The LowDown Podcast

LinksActiveMinds.orgSigma Kappa | Mental Health ResourcesTalkspace and Sigma KappaTalkspaceFor members of Sigma Kappa don't forget to check out The Learning Center for other materials mentioned in this ep!

Read the latest Sigma Kappa TriangleHistory IThistory@sigmakappa.orgSigma Kappa Digital Archive Acknowledging the Past Follow-UpWe know some of our members have been impacted by exclusionary and discriminatory practices and invite those of marginalized identities and allies to join a focus group to share their experiences. This will be a space for members to respectfully and safely talk about their lived experiences.Links to register can be found in the latest issue of the LowDown. Additional sessions will be added as the meetings reach capacity.Thursday, May 5 – 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PSTMonday, May 9 – 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PSTWednesday, May 11 – 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST 

Clifton Strengths

Resources:TalkspaceTalkspace for Sigma Kappa Members

Resources TalkspaceTalkspace for Sigma Kappa Collegians & AlumnaeMindstead.orgIf you or someone you know is in immediate crisis call 1-800-273-TALK or text MHA to 741741. This 24hr service is provided by  Mental Health America.Get Connected Follow JRNY Counseling on Instagram - @jrnycounselingFollow Melanie on Instagram -  @melshort5555 

Resources Mentioned in this episodewww.payscale.comwww.glassdoor.comWant to keep up with the latest from Careerhouse? Check out Lindsay's website  and follow her on Instagram!

Sigma Kappa is excited to announce the relaunch of the LowDown Podcast. In this episode, get to know the hosts, Morgan Negri, director of multimedia design and Meredith Trapper, social and digital media specialist. We'll focus on topics like health, wellness, the fraternity and sorority community, higher education, and life skills that women need in all stages of their lives. We'll also feature stories from inspiring and empowering Sigma Kappas. Check out the Sigma Kappa website for regular updates and new episodes.

In this episode, Alex and guest co-host, Meredith, are getting the lowdown on all things self-confidence- why it's important and what messages women send out that show they are confident. Erin talks through the importance of authentic self-confidence and how to find the sweet spot between over confidence and under confidence. She explains how we are naturally drawn to confident people. Learn the three ways we send out messages to show our confidence and words to avoid that show under confidence.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown on how everyone can increase their confidence because “nothing looks better on someone than confidence.” Lisa teaches us about negative body behaviors like a lack of personal space and poor facial expressions. Speaking of facial expressions, do you know what micro expressions are or that you are using them on a daily basis? Listen to find out!

In this episode, Sara and Alex bring Angela Guillory (Sister G) back on the podcast to learn more about this amazing past national president. Angela talks about how she had never intended to join a sorority and even talked her friend out of going through recruitment. She also talks about her family and how important family is to her. Sister G is a storyteller by nature and has some of the best stories. You don't want to miss this episode.

Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on how an executive in the health care industry makes the decision to leave her six-figure job to work for herself. Rachel talks about the highs and lows of her journey and what she personally does to keep herself in check. You'll be surprised to hear what one of her biggest fears about leaving her job was and how it actually played out.

Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on why it's so important to be our truest, most authentic self from HR professional Shana Ross. Shana discusses why authenticity, self-development, self-improvement and self-awareness are such popular themes these days, and why she believes there is such a need in this area. She also talks about how to know when you are really “free” from your personal prison…and if can ever be completely free.

In this Life LowDown, Alex and Sara get the lowdown on the life of lifestyle blogger Nicole Green, who considers herself more of a blogger than an influencer. Nicole talks about how she decided to go into blogging full-time, as well as one tip she uses to determine what clothes to buy. Additionally, being multiracial, Nicole talks about her struggle with racial identity growing up, as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion we see in the blogging and influencer industry today and how she speaks out about it.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about a buzzword of the last couple years: self-care. While self-care is something many people probably think they need, often they can get overwhelmed on how to actually do it. They talk with Talkspace therapist Rachel O'Neill about what exactly self-care is, and she shares how self-care isn't as difficult as you may think, while also providing tips on how you can build a self-care routine for yourself—which doesn't have to include bubble baths, or it could!

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown strengths from HR consultant and CliftonStrengths coach JoDee Curtis. JoDee goes over the power of knowing your strengths, both personally and professionally and how much insight into yourself you can gain from the personality assessment.

In this episode, Alex and Sara are getting the life lowdown of three guests! Three past leadership consultants talk about how the LC program has changed throughout the years--from calling cards to cell phones, a lot has changed! Kat Held, Sara Elgart and Kira Rysiewicz talk about the highs and lows of LC life and how it changed their lives and the skills they were able to take away from their time as consultant and use in their current professional jobs.

In this episode, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on relational agility from talent and leadership development consultant Erin Correa. What is relational agility? As Erin describes it, it is being able to quickly know the stories you're telling yourself in a particular moment and being able to adapt as needed effectively; it is the relationship you have with the beliefs you have about yourself, other people and how things work in the world. Still a bit confused? We all tell ourselves stories because our brains want to fill in the gaps if we don't have the full details on a situation—these stories may not serve us positively and they may not be true! Relational agility is all about determining if these stories are actually serving us and how to adapt if they aren't.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown on compassionate courage from Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith. Karmen talks about her own experiences with being seen as a sexual object by men and how she has learned to be loving and protective of herself and her body and how she developed the courage to advocate for herself and others. Karmen also discusses how the #MeToo movement has been significant in giving women a platform to speak out on.

Today, Alex and Sara talk to Deseri Garcia who is a coaching, team-building and leadership development expert. She talks about the difference between your role vs. your identity and why it is important to know both. We also talk about mindfulness and what that means, whether it's being fully present in a situation or including others in a conversation that may be more hesitant to speak. Sara and Alex share their personal experiences when it comes to being mindful and what that means to them.

In this Life LowDown, Alex and Sara get the lowdown on the life of inaugural 35 Under 35 honoree Christina Parle. Christina talks about life being a first-generation college student and being the only person in her family to have a masters degree. Additionally, they talk about Christina's journey into the higher education field--from working in student conduct at a university to working in conduct and curriculum at a fraternity--she actually wanted to be a police officer! Finally, Christina gives her view on inclusion and what actually makes diversity important.

In this episode Alex and Sara (both millennials) bring back Lindsay Boccardo (also a millennial) to talk about one of her favorite topics, millennials. It's no secret that millennials have gotten a bad wrap over the years and Lindsay helps us uncover where that comes from. There is no greatest generation and no generation is better than the other, so why do we put labels on each generation? Listen to find out!

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about being a pro troublemaker from the original pro troublemaker herself, Stefanie Krievins. Stefanie is passionate about allowing her clients to realize their awesome-ness and coaches individuals and organizations on how they can get out of their own “stuck and stalled” places so they can start innovating and growing again. Being a troublemaker often has a bit of a negative connotation, but Stefanie explains that a pro troublemaker is someone who is optimistic, challenges the status quo and is growth-oriented.

In this Life LowDown, Alex and, guest co-host, Sarah Eller get the lowdown on the life of a Sigma Kappa who grew up on a farm, has been active in FFA since high school and currently works in the agriculture industry. Kellie Bray talks about growing up on her family's farm, nerding out about parliamentary procedure and why she is so passionate about agriculture. Addtionally, they talk about growing up with an identical twin, who is also a Sigma Kappa, and how similar they are even as adults. Finally, Kelly gives her thoughts on being present in a world full of technology and how important human interaction is.

In this episode, Alex and Sara get the lowdown on all things graduate school--from simply deciding to apply, to taking the GRE or GMAT, to the differences between undergraduate and graduate school. Maggie is currently pursuing her PUT DEGREE HERE at East Tennessee State University, and has been attending a higher education institution for nine years. She and Sara, who was recently admitted into a masters of business administration program provide a look at their experiences with the application and what to expect once classes begin.

In today's episode, Alex and Sara talk to Nicole Stephenson about the importance of women knowing how to self-promote in the workplace. There is a double standard when it comes to strong women in the workplace and Nicole gives tangible tips to help them authentically-self promote themselves. Nicole talks about her passion to expand influence of women leaders and what she does at her job to make that happen.

In this Life LowDown, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on what it's like to be an agent with Homeland Security Investigations from Colby Award winner Kelly Harrison. Kelly talks about what it's like investigating trasnational child exploitation and human trafficking--from the highs to the lows. She discusses what she does to unwind and why her work-life balance is something she's rather proud of, given her line of work.

Most of us hate public speaking, right? Even if we're extroverted, speaking in front of large crowds can be a bit nerve wracking. In this episode, Alex and Sara get the lowdown from Alex Ruffato-Perry about how to feel more confident when you have to give a speech or presentation. It's more than just being prepared, it's about owning your presence--executive presence as Alex calls it.

Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown on the challenges that Fraternity and Sorority life still face today and how leaders can better articulate their experience on their resumes and cover letters. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes and you don't have to be chapter president in order to be a leader. Wendi has worked her way up from a Panhellenic president to the president for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and she credits it all to others seeing something in her that she didn't see.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about how to be less awkward in interviews from body language expert Lisa Mitchell. Most everyone is at least a little bit nervous in interviews, but that doesn't mean you need to be awkward. Lisa has studied body language for years and provides tips that you can put into practice to show you are confident and poised and make the best first impression possible, as well as ways you can read the interviewer's body language to determine if they think it is going well.

We've heard it all before—Millennials are the worst! Well with two podcast co-hosts who fall into the Millennial generation, they can't say they agree. Today, Alex and Sara are getting the lowdown from generational expert Kim Lear on what makes each generation unique and how Millennials, Gen Z, Baby Boomers, and Gen X can work best together in the workplace. Kim also debunks the idea that many people imagine Millennials as 12 year olds, when, at this point, they're all at least older than 24. She also gives tips on how Millennials and Gen Z can have their voices heard at a company when the older employed generations may be a little resistant to change.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Alex talk with Julia Broglie, founder of the Broglie Box, a quarterly subscription box for mental health and stress relief, that was named in honor of her brother who died by suicide in 2014. We get the lowdown about Julia's life, including her own mental health journey, and how she has coped with her brother's death, and what it's like to have founded her own company in memory of him. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or experiencing anxiety or depression and need support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) or the National Depressive/Manic-Depressive Association Hotline (1-800-826-3623).

Today, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about anxiety. Dr. Amy Cirbus discusses several different things that occur in most every woman's life and how these can cause or trigger anxiety. She provides practical tips and ways for you to change your mindset on these events that may be part of the reason behind anxiety you are feeling or struggling with.

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown on all things feedback—why it's important, how to do it, and how to do it well. Based on the research, virtually every employee in an organization wants feedback, or wants more of it, but isn't receiving it—but we're either not giving it enough or we're doing it very well. Erin gives advice for how to begin giving feedback today and how to also be a good receiver of it. She also talks about the ways you can instantly stop a conversation on feedback whether you're giving or receiving it.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Alex talk with Susan Willis, Sigma Kappa National Housing Corporation's president. They get the lowdown on what it's like being a manager in the restaurant industry having never been a server or bartender! And because many celebrities call Atlanta home, she's met quite a few in her time. Additionally, they learn about life as an only child and how Sigma Kappa gave her the sisters she always wanted.

This week, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown of preparing for a job interview from career coach Jessica Smith. They learn about how to prepare for the who, the what, and the why, and also learn how to prepare physically and mentally. Jessica gives actionable tips that you can do today to help with any interview you have coming up. As a tech recruiter, she not only shares stories of interviews she's had but also conducted, and you'll finish the podcast ready to rock your next job interview.

We also talk about… Coaching school Real drama triangles Lauren, Alex and Sara have all dealt with How to know if your well-intentioned actions to assist a coworker in dealing with a tough situation with another coworker is actually helping or hurting How we deal with conflict differently depending on our generation Relational wealth a.k.a. the importance of networking (Seriously! It's important! Check out this podcast for more.)

In this bonus episode, Alex and Marlee Jones get the lowdown of the life of Olivia Carter, the newly re-established Sigma Kappa Alpha Omega Chapter president at the University of Alabama, where the average membership of the sororities on campus are more than 300 women and can be classified as mega chapters. Olivia shares why she chose not to participate in primary sorority recruitment, and even shares how she decided at the last minute to give Sigma Kappa chance—she was actually the extension team's last personal visit (don't worry—we talk about what a personal visit is!), and our director of collegiate services who spoke with her, left her interview saying she would be the next Alpha Omega chapter president!

In this episode, Sara and Alex talk to with Kelli Hobby Shallal, registered dietician, personal trainer and creator of the food blog Hungry Hobby to get the lowdown on healthy habits—from eating well to why you shouldn't rely solely on counting calories when it comes to your diet. Additionally, Kelli also provides easy recipe ideas as well what she's keeping stocked in her fridge and pantry to feed her family. Also, as an added bonus, Kelli is offering our listeners 25% off her meal plans! Use ‘LowDown25' to receive your discount.

Today, Sara and Alex are getting the lowdown about relationships and how to foster them while also taking care of yourself and your own mental health. They talk with Talkspace counselor Elizabeth Hinkle, a licensed marriage and family therapist to discuss why relationships seem harder in this day and age thanks to technology and the many dating apps out there. They also go beyond romantic relationships and how to have healthy and happy friendships. Finally, they discuss the importance of self-care, which is so much more than spending a night in with a sheet mask and a bath bomb.

In this bonus episode, Alex and Sarah Eller (she's back!) talk with Sara Seely Chacon, business development consultant at First National Bank and Sigma Kappa's national president. You'll get the lowdown about the ups and downs of moving all around the country growing up, essentially having two full-time jobs at once (that's what it's like being the national president after all…), how Sara's life has truly come full circle and more.

In this episode, Sara and Alex talk to with Audree López, stylist, freelance writer and editor and the girl behind the blog Simply Audree Kate to get the lowdown on wardrobe essentials every woman should have. Audree shares tips some of the absolute basics you should have in your closet, what pieces you should splurge for versus what you should save your money on, and more. Additionally, she'll ease your mind when it comes to thrifting and shopping vintage.

Today, Sara and Alex are giving the lowdown about what they've learned about everyone's favorite activity: networking. While we all probably hear how important networking is, it seems like many of don't know how to do it, or at least don't know how to do it well. Sara and Alex discuss the importance of networking (did you know it's how 85% of jobs are filled?) building your personal and professional network. Besides just discussing why you really need to network, they give you actionable ways to begin building your network today.

In this episode, Sara and Alex sit down with diversity and inclusion expert Amy Waninger to get the lowdown about how we can all be more inclusive and promote diversity in both our personal and professional lives. Amy provides a three-step model to overcoming our unconscious biases, provides listeners with actionable ways to be more inclusive and discusses how we can all be more vulnerable, open and authentic.

In this bonus episode, Sara and Alex talk with Ann O'Connell Adams, an assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, Sigma Kappa's national vice president for alumnae and avid yogi. We get the lowdown about growing up in the Chicago suburbs with parents in the airline industry (day trips to cities like Boston weren't uncommon!), what it's like arguing a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, that moment when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on the same day as Ann and her husband and more.

In this episode, Sara and Alex talk with Angela Guillory, associate dean of students and director of greek life at Louisiana State University, to get the lowdown of what sorority and fraternity life was like in the past, where it is now and what she thinks the future holds for it. Additionally, Angela discusses losing an LSU student to a hazing death and how it's impacted both the local school community as well as the national one.

In this episode, Sara and Alex talk with Lindsay Boccardo, Millennial expert and career coach to get the lowdown of how your attitudes shape your behavior. Lindsay describes the psychology behind our attitudes and how we all see the world through different lenses given our past experiences. She discusses the five attitudes we most commonly find ourselves in and shares tips on how best to interact with someone who is experiencing any of these attitudes.