Is walking away from the life you built… selfish or brave?

In this episode of Mad & Lucy: Mind the Gap, we dive into the legacy of Eat, Pray, Love—the memoir, the movie, and the generational moment. With special guest (and our podcast producer) Lara Dollens, we unpack what made this story resonate so deeply—and what made it frustrating.

We talk about authenticity, scripts we were handed, and why Gen Z might be throwing them out earlier than anyone expected. From house buying and hustle culture to parenting and privilege, this one’s a multi-generational reckoning with what it means to live a life that actually feels like yours.

Is empathy the real power skill in leadership?

In our latest episode of Mad & Lucy: Mind the Gap, we sit down with the incredible Erin Thorp—author of Inside Out Empathy and host of the Tactical Empathy podcast—to talk about how empathy is more than just a soft skill. It’s a leadership muscle.

We unpack what it really means to lead with empathy (without losing yourself), why Gen Z may actually be ahead of the curve when it comes to emotional intelligence, and how to stay grounded when pushing for change in a world that doesn’t always want it.

You’ll walk away with tangible ways to flex your empathy muscle—starting with one simple question you can ask today.

Leadify socials: https://linktr.ee/Blanchard_leadifyErin's book, Inside Out Empathy: https://www.insideoutempathy.com/Erin's podcast, Tactical Empathy: https://www.erinthorp.ca/podcast/

In this episode of Mad & Lucy Mind the Gap, hosts Madeleine Blanchard and Lucy Dannewitz dive into the critical need for trauma-informed workplaces with returning guest April Hennessey—Blanchard’s Director of Strategy & Transformation, DEI Practice Lead, and advocate for mental health in the workplace.April breaks down what it truly means to be trauma-informed—from understanding how past experiences shape workplace behaviors to recognizing how organizations can either support or exacerbate mental health struggles. She shares insights on how leaders can go beyond empathy to create policies and cultures that prioritize well-being, flexibility, and psychological safety.This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about reshaping workplace culture for the better. If you've ever wondered why traditional workplace norms fail to support real human needs—or how to create meaningful change—this conversation is for you.Leadify socials: https://linktr.ee/Blanchard_leadifyApril Hennessey on LinkedIn: / april-hennessey