What if you’re not stuck…you just think you have to pick one lane and stay in it?

Kris Lehman is a full-time HR leader…who’s also leading international retreats, taking a group of women to Croatia, and buying a house in Costa Rica.

She made a choice and decided against the “pick one lane and stay there” route.

We talk about what shifted for her, how she moved from “either/or” to “and,” and why so many of us keep waiting to live instead of actually doing the things we want now.

• From “or” to “and” How letting go of the pressure to choose one identity or path opened up entirely new possibilities…and how “and” creates space instead of pressure.
• Boundaries that actually feel good Not just saying no…but building your life around what matters most so your “no” becomes clear, confident, and grounded.
• Why we wait to live (and how to stop) The trap of postponing joy for “someday”…and what it looks like to start living now…without blowing up your life in the process.
• The stories we don’t realize we’re telling ourselves From “I should clean my own house” to “I don’t deserve that”...We discuss how these unexamined beliefs quietly shape our choices.
• Contemplative practice (without the woo-woo) What it actually means to be more present in your life…and how it can be as simple as a few breaths, a walk, or noticing what’s happening in the moment.
• Your mind is not you One of the most powerful shifts: realizing you can observe your thoughts instead of automatically believing them.

Kris Lehman, MBA, SHRM-SCP, is the founder of The Common Thread, an organization dedicated to cultivating inner wisdom, meaningful connection, and intentional living and leadership. Kris creates experiences that blend professional insight, contemplative practices, and community—helping people translate reflection into practical change.

With a background as an executive leader in higher education and nonprofit organizations, Kris has spent her career helping teams succeed by pairing business strategy with curiosity, compassion, and continuous learning.

Alongside her professional work, Kris has spent years exploring meditation, grounding practices, and restorative travel as pathways for insight and clarity. Through The Common Thread’s workshops, gatherings, and international retreats, she creates spaces where people can step out of daily life for a moment, to reconnect with what matters most.

• Website: www.thecommonthread.world

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonthreadconnections/

• LinkedIn: Kris Lehman

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

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Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a meaningful way.

What if work didn’t have to feel so…sucky? TJ Bennett is on a mission to help people figure that out. We talk about his DesuckifyWork® podcast, his path through advertising, the pressure we put on ourselves to have everything figured out (even though none of us do), and what actually makes work…and life…feel better. A fun and honest conversation about how things actually unfold. TJ didn’t have some perfectly mapped-out plan. He followed what was interesting, paid attention to what felt off, and made changes along the way. From randomly discovering advertising…to realizing later in his career that something had shifted…to leaving a successful career to try something new without knowing exactly how it would all work. We also talk about how early experiences shape the way we see work and life, and how sometimes it takes something significant to make us pause and rethink what actually matters. And throughout the conversation, this idea keeps coming up: We think we need to know first…and then act. But most of the time, it’s actually the opposite. We try something. We figure it out as we go. We adjust. That’s the process. It’s simple. Not always easy. But much truer than the story most of us are carrying.

• The unexpected path that led TJ into advertising (and how one seemingly random moment can change everything)
• Why not knowing how is usually the thing keeping us stuck
• How a major health experience early in life shifted how he thinks about work and what actually matters
• The moment “Desuckify” became a thing…and why he committed before he had it all figured out
• Why “fine” can be dangerous
• The pressure we all feel to have it figured out (and the fact that none of us actually do)
• Why enjoyment might be one of the most underrated tools we have

TJ is the founder, CEO and executive coach at The Pudding Factory, a work desuckifying consultancy.

He began his coaching career after 25 years as an advertising executive, creative director and writer for agencies big and small., including TBWA\Chiat\Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy and Hill Holliday. He helped Fortune 500 clients like Verizon, Toyota, MetLife and Panasonic sift through the noise to solve big creative challenges. And he helped his teams do the same. His mission is to DesuckifyWork®. And he hosts a popular podcast with the same name. His cat Carl offers this review: “less talking, more treats dude." As an ICF-certified executive coach, TJ helps leaders and brands find calm in the chaos and grow what matters. Ready to make sense of the muck? Talk to TJ. Here’s where you can find TJ…

• Website: https://www.thepuddingfactory.net/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teejaybee/

• Substack: https://tjbennett.substack.com/

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”

On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.”

Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

What if the thing you’re trying so hard to tone down is actually the thing that makes your work resonate?

I’m joined by Hallee Dunsky, self proclaimed “writer for weirdos,” for a conversation about finding your voice and letting what makes you different work for you. A discussion about voice, energy, self-permission, and why waiting until “the kids are older” makes little sense.

Hallee shares her non-linear journey from teaching to freelance writing, the difference between copywriting and content writing, and why so many meaningful messages fall flat on the page…even when they sound brilliant in our heads. We also talk about energy differences, honoring how we’re wired, letting go of perfection, and why consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to creative work.

This episode is full of insight and plenty of relatable moments…from bathroom breaks in fifth grade classrooms to writing novels 200 words at a time.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do, worried about being “too much” or “not enough,” or felt like you needed permission before starting something, listen in.

• Why so many powerful ideas land flat once they hit the page
• The difference between copywriting and content writing (and why it matters…even though no one dies either way)
• Honoring your natural energy instead of fighting it
• Letting go of the need to appeal to everyone
• Why “writer for weirdos” is a brilliant filter
• Starting before you feel ready (and before you feel confident)
• Why small, imperfect progress beats waiting for ideal conditions
• The messy reality of creative processes

Hallee Dunsky is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing marketing copy and content for businesses that want to bring their mind-expanding mission down to Earth. Enlivened by the absurd and passionate about marinating deeply in the human experience, she lives outside the lines, collaborating with clients to turn meaningful missions into impactful messages, aligned voices, and resonant words.

• Website: www.writerforweirdos.com
• LinkedIn: Hallee Dunsky

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”

On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.”

Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

My friend Megan Thole joins me for an honest conversation about what mindfulness and emotional intelligence actually look like in real life…especially for high-achievers who have a hard time slowing down. Megan shares how her experiences with infertility, chronic illness, and burnout led her to explore mindfulness not as a luxury, but as a necessary skill for navigating work, life, and leadership.

We talk about why high-achievers struggle with rest, how negative self-talk and the stories we tell ourselves shape our reactions, and why trying to separate our “work selves” from our “personal selves” doesn’t really work. We also explore the difference between eliminating stress and learning how to recover from it, what resilience really looks like, and how small, consistent practices can make a meaningful difference…without adding more to an already full plate.

This episode is a reminder that mindfulness isn’t about being perfect or clearing your mind. It’s about noticing, creating space, and making small shifts that help you show up more intentionally…for yourself and for the people around you.

• What mindfulness actually looks like in real life (not the Instagram version)
• Why rest feels so uncomfortable for high-achievers
• How our inner dialogue quietly drives stress and self-doubt
• The stories we tell ourselves…and how often they’re untrue
• Small, practical ways to pause, reset, and show up more intentionally
• Why we bring our whole selves to work…whether we admit it or not
• How resilience is built through recovery, not perfection

Megan Thole is a speaker, coach, and trainer with over 14 years of experience across higher education and financial services. As the founder of Hello Mindful You, she helps professionals and leaders build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the clarity to lead with intention. Megan blends practical leadership tools with human-centered practices that support sustainable performance and presence, helping leaders navigate change and manage competing demands with greater focus and purpose. She holds a master's degree in leadership and management and is certified in change management, mindfulness, and coaching.

• Website: www.hellomindfulyou.com

• LinkedIn: Megan Thole

• Instagram: Hello Mindful You

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”

On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.”

Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

What if midlife isn’t something to “get through”…but something to lean into?

In this episode, Nicole Studt and I talk about all things midlife…identity, pivoting with intention, maps, payphones, and why the middle years may hold more meaning and growth than we expect.

Nicole shares her journey from corporate HR to self-employment, how flexibility became a gift during some of life’s hardest seasons, and why understanding ourselves (and each other) matters more than ever. We explore how tools like the Enneagram can deepen compassion, strengthen relationships, and reduce unnecessary friction…at work, at home, and within ourselves.

It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t have to wait for “someday” to live fully aligned lives. Midlife isn’t the end of the story…it’s often where clarity, courage, and self-trust finally start to click into place.

If you’re wanting to understand yourself more deeply, rethink what success means, or reduce friction in your life and work, listen in.

• Why the “middle age” narrative needs a serious reframe
• Making career pivots that prioritize flexibility, values, and real life
• The unexpected gifts of working for yourself (and with family)
• How the Enneagram helps us understand why we do what we do
• Navigating relationships through personality awareness
• Why the middle years deserve more credit than they get

• The Marvelous Middle-Aged Podcast
• Instagram

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

Gratitude can feel annoying when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or just trying to get through the day.

This episode isn’t about forcing gratitude or pretending things are fine.

Instead, I share a list of 80 real-life things we tend to overlook…the kind we forget to notice when we’re busy getting through the day.

This isn’t a 5am, burn-sage, reach inner-peace kind of gratitude episode.

It’s a reminder that we’re often so focused on what’s next…or what’s missing…that we forget to notice what’s already working, what we’ve already handled, and how much we’ve already grown.

You don’t need a notebook. You don’t need to pause and reflect. You don’t need to “do” anything at all.

Just listen.

And if one thing on the list resonates, fantastic.

• A more realistic view of your progress…even if things feel messy right now
• Less pressure to constantly “fix” yourself or your life
• More appreciation for the small steps you’ve already taken
• A reminder that progress doesn’t have to be big and impressive to count

Progress doesn’t always look like a big, impressive moment.

If your brain tends to focus on how far you still think you need to go, that doesn’t mean you haven’t made progress.

It just means you’re human.

You can download the full list using the link below and revisit it anytime you need the reminder.

Thanks for listening!

You get one dash. Make it matter.

• Download the 80 Things to Be Thankful For list.
• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

After an unplanned podcast hiatus due to tech avoidance and a little story inflation, Sheri is back with an honest conversation about the stories we tell ourselves…and how they quietly keep us stuck.

In this episode, Sheri unpacks why manageable tasks turn into overwhelming “elephants,” how perfectionism and accountability (or the lack of it) fuel avoidance, and why progress almost always starts with a tiny, imperfect step. It’s a reminder that most of what we avoid isn’t actually as hard as we tell ourselves it is.

If you’ve been putting something off, overthinking a simple next step, or telling yourself a convincing story about why “now isn’t the time,” this episode is your nudge forward.

Because most of the things we avoid aren’t actually elephants at all. They’re more like squirrels…chaotic and distracting, but completely manageable.

What This Episode Might Shift for You

• A more realistic perspective on the thing you’ve been avoiding
• Less pressure to have it all figured out before you begin
• Permission to take a small, imperfect first step
• A more grounded, realistic story about what’s actually required

In This Conversation

• Why Sheri was MIA for a while… and what was happening behind the scenes
• How accountability (or the lack of it) impacts follow-through
• Why we avoid things we’re fully capable of doing
• How perfection turns small tasks into massive mental projects
• Four practical ways to shrink the story and move forward

• Name the thing you’ve been avoiding…out loud if possible
• Identify the smallest first step rather than focusing on the entire project
• Ask yourself: What’s the 60-second action I could take today?
• Give yourself permission to be a beginner and move forward imperfectly

And listen to my friend Sue’s podcast that I mentioned! Susan M. Barber at The Visibility Factor Podcast.

If something in your life has gotten bigger in your head than it actually is, this is your reminder: stories can be rewritten, and momentum starts small.

If this episode resonated, please share it, subscribe, and stay tuned…Sheri is officially back. The elephant has been eaten.

Thanks for listening! If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters. Let’s Connect:

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Reach out if you’d like to explore how I can be a resource for you.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

What do you really want? (And why that question feels so hard)

We can all list what we don’t want…burnout, bad bosses, endless countdowns to Friday. But when it comes to answering “What do I want?” most people find it harder to answer than expected. In fact, over 85% of people admit they don’t know what they truly want in life or their career. In this episode, I share why focusing on what you don’t want keeps you stuck…and how shifting to what you do want points you toward a more fulfilling personal and professional life. Feeling stuck? Find yourself saying, “I don’t want this…” more than “I do want that…”? Tired of running on autopilot? Take a listen.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Why focusing on what you don’t want keeps you in the very place you’re trying to escape
• How the “pink elephant” effect hijacks your attention
• Three clarifying questions that unlock what you really want
• How small, everyday clues (like what lights you up) point to bigger patterns
• Why writing it down matters (and how it helps create direction without needing a perfect plan)

Two takeaways you can try today:

1. When you catch yourself focusing on what you don’t want, pause and ask: “Okay, then what DO I want?
2. Answer these three questions in writing (no editing, no disclaimers):
   1. When have I felt most alive or fulfilled in the past year?
   2. If I could wave a magic wand, what would my ideal personal and professional life look like?
   3. What do I want to experience more of?

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend, and subscribe for future insights and inspiration!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

Let’s Connect:

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset website.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Reach out if you’d like to explore how I can be a resource for you.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!