Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Your network often sees your magic before you do. J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network , proved this when her colleagues had to convince her that networking was actually her superpower. As my very first podcast guest, Kelly set the tone for what Branding Room Only is all about: clarity, candor, and community-centered insight. Kelly's brand is grounded in helping others succeed th...

Taking a sabbatical isn't about disappearing from your business or your personal brand—it's about giving yourself the chance to make both better than ever. I've been taking what I call a summer sabbatical for the past five years, and it's become one of the most important things I do all year to strengthen my brand. I know not everyone can take two months off, which is why I als...

You know how some birthdays feel bigger than others? My son just turned 13, and it hit me hard—in the best way. In this deeply personal episode of Branding Room Only , I reflect on seven powerful lessons my son has taught me. These lessons have shaped not only how I parent, but how I lead, communicate, and show up in the world. From courage and joy to boundaries and the boldness to ask for what yo...

Independence Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of freedom and new beginnings than revisiting a conversation with a true pioneer!  Michele Coleman Mays redefined leadership and advocacy during her distinguished career. She has served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for The New York Public Library and had key roles at Allstate Insurance Company...

Nina Blackshear has turned career pivots into an art form. As the owner and principal of Nina Blackshear Coaching and Consulting, she's a certified executive coach and in-house corporate attorney. Her unconventional path, from law school to real estate, to fundraising, to employee relations, to marketing communications, and back to law, has become her greatest professional asset. Her specialt...

We don’t know the faces or names of many enslaved Black people in American history. Some left a small mark of their existence in the very bricks of the buildings their hands built, yet they remain voiceless because their story has been hidden away. Historians like Annette Gordon-Reed know that through sharing the stories of enslaved people, we remember their humanity and preserve historical truth...

Reframing isn’t just for resumes, it’s a core skill if you want a career (and personal brand) that’s built to last. Whether you're navigating a career transition or making sure you’re ready for unexpected opportunities, the key is staying proactive long before you need to. Lisa Rangel, CEO of Chameleon Resumes, has helped clients in more than 88 countries future-proof their careers and land f...

We're officially halfway through the year, and let's be real—these past few months have been a lot . Maybe you started with clear goals and that "this is my year" mindset, but then life did what it does–the unexpected showed up, sidelining your intentions. Or maybe you've been laser-focused and hit every milestone. If so, congrats! But even then, it's time to pause. ...

From the military to the music world, Paula Boggs has made her mark by bravely navigating new spaces and pioneering career paths for herself. After serving at the Pentagon and in the White House as an army officer, she spent a decade at Starbucks as its Chief Legal Officer before leaving to write and perform music with the Paula Boggs Band. As you listen to our conversation, you’ll be inspired and...

So many leaders are burned out—checking all the boxes, meeting expectations, and still feeling stuck. Pallavi Jain wants to change that. As a seasoned HR executive and the creator of the Lead From Within program, she helps people step out of survival mode and reconnect with who they truly are—and how they want to lead and be known. In this episode of Branding Room Only , Paula Edgar sits down with...

Mother’s Day can stir a wide range of emotions—love, grief, reflection, and gratitude. In this deeply personal episode of Branding Room Only , host Paula Edgar shares a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, Joan Donna Griffith , whose love and wisdom laid the foundation for Paula’s leadership, personal brand, and purpose-driven life. Through powerful stories, Paula honors the legacy her mother lef...

In this first ever live episode of Branding Room Only , Paula Edgar sits down with Deborah Enix-Ross—international law leader, past president of the American Bar Association, and proud Harlem native—for a powerful conversation on what it means to build a brand with purpose, lead with integrity, and honor the communities that shaped you. Recorded in front of a full room of rising legal leaders at t...

Heidi Friedman has built a powerful career over the past 30 years as a partner at Thompson Hine, where she leads in environmental law and co-chairs the firm’s ESG practice. But behind the legal accolades and leadership success was a different kind of ambition—finding real, lasting love. In this episode of Branding Room Only , Paula sits down with Heidi to talk about her most personal project yet:...

In this insightful and energizing episode of Branding Room Only , Paula Edgar sits down with Lorraine K. Lee — keynote speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, founder of RISE Learning Solutions, and author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career . Lorraine shares her career journey from journalism to tech to entrepreneurship, and offers tactical strategies on building pr...

In this solo episode, I’m diving into something that’s been weighing heavily on my heart—the changing brand of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and what that means for all of us right now. As someone who lives at the intersection of branding and the law, I’ve been watching closely as DEI has been politicized, rebranded, and in some cases, erased. I break down what’s really happening beneath...

Before flexibility was a trending topic, Manar Sweillam Morales was already out here reimagining how we work —and more importantly, why we work the way we do. In this episode of Branding Room Only , I sit down with Manar, founder and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, to talk about building workplace cultures that actually work—for people and for business. Manar is a national thought...

We’re living in a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are under fire—from boycott threats against inclusive brands to coordinated campaigns aimed at dismantling DEI in government, corporate, and educational spaces. As organizations face pressure to retreat, some are rolling back the very initiatives designed to create belonging and equity at work. But retreat isn’t an option f...

Have you ever felt like parts of your identity are misunderstood or minimized? When it comes to personal branding, the impact of intersecting identities on how we’re perceived in our careers is often overlooked. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s crucial to acknowledge the layers that shape who we are people, and how those layers influence our visibility, leadership, and professional grow...

What you wear is more than just fabric and fit—it’s a powerful reflection of your personal brand, confidence, and professional presence. But does your wardrobe truly align with your expertise, leadership, career goals, and the level of professionalism your industry demands? Estelle Winsett understands this balance better than most. A former litigation attorney turned personal stylist, she knows fi...

What would you do if you were handed the reins to a completely unfamiliar role? Would you embrace the challenge, or would panic set in? Throughout her career, Wanji Walcott has faced this scenario more than once. Instead of letting uncertainty hold her back, she leaned into learning—researching, seeking guidance, and figuring things out along the way. Her willingness to take risks, trust herself,...

Confidence is one of your greatest assets as a leader, and the way you present yourself plays a significant role in how that confidence is perceived. But as a woman in a professional setting, you’ve likely encountered conflicting expectations about how to dress, expectations that may feel misaligned with who you are. How do you define a personal style that reflects your leadership presence while s...

Reevaluating where you are and where you want to go is essential to long-term success. But without intentional self-reflection and strategic action, you risk missing out on the growth and opportunities that can shape your career. Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, has built an impressive career spanning employment law, human resources, and DEI leadership roles across indus...

Your personal brand isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you are and how you show up for others. Commissioner Sharon Bowen, Chair of the New York Stock Exchange, has built a career and reputation rooted in integrity, authenticity, passion, and purpose. Throughout her ceiling-shattering leadership journey, Sharon has used her platform to elevate others—myself included. In this episode of Br...

For Carla Harris, fear has no place in the equation for success. Carla Harris grew up with the expectation of delivering excellence, and she has built a career that exemplifies just that. Carla is an award-winning author, internationally renowned speaker, celebrated gospel singer, and one of the most influential Black executives in the country as Morgan Stanley’s Senior Client Advisor. In her book...

Stress and burnout are among the greatest workplace challenges that workers and employers face. Leaders must deal with how to overcome them now more than ever if they want to foster a workplace where their employees feel valued and like their work matters.  As an author and internationally recognized expert on burnout prevention, resilience, and leadership, Paula Davis has engaged in conversations...