Claim OwnershipLean In and Level Up
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© 2025 Lean In and Level Up
Description
Welcome to Lean In and Level Up—the podcast where real leaders get honest.
Hosted by Ashlie Marshall, a CFO, executive strategist, and no-fluff kind of leader, this show is your space to lean into the hard conversations that most people avoid, and level up through the lessons they teach us.
Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about asking the right questions, owning your growth, and showing up with integrity—even when it’s messy.
On this podcast, we tackle:
- Transparent leadership (the kind that doesn't sugarcoat)
- Financial clarity that empowers, not confuses
- Accountability, ownership, and the courage to course-correct
- How to lead through hard seasons without losing your people—or yourself
- And what it really means to choose progress over perfection
You’ll hear from Ashlie and other leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday change makers who’ve walked through challenges, made bold pivots, and built something meaningful on the other side of the mess.
If you're ready to lead with more truth, build with more clarity, and grow with more intention—you're in the right place.
Let’s stop pretending and start progressing.
Lean in. Level up. Let’s go.
25 Episodes
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Send us a text Ever felt like you're not good enough despite all your achievements? You’re not alone! Whitney and Ashlie dive deep into imposter syndrome, exploring how it manifests in both men and women, the different ways it affects career growth, and personal experiences that bring it to life. They discuss startling statistics—like how 75% of women executive’s report experiencing imposter syndrome—and share insights on how women tend to overcompensate while men often withdraw. ...
Send us a text What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make, and how did it shape the future? Whitney and Ashlie dive deep into the art of decision-making, whether it’s about navigating family holidays, dealing with toxic relationships, or making multi-million-dollar business investments. They explore the complexities of balancing leadership, collaboration, and consequences—both good and bad. The ladies discuss how values shape decisions and offer insights on minimizing fallout when t...
Send us a text Ever felt like life was pushing you toward a fresh start? Ashlie and Whitney welcome Lisa Resnick. Lisa turned her challenges into opportunities, transforming big-city ambition into small-town innovation. From a career in Washington, D.C., to founding Dandelion Inc., Lisa shares how grit, serendipity, and a passion for community fueled her journey. Discover her strategies for balancing business and family, leveraging setbacks for success, and shifting from stress to fulfi...
Send us a text Feeling the holiday chaos? Whitney and Ashlie dive into the whirlwind of holiday prep, gift-giving, and balancing work, family, and sanity during the busiest season of the year. From wrapping presents to managing school parties and planning for the new year, they share relatable stories, clever strategies, and heartfelt reminders about grace and gratitude. With a perfect mix of humor and wisdom, this episode is a holiday survival guide for working moms and anyone trying t...
Send us a text When do you hold the line, and when do you let go? Ashlie and Whitney dive into the art of decision-making—personally, professionally, and everything in between. They candidly share their experiences navigating difficult decisions, from choosing which clients to take on, to balancing personal challenges, to financial and operational crossroads that shape the future of their business. Listen For: 05:20 - What Makes a Decision Truly Difficult? 08:49 - Creating a Healthy Cul...
Send us a text What does it take to rise through the ranks, shatter glass ceilings, and lead with integrity? Ashlie and Whitney welcome their first-ever guest, Dr. Karen Hills Pruden. Dr. Pruden shares her incredible journey from middle management to senior leadership, fueled by resilience, mentorship, and her unique talent for leveraging analytics. She confronts the challenges women face in leadership, the power of self-promotion, and why visibility is key to success. Listen For: 2:2...
Send us a text Do women in leadership positions need to play office politics to reach the top and stay there? Ashlie and Whitney explore the age-old question of whether women leaders can succeed without getting caught up in the game of office politics. From navigating male-dominated industries to dealing with stereotypes and biases, they share stories of learning emotional intelligence, building resilience in male-dominated environments, and handling remote office challenges. Balancing pr...
Send us a text Ever wondered how to handle someone else’s instability without losing your own peace? Ashlie and Whitney tackle exactly that, sharing personal experiences from both work and life. They offer practical strategies on dealing with difficult personalities, maintaining boundaries, and finding ways to manage emotions—even when you’re tempted to react impulsively. Listen For: 06:16 - When someone undermines you—how to respond 17:47 - Learning to lead instead of...
Send us a text Do you remember the advice you gave your younger self? In this episode, Whitney and Ashlie explore a 14-year-old Whitney's journal entry titled "Guide to Successful Living." As they unpack the wisdom within this childhood writing, they reflect on how life perspectives change over time, the connection between happiness and success, and the importance of self-care. With lively conversation and genuine insights, they dig into what it truly means to live a succ...
Send us a text What’s the right way to thank your clients? That’s what Ashlie and Whitney explore in this episode, diving into the art of gift-giving in business without crossing boundaries. From discussing appropriate client gifts to tackling the legalities and sensitivities around alcohol, the duo navigates the fine line between personal and professional. Along the way, they share stories, offer advice on setting boundaries, and touch on the subtleties of corporate chari...
Send us a text Are you ready to go rogue with your daily routine? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney take a detour from their usual discussions to tackle the chaos of balancing work, motherhood, and personal life. With the school year kicking off, Ashlie shares her experiences of navigating new schedules, teacher communications, and the challenge of deciding whether to take on the role of room mom. Together, they explore the complexities of making time for self-care, man...
Send us a text Are you setting goals or just chasing expectations? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney dive deep into the delicate balance between setting achievable goals and navigating the often-unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves—or assume others place on us. From the societal pressures of milestones to personal struggles with perfectionism, the duo shares candid stories and practical insights on how to manage both internal and external expectations without losing s...
Send us a text Ever wondered how to balance authenticity with professionalism at work events? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney dive into the complexities of being your true self while navigating the demands of corporate culture. They recount their recent team work trip, reflecting on the challenges of balancing personal safety, team dynamics, and authentic leadership. From discussing the importance of preparation to debating how much of your personality should shine th...
Send us a text Struggling with a chronic illness while trying to balance work and life - can you relate? In this raw and honest episode, Ashlie and Whitney open up about their experiences living with Crohn's disease and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. They discuss the challenges of managing symptoms, the impact on their mental health and work performance, and the importance of finding personalized strategies for self-care and resilience. Through their stories, they offer insights and solidarity f...
Send us a text Can a struggling business really bounce back to success? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney discuss their experiences navigating financial hardship within their company. They talk about the challenges of sustaining and growing a business under financial strain, the importance of sales and marketing, and the necessity of making strategic sacrifices. The conversation also covers personal insights on balancing work and family, and the lessons learned from toug...
Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to master the art of sales? In this episode, Whitney and Ashlie dive into the psychology behind successful sales techniques. Whitney shares her approach to handling sales calls, building trust with potential clients, and securing long-term contracts. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the client's needs, and maintaining confidence, even in difficult conversations. Ashlie highlights Whitney's skill in...
Send us a text Transparency in business: essential or overrated? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney look at the nuances of client communication and the importance of transparency in building trust and effective relationships. They discuss the pros and cons of being fully transparent with clients, including the potential for creating dependency and the importance of setting boundaries and realistic expectations. They emphasize that while transparency can lead to better client education a...
Send us a text Ever felt like your voice is getting lost in the crowd? In this episode, Ashlie and Whitney share their personal stories of overcoming gender biases in leadership roles. This episode dives into the emotional and psychological challenges they've faced, how they've turned obstacles into opportunities, and the strategies they've employed to rise above adversity. From leaning on supportive spouses to applying positive psychology and setting strong boundaries, Ashlie and Whitney...
Send us a text Life in the C-suite is anything but predictable—just ask Whitney and Ashlie. Whitney and Ashlie reveal the unpredictable and demanding nature of their executive roles. Sharing insights on how their days are filled with a mix of high-stakes decision-making, mundane tasks, and the constant balancing act between work and personal life. Despite meticulous planning, their schedules often get derailed by unforeseen events. They highlight the necessity of prioritization, delegation...
Send us a text Starting from scratch from fumbles to triumphs. Ashlie and Whitney pull back the curtain on their journey becoming ambitious creators. They explore their candid reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome, stumbling through their initial attempts, and ultimately finding success by learning from a dedicated podcast producer. They discuss the importance of being authentic, sharing relatable stories, and documenting growth for both themselves and their listeners. Discover why...
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