What if your most painful experience held the key to your greatest impact?

In this inspiring conversation, Allison Walsh is joined by Brielle Cotterman, publicity powerhouse and founder of the Influential Leader Agency. Brielle shares her personal story of survival, resilience, and reinvention—from overcoming domestic violence and attempted murder to becoming one of the most respected voices in PR and personal branding.

Together, they unpack why owning your story is essential, how to strategically build visibility, and what it really takes to become the go-to expert in your field. Whether you're craving more confidence, credibility, or clarity in your message, this episode is your masterclass in showing up with purpose and using your voice to lead.

💡 Key Takeaways

→ Why your story is your most powerful brand asset
→ How to build visibility through credibility, communication, network & influence
→ The biggest mistakes people make with personal branding and PR
→ What a “vulnerability threshold” is—and why it matters in storytelling
→ Why thought leadership is a long game (and how to prep for media success)
→ Tactical ways to start taking control of your narrative today

Resources & Links

📲 Connect with Brielle: @briellecotterman
🌐 Website: www.briellecotterman.com
🎙️ Get on the waitlist for her Influential Leader Agency training events
🔗 Explore free brand-building resources linked in the show notes

Quotes to Remember

“Confidence is walking into a room and not comparing yourself to anyone.”
“We all have a personal brand—it’s just a matter of whether you’re building it intentionally.”
“The thing that keeps you from being perfect is usually your real superpower.”
“You get to lead the narrative. Don’t let someone else tell your story.”

Connect with Allison

• Interested in working together? Fill out this form.
• www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh
• www.shebelievedbook.com
• www.allisonwalshconsulting.com
• Build Your Brand On Demand
• Download The Be Unforgettable Playbook

Today’s episode is a heartfelt and powerful conversation with Miss Florida 2024, Casana Fink—a purpose-driven leader, entrepreneur, and changemaker. At just 14, Casana launched a mission to promote organ and tissue donation after her father’s lifesaving transplant. Now, she’s educated over 400,000 people across Florida, authored a children’s book in every county library, led a nonprofit, and founded a bold fashion brand, The Unverified.

This conversation dives into Casana’s journey to the Miss America stage, how heartbreak shaped her greatest impact, the behind-the-scenes of building a brand rooted in authenticity, and the legacy she hopes to leave beyond the crown. It’s a moving reflection on identity, resilience, and why believing in yourself—even when it’s hard—is the ultimate game-changer. If you’ve ever doubted yourself or needed a reminder that your purpose is bigger than your fear—this episode is for you.

✨ Featured Topics:

• Turning personal pain into powerful purpose
• Leading advocacy at 14 years old
• What it really takes to step into the role of Miss Florida
• Building a brand that celebrates individuality and resilience
• What success means beyond titles and accolades
• The power of faith, storytelling, and trusting the process

🔗 Connect with Casana:
Follow her on Instagram @missamericafl and @cassanafink

Connect with Allison

• Interested in working together? Fill out this form.
• www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh
• www.shebelievedbook.com
• www.allisonwalshconsulting.com
• Build Your Brand On Demand
• Download The Be Unforgettable Playbook

When life threw Alexandra de Roos an unimaginable curveball—a traumatic brain injury that drastically shifted the trajectory of her life — she didn’t let it define her. She let it refine her.

In this inspiring episode, host Allison Walsh welcomes Alexandra de Roos, a student researcher, nonprofit founder, and fierce TBI advocate, to share her extraordinary journey of turning personal pain into powerful purpose. Alexandra founded The Blue Project, blending her passion for neuroscience and the arts to drive awareness, research, and healing for brain injury survivors.

From lobbying on Capitol Hill to shaping the future of mental health as a future neuropsychiatrist, Alexandra’s story reminds us that the end of one dream can be the start of something even bigger.

✨ Tune in for a conversation about courage, healing, and what’s possible when you choose to rise.

💡 Key Takeaways

→ How Alexandra turned a devastating injury into a new life mission
→ What it takes to start a nonprofit as a teenager
→ Why the arts play a critical role in neurological healing
→ How showing up (even scared!) led to national opportunities
→ The truth about confidence—and why it's all about knowing who you are
→ The power of 1% growth every day and building a community through advocacy

🛠️ Resources & Links

Connect with Alexandra:
📲 Instagram: @alexandra.deroos | @theblue.project
🌐 Website: www.alexandraderoos.org

Learn more about traumatic brain injury awareness:

• Brain Injury Association of America
• Concussion Legacy Foundation

💬 Quotes to Remember

“Confidence is knowing who you are—beyond what you do.”
“Just because life doesn’t go to plan doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.”
“Start with small goals. Then stack them. That’s how you move forward.”
“There’s no age limit on impact—and no expiration date on dreams.”

Connect with Allison

• Interested in working together? Fill out this form.
• www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh
• www.shebelievedbook.com
• www.allisonwalshconsulting.com
• Build Your Brand On Demand