In this deeply moving episode, I’m joined by Acceptance Coach and podcast host Chris Mamone to explore how grief, while brutal, can also be a catalyst for deep personal transformation.

We talk about what grief really is (hint: it’s not just something to “get over”), why it hits so differently for everyone, and how leaders can better support themselves and others through loss. Chris shares his own raw story of heartbreak, including the stillbirth of his son, and how that moment cracked him wide open—revealing a path toward healing, self-compassion, and legacy.

Whether you’re grieving quietly or loudly, leading others through loss, or simply unsure how to support someone in pain, this episode offers both tender validation and practical guidance. This is a must listen to episode!

1:50 - What grief really is

8:35 - Chris' story of loss and empowerment

15:40 - The difference between moving on and moving forward

25:10 - Setting boundaries during grief

33:20 - Grief at work: what leaders miss

41:15 - Real resilience: what it actually looks like

50:45 - Final truth for anyone grieving right now

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Chris' offer 25% off 3 and 6 month coaching packages thru July 31st

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What if the very thing you’ve been taught to hide is actually your greatest leadership advantage?

In this bold, real conversation, Brittany Rogar joins me to share how she went from gas station clerk to CEO of a six-figure business—without watering down who she is.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink your story, tone down your personality, or “fit the mold” to succeed, this episode is your permission to stop hiding. Brittany and I dive deep into:

✔ How authenticity fuels business success and leadership growth

✔ Breaking cycles of burnout, overworking, and playing small

✔ The hard truth about leading with heart in a results-driven world

✔ How to show up unapologetically—even when it feels risky

✔ Practical ways to align your leadership with your core values

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or game changer ready to stop dimming your light—this conversation will reignite your courage to lead boldly and live fully.

00:38 Meet Brittany Rogar: From Gas Station Clerk to CEO

02:46 The Power of Resilience

09:12 Authenticity as a Superpower

22:01 Core Values and Tough Decisions

37:56 Leadership Myths and Personal Growth

41:09 The Power of Community and Masterminds

49:07 Breaking Personal Cycles for Business Success

51:58 Daily Habits for Resilience and Clarity

54:34 Core Values and Gratitude in Business

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Join me, Caroline Baird, as we delve into achieving balance in leadership through self-reflection and practical strategies. June is upon us and it's time to revisit and reset our goals for the year. This is a great practice, as we can often find ourselves in hustling to meet our objectives, when in fact, aligned action steps are what we need to cross the finish line.

Today, I'll share the importance of pausing, recalibrating, and realigning with your core values and goals to avoid burnout. We'll talk about actionable steps to break down goals into tangible actions, reconnect with core values, and celebrate small wins. This episode also emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adaptable in the face of changing circumstances, ultimately leading you to a more intentional, empowered life.

00:42 The Importance of Pausing and Reflecting

02:39 Practical Steps for Goal Realignment

07:58 Making Goals Tangible

20:00 Aligning Goals with Current Values

25:09 Embracing Flexibility and Celebrating Wins

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Understanding This Will Change How You Lead, Live, and Heal

Today’s episode will forever change how you think about overwhelm, burnout, leadership, and why your nervous system—not your mindset—is often running the show.

I'll sit down with Katie Townsend, a former therapist turned powerhouse branding and business coach, to explore what it really means to lead from embodiment—not performance. Katie’s unique blend of somatic wisdom, storytelling, and strategic brilliance will have you rethinking what it means to show up for yourself and your success.

Whether you’re climbing the ladder, running a business, or simply tired of feeling like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel off… this conversation is your permission slip to slow down, recalibrate, and remember who you are.

You’ll learn:

• The surprising way shame hides under ambition
• Why burnout isn’t fixed with time off—it’s healed through embodiment
• How to build nervous system resilience so you can actually hold more: joy, wealth, success, peace
• The emotional contracts living in your body (and how to release them)
• Practical tools to feel safe, grounded, and fully seen again

This is more than an episode—it’s a wake-up call.

🔖 Timestamps:

[04:18] – What is embodiment really? Why “feeling” is the missing piece of success

[15:35] – How burnout shows up even in high-performing, successful women

[27:02] – The lie behind two weeks off: why healing requires rewiring, not rest

[42:11] – Boundaries, energy leaks & time ownership: the CEO mindset shift

[56:45] – What becomes possible when you finally feel safe to be fully seen

FIND KATIE'S FREEBIES + LINKS

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What if the secret to unstoppable, balanced leadership in 2025 isn’t about working harder—but leading with deeper connection, courage, and resilience?

In this episode, I sit down with leadership experts Melissa and Kevin Thallemer to reveal the keys to thriving as a leader in 2025. Together, they explore how emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and resilience aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential skills for leading teams with confidence and compassion.

✅ You’ll discover:

• The reality of leadership in 2025: why it’s more complex than ever.
• How to create a human-centered workplace that empowers both leaders and teams.
• Practical strategies to strengthen emotional intelligence and resilience.
• The importance of psychological safety and how to build it.
• Daily self-care practices to prevent burnout without sacrificing success.
• Real-world insights on transforming group dynamics and navigating tough conversations.

🎧 Episode Breakdown:

02:53 – Human-Centered Leadership: The need for empathy and connection.

06:03 – Emotional Intelligence: What it is and why it’s non-negotiable.

07:38 – Creating Psychological Safety: How to make your team feel safe.

16:09 – Transforming Group Dynamics: Real-world strategies that work.

25:59 – Managing Up: How to advocate for your team effectively.

31:31 – Understanding Emotions: Mastering the mind’s impact on leadership.

40:15 – Self-Care for Leaders: Daily practices to recharge and prevent burnout.

50:55 – The Ripple Effect of Leadership: How your choices impact your team.

✨ Whether you're leading a team of 10 or 1,000, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with heart, stay resilient, and create a thriving workplace in 2025.

👉 Ready to transform your leadership? Tune in now.

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Are you exhausted from holding everything together—at work, at home, in your head—and still feeling like it’s not enough?

You’re not alone. So many high-achievers are secretly overwhelmed, constantly on, and silently wondering, “Is this really what leadership is supposed to feel like?”

In this powerful episode of Today’s Balanced Leader, I take you on a 90-minute journey to shift that narrative. You’ll learn how setting boundaries isn’t about pushing people away—it’s about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your voice.

We’ll unpack the myths that keep you stuck in overwork, explore the neuroscience of stress and over-functioning, and walk through a 4-step boundary framework that transforms how you live and lead.

I’ll share real client stories, personal truths, and tools you can implement immediately—including your very own Personal Boundary Map.

02:17 The Myth of Overworking

03:46 The Neuroscience of Stress

04:37 Redefining Commitment

05:58 Invitation to Virtual Retreat

06:55 Hustle Culture and Success

08:13 Stories of Resilience

10:43 High Achievers and Boundaries

19:25 Rewiring the Brain for Boundaries

20:50 Strategic Leadership Accelerator Program

21:54 The Importance of Boundaries

24:56 Four-Step Framework for Setting Boundaries

31:09 Real-Life Examples of Boundary-Led Leadership

34:17 Creating Your Personal Boundary Map

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Leadership is evolving. The old model—where leaders hold all the power, control every decision, and push for results at any cost—is broken. Today’s most successful leaders don’t just manage—they inspire, empower, and create lasting impact. In this episode of Today's Balanced Leader, we explore the new definition of inclusive leadership and how to lead with impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why traditional leadership models are failing—and what’s replacing them
• The 4 Pillars of High-Impact Leadership that every leader must master:
• Lead with Curiosity: Unlock new ideas and create a culture of learning
• Elevate Unheard Voices: Drive engagement and innovation by amplifying diverse perspectives
• Build a Culture of Shared Ownership: Empower your team to take accountability and lead with confidence
• Expand Your Inner Circle: Seek out fresh perspectives to eliminate blind spots and make better decisions

We'll provide Real-world examples from leaders at Salesforce, LinkedIn, Ford, PepsiCo, and more, and talk about how inclusive leadership isn’t just about diversity—it’s about business success

🔥 Are You Ready to Lead with Impact?

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you lead, help you integrate these leadership shifts into your daily work, and give you practical strategies to create a workplace where people thrive.

🎧 Listen now and start leading with curiosity, inclusion, and impact.

👉 If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow leader and leave us a review! Your support helps us continue bringing leadership insights to you every week.

02:13 Redefining Leadership for Impact

03:25 Pillar 1: Leading with Curiosity

08:10 Pillar 2: Elevating Unheard Voices

12:03 Invitation to Virtual Retreat

12:57 Pillar 3: Building a Culture of Shared Ownership

17:09 Pillar 4: Expanding Your Inner Circle

22:35 Strategic Leadership Accelerator Program

23:34 Conclusion and Recap

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Are you facing disengaged employees, struggling with organizational change, or trying to create a high-performance culture in your workplace?

In this episode of Today's Balanced Leader, I sit down with Tim McCleary, an expert in culture activation and founder of The Involvement Practice. With 20+ years at NBC, Warner Bros., and GE, Tim shares actionable strategies for unlocking employee potential, increasing trust, and adapting to AI-driven leadership changes.

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The hidden drivers of disengagement & how to fix them

✔️ The neuroscience behind trust & high-performance leadership

✔️ How to navigate layoffs & major organizational changes

✔️ Strategies for measuring and improving employee engagement

✔️ The impact of AI & remote work on workplace culture

With references to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief and insights from Dr. Paul Zak, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking conversations. Don't miss out on mastering the next evolution of involvement culture and building a high-trust workplace environment.

02:22 Hidden Drivers of Disengagement

03:52 The Importance of Third-Party Insights

09:00 Recognizing Silent Warning Signs

14:20 Generational Differences in the Workplace

19:12 Navigating Large-Scale Layoffs

20:41 The Human Side of Organizational Change

26:32 The Role of Neuroscience in Building Trust

41:17 Introduction to Leadership Challenges

44:40 Building Strong Team Cultures

50:55 Transparency and Trust in Leadership

57:25 Navigating Remote Work and AI in the Workplace

01:06:15 Measuring Trust and Productivity

01:09:44 Immediate Actions for Leaders

💡 About Tim McCleary:

Tim McCleary is a leading expert in culture change activation and the founder of The Involvement Practice, a firm dedicated to transforming organizations through immersive employee engagement strategies. With a career spanning two decades at NBC, Warner Bros., and GE, Tim pioneered Involvement Culture™, a model designed to drive trust, engagement, and measurable business success.

📩 Want to build a high-trust, high-performance culture in your organization?

👉 Connect with Tim McCleary at https://www.theinvolvementpractice.com

Instagram: @involvement_practice LinkedIn:

https://linkedin.com/company/the-involvement-practice-llc

http://linkedin.com/in/timmccleary

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https://www.instagram.com/caroline_baird_coaching/ Offers: Time to Reset

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Got any burning questions you want answered, or a topic to cover? Email me at [email protected].

Feeling the weight of uncertainty?

Economic shifts, trade tensions, rising costs, and workforce concerns are hitting leaders across industries. If you’re responsible for a business, a team, or simply trying to keep things afloat, this episode is for you.

You don’t have to let uncertainty paralyze you—you can lead through it with confidence, clarity, and resilience.

In this episode of Today’s Balanced Leader, I’ll walk you through:

🔹 [0:46] Why uncertainty isn’t just about external chaos—it’s about how you lead through it with heart-centered leadership.

🔹 [7:31] How to focus on what you can control—scenario planning, financial resilience, and operational agility.

🔹 [13:34] Leading with stability and confidence—creating psychological safety and keeping your team engaged.

🔹 [16:51] Lessons from history’s greatest leaders:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt and his fireside chats that reassured a nation during the Great Depression and WWII.
• Angela Merkel’s calm, data-driven leadership through the European financial crisis.
• Howard Schultz’s ability to rebuild Starbucks’ mission and employee trust after the 2008 crash.

🔹 [19:05] Your next steps—how to join me for a free Leadership Level-Up Call and my upcoming virtual retreat to help you reclaim your energy and focus.

Uncertainty isn’t going away—but how you show up as a leader will define your success. You don’t have to do it alone. If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with another leader who needs it. And if you’re ready to step into your next level of leadership, book a call with me today at https://calendly.com/carolinebaird/1-hour-free-strategic-leadership-level-up-call.

Let’s navigate this together—because resilient leaders don’t just react, they rise.

00:33 Navigating Leadership Through Uncertainty

03:33 Understanding and Managing Uncertainty

07:31 Controlling What You Can Control

13:34 Leading People with Stability and Confidence

16:51 Historical Leadership Examples in Times of Crisis

19:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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Imagine having the confidence to communicate with clarity, the emotional regulation to navigate challenges with ease, and the alignment to ensure every goal you set fuels both your success and fulfillment.

What if the key to thriving as a leader wasn’t about doing more, but about being more intentional with your time, energy, and values?

Join me in this episode, as I welcome Jayna Swan, a dynamic speaker and coach dedicated to empowering women in business. Together, we dive into key strategies for thriving as a leader and entrepreneur, including:

• Effective Communication Techniques
• Aligning Goals with Core Values
• The Power of Emotional Regulation
• Using Technology to Create Balance
• Cultivating Meaningful Connections
• Harmonizing Professional Growth with Family Life
• The Healthy Emotional Regulation App (Free Resource)

Jayna shares her groundbreaking approach to emotional regulation through movement, meditation, and mindfulness—helping leaders navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.

We also explore the realities of balancing career growth with personal life, offering practical boundary-setting strategies and actionable tips to create harmony.

✔ How to align your goals with your values for greater fulfillment

✔ The role of AI in streamlining tasks and reducing mental load

✔ Simple ways to stay present in conversations and relationships

✔ How to lead with clarity while maintaining balance

Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with real-world strategies to elevate your leadership and well-being!

02:02 Key Communication Techniques for Leaders

19:18 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency

27:30 Emotional Regulation and Leadership Performance

35:35 Empathy and Curiosity in Leadership

39:40 The Importance of Follow-Up in Human Connection

41:20 Balancing Professional Growth and Family Life

43:52 Setting Boundaries for Work-Life Harmony

46:07 The Big Three: Prioritizing Daily Tasks

51:13 Introducing the Healthy Emotional Regulation App

52:08 The Five M's for Emotional Well-being

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