Fearfully and Wonderfully Me: Inspiring Women to Discover and Develop the Leader Within

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Fearfully and Wonderfully Me is a podcast on real leadership and life skills designed to help you become the woman God created you to be - a woman with influence personally and professionally. Leadership has several dimensions and the more effectively we can lead ourself, the easier it is to influ…

Ria Story


    • Feb 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 312 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Fearfully and Wonderfully Me: Inspiring Women to Discover and Develop the Leader Within with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Fearfully and Wonderfully Me: Inspiring Women to Discover and Develop the Leader Within

    313: Five Questions Leaders Should Ask - But Usually Don't!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 14:50


    Leaders are challenged to take responsibility - not only for themselves, but also for and to others. However, the challenge many leaders face is not knowing what they don't know. And, perhaps more often, they don't know because they don't have the insight, clarity, or self-awareness. These five questions will help any leader take their leadership to the next level. Learn more about the FREE online leadership development course we offer here: https://bluecollarleadership.com/bclaindividual/

    #312 Best Books of 2024!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 27:06


    Every year I LOVE sharing the books I read in the past year and what made them impactful! I break down the top five books I read last year - and why they were in my top five! Have YOU read a great book recently? Do share - I'm always looking for powerful books to learn from. Drop me an email with your suggestion: ria@riastory.com

    #311 She's My Sister...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 28:42


    Trisha's life was forever changed one night and she spent decades healing. Her experience led her to find her passion as she learned to turn pain into purpose. She's My Sister is a non-profit organization serving survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Less than 1% of trafficking victims are ever identified and the average age a young girl is first exploited is 14 years old. Learn more: http://shesmysister.org Report suspected trafficking: National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888

    #310 Mission: "Ascending Phoenix"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 33:01


    It wasn't until he was an adult that Tanner Lyons realized some of the struggles he was having are symptoms of C-PTSD and rooted in the trauma he faced growing up. Tanner shares some of his story here, and how the adversity he faced in life equipped him for the cause he now champions. Learn more about Tanner's mission: https://missionascendingphoenix.org

    #309 Can Leadership Be Learned?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 12:49


    Are leaders born or made? One of the questions I am often asked is "Can someone learn to be a leader?" I break down the answer in this video!

    #308 3 Things That Happen When You Invest In Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 10:04


    Why should you invest in yourself? Bet on yourself? Develop yourself? Good things may happen to those who wait - but great things happen when you don't wait to prepare!

    #307 Three Critical Questions for Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 15:12


    When you are good at making things happen, you are going to get asked to make a lot of things happen. Other people are going to ask you to help make things happen – things that may or may not be on YOUR list of priorities. And, if you aren't willing to tell them no, you will find yourself spending more time on other people's projects or priorities than your own. Here are three critical questions to ask and answer for yourself - and why it's important to do so. This podcast episode is based on a chapter of Ria's book, The Ladder of Influence: 5 Steps for Climbing to the Next Level and Beyond. Pick up a copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ladder-Influence-Steps-Climbing-Beyond/dp/B0BW2G3W1L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10D71ICRGPQRH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._J7Sjdgym7VJvb_eVaMSqzDEITmGS15i-txvm46LEMw.aYoRyLKbaYL36vEYZ7VK6kmw1Y4I236rDe03nQP6294&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+ladder+of+influence+ria+story&qid=1719593639&sprefix=the+ladder+of+influence+ria+story%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1#theladderofinfluence #keepclimbing #leadershipcoaching #leadershiptraining #influence #success #maximizeyourresults

    #306 Change Happens: 3 Reasons Why People Resist It

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 9:48


    The biggest frustration in leading change is overcoming resistance to change. Are you leading or communicating change initiatives in your organization? Do you need to increase buy-in? Would you like to be more successful as an individual but fear of change is holding you back? As a leader of change, you are faced with the need to not only manage the change itself, but also the resistance, reactions, fears, and emotions of your team members throughout the change. Fear of change will create roadblocks when it comes to implementing new initiatives. The result: wasted time, increased cost, and decreased productivity. As an individual, when you are resisting change, you are missing out on the opportunities it can bring. Change brings both challenges and opportunities. Change can bring an organization together by uniting the team around a unifying purpose and vision, or it can create chaos. Watch today's podcast episode on the three reasons why people resist change - and how it may be holding you back if you are someone resistant to change. Pick up a copy of the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Happens-Yourself-Effective-Leadership/dp/1535063432/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.syAa870QenXw7uyAUSU4_Xc168H8Zc7ZdOeijxfWKLk.huFwaX0uJZK-mX-zfF2A820w-Eha3jDObtdLM27h9fw&qid=1719592221&sr=8-1 #changehappens #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipspeaker #changemanagement #leadingchange

    #305: The Path to Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 10:09


    Achieving your desired result starts with taking ownership of your behaviors, actions, and daily choices. When you take ownership of your choices, you're also taking ownership of your results.

    #304 How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life After Betrayal and Deception

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 34:41


    Join me for my conversation with Stacey Szczepanski as she shares how she was "Catfished" on social media, deceived, and betrayed. Stacey went on to write "Unlocking Love" to share her experiences and her healing journey as she rebuilt her life. Stacey shares with us some of her experiences and shares with transparency what it's like to be single and in a season of waiting - and learning to live, appreciate, and even enjoy life while in a season of "waiting." Connect with Stacey: https://staceyszczepanski.com Find her book: https://a.co/d/eyZP5Wy

    #303 Facilitating a High Impact Book Study!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 45:33


    In this video, Ria Story and Mack Story (Blue-Collar Leadership®) share how to facilitate a high impact book study. Facilitating book studies is the number one best, and most effective way to help organizational team members grow. This process helps improve culture, break down silos, create teamwork, and helps individuals unleash their potential.

    #302 Accountability Can Change You! An Interview with Lori McGuire

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 37:02


    Lori has a passion for quality of life fueled by helping her clients create positive life change through reaching their fitness goals. She is a certified personal Trainer and Virtual Coaching Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and holds several group fitness certifications including group indoor cycling and strength training. After a 33+ year career in healthcare, Lori founded On Location Fitness and specializes in personalized work out programs for women both in person at their home and virtually. Lori provides a free consultation and fitness assessment with the first work out at no cost to new clients. Connect with her via onlocationfit.com or email her: lorimcguire2020@gmail.com and let Lori help you reach your training goals. Because, Accountability Can Change You!!

    #301 From Rock 'n' Roll to Recreating an Identity in Christ: An Interview with Bobbie Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 36:45


    She will forever be the “Cherry Pie” girl from the Warrant music video and CD cover of the same name, the ultimate 1980s/90's rock ‘n' roll video vixen. She had her identity stolen, but through that, found a new identity with faith in God. Join me for my conversation with Bobbie about how she lost her identity and found her faith, and her self, in the process.

    #300 What Matters Most: And What's Derailing You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 14:40


    This podcast episode is based on a profound quote from Tim Elmore!!! And, we are celebrating 300 Episodes!! Thanks for listening!

    #299 What Controls You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 15:25


    What consumes you, controls you. Is there something consuming you in unhealthy ways or controlling you in unhealthly ways? Here is a mindful exercise to consider where you need to let go of something that isn't serving you.

    #298 A Leadership Lesson from the Produce Department

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 15:11


    Sometimes life teaches us lessons in unexpected places!

    #297 Interview with Deanna Lynn: Author of "Purchased: Leaving the Sex Trade"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 29:42


    After ten years of working in the commercial sex industry, Deanna sought healing from a local residential program for exploited and trafficked women. Since graduating from the Refuge for Women in 2012, she has earned a Master's Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and authored two books detailing each piece of the journey: Purchased: Leaving the Sex Trade Integrated: Living Beyond the Sex Trade Deanna is now the Executive Director of Refuge for Women Kentucky. In addition to her role at Refuge for Women, she is a global consultant and speaker on anti-trafficking and anti-exploitation.

    #296 Books that Changed My Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 18:04


    Sometimes we learn something that changes the course of our journey and for me, reading is the best way to learn. Here are a couple of the most impactful books along my life and leadership journey - and why they were profound for me.

    #295 Vision Inspires Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 14:42


    Having vision is the key to hope, strategy, priorities, and implementing those priorities in our day to day lives.

    #294 The "Key" to Energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 17:02


    You have to have energy to do the things in life you want to do. So, how do we get more of it?

    #293 The 4 Things Attitude Can Do

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 18:29


    I know it's not always easy to choose to have a positive attitude. But, here are just a few of the benefits a positive attitude brings.

    #292 Thoughts on Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 17:15


    Some of the impactful quotes I've read recently - and thoughts about them.

    #291 Small Battles in a Big War

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 15:53


    You can't win the war today - but you can fight one battle. Win enough "battles" and you will win the "war."

    #290 Best Books of 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 17:56


    Every year, this is one of my FAVORITE podcast episodes to record - the one about the "best" books I read this year. Check out what made my list for 2023!

    #289 Walking the Talk: An Example of Getting it Wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 14:49


    "Do as I say, not as I do" doesn't increase your influence very much. Neither does saying one thing and doing another. A real life example of how this played out recently.

    #288 Connection, Communication, and Why it Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 15:44


    Why connection is important - and how you can improve it.

    #287 The Fear of Failure is Interfering with Your Influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 20:40


    Is your fear of failure holding you back?

    #286 Overcoming the Fear of Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 14:51


    Change sometimes brings with it fear. Here are some ways we can overcome that and learn to embrace change in a way that increases our influence, options, and opportunities!

    #285 How to Increase Your Influence When Change Happens

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 15:14


    There are two ways to respond to change. One way we can respond to change will increase our influence while the other will decrease it. Change is happening - let's make sure we are better off for it!

    #284 Thoughts Become Things: Be Intentional about Who and What is influencing Your Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 18:48


    Have you thought about what influences your thoughts? Consider how these five key areas are influencing your thoughts, which influence your choices, which are influencing and affecting your RESULTS.

    #283 Recommended Reading for Personal and Professional Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 16:37


    So many people ask me for a list of books to kick start their growth journey either personally or professionally, so here are a few of my recommendations!

    #282 A Resource for Your Journey - An Interview with TONYA TELESCO

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 30:35


    TONYA TELESCO is an international speaker, author and human behavior expert dedicated to helping woman awaken to the power and purposes of God in their lives. She joins me on this podcast episode to share "Walking with the King" from a woman's perspective, and how that influences us. I didn't expect our interview to go where it did, but we unpacked a LOT on relationships and identity, and how we must develop ourselves in order to attract the right relationships - including a relationship with the right spouse - into our lives. You'll want to check out our conversation here and also connect with Tonya: https://www.walkingwithmyking.com/ Connect with Tonya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-spence-telesco-3488b750/ Connect with Tonya on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonyatelesco/?hl=en Connect with Tonya on FB: https://www.facebook.com/tonyaleespence

    #218 Decisions that can change your life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 18:20


    Specifically, decisions that can IMPROVE the QUALITY of your life! And of course, we all want life to be better.

    #280 Master THIS to Increase Your Influence at Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 20:21


    We all want more influence - but how do we get it? Especially with the people we love? Let's talk about the most important, and first, step to increasing our influence at home.

    #279 Narrow Your Focus to Increase Your Value

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 16:17


    Focus Creates Value. Value Increases Influence. It's sometimes difficult to do, but as we narrow our focus in our skills and expertise, we can offer more value - and therefore increase our influence professionally.

    When Change Happens, if You Snooze, You Will Lose!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 14:22


    Are you the person who resists changes at work? Or, are you the person who embraces change? Do you know why it matters? Here are 7 ways you lose if you snooze when change happens. Find the book here: Change Happens: Leading Yourself and Others through Change

    Climbing the Ladder of Influence at Work: The First Step

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 16:33


    How can we intentionally increase our influence at work? In our business? With our co-workers or team members?

    Special Interview on the Blue-Collar Leadership® Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 60:30


    Mack recently invited me to be a guest on the Blue-Collar Leadership® podcast where he interviewed me about The Ladder of Influence.

    PATH: A Coaching Model

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 16:07


    How to help others (or yourself) think about solutions to challenges.

    You Can't Excuse Your Way to Better

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 15:39


    It's easy to make excuses but they don't move you forward in life. So, what can we do instead?

    The Practical Application of Influene

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 15:51


    Influence principles can be studied but they must be applied to be learned

    The Key to Confidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 13:39


    We all know confidence is important - but how do we get more of it?

    When it Comes to Influence, Everything Matters!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 15:48


    Here's a bit of that "leadership truth" Mack and I share sometimes. It's a bit sharp and it might sting, but like a surgeon's scalpel, it's intended to help. Everything impacts your influence. 

    Growth Increases Influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 14:23


    If you never spend time investing in yourself and your growth, you will not be able to build a lot of influence with someone who does. Trying to impress your leader with your potential? Demonstrate it by developing yourself. Don't tell them you are ready for more, show them. What leadership or personal growth books have you read lately? Are you talking about what you've learned and how you apply it? What are you learning? Who are you sharing that with? Growth precedes opportunity. And, increases your influence.

    Where are Your Relationships Taking You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 16:19


    And, where are you taking them?

    What I Wish I Had Known about Influence Early in My Career

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 16:51


    I bet we can all look back and see things differently - that's a sign of growth. But, how much differently would life be if we had known then what we know now?

    Three Truths about Influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 12:46


    What are the three fundamentals truths about influence you need to know? Find out on this episode!

    Introducing The Ladder of Influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 14:43


    When we have more influence with other people, we get more opportunities. When we have more influence, we have more options. When we have more influence, we have more choices. Life will always be better with more options, more opportunities, and more choices. Introducing The Ladder of Influence: a 5 step framework to help you increase your influence personally and professionally.

    Success Doesn't Start with Luck

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 15:28


    If being successful isn't about being lucky, what is it about?

    Intentional Living Starts with Intentional Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 15:45


    How much time did you spent thinking yesterday? Last week? Last month? What's stopping you from using the most powerful muscle in your body - your brain? If we want to get somewhere, we need to think about how to do it.

    Borrowing Self-Belief

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 16:29


    Sometimes we don't believe in ourselves as much as we should but that doesn't mean that we can't borrow someone else's belief to kickstart success!

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