Life doesn't always go the way we plan. Sometimes it crashes down around us — in business, in relationships, in our own health — and we're left wondering if we have the strength to rise again. What does it really take to rebuild when everything feels broken? And how do you lead with resilience, even in the darkest of seasons?

In this episode of the Expansive CEO Podcast, Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC®, sits down with Serena Mastin — entrepreneur, speaker, bestselling author, and the powerful voice behind Exposed: You Can't Heal When You Hide. Serena's journey has taken her through foster care, witness protection, addiction, devastating loss, and rebuilding a business after unthinkable personal tragedy. Today, she shares what it means to lead with transparency, lean on resilience, and empower your team and yourself to rise stronger than ever.

What you'll learn (and why it matters)

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  How do you lead when life detonates—marriage, business, and health—at the same time?

  
  


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  “You can't heal when you hide”: spotting the many ways leaders mask pain (and what it costs)

  
  


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  Turning shame into strategy: the shift to full transparency and why your team needs it

  
  


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  EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): what it is, how Serena used it, and why it saved her company

  
  


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  Moving from over-functioning to empowered delegation (and how your people rise when you step back)

  
  


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  Practical finances in crisis: cutting bloat, remote pivots, debt paydown, and stabilizing cash flow

  
  


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  The nervous system side: stress tolerance, fight-or-flight, and permission to heal

  
  


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  Asking for help without oversharing—scripts that empower the giver and protect your energy

  
  

Connect with Serena:

Serena's book: http://amazon.com/author/serenamastin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenamastin

Marketing agency: pulsemarketingteam.com

Author website: serenamastin.com

Connect with Hannah here:

X² Wealth Planning Website: https://x2wealthplanning.com/

Expansive CEO: https://expansiveceo.com/

Hannah's Website: https://hannahrchapman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah.chapman.cfp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahchapmanfinancialadvisor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahrchapman/