We Are The Leaders We've Been Looking For - With Meaghan Barakett

This week, I sit down with Meghan Barakett—founder & CEO of One Girl—a woman who embodies everything this show stands for: courage, community, and choosing to create the good when life doesn't hand it to you. We talk leadership that starts on the inside. The kind that asks you to get quiet, get honest, and then get moving. We talk about grief, advocacy, and what happens when your identity is used against you online—and why that moment became a turning point, not a dead end. I won't spoil the full story (you'll feel it when you hear it), but here's what you'll learn: In this episode, we get into: "We are the leaders we've been looking for." What that actually means when life gets messy—and how to tap your own wisdom before you outsource it. Imposter syndrome vs. integrity checks. The subtle difference, and how Meghan uses self-awareness and team support to move anyway. From heartache to action. How a single incident online sparked a much bigger mission—and what that process looked like behind the scenes. Internet impersonation 101. What it is in plain English, why it's not fully covered by identity theft laws, and the bill aiming to change that. Practical digital hygiene. Simple, proactive steps (think: alerts, audits, reporting pathways) to help you protect your name and your work. Purpose as fuel. Why "finding the good" is nice—but creating it is where your power lives. About Meghan Meghan Barakett is the founder & CEO of One Girl, a social justice organization empowering women and girls through education, leadership, and community. She's also a relentless advocate—bringing story, policy, and people together to move the needle. Come hang with us in NYC! On November 15, 2025 I'm leading a resilience + leadership workshop at Women in Charge Summit (Fordham University, NYC). 🎟️ Tickets: https://www.onegirlny.org/wic  💸 Discount: Use code LUV25WIC at checkout (limited time). Feeling ready to turn pain into purpose? If you've been through something that's left you shaken — grief, betrayal, burnout, or loss — but you know there's still more you're meant to do with it, I'd love to support you. Through my 1:1 coaching, I help women process the hard stuff in healthy ways, rebuild confidence, and turn adversity into authentic strength — the kind that changes how you show up for yourself and the world. You don't have to face it alone, and you don't have to wait until you "feel ready." Visit kategladdin.com/coaching to learn how we can work together.