In this episode of The Badass Softie Podcast, Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with creative business mentor and coach Laura Higgins for a heartfelt, grounded conversation on what it really means to lead as a creative.

Laura opens up about her journey from “generalist” uni dropout to running a successful business coaching over 1,000 creatives — and the mindset shifts, courage, and leadership skills she had to build along the way.

Together, they explore the tension so many creatives feel:

• Can I be ambitious without losing my softness?
• Can I lead boldly without abandoning my heart?
• Can I be an artist and an entrepreneur?

Laura makes the case that leadership isn’t a personality type — it’s a learnable skill. And when creatives pair structure with soul, something powerful emerges: sustainable success without losing the magic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why creatives often struggle with self-worth and visibility
• The real reason imposter syndrome hits heart-led leaders so hard
• How to balance your “artist self” with your “entrepreneur self”
• Why leadership is a set of skills — not an identity change
• How to protect your creativity (your greatest currency)
• Practical steps to get more leads, sell confidently, and scale with intention
• Why kindness and boundaries can (and should) coexist

Connect with Laura:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurahiggins/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurahigginsofficial

Send this episode to the creative friend who keeps saying “one day.” Today could be the day they finally go for it.

In this episode of Badass Softie, I sit down with my longtime friend and former colleague, Tim Schurrer — someone whose leadership shaped not only my career, but the culture and growth of StoryBrand itself.

Tim is the author of The Secret Society of Success, a book that gently dismantles the assumption that success means being the one in the spotlight. And trust me… I’ve watched him live out that message for over a decade.

During our conversation, we explore:

• Why the spotlight isn’t the problem — but chasing it for the wrong reasons can derail your purpose.
• How Tim discovered he was built to thrive behind the scenes, not center stage.
• A leadership mindset shift inspired by the book Made to Stick: Are you demanding attention or attracting it?
• What Michael Collins (yes, the Apollo 11 astronaut who didn’t step on the moon) teaches us about quiet greatness.
• How redefining success can create more freedom, fulfillment, and impact than performing for recognition ever will.

Tim and I both believe this with every fiber of our leadership bones: You don’t have to be the one on stage to live a meaningful, successful, deeply impactful life.

And honestly? Most people aren’t wired for the spotlight anyway — and that’s not a shortcoming. It’s a superpower when you understand how to use it.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love for you to subscribe, comment, or leave a review — it helps more people find conversations like this one.

For leaders who chase big goals but crave meaning just as much as momentum — this conversation is for you.

Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with Amy Porterfield, New York Times bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice, to unpack how ambition can serve you without consuming you.

Amy shares how she went from corporate employee at Tony Robbins to building a multimillion-dollar business — and how redefining “enough” transformed both her leadership and her life.

Together, they dig into the leadership lessons that every high-performer needs to hear: how to bet on yourself, stop moving the goalposts, and lead with clarity instead of chaos.

You’ll learn:

• The moment Amy realized she’d been chasing success at the expense of freedom
• How to tell the difference between healthy ambition and fear-driven overachievement
• Why most leaders keep moving the goal line — and how to stop
• The quiet leadership skill that accelerates growth: marking the moment
• How to evolve your business (and identity) without losing your purpose
• What “enough” really means — and how to build around it

This episode isn’t about slowing down — it’s about leading smarter.

📘 Grab Amy’s book: Two Weeks Notice 📰 Join her newsletter: AmyPorterfield.com/newsletter

🎧 Subscribe, comment, or leave a review — and keep leading with both strength and softness at BadassSoftie.com.