The Hats Podcast

What keeps you moving when you simply do not feel motivated? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie put on the Motivation Hat for an honest conversation about finding the drive to pursue your goals, care for yourself, and continue building a meaningful legacy. Melissa shares how her motivation has evolved from fulfilling childhood dreams to creating new possibili...

Writing the first draft is only the beginning. How do you turn those words into a polished book that connects with the right audience, strengthens your brand, and creates a lasting legacy? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome author, attorney, journalist, editor, and book development expert Brooke Sidney Harbour to discuss The Book Publishing Hat. Brook...

Do you have a story inside you but keep wondering whether it is worth sharing or where you would even begin? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Author Hat and share the personal journeys behind writing and publishing their books. Melissa explains how a 30-day relationship challenge that began on her blog eventually became The Love Challenge: 30 Day...

What if doing everything yourself is the very thing keeping you from growing? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie put on the Delegation Hat and explore why learning to share responsibility is an essential part of becoming an effective leader. Kerri explains that delegation is not simply about taking work off your plate. When done well, it creates a mutually be...

What makes a brand memorable—and how can you build one without losing your authentic voice? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome branding and marketing expert Kinley Croton LaGrange for a thoughtful conversation about personal and professional branding. Kinley explains that branding is much more than a logo, color palette, or social media aesthetic. It...

Can you build a profitable side hustle without leaving your nine-to-five? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome multifaceted entrepreneur and business professional Kim Prepetit for a practical conversation about wearing The Side Hustle Hat. For more than a decade, Kim has balanced her career, family, and several side business ventures. In this episode, s...

What does it take to hire the right people for your growing business? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Hiring Hat and explore one of the biggest steps in growing a business: building a team you can trust. Drawing from Kerri's experience as an employment attorney and franchise business owner, she shares what she looks for beyond a résumé, how she...

Serving on a board of directors is a significant way to level up any career. But, knowing how to get there can be a big challenge.   In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome Tamala Lewis, Senior Director of Community Affairs for AEG's Dignity Health Sports Park, for an insightful conversation about serving on a board of directors. Drawing from her experienc...

What if AI could help you work smarter, build faster, and bring your ideas to life without taking away the creativity and experience only you can bring? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The AI Hat and welcome AI founder and entrepreneur Khalel Dumaz for a conversation about artificial intelligence, what it can actually do, where people get it wrong,...

What could change in your life if you had the audacity to believe you belong in the room, ask for what you want, and go after the opportunities calling you? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Audacity Hat for a candid conversation about what it means to show up unapologetically and believe in yourself enough to make boss moves. Melissa and Kerri re...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next opportunity isn't your qualifications but your willingness to ask? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Negotiation Hat to explore one of the most valuable skills every leader, entrepreneur, and professional can develop. From negotiating salaries and business opportunities to advocating for...

What if the key to building a successful business isn't doing more of the same—but having the courage to grow in new directions? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Diversification Hat and welcome entrepreneur Danielle Spangler for a conversation about expanding your opportunities while staying true to who you are. From building a boutique fitness s...

What happens to everything you've built when it's time for someone else to take the lead? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie explore The Succession Hat and why succession planning is about far more than replacing a leader. It's about protecting your vision, preserving your values, and preparing the next generation for long-term success. Drawing from Kerri's e...

What makes a great leader? Is it the title, the authority, or something much deeper? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Leadership Hat to explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, courage, and humanity. Whether you're managing a team, running a business, leading your family, or simply leading yourself, this conversation offers practical i...

Confidence is often mistaken for being grounded in having it all together from the beginning of time and all of the time. In reality, confidence is developed, built, grown and nurtured through experience, healing, preparation, and doing the work.  In "The Confidence Hat", co-hosts and typically very confident women, Melissa and Kerri, share honest stories about moments when their confidence was sh...

What if failure isn't something to fear but one of the greatest tools for growth? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie welcome entrepreneur, author, and business leader Dee Robinson for a powerful conversation about wearing The Fail Fast Hat. With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Dee shares why some of her greatest successes were built on the l...

What if the life you're dreaming about is waiting on the other side of one courageous decision? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie put on The Risk Taking Hat and explore why every meaningful step forward in life, leadership, business, and relationships requires a willingness to take risks. From launching The Hats Podcast during the uncertainty of the pandemic...

What do you do when you simply don't feel like showing up? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie tackle a reality that every ambitious woman, leader, parent, and professional eventually faces: the days when motivation is low, energy is depleted, and yet life still expects you to show up. As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri explore the difference...

What does it really take to make a boss move? In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumas and Kerri Harper-Howie sit down with powerhouse leader Monique Earl to explore what it means to make bold decisions, lead with confidence, and create impact without losing yourself in the process. With more than two decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors, Monique br...

Small talk. Argh, right?! Most of us do it. Many of us dislike it. Yet somehow, it remains one of the most important social skills we use in our personal and professional lives. Small talk is a bridge that helps people move from strangers to genuine connection. So, let's talk about small talk: how to make it easier and do it better.  Melissa shares why small talk can create anxiety for her as a th...

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie explore the Lifelong Learner Hat and why continuous growth is essential for anyone looking to level up personally and professionally. As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri discuss how lifelong learning extends far beyond classrooms, certifications, and formal education. It includes learning through lif...

The Hats Podcast is back for Season 9! We are bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever. In fact, we are coming back in full Boss Bitch mode! In this season opener, hosts Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie officially introduce the "Boss Bitch Season" - a season focused on elevation, expansion, leadership, reinvention, and what it truly means to step into your next level personally and professionall...

Season 8 was different than all the others. So, we had to mix things up for our closing episodes as well. Episode 198 was all about the highs and lows of Season 8 from co-host Melissa and Kerri's perspectives. This final episode of Season 8 is how their husbands, Khalel and Sanford, felt being on the hot seat all season long. Listen in to see how it went for them. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter...

Well, maybe we didn't say everything - impossible, right? But, we talked about fatherhood, sex, layoffs, dates, being black men and so many other things. Listen to co-hosts Kerri and Melissa wrap up season 8 and our favorite moments from this unique season with our husbands as our only guests. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Instagram thehatspodcast@gmail.com Thank you for listening! We tip our...

Men balance life differently than women ... at least our husbands, Khalel and Sanford, do. They even see the need to balance through a different lense. So, co-hosts Kerri & Melissa thought the Hatters could benefit from hearing how they balance their busy lives and careers with our busy lives and careers. They shared some insights even we had not thought of. Listen in so you can get them too! Conn...