The autumn/winter collections are dropping. And my inbox this week? Full of the same question: "Sonya, what should I be buying for next season?"

Here's what I tell my clients: Don't start with what's trending or what's on the rack. Start with what's on your calendar.

Smart leaders don't buy reactively. They plan based on what's ahead.

In this episode, I'm walking you through strategic wardrobe planning, the process I use with my clients to map their calendar to their closet so their wardrobe works FOR them instead of against them.

You'll learn: 

→ Why decision fatigue reduces cognitive function by 24% (and what that means for your leadership) 

→ How visual friction impacts your performance in high-stakes moments 

→ The 3-step framework: Map your calendar, Identify gaps, Refresh strategically 

→ How to distinguish "everyday meetings" from "high-stakes moments" 

→ What strategic refresh actually means (it's not buying everything new)

The research-backed truth:

This is for you if you're tired of scrambling the night before important presentations, spending 20 minutes in your closet every morning, or feeling like your wardrobe creates visual friction instead of supporting your leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

THE PROBLEM: REACTIVE BUYING + DECISION FATIGUE

THE INTERNAL COST: VISUAL FRICTION

THE FRAMEWORK: MAP → IDENTIFY → REFRESH

Step 1: MAP YOUR CALENDAR (3-6 months ahead)

Step 2: IDENTIFY GAPS

Step 3: REFRESH STRATEGICALLY

THE OUTCOME: When you plan strategically, your wardrobe stops being a source of decision fatigue and becomes a strategic asset. You free up mental energy to focus on what actually matters.

TIMESTAMPS

RESEARCH REFERENCED

Decision Fatigue:

Judge Decision Quality:

Enclothed Cognition:

Visual Processing Speed:

Full Research Citations:

LINKS & RESOURCES

THE LEADERSHIP CAPSULE INTENSIVE

Who it's for:

How to join:

CONNECT WITH SONYA:

➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment

➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

Welcome back! In this first episode of 2026, I'm sharing my annual wardrobe audit process and how I successfully sold 70% of my pre-loved clothing pieces.

But this isn't just about decluttering, it's about maintaining alignment between who you're becoming as a leader and how you're showing up. I walk through my strategic approach to keeping a curated wardrobe that reduces decision fatigue and reflects your leadership identity.

You'll hear about my experience testing two resale methods (Airrobe online consignment and Venla physical rack rental), plus practical tips on pricing strategy and maximising your return on investment when editing your wardrobe.

Key Takeaways

Timestamps

Links and Resources:

➡ Airrobe - Online consignment platform for pre-loved clothing

➡ Venla - Physical rack rental for reselling clothing

➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment

➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya, a personal brand and style coach, shares the secrets behind maintaining a grounded presence when speaking in public or on video. Addressing a common question, Sonya explains her framework consisting of physical grounding, vocal grounding, and energetic grounding. She discusses her personal rituals and tactics, such as lighting a candle, using a power pose, and pacing her speech. Drawing from her corporate leadership and presentation coaching experiences, Sonya offers valuable advice for amplifying one's presence and leading with confidence. Listeners are encouraged to practice these techniques and reach out for personalized coaching. The episode wraps up with holiday wishes and a preview of what to expect in 2026.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Style and Strategy Podcast
00:46 Staying Grounded: The Honest Truth
01:54 The Three Non-Negotiables for Grounded Presence
06:32 Physical Grounding Techniques
09:58 Vocal Grounding Strategies
13:36 Energetic Grounding: The Internal Work
17:28 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

Links and Resources:

➡ Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment

➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:  Guide

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya, a personal brand and style coach, emphasizes the importance of planning for personal growth and leadership presence before the New Year chaos begins. She discusses the tendency to prioritize others' needs over personal evolution and shares two diagnostic exercises to help listeners align their brand and style with their future goals. Sonya's exercises aim to identify key areas for improvement and establish a clear vision for 2026. The episode encourages listeners to take proactive steps in December to start the new year with a solid, personalized plan for success.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and December Reflections
00:34 The Importance of Personal Planning
02:09 Welcome to the Style and Strategy Podcast
02:56 Why January Planning Fails
04:07 Diagnostic Exercises for 2026
06:43 The Brand and Style Life Wheel
13:19 Vision Exercise for 2026
16:53 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Links and Resources:

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen, so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:

Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, personal brand and style coach Sonya explores how leadership and personal evolution demand not just career proficiency, but also an aligned personal style. Sonya introduces her concept of the 'Ladder of Elevation' to make small yet impactful wardrobe refinements that reflect your current leadership presence. From understanding why your go-to outfit might feel 'off' to making targeted adjustments without overhauling your closet, learn how to ensure your style aligns with who you are now and the rooms you want to lead. Discover strategies for tailoring, upgrading finishing touches, and embodying your signature style to amplify your presence and impact.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Style and Strategy Podcast
00:46 The Power of Your Go-To Outfit
02:15 Understanding the Wardrobe Shift
02:40 The 3% Change: Small Refinements, Big Impact
05:25 The Ladder of Elevation Framework
09:20 Foundation Fit: Ensuring Your Clothes Fit Today
10:27 Finishing Touches: The 3% Upgrades
12:14 Signature Style Embodiment
14:00 Practical Steps to Elevate Your Wardrobe
17:16 Conclusion and Next Steps

Links and Resources:

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen, so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “I literally said that 20 minutes ago… why did it only land when someone else repeated it?”, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, Sonya breaks down one of the most overlooked elements of leadership presence: communication design — the bridge between how you naturally express yourself and how your audience actually processes information.

You’ll learn why capability isn’t your barrier, why confidence isn’t the real gap, and why even highly experienced leaders still feel unheard despite delivering results. Sonya explains the four primary communication processing channels (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, auditory-digital), how they influence perception in high-stakes rooms, and how to translate your message so it lands every time — without changing who you are.

This episode is essential listening for leaders transitioning from expert to executive, from execution to strategy, or anyone tired of feeling overlooked in meetings, boardrooms, and strategic presentations.

Key Takeaways

Timestamps

00:00 — Why capability isn’t the gap
01:00 — The experience vs. delivery problem
02:00 — Visual communication vs. verbal communication
03:00 — The 4 communication processing channels
06:00 — Why mismatches cause brilliant ideas to fall flat
09:00 — Why “be more concise” advice fails
10:00 — Your natural communication blueprint
13:00 — Why the expert → executive transition feels uncomfortable
14:00 — How to translate your design into your audience’s channel
17:00 — What happens when the gap is unaddressed
18:00 — Why you’re making yourself smaller in meetings
19:00 — The real definition of leadership presence
20:00 — How to work with Sonya to map your communication design

Links & Resources

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

This isn’t a teaching episode—it’s a coaching session. Sonya guides you through a live inquiry to surface the hidden patterns that make high-achieving women feel invisible in high-stakes rooms. You’ll identify your dominant pattern, see where it once served you, quantify what it’s costing you now, and choose one concrete action to shift it this week.

You’ll learn

The five most common leadership patterns behind “I felt invisible”:

Strategic restraint (waiting for the perfect moment)

Room calibration (shapeshifting your energy)

Invisible influence (doing the work, missing the visibility)

Preparation as protection (over-prepping, under-trusting)

The recognition gap (excellent work, under-positioned)

Why these patterns worked earlier in your career—and why they stall you now

The specific costs: missed influence, diluted presence, and stalled advancement

A simple, one-step assignment to break the loop this week

Coaching prompts from the episode

“What story did you tell yourself in that moment?”

“When did this pattern serve you?”

“What is this pattern costing you now—specifically?”

“If you weren’t running this pattern, what would you do instead?”

Action menu (pick one this week)

Speak once in the first 10 minutes of a meeting (end the “perfect timing” myth)

Decide your baseline energy before 3 meetings and bring that energy

When praised, don’t deflect: “Thank you—here’s what I focused on.”

Prepare enough, then trust yourself to navigate live

Make one win visible (DM/email/post walking through your thinking)

Who this is for
Senior female leaders and founders who are deeply capable, yet feel under-seen in high-stakes rooms—and are ready to align identity, expression, and positioning.

LINKS & RESOURCES

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

What if the secret to powerful brand imagery isn’t about posing perfectly—but about being seen truthfully?

In this episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya Choi La Rosa sits down with Jen from Vividity Photography, a brand and portrait photographer who helps women rediscover their confidence through the lens. Jen shares her 80/20 approach to brand photography, why “perfect” images don’t build connection, and how to prepare for a photoshoot that feels authentic—not staged.

You’ll learn:

Why powerful brand photography begins with authenticity, not aesthetics.

The 80/20 rule Jen uses to create images that capture your true essence.

How to prepare mentally and emotionally for your next brand shoot.

The rise of AI imagery—and why it can’t replace genuine connection.

How a single photoshoot can transform how you see yourself and your leadership presence.

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in front of the camera or wondered how to create imagery that reflects your brand and evolution, this episode is your permission slip to show up as your real self.

LINKS & RESOURCES

➡ Find out more about Jennifer Taylor Vivididty Photography here: Website: https://vividity.com.au/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vividity_photography/ or https://www.instagram.com/vividity_personal_brand_photos/

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

In this episode, Sonya breaks down new global leadership research and reveals how senior women can close the gap between what they’re capable of and how they’re perceived.

You’ll learn why traits like hope, trust, and compassion now define strong leadership—and how to communicate your expertise with authentic power.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Have you ever watched your moment pass in a meeting?
02:00 – The new Gallup global leadership study (2025 findings)
04:30 – What employees really want: hope, trust, compassion, stability
06:45 – Why women’s leadership style is a strategic advantage
09:00 – The competence gap and McKinsey’s 2024 findings
11:00 – Why your capability isn’t always being experienced
13:00 – The 3D Impact Method™ explained
17:00 – Redefining executive presence for modern leadership
21:00 – Brene Brown & Adam Grant on “Pocket Presence”
23:00 – The truth about imposter syndrome and self-awareness
25:00 – How to close your experience gap and lead with intention

#WomenInLeadership #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #StyleAndStrategyPodcast #PersonalBrand #AuthenticLeadership #SonyaChoiLaRosa #WomenInBusiness #leadershippresence

LINKS & RESOURCES

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media 

In this transformative episode of the Style and Strategy Podcast, Sonya speaks with Jolee Mougey—a former medical researcher turned Reiki master and psychic healer—about the link between energy, intuition, and leadership.

After decades in science, Jolee made an unexpected pivot into energy healing. She shares how physical pain, chronic migraines, and burnout led her to explore intuitive modalities that science couldn’t explain—yet profoundly transformed her life.

Together, Sonya and Jolee unpack:

How suppressed emotions can show up as physical tension and fatigue.

What it means to “heal in layers” instead of chasing instant transformation.

How intuition can help women in leadership release self-doubt and lead from authenticity.

Why guilt, fear, and overthinking block ambition—and how to clear those energetic patterns.

Simple practices to reconnect with your body, intuition, and emotional wisdom.

If you’ve ever felt “stuck” in your growth or leadership journey despite doing all the right things, this conversation will help you tap into the one power source that never runs out—your inner energy.

LINKS & RESOURCES

➡ A 4 part private podcast to help you reconnect with how you want to be seen—so your leadership presence reflects who you are, not just what you do.

Own The Room

➡ Download the Wardrobe Checklist for Professional Career Women – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact:
Checklist

➡ Book Your Strategy Call

➡ Find out more about programs and services

➡ Connect with me on social media