Ordinary To Badass

Quitter? Or Leader? Why Walking Away Might Be the Boldest Move You Make

Think quitting means failure? Think again.

In this episode, Marie Sonneman flips the script on what it really means to walk away—from roles, relationships, or responsibilities that no longer serve you. Inspired by her conversation with Doris Jackson Shazier (Episode 386), Marie unpacks why sometimes quitters win—and how to know when it’s time to move on.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking:

• Letting go of roles that no longer serve you

• Leading without shrinking

• And training your inner voice to stop dragging you down

You’ll hear:

🔥 The dog-on-a-nail story that changed how Marie viewed “staying stuck”
💡 A powerful reframe: quitting isn’t failure—it’s strategy
💬 The mic-drop mantra: “I don’t stay just to prove a point. I move to make one.”

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM Marie @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because this isn’t your average leadership podcast. It’s for the ones building their own rooms.

Think quitting means failure? Think again.

In this episode, Doris Jackson-Shazier—leadership coach, author, and the woman redefining resilience—shares why walking away isn’t weakness… it’s wisdom. From growing up in a neighborhood where no one graduated high school to leading 70,000 employees as a senior director, Doris rewrote every rule in the leadership playbook—and built her own damn table.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking:
🔥 Letting go of roles that no longer serve you
🔥 Leading without shrinking
🔥 And training your inner voice to stop dragging you down

You’ll hear:
💥 Why “Sometimes quitters win” might be the most badass leadership move you can make
💬 How to reframe your self-talk when doubt or failure creeps in
💡 Why representation isn’t just important—it’s oxygen for future leaders

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—like Carrie Bradshaw in leadership heels reminding you: you don’t have to stay somewhere you don’t belong 💋

Think you have to hide your awkward to be taken seriously? Think again.

In this solo episode, Marie flips the script on awkwardness and shows you why owning your quirky, unscripted moments is a leadership flex—not a flaw. From stumbling over your words in meetings to overthinking every sentence, she’ll help you stop editing and start leading out loud.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs
We’re talking confidence in conversations, ditching perfection, and making bold career moves—even when your voice shakes.

You’ll hear:
🔥 Why your “awkward” moments might be your secret leadership sauce
💡 How to notice when you're shrinking—and what to do instead
💬 A mindset shift that’ll help you speak up even when it feels messy

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me BADASS on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because lifting each other up? That’s how we rise.

Think Badass women never feel awkward? Think again.

In this episode, Andy Vargo—speaker, author, and awkwardness advocate—joins Marie Sonneman for a joint conversation that’s part real talk, part pep talk, and all about what it really means to own your story.

From canceled podcast interviews to closet doors that slammed shut on confidence, Andy and Marie explore what it takes to lead louder in spaces that weren’t built for you—awkward moments and all.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology We’re talking:

• Turning awkwardness into authenticity
  

• Leading through fear (not in spite of it)
  

• Redefining what makes you “badass” in the first place
  

You’ll hear: 🔥 The moment Marie realized debt—not a badge—was her gateway to confidence 💡 Why Andy believes awkwardness is your greatest brand asset

💬 How both guests navigate days when they don’t feel like Badasses (and why that’s totally normal)

🎁 Grab the free [Breaking Barriers Guide] at [ordinarytobadass.com/barriers]

💬 DM me [@ordinarytobadass] and tell me your favorite takeaway

⭐ Rate + review—like Katniss Everdeen with a podcast mic 🎤💪

Think you need to match the loudest voice in the room to lead? Think again.

In this episode, host Marie Sonneman delivers a powerful follow-up to Episode 382 with a no-fluff reminder that shrinking yourself to fit a space doesn't earn you credibility—it robs you of your edge. From a story of holding silence for four months before making a leadership move, to calling out performative confidence, Marie shows us what it really means to lead with intention, not volume.

✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking:

• Trusting your intuition overreacting to pressure

• Why authentic presence beats performative confidence

• How to stop contorting yourself for approval and start commanding respect

You’ll hear:
🔥 A story of intuitive leadership that earned more respect than rushing ever could
💡 Why matching the room might be the exact thing holding you back
💬 The affirmation you need to anchor into your voice and lead unapologetically

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/breakingbarriers
💬 DM “shrink” to @ordinarytobadass on IG if this episode hit home
⭐ If you’re done molding yourself to fit the mold—rate + review to help other women find their fire

Think leadership has to be loud to be effective? Think again.

In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman gets real about leading in ways that don’t fit the traditional mold—especially in male-dominated spaces. From calling off a podcast interview mid-recording to holding steady in a chaotic work unit for four months before making changes, Marie shares why quiet leadership isn’t a weakness—it’s a weapon.

✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking:

• Trusting your intuition over performance

• Leading without needing to match the room

• Finding your voice (even if it isn’t the loudest)

You’ll hear:
🔥 What happened when Marie chose values over pleasing others
💡 How directness can build—not break—team trust
💬 Why your leadership style doesn’t need to mirror anyone else’s to be powerful

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide: ordinarytobadass.com/breakingbarriers
💬 DM @ordinarytobadass on IG if this episode hit you right in the gut
⭐ Love this? Rate + review—it helps other badass women find their fire too

Rest Is Not a Weakness—It’s Your Leadership Superpower
Think hustling 24/7 is the only way to prove you belong? Think again.

In this episode, Marie Sonneman—your no-BS leadership coach and host—dives into the hidden cost of hustle culture for women in leadership. From saying yes to everything (and burning out in the process) to finally setting boundaries and reclaiming peace of mind, Marie gets real about what it actually takes to thrive in rooms that weren’t built for you.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs
We’re talking powerful reframes, unapologetic boundary-setting, and the kind of self-care that actually makes you a better leader.

You’ll hear:
🔥 Why slowing down isn’t falling behind (and might just be your boldest move yet)
💡 The exact question to ask yourself when you’re about to hit burnout
💬 How to stop shrinking to fit someone else’s version of leadership—and lead on your own terms

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this episode hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—help another badass find her fire and join our community of unstoppable women!

👉 Check out the full show notes at https://ordinarytobadass.com/self-care-for-female-leaders/

Think you need to hustle harder to prove you're a leader? Think again.

In this episode, Jenny Lytle—former nurse turned life coach—shares how she went from burnout to bold by leading from a place of alignment, not adrenaline. From caregiving overload to discovering her true identity, Jenny breaks down what it really takes to lead without apology—even when your style doesn’t match the loudest voice in the room.

✨ Theme: Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking breaking the hustle myth, regulating your nervous system, and redefining what self-care really means.

You’ll hear:

🔥 What Jenny discovered in the middle of a park that changed the entire course of her life
💡 Why self-care isn’t selfish—and how you can reclaim your energy in 60 seconds or less
💬 How to set boundaries that actually feel good (and stop over-functioning for everyone else)

🎁 Grab Jenny’s free book Self-Care Isn’t Selfish at selfcareisntselfish.com
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if you’ve ever felt like your calm leadership style makes you “the odd one out”
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because your review isn’t just feedback, it’s a lifeline for the next woman who needs this message.👉Go here to check out the show notes

https://ordinarytobadass.com/lead-from-alignment/

Think confident leadership means being the loudest voice in the room? Think again.

In this Badass Debrief, Marie Sonneman breaks down what it really looks like to lead boldly without being loud. Inspired by her interview with executive coach Alison Wilson, Marie explores the quiet power of nuance, intuition, and trusting your inner voice in environments that often undervalue those very strengths.

✨ Theme: Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking about reclaiming your leadership voice, rewriting your relationship with self-doubt, and recognizing that your subtle brilliance is enough.

You’ll hear:
🔥 Why feeling overlooked doesn’t mean you’re underqualified
💡 How to reframe “second-guessing” as deep awareness
💬 A simple mindset shift and brag file challenge that can transform how you lead

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/breakingbarriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because supporting women who lead differently is the movement

👉 Check out the show notes here https://ordinarytobadass.com/lead-boldly/

Think resilience is just about bouncing back? Think again.

In this episode, educator and leader Alison Wilson shares how she went from being overlooked and underestimated to fully owning her leadership—even before anyone gave her the title. From silent setbacks to quiet comebacks, Alison walks us through what it looks like to rise without the applause and keep showing up anyway.

✨ Theme: Resilience Stories We’re talking comebacks, perseverance, and the kind of leadership growth that doesn’t happen in the spotlight—but builds unstoppable strength behind the scenes.

You’ll hear:

🔥 How Alison led without the title—and why that mattered 💡 What helped her stop waiting for permission and start speaking up

💬 The real cost of being told to “wait your turn”—and how to push back

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers

💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this had you nodding like “YEP, been there.”

⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because your badass support means the world.

👉 Go here to check out the show notes https://ordinarytobadass.com/wait-your-turn/