During our discussion, Jacqueline and I chatted about:

1. The story of how she built her company, SeedX.
2. What challenges Jacqueline has faced as she grew her organization
3. How she has managed balancing her personal and professional life as an entrepreneur
4. Advice for any women who would like to build a business or even start a side hustle
5. And the role female leaders play in developing strong company cultures

If you have a dream you want to pursue, this show is for you!

Here is more about Jacqueline:

Jacqueline Basulto is an award-winning, self-made Latina entrepreneur, and the visionary founder, CEO, and Director of New Business at SeedX, Inc. SeedX is a results-driven data and digital growth agency, dedicated to helping clients reach their business objectives through data-driven online strategies and innovative solutions. With over eight years of industry experience, Jacqueline has built a remarkable reputation for delivering tangible outcomes and creating lasting value for clients across diverse sectors and markets.

In 2021, Jacqueline was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, recognized as one of the leading figures in the marketing and advertising industries. Her company has also garnered multiple accolades from Clutch, earning recognition as the #1 Woman-Owned Digital Agency and the #1 B2B Agency in the United States.

A passionate advocate for empowering businesses, Jacqueline is committed to equipping companies with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the digital age. She is a sought-after speaker and content creator, covering topics such as business growth, grassroots online political strategy, community engagement, sales training, and leadership.

A proud native of New York, Jacqueline is a devoted mother to a two-year-old daughter and shares her life with her husband, daughter, and three beloved dogs.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!

And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! 

If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Alright, let’s welcome Jacqueline to the show!

During our discussion, Jen and I chatted about:

1. How she got into the STEM sector and continues to work with people in STEM and other industries today.
2. Why she believes Imposter Syndrome is our superpower and not something to get rid of.
3. How Imposter Syndrome shows up for Jen and other leaders
4. What is Jen’s Leadership Decoder
5. Why people call Jen the velvet sledgehammer

Here is more about Jen:

Featured on ABC, MSNBC, and TEDx, Jen Coken is an internationally

recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, and best-selling

author with more than twenty-five years of experience helping leaders

break barriers and lead with authority. She’s guided nearly 10,000

leaders worldwide—from Fortune 1000 executives to emerging women in

STEM—to transform self-doubt into confidence, and confusion into

clarity.

Jen’s trademark blend of neuroscience, soul, and stand-up makes her

unlike any other coach in the leadership space. She uses humor to

reach people where logic can’t—because when there’s laughter, there’s

listening, and when there’s listening, there’s learning.

Her book, Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, offers a practical

roadmap for leaders to own their brilliance and lead with influence,

impact, and unapologetic authenticity. Whether she’s on a stage, in

the trenches with your team, or coaching one-on-one, Jen’s mission is

constant: to help brilliant minds show up as their boldest, most

powerful selves—without compromise.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!

And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! 

If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Alright, let’s welcome Jen to the show!

Like my work with Brave Women at Work, Dr. Kasi focuses a big portion of her work on lifting women up so they can build confidence and advocate for themselves. Once I found that out, I knew she had to be on the show.

During our discussion, Dr. Kasi and I chatted about:

1. Confidence is a skill we can build; it’s not something we have or don’t have.
2. How resilience, grit, and clarity have key roles in building confidence in any area of your life.
3. How boundaries go hand in hand with confidence building
4. We chatted about how Dr. Kasi loves being on stage, and it wasn’t something she set out to do.
5. Her upcoming book, The Confidence Comeback: The Psychology of Reclaiming Your Power, Voice, and Leadership
6. And we also touched on her course: Break Free from Self-Doubt

Here is more about Dr. Kasi:

Dr. Lacey is a nationally recognized psychologist, author, keynote speaker, and confidence coach who empowers women and workplaces to lead with confidence.

She blends the science of psychology with actionable leadership strategies to deliver high-impact, transformative keynotes and training that leave audiences inspired and equipped to take action.

With 15+ years of experience as a C-suite executive in higher education and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Lacey is known for her relatable, energizing speaking style and her deep understanding of what it truly takes to cultivate confidence in leadership - especially for women navigating high-pressure roles.

Whether she’s on stage, on camera, or in a boardroom, Dr. Lacey's mission is clear: help women lead unapologetically and help organizations build thriving, inclusive, and psychologically safe environments.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!

And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! 

If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Alright, let’s welcome Dr. Kasi to the show!

Why? Well, friends, I have always struggled with big changes. Every time I have left a job, I’ve cried and grieved. I’ve agonized over these big changes, made pros and cons lists, asked everyone I know until I wind myself up to a tight ball of anxiety. 

Some people release the control of the known and bravely pivot into the unknown. My guest, Dr. Vasu Tolia, has done this with her monstrous move from medicine to art. Talk about different sides of the brain!

I met Dr. Vasu through a coaching inquiry, but realized coaching was not the right fit for her. Inviting her to be part of the larger community of powerhouse women I’m part of was. So, I am so pleased to have the opportunity to chat with her today on the show!

During our discussion, Dr. Vasu and I chatted about:

1. What led Dr. Vasu to get into medicine?
2. How she knew it was time to move from medicine into the world of art?
3. What the response was from others in her community when she decided to make that pivot
4. How picking up a paintbrush has made her find something deeper within herself
5. The intersection between science, art, and healing and where Dr. Vasu’s work is headed
6. What a personal mandala is and how it is a healing exercise it itself

Here is more about Dr. Vasu:

Dr. Vasu Tolia is a physician turned healing artist and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics. After spending over 40 years in academic medicine—establishing Michigan's first pediatric endoscopy unit and publishing 150+ research papers—she embarked on a second career creating healing-focused art grounded in neuroaesthetics.

Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, appeared on CDC journal covers, and been included in ArtTreasury's 2026 Collector's Annual. Through her unique charitable giving model, art collectors can direct proceeds to organizations supporting mental health, autism research, and vulnerable populations.

Vasu's Bold Statement of Claim is "Healing never retires. It just picks up a different path." Learn more at www.vasutolia.art.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I would love to tell you that I have changed in my adult years, but I haven’t really. Black is still my staple, and I don’t put a lot of time into my wardrobe. My guest, Dianne Boyer, has shared with me the importance of putting together a wardrobe that serves us not only personally, but professionally. This is a missing tool that helps us with our confidence and with advocating for ourselves. 

You know what I’m talking about. When we feel good, we do good. When we wear our favorite outfit, we walk a little taller. And maybe, just maybe, we advocate for ourselves a little more.  

During our discussion, Dianne and I chatted about:

1. Her origin story in fashion and styling
2. What pushed her out of her work and into running her own business, Dianne in Style
3. What is a color analysis, and why is it important?
4. What is a personal style evaluation, and can it be done from anywhere?
5. What is the goal of Dianne’s work with women?

If you are anything like me and are quick to go to wearing black as a default or the same outfits repeatedly that you do not particularly love, this show is for you.

Here is more about Dianne:

Dianne Boyer is a personal stylist helping women rediscover their confidence and joy through style.  After decades in corporate and fashion marketing, Dianne transitioned into styling to empower women navigating life’s next chapter.  She offers practical, personalized styling for women who want to feel vibrant and relevant at any age.

Reinvention is not just about what she does for others, it’s her own story as well. Her professional path includes leadership roles in Fortune 100 marketing and over a decade in the fashion accessories space. Since the beginning, her career has centered around brand identity, visual impact, and helping others make a strong first impression. She’s leveraged her years of marketing experience and love of fashion and applied the same principles for making brands shine to doing the same for women.

Dianne has shared her styling insights on television segments in Detroit and Chicago and has been featured in Real Simple, People, and Today.com. Her message is simple: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Whether it’s a career pivot or a fresh outfit, you deserve to love what you see in the mirror.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I do not say this lightly, but Brave Women at Work, this podcast, the book series, the coaching, the speaking, all of it – this is my purpose work. It is what gets me up out of bed in the morning, and it is my rocket fuel of motivation. I hope you either have or find something like this in your life. It also doesn’t have to be like mine. Whatever it is, when you find it, it feels like time is in a flow state. Working doesn’t feel like work. There is no slog, just joy and flow. And PS, it took me over 40 years to finally discover this purpose work, so there is no race to get to the finish line. If you have discovered or want to chat me about finding your purpose work, connect with me on LinkedIn, schedule a coaching discovery call, or send me an email at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. 

Speaking about purpose work, my guest today, Yalonda Brown, has found hers. Yalonda pours into young leaders and is a speaker, author, facilitator, and workshop leader. Something else very special about Yalonda is that she was a contributing author in the first Brave Women at Work book, Brave Women at Work: Stories in Resilience, and now she is participating in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity! I am so excited that Yalonda has reconnected with the Brave Women at Work community, and I am pumped to have her on the show today.

During our discussion, Yalonda and I chatted about:

1. Why she decided to participate in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity
2. An overview of what her chapter is about
3. Her work to foster up and coming youth leaders, and why that is important to her
4. Her work in the workplace wellness field
5. Why Yalonda is encouraged by the Gen Z and Alpha generations
6. We also touched on living loss and how shifts happen

Here is more about Yalonda:

Yalonda Brown is a visionary leader, speaker, and inclusion strategist with more than two decades of experience bridging the private and public sectors. Known for her intuitive leadership and heart-centered approach, she empowers others to lead with authenticity and purpose. Yalonda holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Child and Youth Care Practitioner.

In her nonprofit role, she champions the professional growth and well-being of Indiana’s youth workers, cultivating partnerships that strengthen communities and amplify impact. As CEO of Just Say It, LLC, Yalonda facilitates courageous conversations that advance inclusive leadership, and belonging. An accomplished author and speaker, her insights have been featured in SHRM, DiversityQ, and Diversity Professional Magazine.

Deeply committed to advancing women and girls, Yalonda actively serves on several boards. Now residing in Arizona with her husband Vincent, she continues to use her platform to inspire resilience, confidence, and purpose in every space she enters.

While we were in the store, we saw a coffee mug that had this saying on it, “I’m kind of a big deal.” I held it up, pointed at it, and smiled while Jennie took a picture of me. Back then, I was play acting that I was kind of a big deal.

Now, years later, I know I am. It’s taken burnout and many years of healing to get here. And my guest, Dr. Shana Lewis, has gotten there herself. She mentioned the phrase “I’m major, not minor” in our podcast today, and it reminded me of that story. 

During our discussion, Dr. Shana and I chatted about:

1. What prompted Dr. Shana to leave a professional therapy practice to pursue executive wellness coaching
2. What the 12 dimensions of wellness are
3. What #saucerlife means to Dr. Shana
4. An overview of her latest book, ONE – Own, Navigate, Elevate Yourself & Everyone Around You: The Leadership Model that Eliminates Burnout and Elevates Your Mission
5. Dr. Shana’s tips to use our voices and build our personal and professional brands

If you want to start fully embodying being major and not minor in your life and career, listen in!

Here is more about Dr. Shana:

Dr. Shana D. Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor turned Executive Wellness Coach. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education.  She is the founder of SDL Enterprises Education, Training, & Consulting Services, LLC, home of the Brand Mastery Academy.

She is also the founder of Her VOICE a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence to live healthy lives thru mentorship and education. With over 20 years of experience working with women in the mental health field, Dr. Shana decided to take her clinical knowledge, coupled with her personal experience and wellness training to help high achieving professional women stop seeking balance in life and instead create harmony/integration through understanding the 12 dimensions of wellness. 

In addition to this work, Dr. Shana is a sought-after business coach for experts & practitioners who want to leverage their genius by building a bankable brand beyond traditional practice by increasing their impact, influence, and income to help thousands across the globe!

Dr. Shana believes that wellness is an inside job as a woman cannot lead anyone else anywhere until she has first led herself through healthy self-care and prioritization of her life. To this end, Dr. Shana is a sought-after international keynote and motivational speaker, trainer, and leader in the women’s empowerment and wellness space and curator of the Self-care is the New Sexy International Retreat. She delivers powerful, high-energy keynotes to audiences across the country about a variety of issues including domestic violence, women’s issues, wellness, spiritual issues, mental health issues, self-care and transformation. As a result of her expertise in these areas Dr. Shana has been featured on several media outlets including CBS, NBC, Fox, CW, and ABC as a mental health expert on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan! 

While Dr. Shana has several pursuits that she is passionate about, her overall desire is to equip high achieving professional women who are overwhelmed and burnt out from the responsibilities of life, career, business, or relationships to gain clarity and focus to position herself to have it all. Dr. Shana believes that when a woman has properly cared for herself, she is aligned, and she has done her work she is then able to function from a place of abundance--a space she affectionately calls #Saucerlife! 

​

During our discussion, Bofta and I chatted about:

1. A bit about her family and Ethiopian roots and what led her to a career in the news
2. What drove her to start her entrepreneurial journey
3. How we can stop playing small and own our voices
4. The importance of having a LinkedIn presence
5. What mistakes Bofta often sees when her clients try to build their brands online
6. Why it is important for you to have an online presence, whether you are building a business or are in the corporate world

If speaking up or owning your voice is something you struggle with, please listen in.

Here is more about Bofta:

Bofta Yimam is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, international speaker, and Founder of StoryLede. As the first Ethiopian-American newscaster to receive an Emmy, she helps leaders and business owners amplify their stories and boost visibility.

With more than a decade reporting for outlets like CBS News and The Black News Channel, Bofta has covered historic moments from the White House to the 2020 election. As a former Capitol Hill Correspondent, she’s known for her powerful storytelling and trusted voice on issues impacting communities of color.

Today, Bofta is a sought-after speaker and corporate trainer who empowers entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and thought leaders to elevate their presence online, on stage, and in their industries—driving greater visibility, impact, and revenue.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

And, last but not least, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! 

If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

You may not know this, but Olivia was born was a hair condition that limits hair growth. Olivia is gorgeous exactly as God made her, but as she is getting older, she asked me for a hair piece so she can have longer hair. Olivia’s request scared me, and I wondered if this was too soon (she’s 7) and we needed to wait. 

Yet, Olivia persisted. She asked me for a hairpiece for months and months. I finally said ok and took her to get the partial wig. When she wore the hairpiece to school the first day, it was really challenging and scary. It was so scary that Olivia decided to take off the wig. This represents her setback. 

But this isn’t the end of the story. Olivia faced her fear and setback and did something with it. She took a few hours to gather her strength and then put the wig on herself. In front of her friends and peers. When I asked her what made her put the wig on, she said her heart told her so. 

I share that because that’s what we’re talking about. You can use a setback as a springboard for growth. My guest, Athena Brownson, knows all about this in her own life.

During our discussion, Athena and I chatted about:

1. How she kept going after extensive skiing injuries
2. Her diagnosis with Lyme Disease
3. The modalities she used to support her healing
4. What resilience means to Athena and how she used her setback as a springboard for growth
5. Her advice for women who are experiencing their own personal challenges and setbacks

Here is more about Athena:

Athena Brownson is a living testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. A former professional skier who endured nine knee

surgeries and two neck operations, Athena’s greatest challenge came when she was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease—a debilitating condition that left her bedridden for months. Yet, instead of letting these

setbacks define her, Athena used them to fuel her purpose, transforming pain into strength and obstacles into opportunities.

Now a thriving entrepreneur and advocate for resilience, Athena empowers audiences to navigate life’s challenges with grit, authenticity, and purpose. She teaches how to embrace change, build balance, and align your career and life with your values. Drawing from her journey, Athena inspires others to redefine success, build their "why," and cultivate the mindset needed to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful growth.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

I would like to warn our listeners that this podcast deals with sensitive topics such as sexual assault and mental illness, so if either of these issues trigger you or others, do what is right for you. 

During our discussion, Ashley and I chatted about:

1. Her tough childhood and decision to enlist in the military
2. Her experience with sexual assault while on active duty and the aftermath of that trauma
3. Ashley’s decision to get into law enforcement to protect others
4. How Ashley took it a step farther by pursuing a law degree
5. How Ashley deals with her mental health and mental health setbacks

Here is more about Ashley:

Ashley Tuburan is a U.S. Navy veteran, police officer, and trauma-informed coach dedicated to mental health advocacy and survivor-centered leadership. As a military sexual assault survivor, Ashley brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work, helping organizations and individuals better understand resilience, accountability, and healing within high-stress environments.

Drawing from her background in military service, law enforcement, and coaching, Ashley speaks on topics including trauma awareness, survivor advocacy, mental wellness, and building healthier cultures in institutions traditionally shaped by toughness and silence. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and practical—focused on empowering people to lead with empathy while maintaining strength and professionalism.

Outside of her professional work, Ashley is a proud mom to an energetic 8-year-old son, a devoted animal lover (maine coon cat mom), and a self-proclaimed donut enthusiast—because balance matters. She believes healing and leadership can coexist, and that authenticity is a powerful catalyst for change.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

And, last but not least, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026!

This week, Jenn and I share practical steps you can take today to start reinventing your career. It’s one thing to talk about it in theory. It’s another to start taking bold and brave action towards making your next career chapter a reality!

Here are some of the items we cover:

• Tiny actions to move through reinvention
• Building new habits + rituals
• How to experiment your way into clarity
• Networking in an aligned, human way
• Creating space for the next version of your life

Again, these shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. 

If you have a deep desire for career change in 2026, listen in!

Here is more about Jenn:

Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.

It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

And don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

Alright, let’s welcome Jenn to the show!

This week, Jenn and I talk about the importance of reviewing and redefining success in a more heart-centered way, and the power of tapping int our community for support, especially during times of change.

If you like this series, the last one will air next week, January 29th and give you practical steps to reinvent your career. 

Again, these shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. 

If you have a deep desire for change in 2026, listen in and take notes!

Here is more about Jenn:

Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.

It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

And don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

Jenn and I were chatting the Thrive in ’25 Women’s Conference last summer, and podcast ideas just started pouring out of us! I told her that I was in this weird middle ground with my work clothes, for example. She told me that this was a sign I was in the middle of a deep career reinvention and that I had to pay attention! So, I guess my desire to burn my suits on my front lawn like the old move Waiting to Exhale was telling me something?

In this three-part series, Jenn and I dive into the following:

1. Signs You Need to Leave Corporate or Make a Big Change – that’s what we cover in today’s show
2. How to Redefine Success & the Power of Community in Transformation
3. And the final show touches on Practical Steps to Reinvent Your Career

These shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. 

If you have a deep desire for change in 2026, listen in and take notes!

Here is more about Jenn:

Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.

It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.

Also, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Alright, let’s jump into today’s topic: standing in your quiet power.

Let’s start with what quiet power is. To me, quiet power is standing in your worthiness without having to fight, prove, or convince. Let me repeat.

Quiet power is standing in your worthiness without having to fight, prove, or convince.

AI’s definition of quiet power is:

Quiet power means having a strong, influential presence through calm, thoughtful action, deep thinking, and self-trust, rather than loudness or dominance, often seen in introverted individuals who lead with empathy, resilience, and focus, making significant impacts without needing attention. It's about inner certainty, allowing one to inspire others and navigate challenges with grounded confidence, aligning personal values with impactful, deliberate choices.

I have been thinking about quiet power a lot lately, so I wanted to share more about the topic with you.

Why you ask? Well, in 2025, I did not stand in quiet power. I used loud, brash power, and it was exhausting.

Dr. Shawnte Elbert has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my traditional position of overdriving when I face challenges, Shawnte introduced me to a concept that I love and have referenced since our initial conversation: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s Best of podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. 

Here is my hope for you: I hope that you can lean into your faith to overcome any fears that you face in 2026.

Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:

Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.

Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered.

 She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.

Dr. Elbert has worked across healthcare, higher education, and community health sectors to champion policies and practices centered on justice, access, and well-being. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant known for her engaging and transformative approach to tackling complex health and equity issues.

If you missed this show, you want to go back and listen. I promise; it’s a good one! Even if you did listen to this one, it doesn’t hurt to listen in again because Jay has wisdom galore. 

During the podcast, Jay and I chatted about:

1. What is the purpose of the nervous system and why is training it to serve us important.
2. Why is it easier to remain in our heads vs. listen to our bodies’ signals?
3. What does it mean to be embodied?
4. What is Jay’s Overthinking Quiz and why should you take it?
5. The meaning behind Jay’s popular phrase and podcast, “Hey Wait.”
6. How we can leverage these learnings to protect our energy.

Here is more about Jay:

Jay Moon Fields, M.A. is a leading educator, coach and author. Nearly a million people have taken her courses featured on LinkedIn Learning, and her book Teaching People Not Poses is used by yoga teacher training programs globally. Her Hey, wait framework teaches people how to honor their emotional experiences and share them authentically, helping them to break free from the cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, and self-doubt.

For over twenty years, Jay has taught the principles and practices of embodied social and emotional intelligence to individuals and groups from Patagonia, Wieden + Kennedy, Apple, the UN, and Baker Tilly. She has been a guest on over 30 podcasts and was named one of the top 50 health and wellness bloggers making a difference in the world by Greatist.com. Jay has been a featured speaker at the GoPro Women’s Summit, The Fifteen Seconds Festival and the Omega Institute. She received her BA in Psychosocial Health and Human Movement from the College of William and Mary and her masters in Integral Transformative Education from Prescott College.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

In my discussion with Vera, we chatted about:

1. Why ethics is so important to Vera, and how she got into her line of work.
2. The definition of ethical leadership.
3. How ethics and compliance support the growth of an organization.
4. How we can hold true to our values as working women when working in male-dominated industries.
5. How we can advance from leadership to a seat on a company’s board.
6. And more. 

Here’s more about Vera:

Vera is the Executive Director of a non-profit, Boards of the Future™, a Chartered Accountant, and an award-winning Ethics and Compliance expert who writes and speaks about business ethics, governance, risk, and workplace culture.

She is the author of Corporate Compliance Program, the first-ever book on compliance in the Russian language, and a co-author of The Transnationalization of Anti-Corruption Law, as well as hundreds of articles on all aspects of ethics, risk, compliance, and governance. 

Her insights have been featured in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Law360, CityAM, and Thomson Reuters. 

Vera serves as a corporate director and ethics advisor for market-leading corporations and international not-for-profits. 

Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

For women under 50, being widowed occurs less than 12% and under 40, it’s less than 5%.

Even though it seems rare, this adds up to 73,000 new U.S. widows each year between the ages of 35-54 years old.

The average age for widowhood in the U.S. is around 59, but like I just said, many women are widowed much younger, during their working years. 

And PS, if we take age out of the mix, 2,800 women are widowed each day, or over 1 million per year. That’s staggering.

This topic hits particularly close to home for me because my mom was in that statistic. She was 43 years old when my dad died from kidney cancer that move to the bone at 48. 48. 

I wanted Sandy to share her story because it is an important one. Also, Sandy pays it forward with tips for other women facing a similar situation and the aftermath of challenges from being a widow.

In my discussion with Sandy, we chatted about:

1. Her late husband, Scott’s, story.
2. How Sandy handled life and work after Scott’s passing.
3. The challenges widows face. 
4. What Sandy’s life and work look like today. 
5. Resources that Sandy recommends widows leverage to make the season more bearable.

Some of the tips and resources that Sandy provides during our conversation are unexpected, so listen in!

Here’s more about Sandy:

Sandy Ramage-Kallal has over 15 years of experience in the credit union industry and currently serves as Director of Member Experience at the Illinois Credit Union League, supporting nearly 200 credit unions. Her background includes roles in training and development, community relations, and project management, as well as experience in education and nonprofit leadership. Sandy has served on the League’s Young Professional Advisory Committee, chaired the Burnett Chapter of Credit Unions, and presented at national conferences. She holds a master’s in social Geography and a bachelor’s in history from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/in-a-stagnating-job-market-job-seekers-are-struggling-to-find-opportunities/

When Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations introduced me to Melinda Stoops, I knew I had to have her on the show. Melinda has taken her own job loss and tried to help others through it with her work with the Reluctant Free Agent. 

With the state of job seeking today, I knew I had to take our conversation live right away. 

In my discussion with Melinda, we chatted about:

1. Her personal job loss story and what prompted her launch her LinkedIn newsletter and book, The Reluctant Free Agent.
2. Her advice with being emotionally resilient, especially when shame and waiting for an extended period for the next right job opportunity comes alone.
3. The power of community to your job search because the process can be lonely.
4. Resources that Melinda recommends you take advantage of, especially if you are in the middle of a search.
5. What the biggest learning Melinda has had during the last several months of her personal search.
6. How you can register to receive Melinda’s newsletter and grab a copy of her book.

Here’s more about Melinda:

Melinda Stoops PhD helps people navigate change—with clarity, compassion, and measurable results.

​

As a licensed psychologist, executive coach, and strategic consultant, Melinda works with individuals and institutions facing transition, disruption, or reinvention. Whether you're processing personal loss, recalibrating your career, or leading organizational change, Melinda offers a space that’s both emotionally grounded and outcome-driven.

​

Melinda’s psychotherapy practice supports adults seeking insight, healing, and growth. Her coaching and consulting work empowers leaders to transform uncertainty into strategic clarity. Across both domains, Melinda brings:

• Deep clinical expertise and emotional intelligence,
• Frameworks for decision-making and change, and
• A personal understanding of transition, as reflected in her book The Reluctant Free Agent.

Melinda believes transformation is possible when we honor our lived experience and build toward what’s next.

Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

• You can rest when you die.
• No pain, no gain.
• Sleep is for the weak.
• Face time means you are committed. Don’t take a break.

Do any of these toxic messages resonate with you? Unfortunately, so many women I chat with understand exactly where I am coming from. I am so happy to hear people like my guest today, Dr. Erin Wilson, sharing a new, healthier way to work.

In my discussion with Dr. Erin today, we chatted about:

1. Why boldness starts with clarity before bravery.
2. The story behind Dr. Erin’s book, Strategic Rest in Leadership: The Nap Framework.
3. Why rest is a competitive advantage for a leader.
4. How we can incorporate rest into our corporate cultures.
5. What relationship intelligence is and how it plays into the larger work 

that Dr. Erin does with her clients.

Here’s more about Dr. Erin:

Dr. Erin Wilson is a dynamic workshop facilitator, speaker, leadership consultant, and co-author of Strategic Rest in Leadership. With a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and over a decade of experience in leadership, adult learning and human development, Dr. Wilson empowers professionals, teams, and students to achieve meaningful growth through strengths-based development, strategic rest, and collaborative leadership strategies.

​

Her innovative approach, including the NAP Framework (Nurture, Assess, Prioritize), helps leaders and teams foster well-being, build resilience, and drive success. Known for her engaging and results-driven workshops, Dr. Wilson brings clarity and actionable solutions to organizations and individuals alike.

Whether working with college students to build confidence and purpose or partnering with teams to enhance collaboration, Dr. Wilson’s mission is to create lasting impact through thoughtful, empowering solutions.

Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Listen in to be inspired and challenged to reach your next level.

Here’s more about Tracey:

Tracey Newell is the former president of Informatica, where she also served as a member of the company’s board of directors for two years prior to being asked to join the management team. Prior to joining Informatica, Newell served as executive vice president of global field operations at Proofpoint, where she led sales through a five-year period of hypergrowth. Recognized as a Top 100 Sales Leader by The Modern Sale, Newell led Proofpoint’s go-to-market team to become a top five leader in the cybersecurity market. Newell has also served as executive vice president of global sales at Polycom and held sales leadership positions at Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems.

Newell currently serves in the non-profit organization Impact 100, and is also a member of the board of advisors for the University of California, Santa Barbara’s economics department. In addition to Druva, Newell serves on the board of directors of DataRobot, Highspot, Sailpoint, and Sumo Logic. 

Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Here is more about Arivee:

Arivee Vargas is an award-winning executive & High Performance™️ coach to lawyers and corporate leaders, author of the bestselling book Your Time to Rise: Unlearn Limiting Beliefs, Unlock Your Power and Unleash Your Truest Self, leadership development strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the Humble Rising podcast.

With nearly 20 years of experience—from Big Law attorney to corporate executive—leading global litigation and corporate compliance initiatives to leading global employee relations and leadership development at a fast-paced biotech, Arivee knows firsthand what it takes to excel & lead in high-pressure environments. 

Trusted by top companies and 100 Am law firms, Arivee delivers coaching, keynotes and workshops to help organizations develop—and lawyers & leaders to become—bold, grounded, values-driven leaders, who lead with clarity, purpose, and seek to drive meaningful, lasting impact. 

Whether she’s coaching or advising executives, delivering workshops, or speaking on stage, Arivee is driven by one mission: to empower and equip leaders and lawyers with the tools to create transformational change from the inside out—and build a culture of sustainable high performance where work feels fulfilling and rewarding, even in the face of challenge and immense pressure.

Arivee’s work has been featured in Oprah Daily, Forbes, Success Magazine, and Boston Business Journal. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston College, cum laude from Boston College Law School, and received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Boston College in 2022. In addition to her career at two large law firms and as a corporate executive, Arivee taught Business Law at the Boston College Carroll School of Management and served as a judicial law clerk at the Federal District Court in Massachusetts and on the First Circuit. 

She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including most recently being honored with the Latina Trailblazer Award from the National Hispanic Bar Association Region II in 2025. She is a proud Latina, daughter of Dominican immigrant parents and mother of three children. 

Also, the book, Raelynn’s Flower Garden, is so beautiful. I must give a shoutout to Olivia Deckard, the illustrator on this book. It’s just lovely! The book’s message is also appropriate for children and adults alike. It boils down to this: be kind and respectful to others because you never know what someone else is facing. So, if they look different than you or have a different life experience, show them care and love. Again, be kind to those you encounter in this world. 

During the show, Lora and I chatted about:

• Her personal betrayal story
• What Lora thinks of burnout as a form of self-betrayal
• Key tips on how you can rise above betrayal and thrive personally and professionally
• Her Flaunt Framework
• We touch on Lora’s books, FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self, and It’s Not Burnout, It’s Betrayal, 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. 

Here is more about Lora:

Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt, is a betrayal recovery coach, licensed attorney (CO & CA), somatic attachment therapist, clinical hypnotherapist, and international speaker who guides women through the soul-shattering impact of infidelity into a life reclaimed. As the creator of Life Choreography® and the FLAUNT!® Framework, she offers the complete path of healing—legal, emotional, somatic, and spiritual—so women rise whole, sovereign, and free.

Author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self, (an International Book Awards finalist and Tattered Cover bestseller) and It’s Not Burnout, It’s Betrayal, 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive, Lora blends the precision of a lawyer, the compassion of a trauma-aware coach, the depth of somatic and spiritual practice, and the channeled wisdom of The Librarians with the lived experience of surviving infidelity herself.

During the show, Gina and I chatted about:

• What prompted her to write the book and get it out in the world.
• What Gina’s Career Velocity System is and how it works.
• What a career story is and why it’s important.
• How a career story is different than an elevator pitch. 
• How do we develop our own unique career story and leverage it in our career. 
• What the YouMap Assessment is and why you should consider taking it for yourself.

Here is more about Gina:

Gina has spent her career on both sides of the hiring process, giving Gina a unique perspective on what it takes to secure competitive leadership roles. As an executive search consultant, Gina has led searches, trained corporate teams on effective talent selection, and witnessed firsthand what makes candidates stand out—or miss the mark.

Today, Gina guides leaders through career transitions with clarity and confidence using her proven Career Velocity™ framework—an actionable roadmap that helps her clients refine their story, market themselves strategically, and land the roles they are after.

With a master’s degree in Whole Systems Design and certifications in Behavioral Interviewing, YouMap®, and Speaker Skills Academy coaching, Gina combines deep expertise with a practical approach to career strategy. Her insights have been featured in the Forbes Coaches Council, on 50+ podcasts and webinars, and in Gina’s book, Qualified Isn’t Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.

Gina’s mission is simple: to demystify the hiring process and empower executives to own their value, take control of their careers, and create new opportunities instead of waiting for them.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, I have an awesome announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. Ready…. drumroll please! A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

During the show, Neen and I chatted about:

• How Neen’s latest book baby came to be
• How the word “luxury” can be misconstrued
• An overview of the five luxury levers and how they lead to exceptional experiences
• Neen’s research on luxury mindset and how you can determine which luxury mindset category you fit
• How this information can be applied to leadership at any level

If you’d like to listen to my chat with Neen, who feels like an old friend at this point, listen in!

Here is more about Neen:

Neen James, MBA, CSP, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of leadership strategy and keynote speaking. As the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays and the forthcoming Exceptional Experiences, Neen inspires leaders and organizations to create extraordinary connections and experiences that drive results and leave lasting impressions. Recently named to the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, her proprietary research into the luxury mindset —the only study of its kind—sets her apart as a leading expert in delivering world-class client and employee experiences.

Named one of the top leadership speakers by Global Gurus multiple years in a row, Neen’s practical strategies and infectious "Aussie sass" make her a favorite among corporate audiences and meeting planners alike (who often call her the Energizer Bunny). From being a confidante to Fortune 500 CEOs to empowering executive leaders responsible for revenue, Neen is known for her ability to blend actionable insights with an engaging delivery style, helping leaders to achieve greater focus, communications, and influence.

If you have or are going through a tough season of your own, I feel you. I stand with you. All the listeners and the Brave Women at Work community stand with you. 

Today’s guest, Lauren Fields, has had her own dark night of the soul and come out on the other side of it. So, it’s fitting that this show is going live today!

During today’s podcast, Lauren and I discussed:

1. Lauren’s traumatic brain injury experience
2. How she literally got back on her horse within 3-months of her injury
3. What happened on the other side of realizing she had to take a step back and attempt different healing modalities
4. How Fieldswell was born as a result
5. How Lauren’s healing experience can help anyone else going through a personal healing journey, whether it is traumatic brain injury or something entirely different?
6. And more

Here is more about Lauren:

Lauren Fields is the Founder and CEO of Fieldswell. Lauren’s path has taken her from the hospitality and wellness industries to earning an Masters in Psychology, speaking on the TEDx stage, and hosting a podcast with global though leaders – all fueled by a relentless pursuit of growth and an insatiable curiosity about human potential.

After overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Lauren learned that life can change in an instant. Rather than resist her reality, Lauren chose to go all in on creating a life she truly loves – one built not in spite of her adversity, but because of it – and now she helps others do the same. 

What began as a personal wellness journey has grown into her company, Fieldswell. Fieldswell includes Lauren’s podcast, a wellness sanctuary for coaching, healing and creativity, sold-out events that bring community and transformation to life, and coaching and brand strategy that guides her clients from inner alignment to a powerful online presence.

She is here to help her clients and community to transform from the inside out – creating clarity, confidence, and an impact that lasts. 

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, I have an awesome announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. Ready…. drumroll please! A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Alright, let’s welcome Lauren to the show!

During today’s podcast, Annie Marie and I discussed:

1. The story behind her book, Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win.
2. What the power of audacity is and how we can cultivate it with micro habits.
3. The difference between the urgent and important?
4. How do women fall for the urgency fallacy and what can we do to combat it?
5. Why are time and money twins?
6. How can negativity be our superpower?
7. How can we respect our ego and check it at the same time so it doesn’t override us?
8. How do we leverage re-evaluation loops?

Here is more about Annie Marie:

Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author. Her work centers on cultivating audacity—the courage to say yes when doubt says no—as a catalyst for leadership, career advancement, and thriving workplace culture.

For more than three decades, Anne Marie had a front-row seat to the world’s biggest stages in sports broadcasting: six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, golf’s majors, the NBA and MLB playoffs, and the Super Bowl. She called more than 1,500 live events for ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, and TBS, becoming one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. Along the way, Annie Marie learned powerful lessons behind the scenes from some of the greatest coaches and executives in sports—lessons about leadership, resilience, and building winning teams.

Also, it’s my birthday week, so I wanted to share a solo show with my key learnings as I turn 48. Yes, you also heard that right! 48!

Before we get started, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. We are currently at 92,000 downloads and in 34 countries. WOW! Thank you again!

Also, if you have not heard, I have an announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is now available! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Ok, why did I decide to do a special Birthday Show for turning 48??

Well, the age 48 has always carried meaning to me because my father passed away at 48 and then my mentor passed away at the same age. I was afraid of 48, like I was going to fall off a cliff at this age. Yet here I am. Stronger, steelier, and inching towards my crone era with pride. I am still here. I have something to give. I want to make a difference.  

I want this 48th year to be one of living fully and bravely, not only for myself, but in honor of my dad and my mentor. 

So, turning 48 is a celebration and the start of a new phase for me!

As you will hear, Pam and I recently went on a retreat together. During the trip, Pam impromptu asked if we could record a special summer episode, and here it is! It’s perfect timing as the leaves are changing here in Chicago and the weather is starting to change. This show is a great way to wrap up summer and to focus on a fun and deep topic – spiritual friendship. 

During today’s podcast, Pam and I discussed:

1. That we have been friends for 27 years and we haven’t aged a day!
2. What motivated Pam to join me in Montana for the retreat.
3. How Pam and I met in 1998 and almost bumped into one another in 1997.
4. What the definitions of spiritual friendship and doppelganger are.
5. The impact our friendship has had on both of us.
6. If we can’t spend a lot of time together because we are so similar and the energetic connection is strong.
7. And Pam’s most recent advice on the 1-2 ways women can be braver at work!

Here is more about Pam:

Pamela Fierst-Walsh is the Vice President of Government Affairs for North America with the DeBeers Group. Pamela is the former VP of Traceability at PVH where she worked with the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands on global traceability objectives. She is also the former CEO of her consultancy, PFW Advisory, where she provided advisory services for regulatory and supply chain needs, particularly with respect to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns.

Kym’s mantra is “You can work hard, have career success, and the family life you desire.” As soon as I heard that, I was like, “Tell me more, Kym!” Who doesn’t want to have career success and the personal lives we desire?

During today’s podcast, Kym and I chatted about:

1. Why Kym decided to build her multi-million-dollar business, AlwaysOn Digital.
2. Why Kym is passionate about working parents.
3. Kym’s advice for women who want a high-powered career and life.
4. How Kym manages her teams – both in-person and remote.
5. Digital marketing and media, of course! I had to talk about this since I am also a marketing nerd.
6. And more!

Here is more about Kym:

Kym Insana is a multimillion-dollar business owner, digital marketing expert, wife, and mother of four boys. As the founder of AlwaysOn Digital, she helps leading brands reach the masses through dynamic digital campaigns that generate consumer interaction and sales so they can scale. Top brands lean on Kym’s expertise, including the US Air Force, American, Enfamil, the Texas Rangers, and Johnston and Murphy.

Kym jumped into the digital marketing world before it became part of the modern fabric for business growth. For more than 20 years, she’s led sales and digital campaigns for top advertising agencies in New York City. But dealing with a two-hour commute while growing her family proved to be a turning point. She felt compelled to start a business and gain her time back. The yearning for freedom quickly outweighed the desire for a corporate career.

At the same time, Kym noticed other successful women quitting the workforce for similar reasons. That prompted her to ask herself, ‘What if I could build a business that fit these talented women and their ideal work schedules — while still providing them with a career?’

In 2016, AlwaysOn Digital was born.

As my guest today, Dr. Angela Jackson, says, “It’s a win-win.” “Win-win” is a traditional corporate term, but Dr. Angela takes it to a whole new level. In her NY Times Bestselling book, The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success, she shares 9 key principles that will drive the future of work. 

During the podcast, Dr. Angela and I chatted about:

1. Why traditional top-down authority and decision making will not work moving forward.
2. The key mistakes leaders and companies make when trying to enhance employee productivity.
3. An overview of the 9 key strategies that emerged from Dr. Angela’s research for her book.
4. How can leaders empower employees to make powerful decisions?
5. The impact of creating a psychologically safe work environment on employees. 
6. What advice Dr. Angela would have for any companies, teams or leaders that are resistant to change.
7. And more!

Burnout was a doorway to curiosity. There had to be a different way to live and work. And I’m learning it involves the regulation and interplay between our minds and bodies. My guest, Jay Fields, and I have known one another for a bit, so I was excited that she joined me for this conversation. 

During the podcast, Jay and I chatted about:

1. What is the purpose of the nervous system and why is training it to serve us important.
2. Why is it easier to remain in our heads vs. listen to our bodies’ signals?
3. What does it mean to be embodied?
4. What is Jay’s Overthinking Quiz and why should you take it?
5. The meaning behind Jay’s popular phrase and podcast, “Hey Wait.”
6. How we can leverage these learnings to protect our energy.

According to an internet search, “Fearless authenticity means living a life true to your core values and beliefs, without fear of judgment or societal expectations. It involves embracing your unique self, accepting your flaws, and expressing your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, even when it's challenging or uncomfortable. It's about finding the courage to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself, even when it may not align with what others expect or want.”

I aspire to fearless authenticity. What about you? There are times where I feel like I’m living and working in this state, and then I slip out of it. My goal is to be in states of fearless authenticity more, so I was pumped to talk with my guest today, Jeanne Sparrow.

During the podcast, Jeanne and I chatted about:

1. The story behind her Emmy Awards. If you see the podcast on YouTube, she had her Emmy Awards visible in the background!
2. What living it, telling it, and sellling it means to Jeanne.
3. How everyone can discover their own personal brand.
4. The story behind Jeanne’s book, Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally
5. What the prestige is in each one of us, and how we can leverage it in place of Imposter Syndrome

For most of my career, I have tried to mold myself into a man’s world. It was a refreshing perspective to hear Barbara talk about why that isn’t needed, and quite frankly, why it is a waste of time because all women, including me, need to own their own strengths. 

During the podcast, Barbara and I chatted about:

1. What is gender intelligence, and why is it important?
2. What led Barbara to write her latest book, The Brilliance of the Female Mind: How Women are Transforming the World.
3. How men’s and women’s minds are different?
4. How can we nurture as strengths as women?
5. What are the confidence pitfalls we face as women? What actions can we take to correct these pitfalls?
6. The assessment we can take on Barbara’s Gender Intelligence website.

While it is fun to have an unstructured summer, it can get tiring after a while as we become Uber drivers for our children, especially our teenager, Charlotte. “Dad, can I go here?” “Mom, can I have a sleepover at this friend’s house?” It’s fun and relentless at the same time. And we can’t wait for a bit more structure once again! Do you feel me?

Parenting, and most things in life, take grit. When I think of grit, I think of Angela Duckworth’s book of the same name. In preparation for this show, I looked up what the word even means because I could not define it for myself. According to Google, grit means, “courage and resolve; strength of character.”

I want more grit in my life. I want my children to have grit. So, when my guest, Emily Williams Knight, mentioned that she loves to talk about grit, I said, “Game on! Let’s do this!” 

During the podcast, Emily and I chatted about:

1. How did Emily’s formative years as a child of a military family shaped her to who she is today.
2. What GRIT means and how you can cultivate it within yourself.
3. How you can start your career in one area and end up in a different place.
4. How has managed her bouts with Imposter Syndrome.
5. How Emily led through the COVID-19 period to keep the restaurant industry, one of Texas’s largest industries, moving forward.
6. How Emily is working to help with the childcare crisis in the restaurant industry.
7. What systems Emily has in place to manage her big career and life.

So, what did I do? I talked with my manager about it. I advocated for this colleague when she couldn’t do it for herself. I told my manager I was worried about this person. And guess what? We helped her and provided her options so she could avoid unnecessary burnout. And when we did, it was like I could see a visible weight literally being lifted off her body. She smiled a deeper smile. I could tell that her neck and body was releasing some of the layers of tension that it was holding. It was a privilege to behold. I am so happy that I know enough about burnout to recognize the signs and to help others.

My guest today, Marissa McKool, The Public Healthcare Burnout Coach, is deeply informed on burnout as well. 

During the podcast, Marissa and I chatted about:

1. Is burnout innate in some people or brought on by our environment? 
2. What are the signs and symptoms that Marissa sees with her burnout clients?
3. What are special techniques that Marissa uses to help her clients in the healing and ongoing recovery process?
4. Is burnout always stored as trauma in our bodies? Or can it completely go away?
5. Are Shiny Object Syndrome and burnout related?
6. And more

• Leave your baggage at the door.
• Fake it until you make it.
• Suck it up, buttercup.

As a result, as an employee and new manager, I thought you had to divorce your emotions and personal life from your work life as soon as you entered your work environment.

What I have learned over time is that I was WRONG with a capital “W.” I have managed and led many people over the years and learned that you manage to the person’s soul and total person, not just their productivity or work persona.

We as leaders need to show up authentically and treat our employees as the capable adults they are. My guest today, Andrea Wanerstrand, is aligned with me in my perspective. 

During the podcast, Andrea and I chatted about:

1. What does an A3 Culture mean? What are the key features of that culture?
2. How we can navigate our emotions at work.
3. Barriers that prevent people from being real and authentic at the job
4. The 5 conversations toolbox
5. Advice that Andrea would give to a leader that struggles with empathy and authority
6. How we can take our teams from dependent to autonomous

So, what are we talking about today? I have a powerful guest for the show, former Congresswoman Marie Newman. Marie is so inspiring to listen to because her life and career have had so many zigs and zags, but Marie hasn’t been afraid to do something new. In fact, she admitted that she’s the opposite for being afraid. She often will get teased when she’s going to embark on something different. I would like to get teased for that!

During the podcast, Marie and I chatted about:

1. The various twists and turns in Marie’s career and life.
2. What prompted Marie to write her book, A Life Made From Scratch.
3. What life was like as a Congresswoman, and what she learned from that role to create meaningful and long-lasting change.
4. How she has felt moving from a public life and image to a private one.
5. How she has navigated parenting a transgender child.
6. And so much more!

Here is more about Marie:

Marie Newman is a former congresswoman, nonprofit CEO, marketing executive, author of A Life Made from Scratch and When Your Child Is Being Bullied: Real Solutions, antibullying activist, former Moms Demand Action spokesperson and national LGBTQ+ advocate. In addition to those roles, she is a mom of two adult children, consultant and podcaster. Marie Newman is known for building movements and solving the toughest problems. Marie’s next book, her memoir, will be released March of 2025, (pre-order starts in February) A Life Made From Scratch. Her motto has always been, when you do not see the solution you desperately need, make it from scratch!

In Marilyn’s first chapter in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence, she talked about the question, “Why Not Me?” to a potential promotion in her career. That question stopped me in my tracks and had me wondering if I took a moment to ask, “Why not me?” to opportunities in my life.

When Marilyn let me know what she was going to contribute another chapter to the book, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go, I was so excited to hear a new beautiful story from her. When I read this most recent chapter, “Chasing Contentment,” I cried. She admits for all the world to see that she was a workaholic. Marilyn’s words were a mirror to me that I too am a workaholic. It’s weird to say out loud. I also admit it during our conversation. They say awareness is the first step to changing the negative pattern or habit. Well, if Marilyn can make the strides she has made in her life and work, I am confident that I can do the same.

When my boss provided me that news, I felt like I left my body. I immediately felt fear. Questions like, “Am I going to be fired?” or “What do I do next if this doesn’t work out?” started swirling over my head like storm clouds.

The next year was a mad scramble to try to fit in the mold of what my boss wanted me to be while simultaneously looking for a better cultural fit in a new job. That time was fraught with fear and overworking. I didn’t even see another choice – that I could have softened into surrender.

My guest today, Dr. Shawnte Elbert, has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my position of overdriving, Shawnte learned a concept that I love: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. 

Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:

Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.

Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered.

 She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.

My Plan A was to go to college, get married, have 2 kids, and have a great career. I didn’t know that I would have post-partum anxiety and secondary infertility with my family and burnout on the path to career success. 

As the cliché goes, life can throw us curveballs, and it up to us how we handle these challenges and pivot to Plan B.

Plan B is always seen as the back-up plan or the plan that isn’t as good as Plan A. As I get older and farther along in my life and career, I don’t think that’s true. Sometimes our Plan A wasn’t right for us anyway. Plan B, C, or D are just as good or even better than Plan A.

My guest today, Jackie Cetera, and I talk about this very concept. When we are younger and just starting out, we have this vision for how things are going to go personally and professionally. We can’t anticipate the bumps or bruises along the way. Jackie’s story is an encouraging one of finding joy in the pivot to a different way or living and working.

When we met, Amy shared her Start with Compassion model, and I was blown away. If we start with compassion with ourselves, with one another, and within companies, it truly can drive better relationships, more productivity, higher satisfaction, happiness, and so much more.

As a recovering perfectionist, starting with compassion is easy to understand and difficult to implement. If you struggle with perfectionism or wear a mask or leverage other armor like people pleasing to look or move through the world and work a certain way, this conversation is for you!

I loved this conversation because Amy was vulnerable and so brave. Thank you, Amy, for being the amazing person you are!

During the podcast, Amy and I chatted about:

1. What led her to participate in the latest Brave Women at Work women’s anthology, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go.
2. Why her chapter is called, “No More Hiding” and what she hopes readers take away from her story.
3. The story that led to the development of her model, Start with Compassion, and her company of the same name.
4. What starting with compassion means to Amy, and why it is important.

https://www.meghanmgrace.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/genz/id1377915856

https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Goes-College-Corey-Seemiller-ebook/dp/B019YNNZAA?ref_=ast_author_dp

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K52C97N/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=TPIuC&content-id=amzn1.sym.8572ac08-6096-4eb6-b32e-2c759cc3eb5b&pf_rd_p=8572ac08-6096-4eb6-b32e-2c759cc3eb5b&pf_rd_r=45RW287DPDEC2QRG3ZMQ&pd_rd_wg=Z91Kx&pd_rd_r=91bbc826-603f-4a8b-945b-60d46c96d05f

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanmgrace/

It’s called Talk Types.

What if the way we talk and who we are as people are intrinsically linked? If we understand our talk type and others, we can understand how to better communicate with one another, and as a result, have better personal and professional relationships.

During the podcast today, Amanda and I chatted about:

1. Why we communicate to begin with; what are the goals of communication?
2. What Talk Types are and the six different talk types that exist.
3. How we discover our personal Talk Type.
4. How we bridge the gap between Talk Types if we are on one of the Type and our spouse, partner, boss, friend, or colleague on the other. 
5. How we can leverage our talk types during a key presentation or negotiation.

Here is more about Amanda:

Amanda Kenderes is a professor of interdisciplinary studies at Humphreys University. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Science and Comparative Education from the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. She grew up in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

And then, we learn. Maybe the job or career path we originally selected isn’t right for us. Maybe we find ourselves without a partner or kids. Maybe life faced us with health challenges. Whatever it is, life tests our ability to pivot and reinvent ourselves into something new. 

It’s like the Japanese art of Kintsugi. With Kintsugi, Japanese artists take broken pieces of pottery and carefully pour gold into the cracks to put it all back together. So, the bowls that were once broken are now even more beautiful than before. Look it up. Kintsugi is so beautiful even though it is technically broken. It has been made new.

During my conversation with my guest today, Nicole Meline, I was reminded about the power of reinvention.

The question that my guest, Tamara McLemore, and I chat about today is how can we release this baggage so we can take control of our careers?

During my conversation with Tamara, we chatted about:

• How did Tamara become an accidental project manager
• What is Tamara’s definition of corporate baggage?
• How can we drop our corporate baggage?
• How do we let go of roles that don’t serve us such as “office mom”?
• What is Tamara’s Project Management Certification and work with women all about?

Here is more about Tamara:

Tamara McLemore is the “Accidental Project Manager.” She has over 20 years of experience in tech, wireless, software application and infrastructure project management for the United States Federal Government, Airline & Travel, Banking & Mortgage, and Raw Material Industries leading and advising programs and projects upwards $150M in budget.

And guess what? Tamara has a degree in Journalism. She was able to learn and master the art of Planning, Execution, Implementation and Risk Management. I’ve been working with amazing companies and individuals identifying that innate Project Management Strength and developing those talents into high-performance individuals that equate to high performing organizations.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

Tonya dives into her proprietary BIKE method and how she leverages that with the work she does with her clients. 

During my conversation with Tonya, we chatted about:

1. Tonya’s walk with perfectionism and how and when she pivoted
2. How delegation can assist us with perfectionistic tendencies, and if we struggle with delegation, where we start
3. The fun story behind the BIKE acronym
4. What the BIKE Method is and how Tonya uses it in the work she does today

Here is more about Tonya:

Tonya Herb once navigated the corporate maze, then became completely obsessed with the “Lead From Where You Are” philosophy and flipped the script from corporate climber to your go-to biz bestie.

Hard-knock lessons, relentless self-development, and unwavering resilience fueled Tonya’s journey from corporate to entrepreneur and she could not be more excited to help you discover what fuels her clients!

Tonya has lived the overworked and overwhelmed, and she’s here to tell you the truth about why you might be stuck. Together, she works with her clients to break through those barriers with an out-of-the-box approach that will leave them feeling empowered and ready to pedal through at full speed! 

Today, Tonya wears many hats – leadership coach, keynote speaker, devoted wife, proud mama, paddle-board enthusiast, Grams, and she loves every minute of it! 

Tonya is not just here to guide, she’s here to be a mentor, coach, and her clients’ biggest fan, teaching the art of “Leading you First” in true Tonya Kay style. 

It’s all about her clients! Their journeys to being undeniably, and unapologetically themselves, beginning right here, right now.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time. 

One other very exciting announcement! Our keynote speaker at Thrive in’25 Women’s Conference is Erin Gallagher. 

Erin is the CEO and founder of Ella, an inclusive network expanding women’s access to human, social, and financial capital, and the Founder of the Hype Women Movement and Podcast.

With 20 years of experience in global marketing, business development, organization and and culture change, she is a small business owner, entrepreneur, and mother of two.

Erin was named a 2023 Top 100 LinkedIn Creator, Top 10 DEI Voice (#5), and recognized for the Top 100 Most Influential LinkedIn Posts of the Decade.

Her book Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarch and Systems Silencing is out in the world this Fall.

I am asking all of you to invest in yourself this year and attend the Thrive in ’25 Conference from June 25th-28th in Chicagoland. This conference is a 12-month experience that includes 3-days of the conference, 6+ months of coaching with yours truly in the Brave Circle, a 12-month membership in HerCsuite, a powerful women’s networking platform, and a 12-month membership to Innovation Women, a female led speakers bureau. I don’t know about you, but I have never been to a conference that pours that much into each attendee. Typically, it’s a 2–3-day conference and you’re thrown back into your life. Not Thrive in ’25. We want to walk alongside you to incorporate your learnings from the conference personally and professionally.

I didn’t get the connection, and I have been in financial services for over 25 years. After I dove into all things on leadership, self-improvement, and energetic management, I learned that there is a positive correlation between our money, speaking up, and the energy associated with feeling powerful as a woman. 

If we feel good about our money, we will speak up more. We will feel more confident. We will make powerful choices. We will be braver at work and at home.

My guest today, Aja Evans, is the first financial therapist I have interviewed. I have interviewed financial coaches before, but not financial therapists. After learning more about Aja’s important work, I was excited to dive into this discussion!

During my conversation with Aja, we chatted about:

1. The story behind Aja’s financial awakening
2. What financial therapy is and how it is different than financial coaching
3. What the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes are behind someone who may need a financial awakening of their own
4. What is the story behind people that are trying to keep up with the Joneses? What about money hoarders? What is the story there?
5. Her book, Feel Good Finance: Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being.
6. Aja provides an overview of her freebie to Your Guide to Getting Financially Naked

I am a non-fiction reader and often struggle with getting into a fiction book. When I heard Melanie talk about the benefits of fiction, I knew I had to give it another try. 

In addition, according to an article in Inc, “How Reading Fiction Can Make You a Better Leader,” “There’s a growing body of research that suggests that getting lost in well-written stories actually can actually make you better leader. Fiction works as an empathy workout, these studies find, helping bosses better understand diverse viewpoints and boosting their EQ.”

During my conversation with Melanie, we chatted about:

1. Why Melanie started Leaders Who Fiction?
2. What is the research about exercising different parts of our brain while reading fiction and leadership?
3. What are the benefits of reading fiction on our work performance?
4. What are some of Melanie’s favorite fiction reads?
5. How you can join Leaders Who Fiction, a free online book club!

Here is more about Melanie:

After completing a degree in International Development from McGill University in Montreal, Melanie’s earlier career included marketing positions at Waste Management and Ecom Access, a marketing software startup.​

Returning to Houston to earn her MBA from Rice University, she then became Director of Marketing for the SURGE Accelerator​/SURGE Ventures).​

In 2014, she decided to pursue her own entrepreneurial vision, founding Marketing Interface to help growth-stage companies achieve their business goals by reaching their target market, converting potential customers into paying customers, maintaining these relationships, and measuring the results of their marketing initiatives using technology.​

In 2019, she merged Marketing Interface with her husband Matt’s consulting practice to create Strategic Piece. She is an active reader and writer, and founded Leaders Who Fiction, an online book club that helps leaders exercise a different part of their brain, learning relevant skills by reading and discussing works of fiction.​

She is also an active mentor at Rice University’s entrepreneurship programs.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

If the term Brave Women at Work were in the dictionary, (why isn’t it? LOL), Robyn Malone would be part of the definition. I met Robyn through a dear friend and colleague, and we hit it off pretty quickly. 

As you will learn during our show today, Robyn has done some scary things, including:

• Following her heart and leaving her established community in New York City to be with her now husband in Chicago.
• Re-establishing her entire personal and professional community after the move while maintaining her community in New York.
• Recognizing that even though she didn’t plan on being an entrepreneur, a business was building itself around here, so she took note and build a thriving boutique PR agency.
• Not being afraid to be a truthteller in her industry because she has decided to stick to her values.
• And more!

Robyn was a like a jolt of motivation to my system and a beautiful reminder that we can do things that scare us. I’m now wondering how I’m going to stretch myself next! Anyone want to go with me to Bali? 

Just kidding. Well, maybe not.

Here is more about Robyn:

Robyn Malone is the EO & Chief Partner Officer of RJ Communications, a boutique health, tech, and wellness PR agency. Robyn's communications career includes experience across various sectors, industries, therapeutic areas, and brands. Her passion for health, however, led her to focus on work that has the potential to impact lives. A storyteller at heart, Robyn spent her career in healthcare PR and communications, launching familiar healthcare brands and partnering with global powerhouses like Pfizer and P&G.

Robyn has worked extensively in corporate and brand communications in the consumer health and pharmaceutical sectors – often managing large, multinational, and multi-regional teams to develop and execute successful campaigns that deliver tangible business results. These include "You Don't Know Jack About MS," – a public awareness campaign featuring newly diagnosed MS patient Jack Osbourne, and "Relieve My Fever," – a children's contest featuring Angie Harmon to re-launch Pfizer's Children's Advil. The integrated, communications-led effort garnered more than 135 million media impressions in top-tier print and broadcast media, including Fox & Friends, The Rachael Ray Show, Parade, and People.

Today, RJ Communications works with a range of clients ranging from tech startups to large, well-established multinational companies, using our experience in all things health to tell health stories and grow healthy brands.

A native NYer turned Chicagoan, Robyn marries heart, head, and humanity to tell the stories that compel people to action.

​

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

Summary: Welcome to the Brave Women at Work podcast. This is your host, Jen Pestikas. I’m so glad you’re here.

Hello everyone! How are you doing out there?

Happy Spring to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere! I am so happy that we are starting to have slightly warmer and longer days. We had snow here in my area even in March, so fingers crossed that we are done with that business.

Well, if you didn’t listen to one of the January episodes, I mentioned that my words of the year for 2025 are energy and woo. Well, I met my guest, Jayne Warrilow, former corporate executive and now founder and CEO of Sacred Changemakers and learned that you can indeed mix corporate life and woo in one. It was so refreshing to freely talk about energy and other spiritual concepts intermingled with leadership.

During my conversation with Jayne, we chatted about:

1. What is a sacred changemaker?
2. How did Jayne’s health journey with cancer and her healing lead her to do this work?
3. How Jayne protects her energy as a channel
4. How she mixes in the sacred with leadership in her work with corporations
5. What resonance codes are and how we discover our own
6. And so much more!

If you are into the idea of mixing the sacred, spiritual, or woo with leadership, you will love this conversation!

Here is more about Jayne:

Jayne Warrilow is a global speaker, bestselling author and sought after business and executive coach, who is passionate about building the foundations of a more equitable, loving and resonant world.

Jayne is an incredibly curious human who likes to push the membrane of possibility in our world. She is devoted to making unprecedented impact. Financial, human and social impact.

For nearly 30 years, Jayne has brought purpose to business and guided the transformation of iconic businesses alongside extraordinary leaders.

• Who we are being matters.
• What we stand for matters.
• Who we partner with matters.

As Jayne says, these are soul-defining times in our history, and the decisions we make today will shape our collective future.

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

As I have risen through the corporate ranks, no one told me that leadership is an inside job. I learned that through the school of hard knocks, many bouts of Imposter Syndrome, tough feedback, and more. 

This is why I wanted to talk about this very topic with my guest today, Dana Maor. Dana knows firsthand the importance of looking within to determine and harness our strengths, our leadership style, and more to be the best leader we can be not only for ourselves but for our teams.

During my conversation with Dana, we chatted about:

1. The importance of looking within as a leader.
2. The story behind Dana’s book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out.
3. How do we assess our personal leadership approach and style?
4. What is our personal mandate?
5. What is a personal commitment plan, and why is it important?
6. Why is failure an important part of leadership?

I am confident you will find a nugget of wisdom in my conversation with Dana!

Here is more about Dana:

Dana Maor is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, the global cohead and European leader of McKinsey’s People & Organizational Performance Practice, and a member of the McKinsey Knowledge Council. Whether working in aerospace, financial services, pharmaceuticals, or telecommunications, Dana has helped clients pursue successful large-scale operational and organizational transformations and successful M&A integrations. Passionate about talent and leadership, Dana has guided many organizations through the process of establishing leadership-development platforms for top executives and has helped architect capability-building programs to reskill employees for changing workforce needs. Dana took a major role in McKinsey's research to build an effective understanding of talent management for the 2018 book, Talent Wins. She is a co-author of the 2024 bestselling book, The Journey of Leadership.

If Brave Women at Work has made an impact on you, please share it with a friend or colleague. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time. 

One other announcement. I am asking all of you to invest in yourself this year and attend the Thrive in ’25 Conference from June 25th-28th in Chicagoland. This conference is a 12-month experience that includes 3-days of the conference, 6+ months of coaching with yours truly in the Brave Circle, a 12-month membership in HerCsuite, a powerful women’s networking platform, and a 12-month membership to Innovation Women, a female led speakers bureau. I don’t know about you, but I have never been to a conference that pours that much into each attendee. Typically, it’s a 2–3-day conference and you’re thrown back into your life. Not Thrive in ’25. We want to walk alongside you to incorporate your learnings from the conference personally and professionally.

Invest in yourself today. 

You can learn more about the conference and register at www.thrive-in25.com. 

You know when everything is smooth sailing and you are enjoying an easy, breezy ride for a while? I know those times, and 2025 is not one of them for me. I am in a period of significant change professionally, so I was excited to talk with Tamsen about her book.

The idea of saying what people cannot unhear resonates with me because I want to get my point across strong enough that it gets buy-in and is a good use of my time. As a resident intranpreneur in corporate and entrepreneur outside of corporate, idea buy-in and making friends with change management is crucial.

During my conversation with Tamsen, we chatted about:

1. What is the ding for Tamsen?
2. The importance of giving our audience a reason to believe.
3. Why is story the foundation for understanding?
4. Tamsen gives an overview of what a persuasion proverb is and how to use them.
5. What if someone cannot hear our story or refuses to listen? Then what?
6. Her doctoral studies at NYU. She almost gave me the academic bug!

Here is more about Tamsen:

Part message designer, part English-to-English translator, and now part doctoral student, Tamsen Webster helps leaders craft their case for large-scale change. A sought-after speaker and consultant, she’s spent more than 25 years developing the field and practice of persuasive message design, with a particular focus on the principles and processes that build buy-in that lasts.

In addition to her work in and for major organizations such as Harvard Medical School, Fidelity Investments, and Klaviyo, she built and delivers the message design curriculum for Elemental Impact, a leading investor in impact startups. She’s a judge and mentor for the Harvard Innovation Labs and a professional advisor at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. She’s also spent over 10 years as the Idea Strategist for one of only nine legacy-level TEDx events and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar in 2022. She's the author of two best-selling books, Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible, and Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change which was named one of the top 10 management books of the year by Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper.

Tamsen was a reluctant marathoner… twice; is a champion ballroom dancer (in her mind); and learned everything she knows about messages, people, and change as a Weight Watchers leader. True story.

She lives in Boston with her husband, two sons, and her two brindle Greyhounds, Hazel and Walnut.

If Brave Women at Work has made an impact on you, please share it with a friend or colleague. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.

I stopped in my tracks. What did that mean?

It means loving yourself enough to consider your needs.

It means that you are drawing and holding your boundaries.

It means relishing in self-care. 

It means putting yourself first.

I have to say that I felt guilty easing into this concept. I’m sure you can relate. We as women are used to putting ourselves lower on the list. Everyone else comes first. 

Not with this dare I say scandalous concept!

During my conversation with Jenn, we chatted about:

1. What embracing your villain era means to Jenn.
2. How do we embrace our villain era
3. If you could be any villain character, who would you be?
4. What are the first steps to embracing our villain era?
5. How do we deal with shame or guilt that will inevitably pop up when we decide to do this?
6. How can women support other women in their villain eras?

Here is more about Jenn:

Jenn Johnson is the founder of Rx for Growth and the author of Nursing Intuition.. Her career is a testament to dedication, resilience, and compassion. With 16 years of experience as an ER nurse, Jenn has navigated the most demanding and high-pressure healthcare environments, consistently delivering exceptional care to patients in critical need. Her deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of nursing has fueled Jenn’s passion for advocating for nurse wellness and professional growth.​ Her leadership at Rx for Growth is marked by her commitment to transforming the landscape of nurse support services. Jenn has spearheaded initiatives that focus on mentorship, continuing education, and holistic wellness, ensuring that new graduate nurses are equipped with the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in their careers.​In addition to her clinical and leadership roles, Jenn is an accomplished author. Through her writing, Jenn shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences, offering invaluable insights and inspiration to nurses at all stages of their careers. Her work highlights the importance of self-care, resilience, and continuous learning, reinforcing the core values that drive us.

If Brave Women at Work has made an impact on you, please share it with a friend or colleague. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time. 

One other announcement. I am asking all of you to invest in yourself this year and attend the Thrive in ’25 Conference from June 25th-28th in Chicagoland. This conference is a 12-month experience that includes 3-days of the conference, 6+ months of coaching with yours truly in the The Brave Circle, a 12-month membership in HerCsuite, a powerful women’s networking platform, and a 12-month membership to Innovation Women, a female led speakers bureau. I don’t know about you, but I have never been to a conference that pours that much into each attendee. Typically, it’s a 2–3-day conference and you’re thrown back into your life. Not Thrive in ’25. We want to walk along side you to incorporate your learnings from the conference personally and professionally.

Invest in yourself today. 

You can learn more about the conference and register at www.thrive-in25.com. 

When I think about the concept of “carrying on, warrior,” I think of Emily Zarecki. As you will hear in today’s podcast, Emily is a warrior that has endured many trials and tribulations in her life. When I met Emily, I knew she would have a story of bravery to inspire all of us that we can do hard things. 

During my conversation with Emily, we chatted about:

1. How the passing of her mom and her husband impacted her.
2. How she reacted after hearing of her own breast cancer diagnosis. 
3. What prompted her to write her book, Golden Scars: How the Death of My Husband Prepared Me to Battle Cancer.
4. How Emily took care of herself while raising young kids on her own, including her twins!
5. The story behind her beautiful book cover and the concept of golden scars.
6. Emily also shared her work with Clarion Communications and the importance of having a personal brand. 

Before we get started, here is more about Emily:

Emily Zarecki is a seasoned communications and public relations professional. Her 25-year career spans global Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, nonprofit, and agency settings.

Completing treatment for breast cancer not only gave Emily a new perspective on life but the experience ignited a flame to do more writing and storytelling. After parting ways with a marketing agency in 2021, she founded Clarion Communications and is its lead consultant and chief storyteller. 

Passionate about a few causes close to her heart – mental health, suicide prevention, and breast cancer awareness – Emily has served on the board for Unison Health in Toledo and led fundraising efforts for the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Toledo in memory of her husband, Steve. Emily is enthusiastic about advocating for research and education about breast cancer and eliminating disparities in access to diagnostics and treatment. She serves as an advocacy ambassador for Susan G. Komen.

Welcome to the Brave Women at Work podcast. This is your host, Jen Pestikas. I’m so glad you’re here.

Hello everyone! How are you doing out there?

Let’s talk about a topic that’s not talked about often: using our intuition at work.

When you make key decisions at work, do you exclusively use data, research, and analysis?

What about when you hire someone? Do you sole rely on a hiring assessment?

Or do you use your gut or intuition too? For the longest time, I was exclusively “head” based. What I learned, however, is that I need to check-in with my gut or intuition as a source of wisdom too. I’m no longer exclusively head based, but I don’t ignore my internal knowing either. Everytime I have ignored it, it’s led me in the wrong direction.

What about you? Do you consult your intuition?

I was recently introduced to Jenn Johnson, an ER nurse and author that wrong about using her intuition in nursing. I thought that she was so brave to share that perspective, especially in the medical field. I was intrigued and was excited to have her on the show.

So, what is shiny object syndrome?

According to Google, Shiny object syndrome (SOS) is the tendency to be distracted by new ideas or opportunities, often at the expense of current tasks. It can affect people in many contexts, including business, personal development, and relationships. 

It can look like this. You are working on a project and get another idea that is even better than what you are working on. You decide to pursue that idea and now have two open projects going at the same time. You may be afraid of missing out or FOMO about this idea, so you don’t want to say no to it. You think you can handle both ideas at the same time.

What are the symptoms of shiny object syndrome?

The symptoms are:

• Constantly starting new projects but rarely finishing them
• Difficulty focusing
• A never-ending to-do list
• Getting more excited about new opportunities than implementing existing strategies

It is very common among high achievers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives who get a thrill from new ideas.

Well, guess what? I was pumped to get introduced to Monique Helstrom, the professional that was behind the author and speaker, Simon Sinek, during the Start with Why heyday. It was fun to learn what was happening behind the scenes, and what has prompted Monique to branch off on her own.

During my conversation with Monique, we chatted about:

1. What it was like to move from being Chief of Simon Sinek to running her own business.
2. Her mindset shift from feeling like being an executive assistant was simply #2 to moving to being #1 personally and professionally.
3. Why she sees life as a potluck.
4. She dives deeper into her mission with the work she does today with Executive Assistant recruiting and executive coaching clients.
5. What are the signs we need an executive assistant and how do we look for our own?
6. And more.

Before we get started, here is more about Monique:

Monique has dedicated her life to helping humans understand their own unique role in making great ideas - and great partnerships - come to life. 

After nearly a decade as the Executive Assistant, Producer, and “Chief of Simon Sinek,” New York Times Best-Selling author and TED celebrity, along with her adventures as an event planner and a two-time small-businessowner, Monique has had unparalleled experiences and gained unique perspectives from thought leaders, executives, middle managers, celebrities, educators, military, social activists, and the general workforce that this world depends on. These encounters have equipped her with the tools necessary to decipher and disentangle common issues plaguing humans and businesses around the globe. 

And now, as a Speaker, Activator, and Unlocker of Human Potential, she consults, coaches, and speaks internationally to teach people the most important skills that no one ever taught them before. She has helped individuals and teams understand and utilize their innate talents, master their communication, conquer their organizational roadblocks, and build powerful relationships that will actually progress their career. 

As an expert on communication and feedback, human (not “soft”) skills, personality types, performance enhancers, skill building techniques, executive presence, and ways to motivate, she offers a practical and honest approach to subjects like change, teamwork, collaboration, conflict and communication! 

She has cultivated an ability to identify patterns, diagnose the gaps, and establish a workable solution. She is experienced in taking take large complex problems and breaking them down into bite-sized, achievable nuggets. 

If you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time. 

One other announcement. I’m co-hosting my first ever women’s leadership conference called Thrive in 2025! Yes, you heard that right! Hope Mueller of CLIMB Conferences and I are hosting the conference in Chicagoland from June 25th-28th, 2025. You can learn more about the conference and register at www.thrive-in25.com. 

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Monique Helstrom - Coach, Speaker, and Recruiter of Talented Assistants for Busy Executives

Jenn was intrigued by my conversation with Heather, an artist with the amazing story of owning her gift of synesthesia, or the mixing of the senses. Heather is a former HR professional who bravely left the corporate world to pursue her work as an artist and specifically to own her ability to heal with color. She intuitively sees people as colors and creates prescriptive Spirit Portraits to help her clients. My portrait is magenta, gold, and violet, and is so beautiful! 

After the podcast, Jenn got her own spirit portrait and asked to connect with me via Heather. And the rest is history!

During my conversation with Jenn, we chatted about:

1. What does flourishing in your career mean?
2. What are the signs you need a career change, whether that it inside or outside your organization?
3. What is HEART centered career planning? What does H.E.A.R.T. stand for?
4. What is the Gathering Ground?
5. What about the Greenhouse? What is that?
6. What is five minutes to flourish? 
7. Jen tells us all about her treehouse and why she has themed her business with nature or growth terminology.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

The Flourish Careers Podcast Podcast - Apple Podcasts

Career Coaching, Career Change Coaching, for Professionals, and HR Consulting for Business Leaders, Flourish Careers LLC

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Over the years at Brave Women at Work, we have talked about our mindset, how we feel about our bodies, our family histories, and more and how these issues impact how we show up at work. Now, we are covering how our sexual past and potential wounds in this area can impact our ability to speak up, go for a promotion, believe we are worthy to get paid what we are worth, and more in the professional arena.

At first, before Jaitara Jayde, my guest and I, hit record today, I wondered if this subject was a fit for Brave Women at Work. I realized that of course it was because we bring our whole person to work. And after all, we are sexual beings. If we are hurting in this area, how could we not be impacted in all areas of our lives?

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Feminine Artistry

Your Sacred Pleasure & Prosperity™ Blueprint

Amazon.com: The Four Sacred Laws of Sexual Enlightenment: 9781999540302: Jayde, Jaitara: Books

Pleasure & Prosperity™ Retreats

Patty has an extensive work experience in the consumer and shopper insights field, starting her career in 1993 as a Sr Project Manager at NPD. Patty then worked at IRI as a Vice President, leading a team in selling and delivering syndicated and custom panel research projects. At Ipsos Connect, she held roles as Vice President and Senior Vice President, managing client relationships and overseeing research projects across multiple international markets. Patty also worked at Schlesinger Associates as Senior Vice President, focusing on client development and enhancing research quality. Patty joined The NPD Group in 2017 and served as Senior Vice President of Client Development and Global Analytics, before becoming Executive Vice President in 2020. Currently, they are the President of Consumer and Shopper Insights and E-Commerce at Circana.

Patty Altman has an MBA in Business from Dowling College.

If Brave Women at Work has made an impact on you, please share it with a friend or colleague. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations, (2) 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and (3) most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook style guides, so you can complete them on your own time. 

One other announcement. If you haven’t heard, I’m hosting my first ever women’s leadership conference in 2025 called Thrive in 2025! Yes, you heard that right! Hope Mueller of CLIMB Conferences and I are hosting the conference in Chicagoland from June 25th-28th, 2025. You can learn more about the conference and register at www.thrive-in25.com. 

Alright, let’s welcome Patty to the show!

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Unlock Growth with Complete Consumer Insights

Andrea is the mastermind behind Talk Boutique and the Thought Leader Academy, joins us to unravel the profound impact of storytelling in leadership. Learn how Andrea's extensive background in advertising and her passion for simplifying complex ideas through TEDx Toronto have equipped her to guide visionaries in sharing groundbreaking work. Her journey emphasizes the transformative power of introspection and adaptability in building a fulfilling career, illustrating how storytelling is not just a tool but a pathway to connection and inspiration.

We explore the art of weaving narratives in business to capture and hold attention in an age of distractions. Discover how Andrea's insights into brain science can turn ordinary presentations into memorable storytelling experiences. By focusing on the core message and using narrative "breadcrumbs," leaders can ensure their ideas resonate with both creative and analytical minds. With practical strategies for overcoming the fear of storytelling, Andrea demonstrates how confidence and authenticity can be projected in any setting, from corporate boardrooms to public talks.

Transform your career narrative with storytelling techniques that inspire change and spark engagement. Andrea shares a blueprint for connecting ideas to powerful narratives, using sensory associations and relevant analogies to retain audience attention. Whether you're navigating annual reviews or crafting a memorable career narrative, the power of perspective can shape impactful interactions. Embrace the art of storytelling as a means to project your potential and create lasting influence in your professional journey.

Connect with Andrea through the Talk Boutique

I cannot wait to discuss with you this week how Nicole has helped me change how I approach my day to day. So let's meet this transformational retreat leader and energy coach, Nicole Smith-Levay, returns to illuminate the power of somatics and breathwork in both professional and personal spheres. Together, we discuss the journey of reconnecting our minds and bodies, a path that has profoundly influenced my own productivity and clarity. Nicole introduces the innovative Forward Momentum program, designed to empower corporate women through a unique combination of bodywork, breathwork, and coaching, and shares a powerful somatic practice to help listeners center themselves amidst the chaos of daily life.

Our conversation ventures into the realm of healing trauma through somatic practices, featuring a compelling story from a former dancer who founded "Power Within Healing." After a life-changing injury, she pivoted to somatic therapy, helping countless women reclaim their inner strength. We explore the body's natural wisdom and its unparalleled potential for healing beyond conventional medical methods, emphasizing the crucial role of intentional breathing in regulating the nervous system and fostering self-awareness.

As the discussion unfolds, we explore the cyclical nature of life and the concept of "wintering," encouraging reflection and intentional planning. Nicole shares insights from the Embodied Purpose Process, a transformative program that harmonizes somatics with traditional coaching and meditation. We close with a focus on embodied self-care, guiding listeners through grounding practices to bolster authenticity and bravery at work. Join us for this heartfelt exchange as we embrace the new year with embodied courage and community support.

https://www.bravewomenatwork.com/

Connect with Nicole -

https://justkeepmovingbook.com/

https://courses.thepowerwithinhealing.com/somatic-boundary-work-meditation-and-journal

https://www.instagram.com/nicolesmithlevay/

https://www.amazon.com/Wintering-Power-Retreat-Difficult-Times/dp/0593189485/ref=asc_df_0593189485?mcid=0af868c3c5e13c11be730916473ec8b9&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693422720760&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3344813855203361019&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021458&hvtargid=pla-977612031306&psc=1

We dive into the concept of "swagger" with a fresh perspective, using it as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment. Jennifer introduces an empowering acronym for SWAGGER, helping listeners cultivate self-worth, appreciation, gratitude, grounding, empowerment, and renewal. This episode is filled with practical strategies to assess and boost your own swagger levels, inviting you to reflect on your personal journey towards authenticity and self-confidence.

Uncover ways to reclaim your inner worth and identity with Jennifer's upcoming three-book series and the "Emerge Journey" program designed to empower women through workshops and the "Swagger Sisterhood." We explore how to integrate practices like meditation, affirmations, and gratitude into daily routines to maintain self-worth and resilience. Dive into this journey of self-discovery, learn to walk with swagger in everyday life, and discover how embracing authenticity can make us braver and more effective in our personal and professional endeavors.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Swagger U

Claim Your SWAGGER: Mrozek Sukalo, Jennifer: 9781636980669: Amazon.com: Books

Second, I reflect on the name of the podcast, Brave Women at Work, and the interesting juxtaposition the podcast name has between the male and female pieces of ourselves. During the show, I share the definitions of brave and courage, why being brave is accessible to all of us, and tips on taking bolder and braver action this year.

You don't want to miss this show! Take notes and learn how you can be brave personally and professionally.

This week, I am replaying one of my favorite episodes from Brave Women at Work. This week, I would love for you to learn (or re-learn) about the power of color with Heather Eck.

I met Heather via a podcast placement agency. The magic of podcasting is that you can make amazing connections simply by chatting with other podcasters and guests. When I met Heather, there was an immediate connection. I felt our conversation was magic, and I’m sure you will too!

After this podcast originally aired, Heather sent me my personal Spirit Portrait. You will learn more about that shortly. This piece of artwork sits proudly in my office and is a fond memory of our podcast and connection. In addition, I met another podcaster, coach and colleague because of the show.

See? You never know where connections and conversations can take you.

During my chat with Heather, we discussed:

• Heather’s journey from being an HR Manager to synesthesia artist
• What synesthesia even means
• How Heather helps women go from stuck to intention through her work
• What a Spirit Portrait is and how the process works
• Heather talks about her gift and what certain colors mean

What we don’t often talk about is the powerful connection between our wealth and our health. Like my guest today, Krissina Wise, we may take our health for granted in the pursuit of wealth and not even know we are doing it.

Krisstina spent between $250,000 and $500,000 getting her health back after a major health scare while at the pinnacle of her career success and has made it her mission to help people not only have a love affair with their money, but also with taking care of themselves so they can lead fulfilling lives.

This conversation is power-packed, so get ready!

During my conversation with Krisstina, we chatted about:

1. The pivotal moment in which she almost lost her life.
2. What Krisstina needed to learn to get her life back on track.
3. What wealthywellthy means and why it is important.
4. Does wealthy have to mean having a lot in your bank account?
5. How do we find our financial sweet spot?
6. What does it take to be a millionaire?
7. What steps we can take to fall in our love with our money without sacrificing our health.

Well, my guest, Susanne Goldstein, not only gets them, but she also helps women wake up and break free from the prisons the world and their prior choices have put them in.

Susanne says that she watches the Matrix movies on New Year’s Eve. Who knows, now that I better understand the point behind the movies, I may watch them too. And this time, I won’t fall asleep. Fingers crossed!

During my conversation with Susanne, we chatted about:

1. The tools she uses with her clients, including metaphysics and energetics.
2. Why she loves the Matrix movies and watches them every year.
3. What an upgrade is and why we can have multiple upgrades throughout our lives and careers.
4. If upgrades are conscious and planned, subconscious or both.
5. What steps we can take to break free from our own version of the Matrix.

A quick note for you concerning today’s show: Susanne and I let the language rip, so listen to the show with your earbuds or other microphones and away from little ears.

Happy December! Can you believe that we are almost to the end of 2024? I cannot. Either way, I hope you have a wonderful end to your year filled with love, joy, health, and happiness.

Speaking about year-end, things get super hectic with all the planning, celebrations, over buying, gift wrapping, opening, and clean-up. I have had years when I get to the end of the year after the holidays and I’m happy I’ve survived. You feel me?

Being the superwoman at the holidays is simply a metaphor for how we can be in life with doing all the things. And as you know, it can lead to burnout. My guest today, Laura Nguyen, has a fresh take on this. And that fresh take starts with a question.

What if taking a planned break was ok? Even better, what if it was welcomed?

I’m going to let that sink in a minute. A planned career break. Yes, please!

During my conversation with Laura, we chatted about:

1. What drove Laura to take a planned career break. She also shares her burnout story.
2. Any fear related to taking a planned career break and what judgment or commentary she received from others as a result.
3. How this impacted her as a chronic self-achiever
4. What if you can’t take a career break because you are the primary breadwinner, a single parent, and more.
5. What happened during Laura’s career break and how she leveraged it to her advantage.
6. Her book, Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off
7. Her Spark Community

Alicia and I met through former podcast guest, colleague, and somatic breathwork teacher, Nicole Smith Levay. Alicia and I have been on a breathwork journey together, and now we are taking a meditation and breathwork mentorship (certification together)! It has been wonderful to get to know Alicia, and I am happy to have her as a guest on the show.

During my conversation with Alicia, we chatted about:

1. Her experience many years ago with Hurricane Sandy, and how it cracked her wide open and started her healing journey.
2. Alicia’s vision for her life and how she suggests other women go about finding their own bigger vision for their life and career.
3. The idea of not knowing and how we can be as calm as possible in the middle of that phase of transformation.
4. How we soften into our hearts when we are on a healing or change journey.
5. The advice Alicia would have for any woman who is looking to tap into herself, find stillness, and get prepared for transformation.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have Andie join me on Brave Women at Work to tackle such an important and timely topic. Reflecting on my own career, I can clearly see moments where I experienced bias—whether it was someone else taking credit for my ideas in a meeting or being passed over for a promotion in favor of a male colleague, despite having all the qualifications.

As I always say, this isn’t about man-bashing—I love the men in my life. But on this show, my goal is to help you take braver, bolder actions in your career. Sometimes that means addressing tough topics like breaking bias, understanding why women, especially women of color, face more challenges in their careers, and—most importantly—exploring what we can do to create a better future for our daughters.

In this episode, Andie and I dive into:

• What inspired Andie and her husband, Al, to focus on breaking gender bias in the workplace
• The types of bias that women encounter at work and how they manifest
• Practical steps we can take to break through bias and build thriving careers
• Andie and Al’s PATH program and how it helps address bias in organizations
• Why women sometimes struggle with other women in the workplace
• The crucial role men play in helping to eliminate workplace bias

Jenny and I chat today about the concept of embracing our ambition and not stepping away or being afraid of it. Jenny and I had such a fun time during this conversation, and I am sure you are going to enjoy it as well.

During my conversation with Jenny, we chatted about:

1. What embracing ambition means to Jenny.
2. What prompted her to write her book, Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, & Lead.
3. How she built a unique experience for all participating authors in the book.
4. How we can lean into our ambition without burning out.

The great story behind Jenny’s company, Chavender.

Well, today, I have found another wonderful guest, Anne Shoemaker, who loves sports metaphors as much as I do. You may or may not know that one of my favorite movies is Rocky. I’m starting to date myself because the Rocky series of movies began in 1976. Wowzer! 1976.

Well, I’d like to share my favorite quote from the Rocky series to get us kicked off:

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done."

During my conversation with Anne, we chatted about:

1. Her time in sports and how it shaped and defined her.
2. How she learned to let go of all things feminine and her voice became a whisper in the wind.
3. She also shares some of her top tips and tools to level up professionally, including how we can save up to 150 minutes per day, how we can level up our game on LinkedIn, and the top questions to ask during our next performance review.
4. Anne also shares her career fulfillment score assessment and how she works to help women reach their professional goals.

I’ve said on the show and with my clients, that if I can help one woman prevent or recover from burnout, then I’ve done my job for the day. I don’t want any other women or men for that matter to go through this. It’s scary, lonely and in my case, even confusing. I didn’t know I was about to hit the wall of burnout until it already happened. I crashed into the wall and was forced to recover.

My guest today, Hannah Tackett, has had her own experience with burnout and is also passionate about helping women in this area. Hannah really “gets it”, and I feel fortunate we have met, and she was available for this show.

During our conversation, Hannah and I talked about:

1. What serene success means to Hannah
2. What the success traps are and when they go from helping to hurting us – what is the tipping point
3. Hannah’s PEACE Method as part of her Serene Success Program
4. How we protect our energy so we can continue to produce at a high level without falling apart physically, mentally, and emotionally

My guest today, Jennifer Mulholland, joins me for a conversation on a much-needed topic—what it means to practice Conscious Leadership. As the memes say, anyone can be a manager, but it takes radical honesty, self-awareness, a sense of responsibility for ourselves and our people, a willingness to put in the work, and so much more to truly be a leader.

During our conversation, Jennifer and I discussed:

• The story behind Jennifer co-founding Plenty Consulting
• What ThetaHealing is, and how it’s similar and different from Reiki
• How Jennifer integrates both the practical and the spiritual in her work with individual clients, groups, and corporations
• Why passion—what gets us up in the morning—is so important to Jennifer
• Her book, Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You’re Ready for More, and the four lights of conscious leadership
• How surrender plays a crucial role in Conscious Leadership

There have been times in my life when I believed the best way to handle a project or situation was to do it alone, like a lone wolf. Sometimes that approach works, but when it becomes a habit, it doesn’t.

As Brené Brown says, we are wired for human connection. According to my guest today, Jennifer K. Hill, if we are not connected to ourselves, others, and our purpose, it can lead us down a path of disconnection—potentially turning us into what Jennifer humorously refers to as a “jerk.” Just kidding… or maybe not!

In our conversation, Jennifer and I discussed:

• How Jennifer is a “recovering jerk”
• Why human connection is so important to her
• What the Golden Path of Connection is
• How we can connect with ourselves, others, and our purpose
• How her company, Optimatch, helps in understanding human connection
• Jennifer’s free resources, including her book 101 Spiritual Tools for Uncertain Times and her podcast Regarding Consciousness
• Why fun, including watching Minions, is crucial

This conversation was incredibly enjoyable—you’ll hear us laughing throughout. I hope this episode brightens your day and, more importantly, inspires you to recognize the importance of human connection and take steps on your own connection journey.

To celebrate the 200th episode, I’m raffling off a copy of Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership and Brave Women at Work: Stories of Resilience! All you need to do is email me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com, and I’ll enter your name into a random book raffle! I’ll draw the winners’ names by 10/31/2024, so email me today for a chance to win!

I have a special guest on the show today, Dr. Ronicka Briscoe. Dr. Ronicka was a contributing author in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership and is a welcome, wonderful addition to the Brave Women at Work community.

During our conversation, Ronicka and I discuss:

• What winning on the road means for working women.
• What prompted Ronicka to participate in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership.
• Ronicka’s Gallup Strengths assessment compared to mine, and how rare it is for our strengths to be so similar.
• The difference between Gallup Strengths and the Myers-Briggs assessment, and how Dr. Ronicka uses them with her coaching clients.
• 
  
• Ronicka’s leadership development programs, including The Winners Circle.

Churni has so much wisdom to share in today’s show and her prior appearance, episode 141, which launched on August 31st, 2023. You’ll definitely want to grab a notebook and listen to both of these shows twice to catch all of the great advice and information.

During our conversation, Churni and I talked about:

1. Her journey to becoming a contributing author in the women’s anthology, “Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership.”
2. Churni’s learnings throughout the publication process.
3. How Churni has changed because of this experience.
4. What recommendations Churni has for anyone who wants to step out and try something new, whether it’s writing a book, starting a project, beginning a new job, and more.
5. Churni’s advice for other women navigating the IT/Digital Industry.
6. Her favorite book.
7. What’s on the horizon for Churni moving forward.

I had never considered leadership in this way, but I love this delicious metaphor!

My guest today, Mylene Barizo, is a powerful leader, communicator, connector, and now a best-selling author of Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership. I invited Mylene to share her inspiring perspective on leadership and her key takeaways from being part of our recent book project on the topic.

In this episode, Mylene and I discuss:

●       What inspired her to contribute to Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership

●       What Mylene has learned throughout the process

●       The key lessons she hopes readers will take from her chapter

●       Mylene’s concept of the Leadership Recipe and how we can identify the ingredients in our own personal leadership style

●       Insights about The Leadership Ladder, what it means to Mylene, and the services her company offers for both individuals and businesses

During our conversation, Diana and I talked about:

1. Diana’s challenging past and how it forged who she is today.
2. The pivotal moment in Diana’s life when she knew she needed to run her own business and not stay solely focused on law.
3. What rising means to Diana.
4. What challenges Diana sees that prevent women from rising.
5. Books and other resources that Diana used in her own rising journey.
6. Her All Rise Live Summit here in Chi-town – Chicago!

As I will explain in today’s show, I met Bryn Freedman, my guest today, in a most interesting way. On an airplane. What would unfold after that has shocked and awed me. I would like to thank Bryn for being on the show today, especially after losing her husband, Steve Freedman, just a few short weeks ago.

Bryn has had an amazing career in investigative news, making documentaries, being a TED curator and coach, and simply helping make the world a better place with her non-profit, Voices4Freedom.

I learned so much from Bryn and our conversation, and I could feel my emotions well up in my heart several times during the show. It was a mixture of sadness and grief for Bryn who lost Steve so unexpectedly, and gratitude for the time we spent together during our discussion.

During our conversation, Bryn and I talked about:

1. More of the juicy details behind the story of how Bryn and I met on a plane to Portugal.
2. The story of Steve’s recent passing.
3. The background story behind Bryn’s amazing investigative news, and documentary film/TV career.
4. Bryn’s relationship with yes, no, and now, how am I feeling today.
5. How Bryn’s relationship with her mom and how it has improved after her passing.
6. Bryn’s thoughts on burnout.
7. And more.

To be a brave woman at work and in your life, I am a firm believer you need to have a solid financial foundation and an understanding of your finances. This includes insurance.

You will also hear in the show that I am passionate about this topic because it hit my family, and my mother, directly. I grew up in a middle-class family in the 80’s. My mom and dad worked hard to give me a great childhood. Then, my dad was diagnosed at 40 years old with cancer. Two to three years later, the cancer came back after remission and was terminal. My dad ended up passing away at the early age of 48. My dad didn’t have enough life insurance, so my mom continued working 2 jobs until her late 50s to provide a life for my brother and me.

I don’t want you to go through something similar. And while this story is not meant to scare you, it is meant to get your attention. By having enough life insurance on yourself and your loved ones, it frees up the power of choice if something unforeseen were to happen to you or someone else in your family.

When I met my guest, Danielle Burch, today, I knew I needed to have her on my show. She also geeks out on life insurance and has seen her fair share of situations like my mom’s.

During our conversation, Danielle and I chatted about:

1. How Danielle entered the world of insurance
2. Why women need to have life insurance as part of their financial plan
3. A high-level overview of the two major types of insurance
4. The flexibility of insurance in comparison to a 401(k) plan where many of us have our retirement dollars going
5. The differences between group insurance through work and individual insurance policies
6. And unbiased resources we can turn to learn more about insurance.

Join us as we dive into a topic that is often overlooked.

One disclaimer about today’s podcast is that Danielle and I are not financial advisors or insurance agents. We are not referring individual products and services to you. This podcast should be taken as educational. Please speak with a trusted financial advisor or insurance agent to determine the best course of action for your situation.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”

My guest today, Carol Cone, has been called the purpose queen and understands this at a cellular level. As you will hear about in her bio, Carol has worked with companies such as Rockport, Reebok, Dove, Aflac, and more.

During our conversation, Carol and I chatted about:

1. What purpose strategy is and what prompted her work in this area.
2. What purpose means to Carol and how it compares to the idea of brand.
3. Social purpose movements Carol has led with Rockport shoes, the American Heart Association, Aflac, and more.
4. Carol’s key learnings in her years of experience in social-purpose work.
5. The benefits both individuals and companies alike diving into their purpose.

I often override my body’s signals to get one more thing done.

How does this look in real life?

• It may be squeezing in another hour of work when I am tired and know I should go to bed.

• It may be me being consistently late for appointments which causes my heart to race.

• It may be me crashing into the couch on Friday evenings because I didn't take enough breaks for rest and play during the week.

Does this resonate? When we wear the badge of busy, we can often neglect our health and well-being. My guest today, Dr. Susan Lovelle, explains why it is time for us to invest in our health and well-being as much as we do in our careers.

During our conversation, Dr. Susan and I chatted about:

1. The building blocks for optimized health and well-being
2. The signs and symptoms that may pop up when your well-being is out of whack
3. What benefits are for us and our companies when we are in a balanced state of performance
4. What the LeanHormone Metabolic Reset is and how it works
5. What the Hormones in Heels Masterclass is and how it leads deeper into Dr. Susan’s work
6. And we touched on Dr. Susan’s book, Thrive: The Five-Week Guide to Mastering Your Energy at Any Age

There’s a lot of powerful information that we packed into this interview, so listen in!

During our conversation, Mags and I discussed:

1. What led Mags to go from a corporate role to coaching and keynote speaking.
2. Her early ego journey in management and how it has changed over time.
3. What being in the movie means and how we can snap out of it to a more balanced ego.
4. Her LeadingMe® model and how it is critical to the middle ego path in leadership.
5. The 4R’s Release Model® and how it helps us silence our inner critics and Imposter Syndrome.
6. And other ways we can release our “shite” aka shit to be better leaders.

Wrong. After over 20 years in corporate, I have learned that we all have a balance sheet of strengths and weaknesses. I need to double-down on my strengths, not waste time trying to shore up my weaknesses. In place of doing that, I need to find people in my team that complement my strengths. Maybe these team members are strong in my areas of weakness. And no, I cannot know everything about a job.

My guest today, Dr. Cheryl Lovell, helps me further understand the CliftonStrengths Assessment by the Gallup Organization. This was an awesome conversation, and one I am sure you will enjoy.

During our conversation, Dr. Cheryl and I chatted about:

1. What the CliftonStrengths assessment is and why knowing our strengths is important
2. If we need to take the assessment again after taking it the first time
3. What we do next with our results to improve our personal and professional lives
4. How leaders and teams can use CliftonStrengths to their advantage
5. The ROI of the CliftonStrengths assessment
6. How the assessment can help you navigate challenging personal and professional relationships

My guest today, Margie Oleson, and I chatted about a new topic: the leadership waterline. I had never thought about leadership in this way, and it was fascinating for me to learn. Like I said in our conversation, chatting with Margie was like taking a master’s class in leadership!

During our conversation, Margie and I discussed:

1. Her background and how it contributes to the work she does today
2. The key attributes of a high-performing leader and team
3. What holds companies back from fostering more high-performing teams
4. What the leadership waterline is and how we can lower ours
5. What neuroscience has to do with all of this
6. How Margie’s Top Accelerator Program helps leaders make changes and have them stick

I have, and for the longest time, I stayed quiet because of it. I was too busy criticizing my own thoughts and worrying about what others thought, rather than sharing my ideas, asking questions, or stating my opinions based on my education and experience.

When I have shared my opinions, asked questions, or presented ideas, I've been labeled as "too this or that," but it doesn't stop me anymore. I've probably even been called a bitch behind my back, and that's okay. My guest today, Dr. Alessandra Wall, and I discuss how to be a powerhouse, avoid negative labels, and stop worrying about backlash.

During our conversation, Dr. Alessandra and I discuss:

●       Her transition from a full-time counseling practice to her work as an executive coach for women

●       What led her to start her company, Noteworthy

●       The importance of visibility for women who want to get promoted

●       How women can be visible and own their authority without being called a bitch

●       The science behind this process

●       The internal resistance that executive women face when seeking visibility and authority, and how to overcome it

●       The systems that executive women need to put in place

●       How Dr. Alessandra works with her female executive clients

Believe me, I learned some valuable lessons during this conversation that I wish I had known when whispers of "she’s a bitch" were being said behind my back. Let’s learn together how to artfully gain visibility, get promoted, and own our authority. Shall we?

So, what does this mean? It means that it is important to talk about this because if you are an introverted employee or people leader at work, the chances are that someone you work with is as well.

Just like many of us land in leadership roles without training and fake it until we make it, it can be similar to an introvert. In a working world that is designed for extroverts, it can be difficult for introverts to navigate. My guest today, Julianna Yau Yorgan, a self-proclaimed introvert, former corporate leader, and career strategist and coach, provides us with guidance on how to do just that.

During our conversation, Julianna and I discussed:

1. The difference between a career strategist and a career coach.
2. Her journey to a director-level role while being an introverted leader.
3. The difference between introversion and shyness.
4. How to network successfully as an introvert.
5. How we can get to a place where we are unapologetically introverted.
6. Navigating various difficult personalities at work as an introvert. We chat about narcissists, backstabbers, and more.
7. Julianna also shares what her Introverted Leader Community is all about.

Why? Well, selfishly, I am in perimenopause, and I want to understand how to deal with this. Many of my coaching clients have shared they suffer from brain fog, tiredness, and more, which I learned can be attributed to this stage of life.

As Maya Angelou said, “Once we know better, we can do better.” We can do better by understanding our bodies and how this change impacts all women. We can do better by advocating for ourselves at the doctor’s office. We can do better by spreading the word to other women. So, let’s jump in!

During our conversation, Georgie and I chatted about:

• What the symptoms of perimenopause are and how long this transitionary period can last for women.
• Why Georgie thinks talking about perimenopause at work is taboo and what we can do about it.
• How much perimenopause costs U.S. companies per year.
• Standing in our values in professional and personal situations.
• How I may have confused my burnout symptoms as part of early perimenopause. Or maybe it was a mix of both?
• How we can advocate for ourselves along this journey, including finding practitioners that look at various remedy sources for our symptoms.
• Georgie’s podcast FemPower Health, her free resources on her site, and where she’s taking FemPower Health next.

Today’s show will focus on my top tips for freedom in five areas of your life:

1. Money Freedom
2. Time Freedom
3. Mindset Freedom
4. Body Freedom
5. Work Freedom

Before we get started, if you are enjoying Brave Women at Work, please make sure to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

If the show has made an impact on you, please share it with a friend or colleague. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com. I have created three for you:

1. 24 career and leadership affirmations,
2. 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome, and
3. Most popular, Getting Paid: 10 Negotiation Tips.

They are workbook-style guides, so you can complete them on your own time.

Again, go to bravewomenatwork.com to learn more.

And a little disclaimer. I am not a financial advisor, doctor, etc. We are going to cover some basic monetary and health principles in today’s show. If these topics pique your interest, speak with your medical professional or financial advisor.

Okay, let’s jump in!

So, if you follow me on social media, you know I have been thinking about time a lot lately and how I’m allocating it to various areas in my life. As we all know, time is our most precious resource. As an ambivert, or someone who is more naturally introverted but has trained themselves to be able to be extroverted for short stints, I’m craving more stillness to tap into myself. To read a few books this summer. To crank up my internal wisdom. All these activities make me a better person, wife, mother, friend, and of course, leader.

So, I gladly welcomed my conversation with guest, Christy Pretzinger. While Christy and I never met before the show, you would think we were old friends with the way the conversation just flowed. Christy reminded me that I do need to get still and know my values, remember my Enneagram, go to therapy if needed, and more so that I can lead as a kind, compassionate, and growth-oriented leader.

During our conversation, Christy and I chatted about:

1. Values, the importance of them, and how to find our own
2. The Enneagram, what it is, and what our types are
3. Standing in our values in professional and personal situations
4. How values are at play at work
5. What EQ is and why it is important in leadership
6. A few book resources, including Christy’s upcoming book, so listen in!

During our conversation, Dominique and I chatted about:

1. What led Dominique to be an archivist and why the work is so important.
2. A piece of poetry Dominique shared from her site, the lustercompany.com.
3. Some tips and tricks Dominique shared to get started tracing our female lineage.
4. Why doing this is important for our personal and professional lives.
5. And how she can help you if you don’t know where to start.

Well, as we are coming to mid-year in 2024, I’ve got my mojo back, baby! And I’m going for it. I’m taking trips I’ve always wanted to take. I’m taking bolder and braver action, just like I teach my coaching clients. And you know what? It feels so good!

So, it feels appropriate that today’s guest is just as motivating and inspirational. When I met Vera Quinn, my guest today, I felt like a fire was lit underneath me. I love Vera’s energy, grit, and perseverance. She is a woman who achieves her goals, but also gives back, which is inspiring to see. I’m sure you will be inspired by Vera’s personal story of her road to CEO, just like I was.

During our conversation, Vera and I chatted about:

1. Why perseverance and drive are the backbone of who Vera is
2. Vera’s personal and professional values and why they are the underpinning of everything she has done in her career
3. What strategic and people-centered leadership are and how Vera has used these principles to become the CEO of Cydcor
4. The book that Vera has been reading for 23 years in a row and why
5. We also touched on the foundation that she runs called the MyTQuinn Foundation, which is an amazing story in and of itself

During my conversation with Jan and Jillian, we chatted about:

What are boundaries?

The many faces of boundaries

How can you spot when boundaries are violated?

Boundary Badass: A Powerful Method for Elevating Your Value and Relationships

Boundaries vs. ultimatums

Can a disrespected boundary be repaired?

Well, buckle up for a beautiful master class in leadership today with my esteemed guest, Carrie Hansen. As you will hear in a minute, Carrie is the Chief Operating Officer at Assetmark and was named COO of the Year at the 2023 OnCon Icon Awards. Carrie openly and authentically shares so many leadership lessons in this show that I would encourage you to listen to this one twice. Or make sure to take notes. Or both!

During my conversation with Carrie, we chatted about:

• Her rise to the C-suite at 30 years of age, and she’s been there ever since.
• The conscious and unconventional decisions Carrie made with her spouse to support her career path.
• The challenges she faced in different cultures as a senior leader.
• How her history in sports helped her to have steady and unwavering confidence throughout her career. 
• Her principles of strategic leadership.
• Why servant leadership and making real connections with our employees and what is important to them is what it is all about.
• And why authenticity and vulnerability are so important as a leader.

After my first day on the job, my husband asked me where I was sitting in the building. To this day, I don’t know what prompted him to ask, but I told him that I sat with all the other administrative assistants. He told me to move immediately because I wouldn’t be seen as having “more potential” or the ability to move up in the organization.

I didn’t want to rock the boat, so I didn’t ask to move. And you know what? My husband’s prophecy came to pass. It was difficult for me to advance in the company and during talent management reviews, I wasn’t seen as leadership material.

When I met Jamie Vanek, my guest today, I knew I had to have her on the show. The fear of being perceived as “just an admin” is wrong and the myth that administrative assistants are not capable of more needs to be debunked. 

During my conversation with Jamie, we chatted about:

1. Her career history and why she is so passionate about helping administrative professionals.
2. What led her to write her book, Buried in Business: Find Freedom by Unlocking the Power of Your Admin Team?
3. The gap between administration and leadership.
4. Why being an admin has been considered “a dirty word” for so long.
5. Why administrative staff are the heartbeat of the company.
6. And more.

This show is dedicated to the almost 2.5 million administrative professionals in the U.S. today, of which over 87% of them are female. Let’s give our admins the opportunities for growth they deserve!

On average, we spend 90,000 hours at work throughout our lives. This represents over 1/3 of our lives.

If we spend that much time at work, I’m sure you would agree that we want to be happy while doing it. But many times, we stay in jobs because we are comfortable, we have golden handcuffs, and more. We may not factor our happiness into the equation. My guest today, Lori-Ann Duguay, believes we should. By focusing on creating happy work environments, we will be more productive as a result.

During my conversation with Lori-Ann, we discussed:

1. How Lori’s book, The Happiness Factor: How to Create a Positive and Productive Workplace, came to be.
2. What is the happiness factor culture check?
3. Why 1 in 4 people are looking for another job at any given time?
4. Positive vs. negative work environment signs and if they are overt or not always perceivable.
5. The 10 needs of a happy worker.
6. How much of this is the responsibility of management vs. the individual employee?
7. What role do feedback and recognition factor in positive work environments?

During my chat with Stephanie, we discussed:

1. Her work history and experience as a Millennial.

2. The differences Stephanie has seen between Millennials and Gen Z people.

3. Gen Z expectations for work and how they differ from Millennials and Gen X.

4. How Stephanie has flexed her leadership style to support her Gen Z employees.

5. The stereotypes of Gen Z and how we can defend and even learn from this generation.

I wanted to provide you all with a personal update. It’s been a whirlwind so far this year. We’ve done some remodeling on our house after having some water damage issues for the last several years. I traveled to Las Vegas in February to co-host a women’s leadership retreat. And now, I am about to go to Europe with a dear friend for two weeks.

Two weeks! I have not been to Europe this long without my family, well, ever. The last time I went to Europe without my husband and family was 16 years ago. To tell you I’ve had a little bit of travel anxiety and mom guilt would be an understatement. I have gone through all the feelings. What kind of a mom am I to leave my kiddos that long? Ouch. That Imposter Syndrome and shameful voice has been loud. I’m sharing this with you because I’m not immune to this work. I have to do it too. And I’ve had to let all that go because if I fill my cup, I know I will be a better mom to my girls. I will also be a better wife, daughter, friend, podcaster, and the list goes on.

I would like to thank my friend, Jennie, for inviting me on this trip. If you are curious about where we are going, we are traveling to Croatia, Montenegro, and Portugal. I’m collecting those passport stamps this year! I would also like to thank my husband, John, for encouraging me to do this. And of course, a thank you to my girls for being excited for me too.

So, let’s switch gears. During the show today, I speak with my guest, April Roberts, about time freedom and having a Vixen Voice. I don’t know about you, but anything to do with time freedom, and owning my voice interests me. I’m a free spirit at heart, obviously with the upcoming trip to Europe. I like the idea of having as much autonomy as possible over my time and life.

During my conversation with April, we chatted about:

1. What drove April to do the work she does today
2. How we can structure our calendars to achieve time freedom
3. What you should be adding and removing from your calendar
4. How time and energy management are directly related
5. What the Vixen Voice is and how we can claim it for ourselves

What if we turned back to that and started believing in ourselves again? In our superpowers? In our ability to be authentic? In our dreams? In careers we love to go to each day?

Erin Hatzikostas, my guest today, was so fun to interview and a firecracker of energy. She shared so much wisdom about how we can follow and lead with our authenticity. It’s through this path that we can uncover our professional superpowers and land in positions that truly light us up from the inside out.

During my conversation with Erin, we chatted about:

1.      What strategic authenticity is all about.

2.      What the compromise calculation is and how we’ve all done it.

3.      The BS Burnout Wall and why it’s a real thing.

4.      More about her book You Do You(ish): Unleash Your Authentic Superpowers to Get the Career You Deserve.

5.      How we can identify our own workplace superpowers.

I need to get a job so I can leave on my own and prove to my mom and myself that I am an adult.

In my thirties, here’s what I was thinking about.

I need to hustle and work hard.

I’m not stopping until I get to the top.

And then I hit my forties, and something shifted. Yes, I am still ambitious, but my priorities are changing. I want to be more present for my kids when they are young. My older daughter, Charlotte, is already twelve years old, and it feels like yesterday that I gave birth to her. I don’t want to lose those moments. I’m sure you can relate.

I had a lovely, thought-provoking conversation with my guest, Soon Hagerty today. We were all over the page in our topics, but somehow it all made sense.

During my chat with Soon, we discussed:

1. Her experience fleeing Saigon with her family when she was little and what long lasting impacts this made on her.
2. Her role at Hagerty Insurance and the impact of personal and professional brand.
3. What led to her decision to move away from a large role at Hagerty and focus more of her energy on her daughter.
4. Moving beyond resume virtues and towards eulogy virtues.
5. Her other business endeavors, including the charitable restaurant, The Good Bowl, and her non-profit, Boundless Ventures.

The underlying theme of today’s show is how we can give back to others and ourselves, how we can be truly present and not simply on the hamster wheel. I hope you take some time to reflect on your resume virtues vs. eulogy virtues after today’s conversation.

During our chat, we discussed: 

1. Heather’s journey as an HR Manager to Synesthesia Artist
2. The Meaning of Synesthesia
3. From Being Stuck to Intention
4. How a Spirit Portrait process works
5. Heather’s gift and the meaning of colors
6. Jennifer’s color.
7. Getting a Spirit Portrait!

During my chat with Gina, we discussed:

• How Gina helps her clients during a career transition
• What a career story is and why it is important to craft yours
• How we can leverage our career story, especially during times of career transition
• What a leadership language and how we identify ours
• What Gina’s CareerVelocity System™ is and how we can use it to our advantage
• The meaning of “You are a business within a business.”

As you will learn during my conversation with guest, Emily Drake, the word “authentic” was also 2023 word of the year. It was one of the most looked up words in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary last year.

And the word “authentic” showed up as a top character trait of executive/leadership presence in a 2022 study referenced in a recent article on executive presence by the Harvard Business Review.

And finally, I recently reviewed my personal and professional values, and authenticity and integrity are two of them. I need to live and work authentically to me at this point in my life. Here’s a quick plug if you haven’t reviewed your values lately. Just like you go to the doctor for your annual check-up, you need to review your values annually. Know your values is so important because it drives clarity, especially when you need to make key personal or professional decisions. Google Brene Brown’s values exercise for awesome tools!

The bottom line is that we can’t get away from authentic leadership!

During my chat with Emily, we discussed:

1. What authentic leadership means to Emily.
2. What prompted her to start her company, The Collective Academy.
3. How we can determine what success means to us and how it changes over time.
4. How we can avoid career complacency, especially when we hear others encourage us to slide into our comfort zones and stay there.
5. Emily shares some of the hurdles that she has seen ambitious women face and how to overcome them.
6. And she shares signs of organizational cultures that don’t foster authenticity and what to do about it. 

During my chat with Shelmina, we discussed:

Show Your Worth: 8 Intentional Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work

• Redefining short-term and long-term success.
• The most valuable resource.
• How to say no to things that don’t fit our top priorities?
• The importance of personal brand.
• The role of sponsorship in emerging as a leader.
• Strategy to build a work-life balance.

This is being done to help the U.S. economy have a soft landing, meaning the Fed is trying to avoid a recession. The Fed is trying to have the labor market cool without it collapsing.

What does all this mean in lay terms? It means that if you are looking for a job right now, it is a tough labor market. And this tracks with the conversations I’m having with my dear friends and other colleagues out there looking for jobs.

They are interviewing, interviewing, and interviewing some more without hearing back from recruiters. Their confidence is taking a hit. They wonder if they have the chops to get hired.

And while this is happening, we have a changing work environment with continued demand for hybrid or remote work, human resources professionals being battered and bruised from the challenges of COVID and beyond, and recruiters getting a bad rap.

My guest today, Theresia Intag, is setting the record straight on all these issues.

During my chat with Theresia, we discussed:

1.     The story behind Theresia’s companies, IntagHire and Tag4HR.

2.     What Theresia is seeing in the recruiting industry right now.

3.     Why you may not be contacted after your interviews right now (and hint, it’s not your fault).

4.     How you can stand out from the crowd when interviewing.

5.     How you can stay confident and engaged when it’s taking a long time to find the next best role in your career path.

6.     What’s going on with hybrid work and how companies can attract top talent in the changing face of work.

7.     Why middle managers are facing burnout. Theresia also shares some creative and interesting ways that companies can support their employees.

8.     And the benefits that top talent is expecting moving forward.

During my chat with Carolyn, we discussed:

·        Carolyn’s career path and how it led to her work at Particle Health.

·        Why women will have an important role to play in breaking down barriers in the medical system and fostering innovation.

·        How women can best advocate for themselves in medical situations

·        Why Carolyn is so passionate about patient data and how it will help create better medical outcomes.

·        Carolyn’s perspective on traditional medicine vs. holistic & functional medicine related to medical data and patient care.

·        Why understanding what is happening in this field is important for working women today.

During my chat with Kiley, we discussed:

Ø Kiley’s history as a serial entrepreneur.

Ø The differences between intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship.

Ø The benefits and drawbacks of intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship.

Ø Why we need both intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs.

Ø The journey from intrapreneur to entrepreneur.

Ø What it takes along the way to achieve success.

Ø Burnout and redefining success.

Ø The hurdles intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs face.

Ø Tips to overcome the hurdles.

Ø The great resources Rayne IX provides for intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs.

During my chat with Sara, we discussed:

Reclaiming Vitality

The details of Sara's burnout story and what she needed to do to reclaim her mental, physical, and emotional health

The warning symptoms of burnout

The Burnout Café

How women continue to experience burnout in record numbers and lean out from their careers?

The resources you can use today to prevent and recover from burnout

Here are some scary statistics:

In the United States, 6 in 10 or 60% of Americans have 1 chronic condition.

4 in 10 or 40% of Americans have more than 1 chronic condition.

This information is from the Centers for Disease Control.

This is unbelievable.

When I met my guest, Julie Hamilton, fibromyalgia coach, I knew that I needed to talk with her about this silent epidemic.

During my chat with Julie, we discussed:

●       Julie’s diagnosis of fibromyalgia and her healing journey

●       How she advocated for herself, especially being in Human Resources and understanding her rights

●       Julie shared more information on FMLA policies and other advice she would provide employees with a chronic illness, as well as managers and employees supporting those with chronic health conditions.

●       How we can build more inclusive workplaces that support so many people in the United States and worldwide.

We touch on Julie’s book, Chronic Illness at Work: How Managers Can Support Employees with Chronic Illness.

And more.

Since Jennifer is entering a busy season with Brave Women at Work and her corporate work, she has been thinking a lot about delegation. In this episode, Jennifer Pestikas shares the three hurdles to delegation she faced. She also shares tips to get started with delegation. Jennifer Pestikas brings a treasure trove of insights. Tune in to this episode so you won’t miss a thing today.

These are the questions Jennifer Pestikas asked herself:

• What things am I currently doing that I should not be doing?

• What feelings come up when I think of delegating something?

• What else could I be doing with my freed-up time?

One of the key themes I am finding in my research is women struggling with communication at work. It may be fear of sharing because they don’t want to be seen as incompetent, having to twist their communication a certain way to get others to do things, act like they don’t know something and play the damsel in distress, so they don’t come off as a know-it-all or intimidating, I feel like I’ve heard it all. And you know what? It’s sad that in 2024, we as professional, capable women often feel like we can’t own our voice and stand in our power. This and so many other things act as large barriers to our ascent into leadership.

So, let’s change that, shall we?

My guest today, Jennifer McCollum, and her new book In Her Own Voice: A Woman’s Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership, aims to do just that.

During my chat with Jennifer, we discussed:

1.     Jennifer’s own professional journey to CEO of Linkage.

2.     What stirred Jennifer to write the book.

3.     Why she believes only 10% of women are Fortune 500 CEOs and less than 30% are senior leaders.

4.     What are some of the barriers that hold professional women back and what we can do about it.

5.     How our male counterparts and companies as a whole can support women and their professional growth.

6.     And the benefits of women-led companies.

We’ve had a few shows on money lately. I think that is because, at the beginning of the year, we are thinking about our money. According to an article in USA Today, the top resolution in 2024 is to save more money, especially with inflation and how expensive our cost of living is today.

If you enjoy this conversation, and I’m sure you will, I also encourage you to go back into the Brave Women at Work vault and listen to episode 107. During that show, we touched on the money fog. Now that Mikelann has written an entire book on the subject, we dive much deeper into the topic in this conversation.

During my chat with Mikelann, we covered:

1. Her book, Rise Above the Money Fog, The Key to Confidence, Clarity, and Control Over Your Life
2. We dove deep into what the money fog is and where it comes from (hint, hint, it’s childhood)
3. The money stories we inherit from our families
4. How trauma and even so-called perfect families can leave a mark when it comes to how we manage our money
5. How we can start to overcome our money stories and build a better relationship with money
6. We chat about money traps such as overspending, underearning, and even over-earning or golden handcuffs
7. And we round out our conversation with the concept of receptive surrender, which was fascinating.

Quick Pestikas household update. I need more time off after the holidays. LOL. I’m sure you can relate. I’m not ready for everything to get into the swing of things again, between school drop-offs and pick-ups, my older daughter is in Poms and theatre, so I feel like my husband and I are taxi drivers all over town. And we’re not even a sports family like so many other families I know. Much respect for the traveling sports families. Much respect. Anyway, I am not ready for things to get to full speed this January.

Speaking about expectations, perfectionism, and parenting, I loved my conversation with Dr. Anne Welsh today. Dr. Anne not only is a trained psychologist and executive coach, but she is also a mom of 4. FOUR. I can barely keep it together with two kiddos, let alone four. Regardless, Dr. Anne shared great nuggets of wisdom during the show that I’m sure you will enjoy.

During my chat with Dr. Anne, we discussed:

• The difference between coaching and therapy
• Signs you may be struggling with perfectionism or a pattern that is no longer serving you.
• Why Dr. Anne created the Working Mothers Lifeline
• How we can let go of unrealistic perfections at work and home
• How companies can retain working parents
• And more

Calling all high-achieving professionals. It’s time to put an end to relentless cycles of stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Umm, yes, please. That gets my attention. I want less stress, anxiety, and rebound burnout cycles. I want more joy, ease, and peace in my life. You know what I’m talking about. It’s our rise-and-grind culture that is killing us. There has to be a better way. And the great news is that Dr. Romie has a tool that will show us how to better manage our stress and heal our brains and bodies. We are not meant to work insane hours Monday – Friday, crash into the couch on Friday – Sunday, only to have the Sunday scaries to do it all again on Monday. Do you feel me? I know you do. There’s a better way.

During my chat with Dr. Romi, we discussed:

●  The story behind her move from being a doctor of traditional medicine to stress management.

●  The creation of her book THE BUSY BRAIN CURE: The Eight-Week Plan to Find Focus, Tame Anxiety & Sleep Again?

●  What a busy brain is.

●  The signs of the busy brain and how it is not an addiction like work or achievement addiction. It’s our brains and bodies signaling to us that healing needs to take place.

●  Dr. Romie’s definition of burnout and why it occurs (and I have to tell you, I loved her explanation of it all)

●  Steps that you can take today to start healing our busy brains

●  And why all of this is important to take into consideration in leadership at work.

With all the practices we are taking Charlotte to and picking her up from, it doesn’t feel like we are slowing down in our household anytime soon. My guest today, executive coach, Susan Ireland, and I talk about different seasons in our lives. I’ve mentioned this topic of seasons on Brave Women at Work before, but it’s been some time, so I’m bringing it back with Susan. With Americans being raised in a hustle or “rise and grind” culture, we are accustomed to pushing through no matter what our season in life or work, how we feel, where our energy levels are at, you name it. Susan and I dive deeper into this topic, and it was fascinating.

During my chat with Susan, we discussed:

●  Susan’s 30+ years as an executive at Boeing and what that was like being in that environment.

●  The transitions that Susan has had to deal with in her corporate career, and we touch on the concept of seasons in our work and life.

●  If we are in a season of wintering, how can we stick with it and not try to rush through it with overthinking or over action. This part of our conversation is for me and all the overachievers out there!

●  How Susan has weathered challenging times, including two divorces, raising her kids, deciding to retire a bit early from Boeing to start her business, and more.

●  Susan’s thoughts on personal assessments, what the Tilt365 assessment is, and how she uses it with her clients.

During my chat with Barb and Maggie, we discussed:

1. The story behind their company, Purse Strings.
2. Their thoughts on why women don’t take control of their finances.
3. How society and our relationships contribute to that fact.
4. Life changes that make us face our money fears.
5. More about their podcast Women and Money: The Shit We Don’t Talk About.
6. Concrete steps we can take today to get our money stuff together.
7. And how we can pass these learnings to our kiddos.

The nervous system plays a big part in our health. A dysregulated nervous system contributes to stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. If you’re prone to being on the verge of breaking down, you’re going to want to tune in. My guest, Nicole Smith Levay, a somatic energy and health coach, shares easy and effective breathing exercises in this episode. These exercises help regulate the nervous system and prevent burnout. Nicole knows first-hand what it’s like to burn out and have your body breakdown. Following the principle of “trauma to dharma”, she is now passionate about helping people, and especially women, deal with the same problem. In this conversation, she educates us on how important breathing is to keep our nervous systems and our stress in check.

She also discusses:

• What somatic psychology is and what a somatic coach does;
• How breathing can help regulate our nervous systems; and
• How breathing exercises make a positive difference in our professional and personal lives.

Tune in and listen to (or relisten) and learn how as simple a thing as your breathing can make a massive impact on your life!

https://bravewomenatwork.com

https://thepowerwithinhealing.com

During our conversation, Lydia and I talked about:

1. Her backstory as a powerful auctioneer at Christie’s and how she navigated Imposter Syndrome regularly to find success in her career.

2. What led her to write her books, especially when she was working full-time and is a mom of three kiddos.

3. Why self-promotion is absolutely critical for all working women.

4. What the gavel strike is and how we can find our own to command attention in any room.

5. How learning to love failure is a necessary part of success and growth.

6. And finally, Lydia’s thoughts on the mythical work-life balance.

During my chat with Rachel, we discussed:

-          She is multi-passionate and has many different professional and personal roles.

-         How she landed in her current role as Chief People Officer at Dream.org.

-         Her long history in serving marginalized groups, whether that is through prison reform, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, or foster-to-adoption.

-         What a conscious influencer means and how Rachel has grown her following.

-         How we can all use our voices to support one another and be conscious influencers.

During my chat with Dr. Erika, we discussed:

• What led her to her work of helping others heal their guts and take control of their health?
• What is the gut-brain axis? Why is it bi-directional? And why it's important?
• Symptoms of gut dysfunction and what we can do about it
• Sugar, oh beloved sugar, how it can wreak havoc on our health, and how we can learn to manage our need for it.
• The role that stress plays in all of this.
• And how healing our gut helps us be a braver women at work.

During my chat with Caitlin, we discussed:

• The power of our failures and how they redirect us to the correct paths in our lives
• How can we prevent our self-perceived failures from stopping us and keeping us stuck?
• How Caitlin pivoted from being on America’s Next Top Model to running a health and wellness coaching firm
• How routines, both big and small, play a big part in our health and how we feel on a day-to-day basis
• The difference between traditional and holistic medicine and how we can leverage both for wellness
• Caitlin shares some of her routines that help her feel her best.
• Caitlin shares her advice for busy working women to take control of their health.

“It’s lonely at the top. 99% of people are convinced they are incapable of achieving great things, so they aim for mediocre. The level of competition is thus fiercest for ‘realistic’ goals, paradoxically making them the most competitive.” -Tim Ferriss

When I was introduced to my guest, Shilpa Kulshreshtha and her concept of murdering mediocrity, I took pause. The term even made me uncomfortable, but it stuck, and I knew that I needed to speak with Shilpa.

I started asking myself if I was living in mediocrity. Was I living in my comfort zone or really going for it in my life and career?

And what did I need to do to eliminate mediocrity in all areas of my life?

If you suspect that you may be hiding out in a comfort zone, playing second fiddle, or not taking center stage and shining your gifts and talents for all the world to see, listen in! You will gain inspiration and motivation from our conversation.

During my chat with Shilpa, we discussed:

1. What does mediocrity mean? What are the signs of being mediocre vs. extraordinary?
2. How do we know if we are in the 1% or 99% as Tim Ferriss said in the above quote I shared to kick off the show?
3. What does murdering mediocrity mean to Shilpa? Why did she decide to use the term “murdering”? It definitely stuck out to me.
4. What are the telltale signs that we may be in a rut personally or professionally? How does Shilpa help her clients get out of these ruts?
5. How can we take center stage in our own lives and not push ourselves to the side or act in that “support” role vs. a leadership role?
6. What does it mean to play it full in our lives and careers? Shilpa has a book specifically on this topic called Play It Full: 7 Steps to Unlock Your Extraordinary Career.

I met my guest, L’Oreal Thompson Payton, in an interesting way. L’Oreal is a freelance writer and an author, so I stumbled on one of her freelance pieces and was enthralled by it. I connected with her on LinkedIn and asked her if she wanted to be on the show. It just so happened that her book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, was coming out soon, so she agreed. How about that for coincidence! On top of that, L’Oreal is a Chicagoan just like me. The synergies are crazy!

During my chat with L’Oreal, we discussed:

●       What drove L’Oreal to write her book Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and into Your Power?

●       How was this book her own personal lesson in not being perfect?

●       What’s a success junkie and how can this book help them?

●       Where does our lack of self-trust come from? How can we trust our dopeness?

●       How black and other women of color face different societal and cultural expectations and how we can help them succeed in all places and spaces.

●       How we can step out of our comfort zone and take our power back.

●       And what black girl magic means to L’Oreal! I’ve seen it on memes and hashtags, but I wanted to hear it firsthand from someone truly creating black girl magic!

Today, we are going to talk about relationships, especially after divorce, with my guest Renée Bauer. Renée is passionate about helping women stand strong in their relationships, recognize red flags, determine when parting may be better than staying, and discover what comes next after divorce. This was an eye-opening conversation for me, and one that I’m sure you will benefit from, no matter what your relationship status.

During my chat with Renée, we discussed:

1. Why did Renée choose to be a divorce attorney to begin with?

2. What was Renée’s life and work like after her second divorce? How did it shape her purpose?

3. What motivated Renée to write the She Who Wins book? And what learnings about grit and resistance she had throughout that process?

4. How this book was her own personal lesson in not being perfect?

5. How rejection is not something to feel bad about, but something to learn and grow from?

6. How each of us have our own version of bullshit, and what to do with it.

7. How expectations can hamper our ability to grow and win at whatever we are doing.

8. And more.

During my chat with Courtnei, we discussed:

1.      How she felt trapped in her male body for 25 years and what prompted her to start her transition

2.      What the impact of her transition to a trans female has been on her life and her work

3.      How we can start conversations in our workplaces to create more support environments for people who have decided to go through the trans journey

4.      How Courtnei felt as a gay male at work, during her transition to female, and now as a female trans activist and entrepreneur

5.      The story behind her cosmetics, cleaning, and tech companies (yes, three companies!)

6.      And what advice does she have for any woman looking to grow her confidence and claim her voice

In this episode, Angela Foster brings her magic in building your personal brand through your style, including the clothes you wear, how you put them together to flatter your height, your natural waist, and more. Angela’s area of expertise is working with petite women, but fear not, women over 5’4”, because Angela and I covered topics that will apply to you! Aside from raising awareness about height equity, Angela also reveals her shopping and styling strategies. Knowing your favorite feature allows you to accentuate it, and creating an illusion of balance on your body shape will help you position yourself with what to wear. So why don’t you tune in to this episode to witness the power of looking sleek and embracing the magic of the fabric?

During my chat with Angela, we discussed:

• What personal brand means, and why it’s more than simply the color you wear?
• How many things do people notice about you in the first 7 seconds?
• Why we are not a fruit salad, I’m not a pear, apple, or kumquat
• What is the 1/3 2/3 rule and find our visible waist
• What are shopping and styling strategies for petite women?
• What’s in style this year, fall 2023?
• And bonus, Angela shares a freebie for our group at the end.

Today on the show, I have Nancy Lyons, who owns multiple business and is also an in-demand keynote speaker on the future of work.

During my chat with Nancy, we discussed:

1.         How leadership has evolved since Nancy started her company, Clockwork, back in 2002.

2.         What the role of companies and individuals is when discussing the future of work?

3.         Her thoughts on work-from-home in a time when many employers are asking or mandating their employees to come back to the office.

4.         How we can start using ChatGPT if we haven’t already and why AI is important to know for the future at work.

5.         How companies can win the war for top talent.

6.         How we can keep our “new employee” energy and why that is important.

You’ll notice this conversation has a focus on the energy that we feel and bring to our jobs is what matters and is the foundation for the future of work. It’s no longer simply about our output, but it’s also how we show up at work as whole people, with feelings, families, dreams, and more.

Let’s start with a quote:

“We have to listen to the child we once were, the child who still exists inside us. That child understands magic moments. We can stifle its cries, but we cannot silence its voice. The child we once were is still there.” – Paulo Coelho

This quote directly relates to my conversation with Jay Fields, somatic coach, today. Funny enough, I connected with Jay after she shared an interesting post on LinkedIn about the inner child. I also completed coaching with one of my clients a few years ago, and one of her big a-ha moments was the fact that the scared and angry little girl was indeed still inside her. With all of this pointing to the inner child and how we need to take care of it so we can be the best version of ourselves, I am excited about having Jay as a guest on the show.

During my chat with Jay, we discussed:

1. What motivated her to become a somatic coach and how tapping into our bodies can help us tremendously.

2. What Jay’s quote, “I believe people want to feel at home in their own skin and have fulfilling lives, but they just don’t know how to actually do it” means.

3. What Jay references when she talks about “take your child to work day”.

4. The signs that our inner child may be cranky or running the show rather than the calmer or cooler versions of ourselves.

5. How we can be authentic to ourselves at work and in life.

6. Jay also shares the Basic Exercise, which supports our nervous system regulation.

Speaking about new seasons, what about when life or work throws you a curveball? What happens when you get messed with and feel off your “A” game? My guest today, Josselyne Herman-Saccio, has a mission for helping her clients with being unmessablewith. Being unmessablewith sounds like being grounded in yourself, having a strong spine or core to who you are, and possessing the courage and bravery to stand true to who you are and your purpose. That’s my definition of it, but let’s dive in to learn about Josselyn’s perspective!

During my chat with Josselyne, we discussed:

1. What does it mean to be unmessablewith?

2. How do we reach the state of being unmessablewith?

3. What happens when our personal or professional lives derail us? How do we get back on track?

4. How can we make sure our word is our wand?

5. How do we find our dream source so we can create magic in our lives and world?

During my chat with Megan, we discussed:

• What recruiters are looking for when searching for top talent.
• If recruiters are looking for candidates to LinkedIn, a good old-fashioned resume and thank you note.
• What about the cover letter? Is that still needed?
• What makes a candidate stand out?
• What is a turn-off for a recruiter?
• What Megan is looking for with executive candidates?
• How can we retain top female talent, regardless of industry?

During my chat with Lindsay, we discussed:

The backstory that drove Lindsay to the work she does with her clients

What are flow states and its difference?

The positive byproducts of being in a stabilized flow

The stabilized flow when people meditate

The importance of Self-Work for everyone, especially leaders.

How do family systems drive the negative narratives we carry around with us all the time?

Lindsay’s morning routine to stay in a stabilized flow

And more!

During my chat with Sarah, we covered:

1. What led Sarah to get into work with individuals and teams on the Enneagram
2. What the Enneagram numbers are and an overview of each one
3. The Enneagram numbers under stress and where we go in times of stress
4. How fixed and growth mindsets relate to the Enneagram
5. If certain Enneagram types struggle more than others with fixed mindset
6. Resources that Sarah recommends to learn more about the Enneagram and find your Enneagram type

During my chat with Churni, we discussed:

1.      Her amazing career history and how she got to where she is today

2.      Her thoughts on ambition and success

3.      How leaning into love and passion has been more of her true north in life and work

4.      How we can let go of the need to control the outcome of our careers

5.      Questions we can ask ourselves to ensure that we are tapping into our wisdom, having fun, and experiencing joy

6.      How we can reframe perceived failures into learnings

7.      Why failures are more interesting in life, not just successes

8.      How our definitions of success can change throughout our life

9.      How we can have a voice at the table

10.  And so much more!

Also, we are hosting a Brave Women at Work Virtual Author Summit today, August 24th, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm CT/1:00 – 2:30 pm ET today. At this event, the authors and I are sharing the 5 Steps in the Building Your Confidence framework. These steps will help you identify what may be holding you back from getting that promotion, speaking up at work, getting recognized, and more. You will receive tangible steps you can take today to build your confidence.

And spoiler alert, this content is NOT in the book! Visit bravewomenatwork.com for more details and to register.

I’m also so excited that I get the opportunity to chat with one of the authors, Marilyn Vetter! Marilyn is not only an author in the book, but my friend and colleague. Marilyn’s chapter, Why Not Me?, is the first chapter in the book and so powerful. I am pumped that she’s with us!

During my chat with Marilyn, we discussed:

1. How she has had three distinct parts of her career, starting with journalism, then to the pharmaceutical industry, and now to non-profits

2. Why she decided to write a chapter in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Leadership and what she gained from the experience

3. She provided an overview of her chapter on how asking and thinking why not me can make a big difference in our careers

4. How her chapter helped someone get a promotion just by reading it.

5. What mental hurdles she faced as she decided to become the CEO of the current non-profit organization she leads.

6. Marilyn’s top tip for developing confidence

During my chat with Martha, we discussed:

●   Her history as a first-generation Latina in the U.S. and the hard work it took for her to get where she is in her career.

●   Her perspective on being a Latina executive in the technology space.

●   The story behind Martha’s “bold” tattoo and what the word means to her.

●   How we can all be bolder professionally and personally.

●   How we can speak up at work, especially asking for the pay and benefits we deserve.

●   What the future of work looks like for talented professional women.

Tune in to this episode and be bold with Martha!

During my chat with Dr. Keri, we discussed:

1.         What motivated her to co-write her book, The Way of the HR Warrior

2.         What the CHARGE framework is, and how we use it in our careers, whether we work in the HR field or not

3.         Why HR aligning their goals and values with the organization is critical

4.         We also talked about leadership and how self-awareness is so important at any stage as a leader

5.         Dr. Keri also shared her top books and resources to develop leadership muscles in your career

6.         She also left us with her advice for anyone who wants to get into the HR field (here’s a spoiler alert – it’s not for the faint of heart)

My guest today, Kimi Culp, also brings a similar, yet different, story to the show.

During my chat with Kimi, we discussed:

●   More about her backstory and her career in film and television production.

●   Her experience working with Oprah and the OWN Network in its heyday.

●   What led Kimi to keep her bipolar disorder hidden throughout her career and to begin talking about it publicly.

●   The reaction of the public and her friends, family, and colleagues after she shared her personal story.

●   How we can be compassionate with others that may be silently struggling with mental illness or other challenges.

●   And what led Kimi to start her podcast, All the Wiser.

I’m doing this show today because it’s real, it’s honest, and so many of us are facing mental health challenges. I’m confident that if we bring this out in the open, it will be less and less stigmatized. It will be an act of bravery to say that you have a mental illness. It will be an act of love towards others who may be suffering silently. And it will make our workplaces more inclusive and drive a sense of psychological safety that many of us yearn for at work.

Thinking about transitions, have you ever had one of those moments in your life where you get to where you thought you wanted to be and said, “Is this it?” I’m successful, I’ve reached my goals, now what? Why am I not happy? And what do I need to do to get happy?

My guest, Shirin Etessam, and I are going to talk about that uncomfortable realization when we realize we have followed our parents’ or society’s programming. And hit the gold stars but realized we weren’t happy and need to reclaim our souls and who we are. It’s a topic that I don’t think we talk about enough.

During my chat with Shirin, we discussed:

1. What led Shirin to write her book, Free to Be: A Six-Week Guide to Reclaiming Your Soul.
2. What soul work means and why we need it.
3. What spiritual bypassing is and is not.
4. How Shirin identified the categories for reclaiming your soul and breaking them up into six weeks.
5. What info-xication is, and how does it fuel our feelings of disillusionment and discontent? How does it impact our productivity?
6. What a spiritual coma is and how to avoid one.
7. How spiritual work relates to your professional life.

Happy Summer to you! It’s beautiful out in Chicago as I’m recording this. In fact, I’m going to take a walk out there with my dog, Jake. My buddy Jake is almost 17 years old. Yes, that’s right 17-years young. He’s still kicking though and we show him all the love.

I will also tell you something else that my husband, John, gifted me with this week. He and my daughters went to visit his parents, so I have the house to myself. You heard that right too. Even though I’m working this week, it feels like I’m on vacation! I’m loving every minute of the peace and quiet before they get home tomorrow. I miss them, but mom still needs some silence every now and then.

Speaking about the younger generation, that is something that I cover with my guest, Tammy Dowley-Blackman. When I met Tammy, I knew I had to have her on the show because she is focusing some of her awesome work on Gen Z and how they will shape future generations of work. Tammy is busy though because she has multiple companies including the TDB Group, the Looking Forward Lab, and more.

During our conversation, Tammy and I talked about:

1.      How wearing multiple hats, including CEO, board member, consultant, and more helped her in her career.

2.      Tammy’s thoughts on Gen Z and what changes they are bringing to work.

3.      We also touch on Gen Alpha because my little one, Olivia, is a Gen Alpha.

4.      What other leadership and leadership development trends Tammy is seeing with the companies that she works with day in and day out.

5.      And how Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) and racial equity (RE) are critical in today’s workplaces.

What exactly is executive presence and why should we care?

According to one definition, Executive Presence is the ability to project confidence, competence, and charisma as a leader. An alternate description from the Forbes article is “the capacity to connect with others in a way that inspires.”

You inspire confidence in others. You command authority. People want to listen to you and they respect your knowledge and opinions. You have a voice at the table, and you will be considered as a “hi-po,” an employee having high potential for future promotions. In summary, I call it the “It factor.”

Hearing this, do you have executive presence? Do you have the “It factor”? If you do, awesome. Keep going! If not, no worries!

The good news is that this is a skill that can be honed. And no, you do not need to be a people leader to have executive presence. You can possess this skill at any level in your career, so listen in!

And after the recording of this show, I recently finished her second book, Claim Your Confidence: Unlock Your Superpower and Create the Life You Want. The lessons in that book hit me even harder and I must admit, I shed a few tears while reading the end. I highly recommend both books. And you can read them independently, so you can start with Claim Your Confidence if it appeals to you more or vice versa.

Either way, Lydia was a joy to talk with and she really motivated and inspired me, and I’m sure she will do the same for you.

During our conversation, Lydia and I talked about:

1.      Her backstory as a powerful auctioneer at Christie’s and how she navigated Imposter Syndrome regularly to find success in her career.

2.      What led her to write her books, especially when she was working full-time and is a mom of three kiddos.

3.      Why self-promotion is absolutely critical for all working women.

4.      What the gavel strike is and how we can find our own to command attention in any room.

5.      How learning to love failure is a necessary part of success and growth.

6.      And finally, Lydia’s thoughts on the mythical work-life balance.

During our conversation, Jen and I talked about:

1. The four different communication styles.
2. Why being mindful of your communication style is crucial for strong and healthy communication.
3. How men and women have more in common than differences in terms of communicating.
4. How listening comes into play.
5. The BPI technique with tough conversations at work.

This show applies to everyone, so make sure to share this one with all the people in your life. Everyone can benefit from learning their communication style, how to improve their listening, and more.

Learn more about Communication TwentyFourSeven LLC here!

Take the assessment and find out your communication style here!

Check out our website: Brave Women at Work

Guess what? These learnings, and many more, were lies that were fed to me and so many other women. We were not taught that self-promotion was a good thing because if we don’t market ourselves, who is going to? We were not told to be clear about our intentions with our expectations at work. We were not taught to advocate for ourselves in performance reviews or any other negotiations. We weren’t taught these things, but it’s better late than never to learn these things.

I am honored to have my guest Sally Helgesen, on the show today. Sally is a pioneer and has been named by Forbes as one of the premier experts on women’s leadership. It was a pleasure to speak with Sally and to learn from her extensive experience, research, and the eight books that she has written over the last 30+ years.

During our conversation, Sally and I talked about:

1. What rising means.
2. What habits prevent women from rising personally and professionally.
3. What rising together means for organizations.
4. What are the patterns inside organizations that trigger us.
5. How women can build and leverage allies.
6. How we can repair organizational divides to build more inclusive workplaces.

◦       A mid-life man buys a Porsche.

◦       He gets a divorce.

◦       He gets a hairpiece or alters his appearance to look younger.

◦       He starts dating a younger woman.

This is a stereotype, and it isn't what every man goes through. But what about women? Do we have mid-life crises? Does the term "mid-life crisis" even exist, and how does it impact our ability to thrive in this part of our lives? My guest today, Barbara Waxman, specializes in this topic, so I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with her.

During our conversation, Barbara and I talked about:

◦       ◦ Her journey to studying and becoming an expert in gerontology.

◦       ◦ What middlescence is and how we can use it to our advantage.

◦       ◦ Why a midlife crisis is a myth; we can thrive during this second adolescence.

◦       ◦ I share some personal examples, and Barbara coaches me on the difference between 3 terms: mid-life crisis, burnout, and resilience.

◦       ◦ We talk about the “used up” feeling after a long day at work and how this may be a sign that our energy management is off kilter.

◦       We talk about her 5 Essential Elements Quiz and her book, The Middlescence Manifesto: Igniting the Passion of Midlife, available on her website.

Do you know what your purpose is if you let yourself really go there?

So many of us get out of college and pursue a job because we need to pay the bills, right? We forget our dreams and do the 9-to-5 because that is what we were taught to do. And we’re good at it. And we do well because we are ambitious and work hard. And we’re successful. And we think we are fulfilled. We do this day after day but eventually wonder, “Is this all there is to life and work?” and “Is this it?”

My guest today, Alise Cortez, says there is more. And that something more is our purpose. My conversation with Alise was magic, and it makes me want to dive into the study of purpose more right alongside her.

During our discussion, Alise and I chatted about:

1.      What purpose is and how it is different than goals, passion, or meaning.

2.      Alise’s path to purpose and how it’s not all roses and rainbows; it’s difficult and not for the faint of heart.

3.      What post traumatic growth is and why it’s important.

4.      How purpose can be found at any age.

5.      What stops us from pursuing our purpose.

6.      How we can live our purpose and get paid.

7.      And how purpose is a choice. You can live “awake” or be the living “dead”. 

Here’s how I feel during these times:

• I feel bad for not running at a million miles per hour.
• I wonder if something is wrong because I have space in my day and time to think.
• I wonder what I need to take on to fill that gap.
• Self-doubt and the feelings that there is something wrong with me creep in.
• I feel guilty or almost at a loss after the end of a project.
• I feel lost and not as productive in this lull period.

Does this resonate with you? I don’t think this is talked about enough. Here’s what I think this is. We are all so used to running on adrenaline, achieving, achieving, achieving. Hustling for our worth. Running so fast we don’t have time to think, let alone feel. Addicted to the sense of achievement we have by being the “go-to” gal at work, the one who gets things done, the person that leads the projects.

And when things slow down, we feel uncomfortable. Because we have time to think. We don’t have adrenaline coursing through our veins. We have space to just be with ourselves, which let’s face it, can be scary if we haven’t tapped in and listened in a while.

In this show, I review the steps I take to get more comfortable with the lulls or spaces in our professional and personal lives.

Get Your Free Guide Here: https://bravewomenatwork.com

During our discussion, Annie and I chatted about:

1. Her road to becoming an executive leadership coach.
2. What her BREATH Framework™ is and why it is important
3. Why reclaiming your power and control can be challenging steps in healing
4. How authenticity plays a role in her framework
5. How Annie organically grew a network in LinkedIn of over 35,000 followers. Yes, 35,000.
6. And how you can do it too!
7. And finally, how working within the BREATH Framework™ is not a one and done type of exercise. It is something that you need to learn and repeat.

Does the word “feminist” have a bad connotation to you?

Here’s the definition of feminist:

“Of relating to, supporting, or compatible with feminism. feminist theory. the feminist movement. The act of speaking is a way women come to power, telling our stories, sharing history, engaging in feminist discussion.”

This may sound funny, but even though I run this podcast and am a leadership and career coach for women, I didn’t self-identify as a feminist. Why? I have no idea. Maybe I didn’t think what I was doing was “big” enough. “Important” enough. Not a “big” enough platform.

My guest today, Latanya Mapp Frett, the President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, set me straight. She told me during our conversation that I am absolutely a feminist. In fact, I fit her definition of an everyday feminist.

And why is this important? Because after all the recent struggles during COVID-19, with the millions of women deciding to or being forced from their jobs because of childcare or care for a sick or elderly family member, because there are still so many employers that don’t give a hoot about flexibility and other important benefits. This is why it is critical that we all stand up and do our part as everyday feminists.

I believe that by taking this stand, we will improve our work environments. We will help our sons and daughters. And we will be acting in the very definition of what it means to be a brave woman at work.

During our discussion, Latanya discussed:

1. What motivated Latanya to write her book, The Everyday Feminist: The Key to Sustainable Social Impact- Driving Movements We Need More Than Ever.
2. What an everyday feminist is and why you or many women you know could fit into that category.
3. Why Latanya believes that feminists are the key to driving social impact.
4. Examples of movements we need movement in more than ever.
5. If being an everyday feminist is a young professional woman’s game, or if you can be an everyday feminist in middle or even late career.
6. And how we can support the work of other everyday feminists.

Last year, I was introduced to Hortense le Gentil, an executive coach and author. I picked up her book, Aligned: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You’re Meant to Be, and I was inspired by it and knew I needed her on the show. I wanted to pick Hortense’s brain to learn how I can multiply these states of flow so that I’m in alignment more often. As we know, being in this state of alignment is better for our health and happiness. It drives better results and makes us better leaders.

During our discussion, Hortense and I talked about:

1.      What alignment means at work.

2.      Signs or symptoms of not being aligned.

3.      What prevents us from being aligned, including mental hurdles?

4.      The steps we need to get back on track.

5.      How intuition and mindfulness play a role in alignment in leadership.

6.      How our work environment and the people we surround ourselves with impact us.

My guest today, Bobbie Carlton, is someone I consider to be very skilled in speaking. Bobbie and I have been running in the same circles for a while and she owns not one, two, or three businesses but FIVE of them, so I am grateful she made time to join me for this conversation.

During our discussion, Bobbie and I talked about:

1.      How Bobbie came to own and run FIVE businesses and how she does it

2.      Bobbie’s tips on how we can move past our fear of public speaking.

3.      How Toastmasters and even an improv class can help.

4.      Why speaking can help us up our visibility personally and professionally.

5.      Why waiting for someone to notice our hard work is a mistake and how we need to speak up and advocate for ourselves

6.      How Innovation Women can be a great way for women to dip their toes into speaking and get the exposure they need.

When I think of rituals, I originally thought of witchy or woo-woo. That was a bit closed-minded. And I was wrong. My conversation taught me that rituals are simply habits with intention. There is a mindfulness behind the habit. I wanted to have Tamara on to share that we can and will show up better at work with selecting the right rituals for us. All of a sudden, that cup of coffee you have each morning becomes part of the way you take care of yourself. You feel better prepared to tackle your day and are more productive as a result. And it all started with how you drank your cup of coffee a bit differently that morning. You did it with intention. Maybe you journal a bit. Maybe you took a few deep breaths. Whatever you do, these small rituals can make a difference.

During our conversation, Tamara and I also discussed:

1. Why are rituals important in our lives and at work?
2. What led Tamara to study Chinese Medicine. She also clarified it’s more than acupuncture.
3. What the three Ayurvedic body types are – vata, pitta, and kapha and the main characteristics of each.
4. How all of these ties into better health and as a result, a more powerful existence, both personally and professionally.
5. And I even asked Tamara for some help on where to travel when I go to Portugal. I haven’t gone yet, but Lisbon and Porto are definitely on my list.

In speaking with my guest today, Shasta Nelson, I learned once again how important friendships are. Both women and men alike need friendships. These connections are crucial for our physical, mental, and emotional health. It was a privilege to have Shasta on the show!

During our conversation, Shasta and I also chatted about:

1. How her work as a pastor was a natural start to her current work with friendship.
2. We did a brief tour of her books, including Friendships Don’t Just Happen, Frientimacy, and The Business of Friendship.
3. We talked about the friendship triangle, which was so important that I shared it with my daughter, Charlotte, and will share it with my little one, Olivia, when she gets older.
4. Why we need friendships at work, even when we are managers or in other leadership positions.
5. The impact that friendships or a lack thereof has on our health.
6. And how we can foster friendships in remote or hybrid work environments.
7. And more

We packed a lot of juiciness into our conversation and covered a lot of ground!

During our conversation, Neen and I discussed:

1. What a luxury mindset is, and why was Neen interested in studying it?

2. What the results were from the study that she completed on luxury mindset with a research firm.

3. What the luxury mindsets are and how they impact us at work and personally.

4. If we need to be “rich” monetarily to possess a luxury mindset?

5. Various examples of living with a luxury mindset.

6. How we as working women can adopt a luxury mindset if we don’t have one.

7. The benefits of a luxury mindset, and more!

Jenna Fisher, my guest today, decided to find out how we as women can find a path to the top. She interviewed top female executives at Nike, Visa, IBM, Salesforce, Atlantic Records, just to name a few, to find out.

During our discussion, Jenna and I talked about:

1. Why she decided to write her book, To the Top: How Women in Corporate Leadership are Rewriting the Rules for Success?
2. What key themes popped out when she interviewed these female executives?
3. Jenna’s perspective on how COVID changed the game for working women and what we need in our workplaces to flourish now and in the future.
4. We discussed the thought of “having it all”? Is it really possible?
5. What leaving loud means for women? I loved this part of our conversation.
6. And how compassionate command is the new name of the game for both male and female leaders.

During our conversation, Dr. G. and I discussed: 

1)     Why what we’ve learned about stress is a lie? 

2)     What is the stress continuum, and what are the signs and symptoms to know where we are? 

3)     Where burnout fits on this stress continuum? 

4)     How can stress be an asset and drive our resilience? 

5)     Techniques how to make our stress work for us instead of against us. 

6)     How our ability to handle stress has changed resulting from COVID-19, and more.

1. What somatic psychology is and what a somatic coach does;

2. How breathing can help regulate our nervous systems; and

4. How breathing exercises make a positive difference in our professional and personal lives.

Tune in and learn how as simple a thing as your breathing can make a massive impact on your life!

My guest today, Dr. Nicole Byers, is an expert in neuropsychology. She helps all of us recovering high achievers get off the hamster wheel of to-do lists, self-doubt, and other limiting behaviors in favor of being more productive without overworking and burning out.

I say a big “yes” to all of this!

During our conversation, Dr. Byers and I discussed the following: 

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork/?multi_permalinks=1278095969643348¬if_id=1668529930282213¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

Dr. Nicole Byers: https://www.drnicolebyers.com/ Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Book: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122

My guest today, Andrea Owen, is a very accomplished coach, author, and speaker. Andrea and I met in 2014 when I hired her as my coach to help me work through some difficult personal stuff. 

I accomplished my goal with Andrea's facilitation of Brene Brown's Daring Way Program. That work helped me heal relationships with my mom, family, and, more importantly, myself. This felt like a fun reunion, and it was great to reconnect with Andrea. 

During our conversation, we chatted about:

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

 Andrea Owen: https://andreaowen.com/

How Not to Feel Like Shit: How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits that Are Holding You Back from Happiness - https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Stop-Feeling-Like-Sh-t-audiobook/dp/B078JCLKKT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M9L4786THSF0&keywords=andrea+owen+books&qid=1674597531&sprefix=%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-1 52

Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: BS-Free Wisdom to Ignite Your Inner Badass and Live the Life You Deserve - https://www.amazon.com/52-Ways-to-Live-Kick-Ass-Life-audiobook/dp/B06WRSK6R8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=M9L4786THSF0&keywords=andrea+owen+books&qid=1674597552&sprefix=%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-3

Make Some Noise: Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength - https://www.amazon.com/Make-Some-Noise-Speak-Strength/dp/B08SPBPJL5/ref=sr_1_2?crid=M9L4786THSF0&keywords=andrea+owen+books&qid=1674597552&sprefix=%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-2

Wow. Can you say that you are living and working in your calling? If I’m honest, that hasn’t always been the case.

My guest today, Rha Goddess, is an expert in this area and has written an entire book on the subject.

During our conversation, Rha and I chatted out:

As I said during our conversation, I could listen to Rha’s wisdom for hours. Let’s dive into the journey of finding our callings together!

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Move the Crowd: https://www.movethecrowd.me/

The Calling: Stay True, Get Paid, Do Good: https://www.amazon.com/The-Calling-audiobook/dp/B07TL1XGTH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4ZTH5AIT3055&keywords=the+calling+rha+goddess&qid=1672606806&s=books&sprefix=the+calling+rha+goddess%2Cstripbooks%2C136&sr=1-1

I had a great conversation with my guest today, Susan Mackenty Brady. Susan is an expert in helping women excel in leadership, no matter what their career levels. Susan is also a wealth of knowledge in managing our inner critics, which is something we all struggle with at one point in our lives.

During my conversation with Susan, we discussed:

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: [https://bravewomenatwork.com/](https://bravewomenatwork.com/ "smartCard-inline")  

Brave Women at Work Community: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork](https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork "smartCard-inline")

Susan M Brady Coaching: DEI Expert & Leader - Susan MacKenty Brady ([http://susanmbrady.com](http://susanmbrady.com "smartCard-inline") )

Arrive and Thrive: [https://www.amazon.com/Arrive-Thrive-Impactful-Navigating-Leadership-ebook/dp/B09MV5T7Q6?ref\_=ast\_sto_dp](https://www.amazon.com/Arrive-Thrive-Impactful-Navigating-Leadership-ebook/dp/B09MV5T7Q6?ref_=ast_sto_dp "‌")

Mastering Your Inner Critic: [https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Inner-Critic-Hurdles-Advancement-ebook/dp/B07HYFB551?ref\_=ast\_sto_dp](https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Inner-Critic-Hurdles-Advancement-ebook/dp/B07HYFB551?ref_=ast_sto_dp "‌")

The 30-Second Guide to Managing Your Inner Critic: [https://www.amazon.com/30-Second-Guide-Coaching-Inner-Critic/dp/099096230X?ref\_=ast\_sto_dp](https://www.amazon.com/30-Second-Guide-Coaching-Inner-Critic/dp/099096230X?ref_=ast_sto_dp "‌")

With so many people going through layoffs in various industries today, today’s show with Brave Women at Work is right on time. My guest today, Sara Webb, is a go-getter and an accomplished professional in the financial services industry. Sara was brave in her willingness to share how it’s been difficult to be in the messy middle between one job and the next. She decided to pay it forward for other women (and people) going through the same situation, and I am grateful for it.

During our conversation, we chatted about:

1. Sara’s history with work and why she was so blindsided when she was let go at her recent position.

2. All the feelings that came up as she has navigated finding a new job.

3. Sara’s personal feelings about work and worth.

4. How this experience has changed what she is looking for in a job and how she plans to find a new “balance” moving forward.

5. And Sara shares her advice for any woman that is facing a similar situation.

Again, I’m so humbled that Sara was gracious enough to share her thoughts on the subject. I’m confident that you too will find value in this discussion, no matter where you are on your career journey.

Resources: Brave Women at Work: 

 Sara Webb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-webb-clu-3ab4092/

During my conversation with Anna, we talked about:

1. An overview of her planning process

2. How often Anna revisits her plan

3. How we can pivot and look inward for answers if we're not hitting our goals

4. Affirmations and routines that Anna uses to keep a positive mindset throughout the year 5. How batching and delegation can help anyone maximize their time

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Classy Career Girl: https://www.classycareergirl.com/ Planning

Workshop: https://www.classycareergirl.com/planningworkshop-fp

My guest today, Anna Runyan, is the founder and CEO of Classy Career Girl, a career and leadership coaching platform for women. Anna and I met through another colleague in the personal development space.

When I met Anna, I knew I had to have her on the show. Two of her superpowers are her planning tools and the systems she creates not only for herself but for her clients.

During my conversation with Anna, we discussed:

1. Her thoughts on her quarterly and annual planning process

2. How often Anna revisits and reviews her plan

3. The roadblocks to successful planning

4. The affirmations that we can use daily to help us with our plan execution

5. The systems that Anna uses to run her business that we can use if we have a corporate job, a business, or both

6. Her 2023 Planning Workshop, which is an evergreen course you can take at any time if you are eager to build your own personal or professional plan

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Classy Career Girl:

Classy Career Girl - https://www.classycareergirl.com/

Classy Career Girl Planning Workshop: https://www.classycareergirl.com/planningworkshop-fp

Here’s the great news.

Jill Shroyer, my guest today and CEO of HR Expeditions, loves these tough conversations and has a system for you to learn how to master them!

Today’s show was so instructional for me, and I’m sure it will be for you too.

During my conversation with Jill, we discussed the following:

1. Examples of sticky conversations we may want to avoid

2. Jill's formula for dealing with these tough discussions

3. What to do if the conversation goes in the wrong direction

4. Some timely sticky scenarios, including asking for a raise, more flexibility, and more

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Expedition HR: https://www.expeditionhr.com/

Conquer Sticky Conversations Book: https://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Sticky-Situations-Empowering-Approach/dp/1736213407/ref=sr_1_5?crid=12172DCJ1PWDD&keywords=sticky+conversations+book&qid=1670593198&sprefix=sticky+conversations+boo%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-5

Shelia and I met the last year while we were working on the Brave Women at Work: Stories of Resilience book. Shelia is an absolutely rockstar author, professional, and person, and I appreciate her time during today's episode.

During our conversation, we chatted about:

1. Shelia’s experience on the Brave Women at Work project

2. What she learned about herself, the ability to be vulnerable and share her story, and the publishing process as a whole

3. Hope Mueller and her boutique publishing company, Hunter Street Press

4. The upcoming Writers and Spa Retreat co-hosted by Brave Women at Work and C.L.I.M.B. Conferences

5. How this writers retreat is for all aspiring authors and is an excellent opportunity to meet and learn from other authors.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work:

https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Shelia Higgs Burkhalter Coaching: https://shiggsbcoaching.com/

Shelia Higgs Burkhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheliahiggsburkhalter

Writers and Spa Retreat – C.L.I.M.B. Conferences: C.L.I.M.B. - Hunter Street Press (hopey.net)

My guest today, Mikelann Valterra, is Seattle's money coach. Mikelann helps women with their thoughts and feelings around money; after our conversation, I learned that how we feel about money, saving, debt, etc., has a lot to do with reaching our financial goals!

During my conversation with Mikelann, we discussed:

1. Why do women feel anxiety when it comes to money

2. Money fog and why we get trapped in it

3. Financial anxiety is not only about overspending; it can also be about money hoarding too

4. How to deal with golden handcuffs

5. The role money plays in relationships

6. The importance of women having a retirement plan

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Mikelann Valterra site: https://www.seattlemoneycoach.com/

During this episode, my guest, Courtney Carver, blogger, author, podcaster, and speaker talks about the importance of minimalism and being more with less. I

n a season of "all the things," it's a breath of fresh air to think we can simplify and declutter our professional and personal lives.

During this conversation, Courtney and I discuss the following:

1. What minimalism is, and why it is important

2. What led Courtney to minimalism

3. How simplifying can help us professionally and personally

4. And much more!

Resources:

Be More with Less - https://bemorewithless.com/

Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More https://www.amazon.com/Project-333-Minimalist-Fashion-Challenge-ebook/dp/B07X6RPYL3/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Be+more+with+less&qid=1614711932&sr=8-2

The Simplicity Space: https://courses.bemorewithless.com/the-simplicity-space/

During my conversation with Sarah, we discussed:

1. The blatant and subliminal signs of stress.

2. The relationship between stress and overwhelm.

3. Ways that we try to override our stress.

They can be positive and not-so-positive. Netflix binge or Ben and Jerry’s, anyone?

4. Micro steps we can take today to start resetting our stress.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://www.bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Sarah Marie Liddle: https://sarahmarieliddle.com/

My guest today, Dr. Zenobia Tantra, takes it a step further. Yes, mindset is essential, but it also is your overall energy. Zenobia is a dear friend and colleague. She is also a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy and an expert on chakras on how the state of our energy affects every area of our lives.

During my conversation with Zenobia, we discussed:

1. What the chakras are, and why we should care.

2. The solar plexus or power/self-confidence chakra and how we know when it’s out of balance

3. The heart chakra and knowing when this one is out of balance

4. And finally, the throat chakra and when do know when it’s off

5. What steps can we take to maintain chakra balance

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Zenxuality - Dr. Zenobia Tantra's site:

https://www.zenxuality.com/

As you may know, I have already experienced one round of burnout. I had no idea what was happening to me, but I thought it was entirely my fault. I carried the guilt and weight of the question, “How could I let this happen?” Here's the excellent news. From my conversation with Cait, I learned that this might be a bit of our genetics, upbringing, living and work environment, and choices. And if you’ve experienced burnout before, you know how difficult it is to heal. Starting with a dose of self-compassion is a beautiful place to begin.

During my conversation with Cait, we discussed:

1. The origin of burnout and why looking at the last 3-5 years of history before a bout of burnout can share some clues

2. What burnout is and isn’t according to the medical community

3. The symptoms of burnout

4. How repeat burnout is a real thing

5. What you can do to heal from burnout proactively.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work:

https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Cait Donovan: https://www.caitdonovan.com/

Fried: The Burnout Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fried-the-burnout-podcast/id1469939920

During our discussion, Shanna and I chatted about:

1. Her book, One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions Women Can Take to Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential

2. Examples of one bold move a day

3. How our bold moves each day don’t have to be huge; they can be small and personal to every one of us

4. What holds us back from taking these bold moves

5. How can women start taking these bold actions today, as in right now

6. And why women often don’t feel brave and how we can change that

Get ready to take bold moves!

Brave Women at Work:

https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Shanna Hocking: https://www.shannaahocking.com/

One Bold Move Today: One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions Women Can Take to Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential: https://www.amazon.com/One-Bold-Move-Day-Meaningful/dp/1264278071/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WYUUZZ9XQNKC&keywords=one+bold+move+a+day&qid=1669388468&sprefix=one+bold+move+a+day%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-1

In this episode, I cover something very timely….gratitude! Gratitude is the answer at work, whether that’s one-on-one with your colleagues, if you are a people leader working with teams, or if you run a business and have the privilege and responsibility of setting the cultural tone of your organization.

During this show solo, I also share my thoughts on how gratitude may be an anecdote for the Quiet Quit and the Great Resignation. We all know that competitive pay and benefits are important, but employees today are demanding more than that. Maybe they want to feel valued, and that all starts with gratitude.

Brave Women at Work: http://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

We have officially reached 100 episodes! 100 episodes! I CANNOT believe it! If you had told me two years ago that I would eventually record 100 podcast episodes with Brave Women at Work, I would have told you that you were crazy.

Well, here we are! I want to share my key insights after 100 episodes. These learnings are universal, so you can use them for whatever your personal or professional goals. And don't forget to listen in for a special offer for all podcast listeners!

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

I’m so excited about my guest today, Dr. Sharon Melnick, and to share this conversation with you!

During the podcast, Dr. Sharon and I discussed:

1. What being in your power means

2. What it feels like to be outside of your power

3. How you can vacillate between being in and out of your power

4. We can take steps to reclaim our power if we've lost it

4. What to do when your spouse, family or friends don’t support the new powerful version of you

5. What the difference is between being a thermometer and a thermostat

7. And so much more

This conversation blew my mind in so many ways, so I’m pumped for you to hear it!

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Dr. Sharon Melnick site: https://sharonmelnick.com/

In Your Power Book: https://inyourpowerbook.com/

My guest today, Tara Horstmeyer, talks about how you need to let things go in specific seasons of your life, so you can fit work into your seasons and not the other way around.

Many women, myself included, believe we must work harder during tough seasons. Maybe we need to be willing to walk away and say no…or like the trees are teaching us, to let things go.

During my conversation with Tara, we talked about

1. How can you leave a company without leaving the people

2. How to build emotional boundaries at work

3. Making tough decisions to fit certain seasons of your life

4. What led Tara to develop her company, Happy Words Sell, and what the heck is ghostwriting

5. And why everyone should be creating content to participate in the online conversation

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Happy Words Sell: Happy Words (happywordssell.com)

My guest today, Miriam Lawrence, is a beautiful example of an inspiring and brave woman, and I knew I had to have her on the show. Why, might you ask? Miriam’s LinkedIn profile is unique because she’s also a powerlifter. Like in 200-pound+ weights.

Miriam started powerlifting at 48 and competing all over the world by the age of 50. And she’s finding a way of integrating her work and her strength training. I love how authentic Miriam is and the moxie she has gained by being in the world's top third of female powerlifters.

During my conversation with Miriam, we discussed the following:

1. How can we find something that lights us up at any age

2. Imposter Syndrome and how to manage it

3. The correlation between physical strength and how we move through the world

4. Our Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) at work

5. How stoicism helps Miriam train her mind and live her life

Resources: Brave Women at Work:

https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Miriam Lawrence Site: https://thatbadassbroad.com/

Miriam Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-lawrence-6a3764/

Glute Lab: https://www.amazon.com/Glute-Lab-Art-Science-Training/dp/1628603461/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M4CY9UP18Z1G&keywords=booty+by+brett&qid=1662603751&s=audible&sprefix=booty+by+brett%2Caudible%2C109&sr=1-1 Ryan Holiday Book: https://www.amazon.com/The-Obstacle-Is-Way-Ryan-Holiday-audiobook/dp/B00K5JUNSU/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=1338106221327991&hvadid=83631710809864&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=103346&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83631995884220%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=21871_10482322&keywords=holiday+ryan&qid=1662603282&sr=8-3

When I met Kathy, I have to say her background in manufacturing was unique from all of my other guests. I can only imagine the challenges she faced as a female plant manager.

When I heard her story, I knew she was a great example of a brave woman at work.

During my conversation with Kathy, we discussed:

1. Kathy’s background in manufacturing and how she was a manager and higher in a plant environment in her early 20’s

2. What is applied positive psychology and how can we leverage it at work

3. The importance of positive workplace relationships

4. When gender biases start and their impact at work

5. The steps we can take to improve our relationships at work

6. Kathy’s book - Steel Toes and Stilettos: A True Story of Women Manufacturing Leaders and Lean Transformation Success.

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Kathy Miller site: https://opsisters.com/

Steel Toes and Stilettos Book: https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Toes-Stilettos-Manufacturing-Transformation/dp/1032053119/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1645719818&refinements=p_27%3AKathy+Miller&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Kathy+Miller

Well, now it is a reality! I just completed my first book signing, and it was a humbling and joyful experience. I’m here to tell you as living proof that you can do whatever you want to do.

Whether writing a book, starting a business, or pivoting to a new career, you’ve got this! This fits right into my conversation with my guest today, Liz Brunner.

Liz has had a fantastic arc in her career and is yet another example of a woman who took bold and brave actions in her career to discover her next chapter.

During my conversation with Liz, we covered:

1. Finding and connecting the patterns in our professional and personal lives

2. How these patterns can inform our next chapters and how no skills or experiences are truly wasted

3. What drove Liz to write her book, Dare to Own You

4. What it was like for Liz to be in the public year for over 20 years

5. How to craft an elevator pitch and why it is important to have at the ready

6. And much more.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Brunner Communications: https://lizbrunner.com/

Brunner Academy: https://www.brunneracademy.com/

Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into Your Next Chapter - ttps://www.amazon.com/Dare-Own-You-Authenticity-Chapter/dp/B09PC719ZK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AZSPUH32RW5T&keywords=dare+to+own+you&qid=1664318534&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjA4IiwicXNhIjoiMC41OSIsInFzcCI6IjAuNjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=dare+to+own+you%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-1 15% off all Brunner Academy: BESTYOU

During her healing process, she was also diagnosed with ADHD, which made sense to her and was news many years in the making. From there, she completely rebuilt her life and work.

During my conversation with Helen, we talked about

1. What it was like to hear that she had cancer so young

2. What she did professionally before the cancer diagnosis and what led her to pursue podcast production as a career

3. What other changes she went through after she achieved remission of her cancer

4. What it was like to also be diagnosed with ADHD in her thirties

5. What motivated Helen to start her own podcast, The C Word

6. What being a podcast producer is all about and what it’s like to produce the Brave Women at Work podcast

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Helen King Productions: https://www.hkproductionsnz.com/

Shannon Siriano Greenwood

My guest today, Shannon Siriano Greenwood, was inspiring throughout our conversation. It felt like Shannon was my older sister, and I was learning from her wisdom. She’s made bold choices in her personal and professional life after experiencing postpartum depression and burnout.

We have a lot in common, so it was great to talk with someone that truly gets it.

During my conversation with Shannon, we covered:

1. What hyperfunctioning, overdriving, and chasing all the gold stars means

2. What prompted Shannon to start the Rebelle community

3. How Rebelle is different than Chief, another female membership community

4. What inspires Shannon and the book she gives away to all of her friends

5. The power of friendships and close community

6. How we can burn it down, change our habits, and start paying attention to our happiness

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Rebelle: https://readytorebelle.com/

Rebelle Magazine: https://readytorebelle.com/summer-issue-2022

Playing Big by Tara Mohr: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Big-Practical-Wisdom-Create-ebook/dp/B00INIXMW4/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1663713631&sr=8-1

My guest today, Shira Miller, certified coach, and communications executive, knows the signs of being chronically stuck. Shira has many examples from her own life where she was stuck but found a back to break free and regain her health, financial security, love, and happiness. And here’s the good news: you can get unstuck.

If you’re feeling stuck in any way, there’s a lot you can learn from this show. During my conversation with Shira, we discussed:

1. What the difference is between being acutely stuck and chronically stuck

2. What it took for Shira to change in her own life

3. The signs of being chronically stuck and how to notice them

4. What steps we can take to get unstuck

5. What motivated Shira to write her book, Free and Clear. Shira also shares other resources for our listeners to take action.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Brave Women at Work Virtual Summit: https://bravewomenatwork.com/brave-women-at-work-virtual-summit/

Shira Miller Site: https://shiramiller.com/

Shira Miller Book: https://www.amazon.com/Free-Clear-Unstuck-Live-Life/dp/B09XWH1NH5/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=shira+miller+free+and+clear&qid=1662601688&sprefix=free+and+clear+mil%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-5 Shira Miller TedX Talk: https://shiramiller.com/tedx/

In this solo show, I talk about:

1. What the quiet quit is and is not

2. What’s driving the quiet quit?

3. How is the quiet quit related to the Great Resignation?

4. My thoughts on it

5. My hopes for the future of work.

As a recovering workaholic and someone without solid work boundaries, the quiet quit challenges and inspires me at the same time.

What about you? Where do you stand on the quiet quit?

Resources: 

Forbes article - https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2022/08/23/quiet-quittingwhat-is-it-and-where-do-you-stand-on-it/?sh=74a8448920df&fbclid=IwAR3ySXBYwdjxdmZJL0SeVkUEAUr1FWuO0IMT-bLcObS6-v1VOTf16lvEMPY

Buy the book: Brave Women at Work - Helping you take braver action at work Brave: 

https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Women-Work-Stories-Resilience-ebook/dp/B0B82XV3R5

Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

My guest and I have a powerful conversation which includes domestic violence and suicide. Please listen with care. 

Have you ever met someone that you were in awe of? That’s my guest and me today, Susie Carder.

I don’t want to spoil it, but Susie has faced quite a few odds to get to where she is today. Let me give you a few of her past challenges:

1. Being a single mom

2. Running a business while parenting two girls

3. Have a failed business that left her in financial ruin

4. Having to rebuild her business from scratch.

And with that, Susie has not been willing to let her circumstances stop her. Susie has built two $10 million companies, even after facing these challenges!

This conversation was so "feel good" to me because it reminds me that no matter what I’m facing, I can get through it. And whatever challenges you're facing, you can get through them too.

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Susie Carder: https://susiecarder.com/

Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Profits-Take-Business/dp/B081VS9HCB/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=power+your+profits+susie+carder&qid=1658009101&sprefix=Power+your+profit%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

We’ve recently discovered Plato’s Closet and thrifting at Goodwill for the latest “cool” trends. Charlotte is already building her pre-teen brand and doesn’t even know it!

Well, the school year prep that I’m doing with Charlotte fits right in line with my conversation with my guest today, Cari Rutkoskie. Cari is the owner of not one, but 2 businesses. Cari is an expert in communications, whether that’s with your words or your wardrobe.

Today, we’re going to talk about both of her businesses, but there’s a special focus on her business with Cabi, an online clothing specifically serving women.

During my conversation with Cari, we covered:

1. Why our professional image is so important

2. What are the building blocks of a professional image?

3. How what we wear affects our confidence

4. How having “go-to” or loved pieces in our wardrobe helps

5. And much more

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Words Matter Consulting: https://wordsmatterconsulting.com/

Cari Rutkoski Cabi Online Site: https://carirutkoskie.cabionline.com/

You may be very familiar with this subject, but I didn’t feel like I was. So, I asked Martine Kalaw, an expert in this area, to join me.

During my conversation with Martine, we discussed:

1. What DEI is and why it’s important for individuals and companies

2. Reverse resentment about DEI among employees who don't see the value

3. How DEI initiatives can positively impact a company's revenue

4. What steps we can take as individuals to support DEI initiatives in our companies

5. And so much more

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Martine Kalaw: https://martinekalaw.com/

The ABC's of Diversity: A Manager's Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the New Workplace: https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Diversity-Managers-Inclusion-Workplace/dp/B09V6NWLH8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18DY2UVBFQQB9&keywords=Martine+Kalaw&qid=1658009579&sprefix=martine+kalaw%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

For example, if you want and deserve a raise and go to your boss and strongly ask for it, it may not be received well. Why? Because it may be seen as you come off as too strong or adversarial.

Unfortunately, this is not the same for men. Mind blown! My guest today, Kathryn Valentine, of Worthmore Negotiations, teaches women how they can negotiate for salary and up to 75 other important items with success.

During my conversation with Kathryn, we discussed:

1. Why women need to learn to negotiate

2. What led Kathryn to conclude that men and women don’t negotiate the same way

3. The mistakes women commonly make and how we can learn from them

4. What we can negotiate for beyond salary

5. How allies help, including mentors and sponsors

6. How companies can help women negotiate better

Resources:

Buy Brave Women at Work: Stories of Resilience https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B82XV3R5/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_AWXZVCQ86K5RP48ECWGH

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Worthmore Negotiations: https://worthmorenegotiations.com/

75 Things You Can Negotiate:

https://worthmorenegotiations.com/our-1-most-popular-post-75-things-you-can-negotiate/

After meeting Claire O'Hanlon, writer, entrepreneur, coach, and speaker, I felt like I met a kindred spirit. Claire is a wealth of knowledge on what it means to be shy or introverted.

She explained to me that you can be a shy or introverted leader, and they are not one and the same. If you are shy or are naturally introverted, this show is for you!

During my conversation with Claire, we discussed:

1. What the difference is between shyness and introversion

2. If shyness is a learned behavior or genetic

3. The moment when Claire decided she was no longer going to be shy

4. Claire’s favorite quote and how it guides her actions

5. How you can be a shy or introverted leader

6. The Shypreneur Society Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Claire O’Hanlon:

Home - https://claireohanloncoaching.com/

ShyPreneur Society: https://claire-o-hanlon.mykajabi.com/shypreneur-society-8248a084-f184-4ecc-bfe0-d485784aac6f

After reading more about this, I knew that I had to share it on Brave Women at Work.

Cultivating a growth mindset as often as possible can have a significant impact on our success at work.

So, let’s dive in! In this solo show, I discussed:

1. What is the difference between a fixed and growth mindset?

2. How do we know when we are in a fixed or growth head space?

3. What are the benefits of a growth mindset?

4. What can we do to move ourselves to a growth mindset?

If you find yourself resistant to change or struggling to receive feedback (hello, perfectionists), I am talking to you! I can say this with authority because I am a recovering perfectionist.

Even if you are open-minded or consistently in a growth frame of mind, it never hurts to sharpen our skills, so listen in!

Resources:

Free Brave Women at Work Screensaver https://bravewomenatwork.com/free-brave-women-at-work-screensavers/

Brave Women at Work - Helping you take braver action at work

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system, and it helps us better understand ourselves and others in the world. My guest today, Erin Baute, is an expert on the Enneagram and is even writing her PhD thesis on the topic.

During my conversation with Erin, we discussed:

1. What the Enneagram is and how it’s different than other personality assessments

2. The Enneagram numbers between 1-9 3. The differences between the primary type, the dominant wing and the dominant subtype

4. The instincts of the Enneagram - preservation, social and relational

5. How women can discover their personal Enneagram number

6. How we use our Enneagram knowledge personally and professionally

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Living the Enneagram: https://livingtheenneagram.com/

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Enneagram-Paths-Greater-Self-Knowledge/dp/1938314549/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=enneagram+beatrice+chestnut&qid=1652019244&sprefix=enneagram+beat%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1

The Road Back To You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830846190/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=3d65688eab5d921b746ff0dabc87c983&hsa_cr_id=8108096160501&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=45898321-c0b6-4436-a4b8-7fefb7f27160&pd_rd_w=qFNVE&pd_rd_wg=VG3rb&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img

During my discussion with Penny, we covered:

1. The components of a successful negotiation (and a not so successful one) 2. Why preparation is so important 3. The power of being quiet and listening 4. What happens when you receive a counteroffer? 5. Going beyond pay in our negotiations 6. What happens if you can’t come to agreement?

If you feel like you’re not a good negotiator or if you would like to hone your skills, this conversation is for you, so listen in!

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/ Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork  Penny Rosema: https://www.pennyrosema.com/  Penny's Free Negotiation Resources: https://www.pennyrosema.com/resources-2/  

I wanted to share 5 tips for new managers as a blueprint for the first 90, 120, 180 days. I also share several book resources, so make sure to listen in to that as well.

During today's show, I cover a few of the following tips:

1. Getting clear on your priorities as a first-time manager. 2. How to build trust with your employees. 3. Why self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome can be a killer as a new manager. 4. And more....

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/

Brave Women at Work Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork

Crucial Conversations: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=crucial+conversations&i=stripbooks&sprefix=crucial+conver%2Cstripbooks%2C101&ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_14_ts-doa-p

1,501 Ways to Reward Your Employees: https://www.amazon.com/1501-Reward-Employees-Nelson-Ph-D/dp/0761168788/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=1501+ways+to+reward+employees&qid=1657369145&s=books&sprefix=1501%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter: https://www.amazon.com/First-Days-Updated-Expanded-Strategies/dp/B00CH7FE1O/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+first+90+days&qid=1657369196&s=books&sprefix=the+first+%2Cstripbooks%2C99&sr=1-1

In addition, around 75%–90% of healthcare visits in the United States are connected to stress-related issues in some manner. We all need to learn how to manage our stress better (myself included). 

My guest today, Sarah Marie Liddle, is an expert in stress management and burnout recovery. Sarah is a repeat guest on Brave Women at Work and was awesome to have on once again. If you didn’t listen to Sarah’s first show with me, go back to episode number 54. 

During my conversation with Sarah, we talked about 

Resources:

Brave Women at Work: https://www.bravewomenatwork.com/ 

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork 

Sarah Marie Liddle: https://sarahmarieliddle.com/ 

Stress Reset Program: https://sarahmarieliddle.com/stress-reset-coaching Sarah Marie Liddle 

Episode 54: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-54-discover-your-strengths-with-sarah-marie-liddle/id1547856593?i=1000546491763

If you haven’t listened to episode #79 (the prior episode on Moving Through a Man’s World), this show will make even more sense if you go back and listen to it. 

If you want to jump in here, you will still get something out of our conversation. 

During this second part of my conversation with Kristin, we discussed: 

As a reminder, this show is marked explicit, so please make sure to listen to this away from little ears or on your earbuds. 

Resources: 

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/ 

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork 

Kristin Harrison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-harrison/

This time, we’re talking about each of our experiences moving through a man’s world and what that has felt like to us. We had so much to say in fact that this conversation had to be split up into 2 episodes. 

During this first conversation with Kristin, we discussed:

This conversation with fiery on both sides, so if you are listening to this show around little ears, please make sure to use your earbuds. 

Resources: Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/ 

Brave Women at Work Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork 

Kristin Harrison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-harrison/

During my conversation with Liz, we discussed: 

- How you and other employees can transition back to the office with ease 

- How to navigate work environments where some employees are pro-remote, some are pro-in-office and some want hybrid 

- How we can build relationships with our colleagues and even bosses remotely

 - What companies can do to support various employees’ flexibility needs

 - And most importantly, how we can support one another 

As you know, this is a real hot potato conversation. Admittedly, it’s difficult to return to the office if you’ve been working remotely and either enjoy it or find that you are more productive. It’s also a challenge for employers to serve various employee needs. 

Dive into this conversation to see how we can find a middle ground with this divisive topic. 

Resources: 

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/ 

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork 

Liz Kislik Website:https://lizkislik.com/ 

Why There’s So Much Conflict at Work and What You Can Do to Fix It | Liz Kislik | TedX: https://www.ted.com/talks/liz_kislik_why_there_s_so_much_conflict_at_work_and_what_you_can_do_to_fix_it?language=en 

Free Ebook: How to Resolve Interpersonal Conflicts in the Workplace: https://lizkislik.com/resolve-conflict/

If so, you need to listen to my conversation with Lia Garvin, author, speaker, and coach. Lia and I had an awesome conversation about her book, Unstuck: Reframe Your Thinking to Free Yourself from the Patterns and People That Hold You Back. 

During my conversation with Lia, we discussed: 

Resources: 

Brave Women at Work: https://bravewomenatwork.com/ 

Brave Women at Work FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bravewomenatwork 

Lia Garvin You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlJ3Z-ulrQk&t=216s 

Lia Garvin: https://www.liagarvin.com/ 

Reframe with Lisa: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Sx-ppBe8gx1Jad2ubshwQ

What about you? It’s for this very reason that I knew that I needed to talk with my guest, Jenna Banks. 

During my conversation with Jenna, we discuss:

 - Disempowering social norms and stories that hold women back

 - How we can love ourselves more