Podcast
Lead with Spark | Authentic Leadership for Women, Executive Presence & Career Confidence
Hosted by Lynsey Mulder · EN
Welcome to the Lead with Spark Podcast: Authentic Leadership for Women Who Want More.
You're leading a team, building a career, and trying to actually have a life. But somewhere between the title, the to-do list, and everyone else's expectations, you've started wondering: Is this it?
This podcast is for ambitious women leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs who are ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose, without burning out or losing themselves in the process.
I'm Lynsey Mulder, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Fortune 100 Senior Vice President turned full-time champion for purpose-driven women. I earned my first coaching certification decades ago, long before leadership development for women became a conversation. Since then, I've built teams, raised a family, navigated the C-suite, and checked every success box, until burnout made me stop and reimagine everything.
Today, I coach high-performing women, business owners, and executives ready to lead from the inside out.
On Lead with Spark, we dig into what authentic leadership actually looks like in real life: executive presence, leadership communication, career confidence, values-driven decision-making, setting boundaries, overcoming imposter syndrome, balancing life, and reclaiming the energy and purpose that got you here in the first place.
Whether you're leading a team, running a company, navigating a career transition, or just trying to lead your life more intentionally, you'll find real conversations, actionable leadership strategies, and personal development insights that meet you where you are.
Because leadership isn't just about what you do. It's about who you are.
Ready to lead with more purpose, presence, and power? Hit subscribe and join a growing community of women in leadership who are done settling for "fine."
Keep showing up. Keep leading with spark. You've got this, and I've got you. Connect through wwwLynseyMulder.com.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E40 How Watching Humpback Whales Taught Me to Lead Bigger: Leadership Perspective and Presence
Mar 1800:13:52Tap to summarizeWhat if one of your most powerful leadership breakthroughs came not from a boardroom, a conference, or a business book, but from a humpback whale looking you dead in the eye off the coast of Cabo San Lucas? In this episode, host and business coach Lynsey Mulder shares a deeply personal story from a recent trip to Cabo and the four unexpected leadership lessons that followed her all the way home. Whether you are leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to find your spark again, this episode will remind you that your leadership impact is bigger than your inbox, your calendar, and your current view. TOGETHER WE WILL TALK ABOUT: Why professional women tend to shrink their world down to the manageable instead of the possible The forgotten leadership skill of leading with joy and why it fuels everything else What a mama whale can teach you about protecting your team with presence instead of pressure How to stop missing the horizon when you are nose-deep in the day-to-day ONE LINE TO TAKE AWAY WITH YOU: "The whale uses the whole ocean. So should you." CONNECT WITH LYNSEY: Schedule a free coaching session at LynseyMulder.com Follow Lead with Spark on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Loved this episode? Leave a review and share it with a woman who needs to hear it today.
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E39 Executive-Proven Steps to Your Next Role with Camille Fetter
Mar 1100:39:59Tap to summarizeIf you've been laid off, you're quietly job searching, or you've had that 'I cannot do this for the next 20 years' moment, this episode is for you. Lynsey sits down with Camille Fetter, a nationally recognized executive search expert and founder/CEO of Talentfoot Executive Search and Staffing, to share calm, practical strategies for making a confident career move in today's market. In this conversation, you'll learn how high performers stand out without burning out: make smart sideways moves into adjacent industries, translate your superpowers into measurable business impact, and show up to interviews ready to connect the dots. Together we will talk about: Why you do not need to jump industries to pivot - you can often move sideways into adjacent industries with similar business models. How recruiters scan resumes for measurable results and what to do if your resume reads like a job description. The 'impact story' inventory: how to capture your wins (numbers, scope, outcomes) so you never scramble during job searches or performance reviews. How to answer 'Tell me about yourself' in 90 seconds without turning it into a memoir (save the cat stories for after the offer). When it is time for your next step: the moment you stop learning is the moment you start plateauing. What top leaders have in common: they multiply results through teams and systems, not personal heroics. How AI is changing hiring - and how to use it as a thought partner so you stay relevant and stand out. One line to take with you: Your next role is not found by doom-scrolling - it is built with clarity, measurable impact, and a smart sideways move. About Camille Fetter Camille Fetter is a nationally recognized executive search expert and the founder and CEO of Talentfoot Executive Search and Staffing. For more than two decades, she has advised founders, private equity partners, and C-suite leaders on building leadership and go-to-market teams that drive growth and transformation. Camille believes the right job can change your life - and she has lived that truth. Connect with Camille: LinkedIn: @DigitalMarketingRecruiter1 Talentfoot Website Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Subscribe to Lead With Spark so you never miss an episode on confidence, career growth, and living with intention. If you want support defining your next move, connect with Lynsey.
Transcribe →E38 Stop Miscommunication at Work: The 4 Communication Styles That Change Everything
Mar 400:20:11Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is all about one of the biggest communication game-changers I’ve ever found, and it happens to be one of my most requested keynotes: Decode the Blueprint. Here’s the truth: you can have the right message and still not be heard… because different people speak different languages. And you don’t have to travel to Barcelona for that to be true - it happens every day at work, in sales conversations, in leadership, and at home. In this episode, I’ll walk you through Codebreaker BANK (Blueprint, Action, Nurturer, Knowledge) so you can spot what someone values, adjust your approach in real time, and communicate in a way that actually lands. Because AI can replace a lot of tasks… but it can’t replace the moment when two humans need to truly understand each other. Together we will talk about: Why miscommunication happens even when your intentions are good and how to “translate” so you can be heard. The 4 Codebreaker BANK communication styles (Blueprint, Action, Nurturer, Knowledge) and what each style values most. How communication styles impact sales, leadership influence, culture, and relationships. A real story of how a sale was lost in the first 3 minutes and how to win back trust fast. Quick “tells” you can notice in the first minute to adapt your message on the spot. One line to take with you: People don’t resist your message, they resist the way it’s delivered. Links & resources (add your links): Crack your Code: Rank your values and receive a free personality report as my gift to you. Your customer report is filled with detailed insights about your values, strengths, weaknesses, communication style and much more! Book a 30-minute connection call with Lynsey to talk about your team culture, your company all employee meeting, your next big event, or 1:1 coaching. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
Transcribe →E37 Speak Up in Meetings With Confidence: Executive Presence That Still Feels Like You
Feb 2500:18:56Tap to summarizeEver walked out of a meeting thinking, “Well, that was fun… I said words, but I don’t think I sounded like a leader”? In this solo episode, Lynsey breaks down the real difference between executive presence and authenticity and answers the question so many women are searching for right now: Do I have to act like a leader to be taken seriously at work? You’ll hear three real-life stories (including a first executive team meeting that triggered instant second-guessing, a coaching moment that changed a senior leader’s impact, and a travel mishap that proves clarity prevents chaos). Then Lynsey gives you a simple, practical way to show up with presence, without pretending, using clarity, calm confidence, and consistency. Together we will talk about: Why executive presence is really about trust (not being loud, polished, or cold). How to speak up in meetings with clarity, without over-explaining or apologizing. How to be taken seriously at work while staying warm, relatable, and authentic. How to handle imposter syndrome at work by leading with strong, curious questions. A simple phrase that instantly helps you sound grounded and direct (without sounding fake). One line to take with you: Executive presence isn’t pretending — it’s communicating like you trust yourself. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
Transcribe →E36 The People-Pleasing Tax: How to Stop People Pleasing and Set Boundaries Without Guilt
Feb 1800:19:06Tap to summarizeIf you have ever said "No problem" while your brain whispered "This is a problem," you are not alone. In this episode, Lynsey breaks down the People-Pleasing Tax - the hidden cost of always being the reliable one - and shares a simple, real-life way to set boundaries without guilt. You will learn how to stop people pleasing (especially people pleasing at work), how to say no without over-explaining, and how to protect your time and energy without losing your warmth or your leadership voice. Together we will talk about Why people pleasing at work looks like professionalism - and why it quietly leads to emotional exhaustion The difference between kindness and overfunctioning (and how to tell which one you are doing) How to set boundaries at work without sounding rude, cold, or "difficult" A simple 3-step refund plan you can use the moment someone asks for "one more thing" Scripts to help you say no professionally, protect your calendar, and build executive presence A quick challenge to practice one boundary this week (without turning into a new person overnight) One line to take with you Clear is kind. A clean no today is kinder than a resentful yes tomorrow. Resources Download the People-Pleasing Tax Refund Worksheet to spot your auto-yes moments, choose a boundary sentence, and protect your energy. If you want support applying this to your real-life situations, book a free coaching session using the link in the show notes. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
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E35 Bold Goals, Busy Life: Rituals to Turn Off Work Brain and Show Up in Life with Danielle McGeough
Feb 1100:42:18Tap to summarizeWe’re so lucky to have Danielle McGeough with us today! Honestly… when I grow up, I want to be Danielle. She’s a mom, professor at the University of Northern Iowa, certified Women-Centered Coach, and the host of one of the nation’s top podcasts, Plan Goal Plan. Danielle helps high achievers become as ambitious about their personal lives as they’ve been about their work—one bold goal at a time. In this episode, Danielle and I get real about what happens when you’re crushing it on paper… but still feel hollow, scattered, or stuck. We unpack the difference between habits (autopilot) and rituals (meaning + presence), and why rituals can be the missing link for leaders who want big results without losing themselves. You’ll hear practical, relatable examples—like how to shut off “work brain” when you walk in the door, why copying other people’s routines can quietly build resentment, and how to create micro-rituals that actually fit your life and your season. We also dive into goal-setting that doesn’t crush your soul: bold goals, “impossible goals,” and how sharing your goals (with the right people—or even just with yourself) helps your brain stay focused when life gets… banana pants. Together we will talk about: The real difference between habits vs. rituals (and why both matter) Simple transition rituals to move from work mode → home mode Why “doing more” won’t fix autopilot living Bold goals vs. impossible goals (and how they unlock new pathways) Danielle’s Balance Brief weekly ritual using her PACE framework: Protect, Anchor, Connect, Execute The surprising truth about sharing goals—and who to share them with One line to take with you: It’s so much easier to say no when you’ve already decided what you’re saying yes to. Connect with Danielle: Website: Plangoalplan.com Stuck Self Leadership Assessment Plan Goal Plan Podcast LinkedIn Connect with Lynsey: Website: com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
Transcribe →E34 Leading Mixed-Personality Teams: How to Channel Energy Without Creating Chaos
Feb 400:18:02Tap to summarizeEvery team has it: the steady one… and the energetic one. The calm processor… and the loud processor. The rule-follower… and the “let’s reinvent everything by Tuesday” person. In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey shares two laugh-out-loud dog stories that turn into a surprisingly accurate leadership metaphor: how to lead mixed-energy teams without leaving “stuffing on the floor.” This isn’t a step-by-step episode. It’s a real conversation about what mixed energy actually means, what leaders often mislabel as “a problem,” and how great leadership channels energy instead of crushing it. You’ll hear anonymous client moments (the high performer carrying too much, the steady one becoming the container for everyone), plus Lynsey’s take on how this dynamic often shows up inside you during seasons of growth and reinvention. If you’re leading people in a fast-moving world—and you want to build trust, protect culture, and get the best from every style—this one’s for you. Together we will talk about: Why every workplace has “old dog / new chaos” energy (and why it’s normal) Mixed energy ages: same team, different nervous systems When “chaos” is actually an unmet need—not a bad attitude The shadow side of the steady, experienced teammate (and how innovation quietly dies) How great leaders channel energy instead of shaming it (and why culture matters) How this dynamic can show up inside YOU during growth and reinvention seasons One line to take with you: Channel the energy. Don’t shame it. Honor the steady. Don’t overuse it. Share this episode with: the “older dog” leader who needs to loosen their grip a little the “younger dog” leader who needs guardrails (not shame) the woman carrying the team… while quietly outgrowing her own chapter Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
Transcribe →E33 Outgrowing Your Life? The Reinvention Conversation Every Woman Leader Needs
Jan 2800:17:53Tap to summarizeHave you ever had a moment where you are doing the thing you are supposed to be doing... and a quiet thought shows up: Wait, is this it? In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey normalizes reinvention and reframes it as a modern life skill. Not a crisis. Not a failure. Often, it is simply evolution. You will hear real stories from Lynsey’s own reinventions (from motherhood to leaving corporate) plus client moments that prove this is more common - and more courageous - than we admit. As our world moves faster, reinvention is happening more often in a lifetime. Even employers expect rapid skill shifts in the coming years. So if you feel the pull toward a new chapter, you are not late... you are paying attention. Together we will talk about: Why reinvention is normal (and increasingly necessary) in today’s fast-moving world Anchor Point 1: The Before - the nudge, the restlessness, and the quiet ‘there’s more’ Anchor Point 2: The Bridge - the messy middle where clarity becomes courage Anchor Point 3: The Becoming - coming home to yourself and trusting your voice again Real client examples: checking the boxes but not feeling alive, and finding confidence through truth + boundaries The truth women need to hear: you do not need a breakdown to justify a breakthrough One line to take with you: Reinvention is not starting over - it is starting from experience. Mentioned in the episode: World Economic Forum: many workers will need reskilling/upskilling by 2030 and core skills are expected to shift significantly Coaching invitation: If you are in a reinvention season (career, confidence, identity, what’s next), Lynsey coaches women through clarity and brave movement without needing certainty first Your next Action: Feeling the pull toward a new chapter? You do not have to figure it out alone. Connect with Lynsey to explore what reinvention could look like in your life and career. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder
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