• 13 minutes 17 seconds
    Your Body Knows Before Your Brain Does: Jaime Taets on The Fizzies, Intuition & Following What Feels Alive

    You know that feeling when something just clicks? When your body tells you yes before your brain can explain why? Jaime Taets calls it the fizzies, and she believes it is the most honest data you will ever have about whether you are on the right path.

    In this solo episode, Jaime explains what the fizzies are and why she started paying attention to them over a decade ago. It is that tingly sensation, the hair standing up on your arms, the moment when you feel fully alive and present. It shows up in conversations, in nature, in meditation, and in moments when you are not performing or worrying about how you look. It is your body's way of saying you need more of this.

    Most high achievers have trained themselves to ignore that feeling. We focus on what is hard, what is urgent, what needs fixing. We move on from good moments without noticing them. But Jaime challenges that pattern. She shares how an energy journal can help you track where your energy comes from and what it is trying to tell you. The patterns you see will be more accurate than any five-year plan you have ever written.

    If you have been waiting for a sign or looking for clarity, this episode is your invitation to start paying attention. The only way to go first is to first go. And sometimes going first just looks like trusting the fizzies long enough to follow them.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Welcome to the podcast
    1:30 What are the fizzies?
    2:25 How Jaime started noticing this feeling
    4:45 Why high achievers ignore what feels good
    6:58 The fizzies as your soul's signal
    8:45 Using an energy journal to track your energy
    10:41 Going first by following the fizzies

    Quotes from the Episode

    "The fizzies are this feeling in my body. It tells me I'm on the right track."

    "Most of us get really good at ignoring that feeling. We're trained to pay attention to the opposite, to the things that are hard."

    "The only way you go first is to first go. Something has to change. And you have the full power of that."

    Leadership Insights

    Q: What are the fizzies and why do they matter for leaders?
    A: The fizzies are a physical sensation that Jaime Taets describes as a tingly feeling in the body, sometimes with hair standing up on your arms or neck. They show up when you are fully present, aligned, and doing something that resonates with who you are becoming. For leaders, the fizzies matter because they are data. They point toward what energizes you, what you should do more of, and what you should release. Ignoring them means ignoring your most honest internal guidance system.

    Q: How can leaders use an energy journal to make better decisions?
    A: An energy journal is a simple practice where you write down the moments in your day when you feel alive, energized, or fizzy. After a couple of weeks, you will start to see patterns. Those patterns reveal where your energy comes from and what drains it. This information is often more accurate than any goal or vision you have set because it comes from your body, not your brain. It can help you decide where to spend more time, where to pull back, and what changes you need to make to lead from a healthier, more aligned place.

    Resources

    If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs permission to trust their own intuition and follow what makes them feel alive.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets

    29 September 2026, 11:00 am
  • 34 minutes 47 seconds
    Your Title Is Not Your Identity: Chris Heim on People-First Leadership, CEO Identity & Reclaiming Who You Are

    What happens when you've achieved everything you set out to accomplish, but you wake up one day and realize you've lost yourself in the process?

    Chris Heim, a three-time CEO and founder of Heim Leadership, joins Jaime to talk about reclaiming your identity when the title no longer defines you.

    Chris openly shares his journey from accidental CEO to someone who now understands that leadership isn't just about business outcomes. It's about creating an environment where motivated people can thrive. He talks about the trap of tying your identity to your role, the difference between chasing success and pursuing purpose, and the intentional work it takes to become a people-first leader.

    This conversation is for any leader who has ever felt like they're grinding for the wrong reasons, struggling with imposter syndrome, or wondering who they are outside of their job title. Chris offers practical wisdom on unlearning old patterns, managing your energy, and building a bridge to whatever comes next. The message is clear: you've already succeeded. Now it's time to figure out who you want to be.

    Timestamped Chapters 

    0:00 Introduction to Chris Heim
    3:15 The Accidental CEO Journey
    6:30 Discovering Your Leadership Identity
    10:00 Imposter Syndrome as a Strength
    13:45 Reclaiming Identity After the Title
    17:20 Chase vs. Pursuit
    21:00 Unlearning: Motivation and Rumination
    25:30 Creating an Environment for People to Thrive
    28:15 The Bridge to the Future
    31:45 Advice for Leaders Who Feel Stuck
    34:00 Smile: The Billboard Reminder

    Guest Bio

    Chris Heim is a three-time CEO and the founder of Heim Leadership, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations build people-first cultures and healthy, stable companies. With a career spanning technology and business, Chris has led global teams and is passionate about the intersection of leadership and human psychology. He is a student of culture and believes that figuring out the human side of business creates a distinct advantage on the business side. Chris is also an endurance athlete who applies lessons from training to his leadership philosophy.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "I associated so much of my identity with being a CEO that I kind of forgot who I was."
    "I have eliminated the word chase from my life and I only have pursuit."
    "People bring their own motivation to whatever they're doing. My job is to create an environment where motivated people can be successful."

    Leadership Insights

    Q: What does it mean to be a people-first leader?
    A: Being a people-first leader means recognizing that your most important responsibility is creating an environment where people can thrive. It's not about motivating others, because people bring their own motivation. It's about fostering a culture that supports them, understanding the psychology of stress, and showing up as a source of calm and positivity. Business success follows when you take the human side of leadership as seriously as any financial outcome you're responsible for.

    Q: Why do leaders lose their identity and how can they reclaim it?
    A: Leaders often lose their identity when they associate who they are entirely with their role or title. The demands of leadership can consume your sense of self, making it feel like you are the job. To reclaim your identity, you need to step back and remember that you are so much more than your title. You are a person, a parent, a spouse, a friend. You get to keep all the experiences and clarity you've gained, even when you let go of the role. The title is a role you serve, but it does not define who you are.

    Resources

    If you have ever felt the weight of believing your title is who you are, share this with a leader who needs to be reminded that they've already succeeded and there is so much more to who they are.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets

    22 September 2026, 10:00 am
  • 12 minutes 43 seconds
    Stop Seeking External Validation to Feel Worthy: A Solo Episode on the Addiction to Validation

    Why do so many leaders feel empty despite achieving everything they set out to accomplish? The answer might surprise you. It's not about insecurity or weakness. It's about validation, and it's addictive.

    In this solo episode, Jaime Taets pulls back the curtain on a theme she's seen emerging in leaders everywhere: the relentless need for external approval. She shares why validation isn't about being insecure, how early career success trains us to seek it, and why the addiction cycle keeps leaders chasing applause that never lasts.

    If you've ever felt like you're performing for an audience that's never satisfied, or you're staying in rooms you've outgrown because they still make you feel needed, this episode is for you. It's a call to examine your motivations, find worth in the quiet, unseen work, and ground your value in who you are, not what you achieve.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Welcome and why these solo episodes exist
    1:15 The theme emerging from leaders
    2:11 Why validation isn't about insecurity
    3:44 How success trains us to seek approval
    4:57 The addiction cycle of validation
    6:15 When validation becomes a dependency
    7:30 The ego trap of senior leadership
    8:45 Where are you seeking validation?
    9:47 The quieter work no one applauds
    10:30 Examining your motivations
    11:12 Internal vs. external validation
    11:57 Inspiring others by going first
    12:31 Closing reflection

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Validation is addictive."

    "Yesterday's applause doesn't last today. Today you need more of it."

    "If you can remain grounded in who you are when the world is no longer validating you, that's the real test of leadership."

    Leadership Insights

    Q: Why is validation addictive for leaders?
    A: Validation triggers the same reward pathways in the brain as other addictive behaviors. Early career success trains leaders to seek approval through performance, problem-solving, and visible achievements. Over time, that need for external validation becomes a dependency. It requires more frequent and bigger wins to feel the same sense of worth. The applause that once felt satisfying no longer lasts, and leaders find themselves chasing the next achievement just to feel seen.

    Q: How can leaders break the cycle of seeking validation?
    A: Breaking the cycle starts with examining your motivations. Ask yourself: Am I taking this on because it's the right thing to do, or because I want to be seen? Are you staying in rooms you've outgrown because they still make you feel needed? The shift happens when you begin to find worth in the quiet, unseen work and ground your value in who you are, not what you achieve. The real test of leadership is whether you can remain grounded when the world stops applauding.

    Resources

    If this episode challenged how you think about validation and leadership, share it with another leader who needs to hear it.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets

    15 September 2026, 11:00 am
  • 46 minutes 28 seconds
    Redefining Success After the Title Is Gone: Dr. Linda Schubring on Identity, Control & Healing

    What happens when the mountain you finally climbed disappears beneath your feet? Dr. Linda Schubring faced that exact moment and learned that losing a job doesn't mean losing your purpose.

    Dr. Linda Schubring joins Jaime Taets for an honest conversation about leadership, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to heal. Linda shares her journey from aspiring college president to reaching a leadership role at 29, losing that position, rebuilding her identity, becoming a mother and business owner, and navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Along the way, she discovered that our hardest experiences can become sources of wisdom, connection, and contribution. Together, Linda and Jaime explore why leaders need to manage their hunger for control and importance, how to separate identity from work, and what it really means to heal.

    If you're navigating transition, redefining success, or leading through uncertainty, this conversation will give you a different way to think about what's next.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Dr. Linda Schubring
    2:18 Linda's leadership journey: the mountaintop
    4:04 You can have more than one mountain
    6:15 Three lessons from reaching the top
    11:42 When success doesn't protect you from setbacks
    14:11 Separating your identity from your work
    17:00 Turning difficult experiences into contribution
    21:59 Learning to heal through adversity
    28:23 What Linda had to unlearn
    29:24 Redefining success
    31:24 Managing your hungers for control and importance
    34:20 Managing your energy as a leader
    38:40 Hope, resilience, and leadership
    42:46 Linda's book and leadership influences
    44:10 Reflect, act, reflect

    Guest Bio

    Dr. Linda Schubring is a leadership coach, author, speaker, and co-founder of Leadership Vision Consulting. She helps leaders, teams, and organizations become healthier, more engaged, and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. She is also the national bestselling author of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "You can lose your job, but that doesn't mean you lose your purpose."

    "Healing is different from moving on."

    "Reflect, act, reflect, act, reflect, act."

    Leadership Insights

    Q: What does it mean to manage your hunger as a leader?

    A: Managing your hunger means recognizing and regulating the internal drives that can influence how you lead. Drawing from the adaptive leadership work of Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky, Dr. Linda Schubring explains that leaders need to manage their hunger for control and their hunger for importance rather than allowing those desires to control their behavior. When leaders don't manage what drives them, they can become rigid, defensive, or disconnected from the people they lead.

    Q: Why is separating identity from work important for leaders?

    A: Separating identity from work allows leaders to recognize that losing a role, title, or position does not mean losing their purpose or worth. Linda's experience of having her leadership position eliminated forced her to reconsider who she was beyond her career. That separation ultimately opened the door to new forms of leadership, family, business, and contribution. When you know who you are beyond your title, you lead with more freedom and less fear.

    Resources

    If this conversation gave you a new perspective on leadership, identity, or navigating a difficult season, share it with another leader who may need to hear it.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets

    8 September 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 10 minutes 24 seconds
    Leadership Burnout: The Real Cause and What Leaders Get Wrong with Jaime Taets

    What happens when you're a high-performing leader who loves the work, but you're exhausted in a way that a vacation won't fix? Jaime Taets gets honest about her own journey with burnout and what she's learned about the weight of responsibility.

    Jaime shares why burnout is one of the most overused words in leadership, and why it's often misunderstood. It's not about hating your job. It's about caring so much that you take on everything: every problem, every outcome, everyone's emotions. That sense of responsibility is what makes you successful, but it can also quietly become the thing that drains you.

    She explores the difference between rest and recovery, why letting go of control is harder than it sounds, and how a thousand small shifts can create more space than one dramatic change. She also challenges leaders to ask themselves one question: What are you carrying today that might not be yours to carry?

    If you've ever said "I'm busy" when asked how you are, or felt like you can't set anything down, this episode is for you.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Welcome to Go First
    1:30 Why burnout is overused and misunderstood
    2:15 Working hard vs. carrying too much responsibility
    3:45 The fatigue of believing nothing can be set down
    5:30 Why success increases the weight you carry
    6:45 Letting go of what used to be yours
    8:00 Rest vs. recovery
    9:15 What are you carrying that isn't yours to carry?

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Burnout isn't always caused by working too many hours. It comes from carrying too much responsibility for too long."

    "The better you perform, the more successful you are, the more responsibility you carry."

    "It's not one dramatic decision that fixes burnout. It's a thousand small ones."

    Leadership Insights

    Q: What is leadership burnout?
    A: Leadership burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged responsibility, decision fatigue, and the pressure to hold everything together. Unlike general tiredness, burnout often affects leaders who love their work and care deeply, but have taken on more than they can sustainably carry. It's not about working too many hours. It's about carrying too much responsibility for too long.

    Q: Why do leaders struggle to let go of responsibility?
    A: Leaders often tie their identity and value to their ability to solve problems and make decisions. Letting go can feel like losing usefulness. But holding onto tasks that others can do limits growth for both the leader and their team. Learning to release responsibility is a sign of maturity, not weakness. The shift happens when you begin to see recovery not as rest, but as a practice of clearing mental space and imagining a different way of being.

    Resources

    If this episode shifted how you think about burnout, share it with a fellow leader who needs to hear it.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets

    18 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 39 minutes 45 seconds
    From Problem Solver to Coach: Matt Ropchak on Imposter Syndrome, Leadership Development & Redefining Success

    Leadership development doesn't happen where you're comfortable. Matt Ropchak shares why the biggest breakthroughs begin the moment you stop keeping both feet in the familiar.

    Leadership development isn't about collecting promotions. It's about growing through uncertainty, embracing discomfort, and developing people instead of simply solving problems. Matt Ropchak joins Jaime Taets to share the experiences that reshaped his leadership, from overcoming imposter syndrome to surviving a life-changing heart attack that redefined his perspective on success. Together, Matt and Jaime explore why leaders should embrace change, coach instead of always providing the answers, and build a legacy by developing others.

    Whether you're leading through uncertainty or redefining success, this conversation will give you a different way to think about what's next.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Matt Ropchak
    2:11 The pivotal moment that changed everything
    3:44 Don't keep both of your feet in the familiar
    8:57 From imposter syndrome to confident leadership
    11:13 Coaching instead of providing all the answers
    15:13 Leadership, priorities, and making difficult decisions
    22:50 The life-changing health event that shifted everything
    30:11 Redefining success and building a lasting legacy
    39:05 Leadership habits, mindset, and final reflections

    Guest Bio

    Matt Ropchak is President of Orvita US, bringing nearly three decades of leadership experience in engineering, operations, and supply chain. Before joining Orvita, he spent 27 years at General Mills, including an expat assignment in Europe and leading the Canadian supply chain. He helps organizations build high-performing teams through authentic leadership and resilience.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Don't keep both of your feet in the familiar."

    "Coach more. Solve less."

    "Your attitude makes a difference every day. Are you gonna be a disease or are you gonna be a miracle drug?"

    Leadership Insights

    Q: What is leadership development?
    A: Leadership development is the ongoing process of building the mindset, skills, and behaviors needed to lead people effectively. It includes self-awareness, coaching others, sound decision-making, and continuous growth through new challenges. As Matt Ropchak explains, it means shifting from "doing" to "leading"; creating the next set of capable people rather than solving every problem yourself.

    Q: Why is stepping outside your comfort zone important for leaders?
    A: Leaders grow by intentionally taking on unfamiliar challenges. Matt learned this firsthand when he took a role that moved him across geographies, cultures, and functions simultaneously. Stepping beyond what's comfortable builds confidence, adaptability, and stronger decision-making while preparing leaders to navigate change. The hard things are what make you better.

    Resources

    If this episode challenged the way you think about leadership development, share it with another leader who could benefit from these insights.

    Subscribe to Go First with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, growth, and taking that next step forward.

    Go First is the show where we talk about what it takes to move forward: first, fast, and with purpose.

    Everything you want is on the other side of the next unknown step. Let's Go First together.

    Jaime Taets



    7 August 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 21 seconds
    The Point Is Not to Have All the Answers with Hillary Spreizer

    The point is not to have all the answers. Hillary Spreizer shares why leadership success is not about being the smartest person in the room.

    Hillary Spreizer, CEO and owner of Latitude Group, joins Jaime Taets for a brutally honest conversation about what leadership really looks like when the wins are happening but you are falling apart behind the scenes. She shares how buying a company, navigating post-COVID growth, and constantly chasing the next milestone forced her to rethink burnout, resilience, success, and what it actually means to lead.

    Jaime and Hillary explore why burnout can be a signal of misalignment, not just a capacity problem. They discuss how leaders can build resilience through practice, why anxiety is a flag and not proof that you are broken, and why the point is not to have all the answers.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Hillary Spreizer
    2:53 From Recruiter to CEO and Business Owner
    4:49 Creating Resilience and Movement During Chaos
    8:13 The Unremarkable Story Behind Success
    11:01 Buying a Company and Confronting Imposter Syndrome
    12:49 When Success and Burnout Happen at the Same Time
    14:47 The Wake-Up Call: This Is a Problem
    16:22 Redefining Success Beyond Milestones
    18:44 Unlearning Scarcity and Choosing Abundance
    20:55 Anxiety as a Flag, Not Proof That You're Broken
    27:07 Why the Point Is Not to Have All the Answers

    Guest Bio

    Hillary Spreizer is the CEO and owner of Latitude Group, where she has built her career from recruiter to manager, salesperson, sales leader, and ultimately business owner. After purchasing the company from its founder, Hillary navigated the realities of ownership, post-COVID growth, burnout, and the pressure of leading an organization through uncertainty.

    Her leadership philosophy centers on abundance, resilience, intentional movement, and bringing the right people into the room rather than trying to personally have every answer.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "The point is that I don't have the answers."

    "I don't have all the answers. We're just gonna figure it out."

    "It is illogical that you have peaked."

    Leadership Insights

    What is leadership burnout?

    Leadership burnout is a state of exhaustion and disconnection that can occur when the way a leader is operating is no longer aligned with their capacity, values, or leadership system. In Hillary's experience, burnout was not simply about the company performing poorly. The company was doing well while she was struggling internally. Recognizing the signal and reassessing alignment can be an important starting point for change.

    How can leaders build resilience?

    Leaders can build resilience by practicing intentional movement through uncertainty instead of waiting until a crisis happens. That means repeatedly identifying what can be controlled, clarifying accountability and success, creating space for people when needed, and continuing to make thoughtful progress even when the final answer is not clear.

    Why is it important to stop trying to have all the answers?

    Leaders who believe they must have all the answers often become the bottleneck in their organizations. Hillary explains that the point is not to be the smartest person in the room. It is to bring the right people into the room and create an environment where movement and progress can happen, even in uncertainty.

    Resources

    If you have ever felt the weight of believing you need to have all the answers, this conversation is your permission slip to let that go. Share it with a leader who needs to be reminded that leadership is about building the room, not being the smartest person in it.

    Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about resilience, leadership, and the journey from success to significance.

    Will see you at the top, and beyond.

    Jaime Taets

    3 August 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 58 seconds
    Leadership Burnout: You Don't Get Extra Credit for Exhaustion with Josh Helgeson

    Leadership burnout does not always happen when everything falls apart. Sometimes it happens when everything is going right, but the pace, pressure, and responsibility are no longer sustainable.

    Josh Helgesen, CEO and majority owner of Greiner Construction, joins Jaime Taets to talk about the hidden weight of leadership, energy management, self-leadership, and the cost of confusing exhaustion with success. Josh shares his 26-year journey from apprentice carpenter to CEO, what changed when he realized he was strong for everyone else but was not refueling himself, and why sustainable leadership requires more than ambition.

    Jaime and Josh explore what it means to recognize an unsustainable pace before a crisis hits, how to protect white space, and why the climb does not have to mean climbing harder. Sometimes, you need to climb smarter.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Josh Helgesen
    2:07 The Hidden Climb of Leadership
    3:21 From Apprentice Carpenter to CEO
    8:05 The People Who Shape Your Leadership
    9:50 The Climb Moment: When Everything Was Working
    11:21 Recognizing an Unsustainable Pace
    13:09 When Leadership Starts Affecting Home
    16:11 Letting Go of Being the One Who Carries Everything
    17:10 Redefining Success as Alignment and Endurance
    18:40 Protecting White Space and Auditing Your Energy
    22:27 Ambition, Alignment, and Self-Leadership

    Guest Bio

    Josh Helgesen is the CEO and majority owner of Greiner Construction. He began his career with the company 26 years ago as an apprentice carpenter and worked his way through roles including foreman, superintendent, field leadership, ownership, and ultimately CEO.

    His leadership journey is a powerful example of how career growth is built through opportunity, experience, relationships, mentorship, peer groups, coaching, and the willingness to keep learning. Josh now focuses not only on leading the business but also on becoming a better leader, father, husband, and human being.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "You don't get extra credit for exhaustion."

    "Ambition without alignment will cost you."

    "Protect your energy. Everyone you lead feels it."

    Leadership Insights

    What is leadership burnout?

    Leadership burnout is the exhaustion that can develop when sustained pressure, responsibility, and ambition are not balanced with recovery, boundaries, and personal well-being. Josh emphasizes that pressure itself is not necessarily the problem. The danger comes from unmanaged pressure and an unsustainable pace.

    What is self-leadership?

    Self-leadership starts with managing yourself before trying to manage everyone and everything around you. For Josh, that means understanding your energy, recognizing your limits, reflecting before reacting, and making sure your ambition remains aligned with the life and relationships you want to protect.

    How can leaders recognize an unsustainable pace?

    Leaders can recognize an unsustainable pace when they notice subtle signs such as less patience, internal tension, constant go mode, and the feeling of being strong for everyone else but not refueling themselves. Josh explains that these signs often appear when everything looks successful on paper, making them easy to ignore.

    Resources

    If you have ever felt like you are strong for everyone else but not refueling yourself, this conversation is for you. Share it with someone who needs to be reminded that they do not get extra credit for exhaustion.

    Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, energy management, and the journey from success to significance.

    Will see you at the top, and beyond.

    Jaime Taets

    3 August 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 39 minutes 55 seconds
    Find Joy, Even in the Hard Times with Kelli Williams

    Redefining success through joy means learning that resilience is not always about pushing harder. It is knowing when to pause, heal, and find joy in the storm.

    Kelli Williams, healing-informed executive coach, business and marketing strategist, storyteller, and former nonprofit leader, joins Jaime Taets for a conversation about resilience, identity, guilt, people-pleasing, and redefining what success really means.

    Kelli opens up about the experiences that shaped her leadership, including being a teenage mother, navigating major career transitions, surviving domestic abuse, and leading a nonprofit through a crisis involving national attention, threats, and fear for her family. She shares how those moments taught her the difference between being strong and being resilient.

    Jaime and Kelli explore why resilience can mean resting instead of pushing through, how trauma responses show up in leadership, and why leaders need to give themselves permission to say, "I am not okay." They discuss how identity shifts over time, why guilt and people-pleasing can become exhausting patterns, and how finding joy in the storm is a choice leaders can make.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Kelli Williams
    2:00 From Suffering to Wisdom to Service
    4:00 The Hidden Stories Behind the Highlight Reel
    6:00 Kelli Shares Her Experience as a Domestic Abuse Survivor
    9:00 Leading Through Crisis, Fear, and National Attention
    13:00 Why Being Strong Is Not Always the Same as Being Resilient
    15:00 Learning to Give Yourself Permission to Pause
    18:00 Understanding Trauma Responses and Healing
    21:00 Identity Shifts and Shedding Old Versions of Yourself
    25:00 Unlearning Guilt, Perfectionism, and People-Pleasing
    29:00 Redefining Success Through Happiness and Joy

    Guest Bio

    Kelli Williams is a healing-informed executive coach, business and marketing strategist, storyteller, and former nonprofit leader. Her work centers on helping people understand their stories, navigate change, build meaningful connections, and use their experiences to serve and inspire others.

    Kelli is also working on her first book, described as a love letter to the next generation of women in business, while continuing her work through coaching, storytelling, workshops, and teaching.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Resilience can be being softer."

    "We can be in the storm and find joy at the same time."

    "It doesn't have to work out perfectly for you to be okay."

    Leadership Insights

    What is resilience?

    Resilience is the ability to move through adversity while continuing to adapt, heal, and move forward. Kelli explains that resilience is not necessarily about staying strong during a crisis. It can also mean recognizing when you are tired, giving yourself permission to pause, and learning how to respond differently to difficult experiences.

    How can leaders find joy during difficult times?

    Leaders can find joy during difficult times by allowing themselves to acknowledge what they are experiencing instead of constantly forcing themselves to push through. Small practices such as movement, breathing, personal check-ins, and identifying moments of hope can help leaders reconnect with themselves while navigating uncertainty.

    Why do leaders struggle with identity shifts?

    As leaders grow, their identities naturally evolve. Kelli discusses how being a teenage mother, nonprofit leader, founder, or high-performing professional can become part of how someone defines themselves, but those identities do not have to determine who they are forever. Growth often requires shedding old identities without pretending those experiences never happened.

    Resources

    If you have been waiting for permission to pause, rest, and find joy in the middle of the storm, this is your sign. Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that they do not have to be okay all the time to be a strong leader.

    Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about resilience, joy, and the journey from success to significance.

    Will see you at the top, and beyond.

    Jaime Taets

    3 August 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 14 seconds
    Find the Consistency through the Peaks and Valleys with Ben Utecht

    Leadership through adversity is not about avoiding the valley. It is about building a foundation strong enough to keep you moving through it.

    Ben Utecht, former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion, speaker, author, and culture expert, joins Jaime Taets for a conversation about fear, failure, preparation, belief, identity, and the peaks and valleys that shape a meaningful life.

    Ben shares the story of going from a potential first-round NFL draft pick to an undrafted free agent after a devastating injury and then receiving an unexpected call from Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts. His journey ultimately led him to the NFL, a Super Bowl championship, a career in speaking and culture, and his book The Champion's Creed. But the real story is not the highlight reel. It is what happened in between.

    Jaime and Ben explore what it means to stay grounded when you are at the top, rebuild yourself when you are in the valley, and stop allowing achievements to define your identity. They discuss how preparation builds confidence, why surrender can be a catalyst for winning, and how leaders can build a foundation of beliefs they can return to in difficult seasons.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Ben Utecht
    2:36 From Minnesota to the NFL with Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy
    7:11 Discovering Purpose Beyond Achievement
    9:56 Fear of Failure and the Voice of Self-Doubt
    12:16 From Potential First-Round Pick to Undrafted Free Agent
    14:58 The Unexpected Call from Tony Dungy
    16:59 Finding Consistency Through Peaks and Valleys
    18:36 Navigating Identity Shifts
    22:56 Redefining Success and Letting Go of Materialism
    25:22 Why Surrender Is a Catalyst for Winning
    29:38 Building a Foundation You Can Return To

    Guest Bio

    Ben Utecht is a former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and culture expert. He played for the Indianapolis Colts, won Super Bowl XLI, and learned under legendary coach Tony Dungy.

    After football, Ben built a career focused on leadership, organizational culture, personal development, and transforming people. He is the author of The Champion's Creed: Transform Your Culture Through the Power of Belief.

    Ben's work centers on the idea that organizations will always have a culture, either by design or by default, and leaders have the opportunity to intentionally build one that transforms people.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Find the consistency through the peaks and valleys."

    "Believe."

    "Surrender is actually the catalyst for winning."

    Leadership Insights

    What is leadership through adversity?

    Leadership through adversity is the ability to remain grounded, make purposeful decisions, and continue leading when circumstances become difficult. Ben Utecht's story shows how preparation, belief, values, and endurance can give leaders a foundation to rely on during uncertain or challenging seasons.

    Why is preparation important for overcoming adversity?

    Preparation creates confidence because it gives people something concrete to fall back on when fear and uncertainty appear. Ben explains that his preparation in sports, through film study, training, and repetition, helped quiet self-doubt and gave him confidence when facing difficult situations.

    How can leaders build a foundation for hard times?

    Leaders can build a foundation by clarifying what they believe, writing down their values, and creating a personal creed they can return to. Ben explains that when you are in the valley, having objective truths you have already defined can pull you out of fear and uncertainty.

    Resources

    If you have ever wondered how to stay grounded through the highs and lows of leadership, this conversation is for you. Share it with someone who needs to be reminded that consistency is found in the peaks and valleys.

    Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about leadership, resilience, and the journey from success to significance.

    Will see you at the top, and beyond.

    Jaime Taets



    3 August 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 43 seconds
    Filter the Voices Holding You Back with Giselle Ugarte

    You control more than you think. Giselle Ugarte shares why you're more powerful than you realize and how to stop giving your power away to other people's opinions.

    Giselle Ugarte, performance coach, international speaker, and executive coach, joins Jaime Taets for a candid conversation about control, confidence, authenticity, and the pressure of other people's expectations.

    After leaving college without a plan, Giselle reinvented herself multiple times before launching her own business during the pandemic. She opens up about difficult seasons involving mental health, illness, and identity — and how those experiences taught her to take responsibility for what she can control. She also shares a powerful mindset shift: "Respectfully, you are not my audience." Not everyone who loves you or has an opinion about your choices is qualified to advise you on where you're going next.

    Jaime and Giselle discuss how to filter outside opinions, ask for the support you need, and build a circle that helps you grow. They explore why authentic connection requires someone to go first, how vulnerability creates a ripple effect, and why success is ultimately about using what you've been given to make a positive impact on others.

    Timestamped Chapters

    0:00 Introduction to Giselle Ugarte
    3:05 From TV Host to Entrepreneur: Reinventing Yourself
    7:00 The Importance of Being Seen and Sharing Your Story
    9:00 Health Struggles and Showing Up Authentically
    13:23 Changing Your Identity and Your Circle
    16:00 How to Handle Criticism Without Becoming Defensive
    19:12 Letting Go of Family Approval
    22:58 "Respectfully, You Are Not My Audience"
    25:22 Redefining Success and Creating a Ripple Effect
    29:19 Protecting Your Energy and Building a Reflection Practice
    34:31 Ask for the Support You Need

    Guest Bio

    Giselle Ugarte is a performance coach, international speaker, executive coach, and professional speaker. Her career has included television hosting, multiple career reinventions, and launching her own business during the pandemic. Her work centers on confidence, trusting yourself, authenticity, purpose, and helping people recognize their full potential.

    Giselle is also the creator of Action-Forward Coaching, a confidence and communication boot camp designed to help you be seen and heard.

    Quotes from the Episode

    "Respectfully, you are not my audience."

    "You are in more control than you think."

    "Ask for what you need."

    Leadership Insights

    What does "control more than you think" mean?

    "You control more than you think" means recognizing the areas of your life where you can take responsibility instead of giving all of your power to circumstances, other people, or outside opinions. Giselle encourages listeners to focus on what they can influence, ask for the support they need, and take ownership of the choices available to them.

    How do you know whose advice to listen to?

    Not everyone who gives you advice is qualified to guide your next move. Giselle's framework is to ask whether the person is your audience or a mentor: have they done what you're trying to do, or are they someone you actually want to serve? If not, their opinion may not deserve the weight you're giving it.

    Why is it important to ask for support?

    Many people expect others to read their minds and then feel disappointed when support doesn't come. Giselle explains that asking for help is part of taking responsibility. If you need encouragement, accountability, or a cheerleader, you have to name it and ask for it.

    Resources

    If you have been waiting for permission to stop letting other people's opinions define your path, this is your sign. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that they are in more control than they think.

    Subscribe to View From The Top with Jaime Taets for more conversations about control, confidence, and the journey from success to significance.

    Will see you at the top, and beyond.

    Jaime Taets

    3 August 2026, 2:00 pm
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