The Wishful Doing Podcast

There is a quiet exodus happening in midlife. Women are leaving jobs. Leaving marriages. Leaving titles. Leaving identities that once defined them. Here’s the controversial part, women are not unraveling in midlife because they’re fragile. Women are just finally unwilling to live misaligned, so they’re recalibrating. Nearly 30% of women consider leaving the workforce during midlife transitions — o...

Success isn’t the finish line—it’s the foundation for legacy. In this heartfelt finale, Sandra opens up about what it means to give back, lift others as you climb, and build a community rooted in equity and empowerment. From mentoring women to serving on key leadership councils, Sandra’s journey reveals that the most powerful structures we build aren’t made of concrete—they’re made of connection....

Sandra didn’t just find a seat at the table—she built the table herself. In this conversation, we talk about what it takes to claim your space, command respect, and change the culture of an entire industry. From managing multimillion-dollar operations to mentoring the next generation of women in trades, Sandra shares the mindset, strategy, and heart behind leading fearlessly in spaces that weren’t...

What does it take to walk away from a stable career and build something entirely new—especially in a world that wasn’t built for you? Sandra Hofmeister went from crunching numbers in accounting to running a multimillion-dollar construction company. In this episode, she opens up about how she turned uncertainty into opportunity, the lessons she learned from the ground up, and what it really means t...

Not all leadership challenges are visible. In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Louérs-Phillips opens up about living with a permanent invisible disability since 1996 and what it has meant to lead while managing fatigue, pain, and societal assumptions. Together, we explore how workplace cultures reward performance while often punishing honesty, and why empathy and grace must become leadership comp...

Most leaders can point to a moment when someone saw potential they hadn’t yet claimed for themselves. In this episode, Dr. Louérs-Phillips shares the story of Maria Whittermore, a mentor who recognized his leadership capacity long before he felt ready. Through her encouragement, Eric stepped into spaces that stretched his confidence, sharpened his voice, and ultimately prepared him to lead at a sy...

What does it mean to be seen as “acceptable” and who gets to decide? In this episode, Dr. Eric Louérs-Phillips reflects on growing up as a Black man whose family instilled pride, discipline, and high expectations without explicitly naming race, and how that foundation shaped his professional journey. From classrooms to district leadership, Eric unpacks the quiet, persistent questioning of his comp...

Leadership can be isolating. Even for experienced leaders. In this episode, Ja’Bette and Linda explore the power of executive coaching and leadership communities in helping leaders reflect, grow, and navigate complexity. They discuss Linda’s work as an ICF-certified executive coach and the role she will play helping guide members inside the Wishful Doing Legacy Lab. The conversation highlights a s...

Entrepreneurship can be exhilarating. It can also be isolating. In this episode, Ja’Bette and Linda talk honestly about the realities of building businesses as women — including the importance of supporting solopreneurs, lifting each other up, and resisting the scarcity mindset that sometimes creeps into professional spaces. They also explore the cultural shift required for women to move from comp...

After decades of leadership in public education — including directing large systems, shaping policy, and leading teams of hundreds — Dr. Linda Chambers chose to step into entrepreneurship. Why? In this episode, Linda shares the story behind launching LJC Consulting, the mindset shifts required to move from institutional leadership to solopreneurship, and the courage required to start something new...

What happens when Black women choose courage over fear—and step back into the water together? Recorded after the Back2theWater retreat in Cartagena, Colombia, this episode centers the voices of women who once avoided water and now move through it with confidence, reverence, and joy. Diamond Crystal is joined by retreat participants Keyoka Kinzy and Wendy Kyles as they share their stories  bef...

Drowning is not random. It is patterned by history, access, and inequity. In this powerful opening episode, we examine the racial and socioeconomic disparities that make drowning a persistent and preventable public-health crisis, particularly in Black communities. Joined by Dr. Tiffany Monique Quash and Diamond Crystal, we explore how segregation, generational trauma, and exclusion from aquatic sp...

In this final installment of our  Mentorship Series , we bring the conversation full circle. You’ll meet Gracie Armstrong—a parenting student whose journey reflects courage, growth, and the transformative power of mentorship. Together, we unpack what it means to be mentored, the hurdles mentees face, and how embracing guidance can change the trajectory of your life and leadership. This episod...

In this heartfelt continuation of our Mentorship Series, Dr. Pollard reflects on the importance of paying it forward. We explore what mentorship looks like in action—from her role as a mentor to emerging and seasoned leaders, to the deeper concept of sponsorship and advocacy. We’ll dive into how she creates space for others to rise, what true mentorship requires, and how to nurture the next genera...

Before becoming the first woman to lead the American Association of Community Colleges, Dr. DeRionne Pollard was a student with big dreams and powerful mentors who believed in her potential. In this first episode of our Mentorship Series, we explore how mentors helped shape her journey—from her early days as an English instructor to her trailblazing roles in higher education leadership. Dr. Pollar...

The holiday celebration continues in Part 2 of this special two-part series. Once again, Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone hands the reins to her husband, who isn’t holding back on the big questions about what’s next. From bold goals for Wishful Doing’s future to the balance of family and entrepreneurship, this episode is equal parts heartfelt reflection and inspiring vision-casting. Grab a cozy cup of cocoa...

In this special holiday edition of the Wishful Doing Podcast, the tables are turned! Instead of interviewing a guest, Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone steps into the hot seat as her husband of 20 years takes over the mic. Together, they revisit the early sparks of Wishful Doing, the leap from idea to reality, and the milestones that shaped 2025. With honesty, laughter, and holiday warmth, Ja’Bette opens up a...

Why is asking for money so hard—and how can we do it better? In this episode of the Wishful Doing Podcast, Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone sits down with Colleen Dolak, Development Advisor and fundraising strategist who has helped nonprofits raise nearly $40M. Together, they explore how to overcome the fear of the ask, build authentic donor relationships, and maximize philanthropic giving through strategy,...

Entrepreneurship is tough — and for women of color, the path often comes with extra hurdles. In this candid conversation, Pamela and Maritza share their real experiences navigating bias, limited access to capital, and the pressures of representing their communities. They open up about the resilience, resourcefulness, and relationships that have sustained them, and how their cultural heritage has b...

Branding is more than a logo — it’s a living story that shapes how the world experiences your organization. Pamela and Maritza unpack what it really means to build a purpose-driven brand and why authenticity is the cornerstone of lasting impact. You’ll hear real-world stories of organizations that transformed their reach through intentional branding, plus practical tips for crafting a message that...

What happens when two powerhouse Latina women combine decades of marketing, branding, and communications expertise? You get Captiva Branding — a creative force dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations look and sound as impactful as their vision. In this episode, Pamela Nieto and Maritza Lizama take us behind the scenes of their entrepreneurial journeys, the moment they decided to join for...

In honor of National Student Parent Month, this episode features personal development coach and student parent advocate Alisha Small—founder of Living Fulfilled Coaching and Consulting. Alisha shares her powerful story as a former student parent, reflecting on the sacrifices, lessons, and resilience that shaped her journey. We explore how her lived experience now fuels her advocacy for student par...

What does healing look like for someone who’s always been the go-to? In the final installment of “When High Performance Hurts,” therapist and leadership whisperer Tanisha Sanders, LCSW, returns to guide us through the messy, beautiful path back to self. We explore how high performers can lead with authenticity, prevent burnout, and finally feel enough . If you’re ready to redefine success and embr...

In Part 2 of our series, we’re digging into what happens before high performers finally seek therapy. Tanisha Sanders, LCSW, returns to explore the tipping point—the silent signs of burnout, the emotional toll of overfunctioning, and the myths that keep high achievers stuck. If you’ve ever thought “I can’t stop or it’ll all fall apart,” this episode is for you. We’re talking red flags, reckoning,...

High performers often look like they have it all together—but behind the accolades and ambition, many are quietly battling perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout. In Part 1 of our “ When High Performance Hurts” series, Tanisha Sanders, LCSW, joins us to unpack the hidden traits that drive success—and sometimes, self-sabotage. We explore how early experiences shape high achievers, why external...