Podcast
The Leaderful Inc | Authentic Leadership for Ambitious Women in an AI-Driven World
Hosted by Chloe McKenzie | People Strategist, Head of People & Culture · EN
The Leaderful Inc. is a podcast for ambitious women in leadership who want to grow their careers without burning out.
Hosted by Chloe McKenzie, a Senior Vice President in People & Culture, this show explores modern leadership, career development, and the real emotional work behind rising into executive roles.
Chloe shares honest stories and practical insights from her journey climbing from Director to SVP in four years — navigating visibility shifts, workplace politics, self-trust, burnout recovery, and the evolving expectations placed on women leaders today.
Each episode dives into the real challenges facing women in modern leadership, including:
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navigating rapid promotions and increased visibility
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building leadership confidence and executive presence
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managing burnout, boundaries, and emotional labor
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leading teams with clarity, humanity, and intention
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growing your career while staying true to yourself
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developing authentic leadership skills that actually work
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understanding how AI is reshaping leadership and the future of work
This podcast is for women who are ambitious but exhausted, accomplished yet craving more clarity, and determined to lead without losing themselves.
If you’re ready for real conversations about leadership development, career growth, self-trust, and becoming the kind of leader people want to follow — you’re in the right place.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Promotion That Didn’t Change Me — But Changed How They Saw Me
Dec 500:08:39Tap to summarizeWhen I got promoted, I felt exactly the same. But the world around me didn’t. People paused before speaking to me. They filtered their words. They assumed things about me I didn’t feel were true — authority, status, power, distance. This episode is the story of how I navigated that identity mismatch. It’s about the moments that made me question my place, the loneliness that surprised me, and the leadership lessons that came from being seen differently before I felt different. You’ll hear the raw truth about: the emotional adjustment no one prepares you for the subtle and not-so-subtle ways dynamics shift the power of grounding yourself in your values how to lead from identity, not perception If you’ve ever felt misread, misunderstood, or suddenly “othered” after rising — this episode is your reminder that you’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.
Transcribe →When Every Comment Feels Personal: Leadership in a Tired Season
Dec 100:12:27Tap to summarizeBurnout makes everything heavier. Especially feedback. In today’s episode, I break down the moment when a piece of feedback hit harder than it should have—and the uncomfortable truth I learned: The feedback wasn’t the problem. My exhaustion was. This episode is a deep dive into emotional regulation, leadership in hard seasons, and why empathy isn’t something soft-hearted leaders use—it’s something strategic leaders rely on. You’ll learn: Why tired leaders misinterpret feedback How to assess your emotional “state” before reacting A 6-step framework for responding with clarity (not panic) How to lead yourself with empathy when your tank is empty For everyone who’s ambitious, overwhelmed, and still showing up: this one will hit home.
Transcribe →When Ambition Meets Exhaustion: Why I Stepped Away (and Why I’m Back)
Nov 2000:07:31Tap to summarizeIn this intimate relaunch episode, I share the real story behind my unexpected rise from Director to Senior Vice President in just four years — and the burnout that nearly took me out along the way. This is the honest reflection I wish someone had shared with me sooner: what it’s like to grow fast, lead big, juggle motherhood and ambition, carry the emotional labor of leadership, and still feel like you’re losing pieces of yourself in the process. If you’re a woman who’s ambitious but exhausted, hopeful but stretched thin, deeply capable yet sometimes filled with doubt — this episode is for you. I talk about why I stepped away from the podcast, how burnout changed me, and what it means to come back wiser, softer, and more grounded. We’ll explore what real leadership looks like in a world moving at the speed of AI — and why women can’t afford to sit out this next era of change. This is a space for honesty, growth, and the messy parts of leading a life that matters. It’s good to be back.
Transcribe →LI 04: Lessons in Leadership and Parenting from Simon Sinek’s ’Start With Why’
Mar 24, 202300:09:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Leaderful Inc, we explore the power of starting with why and how it can transform the way you lead and communicate. We dive into Simon Sinek's book "Start With Why" and discuss why it's important to connect with your why, how to identify your why, and how to use it to lead your team and your family. I share some practical tips and strategies for how you can apply this philosophy to your own life and work, and share inspiring examples of organizations and leaders who have successfully used the start with why approach. Whether you're leading at work or at home, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need to start leading with purpose and passion. You can also check out video episodes on YouTube @theleaderfulinc.
Transcribe →LI 03: Stop being your own biggest Dream Killer
Mar 24, 202300:11:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Leaderful Inc., we explore the common patterns of self-sabotage and dream killers that hold us back from achieving our full potential. We delve into the psychological and emotional factors that contribute to self-sabotage, including fear, limiting beliefs, and self-doubt, and provide practical tips and strategies for how you can overcome these obstacles and achieve your goals. We also discuss the ways in which we are our own worst enemies when it comes to pursuing our dreams, and how we can shift our mindset and behaviours to become our own biggest cheerleaders and supporters. Join me as we confront the negative patterns and behaviours that hold us back, and learn how to take control of your life and achieve the success and happiness you deserve. You can also check out video episodes on Youtube @theleaderfulinc
Transcribe →LI 02: Communication Tips for Leading More Effectively
Mar 24, 202300:12:37Tap to summarizeCommunicating your point is an essential leadership skill. The content of the message, the style of the delivery and the prep work you do in advance can make all the difference for how effectively someone receives your message. In this episode of the Leaderful Inc. Podcast, you'll find some tips to help you land your message to your audience - whether in a meeting, in a pitch, or in a conversation with someone in your life. You can also check out the video episodes on YouTube @Theleaderfulinc.
Transcribe →Start Right Now is now the Leaderful inc. Podcast
Mar 24, 202300:08:01Tap to summarizeThe Start Right Now podcast has evolved! In this episode, you'll hear more about why it's now called the Leaderful Inc', and how I hope this new content will be focused on leading better in 2023 and beyond. This podcast is now also a video podcast available on YouTube @theleaderfulinc. Thanks for tuning in!
Transcribe →SRN 57. Creating a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy for your business - with Arthur Woods
Feb 20, 202200:36:45Tap to summarizeDiversity, Equity and Inclusion is not a topic just for large corporations to be thinking about. Especially when the diversity of your team is proven to drive innovation in a business. BUT let's face it: As a leader, small business owner or an entrepreneur, you may have no idea where to start putting DEI concepts into practice. In this episode, social entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ leader Arthur Woods shares incredible wisdom and research-backed tools for doing exactly that. As the Co-Founder of Mathison.Io, and author of "Hiring for Diversity", it's no wonder this interview is packed with cutting-edge practices for implementing a diversity hiring strategy that will leave your organization with a more comprehensive view and an actionable plan. Order the book 'Hiring for Diversity' and explore Mathison's resources at Mathison.Io.
Transcribe →SRN 56. Give Yourself Permission to Be Seen - With Keri Murphy
Feb 20, 202200:30:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, my guest Keri Murphy, the CEO and Founder of 'Inspired Living', takes us through the impact that video can have on your business - if we can only push our fear of being seen. As a successful serial entrepreneur, she shares how It can be an incredibly powerful tool for making a career transition, for attracting new clients, and for stepping into that calling you have to inspire and move others. This is the kick in the butt that you need to get out of your head and get started with video today. To learn more about Keri and Inspiring Living, Check out InspiredLiving.TV Connect with Chloe @Startrightnowpodcast on Instagram.
Transcribe →SRN 55. Can ‘envy‘ bring you clarity? Getting Clear and Unstuck - With Becca Ribbing
Nov 3, 202100:26:57Tap to summarizeWhat if you had the tools to get clearer on a big decision, major challenge, or the areas in your life where you're feeling stuck? Becca Ribbing, the author of The Clarity Journal, believes that we can. Armed with a toolbox of powerful questions, she's on a mission to help people break out of the cycles of uncertainty and struggle that hold them back. The Clarity Journal is her new book with over 100 thought-provoking questions to stop you from going around in circles and finally figure out what you truly want and create the clarity and momentum that you crave. Have a listen to this episode for powerful questions you can ask yourself today - including a surprising one about envy. Connect with Becca over at beccaribbing.com. Get your copy of her journal on Amazon. Connect with Chloe on Instagram @StartRightNowpodcast
Transcribe →