Have you ever been so in your head about something that you convinced yourself everyone else was noticing it too? That was me—until I got a reality check from my own two feet.

As leaders, parents, friends, and colleagues, we have the power to leave people better than we found them. And that power comes from empathy, kindness, and emotional intelligence.

When Jack was little, he would come home from school, dump his backpack on the counter, and run off. I’d sort through the papers, keeping a few and tossing most into the trash. One day, he came to me, with huge tears in his eyes. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me I had thrown away something important—his art.

Don’t give up on your 2025 goals just yet! January is tough—it’s cold, it’s dark, and your enthusiasm for that “new year, new me” energy might already feel like it’s circling the drain. I get it.

So today, ask yourself: What small act of kindness can I offer someone I encounter today? How can I make their day just a little bit better?

"Authenticity" is the buzzword of 2025, but what does it truly mean? Is it just a trendy hashtag, or does it go deeper? Let’s break it down.

The holidays can be a beautiful season of joy, but for those grieving, they often amplify feelings of loss. I know this firsthand.

Too often, we avoid the unfamiliar because we’re afraid of failure or looking foolish. But what if we embraced the falls as part of the process?

The holidays are here—a time of joy and connection, but also one of the busiest, most emotionally charged times of the year. While many are caught up in the celebrations, for others, this season brings loneliness, anxiety, or heartache.

In today’s world, it’s easy to fall into what I call the “InstaGLAM” and “FAKEbook” traps. But comparing our lives to these highlight reels leads us down a path that doesn’t make sense. After all, we didn’t come to be them. We came to be us.

Today is Election Day, a day we’re reminded how blessed we are to live in a country where we can vote, speak our minds, and pursue our unique paths

Did you know that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative, biased, and repetitive? It’s surprising, and honestly, a bit overwhelming when we consider how much of our mental energy goes to thoughts that don’t actually serve us.

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the Women Lead Change event in Des Moines, where over 1,000 incredible women gathered for a day of learning, inspiration, and connection.

Two years ago, the head of sales at a company heard my keynote via live stream and was moved by my 'be who you came to be' message. She kept this message close and, two years later, invited me to share it with her sales teams across Germany and Hungary. I was a mix of excitement and nerves. Two-thirds of the audience would be wearing headphones for live translation. What if it didn’t resonate? What if the message didn’t translate?

As summer winds down and the school year kicks into gear, many of us find ourselves juggling new schedules, driving our kids around town, and trying to keep up with all the demands that come with this transition. If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely found yourself playing chauffeur to a teenager with plenty of plans but no permission, no money, and no transportation!

Assertiveness is a powerful skill that is often misunderstood. Many people think it means being loud or aggressive, but true assertiveness is about confidently expressing your needs, thoughts, and opinions, even when it invites opposition or conflict. It’s an essential skill for personal and professional growth, and it’s one we can all learn to master.

Recently, my 16-year-old son started working at McDonald's. I've often received surprised responses like, "He's working at McDonald's?" as if such a job is beneath him. This reaction has made me reflect on the importance of work ethic and how it intersects with emotional intelligence.

When I ask people what they want in life, the most common answer is, "I just want to be happy." While happiness is a wonderful emotion, it’s only one of the seven core emotions we experience.