Voted Least Likely

When Life and Business Both Feel HARD

Lately, it feels like life and business have been throwing curveballs at the same time.In this solo episode of the Voted Least Likely podcast, I'm opening up about a season that has felt especially challenging. When disappointments start piling up, it's easy to look around and feel like everyone else is moving forward while you're standing still. I've definitely found myself in that mindset recently.I'm sharing what this season has looked like for me, the lessons I'm trying to hold onto, and a few reminders that have helped me navigate the uncertainty.If you've ever felt stuck, discouraged, or like your timeline isn't keeping up with everyone else's, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone—and that difficult seasons don't last forever.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
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If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

The Urge to OVER-EXPLAIN Everything

Have you ever caught yourself explaining a decision long after you've already made it?In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I'm talking about something I've been working on lately: the habit of over-explaining myself.Recently, I said no to an invitation. My first instinct was to write a long explanation outlining all the reasons why I couldn't make it. I wanted to make sure they understood. I wanted to avoid disappointing them. And if I'm being honest, I probably wanted to avoid being judged.But instead, I decided to simply say no.That small moment got me thinking about how often we overexplain our choices, boundaries, and decisions. Whether it's declining an invitation, changing directions in our business, or making a decision that other people might not understand, many of us feel the need to justify ourselves in order to gain approval.If you've ever found yourself writing the three-paragraph text message when one sentence would have done, this episode is for you.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
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If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard
 

Comparison, Disappointment, and Getting Back to WORK

Lately, I've found myself caught in the comparison trap.
In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a season where I've been struggling with comparing my journey to the journeys of others. Whether it's business, life, opportunities, or success, comparison has a way of making us feel like we're falling behind, even when we're making progress.
The truth is, I can only control my own actions. When I stop focusing on what everyone else is doing and return my attention to the work in front of me, I feel more grounded, hopeful, and capable.
If you've ever felt like everyone's life is moving faster than yours, this one's for you.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
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If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

Start BEFORE you are ready

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I'm diving in to one of the biggest lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur: clarity comes from action, not overthinking.
For a long time, I stayed stuck in planning mode — talking about ideas, mapping things out, waiting until I felt prepared or more confident before making a move. But looking back, the moments that changed everything came from starting BEFORE I felt ready.
This episode is about:
-making decisions before you have all the answers-learning by doing-the trap of over-planning-and how imperfect action will teach you more than endless preparation ever can
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start something, this episode is your reminder that confidence is often built after the leap — not before it.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
Subscribe & Review
If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

The LONG Game No One Talks About

What if the thing you want most takes 5… 10… even more years to achieve?
In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m talking about something I’ve been sitting with lately, how long things actually take when you’re building something from the ground up.
We live in a world that celebrates quick wins and overnight success, but the reality of entrepreneurship often looks very different. The goals I’m working toward right now are big, the kind that don’t happen in a few months or even a year. They might take 5 to 10 years… and there’s no guarantee they’ll ever fully come together.
And I’m still choosing to go after them.
In this episode, I share what it looks like to commit to something long-term, even when the outcome isn’t certain. The tension between ambition and patience. The doubt that creeps in when progress feels slow. And the decision to keep showing up anyway.
This episode is about trusting the process — even when it stretches longer than you expected.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
Subscribe & Review
If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

I am in a Season of REJECTION

*I hesitated publishing this episode. I recorded it back in February and I kept pushing the release date. I decided that because of my hesitation, I knew it was the right thing to do.In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m talking about something that doesn’t get easier, no matter how much you grow: rejection.
This year, I’ve been pushing myself in a bigger way — reaching out, putting my work and myself in front of new opportunities, and going after things that feel just out of reach. And with that has come a lot of “no’s.”
I share what this season has actually felt like behind the scenes, the emotional weight of rejection, and the reality that it still stings, even when you expect it.
If you’re in a season where things feel hard, uncertain, or discouraging — you’re not alone in it.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
Subscribe & Review
If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

I asked AI to be BRUTALLY HONEST (and it didn’t hold back)

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I am sharing something I did that was uncomfortable — I asked AI to point out my blind spots in my business and my life.
And what came back?It hit on things I already knew… but maybe wasn’t fully ready to admit. It also surprised me with an unexpected point of view.
"We" talked about:
- The pattern of jumping from one opportunity to the next- The difference between momentum and distraction- Where I might be playing small (even when it looks like I’m doing a lot)- And the uncomfortable truth about focus, consistency, and long-term growthIf you’ve been feeling like you need to re-evaluate where you are, or where you are headed (and you’re willing to take feedback in unexpected places), this episode is for you.
Let’s Connect
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.Send me a message or share this episode with someone who might need it.
Subscribe & Review
If you’re enjoying Voted Least Likely, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show 💗Connect with the Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard
 

Why I started saying NO to customers

When you’re building a business, it can feel like you have to say YES to every opportunity and every customer. Especially in the beginning, when every sale feels important.But what happens when someone repeatedly pushes your boundaries? When a customer takes advantage of your generosity, your time, or your policies?In this episode, I'm talking about one of the harder lessons I learned about running a business: learning that not everyone is meant to be part of the community you’re building.This conversation explores the discomfort of setting boundaries with customers, why it’s so difficult to do early on, and how protecting your energy and your brand is sometimes more important than making a sale.
Because the truth is — saying no isn’t about exclusion.It’s about creating a business and a community that are healthy, respectful, and sustainable.
In this episode:- Why it feels so hard to say no to customers early in business- Recognizing when someone is taking advantage of your generosity- The difference between good customer service and sacrificing your boundaries- How saying no protects your energy and your brand- Building a community that aligns with your valuesThis episode is a reminder to think about the big picture. You're building something for the long haul, make sure you carefully curate who's coming with you.Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

Building BEFORE You’re Ready with Sarah D’Arcy

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m joined by celebrity stylist Sarah D’Arcy for a conversation about building something of your own — even when you don’t feel fully ready.
Sarah shares how she grew her styling business while still working a corporate job, navigating uncertainty, and the quiet belief that something bigger was possible. What struck me most in this conversation is how much of entrepreneurship is built in the in-between seasons.
We talk about:
- Building your business alongside a full-time job- The mentors who shaped Sarah’s early career — and why encouragement at the right time changes everything- Why you never truly feel “ready” to leap into entrepreneurship- The uncertainty that comes with betting on yourself- Staying humble and grounded as the landscape of business changes
Sarah speaks candidly about the self-doubt, the pivots, and the discipline required to create longevity — not just visibility. This conversation is a reminder that success is rarely loud in the beginning. It’s often built quietly, in small rooms, before anyone else sees it.
If you’re in the middle of building something — while juggling work, responsibilities, or fear — this episode will resonate deeply.
As always, thank you for being here.
Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

I Worked 341 Hours in 31 Days (here's what surprised me)

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what happened during one of the most intense months I’ve had in business.
For 31 days, I ran a full-time pop-up space while managing my jewelry brand behind the scenes — production, emails, marketing, customer service — and continuing to host this podcast.
Here's the calculation:
341 hours worked in 31 days.
This episode isn’t about glorifying burnout. It’s about what I learned when I stopped assuming I was already at capacity.
Here’s what shifted for me:
-Why we’re often capable of far more than we believe
-The difference between keeping your standards vs. lowering your expectations
-How I protected my non-negotiables (like movement and health) while adjusting how they showed up
-The surprising realization that I could still do MORE
One example: I kept the standard that I would exercise five days a week. That didn’t change. What changed was the expectation that every workout had to be long or perfect. Some were only 10 minutes. Some were simple. But the standard remained.
That distinction changed everything.
This month challenged my ideas about capacity, discipline, and what I’m building toward. It also forced me to confront what “too much” really means.
If you’ve ever felt stretched, ambitious, overwhelmed, or curious about your own edge — this one’s for you.Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard