Speak In Flow

When life throws you a curveball, like a sudden layoff , it takes more than just a positive mindset to turn it into something greater. It takes courage, vision, and the willingness to bet on yourself. Tom Gibbons knows this firsthand. After losing his stable corporate job, he didn’t just pivot, he built two thriving companies: Darts Only Golf, a high-end golf networking and charity business, and A...

Joshua Kitching, owner of Bay Area Piping and Equipment, went from leading military squads and construction crews to questioning his own voice as an entrepreneur. In this raw conversation with Melinda Lee, Josh shares how stress and self-doubt nearly derailed his communication, the Zoom call that became a wake-up call, and the mindset shifts that transformed his leadership.  Learn how slowing...

This world can be a hard place to live in, and staying true to yourself in the face of adversity is one of the greatest tests we face. In this raw and resonant episode, Melinda Lee sits down with Masada Ellis - poet, founder of Not Apologetic Studios, and advocate for radical authenticity - to explore how embracing your truth transforms leadership, art, and everyday life. From surviving military p...

In this powerful episode, Melinda Lee sits down with Tana Jackson, VP of Operations at Upright Labs, to unpack the unspoken challenges women face in corporate leadership. From battling micromanagement and workplace politics to fostering authentic communication under pressure, Tana shares raw insights from her journey and how she’s paving a better way for the next generation of women leaders. In Th...

What does it take to shift from transactional sales to transformative customer success? In this episode, Melinda Lee chats with Andrea Bumstead, VP of Customer Success, about her journey from marketing and sales to leading long-term customer relationships. Andrea reveals why she chose customer success over sales, and how this helped companies scale from 15M to 50M. In This Episode, You Will Learn:...

Every interaction, from conversations with friends to managing conflicts at work, is a form of negotiation and mediation. But how do we handle these conversations when emotions are running high? In this episode, Melinda Lee sits down with Jonathan Cayton, an experienced mediator, to unpack practical strategies for de-escalating tension, fostering understanding, and leading with empathy, even in th...

Changing your career from one thing to another is no easy task, but it's far from impossible. In fact, you can often take all the knowledge and skills from your past and use them to fuel your next chapter. Don't believe it? Just ask today's guest, Dr. Axel Meierhoefer. A former Air Force officer turned leadership expert, Axel has successfully navigated multiple career transitions, from leading 800...

In this episode, host Melinda Lee welcomes Jenn Pedde, VP of Customer Advocacy at PeoplePath, a seasoned expert in building and managing online communities to discuss why online communities matter now more than ever.  Jenn and Melinda dive into the evolution of online communities, from the early days of forums and message boards to the rise of massive social networks like LinkedIn and Instagr...

We did it! Our 100th episode. Can you believe it? When we reach a milestone like this, it is a time of joy but also a time to reflect on what we have learned along the way. For host Melinda, there are many wonderful lessons that these 100 episodes and all of her guests have given her, and today, she would like to share them in the form of three transformative strategies that have shaped her growth...

In this episode, host Melinda Lee welcomes Ernie Bray, a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of AutoClaims Direct (ACD), to discuss Ernie's personal communication journey to overcome stage fright and the critical role of communication in driving sales. Ernie shares his insights on how leaders can cultivate effective communication within their teams, the importance of adaptability in sales, and why every...

Curious about the future of B2B marketing? One spoiler: Communities remain one of its pillars. In this episode, Melinda Lee sits down with Joshua Zerkel, a seasoned community-led growth leader who has helped grow companies like Asana and Evernote, to explore how companies can shift from traditional marketing to creating meaningful, human-centered communities that drive growth. Joshua shares his pr...

Do you dread the idea of becoming an "empty nester" when your kids leave home? What if this transition could be a time of joy, self-discovery, and reinvention instead? Join Melinda Lee and Hanna Bankier, founder of BirdyLauncher, as they reframe the concept of empty nesting into a powerful opportunity to launch not just your kids, but yourself into a new chapter of life. Hanna shares her unique fr...

Do you have a great idea that just won't take off and you don't know why? Before you change any aspect of your product, ask yourself: Is the problem my idea, or how am I selling it? Join Melinda and Win Cramer, CEO and founder of JLab, as they discuss the critical role of communication in entrepreneurship. Win shares his journey from running all aspects of the business solo to building a high-perf...

AI sparks a lot of controversy, but for those willing to explore its potential, it's a game-changer for communication. In Episode 95 of the Speak In Flow podcast, host Melinda Lee breaks down how artificial intelligence tools like Chatgpt and Jasper can streamline your preparation, enhance your content creation, and improve your delivery to authentically connect with any audience. In This Episode,...

In Episode 94 of the Speak In Flow podcast with Product Marketing Executive, David Haboud, we take a look at the world of communication in high-tech environments. Melinda and David focused on the importance of creating things that last, and how clear and concise communication… with a little improv, is the necessary delivery to make those ideas a reality.  In This Episode, You Will Learn: The...

In episode 93 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda interviews Dr. Barry Sandrew, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist who has transitioned into a successful entrepreneur and AI innovator in Hollywood. Dr. Sandrew shares his remarkable journey from the field of neuroscience to revolutionizing the entertainment industry through his pioneering work in colorizing black-and-white films and advancing visua...

In episode 92 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda takes us on a journey to help us manage and understand one of the most common and overwhelming emotions: stress. A much-needed guide after the holidays, when we have to return to work and stress, is at its peak. A topic inspired by Melinda's own vulnerable story of how her father's recent stroke highlighted the importance of understanding and com...

In episode 91 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Devin Fong, an experienced leader in data analytics, shares some great insights on how to effectively communicate complex data by using storytelling, particularly in the finance and engineering sectors. In his conversation with Melinda, they explore the art of storytelling with data as a way to avoid usual miscommunication due to technical gaps , build c...

In episode 90 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda Lee welcomes powerhouse leader Sara Menke, founder of Premier Talent Partners and Ajna Technologies . Running two companies may seem like an impossible task, and Sara shares her personal journey to express that she somewhat agrees with this notion, especially when it comes to giving 100% to both. She explains that recognizing her limitations was...

In episode 89 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda Lee has an empowering conversation with Jeffrey Yang, the Chief Technology Officer at Rising Team. They dive deep into how you can supercharge your team by getting them all on the same page and working with a deep sense of purpose and ownership towards a goal.  Jeffrey shares his journey of personal and professional growth, reflecting on how...

In episode 88 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Chris Sterbenc, a seasoned startup consultant and fractional Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), shares 35 years of experience working in startups with Melinda. Chris is all about making sure that communication is on point in startups. He helps founders polish their messaging, perfect their investor pitches, and scale their leadership roles.   Tech st...

In episode 87 of the Speak In Flow podcast, the wonderful Cari Stieglitz joins Melinda Lee in a heartfelt conversation about the unique challenges of communication in remote and hybrid work models.  As human connection seems to be a struggle in the modern world, Cari and Melinda chat about ways to build trust in your teamwork, bridge gaps in human connection, and learn how to use technology f...

In episode 86 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda Lee and Lina La, Program Manager at Palo Alto University, explore the journey of developing your unique leadership identity. Lina shares her experience stepping out of her comfort zone to take the main stage, emphasizing the importance of mindset shifts, communities, and self-awareness in leadership. Together, they discuss the value of reflecting...

In episode 85 of the Speak In Flow podcast, Melinda Lee welcomes Renesha Westerfield, an HR executive who shares her journey of embracing vulnerability and authenticity as a key part of her leadership style. Renesha opens up about the challenges she faces as a black woman in a leadership position, touching on topics such as setting boundaries, the power of self-advocacy, and the importance of bein...

In this episode of the Speak In Flow Podcast, Melinda Lee sits down with Sarah Fruy, a marketing leader at Pantheon with over 20 years of experience strategizing marketing campaigns for companies like Google and TikTok. They discuss the critical importance of cross-departmental collaboration for organizational success. Sarah shares her experiences with Agile methodologies, the importance of consis...