Maria Ross

What if confidence isn’t something you have — but something you practice? This question guided my latest conversation on Transformative Leadership Conversations with Angela Stopper, Ph.D. Chief Learning Officer at UC Berkeley. Angela brings a powerful lens to the topic of confidence that every leader should hear: Confidence isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill — one you can build. In our conversation, Angela breaks down confidence into six learnable competencies and reframes it as something that grows through intentional practice, not perfection. Here are a few insights that stayed with me: 📌 Confidence is not fixed — it strengthens through repeated behaviors. 📌 A clear framework (courage, expertise, self-awareness, self-development, resilience, adaptability) makes confidence achievable and authentic. 📌 Comparison erodes confidence; self-awareness anchors it. 📌 Courage is the connector between confidence and leadership — acting despite fear, not without it. 📌 Mistakes don’t diminish confidence; they build it when we learn from them. 📌 Role models inspire, but they shouldn’t define your version of confidence. Angela’s perspective makes confidence feel both accessible and actionable — something any leader can cultivate, no matter your starting point. Where in your leadership would growing your confidence make the biggest difference right now? If this resonates, listen to the full episode and share your reflections. And thank you Angela for being on the show!!

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Have you ever wanted the breakthrough… but not the process?    In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with Nathan Herzog, an educational leader who now serves as Dean at Biola University after previously serving at William Jessup University. And we talk about something almost no one says out loud: growth is uncomfortable.   Nathan shares what he hears in quiet, “secret conversations” with high achievers: “I want to do this… but this is uncomfortable.”   Everyone wants a breakthrough.   No one hands you a map for the path.   The truth? The process of becoming better requires discomfort. It requires loss. It requires intentionally choosing something challenging.   And one of the most powerful moments in our conversation is this question: Why are you choosing that? What are you choosing this discomfort for?   Training for an Ironman. Earning a PhD. Climbing toward something like Mount Whitney. None of those happens by accident. They require over a year—sometimes years—of intentional stretch.   Growth in leadership is no different. You get to choose your goal. You get to build relationships with your employees. You get to decide which hill is worth climbing.   And when you choose it with clarity, confidence, and courage, the discomfort becomes meaningful instead of miserable.   We also unpack the false beliefs—the lies—that quietly sabotage leaders: ➡️ If I’m not good at something, I shouldn’t do it anymore. ➡️ If I can’t figure this out on my own, I don’t deserve to lead. ➡️ Strong leaders don’t need help. True growth happens when you reach outside of yourself.   Humility is not weakness. Vulnerability is not failure. They are leadership strengths.   It is one of the practices of Grace Space, Connection vs. Protection, that reminds us of our need for others. It is through others that we become ourselves. Protection keeps us small. Connection grows us.   Growth touches every part of us—mind, body, heart, and spirit. It asks us to be learners before researchers. To choose discomfort rather than avoid it. To hear the truth even when it stings.   And yes—it’s vulnerable.   Yes—it’s uncomfortable.   But getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is what allows you to achieve great things. And over time, it makes other challenges feel less intimidating.   This episode is for you if… ➡️ You’re leading and feel stretched. ➡️ You’re leveling up and doubting yourself. ➡️ You’re tempted to isolate instead of reach out. ➡️ You secretly wonder if needing help means you’ve failed. It doesn’t.   People who are growing reach out.   People who are leveling up invite coaching.   People who become stronger choose their discomfort.   If you’re in a season of stretch, this conversation will steady you, challenge you, and remind you that discomfort is not a sign you’re failing.   It may be proof you’re becoming who you’re meant to be.   You don’t want to miss this one. #thelifeyouremadeforpodcast #growth #gracespace #3Clivingandleading

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Neurochemical copy expert Clive Cable explains the exact sequence of neurochemicals you’re looking for your copy to trigger. More on today’s Copywriters Podcast. https://lnkd.in/g6j7gguD https://lnkd.in/gTEurtBE

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Your book marketing isn’t broken. It’s bottlenecked. Most nonfiction authors keep adding tactics: more posts, more platforms, more outreach. But when one part of your system is blocked, every new tactic just creates more noise and less return. The real work is finding the constraint. It’s usually one of five things: • Your message isn’t clear • Your positioning is too broad • You don’t have a real distribution path • You’re missing authority assets • Or your outreach is inconsistent Until you fix the bottleneck, everything else works harder than it should. That’s why marketing feels exhausting. You’re compensating for a structural problem with effort. Fix the constraint first. Then let your tactics amplify what’s working instead of fighting what’s broken. If your book isn’t selling, it’s not the book. It’s the marketing system behind it. https://lnkd.in/gXddwaDG

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In my latest episode of the Path of the Awakened Heart I chat with Human Design guide and IFS therapist Caitlan Siegenthaler! Together, we explore how blending Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with Human Design creates a powerful path to deep self-awareness, healing, and aligned living. Caitlan shares her own journey - from burnout and corporate disillusionment to becoming a therapist and guide for others - explaining how honoring her splenic authority led her to build a life grounded in intuition, truth, and joy. We discuss how Human Design offers a blueprint for self-understanding, while IFS provides the internal tools for deconditioning, integration, and returning to the Self. We also unpack how to recognize when it’s time to ask for support, how to navigate self-doubt when walking an unconventional path, and the sacred importance of reconnecting to your inner knowing, especially through the body.   Episode Highlights: [00:01:21] Caitlan explains Internal Family Systems and how it centers on understanding and integrating our internal parts. [00:05:49] She shares how Human Design gives us a map, while IFS helps us move through the journey of deconditioning and self-remembrance. [00:10:34] Caitlan opens up about hearing the whisper that led her to leave her corporate job and pursue a life in healing and intuitive work. [00:15:49] She offers powerful client stories—like one healer whose chronic illness made sense after seeing her open centers in Human Design. [00:22:48] Caitlan shares her advice on how to stay the path, especially when walking an unconventional one—and why mentorship and aligned support matter.   Tune in here to learn more about Caitlan and listen to the full episode! https://lnkd.in/g9b2aFtc If you enjoy listening please let us know by taking a moment to provide a rating and/or review through my site or on your favorite listening platform. Thank you so much!🙏💛

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🎙️ Your voice is not just your vibe - it's your business model. When I first started exploring podcasting, it wasn't just about launching another content channel. It was about creating a repeatable, resonant, revenue-generating system that felt like me - human, heartfelt, and scalable. 💡 In this new e27 (Optimatic) feature, I shared why speaking before you scale isn't just poetic advice... it's the smartest way to build trust, attract aligned audiences, and stop running on the content hamster wheel. From Toastmasters International Singapore: Wednesdays with Sabrina Princessa Wang to Money and AI (coming soon!), I've been building a voice-led ecosystem powered by tools like People's Inc. 360 Unify, Seraphina AI, beehiiv, and a sprinkle of CapCut magic. 🎧✨ The secret? Systems that speak for you, so you don't burn out while showing up. If you're thinking of starting a podcast, webinar series, or building your own voice-led funnel... comment "PODCAST" and I'll send you the waitlist for a free masterclass + guide I'm planning. (If there's enough interest, it'll go up on my production board!) 🙌🏻 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gJfTmwGC 👑 And if you're a speaker, founder, or coach… consider this your nudge: Speak before you scale. #PodcastToProfit #CreatorsWithPurpose #PodcastBusinessModel #AIandAutomation #WednesdaysWithSabrina #MoneyAndAI #BuildInPublic #PurposeToProfit LinkedIn News LinkedIn News Asia

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Unleashing the Healing Power of Empathy Through Storytelling | by Rachel Thompson aka BadRedhead Media via Substack https://ow.ly/gba950Q8Z5p "Writing about traumatic events can be a challenging yet powerful endeavor. I’ve written three memoir and poetry books about being a childhood sexual abuse survivor. It's essential to handle such topics with care and sensitivity, both for the writer and the audience. I’m currently working on a book about writing trauma, and here are several ways I’ve used to not only get through the process but also enjoy it. With examples of books I love!* *This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you make a purchase using my link. • Use of Language: Be mindful of the language you use. Avoid graphic details that could be triggering. Instead, focus on the emotional and psychological aspects. If you don’t feel the emotion when you write it, the reader won’t feel the emotion as they read it. As you write, stop and ask yourself, “How am I feeling right now?” and, “How does that emotion feel in my body?” Write that. In "The Year of Magical Thinking," Joan Didion poignantly narrates her grief after her husband's death, emphasizing her emotional journey rather than the specifics of the event." Read more: https://ow.ly/gba950Q8Z5p #WritingCommunity #Storytelling

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📍 Back in Oakland, CA today for The Responsive Conference — exploring the future of work. Lots of conversations around AI, but even more about culture and leadership in uncertain times. This morning’s keynote reminded us: Tolerance of Uncertainty is a SUPERPOWER. ✨ Create the vision. ✨ Lead with clarity. ✨ Embrace uncertainty — and you’ll go far. #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Culture #AI #ResponsiveConference #Oakland #Uncertainty

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This isn’t about going viral. It’s about building authority that sticks. Every single clip from my episode with David Birchmore on Get a Shift On has a purpose: To deepen trust. To spark conversation. To attract aligned clients. 41 clips. 5 platforms. 3 formats. Visibility = solved. Full interview here: Apple: https://lnkd.in/ehkVAmGi Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eiqucrZY Want that level of clarity? Reach out: paul@javelincontent.com #contenttrust #brandauthority #b2bvisibility #coachmarketing #creatorgrowth #getashifton

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