Step Into Next

Helaine Knapp & Leanne Shear
  • 5.0 (59)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Biweekly

You know that unsettling in-between space after one big chapter ends and before the next one begins? That's where we live. Step Into Next is about navigating the sometimes messy and maddening but also always exciting space "in between," in between, with honesty, humor, and heart. Hosted by Leanne Shear and Helaine Knapp, two entrepreneurs who've learned that growth doesn't stop at the finish line.

  1. 12h ago ·  Video

    Done Being Good: Summer Lindman on Creativity, Reinvention & Learning to Choose Yourself

    What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to realize it doesn't actually make you happy? Our guest Summer Lindman knows a thing or two about that experience. After a childhood rooted in creativity, Summer spent her twenties climbing the corporate ladder, earning an MBA in Paris (Leanne swooned), and ultimately becoming CEO of a tech company at just 29. But reaching the top didn't deliver the freedom or fulfillment she'd imagined. Instead, it sparked a much bigger journey: reconnecting with her creativity, questioning the expectations she'd spent a lifetime trying to meet, and figuring out what it really means to build a life that feels authentic. In this episode, we talk about her new book, I'm Done Being Good: A Memoir and Guide to Unlearning the Rules, Making a Mess, and Creating a Life That's Yours, and the winding road that brought her back to her inner artist. We get into the arrival fallacy, the pressure to be the good girl, the courage it takes to walk away from something that no longer serves you (even when you're successful), and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your team or the people around you is to give yourself permission to leave. We also get into rage art (yes, it's a thing!), creative expression as a form of personal and political empowerment, the messy realities of reinvention, and the surprising freedom of realizing you don't need someone else to give you permission to pursue what you want. A few things we explore: Why becoming CEO at 29 didn't deliver the happiness or freedom Summer expected. How perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the good girl conditioning can disconnect us from our creativity. Finding your way back to play through painting, dancing, journaling, and listening to your body. Why walking away from a leadership role can actually be the best thing for the people you're leading. The arrival fallacy and why the next big thing doesn't necessarily solve what's missing. How Summer created Rage Art Studio to bring creativity and political activism together. The vulnerability of writing a memoir and the importance of giving your story time to evolve. Why you don't have to wait for someone else to cheer you on, choose you, or give you permission to begin. Summer's reminder that really stayed with us? I'm the one I've been waiting for. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, trying to reconnect with a part of yourself you've put on the shelf, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that you get to rewrite the rules. Summer's book, I'm Done Being Good: A Memoir and Guide to Unlearning the Rules, Making a Mess, and Creating a Life That's Yours, is out November 7.   LINKS Summer Lindman: https://www.summerlindman.com/ Substack: https://summerlindman.substack.com/ Instagram: @SummerLindmanCreates I'm Done Being Good: A Memoir and Guide to Unlearning the Rules, Making a Mess, and Creating a Life That's Yours: out November 7th on Amazon Leanne Shear: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Helaine Knapp: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  2. Oct 22 ·  Video

    Cosmodisca: Naomi Piercey on Witchcraft, Costumes, and Choosing Your Own Weird

    It's our most whimsical and witchy episode yet! Naomi Piercey shows up to this Halloween episode in a Dolly Parton wig (with a mid-episode costume change), and the conversation only gets better from there.  Naomi, Helaine, and Leanne get into what witchcraft actually is (hint: it's the same impulse as a prayer or a birthday wish), why she thinks tarot cards are "real if they're real to you," and a word Naomi invented with a friend, cosmo-disca, for the idea that everything we create is a remix of everything we've ever taken in.  Naomi is a partner at the NYC creative agency Coalesce, where she now spends a lot of her time doing what she calls "AI janitorial work," cleaning up apps people vibe-coded without a plan.  She also leads witch-themed walking tours through Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery, co-founded the electrolyte lollipop company Le Lick, has spent fifteen years building immersive theme parties with an art collective, and teaches a class on professional creativity at her alma mater, University of Florida.  She also talks about choosing not to have kids as the thing that freed her up to follow every one of these paths at once, and why she resists the pressure to turn every hobby into a business.  WHY LISTEN  This episode is for anyone who's been told to pick a lane: Naomi hasn't picked one, and she makes a real case for why that's not scattered, it's a model.  If you've got a creative obsession on the side that people keep telling you to monetize, or you've been collecting interests along the way instead of narrowing them down, Naomi gives you language and permission for the version of a career that doesn't look like everyone else's.  LINKS  Naomi Piercey, Coalesce: https://coalesce.nyc/  Naomi's email: naomi@coalesce.nyc  Naomi's witchy tours on IG: @covenofthewood  Leanne Shear, Consciousness Raise Consulting: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/  Helaine Knapp: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  3. Jul 28 ·  Video

    Living Everywhere: Home, Work, Travel & the Freedom to Not Know What's Next

    What happens when "home" isn't just one place? In this candid catch-up episode, Leanne and Helaine reconnect from opposite sides of the world to talk about what it means to build a life that doesn't fit neatly into one location…or one definition of what comes next. From living and working across time zones to figuring out the difference between a vacation and simply working from somewhere else, they explore the realities of being modern-day nomads, the challenges of creating boundaries when you really love your work, and the unexpected ways travel can create space for creativity, connection, and new ideas. They also talk about what makes a place feel like home, the freedom - and uncertainty - of not knowing exactly where you'll live next, the possibility of spending more time abroad, and why sometimes creating a home is as simple as buying yourself the right pillows and finding somewhere to put your underwear. Plus: new projects, writing, newsletters, Leanne's upcoming Quantum Clarity mini-course, Helaine's evolving relationship with writing, and the question they keep coming back to: Do we really have to settle down? Because maybe the space between what was and what's next isn't always a place. Sometimes, it's a city, a new apartment, a plane ticket, a walk through a new neighborhood, or simply the freedom to build a life that works for you. What a privilege! Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  4. Jul 8 ·  Video

    A Summer Podcast Reflection: Embracing Change, AI, and Surrender with MK Getler

    Join Leanne, Helaine, and their amazing guest MK Getler as they explore the evolving landscape of AI, surrendering to change, and the balance between hustle and flow in this summer special episode.  Recorded remotely, they share candid reflections on career pivots, embracing uncertainty, and cultivating gratitude amidst rapid technological shifts, offering insights for navigating liminal space with resilience and curiosity. What they covered: The significance of personal and professional rituals, and the importance of synchronicities (0:00 - 4:25) MK's career pivot into AI within a global organization, validation of new business models, and the implications for tech-driven change (4:25 - 6:47) Navigating fears, resistance, and environmental concerns around AI and how to respond constructively (7:00 - 12:21) The rapid pace of SaaS and AI evolution, and the strategic choices for industries like nonprofits and impact-driven profit sectors (12:21 - 15:52) The role of privilege, perspective, and mindset in fostering abundance and resilience (30:00 - 32:36) The importance of reconnecting mind and body, authentically aligning actions, and the power of gratitude in reframing challenges (19:00 - 34:58) Personal reflections on surrender, flow state, and embracing change in uncertain times, with insights into intrinsic motivation and privilege (18:00 - 29:07) The humorous and candid banter about remote recording, summer plans, and the creative process, including considerations for content creation and inspired living (0:00 - 0:34) RESOURCES AND LINKS: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Self-Determination Theory Overview Hubspot AI and Impact Strategies CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS AND THEIR GUEST: Leanne - LinkedIn | Twitter Helaine - LinkedIn | Twitter MK - Website | LinkedIn | Twitter Join us this summer as we embrace change, harness AI's potential responsibly, and explore the art of surrender, all while maintaining a playful spirit and curiosity for what comes next. Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  5. Jun 2

    Episode 15: Running It Back: Andy Ellwood on Reinvention, Resilience & Building What Matters

    What does it look like to return to entrepreneurship after failure, burnout, therapy, and rebuilding your life? In this episode of Step Into Next, Leanne and Helaine sit down with their friend and founder, investor, coach, and storyteller Andy Ellwood for a deeply honest and personal conversation about authenticity, startup life, resilience, and learning how to build success differently the second time around. Andy shares his wildly unconventional journey from conservative Christian Texas kid and top life insurance salesman, to startup operator at companies acquired by Facebook and Google, to founder, executive coach, husband, father, and now co-founder of Stretch, a company reinventing grocery price transparency. Together, they explore: • The difference between "Andy.com" and the real you • Why journaling became Andy's lifelong tool for clarity and self-understanding • Startup success, founder failure, and the emotional aftermath of shutting down a company • Therapy, coaching, and rebuilding identity after burnout • What finally made Andy willing to become a founder again • The four non-negotiables that shaped his next chapter • Balancing entrepreneurship, marriage, fatherhood, and ambition • Why constraints can actually make you a stronger leader • Building "painkillers, not multivitamins" — and choosing problems worth a decade of your life This conversation is equal parts vulnerable, inspiring, funny, and practical: a must-listen for founders, builders, leaders, creatives, parents, and anyone navigating reinvention or asking themselves what comes next. Plus: one unforgettable reminder from Andy that might stay with you long after the episode ends: "You have a 1000% success rate at making it through the hardest day of your life." Details: Stretch is officially available nationwide and can be downloaded in either app store: StretchGroceries.com/download    Follow @andyellwood on Instagram and @theandyellwood on TikTok. Follow @stretchgroceries on both.  Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  6. May 19

    Episode 14: The Arrival Fallacy and Why Success Doesn't Always Feel the Way You Thought It Would

    What happens when you finally achieve the thing you thought would make you happy… and it doesn't? In this episode of Step Into Next, co-hosts Leanne and Helaine unpack the concept of the Arrival Fallacy - the belief that happiness lives on the other side of a milestone, promotion, relationship, financial goal, or major life achievement. From startup culture and founder burnout to Olympic athletes, weddings, book launches, and the endless moving goalposts of ambition, they explore why so many high achievers struggle to feel fulfilled even after "making it." The conversation dives into: Why humans are wired for progress more than destinations The emotional crash that can follow major achievements Founder psychology and the addiction to striving The difference between meaningful goals and external validation Hedonic adaptation and why success quickly becomes "normal" How comparison culture and "keeping up with the Joneses" distort happiness The challenge of balancing ambition with presence Why measuring backward instead of forward can shift perspective This episode is an honest, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about achievement, identity, burnout, purpose, and learning how to appreciate where you are while still growing toward what's next. Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  7. May 5

    Episode 13: Mindie Kaplan on the Million Mammogram Movement and Turning Intuition Into Impact

    What happens when one "just in case" appointment changes everything? In this episode of Step Into Next, Leanne and Helaine sit down with Mindie Kaplan, entrepreneur, executive, and founder of the Million Mammogram Challenge, to talk about intuition, reinvention, entrepreneurship, breast cancer, and the power of turning a deeply personal experience into a movement. Mindie shares how she left corporate life to build and sell a VR/AR company, how a proactive mammogram led to an early breast cancer diagnosis, and how her healing journey became a mission to help women advocate for themselves, get screened, and make their health appointments feel less scary and more supported. In this episode, we discuss: Leaving corporate life to follow the "what if" Building and selling a company Listening to intuition in business and health Mindy's breast cancer diagnosis and recovery The Million Mammogram Challenge Why women delay screenings Turning vulnerability into impact Making mammograms less scary with friends, support, and "mammosas" Advocating for yourself in medical settings Building a movement without starting a nonprofit This conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply empowering and an important reminder that early detection matters, intuition is information, and sometimes our most vulnerable stories become the thing that helps someone else take action. Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

  8. Apr 21

    Carrie Kerpen on The Exit Gap and Building Businesses That Buy You Freedom

    What if the biggest wealth gap for women isn't just about earning, but also exiting? In this episode of Step Into Next, Leanne and Helaine sit down with entrepreneur, author, and advisor Carrie Kerpen to unpack a critical (and often overlooked) truth: women aren't just underfunded in business….they're under-exiting, too. That means they're selling or getting acquired far less often and for far less money than men. Carrie shares her journey from co-founding one of the first social media agencies to successfully selling her company and how that experience led her to uncover the "exit gap," where less than 1% of exits are fully female-founded. Together, they explore: The difference between building a business for income vs. building a sellable asset Why systems, structure, and recurring revenue matter more than hustle The mindset shift from "lifestyle business" to long-term wealth creation How AI and accessibility are changing the game for women entrepreneurs The emotional reality of exits and why success doesn't always feel like you expect Practical ways to start building optionality right now, even as a solopreneur Plus, Carrie breaks down her "WHISPER" framework for building a business that's profitable, transferable, and aligned with your life. This conversation is equal parts strategy, mindset, and real talk about money, power, and what's next. 🎙️ If you've ever wondered whether what you're building could become something bigger, this episode is your invitation to do just that! Find Leanne: https://consciousnessraise.consulting/ Find Helaine: https://www.helaineknapp.com/

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5
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

You know that unsettling in-between space after one big chapter ends and before the next one begins? That's where we live. Step Into Next is about navigating the sometimes messy and maddening but also always exciting space "in between," in between, with honesty, humor, and heart. Hosted by Leanne Shear and Helaine Knapp, two entrepreneurs who've learned that growth doesn't stop at the finish line.

Information

  • Creator
    Helaine Knapp & Leanne Shear
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Step Into Next