Not All Business

Most leaders think they're communicating. Their teams think otherwise. The gap isn't about words. It's about environment.This week on Not All Business, we sat down with Brittany Hart, Founder & CEO of Communiscape, a communication consulting and coaching firm built on the belief that most leadership failures aren't strategy failures - they're communication failures. After 15+ years in the tech implementation world, Brittany developed her proprietary 5-Scape Model to help leaders communicate in ways that are human, clear, and built to actually get results.Key Takeaways:The 5 Scapes of Communication and Why Tips Alone Don't WorkHow to Speak Fluently in Every Temperament in the RoomThe Voice Mechanic Most Leaders Have Never Thought AboutWhy Impact Is the One Scape You Don't ControlHow to Architect a Meeting or Presentation to Reach EveryonePlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Brittany:Brittany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyhart/Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communiscape/Communiscape: communiscape.comLinks & Mentions:Built to Communicate — Chicago panel event, May 19, 2026: https://luma.com/e5qgb3zlSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Got a sticky situation for Not All Business? Send a voice recording to [email protected] or drop your question in the comments.Thank You to Our Sponsors:Frances Walsh Coaching — certified Wayfinder Life Coach working with women navigating bold career moves, rebuilding after time away, or just ready for a clearer sense of direction.Start with a free intro consultation or join her upcoming 4-week Own Your Path spring workshop. Find her at franceswalshcoaching.com.Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,  #Communication, #Leadership, #Communication Skills, #Brittany Hart

You think listening is about trying harder. It's not. It's about building the right habit. And Allison O'Brien is here to show you how.This week on Not All Business, we sat down with Allison O'Brien, a leading expert on LQ™ Listening Intelligence. Allison works with organizations of all sizes — from nonprofits and startups to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies — helping leaders understand why poor listening is costing them more than they realize, and what to actually do about it.Key Takeaways:Why Listening Is Physiological, Not a Willpower ProblemThe Four Listening Filters That Shape Every Conversation You're InWhy Your Brain Processes Faster Than People Speak (and What Goes Wrong in That Gap)The Real Cost of Miscommunication — and a $15,000 ExampleThe One Practice That Will Make You a Better Listener Starting TonightPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Allison:Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-o-brien1/Email: [email protected]: @allisono585Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Got a sticky situation for Not All Business? Send a voice recording to [email protected] or drop your question in the comments.Thank You to Our Sponsors:Frances Walsh Coaching — certified Wayfinder Life Coach working with women navigating bold career moves, rebuilding after time away, or just ready for a clearer sense of direction.Start with a free intro consultation or join her upcoming 4-week Own Your Path spring workshop. Find her at franceswalshcoaching.com.Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,  #Listening #ListeningSkills #Leadership #Communication #AllisonOBrien #LQ #ListeningIntelligence

At 23, Amy Snider stood up in a room full of men and corrected the record on women's soccer. Nobody asked her to. She did it anyway.This week on Not All Business, we sit down with Amy Snider, Cornell soccer alum, co-founder of one of Colorado's longest-running women's semi-pro franchises, and the woman who was in the stands recently when 63,004 people showed up for the Denver Summit FC home opener — the first women's professional soccer team in Colorado. She watched it go from 20 people in a stadium to sixty-three thousand. That's not luck. That's decades of refusing to quit.We also get into the NIL debate, the transfer portal's effect on team culture, what coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley's sideline confrontation really revealed, and why the women's sports moment we're living in right now isn't a rise — it's a correction.Key Takeaways:Why Women's Sports Were Never BehindWhat Amy Said Out Loud in a Room Full of Men at 23 (And What Happened Next)Why the Denver Summit FC Home Opener Was 30 Years in the MakingNIL and Transfer Portal ProblemsThe Pay Gap in Women's Sports Is Still ShockingPlease consider sharing this episode and subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Amy:Cups Community Coffee: @cupstafthillSupport Cups with a patio brick: buy.stripe.com/aFa8wP69Y18e8OK6NT6Zy00Links & Mentions:Denver Summit FC: denversummitfc.comTogethxr (Everyone Watches Women’s Sports): togethxr.comNIL State-by-State High School Policy Map: biz.opendorse.com/blog/nil-high-schoolGeno Auriemma & Dawn Staley Final Four Confrontation: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48390619/geno-irate-ridiculous-officiating-confronts-staley-sideline-lossSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Got a sticky situation for Not All Business? Send a voice recording to [email protected] or drop your question in the comments.Thank You to Our Sponsors:Frances Walsh Coaching — certified Wayfinder Life Coach working with women navigating bold career moves, rebuilding after time away, or just ready for a clearer sense of direction.Start with a free intro consultation or join her upcoming 4-week Own Your Path spring workshop. Find her at franceswalshcoaching.com.Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,  #Womens Sports, #Women In Sports, #Everyone Watches Women’s Sports, #Sports Culture, #Amy Snider, #NIL, #Transfer Portal

What do you do when your manager asks you to be their reference and the nicest thing you can honestly say is... fine?This week on Not All Business, it's Casual Friday with Heather, Blakely, and Clay. No guest, no filter, and definitely no shortage of opinions. Two listener sticky situations: one is a workplace reference dilemma with no clean exit, and the other is from an educator asking a question that applies to every workplace: how do you hold people accountable when accountability doesn't actually exist at the top?Then rapid fire gets spicy. Hot takes on friending your boss, mandatory fun (Heather has strong evidence in favor), and the surprisingly divisive topic of whether to tell someone they have food in their teeth.Also: Heather has been failing her eye test at the DMV for years. Strategically.Key Takeaways:How to Give a Reference You Can Stand Behind (Without Lying)A Trick for Getting Your Manager to Write Their Own Reference SoundbitesWhen to Be the Change vs. When to Protect Your EnergyHot Take: Should You Friend Your Boss on Social Media?Why Mandatory Fun Is Actually Just... Fun, With WaiversPlease consider sharing this episode and subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,  #Accountability, #WorkplaceCulture, #Leadership, #MandatoryFun, #CasualFriday

Everyone's talking about GLP-1s. But do they know how they actually work?This week on Not All Business, we sit down with Dr. Linda Shapiro Manning, a physician with both an MD and a PhD who has been working in obesity medicine since before GLP-1s were a household name. She was in the room when the first GLP-1 drugs were being developed and has watched them go from a clinical tool to a cultural phenomenon.Dr. Linda doesn't just explain how these drugs work. She takes on the hard questions: the body positivity backlash, the shame around weight, the rise of compounding pharmacies, and whether society is just trading one quick fix for another.Key Takeaways:How GLP-1s Actually Work (And What They're Really Doing in Your Body)Why Hollywood's Use of These Drugs Is Setting Back the Body Positivity MovementThe Compounding Pharmacy RiskDo You Have to Stay on GLP-1s Forever? The Honest AnswerHow GLP-1s May Impact Alcohol, Addiction, and Dopamine-Driven BehaviorsPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Dr. Linda:Dr. Linda Shapiro Manning on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-shapiro-md-phdSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,   #GLP1 #Ozempic #Wegovy #Obesity Medicine #Body Positivity #Womens Health #Dr Linda Shapiro Manning

AI is reshaping hiring faster than most people realize, and if you're job searching right now, you need to know the rules of the new game.This week on Not All Business, we sit down with Jessica Titko, CEO of StaffPad, a recruiting firm on the front lines of how AI is transforming the hiring process. Jessica has seen it all: candidates using AI earpieces to get through interviews, bots submitting fake resumes, and algorithms rejecting strong candidates for not checking every box.Key Takeaways:The AI Red Flags Recruiters Are Actually Watching ForHow to Show AI Proficiency Without Getting Yourself RejectedWhy Employers' Own AI Is Filtering Out Good CandidatesThe Job Search Move That Still Beats Everything ElsePlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Jessica:Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-titko-20b43157/ StaffPad: www.thestaffpad.comLinks & Mentions:LinkedIn's New AI Interview Screening Tool: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-tests-out-ai-powered-interview-screening/814636/Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Women in Business Podcast, #Women Entrepreneurs, #Business Podcast, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations,   #AI, #Job Search, #Recruiting, #Career, #Career Growth #Jessica Titko

Three new sticky situations. Zero corporate spin.This week on Not All Business, it's Casual Friday — which means Clay's running the show and Heather and Blakely are back in the hot seat.Sticky Situations:A senior manager at a major tech company just turned down 18 months of severance. Smart or not ready to let go?A founder is moonlighting in his first corporate cubicle while keeping a patent off his dream board.A listener tells us what it felt like to have the CEO of her first job tell her that her religion was terrible — two weeks in.Plus: rapid fire. Have you ever? Yes or no. We're not holding back.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Links & Mentions:Episode 23 with Baily Hancock (networking): https://youtu.be/tg93JO2UfXs?si=n_VZ8hAxBSwH-P4J Episode with Sam Yarborough (networking): https://youtu.be/nyWpMGYTd8k?si=nyyGBEI2ozhUI8FC Episode with Michele Lando (resume writing & branding): https://youtu.be/1HEpid3e66c?si=C0R4YI2A_7WZoiLB Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #layoffs #techcareers #careerstrategy #moonlighting #womeninbusiness #workplacediscrimination #casualfriday #notallbusiness

What if the most powerful revenue strategy isn't your CRM, your cold outreach, or your pipeline velocity — it's the relationships you already have, but keep treating like transactions?This week we sit down with Sam Yarborough, former Chief Growth Officer, GTM and partnerships leader in the Salesforce ecosystem, co-founder of Arcadia, and co-host of Friends with Benefits. Also: Blakely's family hit 14 knee surgeries. The dogs are home from training. And we have a new word for the vocabulary. You're welcome.Key Takeaways:Why "pitch slapping" is killing your relationshipsThe case for keeping your community small on purposeHow to follow up when there's nothing on the tableWhy 10,000 LinkedIn connections don't equal 10,000 relationshipsThe how and what questions that make any conversation betterPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Sam:Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samyarborough/Arcadia Leadership Experience: https://www.arcadialeadershipexperience.com/Arcadia Online Community: https://www.bearcadia.com/Friends with Benefits Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ez9GY0l2Ksfedhb2s0px0Links & Mentions:PartnerStack — Title sponsor of Arcadia: https://www.partnerstack.com/Bozeman Nights — Monthly speaker series: https://www.bozemannights.com/Made in Good Company — Sam's craft + connection event: https://www.madeingoodcompany.com/LMNT Electrolytes: https://drinklmnt.com/Episode 16 with Nicole Christensen (referenced in #PIP4PUP and Protect Your People): https://youtu.be/mu9g-CewQSE?si=a93hWdxsHd__h_ycDetroit Pistons scoreboard buzzer stuck for 12+ minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36qxxNaj88ASame game — the manual air horn solution: https://youtube.com/shorts/4ifrCc1KLvk?si=CgKJSHZLWu9Ei6qw Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #Relationships, #GTM, #Networking, #Sales, #Sam Yarborough

Are you waking up at 3am and can't explain why? You're not alone — and it's not random.This week on Not All Business, we welcome Kristie Steinbock, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist with 35 years in practice. Since early 2026, Kristie has seen an unprecedented surge of clients arriving with the same complaint: anxiety and insomnia. Her take? It's collective fear — and our nervous systems are paying the price.Kristie walks us through her three-step framework — Pause, Feel, Decide — for breaking the reactive cycle whether it's 3am or the middle of a meeting that's gone sideways. She also weighs in on screens, sleep aids, hormones, mushrooms, and why your body's messages are louder at night when the veil gets a little thinner.Plus: my van life debut (91 sleep score, naked RV park I fled), an update on #PIP4PUP, and a surprisingly deep dive into noetic science courtesy of Dan Brown.Key Takeaways:Why anxiety and insomnia are spiking — and what's actually driving itThe Pause, Feel, Decide framework for nervous system resetWhat waking up at 3am really means (and how to stop panicking about it)Screen time, sleep aids, mushrooms, and the two-hour ruleHow busyness culture is making us sick — and what leaders can do about itPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Kristie:Kristie on Substack: Red Dragon Writes - https://reddragon.substack.com/Kristie's Podcast (Coming Soon): Red Dragon SpeaksLinks & Mentions:Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144324Crafted Leadership — Nancy Kepner's leadership training company: https://craftedleadership.com/about/meet-nancy-kepner/#PIP4PUP: Follow Heather's fitness journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heathercooper.nab/Polymarket — prediction markets platform: https://polymarket.comSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:The Trade Agent — AI-Powered Bidding & Invoicing for GCs and Subshttps://www.thetradeagent.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #Anxiety, #Sleep, #TCM, #Kristie Steinbock

What does "business casual" actually mean? Apparently, nobody knows — and that's only the beginning.On this Casual Friday episode of Not All Business, Blakely and Heather tackle three of the messiest workplace questions out there:Is using dating apps to land job interviews genius or deeply creepy?What does "business casual" actually mean when you're a curvy woman in a world of inconsistent dress codes?How do you fire someone without losing sleep for three nights straight — or ending up in the ER with a panic attack?They cap it off with a Rapid Fire round of Agree or Disagree — from two-week notices to salary transparency to office romances — and Blakely finally wins one.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Links & Mentions:Bloomberg: "Tough Job Market Has People Using Dating Apps to Get Interviews" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-29/tough-job-market-has-people-using-dating-apps-to-get-interviews-mjqzm1boAfter School by Casey Lewis (Substack — Gen Z trends newsletter Blakely references) https://afterschool.substack.com/Call Her Daddy: Michelle Obama — "We Still Go High" (episode referenced in the dress code conversation) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0upwE3EgwAmK9RxqeJeMZpDr. Bronner's 5-to-1 CEO Pay Ratio (mentioned by Clay during salary transparency discussion) https://www.drbronner.com/blogs/our-employees/progressive-business-practicesSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #DressCode, #Firing, #Networking, #SalaryTransparency, #CasualFriday

In the age of AI, authentic lived experience is your competitive advantage. This week on Not All Business, we welcome Julie Lancaster, CEO of Lancaster Leadership and author of Beyond Words: How Our Stories & Strategies Inspire Leadership Actions.Julie breaks down why all motivation is actually self-motivation (and what leaders can do about it), how to tell stories that influence and connect without taking your audience hostage, and why seasoned professionals need to learn storytelling to transfer their institutional wisdom before they become layoff targets.We cover the REST framework for storytelling, the concept of a story bank and "homework for life," reverse mentorship as a bridge between generations, and why relationships always come before strategy.Plus: a deep dive into tanning bed culture, get unready with me confusion, and whether founders should quit when AI changes everything overnight.Key Takeaways:Why the only motivation is self-motivation (and how to trigger it through relationships)The REST framework: Relate, Engage, keep it Short, ThemeHow to build a story bank using "homework for life"Why reverse mentorship helps bridge generational gapsThe difference between dynamic conversation styles and turn-taking communicationHow to handle founder burnout in the age of rapid AI changePlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Julie:Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielancaster/Website: https://www.lancasterleadership.comBook: Beyond Words: How Our Stories & Strategies Inspire Leadership ActionLinks & Mentions:Robert Cialdini's work on influenceMatthew Dicks' Story Worthy and "Homework for Life" techniqueThe Intern movie (reverse mentorship reference) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intern_(2015_film)Jason Lemkin's post about founders quitting at $200M ARR - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jasonmlemkin_watching-three-3-founder-ceos-at-200m-arr-activity-7426735400137846785-k7Ug?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABFrwUBtAwmbXUMhea4ZFTIU8xhmsOG1CcTheodore Roosevelt quote: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #Leadership Storytelling, #AI Leadership, #Motivation, #Julie Lancaster

Most businesses are throwing content into the wind and hoping something sticks. But what if your social media strategy is moving you sideways instead of forward?This week on Not All Business, we welcome Eleisha Everett, social media strategist and host of Your Audience is Waiting. Eleisha breaks down why consistency beats virality, how to know if you're solving an execution problem or a strategy problem, and what to do when your CEO becomes the bottleneck to your brand's growth.Key Takeaways:Why "going viral" is the wrong goal (and what to aim for instead)The three non-negotiables for social media successHow to diagnose when content isn't working: execution vs. strategyLeading up: How to move a resistant CEO toward social mediaWhy sales, marketing, and product need to be in the same roomPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Eleisha:Eleisha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleishaeve/Your Audience is Waiting podcast:YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Links & Mentions:PIP for PUP: Follow Heather's fitness journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heathercooper.nab/Episode 16 with Nicole Christensen: https://notall.biz/[episode-16-link] (Where the PIP for PUP challenge originated)Kathryn O'Day (mentioned VC): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynoday/CBS Colorado: "Colorado Buffaloes athletics making waves on social media thanks to Deion Sanders" https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/deion-sanders-social-media-impact-coach-colorado-buffaloes-athletics-making-waves/Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #Leadership #Social Media Strategy, #Marketing, #Content Strategy, #Eleisha Everett

Ever wonder why networking feels so... performative? That's because most people are doing it all wrong.This week on Not All Business, we welcome Baily Hancock, connection strategist and founder of Overlap Collective. Baily explains why that "open to work" badge on LinkedIn might be repelling opportunities, why you should stop separating your personal and work lives, and how to walk into a networking event without wanting to immediately fake a bathroom emergency.We also debut PIP for PUP — Heather's very public fitness journey rooted in presidential fitness test trauma (the childhood fitness assessment program that traumatized a generation).Key Takeaways:Why "People Are Portals"The LinkedIn Mistake You're MakingHow to Work a Room Without Feeling GrossThe One Question That Breaks the Ice Every TimePlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Baily:Baily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailyhancock/Baily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailyhancock/Overlap Collective: https://www.overlapcollective.com/Links & Mentions:Presidential Fitness Test: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President%27s_Council_on_Physical_Fitness_and_SportsPIP for PUP: Follow Heather’s fitness journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heathercooper.nab/Episode 16 with Nicole Christensen: https://notall.biz/episodes/ep-16-building-culture-the-uncomfortable-dirty-work-that-actually-makes-it-stick (Where the PIP for PUP challenge originated)Episode 2 with Michelle Lando: https://notall.biz/episodes/ep-2-from-self-doubt-to-self-advocacy (How Baily and the hosts connected through Michelle's network)Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations, #Networking, #LinkedIn, #Job Search, #Career, #Baily Hancock

It's Casual Friday—which means we're answering the sticky situations and workplace dilemmas you're too afraid to ask about anywhere else.Today we're tackling: the fart noise that wasn't actually a fart (but you're still thinking about it once a month), getting contradictory feedback and constantly talked over as the only woman on your leadership team, and what to do when your boss asks you to lie to a client.Plus: Rapid fire "Finish the Sentence" where Heather and Blakely get competitive and reveal the biggest corporate lie.We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Submit your story to ⁠notall.biz⁠—your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Mentions:After School by Casey Lewis Substack - An examination of youth culture. Trend analysis and insights, 5x a week, with an emphasis on Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers. (https://afterschool.substack.com/) Bloomberg Article - “Tough Job Marketing Has People Using Dating Apps To Get Interviews” (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-29/tough-job-market-has-people-using-dating-apps-to-get-interviews-mjqzm1bo) Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations

We hit the top 1% of podcasts! 🎉 To celebrate our 21st episode, we brought back our celebrity guest star Lynda Harvey to tackle your messiest workplace dilemmas.Lynda has hundreds of thousands of followers across social media and hosts the podcast "In the Business of Humans." She's dedicated to helping people navigate their work landscape and make better choices so they're actually happy at work.In this episode:Why "being visible" at your desk doesn't equal productivityHow to handle a boss who gossips about your coworkersWhat to do when toxic behavior gets labeled as "management style"Your options when approved PTO gets revokedPlus: Clay's jury duty adventure, complete with Spider-Man screenings and vape confiscation drama.Lynda breaks down why you have more power in these situations than you think—and gives you the exact scripts to use when things get uncomfortable at work.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Lynda:Lynda Harvey: The Manager Guru - Teaching you how to lead, speak fluent corporate, and protect your peace at work, all without losing your edgeTikTok: @lynda.leadsInstagram: @lynda.leadsPodcast: In the Business of Humans https://open.spotify.com/show/1iN4lTZnChMClWdaZWvSgs?si=31e89dd13e06411aSubmit Your Sticky Situations:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.

Why do toxic leaders keep getting promoted when everyone knows they're toxic? And why do we treat being human at work like it's optional?It’s the Heathers episode! Blakely and Heather Cooper sit down with Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch and former SVP and General Manager at Salesforce, to talk about why we only bring a fraction of ourselves to work—the polished, professional tip of the iceberg—while hiding everything else that makes us human. Heather introduces us to "fail salad," breaks down why toxic leaders keep getting promoted despite everyone knowing who they are, and breaks down why companies keep choosing results over humanity—even when it eventually catches up to them.Key Takeaways:The Toxic Leader Paradox - Why companies keep promoting toxic leaders at the same rate as good ones (and what it signals to everyone else)The Iceberg Principle - Why understanding what's beneath the surface of who people are changes everything about how you lead"Fail Salad" - The monthly ritual that builds psychological safety and actually encourages innovationHow to Balance Results and Humanity - Why "I care just as much about what you do as how you do it" is the leadership standard we needThe Sonder Concept - Why remembering that everyone has a rich, complex story you don't understand makes you a better leaderWhy Soft Skills Aren't Soft - They're actually higher-order skills that determine whether your team thrives or just survivesPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Heather:Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherconklin/  Learn about Torch: https://torch.ioMentions:MIT Sloan Toxic Culture Research: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/toxic-culture-is-driving-the-great-resignation/Heathers (1989 Movie): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097493/ Adam Grant & Sonder Concept: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammgrant/ Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Heather Conklin #Torch

Ever watch yourself repeat the same pattern and think, "Why can't I just stop?"Here's why: You're focused on the wrong thing.In this episode, Lindsey Ferris—therapist and former Microsoft exec—breaks down the 3 phases of awareness that actually change behavior, why the pause between trigger and reaction is everything, and how she escaped the golden handcuffs after 20 years as one of the few women in tech.This isn't about willpower. It's about rewiring your automatic responses and reducing workplace dilemmas.Key Takeaways:The 3 Phases of Awareness - Why most people get stuck at phase 1 and never make it to actual changeThe Pause That Changes Everything - How to insert new behavior between trigger and reactionGolden Handcuffs Reality Check - What it actually costs to stay in a job that's killing youWhy Awareness > Willpower - The real reason behavior change fails (and what to do instead)Adult Parenting Yourself - How to teach yourself the patterns you never learned and start redefining successIf you've ever felt trapped by your own autopilot, this conversation will change how you think about change.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth mindset, workplace dilemmas and the messy human side of business.Follow Lindsey:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyferrismft/Talk Heal Thrive: https://www.talkhealthrive.com/Brain Genome: https://braingenome.ai/ - Use code NOTALLBIZ for 20% off Brain Genome reportsBook: How to Smell Your Own Shit Before Stepping Into It Again: https://a.co/d/1BXzPnMSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠⁠https://notall.biz⁠⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠⁠Send an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6D⁠⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9⁠⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302⁠⁠Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Lindsey Ferris

It's our Christmas episode! Instead of bringing you a guest, we're bringing you something different—a moment to pause, reflect, and share what we're leaving behind and bringing into the new year.This week, Blakely, Heather, and Clay gather in Boulder, Colorado for a festive check-in. We follow up on Clay's infamous phone lockbox experiment from Thanksgiving (spoiler: it actually worked), reminisce about our favorite childhood Christmas presents (Wonder Woman Underoos, Game Boys, and Barbie Dream Houses), and get real about what we're each choosing to let go of and embrace in 2025.Key Moments:The Phone Lockbox Follow-Up - Clay successfully pulled it off at Thanksgiving using our advice (mostly). Blakely's attempt? Not so much. Her kids made a TikTok roasting her for it.Childhood Christmas Magic - From Wonder Woman Underoos to right-sized Barbies to Game Boys, we share the gifts that made us feel like kids on Christmas morningWhat We're Leaving Behind - Blakely shares her journey with her inner critic (good monkey vs. bad monkey), Heather lets go of the need for external success, and Clay releases scarcity mindsetWhat We're Bringing In - Self-love, soulful presence, and creative abundance are on deck for 2026The Monkey Situation - Just trust us on this one. But maybe don't Google it at work.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.We'll be back January 8th, 2025! Happy holidays and happy new year! 🎄Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠https://notall.biz⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠Send an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6D⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302⁠Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Christmas

What's it really like being married to a CEO? What workplace dilemmas make it home? We finally let the husbands on the show.Scott Graham and Nic Widhalm join us in person at our Boulder studio for the real story of what it's like when your partner is running a company. Scott managed a career and life at home while Blakely ran TaskRay. Nic worked with Heather at Cloud Coach, then decided to marry her anyway.We get into the uncomfortable stuff: the "what's for dinner" debate every working couple knows, why women shouldn't volunteer to take notes in meetings, how to support ambitious partners without taking on their stress, and why the most polished executives eat canned tuna straight from the can at home.Plus: Nic performs a vocal percussion set (NOT beatboxing—there's a difference) and Scott juggles along to it.Key Takeaways:The Art of Letting Stress Roll Off - How Scott manages his work life balance and never carries work stress home (and why Blakely still doesn't understand it after 20 years)Why Supporting Ambitious Women Means Making the First Move - Scott's approach to dinner decisions and why "what do you want?" is actually asking her to take on another decisionThe Gender Gap in Workplace Expectations - Why women volunteer to take notes in meetings and how male allies can change that dynamic and corporate culture without making it weirdBonding Through Business Stress - How working together through "powder keg" moments and workplace dilemmas built a strong marital foundationThe Myth of the Polished Executive - Why the most successful people eat trash food at home and don't need everything to be five-starPlease consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Our Guests:Scott Graham: Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Front Range Community College, former IBM developer working on WatsonConnect with Scott: https://www.instagram.com/swg71/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-w-graham/ Nic Widhalm: Founder/Architect of Trade Agent (AI platform for tradespeople)Connect with Nic: https://www.instagram.com/nicwidhalm/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-widhalm-a4905929/ Trade Agent: https://www.tradeagent.ai/Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠https://notall.biz⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠Send an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6D⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302⁠Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Nic Widhalm #Scott Graham

Building culture—but not the fluffy, feel-good version. We're getting into the practical, uncomfortable workplace dilemmas, and dirty real talk about work that actually makes culture stick.It's our first in-person episode at Not All Business! Heather & Blakely welcome Nicole Christensen, founder of CrossFit Roots in Boulder, Colorado, to our brand new studio. Nicole has built one of the top-performing CrossFit gyms in the country, but this episode isn't really about fitness—it's about the intentional, sometimes uncomfortable work of building culture that actually lasts.Nicole doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable parts. She talks about "adult parenting"—teaching grown professionals basic standards like showing up on time and not cheating their reps. She explains why fairness doesn't mean equality, how to have hard conversations without shit sandwiches, and why protecting your culture sometimes means saying no to opportunities and setting boundaries at work.Key Takeaways:Why "You're Not Special" Builds Stronger Teams - Treating everyone equally creates trust; making exceptions destroys credibility and leads to more workplace dilemmasThe Hard Conversation Formula - How to hold people accountable without being a jerk or one of the bad bossesWhy Etiquette Matters More Than You Think - In a world where people can go entire days without human interaction, setting behavioral standards is an act of careThe Teaching Gap - Why most leaders skip the most critical step between defining standards and expecting complianceWhat Makes People Stay 15+ Years - It's not about the product—it's about the standards you refuse to compromise and the company valuesFollow Nicole: Connect with Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/nicchristensen/ Follow CrossFit Roots: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitrootsCrossFit Roots: https://crossfitroots.com/Book Recommendation: Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life (https://a.co/d/66jBncz)Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠https://notall.biz⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠Send an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6D⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Nicole Christensen

It's a trust masterclass at Not All Business! Executive coach Carolyn Keyes—the same coach who changed Jamie Cole's life in our very first episode AND Blakely's life years ago—joins us to unpack trust as the invisible currency that fuels collaboration, creativity, and human connection. The same currency that makes navigating workplace dilemmas much easier and effective.Carolyn breaks down trust into four actionable domains: sincerity, reliability, competence, and care. You'll discover why you can trust someone in one area but not another, how saying "yes" to everything is actually eroding your relationships, and why "the right conversation in the wrong mood is the wrong conversation."Follow Carolyn:Connect with Carolyn Keyes: [email protected]: velocity.plusBook recommendation: The Thin Book of Trust by Charles FeltmanSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠https://notall.biz⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠Send an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6D⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302⁠Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Carolyn Keyes 

Why is Thanksgiving the ultimate leadership stress test?In this episode, Heather and Blakely break down why the holiday season exposes every leadership skill you think you’ve mastered — from emotional regulation and boundary setting to managing expectations and staying grounded in chaos. They share a practical Thanksgiving Survival Guide that works at home dilemmas and at work dilemmas.The conversation gets real fast: they explore why adults often struggle with emotional maturity, how old family patterns can trigger reactions, and why managing your energy is just as important as managing others. Heather explains the power of “matching expectations of the day,” while Blakely shows how to navigate family stress without losing your cool.Key Takeaways:How to check your ego at the door before family drama begins.Limiting your expectations by observing family dynamics, not trying to control them.Staying grounded when stress spikes around the table.Leading with curiosity: asking questions instead of reacting to assumptions.Using the car ride home to safely process any leftover drama.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Product Mentions:Mindsight Lockbox: https://mindsightnow.com/products/timed-lock-boxSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: ⁠https://notall.biz⁠Leave a voice memo: ⁠https://notall.biz/home#situations⁠Send an email: [email protected] exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Thanksgiving

Why do bad managers exist? Lynda Harvey—the Manager Guru who's built a community of over 587k followers across Instagram and TikTok—breaks down why most people get promoted into management with zero training, and what to do about the ensuing workplace dilemmas.Bad managers aren't born—they're created by companies that skip the training step entirely. Lynda brings 25+ years of leadership experience with a survival and solutions focus whether you're an employee dealing with a bad boss or a manager looking for help, she provides practical tips you can actually use. She shares her own rage quit story that changed how she thinks about leadership, and when Clay makes a mid-recording mistake, Lynda jumps in with a real-time coaching moment that teaches everyone how to own a mistake without over-explaining.Plus, Heather shares an HR firing story involving a bathtub, a Zoom call, and instant termination that proves not everyone understands appropriate work-from-home boundaries.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Lynda:Lynda Harvey: The Manager Guru - Teaching you how to lead, speak fluent corporate, and protect your peace at work, all without losing your edgeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lynda.leadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynda.leadsResearch Citations:Gallup, "State of the American Manager" report: One in two (50%) employees have left a job to get away from their manager to improve their overall life. Additionally, managers account for at least 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores. Source: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/232955/no-employee-benefit-no-one-talking.aspxSubmit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Your Audience is Waiting podcast by Eleisha EverettYouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpKI9-4ly78GOjDoAGsDAb6eIHIy2WbL&si=yjyU2AG3t3WQ3B6DSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5W4srWNqYNE1e4T71wvrMX?si=32effdf1c7e74af9Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-audience-is-waiting/id1818965302Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Lynda Harvey

Jody Donovan defended her PhD at the height of her intellectual capacity. Then a sledding accident on a closed ski slope in Breckenridge changed everything. Within 48 hours, she couldn't find her way to church.She spent the next year relearning how to get dressed, grocery shop, and find words. But the hardest part wasn't the rehabilitation—it was the shame.In this raw and essential episode of Not All Business, Jody shares what it's like to go from overachieving female leader tackling complex workplace dilemmas to not being able to name household animals that start with the letter C. She talks about coming back to work with "dead eyes," developing invisible strategies so no one would know about her disability, and the moment she stopped hiding and started owning her superpower.Together, they tackle the uncomfortable truth: corporate America doesn't have patience for invisible disabilities—and that needs to change.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Follow Jody:Jody Donovan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-donovan-7216b427/ The Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino): https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/full-catastrophe-parenting/202403/what-is-spoon-theory-and-why-is-it-importantCentral Auditory Processing Disorder: https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/central-auditory-processing-disorder/  Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice message: https://notall.biz/home#situationsSend an email: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors:Yours, Truly - https://www.itsyourstruly.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Jody Donovan

Welcome to the stickiest Casual Friday yet. Producer Clay flips the script and puts Blakely and Heather in the hot seat to answer YOUR real workplace dilemmas. These aren't theoretical scenarios, these are the uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes infuriating situations you're facing at work.From navigating toxic bosses to handling flirtatious managers on company retreats, from being denied promised promotions to overhearing your boss complain about maternity leave—Blakely and Heather tackle it all with their signature mix of practical wisdom, legal expertise (thanks to Heather's lawyer background), and zero tolerance for workplace BS.This episode gets real. Blakely admits she became "the most emotional basket case" while answering these questions. Heather introduces her alter ego "The Naked Lawyer" (yes, really). And Clay discovers just how passionate these two former CEOs get when they hear about the workplace dilemmas and the injustices their listeners are experiencing.Sticky situations covered in this episode:Getting blamed for a coworker's mistakePresentation reassigned to someone else last minutePerformance reviews for friendsExpense account violationsDenied promotions with unpaid work demandsBorderline harassment on company retreatsPregnancy announcements and maternity leave discriminationLeadership concerns during VC due diligencePlus a lightning round covering:A tuna fish debateDating coworkersWe want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Submit your story to notall.biz—your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.Please consider sharing this episode & subscribing to the show for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.Mentions:Alden Hultgren episode (breathwork episode referenced): https://youtu.be/aPbGc9qKXdk Dreamforce episode (referenced for workplace harassment discussion): https://youtu.be/yNbg2yp_5pU J. Albrecht Designs: https://www.jalbrechtdesigns.com/ (Blakely's jeweler celebrating 20 years)Submit Your Sticky Situations & Workplace Dilemmas:Write a note: https://notall.bizLeave a voice memo: https://notall.biz/home#situationsEmail: [email protected] You to Our Sponsors: Yours, Truly - https://www.itsyourstruly.com/Keep exploring the stories that power Not All Business. Every episode opens the door to fresh insights on what it really means to be a Female Executive or Female CEO, navigating the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of leadership. From real-world workplace dilemmas to candid conversations about breaking barriers, this podcast gives you the tools, inspiration, and perspective to thrive in your own career. So don’t stop here, dive into more episodes, learn from other women in business, and stay connected to the conversations shaping the future of work. Your next breakthrough might be just one episode away. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about the messy reality of leadership, professional growth strategies, and the real talk about work with new episodes every week.#Female CEOs, #Female CEO Podcast, #Female Executive, #Female Executive Podcast, #Women in Business, #Real Talk about Work, #Toxic Workplace, #Workplace Dilemmas, #Heather Cooper, #Blakely Graham, #Sticky Situations

It's a milestone episode! We made it to Episode 10—putting us in the top 10% of all podcasts. To celebrate, Blakely and Heather tackle a phenomenon that's costing businesses $438 billion annually: quiet cracking.Guest Maureen "Mo" Berkner Boyt, founder of C2IQ and 2023 Colorado Technology Association Entrepreneur of the Year, explains what happens when high-performing women (and men) hold their families and businesses together through crisis after crisis—until they break.The average age of burnout is now 25. Two-thirds of workers feel lonely. And with AI anxiety keeping people in jobs they hate ("job hugging"), the workplace mental health crisis is reaching a breaking point. But this episode isn't just about the problem—it's about solutions.In this episode, we explore:Why we get "really dumb" during change (the neuroscience is wild)How C2IQ makes human risk as measurable as financial riskThe imposter syndrome hack that takes 10 minutes in your next meetingWhy "find your passion" is actually terrible adviceMo's journey from trying to be a "middle-aged white guy" to rocking her moxieWhy growth at all costs is destroying your people (and what to do instead)The real story behind Mo's 31-year marriage (hint: they re-up annually)**Plus honest conversations about:**Blakely's burnout stories—from $50 face cream bribes to corporate bidding warsHeather's under-the-desk crying after firing a married coupleWhy being "gritty as f***" isn't always enoughThe loneliness epidemic at work (yes, people want AI buddies)Also worth watching for:Clay's hair that could literally star in the musical Hair (real pictures included!)Blakely's senior photo featuring the iconic wave AND claw comboHeather's observation about Casa Bonita's stalactites looking... anatomically suggestive (picture included!)Heather's bizarre NyQuil-induced dream about nursing a man-baby on a train—seriously, if anyone can interpret this, please reach outWhether you're a leader pushing your team harder out of fear, a high performer who's lost the joy, or someone watching the spark fade in colleagues around you—this episode offers both validation and practical strategies.New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.LINKS & MENTIONSMaureen “Mo” Berkner Boyt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenberknerboyt/C2IQ: Making human risk measurable - https://c2iq.io/Podcast Statistics: Top 10% milestone reference - https://riverside.com/blog/podcast-statisticsKPMG Workplace Friendship Study: Friends at work research - https://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/friends-at-work-2025.html$438 Billion Cost of Quiet Cracking: Fortune article on workplace burnout and disengagement - https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/quiet-cracking-workplace-culture-employees-burnout-disengagement-mental-health-billions-business-loss-managers-ai-promotions/Casa Bonita Restaurant: https://www.casabonitadenver.com/South Park "Casa Bonita" Episode: Season 7, Episode 11¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor! Documentary: Available on Paramount+ - https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/casa-bonita-mi-amor/Office Space (1999): Classic workplace comedy filmCU Women's Basketball: Proud sponsor of CU WBB - https://www.instagram.com/cubuffswbb/Submit your sticky situations: https://notall.biz/Can you interpret Heather's dream? Send us your analysis!We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/home#situations and we’ll tackle it in an upcoming episode.

Women are about to inherit and control unprecedented wealth—$34 trillion by 2030, to be exact. But here's the problem: we still can't talk about it. Not about salaries, not about investments, not even about asking for what we're worth without feeling like we're "bragging."In this episode, Hayfa Aboukier—Principal at Range Ventures and a female VC in an industry where women make up only 9-15% of partners—sits down with Blakely and Heather to break the silence.In this episode, we explore:Why money is still the last taboo for women—and what that silence is costing usWhat it's like being a female venture capitalist The steps to go from paying off debt to opening an investment accountHow to start uncomfortable money conversations (salary ranges, raises, investments)Plus: Why the "Great Wealth Transfer" means now is the time for women to start having these conversations—because the women who talk about money are the ones who'll actually control it.LINKS & MENTIONSGuest:Hayfa Aboukier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayfa-aboukier/Range Ventures: https://range.vc/Music:Roots Music Project: https://www.rootsmusicproject.org/Dead Pioneers (Denver band): https://www.deadpioneers.band/2MX2 (San Luis Valley band): https://2mx2.com/Banshee Tree (Americana band): https://www.banshee-tree.com/Books & Documentaries:Martha (Netflix, 2024) - Directed by R.J. Cutler: https://www.netflix.com/title/81479059"Your First Million: Why You Don't Have To Be Born Into A Legacy Of Wealth To Leave One Behind" by Arlan Hamilton - https://www.amazon.com/Your-First-Million-Legacy-Behind/dp/0593543548Statistics & Research Cited:Women to control $34 trillion by 2030: McKinsey & Company - https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/the-new-face-of-wealth-the-rise-of-the-female-investorWomen in VC partners (9-15%): PitchBook Female Founders Report - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250305135954/en/Venture-Capital-Exits-Increased-for-Female-Founded-Companies-in-2024-New-PitchBook-Report-ShowsVC funding to female founders (2.3%): PitchBook 2024 data - https://ff.co/women-funding-statistics-2025/Women and investment accounts (51%): Citizens Bank Great Wealth Transfer Survey - https://www.citizensbank.com/private-banking/insights/new-era-for-womens-wealth.aspxNew episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/ and we’ll tackle it on an upcoming episode.

What if the smartest career move you could make is intentionally climbing DOWN the corporate ladder?In this episode, Blakely and Heather sit down with Alden Hultgren, a tech executive and founder of the Conscious Leadership Collective who made a radical choice: she's not stepping down—she's creating a new ladder. Alden chose wellness over titles and discovered that "creating a life you don't have to heal from" is the ultimate success metric.This conversation includes a live breathwork session, real talk about chronic stress and burnout, and permission to redefine success on your own terms. Plus: Heather reports live from Dreamforce, everyone discovers they've been breathing backwards their whole lives, and Clay gets kicked out of an anniversary dinner.In this episode, Alden reveals:The moment she realized she needed to “climb” down the corporate ladder (and why it was the right decision)What "creating a life you don't have to heal from" really meansThe physiological sigh: a 3-breath technique to reset your nervous system anywhere, anytimeWhy breathwork in the boardroom could change corporate cultureHow to shift from being a victim to the corporate world to being the creator of your lifeWhat the Conscious Leadership Collective offers to high-achieving professionals who want both success AND wellnessLINKS & MENTIONSConscious Leadership Collective: Join the waitlist at thealdeneffect.com/conscious-leadership/For 1:1 coaching with Alden: Visit thealdeneffect.com Dreamforce 2025 by @salesforceSaysh ShoesOzone IV Therapy: Mentioned as treatment for chronic fatigue/Epstein-BarrHuberman Lab: Physiological sigh researchNew episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/ and we’ll tackle it on an upcoming episode.

What happens when a nurse practitioner gets quoted $1 million for software and told "that's cute" when she says she'll build it herself? She teaches herself to code in 100 hours and launches a SaaS company.SaaS founder Stephanie Betters joins Blakely and Heather to share how she rage-coded Left Main CRM—now a high-growth company and Salesforce partner—in just three months. Drawing from their combined 20+ years at conferences, the trio goes beyond Stephanie's inspiring story to tackle the awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe situations nobody talks about at industry events.In this episode, Stephanie reveals:Stephanie's journey from cardiothoracic nurse practitioner to SaaS founderHow she taught herself to code and built a CRM in 100 hoursWhy she's a believer in the Salesforce Ohana communityWhy she never drinks when traveling soloWe also cover practical conference tips including:Why you should never wear heels (and which sneaker brand to try)How to handle "the name blank" when someone remembers you but you don't remember themWhy companies should never make employees share hotel roomsSafety strategies for elevators, Ubers, and late-night situationsWhy drinking boundaries change when you move from subordinate to leaderThis is the honest, vulnerable conversation about conferences that nobody's having—but everyone needs to hear. Whether you're headed to your first conference or your twentieth, this episode will help you navigate the sticky situations with confidence and stay safe while building meaningful connections.LINKS & MENTIONSStephanie Betters on LinkedIn@stephbetters on InstagramLeft Main REI - CRM for Real Estate InvestorsDreamforce 2025 by @salesforceSaysh - Website@bysaysh on Instagram by Allyson FelixHow We Got There podcast hosted by Mike DavisNew episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/ and we’ll tackle it on an upcoming episode.

What happens when the hustle that got you promoted becomes the obstacle keeping you from leading well? Brand strategist Cindy Frigard has spent decades helping leaders navigate this exact transition—and she learned most of her lessons the hard way.In this conversation, Cindy breaks down the seven critical mindset shifts every leader needs to make when they level up: from delegation to staying silent in uncomfortable moments, from raising the bar without pissing people off to understanding that feeling like an imposter doesn't mean you don't belong.Blakely shares the raw story of how she became CEO—a moment that involved her co-founder in a ball on the floor, tears at a corporate retreat, and Cindy's gentle intervention that helped her step into leadership. It's messy, vulnerable, and proof that even confident leaders need someone in their corner asking the hard questions.In this episode, you’ll hear:The dramatic corporate retreat moment when Blakely became CEOWhy delegating feels like weakness (and why it's actually strength)How to raise standards without alienating your teamThe power of the pause: why silence is sometimes the answerHigh-functioning codependency and why women apologize for everythingWhy being strong doesn't mean being selflessThe "five push-ups for every sorry" rule that builds confidence (and  triceps)LINKS & MENTIONSCindy Frigard / Yours, TrulyTerri Cole on High-Functioning CodependencyViktor Frankl / Stephen Covey quote on stimulus and responseTara BrachBrené BrownJon BatisteNew episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.We want your sticky situations! Leave us a note or voicemail at ⁠⁠https://notall.biz/⁠⁠.

It’s Casual Friday at Not All Business! Producer Clay takes over and turns the spotlight on Blakely and Heather, who share their personal stories and the path that led to Not All Business.From their first jobs (janitor, A&W carhop, and Apple Store genius) to running successful companies, they reveal the real story behind their friendship. It all started with a mutual friend's introduction and a three-hour lunch that neither wanted to end—a conversation so good it sparked the idea for this podcast.In this personal episode, they explore the challenges of being a female leader in business, the extreme loneliness of being a CEO, and why there needs to be a space for honest conversations about the sticky situations we're all too afraid to ask about.In this episode, Blakely and Heather reveal:- What inspired them to launch Not All Business- The loneliness of being a CEO and not knowing the "code"- Why women face different challenges navigating business situations- How to handle sticky workplace situations you're too afraid to ask aboutPlus, they're inviting listeners to send in their own sticky situations for future episodes. Because sometimes the best business advice comes from creating a space where you can admit what you don't know.LINKS & MENTIONSSubmit your sticky situations: https://notall.biz/Voice message: https://notall.biz/home#situationsEmail: [email protected] episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when leaders are so overwhelmed they default to "lazy leadership" behaviors? Julie Holunga, fractional leadership and culture partner, has seen it firsthand—and she's here to fix it.In this episode, Julie breaks down the communication habits that undermine even well-intentioned leaders. From her memorable networking encounter that bonded her friendship with Heather to her five (and a half)-step framework that transforms difficult conversations, this episode is packed with immediately actionable advice.In this episode, Julie reveals:The "lazy leadership" trap that's destroying workplace cultureMultitasking doesn't work (even for Gen Z)Her five (and a half)-step feedback framework that actually worksThe declarative communication style that creates equal statusWhy saying "just" undermines your authorityThe menopause-at-work conversation we're all avoidingCreator of the Trusted Voice Paradigm™ and featured in Forbes Coaches Council, Julie's approach is simple: Be kind, be present, and stop making excuses for rushed leadership. Whether you're giving feedback to a chronically late employee or trying to show up authentically in meetings, Julie's insights will change how you communicate at work.LINKS & MENTIONSJulie Holunga on LinkedInJulie's WebsiteJulie on YouTubeJulie's TED Talk: "Don't Let Your Words Sabotage Your Career"Email Like a Boss PosterNew episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when the company values posted on the wall don't match the leadership walking the halls? Corporate communications veteran Molly Keveney spent three decades helping companies define their purpose and values—then watched her own CEO fail the test when it mattered most.In this raw conversation, Molly shares the personal story that changed everything: how she trusted her boss with a family tragedy, only to have that vulnerability used against her in a performance review. It's a masterclass in what NOT to do as a leader, and why authentic culture work starts at the top.In This Episode:- A personal crisis that revealed leadership's true values- How to have honest conversations during organizational change- The meeting after the meeting problem—and how to solve it- Why treating employees like family and kids like employees works- The death of work-life balance and rise of work-life integration- Why the next generation demands values alignment—and they're rightLinks & Mentions- Molly Keveney on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-keveney/- Brandi Carlile's "Church and State" - https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5sg3RW63BxVvidEE1rBiWT?si=f3b55e5c3db04f91 - Brandi Carlile on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandicarlile/- The Bramily on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebramily/- Red Rocks Amphitheatre - https://www.instagram.com/redrocksco/New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when your LinkedIn profile photo is a cropped wedding shot and your resume reads like a grocery list of job duties? Resume writing expert and personal branding strategist Michele Lando has built her business helping professionals articulate their value and present the best version of themselves to uplevel their careers. Her mission: build confidence, empower people to celebrate their wins, and help them communicate their worth effectively.Michele shares her journey from Nordstrom sales floor (where she planned company takeover) to founding Write Styles, named after her grandfather's sunglasses business and his advice: "You can do anything you want as long as you understand the business behind it."In this episode, Michele reveals:Why most people can't see their own accomplishmentsThe top three LinkedIn photo mistakes that scream "amateur"How to use AI strategically without accidentally lying on your resumeWhy cover letters still matter and what hiring managers want to seeThe trick to decoding Applicant Tracking Systems through keyword optimizationThe "friend test": if your friend did what you did, you'd celebrate them—so why not yourself?How to customize resumes without burning outWhy thank you notes after interviews are non-negotiable (seriously, Heather will not hire you without one)Whether you're job hunting, career pivoting, or just trying to get better at talking about your accomplishments without feeling gross, this episode offers practical strategies for authentic self-advocacy in professional settings.Links + Mentions• Write Styles - Michele's personal branding and resume writing company (https://writestylesonline.com/)• Michele Lando on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelelandoburns/• Write Styles on Instagram - @writestylesFollow us!Website: notall.biz LinkedIn Page: Not All Business Instagram: @notallbiz YouTube: @notallbusiness Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

What happens when your executive coach tells you your physical presence "needs a lot of work"? For former TaskRay COO Jamie Cole, that brutal feedback led to an unexpected journey that revolutionized her leadership style.In this candid conversation, Jamie shares how discovering pole dancing transformed her from a post-divorce, confidence-shattered executive into a fearless leader who commanded every room she entered. But this isn't about fitness trends or breaking taboos—it's about the direct connection between physical confidence and professional presence.In this episode, Jamie reveals:Why her executive coach's harsh feedback was the wake-up call she neededHow pole dancing taught her the crucial difference between sensuality and sexualityThe moment she realized her physical transformation was reshaping her leadershipHow her newfound confidence helped transform her entire company cultureWhy finding your "power practice" doesn't have to be conventionalWe also dive into the inclusive community she discovered, the social stigmas she navigated, and how embodying physical strength translated into professional fearlessness. Plus, Jamie explains why she believes everyone needs to find their own version of this practice.Whether your power source is pole dancing, rock climbing, or something completely different, this episode challenges how we think about confidence, presence, and authentic leadership.Links + Mentions:Jamie Cole Pole on IGRockstar Pole Fitness on IGMelani Sanders on IG“We Do Not Care” – NYT ArticleCarolyn Keyes – VelocityKeren Eldad on IGAthena Wolf on PatreonFollow us!Website: notall.bizLinkedIn: Not All BusinessInstagram: @notallbizYouTube: @notallbusiness

A podcast where leadership gets real. Because at work, it's not all business.Not All Business features two rival tech CEOs turned friends - Blakely Graham and Heather Cooper - hosting the conversations everyone avoids about the messy reality of leadership.Think of us as Sex Ed for Leadership - answering all the questions professionals are too afraid to ask, with occasional reality checks from our producer, Clay.Join us for serious insights. Slightly less serious hosts.New episodes every Thursday.Connect with us: Website: notall.bizInstagram: @notallbizLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/notallbusiness