When climate guide and leadership coach Dom Francks steps into the coaching seat himself, he confronts a question that haunts many mission-driven leaders: what if all our work isn't enough? Through raw honesty about his own struggles with helplessness, self-doubt, and the unbearable gap between what he dreams of doing and what feels possible, Dom discovers an unexpected truth about impact.

In this session, we explore:

• The tension between personal impact and planetary challenges
• Why self-doubt might be a signal you're on the right track
• Moving beyond the "not doing enough" trap
• Finding peace with imperfect action while staying committed
• The surprising power of living in uncomfortable questions
• What real courage looks like in mission-driven work

Whether you're fighting for environmental justice, building something meaningful, or simply trying to do good work in a world that feels like it's burning, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on what it means to make real change. It challenges conventional wisdom about impact and invites us to consider that the very tension we're trying to resolve might be exactly what we need.

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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When is the last time you felt completely stuck growing your business, knowing what you "should" do but feeling unable to do it? In this coaching session, successful founder David Spinks opens up about his struggle with traditional marketing after his startup exit. What starts as a conversation about business development quickly reveals deeper truths about money, authenticity, and the fears that hold us back.

David sold his company CMX and stepped into coaching, only to find himself hitting an internal ceiling around $300K - exactly what his family needs to thrive. Through our exploration, we discover how childhood experiences with abandonment and conflict show up in surprising ways in our business decisions.

Themes we explore:

• The hidden psychology behind marketing resistance
• How childhood money stories impact adult business decisions
• Breaking through internal income ceilings
• Finding authentic ways to grow without compromising values
• The relationship between fear of abandonment and business growth

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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Does every decision feel like it needs a spreadsheet? In this coaching session, startup leader Nina Iordanova explores the hidden reasons behind her compulsive need to analyze and justify every choice.

Together we uncover how her drive for achievement masks a deeper fear - one that many high performers share but rarely discuss. Nina discovers that her analytical habits aren't just about making good decisions; they're a shield against vulnerability and potential rejection.

Key themes:
• The relationship between perfectionism and fear
• How over-analysis can mask deeper emotional needs
• Finding balance between achievement and self-trust
• Transforming your relationship with uncertainty
• Making decisions from a place of clarity rather than anxiety

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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Today is a solo episode where I get meta with the show and reflect on its origins, share some lessons learned, and process a bit about what might be next. Enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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Cristina Poindexter is a serial entrepreneur who finds herself wondering how to make a new move in her career without burning out. She's no stranger to ambition - she's founded 2 companies and has worked at places like Google and Headspace. After leaving her last venture, she fears not being able to achieve her potential while being her authentic self.

Watch as we explore what happens when we allow her fear to show up and express itself right in the session.

Chapters
7:10 Navigating Time and Alignment in Work
10:51 Exploring Authenticity and Meaningful Connections
20:21 Navigating Expectations and Authenticity in Business
39:50 Allowing Fear and Anger
46:57 The Power of Language and Self-Compassion

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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Troy Sultan is the CEO of Guide and he's been leading startups for a decade. This far into the journey, he finds he's been losing motivation and he came for a session to figure out why. Is it a temporary blip or is there something deeper going on?

Confronting this question is no easy feat - no founder wants to admit that they feel disconnected from their company. But as the saying goes, the only way out is through. Together, we explore what happens how we can embrace doubt and uncertainty to our benefit.

Watch this session on YouTube

Find Troy on Linkedin
Troy's company Guide

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I speak with Laura Shook Guzman, a seasoned therapist and leadership coach, to explore prevalent mental health issues among entrepreneurs. This episode delves into the pressures founders face, discussing the balance between business demands and personal well-being, and highlighting strategies for managing mental health effectively.

Key Points
- The Most Common Mental Health Challenges Among Founders
- The Importance of Self-Care
- Nature vs. Nurture in Entrepreneurship
- Managing Impressions and Internal Pressures
- Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Coping Strategies
- The Role of Early Family Dynamics

You can watch the episode on YouTube here

Where to find Laura:

• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin

Resources Mentioned:

• Tools for Founders Project
• Pilea

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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Part of a founder’s job is to recruit the right people to your team. But how do you handle a situation where someone seems great on paper, but triggers a gut feeling that something is off? How do you stay authentic in a way that fosters trust with others? And what does a past experience of betrayal have to do with all this? These are the questions that Lauren Tracy brings to our coaching session. Together, we explore how her self-doubt is impacting her current venture and her ability to trust potential teammates. And we discover how success doesn't have to come at the expense of authenticity but in fact, relies on it.

Watch this session on YouTube

Enjoyed this episode? Ready to take your leadership and personal growth to the next level? Please visit my website to learn more about coaching with me.

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• Visit my website
• Email Brian at brian@dashingleadership.com
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