The Inspired Entrepreneur

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What if the real thing holding your business back… is you?

In this powerful episode, Deborah Hartnett takes us into the truth most founders avoid: when we over-identify with the grind, we become the bottleneck. From a behind-the-scenes story of two seven-figure business owners stuck in the cycle of overwork, to neuroscience-backed insights on over-functioning, this episode is a compassionate yet clear-eyed invitation to lead differently.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, stretched too thin, or trapped in being “essential,” this is your reminder: you weren’t born to be the glue. You were born to lead.

This episode will help you shift out of the hustle and back into aligned, empowered leadership.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How high-performing founders unknowingly become the bottleneck in their business
• The “Founder Freedom List” and how to reclaim 20+ hours a week
• Why micromanagement is often rooted in a deeper identity issue
• The neuroscience of chronic over-responsibility, and how to reset it
• A 3-part Bottleneck Breakthrough Framework you can use this week

“You don’t need to do more to be more. What your business needs most is you. Clear, aligned, and leading from trust, not tension.”

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:53 The Bottleneck in Your Business
01:31 Case Study: Founders in Southern California
02:43 The Real Issue: Identity and Mindset
03:39 Leadership Coaching and Empowerment
06:08 The Neuroscience and Spiritual Lens
07:04 The Bottleneck Framework
08:01 Next Steps and Key Takeaways
08:37 Outro and Final Thoughts
10:06 Legal Disclaimer

Reflection Prompt:

Where are you holding on out of fear of being irrelevant, when you’re actually being called to rise as a leader?

Resources & Links:

✨ Registration opens soon!

🎓 Join the FREE masterclass: https://bit.ly/45tawIt

📘 Grab the Inspired Year Game Plan – your first step to building a business and life that feels as good as it looks: https://bit.ly/3SX0W9u

💬 Want to work with Deb or join the Accelerator Waitlist?

 Book a 1-on-1 call → inspired-bp.com

Love this episode?

Did this episode make you reflect on how you're showing up as a leader?

If this stirred something in you, share your biggest takeaway in the comments, your story might be someone else’s wake-up call.

👍 Like, subscribe, and tap the 🔔 so you don’t miss another raw, honest episode on building a soul-aligned business.

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

You’ve built the business. You’ve hit the milestones. But why do you still feel empty?

In this raw and powerful episode, I talk with Scott Thornton—entrepreneur, poet, and cycle breaker—about what happens when outward success hides inner collapse.

Quitting alcohol didn’t solve everything; it cracked him open. From burnout to breathwork in a plumbing office, Scott shares the messy, beautiful truth of doing the inner work.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this all there is?”—this episode is your mirror, your roadmap, and your reminder: you’re not alone, and you’re okay.

In This Episode, We Cover:

 ▪️ Why success didn’t feel like success for Scott
 ▪️ The unexpected journey sobriety set in motion
 ▪️ From burnout to empowered, heart-led leadership
 ▪️ How inner work fuels real business growth
 ▪️ Creating trust-driven culture at work and home
 ▪️ The story behind You’re Okay—a decades-long dream in poetry 

You’ll leave with this reminder:
 👉 “Faltering is not losing. Failing is but a lesson.”

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RESOURCES & LINKS:
Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building the business you were meant to lead? Discover how to shift from burnout and busywork to purpose-aligned action — without sacrificing your soul, sanity, or Saturdays. 🎓 Save your free seat here: https://bit.ly/45tawIt

Tired of busywork? Ready for bold moves?
Download The Inspired Year Game Plan and map out a business vision that’s aligned with your purpose, profit, and peace of mind.  🎯 Start here: https://bit.ly/3SX0W9u

Ready to step into your next level?
Join the waitlist or explore how you can work with Deb through a private clarity call.  🔗 Book here: http://bit.ly/4nE6qE6

Felt this episode in your soul? You’re not alone. 💬
Drop your takeaway below—your story could be the mirror someone else needs. 

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🧡 Loved Scott’s story? Let’s show him some love!
Follow Scott and dive deeper into his journey through poetry, healing, and purpose-led leadership.

Grab his book: "You're Okay" available now on Amazon 👉Check it out here

Listen to his podcast: Plumbing Around

Follow & connect with Scott:
👉 Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

What if the messy middle isn’t the breakdown, but the becoming?

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a grueling 21-mile hike and show you how it became the perfect mirror for what it means to stay in the game when business gets hard, messy, and uncertain.

If you're in a season where your momentum has fizzled, your direction feels unclear, and you're quietly questioning whether you can keep going, this episode is for you.

You’ll learn how to lead yourself through the doubt, through the detours, and through the desire to quit. This is the mindset reset and nervous system grounding you didn’t know you needed.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The moment your plan breaks, and how to respond instead of retreat
• How your nervous system might be sabotaging your clarity
• Why reconnecting to your “why” can override your urge to quit
• The neuroscience of commitment, and the spirituality of stillness
• How to ask for help as an act of leadership, not weakness

You’ll leave with this reminder:
 “You’re not behind. You’re just in the part that builds you.”

Where in your life or business is it time to recommit, even if the path looks different than you expected?

Resources & Links:

✨ Registration opens soon!
 Join the FREE training: https://bit.ly/45tawIt

Grab the Inspired Year Game Plan – your first step to building a business and life that feels as good as it looks: https://bit.ly/3SX0W9u

Want to work with Deb or join the Accelerator Waitlist?
Book a 1-on-1 call → inspired-bp.com

Watch the Post-Hike Video – Go behind the scenes and hear the full story of Deborah’s 21-mile journey for CureSearch, the lessons that surfaced, and the moments that almost made her quit: https://youtu.be/iMQnu8zLrJs

🎗️ Support the Cause
This hike was more than just a personal challenge — it was a commitment to the 43 children diagnosed with cancer every single day. If this story moved you, I invite you to take the next step with me.

👉 Donate to Help Fund Lifesaving Research:
https://give.curesearch.org/fundraiser/6066323

🌟 Learn More About the Ultimate Hike and CureSearch’s Mission:
https://curesearch.org/curesearch-ultimate-hike

Every donation brings us closer to better treatments, faster cures, and more childhoods saved. Thank you for being part of this mission. 💛

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful solo episode, host Deborah Hartnett dives into what transformation really looks and feels like—before the glow-up, before the clarity, before the confidence. This isn’t about tips or tools. It’s about the truth.

If you’ve been feeling tired of performing, proving, or just pushing through—this is your turning point. Deborah peels back the curtain on the emotional weight many founders carry and the invisible wall you hit when your old identity can’t carry your future vision.

She shares a deeply relatable story of a business owner grappling with people-pleasing and emotional exhaustion, then unpacks the neuroscience, psychology, and soul work behind true inner change.

✨ This episode is an invitation to:

• Recognize the signs of a brewing transformation
• Understand the invisible emotional labor many high-achievers endure
• Break free from outdated patterns and roles (like perfectionist, peacekeeper, or strong one)
• Begin shedding what no longer serves you—with grace and honesty
• Embrace your “dark side” as a doorway to your next-level leadership
  
  

You’ll leave with a powerful reflection:

“Transformation is not about fixing yourself—it’s about becoming someone your past self could never have imagined.”

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:48 Recognizing the Call for Transformation

01:32 A Real-Life Example of Transformation

03:07 Understanding Emotional Labor and Old Patterns

05:32 The Neuroscience Behind Transformation

08:18 Signs and Symptoms of Transformation

08:58 The Spiritual Aspect of Transformation

12:10 Embracing Your Humanity

14:23 The Path to Real Freedom

15:02 Conclusion and Invitation

15:59 Legal Disclaimer

✨ Registration opens soon!
 🎓 Join the FREE training: https://bit.ly/45tawIt

📘 Grab the Inspired Year Game Plan – your first step to building a business and life that feels as good as it looks: https://bit.ly/3SX0W9u

💬 Want to work with Deb or join the Accelerator Waitlist?
Book a 1-on-1 call → inspired-bp.com

💬 Did this episode hit you right in the heart?
 If you felt seen or stirred—you're not alone.

 ✨ Share your biggest takeaway in the comments. Your story might be the mirror someone else needs.

👍 Like, subscribe, and tap the 🔔 so you never miss another raw, honest conversation about building a business that supports not just your goals—but your soul.

Music Credit:
“Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC


Legal Disclaimer:

The Inspired Entrepreneur Podcast and all content posted by Deborah Hartnett are presented solely for general information, educational, and inspirational purposes. The use of any information from this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk.

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to that of a physician, psychotherapist, coach, or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical, mental health, legal, or business advice for any situation and are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for any such concerns or decisions.

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, host Deb Hartnett and guest Veronica Cisneros, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discuss the mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs. They delve into the dark side of hustle culture, the loneliness of leadership, and the importance of breaking toxic patterns. Veronica shares her personal experiences and insights on how to recognize and address anxiety, burnout, and trauma for high-achieving women. This conversation is raw and unfiltered, offering practical advice for building a business that aligns with your values and supports a fulfilling life. Listeners are encouraged to download free resources from Veronica and to reflect on whether their current lifestyle truly serves their long-term goals.

00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:55 Meet the Guest: Veronica Cisneros
02:43 The Loneliness of Leadership
07:13 The Reality of Entrepreneurial Success
11:05 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
15:50 Toxic Beliefs About Success
17:53 Understanding Burnout
18:43 The Trauma Response in High Achievers
20:03 Identifying and Addressing Anxiety and Depression
21:35 The Importance of Self-Check-ins
23:44 Recognizing and Validating Emotions
25:04 Practical Steps for Healing and Growth
31:34 Final Thoughts and Resources

🔗 Grab FREE resources from Veronica:
Outside the Norm Counseling FREE Guide

Listen To Veronica’s Podcast: Empowered and Unapologetic

Follow Veronica on her Socials: 

• Instagram: @empoweredandunapologetic; @heyveronicacisneros 
• LinkedIn: @veronica_cisneros

📘 Download your free workbook:
The Inspired Entrepreneur Vision Roadmap
🎯 Align your goals, values, and daily actions!

💬 Want to work with Deb or join the Accelerator Waitlist?
Book a 1-on-1 call → here or head to https://inspired-bp.com

💬 Feeling seen by this episode?

Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments!

👍 LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE, and HIT the 🔔 BELL so you never miss an honest conversation about building a business that actually supports your well-being.

#MentalHealthForEntrepreneurs #BurnoutRecovery #HustleCulture #WomenInBusiness #VeronicaCisneros #TheSuccessTrap #EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessTherapy #MindfulSuccess

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317)
© PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC


Legal Disclaimer:

The Inspired Entrepreneur Podcast and all content posted by Deborah Hartnett are presented solely for general information, educational, and inspirational purposes. The use of any information from this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk.

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to that of a physician, psycho

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Deborah sits down with Nicole Spencer, founder of Authentic Conversion, who built a multi-seven-figure online coaching business rooted in integrity—and then made the bold decision to walk away.

Nicole shares her journey from high school teacher to personal trainer, to fitness studio owner, and finally to a highly successful online business coach. Together, they dive deep into what it means when your soul outgrows your strategy, how to build a business with an exit in mind, and why alignment matters more than hustle.

💡 Get ready to be inspired to redefine your version of success, reclaim your energy, and trust your timing.

00:00 – Welcome & Purpose: When your soul outgrows your strategy
07:10 – Nicole’s origin story: From teacher to 7-figure entrepreneur
15:45 – The “5 D’s” of exit planning & building a sellable business
26:00 – Choosing alignment over hustle: The sabbatical story
36:00 – Reclaiming identity, intuition, and spiritual growth
47:20 – Strategy tips: Systems, succession, and sabbatical seasons
55:00 – Final reflections & Nicole’s message to founders

🌟 Download the Free Vision-to-Action Roadmap Workbook
The Inspired Entrepreneur Vision Map

🌐 Explore Nicole Spencer’s work at Authentic Conversion:
 https://www.authenticconversion.com/homepage

📧 Ready to explore working together or get on the Accelerator waitlist?
Let’s connect. Book a call with me here or head to inspired-bp.com

Loved this episode?
 → Don’t forget to Subscribe, Leave a Review, and Share it with a fellow purpose-driven entrepreneur. Your support helps us reach more brave founders building from the inside out.

Your alignment is the strategy. The rest will follow.

#TheInspiredEntrepreneur #NicoleSpencer #AuthenticConversion #PurposeDrivenBusiness #ExitPlanning #SpiritualEntrepreneur #PodcastInterview

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317)
© PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:

The Inspired Entrepreneur Podcast and all content posted by Deborah Hartnett are presented solely for general information, educational, and inspirational purposes. The use of any information from this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk.

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to that of a physician, psychotherapist, coach, or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical, mental health, legal, or business advice for any situation and are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for any such concerns or decisions.

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

What if the hustle isn’t the dream—but the distraction?

In this powerful solo episode, host Deborah Hartnett exposes the toxic myth that hustle equals success. Sharing her personal journey from high-performance consultant to purpose-led entrepreneur, Deborah unpacks how burnout, divorce, and motherhood became catalysts for redefining success on her own terms. This episode isn’t just about business—it’s about coming home to yourself.

Whether you're scaling your business or questioning the cost of your current path, this episode will help you reconnect with your peace, purpose, and power.

00:00 – Why hustle culture is a lie
01:45 – The real definition of hustle and where it went wrong
06:20 – Health consequences of chronic overwork (WHO study)
08:05 – Deborah’s origin story: corporate success, motherhood, and starting over
12:10 – The birth of the Inspired Growth System
14:30 – Ready for a shift? Book a free breakthrough session
16:00 – The hidden cost of pretending, pushing, and performing
19:40 – McKinsey data on purpose, engagement & sustainable growth
22:10 – Daily reflection question: What would success look like today if built with peace in mind?
24:50 – A new definition of success: integrity, joy, and room to breathe
26:00 –Subscribe, share, and join the Inspired Entrepreneur community

Links & Resources:

🌟 Download the Free Vision-to-Action Roadmap Workbook:
The Inspired Entrepreneur Vision Roadmap

📧 Want to explore working together or get on the waitlist for Deborah’s Accelerator? Book a 1:1 with me here

Enjoyed this episode?
If this stirred something in you, don’t let it fade.
✅ Hit Subscribe
❤️ Leave a Review
📤 And share it with someone who needs this conversation today.

Welcome home. Welcome to The Inspired Entrepreneur.

#TheInspiredEntrepreneur #HustleCultureMyth #DeborahHartnett #PurposeDrivenBusiness #PeaceAndProfit #MindfulEntrepreneurship #BusinessWithSoul

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317)
© PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:

The Inspired Entrepreneur Podcast and all content posted by Deborah Hartnett are presented solely for general information, educational, and inspirational purposes. The use of any information from this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk.

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to that of a physician, psychotherapist, coach, or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical, mental health, legal, or business advice for any situation and are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for any such concerns or decisions.

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

Send us Fan Mail

You’re not behind. You’re just in the fog that comes with doing something real.

In this very first episode, Deborah Hartnett, founder of Inspired Business Performance, shares the real story behind why The Inspired Entrepreneur podcast was born—not from a business plan, but from a lived experience of starting over, choosing integrity over comfort, and creating a business that aligns with a life that matters.

This isn’t your typical business podcast. This is for founders who crave strategy and soul. Growth and grace. It’s a space where your ambition and your peace can coexist—and thrive.

If you’ve ever whispered to yourself, "There has to be another way," this is it.

00:00 – Welcome to the show + why this podcast exists
03:00 – Deb’s reckoning: Divorce, motherhood, and choosing alignment
07:15 – Going from consultant to founder without a safety net
09:30 – The origin of Inspired Business Performance
11:45 – Why “Inspired” isn’t just branding—it’s a calling
14:00 – Who this podcast is for (hint: it’s probably you)
16:00 – What to expect in future episodes (strategy, soul, truth, and tools)
18:20 – Your next steps: Subscribe, share, and keep showing up

Want the first tool to get started?

🌟 Download the Free Vision-to-Action Roadmap Workbook
The Inspired Entrepreneur Vision Roadmap

📧 Ready to explore working together or get on the Accelerator waitlist?
 Let’s connect. Book a 1-on-1 call with me here or head to inspired-bp.com

This podcast is your mirror, your map, and your megaphone.
 If this episode lit something up in you…
✅ Hit Subscribe
📝 Leave a Review
📤 Share this with a founder who’s ready to lead from the inside out

You don’t need perfect. You just need to say yes.
 Welcome home. Welcome to The Inspired Entrepreneur.

#TheInspiredEntrepreneur #DeborahHartnett #FounderPodcast #PurposeDrivenBusiness #AuthenticLeadership #BusinessWithSoul #WomenEntrepreneurs #PodcastLaunch


Legal Disclaimer:

The Inspired Entrepreneur Podcast and all content posted by Deborah Hartnett are presented solely for general information, educational, and inspirational purposes. The use of any information from this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk.

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to that of a physician, psychotherapist, coach, or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical, mental health, legal, or business advice for any situation and are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for any such concerns or decisions.

Support the show

Music Credit:
 “Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett