I grew up in Kalkaska, Michigan, the self-proclaimed Trout Capital of the state, population small enough that everyone knew your business better than you did. And like a lot of young girls in a lot of small towns, I had big dreams: I remember telling my parents, with total confidence, that after I met those … Learn More
I notice a pattern in high-performing leaders: the ones who feel most behind are rarely the ones actually behind. They’re comparing their scoreboard to someone else’s game. I got a personal reminder of this recently. (Hey, I’m on this journey, too!) “Let’s face it, Angie: everyone, ultimately, will find themselves living in a two-bedroom condo.” … Learn More
Go to any military base and outside its gates you’ll find three things: strip bars, pawn shops, and tattoo parlors. I want to talk about that last one. The Loyalty Test Inside, artists know exactly what’s coming as soon as liberty hits: a wave of eager, excited, and sometimes slightly drunk servicemembers ready to prove … Learn More
When I was going through one of the most disruptive seasons of my life, I somehow knew it was going to take two years to find my footing again. And in that knowing, I faced a choice. I could come out the other side bitter, hateful, and resentful. Or I could come out more grateful, … Learn More
I’ve heard every version of it: “My company won’t pay for it.” “It’s not in the budget.” “I’ll wait until my employer sponsors it.” And every time I hear it, I think the same thing – you’re waiting for someone else to bet on you. Why aren’t you? Let’s get something straight: you own your development. Not … Learn More
Last week, my fifteen-year-old woke up complaining of a sore throat. I’ll be honest: my reaction was skepticism. “Sore throat” has historically been code in our house for I’m tired and I don’t want to go to school, a mysterious ailment that’s conveniently difficult to verify. But this time, he pulled out his iPhone, turned … Learn More
We chase credentials. We attend conferences, sign up for trainings, organize team-building retreats, devour books, and master new technologies. These development experiences keep us sharp and relevant. Being relevant isn’t enough. Here’s the truth: None of these fundamentally change how we approach our world. They don’t give us capacity to take on greater challenges. They … Learn More
I didn’t realize I was a caffeine junkie until I had to get my blood drawn last month at 9:00 AM and couldn’t have coffee beforehand*. I was a wreck. I tried to rationalize that one cup … just one cup … wouldn’t throw off the results. I even asked Claude AI to back me … Learn More
We tell ourselves powerful lies to justify staying stuck: We white-knuckle our way through relationships that drain us, careers that suffocate us slowly, and credentials that lead nowhere—all because a younger version of ourselves made commitments we feel obligated to honor. That younger self decided who we should be, what we should want, and where … Learn More
Picture this: You’re lounging in a beachside cabana, tropical drink in hand, waves gently lapping the shore. The perfect vacation day, right? Wrong—at least according to my Oura ring, which registered five hours of stress during what should have been my most relaxing day of the year. Five hours. To put that in perspective, my … Learn More
I spend a considerable amount of time developing my happiness habit “stack,” which includes: While these practices have made a meaningful difference in my life, they don’t always prevent a funk. Admittingly, I’m a pretty positive, happy person … but I’m also human. I get frustrated, I get sad, and I certainty experience worry, concern. And when … Learn More
We know we need to network. Many of us cringe at the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and making small talk, though. I get it. I grew up painfully shy. I used to hide behind my mom’s knees whenever adults would talk to me. I’ve obviously gotten better at this, but it’s taken … Learn More
