable for sustainable success
• Letting go of the "busy" mindset and redefining what a meaningful life really looks like
• Why healthy aging deserves to be part of your professional strategy
• The joy of building deep friendships and meaningful connections later in life
• How reading for both pleasure and personal growth has transformed this season of life
• Why your purpose can remain constant even when your career changes
• Reflecting on the legacy we leave through leadership, mentorship, and service
• The transformative power of coaching and why every leader deserves the opportunity to experience it
• How community building has been the common thread connecting every chapter of my life

If you've ever wondered who you are beyond your job title, questioned what comes next after a major career transition, or felt called to create something new later in life, this episode is for you. Reinvention doesn't require becoming someone different. It invites you to become more fully yourself. Your experience, wisdom, and purpose don't retire. They simply find new ways to serve.

If this episode resonated with you and if Boldly Becoming is supporting your journey, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with someone who may be standing on the edge of their own next chapter.

Connect with Angie:

Website: Bloom Leadership Circle: 25-26 Series

Instagram: Angie Mercier (@angiemercier_) • Instagram profile

Facebook: Thrive with Angie; Professional & Personal Coach | Cambridge ON

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mercier-m-ed-54753135