Episodes
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You know the business is going to work. You're past the startup grind, you have paying clients, and you've built something real. But it still feels heavier than you expected, and the strategies that got you here aren't cutting it anymore.
In this episode, Kari gets honest about what actually moves the needle at this stage of business, and why most established owners are missing at least one of the three things she covers. None of them are loud. None of them are complicated. But most established owners are missing at least one of these foundations and many are missing all three.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why the strategies that built your business to this point are not the same ones that will take it further The specific feeling that tells you you're at this stage and why your gut already knows what it needs Why most established owners are in the wrong room, and don't realize it What real community looks like at this stage (and why many networking events don't qualify) The importance of working with a coach who has learned a framework from someone else and one who has actually lived it. Why hustle-culture coaching and hype-girl energy are absolutely the wrong fit at this stage. The truth about protected strategic time, and why carving out small pockets in your calendar is not enoughYou didn't build this far by accident. You are good at what you do, and the people around you know it. But good at your craft and good at leading a business are two different things, and nobody hands you the manual for the stage you're in right now. If any part of this episode felt a little too familiar, that's not a coincidence. It means you're ready for something different. Not louder. Not harder. Just more solid.
Free workshop: Beyond Coffee Chats - https://calendly.com/kari-betheanchor/beyond-coffee-chats-a-system-to-network-intentionally
The next cohort of the Anchored Leadership Academy opens this fall.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What if the way you get dressed in the morning is quietly affecting how you show up as a leader? In this conversation Kari sits down with Shelby Eloria - identity coach, image consultant, and founder of All Set Style, to explore the connection between personal style, self-perception, and confidence. Shelby shares how she left a decade-long corporate HR career to build a business around something she had always known mattered but had never let herself take seriously: the way clothing communicates who we are to ourselves and to the world.
Key Topics Discussed:
From Corporate HR to Identity Coach: The Layoff That Became a Gift
How Shelby spent more than a decade in oil and gas HR knowing something needed to change, and why being laid off in 2016 turned out to be the permission slip she had been waiting for.
Style vs. Fashion: Why They Are Not the Same Thing
The distinction that drives everything Shelby does: fashion is about trends and brands; style is personal communication. What you wear says something to other people, but more importantly, it says something to you.
The Monday Morning Story That Changed Everything
The moment Shelby reached into the back of her closet to match her mood and spent the rest of the day distracted, diminished, and wanting to disappear. And what she decided the moment it was over.
What It Actually Costs You to Stay Stuck
The real price of waiting: the money spent on clothes that never get worn, the events you skip, the opportunities you quietly let pass because you don't feel right in what you're wearing, even when you can't name why.
Why Having a Clear System Changed Her Business
How building a defined process, Style Foundations, wardrobe edit, shopping, styling session, in that exact order, transformed Shelby's client results and her confidence in charging what her work is actually worth.
What Happens When Identity Meets Image
What Shelby gets to witness when a client looks in the mirror and sees themselves differently. The shoulders shift. The smile appears. And the feedback they start getting isn't "I love your outfit" it's "something is different about you."
The Identity Work Underneath the Wardrobe
How Shelby's work evolved from personal styling into something deeper: examining the stories people tell themselves about what they're allowed to wear, who they're allowed to be, and how they deserve to show up.
Men, Women, and the Same Core Struggle
The similarities and differences in how men and women move through this work and why both carry stories about who they have to be that need to be broken before anything else can change.
If this conversation made you pause, if you thought about the events you've skipped, the closet you dread opening, or the version of yourself you haven't quite let show up yet, that pause is worth paying attention to. Shelby's work starts exactly there. Whether you're ready to dive in with a full style consultation or you just want to start asking better questions about how you want to show up, her Five Ways to Level Up Your Style workbook is a powerful first step. And if this episode resonated, share it with someone who keeps saying they'll deal with their closet later. Later has a cost and now you know what it is.The next cohort of the Anchored Leadership Academy opens this fall.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Shelby's Five Ways to Level Up Your Style workbook:
https://www.allsetstyle.com/level-up-your-style
*Code for 50% off: anchored50
Connect with Shelby and learn more about her incredible work here:
Website: allsetstyle.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @allsetstyle / @shelbyeloria
Facebook: All Set Style / Shelby Eloria
LinkedIn: Shelby Eloria
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership Coaching
Work with Kari:Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Missing episodes?
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If your business is following you into the rooms it has no business being in (the dinner table, the vacation, the quiet corner at a family gathering) this episode is for you. Kari opens with a personal story that stopped her in her tracks: showing up for her sister's newborn, physically present but mentally still at work, managing a contract negotiation and a client situation that "really couldn't wait." It wasn't a crisis. It was just Tuesday.
This episode goes deeper than the usual advice. Not better boundaries. Not just put your phone away. This is about why it's happening, and why that pattern is far more solvable than most people realize.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Eight-Day Work Week Is Real and the Data Backs It Up
Why profitable, established business owners are still working 50â54 hours a week, and what the numbers from the BDC and CFIB actually reveal about the nature of the problem.
This Is Not a Time Management Problem
Why the usual advice - better boundaries, more discipline, just put your phone away, misses the point entirely, and what is actually keeping owners stuck.
The Three Stages: Service Provider > Manager > Leader
A framework for understanding how most owners move through these roles, where they get stuck in the middle, and why that gap is where the business starts to live in them.
Why Your Business Follows You Everywhere
The structural reality behind why you can't fully step away, and why it has nothing to do with being a control freak, lacking trust, or being unwilling to let go.
Why Delegation Doesn't Stick
The real reason tasks find their way back to you: not the wrong hire, not the wrong task but a gap in decision-making capacity and unclear expectations underneath the handoff.
The Leadership Question That Changes Everything
The shift from "what needs solving?" to "what can be solved without me?" and why that single reframe is what moves you from management into genuine leadership.
Leadership Is a Skill You Were Never Taught
Why most owners spend years mastering their craft but were never given the practical tools to lead, and why that means the pattern isn't fixed, it's learnable.
Flexibility Without Presence Isn't Freedom
The difference between having the time carved out and actually being there, and why the goal is real presence, not just physical availability.The next cohort of the Anchored Leadership Academy opens this fall, and if this episode resonated with you, now is the time to get started. Before the cohort begins, Kari is running a free two-hour workshop called the Leader's Reset, a practical hands-on look at what it actually means to build the structure that transfers responsibility out of your head and into your business. It is a real glimpse of the work, not just a conversation about it. If you have been waiting for the right moment to make a change that actually lasts, this is where you start.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this episode of Anchored Leadership, Kari Lotzien sits down with Kelly Kennedy, founder and CEO of Capital Business Development, host of The Business Development Podcast, creator of the Catalyst Club Community, and founder of the Business Development Mastery Coaching Program. With nearly two decades of experience in sales and business development, Kelly brings a grounded, practical perspective on what it really takes to grow a business with consistency and confidence.
Kari and Kelly explore why great service alone is not enough, how business owners can move past the discomfort of direct outreach, and why structure, follow-up, and community are essential pieces of sustainable growth.
Key Topics Discussed:
The difference between sales, marketing, and business development
Kelly shares how he first discovered business development after being offered the role early in his career and realizing there were very few resources available. That gap eventually became the fuel behind his podcast and coaching work.
Why great service is not enough to grow a business
We talk about the trap many service-based business owners fall into: believing that if they provide excellent service, referrals will naturally keep the business growing. That can work for a while, but it often leaves major opportunities on the table.
Making time for business development
Kelly recommends blocking dedicated time each week for focused business development activities. Not scrolling, not posting into the void, not hoping the phone rings, but intentionally reaching out, making connections, and asking for the next step.
Getting comfortable with ânoâ
One of the biggest mindset shifts in this episode is learning to see a no as useful information, not personal rejection.
The power of strategic follow-up
Kelly explains why one email or one call is rarely enough. People are busy, inboxes are crowded, and timing matters. Consistent, respectful follow-up is not pestering when it is done with professionalism and purpose.
Using podcasting and social media to build visibility
We discuss how podcasting can build credibility, create warm introductions, and allow people to understand how you think long before they ever book a call. Kelly also shares why LinkedIn and Instagram have become important tools in his business development strategy. Creating community without making yourself the centre of the room
Kelly shares the story behind Catalyst Club and why he wanted to create a lower-barrier, remote-first community where business owners and experts could connect, learn, and support each other.
Structure creates flexibility
One of the strongest leadership takeaways from this conversation is that calendars, systems, batching, and planning ahead do not restrict freedom. They protect it. Kelly shares how he uses planning, content buffers, and focused calendar blocks to keep multiple businesses and podcasts moving.This episode is a reminder that business development does not need to feel pushy, complicated, or disconnected from your values. At its best, it is about being strategic, building relationships, following up with intention, and creating systems that keep your business visible even when life gets full.
For small business owners, especially those in service-based businesses, this conversation is a practical nudge to stop waiting for referrals to do all the heavy lifting. Your reputation matters, but so does your willingness to be seen, ask clearly, and follow through consistently.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Kelly Kennedy is the Founder & CEO of Capital Business Development, host of The Business Development Podcast and I Used To Work There, creator of The Catalyst Club Community, and founder of the Business Development Mastery Coaching Program. Known by many as The Podfather and the Hope Dealer, Kelly brings nearly two decades of sales and business development experience to helping entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and business leaders build better systems, create real momentum, and grow with confidence.
Connect with Kelly and learn more about his incredible work here:
Websites:
https://www.kellykennedyofficial.com
https://www.capitalbd.ca
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellykennedyofficial/
Podcasts:
https://thebusinessdevelopmentpodcast.captivate.fm/listen
https://iusedtoworkthere.com/listenWork with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Most business coaching falls into one of two camps.
Hustle culture: scale faster, push harder, your only limit is your mindset.
Affirmation culture: you're amazing, you've got this, here's your permission slip.
Neither one asks the hard question. And for established owners who have already done the work of building something real, neither one is actually enough.
In this episode, Kari gets honest about the gap she sees in the coaching and leadership development space, why the hardest person to lead in your business is you, and what it actually looks like when someone asks the question that makes you go quiet for ten seconds before you answer.
That pause? That's where the real work happens.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Two Dominant Coaching Styles (and Their Limits)
Kari breaks down what she sees as the two most common approaches in the coaching space: hustle culture and affirmation culture. Why âMoreâ Isnât Always the Right Answer
For owners past the startup phase, the challenge is rarely effort or discipline. The real question becomes: Am I focused on the right thing? Kari highlights how few frameworks actually pause long enough to ask this and why that gap matters. The Power of the Right Question (and the Silence That Follows)
The most impactful coaching doesnât come from giving answers, it comes from asking the kind of question that makes someone stop and think. Kari explains why that 10â20 second pause is not a problem to fix, but a signal that someone is accessing deeper clarity. The Hardest Person to Lead Is You
Leadership isnât just about managing a team or improving communication. Kari challenges listeners to look inward- at patterns, habits, and decisions that are often running on autopilot. A Real Example of Misaligned Growth
Through a client story, Kari illustrates how a strong, logical growth strategy can still be the wrong decision if it doesnât align with the life the owner is trying to build. Practical Ways to Create Better Thinking Space
This isnât about overanalyzing everything. Kari shares simple, practical shifts: taking a breath before responding, allowing silence in conversations, using open-ended âwhatâ questions, and resisting the urge to jump in with answers too quickly.If youâve been feeling like the usual advice (work harder, think bigger, stay positive) isnât quite enough anymore, this episode offers a different perspective. Not more tactics, not more validation, but a deeper level of reflection. The kind that changes how you lead, how you decide, and ultimately how your business supports your life.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Find the hours you didn't know you were losing and get the Time Leak Toolkit: https://kari-lotzien.mykajabi.com/pl/2148756811. For capable, experienced business owners who are always busy but never feel caught up. You want to know exactly where your time is disappearing and more importantly how you can get it back.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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There comes a point in business where the question quietly shifts. Itâs no longer just about growth, efficiency, or what the next opportunity is, it becomes something deeper: is this still right for me?
In this episode, Kari reflects on a pattern sheâs seeing across experienced business owners, and in herself. Beneath conversations about time, systems, and leadership, thereâs a quieter layer emerging. A shift from building and pushing forwardâŠto listening, adapting, and intentionally designing what comes next. This is not about starting over. Itâs about recognizing that the version of success you built your business on may not fully fit the person youâve become.
Key Topics Discussed:
The underlying question many business owners are facing: Am I still building the right thing for who I am now? How learning evolves as you grow - shifting from structured, external input to slower, more reflective, experience-based insight The difference between chasing growth and intentionally designing a business that fits your life Why high-performing owners often default to old patterns, and how awareness allows you to interrupt them earlier What it really means to adapt at this stage of business, when life, relationships, and energy all carry more weight The shift from building systems for efficiency to building systems that create ease and sustainability How holding things more loosely allows your team, systems, and decisions to actually work better The role of a steady nervous system in making strong, grounded leadership decisions Understanding the natural rhythm of leadership, when to push, when to act, and when to step back and reflect A deeper look at what it means to be âanchoredâ as a leader - not perfect, but aware, steady, and intentionalThis episode is an invitation to pause not to slow everything down, but to create just enough space to hear your own thinking again. Because at this stage, the answers youâre looking for are rarely found in another strategy or framework. They come from being honest about what fits now, what no longer does, and what you actually want to build moving forward.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Find the hours you didn't know you were losing and get the Time Leak Toolkit: https://kari-lotzien.mykajabi.com/pl/2148756811. For capable, experienced business owners who are always busy but never feel caught up. You want to know exactly where your time is disappearing and more importantly how you can get it back.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What happens when youâre leading a business, supporting a team, and suddenly stepping into the role of caregiver for an aging parent?
In this episode, Kari sits down with nurse advocates Pam and Linda of Nurse Advocate Consulting to unpack one of the most emotionally and logistically complex seasons many business owners face.
This is not just about healthcare; itâs about leadership under pressure.
They share real stories from decades of experience supporting families through Alzheimerâs, cancer, and unexpected health crises. Youâll hear what most families arenât prepared for, why the system feels overwhelming, and how to navigate it without losing yourself or your business, in the process.
If youâre part of the âsandwich generationâ or know this season is coming, this conversation will give you both clarity and relief.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why caring for aging parents often catches business owners off guard The emotional load of guilt, uncertainty, and responsibility, and how to navigate it The hidden complexity of healthcare systems, insurance, and care coordination How to divide responsibilities within families (like you would in a business) Practical strategies to protect your time while still showing up for your family Why systems, communication, and planning are essential in caregiving The importance of including your loved one in decision-making What advance directives and healthcare power of attorney really mean, and why they matter How to avoid crisis-mode decision-making with proactive planning The role of a healthcare advocate and how they can support your familyThis is one of those seasons that asks more of you than you expected and not just as a business owner, but as a human being. If you take nothing else from this conversation, let it be this: you donât have to figure it all out in the middle of a crisis. Start the conversations. Put a few simple systems in place. Ask for support sooner than you think you need it. Because the goal isnât to carry all of this perfectly, itâs to navigate it in a way that protects your capacity, honours your family, and allows you to keep leading your business without losing yourself in the process.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Connect with Pam and Linda and learn more about her incredible work here:
Website: www.yournurseadvocateconsulting.com/about-us/
Podcast:www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthcare-redefined-advocating-for-aging-adults-and/id1834004821
LinkedInLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/your-nurse-advocate-consulting-llc/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yourrnadvocate/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourRNAdvocate/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@yournurseadvocateconsulting/Read their book âCracking the Hospice Code: Your Nurse Advocates Debunk the Top 10 Misconceptions of Hospiceâ
Find the time you need right now. The Time Leak Toolkit
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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If you pride yourself on being available, responsive, and always there for your clients and team⊠this episode might challenge you.
Because what feels like great leadership - being approachable, overdelivering, always saying yes, might actually be the reason you feel constantly pulled, behind, and unable to step into true leadership.
In this episode, Kari breaks down the subtle (and very human) ways business owners train their clients and teams to treat their time, and how those patterns quietly create overwhelm, inconsistency, and even resentment.
This is not about becoming rigid or unavailable. Itâs about becoming aligned.
If youâve ever felt like you canât catch up, canât step away, or canât get to the âbig pictureâ work your business needsâŠthis episode will help you see why.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why constant availability is not the same as strong leadership How you unintentionally train clients and team members to use (and misuse) your time The difference between planned time vs. pulled time, and why it matters How overdelivering can quietly create inconsistency and confusion in your business The hidden ways leaders undermine their own systems and team expectations Why your team culture is shaped by what you model - not what you say How small, âharmlessâ exceptions lead to long-term overwhelm and resentment What shifts as you move from service provider > manager > leader Why leadership requires protected, focused time, and how most owners lose it A simple 3-day audit to uncover where your time is actually goingAt some point, this stops being about time management and starts being about leadership. Not the kind that looks good on paper, but the kind that holds under pressure. You donât need to become less supportive, less generous, or less available - you just need to become more consistent. Because the truth is, your business will always rise or fall to the standard you model. And when you start protecting your time with the same care youâve been giving everyone else, you donât just get your hours back, you finally create the space to lead the business youâve worked so hard to build.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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One of the most common things small business owners say is: âI just need more time.â
But what if the real issue isnât the big commitments on your calendar, itâs the small moments that quietly steal your attention throughout the day?
In this episode of Be the Anchor, Kari invites you to take a closer look at where your time is actually going. Many entrepreneurs plan well, set priorities, and build thoughtful to-do lists, yet still end the day feeling like nothing meaningful moved forward.
The truth is that the biggest drains on your time rarely show up on your calendar. Instead, they appear as quick questions, interruptions, late meetings, and small tech distractions. Individually, they seem harmless, but together they create the feeling that your day disappeared.
Kari explores the idea of âtime leaksâ - tiny gaps where minutes slip away unnoticed. When you become aware of these patterns, you can start reclaiming time for leadership, strategy, and meaningful work.
Youâll also learn how reclaiming just 15 minutes a day can add up to more than 60 hours in a year, enough to change how you run your business and your life.
This episode isnât about productivity hacks. Itâs about awareness first. Once you see where your time is leaking, you can make better decisions about where your attention belongs.
If youâve ever ended the week wondering where your time went, this episode is for you.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why your calendar doesnât tell the full story about where your time goes The hidden impact of tiny interruptions throughout your day The concept of âtime leaksâ and why they matter more than big commitments The difference between planned time and pulled time in your business Three common traps that quietly steal your attention How reclaiming just 15 minutes a day can give you back over 60 hours a yearIf youâve been feeling like thereâs never enough time, this episode is an invitation to slow down and take an honest look at where your minutes are actually going. The goal isnât to become more productive overnight or to squeeze more into your day. Itâs simply to become aware of the small leaks that quietly drain your time and energy. When you start to notice those patterns, even reclaiming fifteen minutes a day can create meaningful space - for leadership thinking, for strategy, or simply for a little more breathing room in your life. Your time is one of your most valuable resources, and learning to protect it is one of the most important leadership skills you can build.
During this episode, Kari introduces The Time Toolkit, a simple and structured process designed to help business owners identify where their time is actually going.
The toolkit walks you through a short four-day audit to help uncover the small interruptions and patterns that quietly steal your time. In less than an hour of total work, many business owners discover opportunities to reclaim five or more hours per month.
You can find the Time Toolkit link here:
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this conversation, Kari sits down with keynote speaker and author Steven Langer to challenge the idea that work-life balance is the goal. Steven makes the case that balance is a trap: it frames work and life as competing forces, sets an unrealistic 50/50 standard, and leaves high performers stuck in guilt and pendulum-swinging.
Instead, Steven introduces work-life coherence, a practical way of living and leading where your work and life fit together and make sense for the season youâre in. Using relatable analogies (the seesaw, the sailing captain, and the hill vs. plateau), they unpack how to create space for complexity, protect your âfulcrumâ (health), and lead teams (especially remote teams) with intention, clarity, and trust.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why chasing âbalanceâ can increase stress, guilt, and burnout The difference between balance and coherence (and why it actually works) How to shift your days from default to intention, without a full life overhaul The real cost of interruptions and why leaders need protected deep work time How âmy door is always openâ can quietly sabotage leadership capacity The âhill vs. plateauâ test for intense seasons: when to push vs. when to redesign What real culture looks like (itâs not yoga-at-lunch or a pizza party) A simple reframe: letting others help you is giving them a gift How recognition impacts engagement and why it often doesnât âlandâ Why leadership is lonely at the topâŠand lonelier in the middle How to build culture and clarity when leading remote or hybrid teams A sailing analogy for leading through stormy seasons: tighten lines, trust the courseIf work-life balance has felt like a hamster wheel with a guilt soundtrack, this episode offers a better target: coherence, a way to lead and live that makes sense for the season youâre in, while protecting the health and systems that make your success sustainable.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - start building a business that works for you, not just because of you.
As an international keynote and TEDx speaker, Steven cuts through the noise to shift how audiences think about wellness. Blending powerful stories, data, and practical insight, he inspires meaningful change.Steven doesnât just motivate, he equips audiences with clear, authentic tools they can actually use. Whether speaking to executives, frontline teams, or leaders, people leave feeling seen, understood, and ready to lead and live with intention.
His keynotes tackle real-world pressures and offer actionable ways to build healthier workplaces and more coherent lives. If you want clarity and forward momentum, Steven Langer delivers.
Connect with Steven and learn more about his incredible work here:
www.wellbydesign.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/steven-langer-b9b64945Get his book here: wellbydesign.ca/coherence-compass-book
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership Academy Private Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.ca Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca Linked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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If you tend to avoid conflict, smooth things over, or jump in to fix problems yourself, this episode is for you.
As your business grows, tension and discomfort donât mean something is broken; theyâre signs that your business is evolving. In this episode of Be the Anchor, Kari explores the critical (and often uncomfortable) shift from being a capable problem-solver to becoming a true leader.
Youâll learn why avoiding hard conversations keeps you stuck in reaction mode, how fixing problems for your team actually limits their growth, and what leadership looks like when responsibility is shared instead of absorbed.
This episode is a continuation of the recent conversation about becoming the bottleneck in your business and what it really takes to move from management into confident, sustainable leadership.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why conflict and tension are not signs of failure but indicators of growthThe predictable stages of business ownership: provider â manager â leaderHow âbeing helpfulâ can quietly keep you stuck fixing instead of leadingThe hidden cost of avoiding hard conversations in your businessWhy leadership is about developing people, not preventing problemsA real-world example of addressing performance issues without micromanagingHow naming standards and impact builds ownership and accountabilityWhy asking questions is more powerful than giving answersThe role of space, calm, and regulation in effective leadership conversationsYouâre not behind. Youâre evolving.
Learning how to lead through discomfort calmly, clearly, and without carrying everything yourself is one of the most important shifts a business owner can make. And you donât have to figure it out alone.
If this episode resonated, let it be an invitation, not to push harder, but to pause. To step back just enough to lead forward.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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If youâve built a strong reputation, hired good people, and still feel like everything runs through you - this episode is for you.
In this continuation of last weekâs conversation, Kari dives into what happens after you realize youâve become the bottleneck in your business. Not because youâre doing something wrong, but because leadership has quietly been squeezed into the margins of your day.
This episode explores why clarity doesnât come from trying harder, working faster, or stacking better systems on top of an already full plate. It comes from something most business owners avoid: creating space.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why being deeply involved in the day-to-day makes it nearly impossible to lead wellThe hidden cost of making leadership decisions âin the marginsâHow service-based owners end up holding two full-time jobs: revenue generator and leaderA real story from Kariâs own business, and the moment she realized her leadership was the constraintWhy your team may feel uncertain or disengaged even when everything âlooks fineâThe renovation analogy that perfectly explains why growth feels so hard at this stageWhy peers, perspective, and protected space are essential for the next level of leadershipHow slowing down can feel uncomfortable and why itâs often the most productive move you can makeLeadership at this stage isnât about becoming more efficient, more productive, or more resilient. Itâs about recognizing that the way youâve been operating (the pace, the proximity, the constant availability) is no longer serving the business or the people in it.
If youâre feeling worn down, unclear, or quietly frustrated, thatâs not a personal failing. Itâs information. Itâs a signal that leadership needs space, not squeezed into the margins between clients, emails, and late-night notes.
You donât need all the answers right now. You donât need a perfect plan. What you need is altitude. Space to think. Space to see patterns. Space to lead with intention instead of reacting in real time.
And most importantly, you donât have to do that alone. Leadership gets lighter, clearer, and more effective when itâs done in the right rooms, with people who understand the weight youâre carrying.
If this episode resonated, let it be an invitation, not to push harder, but to pause. To step back just enough to lead forward.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien,
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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If youâve built your business by being reliable, responsive, and indispensable but now feel like things wonât move unless you do, it may be time for a leadership shift.
In this powerful solo episode, Kari speaks directly to business owners who are feeling stretched thin, not quite burnt out, but heavy with responsibility. Youâll hear stories, practical insights, and compassionate coaching about what to do when you realize youâve become the bottleneck in your business.
This episode gives you permission to step back, reassess, and redesign your leadership, without guilt.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why your competence might be quietly holding your business backThe difference between being needed and being effectiveHow to shift from being the go-to problem solver to building decision-making capacity in your teamA powerful script you can use to start coaching your team to think criticallyHow the lack of systems, not trust, creates team dependenceReal-life client stories that show how these dynamics play out and how to fix themIf youâre starting to feel like everything in your business runs through you, that no decision gets made without your input, that your team is waiting on you, and that youâre constantly âjust checking one more thingâ this episode was your permission slip to pause and rethink.
You havenât done anything wrong. In fact, your business has likely grown because of your care, your consistency, and your competence. But now, your leadership needs to evolve with your business. Itâs time to move from being the anchor that holds everything together to becoming the anchor that stabilizes and empowers a team to grow and lead alongside you.
Remember: your goal isnât to be indispensable. Your goal is to build something that doesnât fall apart when you exhale.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What if the secret to better leadership, team culture, and resilience isnât more hustle but more play?
This week, we welcome the dynamic and deeply inspiring Brandy Heather, a bestselling author, award-winning educator, and internationally recognized expert on the science of play. Brandy brings the fire, compassion, and neuroscience to back her mission: restoring playful intelligence in a world thatâs overworked and underplayed.
From boardrooms to classrooms to burnt-out entrepreneurs, Brandyâs work shows us why play isnât the opposite of productivity; itâs the fuel for it. In this emotional, laugh-out-loud, and goosebump-inducing conversation, Brandy dismantles the âshow homeâ culture, reveals why fear and play canât coexist, and offers real strategies to return to joy, belonging, and creative problem-solving, even if youâve forgotten how.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why âplayâ is a biological necessity, not a luxuryThe neuroscience behind why fear blocks innovation (and how play unlocks it)What âplayâ actually looks like in the workplace (hint: itâs not ping pong tables)The real reason most professionals avoid play and what it costs usHow Brandy cracked corporate walls with cautious delightThe difference between play as service and play as selfWhatâs really happening in âshow homeâ culture and how itâs disconnecting usBrandyâs personal story of burnout, hospitalization, and rediscovering play through a tacky ceramic frogWhy play is the path to building more human businesses, safer relationships, and resilient teamsIf youâve been running on empty, feeling disconnected from your work, or just wondering where the joy went, this episode is your reminder: play isnât the opposite of work, itâs the soul of it.
When you bring joy, curiosity, and playfulness back into your life, you don't just perform better, you lead better, love better, and live better.
Brandi Heather is a best-selling author, educator, and internationally recognized expert on Playful Intelligenceâą. She helps individuals and organizations prevent burnout and reconnect with creativity, energy, and meaningful connection by bringing play back into the way we work and live.
Connect with Brandy and learn more about her incredible work here:
www.brandiheather.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandiheather/https://www.instagram.com/brandi__heather/
https://www.facebook.com/b3brandiheatherThe Anchored Leadership Academy is launching a new cohort in January; spots are limited.
đ Learn more and book your discovery call here.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this heartfelt final episode of 2025, Kari Lotzien, business and leadership coach, invites listeners into a deep year-end reflection filled with honesty, resilience, and grace.
If you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or unsure how you made it through the year, this episode is for you.
Rather than a highlight reel, Kari gets real about what happens when life doesnât go to plan. From struggling with unexpected health challenges during a milestone birthday year to rediscovering the power of strong systems, support, and data-driven truth, this episode is an intimate look behind the curtain of entrepreneurship.
Kari shares how slowing down and reassessing her own "stories" about the year helped her uncover hidden wins and how you can too.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why turning the calendar doesnât magically change who you are, but pausing to reflect just might.How Kariâs vision of hitting 50 as her fittest self collided with the unexpected reality of perimenopause.The mindset reframe that helped her shift from âthis year was a write-offâ to âthis year was record-breaking.âA reminder that challenge and success are not opposites, they often walk hand in hand.How to find YOUR hidden wins by asking: âWhatâs the data say?âWays that struggle might actually be setting you up for a more sustainable, scalable business.As 2025 comes to a close, Kari leaves listeners with a heartfelt invitation to pause and reflect, not just on what didnât go as planned, but on the hidden wins that quietly shaped the year. Her message is clear: growth doesnât always look like fireworks, and success often walks hand in hand with struggle. Through vulnerability and wisdom, Kari reminds her audience that they donât have to navigate entrepreneurship alone. With the Anchored Leadership Academy launching a new cohort in January, sheâs more committed than ever to helping business owners build systems, support, and resilience for the year ahead.
The next cohort starts in January. Spots are limited.
đ Learn more and book your discovery call here.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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As a seasoned business and leadership coach, Kari Lotzien takes listeners behind the curtain of 2025 to reveal the real patterns shaping small business and where the biggest opportunities (and caution flags) lie in 2026. Drawing from private coaching sessions, the Anchored Leadership Academy, and her trusted membership community, Kari brings together powerful insights from across industries.
If you're a small business owner looking for clarity, connection, and direction as you plan for the year ahead, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.
Key Topics Discussed:
2025 in Review:
The 3 phases of AI adoption Kari observed in business (curiosity â chaos â cautious strategy)How AI created both a surge in innovation and a âtrust recessionâThe slow, strategic buyer: why trust-building took longer and how to adaptWhatâs Coming in 2026:
The 4-part strategy Kari believes small businesses must embrace to thrive:Get Real â authenticity over polishGet Clean â simplify your offerings and processesAmplify Human Connection â bring back personal touch in a digital worldCollaborate â leverage aligned partnerships without growing your teamAI + Human Synergy:
Why 2026 isnât about âAI vs. people,â but how well you balance automation with deep personal serviceReal examples of how AI can support both life and business (from meal planning to creative brainstorming)Small Business Advantage:
How staying small and nimble allows for deeper trust and customizationPractical insights from Kariâs work with real leaders inside her Anchored programs
It's clear that small business success in 2026 wonât be about doing more, it will be about doing what matters, better. By embracing simplicity, leading with authenticity, leveraging AI thoughtfully, and building trusted partnerships, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape. This is your moment to step into leadership, refine your strategy, and reconnect with the human side of business. The future belongs to those who are willing to evolve and do it with heart.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this eye-opening episode of Be the Anchor, Kari is joined by Meg Clarke, founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency helping small businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. If SEO has ever felt overwhelming or if AI feels like itâs changing too fast to keep up, this conversation is your new best friend.
Meg breaks down the shifts from traditional Google search to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. More importantly, she explains how AI is holding us accountable to show up consistently and authentically across platforms and how that's actually great news for small business owners who are just being themselves.
From personal branding to practical visibility tips, Meg and Kari dive into real strategies that help you get found without needing to game the system.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why AI is not replacing SEO but how itâs changing the game.How to show up in a way that earns trust from AI (and your audience).The surprising role LinkedIn, podcasts, and YouTube play in visibility.Why personal Instagram content may actually confuse AI.How custom GPTs can simplify and amplify your business operations.Real-life examples of using AI as a team member not a threat.Megâs favorite visibility hacks you can implement today.What âauthenticityâ really means when it comes to online presence.
Whether youâre just beginning to explore SEO and AI or youâve been navigating the digital landscape for a while, this episode is a powerful reminder that visibility doesn't have to mean overwhelm. As Meg so beautifully shared, showing up consistently, clearly, and authentically is not only enough, it's exactly what both your audience and AI are looking for.
Meg Clarke is the founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency that helps local businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. Based in Northern Virginia, she leads a team that blends strategy, data, and heart to help clients grow online. A sought-after speaker and former Wheel of Fortune contestant, Meg is known for making SEO approachable, effective, and even a little fun.
Connect with Meg and learn more about her incredible work here:
www.clappingdogmedia.com
www.linkedin.com/in/clappingdogmediaListen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this powerful and timely episode of Be the Anchor, Kari Lotzien dives into a conversation that many are having behind closed doors but itâs time to bring it into the light.
Are we raising and employing a generation that lacks grit, resilience, and accountability? Or are we missing a deeper opportunity to lead differently?
Kari explores the cultural shift from hyper-independence to overprotection and how both employers and young professionals are caught in the middle. Drawing from her 25 years of experience working with youth and leaders, Kari challenges business owners and leaders to reflect on their own relationship with discomfort and how that directly impacts their teams.
This episode will spark self-reflection, uncomfortable truths, and ultimately, a new way to support growth, resilience, and leadership in both ourselves and others.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why resilience doesnât grow in comfortThe leadership challenge of holding space for discomfortHow cultural shifts have changed the resilience landscapeThe 4-quadrant model of support vs. challenge (from Challenging Coaching)Why avoiding conflict leads to business stagnationThe dance of high support & high challenge leadershipQuestions to ask instead of giving quick solutionsHow to build true grit in your team without micromanaging
Growth isnât supposed to be comfortable but it is worth it.
If this episode sparked something in you, whether it was a nudge of recognition, a moment of truth, or a new perspective then youâre exactly where you need to be.
The Anchored Leadership Academy was built for business owners and leaders just like you, those who are ready to stop reacting and start leading with purpose. In this 12-week, high-impact program, youâll develop the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and courage. No fluff - just practical, tested strategies that work in real life and real business.
The next cohort starts in January. Spots are limited.
đ Learn more and book your discovery call here.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode of Be the Anchor, Kari Lotzien welcomes Carolyn Mulholland - wife, mother, grandmother, and founder of the Tide Center for Counseling and Health. Together, they unpack the invisible weight entrepreneurs carry and the slow drift from joy and alignment into exhaustion and burnout.
If youâve ever felt like you're just âpushing through,â this episode is for you. From signs of burnout to understanding the window of tolerance, Kari and Carolyn explore how our nervous systems are impacted by chronic stress, and what we can do to come home to ourselves again, personally and professionally.
Whether you're running a business or just running on empty, this conversation is a call to pause, reflect, and gently reclaim your light.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Hidden Burnout of High Performers
Why success can mask quiet exhaustionâand what to do about it.
When Home Life Flags What Work Ignores
How burnout shows up in relationships before business performance.
Burnout Signs We Miss
From high blood pressure to detachment and cynicism.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance
What it is, why it matters, and how to expand it.
Hyper vs. Hypo-Arousal
The difference between driven energy and dysregulation.
Resentment & People Pleasing
The cost of saying yes to others while saying no to yourself.
Burnout Heals in Community
Why we need more than networking; we need real support.
Tending the Lantern
A powerful metaphor for protecting your inner light during tough seasons.
Glimmers & Daily Rituals
Small joys and transitions that rebuild energy and connection.This episode is a powerful reminder that burnout doesnât always look like collapse; it often hides behind busy schedules, polished appearances, and quiet detachment. Through her warmth and wisdom, Carolyn Mulholland invites us to pause, reflect, and tend to the parts of ourselves we often overlook.
If you're feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or just a little lost, this is your invitation to come home to yourself. You are not alone, and healing is possible.
Take a breath. Light the lantern. And let this conversation be the anchor that brings you back.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Connect with Carolyn and learn more about her incredible work here:
Visit www.tidescounselling.ca
403-588-4718
[email protected]Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this deep, vulnerable, and powerful episode of Be the Anchor, Kari welcomes her long-time friend and financial powerhouse, Jillian, for a raw conversation about success, identity, and what it really means to thrive as a woman in todayâs world.
From money mindset and family dynamics to philanthropy, partnership, motherhood, and ambition - this episode is a call for women to stop playing small, to own their power unapologetically, and to be seen for the impact theyâre making in the world.
Key Topics Discussed:
Moving beyond traditional roles and expectations.The fear of being âtoo muchâ when youâre ambitious or successful.How wealth is perceived differently for women.Letting go of guilt around financial success.Raising daughters who see success as normal.Modeling leadership and contribution, not hustle and depletion.Why visibility mattersâand why itâs not the same as arrogance.The emotional impact of shrinking to stay likable.Real stories of being misunderstood or judged for ambition.Resilience as a superpower.Building supportive partnerships at home and at work.Creating sustainable businesses with boundaries and systems.Teaching kids generosity and values.Using wealth as a tool for legacy, not ego.Why we need spaces for brave conversations among women.Celebrating each otherâs wins without shrinking ourselves.This episode is more than a conversation; itâs a rally cry for women who are ready to stop playing small and start showing up boldly in their businesses, families, and communities. As Kari and Jillian remind us, itâs not about ego, itâs about impact. And when women lead unapologetically, everyone benefits.
Whether you're just starting out or sitting at the helm of something incredible, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to choose between being kind and being powerful; you can be both.
So step forward. Take up space. Be the anchor.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotifyâstart building a business that works for youânot just because of you.
Work with Kari:
Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:
Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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