Hint of Hustle with Heather Sager

Hosted by Heather Sager

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259

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

You probably don't need someone to tell you to work harder, you’re good at that. Really good. But somewhere along the way, success started feeling like it was costing you something. Your relationships. Your health. That version of yourself you LIKE. You started wondering if there's a way to win in business without putting everything else on the back burner. I'm Heather Sager, former corporate executive turned high performance coach specializing in communication. I've spent 23+ years on stages and inside thousands of businesses learning that the entrepreneurs who are truly crushing it are the ones who got really honest about redefining their success and built accordingly. Each week we get into exactly that, business, marketing, personal growth… the 5 star reviews paint the picture: it’s like grabbing a drink with that ridiculously wise biz friend who has you laughing one minute, scribbling notes the next, and always leaves you fired up to take action. Welcome to Hint of Hustle where ambitious leaders win at work and thrive in life. Let’s dive in!

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June 9, 2026Episode 2541 hr 11 min

254. Messaging, AI, and the Skill Everyone Is Trying to Skip with Laura Schoenfeld

In this episode I'm joined by Laura Schoenfeld, strategic advisor and founder of The Nourished CEO, for a conversation about messaging, and it turned into an incredible discussion about so much more. This episode gets into: – why messaging is the skill most experts try to shortcut and why that always backfires – the "good student trap" and how it's quietly draining people's businesses – Laura's take on where the industry is going and why the competitive edge is going to be your actual voice – how Laura uses AI to amplify her content without letting it originate the ideas (and what that process actually looks like) – the "would you hire someone for this?" test for deciding what to delegate to AI – why the people who keep practicing their communication out loud are going to winBy the end of this episode, you'll have a very different lens on where to use AI in your business, and a clear sense of where your voice has to show up first.READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERESend me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

June 2, 2026Episode 25341 min

253. Your Inner Critic Is Costing You More Than You Think

The pressure of being a visible leader, the second-guessing before a launch, the vulnerability hangover after a big talk, the spiral when something doesn't land… all of that lands on you. Nobody's coming to save you in your business. Not a mentor, not a mastermind, not the next program you buy. So if you don't know how to manage what's happening between your ears, it will burn you out faster than a full calendar.This episode is about self-leadership. Specifically, the three internal roles that are competing for control of your thinking at any given moment and why most leaders are stuck in the wrong one almost all the time.This episode gets into: – why leadership is lonelier than anyone warns you about, and what that actually costs you – the Critic, the Coach, and the Cheerleader roles and how to use all three on purpose – why your brain defaults to critic mode (and why that's not entirely your fault) – what my two-year-old taught me about praising yourself – how to shift out of a negative spiral without fake positivity or toxic optimism – why self-leadership is the foundation of every room you walk into– why stepping up as an external leader is actually one of the best ways to improve your self-leadership– what your business can and cannot grow beyond without this internal work in placeREAD THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERESend me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

May 26, 2026Episode 25258 min

252. What Every Leader Needs to Work On (That Isn't a Marketing Strategy)

Many visible leaders are focused on the wrong thing when they think about growth.They're asking about which platforms to show up on, tweaking their messaging or chasing AI tools. All external. All tactical. And meanwhile the thing that's quietly running every room they walk into, every video they record, every pitch they make, goes completely unaddressed.That thing is executive presence. And in this episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means, why it matters whether you're a solopreneur, a founder, or a leader inside a company, and where to point your growth if you want people to genuinely listen to, follow, and want to work with you.This episode gets into: – what executive presence actually is (beyond the corporate buzzword) – the ABCs framework: Appearance, Boldness, and Communication, and why each one matters more than you think – the real reason you show up differently under pressure, and what to do about it – where most leaders are unconsciously holding back and how to stop– how to figure out exactly which communication skill to focus on firstBy the end of this episode, you'll have a clear lens for evaluating where you are right now and a specific place to point your growth.READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERESend me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

May 19, 2026Episode 25126 min

251: Stop Letting Your Mood Run Your Business

You can be doing all the right things in your business and still feel like you're running out of air.Not because your strategy is off or the market is broken. But because somewhere along the way, the thing you built stopped feeling good to be inside of. The work became a task. The content became a checklist. And you've been white-knuckling through it, wondering why nothing seems to land the way it used to.Joy isn't a luxury you earn after the work is done, it's the engine. And in this episode I'm sitting with the question a lot of high achievers are quietly avoiding: where did the joy go, and what does it cost you when it's missing?This episode gets into: – why your mood is shaping your business whether you acknowledge it or not – what the Alex Hormozi and Tony Robbins conversation revealed about identity, fulfillment, and the ceiling we hit when work is our only source of both – the bubble metaphor that might make you uncomfortable in the best way – a simple calendar test to run this week to start creating more oxygen in your life and businessBy the end of this, you'll have a real gut check on where you're at on your own joy-o-meter, and one concrete thing you can do about it this week.EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:The Tony Robbins x Alex Hormozi interview (still on Spotify at time of recording)Last week's Hint of Hustle episode #250 on staying out of The Bitter B Trap (go back and listen if you missed it!)Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

May 12, 2026Episode 25039 min

250. Failure, Comparison, and The Bitter B Trap

You're not failing. But I'd bet good money you walk around feeling like you are.I’m not talking about the obvious kind of failure… a flopped launch or a missed goal… today we’re talking about the quieter kind of failure: A low-grade hum of "I should be further along by now." The spiral that starts the second something doesn't go the way you planned. The way you measure your right-now self against the highlight reel of your past self AND the fantasy version of your future self, simultaneously, which means no matter what you do, present-tense you is always losing. This episode digs into:– why driven, high-achieving leaders are the most susceptible to this pattern– how the questions you ask yourself after something goes wrong are either pulling you up or drowning you– the one question I've used for fifteen years to get out of any hard season, in business, in health, in parenting. — a hard look at whether or not your messaging is attracting the very person you don’t want to work withBy the end of this, you'll know exactly what's keeping you stuck in the feeling of failure, and have a simple shift to start moving out of it today.EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:📚 Failing Forward by John Maxwell, available wherever books are sold🎧 Hint of Hustle episode 152: Make this Shift With Your Language to Operate Like 7 Figure CEO (aka ask better questions) Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

May 5, 2026Episode 24945 min

249. Trust “Recession” Hype & The Real Truth About Why Talking About Yourself Feels Awkward

Last week, we had a spicy convo about getting back to basics and doing the *real* work that moves the needle. And if you listened, you probably felt a little called out 😅.This week, we’re going a layer deeper because how you show up while doing that work matters.You can post more, sell more, all the things more… but if people don’t trust you, it’s not going to work..And TRUST seems to be a hot topic right now with many claiming we’re in a “trust recession” which I call BS. Here's what we get into:Why selling feels “icky” when trust is off How to share your work without making it all about youThe Trust Equation (yes, there IS a formula, from a BOOK!)Where AI is quietly breaking trust with your audience and what to do insteadThe shift that makes your content land betterPlus a quick challenge to notice what you’re consuming this weekReady for another week feeling fired up? Let’s go.P.S. I’ve got a new program coming out called The Refinery and I’m stoked to share more about it soon. If you want to get on the waitlist or explore working together, >>click here to start the conversation.And if you’re not on my newsletter yet, DM me “Newsletter” on Instagram—I send one every Friday and it’s where my best stuff lives.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode249Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

April 28, 2026Episode 24831 min

248. Newton’s Law & The Hustle Reframe We All Need Right Now

We’re BAAAACK! Whew, after an on again off again podcast return post maternity leave, I’m THRILLED to be back in your ear holes every TUESDAY. In this episode, I'm breaking down why I brought back the name Hint of Hustle and we’re digging into stagnation in business and how to consciously choose your outcomes.We're also digging into what happens when you sacrifice long-term strategy with your marketing (spoiler: your sales suffer), and how Newton’s First Law of Motion might be one of the most useful business principles we don’t talk about enough.Here’s what’s waiting for you: Why I changed the name of the show…and then changed it back 🫣A different way to think about the role hustle plays in businessThe reframe that turned my biggest frustration into possibilityWhat short-term vs. long-term strategy is costing you (and when it catches up)Newton's First Law and why momentum in business works the same wayWhat's coming next (and why I’m stoked for both of us)You shouldn’t hustle 24/7, but you do need to move your tush more. Because what’s in motion stays in motion… but to get things moving, YOU must take action. So if you’ve been feeling stuck, this episode will fire you up to make a change. P.S. If this episode hits a nerve (in a good way) and you know it’s time to stop coasting and make a big move, this is the work I do with my clients. Whether you’re building momentum, preparing for something big, and ready to do the work…let’s talk → start the conversation here.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode248Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

December 28, 2025Episode 2471 hr 0 min

247. Why Trying Too Hard to Be Different is Hurting Your Business with Megan Yelaney

Okay friends, we are inching dangerously close to the New Year.And if you are anything like me, you’re probably sitting there with your fresh 2026 planner, feeling that creeping pressure to "reinvent" yourself. You might be thinking, “I need a totally new angle,” or “I need to burn it all down and start fresh to get noticed this year.”Before you do anything drastic, listen to this episode.Originally recorded in August of this year, I hit pause on the podcast before releasing… and I’m so glad I did because this is the right time for you to hear this one.I’m chatting with business strategist Megan Yelaney, and this is one of those real, grounding conversations that helps you slow down, zoom out, and rethink how you show up in your business.In this episode, we talk about:The "uniqueness" trap – why trying so hard to be different can actually hurt your sales, and why specificity is what really worksThe messaging pendulum swing that traps entrepreneurs between copying others and being so obscure no one gets itWhy social media feels so dang hard (hint: it has nothing to do with the algorithm)A spicy take on AI – where to actually use it in your business and where to definitely leave it outHow to niche down without boxing yourself in or burning it all to the groundLeading with empathy – why it’s the most powerful (and overlooked) marketing tool you have right nowIf you take one thing into the New Year, let it be this: it’s okay to be redundant.The most successful business owners aren't inventing a new message every Monday. They’re saying the same damn thing, over and over again, until it sticks. So grab your coffee, and let’s get into it!EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode247Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

July 24, 2025Episode 24629 min

246. What I Wish More Experts Knew About Being A “Good Speaker”

You probably are a good speaker.You share helpful info.You care about serving.You’ve got stories, maybe even a little humor.But what does good actually mean? That people liked it? That you hit all your points? That someone clapped?The truth is — you’ve never been taught what “good” really is. Beyond vague feedback or a gut feeling… how are you supposed to know?That ends today.In this episode, I’m pulling a private training out of the vault — a breakdown of the 5 Levels of Speaking I teach my clients to help them see what effective really looks like.I’m sharing:Why most entrepreneurs get stuck recycling the same dry info (and wonder why no one’s buying)The tiny but powerful shifts to stop being the ‘boring expert’ and start becoming the voice people quote back to othersHow to spot when you’re relying too much on info or entertainment, but missing real influenceThe sneaky mindset trap that keeps your message safe, small, and forgettable — and how to get over yourself (in the best way)Remember that “good” is subjective. But resonant? Repeatable? RebookableThat’s measurable — and learnable, so hit play and let’s start redefining what good means for your business.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode246PS..If this episode lit a fire under you, then this is your sign to take the next step.The work we talk about here is exactly what we do inside my Signature Talk Accelerator. If you’re ready to build a message that truly connects and converts, this is for you. 👉Click here to learn more about the Signature Talk Accelerator!Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

July 17, 2025Episode 24548 min

245. Your Brain Called. It Wants Its Job Back

You already know AI is everywhere right now — but here’s what no one’s really saying:When business owners start outsourcing their thinking to AI, their actual ideas suffer.In this episode, I’m calling out the creative atrophy that happens when you stop flexing your own brainpower. Think about it: we’ve already outsourced our memory to Google Maps and our friends’ birthdays to Facebook. But your IDEAS? That’s your last line of defense as a thought leader.I share:Why defaulting to AI before you think is a dangerous gameThe difference between using AI to support vs. sabotage your creativityWhat Socrates warned us about (that’s actually still true)The real reason your content might feel a little… offIf you’re in the business of ideas — speaking, teaching, coaching, or leading — you can’t afford to lose your creative edge. This episode will help you reclaim it.🎧 Listen now and let your brain do what it was built to do: THINK.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode245P.S. If you're tired of AI making everyone sound the same and want to develop your own unique voice and message — that’s exactly what I help people do. Check out my Spotlight Session if you want to work on your speaking topics. Fair warning: I’m not the cheapest, but I’m damn good at what I do. 😉Send me a note📣 WORK WITH HEATHER → https://heathersager.com/📧 Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletterConnect on Social:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show. Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!