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

Grief. Growth. Grit. Abby Combs shares the raw and real behind-the-scenes story of building her business after devastating loss, discovering purpose in unexpected places, and finding her identity beyond the carpool lane. As the founder of E-Studios, she helps health and wellness brands master email marketing, but her story is about so much more than business. It’s about self-trust, boundaries, and what it really means to be confident. This is a must-listen for any woman who’s ever wondered if she’s doing enough, or if she’s allowed to want more.

📄 Description:
In this deeply honest and motivational conversation, Abby Combs—CEO of E-Studios —opens up about the personal challenges that led her to entrepreneurship and how building a business helped her heal. Abby shares how email marketing became her zone of genius, the lessons she’s learned from scaling brands and navigating motherhood, and how she redefined success on her own terms. If you’ve ever struggled to balance ambition with life at home or wondered how to pivot when life throws a curveball, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and so inspired.

In this episode, we discuss:
• How grief led Abby to rediscover herself through business
• Her unexpected path to becoming a marketing expert
• Why email marketing is essential for modern brands (and how to do it right)
• Boundaries, burnout, and building a business that supports your life
• The role of self-trust in building real confidence
• Abby’s best advice for female founders and small business owners
• How to grow an engaged audience and make email your #1 revenue driver

🎤 About Today’s Guest:
Abby Combs is the founder and CEO of E-Studios, a marketing agency specializing in email marketing for health and wellness e-commerce brands. Known for her down-to-earth approach, sharp marketing mind, and commitment to supporting small businesses, Abby helps brands turn email into their most profitable channel. Abby brings warmth, wit, and wisdom to everything she touches. Her story is proof that with heart and hustle, you can thrive in business and in life.

Connect with Abby:
• Website: theestudios.com
• Instagram: @abbycombsceo | @estudiosmarketing
• TikTok: @abbycombsceo

✨Memorable Moments

1. “I thought the career was carpools. Now I run a company that fuels me every single day.”
2. “Grief cracked me open—but business gave me purpose again.”
3. “Confidence is self-trust. It’s knowing you’ll figure it out even if the plan changes.”
4. “Email marketing isn’t annoying—it’s necessary. And it can actually feel good when done right.”
5. “Boundaries aren’t just for clients. They’re for protecting your energy and your joy.”

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

What if letting your kids fail is the greatest gift you can give them? In this empowering conversation, New York Times bestselling author and educator Jessica Lahey joins Allison to explore how failure builds resilience, why competence matters more than confidence, and what every parent should know about preventing addiction in kids. From her work in classrooms and adolescent rehabs to writing for The Atlantic and The New York Times, Jessica delivers research-backed wisdom for raising healthy, self-sufficient children in today’s high-pressure world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why failure is essential to a child’s development
• How over-parenting sabotages confidence and motivation
• Practical strategies for raising kids with true competence
• The link between autonomy, brain development, and substance use prevention
• What kids really wish their parents knew (and how Jessica hears it firsthand)

About Jessica Lahey:

Jessica Lahey is the author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, a celebrated educator, journalist, and speaker who has taught every grade from 6th to 12th, including in adolescent drug and alcohol rehab centers. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. She’s the co-host of the #AmWriting podcast, creator of over 400 educational videos, and a passionate advocate for parenting that prioritizes self-efficacy, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Connect with Jessica:

• Website: www.jessicalahey.com
• Substack: jessicalahey.substack.com
• Books: The Gift of Failure | The Addiction Inoculation
• Podcast: #AmWriting

✨ Memorable Moments

1. “You’re not your brother. You’re not your sister. And you’re not your parents’ do-over.”
2. “Confidence is great—but competence is what truly equips kids to succeed.”
3. “Kids are more invested in solutions they help create.”
4. “Helping kids fail now prevents bigger failures later.”
5. “Dopamine from mastery—not substances—is the goal.”

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

In this deeply validating and insightful conversation, Dr. Sheryl Ziegler—licensed clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Mommy Burnout—joins Allison to talk about the chronic stress plaguing modern motherhood and what we can do about it. They explore the mental health crisis facing kids today, the critical (and often overlooked) developmental window known as middle childhood, and Dr. Ziegler’s powerful new book, The Crucial Years. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to rewrite the narrative around burnout, connection, and resilience—for both moms and kids.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The true cost of chronic stress and burnout in motherhood
• How to reframe stress and recognize its real health implications
• Why connection isn’t a luxury—it’s a prescription
• The “forgotten years” of childhood and how to support kids ages 6–12
• Puberty education, early intervention, and setting kids up for mental wellness
• Practical ways to reduce stress and build community
• Confidence, identity, and the importance of knowing who you are (right now)

About Today’s Guest:

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Play Therapist based in Colorado. She is the author of Mommy Burnout and The Crucial Years, and she frequently contributes to national media outlets, including NBC and TEDx, where her talk “Why Moms Are Miserable” has sparked global conversation. Dr. Ziegler is also the founder of the Start With the Talk course and host of Dr. Sheryl’s PodCouch. Her mission is to help parents and professionals understand the power of connection and early intervention for mental health and family well-being.

Connect with Dr. Sheryl:

• Website: drsherylziegler.com
• Instagram: @drsherylziegler
• New book: The Crucial Years – available wherever books are sold
• Podcast: Dr. Sheryl’s PodCouch

The She Believed She Could™ Podcast is thrilled to welcome AdventHealth for Women to the show as one of our official sponsors! Check out ALL of the amazing resources they have available at herhealthnavigator.com to help you get connected to providers that can meet your needs!

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

Today’s episode is a meaningful conversation with Kristen Toth, the dynamic leader at the helm of AdventHealth for Women. With 20+ years of experience in healthcare, Kristen is a passionate advocate for women’s health and well-being at every stage of life—from the first trimester to menopause and beyond.

We explore Kristen’s leadership journey, the lessons she’s learned balancing a high-impact career with motherhood, and the many innovative services AdventHealth for Women offers—like their Women’s Health Navigation Team, NICU advancements, and groundbreaking Fourth Trimester Program addressing maternal health disparities.

Inside this episode:

• How Kristen’s career in healthcare began with a relationship and a leap of faith
• Why mentorship and self-awareness are cornerstones of her leadership style
• How AdventHealth’s Health Navigator program is removing barriers to care
• The critical importance of postpartum and fourth trimester support for new moms
• Why pelvic floor therapy and menopause resources deserve more attention
• Kristen’s personal NICU story and how it shaped her mission
• Advice for women balancing ambition, motherhood, and self-care

Whether you’re a mom, a healthcare advocate, or a woman looking to lead and live well, this episode will empower you to prioritize your health, own your strengths, and lead with heart.

Take action today and visit HerHealthNavigator.com to schedule your annual well-woman exam and explore free health navigation services from AdventHealth for Women.

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

Welcome to our 200th episode! 🎙️

In this milestone moment, Allison Walsh is joined by her best friend and “Chief Unicorn” Brian Schweitzer, flipping the script for a heart-filled, unfiltered, and powerful conversation about evolution, entrepreneurship, parenting, and purpose.

Together, they unpack:

• The journey from Episode 1 to 200
• The courage it takes to break free from what's no longer aligned
• How to navigate big transitions in life and business
• What it looks like to bet on yourself
• Parenting through hard moments, including Maddie’s powerful healing story
• What’s next for Allison, the brand, and this incredible community

Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or this is your first listen—THANK YOU. This podcast wouldn’t exist without you. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come, and the bright future ahead.

💬 QUOTE WORTH REPEATING:“I believe in you 1,000%—and my goal is that you do too.”

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

Instagram: @AllisonWalsh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllisonWalshConsulting

Website: www.AllisonWalshConsulting.com

This episode is sponsored by AdventHealth for Women. For more information and to get connected to incredible care, visit www.herhealthnavigator.com

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