Small Brave Moves

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're talking about one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership practices - meaningful one-on-one meetings.

Let’s be honest: most one-on-ones are either inconsistent, rushed, or overly focused on status updates. But when done right, they’re your secret weapon for building trust, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent.

I'll teach you:

• Why most one-on-ones fall flat - and how to fix them
• The real reason leaders avoid one-on-ones (hint: it’s not time)
• Powerful questions to ask in your next one-on-one that go beyond the surface
• How to turn feedback into a gift instead of a threat
• Why one-on-ones are not just a “nice to have” but a strategic advantage

If you’ve been known to reschedule these conversations, or are wondering if they even matter, this episode will change the way you think about one-on-ones, and the way your team feels about you.

Download your free guide: 15 Questions to Ask During Your Next One-On-One

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we’re exploring something that might seem like a luxury—but is actually a leadership necessity: Flow and Ease®.

If you’re a high-achieving leader who’s feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, or stretched thin, this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth: hustle doesn’t equal impact. And letting go of control doesn’t mean letting go of your standards.

We'll be discussing:

• What Flow and Ease® actually means in the context of brave leadership
• Why micromanagement is often fear in disguise
• The surprising leadership edge of emotional regulation and grounded energy
• Small, brave shifts that create clarity, calm, and powerful ripple effects
• How to stop contributing to the chaos—and start leading from a place of presence

You don’t have to prove your worth through burnout. Your clarity, calm, and boundaries aren’t soft—they’re strategic. And when you lead with flow, your team rises with you. 

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If you’re ready to stop gripping so tightly and start leading with more trust, intentionality, and energy—without losing your drive—this one’s for you. 

🌴Learn more about The Brave LeadHERship Retreat + access exclusive podcast listener pricing. 

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're discussing one of the most relevant challenges in leadership today—how to lead remote and hybrid teams without falling into the trap of micromanagement.

Because let’s be honest: working from anywhere can quickly turn into disconnected everywhere if we’re not intentional.

We explore:

• How to create real connection without constant check-ins
• Why micromanagement is fear in disguise—and how to lead with trust instead
• Three rhythms that build strong remote teams (including the rituals I use with my own remote team)
• The mindset shifts every brave leader needs in the virtual world
• And three Small Brave Moves you can make this week to boost clarity, trust, and team momentum

If you’ve ever felt the urge to hover, over-communicate, or overcorrect in remote settings, this episode will help you step into brave, intentional leadership—no matter where your team is located.

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast,  we dive into one of the biggest reasons leaders avoid hard conversations—the fear of emotional reactions. 

Whether it’s tears, silence, deflection, or defensiveness, these responses can make even the most seasoned leaders second-guess themselves. But brave leaders don’t avoid the discomfort—they prepare for it.

We explore:

• The four most common emotional reactions during tough talks
• How to respond with calm, clarity, and compassion
• What to say when someone shuts down, cries, or pushes back
• How to stay centered and protect your energy in emotionally charged moments

If you’ve been holding back from saying what needs to be said because you’re unsure how they’ll respond, this episode gives you the tools, mindset, and language to show up bravely—no matter the emotion in the room.

Learn how to lead through emotion with grace and grit—and turn tough conversations into transformative ones.

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast we’re diving into a non-negotiable for building high-performing, innovative teams: psychological safety.

You’ve probably heard the term before, but let’s get one thing straight—it’s not just an HR thing. It’s a leadership thing. In fact, it’s the foundation of every courageous, collaborative, and high-impact team Nicole has ever worked with.

Nicole breaks down exactly what psychological safety is (and what it isn’t), why it’s essential for performance and retention, and how you can start building it today—especially when the pressure is high.

If you want your team to take smart risks, challenge the status quo, and own their mistakes, then they need to trust that it’s safe to speak up. That starts with you. 

Nicole shares personal stories from inside the boardroom, real examples of what happens when safety is missing, and three Small Brave Moves you can implement today to create a space where honesty, creativity, and courageous conversations thrive. 

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If you want to build a culture where your team doesn’t just follow—they lead—this is your episode.

🌴Learn more about The Brave LeadHERship Retreat + access exclusive podcast listener pricing. 

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we challenge the hustle culture myth that faster is always better—and explore why the bravest leaders are the ones who dare to slow down. 

We explore why brave leaders aren’t the ones burning the candle at both ends—but the ones carving out time to think deeply, act intentionally, and lead with clarity. You’ll learn how constant motion leads to misalignment, burnout, and poor decision-making, while strategic stillness unlocks innovation, presence, and purpose. 

Nicole shares the Small Brave Moves she's made to redesign her own calendar and routines—plus a few hard-earned lessons from burnout recovery. Whether you’re a mid-level leader or C-suite exec, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, energy, and purpose. 

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If your calendar is packed but your impact feels stalled, this is your invitation to hit pause—and lead forward with intention. 

🌴Learn more about The Brave LeadHERship Retreat + access exclusive podcast listener pricing. 

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle a challenge that many powerhouse women in leadership quietly face: the constant tug-of-war between being seen as too much or not enough.

We unpack the double standards women leaders often navigate—where authority can be labeled as “aggressive,” and warmth mistaken for weakness—and offer a new model: one where you don’t have to choose between being respected or relatable.

From clarity without control to real talk and radical humanity, you’ll walk away with five practical mindset and behavior shifts that will help you lead with both power and grace.

Plus, Nicole shares an exclusive invitation to podcast listeners to attend a transformational leadership experience designed to help executive women reclaim their energy, amplify their light, and elevate their leadership. 

If you're tired of the tightrope and ready to rewrite the rules, this episode is your next brave move.

🌴Learn more about The Brave LeadHERship Retreat + access exclusive podcast listener pricing. 

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore one of the hardest but most necessary parts of leadership—recovering from failure. Whether it’s a misstep, a missed deadline, or a moment you wish you could take back, failure is inevitable for every leader.

But here’s the truth: what defines your leadership isn’t the mistake—it’s how you respond.

We break down the three types of leadership failures—slips, trips, and falls—and provide a clear, practical roadmap to bounce back with confidence and integrity. You’ll learn how to own your mistakes, rebuild trust, and turn failure into fuel for growth. Plus, I share a recent high-stakes leadership stumble of my own and how I handled it in real-time.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt after messing up, or worried your credibility took a hit, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to fail forward and come back even stronger.   

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle the hidden leadership habit that’s sabotaging your confidence and credibility—negative self-talk.

Whether it’s those quiet, critical thoughts or the self-deprecating jokes you make to be relatable, the way you speak about yourself matters. It shapes how others see you and how you show up as a leader.

From real-life stories to powerful mindset shifts, we’ll explore how negative self-talk chips away at your leadership and how to replace it with 3 Small Brave Moves that build self-assurance. You’ll learn how to reframe limiting language, catch yourself in the moment, and create a leadership presence that is grounded in confidence and clarity.

If you’re ready to stop undermining yourself and start owning your voice, this one’s for you. 

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In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we're stepping into a different kind of brave leadership—the leadership of your health. I'm joined by Julie Griffin, executive health coach, certified functional medicine health coach, and former corporate HR leader with over 30 years of experience. 

Julie brings a powerful blend of executive-level insight and deep knowledge of functional medicine and lifestyle behavior change to help high-achieving executive women prioritize their well-being.

We dive into the lessons we learned firsthand from completing a three-day cleanse together (spoiler: it wasn’t always pretty), and the parallels between how we treat our bodies and how we lead. From navigating the demands of executive life to honoring what your body is really telling you, we unpack why so many leaders struggle to slow down, listen in, and make themselves a priority.

Julie shares why small, intentional actions—like a cleanse or habit stacking—can become game-changing leadership moves, and how self-leadership builds the resilience, clarity, and capacity needed to show up for your teams and your life.

If you're a leader who puts everyone else first, this episode will challenge you to rethink that—and give you practical, brave ways to reclaim your energy and your leadership from the inside out.

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