
Hosted by Yolanda Canny · EN

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we explore leadership, healing, identity, and the stories that help us reclaim our voice and lead with intention.In this deeply moving episode, Yo welcomes author Lena Fein to talk about her memoir, Shattering the Mirror, and the healing journey that unfolded after a lifetime of living behind distorted beliefs formed through childhood trauma.Lena shares how achievement, perfectionism, and high performance became her armor — and how, later in life, she began peeling back the layers to rediscover her true self, her voice, and her heart.Together, Yo and Lena explore:✨ Healing in layers over time✨ Moving from survival to wholeness✨ Reclaiming the parts of ourselves we left behind✨ Releasing shame and self-rejection✨ Finding courage to tell our stories✨ Learning to surrender instead of holding on so tightly✨ The connection between voice, breath, heart, and healing✨ Why healing and authentic self-expression are possible at any ageLena also shares one of the original songs that became part of her healing journey and reclaiming of her voice.💡 In this episode:The metaphor behind Shattering the MirrorHow trauma shaped Lena’s self-worth and identityWhy achievement became survivalThe role of somatics, singing, dancing, and writing in healingRecording her audiobook and reclaiming her voiceSeeing both the loving and painful sides of her parentsWhy mature women are resonating deeply with her memoirWhat Lena would tell her 20-something self today“Blessing the moment instead of cursing the moment”🎧 Timestamps:00:00 Welcome & introduction01:30 What “Shattering the Mirror” means03:00 Lena’s hope for readers and healing later in life04:20 Achievement and perfectionism as protection10:00 Reading her audiobook aloud and reclaiming her voice15:30 The complicated relationship with her parents20:00 The healing journey beyond writing23:50 Singing, breath, and reclaiming her voice27:00 Surrender and self-forgiveness31:20 Why writing your story matters35:30 What Lena would tell her 20-something self37:45 “Blessing the moment instead of cursing the moment”39:00 Lena’s butterfly card choice and brave wings metaphor🦋 About Lena Fein:Lena Fein lives in San Francisco and is a retired high-tech executive, nonprofit founder, artist, singer, dancer, and writer. Her memoir, Shattering the Mirror, explores her journey through childhood trauma toward freedom, clarity, authentic self-expression, and love.🔗 Connect with Lena:Website: https://shatteringthemirror.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Shattering-Mirror-Memoir-Lena-Fein/dp/B0FDX5R89CInstagram: @lenafein.authorFacebook: Lena FeinContact: author.Lena.Fein@gmail.com💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!Website & Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girltaketheleadInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/girltaketheleadLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/🎧 Listen on YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen or view your podcasts.If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who may need this conversation today.

What if the most important question in your life isn’t what should I do next… but: “What do I truly want?”In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, I’m joined by Carmell Clark, founder of the Center for Transformational Influence, executive coach, and global leader in advancing women’s leadership and sustainability.Together, we explore what it really means to reinvent ourselves across life’s thresholds — from grief and loss to growth, purpose, and expansion.This episode is a conversation about gratitude, conflict, identity, self-trust, and the courage it takes to choose yourself again and again through every stage of life.🌿 What you’ll walk away with from this episode:• A deeper understanding of why reinvention often begins with loss or change• Insight into the emotional patterns that may be keeping you stuck• A new perspective on conflict and why many women avoid it• Encouragement to reconnect with your own desires, needs, and voice• A reminder that healing, growth, and self-discovery are possible at every age and stage of life💡 In this episode:• Why reinvention is a path — not a quick answer• How gratitude can become a healing force during difficult seasons• The powerful question: “What do I want?”• Why women often avoid conflict — and how to begin changing that• Understanding emotional patterns: fear, obligation, guilt, and shame (FOGS)• The difference between internal vs. external conflict• How to carry your own sense of safety• Why aging invites us to either expand or contract• Letting go of external validation and reclaiming your voice• The role of courage in becoming a pioneer in your own life🌿 A few moments that stayed with me:“Gratitude heals a broken heart.” “Reinvention is a path.” “I am the decider of my day.” “We don’t have to sacrifice our lives to the expectations of others.” 👤 About Carmell ClarkCarmell Clark is the founder of the Center for Transformational Influence (CTI), a global organization focused on advancing leadership, sustainability, and gender equity across sectors.With over 25 years of experience, Carmell has coached executives and professionals, launched women entrepreneurs, helped female-led businesses scale, and developed transformative leadership trainings for women across industries.Through CTI, Carmell works globally with companies and entrepreneurs to create meaningful and sustainable change. She leads flagship programs, takes influencers on international adventures, and works directly with executives and entrepreneurs navigating pivotal life and leadership transitions.Currently based in Salt Lake City, Carmell lives a life of exploration — rock climbing, running RAGNAR races, traveling internationally, and creating large-scale abstract oil paintings.🔗 Connect with Carmell🌐 www.carmellclark.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmellclark/📧 carmell@carmellclark.com💬 Let’s keep the conversation goingWhat resonated most with you?👉 Join our Facebook Group and share your thoughts:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🎧 Listen wherever you catch your podcasts.💬 What resonated most with you from this conversation?Share in the comments below — we’d love to hear your thoughts.🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!:🌐 Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.com💜 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Heartfelt Cards & Gifts: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

A powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and rebuilding after rock bottom—why becoming who you are is a lifelong journey.In this episode:Living with authenticity—not perfectionFrom the Jacksonville Jaguars to losing everything—and rebuildingMotivation vs. inspiration (and why it matters)How ego can derail success—and what it takes to recoverWhy rock bottom can become a turning pointThe power of perseverance and resilienceInvesting in yourself at every stageGrowing, evolving, and staying true to who you are👤 About Marques Ogden:Marques Ogden is a former NFL player, inspirational keynote speaker, founder and CEO of Ogden Ventures LLC, five-time best-selling author, business coach, and host of Get Authentic with Marques Ogden.After facing a career-ending setback and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up—using his experiences to inspire leaders and teams worldwide.He has delivered keynotes for over 90 Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, and Home Depot, and his story has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, Cheddar News, and Authority Magazine.Marques empowers audiences to embrace challenges, grow through adversity, and turn setbacks into opportunities for success.🎧 Timestamps:00:02 – Welcome + introducing Marques Ogden03:00 – The Success Cycle: ambition, drive, and hard work07:45 – From NFL career to losing everything13:00 – Rock bottom and the wake-up call18:30 – Starting over and building a speaking career24:30 – Authenticity, failure, and self-belief30:30 – Mentorship, growth, and breaking through33:00 – What Marques would tell his 20-something self🌱 Key Takeaways:Authenticity isn’t fixed—it evolves as you do.Your setbacks are not the end of your story.Investing in yourself is always worth it.💬 Favorite Quote:“Authenticity is knowing who you are—even as you grow.”🔗 Connect with Marques:Website: https://www.marcusogden.comPodcast: Get Authentic with Marques OgdenEmail: Marcus@MarcusOgden.comWant to go deeper into Marques’ framework for success?The Success Cycle: Three Keys to Achieving Your Goals in Business and Life📘 Marques’ Book:👉 https://www.amazon.com/Success-Cycle-Achieving-Goals-Business/dp/B08CVTDWV8🎤 Upcoming Speaking Engagements:If you’re inspired by Marques’ journey and want to experience his work live:Global Scrum Gathering📍 Vancouver, BC | 📅 May 3–4, 2026From Locker Room to Boardroom: Building Agile Teams That Win TogetherBig I New York Conference📍 Syracuse, NY | 📅 May 4–5, 2026How To Make The CEO Mindset Shift to Achieve Maximum Success in BusinessMassMutual Sales Summit📍 Boston, MA | 📅 May 20–21, 2026The Road to the Summit: Elevating Your Success in Sales🌸 A Note from Me:This conversation reminded me that becoming who we are isn’t something we do once—it’s something we return to again and again.There are moments in life when everything we’ve built shifts… and we’re asked to begin again. Marques’s story is a powerful reminder that those moments aren’t the end—they’re an invitation.To grow.To realign.To become even more of who we truly are.🎧 Listen + Subscribe:Listen wherever you catch your podcasts 💌 Join the Conversation:👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ From the Heartfelt Card Shop:Explore cards and gifts designed to encourage and uplift:👉 https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

What happens after the moment you’ve been preparing for?In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m reflecting on what stayed with me after my daughter’s wedding—and how the experience brought together a lifetime of growth, healing, and self-discovery.What I didn’t expect was just how present I could be…not managing, not controlling… but truly in it.This episode is about what remains when everything settles—and how those insights can shape how we move forward.🎧 The Series: At the ThresholdIf you’re just joining, this is part of a 3-part series created during this meaningful life moment:Episode 285: The Good Daughter — Where It Begins👉 https://youtu.be/WtQ20qsLf04Episode 286: The Quiet Grief We Carry👉 https://youtu.be/sXDRydYO_-wEpisode 287: After the Moment — What Stayed With Me (this episode)(All episodes are also available wherever you catch your podcasts.)💛 In This Episode:A redefinition of confidence as self-trust—not controlHow connection shows up in small, present momentsA new understanding of love as allowing, not managingThe deeper realization that our life experiences prepare us for these momentsLetting go of what went wrong—and reconnecting with what went right✨ 3 Takeaways👉 Confidence is self-trust.Not about being in charge—but about knowing you can handle what comes.👉 Connection comes from presence.Not from managing or performing—but from simply being there.👉 Love is allowing.When we release control, we open ourselves to experiencing more of it.🌿 A Deeper ReflectionThis moment wasn’t just about one day…It was about a lifetime of growth—healing family patterns, moving through loss, practicing forgiveness, and learning to let go.And what stayed with me most was this:A deep knowing that my daughters will be okay.That they are strong, supported, and surrounded by love.And that everything I’ve worked through… made it possible for me to be fully present to witness it.💭 For YouWhat has stayed with you… after a moment that mattered?And what might shift if you focused not just on what went wrong…but on what went right?🔜 Coming NextNext week, I’ll be joined by Marques Ogden.After a career-ending injury and losing nearly $3 million in a failed business venture, Marques rebuilt his life from the ground up. Today, he helps leaders grow through adversity and show up more authentically.After everything we’ve explored in this series, his story offers a powerful next step—how we move forward with what we’ve learned.💌 Stay Connected💬 Join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead!—where we explore leadership not just in our work, but in the moments that shape who we are.This episode is part of my 3-part series, At the Threshold, created during a deeply personal time as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding.And what I didn’t expect to surface in this moment… was grief.Not just grief as loss—but grief as change.As identity.As what we carry forward.💛 Why This Episode MattersWeddings are often seen as purely joyful occasions.But what I’m discovering is that they can also bring forward something quieter… more layered.Reflections on who we’ve beenAwareness of what’s shiftingEmotions we may not have fully namedSo for this episode, I’ve curated moments from past conversations—each one offering insight into grief, healing, identity, and letting go.Think of this as an episode to keep nearby—especially when you find yourself in a moment that feels emotionally charged or unexpectedly vulnerable.🎧 In This Episode, We Explore:Why grief can show up alongside joyThe concept of ancestral grief and what we inheritHow to name and reframe emotional patternsThe connection between grief and identityLetting go of control and releasing what isn’t ours to carry✨ 3 Takeaways👉 Grief doesn’t only show up in loss—it shows up in change.In shifting roles, evolving identities, and meaningful life transitions.👉 Not all grief is ours alone.Some of what we carry comes from family patterns and inherited experiences.👉 We don’t have to hold onto everything.When we question, name, and release what isn’t ours, we create space for clarity and choice.🎥 Featured Conversations(Also available wherever you catch your podcasts)Episode 281: The Light Within Us — Healing Identity, Grief, and Belonging (Michele Madrid)https://youtu.be/zC_6vg2NR6sEpisode 262: Awakening Ancestral Wealth (Michelle Jeovanny)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J55dz-YRqpgEpisode 266: Navigating Mothers, Boundaries & the Holidays (Andrea Mein DeWitt)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3MmK96NkFAEpisode 251: Permission to Be You – Embracing Passion and Purpose (Alaina Love)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emx7151PPIMEpisode 215: Exploring The Let Them Theory as a Way to Live with Love & Intentionalityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF7s5CcTgL0💭 A Reflection for YouWhat might you be carrying…that isn’t fully yours?And what might become possibleif you allowed yourself to release it?🔜 Coming NextIn the final episode of this series, I’ll share what actually happened…and what I learned walking through this experience in real time.💌 Stay Connected💬 Join the conversation:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Shop guest-inspired cards & gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop

This episode is part of a special 3-part series I’m calling At the Threshold—a real-time reflection on what this season of life is bringing up for me as I prepare for my daughter’s wedding.And what surprised me most… was how much it brought me back to my own experience as a daughter.💛 Why This Episode Matters NowAs I look back on my own wedding, I can see how much of it was shaped by my desire to be the good daughter.The one who keeps the peace.The one who makes things easier for everyone else.The one who doesn’t rock the boat.At the time, I didn’t have language for it.But now… I can see the pattern clearly.🎧 In This Episode, We Explore:In this episode, I revisit my conversation with Kathryn Fabrizio, author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, and share a curated set of moments that helped me understand:Where this pattern beginsWhy it feels so hard to changeAnd what it looks like to begin letting it goHow the “good daughter” role is formed early in lifeWhy guilt is often the strongest emotion keeping us stuckThe connection between people-pleasing and emotional safetyWhy setting boundaries can feel so overwhelmingThe powerful reframe: the opposite of a good daughter isn’t a bad daughter—it’s becoming your own person✨ 3 Takeaways to Reflect On👉 1. The good daughter role often begins as a way to feel safe and loved.It’s not something we consciously choose—it’s something we learn.👉 2. Guilt is often the signal that something is shifting.Especially when we begin to consider setting boundaries or doing things differently.👉 3. The real work is becoming your own person.Not abandoning relationships—but showing up with awareness, clarity, and choice.🎥 Watch the Full Original ConversationIf you’d like to watch the full, unedited episode with Kathryn Fabrizio, you can find it here:👉 https://youtu.be/DzxYJwLPCbo💭 A Reflection for YouAs you listen, I invite you to consider:Where might you still be playing the role of the good daughter…and what might be ready to change?🔜 Coming NextIn Part 2 of this series, I explore something I didn’t expect to show up in this moment—grief.Not just grief as loss… but grief as change, identity, and what we carry forward.💌 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts💬 Join the conversation in the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop🔗 Connect on LinkedIn | InstagramIf this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need it too. 💛

What if burnout isn’t something that suddenly happens to us…but something that quietly builds over time?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with executive leadership coach and author Lynn Blades to explore what she calls “The Quiet Burn”—the slow, invisible erosion of energy, identity, and self-worth that so many women experience.Drawing from both her personal experience and her work with global leaders, Lynn shares how the constant pressure to prove ourselves, push through, and “hold it all together” can eventually lead us to break.This episode is an invitation to pause…to notice the signs…and to rethink what we’ve been taught about strength, success, and sustainability.✨ In This Episode, We Explore:Why burnout doesn’t happen overnight—it builds quietly over timeThe powerful “burnt toast” metaphor and how it reflects our lived experienceThe progression from stress → overwhelm → burnoutWhy “pushing through” is often what leads us to breakThe hidden cost of constantly proving our worthWhy rest is not something we have to earnHow guilt, shame, and fear keep us stuck in over-functioningReframing self-worth beyond productivity and external validationWhy confidence is contagious—and how it impacts everyone around us🎥 Cultural Reference from the EpisodeDuring our conversation, we referenced the iconic Enjoli commercial — a moment that many women will remember, and others may be hearing about for the first time.It’s a powerful example of how cultural messaging shaped expectations around women “doing it all” — often without question.Take a look here:👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_kzJ-f5C9U💬 A Few Moments You’ll Want to Sit With:“If you normalize overwhelm, burnout isn’t a risk—it’s an outcome.”“Rest doesn’t have to be earned.”“No is a beautiful word.”“There is no one more deserving of your own rescue than yourself.”“Confidence is contagious.”🌿 About Lynn BladesLynn Blades is the inspirational founder of Legacy Leadership, an executive coaching consultancy dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive 21st-century workforce.As a distinguished Marshall Goldsmith Executive Coach with over two decades of experience, Lynn has guided leaders across industries—from finance and law to tech, media, and luxury—working with global organizations including Nike, KPMG, British Airways, Royal Bank of Canada, Sony Music, BBC, and Warner Bros.Before her coaching career, Lynn was an award-winning journalist working with major international networks such as CBS, CNN, CNBC, BBC, ITV, Viacom, and Showtime.She is also a champion for the next generation of female leaders, hosting leadership summits and retreats designed to build confidence, capability, and community.Her bestselling book, The Quiet Burn, brings together her professional expertise and personal experience to help women recognize burnout early—and reclaim their energy, agency, and worth.🔗 Connect with LynnWebsite: www.lynnblades.comEmail: contact@lynnblades.comInstagram & Facebook: @execcoachblades📰 Subscribe to her newsletter: The Power Play — featuring female leaders across industries🌍 Upcoming Retreat:Tune Out, Tune In Retreat for High Performing Women📍 Corfu, Greece | June 4–8💛 Final ThoughtThis conversation is an invitation to pause…to notice…and to ask yourself:Where am I pushing through… when what I really need is to stop?And what might change if instead of proving your worth…you chose to protect your energy?🔗 Connect with Yo & Girl, Take the Lead!🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://girltaketheleadpod.com💬 Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748🛍️ Visit the Heartfelt Card & Gift Shop: https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📲 Follow on LinkedIn | Instagram

Families carry stories — some we share openly and others that remain hidden for years.In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo Canny sits down with award-winning author Leslie A. Rasmussen to talk about her latest novel, When People Leave, and the powerful role family relationships play in shaping who we become.Leslie’s newest book follows three sisters who return to their childhood home after the unexpected loss of their mother. As they search for answers, they uncover long-held family secrets and discover how differently each of them processes the same experience.In their conversation, Yo and Leslie explore the complexity of sibling relationships, the emotional layers of family dynamics, and how storytelling can help us better understand our lives.Leslie also shares her fascinating career journey — from writing television comedies for stars like Roseanne Barr, Burt Reynolds, Norm Macdonald, and Drew Carey, to becoming an award-winning novelist whose stories explore identity, family bonds, and the resilience we discover in life’s most difficult moments.At the heart of the episode is a reminder that the stories we tell — and the ones we uncover — shape how we see ourselves and each other.In This Episode You'll Learn About:How sibling relationships influence the way we experience life’s challengesWhy family secrets often shape our understanding of the pastHow storytelling can help us process complex emotionsThe importance of community and connection during life’s transitionsLeslie’s journey from Hollywood television writer to award-winning novelistWhy following your creative passion sometimes requires taking risksLeslie A. RasmussenLeslie A. Rasmussen is an award-winning author and former television comedy writer who has written for well-known comedians and shows including Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm Macdonald, Drew Carey, The Wild Thornberrys, and Sweet Valley High.Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leslie graduated from UCLA before launching her career in television writing.After stepping away from the entertainment industry to raise her two sons, she earned a master’s degree in nutrition and ran her own business for ten years. During that time, she continued writing humorous essays and has been published more than twenty times in the Huffington Post.Leslie is the author of three novels:After Happily Ever After — winner of more than fifteen awardsThe Stories We Cannot Tell — winner of eleven awards and featured on NPR and XM radioWhen People Leave — released in May 2025She frequently speaks on panels about female empowerment and is a member of the Writers Guild of America, Women in Film, and the UCLA Alumni Association.Leslie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.Memorable Moments from the EpisodeOn family dynamics“Sisters can argue, tease each other, and still know that the bond between them will always be there.”On storytelling“Fiction can help people see themselves in the characters and feel less alone.”On life’s unexpected paths“You never know where your life is going to end up.”Leslie’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self“Keep writing, follow your passion, and take more risks. Even if you fail, you might succeed.”Connect with Leslie A. RasmussenWebsitehttps://www.lesliearasmussen.comListeners can purchase signed copies of Leslie’s novels directly through her website.EmailLeslie@Lesliearasmussen.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/lesliearasmussenauthorInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/leslierauthorTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@leslieauthorLearn more about Girl, Take the Lead!https://girltaketheleadpod.comExplore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shophttps://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopReflection QuestionWhat stories from your family have shaped who you are today?

What if happiness wasn’t something we waited for—but something we could intentionally energize?In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo welcomes back Michele Phillips, leadership coach, speaker, and author, who first appeared on the podcast in Episode 130.Since then, Michele has continued her mission of helping individuals and organizations shift from operating on adrenaline to alignment—a powerful shift that brings greater clarity, energy, and purpose to work and life.As President of Key Performance, Michele has spent more than two decades working with leaders around the world to help them harness their personal energy and create meaningful results. Her work blends positive psychology, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and habit science, offering practical tools for building sustainable happiness and performance.In this conversation, Michele shares insights from her newest book:Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your Destiny.Together, Yo and Michele explore how beliefs shape our experiences, why managing our personal energy matters, and how each of us has more agency in shaping our lives than we may realize.As Michele reminds us:“You may not have written your beginning—but you get to write your outcome.”A Memorable MomentEarly in her career, Michele once received feedback on a performance evaluation describing her as:“Alarmingly enthusiastic.”Instead of dimming that energy, Michele chose to embrace it—and today she teaches others how to manage and direct their energy rather than suppress it.The Belief → Thought → Emotion → Action ConnectionOne of Michele’s powerful insights is how our internal beliefs shape the lives we experience.She explains that our daily experiences often follow this pattern:Beliefs → Thoughts → Emotions → Mood → ActionsWhen we question limiting beliefs and shift our perspective, we can change the entire chain—and ultimately our outcomes.Michele’s Advice to Her 20-Something Self“It’s not that serious. Stop the drama.”Looking back, Michele says many of the worries that once felt overwhelming now seem far less significant.More About Michele PhillipsMichele Phillips is the President of Key Performance and a globally recognized leadership coach, speaker, and author who helps individuals and organizations harness personal energy to create extraordinary outcomes.In 2025, Michele celebrates 25 years in business, marking a career dedicated to transforming how people lead, live, and work—with intention, clarity, and joy.Michele is the author of:Happiness Is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals That Increase Energy, Improve Well-Being, and Add Joy to Every Dayand her newest book:Energize Your Happiness: Tap Into Personal Energy and Shape Your DestinyShe is also the host of the Write Your Outcome Podcast, where she interviews leaders and changemakers about the inner work behind meaningful success.Connect with MicheleWebsitehttps://key2unlock.comEmailmichele@key2unlock.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/keyperformance/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-phillips-9409707/PodcastWrite Your OutcomeFree ResourceSign up for Michele’s newsletter and receive:Five Super Habits That Energize ResultsInspired by Michele’s message, Yo created a special card featuring Michele’s quote:“Remember, you may not have written your beginning, but you get to write your outcome.”🔗 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Listen to more episodes:https://girltaketheleadpod.com💌 Explore the Girl, Take the Lead! Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shop:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📺 Watch clips & full episodes on YouTube💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook GroupReflection QuestionWhat belief might be quietly shaping how you see your life right now?And what might change if you questioned whether that belief is actually true?

In this deeply moving conversation, Yolanda welcomes Michelle Madrid — author, speaker, and midlife coach for women — to Girl, Take the Lead!.As a former foster child in the UK and an international adoptee, Michelle has spent a lifetime opening pathways toward her truest sense of identity and purpose. Today, she supports women navigating what she calls midlife grief — the quiet, often hidden grief that appears as life shifts: children leaving home, changing bodies, evolving relationships, and the question many women ask in midlife:Who am I now?Michelle believes midlife grief isn’t something to avoid or suppress. Instead, she describes it as:“Love colliding with change.”In this conversation, Yolanda and Michelle explore grief as a messenger — one that can guide us toward healing, identity, and reclaiming our voice.Michelle also shares the inspiration behind her powerful framework UNBOX, a process she created to help women unpack suppressed emotions and reconnect with their aliveness as they step into the next version of who they’re here to be.This episode is both deeply personal and universally relatable — touching on adoptee identity, people-pleasing, trauma responses, and the courage it takes to live from our authentic voice.And it leaves us with a beautiful reminder:“The light around us is great… but the light within us is greater.”Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Michelle’s work supporting midlife women through hidden grief02:24 – Yolanda reflects on grief and joy as her daughter prepares to marry05:27 – Michelle’s definition of midlife grief: when love collides with change09:18 – The hidden grief many adoptees carry and why emotions were often suppressed20:19 – Limiting beliefs and the moment Michelle realized the baggage of others was never hers to carry31:17 – From ache to action: the small steps that begin healing36:04 – A powerful affirmation: “The light around us is great, but the light within us is greater.”More About MichelleMichelle Madrid is an author, speaker, and midlife coach for women. She also hosts the new podcast: Most MyselfHer work focuses on helping women navigate midlife grief — the quiet grief that accompanies life transitions such as empty nesting, changing bodies, shifting relationships, and identity changes.Through her UNBOX framework, Michelle guides women in uncovering the emotions they’ve suppressed and reconnecting with their truth, voice, and next chapter.She is the author of:Let Us Be Greater — a book for any woman in midlife navigating identity, grief, and the adoptee experience.Michelle also hosts the podcast:Unboxed, Unburdened, UnstoppableComing in 2026!Michelle recently launched a free monthly online group gathering called Midlife, Together. She has also launched a 4-week 1:1 coaching experience guiding women through her proven Ache to Action formula. Look for more ways to connect and work with Michelle, coming in 2026. Visit her website to stay informed. Websitethemichellemadrid.comFree tools available on her website.Other ways to Connect with Michelle:Instagram@themichellemadridConnect with GTTL:Websitehttps://girltaketheleadpod.comJoin the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations and insights.Visit the Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shophttps://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop