Do you push through exhaustion because your team needs you?
Do you wonder how to take care of yourself while taking care of everyone else?
Are you tired of feeling like you have to choose between being a good leader and protecting your wellbeing?
As a leader forged in military culture, I was taught that a leader's wellbeing was second to that of their people. After almost 10 years of leading teams around the globe in the world's greatest Air Force, I realized how untrue that teaching really is. Six months into my corporate transition from active duty service, I found myself in uncontrollable tears on the dingy carpet of my apartment floor. I thought I would finally be a part of an organization that would give me the time to take care of me because they cared about my wellbeing beyond what I could produce for them. I realized other than the title and the company, nothing had really changed. I was still working 12+ hour days, still fighting a system that put its goals before its people, and still expected to answer my boss at all hours of the night.
Then it hit me – I didn't understand how to tend to my own wellbeing. I never made the time. I didn’t know how. I didn't understand something I was expecting others to do for me. The crying stopped. I sat up, wiped the tears from my face, took a deep breath and let out a sigh of determination. I knew what I needed to do next. That's when I embarked on the toughest journey during the darkest time of my life. I had to figure out how to lead a team and heal myself at the same time – truly heal, not just the quick recovery that gets you through the next week.
It was in these two plus years of stepping back to understand myself again that I recognized how much better I became as a leader. I had a different perspective in understanding others, connecting with others, and leading more effectively. When we understand ourselves – intentionally and completely – we become the impactful leaders our world needs.
That experience gave me the skills to create an environment of trust and empowerment that I'd never been able to create before – not only for my team, but my co-workers and managers as well. I'm grateful to still experience the power of that impact almost a year after leaving the corporate arena. It was during those two years of healing and leading that I discovered two truths:
Balance is overrated. Harmony is how we were meant to live.
Simple is more effective than doing 'all the things,' but that doesn't mean it will be easy.
On this podcast, I share real stories and solutions from my 20+ years of leadership experience, taking care of my wellbeing the wrong way, and learning how to heal while leading an amazing team. If you're a driven female leader who struggles with perfectionism, burnout, and self-sabotage more than you'd like to admit, join me to learn simple solutions that help you prioritize your wellbeing so you can truly lead by example.
Learn more: gayleenswiggum.com
Let’s connect: howdy@lsaglobal.net (mailto:howdy@lsaglobal.net)
Schedule your complimentary discovery call: https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE
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Publisher
Gayleen Swiggum
Category
business · education · education · health & fitness
15.1 Work Life Balance| Why You Keep Quitting Your Routine (And How to Restart Without Guilt)
Tired of starting over with your fitness routine? Your meal planning? And tired of always feeling guilty about it? You're not alone.
Breaking unhealthy habits and restarting routines without guilt feels close to impossible when you're leading teams, managing family crises, and drowning in global meetings that shift without warning. Your wellness routine drops first—like a lead weight.
In this episode, discover how to build sustainable habits for working women through three powerful signals: your frustration points to where you need ownership, your guilt shows where you're missing gratitude, and your shame reveals where you need support. Learn how to restart your wellness routine after life gets busy without the crushing weight of self-criticism.
This is for you if you're tired of the guilt cycle and ready to stop beating yourself up when consistency struggles leaders have derail your progress. Military-trained resilience meets sustainable systems that work with your real life, not against it.
Subscribe to the Prioritizing Wellbeing for Female Leaders podcast, write us a review, and book a complimentary coaching session here (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/group/W2zv78JzrB4u0OwjfJoR) to create sustainable systems that bend without breaking.
This episode is for you if you're looking for topics in ...
leadership development
women in leadership
work life balance
self care
habit formation
burnout prevention
professional development
29 Nov 2025
14 How Your Relationship Status Can Shape Your Leadership Development| relationships, female leader, burnout, strained relationships, career struggle
Your relationship status affects your leadership development more than you realize. Whether you're single or partnered right now, this season is teaching you something specific about sustainable leadership that you can't learn any other way.
Do you wonder if your leadership would be stronger if you were in a relationship? Or maybe you're partnered and think about what you could accomplish with more time to yourself. Both seasons develop different leadership skills. The growth you're experiencing right now? You might not be able to achieve it in a different situation.
In this episode, I break down how to take advantage of where you are to become the leader you want to be. You'll discover what you've accomplished that would've been harder in a different season, what you genuinely enjoy about your current situation, and how this chapter is preparing you for what's next. This conversation addresses the leadership loneliness many single leaders feel and the overwhelm partnered leaders experience when stretched too thin.
For culturally-aware leaders, this conversation goes deeper. We explore how family expectations about relationships, code-switching across different contexts, and identity fragmentation add another layer to the loneliness or overwhelm you're experiencing. Your wellbeing as a leader isn't just about your relationship status—it's about showing up as your whole self.
Your leadership development doesn't depend on your relationship status. But the season you’re in does affect how you lead yourself. Let's explore how to stop feeling incomplete and start recognizing the leadership growth opportunities available to you right now.
Ready to work on your leadership wellbeing? 🎧 Subscribe to the Prioritizing Wellbeing for Female Leaders podcast and 📅 book a complimentary 25-minute session with me at https://bit.ly/4h36Lxj (https://bit.ly/4h36Lxj) to discuss your leadership goals.
16 Nov 2025
13.2 How to Define Your Vision and Stand Firm When Others Don't Understand| create your own vision, owning your vision, how to stop living someone else’s life, leadership vision, female leadership
Sharing your vision with someone you trust only to have them tear it down? You're not alone. Many leaders struggle with knowing when to protect their dreams and when to defend them.
In this episode, discover the practical questions to ask yourself before defending your vision. Learn how to reclaim your dreams from people who don't understand where you're headed. You'll walk away knowing exactly when someone deserves access to your vision and when protecting it is the wiser choice.
This isn't about making perfect decisions. It's about owning your vision with confidence and making choices you're proud of, regardless of the outcome.
You'll learn:
✓ Who deserves to hear your vision in the first place
✓ The difference between protecting and defending your dreams
✓ How to defend your vision without damaging relationships
✓ What to do when people you love can't see what you see
If you're ready to stop giving everyone access to your dreams and start leading with clarity, this episode is for you.
Ready to take your leadership to the next level?
🔔 Subscribe to the Prioritize Wellbeing for Female Leaders podcast,
⭐ Leave us a review, and
📅 Book a complimentary session with me here (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/group/W2zv78JzrB4u0OwjfJoR) to discuss your vision and goals.
⬇️ Download your gift 🎁 here (https://gayleenswiggum.com/free)
1 Nov 2025
13.1 Finding Your Leadership Vision and Purpose Without Having All the Answers| create your own vision, personal vision statement, owning your vision, reclaim your dreams, people don’t understand my vision
Feeling paralyzed when someone asks about your five-year plan? You're managing back-to-back meetings, family logistics, and career decisions — but clarity on your vision and purpose feels impossible to find.
In this episode, we're talking about seeking clarity on your vision and purpose as a female leader. You'll discover how to develop skills that help you know the difference between divine direction and distraction, plus what to do when you don't have all the answers yet.
You don't need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Learn how to pick apart your existing vision, incorporate what matters most to you, create a life-stress test for your goals, and choose the right people to guide you. This episode gives you permission to not have all the answers while still moving forward with purpose and clarity.
Ready to take your leadership to the next level? Subscribe to the Prioritize Wellbeing for Female Leaders podcast, leave us a review, and book a complimentary 15-minute session here (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/group/W2zv78JzrB4u0OwjfJoR) to discuss your leadership goals.
12 Oct 2025
12 Managing Emotions in Leadership| What Makes a LEADER Handle Difficult Conversations with Confidence?| decision making confidence, leadership training, emotional intelligence, tough conversations at work
Preparing for difficult conversations doesn't have to leave you feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
Whether you're talking to your spouse about money, addressing a struggling team member, or making a big investment decision, you can walk into these moments feeling prepared instead of panicked.
In this episode, I share the exact 6-step framework I used when I had to talk to my husband about investing family money into my business after giving up my six-figure salary. This conversation terrified me, but the preparation process changed everything.
You'll discover:
✓ The 6-P Framework for preparing emotionally and strategically before tough conversations
✓ How to manage your reactions when conversations get emotional
✓ Why practice matters (and how much is too much)
✓ The power of visualization, belief, and faith in building confidence
✓ What to do after the conversation to keep improving
This framework has helped me navigate challenging decisions without the regret and shame that often follows when things don't go as planned.
Ready to stop dreading difficult conversations and start approaching them with confidence?
🎧 Subscribe to The Prioritize Wellbeing for Female Leaders podcast so you never miss an episode.
⭐ If this episode added value to your day, leave us a review right now. Your recommendation could change another leader's journey.
📞 Want to apply this framework to your specific situation? Schedule a complimentary discovery call with me at https://bit.ly/4h36Lxj (https://bit.ly/4h36Lxj) to discuss the direction that makes sense for where you are right now.
Remember: Prioritizing your wellbeing is leading by example. You're not just changing your own life—you're modeling what's possible for everyone watching you.
14 Sept 2025
11 Why Planning Your Fun Makes Life More Memorable| leadership time management| vacation planning| travel| work life balance
Think fun should be spontaneous? Think again.
Research shows that planning your enjoyable experiences actually makes them more memorable and helps you feel like you have more time.
In this episode, discover why "effortful fun" is the key to creating lasting memories and feeling less overwhelmed. Learn the four strategic steps that helped one military leader plan a life-changing Bali vacation while working 12-hour days, and how you can apply these principles to design experiences that refresh and restore you.
Perfect for busy female leaders who struggle to prioritize enjoyment in their packed schedules.
Ready to create more memorable experiences in your life?
Subscribe to Prioritize Wellbeing for Female Leaders, leave us a review, and book a complimentary 15-minute discovery session at https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE to discuss your personalized wellbeing strategy.
25 Aug 2025
10 The Leadership Skills That Help You Face Criticism with Confidence| leadership resilience| leadership opposition| leadership conflict
What separates wishy-washy leaders from those who earn genuine respect and trust? In this episode, I share two fundamental characteristics every leader needs: tenacity and resilience. You'll discover why some leaders seem to brush off opposition effortlessly while others crumble under pressure.
Drawing from my military experience, I break down a pivotal moment when I had to choose between following orders and standing up for what I believed was right. This decision taught me valuable lessons about leadership that extend far beyond the military.
You'll learn five practical steps to develop tenacity and resilience in your own leadership journey, including how to trust yourself sooner, embrace the possibility of failure, and make decisions with 80% confidence rather than waiting for perfect certainty.
Ready to strengthen your leadership foundation? Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review to help other leaders find these insights, and if you're ready for personalized guidance on developing your leadership tenacity, book a complimentary discovery call using the link below.
https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE)
18 Aug 2025
9 Leadership Decision Making | 3 Steps to Better Leadership Decision Making Without Second-Guessing Yourself
Struggling to know when to trust your gut versus seek advice on important leadership decisions?
You're not alone.
Many female leaders wrestle with self-doubt, worry about straining relationships if they don't follow advice, and question whether they should trust their instincts.
In this episode, discover a practical 3-step framework for confident decision making:
Knowing when to seek guidance,
Choosing the right advisors, and
What to do with advice once you receive it.
Learn how to make decisions you're proud of regardless of the outcome, while maintaining strong professional relationships. Perfect for leaders who want to stop second-guessing themselves and start leading with confidence.
📅SCHEDULE YOUR CALL: https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE)
🌐LET’S CONNECT: gayleenswiggum.com (http://gayleenswiggum.com)
10 Aug 2025
8 Leadership Failure Recovery | How to Turn Your Biggest Leadership Failure Into Your Greatest Strength
When 50 service members couldn't get home to their families because of my leadership failure, I faced a choice: blame others or own my mistake. In this episode, I share the 5-step framework I used to transform my biggest leadership disaster into a reputation-building moment. You'll learn how to own failure without guilt, accept what you control, release what you don't, practice forgiveness, and create systems that prevent future failures. Whether you're a new leader or experienced executive, this episode gives you practical tools to turn any leadership setback into sustainable growth for yourself and your team.
Schedule your call: https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE (https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE)
Connect with me: gayleenswiggum.com (http://gayleenswiggum.com)
3 Aug 2025
7 Work+Wellbeing | Holistic Leadership for Women - Difficult Conversations: Why Avoiding Them Hurts Your Leadership with Bridgette Martinez
Discover how to master holistic leadership for women while maintaining your sanity and wellbeing. This episode reveals proven strategies for work-life balance that high-achieving female leaders use to build exceptional teams without sacrificing themselves. Learn why emotional intelligence starts with self-care, how to have difficult conversations without losing sleep, and the game-changing mindset shift that transforms exhausted managers into sustainable leaders. Perfect for overwhelmed female executives ready to lead with intention rather than depletion.
Let's connect: gayleenswiggum.com
Schedule your call: https://link.lsaglobal.net/widget/booking/D6EuDrj4oaea68pt5AoE
23 Jun 2025
6 Work+Wellbeing | Female Leadership Wellbeing: Breaking the Burnout Cycle with Success and Sustainability featuring Rachelle Besaw
Rachelle Besaw shares her experiences as a Navy veteran and leader, discussing strategies for female leaders to prioritize wellbeing, avoid burnout, and integrate self-care practices in this interview.
16 Jun 2025
5 Breaking the Burnout Cycle: A Female Veteran's Journey from Army Officer to Self-Leadership featuring Caroline Boutelant
Female veteran Caroline Boutelant shares her experiences transitioning from army officer to self-leadership, discussing the emotional toll of military service and offering strategies for prioritizing wellbeing, in an interview.
9 Jun 2025
4 How to Lead When You're Not Empowered: Overcoming Workplace Challenges featuring Jamie McSwain
Jamie McSwain discusses the challenges female leaders encounter when lacking full empowerment, sharing her journey to finding her voice and overcoming burnout in this interview.
2 Jun 2025
Leadership and Neurodiversity in the Workplace | Authentic Leadership: Creating Safe Spaces and Maintaining Wellbeing with Sara Huestis
Banking professional Sara Huestis discusses neurodiversity and burnout prevention for female leaders with host Gayleen Swiggum, highlighting effective time management and fostering supportive work environments in this interview.
29 May 2025
Leading Through Delays: A Guide to Team Empowerment
Host Gayleen discusses how female leaders can empathize with their teams during project delays, clarify goals, and empower independent planning, which builds more effective leadership skills.
29 May 2025
Finding Calm Amidst Chaos: A Leader's Guide to Handling Personal Delays
Host Gayleen discusses managing unexpected project delays, processing emotions, clarifying goals, and planning next steps to help leaders navigate disruptions smoothly in this episode.
Who has been a guest on Prioritize Wellbeing for Female Leaders
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Rachelle Besaw
Caroline Boutelant
Jamie McSwain
Sara Huestis
Podcast Authority Score: 3 / 100
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5
Social presence
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YouTube
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