Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos
146 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsAre you a leader holding back? What is that costing you? What if you could channel your fear and self-doubt? It’s actually possible. I know, because that’s my story. That’s what the Ignite Your Confidence podcast is all about. It’s for women in leadership who want to speak up and stand out. You’ll find both solo and candid conversations with real people sharing vulnerable stories to inspire you with simple tips to step into your confidence.
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Episodes
3 Ways to Leave a Legacy
November 01, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23 MBTangible Takeaways: Pay attention to the experiences you create for others, whether it's in person, over the phone, or via email. Consider how you want people to feel in your presence and make those experiences positive and warm. Write your eulogy. This exercise can provide clarity on the qualities, actions, or values you want to be evident in your life. Use this reflection to guide your actions in life. Reflect on what matters most to you and what gives you joy. Explore your passions, in...
Coping with Kidney Failure
October 25, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBTangible Takeaways: Recognize what you can control and that you can’t control the actions or health of other people. Especially those suffering from chronic pain or disease. Instead of fixing it, ask what is needed. Establish clear boundaries for yourself to prevent burnout. Prioritize self-care and ensure you're taking care of your physical and emotional well-being. Ask for what you need! Communicate your needs to friends, family, and other support networks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. ...
Ask For What You Want With Sarah Johnson
October 18, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Try implementing "20 seconds of courage." For 20 seconds take those initial steps, whether it's asking for a raise, starting a conversation, or making a significant change. It only takes 20 seconds to get started! Write down your achievements. Keeping a record can boost confidence and provide a visual representation of your progress over time. (This is also handy when asking for a raise!) Be real and be you! Embrace who you are, understand your value, and build confide...
5 Tips to Be Memorable
October 11, 2023 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBTangible Takeaways: Actively engage in conversations by asking open-ended questions and pausing to listen attentively. Imagine that everyone has a sign above their head that says, "Make me feel important." Use this perspective to show genuine interest in others. Start and end your sentences with confidence and clear articulation to engage your audience. Pay attention to your facial expressions, and smile! This way, you’ll convey a positive and approachable demeanor. Avoid the "curse of ...
Break the Rules On Purpose with Heather Whelpley
October 04, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Look at all the rules that you’ve been handed, and ask: which of these do I want to keep carrying with me and which ones do I want to break? Your worth is not connected to achievement, success, or how your body looks. These rules create shame or make you feel “too much: A part of creating change and understanding the rules is calling them out, and then purposely start to break the ones that no longer work for you. You don't need to throw everything away, but you get to...
How to Communicate with Clarity
September 27, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBTangible Takeaways: Communicating with clarity takes intention! Your audiences need structure to know where you're headed and what you're doing. Otherwise, they're going to get lost and tune out. When you start any message, whether it's a voice message, voicemail, or voice memo- front load it with why you're sharing it or what you want from the conversation. If you notice yourself rambling, stop, pause, and say aloud, “My point is this…” That will repair the rambling episode and make you...
Spiral Up with Karen Fullerton
September 20, 2023 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBTangible Takeaways: You’re a spiritual being on a human journey, and that intersection between the two requires emotional learning. It's learning how to integrate, like balancing a bike. It’s important to listen to your body and listen to your emotions. When struggling with a frustrating event, separate yourself from the story and avoid the blame and judgment. Focus inward on what emotions you feel. Google “Emotion Wheels” to help name your emotions. Think of emotions as your greatest t...
Stop Leaving Money on the Table
September 13, 2023 13:32 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBTangible Takeaways: Remember: people want to be pursued! Follow up beyond your comfort level. With high ticket offers, you need to follow up a minimum of nine times, and it could even be years before they are ready to buy. It is tempting to ask passively because it feels more comfortable, but resist this urge and ask with clarity. Anticipate the next step and make the process easy. Schedule your next follow-up before you end the conversation! You are not bothering anyone. Remember how ...
Mindset for Success with Riana Milne
September 06, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.1 MBWhen you work on your mindset, teach your children along the way! You can transform both your life and the lives of your children. Research shows eight out of 10 people have negative fear-based thinking, and this comes from childhood trauma. This is the reason why many are afraid to use their voice. Have the guts and the mindset to say yes to opportunities. The more you practice it, the more you believe in yourself. Dating is not about being vulnerable, it’s about being empowered! Know h...
4 Qualities of an Influential Communicator Part 1
August 30, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBTangible Takeaways: The goal is to project the image that you want to project. Have a point, and stick to it! You can do this by deciding your point in advance and sharing this upfront. People need to receive information with the point first, and details after, not the other way around. Avoid data dumping! We can think this boosts your credentials, but in reality, people can only take in so much information at once. Keep it simple. Make sure your message is relevant to your audience, and...
Fearlessly Build a Business with Nicole Grinnell
August 23, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBTangible Takeaways: When fear starts to creep in, ask yourself. “what’s the worst that can happen?” Uncovering this helps you take a chance and lose that fear of failure. Seek to understand the root of your fear. Is it pride? Fear of failure? Worried about what others may think? Find your passion because there will be a lot of dark and challenging times. Your passion will help you ride the waves. Design your work-life balance. Are you prone to overworking or underworking? Take these into...
Let Your “Why” Guide You with Ashley Russo
August 16, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBTangible Takeaways: Often when we are stuck, it’s because we’re not making a decision. It is better to decide and move forward than stay stagnant! If you make a wrong decision, it’s ok! You learned something. This will make you better at your next move. We get burdened with the “how”, and we forget that there is a “why”. If you're on a path and what you're participating in always goes back to the why, then you're on the right path. Understand what you're good and not good at, and be ok...
Behind the Scenes of Tedx with Roya Bashier
August 09, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBTEDXMinneapolis will be on August 12, 2023. Click HERE to purchase your tickets! Tangible Takeaways: Remember the power of teachers and leaders - they have the opportunity to instill confidence in others. Be an opportunistic person! When you see an opportunity, lean into it. Even if it’s a long shot, you never know! Feedback can be a positive experience. Those who receive feedback with joy and gratitude are the ones who grow. When it comes to your story, focus on how it serves others. W...
5 Secrets to Business Success
August 02, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBTangible Takeaways: Expect good things to happen! This has been the #1 contributor to my success, it transforms your posture and energy, and you see the opportunities for what they are. Be tenacious with purpose. Clarify your current goals so you're not being tenacious in everything but in the things that matter. You have to ask for the business - people want to be sold to! Reach out and follow up. Seize opportunities. Pay attention to what might be possible right in front of you. Be cur...
Resist the Urge to Give Your Power Away with Jennifer Hill
July 26, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Resist the urge to give your power away. Step into your power. It can be common to fall into the trap of taking a backseat to stronger, louder, more experienced voices. There is a reason for this - women have been conditioned to do this! Whenever we take action or inaction, we’re impacting those around us. Be intentional about when you speak up and when you don’t. Your voice matters to others! Just do it. Things are rarely as uncomfortable or bad as you expect them t...
Body Language Do's & Don'ts
July 19, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBTangible Takeaways: Think about expanding your presence. We’ve been culturally conditioned to make ourselves physically smaller, and this needs to stop. Shoulders back, hands to the sides or gesturing out, and firmly plant your feet shoulder-width apart. Incorporate these habits into your daily life so that when you need your body language to shine, it will be a habit, not a stressful performance. Remember that every time we open our mouths, it’s an opportunity to influence and to showcas...
See Yourself in Brilliant Light with Ivy Slater
July 12, 2023 11:09 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBTangible Takeaways: See your brilliance and own it sooner. This does not mean you should be arrogant, but rather embrace your expertise now. Don’t wait. When creating your own business or venturing into a new field. Understanding your skillset and what problems you solve and diving into market research is important. Remember: people do business with people, big brands and all. Customer service is one of the most important things brands can put their money behind. Are you an introvert who...
3 Things to Say Instead of "I'm Sorry"
July 05, 2023 13:13 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBTangible Takeaways: Women are culturally conditioned to apologize! Even though I teach this, I have to catch myself from apologizing, as well. Habits are hard to break, but you can do it! If you bump into someone at the grocery store, for example, instead of saying “I’m sorry” replace it with “excuse me”. If you're constantly saying, “I'm sorry”, the message that's coming across implies “I'm not worthy of being here”, “I'm in the way” or “I’m a bother”. This becomes something you internal...
Get Out of Your Head and Into the World with Kelli Thompson
June 28, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25 MBTangible Takeaways: Women often don’t speak up because we think we need more experience, education, seniority, or fill-in-the-blank before we share our voice in the room. It’s a lie: speak up now! The men don’t wait. Why should you? When seeking to improve your confidence, copying another person’s style doesn’t work. It can make you feel awkward and inadequate. You need to find confidence from within. How do you want to make people feel when you speak up? Knowing your values will help you...
How to Be an Inclusive Leader
June 21, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBTangible Takeaways: Imagine people walking around with this sign on their forehead that says, “Make me feel important,” and you’ll find yourself naturally being an inclusive leader. Be self-aware! Be mindful of your intent and observe if it matches your impact. Ask for feedback and have a posture of receiving it well. Show that you care by first seeking to understand by asking questions and listening. You want to get the other person's perspective. Give empathy before you give advice. ...
The Discipline of Showing Up with Teresa Rand
June 14, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Keep in mind: it's not personal. It’s about them and what they’re trying to say. This is why understanding communication styles is important. Your basic personality should not have to change when you walk through the doors at work or log in to Zoom. You have permission to be you! When we adapt and pivot for other's communication styles, this is not about changing who you are, but being more reflective and responsive to those around you. The key to accomplishing your g...
Don't be Jealous. Be Inspired to Take Action
June 07, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBThere I was, in a yoga class, working hard to configure myself into the instructed pose. I glanced at the woman beside me in awe: how is she doing that with her body? Wow. At first, I was immediately jealous. Then, I was inspired. I want to be able to do that! Can you relate? Learn how I was able to pivot from jealousy to inspiration and get four practical tips on how you can do the same. Tangible Takeaways: Comparing ourselves to others is normal. Have grace for yourself. Be careful...
Picture Your Success with Sharon Shannon
May 31, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBTangible Takeaways: Think bigger - we can always do better than where we are. It doesn't matter what we do or how much progress we made (or lack thereof) there's always better. Avoid settling It doesn't matter how low you are, you can do what is in your heart. When you're in the midst of it, it is a time to dig deep, do the internal work. You have to picture yourself as successful and not speak doom and gloom over your life. Force yourself to change your perspective. Start with one thi...
Surviving Trauma Through Breathing with Tsikki Thau
May 24, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBTangible Takeaways: Remember, when communicating, we deliver a feeling behind our words. People can feel what we’re saying. Gratitude recognizes that your heart is beating and you’re breathing. Breath is the oxygen of your life, your soul, reminding you that you’re breathing. You’re alive. Know your belief system. Everybody believes in something. Get up and show up for the work you promised to do. It’s the only way to serve your purpose. There is power in your vulnerability - even in...
Hype Women Up with Erin Gallagher
May 17, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBTangible Takeaways: Confidence has so much to do with clarity: be clear about where you stand on things and who you are. With clarity in hand, confidence is soon to follow. Stand in your power - no longer abandon yourself in service to other people. Avoid taking all feedback as direction and advice. You’re allowed to be selective on what feedback you’ll take into consideration. We have been taught our entire lives that other women are our competition and their success detracts from ours ...
How to Get What you Want on Mother’s Day
May 12, 2023 10:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MB1. How does a mom get what she wants on Mother’s Day? Ask! First, though you have to decide. What do you truly want? What would make it the best mother’s day for you? So many women hold back from asking because they want other people to be happy first. We’re culturally conditioned to please others first – especially as mom’s, so this is the time to claim your desires and ask. SInce 40% of mothers say they have ended up disappointed with their Mother’s Day, it’s important to make your wishes ...
Uncover Your Potential Through Mentoring with Missy Chicre
May 10, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBTangible Takeaways: You have just one life, how do you want to live it? Be intentional and design the life you want. Make choices unapologetically. Dictate your value and your self-worth. Your confidence has to come from within rather than the outside world. View your life through the lens of possibility, it changes everything. Embrace the power of coffee chats, you never know when that connection will be valuable! Everybody needs a safe space. Everybody needs a guide or mentor. It d...
The Power of Writing Down Your Goals with Maria Maldonado Smith
May 03, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBTangible Takeaways: Get out a piece of paper and write down the top three things that you want to do with your life: get it out of your head and on paper. Make your goals visual! This may be as simple as putting them on a Post-it note on your mirror-the goal is to keep them in front of you. Work in such a way that you know you did your best! Surround yourself with women that are strong and confident in who they are. We all need a supportive friend group. The difference between milliona...
Master your Mindset: A Journey from Brain Dead to Fully Alive
April 26, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBTangible Takeaways: What's the worst that could happen when you speak up versus when you don't speak up? Even if you’re rejected, it’s ok! A “no” is simply that, a “no.” You can't change the past. Focus instead on what type of life you want in your future. Resist the urge to be a victim of your circumstances, and make a conscious decision to be a victor. Believe in something bigger than yourself, that there is a bigger purpose beyond yourself, and be faithful to it. A plan and progress i...
A Resilient Journey to the C-suite with Lori Kiel
April 19, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Learning how to lead begins with the willingness and ability to follow. You learn the good and the bad by watching others, and that shapes you as a leader! Listening is a powerful tool: you’ll learn more by listening and paying attention. Remember: there is so much to be learned by embracing the journey. Everything may not be falling into place as fast as you’d like, but every step is equipping you for what's coming. Do you want something? Ask for it with confidence!...
The Power of Eye Contact
April 12, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Eye contact is critical for connection. Every time we communicate we have a powerful opportunity to connect with a tool most of us have: our eyes. If we don’t make eye contact when communicating or listening, we create a barrier for connection. When communicating 1:1, we make eye contact on average 7-9 seconds, when speaking to a large group, aim to make eye contact for approximately 3-5 seconds. When communicating with a large group, focus on connecting with one pers...
Tell Your Story with Strategy with Brielle Cotterman
April 05, 2023 11:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Be courageous and share your story. You have a story worth sharing even when you believe your life isn't interesting enough. The first step of sharing your story is identifying your breakthrough story. What was the turning point? Know your why, and own it. Show how your why has shaped your story and who you are today. Understand the cycle of abuse, and be aware that it's not simple to "just get out of it" - women leaving an abusive relationship have a 70% chance of lo...
Rise Above the Blame Game
March 29, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBTangible Takeaways: Remember: we’re accountable for our own actions. When the blame game begins, pause and look at yourself and ask, “What do I need to own in this, or see as something that I have control over?” Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle, and on one side write down what you can control, and on the other what you can’t control. This is an eye-opening exercise! Allow yourself to vent, but don’t stay there! The trick is to release it in a safe place and move on. ...
BOLD Leadership with Laura Barnard
March 22, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBTangible Takeaways: Part of becoming a great leader requires understanding your unique skills and experiences to help relate to others and create the most impact. To close the gaps that exist in representation across all industries we need to collaborate and fight together to make it more equitable. Women face a lot of external and internal barriers in the workplace, and one way to push back is to learn how to speak up. Being BOLD is an acronym for being brave, outspoken, lucid, and dis...
Recognizing and Escaping Abuse with Sabrina Victoria
March 15, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBTangible Takeaways: Never underestimate the power of research and knowledge. If you have a need or question, seek to find the answer! It may be your path out of a dark place. Set your own boundaries and own them with confidence and grace. Be aware of love bombing: right when the abuser is aware they’re losing control, they’ll shower the victim with love and affection. It’s a tactic to keep them close. Invest time in learning how to communicate your emotions effectively. It will make all ...
How to be Taken Seriously
March 08, 2023 11:47 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBTangible Takeaways: Assume you have permission to lead: step out and go for it! Speak with conviction, and have a declarative tone. People will take you seriously if you sound confident. Punctuate your words when you speak! We do this naturally when writing an email. It’s the same when we speak. End with a period, and pause. Have a strong handshake and make direct eye contact. This is equally as important on zoom! In that case, it’s looking directly at the webcam. It is important to be ...
How to Stop People Pleasing
March 01, 2023 11:18 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBTangible Takeaways: Remember where people pleasing often comes from - desiring for everything and everyone to be ok. First, acknowledge that you’re stuck in an accommodation cycle. When people give you something or compliment you, receive it with gratitude. Own what you want - it’s ok to ask for what you want! No is a complete sentence that doesn’t require an explanation. Practice saying no diplomatically, and remind yourself you don’t need to bend backwards to explain why not. About m...
What to do When People Don't Understand You
February 22, 2023 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.83 MBTangible Takeaways: Speak louder - when we speak louder, it takes intention and attention to do this, forcing you to slow down and articulate. When you speak, open up your mouth bigger. This may feel strange, but often mumbling comes from a closed-off mouth. Practice the pause and speak slower. This helps with clarity. Breathe intentionally. It supports the strength of your voice. Speak in sound bursts - go loud and fast, and change your pitch from low to high. Variety keeps people eng...
Negotiate with Confidence
February 15, 2023 12:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBHow do you accomplish this? Everything comes down to how you prepare and position yourself, from mindset, body posture, and the words you say. Listen to how you can prepare for your next negotiation through my mistakes and successes, and walk into your next negotiation with unshakable confidence. Tangible Takeaways: Before you begin to negotiate with anyone, you have to know what you want first. Ask direct questions that require an answer- avoid ending with open-ended statements such as, ...
The Betrayal of Burnout with Kelley Bonner.
February 08, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBKelley shares why burnout is a betrayal and how to recognize the symptoms in yourself and others. Listen to how businesses can protect employees from burnout and embrace small steps to transform an impossible situation. Tangible Takeaways: The three symptoms of burnout are: overwhelming physical exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and decreased ability to do things you love. Burnout feels like a complex, heavy problem - but the steps to solving it are quite simple. Business owners can s...
Thinking On Your Feet
February 01, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBTangible Takeaways: Ask these two framing questions when something unexpected occurs: ask, “what’s needed here?” and secondly, “what’s required of me.” The key to thinking on your feet is being cognizant of those around you versus focusing on yourself. This information is vital for quick assessments! If you tend to interject and react too quickly, create a mantra such as “stop, pause, breathe” that you say to yourself to stop yourself from speaking prematurely. The best way to get bette...
Celebrating 100 Episodes with Heather Fison and Dani Ha
January 25, 2023 12:00 - 52 minutes - 47.6 MBHeather Fison has been with me from the very beginning and helped create the structure of this podcast. I have valued her feedback along the journey and her ongoing support. She shares her favorite episodes and the impact they have had on her career, and how you can apply the same tips to your life. Dani Hamlet has been my podcast editor for the last year, and she shares her biggest takeaways from not only being my editor, but also a listener. You will be encouraged to give yourself grace ...
When Something Triggers You
January 18, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBTangible Takeaways: Remember my wise friend’s words: “Being triggered is an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself” Spend some time to know what triggers you, and go deeper into why. This is an essential first step to handling these situations. Avoid responding right away, create space between your trigger and your reaction. Ask yourself if you're being direct: often we communicate passively when we’re trying to be polite, yet this creates more confusion and communication issues in...
Lead with Service with Terri Leckas
January 11, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBIn today’s episode, Terri shares how she gave herself the freedom to be the boss in her own way. Listen and learn how Terri’s self-taught entrepreneurial spirit led her to build her own business and overcome obstacles - one baby step at a time. Tangible Takeaways: When you feel overwhelmed, focus on the baby steps. After each small step, the next one becomes easier. Focus on serving people. This extends beyond your customers and includes those who work with you. Remember: mistakes will ...
How to Give Feedback
January 04, 2023 11:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBAs you prepare to give feedback, remember that your perceived idea of potential conflict is fiction until it becomes fact. Not all potential conflicts are actually conflicts, and you may be spending a lot of energy preparing (or avoiding) a conflict that isn't there. I share tactical ways you can prepare and deliver feedback in a way that avoids conflict as much as possible. You have the power to shape the experience for those receiving your feedback, so take the time to prepare beforehand....
The Importance of Celebrating Wins
December 28, 2022 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBTangible Takeaways: Celebrating matters because it reinforces what we want to continue doing and brings in others as a witness to our strengths. It also inspires others to do the same thing and builds relationships. It creates more happiness and positivity! It allows you to speak with more confidence about your strengths Stop and notice what you’ve done this year: make a list of both your tactical accomplishments and your character accomplishments Celebrate your freedom of choice to step...
Listening Tours to Transform Your Team with Hillary Miller
December 21, 2022 11:00 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBHillary shares the logic behind “listening tours” and why she intentionally separates her identity from her profession. Leading a team is an art that Hillary has humbly mastered, and you’ll discover it has a lot less to do with what you say and creating the “perfect” plan. Tangible Takeaways: As a leader, you don’t have to be all-knowing- others know you’re not! Embrace a posture of learning instead. Strive to be on the right side versus the popular side. This may require making tough ...
Expanding Diversity to be Fully Inclusive With Ruth Rathblott
December 14, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBWhen Ruth realized that only 4% of people included disability in their definition of diversity, she knew it was time to step into that conversation. Ruth never expected her disability to become the foundation and launch pad for her career as an author, speaker, and non-profit leader, yet this became the very tool she needed to advocate for diversity. Ruth talks about the power of connection and having the courage to take that first step. There is a silent pandemic of hiddenness all around u...
How to Engage People on Zoom
December 07, 2022 12:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIf you want to crack the code on how to create a memorable experience in your next virtual meeting, listen in. Amazing content doesn’t equal automatic engagement. Strategies to get people talking and typing in the chat does. It may be tempting to wait until the end to invite questions, but avoid this at all costs. Listen for what to do instead! You’ll get tools on how to not only engage your audience but also stay on track with your presentation, despite the interruptions. You’ll also find ...
Tired of Hiding the Real You? With Erica Goode
November 30, 2022 12:30 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBOne of my favorite parts of hosting this podcast are moments when my guests say, “I wasn’t planning on talking about this!” We had many moments like this with Erica Goode. You’ll be surprised how many lessons can be found in a small rural town! In this episode, we talk about the importance of being you, no matter how different that makes you. Erica also breaks down the differences between men and women when it comes to money, and you may be surprised by the answer. Listen and be inspired ...