Are you building something powerful—a podcast, business, brand, or new version of yourself—but feel like no one else sees the vision yet? This episode of The Upgrade with L is for every visionary, content creator, entrepreneur, or dreamer who’s tired of showing up without applause. Lauren Hayes breaks down what it means to stay committed when the results haven’t arrived, and how to protect your belief in something only you can see—for now. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, launching y...
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Are you building something powerful—a podcast, business, brand, or new version of yourself—but feel like no one else sees the vision yet? This episode of The Upgrade with L is for every visionary, content creator, entrepreneur, or dreamer who’s tired of showing up without applause. Lauren Hayes breaks down what it means to stay committed when the results haven’t arrived, and how to protect your belief in something only you can see—for now. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, launching y...
Are you building something powerful—a podcast, business, brand, or new version of yourself—but feel like no one else sees the vision yet? This episode of The Upgrade with L is for every visionary, content creator, entrepreneur, or dreamer who’s tired of showing up without applause. Lauren Hayes breaks down what it means to stay committed when the results haven’t arrived, and how to protect your belief in something only you can see—for now. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, launching y...
Episode 11: “I Said ‘I’m Grateful’ When I Should’ve Said ‘I’m Good’” Subtitle: Outgrowing Workplaces That No Longer Grow You Are you stuck in a job that looks good on paper—but feels misaligned in your spirit? In this episode of The Upgrade with L, Lauren Hayes breaks down the silent ways high-achieving women—especially Black women—shrink themselves in workplaces that no longer serve their growth. From polite office politics to being praised but not promoted, Lauren unpacks how we mistake...
When you start healing… when you stop performing and start aligning with who you really are—something shifts. You begin to outgrow people, places, and patterns that once felt like home. You stop shrinking to stay accepted. You stop bending to be palatable. And suddenly, you’re misunderstood. In this episode of The Upgrade with L, host Lauren Hayes unpacks the emotional cost of personal growth and identity shifts—especially for Black women who are navigating healing in real time. This is f...
What do you do when life forces you to start over—and you didn’t ask for the reset? In this episode of The Upgrade with L, we’re talking about the gut-wrenching moments no one prepares you for: the unexpected layoff, the breakup you didn’t see coming, the dream that disappeared overnight. This isn’t a glow-up. This is ground zero. Lauren gets real about the emotional spiral that comes with losing your identity, your plan, and your sense of direction. You’ll hear how to rebuild your life whe...
Hyper-independence can feel like a badge of honor — but often, it’s just survival in disguise. In this episode of The Upgrade with L, host Lauren Hayes dives deep into the real story behind hyper-independence, emotional healing, and learning to trust again. We’re unpacking: •How hyper-independence starts as protection but eventually leads to isolation •Why emotional healing challenges your relationship with control, vulnerability, and support •The hidden costs of carrying everything on your ...
Nobody talks about the part of growth that feels like grief. The part where choosing yourself costs you comfort first. The part where silence replaces applause, and distance replaces connection. In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the lonely season of leveling up — and why it’s not a sign you’re failing, but proof that you’re moving forward. If you’ve ever felt lost, isolated, or questioned everything after choosing yourself… this conversation is for you. We’re talking about: •Why friendsh...
We aren’t here to be relatable. We’re here to be real. This episode is a call-out and a call-home—for every woman who’s ever dimmed her light, softened her confidence, or edited her voice just to be accepted. We’re unpacking the quiet pressure to stay likable, the cost of being “digestible,” and why showing up as your full self will always be the most powerful thing you can do. Because at some point, you have to ask yourself: Are you performing for connection? Or are you rooted in your tru...
This episode isn’t about healing. It’s about calling it what it is. There are people who grow—and people who perform like they’re growing. People who welcome accountability—and people who curate comfort and call it peace. People who want alignment—and people who just want applause. In this episode, I’m breaking down the subtle but powerful split between two types of people: the ones who are willing to be stretched, challenged, and changed—and the ones who avoid anything that threatens the v...
Have you ever been called “low-maintenance,” “easygoing,” or “the chill one”—and wondered why it didn’t feel like a compliment? In this episode, Lauren breaks down what it really costs to be the convenient one. From the silent sacrifices to the self-abandonment we normalize in the name of keeping the peace, The Hidden Cost of Being Convenient is an unfiltered conversation about the patterns we learn to survive—and how to unlearn them so we can actually live. You’ll hear hard truths about: •...
Why the Middle Breaks Most People Everyone loves the beginning—the energy, the vision, the excitement. And everyone praises the finish line—the success, the celebration, the spotlight. But what about the middle? The middle is where most people give up. The motivation fades. The results don’t come fast enough. And the silence starts to feel like a sign that you should quit. In this episode of The Upgrade with L, we’re talking about the part of the journey no one prepares you for: the middl...
Everyone says, “Bet on yourself.” But no one tells you what that really means. The truth? It’s the hardest job you’ll ever have. No roadmap. No guaranteed applause. No one checking in to see if you need a pep talk. Just you, your vision, and the uncomfortable work of showing up—before the proof shows up. In this episode, we’re getting real about what it actually takes to choose yourself. We’ll break down: ✅ The identity shift that happens when you stop waiting for approval ✅ The loneli...
Healing is one of the hardest journeys you’ll ever take—not because of the work itself, but because of what it demands. People talk about healing like it’s a glow-up, like it’s peaceful and full of positive affirmations. But what they don’t tell you is that healing can be lonely, painful, and deeply uncomfortable. In this episode of The Upgrade with L, we’re getting into the real side of healing—the part no one posts about. The part where you have to sit in the quiet. Where you lose people y...
Are you building something powerful—a podcast, business, brand, or new version of yourself—but feel like no one else sees the vision yet? This episode of The Upgrade with L is for every visionary, content creator, entrepreneur, or dreamer who’s tired of showing up without applause. Lauren Hayes breaks down what it means to stay committed when the results haven’t arrived, and how to protect your belief in something only you can see—for now. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, launching y...
