Voted Least Likely

Planning a New Year (That Actually Fits Your Life)

The start of a new year can feel full of pressure — new goals, new habits, new versions of ourselves we’re supposed to magically become overnight.
In this episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes of my annual planning session — not the polished version, but the honest one.
I walk through the goals I set last year, what actually worked, what didn’t, and the expectations I had to let go of along the way. Some things surprised me. Some things stung. And some things only made sense once I slowed down enough to really look at them.
This episode isn’t about hustle or rigid goal-setting. It’s about reflection, recalibration, and choosing a direction that actually feels aligned with the life you’re living — not the one you think you should be living.
I also guide you step-by-step through a simple planning process you can do alongside me — whether you’re mapping out a business, a creative practice, or just trying to move into the new year with a bit more clarity and intention.
If you’ve ever felt behind, unsure, or quietly disappointed with how a year unfolded — this conversation is for you.
In this episode, we talk about:
Reviewing last year’s goals with honesty (not shame)
What I achieved — and what I didn’t
Why some goals quietly stop fitting
Separating meaningful progress from performative productivity 
Letting go of goals that no longer serve you
How I approach planning in a way that feels sustainable
A gentle framework you can use to plan your year
Setting intentions that leave room for real life
This episode is your permission slip to plan slowly, thoughtfully, and on your own terms.
Take what resonates. Leave the rest. And remember — you’re allowed to evolve.
Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

Happy Holidays (and congratulations on making it through a difficult year)

Happy Holidays!Like many of you, this year was a rollercoaster. I experienced some of my best and worst days in the last 12 months. I will be taking the next two weeks to process everything we went through by focusing on the glimmers of joy, and finding the lessons in the chaos.As always, I want to thank YOU for tuning in to the Voted Least Likely podcast this year, leaving 5 star reviews, or recommending the show to a friend. It means more than you know. Happy Holidays, talk soon in 2026✨
Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyardKnow someone who would make a great guest on the show? Find the application form here. 

The Cost of NOT Being Yourself

“There are real costs to not being yourself.”
In this solo episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m talking about the quiet ways we learn to water ourselves down to fit in, and what starts to shift when we finally decide to stop. As I’ve moved into my late 30s, I’ve felt a deeper pull toward authenticity-- not the polished kind, but the messy, honest, uncomfortable kind that actually feels like freedom.
I reflect on how much energy it takes to constantly edit who you are for the comfort of others.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve been performing a version of their life instead of living it. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to take up more space, speak more truthfully, or finally choose yourself, this one’s for you.
Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyardKnow someone who would make a great guest on the show? Find the application form here. 

Entrepreneurship, Intuition & the REAL Journey Behind Building a Creative Life with Jenna Herbut

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jenna Herbut — founder of the Make It Show, author of Make It Happen, and creator of The Conscious Lab. Jenna has spent years supporting makers and creative entrepreneurs, and her work has inspired thousands of people to pursue their ideas with courage, curiosity, and heart.
This conversation goes far beyond business. Jenna opens up about why entrepreneurship is one of the most spiritual journeys you can choose, and how she’s learned to navigate uncertainty by leaning into her intuition.
We explore:
How Jenna uses intuitive nudges to guide her decisions
Why building a business will shine a light on every part of yourself, the empowered parts and the messy middle
Why slowing down, listening inward, and staying honest with yourself might be the real competitive advantage
This is an honest, grounding conversation about the human side of entrepreneurship, the doubts, the revelations, and the moments of magic that appear when you trust yourself enough to keep going.
Whether you’re a creative, a founder, or someone dreaming of starting something but unsure where to begin, Jenna’s wisdom will meet you exactly where you are.Want to join the magic? Get your tickets for the Make It Show here.Make It Show Instagram: makeitshowLearn more about Jenna: https://jennaherbut.com/Conscious Lab: https://consciouslab.ca/
A huge thank-you to Jenna for hosting us at Conscious Lab for this in-person episode.Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

Do you need to be an OPTIMIST to be an Entrepreneur?

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, we dive into a question that has kept me up at night: Do you need to be an optimist to succeed in business?
This topic was sparked by a moment at a recent entrepreneur event — everyone in the room seemed effortlessly confident, “delusionally” optimistic, and absolutely certain their success was inevitable. Meanwhile, I was quietly wondering why I felt so out of place… until it hit me:
I’m a pessimist.And in the entrepreneurial world, that can feel like a dirty word.
In this episode, I unpack what it's like to build a business when your default setting is assuming the worst. I talk about:
Why optimism is so heavily associated with entrepreneurship
The unseen advantages of being a pessimist (yes, there are some!)
How pessimism can sabotage your next steps — and how to work around it
The myth that you need unwavering confidence to succeed
My own early days building Leah Yard Designs, and why I genuinely thought I’d fail (but kept going anyways)
Why not fitting the stereotype doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong
If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one who doubts yourself, prepares for the worst, or secretly thinks everyone else must know something you don’t, this episode is for you.
We explore whether success actually requires optimism, or if there’s room in entrepreneurship for the rest of us: the over-thinkers, the realists, the cautious dreamers, and the “hope for the best, prepare for the absolute worst” types.
Listen in to hear why your mindset — optimistic or pessimistic — might be exactly what your business needs.Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

Finding STRENGTH in a New Beginning with Iyeba Maclayton (2025 DFS Vancouver Inspiration Award Recipient)

In this special episode, I'm sitting down with Iyeba Maclayton, the recipient of the 2025 Inspiration Award from Dress for Success Vancouver. Iyeba’s story is one of courage, transformation, and a deep belief in what is possible when you refuse to give up.
She shares her journey from Nigeria to Canada and the challenges she faced while learning a new work culture and rebuilding her confidence. Iyeba speaks openly about the highs and lows of starting over, and how her faith grounded her through moments of uncertainty and fear. Her determination to grow, adapt, and honour her own potential is at the heart of this conversation.
This episode also highlights the meaningful work of Dress for Success Vancouver. Their support played a key role in Iyeba’s transition, offering community, resources, and the encouragement she needed to move toward a new professional chapter.
If you need a reminder of the power of resilience, belief in yourself, and support, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.Learn more about Iyeba here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iyebamaclaytonLearn more about Dress for Success Vancouver here: https://dfsvancouver.ca/Connect with the Voted Least Likely Podcast:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

When you are FORCED to hit Pause: a life update

Sometimes life forces you to slow down—whether you planned to or not. In this episode, I'm sharing what’s been happening behind the scenes: my partner Kyle’s surgery, the unexpected challenges that came with it, and what it really looks like to take a forced step away from work and surrender to life’s timing.
This is a candid chat about letting go of control, accepting help, and the clarity that comes with a health scare.
If this episode resonates with you, let's connect🫶 DM me on Instagram [@leahyard]. 
Learn more about the Voted Least Likely Podcast here:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyardI also want to highlight my friend Jenn Wint’s inspiring event, Back to Business — a space for entrepreneurs to reconnect, refocus, and recharge as they tackle the remainder of this year and prepare for 2026.Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/back-to-business-tickets-1721735680769?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
 

Am I Having a CRISIS or Just Growing?

In this episode of Voted Least Likely, I’m opening up about a season of change I didn’t see coming.
It started with an unsettled feeling, like something in my life was out of alignment. I questioned everything: my business, my relationship, my style, even the city I live in.
Was it hormones? Burnout? Or just… growth?
Instead of running from the discomfort, I tried to lean into it. In this episode, I share:
The unsettling (and scary) thoughts that come with questioning your life choices
Why change naturally feels threatening, and how to shift your mindset around it
The small, tangible ways I experimented with change (from food to fashion) without blowing up my whole life (even though I was tempted to)
The big questions I forced myself to ask, even when the answers weren’t clear
If you’ve ever felt restless, uncertain, or like you’re on the edge of something new (but don’t know what), this one’s for you.
Because change doesn’t always mean losing yourself, it can mean finding a braver, freer version of who you already are.
If this episode resonates with you, let's connect! DM me on Instagram [@leahyard]. 
Learn more about the Voted Least Likely Podcast here:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard
 

Turning Connection into Collective STRENGTH with Cecilia Morgan of Girl Squad

In this week's episode, I sit down with Cecilia Morgan, the founder of Girl Squad, to talk about what it really takes to create a welcoming community for female professionals. From hosting markets and events to building authentic relationships, Ceci shares how vulnerability and openness can transform casual connections into deep, lasting support systems.Key Takeaways:
The fears (and growth) that come with showing up on social media
Why asking for help is a powerful step in both business and life
Honest reflections on success, money, and how relationships impact both personal wellbeing and entrepreneurial growth
Whether you’re a business owner, a community builder, or someone craving more meaningful connections, this episode offers a refreshing look at how to blend heart and strategy in creating spaces where women thrive together.
If this episode resonates with you, let me know! DM me on Instagram [@leahyard] and share your own business journey. 
Learn more about the Voted Least Likely Podcast here:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard

3 Ways I am FAILING at Podcasting

There’s a joke in the podcasting world: everyone has a podcast.And honestly, it feels true the moment you start one. I launched this show back in 2022 with zero experience, determined to do it solo and convinced interviews were out of my league. Fast forward, and while I’ve *somewhat* improved my interview skills, there are still plenty of ways I’m failing at podcasting.
In this episode, I’m sharing the three biggest ways I’ve been dropping the ball as a podcaster:
Inconsistency – Missing publish deadlines I set for myself and slipping on my schedule.
Psyching myself out – Letting nerves and bad experiences shake my confidence.
Promotion (or lack thereof) – Posting a little here and there, but rarely sharing the podcast in ways that could actually grow it.
This isn’t an episode about quitting (I love this show and I’m not stopping anytime soon). It’s about being honest about the challenges, the cringey moments, and why so many people give up on podcasting-- or anything, when it gets hard.
If you're in the thick of something right now, this one's for you. It's a reminder to just keep going. Some times just getting something done is better than getting it perfect.If this episode resonates with you, let me know! DM me on Instagram [@leahyard] and share your own business journey. 
Learn more about the Voted Least Likely Podcast here:www.leahyard.comIG: @leahyardTikTok: @leahyard