Embracing Only

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 67 with guest Mary Waweru. We're diving into creating inclusive workplaces as Mary shares impactful DEI practices and the importance of anti-racism.Mary is an intersectionality, racial equity, decoloniality, and social impact consultant. As the CEO and founder of Crest Impact, she guides organisations to build safe and inclusive cultures, practices, policies, and communications.  This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 67: Taking Action To Be Anti-Racist.Key Discussion Points:01:00 Recognizing the Value of DEI: DEI affects every aspect of a business, from the brand and the people within the organization to people externally and brands wanting to partner with the organization.04:06 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversation: Hard conversations don't have to be scary. Normalise having these conversations and allow people to make mistakes, make guesses, and be unsure. 08:18 The Value of an Expert to Assist with DEI Work: DEI shouldn't be assigned as a side project to the only woman or person of color on the team.09:40 The Need for Anti-Racism: It's not enough to be “not racist,” you have to take action to be anti-racist. In Summary: Mary emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, racial equity, and social impact within organizations. She encourages us to be anti-racist through action, commitment, education, and learning.Resources from this episode:Follow Mary on LinkedIn or visit her website. Find Mary's anti-racism courses here.If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to transition out of Corporate and want to start building a profitable portfolio career as a business owner, board member or more, but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 66 with guest Dorothy Mashburn. Workplace negotiations can be intimidating. Luckily, Dorothy is sharing her tips to help you master them. Dorothy is a leading authority in negotiation and has a fervent mission to champion the underserved in corporate arenas. With a track record of negotiating pivotal deals with global giants and managing international teams, her unique insights empower minorities and women to achieve their career aspirations. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 66: Mastering Workplace Negotiations.Key Discussion Points:01:00 Do Not Negotiate Against Yourself:  If you negotiate against yourself, you will never reach any big goals. Your job is to dream big.03:39 Sponsorship as Minority Women:  In general, minority women do not have sponsors in the workplace unless they have created those relationships for themselves. You have to stand up and advocate for yourself.05:57 Changing Negotiation Power Dynamics:  If someone says your ask is too big, do not immediately apologize. This gives them the power. Stand in your power and stay confident in your ask.07:28 Don't Fear the No:  No is just the start of the negotiations, not something that should scare you.In Summary: Dorothy Mashburn challenges us to advocate for ourselves and go big when negotiating. She urges us not to fear the “no” and emphasizes the value of staying calm and confident during high-stakes negotiations.Resources from this episode:Follow Dorothy on LinkedIn or visit her website. If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.______Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating transition and finding alignment. Discover the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and hear personal stories and strategies for finding alignment and maintaining clarity during significant life changes.Olivia also makes a very exciting announcement in this episode. Tune in to find out more.Key Discussion Points:01:23 The Value of Alignment: The market does not define you. If you are in alignment, abundance will come.04:20 Understanding Your Passions, Values & Priorities: Understanding your passions, values, and priorities is key to making any successful career transition.12:35 The Importance of a Support Network: It's easy to miss patterns in our own behavior. This is why surrounding yourself with people who will tell you the truth is so important.16:05 Creating a Financial Safety Net: Operating from a place of desperation eliminates creativity and innovation. A financial safety net makes pivoting easier.19:54 Culture Fit and Workplace Values: The longer you stay in an environment that is misaligned with your core values, the more you will become a shadow of your former self.24:02 Taking Control of Your Life: We have to take a proactive approach with our careers and lives. Do not give your power to anyone else.32:24 Debunking the ‘Growth at All Costs' Myth: Check in to make sure that whatever you are pursuing right now is in alignment with your larger mission and that you will not be sacrificing that mission for a short-term achievement.In Summary: Olivia and Archita emphasise the value of understanding your passions, values, and priorities and aligning with them before you make any transitions. They encourage us to take control of our lives and ensure that are actions are in alignment with our long-term mission.Resources from this episode:The 5 Book by Dan Zadra and Kristel WillsCareless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by IdeablossomsReady to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 65 with guest Lisa Hurley. If you are struggling with boundaries at work, this is an episode you won't want to miss.  Lisa is an entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, and Anthem Award-winning activist. Her work centers Black women and encompasses self-care, community care, joy, and rest. She is the founder and CEO of The Great Exhale, a soft virtual space where Black women can relax, heal, and thrive.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 65: Leveraging Your Uniqueness For Success.Key Discussion Points:00:55 Advocating for Yourself in Corporate:  Surviving and navigating the corporate world can be incredibly taxing. You have to put yourself before the company you work at and advocate for yourself.02:34 The Illusion of Corporate Necessity:  Corporations will take care of themselves. You are not essential to their success.08:03 The Work Family Myth:  Your team at work is not your family. You can care about individuals as people, but this does not mean that your company is your family.09:52 Taking Control of Your Life:  You are in charge of your own life. Everything starts and ends with you.In Summary: Lisa Hurley emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and taking control of our lives in corporate spaces. She urges us to recognize our personal value and set boundaries to avoid burnout and lead a fulfilling professional life.Resources from this episode:Follow Lisa on LinkedIn or visit her website. Space to Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life by Lisa HurleyIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into redefining productivity and thriving amidst struggle with Grace Marshall, an award-winning author, speaker, and productivity ninja at Think Productive. She's here today to share how we can redefine success on our own terms and how life's messiest moments can spark growth, creativity, and resilience.Grace is a self-proclaimed, naturally disorganized, chief encourager. She helps people rethink productivity, not as a relentless race to do more, but as a way to work smarter with heart. She's coached thousands from being overwhelmed to learning how to get things done without burning out in the process. She's been featured in The Guardian, Forbes, and on BBC Radio.Key Discussion Points:03:43 Redefining Productivity: Ticking things off a list can be a seductive form of productivity. However, giving yourself the space to be curious and explore failure is productive as well. 09:17 Cultivating a Fulfilling Work-Life Experience: When your work is enjoyable, it's sustainable because it's not going to lead to burnout.12:37 How to Go From Survival Mode to Thriving: Reframing the phrase “I've got to” with “I get to” will help you look for opportunities and joy in your life.19:22 Finding Opportunity Amidst Struggle: First, recognize that you are struggling, then get curious about the situation. When we approach a struggle with curiosity, it allows us to find opportunity within it.32:49 Separating Truth from Fiction: When you are in a triggering situation, asking yourself what is true helps you separate the facts from your fears and feelings.40:51 Handling High-Functioning Fear in Leadership: As a leader, it is important to surround yourself with truth-tellers so they can help you snap out of high-functioning fear if needed.In Summary: Grace Marshall encourages us to rethink productivity by embracing curiosity, to redefine success on our own terms, and to view life's struggles as opportunities for growth. She stresses the importance of creating work experiences that are fulfilling.Resources from this episode:How to be REALLY Productive: Achieving Clarity And Getting Results In A World Where Work Never Ends by Grace MarshallStruggle: The surprising truth, beauty and opportunity hidden in life's sh*ttier moments by Grace MarshallFollow Grace on Linkedin or check out her website.If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 64 with guest Shiva Roofeh. Do you value your work experience and education over your lived experience in corporate spaces? Shiva is here to tell you why you shouldn't. Shiva is a culture creator and learning design specialist. She's worked at all levels of organizations, from director to individual contributor. In her personal life, she has been a refugee, an immigrant, and a migrant. Shiva says that her lived experience is as valuable as her work experience, and she leverages both to create mile-deep change and relationships with and for her clients.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 64: Cultural Intelligence in Corporate Spaces.Key Discussion Points:00:59 Embracing Cultural Intelligence:  Cultural intelligence is about understanding your paradigms. What are the deep-seated beliefs that structure your understanding of the world that then lead to your behaviors?04:35 Valuing Your Lived Experience in Corporate Spaces: Your lived experience is as valuable as your work experience and your education. It is a unique perspective that informs your work.06:50 Understanding Your Origin Story: You are the only person who knows the full depth and nuance of your story. Take the time to understand it and give yourself credit for it.In Summary: Shiva Roofeh encourages us to embrace our unique lived experience in corporate spaces. She urges us to take the time to understand our own origin stories and realize just how valuable they are to informing our work.  Resources from this episode:Follow Shiva on LinkedIn or visit her website. If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into navigating bias and embracing identity in corporate spaces with Dr. Delia Grenville, an executive leader, integral coach, and TEDx speaker. Discover how you can take control of your success and find the right environment for growth, all while holding space for those who come after you. Delia is a strategic powerhouse with a PhD in industrial and systems engineering. She's an award-winning technologist and innovator and was honored as the Woman of Color STEM Technologist of the Year. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Slyn Consulting and Workplace Respect Network and focuses on individual and organizational transformation.Key Discussion Points:02:59 Embracing Your Identity: Being comfortable in your values, having a stand for who you are, and knowing what you'll tolerate is empowering because then, no matter what room you walk into, nobody can tell you who you are.15:36 Recognizing Bias: When you see bias in a space, believe it. Don't let it destroy or distract you. 24:50 Finding the Right Corporate Environment for Growth: There are infinite opportunities in corporate, and you don't have to be loyal to a single company. If the space you are in is preventing you from growing, find a new space. 29:36 Stop Gaslighting Yourself: Pay attention to the stories you are telling yourself. Are these facts, or are they an emotional response to a situation?35:59 Holding Space as an “Only”: Sometimes, your mere presence in a space opens a door and holds the space for the people coming behind you. Your mission is to take up space so that space can expand for others.40:53 Taking Control of Your Success: Your success starts and ends with you. You are one decision away from changing your narrative.In Summary: Delia Grenville encourages us to stand true to who we are, recognize bias, and find the right environment for us to thrive in. She urges us to challenge the narratives we tell ourselves, take up space, and take control of our success.Resources from this episode:Follow Delia on Linkedin or check out her website.Check out this picture of Delia in Grade 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrzB-J-PX4z/To Live List Podcast: https://www.deliagrenville.com/podcast Rants + Ramblings On Life and Wellness by Delia GrenvilleIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 63, with guest Rupal Patel. As an “only” it can be easy to walk into spaces and feel like you don't belong. In reality, you can find belonging and commonality in the most unexpected places. Rupal is sharing how in this episode. Rupal's career is notably defined by her remarkable tenure at the CIA where she was recognized by the CIA Director for “superior support to the President of the United States.”  She transitioned from her impactful career at the CIA and leveraged her insights and strategic acumen into the business world. Rupal is also the best-selling author of From CIA To CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better and Being Bolder.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 63: From CIA to CEO - Thriving in an Unpredictable World.Key Discussion Points:00:58 Understanding Belonging: If you walk into a situation thinking you don't belong there, you will find many data points that support that narrative. The same is true if you think you do belong there.02:52 Finding Commonality with Unlikely People: If you are willing to look at the data and engage with different people, you will find things in common even in people you think are extremely different from you.04:11 Shifting Perspective: We are so focused on ourselves and trying to fit in that it's hard to understand that other people are experiencing the exact same things.07:10 Overcoming Defensive Postures:  When walking into a space as an “only” don't subject yourself to the belief that you need to show up in defense to protect who you are and what you believe in.In Summary: Rupal Patel encourages us to try to find belonging and commonality in the unlikeliest of places. She urges us to shift our perspective away from ourselves and realize that other people may be feeling the same as us.Resources from this episode:Follow Rupal on LinkedIn or visit her website. From CIA To CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better and Being Bolder by Rupal PatelMy Unexpected Discovery About Working at the CIA | Rupal Patel | TEDxManchesterIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website.________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing "Only" podcast, we delve into the concept of freedom and how to create the reality you desire. We are moving away from a “freedom from” mindset and embracing a “freedom to” mindset. We have the freedom to create new things. It is from this mindset that you can create the reality you desire. Tune in to find out how you can embrace true freedom and self-empowerment.Key Discussion Points:01:04 Freedom From vs. Freedom To: While there is power in the idea of freedom, we sometimes fixate on getting freedom from things rather than the freedom to do and create new things.05:18 Creating Your Dream Life: You are the architect of your life. Before you “escape” a situation, take the time to plan where you want to go.09:05 Recognizing Your Patterns: We are so good at recognizing patterns in other people and our environments but sometimes miss them in ourselves.14:50 The Value of Intentionally Creating Positive Experiences: According to the Results Pyramid Model, our experiences create our beliefs which in turn influence our actions. This is why it is so important to intentionally create new positive experiences.17:57 Taking Courageous Steps Forward: Creating a new reality for yourself takes courage. There is no way around it.In Summary: Archita and Olivia challenge us to move from a “freedom from” mindset to a “freedom to” mindset. They encourage us to focus on creating new experiences and opportunities for ourselves rather than focusing on “escaping” our current realities.Resources from this episode:Journal prompts to spot workplace patterns: 1. Do you tend to procrastinate on certain tasks or projects?2. Have you noticed any specific triggers that lead to feeling overwhelmed or stressed at work?3. How do you typically react to feedback or criticism from colleagues or supervisors?4. Are there recurring thoughts or beliefs that hold you back from taking on new challenges or opportunities?5. Do you find yourself getting stuck in similar problems or obstacles within your role?6. How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities, and do you see any patterns in how you allocate your time?7. Are there certain situations or interactions with colleagues that consistently bring up negative emotions or reactions in you?8. Do you tend to handle conflicts or disagreements in a similar way each time, and if so, how effective is this approach?9. Have you identified any patterns in how you communicate with others, such as being more assertive or passive in certain situations?10. Are there areas of your work where you consistently excel, and if so, what patterns or strategies contribute to your success in those areas?If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into owning your brilliance and thriving as an “only” with Lola Bakare, the author of “Responsible Marketing: How to Create an Authentic and Inclusive Marketing Strategy”. Discover how to recognize your worth in challenging environments, advocate for yourself, and overcome adversity.Lola is an Anthem award-winning inclusive marketing strategist, founder of be/co, a boutique marketing consultancy, and a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing & Advertising. Her previous employers include PepsiCo, Diageo, Dell, and more.  Lola equips CMOs and marketing leaders to harness authentic high-impact strategies that resonate.Key Discussion Points:03:21 Finding Confidence in Your Voice: If you do not know what's next, just put one foot in front of the other and commit to doing the work. The path will reveal itself.10:08 Taking Action in the Face of Fear: Fear can paralyze us and make us forget logic. We need to learn to take action despite the fear we feel.15:04 Recognizing Workplace Discrimination and Toxicity: The longer you stay in a toxic environment, the more you will start to question your self-worth and the more your critical thinking skills and creativity will decrease.25:56 The Power of Choice: While it is a privilege to be able to leave a toxic work environment, we all have the choice to stay or go. 29:48 The Value of a Support System: Past negative experiences can create limiting beliefs. A support system is valuable for helping you recognize your true worth and workshopping ideas.35:36 Responsible Marketing: Lola shares details of her book, “Responsible Marketing” and future projects she is working on.In Summary: Lola Bakare challenges us to listen to our emotions and recognize if the environment we are in is serving us or not. She urges us to take action despite the fear and commit to doing the work. The only regret you will have is not starting sooner.Resources from this episode:Follow Lola on Linkedin or check out her website.Responsible Marketing: How to Create an Authentic and Inclusive Marketing Strategy by Lola BakareCultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy by Anastasia Karklina GabrielIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the websiteReady to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 52, with guest Kim "KC" Campbell. Do you find yourself scared to make a mistake and wallowing in them when you do? We're exploring the value of failing forward and learning from your mistakes.Kim is a retired Colonel who served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She takes this experience and inspires so many more in corporate spaces. Kim is also a keynote speaker and best-selling author.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 52: From the Cockpit to the Boardroom- Leadership Lessons from a Combat Veteran.Key Discussion Points:00:58 Making Mistakes as an “Only”: As the only woman in the room, you may feel that any mistakes you make are ruining the chances of the women who come after you. This is not true.02:50 Embracing the Mindset of Failing Forward: Wallowing in your mistakes is not a healthy or effective way to improve your performance.03:54 The Value of Talking About Your Mistakes: Normalise your mistakes and see them as learning experiences instead of failures. It's about failing forward.06:18 Letting Go of Your Mistakes: Holding on to your mistakes can cloud your judgment and make you prone to more mistakes.07:58 Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety: To create a culture where people feel comfortable talking about their mistakes at work, you first need to create a culture of psychological safety.In Summary: Kim "KC" Campbell urges us to learn from our mistakes rather than wallow in them. She encourages us to talk about our mistakes and let them go so they don't cloud our judgements. She challenges leaders to acknowledge their mistakes.Resources from this episode:Follow Kim on LinkedIn or visit her website. Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage by Kim CampbellIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 51, with guest Regina Jackson. As a woman of color, it is not your responsibility to educate others about racism, but how do you navigate racist issues in corporate culture? That's what we're discussing in this episode.Regina was born in Chicago in 1950 and remembers the violence perpetrated on innocent people, like the horrific treatment of civil rights workers throughout the south, by white people. These memories drive Regina to push for real change in America and are why she founded Race2Dinner with Saira Roa in 2019. Race2Dinner is an organisation that facilitates honest conversation about race with white women to ensure that their allyship is more than performative.  This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 51: Start your anti-racism journey with Regina Jackson from Race2Dinner.Key Discussion Points:00:56 The Importance of Self-Reliance: No one is coming to save you. You need to focus on yourself and navigate your environment with your goals in mind.02:34 The Burden of Educating Others About Racism in a Corporate Space: It is not your burden to educate people about racism. If possible, hire a consultant to come into your corporate space to educate people on this topic.04:14 The Value of Lived Experience: It is very difficult to convince someone that something exists if they have not experienced it for themselves.07:54 Defining Your Identity:  If you can answer the questions who are you, what do you want, and why do you want it, you have reduced the possibility of someone else defining your identity.09:21 Operating Out of Your Values: When you operate out of your values, there is never a question about what you are going to do.In Summary: Regina Jackson urges us not to take on the burden of educating others about racism in the workplace and rather prioritize strategic advancement over unnecessary emotional labor. She challenges us to operate from our values and not let anyone else define our identity.Resources from this episode:Follow Regina on Instagram or visit her website. White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Saira RaoIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we have a spicy topic that is a little more vulnerable than what we typically share. We're taking a second to back off the career talk and check in and ask how you are doing. In the spirit of vulnerability, we also share what we are wrestling with at the moment and how we're navigating through these things.Key Discussion Points:02:04 Self-Worth Check-In: High-achievers often tie their self-worth to their achievements. They also rarely stop to acknowledge all that they have accomplished.05:16 Building Joy: Find the things that make you happy and intentionally build them into your day.07:21 Cultivating Emotional Awareness: We are always holding space for others, sometimes we need to hold space for ourselves and identify what we want and need.14:28 Psychological Flexibility: A way of being that gives you the ability to respond to what is happening to you in a more fluid way.20:05 Feeling and Learning from Your Emotions: How can you open up to painful emotions rather than be overwhelmed by them? And once you allow yourself to feel these emotions, what can you learn from them?28:29 Rewriting Trauma: Choose to focus on what you gained from past traumatic experiences rather than what you lost.39:25 Affirming Others: Remind the people in your life that you are closest to that they are enough, regardless of what they can provide or do for you.In Summary: We're challenging you to build joy into your day, take the time to acknowledge your self-worth, hold space for yourself, and feel your emotions. We urge you to rewrite your trauma focusing on the gain rather than the gap.Resources from this episode:The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin HardyIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/.Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Ready to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 47, with guests Fabia Ogunmekan, Zanele Khanyile, and Mai Khidir. How do you navigate power structures in male-dominated workspaces? That's what we're exploring in this episode.Fabia is a  lawyer and corporate executive passionate about the pursuit of development in Africa. Zanele is a strategic collaborative leader with experience in cooperative banking, corporate governance, and small enterprise development. Mai is driving change forward via the Al-Sudaniya mentoring program. They are all How Women Lead Fellowship graduates.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 47: Embrace your fierceness.Key Discussion Points:01:00 Navigating Power Structures: Mentorship, sponsorship, female allyship, and having a strong support system are all integral to navigating power structures in male-dominated workspaces.03:48 The Value of Mentorship: Don't underestimate how important it is to be surrounded by inspiring women who can support and help move you forward.04:42 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship:  We need to do more than just help shape other women's journeys. We need to raise our hands and pull them up in the invisible spaces they don't have access to yet.07:26 Moving Beyond Mentorship: A formal mentor-mentee relationship is a structured process. Sponsorship moves beyond this.In Summary: Fabia, Zanele, and Mai urge us to move beyond mentorship and into sponsorship. Don't just guide others behind closed doors, fully support those individuals and help them access spaces they don't have access to yet.Resources from this episode:Follow Fabia on Linkedin. Follow Zanele on Linkedin.Follow Mai on Linkedin.If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 43, with guest, Joyal Mulheron. We all face challenges in our lives. Joyal shares three key pieces of advice to help you get through the harder times.Joyal is a policy and strategy expert with over 20 years of service to the United State's governors, the White House, and some of the most distinguished nonprofit ventures. In 2014, Joyal founded Evermore, a nonprofit dedicated to making the world a more livable place for bereaved families. Her work has been featured in Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, and others.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 43: The light in the darkness.Key Discussion Points:01:00 The Power of Community: Seeking community is a powerful way to help you feel less isolated and less angry about your own experiences. 03:14 Defensible Over Perfection: You can't be perfect so stop trying. Rather, focus on being defensible.04:18 Taking Things One Day at a Time: Everything is temporary, the good and the bad. Taking things one day at a time will help you to face the hard days with bravery.08:11 Finding the Problem Solvers in Your Life: We all face problems in our lives, but surrounding yourself with people who can help you solve those problems and believe in you will make those problems so much easier to face.In Summary: Joyal Mulheron urges us to be brave, aim for defensible rather than perfection, and take it one day at a time. She encourages us to surround ourselves with people who cheer us on.Resources from this episode:Follow Joyal on Linkedin or check out her website. If you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into the power of networking, financial planning, and how to say no with Tamara Sniffen, an authentic, high-energy, and highly accomplished executive with a remarkable track record of resolving complex challenges to drive growth. Discover why being curious is so important and why feedback is a gift. Tamara's personal brand is rooted in a unique blend of operation optimization, organizational governance, financial expertise, culture change, and strategic vision. She is the VP of Commercial Excellence at Stryker and as the president of Stryker's Women's Network, she's championed company-wide policy changes and diversity training and cultivated an inclusive work environment. Key Discussion Points:03:29 Career Advice for Middle Management: To move from middle management to a more executive role, focus on building your network.05:20 How to Build Your Network: Acknowledge when people offer to help and mentor you and take advantage of those offers.11:02 The Gift of Feedback: Many women have perfectionistic tendencies and may fear feedback but feedback is a gift that can help you grow. 18:12 Operating from Authenticity: The key to figuring out what authenticity means to you is asking yourself what you value the most.25:07 Getting Paid for Your Worth: Get curious. Speak to your HR partner about what the pay range for your role is, where you fall in that range, and if there is room to negotiate.31:52 Financial Planning: Getting clear on your financial goals will not only help you to prioritize where you spend your money, but it will also help you in your negotiations at work.35:12 Saying No: If you say yes to every opportunity you will not be able to show up in all areas of your life in the way you want to. To make saying no easier, offer a solution with it. In Summary: Tamara Sniffen encourages us to take advantage of mentorship and networking opportunities and to pay attention to the feedback we receive. She challenges us to get curious and to understand our values as those will guide all other aspects of our lives.Resources from this episode:Follow Tamara on Linkedin.Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.comConnect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her websiteReady to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 61, with guest, Sibil Patri. Sibil gives us insight into her transition out of corporate life, how she has had to overcome fear and adjust her priorities, and the importance of rest and alignment in achieving sustainable success.Sibil is the founder and CEO of In Pursuit Collective - an initiative that reflects her commitment to advocacy and empowerment, focusing on coaching, collaborating, and storytelling to uplift marginalized and racialized communities. Before this, Sibil spent 20 years as an award-winning financial services corporate strategy executive. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 61: Achieving Moral Clarity in the Pursuit of Liberation.Key Discussion Points:00:57 Transitioning from Corporate Life: There are benefits to working in corporate but don't let the fear of losing these benefits stop you from leaving a harmful situation. 03:53 Adjusting Your Priorities: A transition out of corporate life means you may have to adjust your priorities. Take the time to identify what is most important to you.06:53 Changing Your Definition of Safety: What does safety mean to you? Is it financial security or is it being free from a toxic workplace?08:40 The Importance of Rest: Rest is a significant component of your pursuit of liberation if you want to do it sustainably. 10:57 The Value of Alignment: Think less about action and more about alignment. When your actions are in alignment with your values, you will become extremely productive.In Summary: Sibil Patri urges us to take action despite our fears. She challenges us to look at what we are prioritizing to ensure that this is in line with what is actually important to us. She emphasizes the need for rest and alignment for long term success.Resources from this episode:Follow Sibil on Linkedin or check out her website. Ready to make a change?→ If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into the power of dreaming big and setting audacious goals. This discussion covers goal setting, mindset shifts, the importance of directing our attention to what we want to grow in our lives and taking responsibility for the role that we play in our own suffering.We are also introducing My Sister's Shoulders - Olivia's new community for ambitious women of color to connect, breathe, heal, and strategize for success.Key Discussion Points:01:39 Reviewing 2024 Goals: The “new year, new me” belief is not helpful. Rather, it is about being consistent with your goals throughout the whole year and reviewing your progress every few weeks.05:26 The Power of Dreaming Big: The corporate system is not designed for you to dream big. You need to step outside of that system and dream big for yourself.10:10 How to Figure Out Your Dream: Don't consider your environment as the input to your dream. Dream first and then find or create an environment that aligns with that dream.14:35 The Power of Audacity: Audacity is a common trait in successful individuals. This audacity is what will allow you to make decisions without worrying about failure or the opinions of other people.17:30 Watering Flowers, Not Weeds: Wherever you focus your attention is what will grow. Paying attention to the weeds in your life does nothing except make you feel bad.23:10 Introducing ‘My Sister's Shoulders' Community: A community for women of color to take a collective breath and figure out how to rest in an impactful way, how to dream in an impactful way, and how to thrive in authenticity. In Summary: Archita and Olivia challenge us to take responsibility for our own suffering and to dream audaciously. They urge us to stop watering the weeds of our fears and instead nurture the flowers of our aspirations.Resources from this episode:Find out more about My Sister's Shoulders and the upcoming retreat at www.mysistersshoulders.com and www.oliviacream.com. Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by IdeablossomsReady to make a change?→ Struggling with your corporate career but have big goals? Reach out to Olivia on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com.→ Ready to leave corporate or start a side venture? Archita can guide your next steps.Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 07, with guest, Elsbeth Hurry. She shares how she balances a successful career with personal well-being and the importance of defining life goals beyond professional achievements.Elsbeth is an experienced global business leader with over 25 years of experience in the medical device industry. With a “be bold and take risks” mindset, Elsbeth has worked with two Fortune 500 companies, owned a wine bar, and founded a charity for Ethiopian children. She is also the COO and founder of a tech startup, Propitious Technologies, and a mother of two.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 7: Being Bold and Taking Risks.Key Discussion Points:01:00 Having Goals Beyond Your Career: Take the time to evaluate and reflect on what you may be sacrificing for your career and if it is really worth it. 05:20 Creating a Balanced Vision for Your Life: It's not about sacrificing one part of your life for another, it's about creating a vision and goals that incorporate all aspects of your life.08:23 Achieving Your Career Goals With Kids: To achieve your career goals while still meeting the needs of your family, you need to look at your goals in unity rather than separately.10:15 The Power of Dreaming Big: Don't put any conditions on your dreams (for example time and money). Once you have established that dream, do what you can with what you have to start moving in that direction.In Summary: Elsbeth Hurry urges us to reflect on our vision for our life and evaluate each of our goals in unity with each other rather than individually. She challenges us to dream big and take small steps to help us achieve that dream.Resources from this episode:Follow Elsbeth on Linkedin or check out her website. Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 60, with guest, Mita Mallick. Does your workplace refer to you and your colleagues as one happy family? We're exploring why this language may not be beneficial for the individual.      Mita is renowned for her transformative impact in the corporate world and is currently spearheading inclusion, equity, and impact at Carta. Her writing has graced the pages of Fast Company, the New York Post, and Business Insider and her book, Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths To Transform Your Workplace, has been celebrated as a top business read.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 60: Debunking Corporate Myths to Transform Your Workplace.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 The Concept of Family in the Workplace: Your work colleagues are not your family. This analogy can be harmful in a capitalistic society where the main goal is revenue. 03:18 Compassionate Leadership in a Pragmatic Workplace: There needs to be a balance between caring for other people at work, especially if you are a leader, and at the same time acknowledging that you (and everybody else) are expendable. 05:08 Weaponising the Family Analogy in the Workplace: Early in your career especially, the family analogy can be weaponised. 06:40 Understanding the Language Used in Corporate: On one hand the family analogy is used to create a sense of community at work and something for people to rally around and on the other hand it can be abused.   In Summary: Mita Mallick urges us to not buy into the family analogy at work because everyone is ultimately expendable. She emphasizes the importance of clear boundaries and realistic expectations.   Resources from this episode: Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths To Transform Your Workplace by Mita Mallick Follow Mita on Linkedin.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 59, with guest, Janine Vanessa Heinrich. As a woman, and especially a woman of color, there are biases that we face when pitching to investors. Janine is sharing some tips for crafting a successful pitch as a woman of color.   Janine is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the realm of entrepreneurship. She is the founder and host of the On the Up & Up podcast that ignites crucial conversations within the startup ecosystem, amplifying the voices and stories of the underrepresented and underestimated, and inspiring a new generation of visionaries to leap into entrepreneurship. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 59: Intersectionality And How It Influences The Experiences And Resources of Minority Female Founders.   Key Discussion Points: 01:00 Pitching to Investors as a Female Entrepreneur of Color: Pitching to an audience that doesn't understand your problem is not a disadvantage rather, it sets you up as an expert.  04:38 Promotion vs. Prevention Focused Pitch Questions: Women often get asked prevention focused questions in pitches that don't put them in positions of power. We need to be able to reframe the questions so they are more promotion focused.  06:58 Relating to Potential Investors: Storytelling is a key element to a successful pitch. Try to tell the story from a perspective that your audience will understand and relate to. 09:27 Finding the Right Investors: You don't want someone who is constantly questioning your expertise and who doesn't trust you as an investor. Rather focus your energy on the right investors.   In Summary: Janine Vanessa Heinrich challenges us to own our expertise, strategically frame our pitch, and select the right investors who believe in and trust us. She encourages us to turn prevention-focused questions into promotion-focused answers, ensuring a position of strength.   Resources from this episode: Follow Janine on Linkedin or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 58, with guest, Farah Harris. You might have been told that emotions don't belong at the office. This couldn't be further from the truth because everything we do is based on emotions whether we are cognizant of them or not.   Farah is a psychotherapist and trailblazer in workplace belonging and well-being. As the founder and CEO of Working Well Daily, she's reshaping our work environments with a keen focus on emotional intelligence and the psychosocial dynamics of our professional lives. She is also the author of the international bestseller, The Color of Emotional Intelligence. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 58: The Workplace Revolution We Need: Emotional Intelligence, Authenticity & Belonging.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Challenging the “No Emotions at Work” Myth: Big corporations are looking for emotions like happiness but they are not doing the work to cultivate genuine happiness at work. 02:51 Changing the Narratives Around Emotions: We tell little boys to “man up” and little girls to “stop being emotional” and then we expect them to turn into adults who can empathize and who have social awareness. 05:17 Identifying Our Emotions: There is no such thing as negative or positive emotions. Rather we have natural emotions that can have negative and positive responses. 07:36 Strategies for Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: It's not about getting rid of your emotions as a leader, it's about having a safe space to process your emotions.   In Summary: Farah Harris urges us to challenge the notion of emotional insensitivity in corporate environments. She challenges us to acknowledge and process our feelings to foster psychologically safe and effective workplaces.   Resources from this episode: The Color of Emotional Intelligence: Elevating Our Self and Social Awareness to Address Inequities by Farah Harris Follow Farah on Linkedin or check out her website.    Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into strategies for women to thrive in corporate spaces with leadership consultant, executive coach, and trailblazer in women's leadership strategy, Kisha Wynter. Discover the importance of investing in yourself and how to navigate corporate politics with confidence and integrity. Kisha has over two decades of corporate experience and as the visionary founder and CEO of Wynter Rich Enterprises, she has a rich track record of developing and training leaders in over 50 countries. Her firm is dedicated to guiding organizations and creating inclusive cultures where every individual can thrive regardless of their background. Kisha is the author of Your Power Unleashed which is based on her company's proprietary framework, The Diva Method.   Key Discussion Points: 01:58 Addressing Systemic Biases Within Organizations That Prevent Women from Getting Ahead: The same traits that are labeled ‘too aggressive' for women are praised in men. It takes courage to address this as you may face backlash. 08:33 The Physical Symptoms of a Toxic Workplace: Workplace harassment and bullying can lead to physical symptoms that impact daily life. 14:44 The Importance of Allies: Transformation can not just sit on the backs of women of color. The burden must be shared with people who can help us be heard. 19:52 The Diva Method: Kisha's leadership framework focuses on the internal work needed for individuals to advance professionally and how to navigate organizational politics. 26:24 Developing Leaders: Organizations promote amazing individual contributors to leadership roles without preparing them or giving them the tools necessary to lead. 28:48 From Invisible to Credible: You can't wait for an organization to invest in you, you have to invest in yourself and work on your communication skills.   In Summary: Kisha Wynter urges us to invest in a coach and stop using diminishing language in the workplace. She challenges us to make allies to support transformation in the workplace.   Resources from this episode: Your Power Unleashed: How Savvy Women Use Courage to Get Promoted, Get Paid, and Find Fulfillment by Kisha Wynter Diminishing Language Cheat Sheet Follow Kisha on LinkedIn or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 57, with guest, Elaine Lin Hering. This episode explores the complexities of speaking up in the workplace and how to foster a more inclusive and supportive communication culture in your workplace.     Elaine Lin Hering is a facilitator, speaker, and writer who works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. Elaine has worked on six continents and with a wide range of corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. Her book, Unlearning Silence, was released earlier this year. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 57: Unlearning Silence, why 'Just Speak Up' isn't enough.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 “Just Speak Up” Is Bad Advice: This advice ignores all of the silence that we've learned and all the times that we've had to deal with retaliation for speaking up.  04:10 Unlearning Silence: Unlearning silence is not only about individuals unlearning their silence and speaking up, even though that is necessary. It is also about leaders unlearning the ways that they are silencing those individuals.  07:55 Design Your Communication Flow: Design a communication flow that works for you instead of defaulting to the set communication patterns. 09:58 The Babble Hypothesis of Leadership: Most people associate the frequency or quantity of words that come out of your mouth with leadership potential no matter the value of the words said.   In Summary: Elaine Lin Hering challenges us to rethink workplace communication and leadership norms. She urges leaders to design intentional communication flows that empower all team members.   Resources from this episode: Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully by Elaine Lin Hering Follow Elaine Lin Hering on Linkedin or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into how you can reclaim your power with Sinead Sharkey-Steenson, a renowned leadership and menopause coach dedicated to preventing the menopause talent drain. Learn why we need to change the narrative around menopause and how shining a light on your strengths can set you up for success. Sinead has over 20 years of experience as a motivational speaker and trainer and has focused the last 10 years on supporting women in business and sport. She has empowered over 10, 000 women to elevate their career impact and her menopause journey coupled with extensive professional expertise fuels her passion for helping women succeed and fostering supportive workplace cultures.   Key Discussion Points: 03:43 The Importance of Identifying What You Want: Only when you take the time to identify what you want and act on that rather than outside forces, can you create the life and career you want. 10:31 Step Into Your Power: When a woman's strengths, skills, and self-confidence align with her ability to execute, she becomes unstoppable. 20:05 Embrace Your Brilliance: If you don't recognize and value the things that you are fantastic at, nobody else will. Shine a light on what you do rather than underestimating it. 34:50 Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause: There are so many myths and misconceptions around this stage in a woman's life. Many of which link to ageism and sexism. 40:15 Changing the Narrative Around Menopause: Menopause has been stigmatized but it is a time when women become more purpose-driven and build supportive communities for themselves.   In Summary: Sinead Sharkey-Steenson challenges us to embrace and shine a light on our strengths rather than underestimating them. She urges us to do our research and change the narrative around menopause.   Resources from this episode: Sinead's TEDx Talk: Menopause: smashing the last glass ceiling Sinead's free end-of-year workshop Impact Players Conference Follow Sinead on LinkedIn or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship. Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 55, with guest, Martha Aviles. If you're not being paid for your worth, or you're long overdue for a promotion, then it's time to negotiate.  Martha is a fierce marketing leader in tech with over 20 years of experience across start-ups, private, and public companies including Aventus, Gigster, Talroo, and more. She is gifted at building and growing high performance marketing teams and inspiring thought leadership.  This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 55: Being bold and letting your feet do the talking.   Key Discussion Points: 01:00 Negotiation Tactics: When it comes to negotiations, come prepared, ask for what you want, and have the courage to have uncomfortable conversations.  03:28 Let Your Feet Do the Talking: If you are constantly being told that you need to do/be/have just one more thing before you can get a promotion, it is time to find another job. 04:44 The Power of the Pause: If you are having a conversation with your supervisor about a promotion, ask them to tell you more and then sit quietly and wait. Don't try and fill the silence. 06:23 Seek New Opportunities: Don't let one rejection decrease your self-worth. There are so many opportunities out there for you to seek out.   In Summary: Martha Aviles challenges us to have uncomfortable conversations. She urges us to not let the fear of rejection stand in our way of asking for a raise or a promotion because the only thing worse than rejection is not trying.   Resources from this episode: Follow Martha on Linkedin.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 54, with guest, Kelly Ann Winget. Money is a topic so many of us do not love to talk about, but it is time for us to take control of our financial well-being and change our mindset to achieve financial freedom.    Kelly Ann is the founder of Alternative Wealth Partners, the first private equity firm founded and led by a millennial, openly LGBTQ+ woman. With over a decade of experience, she has raised close to $1 billion in capital for startups, energy companies, manufacturing ventures, real estate, and other key emerging markets.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 54: Changing the Face of Wealth: Empowering Women in Financial Literacy.   Key Discussion Points: 00:57 Access to Financial Information: As a woman, it's not your fault that you don't have access to financial information. It has been ingrained into society that women are not responsible with money when the reality is very different.  04:47 Female Financial Empowerment: In the last three years there has been a shift towards more female financial empowerment which comes down to an increase in access to information. 05:43 Money Mindset: The first step to creating financial freedom for yourself is to work on your mindset around money.  10:28 Overcoming Historical and Generational Financial Barriers: While you are holding the weight of past generational trauma, the reality is that you are your own entity and you have to do the work to understand your own needs without carrying the burden of everyone else.   In Summary: Kelly Ann Winget challenges us to actively engage in our financial lives and take ownership of our financial well-being. She urges us to start by shifting our mindset around money and defining our financial goals.   Resources from this episode: Pitch the Bitch: Grab your Financial Future by the Bags by Kelly Ann Winget Follow Kelly Ann on Linkedin or check out her website.   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are doing another real talk and we have some spicy topics to get into. Olivia recently held a workshop with some women leaders who wanted to understand how to win in the workplace. Three themes kept on coming up - getting clarity on what you want, getting comfortable talking about money, and not waiting to be tapped.    Key Discussion Points: 00:57 Finding Alignment: Are you doing what you're doing because it aligns with your values and goals or are you doing it because other people think you should or someone told you you couldn't? 07:47 Understanding Your Priorities: Your life should not only be about work. If you find the rest of your life responsibilities are neglected, you are in misalignment. 16:10 Talk About Money: Many women have a fear of money. It is essential to know how much money you need to live your ideal life and not just scrape by. 21:07 Taking Control of Your Goals: Stop waiting to be tapped. Know what you want, drive towards your goals, and take the reins of your career. 24:53 Thriving Despite the Statistics: Stop listening to the statistics telling you that you can't reach your goals. You can thrive, but you have to be willing to put in the work.   In Summary: Archita and Olivia challenge us to get clarity on what we want, understand our priorities, get comfortable talking about money, and stop waiting to be recognized for our brilliance.   Resources from this episode: Where will you be five years from today? by Kobi Yamada and Dan Zadra   Ready to make a change? → If you are struggling to navigate your corporate career but are ambitious and have goals you want to accomplish quickly, Olivia is the coach for you. She can help you reach your goals.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit oliviacream.com. → If you are ready to leave corporate or you want to start a profitable side brilliance but you're unsure of the next steps, Archita can guide you through a successful transition to entrepreneurship.  Reach out to her on LinkedIn or visit architafritz.com.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 45, with guest, Dr. Rana Dajani. It's time to reimagine what success means, particularly in workplaces that were not designed with women in mind. Dr. Rana Dijani is a molecular cell biologist professor and one of the world's leading Muslim women scientists. In addition to this, Rana is specifically interested in raising the health, education, and societal status of women and children in the Arab world. Her goal is to help shape our future world. This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 45: Butterfly Wings with Dr. Rana Dajani.   Key Discussion Points: 00:58 Gender Disparities in STEM: The assumption that there are fewer women in STEM is a projection from Western data. The Arab world has a much higher percentage of women in STEM. 03:01 The Global Problem of Fewer Women in the Workplace: This is not because women are uneducated and while some workplaces may not be friendly to women, this is not the reason either. 05:10 Creating a Paradigm Shift in the Workplace: The workplace as we know it today has been created by men, for men. We need to change this. 07:51 Redefining the Measurement of Success: The measurement of success is male-centric, females and minority groups rarely fit into this measurement system. 10:09 Creating System Changes in Corporate Spaces: COVID has shown us that systems in the workplace can be changed very easily. If more women are creating policies, we have an opportunity to create something new.   In Summary: Dr. Rana Dajani challenges us to embrace diverse definitions of success that resonate with our own lives and values, rather than adhering to the traditional definitions of success, particularly in the workplace, that have been established by men.   Resources from this episode: Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible - If We Can Reverse Cell Fate, Why Can't We Redefine Success? by Rana Dajani Follow Rana on Linkedin.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into how being “too emotional” can be your superpower with Rachel Radway, a certified leadership and executive coach, Mastermind facilitator, and author. Highly perceptive individuals often feel like they are crazy, broken, or the only person who feels this way. This is not true, there are so many of us out here, including many incredibly successful women.    Rachel has more than 25 years of leadership experience across tech startups, not-for-profits, and Fortune 500s. She's particularly passionate about helping women leaders who are wired a little differently create the conditions they need to thrive.   Key Discussion Points: 02:33 Exploring High Sensitivity Perception: 30% of people are affected by high sensitivity perception. This comes with its own challenges and superpowers.  08:32 Strategies for Managing Sensory Overload in Our Increasingly Connected Workspaces: While you may not be able to control your environment completely, there are ways you can create conditions for success. 13:55 The Stigma of Being Labeled as Highly Sensitive: Women face so many challenges in the workplace, the last thing they need is another label attached to them that is often associated with weakness. 17:46 Navigating Extreme Self-Expectations: Brain research has shown that the brains of highly sensitive people optimize for successful group outcomes rather than individual outcomes. 23:04 Understanding How Your Brain Works: This work can be intimidating because there are so many deep-seated social expectations of us. The first step is to get support. 29:49 The Power of the Pause: One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves is to pause before we take action and to start listening to ourselves. 37:34 The Pressure to Be Likable: Likability and authenticity sometimes feel in dissonance with one another. There are ways you can navigate these feelings.   In Summary: If you think you are highly perceptive and you are struggling, Rachel Radway urges you to give yourself grace, reach out for support, listen to your body, and take care of yourself.   Resources from this episode: Perceptive by Rachel Radway (coming summer 2025) Follow Rachel on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 40, with guest, Niyati Tamaskar. Your health is in your hands. It is your responsibility to do your own research and advocate for your health.   Niyati is an engineer and an advocate for women in technology and engineering. At 34, she was diagnosed with cancer while she was breastfeeding her second child. Through her TED talk and books, Niyati sheds light on the cultural bias and regional stigma associated with cancer.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 40: #BreaktheBias of a cancer diagnosis as a woman of color with Niyati Tamaskar.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 Niyati's Cancer Diagnosis: Niyati's diagnosis was unfortunately accompanied by a lack of emotional intelligence and empathy. 08:33 Taking Control of Your Diagnosis: A diagnosis may feel unfair, you may struggle with self-blame, and wonder what you did wrong. Ultimately, you have to find the strength to take control of your diagnosis. 11:04 The Role of Research and Advocacy: You are the person who is in charge of your own health. You have to advocate for your best interests. 14:19 Having the Courage to Ask Questions: Asking questions and communicating with your doctor is only going to help you and your condition. You don't have to take the first opinion you receive.   In Summary: Niyati Tamaskar challenges us to take ownership of our health. No matter what your diagnosis may be, it is your responsibility to do your research, ask questions, and make sure you feel comfortable with your healthcare provider so that you get the best care possible.   Resources from this episode: Unafraid: A survivor's quest for human connection by Niyati Tamaskar Unabashed: Self-Advocacy and the Quest to Foster Empathy by Niyati Tamaskar Cultural bias and stigma associated with cancer | Niyati Tamaskar | TEDxBloomington Follow Niyati on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we hear from Amal Masri diving into how women of color can thrive in the workplace in spite of the broken rung—the very first step on the career ladder, that promotion from entry-level to manager.    Amal is the visionary force behind Fix the Broken Rung which is on a mission to get one million women of color promoted. Learn more about the mental calculus that women of color need to do to merely exist across intersections, the systemic barriers women of color face in climbing the corporate ladder, and some actionable strategies for overcoming these barriers.   Amal has over 15 years of experience in financial services and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. She launched Fix the Broken Rung to address the barriers women of color and immigrants face in advancing to leadership roles. Her initiative is empowering women to break through these obstacles. She's trained over 750  leaders across 10 industries and her expertise is widely published and sought after   Key Discussion Points: 02:50 The Broken Rung: The lack of women in leadership roles is less about the glass ceiling and more because of the broken rung - the very first step on the career ladder in the promotion from entry-level to manager. 04:23 Challenges Women of Color Face as They Gain Power: As women rise on the career ladder, they face higher levels of scrutiny, microaggressions, and social exclusion. Awareness is the first step to addressing this problem. 12:13 Finding Your Agency as a Woman of Color: You always have some degree of agency in any situation and there have never been as many resources and opportunities available for women of color as there are now. 16:36 The Truth About Breaking Barriers: When you break barriers, there is breaking involved and you will get hurt in some way. It is critical to calculate the ROI of the wall you're breaking through. 20:38 Making Strategic Career Advancements: If you don't have much influence in your organization, you are unlikely to be successful in making change. Your energy may be better spent focusing on yourself until you reach a greater position of power. 32:54 Understanding Your Value: In a misogynistic and racist system, accurately seeing your value will feel like audacity. 39:16 Writing Your Own Narrative: If you don't take the time and initiative to write your narrative to position it for your own success, someone else will do it for you and it will not be in your favor.   In Summary: Amal Masri challenges us to take agency for our own journey and be audacious in how much value we place on ourselves. She urges us to get strategic in the workplace and determine what is worth fighting for.   Resources from this episode: Follow Amal on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 48, with guest, Katherine Byam. Company culture is just another form of bias and this episode explores how deeply bias is rooted in our workplaces.    Katherine is a sustainability activist, a sought-after leadership and career transition coach, and a consultant for business resilience and sustainable change. She is the best-selling author of Do What Matters - the purpose-driven career transition guide.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 48: Do What Matters with Katherine Byam.   Key Discussion Points: 00:52 The Key to a Successful Pivot: Curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, and surrounding yourself with a good team are what allow Katherine to pivot so seamlessly 02:14 Bias in the Workplace: A company's culture can be a blueprint for bias and this can emerge throughout all levels of an organization starting at the hiring process.  03:39 The Origin of Bias: Every single person experiences bias in some way. This stems from how you have processed experiences in your past. It is also linked to privilege. 06:31 The Expectations of Women in the Workplace: There is a dichotomy that women face whereby if they are assertive they are told they need to be more vulnerable and if they are vulnerable they are told they need to be less emotional.   07:41 Intentional Vulnerability: Katherine shares that for her, intentional vulnerability means first understanding and processing what you have been through and the impact it has had on you before sharing it.   In Summary: Katherine Byam challenges us to move beyond bias, embrace neurodiversity in the workplace, and recognize the value of diverse strengths. She encourages us to lead with curiosity and intentional vulnerability.   Resources from this episode: Do What Matters: The Purpose Driven Career Transition Guide by Katherine Ann Byam Follow Katherine on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 38, with guest, Linda Crockett. Workplace harassment is all too common. This episode is exploring how you can better stand up for yourself.   Linda is known for pioneering the first and only full-service workplace bullying and harassment resource center in Canada. She has a master's degree specializing in workplace bullying and trauma and is a certified trauma therapist and social worker with 33 years of experience.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 38: Choose to Challenge Workplace Harassment and Bullying.   Key Discussion Points: 00:59 The Nuances of Workplace Bullying: It's easy to miss the signs and nuances of workplace bullying because they have been normalized. 02:22 Trust Your Gut and Document Bullying: If you feel something is not right, it probably isn't. It's important to document these instances. 04:51 Why People Don't Speak Up About Harassment: There are many valid reasons why people will not speak up about workplace harassment. 07:39 Prioritizing Recovery: You may have to choose recovery whether you have justice or not. Don't wait for justice to start healing.   In Summary: Linda Crockett urges us to trust our gut and document any signs of workplace bullying. Reach out to a professional if you feel overwhelmed and don't wait for justice to begin recovering.   Resources from this episode: Follow Linda on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into navigating career pivots and mastering the art of selling yourself with Adelle Thompson, a career change expert and self-described self-doubt stopper. Discover how you can use your superpower to get what you want and why you need to get comfortable talking about money.   Adelle is a certified life coach with over 12 years of experience in leadership and management. She is also the owner of AT Enrich, where she helps women gain the confidence and tools needed to build a career that they love and that pays them “stupidly well”.   Key Discussion Points: 01:24 Adelle's Career Pivot: Adelle shares her journey from teaching to recruitment. 06:31 Moving Forward Despite Others Opinions: Many people will have opinions about your transition, but the only one that matters is your own. 15:09 The Catalyst for Change: All change starts with yourself, your vision, and knowing what you want. 24:19 Positioning Yourself for Success: Know what you are good at and use those skills to help you land a job or promotion or negotiate a salary. 33:31 Patterns That Hold Women Back: Women doubt themselves and disqualify themselves before even trying.   In Summary: Adelle Thompson reminds us that selling and negotiating are two skill sets we already have. She challenges us to make the pivot, get comfortable with silence in negotiations, and only listen to the opinions of people who are backing us.   Resources from this episode: Follow Adelle on Linkedin and Instagram or check out her website and podcast.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 35, with guest, Mecca Moore Tartt. If you haven't started building your network, the time to start is now.    Mecca has led a successful career in medical device sales along with leading two Georgia-based nonprofits as executive director. Her love of empowering women and creating safe spaces for them to come together has led her to create events for women focused on health and wellness, relationships, and motherhood.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 35: Choosing to Challenge that women can have it all.   Key Discussion Points: 00:54 Turning Empathy into Action: Any big change starts with small steps and connecting with the people you are trying to help. 02:21 Reflection Before Action: Take time for reflection and seek inner clarity before making any big decisions. 04:32 The Power of Network: It doesn't matter how good your services or products are, without a network, you will never reach your full potential. 06:33 Networking Authentically: Don't wait until you need something to start networking, start now and join networking events that you are passionate about.   In Summary: Mecca Moore Tartt challenges us to start building our network as soon and as authentically as possible. She urges us to choose topics we are passionate about and start networking in those areas to make real connections.   Resources from this episode: Follow Mecca on Linkedin or check out her website   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into owning your authenticity and making fearless decisions with Kezia Israel, a transformative verbal identity strategist and a celebrated LinkedIn Top Voice in copywriting. Discover why action in the face of fear is an integral component in reaching your goals.   Kezia is the founder of the Verbal Identity Studio, Kizkopop, where she specializes in solving brand messaging and communication challenges for FinTech companies that are passionate about their mission. Her expertise has empowered over 100 brands to craft authentic stories through structured narratives, helping them outshine their competitors.   Key Discussion Points: 02:43 Embracing a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset will help you break down barriers, overcome imposter syndrome, and unlock unlimited potential. 08:39 Overcoming Fear: It's okay to be fearful, but it's important to know what you want and continue to move and act in the face of fear. 14:15 Making Your Voice Heard on Social Media: Create content that resonates with you rather than focusing on what others will like, metrics, and the algorithm.  16:23 Navigating Corporate Life as an “Only”: As an “only” in a corporate setting, it can be easy to show up in a way that is not authentic to yourself to fit in with the people around you.  25:50 Navigating Transitions: When you make a big transition, you may feel like you are losing aspects of yourself. Rather, focus on how to reposition these aspects to work for your new venture. 30:02 Clarifying Your Goals: Having clarity, making decisions with confidence, and going after what you want is the only way to move forward.   In Summary: Kezia Israel challenges us to define what we want and go after it even if we feel fear and imposter syndrome. She urges us to show up authentically even in spaces where we may want to hide.   Resources from this episode: Follow Kezia on Linkedin and Instagram or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 46, with guest, Meghana Rao Pahlajani. There is enough space at the table for all of us and as you grow professionally, it is your responsibility to be a voice for others.   Meghana is a passionate climate change, clean energy, and sustainability professional. Her work has spanned a decade globally, from the US and across India. She's helped drive corporate strategy, advised on policy change, and led new market development across the public, private, and civil society sectors.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 46: Limitless Leadership - Consciously Driving Change.   Key Discussion Points: 02:10 Corporate Culture: In the workplace, there are struggles that women face that men do not. 03:13 Having a Voice at the Table: Find a way to be at the table by getting involved. If your voice is still not being heard, it's time to escalate things. 04:04 Making Space or Others at the Table: As you grow in your career, your voice tends to be heard more. You have a responsibility to help other's voices be heard. 06:08 Ageism in the Workplace: Being curious about the changes out there and open to letting yourself evolve will help you understand the needs of your organization. 07:28 The Learning Mindset: Taking the time to learn a new skill or knowledge will help empower you in the workplace.   In Summary: Meghana Rao Pahlajani challenges us to make our voices heard at the table and to help the voices of those who come after us to be heard as well. She urges us to embrace a learning mindset to empower ourselves with knowledge.   Resources from this episode: Follow Meghana on Linkedin or Instagram.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into unleashing the full potential of the people you lead with Minette Norman, author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and The Psychological Safety Playbook. Discover how you are holding yourself back from seizing opportunities, how to take control of your fear, and how to build resilience to stressful situations.   Minette is an award-winning author, speaker, and leadership consultant who previously spent decades leading global technical teams in the Silicon Valley software industry. Minette knows that when groups embrace diversity in all its forms, breakthroughs emerge and innovation escalates.   Key Discussion Points: 01:48 The Insider's Club: As an “only” it can be hard to find your way into the inner circle where opportunities and visibility are abundant. 08:22 Having the Courage to Seize Opportunities: We are preemptively holding ourselves back from opportunities because of stories we have told ourselves that are not true.  14:01 Overcoming Fear and Shifting the Culture Around Failure: If you want to do something new and innovative and disrupt the norm, there will be failure. 21:45 The Intersection of DEI and Innovation: Diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams ONLY if they are in a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. 25:27 Building Resilience in Stressful Situations: Our body's natural response during stressful moments is fight, flight, or freeze. We need to become aware of how we are reacting as individuals. 32:10 Being Bold: Do not hold back your brilliance from the world but at the same time acknowledge that everyone is learning and is a work in progress. 37:43 Measuring Psychological Safety: There is no use in measuring psychological safety if you are not going to make the behavioral changes afterward.   In Summary: Minette Norman challenges us to create psychologically safe workplaces to help the people we lead reach their full potential. She urges us to embrace failure if we want real innovation.   Resources from this episode: The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minetter Norman The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human by Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman Follow Minette on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into speaking up in the workplace with Animah Kosai, a passionate advocate for ethical leadership, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Discover the systemic changes needed to allow people to speak up freely in the workplace, how to recognize toxic behaviors within yourself, and the need to simply listen.   Animah has over two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry as an in-house counsel and brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her current role as the founder of Speak Up at Work. Originally from Malaysia, Animah's global perspective informs her approach to addressing workplace issues across diverse cultural contexts.    Key Discussion Points: 03:01 Speaking Up in the Workplace: There needs to be systemic and cultural changes in the workplace to allow people to feel safe to speak up about misconduct, harassment, and other issues.  08:41 Creating Community: When reporting toxic behavior, people not only need solutions and action, but they need emotional support. 12:47 Self-awareness in the Workplace: Leaders need to be able to recognize toxic behavior in the workplace, especially when they are the ones perpetuating that behavior. 19:47 Disrupting the System: Disrupting the system of oppression in the workplace takes more than just one or two individuals. 28:03 Workplace Marginalization: There is no space for individuals to share their pain in the workplace.  34:01 Decentering Yourself: As leaders, we can create spaces to listen. However, we need to recognize that in the process of listening, we may feel uncomfortable.   In Summary: Animah Kosai challenges us to find communities for psychological safety so we can start to speak up in the workplace. She urges leaders to learn to listen and to create spaces where people feel comfortable to share.   Resources from this episode: Follow Animah on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into disrupting the status quo with Cindy Gallop, a trailblazing entrepreneur, brand innovator, and advocate for social change. Discover why identifying your core values and beliefs is key to living a much simpler and happier life. We're also exploring Cindy's most ambitious project yet, a sex education academy.    Cindy has been described as a woman who will change the way you think about sex and money. She's the alchemist turning advertising lead into gold and the voice shouting ‘show me the money' to a VC world that seems to have misplaced its checkbook when it comes to female founders.    Key Discussion Points: 02:44 Walking in Your Authenticity: Being your authentic self is how you are going to attract the network or village you will need along this journey.  05:22 Identifying Your Values: By identifying your values and beliefs, your life will be so much easier. This applies to both individuals and businesses. 11:37 Overcoming Fear by Taking Action: Micro-actions are a way to change behavior from the bottom up. 15:00 Getting Out of Toxic Situations: If you are in situations filled with micro-aggressions, do not stick it out. It is time to pivot. 21:17 Becoming a Role Model: You have a responsibility to become the role model you never had in order to create meaningful change. 30:02 Reinventing Industry Through the Female Lens: If you start your own business, you can design a culture that you want and that others want to work in. 35:37 Make Love Not Porn: Discover Cindy's groundbreaking social sextech platform and her most ambitious project yet, an academy of sex education.   In Summary: Cindy Gallop challenges us to be our authentic selves so that our village can find us. She urges us to leave toxic situations, pivot, and start our own businesses to create cultures that other people would love to work in.   Resources from this episode: Invest in Make Love Not Porn Follow Cindy on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 44, with guest, Brandi Richard Thompson. Failure is a given in life and Brandi shares how she recovers from it by ignoring the noise, focusing on herself, and prioritizing her happiness.   From a college dropout to a transformational growth strategist, Brandi is the founder of the Operation Growth Institute, a Global Transformational Learning Center where people can accept, heal, grow, and transform into the next iteration of their personal and professional best.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 44: Start where you are with Coach Brandi Thompson.   Key Discussion Points: 00:58 Recovering from Failure: To recover from failure, take the time to disconnect from others and focus on yourself.  05:21 Ignoring the ‘Noise': When you've fallen off your path, no one can help you but yourself. 07:39 Prioritizing Your Happiness: If you can't find the time to pursue your passions, you are prioritizing other people's happiness over your own. 10:18 Finding Yourself Through Meditation: Spending quiet time alone is how you can unpack things in your life and learn how they have shaped you.   In Summary: Brandi Richard Thompson challenges us to not let ourselves be defined by failure, rather if you fail, take the time to look inwards and reevaluate your life and what you can do with what you have.   Resources from this episode: Follow Brandi on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 36, with guest, Jessica Doyle-Mekkes. She shares how she empowers women to identify their strengths, speak up, and use their voices effectively to turn their dreams into reality.   Jessica is a professor, researcher, vocal coach, and internationally published writer & speaker in the field of female empowerment & advocacy. She is currently the Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University.   This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 36: Choose to Challenge with your voice.   Key Discussion Points: 00:58 Identifying Your Strengths: As women, we get into the habit of always needing to work on something but rarely do we stop and acknowledge what we are good at. 03:20 Speaking Up: There is a risk that comes with speaking up. As women, if we challenge the status quo it's easy to be labeled as ‘difficult'. 07:40 Making Your Dreams a Reality: For Jessica, self-respect is having the courage, confidence, and know-how to speak up and put your dreams out into the world. 08:45 Finding Your Voice: Don't approach public speaking from a place of fear, rather put in the time and effort to create the muscle memory and mindset needed.   In Summary: Jessica Doyle-Mekkes challenges us to identify our strengths and respect ourselves enough to make our dreams a reality. She urges us to put the time into practicing public speaking so that we can use our voices effectively.   Resources from this episode: Follow Jessica on Linkedin or Instagram or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 31, with guest, Jeanine McIntosh Menze. She shares her process of managing fear and how she chooses to not give her fear power but rather place her power in what's on the other side of that fear.   Jeanine was awarded her ‘Wings of Gold' on June 24, 2005 and became the first Black female aviator in the 215-year history of the United States Coast Guard.    This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 31: Challenging aviation as the first black female aviator in the U.S. Coast Guard.   Key Discussion Points: 00:56 Managing Fear: You can give your fear power or you can put your power in what is on the other side of your fear. 03:04 Inspiring the Next Generation: By showing up, you are showing the next generation of women what is possible for them. 06:37 Learning From Your Mistakes: Don't fixate on your mistakes, learn from them and keep up the momentum. 09:33 Just Do It: Give power to your accomplishments and goals rather than giving it to your fear and missing out on success.   In Summary: Jeanine McIntosh Menze challenges us to see our mistakes as a part of growth and a stepping stone in the learning process. She urges us to stop letting fear hold us back and rather see it as an opportunity.   Resources from this episode: Follow Jeanine on Linkedin.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 6, where we were lucky enough to have Archita's mother, Vijaya Sivakumar, as a guest. She shares her experience of working for 40 years at a company in India as the only female among 70 men — all while raising two daughters.    This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 6: A Special Episode - Giving Thanks.   Key Discussion Points: 01:09 Being the Only Woman in the Room: Archita shares how her mother has influenced her feelings toward being the only woman in the room. 02:43 Embracing Differences in the Workplace: Share to grow - share your knowledge with your colleagues so that you can both grow. 04:22 Choice Versus Sacrifice: It's not about focusing on the sacrifices made, it's about fulfilling the commitments to the choices you have made. 07:46 Asking For Help: It is possible to have both a career and children if you lean into opportunities and don't hesitate to ask for help.   In Summary: Vijaya Sivakumar challenges us to change our perspective on choice versus sacrifice. By using the word choice, you take the power back into your hands versus letting the circumstance have sway over you.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into a theme that has cropped up in some of our recent episodes. Specifically, what Mary Waweru said in Episode 67 about transitions. It's so easy to let yourself get pulled down by transitions that are seemingly outside of your control. But it's time to take control of your fear and become the driver in your life and in your career.   Key Discussion Points: 01:45 You Are the Driver of Your Life: There are so many people going through times of transition right now. Do not let yourself get paralyzed by fear and get stuck in the transition. 07:14 Developing Resilience: We are so afraid of rejection that we may hold ourselves back from opportunities. To counter this we need to develop a resiliency mindset. 14:40 Turn Your Lessons Into Growth: You can complain about your situation as much as you want, but that's not going to help you grow. What are you going to do about it? 17:39 The Obsession with Being Perfect: We need to unlearn the employee mindset that we were taught at school and home growing up and let go of this obsession we have with being perfect.  24:55 Your Brain Can Be Your Best Friend: We have wired our brains to not want to feel pain, but that is not the mission. The mission is to live the life you want to live which may involve emotional pain, so we need to rewire our brains.   In Summary: Archita and Olivia encourage us to take control of our situation and be the driver of our lives. They highlight that it's time to stop being afraid of failure and rejection and go after what we want.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we're taking a look back at one of our favorite episodes. Join us as we delve into some leadership lessons with former fighter pilot turned keynote speaker and best-selling author, Kim "KC" Campbell. Discover how you can build trust within your team and lead with courage in times of uncertainty and adversity.   Kim served in the United States Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and a senior military leader. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations, enabling them to succeed in their missions.  She takes this experience and inspires so many more in corporate spaces to lead with that passion for leadership. She feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their teams.   Key Discussion Points: 02:59 Do It Scared: Fear is not a negative thing. It is a normal reaction to a stressful circumstance. It's what you do in the face of fear that matters. 10:21 Preparing for Change: Trust doesn't happen overnight. As we are facing so many uncertainties right now, it is important to build trust within your team early. 17:48 Building Trust: As a new leader, you can build trust through active listening, seeking input, and showing vulnerability. 22:59 Wingman Culture: We do not succeed on our own, we succeed by working together as a team. Does everyone on your team understand the role that they play and how that role is critical for shared success? 26:36 Setting Yourself Up for Success as a Leader: The leadership role can be lonely. It's important to have some sort of support, whether that is a mentor, coach, or a trusted member of your team. 30:51 Navigating Failing Forward as an ‘Only': Everyone makes mistakes, what matters is how you respond to the mistakes you have made. What is your mistake mindset? 40:10 Leading With Courage: If you want to thrive in whatever environment you are in, it comes down to leading with courage and persevering through hard times.   In Summary: Kim "KC" Campbell challenges us to lead with courage, to deliver imperfect action, and to go on and thrive in every single space we occupy. She urges us, as leaders, to create teams built on trust.   Resources from this episode: Follow Kim on Linkedin or check out her website. Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage by Kim Campbell   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into taking action to be anti-racist with Mary Waweru, an influential voice who educates professionals on anti-racism, DEI, inclusive communications, social impact, and colonialism. It is not enough to simply be not racist. You need to take action and commit to being anti-racist.   Mary is the CEO and founder of Crest Impact, where she guides organizations to build safe and inclusive cultures, practices, policies, and communications. She has facilitated diversity training workshops and designed and delivered anti-racism and DEI courses online, in-person, and internationally. Her anti-oppression journey started in her homeland of Kenya with gender equity work and the 2015 protests in Nairobi against gender and child-based violence.   Key Discussion Points: 03:48 Building Your Brand: Don't let your brand be defined by the logo on your business card, rather let your brand be defined by your name so you can lean on it in times of transition. 09:15 Highlighting the Value of Racial Equity: If organizations don't take anti-racism work seriously, it is going to affect the people within the organization, people externally, and people who want to partner with them. 13:37 Creating Safe Spaces for Conversation: Normalize hard conversations and allow people to be unsure and make mistakes. 18:21 Not Racist vs. Anti-Racist: How does being not racist benefit a society that has issues based on race? It doesn't. There needs to be action, commitment, and learning.  28:00 Fighting Confirmation Bias: We need to believe how certain groups of people represent themselves rather than how colonialism represents them. 33:54 Learn to Say No: As an individual who does not belong to the global majority, you need to learn to say no when people are making too many accommodations for you.   In Summary: Mary Waweru challenges us to commit to one action today that will further our anti-racism journey. She urges people to adopt an I want to learn attitude and encourages leaders to understand that it is their responsibility to make sure that the people working in their organization are safe.   Resources from this episode: Follow Mary on Linkedin or check out her website. Mary has three anti-racism courses: 1. Introduction to Anti-Racism 2. Anti-Racism for Leaders and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocates 3. Dismantling Neo-Colonialism in Anti-Oppression Work Find them here.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the Embracing “Only" podcast, we delve into mastering workplace negotiations with Dorothy Mashburn, a leading authority in negotiation. Discover how you can maximize your leverage and unleash your power, freedom, and true potential. It all starts by dreaming big.   Dorothy has a fervent mission to champion the underserved in corporate arenas, with a track record of negotiating pivotal deals with global giants and managing international teams. Her unique insights empower minorities and women to achieve their career aspirations. She brings that learning and leadership to everyone through her podcast, Salary Negotiations Made Simple. A podcast dedicated to debunking myths surrounding job search, career advancement, and salary negotiation.   Key Discussion Points: 02:48 Negotiating Against Yourself: If you negotiate against yourself, you limit your dreams. Your job is to dream big. 07:45 Changing Negotiation Power Dynamics: Go big and don't fear the no, it is simply the start of the negotiations. 11:09 Negotiating a Starting Salary: When you are negotiating a starting salary, you have the maximum leverage.  16:49 Asking for a Raise: While it may be limited, you still have leverage because you're a high performer. Don't only prepare around performance review season, start preparing now. 21:18 Negotiation Strategies for Minority Women: Minority immigrant women have a lack of social and political capital in the workplace. Dorothy shares a six step strategy for negotiations. 29:37 Forging Alliances as a Leader: Leaders can help move others along their path toward negotiating for themselves and claiming their true value. 33:23 Staying Aligned with Your Values During Negotiations: If you don't spend time figuring out what you want, you will be unfulfilled no matter what negotiation outcome you receive.   In Summary: Dorothy Mashburn provides us with some actionable techniques that you can put into practice right now to ensure you maximize your leverage and have successful negotiations in the workplace.    Resources from this episode: Some of the websites and tools that Dorothy and Archita mentioned are Payscale, Indeed, Levels FYI, Team Blind, H1B Salary Database, and Fishbowl. Reach out to Dorothy to claim your free 30 minute mini coaching session. Follow her on Linkedin or check out her website and podcast.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms  

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we delve into leveraging your uniqueness as an “only” for success in professional settings with Lisa Hurley, an entrepreneur, writer, and Anthem award-winning activist. Being an “only” gives you visibility and accessibility. Two things you need for success. Discover how you can flip the narrative of being an “only” and use it to your advantage.   Lisa's work centers on Black women and encompasses self-care, community care, and Black joy. She is the Founder & CEO of The Great Exhale, an award-winning private membership community that is a soft, safe space for Black women. She is also the Founder of For The Culture And The Coins, a movement dedicated to inspiring Black people to build whole-life wealth. She is known for her warmth, wisdom, and wit.   Key Discussion Points: 04:012 Valuing Work and Compensation: Balancing the need for compensation with opportunities for a broader impact or reaching underserved communities. 10:03 Gender Bias in the Workplace: Women are socialized to prioritize likability and it is contributing to the gender pay gap. 15:14 Surviving and Navigating Corporate America: Corporations will take care of themselves, you have to make sure you are looking out for yourself. 25:31 Empowerment as an “Only”: You can leverage your uniqueness into an advantage despite feeling the weight of being an “only”. 28:17 Representation in Career Success: There is value in being surrounded by people who look like you but it is not a requirement for your success. 34:31 Delay vs. Denial: Whatever you want and whatever is for you in this life will not pass you by. Sometimes a ‘no' may just mean ‘not now'. 40:01 Authenticity in Social Media: When you put your authentic self out there on social media, like-minded people can find you.   In Summary: Lisa Hurley encourages us to rethink our approach to being an “only” and to use it to our advantage. Utilize this competitive advantage instead of shying away from it.   Resources from this episode: Follow Lisa on Linkedin or check out her website.   Connect with your hosts: Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website. Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website. _________ Produced by Ideablossoms