The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

Molly Knuth
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Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I'm your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I've learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

  1. 3D AGO

    243: Your Story Is Your Superpower with Danielle Letayf

    This week on The Found Podcast, I'm joined by Danielle Letayf — founder of Badassery, personal brand strategist, podcast guesting expert, and the perfect woman to help us kick off our Women's History Month interview series. Danielle helps thoughtful executives, authors, and experts turn their stories into something unforgettable. But in this conversation, we go far deeper than personal branding and podcast pitches. We talk about what it really looks like to build a business as a woman, how comparison can keep us stuck, why your path does not have to look like anyone else's, and how some of the greatest wisdom we gain comes from the pivots, mistakes, and messy middle moments we'd rather skip. Danielle shares how her entrepreneurial mindset was shaped by her immigrant family, how her first business evolved through multiple versions, and why slowing down became one of the most important lessons in her growth as a founder. We also dig into what makes someone a strong podcast guest, how to start refining your story, and why community matters so much when you're building something brave. This episode is full of practical insight, honest reflection, and the kind of encouragement ambitious women need when they're building something meaningful in a way that actually fits their life. What You'll Hear in This Episode How Danielle's immigrant family shaped her entrepreneurial mindset The "why not me?" question that helped her start building Why women don't have to take giant, dramatic risks to make bold moves How comparison can distract founders from their own unique path What Danielle learned from pivoting her business after hard seasons Why going slower can actually create more stability and success What makes someone a compelling podcast guest How to begin refining your story and personal brand Why layering your interests and lived experience makes your story stronger Danielle's thoughts on community, support, and resilience as a founder Resources & Links Danielle Letayf on LinkedIn Badassery HQ Dreamers & Doers

    44 min

  2. MAR 4

    242: Hot Takes vs. High Character: A Women's History Month Reflection

    It's officially Women's History Month, and this year, instead of starting with statistics, I'm starting with a question: In 2026, are we elevating hot takes…or high character? When I was in seventh grade, I wrote a research paper on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I was fascinated by the way she carried herself through public scrutiny, personal grief, and cultural change. Today, we live in a very different media landscape. Algorithms reward outrage. Virality rewards speed. Money rewards attention. Integrity? Not so much. In this episode, I explore: What changed between the era of shared cultural narratives and today's fragmented feeds Why we may be living in a "trust recession" How money, clicks, and status shape modern leadership The danger of urgency-driven decision making Why reluctant, values-aligned leaders may be the ones we need most And how moral leadership starts inside each of us As we kick off Women's History Month 2026, this conversation sets the foundation for the stories ahead: women who embody high character in big and small ways. This isn't about nostalgia...I mean kind of. I love waxing nostalgic. But this conversation is about personal leadership and responsibility. It starts with us. 🔗 Links Referenced in This Episode Malcolm Gladwell – Revisionist History Podcast "When Will Met Grace:" https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history/when-will-met-grace Wellness Wheel (Life Balance Assessment Tool) https://www.the-restorationproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Wellness-Wheel.pdf Values Exercise https://www.the-restorationproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Refining-Your-Values-1.pdf The Restoration Project – Weekly Leadership Momentum Emails https://the-restorationproject.myflodesk.com/newsletter

    47 min

  3. FEB 25

    241: 241: The Ecosystem of Opportunity: How Community Colleges Build Stronger People, Businesses, and Communities with Amy Lasack of NICC

    What if education wasn't a one-time phase of life, but an evolving journey designed to meet people exactly where they are? In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Amy Lasack, Vice President of Business and Community Solutions at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), to explore how workforce development, education, and community collaboration intersect to create real opportunity. Amy shares how nearly 25 years in Iowa's community college system shaped her belief that workforce is an ecosystem, not a straight line. Together, Molly and Amy discuss how education must adapt to modern learners, how local communities can unlock hidden career pathways, and why saying "yes" to things that scare you just a little might be the key to growth. From hands-on learning and AI innovation to deeply personal lessons about family, leadership, and purpose, this conversation highlights how meaningful change happens when institutions listen closely to the people they serve. Whether you're a business owner, parent, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a hopeful look at what's possible when education meets community. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why workforce development works best as an ecosystem How community colleges are redefining education pathways The shift from linear careers to flexible learning journeys How NICC partners with businesses and communities to solve real problems Making education engaging through hands-on learning, technology, and AI The power of exposure in helping students discover career paths Overcoming imposter syndrome and saying yes to growth opportunities Leadership lessons shaped by personal loss and family priorities Resources & Links Register for Trainer Talent Expo: https://nicc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=104976 Northeast Iowa Community College: https://www.nicc.edu Connect with Amy Lasack on LinkedIn Email Amy: lasacka@nicc.edu Follow NICC: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neiowacc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/northeast-iowa-community-college

    44 min

  4. FEB 18

    240: More Than a Title: Reintroducing Myself (and Why Your Path Doesn't Have to Be Linear)

    If you've been here for years or you're only a handful of episodes in... this one is for you. After recently stepping back into the guest seat on another podcast, I realized it had been a while since I reintroduced herself here on The Found Podcast. So today, I'm doing just that. But not with a résumé. Not with a tidy bio. With the real story. In this episode, I walk through the winding, nonlinear path from waitress to teacher, stay-at-home mom to accidental entrepreneur, agency owner to Managing Director of The Restoration Project. I share the inflection points, the burnout, the public pivots, and the deeply personal realizations that reshaped my definition of success. More than anything, this episode is an invitation: You are more than your job title. Your path doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. And sometimes your passion lives from 5–9, not 9–5... and that's beautiful. Whether you're founding a business, founding a cause, founding a family, or simply finding yourself, this episode is a reminder that there is no blueprint: only growth, reflection, and courage to evolve. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why I believe we should introduce ourselves by who we are, not just what we do The personality assessments that shaped my self-understanding (Enneagram 3, Learner strength, Human Design Manifester) Lessons from early jobs — including manufacturing floors and Applebee's shifts The rise (and unraveling) of Molly Knuth Media The breaking point that forced me to ask: What do I really want? Why leadership development — not marketing — became my deeper calling How my role at The Restoration Project evolved into Managing Director The truth about nonlinear paths and public pivots Why you don't need to monetize your passion for it to matter Resources & Links The Restoration Project – Leadership development resources, courses, and weekly momentum emails Founder's Field Notes – Molly's monthly email for female founders Connect with Molly on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @mollyknuth

    45 min

  5. FEB 11

    239: The Power of "The Pause" with Molly Schreiber

    Some people build businesses. Some people follow a calling. And sometimes… those two things become the very same path. This week on The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, I sit down with fellow Iowan and "Molly Squared" guest Molly Schreiber, founder of Challenge to Change and the nonprofit Mindful Minutes. What started as a young teacher's love of education became something much deeper after unimaginable loss. After losing her first husband in a car accident at age 30 while raising three children under three, Molly found herself returning to one unexpected anchor: yoga. That quiet hour at the YMCA became the lifeline that helped her regulate her grief, reconnect to herself, and ultimately reimagine what education could look like for kids, teachers, and even workplaces. Today, her programs serve hundreds of schools across Iowa — teaching breath work, resilience, emotional regulation, and mindfulness practices that ripple far beyond the classroom. This conversation is about: turning wounds into wisdom creating space for "The Pause" helping kids build tools we never learned ourselves and trusting your inner compass when life changes course If you've ever wondered how personal pain can become purposeful work… this one's for you. What You'll Hear in This Episode Molly's journey from classroom teacher to mindfulness founder The loss that reshaped her life and leadership How yoga helped her navigate grief as a young widow and mom Why kids today need emotional regulation tools more than ever The "5 Parts of Practice" framework used in schools The surprising number of thoughts (and emotions!) we process daily Bringing mindfulness into workplaces and healthcare settings What it means to live aligned with your "noble goal" Why "The Pause" might be the most important practice of all Resources & Links Challenge to Change: https://challengetochangeinc.com Mindful Minutes: https://mindfulmins.org Email Molly: molly@challengetochangeinc.com Follow Molly Knuth + The Found Podcast

    49 min

  6. FEB 4

    238: Five Things I'm Embarrassed I Had to Relearn (and What They Taught Me About Leadership, Money, and Showing Up)

    This one is a little raw. A little unpolished. And very real. After batch-recording months of episodes and stepping into a new season of leadership, I sat down at the mic for the first time this year and realized something: The most helpful thing I could share right now isn't a strategy or framework. It's the truth. Because even 10 years into business… even 200+ podcast episodes later… even as Managing Director of The Restoration Project… I'm still relearning lessons I swore I already knew. In this solo episode, I'm walking you through five things I'm honestly a little embarrassed I forgot in 2025 — from avoiding my finances (again) to chasing perfection, rushing relationships, overpacking my calendar, and holding back my voice. But here's the thing: Embarrassment usually means growth is happening. So if you've ever thought, "Shouldn't I be better at this by now?" — this episode is for you. You're not behind. You're becoming. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why your business finances are a gift (not something to avoid) The perfectionism + imposter syndrome spiral in new leadership roles How speed and efficiency quietly erode meaningful relationships The "Big Three" method that's helping me reclaim my time Why sugarcoating your voice actually creates more harm than clarity And the truth: you're allowed to relearn lessons at every age and stage Resources & Links The Restoration Project Local & virtual events + Empowerment Communities: the-restorationproject.com/events-experiences Connect with Molly: @mollyknuth on Instagram & LinkedIn

    45 min

  7. JAN 28

    237: The Capacity of Human Potential with Nancy Lynk

    In this final episode of The Found Podcast's Ages & Stages Series, I sit down with Nancy Lynk — Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at US Bank, community leader, mentor, and lifelong learner — for a conversation that spans generations of leadership, resilience, and self-discovery. From growing up on a Century Farm in rural Iowa to navigating the 1980s farm crisis as a young ag lender to leading complex commercial banking portfolios to now guiding others through career and life transitions, Nancy's story is a masterclass in listening deeply, honoring your values, and becoming fearless with your own growth. Together, Nancy and I explore: • Building confidence before the world gives you permission • Lessons from the 1980s farm crisis and the power of human potential • Career pivots that shape long-term leadership • Why reflection, journaling, and contemplative practice matter • Letting go of chronic busyness to invest in yourself • Becoming the mentor you once needed • And the truth Nancy discovered: she was the only thing holding herself back This episode is an invitation to pause, listen inward, and ask: Where am I ready to stop standing in my own way? Listen now to the full episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth and guest Nancy Lynk. Connect with Us Get in touch with Nancy on LinkedIn  Follow Molly on Instagram

    45 min

  8. JAN 21

    236: Get Uncomfy: Reinvention, Risk, and Building What You Wish Existed with Liz Garcia

    Liz Garcia is the kind of woman who makes you want to sit up straighter, open a new notes app, and finally do the thing you've been talking yourself out of.  In this second guest interview of the Ages & Stages series, I sit down with Liz — owner of Storage Theory, founder of GW Spice Co., mom of two, serial entrepreneur, and host of The Liz Garcia Show — to talk about what it really looks like to pivot from corporate life into entrepreneurship… and keep going even when it's scary. Liz shares the "before and after" moment that propelled her family into business ownership, how perfectionism held her back (until it didn't), and why she believes you should go to worst-case scenario… and ask yourself if you'd survive it (spoiler: you would). This episode is for the woman who's been feeling the nudge to make a change — but needs a little courage, a little honesty, and a reminder that you are capable of more than you believe. What You'll Hear in This Episode Liz's journey from graphic design → insurance → sales → entrepreneurship The pivotal life moment that lit a fire under her and her husband to "just start" Why perfectionism keeps so many women stuck and how to loosen its grip A behind-the-scenes look at building an e-commerce brand How Liz thinks about fear: go to worst case scenario and see if you'd survive it The question that guides her major decisions: "Will I regret not trying?" The power of putting yourself in rooms you don't feel ready for Why Liz believes we should create what we wish existed, especially in the Midwest The constant she's learned through every age and stage: "I'm capable of more than I believe." Resources & Links Liz on Instagram: @lizgarcia.me Storage Theory: @storagetheory Storage Theory website: storagetheory.com Liz's podcast: The Liz Garcia Show 1 Million Cups (mentioned in episode): local weekly entrepreneur meetups (check your city's chapter)

    47 min
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5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I'm your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I've learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

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