The CEO Sage (Formerly Leadership is Feminine)
You’re vitally important and completely invisible. You’re performing in what you once dreamed. The thing you built to free you has become the thing you’re trapped inside. You've built something real. A business that works. A reputation that precedes you. By every measure, you're succeeding. And something is wrong that you can't quite name. You've tried the frameworks. You've bought the courses. You've followed the gurus. And on some level you know that none of it is going to give you what you're actually looking for, because what you're actually looking for is yourself. This is The CEO Sage—a podcast for the woman who is ready to stop looking outside herself for the answer. Kris Plachy doesn't offer you recipes or tactics or the "real way" to scale your business. She offers you something more rare: permission to listen to what you already know. In intimate, unflinching conversations, she names the truths you've been waiting to hear aloud. That your wisdom matters more than the strategy. That your self-trust is the asset worth protecting. That what feels like failure might actually be an invitation to something better. If you've achieved the success everyone told you to want and discovered it wasn't what you were looking for, this is for you. If you know something needs to change but can't see the path, this is for you. If you're ready to stop performing and start revealing—to yourself first, then to the world—this is for you. The CEO Sage. Where the work of becoming begins with the work of remembering who you already are.
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What If It Could Be Better?
06/15/2026
What If It Could Be Better?
You built something incredible. You made a thing that didn't exist. You're running a multi-million-dollar business, and yes, that's magic. But somewhere along the way, the dream you chased became a box you're trapped in. Kris calls this the quiet crisis. You've achieved the success you set out to create, but now you're drowning in it. You can't leave because too many people depend on you. You can't pivot because you're afraid of losing the revenue, the security, the key people. So you stay, spinning on all the ways it could fall apart. Sound familiar? In this episode, she's talking to the woman who built her empire and is now wondering if this is it. Is this the whole thing? Can you ever be free? And she's offering a completely different way to think about it. What you'll learn: Why the very thing that got you here (risk and adventure) is what you need to keep moving forward How fear becomes the cage you lock yourself into Why losing something might be the best thing that ever happened (and the evidence that proves it) The question she asked herself that changed everything Why you're more trapped when you're too close to the weeds What happens when you reframe from protection mode to belief mode There's a moment early in the episode where Kris talks about Elastigirl from the Incredibles, stretched so far she can't move. That's you right now. Completely maxed out because you've painted such a terrifying picture of what happens if you let go. But what if you're not done building? What if you don't have to just protect what you have, but build something on top of it? The woman who started this business would believe that. Connect with Kris Be sure to hit the Subscribe button for this podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. If this episode landed for you, subscribe to the Sage Letters to go deeper:
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Stop Looking Outside
06/08/2026
Stop Looking Outside
Here's the thing people get wrong. When you see someone doing well, the instinct is to copy what they do. That job they have, that approach they take, that course they're selling. If it works for them, it should work for you, right? Wrong. In this episode, Kris walks through why mimicking someone else's playbook will never be your answer, and why the real issue is that you're looking in the wrong place. She shares her early sales career story, when she was surrounded by people killing it and she was, in her own words, "pretty bad at it." She tried doing what they did and still failed. It wasn't until she stopped copying and started trusting her own instincts that things shifted. What she learned then became everything. The people who get results aren't successful because of what they do. They're successful because of who they are and what they believe. And that doesn't transfer. What you'll learn: — The difference between tactics and wisdom, and why wisdom wins every time — Why copying someone's recipe will always feel off — The ocean metaphor and the undercurrent beneath the noise — How to actually tap into what you already know instead of buying someone else's answer — What happens when you stop looking outside and start listening to yourself — Why you need to invest in your own mind, not the next $37 course The bottom line? You already know. Not in a vague, future-tense way. Right now. The answer lives in you. It might be uncomfortable. You might not like it. You might have already tried it. But you know. The work isn't finding the answer. The work is figuring out why you haven't taken action on what you already know. Connect with Kris- Be sure to hit the Subscribe button for this podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. - If this episode landed for you, subscribe to the Sage Letters to go deeper:
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The Relaunch & What This Actually Is
06/01/2026
The Relaunch & What This Actually Is
If you followed Leadership is Feminine®️, this is going to feel different. Better, actually. Kris takes a beat to explain why she needed to hit pause on the podcast, why she's back, and why the conversation has changed altogether. Turns out, after 15 years in this work and thousands of hours of content, she had some things to sort through. Specifically, what does she actually want her life to look like now? This isn't a philosophical question for her. It's a real one. In this episode, you'll hear about: -Why she restructured her entire life at 53, including moving houses and letting go of almost everything she owned -How she's evolved her approach to coaching and why it requires being in the room with women -What a "wisdom cocktail" is and why you've already got one brewing inside you -Why the path forward for you isn't someone else's instructions, it's your own discover The core of what Kris is building here is space for women who already know the answers to their biggest questions live inside them. Not in a book. Not in someone else's playbook. In them. Because here's the thing. You didn't build a multi-million-dollar business by following instructions. You built it by trusting yourself. And if you're still second-guessing yourself in other areas of your life, she wants to talk about that If you've been listening for years, you know. If you're brand new, settle in. This is the space where women who are done with someone else's version of how to live actually get to design their own. Connect with Kris- Be sure to hit the Subscribe button for this podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. - If this episode landed for you, subscribe to the Sage Letters to go deeper:
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The Courage to Stop A New Chapter in Leadership and Life
11/24/2025
The Courage to Stop A New Chapter in Leadership and Life
What if the bravest act of leadership is knowing when it’s time to pause? In this deeply personal episode, Kris invites listeners into the raw, honest crossroads she’s currently navigating—one marked by completion, uncertainty, and a longing for deeper, more human connection. After nearly 400 episodes, thousands of hours of recording, and decades spent teaching leaders how to lead, she shares the truth many high-achieving women rarely admit out loud: sometimes the thing we’ve mastered is the very thing we’re meant to release. Kris reflects on how leadership hasn’t fundamentally changed—and on the bittersweet realization that she has said everything she came here to say. She talks openly about shifting away from the isolating online model that has defined the last several years and into work that brings her back into rooms, back into community, back into the presence she craves. She also guides listeners through a powerful reframing of accountability—not as pressure, but as profound self-care. Because when we don’t follow through on the promises we make to ourselves, the weight of that avoidance becomes its own burden. Here’s what we explore in this episode: The emotional and practical reality of feeling “complete” in a long-standing body of work Why accountability to yourself is one of the highest forms of self-care The difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it The discomfort, fear, and liberation of honoring the commitments you’ve ignored What it means to pause with integrity, clarity, and agency This episode is a pause, not a goodbye—a moment of truth-telling, gratitude, and trust in what comes next. Contact Information and Recommended Resources If you'd like to stay in touch to receive updates about what we've got coming up, visit
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Before You Hold Anyone Accountable, Start Here
11/17/2025
Before You Hold Anyone Accountable, Start Here
We love the idea of accountability—until it gets uncomfortable. Until it requires us to tell the truth and stop making excuses for what we’ve been tolerating. In this powerful episode, Kris Plachy explores the deep connection between accountability, self-trust, and personal agency—and why even the most successful women can find themselves over-tolerating, over-accommodating, and avoiding difficult conversations. Kris challenges high-achieving women to stop externalizing the problem (“Why won’t they just…”) and instead reclaim responsibility for their own responses, expectations, and results. The truth? Accountability isn’t about controlling others—it’s about your willingness to show up, follow through, and address what needs to be addressed, even when it’s uncomfortable. She reminds listeners that every relationship, every result, and every outcome in your life begins with your own accountability—and that reclaiming this power is the most freeing leadership practice there is. Here’s what we explore in this episode: The link between accountability, self-trust, and self-worth Why high-performing women often struggle to hold others accountable How to stop displacing responsibility and strengthen your personal agency What to ask yourself when someone doesn’t meet expectations How radical accountability unlocks freedom, clarity, and growth This conversation is an invitation to take your power back—not by controlling others, but by mastering the only person you can truly lead: yourself. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Ready to tackle your biggest challenges and set yourself up for an incredible year ahead? Book a Visionary.CEO Starter Session with Kris Plachy to get personalized guidance and your own custom journal to keep you accountable—all designed to help you achieve what you really want. Reserve your spot today at !
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Why Play Belongs in Leadership
11/10/2025
Why Play Belongs in Leadership
In this week’s episode of Leadership is Feminine®, Kris speaks straight to the hearts of high-achieving women who are carrying so much—the businesses they run, the households they manage, the people they care for, and the decisions they make every hour of the day. Kris argues that successful women don’t just deserve joy. They require it. After years of hosting immersive client retreats, she’s seen firsthand what happens when accomplished women are offered a space designed entirely for them: where they don’t have to drive, plan, decide, or take care of anyone. They get to receive. And something powerful happens. They come back to themselves. These experiences aren’t frivolous. They are healing. They restore the spirit of a woman who spends her life pouring into everyone else. Kris makes the case that joy is a strategic investment. And it is necessary if we want to lead sustainably. Here’s what we explore in this episode: The invisible weight successful women silently carry What shifts when women are cared for instead of caretaking How play creates emotional spaciousness and clarity Why joyful rest is a strategic requirement—not a luxury The cultural and personal permission women need to take real breaks This is your invitation to recapture delight—to make room for play, presence, and wonder. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Are you on our list to get first-to-know updates? Visit .
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The Real Cost of Avoiding Accountability
11/03/2025
The Real Cost of Avoiding Accountability
Kris is back with another round of the pet sitting saga—but this time, it’s about more than just unreliable pet sitters. It’s a story about accountability, boundaries, and leadership. Through a string of mishaps (and three fired sitters), Kris explores how these small, personal frustrations mirror the much larger issue of how we manage people in our lives and businesses. When expectations aren’t met, many leaders justify, tolerate, or avoid confrontation. But as Kris shares, avoiding accountability—whether with a pet sitter or an employee—only recycles poor performance and creates a culture of tolerance instead of trust. Here’s what we explore in this episode: Why unmet expectations persist, and what happens when you ignore them The emotional traps of people-pleasing, guilt, and “just letting it slide” How avoidance erodes both trust and leadership confidence The power of holding others—and yourself—accountable with grace, not anger Why mutual accountability is the missing ingredient in healthy workplaces This conversation is an invitation to protect your standards, honor your agreements, and lead with both compassion and clarity—because accountability isn’t cruelty; it’s integrity in action. Contact Information and Recommended Resources It’s time to stop tolerating and start leading. Join me at to learn more about the new Sage Mini-Mastermind that starts November 4th.
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The Power of Discomfort in Developing Real Leaders
10/27/2025
The Power of Discomfort in Developing Real Leaders
This week on Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy and her Director of Operations, Michelle Arant, sit down for an unscripted conversation that captures leadership in its most human form. What started as a casual team discussion turned into a powerful reflection on how we handle discomfort, accountability, and growth — both in business and in life. Through the lens of a lighthearted story about a pet sitter, Kris and Michelle explore how everyday moments can reveal our relationship with responsibility and self-management. They discuss the tendency to over-accommodate others, the generational shifts in resilience and follow-through, and why true leadership demands that we get comfortable being uncomfortable. Their conversation is an honest reminder that friction isn’t failure — it’s feedback. Whether you’re mentoring a new hire, raising kids, or running a multimillion-dollar company, the path to better leadership begins with allowing discomfort to do its work. Here’s what we explore in this episode: How discomfort helps us build capacity for growth and leadership The difference between supporting someone and over-accommodating them Why avoiding friction can unintentionally stunt development — for ourselves and others How leaders can model resilience and self-accountability through their own behavior What small, everyday moments can reveal about how we handle responsibility Why embracing discomfort may be the most undervalued leadership skill of all This conversation invites you to pause and ask: Where am I protecting others — or myself — from the very discomfort that could lead to growth? Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna join us for the Sage Mini Mastermind? Visit to learn the details and register.
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Brainkeeping: The Leadership Practice You Didn’t Know You Needed
10/20/2025
Brainkeeping: The Leadership Practice You Didn’t Know You Needed
What if your mind needed the same care as your home? In this episode, Kris introduces the concept of brainkeeping—a leadership practice as vital as housekeeping. Just as we tidy our physical spaces, our mental and emotional spaces require regular clearing, reflection, and renewal. Kris shares how her lifelong curiosity and deep conversations with friends and clients have shaped her unique approach to coaching high-achieving women. Through brainkeeping she helps leaders sort through the clutter of overthinking, self-doubt, and noise—so they can access their clarity, wisdom, and creativity. She explores why so many women leaders stay in constant motion, what happens when you stop long enough to ask “why,” and how stillness and inquiry can become your most powerful strategic tools. Here’s what we explore in this episode: What “brainkeeping” really means—and why every visionary woman needs it How curiosity can reconnect you with your own wisdom The cost of constant noise and the value of intentional reflection How mental clutter impacts leadership and decision-making Finding your own form of replenishment, whether it’s reflection, movement, or community This conversation is an invitation to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect with your mind—the most valuable asset you have as a leader. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Ready for your own Brainkeeping? Join the Sage Mini Mind Interest List Today!
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Stop Wing-ing It: Make Your Business an Asset (Not a Job)
10/13/2025
Stop Wing-ing It: Make Your Business an Asset (Not a Job)
As we head into the final quarter of the year, Kris invites you to shift your focus—from running the business to owning the business. She challenges high-achieving female founders to stop operating on autopilot and start thinking like the visionary asset holders they are. Too many women spend years building companies without ever asking the most important question: What’s the plan? Whether you eventually want to sell, scale back, or simply create more freedom, your business deserves a clear direction—and so do you. Kris also introduces the Sage Mini Mastermind, a 12-week experience for women running multi-million-dollar businesses who are ready to step out of the weeds, lead from wisdom, and build a business that runs beautifully—with or without them. Here’s what we explore in this episode: Why “normal” growth years don’t mean failure—and how to talk to yourself about success differently How to approach bonuses and performance evaluations with clarity and confidence The difference between running a business and owning one—and why most founders avoid exit planning How to assess your business’s readiness to run without you Transitioning from “decider-in-chief” to advisor and visionary Turning your experience, intuition, and wisdom into tangible business assets through a personal “mind bank” This episode is your reminder that your company isn’t just a vehicle for achievement—it’s an asset for freedom. The Sage Era begins when you stop measuring success by how busy you are and start designing your business to serve the woman you’ve become. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Don’t leave your biggest asset to chance—get on the Sage Mini Mastermind waitlist now at .
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Tactical Advice Won’t Save You, But Self-Trust Will
10/06/2025
Tactical Advice Won’t Save You, But Self-Trust Will
What does it feel like to finally stop overworking, over-explaining, and over-proving—and instead lead from a place of grounded confidence? In this episode, Kris shows us what life and leadership look like when self-trust and self-worth are fully integrated. She shares the story of a client who went from being minimized by her partners to running a thriving $10M company while taking a guilt-free month away from her business. This transformation illustrates the power of moving beyond surface-level fixes to address the root issue: believing yourself and believing in yourself. Kris outlines the real markers of integration: working in resonance instead of overwork, resting as a source of strength, setting boundaries without apology, and claiming your right to joy and desire. This is the Sage Era—where your wisdom serves not just you, but those you lead and influence. Here’s what we explore in this episode: Why releasing your business as your identity opens up freedom and clarity How guilt, self-doubt, and over-functioning fade once trust and worth align The role of inner authority in creating decisions rooted in self-belief What it means to model Sage leadership for the women who come after you This conversation is an invitation into the Sage Era—where your wisdom, value, and authority aren’t up for debate. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight.
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Success Won’t Fix Your Worthiness Problem
09/29/2025
Success Won’t Fix Your Worthiness Problem
What if your worth wasn’t tied to your revenue, your output, or anyone else’s approval? In this episode, Kris takes us deeper into the heart of worthiness and why so many high-achieving women still wrestle with believing in themselves—even after building successful companies, raising families, and achieving goals most people only dream of. Kris breaks down the difference between self-trust (believing yourself) and self-worth (believing in yourself), and why the latter is the quiet, constant hum that shapes everything you do. She explores how conditional worth shows up in subtle ways—like people pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, or downplaying your own success—and why guilt over what you’ve built is often a sign you don’t fully own your value yet. Here’s what we explore in this episode: The false scorecards and hidden “supervisors” you’ve been measuring yourself against Why women tie worth to achievement, perfection, or proving How guilt for your success erodes confidence and leadership Why rest can be a radical act of reclaiming value What it looks like to live differently when you truly know your worth This episode is your invitation to stop proving, release guilt, and reclaim the truth: you are already the prize. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight.
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Stop Compartmentalizing Your Confidence
09/22/2025
Stop Compartmentalizing Your Confidence
Why can you trust yourself to build a multimillion-dollar company—but not to have one hard conversation? In this episode, Kris pulls back the curtain on the anatomy of self-trust. From visionary ideas to money, health, relationships, and leadership, she reveals why so many women compartmentalize their confidence—rock solid in some domains, shaky in others. You’ll hear how past experiences, identity “totems,” and cultural conditioning quietly erode our confidence, and why fear, vulnerability, and inherited stories often dictate where we doubt ourselves most. More importantly, Kris shows you how to begin repairing that trust—through awareness, reframing, and practice—so you can finally stop second-guessing and start standing fully in the leader you already are. Here’s what we explore in this episode: The surprising gap between visionary trust and day-to-day confidence The different domains of self-trust—and where women most often stumble How identity, environment, and old narratives shape what you believe about yourself Why it feels safer to trust money or process than people or intuition Practical ways to build competence and leverage your strengths to close the gaps This episode calls you to stop treating self-trust like a mystery and start treating it like a skill. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start believing yourself again. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight.
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Breaking the Generational Code of Self-Doubt
09/15/2025
Breaking the Generational Code of Self-Doubt
Why do so many accomplished women still doubt themselves—even after building extraordinary lives and businesses? Kris continues her Self-Trust & Self-Worth mini-series with a powerful exploration of the programming women inherit from generations before us. She invites us to reflect on the systemic, cultural, and ancestral patterns that quietly shape how women value themselves—and why even the most accomplished female founders still lie awake at night second-guessing their own decisions. From hiding success out of guilt to resisting difficult conversations at work, Kris shows how the paradox of female leadership is never about capability—it’s about the stories we’ve absorbed about what women “should” be. And she challenges us to stop playing small, stop apologizing for what we’ve built, and start owning the lives we’ve worked so hard to create. Here’s what we explore: Why inherited programming makes self-trust harder for women than men The cultural double standard that shames women for success How female founders get boxed in by guilt, doubt, and “shoulds” The hidden cost of over-functioning and perfectionism Why leadership requires both confidence and compassion This episode is your reminder that you are not broken—and you’re not alone. The work ahead isn’t about fixing yourself, it’s about unlearning what never belonged to you in the first place. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight.
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What Happens When You Finally Believe in Yourself
09/08/2025
What Happens When You Finally Believe in Yourself
Kris launches a brand-new mini-series with a masterclass on Self-Trust and Self-Worth for Female Founders. And she encourages us to ask: Why do we trust ourselves to build entire businesses—but not to have one hard conversation? After wrapping the seven transitions of Beyond the CEO, this next season dives deeper—into the paradox that so many successful women face: the ability to make bold, visionary moves while quietly second-guessing themselves in the day-to-day. Across the next five weeks, you’ll hear Kris unpack her full Self-Trust and Self-Worth masterclass, designed to help you see how every “tactical” problem—whether it’s firing someone, raising your rates, or stepping back from the business—is rooted in how much you believe yourself, and how much you believe in yourself. Here’s what we explore: The paradox of female founders: bold vision paired with constant second-guessing The difference between self-trust (“I believe myself”) and self-worth (“I believe in myself”) Why tactical problems are often symptoms of deeper trust and worth issues How overachievement and shame fuel cycles of exhaustion and over-functioning What changes when you finally believe yourself and believe in yourself This episode is your invitation to stop treating the symptoms and start healing the root. Because when you strengthen self-trust and self-worth, you don’t just lead better—you build a business and a life that finally feels aligned with the woman you’ve already proven yourself to be. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Your journey starts with clarity. Head to and take the Self-Trust & Self-Worth Index Kris designed to give you immediate insight.
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The Most Overlooked Step Between Leading and Leaving
09/01/2025
The Most Overlooked Step Between Leading and Leaving
What’s your plan for the business you’ve worked so hard to build? After walking through all seven transitions in the Beyond the CEO series, Kris is turning her focus to what comes next: the tactical and strategic steps every founder must take to ensure the business can run—and even thrive—without her constant presence. This isn’t just about getting through today’s to-do list. It’s about preparing your business, your team, and yourself for what’s ahead—whether that’s scaling, exiting, or simply reclaiming more of your life. Because the truth is, too many women wait until they’re burned out before asking the hard questions: Is my business ready? Am I ready? What happens after this season ends? Here’s what we explore: Why a team audit is as essential as cleaning out your closet The leadership shift from telling to asking—and how it changes everything How to capture your wisdom and IP so others can use it without you The possibility of creating generational wealth through an exit Why retirement isn’t the end—it’s a call to design a future with purpose This episode is your invitation to stop avoiding the practical steps and start laying the foundation for a business you can lead and leave. Because the earlier you prepare, the more options you have—and the more freedom you create to design what’s next. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna know more details about the Sage: Coaching for Female Founders that will be starting in October? Visit to add your name to the interest list.
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The Transition That Changes Everything
08/25/2025
The Transition That Changes Everything
Are you willing to release control and trust others with what you’ve built In this episode, Kris closes out the Beyond the CEO series by walking through the final transitions that take you from structure and strategy into wisdom and possibility. It’s not just about building processes—it’s about letting go of false truths, reclaiming clarity, playing without an agenda, and stepping fully into Sage energy. This is where leadership becomes less about control and more about trust, curiosity, and freedom. Here’s what we explore: The surprising power of asking “What do you think?” instead of giving answers Why restless, “itchy” seasons are signs of growth, not failure How boredom after success reveals what was missing all along The trap of being needed versus the freedom of being trusted What Sage energy looks like in practice—and why it always whispers, “There’s more. This episode is your invitation to stop defaulting to what’s inherited, expected, or safe—and start building a business you can both lead and leave. Because when you do, you create the freedom to explore what’s next and the impact to feed the future with your wisdom. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Interested in more of what we've been teaching here? Visit to add your name to the interest list. Want some coaching on these transitions I've been featuring in this series? Visit to learn more and submit an application. If selected, your call will be published on this podcast in future episodes.
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Your Next Chapter Won’t Come From Your Old Blueprint
08/18/2025
Your Next Chapter Won’t Come From Your Old Blueprint
Have you been intentional about what stays in your life—and what goes? If you’ve been following this special Beyond the CEO mini-series on the seven transitions every founder must face, you know last week was all about play, curiosity, and exploration. Now, in Transition Six—Intentional Design—we take everything you’ve discovered in that playful, curious phase and start shaping it into a grounded, deliberate vision for what’s next. This isn’t about hustling toward another “should.” It’s about building your next chapter with clarity, purpose, and your own rules. Kris shares why this stage only works if you’ve truly given yourself the gift of experimentation first—and how skipping that step leads to recreating the same patterns you’ve outgrown. She walks through her own clarity breakthroughs (including a newfound love of pickleball, hosting in-person gatherings, and refining her environment) and invites you to ask yourself: What’s in? What’s out? What’s worth designing into the next version of your life? Here’s what we explore: Why play and exploration are prerequisites for true clarity How to sculpt a new vision without dragging old expectations into it The importance of refining, not just adding Why environment, people, and commitments all deserve intentional choice How universal truths guide every stage of your evolution This episode is your invitation to stop defaulting to what’s inherited, expected, or safe—and start crafting a life and business that reflects the woman you are now. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I’ve got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the and opt in. Join me in Hawaii Learn more at
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You Don’t Have to Stay in Your Comfort Cage
08/11/2025
You Don’t Have to Stay in Your Comfort Cage
Play. Stillness. Curiosity. When did you stop giving yourself that permission? You’re going through the motions in a life you once dreamed of—and wondering when that dream stopped being yours. In this episode—the next in Kris's series on the seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate—she invites you to consider the one most of us avoid: curiosity, play, and exploration. This isn’t a conversation about productivity or purpose. It’s about what happens when you finally lift your head, look around, and realize: the version of you running the show today isn’t the woman you were 20 years ago. So why are you still living like she’s in charge? Kris shares stories from two recent retreats—including the meditations, discomfort, and unexpected conversations that shook something loose. And she poses a question that might just be your wake-up call: What if it doesn’t matter which path you choose next—only that it brings you joy? Here’s what we explore: Why women who “have it all” still feel restless The comfort cage—and how it tricks you into staying stuck How exploration opens doors clarity alone never could Why you owe it to yourself (and your future) to get uncomfortable The identity shift that comes from doing something—anything—new You can’t find what’s next wearing the coat of who you used to be. So try something on. See how it fits. And don’t be surprised if it changes everything. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I’ve got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the and opt in. Loving the podcast? Let me know. If this episode resonated with you, would you take a moment to leave a quick review on iTunes or Spotify? It means the world—and it helps more women find this work. As a thank you, I have a little something I’d love to send your way. Just email a screenshot of your review to hello@thevisionaryceo.com.
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The Striver’s Dilemma: Who Are You Without the Push?
08/04/2025
The Striver’s Dilemma: Who Are You Without the Push?
In this fourth installment of the Seven Transitions Every Successful Woman Must Navigate series, Kris explores the fog that can settle in after years of striving, building, leading, and achieving. When the urgency fades, when the goals have been met, when your days are no longer dictated by survival or ambition... who are you now? This is the striver’s dilemma. In this episode, Kris shares reflections from two recent retreats—one with Arthur Brooks, one with Rebecca Campbell—that offered wildly different but equally profound insights. She weaves together data, mysticism, and lived experience to guide you through the discomfort (and deep potential) of Transition Four: Reclaiming Future Clarity. You’ll hear: Why dreaming after success feels murky, not magical How the absence of urgency can feel disorienting instead of freeing The one question to ask before launching into your next project or business Why the next version of you won’t be found in a revenue dashboard or your to-do list If you’re standing in the in-between—done with what was, unsure of what’s next—this episode will meet you there. Not with answers, but with the kind of questions that can change everything. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I’ve got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the and opt in. Loving the podcast? Let me know. If this episode resonated with you, would you take a moment to leave a quick review on iTunes or Spotify? It means the world—and it helps more women find this work. As a thank you, I have a little something I’d love to send your way. Just email a screenshot of your review to hello@thevisionaryceo.com.
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If You’re Still Holding On, What Are You Really Afraid Of?
07/28/2025
If You’re Still Holding On, What Are You Really Afraid Of?
You’re not trapped by your business, your team, or even your schedule. You’re trapped by the stories you’ve been telling yourself about what has to happen next. In this third installment of the special mini-series on the seven transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it’s time for something new, Kris unpacks the beliefs that quietly hold you back—the false truths that keep high-achieving women stuck in businesses they’ve already outgrown. She gets right to the heart of the stories we cling to when we’re afraid to move on, and dismantles them one by one. Like the belief that if you step back and the business doesn’t thrive, you’ve failed. That if you’re no longer running things, you’ve somehow lost your relevance. That wanting something new makes you ungrateful—or worse, that letting go means it was never enough to begin with. Here’s what we explore: Why it’s not your job to make the business live forever How to let go without guilt, shame, or fear of becoming invisible The difference between relevance and resonance—and why resonance is what actually matters What it means to be a woman in transition and still be powerful How to redefine your value outside of what you produce This episode is not about dismantling your success—it’s about unhooking from the beliefs that keep you small, tired, and holding on too tightly. Contact Information and Recommended Resources The best way to stay in the know? Get on the list. I’ve got some exciting things coming your way, and I always share with my email list first. Head to the and opt in.
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From Operator to Advisor: What Your Business Really Needs From You Now
07/21/2025
From Operator to Advisor: What Your Business Really Needs From You Now
Are you the biggest bottleneck in your business—and don’t even realize it? You didn’t build your company to babysit it. But if you’re still the one making every call, solving every fire, and holding the reins so tightly no one else can lead...this episode is your wake-up call. In this second installment of the special mini-series on the seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it’s time for something new, Kris explores what it really means to step into the advisory consultant role for the very business you created and the team you built. If you’ve ever felt the urge to evolve beyond the business you built, this is your roadmap—and your invitation. It’s not just about delegation. It’s about identity. Because learning to release control doesn’t start with your team—it starts with you. Letting go of being the person who approves every decision, solves every problem, or catches every dropped ball requires more than systems—it requires a shift in who you believe yourself to be. Kris walks through why founders get stuck in a cycle of over-functioning, how perfectionism masks fear, and why holding the metaphorical bat too tightly means no one else will dare take a swing. Here’s what we explore: The difference between being essential and being in the way Why your team may be relying on you more than they need to What mentorship and true leadership actually look like How to grow your business by getting out of the weeds What really happens—emotionally and practically—when you loosen your grip This episode calls you forward—not to abandon your company, but to evolve into a different kind of leader: one who guides instead of manages, who advises instead of reacts, and who trusts her team to rise. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna know if your business is ready to run without you? Take the short quiz here: .
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When You’re Ready to Move On, But You’re Still Afraid to Let Go
07/13/2025
When You’re Ready to Move On, But You’re Still Afraid to Let Go
You say you want freedom. But are you really ready for it? This week, Kris kicks off the first of seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it’s time for something new. It starts with a brutally honest question: Is your business ready to run without you? And are you ready to let it? In this episode, Kris unpacks what readiness really means—not just logistically, but emotionally. Because saying you’re done and being done are two very different things. Here’s what we explore: The trap of being needed—and why it’s so hard to let go How your team might be holding you back (even if they mean well) Why control feels safer than it really is And how to know if you’re truly ready for what’s next This isn’t about stepping down. It’s about stepping into a new version of you. And readiness is just the beginning. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Wanna know if your business is ready to run without you? Take the short quiz here: . The One Hour Leader Blueprint The One Hour Leader Coach 0
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What About The Restless Leader: A Call to Explore What’s Next
07/07/2025
What About The Restless Leader: A Call to Explore What’s Next
This season marks a turning point—not just for the podcast, but for the visionary women who listen. If you’ve ever wondered what comes after success, you’re in the right place. In this kickoff to a brand-new series, Kris introduces a deeply personal—and much-needed—conversation: what it means to go beyond the CEO. Because sometimes, the biggest transition isn’t building the business... it’s releasing your grip on it. Here’s what we explore: What it really takes to prepare your business (and yourself) to function without you Why staying too long might be holding you—and your team—back How AI and legacy leadership tools can still support your team while you evolve This isn’t about retirement. It’s about reinvention. And if you’re feeling restless, you’re not alone. Tune in now and meet the woman you’re becoming—one transition at a time. And be sure to listen to upcoming episodes as Kris explores the seven transitions every founder must face to move into her next chapter. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest. The One Hour Leader Blueprint The One Hour Leader Coach
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When Leadership Isn’t Enough Anymore—And You Know It’s Time to Evolve
06/30/2025
When Leadership Isn’t Enough Anymore—And You Know It’s Time to Evolve
You built the business. You built the team. You built the life. But now… what? This is the moment no one warns you about. When the business you poured everything into is running—maybe even thriving—but you feel restless. Detached. Like maybe you’ve outgrown what once felt like everything. In this episode, Kris Plachy opens the door to a new conversation—one that’s been quietly forming behind the scenes. This isn’t a pivot away from leadership. It’s a leap into deeper truth. She speaks directly to the woman who’s questioning what’s next: The one who can’t imagine walking away, but can’t imagine staying the same. The one who keeps showing up for her business, but secretly wonders if it’s still hers to love. The one who has succeeded by every metric but still lies awake at night asking, “Who am I now?” It’s time to meet her—the woman beyond the CEO. Here’s what we explore The raw emotional terrain of success that no one prepares you for Why so many Gen X founders are hearing a whisper they can’t ignore The difference between leaving a business and leaving yourself behind And how to start writing the next chapter—without rushing the ending of this one If you’ve built a beautiful business but you’re starting to dream in a new direction, Kris made this episode for you. This is your invitation to the age era. And Kris will meet you there. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest.
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Live Coaching Conversation: When the Mask Comes Off—and You Finally Say What You Want
06/23/2025
Live Coaching Conversation: When the Mask Comes Off—and You Finally Say What You Want
This one’s raw. Tender. And so incredibly real. My client came into this conversation thinking she needed clarity. She was looking for the right answers—about her role, her goals, her business. But what came out was something much more vulnerable: the pressure to perform, the fear of letting people down, and the quiet ache of not being fully seen. This episode is a front-row seat to what happens when a powerful woman stops performing and starts telling the truth. Here’s what we explore: The invisible cost of always being ‘the capable one’ What it really feels like to outgrow your own success How to let your soul lead—especially when your head says, “Just keep going” This is the unfiltered, Beyond the CEO moment so many women never get to speak out loud—but you’ll hear it here. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest.
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Live Coaching Conversation: You Can’t Pivot Until You Admit You’re Done
06/16/2025
Live Coaching Conversation: You Can’t Pivot Until You Admit You’re Done
This one hit deep. I’m talking to a founder who’s done everything “right.” Built the business. Achieved success. Carried the weight. But now… she’s just tired. Tired of running, of holding it all together, of pretending she still wants what she once did. She thought we’d be talking about planning and priorities. Instead, we had one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever had with a woman who’s quietly—and bravely—acknowledging that her current chapter is over. In this episode, we talk about: The invisible weight of being everyone’s go-to What it means when your ambition fades—but your worth hasn’t Why admitting you’re done is the first brave step toward your next beautiful beginning This is Beyond the CEO work in real time. And if you’ve been secretly wondering if you’re allowed to want something new, this episode is your permission slip. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest.
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Live Coaching Conversation: When You’re Ready to Let Go, But Don’t Know What Comes Next
06/09/2025
Live Coaching Conversation: When You’re Ready to Let Go, But Don’t Know What Comes Next
This episode is for the woman who’s built a thriving business—and still hears a quiet voice inside asking, “Is this really it?” My client came to this session frustrated with herself for not trusting her team or delegating enough. But what we uncovered wasn’t about delegation at all. It was about the fear of stepping away. The pressure to keep going. And the guilt that creeps in when you consider wanting more for yourself… or maybe something entirely different. In this deeply moving conversation, you’ll hear: What’s really behind the resistance to let go (hint: it’s not about your team) The hidden grief and identity loss so many women feel as they evolve beyond the CEO role Why wanting more space, more freedom, or a different life doesn’t make you ungrateful—it makes you ready This is the kind of conversation most women are having only in their heads. But here, we say it out loud. And that’s where the real shift begins. Listen now—and if it speaks to you, leave a review and share it with a woman you admire who might be in her own what’s next moment. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest.
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Live Coaching Conversation: Spotting the Right Hire in 5 Minutes
06/02/2025
Live Coaching Conversation: Spotting the Right Hire in 5 Minutes
Ever hired someone because they “seemed great”... and then spent months wondering what the hell happened? This week on Leadership is Feminine starts the series where I am letting you listen in on actual coaching conversations with female founders. I coach a founder who’s been there. She’s rebuilding her team—and this time, she’s determined to do it differently. No more hiring based on a hunch. No more hoping a great personality will magically turn into aligned performance. Instead? She’s learning to ask better questions, speak her expectations out loud (not just assume them), and trust herself in the interview process—not just the person sitting across the table. You’ll hear us: Workshop real interview questions (and rewrite the fluff into clarity) Role-play what it sounds like to actually vet for values Talk through the emotional aftermath of a few painful mis-hires—and how to give yourself grace and move forward with more strength Whether you’re hiring right now or just thinking about the next addition to your team, this conversation will change the way you think about values, culture, and your own role as the leader of both. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to to register your interest.
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The Question Every Successful Woman Eventually Asks
05/26/2025
The Question Every Successful Woman Eventually Asks
What if the next step in your evolution has nothing to do with scaling, systems, or solving that one nagging employee issue—and everything to do with who you’re becoming? In this very personal episode, Kris Plachy sets the stage for a powerful shift. If you've been a long-time listener—or a longtime leader—you’ll want to hear where we’re going next. Because truthfully? You’re probably already feeling it. The tension. The boredom. The subtle restlessness that success didn’t solve. This episode isn’t tactical. It’s transformational. It’s for the woman who has checked every box... and still wonders: What now? Who am I beyond the CEO? Kris shares why she’s retiring her signature leadership programs, what inspired her to pivot her entire body of work, and how she’s now guiding high-level women through the most important work of their lives—not in their business, but in themselves. Key Takeaways From This Episode Why “dealing with Rhonda in accounting” was never really the work—and what actually is. The moment Kris knew she had outgrown her own vision—and what she did about it. How the Sage Era is calling successful women into deeper territory and new identities. The biggest lie high-achieving women tell themselves that keeps them stuck in roles they’ve outgrown. A first invitation to explore Beyond the CEO—starting with a two-day, live gathering in Sonoma. If you’ve been quietly wondering… is this it? This episode is for you. And it’s the beginning of a new conversation. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Beyond the CEO is a two-day experience for women ready to step into their Sage Era—those seeking rich conversations, deep connection, and a meaningful next chapter. If you're interested in learning more about the live event, go to
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