Building a successful business isn’t just about strategy, sales, or marketing. It’s about people. In this episode, Susan Mahaffee, CEO and Founder of People Rise, shares why culture, leadership, and strong HR foundations are the real drivers of long-term growth. Whether you’re a solopreneur preparing to hire or a growing business managing a team, you’ll learn how to build a people-first organization that attracts, develops, and retains the right talent. If you want to lead with confidence, avoid costly mistakes, and create a workplace where people actually want to stay, this conversation is for you.

Episode Topics:

1. Why culture is the deciding factor for employee retention and growth
2. When small business owners should start thinking about HR
3. Contractors vs. employees and setting clear expectations
4. The hidden risks of DIY HR and “ChatGPT handbooks”
5. Building leadership skills as your business grows
6. Creating systems, processes, and compliance from the start
7. The shift toward people-first workplaces and purpose-driven culture
8. Inside the People Power Masterclass and cohort leadership model

Insights:

1. When your people rise, your business rises.
2. Culture is the primary reason employees choose to stay or leave.
3. Investing early in the right people systems prevents costly “rework tax” later.
4. Many business owners invest in marketing and sales but neglect leadership development.
5. Employees leave when they don’t see a future, growth path, or strong leadership.
6. Today’s workforce prioritizes purpose, values, and meaningful work over compensation alone.
7. Great leaders create calm confidence, even when navigating difficult situations.

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

00:13 Introductions & Setup

02:06 FAM Realty Background

03:39 Reason for Social Shift

08:15 Content Strategy & Execution

13:20 Recording Levels & Workflow

16:47 Boosting & Profile Strategy

18:26 Advice for Individuals

22:42 Engagement Tactics

26:29 Mindset on Engagement

30:11 Closing & Resources

31:18 Podcast episode ended

Resources:

1. Website: https://www.peoplerisellc.com/
2. Instagram & LinkedIn: @PeopleRiseLLC
3. People Power Masterclass (6-month leadership cohort)
4. Upcoming book: When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small...

Feeling like you want to burn it all down? You’re not alone. In this episode, business strategist and community leader AliceAnne Loftus shares the truth about burnout, the emotional cycles of entrepreneurship, and how to move from reactive survival mode into proactive leadership. Learn how to navigate the inevitable highs and lows of business, rebuild your energy, and lead with clarity, support, and intention.

Episode Topics:

1. The “Burn It All Down” phase and why it’s normal
2. Why business success is cyclical, not linear
3. Moving from reactive to proactive leadership
4. The role of community, coaching, and support systems
5. Strategic planning essentials: finances, operations, marketing, and tools
6. Balancing the human side of business: mindset, energy, and boundaries
7. Personal practices to prevent burnout and stay grounded
8. Letting growth needs outweigh discomfort

Insights:

1. Burnout is often a signal for recalibration, not failure.
2. Feelings are real but not facts. They’re indicators that something needs attention.
3. You can’t control outcomes, but you can control your attitude and effort.
4. Strategy without support rarely works. Community and mentorship accelerate growth.
5. Annual strategic planning should happen in Q4 to prepare proactively for the year ahead.
6. Growth often follows a spiral pattern. You’ll revisit challenges, but with more perspective each time.
7. Discomfort is inevitable. Progress happens when your purpose becomes bigger than your fear.
8. Ep 131 2-12-26 The Burn It All …

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

02:09 Burnout and Business Cycles

12:29 Strategic Planning Framework

22:17 Coaching and Community Benefits

30:42 Personal Centering Practices

36:09 Mindset and Next Steps

41:21 Podcast episode ended

AliceAnne Loftus is a best-selling author, business coach, and founder of Leading Lady Coaching, a leadership and business growth ecosystem serving women entrepreneurs around the world. She is the best-selling author of Take the Lead and the We Lead three-book series, where she explores leadership, collaboration, and building meaningful community.

Through in-person and virtual communities, coaching programs, and speaking engagements, AliceAnne helps women grow profitable, values-aligned businesses while leading with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

Resources:

• Learn more about AliceAnne and Leading Lady Coaching:

In this episode, we’re joined by Julie Blamphin for a powerful conversation about play, presence, and reconnecting with the body in the midst of busy, high-performing lives. Julie shares why tuning into your body is not woo-woo or complicated, but a practical, essential practice for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to feel better, move better, and live more fully. From pelvic floor health to redefining what “normal” really means, this episode offers simple, accessible ways to feel grounded, supported, and more connected to yourself every single day.

Episode Topics:

1. The role of play, joy, and creativity in business and leadership
2. Mind-body connection and what it really means to “listen” to your body
3. Pelvic floor health for women, men, and even children
4. Why common discomforts don’t have to be your “new normal”
5. Aging, self-talk, and changing the narrative around your body
6. Time, priorities, and integrating wellness into everyday life
7. Simple practices to feel grounded, calm, and supported throughout the day
8. Ep 130 1.29.26

Insights:

1. Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal or inevitable
2. The body is always communicating, first through whispers, then through louder signals
3. Pelvic floor health impacts posture, balance, intimacy, confidence, and overall stability
4. You don’t need more time, just more awareness of where you are, how you’re there, and how long you stay there
5. Small shifts, like getting on the floor or changing positions, can have a big impact
6. Play, rest, and stillness are not luxuries, they’re necessities for sustainable success
7. A single breath, sigh, and smile can shift your nervous system and your entire day

Highlights:

00:00 Key Statement Hooks, Welcome and Intro

00:32 Playfulness and Business

04:24 Tuning Into the Body

11:05 Pelvic Floor Background and Concepts

19:28 Commonality vs Normalization of Symptoms

24:27 Practical Habits and Accessibility

34:51 Daily Practices and Routines

39:17 Podcast episode ended

Resources:

1. Julie Blamphin
2. Website, Instagram, and Facebook: Stretch Your Spirit
3. LinkedIn: Julie Blamphin
4. Pelvic floor yoga, private coaching, retreats, and online membership resources
5. Free resource offered by Julie to help protect posture and support your body as your ambitions...

In this powerful conversation, real estate entrepreneur and author Garrett Maroon shares his journey from grinding 60-hour weeks to redefining success on his own terms. With five kids at home and a thriving business, Garrett reveals how he doubled down on what truly matters—family, faith, and fulfillment—without sacrificing profitability. This episode challenges the hustle culture narrative and offers a refreshing roadmap for entrepreneurs who want to win at work without losing at life.

Episode Topics:

• Redefining Success Beyond Revenue: Why traditional metrics of success leave entrepreneurs empty and how to create your own scoreboard
• The Breakdown That Led to Breakthrough: Garrett's pivotal moment realizing his business was getting in the way of the life he wanted
• Hustle in a Box: How to channel ambition within healthy boundaries instead of letting it consume your life
• Playing to Your Superpowers: Why trying to be good at everything keeps you working more while earning less
• The Ego vs. Family Account: Recognizing which account you're depositing into with every business decision
• Faith in Business: Navigating authenticity and showing up as your whole self in an increasingly secular marketplace
• Ambition vs. Submission: The tension between dreaming big and surrendering to divine timing

Insights:

• Success should be measured by personal goals like family time and profit targets, not just industry standards for sales volume
• Working within defined boundaries actually increases profitability because it forces you to eliminate unnecessary tasks and delegate effectively
• Like Einstein's fish judged on tree-climbing ability, entrepreneurs often pursue strategies that don't align with their natural strengths, leading to burnout
• Building a business around your unique superpower allows you to do less work while earning more because you're focusing on your highest-value activities
• Asking "how do I achieve X?" is incomplete—the better question is "how do I achieve X without sacrificing Y?"
• Faith and identity aren't a backpack you can take on and off—authenticity means showing up as your whole self in every context
• Burnout is often a signal that you're operating outside the boundaries of your intended purpose

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

02:28 Motivation for Writing Book

11:22 Defining Personal Scoreboard

16:06 Reducing Hustle While Growing

25:54 Faith and Authenticity in Business

33:40 Purpose, Stewardship, and Contentment

38:25 Practices to Hear Guidance

43:56 Book Launch and Contact Info

45:54 Podcast episode ended

Resources:

• Book: The Balanced Breakthrough: Winning at Work Without Losing at Life by Garrett Maroon (Launches November 25th - Available for pre-order)
• https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Balanced-Breakthrough/Garrett-Maroon/9781637634752
• The Balanced Breakthrough is a call to redefine success by aligning your business with your values, so you can thrive professionally without sacrificing what matters most. Drawing from his experience as a top-producing real estate agent, Garrett Maroon shares the PDA Formula—Predictability, Dollar-Productivity, and Authenticity—to help others build intentional, profitable businesses. The book challenges the industry’s toxic scoreboard and guides readers to create their own, measuring success on their own terms. It’s a practical and heartfelt roadmap to...

In this heartfelt episode, Kara Chaffin Donofrio delivers a powerful living prayer designed to be your go-to source of encouragement and inspiration. This is more than just an episode—it's a pep talk you can return to whenever you need a reminder of your inherent worth, power, and purpose. Kara speaks directly to your soul, affirming the unique gifts you possess and reminding you that you are exactly where you're meant to be in this moment. Whether you're stepping into a new year, facing a challenging day, or simply need a dose of courage, this episode offers the encouragement and affirmation your spirit needs.

Episode Topics:

• Embracing your unique gifts and talents
• Understanding your worthiness of love, abundance, and wealth
• Developing and trusting your intuition
• Setting healthy boundaries while blessing others
• Finding beauty in the present moment while creating your future
• Turning past challenges into fuel for growth
• Stepping into your authentic power and presence

Insights:

• You Are Intentionally Created: Your presence on earth at this exact moment in time is no accident—you were meant to be here, experiencing this life journey.
• Past Doesn't Define Future: While circumstances and events have shaped you, they don't determine where you're going. Your past has prepared you and given you fuel for what's next.
• Worthiness Is Inherent: You don't need to earn your worthiness—you are worthy simply because you exist. This applies to love, abundance, wealth, and all good things.
• Intuition Is Learnable: You are naturally intuitive, and this ability grows stronger as you practice opening yourself to questions and answers from the universe.
• Boundaries Are Sacred: Blessing people as they leave your life doesn't make you unkind—it means you honor your boundaries and your own growth journey.
• Beauty Exists Now: You don't need to wait for "the next thing" to feel validated. There is beauty and goodness to appreciate in your current moment.

Resources:

• Book: "We Lead Volume 3" - Collaborative book featuring Kara's chapter "The Queen Within: Three Truths to Reclaim Your Power in Business" (Chapter 19) - Launching November 18th, available on Amazon (ebook $1.99)
• Coming Soon: Recorded affirmation bundles for different facets of life (launching in the new year)

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

00:05 Encouragement and Personal Growth

07:02 Empowerment and Self-Worth

14:03 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

14:14 Podcast episode ended

Save this episode as your personal pep talk and return to it whenever you need encouragement. Download Kara's free Dynamic Life Journal and affirmation list at freegiftfromkara.com to continue your journey of self-empowerment. Mark your calendar for November 18th to grab "We Lead Volume 3" on Amazon and read Kara's chapter on reclaiming your power. Connect with Kara to continue the conversation and share how this episode resonated with you.

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook -...

In this solo episode, host Kara shares a powerful yet simple year-end reflection exercise to help you gain clarity on what to carry forward into 2026 and what to leave behind. Using just your phone's photo library and a pen and paper, you'll discover emotional patterns, identify what's working (and what's not), and create a clear roadmap for the new year. This intentional practice will help you move from stuck to clear, empowering you to create the purposeful life and business you truly desire.

Episode Topics:

• Year-end business and life reflection exercise
• Using your phone's photo library as a self-awareness tool
• Identifying emotional and behavioral patterns throughout the year
• Creating clarity around personal and professional goals
• The power of intentionality and setting space for introspection
• Letting go of what no longer serves you
• Calling in support and expertise when needed
• Business planning with emotional intelligence

Insights:

• Clarity drives action: When you're feeling stuck, it's often because you lack clarity on what you want or where you're going
• Photos reveal patterns: Your phone's camera roll provides a visual timeline of your year's highs and lows, making patterns easier to spot
• The top-3 method: For each month, identify the top three positive experiences and top three challenges to quickly assess what's working
• Recurring issues need intervention: If the same challenge appears month after month, it may be time to hire expert help (coach, trainer, consultant)
• Intentional space creates results: Block dedicated time for reflection without feeling rushed—consider combining it with self-care activities
• Written clarity is powerful: Writing things down creates a different level of awareness than just thinking about them
• You are a creative being: Your power to create the life you want starts with getting clear on what you actually desire

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

01:06 Reflection and Planning for 2026

06:01 Clarity and Intentionality for the New Year

12:21 Closing Remarks

12:24 Podcast episode ended

Ready to gain clarity for 2026? Grab your phone, a pen, and paper, then carve out 30-60 minutes for this transformative exercise. Start with January and work through each month, noting your top three wins and top three challenges. Download Kara's free Dynamic Life Journal at freegiftfromkara.com to support your reflection practice, and connect with her on Instagram @KaraChaffinDonnaFrio to share your insights from this exercise!

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karachaffin1?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KaraChaffin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karachaffin/

Don't forget to visit

In this powerful conversation, Phil Gerdes opens up about the evolution from building businesses driven by survival to leading with crystal-clear purpose. Phil shares his journey from being a 17-year-old entrepreneur knocking on doors to becoming a faith-based coach who helps leaders make internal shifts that transform their external results. This episode dives deep into what it really means to serve, how to transfer confidence across different areas of life, and why being "excuseless" separates true leaders from pretenders. Phil's raw honesty about his path from atheism to faith-centered business, combined with practical wisdom on presence and intentional living, makes this a must-listen for anyone ready to step into their highest influence.

Episode Topics:

• The Evolution of Purpose: How Phil's driving force shifted from being "completely lost" at 17 to having absolute clarity about his purpose and calling
• Service vs. Giving: Understanding the critical distinction between transactional giving and true service—and why the receipt for service is the act itself
• Confidence Transfer: How to move confidence from areas where you're comfortable to new territories where you want to grow
• Excuseless Leadership: Why successful leaders eliminate excuses entirely and the "die on the treadmill" mentality that separates achievers from pretenders
• Faith in Business: Navigating the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship, from real estate regulations to running a faith-based coaching company
• The Pause Principle: Why life happens in the pause—like the breath between inhaling and exhaling—and how to honor those moments
• Presence as Practice: Practical ways to be fully present, from putting phones face-down at volleyball games to teaching kids about communication through real-world negotiations
• The Joseph Story: How strife and setbacks are God pulling the arrow back so you can fly farther than you ever imagined

Insights:

• "You'll never beat me on a treadmill because one of two things will happen: You're going to get off or I'm going to die." Phil's challenge to 150 people (and subsequent 35 one-arm push-ups against a D1 athlete) perfectly illustrates his philosophy of total commitment.
• Experience creates wisdom, not age. Phil dismantles the myth that clarity comes with age, explaining that intentional experience and how you receive each moment is what builds true wisdom.
• Confidence is earned by doing the thing without confidence first. The paradox of confidence: you need it to succeed, but you only get it by doing the work before you feel ready. The solution? Commit to systems so simple anyone could do them.
• Dreams happen when you're asleep; work happens when you're awake. Phil challenges the overplayed "what's your why" culture, arguing that purpose isn't manufactured at events—it's given through God or lived experience and demands faithful execution.
• Be a supporting cast member winning awards. You're not the main character in anyone else's life but your own. Your job is to serve exceptionally, not to demand the spotlight.
• If it doesn't fit the purpose and intention, say no—especially if money is the only reason you're considering it. Phil's current filter for opportunities ensures alignment over income.

Phil Gerdes built his real estate career on execution, not theory—and now, he’s built the system agents were missing.

As founder of Shift Immersive Coaching, Phil delivers micro-level strategies that fuel macro-level growth. This isn’t motivation. It’s movement. Through SOPs, KPIs, and The Profitable Persuasion Method, Phil coaches agents...

In this episode, Kara shares her insights on building an authentic social media presence for your business. Drawing from her own journey of growing from one Instagram photo to over 8,000 followers, she discusses how to use social media as a tool for genuine connection rather than just selling. Learn about content pillars, the shift from "how-to" to "how I" content, and why showing up authentically matters more than ever in the age of AI.

Episode Topics:

• The evolution of social media marketing and why connection matters most
• Setting clear goals: lead generation vs. brand recognition
• Defining your content pillars (3-4 key themes that represent you)
• Personal brand vs. business page: why you need both
• The content shift from "how-to" to "how I" videos
• Authenticity in the age of AI-generated content
• Overcoming the fear of showing up on video
• Why specificity and emotion drive engagement
• Staying top of mind with your sphere of influence

Insights:

• Start before you're ready: Kara began her Instagram journey in 2019 with just one photo and consciously decided to go all-in during COVID, proving it's never too late to build your presence
• The "how I" revolution: People don't want generic how-to content anymore; they want to be brought into your world through personal stories and experiences
• Authenticity is your competitive advantage: As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, showing up as your real, multifaceted self creates deeper connections
• Content pillars create consistency: Focus on 3-4 themes that represent different aspects of who you are—not just your business
• Video builds trust: While it can be intimidating, video allows people to connect with the real you before they ever meet you in person
• Avoid divisiveness: In a politically divided world, focus on connection points rather than controversial topics that might alienate potential clients

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Intro

00:43 Marketing and Social Media Strategy

06:30 Content Creation and Authenticity

12:22 Shift in Content Creation Strategies

16:37 Podcast episode ended

Connect with Kara to share your thoughts on the series:

Website - http://www.kcdrealestate.com/

Email - kara@kdcrealestate.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karachaffindonofrio/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karachaffin1?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KaraChaffin

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karachaffin/

Don't forget to visit freegiftfromkara.com for our special giveaway, the Dynamic Life Journal to help you maintain your authentic voice and intuitive wisdom while navigating the balance between technology and human connection in your business and personal life.

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