Advertise on podcast: Lead with Spark | Leadership for Women, Work - Life Balance, Career Confidence

Every team has it: the steady one… and the energetic one. The calm processor… and the loud processor. The rule-follower… and the “let’s reinvent everything by Tuesday” person. In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey shares two laugh-out-loud dog stories that turn into a surprisingly accurate leadership metaphor: how to lead mixed-energy teams without leaving “stuffing on the floor.” This isn’t a step-by-step episode. It’s a real conversation about what mixed energy actually means, what leaders often mislabel as “a problem,” and how great leadership channels energy instead of crushing it. You’ll hear anonymous client moments (the high performer carrying too much, the steady one becoming the container for everyone), plus Lynsey’s take on how this dynamic often shows up inside you during seasons of growth and reinvention. If you’re leading people in a fast-moving world—and you want to build trust, protect culture, and get the best from every style—this one’s for you. Together we will talk about: Why every workplace has “old dog / new chaos” energy (and why it’s normal) Mixed energy ages: same team, different nervous systems When “chaos” is actually an unmet need—not a bad attitude The shadow side of the steady, experienced teammate (and how innovation quietly dies) How great leaders channel energy instead of shaming it (and why culture matters) How this dynamic can show up inside YOU during growth and reinvention seasons One line to take with you: Channel the energy. Don’t shame it. Honor the steady. Don’t overuse it. Share this episode with: the “older dog” leader who needs to loosen their grip a little the “younger dog” leader who needs guardrails (not shame) the woman carrying the team… while quietly outgrowing her own chapter Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder  

Have you ever had a moment where you are doing the thing you are supposed to be doing... and a quiet thought shows up: Wait, is this it? In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey normalizes reinvention and reframes it as a modern life skill. Not a crisis. Not a failure. Often, it is simply evolution. You will hear real stories from Lynsey’s own reinventions (from motherhood to leaving corporate) plus client moments that prove this is more common - and more courageous - than we admit. As our world moves faster, reinvention is happening more often in a lifetime. Even employers expect rapid skill shifts in the coming years. So if you feel the pull toward a new chapter, you are not late... you are paying attention. Together we will talk about: Why reinvention is normal (and increasingly necessary) in today’s fast-moving world Anchor Point 1: The Before - the nudge, the restlessness, and the quiet ‘there’s more’ Anchor Point 2: The Bridge - the messy middle where clarity becomes courage Anchor Point 3: The Becoming - coming home to yourself and trusting your voice again Real client examples: checking the boxes but not feeling alive, and finding confidence through truth + boundaries The truth women need to hear: you do not need a breakdown to justify a breakthrough One line to take with you: Reinvention is not starting over - it is starting from experience. Mentioned in the episode: World Economic Forum: many workers will need reskilling/upskilling by 2030 and core skills are expected to shift significantly Coaching invitation: If you are in a reinvention season (career, confidence, identity, what’s next), Lynsey coaches women through clarity and brave movement without needing certainty first Your next Action: Feeling the pull toward a new chapter? You do not have to figure it out alone. Connect with Lynsey to explore what reinvention could look like in your life and career.  Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

If you’ve ever said “yes” out of habit… then immediately felt annoyed, overwhelmed, or resentful — this episode is for you. In today’s episode of Lead with Spark, we’re talking about how to set boundaries without guilt, without over-explaining, and without feeling like you’re being “difficult.” Because here’s the truth: boundaries aren’t rude — they’re leadership. And if you don’t create boundaries, burnout will eventually create them for you… with way more drama. You’ll learn the simple framework I teach ambitious women and high-achieving leaders to protect their time, energy, and peace: ✅ Kind + Clear + Consistent We’ll break down why guilt shows up when you set boundaries, how to stop people-pleasing without turning into a robot, and what to say when someone pushes back. You’ll also get real-life scripts you can use at work and at home — including how to handle capacity limits, last-minute requests, meeting boundaries, and emotional energy drains. By the end of this episode, you’ll have: A boundary mindset shift that changes everything Scripts you can borrow word-for-word (no improvising required) A simple weekly boundary plan you can actually stick to 🎁 Grab the free Boundaries Without Guilt Worksheet (scripts + planner) so you can choose one boundary to practice this week and hold it with confidence. Because your time is valuable. Your goals matter. And your life is not a community donation. Next step: Choose ONE boundary and use ONE script this week — then celebrate the win (even if your voice shakes). Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

What if the story you have been telling yourself about your limits is complete nonsense? In this episode of Lead With Spark, Lynsey sits down with Saphira Howell, author of Impossibullshit: Break the Lies that Keep You Small and Do What You Believed You Couldn’t. Saphira went from early YouTube creator with tens of millions of views to Head of Marketing at a fast growing startup, self taught stock investor, jiu jitsu blue belt, ballroom dancer, and harp student. In other words, she is living proof of what happens when you stop believing the labels and start listening to the nudge. Together we talk about: Why the things you tell yourself you are “not ready” for are often the exact things you want most How to recognize the “nudge” and take the first tiny step instead of waiting to feel confident The “messy middle” of growth, also known as “the suck”, and why most of your real growth happens there Giving yourself permission to quit, pivot, or change dreams without making it mean you failed How Saphira turned big failures, including losing half her savings in the stock market, into a strategy that now outperforms the S&P 500 Leading when you have never done it before and building teams that feel safe to take risks and admit mistakes Why the most important person you cannot afford to disappoint is yourself If you have ever stood on the edge of something you really want and talked yourself out of it, this conversation will feel like a loving push forward. One line to take with you “Parts of you exist that you haven’t even met yet. Stop believing your limits and go say hi.” Saphira Howell Connect with Saphira: Grab Saphira’s book Impossibullshit on audiobook on audible, ebook or in print LinkedIn: @ Saphira Howell Instagram: @ SaphiraHowell Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder If this episode nudged you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that they are allowed to start, to grow, and even to change their mind. And as always, keep leading with Spark.

If you’ve started identifying your strengths but still hesitate to use them at work, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the real questions women professionals ask about unleashing their superpowers: how to talk about your strengths without feeling like you’re bragging, how to use strengths that don’t feel “work-related,” and how to bring your strengths to your leader in a way that actually changes your day-to-day work. Together we will talk about How to own your strengths without sounding arrogant or self-promotional The mindset shift that changes everything: strengths are tools to serve, not trophies to show off How to identify your superpowers when you feel unsure (and how to translate them into workplace language) What to say to your manager so you can use your strengths more intentionally at work How to prevent your strengths from turning into overload (boundaries that protect your gifts) Why strengths can backfire under stress and how to use the “dimmer switch” approach One line to take with you Downplaying your strengths does not make you humble. It just makes your gifts harder for others to benefit from. Try this today Pick one superpower and use it in service of someone else (one moment, one day). Use contribution language: “Here’s where I can add the most value…” Start a smile file: save feedback, thank-yous, and wins so your confidence has receipts. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Sources referenced  Women in the Workplace 2025 (McKinsey and LeanIn.Org) State of the Global Workplace 2025 (Gallup)

New Year’s Eve can be exciting, but it can also create pressure to have your goals, your word of the year, and your entire plan for 2026 figured out by midnight. In this Lead With Spark episode, Lynsey gives you permission to pause. Planning is powerful, but rushing can turn hope into heaviness. Instead of a step-by-step framework, Lynsey shares real examples from her own end-of-year prep, including wins, memorable moments, big dreams, and the messy middle of figuring it out. You will hear how she reflects using her calendar and camera roll, how she dreams without getting stuck in the “how,” and why she is still waiting for her word of the year to rise to the surface. If you want to start 2026 with intention, clarity, and joy, this episode is your reminder that you are not behind. You just need a direction. Together We Will Talk About Why New Year’s Eve pressure can make intentional planning feel heavy How to reflect on wins and memorable moments without needing a perfect year Real examples of 2025 wins: travel, health progress, client results, and big career moments How to dream big without shrinking your vision into a “how” problem Why it helps to focus on who you want to BE and what you want to HAVE before what you need to DO The word-of-the-year practice, and what to do when your word is not clear yet How affirmations support identity-based growth and long-term momentum An invitation to start 2026 with spark, not stress One Line to Take With You You do not need to have it all planned. You just need to choose a direction. Connect with Lynsey Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Share this episode with a friend who is putting too much pressure on January 1. Then comment or email Lynsey with one dream you are carrying into 2026.

Christmas Eve can feel both magical and heavy. In this short episode of Lead With Spark, Lynsey shares a powerful 10-minute Christmas Eve reset plan to reduce holiday stress, quiet pressure, release perfectionism, and create space for meaning and gratitude. This reset is not just for home. Lynsey uses the same strategy at work before big team meetings, conferences, leadership events, and team building sessions where she cares deeply about the experience people have. You’ll also hear Lynsey’s Christmas Eve traditions and a few unforgettable holiday missteps that became the best memories, including floor cake, missing stockings, and reindeer sparkles that lasted until Easter. If you’re feeling holiday overwhelm and you want to enjoy Christmas instead of performing Christmas, this episode is your reset. Together we will talk about Why Christmas Eve can feel magical and heavy at the same time How perfectionism creates pressure at home and in leadership moments at work Lynsey’s Christmas Eve traditions and what they taught her about presence The 10-minute reset plan to protect your peace and reduce holiday overwhelm Boundary scripts you can use to prevent overcommitting How to choose one moment to be fully present on purpose One line to take with you I’m here for the people, not the performance. What to try tonight Take one slow breath in and out Say: “I want this to be meaningful, and I don’t need it to be perfect.” Answer the 3 clarity questions Send one boundary text if needed Choose one moment tomorrow to be fully present Set your 2-part intention and go to bed proud of how you led today Simple boundary scripts you can borrow “This year we’re keeping it simple. Here’s what we’re doing.” “I love you, and I’m not available for that this year.” “We can be there from ___ to ___. We’re looking forward to it.” Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

Feeling like the Grinch this year? Same. In this episode, Lynsey shares why the holiday spirit can feel harder during transition seasons, like the first Christmas when your adult kids are building traditions in their own homes. You will learn the Minimum Viable Holiday framework, a simple way to protect your peace, set realistic boundaries, and still create meaningful moments without burning out. You will walk away with a practical three-step plan: choose your holiday values, set two non-negotiables, and pick one “show up moment” you will do fully. Plus, Lynsey shares a powerful ornament tradition that brings the season back to what matters most: connection, memories, and meaning. What you will learn Why holiday blah feelings do not mean you are ungrateful How to create a Minimum Viable Holiday that is meaningful but not exhausting The 3-step framework: values, non-negotiables, and one show up moment Simple boundary scripts you can use with family and friends How to honor change when your kids are grown and your traditions are evolving Reflection questions What is changing in your holiday season this year? What three values do you want to guide your December? What two non-negotiables will protect your energy and peace? What is your one show up moment that you will do fully present? Scripts you can borrow “This year we’re keeping things simple. Here’s what we are doing.” “We can be there from 2 to 4, and we’re really looking forward to it.” “I love you, and I’m not available for that this year.” “I hear you, and this is what works for us this year.” Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Share it with a friend Know someone who is one Target run away from becoming the Grinch? Send them this episode.

When your workplace feels a little too spicy, who do you call? In this conversation, Lynsey sits down with Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady®, to talk about what it really takes to be a leader people will follow willingly, not just a manager with a title. Wendy is an HR consultant, speaker, mentor, and author of two boldly titled books: “Suck It Up, Buttercup: Be a Leader People Will Follow” and “How to Deal with Crappy Leaders and Jerks at Work”. With nearly 30 years of experience guiding companies from 5 to 5,000 employees, she has seen it all and is not afraid to tell the truth about leadership, culture, and accountability. In this episode, you will hear: Why the majority of problems at work are really communication problems How personality styles and traits (think DISC, introvert, extrovert, ambivert) shape every interaction Simple ways women in leadership can adjust how they communicate without being inauthentic What real active listening looks like when you are stressed, busy, and managing a full plate How to have hard conversations without crushing your team or losing yourself A practical “acting lesson” you can use to shift your style for 15 minutes and finally be heard Wendy and Lynsey get honest about being high D personalities, missing social cues, learning to “shut up and listen,” and how to repair relationships when communication has gone sideways. You will walk away with concrete steps you can use tomorrow to improve engagement, build trust, and lead with more clarity and confidence. If you are a woman in leadership who is tired of sugarcoated advice and wants real tools to navigate people, performance, and personality differences, this episode is for you. One line to take with you: “Adjusting your style for someone else is not being fake, it is being an effective leader.” Wendy Sellers Connect with Wendy Sellers (links coming soon): Website: com and Blog Books: Suck It Up, Butter Cup & The A-Hole Whisperer HR Empowerment Podcast LinkedIn: @WendyTheHRLady Mentor Program Wendy’s Cross Country RV Trip Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey borrows the phrase “love of the game” from sports and brings it straight into your career, leadership, and life. Instead of blaming yourself for a lack of motivation, you will explore why your drive always follows your why, and what it means if your “love of the game” has faded. Lynsey walks through four possibilities, right game wrong position, right game wrong team, right game right team but you have forgotten your why, or you are playing the wrong game altogether. Using her SparkLife framework of values, superpowers, and non negotiables, she helps you diagnose where you might be out of alignment and what that means for your next step. You will get powerful reflection questions to clarify why you are playing, whether you still love the game, and how to design a role, team, or season that actually sparks life. This is a must listen for women leaders, high achievers, and professionals who feel successful on paper but quietly wonder, “Is this really my game?” By the end of this episode, listeners will: Understand why drive always follows a clear, compelling why Recognize the difference between loving the game and just surviving it Identify whether they are in the right game, wrong position, wrong team, or wrong game entirely Use values, superpowers, and non negotiables as a lens for career alignment Walk away with reflection questions to realign their work with what truly sparks life One line to take with you When your why is misaligned, it is not a motivation problem, it is a game problem. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

In this pre Thanksgiving episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey explores the power of gratitude as more than a seasonal feeling. It is a daily leadership skill that shapes your mindset, your home, and your work. You will learn how gratitude supports an abundance mindset, reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and helps you stay grounded when life feels full and messy. Lynsey shares her family’s “Thankful Board” tradition, a simple mudroom practice that keeps memories, people, and joyful moments in front of them all year long. You will also hear examples of big and small gratitudes, from being thankful for breath on hard days to savoring a smile from the barista. The episode wraps with three practical tools you can start right away, a gratitude walk, a gratitude log, and your own version of a thankful board or wall. This is the perfect episode to reset your focus, lead with more intention, and carry a spirit of gratitude into the holiday season and beyond. Key learnings from this episode: How gratitude rewires your brain toward an abundance mindset instead of scarcity Why simple daily gratitude practices boost resilience, emotional health, and leadership How a “Thankful Board” can become a visual anchor for family and team gratitude Ways to practice gratitude on tough days when all you can name is breath or coffee Practical ideas to teach gratitude to your kids, your team, and yourself this season One line to take with you: Gratitude does not deny the hard, it simply refuses to hand it the microphone. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

Do you look like a successful, high-achieving woman from the outside, but inside you are battling doubt, overwhelm, or emotional whiplash from one hard conversation or email? In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey breaks down the connection between identity, emotional intelligence, and leadership so you can stop letting your feelings run the show and start leading from a grounded, confident center. You will hear how your brain creates an identity story from everyday triggers, why stuffing your emotions or spiraling in them both lead to inaction, and what it looks like to respond as an emotionally intelligent leader instead. Lynsey walks you through her SPARK process so you can recognize your emotions, realign with who you truly are, and choose actions that match the woman and leader you want to be. Whether you are navigating imposter syndrome, decision fatigue, or just a season where life feels heavier than usual, this episode will help you reclaim your identity, reset your self-talk, and build work life alignment that actually feels sustainable. In this episode, you will learn: The difference between your true identity and your current feelings How emotional intelligence helps you notice, name, and navigate emotions in real time The SPARK framework to move from emotional reactivity to intentional response How to use identity statements and a daily voice memo to retrain your inner dialogue Why curating your inputs (people, content, environment) is critical for your mindset and leadership This is your invitation to stop freestyling your emotional world and start designing it on purpose so you can lead with confidence, clarity, and your full spark. Line to take with you, “You are not your worst thought on your worst day. Your emotions are real, but they do not get to define your identity.” Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

Leaders don’t just manage tasks, they design the environment where people and ideas thrive. In this conversation with Gina Brown (MAGNIFY Innovation & Leadership), we break down what neurodiversity really means, how executive function shows up at work (focus, working memory, transitions), and practical ways to build cultures of empathy, clarity, and curiosity, without lowering the bar. If you’ve ever felt “successful despite yourself,” this one gives you language, tools, and grace. Connect with Gina: Website: Magnify Innovation Group LinkedIn: @Gina Hibbard Brown Facebook: @Gina.Hibbard Episode Highlights Neurodiversity ≠ diagnosis only: Why every team is cognitively diverse and how leaders can design for it. Executive function in real life: Working memory, transitions, and focus. Simple scaffolds that actually help. Reframe “performance issues”: Move from what’s wrong? to what’s strong? and watch capability rise. Meeting & brainstorm design: Fast ideators vs. deep processors, how to make both shine. Language shift that matters: Swap “I’m sorry” for “Thanks for your patience—here’s what I’m doing next.” The cost of brilliance: Giving grace when great ideas and small misses arrive as a package deal. Leader’s role: Empathy + clarity + curiosity = an environment where people and innovation thrive. One line to take with you: "Understand your brain, ditch the shame, and up your game." Directly from Gina's signature framework. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

When the “official lane” looks safe but feels small, it’s time to rethink fit. Inspired by the classic Put Me in the Zoo (Seuss-adjacent), this episode explores how we chase titles and conformity when our strengths are actually asking for a different stage—more authentic, a little bold, and genuinely useful. I share the family story behind a 1967 inscription, a quick overview of the book, and a practical path to test-and-try your way into rooms where your gifts breathe: tiny experiments, stretch assignments, job crafting, and feedback that acts like a flashlight (not a verdict). If you’ve been pressing your face to the wrong gate, this is your gentle nudge to stop knocking and start showing. Episode highlights Why fit beats fancy: belonging is a function of stage, not worth Demonstrate, don’t beg: make value visible with tiny tests Conformity vs. authentic presence: how to lead without shrinking Micro-moves: stretch assignments, job crafting 20%, shadowing, serving A script to ask for a stretch—with guardrails “Picture this” moments you can use this week (open the meeting, turn a status into a decision, design your next chapter) One line to take with you "Stop knocking at the wrong gate—start showing what fits."   Work with Lynsey Ready to find the stage that fits? I offer 1:1 coaching for women leaders and business coaching for founders and executive teams—practical, momentum-focused, tailored to you. Start here: LynseyMulder.com   Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder

Feel stuck defending a role that drains you because “the benefits are good”? This episode tackles corporate Stockholm syndrome, not the clinical diagnosis, but the mindset where fear and comfort have us protecting the very systems that keep us small. We unpack F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real), share current career trends (shorter tenures, cooled quits), and give you five practical ways to rebuild momentum without torching your paycheck: call fear by name, try micro-shifts before macro moves, redefine loyalty, build portable stability, and measure what really matters at the end of a career and a life. Episode highlights The gut-check: 3 questions that reveal quiet loyalty to the wrong things FEAR → make it show its math (stop treating guesses as facts) Five ways out (no quitting required): stretch assignments, job crafting, shadowing, skills-for-service volunteering, and decision memos that return time Portable stability: skills, references, and runway so you can choose from strength Why tenure is shorter, quits cooled, and what that means for brave but sane career moves “Picture this” moments: saying yes to a stretch (with guardrails), turning a status meeting into a memo, and designing your next chapter on purpose One line to take with you “You don’t have to quit to be brave, just stop defending what’s dimming you.” Work with Lynsey Ready to turn these into habits? I offer 1:1 coaching for women leaders and business coaching for founders and executive teams. Practical, momentum-focused, and tailored to you. Start here: LynseyMulder.com. Connect with Lynsey: Website: LynseyMulder.com Facebook: @LynseySMulder LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder Instagram: @LynseyMulder Episode Citations:  Median employee tenure (Jan 2024) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: overall 3.9 years; private 3.5, public 6.2. Bureau of Labor Statistics+1 Employee engagement (2024/2025) Gallup: U.S. engagement ~31% in 2024 (10-year low). com Quits rate (2025) BLS JOLTS: quits ~1.9%, little changed in August. Bureau of Labor Statistics End-of-life regrets Bronnie Ware’s “Top five regrets of the dying.” Bronnie Ware+1