Evoke Greatness Podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 177: How to Rise, Lead & Heal After Workplace Toxicity with Kaitlyn Rios (Part 2)In Part 2 of this heartfelt and transformative conversation, Faced With Grace founder Kaitlyn Rios returns to explore the role of mental wellness in overcoming workplace adversity, why asking for help can be the scariest step, and how to build a future of healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures.We talk openly about the stigma surrounding mental health, the shame that often keeps women silent, and why advocacy, both for yourself and for others, is non-negotiable. Kaitlyn also shares her long-term vision for equipping the next generation of female leaders with the tools, awareness, and confidence to recognize and avoid toxic environments before they begin their careers.If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported at work, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to take action, starting with yourself.We explore:Why asking for help is often the hardest and most pivotal stepThe hidden cost of ignoring mental health at workHow generational stigma still impacts conversations around therapy and wellnessPractical ways leaders can create safe spaces for vulnerability without becoming a therapistThe Grit and Grace Collective: Kaitlyn’s vision for mentoring young women before they enter the workforceHow to be a “luminous leader” and make a difference where you are right nowWhy leaving a toxic job isn’t always the only solutionKaitlyn’s most surprising lesson since launching Faced With GraceThe one piece of wisdom she would share if it were her last day on earth🔑 Key takeaways:You are not alone in your struggles, support exists if you’re willing to reach for itMental wellness is as critical as physical health and should be addressed openlyLeaders have the power to reduce stigma by creating space for honest conversationsPreparation and self-awareness can help the next generation avoid toxicity altogetherAdvocacy for yourself is not selfish, it’s essential💡 Quotes to remember:“Never stop advocating for yourself, because you matter.”“If your gut says something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.”“Your journey with mental wellness doesn’t end, it evolves.”📚 Resources mentioned: ✨ Learn more about Faced With Grace: www.facedwithgrace.org 📧 Email Kaitlyn: connect@facedwithgrace.org 🎟️ Register for the August 25th Virtual Speaker Summit: Event Page📲 Connect with Kaitlyn: LinkedIn – Kaitlyn RiosA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 176: How to Rise, Lead & Heal After Workplace Toxicity with Kaitlyn Rios (Part 1)In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Faced With Grace founder Kaitlyn Rios shares her deeply personal journey from surviving a toxic work environment to building a mission-driven organization that empowers women to rise above adversity with confidence, poise, and purpose.We dive into the signs of workplace toxicity, how to recognize them early, and the first small but impactful steps you can take to protect your mental and emotional well-being. Kaitlyn also reveals why purpose is the core value that anchors her mission and the tools she uses to help women transform pain into power.If you’ve ever questioned your worth because of a toxic workplace—or wondered how to turn hardship into meaningful change—this episode will resonate deeply.We explore:The moment that sparked Kaitlyn’s mission to create Faced With GraceHow past workplace trauma can unknowingly follow you into new rolesPractical ways to spot toxicity before it escalatesThe role of mentorship and coaching in navigating and healing from adversityHow to prevent support spaces from becoming complaint sessionsThe five core values that guide Faced With GraceSmall, actionable steps to lead positively—no matter your title🔑 Key takeaways:Toxicity has many faces—learning to spot it early is key to self-preservationPurpose can transform even the lowest moments into a catalyst for changeMentorship provides validation, perspective, and a roadmap forwardLeadership isn’t about titles, it’s about the example you set daily💡 Quotes to remember:“You are not alone. You have a support system here built in.”“Purpose is the anchor that keeps me moving forward, even when it’s hard.”“We can’t always erase trauma—but we can use it to create something better.”📚 Resources mentioned: ✨ Learn more about Faced With Grace: www.facedwithgrace.org📲 Connect with Kaitlyn: LinkedIn – Kaitlyn RiosA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 175: Passing the Baton – Becoming the You That You Were Meant to BeWhat if your old self wasn’t meant to come with you into your next season?In this powerful solo episode, Sonnie unpacks the concept of passing the baton—the idea that we must honor the version of ourselves that got us this far… but also recognize when it’s time to let her go.This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about remembering who you’ve always been, underneath the layers of fear, pressure, people-pleasing, and pain.If you’ve been stuck, restless, or quietly craving a new level of yourself—this is your moment.We explore:Why your old self deserves gratitude, not judgmentA live exercise to reconnect with the version of you who was on fireWhat’s keeping your greatness buried (and how to release it)The patterns that keep you on autopilot and how to interrupt themHow to shift from surviving to creatingWhy your 2.0 self isn’t a fantasy, it’s your truest self waiting to rise🔑 Key takeaways:The version of you that felt brilliant, bold, and confident is still youYour next level requires a new identity...not new credentialsShedding the old isn’t a loss, it’s a returnYou don’t have to hustle for your worthinessIt’s time to say yes to the version of you that’s been waiting💡 Quotes to remember:“Your old self got you this far. Thank her—and then pass the baton.”“You are not behind. You are not too late. You are ready.”“Stop dragging your old identity into a future that wasn’t built for her.”“Don’t let this be a slow burn. Let it be a blaze.”A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 174: How to Build Executive Presence, Resilience, and Real Influence with Whitney Faires (Part 2)In Part 2 of this high-impact conversation, executive coach and leadership expert Whitney Faires returns to unpack the deeper barriers holding leaders back—and how to break through them with clarity, confidence, and courage.We dive into the real cost of unchecked ambition, how to coach even the most resistant high performers, and what it takes to develop executive presence in a noisy, distracted world.If you’ve ever struggled to slow down, stay present, or shift from proving to truly leading—this episode will hit home.We explore:How to redefine executive presence in the age of Zoom, distraction, and burnoutWhy imposter syndrome is more common at the top than you thinkThe keys to coaching high performers who are stuck in ego, resistance, or exhaustionHow ambition can sabotage your impact if left uncheckedWhy mid-level leaders are the most overlooked (and most important) tier in every companyOne daily gut-check Whitney uses to help leaders align with their valuesThe most powerful advice Whitney would give if it were her last day on earth🔑 Key takeaways:Executive presence starts with internal clarity—not external polishResistance isn’t a personality trait, it’s often unprocessed fearAmbition without awareness can hurt your leadership brandYou don’t need a title to lead, but you do need intention💡 Quotes to remember:“If you’re not feeling imposter syndrome, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough.” “Sometimes the greatest things we do are the ones only we believe we can do.” “Development doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has to be intentional.” “We’re not here to drift toward greatness. We have to choose it.”📚 Resources mentioned:✨ Learn more about Whitney’s work and coaching: www.whitneyfaires.com📲 Connect with Whitney: Instagram – @whitney_faires LinkedIn – Whitney FairesA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Whitney Faires, an internationally recognized executive coach and leadership expert, shares her inspiring journey from athlete to executive. She discusses the identity crisis of becoming a working mom and redefines success on her terms. Whitney highlights her Excellence Equation framework, focusing on the essential readiness reality check. She opens up about battling self-doubt and the importance of mentors, while also sharing powerful strategies to manage negative thoughts and promote resilience. Leadership, she asserts, is about courage, not titles.

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 172: Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life If statistics were the deciding factor in my life… I’d be a nobody.I came from a broken home, raised by a single mom who worked three jobs just to keep the lights on. I didn’t graduate high school. By all accounts, I wasn’t supposed to become a CEO, start a business, or lead anything of significance.But statistics don’t determine your destiny, your mindset does.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how your beliefs are building your life ...whether you realize it or not. I share my own journey of breaking free from a fixed mindset and how I rewired the limiting stories I used to tell myself. I also unpack the science of neuroplasticity and how you can start training your brain to believe something better.This one’s for anyone who’s been playing small, shrinking to fit, or wondering if it’s too late to go after something bigger.Here’s what I dive into:Why most people don’t fail from lack of skill, they fail because they feel unworthyThe mindset that kept me stuck for 30+ yearsWhat neuroplasticity is and how it proves you’re never too old to changeHow I went from CNA to CEO...and why I’m just getting started at 47How to audit your self-talk and write a new narrativeWhat to do when shame, fear, or past trauma tries to keep you in your cageAnd why it’s time to walk out of the jail cell that’s been wide open all along🔑 Here’s what I want you to take away:You are not broken. You’re not behind. You’re not too late.You can rewrite your story...starting now.Your brain will believe whatever you train it to.The same voice telling you “you can’t”… can be trained to say “let’s go.”💡 A few things I said that I hope you carry with you:“The thoughts we think and the stories we tell ourselves… become the limits of our lives.” “If the door’s not open, kick it down. If that doesn’t work, find a window. There's always another way.” “You are worthy. You are capable. You are just getting started.” “You don’t need permission. You need belief.”A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 171: Wealthy, Well-Known & Wildly Intentional with AJ Vaden (Part 2)In Part 2 of our powerful conversation, AJ Vaden returns to share what happens after the breakdown, how she redefined identity, rebuilt her priorities, and found peace on the other side of losing everything.From re-centering faith and family to redefining success through obedience and clarity, AJ opens up about the deeper message behind Wealthy and Well-Known and why your past might just be the key to your purpose.We explore:How AJ unraveled the lie that her identity was tied to workWhat obedience looked like after her “super firing”The moment that shifted her question from “Why is this happening?” to “What do you want to teach me?”How she and Rory restructured their life, marriage, and business from the ground upWhy being seen in the struggle creates real connectionThe principle behind her most quoted line: “You are most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were”What she hopes every reader takes away from Wealthy and Well-Known🔑 Key takeaways:Your identity is not your titlePeace starts when purpose takes the leadReal leadership begins in the valleys not the mountaintopsYou don’t need more platforms, you need more alignment💡 Quotes to remember:“Work doesn’t come first anymore. It’s not who we are. It’s what we do.”“Real relationships are found in the struggle.”“You are most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.”📚 Resources mentioned:✨ Order Wealthy and Well-Known: www.wealthyandwellknown.com🎧 Get the audiobook for FREE: freebrandaudiobook.com/aj📲 Follow AJ on Instagram: @aj_vadenA rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 170: Wealthy, Well-Known, and Wildly Intentional — Redefining Success with AJ Vaden (Part 1)In Part 1 of this two-part series, Sonnie sits down with personal branding powerhouse AJ Vaden—co-founder of Brand Builders Group and co-author of the brand-new book Wealthy and Well-Known (pre-order by July 1 for $350.00 in amazing bonuses!).AJ shares her incredible story of reinvention after being “super fired,” losing everything she had built—and the unexpected opportunity that followed with Lewis Howes. This episode is a masterclass in redefining success, reclaiming peace, and building a brand rooted in purpose.We explore:The true meaning of being wealthy (hint: it’s not money or time)Why being well-known is more about alignment than audience sizeHow hustle culture leads to burnout and distractionThe core philosophy behind Brand Builders Group: “Diluted focus gets diluted results”The myth of multiple income streams—and the surprising truth about growthHow AJ and Rory’s lowest point became the launchpad for their life’s workWhy trust and reputation—not followers—are your greatest assetsWhat it really means to be a “mission-driven messenger”🔑 Key takeaways:Peace is the new profit—and it’s available nowYou already have a personal brand… but is it the one you want?Focus is a growth strategy—not a limitationYour greatest influence happens offline, in real relationships💡 Quotes to remember:“You don’t have to have a lot of money or time to have peace… but you do have to live in your purpose to find it.”“Reputation precedes revenue. Value precedes transaction.”📚 Resources mentioned:✨ Pre-order Wealthy and Well-Known by July 1st and claim $350 in free bonuses: https://www.wealthyandwellknown.com/Learn more about AJ’s work at Brand Builders Group: https://www.brandbuildersgroup.com/AJ's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aj_vaden/A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 169: Stop Micromanaging, Start Leading — Building Unbreakable Trust & Navigating Tough Conversations with Ashley Cox (Part 2) In Part 2, Sonnie and Ashley go beyond delegation—straight into the art (and science) of trust. This episode is packed with real talk about what it takes to build a team you can rely on, how to let go of micromanagement for good, and the not-so-obvious reason your toughest conversations are often the most powerful.We explore:Ashley’s “Triangle of Trust” framework—and why most leaders get trust backwardsHow micromanagement destroys trust (and how to fix it)Why your fear of being outshined is holding everyone backHow to balance compassion and assertiveness (even in hard conversations)“Help me understand…”: The 3 words that transform every difficult conversationWhy your team’s “bad boss baggage” is sabotaging success (and what to do about it)The simple mindset shift that turns feedback into fuel for growthWhy real leadership is about love, not control🔑 Key takeaways:You hired smart people—now get out of their wayTrust starts with YOU (and how you show up)Difficult conversations are a muscle—start training it nowCompassion and assertiveness are not opposites; together, they’re unstoppable💡 Quotes to remember:“Love others. See the humanity in each other—it makes all the difference.”📚 Resources mentioned:Ashley Cox’s Empowered Leader Experience: https://ashleycox.co/Connect with Ashley on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-cox-phr-shrm-cp-30565017/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycox.co/A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness

Send us Fan Mail🎧 Episode 168: Stop Micromanaging, Start Leading: Your Guide to Building a Team You Trust with Ashley Cox (Part 1)In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Cox, founder of the Empowered Leader Experience, to unpack why so many women founders and executives feel trapped running their businesses instead of leading them. Ashley shares her own evolution from overworked “worker bee” to empowered mentor and reveals the hard truths and practical solutions that help ambitious women escape burnout, build thriving teams, and reclaim their vision.We explore:The myth of “doing it all” and why it keeps leaders stuck in overwhelmHow self-awareness and ego-checks are the non-negotiable starting points for growthThe damaging leadership advice women are told (“Be tougher, be less emotional…”) and what actually worksWhy your team’s problems are often a mirror of your own leadershipThe control vs. growth paradox: Why you have to let go to level upDelegation 101: How to empower your team without handing over the keys to the kingdomBuilding a culture where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to go above and beyondPractical ways to stretch into letting go (without watching everything fall apart)🔑 Key takeaways:When you let go of ego and listen to feedback, you unlock real leadership potential.Your team’s performance is a direct reflection of your leadership approach.Empathy and vulnerability are strengths, not weaknesses—in fact, they’re how you build high-performing, loyal teams.Effective delegation is about giving others a chance to grow, not abdicating responsibility.When leaders do the hard work of self-awareness, everyone wins: the business, the team, and the leader.💡 Quotes to remember:"If your team isn’t doing what you want them to do, it’s a mirror of your leadership." "Leadership is one of the most vulnerable experiences you’ll ever have—but that’s where greatness is born." "You don’t have to give away the keys to the kingdom to get the help you need."Final wisdom: Stepping back and letting go isn’t just good for your sanity, it’s the key to real growth, for you and everyone you lead.📚 Resources mentioned:Ashley Cox’s Empowered Leader Experience: https://ashleycox.co/Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-cox-phr-shrm-cp-30565017/A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!Rho Discount Code: https://rhonutrition.com/SONNIE15Check out my website: www.evokegreatness.comFollow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonnie-linebarger-899b9a52/https://www.instagram.com/evoke.greatness/https://www.tiktok.com/@evoke.greatnesshttp://www.youtube.com/@evokegreatness