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Spark With Merilee helps high-performing women and teams break free from stress autopilot by recognizing their inner voices—like the critic, perfectionist, and overachiever—and learning to lead with confidence, clarity, and alignment from the inside out.

09/29/2026

I used to think hope was something you either had or you didn’t.

Something that showed up when life was going well or when you could finally see how everything was going to work out.

Now I see it differently.

Hope is something we can build.

And maybe we need that reminder most when we’re in the Messy Middle.

When we don’t know what comes next, we tend to look for certainty before we move forward. But hope doesn’t require us to have all the answers.

It can start with recognizing where we are instead of fighting against it.

Making one choice that moves us forward.

Trusting that a setback doesn’t mean we’re going backward.

Or looking back and realizing we’re a little stronger, clearer, or more curious about what’s next than we were before.

Hope isn’t pretending everything is fine or simply wishing things will get better.

It’s believing there is a way forward and beginning to trust yourself to find it.

We don’t have to wait for hope to show up. We can participate in creating it.

That’s what I explore in my latest blog, Creating Hope in the Messy Middle, along with five self-leadership skills that can help us navigate change.

Read the blog at https://loom.ly/wYpWhkg.

And if you’re in your own Messy Middle, we’ll explore these ideas together on October 9 at The Messy Middle: A Spark Petite Retreat for Women in Transition. Join us by reserving your spot in the comments below.

09/22/2026

Happy first day of fall, my favorite time of year!

Every year around this time, I find myself loving how the trees teach us how beautiful it is to change and let go of the things we no longer need.

I wish that came as naturally to us as it does to them.

When something in our life changes — a relationship, a career, our kids needing us differently, our bodies changing, losing someone we love — our instinct is to hold on. To replay it. To try to figure out how to get back to what felt familiar.

But what if, instead, we borrowed a little of that fall energy?

What if the question isn't "how do I get back to where I was," but "what do I want to create from where I am now?"

You get to decide what deserves your energy.
You get to choose what you're going to keep and what you're going to let go of.
You get to be curious about what this change is teaching you.

And you get to take one step toward what's next — even if you can't see the rest of the path yet.

I call this Conscious Choice. It's one of five self-leadership skills I break down in my latest article, Creating Hope in the Messy Middle.

sparkwithmerilee.com/creating-hope-in-the-messy-middle/

This isn't about pretending change is easy and not stressful. It's about recognizing how you're feeling about the change, and knowing you get to choose how you respond to it — and create what's next.

That's where hope starts, one step at a time.

If you're in your own messy middle right now, I see you. And on October 9th, I'm hosting a Spark Petite Retreat built exactly for this season of transition. We're down to 2 seats left!

💭 Come explore what’s next with us! Reserve your spot in the comments below.

09/16/2026

When we’re going through a change, one of the first things we want to know is: What’s next?

And not just the next step. We want the plan. The timeline. The answer that tells us everything is going to work out.

I know that feeling well.

But one thing I’ve learned from my own Messy Middles is that clarity doesn’t always arrive all at once. It often comes because we start moving.

One decision. One conversation. One small step toward something that feels right.

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going to begin creating what’s next.

I wrote more about this in Creating Hope in the Messy Middle and the five self-leadership skills that have helped me navigate change in my own life.

Read the blog at https://loom.ly/wYpWhkg.

And if you’re in a transition of your own, we’ll explore this together at The Messy Middle: A Spark Petite Retreat for Women in Transition on October 9th.

✨ https://loom.ly/O4oCKss

09/11/2026

Eleven years ago today, I spoke to my mom for the last time.

Three days later, she was gone.

Losing her changed so much for me. I was grieving, trying to understand a life without her, while still being a mom, wife, sister, daughter, and career woman. Life didn't stop just because mine felt like it had been turned upside down.

Looking back, I can see that I was deep in what I now call the Messy Middle, that uncomfortable space between what was and what's next.

I've spent much of my career helping leaders and organizations navigate change, but some of my greatest lessons about transition have come from living through it myself.

And at 52, I'm finding myself in another Messy Middle.

What I've learned is that we don't have to rush through these seasons or pressure ourselves to have everything figured out. There is hope available here, even when we can't quite see what's on the other side yet.

In my newest blog, I'm sharing more of my own story and five self-leadership skills that can help us create hope, clarity, and a path forward when life feels uncertain.

If you're in a Messy Middle of your own right now, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it.

✨ sparkwithmerilee.com/creating-hope-in-the-messy-middle/

And if you're ready to explore your own Messy Middle alongside other women who get it, join me on October 9 for The Messy Middle: A Spark Petite Retreat for Women in Transition.

Early Spark Savings ends September 18. Use code EARLYSPARK to save $25.

Register now at https://loom.ly/Kla0tQM.

08/27/2026

Something is changing. An empty nest, a career shift, retirement, a new chapter you can't quite figure out yet.

Welcome to The Messy Middle, that space between who you were and who you're becoming.

Most of us rush right through it. We pressure ourselves to have the plan, the answer, the 3 to 5-year vision, fast, because living in "I don't know yet" feels overwhelming. But that pressure can keep us in the fog.

The Messy Middle isn't a problem to solve. It's where our real discovery happens.

I'm excited to share, registration for The Messy Middle Petite Retreat is open!

✨ The Messy Middle: A Spark Petite Retreat for Women in Transition

📅 Friday, October 9 | 12:00–4:00 PM
📍1001 Village Run Rd, Wexford, PA

This half-day retreat is an opportunity to be in it, together. We'll name and honor what's ending or shifting for you, let go of the pressure to have it all figured out, and get curious about what matters most to you as you create what's next.

Who knows, you might find yourself enjoying the mess.

I created this retreat not just as a facilitator and coach, but as a woman who knows The Messy Middle firsthand. I've lived it, I'm living it, and I love what's possible here.

Space is intentionally limited to 16 women. Early Spark Savings ($100, code EARLYSPARK) ends September 9th.

Ready to meet yourself in the middle? I'd love for you to join us.

👇 Registration link is in the comments!

With gratitude to Brentwood Bank for generously hosting us in their beautiful Wexford space.

08/12/2026

Back-to-school season always brings a shift.

My son, Alex, is heading back to Penn State, summer is winding down, and there's more structure again, more routines, more places to be, and more things pulling at our attention.

Transition times can feel stressful. But they also give us an opportunity to reset before we slip back into autopilot.

Before fall gets busy, I've been intentionally thinking about these questions:

→ What do I want to give my time and energy to this fall, and why?
→ What tends to hijack my priorities, and why do I let it?
→ Who do I want to be this fall, and am I willing to protect that?

We spend a lot of energy thinking about what we should or need to get done. As leaders, business owners, parents, and people with full lives, there's always something else waiting for us.

Being intentional isn't just about managing your time better. It's about choosing what you give your focus and time to.

Maybe this fall isn't about adding another goal, commitment, or responsibility. Maybe it's about creating more space for what matters most.

And if you're in the middle of a bigger transition of your own, I'm excited to share something new I've created for this fall:

SAVE THE DATE
The Messy Middle: A Spark Petite Retreat for Women in Transition
Friday, October 9 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Location TBD

This is a brand-new retreat with new content, designed for women going through transition, living in the space between what was and what's next. I'll be sharing more soon.

If you'd like dedicated space to find some clarity sooner, message me and we'll schedule your Spark Clarity Session today.

Whatever this fall brings, my hope for you is that you enter it on purpose. Choose what's important to you instead of reacting to the pressure of life, and show up as the truest version of you.

Here's to the leader in you!

08/04/2026

Your identity is allowed to be shaken.

You're allowed to not know who you are for a while when something has changed.

I said that to a room full of successful women business owners last week, at our quarterly meetup. The topic on the agenda was leading ourselves and others through change.

What we actually talked about was losing our identities and grief.

The kind of grief that shows up when your son or daughter graduates high school and your relationship changes.

When you finally let go of an employee who wasn't the right fit, and it still keeps you up at night.

When you hire your first team member and realize the business isn't just you anymore.

When you're scaling faster than you can recognize yourself inside it.

When you lose a loved one.

We shared different stories, but we’re putting the same pressure on ourselves.

The pressure to have the change already figured out. A solid answer ready when someone asks how we're doing. To not let the people we lead and love see us rattled.

Transition is hard enough on its own. Telling ourselves "we should be handling it better" on top of it isn't helping.

Change is a process, and a painful one at times. Something you knew has ended, and now you're in the "messy middle."

Or as my friend Hollie likes to say, you're renovating an aspect of your life. Renovations don't last forever. Yes, they can be a pain in the arse, but when they're complete, you have clarity. Something new and stronger.

So if you're mid-renovation right now — mid-mess, mid-grieving, mid-figuring-it-out — you're not failing or lost.

You're exactly where the process requires you to be.

Let go of the pressure. Stay the course with grace. What's on the other side is worth it!

sparkwithmerilee.com

07/28/2026

Okay, but how is July almost gone?! ☀️➡️🍂

If you've been thinking, "we really should do something for our team this fall," this is your reminder to start now.

The most impactful development experiences don't happen by chance. They start with a clear objective and a partner who understands your people.

Whether you're planning for fall, wrapping up the year, or already looking ahead to 2027, I'd love to help you build something customized:

✨ Keynotes and speaking engagements that move people from awareness to action

✨ Interactive workshops and petite retreats that build practical mindset and emotional agility tools

✨ 1-on-1 Spark Coaching and Spark Clarity Sessions for anyone ready to lead from clarity, not pressure

✨ Leadership and team development tailored to your organization's goals

You can't fully eliminate pressure. But you can teach your people to lead through it with confidence and ease, not just survive it.

Let's build something that helps your people lead differently, not just feel inspired for a day.

Learn more at sparkwithmerilee.com/services
Here's to a grounded fall! 🍂

07/14/2026

Grace Over Judgment ❤️

Some lessons aren't learned in a workshop or a book.

They're learned in the moments that break your heart.

Last week, I shared that I said goodbye to my sweet Sandy after 14 wonderful years together. As I've moved through the grief, I've noticed several of my Inner Board Members™ trying to take the microphone.

• My Judge says, "You should be handling this better."
• My Rationalizer whispers, "You're fine. Other people have it worse."

Then my Compassionate Leader gently reminds me:

"How can I take care of myself today?"

That simple question has changed everything.

Whether you're grieving, navigating change, or simply feeling overwhelmed, your Inner Board Members™ are talking.

✨ This week, notice which voice you're listening to.

May your Compassionate Leader have the loudest voice.

06/30/2026

Your Inner Leader is the wise CEO of your life. And she showed up for me recently when I knew I should workout — right when Rationalization paid me a visit.

Rationalization is the inner voice that sounds completely reasonable, as she always does.
"You're tired. You're busy. You can skip it. It's fine."

She wasn't even wrong. Rationalization never lies outright. That's what makes her so convincing.
But my Inner Leader stepped in. And she didn't fight her.

She called on Compassion first.

"Your body is changing and that's a fact. You don't have to punish yourself — and you don't have to abandon yourself either. Both things are true."

Then Opportunity.

"This isn't about the perfect body or workout. What's one thing you can do today to honor your health?"
Then Connection.

My mom passed away at sixty-six. Her story is never far from me when I want to take the easy way out. Your health is your freedom — not your obligation.

That's the whole inner board meeting.

Not perfection. Just a conscious choice made from my values, not my excuses.

My Inner Leader doesn't silence the other voices. She knows when to call upon whom. She reaches for the right Inner Board Member to help me meet the moment honestly and respond with intention.

And I practice choosing her every single day. Because when I do, I show up more fully — for myself and for everything that matters most.

She's always been with you too. She was there every time you paused before reacting. Every time you chose progress over perfection. Every time you kept going when it would have been easier to quit.

She's not missing. She's just waiting for you to put her back in charge.

The next time Defeat, Judgment, or Rationalization takes over your inner board meeting — pause. Ask yourself: which voice does my Inner Leader want to call in right now?

Compassion to restore calm?

Opportunity to reframe fear or procrastination?

Connection to return to what matters?

That moment of conscious choice? That's your Inner Leader leading! 🔥

Read more at sparkwithmerilee.com/spark-insights/!

Address

Pittsburgh, PA

Telephone

+14123707536

Website

https://sparkwithmerilee.com/

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