Leadership Recalibrated™

What happens when a high-achieving, award-winning corporate professional hits a wall she never saw coming? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Lafleur — former corporate full-timer turned wellness practitioner — to unpack the hidden cost of people-pleasing, chronic overperformance, and the culture of silence around burnout.Julie shares how her own burnout became the unexpected catalyst for a career pivot rooted in purpose, and how she now helps leaders and organizations heal from the inside out.This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone still running on autopilot in their career. Whether you're a leader trying to better support your team, or someone quietly wondering if there's a better way to show up at work and in life, this episode is for you.About Our GuestFor over 20 years, Julie Lafleur successfully operated inside high-performance corporate environments, including global roles at Microsoft. Burnout didn’t end her ambition. It refined it. She became deeply interested in what actually sustains joy, resilience, and performance over the long term, and why self-awareness is a leadership advantage, not a luxury. Today, Julie works at the intersection of AI and human energy, helping women and corporate teams recognize their stress patterns before those patterns shape their leadership. She blends ancient wisdom with science-informed tools and translates them into practical strategies for modern work. She also serves as an Enterprise Solutions Lead with Empressa AI, supporting women in building AI fluency and visibility in this defining technological era. Connect with JulieWebsite: julielaf.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lafleurDiscover Your Dominant Element: https://julielaf.com/five-elements-assessment/ 

I asked my LinkedIn community: "What is one concrete thing you wish leaders would do right now to better support their people?"The responses were honest and powerful.Then, at a networking event, I heard a C-suite executive say that to sponsor a woman, she needs to see a commitment to 80-100 hour weeks.This episode shares responses from my community and what they revealed: people are exhausted, overextended, and navigating a world that feels increasingly unstable. They don't need leaders demanding more. They need leaders who actually see them.I share what people-first leadership looks like and why it matters.Did this episode resonate but leave you wondering how to lead differently? I work with senior women leaders navigating these exact challenges. Visit herexecutiveascent.com.

Slow down to speed up. It sounds like a paradox but it's how better decisions get made.Cass Cooper, known as the "Chaos Whisperer", helps leaders interpret chaos instead of reacting to it. And it starts with slowing down enough to ask the right questions.In this episode, we explore how curiosity uncovers what urgency hides, why asking "why" multiple times reveals systemic issues, and how corporate culture's obsession with speed creates poor outcomes.We also discuss building relationships instead of managing tasks, understanding different personality types, the post-pandemic shift toward meaningful work, and why leaders need to rethink meetings and arbitrary deadlines.This is for leaders caught in constant urgency who want to lead more intentionally.Slow down. You'll get there faster.About Our GuestCass Cooper is a writer, speaker, and leadership strategist who helps organizations navigate complexity and lead with clarity. With more than twenty years of experience across sales, organizational development, and leadership advisory work, she is known for translating messy people challenges into practical, scalable strategies. Through keynotes and workshops, Cass challenges leaders to rethink so-called “soft skills” as core business capabilities and build people-centered systems that support accountability, resilience, and long-term performance.Social Media ChannelsInstagram@KnowBetterToDoBetterTikTok @Just_Cass2.0LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cassrcooperhttps://ww.linkedin.com/company/know-better-do-better-consultingWebsiteswww.IamCassCooper.comwww.knowbetterdobetter.co

Your team is watching everything you do. When you message them on vacation. When you skip lunch for another meeting. When you don't take time off.Rekha Narang, Senior Director at Microsoft, learned this the hard way after burnout forced her to take a six-month leave.In this episode, we talk about her journey from burnout to balance and what changed when she stopped proving and started modeling. We discuss why burnout isn't about time (it's about mental load), the moment she knew something had to change, and why she now takes time back unapologetically.We also explore self-care as selfless (not selfish), why your team needs you well (not just present), and how modeling balance matters more than saying the right things.If you're a leader struggling with balance, this conversation will resonate.About Our GuestRekha Narang is a Director of Partner Technology, Global Channels Partner Solutions for Microsoft.  Her team's mission is to build Microsoft Cloud technical capability and capacity across the Canadian partner ecosystem to accelerate innovation and digital transformation with AI.  Rekha is a leader focused on building leadership within her team and those around her.  Her passion and purpose are to help people grow beyond what they might think is possible for themselves.  You can find Rekha on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Nikki Maginn shares a powerful and unexpected career journey from nuclear engineer to project manager and emotional intelligence educator. Drawing from her experience inside highly technical, male-dominated environments, Nikki unpacks why emotional intelligence is not a “soft skill,” but a critical leadership capability, especially for engineers and women navigating complex workplaces.The conversation explores the often-overlooked mental health challenges within engineering and technical fields, the pressure many women feel to downplay their femininity, and the cost of leadership that prioritizes tasks over people. Nikki makes a compelling case for investing in relationships at work, leading with authenticity, and building cultures where people feel supported, seen, and valued.This episode is a thoughtful reflection on leadership, legacy, and what it really takes to create workplaces that don’t just perform but sustain and evolve for the next generation.About Our GuestNikki Maginn is a nuclear engineer, pilot, and former Division I athlete who has built her career at the intersection of technical excellence and human-centered leadership. With experience leading multimillion-dollar engineering and logistics programs and shaping innovation in the nuclear startup space, Nikki knows what it takes to thrive in high-stakes technical environments.​But her true passion lies in reimagining how engineers are developed. As the founder of Inside Out Engineering, she pioneered a course that brings emotional intelligence into STEM education—first launched at the University of Tennessee and now expanding through industry and academic partnerships. Nikki’s work equips engineers and technical leaders with the courage, curiosity, and communication skills needed to collaborate, lead, and create with impact.Connect with Nikki:LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nikki-maginnInside Out Engineering - https://www.insideoutengineering.comYouTube - Inside Out Engineering Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@InsideOutEngineering

Antoinette Ellis saw a gap: Women were entering STEM fields, but they weren't staying. And traditional recruitment wasn't solving the problem.So she founded ACE & Co not just to place candidates, but to prepare women for what they'll face in tech and help companies build cultures where women can thrive.In this episode, we explore the shift from STEM to STEAM (why arts integration matters), creating safe spaces for women in male-dominated industries, mental health in tech workplaces, and the difference between authentic leadership and performative DEI.We also discuss the confidence gap that keeps overqualified women from applying, and what the next generation is demanding from corporate structures.This is about building environments where women don't just enter, but one that enables them to stay and advance.About our Guest:Antoinette Ellis is the CEO and Co-Founder of ACE & Co, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women and girls to explore and thrive in STEAM careers. A certified Arts Integration Specialist and professional speaking coach, Antoinette bridges education and industry through leadership development, public speaking, and confidence-building programs. Her work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5 on gender equality, and she is the founder of the ACE & Co EmpowerHer Award Scholarship, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University. Through workshops, keynotes, and her Full STEAM Ahead podcast, Antoinette amplifies brave voices and helps the next generation lead with confidence and purpose.Links:LinkedIn - Antoinette EllisAce & Co WebsiteAce & Co: Full Steam Ahead Podcast (Apple)Ace & Co: Full Steam Ahead Podcast (Spotify)

Amy Pons left corporate to escape toxicity. What she found on the other side changed everything.Through healing and recovery, she discovered her life's purpose as an energy coach and healer. Now she helps others navigate their own healing journey through Unlock the Magic.This episode explores the journey from toxic corporate to purpose-driven work: the healing required, discovering your brilliance beyond corporate metrics, building businesses rooted in feminine energy and community, and supporting women.If corporate toxicity has broken you, this conversation shows what healing and purpose can look like.About our GuestAmy Pons comes from a long line of shamans…and was a 20 year corporate executive.  She is a certified life coach, intuitive energy healer, womanist podcaster, and facilitator of magic school.  Her work is focused on bridging the gaps between strategy, soul, and radical self-remembrance.  She is an absolute force for good and healing, pioneering the new paradigm of existence that all humans came here to experience.You can connect with Amy through:LinkedIn - Amy PonsUnlock the MagicInstagram - Women Making MovesInstagram - Unlock the Magic

Brain fog in meetings. Anxiety before big presentations. Sleep so disrupted you can barely function. And no one's talking about it.Menopause coach Lisa Boate joins me to break down what's actually happening during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, and why these transitions hit women at the peak of their careers.We discuss how hormonal changes affect cognitive function, emotional regulation, and leadership confidence. We also talk about the workplace stigma, why women aren't getting adequate support, and what needs to change in organizational culture.This conversation is for women navigating menopause and for leaders, colleagues, and loved ones who want to understand and support them better.Because the silence is costing us.About our Guest:Lisa Boate is the founder of Liberated Menopause, host of Transforming 45 and co-host of the Unmuted Podcast. She helps organizations create Menopause-Empowered Workplaces through professional learning, policy development, and the kind of honest conversations that shift culture—not just check boxes. Drawing on her 20-year career as an educator, she brings clarity, compassion, and real-world strategy to leaders who want to better support their midlife employees and strengthen retention, performance, and well-being. Based in London, Ontario, Lisa fuels joy through spending time with the wise women in her life and dance parties in her kitchen to 80s and 90s tunes.Links to Lisa's work online:Instagram - @lboateLiberated MenopauseTransforming 45 Podcast

Linda Fernandes Joseph knows career strategy. She's helped countless professionals navigate moves, negotiate offers, and position themselves for advancement.In this episode, we talk about what actually makes a career move strategic (hint: it's not just a better title), how to negotiate salary when you've been historically underpaid, and how return-to-office mandates are reshaping career decisions for women.We also dive into self-advocacy, understanding your market worth, and why embracing flexibility is becoming non-negotiable.If you're thinking about your next move, or just trying to navigate your current one strategically, this conversation is for you.About Our GuestLinda Fernandes Joseph is an award-winning author, Strategic Recruitment Partner at Top Tier Talent Group, and Director of Sales and Business Development at Her Executive Ascent Inc.With over 16 years leading recruitment strategy, Linda has built her career connecting exceptional talent with transformative leadership opportunities. She specializes in executive search for marketing and sales roles, helping organizations build the teams that drive business innovation.Linda's consultative approach centers on true partnership: understanding organizational culture, challenges, and objectives while creating lasting career opportunities for the talent she represents. She's passionate about helping women navigate strategic career moves, negotiate their worth, and position themselves for advancement.You can reach out to Linda on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaBuy her book, You're Hired, at: https://hiredforward.com/

You've done everything right. You've been excellent, reliable, strategic. And somehow, you're still stuck.It's not you. It's the playbook.Leadership Recalibrated is the podcast that tackles the topics women leaders are actually navigating: setting boundaries, managing through menopause, strategic decision-making, negotiating your worth, and advancing without burning out.Launching February 1st. Follow now so you don't miss it.