The Great Leader Great Mom Podcast

Do you have that person at work — the one whose name on your calendar instantly makes your body tense?They don’t even have to say anything overt. It’s the tone. The side comments. The questions that feel slightly off. And before you know it, you’re replaying the meeting, venting to coworkers, thinking about them at home, and letting one person quietly run your entire day.In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, we’re talking about why certain people feel so powerful at work — and the uncomfortable truth most of us miss: they didn’t take your power. You handed it over.I walk you through what “giving someone power” actually looks like in real life, why trying to control, avoid, or eliminate difficult people never works, and how to show up calm, grounded, and confident even when someone is pushing your buttons.You’ll learn practical tools to stop the mental replay loop, stay regulated in meetings, and respond with clarity instead of defensiveness. We talk about separating what someone actually says from the story your brain adds, deciding who you want to be before the meeting even starts, and using thoughtful questions to take your power back without aggression.This episode is for you if you’re tired of letting one person dictate your mood, your confidence, or how you show up at work.The goal isn’t to win against them.The goal is to stop losing yourself around them.

There’s a unique tension that can show up when your boss is a woman who doesn’t have kids — especially if her version of success looks nothing like the life you’re trying to build.Maybe she works late most nights and expects the same.Maybe she seems irritated by school calls, sick days, or schedule changes.Maybe you feel like you’re constantly proving you’re still “serious” about your career.And underneath it all, you hear the quiet thought:“I don’t want her life. But I also don’t want to disappoint her.”In this episode of the Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley unpacks what happens when you work for a child-free female leader and you’re a mom who wants a rich life outside of work.This is not an attack on women without kids.It’s an honest look at:Why this dynamic can feel more charged than working for a manHow unspoken values and identity choices show up in expectationsThe subtle ways you start editing yourself to avoid judgmentHow to respect her path without betraying your ownPractical ways to set expectations and lead yourself with quiet confidenceYou don’t need your boss to want your life in order to lead well in it.If you’ve ever felt like your family makes you “less” in the eyes of a female leader you used to admire, this conversation will help you untangle that knot and come back to yourself.https://lizjolley.com/membership

Motherhood shouldn’t feel like a liability — but for many women, it quietly does.If you’ve ever felt like:You’re seen as “less committed” because you have kidsSick days, school calls, or emergencies come with guilt or side-eyeYou over-explain, over-apologize, or over-perform just to prove you belongYou’re carrying shame for wanting to be both a present parent and a capable professionalThis episode is for you.In Episode 90 of the Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley talks honestly about what happens when motherhood is treated like a burden at work — and how women internalize systemic bias as personal failure.This is not a rant.And it’s not about blaming individual bosses.It’s about:Why caregiving still gets quietly penalized in many workplacesHow guilt sneaks in even when you’re doing your job wellThe difference between responsibility and self-punishmentHow to communicate with confidence instead of apologyLeading yourself with self-trust when family needs ariseYou are not unreliable because you are human.You are not unprofessional because you care.And you are not failing — you are navigating systems that were never designed with caregivers in mind.Listen in for grounded perspective, practical language shifts, and the reminder that you don’t have to choose between being a good mom and a good leader. LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE✨ Join the Future Self MembershipExplore identity, clarity, and the next version of you — at work and at home: https://lizjolley.com/memebership  2026 Gift: Liz’s Favorite Leadership & Culture Podcasts and VideosA curated list of resources that have shaped calm, human-centered leadership: https://lizjolley.com/leadership-culture

Liz's favorite podcasts and videos on leadership and culturehttps://lizjolley.com/leadership-cultureWorking for a bad boss can quietly wear you down — even if you’re capable, confident, and good at your job.In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley talks about what really happens when leadership doesn’t match your values, expectations, or experience — and why so many high-performing people start to doubt themselves in these environments.This conversation isn’t about blaming or fixing your boss. It’s about understanding what’s happening inside you when you work for someone who feels unpredictable, unsafe, or misaligned — and how to stay grounded without burning out, shutting down, or losing your sense of self.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why working for a bad boss creates emotional exhaustion and self-doubtHow your brain compares “what should be” to “what is” — and why that hurtsWhy you’re not weak for struggling in these environmentsHow to stay grounded and emotionally steady when leadership feels difficultWhat you can control (even when you can’t change your boss)If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s me,” after working for a difficult manager — this episode is for you.Listen in for a grounded, compassionate perspective that helps you lead yourself well, even when the environment around you isn’t. Learn more and connect with Liz: https://lizjolley.com/

LINK TO FAVORITE VIDEOS AND PODCASTMore Information on The School of Courage Membershiphttps://lizjolley.com/school-of-courage-membershipMost people believe they’re “bad at names.” But what if that’s not true? In this episode, Liz Jolley breaks down why remembering names isn’t a talent — it’s a skill you’ve simply never practiced. Through personal stories (including learning pickleball as a beginner), humor, and practical tools, you’ll learn how to build confidence, connection, and trust by mastering one of the most human leadership skills there is.Long Version (Show Notes / Website):Have you ever said, “I’m just bad at names” — and immediately believed it?In this episode, Liz Jolley challenges that belief with humor, personal stories, and practical strategies that anyone can use. From awkward elevators to pickleball courts, Liz shares how learning names is less about memory and more about willingness to practice discomfort. You’ll walk away with simple, actionable steps to remember names, build genuine connection, and show up as a more present leader — at work and in life.

FREE FAVORITE VIDEO AND PODCAST COLLECTION:You didn’t get the promotion or dream role you really wanted… and now you’re in the job you did get, quietly wondering:“If I were really that good, wouldn’t they have chosen me?”“Do they even see my value as a leader?”“Is this just the consolation prize?”In this episode of the Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, leadership and life coach Liz Jolley walks you through what actually happens in your brain when you start a new role after a reorg or promotion disappointment. Instead of pushing gratitude or “proving them wrong,” she shows you how sneaky thoughts like They don’t think I’m ready and I’m not star material feed imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and a watered-down version of your leadership.Through real client stories and examples (plus Oprah and J.K. Rowling cameos), you’ll learn:Why “they didn’t pick me” is a circumstance, not a verdict on your worthHow default thoughts like I’m just a placeholder create defeat, overworking, and playing smallHow to separate your value as a leader from other people’s decisions, politics, and biasA simple way to rewrite the story you’re telling yourself about this new roleThree practical steps to start the job you did get from courage, confidence, and self-trust instead of self-doubtIf you’re a high-achieving woman, working mom, or woman in leadership stepping into a new role in 2026—after a reorganization, a missed promotion, or a move you didn’t choose—this episode will help you stop questioning your value, reclaim your confidence, and show up as the powerful, authentic leader you actually are.Join us for January: Joyful Mother, Joyful Leader. https://lizjolley.com/school-of-courage-membership

Have you ever thought, “I love my kids. I care about my work. But I don’t really know who I am anymore”?In this episode of the Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley speaks directly to capable, high-achieving women who feel a quiet sense of loss beneath the roles they carry every day. Not because they’ve failed — but because over time, their identity has narrowed around responsibility, duty, and productivity.This conversation explores what happens when desire gets crowded out by obligation — and how to gently reconnect with yourself without quitting your job, leaving your family, or disappearing to “find yourself.”Through deeply relatable client stories and grounded coaching insights, Liz shares:Why women don’t lose themselves overnight — but one obligation at a timeHow motherhood and leadership can quietly silence desireWhy identity isn’t found through reinvention, but through spaceHow small daily micro-rituals help you hear your own voice againWhy you don’t need permission, productivity, or justification to be yourselfYou’ll learn how to reconnect with who you are beyond the roles of “mom” and “leader” — not by doing more, but by allowing yourself to exist outside of duty.This episode is for working moms, women leaders, and ambitious women navigating midlife identity shifts who want to feel grounded, present, and whole again — without guilt.Your identity doesn’t need to be earned or rediscovered.It needs to be remembered.

Have you ever looked at your career and thought, “Nothing is wrong… but this doesn’t feel like me anymore”?In this episode of the Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley explores what it really means when your career no longer fits — and why this feeling isn’t failure, burnout, or ingratitude. It’s growth.Instead of jumping straight to a big pivot or questioning everything you’ve built, Liz teaches a calmer, more sustainable approach: making small, self-honoring decisions, understanding why you’re choosing them, and learning how to truly have your own back during seasons of uncertainty.Through relatable client stories and practical coaching insights, you’ll learn:Why clarity doesn’t come from big moves — it comes from aligned reasonsHow to stop second-guessing yourself when you’re unsure of what’s nextThe difference between fear-based decisions and integrity-based onesHow to rebuild self-trust without quitting your job or blowing up your lifeThis episode is for ambitious women, working moms, and leaders navigating a mid-career identity shift — women who want clarity, confidence, and peace without unnecessary upheaval.If your career no longer feels like you, this conversation will help you slow down, listen inward, and take your next step with courage and self-trust.courage.theschoolofcourage.com

If you notice yourself overeating, overdrinking, or overspending during the holidays — this episode is for you.In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley — certified life coach, former corporate leader, and founder of The School of Courage™ — explains why these patterns are not a willpower problem, but an emotional regulation problem.You’ll learn why women buffer with food, alcohol, shopping, and scrolling during high-stress seasons, why resisting urges with discipline alone backfires, and how learning to allow emotions instead of numbing them creates lasting change.Drawing on neuroscience, coaching psychology, and real client stories, Liz teaches how to stop pushing emotions underwater like a beach ball — and instead build emotional capacity, nervous system resilience, and conscious self-leadership.This episode is especially powerful for career-driven moms navigating holiday pressure, emotional overload, perfectionism, guilt, and burnout — and who want to feel grounded, present, and calm without giving up joy.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why overeating, overdrinking, and overspending are forms of emotional bufferingWhy willpower fails when emotions aren’t processedHow avoiding emotions actually fuels urges and burnoutThe difference between fake relief and real reliefHow to allow emotions instead of numbing themA grounding script you can use when urges hitIf you’re ready to stop beating yourself up and start leading yourself with compassion and courage — this episode will change how you see your habits forever.🎧 Listen now and learn how to trade guilt and control for awareness, presence, and peace.https://courage.theschoolofcourage.com

The holidays should feel joyful…but for most women, they feel like pressure, burnout, emotional labor, and endless yeses.In this episode, Liz Jolley, Life Coach and founder of The School of Courage™, dives deep into holiday people-pleasing— why women default to “yes,” why boundaries collapse in December, and how guilt, emotional responsibility, and childhood programming make it almost impossible to say no.If you’re overcommitted, overwhelmed, or carrying the invisible load for your family, work, or holiday traditions, this episode will help you understand the psychology of people-pleasing, the role of emotional survival patterns, and how to break the cycle so you can experience a calmer, more intentional holiday season.You’ll learn:Why women say yes even when they’re exhaustedHow people-pleasing is tied to safety, identity, and family expectationsThe emotional labor women absorb during the holidaysHow childhood roles and cultural conditioning shape your December decisionsHow to stop managing everyone’s feelingsHow to create boundaries without guilt, conflict, or overexplainingA simple holiday boundary tool: “I’ll check and get back to you”What resentment reveals about your real capacityHow to choose your holiday intentionally — not perform itThis episode is perfect for:• Working moms• High-achieving women• Women leaders• Anyone balancing motherhood + career during the holidays• Anyone who feels guilty saying no• Women experiencing holiday overload, burnout, or emotional pressureBy the end, you’ll understand why your “no” disappears in December… and how to bring it back with clarity, courage, and compassion.Join The School of Courage™ Membership for coaching, emotional tools, and support: courage.theschoolofcourage.com

The holiday season is marketed as magical… yet for most career-driven women and working moms, it feels like mental overload, emotional labor, and nonstop logistics. In this episode, Life Coach Liz Jolley, founder of The School of Courage™, breaks down the invisible load women carry during the holidays — the planning, preparing, tracking, smoothing, scheduling, remembering, anticipating, and emotional caregiving that no one sees but every woman feels.You’ll learn why the mental load increases in November, why women default to “holiday project manager,” and how perfectionism, emotional responsibility, and family expectations create burnout before December even starts. Liz also teaches you practical tools to lighten the invisible load, regulate your nervous system, choose intentional emotions, and reclaim your peace during a season that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.This episode is perfect for:• Working moms• Women balancing career and motherhood• High-achieving women• Moms carrying holiday stress• Anyone feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or unseen during the holidays• Women navigating family dynamics, school events, year-end work pressure, and emotional laborTopics covered include: mental load, holiday burnout, emotional labor, motherhood overwhelm, perfectionism, boundaries, invisible responsibilities, family expectations, nervous system regulation, and how to create a meaningful, calm, intentional holiday season.Join The School of Courage™ Membership for more tools, emotional support, and coaching: courage.theschoolofcourage.com

The holidays bring joy… and for many women, they also bring family triggers, pressure, and emotional overwhelm. In this episode, Liz Jolley breaks down why family gatherings feel so hard — and how most of the suffering comes from arguing with reality.You’ll learn how thoughts like “they should help more,” “they should care,” “they shouldn’t act that way,” or “my family should be different” create resentment, comparison, and holiday stress. Using the CTFAR model, Liz shows you how to separate neutral facts from painful thoughts, how to accept people as they truly are, and how to choose the emotional experience you want this season.This episode is perfect for any career-driven woman balancing motherhood and family expectations who wants calmer, more intentional holidays without the guilt, frustration, or drama.Topics covered:• Holiday family dynamics• Arguing with reality• How thoughts create emotional pain• Comparison and resentment• Accepting your parents, siblings, and extended family• Emotional regulation tools• Choosing your energy before holiday events• Self-leadership for women• Motherhood, boundaries & mindset• Conscious holiday planningJoin The School of Courage™ Membership for weekly coaching, emotional tools, and a community of women doing this work: https://courage.theschoolofcourage.com

When You Survive the Layoff But Lose Your SparkApathy, shutdown, and how to rebuild clarity from the inside outYou survived the layoffs — but somewhere along the way, you lost your spark.In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, life coach and leadership mentor Liz Jolley, founder of The School of Courage, breaks down the emotional apathy, shutdown, and quiet disconnection so many high-achieving women and leaders are experiencing after layoffs, reorganizations, and constant workplace change.This episode is for you if you’ve been thinking:• “What are we even doing?”• “Where is this company going?”• “I don’t know if I want to be here anymore…”• “I care… but I’m too tired to pretend right now.”Liz explains why this isn’t laziness — it’s emotional exhaustion and a natural protective response after instability at work. And more importantly, she teaches you how to stop waiting for your company, your boss, or the “new strategy” to give you clarity and direction… and instead shows you how to rebuild that spark from within yourself.This is conscious leadership.This is emotional resilience.This is where your power really is.Why apathy, cynicism, and numbness are normal responses after layoffsHow your brain protects you by emotionally shutting downThe hidden trap of “I’ll feel better once things settle down”How to stop outsourcing stability to your company, organizational structure, or bossHow to reignite motivation without pretending everything is fineCourage-building practices to re-engage with purposeWhat it looks like to lead yourself first — even when the future feels unclearJoin The School of Courage MembershipIf you’re tired of waiting for clarity and ready to feel grounded again — from the inside out — this is your next step.The School of Courage Membership helps you:• Build emotional clarity• Drop guilt, overwhelm, and burnout• Rebuild confidence from within• Learn tools to solve any challenge — even during layoffs and change• Become the most courageous, intentional version of yourself at work and at homeFounding Members receive special pricing, weekly live coaching, workshops, tools, and the opportunity to help shape the content.https://courage.theschoolofcourage.comYou don’t need your workplace to “settle down” to feel settled.You can create that clarity now — and this membership will show you how.

Your job may change, but your worth never does.When layoffs loom and uncertainty hangs in the air, your brain spirals into fear — not just about losing a job, but about losing control, identity, and safety. In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley, engineer-turned-life-coach and founder of The School of Courage, helps you step out of panic and into self-leadership. Learn how to calm your nervous system, reclaim your power, and create genuine security from the inside out. Liz shares practical mindset tools, reflective questions, and powerful reframes — from Wayne Dyer’s wisdom to everyday courage practices — so you can walk into work grounded, confident, and clear on who you are, no matter what happens next.www.lizjolley.com Perfect for working moms, leaders, and women navigating change who want to lead at work and at home without losing their sanity, humor, or themselves.

In Episode 78 of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, Liz Jolley unpacks The Myth of the Perfect Job—the belief that finding the right role, boss, or team will finally make you feel valued and fulfilled.This powerful conversation explores the connection between self-worth, career satisfaction, and emotional resilience. You’ll learn:Why external validation never leads to lasting fulfillmentHow to separate your behavior from others’ to reclaim peace and powerWhy self-love, not the “right job,” is the foundation for success and happinessHow to show up at 100% value—regardless of recognition

You’re a high-achieving woman who’s built a great life — but sometimes it feels like you’re holding it all together with grit and coffee. Great Leader, Great Mom is the podcast where we stop chasing “balance” and start building courage from the inside out.Hosted by Liz Jolley, engineer turned life and leadership coach and founder of The School of Courage™, each episode blends story, science, and soul to help you:Stop people-pleasing and lead with calm confidence.Redefine success around energy, not exhaustion.Set boundaries that protect what matters most.Build emotional regulation and intentional habits that last.Whether you’re managing a team, raising a family, or reinventing what leadership means in midlife — you’ll find practical tools, honest stories, and coaching insights that remind you: balance doesn’t come from getting it all right — it comes from within.

We’ve all been there—agonizing over a big decision, convinced there’s a “right” answer out there somewhere. Should you leave your job? Take a promotion? Move your family? We grow up in a world that teaches us every choice has a correct answer—thanks, school multiple-choice tests!—and as adults, we carry that myth into our careers, parenting, and relationships.But here’s the truth: there is no single “right decision” or “wrong decision.” Believing this myth only fuels indecision, fear, guilt, and endless people-pleasing. In this episode, Liz Jolley unpacks how to break free from decision-paralysis by learning:✅ How to identify the real decision you’re making (and stop bundling ten into one).✅ Why imagining your future self can bring clarity and confidence.✅ How to separate fear, guilt, and obligation from your decision-making process.✅ What it means to “have your own back” after you decide—without shame, blame, or regret.Whether it’s career choices, parenting decisions, or even everyday life calls, this conversation will help you stop searching for the mythical “right” answer and start making decisions from a place of clarity, courage, and self-trust.

Ever said, “I just have high expectations—I shouldn’t lower my standards!” and then felt resentful when others didn’t meet them? You’re not alone.In this episode explores how “high standards” often hide perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout. You’ll learn why tying your worth to others’ performance creates frustration—and how to rebuild self-trust, emotional resilience, and peace while still pursuing excellence.💛 Lead with courage—not exhaustion. Visit lizjolley.com to learn more.

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “If I were just smarter, calmer, thinner, or more disciplined—then I wouldn’t feel this way”? You’re not alone. So many of us live with the quiet belief that if we were “better,” we wouldn’t struggle, feel insecure, or experience shame.In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, part of the Courage Series, we unravel the toxic myth of perfection—the false story that our worth depends on comparison, achievement, or external validation.✨ You’ll learn:Why the scripts of “If I were better…” and “Everyone else is doing it right” keep us stuck in shame.How comparison fuels insecurity and the trap of not-enoughness.Why hard feelings don’t mean you’re broken—they mean you’re human.Practical tools to reframe shame and begin practicing radical self-acceptance.The truth? You don’t need to earn your worthiness. You are already enough—right now.www.lizjolley.com

What if everything you learned about money growing up was wrong? In this Courage Series episode , we unpack childhood money myths like “money is scarce,” “money is hard,” and “money is the root of all evil.” Through stories and insights, you’ll discover how these hidden beliefs fuel scarcity, shame, and fear—and how to rewrite them into an empowered, abundant mindset. Learn how to create freedom, opportunity, and confidence by building a healthy relationship with money.www.lizjolley.com