Leading With Heart

Christina Mattison
  • 5.0 (14)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Prioritizing self-care and work/life balance can feel impossible in the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "embrace the suck" military culture. It's time to change the narrative - together! The Leading With Heart podcast is your go-to resource for how to find happiness, peace, and true success amidst the high demands of military life. With research-based tools and expert interviews, these episodes will change your life. Join host Christina Mattison as she teaches you the skills and mindset needed to take excellent care of yourself, so you can prevent burnout, take excellent care of your people, and shift the culture around self-care and well-being in the military.

  1. 1D AGO

    Your Body Isn't The Problem - It's The Messenger

    Are you getting everything done… but internally you feel fried? If you’re productive on the outside but operating in survival mode on the inside, snapping more easily, feeling scattered, exhausted, or quietly burned out, this episode is for you. Christina gets real about energy management in the middle of real life (including a week of solo parenting) and unpacks why so many high-functioning women push through their body’s warning signs until they crash. In this conversation, you’ll learn how to recognize your personal energy patterns, stop overriding your nervous system, and build simple recovery rhythms into your daily life, not just your annual vacation. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about sustaining your performance without sacrificing yourself in the process. In This Episode: The 4 Energy Zones (Performance, Survival, Burnout, and Recovery) and how to identify where you’re livingWhy military and leadership culture conditions us to override our bodiesThe difference between pushing through when it’s necessary vs. when it’s harmfulHow to recognize your personal warning signs before burnout hitsWhy recovery isn’t weakness, it’s part of the performance cycleSimple 2–5 minute “downshift rituals” you can start todayIf you’ve been operating in high-functioning survival mode for too long, this episode will help you tune back in, rebuild self-trust, and create small, sustainable rhythms that protect your energy. RESOURCES: High-Yield Self Care Guide: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode91 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    31 min

  2. FEB 25

    Triple Your Self-Care Return on Investment

    Have you ever done all the “right” self-care things, taken the bath, bought a planner, scheduled the massage, and still felt completely exhausted? In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens. Most women aren’t bad at self-care. We’re just investing in practices that don’t actually restore us. In a culture that praises hustle, sacrifice, and pushing through (hello, military life), it’s easy to lose touch with our own needs. Over time, we forget how to answer the question: What do I actually need right now? I introduce the concept of low-yield vs. high-yield self-care, and why high-yield practices are deeply personal, discovered through reflection and experimentation, not copied from the internet. When you learn to identify your unmet needs and choose practices that truly replenish you, everything shifts. You regain capacity. You regain energy. You regain hope. In This Episode: Why popular self-care trends often leave you feeling the same The difference between low-yield and high-yield self-care How military culture and life experiences disconnect you from your needs Why meeting your needs is not selfish, it’s essential A simple way to evaluate your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual buckets How to approach self-care with curiosity instead of judgment RESOURCES: High-Yield Self Care Guide: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode90 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    25 min

  3. FEB 11

    You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle Your Way to Change

    Hey friend, in today’s episode, we’re talking about something I see all the time (and yes, I do it too): white knuckling change. You know the drill, forcing new habits with pressure, discipline, rigid rules, and a whole lot of self-criticism… and then wondering why it never seems to stick. If you’re capable, driven, committed to growth, and maybe just a little Type A (hello, same), this episode is for you. We’re unpacking why trying to force yourself into change often backfires, especially when your nervous system is already stressed and overwhelmed. I share why force doesn’t feel motivating to many of us, it feels like pressure, and how that pressure actually creates resistance instead of consistency. We’ll talk about a different approach to change, one rooted in softness, nervous system regulation, and self-support instead of shame and intensity. This doesn’t mean lowering your standards or giving up on growth. It means learning how to work with yourself instead of against yourself, so change becomes sustainable and supportive rather than exhausting. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of starting over, beating yourself up, and trying again “on Monday,” this episode offers a kinder, more effective way forward. In This Episode: What it really means to “white knuckle” change, and why so many of us default to itWhy discipline and pressure can actually dysregulate your nervous systemHow force creates resistance instead of motivationWhat softness is (and what it is not) when it comes to growthThe difference between intensity and sustainability RESOURCES: Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode89 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    24 min

  4. JAN 28

    Why I’m Choosing Identity Over Goals This Year

    In this episode of Leading With Heart, Christina shares a personal life update and invites you into a quieter, more reflective conversation about transition, identity, and what it means to lead yourself well in demanding seasons. After a major move, a new role, and a full family transition, she opens up about resisting the urge to rush, hustle, or “figure everything out” and instead choosing to listen inward, soften her approach, and let herself truly land where she is. This episode isn’t about big goals or dramatic overhauls. It’s about asking different questions. Christina reflects on the words that surfaced for her this year, soft and settled, and how they’re shaping the way she shows up as a leader, a parent, and a human navigating change. If you’re in a season of transition, feeling stretched, or craving a slower, more grounded way forward, this conversation offers permission to pause, reflect, and realign with who you’re becoming. In This Episode: Why “service before self” eventually becomes service at the detriment of selfMoving through leadership, work, and life with softness instead of tension and white-knucklingWhat it looks like to regulate your nervous system instead of rushing to prove yourselfParenting and leading others through change without fixing or minimizing their emotionsThe difference between setting goals and choosing an identity-based approach to growthWhy it’s never too late in the year to reflect, reset, and realignRESOURCES: Identity Statement Resource: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/de6f72ebb6 SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christ Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    29 min

  5. JAN 8

    Rethinking Resolutions: Embracing Identity-Based Change

    How many times have you declared a New Year’s resolution, only for it to collect dust by the end of January? Many of us are guilty of this - me included! In fact, only about 9% of people who create a resolution follow through with it. The problem? We often set unrealistic goals for ourselves that ultimately set us up for failure.  In this episode I am sharing why I no longer set resolutions, and what I do instead. We are talking about embracing identity-based change inspired by the book "Atomic Habits" written by James Clear. For real change to happen, understanding your motivation for change is crucial. What’s your WHY? Shifting your identity and pursuing an “Inside-Out” approach to change will help you not just accomplish your goals, but create long-lasting beliefs about who you are.  Tune in for some tips and strategies to make 2024 your best year yet, and become the person that you truly want to be! Want some extra support? Join my “Atomic Habits” Book Club that launches at the beginning of January! We’ll hold each other accountable, and crush our goals together. RESOURCES: Download the app! https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app https://leadyourlife.passion.io/checkout/e22ff9a1-506c-4c95-ad22-2a548f1d4dcc SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode87 Atomic Habits - James Clear North Start Meditation & Craft a Personalized Identity Statement Worksheet: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.ck.page/de6f72ebb6 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com (https://www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com/) Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    36 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Taking Life One Year at a Time: Redefining Success, Purpose, and Transition with Misty Moreno

    In this rich and heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by the incredible Misty Moreno, 20-year Air Force veteran, marketing manager at Vets2PM, podcast host, instructor, author, and a woman who has mastered the art of designing a life on her own terms. Misty’s story is one of courage, clarity, and deep self-awareness. After a powerful turning point in her military career, she made the bold decision to retire with just one year’s notice, and that moment reshaped her entire philosophy on success, identity, and purpose. In this episode: Why “one-year-at-a-time” living may be the most grounding approach you’ve never triedHow to define a lifestyle you actually want, not the one the military or society tells you to wantWhat it takes to transition with confidence, both logistically and mentallyThe mindset shifts that allow you to choose purpose over pressureHer five powerful life lessons from the military that still hold true todayHow to make your career a part of your life, not your whole identityThe unexpected gift of contentment, and why striving isn’t always the answer RESOURCES: Connect with Misty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-moreno?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Website: vets2pm.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistylmoreno/ SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode86 Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    1h 2m

  7. 11/12/2025

    Trusting Yourself Through Understanding Your Parts - Interview with Coach Chrissy Marie

    Today I am joined by MY coach Chrissy Marie! Chrissy is an embodiment coach who helps high achievers let go of people-pleasing and perfectionism and find joy in their lives. Her coaching incorporates inner child healing and the Internal Family Systems model to foster trust and communication among different aspects of oneself.  Today Chrissy dives into common parts that her clients often struggle with: the fixer, the perfectionist, the protector, the pleaser. Chrissy believes that when we get to know and understand our inner community, we are able to come home to our inner, wise Self - where we embody curiosity, compassion, contentment, confidence, and clarity.  Chrissy will encourage you to look inward and appreciate each part of yourself. She leads us through a powerful exercise on how to do this called “Airing Out the House.” This exercise will help to promote self-compassion, eliminate shame, and connect to your higher self. RESOURCES: Connect with Coach Chrissy: Website: Theartofaliveness.com (https://www.theartofaliveness.com/) Email: hello@theartofaliveness.com Instagram: @Comealivewithchrissy (https://www.instagram.com/comealivewithchrissy/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cmtucciarone Find more of Coach Chrissy’s links over on the shownotes page!  SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode19 Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    45 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Leading Through Change, Part 2: The Human Side of Change with Criss Moody

    In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Christina and guest Criss Moody continue exploring what it means to lead people, not just processes, through change. Picking up where Part 1 left off, this episode dives deeper into the human side of leadership: how emotions, empathy, and psychological safety influence whether change succeeds or falls apart. Criss shares insights from her research on the Bridges Transition Model and Kotter’s Leading Change, emphasizing that transformation isn’t just about strategy or structure, it’s about connection. When leaders take time to earn trust, validate emotions, and communicate the “why” behind every shift, they cultivate lasting buy-in and resilience across their teams. We unpack what it looks like to navigate resistance, build environments where people feel safe to speak up, and use empathy as a leadership superpower, not a weakness. In this episode: Why psychological safety is the foundation for effective changeHow empathy strengthens communication and trustThe difference between addressing emotions and being ruled by themThe unique challenges military leaders face when leading changeHow to leverage emotional intelligence and structure together for lasting impactCriss also shares how women can embrace their natural strengths, empathy, collaboration, and emotional awareness, as superpowers that elevate modern leadership. Whether you’re leading through policy shifts, organizational restructuring, or culture change, this episode will remind you that the most effective leadership begins with heart. RESOURCES: Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press. Bridges, W., & Bridges, S. (2016). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change (4th ed.). Da Capo Lifelong Books. Criss Moody Research Paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-tAmIMdUaU8g9v_FZT310Eoh4drDVlL/view?usp=sharing Join the Strong and Resilient Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/336774597179247 SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode84 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

    35 min
See All (92)

Trailer

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Prioritizing self-care and work/life balance can feel impossible in the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "embrace the suck" military culture. It's time to change the narrative - together! The Leading With Heart podcast is your go-to resource for how to find happiness, peace, and true success amidst the high demands of military life. With research-based tools and expert interviews, these episodes will change your life. Join host Christina Mattison as she teaches you the skills and mindset needed to take excellent care of yourself, so you can prevent burnout, take excellent care of your people, and shift the culture around self-care and well-being in the military.

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Mattison
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leading With Heart
  • Show Website
    Leading With Heart