The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

Welcome to The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, a podcast for women who are founding and getting found with their businesses online. I’m your host Molly Knuth, and my mission is to help women in rewrite how we live and work on our own terms. We want to grow families, impact others for the better, and be a positive force in our communities…but we also want to have a fulfilling life, ya know? In the past 6 years I’ve gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos and our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What I’ve learned in that time is that it’s not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy a business owner. It takes you leaning into your unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who you are as a person along the way. So come along for lessons and stories from female founders growing and scaling businesses with energetics, tried-and-true tactics, and high-vibe personal growth. Be ready to get found.

262: Six Reasons 2026 Is Your Year to Finally Start That Business 07/22/2026

261: 7 Truths About Rural America They Don't Want You to Hear 07/15/2026

260: What Table Were You Actually Built For? A Self-Leadership Framework for Small Town Business Owners 07/08/2026

260: What Table Were You Actually Built For? A Self-Leadership Framework for Small Town Business Owners This one is personal. Episode 260 is a solo cast, and it's the episode I've been sitting with for a while. I'm sharing what's been happening in real time in my career this year, not as a pivot story or a comeback story, but as a self-leadership story. Because I think a lot of people listening right now are living inside someone else's version of success and just don't have the language for it yet. This episode is that language. I'm talking about what happened when I chased bigger clients, bigger cities, bigger budgets...and why something still didn't feel right. I'm talking about the small moments of friction that accumulated until I couldn't ignore them. And I'm sharing the four-step self-leadership framework that helped me stop asking how do I get to the bigger table, and start asking what table was I actually built for. In This Episode: The honest truth about what I was chasing when I stepped away from Molly Knuth Media in 2025 Why "bigger is better" is a societal signal that hits especially hard when you're from a small town of 2,000 people What it actually felt like to sit in those bigger rooms with bigger clients and still feel something was off Why coming back to small town small business was not the easy choice, and why I had to own it as a decision and not a fallback The difference between settling and deciding, and why that distinction changes everything The 4-step self-leadership framework for naming, noticing, asking, and choosing What I want every small town business owner to hear before the back half of 2026 The 4-Step Self-Leadership Framework: Step 1: Name whose definition of success you've been chasing Step 2: Notice the signals that tell you when you're in alignment and when you're not Step 3: Ask the real question: what table was I actually built for? Step 4: Choose it on purpose, with full information and without apology Find Molly: Website: Instagram: @mollyknuth Email: molly@mollyknuthmedia.com Listen and Subscribe: I want to hear from you after this one. What are you choosing for yourself in the back half of 2026? Reach out on Instagram or send me an email to discuss! /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41967530

259: 28% Is Not Enough: Sarah Jakle on DemocraShe, Civic Engagement, and Why High School Girls Are the Future of Government 07/01/2026

259: 28% Is Not Enough: Sarah Jakle on DemocraShe, Civic Engagement, and Why High School Girls Are the Future of Government I get pitches in my inbox every day. Most of them I can't fit into the schedule, no matter how great they are. This one stopped me cold. Sarah Jakle is the founder and executive director of DemocraShe, a nonpartisan nonprofit offering free online training to high school girls in evidence-based resiliency skills, leadership, and civic engagement. They pay their participants $15 an hour. They recruit specifically from historically underrepresented communities. They are 90% girls of color and 70% first-generation Americans. And they have a wait list seven times longer than their current capacity. Only 28% of Congress is women. Only 11% is women of color. Sarah and her organization are doing something about that, and they're starting in high school, because that's the last time boys and girls believe equally that they can run for office. This conversation genuinely moved me. Have a notebook ready. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Why Sarah started DemocraShe after watching the 2020 election, and what she saw that nobody was addressing The two specific barriers she identified: women not seeing themselves as candidates and the outsized harassment women face when they do run Why DemocraShe pays its participants $15 an hour, and what that teaches young women beyond the paycheck The peer-led model: why the program is built by the girls, for the girls, from the name to the curriculum to the workshops The nervous system tools built into every session: grounding, the inner best friend, savoring, and the Viktor Frankl quote you will want on your vision board Why community over competition has to be taught early, while young women's brains are still neuroplastic Sarah's own story: being told in 2014 she would never work again, and how the same skills she now teaches girls are what got her back up How to Get Involved: Apply to the program: Donate to support paid participation and program access: Listen and Subscribe: If this episode fired something up in you, share it with a high school girl in your life. Or a parent. Or a teacher. Or anyone who needs to hear that running for office is a birthright, not a privilege reserved for a certain kind of person. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41853035

258: In Order to Succeed, Help Others Succeed First: Josie Manternach on Teaching, Military Life, and Making a Difference in Rural Iowa 06/24/2026

258: In Order to Succeed, Help Others Succeed First: Josie Manternach on Teaching, Military Life, and Making a Difference in Rural Iowa I've known Josie Manternach since she was roughly in first grade, and I still learned things about her in this conversation that I didn't know. Josie is an educator by trade, a military spouse, a mom, and now a community impact leader at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. But the path that got her there? It's the kind of story that is going to hit differently depending on where you are right now, whether you're holding tightly to a plan that's starting to unravel, or you're on the other side of a pivot wondering how all the pieces are going to fit together. She grew up in Cascade, fell in love with the ag room at Cascade High School, went to Iowa State to become an ag teacher, and had what she thought was her whole life figured out. Then came a retirement, a once-in-a-lifetime job offer, a Navy JAG program acceptance, a cross-country move, a pandemic, a baby, a thesis, and eventually... a path back home that looked different from the one she'd imagined. Every single step of it makes sense when you hear her tell it. What You'll Hear in This Episode: How the ag room at Cascade High School shaped Josie's entire career trajectory (and why belonging matters more than we think) The once-in-a-lifetime job offer that arrived at the exact same moment as her husband's Navy JAG acceptance What it felt like to leave the dream job she thought she'd retire from...at age 24 Life as a military spouse: navigating DC, Florida, a pandemic, a newborn, and starting over more than once How she learned to build community from scratch in places where she didn't know anyone Teaching middle school science in Maryland, working in higher ed in Florida, and what each season taught her Completing a master's thesis through Ohio State while working full time and raising a toddler Her current work at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque: dyslexia tutoring, rural teacher retention, third grade literacy, and the grad partnership initiative The stat that stopped me cold: 47 students now receiving dyslexia tutoring weekly in Dubuque...where two years ago there were zero local options Resources and Links: Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque: : coming this summer at Camp Little Cloud in Epworth Contact directly through the Community Foundation website Listen and Subscribe: If Josie's story resonated with you, share it with someone who is in the middle of a plan that just got disrupted. This one is for them. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41716685

257: Stand at Your Full Height: Serin Silva on Nervous System Leadership, Energy Work, and the Future of Heart-Centered Business 06/17/2026

257: Stand at Your Full Height: Serin Silva on Nervous System Leadership, Energy Work, and the Future of Heart-Centered Business I told you this was going to be a different kind of conversation, and I meant it. Serin Silva spent two decades inside high-pressure corporate environments at companies like MSNBC and Hearst, leading integration communications for billion-dollar acquisitions and overseeing a book of business worth $40 million. She was in rooms where she was often the only woman leader, playing a game with rules she didn't write and didn't always like. And then one morning, crossing the Bay Bridge on her commute, a little voice said: how much longer are you going to do this? That question changed everything. Today Serin is an energy healer, psychic medium, ceremonialist, and business strategist who helps women founders get unstuck and move fast. She brings together nervous system regulation, somatic work, intuitive gifts, and Fortune 500 rigor to help her clients find clarity, focus, and in some cases, double their revenue in under a year. This conversation goes everywhere, and I loved every minute of it. Grab a notebook before you press play. What You'll Hear in This Episode: How two decades in Silicon Valley and corporate media shaped Serin's understanding of what women have been asked to suppress at work The morning on the Bay Bridge that changed her life, and what it looked like to follow a voice she'd been ignoring for years What nervous system regulation actually has to do with business results Why heart-centered leadership isn't soft, and how women are already positioned to lead what's coming next The old corporate model (built for making cars, applied to people), why it's dying, and what's replacing it How Serin thinks about AI as a tool for freeing up more humanity, not less What it means to stop shape-shifting and stand at your full height The kaleidoscope analogy that I'm still thinking about Serin's answer to The Found Podcast closing question that genuinely moved us both Connect with Serin: Website: Listen and Subscribe: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YACTbRulN4NooX32NgzgV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-found-podcast-with-molly-knuth/id1530616432 Have a notebook nearby for this one. Serin asks some questions in this conversation that deserve a real answer, and you'll want to write them down. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41632870

256: 10 Things I Know for Certain About Building a Business (Part 2) 06/10/2026

256: 10 Things I Know for Certain About Building a Business (Part 2) We're back with Part 2 of my two-part series on 10 things I know for certain about building a business, not from books or courses, but from almost a decade of living it. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen to first. We covered lessons one through five, and this episode picks up right where we left off. Today we're finishing out the list with lessons six through ten, and honestly these might be the ones that hit the hardest. We're talking money mindset, why you can't do it alone, what a coach actually does for you, giving yourself full permission to change your mind, and the thing I believe most deeply after all of it: this whole founder journey is personal development first. In This Episode: Lesson 6: Finances can be simple (and the money mantra that changed everything for me) The "money flows like water" mindset shift I learned from CPA 's money waterfall system and why it finally made my finances click Lesson 7: You will not realize your goals entirely on your own. Bring others along. Lesson 8: You will grow faster and go further with a coach, a mentor, or a consultant in your corner How working with changed the trajectory of my 2025-2026 transition How podcasting consultant helped me make clearer decisions about the future of this show Lesson 9: You are allowed to change your mind (Surge, Sierra Mist, and why pivoting isn't failing) Lesson 10: This journey is personal development first and a professional endeavor second People and Resources Mentioned: (and past Found Podcast guest) , founder of Small Business Money School (also a past Found Podcast guest) , life and leadership coach (another Found Podcast guest - Episode 252) , podcasting consultant (and, you guessed it, a Found Podcast guest!) Miranda (the Found Podcast editor who makes it all happen every week!) Find Molly: Website: Instagram: Email: molly@mollyknuthmedia.com Listen and Subscribe: Did something from this episode (or the last one) land for you? I'd genuinely love to hear it. Reach out on Instagram or send me an email and tell me which lesson resonated most. And if you know a founder who needs to hear this... send them both episodes. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41563540

255: 10 Things I Know for Certain About Building a Business (Not From Books, But From Living It) Part 1 06/03/2026

254: USA Today Bestseller to Director of Leadership Formation: Lindsay Leahy on What It Means to Live with Intention 05/27/2026

254: USA Today Bestseller to Director of Leadership Formation: Lindsay Leahy on What It Means to Live with Intention Lindsay Leahy is back on The Found Podcast for the third time, and this one is unlike any conversation we've had before. You might know Lindsay as the founder of , the author of (a USA Today bestseller!), and someone who has spent the last several years helping leaders and organizations do their most meaningful work. But in this episode, Lindsay shares that she's stepping away from what she built, into something she never saw coming. We talk about the book, what happened after it hit those bestseller lists, and the word that started everything this year: beyond. And then we go deeper into where "beyond" has actually led her, which is a brand new role as the Director of Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. It's unexpected. It's emotional. It's one of the most honest conversations I've had on this podcast. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The two dark weeks before the book launch that Lindsay didn't expect, and what she found on the other side Client stories from the Take It All Apart process (including Camden, a client stepping into marriage and family while keeping his magic) Lindsay's word of the year: beyond, and the "lay down your nets" moment that changed everything Practical, tactical tools for moving beyond stress, distraction, and busyness (yes, the dumping exercise is back) What it really means to move beyond hustle mode, and why it's ultimately a worthiness issue How a volunteer role inside the Archdiocese of Dubuque turned into a moment she could not say no to What it felt like to surrender a thriving business at the height of its success Why your definition of success doesn't have to look like anyone else's Resources Mentioned: The Beyond Series on Lindsay's blog: Connect with Lindsay: Website: lindsayleahy.com (coming soon!) /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41407115

253: Stop Tying Your Worth to What You Do: Brooke Fitzgerald on the Path to Enough, Imposter Syndrome & What's Next 05/20/2026

253: Stop Tying Your Worth to What You Do: Brooke Fitzgerald on the Path to Enough, Imposter Syndrome & What's Next This is Brooke's third time on The Found Podcast. Every time she comes back, she brings something that stops me mid-conversation and makes me reach for my notebook. Brooke Fitzgerald is the Energy Builder at The Restoration Project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and as of June 1st, she becomes the sole owner of the practice. She's a coach, a speaker, a mom of two boys, a recovering people-pleaser, and one of the most convicted, passionate humans I get to have in my corner. In this episode, we dig into the work that has defined Brooke's last several years, both personally and professionally. We talk about closing a business, rebuilding an identity, and the deeply human question of: who are you when you're not defined by what you do? What You'll Hear in This Episode: How closing her coffee shop became the lowest (and most clarifying) point of Brooke's life What it actually takes to untether your identity from your work (hint: it takes longer than you think, and that's okay) The Path to Enough framework and why enough is a decision, not an amount The question that makes rooms full of women go completely silent: "Who are you when no one needs anything from you?" Why good enough really is good enough, and what we lose when we demand 110% of ourselves constantly Imposter syndrome reframed: it's not a flaw, it's your courage catching up to your capability The SEA tool for moving from imposter to intentional, and a story about a female CEO that will stop you cold What's next for Brooke and The Restoration Project, including fall retreats, empowerment communities, and a November workshop Connect with Brooke: Website: LinkedIn: Upcoming Events with Brooke: Fall Women's Retreats — details coming soon Listen & Subscribe: If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman who needs to hear it. And if you're not yet subscribed to The Found Podcast, now's a great time! New episodes drop every Wednesday. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41322695

252: Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: How to Navigate Career Transitions, Burnout, and What's Next with Life Coach Katrina Klooster 05/13/2026

252: Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: How to Navigate Career Transitions, Burnout, and What's Next with Life Coach Katrina Klooster Have you ever stood in the middle of a life that looks really good on paper and still felt like something was off? Like a quiet voice whispering, this isn't it anymore...and you didn't know what to do with that? This week on the Found Podcast, I'm bringing you a conversation with my own coach, Katrina Klooster, and I think this one is going to land somewhere deep for a lot of you. Katrina is a life and leadership coach who specializes in helping high-achieving women navigate transitions, those in-between seasons when you've outgrown where you are but aren't sure where you're going. After nearly 15 years in education (as a high school Spanish teacher and instructional coach), Katrina followed her own winding, messy, non-linear path into building a coaching practice, and she brings all of that lived experience to the women she now serves. In this episode, we talk about: The moment Katrina knew she had outgrown teaching and why it took her so long to trust that feeling Burnout, shingles, and the culture of self-sacrifice we've normalized in education (and beyond) Why your non-linear path is not something to apologize for The 37-38-year-old awakening many women experience and what's actually happening beneath the surface How high-achieving women get stuck in golden handcuffs and what it takes to break free Why most women aren't afraid of failure...and what they're actually afraid of instead The grief that's woven into growth (and why we don't talk about it enough) What Katrina looks for in a coach and how to know if coaching is right for you Connect with Katrina: Website: Instagram: @katrinaklooster (send her a DM!) Listen & Subscribe: Spotify: Apple Podcasts: If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a woman in your life who might need to hear it today. And if you're not yet subscribed to The Found Podcast, now is a great time to hit that button so you never miss an episode. /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41235825

251: The People Side of Business with Sarah Hermanson 05/06/2026

251: The People Side of Business with Sarah Hermanson In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Sarah Hermanson, founder of , pumpkin farmer, and people-first leadership expert. With over 30 years of experience in human resources and recruiting, Sarah has seen firsthand what makes businesses thrive and what causes them to struggle. And here’s the truth she keeps coming back to: it’s not just the product, the service, or the strategy…it’s the people. Together, Molly and Sarah explore what it really looks like to build a business rooted in care, communication, and culture, and why those “soft skills” are actually the most powerful drivers of performance, retention, and long-term success. From practical ways to build connection in your workplace, to the surprising impact of nonverbal communication, to the often-avoided (but incredibly important) topic of succession planning, this conversation is full of grounded wisdom you can apply right away. And in true Found Podcast fashion, you’ll also hear how Sarah’s story weaves together entrepreneurship, family legacy, and a 46-year-old pumpkin farm in rural Iowa. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why “joy at work” isn’t fluffy, it’s foundational to business success How to build connection with your team in just 5–8 minutes a day The concept of “advanced communication” (and why words aren’t enough) Simple body language shifts that can transform how you’re perceived Why founders need to think about succession planning sooner than they think How Sarah transitioned from corporate HR to entrepreneurship Lessons from taking over a multi-generational family pumpkin farm What it really means to lead with care, culture, and communication Key Quotes “We don’t achieve any of our goals if we aren’t approaching them with care.” “I can teach you how to do something. I can’t teach you how to care.” “90,000 hours of our lives are spent at work. Those should be joy-filled hours.” Resources & Links Connect with Sarah: Website: (Manchester, Iowa) /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/41131500

250: The Stories That Shaped Us — A Look Back at The Found Podcast 04/29/2026

249: The Leadership Gap We’re Not Talking About (And How to Fix It) with Melissa Reade of Leader Valley 04/22/2026

248: The Secret Sauce of Small Town Success: Leadership, Community, and Showing Up with Liesl Seabert 04/15/2026

247: Why Wellness Isn’t Another To-Do List with Dominique Farrar 04/08/2026

246: THIS was Killing My Leadership...and It's Not What You Think 04/01/2026

245: The Art of Unraveling with Erin McGuire-Henson 03/25/2026

244: Go First: Courage, Community, and Starting Over with Erin Moore 03/18/2026

244: Go First: Courage, Community, and Starting Over with Erin Moore This week on The Found Podcast, I’m joined by brand photographer, mother of four, and longtime friend Erin Moore for a deeply honest conversation about courage, community, and what it really takes to rebuild your life and business again and again. 👉 Real talk: The audio quality in this conversation isn’t perfect. But Erin’s courage, perspective, and heart made this episode one we couldn’t keep on the shelf. I hope you’ll stay with us through the tech hiccups — her story matters. Erin shares her experience of moving across states multiple times, relaunching her photography business in new places, and learning how to create connection and consistency even when everything around her feels unfamiliar. We talk about the power of women’s communities, the leadership it takes to “go first,” and how small intentional actions can create momentum during seasons of uncertainty. Erin also opens up about her journey from Canada to becoming a U.S. citizen in 2024 — offering a personal, first-hand perspective on the complexity, cost, privilege, and emotional weight of the immigration process. Her reflections invite us to consider empathy, access, and what it means to build a future for your family in a new place. This episode is a reminder that growth rarely happens in perfectly timed moments. Instead, it comes from choosing courage in small ways, showing up consistently, and trusting that even the scary steps can lead you exactly where you’re meant to go. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How Erin rebuilt her photography business after multiple cross-country moves The role women’s mastermind communities play in entrepreneurial growth Why leadership sometimes looks like quietly going first The mindset shift of “living as if for years” even in temporary seasons How intentional friendship and consistency build grounding in new places Erin’s personal journey through the U.S. citizenship process Reflections on privilege, access, and empathy in immigration conversations Why waiting for the “perfect time” often keeps women stuck The courage it takes to evolve from a timid past into a visible leader Resources & Links /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/40420085

243: Your Story Is Your Superpower with Danielle Letayf 03/11/2026

243: Your Story Is Your Superpower with Danielle Letayf This week on The Found Podcast, I’m joined by Danielle Letayf — founder of Badassery, personal brand strategist, podcast guesting expert, and the perfect woman to help us kick off our Women’s History Month interview series. Danielle helps thoughtful executives, authors, and experts turn their stories into something unforgettable. But in this conversation, we go far deeper than personal branding and podcast pitches. We talk about what it really looks like to build a business as a woman, how comparison can keep us stuck, why your path does not have to look like anyone else’s, and how some of the greatest wisdom we gain comes from the pivots, mistakes, and messy middle moments we’d rather skip. Danielle shares how her entrepreneurial mindset was shaped by her immigrant family, how her first business evolved through multiple versions, and why slowing down became one of the most important lessons in her growth as a founder. We also dig into what makes someone a strong podcast guest, how to start refining your story, and why community matters so much when you’re building something brave. This episode is full of practical insight, honest reflection, and the kind of encouragement ambitious women need when they’re building something meaningful in a way that actually fits their life. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How Danielle’s immigrant family shaped her entrepreneurial mindset The “why not me?” question that helped her start building Why women don’t have to take giant, dramatic risks to make bold moves How comparison can distract founders from their own unique path What Danielle learned from pivoting her business after hard seasons Why going slower can actually create more stability and success What makes someone a compelling podcast guest How to begin refining your story and personal brand Why layering your interests and lived experience makes your story stronger Danielle’s thoughts on community, support, and resilience as a founder Resources & Links /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/40352045

242: Hot Takes vs. High Character: A Women’s History Month Reflection 03/04/2026

241: The Ecosystem of Opportunity: How Community Colleges Build Stronger People, Businesses, and Communities with Amy Lasack of NICC 02/25/2026

241: The Ecosystem of Opportunity: How Community Colleges Build Stronger People, Businesses, and Communities with Amy Lasack of NICC What if education wasn’t a one-time phase of life, but an evolving journey designed to meet people exactly where they are? In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Amy Lasack, Vice President of Business and Community Solutions at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), to explore how workforce development, education, and community collaboration intersect to create real opportunity. Amy shares how nearly 25 years in Iowa’s community college system shaped her belief that workforce is an ecosystem, not a straight line. Together, Molly and Amy discuss how education must adapt to modern learners, how local communities can unlock hidden career pathways, and why saying “yes” to things that scare you just a little might be the key to growth. From hands-on learning and AI innovation to deeply personal lessons about family, leadership, and purpose, this conversation highlights how meaningful change happens when institutions listen closely to the people they serve. Whether you’re a business owner, parent, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a hopeful look at what’s possible when education meets community. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why workforce development works best as an ecosystem How community colleges are redefining education pathways The shift from linear careers to flexible learning journeys How NICC partners with businesses and communities to solve real problems Making education engaging through hands-on learning, technology, and AI The power of exposure in helping students discover career paths Overcoming imposter syndrome and saying yes to growth opportunities Leadership lessons shaped by personal loss and family priorities Resources & Links Register for Trainer Talent Expo: Northeast Iowa Community College: Connect with Email Amy: Follow NICC: Facebook: LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/40184020

240: More Than a Title: Reintroducing Myself (and Why Your Path Doesn’t Have to Be Linear) 02/18/2026

240: More Than a Title: Reintroducing Myself (and Why Your Path Doesn’t Have to Be Linear) If you’ve been here for years or you’re only a handful of episodes in... this one is for you. After recently stepping back into the guest seat on another podcast, I realized it had been a while since I reintroduced herself here on The Found Podcast. So today, I'm doing just that. But not with a résumé. Not with a tidy bio. With the real story. In this episode, I walk through the winding, nonlinear path from waitress to teacher, stay-at-home mom to accidental entrepreneur, agency owner to Managing Director of The Restoration Project. I share the inflection points, the burnout, the public pivots, and the deeply personal realizations that reshaped my definition of success. More than anything, this episode is an invitation: You are more than your job title. Your path doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. And sometimes your passion lives from 5–9, not 9–5... and that’s beautiful. Whether you’re founding a business, founding a cause, founding a family, or simply finding yourself, this episode is a reminder that there is no blueprint: only growth, reflection, and courage to evolve. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why I believe we should introduce ourselves by who we are, not just what we do The personality assessments that shaped my self-understanding (Enneagram 3, Learner strength, Human Design Manifester) Lessons from early jobs — including manufacturing floors and Applebee’s shifts The rise (and unraveling) of Molly Knuth Media The breaking point that forced me to ask: What do I really want? Why leadership development — not marketing — became my deeper calling How my role at The Restoration Project evolved into Managing Director The truth about nonlinear paths and public pivots Why you don’t need to monetize your passion for it to matter Resources & Links – Leadership development resources, courses, and – Molly’s monthly email for female founders Connect with Molly on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @mollyknuth /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/40107440

239: The Power of "The Pause" with Molly Schreiber 02/11/2026

239: The Power of "The Pause" with Molly Schreiber Some people build businesses. Some people follow a calling. And sometimes… those two things become the very same path. This week on The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, I sit down with fellow Iowan and “Molly Squared” guest Molly Schreiber, founder of and the nonprofit . What started as a young teacher’s love of education became something much deeper after unimaginable loss. After losing her first husband in a car accident at age 30 while raising three children under three, Molly found herself returning to one unexpected anchor: yoga. That quiet hour at the YMCA became the lifeline that helped her regulate her grief, reconnect to herself, and ultimately reimagine what education could look like for kids, teachers, and even workplaces. Today, her programs serve hundreds of schools across Iowa — teaching breath work, resilience, emotional regulation, and mindfulness practices that ripple far beyond the classroom. This conversation is about: turning wounds into wisdom creating space for “The Pause” helping kids build tools we never learned ourselves and trusting your inner compass when life changes course If you’ve ever wondered how personal pain can become purposeful work… this one’s for you. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Molly’s journey from classroom teacher to mindfulness founder The loss that reshaped her life and leadership How yoga helped her navigate grief as a young widow and mom Why kids today need emotional regulation tools more than ever The “5 Parts of Practice” framework used in schools The surprising number of thoughts (and emotions!) we process daily Bringing mindfulness into workplaces and healthcare settings What it means to live aligned with your “noble goal” Why “The Pause” might be the most important practice of all Resources & Links Challenge to Change: Mindful Minutes: Email Molly: Follow + The Found Podcast /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/40030560

238: Five Things I’m Embarrassed I Had to Relearn (and What They Taught Me About Leadership, Money, and Showing Up) 02/04/2026

237: The Capacity of Human Potential with Nancy Lynk 01/28/2026

236: Get Uncomfy: Reinvention, Risk, and Building What You Wish Existed with Liz Garcia 01/21/2026

236: Get Uncomfy: Reinvention, Risk, and Building What You Wish Existed with Liz Garcia Liz Garcia is the kind of woman who makes you want to sit up straighter, open a new notes app, and finally do the thing you’ve been talking yourself out of. In this second guest interview of the Ages & Stages series, I sit down with Liz — owner of Storage Theory, founder of GW Spice Co., mom of two, serial entrepreneur, and host of The Liz Garcia Show — to talk about what it really looks like to pivot from corporate life into entrepreneurship… and keep going even when it’s scary. Liz shares the “before and after” moment that propelled her family into business ownership, how perfectionism held her back (until it didn’t), and why she believes you should go to worst-case scenario… and ask yourself if you’d survive it (spoiler: you would). This episode is for the woman who’s been feeling the nudge to make a change — but needs a little courage, a little honesty, and a reminder that you are capable of more than you believe. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Liz’s journey from graphic design → insurance → sales → entrepreneurship The pivotal life moment that lit a fire under her and her husband to “just start” Why perfectionism keeps so many women stuck and how to loosen its grip A behind-the-scenes look at building an e-commerce brand How Liz thinks about fear: go to worst case scenario and see if you’d survive it The question that guides her major decisions: “Will I regret not trying?” The power of putting yourself in rooms you don’t feel ready for Why Liz believes we should create what we wish existed, especially in the Midwest The constant she’s learned through every age and stage: “I’m capable of more than I believe.” Resources & Links Liz on Instagram: Storage Theory: Storage Theory website: Liz’s podcast: (mentioned in episode): local weekly entrepreneur meetups (check your city’s chapter) /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/39769875

235: Just Go For It: Building a Multi-Passionate Life with Carley Kintzle 01/14/2026

234: Less About Proving, More About Impact: An Ages & Stages Reflection 01/07/2026

233: One From the Heart: 4 Women Leading Community Change 12/23/2025

233: One From the Heart: 4 Women Leading Community Change This episode is a little different — and honestly, it might be one of the most important ones I’ve ever shared. Instead of one long-form interview, you’re getting four mini-interviews with women who are quietly (and powerfully) making their communities better — through nonprofit work, community organizing, and the kind of “someone has to do something… so I will” leadership that changes everything. These women were listener-nominated, and every story proves the same thing: You don’t need a massive following or a fancy title to make a difference. You just need the willingness to notice a need… and participate in the solution. In this compilation, you’ll meet: Callie FitzGerald — founder of Centrally Rooted Mission + Mindful Musicians (building confidence and brain-health skills through music) Molly Schreiber — founder of Mindful Minutes (bringing yoga + mindfulness practices into schools, healthcare, shelters, and more) Dee McKenna — community leader and organizer of the Woodbury County Fair Bonus Sale (investing in youth through 4-H & FFA premium support) Nicole O’Dell — board member for the Bernard Playground Project (building an accessible community space and rallying a small town to do the “impossible”) And at the end, I’ll give you a 14-day challenge to help you turn inspiration into action. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why community impact rarely starts with a “grand plan” — it starts with noticing How Centrally Rooted + Mindful Musicians teach resilience and confidence through music The “five parts of practice” behind Mindful Minutes and how mindfulness becomes a life skill How the Woodbury County Bonus Sale works — and why it matters for the future of agriculture and youth development The story behind the Bernard Playground Project and the power of phased momentum Practical ways to support these missions (donate, volunteer, subscribe, spread the word) Molly’s 14-day challenge: support, thank a helper, or nominate a community leader Resources & Links + Nominate a future community helper: Instagram: @mollyknuth /episode/index/show/smallmindedpodcast/id/39487150

The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

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