Welcome back to The Ripple Effect Podcast.

Today, you're getting a conversation that hits where it counts. Barbara Burgess joins us for a powerful interview that goes way beyond career talk and straight into what it really takes to move from corporate America to entrepreneurship.

Barbara Burgess is an author, mother, executive, and unapologetic dark-chocolate lover who's embraced the beautiful messiness of life. She founded Corluma (cor = heart, luma = light), a Chicago-based consulting firm; wrote and performed a one-woman show, "The Extraordinary Experience of Being Ordinary"; and most recently wrote her first book, Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations. Known for her humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, Barbara shares simple shifts to help people remember they are enough and have enough. Her ego is kept in healthy check by two teenage children and career adventures that include selling candy bars for Nestle Foods, launching Grainger into internet commerce, a brief marketing stint at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and, most recently, overseeing operations, marketing, and finances as the COO of a non-profit.

Listen until the end because we get real about a lot of interesting topics. We talk about the difference between confidence and self-efficacy, why being an introvert can actually be an advantage in entrepreneurship, and how that "not enough" voice loves to show up when the world is screaming hustle, distraction, and expectations. We also go into executive coaching for tough leaders, what it looks like to face what isn't working without flinching, and the shift that happens when you start living by your own compass instead of somebody else's scoreboard.

If any of that feels familiar, you're in the right place.

Ripple with Barbara Burgess
Website: www.corluma.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barbaraburgess1
Book: www.beenough.com

Ripple with Steve Harper
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When was the last time you truly forgave yourself?

This episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast goes deep into the places we don't talk about often. And I want to thank our special guest, Shawn Mahshie, for showing up with such honesty and courage so we can all learn what real self-forgiveness looks like.

Shawn Mahshie is a coach, author, and thought leader who helps people stop beating themselves up and finally feel safe inside themselves again. After decades of deep inner work and spiritual practice, Shawn discovered that the common thread running through nearly all our struggles is self-abandonment. Out of her own personal crash and rebuild came The Wheel of Self-Forgiveness™: three simple steps that end the inner war and restore unshakable inner safety.

This episode is especially powerful if you've ever struggled with guilt, overthinking, or that constant sense that you're "doing it wrong." Shawn brings deep compassion, clarity, and a grounded framework that helps you move forward without blaming or shaming yourself.

Shawn is also on the cusp of publishing her new book, The Wheel of Self-Forgiveness: 3 Simple Steps to Unconditional Self-Love, Self-Confidence, & Self-Advocacy. As a gift to our listeners, she's also offering a free Wheel of Self-Forgiveness Cheat Sheet, which gives you a practical way to start applying this work immediately.

I truly believe this conversation can create a powerful Ripple in your life if you're willing to lean into it.

Ripple with Shawn Mahshie
Website: https://shawnmahshie.com/
Email: support@shawnmahshie.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmahshie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveThisTime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnmahshie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shawnmahshie2/featured?sub_confirmation=1
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnmahshie

Ripple with Steve Harper
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon
X: https://twitter.com/rippleon
Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com

What if the difference between becoming average and becoming exceptional comes down to who you choose to learn from and the courage to ask for mentorship?

In today's episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, I'm truly honored and excited to interview John A. Dailey, a Marine badass and one of the most compelling voices I've ever had the privilege of interviewing.

John joined the Marines at just seventeen and went on to serve more than twenty years, spending most of that time in special operations with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

John shares powerful leadership lessons forged through real-world experience, including how to earn respect, how to balance mission accomplishment with taking care of your people, and why mentorship is one of the most underrated keys to growth in both military and civilian life. We also talk about mental toughness, grit, and what it really means to lead when the stakes are high.

John earned his MFA in creative writing from UNCW in 2018 and shares his insights through his weekly newsletter, Walking Point, along with his thoughts on building toughness through fitness at RTFU.substack.com.

Ripple with John Dailey
Websites:
https://JADailey.com
https://Walkingpoint.org
Subscribe to the Walking Point newsletter: https://jdailey.substack.com

Ripple with Steve Harper
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon
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X: https://twitter.com/rippleon
Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com