Elevated Ambition with Sarah Lilly
Elevated Ambition is the podcast for women in business who want to build success that feels aligned, spacious, and true to who they are - both online and in real life. Hosted by social media coach Sarah Lilly, this show goes beyond strategy to explore the full experience of being an ambitious woman in business. From authentic marketing and brand alignment to motherhood, mindset, mental health, and the messy middle of entrepreneurship, Sarah brings honest conversations and practical advice every episode. Ready to create a life and business that actually feels good? Lets go!
Episodes
057: UGC and Content Creation: What Businesses and Creators Need to Know
Content creation has become one of the fastest growing industries online, but there is still plenty of confusion around creator rates, gifted collaborations, UGC content and what businesses should actually expect when hiring a content creator.In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm unpacking both sides of content creation and sharing what both creators AND brands need to know to build succes
056: Why Everything You've Been Told About Brand Colours Is Wrong
Are you choosing brand colours based on outdated rules, or by what actually feels like YOU?In this episode, we're throwing out the old colour psychology handbook, and ditching the trending colours to find a colour palette that is authentically you. Let's chat...Why traditional colour rules were built for big corporations, not personal brandsHow colour meaning shifts across cultures and con
055: Mum Guilt & Finding Balance as a Working Mum with Gemma Brown
In this honest and heartfelt episode of Elevated Ambition, we’re talking mum guilt… and how it never really goes away as your children grow.I’m joined by my friend, fellow mum, and businesswoman Gemma Brown for a real conversation about mum guilt, motherhood, social media pressure, and finding balance as a working mum.Mum guilt is something so many women experience, but what’s often not talked abo
054: Feeling Creatively Stuck? Here’s How to Reignite Your Creative Spark
Feeling creatively stuck after time away from your business or content? Whether you're returning from maternity leave (like me!) or just gotten a little out of your routine, this episode is your reminder that your creativity isn’t gone… and you can bring it back!In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m sharing my personal experience of coming back into my business after maternity leave, and h
053: How Women Can Build Wealth in Their 30s & 40s (Without Sacrificing Their Lifestyle) - with Maria Temnyuk
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re actually doing enough to set yourself up for the future … this episode is for you.In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by financial planner and founder of Diamond Property and Wealth, Maria Temnyuk, to break down what building long-term wealth really looks like… especially for women in their 30s and 40s who are juggling careers, kids, mortgages, a
052: Stop Overthinking: Here's How to Follow Your Intuition
Do you ever feel like your gut is trying to tell you something… but you ignore it? In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition, we dive into the power of intuition and why learning to trust it can transform your life and business decisions.From distinguishing genuine intuition from fear, to creating space to hear your inner guidance, I share practical tips, personal stories, and exercises to strengt
051: The IT FACTOR: How to Stand Out Online in 2026 with Mikayla Jai
In a world where everyone is posting and we are consuming more content than ever, you might be thinking… why do some people stand out while others blend in?In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m joined by manifestation guru and content queen, Mikayla Jai, to dive into the power of your “IT FACTOR" - you know, that secret sauce that just makes your content magnetic.If you’ve ever felt like
050: The Truth About Niching: Why It Might Be Holding You Back in 2026
We’ve officially hit episode 50 (!!) and this one feels like a full-circle moment, as it's also my first episode back after six months of maternity leave! In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the last six months... navigating life as a mum of two, taking maternity leave from my business, and stepping back into work with a completely new perspective.And
049: The Truth About Social Media Algorithms: Social Media Growth Made Simple
Ever feel like you’re playing a guessing game with the algorithm?In this solo episode of Elevated Ambition, I take the mystery out of social media algorithms and show you how to turn them into a powerful ally for your business.I'll explain how algorithms learn from user behaviour, why engagement is everything, and how you can strategically post, interact, and create to boost your visibility on
048: The Brand Artist: Foundations of Magnetic Branding with Emily-Jane Sarroff
This episode is one for the soul-led business owners I’m chatting with the beautiful Emily-Jane Sarroff – a branding strategist, spiritual entrepreneur, and total creative powerhouse. Emily shares her journey from studying architecture to building a thriving six-figure business, and how it all came back to one thing: authenticity.We dive into the power of creating a brand that reflects who you tru
047: Social Proof That Sells: Using Testimonials and Referrals to Grow Your Business
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I explore one of the most underrated marketing tools for both product and service-based business owners: testimonials, feedback, and referrals.Discover how testimonials act as powerful social proof, building credibility and trust with your dream clients. Learn the difference between feedback and testimonials, why referrals are warm leads that convert faster, a
046: Brows & Business: Building a Beauty Biz with Katrina from Bloom
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I sit down with Katrina, owner of Bloom Boutique Beauty, to talk about her inspiring journey in the beauty industry.Katrina shares how she first got into the beauty industry and how over 20 years of experience led her to open her own home-based beauty studio in May 2024. She opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the often unseen behind-the-scenes
045: Should You Share Your Private Life Online? The Balance Between Privacy & Relatability In Business
If you've ever thought, “Do I have to share my whole life online to be relatable?” ... then this episode is for you.Let’s bust the myth that being authentic = sharing everything online. I’m pulling back the curtain on what I personally share in my business, what I keep private, and how YOU get to create your own rules (that suit YOU!)Inside this episode:How to balance personal posts with business
044: Energetics, Māori Healing & the Power of Connection with Merekara Henare
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I chat with Merekara from Massage Serenity and Healing in Dunedin. Merekara shares her inspiring journey of building a wellness business that blends relaxation massage, therapeutic techniques, and traditional Māori healing practices including mirimiri and honohono.We talk about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of self-care and balance, and
043: Forget the Followers - This Is What Grows Your Business Online
Social media isn’t what it used to be - and if your likes and follows are down, it might not mean what you think. In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I unpack the real story behind today’s engagement metrics.We explore the shift from vanity metrics like likes and follower counts to deeper, more impactful indicators like reach, click-throughs, and conversions. With video content dominating and at
042: How to Reconnect With Your Body and Thrive with Jessebel Chan
Feeling disconnected from your body? Learn how to create safety, vitality, and lasting change.This week, I’m joined by the inspiring Jessebel Chan from Collective Care, a personal trainer and life coach who’s redefining what health and wellness look like for women.Together, we explore how science and spirituality can work hand-in-hand, why small, consistent steps matter more than drastic changes,
041: What Makes a Brand Unforgettable? Building a Business That Aligns & Attracts
Branding isn’t just about pretty logos and curated colours—it’s the heart & soul of your business. In this episode, I dive into the true essence of branding (spoiler alert, it's not just your logo and colours!) and why having a solid brand strategy is crucial for lasting success.We cover the five powerful pillars of branding strategy and how each one supports your ability to confidently show u
040: Branding with Heart: Ngahuia Crossman on Creative Business, Storytelling & Community
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I sit down with Ngahuia Crossman — founder of branding studio Inspiring Design — to talk all things creativity, business evolution, and building a brand with soul.Ngahuia shares her journey from self-taught designer to the heart-led and values driven entrepreneur she is today. You’ll hear how her business has pivoted with her passions, the importance of storyt
039: Nailing The Work-Life Balance: How I Structure My Weeks As A Small Business Owner
As a mum and a small business owner, life can be chaotic but after learning how to set boundaries and structure my business I've never felt more calm and with a better work-life balance. In this episode I am sharing how I structure my weeks as a business owner, working 4 days a week, by breaking my week into specific days for different tasks.In this episode we chat about ....The importance of sett
038: Start and Grow Your Podcast Like a Pro - Podcasting 101 with Maxene London
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm sitting down with podcast producer and coach Maxene London to talk all things podcasting — from starting out, to scaling, and staying grounded in the journey.Maxene shares her experience navigating entrepreneurship while raising a family, what you need to get started with a podcast, and how perfectionism can stall your success before you even hit “reco
037: Behind the Lens: Shan Wildman on Branding, Community & Confidence
In this episode of Elevated Ambition, I chat with Shan Wildman from She By Shan, a personal branding photographer on a mission to empower women in business. Shan opens up about her journey into photography, how she built her signature brand, and why authenticity is the secret ingredient to standing out online.From creating confidence in front of the camera to the power of versatile brand imagery,
BONUS: My New Favourite Tool for Reels & Video Editing
In this quick bonus episode, I’m sharing a little gem I recently discovered — the Edits app. If you’re creating video content for your biz (hello Reels, Stories, and TikToks!), this free editing tool might just become your new go-to.We’re talking no watermarks, built-in analytics, in-app recording, and even a teleprompter feature! Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned content creat
036: The Next Chapter: Baby #2, Business, and Balance
In this deeply personal episode of Elevated Ambition, I'm sharing my next exciting chapter of my life — baby number #2! I'm opening up about the raw and real experience of navigating business, motherhood, and self-care during pregnancy and beyond, and answering one of the most common questions I've been asked.... how do I plan to juggle it all?In this episode I also touch on how pregna
035: Are Your Sales Posts Doing More Harm Than Good? Why You Should Ditch The CTA
Are you constantly selling in your social posts? Do all of your stories and posts end with a CTA or 'work with me' comment? In this episode we discuss the issue of 'daily selling' and why pushing your products and services non-stop might actually be doing more harm than good in attracting potential clients.We discuss....Why daily selling might be a turn-off to your clientsWhat kind of sales strate
034: My Raw & Real Business Journey: From Breakdown to 6-Figure Social Media Coach
In this raw and real episode, I’m sharing the full story of how I went from crying before work at my media job… to running a 6-figure social media and brand coaching business that lights me up.From starting an online Hilary Duff fan club at 14 (yes, really!) to self-teaching my way through blogging, brand collaborations, and eventually launching my own business—this is the behind-the-scenes look a
033: Utilising AI For Content Creation : Creating Authentic Content in a Copy & Paste World
In today's episode, I'm sharing how to harness the power of AI and ChatGPT to make your content creation easier, faster, and more organised — while still keeping your authentic voice front and centre.We'll cover how to use ChatGPT for brainstorming, content pillars, topic expansion, and idea batching, plus essential tips to make sure your posts still feel 100% YOU. Plus I'll share
032: To Swear or Not to Swear? Language, Authenticity & Your Brand Voice
To swear or not to swear? That is the branding question!In this episode of Elevated Ambition, we're diving deep into the rise of swearing and raw language in online spaces, and how it can either amplify or detract from your brand.I’m breaking down the impact language has on your business, exploring the pros and cons of using explicit language in your content, discovering how it can impact your
031: Long Form vs Short Form Content: WHY You Need Both and HOW to Include Them In Your Content Strategy
In this episode, Sarah discusses the difference between two different types of digital content - long form and short form and why it's crucial for your online brand strategy that you include both.In this episode we cover:What is long form content vs short form contentThe pros and cons of bothWhat platforms you need to be sharing your content onHow you can utilise both in your content strategy
030: The secret to a standout social media strategy - Utilising content pillars to ensure your content LANDS every single time!
In this episode, Sarah discusses the secret to a standout social media strategy - clear and aligned content pillars.We dive into....What content pillars actually areWhy they are so important to ensure that your content is speaking to the right peopleHow you can define your own content pillars - no matter your businessExamples of content pillarsHow you can quickly and easily create content in line
029: How to write better captions and create click-worthy hooks on Instagram
In this episode, Sarah delves into the 3 most common mistakes that she sees people making when it comes to their social media posts and the simple tweaks they can make to enhance their captions and generate more reach, shares and engagement. We talk about....Creating epic social media hooks and captions that grab your customers attention immediately (with caption and hook examples!)The importanc
028: Is your brand doing this one thing that's pushing clients away?
Great branding isn't just about pretty colours and what you post on social media, it's also how your target customers perceive your brand and how you show up as not only a brand but a business owner.In this episode, Sarah delves into a few of the common mistakes that businesses make that can make them appear "flaky" or not interested in their clients. She also shares what you can do to tighten up
027: 4 easy hacks to boost your social media engagement in 2025
In this episode, Sarah shares her top 4 tips to help boost your engagement and grow your social media in 2025.
She shares everything you need to know about optimising your social platforms, creating content that makes your followers actually engage, and creating a solid social media strategy that doesn't take hours every single day to complete.
If your are an online business owner, then this episo
026: 3 steps to creating ALIGNED + ACHIEVABLE goals for 2025
In this episode, I share my complete process for creating aligned and achievable goals for 2025.
We discuss....
How to go about reflecting on 2024 and celebrating your wins
Creating your BIG vision for 2025
How to set aligned goals (that are actually achievable)
How manifestation can speed up your goals
How my new free resource can support you in goal setting and achievement
Aligned Goa
025: The SEO basics that EVERY business owner needs to know with Nicole Nelson
In this episode I chat with SEO guru Nicole Nelson from Your SEO Sista, and she shares the SEO basics that every business owner needs to know.
We also chat about the importance of keyword research, key phrases, Google My Business, and Nicole shares a whole heap of actionable steps that all business owners can utilise right away to improve their SEO and get found online.
No matter whether you ar
024: Building a strong money mindset & sussing your business finances with Kirsten Russell
In this episode I chat with money mindset queen, Kirsten Russell. Kirsten is the owner of Kiwi accounting firm Start Out Savvy, and is not just an accountant, but a business coach and wealth wizard - helping business owners to achieve their financial and business goals through mindset and holistic practices.
In this episode we chat about the importance of having a strong money mindset, and what
023: Why good quality content is a make or break for your business
In todays episode I discuss the importance of quality visual content, and how snappy hooks and epic transitions can only get you so far.
I share why you need to invest in good quality imagery, what to look for when choosing stock imagery, and how to ensure your images all work together to create a cohesive brand. I also give my best tips for taking your own photos and creating a photo inspo board
022: The 3 keys to being able to take a break from social (without a negative impact!)
In todays bonus episode, I'm sharing my thoughts around taking a break from social media and the three keys things you need to have in place in order for it to not negatively impact your social reach or following.
I explore how to build a solid foundation for your socials so you don't need to be "on" all the time, and how I gained followers and engagement without posting anything for a few days.
021: Batch creating content vs winging it? Steal my content strategy
In this episode I discuss the pros and cons of batch creating your content vs winging it and posting as you go.
I share what works for most business, and my number one tip for creating epic authentic content. Plus in this episode you can steal the content creation process I use for my own business!
Don't forget, if you loved this episode, share it with a friend! We'd also be super grateful for
020: Quitting Sugar: The steps I took to cut out refined sugars and overhaul my diet
In this episode I share my journey of going from being addicted to sachet coffees, sneaky after dinner treats and Coke, to eating a diet completely free from refined sugars and minimal processed foods.
I share my food swaps and meal ideas as well as how I went about transition off one of the most addictive substances readily available....sugar.
If you have ever wanted to quit sugar or simply eat h
019: Fuelling a healthy body and mind with Emily Schwartz
In this episode Sarah is joined by Emily Schwartz from Wholehearted Health with Emily. Emily runs her health and nutrition business and is incredibly talented in supporting other women in creating a life they love through nutritious food and exercise that actually works for their individual bodies.
We chat about health and nutrition and Emily shares so many golden nuggets around mindset, business
018: Why you need to include manifesting as a part of your brand strategy
In this episode Sarah discusses the importance of including manifesting and mindset concepts into your brand strategy.
With so much changing online, old strategies are no longer working. From the inclusion of AI, to social algorithms, buyer behaviour and the economy, traditional marketing techniques can no longer be relied upon.
With the most successful business owners tapping into mindset and m
017: Are you wasting your most valuable resource? Trading time for money
In this episode I discuss the idea of trading our time for money, and how many people are going about their lives trying to 'save a few bucks'.... but at what cost to their time?
I discuss outsourcing for small business owners, focusing your time on the things you truely enjoy (and that bring you money), and how to make the most of your time - the most valuable resource that we have.
Connect wi
016: Finding Your Tribe - how to find a community of like-minded women
In this episode Sarah discusses the importance of having a tribe, a like-minded community who can work to support and empower each other.
Being a women in business is hard, but trying to go it alone can be almost impossible. Finding a group of like-minded women who can support, inspire and empower each other is a huge step in both your professional and personal growth.
We take a look at why havi
015: The Two Types of Goals You Need to Be Setting
In this episode Sarah shares the two different types of goals you need to set in order to keep on track with achieving your goals, especially if you are setting goals in the health, diet or fitness area.
She discusses stretchy vs minimal goals and how to utilise both of these to ensure you are on the right track and moving forward.
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014: How I got on track to make $$$$$$ through investing
In this episode Sarah chats about her new interest - stock market investing and her current investing journey so far.
She discusses how important planning for your financial future is, especially for women, and how she is on track to make hundreds of thousands of dollars, just by making a few tweaks to her investment portfolio.
Click here to join Sharesies and get $5 to start your portfolio (and
013: Intentional business with Gemma Brown
In this episode, Sarah chats with Gemma Brown, a fellow female entrepreneur, about all things related to women in business. From intention in life and business through to advice and tips for women starting out, and how Gemma started her own successful coaching biz, this is an episode not to be missed!
CONNECT WITH GEMMA:
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Gemma's Podcast: The Soul-Full CEO
GEMMA'S BOOK LIST:
Fi
012: Simple healthy habits I've been loving in 2024!
In today's episode, Sarah shares her 4 big areas of healthy growth that she's undertaken this year so far and the positive changes this has made in her life.
She discusses simple ways to make your life a little more healthy, and tips for adding in healthy habits - especially if you are time poor like she is!
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011: How to find your WHY in business
In today's episode Sarah explores the key element of finding your WHY and how this impacts your businesses mission, values, service offerings and ultimately your overall brand.
She also leads business owners through some questions to determine their own why's and explains the difference between a personal why and a client why and why it's crucial to know the difference.
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010: Why Bot and Inactive Followers are Killing Your Engagement
In this episode Sarah Lilly explores how bot, spam and inactive followers are killing your engagement on Instagram and the steps you can take to get increase your engagement.
She explains why followers are no longer the most important metric that is tracked, and why having too many fake followers can seriously hurt your business, online sales and business integrity.
Sarah Lilly Media on Instag
009: Why a strong brand is crucial to biz success
Today Sarah discusses the importance of a strong brand, especially in an online world which is cluttered with businesses.
She explores the different reasons as to why it's essential that your brand reflects you, and the ways you could be missing out on sales if your brand isn't memorable to your audience.
Sarah also offers up some questions to explore to see if your brand is as strong a
008: 5 things I'd do differently in biz if I started again
I've been running my own social media management business for over 7 years now, and in that time I've learned a thing or two along the way!
In episode 8, Sarah shares the 5 things she would do differently if she was starting her business again. This episode is a must-listen for new or soon to be, business owners!
Don't forget to follow and give this podcast a 5 star review if you en
007: Navigating challenges when it's time to UPLEVEL
Today we talk about how to navigate the obstacles that can challenge us when we are working on big projects, up levelling, or stepping out of our comfort zones.
We discuss telling the difference between a test and a sign from the universe and how to ensure you are on the right track.
Loved this episode? We'd be so grateful if you could leave us a 5-star review or share on social media - we
006: Why are we so afraid to fail?
In this episode Sarah discusses why we as humans are so afraid to fail and the steps we can take to help boost our confidence around our fear of failure. She also shares her journey pivoting in business and making changes that could lead to success or failure.
Download the free eBook here: https://www.sarahlillymedia.com/6-fig-biz-ebook
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/sarahlillymedia
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005: My top 5 business mindset books
Today Sarah shares her favourite business and mindset books. If you are a women in business (or wanting to get into business) and you love to read to expand you mindset, then this episode is for you!
The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Bernstein
Chillpreneur - Denise Duffield-Thomas
The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks
Stolen Focus - Johann Hari
Atomic Habits - James Clear
You Are A Badass At Making
004: Reducing Overwhelm - How to regulate your nervous system
In episode 4, Sarah discusses the importance of learning to regulate our nervous systems, and some simple techniques that you can add into your day to help reduce stress, overwhelm and feel more in alignment.
DISCLAIMER: Sarah is not a health professional and this is just her personal thoughts and opinions on how to regulate your nervous system and reduce stress. Please be sure to seek medical ad
003: Habit Stacking: Creating Habits That Actually STICK
In today's episode, Sarah Lilly talks about the art of habit stacking - a simple way to make good habits actually stick. She also discusses how the simplest habits can have the biggest effect, and the new habits that she has created for herself this year
MUST READ: Atomic Habits - by James Clear
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/itssarahlilly
WORK WITH ME : http://www.sarahlillymedia.com
002 : AI for Small Businesses
In today's episode, Sarah talks about AI and how small businesses can easily integrate some basic AI to make content creation easier. She shares how she uses AI in her business as well as some limitations and pitfalls to be aware of.
Be sure to leave us a 5 star review and click follow so you are notified when the next episode drops!
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/itssarahlilly
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001: Get to Know Me
In today's episode, Sarah Lilly shares an overview of her business and spiritual journey so far and what you can expect from Spiritually Savvy
SOCIAL @ www.instagram.com/itssarahlilly
WORK WITH ME @ www.sarahlillymedia.com
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