Stop Waiting: How to Trust Yourself, Take Action, and Build a Life That Actually Fulfills You | Meghan DeFord

From Surviving to Thriving: Rebuilding Your Life After Divorce with Lauren Dittle

What happens when your life falls apart and you're forced to rebuild from the ground up? In this episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin sits down with divorce and resilience coach Lauren Dittle to discuss healing after divorce, overcoming life's hardest transitions, rebuilding self-trust, and creating a future that feels aligned and meaningful. Lauren shares her own divorce journey, the lessons that led her into coaching, and why so many women struggle with identity, confidence, and control after major life disruptions. Together, they explore the role of faith, resilience, personal responsibility, and community in moving from survival mode to a life of peace and purpose. Whether you're navigating divorce, caregiving, grief, burnout, a major life transition, or simply feeling stuck in the "messy middle," this conversation offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and hope. In This Episode: ✔ Rebuilding your identity after divorce ✔ Why self-trust often disappears after betrayal ✔ The hidden cost of trying to control everything ✔ Faith, surrender, and finding peace in uncertainty ✔ How to stop surviving and start living again ✔ Practical tools for healing and emotional resilience ✔ The power of community and connection for women ✔ Lauren's new community: Made for More Mama Connect with Lauren Dittle Website: https://laurendittle.com/ [https://laurendittle.com/] Substack: https://substack.com/@laurendittle [https://substack.com/@laurendittle] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_dittle/ [https://www.instagram.com/lauren_dittle/] Connect with Kristin Website: https://savvylivingnetwork.com [https://savvylivingnetwork.com] LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1 [https://linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1] Substack:https://substack.com/@savvyleaderslounge [https://substack.com/@savvyleaderslounge] Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/minneapolis-mn/savvy-living-network?user=2343373 [https://www.alignable.com/minneapolis-mn/savvy-living-network?user=2343373] Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Lauren Dittle 01:00 Lauren's personal divorce story and path to coaching 05:00 Common struggles women face after divorce 08:00 Rebuilding self-trust and confidence 09:30 Faith, resilience, and navigating difficult seasons 11:40 Lauren's coaching approach and helping women move forward 14:00 Understanding triggers and emotional healing 16:30 Why Lauren created Made for More Mama 18:00 Building authentic community in a disconnected world 20:00 Finding connection through Substack 22:00 Vulnerability, authenticity, and sharing your story 24:30 The first steps toward healing and recovery 25:00 The power of breathing and silence 27:45 The inspiration behind Made for More Mama 29:00 Faith as a foundation during life's hardest seasons 31:00 Letting go of control and overcoming fear 34:00 The ripple effect of helping other women 35:00 How to connect with Lauren and her programs 36:00 Final thoughts and encouragement

Burnout, The Vitality Gap & Why Fun Matters: Anne Potts on Reclaiming Energy, Joy and Sustainable Success | Savvy Leader Podcast

What if burnout is not simply about working too hard? What if the real issue is a growing "vitality gap" created by constant extraction from our time, energy, and attention? In this episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin Gallatin sits down with Anne Potts, founder of The Fun Reset, for a powerful conversation on burnout, leadership, energy, self-care, and the role fun plays in building a sustainable life. Anne shares how high-achieving women often find themselves trapped in cycles of productivity, responsibility, and pressure while slowly losing connection with themselves. Together they unpack why fun is not frivolous, why self-care goes beyond bubble baths and skincare routines, and how recognizing the early warning signs can prevent deeper burnout. In this episode: • The difference between burnout and everyday stress • Anne's concept of "extraction" vs "fun" • The hidden vitality gap affecting high-achievers • Warning signs that you're approaching burnout • Why self-care is foundational, not optional • How women can reclaim energy and agency • Practical ways to reconnect with joy and sustainable success Connect & Resources: The Fun Reset: https://thefunreset.com/ [https://thefunreset.com/] The Fun Reset | Vitality Gap on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Anne_TheFunReset [https://www.youtube.com/@Anne_TheFunReset] Anne Potts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarapotts [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarapotts] Savvy Living Network: https://savvylivingnetwork.com [https://savvylivingnetwork.com] Savvy Leaders Lounge https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/ [https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/] Savvy Leader Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast [LinkedInhttps://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast] Kristin Gallatin LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1 [https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1] TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro + Meet Anne Potts 00:33 Anne's entrepreneurial journey begins 02:12 Why burnout rates among women continue rising 03:18 Defining fun and why the word matters 04:31 Extraction vs fun explained 06:07 Productivity culture and pressure 07:42 Why high achievers become vulnerable 09:18 The hidden cost of over-functioning 10:51 Why women feel trapped by expectations 12:29 The reality of chronic stress 14:03 Understanding the vitality gap 15:36 How energy depletion happens 17:12 Why self-awareness matters 18:51 Small warning signs people ignore 20:24 Pressure, productivity and identity 22:06 Reconnecting with personal choice 23:38 Fun as restoration rather than entertainment 25:11 Permission to choose differently 26:47 Redefining self-care 28:20 Leadership, energy and sustainability 29:57 Why burnout prevention matters 31:31 The role of boundaries 33:05 The impact of constant extraction 34:40 How resentment begins showing up 36:13 Emotional signals and behavioral clues 37:49 Snapping, frustration and warning signs 39:25 When your reactions stop feeling like you 41:01 Catching burnout in the foothills 42:36 The opportunity hidden in discomfort 44:09 Why self-care isn't a luxury 45:47 Beyond the "7-step skincare routine" 47:14 Making decisions that serve you 48:50 Finding optimism again 50:30 The light at the end of the tunnel 52:04 Reorienting away from extraction 54:00 Final thoughts and closing reflection

Courageous Conversations: How to Stop Avoiding Difficult Conversations, Set Boundaries & Communicate with Confidence | The Savvy Leader Podcast

Why do so many of us avoid difficult conversations — even when we know they matter? In this solo episode of The Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin shares a deeply personal conversation about fear, rejection, emotional conditioning, boundaries, and the courage it takes to communicate honestly. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in a difficult family dynamic, navigating adulthood as a people-pleaser, and learning to speak up while living life on the road, Kristin explores the emotional patterns that keep many of us silent. This episode covers: * how childhood experiences shape communication patterns * overcoming fear of rejection and conflict * why most conversations are harder in our heads * learning to ask for help and approach strangers * setting healthy emotional boundaries * empathy without self-abandonment * accepting when conversations cannot be resolved * and how small acts of courage create personal freedom Whether you struggle with confrontation, overthink interactions, avoid difficult conversations, or simply want healthier communication in relationships and leadership, this episode offers a grounded and honest perspective on what courageous conversations really look like. Listen & Connect 📌 https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast] 📌 https://savvylivingnetwork.com [https://savvylivingnetwork.com] 🔗 https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1 [https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1] 🔗 https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/ [https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/] 🔗 https://www.alignable.com/minneapolis-mn/savvy-living-network?user=2343373 [https://www.alignable.com/minneapolis-mn/savvy-living-network?user=2343373] Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:33 – Why courageous conversations matter 02:10 – Childhood conditioning and fear of rejection 04:28 – Learning to communicate while living on the road 06:12 – Step 1: Get out of your head 08:31 – Step 2: Enter conversations with curiosity 10:42 – Step 3: Stop trying to control the outcome 12:47 – Step 4: Empathy, forgiveness, and my relationship with my father 15:22 – The conversation we never had… and finding peace anyway 16:40 – Step 5: Acceptance and emotional capacity 18:45 – When someone cannot meet you in healthy conversation 20:02 – Final reflections and encouragement

Reinventing Life After 50 with AnYes van Rhijn | Identity, Courage & Purpose-Driven Change

What happens when life forces you to start over — more than once? In this deeply honest and empowering episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin Gallatin sits down with reinvention mentor and "Next Chapter Architect" AnYes van Rhijn to explore what true transformation really looks like after 50. AnYes shares her personal journey through grief, divorce, toxic relationships, entrepreneurship, identity shifts, and rebuilding her life from the ground up — including leaving a relationship at 57 with only 43 euros and beginning again. Together, Kristin and AnYes unpack: * Why reinvention is not a single event but a lifelong evolution * The hidden emotional cost of staying stuck * How women lose themselves in roles and expectations * The importance of clarity, identity, and self-trust * What it takes to rebuild confidence after major life transitions * Why purpose-driven work matters more in the second half of life * The mindset shifts required to create a meaningful next chapter This conversation is thoughtful, vulnerable, practical, and deeply validating for anyone navigating change, burnout, identity shifts, career pivots, or personal reinvention. Whether you are entering a new season of life, recovering from loss, or simply feeling called toward something more aligned, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for the road ahead. #SavvyLeaderPodcast #WomenOver50 #Reinvention #PersonalGrowth #PurposeDrivenLife #Leadership #Mindset #Transformation #Authenticity #WomenInBusiness Relevant Links Connect with AnYes van Rhijn Website: https://www.thereinventionmentor.biz/ [https://www.thereinventionmentor.biz/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyesvanrhijn/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyesvanrhijn/] Connect with Savvy Leader Podcast Podcast Booking Link: https://calendly.com/savvyleaderpodcast/podcast-interview [https://calendly.com/savvyleaderpodcast/podcast-interview] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast [http://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast] Savvy Living Network: https://www.savvylivingnetwork.com/ [https://www.savvylivingnetwork.com/] LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1 [https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1] Substack: https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/ [https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/]

Stop Waiting: How to Trust Yourself, Take Action, and Build a Life That Actually Fulfills You | Meghan DeFord

What's really holding you back from the life you want? In this episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin sits down with women's leadership coach Meghan DeFord to unpack why so many high-achieving women feel stuck—despite doing everything "right." From losing her identity after a divorce and career disruption to building a coaching business rooted in values and self-trust, Meghan shares what actually creates momentum (and what keeps people stuck in cycles of overthinking and delay). You'll learn why clarity doesn't come before action, how to identify your core values, and what it takes to stop postponing your life. If you've been waiting for the "right time," this conversation will challenge that thinking. 🔑 In This Episode: * Why high-achievers struggle to move forward * How your values shape your decisions, habits, and identity * The difference between self-awareness and action * Why women are conditioned to be needed—not fulfilled * How to build self-trust and take the first step * A practical 90-day framework for real progress * The mindset shift that breaks procrastination 🔗 Connect with Meghan DeFord: * Website: https://megdeford.com [https://megdeford.com] * Instagram + Social: @megdeford 🎧 Find Kristin: * Savvy Living Network [https://SavvyLivingNetwork.com] * Savvy Leaders Lounge [https://savvyleaderslounge.substack.com/] * Savvy Leader Podcast on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/@SavvyLeaderPodcast] * LinkedIn Profile [https://Linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin1] ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Meghan's background 01:15 – What a women's leadership coach actually does 03:00 – Lessons from philanthropy & mission-driven work 04:50 – Why values are the foundation of everything 07:00 – Identity loss, divorce, and career transition 09:30 – Living a life based on expectations vs truth 12:30 – Women are taught to be needed, not fulfilled 14:30 – Why we wait (fear, perfectionism, lack of self-trust) 16:00 – Clarity vs momentum (what actually comes first) 18:30 – Meghan's coaching process & 90-day focus 21:00 – Reframing negative self-talk 24:00 – Why your plan must fit your real life 26:00 – Transformation in 30 days (what actually changes) 29:00 – Self-awareness vs action trap 31:00 – Fear of change and identity grief 33:30 – What happens if you never change? 35:00 – Breaking fear down logically 38:00 – How to recognize when you're off track 40:00 – The cost of waiting (Viola Davis quote moment) 43:00 – Future self visualization exercise 45:00 – The "I Did It" list & building confidence 47:00 – Where to connect with Meghan