The Write Your Own Story Podcast

Hosted by Betsy Leonidas

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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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

June 12, 202621 min

Why Every Woman Should Take a Solo Trip (At Least Once)

Do you feel like you're standing between chapters of your life?Maybe you know something needs to change, but you're not quite sure what comes next. Maybe you've been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, or stuck in a season that no longer fits.In this episode, Betsy shares one of the most powerful tools she's used for years to navigate life's biggest transitions: solo travel.What began as a post-breakup trip during her senior year of college has become a ritual she returns to whenever she needs clarity, confidence, and a reset. After her most recent solo getaway, Betsy came home with a renewed sense of peace, excitement, and direction for the chapter ahead.She shares why every woman should consider taking a solo trip at least once, how solitude can help you reconnect with your intuition, and the surprising lessons that emerge when you stop distracting yourself and finally sit with your own thoughts.In this episode:✨ Why solo trips have become Betsy's secret weapon during life transitions✨ The difference between being alone and being lonely✨ How to find clarity when you're in a "Now What?" season✨ Why confidence grows when you learn to trust yourself✨ The mindset shift helping Betsy step into her next chapter with more peace and less fearIf you've been craving a fresh start, more clarity, or simply a deeper connection with yourself, this episode is your reminder that sometimes the answers you're searching for are found in the quiet.JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

June 4, 20261 hr 8 min

Your Old Life Is Falling Apart, Now What? with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey

What happens when the life you worked the hardest for suddenly falls apart?When the career, marriage, identity, or future you built your entire world around no longer exists… and you’re left staring at the question: Now what?In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Sarah Barnes-Humphrey shares what it looked like to lose the life she thought she was supposed to want — after spending 20 years helping build the family business she believed she’d one day take over.Overnight, the doors closed. The identity disappeared. And while everyone else saw a successful woman holding it together, behind the scenes Sarah was rebuilding herself from scratch — working part-time jobs, questioning everything, crying on the couch daily, and trying to figure out who she was without the titles, certainty, and expectations she had built her life around.What came next was not a polished reinvention. It was messy, painful, confusing, brave, and ultimately transformational.In this episode, we talk about:What happens when your “dream life” no longer fitsThe pressure women feel to perform, achieve, and hold it all togetherHow to know whether fear is stopping you… or whether something simply isn’t alignedIdentity loss after career shifts, divorce, burnout, or major life changeWhy curiosity is more powerful than perfectionThe hidden loneliness of entrepreneurship and rebuildingLearning to trust yourself before you feel readyThe difference between purpose and self-worthSarah also shares how she went from losing everything she built to creating an entirely new path rooted in authentic connection, storytelling, and helping others feel seen and heard.If you’re in a “now what?” season right now — where the old chapter has ended and the next one feels uncertain — this episode will feel like someone finally saying the quiet part out loud.Because you do not need to have it all figured out to begin again.JOIN THE WAITLIST, NOW WHAT: https://forms.gle/upoSwPQEu5vm1wYW6Sarah Barnes-Humphrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbarneshumphrey/ Let's Talk Supply Chain: https://letstalksupplychain.com The Blended Podcast: https://blendedpledge.org/podcast Blended Pledge: https://blendedpledge.org Book: I Buried Her in a French Press – https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Her-French-Press-Finding/dp/1544549466/ref=sr_1_1Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

May 6, 202645 min

This Will Change How You Make Decisions Forever with Megan Pando

If you’ve been stuck overthinking, going back and forth, waiting for clarity… this might be the shift you’ve been needing. Because the problem isn’t that you can’t make decisions, it’s that you’ve been taught to look for the “right” one. This week, Betsy sits down with Megan Pando—founder, entrepreneur, and former Shark Tank participant—for a conversation that reframes everything you thought you knew about decision-making. In this episode, you’ll learn: why you feel stuck when making decisions the difference between anxiety and inner knowing how to stop overthinking without forcing clarity and how to trust yourself again This isn’t about becoming more logical. It’s about becoming more aligned. So if every decision has been feeling heavy, confusing, or overwhelming lately… take this as your sign. You don’t need more time. You don’t need more opinions. You just need a new way of listening to yourself. And once you feel it—you won’t go back. ✨Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

April 29, 202648 min

How to Be Heard as a Woman (Even When You Doubt Yourself) with Sarah Jakle

What if the voice you’ve been doubting… is the very thing the world needs most?In this deeply moving episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with Sarah Jakle, founder of Democrashe, for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends.This episode is for the woman who has something to say—but hesitates. The one who questions if her voice matters, if she’ll be heard, or if it’s even worth speaking at all.After being told she would never work again due to a life-altering autoimmune diagnosis, Sarah faced a moment where everything she knew about herself was stripped away. What followed wasn’t just a comeback—it was a complete redefinition of identity, courage, and what it means to use your voice. Together, Betsy and Sarah explore: How to transform your inner critic into your inner best friend The power of taking one small, brave step at a time Why confidence doesn’t come first—and what actually does How to speak up even when you feel unseen, unheard, or afraid The concept of “What’s your victory?” and redefining success on your own terms Why your voice matters—even when it feels like it doesn’t This is not a conversation about becoming louder. It’s about becoming truer.If you’ve ever felt like shrinking, silencing yourself, or waiting for permission—this episode is your reminder: your voice already belongs. And the moment you start using it, everything begins to shift.Listen all the way through—you might just meet a version of yourself you’ve been waiting for 💫Learn more about DemocraShe: https://www.democrashe.org/who-we-areSupport the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

April 15, 20261 hr 1 min

If You Feel Like You Have to Prove Yourself, Listen to This | Margot Grant Witz

If you feel like you have something to prove… this episode is for you.That pressure to be more.To do more.To show people you’re capable.It doesn’t come out of nowhere.It comes from expectations.From the path you’re on.From the feeling that you’re supposed to live up to something—even if you’re not sure what’s actually yours.Today’s episode is about that.Betsy sits down with Margot Grant Witz, third-generation leader of Elizabeth Grant Skincare, to talk about what it really feels like to grow up inside something that already exists—and then be expected to carry it forward.But this isn’t just about business.It’s about identity. Confidence. Family. And learning how to trust yourself when it feels like you have something to prove.In this episode, you’ll hear: Why feeling like you have something to prove can quietly control your decisions The truth about “earning your place” (and why it’s not what you think) What nobody tells you about working with family How to handle the pressure of not wanting to “mess it up” Why humility is your biggest advantage The real reason generational paths break down How to separate who you are from what you do What to do if you’re not even sure this path is yours Why confidence only comes after you take action And one shift that changes everything:You don’t have to prove yourself to become who you’re meant to be.Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

April 8, 202625 min

You Don’t Have to Do It All: Why Asking for Help Changes Everything with Betsy Leonidas

You’re not overwhelmed because you’re doing it wrong—you’re overwhelmed because you’re doing everything.In this solo episode, Betsy speaks directly to the woman who’s been holding it all together—quietly, consistently, and often alone.The one who believes she should be able to do it all.But what if that belief is the very thing slowing you down?Betsy unpacks the hidden cost of doing everything yourself—not because you’re incapable, but because you’re carrying more than you were ever meant to. From the mental load of business to the invisible pressure in everyday life, she explores why so many women delay asking for help… and how that keeps them stuck in maintenance mode instead of stepping into real growth.Inside, she shares a simple yet powerful framework—the Four Ds: Drain, Decide, Delegate, Debrief—to help you identify what’s draining you, where your energy is truly meant to go, and how to start inviting in the right kind of support.This is a soft but honest reminder: You don’t hire when everything is perfect. You hire so things can finally grow.If you’ve been feeling stretched, tired, or quietly overwhelmed—this conversation will meet you there. And gently show you another way.Sign up for the webinar Investing in Support: Building Your Dream on April 16th, 2026 12:30-2:00: https://writeyourownstory.co/webinar/p/every-task-that-drains-you-is-a-dollar-lostinvest-in-support-insteadSupport the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

April 1, 202658 min

When Your Life Looks Good on Paper… But Doesn’t Feel Like You Anymore with Ashley Jablow

What happens when the life you built looks beautiful from the outside… but quietly doesn’t feel like yours anymore?In this episode, Betsy sits down with Ashley Jablow, founder of Wayfarer’s Collective and creator of Life Design School, for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale. Together, they unpack what it really means to outgrow a version of yourself, why big dramatic pivots are not always the answer, and how small, intentional shifts can completely change the way your life feels.They talk about burnout, ambition, identity, motherhood, creativity, and the pressure women feel to pick a lane and stay in it. Ashley shares her powerful framework of “little loops of learning” — tiny experiments that help you move forward without blowing up your whole life.This episode is for the woman who is feeling the quiet nudge. The one who knows something needs to shift, but does not want to burn everything down to find herself again.Inside this episode: ✨ how to know when you have outgrown a season of your life ✨ why discomfort may be a breadcrumb, not a breakdown ✨ how to create change without chaos ✨ the power of small steps over big dramatic moves ✨ a softer, wiser way to redesign your life with intentionIf you have been craving more alignment, more ease, and a life that actually feels like you, this conversation will meet you there.Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

March 25, 202652 min

Redefining Your Identity on Your Own Terms with Sonia Daccarett

What happens when you don’t fit into a single identity—and no one can tell you who you are?In this week's episode, Besty sits down with Sonia Daccarett, who shares what it means to grow up without a clear label, navigating life as the daughter of a Christian Palestinian father and a Jewish mother, raised in Colombia during a time of cultural tension and political unrest.From a young age, Sonia was forced to confront questions most people never have to ask:Who am I? Where do I belong? What do I believe?While others were handed ready-made identities, she was given something far more difficult—and far more powerful: the freedom to decide for herself.This conversation explores: The hidden pressure to “fit in” and why it feels so urgent as a child How identity is shaped by culture, family, and environment—and what happens when those conflict The tension between wanting answers and being forced to find your own Why oversimplifying identity strips away our humanity How to hold space for contradictions and complexity within yourself Sonia also shares the deeper story behind her book The Roots of the Guava Tree, and how writing it helped her reconnect fragmented parts of her past into a more integrated sense of self.If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fully belong anywhere—or like your identity doesn’t fit into a clean narrative—this episode will challenge how you think about who you are.Because maybe the point isn’t to find the right label.It’s to build one that’s actually yours.Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

March 18, 202649 min

The Art of Feeling Beautiful: Self-Care, Skincare & Confidence in a World of Trends with Jaclyn Luongo

In a world overflowing with beauty trends, miracle products, and endless advice on how women should look, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.In this episode of Write Your Own Story, Betsy sits down with beauty and wellness expert Jaclyn Luongo, who has spent more than two decades in the aesthetics industry helping women make informed, confident decisions about their skin and self-care.Together they unpack how to navigate the modern beauty world without getting swept up in every trend. From understanding skincare ingredients to choosing trustworthy practitioners, Jaclyn shares practical wisdom for approaching beauty with intention rather than impulse.This conversation goes beyond skincare. It’s about learning to care for yourself well, building confidence in your choices, and feeling good in your own skin.In this episode, we explore:How to tell the difference between real skincare solutions and social media trendsWhy ingredients matter more than branding or hypeWhat tools like red light therapy and microneedling actually doHow to find a trustworthy practitioner you can rely onWhy slow, intentional self-care often works better than chasing quick fixesHow women can approach beauty with more confidence and less pressureBecause feeling beautiful isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about understanding your body, trusting your choices, and caring for yourself in a way that truly feels good.Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

March 12, 202628 min

The Lie We’re Told About Confidence with Betsy Leonidas

Register for the webinar: GAINING CONFIDENCE IN WHO YOU ARE IN BUSINESShttps://writeyourownstory.co/webinar/p/youre-stuck-overthinking-every-moveits-time-to-act-with-confidenceFor so many women, there’s a quiet belief running in the background: I’ll do it when I feel more confident.I’ll launch when I feel ready. I’ll speak up when I’m sure of myself. I’ll go after the opportunity when I finally believe I can handle it.But what if that belief is the very thing keeping you stuck?In this solo episode, Betsy challenges one of the most powerful societal “shoulds” women carry—the idea that confidence must come before action. Through honest stories from entrepreneurship, motherhood, leadership, and life’s unexpected turns, she shares the perspective shift that completely changed how she approaches fear, self-doubt, and growth.Because here’s the truth most of us were never taught:confidence isn’t the starting point.Confidence is what grows after you take the leap.In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Why so many accomplished women still experience imposter syndrome • The real reason more preparation, experience, or certifications don’t fix self-doubt • How self-trust—not confidence—is what actually moves you forward • The simple shift that can help you stop waiting and start actingIf you’ve ever felt like you’re waiting to become the “confident version” of yourself before going after your dreams, this episode will change the way you see it.You don’t need confidence to begin.You just need the courage to start.Support the showConnect with Betsy:Website: writeyourownstory.coEmail: betsy@writeyourownstory.coInstagram: write_your_own_story_co Or betsyleoYoutube:writeyourownstorypodcast

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