When Does It Get Good?

Zovig Garboushian

When Does It Get Good? Is hosted by Zovig Garboushian, CEO of Boldness Ablaze, a speaker, workplace training strategist, and long-time executive coach.  In season 2, the show spotlights real leaders through 1:1 executive coaching sessions. Each episode features someone exploring a work-related challenge they’re experiencing right now:  like a big transition, a persistent people or organizational problem, or a significant question that they haven’t had the time or space to really pull apart. We have a real coaching session that isn’t pre-planned or scripted, so you get the benefit of hearing them wrestle with their ideas, assumptions, and beliefs to get to a new understanding and resolution about who they are in their work, and in their lives.  We keep everyone anonymous to protect their privacy, but their experiences and stories are real.  Want to learn more about Boldness Ablaze, visit www.boldnessablaze.com or find Zovig on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/zovig

  1. Oct 5

    S2, E33: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Is Knowing When to Do Nothing

    You keep saying yes to everyone on your team, and somehow you are the one running out of steam. If that sounds familiar, the problem might not be your workload. It might be how you define your job.   On this episode of When Does It Get Good?, host Zovig Garboushian runs a real coaching session with a leader named Mike, who recently went from having no direct reports to managing a team of nine. He came in wanting to understand where that sense of pressure is coming from and what to do to manage it, and the conversation uncovered something he had not named before. Mike walks through the exact moment he realizes his sense of duty might be the thing wearing him down, a clear picture of burnout as a new manager hiding behind good intentions.   Zovig points out the specific language Mike keeps repeating and what it reveals about his identity as a leader. She pushes past his measured, polished answers and into the part he has been avoiding, the fear that if his approach stops working, he will not know who he is without it. Together they work through how to stop overfunctioning at work without abandoning the people who depend on him.   If you have ever questioned whether your leadership identity goes beyond problem solving, or wanted a real example of how to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of fixing them, this episode gives you language for both. Press play and see what shifts.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Kicking off a season of real coaching sessions 02:27 Mike names the pressure of leading again 06:51 Why leading with heart feels risky 11:40 Fear of letting his people down 19:27 How to stop feeling responsible for everyone's happiness 23:01 The show must go on mentality 30:29 Zovig reframes the action taker identity 44:29 Naming the fear of failure underneath 50:46 Choosing wait and see over action 57:18 Closing thoughts and what comes next   Links Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Visit the Boldness Ablaze website Connect with Zovig on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  2. 05/04/2025

    E32: ADHD: The Hidden Engine Behind My Success (and Struggle)

    Getting diagnosed with ADHD at 47 changed the way Zovig Garboushian sees everything – her drive, her emotions, her past, and the pressure she’s always put on herself to hold it all together.   This episode is less of a lesson and more of a moment. Zovig shares what it’s like to be in the middle of something big: a late diagnosis that’s bringing clarity, grief, relief, and a whole lot of questions. How do you process a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “not enough” when you realize your brain has been wired differently all along? What does ADHD in women actually look like, especially in high performers who never thought it applied to them?   Zovig talks openly about patterns she used to dismiss or joke about, and how those quirks now make more sense through the lens of ADHD. Her story reflects what so many women experience: going undiagnosed for years because they don’t fit the loud, restless stereotype. Instead, they get labeled as intense, emotional, forgetful, or inconsistent, until something clicks and the pieces finally start to fit.   If you’ve ever questioned why you operate the way you do, or felt frustrated by patterns you can’t seem to shake, this episode offers a new lens and a lot of validation.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Personal Revelation and ADHD Diagnosis 01:24 Misconceptions About ADHD in Women 04:15 What the ADHD Assessment Was Really Like 05:29 The Emotional Impact of Getting Diagnosed 07:01 How ADHD Affects Relationships 08:45 High Performance, Creativity, and Burnout 10:43 Self-Discovery and What Comes Next 13:26 The Emotional Side of ADHD 14:08 A Message for Listeners   Links Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: http://www.boldnessablaze.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  3. 04/13/2025

    E31: Not a Monster, Just Misunderstood: Unpacking the Abrasive Leader Archetype with Catherine Mattice

    Most abrasive leaders don’t realize they’re causing harm until the culture breaks and someone finally says it out loud.   Catherine Mattice, the CEO and founder of Civility Partners, has spent years coaching leaders who’ve been called a workplace bully but who don’t see themselves that way. In this episode, Catherine joins Zovig Garboushian to break down what really drives abrasive leadership, how it quietly fuels toxic workplace dynamics, and why so many leaders stay silent instead of addressing it.   Is being high-performing enough if people around you feel silenced or shut down? What’s the cost of avoiding hard conversations to keep a top performer happy? And how can executive coaching turn a pattern of damage into a chance for growth?   Catherine shares how she uses direct, honest feedback to help leaders understand their impact and rebuild trust. From the subtle signals of culture erosion to the big organizational risks that come from letting bad behavior slide, this episode challenges leaders to take a harder look at how company culture is shaped and what happens when no one speaks up.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Understanding the Abrasive Leader 03:17 How Toxic Behavior Impacts Company Culture 09:00 Executive Coaching for Workplace Bullies 14:01 Why Employers Avoid Confronting High Performers 20:29 The Cost of Fear in Leadership 31:21 Toxic vs. Tough Leadership Styles 42:16 A Message to Abrasive Leaders   Links Connect with Catherine Mattice: Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies Pre-order: https://civilitypartners.com/navigating-a-toxic-workplace-for-dummies/ Website: https://civilitypartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemattice/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/civilitypartners/   Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: http://www.boldnessablaze.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  4. 03/30/2025

    E30: Are You Doing Change Management Wrong? Probably

    Top-down change is easy to mandate but nearly impossible to make stick without the people it affects.   Why do so many leaders still default to pushing change from the top when it so often leads to resistance, confusion, or quiet disengagement? In this episode, Zovig Garboushian challenges the old playbook and shares a more human-centered approach to change management, one that invites participation, builds trust, and actually works.   Zovig unpacks the common ways people react to change—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how leaders can spot these behaviors before they become roadblocks. You’ll hear why open-source change, a model that puts employees at the center of planning and implementation, leads to stronger outcomes and less pushback.   If you’re leading through change right now (or about to), you’ll walk away with clear ideas for building a real plan, communicating with purpose, and helping your team feel safe and supported through the messiness. Because resistance isn’t a problem to avoid. It’s a signal worth listening to.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Change Management 02:06 Ineffectiveness of Top-Down Change 03:44 Resistance to Change 05:00 Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn Responses 08:52 Addressing Resistance in Change Management 10:30 ProSci Framework for Change 13:32 Shifting Implementation to Employees 15:29 Focusing on Talking, Not Telling 18:42 Role of External Organizations in Change Management   Links Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  5. 03/16/2025

    E29: Nice, But Useless: How Biased Feedback Holds Women Back with Dora Mołodyńska-Küntzel

    Feedback can build careers or hold them back. When it’s vague, biased, or filled with adjectives instead of actions, it does more harm than good, especially for women.   Zovig Garboushian sits down with Dora Mołodyńska-Küntzel, a DEI trainer and consultant from Punt Kick, to talk about the hidden bias in giving feedback. Why do women get more personality-driven critiques while men receive clear, actionable advice? How does that impact performance, confidence, and career growth? Research shows a clear pattern, and the consequences reach far beyond individual employees.   Dora shares practical ways for leaders to check their own bias, shift from vague observations to behavior-based feedback, and create a culture where everyone gets the guidance they need to succeed. She challenges the idea that feedback bias is only a DEI issue—when employees don’t receive clear direction, businesses suffer too.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:53 Importance of Addressing Feedback Bias 05:57 Impact of Vague Feedback on Women 08:17 Role of Confidence in Feedback 10:02 Confusion Created by Contradictory Feedback 12:09 Organizational Impact of Biased Feedback 14:07 Recognizing and Addressing Personal Bias 17:02 Importance of Self-Reflection and Humility 20:20 Strategies for Receiving Better Feedback 24:20 Pushing Back on Vague Feedback 27:04 Organizational Strategies for Fair Feedback 31:10 Role of Psychological Safety in Feedback 32:08 Business Impact of Quality Feedback   Links Connect with Dora Mołodyńska-Küntzel : Website: www.puntkick.pl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorakuntzel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puntkick.pl   Links to studies mentioned: https://explore.textio.com/feedback-bias-2024/language-bias-in-performance-feedback-2024 https://explore.textio.com/feedback-bias https://www.bain.com/insights/crisis-of-confidence-women-lose-faith-careers-infographic/   Bias Reduction Checklist https://www.puntkick.pl/bias-reduction-checklist Free Ebook on Inclusive Leadership: https://www.puntkick.pl/ebook Link to the LinkedIn Post we mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dorakuntzel_gender-bias-in-feedback-activity-7274326972325916673-Z2YW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAEqDREBjiJ_stnF64FelYqG1b8lxUtHtHc   Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  6. 03/02/2025

    E28: The Myth of Being the Greatest with Joanna Lohman

    Greatness isn’t about medals or rankings. It’s about showing up fully, embracing who you are, and meeting the moment with everything you’ve got.   How often do high performers and high achievers chase success but still feel like they’re falling short? Joanna Lohman, a former professional soccer player and performance igniter, knows that struggle firsthand. In this episode, she sits down with Zovig Garboushian to talk about breaking free from perfectionism and redefining what it really means to be great.   Joanna calls perfectionism the “anti-resilience,” a mindset that keeps people stuck in fear, comparison, and self-doubt. She shares how she moved beyond the pressure of external validation and found a deeper sense of fulfillment. Her journey offers a powerful lesson: success isn’t about chasing an impossible ideal. It’s about recognizing your own unique strengths, stepping fully into your role, and trusting that your contributions matter.   This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they weren’t doing enough, despite giving everything they had. Joanna challenges listeners to rethink personal development, embrace the messy parts of growth, and shift their focus from being the best to showing up as their best.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:35 The Concept of Being Great Without Being the Greatest 02:17 Joanna’s Soccer Career and Challenges 04:44 Personal Identity Crisis and Coming Out 07:03 Family Reactions and Self-Acceptance 09:45 Nomadic Soccer Career and Realizations 12:10 Acknowledging Greatness in the Journey 13:04 Team Dynamics and Individual Contributions 15:20 Letting Go of Comparisons and Embracing Individual Greatness 17:38 Compassion vs. Comparison 20:00 Performance-Based Identity and Its Pitfalls 24:20 The Importance of Self-Compassion 25:09 Evolving Identity and Self-Reflection 28:00 Challenging Limiting Beliefs and Rewriting Narratives 30:00 Aligning Identity with Values 34:04 Perfectionism vs. Excellence 38:15 Meeting the Demands of the Moment 41:25 Embracing Discomfort and Growth 44:02 Closing   Links Connect with Joanna Lohman: Website: https://joannalohman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannalohman15/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalohman/   Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  7. 02/16/2025

    E27: Trust at Work is an Inside Job

    “When we trust ourselves, we spend less time proving ourselves and more time being ourselves.”   Trust starts from within, but how often do we actually stop to assess our own self-trust? In this episode, Zovig Garboushian unpacks why trust-building isn’t just about how others see us, but also about how we see ourselves. When self-doubt creeps in, it affects our confidence, decision-making, and ability to influence. If we don’t trust our own judgment, how can we expect others to?   Zovig introduces a four-part trust formula that helps break down what makes someone truly trustworthy. She also calls out the ways people-pleasing can backfire, leading to hesitation, inconsistency, and broken trust. The takeaway? Trust isn’t given. It’s built, starting with the way we show up for ourselves.   Quotes “When we don’t trust ourselves, we can’t trust others, and others can’t trust us. Trust is an inside-out game.” (01:13 | Zovig Garboushian) “If we don’t believe in our own instincts, we might assume that others are unreliable too. We can project our insecurities onto others, expecting them to fail us.” (04:04 | Zovig Garboushian) “When I trust myself, it doesn’t matter what happens around me, because I trust that I have my own back.” (05:18 | Zovig Garboushian)  “With trust, it’s a two-way street. Your trust in them, their trust in you. And when you have those, you have more ability to build relationships, enhance your own productivity, as well as your team’s productivity, and build your influence and your visibility in whatever environments you are in.” (14:45 | Zovig Garboushian)  “Ultimately, when we trust ourselves, we spend less time proving ourselves and more time being ourselves.” (16:43 | Zovig Garboushian)   Links Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  8. 02/02/2025

    E26: Before the Body Breaks: Tune Into the Whispers Before You Hear the Screams

    Our bodies hold wisdom that often whispers before it screams. Are you tuned into what yours is saying?   In this episode, Zovig Garboushian welcomes executive and wellness coach Deanna Moffitt to discuss the power of somatic awareness in leadership and stress management. Deanna shares how practices like Qigong and breathwork can help leaders process stress, prevent burnout, and reconnect with the often-ignored wisdom our bodies hold.   With insights from her book, “The Rewrite: Change Your Life One Story at a Time,” Deanna challenges the culture of constant productivity and explores how listening to your body can transform both personal well-being and workplace dynamics. She offers simple, practical ways to start tuning in, reminding us that small steps toward self-care can make a big difference.   Deanna’s parting wisdom? Start a dialogue with your body by asking, “What do you need right now?” It’s a small step toward greater self-awareness and a healthier, more balanced life!   Quotes “Stress is a huge indicator for us, and stress is a big thing that we’re seeing in the workplace… The higher stress you have and the longer you’re in that stress state, the more likely you are going to get a long-term non-communicative disease.” (05:12 | Deanna Moffitt)  “I always say that if you aren’t really clear on your values—not only your values as a leader but your values as a human—you will be living your company’s values.” (14:43 | Deanna Moffitt)  “I think stress in our world is one of the bigger ones, how our bodies begin talking to us. And again, if we can hear the whisper and start tending to the whispers, we never have to hear the screams.” (16:49 | Deanna Moffitt) “We are deeply loving beings who have been wounded from the moment of birth. And so to be able to return to that, to come back to that, that is the work.” (33:03 | Deanna Moffitt)  “Your body has wisdom, and it’s talking to you, and you may not be listening. But if you can catch yourself at any moment and just simply ask yourself, ‘What do you need?’ your body will respond.” (43:58 | Deanna Moffitt)   Links Connect with Deanna Moffitt: Website: https://deannamoffitt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannamoffitt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannamoffitt/ Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rewrite-Change-Your-Life-Story-ebook/dp/B0CMPRQZKM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TT1XMJGVDB9C&keywords=the+rewrite+deanna&qid=1700474477&sprefix=the+rewrite%2Caps%2C393&sr=8-1   Connect with Zovig Garboushian: Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

When Does It Get Good? Is hosted by Zovig Garboushian, CEO of Boldness Ablaze, a speaker, workplace training strategist, and long-time executive coach.  In season 2, the show spotlights real leaders through 1:1 executive coaching sessions. Each episode features someone exploring a work-related challenge they’re experiencing right now:  like a big transition, a persistent people or organizational problem, or a significant question that they haven’t had the time or space to really pull apart. We have a real coaching session that isn’t pre-planned or scripted, so you get the benefit of hearing them wrestle with their ideas, assumptions, and beliefs to get to a new understanding and resolution about who they are in their work, and in their lives.  We keep everyone anonymous to protect their privacy, but their experiences and stories are real.  Want to learn more about Boldness Ablaze, visit www.boldnessablaze.com or find Zovig on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/zovig