Main Character Energy: Stop Playing the Supporting Role in Your Own Life

Main Character Energy: Stop Playing the Supporting Role in Your Own Life

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2558801/fan_mail/new] Are you living like the main character... or just the extra in everyone else's story? If you've spent your life shrinking yourself, apologizing for taking up space, waiting for permission, or believing everyone else's dreams deserve the spotlight before yours... this episode is your wake-up call. This week on Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we're talking about Main Character Energy—and no, we're not talking about becoming arrogant, self-centered, or dramatic. We're talking about something far more powerful: ✨ Owning your value.  ✨ Speaking up.  ✨ Asking for what you want.  ✨ Taking risks.  ✨ Believing you're worthy without constantly proving yourself. Because somewhere along the way, many of us learned to become the "easy" one. The agreeable one. The one who says, "It's okay... I'm okay," while quietly putting everyone else's needs, dreams, opinions, and priorities ahead of our own. Enough. In this episode, we're calling out the habits that keep you playing small and sharing practical ways to start showing up with confidence, courage, and just enough sass to change your life. You'll hear stories about: *  Why confidence isn't arrogance (and why people confuse the two)  *  The surprising moment Julie stopped waiting to be invited and landed another keynote  *  Mallory's hilarious "be kind... (well, you'll have to listen!)" email trick for sounding more confident  *  Why waiting for permission is quietly stealing your opportunities  *  How fear of rejection keeps us from asking for raises, chasing dreams, building friendships, and taking chances  *  Why your worth isn't earned through productivity  *  The mindset shift that helps you stop playing small without becoming selfish  We'll also tackle one of our favorite listener questions about people-pleasing, shrinking yourself to be liked, and finally believing you're worthy simply because you exist.  If you've ever thought... *  "Who am I to do this?"  *  "I don't want to seem difficult."  *  "Maybe someone else deserves it more."  *  "I'll wait until I'm more confident."  ...this episode was made for you. Because here's the truth: Your life deserves a main character. It might as well be you. 🎙️ Tune in for laughs, real stories, practical strategies, and the loving kick in the pants you didn't know you needed. Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

You Are Allowed to Change: Stop Letting Your Past Decide Your Future

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2558801/fan_mail/new] 🚨 Newsflash, Breakthrough Crew: You are allowed to become someone new. Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that who we've always been is who we're supposed to stay. The "bad driver." The struggling employee. The overwhelmed parent. The person who never follows through. The one who always plays it safe. Not anymore. In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we're tackling the lies that keep people stuck and the mindset shifts that help you finally step into the next version of yourself. Whether you're considering a career change, starting a business, writing a book, rebuilding after divorce, chasing a big dream, or simply tired of living on autopilot, this conversation is for you. We dive into: ✨ Why comfort zones quietly steal your potential  ✨ The surprising reason people fear visibility more than failure  ✨ How old labels and identities keep you trapped  ✨ Why waiting for the "perfect time" is a losing strategy  ✨ The power of vision boards, visualization, and intentional action  ✨ How to rebuild trust in yourself after years of not following through  ✨ What you may need to let go of before you can level up If you've ever thought: *  "It's too late for me."  *  "I'm too old to start over."  *  "That's just not who I am."  *  "What will people think?"  ...this episode is your wake-up call. Because growth requires courage.  Change requires action.  And the future version of you is waiting for today's version of you to stop asking permission. 🎯 You're not stuck.  🎯 You're not behind.  🎯 You're not required to stay who you've always been. You are allowed to change. So grab your coffee, put on those red nails, channel your inner Wonder Woman, and join us for a conversation about personal growth, self-confidence, reinvention, mindset, leadership, resilience, and becoming the person you're meant to be. And don't forget to hit subscribe so you can be alerted as soon as there is a new episode! You can also go to Breakthroughwmj.com and stay connected! #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #SelfGrowth #Confidence #ReinventYourself #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Motivation #WomenInBusiness #CareerGrowth #SelfImprovement #BreakthroughPodcast #JulieBurch #MalloryHerron Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

What to Say When Someone Crosses the Line: Stop Overthinking and Start Speaking Up!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2558801/fan_mail/new] Stop Rehearsing Arguments in Your Head: How to Speak Up Without Starting a Fight Ever leave a meeting thinking: "I should have said something..." Then spend the next three days replaying the conversation, writing imaginary comebacks in your head, and getting progressively more annoyed? Welcome to the club. In this listener-powered episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we're tackling one of the biggest challenges professionals face: speaking up when something feels off. From feeling dismissed by a manager to handling inappropriate comments, setting boundaries, advocating for yourself, and navigating difficult workplace conversations, we're answering real listener questions and sharing practical communication tools you can use immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How to address a disrespectful comment after the fact  ✅ Why clarity beats confrontation every time  ✅ The communication mistake that causes resentment to build  ✅ How to stand up for yourself without sounding aggressive  ✅ Questions that instantly de-escalate tense conversations  ✅ Why assumptions create conflict and curiosity creates solutions  ✅ The secret to maintaining your composure when emotions are running high  ✅ How to advocate for yourself with confidence—even when you're talking to your boss You'll also hear Julie's favorite communication techniques, including the powerful "Acknowledge and Transition" method, the 48-hour rule for difficult conversations, and the simple default questions that can help you stay calm and professional when you're caught off guard. If you've ever worried about being seen as difficult, stayed quiet to keep the peace, or found yourself replaying a conversation wishing you'd handled it differently, this episode is for you. Because healthy communication isn't about having the perfect comeback. It's about having the confidence to ask the right questions. In This Episode: *  Speaking up at work  *  Setting healthy boundaries  *  Handling workplace conflict  *  Emotional intelligence and communication  *  Professional communication skills  *  Difficult conversations  *  Self-advocacy  *  Conflict resolution  *  Leadership communication  *  Workplace relationships  Remember: Your silence isn't keeping the peace. It's often just keeping the tension. Tune in and learn how to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact. 🎙️💥 #BreakthroughWithMalloryAndJulie #CommunicationSkills #WorkplaceCommunication #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #ConflictResolution #ProfessionalDevelopment #SelfAdvocacy #PersonalGrowth www.breakthroughwmj.com Follow us on your favorite social media channel! @Breakthroughwmj mallory@herrinhr.com julie@julieburch.com Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

Your Comfort Zone Has Friends. And They Are Holding You Back.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2558801/fan_mail/new] Who’s influencing your decisions… and should they even have access to your energy in the first place? In this bold, honest, and slightly spicy episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, Julie and Mallory tackle one of the biggest hidden reasons people stay stuck: the people surrounding them. From negative workplaces and draining friendships to outgrowing networking groups, toxic comfort zones, and the fear of evolving beyond other people’s expectations — this episode is your wake-up call to do a serious “circle audit.” Because here’s the truth:  You cannot build a bigger life while constantly taking advice from people committed to staying small. Julie and Mallory dive into: *  Why your circle directly impacts your mindset, confidence, growth, and success  *  How negative energy quietly keeps people stuck  *  The difference between your circle and your network *  Why successful people often outgrow relationships and rooms  *  Setting boundaries without guilt  *  The “crab mentality” story that will absolutely stick with you  *  Why protecting your energy is not selfish — it’s necessary  *  How to stop people-pleasing and start choosing yourself  This episode is part tough love, part empowerment, and part loving kick in the mindset. If you’ve been feeling drained, stuck, uninspired, or like you’re shrinking yourself to fit the people around you… this episode is your sign that it’s time to upgrade the room. Because breakthrough starts when you stop giving everyone a vote in your life. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: *  How to identify who energizes you vs. who drains you  *  Why growth often requires grieving old relationships  *  How to build boundaries that actually work  *  Why networking is not a lifetime membership  *  The powerful mindset shift that helps you reclaim agency over your life  Your future is too important to let negativity, comfort zones, and other people’s limitations define it. It’s time to level up your circle — and yourself. 🔥 breakthroughwmj.com Follow Mallory and Julie on social media!  Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj

Imposter Syndrome, Negative Self-Talk, and the Big Fat Lies We Believe.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2558801/fan_mail/new] Have you ever walked into a room and immediately thought, “What am I doing here?” Maybe you were waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Ma’am, there has been a mistake. You do not belong here.” Congratulations, friend, you have met imposter syndrome—and in this episode, we are calling it out for exactly what it is: a big, fat lie. In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, Julie Burch and Mallory Herron dig into the sneaky, exhausting, and wildly common experience of feeling like you are not enough, even when all the evidence says otherwise. From leadership rooms and networking groups to big speaking stages, award galas, salary conversations, and career risks, imposter syndrome has a nasty little habit of showing up right when you are trying to grow. Julie and Mallory talk about how negative self-talk fuels self-doubt, why comparison is gasoline on the imposter syndrome fire, and how even wildly successful, talented, high-achieving people can still feel like they are one wrong move away from being “found out.” They also share real stories about feeling out of place, questioning their own value, underpricing themselves, and learning to reframe discomfort as a sign of growth instead of proof that they do not belong. This episode is packed with practical tools to help you stop spiraling and start taking back control. You will hear how to use the Five Whys to get to the root of your insecurity, how to name your inner critic, how to create a confidence file, and why focusing on action instead of identity can help you move forward even when you do not feel ready. Because spoiler alert: confidence does not come from knowing everything. Confidence comes from taking action, figuring it out, and keeping the promises you make to yourself. Julie and Mallory also introduce their new Fan Mail Five segment, answering a listener question about feeling trapped, ambition, workplace politics, and tough career choices. Their answer brings it all back to agency over self: identifying what you can control, choosing your next move with intention, and refusing to hand your power over to people, systems, or situations that do not get to define you. Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, professional, working mom, career changer, or just someone who has ever thought, “Who am I to do this?”—this episode is your reminder that you are not alone, you are not a fraud, and you are not required to wait until you feel 100% ready before you make your next bold move. It is time to stop letting imposter syndrome run the meeting, set the price, silence your voice, or keep you out of rooms you were invited into for a reason. Listen now and learn how to shut down self-doubt, own your value, and break through to the next version of you. If you want your question answered on Fan Mail Five, you can ask Mallory and Julie a question by clicking the button at the top of the show notes and send us a text message or voicemail and you may end up on the air! You can also reach us on our website breakthroughwmj.com or our social media! Stay connected to Mallory and Julie! breakthroughwmj.com mallory@HerrinHR.com julie@julieburch.com @Breakthroughwmj