If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that one of my absolute favorite lyrics comes from the musical Hamilton: “I am the one thing in life I can control.”

For a long time, I spent my energy trying to control situations, other people, and outcomes that were completely out of my hands. It wasn’t until I realized that I can only control my reaction and my next step that things really started to change for me.

Recently, I had the honor of sitting down with my friend Lindsay Yellin on her podcast, Unfiltered Leadership, to dig into exactly that.

Lindsay and I first connected when she was a guest on The Vibe With Ky back in 2025, and the vibe was instant. So, when she asked me to come on her show to discuss the intersection of mental health, leadership, and the corporate world, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

In this episode, we get really honest about:

  • The Illusion of Control: How to stop spiraling over things you can’t change and focus on your own agency.
  • Internal vs. External Validation: Why checking off every box on your to-do list isn’t the only way to measure a successful day.
  • Burnout & Rest: Why rest is a biological necessity, not a “reward” for working hard.
  • Human-Centered Leadership: How to lead with empathy without sacrificing performance (and why fear-based leadership is the quickest way to lose good people).

We also chat a bit about my “double life” balancing my role as a Senior Paid Media Strategist with my life as a content creator. Whether you are a corporate leader, an entrepreneur, or just someone trying to navigate the chaos of life without losing your mind, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one.

Check out the full video below!

Listen on the Go

If you prefer to listen while you’re driving or taking a mental health walk, you can catch the episode here:

Let me know what you think in the comments. And remember, give yourself some grace today.