In today’s episode you’ll discover why you can be doing all the right things at work, yet something invisible is holding you back from enjoying the compensation you have earned.

In this episode, we dive deep with Doug Lynam—a Marine turned monk turned money manager—who shares how personality psychology, childhood trauma, and our unconscious beliefs about money can sabotage success for even the smartest, most driven professionals.

If you've ever struggled with asking for promotions, understanding your spending habits, or simply feeling secure in your financial life, this conversation will feel like a mirror.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🛠️ How an ancient tool reveals your core fears and how they're linked to your relationship with money and leadership

🎯Why traditional financial advice fails many high performers—and what actually works instead

🔥Powerful tools to reduce anxiety, communicate with confidence, and align your career with your deeper purpose

Press play to uncover the hidden psychological patterns driving your financial behavior and unlock a whole new level of clarity and confidence in both money and leadership.

Knowing your own signature communication orientation is essential for authentic and confident executive presence. Discover here your own signature communication style (free assessment) so your voice can begin to be heard and respected in meetings, you gain more influence, and understand better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Doug Lynam, in Taming Your Money Monster, defines the "money monster" as the internal, often subconscious, psychological and emotional barriers that sabotage one’s financial well-being. Drawing from his background as a former monk and his current role as a financial coach, Lynam frames it as a metaphorical beast born from a mix of fear, shame, guilt, and ingrained habits—like overspending, avoiding budgets, or equating self-worth with net worth. He suggests these "monsters" are unique to each person, shaped by their upbringing, experiences, and even spiritual beliefs about money.

In essence, the money monster isn’t just about poor financial choices; it’s the deeper mindset or emotional baggage that keeps someone stuck in repetitive, self-defeating money patterns.

For example, he might describe it as the voice that whispers, “You’ll never get ahead,” prompting reckless spending to feel in control, or the anxiety that avoids looking at bank statements because facing reality feels too daunting. Lynam’s approach, blending spiritual wisdom and practical tools, positions taming this monster as a journey of self-awareness—confronting those inner demons to align finances with one’s authentic values and goals.

Your relationship with money can reveal how you approach certain aspects of your career.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion...

Have you ever left a meeting kicking yourself for not speaking up — even though you had the perfect response in your head after the fact?

If you’re a high-performing introvert or socially reserved leader, you already know how it feels to freeze when the pressure’s on. This episode breaks down exactly how to respond to unexpected questions or disagree with senior leadership — without triggering drama, fear, or regret.

By the end, you’ll know:

😅Learn the 4-step framework to handle tough conversations without losing your composure

1️⃣The first and only thing to do when you need to push back but feel unprepared

🧩How using this one simple strategy can 10x your confidence and leadership reputation in high-stakes moments.

To chat with Lara to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Tune in now to transform uncomfortable moments into power moves that boost your executive presence.

So if you constantly replay tense conversations in your head because you didn’t say what needed to be said, and you're tired of conflict avoidance keeping you stuck in middle management—but deep down you know you’re capable of more…

That’s exactly why we designed the Executive Presence Mastery System—to help you speak up without sparking drama, so you can finally earn the respect, trust, and leadership clout your ideas deserve.:

If you want personalized guidance to help you build your influence, speak up strategically, and finally get the recognition you deserve, check out the link above in the show notes or go to www.speakupwithlaura.com to book your strategy call.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Ever feel like you're doing all the right things but still not being seen as leadership material?

If you're a high-performing introvert or someone told you to “speak up more” to be taken seriously, this episode is your game changer. Learn why being talkative isn’t the key — and how your mindset might be sabotaging your executive presence without you even knowing it.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

😱3 specific behaviors to avoid because they scream “I lack confidence”

🎯The mindset you must permanently let go of to become an executive

🚀A mindset that super quickly builds personal connection and trust

Hit play now to upgrade your executive presence using strategies built for introverts who are ready to lead with confidence and authenticity.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (it retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 4 all about choosing your mindset!! Everything else follows from mindset leading to your voice being heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode you’ll discover why the harder you push through stress at work, the more burned out you become—even though you're known for being resilient.

In this episode, psychologist Dr. Ute reveals to us why traditional definitions of resilience are outdated and even harmful—especially for high achievers and neurodivergent professionals. We explore how control, internalized narratives, and workplace pressure are quietly eroding performance and well-being.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🧬The science of "progressive resilience" and how to actually build it under pressure

🥊Simple yet powerful exercises you can use in the boardroom or during any sort of crisis

🔑How to recognize hidden signs of burnout and regain clarity without quitting your job or having a nervous breakdown

If you want to lead with more confidence, clarity, and connection—especially when stakes are high and it's a pressure cooker, get your copy of my Executive Presence Self-Assessment here. My compliments. It goes through the 10 qualities that make up executive presence that are essential for success as a senior executive.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

In today’s fast-paced and demanding environment, success requires more than leadership skills—it requires psychological resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to address challenges at their root. As a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist, Dr. Ute brings decades of clinical expertise combined with proven coaching strategies to help leaders, teams, and organisations thrive.

She applies evidence-based psychological techniques that foster flexibility, enabling clients to adapt to challenges and take value-based, committed actions. This approach ensures measurable, long-term impact—empowering clients to thrive rather than merely cope.

Access Dr. Ute’s Progressive Resilience Masterclass here: Your Masterclass.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode you’ll discover there’s a right way and a wrong way to kiss the ring and what you’re missing that’s keeping you out of senior leadership roles.

This episode dives into the invisible wall many high-performing introverts hit on their way to senior leadership—and it’s not about your KPIs. Discover the real reasons you're stalling and what no one is telling you about how the game changes above director level.

To chat with Lara to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

2️⃣Two unwritten rules of senior leadership that are so deeply ingrained that no one remembers to explain them to you

🪝The magical communication skill that everyone wants you to have and no one tells you

🤐The reasons why your boss doesn’t share this with you, even when you ask.

Hit play now to uncover the subtle but critical skills you need to be seen as executive-ready and finally break into the C-Suite

If you want a complimentary Clear Point of View cheatsheet mentioned send an email with POV in the subject line to hello@speakupwithlaura.com.

If you’re crushing it at work but still feel like you’re on the outside of senior leadership looking in, stuck behind invisible walls and unspoken expectations, this episode probably hit home.

That’s exactly why I built the Executive Presence Mastery System—to help you master the relationships, the messaging, and the executive presence that makes people say, “You belong in the C-suite.”

If you want personalized guidance to help you build your influence, speak up strategically, and finally get the recognition you deserve, check out the link above in the show notes or go to www.speakupwithlaura.com to book your strategy call.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode, you’ll discover why being told you’re “too blunt” is silently sabotaging your shot at the VP role —and three A-list charisma tips from leaders to be direct, stay authentic, and still win people over.

For high-performing introverts, blunt communication isn’t just natural—it feels efficient and honest. But in corporate environments, especially when eyeing VP-level roles, this directness can get misread as abrasiveness. This episode uncovers what that feedback really means and how to reframe it without losing your voice.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

🔑 The hidden meaning behind the “too blunt” label and how it impacts your executive presence

💰Three charisma-backed techniques from Elon Musk and Satya Nadella to be direct and magnetic

🎯A 4-step framework to give impactful feedback that builds trust and credibility at senior levels

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Listen now to turn your bluntness into a leadership superpower that accelerates your path to executive roles.

Knowing your own signature communication orientation is essential for authentic and confident executive presence. Discover here your own signature communication style (free assessment) so your voice can begin to be heard and respected in meetings, you gain more influence, and understand better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode you’ll discover how this absolutely normal and common approach to executive presence is a major turn off for senior leaders.

Whether you’re a new manager, a technical expert stepping into leadership, or just someone who struggles to feel supremely confident communicating up the chain, this episode is packed with clarity and practical strategies. You’ll hear exactly how to find your voice, project executive presence, and stop feeling like you have to prove yourself all the time.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode with guest James Turk you’ll know:

🚀The #1 communication mistake rookie leaders make—and how to fix it

🧩How to deliver tough messages when you’re not fully confident or in agreement with the message

🔑Ways to build influence and charisma without pretending to be someone you’re not

If you want to lead with more confidence, clarity, and connection—especially when stakes are high—press play and start learning what really works from day one.

If you’d like to assess your own communication through an Executive Presence checklist I created, it's waiting for you here. My compliments. It goes through the 10 qualities that make up executive presence that are essential for success as a senior executive.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

James Turk is an author, executive coach, keynote speaker, and CEO of The Turk Group, a boutique learning and development consulting firm. With over 25 years of experience, he has designed and delivered leadership solutions to clients globally, coaching and training upwards of 10,000 people. Clients include Walmart, NYSE, BuzzFeed, Spotify, Seattle Genetics and others..

Influenced by his background as a trained actor, James builds strong, trusting client relationships. He holds a BS in Liberal Arts from The New School and gained valuable HR experience at Goldman Sachs, Random House, and P&O Nedlloyd. Clients highly value his forward-thinking insights.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode you’ll discover exactly what the smartest leaders are missing about AI and projects, and their careers.

Let's break down why simply using fancy new tools isn’t enough to boost your executive presence or get on the CEO’s radar — and why only tying innovation to specific business outcomes like revenue or cost savings makes you stand out.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🚀The fastest way to get top leadership attention right now.

🔥How to think about AI so it boosts your Executive Presence.

🎯A real-life example of leveraging AI profitably– and it’s not from a tech company.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Listen now to learn the exact steps you need to turn your AI projects into powerful leadership opportunities that boost your career.

So look — if you’re realizing you’ve been spinning your wheels on AI projects that sound impressive but aren’t moving your career forward, and you really want to become the kind of leader who knows how to connect AI directly to business metrics and impress the C-suite… welcome to the Executive Presence Mastery System. This private coaching program gives you the 1-on-1 strategy you need to shortcut your way to executive-level impact.

If you’re interested, go to the show notes, click the first link you find or visit www.speakupwithlaura.com and choose a time that works for you. I’d love to show you how this program can help you rise fast and smart.

Take note that we now release episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.