Hello and welcome back to The Lighthouse Sessions!

In this powerful episode, I sit down with my new friend, the remarkable Mary Cheyne, for a conversation that I promise will resonate deeply with every visionary entrepreneur who has ever felt like they’re “drowning in the fog” despite their success.

Mary is a truly unique human being, with a journey that began in Hong Kong, took her through Sydney, Australia, and landed her right here in the heart of our community. A former computer programmer who discovered her passion for communication, Mary is now on a mission to awaken and develop “heart-first leaders”.

This episode is a must-watch if you’ve ever felt the conflict between your intellectual prowess and your heart’s true calling. Mary’s own story mirrors this struggle; she was a talented computer programmer, but her work, while intellectually stimulating, didn’t feed her soul.

It was the challenge and excitement of public speaking that finally offered her a path to alignment. Mary confesses she was a “terrible public speaker” at first, but her deep curiosity and love for learning drove her to master the craft. This is a powerful lesson for all of us: your greatest breakthroughs often lie in the areas you’re most curious about, even if you start from a place of struggle.

Mary introduces us to a revolutionary concept that she calls “intrapersonal communication” – the inner dialogue, the self-talk, and the voice inside your head that shapes how you relate to yourself and the world.

She helps her clients build a “muscle of discernment” to separate their true voice from the “automatic negative thoughts” she refers to as the “inner critic”.

If you’ve ever felt that relentless voice telling you you’re not good enough, this conversation will be a lifeline. Mary’s approach is not just about silencing that critic but also about discovering your “bright spots” – your unique superpowers that you might be taking for granted.

The episode delves into the crucial shift from speaking to “inform” to speaking to “influence”. Mary explains that speaking to inform is a “fire hose effect” that can overwhelm and shut down your audience, while speaking to influence is about curating your message so it lands with impact and enrolls listeners into your point of view. This is an invaluable insight for any founder who wants to connect with their community and build a business that is both successful and soulfully aligned.

You’ll also hear about Mary’s incredible rebranding journey and her company, Heart First Communications. Her mission is to create a new kind of leader—the “tenderhearted badass”. This phrase perfectly captures the essence of her work: combining a heart for service with the confidence and “badassery” needed to thrive in business. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to choose between being kind and being a powerful leader.

I encourage you to watch the full episode to hear Mary’s wisdom on how to awaken your fierce heart and spirit. The insights here are a compass for any founder feeling lost in the fog of endless to-do lists and unfulfilling work. It’s about remembering why you started and reconnecting with the real you beneath all the strategies and systems.

This isn’t just another business podcast. This is an invitation to remember who you were always meant to be. Don’t miss it!