If you are thinking about running for office or stepping into a larger leadership role, here are a few recent WPLN conversations recommended by WPLN Fellow Alayna Ruiz that are worth your time! Each one speaks to a different challenge women often face including finding your purpose, building confidence, and understanding what leadership actually requires.

In Finding Your Why: Maralyn Beck on Purpose-Driven Leadership on the Tips From the Trail podcast, Maralyn shares how she moved from communications work into founding a nonprofit serving children in foster care. This was not part of a long-term plan but instead started with seeing a problem up close and deciding not to walk away. Why listen? Maralyn's story serves as a reminder that leadership often grows out of responsibility, not ambition. To capture your skills from this event, click here.

In Bridging the Confidence Gap: Valerie Bowling on Owning Expertise and Leading with Purpose on the Tips From the Trail podcast, Valerie talks honestly about imposter syndrome and the pressure to feel completely qualified before saying "yes" to an opportunity. She reflects on realizing that being dependable, organized, and proactive are important leadership skills. Why listen? If you have questioned whether you are ready, this conversation helps you rethink what readiness actually means. To capture your skills from this event, click here.

The Leadership Spotlight with Betsy Ankney follows her path from intern to managing a presidential campaign. She explains that campaigns come down to managing time, money, and people, and she speaks candidly about criticism and tough decisions. Why watch? It offers a realistic look at political leadership and reinforces that there is rarely a perfect moment to step forward. To capture your skills from this event, click here.

Taken together, these conversations make it clear that you do not need to have every detail figured out to begin. Purpose, discipline, and the willingness to take the first step are all that is needed.