Lies My Ego Told Me

Leonard Murphy seemed to have it all—prestige, ambition, and success in the banking world. But behind the polished exterior was a man silently unraveling under the weight of addiction, generational trauma, and unresolved pain. In this raw and powerful conversation, Leonard shares how childhood wounds, ego, and ambition fueled his descent—and how losing everything became the gateway to reclaiming his life. Now a sober coach and founder of Empowered Through Sobriety, Leonard helps high-achieving men of color confront the root of their addictions and rediscover purpose.In this episode:Leonard’s childhood and his father’s struggle with addictionImpact of generational trauma and mental healthHigh-functioning alcoholismIllusion of success in corporate cultureMarriage, fatherhood, and the ripple effects of addictionHitting rock bottom and contemplating suicideThe turning point: loss, grief, and the decision to changeTrauma therapy as the key to sustainable recoveryRedefining success through purpose and serviceEmpowering high-achieving men of color in sobrietyConnect with Leonard at https://www.empoweredthroughsobriety.comLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lilo reconnects with longtime friend Justin Leone—musician, award-winning sommelier, author, and entrepreneur—to explore the painful cost of tying self-worth to performance. From a childhood shaped by control and conditional love to a career defined by reinvention, Justin shares how early trauma impacted his adult relationships, his ego, and his ability to trust. With honesty and humor, he opens up about breaking generational cycles and learning to love without losing himself.In this episode:Ego and IdentityGenerational Trauma and Its Effects on Mental HealthNavigating Adult RelationshipsNavigating Personal Relationships and Family DynamicsCareer Ambitions and Personal GrowthThe Evolution of Love and RelationshipsBreaking the Cycle of ManipulationRebuilding Self-Worth and IdentityLessons Learned and Moving ForwardLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lilo sits down with retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and mental health advocate Angelina “Strike” Stephens. Ange shares her powerful journey through depression, suicidal ideation, and postpartum struggle—unraveling the lie she once believed: I have to do it alone. From her raw essay Run Toward the Fire to her quiet unraveling behind the scenes of a decorated military career, Ange speaks candidly about the emotional toll of high-performance leadership, the stigma around mental health in the military, and how a boat, a baby, and a breaking point became the start of healing.In this episode:Burden of IsolationLeadership and VulnerabilityBreaking the Stigma of Mental HealthFamily Planning and Career ChallengesPostpartum Struggles and IsolationComplexity of Suicidal IdeationThe Journey to Mental Health AwarenessIncremental Healing and the Role of SupportUnderstanding Leadership and Mental HealthFinding Joy and Strength in VulnerabilityLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lilo welcomes Dr. Kate Bieri, a trauma specialist, clinical psychologist, and fellow fighter pilot wife, to explore the high cost of unchecked ambition and the hidden toll of toxic overachievement. Kate shares her deeply personal journey of navigating identity, career, and motherhood, reflecting on the lie that you can have it all — and the realization that balance and self-value are more important than relentless achievement. In this episode:Introduction to Ego and AmbitionRole of Ego in Self-Value and Mental HealthImportance of Play and RestChildbirth and Identity TransformationTransition to MotherhoodThe Struggle of Balancing Work and FamilyNavigating Guilt and FearRethinking Success for Future GenerationsUnderstanding that Good is Good EnoughLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lilo reconnects with her friend and former Air Force comrade, John "Rain" Waters, a fighter pilot turned podcast host. Rain shares the personal lie that propelled him through his storied aviation career—“I’m invincible”—and the humbling lessons he learned along the way. From his experiences in the high-stakes world of military aviation to his journey through personal loss and resilience, Rain opens up about the alter ego and his mental health journey that helped him succeed and the transition to life beyond the cockpit. In this episode:Introduction and BackgroundJourney to Becoming a Fighter PilotInvincible Mindset in AviationRole of Ego in Fighter Pilot CultureImportance of Call SignsBalancing Public Persona and Personal IdentityReality of Air Show PerformancesReflections on Risk and LossTransitioning from Military to Civilian LifeEmotional Toll of MiscarriageEmpathy Through Shared GriefLife's Fragility and InvincibilityLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lilo sits down with JoAnne “Jo” Bass, the first woman to serve as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, to talk about the lie that nearly derailed her career: I’m not good enough. Jo shares her journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance, breaking barriers as a woman, a mother, and a leader in a male-dominated world. Together, Lilo and Jo unpack the pressures of perfectionism, the importance of preserving the military’s history of diversity, and how true strength comes from embracing both resilience and compassion.In this episode:Introduction to Resilience and LeadershipCultural Influences, Personal Identity and Mental HealthImpact of Parenting and Generational ExpectationsNavigating Doubts in LeadershipCompassion in Leadership: A Shift in PerspectiveBalancing Military Life and ParenthoodImportance of Community SupportOvercoming Self-Doubt and Embracing LeadershipPublic Scrutiny and Personal GrowthThe Importance of Diversity and Military HistoryUnderstanding Veteran TransitionsLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

In this first episode of Lies My Ego Told Me, Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie exposes the biggest lie she believed: that she could “have it all.” As a combat veteran, mother, and recovering high achiever, she shares her unfiltered story of ambition, burnout, and the moment she realized her ego was calling the shots. With sharp wit and hard-won wisdom, Lilo invites you to confront your own ego and embrace the truth beneath the chaos. Take a deep breath, don your oxygen mask, and join her for a journey from breakdown to breakthrough.In this episode:Introduction to Lilo’s personal journey and mental healthDefinition and impact of ego—both positive and negativeThe “having it all” lie and its effect on personal identityLilo’s military and aviation backgroundThe intersection of professional ambition and motherhoodThe challenges of work-life balance and the toxic myth of having it allBurnout and the breaking pointThe role of mental health and seeking helpRedefining success on personal termsLearn more at https://liesmyego.comFor more resources: liesmyego.com

Lies My Ego Told Me is a bold and deeply human podcast hosted by Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie—a military veteran, leader, and mother who knows firsthand how the ego can be both a fierce protector and a persistent saboteur.In each episode, Lilo sits down with guests from all walks of life to explore the pivotal moments when ego-driven stories began to unravel—and the deeper truths that emerged in their place.With raw honesty, vulnerability, and occasional humor, these conversations dive into the personal lies we tell ourselves to feel safe, strong, or worthy—and the courage it takes to outgrow them. If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, healing, or personal growth, this podcast will inspire you to challenge your own narrative and reclaim your truth.Show launches in June 2025.For more resources: liesmyego.com