LEAD LIKE A GIRL

Jessica Smith, Coralyn Musser and Jamie Knebel
  • 5.0 (7)
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We are empowering everyday women through our stories – the good, the bad, and the funny. Join hosts Jessica, Jamie, and Coralyn as they dive into unfiltered stories, big lessons, and real conversations. They met in their 20s as ambitious sales pros, quickly rising to the top. Careers shifted, industries changed, and life threw curveballs—but their drive never wavered. Now, they’re sharing the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of balancing career, family, faith, and friendship. If you’re ready to lead, laugh, and level up, you’re in the right place!

  1. 2d ago

    Fortune 100 VP: You Will Never Feel Ready. Stop Waiting!

    Nancy Post rose to Vice President at a Fortune 100 company, and she’ll tell you she spent years talking herself out of wanting things so nobody could tell her no. Then she got pregnant young, before anyone she knew had a baby, and realized if she waited until she felt ready, she never would have done it. That voice message kicks off this episode and sets up the question Jamie, Coralyn, and Jessica spend the hour on: how often are we counting ourselves out before anyone else gets the chance? Nancy Post on talking yourself out of wanting something so a no can’t hurt you.Why “I just need a little more experience first” might be the most expensive sentence in your career.The confidence gap and why so many women wait until they feel fully qualified to go for it.Coralyn’s take that some people read a job description like a wish list while women read it like a checklist.Jessica’s midnight routine of researching, taking a LinkedIn course, and still not hitting apply.The fear nobody talks about: skipping opportunities because you don’t want to be the one who has to say no.How having people in your corner growing up shapes how much risk you’ll take as an adult.Coralyn’s college softball story and the opportunity she still thinks about.Jessica’s brand new trademark, “It Ain’t Bragging If It’s True,” and why telling your wins is a skill.Four ways to stop counting yourself out, plus the kudos file habit that gives you proof on hard days.The bottom line: if you feel ready, you probably already missed it. Go at 60%.About our guest: Nancy Post spent 28 years at John Deere, rising to Vice President of Embedded Software and Solutions, and now coaches Fortune 500 leaders. Her new book, REFRAME: From Automatic Reactions to Intentional Living, uses neuroscience and real stories to help you recognize and rebuild the patterns running your reactions. Find it at nancypostcoaching.com/book Send this to the friend who keeps saying she’ll go for it once she’s ready. Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories — the good, the bad, and the funny. leadlikeagirllab.comyoutube.com/@LeadLikeaGirlLablinkedin.com/company/leadlikeagirllab https://www.nancypostcoaching.com/

  2. Oct 21

    You've Outgrown Your Friends. Here's What Nobody Tells You.

    Some friendships have lasted longer than our marriages, careers and favorite hairstyles. But does knowing someone for 20 years automatically mean they belong in the next chapter of your life? This week on Lead Like a Girl, Jessica, Jamie and Coralyn are talking about friendships after 40, growing apart, friendship breakups and why your circle might look different as you get older. Jamie shares a powerful story about forgiveness and reconnecting with a friend during her cancer journey. Coralyn talks about learning to have her own opinions instead of always going with the flow. And Jessica asks the question that gets the conversation rolling: Who still deserves a seat at your table? We get into everything from lifelong friendships and shared values to finding new girlfriends as an adult. Because apparently, making friends after 40 is a lot like dating. Except nobody knows who's supposed to make the second move. Three takeaways: History doesn't guarantee a seat at your table. A friendship can be meaningful without remaining part of your closest circle forever. Growing apart doesn't mean someone did something wrong. Sometimes priorities, interests and seasons of life simply change. The right friends let you be fully yourself. They celebrate your wins, tell you the truth, show up when it matters and make you laugh until you can't breathe. We also talk about whether your spouse can be your best friend, why friendships need honesty and vulnerability, and the surprising challenge of making new friends as grown women. Maybe growing older isn't about having fewer friends. Maybe it's about being more intentional with the friendships you have. Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny. Connect with us:https://leadlikeagirllab.com Have you ever outgrown a friendship without a falling-out? We'd love to hear your story. Find us on social media or leave a comment on YouTube.

    You've Outgrown Your Friends. Here's What Nobody Tells You.

  3. Oct 14

    The Hidden Cost of Ambition: Are You Sacrificing Your Joy? | E127

    What if the career you've worked so hard to build is costing you the very thing that makes life worth living? We're ambitious. We're capable. We're saying yes to the projects, the promotions, the committees and everyone who needs something from us. And somewhere along the way, joy becomes something we'll get to later. In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn, Jamie and Jessica sit down with Joy St. John, former KPMG managing director, executive advisor, speaker and host of The Joyous Edge podcast, for a conversation about ambition, burnout, leadership and rediscovering joy. After 25 years working in risk and compliance, including leadership roles at some of the world's largest financial institutions, Joy made a major career change. Despite loving her work, she realized the pace of her life was taking a toll on her health, priorities and sense of purpose. Now she's helping leaders and professionals figure out how to succeed without sacrificing what matters most. Three takeaways: Stop saving joy for later. Joy doesn't have to wait until after the next promotion, project or season of life.Take a look at what you're saying yes to. Being capable of doing something doesn't mean it deserves a place on your calendar.Joy and success aren't competing priorities. Purpose, connection and a healthy team can strengthen how we lead and work.We also talk about career transitions, recognizing the signs of burnout, navigating difficult people with empathy, taking small steps through fear, and finding the courage to rethink what success looks like. Because what good is building a successful life if you're too exhausted to enjoy it? Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny. Connect with Joy St. John: Website: https://thejoyousedge.com Free introductory call: https://freejoycall.com Podcast: The Joyous Edge, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Connect with Lead Like a Girl: https://leadlikeagirllab.com If this conversation reminds you of a woman who's doing everything for everyone else, send it her way.

  4. Oct 11

    You're a Grown Woman. So Why Are You Still Acting Petty? |E126

    Ever given someone the silent treatment and convinced yourself you were taking the high road? Yeah, about that. In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn, Jessica and Jamie are talking about emotional maturity, self-control, workplace professionalism and what happens when grown women have some not-so-grown-up moments. Coralyn confesses to giving two coworkers the silent treatment for an entire five-hour road trip. Jessica admits to cleaning only her half of the bathroom to make a point. And Jamie shares why sometimes the first response that pops into your head probably shouldn't come out of your mouth. But beyond the laughs, we're asking some bigger questions. What does emotional maturity actually look like? How do you stand up for yourself without stooping to someone else's level? And why is it so hard to let things go when you know you're right? Three takeaways: Respond, don't just react. You can feel frustrated without letting those feelings decide what you say or do.Being mature doesn't mean being a pushover. You can stand your ground, own your mistakes and still treat people with respect.Ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish. Sometimes winning the argument costs you the outcome you actually wanted.From passive-aggressive emails and difficult coworkers to marriage, apologies and character growth, we're laughing at ourselves while figuring out how to do life a little better. Because growing older is automatic. Growing up? Apparently, that's still a work in progress. Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny. Connect with us:https://leadlikeagirllab.com If you've ever had a moment where your petty side won, share this episode with a friend who will appreciate the confession.

  5. Sep 30

    The Biggest Mistake We Make After Falling Off Our Goals |E125

    Did your New Year’s resolutions fall apart somewhere around January 19? You’re definitely not alone. But you don’t need to wait until January 1, next month or even Monday to start again. In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Jessica, Jamie and Coralyn talk about how to get back on track with your goals, build better habits, stay motivated and recover when you fall off. Whether you want to exercise consistently, eat healthier, save money, change careers, travel more, reconnect with friends or finally pursue a personal goal, the same principle applies: stop waiting for the perfect time to begin. We talk about why goals fail, the problem with all-or-nothing thinking, accountability, tracking progress, creating realistic goals and building a recovery plan for the days when life inevitably gets in the way. In this episode: • Why waiting until Monday keeps us stuck• How to restart a goal after falling off• Why one bad day doesn’t mean you failed• Setting smaller, realistic goals that create momentum• Tracking progress beyond the final outcome• Finding an accountability partner who actually helps• Creating habits that fit who you really are• Applying these ideas to fitness, money, careers, relationships and travel• Why “partial credit is still credit”• Building a recovery plan before you need one One of our biggest takeaways? Don’t chase the outcome. Chase the behaviors that get you to the outcome. The calendar didn’t fail you. Maybe the plan just needs to change. You still have time. Start again today. Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny. Learn more and connect with us: https://leadlikeagirllab.com If there’s one goal you’ve fallen off this year, tell us in the comments what you’re starting again. We might just hold you accountable. #Goals #Motivation #Habits #PersonalGrowth #WomenInLeadership #GoalSetting #LeadLikeAGirl

  6. Sep 23

    Why Are We So Proud of Being Busy? Boundaries, Burnout & the Pressure to Do It All | E124

    When did being exhausted become something we brag about? “I’m slammed.” “I haven’t stopped all day.” “I’m running on four hours of sleep.” In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Jamie, Jessica and Coralyn are talking about our obsession with being busy and asking a bigger question: Are we actually being productive, or have we just gotten really good at filling our time? From answering emails at 10 PM and feeling guilty about PTO to struggling to delegate, overexplaining our “no,” and even organizing the pantry when there are more important things to do, we get into the habits that keep women constantly running. We talk about setting boundaries at work and home, delegating without expecting perfection, saying no without a 10-minute explanation, making room for rest, and recognizing when busyness has become part of our identity. Three takeaways: A full calendar doesn’t necessarily mean a full life.Measure productivity by results, not activity.Every yes costs you something, so know what you’re trading your time for.And maybe the biggest reminder: You don’t get extra points for being the most exhausted person in the room. Lead Like a Girl is empowering everyday women through our stories, the good, the bad and the funny. Topics: work-life balance, burnout, busyness, productivity, time management, setting boundaries, saying no, delegation, women in leadership, career growth, working women, leadership and personal development. LeadLikeAGirlLab.com

  7. Sep 17

    I Nailed the Event. My Boss Said Nothing. | Why Does Recognition Matter More Than Your Paycheck? | E123

    She pulled off a flawless multi-day event, everything went exactly as planned, and her manager said absolutely nothing — not a text, not a thumbs up, not even a "good job" — and that silence is exactly what this episode is about. This week Coralyn, Jamie, and Jessica dig into why praise matters so much more than most leaders realize — and why a paycheck is not the same thing as recognition. They talk about the husband who asks "how does the lawn look?" after mowing it, the boss who believed a paycheck was the only "good job" you needed, and why some of us have been chasing a gold star since third grade and never stopped. They get into the psychology behind why recognition can matter as much as money, how to actually give praise that lands, whether praise should happen in public or private, and why accepting a compliment is not the same as being arrogant. If you've ever done something great and heard nothing back, or you're a leader who assumes people already know they're doing well — this one is for you. Topics covered in this episode: Why recognition and a paycheck are not the same thingThe psychology behind why people crave praiseWhether needing praise is a personality trait or a gender patternHow to give praise that actually sounds genuinePublic praise versus private praise, and when each one worksWhy accepting a compliment is a sign of confidence, not egoIf this hit home, send it to someone who needs to hear "good job" today — or to a leader who needs the reminder to say it. Follow Lead Like a Girl on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. leadlikeagirllab.com youtube.com/@LeadLikeaGirlLab linkedin.com/company/leadlikeagirllab

  8. Sep 9

    No Talent Required: Lynne Ghelfi on the Real Skills Behind Leadership and Influence |E122

    Lynne Ghelfi spent 15 years leading in a male-dominated industry with zero natural talent for it — and she says that's exactly why it worked. Lynne never waited for a title to catch up to her influence — in this episode she breaks down why courage and consistency beat raw talent every time, why tough conversations are a leadership skill and not just an awkward moment to survive, and why "courage is doing it scared" isn't a motivational poster line but something she practiced daily. We get into mentorship, community, and the soft skills that get dismissed as "nice to have" until someone realizes they're actually the whole game — Lynne shares stories of resilience that will make you rethink what leadership potential looks like on paper versus in real life, and why promotions built on tenure instead of leadership skill are quietly holding good people back. If you've ever felt like you needed permission or a promotion before you were allowed to lead, this episode is your permission slip — send it to the woman on your team who's already leading, title or not. Connect with Lynne Ghelfi: soleilleadership.com | linkedin.com/in/lynne-b-ghelfi-3882b364 leadlikeagirllab.com - youtube.com/@LeadLikeaGirlLab - linkedin.com/company/leadlikeagirllab

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5
out of 5
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About

We are empowering everyday women through our stories – the good, the bad, and the funny. Join hosts Jessica, Jamie, and Coralyn as they dive into unfiltered stories, big lessons, and real conversations. They met in their 20s as ambitious sales pros, quickly rising to the top. Careers shifted, industries changed, and life threw curveballs—but their drive never wavered. Now, they’re sharing the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of balancing career, family, faith, and friendship. If you’re ready to lead, laugh, and level up, you’re in the right place!

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Smith, Coralyn Musser and Jamie Knebel
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jessica Smith, Coralyn Musser and Jamie Knebel
  • Show Website
    LEAD LIKE A GIRL

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