Heartbeat For Hire with Lyndsay Dowd

Lyndsay Dowd
  • 5.0 (70)
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  • Updated Weekly

The Heartbeat for Hire Podcast was created to inspire leaders on how to get through the most difficult of circumstances. I feature CEOs, Olympians, Professional Athletes, Authors, Disruptors, Emmy Winning Journalists and more as they share their stories of resilience with my lens on leadership and culture. My guests share their vulnerability and lessons learned so those of you who have never had a good leader can see the possible in the way they lead. My goal is to transform leadership as we know it and this podcast features the best of the best in showing you the way.

  1. 207: Midlifology: Turn Your Breakdown Into Your Blueprint with Wendy Valentine

    3d ago

    207: Midlifology: Turn Your Breakdown Into Your Blueprint with Wendy Valentine

    Wendy Valentine is an internationally published author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play, an inspiring book that became a #1 Amazon New Release, Founder of Midlifology™, and Keynote Speaker. She's also the host of the top 1% globally ranked podcast, The Midlife Makeover Show, inspiring women worldwide to embrace midlife as a powerful new beginning.   After navigating divorce, menopause, job loss, debt, and an empty nest—all at once—Wendy stopped living on autopilot and started designing a life that finally felt like her own. Her journey from breakdown to breakthrough fuels everything she does.   Today, Wendy empowers women to kick fear to the curb, reconnect with their purpose, and create bold, joy-fueled lives. She's been featured on Good Day New York, CBS News Los Angeles, NBC News Philadelphia, and numerous top-rated podcasts and media outlets, where she shares her empowering message that midlife isn't a crisis—it's a catalyst.   Splitting her time between Portugal and traveling the USA in her RV, Wendy is living proof that life gets better—not smaller—with age.   🌐 Website: wendyvalentine.com 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @hellowendyvalentine   Episode Summary:   In this episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with Wendy Valentine, founder of Midlifeology, #1 Amazon new release author, keynote speaker, and host of a top 1% globally ranked podcast. Wendy shares her raw, honest journey from a childhood shaped by abandonment to a midlife pile-up at age 46 that left her staring at a stranger in the mirror — broke, sick, divorced, and alone. Instead of disappearing, she made a bold decision: she would bet on herself.   Key Takeaways:   - Rock bottom can be a launchpad - You can't connect the dots looking forward - The greatest abandonment is self-abandonment - Midlifeology is about self-study, not crisis - Give yourself permission to pivot - The number one regret of the dying is living for everyone else   Episode Chapters:   00:00 Teaser — Three things you'll learn from this episode 00:35 Welcome & guest introduction: Who is Wendy Valentine? 01:54 Connecting the dots: Wendy's story begins 02:26 Little Wendy — childhood, intuition, and abandonment 04:12 Fast-forward to 46: the midlife pile-up 05:57 The mirror moment — not recognizing herself 06:19 The breakdown, the vision, and the RV dream 08:02 The crossroads: stay comfortable or chase the dream 09:18 The comeback — real estate, $45M in sales, debt-free 10:07 Healing little Wendy: therapy, yoga, journaling 11:34 Getting the RV and quitting the job 14:46 What is Midlifeology? 17:04 Midlife losses as pivots, not endings 18:25 Life is short — no woulda, shoulda, couldas 19:45 From the RV to Portugal: how Madeira became home 21:06 Living with less — from 5,000 sq ft to 100 23:05 Sponsor break — Cozy Earth 23:39 Back to Portugal: 9–10 months a year on the island 24:06 RV life, Felicia, and US national parks 25:07 What is Women Waking Up? 25:29 What inspires Wendy 26:16 Wendy's legacy: making people smile 26:39 What's next: video podcast, keynote speaking & Netflix dreams 27:08 Where to find Wendy 27:34 Closing thoughts

    28 min
  2. 206: The Right Room Changes Everything with Meghann Conter

    Jun 3

    206: The Right Room Changes Everything with Meghann Conter

    Meet Meghann Conter, CEO and Visionary of The Dames — the only global business accelerator for 6-, 7-, and 8-figure right-scaling their businesses without sacrificing themselves. Through curated high-caliber connection, strategic scaling Think Tank Circles aligned to revenue stage, and high-caliber collaborations that builds credibility, sharpens strategy, and accelerates results. The Dames helps high-performing women right-size their businesses, amplify their impact, and do it all with radical collaboration, joy, and zero burnout. Because success isn't about being in all the rooms — it's about going deep in the right rooms. And for the women we serve, that room is The Dames.   Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghannconter/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/18630915 https://www.instagram.com/thedamesco https://www.instagram.com/meghannconter https://www.facebook.com/thedamesco   Episode Summary:   In this episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with Meghann Conter, CEO and Visionary of The Dames — the only global business accelerator connecting women at the top of six, seven, and eight-figure businesses. Meghann shares how she went from running a marketing agency and hustling five nights a week just to fill her pipeline, to building a thriving peer community rooted in radical collaboration, intentional growth, and joy.   Meghann challenges the outdated hustle-and-grind model that was built by men, for men, and makes the case for a new paradigm of business — one where women define success on their own terms, scale at their own pace, and win together instead of competing. She introduces The Dames' core philosophy: move beyond referrals and networking to become true "power partners" and "golden geese" for one another.   Key Takeaways:   - Being in all the rooms costs you everything - Pick one or two rooms — and go deep - Right scaling beats just scaling - Stop chasing golden eggs; find your golden geese - Women were conditioned to compete. It's time to unlearn that - Your nervous system matters more than your revenue number - Your "why" needs to come from within   Episode Chapters:   00:00 Cold Open — The Cost of Being in All the Rooms 00:28 What You'll Learn Today (3 Key Promises) 00:46 Welcome to Heartbeat for Hire 01:01 Introducing Meghann Conter & The Dames 01:58 Meghann's Story — From Marketing Agency to Global Accelerator 03:50 Why 2020 Was a Turning Point for The Dames0 5:00 The Problem with "I Have to Be Everywhere" 05:55 The Real Cost of Showing Up in All the Rooms 07:03 Why Spreading Yourself Thin Is the Worst Strategy 08:50 How The Dames Structures Community (Just 2–3 Hours/Month) 09:57 The Business Milestones: $100K, $250K, $500K, Seven & Eight Figures 12:07 Radical Collaboration — What It Is & Why It's Your Unfair Advantage 13:33 Golden Eggs vs. Golden Geese: A New Way to See Your Network 14:11 Power Partners - Referral Partners 15:52 Stop Seeing Other Women as Competitors 16:33 Right Scaling vs. Wrong Scaling 17:09 Redefining Success on Your Own Terms  19:04 Nervous System Regulation & Profits Over Revenue Vanity 20:47 Listener Shoutout & Podcast Awards 21:24 What's Inspiring Meghann Right Now 21:38 Meghann's Legacy: More Women Looking Inward 23:37 Where to Find Meghann & The Dames 24:02 What's Next — Funference (October 7–10, Denver) 24:31 How to Join The Dames 25:24 Closing Thoughts

    26 min
  3. 205: Speak So They Listen with Nausheen Chen

    May 27

    205: Speak So They Listen with Nausheen Chen

    Nausheen I. Chen is a 3-time TEDx speaker, a Public Speaking instructor for the Executive MBA program at Central European University and Wesleyan, and a LinkedIn Learning Instructor with 600,000+ followers across LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.   Nausheen coaches leaders at Google, Amazon, NASA and the UN as well as startup founders to speak fearlessly. Her clients have raised more than $115 million through winning investor pitches and successful exits. You can connect with her on: nausheen@speaking.coach.   Summary:   Public speaking coach Nausheen Chen joins Lyndsay Dowd to break down the real reasons people freeze under the spotlight — and the practical framework she uses to turn nervous executives and introverted entrepreneurs into compelling, confident communicators.   Key takeaways:   - Nervousness on camera isn't a personality flaw - The three-level speaking framework - Better pitching = better deals - Authenticity is the strategy   Episode chapters:   0:00 Intro & episode preview 1:03 Nausheen's origin story 3:33 From filmmaker to speaking coach 6:06 The purple hair strategy 9:39 Speaking to investors: a $65M case study 14:18 Know your story before you tell it 16:39 The speaker's toolkit: voice, energy & body language 20:47 What inspires Nausheen 22:52 Legacy, ideal clients & what's next 24:49 Final advice & how to connect

    27 min
  4. 204: From Broadway to the Boardroom: The Art of Real Connection with Renée Marino

    May 20

    204: From Broadway to the Boardroom: The Art of Real Connection with Renée Marino

    Renée Marino is a dynamic International Keynote Speaker, Host, and Connection Expert who helps leaders and entrepreneurs communicate confidently and authentically to create real connection that leads to powerful opportunities.   With over 30 years of experience mastering communication under pressure, Renée brings a rare perspective shaped on some of the world's biggest stages. She is best known for her role as Mary Delgado in Clint Eastwood's Jersey Boys film and for her work across Broadway productions including West Side Story, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Chaplin, and Wonderland.   Connect with Renee Marino:   Website: www.renemarino.com Instagram: @iamreneemarino LinkedIn: @RenéeMarino   Visit here for more: https://book.glamandgritevent.com/home   Episode Summary:   In this conversation, Renee shares the raw story of how she almost missed her once-in-a-lifetime film opportunity because she was too afraid to speak up — and how that moment became the foundation of her entire philosophy on communication. She also opens up about her journey from Broadway to co-hosting Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi's global events, how she built her business from scratch during COVID by simply showing up as herself on video, and the mindset shift that makes confident communication available to anyone — on any stage, in any room.   If you've ever shrunk when you should have owned it, or wondered why your message isn't landing the way you meant it to, this episode is your reset.   Key Takeaways:   - Speaking up can change everything - Human connection is your edge in an AI world - Most leaders are talking at people, not with them - Nerves are just excitement with a different label - Showing up consistently — as yourself — opens doors - Vulnerability builds trust - Regret is the worst outcome   Episode Chapters:   0:00 Teaser – Why human connection beats AI 0:24 Episode intro & three things you'll learn 0:59 Guest intro: Who is Renee Marino? 2:06 Renee's story: From Italian kitchen table to Broadway 3:53 What it really takes to make it on Broadway 4:50 The Clint Eastwood moment — Jersey Boys on film 6:28 The audition she almost didn't get 7:44 Speaking up in the room and landing the role 9:33 Lessons from lunching with Clint Eastwood every day 11:24 The truth revealed: Clint had requested her all along 13:26 The "if you don't ask, you don't get" philosophy 14:13 Transitioning from Broadway to speaking & coaching 15:02 How Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi came into the picture 16:32 Going viral on video in a COVID Facebook group 18:02 Winning five days at Tony Robbins' Fiji resort by just showing up 19:11 Co-hosting Dean's world summit & joining Tony's team 21:29 3 tips to show up better on camera 21:40 Tip 1 – Treat the camera like a friend 22:38 Tip 2 – Reframe nerves as excitement 23:26 Tip 3 – It's not about you, it's about service 24:20 Bonus tip: It's not about perfection, it's about connection 27:22 What inspires Renee 28:10 Renee's legacy 28:33 What's next: The Glam & Grit women's event 30:40 Where to find Renee & closing words

    32 min

  5. May 13

    203: You're Not Burned Out. You're Misaligned. with Blake Schofield

    Blake Schofield works with successful leaders and founders who feel drained, unfulfilled, and like their success doesn't feel the way it should—even though everything looks right on paper.   After 18 years as a top-performing Fortune 500 executive—including turning around a $130M business at Target from –25% sales to positive growth for the first time in over a decade, delivering $7.5M in profit over plan, and building a new division at Stitch Fix to a 75,000-person waitlist in 11 months—she realized something most high performers don't see:   They're not actually solving the root problem—and it's not because something is wrong with them. So they change jobs, start new businesses, go to therapy, hire coaches, or push through… but nothing actually fixes it. Because the issue isn't effort or capability.   Episode Summary:   Blake Schofield spent 18 years climbing the corporate ladder at Fortune 500 companies — leading turnarounds, scaling new divisions, and delivering results most executives only dream of. But behind the impressive résumé was a pattern she couldn't shake: six to nine months of excitement with every new role, followed by burnout, drain, and the nagging feeling that something was still missing.   What she discovered in the years that followed changed everything. The problem wasn't the jobs, the bosses, or the industry — it was misalignment. And after investing over half a million dollars and tens of thousands of hours into understanding why traditional approaches fall short, she developed a framework around three core areas of misalignment that keep talented people stuck.   Key Takeaways:   - Changing jobs doesn't fix misalignment - Your natural wiring is unique - Most of our beliefs were formed before age 7 - Environment matters more than we think - Asking for help is a strength - Trust the unsettled feeling   Episode Chapters:   [00:00:00] — Cold Open: The Power of Beliefs  [00:00:48] — What You'll Learn Today [00:01:08] — Welcome & Guest Introduction [00:02:22] — Blake's Story: From Psychology to Corporate to Burnout [00:05:03] — The Breaking Point at Stitch Fix [00:07:30] — The Misalignment Framework: Why the Same Cycles Keep Repeating [00:10:41] — Misalignment #1: How You're Naturally Wired to Thrive [00:14:59] — Misalignment #2: Beliefs and Conditioning [00:17:37] — Shining the Mirror: Blake's Coaching Philosophy [00:19:11] — Misalignment #3: Environment [00:20:53] — Who Blake Works With [00:21:20] — What Inspires Blake [00:23:31] — Blake's Podcast: Impact with Ease [00:25:39] — The Entrepreneurship Wake-Up Call [00:29:35] — Final Takeaways from Blake [00:30:52] — Outro & Show Close

    32 min

  6. May 6 ·  Video

    202: Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret in Your Industry with Kait LeDonne

    Kait LeDonne is a New York-based personal branding strategist and LinkedIn coach who helps thought leaders, executives, and corporate teams turn expertise into visible authority, influence, and qualified deal flow. She is a featured instructor for CNBC Make It's "How to Build a Standout Personal Brand," bringing practical executive-grade playbooks to a broad audience.   Her LinkedIn audience and "Build a Brand" newsletter community exceed 80,000 professionals. She has delivered training for organizations, including the United States Air Force and Kia. Listed by Favikon among the Top Personal Branding Influencers in the U.S., Kait is frequently cited in the media for clear, results-driven personal brand strategies professionals can sustain.   Connect with Kait LeDonne:   Website: www.kaitledonne.com Linkedin: @kaitledonne   Episode Summary:   In this episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with New York-based personal branding strategist Kait LeDonne — a LinkedIn coach with 80,000+ followers, CNBC contributor, and newsletter founder — to break down exactly how executives, consultants, and thought leaders can stop being the best-kept secret in their industry. Kait shares how she went from a corporate marketing role to launching her own business within 90 days, all powered by LinkedIn. The conversation covers LinkedIn's newest AI-driven algorithm, the three content pillars every professional needs, and how to convert visibility into real revenue — without ever feeling salesy.   Key takeaways:   Your expertise is already there — the gap is visibility, and the key is clarity. You don't need more credentials; you need a clearer message.  Personal branding isn't about being everywhere. It's about being unmistakable somewhere. Pick two to three topics and own them consistently. LinkedIn isn't just a resume — it's a revenue channel. Turning on your Services section, showcasing packages, and adding a soft CTA in posts can quietly drive real deal flow. Don't confuse engagement with your niche. A viral personal story proves you're human, not that you should pivot your entire brand toward it. Think like a reporter covering your own career. Your daily work is more fascinating to outsiders than you think — mine your schedule for content instead of waiting for big wins.   Episode chapters:   0:00 Cold open & episode preview 0:44 Introducing Kait LeDonne 2:11 Kait's origin story 4:50 Personality on LinkedIn — the three Ps framework 9:21 Three tactical tips for LinkedIn beginners 13:21 LinkedIn as a revenue channel 16:23 What most people get wrong — the reporter mindset 19:31 LinkedIn video — what's really happening 23:29 Kait's ideal clients & what makes brands fly 25:38 What inspires Kait — and her legacy 28:03 Where to find Kait

    29 min

  7. May 1 ·  Video

    Leading with Heart- 200th Episode Special

    In this special episode of Heartbeat for Hire, Lyndsay steps into the guest seat to celebrate a massive milestone: the show's 200th episode. Interviewed by Emmy-winning journalist Cristina Mendonsa, Lyndsay reflects on the journey of growing her podcast. The core takeaway: leading with heart isn't a soft skill, but a requirement for success in today's world. KEY POINTS - The Core Mission: How Lyndsay started the show and used it to share real-world examples of great leadership. - Leading with Heart: Lyndsay's core philosophy. Heart-centred leadership is not "fluffy"; it's an approach that drives real ROI. - The "Reformed A*****e": The story of a leader who moved from fear tactics to vulnerability. - The Power of Curiosity: The "secret sauce" for the podcast. How Lyndsay became a master connector for her audience. - Don't Be Precious with Episode One: Lyndsay's advice for new creators. TIMESTAMPS 1:26 The unexpected joy of building friendships with guests  2:20 The "why" behind Heartbeat for Hire 4:56 The common theme: 99% of successful guests lead with heart 9:56 Lessons from Mark Peters on community and employee resources  14:05 Don't be precious with the first episode 16:25 The emotional impact of audience support 19:48 Thoughts on her legacy ____________________________________________________ Lyndsay Dowd is a Speaker, Founder, Author, Coach, Podcast Host—and unapologetic Disruptor. With 25+ years of leadership experience, including 23 years rising through the ranks at IBM, she's built and led high-performing, diverse sales teams that consistently delivered results. She's also served as a Guest Lecturer at Harvard University, sharing her insights on modern leadership and culture transformation. As the founder of Heartbeat for Hire, Lyndsay helps companies ditch toxic leadership and build irresistible cultures that drive performance, retention, and impact. She's been featured in Fortune Magazine, Authority Magazine, HR.com, ABC, NBC, FOX, and over 90 podcasts. Lyndsay is a two-time author of Top Down Culture and Voices of Women, and the host of the globally ranked Heartbeat for Hire podcast—sitting in the top 2.5% worldwide. She's a frequent speaker, moderator, and guest, known for her candor, humor, and ability to spark action. I love to reward my loyal listeners with great deals. Use code LEADWITHHEART at any of these brands and find the deepest discounts you can find anywhere! https://MyDeals.Page/19c3 Connect with me on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaydowdh4h/ Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/lyndsaydowdh4h/ Follow my Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/LyndsayDowdH4H Follow me on Tiktok! https://www.tiktok.com/@lyndsaydowdh4h #Leadership #HeartbeatForHire #BusinessCulture #PodcastMilestone #EmployeeEngagement #AuthenticLeadership #Resilience #ManagementTips #LeadingWithHeart #ProfessionalGrowth

    24 min

  8. Apr 29

    200: The CEO Who Scaled It All — and Why Culture Was Always the Secret with David Gorsuch

    David Gorsuch is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with 30+ years of experience leading high growth companies across finance, technology, and services. He has a proven track record of scaling businesses from early-stage startups to successful acquisitions, with 4 strategic exits and leadership roles spanning CEO, COO, and VP-level positions.   David has built and transformed companies at every stage - from pre-revenue startups to late-stage enterprises - driving exponential revenue growth, operational excellence, and leadership development. He has worked with bootstrapped ventures, private equity-backed firms, and public companies, including Amazon, Boeing, D+H, and Demandbase. His leadership impact includes:   High-Growth Leadership - Scaled multiple businesses, leading to exits at 10x–16x EBITDA Operational & Strategic Excellence - Launched innovative platforms in FinTech, AI, and SaaS Leadership & Talent Development - Coached and advised thousands of leaders, from first-time managers to senior executives and board members Entrepreneurial & Business Acumen - Deep experience in M&A, GTM strategy, and business transformation   Connect with David: 📌 LinkedIn : @davidgorsuch   Heartbeat for Hire has been nominated for its 4th award- Best Business Podcast from Women in Podcasting. Please vote at this link. It's 1 vote per email. We are so grateful for your support! Thank you!   https://www.womenpodcasters.com/lyndsay-dowd   Episode Summary:   To mark her 200th episode, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with her friend and collaborator David Gorsuch — a rare executive with 30+ years of building, scaling, and exiting companies across finance, technology, and wellness. David has held leadership roles at Amazon, Boeing, and four privately exited companies, and is now channeling everything he's learned into something he's most excited about yet.   Key Takeaways:   Culture isn't soft — it's strategy. People follow leaders, not systems. The gap isn't always intentional. Know when to pass the baton. Don't lose yourself in the grind. Your body keeps the score. In the age of AI, humanity is the differentiator. Heart and head have to work together.   Episode Chapters:   00:00 Cold open — your body keeps the score 00:22 Three things you'll learn today 00:52 Guest introduction: Who is David Gorsuch? 02:10 David's story — from Alaska to 30+ years of scaling companies 04:41 What David sees in every organization: the culture gap 07:30 The paradigm shift happening in leadership right now 09:00 The "felt sense" — why leaders can't name what's missing 14:22 Connecting heart and head: what great leadership actually looks like 15:53 Lessons from four exits — succession, identity, and knowing when to let go 20:00 The post-exit identity crisis no one talks about 22:35 David's most courageous decision: stepping down 24:21 Mid-episode break + listener shout-out + partner sponsors 25:20 What's coming next: the culture transformation collective 26:36 How Limitless Minds shaped David's vision 27:00 Introducing the new global collective with Pamela Matson 30:01 Building from love, heart, and care — not just frameworks 31:52 What inspires David: human resilience 33:29 What legacy looks like for David 35:01 Where to find David + closing thoughts

    36 min
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5
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

The Heartbeat for Hire Podcast was created to inspire leaders on how to get through the most difficult of circumstances. I feature CEOs, Olympians, Professional Athletes, Authors, Disruptors, Emmy Winning Journalists and more as they share their stories of resilience with my lens on leadership and culture. My guests share their vulnerability and lessons learned so those of you who have never had a good leader can see the possible in the way they lead. My goal is to transform leadership as we know it and this podcast features the best of the best in showing you the way.

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