Brave By Design

You've heard about earning your first $100k and you've seen the fantasies of making $1 million. In this episode you'll learn what it looks like to earn $250,000 as woman running a B2B business. You'll also learn:The pitfalls of earning $1 million in revenue, and why $250,000 might be better.The easiest way to make it to $250,000 a year.Why $100,000 just doesn't cut it.What steps you can take today, to get you on the path to having a stellar year.Want to grab that Big Deal Energy? Grab our guide to exactly how Laura got her first $100,000 contract in 6 weeks at BraveByDesign.netFollow Laura on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show

To learn more about how to go from feast or famine to predictable monthly revenue, visit bravebydesign.netSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Learn more about how we help consultants and creatives build predictable monthly revenue at bravebydesign.netSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Join the next Get More Clients Roundtable: bravebydesign .net/eventsSee how easily you can double your revenue in the next three months: https://bravebydesign.mykajabi.com/revenue-calculatorSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Join the next Get More Clients Roundtable: bravebydesign .net/eventsSee how easily you can double your revenue in the next three months: https://bravebydesign.mykajabi.com/revenue-calculatorSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Join the next Get More Clients Roundtable: bravebydesign .net/eventsSee how easily you can double your revenue in the next three months: https://bravebydesign.mykajabi.com/revenue-calculatorSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Join the next Get More Clients Roundtable: bravebydesign .net/eventsSee how easily you can double your revenue in the next three months: https://bravebydesign.mykajabi.com/revenue-calculatorSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

In this episode we are talking all about building predictable revenue into your business WITHOUT doing more marketing. Join Laura's Business by Design Q3 Business Planning workshop on July 8th, 2021 to develop your plan for predictable revenue.Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Kaylee Friedman is a trauma informed psychotherapist, speaker, and mindfulness instructor living in Princeton, New Jersey. She teaches people how to undo a lifetime of cultural, familial, and trauma-related conditioning so that they can unearth and reconnect to their deepest selves. Kaylee uses a variety of tools such as yoga, mindfulness, and reiki to integrate whole-being wellness into her work. She is currently seeing individuals and couples for counseling at Olive Branch Therapy Group via online teletherapy, teaching mindfulness workshops, and can be found on instagram @kayleerosetherapy sharing guided meditations and psychoeducation and at https://www.kayleerosetherapy.com/Brave by Design helps consultants and digital agencies get booked solid with clients they love. Your most profitable year begins today. Take the quiz to discover the hidden revenue in your business. bravebydesign.net/quizSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

This week’s Hot Girl Summer episode revisits one of our earliest interviews with Heidi Craun on what makes a great manager. Whether you’re managing a team or building a team, Heidi’s insight comes from years experience managing teams at Expedia and now as Head of Customer Experience at Clearcover. In this episode you’ll learn:⁠The power of vulnerability in managing teams⁠How to have difficult conversations⁠How to set up your employees for successBrave by Design helps creative consultants get booked solid with clients they love.Your most profitable year begins today. Take the quiz to discover the hidden revenue in your business. bravebydesign.net/quizSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Yes or no, you’re confident. Now here’s where the definition gets really interesting for me personally. People often say they feel confident or they are kind of confident, and that is not correct. You either are or you are not. Just like being pregnant, you are or you are not.” - Alyssa DverToday we’re talking about something that is such a hot topic, and that is confidence. Confidence is magnetic, but how do we be “confident?” Our guest for this episode of Brave By Design is an expert on this topic, and she explains how not only is confidence a choice we can all make, but you can empower your own as well as the confidence of other people.  Alyssa Dver is the Chief Confidence Officer, CEO and co-founder of the American Confidence Institute (ACI) which shares science-based ways to sustainably increase personal, academic & professional confidence.If you’ve ever wondered how some people can be confident and seemingly radiate it at will, what Alyssa reveals about confidence in this episode could change everything for your life and career. Brave by Design helps creative consultants get booked solid with clients they love.Your most profitable year begins today. Take the quiz to discover the hidden revenue in your business. bravebydesign.net/quizSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

What makes a hot girl summer? It’s certainly not about what size clothes you fit into or how much Botox you’ve had, or what swimsuit you’re wearing. It’s about feeling amazing, as you are, fully accepting yourself, acknowledging your gifts and talents and feeling confident to share yourself with the world! There is just nothing hotter than an empowered woman, full stop.In this episode you'll learn more about what we have planned on Brave by Design for our Hot Girl Summer Series!Links: The Profitable Creative QuizSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“[I decided] I’m going to take a break from trying to force things to happen, and to force myself to build a business during a time when everyone is pretty exhausted, struggling, and trying to reinvent and rethink what they’re doing. I just hit pause.” - Angela Lussier Today I am doing something a bit different for the podcast, but it’s a conversation that I feel women entrepreneurs are not having often enough. You’ll meet a very successful woman who is open and honest about the challenges she faced in her life and business since the start of the pandemic, the crossroads she found herself at, and the profound lessons that she’s learned along the way.Angela Lussier started off as a self-described “shy girl” and is now an award-winning professional speaker, six-time author, two-time TEDx presenter, and entrepreneur. After starting a career consulting business in 2009 with no marketing budget, Angela decided to offer free workshops to become known in her field. In her first year of business, she gave hundreds of presentations, published her first book, spoke at TEDx, and started to receive calls from corporations and conferences asking her how much she charged to speak. This launched her into a speaking career she never expected to have.Today, Angela is the founder of the Speaker Sisterhood, one of Boston’s Best Speakers and she hosts Claim the Stage, a public speaking podcast for women. As you’ll hear, Angela has grown so much over the last year, and it was so refreshing to hear someone who has achieved so much share a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in her life. If you think that you are alone in struggling at this time, you’re really not. This episode is an eye-opener, and proof that each one of us is worthy. We just need to remember that it is ok to hit pause to enjoy the things in life that really matter.Connect with Angela: https://speakersisterhood.com/ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode:The crossroads Angela recently found herself at, and the current events that left her wondering how to keep her business going [6:47]A big pivot she decided to take late last year, and what left her most disappointed in this transition [9:18]Why Angela decided to “hit pause” and the reasons it was so uncomfortable at first for her to do this [11:53]A time I left my own personal brand out of my control, and the lessons I learned from this experience [15:06]How her audience responded when she got real and had an honest conversation with them about her struggles [18:17]The ways that Angela is finding more joy in her life by pausing [19:31]What’s being created in her life and business through this transition and time of loss and chaos [24:43]Why our worth isn’t tied to how hard we work or how much we do [27:53]How Angela faced a fear of being “left behind” an has personally thrived as a result [32:12] Her best advice for others facing uncertainty right now [36:52] Additional Links & Resources:Angela’s Instagram & Email  Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Everything that we experience, our body is experiencing it also. So, if we have a stressful situation, not only are we experiencing that in our mind, but in our body as well.” - Elisabeth Kristof I am completely obsessed with somatic intelligence, which is why the conversation I had with today’s Brave By Design guest was so fascinating. A lot of times we try to think our way out of anxiety, depression or other problems, but there is a better way if we work with our body and nervous system - instead of against it. Brain-Based Wellness with Elisabeth Kristof is a combo of applied neuroscience training and high-education, high energy at-home workouts that include strategic muscles toning, HIIT cardio and brain-based Pilates.This wellness practice also includes somatic (body-based) meditation, breath work and cranial nerve stimulation for well-being and nervous system health. This is a space for growth-oriented people to come together and support each other in achieving health and vitality.Elisabeth and I really only began to scrape the surface in this 30-minute discussion, so I encourage you to try the exercises she described each day to regulate your nervous system, and let us know what it opens up for you. Connect with Elisabeth: https://brainbased-wellness.com/ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Elisabeth’s own story and the extreme trauma she faced that resulted in her life falling apart [1:59]What she learned about her nervous system that allowed her to reconnect with her body and start the recovery process [3:09]The work she now does to teach people how to interrupt a loop that is so harmful to our well-being [5:42]What happens when we don’t feel our way out of stressful situations and change our thoughts around it [6:40]Some common issues that Elisabeth sees in the people she works with, and how she reframed her own visibility in order to help even more people [8:17]A current issue I’m having with my health and the ways that she recommend I address it [15:02]Why people really resist change, and what we can do to make change permanent, rather than just temporary [19:22]How you can start to use the pain you’re feeling as an assessment [28:27] Additional Links & Resources:Elisabeth’s Free Intro to Applied Neurology Course and Morning PracticeHer Instagram The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Traumaby Bessel van der KolkSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“I realized that we can use human hacking skills in a positive way. How do you use it as a partner, employer, employee, a parent or as a child? How can you use these skills to get things you want out of life, while leaving people feeling better for having met you, and not being a malicious person?” - Chris Hadnagy If you’ve ever wondered how you can show up so that the person you are talking to is more receptive to what you have to say, while leaving the other person better off for your interaction with them, you’re going to love this episode. Today on Brave By Design I’m scratching my human behavior itch with one of the most renowned experts in the field of social engineering, as we talk human hacking, empathy, and influence, to name just some of the topics we cover.  Chris Hadnagy is a global security expert and master hacker. He is the founder and CEO of Social-Engineer, LLC, the creator of the popular Social Engineer Podcast, website, and newsletter, and designed “Advanced Practical Social Engineering,” the first hands-on social engineering training course and certification for law enforcement, military, and private sector professionals. He is the bestselling author of four technical books for security professionals: Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking; Unmasking the Social Engineer: The Human Element of Security; Phishing Dark Waters: The Offensive and Defensive Sides of Malicious Emails; and Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking, which is now in its second edition. He is also the founder, executive director, and board member of the Innocent Lives Foundation, a nonprofit that fights the sexual abuse of children.By shifting your approach to difficult conversations and making a conscious effort to practice empathy towards the other person, you will see more great things come to you in your life. Try it, and let Chris and I know how well these techniques work for you! Connect with Chris: https://humanhackingbook.com/ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: How Chris got into the type of work he does today, and the unique occupations he’s held along the way [2:21]The way he discovered the power of social engineering and what motivated him to begin writing books on the subject [6:07]Why human hacking is so important for people to learn about [8:11]What are the key differences between influence and manipulation, and a fascinating experiment from Chris’ own life that demonstrates this [10:24]How we can begin to genuinely build more rapport with others, and what not to do [18:59]What he means when he says that we can elicit emotions in others by expressing those same emotions in ourselves [22:50]The approach Chris recommends taking when engaging someone in a difficult conversation [26:50]His thoughts on “cancel culture” and the only way that we can move forward from it [38:43]Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Jealousy is the feeling that arises when we fear or anticipate the interruption of that love, or that bond. We need it, and we go into a survival mechanism when we fear this. So when we fear an interruption of the love bond, we can revert right back to our baby state. We can go right to the primal brain and fear for our very survival.” - Dr. Joli Hamilton Jealousy is a normal emotion to experience, but all too often we dismiss it or not talk about it, or we use it as this proof of love. That is going to change, because today on Brave By Design, my expert guest pulls back the curtain on jealousy so that we can come alive, reclaim our joy and stop letting this natural emotion hold us back in life.Dr. Joli Hamilton earned her doctoral degree at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies. She is a professor of psychology and faculty at the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment, where she teaches intimacy and communication skills, kink and BDSM for educators and therapists among other courses.She is a psychologist whose life has always revolved around teaching in non-traditional settings. Rather than working on what is “wrong” in a situation, Joli approaches every question and emotion with an attitude of curiosity, looking for the ways she can help you to find your own answers, providing practical, well-researched support for your personal exploration of sexual and relationship issues at every step of your process.This episode with Joli must be listened to, perhaps more than once, because the insights she has to provide on something we all experience as humans can quite literally be game-changing. As always, let Joli and I know your biggest takeaways from this episode, and I’ll see you back here next week!Connect with Joli: https://www.jolihamilton.com/ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: What is happening with the fear we have of being “too much” as women [5:47]How she says she truly experienced joy for the first time at the age of 33 [15:36]Jealousy defined, and how people often use it to control others [25:16]What tools are available to process the feelings that jealousy brings with it [30:29]Why jealousy is an essential emotion, and the joy that can actually come from having it [33:20]What “compersion” is, and the way you can use it to balance your emotions [38:51]Joli’s tips and strategies for helping a partner deal with jealousy [45:36] Additional Links & Resources:Joli’s LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook   Her Book, Project Relationship: The Entrepreneur’s Action Plan for Passionate, Sustainable LoveThe myth of the “too much” woman (Brave By Design Episode) Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“I started to realize I have a choice to make here, I can actually be a person that succeeds in spite of his past rather than doesn’t succeed because of it. I really do believe that it’s a conscious decision, a conscious choice.” - Chris KenneyYour beliefs around money are often formed at a young age and carried throughout your life, which is why it’s critical to be aware of them, particularly if you’re an entrepreneur. Today’s Brave By Design expert guest not only overcame hardship and challenges in his upbringing, but he smashed the limiting beliefs or “rules” he had around money, and he now helps others around the globe to do the same.  Chris Kenney supports ambitious coaches and consultants to position, package and sell high-ticket packages and programs so they can increase their impact, have a freedom lifestyle, and leave their mark on the world.If you’re ready to break your own money rules in order to live a life of freedom and choice, then you’ll get so much value from what Chris reveals in this episode! Connect with Chris: https://www.chriskenneycoaching.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: The pivotal moments in Chris’s past where money created feelings of shame for him [1:49]How and why he made the conscious choice to succeed in spite of his past [6:58]What Chris’s thoughts around selling previously looked like, versus what this looks like now for him [20:27]The significant mindset shifts that he had to make around money in order to get comfortable asking for the sale [21:58]How Chris built a business up to $300,000 in revenue without a website or the use of digital marketing [27:35]What happened during the pandemic to Chris and his business, and what he did to pivot and thrive [31:31]Tips for identifying the seen and unseen items in a sales conversation, and what will happen once you begin to do this [33:37] Additional Links & Resources:His SALES MASTERY Inner Circle Facebook Group & Sales Mastery AcademyChris’s  LinkedIn Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“I think what a lot of people do is they try to step up [to manifest something] and maybe they don’t get an immediate response so they retract again. Instead just hold it, because sometimes you have to release the old patterns for a little bit before the new one will fully come in. The Universe will ask if you’re sure you want it and if you are ready. That’s ok, and if you want to hold the space it will shift with you.” - Laura Powers Are you using manifestation and your intuition to its full potential? As a multi-dimensional human being, today’s special Brave By Design guest shares the behind-the-scenes of the amazing life she has built for herself. She reveals how she got to where she is right now, and the way she helps others do the same with her books, podcasts, courses and insight in the psychic world. Laura Michelle Powers is a celebrity psychic who has been featured by Will Ferrell’s “Ron Burgundy Podcast”, Buzzfeed, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Motherboard Magazine by Vice, and many other media outlets. She is a clairvoyant, psychic medium, writer, actress, model, producer, writer, and creative entrepreneur.  Ever since she was a child, Laura has seen and sensed ghosts and spirits and she has learned how to manage those experiences, using this ability to connect with the angelic and other realms.  She now uses her experience communicating with angels, spirits, and other energy beings to help her clients better understand and change their lives.Laura offers so much wisdom in this episode, and whether you are looking to uplevel your personal life or your career, the special gifts that are inside of each of us can be activated to do this starting now. Connect with Laura: https://www.healingpowers.net/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts! Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Laura’s experiences growing up and how her psychic abilities led her to having intense feelings followed by actions of repression [1:58]How to start tapping into your intuition the way creating time and space to listen and allow your intuition to guide you [8:14]The way that angels and spirit guides will help guide you on your highest path [12:59]How to identify and listen to your intuition and identify if something is out of alignment [18:22]Why Laura believes so strongly that if you have a gift you should use it [25:07]Additional Links & Resources:Laura’s Personal Website & PodcastAll of Her BooksLaura’s Instagram, Facebook & TwitterTo Book LauraSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“When we are substituting accomplishment and getting things done for our deeper needs of connection, for belonging, for love and acceptance, that is always going to be hollow. It’s like fast food; it’s empty calories.” - Buck DodsonPerfectionism is something that everyone suffers from in one form or another, and today’s Brave By Design guest has insights to share that can help it from stopping you thrive in your daily life. Buck Dodson is a life coach and licensed therapist igniting gay men’s curiosity about their deepest wants and supporting them to embrace, express and live out their most compelling life visions. Buck also hosts his own podcast, Gay Man’s Life Lab.You don’t need to be a gay man to benefit from what Buck has to share today. What he reveals is a reminder that life really is about the messy parts, and overcoming perfectionism isn’t something that can be achieved quickly. Be gentle with yourself, and most importantly, give yourself the grace and patience needed in this process.Connect with Buck: https://www.buckdodson.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Are you a service-based business who wants to build your brand and get booked solid? Learn how podcasting helped Laura do that over at: podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Buck’s experiences coming out as a young man and the struggles he faced early on feeling the need to be perfect [8:29]His thoughts on how we use perfectionism as a mask, and what’s really going on underneath the surface of it [15:16]What he says is the payoff with perfectionism, and why people ultimately do it [19:46]How Buck knows when he is starting to slip back into what he calls “perfectionistic thinking” [20:52]Why perfectionism is not only hollow, but also a substitute for what we’re really looking for [21:29]The ways that perfectionism and codependency are linked, and how boundaries can be implemented to help offset the damaging effects of this relationship [25:21]A powerful first step to take to start breaking the grip of perfectionism [36:03]Connecting with your body as an antidote to perfectionism [42:04] Additional Links & Resources:Buck’s InstagramHis Podcast & Gays and Gals Happy Hour Episode Brave By Design Episode 42: Boundaries as a Bridge to Connection with Lisa DempseyThe Spirituality of Imperfection by Ernest KurtzSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“In order to be an authentic communicator, to be heard and to get to the point you have to be willing to see and hear whatever criticism may be coming at you and not necessarily internalize it and personalize it.” - Anthony HayesWhether you’re in business, a community leader or a political candidate, at some time in your life you may experience a communication crisis. It is during these times that possessing the skills to communicate not only effectively, but authentically to your audience, is of utmost importance. Today’s special Brave By Design guest is an expert in the field of crisis management, and not only does he share his advice on how to be an authentic communicator, but you’ll also hear his fascinating backstory, his experiences in the industry and his thoughts and opinions on timely topics such as social change and “cancel culture.” Anthony Hayes has spent more than 15 years in communications, crisis and issue management and political and legislative campaigns. He founded The Hayes Initiative to apply his experience steering organizations’ public affairs and media relations to clients across business, politics, nonprofits, and philanthropy. A seasoned C-level advisor, Anthony has cultivated an energetic, fast-growing company now trusted to execute strategy for prominent clients around the globe.The Hayes Initiative (THI) is a full-service public affairs firm providing strategic counsel and support on a range of needs including communications, media outreach, crisis management, government and community relations, and event planning. They help leaders and organizations deliver major initiatives, break through the noisy media landscape, and navigate the world of politics and government. They excel with high pressure, politically sensitive, and confidential issues while demonstrating the utmost level of discretion and judgment. As an LGBTQ owned and operated firm, they are proud of their work in the advocacy space and of their efforts to help organizations realize inclusivity at all levels of their work.Connect with Anthony: https://hayesinitiative.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: How Anthony’s turned his greatest challenge as a young child into his greatest asset as an entrepreneur [3:11]His thoughts on being aware of how you are being received by others [6:27]The damaging impact on your organization when you don’t speak up and be the change you want to see in the world [15:15]Anthony’s powerful lessons learned from working with big names and top politicians [21:39]His perspective on “cancel culture” [30:01]Tips and strategies for “getting to the point” when communicating [37:27]Additional Links & Resources:Anthony’s LinkedIn & Email What Happened by Hillary Rodham ClintonSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Stick with the definition [of selfish] if you want. If you want to say that it’s to fill your ego because it’s all about you, stick with it. I’ve redefined it as a personal intimate gift to create my joy. It’s that space that I need to do what I need to do for me, call it selfish, so that I have more to give freely.” - Naketa Thigpen I’m so excited to be bringing today’s guest back to the podcast, because her first appearance on Brave By Design was one of our most popular and talked about episodes. You may remember Naketa Thigpen, who spoke about work life balance and overcoming addiction to stress in that episode that aired early last year, and what we talk about today almost feels like a continuation of that amazing conversation. Naketa R. Thigpen, LCSW, is regarded as the #1 Balance & Relationship Advisor in the World, is the President & CEO of ThigPro Balance and Relationship Management Institute, a global personal development company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA that's revivifying the industry.In this episode Naketa reveals how having an addiction to stress led her to redefine what being “selfish” really means, and the way being selfish can play a huge role in your personal and professional life. What she shares here is fascinating, and I hope you find it informative, and timely, during these challenging times. Connect with Naketa: https://thigpro.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: How the word “selfish” was, and still is today, weaponized against women [3:30]What are some of the detrimental effects of not doing anything for yourself [6:56]How do we start to be more selfish [15:51]Why you need to be completely open and honest with the people in your life about your boundaries [21:57] The key difference between being “nice” and being “kind” [28:31]Actions steps you can take right now to slow down and assess what is going on in your body [38:45] Ways to be kind to yourself, starting now [40:39]Naketa’s thoughts on admitting what you really want, and the role that self-pleasure plays in being selfish [41:23]Additional Links & Resources:Tired of choosing between energy for your business and energy for your marriage? Join Naketa for her Free 5 Day Experience: The Joy Map Method Masterclass for Married Women Entrepreneurs Who Want More...Register here> www.asknaketa.com/joymapmethod-masterclass/Her Instagram, Facebook & LinkedInNaketa's First Appearance on Brave By DesignHer Books Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“If you’re not looking for a job, stop making your LinkedIn profile look like a resume. Nobody cares that you generated $3 million of revenue for your last company if you’re a sales consultant. They only care about what you can do for them. What are you doing for your company right now, and what’s your company all about?’ - Brenda Meller Are you using LinkedIn but not seeing the results that you want to see from all your efforts? Maybe you’re not even sure where to begin, or how to properly use this powerful platform? Today I’m so excited to have my friend Brenda Meller as our expert guest on Brave By Design, because she helps people unlock the true power of LinkedIn, and has so much wisdom to share around this topic! Brenda Meller is a self-proclaimed “ambassador” of LinkedIn, national speaker, and the Chief Engagement Officer at Meller Marketing, which provides marketing and social media support for individuals and businesses, specializing in LinkedIn. She has been leveraging social media to propel her personal and professional efforts for over ten years, and now blends this experience with her marketing expertise to help clients achieve their goals.You can find Brenda Meller and Meller Marketing online on all the major social media channels.In January 2021, she published her first book, Social Media Pie: How to Enjoy a Bigger Slice of LinkedIn.Other Important Facts: Brenda loves coffee, chocolate, and pie. In her downtime, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, and it was such a joy to introduce her to you today. I hope you find this conversation with Brenda informative and helpful in getting you those results you are after using a social media platform that we are both huge fans of! Connect with Brenda: https://www.mellermarketing.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: The amazing story of how Brenda went from anti-social on social media to being the “Queen of LinkedIn” [2:25]What she says is really happening when people resist using LinkedIn [6:14]Tips and tricks to get started engaging on the platform right now, including the very first step you should be taking [7:48]Brenda’s thoughts on the use of bots, and the way that she prefers serving her prospects [9:43] How to begin walking through the fear of reaching for what you want - and a bigger slice of LinkedIn [18:05] A breakdown of her P.I.E framework, and practical ways to use it daily while on LinkedIn [28:26] Additional Links & Resources:Brenda’s LinkedIn Her Instagram, Facebook & YouTube Channel Get Brenda’s Social Media Pie Book Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“It’s so ironic that we don’t want to ‘hurt people’ and therefore we don’t sell to them, but what happens is we overdeliver for them and then ask what they’ve ever done for us.” - Annie P. RugglesMany entrepreneurs avoid selling, and for some the act of selling can be downright scary. If you’re in business, selling is necessary and today’s Brave By Design guest reveals how you can overcome any struggles you may have with sales by implementing the right mindset shifts. For almost a decade, Annie P. Ruggles has harnessed her Hulk-like disdain for hard-sales, tacky self-promotion, and overly competitive sleazeballs as inspiration to help people find better ways to grow their small bizzes. She's guided hundreds of people toward making deeper connections, lasting impressions, and friendlier, more lucrative transactions and conversations.Annie is the daughter of an award-winning motivational speaker and an always-ahead-of-his-time business strategist, and the granddaughter of a legendary used-car salesman, a perspicacious wordsmith, a singing waiter, and a cafeteria caterer with a raving fan base. (So clearly, she was literally born for this.)She lives in Chicago with her hobbit husband (who is also in sales), her furkids, and her disdain for deep dish pizza.As Annie explains, to sell isn’t to be manipulative. Selling our goods and services ( and ultimately ourselves!) to our customers is actually helping them in the best ways possible.Connect with Annie: https://www.anniepruggles.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: The real reason why your business isn’t getting off the ground [2:10]Why marketing alone does not make sales [10:09]How Annie redefines the term “sales” [16:10]Why you are really hurting your clients by not asking for the sale [20:13]Her tips and strategies for being proactive with objections [26:36]Some of the big boundaries that needed in your business [36:52]Additional Links & Resources:Annie’s Website & Free Masterclass, How to Make Selling Easy – Without Getting SleazyHer PodcastAnnie’s Facebook & InstagramSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“It came to a point where I felt like I had discovered the source of abundance and money that no one was talking about, and I was so clear that I was never going back to that broken financial lifestyle.” - Hilary Hendershott What if I told you it is possible to go from $600,000 in debt to having a multi 7- figure net worth? It sure is, and today’s Brave By Design expert guest actually did it! In this episode she is not only sharing her 7 steps to wealth, but she also reveals the mindset shifts and reframes around money that you can make starting today to improve your financial lifestyle.Hilary Hendershott is the founder of Hendershott Wealth Management, a leading financial advisory firm for women and couples. With 21 years of experience as a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor and stock market expert, Hilary’s mission is to empower women to take control of their finances and make their money work for them.As her career in the financial services industry developed, Hilary became increasingly aware of a unique gap in the marketplace. Hundreds of thousands of women were eager to make wise investment decisions, but the male-dominated financial industry wasn’t equipped to meet their needs. Founded in 2014, Hendershott Wealth Management is one of the first and only female-focused Registered Investment Advisory firms in America.Hilary hosts Profit Boss® Radio, a weekly podcast where she and her guests offer inspiration and actionable advice to support women in their financial journey. She’s also a TEDx speaker, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NBC, ABC, FOX, DailyWorth, Forbes, and Investopedia. Hilary was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur in Silicon Valley and Investopedia has named her one of the Top 100 Most Influential Advisors in the US in 2018, 2019 and 2020.​ With more than 30 television appearances, she’s considered the go-to personal finance expert in Silicon Valley for NBC, where they have nicknamed her “The Investor’s Voice of Reason.” Hilary has an MBA from Santa Clara University, and is a Certified Financial Planner.Connect with Hilary: https://hilaryhendershott.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: How a financial professional found herself $600,000 in debt [2:38]What the journey from rock bottom to financially independence looked like [10:42]Common superstitions people have come to believe about money, and why you should be aware of them [13:46]The first steps to take to combine psychology and finance [18:28]The difference between spending money and being wealthy [21:38]The “7 Steps to Wealth” and why implementing each of them is critical to your financial success [25:31]Additional Links & Resources:Hilary’s Podcast & Episode 77: The 7 Steps to WealthFacebook, Instagram & LinkedIn Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“On the other side of those decisions there’s a domino effect, because then you’re executing those decisions. There’s mental freedom that comes from that, from just deciding and then moving into action. Rare is the time that the consequence of changing my mind has been worse than I thought it was, it’s almost always not as bad.” - Cherylanne SkolnickiHow would you like to overcome “analysis paralysis” and learn the techniques for taking action, once and for all? With the daily demands on women’s time, both at home and in the workplace, decision-making can be an overwhelming process. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. Today’s Brave By Design guest is here to talk all about work-life integration, and she shares the ways that she helps women put things in motion in order to live a healthy and fulfilling life.Cherylanne Skolnicki is the founder of Brilliant Balance, where she is a work-life mentor to working women across the country.Over the last decade, she’s coached hundreds of entrepreneurial and professional women on how to stop settling, get out of their own way, and finally go after their dreams.As a former corporate ladder climber and MBA who spent 15 years at a Fortune 50 company, she knows exactly what it takes for ambitious, strong women to find balance.And yet as a married mom of three with a career she loves, Cherylanne also knows we want more than just to feel balanced...we want to be brilliant.Connect with Cherylanne: https://brilliant-balance.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: Cherylanne’s “ winding path” to get to where she is today and how she was able to put things in motion [1:49]Why leaving the corporate world doesn’t have to be a radical shift for you [6:14]The three most pressing challenges that face women today [7:39]The real reasons that self-care is more than just “getting your nails done” [12:35]How by narrowing your sight of view, things will become clearer [18:04]Additional Links & Resources:Cherylanne’s Podcast Her Instagram, LinkedIn & FacebookSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Everything always goes back to psychology, so one of the things I really wanted to do was not only key women into their feminine energy but break whatever psychological structures that had them undervaluing themselves.” - Monica ParikhOn today’s Brave By Design, we’ll be looking at how each of us attract partners who match our own vibration frequency, and why this is such an important concept to understand as we heal, grow and evolve. Our expert guest reveals how we can start building relationships driven by purpose and honesty, and the ways we can approach pre-cohabitation, pre-marital contracts and more.A graduate of Northwestern University and Cornell Law School, Monica Parikh believes that conventional education does not teach us skills for relationship success. Her writing weaves together relationship advice with positive psychology and spiritual truths. When necessary, she also draws upon her 20-years of experience as a lawyer. She keeps it simple and real to help others achieve healthy relationships—the most important factor for a lifetime of happiness.Monica writes for international publications like MindBodyGreen and Well + Good, coaches private clients and gives motivational speeches. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire Magazine, Audible UK, Stella UK, The New York Post, and The Jenny McCarthy Show on Sirius XM radio.In 2021, she will release Take Back the Power, a modern fable about breakup aimed to raise collective consciousness and restore world peace. Connect with Monica: https://www.schooloflovenyc.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!What You’ll Hear In This Episode: Monica’s journey from being a lawyer of 20 years to the educator and leader that she is today [1:37]The ways she has applied her therapy and studies of relationship psychology to her own dating life [9:26]Why she says it’s so important to move past the fear of being open and to your needs in your relationship from the very beginning [17:53]Her thoughts on healthy and conscious marriage arrangements and contracts, and how they can help reduce codependency [27:01]Whether or not men have the same emotional resources as women [35:55]How getting real with yourself and your partner about your relationship will build intimacy [45:15]Additional Links & Resources:n/aSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“The broad rules of consent still apply, but they’re just being applied in new ways. To me, it’s always about making sure that you’re clear on your expectations. I think it’s better to ask if something is ok than to be afraid it will be awkward, especially during the pandemic.” - Valeriya SafronovaDating can be challenging in the best of times, but what is a single person to do while in the midst of a global pandemic? These times have brought up new issues when it comes to dating, and today on Brave By Design I’m speaking with someone who literally wrote the article on hooking up during Covid-19 to help shed some light on these topics. Valeriya Safronova is a reporter for The New York Times Style section, where she writes features on culture, personal technology and gender. She was a 2019-2020 Fulbright journalism fellow based in Munich.As Valeriya reveals, even though we are in a new world with new rules the same old problems exist with dating. She learned many things from speaking with individuals who are navigating the dating world right now, and this is why it’s such an enlightening and eye-opening conversation to be having on the podcast today. What You’ll Hear In This Episode: If Valeriya feels the pandemic is pushing people towards fast-tracking their romantic relationships [6:36]Her thoughts on sliding the scales of safety versus mental health, and managing the risk factors associated [8:58]Tips for when you’re getting judgement from others [11:59]The real reasons that Valeriya decided to write her article [16:06]What everyone needs to understand about consent and boundaries [18:11]Ways to manage the difficult conversations with others around these topics when they arise [19:41]Additional Links & Resources: Valeriya’s New York Times Article, True Stories of Hooking Up During Covid-19Her Twitter Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Probably the most common problem is that people simply don’t have any plan at all. If you ask someone what is their net worth, and if they know how much they need to accumulate before they can retire, sometimes the person can’t answer these simple questions.” - Echo Huang Today’s Brave By Design expert guest is on a mission to let people know that wealth management isn’t just for the wealthy. You don’t have to be wealthy to start managing wealth, and you can start growing it right now from where you stand. However it will take a solid plan, which she shares more about on this episode. Echo Huang is a financial planner with CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) designation and over 25 years of experience in the financial services and accounting industries. She helps executives and entrepreneurs in Minneapolis and St. Paul take the complexity out of their personal and business finances. Born and raised in China, she came to the United States with $800 in her pocket in hopes of pursuing – and achieving – the American dream. Through higher learning, continued education, and hard work, she gained valuable experience and extensive knowledge about wealth management, investment strategies, and tax planning. After years of working as an accountant, a financial advisor and partnering with other financial firms, she founded Echo Wealth Management in 2015. Echo is the author of Own Your Future: One Woman’s Story of Immigration and Financial Freedom.As Echo states in this episode, she wants to be a financial guru for many people, even if she cannot serve as a financial advisor for every person. I think you’re going to learn so much from the financial tips and advice she gives in this informative conversation, which is why I’m so excited to share it with you today. Connect with Echo: http://ownyourfuture.guru/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts! What You’ll Hear In This Episode: Echo's own story of growing up, and how she became a success in the field of finance [4:44]The ways in which she grew from the confidence set before her by her mother [13:05]What the motivation was for Echo to write her book, Own Your Future [18:39]What she considers to be the four major problems people often have when planning for their financial future [21:06]Additional Links & Resources: Get Echo’s Book, Own Your Future Connect with Her on LinkedInEcho’s Facebook, Twitter & InstagramSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“I just really got in touch with how magnificently adaptable we are and how we can figure things out. Even if it doesn’t go fantastically, it’s good enough. So just jumping in and trying things became easier for me, because I just accidentally threw myself into those situations. I just feel like if you can trust that you’ll figure it out on the other side, it’ll get a little easier to jump in.” - Jodi Hume With the amount of decisions we all have to make daily in our personal and professional lives, the decision-making process can be challenging (to say the least). That is why I wanted to introduce you to today’s Brave By Design expert guest, as she is someone who works with busy leaders to facilitate decision making and has had great success in doing so. Jodi Hume is a personal strategist and facilitator for busy leaders and their teams. She facilitates the conversations that shape lives and businesses - with leadership, her clients’ loved ones, or in their own heads.After a 15-year career as COO of a growing architecture firm, she now works with founders and leaders throughout the United States, Europe and Australia. Her career in senior management saw her firm move from local to national significance and increase nearly 400% in size. With every milestone came new decisions, opportunities and even more competing priorities to balance. Jodi has seen every stage of business development - from the startup challenges, to the growing pains, to the victories, and in this episode she reveals how the right way to approach decision-making. You’ll also learn what is really needed to be able to make solid decisions, and ones that you can be confident in. Connect with Jodi: http://www.leadingclarity.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Free webinar in late January for coaches, consultants and service-based businesses: Learn how Brave by Design became a Top 125 podcast and Laura gained new clients through podcasting. Register at podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Ways to start “connecting the dots” and solving problems for yourself [1:26]Jodi's idea of innate confidence, and why it’s such an important thing to possess [5:59]The universal challenges she has identified in leaders that she has worked with in her career [9:47]Why rest should be considered sacred, even in today’s fast-paced world [12:56]Tips and strategies for battling the indecisiveness that we all face from time-to-time [21:39]An exciting update on what Jodi has to offer in 2021 as part of her beta testing [29:34]Additional Links & Resources:Jodi’s PodcastTraits of a Great Manager (Part 1 of 2) with Heidi Craun (Brave By Design)Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“True wealth is a state of being, and it’s a state of living wealthy. It’s a state of being alive, connected and whole within yourself.” - Jennifer Love Today’s Brave By Design guest is on a mission to help leaders become limitless, and after listening to her powerful message, you’ll see how she’s doing this! Jennifer Love is rated among the top 5% of advisors globally, and her mission as a Money Therapist is helping leaders build what she calls true wealth. On any given day, Jennifer may be found diving deep with a leader in a private money therapy session, serving as a judge for events like Startup Weekend and on stage sharing her research and views as a wealth philosopher. She also prepares entrepreneurs to land a shark on Shark Tank, advises clients behind-the-scenes of shows like Biz Fix with Marcus Lemonis, meets with community leaders and government officials and negotiates with investors. Part of Jennifer’s day could also involve advising leaders of Fortune 200 companies and celebrities in developing their true wealth, or being at home enjoying time with her sweetheart John and fur-baby Maggie. Achieving true wealth takes the stress out of the money equation so you can effectively raise, make, manage, and give money. It also creates deep soulful satisfaction in key areas of their lives. This something we’d all like, am I right? This is why I am so eager to have Jennifer share her expertise on true wealth with you all today. Connect with Jennifer: https://jenniferlove.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Free webinar in late January for coaches, consultants and service-based businesses: Learn how Brave by Design became a Top 125 podcast and Laura gained new clients through podcasting. Register at podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Jennifer’s thoughts on personal scar tissues and how to investigate and process your own traumas first [11:38]Why you need to be willing to say “no” to things not aligned with your values, and what can happen if you don’t [16:50]What “true wealth” is really all about [22:46]Where to begin the journey, and Jennifer’s thought process for getting there [24:36] Additional Links & Resources:Discovery Your Money Store - Book a Discovery Call with Jennifer! Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.The #OneMoreWoman MovementMarshall RosenbergSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Obviously there’s going to be unnecessary friction, challenges, miscommunication and misunderstandings, because we literally have a different set of subconscious rules. So our attachment style has a profound impact on all of our relationships.” - Thais GibsonToday we’re talking all about attachment theory, and looking at how it affects the way we think, feel and approach all types of situations in our lives. If you’re not sure what attachment theory is, that’s ok, because this Brave By Design guest literally wrote the guide to it!Thais Gibson is the co-founder of the Personal Development School, as well as the author of Attachment Theory: A Guide to Strengthening the Relationships in Your Life. Throughout her career she has worked with thousands of clients and helped them to positively transform their lives, relationships and goals. Thais is certified in over 13 different areas of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, neurolinguistic programming and transpersonal psychology. By combining traditional psychological methods with the research findings from her practice, she has created cutting-edge therapeutic techniques that help people realize true and significant change in their lives.In this episode you’re going to learn about the important role that attachment theory is playing in your life subconsciously, and then how you can use it to strengthen both your personal and professional relationships, starting today. Connect with Thais: http://www.personaldevelopmentschool.com/Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!Free webinar in late January for coaches, consultants and service-based businesses: Learn how Brave by Design became a Top 125 podcast and Laura gained new clients through podcasting. Register at podcastbrandlab.comWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: What attachment theory is, and the four major attachment styles with their characteristics [11:11]Whether or not dating habits are a form of attachment theory [23:26]Three key things that create attraction at a subconscious level [28:33]What we need to know about the dynamics of our business relationships [33:32]How to approach coping mechanisms and reprogramming, and a specific tool you can use to start doing this [41:01] Additional Links & Resources:Thais’ Instagram & Facebook Group Her YouTube Channel & LinkedInHer Book, Attachment Theory: A Guide to Strengthening the Relationships in Your LifeSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“When we can start to identify, really tap into and have the courage to express those qualities of who we really are, that’s when we really come alive. That’s when we get the freedom to fully experience life in all of its glory.” - Spencer SnakardWhat does it take to be truly fulfilled in life? This can be tricky if we aren’t sure what it will take to feel this way, or where to even start along our journey. That’s why I’m speaking with today’s Brave By Design expert guest about what is most often holding us back from living our dream life, and what to do to determine what it is that we really want moving forward.Spencer Snakard is a mindset coach, transformational trainer, and motivational speaker for entrepreneurs who are ready to stop struggling and instead create the thriving business and life of their dreams. She helps her clients achieve the kind of life filled with financial freedom and doing the work they love with passion, purpose, and profits, without ever having to give up what matters most to them.This conversation with Spencer was so impactful, and she even shares exercises and insights that you most likely won’t hear talked about elsewhere. It is my hope that anyone listening can benefit from what she shares today, whether you are looking for more happiness in your personal or professional life - or in both. Connect with Spencer: https://spencersnakard.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: How Spencer quickly found the world of coaching after studying psychology in school - and never looked back [2:04]The things that stop most people from doing what they really want to do in life [6:24]Where identity comes into play, and the reasons that some people struggle to shed theirs in order to grow [9:54]How to know where to even get started getting to where you want to go, and the specific questions to be asking yourself along the way [11:26]The ways to identify if what you think that you want is what you really want [16:02]Why checking in with yourself in this process is key, and Spencer’s tips for doing this in the most effective way possible [21:01]Additional Links & Resources:Spencer’s Free Mindset Masterclass Schedule a Call with Spencer For More Information on Her Business Breakthrough Program Her Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube Channel The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. CoveySupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“The premise behind working with difficult people is that nobody is difficult until you label them difficult. So the word ‘difficult’ is not a fact, it is a label.” - Kris PlachyWhen leading a team, or working as part of one, not all people will be the same. It takes awareness and skill to recognize each individual’s personality traits, and to work as effectively and efficiently with that person. That’s why in today’s Brave By Design we are talking to an Entrepreneurial Management guru who helps leaders lead a successful well-rounded team, and the advice she shares here today can prove invaluable to any member of an organization. Kris Plachy is THE thought leader and expert for Entrepreneurial Management. Known for her simple, honest and authentic style, Kris has poured her life’s work into learning about, understanding and then guiding leaders through the tricky path of learning how to lead a team. In a space where there is a lot of “noise” and advice, Kris has designed the “how to” of team & CEO leadership through her unparalleled How to CEO for Female Entrepreneurs course and coaching integration program. Kris provides actionable strategy combined with insights from her years of experience in leading others, and I’m sure all listeners will enjoy, and learn from what she has to share in this episode. Connect with Kris: https://krisplachy.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: How Kris became an expert in this field and the extensive hands on experience she has working with difficult people [1:58] Specific challenges that women face in a male-dominated workplace [5:12]A powerful reframe you can make to realize that “difficult” is only a label we attach to other people [8:30]The viral post blog post Kris wrote that affirmed people are needing more knowledge on how to work with difficult people, and how this led to her writing a book on the topic [10:05]Some of the most important things to acknowledge when one is moving into a leadership role that can help improve the relationships with others in the organization [17:25] Five core things to focus on in order to help you have the firing conversation, if needed [19:46]Additional Links & Resources:Kris’s Do You Know How to CEO? Quiz & Course, How to CEO for Female Entrepreneurs Her Podcast Kris’ LinkedIn Article, Five Truths for Dealing with Difficult People & Book (of the same name)Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Brave by Design is now taking your voicemails!Bring me your specific work challenges, career quandaries, mindset issues, annoying bosses situations and let me help you get it sorted.Leave me your voicemail at: podcast.bravebydesign.net (click on the big blue microphone icon). Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“We have this physical expression of our internal narrative, and then we have an internal expression of our physical narrative. The real rub and compression comes between the alignment of those two things. What’s the story that’s happening inside of me, and what’s the story that’s happening outside of me? How can I reconcile these two things and bring them into alignment?” - Melanie Weller Would you like to open the door to better health performance? In today’s episode of Brave By Design I am talking with a special guest who can help us do this through innovative ways, as she reveals the bridge between our narratives and our physical experience. Melanie Weller is redefining connection and alignment to help you think bigger about the impact and potential of your voice from physical, mythological, and cosmological perspectives, focusing on the vagus nerve as the pathway between these aspects.She helps voice professionals and professionals that want to empower and optimize their voice get in the zone, where their skill, talent, and ability are visible and magnetic. She is a Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults.Melanie’s clinical specialty is decompressing the vagus nerve, which innervates the voice and much more. She connects the physical body with both mythology, which was a mode of transmitting scientific information and identifying the stress-related, spiritual underpinnings of physical dysfunction, and with the mechanics of the Earth and cosmos, for which there is increasing scientific evidence.If you’d like to learn more about the vagus nerve and the fascinating topics that Melanie shares about in this episode, I’d encourage you to visit her website to get the free resources that she mentions.Connect with Melanie: http://www.melanieweller.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Melanie’s personal story and the multi-faceted journey that she has been on [2:00]What exactly is the vagus nerve, and how she combines astrology and mythology into her practice around it [8:44]How to identify when your vagus nerve is not working well, plus ways that busy women may be able to identify if they have one that is pinched [9:51]Where and how you can start advocating for yourself through the vagus nerve [20:08]Side effects to watch for, and how often you should practice these techniques [22:54]The most common reason people would use the vagus nerve compression techniques that Melanie describes in this episode [29:39]How you can expand your knowledge on the vagus nerve, and get more valuable content from Melanie [33:23]Additional Links & Resources:Get Melanie’s Free Resources Her LinkedIn & InstagramMelanie’s Facebook, Twitter &

Brave by Design is now taking your voicemails! Bring me your specific work challenges, career quandaries, mindset issues, annoying bosses situations and let me help you get it sorted. Leave me your voicemail at: podcast.bravebydesign.net (click on the big blue microphone icon). You can also request that your be anonymous, simply by putting Anonymous in the Name field once you've finished recording. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Oftentimes when you want to make a change in your life, you hear a little whisper. You ignore it, it gets a little louder, and then you ignore it again. You do not make the change until it is screaming in your ear, and then you quickly make a change when you start hearing that in your gut and in your intuition. Start planning for it now, and don’t wait until it’s a scream and you can’t take it anymore.” As the year progresses and we still find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic, many people are reflecting on their lives and careers. This is why I’m bringing back a returning guest expert to Brave By Design, Cheryl Czach, to talk more about this challenging time and to share the three questions to ask yourself if you do find yourself in this situation.As a business leader, Cheryl Czach has been guiding professionals through their work and life journeys for over 20 years. Her passion for coaching employees, at all levels of the organization, to reach their personal and professional goals led her to start her own coaching practice, as well as pursue her coaching credentials through the International Coaching Federation.Cheryl’s professional experience includes executive leadership in human resources, finance, operations, business development, organizational growth, strategy development, staffing / recruiting, and entrepreneurship. She brings this tactical experience to her coaching practice, which allows her to fully understand her client’s organizations and how individual contributors support the whole.This powerful conversation with Cheryl will show you not only how to reflect on and assess where you are right now in your career, but it will give you the steps to push past the fears of moving forward.Connect with Cheryl: https://cherylczachcoaching.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: How this time of forced pause due to the pandemic has caused many of us to re-evaluate what we really want in life [2:53]A look at Cheryl’s journey from leadership coach to career transition coach [3:58]A way to start determining what is next for you, starting with a deep dive into your values [5:30]Cheryl talks about self-image and how to overcome the worries of what others will think [10:09] Her strategies for being realistic while making a plan [16:52]Why you always needs to be listening to the whisper inside of you, and what can happen when you don’t [20:56] Additional Links & Resources:Cheryl’s Facebook & LinkedInHer Previous Appearance on Brave By DesignAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Watch this episode on YouTube! Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Get curious, get involved, and I think everybody would like to be doing more. I know that I am not doing enough, but awareness is the place where it starts. You’re not going to go out and take a big action unless you’re aware that this is something that needs to be addressed.” - Hassan HodgesWith the US election right around the corner and tensions at an all-time high, I wanted to bring someone on the podcast to help tackle the issues about race, and to share the importance of getting out to vote and having your voice heard. Hassan Hodges spent 20 years telling himself that photography should just be an expensive hobby. The flood gates opened for him in 2019 though when he saw the joy he could spread by showing people the world as he sees it.Hassan was born in a small village in Sierra Leone, and his American parents were former Peace Corps Volunteers who had stayed overseas building schools and doing other community development work. He lived in Sierra Leone and Liberia before moving to New Jersey while in elementary school, and he says this is where his compassion and dedication to doing work that matters was hatched. In this episode Hassan reveals his own perspectives that were formed during his childhood to current day, and we covered so many critical topics in this wide-ranging conversion. I’m so happy that he was able to join me here on Brave By Design so that I could share these insights with you.Connect with Hassan: https://www.hassanhodgesphotography.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: Hassan’s own experiences being biracial and how it’s differed depending on who he was with at the time [5:58]The ways he’s realized that he’s been “colorblind” in certain situations, and what he’s now doing about this [13:46]Why it is so important to see differences and to not only have a singular perspective [22:14]How we can each start to get curious, and then get involved [26:50]A fascinating look at what happened in a past Liberian government coup, plus why this is so relevant in the United States at this current time [28:15]Additional Links & Resources:Hassan’s Instagram, Facebook & LinkedInSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Get the free video series on The Five Habits That Help Women Rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabitsLearn more about working with Laura one-on-one:https://www.bravebydesign.net/private-coachingInvite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event https://www.bravebydesign.net/work-togetherConnect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Don’t be afraid to breathe, don’t be afraid to slow down and don’t be afraid to ask somebody to poke you every now and then, because the reality is we can all use a little help right now. There’s nothing shameful about it, but at the same time I think everyone around us can use our help, so let’s do it.” - Alyssa DverWith the turbulent times we are all experiencing this year, who wouldn’t want to be more comfortable, calm and in control? That’s why I’ve invited past guest Alyssa Dver back to the podcast to share her insights, because she is an expert on confidence and had so much great wisdom to share with us the last time she was here. Alyssa Dver is the Chief Confidence Officer, CEO and co-founder of the American Confidence Institute (ACI) which shares science-based ways to sustainably increase personal, academic & professional confidence. Today’s episode is a fascinating look at now only how we can all become more comfortable with our own circumstances, but also how we can promote confidence in ourselves, and as a result make the world a more confident place for everyone. Connect with Alyssa: https://www.americanconfidenceinstitute.com/ or http://alyssadver.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: A look at what a confident brain is doing [3:33]How we can begin to feel confident when our brains are overtaxed, especially with what is happening in 2020 [6:00]The incredible benefits of slowing down your speech while in conversation with someone else [9:25]Some ways to identify people who are struggling with confidence, and how they may react to you [16:48]What you can do to give people confidence, plus why it is important and will always “circle back” [22:13]Alyssa’s valuable advice for anyone looking to boost their confidence - starting today [26:30]Additional Links & Resources:Alyssa’s TEDx TalkHer Latest Book, Confidence is a Choice: Real Science. Superhero Impact. All Of Her Other Works The In Confidence PodcastAlyssa’s Previous Appearance on Brave By DesignSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Get the free video series on The Five Habits That Help Women Rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabitsLearn more about working with Laura one-on-one:https://www.bravebydesign.net/private-coachingInvite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event https://www.bravebydesign.net/work-togetherConnect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“It’s not this or that, it’s always a little bit of everything. The question you should be asking is why are you seeing this truth, instead of the one that makes you happy? The point of everything is joy, and yoga serves you so that you can live a joyful life. You don’t serve yoga, and it doesn’t owe you anything.” - Eli WalkerI’m so excited to be bringing you this episode of Brave By Design, where I speak with a powerful woman whose mission is to challenge social norms and provide you with tools for self-empowerment to cultivate personal joy. Eli Walker originally created Divine Your Story™ in the summer of 2017 as a teaching method to help individuals rethink their relationship with joy. She deployed this in the form of yoga retreats, workshops, and one-on-one Happiness Consulting.Later in 2017, she launched her second company, Drunk Yoga®, which quickly rose to international acclaim. As a result of its swift success, she shifted her focus to pioneering a new genre of yoga that “intoxicated” convention by infusing the practice with the social ritual of a happy hour for the purpose of igniting joy through tangible connection to community. Connect with Eli: http://eliwalkerprojects.com/ Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: What inspired Eli to bring Drunk Yoga to the world [2:02]The type of yoga she discovered while traveling the globe that quite literally changed her life [13:12]How Eli and her team teach joy through both yoga and community building [17:11]Her thoughts on becoming an “overnight success” [23:00]The way Eli shed certain relationships as she rose - and how you can do the same [33:22] Additional Links & Resources:Eli and Drunk Yoga on InstagramHer Book, Drunk Yoga: 50 Wine & Yoga Poses to Lift Your Spirit(s)Divine Your Story™Katonah YogaSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“You have all these different ways of communicating, and basically it’s understanding the context of the individual and why they have that context. I tell you, I think the best de-escalator of all situations is having non-judgmental curiosity.” - Robin Dreeke You may remember a very popular past guest of Brave By Design, Robin Dreeke, who was here earlier this year to discuss how to trust people and build healthy relationships. I’m happy to have him back today to dive even deeper into this topic, which I think is particularly important during this current US election cycle. Robin has spent a lot of time talking with people who don’t agree with each other, and in the process he has learned to work with them, which is why I think I think he’s the ideal person to be giving his thoughts to us. Robin Dreeke is a best-selling author, professional speaker, trainer, facilitator, and retired FBI Special Agent and Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. Robin has taken his life's work of recruiting spies and broken down the art of leadership, communication, and relationship building into Five Steps to TRUST and Six Signs of who you can TRUST.I love following Robin’s content on social media, and we especially need his level-headed, reasonable and insightful commentary now more than ever. Connect with Robin: https://www.peopleformula.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: When he feels things shifted in the world, and the impact that a 24-hour news cycle has had on us as a society [3:41]Robin’s background in working with people, and some of the big lessons he has taken from his experiences [6:36]What he feels is the best way to de-escalate any situation, plus the dangerous impact of negative emotions on healthy relationships [9:29]The 4 things to say and do to shift every conversation you have from focusing on you, to focusing on the other person [13:00]Why Robin believes that self-awareness is the true key to success in life [21:16]How to talk to someone who shuts down around the issues that exist with race, and to encourage them to keep having the conversation [28:14]The ways that understanding each other’s definitions and language can help us adapt in these challenging and fast-changing times [37:10] Additional Links & Resources:Robin’s LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram & YouTubeHis Videos & Podcasts All of Robin’s Books His Previous Appearance on Brave By DesignSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“If you are assertive, you are basically owning your self-worth and allowing yourself to live your full self and your full life. That’s really what it is, and it’s going to help you make decisions because you won’t be too afraid to make decisions that actually support you and support your life. It’s going to help you to be able to actually build what you most want, whether it’s in your business or your personal life.” - Deb ZahnAlthough often misunderstood, assertiveness is something that can help you daily in your professional, and personal life. However, being assertive is not the same as being aggressive, and today’s Brave By Design guest explains the key differences and what we need to know in order to be assertive, but in the right way. ​Deb Zahn is the founder of Craft of Consulting, a one-stop resource to learn the ins and outs of becoming a widely successful, in-demand consultant while living the life you want. Craft of Consulting is for consultants by consultants, and Deb shares her decade-worth of knowledge about how to excel as a consultant in addition to an abundance of insider access to consultants who have cracked the code to business success and life balance. ​As you’ll hear in this episode, assertiveness can change your life and business and the way you feel about yourself and others, and Deb gained key insights from learning self-defense which shifted her perspective completely - and can do the same for you.Connect with Deb: https://www.craftofconsulting.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: What benefits to your self-worth will come from gaining more assertiveness [1:30]How to face fear and plan for that feel of retreat that will come [2:21]Steps to plan for a situation that requires assertiveness [11:55]How Deb manages her assertiveness craft, and is constantly evolving it in the process [14:35]The way that self-defense transitioned and helped her with her own assertiveness [19:33] Additional Links & Resources: Craft of Consulting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter & InstagramDeb’s Resources Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Get the free video series on The Five Habits That Help Women Rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabitsLearn more about working with Laura one-on-one:https://www.bravebydesign.net/private-coachingInvite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event https://www.bravebydesign.net/work-togetherConnect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“Every city with at least 100,000 people is capable of building a healthy and vibrant startup community. I’ve evolved that belief to make the assertion that every city with at least 100,000 people needs a healthy startup community as part of the infrastructure of the city. It’s not the only thing that keeps a city healthy, but it’s an important part of the continual renewal, growth, development and evolution of the city.” - Brad Feld Regardless of where you live in the world, having a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in your city is crucial, in so many ways. Today’s Brave By Design expert guest is an entrepreneur, investor and author who focuses on building strong and healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems in your city, and he has so many great insights about this subject to share in this episode. Brad Feld has been an early-stage investor and entrepreneur since 1987. Prior to co-founding Foundry Group, he co-founded Mobius Venture Capital and, prior to that, founded Intensity Ventures. Brad is also a co-founder of Techstars.Brad is a writer and speaker on the topics of venture capital investing and entrepreneurship. He’s written a number of books as part of the Startup Revolution series and writes the blog Feld Thoughts.Brad holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Brad is also an art collector and long-distance runner. He has completed 25 marathons as part of his mission to finish a marathon in each of the 50 states.Connect with Brad: https://feld.com/Connect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilLearn the five habits that help women rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabits Invite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event http://bravebydesign.netWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: The way that Brad got his start on the journey in entrepreneurship and investing [4:50] What a healthy startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem will look like [9:37] The role that the city itself must play in order to foster a working ecosystem [13:44]How we can create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment when trying to build a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem [21:28]The steps that Brad himself has taken to inform himself, and take action on gender equity [24:42]Why cities, and individuals, need to be looking forward decades when planning for a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem [31:24]Additional Links & Resources:All of Brad’s Books National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)United Way’s 21-Day Equity Challenge Eric Ries (The Lean Startup) & Steve BlankSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

Get the free video series on The Five Habits That Help Women Rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabitsLearn more about working with Laura one-on-one:https://www.bravebydesign.net/private-coachingInvite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event https://www.bravebydesign.net/work-togetherConnect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)

“You know it when you feel it. You know it when you hit upon it. You know it when your boundary has been crossed. You feel it, and your body tells you. When you dig into what that is about and why your body is being activated, and then you figure out how to articulate it, actually articulating your boundary can become a bridge to connection.” - Lisa DempseyBoundary setting is a topic that is often misunderstood, and even feared. Today’s Brave By Design guest reveals how a lack of boundaries will affect your professional life, and the reasons why boundaries always need to be kept top of mind in your personal and professional life. Done the right way, boundaries don’t need to be feared, but rather can serve as an effective tool for connecting with others.For the best part of two decades, Lisa Dempsey worked as a Human Resources Executive with a variety of International Board and C-Suite leaders, helping them develop their global teams and deliver strategic change and transformation through the power of people.Today, she is a courageous and compassionate leader who loves empowering people to discover their own strengths and awaken their own inner leader in order to live, love and lead out loud. Her passion is to amplify the strengths of others so they can consistently come from a place of greatness and live, love and lead out loud with purpose and courageous authenticity.It wasn’t always this way for Lisa, as she’s hit a few bumps in the road along her journey. She can directly attribute a huge part of overcoming them to setting and maintaining clear and strong boundaries, which you’ll learn more about in this episode.Connect with Lisa: https://www.leadershiplabs.eu/ Get the free video series on The Five Habits That Help Women Rise:http://bravebydesign.net/fivehabitsInvite Laura to speak at your live or virtual event https://www.bravebydesign.net/work-togetherConnect with Laura Khalil online:instagram.com/iambravebydesignlinkedIn.com/in/LauraKhalilWhat You’ll Hear In This Episode: How Lisa embarked on her own boundary setting journey after experiencing burnout in her own life [1:57]What is behind the fear of setting boundaries as a woman in the workplace, and the way that this fear can be overcome [5:52]Why setting boundaries doesn’t have to be a harsh NO, and how it’s really about understanding and connection [8:42]What the modern day “disease of busy” looks like [13:42]Lisa’s tips for living a more balanced life - physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally [17:53]How to find acceptance and self-worth from within, and the impact this will have on all facets of your life [23:02]Additional Links & Resources:Leadership Labs Website, Facebook & LinkedIn Lisa’s LinkedInHR Matters PodcastWork-Life Balance and Overcoming Addiction to Stress with Naketa R. ThigpenSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/bravebydesign)