Ready to turn awkward into your advantage? Andy Vargo empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity through coaching, keynotes, and courses.

👉 Explore how you can Own Your Awkward: https://awkwardcareer.comIn this insightful episode, Andy welcomes Coach Angie Jones of Ataruka Coaching to explore the intersection of leadership, gratitude, and mental clarity. Broadcasting from the often-cloudy Pacific Northwest, they discuss what it means to “create sunshine” internally—shifting your mindset to lead and live with intention.Coach Angie introduces her signature leadership model: the Dynamic Pause, built around three key pillars—pause to breathe, pause to negotiate meaning, and pause to innovate. The two coaches dive deep into boundary-setting, time management, and how vulnerability is actually a core strength in modern leadership.Angie also shares exciting updates on her upcoming book, podcast, and virtual workshop “Street Cred,” and highlights the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and servant leadership in today’s ever-evolving world.👉 Learn more about Angie at: https://www.transform.coach/📱 Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atarukacoaching/💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ur-leadershipcoach-angie/📘 Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angielifecoach🔗 More Ways to Own Your Awkward: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/🛒 Grab merch, join a course, or book Andy to speak: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/#OwnYourAwkward #LeadershipDevelopment #ServantLeadership #TimeManagement #DynamicPause #EmotionalIntelligence #CoachingLife #SelfAwareness #PodcastEpisode #LeadershipCoach #WomenInLeadership #GratitudePractice #MindfulLeadership

Ready to turn awkward into your advantage? Andy Vargo empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity through coaching, keynotes, and courses.

👉 Explore how you can Own Your Awkward: https://awkwardcareer.com

In this raw, real, and empowering conversation, Andy Vargo and Marie Sonneman dive deep into the challenges of building confidence, breaking free from self-comparison, and owning your unique identity—awkwardness and all. As business collaborators and accountability partners, they reflect on their growth, the power of support systems, and the real meaning of bravery. From personal stories to practical insights, this episode is packed with honest reflections, empowering tools, and encouragement for anyone ready to lead with authenticity and step into their badassery.

🌟 Topics Covered:

How accountability leads to real growth

What it actually means to be fearless

Embracing vulnerability in leadership and life

Reframing negative thoughts for confidence

Andy’s journey to self-acceptance

Marie’s “Proof of Badassery” mindset

📍 Connect with Marie: https://ordinarytobadass.com/

Use affiliate link to buy Marie's guided journal Proof of My Badassery: https://amzn.to/3YykILw

📍 Connect with Andy: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

🗣 Want to bring Andy in to speak or coach your team?

https://www.awkwardcareer.com/speaking/ | https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#OwnYourAwkward #OrdinaryToBadass #LeadershipConfidence #PodcastDrop #ConfidenceCoach #AuthenticLeadership #PersonalGrowth #WomenInLeadership #PublicSpeaking #MentalHealthMatters #badass

Ready to turn awkward into your advantage? Andy Vargo empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity through coaching, keynotes, and courses.
👉 Explore how you can Own Your Awkward: https://awkwardcareer.com

🎙️ Today’s Guest: Dr. Melissa Hughes
Dr. Melissa Hughes returns to the show to dive deep into psychological safety, the power of vulnerability, and how to manage personal biases. Melissa blends neuroscience with practical strategies to help people and organizations create environments where authentic conversations thrive.

✨ Support & Connect with Dr. Melissa Hughes:
🌐 Website: melissahughes.rocks
📘 Book: Store | Neuro Nugget
📱 LinkedIn: @melissahughesphd
📱 Instagram: @melissahughesphd

✨ In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why the illusion of psychological safety can be more harmful than obvious risks

• How imposter syndrome and your inner critic feed self-doubt

• The difference between true psychological safety vs. forced conformity

• The science behind emotional contagion — and how kindness rewires the brain

• Practical steps to foster meaningful conversations across differences

🔗 More Ways to Own Your Awkward:
🛒 Grab merch, join a course, or book Andy to speak: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

#podcast #authenticity #psychologicalsafety #impostersyndrome #leadership #coaching #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #authenticity #growthmindset

Dave is from Ontario Canada. He has been chased by a Moose, been in 3 tornadoes, heard himself on the radio, Dave wonders why people love puzzles, and he can’t swim. Dave is fairly sarcastic and his wit makes him slightly dizzy at times. His wife does find Dave mildly entertaining (in small amounts and from a safe distance).

Dave is the host of 8 different podcasts, and over the past 5 years Dave has created content, community and stories - speaking with guests from around the world - everyone has a story! Dave pursues curiosity and coffee in the search for creative people and stories. Dave is an empty nest Dad with 3 adult children. Dave loves his rescued animals, Dave has been an active musician for over 45 years and he has more stories than what can fit into a standard podcast recording.

Dave operates True Media Solutions and supports podcasters by handling podcast editing, growth and promotion.

Find his shows and support Dave Campbell online: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #canada #podcast #howto #voice #music #musician

Amanda Poliak is a talented, award-winning brewer and the owner of Awkward Brewing, a brewery known for its unique flavors and bold brews. She first opened Awkward Brewing in Washington State in 2015 before relocating to the Atlanta metro area, where she re-established the brewery in 2021. While the brewery technically reopened in November of that year, Amanda proudly celebrates March 18th, "Awkward Moments Day," as her official opening day. With a passion for creating a diverse range of beers —from stouts and IPAs to lagers and sours—as well as an inclusive environment. Amanda’s brews have earned recognition, including a medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Her commitment to quality, creativity, and community has made Awkward Brewing into a family as well as a beloved staple in the craft beer scene.

Please support Awkward Brewing online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awkwardbrewing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awkwardbrewing/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awkwardbrewing

www.awkwardbrew.com

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #brewery #brewers #breweries #awkward #beer #fayetteville #georgia #atlanta #relocation #beerpodcast

Brian Kerr has consulted full-time for 19 years, working alongside clients in technology, finance, healthcare, the social sector, and local and state governments. 3 ways he helps clients get to quality + value: ① opening space for shared understanding, ② practicing continuous improvement, ③ landing change & adoption. Brian's goal → to reduce suffering and wasted effort in the workplace. He writes about continuous improvement, facilitation, learning, meditation, and related topics at Improve Something Today. Follow and support Brian Kerr online: Blog & newsletter → https://improvesomething.today Mastodon → https://phire.place/@chrkrhc LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kerr-98406/ Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/ #podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #critital #improvement #selfimprovement #consulting #tacoma

Brian Buck is the Chief Abundance Office of Abundance Worldwide, founder and head coach for Mighty Bold Life.

He specializes in helping you implement peak-performance habits and systems so you can create exponential results in your life.

He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and has helped over 500 people and companies across industries.

He is passionate about having fun all while bringing out the best in people.

Please support Brian Buck online:

https://mightyboldlife.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbuck/

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #bold #kaizen #tacoma #sixsigma #entrepreneur

Lara is a holistic healing expert dedicated to empowering empaths to transform their lives. She artfully blends numerology, Reiki, tarot, and yoga, with modern techniques, guiding sensitive souls to harness their innate strengths.

A nomadic sailor and homeschooling mother of two boys, Lara brings her diverse life experiences, including a background in nursing, to her transformative work. She's also a facilitator for Eat Breathe Thrive, teaching yoga for eating disorder recovery and prevention.

Lara's integrative approach delivers tangible results: enhanced emotional resilience, a sense of clarity, calm, and a newfound ability to navigate life's challenges and transitions with both confidence and self-compassion. She equips empaths with practical tools from her varied toolkit to create inspired and purposeful lives aligned with their true selves.

Find and support Lara Scriba online:

www.kitokaizenyoga.com

IG-https://www.instagram.com/kitokaizenyoga/

FB-https://www.facebook.com/KitoKaizenYoga

Freebie-https://mailchi.mp/bc47cba47734/navigate-the-numbers

Buy the books Lara Scriba is featured in through affiliate link:

Wellness G.P.S. https://amzn.to/3x6H1O5

Win the Wellness W.A.R. https://amzn.to/3RgnuRS

The Four-Fold Formula https://amzn.to/4e9vDS5

Get merch, join a course and more! Check out all the ways you can support this show and host at: https://linktr.ee/OwnYourAwkward

For more information on how you can Own Your Awkward with Andy Vargo, check out: https://www.awkwardcareer.com/

#podcast #awkward #ownyourawkward #acceptance #authenticity #motivation #inspiration #coach #connection #energy #positive #education #mentalhealth #empath #empathy #sailing #sailor #homeschool #homeschooling #empowerment #kaizen #yoga #meditation #intuition