Episodes

In this inspiring episode, Leanna is joined by Shannon Talbot, happiness coach, speaker, and author, to discuss her transition from a corporate role to entrepreneurship driven by a quest for fulfillment and a new definition of success. They explore Shannon's book, Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You, sharing stories and introspective exercises that can help listeners to create their dream lives. Shannon highlights the importance of self-compassion, visualization, and small, intenti...

In the fifth episode of the Transition to Motherhood Series, Leanna is joined by Arielle Wozniak, a Health Coach who has triumphed over postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. Arielle shares her personal story as a two-time survivor of postpartum mental health challenges and how it fueled her passion for guiding mothers through these turbulent times towards a fulfilling motherhood experience. With a focus on recognizing symptoms and practical strategies for moving from surviving to thriving, sh...

In a very special episode, Leanna interviews her own mom (!!), her biggest supporter and #1 fan of this podcast. Michele Laskey has devoted the past 41 years of her life to motherhood and being an unwavering supporter, friend, and teacher of her three daughters and now 4 grandchildren. They discuss her unique journey, from the perspective of a mom with three grown children – what she’s learned, what she’s proud of, what she’d do differently, and her legacy. Throughout the conversation, you’ll he...

In this deeply candid fourth episode of the Transition to Motherhood Series, Leanna is joined by Suzanne Yatim Aslam, author of Post Pardon Me, a book that fearlessly confronts the unspoken realities and dark thoughts countless new mothers grapple with silently. Suzanne shares her own raw encounters with postpartum depression and anxiety, delving into the complexities of maternal instincts, the pressures of media on our emotional responses, and the changes in self identity that can coincide with...

In the third episode of the Transition to Motherhood Series, Annemieke Rice returns to recount her personal journey through fertility challenges, career changes, and her new role as a mother. She shares the emotional toll of infertility, the impact of work stress on fertility, and her long and grueling journey to conception. Annemieke sheds light on the difficulty of caring for a newborn while unable to reconcile the inability to physically perform as she had before a C-section, while also recov...

In the second episode of the Transition to Motherhood series, Amy Diehl, PhD, author of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work, and IT executive, returns to discuss her personal story of becoming a mother via IVF in her late forties. She shares the journey from working long hours on her research and at her full time job to coping with postpartum anxiety during maternity leave and returning to work. Amy discusses the challenge of a new role at home a...

In this first episode of the Transition to Motherhood Series, Leanna is joined once again by Andrea Palmer, this time for Andrea to share her story of becoming a mother. Andrea gets vulnerable, recounting the decision to have children, her heartbreaking loss, and ultimately the arrival of her beautiful daughter. The discussion explores the importance of support for new mothers in the workplace, the rewards of balancing work, family, and health, and the obstacles of recovering after pregnancy whi...

Leanna hosts a dynamic panel of executive moms, including Annemieke Rice, Emily-Rose Barry, and Kate Griffin, delving into the challenges of working mothers in leadership roles and remote work settings. They emphasize the importance of nurturing family-friendly work cultures that prioritize flexibility and support for working parents to better manage the intricate balance between career and family. Panelists share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the need for authentic dialogue and a...

Leanna sits down with Elaine Benfield, a seasoned professional in the software tech industry with over 25 years of experience. Elaine shares her unique journey balancing a thriving career with motherhood, offering invaluable insights into work-life integration and the power of prioritization. From her early days navigating career choices to finding balance as a working mom, Elaine's story resonates with authenticity and resilience. Leanna and Elaine delve into the challenges faced by working mot...

Leanna welcomes Sloan Echavarria, also known as “Sloan The Beast,” a successful entrepreneur running multiple businesses, mom of four, and chaos coach. Sloan shares her journey of embracing a life full of excitement and adventure, challenging the traditional suburban lifestyle. As a chaos coach, Sloan helps women navigate the delicate balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship, crafting intentional work-life harmony tailored to individual family dynamics. With a bustling household, multiple...

Leanna is joined by award winning IT leader and gender bias researcher, Amy Diehl, to shed light on the gender biases and challenges that women face in leadership, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of work-life conflicts on women in the workplace. Through discussions on gender barriers, including dismissal of ideas and diminishment, Amy reveals the systemic issues hindering women's advancement in the workplace. Drawing from personal stories and Amy’s qualitative research, Leanna and Amy ex...

In this educational episode, Leanna is joined by her sister, Laura Laskey, as they delve into the complex and evolving historical landscape of women's rights. The discussion explores pivotal moments such as the ratification of the 19th Amendment in the United States in 1920, marking a significant milestone in the quest for gender equality. Moving through the decades, they navigate the ebbs and flows of progress, acknowledging the challenges and triumphs that shaped the narrative of women's right...

This episode delves into the common self-reflective questions we often ask ourselves, such as "Am I doing it right?" and "Did I make the right decision?", while exploring the subjective nature of right or wrong. The episode addresses the tendency to second-guess decisions and the societal conditioning that leads many to believe they are not good at making decisions. Through real-life examples, Leanna discusses how individuals often internalize external situations, assuming they are doing somethi...

In this episode, Leanna explores how overwhelm often precedes burnout, especially for high achievers. She delves into common responses to overwhelm, such as pushing forward without pause, withdrawing or escaping, and feeling paralyzed or stuck. Leanna emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging overwhelm as a normal part of the human experience, suggesting practical strategies for navigating it, including thought work, self-compassion, and the therapeutic practice of writing to re...

In episode 31 of The Executive Coach for Moms Podcast, host Leanna Laskey discusses how the concept of “all or nothing” thinking can impact various aspects of life, from career expectations and parenting to goal setting and friendships. She highlights the limitations of this binary thinking and encourages listeners to embrace the gray areas, recognizing that excellence doesn't always require perfection. The episode provides valuable perspectives on self-care, decision-making, identity, and the c...

In today’s episode, Leanna dives into the self-coaching model, where she talks about how our thoughts shape our reality. She explains that our brains are meaning-making machines, turning neutral events into thoughts that can either empower or hinder us. Whether it's an email from the boss or a big life change, our interpretations of these events can profoundly impact our feelings and actions, and ultimately, our results. Leanna emphasizes that we often assume our thoughts are facts without qu...

In this episode of "Executive Coach for Moms", host Leanna Laskey McGrath reflects on the challenges of balancing independence and the need for help. Leanna discusses the societal emphasis on self-sufficiency and the impact it has on authentic connections. She explores the fear and resistance associated with asking for help, revealing how it can hinder meaningful relationships. Leanna delves into the concept of shedding the armor of self-sufficiency. Leanna shares her personal struggles and invi...

In this week's episode, Leanna discusses the practice of "shoulding" ourselves—believing we should be different, do more, or already know certain things—which is so common for high achieving women. She explores the reasons behind this mindset, such as high expectations, fear of public failure, and comparison. Leanna highlights the negative consequences of constantly feeling like we should be somewhere else and provides practical strategies for overcoming this mindset. She encourages the practice...

In this episode of the Executive Coach for Moms podcast, host Leanna Laskey McGrath delves into the importance of looking into the future and reflecting on how we want to live our lives. Drawing inspiration from the book "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying" by Bronnie Ware, who worked as a palliative caregiver, Leanna shares the key regrets expressed by individuals at the end of their lives. Leanna encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, prioritize what truly matters, and make intenti...

In this episode, host Leanna Laskey McGrath reflects on the common pitfalls of New Year's goal-setting and proposes a more practical approach. Drawing from her personal experience, she introduces a more sustainable goal-setting framework based on focusing on two or three significant, overarching goals for the year. Leanna recounts her successful experience in 2017, emphasizing the importance of aligning decisions with priorities and remaining flexible to reassess goals. Leanna concludes by shari...

2024 is here! Happy New Year!! Join Leanna in the January 2024 Reset for High Achieving Women here.

Join Leanna in the January 2024 Reset for High Achieving Women here. In this episode, Leanna and her sister, Laura Laskey, delve deep into the emotional rollercoaster that the holiday season often becomes for mothers. As the festive lights twinkle, many moms find themselves navigating through a maze of expectations, societal pressures, and personal desires. In this candid conversation, our hosts discuss the choices and consequences that come with managing the holiday hustle. They explore the ...

Laura Nguyen joins this compelling episode as a seasoned executive mom who not only weathered the storm of burnout herself but has since become a guiding force for others facing the same struggles. Laura shares her unique journey, mirroring the experiences of many high-achieving women, as she climbed the corporate ladder and encountered the stark reality of burnout. Laura delves into the pivotal moments that led to her career break, shifting her priorities and perspectives dramatically. She cand...

Jess Kitt is back for part 2 to discuss her recent departure from her executive role, examining the profound impact on her life. As a high achiever, Jess candidly explores the fears and uncertainties accompanying unexpected job loss, delving into the complexity of expressing vulnerability and the anxiety surrounding future decisions. The episode captures Jess's journey of self-discovery, discussing the emotional intricacies beyond the initial task-oriented response and offering a relatable narra...