Épisodes

  • ReStructured S1E7: You Can’t Lead When You Can’t Breathe
    Dec 9 2025

    In this episode of Restructured, Melissa Terito sits down with her LinkedIn friend, Jaime Thompson, an accountant, longtime business owner, and fellow boundary builder. What starts as a social media connection turns into a real talk on the “boundaries journey” so many professionals face, especially in client serving industries.

    Jaime shares how public accounting trained her in chaos, why endless deadlines and glorified burnout should not be a badge of honor, and the wake up call that forced her to rethink everything. Together, she and Melissa unpack how to set boundaries without losing trust, how to train clients through clear expectations, and why structure is not a wall. It is freedom. From CRMs as a first line of defense to scheduling after hours emails for the next workday, Jaime offers practical ways to protect your time and elevate your service.

    They also explore the deeper stuff: stepping away from your business to see how it runs without you, rebuilding identity when your worth has been tied to output, and embracing community over competition in a profession that is changing fast. Plus, Jaime drops a line you will want on a mug: “You can’t lead when you can’t breathe.”

    If you have been feeling stretched thin, stuck in the grind, or unsure how to say “no” while staying professional, this one is for you.


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    36 min
  • ReStructured S1E6: Out of Office – The Art of Letting Go with Shannon Edwards
    Nov 25 2025

    On today’s episode of ReStructured, Melissa Terito sits down with longtime friend and fellow TPA owner, Shannon Edwards of TriStar, to talk about what it really looks like to build a boundary-first business.

    Shannon shares how she went from 300+ hours of overtime in a CPA firm and hauling bankers’ boxes on girls’ trips to closing her office at noon on Fridays, guarding her weekends, and actually unplugging on vacation (yes, with a real out-of-office that she honors).

    They get into the mindset shift from “I have to be available24/7” to “my team and my network can handle this,” why hobbies like golf and pickleball are non-negotiable for high performers, and how leaders unintentionally hold their people back by doing everything themselves. If you’re a firm owner, partner, or ambitious professional who struggles to step away from your inbox, this conversation will give you permission and practical ideas to protect your time without sacrificing growth.

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    37 min
  • ReStructured S1E5: Boundaries, Breaking Points, and Starting Over
    Nov 11 2025

    What happens when setting a boundary means completely starting over?

    In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Restructured, I sit down with my friend and fellow boundary advocate Jennifer Wiczynski, an ERISA attorney who made a life-changing decision to rebuild her life from the ground up.

    Content note: This episode includes discussion of an unsafe relationship and may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening and skip ahead a few minutes if needed.

    We talk about the moments that push us to draw the line, the difference between setting rules and setting real boundaries, and how both of us have learned to protect our peace while running businesses in a demanding industry.

    It’s a conversation about courage, change, and choosing yourself — even when it’s hard.
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    44 min
  • ReStructured S1E4: Boundaries, Burnout, and the Courage to Redefine Success
    Oct 28 2025

    In this heartfelt and relatable episode, Melissa reconnects with her cousin and longtime friend, Paige Muller, for an honest conversation about the evolution of work, motherhood, and personal boundaries. Paige shares her journey from running a thriving aesthetics business to realizing that “success” wasn’t feeling the way it was supposed to.

    Together, they unpack the hard lessons of entrepreneurial burnout, the power of saying no, and the courage it takes to step off the hamster wheel when life feels unsustainable. From navigating clients’ expectations to learning that “you get what you tolerate,” Paige and Melissa explore how to protect your time, energy, and peace at work and at home.

    They also share practical tips on using technology to set healthy boundaries, reflect on the balance between obligation and expectation, and share a few laughs about family, books, and learning to let go of the pressure to do it all.

    If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, people-pleasing, or finding contentment in your season of life, this episode is for you.

    🎧 Tune in to ReStructured with Melissa Terito, a podcast about redefining boundaries, business, and balance on your own terms.

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    34 min
  • ReStructured S1E3: When Rest Becomes the Hardest Work - Setting Boundaries for Your Health with Amanda Dixon
    Oct 14 2025

    In this episode, I sit down with our very first guest and the podcast’s producer, Amanda Dixon, to talk about one of the toughest (and most important) boundaries we can set: the ones that protect our health.

    Amanda opens up about living with multiple sclerosis and how learning to honor her body’s limits has reshaped the way she works, rests, and leads. We dive into the guilt that comes with slowing down, why rest can feel harder than work, and how pushing past your limits—physically or emotionally—always comes with a cost.

    I also share my own experience with stress-induced hearing loss and how that moment forced me to reexamine the stories I tell myself about productivity and success. Together, we talk about what it really means to listen to your body, communicate your needs, and give yourself and others grace.

    If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting or worried that stepping back means falling behind, this episode is a reminder that protecting your health isn’t selfish; it’s sustainable. Because when you set boundaries around your well-being, you’re not quitting the work—you’re making sure you can keep showing up for it.

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    38 min
  • ReStructured S1E2: Delegation as a Boundary and Letting Go of Fear
    Sep 30 2025

    In this episode, I’m talking about one of my favorite topics—delegation—and how it connects directly to boundaries. Too often we hold back from delegating because we’re afraid someone else will “mess it up” or won’t do it the way we would. But here’s the truth: by refusing to delegate, weoverload ourselves, limit our growth, and block our team from stepping into their potential.

    I share insights from a recent presentation I gave at the Louisiana Society of CPAs Women’s Conference, along with real examples of how delegation has shaped my own career. You’ll hear why fear is the wrong reason not to delegate, how to reframe it as a boundary-setting tool, and why empowering others is key to being a stronger leader.

    If you’ve been hesitating to let go of tasks—even the ones you know you shouldn’t be doing—this episode will help you flip the script and start small. Because setting boundaries through delegation isn’t just about your workload, it’s about creating space for everyone to grow.

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    14 min
  • ReStructured S1E1: Remote Days Your Way
    Sep 15 2025

    In this first official episode of ReStructured, I’m sharing one of the earliest boundaries I ever set as a leader — taking one remote day a week — and how it completely shifted my work, my mindset, and my energy. 🧠⚡

    Long before remote work became the norm, I struggled with the fear of being judged, questioned, or seen as less committed. But what started as a small schedule change turned into a powerful leadership decision — one that helped me stop running on fumes and start showing up with intention.

    If you’ve ever felt behind, burned out, or stuck in the cycle of “being available 24/7,” this episode is for you. It’s not just about remote days — it’s about taking back control and redefining what it really means to lead. 💼✨


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    15 min
  • ReStructured S1 Trailer: A ReIntroduction
    Sep 2 2025

    ✨ New beginnings! In this intro to ReStructured with Melissa Terito, Melissa shares why she’s rebranding from Louisiana Ladies and how her own journey with stress, therapy, and leadership led her to a powerful discovery: boundaries change everything.💡

    This episode sets the stage for honest conversations about workplace culture, leadership struggles, and building a life you actually enjoy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in the “busy Olympics,” or unsure how to say no, this is for you. 🚪➡️💪

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    8 min