Every great leader I admire has something they’re still working through—something real, unresolved, and unseen by others. Today, I want to take you beyond the polished public image to explore the struggles, questions, and breakthroughs that happen behind closed doors. This episode is about the leadership you rarely get to see—the parts they don’t always show. If what you hear today resonates with you, stick around until the end for details on our monthly leadership training designed to help you grow.
EAT. SLEEP. PARTY. REPEAT. That was the mantra for Paige Chenault Lohoefer—and for good reason. As a former wedding planner with nearly a decade of experience, Paige knew how to throw a celebration to remember. Armed with a coveted black book of party vendors and a knack for creating unforgettable moments, she turned her talent toward a new kind of guest of honor: children experiencing homelessness.
In 2012, she founded The Birthday Party Project (TBPP)—a nonprofit that brings JOY through the magic of birthday celebrations. What began as a simple idea has grown into a national movement. Over the last 13 years, TBPP has expanded to 20 cities, celebrated more than 78,000 children, and mobilized nearly 38,000 volunteers—known lovingly as Birthday Enthusiasts.
While Paige has transitioned out of the day-to-day leadership at TBPP, she remains its passionate Chief Storyteller and biggest champion. Her heart still beats for community, but these days her focus has shifted to helping others build bold, beautiful organizations from the inside out.
Paige is deeply committed to aligning vision with values, purpose with brand, and systems with culture. Whether she’s consulting on a campaign, clarifying messaging, or guiding a team through change, Paige is at her best when she’s bringing big ideas to life and creating meaningful spaces where people feel seen, known, and celebrated.
Her work has been featured by the TODAY Show, New York Times, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, Glamour Magazine, ABC World News Tonight, and more. She delivered a TEDx talk in 2016 and continues to speak on brave leadership, intentional culture, and finding JOY in the everyday.
Paige believes that people matter most—and that the right invitation can change everything.
Paige opened up about how hard it’s been to “let go” after bringing in a capable CEO and stepping back from the primary decision-making role. She talked about the heavy feeling of still being responsible for outcomes, even though she’s no longer in control. We also discussed the struggle of trusting others’ decisions while still wanting those decisions to align with the mission she built. Sometimes, taking on responsibility is a choice—and it can become a burden we don’t actually need.
Paige and I talked about the ego tied to leadership—the drive to find solutions and control outcomes that feels like a source of security. The problem-solving that happens too fast can rob the team of space to grow. It’s a tension between knowing your stuff and trusting others to contribute fully. And underneath it all is the need to feel relevant, wanted, and like you have a place to belong—that’s what keeps us so deeply involved sometimes.
00:00 Unmasking Leadership: The Real Struggles Behind Success
01:01 Introducing Paige: A Journey of Building and Letting Go
01:09 The Transition: From Decision Maker to Founder in Residence
03:18 Navigating Responsibility and Accountability
06:11 The Ego and the Urge to Solve Everything
09:17 Balancing Relevance and Belonging in Leadership
16:16 Identity Crisis: Finding Purpose Beyond the Role
20:27 Navigating Leadership Transitions
22:45 Balancing Ego and Humility
26:45 Reflecting on Past Challenges
29:55 Seeking Validation and Accountability
34:41 Embracing Change and Moving Forward
42:04 Final Thoughts and Leadership Training
