A LOT with Audra

What does it actually look like to shed the roles, rules, and expectations that no longer fit — and build something entirely your own? That's exactly what Amanda Mulsow did when she turned 40 in the middle of a global pandemic, a personal health crisis, and a mental health emergency with her daughter. Instead of falling apart, she chose a word, created a mantra, and started rewriting the story she had been living by for decades. Amanda is the founder of Grit Marketing and Strategy, a full-service agency helping small and local businesses grow through intentional, strategic marketing. Her story is one of unbecoming — and becoming more fully herself in the process.HIGHLIGHTS• Amanda's word of the year for 2020 was "life giving" — chosen before the world shut down, it turned out to be exactly what she needed• She developed the mantra "No F*cks at 40" as a declaration to stop living for other people's opinions and expectations• How COVID became an unexpected reset and opportunity for deep personal growth and self-investment• The power of building your tribe — why community is the second lever alongside personal development• A peer resource specialist's advice that changed Amanda's inner dialogue: "You would never talk to anybody else the way you talk to yourself"• Why a solo retreat is one of the most powerful tools for quieting outside voices and getting clear on who you are and where you want to go• Amanda's MS diagnosis in 2017 and how it forced her to finally prioritize rest and recovery• The farm upbringing that ingrained "always be productive" — and the leaders who helped her unlearn it• How three friends in one week told her she had "grit" — and how that became the foundation of her business name and brand• GRIT as an acronym: Growth Requires Intention and Tenacity• Why starting her own agency gave her deeper empathy for her clients and made her feel lighter, happier, and more confident• The value of embracing an experimental mindset: "I don't fail — I learn"• Perfectionism as a daily practice to rewrite — and why embracing a hobby you're bad at (hello, golf and watercolors) is a surprisingly powerful toolCHAPTERS0:00 – Introduction1:03 – Meet Amanda Mulsow2:21 – Turning 40 in Chaos4:05 – Life Giving Boundaries5:09 – COVID Reset and Growth10:33 – No F*cks at 4013:24 – Quieting Outside Voices17:49 – Rewrite the Rules20:45 – Pressure on High Achievers21:47 – Motherhood and Boundaries22:58 – Modeling Rest for Kids24:07 – Blocking Time to Recharge26:28 – Starting Grit Marketing29:15 – Rebrand and Upleveling30:02 – Live Boldly, Take Risks33:15 – New Identity as Owner34:51 – Failure, Learning, and Regret38:39 – Rewriting Perfectionism39:44 – Hobbies That Teach Imperfection41:16 – Closing Thanks and GoodbyeRESOURCES MENTIONED• The Hive (https://thehivewichita.com/) — the women's community Amanda joined during COVID for connection and support• Grit Marketing and Strategy (https://gritmarketingks.net/) — Amanda's full-service marketing agency for small and local businessesWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

Are you waiting for permission to chase what makes you come alive? Maybe you've convinced yourself you need more time, more certainty, or more proof that your curiosity is worth following. But what if the real work isn't in achieving—it's in cultivating the conditions for growth?Kelly Jackson Crabb, author of Beyond the Bloom, joins me to talk about courage, second chances, and the messy beauty of blooming right where you are. Through the lens of her cut flower garden, Kelly shares hard-won lessons about brave starts, the pressure to always be productive, and why slowing down might be the most radical act of all.Highlights• Why Beyond the Bloom is part memoir, part pep talk—and definitely not just a gardening book• The emotive response that became Kelly's breadcrumb to starting a cut flower garden• How turning 50 shifted Kelly's relationship with "shoulds" and freed up energy for what truly matters• What we lose when we tie our worth to being in bloom all the time (hint: our humanity)• The surprising introvert revelation that changed how Kelly shows up in relationships• Why cultivating your life is more about preparing the soil than forcing the bloom• Kelly's decade travel tradition and the sacred significance of seeing monarch butterflies in Mexico• The permission to try things simply because they make you come alive—even if you're bad at themChapters[0:00] Introduction[1:04] Brave Starts Quote[3:16] What Beyond the Bloom Is[5:38] Why She Wrote It[9:40] Curiosity Versus Distraction[12:19] Pressure to Always Bloom[17:01] Goals and Cultivating Life[19:20] Letting Go of Shoulds[25:52] Slowing Down and Success[28:30] 50th Birthday Monarch Trip[31:18] Decade Travel Reflections[33:15] Final Takeaways and Where to Find HerResources• Beyond the Bloom by Kelly Jackson Crabb• The Lost Kitchen with Erin FrenchConnect with Kelly Jackson Crab:Instagram: @IamKellyCrabbLinkedIn: Kelly Jackson CrabbWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

Are you speeding up or slowing down? That simple question from a fellow entrepreneur mama stopped me in my tracks and sparked something big. We're either pushing the gas pedal, hitting the brakes, or keeping things on cruise control—but here's what nobody tells you about growth: it's supposed to feel uncomfortable. That pit in your stomach? The sweaty palms before you hit publish? Those aren't red flags—they're green ones. I'm sharing why I carry deodorant everywhere (seriously), what my 80-year-old self taught me about courage, and how to pace your growth without burning out. Because growth isn't about becoming someone else—it's about becoming more fully who you were created to be.Highlights• A chance encounter sparked a powerful question: Are you speeding up or slowing down this year?• Why discomfort is actually a green flag for growth, not a red one• The importance of building "one sweaty moment" into your week• How to balance growth with recovery based on your capacity• The Santa Fe retreat experience and learning about emotional agility• Why asking "What would my 80-year-old self want me to do?" changes everything• Growth makes us feel alive, but we don't have to grow in every seasonChapters0:00 - Speed Up or Slow Down1:43 - Why We Crave Growth3:28 - Discomfort Is a Green Flag5:28 - Create One Sweaty Moment6:21 - Pace Growth and Recovery9:28 - Santa Fe and Emotional Agility11:32 - Ask Your 80 Year Old SelfWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

What happens when your five-year-old asks, "When can you retire?" and it forces you to reconsider everything? Today's guest, Bryan Steele—the producer of this podcast—shares the story of how that single question from his daughter revealed a profound truth: the corporate path he'd carefully followed wasn't creating the life he actually wanted. After 15 years as an aerospace engineer, Bryan found himself building a recording studio in his basement, falling backwards into podcasting, and eventually making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship. We talk about following breadcrumbs from music to recording to podcasting, setting financial milestones before leaving corporate life, and creating the freedom and flexibility he'd been chasing all along. If you're feeling the tension between the life you're living and the life you want, or if you've been ignoring those creative side quests that keep calling to you, you'll want to hear this conversation.HIGHLIGHTS• The moment Bryan's daughter asked when he could retire—and how her simple question revealed he needed to change everything about his career path• Why Bryan built a recording studio in his basement while working full-time as an aerospace engineer• How Bryan accidentally fell into podcasting through Wichita State basketball in 2014• The two milestones Bryan and his wife set before he could leave his corporate job: becoming debt-free and building a two-year financial cushion• Why tearing his ACL delayed Bryan's entrepreneurial leap but didn't stop it• The 13-year timeline from first creative exploration to full-time business owner• How Bryan balanced side hustle work while staying present for coaching his kids' sports teams• The "putting ideas in amber" strategy for managing creative distractions without losing focusCHAPTERS[1:03] Introduction and Welcome[1:53] Engineering Success Path[3:46] Big Company Machine[4:46] Redefining Success[6:24] Values Misalignment[8:58] Creative Roots Return[9:42] Basement Studio Side Hustle[10:50] Falling Into Podcasting[12:45] Breadcrumbs To Business[14:33] Daughter's Retirement Question[18:04] Building Time Boundaries[20:31] Outsourcing And Support[21:50] Outsourcing Home Tasks[22:12] Debt Free Milestones[24:03] Building a Safety Net[25:25] Torn ACL Setback[27:21] From Studio to Full Time[29:19] Following Breadcrumbs[30:52] Ideas in Amber Method[32:17] Launching Side Hustle Dad[34:15] Why It's for Dads[35:17] Mindset Strategy Tactics[35:47] Where to Listen and Wrap UpRESOURCES• The Side Hustle Dad Podcast - Bryan's new podcast launching to help dads create flexibility and freedom through side businesses; www.thesidehustle.dad• Forge Podcast Co. - Bryan's podcast production company; www.forgepodcast.coWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

What if the key to lasting success isn't perfect execution, but a willingness to experiment and iterate? As entrepreneurs, we're constantly bombarded with advice—some brilliant, some misaligned—and it can feel overwhelming to know which path to take. I'm sharing the mindset shifts that have helped me navigate the uncertainty, the comparison traps, and those moments when you're standing at the edge, wondering if you should keep going or burn it all down. This is about building something that feels aligned with who you are, not just impressive on paper.Highlights• Entrepreneurship is an experiment, not a performance—mistakes become data, not shame• "Good" advice isn't always the right advice for you; alignment matters more than credentials• Stop abandoning your strengths in pursuit of someone else's version of success• The edge is where growth lives, but you need self-awareness to navigate it safely• Surround yourself with "wow people" who expand your vision, not just "how people" who focus on logistics• Identity expansion is the real work—becoming someone who can take risks and adjust in real time• Joy isn't at the finish line; it's in the messy, brave journey of becomingChapters[0:00] Introduction[1:02] Entrepreneurship as Experiment[2:17] Iterate Not Inconsistent[2:39] Advice Is About Fit[4:50] Stop Abandoning Your Strengths[6:46] Finding Your Edge[7:54] How People vs Wow People[9:56] Identity Expansion and Bravery[10:40] Resilience Contract ClosingWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

What if the key to becoming a better leader isn't learning more skills, but simply becoming more yourself?I sit down with leadership coach Jeana Marinelli for an honest conversation about the journey from "good girl" to authentic leader. We explore how women are conditioned to disconnect from their inner knowing, the physical sensations that signal something needs to change, and why the path to leadership starts with self-awareness, not achievement. Jeana shares her own story of walking away from medical school, finding her calling in Italy, and learning that becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. We also talk about the tools that help us disentangle from societal expectations—therapy, coaching, movement, and community—and why the answer is almost always in the gray, not black and white.HIGHLIGHTS• The early signs that something isn't working often show up as physical sensations in your body—tightness in the chest, restlessness, discomfort• Society, education, and the "good girl complex" systematically disconnect us from our inner knowing• Movement and somatic work are powerful tools for reconnecting with your body's wisdom• Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself—it's that simple and that difficult• The stories we tell ourselves are often binaries that hold us back; nothing in life is truly black and white• If you can't do something perfectly, the temptation is not to do it at all—but the messy middle is exactly where we should show up• Standing at the edge of change means you've already begun the change processCHAPTERS[0:00] Introduction[2:15] Early Signs of Something Not Working[5:05] The Good Girl Complex and Socialization[7:59] Therapy and Personal Growth[11:46] Leadership and Becoming Yourself[18:37] Navigating Life's Decisions[32:26] Final Thoughts and Upcoming PlansRESOURCES MENTIONED• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom• Beverly Daniel Tatum's work on "smog" and socialization• Come to the Edge poem by Christopher LogueCONNECT WITH JEANAWebsite: https://jeanamarinelli.com/Want to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

What happens when you finally stop pretending to be fine? When you peel back the layers of people-pleasing, workplace masks, and self-abandonment, what's left? This conversation explores the messy, beautiful work of radical honesty—not the loud, dramatic kind, but the quiet, everyday practice of telling the truth to yourself first. Through the lens of Alison Espach's novel The Wedding People, Amber Dunn and I unpack what it means to stop performing, start listening to your body, and create safe spaces where you can show up fully as yourself. Whether you're navigating workplace dynamics, cycle syncing, or simply trying to ask for what you need, this episode is an invitation to stop abandoning yourself and start living aligned with who you really are.Highlights• The difference between radical honesty and just being honest—and why the softer approach might be more sustainable• How to identify safe spaces where you can unmask and why you need them to recharge• The workplace trap of "don't let them see you sweat" and what happens when you finally let people see you as human• Cycle syncing, rest as a gift, and why busyness is often a numbing mechanism• The powerful question "Can I have?" and how it opens doors to support, rest, and joy• Self-abandonment: what it looks like, what it costs, and how to stop doing itChapters[1:02] Introduction to Amber Dunn and The Wedding People[1:55] Book Club Discussion: The Wedding People[2:33] Themes of Radical Honesty[4:22] Personal Reflections and Safe Spaces[13:03] Workplace Dynamics and Authenticity[22:00] Self-Abandonment and Personal Growth[28:40] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources Mentioned• The Wedding People by Alison Espach - https://www.alisonespach.com/novels• Brené Brown's Dare to Lead - https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/Want to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.

Ever catch yourself thinking you should be further along by now? That quiet fear that everyone else has it figured out while you're still trying to catch up? Here's the truth: being "behind" isn't a personal failure—it's a misdiagnosis. Whether you're hitting a milestone birthday, navigating a career shift, or simply comparing your life to others, that nagging feeling of not measuring up is more common than you think. Let's talk about three powerful tools to help you reframe this story and show up from a place of abundance instead of scarcity.Highlights• Why the feeling of being "behind" often stems from outdated timelines and comparison traps• The power of looking back to recognize how far you've actually come• How to identify who you're comparing yourself to and why it matters• Bill Gates' wisdom on overestimating one-year progress while underestimating decade-long growth• The danger of building a life that works for other people but not for you• Four essential questions to examine your thoughts: Is this true? What else could be true? What am I making this mean? What neutral thought could I choose instead?• Why your 80-year-old self has better perspective than your current anxious mindChapters[0:00] Introduction: Are You Feeling Behind in Life?[1:30] Personal Anecdote: Cooking Misadventures[6:45] Reflecting on Milestones and Progress[9:20] Tool 1: Looking Back[15:45] Tool 2: Looking Up[22:30] Tool 3: Looking Ahead[25:15] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources Mentioned• Super Simple cookbook by Tieghan Gerard (Half Baked Harvest)• How We Feel app• Rachel Hollis podcastWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.