Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears

Send a text What do highly successful people do differently? Is it possible to build a thriving career entirely on your own terms? In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I’m joined by Heidi Hartman, a sought-after speaker, leadership coach, and author of Her Rise Her Rules: 7 Secrets of Successful Leaders, an incredible book that reveals the success strategies of over 100 high-performing women leaders...

Send a text My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud lives a fascinating double life! Not only is Allison B. Walden the Senior Vice President of Resource Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, she’s also a talented musician who just released her first studio album, “Octopus,” under the stage name Allie B. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about embracing a shift-filled life — and seizi...

Send a text I have not one, but two incredible guests for this timely and important episode of Shift Out Loud. We’ll be exploring the case of domestic violence survivor April Wilkens, who was recently denied a shortened sentence for a crime directly related to her abuse: the murder of her long-time rapist and abuser. Tracey Lyall is the CEO of Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) in Tuls...

Send a text For many people in my generation, living loudly and openly was a shift that could feel almost too big. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Nancy Gunter, the CEO of Gunter Training and an expert in helping workplaces manage clashes between employees of different generations, to talk about shifting out of secrecy.  In this conversation, Nancy and I discuss the intense chal...

Send a text Our biggest shifts sometimes elevate entire communities. My guest on this episode of Shift Out Loud has built an award-winning career around uplifting those who need it most. I’m joined by Alison Anthony, the President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. Among her many recognitions, she’s been inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma State University Diversity Hall of Fa...

Send a text My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has spent much of her career exploring how we can make one of the most profound shifts imaginable: choosing to live a life for the things that matter most, without waiting for a crisis to occur. I’m joined once again by Dr. Jennifer K. Clark, whose book Suffer. is a fascinating reflection of her experiences in Hospice and Palliative Medicine....

Send a text Playing bigger often means speaking up about things society would prefer to be left unsaid — and that often includes women’s experiences. Whether writing or speaking, bestselling author Meg Myers Morgan works to unravel the knots that form while being a woman navigating through everyday worries, meaningful working, and the relentless pursuit of self-worth.  In this episode of Shift Out...

Send a text In this episode of Shift Out Loud , Tracy Spears sits down with master coach and corporate leader-turned-mentor Mina Brown to explore the powerful, personal, and far-reaching impact of coaching. From boardrooms to virtual training rooms, Mina’s journey is a testament to the deep change that’s possible when we shift from giving answers to asking the right questions. Together, they unpac...

Send a text In this inspiring episode, Tracy sits down with Dana Day, a Tulsa-based custom home builder, remodeler, and HGTV alum. With a background in psychology and art, Dana shares how she carved a unique path into the male-dominated construction industry—and how creativity, grit, and heart have shaped both her work and her life.  Dana opens up about her experience as the only woman featured on...

Send a text In this flavorful and fearless episode, Tracy Spears sits down with culinary entrepreneur Makenna Held , the powerhouse behind the Courageous Cooking School and the bold new platform Recipe Kick . Makenna opens up about her extraordinary leap of faith—buying Julia Child’s summer home, La Pitchoune , sight unseen—and the revolutionary path she’s carved in the world of food since.  From...

Send a text In this inspiring episode, Tracy Spears sits down with Dr. Deborah Gist, former superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, to explore what it means to lead with purpose, courage, and compassion. Dr. Gist shares the story of how her passion for teaching shaped her career and how transformational leadership demands a steadfast commitment to integrity and change.  From navigating public scru...

Send a text In this powerful conversation, Tracy interviews Kelley Scott, a seasoned nurse and the Executive Director of Clarehouse , a pioneering social model hospice in Oklahoma. Kelley shares her journey into nursing, the challenges of providing end-of-life care, and the importance of creating meaningful connections with patients and their families. She emphasizes the need for boundaries in car...

Send a text In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Tracy Spears welcomes Mica Chavez, a private chef and passionate advocate for recovery, education, and mentorship. Mica shares her remarkable journey from addiction to transformation, revealing how a single moment of desperation set her on a new path—one rooted in purpose, healing, and the culinary arts.  From cooking for U.S. presidents to teac...

Send a text In this inspiring episode of Shift Out Loud , host Tracy Spears sits down with Jennifer Alton, a trailblazing leader in the medical device industry, to explore the power of imperfection in leadership and life. Jennifer shares her personal journey from a small town to the global stage, including the pivotal moment she delivered a TED Talk about embracing imperfection.  Together, they di...

Send a text In this episode of Shift Out Loud , Chef Shannon Smith shares the bold shifts that transformed her life—from growing up on a ranch in Oklahoma to becoming a celebrated chef and culinary educator. She opens up about the pivotal moments that led her from a successful sewing career to discovering her true passion for cooking, inspired by a home economics teacher who sparked her love for f...

Send a text My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when she was just 33 years old. Since then, Brooke Eby has become a passionate and vocal advocate and fundraiser who is raising awareness of ALS through her humor and honesty. During our thoughtful conversation, Brooke shares how her diagnosis has changed her life and why she’s chosen to...

Send a text Humans require certain things in order to thrive… and once you move beyond food, water, and shelter, the list gets a little complicated. Understanding the full scope of your needs can enable you to shift in ways you didn’t know were possible. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Clark, a seasoned physician on a mission to heal, educate, and innovate toward the...

Send a text Some people know what they’re meant to do from a very young age. For most of us, discovering our gifts can require a little experimentation — but it’s never too late to shift out loud!  Valerie Martinet has been a top seller of Transworld Systems services for over 18 years. A former pool shark, Valerie is now on a mission to make sure that medical providers get paid for their services,...

Send a text Ever wanted a sneak peek into the world of comedy? My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud has appeared on Conan O’Brien, @Midnight, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately, Arsenio Hall, and Last Call With Carson Daly, so you’ve likely already seen (and enjoyed) her work!  Erin Foley is a talented comedy writer and comic who has been making waves in the world of wom...

Send a text The way that many of us work and live can tire us out and hold us back from playing bigger. If we want to show up strong for our teams and communities, we need to show up strong for ourselves! In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I sit down with Kara Mohr, a performance coach and internationally recognized keynote speaker specializing in health, wellness, and habit and behavior change. F...

Send a text True leadership requires more than knowledge and expertise. Being vulnerable and authentic can have a huge impact on the connections you build with your team, and enable your entire organization to play bigger! Among his achievements as an athlete and coach, Kirk Walker has helped UCLA to seven NCAA Championships and 18 Women's College World Series appearances, earning the title o...

Send a text Movies are a powerful way to tell stories, change perspectives, and shine a light on different lived experiences. Empowering filmmakers can lead to massive shifts, for both individuals and communities. Joining me for this episode of Shift Out Loud is Amy Janes, a brilliant creative whose filmmaking journey has been fueled by a love for storytelling that began in an editing room. She’s...

Send a text Many people play bigger by working to better the lives of those who may have been forgotten by society. The most transformative work often happens in places most of us will never visit — but its effects ripple far beyond their walls. This episode of Shift Out Loud features 2018 CNN Hero of the Year finalist Ellen Stackable. Ellen is the Executive Director and co-founder of Poetic Justi...

Send a text Cheri Kempf is no stranger to playing bigger — she’s made incredible moves in the infield, in the dugout, on the mic, and at the boardroom table. A celebrated leader in women’s fastpitch softball, the four-time National Champion and six-time Hall of Fame Inductee pitched for Team USA during their 1992 World Cup victory. Today, she works tirelessly to promote women’s sports through Athl...

Send a text In this important and timely episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with a woman who has been playing bigger for as long as I’ve known of her… and may just be Tulsa’s next mayor. Karen Keith is currently serving her fourth term as Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2, and before entering public service had a fascinating series of career shifts, working as a news anchor, reporter, docume...