Female Founder Unplugged

Send a text There are moments when someone’s story doesn’t just move you, it changes you. This episode is about leadership, but not the kind you’ll find in a business course or book. It’s about the courage to lead with your whole story. Fallon Farinacci is a proud Red River Métis woman, mom of three, speaker, survivor, and advocate. Through unimaginable grief, she chose to speak and to call people in with her story. This conversation is about truth, the power of personal experiences, and impact. It explores: 🤝 How a story creates connection (in life and in leadership) 📉 Why transactional businesses struggle to build loyalty 🫴 The difference between calling people out vs. calling them in 📖 Why women have been conditioned to separate their stories from their success ❤️ The courage it takes to ask for help ✨ How your lived experience shapes your leadership If you are building a business and trying to compartmentalize your life from your leadership… this episode will gently challenge that. Because you are not your brand strategy, you are the sum of your experiences. And your story belongs in the room. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send a text You’ve built the business. Your team is growing, and opportunities are expanding! Your success means more visibility, more responsibility, and more people depending on you. But all of this happening can actually make you feel quite lonely and unsupported... You can’t vent down, and you don't want to worry your team, your family. Because everyone assumes you’ve figured it out by now. In this episode of Female Founder Unplugged, I’m talking about this stage of growth — when your business has evolved, but your leadership support hasn’t. ✨ Episode Highlights: 🏔️ Why scaling can feel isolating, even when things are going well 🤍 The quiet pressure high-performing women carry 👑 The shift from founder to true CEO This is exactly why I created the LPC Accelerator. But because at this level, you need a place to think clearly, lead intentionally, and build the kind of team and culture that actually supports you. The Accelerator is for women who are scaling and realizing that growth requires more than strategy. It requires support. Real conversations. Strong leadership foundations. A room where you don’t have to carry it all quietly. If your business is growing but it feels heavier than it should, you don’t have to navigate that alone. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text So… your business is growing, your team’s stronger than ever, and for the first time, things are running without you in every detail. That should feel like freedom, right? But instead, you’re feeling lost. Maybe a little guilty. Maybe even… useless. In this episode, I’m getting real about the identity shift that happens when you finally move out of operator mode and into your CEO seat. The weird in-between, the grief, the guilt, the “who even am I now?” moments. I’ll walk you through the four roles your business actually needs from you now (because “visionary” isn’t the full picture), and how to start owning them in a way that feels aligned and real, not like you’re faking it 'til you make it. What You’ll Hear: 🌿 Why stepping out of the weeds can feel harder than staying in the 🎢 The emotional rollercoaster of letting go (and why it’s totally normal) ⭐ The 4 CEO roles every founder needs to step into: 📖 Two client stories of what redefining your role actually looks like If you’ve delegated well, but now you feel disconnected from your own business, if you’re caught between “I’m not needed anymore” and “I don’t know what my job is now... This is the real work of becoming the CEO—not just in title, but in how you lead every day. Want Help Making This Shift? Inside the LPC Accelerator, we do this work together. We’ll redefine your role, build leadership systems that actually support you, and help your team rise with you. Cohort starts in March. DM me @highvoltleadership or check this link to grab your spot: https://highvoltageleadership.ca/lpc-accelerator/ If this episode made you feel seen, share it with a business bestie who needs it too. 🫶 And if you haven’t yet, please subscribe and leave a quick review. It means the world. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text You’re not new to running a business—but lately, it feels like the weight of every decision, deadline, and deliverable is landing on your shoulders. Even with a solid team, you’re still stuck in the middle of it all. But that can change! In this episode, I’m walking you through what I call the invisible architecture—the behind-the-scenes systems that keep your business moving without burning you out. We’ll talk about what’s missing in most growing businesses, and how to finally shift out of overwhelm and into your role as CEO. Inside this episode: ✨ Why so many founders feel like they have to be “on” all the time 🧠 What decision fatigue looks like, and how to reduce it 🧱 Three key elements your business needs to grow without chaos 📖 Real stories from clients who’ve made these changes and are now leading with clarity (not scrambling to keep up) If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll just figure it out,” or “It’s easier if I do it myself,” this one’s for you. Want to go deeper? 📄 Download: The Rhythm & Resilience: Leadership Worksheet This practical guide will help you spot the structural gaps in your business and start building the clarity and rhythm you need to lead with less stress and more impact. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text She downsized, reset, and rehired... And what she learned about people strategy will change how you build your team. In this episode, I sit down with social media strategist Rachel Pedersen to unpack the real and raw lessons behind scaling a team, downsizing with intention, and rebuilding. From “panic hires” to people-pleasing to over-collecting team members out of guilt, Rachel shares how her business hit a breaking point—and how a better people strategy helped her reclaim clarity, culture, and calm. ✨ Episode Highlights 🚫 Why panic hiring and people-pleasing can quietly wreck your business 🎯 The importance of leading with your core values (and Rachel's "core values filter") ❤️ Being kind, while still being a strong leader 💬 Cutting out the workplace drama 🧠 How self-reflection can become the foundation of your leadership Your people strategy should be evolving, just like you are as a leader. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text You’ve built the team. You’ve tried delegating. But somehow, you're still making the final call on every. single. thing. Sound familiar? Then this episode is a must-listen. We’re digging deep into the “Final Decision Maker Trap”—that sneaky leadership dynamic that keeps you stuck as the bottleneck, even when your intentions are good. This episode is all about bringing you clarity, ownership, and a structure that actually supports your team to lead alongside you. Because delegation without decision rights isn’t leadership. It’s just another form of overwhelm. ⚡️ Episode Highlights 🧠 The real reason your team keeps bringing you options but no decisions 🔁 How unintentionally “re-deciding” is keeping your team stuck 🫶 The surprising connection between people-pleasing and burnout 🧭 How to shift from a helpful boss → high-impact leader 🧰 Simple, scalable steps to create ownership without micromanagement This episode is packed with practical insights and real client stories straight from the LPC Accelerator. If you're ready to scale your business without being “on” 24/7 (or sacrificing the culture you love)—this one’s for you. 👉 Ready to finally lead like the CEO your business needs? Join the LPC Accelerator. This high-touch program is designed to help you step out of the weeds, build a high-performing team, and scale with clarity, confidence, and culture at the core. 🎧 And if this episode hit home, share it with a fellow founder, and don’t forget to subscribe so you catch next week’s follow-up: building a leadership structure that fuels growth and frees you. Support the Show Our mission at Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1,000 female entrepreneurs every season—and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite episodes with your business besties. Together, we’re paving the path for more women to lead boldly, grow sustainably, and build lasting impact. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text Happy New Year, my friends! If you're entering 2026 with equal parts excitement and exhaustion, you’re not alone. Your business is growing. You’ve built something you're proud of. But quietly, behind the success, there’s burnout. There's “I should be better at this by now.” Sound familiar? In this episode of Female Founder Unplugged, I’m confronting a truth that leadership advice tends to bypass: the problem isn't delegation — it’s your leadership design. Your business has evolved, but your leadership system likely hasn’t caught up. That’s why the delegation keeps boomeranging back to your desk. ✨ Episode Highlights: 🧠 Why “just delegate more” is a toxic half-truth ⚙️ What’s really causing your team to bottleneck (and it’s not lack of talent) 🔁 How delegation without structure becomes a leadership boomerang 🧭 The invisible cost of protecting your culture without clear communication 💥 A mindset shift to save you from burnout this year If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in decision quicksand, or like your business is outgrowing you, this conversation will feel like a deep breath. And it's part one of a powerful two-part series to kick off your new year with clarity and courage, so stay tuned! 📝 Reflection Question for the Week: What kind of leadership does this version of your business require from you? (Write it down, sit with it… We’re answering it together in next week’s episode.) 👉 If you haven’t already, hit subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2 — "Why Being the Final Decision-Maker Is Holding Your Business Back" — dropping next Thursday. And while you're waiting for that episode to drop, you can follow me on LinkedIn for exclusive content, resources, and special offers just for listeners. ✨ Support the Show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table and providing opportunities for financial independence. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text 2025 stretched a lot of founders and exposed some serious cracks in the way we lead. In this episode, I’m unpacking the biggest leadership lessons I learned this year and the 3 high-voltage shifts I’m making to step into 2026 with more clarity, space, and CEO energy. If you’ve been the bottleneck, the fixer, the Chief Everything Officer… this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: 👉 Download the 2026 CEO Prep Worksheet — because 2026 requires a different way of leading. And if you want support turning those insights into action, book a Spark Session with me and we’ll map out your next steps for January. As the year comes to a close, I just want to say thank you for being here and for being part of this incredible community. 👉 Contact Cardinal Studios at: cardinalstudio.co or mike@cardinalstudio.co Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text This episode is a wake-up call for every founder who's ever skipped lunch, powered through with coffee, or told herself she's “too busy” to use the washroom. I'm joined by dietitian and women’s wellness expert Lindsay Martens for a refreshingly honest conversation about how self-leadership starts at the most fundamental level — with what your body actually needs to function, focus, and feel good. ✨ Episode Highlights: lead yourself first👉 Take Lindsay's “Quiet the Food Noise Quiz” to uncover your biggest food mindset blocks and get personalized tips to make food feel easier, calmer, and more intuitive: https://lindsaymartensnutrition.com/quiz/ 👉 Book a Spark Session with me here. 👉 Contact Cardinal Studios at: cardinalstudio.co or mike@cardinalstudio.co Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text Have you ever found yourself up at 10 pm rewriting things, fixing mistakes, or just doing it yourself… even though you’ve hired a team to help you? If you’ve been wondering why your team isn’t stepping up, this episode of Female Founder Unplugged is your wake-up call. Because truthfully? Your team isn’t the issue. But how you’re leading them... that might be. In this episode, I’m breaking down what over-functioning really looks like, why it’s costing you freedom, and how to lead with clarity, trust, and intention. ✨ Episode Highlights We’re unpacking what better systems and clearer expectations can do for you and your business. And if you’re ready for personalized support (if you’re still carrying the load and the clipboard), it’s time to make a shift. In a Spark Session, we’ll map out: Just one hour and one clear path forward. 👉 Book your Spark Session now Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text If you’ve ever cried in your car, snapped at your partner, or wondered why everything feels heavy even when things look “fine” on paper — this episode is for you. I'm digging into the real reason female founders avoid asking for help, and why that pattern quietly slows your growth, drains your energy, and caps your leadership. ✨ Episode Highlights andwisdom📄 Download: The CEO Clarity Worksheet Get the 5 questions from today’s episode in a printable worksheet to help you identify exactly where you need support — and why you’ve been avoiding it. Find it inside my Resource Library. ⚡ Book a Spark Session If this episode hit close to home, a Spark Session might be your next step. One hour. One problem. Clear path forward. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text If you’re constantly chasing people down, repeating yourself, and wondering why things keep slipping through the cracks — this one’s for you. Here’s the truth: your team isn’t lazy. They’re confused. What looks like a motivation problem is usually a clarity problem — and when clarity disappears, accountability goes with it. ✨ Episode Highlights boundaried leader.Because accountability doesn’t start with effort — it starts with structure. 👉 Ready to fix the accountability gap on your team before Q1? Book a Spark Session — one hour to create clarity, follow-through systems, and a culture where accountability actually sticks. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text We wear “busy” like a badge of honour — but what’s it really costing us? In this week’s episode of Female Founder Unplugged, I’m joined by Peggy Sullivan, author of Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less. Peggy’s research and her own hard-won lessons reveal what she calls time poverty—that constant feeling of not having time for what really matters. Together, we dig into why busyness has become the default mode for so many women leaders—and how to shift from autopilot to intentional action. ✨ Episode Highlights Busy Busting FrameworkBecause success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what actually matters. 👉 Grab Peggy’s book, Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, and try her free Busy Barometer tool at peggysullivanspeaker.com. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text If you feel more like the Help Desk than the CEO, this one’s for you. Somewhere between building your business and leading your team, you became the Chief Everything Officer — solving every problem, approving every decision, and holding everything together by sheer willpower. It’s not sustainable. And it’s not leadership. ⚡️ Episode Highlights And if you’re ready for one-on-one help to step out of firefighter mode, book a Spark Session — one hour, one problem, one solution. Together, we’ll pinpoint where your boundaries are breaking down, so you can stop being the answer for everyone and start leading like the CEO again. 👉 Book your Spark Session Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text It’s spooky season — but let’s be honest, nothing’s scarier than trying to make your first (or next) hire. You’re standing at the edge of freedom in your business… but all you can think about are the horror stories. In this episode of Female Founder Unplugged, I’m breaking down how to take the fear out of hiring and bring clarity back into your leadership. ✨ Episode Highlights You don’t need a magic potion — just a clear plan. Tune in now and let’s make your next hire one that helps you actually sleep at night. And if you’re ready for one-on-one help to map out your hiring plan, book a Spark Session — one hour, one problem, one solution. Let’s make your next hire the best one yet. 👉 Book your Spark Session Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text What if your values were simple enough to live by—and strong enough to shape an industry? In this episode, I sit down with Jennie Coleman, President & Co-Owner of Equifruit, to talk about fair-trade bananas, fearless leadership, and why “Don’t work with jerks” might be the most effective HR policy you’ll ever write. ✨ Episode Highlights global fair-trade banana dominationBecause culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s the daily choice to lead with compassion and courage. And when your values are clear, you don’t just build a stronger team—you build a business you’re proud to lead. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text You’ve been told empathy makes you soft. That if you lead with compassion, someone will take advantage of you. But empathy is one of the sharpest tools in your leadership toolkit. In this episode, I’m breaking down what real empathy looks like. I’ll walk you through my simple, five-step practice to start leading with empathy from the inside out. ✨ Episode Highlights Because the truth is—you can’t lead others until you can lead yourself. And empathy is where that leadership starts. If you’re ready to quiet the head trash, strengthen your self-awareness, and build the confidence to lead with calm and clarity, come join me in the Positive Intelligence Bootcamp — it’s where we do this work together in real time. 👉 Claim your spot here: https://www.highvoltageleadership.ca/positive-intelligence And if you’re just getting started, grab my free Empathy Superpower Starter Kit inside the Resource Vault — your first step to practicing empathy from the inside out: https://go.highvoltageleadership.ca/resource-library Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text You built your business for freedom. But if you’re the one everyone turns to when the school calls, the groceries are forgotten, or the cat’s sick, that “freedom” can disappear fast. Being the flexible one feels like strength. But over time, it becomes an expectation — and the cost is your focus, your energy, and your growth. In this episode, I share the moment that made me realize bending for everyone else isn’t a badge of honour. It’s leadership fatigue in disguise. And more importantly — what to do about it. Episode Highlights: Because you can’t scale a business while absorbing everyone else’s overflow. Real leadership isn’t about doing it all — it’s about building a business that works with your life, not against it. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text In this powerful conversation, reconciliation strategist Tanya Tourangeau of Tanya T Consulting joins me to share why reconciliation must be woven into the heart of your business. From building authentic relationships to preparing for the workforce and clients of the future, Tanya breaks down what meaningful reconciliation looks like—and why your business can’t afford to ignore it. ✨ Episode Highlights: smart economicsBecause reconciliation isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the path to building businesses that last, cultures that thrive, and leadership that actually works. 👉 Resources mentioned: Tanya T ConsultingIndigenous Canada MOOCSupport the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.

Send us a text Burnout doesn’t arrive overnight. It builds slowly — in the skipped lunches, the extra client you squeezed in, the 7:30 a.m. “quick call” that derails your day. Those aren’t just time management issues. They’re leadership habits. And left unchecked, they’re a straight line to burnout. In this episode of Female Founder Unplugged, I break down the five calendar-based leadership shifts every founder needs to make: Because you didn’t build your business just to hustle harder. You built it to create freedom, fulfillment, and impact. And that starts with how you lead your time. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to reset your calendar — and your leadership — before burnout takes hold. Support the show Our mission for Female Founder Unplugged is to impact 1000 female entrepreneurs every season, and we need your help to do that. Please subscribe to the show, and share your favorite episodes with anyone you feel could benefit. We are growing a powerful community here, and everyone is welcome. Together, we can pave a path to giving more women a seat at the table, and providing opportunities for financial independence.