In this episode, Jen Mentesana sits down with Mairin Moore Cane, a leadership advisor, author, and speaker, to explore the true essence of impactful leadership, the importance of self-care, and navigating health crises while leading. Marin shares her inspiring journey through business growth, personal health challenges, and her insights on balancing high performance with mental and physical well-being.
Visit Mairin at marinmoorecane.com or follow her on social media @marinmoorecane to learn how she’s transforming leadership and wellness — because you don’t have to sacrifice your health to chase your dreams.Main Topics:The evolution of leadership: empowering teams rather than dictatingBuilding a culture of loyalty and authenticity in businessLessons learned from 26 years in business and personal resilienceRecognizing and addressing burnout and health challengesPractical self-care strategies for entrepreneurs and high achieversNavigating growth stages: from startup to scaling with graceThe importance of listening to your body and advocating for yourselfMaintaining focus on purpose and why behind your businessHow to embrace flexibility and patience in entrepreneurshipResources for leadership development and self-growthTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Marin Moore Cane's leadership journey and expertise01:09 - The importance of holding space and natural leadership qualities02:26 - Building a family-oriented, loyal company across 34 states04:09 - Transitioning from command-based to empowerment-based leadership05:41 - The reciprocal nature of leadership: learning from your team06:35 - Growth stages in business and the value of early-stage days07:35 - Balancing business growth with personal identity and self-care09:00 - Recognizing burnout and health issues in high performers10:16 - Signs and lessons from neglecting self-care as an entrepreneur11:52 - The journey through serious health crises and advocacy13:30 - Managing stress, autoimmune conditions, and the importance of medical advocacy15:45 - The impact of stress and trauma on physical health and recovery17:35 - Diagnosis of gastroparesis and navigating chronic illness18:55 - Lessons on self-care, slowing down, and listening to the body20:21 - Strategies for maintaining health and success as a high achiever22:47 - Embracing presence, gratitude, and realistic expectations in business25:18 - Practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to level up leadership skills28:09 - The importance of enjoying the journey and practicing self-compassion29:50 - Connecting with Marin and resources for growth and leadershipResources & Links:Rooted Not Rushed - Marin Moore Cane's BookMarin Moore Cane - WebsiteRoot, Realign and Rise PodcastSelf-care and Leadership ToolsConnect with Marin Moore Kane:InstagramLinkedInFinal thoughts:Remember, leadership is about influence and authenticity, and taking care of your health is the foundation of sustainable success. Marin's story reminds us that advocating for ourselves and embracing our journey, including setbacks, can empower us to lead not just others, but ourselves, with purpose and passion.

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Melissa Ashton, Leadership Expert, Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author and mother of six, who overcame immense personal challenges including her son's traumatic brain injury and her own journey of self-discovery. Discover powerful insights on self-leadership, balancing masculine and feminine traits in leadership, and the transformative power of faith and purpose.Follw Missy - IG - @melissalynneashtonLinkedIn - Melissa Lynne Ashton

In this episode, Jen interviews Cindy Scharkey, a registered nurse and author of 'Permission for Pleasure,' about women's sexuality, pleasure, and intimacy in midlife. They explore how societal beliefs, education, and mindfulness impact women's sexual well-being and how to embrace pleasure at any age.

Connect with Cindy:

www.cindyscharkey.com

Podcast: Permission for Pleasure with Cindy Scharkey

In this episode, Jen welcomes back to the show drug safety advocate Kim Witczak, about her powerful story of loss, advocacy, and purpose. They explore the systemic issues in healthcare, the importance of self-advocacy, and how to connect with your intuition to live a purposeful life.

Follow Kim:

Instagram - @kim_witczak

Facebook - Kim Witczak

LinkedIn - Kim Witczak

Website:

Kimwitzcak.com

In this inspiring conversation, Jen interviews CEO, Author and Speaker Kendra Cooke, who shares her journey from real estate to coaching, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, mindset, and authentic leadership for women entrepreneurs. Discover practical tools, personal stories, and empowering insights to elevate your success and purpose.Follow Kendra:Instagram -  @KendraCooke  LinkedIn- Kendra CookeFacebook - Kendra CookeBook - Embrace, Empower, Evolvewww.kendracooke.com

In this episode, Jen interviews Jessica Papineau, a leading personal stylist dedicated to empowering women. Jessica shares her unique journey from a challenging upbringing in rural Maine to becoming a recognized thought leader in personal styling. She discusses the importance of self-identity, overcoming societal pressures, and the transformative power of fashion. Through her signature styling program, Jessica helps women align their wardrobe with their true selves, fostering confidence and authenticity. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, collaboration, and personal growth in achieving one's purpose

In this episode, Jen breaks down what real leadership looks like today, how great leaders lead with energy, belief, connection, and purpose.Inspired by principles from Jon Gordon’s Power of Positive Leadership, Jen shares how great leaders don’t focus on fixing people — they focus on creating environments where people feel seen, trusted, and empowered to lead from their strengths.You’ll learn how positive energy, authentic connection, and belief in others can transform culture, build trust, and unlock higher levels of ownership and performance.This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about control, it’s about activating potential and elevating everyone around you.

In this episode of "Where Passion Meets Purpose," host Jennifer Mentesana welcomes Laura Elbyr, who shares her journey as a mother, entrepreneur and performer. Laura discusses her new podcast, "Better Than the Medal," which aims to address the pressures children face in youth sports and the importance of sportsmanship over winning. The conversation delves into Laura's personal experiences, including her struggles with self-identity while supporting her husband’s business and her own health challenges, which ultimately led her to rediscover her passion for acting and creativity.Throughout the episode, Laura reflects on the societal pressures surrounding youth sports, emphasizing the need for a shift in focus from winning medals to fostering character and resilience in children. She shares poignant stories about her son Noah's experiences in sports, highlighting the importance of communication and understanding between parents and children. The episode concludes with a call to action for parents to engage in meaningful conversations about sportsmanship and to prioritize their children's well-being over competitive success.

In this episode of 'Where Passion Meets Purpose', Jen interviews Jordan Reynolds, a wellness coach turned social media expert. They discuss Jordan's journey from teaching fitness to creating impactful content for businesses. The conversation covers the importance of authenticity in social media, strategies for new business owners, and the evolving landscape of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Jordan shares insights on audience growth, the significance of batching content, and her vision for future retreats and coaching programs.

As we step into a new year, it’s easy to set resolutions that feel inspiring in January… and forgotten by March. In this solo episode of Where Passion Meets Purpose, I invite you to slow down and approach the new year differently — with intention, presence, and purpose.We explore the power of choosing a Word of the Year — a single guiding theme that becomes your anchor, your compass, and your reminder of who you’re becoming. Rather than chasing endless goals, this word helps you embody a state of being that keeps you grounded in what truly matters and aligned with where you want to be by the end of the year.I also share why lasting change isn’t created through lofty resolutions, but through small, daily actions that compound over time. When your goals are broken down into simple, intentional habits — and aligned with your word — they become sustainable, meaningful, and deeply connected to your purpose.If you’re craving clarity, focus, and a more intentional path forward, this episode will help you step into the year feeling centered, empowered, and guided — not rushed or overwhelmed.Tune in, choose your word, and begin the year rooted in intention — not pressure.