Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Tracy Spears

Hosted by Tracy Spears, speaker, co-author of two best selling leadership books, founder of The Leader Lab, coach, and head cheerleader for anyone trying to play bigger. Shift Out Loud is a podcast designed to inspire you to play bigger. You'll hear from real live people sharing what their shift was, when it happened, and why it was out loud. What you think is true, and when you move from the external locus of control to the internal locus of control, your shift can happen and anything becomes possible. This podcast is your invitation to listen to others who have made the shift, and also serve as a catalyst for you to play bigger.

  1. 12/02/2025

    Rising Up By Your Own Rules with Heidi Hartman

    Send us a text What do highly successful people do differently? Is it possible to build a thriving career entirely on your own terms? In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I’m joined by Heidi Hartman, a sought-after speaker, leadership coach, and author of Her Rise Her Rules: 7 Secrets of Successful Leaders, an incredible book that reveals the success strategies of over 100 high-performing women leaders. Heidi and I talk about her fascinating authorship journey and interview process, how she helps her clients transform their biggest what-ifs into what’s possible, and the crucial assessments that will help you identify your best next steps for playing bigger in your career, without compromising your core values or wasting time and money on unhelpful tangents or distractions. Heidi also shares her important research into Oklahoma’s high rates of female incarceration — a topic that is close to my heart. Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  Some of the key strategies explored in Her Rise Her Rules (and how to apply them to your life)  How Heidi learned from poor-fit opportunities and created a career that plays to her strengths and passions The challenges of monetizing your expertise when you’ve been sharing it for freeGuest bio: Heidi Hartman published her first book, Her Rise Her Rules: 7 Secrets of Successful Leaders, in September 2025. After two decades in corporate leadership and HR, Heidi ventured out to pursue her greater purpose — building better leaders and businesses from the inside out. She puts her experience and extensive training to work for clients to understand the unique opportunities they face and offer tangible solutions that lead to wild success. Timestamps: 02:00  Intro 04:17  Meet Heidi Hartman 07:32  Camping & RVs 10:24  University of Oklahoma 13:13  Lessons from retail & inspired friction 17:31  Shift to organizational development 20:01  Policy work & consulting 22:06  Playing bigger in your career 24:27  Her Rise Her Rules 30:47  Blessed by a bad fit  35:14  Monetizing expertise  37:58  Shift to Her Circles 41:35  Conclusion Links: Heidi Hartman hhartmanconsulting.com  hhartmanconsulting.com/contact  linkedin.com/in/heidi-hartman  hhartmanconsulting  — Connect with me: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  @tracylspears  @tracylspears  Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    44 min

  2. 10/21/2025

    Embracing Multiple Paths of Self-Expression with Allison B. Walden

    Send us a text My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud lives a fascinating double life! Not only is Allison B. Walden the Senior Vice President of Resource Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, she’s also a talented musician who just released her first studio album, “Octopus,” under the stage name Allie B. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about embracing a shift-filled life — and seizing the opportunity to play bigger on multiple different stages. We talk about the impact of growing up in a state of flux, Allison’s early musical journey, her inspiring service-based approach to her work, and how competitive weightlifting has transformed her body and her confidence. Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  How Allison found her voice as a vocalist in a family full of instrumentalists How she recharges and protects her energy as a multipassionate introvert The behind-the-scenes story of her debut album releaseGuest bio: Allison Walden is a sought-after sales coach and speaker in the areas of nonprofit revenue development, culture, and capability-building for nonprofit leaders. She serves as SVP of Resource Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the Chair of the Curriculum Committee for the organization management program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and as a faculty member for the “Academy” program of the Western Association of Chamber of Commerce Professionals (WACE). In 2020, WACE named her “Chamber Staff Person of the Year.” Timestamps: 01:58  Intro 04:15  Meet Allison B. Walden 09:04  Shift to staying still 12:03  Shift to vocals & songwriting 16:08  Approach to work & recharging energy 23:10  Shift to team sports 25:37  Weight-lifting 30:38  Shift to musicianship 36:44  Response to the album 39:59  Shift to Allie B 42:56  Post-album shifts 47:49  Next shift 50:29  Conclusion Links: Allison B. Walden alliebofficial.com  — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears  Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    54 min

  3. 10/14/2025

    The Case of April Wilkens and SB 1835 with Tracey Lyall & Colleen McCarty

    Send us a text I have not one, but two incredible guests for this timely and important episode of Shift Out Loud. We’ll be exploring the case of domestic violence survivor April Wilkens, who was recently denied a shortened sentence for a crime directly related to her abuse: the murder of her long-time rapist and abuser. Tracey Lyall is the CEO of Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) in Tulsa and a Licensed Social Worker with years of direct service and advocacy for victims of DV and sexual assault. Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice co-founder Colleen McCarty has been a key advocate in pushing for survivor justice reform through the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act (SB 1835), which passed the OK Senate 46-0 and the OK House 86-4. In this impactful conversation, Tracey and Colleen discuss why SB 1835 is vital legislation for Oklahomans, how it compares to similar measures enacted in other states, and why April Wilkins should be granted relief and be reunited with her family. Listen now to discover: The details of April’s horrific story and the current status of her legal case Why April’s denial was so shocking and what you can do to help support her causeThe potential impact of SB 1835 on Oklahoma’s incarcerated womenGuest bios: Tracey Lyall is a Licensed Social Worker and the CEO of DVIS in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2013, along with the board of directors, she led the organization’s $24 million capital campaign to build a new shelter, transitional housing, and counseling office. She has worked in the areas of poverty, DV, crisis intervention, and mental health. Attorney Colleen McCarty has served as Policy Counsel and Deputy Director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. She is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and was instrumental in passing medical parole reform in 2020 (SB 320).  Timestamps: 01:51  Intro 03:56  Meet Tracey Lyall & Colleen McCarty 07:00  Passing SB 1835 09:16  Oklahoma Appleseed & SB 1835’s strengths 14:33  DV stats, stigma & retaliation 20:27  April’s case 31:12  Colleen’s work 34:00  Tracey’s reaction 36:13  Support for April 41:46  Current actions & influences 45:14  Colleen’s final thoughts Links: okappleseed.org  dvis.org  panicbuttonpodcast.com  — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game! Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    52 min

  4. 10/07/2025

    Shifting Out of Secrecy & Living Loudly with Nancy Gunter

    Send us a text For many people in my generation, living loudly and openly was a shift that could feel almost too big. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Nancy Gunter, the CEO of Gunter Training and an expert in helping workplaces manage clashes between employees of different generations, to talk about shifting out of secrecy.  In this conversation, Nancy and I discuss the intense challenges she experienced coming to terms with her sexuality in the 1980s and 1990s, the small but loud shifts that led her to live more openly in a slowly-changing world, and how she’s nurtured a beautiful 32-year relationship with her partner. We also talk about her incredible professional shifts, and how she uncovered her deep passion for designing and delivering trainings. Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  How a decades-old rumour about Nancy’s brother helped her come out to her parents in her 40sThe big generational differences that underlie current workplace tensionsHow Positive Intelligence training changed Nancy’s life and sparked a career shiftGuest bio: Nancy is the CEO of Gunter Training and specializes in Positive Mental Fitness, Emotional Intelligence, and Generational Consulting. She has a Master’s Degree with an emphasis in Generational Studies and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, a Positive Intelligence Coach, and a Speaker/Trainer. She enjoys all types of sports and participates in sprint, Olympic, and Half Ironman triathlons.  Timestamps: 01:41  Intro 02:39  Meet Nancy Gunter 04:13  Shift to extroversion 08:56  Discovering her sexuality 13:13  Shift to self-acceptance 17:51  Shift to training 21:47  Shift to living more openly 27:42  Coming out to family 35:20  Generational consulting 38:04  Baby boomers, work ethic & tech  42:29  Triathlons 45:44  Shift to PQ coaching 52:07  Next shift Links: Nancy Gunter guntertraining.com  — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears  Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    54 min

  5. 09/30/2025

    Helping Others Without Losing Yourself with Alison Anthony

    Send us a text Our biggest shifts sometimes elevate entire communities. My guest on this episode of Shift Out Loud has built an award-winning career around uplifting those who need it most. I’m joined by Alison Anthony, the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. Among her many recognitions, she’s been inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State University Diversity Hall of Fame, and is the 2025 recipient of the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate award.  Our conversation digs into Alison’s enduring passion for justice and inclusion, and the importance of meeting your own needs while helping others. Tune in as we explore her decision to play bigger in a way that aligned with her deeper values, her journey to grow as a leader while dealing with personal challenges, and the incredible bar fight story that reveals her hidden superhero side! Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  How to set healthy boundaries and detach lovingly when helping others hurts youThe enormous impact of older women in our families and communities How Alison is shifting into a new chapter of reflection and self-expressionGuest bio: Alison Anthony serves as the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. A number of non-profit organizations are proud to name her as a member of their Boards of Directors, including the Tulsa Community Foundation and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. To all her roles, Alison brings a passion for inclusion, justice, innovation, and a belief that we can join our talents together to make our community a place where we can all flourish and thrive.  Timestamps: 01:57  Intro 03:58  Meet Alison Anthony 07:16  Growing up & over-helping 10:57  Fly fishing story 14:07  Ear biting story 18:55  Shift to corporate 22:37  So shall it be or better 28:52  Shift to United Way 30:42  Al-Anon & codependency 35:22  Setting boundaries 40:22  The ‘Shift Happens’ 60s 43:44  Next shift 47:59  Sharing a stage 49:08  Conclusion Links: Alison Anthony tauw.org/team_member/alison-anthony  tulsahistory.org/halloffame/alison-anthony  linkedin.com/in/alison-anthony-14a76a6  — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    51 min

  6. 09/23/2025

    Living Fully and Becoming Whole with Dr. Jennifer Clark

    Send us a text My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has spent much of her career exploring how we can make one of the most profound shifts imaginable: choosing to live a life for the things that matter most, without waiting for a crisis to occur. I’m joined once again by Dr. Jennifer K. Clark, whose book Suffer. is a fascinating reflection of her experiences in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Clark challenges society’s definition of health and has shaped a new standard of innovative, community-based end-of-life care.  This episode is a powerful invitation to show up and truly see yourself. Listen in as we discuss the power of transpersonal experiences and the gift of mortality salience, and Dr. Clark shares how to honor the mind-body connection, find peace during times of stress, and recognize the modern markers of adulthood. Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  How to reintegrate tough memories and become whole through shard workWhy we shouldn’t stop assessing developmental milestones after childhood How to get out of the anxiety spin cycle when meditation feels impossible  Guest bio: Dr. Jennifer Clark is the author of Suffer., a reflection of her nearly 25-year practice as an allopathic physician trained in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. From the bedside to the boardroom and beyond, she has served to heal, educate, and innovate toward the relief of suffering and promotion of well-being. She volunteers as a medical liaison at Clarehouse and serves as a board member for the Omega Home Network. Timestamps: 01:55  Intro 03:37  Meet Dr. Jennifer Clark 06:14  Holding space 10:20  “Suffer well” 13:53  Developmental milestones & shame 15:59  Accepting the invitation 19:26  Taking a pause 23:00  Anxiety & dissociation 28:01  Memory, shard work, and life review 36:33  Self-identity & death experience 40:35  Mortality salience & grief 44:20  Internal voice & sense of self 51:23  Transpersonal experiences 59:12  New website   Links: Dr. Jennifer Clark thegiftofchoosing.com  Suffer.  Suffering, Well-Being, and the Redefinition of Health | TEDxUTulsa — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears  Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode

    1h 3m

  7. 09/16/2025

    Writing Truth With Total Honesty with Meg Myers Morgan

    Send us a text Playing bigger often means speaking up about things society would prefer to be left unsaid — and that often includes women’s experiences. Whether writing or speaking, bestselling author Meg Myers Morgan works to unravel the knots that form while being a woman navigating through everyday worries, meaningful working, and the relentless pursuit of self-worth.  In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Meg to get an exclusive behind-the-curtain look at her incredible new novel, The Inconvenient Unraveling of Gemma Sinclair — and explore why she shifted to fiction after making a name for herself in the non-fiction world. Tune in as we discuss Meg’s fascinating writing process, the decisions that led to a unique and memorable book launch event, and the key to showing up authentically online. Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:  What inspired Meg to start playing bigger in the lit space - and how she turned rejection into motivationA behind-the-scenes look at the publishing process and the advice that made the differenceHow Meg assembled and leveraged a book launch team that turned a novel into a movementGuest bio: Meg Myers Morgan is a professor by title, teaching and mentoring graduate students into careers they love; a writer by dedication, using humor and heart to process modern life and work; and a keynote speaker, equipping audiences to reclaim their self-worth as the ultimate lesson...and plot twist. Timestamps: 01:00  Intro 02:58  Meet Meg Myers Morgan 03:46  Parenting 07:01  “It doesn’t matter” & TikTok 13:24  Shift to fiction 18:20  Shifting out loud 20:33  Publishing & reception 23:04  Meg’s launch team 28:08  Book launch event 36:59  About Gemma Sinclair 40:04  Biggest shifts 43:22  Dr. Fox & “trying something” 46:53  Writing from truth 50:42  Eddie & head-hopping 56:20  The Unravelers 58:59  Trailer Park University 1:00:23  Busy Philipps Links: Meg Myers Morgan megmyersmorgan.com  The Inconvenient Unraveling of Gemma Sinclair — Connect with me: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears  Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker  Twitter: @tracylspears  Instagram: @tracylspears  Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com  Visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit tracyspears.com  Podcast support: theultimatecreative.com  copymagic.agency  If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!  Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell for notifications, so you never miss an episode!

    1h 9m

  8. 05/27/2025

    Coaching with Curiosity & Purpose with Mina Brown

    Send us a text In this episode of Shift Out Loud, Tracy Spears sits down with master coach and corporate leader-turned-mentor Mina Brown to explore the powerful, personal, and far-reaching impact of coaching. From boardrooms to virtual training rooms, Mina’s journey is a testament to the deep change that’s possible when we shift from giving answers to asking the right questions. Together, they unpack what makes coaching so effective—including the science of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), the strategic use of metaphors and humor, and the art of creating safe spaces for real transformation. Mina shares how our environment shapes our beliefs, how the pandemic revolutionized coaching, and why curiosity, purpose, and values matter more than ever. Whether you’re a leader, a learner, or simply someone who wants to live more intentionally, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the power of conversation. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Coaching is not about answers—it’s about discovery.NLP can accelerate learning, growth, and transformation.Humor and metaphor help unlock deep insight and emotional resonance.Coaching is a partnership grounded in trust and respect.Leaders with coaching skills can radically impact culture and connection.Beliefs drive our behavior—challenging them drives change.Transitioning from corporate to coaching demands vulnerability and mindset shifts.The virtual coaching boom is here to stay—and it’s opening new doors.Everyone deserves a coach. The ripple effect is real.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Coaching and Personal Journey 02:54 Transitioning from Corporate to Coaching 05:46 The Role of Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Coaching 08:42 Understanding Coaching vs. Consulting 11:47 The Importance of a Coaching Relationship 14:27 The Power of Metaphors and Humor in Coaching 24:57 The Power of Curiosity in Coaching 25:52 Challenging Limiting Beliefs 28:50 Understanding Values and Purpose 31:43 The Impact of Environment on Beliefs 33:48 Navigating Information in the Digital Age 36:26 The Evolution of Coaching During the Pandemic 39:32 The Value of Coaching Beyond Profession 42:24 The Multiplier Effect of Coaching 45:23 Connecting with Mina Brown Connect with Mina Website: www.positivecoach.com Connect with Tracy Instagram @tracylspears  TikTok @tracyspearsspeaker Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: www.theleaderlab.com Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at http://www.tracyspears.com For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my blog: https://tracyspears.com/blog-2/

    46 min
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About

Hosted by Tracy Spears, speaker, co-author of two best selling leadership books, founder of The Leader Lab, coach, and head cheerleader for anyone trying to play bigger. Shift Out Loud is a podcast designed to inspire you to play bigger. You'll hear from real live people sharing what their shift was, when it happened, and why it was out loud. What you think is true, and when you move from the external locus of control to the internal locus of control, your shift can happen and anything becomes possible. This podcast is your invitation to listen to others who have made the shift, and also serve as a catalyst for you to play bigger.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Spears
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears
  • Show Website
    Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

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