Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie

Julie Burch and Mallory Herrin

Are you ready for some straight talk? In this podcast we give real world, authentic, kick you in the pants, get it together, stop whining and make a move, growth strategies to help you BREAKTHROUGH to your best self! Hosted by Mallory Herrin and Julie Burch, personal development experts with the street cred to help you kick it up a notch. We have been through the drama and come through on the other side and we are here to help YOU do the same. We tackle the tough topics and address some of the common mental road blocks that hold us back.  Dealing with personal and career growth obstacles to becoming the best version of yourself. This is about accountability and recognizing that your life is YOUR choice! Take back control and make the choices that move you from where you are to where you want to be! You will hear tangible solutions and steps to implement immediately for REAL results! Let Mallory and Julie guide you to a new level of success! www.breakthroughwmj.com julie@julieburch.com Mallory@HerrinHR.com

  1. 1d ago

    Too Many Tabs Open in Your Brain? How to Stop Overthinking and Take Back Your Focus

    Send us Fan Mail Does your brain have 47 tabs open, three are frozen, and one is playing music but you have NO IDEA WHICH ONE? Welcome to mental overload, my friend. And no, opening another tab isn't going to fix it! If you're constantly overwhelmed by your to-do list, mentally exhausted from juggling work and home, struggling to focus, or feeling guilty about everything you haven't accomplished, this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie is calling your name. Here's the truth: You don't necessarily have too much to do. You might be giving too much mental energy to things that don't deserve it. And those unfinished projects, difficult conversations, nagging responsibilities, and random thoughts bouncing around your brain? They're stealing your focus, draining your energy, and keeping you from being present in your own life. In this funny, honest, and refreshingly practical conversation, Julie Burch and Mallory Herrin tackle the invisible mental load that leaves so many women feeling overwhelmed, distracted, and perpetually behind. We're talking about: Mental overload and decision fatigue: Why having too many unfinished tasks can leave you feeling exhausted before you've accomplished a darn thing.Productivity and focus: How constant interruptions and fragmented attention sabotage your ability to get things done.The emotional tabs: Why unresolved conflict, grudges, and difficult conversations take up valuable mental real estate.Boundaries and priorities: How to stop treating everything like an emergency and start protecting your time and energy.The guilt of unfinished business: Why it's perfectly acceptable to admit that some things aren't worth doing anymore.Practical strategies to reduce overwhelm: How to delegate, delete, or do things in less time so you can focus on what actually matters.Plus, we're talking about abandoned hobbies, overflowing closets, the questionable need for multiple backup coffee makers, and why your mental to-do list might be the biggest energy vampire in your life. And here's a question worth asking yourself: What could you accomplish if you stopped giving your attention to everything that doesn't matter? Because productivity isn't about cramming more into your day. It's about making intentional choices, setting healthy boundaries, managing your mental load, and creating space for the things that actually move your life forward. Whether you're a busy professional, business owner, working mom, leader, or just a woman who's tired of carrying the entire universe around in her head, this episode is packed with practical tips, relatable stories, and a few loving kicks in the pants. It's time to close some tabs, ditch the guilt, and take back your focus. 🎧 Hit play, share this episode with someone whose brain needs a reboot, and subscribe to Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie for more real conversations about personal growth, confidence, productivity, mindset, and creating a life you actually love. Because you can't have a breakthrough if you're too busy keeping 47 tabs open! Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  2. Oct 7

    Tired of Your Own Bullsh*t? How to Stop Making Excuses and Finally Lock In

    Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of your own bullsh*t yet? You know the drill. You say you want to change. You set the goal. You buy the cute new notebook. You swear this time will be different. And then… nothing changes. In Episode 20 of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re talking about what happens when you finally get tired of your own excuses, stop waiting for motivation, and decide to LOCK IN. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: there’s a difference between having a legitimate reason something is difficult and allowing that reason to become permission to never do anything about it. Mallory gets incredibly personal about the moment she realized something in her life had to change—and what happened when she finally stopped making excuses and took action. Julie shares her own decades-long cycle of saying she was going to write a book… someday… until she got sick of hearing herself say it and finally did the damn thing. And that’s where the real conversation begins. We’re digging into how to stop making excuses, get out of your own way, build self-discipline, create momentum, follow through on goals, and take action even when you don’t feel motivated. Because motivation is lovely when it shows up. But you cannot build your life around waiting for it. In this episode, we talk about: • Why motivation follows action more often than action follows motivation • How to tell the difference between a legitimate obstacle and an excuse • Why waiting for Monday, January 1st, or the “perfect time” keeps you stuck • How to stop procrastinating and finally follow through • The hidden cost of NOT making the change you keep talking about • How one breakthrough can create momentum in every area of your life • Why confidence comes from the memory of winning • How to work with the time, money, and energy you actually have • What you may need to give up to get what you say you want • Why courage gets you started—but grit gets you through the messy middle And maybe the biggest question of the episode: What is it costing you NOT to take action? You don’t need another Monday. You don’t need a prettier planner. You don’t need another inspirational quote saved to your phone. You might just need to decide that you’re done with your own excuses. No more waiting. No more negotiating with yourself. No more “someday.” Lock in. Take the action. Build the momentum. 🎧 Listen to Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss an episode. #Motivation #SelfDiscipline #StopMakingExcuses #PersonalGrowth #GoalSetting #Procrastination #SelfImprovement #Mindset #Confidence #WomenInBusiness #HighAchievers #Productivity #GetOutOfYourOwnWay #TakeAction #BreakthroughPodcast Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  3. Sep 23

    Are You Actually Burned Out—or Do You Just Hate Your Life? How to Tell the Difference

    Send us Fan Mail Are You Actually Burned Out—or Do You Just Hate Your Life? Everybody is burned out. Burned out at work. Burned out at home. Burned out by the kids, the calendar, social media, relationships, traffic, responsibilities—and apparently burned out from being burned out. But here’s the question nobody seems to be asking: Are you actually burned out…or are you just really unhappy with something in your life? Because those are NOT the same problem. And if we keep calling every flavor of exhaustion, frustration, resentment, boredom, overwhelm, and misery “burnout,” we may be trying to fix the wrong damn thing. In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re digging beneath the burnout buzzword to figure out what’s really going on. Maybe you’re dealing with genuine workplace burnout. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by a ridiculously busy season. Maybe you’re bored, lonely, resentful, stressed, unappreciated, or completely out of alignment with what you actually value. Or maybe something in your life just…sucks right now. And no amount of bubble baths, massages, meditation, or “self-care” is going to fix a problem you refuse to identify. We’re talking about how to recognize the difference between burnout, chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, unhappiness, boredom, resentment, and misalignment—and why naming what you’re actually feeling matters. You’ll hear us unpack why rest doesn’t always fix exhaustion, how your values can reveal where your life has gotten out of alignment, why some stress deserves your attention and some absolutely does not, and how reframing everyday stress can help you take back control. We’re also introducing the highly scientific, extremely sophisticated “What Actually Sucks?” Audit. 😂 Instead of throwing your hands up and declaring, “EVERYTHING SUCKS,” we’re challenging you to get specific. What are you actually tired of? Your workload? Your boss? Your commute? Your schedule? Your relationship? Your finances? Your responsibilities? Feeling lonely? Feeling stuck? Feeling like you’re living a life that looks fantastic on paper but doesn’t actually feel like yours? Because here’s the truth: You cannot fix “everything sucks.” That’s not a diagnosis. That’s a tantrum. Once you identify where the misery actually lives, what you’re really feeling, and what is within your control, you can finally answer the most important question: What happens next? Because around here, we don't just sit around admiring our problems. Potential is cute. Action is hot. If you’ve been searching for answers about burnout symptoms, chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed, feeling unhappy with your life, work burnout, stress management, finding your purpose, getting unstuck, or how to make changes when something just feels off—this episode is for you. Grab your coffee, Chardonnay, emotional-support beverage of choice, and maybe a notebook. It’s time to figure out whether you’re actually burned out… or whether something in your life just needs to freaking change. Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  4. Sep 9

    Conflict Without Closure: How to Let Go When They Never Apologize 🔥

    Send us Fan Mail Nobody Is Coming to Give You Closure: How to Let Go and Move On Nobody is coming to give you closure. Ouch. We know. But somebody had to say it. We’ve been taught that after conflict, heartbreak, betrayal, disappointment, or a relationship that goes sideways, we need closure. We need the apology. The explanation. The acknowledgment. We need the other person to finally understand what they did, admit they were wrong, say exactly the right thing…and THEN we can move on. Yeah. About that. What happens when the apology never comes? What if they never admit what they did? What if they remember the whole situation completely differently—or they’re simply not interested in having the conversation at all? Do you stay stuck forever? Heck no. In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re taking on conflict, closure, difficult relationships, emotional healing, and how to let go when you never get the resolution you thought you needed. And we’re starting by reimagining conflict itself. Conflict isn’t automatically good. It isn’t automatically bad. Conflict just is. The question is what you do with it. We break down the HUGE difference between internal resolution and external resolution—because one of them is always required, and the other one absolutely is not. Internal resolution means doing the work YOU need to do to process what happened, own your emotions, learn from the experience, and move forward. External resolution means having the conversation with the other person. And contrary to what you may have heard, you do not have to confront somebody every single time they irritate you, hurt your feelings, or do something you don’t like. Nobody has that kind of time. 😂 Sometimes the conversation matters. Sometimes it can repair a relationship, clarify a misunderstanding, or change behavior. And sometimes you have to ask yourself one very important question: Is the juice worth the squeeze? We’re talking about how to decide when a difficult conversation is actually necessary, what outcome you want before you have it, why you need to focus on the behavior instead of attacking the person, and why listening may be the most important communication skill you bring into the room. But here’s the bigger truth: Closure does not require somebody else’s cooperation. You can’t make another person apologize. You can’t force them to understand your perspective. You can’t control whether they accept responsibility. And when your ability to move forward depends on THEIR response, you’ve handed them an awful lot of power. No thank you. We also get into practical ways to process unresolved emotions—from journaling and writing the letter you never send to giving yourself an actual time limit for being mad. Because your feelings are real and they deserve to be felt…but they don’t get to move in, redecorate, and live rent-free forever. At some point, you choose forward. If you’ve ever found yourself replaying an argument, waiting for an apology, wondering why someone did what they did, or thinking, “I just need closure before I can move on,” this episode may lovingly kick you right in the mindset. Because maybe the breakthrough isn’t finally getting them to say what you need to hear. Maybe the breakthrough is realizing you don’t need them to. 🎧 Listen now, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and join the Breakthrough Crew as we take back control, stop giving away our power, and keep fighting the war on self-abdication. Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  5. Aug 26

    Wrenches Don’t Break You. Mindset Builds You: How to Keep Going When Life Goes Sideways

    Send us Fan Mail You had a plan. You had a list. You were going to GET. STUFF. DONE. And then life said, “That’s adorable.” The headache hits. Traffic is a nightmare. Your boss drops something on your desk at 4:55. The internet goes down. You're exhausted, overwhelmed, behind schedule, and suddenly that beautiful plan you had for the day is circling the drain. So now what? In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we're talking about what mindset really looks like when life refuses to cooperate—because having a positive mindset when everything is going your way is easy. The real test is what you do when the wrench hits the works. Do you let one bad moment hijack the entire day? Do you throw out the other $900 because somebody stole $100? Do you wallow in everything that's gone wrong—or do you rally, pivot, and take back control? This isn't another fluffy conversation about “just think positive.” Nope. We're talking about real-world mindset strategies for high achievers who still have days when they're tired, overwhelmed, unmotivated, frustrated, and just plain DONE. We're digging into: Why you can't wait until you feel like it to take actionHow to reset your mindset when your day goes completely off the railsWhy behavior changes belief faster than belief changes behaviorHow to stop one setback from ruining the rest of your dayWhy remembering your WHY can keep you moving when motivation disappearsHow to create a Plan B before you need oneWhy breaking overwhelming tasks into smaller chunks actually worksHow to do your future self a favorWhy accountability can help you keep going when you'd rather quitAnd the mantra Julie uses to get herself moving when she absolutely does NOT feel like it: Promises made. Promises kept.Because here's the uncomfortable truth: You don't think your way into feeling better. Sometimes you have to act your way there. And mindset isn't about pretending everything is wonderful. It's about refusing to hand over control of your entire day—or your goals—because something didn't go according to plan. Don't wallow. Rally. Oh, and stick around for Female Five, because this time we're getting personal! We're answering a question we've received more than once: How exactly did Mallory and Julie meet—and how in the world did that turn into Breakthrough? Spoiler alert: apparently, there was some light stalking involved. 😂 If you've ever thought, “Well, today is shot,” “I'm too overwhelmed,” “I'll do it when I feel more motivated,” or “Why bother? Something always gets in the way,” this episode is your lovingly delivered kick in the pants. Life is going to throw wrenches. Your breakthrough is learning not to hand them the steering wheel. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to reset your mindset, take action when you don't feel like it, stay productive through overwhelm, and keep moving toward the goals—and the impact—that matter most to you. mindset reset, positive mindset, growth mindset, mindset for success, how to stay motivated, how to stay productive, overcoming overwhelm, productivity tips, high achiever mindset, resilience, mental resilience, how to keep going, motivation and discipline, taking action, achieving goals, personal development for women, women in business, women leaders, self-leadership, accountability, overcoming setbacks, Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  6. Aug 12

    I’ll Just Do It Myself: The Hidden Ego Behind Doing It All

    Send us Fan Mail I’ll Just Do It Myself: The Hidden Ego Behind Doing It All “I’ve got it.” “I don’t need any help.” “It’ll be faster if I just do it myself.” Sound familiar? We love to call it independence. Responsibility. High standards. Being capable. But sometimes hiding underneath that giant pile of things we insist on doing ourselves is something we don't particularly want to admit: Ego. In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re lovingly calling ourselves—and maybe you—OUT on the “I’ll just do it myself” mentality. Because refusing help isn’t always about being strong. Sometimes it’s pride. Sometimes it’s perfectionism. Sometimes it’s control. Sometimes we’re afraid of being a burden or looking incapable. And sometimes—ouch—we’ve gotten just a little too comfortable playing the martyr who does everything and then wonders why nobody helps. Julie and Mallory get personal about their own struggles with competitiveness, high standards, control, and that little ego boost that comes when someone asks, “How do you DO it all?” Spoiler alert: doing it all isn’t nearly as impressive when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and hanging on by a thread. And this isn’t just about your personal life. If you’re a leader who constantly says, “It’s easier if I do it myself,” you may not just be overloading yourself—you may be robbing someone else of the opportunity to learn, grow, contribute, and feel valued. 🔥 In this episode, we dig into: Why capable people have such a hard time asking for helpThe sneaky connection between ego, pride, perfectionism, and controlWhy “I can do it myself” doesn't mean “I should do it myself”How refusing to delegate can actually hurt the people around youThe difference between striving for excellence and demanding perfectionWhy shared victories may be more meaningful than doing it aloneHow to recognize when your independence has crossed over into burnoutWhy asking for help can actually make other people feel valuedHow to start letting go—even if loosening your grip makes you twitch a littlePlus, in this episode’s Fan Mail Five, Kim from Florida asks a BIG question: “I’m always checking on everyone else, making the plans, solving the problems, and keeping everything together. Why doesn’t anyone ever do that for me?” Our answer might sting a little: Have you accidentally trained everyone to let you? We talk about the roles we create in our relationships, why resentment without communication gets us nowhere, and Mallory introduces a phrase we may need to keep forever: weaponized competence. Here’s your loving kick in the mindset: You may be perfectly capable of doing it all. That doesn’t mean you should. Your time, energy, attention, and talent are limited resources. Stop wasting them proving you don’t need anybody. Ask for the help. Delegate the thing. Let somebody else contribute. Say thank you. And then use that reclaimed energy for the people, priorities, and purpose that actually matter. 🎧 Listen now to Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie—and send this episode to the person who desperately needs help but will absolutely insist, “No, no, I’ve got it.” Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  7. Jul 29

    You're Addicted to Potential (And It's Keeping You Stuck)

    Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't fear...it's potential? In this eye-opening episode of Breakthrough with Mallory & Julie, we're exposing one of the sneakiest forms of self-sabotage: becoming addicted to what could happen instead of taking action on what should happen. Maybe you're staying in a relationship because "they'll change someday." Maybe you're stuck in a job that's draining the life out of you because you're hoping the next promotion, the next manager, or the next reorganization will finally make everything better. Maybe you've spent years telling yourself you have so much potential...without ever giving yourself permission to test it. Sound familiar? This episode is your loving kick in the pants. Julie and Mallory unpack why we cling to unrealized potential, why fear convinces us to stay stuck, and why hope is not a strategy—but action is. Through hilarious stories, real-life examples, leadership lessons, and a few uncomfortable truths, they challenge you to stop waiting for your life to magically improve and start making the decisions that move you forward. You'll discover: 🔥 Why people stay in bad relationships, toxic jobs, and unhealthy situations far longer than they should 🔥 The hidden fear behind "I don't want to fail" 🔥 How "potential" can become an excuse for avoiding action 🔥 The difference between believing in possibility and enabling dysfunction 🔥 Why every dream needs a Plan B (and why it actually makes you braver) 🔥 How to stop waiting for change and become the person who creates it If you've ever caught yourself saying... "Maybe next year..." "Maybe they'll change..." "Maybe someday..." ...this episode is for you. It's time to stop living on potential and start living with purpose. Because your future won't change because you hoped hard enough. It changes because you decided to act. 🎙️ Listen now, then send this episode to the friend who's been saying "maybe" for way too long. Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

  8. Jul 15

    You Might Be the Problem (Here's How to Tell)

    Send us Fan Mail Are you the main character...or have you accidentally become the villain? Ouch. We know. This episode might sting a little—but sometimes the truth is exactly what we need. Last episode we challenged you to stop living as the supporting character in your own life and start embracing Main Character Energy. But there's a catch. Taking ownership of your life doesn't mean making everything about you. In this laugh-out-loud, lovingly kick-you-in-the-mindset episode, Julie and Mallory tackle one of the biggest personal growth roadblocks nobody likes to talk about: What if you're the common denominator? Together they unpack why some people stay trapped in victim mentality, why self-awareness is one of the most valuable leadership skills you can develop, and how accountability—not blame—is what actually creates freedom. Through hilarious real-life stories, tough-love moments, and practical mindset shifts, they explore why people drift away from chronic complainers, why taking responsibility is empowering instead of defeating, and how to stop sabotaging your own relationships, career, and happiness.  If you've ever caught yourself saying... • "Why does this always happen to me?" • "Everyone I work with is toxic." • "Nothing ever goes my way." • "People just don't understand me." ...this episode might change your perspective forever. Because here's the truth: You can't control what happens to you—but you always control what you do next. In this episode you'll learn: ✔️ How to recognize victim mentality before it takes over your life ✔️ Why accountability is actually the fastest path to confidence ✔️ How to develop greater self-awareness without beating yourself up ✔️ The difference between healthy Main Character Energy and selfish behavior ✔️ Why your mindset—not your circumstances—is often your greatest advantage ✔️ Practical ways to stop complaining, start growing, and take your power back If you're ready for a little tough love, a lot of laughs, and the mindset shift that could completely change your relationships, career, and confidence... Press play. Because around here we're fighting the war on self-abdication—and sometimes the biggest breakthrough starts with asking one uncomfortable question: "Could I be the common denominator?" Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Are you ready for some straight talk? In this podcast we give real world, authentic, kick you in the pants, get it together, stop whining and make a move, growth strategies to help you BREAKTHROUGH to your best self! Hosted by Mallory Herrin and Julie Burch, personal development experts with the street cred to help you kick it up a notch. We have been through the drama and come through on the other side and we are here to help YOU do the same. We tackle the tough topics and address some of the common mental road blocks that hold us back.  Dealing with personal and career growth obstacles to becoming the best version of yourself. This is about accountability and recognizing that your life is YOUR choice! Take back control and make the choices that move you from where you are to where you want to be! You will hear tangible solutions and steps to implement immediately for REAL results! Let Mallory and Julie guide you to a new level of success! www.breakthroughwmj.com julie@julieburch.com Mallory@HerrinHR.com

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