Actually, I Can.

Lindsay Tjepkema
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

What if the voices that say "you can't" and "you shouldn't" are wrong? Actually, I Can. is a celebration of bold choices, courageous journeys, and the deeply personal stories of founders, visionaries, and leaders who dared to defy the doubters and choose "yes" even when the world kept saying "no." This isn’t about growth hacks or formulas—it’s about the raw, human moments that shape real leaders. Host Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with real leaders and digs deep into the grit, grief, and reinvention that turned real dreams into exceptional realities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or on the edge of your next big move, Actually, I Can. will inspire you to trust your intuition, bet on yourself, and redefine success on your own terms.

  1. 1d ago

    Build the Life You Actually Want with Hope Horner

    What if the advice to “find work-life balance” is actually making you feel like you’re doing something wrong? In this episode of Actually, I Can., Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with Hope Horner, founder and CEO of Lemonlight, to unpack one of the most common pieces of advice founders hear: that success requires maintaining a healthy balance between work and life. For Hope, that advice created more guilt than clarity. In the early years of building Lemonlight, she was working 70–90+ hours a week, sacrificing much of her social life, and wondering why her experience didn't look like the balanced founder life everyone seemed to recommend. Eventually, she realized something important: balance isn't one-size-fits-all. The right balance depends on what you're building, what you want your life to look like, and what you're willing to prioritize in a particular season. Hope shares what changed when she stopped apologizing for her ambition, how she navigated the impact of entrepreneurship on her relationships, and why being honest with the people around you matters when you're choosing to go all in. The bigger lesson? You don't have to build someone else's version of success. You get to decide what you want—and then build a life that supports it. What You’ll Learn Why “work-life balance” can become a source of guilt for ambitious foundersHow Hope spent years working 70–90+ hours a week while building LemonlightWhy balance looks different depending on your goals and definition of successThe moment Hope realized she needed to embrace her ambition instead of apologizing for itHow to have honest conversations with friends, family, and partners about entrepreneurial demandsWays to integrate relationships into an ambitious life instead of treating work and life as completely separateWhy there isn't one correct formula for building a successful company—or a fulfilling lifeHow books, podcasts, and other entrepreneurs can help founders navigate the messy middleWhy defining success for yourself is more important than following someone else's blueprint📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Hope on Linkedin 🌐 Learn more about Lemonlight

  2. Sep 1

    Toxic Positivity Is a Leadership Strategy with Stephen Shedletzky

    In this episode of "Actually I Can," host Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with leadership coach Steven “Shed” Shedletsky to unpack a piece of bad advice that taught him a powerful lesson about toxic positivity, organizational politics, and the importance of speaking up. Shed shares how he was once encouraged to coach a team member by deflecting an interpersonal problem with the advice, “Enough about them, let’s talk about you.” What sounded like a positive, forward-looking approach was actually a way of avoiding a difficult problem—and ultimately contributed to a valued team member being let go. Years later, Shed experienced the same tactic from the other side. When he raised concerns about leadership and morale, the conversation was redirected back toward him. Shed describes the experience as gaslighting and says it ultimately became part of what pushed him to leave. Lindsay and Shed explore what toxic positivity really looks like in leadership, why founders can fall into the trap of trying to fix people's emotions instead of listening to them, and how leaders can respond with compassion while still moving toward a bigger vision. They also tackle what to do when you're on the receiving end of unhealthy leadership. Shed introduces the idea of “Jedi leadership”—finding ways to influence ego-driven leaders without directly triggering their defenses—and explains why sometimes the most effective way to create change is to work within the system rather than fight it head-on. Shed shares a framework for healthier organizations built around mindset, actions, and systems, including the importance of consistent one-on-ones, creating genuine speak-up cultures, and designing systems that make empathy and psychological safety part of how a company operates. Because sometimes what looks like positivity is actually a strategy for avoiding the truth. What You'll Learn What toxic positivity really looks like in leadershipHow “positive” advice can become a way to avoid difficult conversationsWhy validating someone's emotions should come before trying to change their perspectiveHow organizational politics and unhealthy power dynamics can silence concernsWhat to do when you're the person experiencing toxic leadershipHow “Jedi leadership” can help you influence defensive or ego-driven leadersWhy founders need to recognize their own blind spotsWhy people should never be reduced to KPIsShed's Mindset → Actions → Systems framework for organizational changeWhy consistent one-on-ones matterHow to build a culture where people actually feel safe speaking upHow leaders can turn empathy into an organizational system rather than an individual personality trait📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Shed on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Shed Inspires

  3. Aug 18

    Stop Holding Out for a Hero with Monica Stewart

    What if the reason you haven't started isn't because you're not ready—but because you're waiting for a story that proves you deserve to? In this episode of Actually I Can, host Lindsay Tjepkema talks with Monica Stewart, CEO of MSP Consulting, about the advice that kept her from starting her business: that she needed a "hero story" to establish her expertise. Monica had watched other leaders build credibility through big-name credentials, impressive growth stories, and marquee clients. Compared to those stories, her own experience didn't seem extraordinary enough. That doubt led to false starts and years of questioning whether she had earned the right to build the business she wanted. Eventually, she realized she had been looking at expertise all wrong. The customer is the hero. Monica's value isn't that she has one spectacular success story. It's that she's seen patterns across dozens of companies and knows how to help B2B SaaS founders build sustainable sales teams. Lindsay and Monica explore the confidence dynamics behind claiming expertise, why some people seem comfortable stepping into authority while others wait for permission, and how building a "success bank" can help founders recognize the experience they already have. Because you don't need to become a hero before you're qualified to help someone. You just need to know what you know—and keep learning what you don't. What you'll learn:  Why waiting for a "hero story" can keep founders from startingHow comparison can distort your perception of your own expertiseWhy the customer, not the founder, is the heroWhy pattern recognition can be more valuable than one big successHow gendered confidence dynamics can influence who claims authorityHow to build a personal "success bank" to combat self-doubtWhy staying current requires curiosity and critical thinkingHow to evolve your methods while staying committed to the outcomeWhy your existing experience may already qualify you to take the next step📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Monica on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about MSP Consulting

  4. Aug 4

    Your Schedule Isn't Your Productivity with Jen Spencer

    We've all heard the advice: wake up at 5 a.m., time-block every minute, and stick to a rigid routine if you want to be successful. But what if that advice is actually holding you back? In this episode of Actually I Can, Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with Jen Spencer, Chief Growth Officer at Booth and author of Lead Anyway, to unpack why one-size-fits-all productivity advice doesn't work for everyone. Jen shares how she spent years trying to force herself into someone else's version of success before realizing that great leadership starts with understanding your own energy, strengths, and values. Together, they explore the importance of self-awareness, creating space for creativity, leading through changing seasons of life, and building a career that aligns with who you are—not who you think you're supposed to be. Whether you're a founder, manager, or individual contributor, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, productivity, and giving yourself permission to lead your own way. What you'll learn:  Why rigid productivity routines don't work for every leaderThe difference between managing time and managing energyHow an honest energy audit can reshape your workdayHow to build flexibility around your life instead of forcing your life around workWhy creativity requires intentional white spaceHow to stay fully present by defining your role in every meetingHow self-awareness creates better leadershipWhy founders should invest in understanding themselves before scaling a company📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Jen on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Booth

  5. Jul 21

    You Can Have Both with Sam Yarbrough

    There are few pieces of career advice more damaging than the idea that success requires sacrifice. For Sam Yarbrough, that message came during a job interview. When she explained that she was committed to both her career and her family, she was told, "Well...you chose to work." It was a mindset she'd encounter again and again—that ambitious professionals, especially working moms, should expect to trade time with their families for career success. But instead of accepting that belief, Sam used it as a filter. If an organization couldn't respect her values, it probably wasn't where she wanted to lead. That perspective eventually led her to walk away from a prestigious executive role, navigate an unexpected identity crisis, and co-found Arcadia—a leadership community built on a different philosophy: you don't have to choose between building a meaningful career and living a meaningful life. In this episode, Lindsay and Sam unpack the myths we've accepted about ambition, boundaries, and leadership—and why the best leaders are whole humans, not just high performers. What You'll Learn Why "you chose to work" is one of the worst pieces of career advice working parents receiveHow boundaries reveal whether a company's culture truly aligns with your valuesWhy leaving a prestigious role led to an unexpected identity crisisHow to separate your worth from your title and paycheckWhat "whole-human leadership" really meansPractical ways to identify your priorities before making career decisionsWhy harmony—not balance—creates more sustainable leadershipHow Arcadia is helping leaders grow without sacrificing what matters most About Sam Yarbrough Sam Yarbrough is the co-founder of Arcadia, a leadership community that helps executives and go-to-market leaders build successful careers while staying connected to what matters most. After years leading high-growth teams in the corporate world, Sam left a prestigious executive role to create a new model of leadership—one that prioritizes career, family, health, relationships, and purpose instead of forcing people to choose between them. Through Arcadia and its immersive Leadership Experience, she helps leaders grow as whole humans, not just professionals. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like they had to choose between career success and the life they wanted outside of work. Whether you're a working parent, an aspiring leader, or simply questioning what success should look like, this conversation is a reminder that you really can have both. 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Connect with Sam Yarbrough 🌐 Learn more about Arcadia 🏔️ Learn about the Arcadia Leadership Experience

  6. Jul 7

    The Founder Trap with Kristi Candela

    When Kristi Candela started building BeeCene, she thought she already knew the first step. Find a technical co-founder. It wasn't just advice she heard once. It was embedded in startup culture. Investors asked about it. Accelerator applications reinforced it. Other founders repeated it. Everywhere she turned, the message was the same: if you weren't technical, you needed someone who was before anyone would take your company seriously. So she waited. She searched for the right partner. She built a manual version of her product instead of a technical one. She convinced herself that hiring technical talent wasn't enough—and that building without a technical co-founder wasn't an option. The longer she waited, the more momentum she lost. Everything changed when an advisor introduced her to the possibilities of AI-powered development. Using tools like ChatGPT and Atlas alongside today's growing ecosystem of no-code platforms, Kristi realized she didn't need permission to start building. Instead of waiting for the perfect co-founder, she began rapidly testing ideas, learning directly from customers, and iterating faster than she ever thought possible. In this episode of Actually, I Can, Kristi shares how one piece of conventional startup advice became a founder trap, why waiting can be more expensive than building imperfectly, and how questioning "prerequisite" advice can unlock momentum for entrepreneurs everywhere. What you'll learn: Why "you need a technical co-founder" isn't true for every founderHow startup culture reinforces beliefs that can keep entrepreneurs stuckThe hidden cost of waiting instead of buildingWhy co-founder relationships shouldn't be rushedHow AI and no-code tools are changing what's possible for nontechnical foundersWhy rapid learning matters more than building the perfect productHow customer feedback accelerates better products and better decisionsWhy founders should question advice that creates unnecessary prerequisitesWhy some investors still require technical co-founders—and what that signalsHow BeeCene is helping founders find the right funding instead of chasing the wrong investorsAbout Kristi Candela Kristi Candela is the founder and CEO of BeeCene, a funding intelligence platform helping early-stage founders identify the right funding opportunities based on their business, goals, and stage of growth. Rather than encouraging founders to "spray and pray," BeeCene equips entrepreneurs with the research and intelligence they need to pursue capital that actually fits their business. Before founding BeeCene, Kristi spent more than 15 years in financial services, where she saw firsthand how access to capital often favors the same types of founders. Today, she's working to democratize access to funding by helping entrepreneurs navigate fundraising with greater confidence, clarity, and strategy. This episode is for anyone who has ever believed they needed one more credential, one more connection, or one more person's permission before they could begin. If you've ever delayed pursuing an idea because you thought you weren't ready, this conversation will challenge what you believe it really takes to build something meaningful. 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Kristi Candela on LinkedIn 💼 Learn more about BeeCene: https://www.beecene.com/

  7. Jun 23

    You Don’t Have to Scale to Be Real with Leslie Venetz

    When Leslie Venetz decided to leave a successful corporate sales career and start her own business, she expected people to have opinions. She didn't expect so many of those opinions to sound exactly the same. If you're going to start a company, they told her, it needs to scale. You need employees. You need growth. You need a bigger vision. Otherwise, what's the point? The advice came from people she respected. People who had built successful careers. People who genuinely believed they were helping. And because Leslie was leaving a 15-year career in sales leadership during the peak of the SaaS industry's "growth at all costs" era, the message was everywhere. For a while, she wondered if they were right. Today, Leslie runs a successful business built around something very different: freedom. No investors. No pressure to hire. No obsession with growth for growth's sake. Just a business intentionally designed to support the life she wants to live. In this episode of Actually, I Can, Leslie shares why the pressure to scale almost pulled her away from her own vision, how burnout helped her rethink success, and why discernment may be the most important skill a founder can develop. What you'll learn: Why advice can be well-intentioned and still be wrong for you How to recognize when someone else's fear is disguised as guidance Why the "growth at all costs" mindset became so dominant in business How burnout pushed Leslie to question her definition of success The role discernment plays in entrepreneurship and leadership Why building a business around freedom can be just as ambitious as building one around scale How Leslie designed a four-day client workweek and protects time for herself Why serving the person you used to be can become a powerful business strategy The question every founder should ask before accepting advice About Leslie Venetz Leslie Venetz is the founder of the Sales-Led Go-To-Market Agency, where she helps organizations build effective outbound sales strategies that create meaningful conversations and measurable revenue. Before launching her own company, Leslie spent more than fifteen years leading sales teams and revenue organizations throughout the SaaS industry. Today, she is a consultant, speaker, and author of Profit Generating Pipeline. Her work focuses on helping companies build sustainable growth through modern sales practices while challenging conventional wisdom around success, scaling, and entrepreneurship. Leslie is a vocal advocate for intentional business ownership and building a company that aligns with your values instead of someone else's expectations. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt pressure to chase a version of success they didn't actually want. If you've ever wondered whether your goals were ambitious enough—or whether you're allowed to define success differently—this conversation will help you trust your own vision. 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter 🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Leslie on LinkedIn 📖 Learn more about Profit Generating Pipeline 💼 Learn more about the Sales-Led Go-To-Market Agency

  8. Jun 9

    Too Direct with Stella Garber

    Stella Garber has been told her whole life that she is too direct. Too bossy. Too aggressive. She heard it as a kid. She heard it as a young manager. She’s heard it her entire career. And she’s spent years wondering whether she’d be getting that feedback at all if she were a man. Her answer: absolutely not. Stella is a repeat founder and the co-founder and CEO of Hoop, an AI customer support agent for e-commerce brands. She’s also Eastern European, a self-described high D on the DISC profile, and someone who has figured out - through years of managing remote teams, navigating co-founder relationships, and doing a lot of internal work - how to stop softening herself and start channeling her directness more effectively instead. In this episode, she talks about what it actually took to get there: the DISC framework she runs with every team she builds, the Claude project where she stores her co-founders’ profiles to prep for hard conversations, and why she thinks the real work of building a company - the seven-to-ten-year stretch after launch that nobody talks about - depends entirely on who you choose to do it with. What you’ll learn: Why “don’t be so direct” feedback - however well-intentioned - is often gendered, and what Stella thinks would happen if a man got the same noteThe one context where Stella thinks directness actually did need calibrating, and how she learned to root it in relationship firstHow she uses DISC profiles across her founding team, and why she keeps them loaded in a Claude project for sensitive conversationsWhat it sounds like when a high-D founder talks to a C co-founder: fewer claims, more metrics, and a much better outcomeWhy self-awareness is a double-edged sword for founders, and what you gain and lose at each stage of the journeyThe values exercise Stella and her co-founders did before they had a product, a raise, or even a company name, and why she thinks it’s the single biggest thing that makes co-founder relationships lastWhy who you partner with is the most important determinant of your long-term success as a founderWhat the real timeline of company building actually looks like, and why the emphasis on launching gets it completely backwardsAbout Stella Garber Stella Garber is a repeat founder and the co-founder and CEO of Hoop, an AI customer support agent built for e-commerce brands. She has spent essentially her entire career working remotely, and has built and led distributed teams long before it became standard practice. Stella has co-founded with the same partners twice, first working alongside them, then building with them, and is a strong believer that the foundation of any company is the values conversation you have before you write a single line of code. She is a high-D DISC profile, an Eastern European who has heard “too direct” more times than she can count, and a founder who has turned that feedback into a leadership philosophy: know yourself deeply, build in the counterbalance, and find the people who bring out your best. This episode is for anyone who has been told to soften their edges, and is starting to wonder if the problem isn’t them, it’s the framing. 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: lindsaytjepkema.substack.com  🔗 Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn 🔗 Follow Stella on LinkedIn 🤖 Learn more about Hoop: hoop.app

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About

What if the voices that say "you can't" and "you shouldn't" are wrong? Actually, I Can. is a celebration of bold choices, courageous journeys, and the deeply personal stories of founders, visionaries, and leaders who dared to defy the doubters and choose "yes" even when the world kept saying "no." This isn’t about growth hacks or formulas—it’s about the raw, human moments that shape real leaders. Host Lindsay Tjepkema sits down with real leaders and digs deep into the grit, grief, and reinvention that turned real dreams into exceptional realities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or on the edge of your next big move, Actually, I Can. will inspire you to trust your intuition, bet on yourself, and redefine success on your own terms.

Information

  • Creator
    Lindsay Tjepkema
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lindsay Tjepkema
  • Show Website
    Actually, I Can.