“What The Why?!?”

Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills

"What The Why?!?" is a podcast featuring conversations with a wide variety of leaders from all walks of life about why they do what they do and how they figured things out. Now in its fifth season, the podcast continues to explore the insights, experiences, and perspectives that shape leadership, growth, and personal and professional success. Earlier seasons of "What The Why?!? with Barbara Anne" are also available, giving listeners access to a rich library of conversations across multiple platforms. Access our episodes on your preferred platform here: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA

  1. 1d ago

    Your Job Is Killing You: How to Recover From Burnout Without Losing Your Purpose | Deidre Gestrin

    What happens when the work you feel called to do starts costing you your health? In this powerful episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Deidre Gestrin, founder of Abundant Wellness Essentials, Certified Health Coach, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, for an honest conversation about burnout, workplace stress, whole-person wellness, boundaries, and purpose. Deidre knows burnout firsthand. After experiencing burnout multiple times in a demanding career, she reached a frightening turning point when her doctor told her that her job was harming her health. Yet she still knew she was doing work she felt called to do. Her experience led her to explore the connection between physical and mental health and ultimately expand her work into functional medicine coaching. 👤About Deidre Gestrin Deidre Gestrin is the founder of Abundant Wellness Essentials. She is a Certified Health Coach and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who understands the challenges of a high-performing career. Through her personal experience with burnout, Deidre learned to fully embrace the connection between physical and mental health. Her journey led her to obtain a functional medicine coaching certification and a Fast Like a Girl Certification. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Deidre Gestrin 🌐 Abundant Wellness Essentials: https://abundantwellnessessentials.com 🌐 Stress to Peace: https://stresstopeace.com 🌐 Burnout Basics: https://burnoutbasics.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgestrin/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidregestrin ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbundantWellnessEssentials 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/ARS2qBfWXxk ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #burnoutrecovery #workplaceburnout #WorkplaceWellbeing #StressManagement

    Your Job Is Killing You: How to Recover From Burnout Without Losing Your Purpose | Deidre Gestrin
  2. Sep 29

    Laughter Yoga for Stress, Joy & Well-Being | Cathy Nesbitt

    What if your path to purpose looked nothing like you originally imagined? Cathy Nesbitt spent approximately 20 years working as a secretary before an unexpected journey led her into entrepreneurship, worm composting, wellness—and eventually, Laughter Yoga. In this uplifting episode of What The Why?!?, Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Cathy to explore what happens when we become open to reinvention and intentionally create more joy in our lives. As a Health and Wellness Advocate, Laughter Yoga Teacher, and Laughter Ambassador, Cathy helps people move out of stress and into joy using laughter, tapping, Brain Gym, and other energy and wellness techniques. 👤 About Our Guest Cathy Nesbitt is a Health and Wellness Advocate dedicated to promoting joy and vitality through laughter and energy techniques. She is a Laughter Yoga Teacher and was appointed a Laughter Ambassador in 2017 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga. She incorporates tapping, Brain Gym, and other healing modalities to help people move from stress into joy. Cathy is also the founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters and Cathy’s Sprouters. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Cathy 🌐 Website: https://www.cathysclub.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathynesbitt/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CathyLaughter 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/GEEAK0Oj0kE ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #laughteristhebestmedicine #laughteryoga #stressmanagement

    Laughter Yoga for Stress, Joy & Well-Being | Cathy Nesbitt
  3. Sep 18

    Mind Coaching for Home Builders & Trades Professionals | Jay Meacham

    What if one of the hardest experiences of your life eventually helped reveal your purpose? When Jay Meacham was 13, his family lost their home to a fire—an experience he later recognized as deeply connected to where he was called to serve. Today, Jay is the go-to Mind Coach for home builders, remodelers, and trades professionals, helping leaders build clarity, resilience, and purpose. His journey also included leaving a decades-long corporate career to pursue more meaningful work. ✨ A few lessons from our conversation: • Difficult experiences can point us toward where we're meant to serve. • Finding purpose often requires reflection, faith, and courage. • Your past career doesn’t have to define your next chapter. • Meaningful change can begin with one intentional decision. 👤 About Our Guest Jay Meacham is the go-to Mind Coach for home builders, remodelers, and trades professionals. Drawing on decades of operational and executive experience, he helps leaders build clarity, resilience, purpose, and confidence. His work bridges faith, leadership, and transformation, helping people become who they were created to be. Jay also serves as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church, bringing together faith, leadership, transformation, and service. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. 🔗 Connect with Jay Meacham 🌐 Website: https://coachjaymeacham.com/ 💼 LinkedIn – Jay's Permanent Deacon milestone: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jay-meacham-6a66668_a-milestone-im-honored-to-share-with-my-activity-7474939889839448064-jAzo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGFWl4Byrv4-RhU3M_7OWqg1cznsa7Tuwo 🏠 LinkedIn – Home building/leadership: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jay-meacham-6a66668_at-homoly-design-build-every-home-is-a-activity-7442678210108059650-lYce?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGFWl4Byrv4-RhU3M_7OWqg1cznsa7Tuwo 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: ➡️ https://youtu.be/VJEm1Y8x6AI ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #faithandleadership #purposedriven #leadership #resilience #careertransition #careerchange #businesscoaching #businessleadership #personaltransformation #WhatTheWhyPodcast #BarbaraAnneGardenhire-Mills

    Mind Coaching for Home Builders & Trades Professionals | Jay Meacham
  4. Sep 12

    The 8 Pillars of INFINITE Leadership | Kylee Leota PART 2

    What if the biggest risk isn’t making a change—but staying exactly where you are? In this powerful two-part conversation on "What The Why?!?", Kylee Leota, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework, explores the connection between personal transformation and the way we show up as leaders. In Part 1, Kylee opens up about courage, fear, change, and the cost of inaction—reminding us that fearlessness doesn’t mean having no fear. It means recognizing what we’re afraid of and choosing to move forward anyway. Then, in Part 2, the conversation shifts to leadership as Kylee takes us inside her INFINITE Leadership Framework and explores psychological safety, emotional intelligence, innovation, service-based leadership, and continuous growth. ✨ A few powerful takeaways: • Consider the cost of doing nothing when you're afraid to make a change. • Meaningful transformation can begin with one small, intentional choice. • Psychological safety creates space for people to belong, learn, contribute, and challenge respectfully. • Great leadership requires us to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn. • Leadership isn't a destination—we continue to evolve as the people and leaders we become. 💭 What could change if you stopped asking, “What if I fail?” and started asking, “What will it cost me if nothing changes?” 👤About Kylee Leota Kylee is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework. A globally recognised leadership and behaviour expert with more than 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and organisations create cultures of psychological safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her practical, human-centred approach helps leaders navigate change, unlock human potential, and create lasting transformation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share the conversation with someone who may benefit from Johannes's message. Connect with Kylee: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/elements4success 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylee-leota-leadershipexpert/ 🌐 Website: https://elements4success.com.au/ 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube Part 1: https://youtu.be/5otTYTeWzNI Part 2: https://youtu.be/Bqi0AC7s1ro ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #elements4success #WhatTheWhyPodcast #KyleeLeota #InfiniteLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipTransformation #HumanCenteredLeadership #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership

    The 8 Pillars of INFINITE Leadership | Kylee Leota PART 2
  5. Sep 12

    The Fear of Change vs. the Cost of Staying the Same | Kylee Leota PART 1

    What if the biggest risk isn’t making a change—but staying exactly where you are? In this powerful two-part conversation on "What The Why?!?", Kylee Leota, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework, explores the connection between personal transformation and the way we show up as leaders. In Part 1, Kylee opens up about courage, fear, change, and the cost of inaction—reminding us that fearlessness doesn’t mean having no fear. It means recognizing what we’re afraid of and choosing to move forward anyway. Then, in Part 2, the conversation shifts to leadership as Kylee takes us inside her INFINITE Leadership Framework and explores psychological safety, emotional intelligence, innovation, service-based leadership, and continuous growth. ✨ A few powerful takeaways: • Consider the cost of doing nothing when you're afraid to make a change. • Meaningful transformation can begin with one small, intentional choice. • Psychological safety creates space for people to belong, learn, contribute, and challenge respectfully. • Great leadership requires us to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn. • Leadership isn't a destination—we continue to evolve as the people and leaders we become. 💭 What could change if you stopped asking, “What if I fail?” and started asking, “What will it cost me if nothing changes?” 👤About Kylee Leota Kylee is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Elements 4 Success and creator of the INFINITE Leadership Framework. A globally recognised leadership and behaviour expert with more than 25 years of experience, she helps individuals and organisations create cultures of psychological safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her practical, human-centred approach helps leaders navigate change, unlock human potential, and create lasting transformation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhl... 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share the conversation with someone who may benefit from Johannes's message. Connect with Kylee: 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/elements4success 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylee-leota-leadershipexpert/ 🌐 Website: https://elements4success.com.au/ 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube Part 1: https://youtu.be/5otTYTeWzNI Part 2: https://youtu.be/Bqi0AC7s1ro ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #elements4success #WhatTheWhyPodcast #KyleeLeota #InfiniteLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipTransformation #HumanCenteredLeadership #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership

    The Fear of Change vs. the Cost of Staying the Same | Kylee Leota PART 1
  6. Aug 31

    Finding the Fathers They Never Knew | Brian Hjort & Father Founded

    What happens when one decision to help becomes a mission that lasts more than 30 years? In this episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Brian Hjort, social entrepreneur and creator/director of Father Founded, to explore his decades-long mission helping Amerasians—particularly those from Vietnam and the Philippines—search for their American fathers and biological families. Brian shares how his work evolved from letters and military records to DNA testing, genealogy, and international collaboration—all driven by perseverance, compassion, and a desire to help families find answers and connection. 👤 About Our Guest Brian Hjort is a social entrepreneur and the creator/director of Father Founded. Since 1992, he has helped children of American soldiers and local women, especially those from Vietnam and the Philippines, search for their fathers and other family members in the United States. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode so you can listen offline, revisit the stories and insights that resonate with you, and share this meaningful conversation with someone who may need to hear it. Connect with Brian & Father Founded ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fatherfounded2413 🌐 Website: https://www.fatherfounded.org 💛 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/fundraisers 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_BIIUYR2C1Y ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral

    Finding the Fathers They Never Knew | Brian Hjort & Father Founded
  7. Aug 25

    Unprepared Leaders Are Hurting the Workplace | Coach Keith Shaw

    What happens when great employees are promoted into leadership, but never taught how to lead? In this episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Coach Keith Shaw, a leadership coach and HR professional with 35 years of experience, to discuss leadership development, career growth, mentorship, and embracing change. From aircraft mechanic to HR executive and entrepreneur, Keith shares how his journey shaped his mission to develop better leaders and create better workplaces. Whether you're a new manager, experienced leader, or navigating a career transition, this conversation is a reminder that great leadership requires intentional growth, preparation, and a willingness to keep learning. 👤 About Our Guest Coach Keith Shaw has spent 35 years in HR, progressing from aircraft mechanic to director-level leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies. He has also served as a guest lecturer and adjunct professor at Baylor University and helped organizations implement leadership development programs that improve engagement, retention, and organizational performance. Today, he's on a mission to address the long-standing problem of unprepared leaders and help create better workplaces that ultimately contribute to a better world. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share it with a leader or colleague who could benefit from the conversation. Connect with Coach Keith Shaw 🎤 https://coachkeithshawspeaks.com/ 🌐 https://coachkeithshaw.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkeithshaw/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/CoachKeithShaw/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/coachkeithshaw/ 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y8CVxObKND8 ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #CoachKeithShaw #LeadershipDevelopment #BetterLeaders #BetterWorkplaces #LeadershipCoaching #WorkplaceLeadership #EmbraceChange #PersonalDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #whatthewhypodcast

    Unprepared Leaders Are Hurting the Workplace | Coach Keith Shaw
  8. Aug 22

    From Pain to Purpose: Choosing Forgiveness & Healing | Johannes Wolfaardt

    What if your greatest pain could become your purpose? In this episode of "What The Why?!?", Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills sits down with Johannes C. Wolfaardt, South African author, speaker, and community advocate, to discuss his journey from trauma and hardship to forgiveness, healing, resilience, and purpose. Johannes shares how learning to forgive himself became part of his healing and inspired Struggling Stains, his mission to raise awareness about trauma and give hope to others. His powerful reminder: You don’t need a huge audience to make an impact—sometimes reaching just one person is enough. About Johannes C. Wolfaardt Johannes is the author of Struggling Stains and an advocate who uses his story to inspire hope, healing, forgiveness, and resilience. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA 📥 Download the episode to listen offline, revisit the insights, and share the conversation with someone who may benefit from Johannes's message. Connect with Johannes & Struggling Stains 🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/1QN3xlUSYYM 🌐 Website: https://strugglingstains.co.za/ 💛 Support the Struggling Stains Documentary: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-complete-the-struggling-stains-documentary~2 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iQ9CdIWlqsA ✨ Ready to elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, or create meaningful transformation in your organization? 📅Book a complimentary Coaching, Consulting & Strategy Session with Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills: https://calendly.com/barbaraanne-purposefilledsande/pfse-free-coaching-consulting-strategy-referral #JohannesWolfaardt #StrugglingStains #PainToPurpose #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #Resilience #TraumaAwareness #CommunityTransformation

    From Pain to Purpose: Choosing Forgiveness & Healing | Johannes Wolfaardt
5
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About

"What The Why?!?" is a podcast featuring conversations with a wide variety of leaders from all walks of life about why they do what they do and how they figured things out. Now in its fifth season, the podcast continues to explore the insights, experiences, and perspectives that shape leadership, growth, and personal and professional success. Earlier seasons of "What The Why?!? with Barbara Anne" are also available, giving listeners access to a rich library of conversations across multiple platforms. Access our episodes on your preferred platform here: https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpYS5yc3MuY29tL3doYXQtdGhlLXdoeS9mZWVkLnhtbA