The Inner Edge: Leadership, Self-Mastery, and Reinvention for a New Era

What happens when decades of experience no longer seem to be valued? When you're quietly dismissed, overlooked, or labeled a "blocker"—despite still having the fire, brilliance, and drive? In this powerful solo episode, Janet Ioli names what so many leaders over 50 are silently feeling: the creeping sense of invisibility in organizations that prize what's new and shiny over what’s wise and seasoned.

You’ll hear real stories from seasoned leaders who’ve faced the sting of being sidelined, and a call to stop chasing relevance and instead stand firmly in your deep, cultivated wisdom. 

Remembe...

If you’ve ever thought about making a change—starting something new, going back to school, or following a dream you’ve quietly tucked away—only to hear the voice in your head say, “Nah… It’s too late,” this episode is for you.

In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Janet shares a story that shook her out of that ‘It’s too late’ mindset. In this story, you’ll meet a remarkable 96-year-old man whose life choices challenged every assumption about age, timing, and possibility. He reminded Janet (and will remind you) that we decide when we stop growing, no...

We live in a world that bombards us with advice, hacks, tips, and strategies for doing life and leadership “better.” But what if the real answer isn’t more information, but more space?

In this raw and soul-touching solo episode, Janet opens a new chapter of The Inner Edge podcast. She invites us into a more honest conversation about what it means to lead and live with our whole selves, especially when the outer performance doesn’t reflect the inner truth.

Drawing from her deeply human experiences with executive clients navigating everything from leadership pressure to divor...

Are You Ready to Stop Performing Success and Start Living It?

If you're an executive experiencing leadership burnout recovery, this episode marks a turning point. I'm Janet Ioli, and after years of providing authentic leadership coaching to Fortune 200 leaders, I've discovered something powerful: the most transformative leaders aren't those who compartmentalize their lives—they're the ones who embrace executive life integration. This inaugural episode of The Inner Edge isn't just another leadership podcast launch; it's an invitation into the kind of inner work for leaders that creates lasting change. Whether you're navigating midlife career reinvention, qu...

Stop believing the lie that charismatic speakers are just "born that way." Every confident communicator you admire built their public speaking skills through deliberate habitual practice and self-awareness—and today, communication expert Ruth Milligan is pulling back the curtain on exactly how they did it. If you've ever felt your heart race before a presentation or wondered how to develop the kind of leadership communication that commands attention in any room, this episode will shatter your limiting beliefs and give you a clear roadmap to speaking mastery.

In this episode, you will be able to:

...

What if I told you that 95% of your leadership decisions aren't actually yours? In this raw and revelatory episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the invisible cultural conditioning that's been running your leadership show from behind the scenes. After years of coaching global executives and my own journey from perfectionist performer to authentic leader, I've discovered that most of us are leading from someone else's script – and it's time to rewrite the story.

Your leadership presence and emotional mastery depend on understanding these hidden rules that operate beneath your awareness, shaping everything from your attachment styles to...

What if I told you that the most successful leaders are often the ones people fear most? In this raw and revealing episode of Leadership Presence, I pull back the curtain on how early childhood experiences and attachment styles create unconscious behavior patterns that can turn brilliant executives into emotional time bombs. Through the gripping story of "Derek" - a charismatic leader whose childhood wounds turned boardroom meetings into minefields - you'll discover why your body keeps the score of every unhealed experience and how these invisible patterns are sabotaging your leadership authenticity. 

This isn't your typical l...

What if I told you that your biggest leadership struggles—the micromanaging, the sleepless nights worrying about team perception, the emotional distance you can't seem to bridge—aren't actually leadership problems at all? 

In this transformative episode of Leadership Presence, I'm revealing the psychological forces that are secretly running your leadership show. Discover all about attachment styles and how your earliest relationships are unconsciously dictating your leadership behaviors right now. This is the inner work that separates truly grounded leaders from those who are just performing leadership. 

If you've ever wondered why certain feedback triggers you, w...

You're a seasoned executive who's weathered countless storms, made million-dollar decisions under pressure, and built your reputation on steady leadership presence. But mention that upcoming keynote, and suddenly you're that terrified kid in third grade again, voice barely above a whisper, palms sweating at the thought of all those eyes on you.

Your voice is either your greatest leadership asset or your biggest liability. And most leaders have no idea which one theirs is.

My guest Jimmy Cannon has spent over a decade cracking the code on why accomplished executives still struggle with performance anxiety...

Are you drowning in uncertainty while everyone expects you to be the calm in their storm? In the third episode of this three-part series, I talk about leading through change and uncertainty when you're battling your own leadership anxiety behind closed doors. Hear what it really takes to maintain executive presence when everything feels like it's falling apart. Whether you're navigating government transitions, organizational chaos, or any limbo that has you questioning your leadership self confidence, this episode is your roadmap to transforming panic into presence. 

In this episode, you will be able to:

L...

The ground is shifting beneath your feet. Contracts are uncertain. Funding is up in the air. And as a leader, you're expected to have all the answers when you're barely keeping your own head above water. In this raw and powerful episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to lead when the world feels like it's in free fall. 

In this episode, you will:

Learn the three pillars of internal career security that make you invincible regardless of job market chaos or organizational upheavalDiscover how to transform uncertainty into your c...

Right now, seasoned executives everywhere are waking up in the middle of the night with that familiar knot in their stomach, wondering if their teams will survive the next policy shift or funding cut. In this raw and honest episode, I don't sugarcoat the reality that many leaders are facing. I dive straight into the messy, uncomfortable truth about managing leadership anxiety when your entire professional world feels like it's hanging by a thread. 

If you're tired of generic leadership advice that tells you to "just stay positive" while your nervous system is screaming danger signals, this e...

What if everything you've been taught about leadership is actually holding your team back? Join me as I sit down with Mike Abrashoff, former Navy commander and bestselling author of "It's Your Ship," who shattered traditional leadership paradigms by asking one simple question: "What do you think?" When Mike took command of USS Benfold, it was near the bottom of Navy performance metrics with an abysmal 8% retention rate. Through his revolutionary leadership approach of empowering his crew rather than controlling them, he transformed it into the best ship in the Navy—and his insights are even more crucial for to...

When was the last time you heard your true inner voice speaking through all the noise of expectations? In today's powerful episode of Leadership Presence, I (Janet Ioli) share the thunderbolt moment that changed everything for me—losing my father at age 60 before he could enjoy the retirement he'd been waiting for. This wake-up call sent me on a journey to discover my authentic leadership voice beneath layers of conditioning about being "nice," "pretty," and "agreeable." If you've been shape-shifting to please others or wearing masks of perfection in your leadership role, this episode offers the soul work needed to...

Do you find yourself constantly seeking approval before making decisions at work? In this transformative episode of Leadership Presence, I tackle the confidence-crushing habit of seeking external validation in the workplace. I share the story of "Tanya," a brilliant executive who remained stuck in perpetual approval-seeking mode, and reveal the four powerful tools that can help you break free from this leadership trap. 

In this episode, you will be able to: Learn the difference between gathering valuable feedback and the soul-draining habit of requiring constant approval from others. Discover how to create a self-reference point that grounds y...

Ever stood at your own success party and talked people OUT of celebrating you? That's exactly what I did at my own book launch, paralyzed by a merciless inner critic that had me rewriting the same book SIX times over SEVEN years. In this raw and revealing episode, I pull back the curtain on my battle with self-criticism and share the exact moment I realized my inner critic (whom I named "Esmeralda") was sabotaging my leadership and creative voice. Even after coaching C-suite executives at Fortune 200 companies, that voice telling me "I'm not good enough" still tried to drown...

“You probably have the skills you need to take it to the next level because you've gotten this far. So, at least believe in yourself enough based on the evidence to know that you're gonna make it through. ”  - John Tarnoff

In this episode, I talk to John Tarnoff, executive and career transition coach, speaker, and author, who helps mid-career professionals land better jobs and build more meaningful, sustainable careers. We talk about the realities of ageism in the workplace and practical strategies for career reinvention when you are 50+.

You'll hear John talk about how to fi...

“It all starts and ends with our awareness.” - Brian Cunningham

You’ve heard of IQ. Maybe EQ. But have you considered the importance of your AQ?

In this episode, I talk to Brian Cunningham, an author who went from working as a parking lot attendant at a hospital to being the hospital’s CEO for over 10 years.  You'll hear Brian talk about why IQ and EQ are not enough–he introduces what he calls the Awareness Quotient (AQ) and its importance to our success.

In this episode:

How Brian...

“ The reality is you're going to work with people you don't like, it's inevitable. But you always have a choice. You can let those relationships drain your energy. You can let them impact your reputation and how you're seen by your boss, or you can be strategic about how you navigate them.”

In this episode, I talk about the complicated yet unavoidable times when you need to work with someone you don’t like or trust. I share five things that will help you better navigate these tricky situations so you can maintain a positive leadership presence.

The...

“ They come to my courses, usually they want to be better leaders. They want to have better and more effective teams. They want to change the corporate culture, but in the end they talk about their mothers, their fathers, their spouses, their children, their life.”

In this episode, I talk to Manfred Kets de Vries; executive coach, psychoanalyst, and Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change at INSEAD. 

You'll hear Manfred discuss the human condition, how to bring up the best in people and in yourself, what it takes to be a good and ful...

“Mistakes are inevitable, but they don't have to define you. What does define you is how you handle them.”

In this episode, I talk about how to navigate the times you make a big mistake that impacts you and others in your organization.

We’ll cover  how to take responsibility with clarity and confidence instead of reacting emotionally; and how to own your mistake, fix it, and move forward instead of spiraling into self-doubt and panic.

In this episode:

The time I accidentally blindsided a group of senior e...

“ The truth is feedback isn't supposed to feel comfortable. Growth is never comfortable. If you can learn to take feedback without letting it throw you and if you can hear it, process it, and take what's useful without getting defensive, you'll rise faster than you ever imagined.”

In this episode, I talk about getting feedback from your boss, especially when it’s a tough pill to swallow. Every leader will face this no matter where they are in their career, so I’m sharing some tools to help you navigate this situation when it arises without getting defensive...

“ Your leadership presence is built not just on what you say or how good you are at your job, but on how you show up consistently.”

In this episode, I talk about  professionalism and etiquette, because the  subtle ways you communicate respect, credibility, and authority without even realizing it can make or break you as a leader. You’ll learn what these intangible signals are and how to sharpen your leadership presence.

In this episode:

Why professionalism and etiquette are crucial for leadershipWhen Mark’s  leadership presence crumbledRespecting other people’s time an...

“ I have been a card carrying member of the Walking Dead myself. I know what that is like. That's why I do the work that I do today, which is to awaken people to their passion and purpose and then inspire them to make a contribution worthy of their one precious life.” - Dr. Alise Cortez

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Alise Cortez, the Chief Ignition Officer at Gusto, NOW!, an inspirational speaker, organizational logotherapist, social scientist, author, and podcast host. You'll hear Dr. Alise  talk about how we can go about finding more meaning in our l...

“ Leadership isn't just about doing great work. It's about building relationships,  understanding the dynamics around you, and strategically positioning yourself and your ideas.”

In this episode, I talk about something lots of people dread: workplace politics. To help you better navigate workplace dynamics with integrity, I’m sharing the story of a client who faced the challenge of engaging in workplace politics, as well as 3 practical tips so you, too, can face it while staying true to yourself. 

In this episode:

Workplace politics is a reality in every organizationHow James and...

“ Uncertainty is part of the journey,  but it doesn't have to derail you. When you do the inner work to remain centered and grounded, you lead with courage, clarity, and calm, even in the face of the unknown.”

Nothing in our world is certain. While we like to believe we have things under “control”, our environment is filled with unexpected influences that topple even the best intended plans, strategies, and projections. In this episode, I talk about one of the most important skills a leader can have: the ability to navigate uncertainty. We’ll explore  what it takes to lead t...

 ”You still believe in your bones that this work matters. This is what you have been advocating for. You've been sponsoring these [programs]. So what do you do [when they’re axed]? Do you stay silent to keep your job? Do you push back and risk being fired, risk your position, and then your livelihood? Or is there another way?”

In this episode, I talk about  something that almost every leader will face at some point in their career: how to stay true to what you stand for without losing your job or influence when  the direction of your orga...

“ If there's a starting line of status, women are not starting at the same place. We're starting several steps back because people ascribe more respect to one category [men] than another.” - Alison Fragale

 If you're a woman leading an organization, you cannot miss this episode. 

Today, I talk to Alison Fragale, an organizational psychologist, professor, international keynote speaker, and best-selling author who writes and speaks about the challenges women face in organizations. 

You'll hear Alison talk about how why being a “likeable badass” will help you increase your status and effectiveness as a leader. W...

“ Staying calm under pressure isn't about being emotionless. It's about being intentional. When you regulate your emotions, you create an environment where trust and collaboration can thrive.”

In this episode, I talk about the ability to regulate your emotions, which is a life skill that can make or break your effectiveness as a leader. I share the real story of a woman leader I worked with who needed to learn this skill, and did. Lastly, I provide 3 strategies to help you start regulating your emotions.

In this episode:

What emot...

“Leadership is full of moments where your first reaction is not your best reaction. And I know you know what I mean. But when you pause, you create space to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose.”

In this episode, I talk about why pausing is so powerful, how it can transform the way you lead, and practical ways you can start using it right away.

In this episode:

A moment when my inability to pause nearly cost me the trust of my teamWhy pausing matters in leadership3 things you can do to help...

“Storytelling is, of course, the best way to influence someone. People don't care about your facts. They don't want any more of your damn information. They’ve got too much to deal with right now. But what they need and what they crave in you is faith.”

In this episode, I talk to Annette Simmons, an expert on the power of storytelling, public speaker, trainer, and author. You'll hear Annette talking about the different types of stories you need to know how to tell to get a group to work together, what you can expect when you us...

“Great leadership begins with mastering the inner work.”

Welcome to the first episode of the new season of Leadership Presence | Mastering the Inner Work of Leadership.
In this episode, we're going to dive into the foundation of self-mastery: the inner work of leadership. We'll discuss why the most important work you'll ever do isn't about becoming smarter, more accomplished, or having more achievements, but about mastering yourself.
If you're ready to stop just leading and start transforming, keep listening.

In this episode:

The make-or-break qualities of great leadershipWhat inner work...

“Every great leader begins by mastering the voice within.” - Janet Ioli
Welcome to this special and last episode of the season. In this episode, we're tackling a challenge even the most successful leaders face: self-doubt. We’ll revisit important lessons from my Power Talks interview series from the very early episodes of this podcast.
You'll hear excerpts with relatable wisdom from interviews with two powerhouse women executives: Donna Diederich, the Chief Human Resources Officer at LMI, and Nicole Burdette, President of Southern California Land & Housing at Brookfield Properties. They share their own, real experiences with self-doubt and im...

“People and organizations collectively can waste a lot of time being in denial and not facing reality, or explaining away why things are the way they are, rather than dealing with reality and taking action.”
If you are leading change and transformation in any organization, today’s conversation is full of tips and ideas on how to be sure you are doing it successfully.
In this episode, I talk to Ian Ziskin, board member, former CHRO of a multi-billion dollar corporation, President of EXec EXcel Group LLC, and the lead author of the book, The Secret Sauce for Le...

“He said, ‘Well, Janet. I'll say what I really thought of you when I first saw you. The first thing I thought is, “Oh, here's blonde bimbo. And what is she going to say?”’ [...] Then he goes, ‘You talked and I thought, Wow, Barbie has a brain.’”
In this episode, I talk about something women leaders are unfortunately no strangers to: being underestimated or stereotyped because of their appearance or simply because they are women. If you’ve ever had the experience of being pigeon-holed or underestimated because of judgments people make based on unconscious biases they may have, you’ll want...

“The research shows that many of us do not develop new convincing techniques past the age of six. So, wherever your set point is in kindergarten or first grade, that's pretty much what you're going to do from a convincing strategy as an adult because most of us are too scared to try something new. We're only going to do what worked in the past.” - Adele Gambardella
If you want to have greater influence at work and in your life,  this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
I talk to Adele Gambardella and Chip Ma...

“That 90-year-old woman was once 9 years old. I think people forget that they were once that age.”

In this episode, I talk to my goddaughter, Ariel Debeniotis, a 16-year old high schooler, to get her thoughts about what Gen Z is expecting from the world of work. As someone who is working in her first job, you’ll learn about what Generation Z is thinking about the workplace and get a window into their daily struggles and thoughts.

In this episode:

The experience of a first jobWhat makes a good and bad manage...