Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan

Have you ever been told no and wondered whether you should keep pushing or walk away? I’ve learned that a no doesn’t always mean the door is closed. In this episode, I talk about the lessons from my own experiences with rejection, from receiving 14 rejections during the book proposal revision process before getting a yes on the 15th version to landing a TEDx talk after more than 100 rejections. I share how to refine your pitch, identify the right decision-makers, and communicate the value you bring so you can keep pursuing opportunities without letting setbacks define you. I also dive into why persistence must come with boundaries and why knowing when to say no is just as important as fighting for a yes. Tune in to learn how to advocate for yourself, navigate rejection, and move closer to the opportunities you want.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Why I don’t let one NO determine my next move.

How I got a YES from a literary agent on the 15th version of my book proposal.

How asking better questions can change the conversation.

Why you need to know who actually has the power to say yes.

How I used research and data to make my case for keeping my book in hardcover.

What more than 100 TEDx rejections taught me about changing my pitch.

Why your pitch needs to focus on the value you bring to others.

How I advocated for a bigger role after my boss initially said no.

Why you should never take no from someone who can’t give you a yes.

How to protect your boundaries when other people change the plan.

Why standing up for your commitments is part of knowing your worth.

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Sequencing - Right now, sequencing.com is offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com, and use promo code CONFIDENCE for 10% off.

NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work at netsuite.ai/MONAHAN.

Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code CONFIDENCE at monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

Hostinger - Go to hostinger.com/CONFIDENCE and use code CONFIDENCE for 10% off now.

Vinted - See what's hiding in your closet, you might be surprised how much you can earn with Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start listing with no seller fees.

Resources + Links

Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!

Visit heathermonahan.com

Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/

Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com

If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator

Follow

Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn

Are you ready to stop letting your past define you and start building a future that reflects who you're becoming? In this special episode, I’m excited to share an inspiring live panel featuring powerful women who discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and overcoming adversity. We dive into creating stronger teams, finding purpose beyond motherhood, navigating public criticism and personal setbacks, and having the courage to reinvent yourself when life takes an unexpected turn. Tune in to discover how to trust yourself through difficult seasons, embrace change, and build a life and legacy that are bigger than you.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to lead authentically without changing who you are to meet others’ expectations.

Why self-awareness and adaptability are essential as life changes.

How to build a team that elevates others and shares your vision.

Why your business should be designed to grow beyond your personal involvement.

How to maintain your identity and purpose while navigating motherhood.

How to face public criticism, professional setbacks, and personal loss.

Why changing your perspective can help you move through adversity.

How faith and mindset can provide strength during challenging seasons.

Why the right connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

How to step outside your comfort zone and grow into the person your next level of success requires.

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Sequencing - Right now, sequencing.com is offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com, and use promo code CONFIDENCE for 10% off.

NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work at netsuite.ai/MONAHAN.

Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code CONFIDENCE at monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

Hostinger - Go to hostinger.com/CONFIDENCE and use code CONFIDENCE for 10% off now.

Vinted - See what's hiding in your closet, you might be surprised how much you can earn with Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start listing with no seller fees.

Resources + Links

Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!

Visit heathermonahan.com

Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/

Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com

If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator

Follow

Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn

What happens when the identity that made you successful starts holding you back? In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Petrone, the CEO Whisperer, former senior executive, and leadership coach. Andrea shares how reaching the top of his career forced him to confront an outdated leadership identity and why even the most successful leaders can struggle to recognize when they need to change. We dive into how pressure exposes our blind spots, why self-awareness and vulnerability are essential to effective leadership, and how AI is changing what it means to be an expert. Andrea also breaks down the leadership identities that can keep you stuck, the importance of empowering others, and how to recognize the signals that it’s time to reinvent yourself. Tune in to discover how to challenge your old patterns, lead with greater clarity, and become the version of yourself your next chapter requires.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Meet Andrea Petrone, Performance & Executive Coach to 250+ CEOs and Leadership Teams.

How outdated beliefs about leadership can become a liability at the top.

Why self-awareness is essential when pressure hits.

The warning signs leaders miss before results start to decline.

Why reinvention applies to anyone carrying responsibility, not just CEOs.

How AI is changing the role of leaders and challenging traditional expertise.

Why avoiding change becomes more costly as pressure increases.

How vulnerability helps leaders build trust and create stronger teams.

What it means to grieve the leader you used to be.

The five leadership archetypes and why the Stoic archetype often struggles to let go.

How to recognize when your current identity is no longer serving your goals.

Why great leaders empower others instead of needing to be involved in everything.

An exercise to identify the gaps between who you are and how you lead.

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Sequencing - Right now, sequencing.com is offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com, and use promo code CONFIDENCE for 10% off.

NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work at netsuite.ai/MONAHAN.

Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code CONFIDENCE at monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

Hostinger - Go to hostinger.com/CONFIDENCE and use code CONFIDENCE for 10% off now.

Vinted - See what's hiding in your closet, you might be surprised how much you can earn with Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start listing with no seller fees.

Resources + Links

Pre-order your copy of Andrea’s book, Reinvention at the Top: The Playbook for CEOs to Lead Under Pressure: https://www.reinventionatthetop.com/preorder

Listen to Andrea’s The World Class Leaders Show podcast: https://andreapetrone.com/podcast

Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!

Visit heathermonahan.com

Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/

Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com

If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator

Follow

Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn

Andrea on Instagram & LinkedIn

Your past does NOT determine how successful your future can be! This week, I'm sitting down with attorney, entrepreneur, and Mrs. Hawaii International Jessica Lynn Silva, whose incredible journey from growing up in poverty and becoming a single mom at 18 to building a thriving law firm proves that your circumstances don't have to define what's possible for you. Jessica shares how she pushed through self-doubt, navigated major personal setbacks, and found the courage to reinvent herself again and again. We're breaking down how to take action even when you're terrified, build powerful relationships that open unexpected doors, and stop letting your comfort zone hold you back from your next level. If you've been waiting to feel confident enough to make your next big move, this conversation is your reminder that confidence comes from taking action, not waiting until you're ready!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

00:00 How Jessica transformed a difficult beginning into a successful future.

02:45 Growing up in poverty and becoming a single mother at 18.

04:00 Finding the strength to move forward when life doesn't go as planned.

07:45 Jessica's unexpected path from single motherhood to a career in law.

10:15 The sacrifices and determination behind Jessica's success.

11:45 How Jessica earned 4 degrees without student loan debt.

13:30 Overcoming self-doubt as you step into bigger opportunities.

16:00 Navigating marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of military life.

19:30 Why communication is essential for successful relationships.

20:15 Reinventing yourself after painful setbacks and unexpected life changes.

23:45 How facing your fears can open doors you never imagined.

24:30 Building confidence every time you step into a new level of success.

26:45 How genuine generosity and meaningful connections create opportunities.

29:30 How to build a profitable business through relationships and referrals.

31:00 Finding the courage to grow your personal brand and become more visible.

34:00 Learning to share your accomplishments and establish credibility.

36:45 How your mindset influences the opportunities you create.

37:45 Overcoming the fear of public speaking and showing up anyway.

39:45 Why staying in your comfort zone can limit your potential.

40:00 Embracing abundance, collaboration, and continuous growth.

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Sequencing - Right now, sequencing.com is offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com, and use promo code CONFIDENCE for 10% off.

NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work at netsuite.ai/MONAHAN.

Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code CONFIDENCE at monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

Hostinger - Go to hostinger.com/CONFIDENCE and use code CONFIDENCE for 10% off now.

Vinted - See what's hiding in your closet, you might be surprised how much you can earn with Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start listing with no seller fees.

Resources + Links

Learn more at https://www.jessicalynnlaw.com/

Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!

Visit heathermonahan.com

Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/

Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com

If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator

Follow

Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn

Jessica on Instagram

You could be leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table simply because you're not asking for what you deserve at work! I'm sitting down with negotiation expert Kathryn Valentine to reveal the research-backed strategies women can use to negotiate higher salaries, secure promotions, and advocate for themselves without risking their reputation. We're breaking down 3 powerful negotiation techniques, how to confidently ask for more without becoming confrontational, and the surprising reason you need to start these conversations BEFORE your annual performance review. If you're ready to stop waiting for someone to recognize your value and start creating opportunities to earn more and advance your career, this episode is for you!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The 3 research-backed negotiation strategies that help women get better results.

How to ask for more money, promotions, and opportunities without creating conflict.

The costly mistake that could leave you working years longer than necessary.

How to use AI to prepare for high-stakes conversations and negotiate with confidence.

Why you need to advocate for your next raise or promotion BEFORE your annual review.

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Sequencing - Right now, sequencing.com is offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com, and use promo code CONFIDENCE for 10% off.

NetSuite - If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Aligning for the Agentic Era: How AI Is Changing Everyday Work at netsuite.ai/MONAHAN.

Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code CONFIDENCE at monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

Hostinger - Go to hostinger.com/CONFIDENCE and use code CONFIDENCE for 10% off now.

Resources + Links

Get Kathryn Valentine's free list of 76 things you can negotiate: 76things.com

Learn more at https://worthmorestrategies.com/

Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!

Visit heathermonahan.com

Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/

Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com

If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator

Follow

Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn