<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-stylesheet href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/style.xsl" type="text/xsl"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><atom:link href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-lonely-leaders-club/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title><![CDATA[The Lonely Leaders Club]]></title><podcast:guid>0d2ecd3a-9d3d-51ad-88c6-a356d1f190d5</podcast:guid><lastBuildDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:00:20 +0000</lastBuildDate><generator>Captivate.fm</generator><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2026 Lucy Allen]]></copyright><managingEditor>Lucy Allen</managingEditor><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Leadership can be lonely. Whether you're navigating tough conversations, questioning your decisions, or just trying to hold it all together at work and at home. Chances are, you've felt like you're winging it. You're not alone.
Hosted by mindset and leadership speaker Lucy Allen and her former boss, marketing and PR leader Kelly Stambanis, The Lonely Leaders Club is a podcast for leaders who want honest conversations about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes. Drawing on their real experiences working together (the great, the curly, and everything in between) Lucy and Kelly unpack the challenges keeping leaders up at night and share the mindset shifts, communication tools, and leadership lessons Lucy now teaches in workplaces every day.
If it's felt a little lonely at the top lately, pull up a chair. We're here to keep you company.]]></itunes:summary><image><url>https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png</url><title>The Lonely Leaders Club</title><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link></image><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Lucy Allen</itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author>Lucy Allen</itunes:author><description>Leadership can be lonely. Whether you&apos;re navigating tough conversations, questioning your decisions, or just trying to hold it all together at work and at home. Chances are, you&apos;ve felt like you&apos;re winging it. You&apos;re not alone.
Hosted by mindset and leadership speaker Lucy Allen and her former boss, marketing and PR leader Kelly Stambanis, The Lonely Leaders Club is a podcast for leaders who want honest conversations about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes. Drawing on their real experiences working together (the great, the curly, and everything in between) Lucy and Kelly unpack the challenges keeping leaders up at night and share the mindset shifts, communication tools, and leadership lessons Lucy now teaches in workplaces every day.
If it&apos;s felt a little lonely at the top lately, pull up a chair. We&apos;re here to keep you company.</description><link>https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm</link><atom:link href="https://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com" rel="hub"/><itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Honest conversations for leaders holding it together at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Hosted by Lucy Allen and Kelly Stambanis. ]]></itunes:subtitle><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:category text="Business"><itunes:category text="Management"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Education"><itunes:category text="Self-Improvement"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"><itunes:category text="Relationships"/></itunes:category><podcast:locked>no</podcast:locked><podcast:medium>podcast</podcast:medium><item><title>It&apos;s Not About You (And That&apos;s the Whole Point)</title><itunes:title>It&apos;s Not About You (And That&apos;s the Whole Point)</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>What is influence, really? </p><p>It's not about authority or telling people what to do. It's the skill of understanding how they want to be led. </p><p>In this *<em>requested</em>* (we’re chuffed with that) episode, Lucy and Kel unpack how to influence people at work without relying on authority.</p><p>Spoiler: It's got nothing to do with you. </p><p>Influence is 99% about the other person and 1% about you, and once you get that, it becomes so much easier.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why influence is really "soft power," or leading without authority</li><li>The number one mistake people make: making it about themselves</li><li>How to remove friction so people can say yes quickly</li><li>Why you should treat people how they want to be treated, not how you would</li><li>How to ask people the way they actually want to receive information</li><li>Listen to understand, not to respond, and the three things to listen for</li><li>Why being interested makes you interesting</li><li>How to build rapport with clients and colleagues, even the tricky ones</li><li>Reframing "difficult" people as simply different, and getting curious instead</li></ul><br/><p>Hosted by two women in leadership who've spent years learning how to lead well. The Lonely Leaders Club is honest conversation and real leadership skills for anyone learning to influence, connect and lead from wherever they sit.</p><p><strong>Book mentioned in this episode: </strong>The Names by Florence Knapp (the one Kel couldn't put down, and couldn't stop crying over). </p><p><strong>Connect with us:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li>Website:<a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/</a></u></li><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/</a></u></li><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/</a></u></li><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is influence, really? </p><p>It's not about authority or telling people what to do. It's the skill of understanding how they want to be led. </p><p>In this *<em>requested</em>* (we’re chuffed with that) episode, Lucy and Kel unpack how to influence people at work without relying on authority.</p><p>Spoiler: It's got nothing to do with you. </p><p>Influence is 99% about the other person and 1% about you, and once you get that, it becomes so much easier.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why influence is really "soft power," or leading without authority</li><li>The number one mistake people make: making it about themselves</li><li>How to remove friction so people can say yes quickly</li><li>Why you should treat people how they want to be treated, not how you would</li><li>How to ask people the way they actually want to receive information</li><li>Listen to understand, not to respond, and the three things to listen for</li><li>Why being interested makes you interesting</li><li>How to build rapport with clients and colleagues, even the tricky ones</li><li>Reframing "difficult" people as simply different, and getting curious instead</li></ul><br/><p>Hosted by two women in leadership who've spent years learning how to lead well. The Lonely Leaders Club is honest conversation and real leadership skills for anyone learning to influence, connect and lead from wherever they sit.</p><p><strong>Book mentioned in this episode: </strong>The Names by Florence Knapp (the one Kel couldn't put down, and couldn't stop crying over). </p><p><strong>Connect with us:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li>Website:<a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/</a></u></li><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/</a></u></li><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/</a></u></li><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">ba7caefc-9361-4221-ab3c-cda4c88d32f9</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ba7caefc-9361-4221-ab3c-cda4c88d32f9.mp3" length="30766059" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>32:03</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>7</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Leaders Who Do This Get Promoted Faster</title><itunes:title>Leaders Who Do This Get Promoted Faster</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Ever accidentally texted your boss calling them a bitch? No? Just Lucy then. But whether or not you've had a managing up horror story, you've definitely had a moment where you didn't know how to communicate with senior leadership, and it cost you.</p><p>Managing up is one of those leadership skills no one actually teaches you. You're expected to know how to give feedback to your boss, how to escalate problems without looking like you're dumping them, and how to build trust with your manager, all while making it look effortless.</p><p>But here's the thing: your boss doesn't want you to be a hero who handles everything alone.</p><p></p><p>They want to know what's going on, what you need, and how they can help. The leaders who get this right don't just survive, they become the person everyone wants on their team.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>What managing up actually means and why most leaders get it wrong</li><li>How to communicate with senior leadership without wasting their time</li><li>The difference between problem solving and problem dumping on your boss</li><li>How to give feedback to your boss when the relationship feels intimidating</li><li>Why building trust at work starts with transparency, not perfection</li><li>How to structure one on one meetings so difficult conversations have a home</li><li>The "hit me with the headlines" approach to communicating with your boss</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis share real stories from their time working together, including what they each did well (and not so well) when it came to how to talk to senior leadership. If you've ever held back from escalating something because you didn't want to look weak, this one's for you.</p><p>Connect with us:</p><p></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Mangement Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever accidentally texted your boss calling them a bitch? No? Just Lucy then. But whether or not you've had a managing up horror story, you've definitely had a moment where you didn't know how to communicate with senior leadership, and it cost you.</p><p>Managing up is one of those leadership skills no one actually teaches you. You're expected to know how to give feedback to your boss, how to escalate problems without looking like you're dumping them, and how to build trust with your manager, all while making it look effortless.</p><p>But here's the thing: your boss doesn't want you to be a hero who handles everything alone.</p><p></p><p>They want to know what's going on, what you need, and how they can help. The leaders who get this right don't just survive, they become the person everyone wants on their team.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>What managing up actually means and why most leaders get it wrong</li><li>How to communicate with senior leadership without wasting their time</li><li>The difference between problem solving and problem dumping on your boss</li><li>How to give feedback to your boss when the relationship feels intimidating</li><li>Why building trust at work starts with transparency, not perfection</li><li>How to structure one on one meetings so difficult conversations have a home</li><li>The "hit me with the headlines" approach to communicating with your boss</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis share real stories from their time working together, including what they each did well (and not so well) when it came to how to talk to senior leadership. If you've ever held back from escalating something because you didn't want to look weak, this one's for you.</p><p>Connect with us:</p><p></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Mangement Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">50879135-17bf-499b-a07e-e63e918f7b51</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/50879135-17bf-499b-a07e-e63e918f7b51.mp3" length="24102554" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>25:06</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>6</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>What No One Teaches Leaders About Grief</title><itunes:title>What No One Teaches Leaders About Grief</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Ever sat across from a team member who's clearly going through something devastating and had no idea what to say? What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader isn't solving the problem, but simply staying in the room?</p><p>Grief doesn't clock out when someone walks into the office. Whether it's losing a parent, a relationship breakdown, or fertility challenges, your team members are carrying things you can't always see. And most leaders have never been taught how to handle it. Not in leadership training, not in any management course, not in any boardroom.</p><p>The truth is, most people avoid these difficult conversations at work because they're afraid of making it worse. But avoiding them is what actually makes it worse. The leaders who build the deepest trust are the ones willing to sit in the discomfort, not fix it.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why bereavement in the workplace is something every leader will face and why so few are prepared</li><li>The "leaky tap theory" and why grief never fully switches off</li><li>What to say (and what not to say) when a team member is grieving</li><li>How to support your team through hard times with practical, meaningful action</li><li>Why showing emotion at work doesn't make you less professional</li><li>How empathetic leadership and emotional intelligence in the workplace create stronger, more connected teams</li><li>The one thing that turns a difficult moment into a relationship-building trust point</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis share their deeply personal experiences of navigating grief as leaders, both as the one supporting and the one being supported. This is the conversation about leadership communication that most people never have, but every leader needs to hear.</p><p>Connect with us:</p><p></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Colelctive</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever sat across from a team member who's clearly going through something devastating and had no idea what to say? What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader isn't solving the problem, but simply staying in the room?</p><p>Grief doesn't clock out when someone walks into the office. Whether it's losing a parent, a relationship breakdown, or fertility challenges, your team members are carrying things you can't always see. And most leaders have never been taught how to handle it. Not in leadership training, not in any management course, not in any boardroom.</p><p>The truth is, most people avoid these difficult conversations at work because they're afraid of making it worse. But avoiding them is what actually makes it worse. The leaders who build the deepest trust are the ones willing to sit in the discomfort, not fix it.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why bereavement in the workplace is something every leader will face and why so few are prepared</li><li>The "leaky tap theory" and why grief never fully switches off</li><li>What to say (and what not to say) when a team member is grieving</li><li>How to support your team through hard times with practical, meaningful action</li><li>Why showing emotion at work doesn't make you less professional</li><li>How empathetic leadership and emotional intelligence in the workplace create stronger, more connected teams</li><li>The one thing that turns a difficult moment into a relationship-building trust point</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis share their deeply personal experiences of navigating grief as leaders, both as the one supporting and the one being supported. This is the conversation about leadership communication that most people never have, but every leader needs to hear.</p><p>Connect with us:</p><p></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Colelctive</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">7fd32b4b-c86b-47b7-b5f3-d9995d2ead29</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7fd32b4b-c86b-47b7-b5f3-d9995d2ead29.mp3" length="24966891" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>26:00</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>5</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Why Leaders&apos; To-Do Lists Are Never Done</title><itunes:title>Why Leaders&apos; To-Do Lists Are Never Done</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Ever feel like you're constantly busy but never making progress on the things that actually matter? What if having things left on your to-do list was a sign you're doing it right?</p><p>As a leader, the pressure to be "on" never stops. You're jumping between strategy, team needs, stakeholder demands, and the mental load of everything outside work. Whether it's family, ageing parents, or just trying to be a functioning human, it can feel like you're always behind and never doing anything well enough.</p><p>But what if the problem isn't you? What if it's the way you've been thinking about balance altogether? Most leaders are approaching the juggle the wrong way, and it's costing them the things that matter most.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why "work-life balance" might be the wrong goal and what balancing leadership and life actually looks like</li><li>The rocks, pebbles, and sand analogy and how it changes your approach to prioritisation</li><li>How to prioritise when everything feels urgent, using Stephen Covey's "schedule your priorities" principle</li><li>Time management for leaders who are juggling work and family life</li><li>The leadership mindset shift that turns an unfinished task list into a win</li><li>Why productivity guilt and working parent guilt are signs you care, not signs you're failing</li><li>How everything is seasonal and why letting go of the to-do list is a form of leadership growth</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Whether you're a working parent looking for tips that actually make sense or a leader who wants to improve as a leader without burning out, this one's for you.</p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis are back with another honest conversation about what it really looks like to lead, parent, and try to be a functioning human at the same time. No hacks, no hustle talk, just two leaders who've been in it and are still figuring it out.</p><p></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever feel like you're constantly busy but never making progress on the things that actually matter? What if having things left on your to-do list was a sign you're doing it right?</p><p>As a leader, the pressure to be "on" never stops. You're jumping between strategy, team needs, stakeholder demands, and the mental load of everything outside work. Whether it's family, ageing parents, or just trying to be a functioning human, it can feel like you're always behind and never doing anything well enough.</p><p>But what if the problem isn't you? What if it's the way you've been thinking about balance altogether? Most leaders are approaching the juggle the wrong way, and it's costing them the things that matter most.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why "work-life balance" might be the wrong goal and what balancing leadership and life actually looks like</li><li>The rocks, pebbles, and sand analogy and how it changes your approach to prioritisation</li><li>How to prioritise when everything feels urgent, using Stephen Covey's "schedule your priorities" principle</li><li>Time management for leaders who are juggling work and family life</li><li>The leadership mindset shift that turns an unfinished task list into a win</li><li>Why productivity guilt and working parent guilt are signs you care, not signs you're failing</li><li>How everything is seasonal and why letting go of the to-do list is a form of leadership growth</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p>Whether you're a working parent looking for tips that actually make sense or a leader who wants to improve as a leader without burning out, this one's for you.</p><p>Lucy Allen and Kel Stambanis are back with another honest conversation about what it really looks like to lead, parent, and try to be a functioning human at the same time. No hacks, no hustle talk, just two leaders who've been in it and are still figuring it out.</p><p></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">ea348676-76a6-4b31-8be1-635020665027</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:25:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ea348676-76a6-4b31-8be1-635020665027.mp3" length="30292115" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>31:33</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>4</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>You&apos;re Not Lazy, You Just Can&apos;t Stop Working</title><itunes:title>You&apos;re Not Lazy, You Just Can&apos;t Stop Working</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>When was the last time you actually let yourself stop? Not because you ran out of hours in the day, but because you chose to?</p><p>In this episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel get real about something most leaders won't admit out loud: feeling guilty for not working. That constant tension of knowing you need a break but not being able to take one without someone else giving you the green light first.</p><p>The more senior you get, the harder it becomes to say no at work, take a sick day, or even cancel a plan without spiralling into guilt. Lucy shares her own experience of pushing through illness to avoid letting people down, and the pair unpack why so many leaders stay busy instead of leading. This episode is your permission slip to stop overworking and start actually resting.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why "work harder" is a great entry level strategy that stops serving you the more senior you become</li><li>The guilt trap: why leaders struggle to take a break even when they know they need one</li><li>How people pleasing at work keeps you stuck in a cycle of saying yes to everything</li><li>Outsourcing permission: why we wait for someone else to tell us it's okay to rest</li><li>Lucy's 5 Rs framework: Reveal, Reframe, Reprioritise, Reset, and Realise the impact</li><li>How to stop feeling guilty for taking time off by challenging the stories you tell yourself</li><li>Why feelings aren't facts, and how to rewrite the narrative that's keeping you exhausted</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts: rest isn't weakness, it's strategy</li><li>How to lead without burning out by modelling healthy behaviour for your team</li><li>Why work-life balance starts with giving yourself permission before anyone else does</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've both wished for a minor car accident just to get a day off (yes, really), The Lonely Leaders Club is a leadership podcast that blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real talk about leadership burnout and how to stop overworking as a leader without feeling like you're letting everyone down.</em></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When was the last time you actually let yourself stop? Not because you ran out of hours in the day, but because you chose to?</p><p>In this episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel get real about something most leaders won't admit out loud: feeling guilty for not working. That constant tension of knowing you need a break but not being able to take one without someone else giving you the green light first.</p><p>The more senior you get, the harder it becomes to say no at work, take a sick day, or even cancel a plan without spiralling into guilt. Lucy shares her own experience of pushing through illness to avoid letting people down, and the pair unpack why so many leaders stay busy instead of leading. This episode is your permission slip to stop overworking and start actually resting.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>Why "work harder" is a great entry level strategy that stops serving you the more senior you become</li><li>The guilt trap: why leaders struggle to take a break even when they know they need one</li><li>How people pleasing at work keeps you stuck in a cycle of saying yes to everything</li><li>Outsourcing permission: why we wait for someone else to tell us it's okay to rest</li><li>Lucy's 5 Rs framework: Reveal, Reframe, Reprioritise, Reset, and Realise the impact</li><li>How to stop feeling guilty for taking time off by challenging the stories you tell yourself</li><li>Why feelings aren't facts, and how to rewrite the narrative that's keeping you exhausted</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts: rest isn't weakness, it's strategy</li><li>How to lead without burning out by modelling healthy behaviour for your team</li><li>Why work-life balance starts with giving yourself permission before anyone else does</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've both wished for a minor car accident just to get a day off (yes, really), The Lonely Leaders Club is a leadership podcast that blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real talk about leadership burnout and how to stop overworking as a leader without feeling like you're letting everyone down.</em></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">ca616b99-031a-4ce6-a151-90ff2c782eda</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ca616b99-031a-4ce6-a151-90ff2c782eda.mp3" length="30603096" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>31:53</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>3</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Your Team Doesn&apos;t Need Your Answers</title><itunes:title>Your Team Doesn&apos;t Need Your Answers</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Have you ever felt like your team can't solve problems without you? Like every question, every decision, every "got a minute?" lands squarely on your desk?</p><p>In this episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel get into one of the most common traps in leadership: being everyone's problem solver at work. That moment you realise the thing that made you feel like a great leader (having all the answers) might actually be holding your team back.</p><p>Because the more senior you get, the more people come to you. And if you're always the one solving, you're not leading, you're just doing everyone else's thinking for them. This episode is about how to coach your team instead of giving answers, and how to build a self-sufficient team that doesn't fall apart without you.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>How to stop being your team's problem solver and why it happens in the first place</li><li>Coaching vs managing: the difference between telling people what to do and helping them think for themselves</li><li>The GROW model coaching framework: a simple structure you can use in your very next conversation</li><li>A live role play using the GROW model to coach through a difficult feedback conversation</li><li>How to ask better questions as a leader, and why "what do you think?" is more powerful than you realise</li><li>Coaching questions for managers at every level, including how to coach junior team members</li><li>The "three before me" rule: a practical tool for building team accountability</li><li>How to get employees to think for themselves without leaving them stranded</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts: why solving less actually makes you a stronger leader</li><li>Why the best people management skills aren't about having answers, they're about asking the right questions</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've been on both sides of the desk, The Lonely Leaders Club is a leadership podcast that blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real leadership skills for anyone figuring out how to stop micromanaging and start coaching, without losing connection with their team.</em></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>The Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun 😜 cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you ever felt like your team can't solve problems without you? Like every question, every decision, every "got a minute?" lands squarely on your desk?</p><p>In this episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel get into one of the most common traps in leadership: being everyone's problem solver at work. That moment you realise the thing that made you feel like a great leader (having all the answers) might actually be holding your team back.</p><p>Because the more senior you get, the more people come to you. And if you're always the one solving, you're not leading, you're just doing everyone else's thinking for them. This episode is about how to coach your team instead of giving answers, and how to build a self-sufficient team that doesn't fall apart without you.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p><ul><li>How to stop being your team's problem solver and why it happens in the first place</li><li>Coaching vs managing: the difference between telling people what to do and helping them think for themselves</li><li>The GROW model coaching framework: a simple structure you can use in your very next conversation</li><li>A live role play using the GROW model to coach through a difficult feedback conversation</li><li>How to ask better questions as a leader, and why "what do you think?" is more powerful than you realise</li><li>Coaching questions for managers at every level, including how to coach junior team members</li><li>The "three before me" rule: a practical tool for building team accountability</li><li>How to get employees to think for themselves without leaving them stranded</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts: why solving less actually makes you a stronger leader</li><li>Why the best people management skills aren't about having answers, they're about asking the right questions</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></u></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've been on both sides of the desk, The Lonely Leaders Club is a leadership podcast that blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real leadership skills for anyone figuring out how to stop micromanaging and start coaching, without losing connection with their team.</em></p><p>Connect with us: Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p><strong>The Management Collective</strong></p><p>Non-boring and very fun 😜 cross-industry professional development, training and networking for new and emerging managers and people leaders.
NEXT COHORT STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026  • REGISTER YOUR INTEREST</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">270232fd-16aa-4542-bd0c-51e7bbe0d2fe</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/270232fd-16aa-4542-bd0c-51e7bbe0d2fe.mp3" length="21055242" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>21:56</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>2</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Imposter Syndrome in Leadership: How to Know You&apos;re Doing a Good Job</title><itunes:title>Imposter Syndrome in Leadership: How to Know You&apos;re Doing a Good Job</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>How do you actually know if you're doing a good job? And why does that question seem to get harder to answer the more senior you become?</p><p>In this first episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel dive straight in, talking about imposter syndrome in leadership. The quiet self-doubt that so many capable leaders carry, even the ones who look like they have it all figured out.</p><p>It feels like the more senior you get, the less feedback and praise you receive so you're left constantly wondering if you’re doing a good job or not. This episode is about how to measure your own success and find ways to combat self-doubt.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we cover:</strong></p><ul><li>How to know if you're a good leader and why self-doubt at work tends to grow the more senior you become</li><li>Imposter syndrome in leadership</li><li>Defining success at work: how to get clear on what "a good job" actually means across work and life</li><li>Why feelings aren't facts, and how that reframe helps when you feel like you're failing</li><li>How to ask for feedback at work with better questions</li><li>Giving and receiving feedback as a leader, including dealing with negative feedback</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts</li><li>Tools for building self-confidence at work when negativity sticks harder than praise</li><li>Using a weekly review for productivity and self-reflection to build healthier thinking habits</li><li>Why measuring your own success matters for work-life balance and career self-worth</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've experienced self-doubt firsthand, The Lonely Leaders Club blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real leadership skills for anyone learning how to be a leader at work without losing themselves in the process.</em></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH US:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How do you actually know if you're doing a good job? And why does that question seem to get harder to answer the more senior you become?</p><p>In this first episode of The Lonely Leaders Club, Lucy and Kel dive straight in, talking about imposter syndrome in leadership. The quiet self-doubt that so many capable leaders carry, even the ones who look like they have it all figured out.</p><p>It feels like the more senior you get, the less feedback and praise you receive so you're left constantly wondering if you’re doing a good job or not. This episode is about how to measure your own success and find ways to combat self-doubt.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we cover:</strong></p><ul><li>How to know if you're a good leader and why self-doubt at work tends to grow the more senior you become</li><li>Imposter syndrome in leadership</li><li>Defining success at work: how to get clear on what "a good job" actually means across work and life</li><li>Why feelings aren't facts, and how that reframe helps when you feel like you're failing</li><li>How to ask for feedback at work with better questions</li><li>Giving and receiving feedback as a leader, including dealing with negative feedback</li><li>Leadership mindset shifts</li><li>Tools for building self-confidence at work when negativity sticks harder than praise</li><li>Using a weekly review for productivity and self-reflection to build healthier thinking habits</li><li>Why measuring your own success matters for work-life balance and career self-worth</li></ul><br/><p>Lucy's leadership program for managers → <a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/managementcollective</a></p><p><em>Hosted by two women in leadership who've experienced self-doubt firsthand, The Lonely Leaders Club blends honest conversation with practical coaching tips. Real leadership skills for anyone learning how to be a leader at work without losing themselves in the process.</em></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH US:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">b1986d9b-1812-4327-973e-db707f7da926</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b1986d9b-1812-4327-973e-db707f7da926.mp3" length="21381667" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>22:16</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>1</podcast:episode><podcast:season>1</podcast:season></item><item><title>Introducing: The Lonely Leaders Club with Lucy Allen &amp; Kel Stambanis</title><itunes:title>Introducing: The Lonely Leaders Club with Lucy Allen &amp; Kel Stambanis</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>The Lonely Leaders Club is a podcast hosted by mindset and leadership speaker Lucy Allen and her former boss, marketing and PR leader Kelly Stambanis. Honest conversations about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes.</p><p>About the juggle. The exhaustion behind the success. The pressure to say yes when every part of you wants to say no. And the quiet truth that the higher you climb, the harder it gets to admit any of it out loud.</p><p>Drawing on their real experiences working together — the great, the curly, and everything in between — Lucy and Kelly unpack the challenges keeping leaders up at night, and share the mindset shifts, communication tools, and leadership lessons Lucy now teaches in workplaces every day.</p><p>If it's felt a little lonely at the top lately, we're here to keep you company.</p><p>New episodes fortnightly. Follow now so episode one lands straight in your feed.</p><p><strong>Connect with us:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Lonely Leaders Club is a podcast hosted by mindset and leadership speaker Lucy Allen and her former boss, marketing and PR leader Kelly Stambanis. Honest conversations about what leadership actually looks like behind the scenes.</p><p>About the juggle. The exhaustion behind the success. The pressure to say yes when every part of you wants to say no. And the quiet truth that the higher you climb, the harder it gets to admit any of it out loud.</p><p>Drawing on their real experiences working together — the great, the curly, and everything in between — Lucy and Kelly unpack the challenges keeping leaders up at night, and share the mindset shifts, communication tools, and leadership lessons Lucy now teaches in workplaces every day.</p><p>If it's felt a little lonely at the top lately, we're here to keep you company.</p><p>New episodes fortnightly. Follow now so episode one lands straight in your feed.</p><p><strong>Connect with us:</strong></p><p>Lucy Allen</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.thegracefulcollective.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_graceful_collective/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-allen-tgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/><p>Kel Stambanis</p><ul><li><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellystambanis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></li><li><u><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-stambanis-pr-corporatecommunications/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></u></li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://the-lonely-leaders-club.captivate.fm]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">cf451756-40d5-4dae-bc9d-0e58d9cc98cc</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/1bc38e2d-5381-443e-b54f-6d2c9314b4b3/TLLC-podcast-cover-5.png"/><pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +1000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/cf451756-40d5-4dae-bc9d-0e58d9cc98cc.mp3" length="1954845" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>01:21</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>trailer</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>