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What if the voice that’s been held back… is the very thing meant to lead?

In this powerful episode of Manders Mindset, Amanda Russo sits down with speaker, author, and soulful speaking coach Lori Smith for a conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the journey from being the “good girl” to becoming an untamed, fully expressed voice.

Lori shares a deeply personal story of growing up with unspoken pressure to be perfect, always composed, always doing the “right” thing. But beneath that identity was something more, an intuitive, powerful voice waiting to be expressed. Through theater, coaching, and life experience, that voice began to emerge, reshaping not only how leadership is defined, but how it is embodied.

At the heart of this episode is one transformative idea: leadership doesn’t have to be loud, controlling, or performative... it can be intuitive, creative, and deeply aligned.

This conversation explores how breath, intention, and presence influence communication, and how stepping into an “untamed” version of leadership allows for more impact, connection, and authenticity. From understanding the body’s role in communication to breaking free from templates and expectations, this episode offers a new way to think about voice, power, and purpose.

💡 In this episode, listeners will discover:

✨ What it really means to be an “untamed leader”
🧠 How childhood roles shape identity and self-expression
🎭 Why theater unlocked authenticity and presence
🗣️ The difference between speaking to impress vs. speaking with purpose
🔥 How coaching revealed natural leadership abilities
⚖️ The difference between aggressive, passive, and assertive energy
🌬️ Why breath is the foundation of a powerful voice
💫 A simple framework: intend, align, invite
🚫 Why letting go of templates leads to true expression
❤️ How to speak from the soul, not from expectation

⏰ Timeline Summary

[2:05] Redefining Leadership: Moving beyond outdated ideas and stepping into the “untamed leader” identity
[6:40] The Good Girl Identity: Growing up with pressure to be perfect and composed
[14:10] Finding Theater: A turning point that unlocked authenticity and creative expression
[24:00] Discovering Coaching: The moment natural leadership was recognized
[33:00] Assertiveness vs Aggression: Understanding the body’s role in communication
[41:20] Intent, Align, Invite: A simple yet powerful speaking framework

To Connect with Amanda:

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📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

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