Posts by Valerie Friedlander
Cultivating an Intentional Community
The Shifts that Create Deeper Connection and Belonging Cultivating an intentional community is a powerful and critical antidote to the disconnection fed by our current societal structures and now is the time to cultivate. I say that because we’re living in a time where those structures are breaking down. Our individualistic, hierarchical culture is hitting…
Read MoreWhat Is Draining My Energy? Inside an Energy Leadership Index Assessment Debrief
“What is draining my energy and what do I do about it?” These are the questions the Energy Leadership Index Assessment can help answer. Energy drain often isn’t solely from the stressors in your life but also the patterns you’ve learned to deal with them. If you’re feeling emotionally drained, constantly second-guessing yourself, or stuck…
Read MoreUnlocking Your Leadership Energy
How to Shift from Stress Response to Intentional Action Unlocking your leadership energy isn’t just for executives—it’s for anyone navigating life’s complex challenges. In this episode, I dive deep into how we can shift from reactive stress responses to intentional, powerful action. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty or stuck in unproductive patterns, I’ll share…
Read MoreIdentifying Your True Goals: Finding and Leading from Your Truth Center
Identifying your true goals is the starting point to transforming your life from the inside out. In this powerful episode of Mindset Unlimited, I sit down with fellow Chicago-based life coach, Amy Pons, to unpack the powerful journey of breaking through learned limitations and discovering your authentic path. We explore how to lead from your…
Read MorePlanting Seeds of Hope: Mindset Strategies for Women Leaders in a Time of Uncertainty
Planting seeds of hope is a radical act of resistance in the face of oppressive systems and during times of uncertainty and upheaval. When fear threatens to paralyze us, hope becomes our most powerful tool. Spring invites us into the sacred work of seeding dreams—not for immediate gratification, but with generational wisdom. We may not…
Read MoreVulnerability and Tending to What Is Important
Vulnerability and tending to what is important is particularly critical in a chaotic time. After my wrapping my interview with Cher Hale, she inquired into my next steps around demanding attention. As listeners who gift me your attention, it seemed appropriate to share with you my own in the moment reflections on attention and what’s…
Read MoreNavigating Change in the New Year
Navigating change in the new year without the overwhelm can feel like a lot—especially when life feels messy, uncertain, or heavy. Real change starts with understanding the waters we swim in (ie the pressures of our social norms) and engaging our internalized patterns as well as the emotions and discomfort of stepping into the unknown.…
Read MoreHealing Our Relationship With Attention
Healing Our Relationship with Attention begins with noticing the ways in which our natural need for attention has been damaged. In a society that commodifies attention and polices who and what is allowed attention, we develop a distorted relationship with a core aspect of how we connect to each other. This disconnection feeds feelings of…
Read MoreResponsive Practices to Create a Supportive Relationship with Your Teen
Responsive practices to create a supportive relationship with your teen starts with learning to stop assuming and start listening. It also involves acknowledging your own inner child’s unhealed wounds so that you can create space in yourself to hold space for another. These wounds often become activated when we see them mirrored in our children’s…
Read MoreNavigating Tough Conversations with Emotional Awareness
Navigating tough conversations with emotional awareness is a critical skill as we are all likely to need to engage difficult dialogues, especially during this time of heightened political and social tensions. These types of conversations can be emotionally taxing, and it’s important we approach them with both strong self-awareness and self-care. Our ability to show…
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