This week, Ash is joined by Sara Connell, a five-time bestselling author and founder of the Thought Leader Academy, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation on turning personal challenges into purpose-driven leadership.

Ash and Sara trace Sara’s incredible journey from enduring a toxic workplace during the Me Too era to discovering the courage to pursue a writing career that empowers others. They explore what it means to "lead your own thoughts," especially during difficult times, and how vulnerability, receptivity, and alignment with one’s calling can become catalysts for growth. Sara’s story serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of single women navigating unique pressures in both life and business.

But that’s just the beginning. Sara dives deep into the twin commitments of writing and promoting a book, not just as creative endeavors, but as acts of service. She shares tangible strategies like podcast pitching, influencer partnerships, and organic promotion to build visibility with integrity. Ash and Sara also unpack what it takes to shift from a poverty mindset to one of true abundance, discussing how to prioritize profitability over vanity metrics, make bold financial decisions, and gamify the pivot process as your business evolves. If you're ready to lead with your story, grow your platform, and build a business rooted in meaning and financial empowerment, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to find clarity and courage through vulnerability and self-leadership.
  
  

• Why writing a book can be a powerful gateway to thought leadership.
  
  

• Strategic ways to promote your message with authenticity and organic reach.
  
  

• How to reframe scarcity thinking and embrace an abundant mindset.
  
  

• The importance of profitability over gross sales in sustainable business growth.
  
  

• How to embrace business pivots with creativity, resilience, and fun.

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Connect with Sarah Connell

Website: https://www.saraconnell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraconnell/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/saracconnellauthor

Connect with Ash:

https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl/

Want to become a professional speaker and skyrocket your personal brand?

Ashley’s team at Wise Whisper Agency offers a done-with-you method to get your signature talk written and booked and it's helped more than 100 clients onto the TEDx stage!

Head over to WiseWhisperAgency.com/speak

This week, Ash is joined by Krista Williams. Author, spiritual teacher, and co-host of the wildly popular Almost 30 podcast for a heartfelt conversation about navigating life’s transitions, healing, and building something meaningful from the ground up.

Krista opens up about the early days of launching Almost 30 with her best friend Lindsay Simcik, and how their shared curiosity, deep friendship, and willingness to grow sparked a movement rooted in authenticity and connection. From early career pivots to intimate moments with their community, this episode shines a light on the power of showing up before you feel “ready.”

But that’s just the beginning. Krista and Ash dive deep into the themes of personal evolution, feminine expression, and spiritual embodiment especially during the pivotal life phase between ages 27 to 30. They explore the importance of confronting your inner critic, navigating burnout, and reconnecting with your true voice, especially in a culture that often silences women. Krista also shares the behind-the-scenes of her new book, Almost 30, a beautiful guide for anyone moving through growth, uncertainty, or reinvention.

If you’re seeking permission to evolve, longing for deeper connection, or feeling the nudge to express your truth more fully, this episode will move you, ground you, and leave you deeply inspired.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Almost 30 started and why friendship was its greatest foundation
  
  

• Why the ages of 27–30 are a powerful portal for growth and transformation
  
  

• How to develop your spiritual voice and confront your inner critic with compassion
  
  

• The healing potential of retreats, embodiment work, and authentic expression
  
  

• Ways to navigate burnout and reclaim your energy through boundary-setting
  
  

• The value of timing, consistency, and self-trust in building a career and a life you love

Connect with Krista Williams

Order Almost 30 Book:

https://almost30.com/book?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacErDCgOcjbcMNN_MIMhMFFEhKXAr8l7k1PN1FsFSMkA2WwmikpxurTtZYO0w_aem_e-G3W7Z1g1LcBU2K8ZNPhA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskrista/?hl=en

Website:

https://itskrista.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf9BTZZCYNMku5W5Ygi7D1k8UNWfYtkyOSeAx_Qsp_noGf9pcAq-Nei1yceIg_aem_CbZkjk-0BaTeTEzn2VxUHQ

Connect with Ash:

https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl/

Want to become a professional speaker and skyrocket your personal brand?

Ashley’s team at Wise Whisper Agency offers a done-with-you method to get your signature talk written and booked and it's helped more than 100 clients onto the TEDx stage!

Head over to WiseWhisperAgency.com/speak

[LEADERSHIP] Ep. 457 Finding Connection & Personal Power in a Disconnected World with Lynn Casey

This week, Ash is joined by Lynn Casey, futurist and cultural cartographer, for a riveting conversation about the changing nature of connection, identity, and self-care in our increasingly chaotic world. Lynn brings a sharp cultural lens to the conversation, examining how anxiety, AI, and environmental concerns are prompting a shift away from hustle culture and toward deeper self-agency, personalization, and meaningful human relationships.

Ash and Lynn unpack the emerging trend of “clanning” small, value-aligned communities built around personalized experiences and how people are finding belonging through curated in-person gatherings, from subscription-based maker events to offline pop-ups. They explore how Millennials and Gen Z are navigating post-pandemic loneliness, and how brands are evolving to meet a craving for authenticity, emotional resonance, and real-life engagement. Whether it’s dating, work, or wellness, people are seeking real connection over curated perfection.

But that’s just the start. Lynn shares powerful insights on how the future of work, identity, and personal wellness is being redefined. From the tension between remote flexibility and the need for mentorship, to the rise of internal self-care practices as a way to reclaim control in an overwhelming world, this episode offers a deeply human perspective on what it means to thrive in uncertain times. If you’re seeking grounded strategies for navigating culture, connection, and personal clarity, this one’s a must-listen.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What the “clanning” trend reveals about our need for belonging and shared values.
  
  

• How AI, climate anxiety, and digital burnout are shaping new forms of self-leadership.
  
  

• Why curated in-person experiences are the new currency of connection.
  
  

• How Millennials and Gen Z are redefining dating, identity, and community post-pandemic.
  
  

• The future of work: balancing autonomy with mentorship and human connection.
  
  

• Why internal self-care matters more than ever– and how to practice it with intention.

Connect with Lynn Casey

Website: https://shinescout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynn_casey1/

Connect with Ash:

https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl/

Want to become a professional speaker and skyrocket your personal brand?

Ashley’s team at Wise Whisper Agency offers a done-with-you method to get your signature talk written and booked and it's helped more than 100 clients onto the TEDx stage!

Head over to WiseWhisperAgency.com/speak