Becoming Your Best Version

Maria Leonard Olsen
  • 5.0 (49)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Award-winning podcast about living your best life, by Maria Leonard Olsen & her inspiring guests. Maria is a lawyer/journalist/author/two-time TEDx speaker who seeks to amplify women's voices to share about their lives, work & life lessons. She graduated from Boston College & Univ. of Virginia Law. She served in the Clinton Justice Dept. and is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands reinvigorate their lives. See MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow @FiftyAfter50

  1. 2d ago

    A Conversation with Barbara McAfee, A Master Voice Coach Who "Midwifes Voices into Full Expression"

    Barbara McAfee is a master voice coach, author, keynote speaker and singer-songwriter who helps people communicate with clarity, confidence and authentic presence. Drawing on 12 years in organizational development and more than 30 years of vocal coaching and performance, she brings a rare blend of strategic insight and embodied wisdom to the art of communication. Barbara is the bestselling author of Full Voice for Leaders: Cultivating Vitality, Presence and Impact in a Changing World, a foundational work on vocal presence and expression that has supported leaders, professionals, educators and creatives in finding their voice—whatever that means in the context of their lives and work. Her newest book, Vocal Intelligence: Leading with Vitality, Presence, and Impact, was released as an audiobook in 2025, with the paperback edition forthcoming in spring 2026. Together, these works offer practical, transformative approaches to using the voice as an instrument of leadership, connection and impact. She shares some of these tips on this episode. Since 2013, Barbara has certified Full Voice coaches around the world, extending her commitment to what she calls “midwifing voices into full expression.” Her five-element approach consistently creates lasting shifts—not only in how people speak, but in how they listen, relate and lead. Her TEDx talk on Full Voice has received more than 100,000 views. In addition to her teaching and speaking, Barbara has produced nine recordings of mostly original music and is the founder of the Morning Star Singers, a volunteer hospice choir in the Twin Cities, where singing becomes an act of service and care. While they were singing, they have had people in comas wake up, as well as nonverbal people with Alzheimers start speaking. She believes in the medicinal qualities of song. She also helped birth singing as a form of nonviolent protest and community solidarity in Minneapolis, particularly against ICE operations and authoritarian practices, which has spread around the world. She lives near the wild and scenic St. Croix River in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Her work continues to be shaped by water, song and silence. Learn more: Website: https://www.barbaramcafee.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mcafeemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.mcafee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaramcafeesings/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaramcafee/ TEDx talks: Bringing Your Full Voice to Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze763kgrWGg How Oral Tradition Singing Helps Us Work & Live Better Together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrRQulQnaoQ Audiobooks: Full Voice for Leaders: Cultivating Vitality, Presence, and Impact in a Changing World https://www.audible.com/pd/Full-Voice-for-Leaders-Audiobook/B0FPPDSP8S Full Voice: The Art and Practice of Vocal Presence, 2011 https://www.audible.com/pd/Full-Voice-Audiobook/B008S06VR0 Paperbacks: Full Voice: The Art and Practice of Vocal Presence https://www.amazon.com/Full-Voice-Practice-Presence-Business/dp/1605099228 Vocal Intelligence: Leading with Vitality, Presence, and Impact Bandcamp: A catalogue of Barbara’s original music https://barbaramcafee.bandcamp.com/

    A Conversation with Barbara McAfee, A Master Voice Coach Who "Midwifes Voices into Full Expression"

  2. Oct 16

    A Conversation with Elizabeth Clemants, Founder of Hidden Water, a Restorative Justice Response to Child Sexual Abuse

    Elizabeth Clemants is a survivor who helps other sexual abuse survivors survive and heal. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Hidden Water, a restorative justice response to child sexual abuse. Her own family has five generations of abuse and she chose to do something to break these cycles for others. Hidden Water uses a Circle model, which is a 12-week system, based on the indigenous practice of Circle and founded on the belief that abuse harms all members of a family, community and society, not just the persons directly impacted. "In Circle, we work to heal individuals, families and communities from the devastating impacts of child sexual abuse. We strive to prevent future harm by educating others, inspiring collective responsibility and cultivating a culture of healthy boundaries for all." Hidden Water's services are provided to the community for free. They very much appreciate donations, however, because they have no formal funding. There are 200 people on the waitlist at almost all times to join the Circles. She is the author of the just released book: Healing Together - A Family Guide to Recovering from Sexual Harm. It is largely directed to family members of people who have been sexually abused, to help them show up for the survivor. "It was the system that was harmed and the system has to show up to heal itself," Elizabeth says. This book can help family members learn how to help and there is no other book like it. Elizabeth opened her private practice, Planning Change, in 2004 and has dedicated her career to teaching conflict resolution, training mediators and working with individuals, families and organizations on conflict and healing. She has been an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School since 2005, and a conflict resolution trainer for the New York State Unified Court System since 2000. Elizabeth has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Iowa State University ('93). Upon returning from the Peace Corps ('93-'96), she moved to New York City and earned a Master's in Social Work with a Minor in Law from Columbia University ('98). Learn more: www.hiddenwatercircle.org and elizabethclemants.com (buy the book on her website) Safe(r) Adult link:  https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/posts/in-the-water-a-training-for-becoming-a-safe-r-adult Newsletter: https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/newsletter https://www.facebook.com/HiddenWaterNYC https://www.instagram.com/hiddenwaternyc https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-clemants-2612ab3/

    A Conversation with Elizabeth Clemants, Founder of Hidden Water, a Restorative Justice Response to Child Sexual Abuse

  3. Oct 9

    A Conversation with Joy Vanichkul, Creator of the Intelligent Beauty Method

    Joy Vanichkul is a former supermodel from Thailand, TV host and owner of six premier wellness spas. She began modeling at age 16 and became a household name in Thailand. She had fame and money, but felt unfulfilled. So she began her own search. She experienced both success and struggles working in the beauty, wellness and consciousness industries for more than 30 years. To rediscover her true self, she expanded her consciousness with Eastern and Western wellness practices, pursued a PhD in Natural Medicine, and became a certified HeartMath trainer. Joy’s personal transformation to find self-love and balance while running multiple successful businesses has given her a unique opportunity to share her journey, experience and insight, guiding others worldwide to redefine and refine their true beauty, and bloom into the optimal versions of themselves, the Intelligent Beauty way. She created what she calls the Intelligent Beauty Method, which means internal and external beauty in harmony. She thinks of beauty as energy. Her mission is to inspire others to prioritize self-care, as well as to foster a supportive community where you can safely understand, apply and integrate tools and techniques to express yourself consciously, authentically and effectively in the world. In this episode we discuss: Intelligent Beauty as Self-OptimizationHow understanding your skin, body and lifestyle empowers smarter beauty and wellness decisions, rather than following trends blindly.The Connection Between Beauty, Confidence and Personal GrowthHow personalized, science-backed beauty routines can support self-esteem, daily habits and a growth mindset.From Overwhelm to Intention: Simplifying Beauty ChoicesHelping listeners cut through marketing noise by focusing on education, awareness and what truly works for them.Wellness, Longevity and Intelligent Self-CareExploring how skincare, nutrition, sleep and mental wellbeing intersect in becoming your best version over time.Mindful and Ethical Beauty as a Reflection of ValuesHow conscious consumption aligns with personal development, purpose and living more intentionally.Joy provides practical insights you can immediately apply in your journey toward becoming your authentic self. Joy joined us from Los Angeles. Learn more: Website: https://www.wellnessofjoy.com/intelligent-beauty/ YouTube IBM:  https://www.youtube.com/@IntelligentBeautybyJoy YouTube Personal:  https://www.youtube.com/@JoyVanichkul IG: https://www.instagram.com/joyvanichkul/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/joy.vanichkul/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyvanichkul/

    A Conversation with Joy Vanichkul, Creator of the Intelligent Beauty Method

  4. Oct 2

    A Conversation with Cheryl Amari, Grief Specialist and Author of "Why I Don’t Wear High Heels When Grieving: Musings on Loss, Hope, and Resilience"

    What is a "good death"? Cheryl Amari, M.A., C.T. has been talking about grief-related topics with people of all ages for almost three decades. She knows what a "good death" is and what all types of grieving entails. Her work as a high school teacher, mortuary college instructor, grief coach and workshop facilitator has helped countless individuals learn how to grieve well and live well. As an entrepreneur, Cheryl started her own grief business to offer hope and healing through education. She supports people of all ages, through conversation and specialized workshops, as they navigate times of change and transition. She currently works as a hospice bereavement coordinator and public speaker. Cheryl holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling (from Boston College, Maria's alma mater) and is Certified in Thanatology. She is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the Hospice Foundation of America. She has written blogs and articles on various aspects of grief, as well as her newly released book, Why I Don’t Wear High Heels When Grieving: Musings on Loss, Hope, and Resilience.  Why I Don't Wear High Heels When Grieving is a down-to-earth guide to coping with loss that examines grief with a wide lens to include death, but also non-death losses such as chronic illness, job changes, frayed relationships, infertility, financial struggles, and stressful situations. With an unexpectedly cheeky tone, Cheryl draws upon her personal experiences and her work as a bereavement specialist to present contemporary research and grief theories through examples, real-life stories and illustrations. In this eye-opening book, the nuances of grief are explored in a life-affirming, hopeful and even entertaining manner. Topics covered include: Modern theories that go beyond the "five stages of grief"Differences between grief and depressionWhat it means to have a "good death"How grief affects our bodies, minds, behaviors, spiritual life, and social connectionsWhy an attitude of gratitude may be more detrimental than helpfulThe role that gender, societal expectations, and other factors play in our reactions to lossPolitics and social justice in griefMeaningful rituals that aid in the healing processCheryl uses candor and wit to debunk myths and emphasize that grieving well is the key to living well. A unique three-step approach with practical strategies helps readers deal with any type of loss. Summarizing statements and insightful reflection prompts at the end of each chapter encourage a deeper understanding of grief and greater self-awareness. Readers discover that even in the midst of doubt and despair, there is a path forward. Cheryl uses her energy and creativity in her grief work and also in her role as a tap dance instructor and choreographer. You can find her performing at senior living facilities or anywhere there’s an audience! She joins us from the Boston area. If you’d like to book Cheryl for a grief presentation or interview, contact her at griefmusings@gmail.com.

    A Conversation with Cheryl Amari, Grief Specialist and Author of "Why I Don’t Wear High Heels When Grieving: Musings on Loss, Hope, and Resilience"

  5. Sep 25

    A Conversation with Wendi Knox, Professional Uplifter, Author and Artist, Who Proves You're Never Too Old to Reinvent Yourself

    Are you too old to reinvent yourself? The answer is no. Wendi Knox is a professional uplifter, author, and artist. In her past life, she was the only female Senior Vice-President/Creative Director at one of the largest advertising agencies in Los Angeles, creating multimedia ad campaigns for brands like Honda and Acura. Her award-winning commercials have been directed by the Academy Award-winning Coen Brothers, starred William Wegman's famous Weimaraners, and were profiled in The New York Times. At 50, Wendi lost her job and found herself sobbing in her backyard, asking the Universe, “Am I too old to reinvent myself?” Her answer came in the form of hundreds of red dragonflies filling her backyard with magic (for four days)! Learning that dragonflies don’t fly until later in life sparked a new purpose for Wendi and inspired her to create a unique paradigm for transformation as we age. Today, she’s on a mission to help women see aging not as a decline, but as an opportunity to grow new wings. Through her “Breaking Out of the Age Cage” illustrated talks and inspiring workshops, Wendi is working to rebrand aging as an opportunity for Becoming More of Who We Are, Not Less of What We Were. Like the dragonfly, she is soaring later in life, having her first book, From Muck to Magic, published and her first solo art show at 65. It is a beautiful picture book for adults that celebrates each person's inner child. Now at 72, she has published her second book, The Way of the Dragonfly: Flight Instructions to Transform the Way We Age. The book is a soulful, witty, and deeply empowering guide for women ready to rise above our youth-obsessed culture and embrace aging on their own terms. Inspired by her life-changing encounter with hundreds of red dragonflies, Wendi reframes the aging process. Blending personal storytelling, spiritual insight, tools, exercises and “Dragonflying Lessons,” this book invites readers to shed old ageist beliefs, reveal their true colors, and soar with purpose and joy at any age. In this episode, we discuss Wendi's book and work, but also get into her experience with a loved one dealing with the devastating effects of marijuana and cannabis induced psychosis. She recommends that anyone whose lives are touched by this situation go to EveryBrainMatters.org. Wendi has so much wisdom to share with us. She talks about the fetches (the word for a gathering of dragon flies) she organizes for women in the Ojai area, making "I've done" lists instead of "to do" lists, talking back to her "bitch Edna" negative voice in her head, how intuition is the voice of her heart and soul, how tears are like rainwater that help your metaphorical garden to grow, and more. One of my favorite quotes of Wendi's, a former executive in the advertising world: "Marketing a book is a pain in the algorithm!" So true! These days, Wendi is blessed to live in magical Ojai with her husband Will (she followed her intuition and married this extraordinary man after only dating him for two months, a decision that may be one of the best she's made, given what I know about him), fur baby Blossom and a colorful assortment of dragonflies. To find out more about Wendi and her work, fly over to WendiKnox.com. Follow Wendi: https://wendiknox.com/ (where there are links to buy her book on her landing page) Instagram: @wendiknoxuplifter: https://www.instagram.com/wendiknoxuplifter/?hl=en Facebook: @WendiKnoxAuthor https://www.facebook.com/wendiknoxauthor/ LinkedIn: Wendi Knox https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendiknox/ Featured Profile in Ageist Magazine: https://www.ageist.com/profile/wendi-knox-71-soaring-after-midlife/ Essay in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper: https://mariashriver.com/time-to-break-out-age-cage/ Interview on Mariel Hemingway’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBT_WO7e9F4 Interview on NPR’s 51%: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7vjVk_ZQPY

    A Conversation with Wendi Knox, Professional Uplifter, Author and Artist, Who Proves You're Never Too Old to Reinvent Yourself

  6. Sep 18

    A Conversation with Sarah Jakle, Founder of DemocraShe, Training Girls in Resiliency, Leadership and Civic Engagement

    After a devastating health diagnosis, and being told she'd never work again, Sarah Jakle, MSW, MPP picked herself up and changed her life, turning her focus to helping others. She uses her skills and experience to empower young women. Sarah founded DemocraShe to equip high school girls from historically underserved communities with not only civic skills, but also brain-based techniques for overcoming self-doubt and leading boldly. When she shows these young women how to take practical, science-backed steps like befriending their inner critical voice, she sees them begin to see their birthright as leaders. I am proud to say that I became a DemocraShe mentor this year and it is a rewarding way of giving back! Sarah believes in the transformative impact of sharing real stories and building spaces where women feel seen and empowered to choose themselves. Her trainings blend inclusion, neuroscience and social justice. She also guides adults seeking resilience and hope in uncertain times. DemocraShe "offers free online trainings, including a Flagship Program with 10-week cohorts designed to build self-confidence and self-advocacy, cultivate collaboration, nurture ambition and make leadership concrete and accessible. Critically, we arm teen girls with resiliency skills to become transformational leaders, as well as the strategies needed to counter the external barriers and internal negative narratives that so often prevent women from fulfilling their potential." DemocraShe is shaping a new generation of confident, resilient leaders. Her work has connected her with more than 6,000 women activists and leaders who are eager for inspiration and growth. You can apply to serve as a mentor to a young woman via the DemocraShe website. Sarah previously served as the Get Out The Vote Director for the California National Association for Women. Empowering women to hold political office has been a focus of Sarah since she first interned at the Women's Council of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Sarah earned her bachelor's degree from Yale, her master's degree in social work from USC and her master's degree in public policy from UCLA. Sarah has dedicated her life’s work to lifting up communities -- spending the first decade of her career working on behalf of people coping with mental illness and homelessness and bringing compassion-based resiliency skills into her current work with women. She was a 2017 fellow with Organizing for Action, a 2025 How Women Lead Movement Builders fellow, served on the Board of Directors for Urban Partners Los Angeles, and serves on the Advisory Council of the Santa Monica YMCA. In this episode, we talk about using one's inner best friend, inflection points in our lives, societal influences, the importance of grounding, and more. Sarah also shares DemocraShe's remarkable success stories. The young women who apply to participate in DemocraShe are utterly impressive. Sarah is making a difference in the world, one young woman at a time. Learn more and follow: democrashe.org https://www.facebook.com/democrasheorg# https://www.instagram.com/democrasheorg/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/democrashe/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jakle-535617240/ https://www.tiktok.com/@democrasheorg

    A Conversation with Sarah Jakle, Founder of DemocraShe, Training Girls in Resiliency, Leadership and Civic Engagement

  7. Sep 11

    A Conversation with Marie Crews, Certified Grief Guide and Empowerment Life Coach

    In 2017, Marie lost her son suddenly, less than two years after her mother’s unexpected passing. Even in her darkest hours, she refused to let grief define her. For more than 15 years, Marie Crews has guided and empowered women through growth and transformation. Along her 25-year journey of self-discovery, she realized her journal-writing practice was what anchored her healing the most. This led her to create "The Nautilus Way: Write Your Way Free," a proven process that accelerates emotional breakthroughs -- including integrating grief, releasing trauma and navigating life’s transitions. As a coach, speaker and retreat facilitator, Marie helps clients rewire limiting beliefs, gain clarity, develop confidence and shape their lives with intention. Marie’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. Raised in poverty in rural Louisiana, she became a single mother of two at a young age. Her desire to break the cycle for her children fueled her pursuit to create a life of stability. Feeling called to support women's healing, she left corporate America to launch her coaching practice and resumed psychology studies focused on the mind-body connection. Her persistence in rising from profound loss, combined with years of coaching experience, uniquely qualifies her to guide women with compassion, courage and hope. She helps her clients see that grief magnifies the fears and viewpoints that already exist within a person and learn how to hold grief and joy at the same time. Marie has led life-changing women’s retreats for more than seven years. She recently built a Gulf-front home in Florida as a dedicated space to host these transformational experiences. Her retreats focus on deep healing, confidence and personal awakening and she also offers one exclusively for grieving mothers. In every setting, her attendees gain validation, self-trust and a renewed sense of peace and direction. Marie's bestselling novel is Even When...She Rose. The book contains her journey growing up with an absent father and an exhausted, single mother who was trying to work and raise four children. She unknowingly repeated her mom’s pattern by marrying young and becoming a divorced, uneducated mother of two. This contemporary novel looks like a timeless tale of hardship on the surface, but it reaches much farther into the depths of the challenges of motherhood, raising a special needs child, loss and triumph, in ways few writers have. Many readers find validation in this book, and courage to rise. Marie provides an online course as the starting point, which includes two sessions of working with her. She also does workshops for groups. Book a free consultation on her website. Learn more: www.mariecrews.com https://www.facebook.com/marieeurecrews https://www.tiktok.com/@empowermentandgriefguide #griefguide #becomingyourbestversionpodcast #womeninmidlife #fiftyafter50 #navigatinggrief

    A Conversation with Marie Crews, Certified Grief Guide and Empowerment Life Coach

  8. Sep 4

    A Conversation with Mary Smith, Parenting Coach, Speaker and Bestselling Author of The MicroStep Method® for the Overwhelmed Parent

    Do you find yourself repeating things your parents did to you or around you that you vowed never to do? Do you seek more joy in the parenting journey? Listen to this episode. Mary Willcox Smith helps families build strong, emotionally healthy relationships through her keynotes, coaching and courses—one MicroStep at a time. Mary is a speaker, author and creator of the MicroStep Method® — a research-backed framework that helps parents understand why they keep doing the thing they swore they'd never do, and what to reach for instead. A mother of four daughters born within five years, Mary blends lived parenting experience with neuroscience and child development to show why it's not programs, perfection or pressure that create lasting change — but the small, overlooked moments that are already happening every day. She is the author of Small Moments, Big Impact: The MicroStep Method for the Overwhelmed Parent and speaks nationally for schools, PTAs and parent-education organizations. A Master Certified Life Coach and Positive Discipline Expert, Mary helps navigate the hard parts of parenting so moms (and dads!) can feel empowered, equipped and ready to handle whatever life — and their kids — throw their way. She offers personal coaching, as well. Her MBA is from INSEAD a top business school in France.    Her book guides readers on a transformative journey, showing you how to chart a straight course through the commotion and, at the same time, how to rediscover the simple joys of parenting. Integrating 25 years of experience, the best of child development research and neuroscience, The MicroStep Method for the Overwhelmed Parent equips parents with easy-to-implement and customizable scripts for connection and growth. We come to parenting with an "emotional backpack that's filled with all the crap that we bring from childhood," Mary says. Mary helps parent unpack their big T and little t traumas to enjoy parenting more fully. Learn more and follow Mary: https://marysmithparentcoach.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-willcox-smith/ https://www.facebook.com/mfrsmith https://www.instagram.com/marysmithparentcoach/ Links mentioned during the interview: Accepting is Not Agreeing: https://marysmithparentcoach.com/s/Accept-not-Agree-MicroStep-Method.pdf The Repair: https://marysmithparentcoach.com/s/Repair-HEAL-MicroStep-Method.pdf

    A Conversation with Mary Smith, Parenting Coach, Speaker and Bestselling Author of The MicroStep Method® for the Overwhelmed Parent
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About

Award-winning podcast about living your best life, by Maria Leonard Olsen & her inspiring guests. Maria is a lawyer/journalist/author/two-time TEDx speaker who seeks to amplify women's voices to share about their lives, work & life lessons. She graduated from Boston College & Univ. of Virginia Law. She served in the Clinton Justice Dept. and is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands reinvigorate their lives. See MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow @FiftyAfter50

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Leonard Olsen
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    293
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Maria Leonard Olsen
  • Show Website
    Becoming Your Best Version

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