The Unburdened Leader · 2026-07-03 · 57 min
How many times have you talked yourself out of pursuing an opportunity, telling yourself it wasn't for you, that you weren’t ready, or you weren’t qualified? What if that hesitation wasn't self-awareness but a script you internalized? Many women have a complicated relationship with their ambitions for greater leadership and greater wealth. And it isn’t because women are somehow inherently less suited for leadership or financial independence. The systems of power, patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny that we live in every day shape the voice in women’s heads that tells them they’re not meant to be a leader. We are in a political and cultural moment where women’s rights and autonomy are facing incredible pushback at all levels. It’s vital that we examine our internalized biases towards ourselves and others, where we limit our ambitions for roles we have the skills and abilities for, and where we’re giving up our power because of the stories we’ve been told by our society. My guest today is a beautiful example of a woman who hadn’t considered herself for a CEO role, but who stepped into the position and has grown into the kind of leader we just might need most right now.
EP 157: The Ambition Penalty: Stefanie O'Connell on Why Wanting More Still Costs Women65 / 100EP 156: Stop Exiling Yourself: Dr. Jamie Marich on Dissociation, Authenticity, and High PerformanceEP 155: Hidden Cost of Caretaking at Work: Nilofer Merchant on Invisible Norms Limiting Your LeadershipEP 154: Leading from Safety, Not Survival: Deb Dana on Co-Regulation and LeadershipEP 153: Power Dynamics and Personal Power: Dr. Amanda Aguilera on the Right Use of Power