A LOT with Audra

Audra Dinell
  • 5.0 (48)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

"A LOT with Audra" is the podcast for women juggling big dreams and full lives. Each episode, host, Audra Dinell, Midwestern wife, mom and neurodivergent multi-six figure entrepreneur encourages women to embrace their many roles holistically by living a values-based life with confidence and joy. Through candid discussions, practical strategies and inspiring stories, this podcast is your guide to designing and achieving success without losing yourself in the process.

  1. 3d ago

    85. What's Next for The Thread

    Yes, we are still friends. No, the band is not breaking up.  Are you really ready to let go of something that isn't broken? That's the question at the heart of this episode, as Audra sits down with Kendra and Kristen to share the news: after 11 cohorts in Wichita and 3 in Kansas City, The Thread is holding one final cohort before evolving into something new—an alum-first community. They get into the "why" behind the pivot, the mixed public reaction, and what's coming for The Thread's 300+ alumnae in 2027. Highlights The Thread will run one last cohort (Cohort 12) from October through March, with a welcome party in the spring for alum and new membersAfter a year of curiosity and "itchy" feelings about what's next, the team decided to pause cohorts and double down on alum programmingA "what if" brainstorming session sparked the idea: what if The Thread centered on alum instead of cohorts?A summer listening session with ~30 alumnae from Cohorts 1–11 confirmed the demand for deeper alum community and supportNew alum offerings in the works include mastermind groups and revamped book clubsThe mission stays the same—building confidence and community—but the focus shifts from delivering a program to alumnae to engaging with them directlyThe team addresses public reaction (a mix of excitement and confusion) versus the alum community's overwhelmingly positive responseThey answer the most common question they've gotten: "Are the three of you still friends?" (Yes.) Chapters 0:00 – Welcome and Updates 1:51 – Why Change Now 4:52 – Final Cohort Details 5:42 – Public Reaction and Emotions 10:35 – Alum Momentum and Vision 11:22 – What If Alum First 12:51 – Listening Session Insights 16:18 – New Alum Programming Plans 20:18 – Still Friends 21:22 – Join Cohort 12 and Next Steps 23:56 – I will be the Jessica Biel to your JT Resources Mentioned Cohort 12 (deadline to apply: September 25, 2026) Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  2. Aug 10

    84. 3 Leadership Lessons from the Global Leadership Summit

    What does it look like to stop running from tension and start letting it fuel you? Fresh off two full days at the Global Leadership Summit in Wichita, I'm sharing the lessons that hit me hardest — the kind that make you reconsider the way you've been thinking about discomfort, uncertainty, and what freedom actually means. I'm also throwing in a bonus lesson from a kid-free night and Season 4 of Ted Lasso, because sometimes the most profound wisdom shows up in the most unexpected places. Highlights Why tension isn't something to escape — it's the fuel that drives growthHow to reframe the tension between ambition and real life demands (contentment vs. ambition, work vs. family, self vs. craft)The concept of "the fog" — why uncertainty is a universal human experience, not a personal failureWhy you should avoid big, irreversible decisions when you're in a foggy seasonThe power of looking down at your feet and taking just the next right stepJim Collins' reframe of freedom: not the ability to do anything, but the ability to choose your responsibilitiesBen Franklin's second act — and why 53% of his biographies cover his life after age 60Why self-renewal is a leadership responsibility, not a luxuryA (mostly spoiler-free) lesson from Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 1 on taking bold leaps Chapters 1:04 – Summit Recap Kickoff 2:05 – Embracing Tension (David Ashcraft, President & CEO of the Global Leadership Network) 4:09 – Navigating the Fog (Jim Collins) 7:42 – Freedom and Self-Renewal (Jim Collins) 11:14 – Bonus Ted Lasso Lesson 12:50 – Wrap Up & What's Coming Next Week Resources Mentioned Global Leadership SummitWhat to Make of a Life by Jim CollinsSuzy Welch's Values Bridge Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  3. Aug 3

    83. Building a Foundation of Self-Trust

    What if the way you think about self-trust is actually keeping you from it? Audra breaks down a coaching conversation that flipped her thinking on self-trust — and shares the real definition that's helped her stop abandoning herself every time she falls short of a goal. Then she walks through five practical habits she's built over the past few years to strengthen that trust from the inside out. Highlights Why self-trust isn't about always making the right decision or hitting every goalA reframe: trusting yourself to make the best decision with what you have right now — and not abandoning yourself when it doesn't work outFive ways to build self-trust: self-compassion, knowing how you operate, tracking your wins, surrounding yourself with mirrors, and coachingWhy forgiving yourself and giving yourself grace is the foundation of confidenceThe power of a weekly practice of recording 3–5 winsHow working with a coach helps you access answers you already have Chapters 0:00 — Back to School Setup 0:22 — Redefining Self Trust 1:40 — Self Trust Means Staying 3:08 — Five Ways Overview 3:34 — Self Compassion First 4:59 — Know How You Work 6:46 — Track Your Wins 8:09 — People Who Mirror You 9:08 — Coaching Builds Trust 10:13 — Quick Wrap Up Resources Mentioned Emily StevensSusan DavidAshley Watkins Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  4. Jul 27

    82. The Second Act of Parenting: How to Stay Close While Your Kid Becomes Themselves w/Wild Feelings Founder, Megan Saxelby

    What if the story you've been told about the teenage years is just... wrong? My guest today, Megan Saxelby, founder of Wild Feelings, spent 15 years teaching middle school and 4 teaching high school before becoming a parent coach — and she's here to make the case that adolescence isn't something to survive, it's a season to actually enjoy. We get into what parents misunderstand before the tween years even start, what it really costs us when we buy into the "terrible teens" narrative, and how to stay close to our kids as they pull toward independence. Highlights The "terrible teens" narrative is a socially constructed story — and believing it primes you to see your kid's behavior through a negative lens.Adolescence, by current research, spans ages 10–25 (early adolescence 10–14, adolescence 14–17/18, late adolescence 18–25).Believing the bad narrative costs you connection and self-trust as a parent.Separate "connection" from "administration" (logistics) — they are not the same relationship currency.Happiness isn't the goal — resilience and contentment matter more than chasing a feeling.The research-backed parenting style that works best: high expectations + high support (authoritative parenting).Anxious kids need validation of their feelings paired with high expectations — not accommodation of the anxiety.Little-kid connection tools (playfulness, silliness, jokes) still work in the teen years — you just have to apply them differently.A single family "anchor behavior" (like a weekly dinner or movie night) is linked to a 20% reduction in anxiety and depression in youth.Family shorthand phrases (inside jokes, references) become powerful emotional shortcuts that last for decades.A "family care chart" — a shared, visible list of everyone's comfort items and needs — is Megan's top back-to-school tip. Chapters 0:00 — Meet Megan Saxelby 2:11 — The Teen Myth 4:30 — Beyond 18 Summers 6:03 — Happiness Isn't the Goal 9:26 — Defining Adolescence Ages 10:17 — Cost of the Bad Narrative 10:32 — Connection vs. Logistics 12:10 — Trust Your Kid 14:54 — Boundaries Without Shame 17:55 — High Support, High Expectations 19:29 — Helping Anxious Kids Grow 20:20 — Holding the Line 21:02 — Discomfort Isn't Failure 21:17 — Capitalism and Parenting Pressure 22:09 — Tween Parenting: A Second Act 22:58 — Keep the Playfulness 23:43 — Stay a Full Person 26:38 — Build Connection on Purpose 27:36 — Weird Questions and Anchor Rituals 30:25 — Family Shorthand Moments 34:11 — The Story You Tell Yourself 35:55 — High Expectations, High Support (Revisited) 37:48 — Back-to-School Encouragement 38:50 — Family Care Chart Tip 39:46 — Wrap Up and Where to Follow Resources Mentioned Wild FeelingsMegan Saxelby on Instagram, LinkedIn and Substack Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  5. Jul 20

    81. The Business Behind the Brave Leap with ACTION Coach, Lee Gray

    Ever feel like your best years might already be behind you? Lee Gray would tell you they're just getting started. At 50, Lee was laid off from her corporate marketing job — and instead of it breaking her, it became the launchpad for the most successful chapter of her career. Today she's a business coach, entrepreneur, and podcast host who's helped over 100 business owners build companies that don't depend on them for everything. We talk about the mindset shift from employee to true owner, why "busy" isn't the same as "business," the sales and marketing muscles every entrepreneur has to build, and the simple, almost anticlimactic traits that actually predict success. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start over, this conversation is your permission slip. Highlights: Lee's story of getting laid off at 50 — and turning it into fuel instead of defeatWhy most "second acts" start with a gift, not a planThe mindset shift from employee thinking to true ownershipWhy business owners buy themselves a job instead of building a business (and how to avoid it)The three simple traits Lee has seen in every successful entrepreneur she's coachedThe difference between being "busy" and actually doing "business"Lee's DGLPA formula for turning a dream into a planWhy telling the world about your second act is the most important first step Chapters: 0:00 – Dream Becomes Real 1:30 – Meet Lee Gray 3:36 – Laid Off at 50 5:39 – Gift and Retaliation 8:34 – Ownership Mindset Shift 11:58 – Why Second Acts Work 14:07 – Traits of Winners 15:44 – Passion vs Business 17:15 – Sales and Marketing Muscles 19:03 – Busy vs Business 19:59 – Scaling Fears and Stories 21:56 – Dreams, Goals, Learning, Action 24:56 – Stop Buying a Job 27:13 – Make It Public 28:27 – Closing and Connect Resources mentioned: Action Coach Business Coaching with Lee GrayThe Second Act Business Owner podcast, available on Apple, Spotify and YouTubeThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  6. Jul 13

    80. The Bridge: Honoring What Was, Building What’s Next with Sapahn Co-Owner, Molly Motsinger

    How do you inherit someone else's dream and make it your own? Molly Motsinger built a 21-year career in healthcare before walking away to become CEO of Sapahn, an ethical fashion brand she didn't found but fell completely in love with. We talk about what it's like to step into a mission you didn't create, why she got "obsessed" with Sapahn before she ever considered leaving healthcare, and how founder Brooke is learning to hand off her 15-year-old baby without losing what makes it special. Molly gets honest about the fear of disappointing investors and mentors, the guilt of not working "100 hours a week," and why she believes there's never actually a good time to take a leap. If you've ever felt torn between honoring where you've been and stepping into who you're becoming, this conversation is for you. Highlights Molly spent 21 years in healthcare, starting as a dietary aide at age 15, before pivoting into fashionShe founded Superb, a healthcare tech company giving nurses scheduling flexibility and advocacyMolly met Sapahn founder Brooke through the same entrepreneurial accelerator where she met AudraShe describes getting "obsessed" with Sapahn as a signal that a bigger change was calling herMolly and Brooke essentially became "each other's equal" — each needed what the other loved doingMolly reframes stepping back from Superb's day-to-day as growth, not giving upShe unpacks the guilt of not working 50-60 hours a week and equating time with worthHer advice: stop making up stories about disappointing others — most people are quietly doing the same thingAs Sapahn's CEO, her job isn't to fix a broken business — it's to protect what works and grow what's next, especially shifting into e-commerceKey advice to women: there's never a good time to take the leap, so take it anyway Chapters 1:03 — Meet Molly Motsinger and Sapahn's mission 3:32 — Molly joins the show 4:13 — Molly's 21 years in healthcare and building Superb 6:06 — How Molly met Brooke and fell in love with Sapahn 10:08 — Recognizing "the bridge" and the divine timing of the decision 15:02 — Letting go of guilt around time, hours, and disappointing others 19:56 — Leading Sapahn forward without losing its soul 25:40 — What Molly has learned watching Brooke let go and grow 28:01 — Advice for women standing on their own bridge 30:41 — Closing and where to find Sapahn Resources Mentioned SapahnSuperb Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  7. Jul 6

    79. 3 Lessons to Help Welcome in the Second Half of the Year

    What if the real reset you need this year isn't about a new planner or another five-year plan — but about getting brutally honest with who you are right now? In this solo episode, I'm walking through the psychology-backed "fresh start effect" and sharing the three lessons I'm personally carrying into the second half of 2026: why the real work always starts internally, why it's time to let go of who you used to be (and what used to work for you), and why choosing to believe life is happening for you — not to you — can change everything about how you move through overwhelm. Highlights The "fresh start effect" is a real psychological phenomenon — meaningful dates and transitions (New Year's, birthdays, Mondays) boost our motivation to pursue goals by giving us psychological distance and a mental clean slate.Lesson one: no matter the goal, the work always starts internally — chasing external milestones (a new job, a relationship, a certain income) means your sense of purpose stays tied to a constantly moving goalpost.Practices that support "internal work" include therapy, examining thought patterns, meditation, journaling, self-compassion, and visualization.Lesson two: get honest about who you are now, not who you were 6 months or 10 years ago — habits and structures that worked in a past season (like working from home) may no longer serve you.Lesson three: life happens for you, not to you — reframing overwhelm as something you have agency over, rather than a fixed state, helps break negative patterns.A personal story about a birthday slumber party with her team, where a bracelet reading "for you" became a symbol of choosing agency over victimhood. Chapters 1:04 — Fresh Start Effect 2:33 — Midyear Reset Setup 3:19 — Work Starts Within 5:28 — Tools For Inner Work 8:07 — Be Honest Now 9:48 — Life Happens For You 11:02 — Breaking Overwhelm 12:60 — Three Lessons Recap 14:02 — Wrap Up And Share Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

  8. Jun 29

    78. My Summer of 100 No's

    What if the key to growth this summer was intentionally chasing no's? That's exactly what I've been doing — and it's changing how I approach risk, rejection, and going after what I want in business and life. After working with a coach last fall on vocational dreams, I was introduced to a goal that stopped me in my tracks: collect 100 no's. The idea is simple but powerful — the more asks you put out there, the more opportunities you create. This episode unpacks that concept, explores why "no" is actually clear and kind, and walks through how I've gamified rejection for myself this summer using a tracking spreadsheet. Highlights Rejection doesn't mean you're not good enough — it means "not right now" or "not for me," and those are two very different thingsA "maybe" is actually worse than a "no" — a no is clear, and clear is kindReframing "no" as a doorway to an eventual yes from somewhere else shifts everythingThe Summer of 100 No's has two goals: get comfortable taking risks, and get okay with rejectionCollecting 100 no's means you'll likely find 10 yeses — and those yeses move your business forwardThe mistake in my first business wasn't the branding or the website — it was avoiding the ask out of fear of rejectionWhen I started The Thread, I did it differently: I ran a focus group before building anything and made the ask to everyone I metMarketing pulls people to you; going out and asking brings people in — and that's the skill worth developing Chapters 0:00 – Summer of 100 No's 1:45 – Gamify Rejection 2:10 – No Is Clear & Kind 3:18 – Spreadsheet and Asks 4:22 – Two-Part Goal 6:59 – Expect Yeses Too 7:34 – First Business Lesson 10:55 – Building The Thread 12:21 – Challenge and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned Summer of 100 No's SpreadsheetConnect with Audra on LinkedIn — @AudraDinellWant to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

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About

"A LOT with Audra" is the podcast for women juggling big dreams and full lives. Each episode, host, Audra Dinell, Midwestern wife, mom and neurodivergent multi-six figure entrepreneur encourages women to embrace their many roles holistically by living a values-based life with confidence and joy. Through candid discussions, practical strategies and inspiring stories, this podcast is your guide to designing and achieving success without losing yourself in the process.

Information

  • Creator
    Audra Dinell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Forge Podcast Co. 2025
  • Show Website
    A LOT with Audra

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