The Whole Assistant Podcast

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Want to discover the secret to coaching yourself through any situation? Every assistant faces moments when they feel tossed about by uncontrollable events or difficult colleagues. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Philyaw; a life coach, community manager, and self-coaching advocate, to unravel how developing the skill of coaching yourself can transform your resilience, resourcefulness, and outcomes both at work and beyond. Together, we share personal stories (think: anxiety spirals and birth plans gone awry), practical frameworks, and emotional tools from the world of professional coaching. In this episode, you will discover: How to identify when you’re stuck in a thought versus an actual fact, and why this shift in perspective puts the power back in your court The essential frameworks and mindset tools for coaching yourself through anxiety, uncertainty, and life’s unplanned events How to process and leverage your emotions as powerful guides rather than hurdles Ready to access your most resilient, resourceful self? This episode is for you! ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Are you constantly taking on more and more just to prove your worth, but you’re still worried someone will think you aren't doing enough? This episode is a game-changer for support professionals who keep saying "yes" and feel overwhelmed or undervalued.  As I write my book and reflect on the core challenges in our industry, I realize how many of us struggle to have honest conversations about our true capacity, our actual capabilities, and what the core function of our roles should be.  Today, I’m diving into why these conversations are non-negotiable if you want to avoid burnout, step into strategic partnership, and design a role that truly fits your strengths. In this episode, you will discover: Why discussing your capacity, capability, and core function is vital to your career growth and mental health Why you may be avoiding these conversations, and the sneaky thoughts underpinning these reasons The cost of avoiding these crucial conversations ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I dive into what it means to work in a chaotic, less-than-ideal environment, why it’s okay to leave, and offer you the unequivocal permission to prioritize your own well-being.  If you’ve ever felt overly responsible for others’ emotions or questioned whether your situation is just a season, or your lasting reality, this episode will help you come back to yourself and get clarity on your next steps. If this episode resonates, I’d love to hear from you at annie@wholeassistant.com. Let’s embrace your badassery and remind you: you don’t have to stay somewhere that doesn’t fit. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I tackle a handful of your most burning questions, all focused on real-life challenges assistants face every day.  In this episode, you will discover: How to set boundaries with your executive, especially when emergencies crop up, and why boundaries don’t have to be rigid to be effective. Strategies for working alongside a Chief of Staff, clarifying responsibilities, and maintaining healthy working relationships when roles overlap. How to handle being caught in the crossfire between disagreeing leaders, and the importance of facilitating resolution rather than absorbing their conflict. If you've been craving practical answers, validation, and a dash of empowerment to tackle your day-to-day, this episode is for you. Course on finding your next role: https://www.wholeassistant.com/dream-position  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode, I open up and share my deeply personal journey with boundary setting, starting from a time in my life when I was operating on empty, people-pleasing, and struggling to find my footing both personally and professionally.  I reveal the pivotal moment (a health crisis) that forced me to reassess everything about my work, relationships, and self-worth. Through the ashes of burnout and hardship, I learned the power of boundaries and why they’re essential to thriving, not just surviving. In this episode, you will discover: How burnout, resentment, and lack of alignment can be key signals that boundaries are needed, and how I recognized these in my own life. Why boundaries aren’t about pushing people away, but about creating a safe, dependable container for healthy relationships, including with your executive and colleagues. Practical tips for identifying where boundaries are needed, how to set them intentionally (not reactively), and what to do when they’re tested. Whether you’re an assistant, a support professional, or anyone learning to prioritize your well-being, my story will show you that even if you’ve been “unboundaried” for years, you can turn things around—one intentional step at a time. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

Check out The Leveled-Up Assistant course. Learn more here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/levelup ---------------------------------------------- In this episode, I break down the 5 essential pillars that define a strategic partnership between assistants and their executives.  Drawing from my 20 years of boots-on-the-ground experience and coaching thousands of hours in the admin space, I share the core framework that has helped countless support professionals level up their impact, build genuine trust, and create thriving, fulfilling careers. Whether boundaries feel impossible or your systems need an upgrade, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to transform the way you approach your role. You will discover: Why finely-tuned systems and processes are the non-negotiable foundation for dependability and trust The power of strategic alignment How boundaries are key to preventing burnout and performing at your best The role mindset plays in elevating your career Ready to embrace your badassery and take your partnership to the next level? Let’s dive in! ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

Please join us for our free masterclass, The Visibility Blueprint: 3 Power Moves to Stand Out & Build Influence. Register Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/visibility  ---------------------------------------------- Have you ever felt like all the work you do goes unnoticed? In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I tackle the top three missteps that are quietly sabotaging your visibility. I'll break down why visibility is crucial, and show you how to redefine your worth, capture your unique strengths, and communicate what you bring to the table in a way that feels authentic and empowering. In this episode, you will discover: Why visibility isn't about ego, being loud, or becoming someone you're not. The benefits of improving visibility in your role The difference between visibility and posturing. If you've ever felt invisible in your role, this episode is your path to feeling feeling seen, valued, and empowered. ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Have you ever found yourself suddenly responsible for HR tasks and wondering if you’re crossing a line, but not sure where that line is? This episode is all about shining a light on the blurred boundaries that come with executive assistants taking on HR functions, especially in startup environments where official HR support might be thin (or even nonexistent!).  In this episode, you will discover: Why documentation and handling sensitive information demands strict awareness of compliance and personal liability. Real-life stories from my own assistant journey that highlight the importance of protecting yourself. Plus a resource that will be helpful for you in navigating HR functions within the context of your role. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode, I sit down with Lynn Walder to dig deep into the future of business administration and how assistants can break out of outdated models. We explore Lynn’s game-changing Executive Operations Cohort Model; a roadmap to elevate business administration into its own vertical, with clear career growth, measurable ROI, and genuine influence. Whether you’re facing career roadblocks, craving more respect and mobility, or just ready to reimagine your value, you’ll want to listen in. In this episode, you will discover: Why the traditional admin model keeps us stuck, and what it takes to move to a standalone administration vertical that’s respected at the strategy table. The three-stage framework for change: how to pilot, formalize, and ultimately standardize business administration as a core business function. The importance of speaking the language of business and tracking your value using data, not just relationships or tenure. How to combat resistance, both from leadership and within admin teams, and use practical strategies to build bridges, foster collaboration, and create real career paths. Tune in and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about your role, your value, and your future in business administration! ----------------------------------------------Resources mentioned in this episode:  Full step-by-step implementation guide for: A New ROI Paradigm: Business Administration for the Future of Work (The Executive Operations Change Management Roadmap) Link to Lynn's  "Admin Title Recalibration Initiative" framework presentation (launched in 2018, refreshed in 2023) -  key TLDR slides below(you can also  access the full google drive of editable/downloadable docs inclusive of baseline JDs for each level through this article HERE) Admin Task Tracker Template (to be used in an audit structure of 2 times a year for 1 - 2 weeks of tracking and data analysis)   ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I open up about my personal journey of reassessing and leveling up my standards for 2026. I share the standards I’m choosing with intention, and the mindset shifts that make it possible. In this episode, you will discover: How small, incremental shifts in your standards can lead to powerful breakthroughs in your life and career How to lean into self-trust, not self-control when you adopt a new standard Ways to reassess your definition of worthiness, embrace ease, and set boundaries that feel good to you ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- What if small incremental shifts are the secret to creating lasting change? In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I share why the most sustainable breakthroughs often start with tiny, strategic upgrades rather than massive overhauls. I also reveal why consistency (not perfection) is one of the most effective ways to create the life you want. In this episode, you will discover: Why incremental change is more effective (and lasting) than dramatic, all-at-once actions How to set sustainable goals that help you “become”, as well as achieve Practical steps to implement small upgrades in your professional and personal life without the overwhelm ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

January 13-15 I’m hosting a free 3-day challenge for executive assistants who want to get organized for their most impactful year, without adding more work to their plate. Join the free challenge here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/challenge ---------------------------------------------- Are you looking for a clear path to creating momentum in 2026? After reflecting on my own journey and the energy I want to bring to our EA community this year, I share intentional strategies to help you clear the clutter, define your vision, build systems that work for you, and increase your visibility, without hustling harder. If you're ready to show up strategically and make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you. In this episode, you will discover: How clarity is your launchpad for creating career leverage. Where to focus your energy when it comes to reducing mental load, increasing ease, and setting yourself up for sustainable success. Strategies for fostering visibility (even if you're an introvert). ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ---------------------------------------------- Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected:  Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn.

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Working for an executive who thrives in chaos can leave you feeling frustrated and questioning your own abilities. You are not the problem, and you are not responsible for fixing someone else’s patterns. In this “best of 2025” episode, I unpack why some leaders operate in chaos, how to stop taking it personally, and what it looks like to stay grounded when everything around you feels unpredictable. In this episode, you will discover: Why chaos feels normal for some executives How to stop blaming yourself for situations you did not create Ways to stay professional and calm in messy environments How to decide whether a chaotic workplace is the right fit for you   ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Many assistants slip into the role of “rescuer” without even realizing it. The problem is that rescuing drains your energy and keeps you from operating as a true strategic partner. In this “best of 2025” episode, I break down the shift from rescuer to guide and why this change helps you show up with more confidence, clarity, and impact. In this episode, you will discover: The key differences between rescuing and guiding How to recognize when you are in rescuer mode Simple strategies to protect your energy and step into a more empowered role ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com  

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- The gatekeeper label is common for executive assistants, but it often keeps EAs operating in a narrow role. Real impact comes from becoming the bridge, someone who supports clarity, connection, and collaboration across the organization. In this “best of 2025” episode, I break down why this shift matters and how it elevates your influence and strengthens your partnership with your executive. In this episode, you will discover: Why the gatekeeper mindset limits communication How acting as a bridge strengthens culture and alignment The ways this shift improves your relationship with your executive and the broader team ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Executive presence is not reserved for people in the spotlight. It is a skill you can build, and it has a direct impact on how you are perceived and the influence you hold. In this “best of 2025” episode, I break down what executive presence actually looks like and why it matters for executive assistants at every level. You will learn the key behaviors that strengthen trust, elevate credibility, and help you show up with confidence and clarity. In this episode, you will discover: What executive presence is and why it is essential for executive assistants How confidence, clarity, emotional intelligence, and influence shape your impact Practical ways to show up with authority and composure, even if you prefer to stay behind the scenes Simple strategies, from communication to presentation, that help you cultivate executive presence consistently  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

Grab my Cyber Week Bundle → https://www.wholeassistant.com/bundle ---------------------------------------------- Are you moving through your days at full speed yet still feeling like you are not making meaningful progress?  Many assistants live in a constant state of busy without ever experiencing the relief of being ahead. In this “best of 2025” episode, I break down the five core habits that set exceptionally efficient executive assistants apart.  These habits are practical, repeatable, and designed to help you work with more clarity, ease, and strategic impact. In this episode, you will discover: How to build simple systems that reinforce your productivity instead of draining it What it looks like to prioritize with intention, even when everything feels urgent How to communicate with clarity and confidently articulate your value The time management habits that keep you proactive—and how to know when it is time to ask for support  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Happy Thanksgiving! I just want to say THANK YOU for hanging with me here on the podcast.  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Ever find yourself buried in an overflowing inbox, juggling competing priorities, and wondering how you’re supposed to operate strategically when everything feels urgent?  You’re not alone, and this episode is for you. In this conversation, Melissa Peoples and I get real about what assistants are navigating right now.  We dive into your toughest, spiciest questions, from building trust with your exec and staying out of burnout, to holding boundaries, tightening up workflows, and dropping the myth that you have to be “always on” to be effective. Inside this episode, we cover:   How to shift out of “taskmaster mode” and show up more strategically, even when your confidence wavers. Clear ways to handle reorgs, ballooning responsibilities, and leaders who aren’t communicating. How to hold colleagues (and executives) accountable without slipping into people-pleasing or resentment. Simple systems for managing your inbox, workload, and priorities so you can quiet the chaos and operate at your best. If you’re feeling overextended, overlooked, or undervalued, press play.  This conversation brings both clarity and the practical steps to help you stand tall in your role, own your expertise, and embrace your badassery. Connect with Melissa Peoples:Check out Melissa People’s website HERE ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants.   Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Sometimes the only way forward is to release what no longer fits. During this episode I pull back the curtain and give you an inside look at my own personal journey and transformation over 2025.  You’ll hear raw reflections on grief and joy, what it looks like to rebuild community from the ground up. You’ll also discover how surrendering to the unknown can open the door to deeper peace, richer connection, and the courage to dream bigger than ever before. Let’s dive in. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Book your free coaching discovery call. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send Me an Email: annie@wholeassistant.com