In this episode, we sit down with Alison Seibert, the visionary founder of The James Collective, a successful PR and integrated marketing agency. Over nearly a decade, Alison has transformed her business from a modest NYC apartment operation into a bicoastal, seven-figure enterprise representing some of the most recognized names in CPG and hospitality, including Food52, Unilever, and emerging brands like Jacobsen Salt Company.

Join us as Alison shares her insights on authentic leadership, the importance of work-life integration, and the power of building meaningful relationships in business.

1. The Journey to Success:

2. • Alison shares her background and the inspiration behind starting The James Collective.

   • The evolution of her agency and the milestones achieved along the way.

3. Work-Life Integration vs. Balance:

4. • Why Alison believes traditional work-life balance is a myth and her approach to integrating work and personal life.

5. Authentic Leadership:

6. • The significance of leading a team authentically and how vulnerability fosters a supportive work environment.

7. The Power of Relationships:

8. • How valuing relationships can organically drive business success.

   • Tips on nurturing professional connections.

9. The Unsexy Side of Business:

10. • Discussing the crucial but often overlooked role of operations in building a sustainable business.

11. The Art of Saying No:

12. • How setting boundaries can attract the right opportunities and clients.

13. Overcoming Hurdles:

14. • Alison reflects on the biggest challenges she’s faced in her career and how she overcame them.

15. Self-Confidence and Leadership:

16. • The role of self-confidence in her journey, particularly as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated space.

17. Life Outside Work:

18. • A glimpse into Alison's personal life and interests beyond her professional endeavors.

• The James Collective Website: thejamescollective.com

• Follow Alison on Instagram: @thejamescollective

1. How do you define work-life integration in your own life?

2. What strategies do you use to build authentic relationships in your career?

3. Reflect on a time when saying no led to a positive outcome in your professional life.

Alison’s journey is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and the importance of building strong relationships. Tune in to gain inspiration and actionable insights that can help you navigate your own career path!

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.leadershipisfemale.com

• Instagram: instagram.com/leadershipisfemale

• Host Emily’s Instagram: instagram.com/leadershipisfemale

Key Topics Discussed:Resources Mentioned:Questions for Reflection:Closing Thoughts:Subscribe and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring more inspiring stories to you.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Meg Stevens, a veteran of college athletics and the driving force behind Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG). Meg shares her journey, her vision for empowering young female athletes, and the exciting launch of the Girls First Initiative.

Key Highlights:

1. Introduction to Meg Stevens:

   • Learn about Meg's background and her extensive experience in collegiate athletics.

2. Career Transition:

   • Q: After two decades in college athletics, what inspired your move to AAG?
   • Meg discusses the motivations behind her career shift and the impact she aims to make.

3. One Team Philosophy:

   • Meg explains her "One Team" philosophy and how it shapes the culture at AAG.

4. Empowering Young Women:

   • Q: How are you establishing AAG as a premier facility for women’s athletics?
   • Insights into initiatives and programs designed to support female athletes.

5. Girls First Initiative:

   • Q: What is the Girls First Initiative, and why did you launch it?
   • Meg outlines the goals of the initiative and its significance for young women in sports.

6. Challenges in Youth Sports:

   • Q: What’s the biggest challenge in leading a youth sports complex in Arizona?
   • A candid discussion about the hurdles faced in the industry.

7. Overcoming Obstacles:

   • Q: What’s the biggest hurdle you have overcome in your career?
   • Meg shares her personal experiences and lessons learned.

8. Job Satisfaction:

   • Q: What’s the best part of your job?
   • Discover what fuels Meg's passion for her work.

9. Advice for Aspiring Leaders:

   • Q: What would you say to someone who wants a similar career path to yours?
   • Practical advice for women looking to follow in her footsteps.

10. Life Outside Work:

    • Meg shares a glimpse of her life outside of AAG.

11. Inspiration:

    • Q: What is your favorite quote?
    • A motivational quote that resonates with Meg's journey.

Exciting Announcement: Next week, AAG will unveil their inaugural class of “Girls First” Ambassadors—three outstanding female collegiate athletes who will each receive $10,000 to inspire future generations of female athletes.

Listen in as Meg Stevens shares her vision for the future of women's sports and how AAG is leading the charge!

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
• Subscribe to Leadership is Female for more empowering stories from women leaders.

Episode Links:

• Arizona Athletic Grounds
• Girls First Initiative
• Leadership is Female

Thanks for tuning in!

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In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Cher Anderton, MSW, LICSW—a passionate speaker, consultant, and author of "Could It Be Better?" With over a decade of experience in mental health and parenting support, Cher empowers individuals to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal growth. Join us as we explore her mission to help others navigate the challenges of life with confidence and resilience.

Key Highlights:

• Meet Cher: Cher introduces herself and shares her journey into the field of mental health and parenting support, revealing what inspired her to choose this path.

• Navigating Discomfort: Learn how Cher equips individuals with practical tools and strategies to confront fears and challenge limiting beliefs, turning discomfort into a powerful ally.

• Parenting Insights: Cher offers valuable advice on raising healthy, skilled adults and discusses how to build social and emotional skills, especially in a world dominated by screens.

• Addressing Anxiety: Explore techniques for managing anxiety in both children and adults, and discover ways to cultivate resilience in everyday life.

• The O.W.N. I.T. Framework: Cher shares her unique framework for owning discomfort, encouraging listeners to take charge of their emotional experiences.

• Book Insights: Hear about the inspiration behind Cher's book, "Could It Be Better?", and how it serves as a resource for navigating change and growth.

• Creating Safe Spaces: Cher emphasizes the importance of fostering environments where individuals feel safe to express their truths, pain, and hopes.

Quotes:

• "Discomfort is not the enemy; it’s a stepping stone to growth."
• "We all carry untold stories that can hinder our relationships and our true selves."

Resources Mentioned:

• Cher Anderton Therapy Website
• "Could It Be Better?" Book

Listen Now: Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Cher Anderton and discover how to transform discomfort into your greatest superpower!

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Your feedback helps us empower more women to embrace their leadership journey.

In this inspiring episode, we chat with Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks, a renowned makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. As the founder of Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, Ashunta is on a mission to create inclusive, clean beauty solutions that empower individuals to express their unique beauty. Join us as we explore her journey, the inspiration behind her brand, and her vision for the future of beauty.

Key Highlights:

• Inspiration Behind Ashunta Sheriff Beauty: Ashunta shares what motivated her to create her brand and how she envisions it making a difference in the beauty industry.

• Overcoming Hurdles: Learn about the challenges Ashunta faced on her journey, including significant moments of growth and resilience.

• Commitment to Inclusivity: Discover how Ashunta ensures that her products cater to all skin tones and identities, and what inclusivity means to her personally.

• Clean Beauty Principles: Ashunta elaborates on her dedication to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products, explaining why these values are essential to her brand.

• Empowerment Through Makeup: Explore how Ashunta's products serve as a “love letter” to self-expression and her vision for empowering individuals through beauty.

• Lessons from Hollywood: With her experience working with A-listers, Ashunta shares key lessons that have influenced the development of her product line.

• Future Vision: Get a sneak peek into what's next for Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, including exciting upcoming projects and products.

Quotes:

• "We’re crafting a movement that celebrates all shades, identities, and spirits."
• "Beauty is not just seen; it’s felt—from the soul outward."

Resources Mentioned:

• Ashunta Sheriff Beauty Website
• Instagram
• Twitter

Listen Now: Dive into this episode to learn how Ashunta is breaking barriers and creating a beauty brand that stands for empowerment and inclusivity!

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Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and empower women everywhere.

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Geeta Sidhu-Robb, the dynamic CEO of the womanist movement and a trailblazer in health and wellness. With an impressive array of accolades, including 'Entrepreneur Alumna of the Year' from Cranfield University and multiple awards for her innovative health products, Geeta has dedicated her career to helping women reclaim their bodies and confidence.

Key Highlights:

• Geeta's Journey: Discover how Geeta overcame significant personal and professional challenges, including the collapse of her business, and how these experiences shaped her approach to coaching women in perimenopause.

• Unique Coaching Method: Geeta explains her holistic coaching philosophy, which integrates physical, mental, and emotional aspects to help clients identify and overcome barriers in their lives.

• Focus on Perimenopausal Women: Learn why Geeta specifically targets perimenopausal women and the unique challenges they face, including stress and body image issues.

• Inspiring Success Stories: Geeta shares a memorable transformation story from one of her clients, highlighting the key factors that contributed to her success and newfound confidence.

• Practical Advice: Geeta offers actionable steps for women feeling overwhelmed by stress or self-doubt, emphasizing the importance of self-care and mindset shifts.

• Future Aspirations: We discuss Geeta's vision for the future of GSR Coaching and Nosh Detox, including her goals to expand her impact on women's health and wellness.

Quotes:

• "I focus on helping women shed their ‘stress fat’ and reconnect with their bodies."
• "True transformation happens when we address the physical, mental, and emotional strands of our lives."

Resources Mentioned:

• Nosh Detox Website
• GSR Coaching Website

Follow Geeta Sidhu-Robb:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Listen Now: Tune in to hear Geeta's insights and learn how you can begin your own journey of transformation!

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Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and empower women everywhere.

In this compelling episode, we welcome Patricia Walsh Chadwick, author of BREAKING GLASS: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street. Patricia shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood in a restrictive cult to becoming a powerful figure on Wall Street. Join us as we delve into themes of resilience, overcoming trauma, and the challenges faced by women in finance.

• Author of BREAKING GLASS, releasing May 14, 2024
• Former Global Partner at Invesco with a 30-year career in finance

• Discusses how her upbringing in an isolated community shaped her resilience

• Explores her defiance against Sister Catherine’s oppressive regime and the pivotal actions she took to forge her own path

• Reflects on her transition from Wall Street to corporate board work at age 51

• Insights on managing the demands of a high-powered career while being a devoted mother

• Shares the importance of mentoring young women and the lessons she hopes to impart
• Offers valuable advice for women aspiring to lead in male-dominated fields

• Facebook: Patricia Chadwick Author
• LinkedIn: Patricia Walsh Chadwick
• Instagram: @patriciawalshchadwick
• YouTube: Patricia Chadwick
• Website: patriciachadwick.com

• Resilience: Patricia shares defining moments from her childhood that illustrate her resilience.
• Isolation: Discussion on how growing up in a cult influenced her views on community.

• Career Choices: Insight into her decision-making process regarding education and career advancement.
• Work-Life Balance: Practical tips on balancing a demanding career and motherhood.
• Mentorship: The importance of empowering the next generation of women leaders.

Patricia’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Her story not only highlights the challenges faced by women in finance but also serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to overcome adversity and thrive.

Tune in to hear Patricia’s remarkable story and gather insights that can help you navigate your own path to success!

In this episode, we sit down with Alyssa Olerud, the inspiring Founder and CEO of Fearlyss Media. Alyssa shares her journey from pioneering social media strategies for a nationwide sales team to empowering business owners and professionals to connect authentically with their audiences. Join us as we explore her insights on entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the balance of family life.

• Founder and CEO of Fearlyss Media
• Expert in leveraging social media for business growth
• New York native, now based in North Carolina
• Former Minor League Baseball career-woman

• Transitioned from corporate roles to entrepreneurship
• Developed a remote program that led to a 24% increase in success metrics for sales teams
• Trained hundreds of sales reps on effective social media usage

• Discusses the biggest challenges faced in her career and how she navigated them

• Shares her strategies for successfully transitioning careers
• Tips for creating a winning mindset for new roles

• How to use past experiences to build a compelling narrative for your next steps

• Insights on how to transform business ideas into successful ventures

• Simple strategies for effective social media use
• How much time to invest in personal branding
• Identifying when it’s time to seek help with social media management

• Alyssa’s top tips for women looking to level up in their careers

• Her approach to being present with family while managing a busy schedule
• Practical tips for reducing anxiety around to-do lists

• LinkedIn (Business): Fearlyss Media
• LinkedIn (Personal): Alyssa Olerud
• Instagram (Business): @fearlyssmedia
• Instagram (Personal): @alyssaolerud
• Website: Fearlyss Media (coming soon)

• Career Transition: Strategies for navigating career changes successfully.
• Entrepreneurship: Steps to turn a business idea into reality.
• Social Media Tips: Best practices for personal branding that don’t overwhelm.
• Work-Life Balance: Alyssa’s advice on managing family and work without the stress.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Natalie Haynes, an educator, Registered Psychotherapist, and former logistics expert with Canadian Tire Corporation. Natalie shares her inspiring journey from a 13-year career in logistics to becoming a psychotherapist, and her passion for fostering meaningful conversations about race through her signature program, The Comfortable Race Conversation Process. Join us as we explore career pivots, the importance of psychological safety in race conversations, and how leaders can navigate these crucial discussions.

1. Who is Natalie Haynes? Natalie Haynes is a dedicated educator, Registered Psychotherapist, and speaker. With a background in logistics and supply chain management from Canadian Tire Corporation, Natalie transitioned into psychotherapy to support her own mental health journey. For over 15 years, she has been using her diverse experiences to facilitate workshops and online courses focused on mental health, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

2. The Career Pivot Natalie reflects on her significant career change from logistics to psychotherapy. She shares valuable advice for women contemplating a major career shift after spending over a decade in one field, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, resilience, and seeking support during transitions.

3. Conversations about Race Natalie discusses her signature program, The Comfortable Race Conversation Process, which aims to address the psychoeducation often missing in race discussions. She explains the difficulties inherent in talking about race and provides insights into how these conversations can be approached in a psychologically safe manner. Her program has been recognized by the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge as a valuable tool for promoting honest dialogues about race.

4. The Importance for Leaders Natalie underscores why it’s crucial for leaders to be adept at having conversations about race. She highlights how these discussions contribute to a more inclusive and equitable workplace and the role of leaders in fostering a culture of openness and understanding.

5. When Natalie is Not Working Natalie shares what she enjoys doing outside of her professional life, offering a glimpse into her personal interests and activities.

Must-Ask Questions:

• What makes it challenging to have conversations about race, and how can we approach them in a way that feels safe and productive?

• How has The Comfortable Race Conversation Process been received, and what impact has it had on organizations participating in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge?

Favorite Quote: Natalie shares a quote that resonates with her personal and professional philosophy.

Connect with Natalie Haynes:

• Instagram: Natalie Haynes Consulting Inc.

• LinkedIn: Natalie Haynes

• LinkedIn: Natalie Haynes Consulting Inc.

Learn More About Natalie’s Programs:

• The Comfortable Race Conversation Process - Next cohort begins October 4th, 2024

• Udemy Course: Beyond Respect: Inclusive Leadership in Conversations about Race

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