Marni Battista: Empowering Women to Redefine Success and Live Fully

Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast

Bio: Marni Battista is an entrepreneur, author, transformational life design specialist, podcast host, and radical truth seeker. Her honest, relatable, and down-to-earth podcast and writing offer pearls of wisdom that inspire laughter, insights, and life-changing stories of triumph and love. Marni’s mission is to help women harness the courage to stop letting life live them and start living a life beyond their wildest dreams.
Her work has been featured in the LA Times, The New Yorker, The Dr. Phil Show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and Home and Family TV. Marni’s upcoming book, Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions for a Meaningful Life, will be released by Hay House in early 2025.
Contact Information:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnibattista/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeCheckYourself
• Website: https://marnibattista.com

Episode Highlights:
Marni Battista always aspired to be a teacher, and in her unique way, she became one—as a coach. She has dedicated her life to empowering women to redefine success and live fully.
Childhood Experiences:
Marni grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a close-knit Jewish community of 40 families. Her father’s international business career brought global visitors to their town. At 10, she joined a French-American exchange program, which included skiing near the Swiss Alps. This experience boosted her confidence and adventurous spirit, shaping her future. In high school, when homecoming conflicted with the Jewish high holidays, Marni resisted her mother’s suggestion to address the issue with the school board, fearing it would highlight her minority status. This experience deepened her sense of belonging, a value she carries into adulthood.
Influential Communities:
When Marni decided to design her life, she initially planned to pursue an MFA in writing. After consulting mentors and writers, she opted to "create her own MFA." She built her skills through writing communities, courses, and a structured book club. This self-designed path solidified her identity as an author and her commitment to the literary world.
Temperament and Personality:
Marni inherited her love of storytelling from her father, who captivated audiences with his humor and wisdom. He also taught her the value of listening and genuine curiosity. This skill became Marni’s superpower in marketing, relationships, and coaching. Though not a traditional teacher, Marni uses her expertise to create impactful curricula and share her passion for storytelling through workshops, videos, and interviews.
Cultural Epiphanies:
As a young mom in her children’s private school PTA, Marni encountered a community that felt misaligned with her values. After recommending a quirky, intelligent friend for a leadership role, Marni faced backlash from others who deemed her friend unsuitable. Rather than compromise her principles, Marni stood by her friend and distanced herself from the group. Though isolating, this decision clarified her values and inspired her to seek new communities aligned with her integrity.
What Brings Out the Best in Marni?
Marni thrives in spaces filled with connection, integrity, responsibility, and active engagement. She loves being outdoors, playing for the joy of it, and exploring new experiences—like her first fantasy football league.
Soapbox Moment:
Marni challenges us to live life on our terms. She empowers individuals to define success without being confined by societal expectations.

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