If you’re in a season where it feels like one more thing might break you, this conversation is for you. We’re sitting down with Jay Papasan, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The ONE Thing Company, for a candid look at what it means to lead when life doesn’t let up.

Jay shares what the last several years have really looked like behind the scenes, and how those experiences shaped a set of “lighthouses” he now uses to navigate tough storms. We talk about how high achievers spiral into self-criticism, why old standards can become impossible anchors, and how recalibrating expectations can keep you from drowning. Jay also unpacks what it means to re-engineer your village on purpose by cultivating friendships deep enough to call in the middle of the night and creating intentional rituals that keep your support system strong before the next hard season hits.

If you’re building a big business and trying to live a bigger life, this episode will help you stay grounded, stay honest, and keep moving forward with support.

Resources:

• Visit The ONE Thing
• Listen to The ONE Thing Podcast
• Learn more about Her Best Life
• Explore Empire Circle

Connect on Instagram:

• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykes

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.

Ever look up and realize the bar has quietly dropped—then wonder how you fix it without crushing morale? We’ve been there, and in this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable reset that brings standards back with clarity, care, and real ownership.

We’re breaking down a five-step framework Sarah implemented in real time after noticing a massive performance gap across locations—same headcount, wildly different results. We talk about why the standard is only as high as the least-accountable person on the team, and why the first move is to own it as leaders (no blame, no drama). From there, we revisit the standard and the “why,” lead with care (because accountability is a gift), and invite people to recommit—or opt out—so everyone’s aligned going forward. Finally, we circle back with compassion to reinforce that this isn’t punishment, it’s partnership.

We also share the personal standards we’re resetting for 2026—from in-person meetings, to lead gen blocks, to consistent 411s, to protecting creative input—so you can choose what you’re recommitting to next.

Resources:

• Join Her Best Life. Where Women Come to Build Big Businesses.

Connect on Instagram:

• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykes

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.

Some lessons shape us long before we ever call ourselves leaders. In this episode, we revisit the unexpected teacher who influenced a generation of women from living rooms across America: Judge Judy. What started as a nostalgic moment for Seychelle turned into a powerful reflection on how this fierce, unapologetic woman modeled agency, negotiation, boundaries, and integrity in a world where women were only beginning to access financial and professional autonomy.

Together, we unpack the eight life and leadership lessons Judge Judy embodied—from knowing your worth and negotiating from strength to demanding clarity, leading with integrity, trusting your gut, and choosing your circle wisely. We talk about her belief that “if you tell the truth, you don’t have to have a good memory,” her push for personal responsibility, and her unapologetic authenticity that inspired women everywhere to own who they are. We even revisit some of her most iconic moments, including “That’s not an answer” and “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”

This episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to start something new, to leverage your expertise in unexpected ways, and to show up fully as yourself. If you’re building a big business and a bigger life, these timeless lessons still hold up—and they’ll sharpen your leadership today.

Resources:

• Judge Judy (Facebook Page)
• Her Best Life
• Empire Circle

Connect on Instagram:

• Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
• Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
• Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
• Kymber Lovett-Menkiti: @kymbermenkiti
• Tiffany Fykes: @tiffanyfykes

Produced by NOVA

This podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.