Most leaders treat anxiety like a problem to eliminate. What if it's actually your sharpest strategic tool and you've just been using it wrong? In today's episode, Lauren covers: Why anxiety gets louder the more you ignore it and what it's actually trying to tell you The difference between fear and excitement (hint: it's one breath) PQ reps: the micro-practice that trains your nervous system to stay regulated under pressure How to use anxiety as a risk management tool, not a liability

What do you do when the plan keeps changing — and you never had control to begin with? In this episode, Lauren LeMunyan gets real about life as a military spouse and the leadership lessons hiding inside the chaos. From waiting 7 months for orders to navigating a high-risk pregnancy across insurance systems, Lauren shares the five lessons that will change how you lead, adapt, and make decisions when nothing goes according to plan. You'll learn: Why essentialism is your anchor when everything else is in flux The 3-question project management framework that cuts through complexity How to detach from outcomes without losing sight of what matters Why uncertainty isn't the enemy — rigidity is The mindset shift that unlocks creative solutions fast Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or just trying to keep it together — this one's for you. Call to Action: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 30 seconds and helps more Spitfires find the show. Have a lesson to add? Hit Lauren at [email protected]. Catch all 200+ episodes at spitfirecoach.com/episode.

Most managers spend 25–40% of their day managing interpersonal conflict — and most of it could be cut short with two words: my bad. In this episode, Lauren shares a personal story of stepping in it big, and walks through the exact accountability framework she teaches C-suite leaders worldwide. You'll learn why defending your intent makes things worse, how to create psychological safety by sitting in someone else's discomfort, and why a clean apology — under 60 seconds — is one of the most powerful leadership tools you're not using.   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play · Leave a review · Send this to a leader who could use an accountability reality check · More at spitfirecoach.com/episode 

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:2336f049-e291-42cc-bd85-523af0c000b6-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What if the very thing you're gripping so tightly is the reason it's not happening? In this episode of The Spitfire Podcast, we dive into one of coaching's most powerful (and paradoxical) principles: detaching from the outcome. When life feels off-kilter and out of control, our instinct is often to clench tighter—to force results, chase certainty, and obsess over the "right" ending. But what if the real power lies in letting go? Lauren shares personal reflections on navigating unexpected life shifts, the illusion of control, and the transformational shift from focusing on outputs to owning your inputs. You'll explore: Why obsessing over specific outcomes can actually repel them The difference between having a vision and gripping for control How daily inputs shape long-term results The hidden ways we reinforce our own setbacks Simple practices to create momentum, joy, and resilience This episode is a grounded, honest reminder: you can't control the outcome—but you can control who you become in the process. Plant the seeds. Water them daily. Then let go—and watch what grows.      

We've been conditioned to believe that strong leaders always have the answers. But what if the most powerful words in the room are actually: "I don't know." In this episode, Lauren unpacks why "I don't know" isn't weakness — it's the doorway to clarity, growth, innovation, and psychological safety. You'll explore: The four hidden meanings behind "I don't know" When it's a lack of clarity — and when it's emotional avoidance Why the fear of being wrong keeps smart people stuck How to shift from SMART goals to learning goals A practical journaling framework to move from paralysis to agency How sitting in uncertainty builds resilience in an AI-accelerated world If you've ever felt stuck, pressured to have the "right" answer, or unsure of your next move — this episode is your permission slip to pause, explore, and lead from curiosity instead of fear. Because not knowing isn't the problem. Avoiding exploration is.   Read the full article here: https://spitfirecoach.com/blog/=/the-power-of-i-dont-know-a-coachs-guide-to-unlocking-growth

"Stop Trying to Make Lean a Thing!" In this electric conversation with Spitfire Coach Lauren LeMunyan, Santana Inniss shares The Glow Initiative's mission to close the access gap in coaching for women and the nonprofits that serve them. Together they break down The Women in the Workplace 2025 report from McKinsey and Lean In and its problematic language, the myth of the so-called "ambition gap," and the uncomfortable truth about how the coaching industry mirrors broken corporate systems. If you're ready to shift from performative allyship to actual change, this episode is your playbook. 💡 Here's What You'll Learn: Why language choices in "progressive" reports matter more than you think. The systemic barriers keeping women—and coaches—stuck. How The Glow Initiative is flipping the script with data-driven impact and sustainable access models. 🚀 Get Involved: Coaches: Sign up to volunteer for 2026 at www.glowi.org —3 hours can change a life. Donors & Allies: Got $20 or $200K? Every dollar drives impact. Head to glowi.org to give or connect. Leaders & Funders: Know a nonprofit or foundation serving women? Let's get them in the room.

Ready to torch the burnout and toast to something better? In this reflective (and refreshing) episode of The Spitfire Podcast, host Lauren LeMunyan gets honest about the chaos that was 2025, and how to reclaim your power heading into 2026. Whether you're a coach feeling stuck, a leader craving more purpose, or a human just trying to keep it together, this episode is your permission slip to rest, reflect, and realign. Lauren dives into: The real toll of high-performance hustle culture Why "work-life balance" needs a rebrand Questions to end your year with intention (and less stress) Why 2026 should be about rhythm, not resolution Oh, and she's got a free workbook for you—because breakthroughs don't come from binge-watching alone. ✨ Calls to Action: Download the FREE reflection workbook Join the Future Self Design cohort: Coaches, it's time to drop the session fatigue and elevate your impact. Enroll now at FutureSelfDesign.com Subscribe & Share: If you're loving the fire, spread it. Subscribe wherever you listen and share with your fellow Spitfires.

What happens when two seasoned executive coaches stop playing nice and start telling the truth? In this episode, Lauren LeMunyan and Laurie Battaglia dive headfirst into the murky waters of the coaching industry. Together they unpack the differences (and blurred lines) between coaching, advising, mentoring, and training. From the "broke coach" epidemic and sketchy frameworks to certification gatekeeping and emotional burnout, nothing is off the table. They explore what leaders actually need, how to choose the right support, and why personal transformation isn't a checklist. With humor, edge, and smidge bit of cursing, this conversation is a wake-up call for anyone working in or around the coaching world. If you've ever rolled your eyes at the term "empowerment," questioned your own career title, or felt the weight of leadership loneliness, this one's for you.

Middle Management Meltdown: Who's Really Holding Up the House? Middle managers are getting steamrolled and no one's sending in the rescue team. In this fiery episode, we're breaking down the psychological safety crisis facing middle managers, calling out C-suite complacency, fear-based culture, and outdated leadership dynamics. From Harvard Business Review's overdue headlines to the real-world toll of managing up and down with zero support, Lauren lays it all bare. Tune in for unapologetic truth bombs, powerful stats, and a roadmap to build trust-based teams that actually work. Spoiler: psychological safety isn't optional. It's the foundation.   Learn more about Psychological Safety here: https://spitfirecoach.com/psychological-safety See the truth about Middle Managers here: https://spitfirecoach.com/middle

You've survived the hard parts. Now it's time to honor the one who made it through. In this powerful and introspective episode, Lauren  invites you to revisit your journey, not to relive the pain, but to recognize the strength it took to rise. She shares her own reflections on growth, grief, and the moment she paused to truly appreciate her past self. This is more than storytelling, it's self-celebration. Whether or not you ever take a stage, your story deserves to be heard—by you first. Tune in for a heart-forward guide to transforming lived experience into lasting empowerment.