Kind of a Big Deal

What do you do when the organization you've given everything to - the one you helped build from the inside out - is suddenly gone?Nurit Siegel Smith spent 25 years building a career at the intersection of arts, culture, and social impact. As Executive Director of Music Forward Foundation, she helped 20,000 young people across the country find pathways into the music industry, including building the first federally recognized apprenticeships in music and live entertainment in the United States.Then, in early 2025, the organization was sunset. And Nurit was the one who had to see it through.What followed was a year she'll tell you herself took six months just to breathe through. We talk about what it looks like to grieve meaningful work, how to stop chasing the next goal and start building the context of the life you want, and why being an artist and being an entrepreneur might be the same act - just with different tools.You'll Learn ⭐ What it looks like to stop goal-chasing and start context-building ⭐ How to rebuild your sense of purpose when your identity was tied to your work⭐ Why presence and joy don't actually require financial security Key InsightsEither You Take the Pause, Or It's Taken from You Nurit didn't choose to stop. The work she loved was taken away. But what she found in the stillness changed everything.Stop Chasing the Goal. Instead of asking "what's my next role?", Nurit flipped the question: what does the life I want to be living actually look like? Purpose and Paycheck Don't Have to Be the Same Thing One of the most freeing realizations of Nurit's transition: she didn't have to find one role that held all of it. She could serve on boards, volunteer, be present for her family - and make money somewhere else.Timestamps 04:00 Planting seeds: on cold outreach and the slow burn of relationships 06:00 The next generation and instant gratification in the workplace 08:00 Navigating liminal space 09:00 Nurit's path: from gymnast and dancer to nonprofit leader 11:00 Discovering the many career pathways in arts and culture 13:00 Music Forward Foundation and building apprenticeships in the music industry 16:00 Sunsetting an organization you love - and surviving it 21:00 Redefining what it means to be a creative person 23:00 Bundu bashing: what creative careers and entrepreneurship have in common 26:00 The year after: six months just to breathe 29:00 Hibernating, licking wounds, and slowly coming back to life 31:00 Redefining success and flipping the goal framework 33:00 When purpose and paycheck don't have to be the same thing 35:00 What financial insecurity taught both women about baseline joy 40:00 Building vs. reacting: staying grounded 42:00 Women founders, corporate boards, and the environment that needs to change 48:00 What's calling to Nurit now Resources and Links Connect with Nurit on LinkedIn Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin's newsletter Big Deal Energy: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf this conversation resonated, share it with someone who needed to hear it — and consider leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations.

What happens when you spend decades achieving everything you were supposed to want - only to realize it fits like an itchy sweater?In this episode, I sit down with Ariana, co-founder and managing partner of Flight Design Co. and co-founder of Kindredly.What I love most about her story isn't what's on her resume. It's what lives underneath it. She's a poet, a photographer, a former wilderness and whitewater river guide turned youth developer turned brand strategist - a self-described recovering achievement addict who spent a decade blowing up the version of herself she'd been building for everyone else.We talk about creativity as resistance to hustle culture, why the thing you're most afraid to show people is probably your most powerful differentiator, and what biology might have to say about why women in midlife are just getting started.You'll Learn⭐ What it takes to unlearn achievement addiction and rebuild on your own terms ⭐ Why your "weirdest thing" is actually your greatest brand differentiator ⭐ How to honor your creative self when it doesn't fit neatly into your career ⭐ What the biology of menopause has to do with women's leadership (seriously) ⭐ How to let creativity be the antidote to hustle cultureKey InsightsThe Itchy Sweater Moment You can build everything you were supposed to want and still feel completely disconnected from it. That discomfort isn't a failure - it's data.Creativity Can't Be Hustled When you're actually in a creative practice, you can't drive it. That's the point. Five minutes of it is enough to pull you back into your body and out of the noise.Biology Is Trying to Tell Us Something Humans are one of the only mammals that go through menopause - and the research on whales and elephants suggests it's because elder females are meant to lead. Ariana makes the case that women in midlife aren't winding down. They're just getting started.Timestamps02:00 How Kristin and Ariana met and what Ariana radiates 06:00 Was she always an entrepreneur? 08:00 The slightly feral childhood, risk-taking, and her time as a whitewater river guide 11:00 How guiding people through scary things became the through line 13:00 Fear of being truly known 16:00 The achievement addiction18:00 The 100 Day Project21:00  Launching a website that brings all of herself together24:00  Cross-pollinating audiences and why showing your full self builds the best clients 26:00  Why overnight success is always a decade in the making 32:00 How capitalism and hustle culture are the enemy of creativity 36:00 Creative Roundtabling 40:00 What it would take to actually create the conditions for more women founders  45:00 Why having women at the table isn't enough without a culture shift 46:00 The biology of menopause and elder women as evolutionary leaders Resources and LinksConnect with Ariana on LinkedIn or at her websiteLearn more about Flight Design Co. and Kindredly Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin's newsletter Big Deal Energy: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf this conversation resonated, share it with someone who needed to hear it — and consider leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations.

What does it look like to stay completely, unapologetically yourself - across every job, every pivot, every industry?In this episode, I sit down with my ride-or-die bestie Vanessa — creative director, UX designer, co-founder, freelancer, fine artist, and one of the most genuinely creative people I've ever known. We go all the way back to the corners of an art school painting lab, survived a summer in Europe on nectarines and salami, and grew into adults together in San Francisco. But beyond our history, this conversation is about something I think a lot of women are quietly wrestling with: how do you stay true to who you are when every system around you keeps asking you to be something else? Vanessa has navigated corporate giants, a thriving event business, freelance life, and startup culture — always leading with integrity, always trusting her gut — even when the world wanted her to fix her face and be a little more "corporate Vanessa."You'll Learn⭐ How to trust your gut when the world wants a formula ⭐ What it looks like to pivot across corporate, startup, freelance, and entrepreneurship ⭐ How to keep your creative practice alive when life demands everything else ⭐ What staying true to yourself actually costs — and why it's worth it ⭐ How to redefine legacy when your path doesn't look like anyone else'sKey InsightsIntegrity Isn't a Strategy — It's a Through Line Vanessa has never been able to perform her way through something that doesn't fit. That's been a friction point in corporate environments — and her greatest superpower everywhere else.Intuition Is a Muscle Vanessa doesn't start with references — she starts with excitement. Dread, fear, and excitement are all data points. When something's exciting and a little scary? That's usually the green light."Flow" Over the Formula At every stage of her career, the signal wasn't a title or a number — it was the feeling in her body that said this rhythm is right. The work is chasing more of that.Timestamps02:00 – How Kristin and Vanessa met and grew up together 05:00 – Vanessa's creative family roots and her third-grade art teacher debut09:00 – Why she calls herself a "unicorn designer" — and means it 13:00 – Keeping a creative practice alive when life takes over 17:00 – From event florals to web design: the many lives of Vanessa 24:00 – Early career in graphic design and the pivot toward UX 27:00 – Landing at Walmart.com and realizing corporate wasn't it 33:00 – Running an event company and a tech career at the same time 36:00 – Using dread, excitement, and fear as a decision-making framework 40:00 – Why she looks at fashion week, not other beverage brands, for inspiration 46:00 – The girl boss era, what we were told, and what nobody mentioned 48:00 – What building a legacy means when your path is entirely your own 54:00 – Authenticity as a through line — and why it's been both a blessing and a friction pointResources and LinksConnect with Vanessa on LinkedIn See her work at Vanessavellozzi.comFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin's newsletter Big Deal Energy: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf this one hit close to home, share it with a friend who needed to hear it — and consider leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations.

What do you do when the career you need doesn't exist yet?In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Green Barber, founder of Impact Architects - a research and strategy firm helping journalism, media, and philanthropy organizations measure what actually matters. Lindsay's path here was anything but straight: a PhD, two years of fieldwork in Ecuador, a postdoc fellowship, and a skillset that never quite fit the roles that existed.So she built her own.Nearly a decade later, Impact Architects is one of the most respected voices in media impact measurement - and Lindsay is in the middle of a new kind of inflection point. We talk about what it's taken to step into her identity as a founder and leader, why the metrics driving journalism decisions are quietly undermining the industry, and what legacy looks like when you're trying to reimagine an entire sector while also making it to swim class pickup.You'll Learn⭐ How to build a career when your skillset doesn't fit existing roles ⭐ What slow, intentional business growth actually looks like in practice ⭐ What it takes to step into your identity as a leader ⭐ How to align your personal growth with your business strategy ⭐ What community-centered journalism looks like and why it matters Key InsightsEntrepreneurship Isn't Always a Calling - Sometimes It's a Solution Lindsay didn't set out to start a company. She set out to do work that mattered and realized the only way to do it was to build something herself.Clear Is Kind Stepping into leadership means giving your team clarity - about direction, accountability, and vision. Avoiding that isn't humility, it's a disservice.The Metrics Are the Message When journalism organizations measure success by page views designed for ad sales, they optimize for the wrong thing entirely. Impact measurement asks a harder, more important question.Timestamps02:00 Lindsay's non-linear path and why she went straight to grad schoo04:00 Fieldwork in Ecuador and watching a government silence indigenous voices 06:00Moving back to the US and rejecting the ivory tower 07:00 The postdoc fellowship that landed her at CIR 08:00 Building impact measurement frameworks from scratch 11:00 How the model started resonating across the industry 14:00 Seeing an opportunity to build something outside of org life 15:00 Becoming a founder by accident — the "industry orphan" origin story20:00 Postpartum, trust, and a turning point for the company 21:00 Building a team that could hold the work without her 22:00 Turning 40 and asking: what comes next? 23:00 When personal growth and business strategy finally come together 26:00 "What would Kristin do?" — on advisors and hype girls 27:00 What surprised her most about this phase of growth 33:00 The broken metrics quietly driving journalism decisions 37:00 Community listening and how to actually understand your audience42:00 The CPB funding crisis and what's at stake for local media 44:00 How do you get people to care before it's gone? 45:00 What journalism has to do differently to earn trust 48:00 Legacy: professional, personal, and what her kid thinks of herResources and LinksConnect with Lindsay Green Barber on LinkedIn Find out more about her work at Impact Architects Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for Kristin's new

What happens when the life you built… stops feeling like your own?In this episode, I sit down with Shayne Corriea, who spent over a decade building a successful financial advisory business—only to reach a breaking point where her health, energy, and sense of self were completely depleted.What followed wasn’t a simple pivot. It involved burnout, a full identity reset, and the difficult decision to walk away from something that was “working,” but no longer aligned.We talk about what it actually means to “do the work” (not the buzzword version), how unresolved patterns shape our decisions, and why so many women ignore the signs of burnout until they’re forced to stop.This conversation also explores mindfulness, meditation, and sound healing as tools for managing stress and rewiring old patterns—and what it looks like to rebuild self-trust when you’re no longer sure what comes next.You’ll Learn ⭐ The real signs of burnout—and what happens when you ignore them ⭐ What it takes to walk away from a successful career ⭐ What “doing the work” actually looks like in practice ⭐ How mindfulness and meditation support nervous system regulation ⭐ Why self-trust breaks down—and how to rebuild it ⭐ Letting go of external validation and redefining success ⭐ How to navigate identity shifts and major life transitionsKey InsightsBurnout Doesn’t Happen Overnight It builds slowly—until your body or life forces you to pay attention.Success Doesn’t Always Equal Alignment You can build something impressive and still feel disconnected from it.Self-Trust Is Built (and Rebuilt) Especially after major transitions, learning to trust yourself again is a process.Doing the Work Means Going Back Patterns often start earlier than we think—and require real reflection to shift.Slowing Down Is a Skill For many women, it’s not natural—it’s something that has to be practiced.Timestamps [00:00:00] – Recording in person and how this conversation started [00:02:00] – Building a business and sensing something was off [00:05:30] – Burnout, health challenges, and the breaking point [00:08:30] – The fear of walking away from something successful [00:11:00] – What “doing the work” actually means [00:14:30] – Patterns, past experiences, and self-reflection [00:17:00] – Rediscovering identity and joy [00:20:00] – Meditation, sound healing, and stress [00:24:00] – The science behind nervous system regulation [00:27:00] – Why slowing down feels so difficult [00:30:00] – People-pleasing and external validation [00:33:30] – Loss, rebuilding, and perspective shifts [00:36:00] – Practicing mindfulness in everyday life [00:40:00] – Rebuilding self-trust [00:43:00] – Community, storytelling, and connection [00:46:00] – Redefining success [00:49:00] – Legacy and breaking generational patternsResources and LinksConnect with ShayneFind out more about her work at Mindful Abundance StrategiesFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for Kristin’s newsletter Big Deal Energy: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf this conversation resonated, share it with someone who might need it—and consider leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations.

What if storytelling isn’t just how you communicate your work - but how you create impact and shape the legacy you leave behind?Join me as I sit down with Tamiko Heim, a leader working at the intersection of community, government, systems, and real human impact.Tamiko’s perspective on storytelling goes far beyond messaging. For her, it’s how people make sense of the work, how communities connect to it, and how ideas actually take root and last. It’s not a layer on top - it’s embedded in how impact is built and sustained over time.In this conversation, we explore storytelling as a leadership practice, the role it plays in shaping systems and communities, and what it means to build something that actually lasts.You’ll Learn⭐ How to navigate complex systems where there are no clear answers⭐ The importance of relationships in driving meaningful change⭐ How to communicate work in a way that actually connects⭐ What it takes to lead in community-centered environments⭐ Why clarity often comes through action, not before it⭐ How to stay grounded while making high-stakes decisionsKey InsightsLeadership Requires Holding Complexity There aren’t always clean answers. Strong leaders are able to navigate nuance and move forward anyway.Relationships Are the Work Impact is rarely individual - it’s built through trust, collaboration, and connection.Storytelling Drives Understanding If people can’t understand or connect to the work, it’s difficult for it to gain traction or scale.Systems Shape How We Lead The environments we operate in influence decisions, behavior, and outcomes more than we often realize.Clarity Comes Through Movement Waiting for perfect certainty can stall progress - clarity is often built in motion.Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction and how Kristin and Tamiko connected [00:03:00] – Tamiko’s path into leadership and community work [00:07:00] – Where storytelling shows up in real-world impact [00:12:00] – Communicating complex work in a way that lands [00:18:00] – The relationship between storytelling and trust [00:24:00] – Narrative, systems, and shaping perception [00:31:00] – Why connection matters more than just information [00:38:00] – Leadership, responsibility, and holding nuance [00:45:00] – Building work that lasts beyond you [00:52:00] – What legacy means in this workResources and LinksConnect with Tamiko Heim on LinkedInFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for Kristin’s newsletter for more stories, insights, and tools for women leaders: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterFind Airel Vanece's (Tamiko's daughter) book Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song hereIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps more women find these conversations - and means a lot as the show grows.

What if the most important part of leadership isn’t what you say or do - but how you see people?Join me as I sit down with Jackie Kendricks, Director of Education at Roberts Family Development Center, who has spent years working alongside children, families, and young adults in community.Jackie’s path into this work began in education, but it deepened as she stepped into nonprofit and community-based work - where she saw firsthand how complex people’s lives really are, and how often we reduce others to a single moment or behavior.In this conversation, we explore what it actually means to lead people well: holding space without judgment, understanding the difference between expectation and entitlement, and recognizing that most people are simply trying to survive with dignity.You’ll Learn⭐ Why leadership starts with how you see and understand people⭐ The difference between expectation and entitlement in younger generations⭐ How technology is shaping attention, identity, and behavior⭐ Why community and connection are essential to resilience⭐ How to navigate emotionally demanding work without losing yourself⭐ Why “your 3am phone call” matters more than anythingKey InsightsMost People Are Trying to Survive with Dignity When you understand that people are navigating more than you can see, it changes how you lead, respond, and show up.Leadership Is About How You Leave People Impact isn’t just about outcomes - it’s about whether people walk away believing more in themselves.Expectation vs Entitlement Is Often Misunderstood What looks like entitlement may actually be a generation shaped by immediacy and constant access.You Can’t Lead Without Seeing the Whole Person Reducing people to a single behavior or moment limits both their growth and your ability to lead effectively.Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction: Meeting Jackie and her work in community [00:01:05] – Jackie’s role at Roberts Family Development Center [00:04:45] – Supporting children, families, and underserved communities [00:08:00] – Working with young adults and generational differences [00:10:45] – Technology, attention, and immediate gratification [00:13:00] – Expectation vs entitlement [00:15:30] – Teaching real-world skills in a digital generation [00:18:00] – Parenting and navigating technology with kids [00:20:30] – AI, learning, and critical thinking [00:23:00] – Jackie’s path into nonprofit and community work [00:26:30] – Understanding people beyond the surface [00:30:00] – Surviving with dignity and isolation [00:32:45] – The importance of community and “your 3am phone call” [00:36:30] – Burnout and emotional load in this work [00:40:30] – Self-care and learning to be alone [00:43:30] – Balancing ambition, family, and boundaries [00:46:00] – Leadership, confidence, and how you show up [00:49:30] – Legacy and leaving people wellResources and LinksConnect with Kristin Belden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinbelden/Learn more about Belden Strategies: https://beldenstrategies.com Sign up for the Big Deal Energy newsletter: https://beldenstrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Jackie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelyn-kendricks-89b35a47/Check out more about Roberts Family Development Center: https://robertsfdc.org/👉 If this conversation resonated, make sure to subscribe, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and let me know what stood out to you.

“Engagement is the metric of whether people actually care.”Join me as I sit down with Simone Aponte, VP News Director at KTVU, who has spent her career inside newsrooms - from writing scripts at 3:00 AM to leading teams shaping how communities receive and understand information.Simone has seen the media landscape shift in real time - not just in how news is produced, but in how trust is built, how teams are led, and how impact is measured.In this conversation, we explore what it actually looks like to lead inside a newsroom - the shift from doing the work to building systems, developing people, and thinking long-term in an environment that runs on constant deadlines.We talk about the tension between speed and thoughtfulness in news, why engagement matters more than reach, and how the way people consume information is fundamentally changing.We also talk about AI in journalism, the realities of leading through constant change, and what it means to leave something better than you found it.This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about leadership, journalism, and the responsibility that comes with shaping how people understand the world around them.You’ll Learn⭐ Why engagement matters more than views or reach⭐ What it actually looks like to lead inside a newsroom⭐ The shift from doing the work to leading people and systems⭐ Why local news still matters for strong, informed communities⭐ How Simone’s definition of success has evolved over time⭐ What it means to build trust with audiences todayKey InsightsEngagement Reflects Real Impact It’s not about how many people see something - it’s about whether it resonates enough for people to respond, share, and care.Leadership Requires Letting Go of the Work Moving into leadership means stepping out of execution and focusing on people, systems, and long-term outcomes.Speed and Thoughtfulness Are in Constant Tension Newsrooms operate in real time, but meaningful storytelling requires context, nuance, and editorial judgment.Trust Is Built Over Time In a fragmented media landscape, trust isn’t assumed - it’s earned through consistency, clarity, and credibility.AI Is Changing the Work — Not Replacing It Technology can support efficiency, but human judgment and storytelling remain essential.Timestamps[00:00:00] – Introduction: Simone’s path into journalism [00:03:00] – Early career and first newsroom experiences [00:07:00] – The reality of working in broadcast news [00:12:00] – Transitioning from producer to leader [00:16:00] – Thinking long-term in a deadline-driven environment [00:20:00] – Building a live streaming model during COVID [00:24:00] – Engagement vs reach in modern media [00:28:00] – Rebuilding trust with audiences [00:33:00] – AI in journalism: tool vs risk [00:40:00] – Redefining success over time [00:45:00] – Early work experiences and leadership lessons [00:50:00] – Legacy and leaving things better than you found themResources and LinksConnect with Simone on LinkedInFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for Kristin’s newsletter for more stories, insights, and tools for women leaders: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

What if the biggest factor shaping your leadership isn’t strategy, experience, or authority - but the emotional energy you bring into the room?Join me as I sit down with communication and leadership expert Beth Wonson, who has spent more than 15 years helping organizations and leaders navigate difficult conversations, workplace conflict, and the emotional dynamics that show up whenever humans work together.Beth’s path into this work didn’t begin in consulting. It began in leadership roles where she discovered firsthand how challenging it can be to manage teams, hold people accountable, and navigate high-pressure environments without the tools to manage your own emotional reactions.In this conversation, we explore the real skill behind difficult conversations: learning to manage your own emotional energy, approaching conflict with curiosity instead of defensiveness, and creating dialogue that builds trust instead of damaging relationships.This is a practical, honest conversation about communication, self-awareness, and what it actually takes to lead people well.You’ll Learn⭐ Why difficult conversations are really about managing your own emotional reactions⭐ How emotional energy shapes the outcome of workplace communication⭐ Why curiosity is more powerful than trying to be “right”⭐ The difference between healthy conflict and damaging conflict⭐ How leaders can share vulnerability without oversharing⭐ Why emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership⭐ How to approach challenging dialogue in a way that builds trustKey InsightsLeadership Starts With Self-Management The most important skill in difficult conversations isn’t persuasion - it’s the ability to manage your own emotional triggers before responding.Curiosity Creates Connection Approaching conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness helps build empathy, trust, and better outcomes.Healthy Conflict Drives Innovation Friction between different perspectives can create better solutions when leaders know how to hold space for disagreement.Emotional Energy Shapes the Room The energy leaders bring into conversations affects how teams respond, communicate, and collaborate.Communication Skills Aren’t Taught Most professionals are promoted for technical skills, not leadership or communication abilities - leaving many leaders to learn these skills the hard way.Timestamps[00:00:00] – Introduction: Why difficult conversations shape leadership[00:03:00] – Beth’s early career and lessons from leadership roles[00:06:00] – Learning to manage emotional reactions as a leader[00:08:00] – Why workplace conflict usually comes down to communication[00:11:00] – Healthy conflict vs unhealthy conflict in organizations[00:14:00] – Vulnerability, leadership, and oversharing[00:18:00] – Emotional intelligence and navigating workplace stress[00:22:00] – Understanding emotional triggers and reactions[00:30:00] – How curiosity transforms difficult conversations[00:37:00] – Self-awareness, leadership growth, and personal development[00:46:00] – Career advice for younger professionals[00:53:00] – What legacy means in leadershipResources and LinksConnect with Beth Wanson on LinkedIn Learn more about Beth’s work on communication, leadership, and challenging dialogue on her websiteFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for Kristin’s newsletter for more stories, insights, and tools for women leaders: BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

Join me as I sit down with strategic consultant Kyla Bryant, whose work centers on leadership, workforce development, and helping organizations build people-first systems.Kyla’s leadership philosophy started on prom day at a cosmetology school when she raised her hand to organize a chaotic situation she hadn’t been trained for. That moment became the foundation for a mindset she still carries today: it’s easier to steer a moving ship. Over the course of her career, Kyla has worked across multiple sectors, from education and workforce development to consulting and entrepreneurship. Along the way, she’s learned that leadership rarely comes from feeling fully prepared - it comes from stepping forward when something needs to be done.We talk about entrepreneurship, perfectionism, the pressure many women carry to have everything figured out, and how success can evolve from external markers to something much deeper: feeling grounded in who you are and the work you’re building.You’ll Learn:⭐ Why leadership often begins before you feel ready⭐ How momentum can create clarity when the path feels uncertain⭐ Why reflection is critical for entrepreneurs and leaders⭐ The difference between hustle and sustainable flow⭐ How defining success evolves over the course of a careerKey InsightsMomentum Creates Clarity Waiting until you feel fully prepared often keeps you stuck. Taking action - even imperfect action - allows you to adjust course as you move forward.Reflection Builds Perspective Regular reflection helps leaders recognize progress, learn from patterns, and avoid constantly chasing the next milestone.Entrepreneurship Requires Internal Leadership When you work for yourself, you must become both the strategist and the accountability partner.Flow vs Hustle Sustainable success comes from working in alignment with your natural rhythms and priorities - not constant pressure or overwork.Success Evolves Over Time Early in our careers, success often looks like titles or income. Over time, many leaders redefine success as feeling grounded, aligned, and purposeful in their work.Timestamps[00:00:00] – Introduction to Kyla Bryant[00:03:00] – Early leadership instincts and growing up the oldest sibling[00:04:30] – Starting out in cosmetology and discovering leadership[00:06:00] – Seeing opportunity before feeling ready[00:08:00] – Early career uncertainty and the pressure to have answers[00:10:00] – Perfectionism, parenthood, and learning to let go of control[00:15:00] – The path to entrepreneurship[00:18:00] – Strategic guidance rooted in empathy[00:22:00] – Workforce systems and people-first leadership[00:24:00] – Building structure and reflection as a solopreneur[00:29:00] – The reality of working for yourself[00:32:00] – Hustle culture vs sustainable flow[00:37:00] – Redefining success over time[00:43:00] – What legacy means for KylaResources and LinksConnect with Kyla Bryant and check out her work at https://kylabryantllc.com/Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review.And if you're interested in more conversations about leadership, identity, and building meaningful work, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter

Join me as I sit down with Shonna Shearson, President and CEO of First U.S. Community Credit Union, whose leadership journey is anything but a straight line.Shonna began her career thinking she might become a teacher, eventually moving into training and development before discovering the cooperative world of credit unions - an industry rooted in community, financial empowerment, and collective impact. Over the course of decades, she built her leadership career not by chasing titles, but by staying curious, being of service, and saying yes to opportunities to grow. We talk about nonlinear careers, the power of mentorship and peer communities, the role curiosity plays in long-term leadership growth, and what it means to build a legacy by developing the people around you.You’ll Learn:⭐ How curiosity can become one of the most powerful leadership skills⭐ The cooperative model behind credit unions and why it matters for communities⭐ How mentorship and peer networks shape leadership growth⭐ Why service - not ambition alone - often leads to meaningful successKey Insights:Curiosity Drives Growth: Leaders who stay curious about systems, decisions, and processes often uncover opportunities for innovation and impact.Service Creates Opportunity: Focusing on how you can contribute - rather than how you advance - often opens doors to leadership naturally.Careers Are Nonlinear: Few people can predict where their careers will lead. Remaining open to unexpected opportunities allows growth to unfold over time.Community Shapes Leadership: Mentors, peers, and professional communities often play a critical role in leadership development.Legacy Is About Developing Others: True leadership impact isn’t just about personal success - it’s about helping others grow into leaders themselves.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction to Shauna and Leadership Sacramento[00:03:00] – Early career uncertainty and choosing teaching[00:06:00] – Discovering training and development[00:08:00] – Finding purpose in the credit union movement[00:12:00] – Why credit unions exist and how they serve communities[00:18:00] – Staying curious inside long careers[00:21:00] – Service as a leadership mindset[00:24:00] – Ambition vs meaningful success[00:26:00] – Career seasons and raising young children[00:27:30] – Becoming a yoga teacher during the Great Recession[00:30:30] – Mentorship and peer communities[00:35:00] – Defining leadership legacyResources and Links:Learn more about First U.S. Community Credit UnionFind host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights atBeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review.And if you're interested in more conversations about leadership, evolution, and building meaningful work, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/ newsletter.

Join me as I sit down with psychologist and leadership development consultant Dr. Christina Pate, whose work explores the intersection of human behavior, organizational culture, and sustainable performance.Christina’s path into this work began with her own experience of burnout - not as something to push through, but as information that something deeper was misaligned. Since then, she has focused on helping leaders and organizations understand how nervous system patterns, identity pressures, and workplace expectations shape how we perform, lead, and sustain ourselves over time.We talk about over-functioning, identity beyond roles, the pressure many women leaders carry to hold more than their share, and what it means to build lives and organizations that support wellbeing rather than quietly erode it.This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, sustainability, complexity, and learning to build success that can actually last.You’ll Learn:⭐ Why burnout is often a signal of misalignment - not a personal failure⭐ How leadership mirrors the way we lead ourselves⭐ The role of nervous system awareness in sustainable performance⭐ The difference between scalable success and sustainable success⭐ Why holding complexity is a modern leadership skillKey Insights:Burnout as Information: Burnout often reveals misalignment between values, identity, expectations, and systems - not a lack of resilience.Leadership Starts Internally: The way we regulate stress, set boundaries, and relate to uncertainty shapes how we lead others.Sustainable vs Scalable Success: Organizations frequently optimize for growth and output without building the internal conditions required for people to thrive.Nervous System Awareness Changes Leadership: Stress responses influence decision-making, communication, and capacity long before conscious strategy.Identity Beyond Roles: Career disruption, burnout, and transition often surface deeper questions about identity and purpose.Complexity Over Certainty: Modern leadership requires the ability to hold nuance, reject binary thinking, and operate in ambiguity.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction and meeting through LEAP Academy[00:03:00] – Early burnout and redefining success[00:07:00] – Burnout as signal, not failure[00:12:00] – Leadership as a mirror of self-leadership[00:18:00] – Over-functioning and invisible responsibility[00:25:00] – Disruption, grief, and rebuilding frameworks[00:28:00] – Nervous system awareness and leadership[00:33:00] – Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses[00:38:00] – Rejecting binary thinking and holding complexity[00:41:00] – Identity shifts and the future of work[00:44:00] – Micro practices for regulation and sustainability[00:47:00] – Legacy as sustainability, not scaleResources and Links:Connect with Dr. Christina PateLearn more about her leadership development workTake Christina’s stress response quiz Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review.And if you’re interested in more conversations about leadership, identity, and building sustainable success, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com

What happens when the company you helped build disappears - and you’re left rebuilding your identity in real time?Join me as I sit down with Michelle Skoor - former colleague, executive teammate, and one of the most grounded leaders I know. We worked side-by-side inside a fast-scaling, venture-backed social impact tech company that ultimately imploded. What followed wasn’t just professional transition - it was personal reckoning.In this conversation, we unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, to question your own judgment, and to sit with the uncomfortable space between who you were and who you’re becoming.Michelle shares how their years as a competitive gymnast shaped their leadership style, why they've only applied for a traditional job twice in 25 years, and how intentionally building relationships over decades created the foundation for their next chapter.We talk about identity, imposter syndrome, risk tolerance, burnout, menopause, parenting, privilege, privilege’s responsibility, and the courage it takes to get quiet before rebuilding.This is an honest conversation about ambition, grief, resilience, and redefining legacy - not as titles or status, but as impact and love.You’ll Learn:⭐ How early life experiences shape your leadership muscle⭐ Why building relationships over time matters more than “networking”⭐ How to recover after a professional implosion⭐ Why quiet seasons can be strategic ⭐ The difference between being good at something and wanting to do it⭐ How to evaluate sustainability before saying yesKey Insights:Risk Tolerance Is Built Over Time: Trying things - in sports, in startups, in life - creates the muscle to navigate uncertainty.Identity Can Over-Attach to Work: When roles disappear, you’re forced to separate your worth from your title.Quiet Is Not Failure: Taking space to reflect, heal, and reset can be the most strategic move you make.Sustainability Matters: Mission-driven work without a path to financial health is fragile - and leaders must ask harder questions.Legacy Is Dual: It’s the work you’re proud of and the love you cultivate at home.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction: Leading through uncertainty[00:07:00] – Gymnastics, risk-taking, and leadership muscle[00:18:00] – Early career, imposter syndrome, and building access[00:25:00] – Intentional relationship-building vs. networking[00:33:00] – Writing a personal manifesto[00:42:00] – The implosion and identity reckoning[00:50:00] – Asking harder questions about sustainability[00:57:00] – The power of quiet seasons[01:05:00] – Parenting, re-parenting, and legacyResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Michelle on LinkedInIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating your own transition - whether by choice or by force - join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, resilience, and building what’s next.

What would you do if the thing you built your identity around vanished overnight?Join me as I sit down with Channelle Charest - a former executive at a rapidly scaling, venture-backed tech company that imploded almost overnight. What followed wasn’t just a career shift. It was an identity reckoning.Channelle and I shared that experience from the inside. We were leaders. We were deeply invested. We believed in what we were building. And then suddenly, it was gone.This conversation isn’t about scandal. It’s about what happens after the collapse - when titles disappear, roles dissolve, and you’re left asking: Who am I without this?We talk about tying your identity to your work, the grief of losing something you loved, the pressure to rebuild quickly, and the uncomfortable (but necessary) process of reevaluating what actually matters.This is an honest conversation about ambition, burnout, code-switching, discipline, self-talk, and what it means to evolve - especially when evolution isn’t your choice.You’ll Learn:⭐ Why high achievers struggle to slow down (even when they need to)⭐ The cost of tying your worth to performance⭐ How to rebuild after professional loss⭐ Why discipline can be more powerful than hustle⭐ What legacy really means beyond achievementKey Insights:Identity Can Get Over-Enmeshed with Work: When your vocation becomes your entire identity, losing it can feel like losing yourself.Success Isn’t the Same as Alignment: You can have impact, money, community, and influence - and still need to reevaluate who you are within it.Discipline > Overdrive: Growth sometimes means restraining your natural strengths instead of overusing them.Women Code-Switch More Than They Realize: Many female leaders feel pressure to shift identities between work and home - something men are often culturally exempt from.Legacy Isn’t Empire-Building: It’s laying bricks that raise the baseline for someone else.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction: When the thing you built disappears[00:04:00] – Working together in a high-growth tech company[00:08:00] – Identity, performance, and authenticity[00:17:00] – The implosion and the grief that followed[00:22:00] – Survival mode vs. reflection mode[00:27:00] – Rebuilding your identity from scratch[00:30:00] – Choosing values over prestige[00:36:00] – Discipline, overdrive, and self-awareness[00:44:00] – Inflection points and evolution[01:04:00] – Redefining legacyResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Channelle Charest on LinkedInIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating a season of professional transition or identity shift, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, reinvention, and building what’s next.

What if the pressure to “have a plan” is the very thing keeping you stuck?Join me as I sit down with Celeste Gutierrez - a recent graduate who thought she had her path mapped out, until she realized (just one month before finishing) that it no longer fit.Instead of forcing clarity, she chose exploration.What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just her age - it’s her approach. Celeste is navigating uncertainty with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try things before she feels fully ready.And that’s something many of us (at any stage) forget we’re allowed to do.We talk about pivots (and whether they’re even pivots at all), anxiety around making the “wrong” choice, the noise of social media comparison, the pressure of hustle culture, and what it really means to build resilience in real time.This is a conversation about being in-between. About the tension between possibility and fear. About reaching out before you feel qualified. About trying everything - not because you’re lost, but because you’re paying attention.If you’re in a season of transition - questioning your next move, rethinking your identity, or resisting the pressure to have it all figured out - this one will resonate.You’ll Learn:⭐ Why there may be no such thing as a wrong decision⭐ How to reframe “pivots” as clarity unfolding⭐ What social media comparison is actually revealing about you⭐ Why networking is really relationship-building ⭐ How resilience is built through small, uncomfortable risks⭐ How to stay connected to what you love - even as your career evolvesKey Insights:Clarity Comes From Movement: You don’t think your way into the right path - you experiment your way there.Comparison Can Be Information: Jealousy often reveals desire. Pay attention to what pulls you.Relationships Create Opportunity: Bold outreach and real conversations open doors that credentials alone can’t.Resilience Isn’t Flippant - It’s Earned: Confidence grows through trying, adjusting, and surviving small failures.You Can Hold Ambition and Uncertainty at the Same Time: Possibility and fear coexist. That tension doesn’t mean you’re behind - it means you’re growing.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction: The pressure to have it figured out [00:04:00] – Changing direction at the last minute [00:08:00] – Pivot or growth? [00:12:00] – The anxiety of making the “wrong” decision [00:14:00] – Social media: comparison vs. connection [00:18:00] – Reframing jealousy [00:23:00] – AI, the job market, and uncertainty [00:26:00] – Networking boldly [00:32:00] – Hustle culture vs. exploration [00:38:00] – Trying everything [00:40:00] – Building resilience [00:44:00] – What kind of legacy do you want to leave?Resources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Celeste on LinkedInFollow Celeste on Instagram: @Celeste.MariaaIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re navigating your own inflection point, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter for more conversations about leadership, identity, and building what’s next.

What if collaboration - not competition - is the key to building systems that actually work?Join me as I sit down with Tiffany Loeffler, Executive Director of The Alliance, a nonprofit network working to support vulnerable children and families through collaboration across healthcare, social services, and community organizations.After years of working inside systems meant to help families, Tiffany saw firsthand how siloed efforts, scarcity mindsets, and burnout limit real impact - even when people care deeply and are doing their best. As she so eloquently puts it: "organizations don’t collaborate - people do".We talk about trust, leadership without hierarchy, building relationships across systems, and how tools like Working Genius can help teams collaborate more effectively and avoid burnout.This is an honest conversation about leadership, collaboration, and what it takes to build social impact work that is both effective and sustainable.You’ll Learn:⭐ Why collaboration matters more than competition in social impact work⭐ Why relationships are the foundation of effective systems of care⭐ How nonprofit leaders can prevent burnout and compassion fatigue⭐ What it means to build a legacy rooted in connection and shared responsibilityKey Insights:Organizations Don’t Collaborate - People Do: True collaboration happens through trust, vulnerability, and relationships.Scarcity Undermines Impact: When organizations operate from fear and competition, everyone loses - especially the people systems are meant to serve.Trauma Requires Coordination: Supporting children and families impacted by trauma requires aligned, cross-sector collaboration, not isolated interventions.Sustainability Is a Leadership Skill: Leaders must learn to set boundaries, delegate, and build complementary teams to stay effective for the long term.Legacy Is Collective: Lasting impact isn’t built alone - it’s created through systems and relationships that can grow beyond any one leader.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction: Why collaboration matters[00:03:00] – Tiffany’s path from healthcare to nonprofit leadership[00:07:00] – Adoption, trauma, and seeing gaps in the system[00:12:00] – Scarcity mindset in nonprofit work[00:18:00] – Building trust across organizations[00:25:00] – Responding to crisis through collective action[00:32:00] – Compassion fatigue, burnout, and boundaries[00:38:00] – Leadership, delegation, and knowing your strengths[00:44:00] – Opportunity cost, saying no, and sustainability[00:46:00] – Legacy, collaboration, and long-term impactResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more conversations and insights at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Tiffany Loeffler Learn more about The Alliance and their collaborative work supporting children and familiesFrameworks & Tools Mentioned in This Episode: • The Working Genius - a strengths-based framework for understanding how people contribute, collaborate, and avoid burnoutIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re interested in more conversations about leadership, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter.

What if hating your job isn’t inevitable — and the problem isn’t you? A conversation about work, leadership, and why people leave managers, not jobs.Join me as I sit down with Jill Parish, a leadership facilitator and organizational development expert who has spent her career helping people rethink what work is supposed to feel like.Jill’s path spans HR, healthcare, higher education, and executive leadership development — including years designing and leading programs for physicians and senior leaders. Today, she runs her own firm focused on helping organizations build healthier workplaces through better leadership, communication, and self-awareness.Our conversation explores why so many people feel disengaged at work, how leadership and management are often misunderstood, and why relationships — not titles or org charts — are the real drivers of job satisfaction.This is an honest, grounded conversation about work, leadership, and how we might build careers — and cultures — that don’t require constant burnout or resignation.You’ll Learn:⭐ The difference between leadership and management (and why it matters)⭐ Why influence and relationships matter more than hierarchy⭐ How self-awareness changes the way teams function⭐ What actually makes people stay, grow, and feel fulfilled at workKey Insights:Leadership Isn’t About Titles: You don’t need direct reports to be a leader. Leadership shows up in how you communicate, build trust, and influence the people around you — in work and in life.Why People Leave Managers, Not Jobs: Most workplace dissatisfaction isn’t about the work itself. It’s about feeling unseen, unsupported, or unclear — and better leadership can change that.Work Is Relational: Job satisfaction has far more to do with relationships, clarity, and culture than the technical work someone is hired to do.Self-Awareness Changes Everything: Understanding your strengths and how you show up helps reduce conflict, improve communication, and build stronger teams.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction and why work doesn’t have to feel miserable[00:02:00] – Meeting through leadership development and facilitated learning[00:04:00] – Jill’s path from HR to leadership and organizational development[00:07:00] – Discovering leadership development as a career[00:12:00] – Why people don’t leave jobs — they leave managers[00:15:00] – Leadership vs. management: different skill sets[00:18:00] – Why clarity is one of the most overlooked leadership tools[00:20:00] – Leadership beyond hierarchy and org charts[00:24:00] – Launching her own firm and redefining success[00:30:00] – Self-awareness, strengths, and workplace relationships[00:35:00] – What fulfillment at work actually looks like[00:48:00] – Building a legacy through better leadership and cultureResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.com Sign up for more insights and conversations at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Jill Parish on LinkedInFind out more about her leadership facilitation and organizational development work: ThinkDevIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow the show, and leave a review. And if you’re interested in more conversations about work, leadership, and building careers that don’t burn you out, join my newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletter.

What if you stopped waiting for opportunities to find you and started creating your own?Join me as I sit down with Tam Smith, founder of Studio 349 and host of Sales for Service podcast. Born from a global pandemic, family health crisis, and a hospital room Google search for "how to make money working from home," Tam's entrepreneurial journey is anything but conventional. Our conversation explores what it means to say yes to yourself, separate your self-worth from your work, and embrace sales as a tool for creating the opportunities you actually want - not just being grateful for what comes your way. You'll Learn:⭐ The importance of going after what you want (not just waiting for what finds you)⭐ How to separate self-worth from work ⭐ The power of raising your hand and asking for help sooner⭐ Why building a business is "cheaper than therapy"⭐ How to throw your own dinner party (aka: be intentional about your business) Key Insights:From Crisis to Clarity: Sometimes it takes a global pandemic and family health crisis to push you into entrepreneurship - and that's okay. Your path doesn't have to be perfect. The Dinner Party Principle: You don't throw a dinner party by opening your front door and saying "everybody come in." Be intentional about who you invite and the experience you want to create. Sales Isn't Sleazy: The negative feelings around sales often come from how we've been sold to - but proactive client acquisition doesn't have to feel icky when done right. Ask for Help Sooner: The one thing Tam would do differently? Raise her hand and ask for help earlier in the journey. Working with a business coach was a game-changer. Say Yes to Yourself: Women are great at taking care of everyone and everything - except ourselves. For Tam, building a legacy means enabling as many women as possible to say yes to themselves first. Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction and the power of LinkedIn connections[00:02:00] - Meeting through Réland Logan and building community[00:03:00] - Introducing Studio 349 and Tam's entrepreneurial journey[00:04:00] - Named after her father (born September 1934)[00:05:00] - The hospital room Google search that started it all[00:06:00] - From virtual assistant to digital marketing during COVID[00:07:00] - The business coach conversation that changed everything[00:39:00] - Why she started the Sales for Service podcast[00:40:00] - Leading by example: the importance of consistent digital presence[00:41:00] - Separating self-worth from work to avoid sales sabotage[00:42:00] - Sales as exposure therapy: getting comfortable being uncomfortable[00:44:00] - The special community of women cheering each other on[00:45:00] - Building a legacy: enabling women to say yes to themselves Resources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.comSign up to receive more insights and inspiration at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Tam   • Studio Three 49   • Sales As Service Podcast   • Find Tam on LinkedIn Mentioned in episode:   • Réland Logan (previous guest)   • Book: The Gap and the Gain<

What if every system you engage with is just a story someone told - and it's up to you to decide if you want to build a new one?Join me as I sit down with Genevieve Anderson, a filmmaker and social entrepreneur whose work lives at the intersection of creativity and social impact. Genevieve has spent her career asking deeper questions about how we tell stories, who gets left out of the systems we build, and what it means to keep creating and caring over the long haul. Our conversation explores storytelling as an act of creation, how creativity shows up in unexpected forms, and what it takes to stay human and hopeful without burning yourself out. You'll Learn:⭐ Why storytelling is literally creation - not just something you do for children⭐ How to synchronize head and heart in your work⭐ The power of narrative change in shifting systems⭐ What it means to build something that can grow beyond you⭐ Why slowing down in January isn't weakness - it's wisdom Key Insights:Stories Create Systems: Every system we engage with - marriage, money, social services - is a story somebody told. If we only look at what's already there, we're not engaged in storytelling.Head and Heart Synchronization: Working only from your head in "go, go, go" mode means you're not meeting the moment in your fullness. Real impact requires both.From Actor to Activist: Genevieve's journey from theater arts to directing plays with people experiencing mental illness shows how creativity can be a tool for social change.Social Enterprise as Solution: Private sector partnerships with social enterprises create win-win scenarios - corporations need impact, and social enterprises need scale.Legacy as Kernel: Building a legacy means creating something that can continue to operate and grow without you—a kernel that feeds humanity in ways you might not even imagine. Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction: Conversations that invite you to slow down[00:01:00] - Welcoming in the new year with ease and grace[00:03:00] - The shift from "go, go, go" to synchronizing head and heart[00:05:00] - How Kristin and Genevieve met through LEAP Academy[00:07:00] - Early career: From acting and theater to social impact[00:08:00] - Working with people experiencing mental illness in LA[00:47:00] - Why private sector needs social enterprise[00:48:00] - Harnessing the power of storytelling for narrative change[00:50:00] - Storytelling as creation—bringing new realities into being[00:52:00] - Building a legacy: Creating systems that can grow beyond you Resources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.comSign up for Kristin's newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Genevieve Anderson on LinkedInFind Genevieve's work at Genevieveanderson.comCheck out Wunz and MakeitworkLALEAP Academy (coaching program mentioned in episode) If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. 

What if the secret to 17 years of success is in staying nimble, and widening the table instead of protecting your seat?Join me as I sit down with Meghan Phillips, founder of Honey and one of the most respected leaders I know. Over nearly two decades, Meghan has built a thriving creative business while launching initiatives shaping how our region thinks about food and impact. Our conversation explores what it means to lead with humanity first, build cultures people actually want to be part of, and navigate the tension between ambition and contentment.You'll Learn:⭐ Why continuity in storytelling matters (and how it built Honey)⭐ How to hold ambition and contentment at the same time⭐ What it takes to build a team that stays for 10+ years⭐ Why mentoring others became her greatest joy⭐ The power of "widening the table" instead of protecting your seatKey Insights:Human-First Leadership: Creating work cultures where people can show up as their whole selves isn't just good ethics - it's good business.The Infinity Symbol Strategy: True impact comes from connecting visual design with marketing storytelling - making something beautiful AND telling people how to use it.Living in the Tension: Ambition and contentment don't have to be opposing forces - both can coexist without constantly swiveling between extremes.From Self to Others: The shift from thinking about your own career to investing in others' careers is where true fulfillment lives.Connection as Legacy: Real legacy isn't about big monuments - it's about fostering human connection, breaking bread, and remembering what it means to be human.Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction[00:02:00] - How Kristin and Meghan met over a decade ago[00:04:00] - Meghan's reputation as a human-first leader[00:05:00] - Starting Honey while pregnant (17-18 years ago)[00:06:00] - The missing continuity in storytelling and why Honey started[00:07:00] - The power of Sacramento's food and beverage community[00:48:00] - Living in the tension between ambition and contentment[00:49:00] - Both things can be true: perfection isn't required[00:50:00] - What younger Meghan would find surprising: loving mentorship[00:51:00] - Team longevity: 10-11 years with key team members[00:53:00] - Building a legacy through human connectionResources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at BeldenStrategies.comSign up for Kristin's newsletter at BeldenStrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Meghan Phillips and her businessesMeghan on LinkedInHoney AgencyFood FrontierSimple SummersRancho Cordova Community Food Hub Center for Land-Based LearningSoil Born FarmsOobliVisit Sacramento Terra MadreIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter.

What if accepting a compliment could change your entire leadership trajectory?Join me as I sit down with Gretchen Moore, Executive Director of Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. We get into why accepting compliments might be your superpower - and why following someone else's playbook won't get you where you're meant to go.Gretchen's career has spanned politics, community development, and nonprofit leadership - and at the heart of it all is a commitment to helping women lead with confidence and self-awareness.You'll Learn:⭐ Why women don't reach the same confidence as men until their 40s ⭐ The "green room" concept: Knowing which voices to let in ⭐ How to shift from constant doing to strategic leadership⭐ The catcher analogy for understanding your natural leadership styleKey Insights:The Compliment Superpower: Learning to genuinely accept compliments is a transformational skill that shifts how you see yourself and your impact.The Confidence Timeline: Women often spend the first two decades of their careers building the confidence men enter with - but that delay creates wisdom, depth, and empathy that makes women in their 40s and 50s powerful leaders.Your Green Room Matters: Not every voice deserves access to your inner circle. Being selective about whose opinions you internalize is essential to authentic leadership.Authentic Leadership Over Playbooks: Following someone else's leadership style will always feel forced. The work is discovering and owning what makes you effective.Send the Elevator Back Down: True legacy isn't just about your own success - it's about creating pathways and opening doors for the women coming up behind you.Timestamps:[00:01] - Introduction and the origin of "Kind of a Big Deal" series [02:50] - The transformational moment of learning to accept compliments [06:59] - Gretchen's career journey from politics to manufacturing [13:56] - How Women in Manufacturing supports women in the industry [16:18] - The confidence gap: Why women take longer to build confidence [22:18] - Why 40s and 50s feel empowering for women[24:36] - The Yates Academy concept and teaching leadership skills [30:55] - The catcher analogy: Understanding your natural leadership style [34:18] - The importance of knowing which voices to let into your "green room"[41:06] - Shifting from constant doing to strategic leadership [43:30] - Discovering your authentic leadership style [49:42] - Building a legacy by sending the elevator back downResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com. Sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Gretchen Moore on LinkedInWomen in Manufacturing Education FoundationCliftonStrengths DISC AssessmentIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What does legacy really mean? For some, it's the ripple effect of lifting others.Join me as I sit down with fundraising expert Marni Mandell, who shares how uncovering her passions involving women's leadership, legacy, and chutzpah connected her back to her own grandfather's legacy. As president of Tupperware, he inspired countless women to become entrepreneurs by truly believing in their potential. Through a year-long listening tour, Marni heard stories of women who transformed their lives from humble beginnings into successful business leaders.You'll Learn:⭐ The sometimes unseen impact of creating content ⭐ Why owning our strengths is critical to serving others ⭐ How authentic relationships fuel successful fundraising ⭐ The HOPE philosophy: Help One Person Every DayKey Insights:Legacy Through Empowerment: True legacy isn't about personal achievement -it's about creating pathways for others to discover and own their strengths.The Power of Belief: Tupperware's innovative policies (including requiring husbands to support their wives' businesses) created a movement that transformed women's economic independence.Strength-Based Leadership: The story of Franny - a woman who could confidently articulate her strengths - demonstrates how self-awareness shapes both individual success and organizational culture.Authentic Fundraising: Building genuine relationships removes the fear of "no" and creates sustainable impact through connection, not transaction.Content as Legacy: Creating content may feel invisible in the moment, but its impact compounds over time as it reaches and transforms people you'll never meet.Timestamps:[01:19] - Marni shares the story of her grandfather's legacy at Tupperware [05:09] - How Tupperware empowered women to become successful entrepreneurs [06:46] - The innovative company policy requiring husbands to join their wives' businesses [12:41] - Kristin and Marni's shared experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at age 43 [15:36] - The story of Franny, a woman who could confidently articulate her strengths [20:58] - How Franny shaped Tupperware's training program and influenced countless lives [28:58] - Marni's journey into content creation and personal branding [34:15] - The HOPE philosophy: Help One Person Every Day [36:42] - Marni explains her work as a fundraising coach and her unique approach[40:32] - What legacy means to Marni: empowering others and building communityResources and Links:Find host Kristin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com, or sign up for the newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletterConnect with Marni: www.friendraisingforsuccess.com or on LinkedInIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

Is your inner voice curious, kind, and supportive when things don't go as planned - or does it sound more like criticism and doubt?Join me as I sit down with Kara Whittington, founder of WE INC. Marketing, to explore how embracing your authentic self can transform not only your business but your entire approach to life. Our conversation digs into the importance of finding work worth doing, practicing self-compassion, and trusting that things will work out - even if not as you originally envisioned.Kara has built a thriving business with intention and integrity since day one, now operating as a collective of majority women consultants with clients spanning the arts, culture, and social good. One of her secrets? Cultivating and practicing healthy self-talk and being incredibly intentional about her mindset.You'll Learn:⭐ How to build a business with intention from day one⭐ Why work worth doing isn't always measured in money⭐ The transformative power of changing your self-talk⭐ How to practice self-compassion as a leadership tool⭐ The art of letting go and trusting the processKey Insights:People-First Business Model: Creating a sustainable business means prioritizing people over profit margins and building structures that support authentic collaboration.Self-Talk Transformation: The way you speak to yourself during setbacks directly impacts your resilience, creativity, and ability to lead effectively.Work Worth Doing: Making space for meaningful work - including unpaid passion projects - enriches both your business and your life in unexpected ways.Self-Care as Foundation: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's the foundation that makes everything else possible, including modeling healthy behavior for others.Intentional Growth: Building something meaningful requires constantly checking in with your values and being willing to let go of what no longer serves you.Timestamps:[00:01] - Introduction and reconnection[02:41] - The power of expressing emotions and vulnerability[04:28] - Kara's journey to founding her marketing collective[08:53] - Creating a "people-first" business model[11:45] - The importance of self-care as a foundation[17:49] - Modeling healthy behavior for children and others[20:24] - Making space for "work worth doing" beyond paid work[23:38] - The transformative power of changing your self-talk[28:44] - Catalysts for mindset shifts[32:35] - The journey of getting to know yourself[36:04] - Building a meaningful legacyResources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.comConnect with Kara Whittington on LinkedInWE INC. MarketingIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

Join me as I sit down with Dani Bergstrom, founder of Fresnoland, to discuss her journey from urban planner to nonprofit journalism leader. Our conversation explores breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, balancing motherhood with career ambitions, and the power of local journalism in empowering communities.Dani's story is deeply personal - her mother gave up a journalism career under pressure from a strict religious community, but her eventual return to school helped shape Dani's belief in journalism as a tool for justice. Now, as a pioneer in the nonprofit news space, Dani is honoring that legacy while setting an example for her own children.You'll Learn:⭐ The importance of self-trust and personal autonomy in leadership⭐ The role of journalism in fostering civic engagement and community awareness⭐ How leading with vulnerability is more nuanced than it might seem⭐ The generational impact of building a legacy through career choicesKey Insights:Breaking Barriers: Navigating male-dominated spaces requires both resilience and strategic boundary-setting, while maintaining authenticity and integrity.Motherhood and Ambition: Holding the demands of launching a business while raising children requires honest conversations about priorities and redefining what "having it all" means.Trust Your Gut: Leadership evolution often begins with learning to trust yourself and your decisions, even when facing external pressure or doubt.Local Journalism Matters: Community-centered journalism serves as a vital tool for civic engagement, justice, and empowering underrepresented voices.Generational Legacy: Personal experiences and family history profoundly shape professional missions - honoring past sacrifices while inspiring future generations creates meaningful impact.Timestamps:[00:00:23] - Introduction: Dani's journey from policy director to nonprofit newsroom founder[00:03:50] - Dani's background as an urban planner and transition to journalism[00:07:57] - The founding story of Fresnoland and pivoting during the pandemic[00:14:42] - Balancing motherhood and career while launching a business[00:21:39] - Dani's leadership evolution and learning to trust herself[00:28:27] - Navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated workplaces[00:38:54] - How Dani's mother's unrealized journalism dreams influenced her pathResources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.comFresnoland websiteFollow Fresnoland on Instagram: @fresnolandFresnoland's weekly podcast Fresnolandia: Available on Spotify and Apple PodcastsConnect with Dani on LinkedIn: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if the best leadership decisions come from asking "what if it were me?"Join me as I sit down with Laura Harmon, Chief People Officer, to discuss career growth, authentic leadership, and the importance of creating space for others. Laura shares her journey from IT to HR, how being a mother has shaped her leadership style, and why taking pauses can lead to greater intentionality.You'll Learn:⭐ The importance of financial literacy for women (and what "F-U money" really means)⭐ The ripple effect of authentic leadership⭐ How creating safe spaces has been a theme in both her personal and professional life⭐ Why asking questions and embracing curiosity never gets old⭐ How parenthood influences your leadership approach Key Insights:Evolution of HR: Over 25 years, HR has transformed from administrative function to strategic partner, requiring continuous adaptation and learning.The Power of Pauses: Taking intentional breaks - whether in conversation or career - creates space for reflection and more thoughtful decision-making.Financial Freedom as Leadership Tool: Building financial literacy and having options gives you the power to make values-aligned decisions, especially when facing challenging workplace situations.Creativity in Professional Settings: Bringing creative approaches to traditionally structured environments can unlock innovation and engagement.Legacy Through Authenticity: True leadership legacy isn't built on perfection—it's built on creating space for others to grow, making mistakes, and learning from them. Timestamps:[00:00] - Introduction and background on Kristin and Laura's relationship[03:00] - Laura's career journey from IT to HR leadership[08:00] - How HR has evolved over 25 years[13:00] - The power of asking questions and embracing curiosity[18:30] - Using creativity in professional settings[23:00] - How parenthood influences leadership approaches[30:00] - The courage to make mistakes and learn from them[36:00] - The importance of taking pauses and being intentional[44:30] - Building a legacy through authenticity and creating space for others Resources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.comYouth Leadership Institute (YLI)Books:   • "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans   • "We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers   • "Financial Feminist" by Tori DunlapIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com/newsletter. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if the best career move isn't finding "your one thing" - but taking continuous action even when fear creeps in?Join me as I sit down with Polly Allen, who spent formative career years helping build Amazon's Alexa, and now shares her expertise by helping others get hands-on with AI. Our conversation explores her journey from being the only woman in the room to becoming a champion for diversity in AI leadership.You'll Learn:⭐ Why believing we have to find "our thing" can get in the way of progress⭐ What it was like to usually be the only woman in the room⭐ How only ~15% of AI researchers are women (and what she's doing to change this)⭐ The power of taking continuous action even when it feels hard Key Insights:Action Over Perfection: Taking consistent action, even when afraid, builds momentum and creates opportunities that waiting for the "perfect moment" never will.Breaking Barriers in Tech: Navigating male-dominated spaces requires resilience, but also creates a responsibility to open doors for others.The Myth of "Finding Your Thing": Success often comes from trying multiple paths rather than waiting to discover one perfect calling.Democratizing AI: Making AI accessible and understandable is essential for ensuring diverse perspectives shape its future.Timestamps:[00:00] Opening: The scariest pivot can lead to the most fulfilling work[03:45] Polly's background: From software developer to Amazon Alexa product leader[09:20] The first attempt at entrepreneurship and why it didn't work[15:04] Why business growth is personal growth[17:41] Action creates clarity: How to move forward when you're scared[24:07] The listening tour that shaped AI Career Boost[30:22] Being labeled "shrill" and the reality of being a woman in AI[34:11] Breaking down AI Career Boost: Hands-on learning for product leaders[36:53] Amazing student projects: From menstrual cycle workouts to recipe builders[39:38] Building a legacy one person at a time Resources and Links:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com AI Career BoostLinkedIn: Follow Polly Allen for weekly newsletterMonthly Masterclass: "The Path to AI Product Leadership"LEAP Academy coaching programLindy West's ShrillIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each

Think you have to be 100% ready to lead? Not so fast.In this episode of Kind of a Big Deal, I chat with Monica Nainsztein - an accomplished entrepreneur and the driving force behind a global translation and localization company. Our conversation dives into the challenges women face in leadership, the subtle power of recognizing one's accomplishments, and the importance of embracing our unique strengths. Monica reminds us why it’s time to stop downplaying our impact, and declares why owning your wins is not just a confidence boost - it’s essential. Hear her story of growth, grit, and game-changing mindset shifts that helped her transform from hesitant speaker to empowered entrepreneur. You'll Learn: ⭐ How to face your fear of public speaking⭐ How mentorship can change the game⭐ Why human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven world⭐ Why delegation might be a make it or break it decision for what you're leadingKey Topics DiscussedWomen in Leadership: Exploring how women often downplay their achievements and the cultural shifts needed to embrace their roles as influential leaders.The Nature of Success: Reflexivity on how societal pressures (like impostor syndrome) affect women's perceptions of success.Career Journey: Kristin's transition from subtitling for movies to running her own translation and localization company.Personal Growth: Kristin's experience in overcoming her fear of public speaking and her journey to becoming more confident in expressing her ideas.Localization Industry: Insights into how gaming and technology intersect in the translation field and the importance of human involvement in the localization process.Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 03:15 – Discussion on the impacts of impostor syndrome among women05:40 – Monica shares her journey in the subtitling industry09:15 – Monica discusses her transition to entrepreneurship15:50 – The importance of recognizing and voicing one's ideas25:10 – Tips for overcoming public speaking anxiety30:45 – Monica talks about the future of her company and industry39:30 – Building a legacy and prioritizing human connection in localizationRelevant ResourcesFind host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com Monica's Translation and Localization Company: [Link to Company]The Likable Badass by Alison FrigalClifton Strengths StrengthsFinderToastmastersIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if one of your toughest moments leads to the best thing you build?Join me as I sit down with Réland Logan as we discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, the power of authentic branding and the importance of uplifting women in leadership. We delve into the nuances of personal and business branding, the challenges women face in asserting their worth, and how to craft a unique voice in a crowded market. With plenty of laughs and a dash of candidness, Réland highlights strategies for creating a cohesive brand that resonates and draws true connections.You'll Learn: ⭐ The power of LinkedIn in forging professional relationships⭐ The importance of authenticity and clarity in personal branding⭐ Strategies for women to embrace their accomplishments and leadership⭐ The intersection of branding with operations and financ⭐ Réland's unique multi-step approach to brand developmentKey InsightsEmpathy in Branding: Brands should reflect authentic stories and personal experiences, allowing one's unique voice to shine through.Uplifting Women: Creating a culture of support among women leads to better leadership outcomes and a shared commitment to collective success.Cohesive Brand Strategy: Successful branding transcends aesthetics; it includes aligning messaging with operational goals and sales strategies.Fear of Self-Promotion: Women are often conditioned to downplay their accomplishments, which limits their potential impact.The Use of Humor: Infusing humor into the process of branding and marketing can alleviate stress and foster creativity.Timestamps00:00:00 - Introduction 00:05:30 - Discussion on Women in Leadership00:10:15 - The Importance of Authentic Branding00:15:45 - Reland shares her unique approach to branding00:28:00 - Reland's business origin story during COVID00:35:00 - Insights about legacy and impact00:40:00 - Recommendations for developing personal brand strategyResources and LinksFind host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com Connect with Réland Logan: LinkedInVisit Réland's website: Gray Digital MarketingListen to Réland’s podcast: The Luxe LeapIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

What if the next big step in your career isn’t a title - but how you feel when you get there?Join me as I sit down with Glenda Watry to explore the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and the importance of connection, mentorship, and personal evolution. Our conversation dives into how personal experiences shape professional paths and the necessity of creating supportive networks for women in the workplace.You'll Learn:⭐ The balance between ambition and authenticity in leadership⭐ The value of mentorship and supportive communities⭐ How to set boundaries and prioritizing wellbeing⭐ The importance of defining your purpose beyond titles and achievementsKey Insights:Empowerment through Connection: Establishing strong, trusting relationships can enhance personal and professional growth.Navigating Challenges: Women often have to navigate a competitive landscape; finding supportive mentors can help avoid common pitfalls.Power of the Pause: Taking intentional breaks can lead to significant personal insights and better work-life balance.Defined Success: Redefining what success looks like on an individual basis is crucial for authentic fulfillment.Timestamps:[00:00:01] - Introduction of hosts[00:02:50] - Glenda shares her current focus on supporting women in leadership.[00:04:00] - Discussion on loneliness in leadership roles.[00:09:02] - Glenda reflects on her pivotal career moments.[00:12:14] - The importance of listening to personal health and balance.[00:20:30] - Encouragement to rethink how to define success.[00:40:00] - Glenda shares her key takeaways for women navigating their careers.Resources:Find host Kirstin Belden on LinkedIn or at Beldenstrategies.com Explore Glenda's work at Glenda's LinkedIn ProfileFor inquiries, reach out to Kristin at [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! And if you're interested in more stories and tools for women leaders, sign up for my newsletter at Beldenstrategies.com. Let's continue to empower each other in our journeys!

Kind of a Big Deal is a podcast spotlighting women who are building meaningful lives, businesses, and legacies - on their own terms. Hosted by Kristin Belden - strategist, advisor, and storyteller - each episode dives into the real conversations behind leadership and growth: the messy middles, the unexpected pivots, and the hard-won clarity that shapes what comes next.If you’re a woman leader at an inflection point - or just love hearing honest stories about what it takes to evolve - you’ll find inspiration, practical insights, and a reminder that you’re not alone on the journey.Hit subscribe and join us as we celebrate women who remind us that evolving into what’s next is not only possible... it’s kind of a big deal.