Carlii Lyon has spent more than two decades helping extraordinary people shape their stories, from supermodels and global entrepreneurs to bestselling authors and spiritual leaders. As a publicist, she built reputations that captured the world’s attention, but over time her work shifted from curating others’ narratives to reclaiming her own.

Her book Courage to Be – Small Steps for a Big Life is part memoir, part manifesto, exploring the quiet but profound acts of courage that redefine our lives. Through honest storytelling, Carlii invites readers to embrace visibility, imperfection and the liberation that comes with speaking our truth.

This conversation is both professional and deeply personal. Carlii and I have known each other for nearly twenty years, through motherhood, reinvention and the ever-evolving landscape of womanhood. She introduced me to Dr John Demartini and Miranda Kerr when her career as a powerhouse publicist was in full swing. I met her as a junior publicist, full of promise and drive, and we have travelled together, breastfed our babies side by side, and held each other through heartbreak and triumph.

In this episode we talk about authenticity, confidence, storytelling and self-discovery—the courage to evolve, to be seen and to stand fully in your truth.

Listen or watch the full conversation on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. Link in bio.

Key Takeaways

• Authentic personal branding begins with self-acceptance
• Style and presence can express confidence without pretense
• Relationships and friendships are essential to personal growth
• Self-doubt fades when we own our unique path
• Evolution requires courage and curiosity
• Community support fuels reinvention
• Beauty is individual and should be celebrated

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Book Launch
02:42 Personal Branding and Authenticity
05:33 Life Transitions and Personal Reinvention
08:20 Navigating Personal Challenges and Self Discovery
10:57 The Role of Purpose in Personal Branding
13:57 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
16:12 The Journey Back to Self
19:00 Manifestation and Life Design
30:54 The Importance of Networking and Relationships
33:36 Personal Branding and Professional Identity
37:12 Navigating Style and Presentation in Corporate Life
42:58 The Power of Red Lipstick A Metaphor for Confidence
48:41 Friendship Dynamics and Personal Growth
52:56 Embracing Change and Midlife Opportunities

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/tudmRfVJoVM

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