This Could Have Been An Email

Join us for a conversation with Kate, an arts administrator and modern dance enthusiast, as she talks us through her journey of redefining her career path, advocating for the arts, and championing self-empowerment through her passion for people, moving her body, and mentorship. Kate talks about the long game and short game, and how collaboration, volunteerism, and corporate support can help sustain local art in local communities. Kate's journey inspires us to think about our impact through personal growth, artistic expression, and meaningful change. Shout-outs: - Really into dance? Check out the Across the Floors Podcast > - Learn more about Kate and Wellspring > - Michigander? Check out the Kalamazoo Arts Council > - ⁠Ten Percent Happier⁠ podcast with Dave Harris - Built to Move, by Kelly by Kelly & Juliet Starrett - Let's Get Physical, by Danielle Friedman --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

Join Nicole in a conversation with Dr. Maria Urso, whose life story drips in resilience, endurance, and the pursuit of passions against all odds. The convo delves into Maria's journey, from overcoming challenges in her scientific career to defying expectations in the military and impostor syndrome, all while finding solace and strength in her love for running, mentoring, and fulfilling job in the biotech industry. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

Meet Hannah Howard, writer, author, editor, cheese maven, and old work friend of Alex's from the grocery industry. As Alex and Nicole venture into freelancing, LLCs, and maybe even book publishing, our conversation could not have been more perfectly timed. From Hannah's post-college journey through restaurant management training to mommyhood and balancing freelance writing about all things food and parenting, join us for a conversation on bravery, balance, community, and cheese... don't miss Hannah's desert island cheese recommendation!Shout-outs: - Learn more about Hannah and her current projects > - Cheeses referenced: Hook's Cheese Company, La Tur (a soft-ripened cheese), Uplands Cheese, Murray's Cheese - A little bit about NYC's quintessential Upper West Side original market, Fairway Market > - Read more on Bon Appetit about Hannah's Desert Island Cheese > --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

Trying to conceive (TTC) is literally science. You're not broken or less of a woman when it's a challenge and takes longer than you planned. And, yet, societal pressures continue to tell a different story. Throw in the fact that infertility needs and procedures like IVF are only required to be covered by insurance in 15 states and that most women in the US do not have access to sufficient or, in some cases, any paid maternity leave... it can seem impossible. In this episode, Nicole talks with Melissa about her journey to motherhood and how her unexpected three years of TTC and IVF threw off her very planned plans to become a mom. Is there a right time to have a baby and still crush it at work? Spoiler: it's a fool's errand. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

Nicole shares her career update, compliments of Coach Nicole (Trick Steinbach), and her fabulous podcast, Celebrate Brave. From fear to freedom, Nicole talks through the upcoming possibilities and the decisions leading to this transformational change. Not subscribed to Celebrate Brave? Check it out here: https://tricksteinbach.com/bravepodcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

Nicole and Alex are back for Season 2 of "This Could Have Been an Email," the podcast. From a honeymoon of gallivanting throughout Italy for 2 weeks to leaving jobs by choice and becoming pioneering entrepreneurial women, our first episode back is jam-packed with goodness. This season, we're excited to focus on the theme of community and how critical our tribes are, no matter the era. Subscribe and stay tuned! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/could-have-been-an-email/message

We feel so grateful for the opportunity to have and share every amazing conversation on this podcast this year. Join us on our season finale for updates from December and the amazing things we learned from starting our podcast this year. Don't miss our favorite quotes at the end - all the inspo to start 2023 off on the right foot because empowered women empower women. Thank you to every guest for their vulnerability, to our partners for their patience and flexibility, and to us for treating ourselves with kindness and taking a leap in 2022 that started this podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

One of us has a Masters, and one of us doesn't, and that's okay because higher education isn't for everyone. It's a huge expense, time commitment, and investment in yourself which, as our guest shares, is a choice you should not make a rash decision about. Today we're talking to Alex's sister Adrienne, a Ph.D. student in Epidemiology and published researcher, all about her journey beyond higher education in her pursuit of a Ph.D... and sainthood through her research and passion for health equity with a focus on health disparities among Black and Hispanic/Latinx people. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

We started this podcast together because it felt like a low-risk creative investment for both of us that didn't feel like the massive undertaking of "starting a business". But women are starting whole-ass businesses every day on top of motherhood, womanhood, other hobbies and interests, and even careers. Join us for a convo with Erika, entrepreneur, and owner of women in business empowerment group, The Boss Evolution, in the greater Metro Detroit area. Erika talks us through the joys and challenges of starting a business, and the encouragement a community of like-minded women can bring to the sometimes lonely world of entrepreneurship. Check out Erika & Boss Evolution on Instagram. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

It's 2022 and equitable wealth is goals. But whether you blacked out like Alex, or gamed out every terrible scenario like Nicole, the homebuying process can seem like the wild, wild west. On this episode we talk to Solveig, WI Real Estate Sales Licensee at Husky Homes, all about her journey to becoming a realtor, how she's helping millennial women invest in their future, and the red flags to look out for when beginning your home (or property) buying journey. Don't pay someone else's mortgage, pay your own. Shout-outs: - Husky Homes > - Solveig on Instagram > - Origins of the word "realtor" on Wikipedia (fact check) > --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Trigger warning: this episode includes passionate conversation around Roe v Wade, women's healthcare, gun control in America, as well as societal expectations and pressures around body image, diet culture, thin privilege, and toxic masculinity. This Could Have Been an Email aims to have open discussions with authentic women on important topics impacting our lives and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity. Anna (D), momma, social worker, community organizer, nature enthusiast, and OhioU alum, (the list goes on) ran against four other men for the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 80th District to replace retired female, 20-year-career, Representative Sondy Pope (D). Running for office may not be your jam, but Anna's passion to demand action and authentically build community inspires us in so many ways. Learn more about what an assembly person does (in the State of Wisconsin), what the process was like to run, and the self-work it takes to ensure you're manifesting experiences that aren't based on external validation but because it's what YOU want to do. Episode shout-outs: Moms Demand Action Events > Fierce Self-Compassion, by Dr. Kristin Neff > Parenting with Dr. Becky > --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

What's the bravery recipe that cooks up the guts to take the leap and make a career change? To completely uproot your life and maybe even what you thought your life would look like, to do something that actually fulfills you and brings you joy? We're talking with Jennifer, an ex-marketing executive turned executive chef who shares her humble journey to brave. From the importance of having a support system, seeking mentorship, and brushing up on skills by way of staging (staj-ing) to practicing risktaking by taking small risks at a time and, above all else, betting and believing in yourself. Don't be (or become) a dry crouton. Be fresh bread soaked in really good olive oil with some Maldon on top. Episode shout-outs: Adweek Executive Mentorship Program Bucky on Parade: 85 life-size statues designed by local and regional artists in Madison, WI. Find Jennifer's Bucky De Los Muertos here. Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer on Beat Bobby Flay, and their restaurant, Chef Shack, in Bay City, WI Jesse Kloskey, Executive Chef, The Chatwal Lodge, Catskills, NY --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Meet Kortney. Kortney is an incredible leader and Principal at an elementary school in Canton, OH. In this timely Back to School episode, we break down Kortney's journey to her leadership role and the challenges along the way -- advice and conversation relatable to women in leadership roles everywhere and in every sector. From emotional paychecks to choosing the relationship over the rule, leading with empathy and being authentic can be hard but pays out tenfold for your team, staff, community, or tribe. Also, teachers and educators are saints and we don't deserve them. Don't forget to check out: Kortney on Instagram @KudosfromKortney Check back for Kortney's book, But First, Culture, coming March 2023 by Principals Principles Publishing Nook Madison Nobu Chicago --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Join us for a quick catch-up about our learnings so far, the upcoming episodes we're excited about, and how to get in touch with us if you want to be on the podcast, or want to share ideas for future episodes. TLDR: email us at couldhavebeenanemailpodcast@gmail.com, or look below for the "Send in a voice message" link. Shout-outs to: Get Sunday Ultimate Frisbee --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Career coaching can be perceived as this nebulous, expensive experience that can never be measured. But Coach Nicole and her Build Your Brave framework, help us understand that career coaching is not just a point in time and that even internal improvements CAN be measured because bravery is not a personality trait but a skill that can be practiced and learned. We discuss aggression vs assertion and how being brave may disappoint others, but never yourself. We share examples of when you might really consider a career coach (and how to vet one,) vs a therapist vs just a bitch sesh with friends over drinks, and how to advocate for yourself so you can open doors and advocate for others. Shout-outs: International Bravery Coach, Nicole Trick Steinbach, and her podcast Celebrate Brave Bluey, an Australian preschool animated television series Walden (Life in the Woods) by Henry David Thoreau (fact check) Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Disclaimer: 1 in 5 American adults have experienced mental illness. On this episode, we will cover topics surrounding mental health and therapy. We are not trained, medical professionals. We are simply 3 women talking about our own experiences. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, or thoughts of harm to yourself or others, please reach out to a medical professional to seek immediate help, and please know that you are not alone and you are loved. Today we're talking about mental health and self-care, and the vulnerability throughout our conversation is real (Brene Brown would be proud.) Danielle joins us as we navigate the moments when we first experienced a heightened level of stress at work, to the realization that we needed therapy and everything in between. To quote Danielle, "it's not the stress Olympics" and women need to stop feeling bad for feeling bad. It's time to practice mindfulness, make space for the things that bring you joy, and demand support from our managers and employers. Shout-outs to: - @corporate_millennial_memes on Instagram - Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski PhD and Amelia Nagoski DMA - Shine & Headspace apps - Peloton meditation by Anna Greenburg, Aditi Shah, Ross Rayburn, and Cody Rigsby - Follow Nicole @ MadisonBossB, and Danielle @ AuntieDee77 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Trigger warning: this episode opens with a disclaimer on our stance on the Roe vs Wade SCOTUS decision from June 24, 2022. This Could Have Been an Email aims to have open discussions with authentic women on important topics impacting our lives and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity. While many millennial women are choosing not to have children, many still are and, unfortunately, the careers and employers that helped get us to where we are today, aren't providing the empathy, support, flexibility, or policies to allow us to raise these beautiful tiny humans and maintain our tenacious career goals. Nicole and Alex talk with Ashley, a mom-of-almost-three, about what to expect with work-life balance with your first child, how to create boundaries and advocate for yourself with doctors, employers, and family, the need for something like marine sleep deprivation training, the obscene costs of daycare where your kid isn't even learning Mandarin, and more. Shout-outs to: - Luz & Stef of Mamihood, A Thread the podcast - The Skimm #ShowUsYourLeave --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Life after a layoff is different for everyone. We talk through our shared layoff experience with recently laid-off, 24-year-old, Kari, and 5-time-layoff-ex-tech-executive-now-career-coach, Nicole Trick Steinbach. From learning to be purposeful and not losing sight of your career, rage, shock, and pitty parties, to recognizing grief from sadness, we've got learnings and advice for the ages. This isn't your mom's 1990s networking story. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Meet Nicole and Alex, two millennial women who are unapologetically driven at work, talking about their challenges through career progression, motherhood, womanhood, and intersectional identities all while interviewing other amazing women doing the same. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message

Subscribe or check back in on June 1st, for our first episode all about Nicole and Alex, and why we're doing a podcast together. We can't wait to share more together! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/could-have-been-an-email/message