The Seed: Growing Your Business

Lisa Resnick Founder of Dandelion-Inc

Welcome to The Seed: Growing Your Business, brought to you by Dandelion Inc. I’m your host, Lisa Resnick, and this podcast is all about connecting, developing, and supporting women in business. Join me as we explore tips and insights on leadership, business development, and social media strategies that can help you thrive. We’ll also hear from amazing guests who share their stories and experiences, offering inspiration and practical advice for your entrepreneurial journey. So, tune in, download, like, and subscribe. And remember, if you love what you hear, share the love with others. Together, let’s cultivate growth and empower women in business.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 140-Business Identity Evolves: Signs, Leadership Shifts & What to Do Next

    When Your Business Identity Evolves: Signs, Leadership Shifts & What to Do Next There’s a conversation that doesn’t happen enough in business. Not about strategy. Not about scaling. Not about marketing. But about identity. Your business identity—and your personal identity—is allowed to evolve. Not just your logo. Not just your offers. Not just your messaging. Your voice. Your priorities. Your energy. Your leadership. Your vision. And if you’re doing meaningful work, this evolution isn’t a risk. It’s inevitable. When Something Feels “Off” in Your Business Here’s what I see all the time: You hit a point where everything technically still works. Revenue is coming in. Clients are happy. Your team is functioning. But something feels… off. That internal friction? It’s often not burnout. It’s misalignment. You’ve evolved—but your business hasn’t caught up yet. Signs Your Business Identity Is Evolving Let’s start internally—because that’s where it almost always begins. 1. You feel disconnected from work that used to excite you What once energized you now drains you. That’s not failure. That’s data. 2. Your conversations start to change You’re talking more about: Impact Sustainability Community Legacy And less about: Hustle Optics Validation That shift matters. 3. Your tolerance changes Things you once accepted now feel heavy: Chaotic workflows Poor boundaries Misaligned partnerships That’s your leadership asking for structure. 4. You want depth over volume Fewer clients. Stronger relationships. More aligned collaborations. That’s not a lack of ambition—it’s maturity. External Signs You Can’t Ignore Sometimes the outside world sees it before you fully do. Opportunities start looking different Your audience begins to shift Your team starts questioning direction You might hear things like: “This isn’t how we used to do things” “Why are we changing?” “I don’t see the vision yet” That’s not always resistance. Sometimes, it’s a request for clarity. The Hard Question: Is It Me or Is It Them? Before assuming your team “isn’t getting it,” ask yourself: Have I clearly communicated the vision—consistently? Am I modeling the evolution myself? Am I reacting emotionally or leading strategically? Because people don’t resist change. They resist confusion. But Sometimes… It Is Them And that doesn’t make anyone wrong. Some people are incredible for a season—just not every season. Pay attention to: Ongoing resistance without solutions Lack of curiosity Passive disengagement Misaligned values That’s not failure. That’s a shift in fit. How to Lead Through Business Evolution This is where leadership actually matters. 1. Over-communicate the vision Not just what’s changing—but why. And what’s staying the same. 2. Invite participation, not just compliance Ask: “What do you see for this next phase?” People support what they help build. 3. Create growth pathways Give your team: Training Ownership New responsibilities Evolution shouldn’t feel like displacement. 4. Protect psychological safety If people are afraid to mess up, innovation stops. Normalize the learning curve. 5. Set clear expectations Kind leadership is not vague leadership. Clarity reduces anxiety. The Part No One Talks About: Letting Go of Your Old Identity Sometimes the hardest part isn’t your team. It’s you. Letting go of a version of your business that: Worked Was praised Felt safe But no longer fits. Consistency builds trust. But authenticity sustains it. And when you evolve transparently? You don’t lose trust—you deepen it. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    16 min
  2. May 27

    Ep 139-Why Work-Life Balance Is a Myth and What to Focus on Instead

    Why Work-Life Balance Is a Myth and What to Focus on Instead Balance is one of those words that sounds good in theory. Work-life balance. Emotional balance. Business balance. Family balance. It paints a picture of a life that is calm, evenly portioned, and somehow friction-free. But real life does not work like that. And that is not because stability is impossible. It is not because peace is impossible. And it is not because alignment does not matter. It is because life is not static. Life moves. If you are growing, leading, parenting, healing, building, creating, managing your health, navigating relationships, or running a business, motion is constant. Which means balance, at least the way it is often marketed to us, is more myth than reality. In this episode of The Seed, I talk about why balance is oversimplified, why control often gets misunderstood, and what it actually looks like to navigate real life without constantly feeling like you are failing. The Problem With the Way Balance Is Sold to Us The modern version of “balance” often looks like a highly curated image. A woman who is: successful in business present with her family physically healthy socially connected emotionally calm financially stable somehow doing all of it beautifully at the same time That image creates pressure. It makes people think: “If I were just better at managing things, I could make my life look like that too.” But what we usually do not see are the trade-offs behind that image. We do not see: the support systems the financial realities the help behind the scenes the emotional labor the shifting priorities the exhaustion that may exist outside the frame That is why balance is often more of a highlight-reel word than a lived-experience word. Life Runs in Seasons, Not Symmetry The truth is, life tends to move in seasons. Some seasons are: career-heavy family-heavy health-focused healing-focused creative financially stressful emotionally demanding deeply transitional Some seasons are survival seasons. And those count too. That matters because survival seasons are not evidence that you are failing. They are chapters. In those seasons, balance is usually not the goal. Stability is. And sometimes, stability simply means getting through the day with enough care, clarity, and steadiness to keep going. The Difference Between Balance and Integration One of the biggest shifts in this episode is moving away from the word balance and toward the word integration. Balance suggests that every area of life should receive equal energy all the time. Integration acknowledges reality. It acknowledges that life overlaps. Work may affect family. Health may affect business. Relationships may affect energy. Leadership may affect recovery. Instead of trying to keep every category in a perfectly separate container, integration accepts that life is often a mosaic. Messy sometimes. Layered often. Still meaningful. That is a much more human standard. When Control Becomes a Coping Mechanism This episode also gets personal in the best way because it talks about control. For many people, the desire for control is not just about personality. It is about adaptation. It can come from: responsibility uncertainty earlier life experiences learning how to create safety living through unpredictability That is why control is not automatically unhealthy. In many cases, it started as a survival skill. And survival skills can absolutely become leadership strengths. But there is a difference between healthy control and fear-based control. Healthy Control vs. Fear-Based Control Healthy control looks like: planning intentionally setting boundaries creating structure preparing realistically managing time with clarity staying organized without obsession Fear-based control looks like: needing certainty before taking action resisting flexibility avoiding help feeling threatened by unpredictability equating change with danger Most people move between both of these at different times. That is part of being human. The key is recognizing when control is supporting you and when it is quietly running you. What You Can Actually Control A lot of stress comes from trying to control things that are not truly yours to control. You can control: your effort your preparation your boundaries your communication your values your consistency You cannot control: other people’s reactions the exact timing of opportunities unexpected health issues market shifts external validation life’s surprises When people blur those categories, stress multiplies. That is why one of the most useful reminders in this conversation is simple: Control what you can. Release what you can’t. Simple to say. Harder to live. But necessary. Why Perfect Balance Often Creates More Shame One of the hardest things about chasing balance is that it can make capable people feel like they are constantly failing. Not because they are doing badly. But because the standard itself is unrealistic. If the goal is to do everything equally, calmly, consistently, and beautifully at all times, then almost no one will ever feel like they are succeeding. That is why moving toward integration can reduce pressure. It helps people ask: What matters most in this season? What do I actually have capacity for right now? What trade-offs am I willing to make? What can wait without consequence? Those questions are far more useful than “How do I do all of this perfectly?” Practical Ways to Live Without Chasing Balance This episode also offers practical shifts that help people live more sustainably. 1. Define Priorities by Season Do not decide what matters forever. Decide what matters right now. Let priorities evolve with your life. 2. Accept Trade-Offs Without Shame Every yes includes a no. That is not failure. That is clarity. 3. Build in Recovery Time Rest is not a reward you earn at the end. It is maintenance. Recovery has to be part of the process. 4. Be Honest About Capacity Ambition is beautiful. Overextension is not sustainable. Knowing the difference protects your energy and your integrity. 5. Communicate Expectations Clearly With your team. With your family. With yourself. Unspoken expectations create invisible pressure. And invisible pressure adds up fast. A Better Mindset: Adaptation Instead of Failure One of the most important lines in this episode is this: You are probably not failing. You are probably adapting. That shift matters. Because adaptation is not weakness. It is evidence of resilience. And for many people, especially leaders, caregivers, and women carrying a lot of invisible labor, adaptation has become second nature. Recognizing that can be deeply relieving. It helps reframe life from: “I’m not handling this well enough.” to “I’m adjusting to what this season requires.” That is a completely different kind of self-talk. And it is much healthier. Why This Matters for Leadership If you lead a team, a family, a business, or a community, your relationship with balance affects others too. When leaders model: honest capacity boundaries adaptability recovery flexibility self-awareness they give others permission to do the same. That matters because leadership is not just about performance. It is also about creating an atmosphere where sustainable growth is possible. And sustainable growth rarely happens inside unrealistic expectations. A Simple Grounding Exercise for Overwhelm When life feels out of balance, this episode offers three questions to ask: What must happen today? What would be helpful but not essential? What can wait without consequence? Those three questions can cut through overwhelm quickly. Because they help distinguish urgency from pressure. And pressure from noise. That kind of clarity is often more useful than trying to “feel balanced.” Final Reflection Balance is not a destination. It is not a permanent state. And for many people, it is not even the right goal. A better goal is awareness. Intention. Capacity. Integration. Self-trust. Compassion. Because you do not need a perfectly balanced life to build a meaningful one. You need the ability to adapt honestly, lead wisely, and release the impossible standard that tells you you should be able to do everything all at once without friction. You are not behind. You are not broken. You are probably adjusting to a life that is moving. And that is what being human looks like. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    22 min
  3. May 20

    Ep. 138-How to Get on Podcasts and Use Guest Interviews to Grow Your Business

    How to Get on Podcasts and Use Guest Interviews to Grow Your Business Podcast guesting has become one of the most effective ways for entrepreneurs, authors, and experts to grow their visibility. But getting on the right podcasts is not just about sending a generic pitch and hoping for the best. It is about relationship-building. It is about storytelling. And it is about understanding what makes someone worth listening to in the first place. In this episode of The Seed, I sat down with Michelle Glogovac, founder of The MLG Collective, author of How to Get on Podcasts, and host of a podcast network that includes My Simplified Life, Read The Damn Book, Beyond The Campaign, and BURNT. Michelle’s work centers on helping entrepreneurs, advocates, authors, nonprofits, and experts tell their stories in ways that create visibility, impact, and connection. What made this conversation especially valuable is that Michelle does not treat podcast pitching like cold publicity. She treats it like thoughtful matchmaking. And that mindset changes everything. Why Podcast Guesting Matters for Business Growth Podcast interviews offer something many other forms of visibility do not. They create intimacy. They give people the chance to hear your voice, your story, your perspective, and the way you think in real time. Michelle’s agency describes podcasting as a way to speak to your ideal audience “in an intimate way,” which is exactly why it works so well for trust-building. That matters because people do not just buy offers. They buy trust. They buy clarity. They buy resonance. And podcast interviews can create all three. For entrepreneurs, podcast guesting can support: audience growth relationship-building brand visibility authority-building book promotion client trust But only if it is done well. The Best Podcast Pitches Are Personal, Not Generic One of the strongest takeaways from this conversation was Michelle’s emphasis on personalization. She does not believe in generic copy-and-paste pitches. And honestly, neither do I. The best podcast pitches start with: actually listening to the show understanding the host referencing a relevant past episode showing why the guest fits that specific audience Michelle’s podcast pitching service is built around personalized pitch emails, branded media kits, and tailored speaking topics rather than one-size-fits-all outreach. That approach matters because hosts can tell when someone actually knows their show. And they can definitely tell when someone does not. What Podcast Hosts Really Want in a Guest A lot of people assume hosts just want credentials. A bestselling book. A big platform. An impressive title. But what many hosts really want is something else: A guest with a real story. Someone with a perspective. Someone who can hold a conversation. Someone who will bring value to the audience and not just promote themselves. Michelle’s work consistently emphasizes story and voice over empty visibility tactics. Even in her brand messaging, she frames her role as helping people “craft powerful narratives that drive visibility, impact, and connection.” That distinction is huge. Because podcast guesting is not just media. It is connection. Why Storytelling Is the Real Visibility Strategy What I loved most about this conversation is that it kept coming back to storytelling. Michelle is not simply helping people land interviews. She is helping them articulate who they are, what they know, and why their story matters. That is what makes someone memorable. Her site also reinforces this in practical ways, including resources on promoting podcast interviews and using them to extend your visibility on your own channels. She encourages guests to treat interviews as relationship-building opportunities and as content worth repurposing on social media and websites. This is why podcast guesting works so well when done intentionally. You are not only borrowing someone else’s audience. You are building your own narrative in public. How to Pitch Yourself to Podcasts More Effectively If you want a stronger podcast guesting strategy, this episode makes a few things very clear. 1. Know the Show Do not pitch a podcast you have never listened to. At minimum, understand: the host’s style the audience the themes the tone of past episodes 2. Make the Email Easy to Read Michelle’s service includes a detailed strategy outline, a branded media kit, personalized pitch emails, and linked resources that make it easier for hosts to evaluate a guest quickly. That means your pitch should not feel like work for the host. 3. Focus on the Human, Not Just the Headline A title is not enough. “Entrepreneur” is not enough. “Author” is not enough. What makes your story worth sharing? 4. Give the Host a Reason to Care Why this show? Why this audience? Why now? That is what makes a pitch land. Podcast Guesting Is Also About Timing Another important piece of the conversation was timing. People often think podcast outreach works like quick-turn media. It usually does not. Many podcast hosts record weeks or months in advance. Michelle’s own services for books, for example, recommend beginning strategy and pitching three to four months prior to launch, which is a strong reminder that podcast guesting requires lead time. That matters especially for: book launches events campaigns political cycles timely thought leadership topics If visibility matters, planning matters too. Why Podcast Guesting Builds Relationships, Not Just Reach The part of this conversation that stood out most to me is how relationship-centered Michelle’s approach is. That makes sense given her background. Before building The MLG Collective, she spent years in corporate aviation sales, where long-term relationships mattered more than tiny pricing differences. That relationship mindset now carries directly into how she approaches podcast pitching and publicity. That is a lesson more entrepreneurs need to hear. Visibility without relationship is shallow. Relationship creates longevity. And the best podcast appearances often lead to more than downloads. They can lead to: introductions collaborations future invitations referrals credibility community That is why podcast interviews are not just marketing. They are influence-building. Michelle’s business is a strong example of building a service from both lived experience and strategic depth. The MLG Collective offers podcast pitching, podcast book tours, podcast campaign tours, media kits, and strategy sessions. Michelle’s site describes her as “THE Podcast Matchmaker®,” notes that she has booked more than 1,000 interviews, and emphasizes that her team handles the details that make a guest stand out to hosts. She has also expanded into a podcast network and continues to build around visibility, books, podcasting, and bold conversations that matter. That breadth is part of what makes this episode so useful. It is not theory. It is lived expertise. Final Reflection If you have ever wondered how some people seem to show up on the right podcasts at the right time, this conversation answers a lot of that. It is not luck. It is clarity. It is strategy. It is relationship-building. And it is knowing how to tell a story that actually matters to the person on the other end. Podcast guesting is not just about being seen. It is about being heard in the right rooms. And when done well, that can absolutely move your business forward. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    40 min
  4. May 13

    Ep 137-How to Rebuild Problem-Solving Skills in Leadership, Business, and Life

    How to Rebuild Problem-Solving Skills in Leadership, Business, and Life Technology is not the villain. Let’s start there. We live in a world where information is accessible, tutorials are endless, AI can generate ideas instantly, and answers come faster than ever before. There is a lot to appreciate about that. Access to information has changed how we work, cook, learn, build, and solve problems. But there is also a tradeoff. The faster answers become, the less comfortable many people become with not knowing right away. And that matters. Because uncertainty is where real problem-solving begins. In this episode of The Seed, I wanted to talk about something I’ve been noticing in leadership, business, and even in myself at times: we are losing some of our instinct to sit with complexity long enough to understand it deeply. And that affects everything. Why Fast Answers Can Weaken Problem-Solving Skills We are surrounded by fast answers. Search engines. AI tools. How-to videos. Templates. Proven methods. Instant recommendations. These tools can be incredibly helpful. But speed has a side effect. It lowers our tolerance for uncertainty. And when we lose tolerance for uncertainty, we also lose part of our ability to problem-solve with depth. Because not every meaningful problem has one obvious answer. Some problems require: reflection experimentation patience context multiple possibilities And that kind of thinking does not happen when we rush toward the first available fix. The Trap of Looking for One Right Answer One of the biggest problem-solving mistakes people make is assuming there is one best answer. One best strategy. One best way. One proven path. But most meaningful challenges do not work that way. Real problems often have: several possible solutions trade-offs context-specific decisions imperfect but workable options That is why strong problem-solvers do not ask only, “What is the answer?” They ask, “What are the possibilities?” That shift matters. Because when you force yourself to generate multiple options, you strengthen creativity, ownership, and confidence at the same time. A Better Leadership Habit: Name Three Possible Solutions One practical habit that changes everything is this: When a problem shows up, ask: What are three possible ways we could handle this? Not one. Three. At minimum. Why three? Because once you move beyond a single default answer, your brain has to think more flexibly. You begin to activate: creative problem-solving strategic thinking perspective-taking adaptability This works in business. It works in families. It works in leadership. It works in life. There is rarely only one path forward. Why Pros and Cons Matter in Decision-Making Once you identify multiple possible solutions, the next step is to weigh the trade-offs. Every decision has pros and cons. Every path has benefits. Every path has limitations. Every path asks something of you. This is where maturity in decision-making starts to deepen. Looking honestly at trade-offs helps you avoid: all-or-nothing thinking perfectionism impulsive decisions fantasy-based expectations It helps you lead from realism instead of wishful thinking. And realism builds trust. Especially in leadership. Constructive Questioning Is a Leadership Skill Questioning often gets misunderstood. People hear questions and assume skepticism, resistance, or negativity. But constructive questioning is different. Constructive questions sound like: What might we be missing? How else could this work? What assumptions are we making? What would success look like here? What information do we already have? These questions do not shut down ideas. They expand them. That distinction matters because curiosity builds possibilities, while cynicism tends to collapse them. If you want better decisions, you need better questions. Why Leaders Should Stop Solving Every Problem This is the part many leaders need to hear most. If you lead a team, business, nonprofit, community, or family, constantly solving every problem for people may feel helpful. It may feel supportive. It may feel efficient. It may feel faster. But over time, it weakens the people around you. Why? Because when you solve every problem for others, they gain relief. But they do not gain competence. And relief is temporary. Competence compounds. This is one of the biggest differences between fixing and leading. Coaching Builds Better Teams Than Fixing Strong leaders do not always provide the answer. They provide a framework. They ask questions. They guide. They support. They help people think. Instead of saying: “Here’s what to do.” Try asking: What do you think could work? What options do you see? What feels most aligned here? What is your first instinct? What support would help you move forward? That is not abandonment. That is empowerment. And empowered people grow faster than dependent ones. What Happens When Leaders Fix Too Much When leaders step in too quickly, several things begin to happen. Teams may start to: wait for permission avoid initiative defer decisions lose confidence rely on the leader for everything Meanwhile, the leader becomes the bottleneck. And often without realizing it, over-fixing sends this message: “I don’t fully trust you.” Even if that is not the intention, it is often the impact. That is why sustainable leadership requires restraint as much as support. Why Multiple Paths Increase Confidence One reason people freeze under pressure is because they think there is only one correct answer. That creates fear. But when people can see multiple viable paths, something shifts. Confidence grows. Why? Because flexibility reduces pressure. And confidence is built through experience, not just instruction. The more people practice thinking through options and evaluating choices, the more capable they become. That is true for teams, children, clients, and leaders too. Innovation Requires Space, Not Just Speed Innovation rarely comes from immediate answers. It comes from questions like: What if? Why not? How else could this work? What haven’t we considered yet? Innovation needs space. Space to think. Space to experiment. Space to be wrong. Space to grow. Leadership is often less about controlling the answer and more about creating the conditions where better answers can emerge. That is what strong leaders do. How to Rebuild Your Own Problem-Solving Muscles If you want to strengthen your own problem-solving skills, start here: Pause Before Asking for Help Give yourself a chance to think first. Generate Multiple Options Even imperfect options count. The point is flexibility. Evaluate the Trade-Offs Every decision has costs and benefits. Reflect Afterward Ask what worked, what did not, and what you learned. Reflection turns experience into wisdom. That is how problem-solving becomes stronger over time. We Do Not Need Less Technology. We Need Stronger Thinking. This conversation is not anti-technology. Technology is useful. AI is useful. Speed is useful. But they work best when paired with stronger thinking. We do not need fewer answers. We need deeper questions. We do not need leaders who fix everything. We need leaders who help people grow. And that starts with rebuilding our own comfort with complexity, uncertainty, and thoughtful exploration. Final Reflection The next time a problem shows up, try slowing down. Look for multiple solutions. Weigh the trade-offs. Ask better questions. Resist the urge to fix everything for everyone. Because that is where confidence grows. That is where innovation starts. And that is where sustainable leadership begins. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    16 min
  5. May 6

    Ep 136-Why Temporary Obsessions Build Skills for Business, Leadership, and Life

    Why Temporary Obsessions Build Skills for Business, Leadership, and Life We tend to dismiss temporary obsessions too quickly. You get really into watercoloring for a few months. You start baking every weekend. You become fascinated by gardening, photography, kayaking, or one oddly specific topic you suddenly can’t stop reading about. And somewhere along the way, people start labeling it as random. A phase. A distraction. A side note. But what if it’s not random at all? What if those temporary obsessions are actually skill accelerators? In this episode of The Seed, I explore the idea that the hobbies, interests, and intense curiosity seasons we move through are often teaching us far more than we realize. And many of the skills they build don’t stay in the hobby lane. They transfer. To leadership. To business. To parenting. To relationships. To health. To life. Temporary Obsessions Are Not Usually Random When something grabs your attention deeply for a season, it often serves a purpose. Not always an obvious one. But a real one. That interest may be helping you develop: patience adaptability focus pattern recognition emotional regulation tolerance for imperfection creative problem solving The problem is, most people only look at the activity on the surface. They see watercoloring. You’re learning fluidity. They see baking. You’re learning sequence and recovery. They see kayaking. You’re learning to respond to changing conditions. Temporary obsessions are often less about the activity itself and more about the inner skill set it’s quietly building. What Watercolor Can Teach You About Leadership At first glance, watercolor sounds like a hobby. Relaxing. Creative. Aesthetic. But watercolor requires: patience letting go of control accepting imperfection working in layers understanding timing knowing when to stop That sounds a lot like leadership. And business. And honestly, parenting too. If you overwork watercolor, it muddies. If you rush the next layer, it bleeds. If you try to control every detail, you lose the beauty of the medium. That translates directly into life. Sometimes growth cannot be rushed. Sometimes clarity comes from restraint. Sometimes results need time to dry before you can build on them. What Baking Can Teach You About Business Baking is a great example of how structured hobbies build operational thinking. Baking requires: sequence precision timing pattern recognition troubleshooting delayed gratification It teaches you to follow a process while staying flexible enough to adjust if something goes wrong. That’s not just baking. That’s project management. That’s operations. That’s execution. That’s systems thinking. And for people who are leading businesses, building teams, or managing households, those are incredibly transferable skills. What Kayaking Can Teach You About Entrepreneurship Kayaking seems recreational. But it teaches: balance reading currents situational awareness strength through resistance momentum through movement calm under instability You don’t control the water. You respond to it. That’s entrepreneurship in a sentence. Business is rarely about total control. It’s about reading what is happening, adjusting as needed, and staying steady enough to move forward when the conditions shift. That’s a skill. And sometimes a weekend hobby is strengthening it more than a business book ever could. Hobbies Create Cognitive Cross-Training One of the hidden benefits of temporary obsessions is that they create cross-training for the brain. When you engage deeply in something unrelated to your main work, you activate different pathways. That can improve: creativity flexibility resilience problem solving confidence pattern recognition This is part of why stepping away from your main lane can actually make you stronger in it. You are not wasting time. You are broadening your thinking. And broader thinkers often adapt faster. Temporary Interests Build Identity Layers Every season of focused curiosity builds a layer of identity. You may stop doing the activity later. But you keep what it taught you. You may stop watercoloring, but keep the patience. You may bake less, but keep the discipline. You may kayak less often, but keep the adaptability. That means not every obsession has to become permanent to be meaningful. It just has to leave something useful behind. That is what makes these seasons worth respecting. Why Exploration Matters More Than We Admit There is so much pressure to “stick to one thing.” To stay focused. To pick a lane. To avoid distraction. And yes, focus matters. But exploration builds depth. Temporary obsessions are often not distractions. They are deep dives. And deep dives teach things that shallow consistency often can’t. They teach: frustration tolerance humility curiosity playfulness emotional flexibility willingness to be bad at something before becoming good That kind of learning is deeply valuable. Especially for leaders. Children Already Know How to Do This Children naturally move through temporary obsessions all the time. Dinosaurs. Drawing. Space. Sports. Music. Crafts. Bugs. Books. They dive in intensely. Then they shift. As adults, we often call that scattered. But maybe it’s actually developmental. Maybe those bursts of interest help build mastery in concentrated seasons. Maybe they are not signs of inconsistency at all. Maybe they are signs of growth. Temporary Obsessions Can Also Regulate the Nervous System Sometimes people gravitate toward focused interests because those activities feel manageable, grounding, or structured during chaotic seasons. That is not weakness. That is often nervous system regulation. Focused activity can help restore steadiness. It can create rhythm. It can give the brain and body a place to land. The key is simply making sure it supports your life rather than replacing connection or becoming an avoidance strategy. But when held well, it can be deeply stabilizing. A Powerful Question to Ask Yourself Instead of dismissing your current obsession, ask: What skills is this teaching me? For example: Gardening may be teaching patience and environmental awareness. Photography may be teaching framing and perspective. Fitness may be teaching consistency and endurance. Reading deeply may be expanding your cognitive mapping. Crafting may be teaching sequence, experimentation, or precision. This question changes everything. Because once you can name the skill, you can start applying it intentionally in other parts of your life. The Goal Is Integration, Not Endless Obsession This is not about glorifying distraction. It’s not about endlessly hopping from one thing to another without reflection. It’s about noticing what each season gives you. Then integrating it. Take the lesson. Carry the skill forward. Release the rest. That’s maturity. And that’s where temporary obsessions become part of long-term growth. Your Curiosity Is Not Random One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is this: Your curiosity is not random. Your interests are often pointing to something. Sometimes they are building a skill you need. Sometimes they are helping regulate your system. Sometimes they are stretching your thinking. Sometimes they are preparing you for a next level you cannot fully see yet. That matters. Because not every meaningful season looks productive on paper. But it can still be deeply productive underneath. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    16 min
  6. Apr 29

    Ep 135- 7 Books for Personal Growth, Leadership, and Business Success

    7 Books for Personal Growth, Leadership, and Business Success Growth does not happen overnight. It rarely arrives in one dramatic breakthrough. More often, it begins quietly. A shift in thinking. A better question. A stronger habit. A new perspective. A sentence in a book that stays with you longer than expected. In this episode of The Seed, I shared seven books I believe plant meaningful seeds for growth. Some are practical. Some are psychological. Some are strategic. Some are personal. But together, they create a strong foundation for building a business, leading well, and becoming more fully yourself. If you are climbing the corporate ladder, building a company, leading a nonprofit, raising a family, or reinventing your life entirely, these are the kinds of books that can stay with you and compound over time. 1. Atomic Habits by James Clear If you want to grow, this is one of the best places to start. James Clear’s Atomic Habits focuses on the power of small repeated actions and the systems that shape behavior. Clear describes the book as a guide to changing habits and getting one percent better every day. What makes this book so valuable is that it reframes success. Not as motivation. Not as talent. Not as intensity. But as systems. This book is especially helpful for anyone who needs structure, consistency, and a more grounded way to think about progress. It reminds you that habits are not small. They are infrastructure. 2. Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is one of the most useful books for leaders, teams, and anyone solving problems with other humans in the room. De Bono’s method is a structured process for parallel thinking that helps people be more productive, focused, and engaged. This book matters because it teaches perspective flexibility. It helps people look at a challenge through different lenses such as: logic emotion caution optimism creativity process That shift is powerful in business, leadership, and relationships. It helps reduce tunnel vision and emotional reactivity while creating better decisions. 3. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Carol Dweck’s Mindset is foundational reading for anyone who wants to understand the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Dweck’s work is widely known for showing how beliefs about ability and intelligence affect learning, resilience, and performance. What makes this book so important is that it changes how you interpret effort and failure. If you are building anything meaningful, you will hit resistance. You will mess up. You will have moments where growth feels slow. This book plants the seed that your ability is not static. That matters in business. It matters in leadership. And it matters in life. 4. Give and Take by Adam Grant Adam Grant’s Give and Take explores how different reciprocity styles shape success. Grant looks at givers, takers, and matchers, and makes the case that success is not only about competition, but also about contribution. This book is especially helpful because it adds nuance. It is not simply saying, “Be generous and everything will work out.” It shows that generosity without self-awareness or boundaries can become draining. But strategic generosity? That becomes a long-term advantage. For entrepreneurs, leaders, and community builders, this is a very important distinction. 5. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben This one may surprise people because it is fiction. But fiction belongs on growth reading lists too. Harlan Coben’s Fool Me Once is a thriller centered on truth, deception, and perception. Why does it matter in a list about growth? Because fiction strengthens awareness in ways nonfiction sometimes cannot. It sharpens: emotional intelligence pattern recognition perception empathy the ability to question first impressions And that matters deeply in leadership and life. Reading people well, noticing subtext, and understanding that there is often more going on beneath the surface are all important skills. 6. The Story Engine by Kyle Gray Kyle Gray’s The Story Engine is an excellent read for entrepreneurs, founders, coaches, and anyone trying to communicate their work clearly. The book is positioned as a guide to content strategy and brand storytelling without spending all day writing. This book matters because growth today is tied to narrative. You can have a good offer, a valuable service, or a meaningful mission, but if you cannot articulate it well, you make it harder for people to understand why it matters. This book plants the seed that your story is not extra. It is leverage. 7. You’re a Mess, But So Is the Universe by Lisa Resnick Yes, this one belongs on the list too. You’re a Mess, But So Is the Universe: A Survival Guide for Beautifully Messy Souls speaks directly to the human side of growth. It centers on embracing imperfection, finding clarity, and building connections that matter. The reason this fits with the other six books is simple: You can know the strategy. You can understand the framework. You can learn the systems. And still feel like a mess sometimes. This book fills that gap. It gives people permission to grow imperfectly — not as an excuse to stay stuck, but as a reminder that messy growth is still growth. Why Books Still Matter for Growth In a world full of scrolling, summaries, short clips, and constant distraction, books ask something different of us. They ask for focus. They slow us down. They stretch our thinking. Reading full books strengthens things that growth depends on: attention vocabulary empathy strategic thinking pattern recognition That is part of why books still matter so much. They do not just give information. They build depth. A Growth Reading List That Works Together What I like about these seven books is that they work as an ecosystem. Atomic Habits gives you systems. Six Thinking Hats gives you perspective. Mindset gives you psychological flexibility. Give and Take gives you relational strategy. Fool Me Once gives you awareness. The Story Engine gives you communication leverage. You’re a Mess, But So Is the Universe gives you humanity. That is not hustle. That is not shortcut culture. That is a growth framework. Final Reflection You do not need to read all seven at once. Pick one. Start there. Let it root. Because growth is not about consuming more information for the sake of it. It is about integrating what you learn. That is where change happens. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    16 min
  7. Apr 22

    Ep 134- Why Framework and Systems Thinking Matter in Business Growth

    Why Framework and Systems Thinking Matter in Business Growth When most people hit a problem in business, they try to fix the visible symptom. They tweak the offer. They change the strategy. They hire faster. They push harder. But often the real issue isn’t the symptom. It’s the system underneath it. In this episode of The Seed, I sat down with Nida Leardprasopsuk, a cultural transformation expert, executive coach, and founder of her own coaching and consulting practice, to talk about what it really means to use systems thinking in business. And honestly, this conversation goes way beyond business. Because the way we lead, build teams, solve problems, and create cultures is never just about tactics. It’s about people. What Is Systems Thinking in Business? Systems thinking is the practice of looking beyond one isolated issue and instead examining how all the parts are connected. In business, that means asking questions like: What is really causing this problem? What patterns keep repeating? What beliefs, behaviors, or structures are reinforcing it? Where is there misalignment? Rather than applying surface-level fixes, systems thinking helps leaders address the root cause. That matters because most business problems are not random. They are patterns. And patterns live inside systems. Why Surface-Level Fixes Usually Fail Many companies try to solve issues by focusing only on what is easy to see. For example: low team morale poor communication lack of innovation employee turnover leadership bottlenecks But those outcomes are usually the result of deeper misalignment. A communication problem may actually be a fear-of-conflict problem. A culture problem may actually be a leadership identity problem. A growth problem may actually be an ecosystem problem. That’s why systems thinking is so powerful. It helps you stop treating symptoms and start examining structure. The Pyramid Framework for Leadership and Growth One of the most useful parts of this conversation was the framework Nida shared. She described a six-level pyramid that can be used with individuals, teams, and organizations. From top to bottom, the layers are: Vision Identity Values and Beliefs Capabilities Behavior Ecosystem This framework shows that sustainable growth doesn’t come from fixing one behavior alone. It comes from alignment across all levels. For example: If your vision is to build an innovative company, but your team is terrified of failure, then your values and beliefs are not aligned with your vision. If your business goals require high-level leadership, but your ecosystem is filled with avoidance, dysfunction, or low standards, that disconnect will eventually show up in results. Why Identity Shapes Everything One of the biggest takeaways from this episode was the role of self-identity. According to Nida, identity is often one of the most important layers in the framework because it influences everything else. How you see yourself affects: what you believe is possible what skills you’re willing to learn how you handle setbacks how you lead others what kind of culture you create If someone believes they are capable, resilient, and able to learn, they approach challenges differently. If someone’s identity is shaped by fear, conflict avoidance, or self-doubt, that will show up in leadership too. And not just in subtle ways. In ways that affect the whole business. Founders Don’t Just Build Companies. They Build Family Systems. This was one of the most powerful ideas in the conversation. Nida talked about how founders often bring their family systems into their businesses. If a leader grew up avoiding conflict, they may avoid difficult conversations at work too. If a leader overfunctions, constantly fixing everything themselves, they may unintentionally create a culture where everyone else underfunctions. That means company culture isn’t just built from values written on a wall. It’s shaped by the behaviors leaders repeat. And those behaviors often come from much deeper places than people realize. Why Conflict Avoidance Costs More Than People Think Many leaders think avoiding conflict is the easier path. They don’t address poor performance. They don’t give direct feedback. They stay quiet to keep the peace. But avoiding a hard conversation rarely saves time or energy. It usually creates: repeated mistakes lower standards team resentment leadership frustration long-term cultural dysfunction What feels like a small issue today can become an expensive pattern tomorrow. That’s why honest communication and systems awareness matter so much. The Role of Ecosystem in Growth One of the things I loved most about this framework was that the ecosystem sits at the base. Because no matter how strong your vision is, the environment around you matters. Your ecosystem includes: the people you work with the community you’re part of the standards around you the kind of conversations happening in your orbit the culture you create and tolerate We do not grow in isolation. We grow inside environments. And if your ecosystem is misaligned with your vision, growth becomes much harder. That’s true in business. And honestly, it’s true in life too. Why Organizational Change Takes Time A lot of people want quick culture fixes. But meaningful organizational change is not instant. Nida shared that shifting a company culture can take three to five years. That makes sense. If it’s hard to change one personal habit, imagine changing patterns across a team, department, or whole company. Real change requires: reinforcement repetition systems buy-in aligned leadership There is no shortcut for that. What Strong Leaders Actually Do Strong leaders do more than solve immediate problems. They: examine patterns create alignment gather feedback build honest cultures strengthen ecosystems help people grow And sometimes that means hearing hard truths. Nida spoke about using tools like 360 assessments to collect honest feedback from the people around a leader. Because growth is hard when your self-perception and others’ lived experience of you don’t match. That kind of truth can be uncomfortable. But it’s often where real transformation begins. The TEDx Connection: Ideas Worth Sharing Another fascinating part of this conversation was hearing how Nida also licensed and leads her own TEDx in Bangkok. That project is deeply aligned with the rest of her work. Because at its core, TEDx is also about systems, people, communication, and change. It’s about surfacing important ideas. Amplifying voices. Creating ripple effects. This year’s TEDx theme, Unmute the Future, centers around truth, voice, and the conversations we need to have if we want to solve larger societal problems. And that idea fits beautifully with everything else we discussed. Because change often starts with one person speaking honestly. Then another listening. Then another carrying that idea forward. Why This Episode Matters This episode is really about more than business frameworks. It’s about understanding that growth is never just tactical. It’s relational. Emotional. Structural. Behavioral. Human. If you are leading a team, building a business, managing a company culture, or even trying to become a stronger version of yourself, systems thinking matters. Because when you understand how the parts connect, you stop reacting to every isolated problem. And you start building something stronger at the root. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    52 min
  8. Apr 15

    Ep 133- The Hidden Cost of Doing Everything Yourself in Business

    The Hidden Cost of Doing Everything Yourself in Business Here’s a truth many entrepreneurs avoid saying out loud. If you truly believe something isn’t worth investing money in… Why are you investing your time in it? That question alone reveals one of the most common traps business owners fall into. We protect dollars more fiercely than we protect our hours. But time is the only resource in your business that you cannot replenish. You can make more money. You cannot make more time. The Time vs Money Trap in Entrepreneurship Let’s look at a simple example. You decide not to hire a social media manager because the cost feels too high. Maybe it’s $800 per month. That feels like a big investment. So instead, you handle social media yourself. You spend: 10–15 hours per week creating content editing videos writing captions posting and scheduling analyzing metrics That equals roughly 40–60 hours per month. Now assign a dollar value to your time. Even if your time is worth just $50 per hour, that’s: $2,000–$3,000 per month of your time. To avoid an $800 expense. That’s the disconnect many entrepreneurs miss. Why Entrepreneurs Get Stuck in This Loop This pattern creates a cycle that feels responsible but actually slows growth. Here’s what it often looks like: You don’t invest money because revenue isn’t consistent yet. You invest more time instead. Time goes to tasks that don’t directly produce revenue. Revenue stays flat. You feel like you still can’t invest money. And the loop continues. Most of these loops are built from good intentions. But good intentions don’t always create strategic decisions. The Real Solution: Radical Clarity Breaking the cycle starts with getting brutally clear about where your time actually belongs. 1. Identify What Drives Revenue Every business has specific activities that generate revenue. These might include: sales conversations partnerships live events referrals email marketing networking client relationships Track where your revenue actually comes from. If 70% of your clients come from referrals or direct conversations, spending hours perfecting Instagram content may not be the best investment of your time. 2. Assign a Dollar Value to Your Time Many early-stage entrepreneurs resist doing this. But it’s essential. If your goal is to earn $120,000 per year, your time is worth roughly $60 per hour. Operating with that awareness helps you make better decisions about what you should and should not be doing yourself. 3. Choose Depth Over Breadth If hiring help isn’t financially possible yet, simplify. Instead of trying to maintain visibility everywhere, choose one primary channel. Focus your energy there. Spend the rest of your time on: improving your offer strengthening relationships having revenue conversations delivering exceptional client experiences These activities compound far faster than scattered visibility. 4. Create an “Until I Can” Plan If outsourcing feels out of reach right now, create a transition plan. For example: “Until I reach consistent $4,000 months, I will: batch content once a month post twice per week repurpose everything spend no more than four hours per week on social media.” Without boundaries, social media will expand indefinitely. 5. Start Micro-Delegating Delegation doesn’t have to start with a full-time hire. Even small investments can create leverage. You might outsource: caption formatting scheduling posts video editing Pinterest pin creation graphic formatting Even partial delegation frees up valuable mental bandwidth. The Psychology Behind Overworking Sometimes entrepreneurs resist investment because of deeper fears. We fear: losing control wasting money someone not understanding our vision looking irresponsible Sometimes we even equate hustle with worthiness. But investment signals something important to the market. Seriousness. Strategic seriousness. If you don’t believe your business is worth investing in, it becomes harder for others to believe in it too. The Opportunity Cost of Doing Everything Yourself Opportunity cost is the hidden price of every decision. Consider these examples: Website Perfectionism Spending 30 hours tweaking a website design instead of having 30 hours of conversations with potential clients. Which one grows revenue faster? DIY Graphic Design Learning complex design tools instead of refining your offer or increasing your pricing. Which creates leverage? Course Overconsumption Buying a $40 course instead of hiring a $500 expert. Then spending 25 hours trying to implement it. That $40 course just cost you $1,250 worth of time. Where AI Fits Into This Conversation Artificial intelligence is becoming part of nearly every business conversation. And AI is not the villain. When used well, it can: speed up content creation help organize ideas streamline operations reduce administrative work help small businesses compete at higher levels But there is one risk. Overreliance. When AI Starts Diluting Your Brand One thing becoming increasingly noticeable across social media and websites is how similar many businesses are beginning to sound. The same phrases. The same tone. The same polished but generic messaging. When everything sounds the same, identities become diluted. And when identities become diluted, trust declines. Your voice matters. AI can draft words. But it cannot replicate: lived experience intuition humor nuance contradictions personal perspective And those are the things people actually connect with. How to Use AI the Smart Way Think of AI as an intellectual assistant, not your voice. Use it for: brainstorming rough drafts research organization But always add your own: stories perspective tone personality Because authenticity is what differentiates your brand. Volume does not equal impact. Connection creates impact. The Final Question Every Entrepreneur Should Ask If you truly believe something isn’t worth investing money in… Why are you investing hours of your time in it? That question can reveal where you’re overspending energy and underspending strategy. Building a sustainable business requires protecting your time, valuing leverage, and making strategic investments—both financially and operationally. You’re not behind. You may just need to realign how you’re investing your resources. Listen to the Full Episode of The Seed Podcast This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone interested in understanding themselves on a deeper level. You can also explore: Leadership insights Business growth strategies Honest conversations about entrepreneurship inside The Patch Community at Dandelion-Inc. Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up messy, brave, and real — one seed at a time. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.

    21 min
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Seed: Growing Your Business, brought to you by Dandelion Inc. I’m your host, Lisa Resnick, and this podcast is all about connecting, developing, and supporting women in business. Join me as we explore tips and insights on leadership, business development, and social media strategies that can help you thrive. We’ll also hear from amazing guests who share their stories and experiences, offering inspiration and practical advice for your entrepreneurial journey. So, tune in, download, like, and subscribe. And remember, if you love what you hear, share the love with others. Together, let’s cultivate growth and empower women in business.