This week on the podcast, I’m so excited to introduce you to someone who has been a huge part of my life the past few years, my dear friend and colleague, Sarah Watson.

Sarah and I have worked closely together through The Restoration Project, a coaching and consulting business based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Restoration Project is all about helping leaders and teams live, lead, and work with greater meaning. And Sarah’s role within the organization is nothing short of magical: she creates calm, curates community experiences, and builds spaces where leaders can connect, feel seen, and take meaningful action toward their next best steps.

Every time I talk with Sarah, I leave feeling lighter, more grounded, and just…better.

Her gift is making you feel in control, seen, and at ease, and that gift shines brightly through everything she touches, whether at The Restoration Project or in her latest venture, the Kick Ass Lady Club (yes, it’s just as awesome as it sounds).

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Choosing Your Own Path

One of the things I admire most about Sarah is her belief that we grow through every season of life and career. As we evolve, new sides of ourselves are revealed, and Sarah believes fiercely in protecting the precious resources we often overlook: our time, our energy, our heart, and our brain space.

As she shared in our conversation, finding your own path isn’t always neat or easy. Sarah quit her career twice before discovering the work and life that fit her mission, her family, and her heart.

It’s the internal work — listening deeply to your own needs and values — that leads to the best answers.

And Sarah reminds us: you have the agency to choose. You don’t have to live by the “rule book” that society, family, or colleagues have written for you. The choices might not be easy, and change is often hard, but the beautiful truth is: you get to choose your own way.

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Creating Community and the Magic of Gathering

One of Sarah’s superpowers is bringing people together in a way that feels natural, welcoming, and safe.

At The Restoration Project, we’ve worked on several events together: from book launches to half-day workshops to quick connection sessions. And almost every time, it’s Sarah behind the scenes creating experiences where people don’t just attend, they belong.

When you create a warm, inviting atmosphere, that’s when the magic happens. That’s when people feel safe enough to share, to open up, and to connect. And when they do, they’re offering a gift to others, too.

Whether it’s hosting leadership workshops in cozy cabins or designing reflective activities for groups (including men’s groups who needed just a little nudge to join in!), Sarah shows that true community is built through small, intentional moments of connection.

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Look for the Lonely Ones

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was Sarah’s advice to “look for the lonely ones.”

Whenever you attend a conference, event, or gathering, keep an eye out for the person standing alone — the brave soul who showed up without a safety net. They’re there because they want connection, they want to belong — they just might not know where to start.

As Sarah says, it’s our job — as hosts, community builders, and as human beings — to walk up to them, say hello, welcome them in, and make them feel part of the experience.

Sometimes the bravest thing someone can do is simply show up. Let’s honor that bravery by making sure no one has to stand alone for long.

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I hope you enjoy this episode with Sarah Watson as much as I did. Her heart for community, her belief in the power of choice, and her commitment to creating spaces where people feel safe and supported are a true gift to everyone she meets.

🎧 Tune in to hear our full conversation in Episode 200 of The Found Podcast and get ready to feel inspired to build your own calm, your own community, and your own fulfilling path.

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An Invitation to Come Together in Real-Life Community: Hey Sister!

If this conversation stirred something in you, Molly wants you to know there’s a place for you to experience this kind of connection and community in real life. Hey Sister!, a one-day event for rural women, is happening on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington, Iowa — and it’s all about building meaningful relationships, finding your people, and creating a fulfilling life right where you are.

It’s not a stuffy conference or networking luncheon. It’s a gathering for women who are juggling big dreams alongside small-town life, and who want to learn, laugh, and leave with practical tools for both their business and personal lives.

Speakers include Katrina Klooster on creating the culture you crave, Crystal Blin on embracing growth and evolution, Malia Gudenkauf of Little Miss Finance on financial empowerment, and event founder Lexie Marek Beeler on time management for the rural woman. Plus — there’s a flower arranging workshop, incredible conversation, and the kind of fresh inspiration we all need this time of year.

I’ll be there too, and I’d love for you to join in. Grab your ticket at heysisterevent.com and let them know Molly sent you.