Brave Women at Work

Unapologetic: Living Boldly and Being Nothing but Yourself with Cassy Williamson

Do you resonate with this? You bump into someone and say, “I’m sorry.” You send out an email and start it with, “I’m sorry I’m asking this question again, but…” Or you say, “I’m sorry that I need your help, but…” How many times do women say, “I’m sorry” on the average day? According to Google, women apologize 10 times per day on average, and 25% more than men. What would it look like if we stopped apologizing for everything and started living unapologetically? What would change in your life if you started living that way? Does that just feel like your entire body takes a deep and relaxing sigh? During our podcast, Cassy and I chatted about: What being unapologetic means to her. How does being unapologetic play out in Cassy’s life and work? If someone is a fawner or people pleaser, how can we start being more unapologetic? What prompted her to write her book, Unapologetic: A Journey to Living Boldly, Loving Fiercely, and Being Nothing but Yourself? What Cassy’s thoughts are on failure and comparison? What the Unapologetic Women community and Unapologetic Edit are and how we can get involved. Here is more about Cassy: As a passionate leadership coach, Cassy’s mission is simple: to help individuals and teams reach their full potential, achieve outstanding results, and to fall in love with the process along the way. With a background in healthcare, sales, and marketing, Cassy has seen firsthand how the right leadership and a strong company culture can transform an organization, propelling them to the next level. Her approach is all about inspiring others to lead with heart, innovation, and confidence. After moving from the music industry to healthcare and then transitioning into sales and marketing, Cassy discovered the powerful impact of leadership that values both people and performance. Over the years, she trained and coached professionals at all levels, from front-line employees to senior leaders, helping them develop the leadership skills necessary to create positive, lasting change both for themselves and their organizations. Cassy believes the best leaders are those who serve, empower, and inspire those around them. Her coaching style is centered on cultivating trust, collaboration, and a deep commitment to growth—both personal and professional. Leadership isn’t just about titles — it’s about making a difference, no matter where you stand in an organization. Cassy’s WHY is to serve you and your team through impactful coaching programs that provide clear, actionable strategies to elevate your leadership, company culture, and make a difference. Whether you’re looking for a high-impact, one-day experience or a year-long coaching journey, Cassy is here to help you grow and thrive into the leader that you are meant to be. If you’re ready to take your leadership journey to the next level and create a team that’s aligned, inspired, and driven by a shared vision, Cassy would love to work with you! Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Imposter Phenomenon, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Cassy to the show!

Leading in a System That Wasn't Built for You with Nicole Pulliam

I have been schooled in the best way. I learned something so valuable during my conversation with my guest, Nicole Pulliam. You know how everyone (including me) has referenced Imposter Syndrome as well, a syndrome? What if the original researchers on the topic never intended for it to be called that? What if it was really called Imposter Phenomenon. We could do a whole podcast on why it was changed from phenomenon to syndrome, but the gist is that with a syndrome, we can tend to blame ourselves and think we are inherently wrong or bad. With imposter phenomenon, we take the imposter outside of ourselves and into the environment. What in the environment triggered us to feel like an imposter? And what can we do about it? During our podcast, Nicole and I chatted about: The backstory behind her work with her company, Real and Worthy What imposter phenomenon is, and how it is different than Imposter Syndrome What does it mean to lead in a system that wasn’t built for you? And how is this especially difficult for women of color? What is the Worthy Leadership Framework? The “I am worthy of” prompt If you have beat yourself up regarding Imposter Syndrome, flip your brain inside out in the best way possible with today’s show. Here is more about Nicole: Nicole Pulliam is a first-generation trailblazer, a tenured professor, and a Woman of Color who has spent over 20 years inside the very systems she now helps others navigate. She has led organizations, built programs from the ground up, and sat in rooms where she had to fight, quietly or loudly, to be taken seriously. As a tenured professor, Nicole works inside the academy every day . When she coaches faculty, Nicole is not speaking from the outside. She is speaking from experience . As Nicole knows, the rules are different when you’re a woman. The game often feels different when you’re a Woman of Color. Through executive coaching, leadership development, speaking, and consulting, Nicole partners with women, especially Women of Color , who are doing meaningful work in environments that don't always make space for them. She also partners with higher education institutions ready to invest in their people. Her approach is identity-affirming, strength-based, and unapologetically human. Nicole holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education, an M.A. in Counseling, and a B.A. in Psychology, along with professional certifications in coaching and intercultural development. But more than credentials, Nicole brings lived experience and a genuine commitment to each of her client’s growth. Whether you're a leader navigating your next chapter, a faculty member in the thick of academic life, or an organization ready to do the real work, Nicole’s goal is the same: to help you lead with clarity, courage, and a deeper sense of who you actually are. Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Imposter Phenomenon, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Nicole to the show!

Age Beastfully: Reclaiming Your Power at Any Age with Anne Marie Chaker

Have you ever seen an absolutely powerhouse woman in the gym? By this, I mean a woman who isn’t afraid to lift heavy and has muscle – like real muscle? When I have seen a woman like this in the gym before, I must be honest – I am partially I awe and terrified at the same time. But here’s the thing. As I get deeper in mid-life, I’m inspired and challenged by the idea of lifting. I know that it is the key to my longevity and doing the things I want to do as I get older. And sure, it’s still a bit scary, but I may just become one of these women yet. Anne Marie Chaker, my guest today, had her own strong woman moment in a hotel. It changed the trajectory of her life, and maybe this conversation will change yours. During our podcast, Anne Marie and I chatted about: The fateful moment where Anne Marie said I want to be like her; I want to be strong. How getting strong has changed Anne Marie’s life for the better. The story behind her book, Lift: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives. Anne Marie’s thoughts on GLP- 1’s and diet culture vs. getting strong What does it mean to age beastfully vs. gracefully? If someone wants to get started lifting, where should they start? Here is more about Anne Marie: Anne Marie Chaker is a veteran journalist and professional bodybuilder. During her two-decade career at The Wall Street Journal , she held reporting jobs all over the paper, from the Journal ’s regional editions to the Spot News Desk during the September 11 attack. She has covered everything from politics to news events, consumer trends, education, the workplace, and the major sociological shifts of our time. Her article “I Never Thought I’d Write This: I Am a Female Bodybuilder” generated more than 500k views since it was published in 2020. She is also the author of LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives, which hit the shelves in 2025. Chaker lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her partner, Rick; daughters Juliette and Sylvie; and their overeager pup, Ninja. Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Anne Marie to the show!

Reclaim Your Time: Why Emails and Meetings Aren't Leadership with Carol Schultz

Everyone is Creative: Busting the Biggest Myth at Work with Melissa Dinwiddie

When was the last time you had fun and experienced joy while doing it? I know. I had a coach many years ago ask me the question, “When do you play?” I was dumbfounded. I worked. I took care of my family. I tried to take care of myself in the middle of all of that. And repeat. I immediately thought there wasn’t time for fun. Let alone creative pursuits like I used to have. Like many times in my life, I was wrong and had to learn that fun, joy, and creativity have a place in our lives. This is imperative for our self-care, for our healing, and for living a full life. And yes, we can be creative at work too. During today’s conversation with my guest Melissa Dinwiddie, we and I chatted about: Her first book, The Creative Sandbox Way. Why everyone is creative, and why believing the opposite is a lie. The steps we can take today to bust out of a creative rut and start experiencing the joy of creative play today Her latest book, Innovation at Work, and how The Creative Sandbox Way and Innovation at Work play off one another. How you can start one way, like Melissa did at Julliard, move to an entirely different career as a jazz singer, and land in a new place (aka – your career doesn’t have to have a straight line) If you lean towards the work, work, work camp like me, listen into this show with an open mind. And be prepared to debunk the myth that you are no creative because that is simply not true. Here is more about Melissa: Melissa Dinwiddie is an innovation strategist and keynote speaker who helps leaders at mid-to-large tech and SaaS companies turn an innovation mandate into an innovation practice. Her Create the ImpossibleTM framework — Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast — was designed specifically for the analytical, skeptical teams who are convinced they’re not creative. Because that’s exactly who needs it most. Melissa’s keynotes are immersive, interactive experiences that blend storytelling, science, and hands-on activities. Audiences don’t just listen — they participate, surprise themselves, and leave with tools they can use on Tuesday morning. The numbers back this up: 94% of attendees find her talks valuable, and 96% say they’d see her speak again. Her background includes work with teams at Meta, Google, Salesforce, and Uber, and she has delivered sessions for SHRM, PMI, AMA, and Stanford. She studied dance at Juilliard, spent 15 years as a professional artist in Silicon Valley, performed as a jazz singer/songwriter and musical improviser, and is the author of Innovation at Work: 52 Micro-Experiments for Brave Leaders (Pluralite Press, 2026). Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Melissa to the show!

Unlocking Your Human Design: Live and Lead in Alignment with Michelle Pecak

Rewrite Your Soundtrack: Authentic Leadership from the Inside Out with Jennifer Lentner

Recently, the latest Brave Women at Work book launched, Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity. And I am so excited to share that one of the authors, Jennifer Lentner, is on the podcast today! I really love Jennifer’s chapter in the book because her chapter is all about lived experience. What is it like to truly be an authentic leader? And what does it mean to truly learn from experiences so we can step into our authenticity even further? As someone who stepped into my own authenticity and vulnerability gingerly throughout my career, I can relate. For the longest time, I was more concerned about the output and “getting the job done” than sharing pieces of myself with my team. I learned that by doing so in appropriate ways, I build trust, loyalty, and respect with them in ways I couldn’t even imagine. During today’s conversation, Jennifer and I chatted about: Why she decided to join the latest author cohort for Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity What does authentic leadership mean beyond the buzzword? How can we lead authentically even in tricky situations? What Jennifer wants readers to take away from her chapter? Her business, Soundtrack Consulting, and how she works with her corporate clients? What a soundtrack is, and how it ties into her work so deeply? Here is more about Jennifer: Jennifer Lentner is the founder of Soundtrack Consulting, where she helps leaders communicate clearly and confidently through change. Drawing on more than fifteen years of experience leading internal communication for a growing division of a Fortune 500 company, Jennifer partners with CEOs and executive teams to navigate periods of growth, transition, and transformation. Her work is rooted in the belief that communication isn’t just about information—it’s about connection. Whether guiding leaders through an acquisition, a leadership change, or a period of rapid growth, she helps them find the right rhythm and voice to keep employees aligned and engaged. Before launching Soundtrack Consulting, Jennifer built a communication function from the ground up inside a global medical device company that tripled in size, acquired more than a dozen companies, and experienced multiple enterprise-wide changes. Her engineering and operations background gives her a rare ability to translate complex business issues into messages people can understand and believe in. Jennifer is passionate about helping leaders see what’s possible when communication is purposeful, strategic, and human. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughter, where you can often find her running, reading, or cheering at her daughter’s basketball games. Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Jennifer to the show!

The Promotion Gap: What No One Teaches You About Moving from Doer to Leader with Femi Corazon

We all start our careers as doers, or individual contributors. This means we make the widgets; we do the grunt work; we execute the strategy of management. Then, at one point, we may get very good at being a doer and are tapped for management. The issue is that there is no class for leadership. So many people that move from doer default into manager. And as you may have seen in the memes online, there is a distinct difference between a manager and a leader. Here are some differences: A manager is more concerned with: Output over people Stays focused on the task at hand and less on managing to the total person Doesn’t have the full respect or trust of their teams Holds back or is unwilling to be authentic or vulnerable On the contrary, a leader is more concerned with: People first Legacy Being authentic and vulnerable During today’s conversation, Femi and I chatted about: The chase for output, and how great leaders design conditions for great work. The promotion gap and how no one teaches us how to move from doer to leader. Advice on someone who is primed for a promotion. How we can be powerful leaders during the explosion of AI. What the most important characteristics are for leaders today. If you are a doer or a manager and want to transition more fully to leader, this show is for you. Here is more about Femi: Femi is EVP, Executive Creative Director at Rescue, The Behavior Change Agency. She is a creative leader by trade and a brand builder and storyteller by obsession, with deep experience where creativity, culture, and innovation drive real-world impact and growth. At Rescue, Femi leads award-winning, large-scale behavior change initiatives for public health organizations across the United States, leveraging branded marketing approaches to deliver integrated, multi-channel campaigns powered by insight-led storytelling and culturally resonant creative. Prior to Rescue, Femi served as VP, Brand Creative at NBCUniversal, where she played a key role in the global rebrand for Universal Destinations & Experiences, associated brand campaigns, and upfront planning for the launch of EPIC Universe. Earlier in her career, she was Head of Creative at Little Dot Studios Americas, shaping modern, short-form storytelling and brand engagement for brands including Google, Disney, and Expedia. Her broader experience spans technology, entertainment, and retail, with work for Snyders of Hanover, NBC Television, ABC, AT&T, Intel, Lenovo, T-Mobile, and Michelob. Across her career, Femi has led and mentored resilient, high-performing teams while delivering work grounded in clarity, craft, and emotional truth. A certified global Gallup Strengths Coach, she is deeply committed to compassionate leadership, craft excellence, and building cultures where people and ideas can thrive. She holds an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts and is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her dog, Zooey. Before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, friend or colleague. As you know, your ratings and reviews help this show to gain traction and continue to grow. Thank you if you have already left a review. Also, if you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Femi to the show!

Unmasking: How to Step Off the Achievement Treadmill with Alicia Zielinski Straub

Let’s start with two quotes today. Honestly, I couldn’t decide between the two, so you get both. Carl Jung: "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." Brené Brown: "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." Often, we don’t let ourselves be seen as Brene Brown says. We put on masks of perfectionism, performance, people pleasing, and more. I know about these masks because I’ve done that very thing. Today, I talked with Alicia Zielinski Straub, a repeat guest about the masks that we wear and what it costs us. If you still feel like you are not fully letting your guard down and showing up as your authentic self, please listen in to this show. I think it will have something special for you. During today’s conversation, Alicia and I chatted about: Her transition from New Jersey to the Carolinas and the beautiful synchronicities all the way. Why we wear the masks we do What the term unmasking means to Alicia, and why she decided to offer her retreat of the same name Why she selected the Imiloa Institute in Costa Rica when she could have selected anywhere in the world Why drives us to favor old, negative patterns, even when we have the tools to unmask and heal? Here is more about Alicia: Alicia Zielinski Straub, MS, LPC, NBCC, RYT, is a licensed professional counselor, mindfulness practitioner, and somatics facilitator. Her work bridges clinical mental health with mind-body strategies. Alicia helps individuals understand and regulate stress, trauma, and overstimulation in modern life. She draws from neuroscience, translating complex concepts into accessible, experiential tools that foster balance, resilience, and emotional regulation. Alicia conducts counseling services, personalized somatic sessions, workshops, retreats, and integrative practices that support nervous system health, self-awareness, and sustainable well-being. If you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Alicia to the show!

The Brave Shift: From Stress and Overload to Soul Success with Meghan French Dunbar

When I burned out back in 2019, I felt like I was duped. I did all the “right things” – went to college, worked very hard, climbed the ladder, got married, had kids. And then, after doing everything the way I thought I was supposed to do, I burned out anyway. During that period, I was disillusioned and felt like I had no foundation. I had to find a new foundation, and this podcast was part of it, so thank you again for being here. What I learned about in my conversation with guest, Meghan French Dunbar, is that I didn’t do it wrong. Society feeds us the idea of short-term success being the name of the game. It is more important for us to climb the ladder than listen to our intuition. It’s more important to look good on paper than to experience success deep in our souls. And guess what? That’s WRONG. During the show, Meghan and I chatted about: How we have been pursuing the wrong success targets the whole time. What the pull is to short-term success vs. long-term value creation. Her book, This Isn’t Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success . What soul success is and how it is different than traditional success. How we can begin pursuing more soul success in our lives and careers. Here is more about Meghan: For the last decade, Meghan has been kinda obsessed with how we can make business better for everyone. This passion has led her all over the place, from co-founding the first nationally distributed magazine about sustainable business, Conscious Company Magazine, to hosting events for hundreds of changemakers, building businesses, interviewing thousands of business leaders, consulting with major brands, and writing an entire book on the topic called This Isn’t Working: How Working Women Can Overcome Stress, Guilt, and Overload to Find True Success . If you're wondering why Meghan is so passionate about this topic, it's because business is one of the largest forces on Earth—one that can be harnessed to create tremendous progress and benefit humanity or one that can destroy lives and harm most people involved in the system. The good news is that it can be so much better and helping people understand exactly how is what her work is all about. When Meghan is not doing all that, she is with her family in the foothills of Boulder—chasing her two kids, hiking with her husband, hosting dinners for friends, and remembering that the truest version of success is one that actually feels like living. If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again! If you haven’t downloaded one of my freebies on my site, check them out on bravewomenatwork.com. I have 5 Ways to Managing Your Imposter Syndrome, 34 Leadership and Career Affirmations, and 10 tips to Win Your Next Negotiation. Download one or them or all three! If you also have a story to share and a deep desire to become an author, please contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com . I am happy to share the details on the project. Alright, let’s welcome Meghan to the show!