The Sow to Speak Podcast with Kristy Mandour

In today's episode, I sit down with Taylor Hodge, Director of Partners for Education and Business at MACNY (Manufacturers Association of Central New York) and a former coaching client of mine.

If you need a boost to reignite your sense of purpose and the impact you’re making, this conversation is for you. Taylor shares her journey from nearly a decade in higher education and community engagement to leading transformative workforce development efforts in Central New York. She’ll also discuss how our coaching sessions have influenced her leadership style and career growth.

Taylor’s insights are a breath of fresh air. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the values across all five generations in today’s workplace. We also dive into some exciting initiatives, like the CNY STEM Scholarship Program and Women in STEM, and why they’re pivotal for developing future leaders.

Stay tuned for a little “Manufacturing Mythbusting,” where Taylor challenges common misconceptions about careers in manufacturing—proving that there’s more to the industry than meets the eye.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Learn more about the CNY STEM Scholarship here

Connect with Taylor here

WORK WITH ME

If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, book a free chemistry call ⁠here to learn more about my Lead Out Loud program. Together, let’s transform your self-doubt into self-assuredness once and for all! 

Thanks for listening! Be sure to rate and review this episode wherever you're listening in from so others can discover the podcast too. And, of course, let me know what you connected with the most!

Speaking of connection:

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Kristy:

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Hey there! I’m so excited to have you with me for this episode. After a run of solo shows, I’m thrilled to bring a guest back on—and today’s conversation is with my friend Nina Lockwood. Nina’s had such a rich and varied career, from working in the corporate world to running a business in floral design, to being a lifelong artist. Now, she’s found her true home in coaching women in midlife who want to rediscover who they are and what they truly want from life.

In this episode, we talk about:

There’s so much to take away from this conversation—I can’t wait for you to listen!

LEARN MORE ABOUT NINA

Nina Lockwood, MSW, HTP, CTC, is an internationally certified advanced transformative coach known for her profound impact in guiding individuals toward lasting happiness and fulfillment. With a rich career spanning decades, Nina’s expertise blends psychotherapy, corporate training, personal development, spiritual traditions, creativity, and energy medicine into a powerful toolkit for transformation.

Nina specializes in helping individuals—from entrepreneurs and corporate executives to artists and healthcare professionals—tap into their innate potential, productivity, and purpose. Whether she’s working with clients at the kitchen table or in the boardroom, her ability to foster deep, personal growth is unique.

Specializing in coaching professional women in midlife, Nina excels at helping them navigate the pivotal question, “What do I do now?” Her passion lies in guiding these women to find clarity, ease, and a renewed sense of possibility as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Learn more about Nina, her upcoming masterclass, and the Inspired Midlife Academy here.

WORK WITH ME:

If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, book a free chemistry call ⁠here to learn more about my Lead Out Loud program. Together, let’s transform your self-doubt into self-assuredness once and for all! 

Dive into the details about the Lead Out Loud program ⁠here.⁠ 

Thanks for listening! Be sure to rate and review this episode wherever you're listening in from so others can discover the podcast too. And, of course, let me know what you connected with the most!

Speaking of connection:

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Kristy:

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In today's episode, we're talking all about The Warrior—the part of you that thrives on action, getting things done and being the go-to person both at work and at home. If you're a high-achieving leader and a parent, you know exactly what this feels like. You love excelling in both areas, but sometimes your Warrior energy can slip into overdrive, leaving you feeling burnt out.

We'll dig into how you can recognize when your Warrior is empowering those around you—and when you might be enabling them instead. I also share some familiar examples of Warrior energy, like Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec and real-life athlete Simone Biles, who both bring that take-charge energy.

Highlights of the episode include:

*Be sure to check out the two previous episodes as we dive into The Worrier and The Whipper. These are two other archetypes of my Personification Posse™ Method designed to help you strengthen your emotional intelligence and leadership skills.

If today's episode resonated with you and you're ready to elevate your leadership voice and presence, I'm offering a free discovery call for you to learn more about my Lead Out Loud communication program. Together, let's turn that self-doubt into self-assuredness for good. Set up your call with me here.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to rate and review this episode wherever you're listening in from so others can discover the podcast too. And, of course, let me know what you connected with the most!

Speaking of connection:

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak ⁠here⁠⁠.

Follow Kristy:

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the October theme: the personas we carry inside us. And this time, it’s all about unmasking a sneaky little character I call The Whipper. That voice inside your head that’s quick to criticize, doubt, and question every move you make. You know the one. 🙃

What we’ll cover:

• ​Meet The Whipper: The tricky internal voice that loves to judge, criticize, and keep you "safe" by holding you back.
• ​Villains Inside Us: We’re talking Mean Girls, Cruella, Ursula—who does your Whipper sound like? Naming your Whipper helps you take back control.
• ​Why The Whipper Isn’t the Enemy: It’s not about getting rid of it; it’s about understanding its role in protecting you (even when it’s wrong).
• ​Two Practical Strategies: How to recognize when the Whipper is talking and shift the conversation with it in a real, non-cheesy way.
• ​Leadership & Communication: Examples of how the Whipper shows up in the workplace and how to reclaim confidence in your voice.
• ​Emotional Intelligence Boost: Why handling your Whipper helps you become a better listener and leader—both for yourself and your team.

Curious? Tune in to get real-life strategies to help you stop battling your inner critic and start leading more confidently and easily.

Ready to take it further? I currently have 5 spots available in my Lead Out Loud program, designed for high-achieving leaders stepping into new roles who want to amplify their leadership voice with clarity and confidence. Set up a free discovery call here.

Hey there! In today's podcast episode, we’re kicking off October with a special series inspired by the spirit of Halloween. But we’re not talking about costumes—we’re diving into the different personas we all wear, especially as leaders, parents, and humans. These are the characters in our heads, pulling the strings behind the scenes and influencing how we show up.

Here’s what we’re covering:

If you’re ready to stop letting The Worrier run the show and step into a more grounded, confident version of yourself, this episode is for you.

If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, book a free chemistry call ⁠here to learn more about my Lead Out Loud program. Let’s discover how you can amplify your leadership voice with clarity and confidence. 

Dive into the details about the Lead Out Loud program ⁠here.⁠ 

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak ⁠here⁠⁠.

Follow Kristy:

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

In today’s episode of The Sow to Speak Podcast, we’re wrapping up September’s theme of reframes with one perfect for high-stakes communication. Whether presenting to a client, delivering a keynote, or sharing your ideas with your team or senior leadership, this simple reframe will help you stop rambling, avoid freezing, and speak confidently.

Here’s what you’ll get from today’s episode:

Action Step: Try the P.R.E.P. method in your next big conversation—sharing feedback with a colleague or pitching a new idea. Use it to clarify your point, explain why it matters, give an example, and wrap it up confidently. Notice how it changes the way you feel and communicate.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEAD OUT LOUD:

If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, book a free chemistry call ⁠here to learn more about my Lead Out Loud program. Let’s discover how you can amplify your leadership voice with clarity and confidence. 

Dive into the details about the Lead Out Loud program ⁠here.⁠ 

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak ⁠here⁠⁠.

Follow Kristy:

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Remember to rate and review the podcast—it’s one of the fastest ways for others to find it and gain what they need from it.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next week as we kick off October with something exciting!

All September, we’ve been diving into reframes that can change how you lead, communicate, and show up. Today’s episode? It’s all about trust—but not in the usual sense. We’re flipping the script on building trust with your team by considering it a window instead of a magnet.

I’ll share some small, practical shifts to help you build stronger, more genuine connections with your team. These subtle changes can have a big impact, Whether through transparency, vulnerability, or simply showing up consistently.

We’re not talking theory here—this is about real-world actions you can start taking today. I’ll explain how you can build trust in everyday moments, own your mistakes, and turn vulnerability into a leadership superpower (yes, it’s a thing!). If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “pull” trust from your team, you’ll want to rethink that by the end of this episode.

Action Steps to Put It Into Practice:

Ready to take your leadership to the next level?

Learn More About the Lead Out Loud Coaching Program
Are you a newly appointed or promoted leader who wants to knock it out of the park? Learn more about my Lead Out Loud three-month coaching program here, and let’s amplify your leadership voice with confidence and clarity!

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak here.

Ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of being the “best” in every role—whether that’s at work, at home, or even in your personal life? It can be a lot, right? In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at how the word “best” sneaks up on us, creating pressure we didn’t ask for.

The good news? There’s a simple reframe that can change everything.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• ​Why the word “best” can feel like more of a burden than a boost.
• ​A powerful reframe inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron to help you shift from perfection to presence.
• ​How asking, “Who do they need me to be?” is more sustainable and meaningful than aiming to be “the best.”
• ​Practical ways to put this mindset shift into action—both in your leadership role and at home.

If you’re tired of the constant pressure to be perfect, this episode is for you. It’s all about reframing that internal dialogue and showing up in a way that’s more grounded, confident, and, honestly, more human.

Key Takeaways:

• ​Striving to be "the best" can create unnecessary stress and anxiety, especially if you lean toward perfectionism.
• ​Shifting from “How can I be the best?” to “How can I be who they need me to be?” brings more calm, clarity, and connection while keeping you true to yourself, too.
• ​This reframe helps you lead and parent in a way that feels more authentic and sustainable.

Take Action:After listening, try asking yourself: “What does my team (or family) need from me right now?” It’s a small shift, but it can make a big difference in how you show up.

If this episode gave you something to think about, please take a moment to rate, review, and share it with someone who could benefit. Your support helps others find the podcast and get the encouragement they need to lead with more confidence and clarity.

Book your free chemistry call to learn more about Sow to Speak’s Lead Out Loud three-month coaching program here. 

Dive into the details about the Lead Out Loud program here. 

Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak here⁠.

Follow Kristy:

Instagram

LinkedIn

How do you deal with anger? Do you feel that how you deal with it helps or hinders the path you take to speak confidently as a creative leader or entrepreneur?

In this episode, I’ll help you reframe how you see anger so you can lead with more clarity and confidence. Leading out loud isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about taking what’s happening inside you and using it to lead with intention and conviction.

Here’s what we’re unpacking today:

If this episode strikes a chord with you and you’re ready to step into your leadership with more confidence and clarity, let’s have a chat. Click the link below to set up a free chemistry call and see how my Lead Out Loud: Amplify Your Leadership Voice with Clarity and Confidence program can help you own your leadership voice.

Thanks for tuning in, and remember— keep leading with intention. You’ve so got this!

Book your free chemistry call here

Learn more about Sow to Speak here⁠.

Welcome to September on the Sow to Speak podcast! As we transition into the fall months, we’re diving into some of my favorite mindset and reframe strategies to help you reset, reboot, and refocus—whether you’re at work or at home.

In this episode, we’re tackling those feedback conversations you’ve been putting off—the ones that might be keeping you up at night. I’m sharing three powerful reframes that not only help you lead with confidence and authority at work but also work wonders at home with your kids.

These reframes are designed to help you approach those tough conversations with more ease and connection, making your communication more effective and respectful across the board.

Ready to amplify your leadership voice with clarity and confidence? Let’s talk! Set up a free chemistry call today to learn more about my three-month public speaking and communication program, Lead Out Loud: Amplify Your Leadership Voice with Clarity and Confidence.

Together, we’ll work on honing your genuine voice and mastering the art of communication so you can lead with impact.

👉 Set up your chemistry call here!

Follow for more tips and updates:

IG: @kristymandour

LI: www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-mandour