In this episode of Works in Progress, host Lucy Dannewitz sits down with Chloë Faulkner, a Leadify voice you might know from her Glow with Chlo series. Known for her humor, honesty, and unapologetic style, Chloë shares a deeply personal story about navigating toxic workplaces, blurred boundaries, and the exhausting pressure to shrink herself to fit in.

From the chaos of “business beautiful” dress codes to being physically pulled into a boss’s office and told she wasn’t “appropriate,” Chloë has seen firsthand how easily ambition and authenticity can clash in certain work cultures. But instead of letting those experiences define her, she used them to reclaim her voice and build a version of leadership rooted in honesty, courage, and joy.

Welcome to the very first episode of Works in Progress, a new Leadify video podcast hosted by Lucy Dannewitz. This series is about honest, in-process conversations with emerging leaders.In this episode, Lucy sits down with Amanda Mulkey—a Leadify voice and lifelong fan of The Hobbit. Amanda opens up about the ways J.R.R. Tolkien’s reluctant adventurer Bilbo Baggins has helped her navigate her own dragons (or, as she calls them, her “Smaugs”). From facing life-altering diagnoses to choosing joy, purpose, and love, Amanda’s story reminds us that leadership isn’t about titles or perfection—it’s about showing up with courage, even when the future is uncertain.