Leading With Heart

Christina Mattison

Prioritizing self-care and work/life balance can feel impossible in the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "embrace the suck" military culture. It's time to change the narrative - together! The Leading With Heart podcast is your go-to resource for how to find happiness, peace, and true success amidst the high demands of military life. With research-based tools and expert interviews, these episodes will change your life. Join host Christina Mattison as she teaches you the skills and mindset needed to take excellent care of yourself, so you can prevent burnout, take excellent care of your people, and shift the culture around self-care and well-being in the military.

  1. 3d ago

    Lead With Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses with Tiffany Taylor

    What if the key to becoming a stronger leader isn't fixing what's wrong with you, but discovering what's already right? In this episode, Christina sits down with Tiffany Taylor, Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, yoga teacher, and founder of Hello Strengths LLC, for a conversation about the power of leading from your strengths instead of your perceived weaknesses. Together, they explore how understanding your natural talents can transform the way you lead, care for yourself, navigate career transitions, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're preparing for a military transition, feeling stuck in your current role, or simply longing to understand yourself on a deeper level, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to thrive. Christina and Tiffany also discuss why so many women can easily list everything they want to change about themselves but struggle to name what they genuinely love about who they are. This conversation is an invitation to shift that narrative, embrace your unique strengths, and begin leading from a place of confidence, self-awareness, and authenticity. In This Episode: Why focusing on your strengths creates more growth than focusing on your weaknessesWhat the CliftonStrengths assessment is and how it differs from traditional personality testsHow understanding your strengths can help you navigate career transitions and military lifeWhy knowing what's right with you leads to stronger relationships, better teamwork, and more authentic leadershipHow strengths-based leadership supports self-care, prevents burnout, and helps you protect your time and energyWhy every woman deserves to recognize, own, and celebrate what makes her uniquely valuableThis episode is a powerful reminder that your greatest growth doesn't come from constantly trying to fix yourself. It comes from understanding who you already are, leaning into your natural gifts, and allowing those strengths to shape the way you lead yourself and others. RESOURCES: Strengths Workshop: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/strengths  https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode97 SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode97 Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  2. Jul 22

    Your Planner Is Not Coming to Save You

    What if the reason you still feel overwhelmed isn’t because you need a better planner… but because your nervous system no longer feels safe? In this episode, Christina introduces one of the simplest and most practical tools for regulating your nervous system: a sensory menu. Inspired by a recent breakthrough in therapy, she shares why so many high-achieving women try to think, plan, and organize their way into feeling safe, when real regulation starts in the body. If you've ever found yourself powering through stress, ignoring your body's signals, or wondering why rest still feels uncomfortable, this conversation will give you a new perspective and practical tools you can start using today. Through stories, science, and actionable examples, you'll learn how your five senses can become powerful tools for calming your nervous system before overwhelm takes over. Rather than offering another unrealistic self-care routine, this episode will help you create personalized practices that fit your life and support you in building sustainable habits that actually work. In This Episode: Why planning and productivity can't replace a regulated nervous systemWhat a sensory menu is and how it helps signal safety to your brain and bodyThe connection between your five senses and nervous system regulationWhy many high-achieving women stay stuck in "thinking" instead of feelingPractical ways to use sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to reduce overwhelmHow to create simple, personalized self-care practices that support your nervous system every dayYour body is communicating with you all day long. Learning to notice those signals, and respond with curiosity instead of pushing through, may be one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop. RESOURCES: Overwhelm To Reset Kit: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/the-overwhelm-reset-kit  SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode96 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  3. Jul 1

    Comfortably Miserable

    Have you ever found yourself saying, "I don't have time for self-care" while continuing to say yes to everyone else? In this episode, Christina shares a personal story from a recent work trip that challenged her to choose what her body needed over what her ego wanted. It sparked a powerful realization: the biggest barrier to self-care isn't always a lack of time. More often, it's the habit of overriding our own needs. Together, you'll explore why high-achieving women become so practiced at putting themselves last, how those patterns become wired into the brain, and what it takes to interrupt them before burnout becomes the norm. Rather than asking you to overhaul your life, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to notice your patterns, build awareness, and practice small moments of intervention before you reach the point of exhaustion. If you've ever felt "comfortably miserable"—functioning well on the outside while quietly running on empty, this conversation will help you begin choosing yourself without guilt. In this episode: Why "I don't have time for self-care" is often a story rooted in habit, not realityHow high-achieving women become conditioned to override their own needsThe neuroscience behind familiar patterns and why they can be so difficult to changeWhy your brain prefers familiar discomfort over unfamiliar growthA personal story about choosing recovery over people-pleasing during a work tripHow to recognize when you're operating from obligation instead of intentionSmall, practical ways to interrupt the "override" pattern before burnout takes overYou don't have to wait until you're completely depleted to care for yourself. Sometimes the most courageous leadership decision you can make is choosing the thing your body needs, even when it feels uncomfortable. RESOURCES: SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode95 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  4. May 27

    Clear Is Kind: Communication, Boundaries & Self-Respect

    In this episode of the Leading With Heart podcast, Christina Mattison explores the connection between boundaries, communication, and self-respect, and why so many of us struggle to clearly express what we need. From people pleasing and overexplaining to shutting down, fixing, and passive-aggressive communication, Christina breaks down the protective patterns many women develop to stay safe, accepted, or avoid conflict. She shares how these behaviors are often rooted in deeper unmet needs and nervous system responses rather than personal flaws. Throughout the episode, Christina offers practical tools for healthier communication, including a simple framework for expressing observations, emotions, and needs with more honesty and clarity. She also dives into the discomfort that can come with setting boundaries, the guilt that often follows, and why holding boundaries is an essential part of self-leadership. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healthy communication is not about controlling how others respond, it’s about honoring yourself, advocating for your needs, and building relationships that no longer require self-abandonment. Key Takeaways: Why communication patterns are often learned survival strategiesHow people pleasing, overexplaining, avoiding, and fixing can stem from unmet emotional needsThe importance of identifying the need underneath your emotionsA practical communication formula to express yourself more clearlyWhy boundaries are an act of self-respect, not punishmentHow guilt and discomfort can show up when you begin setting boundariesThe connection between self-leadership, nervous system regulation, and communicationHow growth can shift relationship dynamics and reveal where you’ve been abandoning yourselfQuestions to reflect on when examining your own communication patterns RESOURCES: SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode94 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  5. May 12

    The 7 Myths Around Resilency and Burnout with Dr. Liz Moyer

    What if the thing you’ve been calling “resilience”… is actually what’s burning you out? In this powerful conversation, Christina and Liz chat about the hidden patterns keeping high-achieving women stuck in exhaustion, from people-pleasing and perfectionism to the belief that pushing through is the only way forward. We talk about my story of burnout and recovery, and I share an honest look at what resilience actually means. This episode goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper work of self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and learning how to meet your needs without guilt. If you’ve been carrying the mental load for everyone else and wondering why you still feel depleted, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. In This Episode: Why what we call “resilience” is often just people-pleasing and overfunctioningThe biggest myths that keep women stuck in burnout and exhaustionHow to shift from survival mode into sustainable energy and recoveryWhy self-care is not indulgent — it’s essential maintenanceThe role of the nervous system in burnout, anxiety, and feeling “on edge”How small, consistent habits (not big overhauls) create lasting changeRESOURCES: Connect with Dr. Liz Moyer Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlizmoyer/videos LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-vaughan-moyer-pmp-558343157  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistylmoreno/ SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode93 Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  6. Apr 15

    Milk and Honey Retreat Recap

    What actually happens when women are given the space to slow down, soften, and truly be seen? In this deeply personal episode, Christina shares a heartfelt recap of her recent retreat at Milk and Honey Ranch, a powerful experience filled with connection, vulnerability, healing, and growth. From creating intentional space for stillness, to moving through emotional blocks, to practicing one of the most underrated leadership skills, deep listening, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what transformation really looks like in real time. You’ll hear stories of women letting their guards down, forming lasting friendships, and reconnecting with themselves in a way that’s often impossible in the day-to-day pace of life.  In This Episode: What actually happens inside a transformational retreat experienceThe power of white space and why slowing down is so uncomfortable (and necessary)How emotional release, breathwork, and vulnerability create lasting changeWhy deep, meaningful connection is often what we’re truly cravingThe difference between active listening and deep listening, and why it matters in leadershipHow practicing presence (instead of fixing or rescuing) can transform your relationshipsReal reflections and breakthroughs from women who attended the retreatRESOURCES: 2026 Lead Your Life Asheville Retreat: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-retreat-asheville SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode92 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  7. Mar 4

    Your Body Isn't The Problem - It's The Messenger

    Are you getting everything done… but internally you feel fried? If you’re productive on the outside but operating in survival mode on the inside, snapping more easily, feeling scattered, exhausted, or quietly burned out, this episode is for you. Christina gets real about energy management in the middle of real life (including a week of solo parenting) and unpacks why so many high-functioning women push through their body’s warning signs until they crash. In this conversation, you’ll learn how to recognize your personal energy patterns, stop overriding your nervous system, and build simple recovery rhythms into your daily life, not just your annual vacation. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about sustaining your performance without sacrificing yourself in the process. In This Episode: The 4 Energy Zones (Performance, Survival, Burnout, and Recovery) and how to identify where you’re livingWhy military and leadership culture conditions us to override our bodiesThe difference between pushing through when it’s necessary vs. when it’s harmfulHow to recognize your personal warning signs before burnout hitsWhy recovery isn’t weakness, it’s part of the performance cycleSimple 2–5 minute “downshift rituals” you can start todayIf you’ve been operating in high-functioning survival mode for too long, this episode will help you tune back in, rebuild self-trust, and create small, sustainable rhythms that protect your energy. RESOURCES: High-Yield Self Care Guide: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode91 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

  8. Feb 25

    Triple Your Self-Care Return on Investment

    Have you ever done all the “right” self-care things, taken the bath, bought a planner, scheduled the massage, and still felt completely exhausted? In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens. Most women aren’t bad at self-care. We’re just investing in practices that don’t actually restore us. In a culture that praises hustle, sacrifice, and pushing through (hello, military life), it’s easy to lose touch with our own needs. Over time, we forget how to answer the question: What do I actually need right now? I introduce the concept of low-yield vs. high-yield self-care, and why high-yield practices are deeply personal, discovered through reflection and experimentation, not copied from the internet. When you learn to identify your unmet needs and choose practices that truly replenish you, everything shifts. You regain capacity. You regain energy. You regain hope. In This Episode: Why popular self-care trends often leave you feeling the same The difference between low-yield and high-yield self-care How military culture and life experiences disconnect you from your needs Why meeting your needs is not selfish, it’s essential A simple way to evaluate your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual buckets How to approach self-care with curiosity instead of judgment RESOURCES: High-Yield Self Care Guide: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b SIGN UP FOR THE APP: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode90 Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way. I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide. Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life. **The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

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Prioritizing self-care and work/life balance can feel impossible in the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "embrace the suck" military culture. It's time to change the narrative - together! The Leading With Heart podcast is your go-to resource for how to find happiness, peace, and true success amidst the high demands of military life. With research-based tools and expert interviews, these episodes will change your life. Join host Christina Mattison as she teaches you the skills and mindset needed to take excellent care of yourself, so you can prevent burnout, take excellent care of your people, and shift the culture around self-care and well-being in the military.