Lean In With Lizzy

Most women wait too long to step into their potential - held back by fear, self-doubt, or the belief that success and motherhood can’t coexist.In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Michelle Gifford - marketing strategist, founder of a creative agency, and mom of five - who proves that you don’t have to choose between family and ambition. She shares her no-nonsense approach to building a business that actually makes money, how to silence imposter syndrome, and why “microfails” (yes, failing on purpose!) are the key to long-term success.From starting her first business while six months pregnant to helping women scale their brands using social media, Michelle breaks down the mindset shifts and strategies that turn ideas into income. If you’ve been waiting for permission to go all in, this is it.Connect with Michelle Gifford:Instagram: @iammichellegiffordConnect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @Lizzy.jensenChapters:00:00 – 00:48 | Introduction • Lizzy welcomes Michelle and shares their history in podcasting • How Michelle’s first podcast inspired Lizzy’s journey00:48 – 02:46 | Michelle’s Entrepreneurial Journey • How she started her first business while pregnant • Her transition from small-town life to building a marketing agency02:46 – 04:51 | The Power of Social Media for Women • How social media empowers women to build businesses • Why embracing digital tools is crucial for success04:51 – 06:38 | Balancing Business & Motherhood • The challenges of entrepreneurship as a mom • How to redefine success & build confidence06:38 – 09:55 | How Women Approach Business Differently • The differences between male and female entrepreneurship • Why community and connection matter more than ever09:55 – 13:07 | First Steps for Starting a Business • The importance of following the money • Why women must overcome the fear of selling13:07 – 19:02 | The Reality of Work-Life Balance • Practical strategies for managing family and business • How to design a life that works for you19:02 – 23:29 | Redefining Motherhood & Success • Separating motherhood from caretaking roles • Making intentional choices about what work to do23:29 – 30:12 | Confidence, Community & Finding Your People • Why confidence attracts the right people • The power of showing up authentically30:12 – 39:49 | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome • How practice eliminates self-doubt • Why doing the work qualifies you for success39:49 – 45:23 | Taking Ownership of Your Achievements • Why women downplay their success • How owning your wins helps you grow and serve others45:23 – 47:21 | Michelle’s Legacy & Final Advice • Encouraging women to step up and use their voices • Why now is the time for women to share their light

Why is it still acceptable to mock and exclude certain faiths while others are fiercely protected?In this deeply personal episode of Lean In with Lizzy, Lizzy takes on a topic she’s long resisted discussing—prejudice against her faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She opens up about her own experiences with religious bias, from being physically attacked as a missionary to witnessing discrimination in business and media.Lizzy explores the broader implications of religious intolerance, questioning why public outcry is selective when it comes to faith-based discrimination. She unpacks the stereotypes perpetuated in media, including recent portrayals in film and television that distort and demean Latter-day Saints.But this isn’t just about one faith—it’s about the growing divide in how we treat people of all beliefs. Lizzy challenges listeners to rethink their own biases and invites an open, interfaith conversation on how we can build bridges instead of walls.If you’ve ever felt your faith was misrepresented or dismissed, this episode will resonate with you.Connect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @lizzy.jensenPodcast Landing Page: Lean In With LizzyChapters:00:00 – 00:45 | A Personal and Unexpected Topic• Why Lizzy resisted speaking on this subject• The importance of bridge-building over division00:45 – 02:30 | Facing Faith-Based Prejudice• Why the LDS Church rarely responds to public criticism• How the Book of Mormon musical shaped public perception02:30 – 05:15 | Personal Experiences with Religious Bias• From childhood exclusion to missionary persecution• Business and social opportunities lost due to faith affiliation05:15 – 09:00 | How Media & Pop Culture Fuel Bias• The troubling portrayal of LDS members in TV and film• Why shows like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives misrepresent faith09:00 – 12:45 | Standing Up for Faith in Public Spaces• Open hostility in sports stadiums and universities• The impact of chanting “F the Mormons” at BYU games12:45 – 17:30 | Who Are the Latter-day Saints?• Contributions of LDS members to society• Breaking down misconceptions about the faith17:30 – 22:00 | The Bigger Picture: Religious Freedom at Risk• How prejudice against one faith impacts all religions• Why believers of all backgrounds must unite22:00 – 26:45 | A Call to Action for Interfaith Unity• Lizzy’s vision for a council of faith-driven women• How to get involved in standing up for faith-based values

What if the hardest moments of your life became the fuel for your greatest strengths?In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Jenedy Paige - professional artist, American Ninja Warrior competitor, and founder of the Strong Women Experience - to uncover the secret to pushing past fear and stepping into your God-given potential.Jenedy shares her powerful journey of resilience, from experiencing deep personal loss to discovering unexpected callings that would redefine her identity. She opens up about why she wakes up at 4 AM, how she learned to trust divine direction, and what really happens when you say yes to something that terrifies you.Together, Lizzy and Jenedy dive into how small, consistent habits lead to massive transformation and why strength isn’t just about muscles - it’s about faith, courage, and showing up even when you don’t feel ready.If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re strong enough, this conversation will change the way you see yourself.Connect with Jenedy Paige:Instagram: @jenedypaige (https://www.instagram.com/jenedypaige)Website: jenedypaige.com (https://www.jenedypaige.com)Strong Women Experience: strongwomenexperience.com (https://www.strongwomenexperience.com)Connect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy (https://www.instagram.com/leaninwithlizzy) & Lizzy.jensen (https://www.instagram.com/lizzy.jensen)

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Michelle Craig, former First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to explore how small, intentional habits can transform your relationship with God and infuse your daily life with joy.Michelle opens up about her experience leading 500,000 young women worldwide, the fears she overcame, and the life-changing lessons she learned about stepping outside of her comfort zone. From discovering the power of putting away her phone in grocery store lines to creating sacred moments in everyday life, Michelle shares practical ways to recognize God’s hand in ordinary moments.Together, Lizzy and Michelle discuss the importance of creating holy spaces—whether in the temple, at home, or even in the car—and how living as an everyday disciple doesn’t require perfection, just a willing heart. If you’ve ever felt like discipleship is heavy or intimidating, this conversation will inspire you to see it as a joyful, transformative journey.Connect with Michelle Craig:Instagram: @michelledcraigConnect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & Lizzy.jensen

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Taylor McAllister, fitness entrepreneur and founder of MacFit, to talk about the powerful decision to step away from a thriving business and lean fully into motherhood. Taylor shares how she built a successful fitness platform for women, the struggles of balancing work and family, and the deep internal wrestle that led her to walk away from it all.Together, Lizzy and Taylor explore the challenges women face in navigating ambition, identity, and faith-led pivots. Taylor opens up about the discomfort of change, the mourning that comes with closing a chapter, and the unexpected peace she found in trusting God’s plan. They discuss why women hesitate to step away from external validation, the fears around losing momentum, and how true fulfillment often comes from unseen but deeply meaningful work.Taylor also shares her journey of redefining success, embracing the unknown, and finding joy in the present season of motherhood. If you’ve ever felt torn between career and calling, this conversation will inspire you to trust your instincts, lean into change, and embrace the bigger picture God has for you.Connect with Taylor McAllister:Instagram: @tay_macfitConnect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @Lizzy.jensen

In this episode of Lean In With Lizzy, Lizzy sits down with Sarah Sun Kanell, former Miss Utah, BYU Student Body President, and future Bain & Company consultant, to talk about ambition, confidence, and stepping into leadership as a woman. Sarah shares the powerful story of her mother, Ling, whose resilience shaped her own path, and how she’s using her platform to advocate for second-chance hiring and women in leadership.Together, Sarah and Lizzy dive into the challenges ambitious women face, the confidence gap between men and women, and how we can shift the narrative around women in leadership. They discuss why women hesitate to take up space, how to stop waiting for permission, and the importance of building a support system that lifts others up.Sarah also opens up about her experiences in the Miss Utah program, navigating male-dominated spaces, and the key lessons she’s learned about purpose, resilience, and using your voice for impact.This episode is a must-listen for any woman looking to embrace her ambition unapologetically and step into leadership with confidence.Connect with Sarah Sun Kanell:Instagram: @sunsarahkanellConnect with Lizzy Jensen:Instagram: @leaninwithlizzy & @Lizzy.jensen