Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin

Robin L Owens
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You've done everything right. You've built the career, earned the recognition, checked all the boxes — and yet, deep down, something still feels… off. It's subtle. Hard to name. But it's there — the quiet space between your success and your sense of fulfillment. That's what I call the Purpose Gap. In Season Six of Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin, we're exploring what the Purpose Gap is, why it happens, and how to close it — so you can create a life and work that truly reflect who you are. Through powerful conversations with high-achieving women, you'll hear real stories of turning points — moments where they stopped following someone else's definition of success and started making aligned choices that brought more meaning and authenticity into their leadership, careers, and lives. Many of us are searching for our purpose, hoping to discover the path that will bring us meaning and fulfillment. But what if your purpose isn't something you have to find out there? What if it's already within you — waiting to be expressed? That's the heart of the PurposeMAKER™ philosophy: Your purpose isn't something you find. It's something you express by living fully as who you are. If you've ever achieved the title, earned the promotion, or reached the milestone but still felt inner unfulfillment or disconnect, this season is for you. It's your invitation to understand what's been missing, to close the Purpose Gap, and to step into more profound meaning, true purpose, and lasting fulfillment in your life and work.

  1. 10h ago

    When the Right Path Couldn't Hold All of Me | Ep 290 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At Her Career Crossroads" insight comes from me. I want to share the career decision that taught me the right path should never require you to leave parts of yourself behind. "There was not enough of me in it. That distinction matters to me now because sometimes a calling does not ask us to throw away everything we've already built. Sometimes it asks us to become more honest about what needs to be added, changed, or integrated. A real purpose calling does not require you to disappear inside the path. It may challenge you. It may ask you to study, prepare, stretch, or take a risk, but it doesn't keep asking you to leave essential parts of yourself outside the room." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you've ever loved your work but still felt like something important was missing, this episode will help you understand why feeling incomplete doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong path. You'll hear how I realised my work needed to make room for more of who I was—and why purpose sometimes means refining your path rather than starting over. If you're standing at a career crossroads, this conversation will encourage you to ask a different question: not "Should I leave?" but "What part of me needs more room in the work I'm doing?" I'm Dr. Robin, and through my work as a leadership and purpose researcher, executive coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER™ framework, I help high-achieving women close the Purpose Gap so they can create lives and careers that reflect who they truly are. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com   Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  2. Jul 22

    When the Path Around Me Wasn't Mine | Ep289 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At Her Career Crossroads" insight comes from me. I want to share another career decision that changed the direction of my life. "Sometimes a decision begins before you know exactly what you're deciding. You just know the path everyone around you seems to be following doesn't feel like yours. That was where I found myself in Seminary. I was surrounded by people who were preparing to become pastors, and for many of them, that made complete sense. They seemed clear about what they were there to do and where they were headed. But I couldn't see myself doing that. I couldn't see myself in a pulpit. I saw myself in a classroom." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you've ever looked around and wondered why everyone else's career path seems to make sense—but yours doesn't—this episode will remind you that your purpose may not look like anyone else's. You'll hear how one simple question, "What do I want?", helped me begin finding a direction that felt more aligned, even though I couldn't yet see the whole path. If you're feeling pressure to follow what's expected rather than what feels right, this conversation will encourage you to pay attention to the direction that keeps calling you instead. I'm Dr. Robin, and through my work as a leadership and purpose researcher, executive coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER™ framework, I help high-achieving women close the Purpose Gap so they can create lives and careers that reflect who they truly are. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com   Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon!   This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  3. Jul 15

    Leaving Home Before I Knew Why | Ep 288 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At Her Career Crossroads" insight comes from me. I want to share something that changed the direction of my life. "I left my family, my home, my community and all that nurtured me my entire life without knowing what it would lead to. I left because something in me knew I needed to go, even before I can explain why. And only later, much later, could I see how that decision deepened my spiritual formation, how it helped me understand my sense of calling and became a part of the path that led me toward work that included teaching, speaking, and helping other people think more deeply about their own purpose. The pattern became clearer after I followed the direction, not before." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you're waiting until you have the whole plan before making your next career move, this episode will help you see why clarity often comes one step at a time, not all at once. If you've ever felt a persistent pull toward something you couldn't explain, you'll learn how to recognise the signals that deserve your attention instead of dismissing them because they don't fit a logical plan. If you're standing at a career crossroads, you'll discover why following your next right step can be more important than knowing exactly where the road will lead. I'm Dr. Robin, and through my work as a leadership and purpose researcher, executive coach and creator of the PurposeMAKER™ framework, I help high-achieving women close the Purpose Gap so they can create lives and careers that reflect who they truly are. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  4. Jul 8

    When Missing Passion Got My Attention | Ep 287 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin. "Restlessness can be the beginning of clarity. And for me, restlessness became before the decision. It came before I could explain. It came before I knew what I would do next. It was just there, beneath the surface, unsettled, trying to get my attention." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you've ever found yourself questioning a career that looks successful on paper but feels different on the inside, this episode will help you understand why meaningful work isn't always aligned work—and why that distinction matters. You'll hear the deeply personal story that first made me realize I wasn't simply exhausted from my work as a social worker. I was beginning to recognize that something essential was missing, even though I cared deeply about the people I served. You'll learn three lessons that can help you recognize the signs of misalignment in your own career, understand what your restlessness may be trying to tell you, and begin making decisions that honour both your purpose and who you truly are. I'm Dr. Robin, creator of the PurposeMAKER™ philosophy and host of Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin. I help high-achieving women close the Purpose Gap by making career and leadership decisions that reflect who they are, so they can create lives and work filled with greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  5. Jul 1

    Why I Left a Career I Loved | Ep 286 with Dr. Robin

    This week's At her Career Crossroads insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin. "Sometimes the hardest decisions are not about escaping something terrible, sometimes they're about outgrowing something partial, something that fits part of you but not the whole of you. And that's not failure, that's discernment, that's paying attention, that's learning how to make decisions from a fuller place, a fuller truth in you and who you are." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: Have you ever wondered why you feel unsettled in a career you genuinely love? I'll share why leaving meaningful work can be even harder than leaving work that's clearly wrong—and what finally helped me make that decision. If you've been telling yourself you should be happy because you're making a difference, this episode will help you explore whether one of your core values is quietly being overlooked. Sometimes what's missing matters just as much as what's working. The decision to leave wasn't really about the job. It came down to one insight that completely changed how I think about purpose, career alignment, and making decisions that honour the whole of who you are. If you've been wrestling with a difficult career decision, I hope this perspective helps you see your own situation differently. I'm Dr. Robin, creator of the PurposeMAKER™ philosophy and host of Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin. I help high-achieving women close the Purpose Gap by understanding their unique Purpose Pattern so they can make aligned career and leadership decisions and create lives of greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon!   This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Business Owners at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  6. Jun 24

    When the Good Job Wasn't the Right Fit | Ep 285 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin. "A good opportunity can still be a wrong fit. That sounds simple, but it's not always easy to accept. A good opportunity can be very convincing. It can come with the title, the salary, and the respect from other people. You tell yourself I should be happy. I worked hard for this. And yes, gratitude matters, but gratitude is not the same thing as alignment." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: Have you ever looked successful on paper but felt disconnected from your work? In this episode, I share the career decision that taught me success and alignment are not always the same thing. If you're questioning whether a role, career, or opportunity still fits, you'll learn how to recognize the clues that something deeper may be asking for your attention before you have all the answers. You'll hear the three lessons I learned from leaving a respected leadership role, including why you don't need a complete roadmap before taking the next right step. I'm a professor, speaker, author, coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER philosophy, framework, and platform. Through Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin, I help high-achieving women close the gap between success and fulfillment so they can create lives and careers filled with meaning and purpose. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  7. Jun 17

    My First Career Decision | Ep 284 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin. "Somewhere in high school, I made a quiet decision. I decided I wanted to find work that felt meaningful and fulfilling. Again, I didn't say it exactly like that back then. I didn't have the language, but I had the knowing. I knew I wanted to enjoy my work. I knew I wanted to do something that felt connected to who I was. I knew I wanted to use my own gifts and natural abilities. I wanted them to have somewhere to go. I knew I wanted to live a life where work was not just something I survived." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you've ever achieved the goals you set for yourself but still felt something was missing, this episode will help you explore where that feeling may have started and what it could be trying to tell you. You'll hear how the experiences, people, and stories we encounter growing up can quietly shape our career choices, long before we have language for purpose, fulfillment, or alignment. You'll be invited to reflect on your own early career decisions and discover how they may still be influencing the crossroads, challenges, and opportunities you're facing today. In this episode, I share one of the earliest career decisions I ever made—a quiet decision in high school that would eventually shape the PurposeMAKER framework and the work I do today helping high-achieving women find more meaning, alignment, and fulfillment in their careers and lives. Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

  8. Jun 10

    The Work Behind the Work: Why PurposeMAKER Is More Than Career Advice | Ep 283 with Dr. Robin

    This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from myself, Dr. Robin. "Women should not have to abandon themselves in order to be successful." Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: If you've been wondering why your next career decision feels so difficult despite being successful, you'll hear a different explanation for what's really going on beneath the surface. You'll learn why making decisions based only on logic, responsibility, or what looks good on paper can leave you feeling disconnected, even when everything appears successful from the outside. You'll get an inside look at the thinking behind the PurposeMAKER framework and discover why identity, alignment, and self-trust are at the heart of making clear decisions at a career crossroads. I am a professor, speaker, author, coach, and creator of the PurposeMAKER philosophy, framework, and platform, helping high-achieving women close the gap between success and fulfillment so they can create lives and careers that feel meaningful and aligned. Join the waitlist for the Clarity Circle here at: https://robinlowens.com/waitlist Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com   Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon!   This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Creative Entrepreneurs at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

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You've done everything right. You've built the career, earned the recognition, checked all the boxes — and yet, deep down, something still feels… off. It's subtle. Hard to name. But it's there — the quiet space between your success and your sense of fulfillment. That's what I call the Purpose Gap. In Season Six of Leadership Purpose with Dr. Robin, we're exploring what the Purpose Gap is, why it happens, and how to close it — so you can create a life and work that truly reflect who you are. Through powerful conversations with high-achieving women, you'll hear real stories of turning points — moments where they stopped following someone else's definition of success and started making aligned choices that brought more meaning and authenticity into their leadership, careers, and lives. Many of us are searching for our purpose, hoping to discover the path that will bring us meaning and fulfillment. But what if your purpose isn't something you have to find out there? What if it's already within you — waiting to be expressed? That's the heart of the PurposeMAKER™ philosophy: Your purpose isn't something you find. It's something you express by living fully as who you are. If you've ever achieved the title, earned the promotion, or reached the milestone but still felt inner unfulfillment or disconnect, this season is for you. It's your invitation to understand what's been missing, to close the Purpose Gap, and to step into more profound meaning, true purpose, and lasting fulfillment in your life and work.

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