Step Into Next

Helaine Knapp & Leanne Shear

You know that unsettling in-between space after one big chapter ends and before the next one begins? That's where we live. Step Into Next is about navigating the sometimes messy and maddening but also always exciting space "in between," in between, with honesty, humor, and heart. Hosted by Leanne Shear and Helaine Knapp, two entrepreneurs who've learned that growth doesn't stop at the finish line.

Episodes

  1. 09/12/2025 · VIDEO

    The Messy Middle & Normalizing the Struggle

    In this episode, Helaine and Leanne pull back the curtain on what they call "the struggle" – those seasons where self doubt, burnout, and rejection are loud, but you keep going anyway. Drawing from the real behind the scenes story of writing and publishing Making Waves, they share how their first version of the book didn't sell, the painful feedback that "women don't buy business books," and what it took to completely reengineer the project into an inspirational memoir that actually reflected Helaine's full story. Along the way, they talk about what it means to normalize struggle, why it's okay to be in the struggle but dangerous to become the struggle, and how to keep it at arm's length instead of letting it define you. You'll hear honest conversation about perfectionism, people pleasing, creative collaboration between friends, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, book deals, and big pivots in mid-career and midlife. If you're a woman founder, leader, or professional navigating a career transition and wondering if your setbacks mean you're off track, this one will feel like a deep exhale. In this episode, we cover: What "the struggle" actually looks like in real life and business The difference between sharing your struggle and dwelling in it The rocky path from startup style business book to vulnerable memoir Gender bias in business publishing and why women's stories matter How to hold onto your "why" when the feedback is brutal and the outcome is uncertain Perfect for women entrepreneurs, aspiring authors, and anyone in a messy middle season craving real talk about resilience, reinvention, and writing your next chapter while you're still living it.

    22 min
  2. 02/12/2025 · VIDEO

    Our Secret Sauce: The Process for Writing and Working Together

    What really happens when two women try to build something meaningful together while juggling careers, identity shifts, burnout, and the pressure to have it all figured out? In this episode, Helaine and Leanne pull back the curtain on the messy, funny, and unexpectedly healing process behind writing their book Making Waves and building a creative partnership from the ground up. They talk about what it feels like to work with friends, how to set boundaries without losing the relationship, and why understanding your learning style (verbal, written, or visual) can completely change the way you collaborate. Helaine shares a raw and unfiltered look at a real day in her founder life with investor pressure, media appearances, emotional exhaustion, and the quiet unraveling that pushed her toward storytelling as a form of survival. Leanne reflects on the power of being heard, the trust that comes from say-do integrity, and the belief that collaboration is stronger than competition. If you are navigating a career shift, rebuilding after burnout, or stepping into your next chapter, this conversation offers relatable truths, honest humor, and the reminder that you do not have to figure everything out alone. Themes: • Working with friends and setting boundaries • Burnout, reinvention, and founder honesty • Learning styles and communication • Trust, consistency, and say-do integrity • Collaboration versus competition • Turning chaos into clarity through storytelling A must-listen for women in motion including career shifters, creatives, founders, and anyone figuring out what comes next.

    19 min

About

You know that unsettling in-between space after one big chapter ends and before the next one begins? That's where we live. Step Into Next is about navigating the sometimes messy and maddening but also always exciting space "in between," in between, with honesty, humor, and heart. Hosted by Leanne Shear and Helaine Knapp, two entrepreneurs who've learned that growth doesn't stop at the finish line.