Stand Tall & Own It - Irreversible Recognition
Something shifted. You can feel it. You just can't name it yet.
Stand Tall & Own It is for women in the second half of life who are high-functioning on the outside and quietly disoriented on the inside. You built your life inside systems you trusted completely — until something revealed those systems weren't what you thought.
Host Andrea Johnson doesn't offer formulas. She offers honest thinking, sharp observation, and the kind of conversation that makes you pull over and sit in your driveway.
This is where the real work starts.
Stand Tall & Own It - Irreversible Recognition
What Most Leaders Miss: How to Think Clearly and Lead Bravely
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!
1 BIG IDEA
Clear thinking isn’t a personality trait—it’s a leadership practice. And most people were never taught how to do it. In this episode, we unpack the six tenets of Intentional Optimism and how they offer powerful lenses for leadership—helping you see what’s really going on, stay grounded in your values, and respond with clarity and courage even in the middle of pressure, conflict, or confusion.
3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS
- Identify the tenet of Intentional Optimism you naturally lean on—and the one that feels most unfamiliar or underused.
- Choose one situation this week and practice leading from that “missing” tenet—on purpose.
- Download the free Intentional Optimism guide (linked in the show notes) and use it as a lens to evaluate how you show up in challenging or high-stakes moments.
3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- When I’m at my best as a leader, which tenet of Intentional Optimism shows up most easily—and how do others experience it in me?
- In moments of pressure, conflict, or self-doubt, which tenet do I tend to suppress or dismiss—and what might that reveal about my assumptions or conditioning?
- What’s one upcoming situation where I could intentionally lead from that underused tenet—and what would it look like to respond through that lens?
ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple: scroll to the bottom, choose a rating, and write a review.
Podchaser (Android): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762
RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
Episodes mentioned:
Need a Set of Life Principles? Discover the Power of Intentional Optimism
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1282826/15174376
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KJCAydSnRKo
Get your Free Core Values Blueprint: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Get your Free What Is Intentional Optimism?: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/what-is-intentional-optimism
Invest in Core Values Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta
Join Andrea LIVE at THRIVE in ‘25 Live2Lead!
Secure your seat in Charlottesville or Lynchburg, VA—two powerhouse events where purpose-driven leaders come to recharge, refocus, and rise.
CHARLOTTESVILLE: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-charlottesville-2025
LYNCHBURG: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/live2lead-lynchburg-2025
LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
DM Andrea on Instagram or LinkedIn: @theintentionaloptimist
Let’s chat: andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com
SHARE THIS EPISODE
If this episode helped you reframe your leadership growth, send it to another strategic woman leader who’s ready to refine how she leads.
Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LQZT7zk4roU
Listen & Subscribe: www.theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast
Get 40% Off Annual Membership
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
LET’S CONNECT
Instagram + LinkedIn → @theintentionaloptimist
Email → andrea@theintentionaloptimist.com
Podcast Hub → theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@intentionaloptimist
ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple → Scroll down on the podcast page, hit 5-stars, and write a quick review.
Podchaser (Android) → podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762