The Balanced Leader: Merging Logic and Heart in Women's Leadership

If you're a woman who's ever felt invisible in a room where decisions are being made, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Sonali Fiske, master storyteller and my TEDx speaker coach, to explore why the people who shape rooms, cultures, and futures aren't always the loudest or most credentialed. They're the ones who can move people, and nothing moves people like story. Listen in this week as Sonali and I discuss why storytelling is a power skill for women leaders. learn why owning your internal narrative is the foundation of powerful external storytelling, and what happens when women stop minimizing their stories to make them professional enough. We explore how leadership doesn't begin with visibility but with authorship, and why the cost of women not telling their stories is that culture gets shaped without us. If you've been waiting until you're ready to share your story, this episode will challenge that thinking. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/66Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Connect with Sonali here: https://calendly.com/sonali-fiske/30minMentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor.  Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via Zoom  Click here to grab your spot: thebalancedleader.captivate.fm/watchparty

There is a moment in every powerful woman's life when she realizes something quietly devastating: she's been playing someone else's power game. Power as force, power as control, power as dominance, power as being the hardest working, smartest person in the room. Maybe that worked once, but not anymore. In this episode, I'm exploring why the old definition of power no longer fits, and what happens when you finally see that power isn't who dominates, but who defines the game. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/65Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

You've broken ceilings. You've navigated power dynamics. You've proven yourself time and time again. Yet somehow, you wake up asking yourself, “Why am I so tired when I've done everything right?”  Here's a truth that might surprise you: you're not burnt out because you're weak. You're burnt out because your nervous system never learned that you win. Think about it. When was the last time you truly savored a victory? When did you last let your body feel the power of what you've accomplished? This week, I dive into why so many brilliant women leave the game right before they win, and how to build the fortitude to stay. You’ll learn what fortitude is all about in leadership, why burnout isn’t actually about your workload, and how to teach your nervous system what power feels like through celebration and integration. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/64 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

External validation creates a constant hamster wheel where you're putting your self-worth and safety on the line for other people.  Self-validation, on the other hand, is about learning to have your own back, especially when tough criticism comes your way or when others are disaffirming you. It's a simple skill that helps you feel less stressed, trust yourself, walk into any room and feel like you belong, and exude confidence in the toughest circumstances. Join me this week as I share why ambitious women need to master self-validation to break free from this exhausting cycle and lead on their own terms. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/63 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

What if the reason you're exhausted isn't because you're doing too much, but because you're mothering everything and everyone except yourself?  Your work, your team, your family, your vision, your next level. You hold it all. You anticipate. You stabilize. You make it work. And your own needs? They get handled later. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gertrude Lyons, a transformational leadership and development coach who believes something that stops most women in their tracks: every woman is a mother, with or without children. Join us this week as Dr. Lyons and I explore why rewriting how we mother is one of the most powerful identity shifts a woman can make. You’ll learn why self-mothering is the leadership skill no one taught you, the difference between sensing others' emotions and knowing your own, and simple morning rituals that rewire your nervous system for presence. This conversation will change how you lead in the year ahead forever. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/62 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Check out Dr. Gertrude Lyons' work here: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Have you ever wondered why some women seem to command a room effortlessly while others struggle despite having all the qualifications?  In this episode, you're witnessing something extraordinary: real women in a live coaching session with me, discovering exactly how their thoughts create their leadership presence. These aren't rehearsed success stories or theoretical concepts. These are actual high-achieving women working through real workplace challenges in real time. Tune in this week to hear women naming emotions, catching automatic thoughts, and having breakthroughs as they trace their experiences backward. We discuss the power of the executive pause, a simple framework that helps you generate confidence on purpose, and why naming your emotions in real time gives you more leadership power, not less. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/61 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

When women leaders hit their breaking point, it's not because they lack strength or capability.  In this episode, I reveal why so many high-achieving women find themselves exhausted despite their success. The real issue runs much deeper than confidence problems or work-life balance challenges. They’re living their entire leadership life in coping mode. Tune in this week as I reveal the four resiliency modes that shape how you lead and why most women get stuck in coping patterns that lead to burnout. You’ll learn the critical difference between active coping and true command, and how to identify which resiliency mode you're operating from so you can make the conscious choice to shift into command. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/60 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Have you ever noticed yourself shrinking in certain rooms, hardening in conversations where you want connection, or suddenly feeling stuck despite being highly successful?  This week, I’m exploring why these patterns emerge, and how it has nothing to do with your talent and everything to do with the winning strategies that once served you but now hold you back. Whether you became the good girl who stayed agreeable, the fixer who solved everyone's problems, or the ice queen who maintained perfect composure, these strategies helped you climb the corporate ladder… but there's a ceiling. Listen in to discover a framework of six survival masks that women wear in professional settings and learn how to recognize when these masks limit rather than protect you. You'll also hear about command states - grounded ways of being that replace survival strategies with authentic leadership presence. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/59 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Who have you been loyal to lately? Your company? Your boss? Your team? Your family? Or yourself?  Loyalty is one of women's greatest strengths… and one of the biggest reasons we burn out. It's what makes us the reliable ones, the go-to problem solvers, the ones who stay late, hold it all together, and fill in the gaps no one else sees. But here’s the truth: loyalty without boundaries isn’t loyalty at all. It’s self-abandonment dressed up as service. Join me this week as I explore the shadow side of loyalty: when your loyalty to others outweighs your loyalty to yourself. You’ll learn how women are socialized to equate loyalty with virtue, how this unspoken contract keeps us stuck in patterns of over-giving and resentment, and reflection questions that will help you conduct a personal loyalty audit. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/58 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

So many women leaders move through their careers feeling like their reactions are automatic, like they’re being pulled by emotion, pressure, or other people’s expectations.  In this episode, I want to show you the truth that changed everything for me and for my clients: you always have a choice. Not necessarily a choice over the circumstance, but a choice over how you show up inside it. And that distinction is where your power lives. Join me this week as we explore what really happens in your brain when you’re triggered, overwhelmed, or put on the spot - and how the path back to your authority is often just one conscious decision away. You’ll walk away with a simple, repeatable practice you can use anytime you feel hijacked or overwhelmed, so you can lead from intention rather than impulse. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/57 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/ Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

You’ve worked your way to the table… but are you shaping the conversation, or reacting to it?  This week, I’m breaking down what strategic influence really means for women leaders in male-dominated spaces who want to move from being seen as capable to being recognized as powerful. Influence isn’t about playing politics or performing; it’s about understanding who holds power, how trust flows, and where your voice needs to land. If you’ve ever felt like your hard work isn’t translating into the opportunities you deserve, this episode will change the way you think about influence. Join me this week to learn how to map power dynamics, build authentic connections, and make yourself known to the people who can open doors for you. I’ll also show you how to step into relational leadership, where trust, authenticity, and calm conviction become your greatest tools for advancement. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/56 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Most high-achieving women set goals they already know how to reach. We call it being realistic, but really, it's how we stay safe. The moment we declare something impossible, every fear, doubt, and old identity shows up - but that's also the moment transformation begins. In this special anniversary episode celebrating one year of The Balanced Leader, I explore the concept of impossible goals through my own journey of building a globally ranked podcast now in the top 2% worldwide and preparing for my upcoming TED talk. Through client examples and my personal experience of setting a goal to impact 1000 women annually, I share how positive pressure creates expansion rather than burnout. You'll discover why impossible goals matter not just for what you achieve, but for who you become in the process, and how to use intentional, imperfect action to build the internal safety and emotional capacity that transforms your leadership. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/55 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

The calendar is packed, the Slack pings never stop, and yet the loudest pressure isn't coming from the outside - it's the voice in your own head.  You've been told to manage your time, delegate better, use another app, but overwhelm isn't caused by what's on your calendar. Overwhelm starts in your mind and body, and until you learn to command your own thoughts, no system or strategy will free you. Join me this week as I break down the neuroscience behind why your brain floods with urgency when everything feels important, and how this survival pattern actually shuts down your executive functioning - the very part of your brain you need for leadership and discerning choices. You'll discover my three-step self-empowerment leadership formula specifically applied to overwhelm, plus a simple five-minute breathing exercise that helps you shift from panic to presence. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/54 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Have you ever wondered why some leaders seem to command attention effortlessly while others struggle to be heard?Every leader faces moments of being dismissed, overlooked, or challenged, especially if they’re the only woman in the room. I’ve experienced it numerous times myself. But building a commanding presence isn't about the perfect outfit or the right words. So, what separates those who shrink from those who shine?If you've ever felt overlooked in meetings, struggled with imposter syndrome, or found yourself shrinking to make others comfortable, this episode is for you. Listen in this week to learn the price of a commanding presence, how to shift from the old game of "performing for approval" to the new game of self-empowered leadership, and practical steps to stay grounded when all eyes are on you.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/53Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Picture this: You're presenting a critical point in a meeting when suddenly a colleague jumps in, taking over your sentence like you were never speaking at all. That split-second moment defines your leadership presence more than you might realize. The truth is, getting interrupted mid-sentence happens to women in corporate settings all the time, but how you respond in that moment determines whether the room sees you as someone whose voice is negotiable or as a leader with real authority. Tune in this week as I tackle the emotionally triggering experience of being interrupted in meetings, particularly by male colleagues, and share how to transform it from a moment of powerlessness into an opportunity for demonstrating grounded leadership. Through real audio examples, you'll hear the difference between letting interruptions slide and responding with composed authority that respects both your voice and the dynamic in the room.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/52Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

The tension in the room is palpable. Your CEO's face flushes red, his voice sharp as he demands answers about a failed project. Before you realize it, your chest tightens and you're carrying his anger as if it's your responsibility.This invisible pattern of emotional absorption is destroying your leadership capacity. When you unconsciously take responsibility for other people's moods, reactions, and bad decisions, you end up managing the room instead of the results. You replay meetings in your head at night, overexplain yourself to calm others down, and shrink your presence when emotions run high. The real cost? You stop thinking like the visionary you are and slip into survival mode.Join me today to learn how to develop what I call "No One F's with Me Energy" - a powerful approach to maintaining your emotional boundaries while staying empathetic and effective. I share how to protect your mental space without shutting down your empathy, 3 key shifts to stay grounded when tensions are high, and why emotional boundaries actually make you a stronger leader.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/51Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Fighting tooth and nail for a well-deserved bonus, building the case, advocating beyond a doubt… and then feeling exhausted instead of victorious. This familiar pattern shows up for women in male-dominated spaces who work harder to prove themselves, only to find the win doesn't feel like winning.If you find yourself resentful and exhausted, even when you’re successful, this episode is for you. You’ll learn the three steps of the Self-Empowered Leadership Formula that will transform how you process challenges, helping you interrupt old patterns and choose empowerment over resentment or waiting to be valued.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/50Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanndang/Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

You're in a high-stakes meeting. A question comes your way, and panic sets in. Most people scramble to answer, rushing to prove they belong… but the leaders who truly command the room operate differently. They pause, and in that silence, the entire dynamic shifts.This week, I'm exploring the executive pause: a powerful yet underused tool that transforms how you're perceived in meetings and how you feel about your own authority. This isn't about learning another strategy or framework; it's about mastering silence as a form of leadership presence.Listen in today to discover why silence feels so awkward, how senior executives use pauses to signal thoughtfulness and long-term perspective, and practical techniques to implement immediately. Most importantly, you'll understand how growing your executive maturity is all about changing your delivery.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/49Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!

Your brain equates the familiar with safe. Even when the familiar is burnout, overwork, and being everyone's go-to person. Even when the familiar means putting yourself last. That's why when you finally take that vacation, set that boundary, or step into a bigger role, something unexpected happens. Instead of feeling powerful, you feel guilty. Instead of feeling free, you feel like you're doing something wrong. But real empowerment doesn't arrive with fanfare and instant confidence. It shows up as discomfort, as your old identity fights to pull you back.Tune in this week as I break down why empowerment feels wrong before it feels right, and how to navigate the messy middle between who you were and who you're becoming.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: www.aspire-coaching.co/48Mentioned in this episode:You're Invited to My TEDx Watch Party!Join us for an intimate screening of Reclaiming Anger: A Woman’s Birthright, hosted by my dear friend, Karen Taylor. The screening will be followed by a live, intimate conversation. Monday, Jan 26 at 7 PM ET to 7:45 PM ET via ZoomSign Up for the Watch Party on Jan 26 Here!