Ep 113: The Identity Shift Every Accidental CEO Needs to Make with Carrie KC West
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In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with Carrie KC West to explore how hidden internal narratives shape the way entrepreneurs lead, make decisions, and grow their businesses. For many “Accidental CEOs,” these stories were never consciously chosen, yet they quietly influence everything from confidence to client relationships.
Carrie introduces the concept of narrative coaching and explains how patterns, perspectives, and past experiences can create repeated cycles that keep women playing small or stuck in roles that no longer fit. She shares how awareness is the first step to change and why trying to force transformation without understanding the underlying story often leads to frustration.
Listeners will walk away with practical ways to identify limiting patterns, interrupt reactive thinking, and begin shifting their perspective in a way that feels grounded and sustainable.
If you’ve ever asked yourself why the same challenges keep showing up, this episode will help you start seeing the answers more clearly.
Timestamps:
(01:50) - (07:30) - What narrative coaching is and how identity shapes leadership
(07:31) - (14:20) - The Accidental CEO mindset and the identity gap women face
(14:21) - (23:30) - How internal stories create conflict across different roles
(23:31) - (32:20) - Recognizing patterns and the stories that keep repeating
(32:21) - (41:00) - Micro moments of change and interrupting reactive thinking
(41:01) - (50:10) - Awareness, perspective shifts, and rewriting your story
Resources:
Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachme
Learn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast
Book a 30-Minute Story Session with Carrie: https://carriekcwest.com
Get the book Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith: https://amzn.to/4sUevWJ
Get the book Not Nice by Dr. Aziz Gazipura: https://amzn.to/4uh78d4
Connect with Carrie KC West:
Learn more about Carrie: https://carriekcwest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carriekcwest/
Instagram: @storytellers_acad
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@carriekc33
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriekcwest/
Carrie KC West is an author, speaker, and narrative coach, and the founder of The Life Rewrite System. She helps entrepreneurs and leaders uncover the hidden stories influencing how they think, lead, and make decisions so they can consciously choose new paths forward. With a background in filmmaking and counseling psychology, Carrie blends storytelling with deep behavioral insight to guide clients toward greater clarity, confidence, and alignment in both business and life.
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Interested in partnering with The Real Women Real Business Podcast? Learn more at AboutShaunaLynn.com/partner