Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for Relentless & Real
Business

Relentless & Real

Focus 3

Leadership isn’t theory. It’s lived.

Hosted by Heather Verity, CEO/Owner of Focus 3, and Jennifer Lawson, Senior Education Consultant and recovering school administrator, Relentless & Real is the podcast for women who lead on purpose and without apology.

Here, we don’t just talk about leadership. We build it. Protect it. Scale it.
Each episode cuts through the noise of buzzwords and burnout to get to what actually moves the needle: clear standards, real accountability, powerful mindset work, and the language that shapes influence.

Play
Open in
  • 31 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 30 min
  • English

Episodes 31

NewestOldestLongest
All11Unplayed11In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S3 · E1
    May 28 · 31 min

    Ep. 21 – If I Cut You Off, You Probably Handed Me the Scissors

    Season 3 is here, and we’re starting with a conversation that hits close to home. In this episode of Relentless & Real, Heather and Jenny unpack the relationships we hold onto, the ones we outgrow, and the difficult truth that sometimes distance is a disciplined response. From friendships and professional connections to seasons of life that naturally shift, they explore what happens when relationships stop giving energy and start taking it. They discuss the emotional weight of loyalty, the challenge of maintaining meaningful connections while building ambitious lives, and how self-awareness helps us recognize when it’s time to create space. This episode is about boundaries, intentional relationships, and understanding that not every connection is meant to last forever — but every relationship can teach us something valuable. They also share exciting updates on the launch of The R Factor book and The R Factor Around the Dinner Table, two major projects designed to bring Focus 3’s performance mindset into both leadership and family life.

  • S2 · E10
    April 30 · 30 min

    Ep. 20 – Stop Setting Goals You Don’t Care About

    Why do so many goals fall apart? Not because people are incapable of discipline, but because they were never truly connected to the goal in the first place. In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about the difference between empty goal setting and meaningful intention. Because saying you “should” change is not enough. External pressure will not sustain real behavior change. We discuss how to connect your goals to a clear why, how to shift from overwhelm to action, and why growth has to be slow, small, and daily to actually last. This episode is not about setting bigger goals. It is about setting better ones and building the behaviors to support them. Because when the why is clear, the work gets easier.

  • S2 · E9
    April 23 · 23 min

    Ep. 19 – When She Makes More

    What happens when a woman becomes the breadwinner, but the expectations at home stay exactly the same? In this episode of Relentless & Real, we take on a conversation that still feels surprisingly hard to have out loud. What changes when she makes more? What does that do to identity, partnership, responsibility, and the unspoken dynamics inside a household? We talk about why this is still such a loaded topic, how resentment can quietly build when roles are unclear, and why money should never become a stand-in for power. More importantly, we talk about the conversations couples actually need to have if they want to stay aligned. Because this is not just about income. It is about expectations, communication, and building a life together that works for both people. If you are leading at work and carrying a lot at home, this episode will hit close to home.

  • S2 · E8
    April 16 · 24 min

    Ep. 18 – What Are You Holding On To?

    What are you holding on to that you do not actually need anymore? The extra stuff. The old habits. The past versions of yourself you have not let go of. In this episode of Relentless & Real, we unpack the idea of holding on, both physically and mentally, and how it quietly keeps you stuck. Because it is not just about clutter in your home. It is the thoughts you replay.The expectations you carry.The identities you have not released. We talk about why we default to holding on, how scarcity thinking shows up in everyday habits, and what it takes to create space for growth, change, and what is next. Because you cannot move forward if you are still carrying everything from the past. Sometimes growth starts with letting go.

  • S2 · E7
    April 9 · 24 min

    Ep. 17 – Stop Saying Sorry When You Mean Thanks

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we unpack one small habit that quietly impacts your confidence, credibility, and how others perceive you over-apologizing. We talk about why so many people (especially women) default to saying sorry, what it actually signals in a professional setting, and how it often stems from overcommitment, lack of boundaries, and operating on obligation instead of intention. More importantly, we show how to shift your language in a simple but powerful way: From “sorry” → to “thank you.” Because when you change your language, you change your presence. This episode will challenge you to audit your habits, eliminate unnecessary apologies, and show up with more clarity, discipline, and confidence in your 20 Square Feet.

  • S2 · E6
    April 2 · 28 min

    Ep. 16 – Feedback is a Gift

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about one of the hardest skills to build in leadership and in life: feedback. Why do so many people say they want it, but struggle to receive it well? And why do so many people give it at the wrong time, in the wrong way, and then wonder why it does not land? We unpack the difference between feedback and criticism, how to know when you are actually open to hearing it, and why timing, trust, and delivery matter just as much as the message itself. We also talk about what happens when feedback is not handled well and how quickly it can turn into defensiveness, emotional reactivity, or even gossip. This conversation is about more than communication. It is about discipline, self-awareness, and knowing what is in your 20 square feet when feedback comes your way. Because if you can learn to receive feedback without going default, you give yourself a real edge in leadership, growth, and relationships.

  • S2 · E5
    March 26 · 24 min

    Ep. 15 – The Inside Voice

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about the “inside voice” women often slip into at work and why it matters more than most people realize. It is not just what you say. It is how you say it. The volume, the hesitation, the nervous laughter, the trailing off, the apology before the idea even lands. All of it communicates confidence, or the lack of it. We unpack what causes women to shrink in professional settings, how insecurity and self-talk show up in the way we speak, and why the goal is not to be louder, but to be clearer, steadier, and more grounded in who you are. We also talk about the difference between conversation and confrontation, how to recognize when your voice changes under pressure, and one simple phrase to remove from your language immediately if you want to sound more confident in the room. If you have ever softened your voice, downplayed your idea, or made yourself smaller in a moment that mattered, this episode is for you.

  • S2 · E4
    March 19 · 27 min

    Ep. 14 – Write the Book (What it Really Takes to Finish a Big Goal)

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about what it actually takes to finish a big goal. Not the idea.Not the intention.The execution. What started as a reluctant assignment to finish a book turned into a deeper conversation about discipline, ownership, and the difference between talking about a goal and actually completing it. We break down what gets in the way of big goals, from overwhelm to procrastination to waiting until you “feel ready,” and how leaders can shift from default behavior to disciplined action. We also walk through the practical side of execution: how to break a big goal into manageable steps, how to time block effectively, and why success is not a secret. It is a system. Because big goals are not accomplished in one moment. They are built through slow, small, daily actions repeated over time. And when your why is clear, the work becomes possible. If you have something you keep putting off, something you say you want but haven’t finished, this episode will challenge you to move.

  • S2 · E13
    March 12 · 27 min

    Ep. 13 – Self-Talk, Self-Sabotage, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about something every leader experiences but few people openly address: self-talk. The voice in your head that questions your decisions, criticizes your mistakes, and quietly shapes the outcomes you experience every day. We explore why negative self-talk is so common, why women tend to be especially hard on themselves, and how those internal narratives can quietly become self-sabotage in both life and leadership. This conversation breaks down how self-talk influences the mindset cycle, the connection between the stories we tell ourselves and the results we see in our lives, and why awareness is the first step to changing the pattern. We also talk about how leaders can interrupt negative thinking, give themselves the grace to grow, and model healthier thinking for the people around them, especially the next generation watching and learning. Because the way you speak to yourself matters. It shapes your confidence, your decisions, and ultimately the life you build. And sometimes the most important leadership work happens in the conversations no one else hears.

  • S2 · E2
    March 5 · 25 min

    Ep. 12 – Triggered at Work

    In this episode of Relentless & Real, we talk about one of the hardest leadership moments to navigate: the unexpected trigger. The criticism you didn’t see coming.The awkward moment in a meeting.The conversation that suddenly turns emotional. These moments are predictable in leadership, even when the exact situation is not. We break down how to prepare for the unpredictable by focusing on the one thing you always control: your 20 square feet. Instead of rehearsing arguments in your head or walking into conversations ready to fight, the real work is deciding in advance how you want to show up. We talk about how to slow down your reaction, ask better questions, and keep the outcome in mind when emotions start to rise. From performance reviews to difficult conversations to everyday misunderstandings, leadership is tested in the moments when you are caught off guard. The goal is not perfection. The goal is discipline. Because when leaders manage their response instead of reacting on default, they create trust, protect relationships, and move conversations forward even in uncomfortable moments.

  • S2 · E1
    February 26 · 22 min

    Ep. 11 – Mean Girls

    Mean girls are not just in middle school. They show up in meetings. In executive teams. In gossip circles. In passive aggressive emails. And sometimes, they are leading the room. In this episode of Relentless & Real, we unpack what “mean girls” look like in the professional world and why insecurity, scarcity thinking, and default reactions create toxic workplace dynamics. We talk about the adult version of cliques, the subtle ways gossip and gatekeeping show up, and how intimidation culture quietly damages performance. More importantly, we walk through how to respond. Using the R Factor mindset, we break down how to eliminate blame, complain, defend, and gossip. We discuss how to prepare pre-planned responses, how to stay disciplined instead of going default, and how to challenge groupthink without becoming part of the problem. This conversation is not about tearing women down. It is about raising the standard. If we truly want to lift each other up, we have to eliminate the behaviors that sabotage trust and results. You do not have to join the cool kid club to win. You just have to show up elite.

Showing 21–31 of 31 episodes