There’s a part of growth no one talks about — the fire before the glow up.
That uncomfortable season where everything feels messy, heavy, and unclear.
The part where you’re questioning who you are, what you want, and what’s next.

But what if nothing is going wrong?
What if you’re being refined for the version of you that 2026 requires?

In this powerful episode, Julie explores why the defining seasons of leadership often feel like grief, frustration, and transition. She unpacks why alignment rarely feels calm at the beginning, how to navigate the loneliness of growth, and what it truly means to lead yourself first.

This isn’t about hustling harder.
It’s about anchoring deeper.

You’ll walk away with practical reflection prompts and self-leadership cues you can use right now to turn this fire into fuel for your next chapter.

Key Themes
Growth doesn’t always feel good — sometimes it feels like loss.
Feeling “messy” often means you’re becoming more aligned, not less.
Balance is outdated — anchored leadership is the new standard.
Your next level requires self-trust, capacity, and boundaries.
Reflection is the gateway to who you're becoming.

 

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 - Welcome & why the “fire” before the glow up matters
03:15 - Why feeling uncertain or messy is actually proof of growth
06:40 - The loneliness that comes with outgrowing people & environments
10:20 - The myth of balance — and what true self-alignment looks like
14:00 - Burnout, boundaries & belief: reflections on where you are now
18:30 - Preparing to meet the version of you required for 2026
22:00 - Close & what's coming next on Leading You

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram:@juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

There&rsquo;s a part of growth no one talks about &mdash; the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;before the glow up. That uncomfortable season where everything feels messy, heavy, and unclear. The part where you&rsquo;re questioning who you are, what you want, and what&rsquo;s next.
But what if nothing is going wrong? What if you&rsquo;re being refined for the version of you that 2026 requires?
In this powerful episode, Julie explores why the defining seasons of leadership often feel like grief, frustration, and transition. She unpacks why alignment rarely feels calm at the beginning, how to navigate the loneliness of growth, and what it truly means to lead yourself first.
This isn&rsquo;t about hustling harder. It&rsquo;s about&nbsp;anchoring deeper.
You&rsquo;ll walk away with practical reflection prompts and self-leadership cues you can use right now to turn this fire into fuel for your next chapter.
Key Themes
<ul>
<li>Growth doesn&rsquo;t always feel good &mdash; sometimes it feels like loss.</li>
<li>Feeling &ldquo;messy&rdquo; often means you&rsquo;re becoming more aligned, not less.</li>
<li>Balance is outdated &mdash; anchored leadership is the new standard.</li>
<li>Your next level requires self-trust, capacity, and boundaries.</li>
<li>Reflection is the gateway to who you're becoming.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 - Welcome &amp; why the &ldquo;fire&rdquo; before the glow up matters 03:15 - Why feeling uncertain or messy is actually proof of growth 06:40 - The loneliness that comes with outgrowing people &amp; environments 10:20 - The myth of balance &mdash; and what true self-alignment looks like 14:00 - Burnout, boundaries &amp; belief: reflections on where you are now 18:30 - Preparing to meet the version of you required for 2026 22:00 - Close &amp; what's coming next on Leading You
&nbsp;
Links:
Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind/">here</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/" data-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/</a> Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/" data-href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/"> @juliehydeleads</a> Website: <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au" data-href="https://juliehyde.com.au">https://juliehyde.com.au</a>

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?

Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.

There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.

I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.

Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.

Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

A Podcast dedicated to business owners and leaders to inspire you to make it count

Leading You

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

The Fire They Don’t Warn You About

In this special bonus episode, I’m sharing the audio replay of my live masterclass, The Courage to Be the CEO of You.

This session explores why capable, high-performing people can still feel stuck, overlooked, or out of alignment — and how courage, perspective, and self-leadership play a critical role in moving forward.

Originally created with women in mind, this conversation quickly proved to be relevant across genders. In fact, we had men attend the live masterclass as well, and the frameworks and reflections landed just as strongly.

Leadership, clarity, and courage are not gender-specific skills. They’re human ones.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

In this masterclass, I unpack:
Why “feeling stuck” is often a signal, not a failure
How disconnection from values, voice, and perspective — quietly erodes confidence
The Ladder Model, a simple way to reflect on how you’re currently leading yourself
The CEO of You framework, and what it means to take ownership of your choices
Why courage isn’t about bold moves, but about choosing differently — consistently
The role perspective plays in clarity, decision-making, and presence

This isn’t about fixing yourself or doing more.
It’s about creating space to think, reflect, and lead yourself with intention.

Who This Episode Is For

This episode will resonate if you:
Are in a leadership, professional, or business role
Feel capable, yet under-recognised or slightly off-track
Are navigating change, pressure, or a next chapter
Want to lead with more clarity and less reactivity
Are ready to pause, reassess, and choose with purpose

Want to Watch the Masterclass?

This was originally delivered as a visual masterclass, and you’ll hear references to the Ladder Model and the CEO of You diagram throughout the session.

If you’d like to watch the full masterclass with slides, the replay is available until 31 January 2026.

👉 Here is the link
Passcode: WsiFws8?

Going Deeper

If this conversation resonates and you’d like more structured, supported work around self-leadership, clarity, and positioning, you can also explore the Unstoppable You Mastermind™.

Leadership isn’t about doing more.
It’s about choosing differently.

In this special bonus episode, I&rsquo;m sharing the&nbsp;audio replay&nbsp;of my live masterclass,&nbsp;The Courage to Be the CEO of You.
This session explores why capable, high-performing people can still feel stuck, overlooked, or out of alignment &mdash; and how courage, perspective, and self-leadership play a critical role in moving forward.
Originally created with women in mind, this conversation quickly proved to be&nbsp;relevant across genders. In fact, we had men attend the live masterclass as well, and the frameworks and reflections landed just as strongly.
Leadership, clarity, and courage are not gender-specific skills. They&rsquo;re human ones.
What You&rsquo;ll Hear in This Episode
In this masterclass, I unpack:
<ul>
<li>Why &ldquo;feeling stuck&rdquo; is often a signal, not a failure</li>
<li>How disconnection from values, voice, and perspective &mdash; quietly erodes confidence</li>
<li>The Ladder Model, a simple way to reflect on how you&rsquo;re currently leading yourself</li>
<li>The CEO of You framework, and what it means to take ownership of your choices</li>
<li>Why courage isn&rsquo;t about bold moves, but about choosing differently &mdash; consistently</li>
<li>The role perspective plays in clarity, decision-making, and presence</li>
</ul>
This isn&rsquo;t about fixing yourself or doing more. It&rsquo;s about&nbsp;creating space to think, reflect, and lead yourself with intention.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode will resonate if you:
<ul>
<li>Are in a leadership, professional, or business role</li>
<li>Feel capable, yet under-recognised or slightly off-track</li>
<li>Are navigating change, pressure, or a next chapter</li>
<li>Want to lead with more clarity and less reactivity</li>
<li>Are ready to pause, reassess, and choose with purpose</li>
</ul>
Want to Watch the Masterclass?
This was originally delivered as a&nbsp;visual masterclass, and you&rsquo;ll hear references to the Ladder Model and the CEO of You diagram throughout the session.
If you&rsquo;d like to&nbsp;watch the full masterclass with slides, the replay is available until&nbsp;31 January 2026.
👉 <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yzvvQndTuhEPQjhanFCDrgmBsy1Q5MX4MWQyy8P0ghnsYItGBLvTgvS1sul6Gyxh.d0U2tpe54QZptCiy">Here is the link</a> Passcode: WsiFws8?
Going Deeper
If this conversation resonates and you&rsquo;d like more structured, supported work around self-leadership, clarity, and positioning, you can also explore the&nbsp;<a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind/">Unstoppable You Mastermind&trade;.</a>
Leadership isn&rsquo;t about doing more. It&rsquo;s about choosing differently.

Bonus Episode - The Courage to be the CEO of You - Masterclass Replay

As 2025 draws to a close, this episode is your invitation to pause. To breathe. To look back on a year that may have challenged, stretched, and refined you, and to extract the gold that will set the direction for how you lead in 2026.

Julie shares her biggest lessons from what she calls a refiner’s year. A year that stripped back, clarified, and rebuilt how she leads, works, and lives. From redefining her business model, to launching Lead.Her Collective, to stepping into deeper alignment through Human Design, this is not a recap. It is a debrief. One rooted in awareness, not hustle.

This episode walks you through 10 powerful reflective questions designed to help you unpack what truly mattered in 2025, and to consciously choose what you will carry forward into 2026. These are not achievement-based questions. They are alignment questions.

Perfect for leaders, business owners, and high-performing women who have spent the year holding it all together and are now ready to finish it clear, grounded, and intentional about what comes next.

Key Topics Covered:
How Julie refined her leadership and business to align with purpose and energy
The story behind Lead.Her Collective and Unstoppable You Mastermind
What real rest looks like, and why half-working holidays don’t count
The 10 reflective questions that shape clarity for the year ahead
Why refinement, not reinvention, is your greatest leadership advantage entering 2026

 

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and reflection on 2025
02:15 – Why this is a debrief, not a recap
04:30 – What 2025 taught me about refinement and alignment
07:00 – Letting go of old versions of yourself
09:45 – The five pillars now shaping my business model
13:20 – The birth of Lead.Her Collective and Unstoppable You Mastermind
17:10 – Real rest and why it changed everything
20:50 – The 10 questions that set the runway for 2026
28:45 – The shift from achievement to alignment
32:00 – Final message: refine what matters and lead into 2026 with intention

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram:@juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

As 2025 draws to a close, this episode is your invitation to pause. To breathe. To look back on a year that may have challenged, stretched, and refined you, and to extract the gold that will set the direction for how you lead in 2026.
Julie shares her biggest lessons from what she calls a refiner&rsquo;s year. A year that stripped back, clarified, and rebuilt how she leads, works, and lives. From redefining her business model, to launching Lead.Her Collective, to stepping into deeper alignment through Human Design, this is not a recap. It is a debrief. One rooted in awareness, not hustle.
This episode walks you through&nbsp;10 powerful reflective questions&nbsp;designed to help you unpack what truly mattered in 2025, and to consciously choose what you will carry forward into 2026. These are not achievement-based questions. They are alignment questions.
Perfect for leaders, business owners, and high-performing women who have spent the year holding it all together and are now ready to finish it clear, grounded, and intentional about what comes next.
Key Topics Covered:
<ul>
<li>How Julie refined her leadership and business to align with purpose and energy</li>
<li>The story behind&nbsp;Lead.Her Collective&nbsp;and&nbsp;Unstoppable You Mastermind</li>
<li>What real rest looks like, and why half-working holidays don&rsquo;t count</li>
<li>The 10 reflective questions that shape clarity for the year ahead</li>
<li>Why refinement, not reinvention, is your greatest leadership advantage entering 2026</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Episode Timestamps
00:00&nbsp;&ndash; Welcome and reflection on 2025 02:15&nbsp;&ndash; Why this is a debrief, not a recap 04:30&nbsp;&ndash; What 2025 taught me about refinement and alignment 07:00&nbsp;&ndash; Letting go of old versions of yourself 09:45&nbsp;&ndash; The five pillars now shaping my business model 13:20&nbsp;&ndash; The birth of Lead.Her Collective and Unstoppable You Mastermind 17:10&nbsp;&ndash; Real rest and why it changed everything 20:50&nbsp;&ndash; The 10 questions that set the runway for 2026 28:45&nbsp;&ndash; The shift from achievement to alignment 32:00&nbsp;&ndash; Final message: refine what matters and lead into 2026 with intention
&nbsp;
Links:
Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind/">here</a>
Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/" data-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/</a> Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/" data-href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/"> @juliehydeleads</a> Website: <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au">https://juliehyde.com.au</a>
&nbsp;

The 10 Questions That Set the Runway for 2026

We’ve been taught that success means doing more, being more, and having more. But what if the key to leading and living better is actually doing less?

In this episode of Leading You, Julie sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and productivity expert Donna McGeorge to explore her latest book Red Brick Thinking. Donna shares why we’re all addicted to “more” – more meetings, more systems, more commitments – and how this addition bias is fuelling overwhelm and burnout.

Together, they unpack how to recognise your red bricks (the things weighing you down), why subtraction is the real productivity strategy, and how letting go can create space for clarity, creativity, and calm.

If you’ve ever felt buried under too much to do, too much to manage, or too much pressure to perform, this conversation will give you the permission – and practical steps – to simplify.

Key Themes
Why our instinct is to add, not subtract, when facing problems
How to identify your personal and professional red bricks
The emotional, cultural, and structural weights that keep us stuck
How leaders can model strategic subtraction for their teams
Why letting go creates the space your future self will thank you for

 

Episode Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction – Donna’s mission to help leaders work smarter, not harder
03:30 What inspired Red Brick Thinking and the research behind “addition bias”
08:15 How strategic subtraction works in real life
13:20 The emotional, cultural, and structural red bricks we carry
18:45 The unconscious contracts we sign at work and home
24:10 Letting go of obligation and people-pleasing
28:30 How leaders can model red brick thinking for their teams
34:00 Practical steps to start removing your own red bricks
38:45 Donna’s final message – why today’s decisions are gifts to your future self

 

Links:

Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram:@juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

 

Connect with Donna:
Website: https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge

We&rsquo;ve been taught that success means doing more, being more, and having more. But what if the key to leading and living better is actually doing&nbsp;less?
In this episode of&nbsp;Leading You, Julie sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and productivity expert&nbsp;Donna McGeorge&nbsp;to explore her latest book&nbsp;Red Brick Thinking. Donna shares why we&rsquo;re all addicted to &ldquo;more&rdquo; &ndash; more meetings, more systems, more commitments &ndash; and how this&nbsp;addition bias&nbsp;is fuelling overwhelm and burnout.
Together, they unpack how to recognise your&nbsp;red bricks&nbsp;(the things weighing you down), why subtraction is the real productivity strategy, and how letting go can create space for clarity, creativity, and calm.
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt buried under too much to do, too much to manage, or too much pressure to perform, this conversation will give you the permission &ndash; and practical steps &ndash; to simplify.
Key Themes
<ul>
<li>Why our instinct is to add, not subtract, when facing problems</li>
<li>How to identify your personal and professional&nbsp;red bricks</li>
<li>The emotional, cultural, and structural weights that keep us stuck</li>
<li>How leaders can model strategic subtraction for their teams</li>
<li>Why letting go creates the space your future self will thank you for</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction &ndash; Donna&rsquo;s mission to help leaders work smarter, not harder 03:30 What inspired Red Brick Thinking and the research behind &ldquo;addition bias&rdquo; 08:15 How strategic subtraction works in real life 13:20 The emotional, cultural, and structural red bricks we carry 18:45 The unconscious contracts we sign at work and home 24:10 Letting go of obligation and people-pleasing 28:30 How leaders can model red brick thinking for their teams 34:00 Practical steps to start removing your own red bricks 38:45 Donna&rsquo;s final message &ndash; why today&rsquo;s decisions are gifts to your future self
&nbsp;
Links:
Learn more about my upcoming group coaching program <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind/">here</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/" data-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/</a> Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/" data-href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/"> @juliehydeleads</a> Website: <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au">https://juliehyde.com.au</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Donna: Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/">https</a><a href="https://www.donnamcgeorge.com/">://www.donnamcgeorge.com/</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/">h</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/">ttps://www.instagram.com/dmcgeorge/</a> LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge">https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnamcgeorge</a>

The Fire They Don’t Warn You About

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