Brilliant You Podcast with Janet Zaretsky

The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements changed the dynamic at many offices in almost every industry. This is a good thing. A necessary thing. But, it’s also put men on the defensive; made them uncertain about how to speak or act towards their female colleagues. This is a fear that women know intimately (from years of dealing with it themselves) but this leveling off creates new challenges in communication. As a woman working in the Tech industry, Michelle Rice’s communication challenges require a lot of work. Michelle has been working in I.T. and software development for the past 15 years and she is often the only woman working in a non-support role. Her clients are 99% male. She also has her Masters in Psychology, which has helped her navigate her way in this male dominated industry. On this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, we discussed the gender inequalities she sees and experiences including compensation, sexual harassment, and influence. She is confident that the tides are shifting, especially with younger people (thanks to programs like STEM) entering this traditionally male industry. But that is a years-long time horizon. Until then, she has had to work really hard to learn how to have difficult discussions. On this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, she shares some of her strategies for setting a productive conversation foundation. We discuss the importance of having a container for the conversation, the role that neuroscience plays (and how you can get around that), and how to dust yourself off and learn from your communication falterings. Plus, Michelle shares her insights on when to shut down a conversation and move on. By the end of this podcast, you’ll have a much clearer sense of what women (still) face as business leaders and how to pave the way for your own success whether you’re in a male dominated industry like tech or not.   If you’d like to connect with Michelle, her email is michelle407@gmail.com She mentioned two great resources on the show. Here are the links to learn more about: The Corporate Sisters Resources Women at Work (Podcast) from Harvard Business Review If listening to this has you excited but trepidation about tackling gender inequality at your work, grab some confidence first. My Confidence Kit can be downloaded at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com And listen to more episodes at https://janetzaretsky.com/

Most of us have had a bad boss. But, as we grow in our careers, how do we avoid becoming that bad boss? Leadership is a skill that you have to work at. If you want to inspire, empower, and motivate your team, you need to continuously put tools in your leadership toolbox. And, shining up old tools from time to time doesn’t hurt either. Vicki Brackett is an author, speaker, and consultant specializing in leadership, employee engagement and retention. She’s gathered 70 strategies for managers, executives, and business owners to build more resilient and successful companies through leadership skills. She shares 14 of her best in her book The Leadership Toolbox and she generously shared some with us on the latest episode of the Brilliant You Podcast. We start out by talking about one of the most obvious but often overlooked requirements for strong leadership - ensuring everyone is going in the same direction to the same goal. Vicki explains that good leaders don’t put themselves out in front. Instead, they empower the team, point them in the right direction and then follow. This was just one of the paradigm shifts she offered up. We also talked about one of my favourite topics - the power of listening. Any executive who is dealing with a high attrition rate needs to take a moment and listen, really listen, to the team to find out where the gaps are. Engaging with the team will not only increase retention and employee satisfaction, it will also improve customer service. Creating a conversation around issues and solutions also helps to validate team members. Validation is another tool that Vicki shared. We tend to think that employees are solely focused on the financial reward for doing their job. But, on a day to day basis, employee happiness has more to do with how they feel they are treated and appreciated. When we validate their efforts, we create a more emotional connection to their job than money can. Considerately dealing with conflict or mistakes is another way that leaders can step up their game. In fact, Vicki doesn’t even use the term ‘mistake’. She prefers to use ‘gap’.  A gap doesn’t have an ego or emotions and nobody has to be at blame. By removing the personal from the error or short sight, we can empower the team to generate ideas and find solutions. Just by changing the word, we are already setting the team up to feel differently about dealing with it. As I always say, if you aren’t getting the results you want, change the language. These are just a few of the tools we tackle in our conversation. If you are a powerhouse woman leading a team, hoping to lead a team, or working in HR, then this is an episode not to be missed. By the end of this episode of the Brilliant You podcast, you will have a few more tools to help you engage your team, deal with challenges with positivity, communicate more effectively, and strengthen your leadership building blocks. If you want to add more tools to your leadership tool box, check out Vicki’s book: The Leadership Toolbox: 14 Strategies that Build a Chain Reaction of Success. You can connect directly with Vicki on her website: https://vickibrackett.com/ Another key tool for leaders is well placed confidence. If you’d like to step fully into your confidence, grab my free Confidence Kit: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com Listen to more episodes at https://janetzaretsky.com/

Could sharing your brilliance and educating people be the secret to your success? Serving people by providing them with information and support before they’re even customers can be an outstanding way to grow a business. By sharing what you know, you empower your potential clients. And, if in the process, you take an impossibly complex and overwhelming topic and make them feel like they understand it, you can bet they’ll start to see you as a trusted friend. Especially if the topic is daunting -- like navigating the medicare system! That’s what Danielle Roberts discovered when she started offering educational services to boomers as they neared the Medicare years. In being the source for support and information, she’s been able to grow her insurance agency to a successful business with 46 employees across 47 states in just 14 years. In this episode of the Brilliant You podcast, she shares how she got started by saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity, focused on building relationships with people, where they were (online), and created a business that is both profitable and soulfully satisfying. She also gives some great tips on the benefits of serving on a board. Danielle learned that rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers of the industry was a great way to make herself known to her peers. It also taught her to be confident in what she had to offer the industry as a whole. In the decade and a half that Danielle has been involved in the insurance industry, she’s seen a real shift in the opportunities for women. When she first started, it was more male dominated but not anymore. I loved hearing that there is no gender discrepancy, glass ceiling, or wage gap! Danielle says that this is an industry that is perfect for women for these reasons but also because most entrepreneurs in this space can also make their own hours. It was inspiring to hear Danielle’s success story and I know that after you hear it, you’ll feel more empowered to serve your potential customers by sharing your brilliance and knowledge. You may even decide to explore the insurance industry yourself! If you want to see Danielle in action, check out her YouTube Channel. You can also connect with her on her website or Facebook. If you love what Danielle has done in her industry and wish you could do the same in yours, we should talk. Start by downloading my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or, explore working with me, email me today! media@janetzaretsky.com

Picture a leader. Are they admitting they don’t know something? Are they showing emotion? Are they asking the team to help them figure out what to do? If you think these descriptions are at odds with an effective leader then you haven’t mastered the art of vulnerable leadership. You’re not alone. We’re conditioned to think that leaders have to be strong, sure, and all-knowing. We equate leader with authoritative and dominating. Is this the kind of person you’d want to work with? Or, would you rather work in a collaborative environment where the collective knowledge is used and your ideas are treated as equal. In a team where the leader can be trusted to be forthright and honest? It seems like vulnerable leadership is the obvious choice, but as my guest today on the Brilliant you podcast discovered, it’s the harder choice. Taylor Proctor is a mentor, marketing director and a the host of the Happiness Abound podcast. She shares the challenges she faced when deciding to lead a team from a position of vulnerability. We explore the physical response we have (thanks to our brain pattern) to being asked a question we don’t know. And, how letting go of the need to be perfect and work instead in a place of co-creation can lead to amazing results and (shocker) happy team members. We also dive into one of my favorite topics - avoiding reflexive apology. This can be a challenge when you allow yourself to be vulnerable. But, if you can control the urge to apologize, your vulnerability will feel like a strength, not a weakness. Plus, we talk about the value of displaying emotion and showing empathy as part of vulnerable leadership and how this improves connections with your team (thanks to those mirror neurons). And finally, we delve into fostering happiness and gratitude (in life and in the workplace). We examine the idea that we’re ‘supposed to be happy’ and look at how that can derail our actual happiness. Taylor shares some ideas about instilling gratitude and happiness in the workplace that you’re going to want to steal! By the end of this podcast, you’ll be ready to step into a more vulnerable approach to leadership and you’ll be inspired to foster greater happiness, appreciation, and gratitude in your workplace. To access Taylor’s worksheet “Cultivating Vulnerable Leadership” (including identifying your vulnerability triggers, understanding your programmed ideas of vulnerability, and tips on how and when to be vulnerable with your team)  go here: https://www.happinessabound.com/vulnerable-leadership Being vulnerable requires self-confidence. I can help you with that! Download my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com By the way - in case I haven’t made it obvious - I appreciate you being here and listening to the Brilliant You podcast. I just thought you should know.

Have you ever felt like the life you’ve created is somehow limiting? Have you ever pushed down those feelings that you were meant for something different, something greater? When we do that, we dull our natural brilliance. We silence our authentic self. And, we set ourselves up for a struggle to find our happiness. The good news, it’s never too late to change course and start living an authentic life. To honor your true self and start doing what you really want with your life. My guest on this episode of the Brilliant You podcast is proof of that. She’s embraced transition in her life; each time stepping into roles she knew she was born to be in. And, happiness followed. Maura Sweeney is an author, podcaster, international speaker, and is the Ambassador of Happiness. She’s lived her life creating work that serves her brilliance. She also had the courage to recognize when her path had taken a turn toward purposelessness. Now, she helps people reconnect with their own purpose in life and gives them the inspiration (and courage) to go for it. To change their own world instead of waiting for the world around them to change. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Maura - I found a kindred spirit! The ideas we discuss are truly transformational. By the end of this podcast, you will feel empowered to honour your gifts and dreams, you’ll see that you’re never stuck with where you are and that you owe it to yourself and the world to step into your brilliance. Thanks to Maura for the exchange of ideas and positive energy! If you’d like to take Maura up on her generous offer of a free copy of her e-book,“The Art of Happiness: Competition”, send her an email maura@maura4u.com and put the Brilliant You Podcast in the subject line so she knows how you found her. If you’re interested in her course, “Personal Leadership, Authenticity & Happiness” click here. And, if you need a bit more confidence to make the transition to living a more authentic life, grab my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com

Are the rules different for women in leadership? There are two honest answers to this. Yes and there shouldn’t be. If you’re a powerhouse women in leadership or you have goals to move into leadership, you need to understand how the game works. There is the reality we deal with (that the leadership model is predominantly male) and the fact that the best way to change that is from within. If we want to change the world’s view of what a leader looks like (and this sea change is happening) then more women need to step up and challenge the status quo. But, how do you do that when the deck might be stacked against you? My guest today says that women need to walk a tightrope to make their way into leadership. In today’s world (which again, we’re in the process of changing) women need to find that fine point in the middle between being seen as too weak or soft and being too bossy (or the other b word). And while she’s excited to see the changes coming, she’s spent decades helping women navigate this challenging walk. Grace Judson is a leadership coach with decades of experience in leadership. She works with leaders to help them not only understand the road ahead but also in understanding how to work with a team and identify different communications styles. In this episode, she shares amazing insights into how and why we communicate the way we do, the neuroscience behind our communication style, the long-standing male hierarchy at play, and what that all means for our opportunities as leaders. Specifically, she discusses the reality that women face today and we get right into what needs to happen to change this reality so that women are given equal opportunities to lead. Plus, Grace shares how we need to rethink our ideas around acceptance as individuals. And, women need to connect with their authentic selves and love themselves if they ever want to be confident leaders. “In order to be loved you have to be willing to be hated. That’s hard. If you want to lead, you have to be willing to be loved and hated or you’ll just be beige. Beige fades into the background.” That is her challenge to you. Don’t be beige. Learn to be more and accept that that is going to draw more attention and therefore, more strong opinions about what you’re doing. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Grace especially when we dug into the neuroscience and social conditioning that most women can actively reprogram to create the opportunities they are looking for as entrepreneurs and leaders. If you are looking to step into your power and want to know how to embrace your authentic self so you can pave the way to being a confident leader, then you don’t want to miss this episode of the Brilliant You podcast. Listen now. Thanks to Grace for a difficult and necessary conversation packed with empowering ideas. If you’d like to access her “5 Most Challenging Employee Types and How to Manage Them” booklet (or any of her other free resources) go to here: https://www.gracejudson.com/resources/ On social media, Grace is most active on Linkedin.   If you need some help with the self-love and authentic leadership challenge - start by building your confidence. Grab my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

It happened to me. I never thought it would. I loved my job and I didn’t mind working long hours. The stress didn’t bother me. But it bothered my body. And, after I ignored the subtle warnings, it completely shut down. I suffered adrenal fatigue and it took me a year to recover. I wasn’t an entrepreneur at the time but I see so many entrepreneurs putting themselves at risk for a total body shutdown without even knowing it. Especially women. As entrepreneurs, we can be so caught up in the hustle that we lose track of our self care. And, as women, we often put others needs ahead of our own (our kids, our partners, our clients, and our spouses). We take care of them before we even think about carving out some time to take care of ourselves. And then, we say yes (when we should say no) to avoid disappointing people or out of guilt (fueled by the mind chatter or, as I call it, BS). We do all of these things and ignore the signs that we need to slow down. Until, our bodies force us to slow down. My guest today went through the same thing. And it inspired her to change careers and help more people take care of their bodies. Megan Lyon is a wellness coach, holistic nutritionist and the author of the “Start Here: 7 Easy, Diet-Free Steps to Achieve Your Ultimate Health and Happiness. On this episode we talk about the prevalence of adrenal fatigue and why female entrepreneurs are so susceptible. Megan also shares some valuable health strategies from her book and her practice. These are tips to help us do the things we know we should be doing for ourselves, we just don’t get around to actually doing them. We also dive into one of my favorite topics - the neuroscience of communication - and look at how the brain and the body are connected when it comes to forced shutdowns. There is a proven connection and chemical reaction going on when we over stress ourselves and fail to take breaks. This can happen to anyone who works too hard and doesn’t carve out time for exercise, nutrition, and mental health. Even if you love what you do. Is this starting to sound a bit familiar? This podcast will help you see the critical importance of self care (both physically and mentally) so that you can avoid having an unscheduled shutdown. Plus, we have two challenges to help you inject a little self-care into your daily routine. It’s easy, I promise. Thanks to Megan for the inspiring conversation. If you want to take her 30-Day Best Health Challenge, download her calendar here. You can find her book on Amazon. To connect with Megan, find her on Instagram, Facebook or her website: https://www.thelyonsshare.org If you’re struggling to say no to over commitments, feel overwhelmed by the obligation to serve others first, or just need help battling the BS your brain is feeding you - grab my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

What would you do if your vision of the future was completely up-ended? Would you know how to access another possible future self and reinvent yourself? Anyone who has chosen to reinvent themselves or been forced to reimagine their life can tell you, it can be a long, complicated, emotional road. But, as a powerhouse woman, you probably know that it’s a necessary road from time to time. Reinvention Can Come From Necessity or Desire but Most Often, Both. We don’t always get to decide when we’re going to shift to a different possible self or set out for a new version of our future. My guest, has done it both ways. First, she chose to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur. And then, she found herself suddenly single and had to reframe what the rest of her life was going to be like. Danielle Daily knows her way around reinvention. She shifted from being a mobile yoga instructor to becoming a handbag anthropologist. And then, after her marriage broke down, she shared her experience and the self-love she developed as a result on social media and in her book “Dear Self, I Love You! Keep Going!” Now, she helps others reframe the end of relationships through her supportive podcast, Suddenly Single, and with guidance on how to market your authentic self on dating apps using your true voice. Danielle’s story is empowering and inspirational but you don’t have to be looking for love to benefit from the insights that Danielle shares in this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast. As business women and entrepreneurs, we all need to confidently market ourselves, and be prepared to reframe our vision of the future (especially when it’s not by choice). By the end of this episode, you’ll feel like you can move on and create a great life - even if it’s not the one you planned in the first place. Take it from me, reinventing yourself takes confidence and self-love. And, it can be one of the most powerful ways to build a fulfilling and joyous life. Want to share your Suddenly Single story with Danielle? She’s offered my listeners a fast pass to the front of the line to be a guest on her podcast. Connect with her on her website: https://www.suddenlysingleshow.com/ and mention that you’re a Brilliant You fan to get to the front of the guest line. If you don’t feel confident enough to share your story or embark on a journey of reinvention, get my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

Hands up if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I’m not enough.” It can be debilitating and it can corrode your abilities as a powerhouse businesswoman. So, if you have these feelings fueling your self-doubt, it might be time for a mindset rehab. We’ve all seen those house flipping shows where renovators completely rehab a home. What if you could do the same thing to your mindset, self-confidence and sense of self worth? Your life and business completely changes when you stop buying into the belief that you’re not enough. My guest today spent over a decade building an amazing business as a real estate investor and house flipper. But despite her success in this (very male dominated) industry and her previous success in the corporate world, she still found herself fighting off thoughts of ‘I am not enough’. That’s when she said ‘Enough!’ with these feelings and got to work doing a total mindset reset. Now, she empowers others do the same. I am beyond thrilled to welcome Penni Zellinkoff to the Brilliant You Podcast. In this episode, she shares how self-doubt can turn into self-sabotage quietly and insidiously while we’re busy building our businesses. How those feelings of not being enough can bubble up when we least expect them. She breaks down for us the three different levels of ‘not enough’ and explains how powerful it can be to find the root of those feelings. Plus, she explains how we can not only get over it, but also shares her ‘Stop, Drop, and Roll’ technique so that we can douse the flames of self-doubt before they can take hold and do real damage. In addition to all of this, we also dive into a topic near and dear to my heart - money mindset. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools to not only discover where your sense of not being enough comes from, but how to reverse the power it has over you. You’ll gain powerful insight into your own self-doubt and have tools to get out of your own way so that you can have the success you deserve. Because, you are enough. Now that your confidence is back, you might want to take Penni Z up on her offer a free 30 minute strategy session to see if becoming a private lender in the real estate industry might be your next powerhouse move. Here’s how to connect with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penni-z http://thepennizshow.com/ And, if you haven’t already, you should definitely download my Confidence Kit! Access it at Confidentwithnoapology.com If you’d like to work with me, be invited as a guest on my show, or be considered as a sponsor, please contact me at media@janetzaretsky.com

You might have the most earth-shaking message to offer the world but if nobody knows about it, what’s the point? It’s no secret that to be effective and impactful, your message has to be clear and it has to be heard. This is where a lot of business women hit a roadblock. There a lot of ways to get attention. You could share it on the radio, on the stage, on a podcast, on TV or you could publish it. My guest on this episode of the Brilliant You should know - she’s done them all. Diana Page Jordan has been a television anchor, a radio host, a published author, and an accomplished ghostwriter. Not only does she know how to craft a message so that it cuts through, but she also knows how to disseminate that message through new and traditional media. In this episode, she doesn’t hold back. She shares exactly what a television or radio producer is looking for to consider someone as a guest. This information is invaluable because it also applies to new media - such as online publications, podcasts, and blogs. But, what do you do once you get the ‘yes’? Diana also generously shares some tips on how to feel prepared and avoid bombing live on air. Her tips on preparing (but not memorizing) your message really resonated with me because I recognized right away that it’s a lesson I’ve learned as a public speaker (and that I shared in my most recent blog). Sharing your message might also lead you down the publishing path. Diana has worked with an impressive group of writers (including the best-selling author Cheryl Strayed). In this episode, she clarifies what a well laid out book looks like. She also tells us the one thing that publishers look at that has nothing to do with your idea, pitch or message. And, it’s something that would not have even been a factor ten years ago in the world of publishing! This episode is jam-packed with useful information for powerhouse businesswoman at any stage in their career. Plus, we offer up two actionable tips to overcome those barriers that might be holding you back. After listening to this one episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, you’ll be grabbing your computer and excitedly dissecting your message to make it more media-friendly. So, whether you want to share your message on stage, TV, radio, podcast, or through publication - this episode will bring you closer thanks to the brilliance of Diana Page Jordan. Thanks to Diana for joining me on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast and for offering you a half hour of her consulting time. If you’re interested in potentially working with her as a ghostwriter or media consulting email her at dianapagejordan@gmail.com Here some links referenced in this episode: My blog on doing my second TEDx Talk -  https://janetzaretsky.com/lessons-from-the-tedx-stage-take-2/ My Book - Where’d My Confidence Go...And How Do I Get It Back? Diana’s website - http://www.dianapagejordan.com/ Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

There are a lot of ways our confidence can be derailed. Some of them are obvious, and some of them are tied up in our personal history and remain a mystery to us. Have you ever considered how minor traumas from your past might be interfering with your confidence and success? As you may know - I’m all about building confidence in entrepreneurs so that they can be the powerhouse women they are meant to be. But, sometimes, even when they are doing everything right - they still can’t conquer the confidence issue. It wasn’t until I met today’s guest that I realized there’s another arena where this happens. It has to do with weight, body image, and our relationship with food. Dr. Sarah Cairns is a psychologist who specializes in EMDR which is a type of therapy that looks at longstanding psychological triggers. Through her work, she’s been able to help people let go of traumas (both big and small) that have influenced their relationship with food, weight, and body image. In this episode of the Brilliant You podcast we have a fascinating discussion where she reveals how research supports the notion that past traumas stay with us and manifest in ways that may not be obvious to us. She also explains that it isn’t always a major trauma that create these triggers. Sometimes, it’s just a stressful situation that happened at a pivotal time in our youth - something we’ve never subconsciously let go. These traumas become triggers that can lead to coping mechanisms which in turn fuel feelings of shame and impotence around body image, weight, and food. The more we talked, the more I realized that almost everyone has some degree of this in their life. And, let me tell you, I count myself as one of them. So, what does all of this have to do with being a badass business woman? Well, I think we can all agree, that it’s pretty hard to be confident, unapologetic, and bold when we don’t feel good about ourselves. What we learn from Sarah’s work is that we can’t discount our personal history in our personal development. There are things in our past that can, on a subconscious level, be derailing our best efforts. This is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in retraining the brain.  If you want to get a better sense of what triggers you might have from your past, and how EMDR therapy might help you shift the coping mechanisms you’ve created from them - you need to press play. Whether you want to shift your relationship with your weight or your confidence, this show will provide you with incredible insight. If you are in the Austin area, take advantage of Dr. Sarah Cairns amazing offer of a free 30-minute consultation with her. You can arrange that by emailing her at drsarahcairns@gmail.com Learn more about her research at http://www.drsarahcairns.com/ or connect with her on Instagram @drsarahcairns. If you haven’t already - make sure you download my Confidence Kit: Confidentwithnoapology.com If this conversation about the silent impact of our past on our thought process and coping mechanisms has piqued your interest, I’d be happy to share more about the work I do with neuropathways and retraining your brain. Email me at media@janetzaretsky.com to set up a time for us to meet online or in person.

Far too often, we fear that there is not enough room for all of us powerhouse women at the top. So, we turn on each other. Women can be competitive and still be supportive. In fact, we can lift each other up as we climb that ladder together. This is something that, perhaps, millennial women are better at. They grew up with social media so they know how to access knowledge and are more accustomed to asking for help. They work together and leverage their relationships to become the thought leaders they want to be. One of the people helping them do this is Rachel Brownlow Lund. I’m proud to be a mentor to her and thrilled to have her as a guest on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast. Rachel is a coach, speaker and community leader working specifically with ambitious millennial women. In our conversation, we discuss how this generation of entrepreneurial women differs from others but discover that there are plenty of similarities too. She shares with us the strategies she uses with her clients to help them deal with self-doubt, perfectionism, and the comparison trap. And, how she herself went from being deeply introverted to being a networker and connector. Hint, it involves something you hear me say all the time - get comfortable with being uncomfortable! We also discuss how to deal with jealousy in moments of success and how to avoid ‘comparisonitis’ as you chase after your goals. Plus we chat about how you can benefit greatly by helping others along the way. Rachel’s final advice (and challenge to you) is to put some focus on self-care. For her, that means finding a happy medium between being ON and being completely OFF. She shares one interesting suggestion that involves walking and writing. Finding time to help and uplift others is also a part of the self-care equation. And, the connections you make doing this will help you feel more supported and inspired as you strive toward your goals. Regardless of the generation, you count yourself in, if you’re a powerhouse business women (or one in the making), this episode will help you build and leverage a supportive tribe which will ultimately make getting to the top a lot more fulfilling. Thanks to Rachel for sharing her resource list including the books, blogs, and apps she finds invaluable. To access this PDF, simply email Rachel@me2lead.com You can learn more about Rachel or connect with her on her website: https://me2lead.com/ Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

Most of us have worked on projects where we’ve got our eye on the finish line from day one. But, what if the finish line is 5 years away? You’d have to adopt some strategies to ensure things stay on track and everyone stays inspired or you might not make it to that finish line. My guest on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast knows this all too well. Her projects are usually 5 years from start to finish and they involve multiple partners, creative teams, and individuals who need to be mentored into leaders. She has to do all of this in a male dominated industry. Katie Burch is the founder and lead architect at Plan North Architectural Company. Her designs have won awards and she’s highly regarded as a powerhouse business woman in Houston. She’s also an author and TEDx speaker. She discovered early on in her career that she needed to develop some strategies if she was going to succeed. In this episode, she shares some of these strategies which turn out to be pretty universal. For example, because her projects are creative in nature and they span a long period of time, she’s discovered that one of the most important things to do is develop a relationship with the client and team members right away. In our conversation, she describes how she sets expectations and how she keeps the lines of communication open. She also shares how she handles being a woman in a male dominated industry by letting go of the need to please everyone. Her trick is to find a champion to help move the project forward. Even if, as she shares in this episode, it’s in your nature to seek approval from everyone. Another amazing strategy she shares is how she helps the individuals on the team shine - and how she mentors the top performers to become leaders. Plus, as a bonus, she shares some amazing tips on how to share your brand story through the way you design your office space. And, how to telegraph that over social media so that your potential clients get a sense of your culture and process. Finally, Katie issues a heartfelt challenge that channels the power of gratitude to help you get through tough times. She says it’s helped her, and when you hear what it is, you’re going to want to stop what you’re doing and take on her challenge. There is so much packed into our conversation, I can’t wait for you to share it with you. So, if you want to discover strategies for building valuable, long-term business relationships, inspire creativity and growth in your team, create an office space that is both functional and telegraphs your brand story, all with an attitude of gratitude, press play now. You can watch Katie’s TEDx talk here: https://youtu.be/WOAi4SWVOV8 Or, visit her website: http://plannorth.com/ If you’re interested in her (free for Brilliant You Podcast listeners) Branding Your Business Workshop, email her at Katie@plannorth.com If you haven’t already - make sure you download my Confidence Kit at: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

When you meet another woman in business, do you step on her to get ahead or lift her up as you go? Seems like the answer is obvious but sadly helping others in business isn’t quite what we’ve been taught about business. Times have changed thanks to powerhouse business women like Myrna King. Myrna believes this is our time. And as a result, she’s empowering and arming women with the tools they need to stand for themselves and get ahead. It was my pleasure to have Myrna join me on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast. She’s a business and personal coach, a thought leader and consultant, as well as ⅓ of the 3 Belles who host female-focused events including an upcoming TEDx. She understands the challenges that business women face. She started her career in finance at a time when women were not only uncommon but treated like second-class citizens. The discrimination she endured will make your jaw drop but she managed to succeed despite it. That was where she discovered the value of learning to stand for yourself while helping other women rise up with you. In this episode, she drops countless truth bombs. She shares how she helps women negotiate their fair share during salary discussions. She enlightens us on how to turn dissatisfaction into opportunity. She delivers the prescription for working in a successful partnership (hint: it involves honesty!) And, shares the secret to leveling up our careers (whether in a job or as entrepreneurs). Perhaps most importantly, she reveals the value embracing request you might deem unreasonable. She issues a challenge that will have you testing the boundaries of comfort so that you can shed the limitations you’ve placed around your own growth. If you accept her challenge, it’s sure to result in a paradigm shift around how you do business and live your life. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: https://3belles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/myrnaking/ Need more confidence before you take on Myrna’s challenge? Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

Imagine losing your house, your savings, your business, and your friends. How would you find the power to pull yourself out of that situation? You might be surprised just how resilient you are. Sometimes, it just takes a good example of some serious female badassery to help you see the way forward. And, that’s what we have on the show today - A woman who had it all, lost it all, and found a way to turn her brutal situation to her advantage so she could have it all again. And, she plans on keeping it this time! She uses the lessons she learned, and the chutzpah she mustered to be better in this iteration of entrepreneur. Heather Havenwood is a sales and business coach, a digital marketing expert, and the author of Sexy Boss. She helps coaches and consultants reach their six figure goals with her time tested strategies. She’s also a podcast producer and host, and has helped many other podcasters launch their shows and reach their potential. On this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, she shares why she relates so closely with the Kathy Griffin saga. Early in her career, she built a very successful business only to have it all fall apart. As a result, she lost everything and found herself playing the role of the victim. She recounts for us in this interview, how she flipped that victim script and learned how to find power in her lousy situation. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to use the lessons Heather shares with us in this episode. The way she took her power back is a technique every powerhouse business woman can use to get ahead, stand in their brilliance, and let their talents shine. This episode will inspire you to take responsibility for your success and own all of your power. And, it may even inspire you to be a little vulnerable in the face of fear so that you can achieve your dreams. If you’re ready to let go of the negative things holding you back, face your fears, and stand in your power (in every circumstance), then hit play. Heather’s story will inspire you and put a fire under you. Thanks to Heather for sharing so openly with us on this podcast. And, for generously offering up the first three chapters of her book! Access first three chapters of Heather’s book “Sexy Boss” here: http://askheatherann.com Connect with Heather here: http://heatherhavenwood.com/ Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

Are you over 50 and feeling like you might be running out of runway on your career or lovelife? Don’t worry, you do have the power to get this thing off the ground and flying high. A lot of women face off against the change in life right around the same time they look to make massive shifts in other areas.. It might be starting a new business, taking their career in a new direction, or starting fresh in the romance department. Whatever they’re facing, my guest today on the Brilliant You Podcast is here to help them soar over the hurdles and find amazing success. Deb Boulanger spent decades putting her ambition to work in the corporate world. She helped build a multi-million dollar business and enjoyed the usual benefits of success. Then, she hit 50 and her world started to crumble around her. She started to really question what it was that she wanted. In this episode, she shares her personal story of transitioning in midlife and finding fulfilling success on the other side. Now, she helps her clients deal with the fear that holds them back. She shares with us how to get to the root of our fears and dance with them so we can realize our true desires. Deb also uses a really fun analogy to help us better understand how we can find the exact career opportunity, work scenario, or romantic partner by changing how we search for them. Finding the perfect fit will seem like a cake-walk once you shift your paradigm. If you’ve ever gone shopping, this analogy is going to completely change your approach to getting what you want. I loved talking with Deb because she weaves the quest for love and job satisfaction together so beautifully. And, don’t disregard your desires for love because a brilliant powerhouse woman like you deserves a brilliant powerhouse partner - if that’s what you want. Speaking of getting what you want. Deb leaves us with a fantastic and deceptively simple challenge to get clear on what it IS exactly that you want. She shares a few of the practices her clients use to hone in on their true desires. If you’re looking to shift your career into high gear, change it up entirely, find love, or all of the above, you don’t want to miss this episode. We talk specifically about making these changes after 50, but the tools and techniques Deb shares are just as potent for powerhouse business women in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. We can all benefit from tackling our fears and finding that perfect fit. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: http://thegreatdoover.com/ Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

Bad news. Neuroscience is working against you as an entrepreneur with ambition. Good news, you can overcome it. If you’re a powerhouse women in business, you know that there are times when you have to really dig deep to get your career to the next level. We’ve all come up against obstacles (big and small) that are triggered by our brain trying to get us to avoid risk. It might look like a fear, self-doubt, lack of confidence, or all of the above.   What you need in order to knock these obstacles to the side is a little bit of moxie - and my guest on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast has it in spades. And, she’s going to help you get some too! Deb Beroset is a consultant and coach helping experts become influencers, media darlings and thought leaders. She has a background in journalism, storytelling, public relations, and is a certified neurotransformational coach. Through her company, Moxie Creative + Consulting, she helps her clients reach the top of their game. One of the things she sees her clients struggle with is putting themselves out there. It’s a big leap and she knows that it can be paralyzing - no matter how much someone might want it. In this episode, she explains why this is such a common problem and what it takes to get past this psychological barrier. Deb’s understanding of how our brains work reveals some surprising truths about the role of your ego, why we fear failure (and sometimes success), and what triggers the imposter syndrome. If you’re a powerhouse woman in business, you’ve likely encountered all of these! Plus, we explore two great tools for tapping into your authenticity. These two different approaches will both help you connect with your own, unique voice and discover the most powerful way for you to contribute. You might be surprised how empowering and fulfilling taking these action can be. And, you can do them both, right after you listen to this episode. If you want to reach the next plateau in your career and strip away the fear of putting yourself out there, then give yourself the gift of this episode. Because, let me tell you, Deb’s moxie is contagious. Just  and you’re going to be ready to go from the BS you might be believing right now and step into your brilliance instead. Thanks to Deb for joining me and for offering you her amazing, free resource - 9 Ways to Show Up and Stand Out with Your Unique Brand You can grab it by texting ‘Moxietime’ to 44 222 or by emailing Deb at deb@itstimeformoxie.com Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: https://www.itstimeformoxie.com/ Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

There's no question that good television writers have figured out how to hold our attention. What if you could apply that magic to your speaking career? Developing a talk or presentation can be confusing, time-consuming, and, let's face it, a challenge to our overall confidence. Now imagine you have a structure to follow - a process that will lead you to your most powerful message, clarify your objective and give you the certainty you need to grab and hold an audience's attention. Sounds like a dream, right? Luckily, the structure does exist. On this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, our guest reveals how you can use it to create a framework that will result in a presentation that has all of the elements you'd find in a compelling play or television show. She not only shares how she helps her clients find their story and voice, but also the tricks to showing up with confidence even if speaking is a brand new skill for you. Tricia Brouk is an accomplished writer, director, and producer of film, television and theatre. She is also a highly-sought after speaker and coach. She uses her understanding of storytelling and performance to help her clients develop TED talks and master their presentation skills.  And, she know what works because she's also the Executive Producer of TEDxLincolnSquare in New York City. In this episode, she describes the steps she thinks presenters need to take to fully realize their authentic story (it's not always what they think) and then develop a presentation that has all of the elements you'd find in a good script. She also reveals an easy way for anyone to get started in public speaking. She shares a simple process that will help you arrive on the big stage with total confidence with tools to get through anything the day might throw at them. And, we explore a paradigm shift around the word 'no'. It's an approach that has helped Tricia find opportunities at every closed door - and as a women in the entertainment industry, you know she's had a few of those! We conclude the episode with a seemingly simple challenge. But, taking it on, might just be harder than you think. Will you say 'yes' to Tricia's test? If you have ever thought about doing a TED talk, developing a speaking career, or even if you just want to give better presentations at work, this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast will give you the confidence to go for it. Whether you're a powerhouse business woman like Tricia Brouk or you're working your way up to it, the tips revealed in this episode will quickly become regular tools in your kit. And, you'll know how to wield them with confidence! Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: To get Tricia's free 7-Step Formula for Fearless Speaking, text the word 'Tricia' to 44 222 You can also connect with her through her website: https://triciabrouk.com/ or her LinkedIn Profile Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com  

What if your strengths were actually your weaknesses and your weaknesses were you strengths? Would it change the way you run your business or maybe even change your business entirely? Many women create their business based on what they’re good at. And then they struggle to stay passionate about their work. If that sounds like you, then you may be misinterpreting what your strengths really are. And that may mean that you are not living in your truth. This is part of the brilliance that my guest on this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast shares with us. She helps us shift our mindset around using our true strengths and weaknesses to build a business we are truly passionate about. Carrie Roldan has been doing this as a coach by assuming the role of Business BFF (which is also the name of her podcast). She helps female entrepreneurs find themselves in their business and ensure that they are living in their truth. She does this by asking the right questions, introducing clients to their future self, and encouraging them to trust their intuition (and sometimes, helping them reconnect with it first). She’s used her own intuition and channels her joy in speaking and helping others to create a business for herself that she is truly passionate about. In this episode, you’ll learn a little bit about how she does this, and you’ll gain tools to help you shift your mindset around your strengths and weaknesses so that you can live in your truth and develop a business based on your passions. Plus, we discuss the power of having a support group that is like-minded and positive. We also look at how to take the power back from naysayers (including that little voice in your head) and how to find your business sweet spot. And, we conclude the episode with a 15 minute activity that will further help you shift your thinking around your capabilities and boost your confidence. If you’ve been questioning if you are doing the right thing with your business or feeling like doing what you're good at shouldn’t be such a struggle, this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast could change the course of your business. Thanks to what powerhouse business woman, Carrie Roldan, shares in this episode your entrepreneurial journey could become much more aligned with your true self and your passions. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

What if the most important aspect of being an entrepreneur wasn’t experience, knowledge, hustle, a great idea or even financial backing? What if the key to success as an entrepreneur is something you can just decide to be? That’s what my guest on this week’s Brilliant You Podcast discovered. When her experience and knowledge of accounting failed her. And her drive and determination fell short. Even when she had to accept bankruptcy as her only answer there was one thing that kept her on the entrepreneurial path. Bravery. I’m thrilled to have Jena Rodriguez join me on the podcast this week. Jena is a self-proclaimed ‘Brave Master’ who helps entrepreneurs access their own bravery. It something she had to learn to access after leaving her corporate job and failing at her first business. In this episode she shares the inspiring story of her bumpy journey to success and she explains how being brave got her through it all. Whether you’re still dreaming of quitting your corporate job (like Jena did) or you’re a powerhouse woman in business who, let’s face, still struggles from time to time, Jena’s tips on how to channel your bravery will help you take that next step toward your future. She explains what it means to be brave (in life and business). She also shares the three steps to being brave and owning it, without apology. And, Jena even gives you access to a worksheet that will help you determine where you are in your entrepreneurial journey so you can find your vital pace. Plus, we wrap up this episode with an amazing challenge that if you take it will instantly make you more confident in your business. By the end of this episode you’ll know how to get out of your own way, stop listening to the stories you create that create barriers and more importantly, be fully empowered to get your brave on. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: For your free Vital Pace Roadmap worksheet, visit Jena’s website: https://bravemasters.clickfunnels.com/evolution Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

As entrepreneurs, we face a litany of mental challenges that can derail our business. Not to mention the external challenges we face. If we’re not battling our own self doubt, loneliness and overwhelm, we’re dealing with non-entrepreneurs who wonder why we don’t just ‘get a job.’ My guest on the podcast this episode has been an entrepreneur for several decades, successfully running a variety of businesses in health, marketing, and now in personal development. She knows these challenges first hand and through the eyes of her clients. But she says, there is one thing that keeps her on track. One thing that can keep any entrepreneur on track, no matter how many challenges they face. In this episode, she reveals how you can develop a practice of inquiry that will lead you to that one thing. Lisa Engels is passionate about helping conscious entrepreneurs find their purpose so that they can serve humanity with their gifts. She is a social evolutionary working toward a new humanity that is free and expansive. In addition to her coaching and mentoring (through InnerStateCoaching.com), she is also the Marketing Directory for the Center for Integral Wisdom and co-hosts a weekly livestream program called Evolutionary Church. In this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, we dive right into recognizing and overcoming the challenges entrepreneurs face. We explore the dichotomy of the American Dream and the reality of running your own business. Lisa shares her views on how the desire to make a difference can sometimes get lost along the rocky road of entrepreneurism. And, how we can let go of our ego to find our way back to contributing to the greater whole in a way that only we, as individuals, can do. By the end of this episode, you’ll know the one thing you need to discover in order for you to be the entrepreneur you’ve always wanted to be. Plus, how to use the practice of inquiry to discover it. This is how you’ll step into your unique power as a powerhouse woman. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: Email Lisa for a free 45 minute discover session: lisa@innerstatecoaching.com Grab my confidence kit here: Confidentwithnoapology.com Or email me to work with me or be on the show media@janetzaretsky.com

One of the biggest challenges facing young business women today is that they have limited role models. Now imagine the role model limitations faced by an African American woman in a predominantly latino city. My guest on the podcast this episode conquered these challenges to become the CEO of an impressive advertising agency in Texas (among a long list of other accolades). But, she’s now just patting herself on the back. She’s making a concerted effort to be visible in the community so that young women and girls have what she didn’t have - a role model. Leslie Wingo is President and CEO of SandersWingo, a full service advertising agency with offices in Austin, El Paso, Atlanta and New York. Her company has handled major brand accounts including State Farm, AT&T and KFC. She’s received numerous career accolades, is considered an advertising industry leader, and serves on multiple charitable boards. In this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, we discuss the prejudice that so many minority women face in their careers and how to call it out. Leslie shares her strategy for dealing with people who may not be aware of their bias by bringing their attention to it with compassion. She shares why having diversity is so important to a business - especially if it’s a creative business that is fueled by inspiration and unique perspectives. And finally, she turns one of her current challenges into an action every powerhouse woman in business should master. Especially if you want to hold onto your power in the face of making a mistake. By the end of this episode, you’ll have an understanding of the immeasurable value of diversity in business, know how to turn accountability into a power play, and why we all need to step out of the shadows and be role models. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: https://twitter.com/LesWingo https://www.sanderswingo.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-wingo-creatingchange/ https://www.sanderswingo.com/about/   Confidentwithnoapology.com media@janetzaretsky.com

Hi, how are you? No. Really, how are you? It’s a question that we ask and answer everyday but all too often, there’s no weight to our query. It’s just a passing greeting. My guest on the podcast this episode knows first hand how impactful that question can be when it’s asked and answered earnestly. That when we really ask, and we truthfully answer, we give space to a discussion about our feelings and our mental health. Courtney Blanton is the Executive Director of the Hi How Are You Foundation, an Austin-based, nonprofit organization that raises awareness, and funds research around mental health issues. It also works to erase the taboo associated with being open and discussing mental health issues. In this episode of the Brilliant You Podcast, she shares her truth about living with depression, learning to confidently give voice to her reality, and pivot from running a interior design business (for 17 years) to the nonprofit world. Starting the foundation came from her desire to decrease the stigma around mental illness and work toward a world where those dealing with it no longer feel shame. It was a personal passion for her and that helped her to connect to her work while also feeding her soul. She also shares what it takes to jump in to a brand new business and navigate the waters of running a nonprofit foundation. Plus, she reveals where she finds inspiration daily and why she believes that we all need to stand up for ourselves, unapologetically. By the end of this episode, you’ll see the importance of self-preservation and how having a passion project can completely change how you do business. Here are the websites mentioned on this episode: Donate to Hi How are You: hihowareyou.org courtney@hihowareyou.org Confidentwithnoapology.com media@janetzaretsky.com

Words matter. Words can change the stories we tell, how we present ourselves and even, how we shape our reality. I’ve long been a lover of language. I believe language is everything and sometimes, it’s all we have. So, I was really excited to invite Liz Feezor on the Brilliant You Podcast. Liz is a fellow language lover, a writer and creative. She has recently left an impressive career in corporate America to share the power of words with entrepreneurs and businesses. What does that mean? Quite simply, she’s using language to help others transform their message, their brand, their business culture, and their reality. Plus, she shares insights from her former life (working in HR) about the gender wage gap and how language can play a big role in ending it. As you may know, this is my personal mission and I was really inspired by what she had to say. In this episode, Liz shares what it was like to leave a comfortable career and lean into the struggle of starting a business based on her lifelong passion. And, how she had to embrace her personal definition of success - even though it differed from the norm. Ultimately, she came to the realization that as a powerhouse woman, she’s the author of her own story and she gets to choose how it’s written. Want to learn how to write your own story (and make it a good one)? In this episode, Liz reveals what she believes is the key to living a better story and what you need to do to make it your reality. Listen to this episode and discover how to stop letting others write your story. Own the language and live into the future you create. Here are the links mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @stylishdisaster Liz’s blog: Stylishdisaster.com Liz’s Website: Lizfeezor.com Liz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-feezor/ Lacking the confidence you need to own your story? Grab my free confidence kit here: confidentwithnoapology.com or email me and let’s work one on one together. media@janetzaretzky.com

Have you ever looked at the social media of a fellow business women doing their thing in some tropical location and felt a pang of jealousy? My guest today was on the other side of that jealousy when she ran her consulting business from Bali. But, paradise didn’t last. I couldn’t be more thrilled to share my conversation with powerhouse business woman and coach, Kim Carpenter. In this episode of Brilliant You, she shares what went wrong with her perfect digital nomad life and how that obstacle (and several more) forced her back onto the path she belonged. Plus, we travel to the future so we can envision the world we want to start building today. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut with your business; if you’re telling yourself lies about why you can’t make your dreams come true; if you’re getting in your own way - you need to hear Kim’s story! She reveals how the roadblocks just kept coming until she was willing to go after her true purpose. She also shares how she had to look in the mirror and admit she wasn’t walking the talk. Once she changed her mindset and set out on the right road, the way opened up for her. Now, through her company World Changing Women, she’s inspiring other powerhouse women who are ready to let go of the excuses and fear so that they can execute their personal impact mission. Want a personal impact mission of your own? At the end of the podcast, Kim provides insight into how you can do this AND start walking your talk to become a woman who changes the world. I know you’re going to love what she has to offer! Here are the links mentioned in this episode: https://www.worldchangingwomen.com/ bit.ly/momentumwithkim Grab your FREE confidence kit here: confidentwithnoapology.com

Are you powerhouse business woman eager to grab opportunity by the balls, break through barriers, and smash through the glass ceiling? Whether you’re just starting out as an entrepreneur, a C-level executive or anywhere in between, this podcast is for you. Janet Zaretsky hosts the Brilliant You Podcast with one goal in mind - to empower women to be unapologetic, powerful and confidently own their brilliance as a business woman. Janet is an author, speaker and master coach with over 2 decades of experience. Her TEDx talk “The Apology Trap” and her  book “Where’d My Confidence Go...And, How Do I Get it Back” have changed lives. Janet prides herself on being a straight-shooter. So, if you’re empowered and motivated by speakers like Sheryl Sandberg, Brené Brown, Margie Warrell, and Mel Robbins, you’ll love her style. Each episode of the Brilliant You Podcast promises to be empowering for powerhouse professional women. It covers topics like confidence, success and money mindset, motivation, communication, dealing with challenges, and finding inspiration. Some episodes, Janet will be interviewing inspiring and successful, business women. In other episodes, you get to be the fly on the wall and listen in on real coaching calls. Plus, in every episode, she delivers an actionable tip; a challenge that you can do right away to step fully into being your brilliant self. If you want to take your career by the horns and own your success, subscribe now. You’ll get a healthy dose of inspiration, confidence and empowerment twice a month.