CLARATY in Action

What if the most powerful leadership strategy you could use has nothing to do with systems, processes, or performance reviews? Margot Machol spent years attending her son's Summit Series conferences, walking up to some of the most driven young entrepreneurs in the room and asking them one question: how did you turn out this way? Every single one gave her the same answer. What she discovered didn't just shape a book - it reframed everything we think we know about how leaders, parents, and mentors actually grow the people around them. The entrepreneurial mindset isn't something people are born with, and that's the most liberating thing a leader can hear right now.

In this conversation, Margot and Clara unpack why your team's relationship with failure is the single biggest predictor of whether they'll ever take a meaningful risk, why pretending failure didn't happen is just as damaging as punishing it, and how the Type 1 and Type 2 error framework can help anyone - from a hesitant employee to a risk-averse child - start analyzing tradeoffs with clarity and confidence. CLARATY is Currency, and this episode is packed with it. If you lead people, raise people, or are in the business of helping others grow, this conversation will shift how you see your role entirely.

If this conversation sparked something in you, sit with it - then share it with someone on your team who needs to hear it. The best leaders don't hoard insight, they pass it forward. If you found value here, the most powerful thing you can do is subscribe and leave a 5-star review so more leaders and entrepreneurs can find this show.

Connect with Margot Machol:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://raisinganentrepreneur.com/?utmsource=ig&utmmedium=social&utmcontent=linkinbio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaffaLQ1rHr7FRSaQ7jmPtnJzXlwJbFXOw08VpulkYpdf3G-hLBgVWUIPAH2waemAqAqJ9zoHGc5aID7Xzm5Ow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margotbisnow/

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oIg0yPhIbhbcR0aLMoKra?si=4b2ef432a86347fc
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/claraty-in-action/id1808939043
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creatingCLARATY

What if the reason your affirmations are not working is not a mindset problem but a body problem? Brian Trzaskos, somatic coaching pioneer and co-author of Manifestation for Dummies, brings a science-backed framework to CLARATY in Action that will completely shift how you think about success, resistance, and what it actually takes to create lasting change. He unpacks why visualizing what you want and thinking positively are not enough on their own, and what the body's subconscious resistance is actually doing every time you turn away from the hard conversation, skip the sales call, or talk yourself out of asking for the raise. This is not woo-woo territory. This is neuroscience, nervous system physiology, and somatic pattern work explained in a way that finally makes the mechanics of manifestation click.

Brian shares the deeply personal story of suffering 27 years of debilitating back pain, only to release it completely through somatic processing work after connecting it to unresolved abandonment pain from childhood. That breakthrough became the foundation for his Sensation-Based Motivation Coaching methodology, which he now teaches at the Somatic Coaching Academy. You will hear exactly why burnout is not a failure but a lifesaving system shutdown your body triggers when you have been overriding its signals for too long, and how the emotional chaos engineered by social media algorithms is keeping you locked in fight-or-flight and blocking real change. CLARATY is Currency, and this episode gives you the clearest possible picture of where that clarity actually lives inside you.

If this episode cracked something open for you, share it with a leader or entrepreneur in your world who needs to hear it. The free negative pattern disruption practice Brian mentioned is linked in the show notes. Grab it and use it today. Your growth starts from the inside out, and now you have the tools to begin.

If CLARATY in Action is delivering value to your leadership journey, the best thing you can do is subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a five-star review so more people can find these conversations.

Connect with Brian Trzaskos:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://somaticcoachingacademy.com/about-brian-trzaskos/

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

Michelle Edwards drops truth bombs about strategic leadership that will completely shift how you think about managing people. She reveals why most companies are bleeding revenue not through poor sales strategies, but through untapped potential sitting right under their noses - their people. Michelle's approach isn't about being nice or avoiding difficult conversations; it's about leading with love while holding the bar high, because as she puts it, "love does not let someone walk around with potential untapped." Her journey from being pushed into management without preparation to becoming a leadership expert who transformed company culture shows exactly why strategic leadership is the missing piece in most organizations.

This conversation challenges the myth that you have to choose between being human and holding standards. Michelle explains why silence isn't kindness, how transparency beats the "secret squirrel society" of gatekeeping information, and why investing in leadership development is the key to solving every organizational challenge - from retention to innovation to performance. You'll discover her Manager Manifesto approach, learn why she believes humanity will become even more critical as AI advances, and understand how leading with love actually means making the hard calls. If you're ready to stop managing and start truly leading, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to begin.

You'll walk away from this conversation with a completely new understanding of what strategic leadership actually means and why it's the solution to every organizational challenge you're facing. Michelle's insights will give you the courage to have those difficult conversations and the framework to lead with both humanity and high standards.

Connect with Michelle Edwards:
Website: https://michelleedwardsspeaks.com/#about
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekedwards/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleedwardsspeaks/

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

What if the reason you're constantly putting out fires has nothing to do with your workload and everything to do with how you see priorities? Leadership strategist Nate Payne discovered this truth the hard way when a CFO's phone call exposed a critical gap in his communication approach-a gap that had turned a nine-month-old recommendation into an emergency. Through his work with Fortune 500 companies and three decades in IT, Nate has identified the root cause of reactive leadership: our failure to quantify priorities, leaving us vulnerable when pressure mounts and emotions cloud judgment.

In this episode, Nate introduces his "dented pan"  principle-a powerful metaphor (and new favorite for me) that reveals why even the smartest leaders struggle with decision-making under pressure. You'll discover his quantitative approach to priority setting that eliminates the guilt of saying no, creates team autonomy, and transforms chaotic firefighting into strategic clarity. Drawing from living systems leadership and nature's own blueprints for sustainable growth, Nate shows how everything is a trade-off and why acknowledging this reality is the key to both performance and peace of mind.

Nate Payne is a leadership strategist, consultant, and author with nearly three decades of experience guiding IT executives through complex technology challenges. From strategy to execution, his Living Systems Leadership model equips IT leaders with practical tools to align strategy, budgets, and teams—building systems where results flow reliably without constant firefighting. Nate’s work has helped leaders across Fortune 500s, nonprofits, and growth firms move beyond patchwork fixes to design organizations that are both adaptive and sustainable.

Ready to stop fighting fires and start leading with clarity? You'll discover frameworks that transform chaos into sustainable systems-and finally feel good about the decisions you make when everything can't get done.

Connect with Nate Payne:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.natepayne.com

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

If this episode brought you clarity, subscribe and leave a 5 star review to help other leaders find these conversations.

What happens when a leader gets a 2.3 out of 5 on their performance review and sits in that glass-walled conference room wiping away tears? John Gallagher knows firsthand because that devastating moment became the catalyst for his transformation from struggling manager to executive coach who develops leaders across generations. In this raw conversation, John reveals why most leaders are stuck rolling rocks uphill only to watch them tumble back down, and how the simple principle of 'slow is smooth and smooth is fast' can break the cycle of urgent reactivity that's killing leadership effectiveness. His approach isn't about working harder or moving faster-it's about creating the wedges that hold your progress in place while you build sustainable systems for long-term impact.

John shares the exact framework that saved a leader he was about to terminate 30 years ago (who's now an executive VP at a $2 billion company), the three questions every overwhelmed leader must ask themselves, and why excellence only happens on purpose. You'll discover the difference between good intentions with discipline versus good intentions without it, learn the reflection method that helps leaders distinguish between what's going well and what could be better, and understand why the people closest to you loving and respect you most might be the truest definition of success. This isn't another productivity hack-it's a complete reframe of how intentional leaders create organizational capacity and lasting legacy.

You'll walk away with a completely new perspective on what it means to lead with intention rather than urgency. Inside, you'll discover frameworks you didn't know you needed and stories that will challenge how you think about leadership effectiveness.

Ready to transform how you approach leadership? Subscribe and leave a 5 star review to join thousands of leaders creating sustainable impact.

Connect with John Gallagher:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://coachjohngallagher.com

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

Michele Richman thought hiding her struggles would make her a stronger leader. As a prosecutor turned operations executive, she kept her personal challenges locked away-from navigating motherhood without maternity leave to managing a family crisis while building a company. But when she finally started sharing her authentic stories, everything shifted. What she discovered wasn't weakness, but the foundation of trust-based leadership that transforms teams and cultures.

In this conversation, Michele reveals why the stories we protect most fiercely are often our greatest leadership tools. She breaks down the difference between vulnerability that builds connection and oversharing that damages authority. You'll discover practical frameworks for knowing when and how to share authentically, plus the surprising benefits that emerge when leaders stop performing perfection and start modeling humanity. Michele's insights on moving from imposter syndrome to authentic influence will challenge how you think about professional vulnerability forever.

Ready to unlock the leadership power hiding in your own story? This conversation will shift how you think about authenticity, trust-building, and the courage to lead with your whole self.

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe and leave a 5 star review to help other leaders discover these game-changing insights.

Connect with Michele Richman:
Website: https://michelerichman.com

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

What if the word you've been avoiding could actually unlock your highest level of performance? Helene Rennervik, a recovered people-pleaser turned alignment coach, reveals why saying no isn't selfish-it's the most selfless thing you can do for your business and relationships. 

After 15 years in corporate, she discovered that her inability to set boundaries was costing her more than just time and energy-it was keeping her from serving at her full potential. Helene breaks down the real cost of saying yes to everything: diluted service quality, lost business opportunities, and the exhaustion that comes from trying to be everything to everyone. 

She shares practical frameworks for reframing rejection as redirection, turning boundaries into business advantages, and why your strongest yes requires your clearest no. This isn't about becoming harsh or unavailable-it's about creating space for what truly matters so you can show up as your best self.

You'll walk away with a completely new perspective on boundaries and the confidence to implement them immediately. This episode will shift how you think about service, availability, and what it truly means to show up for others.

Connect with Helene Rennervik:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://helenerennervik.com

Ready to create your own clarity breakthrough? Subscribe and leave a 5 star review to join thousands of leaders who are choosing action over overwhelm.

Connect with us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claracapano/

What if the biggest expense in your business isn't what you think it is? 

Most leaders point to turnover as their costliest challenge, but Clara Capano reveals the real culprit that's quietly draining your profits and energy. The answer isn't found in your hiring budget or exit interviews-it's hiding in plain sight, disguised as missed opportunities, deal cancellations, and teams that seem physically present but mentally checked out. 

Clara introduces her game-changing framework called the Clarity Quotient, a measurable system that goes beyond IQ and EQ to become the multiplier of both. Through real client stories and five specific pillars, she shows how confusion manifests in disconnected employees, silent team members, and the dangerous blind spots leaders create when they assume everyone sees their vision as clearly as they do. You'll discover why that person you hired six months ago still doesn't understand their actual role, and how to prevent the breakdown that typically shows up three to six months later when it's almost impossible to recover.

What if the scariest moments in your life were actually preparing you for your greatest chapters? Tinsley English shares the raw truth about hitting rock bottom with just $6 in her checking account and how that crisis became the foundation for embracing every stage of life and leadership with confidence. Her perspective on chapters will challenge everything you think you know about growth, success, and what it means to lead through change. From watching her single mother build a thriving interior design business to discovering why vulnerability trumps credentials in leadership, Tinsley reveals the counterintuitive strategies that help leaders and their teams navigate transitions without fear. She breaks down why the next chapter doesn't have to be bigger or bolder to be meaningful, and shares her revolutionary approach to helping women step into their power through an unexpected lens: the game of golf. You'll walk away with a completely new framework for viewing life's transitions as opportunities rather than obstacles, plus practical tools for leading others through their own chapter changes.

Connect with Tinsley

https://tinsleyenglish.com/

Tinsley English didn’t arrive at the stage because her life went smoothly. She got here because it didn’t.

She built a corporate career while raising a family. She hit menopause in the middle of leading a room full of people who were counting on her to be sharp — and instead of hiding it, she wrote a book about it. She took up golf at 48 and approached it the same way she approaches every hard pivot: head first, eyes open, no apology for the learning curve.

She still leads from the front lines of corporate — not the sidelines. She’s not speaking from the comfortable distance of "I used to." She’s speaking from the middle of a story that’s still unfolding — and that’s exactly what makes her audiences feel seen.

Her programs aren’t built on theory. They’re built on the frameworks she’s tested in the field — as a leader, as a woman navigating midlife, and as someone who decided a long time ago that everything life throws at you is raw material for growth.

What if the biggest barrier to high performance isn't lack of strategy, but lack of honesty? jon Sheldon, former Marine infantry squad leader turned leadership coach, reveals why most teams operate from fiction instead of truth-and how radical honesty becomes the foundation for sustainable results. Drawing from his military experience and 14 years in corporate finance, jon shares his blueprint for helping leaders identify their authentic performance drivers before burnout takes over. His approach challenges the traditional grind-it-out mentality that leaves high achievers feeling hollow despite their success.

Jon introduces his clarity-condition-cost framework that transforms decision-making in messy times, explaining how leaders can coach their teams toward self-discovery rather than external validation. He breaks down the four pillars every high performer must identify within themselves and shares why adaptation isn't failure-it's survival. From his upcoming Cover Me community to the Belleau Wood Creed that guides his business, jon demonstrates how aligning with your authentic blueprint creates the peace that true success demands.

Meet Jon: 

Jon is the owner of Belleauwood coaching where they focus on building business, leadership, and teams that specializes in helping; great sales people turn into CEO’s.  They believe that busy people, balance; teams operate in execution and alignment; and live in a state of radical honesty.

Connect with Jon

[email protected]

https://www.belleauwood.coach/

IG https://www.instagram.com/belleauwood_coaching/