REACH - A Podcast for Executive Assistants

Hosted by Maven Recruiting Group

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Episodes

112

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

REACH is for the Executive Assistant who hustles hard, strives for excellence and is committed to seeking out life’s “aha moments” to help you reach the next stage in your development and career. In each episode, expect to gain invaluable insight from our personal network of Executive Assistants whose careers span the Fortune 500, Silicon Valley Venture Capital firms and your favorite tech companies and start-ups. Hosted by Maven Recruiting Group’s Founder and CEO, Jessica Vann, this is your opportunity to participate in the solidarity of listening to people who “get it.” REACH is designed to inspire your workday, guide you through pivotal moments in your career and transform you into the Executive Assistant you’ve always wanted to be. REACH is brought to you by Maven Recruiting Group who specializes in placing Executive Assistants and support staff to the Bay Area’s most prominent Executives and companies. You can learn more about Maven at www.mavenrec.com or by reaching out to us at reach@mavenrec.com.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 8, 2026Episode 657 min

Understanding Yourself and Your Executive Through the Working Genius Framework

Why do some tasks energize you while others leave you completely drained? In this episode of REACH, Jessica sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and Better Conversations podcast host Kara List to explore the Working Genius framework and how it can strengthen the EA–executive partnership. Kara helps female founders navigate one of the toughest transitions in business: moving from building a company to leading the people inside it. Through her coaching work, she helps leaders better understand their strengths, communicate more effectively, and scale their impact through others. Drawing on Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius model, Kara shares how understanding your natural strengths can improve collaboration, reduce friction, and create stronger working relationships. Together, Jessica and Kara discuss how EAs can better understand themselves, gain insight into the executives they support, and build more aligned, productive partnerships. If you've ever felt out of sync with your executive or wondered why you each approach work differently, this episode is for you. To learn more about Kara's offerings, visit her website at https://heykaralist.com/

May 26, 2026Episode 542 min

Inside the World of JFK Jr., the Media & What It Took to Support One of America's Most Iconic Figures

RoseMarie Terenzio spent five years as the Chief of Staff to John F. Kennedy Jr. at George Magazine, operating at the center of one of the most highly scrutinized media and celebrity relationships of the 1990s. Working alongside both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy during the height of public fascination surrounding the couple, RoseMarie managed the constant demands, pressure, and visibility that came with supporting an American icon. Today, RoseMarie is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, co-author of JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography, Executive Producer of I Am JFK Jr., and today she specializes in strategic communications and crisis management work for high-profile leaders and organizations. In this episode of REACH, RoseMarie shares what it was really like behind the scenes, what it means to know the person behind the icon, and how the media and PR landscape has transformed since the height of JFK Jr.'s fame. To explore more of RoseMarie’s work, click the links below: Fairy Tale Interrupted: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439187681?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_6GQPE6YGD35C4986D1ZG_1&bestFormat=true JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668018527?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_VJXGGNAFD1F5YPTPY2XD_1&bestFormat=true

May 4, 2026Episode 454 min

Mastering Time for You and Your Executive: How to Create Time Abundance with Laura Vanderkam

In this episode of REACH, we sit down with Laura Vanderkam, a bestselling author, speaker, and one of the most trusted voices in time management and productivity. Laura has spent years studying how high-performing professionals actually spend their time, using real time diaries to uncover the gap between perceived busyness and reality. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including 168 Hours, and her newest release, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance, where she explores how even the busiest individuals can create more space, intention, and balance in their lives. In this conversation, Laura shares practical strategies and mindset shifts around prioritization, productivity, and redefining what it means to “not have enough time.” For Executive Assistants and support professionals managing competing priorities at a high level, this episode offers actionable insights to help you take greater control of your time and operate more effectively. To learn more about Laura and stay up to date on her new release, visit: https://lauravanderkam.com/

April 21, 2026Episode 357 min

Operating in the Gray with Nicky Christmas at the EA Campus: How Elite EAs Make Decisions Without Permission

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! As promised, we have double the content for you this week. On today’s episode of REACH, we’re joined by Nicky Christmas, Founder of EA Campus and a globally recognized voice in the executive support space. Nicky has built her career around elevating the role of the Executive Assistant, helping assistants move beyond task execution and into true strategic partnership. Through EA Campus, she’s worked with thousands of EAs around the world, equipping them with the mindset, frameworks, and confidence to operate at a higher level. What makes Nicky’s perspective especially valuable is her focus on the realities of the role that aren’t always formally taught. The nuance, the judgment calls, and the moments where there is no clear right answer. In this episode, we explore what it really means to operate in the gray. How to make decisions without a playbook, build trust with your executive, and confidently step into a more strategic, operator mindset. It’s not too late to join Nicky in person or remotely. The EA Campus Conference is running this week, April 22–24, 2026, at ISH Venues in London and online. Find out more and register here: https://theeacampus.com/conference/ You can also learn more about Nicky and access her resources at https://theeacampus.com/

April 20, 2026Episode 253 min

From Supporting Simon Sinek to Supporting in the Era of AI: The Future of Executive Support, Human Judgment and Communication

Happy Administrative Professionals Week! On today’s episode of REACH, we’re joined by Monique Helstrom, former Executive Assistant, Producer, and “Chief of” to Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why. Often described as the “HOW Girl to the WHY Guy,” Monique spent nearly a decade helping build and scale one of the most influential leadership brands in the world, giving her a front-row seat to high-level leadership, communication, and partnership. Now a keynote speaker and coach, Monique shares practical guidance for Executive Assistants on leading up, communicating with clarity, and stepping into their roles with confidence. We also explore how EAs can embrace AI as a powerful tool to stay relevant and enhance their impact. This episode is packed with actionable insights on communication, connection, and evolving as a strategic partner in today’s workplace. Resources & Offers: Podcast Listener Offer Get $100 off The AI-Powered Assistant course. Learn how to think with AI so you can produce stronger work, faster, and position yourself as a strategic partner. https://www.moniquehelstrom.com/ai-powered-assistant Use code: reachpodcast April Coaching Offer Special Administrative Professionals Month pricing on coaching sessions focused on confidence, communication, career direction, and strategic partnership skills. Book a Discovery Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/discoverycallwithmonique Double Course Bundle (April Only) Get The AI-Powered Assistant and Introduction to Effective Communication together to build both technical skills and communication clarity. Explore the bundle: https://moniquehelstrom.thinkific.com/bundles/administrative-professionals-month-2026 About Monique Monique Helstrom is a recruiter, coach, and speaker specializing in the executive–assistant partnership. A former Executive Assistant to Simon Sinek, she now helps executives hire and work effectively with high-level assistants and supports assistants in building strategic, future-proof careers. Website: www.MoniqueHelstrom.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquejhelstrom/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquehelstrom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrz2UEjZterB-2AdKZuAYxQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueJHelstrom

April 6, 2026Episode 143 min

How Executive Assistants Can Be Travel Heroes: Points, Luxury Travel & Smart Strategies for Executive Travel

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Julia Menez, founder of GeoBreeze Travel and host of the GeoBreeze Travel Podcast. Julia is a travel strategist and points expert who has built a loyal following by helping professionals maximize credit card points, airline miles, and loyalty programs to unlock elevated travel experiences. For Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants, travel planning is a critical part of the role. Julia shares how assistants can take a more strategic approach to booking travel, using points and rewards programs to maximize budgets, unlock upgrades, and create seamless, high-quality experiences for their executives. Whether you’re managing frequent business travel or looking to level up your approach to planning, this conversation offers practical insights on how to turn travel logistics into a true value-add. You can learn more about her offerings at: https://geobreezetravel.com/

December 10, 2025Episode 1348 min

With Grace and Grit: Resilience, Self-Advocacy, and the Evolving Role of the Modern EA

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by powerhouse Executive Assistant Kim Owens, whose career spans more than a decade supporting top leaders across media, sports, and tech. From Viacom and the NFL Network to her most recent role as Lead Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO, Founder, and Board Member at GoPro, Kim has been at the center of major growth, cultural evolution, and global expansion. Known for her unshakeable calm, trusted judgment, and innate ability to connect people across every corner of an organization, Kim exemplifies how EAs serve as both the glue and the engine behind their executives and teams. She has built a reputation for cultivating strong cross-functional partnerships, advocating for herself and others, and navigating change with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your presence as an EA, navigate high-pressure environments with more steadiness, or deepen your influence across the business, Kim’s career offers a masterclass in resilience, strategic partnership, and leading with clarity in moments of change.

October 27, 2025Episode 121 hr 2 min

From Music to Michelin Stars: The Art and Logistics of Supporting Culinary Visionary René Redzepi

Supporting a living legend in the food world comes with unique challenges and extraordinary rewards. As Executive Assistant to René Redzepi, the visionary Danish chef and co-owner of Noma, the three Michelin-star restaurant repeatedly named the best in the world, Matthew McGuigan has a front-row seat to one of the most influential culinary minds of our time. Originally from Sydney, Matthew’s path to Noma is anything but ordinary. A professionally trained musician turned entrepreneur, he built his own EA and virtual assistant business in Berlin before finding his rhythm in the fast-paced world of fine dining. His artistic discipline and creativity now help him navigate the intricate choreography behind one of the most celebrated restaurants on the planet. In this episode, we talk about what it means to support one of the world’s greatest food innovators, the power of food to connect people and cultures, and the massive logistical feat of moving an entire restaurant, staff, families, and ingredients for Noma’s legendary global pop-ups.

October 14, 2025Episode 111 hr 14 min

From the C-Suite’s Right Hand to Executive Coach: Guiding Growth-Stage CEOs Through Scaling and Change

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Kris Cordle Goodsall, Founder and CEO of Devenu Collaborations. Throughout her career, Kris has supported some of Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders, including Ev Williams at Twitter and Stewart Butterfield at Slack, guiding them through the evolution from product creator to company leader. At Slack, she played a key role in scaling the company globally and later served as Chief of Staff, leading through its direct listing and $27.7 billion acquisition by Salesforce. Drawing on those experiences, Kris now coaches founders and CEOs of growth-stage companies, helping them strengthen leadership teams, uncover blind spots, and scale with intention. Kris shares what she learned observing leadership up close, how those lessons shape her coaching today, and why avoiding burnout and setting boundaries are essential for both executives and their teams. She also reflects on her own journey from Executive Assistant, to a sabbatical in France, to Chief of Staff, and now executive coach, revealing how each chapter taught her to redefine success and leadership along the way.

September 24, 2025Episode 1047 min

Private Aviation Demystified: Making Executive Travel Seamless with Quantum Jets

In this episode of REACH, we’re joined by Tyler Macaulay, Senior Executive of Charter Sales at Quantum Jets, a private aviation company dedicated to making executive travel seamless, efficient, and stress-free. Quantum Jets' innovative mobile app and dedicated support team give Executive Assistants and advisors everything they need to plan private travel. Tyler brings insider expertise on everything from selecting the right aircraft to navigating private airports, coordinating timing, managing in-flight details, and even arranging for pet travel. Together, we’ll demystify the world of private aviation, explore how it compares to commercial travel, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid when booking flights for your executive. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and best practices to make private travel smoother and more impactful for both you and your executive. Sponsor: Quantum Jets – Seamless Booking and Trip Management Quantum Jets offers an all-encompassing platform designed to simplify private travel and make life easier for busy EAs. Leveraging Quantum’s technology and dedicated support, you can: Compare multiple quotes side by side Communicate securely within the platform (no endless email chains or texts) Access over 1,500+ priced empty legs in real time Live flight tracking from departure to arrival, even on aircraft with blocked tail numbers that are usually not visible to the public Enjoy secure access to trip sheets and invoices anytime It’s everything Executive Assistants need to manage private aviation for their executives, all in one place. ✨ Download the Quantum Jets app today (available on Apple and Android) and use code REACH to receive a $1,000 flight credit. For trips under $20,000, $500 will apply toward your first booking and $500 toward your next. For trips over $20,000, the full $1,000 credit applies to your first trip.