Fearless Authenticity with Jeanne Sparrow

A simple question from her 8-year-old son prompted Lindsay McDonell to rapid fire answer “Interior Designer!” when asked what she wanted to do with her life. 20 some years into her very successful interior design career, Lindsay received a cancer diagnosis that most would consider a death sentence. Wanting to de-stigmatize what it means to live with cancer, she made it her mission to help cancer p...

It’s fair to say that Sybil Wilkes, the former co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, had her doubts in the beginning about her career in broadcasting, but helping hands along the way illuminated the path forward. The power of sisterhood is one of her guiding principles; she credits her mother for being a strong role model, leading her to be an advocate for others, especially women and people of...

“Sometimes you’ve got to choose to be happy.” When Jackie Kostek realized she wasn’t going to get her dream job anchoring and reporting in Chicago, she decided to believe in herself and move to Las Vegas where she could do both full-time. Her leap of faith paid off; after less than three years on the air there, she’s back in the Windy City, feeling stronger than ever about her choices and what’s a...

“I stuck with what I care about,” Rebecca Sive is proud to say after working as a political activist and strategist for more than five decades. And she is still pushing for what she believes in with relentless persistence. Her interest in politics started young. She joined her father at the age of 8 as he campaigned for Congress. Her activism grew in college as she witnessed inequality within her...

Despite a publisher telling her no one would buy her cookbook, Jocelyn Delk Adams is proud to say she wasn’t deterred from her dream.. “It doesn’t mean no forever; it just means no right now.” - a philosophy that helped her through one of her biggest setbacks. She knew from the beginning that her career was going to take her in many directions because she loves to dabble. Jocelyn shares with Jeann...

“I’d rather fail on my own, than wait to get fired by someone else.” Stacy Spikes hasn’t forgotten what it felt like to be fired VIA EMAIL from the multi-million dollar company he co-founded, but he didn’t let it stop him from bouncing back smarter and stronger. Quitting was NEVER an option for him. When he found himself back in the same office he’d had previously at MoviePass, he knew he already...

“I am going to be who I am. Unapologetically.” Dr. Ian Smith made a conscious decision long ago that he didn’t mind being the odd man out, doing his own thing, not following tradition, even while becoming a doctor. He says his philosophy has served him well—he’s always comfortable with who he is. But he’s had to deal with uncomfortable situations. He shares with Jeanne how he bounced back from his...

Kim Lewis credits her community for helping her get over her doubts about the purpose of her natural hair care line, and says they helped her realize all the good she was really doing. Kim believes how you feel about your hair can give you the confidence you need to go after your dreams. Kim shares with Jeanne all her struggles with hair care from a young age, why she turned down the sharks on ABC...

As co-host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show for 23 years, Shirley Strawberry firmly believes that relatability and sharing parts of herself are key factors to her success; if her audience can’t relate to her, then they won’t listen. She loved Chicago broadcasting from a very young age and always knew she wanted to be on the radio. Despite knowing it would be an uphill battle,, she never stopped pu...

Matt Pais says he was lucky enough to turn his passion for pop culture into his dream job. As the movie critic and music editor at the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye for 11 years, he had his finger on the pulse of the entertainment world. He then decided he’d had enough and left. But he soon found his calling as an author, writing three books, including his latest -Talk ‘90s with Me. Matt shares with Je...

At one point Tracy Clark had a three-inch thick file of rejection notices. But she never gave up on her dream of being a mystery writer. She now has one crime series under her belt – about P.I. Cass Raines - and is starting a second about Chicago P.D. Homicide Detective Harriet Foster; the first book in the series - Hide - will be released January 1, 2023. She credits much of her success to stubbo...

“I think if I’m really good at my job, I’ll make another me.” Shaka Rawls is the beloved principal of LEO Catholic High School in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood in Chicago. His goal is to give his 210 Black and Brown all-male students the foundation to succeed in what he calls a “cold, cold world.” He shares all of himself with his boys: tears, successes, fears, and failures. He wants them to see...

T.J. Harvey knows exactly who she is and she’s not afraid to let people know it. She’s spent her whole career working in the pharmaceutical industry and has learned how to stay true to herself amidst all the corporate demands and deadlines. She shares with Jeanne why how we do things matter; how to be a disruptor for good in your business; why she’s so unapologetic about who she is; what failing f...

ABC 7 Chicago’s Val Warner’s career choice was never in doubt. She knew from a young age that she would be a news anchor - despite her mama telling her she needed a back-up plan. Fast forward to today and her belief in herself has paid off in so many ways: Oprah’s replacement; ten years of ‘Windy City Live;’ four Emmy awards; beloved co-host, popular news anchor. Val shares with Jeanne what simple...

“You can’t wait for life to get fair” is one of Ryan Chiaverini’s favorite mantras. The Emmy award-winning co-host of ABC 7’s “Windy City Weekend”, formerly “Windy City Live,” had a difficult childhood but he never let it slow him down. He has channeled his struggles into a successful career as a TV host, sportscaster, musician, and actor. And he shows no signs of stopping. He shares with Jeanne w...

Merry Green believes she is doing exactly what she was meant to do. That steadfast belief in herself and her talents led her to found The Black Women’s Expo in Chicago nearly 30 years ago. With her deft determination and steady hand, the annual event has flourished, turning into a must-attend gathering year after year. Merry shares with Jeanne the genesis behind her ground-breaking idea; what it t...

Francis is incredibly proud of her heritage. She’s a first generation Cuban American, born and raised in Miami. She takes strength from her parents, who always focused on the possibilities, not the challenges of their new life in America. The possibilities for Francis brought her much success in the corporate world. She shares with Jeanne why service is at the root of her accomplishments; how feed...

Nikki is a visionary, a truth teller; and a fierce, fiery advocate for ending the stigma around mental health issues. Her passion comes from her own experiences living with a serious mental illness and being a suicide survivor. She turned her pain into promise, sharing her journey in her musical “GET OUT ALIVE.” She talks with Jeanne about what it will take to change the stigma; why self-care is s...

Bela Gandhi’s path to success has been a twisted one. She spent the first part of her work life running a division of family’s chemical manufacturing company. All the while though, the only chemical reaction she wanted to focus on was love – as a matchmaker. She’d been setting up people on the side since college and had a true talent for it. She shares with Jeanne why it took so long to realize he...

AnitaB.org’s Grace Hopper Celebration 2022 (GHC), happening September 20-23 in Orlando, brings together thousands of women and non-binary technologists from around the world to learn about their industry, gain career guidance, and meet people who could change their life. AnitaB.org’s President and CEO, Brenda Darden Wilkerson shares with Jeanne her vision for this year’s first in-person gathering...

Brenda Darden Wilkerson is a committed champion for creating more inclusive technology, for both those who work in it and those who use it. As the President and CEO of AnitaB.org, the leading organization for women and non-binary people in technology, she talks with Jeanne in this special episode of Fearless Authenticity about the highlights of their biggest event of the year, Grace Hopper Celebra...

Emily Chang wants to be a positive force for change in the world. The McCann Worldgroup, China CEO has already set a practical, yet powerful plan in motion with her book “The Spare Room.” She shares with Jeanne what inspired her to start the “Social Legacy” movement, how it works, and why it leads to stronger leaders and just better humans; why she believes we should integrate work and family inst...

“If anybody’s gonna ‘F’ this up, I want it to be me. You gotta trust your gut.” Sovereign Brands CEO Brett Berish is all about going with your gut feeling on things. He came to understand that after a lot of failure. But he says everything to him now is about failing and learning from it. He says it’s a powerful thing! He shares with Jeanne how he built his brand of innovative and unique wine and...

Get ready for 30 minutes of mic-drop moments from HGTV’s “Fix My Flip” host Page Turner. The self-made real estate broker and house-flipping expert is on a mission to help you seize your greatest opportunities. Her efforts come from her own regrets of not capitalizing on some big prospects early in her life. She shares with Jeanne what obstacles held her back; what she has learned about how to be...

There is absolutely no stopping Kenny McReynolds. He will not quit. The Chicago sportscasting legend has had 45 operations, numerous bouts with cancer, and even died (according to Kenny) and was brought back to life in 2017. He shares with Jeanne what drives him to never give up, the song he plays each morning to celebrate the day ahead; why he’s always giving back; why he will never forgive forme...