Is summer slowing down your networking? It shouldn't be.

In this short solo episode, Mindy East makes the case that summer is one of the best-kept secrets in professional networking — and shares a simple, no-overwhelm plan to help you stay connected all season long.

With the end of Q2 and the start of Q3 landing right in the middle of summer, now is not the time to go quiet. Mindy breaks down why the season works in your favor and exactly what to do about it.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why summer gives you a competitive networking edge
• The one simple opener that works every time this time of year
• Creative, low-pressure ways to connect that fit into your summer schedule
• How to use travel, community events, and even parenting as natural conversation starters
• How to stay visible on LinkedIn when everyone else goes quiet
• A simple four-part action plan to keep your network warm all summer long

Your Summer Networking Action Plan:

• One to two casual meetups per month — a walk, a coffee, an outdoor lunch
• One to two LinkedIn posts per week to stay top of mind
• One reconnect message per week to someone already in your network
• One thing you are already doing that you can invite someone else to

You cannot cram relationships. You have to build them before you need them. Summer is not your pause — it is your head start.

Free Resource:

Ready to connect with the right people on LinkedIn? Download Mindy's free guide, How to Find Your Ideal Connection on LinkedIn, and start building relationships that actually move the needle.

Download the free guide here.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of The People Success Circle, I sit down with Dana Skaggs to talk about a topic that impacts all of us personally and professionally: boundaries.

Many of us hear the word boundaries and immediately think of saying “no” or shutting people out. But Dana challenges that idea and shares a different perspective: boundaries are not barriers—they’re tools that help us protect our energy, strengthen relationships, and create sustainable success.

We discuss why high performers often struggle with boundaries, how burnout and overwhelm can quietly build over time, and practical ways leaders and employees can create healthier workplace habits. We also unpack why boundaries affect not only our work lives, but our personal lives as well—and why both are pulling from the same “gas tank.”

Whether you're an HR professional leading teams, a manager trying to support employees, or someone who constantly feels like you're carrying too much, this conversation offers practical tools you can start using right away.

What’s Included in This Episode:

• I explore why Healthy Boundaries at Work are not about saying “no” to everything, but about learning how to say “yes” to what matters most.

• I talk with Dana about why high performers are often especially vulnerable to overwhelm and employee burnout, even when they genuinely love their work.

• I discuss practical strategies for setting boundaries at work, including how to communicate limits in a way that is respectful, clear, and productive.

• I unpack how personal life and professional life pull from the same energy source—and why both affect our ability to show up fully at work.

• I explore how workplace boundaries can strengthen trust, improve communication, and create healthier relationships between leaders, employees, and teams.

• I share insights on preventing burnout at work by recognizing overload early, prioritizing effectively, and creating sustainable habits instead of pushing through exhaustion.

• I discuss how leaders can create open conversations around workload, priorities, and support before employees reach a breaking point.

About Dana Skaggs

Dana Skaggs, also known as the “Queen of Boundaries,” is a psychotherapist, speaker, and boundary expert with more than 15 years of experience helping people create healthier relationships and protect their wellbeing. Through both personal experience and years in private practice, Dana discovered that many personal and professional challenges are rooted in unhealthy boundaries. Specializing in anxiety, trauma, and adjustment issues, she is passionate about helping people stop carrying what doesn’t belong to them, say “no” without guilt, and create healthier, more sustainable lives through practical tools and strategies that lead to greater peace and freedom.

Resources & Links Mentioned

•  Dana Skaggs Website: www.DanaSkaggs.com
•  Free Boundary Quiz: www.DanaSkaggs.com/quiz
•  Dana Skaggs LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dana-skaggs-b73bb487

Want to learn more about building healthier boundaries, preventing burnout, and creating stronger workplace relationships? Listen to the full episode of The People Success Circle for more practical insights and actionable takeaways.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Corrie LoGiudice to talk about something so many professionals, leaders, and caregivers are experiencing right now: overwhelm.

Corrie shares her deeply personal story of navigating multiple life-altering challenges while leading at a high level in business—and how those experiences led her to develop a practical framework for reducing overwhelm before it turns into burnout. We discuss the connection between leadership, emotional capacity, workplace engagement, and mental load, and why so many individuals and teams are struggling to keep up in today’s world.

Corrie introduces her “Five Culprits of Overwhelm” framework and explains how issues like lack of clarity, confidence, community, conditioning, and consistency can impact both personal wellbeing and workplace performance. We also explore how leaders and organizations can create healthier cultures by improving communication, setting clearer expectations, supporting employee wellbeing, and reducing unnecessary mental load.

This conversation is filled with practical insights for HR professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels stretched too thin while trying to balance work, life, leadership, and personal growth.

In this episode, we cover:

•  The difference between overwhelm and burnout—and why prevention matters 
•  Corrie’s personal journey through trauma, leadership, and rebuilding her life 
•  The “Five Culprits of Overwhelm” framework and how it applies to individuals and teams 
•  Why lack of clarity creates stress, disengagement, and misalignment 
•  How confidence, imposter syndrome, and emotional abuse impact leadership and decision-making 
•  The role community and relationships play in reducing overwhelm 
•  Why physical and mental wellbeing directly affect workplace performance 
•  How systems, routines, and SOPs reduce mental load and improve consistency 
•  The connection between employee engagement, belonging, and workplace culture 
•  Practical ways leaders can create psychologically safe environments for their teams 
•  How organizations can proactively support employees before burnout happens 
•  Corrie’s new book and the research behind her work with overwhelmed professionals and working moms 

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched, or unsure how to better support yourself or your team, this episode offers practical tools and a powerful reminder that overwhelm doesn’t have to be your normal.

About Corrie LoGiudice

Corrie LoGiudice is a speaker, coach, TEDx speaker, and author who helps individuals and organizations reduce overwhelm, increase capacity, and create sustainable success. Drawing from her own personal experiences and years of leadership in business, Corrie developed the “Five Culprits of Overwhelm” framework to help people identify what’s keeping them stuck and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Resources & Links

• Corrie’s Website
• Corrie's LinkedIn 
• Pre-Order Corrie’s Book

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Kelly Lichtenberger to talk about something every leader and team is navigating right now: the balance between emotional intelligence in the workplace and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

Kelly shares her journey from decades in sales leadership to writing her book Prospect Like a Girl, where she explores how emotional intelligence—not just technology—is what truly drives connection, trust, and results. We dive into how leadership has evolved from having all the answers to asking better questions, and why human connection is becoming even more valuable in an AI-driven world.

What stands out most is this: while AI can give us data, speed, and efficiency, it can’t replace the human side of leadership. The ability to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and build real relationships is what sets great leaders apart—and it’s what will continue to matter most.

This conversation is all about how to embrace AI without losing the human element, and how leaders can use both to build stronger, more effective teams.

In this episode, we cover:

•  The difference between emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence—and why both matter 
•  How leadership has shifted from having answers to asking better questions 
•  Why emotional intelligence in the workplace is a competitive advantage 
•  How AI is changing the way we work, hire, and communicate 
•  The risk of over-relying on technology and losing human connection 
•  Why curiosity and resilience are essential leadership skills today 
•  How to use AI to enhance—not replace—your leadership effectiveness 
•  What younger employees are experiencing with tech overload and how to support them 
•  Why relationships and trust still drive success, especially in sales and leadership 

AI can make us faster and more efficient—but emotional intelligence is what makes us effective. When you learn to use both together, you strengthen your leadership, improve team performance, and create a workplace where people actually want to engage and grow.

About Kelly Lichtenberger

Kelly Lichtenberger is the Global Vice President of Sales Development at Silverfort, the leader in Identity Security. She brings more than 25 years of experience across sales development, marketing, leadership, and inside sales, with a proven track record of building and scaling revenue driven teams.

Kelly is a recognized industry leader and is known for her practical approach to developing high performing SDR and inside sales teams that consistently deliver pipeline and revenue impact.

Prior to Silverfort, Kelly held senior leadership roles at HiBob and Check Point Software Technologies, and founded her own consulting firm, The Inside Out Technologies Company, where she advised organizations on sales development strategy, execution, and team transformation.

Kelly is also the author of Prospect Like a Girl: Winning in Sales Using Your Emotional Intelligence Over Artificial Intelligence, where she challenges traditional sales thinking and advocates for a modern, human centered approach to prospecting and growth.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Bentley University and is a frequent speaker on sales leadership, emotional intelligence, and building resilient, high impact revenue teams.

Resources & Links

Website: prospectlikeagirl.com
Book: Prospect Like a Girl (available on Amazon)
LinkedIn: Kelly Lichtenberge

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Lauren Beane to talk about something so many of us—especially women in leadership and women in the workplace—struggle with: waiting until we feel fully ready before we take action.

Lauren shares her personal journey from being bold and fearless as a child to navigating self-doubt and overthinking, imposter syndrome, and overcoming perfectionism in her career. Like so many high achievers and imperfect women striving for growth, she found herself hesitating, waiting until everything was “just right,” and missing opportunities because of the fear of failure and the fear of not being good enough.

What changed everything for her was a powerful moment of reflection where she realized she was holding herself back—and that question so many of us ask, “is it worth taking the risk?”, was actually keeping her stuck. That moment became the starting point for her journey into personal development, self improvement, and building a stronger leadership mindset.

This conversation is all about what it really means to be “ready enough” and how small, intentional steps can create the transformation of self-doubt into confidence, helping you grow in career advancement, leadership confidence, and overall mindset for success.

In this episode, we cover:

•  What “ready enough” really means—and why you don’t need all the answers to start 
•  How self-doubt and overthinking and overcoming perfectionism impact your growth 
•  The mindset shift that helped Lauren step into public speaking before she felt ready 
•  Why waiting for certainty can block career advancement and long-term success 
•  How to identify and use your transferable skills to move forward 
•  Why done is better than perfect when it comes to taking action 
•  How risk-taking in business and taking risks show up as critical leadership skills 
•  Practical ways for empowering women leaders and teams to build a culture of innovation 
•  The cost of waiting—and how missed opportunities impact your future 

You don’t need to feel 100% ready to take the next step—you just need to be ready enough. When you shift from perfection to progress, you start building the habits of successful people, strengthen your mindset for career success, and learn how to overcome self-doubt so you can take action with confidence.

About Lauren Beane

Lauren Beane is a speaker and coach who helps individuals take action on their goals without waiting for perfection. Through her coaching, courses, and speaking, she empowers people to build confidence, take intentional risks, and move forward with clarity.

Resources & Links

•  Website: laurenbeane.com 
•  LinkedIn: Lauren Beane 
•  Instagram: @lauren.beane

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Gallup-certified strengths coach and speaker Sarah Collins to talk about something we don’t always name—but all experience: the energy we bring into the workplace.

Sarah shares her journey—from leading in her career to navigating a major identity shift through motherhood and the pandemic—and how that led her to realize that good energy isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s something you can build.

We talk about how small, intentional habits can completely change how you show up at work and in your relationships, and why connection, presence, and even fun are critical for creating engaged, healthy teams.

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or someone who wants to show up better in your work and life, this conversation will give you practical ways to start.

In this episode, we cover:

•  Why good energy isn’t a personality trait—but a skill you can develop 
•  How life transitions can impact how you show up at work 
•  The three pillars of good energy: connection, presence, and fun 
•  How distractions—especially from our phones—affect engagement and relationships 
•  Simple habits (like the “pocket pause”) that help you be more present 
•  Why having a best friend at work increases engagement 
•  How small, consistent actions (1% better) create meaningful change over time 
•  Practical ways to build trust and connection within teams 
•  Why presence is becoming one of the most valuable skills in today’s workplace 

About Sarah Collins

Sarah Collins is a Gallup-certified strengths coach, speaker, and founder of Collins Collective and the Good Energy Club. She works with organizations to help individuals and teams understand their strengths, build better habits, and create environments where people can thrive.

Resources & Links

•  The Good Energy Club: Workshops, keynotes, and community focused on building intentional energy 
•  Collins Collective: Strengths-based coaching and leadership development 
• Instagram: @sarahcoachcollins 
• Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here. 

If this episode resonated with you

Follow People Success Circle and leave a review. It helps more people learn how to build stronger relationships, lead more effectively, and create meaningful careers.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

How do you become the kind of person people remember—and refer—long after the conversation ends?

In this solo episode of People Success Circle, I share how I built my network from scratch across 12 moves, 6 states, and 12 cities—and what that taught me about modern networking.

The people creating the most opportunities aren’t just attending networking events or collecting contacts. They’re building real networking relationships, strengthening professional relationships, and staying visible—both in person and through online marketing.

This episode breaks down how Networking 101 has evolved. It’s no longer just about who you know—it’s about who knows you. In today’s world, learning how to build online visibility and raise your visibility online is key to business growth, referrals, and long-term success.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why traditional networking advice no longer works
•  What modern networking really looks like today
•  How to network in a more strategic, relationship-driven way
•  The role of communication skills and visibility in business networking
•  Why opportunities happen after the event—not during it
•  How to use LinkedIn tips and simple marketing strategies for small business growth
•  How I built my business in a new city through intentional networking

If you’ve been showing up but not seeing results, this episode will help you shift your networking strategy so you can grow your business, career, and connections with more clarity.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of The People Success Circle, I sit down with business attorney Tiffanie Clausewitz, President of Clausewitz Reyes, to talk about the people-related issues that create the biggest legal risk for employers — especially when communication is unclear, expectations aren’t documented, or policies aren’t enforced consistently.

From employment law basics to real-world employee relations mistakes, this conversation is a practical guide for leaders and HR professionals who want to reduce risk, protect employees, and strengthen workplace culture. Tiffanie breaks down the patterns she sees most often — including misclassification (independent contractor vs. employee), exempt vs. non-exempt confusion, and what goes wrong when companies lack clear complaint and reporting processes.

We also explore how culture functions as a form of internal control — and why many lawsuits and investigations aren’t “surprises,” but predictable outcomes of patterns like favoritism, inconsistent enforcement, ignored performance issues, and unclear reporting structures that leave employees feeling unsafe.

Whether you’re running a company, managing a team, or working in human resource management, this episode is packed with straightforward business lawyer tips you can apply immediately to improve compliance, reduce exposure, and lead with clarity.

In this episode, we cover:

• The most common people-related issues that turn into legal problems — and why they usually start with unclear communication
• Why consistent policy enforcement matters in employee relations (and what happens when it’s missing)
• Misclassification risks: independent contractors vs. employees — and why “they asked to be 1099” isn’t a defense
• Exempt vs. non-exempt mistakes and why salary alone doesn’t determine overtime eligibility
• How documentation protects both the company and the employee — especially in termination and unemployment disputes
• What leaders should do early when performance issues show up (and why avoiding it increases risk)
• Why employees should never be surprised by discipline or termination — and how lack of clarity fuels legal claims
• The importance of clear complaint/reporting processes for workplace harassment and workplace discrimination concerns
• How retaliation risk increases when reports aren’t escalated properly
• Why culture is a leading indicator of future claims — and how to think about culture as risk management
• Practical guidance for small businesses building basic HR systems: handbooks, policies, onboarding, and guardrails

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Tiffanie Clausewitz on Linkedin
• Clausewitz Reyes Law Firm
• Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation LEAD Program 

If you’re navigating HR laws, updating policies, managing employee onboarding, addressing performance concerns (including when a performance improvement plan is appropriate), or trying to prevent issues like wrongful termination or discrimination claims, this episode will help you tighten what matters most — before a problem becomes a case.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so more leaders can build workplaces rooted in clarity, fairness, and trust.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

Change is constant at work — yet organizational change can still catch teams off guard. In this episode of People Success Circle, I sit down with Jess Rodriguez to explore what it really takes to lead teams through change with clarity, empathy, and trust. From change management to workplace communication, we discuss how leaders can move beyond control and guide their teams through uncertainty at work in a people-centered way.

Jess shares how her background in improv shaped her approach to corporate leadership: put people first, communicate change clearly, ask better questions, and build employee trust before jumping into strategy. We also unpack why “cheerleading” change can backfire, how emotional responses show up during change at work, and how leading with empathy helps create genuine team buy-in instead of reluctant compliance.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why people aren’t “bad at change” — and what they’re actually reacting to during organizational change
• How fear and uncertainty at work can impact trust, performance, and team dynamics
• Why curiosity strengthens employee trust faster than forced positivity
• Communication strategies at work that help leaders surface real concerns instead of making assumptions
• How a structured curiosity phase supports workplace communication without slowing progress
• The difference between compliance and buy-in — and why connection drives stronger team leadership
• How to involve employees early so they feel included in the change management process
• The four attributes of effective team leadership during change: curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and adaptability
• A hard but important truth: not everyone will land in the same place — and strong leaders guide their teams with transparency anyway

Whether you're leading teams through a large organizational change or navigating everyday shifts in the workplace, this conversation reinforces a powerful leadership principle: successful change management starts with people. When leaders prioritize connection, communicate with intention, and lead with empathy, they build the trust teams need to adapt, collaborate, and move forward with confidence — even when the future feels uncertain.

Resources: 

• Jess' Website: https://www.jessrod.com/
• The Sales Creative website: https://www.thesalescreative.co/
• Connect with Jess on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessrodspeaks/

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

In this episode of The People Success Circle, Mindy sits down with Mandi Pratt—a resilience speaker, trauma-informed advocate, and podcaster—for an honest conversation about mental health at work and what happens when trauma follows someone into the workplace.

Mandi shares parts of her personal story and explains how PTSD in the workplace (including complex PTSD) can show up in ways leaders don’t always recognize—difficulty focusing, trouble making decisions, heightened anxiety, and working in survival mode. Because these experiences are often invisible, employees may be labeled as “disengaged” or “underperforming” when they’re actually navigating workplace stress and trauma behind the scenes.

Together, Mindy and Mandi unpack what trauma-informed leadership can look like in real life—especially for managers and HR professionals who want to build psychological safety at work without prying or forcing disclosure. They discuss the importance of wellbeing check-ins, how to approach conversations with compassion, and why employees may not speak up even when support is available.

You’ll also hear practical strategies for supporting employees with PTSD, including how HR can implement safety planning when needed, how to use workplace resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and how leaders can reduce stigma by normalizing mental health support and accommodations.

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or employee trying to navigate a difficult season, this episode offers a grounded and compassionate look at how trauma impacts job performance—and what it takes to create a truly supportive work environment.

In this episode, we cover:

• What workplace PTSD awareness looks like—and why trauma is often missed at work
• Common PTSD symptoms at work (focus issues, decision fatigue, anxiety, panic, survival mode)
• Recognizing trauma responses at work vs assuming it’s “just performance”
• How leaders can build emotional safety in the workplace through consistent wellbeing check-ins
• What to say when you notice a change in behavior (without forcing disclosure)
• Why employees often don’t ask for help, even when they need it
• Practical examples of employee mental health support, including EAP resources
• How HR can support safety planning and create a more trauma-informed workplace
• Leadership behaviors that can unintentionally cause harm (pressure, control, judgment)
• The mindset shift that creates healing-centered workplaces: acknowledgement + compassion + consistency
• How to help reduce stigma and support mental health accommodations at work when appropriate

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://mandipratt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenawareandprepared/
• Podcast: Aware and Prepared
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandipratt/
• Take Mandi’s Intuition Quiz: Curious how well you’re trusting your intuition—at work and in life? Take Mandi’s intuition quiz to assess how you respond to internal signals and where you may be overriding your instincts.

Join Networking School & Become Known In Your Industry: https://www.limerockcareerco.com/networking-school-1

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com