Brave Women at Work

I call on you this week to reach out to another woman in your life. A woman that needs a good word, a in-person or virtual hug, motivation, or support. You have no idea the ripple effect it will have.Today on the show, Ashley and I dive into something so important and foundational – purpose. During today’s show, Ashley and I chatted about:The meaning behind unlimited to Ashley, especially since her company’s name is You Unlimited.Why is purpose so important, and how do you we go about finding our own purpose?How does Ashley leverage CliftonStrengths in her work with teams?What is the intersection between purpose and CliftonStrengths?What is flow state coaching?When was the last time that Ashley was in a flow state?Here is more about Ashley:Ashley Kletke is the founder of You Unlimited Coaching and Workshops. You Unlimited helps organizations uncover their purpose, elevate their strengths, and engineer their cultures. As an engineer turned performance coach and facilitator, Ashley has a unique ability to bridge the analytical and the human — helping individuals, teams, and businesses move forward with clarity and purpose.Ashley's work is rooted in the belief that when people understand their unlimited purpose and leverage their individual strengths, that's when they truly become unlimited. She uses CliftonStrengths as one of her core tools in her work with teams, helping them move beyond simply agreeing that collaboration matters to actually knowing how to do it. She also weaves wellbeing and flow state coaching into her practice, with a firm belief that wellbeing is fuel for performance — not a nice-to-have, but a necessity.Based in Mattawan, Michigan, Ashley works with people and organizations ready to get clear on the purpose behind their goals and build the tools to be their best selves — at work and in life.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Ashley to the show!Questions (Segment 2): Can you tell us more about your background story? How have you gotten to where you are today?What does You Unlimited mean to you? And as a follow-up, what is unlimited purpose and why is it important to you?Once you understand your unlimited purpose, what changes for you personally and professionally? (We can also talk about the quote on your site – “Your real job in life is to figure out what it is you are called to do.” – Oprah Winfrey)I have had guests on the show talk about CliftonStrengths and discovering your individual strengths. How do you use it with your work with teams? How does your purpose work and CliftonStrengths intersect?Why is wellbeing fuel for performance in teams and organizations as a whole? What is your perspective on the state of wellbeing at work today?What is flow state coaching? How do you advise your clients to get in a flow state?When was the last time you were in a flow state?What are 1-2 ways women at be braver at work?How can women connect with you and your work online?

Today on the show, I am so pleased to share that I chatted about the new rules of leadership with Selena Rezvani. Selena just gets it, and she has digestible leadership content and books that anyone can apply to their lives and careers. Selena is also widely followed on all the social platforms, so go check her out!During today’s show, Selena and I talked about:Her book, Quick Leadership: Build Trust, Navigate Change, and Cultivate Unstoppable TeamsWhy managing with heart is critical to build trust and loyalty and is a strength, not a weaknessHer book, Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Boost Connections, and Make Bold Bets on YourselfHer TEDx talk and how it still holds the test of time, How we can move past overdoing, overthinking, and overexplaining to free up our time and energyHere is more about Selena:Selena Rezvani is an internationally known leadership speaker and author, TEDx-er, and an award-winning journalist. Forbes recently named her the premier expert on advocating for yourself at work.She trains some of the brightest minds on leadership development at places like The World Bank, Microsoft, Under Armour, Pfizer, and Nestlé—helping emerging leaders enhance their presence, self-confidence, and build trust. Selena’s advice has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Oprah.com, Today, The LA Times, and ABC and NBC television. Selena’s latest book, Quick Confidence, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, is the culmination of a viral newsletter she started on LinkedIn, where she shares bite-sized tips on boosting confidence. Her forthcoming book, Quick Leadership, comes out on November 10, 2025.Selena creates daily video content on leadership that reaches a wide audience across social media. Having amassed a following of over 500k followers across platforms, she was honored as a Fast Company Top Content Creator. In addition to coaching and consulting emerging leaders, Selena offers workshops to teams and conferences including her sought-after “How to be a Fierce Self-Advocate” and “Quick Confidence: Own Your Power” workshops. Today, she writes a column for MSNBC’s Know Your Value on the most pressing leadership and career issues.Selena has MSW and BS degrees from NYU and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. To learn more about Selena and to book her for your next event, visit SelenaRezvani.com.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I’m so excited to have another Chicago gal in the house today with me, Harper A. Bailey. Harper and I discovered we had SO much in common with our stories, perspectives, etc. that I hope to meet up with her IRL (in real life) sometime soon!During today’s show, Harper and I talked about:What it felt like for her to be the first Black woman to lead a prominent national women’s healthcare nonprofit.Her burnout story and the grief of transition between who she was and who she became after the experience.The story behind her name Harper A. Bailey and what her real name is and why she decided to use it (grab a tissue).Her book, It Was Her: A Memoir.The differences between macro and micro grief.The moments of grief in corporate that no one talks about. I even share an example I have processed recently.If you are willing to dig a bit deeper on how grief touches us in unexpected ways and is related to burnout and our healing, listen to today’s conversation.Here is more about Harper:Harper A. Bailey is the pen name of Tiosha Bailey, a Chicago native,public health leader, and powerful storyteller who challenges the statusquo. She was the first Black woman to lead a prominent nationalwomen's healthcare nonprofit, where she prioritized health equity andamplified the voices of underserved communities.Her first book, It Was Her: A Memoir—featuring a foreword by renownedmotivational speaker Lisa Nichols—invites readers into a deeply personalstory shaped by loss, resilience, and transformation. Through honest andcompelling storytelling, Harper explores identity, healing, and thecourage it takes to reclaim your narrative.As a speaker, Harper brings clarity, depth, and humor to conversationsabout leadership, purpose, and the lived experiences of Black women.She connects with audiences through truth-telling and a passion forcreating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m so pumped to let you know that the E-Book for Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is now available on Amazon!If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

Have you ever wanted to build a business? What about a huge business? While many of our listeners are corporate warriors, I wanted to share the brave story of my guest, Jacqueline Basulto, Founder and CEO of SeedX, a multi-million-dollar data and digital business. Most, if not all, of the takeaways from this podcast apply to all of us. During our discussion, Jacqueline and I chatted about:The story of how she built her company, SeedX.What challenges Jacqueline has faced as she grew her organizationHow she has managed balancing her personal and professional life as an entrepreneurAdvice for any women who would like to build a business or even start a side hustleAnd the role female leaders play in developing strong company culturesIf you have a dream you want to pursue, this show is for you!Here is more about Jacqueline:Jacqueline Basulto is an award-winning, self-made Latina entrepreneur, and the visionary founder, CEO, and Director of New Business at SeedX, Inc. SeedX is a results-driven data and digital growth agency, dedicated to helping clients reach their business objectives through data-driven online strategies and innovative solutions. With over eight years of industry experience, Jacqueline has built a remarkable reputation for delivering tangible outcomes and creating lasting value for clients across diverse sectors and markets.In 2021, Jacqueline was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, recognized as one of the leading figures in the marketing and advertising industries. Her company has also garnered multiple accolades from Clutch, earning recognition as the #1 Woman-Owned Digital Agency and the #1 B2B Agency in the United States.A passionate advocate for empowering businesses, Jacqueline is committed to equipping companies with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the digital age. She is a sought-after speaker and content creator, covering topics such as business growth, grassroots online political strategy, community engagement, sales training, and leadership.A proud native of New York, Jacqueline is a devoted mother to a two-year-old daughter and shares her life with her husband, daughter, and three beloved dogs.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jacqueline to the show!

I thought that Imposter Syndrome was something to be managed. Not eradicated, but managed. Jen has an entirely different view on Imposter Syndrome. She thinks we can make it our superpower. I was curious and completely open-minded to Jen’s perspective because there’s always more to learn.During our discussion, Jen and I chatted about:How she got into the STEM sector and continues to work with people in STEM and other industries today.Why she believes Imposter Syndrome is our superpower and not something to get rid of.How Imposter Syndrome shows up for Jen and other leadersWhat is Jen’s Leadership DecoderWhy people call Jen the velvet sledgehammerHere is more about Jen:Featured on ABC, MSNBC, and TEDx, Jen Coken is an internationallyrecognized executive leadership coach, speaker, and best-sellingauthor with more than twenty-five years of experience helping leadersbreak barriers and lead with authority. She’s guided nearly 10,000leaders worldwide—from Fortune 1000 executives to emerging women inSTEM—to transform self-doubt into confidence, and confusion intoclarity.Jen’s trademark blend of neuroscience, soul, and stand-up makes herunlike any other coach in the leadership space. She uses humor toreach people where logic can’t—because when there’s laughter, there’slistening, and when there’s listening, there’s learning.Her book, Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, offers a practicalroadmap for leaders to own their brilliance and lead with influence,impact, and unapologetic authenticity. Whether she’s on a stage, inthe trenches with your team, or coaching one-on-one, Jen’s mission isconstant: to help brilliant minds show up as their boldest, mostpowerful selves—without compromise.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Jen to the show!

Well friends and podcast listeners, I have met another sister from another mister in my guest today, Dr. Kasi Lacey! I met Dr. Kasi at the Thrive in ’25 Conference last summer, and I was like, Dr. Kasi is my person! When we chatted, I really resonated with what she was saying and so much of our corporate war stories were similar, even though Dr. Kasi and I come from different industries. It simply goes to show you that it doesn’t really matter the industry. What matters is that we share our stories so that women do not feel alone. When I met Dr. Kasi, I know I felt seen. Like my work with Brave Women at Work, Dr. Kasi focuses a big portion of her work on lifting women up so they can build confidence and advocate for themselves. Once I found that out, I knew she had to be on the show.During our discussion, Dr. Kasi and I chatted about:Confidence is a skill we can build; it’s not something we have or don’t have.How resilience, grit, and clarity have key roles in building confidence in any area of your life.How boundaries go hand in hand with confidence buildingWe chatted about how Dr. Kasi loves being on stage, and it wasn’t something she set out to do.Her upcoming book, The Confidence Comeback: The Psychology of Reclaiming Your Power, Voice, and LeadershipAnd we also touched on her course: Break Free from Self-DoubtHere is more about Dr. Kasi:Dr. Lacey is a nationally recognized psychologist, author, keynote speaker, and confidence coach who empowers women and workplaces to lead with confidence.She blends the science of psychology with actionable leadership strategies to deliver high-impact, transformative keynotes and training that leave audiences inspired and equipped to take action.With 15+ years of experience as a C-suite executive in higher education and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Lacey is known for her relatable, energizing speaking style and her deep understanding of what it truly takes to cultivate confidence in leadership - especially for women navigating high-pressure roles.Whether she’s on stage, on camera, or in a boardroom, Dr. Lacey's mission is clear: help women lead unapologetically and help organizations build thriving, inclusive, and psychologically safe environments.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!I’m excited to share that Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity is coming out soon in E-Book! Be on the lookout for a purchase link for the $0.99 E-Book in April 2026!And, finally, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  Alright, let’s welcome Dr. Kasi to the show!

Do you have someone in your life that has made a brave pivot? For example, maybe a friend, family member or colleague that has made a big leap into a new career, left their career to be a mom or caregiver full-time, left a relationship that was draining them. Whenever I hear stories like this, I’m both awed and triggered at the same time.Why? Well, friends, I have always struggled with big changes. Every time I have left a job, I’ve cried and grieved. I’ve agonized over these big changes, made pros and cons lists, asked everyone I know until I wind myself up to a tight ball of anxiety. Some people release the control of the known and bravely pivot into the unknown. My guest, Dr. Vasu Tolia, has done this with her monstrous move from medicine to art. Talk about different sides of the brain!I met Dr. Vasu through a coaching inquiry, but realized coaching was not the right fit for her. Inviting her to be part of the larger community of powerhouse women I’m part of was. So, I am so pleased to have the opportunity to chat with her today on the show!During our discussion, Dr. Vasu and I chatted about:What led Dr. Vasu to get into medicine?How she knew it was time to move from medicine into the world of art?What the response was from others in her community when she decided to make that pivotHow picking up a paintbrush has made her find something deeper within herselfThe intersection between science, art, and healing and where Dr. Vasu’s work is headedWhat a personal mandala is and how it is a healing exercise it itselfHere is more about Dr. Vasu:Dr. Vasu Tolia is a physician turned healing artist and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics. After spending over 40 years in academic medicine—establishing Michigan's first pediatric endoscopy unit and publishing 150+ research papers—she embarked on a second career creating healing-focused art grounded in neuroaesthetics.Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, appeared on CDC journal covers, and been included in ArtTreasury's 2026 Collector's Annual. Through her unique charitable giving model, art collectors can direct proceeds to organizations supporting mental health, autism research, and vulnerable populations.Vasu's Bold Statement of Claim is "Healing never retires. It just picks up a different path." Learn more at www.vasutolia.art.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I have never been a shopper. Starting in my teenage years, I decided I would be emo and wear black all the time. It was just easier, and it matched my teenage angst and all the Alanis Morrissette I was listening to. Can you relate?I would love to tell you that I have changed in my adult years, but I haven’t really. Black is still my staple, and I don’t put a lot of time into my wardrobe. My guest, Dianne Boyer, has shared with me the importance of putting together a wardrobe that serves us not only personally, but professionally. This is a missing tool that helps us with our confidence and with advocating for ourselves. You know what I’m talking about. When we feel good, we do good. When we wear our favorite outfit, we walk a little taller. And maybe, just maybe, we advocate for ourselves a little more.  During our discussion, Dianne and I chatted about:Her origin story in fashion and stylingWhat pushed her out of her work and into running her own business, Dianne in StyleWhat is a color analysis, and why is it important?What is a personal style evaluation, and can it be done from anywhere?What is the goal of Dianne’s work with women?If you are anything like me and are quick to go to wearing black as a default or the same outfits repeatedly that you do not particularly love, this show is for you.Here is more about Dianne:Dianne Boyer is a personal stylist helping women rediscover their confidence and joy through style.  After decades in corporate and fashion marketing, Dianne transitioned into styling to empower women navigating life’s next chapter.  She offers practical, personalized styling for women who want to feel vibrant and relevant at any age.Reinvention is not just about what she does for others, it’s her own story as well. Her professional path includes leadership roles in Fortune 100 marketing and over a decade in the fashion accessories space. Since the beginning, her career has centered around brand identity, visual impact, and helping others make a strong first impression. She’s leveraged her years of marketing experience and love of fashion and applied the same principles for making brands shine to doing the same for women.Dianne has shared her styling insights on television segments in Detroit and Chicago and has been featured in Real Simple, People, and Today.com. Her message is simple: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Whether it’s a career pivot or a fresh outfit, you deserve to love what you see in the mirror.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

I am so excited to announce that the next Brave Women at Work book is launching soon! I cannot believe we are on our fifth book in the women’s anthology series! Yes, fifth!I do not say this lightly, but Brave Women at Work, this podcast, the book series, the coaching, the speaking, all of it – this is my purpose work. It is what gets me up out of bed in the morning, and it is my rocket fuel of motivation. I hope you either have or find something like this in your life. It also doesn’t have to be like mine. Whatever it is, when you find it, it feels like time is in a flow state. Working doesn’t feel like work. There is no slog, just joy and flow. And PS, it took me over 40 years to finally discover this purpose work, so there is no race to get to the finish line. If you have discovered or want to chat me about finding your purpose work, connect with me on LinkedIn, schedule a coaching discovery call, or send me an email at [email protected]. Speaking about purpose work, my guest today, Yalonda Brown, has found hers. Yalonda pours into young leaders and is a speaker, author, facilitator, and workshop leader. Something else very special about Yalonda is that she was a contributing author in the first Brave Women at Work book, Brave Women at Work: Stories in Resilience, and now she is participating in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity! I am so excited that Yalonda has reconnected with the Brave Women at Work community, and I am pumped to have her on the show today.During our discussion, Yalonda and I chatted about:Why she decided to participate in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in AuthenticityAn overview of what her chapter is aboutHer work to foster up and coming youth leaders, and why that is important to herHer work in the workplace wellness fieldWhy Yalonda is encouraged by the Gen Z and Alpha generationsWe also touched on living loss and how shifts happenHere is more about Yalonda:Yalonda Brown is a visionary leader, speaker, and inclusion strategist with more than two decades of experience bridging the private and public sectors. Known for her intuitive leadership and heart-centered approach, she empowers others to lead with authenticity and purpose. Yalonda holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Child and Youth Care Practitioner.In her nonprofit role, she champions the professional growth and well-being of Indiana’s youth workers, cultivating partnerships that strengthen communities and amplify impact. As CEO of Just Say It, LLC, Yalonda facilitates courageous conversations that advance inclusive leadership, and belonging. An accomplished author and speaker, her insights have been featured in SHRM, DiversityQ, and Diversity Professional Magazine.Deeply committed to advancing women and girls, Yalonda actively serves on several boards. Now residing in Arizona with her husband Vincent, she continues to use her platform to inspire resilience, confidence, and purpose in every space she enters.

Several years ago, one of my dear friends, Jennie, visited me for the weekend. We went shopping and decided to duck into TJ Maxx. Who doesn’t love a good TJ Maxx run?While we were in the store, we saw a coffee mug that had this saying on it, “I’m kind of a big deal.” I held it up, pointed at it, and smiled while Jennie took a picture of me. Back then, I was play acting that I was kind of a big deal.Now, years later, I know I am. It’s taken burnout and many years of healing to get here. And my guest, Dr. Shana Lewis, has gotten there herself. She mentioned the phrase “I’m major, not minor” in our podcast today, and it reminded me of that story. During our discussion, Dr. Shana and I chatted about:What prompted Dr. Shana to leave a professional therapy practice to pursue executive wellness coachingWhat the 12 dimensions of wellness areWhat #saucerlife means to Dr. ShanaAn overview of her latest book, ONE – Own, Navigate, Elevate Yourself & Everyone Around You: The Leadership Model that Eliminates Burnout and Elevates Your MissionDr. Shana’s tips to use our voices and build our personal and professional brandsIf you want to start fully embodying being major and not minor in your life and career, listen in!Here is more about Dr. Shana:Dr. Shana D. Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor turned Executive Wellness Coach. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education.  She is the founder of SDL Enterprises Education, Training, & Consulting Services, LLC, home of the Brand Mastery Academy. She is also the founder of Her VOICE a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence to live healthy lives thru mentorship and education. With over 20 years of experience working with women in the mental health field, Dr. Shana decided to take her clinical knowledge, coupled with her personal experience and wellness training to help high achieving professional women stop seeking balance in life and instead create harmony/integration through understanding the 12 dimensions of wellness.  In addition to this work, Dr. Shana is a sought-after business coach for experts & practitioners who want to leverage their genius by building a bankable brand beyond traditional practice by increasing their impact, influence, and income to help thousands across the globe!Dr. Shana believes that wellness is an inside job as a woman cannot lead anyone else anywhere until she has first led herself through healthy self-care and prioritization of her life. To this end, Dr. Shana is a sought-after international keynote and motivational speaker, trainer, and leader in the women’s empowerment and wellness space and curator of the Self-care is the New Sexy International Retreat. She delivers powerful, high-energy keynotes to audiences across the country about a variety of issues including domestic violence, women’s issues, wellness, spiritual issues, mental health issues, self-care and transformation. As a result of her expertise in these areas Dr. Shana has been featured on several media outlets including CBS, NBC, Fox, CW, and ABC as a mental health expert on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan!  While Dr. Shana has several pursuits that she is passionate about, her overall desire is to equip high achieving professional women who are overwhelmed and burnt out from the responsibilities of life, career, business, or relationships to gain clarity and focus to position herself to have it all. Dr. Shana believes that when a woman has properly cared for herself, she is aligned, and she has done her work she is then able to function from a place of abundance--a space she affectionately calls #Saucerlife! ​

My guest today, Bofta Yimam, is an expert in owning your voice, so I was excited to have her on as a guest on the show. During our discussion, Bofta and I chatted about:A bit about her family and Ethiopian roots and what led her to a career in the newsWhat drove her to start her entrepreneurial journeyHow we can stop playing small and own our voicesThe importance of having a LinkedIn presenceWhat mistakes Bofta often sees when her clients try to build their brands onlineWhy it is important for you to have an online presence, whether you are building a business or are in the corporate worldIf speaking up or owning your voice is something you struggle with, please listen in.Here is more about Bofta:Bofta Yimam is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, international speaker, and Founder of StoryLede. As the first Ethiopian-American newscaster to receive an Emmy, she helps leaders and business owners amplify their stories and boost visibility.With more than a decade reporting for outlets like CBS News and The Black News Channel, Bofta has covered historic moments from the White House to the 2020 election. As a former Capitol Hill Correspondent, she’s known for her powerful storytelling and trusted voice on issues impacting communities of color.Today, Bofta is a sought-after speaker and corporate trainer who empowers entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and thought leaders to elevate their presence online, on stage, and in their industries—driving greater visibility, impact, and revenue.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.And, last but not least, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026! If you have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share the details on the project.  

To get started today, I would like to share a personal story about my daughter, Olivia. Olivia’s story relates to our theme of setbacks and using them as stepping stones.You may not know this, but Olivia was born was a hair condition that limits hair growth. Olivia is gorgeous exactly as God made her, but as she is getting older, she asked me for a hair piece so she can have longer hair. Olivia’s request scared me, and I wondered if this was too soon (she’s 7) and we needed to wait. Yet, Olivia persisted. She asked me for a hairpiece for months and months. I finally said ok and took her to get the partial wig. When she wore the hairpiece to school the first day, it was really challenging and scary. It was so scary that Olivia decided to take off the wig. This represents her setback. But this isn’t the end of the story. Olivia faced her fear and setback and did something with it. She took a few hours to gather her strength and then put the wig on herself. In front of her friends and peers. When I asked her what made her put the wig on, she said her heart told her so. I share that because that’s what we’re talking about. You can use a setback as a springboard for growth. My guest, Athena Brownson, knows all about this in her own life.During our discussion, Athena and I chatted about:How she kept going after extensive skiing injuriesHer diagnosis with Lyme DiseaseThe modalities she used to support her healingWhat resilience means to Athena and how she used her setback as a springboard for growthHer advice for women who are experiencing their own personal challenges and setbacksHere is more about Athena:Athena Brownson is a living testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. A former professional skier who endured nine kneesurgeries and two neck operations, Athena’s greatest challenge came when she was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease—a debilitating condition that left her bedridden for months. Yet, instead of letting thesesetbacks define her, Athena used them to fuel her purpose, transforming pain into strength and obstacles into opportunities.Now a thriving entrepreneur and advocate for resilience, Athena empowers audiences to navigate life’s challenges with grit, authenticity, and purpose. She teaches how to embrace change, build balance, and align your career and life with your values. Drawing from her journey, Athena inspires others to redefine success, build their "why," and cultivate the mindset needed to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful growth.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

My guest, Ashley Tuburan, and I met at a women’s leadership conference I was speaking at last May. Ashley’s story and her spirit touched me, so I asked her to be on the podcast.I would like to warn our listeners that this podcast deals with sensitive topics such as sexual assault and mental illness, so if either of these issues trigger you or others, do what is right for you. During our discussion, Ashley and I chatted about:Her tough childhood and decision to enlist in the militaryHer experience with sexual assault while on active duty and the aftermath of that traumaAshley’s decision to get into law enforcement to protect othersHow Ashley took it a step farther by pursuing a law degreeHow Ashley deals with her mental health and mental health setbacksHere is more about Ashley:Ashley Tuburan is a U.S. Navy veteran, police officer, and trauma-informed coach dedicated to mental health advocacy and survivor-centered leadership. As a military sexual assault survivor, Ashley brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work, helping organizations and individuals better understand resilience, accountability, and healing within high-stress environments.Drawing from her background in military service, law enforcement, and coaching, Ashley speaks on topics including trauma awareness, survivor advocacy, mental wellness, and building healthier cultures in institutions traditionally shaped by toughness and silence. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and practical—focused on empowering people to lead with empathy while maintaining strength and professionalism.Outside of her professional work, Ashley is a proud mom to an energetic 8-year-old son, a devoted animal lover (maine coon cat mom), and a self-proclaimed donut enthusiast—because balance matters. She believes healing and leadership can coexist, and that authenticity is a powerful catalyst for change.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.And, last but not least, I am already receiving interest in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Abundance! This will be the sixth book in the women’s anthology series! This project will begin later this year in August 2026!

Welcome to final show in the Reinvention Roadmap mini-series with my friend and colleague, Jenn Smith, of Flourish Careers. I have heard such great feedback on this series from listeners. If you would like to have more series like this, please email me at [email protected] week, Jenn and I share practical steps you can take today to start reinventing your career. It’s one thing to talk about it in theory. It’s another to start taking bold and brave action towards making your next career chapter a reality!Here are some of the items we cover:Tiny actions to move through reinventionBuilding new habits + ritualsHow to experiment your way into clarityNetworking in an aligned, human wayCreating space for the next version of your lifeAgain, these shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. If you have a deep desire for career change in 2026, listen in!Here is more about Jenn:Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!And don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.Alright, let’s welcome Jenn to the show!

Welcome to part two of the Reinvention Roadmap mini-series with my friend and colleague, Jenn Smith, of Flourish Careers. If you missed the first show in the series on signs you need to either leave corporate or pursue a career transformation, you’re not too late. That show aired on January 8th, so it’s still pretty hot off the press. This week, Jenn and I talk about the importance of reviewing and redefining success in a more heart-centered way, and the power of tapping int our community for support, especially during times of change.If you like this series, the last one will air next week, January 29th and give you practical steps to reinvent your career. Again, these shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. If you have a deep desire for change in 2026, listen in and take notes!Here is more about Jenn:Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!And don’t forgot about the freebies on bravewomenatwork.com. There are 10 Tips to Win Your Next Negotiation, 24 Career and Leadership Tips, and 5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Syndrome.

Welcome to the Reinvention Roadmap mini-series during the month of January with Brave Women at Work and Jenn Smith, my friend and colleague of Flourish Careers. This series will run on January 15th, January 22nd and January 29th.Jenn and I were chatting the Thrive in ’25 Women’s Conference last summer, and podcast ideas just started pouring out of us! I told her that I was in this weird middle ground with my work clothes, for example. She told me that this was a sign I was in the middle of a deep career reinvention and that I had to pay attention! So, I guess my desire to burn my suits on my front lawn like the old move Waiting to Exhale was telling me something?In this three-part series, Jenn and I dive into the following:Signs You Need to Leave Corporate or Make a Big Change – that’s what we cover in today’s showHow to Redefine Success & the Power of Community in TransformationAnd the final show touches on Practical Steps to Reinvent Your CareerThese shows are shorter than my typical normal length – 30 minutes, but they are power-packed. If you have a deep desire for change in 2026, listen in and take notes!Here is more about Jenn:Jennifer Smith Jenn believes career success doesn’t have to be at the expense of living a radiantly happy + healthy lifestyle. Before she became a career coach and HR consultant for heart-based professionals, her roots were deeply grounded in corporate America, including 15 years in HR departments at Fortune 200 organizations. Now as a career coach and consultant, she has had the honor of supporting thousands of professionals around the world by assisting them with discovering and pursuing career intentions better aligned with their hearts and spirits while prioritizing well-being—and she believes we're all the better for it.It's time to stop applying to all those jobs that...don’t exactly get you excited anyway. Using a proven, HEART-based approach, Jenn will help you cultivate a better path, confidently pursue new opportunities, and find the place where you belong.

Well, as we get cooking with gas in 2026, I wanted to share some exciting news! I am going to start doing more solo shows. Why? Well, because I want to. I want to share more of my first-hand experience with you. This does not mean that I will not be doing interviews. Not at all! It just means that we will have more one-on-one time together. Also, if you would like me to cover a specific topic in one of these solo shows, please email me at [email protected]. Also, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Alright, let’s jump into today’s topic: standing in your quiet power.Let’s start with what quiet power is. To me, quiet power is standing in your worthiness without having to fight, prove, or convince. Let me repeat.Quiet power is standing in your worthiness without having to fight, prove, or convince.AI’s definition of quiet power is:Quiet power means having a strong, influential presence through calm, thoughtful action, deep thinking, and self-trust, rather than loudness or dominance, often seen in introverted individuals who lead with empathy, resilience, and focus, making significant impacts without needing attention. It's about inner certainty, allowing one to inspire others and navigate challenges with grounded confidence, aligning personal values with impactful, deliberate choices.I have been thinking about quiet power a lot lately, so I wanted to share more about the topic with you.Why you ask? Well, in 2025, I did not stand in quiet power. I used loud, brash power, and it was exhausting.

Happy New Year and officially welcome to 2026! Fresh start in the New Year! For my second show in the Best of Brave Women at Work Series, I was excited to re-share my show with Dr. Shawnte Elbert. Dr. Shawnte Elbert has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my traditional position of overdriving when I face challenges, Shawnte introduced me to a concept that I love and have referenced since our initial conversation: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s Best of podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. Here is my hope for you: I hope that you can lean into your faith to overcome any fears that you face in 2026.Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered. She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.Dr. Elbert has worked across healthcare, higher education, and community health sectors to champion policies and practices centered on justice, access, and well-being. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant known for her engaging and transformative approach to tackling complex health and equity issues.

For the last 2-3 years, I have highlighted by top 2 favorite podcasts of the year in my year-end Best of Series. This week, I am highlighting my coach, friend, and colleague Jay Fields. I would like to thank Jay for her guidance and instruction this year on inner child and parts work because it has made a huge difference in life. If you are not familiar with parts work, I am going to do a solo show on it soon, so stay tuned!If you missed this show, you want to go back and listen. I promise; it’s a good one! Even if you did listen to this one, it doesn’t hurt to listen in again because Jay has wisdom galore. During the podcast, Jay and I chatted about: What is the purpose of the nervous system and why is training it to serve us important.Why is it easier to remain in our heads vs. listen to our bodies’ signals?What does it mean to be embodied?What is Jay’s Overthinking Quiz and why should you take it?The meaning behind Jay’s popular phrase and podcast, “Hey Wait.”How we can leverage these learnings to protect our energy.Here is more about Jay:Jay Moon Fields, M.A. is a leading educator, coach and author. Nearly a million people have taken her courses featured on LinkedIn Learning, and her book Teaching People Not Poses is used by yoga teacher training programs globally. Her Hey, wait framework teaches people how to honor their emotional experiences and share them authentically, helping them to break free from the cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, and self-doubt.For over twenty years, Jay has taught the principles and practices of embodied social and emotional intelligence to individuals and groups from Patagonia, Wieden + Kennedy, Apple, the UN, and Baker Tilly. She has been a guest on over 30 podcasts and was named one of the top 50 health and wellness bloggers making a difference in the world by Greatist.com. Jay has been a featured speaker at the GoPro Women’s Summit, The Fifteen Seconds Festival and the Omega Institute. She received her BA in Psychosocial Health and Human Movement from the College of William and Mary and her masters in Integral Transformative Education from Prescott College.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

My guest today, Vera Cherepanova, shares the importance of being ethical at work and how we can leverage our values to create safer work environments.In my discussion with Vera, we chatted about:Why ethics is so important to Vera, and how she got into her line of work.The definition of ethical leadership.How ethics and compliance support the growth of an organization.How we can hold true to our values as working women when working in male-dominated industries.How we can advance from leadership to a seat on a company’s board.And more. Here’s more about Vera:Vera is the Executive Director of a non-profit, Boards of the Future™, a Chartered Accountant, and an award-winning Ethics and Compliance expert who writes and speaks about business ethics, governance, risk, and workplace culture.She is the author of Corporate Compliance Program, the first-ever book on compliance in the Russian language, and a co-author of The Transnationalization of Anti-Corruption Law, as well as hundreds of articles on all aspects of ethics, risk, compliance, and governance. Her insights have been featured in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Law360, CityAM, and Thomson Reuters. Vera serves as a corporate director and ethics advisor for market-leading corporations and international not-for-profits. Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Today’s show deals with the loss of a spouse, which we all know is a serious and devastating loss for so many women. In fact, here are some statistics on being a widow in the United States:For women under 50, being widowed occurs less than 12% and under 40, it’s less than 5%.Even though it seems rare, this adds up to 73,000 new U.S. widows each year between the ages of 35-54 years old.The average age for widowhood in the U.S. is around 59, but like I just said, many women are widowed much younger, during their working years. And PS, if we take age out of the mix, 2,800 women are widowed each day, or over 1 million per year. That’s staggering.This topic hits particularly close to home for me because my mom was in that statistic. She was 43 years old when my dad died from kidney cancer that move to the bone at 48. 48. I wanted Sandy to share her story because it is an important one. Also, Sandy pays it forward with tips for other women facing a similar situation and the aftermath of challenges from being a widow.In my discussion with Sandy, we chatted about:Her late husband, Scott’s, story.How Sandy handled life and work after Scott’s passing.The challenges widows face. What Sandy’s life and work look like today. Resources that Sandy recommends widows leverage to make the season more bearable.Some of the tips and resources that Sandy provides during our conversation are unexpected, so listen in!Here’s more about Sandy:Sandy Ramage-Kallal has over 15 years of experience in the credit union industry and currently serves as Director of Member Experience at the Illinois Credit Union League, supporting nearly 200 credit unions. Her background includes roles in training and development, community relations, and project management, as well as experience in education and nonprofit leadership. Sandy has served on the League’s Young Professional Advisory Committee, chaired the Burnett Chapter of Credit Unions, and presented at national conferences. She holds a master’s in social Geography and a bachelor’s in history from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter. 

According to an article on American Progress “In a Stagnating Job Market Job Seekers are Struggling to Find Opportunities”, the current US unemployment rate is at 4.4%, which is lower than the long-term average but is at its highest amount since before COVID began almost 5 years ago. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/in-a-stagnating-job-market-job-seekers-are-struggling-to-find-opportunities/When Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations introduced me to Melinda Stoops, I knew I had to have her on the show. Melinda has taken her own job loss and tried to help others through it with her work with the Reluctant Free Agent. With the state of job seeking today, I knew I had to take our conversation live right away. In my discussion with Melinda, we chatted about:Her personal job loss story and what prompted her launch her LinkedIn newsletter and book, The Reluctant Free Agent.Her advice with being emotionally resilient, especially when shame and waiting for an extended period for the next right job opportunity comes alone.The power of community to your job search because the process can be lonely.Resources that Melinda recommends you take advantage of, especially if you are in the middle of a search.What the biggest learning Melinda has had during the last several months of her personal search.How you can register to receive Melinda’s newsletter and grab a copy of her book.Here’s more about Melinda:Melinda Stoops PhD helps people navigate change—with clarity, compassion, and measurable results.​As a licensed psychologist, executive coach, and strategic consultant, Melinda works with individuals and institutions facing transition, disruption, or reinvention. Whether you're processing personal loss, recalibrating your career, or leading organizational change, Melinda offers a space that’s both emotionally grounded and outcome-driven.​Melinda’s psychotherapy practice supports adults seeking insight, healing, and growth. Her coaching and consulting work empowers leaders to transform uncertainty into strategic clarity. Across both domains, Melinda brings:Deep clinical expertise and emotional intelligence,Frameworks for decision-making and change, andA personal understanding of transition, as reflected in her book The Reluctant Free Agent. Melinda believes transformation is possible when we honor our lived experience and build toward what’s next.Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Are you were coming up in your career, what were you taught about rest? Here are a few oldies but goodies I was taught:You can rest when you die.No pain, no gain.Sleep is for the weak.Face time means you are committed. Don’t take a break.Do any of these toxic messages resonate with you? Unfortunately, so many women I chat with understand exactly where I am coming from. I am so happy to hear people like my guest today, Dr. Erin Wilson, sharing a new, healthier way to work.In my discussion with Dr. Erin today, we chatted about:Why boldness starts with clarity before bravery.The story behind Dr. Erin’s book, Strategic Rest in Leadership: The Nap Framework.Why rest is a competitive advantage for a leader.How we can incorporate rest into our corporate cultures.What relationship intelligence is and how it plays into the larger work that Dr. Erin does with her clients.Here’s more about Dr. Erin:Dr. Erin Wilson is a dynamic workshop facilitator, speaker, leadership consultant, and co-author of Strategic Rest in Leadership. With a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and over a decade of experience in leadership, adult learning and human development, Dr. Wilson empowers professionals, teams, and students to achieve meaningful growth through strengths-based development, strategic rest, and collaborative leadership strategies.​Her innovative approach, including the NAP Framework (Nurture, Assess, Prioritize), helps leaders and teams foster well-being, build resilience, and drive success. Known for her engaging and results-driven workshops, Dr. Wilson brings clarity and actionable solutions to organizations and individuals alike. Whether working with college students to build confidence and purpose or partnering with teams to enhance collaboration, Dr. Wilson’s mission is to create lasting impact through thoughtful, empowering solutions.Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Today, I had the privilege of having Tracey Newell on as a guest. We chatted about more women making their way to the top, no matter what the level means to you. Listen in to be inspired and challenged to reach your next level.Here’s more about Tracey:Tracey Newell is the former president of Informatica, where she also served as a member of the company’s board of directors for two years prior to being asked to join the management team. Prior to joining Informatica, Newell served as executive vice president of global field operations at Proofpoint, where she led sales through a five-year period of hypergrowth. Recognized as a Top 100 Sales Leader by The Modern Sale, Newell led Proofpoint’s go-to-market team to become a top five leader in the cybersecurity market. Newell has also served as executive vice president of global sales at Polycom and held sales leadership positions at Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems.Newell currently serves in the non-profit organization Impact 100, and is also a member of the board of advisors for the University of California, Santa Barbara’s economics department. In addition to Druva, Newell serves on the board of directors of DataRobot, Highspot, Sailpoint, and Sumo Logic. Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Today, I have a great guest, Arivee Vargas. Arivee and I had a fun and flowing conversation about rising up and getting unstuck from situations that no longer serve you. I loved this conversation, and I am sure you will too!Here is more about Arivee:Arivee Vargas is an award-winning executive & High Performance™️ coach to lawyers and corporate leaders, author of the bestselling book Your Time to Rise: Unlearn Limiting Beliefs, Unlock Your Power and Unleash Your Truest Self, leadership development strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the Humble Rising podcast.With nearly 20 years of experience—from Big Law attorney to corporate executive—leading global litigation and corporate compliance initiatives to leading global employee relations and leadership development at a fast-paced biotech, Arivee knows firsthand what it takes to excel & lead in high-pressure environments. Trusted by top companies and 100 Am law firms, Arivee delivers coaching, keynotes and workshops to help organizations develop—and lawyers & leaders to become—bold, grounded, values-driven leaders, who lead with clarity, purpose, and seek to drive meaningful, lasting impact. Whether she’s coaching or advising executives, delivering workshops, or speaking on stage, Arivee is driven by one mission: to empower and equip leaders and lawyers with the tools to create transformational change from the inside out—and build a culture of sustainable high performance where work feels fulfilling and rewarding, even in the face of challenge and immense pressure.Arivee’s work has been featured in Oprah Daily, Forbes, Success Magazine, and Boston Business Journal. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston College, cum laude from Boston College Law School, and received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Boston College in 2022. In addition to her career at two large law firms and as a corporate executive, Arivee taught Business Law at the Boston College Carroll School of Management and served as a judicial law clerk at the Federal District Court in Massachusetts and on the First Circuit. She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including most recently being honored with the Latina Trailblazer Award from the National Hispanic Bar Association Region II in 2025. She is a proud Latina, daughter of Dominican immigrant parents and mother of three children. 

As you will find out during today’s show, I have one of the authors I have worked with, Magon Peuker, on the show today! Magon and I began working on marketing her book earlier this year, maybe April or May 2025. When I first met Magon, I was so excited to work with her because this was the first book my partner, Hope Mueller, of Hunter Street Press and I were publishing!Also, the book, Raelynn’s Flower Garden, is so beautiful. I must give a shoutout to Olivia Deckard, the illustrator on this book. It’s just lovely! The book’s message is also appropriate for children and adults alike. It boils down to this: be kind and respectful to others because you never know what someone else is facing. So, if they look different than you or have a different life experience, show them care and love. Again, be kind to those you encounter in this world. 

Have you ever been betrayed? You’re probably thinking, “Of course I have, Jen.” That can be betrayal in a professional relationship with a boss or colleague or as devastating as marriage infidelity. But have you thought of burnout as a form of self-betrayal? When I saw Lora Cheadle, my guest today, refer to burnout that way, I was like “Ouch. That is some tough love right there.” I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about Lora’s perspective on betrayal.During the show, Lora and I chatted about:Her personal betrayal storyWhat Lora thinks of burnout as a form of self-betrayalKey tips on how you can rise above betrayal and thrive personally and professionallyHer Flaunt FrameworkWe touch on Lora’s books, FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self, and It’s Not Burnout, It’s Betrayal, 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. Here is more about Lora:Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt, is a betrayal recovery coach, licensed attorney (CO & CA), somatic attachment therapist, clinical hypnotherapist, and international speaker who guides women through the soul-shattering impact of infidelity into a life reclaimed. As the creator of Life Choreography® and the FLAUNT!® Framework, she offers the complete path of healing—legal, emotional, somatic, and spiritual—so women rise whole, sovereign, and free.Author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self, (an International Book Awards finalist and Tattered Cover bestseller) and It’s Not Burnout, It’s Betrayal, 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive, Lora blends the precision of a lawyer, the compassion of a trauma-aware coach, the depth of somatic and spiritual practice, and the channeled wisdom of The Librarians with the lived experience of surviving infidelity herself.

I am excited for today’s guest, another repeat Brave Women at Work guest from a year or so ago, Gina Riley! I look up to Gina as a coach because she is successful in the industry, has built a solid and understandable framework, and is has now launched a book, Qualified is Not Enough: Develop Your Story, Land the Interview, Win the Job. During the show, Gina and I chatted about:What prompted her to write the book and get it out in the world.What Gina’s Career Velocity System is and how it works.What a career story is and why it’s important.How a career story is different than an elevator pitch. How do we develop our own unique career story and leverage it in our career. What the YouMap Assessment is and why you should consider taking it for yourself.Here is more about Gina:Gina has spent her career on both sides of the hiring process, giving Gina a unique perspective on what it takes to secure competitive leadership roles. As an executive search consultant, Gina has led searches, trained corporate teams on effective talent selection, and witnessed firsthand what makes candidates stand out—or miss the mark.Today, Gina guides leaders through career transitions with clarity and confidence using her proven Career Velocity™ framework—an actionable roadmap that helps her clients refine their story, market themselves strategically, and land the roles they are after.With a master’s degree in Whole Systems Design and certifications in Behavioral Interviewing, YouMap®, and Speaker Skills Academy coaching, Gina combines deep expertise with a practical approach to career strategy. Her insights have been featured in the Forbes Coaches Council, on 50+ podcasts and webinars, and in Gina’s book, Qualified Isn’t Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.Gina’s mission is simple: to demystify the hiring process and empower executives to own their value, take control of their careers, and create new opportunities instead of waiting for them.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, I have an awesome announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. Ready…. drumroll please! A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

This week, I am featuring a dear repeat guest, Neen James. Neen is a wonderful ball of energy, and I love having her on the show. This time, we chatted about her book that just launched, Exceptional Experiences: Five Luxury Levers to Elevate Every Aspect of Your Business.During the show, Neen and I chatted about:How Neen’s latest book baby came to beHow the word “luxury” can be misconstruedAn overview of the five luxury levers and how they lead to exceptional experiencesNeen’s research on luxury mindset and how you can determine which luxury mindset category you fitHow this information can be applied to leadership at any levelIf you’d like to listen to my chat with Neen, who feels like an old friend at this point, listen in!Here is more about Neen:Neen James, MBA, CSP, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of leadership strategy and keynote speaking. As the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays and the forthcoming Exceptional Experiences, Neen inspires leaders and organizations to create extraordinary connections and experiences that drive results and leave lasting impressions. Recently named to the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, her proprietary research into the luxury mindset —the only study of its kind—sets her apart as a leading expert in delivering world-class client and employee experiences.Named one of the top leadership speakers by Global Gurus multiple years in a row, Neen’s practical strategies and infectious "Aussie sass" make her a favorite among corporate audiences and meeting planners alike (who often call her the Energizer Bunny). From being a confidante to Fortune 500 CEOs to empowering executive leaders responsible for revenue, Neen is known for her ability to blend actionable insights with an engaging delivery style, helping leaders to achieve greater focus, communications, and influence.

Truth time. It’s been a tough season for me. Things have been challenging personally and professionally. Some of the tools I put in place have been helpful, but I have had to re-anchor my roots because the gale force winds of this storm have been stronger than I anticipated. If you have or are going through a tough season of your own, I feel you. I stand with you. All the listeners and the Brave Women at Work community stand with you. Today’s guest, Lauren Fields, has had her own dark night of the soul and come out on the other side of it. So, it’s fitting that this show is going live today!During today’s podcast, Lauren and I discussed:Lauren’s traumatic brain injury experienceHow she literally got back on her horse within 3-months of her injuryWhat happened on the other side of realizing she had to take a step back and attempt different healing modalitiesHow Fieldswell was born as a resultHow Lauren’s healing experience can help anyone else going through a personal healing journey, whether it is traumatic brain injury or something entirely different?And moreHere is more about Lauren:Lauren Fields is the Founder and CEO of Fieldswell. Lauren’s path has taken her from the hospitality and wellness industries to earning an Masters in Psychology, speaking on the TEDx stage, and hosting a podcast with global though leaders – all fueled by a relentless pursuit of growth and an insatiable curiosity about human potential.After overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Lauren learned that life can change in an instant. Rather than resist her reality, Lauren chose to go all in on creating a life she truly loves – one built not in spite of her adversity, but because of it – and now she helps others do the same. What began as a personal wellness journey has grown into her company, Fieldswell. Fieldswell includes Lauren’s podcast, a wellness sanctuary for coaching, healing and creativity, sold-out events that bring community and transformation to life, and coaching and brand strategy that guides her clients from inner alignment to a powerful online presence.She is here to help her clients and community to transform from the inside out – creating clarity, confidence, and an impact that lasts. If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, I have an awesome announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. Ready…. drumroll please! A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!Alright, let’s welcome Lauren to the show!

My guest today, Anne Marie Anderson, is what my 13-year-old, Charlotte, calls a “baddie” or “badass” for short. As you will find out, Anne Marie is a 3-time Emmy Award winner and was a sports broadcaster. Talk about a tough industry! Anne Marie is straight shooter, and you can tell she has earned some hard-won wisdom throughout her career. I also love how clear her concepts are, and I am sure you will too. During today’s podcast, Annie Marie and I discussed:The story behind her book, Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win.What the power of audacity is and how we can cultivate it with micro habits.The difference between the urgent and important?How do women fall for the urgency fallacy and what can we do to combat it?Why are time and money twins?How can negativity be our superpower?How can we respect our ego and check it at the same time so it doesn’t override us?How do we leverage re-evaluation loops?Here is more about Annie Marie:Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author. Her work centers on cultivating audacity—the courage to say yes when doubt says no—as a catalyst for leadership, career advancement, and thriving workplace culture.For more than three decades, Anne Marie had a front-row seat to the world’s biggest stages in sports broadcasting: six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, golf’s majors, the NBA and MLB playoffs, and the Super Bowl. She called more than 1,500 live events for ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, and TBS, becoming one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. Along the way, Annie Marie learned powerful lessons behind the scenes from some of the greatest coaches and executives in sports—lessons about leadership, resilience, and building winning teams.

I have some exciting news to share this week! First, this episode is the 250th episode of the Brave Women at Work Podcast! Yes, you heard that right! 250 episodes! If you would have told me that I would do 250 podcasts, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are!Also, it’s my birthday week, so I wanted to share a solo show with my key learnings as I turn 48. Yes, you also heard that right! 48!Before we get started, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. We are currently at 92,000 downloads and in 34 countries. WOW! Thank you again!Also, if you have not heard, I have an announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is now available! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!Ok, why did I decide to do a special Birthday Show for turning 48??Well, the age 48 has always carried meaning to me because my father passed away at 48 and then my mentor passed away at the same age. I was afraid of 48, like I was going to fall off a cliff at this age. Yet here I am. Stronger, steelier, and inching towards my crone era with pride. I am still here. I have something to give. I want to make a difference.  I want this 48th year to be one of living fully and bravely, not only for myself, but in honor of my dad and my mentor. So, turning 48 is a celebration and the start of a new phase for me!

I have such a fun show for you today! You are getting a sneak peek into a conversation with one of my oldest friends, Pam Fierst-Walsh. This is Pam’s second time on the show. It’s so fun to record with a friend. I even forget we were on a podcast at one point because this is just who we are and how we talk. As you will hear, Pam and I recently went on a retreat together. During the trip, Pam impromptu asked if we could record a special summer episode, and here it is! It’s perfect timing as the leaves are changing here in Chicago and the weather is starting to change. This show is a great way to wrap up summer and to focus on a fun and deep topic – spiritual friendship. During today’s podcast, Pam and I discussed:That we have been friends for 27 years and we haven’t aged a day!What motivated Pam to join me in Montana for the retreat.How Pam and I met in 1998 and almost bumped into one another in 1997.What the definitions of spiritual friendship and doppelganger are.The impact our friendship has had on both of us.If we can’t spend a lot of time together because we are so similar and the energetic connection is strong.And Pam’s most recent advice on the 1-2 ways women can be braver at work!Here is more about Pam:Pamela Fierst-Walsh is the Vice President of Government Affairs for North America with the DeBeers Group. Pamela is the former VP of Traceability at PVH where she worked with the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands on global traceability objectives. She is also the former CEO of her consultancy, PFW Advisory, where she provided advisory services for regulatory and supply chain needs, particularly with respect to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns.

Today, I am interviewing someone I look up to in business, Kym Insana. As you will hear, Kym not only is a wife and mom to 4 boys (wow, I know!), but she has also built a very successful marketing media execution business. Kym’s mantra is “You can work hard, have career success, and the family life you desire.” As soon as I heard that, I was like, “Tell me more, Kym!” Who doesn’t want to have career success and the personal lives we desire?During today’s podcast, Kym and I chatted about: Why Kym decided to build her multi-million-dollar business, AlwaysOn Digital.Why Kym is passionate about working parents.Kym’s advice for women who want a high-powered career and life.How Kym manages her teams – both in-person and remote.Digital marketing and media, of course! I had to talk about this since I am also a marketing nerd.And more!Here is more about Kym:Kym Insana is a multimillion-dollar business owner, digital marketing expert, wife, and mother of four boys. As the founder of AlwaysOn Digital, she helps leading brands reach the masses through dynamic digital campaigns that generate consumer interaction and sales so they can scale. Top brands lean on Kym’s expertise, including the US Air Force, American, Enfamil, the Texas Rangers, and Johnston and Murphy.Kym jumped into the digital marketing world before it became part of the modern fabric for business growth. For more than 20 years, she’s led sales and digital campaigns for top advertising agencies in New York City. But dealing with a two-hour commute while growing her family proved to be a turning point. She felt compelled to start a business and gain her time back. The yearning for freedom quickly outweighed the desire for a corporate career.At the same time, Kym noticed other successful women quitting the workforce for similar reasons. That prompted her to ask herself, ‘What if I could build a business that fit these talented women and their ideal work schedules — while still providing them with a career?’In 2016, AlwaysOn Digital was born.

One of my key messages for you today is that it is ok to take a break. You are not a bad mom, wife, boss, employee, sister, aunt, friend, or other community member if you drop off the grid for a while. Yes, I felt a bit of guilt, but then I realized that I am better in all areas of my life when I take breaks. If you need to hear this, I hope it helps you! As my guest today, Dr. Angela Jackson, says, “It’s a win-win.” “Win-win” is a traditional corporate term, but Dr. Angela takes it to a whole new level. In her NY Times Bestselling book, The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success, she shares 9 key principles that will drive the future of work. During the podcast, Dr. Angela and I chatted about: Why traditional top-down authority and decision making will not work moving forward.The key mistakes leaders and companies make when trying to enhance employee productivity.An overview of the 9 key strategies that emerged from Dr. Angela’s research for her book.How can leaders empower employees to make powerful decisions?The impact of creating a psychologically safe work environment on employees. What advice Dr. Angela would have for any companies, teams or leaders that are resistant to change.And more!

You may not know this, but I have been a student of nervous system regulation for several years. When I have faced stress, burnout or other challenges in the past, I thought I could “think” my way out of the issue. I know. It’s a silly notion, but it is what served me for years. It’s what drove my success. And in 2019, it is what drove my demise in burnout.Burnout was a doorway to curiosity. There had to be a different way to live and work. And I’m learning it involves the regulation and interplay between our minds and bodies. My guest, Jay Fields, and I have known one another for a bit, so I was excited that she joined me for this conversation. During the podcast, Jay and I chatted about: What is the purpose of the nervous system and why is training it to serve us important.Why is it easier to remain in our heads vs. listen to our bodies’ signals?What does it mean to be embodied?What is Jay’s Overthinking Quiz and why should you take it?The meaning behind Jay’s popular phrase and podcast, “Hey Wait.”How we can leverage these learnings to protect our energy.

I love the topic we are talking about today – fearless authenticity. And guess what? Authenticity is the topic for the next Brave Women at Work book! How cool is that?According to an internet search, “Fearless authenticity means living a life true to your core values and beliefs, without fear of judgment or societal expectations. It involves embracing your unique self, accepting your flaws, and expressing your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, even when it's challenging or uncomfortable. It's about finding the courage to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself, even when it may not align with what others expect or want.”I aspire to fearless authenticity. What about you? There are times where I feel like I’m living and working in this state, and then I slip out of it. My goal is to be in states of fearless authenticity more, so I was pumped to talk with my guest today, Jeanne Sparrow.During the podcast, Jeanne and I chatted about: The story behind her Emmy Awards. If you see the podcast on YouTube, she had her Emmy Awards visible in the background!What living it, telling it, and sellling it means to Jeanne.How everyone can discover their own personal brand.The story behind Jeanne’s book, Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak SensationallyWhat the prestige is in each one of us, and how we can leverage it in place of Imposter Syndrome

Did you know that the female brain and male brain are different? You are probably thinking, “No kidding, Jen.” Remember the book Men Are From Mars, Women at From Venus? My guest today, Barbara Annis, has made it her life’s work to study gender intelligence and the brilliance of the female mind. For most of my career, I have tried to mold myself into a man’s world. It was a refreshing perspective to hear Barbara talk about why that isn’t needed, and quite frankly, why it is a waste of time because all women, including me, need to own their own strengths. During the podcast, Barbara and I chatted about: What is gender intelligence, and why is it important?What led Barbara to write her latest book, The Brilliance of the Female Mind: How Women are Transforming the World.How men’s and women’s minds are different?How can we nurture as strengths as women?What are the confidence pitfalls we face as women? What actions can we take to correct these pitfalls?The assessment we can take on Barbara’s Gender Intelligence website.

We’re in the summer winddown in the Pestikas household as this podcast launches. My husband, John, and I were just talking the other day, and we are so elated that the kids are almost back to school. Do you feel me?While it is fun to have an unstructured summer, it can get tiring after a while as we become Uber drivers for our children, especially our teenager, Charlotte. “Dad, can I go here?” “Mom, can I have a sleepover at this friend’s house?” It’s fun and relentless at the same time. And we can’t wait for a bit more structure once again! Do you feel me?Parenting, and most things in life, take grit. When I think of grit, I think of Angela Duckworth’s book of the same name. In preparation for this show, I looked up what the word even means because I could not define it for myself. According to Google, grit means, “courage and resolve; strength of character.”I want more grit in my life. I want my children to have grit. So, when my guest, Emily Williams Knight, mentioned that she loves to talk about grit, I said, “Game on! Let’s do this!” During the podcast, Emily and I chatted about: How did Emily’s formative years as a child of a military family shaped her to who she is today.What GRIT means and how you can cultivate it within yourself.How you can start your career in one area and end up in a different place.How has managed her bouts with Imposter Syndrome.How Emily led through the COVID-19 period to keep the restaurant industry, one of Texas’s largest industries, moving forward.How Emily is working to help with the childcare crisis in the restaurant industry.What systems Emily has in place to manage her big career and life.

An interview with Aiko Bethea

You know I love to talk about burnout prevention. I recently was in a unique situation at work where I could tell that a fellow female colleague was at the edge of burnout. She was experiencing physical and mental symptoms, was simply not a nice person because the stress was so high, and I could tell she felt stuck in her situation.So, what did I do? I talked with my manager about it. I advocated for this colleague when she couldn’t do it for herself. I told my manager I was worried about this person. And guess what? We helped her and provided her options so she could avoid unnecessary burnout. And when we did, it was like I could see a visible weight literally being lifted off her body. She smiled a deeper smile. I could tell that her neck and body was releasing some of the layers of tension that it was holding. It was a privilege to behold. I am so happy that I know enough about burnout to recognize the signs and to help others.My guest today, Marissa McKool, The Public Healthcare Burnout Coach, is deeply informed on burnout as well. During the podcast, Marissa and I chatted about:Is burnout innate in some people or brought on by our environment? What are the signs and symptoms that Marissa sees with her burnout clients?What are special techniques that Marissa uses to help her clients in the healing and ongoing recovery process?Is burnout always stored as trauma in our bodies? Or can it completely go away?Are Shiny Object Syndrome and burnout related?And more

When I grew up in corporate, I was taught the following:Leave your baggage at the door.Fake it until you make it.Suck it up, buttercup.As a result, as an employee and new manager, I thought you had to divorce your emotions and personal life from your work life as soon as you entered your work environment.What I have learned over time is that I was WRONG with a capital “W.” I have managed and led many people over the years and learned that you manage to the person’s soul and total person, not just their productivity or work persona.We as leaders need to show up authentically and treat our employees as the capable adults they are. My guest today, Andrea Wanerstrand, is aligned with me in my perspective. During the podcast, Andrea and I chatted about:What does an A3 Culture mean? What are the key features of that culture?How we can navigate our emotions at work.Barriers that prevent people from being real and authentic at the jobThe 5 conversations toolboxAdvice that Andrea would give to a leader that struggles with empathy and authorityHow we can take our teams from dependent to autonomous

As I am recording this, we are 1 week after the Thrive in ’25 Conference. Wow! Just wow! The women that attended were so powerful and wonderful to meet and get to know in-person. It was almost like an out-of-body experience to know that I helped bring this to life. And now, I am resting as much as I can. After 1 year of planning, it is wonderful to be able to know that is behind me and I can fully ease into summer and slower days and making fun memories with my family.So, what are we talking about today? I have a powerful guest for the show, former Congresswoman Marie Newman. Marie is so inspiring to listen to because her life and career have had so many zigs and zags, but Marie hasn’t been afraid to do something new. In fact, she admitted that she’s the opposite for being afraid. She often will get teased when she’s going to embark on something different. I would like to get teased for that!During the podcast, Marie and I chatted about:The various twists and turns in Marie’s career and life.What prompted Marie to write her book, A Life Made From Scratch.What life was like as a Congresswoman, and what she learned from that role to create meaningful and long-lasting change.How she has felt moving from a public life and image to a private one.How she has navigated parenting a transgender child.And so much more!Here is more about Marie:Marie Newman is a former congresswoman, nonprofit CEO, marketing executive, author of A Life Made from Scratch and When Your Child Is Being Bullied: Real Solutions, antibullying activist, former Moms Demand Action spokesperson and national LGBTQ+ advocate. In addition to those roles, she is a mom of two adult children, consultant and podcaster. Marie Newman is known for building movements and solving the toughest problems. Marie’s next book, her memoir, will be released March of 2025, (pre-order starts in February) A Life Made From Scratch. Her motto has always been, when you do not see the solution you desperately need, make it from scratch!

I’d like to start by giving a warm welcome back to my wiser, older sister (well, she’s not my sister, but she feels like it), Marilyn Vetter. Marilyn and I met one another a few years ago, and our stories are so similar, it’s eerie. In Marilyn’s first chapter in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence, she talked about the question, “Why Not Me?” to a potential promotion in her career. That question stopped me in my tracks and had me wondering if I took a moment to ask, “Why not me?” to opportunities in my life.When Marilyn let me know what she was going to contribute another chapter to the book, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go, I was so excited to hear a new beautiful story from her. When I read this most recent chapter, “Chasing Contentment,” I cried. She admits for all the world to see that she was a workaholic. Marilyn’s words were a mirror to me that I too am a workaholic. It’s weird to say out loud. I also admit it during our conversation. They say awareness is the first step to changing the negative pattern or habit. Well, if Marilyn can make the strides she has made in her life and work, I am confident that I can do the same.

Have you ever had a work situation that took you to your knees and required your faith that everything was going to be okay? I have. In one of my roles, my boss told me that I wasn’t the right fit for the role and that I was going on the dreaded performance improvement plan or PIP for short. I was typically the person that was helping others improve their performance, not the employee that was told my performance wasn’t measuring up to expectations.When my boss provided me that news, I felt like I left my body. I immediately felt fear. Questions like, “Am I going to be fired?” or “What do I do next if this doesn’t work out?” started swirling over my head like storm clouds.The next year was a mad scramble to try to fit in the mold of what my boss wanted me to be while simultaneously looking for a better cultural fit in a new job. That time was fraught with fear and overworking. I didn’t even see another choice – that I could have softened into surrender.My guest today, Dr. Shawnte Elbert, has faced her fair share of career struggles, but unlike my position of overdriving, Shawnte learned a concept that I love: inhale faith, exhale fear. In today’s podcast, Shawnte gives me a beautiful masterclass in letting go of the need to control and leaning on something much greater: our faith. Before we get started, let me share more about Shawnte:Dr. Shawnté Elbert, EdD, MCHES, CWHC, is the founder and CEO of Elbert Innovative Dr. Shawnté Elbert is a nationally recognized leader in public health, health equity, and mental healthcare innovation. She is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Elbert Innovative Solutions (EIS), advising organizations on equity-driven leadership, workforce development, and systems change.Dr. Elbert is also the Regional Director and Director of Training and Development at Growth & Empowerment Mental Healthcare Services, LLC (G&E). She oversees comprehensive training for clinical and non-clinical staff and ensures that mental healthcare services are effective, culturally responsive, and equity-centered. She is also a co-founder of Sister WELLS Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, PLLC, alongside Dr. Charla Blumell and Dr. Sherrá Watkins. Sister WELLS is a collective of experienced wellness and leadership professionals dedicated to leadership development, holistic wellness, and guiding individuals toward authentic transformation. Rooted in their shared sisterhood and passion for equity-driven change, the practice brings a unique and deeply personal approach to leadership and well-being.

What is your Plan A?My Plan A was to go to college, get married, have 2 kids, and have a great career. I didn’t know that I would have post-partum anxiety and secondary infertility with my family and burnout on the path to career success. As the cliché goes, life can throw us curveballs, and it up to us how we handle these challenges and pivot to Plan B.Plan B is always seen as the back-up plan or the plan that isn’t as good as Plan A. As I get older and farther along in my life and career, I don’t think that’s true. Sometimes our Plan A wasn’t right for us anyway. Plan B, C, or D are just as good or even better than Plan A.My guest today, Jackie Cetera, and I talk about this very concept. When we are younger and just starting out, we have this vision for how things are going to go personally and professionally. We can’t anticipate the bumps or bruises along the way. Jackie’s story is an encouraging one of finding joy in the pivot to a different way or living and working.

I am so excited for my guest today, Amy Quesenberry. Amy and I met through Shelia Higgs Burkhalter and the Infuse Compassion into Companies Conference. When we met, Amy shared her Start with Compassion model, and I was blown away. If we start with compassion with ourselves, with one another, and within companies, it truly can drive better relationships, more productivity, higher satisfaction, happiness, and so much more.As a recovering perfectionist, starting with compassion is easy to understand and difficult to implement. If you struggle with perfectionism or wear a mask or leverage other armor like people pleasing to look or move through the world and work a certain way, this conversation is for you!I loved this conversation because Amy was vulnerable and so brave. Thank you, Amy, for being the amazing person you are!During the podcast, Amy and I chatted about:What led her to participate in the latest Brave Women at Work women’s anthology, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go.Why her chapter is called, “No More Hiding” and what she hopes readers take away from her story.The story that led to the development of her model, Start with Compassion, and her company of the same name.What starting with compassion means to Amy, and why it is important.

On this weeks episode, Meghan Grace https://www.meghanmgrace.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/genz/id1377915856https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Goes-College-Corey-Seemiller-ebook/dp/B019YNNZAA?ref_=ast_author_dphttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K52C97N/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=TPIuC&content-id=amzn1.sym.8572ac08-6096-4eb6-b32e-2c759cc3eb5b&pf_rd_p=8572ac08-6096-4eb6-b32e-2c759cc3eb5b&pf_rd_r=45RW287DPDEC2QRG3ZMQ&pd_rd_wg=Z91Kx&pd_rd_r=91bbc826-603f-4a8b-945b-60d46c96d05fhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanmgrace/

I am so excited for my conversation with my guest, Amanda Kenderes. Amanda has discovered something entirely new about communication that I am pumped to share with you.It’s called Talk Types.What if the way we talk and who we are as people are intrinsically linked? If we understand our talk type and others, we can understand how to better communicate with one another, and as a result, have better personal and professional relationships.During the podcast today, Amanda and I chatted about:Why we communicate to begin with; what are the goals of communication?What Talk Types are and the six different talk types that exist.How we discover our personal Talk Type.How we bridge the gap between Talk Types if we are on one of the Type and our spouse, partner, boss, friend, or colleague on the other. How we can leverage our talk types during a key presentation or negotiation.Here is more about Amanda:Amanda Kenderes is a professor of interdisciplinary studies at Humphreys University. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Science and Comparative Education from the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA. She grew up in North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please be share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded my freebies from my website, check them out at www.bravewomenatwork.com.