I invite you to set this intention with me for this episode: “When I honor my true self, I shine.”   Darlene Hawley is a mother, wife, connector and dream builder. She is also a Brand & Business Clarity Coach and the founder of DarleneHawley.com. She helps ambitious, heart-centered online entrepreneurs who are struggling with building a successful personal brand and business. They’re afraid to share their unique life story but know they need to stand out if they want to build an authentic and profitable online business. She helps them build a solid brand foundation so they can share their message with the world, attract dream clients, and have the impact, freedom, and flexibility they desire.     Show Notes   Mom of four, volunteer and business owner, Darlene talks about how full her plate really is. [01.32]   Handling everything by allowing the ebb and flow (and some harmony) in both your business and your life. Including a word on using a calendar for scheduling. [03.10]   The importance of flexibility and the awareness of when it’s not an emergency as a tool for handling stress and overwhelm. [04.57]   Finding the balance between crazy working hours in retail management and being a mom. When change becomes necessary. [08.48]   A moment of awakening - how the devastating loss of her mother led Darlene to leave retail and to start her own company. [14.07]   Ways to celebrate the life of one who’s passed away. [21.41]   Storytelling, and why it matters. [23.22]   How Darlene as a business coach, helps people tell their stories. (TOP TIP: Create a story bank!)[24.09]   The content you create, and how you want your brand to make people feel. [28.45]   Showing up as your most authentic true self, and other ways Darlene wants people to feel when interacting with her brand. [31.09]   How to both take care of yourself and still do all the things. [32.43]   Choosing to see your life from a different perspective. [34.40]   Some fun, quick answers from Darlene on what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment of which she’s most proud, what she’s looking forward to this year, and a piece of advice that she’d give to her younger self. [35.40]

I invite you to set this intention with me for the episode: “Facing your fears doesn’t make you more fearful, it allows you to show up with more impact.”   Erika is an authenticity development and executive leadership coach, speaker, and writer. She is also the designer of The Art of Undoing, a powerful practice that helps people unlock their full potential and embrace their authenticity and unique impact. Erika spent 12 years at Google with the last 3+ years as a Global Business Leader where she led the partnership with one of Google’s largest global partners. She left at the height of her career, as a single mom with 2 small kids, to pursue her mission for helping people be audaciously authentic and impactful.     Show Notes   ·      Entrepreneur and single mom, Erika explains a little about her VERY full plate. [01.27]    ·      Handling everything by giving yourself permission to not be able to do everything, with a note on the value of treating self-care as foundational. [02.23]    ·      Elements of self-care. [04.36]    ·      Re-checking your thoughts for ‘shoulds’ as a means of dealing with overwhelm. [06.12]    ·      A racing mind as a symptom of overwhelm, as well as the power of being the observer. [07.19]    ·      Leaving Google, a move towards making an impact, and the creation of the Art of Undoing.  [09.46]    ·      The pressure of a work transition as a single mom. [13.16]    ·      A means for stress relief, advice on learning how to have fear, without letting fear have you.  [16.37]    ·      The Art of Undoing. [17.32]    ·      How you can use awareness to get unstuck from your self-imposed limitations. [23.37]    ·      Journaling for beginners (or advice for writer's block). [26.59]    ·      The future of work as people move away from doing, towards being. [29.26]    ·      The results of the Art of Undoing. [31.46]    ·      Rapid fire answers from Erika on what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment of which she’s most proud, what she’s most looking forward to this year, what will keep her up at night after this interview. [33.39]

Suzy Cater, Ph.D., is a visionary expert in conversion copywriting and messaging, who helps women entrepreneurs use the power of words to get noticed, adored, and fantastically paid for the work they most love doing WITHOUT holding back or censoring themselves.   When she's not crafting career-changing website copy and email sequences for her high-profile clients, you can find Suzy chasing after her baby daughter, visiting family & her alma mater Oxford in the UK, or binge-watching Great British Bake-Off episodes. Suzy has been published in numerous academic reviews, worked as a Teaching Fellow and prize-winning researcher at NYU, and now resides just outside of New York City.      Show Notes   ·      Suzy paints a picture of a plate that is filled with the running of her business, AND life with a new baby daughter. [01.46]    ·      Learning to outsource as a means of handling everything. [02.41]    ·      Being flexible and building recovery time into your business to account for unpredictability. [05.24]    ·      Two types of stress you may feel when you’re self-employed, and the different ways that they present. [06.21]    ·      An overwhelming situation, and a leap of faith that paid off. [10.40]    ·      Relieving stress by being an advocate for yourself. [15.16]   ·      Finding your voice – what Suzy has learned from researching the voices of other writers. [16.15]    ·      Perfectionism and academia. [19.28]    ·      Ways that burnout can manifest. [21.20]    ·      The transition from academia to entrepreneurship, and the perspective that other people’s stories can provide. [25.50]    ·      Suzy’s Conversion Copy tips: get clear on your messaging, reframe your story, be really clear on who you want to talk to! [27.49]    ·      Don’t be afraid to share social proof. [32.33]    ·      Advice for working moms on perfectionism. [33.51]    ·      Some rapid-fire answers from Suzy on what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment she’s most proud of, what she’s looking forward to this year, what’s going to keep her up at night after this interview, and her favorite book. [36.10]

“You’ve got this.” “You’ve got this.” “You can handle hard things.” “You’ve got this.”   - Maria Dismondy   When Maria was a little girl she was teased for her curly hair and favorite lunchbox fare, spaghetti in a hot dog bun.   Many moons later, these and other real-life moments continue to fuel what is now her critically acclaimed children’s book writing career. Maria has penned nine books that feature stories with topics ranging from anti-bullying to overcoming adversity, to friendship trials and tribulations, and beyond.    Maria is dedicated to empowering those around her through her roles as author, teacher, public speaker, community leader and friend. Maria is intentional about making each day count and lives in southeast Michigan with her high school sweetheart husband, three kids and two pet snails.     Show Notes   ·      Author, business owner, and busy mother to three young children, Maria talks us through her full plate. [02.40]    ·      A great tactic for being able to handle everything. [03.34]    ·      The importance of flexibility, and how to use it to manage stress. [03.52]   ·      The physical sensation of anxiety, and how to help with it. (TOP TIP: Gratitude!) [05.10]    ·      Turning pressure into an opportunity. [05.50]    ·      The value of quiet time. [07.22]    ·      Themes from Maria’s book - Sunnyside Upbringing. A month by month guide to raising kind and caring kids. [08.26]    ·      Value based parenting. [11.43]    ·      Tips that parents can use to catch themselves when they are stressed and frustrated. [13.43]    ·      Partnering with your partner. [15.50]    ·      Quick wins for parents to do right away. [17.21]    ·      Modeling problem-solving skills for your children. [21.55]    ·      What Maria hopes parents will feel after reading her book. [23.30]    ·      Changing habits in your own time. [25.25]    ·      When everybody focuses on their own strengths. [26.59]    ·      Maria’s speaking gigs, and questions that come up repeatedly. [27.34]    ·      Where writers could find information about getting published. [30.48]   ·      [31.52] Some rapid-fire answers from Maria about what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment she’s most proud of, what she’s most looking forward to this year.

“Every new chapter of life is a story we get to write.” - Maeve O’Byrne     Maeve has lived a life of constant change, navigating three continents, five countries and having four different careers to date. With over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, including serving as President & CEO of the Hospital Foundation on Vancouver Island during which she was able to build 2 social enterprise businesses that diversified the Hospital Foundation’s revenue and generated over half a million dollars in gross profit year over year while she was there. Maeve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her coaching practice.   She is a sought after speaker on topics such as Succession Planning; Management; Unconscious & Implicit Bias; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Retirement & Transition; and Resilience. She has spoken at the ICF Converge Conference, the Association of Coach Trainers and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.   Maeve has a proven track record of helping companies increase employee engagement, boost morale, and improve productivity.   Certified Executive Coach (ICF) and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). She received her credentials through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the preeminent accrediting body for coaching professionals. Certified Mentor Coach through L-Con Global, received her level 101 & 202 Transactional Analysis certificates, and is a LEADS 360 debrief and performance planning coach through the Canadian Council of Health Leaders. Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.     Show Notes   ·      [01.58] With no day that’s the same as another, Maeve gives a run down of everything that she’s juggling. (Top Tip: Maeve manages it all by setting her schedule on a Sunday night for the week ahead!)   ·      [03.13] The value of planning ahead to allow for unexpected things to pop up.   ·      [03.38] Making time for yourself, a day a week without electronics, and allowing time every day to do something creative.    ·      [04.54] How stress and overwhelm can make Fibromyalgia symptoms worse.   ·      [06.00] Juggling a demanding job along with single parenting, deteriorating health and the need to redefine what’s important.   ·      [07.09] The wake up call that became a gift.   ·      [08.25] Meditation, reflection and journaling as stress relievers, with a note on prioritizing self, changing habits, and learning to say no.   ·      [10.39] All about the third act.   ·      [13.03] Maeve’s journey to helping people transition into the third act.    ·      [14.58] Some challenges that people face as they enter their third act.   ·      [18.06] Fear of change.   ·      [19.35] Finding clarity in the next phase of your life.   ·      [20.39] Steps YOU can take to bring clarity for years to come.   ·      [25.14] The importance of a Living Will.   ·      [30.48] New habits and a plan to move forward.   ·      [32.23] Maeve’s own transition into the third act.   ·      [33.15] Quick answers to the questions of what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment Maeve is most proud of, what she’s most looking forward to this year, advice she’d give her younger self, and her favorite book. Find out more at handleeverything.com

“Small changes do make a big difference.” - Kelly Donahue     Kelly Donahue, PhD is a clinical health psychologist, mind-body coach, mom, entrepreneur, and recovering Type A perfectionist. She has spent more than a decade immersed in mind-body health research, teaching, writing, and individual and group work with clients. Kelly is passionate about empowering clients to practice essential self-care strategies that reduce overwhelm and stress which helps to heal depression and anxiety. Her training in behavioral medicine, clinical psychology, holistic nutrition, coaching, and mind-body medicine helps her clients create real, lasting change.     Show Notes   ·      Working mom, Kelly talks about the diverse list of both professional and personal roles that fill her plate to the brim. [02.20]    ·      Handling everything with systems, a prioritized list of to-do’s, a paper calendar, and being clear on your values. TOP TIP: Ask for help when you need it! [04.27]    ·      Adding a realistic number of priorities to your calendar, and the importance of scheduling downtime. [06.47]    ·      When the first signs of stress and overwhelm are irritability, anxiety, and the use of distractions, and how to combat it by slowing down, and questioning your thoughts. [07.49]    ·      Being clear on your WHY, and turning a demand for your services into an online course, converting pressure into opportunity.  [10.10]    ·      Individual work vs. Group work [12.29]   ·      The role that technology plays in building community and connecting people. [13.49]   ·      Nature, activity and water for stress relief. [14.38]    ·      Definitions of self-care, and the value of practicing it BEFORE you get stressed. [16.30]    ·      Dad guilt, your busy life, and how you can start a self-care practice, plus a note on the art of habit stacking. [19.09]    ·      Self-talk and how you can create an awareness of your thoughts by slowing down and being mindful. [23.46]    ·      Takeaways from Kelly’s book, Everyday Self-Care: Your Proven, Holistic Guide to Feeling Better. [28.13]    ·      Turning insight into action, and how you can tell whether you’ve successfully changed a habit. [29.08]    ·      The value of therapy. [32.30]   ·      Kelly’s quick answers to the questions of what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment of which she is most proud, what she’s most looking forward to this year, and what’s going to keep her up at night after this interview. [34.22]

“I’m worthy of love. I’m worthy of giving love AND receiving love.” - Dr Abby Medcalf   Dr. Abby Medcalf is a Relationship Maven, TEDx speaker, and author who has helped thousands of people create happy, connected relationships. With her unique background in both business and counseling, she brings a fresh, effective perspective to relationships. She's the author of the #1 Amazon best-selling book, Be Happily Married, Even if Your Partner Won't Do a Thing and the host of the top-rated Relationships Made Easy Podcast.     Show Notes   [01.34] Dr. Abby Medcalf kicks off talking about a plate that is always full but never overflowing.   [01.49] Time Management Problems vs. Attention Management Problems. Plus, one of the best tips Abby ever got: don’t WORK on projects, FINISH them!   [04.10] Shiny things, and how an addiction to the new makes you less likely to finish projects. The solution? When something new is added, something else has to come off the plate.   [05.32] Using humor as a tool to prevent stress and overwhelm.    [07.13] Adding resources as a way to make your life easier.   [08.22] Impatience, resentment, and anger: the signs that something needs to come off your plate (or that you need to add resources).   [11.17] The lens of Gratitude, and how it can keep you from overwhelm.   [12.49] Mini stress relievers, and a BIG tip that will completely change the way you start your days.   [16.00] The influence of stress on a relationship: setting yourself up on the opposite team to your partner and an important insight on shared resources (with an emphasis on the value of adding outside resources!)   [19.18] The reason that most couples seek help.    [20.10] Bringing the spark back into your relationship, including a quick win exercise.   [22.46] It’s not what you say, it’s what you mean – your INTENTION makes all the difference.   [24.30] Beyond therapy – using the tools learned daily.   [26.44] Using these tools even if your partner won’t do a thing…   [28.27] Unconditional love.   [29.07] Be Happily Married, Even if Your Partner Won't Do a Thing – a great book for everybody, even if you’re single!   [29.44] A rapid-fire round of questions where Abby tells us what it means to feel successful, an accomplishment she’s most proud of, what she’s most looking forward to this year, and what’s going to keep her up after this interview.

Dr. Bill Pasmore is a professor at Columbia University, a Senior Vice President at the Center for Creative Leadership, and leads his own consulting firm, Advanced Change. He is an active consultant and speaker working with executives on digital organizational design, leadership development, change, and senior team effectiveness. Advanced Consulting on which this podcast is based on his 30th book.     Show Notes:   Bill unpacks the (VERY busy) schedule that fills his plate.  [01.31]   Leaving time for fun (on the weekends mostly), and the importance of planning far enough in advance to schedule in the occasional vacation. [02.00]   In an industry where you can’t really plan ahead - a recommendation for busy people. [02.21]   How Bill handles his weeks by leaving spots in his calendar specifically for things to pop up. [03.13]    The early signs of stress and overwhelm, and the value of keeping a routine. [03.43]   How to handle a last minute request from a loyal client when you’re already double (or triple!) booked. [05.06]   Maintaining relationships and still providing excellent customer service even when you can’t accommodate a clients last minute requests. [06.46]   Relieving stress so that it doesn't affect your personal life or your professional life (with a note on what famous world change leaders do!) [08.01]    Trust and professional relationships between advanced consultants and senior leaders. [10.45]    Maintaining relationships throughout a project. [14.54]    Ways to remember key points about each client. [17.00]   A perspective on technology and client meetings, and the art of writing notes to yourself while you're not looking at the page. [18.56]    The work required before and after meetings, and leaving enough time for it. [20.30]    A real world example of a consultant’s advancement. [21.11]    The job of the junior person in the closed-door room (Hint: it’s to observe and to learn!) [25.21]    When trust is broken… ways that it can happen, and what next? [26.47]    The future of consulting. [32.51]    Advanced Consulting, and how it may be of value to you. [34.35]    Some rapid fire answers from Bill to the questions around feeling successful, an accomplishment he’s most proud of, what he’s most looking forward to this year, and some advice he’d give to his younger self. [36.44]