It seems like everywhere I turn, someone is angry. Social media rewards it. News cycles amplify it. And before we know it, we're reacting instead of responding. But is outrage actually creating the change we hope for—or is it keeping us stuck?

In this episode of Finding the Upside, and as part of the series “Leading Through The Noise”, I explore why outrage and leadership are not the same thing. Drawing on what I'm seeing in today's culture, and what I've learned through years of working with leaders and organizations—I share why emotional intensity has become the norm and why the leaders who make the greatest impact choose steadiness over spectacle.

This isn't about staying silent or avoiding difficult conversations. It's about leading with intention, creating solutions instead of simply criticizing problems, and recognizing that lasting change requires more than emotion, it requires purpose, courage, and action.

Whether you're leading an organization, a team, your family, or simply yourself, I hope this conversation challenges you to think differently about the energy you bring into the world. Because the future won't be built by those who react the loudest. It will be built by those who stay committed to creating something better.

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:31] Why Everybody Is Angry

• [5:01] WHY Leadership is Becoming Harder

• [7:52] How Do We Move Forward?

• [12:33] Every Day We’re Deciding THIS

• [13:28] Leadership Helps Build What’s Next

Episode Show Notes

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If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

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A few weeks ago, I hosted a screening of the documentary No Country for Mothers. Twenty people signed up. Three showed up.

At first, I was disappointed. But as I sat with it, I realized the empty chairs told a story of their own. Mothers are expected to show up for everyone else, yet when it's time to show up for mothers, too often the room is left empty.

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I share why this issue continues to pull me back into the conversation and why I signed on as an associate producer for this important film. From the lack of paid family leave and affordable childcare to the impossible expectations placed on working families, we're asking mothers to solve problems that were never theirs to solve alone.

This isn't about blaming women or debating which generation had it harder. It's about taking an honest look at the systems, policies, and cultural narratives that have shaped the motherhood experience in America—and asking what needs to change.

The upside? Once we see the problem clearly, we can stop carrying the shame that was never ours to carry. We can start having different conversations, creating different workplaces, supporting different policies, and showing up for one another in ways that move us forward together.

Because even a small room can start a conversation that matters. And this conversation is far from over.

VIDEO CREDIT: No Country for Mothers Trailer

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:26] The Empty Chairs Were Part of the Story Too.

• [1:29] The Current Culture War: Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife

• [2:14] The System is Failing Mothers

• [4:48] WHY This Film Matters

Episode Show Notes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram

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Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube

If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, communicate, and lead—but what does that mean for the future of being human?

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I explore a question that goes far beyond technology: As AI becomes more capable, what qualities become even more valuable? From trust and connection to belonging and significance, we’ll examine why the skills often labeled as “soft” may be the most powerful advantage we have moving forward.

The future may not belong to those with the best technology, but to those who know how to balance innovation with humanity. What AI can’t replace might be exactly what matters most.

If you've ever wondered where you fit in an AI-driven world—or what will truly set people apart in the years ahead—this conversation may change the way you think about the future. Press play and discover why being more human could be your greatest advantage.

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:37] How Is AI Going to Change Everything?

• [4:05] People Aren’t Metrics.

• [5:03] The One Defining Issue of Our Time.

• [6:49] What Changed For Me.

• [12:01] The Future Belongs to THESE Organizations.

• [14:51] People Still Want To Matter.

Episode Show Notes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube

If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

I recently shared the big news that my book project UNEDITED: Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership, is going to be LIVE in just a couple months. And I couldn't be more excited to share another behind-the-scenes look at the journey of bringing this book to life.

On today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I'm taking you inside the recording studio at the Film Center in New York City, where myself and the 7 other authors of UNEDITED spent a few days recording the audiobook in our own voices.

What may seem like a simple process, reading words you've already written became something much more powerful. As each woman stepped behind the microphone, she revisited pivotal moments, reflected on lessons learned, and reconnected with the experiences that shaped her story. There were moments of laughter, vulnerability, emotion, and discovery that reminded all of us why these stories matter.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the audiobook recording experience and the emotional journey that unfolded as each author brought her story to life. Along the way, I reflect on the connection between truth, identity, courage, and leadership, and why the stories we fear sharing most often have the greatest power to create connection and change.

UNEDITED: Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership will be released in September. Join the waitlist today to be among the first to receive pre-order information, exclusive sneak peeks, author features, and behind-the-scenes updates.

UNEDITED Waitlist:https://mariadr.com/book-wait-list

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [1:24] Traveling To NYC For UNEDITED Audio Recording

• [2:06] What Happened When These Women Stepped into the Booth

• [3:02] Our Stories Have Value

• [3:59] THIS is What UNEDITED is All About

Episode Show Notes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube

If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

Trust is the currency of leadership and right now, too many organizations are operating like it’s unlimited.

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I’m naming what I believe is the real crisis unfolding inside teams and companies: not a talent problem, but a trust problem. People aren’t listening to mission statements anymore, they’re watching patterns. They’re tracking who gets protected, who gets interrupted, who gets acknowledged and who gets punished. And in uncertain times like these, that quiet data becomes the story your culture tells.

I’m unpacking how trust actually erodes—through inconsistency, performative leadership and the growing gap between what we say we value and what employees repeatedly experience. We’ll talk about why “polished” isn’t persuasive anymore, why emotional transaction kills engagement, and the difference most leaders underestimate: fear creates compliance, but trust creates commitment.

This is a grounded leadership reset for anyone responsible for people—especially if you’re trying to build a culture that can survive pressure, change, and real life. Because credibility isn’t built through authority. It’s built through integrity and through how people feel in your presence.

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:30] People Have Lost Trust in Everything

• [3:52] Great Leaders Don’t Always Have All the Answers

• [6:56] Commitment Required Humanity.

• [8:34] The Upside is This

Episode Show Notes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube

If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

Coming soon…the book project is launching and I am so excited to share it with you.

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Finding the Upside, I'm taking you inside the amazing launch weekend for my upcoming book collaboration UNEDITED: Women’s Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership.

It was a packed weekend of events and so many moments that were truly special. From podcast recordings to emotional and raw author interviews, to audiobook recording sessions and a powerful launch celebration, I'm sharing a rare look at the moments where this collaborative book comes to life.

Join me as I reflect on what unfolded when a group of extraordinary women revisited deeply personal stories, shared the experiences that shaped them, and stepped fully into their voices. Throughout the episode, I explore the power of authentic storytelling, the courage required to be truly seen, and why leadership evolves when women choose truth over performance.

This isn't just a book launch story—it's a conversation about identity, authenticity, belonging and the transformative impact of living UNEDITED.

UNEDITED: Women’s Stories of Truth, Identity and Transformation That Shape Leadership will be released in the coming months. Join the waitlist today to be among the first to receive pre-order information, exclusive sneak peeks, author features, and behind-the-scenes updates.

Join the UNEDITED Waitlist: https://mariadr.com/book-wait-list

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:23] The Upcoming Launch of UNEDITED

• [1:22] What UNEDITED IS Really About

• [2:07] The Party to Celebrate the Book

• [3:56] Why This Book Matters

• [4:49] The Heartbeat of This Book

Episode Show Notes

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube

If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE.

Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE.

What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE!

Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!

Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.