Reward: The Podcast of The Trust®

What happens when the very identity that created your success begins to slowly deplete you? In this deeply personal solo episode, Ali Brown explores the hidden emotional realities many ambitious women experience when they begin outgrowing the version of themselves that once worked so well. From the pressure of staying relevant… to the fear of ‘losing your place in line’… to the grief that comes wi...

She sat by the ocean and wrote down 25 non-negotiables for the sale of her company. And just six months ago, she sealed the deal with 24 out of 25. That’s what happens when a leader knows exactly what she’s built… and what it’s worth. Elizabeth Burrows started her consulting firm at age 26 with a passion for healthcare access… and a firsthand understanding of what it means to live without it. Over...

She wanted to be a civil rights attorney. Then her perfect math scores came back, the engineers came calling, and everything changed.  Michelle Jones didn’t just pivot — she built a 30-year environmental consulting firm from scratch, cold-called her way to her first client at 50 calls a day, and won contracts with some of the largest transit agencies in the country. All while everyone she walked i...

Kris Murray built a thriving childcare coaching empire and became the go-to name in her industry. And the whole time? Fear was still there. She was just really, really good at hiding it. (Most high-achieving women are.) But what changes everything isn't when the fear disappears... It's when you stop letting it drive from the back seat. We’ve had Kris on the show before, but you HAVE NOT heard what...

Sitting on a boat going to the Statue of Liberty, staring at a stranger’s beautifully worn cognac leather bag, something cracked open in Susanne Mariga that she hadn’t felt since she was 20. A dream she set aside because it felt too risky, too impractical, too heartfelt back then. After an incredibly successful career building her own firm and recognition as a CPA and coauthor of the book Profit F...

When you realize an entire industry is quietly teaching women to shrink… you decide to build something bigger. For Cathy Savage, a decades-long career in fitness re vealed a troubling pattern: strong women were being encouraged to shrink their bodies, soften their voices, and limit their ambitions.  Watching this play out year after year became the spark for a very different mission — helping wome...

We have never been more connected online. And at the same time, many of us have never felt more isolated. Surrounded by infinite amounts of information and networks of people, it somehow all feels off kilter, impersonal, and distant. We’re truly ‘learning’ less than ever before, and connecting less on a real human level.  Ali Brown, founder of The Trust, has witnessed this evolution firsthand. Aft...

Over $2 BILLION of deals have crossed Dana Jacoby’s desk since selling her first company, and today her strongest mission is making sure other women own the full value of what they bring to the table. (And we’re honored she’s been an incredible advisor to many of us within The Trust.)  After learning the business fundamentals at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, a serendipitous meeting led her into the pharm...

Sometimes the real magic behind building a standout brand isn’t the product at all — but the women it brings together.  For Charis Jones, founder + CEO of Sassy Jones, community has always been the secret ingredient. What started as a side hustle selling wholesale jewelry while working at GEICO has evolved into a bold, multi-million-dollar fashion brand — and an even bolder movement of women who g...

WOW. At the end of 2025, there was a collective experience many high-level women quietly went through. It was a final surrender that arrived without permission, often without witnesses, and minus a clear storyline. But what looked like collapse—exhaustion, illness, emotional release, or forced stillness—was not a weakness… **It was clearing the way for our reassignment.** Now, in 2026, awareness i...

The biggest turning points in life rarely announce themselves, yet they can end up redirecting everything. After years building a powerhouse career in science and global medical affairs, Dr. Anne Arvizu realized her next chapter would be a profound journey of recalibration, purpose, and spiritual awakening. After walking a path through corporate burnout and her own hard-won spiritual grounding, to...

Growing up in a conservative, fundamentalist home, music was Lyndie Walker’s only doorway to self-expression. Today, she shares how her most powerful transformation didn’t begin with a business plan… but with the moment she was ready to become the person she really was all along. Today, Lyndie is the founder of ToneWorks, a thriving music therapy practice born from sheer necessity when no traditio...

Can true leadership not start in a boardroom — but instead on a farm? For Sarah Beth Aubrey , that’s exactly where her story began. Growing up in rural Illinois taught her the lessons of grit, patience, and the power of planting something that takes time to grow. Those same roots would later inspire her to become a pioneering voice in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and leadership—founding multiple...

After years in the spotlight on TV broadcast news, Sara Davenport was facing increasingly ridiculous demands and real burnout. Trading corporate scripts for her own business strategy, she channeled her storytelling skills into building something entirely new — helping former TV anchors and reporters reinvent themselves beyond the newsroom. And as founder of Towerview Marketing, a LinkedIn marketin...

It’s here. We are no longer willing to tolerate businesses that don’t align with who we’ve become. In this kickoff episode of our new season of Reward, Ali shares what’s new this fall, including a new look and feel for the show, powerful new guests, new benefits of The Trust, and new ways to work with her. But most importantly, she dives deep into another NEW... and a powerful theme she’s seeing a...

What if the secret to success isn’t holding the line – but knowing exactly when to SHIFT? Emily Countryman, founder + CEO of weight loss and wellness company Shift Set Go, has never been afraid to rewrite the playbook. In fact, it’s what’s kept her thriving in an industry where even the biggest names – yes, we’re looking at you Jenny Craig—have stumbled. As the weight loss and wellness space gets...

What happens when a high-alpha CEO decides to stop pushing and start surrendering? For Kris Murray, that moment came after decades of leading one of the most successful coaching companies in early childhood education. As the founder of The Child Care Success Company, she built a powerhouse brand from the ground up—one that now runs with an employee-ownership model and continues to thrive without h...

Ever feel like running your business should feel more like freedom—and less like constant fire drills? For so many women who’ve mastered their craft, making the leap to leading a business comes with a steep learning curve. From corporate finance and Fortune 500 consulting to becoming the go-to fractional CFO for high-level businesses across the U.S., Sarah Webb has built a reputation for turning f...

When it comes to wealth, most women were taught to play it safe, stay small, or hand over the reins altogether. But today’s women leaders know what’s possible when you STOP following the rules — and start building your *own* framework for success. Suzanne Powell came from humble beginnings in a trailer park outside Detroit, and today manages over $145 million in assets. How? She made a conscious d...

Fun innovation doesn’t always come from tech or trends — sometimes, it starts with a simple idea, a spicy discussion with friends and colleagues, and a bold woman willing to create it! Dr. Alisa Brady is the founder of Sweetums, a brand that began with flavored intimate wipes (yes, really!) and quickly grew into a full line of other products. With a background in psychology and a pulse on what wom...

TIME SENSITIVE: The shift is happening — and it’s shaking up even the most successful among us. Lately, more women in leadership positions have been hitting the same wall: their once-thriving businesses suddenly feel off. The numbers may still look good on paper, but something deeper is misaligned. The drive’s no longer there. The clarity’s gone. And the question becomes: What now? In this solo ep...

In an era where numbers have often overshadowed people, revolution comes from valuing new metrics… and a whole new ecosystem. Enter Kiri-Maree Moore: leadership strategist, global consultant, and the "secret sauce" behind the success of many top-tier leaders. From leading transformative meetings with her Human Intelligence methodology to her firm belief in making micro-shifts for macro changes, he...

The world seems turbulent right now, and many are panicking over the election, the economy, everything! But to regain calm control, our guest today simply says, ‘Vote for yourself.’ It’s time to create your OWN economy that will thrive in any market and no matter who’s in office. Stop focusing on the external and focus on what YOU – you brilliant amazing woman – have control over at this very mome...

Feel like your business needs a strategic boost…  without compromising your lifestyle? Then it’s time to make bold moves amidst any economic challenges – all while staying true to your personal values and vision. The secret? Mastering data-driven decision-making and leveraging market trends to your advantage. Jessica Marx is the founder of Tailored Premier – a boutique consulting firm and also a s...

We’ve heard the advice to “niche down”, but how can we do so without limiting ourselves and our BIG ideas for growth? Elizabeth Burrows, founder of Burrows Consulting, is a testament to thriving incredibly in a niche market. From family farm beginnings, Elizabeth leveraged her hands-on background and unique experiences to secure over $400 million in grants, proving that deep knowledge and speciali...