Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
What does resistance really look like in leadership? It’s not rebellion or rage — it’s conviction anchored in joy. In this episode, Andrea Johnson, The Intentional Optimist, explains how joyful defiance helps women leaders resist conformity, lead with authenticity, and protect their humanity in high-pressure environments.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Hold firm to one Core Value this week, even if it costs you comfort or approval.
• Practice joy as resistance — choose humor, gratitude, or curiosity instead of cynicism.
• Pair clarity with compassion in your leadership. Conviction + humanity = influence.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. Where in my leadership am I tempted to conform instead of stand in conviction?
2. How could I embody joyful defiance — leading with both steadiness and celebration — in one situation this week?
3. What boundary or value is worth holding firm, even if it costs me comfort or approval?

Resources & Next Steps

• Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
• Core Values Coaching Program: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Live2Lead 2025 — Thrive in ’25
Join Andrea LIVE in Virginia this October to recharge, refocus, and rise. Two events designed for purpose-driven leaders who want conviction, courage, and clarity in their leadership.

• Charlottesville: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025
• Lynchburg: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

Let’s Connect

• Instagram + LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
• Email: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com
• Podcast Hub: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

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Share This Episode
If this encouraged you, share it with a fellow leader who’s ready to resist conformity and lead with courage, conviction, and joy.

Prefer to Watch Instead?
Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ik3b27Y2VG8
Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

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Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Knowing your Core Values is just the beginning. The Recognize–Reflect–Respond rhythm is how you lead with intention instead of instinct—especially when things feel fast, loud, or reactive.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Pause before responding—ask: “What value is at stake here?”
• Buy time with: “I need a moment to think about how I want to respond.”
• Check: Am I reacting from urgency—or responding from clarity?

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• Where am I most reactive right now?
• What does that reveal about what matters to me?
• What would shift if I used this rhythm?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episodes mentioned:

Need a Set of Life Principles? Discover the Power of Intentional Optimism
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/15174376

YouTube: https://youtu.be/KJCAydSnRKo

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Get your Free What Is Intentional Optimism?: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/what-is-intentional-optimism

Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s ready to refine how she leads.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OvK0xi2OIBg

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Clear thinking isn’t a personality trait—it’s a leadership practice. And most people were never taught how to do it. In this episode, we unpack the six tenets of Intentional Optimism and how they offer powerful lenses for leadership—helping you see what’s really going on, stay grounded in your values, and respond with clarity and courage even in the middle of pressure, conflict, or confusion.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Identify the tenet of Intentional Optimism you naturally lean on—and the one that feels most unfamiliar or underused.
• Choose one situation this week and practice leading from that “missing” tenet—on purpose.
• Download the free Intentional Optimism guide (linked in the show notes) and use it as a lens to evaluate how you show up in challenging or high-stakes moments.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• When I’m at my best as a leader, which tenet of Intentional Optimism shows up most easily—and how do others experience it in me?
• In moments of pressure, conflict, or self-doubt, which tenet do I tend to suppress or dismiss—and what might that reveal about my assumptions or conditioning?
• What’s one upcoming situation where I could intentionally lead from that underused tenet—and what would it look like to respond through that lens?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episodes mentioned:

Need a Set of Life Principles? Discover the Power of Intentional Optimism
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/15174376

YouTube: https://youtu.be/KJCAydSnRKo

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Get your Free What Is Intentional Optimism?: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/what-is-intentional-optimism

Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s read

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
You’re not lost—you’ve just outgrown a version of success that was never yours to begin with. When you stop following other people’s maps and start trusting your internal compass, you begin leading from a place of clarity, not conformity.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Recognize how Assumptions, Beliefs, and Conditioning (your ABCs) shape your default decisions
• Reconnect with your Core Values as the foundation for building your own leadership map
• Shift from fear-based leadership to values-based conviction—just like Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• Where in your leadership are you still following someone else’s expectations?
• What part of your internal compass have you been ignoring?
• What would it look like to stop performing—and start building your own map?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episodes mentioned:

Deconstruction & Core Values: Your Blueprint for Authentic Growth
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/episodes/16197163
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a46yErlm7c0

Demystifying Deconstruction, The Hidden Gem of Personal Growth

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/14471379

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zw9itT-3Zhk

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s ready to refine how she leads.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2Z187ltpIXg

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Critical thinking is your responsibility—not rebellion. It’s how real leaders lead. This episode helps you reclaim your mind, challenge the assumptions shaping your choices, and use discernment as a powerful leadership tool.

4 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Pause before reacting—give yourself space to think
• Use your Core Values as a decision filter
• Ask better questions: Who benefits if I believe this?
• Pay attention to emotional signals and your body’s wisdom

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• Where do I feel a disconnect between what I’m seeing and what I’ve always believed?
• What feels “off” about what I’ve accepted as normal?
• What Core Value do I want to lead from right now?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episode mentioned: The Ripple Effect of Leadership: How to Own Your Impact
Listen : https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/episodes/16918171
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SdNSpZ9GB6g

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s ready to refine how she leads.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tu8PKFOgrp0

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Hard conversations don’t get easier—but you can get steadier. When you root yourself in your values before you speak, you lead with integrity, courage, and connection, no matter the situation.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Name your values first — before rehearsing or reacting.
• Clarify your goal — is it connection, boundary-setting, or repair?
• Own your part — take responsibility without carrying what isn’t yours.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. What value of mine is at stake—and what kind of connection am I protecting or pursuing?
2. What am I protecting by staying silent?
3. What might shift if I got clear before I got vocal?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow leader who’s ready to lead with courage and confidence.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/82ufC5wGVTw

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Results aren’t the end—they’re the beginning. Strategic leaders know how to use outcomes to refine how they lead. This episode shows you how to read what your results are really telling you—and how to lead better because of them.

4 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Review recent outcomes—beyond the surface wins or misses
• Ask what each result reveals about your leadership patterns
• Revisit the Recognize. Reflect. Respond. framework for strategic growth
• Avoid common traps like rushing forward or misreading success

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• What’s one result I achieved this quarter—and what does it reveal about my leadership style?
• Are there patterns in my results that point to something deeper—either strength or misalignment?
• How can I refine my leadership this month to better honor my Core Values and support my team?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episode mentioned: The Ripple Effect of Leadership: How to Own Your Impact
Listen : https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/episodes/16918171
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SdNSpZ9GB6g

Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s ready to refine how she leads.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8f805a_J4tc

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Trust isn’t optional—it’s the strategic foundation of leadership that lasts. If you want results that scale and a team that thrives, you need to lead with trust at the center.

4 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Understand what trust actually requires from you as a leader—beyond likability.
• Recognize common trust breakers and learn how to repair them with humility.
• Model trust to shape your team culture and create psychological safety.
• Revisit your Core Values to align your leadership with what matters most.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• Where is trust strong in my leadership—and where is it fragile?
• Have I unintentionally broken trust in ways that need repair?
• What daily habits reinforce the culture of trust I want to build?

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762

WANT TO LEAD WITH MORE TRUST AND AUTHENTICITY?

Download the free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise

Apply for the Core Values Coaching Program (Beta): https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta

Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!

Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.

CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025

LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025

LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

Know a leader who’s struggling with trust on their team? Send this their way.

Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bS3JNx_ces0

Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast

Support the show