Have you ever walked into a room and immediately thought, “What am I doing here?” Maybe you were waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Ma’am, there has been a mistake. You do not belong here.” Congratulations, friend, you have met imposter syndrome—and in this episode, we are calling it out for exactly what it is: a big, fat lie.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, Julie Burch and Mallory Herron dig into the sneaky, exhausting, and wildly common experience of feeling like you are not enough, even when all the evidence says otherwise. From leadership rooms and networking groups to big speaking stages, award galas, salary conversations, and career risks, imposter syndrome has a nasty little habit of showing up right when you are trying to grow.

Julie and Mallory talk about how negative self-talk fuels self-doubt, why comparison is gasoline on the imposter syndrome fire, and how even wildly successful, talented, high-achieving people can still feel like they are one wrong move away from being “found out.” They also share real stories about feeling out of place, questioning their own value, underpricing themselves, and learning to reframe discomfort as a sign of growth instead of proof that they do not belong.

This episode is packed with practical tools to help you stop spiraling and start taking back control. You will hear how to use the Five Whys to get to the root of your insecurity, how to name your inner critic, how to create a confidence file, and why focusing on action instead of identity can help you move forward even when you do not feel ready. Because spoiler alert: confidence does not come from knowing everything. Confidence comes from taking action, figuring it out, and keeping the promises you make to yourself.

Julie and Mallory also introduce their new Fan Mail Five segment, answering a listener question about feeling trapped, ambition, workplace politics, and tough career choices. Their answer brings it all back to agency over self: identifying what you can control, choosing your next move with intention, and refusing to hand your power over to people, systems, or situations that do not get to define you.

Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, professional, working mom, career changer, or just someone who has ever thought, “Who am I to do this?”—this episode is your reminder that you are not alone, you are not a fraud, and you are not required to wait until you feel 100% ready before you make your next bold move.

It is time to stop letting imposter syndrome run the meeting, set the price, silence your voice, or keep you out of rooms you were invited into for a reason.

Listen now and learn how to shut down self-doubt, own your value, and break through to the next version of you.

If you want your question answered on Fan Mail Five, you can ask Mallory and Julie a question by clicking the button at the top of the show notes and send us a text message or voicemail and you may end up on the air!

You can also reach us on our website breakthroughwmj.com or our social media!

Let’s just say it:
 The voice in your head? Yeah… she’s a liar. And she’s got opinions.

In this no-fluff, call-you-out (with love) episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re diving straight into the messy, unfiltered reality of negative self-talk, inner critics, and the voices that shape your life—whether you realize it or not.

Because here’s the truth:
 You are listening to someone all day long…
And most of the time?
It’s you. And you’re being kind of a jerk about it.

We’re unpacking:

•  Why your inner monologue is probably more toxic than you think 
•  How that voice is quietly sabotaging your confidence, decisions, and success 
•  And how to stop believing every negative thought that pops into your head 

Oh—and yes… we’re naming her Nancy. Because sometimes you’ve got to call it out to shut it down.

But we don’t stop there…

We also get real about:

•  The impact of social media comparison (hello, highlight reels 🙄) 
•  The truth about feedback—who to listen to and who to ignore
•  Why positive affirmations are overrated… and what actually works instead 
•  And how to shift from negative thinking to powerful, confidence-building action

Because this isn’t about standing in the mirror pretending you believe something you don’t.
 This is about taking your power back through action, awareness, and a whole lot of honesty.

🔥 What You’ll Walk Away With

1. A Reality Check on Your Inner Voice
If you wouldn’t say it to your best friend, WHY are you saying it to yourself? It’s time to recognize the trash talk—and shut it down.

2. A Better Filter for Feedback
Not all feedback is created equal. Learn how to separate emotion from information so you can grow without spiraling.

3. A Game Plan for Real Confidence
Confidence doesn’t come from hype—it comes from action. We’ll show you how to move from self-doubt to self-trust.

🚨 Call-Out Moment

If you’ve been:

•  Overthinking 
•  Playing small 
•  Talking yourself out of opportunities 
•  Or believing you’re “not enough” 

👉 It’s not your life that’s the problem… it’s the voice you’re listening to.

And guess what?
 You can change the channel.

🎙️ Listen Now

If you’re ready to:

•  Take back control of your thoughts 
•  Stop self-sabotaging 
•  And actually start showing up like the powerful human you are 

Hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to tell their inner Nancy to zip it.

Ever catch yourself saying “I don’t care… whatever you want…” — and then secretly feeling frustrated, overlooked, or straight-up resentful?

Yeah… we’re calling that out.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re diving headfirst into the sneaky habit of self-abdication—aka giving away your voice, your choices, and your power without even realizing it. 

Because let’s be honest…
 Being “easygoing” sounds cute—until you’re stuck eating sushi when you wanted tacos, watching someone else get the promotion, or living a life that doesn’t actually feel like yours.

🔥 Here’s the truth:
 If you don’t speak up, the world will decide for you.

We’re breaking down:

•  How “going with the flow” turns into a pattern of power loss
•  Why people pleasing is NOT kindness—it’s self-sabotage 
•  The real reason you’re waiting to be asked (spoiler: it’s not coming) 
•  How to speak up—even when your voice shakes 
•  And how to say NO without burning bridges (or your sanity) 

You’ll hear real-life stories (some hilarious, some painfully relatable), workplace truths, and the exact mindset shifts you need to stop giving your power away and start owning your life, your voice, and your decisions.

Because here’s the deal:
 👉 You don’t need permission.
 👉 You don’t need an invitation.
 👉 And you definitely don’t need to stay quiet to be liked.

It’s time to take your seat at the table—or better yet, build your own.

🎧 Hit play, get called out (lovingly, of course), and start taking your power back.

Follow Mallory Herrin and Julie Burch on their website Breakthroughwmj.com 

or on social-- BreakthroughWMJ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieburchspeaks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloryherrin/

Ever had one of those days where you worked nonstop, answered all the things, handled everybody’s emergencies, and still ended the day thinking, What in the world did I actually get done? Yeah. Same.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re calling out one of the biggest productivity traps out there: confusing being busy with being effective. Because let’s be honest—running around like your hair is on fire does not automatically mean you’re making progress.

Julie and Mallory dig into the difference between intentional action and reactive chaos, why so many people feel like everyone else is “taking their time,” and how to take your power back by choosing where your time actually goes. They tackle everything from setting priorities and communicating with your boss to using practical productivity tools like time blocking, the Pomodoro Technique, batching tasks, accountability, and the Eisenhower Matrix.

This episode is a real-talk reminder that busy does not equal results. If you’re tired of ending your day frustrated, frazzled, and a little bit cranky, this conversation will help you stop putting out everyone else’s fires and start focusing on the work that actually moves the needle.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why being busy all day can still leave you feeling unproductive
• The difference between reactive work and intentional action
• How poor boundaries and weak communication steal your focus
• Why “time management” is really self-management
• How to identify your highest-value tasks
• Practical tools to boost productivity and reduce overwhelm
• How to stop spinning your wheels and start getting real results

If you’re craving better time management, productivity, prioritization, intentional living, and less overwhelm, this episode is for you.

Stay connected with Mallory Herring and Julie Burch at breakthroughwmj.com

Ever catch yourself saying, “I’m stuck”… when what you really mean is “I don’t want to make the decision”? Yeah. Same.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re lovingly kicking you in the mindset and calling out one of the biggest personal development traps: waiting for the “right time,” the “perfect circumstances,” or a magical burst of motivation to show up and carry you like a queen on a chaise lounge.

Spoiler: it’s not coming.

Mallory breaks down why “stuck” is usually just avoidance in a cute outfit (hello, victim mindset), using a straight-from-HR example that hits hard: the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and why it’s not a trap door, it’s a last chance to level up. Julie brings the heat with self-abdication (aka giving away your power), procrastination truths, and the real reason you “don’t have time” (hint: your thumb + TikTok are in a situationship).

We talk about:

• Why inaction is still a choice
• How to stop the all-or-nothing spiral and find Option C
• The mindset shift that turns “I don’t have resources” into “How can I do this with what I have?”
• Why progress beats perfection every single time

Your challenge at the end? Simple: What’s ONE action you can take today to move your life forward?

Because you’re not stuck.
 You’re just one decision away.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How “feeling stuck” is often decision avoidance
• Why victim mentality feels comforting (and why it costs you everything)
• How to reclaim control when anxiety is running the show
• The “resources reframe” to stop saying “I can’t”
• How to stop procrastinating by improving prioritization
• Why small actions create momentum fast

Key Takeaways (3 quick hitters)

1. Stop prioritizing easy — start prioritizing progress.
2. Look for Option C. You usually have more choices than you’re admitting.
3. Not choosing is still choosing. And it’s rarely the choice you want.

If this episode called you out in the best way, follow the show, share it with a friend who keeps saying “I’m stuck,” and take ONE action today. Small moves create big breakthroughs.

Check out www.breakthroughwmj.com for more on the podcast and Mallory and Julie!

      Follow the show: Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie

• Instagram/TikTok: @breakthroughwmj
• Mallory: @malloryherrin (Instagram) | @malloryherrinx (TikTok)
• Julie: @julieburch
• Julie Burch Speaks: julieburch.com
• Herrin HR: herrinhr.com | +1 800-607-7787

If you’ve ever whispered, “I’m so out of balance…” while simultaneously answering emails, reheating cold coffee, and wondering if your laundry is legally considered a dependent… welcome. You’re in the right place.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, we’re taking a flamethrower to the whole idea of work-life balance—because let’s be real: balance sounds cute, but it often turns into guilt with a Pinterest board.

Mallory and Julie break down why the “scales” version of balance is a setup (equal in all areas?! PLEASE), why your brain is addicted to the shoulds, and how comparison turns your life into someone else’s yardstick. We’re swapping the myth of balance for something way more useful: work-life harmony that fits your season, your values, and your real life (teenagers, messy houses, businesses, burnout, and all).

You’ll learn how to “recalibrate” before your body forces you to, how to stop doing the stuff nobody will notice if you quit, and why the goal isn’t getting everything done—it’s getting the right things done.

Because your life isn’t a spreadsheet. It’s a story. And you get to write it.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why work-life balance is a myth (and why the “equal scales” idea makes you feel like a failure)
• The real reason you feel out of balance.
• A practical way to evaluate your life using the “six-slice pie”:
  1. Work/Career
  2. Home/Family
  3. Health
  4. Recreation/Leisure
  5. Social/Friends
  6. Spiritual
• How balance evolves in seasons (what worked 10 years ago might not work now)
• Why comparing your “pie” to someone else’s is a guaranteed way to stay miserable
• The truth about burnout: hustle can build success… but overindulging in hustle will break you
• The “do less” wake-up call: stop doing the unnecessary stuff you’re doing out of obligation
• Why you’re nicer to your best friend than you are to yourself (and how to fix that)
• How to combine life categories (family time + movement + sanity) instead of trying to do it all separately

Quote-Worthy Moments

• “Balance isn’t a destination. It’s a mindset—and it evolves.”
• “Don’t be an asshole and have a messy house.”
• “It’s not about getting it all done—it’s about getting the right things done.”
• “The mess is part of your success.”

Your Breakthrough Challenge-- try it. Seriously.

1. Draw your “Now Pie.” How are you actually spending your time/energy/resources right now?
2. Draw your “Ideal Pie.” What would feel aligned with your values in this season?
3. Pick one thing to stop doing that you’re only doing because you think you “should.”
   (Real talk: if you quit it and nobody notices… congratulations, you just got your life back.)

If you’re a woman in business, an ambitious professional, an entrepreneur, a working mom, a work at home mom, or just a human trying to juggle career growth, family life, personal development, and mental health without combusting—this one’s for you. Especially if you’re battling burnout, overwhelm, anxiety, or the pressure to “have it all” all the time.

Come hang out with the Breakthrough Crew and tell us what hit home:

• Social: @BreakthroughWMJ
• Julie: @JulieBurchSpeaks | julie@julieburch.com
  
  
• Mallory: @mallory.herron (IG) | @MalloryHerronX (TikTok) | mallory@heronhr.com
  
  

And hey—if this episode made you laugh, made you think, or lovingly called you out… hit follow, share it with a friend w

Check out our website www.breakthroughwmj.com 

(**There may be a couple of spicy words in this episode...but only a couple!)

🎙️ Episode Overview:

Redefining Success Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Marriage, Kids, or Sanity)

What if success isn’t a destination… but a constantly moving target?
 And what if chasing someone else’s version of it is the very thing making you exhausted, overwhelmed, and quietly miserable?

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory and Julie, Mallory Herrin and Julie Burch get real (and hilariously honest) about what success actually looks like for women in business—especially women juggling careers, families, relationships, ambition, and a whole lot of internal pressure. Spoiler alert: you can’t have it all at the same time, and pretending you can is a fast track to burnout.

If you’re a high-achieving woman struggling with work-life balance, constantly comparing yourself to others, or feeling stuck between wanting more but not knowing how to get out of your own head—this conversation is for you. Mallory and Julie unpack the myths of success we’ve been sold, the mental roadblocks that keep women playing small, and why peace, values, and boundaries might be the real flex.

From society’s expectations around marriage, kids, and careers to the trap of doomscrolling, designer handbags, and “I’ll be happy when…” thinking, this episode calls out the nonsense and replaces it with clarity, permission, and practical mindset shifts. Success isn’t about the title, the money, the house, or the highlight reel—it’s about alignment, intention, and designing a life that actually feels good to live.

Expect laughs, truth bombs, relatable stories, and straight talk about ambition, identity, and redefining success on your terms. Because success isn’t external—it’s internal. And it evolves as you do.

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why success is a mindset—not a milestone
• How women in business can redefine success without guilt or comparison
• Why work-life balance isn’t about doing more, but choosing better
• How societal pressure fuels burnout and self-doubt for ambitious women
• The connection between values, time, boundaries, and real fulfillment
• How to stop self-abdication and take your power (and your calendar) back
• Why peace might be the most underrated measure of success

If you’re ready to stop chasing someone else’s definition of success and start building a life that actually aligns with who you are now, press play. This episode might just be the breakthrough you didn’t know you needed. 💥

Resilience — How to Keep Going When Quitting Feels Easier

Starting is easy. Sticking with it is where most people quit.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Mallory & Julie, we’re talking about resilience—the kind that shows up after the motivation fades, the plan falls apart, and life throws a wrench directly at your face. This isn’t about “positive vibes only” or grinding yourself into burnout. This is real-world personal development for women who want growth, success, and the ability to keep going when it gets hard.

Mallory Herron and Julie Burch break down why most women don’t actually lack resilience everywhere—they struggle in specific pressure points. Emotional reactions. Mental overwhelm. Burnout. Fear of failure. Change. Conflict. Self-doubt. Sound familiar? We name it, call it out, and show you how to build resilience where you need it most.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why emotional regulation is a non-negotiable skill for empowered women
• How mental resilience shuts down overthinking, excuses, and analysis paralysis
• The truth about burnout (you’re not weak—you’re fried)
• How to stay the course when plans change and life gets messy
• Why resilient women don’t fail less—they recover faster
• How to stop outsourcing your confidence to other people’s opinions
• Why discipline beats motivation every single time

We also talk about Julie’s “war on self-abdication,” the moment Mallory learned resilience the hard way, and why your why—even if it’s not noble or Instagram-worthy—is the fuel that keeps you moving forward.

If you’re a woman who knows she’s capable of more but keeps getting stuck at the same quitting point…this episode is for you.

Because empowerment isn’t about feeling ready.
 Resilience is what gets you through the dojo.
 And success belongs to the women who stay in the game.

🎧 Download the resilience self-assessment on the website www.breakthroughwmj.com
 📲 Connect with us on social @breakthroughwmj
 💥 And as always—go out there and break through

Episode 1: Scared? Do It Anyway! Get Past the Fear Factor.

Episode Description / Overview

Fear shows up right before growth — and in this very first episode of Breakthrough with Mallory & Julie, the ladies dive headfirst into the fear that holds so many of us back. From career risks and confidence struggles to imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the stories we tell ourselves, Mallory and Julie get real about what it takes to move forward even when you’re scared out of your mind.

Through honest stories, humor, and a few hard truths, they break down why fear isn’t a stop sign — it’s a signal. A signal that you’re on the edge of growth. Whether it’s launching something new, speaking up, leaving a toxic situation, or finally betting on yourself, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start moving.

Because courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s choosing to move anyway.

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why fear is normal — and why it usually shows up right before a breakthrough
• How to tell the difference between healthy fear and fear that’s holding you hostage
• Why confidence isn’t something you “have” — it’s something you build through action
• How to stop giving your power away to other people’s opinions
• Why “doing it scared” is often the only way forward
• How small, brave actions compound into massive personal growth
• The mindset shift that turns fear into fuel

💡 Key Takeaways

• Fear doesn’t mean stop — it usually means go.
• Courage comes before confidence, not the other way around.
• People aren’t thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are.
• You don’t need permission to take up space or go after what you want.
• You already have proof you can do hard things — you’ve done it before.

🎯 Quote-Worthy Moments

• “Confidence is the memory of winning — courage is what gets you there.”
• “You don’t need to wait until you’re ready. You need to start.”
• “Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means pay attention and move anyway.”
• “You are not behind. You are building.”

🔔 Call to Action

If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs the reminder that they’re capable of more than they think.
 Follow @breakthroughwmj for more real talk, growth, and no-excuses encouragement — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Because growth doesn’t happen in comfort…
 It happens when you choose courage.