The Write Your Own Story Podcast

Hosted by Betsy Leonidas

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Episodes

130

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Grab your fav pen ladies, because it’s time to write the story of how your life goes! The Write Your Own Story podcast is here to encourage women to live the life they dream about by sitting with women business owners, game changers, community leaders and friends in the most honest, no perfect allowed, just girls gabbin way, about all things life and womanhood. Stories are rooted in meaning, connection, and understanding and so often are the clues for our future selves. It’s so important for all of us to hear what other women are doing with their lives. Their successes, their struggles, their perseverance, what failure has taught them, how they show up in this world, and what sets their heart on fire. It’s these stories that make us realize we’re not alone and motivate us to take a closer look at our own dreams. I promise it will be down to earth, super real and honest, funny, and feel like we’re all just gabbin over a cup of coffee or a glass (glasses) of wine. At the end of each show, my hope ist women are inspired to block out the societal “should’s” and the inner voices of “Why me?” and “Am I enough?” so they can pick up the pen with confidence and write their own stories of their lives.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 28, 202646 min

What’s on Your Ballot? A Guide to Voting with Confidence with Dr. Shauna Riley

Ever looked at your ballot and thought, “Wait, what does this actually mean?” Or felt so overwhelmed by political headlines and campaign ads that you’d rather tune it all out? Girl, you’re not alone—and this conversation is for you. This week on Write Your Own Story , Betsy sits down with Dr. Shauna Riley, a political science professor at Northern Kentucky University, for an honest, approachable conversation about becoming a more informed and confident voter. The goal isn’t to tell you how to vote. It’s to help you understand your choices and feel ready to make them for yourself. Together, they unpack why midterm and local elections deserve our attention, how decisions made by school boards and city councils affect our everyday lives, and where to start when researching candidates and ballot measures. Shauna shares ways to make sense of confusing ballot language, look beyond the noise of campaign ads, and learn where candidates stand on the issues that matter to you. They also explore how to approach political conversations with curiosity and respect, why you don’t have to agree with someone to stay connected, and how to move from feeling overwhelmed to taking action. With a focus on Ohio and Kentucky, this episode offers practical takeaways for voters everywhere. You don’t have to become a political expert to use your voice. Start by looking up your ballot, asking questions, and making a plan. Your ballot is a page in your story—and nobody else gets to write it for you. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

October 21, 20261 hr 9 min

When Success Stops Feeling Like Success with Dr. Dawn Baker

What happens when you’ve done everything “right” — built the career, chased the achievements, followed the path you thought you were supposed to follow — and it still doesn’t feel right? In this episode, Betsy sits down with Dr. Dawn Baker, board-certified anesthesiologist, lifestyle design coach, and author of *Lean Out*, for an honest conversation about redefining success and building a life that actually feels like yours. Dawn shares how she went from chemical engineer to physician, and how a life-changing brain tumor diagnosis forced her to slow down and question the path she was working so hard to stay on. What followed wasn’t giving up on ambition — it was learning to define it differently. Together, Betsy and Dawn unpack the “treadmill of achievement,” the warning signs of burnout, and why so many high-achieving women become better at accomplishing than knowing themselves. They talk about self-compassion, letting go of the endless “shoulds,” identifying your core values, auditing what drains and restores your energy, and giving yourself permission to pivot — even when your life looks successful on paper. Dawn also shares what it means to “lean out”: not becoming less driven or walking away from everything you’ve built, but intentionally choosing where your time, energy, and ambition belong. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this still the life I want?” — this episode is your reminder that you don’t need to wait for burnout, a crisis, or anyone else’s permission to choose differently. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

October 14, 20261 hr 12 min

Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Wineberg on Self-Doubt, Failure & Becoming Unstoppable

What if the thing standing between you and your next chapter isn’t your ability, but whether you believe you belong there? In this episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg for a conversation that goes far beyond the podium. Mary shares how she went from questioning whether she belonged on the starting line to representing Team USA and winning Olympic gold, and why one of the most painful failures of her career ultimately became the experience she needed most. After missing the 2004 Olympic team, Mary had a choice: let self-doubt decide what she was capable of or come back stronger. Four years later, she became an Olympic champion. Together, Betsy and Mary talk about building confidence before you have proof, turning disappointment into fuel, quieting the voice that tells you you’re not enough, and knowing when perseverance means continuing versus when it’s time to write a new chapter. Mary also opens up about adoption, motherhood, identity, learning to take up space without dimming herself for others, and how her definition of success has evolved from winning medals to helping the next generation see what’s possible for themselves. This conversation is a reminder that failure doesn’t mean you’re finished, confidence is something you build, and sometimes the race you don’t win is the one that prepares you for everything that comes next. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re good enough, ready enough, or truly belong in the room, this episode is for you. Connect with Mary: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wineberg400/?hl=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secureyourgold/ Webiste: https://www.marywineberg.com/ Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

October 7, 20261 hr 24 min

How To Protect Your Peace & Follow Your Curiosity with Whitney Ellison

What if the life you actually want starts with deciding what can wait? In this episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with attorney, writer, poet, speaker, wife, and mom of three Whitney Ellison for a conversation about boundaries, reinvention, creativity, and learning to trust where life is taking you. Whitney’s career has been anything but linear. She started in law, spent nearly a decade building a successful career in corporate sales, and eventually reached a point where she knew something had to change. Without a perfectly mapped-out plan, she began following her curiosity, making space for new opportunities, and eventually found her way back to practicing law in a way that finally felt like her. Whitney shares why she doesn’t work Fridays, how she learned to protect her peace without apologizing for it, and why being endlessly available doesn’t make you better at your job—or your life. She and Betsy also unpack the pressure women feel to be everything to everyone, and Whitney’s realization that helping people doesn’t mean you have to save them. They also talk about making room for creativity without needing to monetize it, holding your goals loosely, knowing when something simply isn’t a fit anymore, and remembering that your legacy isn’t just what you accomplish—it’s how you move through the world and how people feel in your presence. If you’ve been gripping the plan a little too tightly, trying to fix everything for everyone, or wondering whether you’re allowed to choose more space for yourself, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to have the whole path figured out. Follow what makes you curious, protect what matters, and trust yourself enough to take the next right step. And according to Whitney, a woman who writes her own rules? Takes a nap every damn day. 😴 Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

September 30, 20261 hr 17 min

How To Turn Rejection Into Redirection with Tianay Amat

What if the rejection that feels like the end is actually redirecting you toward what you’re meant to do next? After more than 25 years in public education—and rising all the way to interim superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools—Tianay Amat thought she knew what the next chapter of her career would look like. Then she didn’t get the job she thought she wanted. That rejection forced her to pause and ask herself a bigger question: What is my purpose really? The answer led Tianay away from the career she had spent decades building and into an entirely new chapter as President and CEO of Cincinnati Works, where she now helps people move toward economic stability, meaningful careers, and lives built around their strengths and potential. In this episode, Betsy and Tianay talk about how rejection can become an unexpected redirection—and why changing direction doesn’t mean everything you’ve built was for nothing. Tianay shares how she uncovered the deeper purpose connecting every chapter of her career, how knowing who you are changes the way you experience failure, and why some of the biggest turning points in our lives begin with a door closing. They also dive into authentic leadership, building community as an adult, creating workplaces where people feel seen and valued, and why the best leaders aren’t afraid to admit when they’re wrong. In this episode: Why rejection can become an unexpected redirection How to uncover the purpose underneath your career Making a major career pivot without starting from scratch Why failure is something you experience—not who you are How to stop looking outside yourself for validation Tianay’s approach to authentic, people-first leadership Why great leaders create space for their teams to challenge them Building community by getting uncomfortable and taking initiative Moving from a deficit mindset to seeing people for their strengths and potential Why investing in people creates stronger teams and better retention Dreaming big, starting small, and giving yourself permission to change direction If you’ve been feeling pulled toward something new but are afraid that changing direction means walking away from everything you’ve worked so hard to build, this conversation is your reminder: you’re not starting over. You’re starting with everything you’ve learned. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

September 23, 20261 hr 8 min

Money Is Freedom: Owning Your Worth & Building Financial Confidence with Sarah Grace Mohr

What if changing your relationship with money could change your entire life? In this episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with Sarah Grace Mohr, CEO and owner of Mackey, to have an honest conversation about money, power, and the financial freedom every woman deserves. Sarah shares her deeply personal money journey, from growing up in a family business to navigating loss, emotional spending, and the beliefs that shaped her relationship with money and self-worth. Together, they unpack why so many women struggle to charge what they're worth, feel guilty about spending, or shy away from taking control of their finances. But this conversation isn't just about making more money. It's about understanding your money story, letting go of shame, and taking small, intentional steps toward greater confidence, independence, and choice. Whether you're a business owner learning to own your value, a woman navigating shared finances, or simply ready to feel more empowered with money, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to figure it all out overnight. Because money isn't just about what you can buy. It's about the freedom to write your own story. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

September 16, 20261 hr 29 min

How to Turn What You Already Know Into a Business with Jill Morenz

What if your next opportunity isn’t something you need to find—but something you can build from what you already know? In this episode, Betsy sits down with Jill Morenz, CEO of Aviatra Accelerators, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, career pivots, side hustles, and figuring out what comes next when your path doesn’t look exactly how you thought it would. Jill’s own career has been anything but linear. She’s built businesses, started over, worked five jobs at once, stepped into nonprofit leadership, and continued creating entrepreneurial projects of her own. Her story is proof that you don’t need to have your entire future mapped out—you need to trust that you can figure out your next move. Jill shares her **Three E’s: Expertise, Experiences, and Enthusiasms**, a simple framework for recognizing the skills, knowledge, and passions you already have and exploring how they could become your next opportunity. Betsy and Jill also unpack how to identify the problem you can solve, find the people who need what you have to offer, give a new business time to grow, and use a side hustle to create more freedom, flexibility, and independence in your life. And maybe most importantly, they talk about giving yourself permission to change your definition of success. Bigger isn’t always better. Changing direction isn’t failure. And what worked in one season of your life doesn’t have to be what you choose for the next. If you’ve been wondering **“What’s next for me?”**, this conversation will help you look at everything you already have—and start imagining what you could build from it. ✨ Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

September 9, 20261 hr 17 min

Do It Scared: Building Before You Feel Ready with Abbey Cummins

What happens when you stop waiting to feel ready and just start? In this episode, Betsy sits down with Abbey Cummins, founder and CEO of Everything Cincy, to talk about what it actually takes to build a business from the ground up—from launching during the pandemic and navigating the unexpected loss of her father to growing a team, learning to let go of control, and turning Everything Cincy into a platform built around community and connection. Abbey gets candid about the parts of entrepreneurship we don’t talk about enough: protecting your energy, separating your identity from your business, knowing when persistence becomes a sign to pivot, saying no to opportunities that don’t align, and realizing that not all money is the right money. They also unpack why collaboration beats competition, why you can't build something meaningful entirely on your own, and why confidence usually comes after you take the leap—not before. Because sometimes writing your own story means doing it scared, figuring it out as you go, and trusting yourself enough to take the first step. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, doubting whether you’re ready, or wondering whether to keep going or change direction, this episode is your reminder: you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to start. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

September 2, 20261 hr 8 min

The Power of Following Your Curiosity & Creativity with Lori Siebert

What could happen if you stopped waiting until you felt talented enough, confident enough, or had everything figured out and started following what makes you curious? In this episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with mixed media artist, designer, entrepreneur, and creative retreat teacher Lori Siebert to explore the power of curiosity, creativity, and giving yourself permission to follow what lights you up. If you’ve ever told yourself you’re “not creative,” it might be time to rethink that. Creativity isn’t something you either have or you don’t, it’s a muscle you build through practice. You’re allowed to be a beginner, make something imperfect, find yourself in the messy middle, and keep going anyway. And you don’t need to know where your curiosity is going to lead. The hobby, idea, or passion you can’t stop thinking about doesn’t need to have an immediate purpose or become a business. Sometimes, giving yourself permission to explore it can open doors you never expected. Lori shares how following her own curiosity led to a career full of pivots, from running a design firm and working in art licensing to creating art and teaching creative retreats around the world. Her story is a reminder that you don’t have to stay in one lane forever, you can recognize when something no longer fits and make more room for what brings you joy. You’ll also hear about letting go of constant productivity, making more space for play, protecting your creativity when it becomes a business, taking yourself on creative “field trips,” and finding ways to recharge before you hit burnout. So, what would you explore if you weren’t worried about being good at it? Where could your curiosity take you if you actually followed it? You don’t need to know where it’s going. You just need to be curious enough to begin. Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

August 26, 20261 hr 18 min

Embrace the Detours: Michelle Hopkins on Reinvention & Trusting the Process

What if your path was never supposed to be a straight line? In this episode of Write Your Own Story , Betsy sits down with six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Michelle Hopkins for an honest and inspiring conversation about reinvention, embracing the detours, and trusting that every chapter of your life is preparing you for what comes next. Michelle’s career has been anything but linear. After stepping away from television for 13 years, she moved through new industries, roles, and seasons of life—gaining skills, perspective, and experiences she never could have planned for. Eventually, her path brought her back to television and the storytelling she loved, but this time in a way that felt more authentic and entirely her own. Together, Betsy and Michelle unpack what it means to let go of the idea that there is one “right” path and instead give yourself permission to pivot, evolve, and start again—at any age. In this episode, Betsy and Michelle talk about: 💗 Why your career—and your life—doesn’t have to follow a straight line ✨ Reinventing yourself and starting again at any age 🌷 Trusting the detours, pivots, and unexpected seasons along the way 💫 Carrying the lessons from every success, mistake, and experience into what comes next 🌿 Navigating the uncertainty of an in-between season when you can’t see the whole path yet 💕 Choosing peace, boundaries, and authenticity as your definition of success evolves ✨ Trusting the process while continuing to learn, grow, and prepare for your next opportunity Michelle’s story is a reminder that changing direction doesn’t mean you’re starting from scratch. Every twist, turn, success, mistake, and unexpected opportunity becomes part of the story you’re writing. You don’t need to know exactly where the path is taking you. You just have to be willing to keep moving, keep learning, and give yourself permission to change direction along the way. Because your path doesn’t have to be linear to lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. 💗 Support the show FREE FEEL BETTER SPRINT (7 DAYS) https://admirable-cake-433.myflodesk.com/feelbetterin7days JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6 Connect with Betsy: Website: writeyourownstory.co E mail: betsy @writeyourownstory.co Instagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleo Youtube:writeyourownstorypodcast

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