Think you have to lead like “one of the guys” to be taken seriously? Think again.

In this Badass Debrief, we break down the biggest takeaways from episode 392 with Tina Irwin—former Navy Commander turned metaphysical powerhouse—and what her story means for your leadership journey.

Spoiler: You don’t need louder opinions or more bravado to make waves.
You need strategy. Clarity. And the audacity to lead like you.

✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking how to stop waiting for permission, adapt without shrinking, and lead with more impact and less burnout.

You’ll hear:

🔥 Why being underestimated is actually leverage
💡 How to adapt without erasing who you are
💬 The reframe that turns self-doubt into strategy

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me “TACTICAL” on Instagram @ordinarytobadass and I’ll send you a journaling prompt to reclaim your voice
⭐ If this hit you like a wake-up call, rate + review the show—because every star is a mic drop for women rewriting leadership norms

Think you need permission to lead boldly? Think again.

In this episode, Tina Erwin—retired Navy Commander, metaphysicist, and ghost helper—shares how she went from being the first woman in the room to rewriting the rules for everyone who followed. From being told “women don’t teach here” to teaching submarine captains when to launch a missile (no big deal), Tina gives us an unfiltered look at what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and zero apologies.

✨ Theme: Leadership That Doesn’t Sound Like a TED Talk
We’re talking tactical confidence, spiritual strength, and bold moves that break invisible rules.

You’ll hear:
🔥 How to play office politics without compromising your values
💡 What to say when people underestimate you—and why language matters more than you think
💬 Why being “the first” is brutal... and also beautifully necessary

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—think of it like sending your favorite rebel a shot of espresso in review form ☕💥

Think you need to check every box before going for the job or promotion? Think again.

In this episode, Marie breaks down why not fitting the job description might be your biggest advantage. Drawing from Darlene Green’s powerful story, this Badass Debrief is all about rewriting the rules, owning your worth, and leading in rooms that weren’t built for you—even when no one hands you a map.

✨ Theme: Resilience Stories / Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking confidence when you’re underestimated, leadership that doesn’t ask for permission, and becoming the disruptor they didn’t see coming.

You’ll hear:

🔥 How Darlene went from “not qualified” to being called the best leader out of 350
💡 Why being the first—or only—woman in the room can actually be your power
💬 What to do when you’re doubting yourself and how to build your Badass Brag File

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM @ordinarytobadass if this fired you up
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—because one woman’s badass move can spark a whole damn movement

Think you need permission to lead? Think again.

In this episode, Darlene Green—military trailblazer and health-tech innovator—shares how she went from being underestimated at every turn to commanding teams of over 1,200 people and launching a wellness revolution in her 60s.

From being told women didn’t belong in the military, to being rejected for a job she ultimately crushed, Darlene’s story is a masterclass in leading with grit, growth, and guts.

✨ Theme: Resilience Stories / Visibility & Advocacy
We’re talking about owning your power, redefining what leadership looks like, and fighting for your health and voice when the system counts you out.

You’ll hear:

🔥 What Darlene did when her own team doubted her leadership (and how she earned their respect anyway)
💡 Why your resume isn’t the whole story—and how Darlene got hired for a VP role she “wasn’t qualified” for
💬 How stress, trauma, and perfectionism shaped (and nearly broke) her—and the practices that helped her heal and rise

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you in the gut
⭐ If this episode lit a fire under you, rate + review like you’re giving your badass mentor a standing ovation.

Think leadership comes with a rulebook? Think again.
In this week’s Badass Debrief, Marie Sonneman breaks down the hidden truths behind episode 388—and the gut-punch reality of what it actually feels like to lead in rooms that weren’t built for you.

From crying in your car to losing friendships you thought were solid, this isn’t about being weak. It’s about being real. And Marie’s walking you through what to do when leadership feels more like emotional whiplash than celebration.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Resilience in Leadership
We’re talking:

• The identity shift no one prepares you for

• Why emotional intelligence is your actual superpower

• The truth about loneliness at the top (and how to reframe it)

You’ll hear:
🔥 A story of showing up while holding back tears
💡 Why empathy and intuition make you a better leader—not a weaker one
💬 A challenge to name one leadership truth you wish someone had told you sooner

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
⭐ Rate + review—because other badass women need to hear this too

You think getting promoted means you’ve made it? Think again.
...The truth is, leadership doesn’t come with a rulebook—it comes with curveballs. In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman cracks open the real truths about leading in rooms that weren’t built for you.

...

From crying in the car to calling out condescending vendors, this is the pep talk (and permission slip) every badass woman in leadership needs.

...

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
...We’re talking:

• Letting go of popularity contests

• Leading even when it’s lonely

• Speaking up for the promotion you deserve

...

You’ll hear:
🔥 Why losing friendships is sometimes the price of leveling up
...💡 How to document your own playbook (even when no one shows you how)
...💬 What Beth Dutton can teach you about taking up space without apology.

...

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide: OrdinaryToBadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you in the gut
⭐ Don’t forget to rate + review—because this isn’t just a podcast, it’s a movement 💥

Quitter? Or Leader? Why Walking Away Might Be the Boldest Move You Make

Think quitting means failure? Think again.

In this episode, Marie Sonneman flips the script on what it really means to walk away—from roles, relationships, or responsibilities that no longer serve you. Inspired by her conversation with Doris Jackson Shazier (Episode 386), Marie unpacks why sometimes quitters win—and how to know when it’s time to move on.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking:

• Letting go of roles that no longer serve you

• Leading without shrinking

• And training your inner voice to stop dragging you down

You’ll hear:

🔥 The dog-on-a-nail story that changed how Marie viewed “staying stuck”
💡 A powerful reframe: quitting isn’t failure—it’s strategy
💬 The mic-drop mantra: “I don’t stay just to prove a point. I move to make one.”

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM Marie @ordinarytobadass on IG if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—because this isn’t your average leadership podcast. It’s for the ones building their own rooms.

Think quitting means failure? Think again.

In this episode, Doris Jackson-Shazier—leadership coach, author, and the woman redefining resilience—shares why walking away isn’t weakness… it’s wisdom. From growing up in a neighborhood where no one graduated high school to leading 70,000 employees as a senior director, Doris rewrote every rule in the leadership playbook—and built her own damn table.

✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs + Confidence Without Apology
We’re talking:
🔥 Letting go of roles that no longer serve you
🔥 Leading without shrinking
🔥 And training your inner voice to stop dragging you down

You’ll hear:
💥 Why “Sometimes quitters win” might be the most badass leadership move you can make
💬 How to reframe your self-talk when doubt or failure creeps in
💡 Why representation isn’t just important—it’s oxygen for future leaders

🎁 Grab the free Breaking Barriers Guide at ordinarytobadass.com/barriers
💬 DM me @ordinarytobadass if this hit you right in the gut
⭐ And don’t forget to rate + review—like Carrie Bradshaw in leadership heels reminding you: you don’t have to stay somewhere you don’t belong 💋