Theodora Speaks

Janisha Jones is the epitome of a can-do woman. A data analyst turned music publishing expert, the CEO of Fresh N'Sassy Productions has set the standard for diversity in the typically non-diverse tech world. Using her own love for music and tech, Jones has empowered women of color in the music industry to have a seat at the table by focusing on the barrier of entry and instilling in them to know their own worth.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's new Chat GTP and A.I. world, it's important to know rhetoric vs. reality while abandoning our imposter syndromes and maintaining authenticity. Romi Mahajan, CEO of ExoFusion, shares valuable tips on how we all can break through that noise and shine in our lives. As he eloquently states: "You either break the mold or the mold breaks you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mamas, this episode is for you. Moyra Gorski, a former nurse and medical sales rep, reinvented herself to put being a mom first. Gorski took on one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs, becoming a stay-at-home mother, before eventually turning into a wellness advisor where she practices being a self-care advocate and empowers others to find the joy in the chaos. Moms rarely get enough credit for the work they do at home and in their community, Gorski --and this episode-- aim to change that.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Shriner-Cahn is someone who is changing the way you communicate. By encouraging corporate refugees and entrepreneurs to understand the difference between treating their passions like a hobby versus a business, David opens people up to entirely new way of thinking and living.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathryn Rose was a woman on Wall Street long before The Fearless Girl statue adorned the Financial District. But she left that life behind to carve out a new career path in marketing, eventually pivoting into becoming the CEO and founder of GetWise. Now, the author of nine books, wife, and mother of two is removing 'should' from her vocabulary and helping build a community that values giving above all else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Move over Maverick, Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell has established herself as the best of the best when it comes to fighter pilots. The decorated and now retired pilot has been placed in some of the ultimate fearful situations -- and she met them with courage and confidence that most could never fathom. KC details all of that and more for us in this week's episode, while also previewing her book, Flying in the Face of Fear, reminding us all that perseverance and courage might not always be easy to come by, but they are crucial in the best and worst of situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend and Microsoft SaaS sales executive, Rob Ashe, is known for his competitive edge albeit in Jiu Jitsu, collecting vinyl records, or being known for his 'dogged sense of determination' in the technology industry. And he also hosts "Rob's Reads" on LinkedIn and gave my book, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, a glowing review. There isn't much Rob can't tackle. I am honored he is my FIRST male guest on Theodora Speaks sharing his words of wisdom centered around confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'A Texas gal who loves the ocean air' Stacie Jones, founder and owner of Sun Lov'in Roots, left her job with the Dallas Cowboys to start her thriving fitness clothing and nutrition brand. From that, Stacie launched an offshoot product-preneur coaching group for entrepreneurs to live her belief in choosing community over competition.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder about executive presence and why presence, posture, and performance are vital to your career? Deanna Ransom, President and Executive Director at Women in Revenue, pays it forward with her authenticity and ability to naturally connect and collaborate with others. Listen for when Deanna shares what elephants and resilience have in common. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off Season 3 with mother and product marketer turned boutique owner Daisy Malek-Shadid. Daisy explains the 4Ps of marketing as it relates to your personal brand, all while reminding us why fashion and self-confidence go hand in hand. Yes, please! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And that's a wrap! Here are a few of my favorite moments with my guests from season 2. It was a great season filled with insights, inspiration, and tangible tools to implement into your life for immediate impact. A special thank you to my guests for sharing their stories and wisdom. Stay tuned for season 3, releasing late Fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us have things we'd love to go back and tell our younger selves. Whether it's to be gentler with our failures, proud of our accomplishments, or just the reminder to keep at our dreams, we often have more insight when looking back. So, I asked several distinguished female graduates attending the Indiana University Foundation's Women's Philanthropy tent party during “The World's Greatest College Weekend” (the Little 500 bicycle races) just that: "what advice would you give your 20-something self?" And the responses elicited valuable advice we can incorporate into our lives at any age.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gospel singer, author, Wall Street extraordinaire for over 30 years, and a woman with a wealth of knowledge -- there's very little that Carla Harris can't do. Carla, a senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley, shares her pearls of wisdom on how to position your career, as well as what she would tell her 25-year-old self.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do security, collaboration and camaraderie have in common? They are the outcomes of solid trust and communication coupled with diversity and inclusion. Kasia Hanson, Global IOT Video Security Sales leader at Intel, is the true definition of an inclusive global leader who understands the importance of communication. She pays it forward by mentoring the next generation of female leaders in the security industry. Kasia also is the Chairwoman for the Security Industry Association's Women in Security Forum.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cindy Ashton was born with less than a 20% survival rate. To say the actress/author/speaker/coach has persevered through what seemed like insurmountable odds and obstacles would be a grand understatement. Hear how she did it in our latest episode of Theodora Speaks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do if Michael J. Fox offered you a job in an elevator? Debi Brooks lived that scenario, leading to her co-founding and becoming the CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation following an illustrious career on Wall Street. Debi, who was recently named one of Forbes 50 Over 50 icons, joins to share her inspiring story, along with the characteristics that make her a perennial problem-solver with a keen balance for pragmatism and optimism. *This episode is dedicated to my father, Edward Wolski, who earned his wings in Heaven on December 24, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Debbie Danon, founder of Time to Flourish, helps remove the stigma of miscarriages and infant fatality in the workplace by discussing the difficult conversation of loss, while recognizing the the art of conceiving as a good thing for both the individual and the company. Follow along with the visual created by Joan Bufalino at General 1 — Gayle Keller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacquelle Amankonah Horton is in the top 1% of 2% of black female executives breaking the mold - something she's equal parts proud and frustrated about. Jacquelle left Silicon Valley during the global pandemic - as a new mother - to embrace The Great Reinvention, launching Fave, a social platform and marketplace that allows fans and music artists alike to engage with each other. As you listen to Jacquelle's story, follow along with the infographic created by Joan Bufalino at www.gaylekeller.org/podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all crave the recipe for balance. Alison McConnell, CMO of Publicis Health Media, is a working mom and leader who encourages us to ask for what we want in our careers. Not only that, she encourages and empowers brands to reimagine gender inclusion, equity, equality, and diversity.   Craving a little inspiration? Follow along with the infographic created by the talented Joan Bufalino at General 1 — Gayle Keller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Esther Wojcicki joins us for episode 19 to discuss revitalizing working parents. She is known as the "Godmother of Silicon Valley" and is a highly respected award-winning educator, wife, mother, grandmother, award-winning journalist, and author of How to Raise Successful People using her T.R.I.C.K. (trust, respect, independence, collaboration, and kindness) method. Esther raised three successful daughters - the CEO of YouTube, the Co-Founder and CEO of 23andMe, and a professor of pediatrics at the University of California - San Francisco. She has passed on the art of grit and drive to thousands of students who have grown up to become empowered adults.  The accompanying infographic created by Joan Bufalino can be found on my website at General 1 — Gayle Keller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's put the mantra of "you can sleep when you're dead" to bed and embrace "sleeping like a baby." It's no surprise we all feel better after a good night's rest. It's time to stop sacrificing our sleep.    Tara Clancy, Founder and Chief Strategist at High Performance SleepTM and host of The Counterfeit Sleep® podcast shares the importance of calendaring our sleep and answers the question of why our sleep is making us tired.     To reinvent ourselves and take calculated professional risks, being well-rested improves our focus, concentration, and clarity while decreasing our stress and anxiety. Companies benefit from well-rested employees. Employee retention increases as does the bottom line - and market share isn't lost - if employees are performing at their optimal, well-rested levels. Follow along with the infographic that accompanies my conversation with Tara (created by Joan Bufalino) on my website at General 1 — Gayle Keller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Janine Firpo left a 35+ year career in technology and international development to focus on how women can create a more just and equitable society through their financial investments. She adds angel investor and social entrepreneur to her list of career reinventions. Janine is dynamic and takes calculated risks in both her career to reinvent her professional life and has reinvented how she invests in her money, aligning to her values. Investing shapes our future and our legacy. By 2030, two thirds of the nation's wealth will be controlled by women.   Listen for when we converse about Janine's recent book Activate Your Money and the myths she debunks around women and financial empowerment. Visit https://www.gaylekeller.org/podcast to view the infographic created by Joan Bufalino that visually accompanies our conversation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we kick off season #2, Joan Bufalino is a woman who amplifies ambitious career reinventions throughout her many seasons of life. From a career in nursing to going back to graduate school in her 50s, at every turn, Joan tackles her fears and never misses a beat as she reinvents herself over and over again with style and grace. Listen for when Joan discusses the importance of being self-sufficient and the advice of never giving up, even if you fail. It's all in the art of trying again and mind mapping towards your goals.  If you'd like to use visuals as you listen to Joan's story, please visit General 1 — Gayle Keller or follow me @_gaylekeller on Instagram to discover the infographics Joan created to use as guides as you listen and follow along. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And that's a wrap! This episode celebrates the 'best of' season one of Theodora Speaks. A sincere thank you to my guests for sharing their inspiring stories and to you, our valued listener for tuning into Theodora Speaks.   !! Season two will be released this November with the theme of career reinvention !! In this episode, you'll hear from our guests - from their risk-taking stories to the tools they sharpened to take their calculated risks to the power of resiliency.  Season one could not have been a success without my amazing guests. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from season one: - "CYE. Change your energy. Jump in the pool!" - Beth Swierk - "I like to make the difference between failing and failure, because failing is just something temporary that we can overcome. And failure basically means that we've quit and that we're not going to move forward." - Shannon Wilkinson - "You cannot have diversity without inclusion" - Melyssa Barrett - "Once you're invited to the table being treated equitably...my CEO has a great phrase that I love. He says that inclusion is being invited to the party, but equity is about being asked to dance." - Cheryl Maletich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melyssa Barrett is a woman who amplifies authenticity, lives her life with purpose, and without regret. Melyssa is as lovely as she is driven and has spent her career in risk management for nearly 30 years at Visa, Inc. conducting business with confidence. She started working the phones at night and climbed the ranks over the years to become a Vice President. She is a seasoned product executive in risk and identity who focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). DEI are top of mind for Melyssa being one of the founding Global Sponsors for Blacks at Visa, Inc. in addition to hosting her own podcast called The Jali. She is also an author. Furthermore, Meylssa hosts one of the largest Kwanzaa gatherings in Northern California, and in honor of her late husband, created Kwanzaa Every Day.  Listen, for when Melyssa talks about two important topics: -         Choose a career you'll have fun with – life's too short -         You cannot have diversity without inclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The global pandemic crisis has created a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt), additional stress and anxiety, especially for working mothers. Just because we live in uncertain times doesn't mean we should give up on our goals. That drive is still in us. All we need to do is dust off our ambition (and humor!) to reshape ourselves. However, we may need an extra push in the right direction to find a way to reignite the fire in our bellies. I asked Jessi Pierce to be a guest on my podcast because she is a working mom in a male-dominated industry, and like us, juggles the balance between work and family. She is a writer for the NHL.com covering the Minnesota Wild hockey team, COO of New Voice Studios, co-host of a podcast series called Bardown Beauties, and a Contract Writer and Manager for Touchpoint Media. She also is on the production team producing my podcast. We share a love of our children, family, and career ambition.  Listen for when Jessi talks about how the NHL can be reimagined with more female influence as well as when she emphasizes why she loves ‘chirping.'  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do leadership, culture and wine have in common?  Pour yourself your favorite glass to enjoy – from water to wine – and take a listen! To me, what wine decants is what I appreciate the most – the legs of conversation and the bouquet of relationships that often are accomplished when you uncork the bottle and pour a glass of fragrant communication. Wine has a way of bringing people together to share a common interest while swirling dialogue around the room. This episode highlights Leadership Uncorked, an event co-created by my guest, Donna Brighton. Donna is the Chief Idea Officer at The Brighton Leadership Group, a speaker, and author of The Rebel Leader. I admire how she lives her life with clear intentions and follows through by making her goals a reality. Listen, for when Donna defines leadership and likens it to the French wine term terroir. Her experiences and passions align beautifully to her career reinvention as she helps companies evolve with clear intentions when it comes to cultural transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claudia Harvey, CEO and Founder of Dig It Apparel and Founding Partner and President of BG Wealth Group, author, mother and wife, is a ray of sunshine and a force wrapped into one. She and I share in common the pull towards career reinvention 20 years into our careers.   In our episode, Claudia describes how she used to define success, and how she shifted her mindset to live life with strength, harmony and balance while also highlighting the importance of encouraging women to connect to their money. As Claudia notes:  "You don't find yourself. You create yourself." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shannon Wilkinson, CEO at Tego Cyber, wife, mother, and author of Ripping off the Hoodie: Encouraging the Next Generation of S.T.E.M. Girls knows her priorities. Shannon knows what it takes to be successful and how to lead from the frontlines, all-the-while cheering on women in Tech, combatting the biases that still exist today.   She highlights how she uses both logic and creativity in Tech while practicing what she preaches: “Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.”  Logic is one of the many superpowers Shannon taps into on a daily basis especially as she carries the torch for gender inclusion in the workplace.  Listen for when Shannon describes the difference between failing vs. failure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have a desire to belong. It is hardwired into our DNA. Dr. Ghazaleh Samandari, PhD., an Iranian refugee, sought acceptance and a need to belong from a young age. She taps into her skillset to help others embrace their unique traits. Having lived in four countries, and now residing in France, Dr. Samandari shares her vulnerability. She tells stories of finding courage, and sense of belonging in life when it comes to taking risks. Dr. Samandari is also a chef, adjunct professor, and most recently launched her own coaching company called 9 Paths Development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cheryl Maletich, Senior Vice President of Transmission and Substation at ComEd, a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (a Fortune 100 energy company), shares her tenacious tales as an Engineer and why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are important components of her role and character. Leadership comes naturally to Cheryl as does her ability to support other women as they climb the ranks. She emphasizes the significance of giving back and how philanthropic work fuels her soul. Cheryl is a firm believer in “how you act when you fail says as much about you as when you succeed.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our mental wellness is priceless and should be incorporated into our self-care routines. Easier said than done. However, it's time to shed our worry of what others think about us and live our lives to the fullest. Hear from the intelligently spirited Nicole Bolden, Transformational Life Coach and Co-Founder of Thriving with Baby. Nicole shares why she was called to take her S.T.E.M. passion and marry it with social work helping families cope with postpartum hurdles. She also emphasizes the importance of instilling values into her young girls while living life on the road – in an RV! – while exploring the United States during our global pandemic crisis this past year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear from the talented Noelle Kirchner, a mother to three gentlemen, a Presbyterian minister, Chaos to Calm TV host, author of How to Live Your Life Purpose: The Six Step Journey to God's Best, and contributing blogger to platforms such as the TODAY Show Parenting Team to HuffPost Parents to Crosswalk. Noelle shares three of her six steps on how to believe in yourself and be all in – longing, risk and persistence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of her second book release, Dr. Nicole Saphier discusses how becoming a teenage mother was the best unplanned event of her life. Coupled with becoming a mother at a young age, she was given a purpose in life and her resilience has shaped her success as a physician, best selling author, and a nationally-known contributor and regular guest-anchor for Fox News Channel. She shares the tools she sharpens to combat negative energy to be productive. Dr. Saphier's new book, Panic Attack: Playing Politics with Science in the Fight Against COVID-19 is on sale now. Her goal is to let facts speak louder than the fear evoked during the pandemic to allow people to make the best informed decisions and opinions by helping others build resiliency during a global crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Featuring one of my oldest and most enthusiastic friends from high school, Beth Swierk, Director of Communications at MasterClass. We explore how the fundamentals of high school Forensics (a.k.a. Speech Team) have built her a solid communications foundation for life. Beth highlights the other side of the pitch, as well as describes the types of mentors to surround yourself with to “troubleshoot your [own] life.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former colleague, Jacqueline King, is a Wonder Woman in tech sales - with a S.T.E.M. background - who shares with us how her interior design traits compliment her professional relationship-building skills. Hear how her attributes of honesty, not being afraid to ask for help, and intuition have guided her to take her recent career risk in search of fulfillment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With guests Sam Olson (my personal trainer) and Amy Stevens (Indiana University college "sister" and confident) we explore the provocative connection between mindfulness and your pelvic floor and how it can help in pursuit of focus on professional and personal aspirations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Centered around risk-taking and reinvention with my dear kindred spirit, Lindsey Seavert. Lindsey is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker who has worked at various TV stations coast to coast. Her award-winning documentary, Love Them First, is now streaming on Amazon. In this season of life, Lindsey has taken another leap of faith, this time reinventing her career. She shares three key tools that attribute to her risk-taking spirit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each episode highlights a Theodora in Technology and STEM and her intertwined personal and professional story in search of balance and fulfillment throughout her many seasons of life.  Who is a Theodora you might ask? A Theodora is the heroine of her family, the heroine of her peers, and someone who does not let her fears prohibit her from taking risks. She shares her superpowers emphasizing the tools she sharpens in order to take her leap and follow her dreams. The episodes will empower and inspire you to be your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices