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The CEO Sage — Business
The CEO Sage

You’re vitally important and completely invisible. You’re performing in what you once dreamed. The thing you built to free you has become the thing you’re trapped inside.

You’ve built something real. A business that works. A reputation that precedes you. By every measure, you’re succeeding.
And something is wrong that you can’t quite name.

You’ve tried the frameworks. You’ve bought the courses. You’ve followed the gurus. And on some level you know that none of it is going to give you what you’re actually looking for, because what you’re actually looking for is yourself.

This is The CEO Sage—a podcast for the woman who is ready to stop looking outside herself for the answer.

Kris Plachy doesn’t offer you recipes or tactics or the “real way” to scale your business. She offers you something more rare: permission to listen to what you already know. In intimate, unflinching conversations, she names the truths you’ve been waiting to hear aloud. That your wisdom matters more than the strategy. That your self-trust is the asset worth protecting. That what feels like failure might actually be an invitation to something better.

If you’ve achieved the success everyone told you to want and discovered it wasn’t what you were looking for, this is for you. If you know something needs to change but can’t see the path, this is for you. If you’re ready to stop performing and start revealing—to yourself first, then to the world—this is for you.

The CEO Sage. Where the work of becoming begins with the work of remembering who you already are.

Copyright: Copyright © 2019 - 2021 Kris Plachy

Latest Episodes:

From Operator to Advisor: What Your Business Really Needs From You Now Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Are you the biggest bottleneck in your business—and don't even realize it?

You didn't build your company to babysit it. But if you're still the one making every call, solving every fire, and holding the reins so tightly no one else can lead...this episode is your wake-up call.

In this second installment of the special mini-series on the seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it's time for something new, Kris explores what it really means to step into the advisory consultant role for the very business you created and the team you built. If you've ever felt the urge to evolve beyond the business you built, this is your roadmap—and your invitation. It's not just about delegation. It's about identity. Because learning to release control doesn't start with your team—it starts with you. Letting go of being the person who approves every decision, solves every problem, or catches every dropped ball requires more than systems—it requires a shift in who you believe yourself to be.

Kris walks through why founders get stuck in a cycle of over-functioning, how perfectionism masks fear, and why holding the metaphorical bat too tightly means no one else will dare take a swing.

Here's what we explore:

The difference between being essential and being in the way
Why your team may be relying on you more than they need to
What mentorship and true leadership actually look like
How to grow your business by getting out of the weeds
What really happens—emotionally and practically—when you loosen your grip

This episode calls you forward—not to abandon your company, but to evolve into a different kind of leader: one who guides instead of manages, who advises instead of reacts, and who trusts her team to rise.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Wanna know if your business is ready to run without you? Take the short quiz here: www.thevisionary.CEO/businessready.

When You're Ready to Move On, But You're Still Afraid to Let Go Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

You say you want freedom. But are you really ready for it?

This week, Kris kicks off the first of seven essential transitions every successful woman must navigate when she knows it's time for something new.

It starts with a brutally honest question: Is your business ready to run without you? And are you ready to let it?

In this episode, Kris unpacks what readiness really means—not just logistically, but emotionally. Because saying you're done and being done are two very different things.

Here's what we explore:

The trap of being needed—and why it's so hard to let go
How your team might be holding you back (even if they mean well)
Why control feels safer than it really is
And how to know if you're truly ready for what's next

This isn't about stepping down. It's about stepping into a new version of you.

And readiness is just the beginning.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Wanna know if your business is ready to run without you? Take the short quiz here: www.thevisionary.CEO/businessready.

The One Hour Leader Blueprint thevisionary.ceo/onehourleaderblueprint

The One Hour Leader Coach thevisionary.ceo/onehourleadercoach

What About The Restless Leader: A Call to Explore What's Next Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

This season marks a turning point—not just for the podcast, but for the visionary women who listen. If you've ever wondered what comes after success, you're in the right place.

In this kickoff to a brand-new series, Kris introduces a deeply personal—and much-needed—conversation: what it means to go beyond the CEO. Because sometimes, the biggest transition isn't building the business... it's releasing your grip on it.

Here's what we explore:

What it really takes to prepare your business (and yourself) to function without you
Why staying too long might be holding you—and your team—back
How AI and legacy leadership tools can still support your team while you evolve

This isn't about retirement. It's about reinvention. And if you're feeling restless, you're not alone.

Tune in now and meet the woman you're becoming—one transition at a time. And be sure to listen to upcoming episodes as Kris explores the seven transitions every founder must face to move into her next chapter.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

The One Hour Leader Blueprint thevisionary.ceo/onehourleaderblueprint

The One Hour Leader Coach thevisionary.ceo/onehourleadercoach

When Leadership Isn't Enough Anymore—And You Know It's Time to Evolve Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

You built the business. You built the team. You built the life. But now… what?

This is the moment no one warns you about. When the business you poured everything into is running—maybe even thriving—but you feel restless. Detached. Like maybe you've outgrown what once felt like everything.

In this episode, Kris Plachy opens the door to a new conversation—one that's been quietly forming behind the scenes. This isn't a pivot away from leadership. It's a leap into deeper truth.

She speaks directly to the woman who's questioning what's next:

The one who can't imagine walking away, but can't imagine staying the same.
The one who keeps showing up for her business, but secretly wonders if it's still hers to love.
The one who has succeeded by every metric but still lies awake at night asking, "Who am I now?"

It's time to meet her—the woman beyond the CEO.

Here's what we explore

The raw emotional terrain of success that no one prepares you for

Why so many Gen X founders are hearing a whisper they can't ignore
The difference between leaving a business and leaving yourself behind
And how to start writing the next chapter—without rushing the ending of this one

If you've built a beautiful business but you're starting to dream in a new direction, Kris made this episode for you.

This is your invitation to the age era.

And Kris will meet you there.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

Live Coaching Conversation: When the Mask Comes Off—and You Finally Say What You Want Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

This one's raw. Tender. And so incredibly real.

My client came into this conversation thinking she needed clarity. She was looking for the right answers—about her role, her goals, her business. But what came out was something much more vulnerable: the pressure to perform, the fear of letting people down, and the quiet ache of not being fully seen.

This episode is a front-row seat to what happens when a powerful woman stops performing and starts telling the truth.

Here's what we explore:

The invisible cost of always being 'the capable one'
What it really feels like to outgrow your own success
How to let your soul lead—especially when your head says, "Just keep going"

This is the unfiltered, Beyond the CEO moment so many women never get to speak out loud—but you'll hear it here.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

Live Coaching Conversation: You Can't Pivot Until You Admit You're Done Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

This one hit deep.

I'm talking to a founder who's done everything "right." Built the business. Achieved success. Carried the weight. But now… she's just tired. Tired of running, of holding it all together, of pretending she still wants what she once did.

She thought we'd be talking about planning and priorities. Instead, we had one of the most honest conversations I've ever had with a woman who's quietly—and bravely—acknowledging that her current chapter is over.

In this episode, we talk about:

The invisible weight of being everyone's go-to
What it means when your ambition fades—but your worth hasn't
Why admitting you're done is the first brave step toward your next beautiful beginning

This is Beyond the CEO work in real time. And if you've been secretly wondering if you're allowed to want something new, this episode is your permission slip.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary .ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

Live Coaching Conversation: When You're Ready to Let Go, But Don't Know What Comes Next Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

This episode is for the woman who's built a thriving business—and still hears a quiet voice inside asking, "Is this really it?"

My client came to this session frustrated with herself for not trusting her team or delegating enough. But what we uncovered wasn't about delegation at all. It was about the fear of stepping away. The pressure to keep going. And the guilt that creeps in when you consider wanting more for yourself… or maybe something entirely different.

In this deeply moving conversation, you'll hear:

What's really behind the resistance to let go (hint: it's not about your team)
The hidden grief and identity loss so many women feel as they evolve beyond the CEO role
Why wanting more space, more freedom, or a different life doesn't make you ungrateful—it makes you ready

This is the kind of conversation most women are having only in their heads. But here, we say it out loud. And that's where the real shift begins.

Listen now—and if it speaks to you, leave a review and share it with a woman you admire who might be in her own what's next moment.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary .ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

Live Coaching Conversation: Spotting the Right Hire in 5 Minutes Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Ever hired someone because they "seemed great"... and then spent months wondering what the hell happened?

This week on Leadership is Feminine starts the series where I am letting you listen in on actual coaching conversations with female founders.

I coach a founder who's been there. She's rebuilding her team—and this time, she's determined to do it differently. No more hiring based on a hunch. No more hoping a great personality will magically turn into aligned performance.

Instead? She's learning to ask better questions, speak her expectations out loud (not just assume them), and trust herself in the interview process—not just the person sitting across the table.

You'll hear us:

Workshop real interview questions (and rewrite the fluff into clarity)
Role-play what it sounds like to actually vet for values
Talk through the emotional aftermath of a few painful mis-hires—and how to give yourself grace and move forward with more strength

Whether you're hiring right now or just thinking about the next addition to your team, this conversation will change the way you think about values, culture, and your own role as the leader of both.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join me in Sonoma in August so we can meet in person! Go to www.thevisionary .ceo/beyondceo to register your interest.

The Question Every Successful Woman Eventually Asks May 26, 2025

Show notes

What if the next step in your evolution has nothing to do with scaling, systems, or solving that one nagging employee issue—and everything to do with who you're becoming?

In this very personal episode, Kris Plachy sets the stage for a powerful shift. If you've been a long-time listener—or a longtime leader—you'll want to hear where we're going next. Because truthfully? You're probably already feeling it. The tension. The boredom. The subtle restlessness that success didn't solve.

This episode isn't tactical. It's transformational. It's for the woman who has checked every box... and still wonders: What now? Who am I beyond the CEO?

Kris shares why she's retiring her signature leadership programs, what inspired her to pivot her entire body of work, and how she's now guiding high-level women through the most important work of their lives—not in their business, but in themselves.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Why "dealing with Rhonda in accounting" was never really the work—and what actually is.
The moment Kris knew she had outgrown her own vision—and what she did about it.
How the Sage Era is calling successful women into deeper territory and new identities.
The biggest lie high-achieving women tell themselves that keeps them stuck in roles they've outgrown.
A first invitation to explore Beyond the CEO—starting with a two-day, live gathering in Sonoma.

If you've been quietly wondering… is this it?

This episode is for you. And it's the beginning of a new conversation.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Beyond the CEO is a two-day experience for women ready to step into their Sage Era—those seeking rich conversations, deep connection, and a meaningful next chapter. If you're interested in learning more about the live event, go to thevisionary.ceo/beyondCEO

Team Member Episode: Accountability Isn't a Toxic Workplace May 19, 2025

Show notes

This week on Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy offers a candid exploration of the employee-employer dynamic—and the personal responsibility that comes with being part of any team. With her trademark clarity and insight, Kris challenges listeners to rethink what it truly means to be employed: It's not just about time—it's about delivering results. Through thoughtful reflection and real-world examples, Kris unpacks why understanding basic business principles is essential for anyone who wants to thrive at work. She reminds us that employment is a two-way agreement, one that requires alignment, accountability, and honest communication. "Employers pay employees for results, not time," she explains, inviting us to reconsider how we show up in our roles and what we expect in return. Kris also takes a closer look at the emotional experience of work—highlighting the toll of staying in roles that no longer serve us. Rather than settling for misalignment, she encourages listeners to explore new paths with courage and clarity. As she reminds us, "There is always a next step forward if you choose to make it." Whether you're an employee looking to better understand your role, or a leader wanting to foster more intentional, empowered teams, this episode is a wake-up call. Tune in to discover how taking ownership of your role in the workplace can lead to more satisfaction, stronger results, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Understanding Employment Agreements: The importance of personal responsibility when accepting a job.
Saying 'Yes' is a Commitment: Emphasizing the seriousness of saying "yes" to a job and its expectations.
Accountability in the Workplace: Misconception of accountability being a personal attack.
Small Business Financial Insights: Explanation of how small business owners take risks and manage finances.
Advice for Employees: A call for employees to take personal agency and make changes that align with their goals.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe! Wanna know how we help female founders? Visit us at www.thevisionary.ceo

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