Leading With Your Gut

Fool me once? Shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me. This is the story of Jules Hannaford. An intelligent and compassionate mother looking for love. Through online dating, Jules meets Truman: a handsome and charming man thousands of miles away in Manchester. Together, they form an online romance that leads Truman to manipulate Jules for her money. This is a story of how one woman didn’t listen to her intuition and could’ve been seriously hurt and potentially killed. 

Through Jules’ experience and shame, she was empowered to write the memoir, Fool Me Twice winning the Non-Fiction Authors Association Award in 2019 and publishing a hit podcast series with her daughter Zara Hannaford, called (you guessed it) Fool Me Twice. Fool Me Twice is ranked #7 on Podcast Magazine’s Top 50 and continues to succeed. In this week’s episode, Jules not only shares her story, but how her trauma provided purpose and fulfillment to help other online dating victims. We learn that the scamming business is a billion dollar industry effecting thousands of lives, leaving people heartbroken, robbed of money, and emotionally distressed. Jules offers tips, reflags, and support for listeners. Some advice that Jules provides: listen to your gut!

Listen to the extended story! Subscribe to Fool Me Twice: https://apple.co/2Tdz9nv
Website: https://www.foolmetwicepod.com/
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Female Firebrand (noun): A mission driven woman who stands up and speaks up for herself and others. She is a vocal advocate, amplifying people of all backgrounds and identities. Authentic. Kind. Collaborative. Resilient. Integrity is more important to her than going with the flow.

Seattle native Mikaela Kiner is an experienced HR professional, CEO, a certified executive coach, a mom, wife, and now an author of her new book “Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control and Succeed in the Workplace." In this week’s episode Mikaela and I discuss what it means to be a female firebrand, the 13 diverse women featured in the book, and unconscious bias in the workplace. This includes, experiences of discrimination, female rivalry, #metoo, #momtoo, and racial privilege. Female Firebrands is ranked #1 for best new success books to read in 2020.

Female Firebrands is available through all major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBooks, E-Book, and Audiobook. 

Renee LaVigne is a two time breast cancer survivor. For years Renee battled cancer, Chemo, and multiple reconstructive surgeries all while going through a divorce, raising a daughter, and building a business. Prior to the discovery of breast cancer (the first time), Renee believes that her intuition guided her to know that something was wrong. However, she didn't know what was to come ahead. In this week's episode, Renee reminds us to cherish the life we create for ourselves. 

Whitney Moore is witty, creative, smart, and an overachiever. She is someone who strives to be the best, but struggles with perfectionism. Whitney believes that her overachievement mentality is a direct result of experiencing significant trauma. As a child she was severely neglected enduring years of emotional and physical abuse from her stepfather. After Whitney turned 18, she went on to attend Virginia Tech in hopes to start a new life away from her family. Unfortunately, she was present on the day of the 2007 mass shooting. From the distress of the shooting Whitney felt even more internal pressure to perform, perfect, and overachieve. As Whitney grew older, she realized that her intuition and instinctual ability became stronger, specifically when meeting new people. Whitney believes that from her trauma she can sense integrity and manipulation quickly. Today Whitney is learning how to to heal, forgive, and live a life where she doesn't have to prove herself to the world in order to receive love. 

Ever wonder how intuition and the brain are connected? Gina Guddat is an experienced mental health counselor with a Master's in psychology. Gina discusses the science behind intuition and the strong connection between our brain and our gut. Through Gina's expertise, we learn that people are happier when they listen to their intuition. However, with data and research right at our fingertips, many of us experience, "analysis paralysis." something that can prohibit us from making intuitive decisions. So how do we learn how to tap into our intuition? Gina not only shares the science behind intuition and how we are evolving overtime, but offers tools that can help guide us.  

Anna DiStefano marches to the beat of her own drum. Anna believes that by listening to her gut intuition, she has been able to live the life that she desires. This includes making mistakes and learning from her failures. However, her life trajectory has not always been accepted by her family and friends. Born and raised in a traditional Jewish environment, Anna feels that her family tries to "lawn mow" her life. Meaning, mowing a perfectly planned out life to prevent failure. Through her story, we learn that Anna is true to herself. She is an entrepreneur and courageous woman defying the standards that she is accustomed to. Anna's intuition, inner voice, and life lessons have helped her feel free from the opinions of others

Sara Chizek lost her father to cancer at the age of 4 leaving her with minimal conscious memories of him. Through years of shutting out grief from the loss of her dad, Sara became numb to the trauma and felt guilt for not feeling sad. Through therapy, interpersonal reflection, learning more about her dad, and engaging with a Medium, Sara discusses how she reconnected with her dad spiritually. Through the guidance and wisdom that she received, Sara started leading with her intuition and trusting that her father's spirit resided in her. Sara's newfound connection led her on a spiritual journey to find purpose in her life. To help women embody grief. In this week's emotional episode, we learn that grief is lifelong, but allows us to heal. 

Communication and Empowerment Coach Erin Merrihew shares how her intuition guided her to leave a business and committed relationship behind in Bolivia. Upon returning to Seattle, Erin became drawn to a resourceful and therapeutic methodology called Nonviolent Communication (NVC). She quickly connected to the the methodology and realized that her painful experience combined with her natural talents could help others heal and transform their pain. Now as a professional coach, Erin teaches NVC skills to individuals, couples, and executive leaders. She empowers her clients to tap into authenticity and connect with compassion. Through Erin's truth and humility, she shares her passion for making the most of the human experience. 

Happy New Year! I want to thank Leading With Your Gut listeners, supporters, and guests for helping me create a podcast passion project. Without the help of others, I would not be able to have the courage to put this together. Thank you!

Spiritual healing and energy coach Shian Chuan is on a mission to help leaders create positive and sustainable growth in the workplace. Known as the "Career Whisperer" in Fortune 500 magazine, Shian partners with organizations that want to cultivate, nurture, and grow conscious leaders, not just for today, but for the upcoming generations. In this episode, Shian discusses how an illness led her to become more intuitive with her body and how it ultimately guided her to make conscious choices about her life's purpose. Through her own path and pain, she was able to tap into the spiritual world and connect with her inner self. By practicing energy healing and leadership coaching, Shian is able to help her clients realign with themselves in order to live with more connectivity, peacefulness, and self-efficacy. Shian has mentored over 300 clients and empowered thousands. She believes in living wholeheartedly and having the ability to be authentic in our personal lives and at work.