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Lean In and Level Up
Lean In and Level Up episodes
- Going Rogue: Balancing Work, Kids, and Sanity
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Are you ready to go rogue with your daily routine?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney take a detour from their usual discussions to tackle the chaos of balancing work, motherhood, and personal life.
With the school year kicking off, Ashlie shares her experiences of navigating new schedules, teacher communications, and the challenge of deciding whether to take on the role of room mom.
Together, they explore the complexities of making time for self-care, managing work stress, and figuring out how to prioritize when everything feels important.
Listen For:
04:06 - Balancing work and personal commitments
10:35 - Deciding what to prioritize
18:47 - The inefficiency of multitasking
22:22 - The importance of focusing on what you can controlContact Us
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn26 min - Goals vs. Expectations: Finding the Sweet Spot
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Are you setting goals or just chasing expectations?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney dive deep into the delicate balance between setting achievable goals and navigating the often-unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves—or assume others place on us.
From the societal pressures of milestones to personal struggles with perfectionism, the duo shares candid stories and practical insights on how to manage both internal and external expectations without losing sight of what's truly important.
Listen For:
02:43 - Societal Pressures on Women
05:22 - Perfectionism in Parenting, Friendship, and Work
19:28 - Aligning Goals with Realistic Expectations
24:16 - The Importance of Fierce Honesty in CommunicationContact Us
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn30 min - Balancing Personality and Professionalism at Business Events
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Ever wondered how to balance authenticity with professionalism at work events?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney dive into the complexities of being your true self while navigating the demands of corporate culture.
They recount their recent team work trip, reflecting on the challenges of balancing personal safety, team dynamics, and authentic leadership.
From discussing the importance of preparation to debating how much of your personality should shine through in different professional settings, this episode is a must for anyone looking to lead with their true self in the workplace.
Listen For:
07:45 Maintaining Professionalism While Being Yourself
09:36 Shifting Between Playful and Professional with Clients
17:18 Why Women Might Struggle with Authentic Leadership
22:07 Boosting Self-Confidence in Non-Social Team MembersContact Us
Website | Email | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | FacebookWhitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn
31 min - Life with Chronic Illness: The Impact on Work, Parenting, and Self-care
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Struggling with a chronic illness while trying to balance work and life - can you relate?
In this raw and honest episode, Ashlie and Whitney open up about their experiences living with Crohn's disease and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism.
They discuss the challenges of managing symptoms, the impact on their mental health and work performance, and the importance of finding personalized strategies for self-care and resilience.
Through their stories, they offer insights and solidarity for others facing similar struggles, emphasizing the power of gratitude, discipline, and prioritizing what matters most in the face of adversity.
Listen For:
05:44 - Coping with a Chronic Illness
11:44 - Empowering Moments Despite Illness
18:22 - Balancing Life with Chronic Illness
23:23 - Finding Gratitude and Perseverance
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn26 min - Money Matters: Overcoming Financial Challenges in Business
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Can a struggling business really bounce back to success?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney discuss their experiences navigating financial hardship within their company.
They talk about the challenges of sustaining and growing a business under financial strain, the importance of sales and marketing, and the necessity of making strategic sacrifices.
The conversation also covers personal insights on balancing work and family, and the lessons learned from tough decisions and unexpected expenses.
This episode is packed with perceptions on overcoming adversity and planning for long-term success.
Listen For:
03:14 - Client Crisis Management
08:52 – Navigating Growing Pains
12:10 – Smart Spending and Cutting Costs
19:34 - Sales and Marketing MagicContact Us
Website | Email | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn34 min - Closing Deals with Confidence: Whitney's Top Strategies
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Ever wondered what it takes to master the art of sales?
In this episode, Whitney and Ashlie dive into the psychology behind successful sales techniques.
Whitney shares her approach to handling sales calls, building trust with potential clients, and securing long-term contracts.
She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the client's needs, and maintaining confidence, even in difficult conversations.
Ashlie highlights Whitney's skill in making clients feel comfortable and informed, ultimately leading to higher retention rates.
Listen For:
8:49 - Handling Tough Conversations
11:26 - Staying Calm Under Pressure
15:30 - Closing the Sale
20:24 - Decision-Maker Challenges
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Website | Email | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn29 min - The Transparency Trap: Balancing Honesty and Boundaries
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Transparency in business: essential or overrated?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney look at the nuances of client communication and the importance of transparency in building trust and effective relationships.
They discuss the pros and cons of being fully transparent with clients, including the potential for creating dependency and the importance of setting boundaries and realistic expectations.
They emphasize that while transparency can lead to better client education and trust, it is crucial to balance honesty with maintaining professional boundaries to avoid over-dependence.
They also touch on the broader aspects of effective marketing strategies, highlighting that a multi-faceted approach and a strong, cohesive team are vital for success.
Listen For:
03:18 - The Pros of Full Transparency
07:58 - Setting Boundaries with Clients
09:17 - The Evolution of Client Expectations
20:45 - The Consequences of Misaligned Expectations
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn31 min - Resilient and Rising: Women Leading the Way
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Ever felt like your voice is getting lost in the crowd?
In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney share their personal stories of overcoming gender biases in leadership roles. This episode dives into the emotional and psychological challenges they've faced, how they've turned obstacles into opportunities, and the strategies they've employed to rise above adversity.
From leaning on supportive spouses to applying positive psychology and setting strong boundaries, Ashlie and Whitney offer practical advice for anyone navigating similar struggles. Tune in to hear their inspiring journey of resilience and empowerment.
Listen For:
07:42 - Balancing Emotions and Professionalism
14:44 - The Importance of Support Systems
20:08 - Using Positive Psychology in Leadership
33:20 - Maintaining Mental Health in High-Stress Roles
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn35 min - A Day in the Life in the C-Suite
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Life in the C-suite is anything but predictable—just ask Whitney and Ashlie.
Whitney and Ashlie reveal the unpredictable and demanding nature of their executive roles. Sharing insights on how their days are filled with a mix of high-stakes decision-making, mundane tasks, and the constant balancing act between work and personal life.
Despite meticulous planning, their schedules often get derailed by unforeseen events. They highlight the necessity of prioritization, delegation, and mutual support within their team to maintain efficiency and sanity.
Their candid discussion highlights that leadership in any size company comes with its unique challenges and rewards.
Listen For:
03:06 – The Range and Reality of Executive Decisions
07:20 - It Takes a Village
11:05 - Learning from Overpacked Schedules
16:49 - Embracing Work-Life Balance
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn29 min - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
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Starting from scratch from fumbles to triumphs.
Ashlie and Whitney pull back the curtain on their journey becoming ambitious creators. They explore their candid reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome, stumbling through their initial attempts, and ultimately finding success by learning from a dedicated podcast producer.
They discuss the importance of being authentic, sharing relatable stories, and documenting growth for both themselves and their listeners.
Discover why they believe in giving everything a fair shot and how their podcast aims to inspire solidarity and courage in tackling new challenges.
Listen For:
3:47 Naming the Podcast Journey
06:17 Shocking Podcast Stats
11:29 The Authenticity Advantage
22:28 Podcasting as Documentation
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Whitney LinkedIn | Ashlie LinkedIn30 min
About Lean In and Level Up
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to Lean In and Level Up—the podcast where real leaders get honest.
Hosted by Ashlie Marshall, a CFO, executive strategist, and no-fluff kind of leader, this show is…
your space to lean into the hard conversations that most people avoid, and level up through the lessons they teach us.
Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about asking the right questions, owning your growth, and showing up with integrity—even when it’s messy.
On this podcast, we tackle:
- Transparent leadership (the kind that doesn't sugarcoat)
- Financial clarity that empowers, not confuses
- Accountability, ownership, and the courage to course-correct
- How to lead through hard seasons without losing your people—or yourself
- And what it really means to choose progress over perfection
You’ll hear from Ashlie and other leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday change makers who’ve walked through challenges, made bold pivots, and built something meaningful on the other side of the mess.
If you're ready to lead with more truth, build with more clarity, and grow with more intention—you're in the right place.
Let’s stop pretending and start progressing.
Lean in. Level up. Let’s go.