Leadership With a Twist

Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler
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Where mindful leadership meets practical action... Empowering Leadership Teams' Podcast, Leadership With a Twist, features mother-daughter executive coaching team Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler sharing actionable leadership strategies, team empowerment tools, and mindful practices for today's leaders. Join them and guest experts to elevate your leadership skills and discover your authentic leadership potential.

Episodes

  1. Crafting Your Self-Care Action Plan for Success

    1D AGO

    Crafting Your Self-Care Action Plan for Success

    Build Your Self-Care Action Plan to Prevent Burnout in Busy Seasons Heather McGonigal and co-host Barbara Schindler discuss why self-care is essential for entrepreneurial leaders and teams who often push themselves with limited resources and risk burnout. They introduce a proactive self-care action plan designed to be created before high-demand periods (like launches or returning after the holidays) so you can protect your energy, thinking, collaboration, and wellbeing as a whole person at work. You’re encouraged to plan specific replenishing actions based on how depleted you feel—quick refreshes when you have minutes, options for when your battery is running low, steps for the danger zone, and what to do when you’re super depleted—matching activities to the actual time you have in a day (5 minutes, 30 minutes, lunch break). Barbara shares her five-minute chai tea latte routine as a quick reset, and they discuss preparing for triggers like distracting emails before meetings by building habits such as silencing notifications and creating transition rituals. They also address the strain of back-to-back meetings on the nervous system and suggest planning pauses, as well as practical supports during intense work periods (like keeping protein bars and water at your desk). Heather and Barbara offer a document to guide the exercise and invite listeners to schedule a free consultation call for help applying the plan. A downloadable Action Plan Template is available at https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/self-care-action-guide 00:00 Welcome Back + Why Self-Care Matters More Than Ever 00:56 Entrepreneurial Burnout: You’re a Human, Not a Machine 04:18 The Self-Care Action Plan: Plan Ahead for Busy Seasons 05:31 Build Your Menu: Quick Refresh vs. Running Low vs. Danger Zone 07:03 Barbara’s 5-Minute Reset: The Chai Tea Latte Ritual 07:50 Triggered Before a Meeting? Resetting Your Brain & Focus 08:57 Protect Your Attention: Notifications, Boundaries, and Habits 10:08 Back-to-Back Days & Nervous System Recovery (15–30 Minute Recharges) 12:07 Launch Mode Survival Kit: Snacks, Water, and Realistic Supports 13:19 Whole Person Reminder + Next Steps, Free Call, and Wrap-Up About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat  Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at  or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    15 min
  2. Leadership Magic: Strengthening Teams Roles Through Clarity

    FEB 11

    Leadership Magic: Strengthening Teams Roles Through Clarity

    In this episode of The Leadership With a Twist Podcast, hosts Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler dive into the importance of owning your part within a business. They discuss how role clarity, defined by organizational structures, leads to more effective collaboration and prevents the overextension of responsibilities. The co-hosts emphasize that understanding and respecting each team member's role can create a healthier work environment, foster better teamwork, and ultimately lead to greater organizational success. Listeners are invited to take advantage of this concept to improve their leadership skills and are offered complimentary coaching sessions for personalized support (see below). 00:00 Introduction to Leadership With a Twist 00:23 Understanding Role Responsibility 01:50 Defining Organizational Structure 04:00 Empowering Through Role Clarity 05:17 Balancing Responsibility and Empowerment 07:12 Encouraging Team Collaboration 11:47 The Importance of Role Clarity 17:42 Fostering Confidence in Team Roles 22:04 Conclusion and Next Steps About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at  or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    23 min
  3. Empowering Conversations: Transforming Performance Reviews into Growth Opportunities

    FEB 4

    Empowering Conversations: Transforming Performance Reviews into Growth Opportunities

    In this episode of Leadership Today, hosts Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler discuss the importance of preparing for performance reviews with a proactive and empowered mindset. They emphasize the need for team members to actively participate in the conversation, highlight their contributions, and align their career goals with the company's strategic vision. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of performance reviews, the importance of self-advocacy, and how to effectively communicate your growth and future aspirations within the organization. Tune in to learn how to turn performance reviews into valuable opportunities for career development. In This Episode, You'll Discover: 00:11 The Importance of Performance Reviews 01:20 Empowering Team Members for Reviews 01:51 Shifting Perspectives in Performance Reviews 02:26 Business Leaders and Talent Investment 03:03 Opportunities for Growth Within a Company 04:24 Aligning Personal and Company Goals 11:17 Advocating for Yourself in Reviews 16:07 Conclusion and Support Offers About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat:https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at team@empoweringleadershipteams.com or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    17 min
  4. Navigating Noise: Enhancing Your Inner Wisdom

    JAN 28

    Navigating Noise: Enhancing Your Inner Wisdom

    Navigating Noise: Strengthening Intuition and Authenticity in Leadership In this episode of 'Leadership With a Twist,' hosts Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler discuss the importance of navigating through the noisy and chaotic business world by developing one's intuition and inner guidance. They emphasize the role of authenticity and self-awareness in making better decisions, both personally and professionally. The episode offers practical advice, including a 30-day habit-building practice, to help listeners strengthen their relationship with their intuition. Heather and Barbara also share personal anecdotes and coaching experiences to illustrate how inner wisdom can transform one’s approach to challenges in life and work. In This Episode, You'll Discover: 00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic 00:16 Understanding the Noise 02:44 The Importance of Intuition 07:39 Developing Intuition: Practical Steps 15:06 Applying Intuition in Daily Life 25:41 Conclusion and Invitation   About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at team@empoweringleadershipteams.com or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    27 min
  5. Whole Person Leadership: Integrating Self-Care and Professionalism

    JAN 22

    Whole Person Leadership: Integrating Self-Care and Professionalism

    Discover how to lead authentically by bringing your whole self to work in this transformative episode of Leadership With a Twist. Coaches Heather and Barbara explore the essential practice of whole person leadership, teaching you how to balance professional excellence with self-awareness and human limitations. Learn practical strategies for self-assessment, calendar renegotiation, and creating psychological safety on your team. This episode addresses common leadership challenges including managing low energy days, delegating effectively, and maintaining work-life balance during high-stress periods. Key topics include: Understanding yourself as a finite resource in leadership Self-honesty and professional transparency techniques Pacing your day for optimal performance Building team psychological safety through vulnerability The connection between self-care and leadership effectiveness Practical delegation strategies for overwhelmed leaders Perfect for business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone navigating workplace transitions while maintaining their wellbeing. Whether you're managing team dynamics or building your own leadership capacity, this episode provides actionable insights for integrating professionalism with authentic human experience. Tune in to transform how you approach leadership, productivity, and team collaboration through the lens of whole person awareness. About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at team@empoweringleadershipteams.com or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    23 min
  6. Exploring Homegrown Wisdom: A Toolkit for Navigating Transition

    JAN 15

    Exploring Homegrown Wisdom: A Toolkit for Navigating Transition

    In this powerful conversation, Coach Heather and Coach Barbara from Empowering Leadership Teams reveal a game-changing concept for entrepreneurial leaders: homegrown wisdom. While most leaders instinctively look outside their organizations for guidance during times of change—to consultants, courses, and industry experts—they're often overlooking their most valuable resource: the collective intelligence already living inside their teams. Discover why pressing pause isn't wasted time but essential intelligence gathering, how to transform your team from task executors into strategic thinking partners, and why your competitive advantage might be hiding in the nuances only your long-term team members can see. This episode is perfect for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to navigate transition more effectively by tapping into the wisdom their team has been accumulating through daily experience in their business. In This Episode, You'll Discover: By tapping into the nuanced understanding and rhythms gained over time within your organization, businesses can make more informed decisions that drive optimal performance and innovative success. 00:00 Introduction to Empowering Leadership 00:27 Navigating Times of Change 01:46 The Role of Technology and AI 02:47 Facing Business Transitions 04:35 The Value of Team Collaboration 06:10 Harnessing Homegrown Wisdom 07:57 Embracing Nuances for Innovation 08:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at team@empoweringleadershipteams.com or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!

    10 min
  7. Welcome to Leadership With a Twist Podcast

    JAN 14

    Welcome to Leadership With a Twist Podcast

    You're invited to discover a fresh approach to leadership that moves beyond traditional top-down authority. In this premier episode, you explore what it means to lead with a twist—bringing authenticity, heart, and the full human element into your leadership practice. Empowering Leadership Teams' Executive Coaches, Barbara Schindler and Heather McGonigal discuss why collaboration and active listening create high-performing teams that can innovate in real time, and how centering yourself before making decisions transforms your impact. You discover that leadership isn't reserved for those at the top of organizations—it lives within you and everyone around you. The episode introduces you to key themes you'll explore in future conversations: self-leadership through Astro Vibes, mindfulness practices, navigating life transitions through Your Next Chapter, and elevating your human skills in an AI-driven business world. You hear why authentic connection, trust-building, and communication skills matter now more than ever, and how you can show up more empowered in every moment. This conversation invites you to embrace the inner leader within you and join a movement toward more conscious, collaborative leadership.   About the Hosts: Coach Heather and Coach Barbara are the lead Executive Coaches of Empowering Leadership Teams. They specialize in helping entrepreneurial businesses and their teams meet the moment and become the most empowered they can be to work together and achieve optimal results. With deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and navigating organizational transition, they bring practical, actionable wisdom to leaders facing the challenges of today's rapidly changing business environment. 00:00 Welcome to Leadership With a Twist00:23 Defining Leadership With a Twist02:22 The Importance of Collaboration03:51 Leading With Heart and Mindfulness07:09 Astro Vibes: Self-Understanding Through Astrology09:34 Mindfulness and Life Transitions10:38 The Human Element in Business13:25 Conclusion and Call to Action   Book a Coffee Chat: https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/coffeechat Subscribe & Review: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that serves entrepreneurial leaders like you, and it helps other leaders discover these conversations. Questions or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes? Send us a message at team@empoweringleadershipteams.com or leave a comment on our latest post. Cheering You On!    Thank you to listenersInvitation to join the leadership evolutionSubscribe, share, and stay connected Episode Resources: Visit the Leadership With a Twist Substack for additional content and resources https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com Connect with Coach Heather and Coach Barbara at Empowering Leadership TeamsSubmit your questions and topic suggestions team@empoweringleadershipteams.com Book a complimentary consultation to explore coaching support https://www.empoweringleadershipteams.com/discovery

    15 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Where mindful leadership meets practical action... Empowering Leadership Teams' Podcast, Leadership With a Twist, features mother-daughter executive coaching team Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler sharing actionable leadership strategies, team empowerment tools, and mindful practices for today's leaders. Join them and guest experts to elevate your leadership skills and discover your authentic leadership potential.

Information

  • Creator
    Heather McGonigal and Barbara Schindler
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 2025 Empowering Leadership Teams
  • Show Website
    Leadership With a Twist