
The Ramble Refinery with Heather Sager
You can’t spell message without mess—because big ideas don’t show up fully formed. They start rough, unrefined, and a little all over the place. But that’s not a problem, it’s part of the process.The best speakers, thought leaders, and business owners don’t wait for the perfect message—they refine it by showing up, sharing, and shaping their ideas in real time.That’s what The Ramble Refinery is all about.Welcome to the place where we normalize the messy middle of speaking, marketing, and business growth. Whether you’re leading workshops, speaking on stages, or showing up on podcasts, your voice isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s your most valuable business asset.Hosted by Heather Sager, a speaking coach and business strategist who helps experts get their ideas out of their heads and into the world, this podcast dives into the raw, unpolished side of refining your message, using your voice, and growing your impact.Because every great message starts as a mess—so get ready to ramble.
Latest episodes

May 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
What If Stress Is Driving Your Business Decisions? With Rebecca Vigelius [Refresh Series]
Episode 4 of the Spring Refresh SeriesYou already know when it’s time to make a change. But what if the way you’re deciding is the real problem?In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m joined by my client and friend Rebecca Vigelius, a former VP turned copywriter turned certified neurosomatic intelligence practitioner and stress coach. We dive into the untold truth behind her bold business pivot—one that was less about courage and more about capacity.This isn’t just another “follow your passion” rebrand story. It’s a grounded, inside-out conversation about how stress—especially the kind we don’t realize we’re carrying—can hijack our clarity, our creativity, and our momentum.We talk about:Why Rebecca actually left her copywriting agency (hint: it wasn’t just burnout)How a tech disaster forced her hand—and revealed her next-level directionThe sneaky ways stress shows up in decision-making (even when you “feel fine”)What capacity really means—and how to create more of it without blowing up your lifeWhy emotional regulation is the real secret weapon behind calm, confident evolutionWe also unpack what it means to grow from clarity—not pressure—and how to make space for better decisions, better messaging, and a better version of your work.Whether you’re in a pivot, considering a new offer, or just feeling overloaded by ideas—you’ll walk away from this episode feeling seen, validated, and maybe even a little unbothered.Mentioned in this episode:Rebecca’s free tool: The Unbothered Entrepreneur BlueprintMy no-social-media moment (and why it gave me mental clarity I didn’t know I needed)P.S. If you’ve been feeling the pull to evolve—this one’s for you. And if you’re trying to make decisions from a place of “I just need this to work,” this convo might just save you from recreating the same problems with a different name.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode241Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

May 15, 2025 • 1h 1min
How Kristina Bleiler Broke Her Own Rule and Started Teaching DIY Design [Refresh Series]
Episode 3 of the Spring Refresh SeriesWhat if refreshing your business isn’t about changing everything — but simply making room for more of what you’re being called to do?In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m sitting down with brand designer and strategist Kristina Bleiler of Gem Creative Co. to unpack what it really looks like to expand your service-based business without walking away from what’s already working.Kristina didn’t blow up her brand design studio. Instead, she added a whole new layer to it — a DIY branding course for solopreneurs who want to become their own creative directors.Here’s the twist: Kristina once believed that branding had to be done-for-you to be effective. Like many experts, she thought DIY design couldn’t hold a candle to professional work. But over time, she challenged her own belief — flipped it upside down, actually — and built a program that now serves an entirely different group of buyers she once thought she couldn’t help.You’ll hear:Why changing your stance doesn’t mean abandoning your expertiseHow Kristina created her DIY program without ditching her high-end branding clientsWhat she had to learn (and unlearn) to go from expert designer to brand educatorThe subtle difference between coaching and consulting—and why she identifies as a brand tutorHow to follow your curiosity and serve new audiences without losing your core identityIf you’ve ever felt pulled toward a new offer, format, or audience—but questioned whether it fits inside what you’ve already built—Kristina’s story is the gentle nudge to explore what’s possible. This one’s a must-listen if you’re asking yourself: Can I really do both?EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode240Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

May 8, 2025 • 50min
When It’s Time to Pivot: A Real Talk with Ellen Yin [Spring Refresh Series]
Episode 2 of the Spring Refresh SeriesThis week's episode of The Ramble Refinery is your permission slip to pivot boldly and follow your curiosity.I pulled one of my fave throwback interviews with the brilliant Ellen Yin, founder of Cubicle to CEO out of the vault—and it could not be more relevant for anyone feeling a little burn-it-all-down-but-make-it-strategic about their business.You’ll hear:What it really means to pivot with purpose (hint: it’s not about starting from scratch)How Ellen went from six-figure clients to $500 courses—and scaled it in 90 daysThe power of sharing your business numbers publicly (and how it builds trust)Behind-the-scenes of building a media brand that runs on content and connectionBalancing hustle and rest—and how to know which season you’re inWhy starting over doesn’t actually mean starting overWhether you’re navigating changes in your biz or secretly dreaming about a refresh, you’ll love Ellen’s refreshingly real take. EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode239Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

May 1, 2025 • 48min
Before You Burn It All Down [Spring Refresh Series]
Episode 1 of the Spring Refresh SeriesEver feel like blowing up your entire business? Same.But before you start rewriting your offers, scrapping your website, or launching into a full rebrand, this episode is your gut check.In the first episode of the Spring Refresh Series (happening the entire month of May), I’m walking you through one of the most common (and misunderstood) urges business owners face: the need to burn it all down. I’ll share why that urge shows up, what it might really be trying to tell you — and how to pause long enough to ask better questions.You’ll hear:The difference between feelings and facts when something feels “off”How to avoid blowing up something that actually just needs a tweakThe 5 business “seasons” I see clients navigating — and how to tell which one you’re inWhat to do when your business no longer fits, but you’re not sure what to changeLet’s rethink the impulse — and make sure your next move is the right one.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode238Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Apr 24, 2025 • 42min
Want More Speaking Gigs? Rethink Your Approach
If you’ve been googling “where to find speaking gigs” trying to land more opportunities by pitching every event you come across, it’s probably feeling...exhausting. And if you’re still hoping there’s a magical list that’ll land you a dozen dream stages overnight — I’ve got to be honest, that’s not how it works. In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’ll show you why that approach rarely gets you what you’re actually after — and what to do instead. I’ve talked about this before on the show, but it’s time for a fresh take. A lot has changed, and I want you focused on what actually works now and not on the stuff that’s wasting your time.You’ll hear:Why business owners are approaching speaking opportunities backwards The two types of speaking business models (and why you need to know which one you're in)The importance of aligned stages, and why quality beats quantity when it comes to speaking Where to look for the best opportunities My favorite pitching strategy that doesn’t feel clunky If you’re using speaking to grow your business whether it’s to attract more clients, build credibility, or get in front of the right people — this episode will help you rethink your approach so you’re spending energy on the right kinds of opportunities that will get you results (and not burning out chasing the wrong ones).EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode237Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Apr 17, 2025 • 23min
You Crushed the Talk... So Why Do You Feel Like Crap?
Ever given a talk, walked off the stage, felt the rush of "HECK YES I nailed that!"—and then bam, hours later, you’re deep in the land of second-guessing and spiraling, you start replaying everything that went wrong? In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, we’re talking about that weird emotional dip that hits right after a big visibility moment—the one no one warns you about. It’s more common than you think, especially when you’re pushing your edge and stepping into bigger rooms.You’ll hear:Why this spiral shows up (even when the talk goes great)The real reason high-achievers beat themselves up after visibility5 things to do right after a talk to move through the spiralHow to make each speaking moment build momentum (instead of just moving on)If you’ve ever done something brave—only to pick it apart later—this quickie is your reminder: self-critique isn’t the problem. Getting stuck there is. Let’s fix that.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode236Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

7 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 34min
What Does "Go-To" Really Mean (And How Do You Become It?)
Becoming the go-to person isn't about being the best; it’s about being the one everyone recommends. Discover why experts often remain unnoticed and what makes someone truly referable. Learn how trying too hard can actually push people away and the mindset shifts that can enhance your visibility. Embrace challenges while developing a strong connection with your audience, ensuring your name comes up first when it counts. This engaging discussion redefines how you can lead your brand with authenticity and impact.

8 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 39min
Radical Responsibility & Speaking Like a Thought Leader
Your audience doesn’t need more tips, templates, or content. If information were enough, they’d already have what they want.What they actually need is leadership—and that starts with how you show up.In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, we’re talking about what leadership really looks like inside a personal brand. Not the curated version—the kind that shows up when launches flop, timelines shift, or things feel… off.You’ll hear:The hard truth about why people aren’t paying attention (and no, it’s not the algorithm)How leadership shows up in your content—not just your backend decisionsWhat radical responsibility looks like (without spiraling into shame)A cringeworthy story of failed leadership communicationWhat it actually means to empower your audience to believe in themselvesIf you’re building a brand around your voice and ideas, this episode will challenge you to step up—not just as a business owner, but as a leader your audience is actually waiting for.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode234Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Mar 27, 2025 • 44min
Sounding Like 'You' on Stage Starts with Ditching This One Habit
There’s this weird thing that happens when smart, articulate business owners get asked to speak:They start sounding… weird.They say stuff like, “What if I told you…”They parrot lines from mentors they admire.They stiffen up, overthink, and suddenly sound like a motivational quote generator instead of a real human.In this episode, I’m sharing where that habit comes from (spoiler: it’s not confidence—it’s ego), why it’s a sign you haven’t fully nailed your speaker identity, and what to do when your “authentic voice” vanishes under pressure.We’ll talk about:🎤 The “Parrot Effect” and why it sneaks in when you’re trying to be impressive🎤 Why scripting makes you feel safe—but also makes you sound like someone else🎤 How to try things on and find your signature speaker style without cringing🎤 A behind-the-scenes story from my pageant days (and the hideous dress that changed everything)This one’s not about being a better speaker. It’s about noticing when you’re not actually being you.EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode233Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Mar 13, 2025 • 19min
Welcome to the Ramble Refinery 🎉
Welcome to The Ramble Refinery! After a year-long hiatus, the podcast is back—but with a whole new vibe. In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing the messy, real story behind the rebrand, why I almost launched seven different shows, and what finally clicked.We’re talking about: 🎤 The truth about refining your message in real time (instead of waiting for perfect) 🎤 Why second-guessing your ideas is actually part of the process 🎤 What you can expect from The Ramble Refinery moving forwardIf you’ve ever wrestled with what to say, how to say it, or if it’s even good enough to share—you're going to love this next chapter.Because every great message starts as a mess—so let’s ramble.Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.