In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Leanna continues the discussion with Erica Willie, founder of The ScienceSIS Foundation, sales leader, tech strategist, and mom of three, to explore what it means to fully embrace motherhood, not as a detour from ambition, but as a superpower. Erica shares how she chose to lean into her evolving identity, let go of outdated definitions of success, and ask the deeper question: What is the legacy I want to leave? This episode offers practical insight and encouragement for high-achieving women redefining their impact in both career and life.

If you haven’t yet, go back to episode 109 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/109] to hear Part 1 of Erica’s powerful journey from her early interest in STEAM to a career in tech, then enterprise sales, and into the early challenges of motherhood.

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericawillie/], and find out more about her nonprofit, The ScienceSIS Foundation [http://www.thesciencesisfoundation.org/], on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thesciencesis/reels/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theScienceSIS/].

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/110].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

Embracing Motherhood as a Superpower and Building a Values Aligned Legacy - with Erica Willie (part 2)

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Leanna is joined by Erica Willie, a lifelong high achiever whose path spans tech strategy, corporate sales at firms like IBM and HubSpot, and nonprofit leadership, all while raising three children. With degrees in computer science and instructional design, Erica reflects on how her identity as a competitive student and driven professional shaped her early success, and how motherhood challenged her to reconsider her pace, purpose, and definition of achievement. This candid conversation explores the tension many ambitious women face when their career trajectory intersects with parenthood, and how they can sustain high performance while embracing personal transformation.

Don’t miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/110], available July 31, where Erica reveals how she reframed motherhood as a superpower and began building a legacy aligned with her evolving purpose.

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericawillie/], and find out more about her nonprofit, The ScienceSIS Foundation [http://www.thesciencesisfoundation.org/], on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thesciencesis/reels/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theScienceSIS/].

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/109].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

The High Achiever’s First Superpower: Outwork Everyone and Succeed Through Work Ethic - with Erica Willie (part 1)

In Part 2 of Leanna’s conversation with certified personal trainer, consultant, and mom Sarah Brelowski, they dive into the transformative power of strength training for women, especially women over 40. Sarah’s goal is clear: to help women feel empowered, confident, and strong in the gym and in life.

Sarah breaks down the science and mindset behind strength training, and why it's especially important for women navigating busy lives, hormonal changes, and shifting definitions of health. From lifting heavy to prevent bone loss, to building functional strength that makes everyday life easier, Sarah makes a compelling case that the weight room isn’t just for bodybuilders, it’s for all of us.

More than a conversation about fitness, this episode is about empowering women and moms to take up space, prioritize their health, and reframe strength as a tool for lifelong resilience.

If you missed Part 1, be sure to catch Sarah’s inspiring career journey and how she redefined success on her path to personal and professional fulfillment in episode 107 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/107].

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/108].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

Sustaining Strong: How Strength Training Empowers Women with Self Confidence, Resilience, and Mental Wellbeing - with Sarah Brelowski (part 2)

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part series, Leanna sits down with Sarah Brelowski, personal trainer, consultant, mom, and former corporate professional, for an honest conversation about personal transformation.

Sarah opens up about her path from collegiate athlete to Big Four auditor, and how a high-pressure corporate career left her burned out, stressed, and out of alignment with herself. She shares how leaving her job and letting go of others’ definitions of success ultimately helped her heal, find joy, and become a mother after a long fertility struggle.

This episode is a deep dive into self-discovery, self-love, and the courage to rewrite the script that’s often written for us by others. Sarah reflects on the journey of rebuilding her life by her own rules, the lessons she learned from divorce, and how strength training became her anchor through it all.

Don’t miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/108], available July 17, where Sarah dives deeper into her fitness philosophy and how strength training can transform more than just your body.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/107].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

Becoming Strong: From Career Burnout to Alignment, Fulfillment, and Self-Defined Success - with Sarah Brelowski (part 1)

It’s July already! How did that happen? In this mid-summer episode, Leanna’s taking a break from the summer interview series to check in and reflect on what this season has looked and felt like so far.

She shares how she intentionally restructured her summer to allow more time with her daughter (while still studying for a major coaching exam, taking an online course, training for a triathlon, and taking an improv class for fun!), and why presence has become a central theme lately.

You’ll hear about:

 * Why summer can feel especially hard for working moms
 * The myth of being “100% present, 100% of the time”
 * What she learned about presence from improv
 * How Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps explain the inner pressure to always be doing more
 * Simple ways to ground yourself and come back to the moment

This is your gentle mid-summer reminder that presence is a gift, perfection isn’t the goal, and it’s okay to take a breath and just be where you are.

Letting Go of Summer Mom Guilt and Finding Joy in the Present Moment

In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Leanna continues the heartfelt exchange with senior communications executive, mom, and stepmom, Dina Silver Pokedoff.

Dina shares how she’s learned to navigate the complex realities of career and motherhood, offering an honest, empowering look at what it means to lead with authenticity—both at work and at home. From delegating household tasks to prioritizing health and wellness, Dina opens up about what it takes to stay grounded, resilient, and present for what matters most:

 * How to shift from perfectionism to presence, while giving yourself grace along the way
 * Why delegating isn’t a weakness, but a leadership skill both at home and in the office
 * The importance of prioritizing self-care as a foundation for long-term success and modeling it for your children
 * Strategies for managing the mental load and staying focused on high-value tasks
 * How setbacks, like a layoff or injury, can be powerful opportunities to reframe goals and priorities

A must-listen for any executive mom seeking sustainable success, clarity, and fulfillment in life through intentional leadership and self-compassion.

If you missed Part 1, start with Episode 104 to hear Dina’s powerful three decade journey of career pivots, fertility challenges, and how she redefined success on her own terms. Then come back for this practical, honest look at how she balances executive leadership, motherhood, and personal well-being with grace and grit.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/105].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show. It helps more working moms and women leaders find this conversation!

Navigating Working Motherhood: Leadership, Self-Care, and Sustainable Ambition - with Dina Silver Pokedoff (part 2)

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dina Silver Pokedoff, Senior Vice President of Communications, mom, and stepmom, shares the twists and turns of her 30-year career in the communications industry. From dreaming of med school to becoming a powerhouse in PR, Dina opens up about the non-linear path that shaped her leadership style, work ethic, and resilience.

We explore:

 * How Dina built a thriving communications career without a traditional degree in the field
 * The mindset shift required to pivot industries and roles, including taking strategic steps “down” the ladder to grow
 * Her deeply personal and emotional fertility journey, including IVF and donor egg experiences
 * The challenge of balancing a high-achieving career with the uncertainty of family planning
 * How a layoff challenged her to untangle her identity from her career during a period of transition and reinvention

This episode is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t follow a straight line, and that clarity, open mindedness, and support can help you redefine both your career and your sense of self.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into navigating motherhood, leadership, and sustainable ambition.

🎧 Loved this conversation? Don’t miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/105], available June 26.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/104].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

Navigating the Unexpected: Career Pivoting, Fertility Journeys, and Redefining Success - with Dina Silver Pokedoff (part 1)

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Leanna continues her discussion with Dr. Lesley Robinson, entrepreneur, educator, and fierce advocate for women in leadership.

Dr. Robinson unpacks what it really means to lead with a founder-focused mindset—whether you’re building a business or leading from within an organization. She dives into the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship, the critical need for customer obsession, and the power of building community with purpose.

From navigating funding disparities for women to creating personal advisory boards and networking with values, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom for ambitious women who want to lead with impact, without losing themselves in the process.

🎧 If you missed Part 1, start with Episode 102 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/102] for the heart behind the journey, then come back for this deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of empowered leadership.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/103].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show. It helps more working moms and women leaders find this conversation!

Leading with Impact: Values Based Leadership and Growth Mindset for Working Mothers - Dr. Lesley Robinson (part 2)

In part 1 of this inspiring conversation, Leanna talks with Dr. Lesley Robinson, founder of Embolden Education and co-founder of the Ayana Foundation, about what it takes to lead as a woman, a mother, and a visionary.

Dr. Robinson shares how she navigated a decade-long academic dissertation journey, embraced entrepreneurship, and made bold life changes to align her work with her values. From navigating career shifts to balancing motherhood and ambition, her story is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to choose between purpose and personal fulfillment. Together, they talk about the power of reflection, trusting the process, and creating space for both family and big dreams.

If you're a working mom or a woman redefining success on your own terms, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Loved this conversation? Don’t miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/103], available June 12, where we dive deeper into the mindset, strategy, and real-world tools women need to lead with impact.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/102].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

Leading with Purpose: Charting Your Own Course as a High-Achieving Woman - with Dr. Lesley Robinson (part 1)

As the school year winds down, Leanna invites executive moms to take a breath before diving into the busy summer season. With a blend of mindset work and practical tools, she shares a powerful framework for creating a summer that feels intentional and aligned, without the heavy mom guilt or overwhelm. Drawing on lessons from both corporate life and motherhood, Leanna introduces the "Flawless Execution" model to help listeners move from vision to action with clarity. She encourages moms to visualize their ideal summer, communicate with family, and build in regular check-ins to ensure they’re truly living the season they want. This episode is a compassionate reminder that joy and balance are possible, even during the chaos of summer break.

Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/101].

Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/] — Leanna’s six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03]

How to Have a Meaningful Summer with Your Kids: An Intentional Summer Planning Framework for Working Moms

The Executive Coach for Moms podcast supports women who are attempting to find balance and joy while simultaneously leading people at work and at home.

Hosted by Leanna Laskey McGrath, former tech exec turned full time mom, recovering perfectionist and workaholic, and certified executive coach.

Leanna Laskey McGrath

Shows