Brave Women at Work

My guest today - Patty Altman has over 30 years of corporate experience, and brings a wealth of knowledge, vulnerability, and fun to our conversation. Patty has an extensive work experience in the consumer and shopper insights field, starting her career in 1993 as a Sr Project Manager at NPD. Patty then worked at IRI as a Vice President, leading a team in selling and delivering syndicated and cust...

Please join me in welcoming Andrea Sampson to today's episode! Andrea is the mastermind behind Talk Boutique and the Thought Leader Academy, joins us to unravel the profound impact of storytelling in leadership. Learn how Andrea's extensive background in advertising and her passion for simplifying complex ideas through TEDx Toronto have equipped her to guide visionaries in sharing groundbreaking w...

I cannot wait to discuss with you this week how Nicole has helped me change how I approach my day to day. So let's meet this transformational retreat leader and energy coach, Nicole Smith-Levay, returns to illuminate the power of somatics and breathwork in both professional and personal spheres. Together, we discuss the journey of reconnecting our minds and bodies, a path that has profoundly influ...

On today's episode I am excited to have award-winning author and TEDx speaker Jennifer Mrozek-Sukalo redefine swagger, transforming it from its traditional association with arrogance to a beacon of self-confidence and authenticity. Her insights encourage us to let go of perfectionism and past mistakes, making room for vulnerability as a powerful leadership tool. Jennifer’s personal journey, combin...

Happy New Year! As we start 2025, I have two interesting topics to share with you during this solo episode. First, why should you consider a Word of the Year Practice? In the first portion of the show, I share how to find your word of the year and the benefits of doing this.   Second, I reflect on the name of the podcast, Brave Women at Work, and the interesting juxtaposition the podcast name...

Happy Holidays! Let me start by saying that I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. As we end the year, I also wish you much love, health and happiness in the New Year. This week, I am replaying one of my favorite episodes from Brave Women at Work. This week, I would love for you to learn (or re-learn) about the power of color with Heather Eck . I met Heather via a podcas...

As we get closer to the end of the year, we typically think about our New Year’s Resolutions. One resolution that ends up on many people’s lists is to get out of debt and save more money.   What we don’t often talk about is the powerful connection between our wealth and our health. Like my guest today, Krissina Wise , we may take our health for granted in the pursuit of wealth and not even kn...

Ok, I have a secret. When the Matrix movies first came out with Keanu Reeves, I went to the movies to see them. And you know what happened? I fell asleep. They were so exciting and full of new technology and film effects, but I could not stay awake. I guess I did “get” them.   Well, my guest, Susanne Goldstein , not only gets them, but she also helps women wake up and break free from the pris...

What if stepping away from your career wasn’t a sign of failure but a powerful tool for growth? That’s the perspective Laura Nguyen brings to the table as she shares her journey of overcoming burnout through a planned break.  Happy December! Can you believe that we are almost to the end of 2024? I cannot. Either way, I hope you have a wonderful end to your year filled with love, joy, health,...

In the earlier stages of my podcast, I often found guests on LinkedIn. Then, I found podcasts through public relations firms and placement agencies. Now, I find them through other podcasters, former guests, friends, and colleagues in the personal development space. I am so excited about the evolution of the show and plan to continue to bring you powerful guests, like my guest, Alicia Zielinski Str...

Have you ever heard the phrase, “If I had a nickel every time someone did (fill in the blank), I’d be rich?” My guest, Andie Kramer, might say, “If I had a nickel for every story of workplace bias against women, I’d be rich.” I feel incredibly fortunate to have Andie join me on Brave Women at Work to tackle such an important and timely topic. Reflecting on my own career, I can clearly see moments...

Well, I’ve just met another sister from another mister in Jenny Mitchell . The other funny thing is that I have another dear friend named Jenny Mitchell, so this is going to get confusing. True story!   Jenny and I chat today about the concept of embracing our ambition and not stepping away or being afraid of it. Jenny and I had such a fun time during this conversation, and I am sure you are...

Happy November! It’s starting to get cold outside here in Chicago. And guess what? I love it! Yes, I’m one of those people that loves fall and even cooler temperatures. I feel like I come alive when everything begins to hibernate. Maybe my clocks are off. Or maybe that’s just me.   Well, today, I have found another wonderful guest, Anne Shoemaker , who loves sports metaphors as much as I do....

If you have been a longtime Brave Women at Work listener, you know that I have a soft spot for discussing burnout. If you are joining the podcast for the first time or just a few episodes here and there, I personally experienced burnout in 2019 and have faced some health issues as a result.   I’ve said on the show and with my clients, that if I can help one woman prevent or recover from...

It’s been a season of transitions, with both endings and new beginnings. I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world this year, including Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Ireland, and Aruba. After a period of constant movement, it feels good to know that I’ll be home for most of the time moving forward. The crazy travel is coming to an end, at least for now. My birthday just passed, marking my 47th...

“Connection is why we’re here. We are hardwired to connect with others; it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it, there is suffering.” – Brené Brown There have been times in my life when I believed the best way to handle a project or situation was to do it alone, like a lone wolf. Sometimes that approach works, but when it becomes a habit, it doesn’t. As Brené Brown says, w...

Happy 200th Episode of Brave Women at Work! Can you believe it has been 200 episodes? I can’t! What began as part of my burnout healing journey has evolved into something that brings me immense joy. I want to thank you for being here, whether this is your first episode, you’ve listened to a few here and there, or you’ve been a longtime listener—I am so grateful for you. The show has been downloade...

I have a wonderful repeat guest today, Churni Bhattacharya. Churni and I can talk for hours, and every time I speak with her, I feel like I’m talking with an old friend. Churni has so much wisdom to share in today’s show and her prior appearance, episode 141, which launched on August 31st, 2023. You’ll definitely want to grab a notebook and listen to both of these shows twice to catch all of the g...

Have you ever thought about leadership as a recipe? Imagine adding a dash of this or a pinch of that to create your own unique leadership style. What if you could learn the perfect leadership ingredients from the leaders you encounter throughout your career? I had never considered leadership in this way, but I love this delicious metaphor! My guest today, Mylene Barizo, is a powerful leader, commu...

Are you ready for a firecracker of a conversation with my sister from another mister,  Diana Patton , my guest today on the podcast? Diana and I met during an online presentation I was giving for another women’s organization, PINKK, led by another Brave Women at Work podcast guest, Athena Golianis. Athena sure knows how to connect people! There was energy immediately between Diana and I, and...

Sorry to start a show so heavy, but this is one of the most real, raw, and brave interviews I have held in almost 200 episodes of Brave Women at Work. As I will explain in today’s show, I met Bryn Freedman , my guest today, in a most interesting way. On an airplane. What would unfold after that has shocked and awed me. I would like to thank Bryn for being on the show today, especially after losing...

Ok, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Why am I talking about life insurance on this show? You may think – BORING with a capital B or next podcast! I am asking you to open your mind and listen in.   To be a brave woman at work and in your life, I am a firm believer you need to have a solid financial foundation and an understanding of your finances. This includes insurance.   You...

Have you ever thought about your purpose and what that means? What about the company you either work for or run? What is its purpose?   According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”   My guest today, Carol Cone , has been called the purpose queen and understands this at a cellular level....

As a Type-A overachiever and recovering perfectionist, I will come clean about something: I often override my body’s signals to get one more thing done.   How does this look in real life?   • It may be squeezing in another hour of work when I am tired and know I should go to bed. • It may be me being consistently late for appointments which causes my heart to race. • It may be me crashin...

It's a big day at Brave Women at Work! I am excited because I have my first Scottish guest and Australian resident, Mags Bell , joining me today. Besides having a beautiful accent and being a wonderful conversationalist, Mags brings the goods during our show. She is very knowledgeable on all things related to mindset and confidence, which are foundational for self-aware leadership. Listen in as Ma...