In this powerful and deeply moving episode of TheUPside with Theresa Flood, we sit down with powerhouse real estate leader and entrepreneur Sarah Layson of The Layson Group. From running a four-location business and raising two young children, to serving as the primary caregiver for her father in his final months, Sarah opens up about the raw, real, and often unseen side of leadership and loss.

Together, we explore:

• 
  Sarah’s unconventional path from Six Flags sales to a multimillion-dollar real estate empire
  
  
  
• What it really takes to lead through personal crisis without losing yourself—or your business
  
  
  
• How grief reshapes your values, time, identity, and legacy
  
  
  
• Practical tools for staying grounded: faith, family, discipline, and radical prioritization
  
  
  
• Why success isn’t about the scoreboard, but how you show up when it matters most
  
  
  
  

This episode isn’t just about real estate or entrepreneurship—it’s about resilience, grace, and the kind of fierce love that shows up every day, even when life is at its hardest.

Whether you’re navigating your own personal storm or simply want to lead with deeper integrity, this is a story you need to hear.

Is it possible that the reason you feel stuck, frustrated, or misaligned… is because you’re showing up for the wrong season?

In this powerful episode of The Upside, Theresa Flood invites you to reframe how you think about time—not by the calendar, but by the seasons of life. From the newness of spring to the grit of summer, the reflection of fall, and the stillness of winter, each season holds a purpose. The key is learning to identify it, adjust to it, and fully embrace it.

You’ll discover:

• What it means to live in rhythm, not speed
  
  
  
• Why every season (even winter) holds beauty and meaning
  
  
  
• How to stop comparing your timeline to someone else’s
  
  
  
• Five truths about navigating life’s transitions
  
  
  
• What to ask yourself when you feel out of sync
  
  
  

Whether you’re in a season of harvest or a quiet stretch of pruning, this episode will help you find clarity, contentment, and forward motion.

➡️ Subscribe at theresaflood.com for the free teaching guide that goes along with this episode. And don’t forget to share this one with someone in the middle of a hard season who needs the reminder: it won’t last forever.

You’ve been told you’re “perfect just as you are.” But what if that message—though comforting—is actually keeping you stuck?

In this episode of The Upside, Theresa Flood delivers a bold truth: you are deeply loved, but you are not meant to stay the same. Growth is not about striving to be worthy—it’s about stewarding the value you already carry. If you've been feeling stagnant in your relationships, career, faith, or personal growth, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Theresa unpacks the four root reasons we stay stuck—fear, comfort, limiting beliefs, and lack of vision—and offers powerful, grace-filled insights to help you move forward. This is not about shame. It's about calling out the greatness in you and giving you permission to grow bold.

Whether you’re discouraged, drifting, or just done with settling, this episode will reignite your clarity, courage, and purpose.

Everyone wants the big break—but few realize that opportunity is often hiding in the small, unseen moments of consistency, character, and service. In this episode of The Upside, Theresa Flood shares the powerful mindset shift and practical actions that will prepare you for what’s next.

From simply showing up (yes, that matters more than you think) to speaking up and serving with purpose, this episode lays out a clear blueprint for how to position yourself for opportunity. If you’ve been feeling overlooked, stuck, or waiting on a breakthrough—this conversation is your wake-up call.

You’ll learn:

• 
  Why being "faithful in the little" is the foundation of success
  
  
  
• Four behaviors that set you apart in life and business
  
  
  
• Six ways to start preparing for your next opportunity—today
  
  
  
• Why the opportunity you're waiting for may already be here
  
  
  
  

💡 Challenge of the episode: Where are you being asked to show up more fully right now?

 When was the last time you learned something completely new? In this episode, we explore why skill cross-training isn’t just for athletes—it’s a game-changer for your mind, your confidence, and your leadership.

You’ll discover how learning outside your role prevents burnout, builds resilience, and makes you a more versatile, high-impact contributor. From short bursts of learning to the power of small wins, we’ll show you how stretching your skills sharpens your edge—and sets the tone for your entire team.

When was the last time you learned something completely new?

Cross-training isn’t just physical—it’s mental.

Today: Why building new skills (outside your role) keeps us sharp, energized, and growing.

1.  Prevent Burnout by Breaking the Routine

Repetition without variation = mental fatigue.

Learning re-engages your brain, refreshing your focus.

Even a short burst of new learning resets your energy.

2. Stay Humble and Curious

New skills remind us we’re always students.

Humility and curiosity are strengths in high-performing teams.

Being “uncomfortable” means you’re stretching and growing.

3. Build Confidence Through Small Wins

Progress fuels belief.

Each new skill is a reminder: You can do hard things.

Confidence transfers—grow in one area, and you grow in many.

4. Increase Value and Versatility

The more you know, the more solutions you bring.

New skills = more adaptability and creative thinking.

It’s not about being an expert in everything—just expanding your range.

5. Lead by Example

When leaders learn, teams follow.

Culture starts with you.

Ask: “What skill are you working on right now?”

Challenge for the Week 

Choose ONE skill that stretches you—personal or professional.

Ideas: AI tools, public speaking, journaling, negotiation, breathing exercises, etc.

Commit to 15 minutes of learning. Share your takeaway next huddle.

8. Close – Final Encouragement 

Sharp people keep learning.

Stretch your mind, grow your confidence, and lead from the front.

You’ve got more in you—go find it.

Are leaders born or made? In this episode of The Upside, Theresa Flood sits down with Brett Caldwell, a seasoned leader who oversees seven Keller Williams offices across the Atlanta area. Known for his genuine care and dedication to helping others grow, Brett is a true “people developer.”

He shares the pivotal moment that reshaped his leadership, the mindset shifts that fueled his success, and how he balances influence with authenticity. A master of uncomfortable conversations that lead to growth, Brett reveals what it really takes to bring out the best in people. His passion for developing leaders and building a positive culture shines through every story he tells.

Are You Quiet Quitting Your Own Business?
 You’re showing up, but deep down… have you checked out? In this episode of TheUPside, Theresa Flood challenges entrepreneurs to take an honest look at where they might be quietly quitting in their own businesses—still working, still producing, but no longer fully invested.

With surprising stats and relatable signs of disengagement—from surviving instead of thriving, to procrastinating growth tasks—Theresa unpacks what quiet quitting looks like when you’re the boss. She also shares five practical, powerful steps to reignite your passion, reset your vision, and recommit to your growth. Whether you’ve lost your spark or you just feel stuck in survival mode, this episode will help you plug back into your purpose.

Don’t quiet quit on the business you built. Tune in now—and keep living on TheUPside.

The UPside is produced and recorded at studioUSA in DFW, Texas 

www.studiousa.live

1. Action brings clarity - You just have to start!!  Everyone who has achieved anything great, started.
2. Perfection doesn’t exist without the reps - have to let go of ego to be new at something!  I’m not a fan of the phrase “Imposter syndrome”  I’m just on a different step of my journey than someone else - Consistancy always wins
3. Your fans will surprise you Getting out of your comfort zone is what inspires others not your skill or perfection Becoming much more purposeful about being an encourager
4. It’s a lot. - No muscle memory so it is a stretch.  
5. Be ahead of the game - plan to fail
6. Be really clear on your why - If it’s for likes, subscribes etc you will get incredibly frustrated.  If you do it for the impact it will fuel you to continue.

Is drama draining your energy and stealing your focus? It’s time to take it back.

In this eye-opening episode of TheUPside Podcast, host Theresa Flood dives deep into The Drama Drain—those energy-zapping stories we tell ourselves and the low-level conversations that quietly sabotage our lives and leadership. Whether it’s gossip at work, assumptions about others’ motives, or bonding over negativity, Theresa unpacks how unchecked drama (even the “true” kind) keeps us stuck and small.

You’ll learn:

• How to spot drama before it takes root in your relationships and workplace
  
  
  
• The surprising science behind why negativity bonds people quickly—and why that’s a trap
  
  
  
• Why your energy is your most valuable currency—and how to protect it
  
  
  
• One powerful question to reframe stories and shift your mindset instantly
  
  
  

Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to level up their mindset, this episode will challenge how you communicate, where you place your energy, and the way you lead yourself and others.

🎧 Tune in now to TheUPside Podcast—where we help you get unstuck in life and business by elevating your thinking and provoking meaningful change from the inside out.

Subscribe, share, and start trading drama for growth.