Lead with Spark | Leadership for Women, Work - Life Balance, Career Confidence

E12 Blue Ribbons & Bold Moves: Leadership Lessons from the Iowa State Fair

From the Grand Concourse to the boardroom, this leadership podcast episode turns the Iowa State Fair into a practical playbook for women in leadership. Lynsey Mulder weaves three generations of family tradition - Grandma’s one-section-a-day map, Grandpa’s steady hours in the livestock barns, and a new stop at Cowboy Bootcamp with her grandson - into ten blue-ribbon leadership lessons you can apply this week.
You’ll learn how to set context before you move, ship a preview version to learn faster, define success upfront so your team has psychological safety, show up with stronger executive presence, protect deep-work priorities, delegate ownership (not chores), make smarter project tradeoffs, ask sharper problem/proof/first-move questions, run a weekly “Sky Glider” review to regain strategic altitude, and make work visible so wins actually get rewarded.
If you lead a team, or just your calendar, you’ll leave with practical tools and language you can use immediately. The episode includes a quick “Fair Pass” exercise to choose your top three priorities, set two clear nos, and plan one visibility touchpoint.
Perfect for women leaders, managers, and high-performing professionals who want less burnout and more momentum. Topics include executive presence tips, delegation strategies, project prioritization, boundaries at work, weekly review rituals, managing up, and values-based leadership. Listen in, grab your worksheet, and give your next week a blue ribbon.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E11 Leading with Curiosity & Compassion: A Conversation with Malinda Shultice

What does it take to lead with both curiosity and compassion? In this episode, I sit down with Malinda Shultice, professor at Iowa State University and Barcelona Executive Business School, licensed nursing home administrator, and founder of a consulting company dedicated to tackling high turnover in healthcare.
 
Malinda shares her bold career pivot from senior living to academia and entrepreneurship, and the lessons she’s learned about curiosity, compassion, and communication along the way. We dive into the challenges of leadership, the power of truly listening, and how to reignite curiosity when it feels like it’s burned out.
 
Whether you’re leading a team, navigating a career shift, or simply looking to connect more deeply with those around you, this conversation will spark new ideas and inspire you to lead with authenticity.
 
👉 Connect with Malinda on LinkedIn: Malinda Shultice
 
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E10 The Power of No: Setting Non-Negotiables for Your Best Life

In today’s episode, we tackle something that many women professionals struggle with. Saying no. Constantly overcommitting to work, family, and social obligations can lead to burnout and a loss of focus on what truly matters. In this empowering episode, I dive deep into the importance of setting non-negotiables in your life.
Learn how to align your boundaries with your core values and priorities, and discover actionable strategies to reclaim your time and energy. We’ll explore how saying no is actually saying yes to your goals, and why setting non-negotiables is essential for leadership and personal fulfillment.
You’ll hear practical tips, like:
How to turn your non-negotiables into powerful affirmations that keep you focused.
Using tools like the Non-Negotiables Alignment Pillars to evaluate where you need boundaries most. Download here.
The mindset shift you need to make every time you say yes to something (because it’s really saying no to something else).
Whether you’re struggling to balance work-life demands, lead effectively, or honor your personal priorities, this episode is packed with tips to help you regain control and lead with intention.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E9 From Balance to Alignment: Mastering Work-Life Harmony in a Tech-Driven World

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, the idea of “work-life balance” feels outdated and out of reach. In this episode of Lead With Spark, we explore the evolution from work-life balance to work-life alignment, a dynamic approach that helps you integrate your career, family, and personal goals in a way that fuels your well-being and success.
Join Lynsey as she shares her personal strategies for setting boundaries, using technology to your advantage, and finding the harmony that works for you. Learn how to shift your mindset, prioritize what matters, and create space for what brings you joy, without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're juggling family, career, or personal aspirations, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you achieve true alignment and keep your spark alive.
Tune in now and discover how to align your life, reclaim your time, and thrive in both your personal and professional worlds.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E8 Unleashing Your Superpowers: The Confidence Boost You've Been Missing

Unleashing Your Superpowers: The Spark You’ve Been Missing
What if the secret to more confidence, less burnout, and a life you actually love was already inside you? In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey takes you step-by-step through the process of identifying and unleashing your unique superpowers, the strengths that make you brilliant, bold, and impactful.
You’ll hear a heartwarming story about her grandson’s superhero costumes, learn the shocking stats about how few people actually use their strengths every day, and discover two powerful ways to uncover what’s been hiding in plain sight. Plus, you’ll see how using your superpowers daily can skyrocket your confidence, boost your mental health, improve motivation, and even increase team engagement by 600%.
Whether you’re a leader, business owner, or simply ready to show up as your best self, this episode will inspire you to put your cape back on, and never take it off.
Download your free SparkLife Superpower Playbook and start unleashing your brilliance today.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E7 From Imposter to Empowered: Quieting Self-Doubt and Leading with Confidence

Are you secretly waiting for someone to find out you're not as capable as they think you are? You're not alone - in fact, studies show that 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, and the number jumps even higher for high-achieving women in leadership. In this empowering episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey breaks down what imposter syndrome really is, why it shows up (especially for ambitious women), and how to reframe it so it no longer holds you back.
Through personal stories, relatable moments, and three practical, research-backed strategies, you’ll learn how to:
Recognize the signs of imposter syndrome
Quiet the inner critic and perfectionist pressure
Replace self-doubt with truth, clarity, and confidence
Celebrate your strengths and own your achievements unapologetically
If you're tired of downplaying your success and ready to lead with authenticity and belief in yourself, this episode will meet you right where you are.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E6 Discovering Your Core Values: The First Step to Authentic Leadership

Are you living a version of success that doesn’t actually feel like your own? In this episode of Lead with Spark, Lynsey walks you through the very first step in the Discover Your Leadership Spark framework: identifying your core values.
You'll learn why values misalignment can lead to burnout, stress, and disconnection and how clarifying what truly matters can help you lead with authenticity, restore your energy, and realign your work and life.
 
Download the Core Values Playbook and take the first intentional step toward living with purpose and spark.
 
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E5 Are You Leading or Performing? How Ambitious Women Lose Themselves, and Reclaim Their Spark

Are you leading, or just performing?In this powerful episode, Lynsey dives into what it really means to live and lead with authenticity, especially as a woman in leadership. If you’ve ever looked around your life and thought, “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do, so why do I feel like I’ve lost myself?” This one’s for you.
You’ll learn:
Why ambitious women unknowingly drift out of alignment
What it feels like to lead authentically (and how to know when you’re not)
The five places to check when you feel off or burnt out
How to stop performing and start leading from your values and strengths
You’ll also hear a story from one of Lynsey’s coaching clients who went from overwhelmed and disconnected to confident and energized just by returning to her authentic self.
Whether you're leading a team, a business, or your family, this episode will help you reclaim your spark and lead with confidence, without burning out.
🎧 Plus: Download the free “Authenticity Self-Check” 
📝 Want more? Visit the blog for bonus reflections and stories from the episode.💥 Apply for a free coaching session or book Lynsey for a keynote by visiting lynseymulder.com
 
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E4 Tiny Wings, Bold Leadership: 5 Life-Changing Lessons from Hummingbirds

Today’s episode is all about unexpected inspiration, and it comes with wings. Join me on my front porch, chai latte in hand, as I unpack five powerful leadership lessons inspired by the fierce, focused, and surprisingly wise hummingbird. From building momentum with tiny actions to learning the strength of stepping back, we’ll explore how this little bird can teach us about energy, boundaries, curiosity, and rest. If you’re ready to lead with intention and spark, this conversation is for you.
Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or just trying to lead yourself through a busy season, these tiny truths will help you fly with more clarity, courage, and power.
📝 Want more? Visit the blog for bonus reflections and stories from the episode.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder

E3 Tune In Before You Speak Up: Communication Skills for Executive Presence

Miscommunication is costing professionals more than they think, especially in leadership roles. In this episode of Lead With Spark, we explore two powerful strategies to help women leaders improve communication and elevate their executive presence.
You’ll learn how to mentally prepare for high-stakes conversations, avoid common language traps (like “I know” and “actually”), and use a listener blueprint to match different communication styles. Whether you're leading meetings, presenting ideas, or building relationships at work, this episode will help you be heard and understood with impact.
🔗 Prefer reading or want to share this with your team? Read the full blogs, part 1 and part 2, of this episode here.
Connect with Lynsey:
Website: LynseyMulder.com
Facebook: @LynseySMulder
LinkedIn: @Lynsey-Mulder
Instagram: @LynseyMulder