Finding The Upside

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

In business and in life there is always an upside…finding it is often the challenge. Having a mindset that looks for it and embraces problems as opportunities is the key to thriving. Successful business owners LOVE disruption. But the MOST successful look for it. It's what keeps their business on the cutting edge and able to adapt to any circumstance. This podcast will feature discussions with business owners, leaders and everyday inspiring people sharing how they have grown their companies and changed their lives by approaching changing conditions with optimism, opportunity and innovation.

  1. 6d ago

    #190: The Empty Chairs Told the Story: No Country for Mothers Screening

    A few weeks ago, I hosted a screening of the documentary No Country for Mothers. Twenty people signed up. Three showed up. At first, I was disappointed. But as I sat with it, I realized the empty chairs told a story of their own. Mothers are expected to show up for everyone else, yet when it's time to show up for mothers, too often the room is left empty. In this episode of Finding the Upside, I share why this issue continues to pull me back into the conversation and why I signed on as an associate producer for this important film. From the lack of paid family leave and affordable childcare to the impossible expectations placed on working families, we're asking mothers to solve problems that were never theirs to solve alone. This isn't about blaming women or debating which generation had it harder. It's about taking an honest look at the systems, policies, and cultural narratives that have shaped the motherhood experience in America—and asking what needs to change. The upside? Once we see the problem clearly, we can stop carrying the shame that was never ours to carry. We can start having different conversations, creating different workplaces, supporting different policies, and showing up for one another in ways that move us forward together. Because even a small room can start a conversation that matters. And this conversation is far from over. VIDEO CREDIT: No Country for Mothers Trailer Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:26] The Empty Chairs Were Part of the Story Too. [1:29] The Current Culture War: Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife [2:14] The System is Failing Mothers [4:48] WHY This Film Matters Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  2. Jul 7

    #189: What AI Can’t Replace: The Human Advantage

    Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, communicate, and lead—but what does that mean for the future of being human? In this episode of Finding the Upside, I explore a question that goes far beyond technology: As AI becomes more capable, what qualities become even more valuable? From trust and connection to belonging and significance, we’ll examine why the skills often labeled as “soft” may be the most powerful advantage we have moving forward. The future may not belong to those with the best technology, but to those who know how to balance innovation with humanity. What AI can’t replace might be exactly what matters most. If you've ever wondered where you fit in an AI-driven world—or what will truly set people apart in the years ahead—this conversation may change the way you think about the future. Press play and discover why being more human could be your greatest advantage. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:37] How Is AI Going to Change Everything?  [4:05] People Aren’t Metrics. [5:03] The One Defining Issue of Our Time. [6:49] What Changed For Me. [12:01] The Future Belongs to THESE Organizations. [14:51] People Still Want To Matter. Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  3. Jun 30

    #188: Behind the Scenes of UNEDITED: Inside the Audiobook Recording

    I recently shared the big news that my book project UNEDITED: Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership, is going to be LIVE in just a couple months.  And I couldn't be more excited to share another behind-the-scenes look at the journey of bringing this book to life. On today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I'm taking you inside the recording studio at the Film Center in New York City, where myself and the 7 other authors of UNEDITED spent a few days recording the audiobook in our own voices. What may seem like a simple process, reading words you've already written became something much more powerful. As each woman stepped behind the microphone, she revisited pivotal moments, reflected on lessons learned, and reconnected with the experiences that shaped her story. There were moments of laughter, vulnerability, emotion, and discovery that reminded all of us why these stories matter. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the audiobook recording experience and the emotional journey that unfolded as each author brought her story to life. Along the way, I reflect on the connection between truth, identity, courage, and leadership, and why the stories we fear sharing most often have the greatest power to create connection and change.  UNEDITED: Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership will be released in September. Join the waitlist today to be among the first to receive pre-order information, exclusive sneak peeks, author features, and behind-the-scenes updates. UNEDITED Waitlist:https://mariadr.com/book-wait-list Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [1:24] Traveling To NYC For UNEDITED Audio Recording [2:06] What Happened When These Women Stepped into the Booth [3:02] Our Stories Have Value [3:59] THIS is What UNEDITED is All About Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  4. Jun 23

    #187: The Leadership Crisis Nobody Wants To Admit

    Trust is the currency of leadership and right now, too many organizations are operating like it’s unlimited. In this episode of Finding the Upside, I’m naming what I believe is the real crisis unfolding inside teams and companies: not a talent problem, but a trust problem. People aren’t listening to mission statements anymore, they’re watching patterns. They’re tracking who gets protected, who gets interrupted, who gets acknowledged and who gets punished. And in uncertain times like these, that quiet data becomes the story your culture tells. I’m unpacking how trust actually erodes—through inconsistency, performative leadership and the growing gap between what we say we value and what employees repeatedly experience. We’ll talk about why “polished” isn’t persuasive anymore, why emotional transaction kills engagement, and the difference most leaders underestimate: fear creates compliance, but trust creates commitment. This is a grounded leadership reset for anyone responsible for people—especially if you’re trying to build a culture that can survive pressure, change, and real life. Because credibility isn’t built through authority. It’s built through integrity and through how people feel in your presence.  Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:30] People Have Lost Trust in Everything [3:52] Great Leaders Don’t Always Have All the Answers [6:56] Commitment Required Humanity. [8:34] The Upside is This  Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  5. Jun 16

    #186: UNEDITED: Behind the Scenes of the Book LAUNCH

    Coming soon…the book project is launching  and I am so excited to share it with you.   In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Finding the Upside, I'm taking you inside the amazing launch weekend for my upcoming book collaboration  UNEDITED: Women’s Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership. It was a packed weekend of events and so many moments that were truly special. From podcast recordings to emotional and raw author interviews, to audiobook recording sessions and a powerful launch celebration, I'm sharing a rare look at the moments where this collaborative book comes to life. Join me as I reflect on what unfolded when a group of extraordinary women revisited deeply personal stories, shared the experiences that shaped them, and stepped fully into their voices. Throughout the episode, I explore the power of authentic storytelling, the courage required to be truly seen, and why leadership evolves when women choose truth over performance. This isn't just a book launch story—it's a conversation about identity, authenticity, belonging and the transformative impact of living UNEDITED. UNEDITED: Women’s Stories of Truth, Identity and Transformation That Shape Leadership will be released in the coming months. Join the waitlist today to be among the first to receive pre-order information, exclusive sneak peeks, author features, and behind-the-scenes updates. Join the UNEDITED Waitlist: https://mariadr.com/book-wait-list Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:23] The Upcoming Launch of UNEDITED [1:22] What UNEDITED IS Really About  [2:07] The Party to Celebrate the Book [3:56] Why This Book Matters [4:49] The Heartbeat of This Book Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  6. Jun 9

    #185: Real Women: 7 Minutes of Transformation with Heather Romanski

    For years, Heather Romanski heard the same refrain: “You should write a book.” And for just as long, she found reasons not to believe it. In this episode of the Real Women: 7 Minutes of Transformation series, Heather shares a story shaped by self-doubt, unspoken shame, and the quiet weight of an experience she carried longer than she realized. Recorded live at the Revive and Thrive 2025 Empowerment Summit, her reflection offers a glimpse into what can happen when we stop dismissing our story—and decide to use our voice instead. Heather’s journey touches on the moment she reconsidered a label she’d been holding onto, the unexpected clarity that came through writing, and the shift that followed when she stopped seeing her past as something to hide. What unfolds is a story about growth, leadership, and the ripple effect of speaking up—not just for yourself, but for the people who are watching and learning from you. This episode is part of a larger collaborative book project launching in June 2026, created by the women whose voices you’re hearing throughout this series. Listen—or watch—and consider what might change if you stopped waiting to feel “ready” and chose to begin anyway. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [1:01] The Story of The Label  [2:39] Why She Decided To Share Her Story [4:20] The Importance of Stepping Into Your Power [6:36] The Courage To Use Your Voice Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the ⁠Business Leaders Hub!⁠ Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  ⁠HERE⁠. Want to scale your business to the next level?⁠ GET SCORED NOW⁠  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score⁠ HERE⁠.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz ⁠HERE!⁠  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review⁠ HERE⁠. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes!⁠ Follow now⁠!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! ⁠ CLICK HERE⁠ and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  7. Jun 2

    #184: When Values Are Just Words

    Integrity isn’t a quote on a wall, it’s a cost you’re willing to pay in real life. In this episode of Finding the Upside, I’m naming the tension I can’t unsee lately: the growing gap between what we say we value… and how we actually live. And I’m not just talking about “out there.” I’m talking about the subtle moments where we defend what we’d never tolerate, stay silent when our voice matters, or call something a “value” while choosing comfort instead. We’re in an era where values look beautiful on websites, culture decks, and framed lobby posters–but trust is built (or broken) in the decisions nobody claps for. So I’m breaking down what integrity really requires when it’s inconvenient, what “values in action” looks like inside teams and organizations, and why culture isn’t what you say—it’s what you tolerate. This episode is part mirror, part reset for all of us; and critical for leaders. I’ll walk you through the gap that erodes trust, the everyday behaviors that will reveal what we actually stand for, and a challenge to what’s damaging your credibility personally and professionally. Press play and let’s close the gap, one decision at a time… because the upside lives on the other side of awareness and alignment. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:23] Integrity is THIS [3:32] Values Don’t Count When They’re Easy [7:12] THIS Is the Problem  [8:15] Here’s Your Challenge [9:13] The Upside Isn’t About Being Perfect Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  8. May 26

    #183: First Drafts of Change: Cassandra Lennox on Unlocking the Power of Writing

    Every one of us carries a story that was never meant to stay unwritten. In this inspiring presentation from the Revive and Thrive 2025 Empowerment Summit, Cassandra Lennox invites us to step into the transformative process of capturing those stories—raw, imperfect, and real—through what she calls the “first drafts of change.” Cassandra shares how some of life’s most powerful breakthroughs happen not in polished moments, but in the messy middle of our journeys. She reflects on the courage it takes to be vulnerable, the ripple effect of shared struggles, and the unexpected clarity that emerges when we stop censoring ourselves and simply let the truth flow onto the page Through her guided journaling exercise, Cassandra helps participants tap into their strengths, confront what they’ve been hiding, and imagine what could happen if they stopped holding back. Her message is clear: your voice has the power to ignite change—not just for you, but for someone out there who’s waiting to hear your story. Want to dive deeper? The speaker presentations, panels, and replays are now available exclusively inside the Business Leaders Hub — my subscription community built for education, empowerment, and inspiration. Details are in the show notes! And if this episode sparks something in you… just wait until next year’s event. We’re already planning, and trust me — you’ll want to be in the room. Listen now + get access to the Hub here: http://go.businessleaderhub.com/join Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:19] Every One of Us Holds A Story [6:45] You Are Evolving [12:43] Unleash The Voice That’s Been Inside You [13:25] Be The Ripple That Makes The Wave Episode Show Notes   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠   Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper into the full Revive and Thrive Empowerment Summit, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you  HERE. Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.  What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

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About

In business and in life there is always an upside…finding it is often the challenge. Having a mindset that looks for it and embraces problems as opportunities is the key to thriving. Successful business owners LOVE disruption. But the MOST successful look for it. It's what keeps their business on the cutting edge and able to adapt to any circumstance. This podcast will feature discussions with business owners, leaders and everyday inspiring people sharing how they have grown their companies and changed their lives by approaching changing conditions with optimism, opportunity and innovation.

Information

  • Creator
    Maria DeLorenzis Reyes
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Maria DeLorenzis Reyes
  • Show Website
    Finding The Upside