Podcast
Ordinary To Badass
Hosted by Marie Sonneman · EN
A podcast for women who are capable—but tired of being overlooked in rooms not built for them. Hosted by Marie Sonneman, a law enforcement lieutenant turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers unfiltered conversations, practical career advice, and leadership strategies for women in predominantly male industries.
From quiet confidence to strategic visibility, you’ll hear how women rise without shrinking or burning out—and how to build a life that doesn’t disappear in the process. If you’re ready to be unmistakable at work and protect what matters outside of it, you’re in the right place.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
447: The Rules of the Game No One Explains
5d ago00:30:15Tap to summarizeHave you ever watched a man get credit for an idea that came out of your mouth five minutes earlier?...Or noticed that the women around you somehow became the party planner, office therapist, note taker, and scheduler—on top of the job they were actually hired to do?...In this episode, we're talking about the rules of the game nobody explains when you work in a predominantly male industry. The unwritten rules. The invisible expectations. The things that affect your career, credibility, and leadership opportunities—but somehow never make it into the training manual....You'll learn:Why many women end up with a second, unofficial job descriptionWhat to do when your ideas are ignored until someone else repeats themHow to walk the tightrope between being "too soft" and "too aggressive"Why some people get exceptions—and others don'tHow to adapt to the room without losing yourself in the process...I also share a personal story about advocating for myself during one of the hardest periods of my career and what it taught me about speaking up, asking for help, and navigating systems that weren't built with us in mind....If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or exhausted from carrying responsibilities nobody acknowledges, this episode is for you....Because you're not behind.You're probably just missing the guidebook nobody gave you.Connect with Marie:DM "COMMUNITY" on Instagram @ordinarytobadass to join the free community for women in predominantly male industries.Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonates. The more women we get in the room, the faster we change it.
Transcribe →446:You Keep Waiting Until You're Ready—But Confidence Doesn't Work That Way
2w ago00:44:05Tap to summarizeHow many opportunities have you talked yourself out of because you didn't feel ready?...In this flashback episode, I sit down with mindset coach, personal trainer, and Girls on the Run Long Island Chairperson Nancy Feinstein to talk about confidence, self-doubt, and why waiting until you feel ready might be the very thing keeping you stuck....Nancy shares how she rebuilt her life after divorce, overcame stage fright, transitioned into a completely new career, and learned that confidence doesn't come before action—it comes because of it.We also dive into:✔ Why "yet" might be the most powerful word in your vocabulary✔ The hidden cost of waiting for perfect timing✔ How to stop comparing yourself to everyone else✔ Why messy action beats perfection every time✔ Practical mindset shifts that can help you move forward even when you're scaredIf you've been waiting for more confidence before making your next move, this conversation is your reminder that confidence is built in the doing—not the waiting.Connect with Marie:Instagram: @ordinarytobadassEnjoying the podcast?Leave a review and share this episode with a woman who needs the reminder that she doesn't have to feel ready to get started.
Transcribe →445: You Were Raised to Be Polite… But Leadership Requires Directness
3w ago00:14:39Tap to summarizeIf being direct feels mean, this episode is for you....Many women are taught from a young age to be agreeable, accommodating, and keep the peace. Then they step into leadership and discover that clarity, accountability, and difficult conversations are part of the job. That tension can make leadership feel uncomfortable....In this episode, Marie Sonnemann breaks down why directness often feels so hard for women, how passive communication creates more anxiety than clarity, and why avoiding conflict doesn't make you kind, it makes you unclear....You'll learn:Why directness is often the kinder leadership choiceHow passive-aggressive communication damages trustWhat employees really need during difficult conversations.The difference between being nice and being clearWhy strong leaders create clarity while weak leaders create confusionHow to stop worrying about being perceived as "too much" and start leading with confidenceMarie also shares a personal story about navigating a grumpy week, the power of resetting when you're off your game, and why getting back up after a setback is one of the most badass things you can do....If you've ever softened your message, over-explained yourself, or worried that being direct would make people dislike you, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and communication....Because leadership isn't about being harsh. It's about respecting people enough to tell them the truth.
Transcribe →444: You Were Taught Not to Brag—Now Leadership Can't See Your Impact
4w ago00:23:19Tap to summarizeYou were taught not to brag.Keep your head down. Work hard. Be humble.And for a lot of high performers—especially women—that sounds like good advice.The problem?Leadership can't advocate for work they can't clearly remember.In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest career mistakes strong employees make: assuming hard work speaks for itself.Because evaluations, promotions, and opportunities aren't just based on effort. They're based on what leadership can see, explain, and defend.✨ Theme: Visibility & AdvocacyWe're talking about why great employees often get weaker evaluations than they deserve, why documenting your impact isn't bragging, and how to make sure your contributions don't disappear into someone else's memory.You'll hear:🔥 Why your boss remembers far less of your work than you think💡 The "fraction problem" that causes high performers to get overlooked💬 How to document your impact without sounding arrogant, awkward, or self-promotionalIf you've ever felt like your evaluation didn't fully reflect your contributions—or you've wondered why someone with similar performance seems to get more recognition—this episode is for you.🎁 Grab the free resources at ordinarytobadass.com💬 DM me on Instagram @ordinarytobadass and tell me: What's one accomplishment your boss might not know about?⭐ And if this episode helped you rethink visibility, I'd love for you to rate and review the show. It helps more women find the strategies they need to become the obvious choice for promotion—without becoming someone they're not.
Transcribe →443: Hard Work Is Killing Your Promotion Chances
May 2500:05:54Tap to summarizeMost employees think:“if I work hard enough, leadership will notice.”That’s not how promotions work.In this sprint episode, I break down:why high performers get stuckhow bosses actually evaluate leadershipthe “fraction problem”and why hard work alone can quietly sabotage your career.
Transcribe →442: You Were Taught Not to Brag… But Your Boss Can’t Back What They Can’t See
May 1800:12:57Tap to summarizeMost women were taught:“Keep your head down.”“Work hard.”“Don’t brag.”Meanwhile… promotions are being decided in conversations happening behind closed doors. 👀In this episode, I’m breaking down:⚡ Why visibility feels so uncomfortable for high-performing women⚡ The difference between bragging vs. strategic communication⚡ Why your boss can’t confidently back what they can’t clearly explain⚡ The mistake I made with a future leader that later hurt my promotion opportunities⚡ The “flashlight” analogy that changed how I think about career growth foreverPlus…I share a leadership fail involving one of my best employees that taught me a brutal lesson:👉 Silence creates stories.If you’ve ever struggled to talk about your accomplishments without feeling cringey, fake, or egotistical…This episode is for you. 💥Listen now. You can join the masterclass Behind Closed Doors by clicking the link belowgo.ordinarytobadass.com/joinbcd
Transcribe →441: Why Hasn’t This Been Done? (And Why That Pissed Me Off)
May 1100:11:53Tap to summarizeHave you ever had someone say something at work… and technically it’s fine… but it lands completely wrong?In this episode, I break down the difference between what people say and what they actually imply—and why that’s where so much workplace friction comes from.From a coworker questioning me like he had authority… to a vendor who couldn’t answer a simple question without being condescending… we’re getting into tone, assumptions, and the real reason these interactions feel off....If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “What the hell was that?”—this one’s for you.Plus, I’m sharing how I handle it without blowing things up or staying silent....If you’re realizing this isn’t just a one-off thing—and you want to get better at handling these moments in real time—I’m running a free masterclass on this.I’ll show you exactly how to communicate your value at work without overthinking every word or second-guessing yourself.You can grab your spot here:https://go.ordinarytobadass.com/signs
Transcribe →440: You Learned to Work Twice as Hard… Now You Need to Stop
May 400:19:12Tap to summarizeYou learned to work twice as hard to prove yourself…...…but what if that’s the exact thing holding you back?Think working harder gets you promoted?...Think again.In this episode, I’m breaking down the quiet truth most people don’t realize until it’s too late:👉 The people getting promoted aren’t always the hardest workers...👉 They’re the ones who are easiest to chooseIf you’ve been the one who:Takes on moreHandles everythingKeeps things running behind the scenes…and still gets overlooked?...This episode is going to hit.✨ Theme: Visibility & AdvocacyWe’re talking about the shift from:...👉 working harder → to being seen clearly...👉 proving yourself → to being the obvious choice🔥 Why “working twice as hard” is actually working against you...💡 What your boss is really using to decide who gets promoted...💬 The subtle shift that makes your impact visible—without feeling fake...And if this episode has you thinking:“Okay… so what SHOULD I be doing instead?”...I’ve got you.🎁 Join my free live masterclass:What Actually Decides Promotions (Behind Closed Doors)I’ll walk you through:👉 What your boss is actually looking for before they promote someone👉 Why hard work alone isn’t getting you picked👉 How to make your work visible without being loud or fake👉 The shift that makes you the obvious choice👉 Save your seat here: https://go.ordinarytobadass.com/joinbcd-now💬 If this hit you, DM me “MOVE UP” on Instagram⭐ And if you’ve ever been overlooked but know you’re capable of more—leave a review. You’re not the only one.You’ll hear:
Transcribe →439: You Don’t Have a Confidence Problem — You’re Ignoring Your Intuition
Apr 2700:32:45Tap to summarizeMost people think they need more confidence to take action....But what if that’s not the problem?...In this episode, we’re flipping the script....Because the truth is—you already know what to do. You’ve felt it in those quiet moments, in your gut, in that nudge you keep second-guessing. The issue isn’t a lack of confidence… it’s that you’ve been taught not to trust yourself....We talk about:Why you keep overthinking decisions you already know the answer toHow constantly seeking validation is eroding your self-trustThe real relationship between intuition and confidence (and why most people get it backwards)Simple ways to start reconnecting with your inner knowingIf you’ve ever felt stuck, indecisive, or unsure of your next move—this episode will help you see that you’re not broken… you’ve just been ignoring the most reliable guidance you have.Hit play and start trusting yourself again.
Transcribe →438: You Got Promoted… But Something Feels Off at Work
Apr 2000:10:55Tap to summarizeEver walked away from a work conversation thinking, “Nothing they said was wrong… so why did that feel off?” In this episode, we unpack the quiet, often invisible shifts that happen when you step into leadership—especially the ones no one prepares you for. From changing team dynamics to subtle disrespect, repeated ideas, and that “tone” you can’t quite call out, this is the stuff that stacks up.You’ll hear real stories—from losing casual friendships after a promotion to navigating moments where you’re talked down to without it being obvious. More importantly, you’ll learn how to handle it without shrinking or snapping. Because the real skill isn’t just confidence—it’s having the language to respond in the moment.If you’ve ever replayed a conversation wishing you’d said something differently, this one’s for you. Reach out to me on IG @Ordinarytobadass and tell me if you can relate.
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