Brave Women at Work

What if there is a secret performance code at work and in the corporate world that no one told you about? And unless you figure it out (or find the decoder ring at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box), you won’t do as well? This concept blew my mind and made me wonder, “What if the game is rigged?” “What if many work environments are not made for women to succeed?”  I have told this story on the...

When I was growing up, I didn’t see my parents have a lot of friends over at our house. We were working a lot and were a tight, insulated family unit.  Also, it didn’t help that I was a bit of a misfit and a loner. I was in the “nerd herd” in middle school and was a wallflower at dances. Remember 7th and 8th grade dances? As a side bar, does anyone remember the song Lady in Red? Look it up if...

Are you ready for a cup of espresso? My conversation with guest, Jazzlyn Feliciano, was like a strong cup of joe and a motivational shot in the arm. Jazzlyn was so inspiring to me because she has a “go for it” attitude, which I love. Our discussion also challenged me because I can often get lost in self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome, which I know so many of you and others can relate to. While Jazzly...

I have no idea what’s happening to me. I guess we will do anything for our kids.  During our conversation, we also chatted about: The situation that drove Christina to seek change and healing in her life What contributed to her autoimmune diseases and the end of her marriage How too much responsibility contributes to toxic work patterns What modalities Christina used in her healing journey Wh...

I love a good I started from one place and made my way up to the top story, and this is what I have for you today with my guest, Kelly Hiller. Kelly’s story is unique because she has been with Purdue University and Purdue Alumni Association a combined total of over 20 years! You do not hear that very often. We often hear that the employee had to leave an organization to find their next opportunity...

Superwoman alert! Or at least someone I see as a superwoman. My guest today, Maria Colacurcio, not only has 7 children (you heard that right), but she also is a top-level athlete and is the founder and leader of her own company.  Woah. Maria shares with us how she doesn’t do it all, leans on her partner, and even boldly talks about how she has learned that each of her children do not need the...

Honestly, when I started the podcast, I thought it was just that. A podcast. But it became so much more. The Brave Women at Work Podcast has been: A path to healing from burnout A doorway to amazing friendships, business colleagues, and partnerships A way to express myself creatively A platform to build community And a huge part of who I am and my purpose As I reflected on my learnings, I have jot...

It’s a special day over here at Brave Women at Work! Today marks the first show in almost 300 episodes when I have a male guest! Logan is the first! So, you may be thinking, “Why now?” First, the format of this show is not changing. Most of the guests will be female or identify as female, but I just knew in my gut that Logan had to be the first male guest because he is not only interesting and ama...

 have a wonderful repeat guest, Anna Runyan, this week on the show! I always learn something from Anna, and this show is no different. I see Anna as my brave big sister in business, and she has taken brave leaps personally, too. For example, as you will hear, she moved with her family to Europe for a year, which is on my bucket list!  Either way, Anna represents not following the traditi...

Do you resonate with this?  You bump into someone and say, “I’m sorry.” You send out an email and start it with, “I’m sorry I’m asking this question again, but…” Or you say, “I’m sorry that I need your help, but…” How many times do women say, “I’m sorry” on the average day? According to Google, women apologize 10 times per day on average, and 25% more than men.  What would it look like i...

I have been schooled in the best way. I learned something so valuable during my conversation with my guest, Nicole Pulliam.  You know how everyone (including me) has referenced Imposter Syndrome as well, a syndrome? What if the original researchers on the topic never intended for it to be called that? What if it was really called Imposter Phenomenon. We could do a whole podcast on why it was...

Have you ever seen an absolutely powerhouse woman in the gym? By this, I mean a woman who isn’t afraid to lift heavy and has muscle – like real muscle? When I have seen a woman like this in the gym before, I must be honest – I am partially I awe and terrified at the same time.  But here’s the thing. As I get deeper in mid-life, I’m inspired and challenged by the idea of lifting. I know that i...

When was the last time you had fun and experienced joy while doing it? I know. I had a coach many years ago ask me the question, “When do you play?” I was dumbfounded. I worked. I took care of my family. I tried to take care of myself in the middle of all of that. And repeat. I immediately thought there wasn’t time for fun. Let alone creative pursuits like I used to have.  Like many times in...

Recently, the latest Brave Women at Work book launched, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity. And I am so excited to share that one of the authors, Jennifer Lentner, is on the podcast today! I really love Jennifer’s chapter in the book because her chapter is all about lived experience. What is it like to truly be an authentic leader? And what does it mean to truly learn from experiences so...

We all start our careers as doers, or individual contributors. This means we make the widgets; we do the grunt work; we execute the strategy of management. Then, at one point, we may get very good at being a doer and are tapped for management. The issue is that there is no class for leadership. So many people that move from doer default into manager.  And as you may have seen in the memes onl...

Let’s start with two quotes today. Honestly, I couldn’t decide between the two, so you get both. Carl Jung:  "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." Brené Brown:  "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." Often, we don’t let ourselves be seen as Brene Brown says. We put on masks...

When I burned out back in 2019, I felt like I was duped. I did all the “right things” – went to college, worked very hard, climbed the ladder, got married, had kids. And then, after doing everything the way I thought I was supposed to do, I burned out anyway. During that period, I was disillusioned and felt like I had no foundation. I had to find a new foundation, and this podcast was part of it,...

Did you know that at one point in our lives, 70% of people experience Imposter Syndrome or now called Imposter Complex/Phenomenon.  And P.S., 75% of executive women have experienced it.  I’ve had many highly successful and motivated Type A female clients come to me wanting to be “fixed.” I always give them the same answer. This is not an on and off switch. There is no fixing. This is a p...

I’m starting today’s show with one word – WOW. Just WOW. This podcast was one of the most thought-provoking I’ve had in a while. Why? Today’s guest, Elizabeth Rosenberg, is willing to have the conversation that no one is having but everyone should be having.  Here’s the question: How do we seamlessly integrate our spiritual and/or intuitive side with the professional side and not come off as...

While preparing to release this week’s show, I realized I forgot to launch a show from this past February with Jenn Donahue. Jenn is an amazing leadership expert and has a ton of hard knocks experience in the military. In fact, she almost died while in Iraq, so this woman knows a thing or two about staying calm under pressure.  During today’s show, Jenn and I chatted about: Jenn’s fascinating...

It’s a reunion podcast! I love it when I can reconnect with prior guests. Kathy Miller and I did our first podcast together 2-3 years ago, so it’s been a hot minute! Kathy has an amazing story in manufacturing you will hear more about. She has that spine of steel and truly learned how to be a great leader from the ground up. It’s amazing that she is now paying it forward to share her leadership kn...

Have you heard the phase, “leadership is a big responsibility?” So many of us, including yours truly, initially got promoted because I was good at my job as an individual contributor. And no, I did not get management training. I fumbled and bumbled and was a manager, not a leader, for a long time.  I didn’t delegate well and tried to do everything myself. I didn’t fully trust my people, and i...