Be the Anchor – Strategies and Support for Small Business Owners

• 73 - What I Saw in 2025, Predictions for 2026

  As a seasoned business and leadership coach, Kari Lotzien takes listeners behind the curtain of 2025 to reveal the real patterns shaping small business and where the biggest opportunities (and caution flags) lie in 2026. Drawing from private coaching sessions, the Anchored Leadership Academy, and her trusted membership community, Kari brings together powerful insights from across industries.If you're a small business owner looking for clarity, connection, and direction as you plan for the year ahead, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.Key Topics Discussed:2025 in Review:The 3 phases of AI adoption Kari observed in business (curiosity → chaos → cautious strategy)How AI created both a surge in innovation and a “trust recession”The slow, strategic buyer: why trust-building took longer and how to adaptWhat’s Coming in 2026:The 4-part strategy Kari believes small businesses must embrace to thrive:Get Real – authenticity over polishGet Clean – simplify your offerings and processesAmplify Human Connection – bring back personal touch in a digital worldCollaborate – leverage aligned partnerships without growing your teamAI + Human Synergy:Why 2026 isn’t about “AI vs. people,” but how well you balance automation with deep personal serviceReal examples of how AI can support both life and business (from meal planning to creative brainstorming)Small Business Advantage:How staying small and nimble allows for deeper trust and customizationPractical insights from Kari’s work with real leaders inside her Anchored programs It's clear that small business success in 2026 won’t be about doing more, it will be about doing what matters, better. By embracing simplicity, leading with authenticity, leveraging AI thoughtfully, and building trusted partnerships, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape. This is your moment to step into leadership, refine your strategy, and reconnect with the human side of business. The future belongs to those who are willing to evolve and do it with heart.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you. Work with Kari: Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor: Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 72 - AI, SEO, and the Future of Being Found What Every Small Business Needs to Know GUEST Meg Clarke, Clapping Dog Media

  In this eye-opening episode of Be the Anchor, Kari is joined by Meg Clarke, founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency helping small businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. If SEO has ever felt overwhelming or if AI feels like it’s changing too fast to keep up, this conversation is your new best friend.Meg breaks down the shifts from traditional Google search to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. More importantly, she explains how AI is holding us accountable to show up consistently and authentically across platforms and how that's actually great news for small business owners who are just being themselves.From personal branding to practical visibility tips, Meg and Kari dive into real strategies that help you get found without needing to game the system.Key Topics Discussed:Why AI is not replacing SEO but how it’s changing the game.How to show up in a way that earns trust from AI (and your audience).The surprising role LinkedIn, podcasts, and YouTube play in visibility.Why personal Instagram content may actually confuse AI.How custom GPTs can simplify and amplify your business operations.Real-life examples of using AI as a team member not a threat.Meg’s favorite visibility hacks you can implement today.What “authenticity” really means when it comes to online presence. Whether you’re just beginning to explore SEO and AI or you’ve been navigating the digital landscape for a while, this episode is a powerful reminder that visibility doesn't have to mean overwhelm. As Meg so beautifully shared, showing up consistently, clearly, and authentically is not only enough, it's exactly what both your audience and AI are looking for. Meg Clarke is the founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency that helps local businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. Based in Northern Virginia, she leads a team that blends strategy, data, and heart to help clients grow online. A sought-after speaker and former Wheel of Fortune contestant, Meg is known for making SEO approachable, effective, and even a little fun.Connect with Meg and learn more about her incredible work here:www.clappingdogmedia.comwww.linkedin.com/in/clappingdogmediaListen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you. Work with Kari: Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor: Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 71 - It's OK to be Uncomfortable - Building Resilience

  In this powerful and timely episode of Be the Anchor, Kari Lotzien dives into a conversation that many are having behind closed doors but it’s time to bring it into the light.Are we raising and employing a generation that lacks grit, resilience, and accountability? Or are we missing a deeper opportunity to lead differently?Kari explores the cultural shift from hyper-independence to overprotection and how both employers and young professionals are caught in the middle. Drawing from her 25 years of experience working with youth and leaders, Kari challenges business owners and leaders to reflect on their own relationship with discomfort and how that directly impacts their teams.This episode will spark self-reflection, uncomfortable truths, and ultimately, a new way to support growth, resilience, and leadership in both ourselves and others.Key Topics Discussed:Why resilience doesn’t grow in comfortThe leadership challenge of holding space for discomfortHow cultural shifts have changed the resilience landscapeThe 4-quadrant model of support vs. challenge (from Challenging Coaching)Why avoiding conflict leads to business stagnationThe dance of high support & high challenge leadershipQuestions to ask instead of giving quick solutionsHow to build true grit in your team without micromanaging Growth isn’t supposed to be comfortable but it is worth it.If this episode sparked something in you, whether it was a nudge of recognition, a moment of truth, or a new perspective then you’re exactly where you need to be.The Anchored Leadership Academy was built for business owners and leaders just like you, those who are ready to stop reacting and start leading with purpose. In this 12-week, high-impact program, you’ll develop the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and courage. No fluff - just practical, tested strategies that work in real life and real business.The next cohort starts in January. Spots are limited.🔗 Learn more and book your discovery call here.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you. Work with Kari: Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor: Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 70 - When Success Starts to Feel Heavy - with Guest Carolyn Mulholland

  In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode of Be the Anchor, Kari Lotzien welcomes Carolyn Mulholland - wife, mother, grandmother, and founder of the Tide Center for Counseling and Health. Together, they unpack the invisible weight entrepreneurs carry and the slow drift from joy and alignment into exhaustion and burnout.If you’ve ever felt like you're just “pushing through,” this episode is for you. From signs of burnout to understanding the window of tolerance, Kari and Carolyn explore how our nervous systems are impacted by chronic stress, and what we can do to come home to ourselves again, personally and professionally.Whether you're running a business or just running on empty, this conversation is a call to pause, reflect, and gently reclaim your light.Key Topics Discussed:The Hidden Burnout of High PerformersWhy success can mask quiet exhaustion—and what to do about it. When Home Life Flags What Work IgnoresHow burnout shows up in relationships before business performance. Burnout Signs We MissFrom high blood pressure to detachment and cynicism. Understanding the Window of ToleranceWhat it is, why it matters, and how to expand it. Hyper vs. Hypo-ArousalThe difference between driven energy and dysregulation. Resentment & People PleasingThe cost of saying yes to others while saying no to yourself. Burnout Heals in CommunityWhy we need more than networking; we need real support. Tending the LanternA powerful metaphor for protecting your inner light during tough seasons. Glimmers & Daily RitualsSmall joys and transitions that rebuild energy and connection.This episode is a powerful reminder that burnout doesn’t always look like collapse; it often hides behind busy schedules, polished appearances, and quiet detachment. Through her warmth and wisdom, Carolyn Mulholland invites us to pause, reflect, and tend to the parts of ourselves we often overlook.If you're feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or just a little lost, this is your invitation to come home to yourself. You are not alone, and healing is possible.Take a breath. Light the lantern. And let this conversation be the anchor that brings you back.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you. Connect with Carolyn and learn more about her incredible work here:Visit [email protected] Work with Kari: Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor: Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 69 - The Sh!t That is Really Holding us Back - Guest Jillian Vukovich

  In this deep, vulnerable, and powerful episode of Be the Anchor, Kari welcomes her long-time friend and financial powerhouse, Jillian, for a raw conversation about success, identity, and what it really means to thrive as a woman in today’s world.From money mindset and family dynamics to philanthropy, partnership, motherhood, and ambition - this episode is a call for women to stop playing small, to own their power unapologetically, and to be seen for the impact they’re making in the world.Key Topics Discussed:Moving beyond traditional roles and expectations.The fear of being “too much” when you’re ambitious or successful.How wealth is perceived differently for women.Letting go of guilt around financial success.Raising daughters who see success as normal.Modeling leadership and contribution, not hustle and depletion.Why visibility matters—and why it’s not the same as arrogance.The emotional impact of shrinking to stay likable.Real stories of being misunderstood or judged for ambition.Resilience as a superpower.Building supportive partnerships at home and at work.Creating sustainable businesses with boundaries and systems.Teaching kids generosity and values.Using wealth as a tool for legacy, not ego.Why we need spaces for brave conversations among women.Celebrating each other’s wins without shrinking ourselves.This episode is more than a conversation; it’s a rally cry for women who are ready to stop playing small and start showing up boldly in their businesses, families, and communities. As Kari and Jillian remind us, it’s not about ego, it’s about impact. And when women lead unapologetically, everyone benefits.Whether you're just starting out or sitting at the helm of something incredible, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to choose between being kind and being powerful; you can be both.So step forward. Take up space. Be the anchor.Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you. Work with Kari: Anchored Leadership AcademyPrivate Business and Leadership CoachingContact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor: Website: BeTheAnchor.caFacebook: BeTheAnchorLtdInstagram: BeTheAnchor.caLinked In: Kari Lotzien Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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