
Hosted by Yolanda Canny · EN

Sometimes life's biggest transitions don't announce themselves.They arrive quietly.Not through one dramatic event......but through a collection of moments that slowly reshape us until one day we realize something inside has changed.In this personal At the Threshold reflection, Yo shares an unexpected experience of grief that surfaced seemingly out of nowhere.As she stayed with the tears instead of pushing them aside, they uncovered deeper questions about identity, presence, purpose, and what it means to live a life well.Inspired by her recent conversation with Kristine Frost, the work of Francis Weller, Susan Cain's Bittersweet, and a surprising lesson from The Sheep Detective, this episode explores why we don't simply "get through" life's transitions—we continue evolving throughout our lives.Perhaps the hidden gift isn't finding all the answers.Perhaps it's learning to ask better questions.In This Episode:Why some transitions arrive quietly rather than dramaticallyAn unexpected existential crisis—and the tears that followedThe grief that can accompany changing identitiesWhy staying with our feelings can reveal what we've been avoidingWhy achievement can't answer life's deepest questionsThe hidden gift inside every transitionWhy we are never "done" becomingReflection QuestionsIs there a transition in your life that you didn't recognize at first?What feelings have been quietly asking for your attention?What question is life inviting you to ask in this season?How do you want to live the time you have?Resources Mentioned📖 Francis Weller – Reflections on grief, identity, and life's transitions📖 Susan Cain – BittersweetGirl, Take the Lead! Book DiscussionPart 1: Episode 23 (audio)https://girltaketheleadpod.com/episode/23-part-1-of-2-bittersweet-susan-cain-how-do-sorrow-and-longing-make-us-whole(We'll add Part 2 here as well.)🎬 The Sheep Detective – A reminder that avoiding our feelings doesn't make them disappear.Connect With Us🌐 Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.com🎙 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/listen💌 Subscribe to our newsletter:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/newsletter💳 Explore the Girl, Take the Lead! Card Collection:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📺 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltaketheleadComing Next WeekEpisode 303Let Life Surprise You: What Happens When You Stop Controlling EverythingAttorney, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Wani Iris Manly shares the extraordinary story of selling everything she owned and moving to Paris without knowing anyone, speaking the language, or having a backup plan.Together, we explore what happens when we loosen our grip on the life we've carefully planned...and leave room for life to surprise us.Thank you for walking this threshold with me.

What happens when the world around us changes—and we're left wondering how to move forward?In this thoughtful and timely conversation, I sit down with Kristine Frost—former Chief Human Resources Officer, attorney, executive advisor, and founder of Shattered Glass Advisory—to explore leadership, transition, identity, and the courage to remain true to ourselves during times of profound change.Drawing from more than 25 years leading people and culture in the automotive industry, Kristine shares her experiences navigating executive leadership as one of the few women in the C-suite, the personal impact of workplace trauma, and how stepping away from corporate life became an unexpected invitation to rediscover purpose, joy, and authenticity.Together, we explore what it means to shift from external validation to internal fulfillment—and why some of life's greatest transitions become opportunities to find our way forward.In this episode, you'll discover:Why transitions can become opportunities for transformation.How workplace experiences shape our leadership and identity.The difference between doing things right and doing the right thing.Why separating our identity from our job title matters.How journaling, meditation, and daily practices can help us navigate change.The importance of mental health in leadership and personal growth.Why moving from external validation to internal purpose changes everything.How courage allows us to choose what we will—and won't—accept moving forward.Memorable Quotes"There's a huge difference between doing things right... and doing the right thing.""Transitions can become opportunities for transformation.""I can be successful, and I can also be happy without needing something to be happy about.""I'm no longer trying to prove that I belong in those rooms. I'm deciding what I'm willing to challenge, what I'll refuse to normalize, and what the women who follow me should never have to tolerate."More About KristineKristine Frost is an attorney turned Chief Human Resources Officer who has spent more than 25 years leading people strategy within the demanding world of automotive manufacturing. Today, through Shattered Glass Advisory, she helps executives, boards, and emerging leaders navigate the realities of executive leadership while building organizations where people and performance thrive together.She is also a nonprofit board director, LGBTQ+ advocate, and is currently writing her first book exploring leadership, identity, transition, and the hidden costs of success.Connect with Kristine🌐 Website: www.shatteredglassadvisory.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/shattered-glass-advisory📧 Email: kristine@shatteredglassadvisory.comKristine's Card ChoiceKristine selected the "Be You... The World Will Adjust" card from the Girl, Take the Lead! collection—a beautiful reminder that authenticity isn't something we earn permission for. It's something we choose.What would Kristine tell her 20-something self?"Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff."When your world changes, what helps you find your way forward?Join the ConversationShare your thoughts—we'd love to hear your story.Enjoying Girl, Take the Lead!?Please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating change, leadership, or a new season of life.

Welcome to Sound Bite—a short reflection inspired by conversations on Girl, Take the Lead.This week is a special one.It's our 300th episode.As I reflected on the past four years, I found myself asking:What evidence do we have that hope is justified?We live in a world where fear often makes the headlines. But what if there is another story unfolding quietly around us?In this Sound Bite, I reflect on:✨ Why hope comes from evidence—not blind optimism✨ What the World Cup reminds us about belonging✨ Lessons from nearly 300 conversations with women leaders around the world✨ Why community may be closer than we realize✨ Looking at the totality of the evidence—not just the headlinesThank you for listening, for sharing these conversations, and for being part of this incredible community.You are part of the evidence.Reflection question:Where have you seen evidence of hope in your own life recently?Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!🌐 Website: https://www.girltaketheleadpod.com💌 Join our newsletter for leadership reflections and podcast updates.👥 Continue the conversation in the Girl, Take the Lead Facebook Group.📱 Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.If this episode encouraged you, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who could use a little evidence of hope today.

A Sound Bite is a short reflection inspired by a recent Girl, Take the Lead! conversation—an opportunity to explore one idea a little more deeply.In this Sound Bite, host Yo Canny reflects on a question that emerged from her conversation with Andrea Mein DeWitt:What is the difference between trust and faith?Together, they explored generosity, boundaries, trust, and the challenge of holding life with open hands. But after the conversation ended, Yo found herself continuing to think about trust—not as a feeling, but as a practice.In this reflection, she explores:✨ Why hope, trust, and faith are related—but different✨ How fear and control often travel together✨ Why courage is required whenever we release certainty✨ What Andrea's "Open Hands" philosophy can teach us about leadership and life✨ The question many of us face as we navigate relationships, aging, parenting, retirement, and personal growth:What do we do when we can no longer control the outcome?This Sound Bite was inspired by Episode 298:🎧 The Generous Heart: Boundaries, Trust, and Letting Go of Resentment with Andrea Mein DeWittListen here:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/episode/298-the-generous-heart-boundaries-trust-and-letting-go-of-resentment-with-andrea-mein-dewittAbout Andrea Mein DeWittAndrea Mein DeWitt is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), author, and creator of the Name, Claim & Reframe® methodology. She helps high-achieving women navigate challenging relationships and life transitions while leading from authenticity rather than armor.Learn more:https://andreadewittadvisors.com💛 Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.comShop:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopFollow Girl, Take the Lead! on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for leadership insights, guest highlights, weekly reflections, and inspiring conversations.Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and never miss an episode.🎙️ Coming NextJoin us next week for another Sound Bite reflection as we explore belonging, community, and the moments that remind us we have more in common than we sometimes realize.Inspired by the spirit of the Fourth of July, we'll reflect on why belonging matters, what brings people together, and how connection may be one of the most powerful forms of leadership.Until then—Listen inward.Lead outward.

What happens when giving begins to feel heavy?In this thoughtful return to Girl, Take the Lead!, Professional Certified Coach and author Andrea Mein DeWitt joins Yo Canny to explore a question many caring people wrestle with:How do we remain generous without becoming resentful?Drawing from her essays, The Generous Heart and Open Hands, Andrea shares why generosity without integrity often leads to resentment, how healthy boundaries make love sustainable, and why trust becomes increasingly important as our relationships evolve.Together they discuss:• Why acknowledgment matters—and why we can't always depend on it• The connection between generosity, integrity, and resentment• Moving from reacting to responding• Trusting adult children without trying to fix their lives• How Andrea's Name, Claim & Reframe® methodology helps people navigate difficult momentsThroughout the conversation, Andrea offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating family relationships, leadership challenges, life transitions, or the difficult balance between caring deeply and caring for themselves.One question sits at the center of it all:Who do I want to be in this situation?About Andrea Mein DeWittAndrea Mein DeWitt is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), author, and creator of the federally trademarked Name, Claim & Reframe® methodology. Her book Name, Claim & Reframe: Your Path to a Well-Lived Life was featured on NBC's TODAY Show as 2023's Best Motivational Read. The companion workbook and audiobook followed, with the audiobook released on Audible in December 2025.Andrea publishes the Beyond the Reframe newsletter and a monthly Reframing Wellness column with GetFitNow. She helps high-achieving women navigate challenging relationships and life transitions—teaching them to lead from authenticity rather than armor.Work with Andreaandreadewittadvisors.com• The Generous Heartandreadewittadvisors.com/blog/generous-heart• Open Handsandreadewittadvisors.com/blog/open-hands• Beyond the Reframe Blogandreadewittadvisors.com/blog• Leadership Quizandreadewittadvisors.com/leadership-quiz• NCR Toolkitandreadewittadvisors.com/ncr-toolkitBook:Name, Claim & Reframe®: Your Path to a Well-Lived LifeBeyond the Reframe Newsletter:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-reframe-7275538370468966400/Previous Conversations with Andrea Mein DeWitt• Ep. 48 – A Discussion with Andrea Mein DeWitt About Her Book, Name, Claim & Reframe: Your Path to a Well-Lived Life• Ep. 72 – Andrea Mein DeWitt Returns: Using Name, Claim & Reframe® to Address Female Bullying• Ep. 153 & 154 – Be Confident. Be Resourceful. Be Graceful. Insights from the Name, Claim & Reframe Workbook• Ep. 266 – Reframing the “Good Daughter” Story with Andrea Mein DeWittBrowse all Andrea Mein DeWitt episodes here or wherever you listen to your podcasts:Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!Website:girltaketheleadpod.comListen:Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and wherever you enjoy podcasts.Join the Conversation:Follow Girl, Take the Lead! on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for leadership insights, guest highlights, and weekly reflections.Explore the Shop:Visit the Heartfelt Cards & Gifts collection at girltaketheleadpod.com/shopSubscribe:Never miss an episode by subscribing to Girl, Take the Lead! and sharing your favorite conversations with friends and colleagues.Reflection QuestionWhat relationship in your life might benefit from a little more generosity, integrity, or trust?What would Andrea tell her 20-something self?"Stop looking for permission.You are so much smarter than you think. You are way more resourceful than you give yourself credit for. Take the risk because it's worth it. The worst thing that can happen is that you learn something.Start claiming who you are now and trust that your people, if you live in integrity with yourself, are going to find you."

What if the goal isn't fitting in?What if the goal is belonging?In this Sound Bite, I reflect on a question that emerged from my conversation with Teresa Gregory in Episode 296:What's the difference between fitting in and belonging?Drawing on the work of Brené Brown and Teresa's insights about "fit" in organizations, I explore how many of us spend years learning how to adapt, blend in, and gain acceptance—often at the expense of our own voice.But leadership rarely begins with conformity.It begins with the courage to bring our perspective into the room.Even when it's different.Even when we're the only one.In this reflection, I explore:✨ The difference between fitting in and belonging✨ Why belonging doesn't require us to change who we are✨ The connection between diversity of thought and innovation✨ The courage required to be the different voice in the room✨ How leadership often begins when we're willing to stop editing ourselvesReflection QuestionWhere in your life are you trying to fit in when you may already belong?Inspired ByEpisode 296:Hidden Mindsets: The Labels, Assumptions, and "Fit" with Teresa GregoryTeresa's conversation about hiring for "fit" and the value of different perspectives inspired this deeper reflection on belonging, authenticity, and leadership.Mentioned in This Episode📖 Brené Brown's work on fitting in versus belonging💡 Diversity of thought and innovation💡 Leadership through authenticityStay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Podcast Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.com📬 Newsletter:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/newsletter💌 Heartfelt Cards & Gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop🎧 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltakethelead💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/girltaketheleadpod👥 Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/girltaketheleadThank you for listening to Girl, Take the Lead! If this reflection resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation designed to help you lead with greater awareness, confidence, and intention.Until next time—Listen inward.Lead outward.And remember:You don't have to fit in to belong. 💛

What if the biggest factor influencing your leadership isn't what you know—but what you don't realize is influencing you?In this episode, Executive Leadership Strategist, Keynote Speaker, and Executive Coach Teresa Gregory joins us to explore what she calls our hidden mindsets—the labels, assumptions, and unconscious thinking patterns that shape how we lead, communicate, evaluate others, and even see ourselves.Drawing on more than 20 years of leadership development experience, Teresa shares practical examples of how hidden mindsets show up in hiring decisions, performance reviews, workplace relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we're capable of achieving.In This EpisodeTogether, we explore why "fit" can sometimes limit innovation, how labels become self-fulfilling, and what leaders can do to recognize and shift the thinking patterns that may be influencing their decisions without them even knowing it.Memorable Takeaways✨ Why Teresa prefers the term hidden mindset over bias✨ How our brains create shortcuts that influence decision-making✨ The role assumptions play in hiring and leadership decisions✨ Why "fit" can become a barrier to diversity, innovation, and growth✨ How hidden mindsets show up in performance evaluations✨ Why imposter syndrome is often a hidden mindset in disguise✨ The difference between intention and impact✨ How dialogue creates stronger relationships than discussion✨ Practical ways to identify and challenge limiting beliefs✨ Why every leader should have a mentor—and be a mentor💡 "Not all bias is bad. The question is: Is it limiting your belief?"💡 "Acknowledge it. Write it down. Then be deliberate about showing up differently."💡 "I can teach the steps. I can't teach kindness."💡 "The path may look different than your five-year plan—and that's okay."Resources & Links for Teresa🌐 Website:www.squaredsuccess.com🎁 Free Leadership Resource:www.squaredsuccess.com/podcast📧 Connect with Teresa:teresa@squaredsuccess.com📱 Social Media:@squaredsuccess📖 Coming Soon:Teresa will be featured in a new compilation book releasing this fall.What Teresa Would Tell Her 20-Something SelfGet a mentor—and be a mentor.Find people who will challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and help you grow. Then do the same for someone else.Guest-Inspired Card Selection🦋 With Brave Wings She FliesWhen asked to choose a card from the Girl, Take the Lead! online store, Teresa immediately connected with the Brave Butterfly card. For her, it represents the courage to take flight, embrace new opportunities, and trust yourself as you step into what's next.A fitting choice for someone who recently launched her own business, serves her community as an elected official, and continues to help leaders uncover what's possible when they challenge their hidden mindsets.Stay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead!🎙️ Podcast Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.com📬 Newsletter:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/newsletter💌 Heartfelt Cards & Gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop🎧 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltakethelead💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/girltaketheleadpod👥 Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/girltaketheleadThank you for listening to Girl, Take the Lead! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation designed to help you lead with greater awareness, confidence, and intention.

After my conversation with Sheryl Robinson in Episode 293, I found myself sitting with an unexpected feeling:Hope.Not because everything is suddenly okay.Not because the challenges facing our communities have disappeared.And not because the future comes with guarantees.Instead, I found myself wondering:What exactly is hope?Is it optimism?Is it trust?Or is it something else entirely?In This Sound BiteIn this Sound Bite, I reflect on the work of Brené Brown and psychologist C.R. Snyder, whose research suggests that hope is not simply an emotion but a way of thinking—one that involves goals, pathways, and agency.I also explore the connection between hope and trust, why it's easy to focus on what's declining as we grow older, and the question that stayed with me after talking with Sheryl:What's still growing?What if hope isn't about ignoring reality?What if hope is seeing evidence that people are still learning how to care, contribute, and lead?And what if trust is what allows us to invest in that future?Hope versus optimismThe difference between hope and trustBrené Brown's discussion of Hope TheoryWhy agency mattersWhat gives us confidence in future generationsThe leadership lessons hidden inside the Girl Scout Gold AwardWhy "The leaders are coming" became my takeaway from Episode 293Inspired ByEpisode 293:🎙️ "Hearts of Gold: How the Girl Scout Gold Award Builds Leaders for Life with Sheryl Robinson"Watch on YouTube:Episode 293 with Sheryl RobinsonOr wherever you catch your podcasts.About Sheryl RobinsonSheryl Robinson is an author, podcaster, speaker, and leadership advocate who helps teens and young adults discover their gifts, talents, and abilities while creating meaningful change in their communities.She is the creator of the Hearts of Gold podcast and the Hearts of Gold book series, which share stories of Girl Scout Gold Award recipients from across the country. The series is designed to help young people develop leadership skills, identify root causes, and create lasting impact.Learn more:Sheryl Robinson WebsiteHearts of Gold Podcast & ResourcesFree Resources Available:Root Cause GuideVolunteering GuideBoth are available through the Hearts of Gold website.Stay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead!🌟 Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.com💌 Newsletter:https://girltaketheleadpod.com💝 Heartfelt Cards & Gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopHosted by Yo Canny#GirlTakeTheLead #SoundBite #Leadership #Hope #Trust #BreneBrown #WomenInLeadership #PersonalGrowth #GirlScouts #GoldAward

What gives you hope for the future?In this inspiring episode, Yo Canny sits down with Sheryl Robinson—author, podcaster, speaker, and longtime Girl Scout volunteer—to explore how the Girl Scout Gold Award helps young women develop confidence, leadership skills, and the belief that they can make a difference in the world.As a troop leader for more than 20 years and a member of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council's Highest Awards Committee, Sheryl has witnessed firsthand the transformation that occurs when young women take on meaningful community challenges and lead sustainable solutions.Inspired by the remarkable Gold Award Girl Scouts she has mentored, Sheryl launched the Hearts of Gold Podcast, interviewing Gold Award recipients from around the world. She has now adapted those stories into the Hearts of Gold book series, helping middle school students discover their own gifts, talents, and ability to create positive change.Together, Yo and Sheryl discuss what the Gold Award is, why it matters, and how young women are developing the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to become the next generation of leaders.In This Episode You'll Learn:What the Girl Scout Gold Award is and why it is considered the highest achievement in Girl ScoutingHow identifying root causes leads to more meaningful and sustainable solutionsWhy leadership is developed through action, not just instructionThe importance of moving from managing to mentoringHow asking questions can be more powerful than providing answersWhy volunteering helps young people develop confidence and purposeHow one young woman's Gold Award project helped transform feelings of cultural isolation into belonging and connectionKey Takeaways✨ Leadership grows through experience.✨ Confidence comes from tackling challenges and seeing them through.✨ Great mentors guide with questions rather than answers.✨ Young people thrive when given ownership, responsibility, and support.✨ The next generation is already learning how to lead—and that gives us reason for hope.What Sheryl Would Tell Her 20-Something Self"Stay open and flexible. Life's going to take you different places than you plan. That's where the growth happens."About Sheryl RobinsonSheryl Robinson is an author, podcaster, coach, and speaker helping teens and young adults discover their unique gifts, talents, and abilities so they can create a plan to achieve their dreams.She holds a Master of Arts in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University and has been involved with Girl Scouts for more than 25 years. Her passion for supporting high school Girl Scouts pursuing their Gold Award inspired the creation of the Hearts of Gold podcast, YouTube channel, and book series showcasing young women from across the country who have earned Girl Scouting's highest award.Connect with SherylWebsite:https://sherylmrobinson.comEmail:heartsofgoldpodcast@gmail.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/sherylmrobinson/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sherylmrobinson/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherylmrobinson/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/sherylmrobinsonFree ResourcesVisit Sheryl's website for:Root Cause GuideVolunteering GuideResources for youth and adults supporting young leadersHearts of Gold Book SeriesThe Hearts of Gold series shares real stories and leadership lessons inspired by Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. Through themes such as Inclusion, Advocacy, STEM, Health, Community, Creative Voice, and Earth Guardians, readers learn how to identify problems, uncover root causes, and create meaningful change.Stay Connected with Girl, Take the Lead!🌟 Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.com💝 Cards & Gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopFacebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/girltaketheleadLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/girl-take-the-leadYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltakethelead

What happens when the way we've measured our importance no longer fits our lives?In this first Girl, Take the Lead! Sound Bite, I reflect on a question that surfaced after my conversation with Marisa Handler:If I am no longer defined by my title, accomplishments, or responsibilities, what makes me important?After 42 years in corporate leadership, retirement invited me into a different kind of impact—one measured less by titles and achievements and more by conversations, creativity, relationships, and contribution.Yet I found myself wrestling with an uncomfortable question:Do I still matter?In this reflection, I explore the difference between achievement and worthiness, why comparison can reveal deeper beliefs, and what it means to create a new definition of significance in this stage of life.In This Sound Bite:• Why gratitude and worthiness are not the same thing• The hidden challenge many high-achieving women face after retirement• How comparison can reveal old beliefs about success and importance• Why achievement and worthiness are often confused• The question: "Who am I when there's nothing left to prove?"• Creating a new definition of significance and contributionReflection Questions for You:Have you ever found yourself using an old definition of success to measure your value?What might change if your worth was never tied to your accomplishments in the first place?Inspired By:Episode 292. From Shame to Worthiness: Living Your Creative Genius with Marisa HandlerWatch or listen:https://youtu.be/XRSANQJ0l6kConnect with Girl, Take the Lead!Website:https://girltaketheleadpod.comHeartfelt Cards & Gifts:https://girltaketheleadpod.com/shopJoin Our Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@girltaketheleadThank you for joining me for this first Sound Bite.These shorter reflections are designed for moments when you want insight but don't have time for a full conversation.Until next time—Listen inward.Lead outward.