Finding North with Nancy Girres

Nancy Girres
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Finding North is a podcast for high-achievers who feel lost, stuck, or unfulfilled despite success. Hosted by Nancy Girres, each episode explores the truth about burnout, identity, purpose, and what it really takes to realign your life. Through powerful conversations and personal insights, you’ll learn how to find clarity, rebuild direction, and create a life that actually feels right. If you’ve ever thought “I did everything right… so why does this feel wrong?” — this is for you. New episodes every week. #selfdiscovery #burnout #personalgrowth #findingpurpose

  1. 1d ago

    She Went From Customer Service To A $930M Success Story | Tammy Swanson | Ep. 20

    What does it take to build a successful career when you're a single mother, have limited resources, and have to take a chance on a future you cannot predict? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Tammy Swanson, a seasoned healthcare technology executive with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations grow, transform, and achieve operational excellence. In 1990, Tammy made a life-changing decision. As a single mother earning barely above the poverty line, she moved with her five-year-old son from Colorado to Raleigh, North Carolina, to pursue an opportunity with a healthcare technology company. She started in customer service and went on to lead major departments, oversee teams supporting more than 100,000 physicians, navigate a $930 million company acquisition, and help transform organizations throughout her career. But Tammy's story isn't just about professional success. It's about the leaders who believed in her before she believed in herself, the power of authenticity and loyalty, and why the best leaders care about the whole person, not just the employee. Tammy also opens up about taking a nine-month sabbatical, recognizing her exhaustion, navigating the loss of her mother and best friend, and learning why sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop and recalibrate. This conversation explores: • Taking a life-changing career risk as a single mother • Building a successful career from an entry-level position • How mentorship can transform someone's professional future • The leadership qualities that build trust and loyalty • Why authenticity matters more than leadership theater • Giving honest feedback while showing people you care • Leading with empathy without sacrificing accountability • Growing organizations through acquisitions and transformation • Recognizing burnout and giving yourself permission to rest • Processing grief while making space for a new chapter • The importance of investing in people beyond their job titles 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Connect with Tammy Swanson: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-swanson-7b5ba14/ Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #podcast #entrepreneur #womenempowerment #healthcare #resilience

    She Went From Customer Service To A $930M Success Story | Tammy Swanson | Ep. 20

  2. Oct 20

    She Risked Everything To Protect The Books Kids Need | Jenny Wirtz | Ep. 19

    What happens when doing the right thing means risking your reputation, challenging the people around you, and finding the courage to speak up when staying silent would be easier? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with her younger sister, Jenny Wirtz, a public school librarian with 30 years of experience connecting students with books that help them feel seen, understood, and accepted. Jenny shares the defining moment that changed her career: standing up for a children's book challenged by parents and discovering that her professional responsibility to every student mattered more than her fear of speaking out. As book challenges and censorship spread across Iowa, she found herself defending students' freedom to read, even when librarians were publicly targeted and accused of wrongdoing. But this conversation goes far beyond books. Jenny opens up about being a lifelong people pleaser, finding her voice, navigating her husband's struggle with alcohol and recovery, experiencing grief, leaning on faith, and learning to accept help when life becomes too difficult to handle alone. Through stories of family, courage, forgiveness, and personal growth, Jenny reminds us that finding our north often begins when we stop trying to keep everyone happy and start standing up for what truly matters. This conversation explores: • The moment a book challenge changed Jenny's life • Why every child deserves to see themselves represented in books • The growing challenges surrounding book bans and the freedom to read • Finding your voice when speaking up feels uncomfortable • Moving beyond people pleasing and the fear of disappointing others • How family support helped Jenny navigate addiction and recovery • Learning to let go of control and accept what you cannot change • Navigating grief, loss, faith, and unexpected life changes • The power of showing up for people when they need you most • How to stop being a bystander and stand up for what matters 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Connect with Jenny Wirtz: X/Twitter: @jennywirtz Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #education #resilience #motivation #strongwomen #podcast

    She Risked Everything To Protect The Books Kids Need | Jenny Wirtz | Ep. 19

  3. Oct 13

    He Ended Up In The ICU Before He Finally Changed His Life | Heath Steel | Ep. 18

    What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build begins to cost you your health, your peace, and your sense of direction? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Heath Steel, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Volunteers of America Northern Rockies, to discuss leadership, grief, health, purpose, and the life-changing moments that force us to rethink everything. After years of demanding leadership responsibilities, major mergers, and relentless stress, Heath experienced a serious health crisis that landed him in the ICU. But his turning point came afterward, standing in a Walmart pharmacy line, realizing he couldn't keep living the same way. He shares how he rebuilt his health through daily movement, changing his habits, and establishing boundaries, while finding renewed purpose through search and rescue. He also opens up about losing his brother in a tragic accident, how his family carried that grief together, and why he believes his greatest accomplishment is becoming the father he needed growing up. This conversation explores: • The health crisis that forced Heath to change his life • Why success and hard work don't always lead to fulfillment • The moment he realized he couldn't keep living the same way • Rebuilding health through discipline, movement, and boundaries • How grief and losing his brother reshaped his perspective • Finding purpose by showing up for people in their darkest moments • Why addiction and behavioral health require compassion, not judgment • Discovering your calling through curiosity and self-reflection • How mentors and family shape the person you become • Becoming the person you needed when you were younger Heath's story is a reminder that finding your North isn't about reaching a perfect destination. It's about recognizing when your current path is no longer serving you and having the courage to choose differently. 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Connect with Heath Steel: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/heath-steel-59723472 🌐 Organization Website: https://www.voanr.org/ #healthjourney #resilience #motivation #growth #personalgrowth

    He Ended Up In The ICU Before He Finally Changed His Life | Heath Steel | Ep. 18

  4. Oct 6

    She Walked Away From Expectations To Build A Life That Was Truly Hers | Jenifer Prichard | Ep. 17

    What happens when the life you're expected to live isn't the life that feels true to you? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Jenifer Prichard, Vice President of Events at Vistage, where she has spent 18 years creating powerful experiences for leaders around the world. Jenifer's story begins with an extraordinary childhood. After surviving spinal meningitis as an infant, she became known as her father's "miracle child" and spent years traveling with him to prisons and nursing homes, sharing her story and discovering the power of human connection. From joining Up with People at 21 and traveling through 11 countries, to spending eight years working for Tony Robbins and traveling 297 days in a single year, Jenifer built a life around people, experiences, connection, and possibility. But her journey wasn't just about career success. Jenifer shares how she learned to challenge traditional expectations around relationships, family, faith, and what a successful life is supposed to look like. She also reveals the lessons Tony Robbins taught her about finding a way, why she believes there is always a "yes, and," and how the smallest conversations at an event can create life-changing connections. This conversation explores: • Surviving spinal meningitis and becoming a "miracle child" • The life-changing impact of her father's faith and example • Finding her passion through Up with People • Traveling 11 countries with 98 host families • Eight years working with Tony Robbins • What traveling 297 days a year taught her about life • Breaking away from traditional expectations • Choosing appreciation over expectation in relationships • Why there is always a way forward • The power of creating space for meaningful conversations • Becoming a connector and building bridges between people • Why we never know the impact we have on someone • Creating experiences that leave people with goosebumps, laughter, and tears • Finding your own North instead of following someone else's 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Connect With Jennifer Prichard: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prichard-77991b4/ Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #podcast #motivation #womenempowerment #mindset #success

    She Walked Away From Expectations To Build A Life That Was Truly Hers | Jenifer Prichard | Ep. 17

  5. Sep 29

    The Opportunity Won’t Wait For You To Feel Ready | Nancy Girres | Ep. 16

    What if the opportunity you've been waiting for has a shelf life? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres explores the lie we tell ourselves about timing, the cost of waiting until we feel ready, and why she has stopped apologizing for her ambition. Nancy shares how saying yes to one opportunity with Vistage opened a series of doors she couldn't have predicted, from joining the faculty that trains new chairs, to training chairs in Argentina, leading workshops at Chair World, working virtually with chairs in China and Australia, and eventually receiving an invitation to teach in Shanghai. But the bigger lesson isn't about any one opportunity. It's about recognizing that you don't get to see the whole hallway. You only get to see the door in front of you. Nancy also shares a powerful exercise she used with her CEO groups at a retreat outside Aspen, where participants physically confronted the limited number of healthy years they may have ahead of them. This conversation explores: • Why opportunities have a shelf life • The danger of waiting until you feel ready • Why “later” is not a plan • How one yes can lead to doors you never expected • Letting go of guilt around ambition • Why every yes comes with a no • The difference between ambition and abandonment • How to think about the limited time we have • Why you should stop apologizing for wanting more • Finding the courage to walk through the door while it's open Nancy also reflects on turning 60, the “Nancy Olympics” her daughter created for her family, and what she learned from the people closest to her about the difference between being busy and being absent. The people who love you most may not want you to do less. They may simply want you. 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #personalgrowth #motivation #ambition #mindset #leadership

    The Opportunity Won’t Wait For You To Feel Ready | Nancy Girres | Ep. 16

  6. Sep 22

    He Lost Himself Trying To Please Everyone | Brandon Wells | Ep. 15

    What happens when the life you've built no longer feels like it's serving you? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Brandon Wells, President and CEO of The Group Inc., to explore the moments that forced him to look inward, change direction, and become more comfortable with who he really is. Brandon shares how leaving Albuquerque, changing his career path, and stepping away from an old peer group set the next chapter of his life in motion. He opens up about divorce, people-pleasing, leadership pressure, and the five-year recalibration that helped him reconnect with the person underneath the armor. The conversation also explores his approach to leadership, mentorship, parenting, gratitude, physical movement, and why taking responsibility for what you can control can fundamentally change the way you experience life. This conversation explores: • Knowing when your environment is no longer serving you • Outgrowing your peer group and changing direction • People-pleasing and learning to accept that not everyone will like you • Divorce, identity, and personal recalibration • Becoming comfortable with who you really are • Being a player instead of a victim • Taking responsibility for what you can control • The power of mentors who challenge and believe in you • Gratitude, movement, and building an ownership mindset • Leadership, vulnerability, and making difficult decisions • Living fully instead of looking back with "I could have" and "I should have" • Finding your North through curiosity, growth, and new experiences Whose north have you been following, and what would change if you trusted your own compass? 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Connect With Brandon Wells: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/brandonwells1/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonwells1/ 🌐 https://thegroupinc.com/ Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #entrepreneur #personalgrowth #mindset #motivation #podcast

    He Lost Himself Trying To Please Everyone | Brandon Wells | Ep. 15

  7. Aug 25

    She Became A CEO At 26 Without Ever Planning To | Amy Pezzani | Ep. 14

    What happens when your career chooses you before you ever choose it? In this episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Amy Pezzani, CEO of the Food Bank for Larimer County, for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, purpose, unexpected opportunities, friendship, regret, and finding your direction later in life. Amy never planned to become a CEO. After graduating from college with a degree in sociology, she became a VISTA volunteer at Ozarks Food Harvest, where she created programs that would eventually change the trajectory of her career. At just 26 years old, Amy was encouraged to apply for the executive director role by a mentor who believed in her before she believed in herself. But her story isn't only about leadership. Amy opens up about a life-changing friendship with Stacy, the loss that forced her to confront regret, the lessons she learned about saying what matters before it's too late, and how those experiences shaped the leader and person she became. This conversation explores: • Becoming a CEO at 26 without planning for it • The power of someone believing in you before you believe in yourself • Finding leadership through unexpected opportunities • Learning from the leaders you don't want to become • The difference between being successful and staying hungry • Friendship, loss, grief, and regret • Why you shouldn't wait to tell people they matter • Building a leadership style intentionally • Staying passionate after 22 years in the same mission • Knowing when it's time to recalibrate your life • What it means to find your North when your career chose you 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #podcast #purpose #personalgrowth #ceo #womenempowerment

    She Became A CEO At 26 Without Ever Planning To | Amy Pezzani | Ep. 14

  8. Aug 18

    She Chose Love Even When It Cost Her Family | Mackenzie Rutherford | Ep. 13

    What happens when being true to yourself means risking the approval of the people you love most? In this deeply personal episode of Finding North, Nancy Girres sits down with Mackenzie Rutherford, her daughter, executive assistant, social worker, wife, and mother of two. For the first time, mother and daughter trade places and interview each other about the choices, challenges, and experiences that shaped their lives. Mackenzie shares the story of falling in love with her wife Allison, coming out to her family, choosing authenticity despite the possibility of rejection, and building a life grounded in love rather than other people's expectations. But this conversation goes far beyond one love story. Nancy and Mackenzie explore forgiveness, unconditional love, motherhood, family, resilience, authenticity, judgment, and what it means to stop waiting for other people to approve of the life you're choosing. This conversation explores: • Choosing authenticity when it comes with a cost • Falling in love and refusing to live for other people's approval • The courage to choose yourself • Unconditional love and forgiveness • Navigating family expectations and rejection • How perspective can change the way we experience hardship • The power of truly seeing other people • Mother-daughter relationships and generational growth • Learning from difficult seasons instead of being defined by them • Raising children to be confident in who they are • Letting go of what other people believe about you • Finding North by staying true to yourself Mackenzie opens up about the hardest choices of her life, the people who helped her feel seen, the love she built with Allison, and why forgiveness can be one of the strongest choices we make. Nancy and Mackenzie also reflect on their own relationship, the mistakes they made, the grace they gave each other, and how choosing to keep communicating transformed their relationship over time. Whose approval are you still waiting for, and what would happen if you stopped waiting? 📸 Follow behind the scenes: https://www.instagram.com/coachgirres/ 🌐 Nancy’s Website: https://nancygirres.com/ 💼 Connect with Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygirres Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, identity, healing, burnout, and personal transformation. #podcast #selflove #personalgrowth #womenempowerment #motherdaughter

    She Chose Love Even When It Cost Her Family | Mackenzie Rutherford | Ep. 13
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Finding North is a podcast for high-achievers who feel lost, stuck, or unfulfilled despite success. Hosted by Nancy Girres, each episode explores the truth about burnout, identity, purpose, and what it really takes to realign your life. Through powerful conversations and personal insights, you’ll learn how to find clarity, rebuild direction, and create a life that actually feels right. If you’ve ever thought “I did everything right… so why does this feel wrong?” — this is for you. New episodes every week. #selfdiscovery #burnout #personalgrowth #findingpurpose

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