The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

Hosted by Molly Knuth

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279

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I'm your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I've learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

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60 recent

June 10, 202636 min

256: 10 Things I Know for Certain About Building a Business (Part 2)

We're back with Part 2 of my two-part series on 10 things I know for certain about building a business, not from books or courses, but from almost a decade of living it. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen to Episode 255 first. We covered lessons one through five, and this episode picks up right where we left off. Today we're finishing out the list with lessons six through ten, and honestly these might be the ones that hit the hardest. We're talking money mindset, why you can't do it alone, what a coach actually does for you, giving yourself full permission to change your mind, and the thing I believe most deeply after all of it: this whole founder journey is personal development first. In This Episode: Lesson 6: Finances can be simple (and the money mantra that changed everything for me) The "money flows like water" mindset shift I learned from CPA Sheila Hansen Gina Knox's money waterfall system and why it finally made my finances click Lesson 7: You will not realize your goals entirely on your own. Bring others along. Lesson 8: You will grow faster and go further with a coach, a mentor, or a consultant in your corner How working with Katrina Klooster changed the trajectory of my 2025-2026 transition How podcasting consultant Jill Carr helped me make clearer decisions about the future of this show Lesson 9: You are allowed to change your mind (Surge, Sierra Mist, and why pivoting isn't failing) Lesson 10: This journey is personal development first and a professional endeavor second People and Resources Mentioned: Sheila Hansen, CPA (and past Found Podcast guest) Gina Knox, founder of Small Business Money School (also a past Found Podcast guest) Katrina Klooster, life and leadership coach (another Found Podcast guest - Episode 252) Jill Carr, podcasting consultant (and, you guessed it, a Found Podcast guest!) Miranda (the Found Podcast editor who makes it all happen every week!) Find Molly: Website: mollyknuth.com Instagram: @mollyknuth Email: molly@mollyknuthmedia.com Listen and Subscribe: Spotify Apple Podcasts Did something from this episode (or the last one) land for you? I'd genuinely love to hear it. Reach out on Instagram or send me an email and tell me which lesson resonated most. And if you know a founder who needs to hear this... send them both episodes.

June 3, 202639 min

255: 10 Things I Know for Certain About Building a Business (Not From Books, But From Living It) Part 1

It's a solo cast! It has been a while since it was just me and you, and I'm glad to be back in this format because I have some things to say. This episode was sparked by a moment that happened in March of 2026 at the You Conferences in Cedar Rapids. I was the 3:00 PM speaker and somewhere between the nerves and the sound check and a very unexpected karaoke moment involving Gloria Gaynor, something clicked for me about identity, confidence, and what it actually takes to build something from scratch. So I came here to share 10 things I know for certain about building a business. Not from books. Not from courses. From living it, for almost a decade, through the pivots and the wins and the moments I wish I could do over. This is Part 1. We're covering numbers one through five today, and Part 2 (six through ten) drops next week. In This Episode: The karaoke moment at You Conferences that reminded me to trust myself again Lesson 1: You don't need to reinvent the wheel at the beginning (the unsexy foundation every business actually needs) Lesson 2: Slow down. Then go even slower. But don't stop moving. Lesson 3: Your story is your edge (and why it creates fans before it ever creates customers) Lesson 4: Selling isn't yucky. Talk about your offers. All the time. More than you think you should. Lesson 5: You'll only make as much money as you've built capacity for Resources Mentioned: Gina Knox — money management framework for small business owners Chilled Freezer Meals — local and shipped freezer meal delivery Katrina Klooster — life and leadership coach You Conferences Cedar Rapids — annual women's conference Find Molly: Website: mollyknuth.com Instagram: @mollyknuth Listen and Subscribe: Spotify Apple Podcasts Part 2 drops next week. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.

May 27, 202651 min

254: USA Today Bestseller to Director of Leadership Formation: Lindsay Leahy on What It Means to Live with Intention

Lindsay Leahy is back on The Found Podcast for the third time, and this one is unlike any conversation we've had before. You might know Lindsay as the founder of The Restoration Project, the author of Take It All Apart (a USA Today bestseller!), and someone who has spent the last several years helping leaders and organizations do their most meaningful work. But in this episode, Lindsay shares that she's stepping away from what she built, into something she never saw coming. We talk about the book, what happened after it hit those bestseller lists, and the word that started everything this year: beyond. And then we go deeper into where "beyond" has actually led her, which is a brand new role as the Director of Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. It's unexpected. It's emotional. It's one of the most honest conversations I've had on this podcast. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The two dark weeks before the book launch that Lindsay didn't expect, and what she found on the other side Client stories from the Take It All Apart process (including Camden, a client stepping into marriage and family while keeping his magic) Lindsay's word of the year: beyond, and the "lay down your nets" moment that changed everything Practical, tactical tools for moving beyond stress, distraction, and busyness (yes, the dumping exercise is back) What it really means to move beyond hustle mode, and why it's ultimately a worthiness issue How a volunteer role inside the Archdiocese of Dubuque turned into a moment she could not say no to What it felt like to surrender a thriving business at the height of its success Why your definition of success doesn't have to look like anyone else's Resources Mentioned: Take It All Apart by Lindsay Leahy (USA Today Bestseller) The Beyond Series on Lindsay's blog: gritgratitudeandgrace.com Beyond Stress and Distraction Beyond Busyness and Hustle Connect with Lindsay: Substack: Lindsay M. Leahy Blog: gritgratitudeandgrace.com Website: lindsayleahy.com (coming soon!) LinkedIn: Lindsay Leahy

May 20, 202640 min

253: Stop Tying Your Worth to What You Do: Brooke Fitzgerald on the Path to Enough, Imposter Syndrome & What's Next

This is Brooke's third time on The Found Podcast. Every time she comes back, she brings something that stops me mid-conversation and makes me reach for my notebook. Brooke Fitzgerald is the Energy Builder at The Restoration Project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and as of June 1st, she becomes the sole owner of the practice. She's a coach, a speaker, a mom of two boys, a recovering people-pleaser, and one of the most convicted, passionate humans I get to have in my corner. In this episode, we dig into the work that has defined Brooke's last several years, both personally and professionally. We talk about closing a business, rebuilding an identity, and the deeply human question of: who are you when you're not defined by what you do? What You'll Hear in This Episode: How closing her coffee shop became the lowest (and most clarifying) point of Brooke's life What it actually takes to untether your identity from your work (hint: it takes longer than you think, and that's okay) The Path to Enough framework and why enough is a decision, not an amount The question that makes rooms full of women go completely silent: "Who are you when no one needs anything from you?" Why good enough really is good enough, and what we lose when we demand 110% of ourselves constantly Imposter syndrome reframed: it's not a flaw, it's your courage catching up to your capability The SEA tool for moving from imposter to intentional, and a story about a female CEO that will stop you cold What's next for Brooke and The Restoration Project, including fall retreats, empowerment communities, and a November workshop Connect with Brooke: Website: the-restorationproject.com LinkedIn: Brooke Fitzgerald Upcoming Events with Brooke: MWLN Summit — Muscatine, Iowa (June) Fall Women's Retreats — details coming soon Power of No Empowerment Communities — small groups of 6-8 women November Brunch & Learn Workshop — The Path to Enough for Courageous Leaders Listen & Subscribe: Spotify Apple Podcasts If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who needs to hear it. And if you're not yet subscribed to The Found Podcast, now's a great time! New episodes drop every Wednesday.

May 13, 202647 min

252: Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: How to Navigate Career Transitions, Burnout, and What's Next with Life Coach Katrina Klooster

Have you ever stood in the middle of a life that looks really good on paper and still felt like something was off? Like a quiet voice whispering, this isn't it anymore...and you didn't know what to do with that? This week on the Found Podcast, I'm bringing you a conversation with my own coach, Katrina Klooster, and I think this one is going to land somewhere deep for a lot of you. Katrina is a life and leadership coach who specializes in helping high-achieving women navigate transitions, those in-between seasons when you've outgrown where you are but aren't sure where you're going. After nearly 15 years in education (as a high school Spanish teacher and instructional coach), Katrina followed her own winding, messy, non-linear path into building a coaching practice, and she brings all of that lived experience to the women she now serves. In this episode, we talk about: The moment Katrina knew she had outgrown teaching and why it took her so long to trust that feeling Burnout, shingles, and the culture of self-sacrifice we've normalized in education (and beyond) Why your non-linear path is not something to apologize for The 37-38-year-old awakening many women experience and what's actually happening beneath the surface How high-achieving women get stuck in golden handcuffs and what it takes to break free Why most women aren't afraid of failure...and what they're actually afraid of instead The grief that's woven into growth (and why we don't talk about it enough) What Katrina looks for in a coach and how to know if coaching is right for you Connect with Katrina: Website: katrinaklooster.com Instagram: @katrinaklooster (send her a DM!) Listen & Subscribe: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YACTbRulN4NooX32NgzgV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-found-podcast-with-molly-knuth/id1530616432 If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a woman in your life who might need to hear it today. And if you're not yet subscribed to The Found Podcast, now is a great time to hit that button so you never miss an episode.

May 6, 202653 min

251: The People Side of Business with Sarah Hermanson

In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Sarah Hermanson, founder of One Above HR, pumpkin farmer, and people-first leadership expert. With over 30 years of experience in human resources and recruiting, Sarah has seen firsthand what makes businesses thrive and what causes them to struggle. And here's the truth she keeps coming back to: it's not just the product, the service, or the strategy…it's the people. Together, Molly and Sarah explore what it really looks like to build a business rooted in care, communication, and culture, and why those "soft skills" are actually the most powerful drivers of performance, retention, and long-term success. From practical ways to build connection in your workplace, to the surprising impact of nonverbal communication, to the often-avoided (but incredibly important) topic of succession planning, this conversation is full of grounded wisdom you can apply right away. And in true Found Podcast fashion, you'll also hear how Sarah's story weaves together entrepreneurship, family legacy, and a 46-year-old pumpkin farm in rural Iowa. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why "joy at work" isn't fluffy, it's foundational to business success How to build connection with your team in just 5–8 minutes a day The concept of "advanced communication" (and why words aren't enough) Simple body language shifts that can transform how you're perceived Why founders need to think about succession planning sooner than they think How Sarah transitioned from corporate HR to entrepreneurship Lessons from taking over a multi-generational family pumpkin farm What it really means to lead with care, culture, and communication Key Quotes "We don't achieve any of our goals if we aren't approaching them with care." "I can teach you how to do something. I can't teach you how to care." "90,000 hours of our lives are spent at work. Those should be joy-filled hours." Resources & Links Connect with Sarah: sarah@oneabovehr.com Website: One Above HR Sherman's Pumpkin Farm (Manchester, Iowa) Follow Sarah on LinkedIn

April 29, 202644 min

250: The Stories That Shaped Us — A Look Back at The Found Podcast

This one feels really special. Back in 2020, The Found Podcast started with a simple idea: to share what I was learning about building a business, becoming a person, and navigating all the in-between moments. And now…here we are. 250 episodes later. Instead of making this episode about me, I wanted to bring it back to the people and the moments that made this podcast what it is today: you and the incredible guests who have shared their stories along the way. In this milestone episode, I'm taking you through snippets from some of the most popular episodes in the history of the podcast. These are the conversations that stuck. The ones you shared. The ones that made you think, feel, and take action. You'll hear themes like: grief and resilience infertility and healing marketing and business growth creativity and music small town stories and the magic of becoming who you're meant to be Whether you've been here since the Small-Minded Podcast days or you're newer to this space… this episode is a reminder of everything we've built together. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Snippets from some of our most downloaded episodes Conversations spanning 2022–2025 A wide range of topics that define The Found Podcast The throughline of founding businesses, communities, and ourselves A Note from Molly: This podcast has never been about having it all figured out. It's been about showing up, sharing the journey, and inviting you to do the same. Thank you for being here. For listening, for reaching out, and for taking action on what resonates.

April 22, 202644 min

249: The Leadership Gap We're Not Talking About (And How to Fix It) with Melissa Reade of Leader Valley

There's a leadership gap in our communities...and it's not what you think. It's not about titles. It's not about experience. And it's definitely not about a lack of talent. In this episode of The Found Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Reade, Executive Director of Leader Valley, to talk about the real gap we're seeing in schools, businesses, and communities—and how we can start to fix it. From working with over 12,000 students to equipping current leaders in the workforce, Leader Valley is rethinking how leadership is developed at every stage of life. This conversation is about more than leadership theory. It's about practical, everyday ways we build stronger people, stronger teams, and stronger communities. If you've ever felt like something is missing in how we prepare people to lead…this episode will put language to it. What You'll Hear in This Episode: What the "leadership gap" actually is (and why it's growing) Why technical skills aren't enough anymore How Leader Valley is building leaders from elementary school through adulthood The role of emotional intelligence and communication in leadership What schools are missing and how it impacts the workforce Why community collaboration is the key to long-term change The importance of leading yourself before leading others Melissa's personal story of resilience and leadership through adversity Resources & Links: Leader Valley → https://www.leadervalley.org Leader in Me → https://www.leaderinme.org Connect with Melissa Reade → melissa@leadervalley.org

April 15, 202656 min

248: The Secret Sauce of Small Town Success: Leadership, Community, and Showing Up with Liesl Seabert

What actually makes a small town thrive? Hint: it's not population size, location, or luck. It's leadership. In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Liesel Seabert of the University of Northern Iowa Institute for Decision Making to talk about the real, often overlooked work behind strong communities and why leadership development might be the most important investment we're not talking about enough. From moving to Iowa without knowing a single person to becoming one of the most connected leaders in the state, Liesel shares how showing up, building relationships, and embracing discomfort shaped her path and how those same principles can transform any community. If you've ever wondered how to make a bigger impact where you live, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what's possible. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why leadership—not location—is the true driver of thriving communities How to build connection when you're new (and know no one) The "domino effect" that helps small towns gain momentum Why starting small is the key to long-term success The real reason volunteer burnout happens and how to prevent it How to plug into Iowa's hidden network of resources and support Why the next generation of leaders might be the most important investment we make Resources & Links University of Northern Iowa Institute for Decision Making Iowa Rural Development Council Empower Rural Iowa Iowa Leadership Exchange

April 8, 202648 min

247: Why Wellness Isn't Another To-Do List with Dominique Farrar

What if wellness wasn't another thing to optimize… but something you actually got to experience? In this episode, Molly sits down with Dominique Farrar, founder of Well in France — a Paris-based community and experience brand helping women slow down, connect, and redefine what it means to live well. Dom shares her journey from fast-paced tech life in Silicon Valley to building a wellness business in France — and how her version of success shifted along the way. Together, they explore the tension so many women feel: trying to "do wellness right" while already carrying too much — and how real wellbeing might look a lot simpler (and more human) than we've been told. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why wellness has become another source of pressure for women The biggest differences between American and French approaches to wellbeing How Dom transitioned from tech startups to building a wellness business abroad The surprising way her community actually started growing Why connection (not content) became her most powerful business strategy How to build something meaningful without following the "playbook" Resources & Links: Learn more about Well in France Explore retreats, events, and community experiences in Paris & Provence Follow Dominique on Instagram for more on wellness, community, and living well