Evoke Greatness Podcast

Send us a text🎧 Episode 193: Where Real Leadership Begins with Laurie Maddalena (Pt. 2)In this powerful continuation of my conversation with leadership expert, executive coach, and author Laurie Maddalena, we move from insight to application. Part Two is where leadership gets practical.Laurie shares how leaders can break free from reactive cycles, lead through uncertainty with confidence, and create sustainable impact without burning themselves out. This episode dives deep into confident coaching, intentional focus, and the leadership behaviors that quietly determine whether teams merely function or truly flourish.She offers insights on:How to create space for constructive conflict without shutting it down Why lack of focus and lack of delegation quietly sabotage leadership effectiveness How leaders can move from reactive to intentional in demanding environments What confident coaching really looks like during uncertainty Why promoting technical skill over leadership readiness keeps organizations stuck🔑 Key takeaways:Constructive conflict strengthens teams when leaders normalize it Intentional focus is a leadership discipline, not a personality trait Delegation is essential to elevate both leaders and teams Coaching requires curiosity more than certainty Great leadership is sustainable when priorities are placed on purpose💡 Quotes to remember: “Leadership becomes unsustainable when everything feels urgent.” “Moving from fixer to facilitator can change your leadership and your life.”If you’re leading a team, a company, or a growing vision and feel pulled into constant reaction, this episode offers practical tools to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and intention.This episode builds directly on Part One and brings the conversation full circle.Connect with Laurie Maddalena: Website: https://www.lauriemaddalena.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemaddalena/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriemaddalena/A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 192: Where Real Leadership Begins with Laurie Maddalena (Pt. 1)In this powerful episode of Evoke Greatness, I welcome leadership expert, executive coach, and author Laurie Maddalena. Laurie shares the pivotal moments in her own leadership journey that revealed why traditional leadership models often fall short and where the real work of leadership truly begins. Together, we explore what it means to move from fixing and managing to leading with intention, awareness, and influence.She offers insights on:Recognizing the moment when doing more no longer creates better results Why leaders default to fixing instead of facilitating growth The internal shifts required to elevate leadership effectiveness How intentional leadership begins internally before it ever shows up externally The quiet leadership saboteurs that limit even high-performing leaders🔑 Key takeaways:Leadership evolution begins with self-awareness, not control Fixing problems can unintentionally limit growth in others Intentional leadership requires slowing down to lead more effectively Sustainable influence starts with mindset before skillset Elevated leadership creates space for people to rise, not depend💡 Quotes to remember: “Leadership stops working when we rely solely on performance instead of presence.” “Elevated leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more.”If you’ve ever felt successful on paper but stretched, reactive, or disconnected in practice, this episode will meet you where you are and invite you into a deeper way of leading.Part Two goes even deeper into confident coaching, navigating tough conversations, and elevating culture without burning out.Connect with Laurie Maddalena: Website: https://www.lauriemaddalena.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemaddalena/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriemaddalena/A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧Ep 191: A Masterclass in Hard Conversations & Why Clarity Is KindnessIn this leadership-deepening episode of Evoke Greatness, Sonnie breaks down one of the most avoided and most essential skills in leadership: how to navigate hard conversations with courage, compassion, and clarity.Sonnie shares why avoiding hard conversations doesn’t protect anyone… it actually deepens discomfort and robs people of the chance to grow. She takes listeners through a step-by-step framework for delivering honest feedback, redirecting defensiveness, creating psychological safety, and leading with confidence even when the moment feels uncomfortable. You’ll learn:Why the “feedback sandwich” weakens trust and confuses the messageHow to open tough conversations with honesty and congruenceWhat to do when someone gets defensive, minimizes, blames, or derailsHow to use silence as a powerful leadership toolHow to create psychological safety while keeping accountability highHow to close the conversation in a way that builds trust and clarity🔑 Key takeaways:Avoiding hard conversations deepens discomfort and erodes trustClarity is kindness… and ambiguity is crueltyThe feedback sandwich confuses people and signals fearSilence is a strategic tool that promotes reflection and accountabilitySafety doesn’t mean comfort — it means respectLeaders grow courage by having the conversation, not thinking about itTough conversations done well strengthen teams, trust, and leadership maturity💬 Quotes to remember:“Avoiding hard conversations is actually unkind.”“Clarity is kindness. Ambiguity is cruelty.”“Defensiveness isn’t disrespect — it’s protection.”“Hard conversations don’t get easier… you get stronger.”🚀 If you’re a leader craving clarity, courage, and the ability to have conversations that actually transform performance, this episode gives you the roadmap.Listener Challenge:Think of the one conversation you’ve been avoiding...the one that knots your stomach, the one you keep pushing off. Have that conversation within the next 24 hours.Then go to EvokeGreatness.com → Contact Me → Orange Button and leave a voicemail (anonymous or named). Sonnie wants to hear:What conversation you hadHow it wentWhat shifted afterwardYour courage builds the movement.A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 190: 5 Secrets to Break into the C-Suite with Katy McFee In this inspiring episode of Evoke Greatness, I welcome Katy McFee, Founder of Insights to Action. Katy shares her journey from corporate frustration to executive success and how she's now dedicated to closing the gender gap in senior leadership. She offers insights on:Navigating the corporate ladder from director to EVPOvercoming challenges and misconceptions in leadership rolesThe power of authenticity and kindness in executive positionsCreating supportive communities for women leadersStrategies for career growth and overcoming plateaus🔑 Key takeaways:Finding a supportive peer group is crucial for leadership growthBalancing ambition with authenticity in male-dominated environmentsThe importance of self-reflection and awareness in career developmentHow to create structured networking opportunities for meaningful connectionsActionable steps for women feeling stuck in their careers💡 Quotes to remember: "More women in leadership is the solution to so many of the challenges we face." - Katy McFee "You can do the hard thing... and still be kind." - Katy McFeeIf you're a woman looking to advance in your career or seeking to make a bigger impact in leadership, this episode offers valuable insights and strategies for breaking through the glass ceiling.Connect with Katie:Course Information: https://insightstoactioncc.com/coursesignup/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-mcfee-3880b4a/Instagram: @insights_to_actionSign up for Katy's weekly newsletter for in-depth insights and advice: https://insightstoactioncc.com/#WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #GenderEquality #ExecutiveCoaching #EvokenGreatness #GlassCeiling #WomenEmpowermentA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 189: The Inside Story of the Rise of the Self-Help Empire: Sex, Power, and Transformation with Marcia Martin (Pt. 2)In this episode of Evoke Greatness, we continue our powerful conversation with Marcia Martin, a pioneering force in personal development and one of the original architects of the Human Potential Movement.In Part 2, Marcia takes us even deeper behind the curtain — into the patterns that shaped her leadership, the dynamics of power as a woman in male-dominated rooms, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from decades of reinvention, influence, breakdowns, and breakthroughs.We dive deep into: • How childhood patterns shape our leadership and relationships as adults • Navigating ego, authority, and credibility as a woman in male-dominated spaces • The difference between demanding respect and attracting it • How high-achieving women claim their voice without shrinking their power • Why leadership is an action, not a title, and how to speak reality into existence • Understanding language as the bridge between intention and outcomes • Fame, power, and blind spots — and how leaders can stay grounded • The necessity of facing your “shadow” to become who you’re meant to be • Reinvention, resilience, and evolving publicly without apologizing for your growth • Why centering yourself before you act transforms your decisions and your life🔑 Key takeaways: 1 Leadership isn’t a title — it’s the capacity to move things forward through presence, language, and intentional action. 2 Reinvention requires courage, humility, and a willingness to confront the truth of “what is,” not what you wish it to be. 3 Every experience — even the storm — is part of the “how” that shapes who you are becoming.💬 Memorable quotes: • “Looking back now, I see it was also my first lesson in the intoxicating power of absolute certainty… a force that would eventually transform thousands of lives while destroying others.” • “You have to be careful that you don’t allow them to give you your answer.” • “There’s an edge there… there’s light and dark.” • “People are thrown to being right, looking good, and needing to know the answer.”📚 Connect with Marcia Martin: Website: marciamartin.com Book: Sex, Power, and Transformation Membership & Resources: marciamartintransform.comIf this episode challenged you, moved you, or lit a fire in your soul — share it with someone who’s ready to rise.A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 188: The Inside Story of the Rise of the Self-Help Empire — Sex, Power, and Transformation with Marcia Martin (Pt. 1)In this episode of Evoke Greatness, I welcome Marcia Martin, a true icon in the personal-development industry and one of the original architects of the Human Potential Movement.Before stadiums filled for Tony Robbins or The Secret became a global phenomenon, there was est (Erhard Seminars Training)—and behind its meteoric rise was Marcia Martin. As a founding member and Vice President of est (now Landmark Worldwide), she helped bring transformational education to millions, co-created the Transformational Leadership Council with Jack Canfield, and trained more than 300,000 people across the globe.Her new memoir, Sex, Power, and Transformation: The Inside Story of the Rise of the Self-Help Empire, pulls back the curtain on the creation of a $48 billion industry and the personal cost of living at the intersection of influence, ego, and authentic power.We dive deep into: • The cultural movement that made millions hungry for transformation • How a small San Francisco seminar grew into a worldwide phenomenon • The intoxicating pull of absolute certainty—and how to guard yourself from it • Where influence ends and manipulation begins • How to recognize when “guidance” crosses into control • Why pretending to have it all together keeps you from becoming who you really are • The difference between performing transformation and truly living it • What it means to reclaim your own voice and lead from authenticity • How to build movements that liberate instead of control🔑 Key takeaways: 1 True transformation doesn’t come from someone else’s certainty—it comes from your own. 2 The person you’re pretending to be is already who you truly are; courage removes the fear in front of it. 3 Influence without integrity becomes control—stay grounded in truth and self-awareness.💬 Memorable quotes: • “Looking back now, I see it was also my first lesson in the intoxicating power of absolute certainty… a force that would eventually transform thousands of lives while destroying others.” • “You have to be careful that you don’t allow them to give you your answer.” • “There’s an edge there… there’s light and dark.” • “People are thrown to being right, looking good, and needing to know the answer.”📚 Connect with Marcia Martin: Website: www.marciamartin.com Book: Sex, Power, and TransformationIf this episode challenged you, moved you, or lit a fire in your soul—share it with someone who’s ready to rise. Leave a review to help more bold leaders find this show, because Evoke Greatness isn’t just a podcast…it’s a movement.A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 187: The Power of Your Story — How to Turn Life Lessons into Lasting Influence (Part 2)In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Bill Blankschaen — master storyteller, brand strategist, and founder of StoryBuilders — returns to go even deeper into the inner side of storytelling.Because before you can tell your story to the world, you have to change the story you’re telling yourself.Bill and I unpack the “confidence trap,” that quiet belief that everyone else’s story is more significant than our own, and how comparison keeps us from showing up in the fullness of who we’re called to be. We talk about reshaping those inner narratives, standing firm in your chapter instead of comparing it to someone else’s, and recognizing that your story still has power — no matter what chapter you’re in.If Part 1 was about discovering the structure of storytelling, this one is about discovering the soul behind it.We explore:✨ The “confidence trap” — why we tend to deify others and diminish ourselves ✨ How to stop comparing your chapter 3 to someone else’s chapter 20 ✨ Why every story matters — and the freedom that truth brings ✨ How to rewrite the story you’re telling yourself to reclaim confidence and purpose ✨ The role of emotion in crafting stories that connect and stick ✨ How storytelling builds trust, vulnerability, and authentic connection in leadership ✨ The ripple effect — how believing in your own story can change the trajectory of others ✨ Why your story isn’t over yet… and how to live like itThis episode is a reminder that you don’t need a perfect story — you just need the courage to tell it. When you lean into your story, you not only change how you lead… you change how you live.Connect with Bill :📲 Connect with Bill: Company Website: https://mystorybuilders.com/Instagram: A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text 🎧 Episode 186: The Power of Your Story: How to Turn Life Lessons into Lasting Influence (Part 1) In Part 1 of this insightful and inspiring conversation, author, storyteller, and creative strategist Bill Blankschaen joins me to unpack how your personal story can become your greatest advantage—in business, leadership, and life.Bill shares wisdom from his new book, Your Story Advantage, revealing how the moments that shaped you—both the wins and the wounds—can be the most powerful tools you have to connect, influence, and lead authentically.If you’ve ever wondered how to share your story with confidence or struggled to see your past as purpose, this episode is for you.We explore:Why your story is your most powerful brand assetHow to uncover the defining moments that built your characterThe surprising connection between vulnerability and credibilityWhy authenticity outperforms perfection every single timeThe framework for turning life experiences into meaningful influenceWhy the world doesn’t need your highlight reel—it needs your human story🔑 Key takeaways:Your story isn’t random—it’s your roadmap to impactConnection always precedes influenceThe best leaders tell stories that reveal who they are, not just what they knowPeople don’t follow perfection—they follow purpose💡 Quotes to remember:“Your story is the bridge between your experience and someone else’s transformation.”“The stories we tell shape the stories we live.”“Your scars can become someone else’s survival guide. ✨ Learn more about Bill’s book Your Story Advantage: Your Story Advantage on Amazon📲 Connect with Bill: Company Website: https://mystorybuilders.com/ Bill's LI: A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 185: Proof That Anything Is Possible When You Bet on Yourself with Destin George Bell (Part 2)What happens after the dream starts coming true?In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Destin George Bell returns to share what most founders don’t talk about: the emotional toll of rapid growth, rebuilding after betrayal, and the deeper leadership required when you're the one carrying the vision.If you’ve ever felt unqualified, too late, or stuck in the unknown — this episode is a wake-up call. Because the truth is: you don’t rise to the level of your dreams… you rise to the level of your mindset.We explore:How Destin navigated a painful co-founder breakupWhat it takes to rebuild your team — and your confidenceWhy Shark Tank wasn’t the finish line, it was the start of the pressureThe difference between confidence and convictionWhy clarity and emotional discipline are essential for leadersWhat happens when you don’t deal with the pain of the pastThe message Destin would leave behind if today was his last day🔑 Key takeaways:Big moments require bigger mindsets.Leadership is less about hype — and more about healing.You are always becoming the person your vision needs.Your pain doesn’t disqualify you… it refines you.💬 Quotes to remember:“I used to think leadership was about motivating people. Now I realize it’s about helping them grow.” “When people feel seen, they perform different.” “God knew I wasn’t ready for what I was asking for… so He gave me the growth first.”📲 Resources & links:Follow Destin on IG: @gfortune_500Explore Card.io: www.cardioapp.iohttps://www.destingeorgebell.com/🎧 Missed Part 1? Go back and listen to where it all started — from $2K and zero tech background… to a Shark Tank deal and a vision that changed lives. It’s proof that anything is possible when you bet on yourself.A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us a text🎧 Episode 184: Proof That Anything Is Possible When You Bet on Yourself with Destin George Bell (Part 1)What does it take to go from $2,000 and no industry connections to landing a deal on Shark Tank and building a fitness movement?In Part 1 of this two-part episode, I sit down with Destin George Bell — founder of Card.io, the gamified running app turning neighborhoods into turf wars — to unpack the mindset, grit, and wild belief it takes to turn an idea into a national spotlight moment.Destin didn’t come from privilege or a deep tech background. He taught himself product design, cold-DM’d over 400 engineers, and raised nearly a million dollars to build the dream. And he did it while refusing to wait for permission or play by anyone else’s rules.This conversation is raw, real, and overflowing with lessons for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone sitting on a vision they’re scared to pursue.We explore:Why belief must come before the big breakWhat it means to lead with influence, not just titleHow curiosity became his unfair advantageThe true moment on Shark Tank that changed him most (and brought his mom to tears)Why great leaders multiply other leaders — not just followersHow he builds culture, trust, and conviction in a high-stakes startupWhat most people get wrong about betting on themselves🔑 Key takeaways:You don’t need a blueprint. You need belief and bold execution.Radical curiosity will open more doors than credentials ever could.Leadership isn’t about barking orders. It’s about creating leaders who create leaders.If you're waiting to feel “ready,” you're already behind.💡 Quotes to remember:“I didn’t come from the tech world. I didn’t come from the running world. I just radically believed in what was possible.” “If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business — you own a job.” “Great leadership looks like multiplying leaders who grow beyond you.” You only get so many hours in a day. Why you spend them matters.”📲 Resources + Links:https://www.destingeorgebell.com/Connect with Destin on LinkedIn: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/destinbell/IG: @gfortune_500Learn more about the Card.io app: https://www.cardioapp.ioA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/ https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatness http://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness