Mpowered Living with Ann Sheu

Episode 74 | What If Your Inner Critic Isn’t Telling the Truth? with Teresa Sande

In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with executive coach, leadership expert, and Find Your Fierce author Teresa Sande to unpack one of the most common—but least talked about—challenges facing high achievers: imposter syndrome. Together, they explore why self-doubt often appears after our greatest accomplishments, how perfectionism and overworking can quietly reinforce it, and what practical steps we can take to challenge the stories we tell ourselves. In this episode, they discuss: * Why imposter syndrome often shows up after success * The difference between healthy growth discomfort and imposter syndrome * How perfectionism and external validation keep self-doubt alive * Teresa's simple but powerful question: "What if that's not true?" * Practical ways to interrupt negative thought patterns * How leaders can create environments where people feel safe to grow * Why confidence is built through awareness, reflection, and consistent practice Whether you're leading a team, growing your career, or simply trying to quiet your inner critic, this episode offers practical tools to help you build greater self-trust. Connect with Teresa Sande Website: https://www.teresasande.com/ [https://www.teresasande.com/] Media Kit: Teresa Sande [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5faabcf3f982c4440b9295db/t/68938f56e15f8c3af49d543d/1754500961562/Teresa+Sande+Media+Kit+Aug+2025.pdf] MMS Offerings: Mirror Mirror Strategies and Offerings [https://www.teresasande.com/mirror-mirror-strategies-offerings] Book: Find Your Fierce [https://www.teresasande.com/shop/p/findyourfiercebook] Book Discount Code for our listeners: MPJ2026

Episode 73 | Why Your Feelings Shouldn't Make Your Decisions with Dr. Carrie Johansson

In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu welcomes back psychologist Dr. Carrie Johansson to explore a topic that affects all of us: our relationship with emotions. Dr. Carrie explains why emotions are valuable sources of information, but why they aren't meant to dictate our actions. She shares practical strategies for recognizing when we're processing emotions versus simply marinating in them, and how shifting into a more thoughtful, action-oriented mindset can improve many parts of our lives – relationships, leadership, parenting, and overall well-being. In this episode, they discuss: * The difference between emotional processing and rumination * How emotions show up in the body and what they're trying to tell us * Why labeling emotions can reduce their intensity * The "Three A's of Mental Fitness": Accept, Assess, and Act * How to move from emotional reactivity to intentional action * Practical ways to help children build emotional awareness and resilience * Why asking "What's my next best move?" can be a powerful tool during difficult moments This conversation is especially valuable for parents, leaders, and anyone who wants to respond to life's challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and intention. Connect with Dr. Carrie Johansson The Sensible Psychologist: https://thesensiblepsychologist.com/ [https://thesensiblepsychologist.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesensiblepsychologist/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesensiblepsychologist/]

Episode 72 | From Success to Significance: What Growth Really Requires with Adam Roach

In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with entrepreneur, coach, and I Love Coaching founder Adam Roach to explore a question many high achievers eventually face: What happens when success is no longer enough? Drawing from his own journey through professional sports, business ownership, entrepreneurship, and personal loss, Adam shares how he learned to distinguish between pursuing success and pursuing significance. * In this episode, they discuss: * Why successful people often feel stuck despite achieving their goals * The signs you've outgrown a season of life * How to know when it's time to make a change * Why isolation keeps people trapped in fear and self-doubt * The value of building a personal board of advisors * How identity shapes the decisions we make * The difference between chasing success and creating significance * What it means to build a legacy that extends beyond achievement This conversation is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone navigating a season of growth or reinvention. Connect with Adam Roach Website: https://ilovecoachingco.com/people/adam-roach [https://ilovecoachingco.com/people/adam-roach] The VIRTUAL Scalable Offer Intensive: https://ilovecoachingco.com/virtualcoachintensive [https://ilovecoachingco.com/virtualcoachintensive] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrroach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrroach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamrroach [https://www.facebook.com/adamrroach] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamrroach/ [https://www.instagram.com/adamrroach/]

Episode 71 | How Leaders Accidentally Limit Their Own Growth with Mark Fenner

In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with Scaling Up Coach Mark Fenner to explore one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face: growth. After working with leadership teams and middle-market companies for years, Mark has observed a common pattern—many leaders don't get stuck because they're incapable. They get stuck because the habits that helped them build success eventually become the habits that limit it. From niching down to delegating effectively, Mark shares practical strategies for helping leaders move beyond bottlenecks, empower their teams, and create organizations that can grow without depending on them for every decision. In this episode, they discuss: * Why failure to niche is one of the biggest growth constraints for entrepreneurs * The hidden cost of trying to serve everyone * How leaders unintentionally become the bottleneck in their business * The difference between delegation and abdication * Why great leadership requires shifting from doing the work to coaching others * How accountability and clarity create stronger teams * Lessons from building intentional family culture and raising confident children * Why growth starts with becoming more valuable to the people you serve * This conversation is especially valuable for entrepreneurs and leaders who feel stuck at a plateau or are ready to build something that creates greater impact. Connect with Mark Fenner Personal Website: https://www.MarkFenner.com [https://www.MarkFenner.com] Company Website: https://www.RISEPerformanceGroup.com [https://www.RISEPerformanceGroup.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfenner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfenner/] Scaling Up FB: https://www.facebook.com/scalingupdfw [https://www.facebook.com/scalingupdfw]

Episode 70 | Escaping the Drama Triangle: From Reaction to Choice with Donna Zajonc

In this episode of Mpowered Living, Ann Sheu sits down with leadership expert and co-creator of The Empowerment Dynamic, Donna Zajonc, to explore why so many of us get stuck in reactive patterns — especially in our closest relationships. Donna breaks down the Drama Triangle framework, which explains the three common reactive roles people unconsciously fall into when triggered: victim, persecutor, and rescuer. She also shares how to shift into more intentional and empowered ways of relating through the creator, challenger, and coach roles. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why reactive patterns form and how they show up in everyday life * How the inner critic fuels judgment, control, and people-pleasing * Why we tend to react most strongly with the people closest to us * Practical ways to calm your nervous system and create more emotional awareness * How to move from blame and reactivity into choice and connection * Simple reflective questions that help shift difficult conversations and relationships * This conversation is a powerful reminder that awareness creates choice, and that healthier relationships begin by understanding our own patterns first. Connect with Donna Zajonc Website: https://www.powerofted.com [https://www.powerofted.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-zajonc-mcc-612455/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-zajonc-mcc-612455/]