Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

In this special anniversary episode, we’re turning the mic around! To mark 10 years of full-time coaching through my business, Focus for Growth, I’m stepping into the guest seat. My friend and podcast producer, Richard Dodds, hosts the conversation as we look back on a decade of coaching, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

Join us as I share insights from ten years of working with growth-minded leaders, building a purpose-driven business, and growing alongside my clients. We explore what it really takes to sustain a coaching practice, how leadership evolves over time, and the mindset shifts that create the most meaningful impact—for individuals and organizations alike.

Whether you're a coach, a leader, or someone navigating your own growth journey, this episode offers valuable takeaways about clarity, resilience, and redefining success.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

Leadership isn't just about managing others—it's about managing yourself with intention. Drawing from a powerful conversation with Alan Heyman, this episode dives deep into two critical leadership skills: setting boundaries and creating psychological safety.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

From drowning in meetings to discovering his authentic path, Alan Heyman's journey reveals what happens when we acknowledge the disconnect between career expectations and reality. This transformative conversation pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to recognize when a prestigious role isn't actually the right fit – and finding the courage to make a change.

Whether you're questioning your current role, managing energy as an introvert, or supporting others through transition, this conversation offers both validation and practical strategies for moving toward work that genuinely energizes rather than depletes you. Connect with Alan through the link in our show notes to learn more about finding your own path to alignment.

Connect with Alan on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/alanheymann/

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

Let's dig into the powerful distinction between following someone else's blueprint and charting your own authentic path as a leader.

This episode explores how effective leadership begins with managing your internal reactions—especially fear. When emotions rise, it's easy to take things personally or default to defensiveness. But with awareness, leaders can pause, recognize the fear underneath, and choose a more grounded response.

We discuss how the brain instinctively fills gaps with self-protective stories, often reinforcing fear-based patterns. By noticing these habits and shifting perspective, leaders create space for clearer thinking and authentic action. The conversation encourages moving beyond fear-driven decisions and trusting yourself to lead with intention and resilience.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

What happens when you realize you're living a life on remote control? For Toby Adamson, this revelation sparked a transformation.

Her awakening triggered a series of life-altering decisions. After years of solving business problems with technology, she discovered that what truly energized her was helping others develop and grow. Her transformation wasn't just professional but deeply personal. 

Connect with Toby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-adamson-cpc-eli-mp/

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

Episode Summary

Imposter syndrome shows up when leaders question whether they truly deserve their achievements. But what if those feelings of self-doubt are actually signs of growth? In this episode of Short Story Long, Becky Fraser breaks down the myth of “fake it till you make it” and explains why you’re not faking anything when you’re doing the work.

Becky shares strategies to help leaders reframe imposter thoughts, celebrate achievements, and embrace the messy, uncomfortable process of growth. Instead of dismissing your efforts, this episode will help you see how each step forward builds both capability and confidence.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t earn your success or told yourself you were “just faking it,” this conversation will help you shift your perspective and recognize your true strengths as a leader.

Key Points Covered

• Why imposter syndrome is a signal of growth, not fraud
• The problem with the phrase “fake it till you make it”
• How to reframe fear, anxiety, and self-doubt as growth tools
• The role of messy action and why imperfection is necessary for learning
• How to recognize and celebrate your own strengths and achievements

Takeaways

• You’re not faking it if you’re doing the work—impostors deceive, leaders grow.
• Fear and discomfort are signs of progress, not inadequacy.
• Celebrating your achievements builds confidence and resilience.
• Words matter: choose language that reflects your growth, not your doubt.

If this episode helped you rethink imposter syndrome, follow Short Story Long on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a leadership insight. Leave a review to share what resonated most, and send this episode to a colleague who might need the reminder: you’re not an imposter.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

Episode Summary

Success doesn’t always look the way we expect. Sometimes it’s not the certification, the title, or even the recognition that brings true fulfillment; it’s the journey itself. In this episode of Short Story Long, host Bekitalks with leadership coach and speaker Kris Liebau about the moment she realized external validation wasn’t enough and how self-compassion reshaped her relationship with achievement.

Through Kris’ story, from engineering leader to ski patrol certifications to executive coaching, you’ll hear how imposter syndrome, mindfulness, and the pursuit of “pins” taught her valuable lessons about growth and contentment. This episode is a reminder that leaders don’t need to prove themselves endlessly to feel enough. Instead, fulfillment comes from aligning learning, curiosity, and personal values.

Key Points Covered

• Why chasing external validation often leaves leaders unfulfilled
• Kris’s journey from engineering and certifications to leadership coaching
• The moment she discovered the link between self-compassion and imposter syndrome
• How she shifted focus from striving for achievements to embracing the journey
• Why leaders need to balance fun, growth, and stress in their pursuits
• Practical insights for choosing goals based on fulfillment, not just recognition

Takeaways

• True success isn’t about the pin; it’s about the progress you make along the way.
• Imposter syndrome thrives when achievement is tied only to external validation.
• Mindfulness and self-compassion create resilience for leaders navigating growth.
• Reframing goals through curiosity makes the process more rewarding than the outcome.

If Kris’ story resonated with you, make sure to follow Short Story Long on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode on leadership growth. Leave a review to share what insights stood out most, and send this episode to a colleague who’s chasing achievement but needs a reminder to celebrate the journey.

Learn more and connect with Kris Liebau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisliebau/

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

We've all faced moments when a deeply personal truth demands to be spoken, yet everything inside us screams to stay silent. These brave conversations—whether coming out to loved ones, revealing major life changes, or addressing difficult topics—represent defining moments in our personal and professional lives.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it.

The journey to authenticity often begins with our most challenging personal moments. In this profound conversation with career coach John Neral, we explore how his experience of coming out to his parents at age 28 shaped not just his personal life but fundamentally transformed his professional approach to leadership and coaching.

Whether you're facing a significant personal transition or navigating complex professional challenges, this conversation offers valuable strategies for approaching difficult conversations with clarity, courage, and humanity. Connect with John on LinkedIn or through his Mid-Career GPS podcast to learn more about his approach to careers and authentic leadership.

Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com

Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod

Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon

Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC