Rising Tide

Meet Lauren Collins Scott. Lauren and I sat down right at the start of her first career sabbatical in which she is creating necessary space to reflect and find her next. In today's episode Lauren not only shares her career journey but also sprinkles in so much wisdom including:How design thinking taught her skills to navigate ambiguityBuilding support systems around you to be effective in your roleSpeaking up when it mattersHow working as an expatriate in London deepened her empathy to the lived experiences of others and made her acutely aware of the importance of creating a sense of belonging for everyone.And so much moreMost recently, Lauren was the Global Chief Impact Officer for IDEO and prior to that she served as Chief of Staff in the CEO's Office and Head of DEI where during the global pandemic she found herself not just stewarding collaboration across teams but operating as the tip of the spear in navigating unprecedented challenges. Lauren is a Fellow of The Aspen Institute and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University.Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn

Meet Dr. Soodeh Farokhi, Chief Product Officer for NAKISA, a global leader in HR and Finance B2B software. Just listen to her impressive resume. Among her many accolades Soodeh has founded two successful startups including C2RO, an award winning AI Video Analytics platform. In 2018, Soodeh was named a finalist for the Young Quebec Entrepreneurs Provisional Award, and in 2020 she was a finalist for Canadian Women Entrepreneurs National Award. She is also the co-founder of the Women of MENA (Middle Eastern North Africa) in Tech community (Montreal Chapter), and an advisory committee member of the Women in Leadership Foundation in Canada. She serves as a business advisor and board member for several tech startups and organizations and is a public speaker at product/D&I/startup events. She has a PhD. in computer science from Vienna and an M.Sc., and a B.Sc. in SW Eng.On today's episode Soodeh shares her remarkable journey including:Making the choice to become a citizen of the world and leave her home country of IranNavigating motherhood as the Founder and CTO of a growing tech startupPrioritizing what matters to her mostFinding investors and leaders who aligned with her values and prioritiesThis and so much moreI can't wait for you to meet this remarkable woman.Show Notes:Follow or connect with Soodeh on LinkedInAmy K Musson podcast episodeNeed help uncovering what matters? You can purchase the 2024 Starter Pack.  Looking for more hands on experience? Buy the Design Your Year Coaching 4-Pack. which includes the 2024 Starter Pack, 3 1-hour coaching sessions, and 1 Annual Review

It's Part 3 of Set Your 2024 Vision series in which we will walk setting goals and initiatives to help you  achieve your definition of success. On today's episode we will cover:Myth of Self Control and how to make goal attainment easierFocusing on initiatives that are within your controlIf you are interested in additional support to set your vision for 2024 here are additional options:Download the 2024 Starter Pack. Use code NEWYEAR24 through January for 50% offPurchase Design Your Year Coaching 4-Pack. which includes the 2024 Starter Pack, 3 1-hour coaching sessions, and 1 Annual ReviewListen to Emily Perron's full episode here

It's Part 2 the Set Your 2024 Vision series in which we will walk through exercises and strategies to help you  achieve your definition of success. Today's episode is all about directional goals. Directional goals allows you to move towards your goal while gathering information that will help you continue to refine it over time. On today's episode we will cover how to:Avoid escalation of commitment with our goalsGet started on our goals even if we can't see the entire pathway yetCreate your personal directional goalIf you are interested in additional support to set your vision for 2024 here are additional options:Download the 2024 Starter Pack. Use code NEWYEAR24 through January for 50% offPurchase Design Your Year Coaching 4-Pack. which includes the 2024 Starter Pack, 3 1-hour coaching sessions, and 1 Annual Review

Happy New Year Tiders!It's that time of year where we turn the page on a new calendar year in the dead of winter. You are likely coming off putting energy into finishing out the last year strong at work while also managing the holidays and for some of you dealing with having the kiddos home for that week between Christmas and New Years. Somewhere amidst all of this we expect ourselves to create  resolutions for the new year and put undue pressure on ourselves to have a plan January 1. Is it really that surprising that most resolutions fail?That's why this year we are disrupting old patterns. Together we will walk through a series of exercises that help you tap into insights from 2023 and how to leverage those to set your vision for the coming year. And it's kicking off with today's episode where we focus on 2023 reflection. On this episode I'll share how to:Capture key highlights and learnings from the last yearIdentify the themes or through-lines across your life in 2023Share these findings with othersAdd any catalyst events to your lifeline documentI look forward to jumpstarting the year with you. p.s. If you are interested in additional support for the exercises here are additional options: Download the 2024 Starter Pack. Use code NEWYEAR24 through January for 50% offPurchase Design Your Year Coaching 4-Pack. which includes the 2024 Starter Pack, 3 1-hour coaching sessions, and 1 Annual Review Show Notes:Presence by Amy CuddyThe Power of Regret by Dan Pink

Tis' the season of corporate layoffs. Re-sharing one of the most downloaded podcasts in 2022 with an updated intro for 2023. You just got fired. Now what?No matter how it happened, being fired hurts. It feels personal.  Whether you want it or not you are forced to make a change. But what if getting fired could be a catalyst? What if this could be the greatest thing to happen for you? On today's episode we will explore:This is a loss. What the stages of grief look like after a terminationImportance of sitting in your feelingsRecognizing when you are ready to begin ideating on your next chapterExercises to maximize learningsHow to leverage your insights and network to begin your new chapterExercise Resources:Postmortem - Pages 4-6Design Your Career Starter Pack (includes QXR Template + Foundations Workbook (use code EOY2023 for 50% off)QXR TemplateBook a QXR 1:1 coaching sessionLinks Referenced in PodcastWhen Job Titles Hurt Instead of Help YouToxic vs. Tough Work Environments: Knowing Whether to Stay or GoDr. Jennifer Rittenhouse: Imposterism and the Paths We ChooseHBR: When getting fired is good for your careerThe Power of Regret by Dan Pink

Meet Ivana Robinson. Ivana began her career as a Risk Advisory Consultant for Deloitte where she quickly realized she had a propensity for the job. After several years on the predetermined career path Ivana sensed she was passively moving through her career rather than actively designing it. Sure she was great at the work and a path to partner was laid out before her. But was this really what she wanted?Then a trip to Antarctica would change everything. On today's episode we discuss:Ivana reclaimed her careerCriteria Ivana uses to inform  big decisionsTuning and trusting her intuitionIvana is a life and leadership coach who provides coaching programs and education to help professionals gain the confidence and clarity to rewrite the rulebook for their life—on their terms. She also is the Co-Founder of Reclaim: The Retreat. The retreat for women and femmes who want to reclaim their lives, happiness, and peace.Show Notes:Connect with Ivana on LiinkedInGet Your 2024 Starter Pack - Use code EOY23 to get 50% off

Meet Tamika Rush, SVP of AMB Sports and Entertainment, parent company to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, and Mercedes Benz Stadium. Tameka is one of the foremost leaders on corporate sponsorships in the NFL, her team was responsible for hosting one of the largest Covid-19 Vaccine locations in Atlanta,GA at Mercedes Benz Stadium, and under her tutelage the Falcon's have risen to #1 in Voice of the Fan. On today's episode Tamika shares the tumultuous journey that ultimately led her to a full-time position at the Atlanta Falcons, including a decision that nearly cost her everything she had spent 7 years working towards. Later in the episode Tameka shares powerful leadership lessons learned through her prolific 17 year career with AMB Sports and Entertainment.I can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect/Follow Tameka on LinkedIn43% of Women are burned outAtomic HabitsFailing ForwardDopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of IndulgenceGetting More 

Meet Emily Perron, Emily holds masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is a Productivity coach, helping creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, and individuals appreciate their unconventional career paths and tap into the power of their unique Zone of GeniusThroughout the first decade of her career Emily found herself on the burnout hamster wheel. Despite changing careers three times she continued finding herself excelling at work and still unfulfilled and exhausted. The root problem was not the career path but instead what inputs she used to define success.Today's episode is a special hybrid in which we get to hear Emily's career journey and learn from her expertise as a productivity coach. We discuss:The issue with existing goal frameworks for individualsThe danger of chasing what others define as successEmbracing the full power of an unconventional pathAnd so much moreI can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect with Emily on LinkedIn , follow her YouTube Channel - Work Your Way, and follow her on InstagramCurious about Emily's Productivity Coaching? Learn more hereThe Art of Work

In 2022, women of color received just .8% of venture capital funding. Today's guest is one of those .8%, raising $3M in 2022 in venture capital from strong investors including Serena William's VC fund, Serena Ventures.Barbara Jones-Brown has never been a stranger to defying the odds. When Barbara graduated from the University of Texas in 1998 she was one of only four black computer science graduates. She would go on to be the Lead Technical Developer at 360 Commerce which was later acquired by Oracle and served as the launch of Oracle's retail division.Bit by the entrepreneurial bug, post acquisition Barbara would launch a consulting business that would continue to grow and allow her to create job opportunities for marginalized groups. But Barbara had always known one day she would build her own product company. Then a seemingly serendipitous hackathon would birth the idea that would one day become Freeing Returns. Then in 2020, a global pandemic went from nearly destroying her successful consulting business to being the forced change that would accelerate the launch of Freeing Returns.This is a powerful conversation in which we discuss Barbara's journey, her strength in building high performing teams, and learning the importance of when to listen to advice and when to ignore. I can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect or Follow Barbara on LinkedInLearn more about Freeing Returns

Have you ever questioned your ambition? Have you ever thought to yourself "I'm just not that ambitious anymore"? Did this usually happen during a time when your career was at a stand still? Or perhaps you weren't interested in growing in your chosen career? On this episode, I am busting the belief that ambition is restricted to the 9-5 and breaking down how:The definition of ambition has shifted over the last 60 yearsOur ambition takes different shapes throughout our careerThe absence of ambition may signal something deeprIf you are a high achieving, driven individual who has ever questioned your ambition you won't want to miss today's episode.Show Notes:Dark Horse: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of FulfillmentPsychological Context PrincipleBurunda Prince: Paving a Path For ChangePopulaceThink Again by Adam GrantEnd of History Illusion - Quoidbach, J., Gilbert, D. T., & Wilson, T. D. (2013). The end of history illusion. Science, 339(6115), 96–98.92 Studies - Roberts BW, Walton KE, Viechtbauer W. Patterns of mean-level change in personality traits across the life course: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychol Bull. 2006 Jan;132(1):1-25. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.132.1.1. PMID: 16435954.Join the waitlist for Unstuck Yourself: The Process To Meaningful Career Change

"No one told me I couldn't"Meet Vishakha Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Aperture Data. With a genuine curiosity to understand things, a knack for developing strong relationships with mentors, and a growth mindset Vishakha has done something most founders never will.  On today's episode we will discuss core principles and strengths that have fueled her career and how she approaches the concept of balance as the CEO of a scaling startup and mother of two.Vishakha holds a Masters in Computers Science from Carnegie Melon and a PhD in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. Show Notes:Connect with Vishakha on LinkedInLearn more about Aperture Data

Meet Heidi Watson, Chief Creative Officer and Fashion Director at Evereve, a contemporary fashion retailer with over 1 million customers, 100-plus stores from coast to coast, a booming e-commerce business, and a fast-growing subscription box service, Trendsend. While Heidi's career has always been in retail there have been many crossroads in which she had to make a leap of faith. Leaning on her clarity of what was most important at that stage of life and tuning into her intuition Heidi focused on choices that moved her forward. Throughout her career Heidi has been on the forefront of major retail trends including launching women's activewear at Marshall Fields and serving as a buyer for the newly created e-commerce team at Target. This conversation with Heidi is rich with wisdom on:Leading high performing teamsBetting on yourselfMaking key decisions based on what is most important to youKnowing your value and communicating what you wantAnd so much moreI can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect with Heidi on LinkedInEvereve 

Meet Kathryn Farrell, Founder of Scopa Health and praciticing Anesthesiologist Assistant. After getting rejected from every top medical school she applied to Kathryn had to figure out a backup plan and fast. Pivoting to anesthesiology she discovered she enjoyed the challenge of the coursework. Graduating with a masters in Health Services, Kathryn launched her career as an anesthesiology assistant and within 6 short months the excitement quickly dissipated.  The flexibility of the work and the generous compensation (not to mention student loans) made it seem foolish to change. So for the next 10 years, Kathryn would scratch the itch for learning by tinkering with different careers including photography, developer, and she even designed, patented, and sold a baby carrier. Each time the experience of learning something new was exciting but she quickly learned it was not what she wanted. Kathryn resigned herself to sticking things out until at the height of the pandemic as an essential worker with a newborn at home she hit her lowest point. She knew it was time to commit to figuring out her future career. Show Notes:Connect with Kathryn on LinkedInLearn more about Kathryn's company Scopa HealthKathryn O'Day podcast

Meet Aletha Burgess. Aletha is the Technology Director for Wells Fargo and former executive at Bank of America where she spent nearly 14 years of her impressive career. Grab your favorite beverage and a cozy blanket because today's interview feels more like listening in on a conversation between friends. Over the next hour we will discuss:How understanding her priorities drove Aletha's career movesEarning promotions after her first two childrenRecognizing the situation you are in and making a decisionValuable leadership lessons from nearly 15+ years in people leadership like seeking to understand when people act in a way that surprises you and remembering that nothing great is achieved aloneThis and so much more. I can't wait for you to meet Aletha. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect with Aletha on LInkedIn

Meet Dr. Kelly Renner, the Program Chair of Psychology and Social Sciences at Franklin University where today she oversees 300+ students, faculty, and curriculum for over 30 sections and is an award winning professor.Although today Dr. Renner is operating in her zone of genius there were many times along her journey where she felt lost.  Despite identifying a deep love for psychology in HS where to apply that passion was often unclear. She would try her hand at sports psychology and mental health counseling only to run into insurmountable barriers that helped her realize these were not her paths. After nearly 15 years, Dr. Renner realized that all of those experiences prepared her for the role she was ultimately meant to do. On today's episode, Dr. Renner role models:Power of saying yes - How being open led her from floundering to figuring it outFind the best next step - Although at times her career challenges did not make sense, each moment developed a skill set she now leverages as Program ChairMaking the time count wherever you areAnd so much moreDr. Renner holds a masters in counseling, PHd in Educational Psychology, and she is a certified professional counselor in the state of Ohio.I can't wait for you to meet this incredible woman.Show Notes:Connect or Follow Dr. Renner on LinkedIn

Between 2019 to 2021 there was a 28% increase in women starting companies resulting in women making up 49% of new companies founded in 2021. On the surface this appears to be a positive trend but if you dig a little deeper this world of startups is riddled with the same power dynamics and broken rungs that stifles women in established organizations. Knowledge is power. In today's episode I will share data on the realities for success (and funding) for founders, surprising truths about who is starting these companies, and strategies to help you navigate a broken system. Whether you are thinking about starting a company, are currently building your company, or are curious about the startup world this episode is a must listen.Show Notes:Growth in female founders starting companiesAverage Age of Entrepreneur77% of Founders use their personal money for capitalMcKinsey & Co Women in the Workplace studyWomen earning the same or more than their husbands88% of VC decision makers are men1 in 5 unicorns have women in executive leadershipWomen only getting 1.9% of funding75% of VC Backed Fintech companies fail.6% of companies take funding

Meet Amy Vaughan, CEO of Together Digital, a company focused on educating and empowering women within digital to be their best selves professionally and personally. As the first generation American of immigrant parents, Amy was taught early on she was expected to exceed and take advantage of the American dream. She set out to become a doctor but quickly realized this was not her path. At a loss for what was next, she paused school and began working full-time where she got exposed to the world of graphic design and advertising and she knew this was what she was meant to do. Over the next 13 years she would achieve tremendous success in her field. Then one day   Amy began to realize that at some point the incredible career she had built had become misaligned with who she was.On today's episode we discuss:The importance of Seeking mentorship at times of big decisionsRealizing Money and Title do not equal happinessGetting Laid off at 8 months pregnantNumbing through work rather than deal with the knowing that advertising was no longer her pathThis and so much more. Enjoy! Show Notes:Connect or Follow Amy on LinkedInTogether Digital 2023 National ConferencePower Lounge PodcastThe Big Leap by Gay HendricksUntamed by Glennon Doyle

Our lives contain a database of information that tell us what operating in our full potential looks like. The problem is that many of us don't take time to access this data. In today's episode, I talk about a framework I've created to help you do just that. I call it the QXR. This fall, my QXR Intensive kicks off so I wanted to take some time to share research that proves the power of capturing and reflecting upon our past experiences like we do in the QXR Intensive and how you can implement this habit into your life.

Feedback is meant to be challenged and no one tells us that. When receiving feedback, its greatest value comes when we look at it with curiosity, not acceptance. This is especially true for women because of biases that exist.In this episode, I cover:What these biases are and how we can derive value, even when feedback is inaccurateHow we can create a filter for the feedback to take what is helpful and disregard what's harmfulCommon types of feedback given to women and what that feedback is actually telling you (hint: it's positive not negative feedback.)Show Notes:QXR IntensiveHogan AssessmentWhat Works for Women at WorkInvisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed For MenRage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's AngerUpful.aiShirin's Podcast Episode

 Lauren learned early in her life that failure is part of growth. Rather than stifle her growth by aiming for perfection, she embraced taking on new challenges and has flourished. Lauren has worked for some of the most prestigious academic institutions including Harvard and Wharton Business Schools. Through her work she has traveled to over 30 countries and fostered relationships with global executives and political leaders. She has been tapped for a wide range of roles including Sr. Program Manager for Wharton's Executive Education Program, Deputy Director for Global Markets, Head of Communications and Outreach for Harvard's Humanitarian Initiative, Director of Emory's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Research Faculty at Georgia Tech's VentureLab which is ranked #2 worldwide among university startup incubation programs.On today's episode, we discuss her remarkable career including:Her two year pause in the middle of her senior year of collegeMaking a strategic career move to Atlanta after a career of onlynessHow she draws from past experiences to foster confidence in taking risksI can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Show Notes:Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn

Despite starting her career in sales, Kara quickly realized that her true passion was in building work environments that nurtured creativity and cultivated an exceptional employee experience. For the next 13 years Kara would build and run training programs in corporations known for their outstanding cultures and development. Then in 2020, an acquisition would lead Kara to rethink how she wanted to move forward in her career. On today's episode, Kara and I discuss:How a role in sales led her to her life's callingWe nerd out on what it means to have a leadership mindsetOvercoming “not enoughness”Kara Kirby is the Founder of Insights Leadership Group, a leadership consulting company that assists high-growth organizations around the globe scaling people-first leadership and the host of Pop! On Leadership Podcast.Show Notes:Connect with Kara on LinkedInFollow Kara on Instagram or TikTok at @insightsleadershipkaraPrisoner of My Mind 

Adela Jamal is no stranger to being an only. Born in Bangalore, India to an Indian father and white American mother Adela's fair skin made her stand out. At 8 when she moved to the US although she looked like the other kids at school she was the only who had dual citizenship. After graduating college she took her first job at a startup where she was often the only women in a room to today as a female investor where women make up less than 13% of venture capital decision makers. On today's episode Adela shares how she saw her onlyness was not a hinderance but instead a superpower. Her unique perspective was a strength that has continued to serve her well. Adela also discusses how the use of pauses to reflect enable her to continue taking big risks and move forward with intention. Adela Jamal has an MBA from MIT and is a co-founding partner for Milemark Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in diverse teams using applied-ai to rewrite existing business models.  Episode Links:Connect with Adela on LinkedIn

Heather Gibbons is a Jill of All Trades. Her capacity to take on a new role, quickly teach herself the necessary skills, and then build infrastructure, process, and teams around here is second to none. Her career took on the form of musician, IT consultant, Restaurant GM, and eventually VP, Managing Director for a Marketing Creative Agency. Then in late 2019 things came to a head. Over the next two years Heather would be tested unlike anything she had experienced before and emerged ready to face a fear that had been holding her back her entire career. Today Heather is the Founder of INMO,  a purpose driven creative agency that delivers relevant strategy, engaging marketing, and compelling design. She is a breast cancer survivor and mother to a precious boy precious. I can't wait for you to meet Heather. Enjoy! Episode LinksConnect with Heather on LinkedInLimitless by Jim KwikEmotional Agility by Dr. Susan David

It's the 100th episode y'all! I almost can't believe it. Starting out this podcast 2.5 years ago I knew I wanted to create a platform for women. A space for both those listening and those sharing their story to leave better than they arrived from the experience.  I never imagined that this podcast would become powerful research on the female career path.On today's special episode I wanted to share a behind the scenes look into how it all started, limiting beliefs that had to be shed, and some of the most surprising research findings from 78 interviews with top female professionals. Whether this is your first episode or you've been here for all 100, I am glad you're here and thank you for being part of the Rising Tide.Enjoy! Show Links:The first recorded podcast interview  - Ep. 3 Dr. Liz Riedford: How To Be Fearless Finding Your CareerThe first guest I had never met before the interview - Ep. 15 Denise Odenkirk: Writing Your Own Story

On paper, transitioning careers from  mechanical engineer to tech investor might appear random.  Yet in today's episode with Amber Illig we see the logical evolution of her career journey.  Amber Illig is a General Partner at The Council, a venture capital fund that invests  in proven operators as early as possible in their journeys (Pre-seed and Seed) industries across Vertical SaaS, Fintech, and Healthcare.  She shares how throughout each of her roles working for companies like Eli Lilly, Apple, Snap, and Cruise she was continuously designing her career as she learned what she enjoyed, understood where she sought growth, and stayed open to opportunity.  In today's episode Amber shares:How Eli Lilly's strong mentorship program set her up for career successThe 50/50 rule that has guided her decision criteria for big career movesEffective strategies for dealing with the inner criticTraits of great investors :)I am so excited for you to meet her. Enjoy!Episode Links:Follow Amber on LinkedInInteresting in pitch Amber or investing in her fund? Learn more hereRange: How Generalist Triump in a Hyperspecialized World 

It's easy to overlook or forget just how far you have come in a quarter, let alone an entire year. Especially if your growth has happened outside your career. Change can happen so gradually that it's easy to lose sight of where you started and just how far you've come. It's also easy to lose sight of what you've set out to accomplish. You get to the end of the year and when you see those goals and realize you completely neglected to make any progress toward them because other things took priority.What if you had a recurring space to capture your learnings, accomplishments, and reassess your goals. Not just for work but for your entire life. You set aside time to slow down for a moment and reflect so you can move forward in your career and life with intention and purpose.On today's episode with co-host Chandra Keel we discuss the power of Quarterly "X" Reviews (QXR) and listeners will walk away knowing:What the heck the "X" stands forHow to gain clarity and confidence through regular QXRsWhat is included in the QXR frameworkSteps to begin implementing this habit into your routineIf you're ready to claim your growth and move forward with intention you need to hear this episode.I am also launching a Life on Purpose Cohort this summer centered around community and the QXR framework. More details coming soon. Sign up here to be the first to hear about itEpisode Links:Get your QXR templateInterested in a 1:1 review of your quarter or year to date? Learn more hereCurious to hear about other ways to incorporate proactive pauses into your routine? Check out our episode on The Power of Pause

Meet Kate Van Waes, Founder of Van Waes Consulting, where she is using all of her incredible experience to support progressive leaders as their co-strategist, co-conspirator, and invisible co-pilot. Kate began her career as a research scientist, serving on several NASA Mars missions and leading international science teams under a Scandinavian-American Foundation Fellowship. She transitioned into foreign policy through an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellowship at the U.S. Department of State, focused on the intersection of humanitarian aid and terrorism and later serving on the leadership team for the Obama Administration's flagship global development program. After her term at the State Department ended, Kate lead the development of the Inclusive Growth pillar at Bono's nonprofit, The ONE Campaign, focused on African women-led economic growth. Most recently, she served as Executive Director at American Hiking Society, successfully leading it through a period of tremendous evolution.On today's episode Kate shares her extraordinary career and we discuss:Who are progressive leaders and what are they challenges they face todayWitnessing career driven females striking work:life balance and building health, high-functioning organizationsBeing named Executive Director at American Hiking Society when she was 34 weeks pregnant

Think about the last time you assessed your career health. Was it in response to a major event, setback, or forced change? Maybe you found yourself asking the question “how did I even get here? Do I even want this anymore?”Historically these “wake up” calls have been when we take inventory of our life and career. Like anything that we don't do regularly it can feel uncomfortable, disorienting, or possibly “too late” to make a change now. What if instead of reacting we proactively assessed our career health? We booked recurring time with ourselves to do a quick check-in to catch things early so we can move forward with intention.On this episode I share a new resource that easily allows you to make career health checks part of your annual routine. I'll share:The research behind the creation of the career health checkHow the career health check worksWhy career health checks are a foundation to living our fullest potentialIf you are interested in designing a career and a life that aligns to who you are as a person and what is important to you then you won't want to miss this episode.Episode Links:Take the Career Health Check AssessmentChandra Keel: Building a Life On Your TermsThe Dream Manager by Matthew KellyEnergy Zone ExerciseCurious about working with me? Learn more here

Lauren Marturano is the Founder and CEO of Zinnia, a platform for every event that allows organizers to plan their next offsite in a matter of clicks. Early in her career, Lauren learned the value of connection. Whether that was in developing relationships with customers or fostering strong mentor relationships, Lauren's investment in genuine connection has been a core to her success. On today's episode she shares:The value of speaking up early and often when facing challengesThe jarring transition from global software companies to early stage startupRealizing her career path was not aligning with what brought her purpose and being open to make a changeLauren is an award winning sales professional, female founder, and passionate community builder who I can't wait for you to meet. Enjoy! Follow Lauren on LinkedInLearn more about Zinnia for your next corporate offsite

Meet Jenn Whitmer, speaker, coach, and joy bringer who helps teams and leaders solve conflict and build connections so they can do powerful work. Jenn has spoken on some of the largest stages and in 2022 was selected as a TedX speaker where she discussed how Great Relationships Need Conflict.  Her passion for conflict came from her own lived experience seeing how a healthy work environment can turn toxic when leaders are ineffective at handling conflict. Today's episode is full of rich insights as we discuss:Recognizes red flags in the workplaceThe importance of knowing your values Having the courage to bet on yourselfWhat it means to find your golden thread And so much moreEnjoy!Episode Resources:Follow Jenn on LinkedIn  or InstagramLearn more about ways to work with JennWatch Jenn's Ted Talk - Great Relationships Need Conflict

Allison Whalen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Parentaly, a program that turns parental leave into a competitive advantage for employees and employers. Allison spent the first 9 years of her career exploring various career paths to find where her passion and strengths aligned. Her hyper focus on career made it all the more surprising when in 2017, after having her first child Allison nearly quit a sales leadership role she loved - all because of the disruption her 3-month maternity leave caused.It became obvious to her that there was a huge gap in how companies support working parents before, during and after parental leave. Allison saw an opportunity to help other working parents avoid the issues she ran into, which led her to begin building what is now Parentaly. Despite early success with their alpha launch, in 2020 it looked liked Parentaly might be over before it really began.  It would turn out that the thing that threatened the very existence of her company would be the thing that made companies care more about the environment they created for parents. I can't wait for you to meet this amazing woman. Enjoy!Episode LInksConnect/Follow Allison on LinkedInLearn more about Parentaly and check out their free parental leave resources

On today's episode I sit down with Carmen Honacker to discuss her experience as woman in the male dominated tech world as a fraud and cybercrime leader. Carmen has worked for some of the largest tech brands including Yahoo!, Ebay, and Playstation just to name a few. Her passion for connection, building diverse and high performing teams, and her strong moral center made her a highly sought out leader in the fraud industry. Despite her tremendous success and contributions in fraud, she found herself in conflict with her values trying to navigate the politics and accept the use of casuistry to explain toxic behavior by male counterparts. She ultimately chose to honor her values and speak up but that choice would cost her nearly everything.On today's episode we discuss:Opting to "yes, I can figure that out" as kindling for career growthRealizing a work environment is not as advertisedQuestioning if she is cut out for corporateThe power of building strong relationshipsAnd so much moreEnjoy!Carmen Honacker is a passionate fraud and cybercrime fighter, people leader, DEI champion and brand protector. She is an International Fraud Consultant with RISK IDENT. She is also an active member of the Merchant Risk Council 

Sara Abernathy learned early in life the value of small yeses. She started saying yes to low risk options betting on herself that she could make it work or would be able to make a move. With each small yes her confidence in her intuition grew. Over the course 12 years Sarah trusted her intuition when when it told her to:Walk away from a career as a professional opera singerMove to San Diego not knowing anyone for a job she had never done before fundraising for a performing arts theaterTransition from working for a non-profit to selling technology to non-profitsLeave a job she loved to take on the role she knew she meant to doSara Abernathy is a restauranteur and owner of Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, that offers an elevated, polished casual experience and rotating small batch craft beers, chef driven bar food and a delightful patio experience with the best view of Downtown Raleigh.In 2022, Sara and her husband opened Glasshouse Kitchen, an upscale eclectic American fare in the heart of Research Triangle, NC and they are currently working on an additional four restaurant concepts that will open this year.Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Jeanette Botha is an accomplished senior leader for one of the top global logistic companies in the world. As VP of Sales Development - Europe she oversees the training and development of over 2500 sales professionals and leaders spanning across 40 countries.On the outside looking in Jeanette's career is beyond impressive, marked with outstanding performance and frequent promotions. While all that is true in this candid conversation Jeannette shares what that journey has been like from within, both good and challenging, and we cover a wide range of topics including:Growing up in South Africa during apartheid timesSeeking creative outlets and growth outside of her full-time jobImportance of finding a partner who supports your career ambitionsAnd so much moreJeanette is also has a certified coach and speaker who helps professionals to build their corporate presence and present with confidence.Episode Links:Connect with Jeanette on LinkedInSign up for Jeanette's newsletter

The idea of squiggly line or non-linear careers has started to become a mainstream concept. With the help of social media platforms and podcasts we have more access than ever to learn about someone's winding journey. Except these journey's are shrouded in mystery. The pathways  only make sense in hindsight and it's easy to believe that it's great for them but that's not something in the cards for most people.  Even if you wanted to consider a career change were would you even begin?For the last 2.5 years I have researched top female professionals. 72% of these women have made at least one major career change. Although the details varied throughout the journeys, there were consistent steps women would take to prepare for and ultimately make a career change. Those steps are:SeedExplorationActivationBuild and TestCommitOn today's episode I'll share:Actions to take during each step of the career change processThe difference between Forced vs. Chosen Career ChangesShift in how we think about our career journeysEnjoy!ResourcesOwnTrail a platform that offer tools, connection and support for you to take control of your personal and professional journey, figure out what fulfills you and then build your way forward. 25% Promo Code: RISINGTIDEChristine Rogers: Unmistakable TimingDenise Odenkirk: Write Your Own StoryGetting Fired: How to Productively Navigate Grief

"99.9% of the time nothing is wasted"Like many female founders, Loren Greiff saw a problem that her strengths, expertise, and experiences uniquely positioned her to solve. In 2021 she made the empowered decision to launch PortfolioRocket, a company that propels creatives and marketers into the hidden job market and helps them land their next ideal career move. On today's episode Loren shares the many chapters of her 30 year career leading up to today including skyrocketing to VP before 30 at global advertising agency in NY, stay at home mom, returning to corporate advertising leadership only to realize this career was unsustainable as a single mother, launching a successful local e-zine, and a 10 year stint where she became an award winning executive recruiter. All experiences she pulled from to ultimately launch PortfolioRocket.Loren shares her journey and we discuss:The fallout from having personal identity and title interconnectedMaking the transition from chasing external accolades to being motivated by an internal compassHow your career does not live in a boxAnd so much moreEnjoy!Connect with Loren on LinkedIn

Have you ever felt a nudge that you were meant for more? A knowing that one day you might start your own thing? Or it may seem more like a restlessness or discontent with your current situation. You find yourself dismissing this voice. Even if you were curious, where would you even begin?Over the last two years I've interviewed 35+ female entrepreneurs who had an inkling for more. Instead of dismissing the idea, they got started…and you can too. In this episode I share my findings and break down the five steps women took to go from intuition to crossing the bridge of calculated risk and fully committing to their company. You may learn that entrepreneurship is not your path today but I can promise you will move closer to where you are meant to be by going on this journey. Links:Kacie Lett Gordon - Founder of It All MediaNicola Skorko - Founder of Nicola Skorko Coaching and host of Finding Your Fire podcastPsyche Terry - Founder of UI Global BrandsSarah Milby - CEO and Founder of Valor PerformanceNoelle London - CEO and Founder of IlloominusNadira Artyk - Founder of Visionary Voices

Today's guest is a successful multi-disciplinary executive who over her 20 year career has never forced herself to fit within a box. It's only natural that her podcast episode mirrors her career. On today's episode, rather than walk through the different chapters of her career we have a powerful conversation on how she approaches her career and life.Meet Amelia Schaffner.  Most recently Amelia was the Co-Founder and Managing Director for Emory University's Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Prior to this Amelia spent nearly 16 years at Accenture where she started in Management Consulting and would go on to be a Strategy Senior Manager and eventually Strategy Principal focused on growing global innovation at Accenture. Amelia is also an amateur photographer and creator of ZTastyLife, her culinary blog where she writes about staying true to her Italian cultural and culinary roots while living abroad in America.On today's episode we discuss:The importance of exploring our intuitive voiceGetting off the highway for the occasional detourCommunicating who you are when you don't fit in any particular boxEnjoy!Episode Links:Connect with Amelia on LinkedInCheck out Amelia's blog Z Tasty Life

Lauren Griffey graduated college as an English major who was taught to believe that writing was a luxury, not a career path.Heeding the advice of guidance counselors, professors, and family Lauren opted for stability and took a role as an analyst for General Mills determined she could shed her passion for writing and become a business person.Eventually Lauren would discover sales and build a successful tech sales career. Channeling her competitive spirit and leveraging her writing skills for sales emails she convinced herself this would do. Until a global pandemic made her face the truth she had always known. She was a writer.Today Lauren Griffey is an agented author preparing to launch her first novel. On todays episode we discuss:Battle of choosing stability over her callingPower of making decisions based on external forcesFreedom that comes when you step into your powerEnjoy!Episode Links:Connect with Lauren on LinkedInThe Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast

In today's episode I'm sharing one of my favorite tools for living your fullest potential. This is the culmination of a 12 year career in leadership and the last 2 years of researching career driven women. This tool helps you capture what you've learned, what you've accomplished, and the skills and strengths you've acquired along the way. Now, you may think I'm talking about your career but I'm talking bigger than that because you are bigger and more than a job. It helps you to look into all aspects of your life.I call this tool the QXR - Quarterly X-Factor Review. I am so excited to share this with you. It's helped so many women and I can't wait for it to transform your life, too.Episode Resources:QXR Template 

"If you stay too attached to your plans and your ideas then you lose those other opportunities that you don't know are coming"Mindset informs how we show up in this world. Imagine if you looked at opportunities with curiosity (what could be) instead of skepticism (what could go wrong)? What if you suspended the first no and instead explored what might be for a moment? Karen Houghton has let curiosity be her guide throughout her career.  Today as the founder and CEO of Infinite Giving she is able to see in hindsight how each element in her jungle gym career has led her to exactly where she is today.On today's episode we discuss:Inviting others to help you Betting on yourselfThe power of knowing yourself to inform big decisionsAnd moreEnjoy!Episode Links:Connect with Karen on LinkedInThe Power of Onlyness: Make Your Wild Ideas Mighty Enough to Dent the World -Lean In: Women Work, and the Will to Lead

You just got fired. Now what?No matter how it happened, being fired hurts. It feels personal.  Whether you want it or not you are forced to make a change. But what if getting fired could be a catalyst? What if this could be the greatest thing to happen for you? On today's episode we will explore:This is a loss. What the stages of grief look like after a terminationImportance of sitting in your feelingsRecognizing when you are ready to begin ideating on your next chapterExercises to maximize learningsHow to leverage your insights and network to begin your new chapterExercise Resources:Postmortem - Pages 4 and 5Building Your Foundation WorkbookQXR TemplateBook a QXR 1:1 coaching sessionLinks Referenced in PodcastWhen Job Titles Hurt Instead of Help YouToxic vs. Tough Work Environments: Knowing Whether to Stay or GoDr. Jennifer Rittenhouse: Imposterism and the Paths We ChooseHBR: When getting fired is good for your careerThe Power of Regret by Dan Pink 

Meet Jenna Discher, an HR Executive and Thought Leader. Jenna found herself in a position she never expected in March 2020 as the world shutdown due to a global pandemic. As an HR leader, Jenna not only was helping lead her company through the constant changes but also her immediate team. Despite  98% of HR professionals experiencing burnout, Jenna was able to lean on her work in self mastery to help her take care of her team, company, and most importantly herself.On today's episode, we learn more about Jenna as she shares:How trying multiple roles early in her career set the ground work for finding her passion in HRHow she managed her own burnout while leading HR organizations at Credit Karma and AfreshInvesting time in deepening her understanding of selfAnd so much moreEnjoy!Connect with Jenna on LinkedIn

Meet Jenn Graham. Jenn is the Founder and CEO of Inclusivv,  a platform helping companies, communities, and individuals make deeper connections and ignite change through guided conversations. Throughout her life and career Jenn  has been drawn to a diverse set of interests. Often this meant that she connected with others but never quite fully belonged in any one group. It would be over a decade before Jenn saw how her divergent interests and skills were meant to come together.On this episode we explore topics including: How intuition plays an important part in creating alignmentEmbracing diverse interests rather than feeling the need to hyper focusAsking for what you want and need,Making the decision to become an entrepreneur and tech founder.Important Links:Connect with Jenn on LinkedInLearn more about My Human Design

Imagine having a clear vision of yourself in the future. You picture your surroundings and even see a title but important details are missing. You see a corner office with a view but not what you're doing in that office. Or you can read your title that says "President of _______".These were Psyche Terry's directional goals. Starting in college, Psyche had big ambitions but what and how she would bring them to bear was unclear. Until one day while working for a non-profit making gift baskets things began to take shape.Today Psyche Terry is the Founder of UI Brands. Their signature brand Urban Hydration is sold in over 35,000 stores worldwide including top retailers like Ulta, Target, and JCPenney to name a few. The journey to success has not always been an easy one. On today's episode, Psyche shares:How "stepping on skinny branches" fueled her early entrepreneur days Navigating fear so it does not control your decisions Learning from all experiences, especially the failuresAnd much morePsyche is credited by Drug Store News as a Leading Woman in Beauty. She won America's Most Beautiful Mrs. Texas in 2022.  With quadruple digit growth over the last 3 years, her brand, Urban Hydration, was the #1 fastest growing face cleaner in the industry according to Neilson & Inc 5000 as fastest growing Small Business in America. Named Women to watch, Rising Star, Influencer of the year, Trend Spotter, & Philanthropist.Quick Links:Connect with Psyche on LinkedInWATERisLIFE

Throughout our lives we will face adversity. There will be moments or seasons that challenge who we are and what we believe. We can either be hardened from these experiences or take the value and lessons they offer and turn it into something better for the future. Meet Eileen Lee, Co-Founder of The Lola, a club and community for women. As the daughter of Korean immigrants Eileen was raised to be risk averse, take the safe path, honor her family.  So she took a seemingly safe option as  a corporate management consultant. After nearly 6 years and a series of toxic encounters at work Eileen went against everything she was taught and did the unthinkable. She quit her job with no back-up. This seemingly risky decision would launch her career as an entrepreneur where she would co-found not one but two successful endeavors. Throughout this episode, Eileen candidly shares impactful events and experiences that continued to shape her life and career including:Updating beliefs as we learn new informationImportance of tuning into our bodiesAllowing experiences of grief to make us betterPower of creating space and community built for and by womenAnd so much moreEnjoy! Links:Connect with Eileen on LinkedInLearn more about The LolaBurnout: The Secret To Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Throughout her career, Burunda Prince has often found herself as the only or the first. Starting at MIT, Burunda was the only black woman studying engineering. After graduating she became the first black female engineer in Proctor & Gambles Beauty and Care division where she would lead a team of engineers to create Pert Plus, the first ever product combining shampoo and conditioner, After getting her MBA from Harvard Burunda found herself as the first black female at the consulting firm Bain & Co., and eventually the only democrat on her districts school board where they went from the lowest quartile to #1 over the next 4 years.Today Burunda is the COO at the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a company created to support Black entrepreneurs in overcoming the unique barriers they face in building thriving businesses.Throughout this episode Burunda shares insights and lessons from her remarkable career including:How to build trust on a teamHow to find a common ground to drive big changeMindset tips to navigate being an only, taking on new challenges, or correcting a mistakeInviting others to help you on your career journeyImportant Links:Connect with Burunda on LInkedInThink Again by Adam Grant

Have you ever known something about yourself but not known what it means yet? You see a vision of where you want to be someday but you can't see the path yet?  That was entrepreneurship for Noelle London.After graduating college Noelle joined the Peace Corp. Her assignment, teach entrepreneurship to women in Nicaragua. Seeing first hand how entrepreneurship empowered women to solve problems in their community and gain financial independence  Noelle fell in love with the world of entrepreneurship.Over the next 10 years she would find ways to work in startups and with entrepreneurs, all the time looking for the problem she was uniquely poised to address. Then in 2020 felt a calling she could not deny. She knew where she was meant to make an impact.Noelle London is the CEO and Founder of Illoominus, a data analytics platform that helps companies proactively manage their diversity commitments and retain and grow diverse employees into leadership positions. Noelle earned a Masters in Global Policy focused on Economic Development and Technology from UT AustinImportant Links:Connect with Noelle on LinkedInLearn more about Illominus

We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and ambitious achievers find themselves frequently battling burnout. Life feels over-scheduled and week(s) can slip by as you go from one thing to the next leaving little or no time to check in with ourselves. You are so busy doing that you don't have a chance to ask yourself if this is what you even want.On this episode we will cover:Why  it is so hard to pause? What makes pausing so powerful4 ways to incorporate pauses into your lifeReframing the importance to giving yourself permission to pauseEnjoy!References:Career Sabbatical Guide and QXRBreaking Free From The Hustle Culture - EpisodeBook Your QXR Review Atomic Habits by James ClearHBR Article - Why Americans Are So Obsessed With BusynessEmotional Agility by Dr. Susan David