Moxielicious with Alexia Vernon

Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller, MSW, PhD has made it her mission to spread the message that “Talking About Death Won't Kill You.” She has a passion for palliative care and improving the end-of-life care for all. She is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and the Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. Kathy was named the Lakehead University Research Chair on Aging and End of Life and is committed to improving the care provided at the bedside and in the community. She is the author of the book, Talking About Death Won't Kill You, with ECW Press, and the co-host of a new podcast Disrupting Death: Conversations about Medical Assistance in Dying. When not working, she can be found nagging her lovely young-adult children, winning at a board game against her husband, or walking her best friend, Lucy Maude. In episode 513 of Moxielicious®, Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller and I discuss: Why talking about death is one of the most important “awkward conversations” we can have with our loved ones and in the workplace The most often overlooked parts of death conversations How to hold space for somebody who is dying A new, more expansive way to think about leaving a legacy Palliative care, medical assistance in dying (MAID), and other terminology related to death and dying Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Grab Kathy's book, Talking About Death Won't Kill You Watch Kathy's TEDx Talk, Talking About Death Won't Kill You here Listen to Kathy's podcast, Disrupting Death Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Kimberly Grana, RDCS, CMPE is a healthcare executive with over two decades of dedication to the value-based care community. Kim is currently the Vice President of Operations for Valley Oaks Medical Group, the third largest primary care group in Southern Nevada. A detailed-oriented, high accessible leader who always puts employees first and is focused on building a culture of engagement, growth and development, and inclusion, Kim is the 2023-2024 President of the Nevada Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Kim is also a Nationally Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) and a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE). Kim sits on the board of the Nevada Healthcare Forum, a multi-association group that represents the ACHE, HIMSS, HFMA and MGMA. Her active membership and participation in industry associations demonstrates her commitment and dedication to current industry laws, regulations, and best practices in providing value-based care. During episode 512 of Moxielicious®, Kim Grana discusses why value-based care and patient-centered care are two key catalysts for better healthcare. She details many Valley Oaks Medical Group best practices, such as— Using scribes and creative charting solutions so physicians can have more eye contact and face-to-face time with patients Creating online chats that are connected to a person and to walk-in clinics for more efficiency and better access to healthcare Involving physicians in recruiting and hiring their medical assistants and administrative teams to ensure a culture fit Prioritizing learning and development for all employees to ensure everybody is committed to value-based care During the interview, Kim also shares: How value-based care integrates putting people first with the need for profitability Why prioritizing culture, communication, and customer service leads to better staff retention and patient reviews Simple solutions to address top patient frustrations and improve patient access to on-demand healthcare Strategies and techniques for prioritizing and scheduling training (Hint: utilizing video training and having a pool of floats are key!) How to use competitors as positive peer pressure for facilitating healthcare improvements and changes Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Kim Grana, value-based care and Valley Oaks Medical Group Learn more about Step into Your Moxie healthcare communication programs here Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Dr. Apeksha Desai is a board-certified internist in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. She has been practicing medicine for nearly 14 years and has held several leadership roles including, most recently, serving as the Medical Director for OptumCare where she led a team of 135+ providers who delivered value-based care across 18 clinics in the Las Vegas Valley. Now, Dr. Desai is the founder of Ace Primary Care, an organization focused on delivering excellent primary care. She specializes in delivering personalized care that empowers her patients to live their best lives. Dr. Desai understands that healthcare is a business and one where she wants to have a seat at the table to make decisions. A physician entrepreneur, she's proud to hold an MBA as well as an MD. In episode 511 with Dr. Apeksha Desai, we discuss what it means to provide personalized care for patients in medicine. More specifically, Dr. Desai shares— Key contributors to health and well-being and how she holds space for important conversations on mental health Why having continuity in care facilitates better health outcomes and medical experiences for patients Her approach to holding space for difficult conversations with patients The difference between lifespan and healthspan—and why healthspan is a better goal Why the mind-body connection matters and should be discussed in Western medicine Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Dr. Apeksha Desai and, if you are in Las Vegas, experience her personalized care approach at Ace Primary Care Learn more about Step into Your Moxie healthcare communication programs here Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Heidi Kyser joined Desert Companion, the premier city magazine that celebrates the pursuits, passions, and aspirations of Southern Nevadans, as a staff writer in January 2014. In 2018, she was promoted to senior writer and producer, working for both DC and State of Nevada. She produced KNPR's first podcast, the Regional Murrow Award-winning Native Nevada, in 2020. The following year, she returned her focus full-time to Desert Companion, becoming Deputy Editor, and became interim editor, replacing Andrew Kiraly, in July 2022. In her 20 years as a print and on-air journalist, Heidi's done it all, from news writing for a weekly business publication, to producing multimedia stories for an alternative weekly, winning a handful of Eddie, Maggie, and Nevada Press Association awards along the way. When she's not camping, hiking, riding her bike, or doing some other outdoor activity with her husband Peter, Heidi is most likely to be found on a yoga mat, being spotted by her 90-pound American Bulldog Buster. During episode 510 on how to make healthcare work better for all, Heidi discusses her experiences reporting on healthcare for Desert Companion. Plus, she shares how a diagnosis of Valley Fever, a fungal infection that can attack a person's nervous system, their most vital organs, and lead to cerebral meningitis (and, in extreme cases, death) “brought home the healthcare system shortcomings [she's] reported on for years.” More specifically, Heidi shares: Key changes in the healthcare system that could help medical providers AND patients How her personal experiences navigating her own healthcare motivated her reporting with Desert Companion Why self-advocacy is a vital patient competency Her hopes for how healthcare will evolve by 2033 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Heidi Kyser and her work at Desert Companion Read 5 Big Ideas for Better Healthcare in Desert Companion Learn more about Desert Companion Connect with Heidi on Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

An expert on disability inclusion and disability-inclusive leadership, Sarah Kirwan is the founder and CEO of Eye Level Communications, a woman-owned and disability-owned business. She is a forward-thinking DEIJ Consultant and Trainer with 25 years of experience advising leaders and collaborating across disciplines to advance culture in line with shared values and strategic plans. Sarah has held multiple executive positions, including Assistant Hospital Administrator and Public Information Officer for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, a world-renowned physical rehabilitation hospital in Los Angeles, California. She is accomplished at establishing the conditions for constituent success. As a result of her work in Congress on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), she was selected to lead the implementation of new ACA hospital policies. Sarah is a vibrant speaker and passionate thought leader, accomplished at establishing conditions for constituent success, gaining buy-in for custom solutions, and creating a shared vision of accessibility. Sarah graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Los Angeles, with a Master of Science degree in Public Administration. In 2011, Sarah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and in 2019, she was diagnosed with Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence. Her combination of personal and professional experience makes her a trusted resource and a passionate disability justice and disability inclusion champion. She uses her voice to amplify those that go unheard and empower those who have yet to find theirs. During episode 509 of Moxielicious® with Sarah Kirwan, we discuss— What disability inclusion really means—and why focusing on hiring people with disabilities is not enough The importance of providing pathways for people living with disabilities to move into leadership roles with real decision-making power The double-bind of “invisible” disabilities—and the cost of having to prove you are disabled enough Why disability inclusion training is needed beyond traditional DEI training The value of volunteership and giving back for people living with disabilities Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Sarah Kirwan and how she supports leaders and organizations with disability inclusion through her company, Eye Level Communications Connect with Sarah on Instagram and LinkedIn Listen to Sarah's Incluse This! Podcast for more disability inclusion recommendations Learn more about the Moxielicious® Mastermind for women coaches, consultants, trainers, and experts—and submit your application early Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Dr. Rebecca Eldredge is on a mission to ensure socially conscious leaders don't succumb to compassion fatigue. I've had the privilege of working with Dr. Eldredge for the last two years, and she is unparalleled in her ability to integrate stories, statistics, and practical suggestions for how to create workplaces that create more wellbeing for their people. For the past 20 years, Dr. Eldredge has used her commitment to mental health, cultural competence, and social justice to support individuals and organizations to cultivate compassion to protect their wellbeing as they bring compassion and justice to their organizations and communities. She has been honored to work with corporations, university departments, and refugee resettlement agencies as well as hundreds of diverse clients. Dr. Eldredge completed both her M.A. and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and has been an adjunct in the University of Houston's and Our Lady of the Lake's graduate psychology programs. She is also a Step into Your Moxie® Certified Facilitator. In this episode, Dr. Eldredge and I discuss compassion fatigue, burnout, and the importance of developing cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. More specifically, we address— What compassion fatigue is and how to recognize and navigate through it Why employee wellbeing is connected to excellence at work—and professions at highest risk for compassion fatigue, burnout and attrition Why it might be time to shift from cultural competence to cultural humility Sobering statistics about the connection between experiencing injustice and developing a medical condition Plus, a surprising recommendation from Mother Theresa Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Dr. Rebecca Eldredge and her work at the intersections of preventing compassion fatigue and amplifying the voices of marginalized leaders, caregivers, and change makers Connect with Dr. Eldredge on Instagram Download Dr. Eldredge's 5 Ways to Speak Up for Social Justice Join my Stand Out as a Thought Leader virtual workshop Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

As a partner with Spencer Fane, LLP's health care practice group, Ayesha Mehdi, JD, MHSA collaborates closely with healthcare providers and professionals, as well as closely held businesses, to provide legal guidance on various corporate, regulatory, and licensure matters. She serves as outside counsel to her clients, helping them achieve their objectives in areas such as physician employment, recruitment, mergers & acquisitions, and joint ventures. Additionally, in the area of health care law, Ayesha offers solutions for handling professional board complaints, reimbursement issues, and corporate compliance to ensure her clients' success. Ayesha received her Bachelor's in Business Administration with honors in Finance from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration in Michigan, and her Master's in Health Services Administration, as well as her Juris Doctorate degree, from the University of Kansas. Ayesha speaks at regional and national seminars and conferences for both legal and health care associations. She is also a pro bono attorney for the Children's Attorneys Project of Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. In episode 507, we discuss Ayesha's work in health care law plus her recommendations for how to: Navigate the pressure to support a partner's career and take the lead at home when you have your own career aspirations Address physician burnout (and why it often leads to poor patient reviews) Prioritize well-being and mental health (and why creating a predictable schedule for each day can help) Center patient care within a profit-based health care system Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Ayesha Mehdi, JD, MHSA and her work at Spencer Fane in health care law Connect with Ayesha Mehdi, JD, MHSA on Instagram and Twitter Explore Step into Your Moxie's solutions for physicians and healthcare leaders Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Dr. Cheryl Brewster is a fierce advocate for improving health equity in medicine. As the founding executive dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Roseman University College of Medicine (RUCOM), the only private allopathic medical school in Nevada, Dr. Cheryl Brewster is charged with leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to advance the College's vision and mission with the goal of ensuring a learning and work environment in which students, faculty and staff realize a sense of belonging and facilitate more health equity in medicine. RUCOM is in the accreditation process and anticipates matriculating students in 2025. Cheryl comes to RUCOM from Miami, Florida, where she served in a similar position at Florida International University College of Medicine. During her tenure, she was successful in creating one of the most diverse and inclusive colleges of medicine in the nation. With 20+ years of experience, Cheryl has successfully designed and initiated results-oriented DEI-focused processes, plans, programs workshops/trainings for senior leaders, managers, and staff encouraging learning, reflection, awareness, and understanding as well as community building across differences. In episode 506 of Moxielicious®, Cheryl discusses what's needed to facilitate health equity in medicine, and more specifically, what she and Roseman University are doing to prepare a new generation of physicians who think and practice medicine more holistically and more equitably. We dig into: The systemic barriers that prevent BIPOC students from entering medical school How the social determinants of health impact health equity in medicine, and a person's overall health, as much, if not more, than genetics Why, when more women and people of color practice medicine, it provides better health outcomes for communities How the Roseman University College of Medicine is helping its medical students to develop empathy, enhance interpersonal communication skills, treat patients holistically, and co-create solutions with them Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about the Roseman University College of Medicine and how they are leading the charge to facilitate more health equity in medicine Connect with Dr. Brewster on Instagram and Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Tracy Lewis is currently the Health Coach Manager at Hinge Health, a leading physical therapy provider in the digital healthcare space. In addition to being a board-certified health coach, Tracy has her own bravery-centered coaching practice, and she empowers audiences and clients to bravely navigate career and life transitions. She is a recovering perfectionist who shamelessly shares the story of reclaiming her own self-worth. Tracy is on a mission to support other women to pursue their purpose and their passion in life. She has triumphed over much and now boldly speaks up and speaks out, encouraging women to be unapologetic about their career and life ambitions and to choose bravery in all facets of their lives. In episode 505, Tracy shares her experiences leading a team of health coaches in the digital healthcare space. We discuss: Opportunities and obstacles in the digital healthcare space—and why remote work and virtual care isn't the right solution for everybody Strategies to take care of your own mental health when you are in a role supporting other people's health The questions Tracy loves to ask her team to support their well-being Important differences between coaching as an entrepreneur vs. coaching as an internal, full-time employee Key lessons Tracy learned from “emptying the guts of [her] sales bag” and how she applies them in her work as a coaching leader Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Hinge Health Connect with Tracy Lewis on LinkedIn and Instagram Check out my FOX TV segment on Women's History Month Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Mary Grace Gardner, MPH is a corporate transformation leader, multi-passionate entrepreneur, and speaker who helps ambitious change-makers achieve personal and professional goals with ease and joy. An expert of process improvement, she helps her clients design the life they want without limits. Mary Grace rose quickly in her career, leading large-scale transformations in hospital and medical device industries, launched an educational coaching practice, and co-founded a corporate consulting company offering personal and professional development certifications. Mary Grace is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, the co-founder of Human Centered Reliability, a start-up focused on personal and professional mastery, and the founder of The Young Professionista, where she supports college students to get into their ideal school and hone the skills they need to succeed in college while also supporting professionals in their further career development. Mary Grace's speaking topics include work/life integration, women and career, and creating sustainable systems for change. She has been featured in Business Insider, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, U.S. News and World Report, and Fast Company. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three young boys. In this episode on process improvement, 504, Mary Grace and I discuss: How upskilling can help a leader, employee, or entrepreneur to learn additional skills and ways to go about it The many ways process improvement can support personal and professional growth Mary Grace's recommendations for how to test different pathways personally and professionally and optimize your happiness and performance Recommendations for how to integrate work and life and prevent burnout Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Human Centered Reliability and The Young Professionista Watch Mary Grace's free webinar to build the systems and habits to achieve personal and professional goals Connect with Mary Grace on Instagram and Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

In episode 503 of Moxielicious®, Taunya Craig discusses a new, hot topic in psychotherapy and trauma treatment, Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. Taunya Craig is the Executive Director of Bloom Psychedelic Therapy and Research Institute. She is a Registered Professional Counsellor, Master Practicing Clinical Counsellor, and Counselling Therapist, with over 10 years' experience in private practice. Her favorite modality up until Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) has been Accelerated Resolution Therapy in which she is a certified Master A.R.T. Practitioner. Taunya's diverse background includes hundreds of hours of facilitating group work, thousands of direct client hours, and many hours in specialized trainings, including ATMA's accredited Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy for Therapists. Ironically, finishing that program led Taunya to realize that for her to provide PAP she would need to understand intimately what the experience entails. So, she started her own year long journey with PAP. Recently completing an experiential deep dive training in PAP, Taunya discovered her passion for this line of work and specifically with relational dosing ketamine and psychotherapy combined. As Executive Director for Bloom Psychedelic Therapy and Research Centre, Taunya blends her personal and professional therapeutic experiences and love for science, psychedelics, and community. Taunya is ready to help move Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy to the forefront of mental health treatments. Aligned with Bloom's vision of safety, effectiveness and accessibility for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Taunya is motivated to provide a much-needed healing space for transformation and connectedness. During episode 503 of Moxielicious®, Taunya Craig and I talk about Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. More specifically, we discuss: What Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy is and why Taunya and Bloom are so passionate about using Ketamine to treat mental health conditions Who should avoid Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—and why The dangers of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and what to look for in a practitioner to ensure safety How Bloom integrates ceremony, science, and medicine into their healing approach Taunya's hopes for where Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy will go in the coming years—and why access to PAP is already an equity issue Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Bloom Psychedelic Therapy and Research Institute and the Canadian Association of Psychedelics Learn more about the Polaris Insight Center, in Washington, and the American Association of Psychedelics Read the book, Change Your Mind, watch the Netflix documentary, and checkout the Ketamine Papers Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

I'm thrilled to celebrate National Nutrition Month with a registered dietitian, Clancy Harrison, in episode 502 of Moxielicious®. A food equity advocate, TEDx speaker, and international thought leader, Clancy Harrison challenges the way food insecurity is approached and discussed. Her mission to demolish the stigma around food access places her on the cutting edge of advocacy. Clancy is the founder of the Food Dignity® Movement, a strategic program for leaders who want to shift how they approach nutrition outreach by making healthy food access a priority. She transforms the lives of thousands of people through her work with corporations, non-profit organizations, and universities. At the time of this recording, Clancy is an advisory board member for the Pennsylvania American Academy of Pediatrics Food Insecurity EPIC program, Ambassador of the National Dairy Council, and a past President of the Al Beech West Side Food Pantry where she has served over 3 million meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can tune in weekly with Clancy at The Food Dignity® Podcast. During episode 502 of Moxielicious®, Clancy Harrison and I talk food insecurity. More specifically, we discuss: How Clancy's background as a dietitian and head of a food pantry illuminated misconceptions about hunger and food insecurity—and prompted her to launch the Food Dignity® Movement The many faces of food insecurity—and how each of us is likely impacted and can play a role in addressing it Why food dignity is an essential component for addressing food insecurity—and how centering dignity is a pathway to empowerment How the ‘Food is Medicine' movement can address certain forms of food insecurity—if the kinds of assumptions and biases Clancy highlights are prevented Why experiencing food insecurity can be a catalyst for better leadership Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about the Food Dignity® Movement and connect with Clancy on Facebook and Instagram Grab Clancy's Food Dignity Challenge to shift your mindset around food insecurity and food access in the US Watch Clancy's TEDx Talk, The Shocking Truth About Food Insecurity Learn more about the Food is Medicine movement Learn more about the Step into Your Moxie® Facilitator Certification Program Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

An expert on disenfranchised grief, Laverne McKinnon is a Japanese American Career and Executive Leadership Coach who supports ambitious, driven people who have hit a speed bump regain momentum and make their next big move. For a significant part of her career, Laverne was a successful programming executive with stints as Senior Vice-President of Drama Development at CBS, and as Executive Vice-President of Original Programming & Development at EPIX. She was also Head of Television at Charlize Theron's production company, Denver and Delilah. Laverne is the Executive Producer of the Netflix series GIRLBOSS and co-founder of K&L Productions, a film & television company created with Kay Cannon. Laverne is also a certified grief counselor, a cognitive behavioral therapist and neuro-linguistics practitioner, and a Reiki master-in-training. Laverne is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University's MS Leadership for Creative Enterprises program where she teaches courses in Persuasion & Pitching and Ethics. During episode 501 of Moxielicious®, Laverne McKinnon and I talk about how to navigate disenfranchised grief. More specifically, we discuss: What it means to go for a “moonshot” How grief, specifically disenfranchised loss, impacts our work and our wellbeing What most people get wrong about disenfranchised grief Why emotional intelligence is essential to navigating disenfranchised grief (our own grief and the grief of our clients or employees) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Laverne and her approach to disenfranchised grief here. Connect with Laverne on Facebook and Instagram. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

When Nicole Anderson didn't see enough women and people of color getting keynote speaking opportunities, she decided to do something about it. She started NAL Speakers. Nicole Anderson Legacy Speakers (known as NAL Speakers) is a contemporary agency connecting respected thought leaders, innovative thinkers, and connectors for learning businesses to audiences around the world through virtual or face-to-face keynotes, workshops, and summits. With 25+ years of operations and business development experience, Nicole is known for building collaborative working relationships, driving productivity, and motivating others to continuously deliver superior sales results. NAL Speakers works with a selected group of executives, scientists, public intellectuals, authors, consultants, and entrepreneurs – thinkers and doers who continuously strive to change the world (and the people in it) for the better. In episode 409, the final, thought provoking episode of Moxielicious® season 4, Nicole and I discuss: How to stand out as a speaker if you don't have representation (yet) The key materials speakers need for associations, organizations, meetings planners, and eventually, speakers bureaus, to consider them The most popular speaking topics for live and virtual events (Hint: they look quite a bit different now than even just one year ago) What makes NAL Speakers different than traditional speakers bureaus How Covid has democratized who has access to learning and conferences and why, Nicole hopes, virtual events always play a prominent role in the speaking space Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about NAL Speakers and connect with Nicole Anderson at NALSpeakersBureau.com. Follow NAL Speakers on LinkedIn. Get Step into Your Moxie® certified and support your clients (or employees) to amplify their voices, visibility, and influence (while you do the same). Apply here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Elena Ledoux is the definition of a multi-passionate, successful, and values driven entrepreneur. She is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a shareholder of Boss Security Screens, a leading security screens company in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. She's also a co-founder and CEO of Superb Maids, the #1 professional house cleaning company in Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, servicing over 5,000 clients. Elena is also a certified business coach with the Conquer program which helps hundreds of service businesses throughout the US and Canada to systemize and scale. Elena Ledoux has won numerous awards, including being named the 2019 SBA's Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Nevada, 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Southern Nevada Chapter, and a finalist for 2020 US Chamber of Commerce's Dream Big Awards – Minority-Owned Business. For her philanthropic work, Elena has won several awards: HealthySunrise Foundation's Distinguished Humanitarian of the Year Award and NiceJob's Community Impact Award. Most recently, Elena became one of the Women Who Inspire Nevada 2021 award recipients. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Elena Ledoux enjoyed working as a defense attorney for a busy private firm in Honolulu. And prior to that, she clerked for two civil division judges in Woodbury, NJ. A first-generation immigrant from Uzbekistan, Elena holds a master's degree in International Economic Relations from Tashkent State Institute where she studied Chinese and Arabic and a juris doctorate from Widener University in Wilmington, DE. Elena is active in assisting fellow immigrants to overcome assimilation challenges, and she is the author of the book, 98 Tips for Achieving the American Dream. In my interview with Elena Ledoux, we discuss: Why Elena is driven to create opportunities for fellow immigrants and how her friendship with a fellow immigrant was the catalyst for her first multi-million dollar company The unique benefits Elena offers employees, including the ability to fire difficult clients and support with buying their first homes How Elena spends an average of 1 hour per week as CEO of Superb Maids (Hint: She uses the Entrepreneurial Organizing System (EOS) and creates a lot of videos for her teams.) How Elena does (and does not) work with business partners, including her husband, so that each leader has autonomy and can stay in their lane Why Elena's favorite question to ask herself is “Am I a cow?” or “Am I a buffalo?” Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Elena's companies including Superb Maids, Boss Security Screens, and MommyGo. Follow Elena on Facebook and read her writing on Quora. Get Step into Your Moxie® certified and support your clients (or employees) to amplify their voices, visibility, and influence (while you do the same). Apply here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Lora Cheadle is an expert in overcoming betrayal and confidently engaging in life again – whether betrayal is from an intimate partner, one's body, life, or the realization that a person has betrayed themselves. Lora is a former attorney, podcast host, and the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self. She uses her experience of being shattered by her husband's infidelity to help others reclaim their identity, self-worth, and enthusiasm for life after betrayal. Named a Top Influencer by Success Women's Conference, she has spoken on numerous stages, including the Women's Economic Forum in New Deli, India. Her work has been published in Thrive Global, Yoga Magazine, and Om Yoga Magazine, among others. In episode 407 of Moxielicious®, Lora and I discuss why the feeling of burnout is often our body's wake-up call to our real work of overcoming betrayal. During our conversation, we discuss how to: Spot the various forms of betrayal that can show up in our lives Recover our self-trust after betrayal Identify if our “burnout” is really an issue of self-betrayal Radically untangle ourselves from other people's judgements and expectations Move betrayal through our body (Hint: Lora shares a fun and effective burlesque move to do this) If you have a sense that “overcoming betrayal” is important healing work for you, and an important part of leveling up your career or business, be sure to listen in. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Download Lora's free Overcoming Betrayal digital guide at BurnoutOrBetrayal.com and learn more about Lora's Overcoming Betrayal coaching programs. Grab a copy of Lora's book, FLAUNT! Connect with Lora in her Facebook Group, on Instagram, or on Twitter. Get Step into Your Moxie® certified and support your clients (or employees) to amplify their voices, visibility, and influence (while you do the same). Apply here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Carissa Begonia is a first-generation Filipina-American who is committed to centering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voices. She is the founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE and serves as an executive, leadership, and business coach helping BIPOC leaders and entrepreneurs pursue meaningful careers, build their own values-driven businesses, and design a life of purpose. Carissa is a certified Emotional Intelligence coach and the former head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) of Zappos. As a fractional COO and equity consultant with over 15 years of experience working on both the operations and the human side of business, Carissa helps organizations develop and operationalize their DEI strategy with an anti-racist, anti-oppression lens. Carissa is the co-founder of Green Mango International, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit supporting educational opportunities for underserved school children in the Philippines. She is also the co-founder of AARISE – Asian American Racialized Identity and Social Empowerment for AAPIs, a holistic program centering Asian American experiences, emotional processing, and somatic healing in pursuit of justice and liberation for all. Carissa and I met half a decade ago when she had just started a women's Employee Resource Group (ERG), before that was really a “thing”, during her time at Zappos. It's been a privilege and a joy to watch Carissa find her voice and grow her thought leadership in the DEI space. In episode 406 of Moxielicious®, Carissa and I discuss her work as a coach for BIPOC leaders and the importance of centering AAPI voices, plus: How the lack of AAPI (and immigrant) business coaches motivated Carissa to pave a path in coaching (and DEI) for those who look like her How Carissa created her position at Zappos as the head of DEI – and her sage advice for other entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who want to do something similar How being an independent contractor first enabled Carissa to merge her experiences in operations & DEI while she began to grow a coaching business Why somatic healing is a core part of Carissa's AARISE program and community, and why it belongs in racial and social justice and leadership development conversations, coaching, and training Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about centering AAPI voices and connect with Carissa on LinkedIn. Learn more about Carissa's three ventures: CONSCIOUSXCHANGE, AARISE, and Green Mango International. Get Step into Your Moxie® certified and support your clients (or employees) to amplify their voices, visibility, and influence (while you do the same). Apply here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

In my coach-the-coach podcast episode of season 4, I had the pleasure of coaching (and, as I explain early in the episode, strategizing with) Tosha Schore about opportunities in the “professional development speakers for teachers” space. Tosha is a parent educator committed to creating a more peaceful world, one sweet boy at a time, who wants to break into speaking to educators and parents. A coach, speaker and co-author with Hand in Hand Parenting founder, Patty Wipfler, of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges, Tosha is mom to three boys and an advocate for boys and their families worldwide. She is committed to creating lasting change in families and in the world by supporting parents to care for themselves, connect with their boys deeply, set limits lovingly, and play wildly. Tosha holds a BA in Women's Studies and Language Studies from UCSC, an MA in Applied Linguistics from UCLA, and is a certified teacher and trainer of instructors in Parenting by Connection. During our coach-the-coach episode, we dive deep into what it takes to break into the “professional development speakers for teachers” market. In episode 405 of Moxielicious®, Tosha and I discuss how to: Identify the focus for a signature presentation that can be adapted for educators and parents Leverage speaking opportunities at national, regional, state, and local professional development conferences to connect with educational leaders for speaking opportunities at their institutions Price speaking opportunities in the K-12 education space (Hint: It's about selling daylong opportunities within a school) Avoid being vague or dismissible by being unapologetic about having a specific focus in professional development Whether you are curious about opportunities in the “professional development speakers for teachers” (and parents!) space, or you are looking for interesting speaker marketing tactics, I think you will enjoy this episode. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Tosha Schore on her website. Applications are open for the next cohort of Step into Your Moxie® Certification. Learn more about the first-of-its-kind vocal empowerment certification program for coaches, consultants, trainers, and business leaders who want to amplify their voice, visibility, and influence (while getting paid to show their clients and employees how to do the same). Grab all the details here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Elayne Fluker is an expert in asking for support, and she is the author of the new book, Get Over “I Got It” – where she encourages unapologetically ambitious women to learn how to embrace support not only for their success but also their peace of mind. As a speaker at organizations such as LinkedIn, the United Nations, the Women Presidents' Organization, NYU, Columbia, Spelman College and Howard University, she gives women a roadmap for making empowered asks and living a fulfilled life. Elayne is host of the Support is Sexy podcast where she has interviewed more than 500 diverse women entrepreneurs around the world, and she is the founder of SiS.Academy – an online learning platform educating and empowering Black Women entrepreneurs. Most recently Elayne was named a “Founder of Change” for SiS.Academy as part of the American Express “100 for 100” program featuring 100 innovative Black women entrepreneurs. During our conversation on asking for support, Elayne and I discuss: Top areas where “helpers” (aka coaches, consultants, and business leaders) struggle to ask for support and Elayne's suspicion about why that is Native American social worker Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart's model for historical trauma – and why asking for support is both an individual act of self-empowerment AND a way to disrupt systemic oppression Unique ways of asking for support when you know you need support but you aren't clear on what support would actually look like The 5 Rs for making an empowered ask The extra book chapter Elayne would write if she could Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Elayne Fluker and her new book (and grab book bonuses!) at GetOverIGotIt.com The Harvard Business Review (HBR) article – Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome Sign-up for my free virtual workshop – Amplify Your Voice, Visibility and Influence While Getting Paid to Show Your Clients (or Employees) How to Do the Same Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

If you've been interested in learning about Supplier Diversity Certification, you are a Certified Diverse Business and you want to better leverage your certification for corporate opportunities, or you are an organizational leader who wants to understand the benefits of supplier diversity, you're going to love my guests on Moxielicious® episode 403. Heather Cox is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and consultant. She brings her tireless energy to the cause of making the business world more closely resemble the real world. Heather champions diversity and inclusion through her work as an entrepreneur, giving business leaders the tools to improve their numbers and advance their companies. As Co-Mastermind of Diversity Masterminds®, Heather assists all diverse owned businesses to increase their visibility in markets and make creative connections that accelerate growth. Liz Whitehead is an award-winning business development consultant that specializes in guiding diverse businesses to leverage their certification and benefit from corporate supplier diversity initiatives. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as certified business enterprises who are invested in making the most of their certification. She supports her clients in reaching their goals through facilitation, consulting, and one-on-one coaching. In late-2020, I embarked on the Supplier Diversity Certification process, and I'm so glad I did. Heather Cox, the Co-Founder and President of Certify My Company, shepherded Steve and me through the process. Through Heather, I met Liz Whitehead, the CEO of 12PointFive, and Liz's partner in Diversity Masterminds. Diversity Masterminds helps Certified Diverse Business Owners make the most of their certification once it's granted. I invited Heather and Liz onto Moxielicious® to demystify Supplier Diversity Certification. As I share in episode 403, I first learned about the opportunity in 2012 or 2013 from a corporate client – and it took me almost a decade to go through the process because of a lot of the myths of Supplier Diversity Certification I bought into. During our conversation on Supplier Diversity Certification, we discuss: What Supplier Diversity Certification is (and isn't) as well as the big 5 Supplier Diversity Certification categories The types of companies that most benefit from Supplier Diversity Certification (Hint: most coaches, consultants, and trainers who want to win more corporate work DO benefit – if they understand how to leverage their certification once it's granted) The top myths that keep women entrepreneurs from getting certified – including that the paperwork is overwhelming and certification is only for companies who want to work with the government How to actually get business after Supplier Diversity Certification – from large companies and from fellow Diverse Business Owners The importance of a proper Capabilities Statement when marketing to organizations – and how to differentiate yourself from others in your space without being vague or making false claims   Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about Heather and Liz's program, Diversity Masterminds, that picks up where Supplier Diversity Certification ends – and join me in the Fall 2021 cohort Sign-up for my free virtual workshop – Amplify Your Voice, Visibility and Influence While Getting Paid to Show Your Clients (or Employees) How to Do the Same Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Andrea Owen is the author of the new book, Make Some Noise: Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength, as well as a global speaker and professional certified life coach who helps high-achieving women maximize unshakeable confidence and master resilience. She has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to be able to empower themselves to live their most kick-ass life through speaking, her books, coaching, and her wildly popular podcast with over 3 million downloads. In addition to Make Some Noise, Andrea is the proud author of How To Stop Feeling Like Shit: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back From Happiness which has been translated into 18 languages and is available in 22 countries, as well as her inaugural book, 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: BS Free Wisdom to Ignite Your Inner Badass and Live the Life You Deserve. Andrea is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from The Coaches Training Institute, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a SHE RECOVERS® coach, and a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (a modality based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.) I love this episode so much because I got to speak with a fellow coach, who I think the world of, about my favorite subjects at the intersections of self-help and social justice. During episode 402 of Moxielicious®, Andrea Owen and I talk about her new book, Make Some Noise, and how to: Recognize (and hopefully avoid) toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing. Facilitate self-improvement for ourselves and also address systemic oppression and other societal injustices. Speak up to others about harm they are causing from a place of compassion, courage, and candor. Mine our triggers and reactions for clues about trauma that needs to be healed. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Andrew Owen, Make Some Noise, and grab book bonuses here. Join Alexia for the next round of The Speaker Workout so you can buff up your public speaking, improv, executive presence, and facilitation muscles. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

In the inaugural episode of Moxielicious® season 4, I talk about how to find a signature system that allows you to grow your movement as a coach, consultant, business or thought leader. As I share near the top of the episode, the movement that my work as a speaking coach is all about is “speaking up.” More specifically, I want Step into Your Moxie® to be the go-to system for people ready to cultivate the mindset and skillset to be able to walk into any room, into any conversation, and onto any stage able to speak up for themselves, the ideas and issues that matter to them (and to their companies), and when they speak, call people to action. The funny thing I've noticed about myself, most of my clients, and certainly a lot of the business, activist, and even educational leaders I've had the privilege of working with over the years is that while they (we!) love talking about the “nature” of our work, we are often lousy at naming our approach to it. We've been so socialized not to talk about how we do what we do, or to talk about features and benefits, that so much (too much!) of what we do has become rooted in instinct. We aren't able to talk about the signature system or paradigm underpinning what we do. Signature systems sell our work to prospective clients – and they facilitate transformation for the people we work with. You need one. It can be yours. It can be somebody else's. That's up to you – as I discuss in this episode. Whichever decision you make, be sure your signature system connects to your movement. And if you want to grow your movement as a business or thought leader, keep coming back to Moxielicious®. Because throughout season 4, I'm talking to amazing guests growing super specific, inspiring movements. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Join Alexia (that's me!) for the next round of The Speaker Workout so you can buff up your public speaking, improv, executive presence, and facilitation muscles. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

On episode 314 of Moxielicious®, the focus is on Restorative Justice in the workplace. I'm joined by David Ryan Barcega Castro-Harris (all five names for the ancestors) – who is the son of Bien and DP and the grandson of Ruth and Yolando as well as Ruth and Jesse. As the Founder of Amplify RJ and host of “This Restorative Justice Life” podcast, he shares the philosophy, practices, and values of Restorative Justice as antidotes to white supremacy culture. Now living in “Los Angelish” with his wife Wendy, he leans on the training from his elders and his experiences doing Restorative Justice work in Chicago schools, community, and criminal legal settings to share knowledge and create experiences that help folks across the world understand Restorative Justice as a relationship centered-way of being, not merely a program for addressing harm. My conversation with David about Restorative Justice in the workplace nourished me as much as it challenged me. It made me reflect on ways I unintentionally cause harm, how I account for and clean that up, as well as how I can better support coaches, consultants, and experts as well as business leaders to navigate high-stakes conversations around difficult topics and own their mistakes which, if we're having important conversations, is inevitable. During our conversation on the myriad applications for Restorative Justice in the workplace, David discusses: What Restorative Justice is, why he's passionate about this work, and why he started Amplify RJ Potent examples for how Restorative Justice can be used to repair little h as well as big H harm How to use Restorative Justice principles to minimize blame and shame that keeps people stuck in cycles of oppression and victimization Core practices, questions, and conversation recommendations that coaches and practitioners as well as organizational leaders can use to bring Restorative Justice into their work and workplaces How Restorative Justice interacts with racial justice, gender justice, LGBTQIA+ justice, and other types of equity work Resources Mentioned in This Episode: There's still time to apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about David Ryan Barcega Castro-Harris and his company, Amplify RJ I mentioned Rachel Ricketts' outstanding book, Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Azul Terronez is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and book coach who specializes in helping leaders write and publish books that elevate their brand. As the CEO of the six-figure company, Authors Who Lead, he has enabled Wall Street CEOs and health and wellness gurus to sell tens of thousands of books. When he's not hosting his podcast, Authors Who Lead, he's working as a creativity coach with CEOs and Emmy Award-winning producers to build their confidence, improve their productivity, and increase their visibility within their companies. Prior to starting a career in coaching, Azul spent over two decades as a teacher, a principal, and a founding faculty member of High Tech High Graduate School of Education. He has been a keynote speaker at international education conferences and his TEDx talk, “What Makes a Good Teacher Great,” has been viewed over 2.4 million times! Azul has appeared on noteworthy podcasts including Smart Passive Income, The Will To Change, Addicted2Success, and The Good Men Project. His forthcoming book, named after his Tedx talk, will be published in August 2021. If you've contemplated how to write your book as a business leader, you're going to love this episode! Azul and I dig into: How to identify when it's the right time to write a book – and what kind of support is required to have the bandwidth to do it well The muck that comes up when writing a book – and why the discomfort is usually a good thing How to ensure your book serves your business/work AND the story and message you want to share with the world Key considerations to decide whether to self-publish or pursue a traditional book deal How Azul supports Authors Who Lead through his business… Authors Who Lead Resources Mentioned in This Episode: There's still time to apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about Azul Terronez and his company, Authors Who Lead Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Dorsey Standish was a dream interviewee for this coach-the-coach episode. The Chief Mindfulness Officer of Mastermind, she is a scientist, educator, and speaker. Dorsey and Mastermind bring research-backed mindfulness meditation to clients nationwide – including to companies such as Staples, Pier 1, Deloitte, United Way, Peloton, and Lockheed Martin. A recovering perfectionist and Type A engineer, Dorsey loves sharing practical mindfulness tips with high performers who think they are “too busy” or “too stressed” to meditate. During coach-the-coach episode 312 of Moxielicious®, Dorsey and I talk about who she is becoming as a thought leader. More specifically, we discuss: Provocative questions that will illuminate your “idea worth spreading” and thought leadership zone of genius How to shift from burying yourself behind other experts' research to using your own voice and distinct verbiage to speak about your work Key differences in structure and pricing between a keynote and a corporate training or facilitation session Resources Mentioned in This Episode: There's still time to apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about more about Dorsey Standish and her company, Mastermind. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In Moxielicious® episode 311, I'm joined by a true soul sister, Victoriya Scovel, as we chat about common mistakes coaches make – and what to do about them. When Victoriya (or Vic) is not exchanging Marco Polo messages with me in the middle of the night, she's the Head of Growth at Mindfulness.com and a Business Advisor who works with founders and visionary coaches and leaders who dream big, come up with millions of ideas per hour, and don't want to be put in a box. She helps them translate their vision into strategy and subsequently converts that into an implementation plan with clear goals, milestones, and KPIs. Vic spent over a decade in self-help, e-commerce and tech, and she has deep expertise in growth strategy (marketing, business development, and partnerships), launch strategy and planning, business operations, auditing and optimization, and process improvement. During our conversation on common mistakes coaches make, Vic and I discuss: How to identify and speak to your customer avatar (and the importance of knowing their pain points and personal motivators) The dos and don'ts of creating growth loops – and why content loops (and, specifically, user-generated content) is so valuable to entrepreneurs The top operational mistakes coaches, consultants, and other small business owners make – and how to utilize basic principles of EOS® (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) to solve them What the role of an Integrator entails – and why successful entrepreneurs always have one leading their team Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about Vic as a Business Advisor to founders, leaders, and coaches here. Connect with Vic on LinkedIn here. Explore EOS in the book, Rocket Fuel here. Vic mentions my podcast interview with Lisa Fabrega on capacity. Check it out here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

With a passion for speaking about gender bias in tech, Darja Gutnick is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bunch.ai. She's a rebel psychologist and former academic who dove headfirst into entrepreneurship and is now a two-time founder. Along with her team, Darja is building Bunch's signature AI Leadership Coach platform which helps any leader become better at their work in two minutes a day. During our conversation, Darja and I talk about gender bias in tech (and in most corporate fields), she participates in my first lightning round of rapid fire questions, and we dive into: Key challenges that women in upper-level leadership positions face when leading men (Hint: The answer is not what you suspect) How to make good hiring decisions – and why “skill-level” should not be the primary thing you recruit for The different kinds of mentorship and support leaders need to thrive (plus a shout-out for Stacey Abrams' book, Lead from the Outside) Why “questioning yourself like a scientist” and “trusting your intuition” are two of the most important skills to disrupt gender bias in tech and to cultivate leadership success Plus, Darja provides guidance to coaches who want to work with executives and senior leaders on the areas where leaders like her most need support Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about Bunch.ai here. Grab the Bunch.ai leadership app here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

As I say at the beginning of Moxielicious® episode 309, Ericka Aviles is an expert on community partnerships, and she’s one of the most masterful relationship builders I know. A dynamic and passionate leader in the Las Vegas community, Ericka is the Founder of Ericka Aviles Consulting LLC, is a boutique consulting firm focused on digital communications, marketing, and community relations. Established in 2016 as a multilingual and multicultural Latina owned business, Ericka Aviles Consulting focuses on bridging gaps of language and culture between her clients and the audiences they serve. Ericka has helped clients with statewide and regional education and health campaigns, sports marketing, civic engagement and infrastructure projects by developing strategic plans, partnerships, and authentic and effective marketing and outreach tactics tailored to unique communities. Ericka is also the founder of Latinas in Power, a professional network of Latinas. She currently serves as a member of the International Women’s Forum Nevada Chapter, she’s a board member of the Vegas Chamber Executive Women’s Council, and she sits on the Discovery Children’s Museum’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board. Ericka immigrated with her family from El Salvador to Las Vegas when she was six years old. An English language learning student, she was the first in her family to graduate high school and go on to college. She’s had the opportunity to travel the world representing Las Vegas as a world class destination, and she has worked at major hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. During our conversation, Ericka and I cover a lot of territory at the intersections of community partnerships, attracting sponsorship dollars, and engaging communities of color. For example, what chat about: How to create mutually beneficial community partnerships (and corporate-community partnerships) by leading from a place of curiosity and with an open mind, managing expectations, letting relationships deepen over time, and focusing on providing measurable value to partners Specific, actionable steps to take when courting corporate sponsors – from what should go into a sponsorship pitch deck to how Ericka successfully tapped into local sponsorship dollars for her group, Latinas in Power, during Covid (at a time when Las Vegas companies were tightening their spending) Leveling-up from being a solopreneur to growing a team – and how Ericka utilizes her personal Board of Advisors for feedback and championship Boundaries Ericka has created for philanthropic and professional association leadership so she doesn’t overcommit Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Apply to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more Ericka Aviles Consulting here. Learn more about Latinas in Power here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In episode 308 of Moxielicious®, I speak with Tom Austin, the co-founder and CEO of Confidently. The Confidently app makes coaching fun, easy, and effective for both individuals and organizations who have the ability to access a variety of science-backed tools to cultivate mental fitness. Tom is also a former co-founder of AND1, a brand that grew famous for its trash-talk T-shirts and was a cultural movement in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. It was so popular that hundreds of athletes tattooed the logo on their bodies, and Netflix has a documentary about this movement coming out in 2021. While I invite most guests onto the podcast, when my partner, Stephen, showed me the pitch Tom’s PR company sent, it was an immediate yes for me. Not only was I super intrigued by the design of the Confidently app, but I could sense Tom would have an awesome story and wise recommendations on a variety of subjects at the intersections of developmental psychology, creativity, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. And as you’ll hear in this episode, my gut was spot on. While unapologetically celebrating his successes, Tom also pulls back the curtains to describe his multiple pivots. He acknowledges that women have a much harder time being multi-passionate and accounting for career interruptions. And throughout our interview, he provides whip-smart recommendations on a variety of subjects, such as: What the Confidently app is, who it’s designed for, and how it’s democratizing who has access to coaching Why Tom repeatedly decided to “begin again” rather than get 10% better at something he already knew or mastered Why “Is it soul satisfying?” and “Am I productive to society?” are great questions for gauging meaningful work and future opportunities How to know when it’s the right time to make a sharp right turn in your career or launch a new venture (Tom is super honest about not leaping until you have secured a net.) The mindset and strategies to activate your network to support you and your endeavors (I absolutely love Tom’s recommendations for how to conduct a strengths audit, sculpt a powerful narrative, and approach the people in your network – as well as the value of “weak ties”.) Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Save $500 and apply early to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about the Confidently app here. Listen to Moxielicious® episode 103 to identify your personal Board of Advisors. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

When a loved one dies, it’s easy to be overtaken by grief. For my episode 307 coach-the-coach guest, Melo Garcia, the death of her father, daughter, and mother over the course of three years could have been a grief she never climbed out of. Instead, Melo chose to envision a life beyond the pain and chose to heal. Then, she decided to become a grief coach to help others overcome their own losses. In episode 307 of Moxielicious®, Melo and I begin by discussing her ideal coaching client. But as you’ll hear, there’s really a much deeper and juicer conversation that wanted to be had. We pivoted and discussed: Why, as coaches, we get stuck on questions like “Who is my ideal client?” rather than asking uncomfortable questions about who we are (and want to become) as coaches, speakers, and thought leaders My #1 reminder that instantly allows us to sink back into our purpose when we spiral into self-doubt (Hint: It has to do with remembering our “responsibility” to serve.) Melo’s big aha moment about picking-up the bullhorn and screaming from rooftops, “We need to normalize grief!” Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Save $500 and apply early to the Moxielicious® Mastermind. Learn more about Melo Garcia and her After Chloe platform. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

2021 marks 14 years I’ve been a coach. And in episode 306, I share some of the top coaching lessons I’ve learned. Whether you consider yourself a coach, consultant, or expert who is new or newish to your business and you’d like to save yourself some of the missteps I’ve taken. Or… you’re a leader who wants to grow yourself as you grow the people around you. Or… you’ve been in the coaching, consulting, speaking game for a while – and maybe it feels like you’re not consistently leveling-up the way you’d like. No matter which category you find yourself in, and even if you would self-identify a little differently, I think you’re going to learn a lot during this solo Moxielicious® episode. Before you dive in, be sure to grab yourself a delicious beverage of your choosing, pull out a journal or open a Google doc, and be sure to take some notes so that you can learn from my coaching lessons. In Moxielicious® episode 306, some of the coaching lessons I share include: Nobody’s opinion of you will ever impact your ability to flourish as much as your own opinion of yourself. So, it’s best to invest in becoming the person you know you were born to be, because then you wake up every day fueled by your own enoughness and possess unshakable self-worth. My revenue and visibility are not only based on my effort. They are also shaped by my clarity of vision, taking consistent and relevant action, prioritizing warm relationships over cold ones, allowing myself to receive, and being certain of my success. I have a responsibility as a coach to own that I not only participate in racist (and oppressive) systems, but I also act in racist (and oppressive) ways. And… I have a responsibility to address this with my clients – whether or not this is the primary focus of our work (which typically it isn’t). I need a team to support me professionally AND personally. I/we never get a place where we can go on autopilot and stop doing “the work.” Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Applications are open for my Moxielicious® Mastermind! If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who wants to uplevel into a trusted thought leader, learn more about my 8-month program for a carefully curated community of women entrepreneurs at MoxieliciousMastermind.com. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In episode 305, I talk about how to price your coaching packages with financial behaviorist, Jacquette M. Timmons. A mentor, fellow speaker and coach, and dear friend, Jacquette focuses on the human side of money and is committed to getting you to see that you don't manage money - you manage your choices around money. In addition to being the author of Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate, Jacquette is the host of the More Than Money podcast, a frequent blogger, the creator of The Comfort Circle™ dinner series, and she leads “Pricing Made Human™” pricing workshops and events for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Jacquette’s work has been featured on Minnesota Public Radio, SiriusXM, Good Morning America, CNN, NPR and the Wall Street Journal. She holds an MBA in finance from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business and an undergraduate degree in marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She lives in Brooklyn, NY and can be seen running in Prospect Park most days of the week. In episode 305 of Moxielicious® on pricing your coaching packages, Jacquette and I discuss: How our upbringing and culture shapes our lifelong relationship with money Why pricing feels hard (and emotional!) and how to price your coaching packages confidently, strategically, and profitably The importance of shifting from “charging what you’re worth” to pricing based on the value and impact of your services Why Jacquette did not lower her coaching fees or keynote rates in 2020 – and how curiosity enabled her to increase her profits over the year. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Grab your ticket to Moxie Camp and join me in The Speaker Workout! Grab Jacquette’s complimentary guide – The Financial Wheel. Read Jacquette’s book – Financial Intimacy Listen to Jacquette’s podcast Connect with Jacquette on Instagram and Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In episode 304 of Moxielicious, I chit-chat with Kim Wensel about corporate messaging. Kim is a strategic messaging consultant and writer with over ten years of experience leading nonprofit and small business communications. Her firm, Pattern of Purpose, helps founders, executives, and emerging philanthropists build a brand and platform reflective of their lived experience and expertise. Using the principles of storytelling, she provides a framework for communicating your message more effectively while still staying true to your voice. In her first career, Kim worked as a program officer and grant writer for global and domestic organizations supporting women’s health and gender-based violence response and prevention. Kim holds a Master of Public Health and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Virginia Tech. She’s fueled by coffee, thrives on a well-planned week, and while wildly extroverted is uncovering the essentialism of alone time. In episode 304 of Moxielicious on corporate messaging, Kim and I discuss: Why former nonprofit employees and leaders often carry a scarcity mindset and scarcity behaviors into entrepreneurship – and how to shed those old habits How to integrate coming across as “professional” when working with organizations and their leaders without sounding “buttoned up, technical, or serious” Why organizations want coaches and consultants with compelling stories and a clear point of view – but why entrepreneurs with personality brands may want to separate their personal brand from their organizational one Tips for corporate messaging and marketing to organizations (Hint: It requires abandoning a lot of what’s done in the online marketing space) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Grab your ticket to Moxie Camp. Learn more about Kim’s approach to corporate messaging by connecting with Kim on her website and on Instagram. Listen to Kim’s podcast, Pattern of Purpose. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In the first coach-the-coach podcast episode of season 3, I had the pleasure of coaching Jill Shroyer. A self-proclaimed HR nerd, Jill is the founder of Expedition HR Consulting, a best-selling author, a fluent Spanish speaker, and professional at solving Sticky Situations. Expedition HR helps small businesses conquer and prevent sticky situations through teaching core HR pillars in a simple and understandable way... to minimize risk! Expedition HR proudly donates a portion of each dollar earned (including royalties from Jill’s book) to organizations about which Jill is passionate -which include animal welfare organizations and Charity Water, whose mission is to bring clean drinking water to every person in the world. Jill lives in paradise (as she calls it) in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah with her husband, two elementary school-aged kids, puppy, and 17-year-old “Queen of the House” cat. Jill spends her free time traveling with her family, fostering animals, mountain biking, and skiing deep powder.   In episode 303 of Moxielicious®, Jill and I discuss: Powerful questions to ask prospective clients so they see the value of working together (and so you can avoid going into features and benefits that often don’t matter to them). Why the fear of “selling” often prevents us from fully serving people in sales conversations and in our presentations. The focus of Jill’s signature presentation on Sticky Situations. How to clearly connect your signature speech to your program offerings, books, and other intellectual property (IP).   Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Grab your ticket to Moxie Camp Learn more about Jill and Expedition HR Grab Jill’s book - Conquer Sticky Situations Connect with Jill on LinkedIn or Instagram  

In episode 302, I’m joined by partners in business (JessTalk) and life – Jesse and Lisa Ferrell. Prior to partnering as coaches and speakers, Jesse and Lisa worked in the corporate world in a variety of roles for 35 years. Jesse went from being a busboy to becoming the Executive Director of Casino Marketing. Meanwhile, Lisa managed an extremely challenging and often toxic, high six-figure corporate sales role while raising three children as a single mom! It was through their personal struggles that they learned how to turn their careers around in midlife and, through their company, design an opportunity that afforded them the recognition, income, and fulfillment they craved. Through JessTalk, and Lisa’s women-centered division, LisaListen, the Ferrells have spent 183,000 hours coaching others to reach their breakthrough success. During our interview, Jesse and Lisa share how: Knowing who is “1st chair” or “2nd chair” when it comes to finances, program fulfillment, and other business areas empowers them to work in their zones of genius. They grew their business revenue 500% over the last year while most speakers and trainers saw a massive decrease in revenue (Hint: The key was not pivoting). They are able to bridge from initial corporate engagements to working throughout a company (They share a great example of how in one organization they quickly leveled up from coaching 3 employees to 13!). Companies and their people need more coaching and support than ever before – and the top areas they are asked to address. Tough times can be the catalyst for our growth – whether we are coaches, consultants, or business leaders (and how JessTalk’s 3 As can support that growth). Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Grab a FREE ticket to Moxie Camp Learn more about JessTalk and LisaListen. Connect with Jesse and Lisa on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In the first episode of Moxielicious season 3, I’m joined by Rebecca Weaver, the Founder and CEO of HRuprise. HRuprise is a platform that connects people with HR coaches to help them grow, develop, and navigate their toughest workplace challenges. After 20 years of working in HR roles for Fortune 50 companies to startups on the cutting edge, Rebecca grew frustrated with just how much is stacked in favor of the company, including the role of HR. Rebecca created the HRuprise platform to level the playing field for employees. It’s HR that works for employees, not the company. As a speaker, thought leader, and HR disruptor, Rebecca is soul-stirring – as you’ll discover for yourself. During our candid conversation, Rebecca and I discuss how: Rebecca’s history of working in HR for some of the U.S.’s biggest companies and most innovative start-ups led her to start HRuprise A new paradigm for HR can work for employees (and not just employers). HRuprise is disrupting HR by providing opportunities for HR professionals to serve as coaches for employees who deserve and hunger for HR advocacy and support they are unlikely to receive inside their organizations. HR policies often protect perpetrators of harassment and prevent transparency and workplace healing and growth. Coaches, HR professionals, and business leaders who care deeply about ending racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and other forms of systemic oppression can move beyond allyship to taking on institutionalized workplace inequality and harassment. A breast cancer diagnosis radically shifted the last year of Rebecca’s life – while amplifying her commitment to growing HRuprise. Healthcare, like so many industries, is ripe for disruption – particularly when it comes to integrating more compassionate, humanizing care for patients. Resource Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Rebecca Weaver and HRuprise at hruprise.com and connect with her on Instagram and Twitter @hruprise. Grab my new (free!) and super timely digital guide on landing corporate speaking and training opportunities as a coach/consultant at BookCorporateGigs.com. Connect with other coaches, consultants, trainers, and business leaders in the Spotlight Speakers Salon Facebook Group.

One of my extraordinary clients, Elena Joy Thurston, is the Founder of The Pride and Joy Foundation – which is dedicated to LGBTQ diversity training and building self-awareness and safety in LGBTQ families and their allies. (A graduate of The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator and current member of the Moxielicious Mastermind, Elena is also a brilliant speaker whose TEDx talk has garnered 40,000+ views in less than a year.) There have been so many rich conversations over the last few months in communities and corporations around the U.S. about racism and white privilege – and our collective responsibility to address racism that is happening ideologically, institutionally, interpersonally and often, without us being aware, intrapersonally. Unfortunately, there are far fewer complementary conversations about the unique, often-unaddressed needs of LGBTQ children and employees – and the rising rates of suicide in the LGBTQ community. While working with Elena on her exceptional LGBTQ diversity training for organizations, I realized how much of what she is sharing is missing from (and needed in) conversations we, as families, are having – particularly with our children. As Elena passionately shared during our conversation (which was initially recorded for our LGBTQ Family Town Hall), the more people that are practicing self-awareness, the safer the world is for LGBTQ people. Whether you or your family members are part of the LGBTQ community, or you want to be educated about LGBTQ issues so you, your loved ones, and your company (and coworkers) can be better LGBTQ allies, you are going to learn volumes from our conversation. In episode 206 of Moxielicious, Elena and I discuss: How to talk about sexual orientation and gender identity within your family – whether or not family members identify as LGBTQ How to make it safe for children (and grown-ups!) to ask questions about LGBTQ issues and terminology What it means to be an LGBTQ ally irrespective of your age (and creative ways to build allyship into your family or organization) How to utilize emotional intelligence in sensitive conversations with LGBTQ family members and coworkers Specific tools to identify suicide risk in employees and loved ones – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Get comfortable with visibility, identify your zone of genius as a speaker (and thought leader), create your signature presentation, and master my system to consistently book virtual and in-person speaking gigs in my The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator group coaching program – http://spotlightspeakeraccelerator.com/ Learn more about Elena’s LGBTQ diversity training and family support programs at the Pride and Joy Foundation Watch Elena’s popular and soul-stirring TEDx talk, How I recovered from conversion therapy Read about Elena’s approach to LGBTQ diversity training (and best practices for LGBTG diversity training) on Medium Connect with Elena on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

When my daughter Kaia inquired about who would be interviewing me on “social justice for coaches” during the last day of my Our Future is NOW interview series, I suggested… “You?” “If you get me out of math class,” she responded, “I’m in.” While I had no idea how my interview with Kaia on social justice for coaches would go, for in acting they always say, “Never work with animals or children because of they are unpredictable,” I couldn’t be any prouder of my rising leader (and interviewer). Although she is only 6, one of my daughter's deepest desires has been to be a part of the business her dad and I run together. During the pandemic, she started helping us with our monthly profit and loss statements and with filing bills and receipts. And recently, we also offered her the opportunity to be a part of our program curriculum development. (She’s been in her own online improv, theater, and girls’ empowerment camps and afterschool programs, so she’s got fantastic ideas for skill-building activities I can lead with my clients. Kaia also cares deeply about social justice issues, and it was great to hear her reflect back ways she’s speaking up already – and what conversations and exercises her father and I have introduced have stuck. During my conversation with my daughter Kaia on social justice for coaches, we talk about: What I mean when I talk about social justice – what it is, what it isn’t, and the key ways that oppression operates in society Why we don’t have to give respect when people haven’t earned it, but why we do need to treat people (even those with who we vehemently disagree) with dignity if we are serious about rooting out oppression My top tips for coaches, consultants, speakers, business and thought leaders to talk about social justice issues – and how to do it in a way that aligns with our businesses and doesn’t come across as preachy How to handle criticism that inevitably comes up when you speak up for the ideas, issues, and people you care about And Kaia shares subjects she’s passionate about and how she handles sensation that comes up when she is getting ready to speak up   Resources Mentioned in This Episode Join my FREE virtual workshop for coaches, consultants, experts, and business leaders who want to get comfortable with visibility, create epic speaking content, and get booked to speak online (and one day soon, in-person) – com If you are a parent, check out Studio LOL to learn more about virtual improv classes for children Here is the link to Kaia’s favorite podcast, Keep Away Corona Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

While a lot of coaches may use the word “capacity,” nobody talks about capacity as profoundly as Lisa Fabrega. Lisa is a masterful leadership coach who helps ambitious people expand their capacity to handle more growth, wealth, and success. For more than ten years, she has helped entrepreneurs, corporate executives, Academy Award nominees, and Nobel Prize organization candidates break through boundaries that have been holding them back from their next level. Her signature approach enables clients to reach their highest levels of success and impact. Lisa Fabrega has addressed thousands of people both on stage as a keynote speaker and through podcast interviews including The Unmistakable Creative, Her Rules Radio, and Tell Me A Story with Debra Silverman.  She’s also been featured on CNN, Yahoo! News and The Huffington Post. Lisa splits her time between Florida and California with her two rescue dogs, Luna and Sadie.  During my provocative conversation with Lisa Fabrega on expanding your capacity as a coach, we discussed: What “capacity” really means, and why it’s so important to coaches, speakers, and leaders who want to succeed, scale, and serve The 6 capacities female entrepreneurs want to strengthen to fully activate their power and prevent a business plateau Important do’s and don’ts to create capacity to engage in important, potentially triggering conversations with our communities Surprising signs of a scarcity mentality around money – even if you are a high earner – that are important to address Critical capacity reframes to make if you feel like you are constantly hustling – particularly for visibility opportunities Essential boundaries every entrepreneur needs to cultivate to ensure a consistently upward trajectory of business growth Resources Mentioned in This Episode Connect with Lisa Fabrega at https://lisafabrega.com/ and grab her “3 Questions You Must Answer to Realign – Yes, Even During This Crisis” Learn more about Lisa’s Capacity-centered individual and group coaching programs for women entrepreneurs Connect with Lisa on Instagram Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Mindful Millionaire expert, Leisa Peterson, is a Sedona-based author, business growth strategist, money expert, mindset coach and podcaster.  She is an internationally recognized authority on bridging the gap between financial freedom and human spiritual potential. Leisa has a unique ability to draw from biology, neuroscience, philosophy, spiritual teachings and psychology to create a synthesis of knowledge that helps people understand scarcity and prosperity in profoundly affecting ways. She’s had the great fortune of witnessing 1,000’s of money breakthroughs and financial healings as a result of the process she explores in her book, The Mindful Millionaire.  During our conversation on how to lock into a mindful millionaire mindset and cultivate mindful millionaire practices, Leisa and I discussed: What our chakras reveal to us about our subconscious blocks that are getting us in our own way of prosperity The “bad habits” that are getting too many coaches, consultants, and experts in our way of making money, maximizing profits, and having predictable cash flow Why we need to be tracking our business profit and loss every day – and how Leisa has designed a system that allows her clients to do this How to grow a business without taking on debt to do so Top questions entrepreneurs should be asking themselves to avoid pricing mistakes and to better hit desired sales targets   Resources Mentioned in This Episode Grab Leisa Peterson’s Chakra Abundance Meditation (and learn more about Leisa’s mindful millionaire work) at http://abundancegift.com/ Hit “reply” to the Chakra Abundance Meditation email and let Leisa know what you most enjoyed about our interview to receive her Wealth Diagnostic Map and Chakra Diagnostic Map to continue to up level your business Connect with Leisa on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and listen to her podcast, The Mindful Millionaire Check-out the Design Thinking for Training and Development book I mentioned to Leisa during the interview Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!  

Adrienne Augustus, MPA has a unique, super valuable point of view on BIPOC mental health as a Black woman working at the intersections of mental health, corporate communications and media relations, and policing. Adrienne is a mental health advocate and the founder of A Beautiful Mind Foundation Inc., a grantmaking charity dedicated to funding culturally competent mental health services for communities of color. Adrienne began her professional career as an Emmy-nominated investigative television news journalist. In 2008, she left the industry and transitioned to public relations and corporate communications, but in 2016 she left the private sector to work in the public sector. In addition to creating and running A Beautiful Mind Foundation, Adrienne recently stepped into a new role as the Media Relations/Mental Health Programs Manager for the City of Hyattsville Police Department in Maryland. Adrienne holds a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   During our conversation on how coaches (and HR, training, and business leaders) can support mental health, particularly for BIPOC clients, Adrienne and I discuss:   Her “wake-up call” – that BIPOC mental health was not only an important topic to discuss but also her work to do and speak up about in the world What a lot of coaches and business leaders get wrong about mental health and mental illness How Adrienne’s dual roles (running a foundation that empowers people of color with mental illness and leading mental health and communication/media relations programs for a police department) have deepened her understanding of mental illness What “defunding the police” really means – and why it supports the mental health of police officers AND community members with mental illness Recommendations for coaches, consultants, HR professionals, trainers, and business leaders who want to support their clients’ and employees’ mental health Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about (and make a donation to) Adrienne Augustus’ A Beautiful Mind Foundation Follow A Beautiful Mind Foundation on Instagram Get mental health support, discover resources, and find local groups on the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) website Learn more about Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for police departments Build your anti-racist mindset and skills in The Adaway Group’s Whiteness at Work Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Jamie Lieberman is not only a brilliant attorney, she also has saved my mind (and my bank account!) numerous times – including last year when I went through a trademark dispute. There is nobody more equipped to talk about intellectual property than her. She is the owner and founder of Hashtag Legal, and she has been a practicing lawyer for 15 years. As an experienced entrepreneur, Jamie understands the unique needs of business owners at different stages in their organization’s growth. Today, she partners with clients across verticals including influencer marketing, creative services, and e-commerce. Jamie has a deep commitment to making legal accessible and regularly speaks about legal matters, the art of negotiation, and entrepreneurial topics at leading industry events such as Alt Summit, Podcast Movement, and FinCon and as an expert source for media like Digiday and Forbes. You can also catch her as a co-host on The FearLess Business Podcast.  During our conversation on intellectual property, Jamie shares: Top legal considerations when starting a business to prevent future issues down the line What intellectual property is – and how you can monetize it as a smart, savvy, and successful coach or consultant The do’s and don’ts of effective trademarks and when you should register a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) How to avoid common mistakes content creators make that set them up for copyright problems and copycat activity from competitors How coaches and consults use online course, memberships, certification, and train-the-trainer programs to grow their platforms, revenue, and influence Resources Mentioned in this Episode Connect with Jamie at Hashtag Legal and on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter Learn more about Hashtag Legal's The (Un) Business School courses Listen to Jamie’s FearLess Business Podcast Learn more about the sex trafficking prevention nonprofit that Jamie supports, The Cupcake Girls Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In the final episode (115) of the first season of Moxielicious, I’m joined by Cher Hale, the founder and director of Ginkgo PR – a boutique agency that believes in using public relations as a force for good. Ginkgo specializes in boosting visibility for underrepresented or marginalized authors, experts, and entrepreneurs through comprehensive communication and media relations efforts. As a Taiwanese-Black American woman, Cher is passionate about leveraging the power of media to tell diverse stories through online, print, TV, radio, and podcast mediums so she can play a role in reshaping how our society views social justice, give-back initiatives, feminism, and multiculturalism. Cher and I first met over a decade ago when I was her women’s studies professor! As I share in the episode, I was absolutely blown away by her critical thinking and fierce work ethic. I loved her passion for social justice and after our class concluded, I invited her to be my intern and support the launch of my first book. Cher and I have stayed in one another’s lives ever since. She’s supported my women’s leadership programs. Planned my baby shower! I recently hired her company to lead publicity for my Step into Your Moxie book launch. And we both spoke this past March at Alt Summit. I suspect Cher was my last non-family member hug before the quarantine. It felt very appropriate to invite Cher onto Moxielicious to close-out the season with a conversation about how to amplify the voices of folx who are Black, Indigenous, or non-Black People of Color (BIPOC). Whether you are a minority or (emerging) thought leader, or you are white and want to use your power and privilege to #SharetheMic, I think you’re going to love Cher’s awesome and actionable recommendations and soul-expanding storytelling. During our rich conversation, we discuss Cher’s: Advice to white folx who want to amplify BIPOC voices and minimize centering themselves during conversations on race and whiteness (especially when introducing BIPOC experts to their communities) Top pitching advice for BIPOC listeners who want to connect their work to the racial uprising happening in the United States (and throughout much of the world) BUT also avoid being “the race expert” Unorthodox tips for how all of us can do a better job of leveraging our publicity and media for business success (Hint: It’s all about creating mutually-beneficial relationships with podcast hosts) Beliefs (which I share!) about how to use media and publicity as a vehicle for addressing social justice issues In this episode All about today’s guest, Cher Hale [ 6:45 ] How external validation can be a driver [ 12:50 ] Top pitching advice for BIPOC listeners [ 14:45 ] How to avoid being “the race expert” [ 17:05 ] Advice to white folx who want to amplify BIPOC voices [ 19:20 ] Recommendations for business owners to go after visibility opportunities [ 23:45 ] About creating mutually-beneficial relationships with podcast hosts [ 27:50 ] How to use media and publicity as a vehicle for addressing social justice issues [ 34:25 ] Moxielicous quotes “Choose the right mediums and the right messages to fuel the path you are taking.” “Consider what gaps are preventing you from being strongly considered for interviews.” “Focus on the whole picture.” “Just because you know a Black person, you cannot ask them how to be anti-racist.” “If you’re worried that your story no longer matters, the only downside is hearing ‘no, it’s not a fit.’ Change your relationship with rejection.” “Always listen to the podcast. When you skip listening to the show, you never get a feel for the podcast host.” Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with Cher Hale on her website (and be sure to sign-up for her “The Pitch List”) and via Instagram and her Facebook page. Curious to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now. Want to amplify your voice, visibility, and influence? Grab my book, Step into Your Moxie, here. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!  

In episode 114 on persuasive presentations and pitches, I (and you!) have the pleasure of hearing from executive and presentation skills coach, Connie Wilder. Connie Wilder is a bright, gifted, big hearted coach whose work is very synergistic with mine. She is the president and CEO of Wilder Coaching. As an executive and presentation skills coach, her sweet spot is showing leaders how to connect with their own worthiness in order to make better decisions, speak with clarity and impact, and harness the energy needed to recognize their full potential and lead with their full potential. With 20+ years as an expert in leadership development, Connie’s magnetic personality and passionate, engaging speaking style empowers her clients and audiences to lead from the inside out, navigate through institutional and self-imposed roadblocks, and transfer their insights into concrete action. With a focus on communication, public speaking, persuasive presentations, and leadership development, Connie helps leaders build an emotionally intelligent mindset and skill set which empowers them to transform the way they think, present, and lead. Connie was recently honored as a “Volunteer of the Year” by the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) for her work as the presentation skills coach for MEDA’s Million Dollar Challenge. During our conversation on persuasive presentations and pitches, Connie and I discuss: The mindset and skillset required to design and deliver effective, high-converting, persuasive presentations and pitches Top tips to navigate the real and self-imposed resistance that comes up when pitching on behalf of yourself or your business Powerful lessons Connie has learned as the speaking coach for MEDA’s Million Dollar Challenge – including how little VC funding still goes to women-led ventures Connie’s profound advice to business leaders as well as the coaches, consultants, trainers, and experts who serve them about how to address issues of race (as well as gender) within organizations In this episode About Connie Wilder [ 3:20 ] Connie’s top tips for giving persuasive presentations [ 7:15 ] Navigating through difficulties by utilizing our awareness [ 14:25 ] How women can empower themselves through discernment [ 22:20 ] The ways that structure will liberate creativity [ 35:00 ] All about MEDA’s Million Dollar Challenge [ 37:50 ] How to address issues of race within organizations [ 46:20 ] Moxielicous quotes “I love creating a safe space for people to learn. As a coach, I don’t come to the table with all the answers; I come to the table with a strong ability to help my clients find the answers for themselves.” “I want my clients to know what’s in their toolbox.” “Use awareness, take a deep breath, and ask a question anyway. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about asking more questions.” “The journey inward is the path to our potential. ” “We have lots of opportunities to introduce ourselves.” “The tools that I have are designed to leverage creativity.” Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with Connie on her website or via LinkedIn. Want to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up-level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Whether you are a coach, consultant, trainer or facilitator who works with organizations – corporations, nonprofits, small businesses, schools or government agencies. OR You lead talent development internally for your organization. I’m betting that you are wondering about the future of talent development. Will online learning become the default – or will live experiences come back once there is a COVID-19 vaccine? How will organizations ensure that their people are having important, challenging, necessary conversations about racism, white privilege, sexism, LGBTQIA rights (and other markers of identity) at a time when we are more geographically isolated than ever before? And, whether you support companies or work within them, how do YOU develop the mindset, sharpen your skillset, and increase your comfort to do the often-times uncomfortable things your clients or employees are going to need you to do? As I share in this podcast episode, unlike in 2008 when learning and development jobs and programs were decimated throughout a lot of the U.S., what I’m seeing this go around during our economic downturn is that companies, for the most part, are recognizing that talent development is FUNDAMENTALLY LINKED to profitability. And, even in Las Vegas where I’m based, not only are a lot of companies keeping these roles amid layoffs, but growing industries – whether it’s healthcare, grocery-home delivery, tech services, AI – they are actually ADDING positions for trainers, facilitators, and coaches. In this episode, I chat with two of my amazing clients (who just completed my mastermind) – Marcelle Fowler and Leslie Riley – about the future of talent development. Marcelle Fowler brings wisdom, humor and unconventional (yet practical) advice on conquering the deeply entrenched barriers to employee development… ensuring that time, resources, and opportunities are more available than ever! As president of Job Mixology, she works directly with employee groups, senior leaders, and talent development professionals, showing them precisely how to take more creative and strategic approaches to developing the untapped talent within… including within themselves. She has been an HR consultant, talent development lead, and a leadership coach for clients within a variety of industries, helping organizations of all sizes successfully disrupt, enhance, and improve professional development for their employees. Along the way, Marcelle has coached and advised everyone from front-line managers and college new hires, to C-Suite executives and US Navy Commanders within the US and Japan. Leslie Riley, my second guest, is a sought-after speaker and trainer on the topic of team communication. She built her career by answering the number one question she was asked, “How do I fix the dysfunction on my team?” After training and facilitating teams inside organizations across the globe, from Shanghai to Sweden, Leslie realized she not only saw the same dysfunctions happening in almost every team around the world but also inside every individual as well. This discovery led her to re-envision how she speaks and trains leaders, at all levels of an organization - so they can create cultures where it’s safe to communicate what previously felt un-sayable and in doing so, achieve goals that previously felt un-reachable. Leslie has shared her passion for leadership through better communication in such places as Adobe, MEA Energy Association, Fidelity, VISA, Disney, CapitalOne, Procter & Gamble, Honda, and even her alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During our conversation on the future of talent development, Marcelle, Leslie, and I discuss: What “Job Mixology” is – and why it’s so important for the future of talent development How organizations and their leaders can develop their teams and engage in important conversations – even when training budgets and promotional opportunities are limited Creative ways to disrupt “Zoom fatigue” and re-envision face-to-face learning and interactivity for online learning Why organizations need to prioritize employee wellness and integrate it with employee learning How organizations can (and must!) address issues of race, racism and white privilege with all employees – plus workplace lessons learned from the #MeToo movement What external coaches, consultants, speakers, and trainers can do to dynamize their ability to support organizations with addressing race, racism, and white privilege in the workplace In this episode The journeys that Marcelle and Leslie have been on [ 7:20 ] Why job mixology is essential for the future of talent development [ 11:30 ] The reason we need to disrupt how we view our goals [ 15:45 ] How leaders can develop their teams and engage in essential conversations [ 20:45 ] The ways that leaders can prioritize employee wellness [ 26:10 ] Finding creative ways to disrupt “Zoom fatigue” [ 33:30 ] How organizations can address issues of race, racism and white privilege with all employees [ 40:30 ] The ideas and challenges that Marcelle and Leslie want to continue to explore [ 56:50 ] Moxielicous quotes “Regardless of where you are or what’s happening, there are always opportunities to grow.” -Marcelle “Job mixology is about bringing more ideas to the table so you can grow in new ways.” -Marcelle “People set goals with good intentions. When the goal becomes the destination, they tie themselves to it; that limits flexibility.” -Leslie “Make the goal help us pick the direction, not the end destination.” -Leslie “Have strategies in place to continue building a sense of community.” -Marcelle “Block off time on your calendar in a meaningful way.” -Leslie Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with Marcelle Fowler on LinkedIn and grab her “10 Webinar Free Ways to Develop Your Team” at JobMixology.com Connect with Leslie Riley on LinkedIn, Twitter, or at LeadLikeaGirl.com Want to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now. Read my reflections on how to integrate social justice with self-improvement Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In the second coach the coach podcast episode of season one, I had the pleasure of speaking with financial coach, Anna Yen. Anna runs FamilyFI, a personal finance community dedicated to empowering and inspiring families to master a positive money mindset with confidence.  Her sweet spot is showing her clients how to address their finances with intention, address their fears of not having enough, and set them up on a clear, financially growth oriented path. As you will discover, Anna is definitely an expert in her space. She went to college at sixteen and, as an intern for JP Morgan by nineteen, Anna accrued significant investment banking experience. She’s worked in real estate investing and even cryptocurrency. Yet, Anna’s childhood and early career experiences left her with a story that she is not a confident and competent communicator – particularly during her sales conversations. Whether you are a coach, consultant, business, HR or talent development leader, pay particular attention to how I coach the coach. Observe how I step into the role of a hypothetical client for Anna. And, through role play, how I coach her to speak persuasively to the conversation in my head and in my heart Also, keep your ears open for Anna’s aha moment about how to sell (and where her true credibility comes from) – after we process the role play experience. Hint: It’s not from her great advice (although there is no doubt she’s pretty brilliant and has a lot of wisdom to share) and rather from something much deeper. Finally, I also want you to observe how I set Anna up to consider what happens when she mucks up her communication – how not to hold onto the incident and rather to learn from it so that can she can recalibrate and get back on her path. Enjoy this coach the coach episode! In this episode About Anna Yen [ 4:30 ] Anna shares her story [ 7:55 ] Why Anna is reluctant to be assertive in her work [ 13:10 ] About speaking directly as a thought leader  [ 21:15 ] Why your worth is not your wisdom alone [ 24:30 ] How do you let clients know that you understand? [ 27:00 ] How we can practice self-compassion [ 28:45 ] About using play during a client call [ 33:45 ] How Anna found value during our coach the coach call [ 38:00 ] What Anna wants others to know about our coach the coach call [ 45:25 ] Moxielicous quotes “When we bring it back to speaking about people’s desires, that’s where our credibility comes from.” “Your worth is not your wisdom alone.” “I play to keep my hands busy.” “Having something tactical to do when I’m on a call allows me to keep the gaze in my camera with who I’m speaking with.” Resources mentioned in this episode Want to learn more about Anna Yen and FinancialFI? Connect with her here. Want to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now to learn more. Want to experience my coaching firsthand during a future Coach the Coach episode? Email us at info@alexiavernon.com and let us know what you’d like to receive coaching on with respect to your voice, your speaking, and your thought leadership. Follow me on Instagram @alexiavernon. Let’s continue the conversation in my Facebook Group - the Spotlight Speakers Salon. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

Whether you self-identify as a coach, consultant, business or thought leader – or you lead change as a nonprofit, social justice, or educational leader, you will really enjoy episode 111 on storytelling for changemakers. For more than 20 years, Stephanie Forté has been helping socially conscious brands and people to shape their stories and garner visibility for their products, programs, and services. Stephanie excels at guiding individual and organizational clients through the process of honest storytelling: getting clear on their aspirational messages and aligning core values with action to drive media attention. The result: brands have scaled, audiences have been educated, and people have been inspired to make positive changes. Stephanie’s skills in storytelling for changemakers and brand narrative help her clients get to the next level in their messaging and to stand out in a crowded, noisy marketplace. She is a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs, startup and early-stage brands, and nonprofits who want to clarify their story and develop actionable plans to land relevant media opportunities that amplify their message and attract customers and donors. During our conversation, Stephanie and I chat about: The key ingredients of a compelling brand story (You will love Stephanie’s storytelling for changemakers process that shows you how to develop your brand story as a solopreneur or business leader) How businesses and individual thought leaders can creatively and effectively use stories in their branding and PR Common mistakes to avoid when crafting or rewriting your brand story to ensure it aligns with your programs, products, and services How to ensure your stories drive your publicity and media outreach Why it’s critical to rewrite your own story so that you can build your business or movement In this episode About Stephanie Forté [ 2:50 ] What makes for a good brand story [ 9:50 ] How businesses can creatively use storytelling for changemakers [ 14:10 ] The most significant mistake people make when storytelling for changemakers [ 17:30 ] Other common mistakes to avoid when crafting your brand [ 21:00 ] How to pitch your story for the media [ 24:50 ] About changemakers and why stories are so incredibly effective for movements [ 30:10 ] The stories that Stephanie had to rewrite for herself [ 33:50 ] Moxielicous quotes “What made you feel compelled to do what it is you’re doing now?” “By not telling your truth, you are shortchanging everyone.” “Let people see the people behind the brand.” “People want to hear something relatable to their lives.” Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with Stephanie Forté at StephanieForte.com and across social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter Read Stephanie’s Desert Companion article on rewriting her story as a climber after losing sensation and functionality in one hand Stephanie recommends The Hero’s 2 Journeys on Audible. Want to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now. Let’s continue the conversation in my Facebook Group - the Spotlight Speakers Salon. Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!

In episode 110, I’m joined by two extraordinary women, Dr. Gertrude Lyons and Dr. Lynyetta G. Willis, for a heart-opening, soul-shifting conversation on family leadership. If you’re anything like me, while you may be rocking leading with moxie in your professional life, you may find there are a lot of landmines preventing you from consistently doing it with your partner, children, parents, siblings, and other biological and chosen family members. In our conversation, Gertrude and Lynyetta share ways to be gentle with ourselves in our family leadership so we can find ways to heal unproductive habits and show up from a place of curiosity and exploration. Dr. Gertrude Lyons is Lead Faculty member, Senior Life Coach, and Director of Family Programs for The Wright Foundation for the Realization of Human Potential and… she is rewriting The Mother Code. She has made it her mission to challenge traditional notions of what it means to mother by facilitating raw, open conversations around mothering, womanhood, and parenthood that no one else is having. She has spent the last 18 years empowering individuals, couples, parents, and families to bring out their best selves through helping them realize meaningful, successful lives, with the aim of bringing new perspectives on personal transformation to as many people as possible. Today, Dr. Lyons is on a mission to help women reclaim their lives through mothering and create a safe space where women can express their dreams, fears, and truths around motherhood. Dr. Lynyetta G Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and author. Lynyetta helps frustrated families break free from stable misery, unhelpful patterns, and toxic cross-generational cycles so they can create the joy they crave with those they love. Through her transformational coaching and engaging presentations and workshops, her clients and audiences learn to strengthen their parenting, partnership, and personal growth practices so they can feel harmony in their hearts and homes. Lynyetta is the creator of the highly acclaimed Elemental Living® Model for Family Empowerment and the Spirituals PATHS for Evolving Relationships Framework™. A sought-after speaker, media contributor, and author, Lynyetta’s multi-award winning book, My Forgotten Self: A Story about a Girl, a Powerful Encounter, and a Universal Message, has received high acclaim from individuals such as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, “Oprah’s Parenting Expert” (and the author of The Conscious Parent). I’m privileged to call both Gertrude and Lynyetta not only beloved clients and friends, but I also see them as two of my spiritual guides. During our conversation, you will amplify your family leadership as we discuss how to: Re-write The Mother Code and create the mindset and habits to be a “relationship evolutionary” Spark joy in your relationships with your family members (even those who trigger your least moxielicious responses) Recognize beliefs and behaviors that aren’t serving your family, and without casting blame on yourself or others, increase consciousness about the beliefs and behaviors you want to bring into family relationships moving forward Begin to heal lingering traumas from your family of origin, and see your family relationships as opportunities for your own self-growth and leadership In this episode About Gertrude and Lynyetta [ 4:25 ] How Gertrude and Lynyetta found their soul’s work [ 7:20 ] Why we need to push back on the prevailing mother code [ 11:30 ] About relationship evolutionaries [ 14:45 ] How to practically work on family leadership [ 16:25 ] Why we often aren’t harnessing joy from family relationships [ 24:10 ] How to spark joy in your relationships with your family members [ 27:15 ] Final tips for showing up for your family by utilizing family leadership [ 35:40 ] Moxielicous quotes “We are all mothers – we give births to ideas, relationships, and dreams.” -Gertrude “Revolutions are not always fun, but the growth is powerful.” -Lynyetta “We can change the stories that we tell ourselves.” -Lynyetta “Once you identify the good, the bad, and the ugly, you can create a vision for where you want to go.” -Gertrude Resources mentioned in this episode Stay connected with Lynyetta! Grab her Healing Stable Misery digital guide at https://www.healingstablemisery.com/. You can learn more about Lynyetta as a family empowerment coach and speaker at https://www.drlwillis.com/and join her Facebook community, Soul-Sight Family. Stay connected with Gertrude! Learn more about Gertrude’s approach to rewriting The Mother Code, her coaching and events at https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/ and connect with her on Instagram. Want to learn more about Moxielicious: The Mastermind? If you are a coach, consultant, or expert who is ready to up level into a profitable, go-to thought leader, Apply Now to learn more. Follow me on Instagram @alexiavernon. Let’s continue the conversation in my Facebook Group - the Spotlight Speakers Salon. Subscribe to Moxielicious via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!