Shadow Her Podcast

Christi Venable is an award-winning Business Owner, Organizational Leadership and Culture Change Expert and Speaker. She’s the founder of SMILE Therapy Services, a multi-million-dollar mental health agency that she managed to build from the ground up. Over the years SMILE Therapy has developed an arsenal of workshops that speak to the needs of a diverse market and an ever-changing social climate. Some of the most sought-after topics include Leading with Effective Communication, Leveraging your Leadership Style, Mental Health Spot-Checking, Sexual Harassment, Resiliency, Self-Care and Stress Management, The Power of Patience and many more. Christi received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree from George Washington University. Christi Venable is a National Certified Counselor, A Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

This week Marcia is joined by Karen Laos.Coached by her father, Karen first recognized the power of confident communication when she successfully negotiated her first flea market purchase at six years old. She now guides women to transform self-doubt into self-confidence resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins. With 25 years serving as C-Suite advisor and commanding coveted stages such as Google, Starbucks and NASA, Karen leads the frontline of best practices for creating results through confident communication. She guides corporations and individuals with a proven model and is known for her actionable tips and ability to build trust quickly. During her corporate career, she led a team of facilitators while traveling the globe consulting industry leaders on the seemingly soft skills that impact the bottom line. Karen is the author of Trust Your Own Voice: Growing Your Influence Through Confident Communication, as well as the host of her highly ranked podcast, Ignite Your Confidence, equipping women to stop holding back and start taking their seat at the table. Following her lifelong dream to live in Manhattan, she rented an apartment there for the month of her 50th birthday.

#18 - Lindsay Polic | President & Principal Consultant of Lindsay Polic Consulting, Inc.In today's episode, Marcia is sitting down with Lindsay Polic, the President and Principal Consultant of Lindsay Polic Consulting, Inc.Lindsay explores the intersection of safety, risk-taking, and work-life integration. As a multi-passionate entrepreneur and seasoned health and safety consultant, Lindsay’s expertise lies in guiding companies toward regulatory compliance with a human-centered, solution-based approach. She is passionate about creating safe, healthful workplaces that not only protect employees but also boost productivity and help businesses thrive.Outside of her professional work, Lindsay serves as a certified child passenger safety technician, helping new parents and grandparents demystify the often confusing world of car seat safety. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her at the beach with her family, snuggling with her pup, or staying active with Les Mills BodyPump, yoga, and pilates.Join us as we dive into Lindsay's inspiring journey as a safety consultant, her approach to work-life integration, and how she empowers both individuals and organizations to take better care of their people while maintaining a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#17 - Michele Leff | Principal of 12th St. CateringWelcome back to the Shadow Her Podcast! In this episode, Marcia sits down with Michele Leff, Founder & Principal of 12th St. Catering. Michele shares how she started with 12th Street Cantina in Reading Terminal Market in 1982, then expanded into wholesale with La Cantina Provisions. She later opened the fine dining Mexican restaurant Zocalo and, in 1988, launched 12th Street Catering. Now operating out of a 32,000 square foot location in University City, Michele talks about how she has continued to adapt her business to meet client needs and support the community over the years. Tune in to hear Michele’s insights on building a successful catering company and her experiences in the culinary world.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#16 - Michelle Carfagno | CEO & Founder of The Greater KneadIn this episode, Marcia sits down with Michelle Carfagno, the CEO and Founder of The Greater Knead. Michelle's passion for baking began early, and when her sister and grandfather were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she embarked on a mission to recreate their favorite foods—leading to the start of The Greater Knead in 2012.Michelle opens up about her journey as a woman entrepreneur, sharing the highs and lows, the lessons she's learned, and the wisdom she wishes she had before starting her business. With a commitment to authenticity and integrity, Michelle's mission is to empower others and inspire change by creating gluten-free and allergen-free foods that people can trust.Since its founding, The Greater Knead, has grown to service 35 states and over 1,000 locations along the East Coast, with plans to expand nationwide. Through passion, persistence, and honesty, Michelle and her team ensure that the allergen-free community can eat confidently, one bagel at a time.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#15 - Dr. Bev Weinberg | Founder & Executive Director of Integrate For GoodToday, Marcia sits down with Dr. Bev Weinberg, founder and executive director of Integrate For Good. Bev is a doctoral-level Occupational Therapist with a remarkable dedication to partnering with individuals and organizations to create inclusive communities that value the talents and contributions of people of all abilities.Bev's career is defined by her innovative approach to improving health, well-being, and community engagement. After completing her clinical doctoral OT program at Temple University, with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship through the Fox School of Business, Bev has consistently sought new opportunities to advance the lives of individuals with disabilities through research, teaching, and program design.In 2019, Bev launched Integrate for Good, a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people with diverse abilities to volunteer their time and talents across the Greater Philadelphia area, making a profound impact on the community.Join us as we delve into Bev's inspiring journey, learn about her groundbreaking work in occupational therapy, and discover how she's transforming communities by empowering individuals with diverse abilities.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#14 - Morgan Berman | Life Science Cares PhiladelphiaIn this episode of Shadow Her Podcast, Marcia O'Connor sits down with the inspiring Morgan Berman, a passionate community leader and the Executive Director of Life Science Cares Philadelphia. Morgan is at the forefront of uniting the life sciences industry to make a bold impact on poverty in Philadelphia. Through her leadership, she collaborates with over 70 local industry leaders and 30 motivated companies to support nonprofits dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty.Morgan's achievements are widely recognized. She has presented at Forbes 30 Under 30, been listed by the UN Foundation as one of the "Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch" globally, and invited to the White House for Clean Energy Plan talks. As a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, a Fellow at the Ariane de Rothschild Fellowship, and an honoree of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and the Environmental Leadership Program, Morgan's influence extends far and wide.Today, Morgan shares her journey as a social impact leader dedicated to using business as a force for good. She also discusses her background as a tech founder and her experiences as a jiu jitsu student. Highlights include her presentations at Grace Hopper, keynotes at Wharton's Social Impact Summit, and speeches at Life Science events across the region.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#13 - Sally Stetson | FounderIn this episode of the Shadow Her Podcast, Marcia O'Connor sits down with the accomplished Sally Stetson, a distinguished business leader with extensive experience managing a growing, privately-held business and excelling in executive business development and human resource roles. Sally's career is marked by her strategic vision and her dedication to fostering growth and innovation in every organization she touches.Beyond her professional achievements, Sally is a committed and active board officer and member for multiple non-profit organizations, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to giving back to the community and supporting various causes.Join us as we explore Sally's remarkable journey, gain insights into her leadership strategies, and learn how she successfully balances her professional and philanthropic endeavors. This episode promises to be an inspiring and enlightening conversation with a true trailblazer in the business world.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#12 - Andrea Begley | President & Founder of The DEFY CollectiveIn this episode of Shadow Her Podcast, Marcia O'Connor sits down with the dynamic Andrea Begley, the president and founder of The DEFY Collective. With a remarkable career spanning over 30 years in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, Andrea brings a wealth of experience and insights to the table. She is a strategic, creative, and results-driven marketing MBA who has made significant contributions to the healthcare industry.Andrea's journey is one of passion and perseverance, working closely with healthcare marketing teams from both small startups and large corporations. Her expertise in client services and strategy has made her a trusted advisor and leader in the field.Join us as we delve into Andrea's inspiring story, explore her innovative approaches, and uncover the secrets behind her success.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.

#11 - Emily Bittenbender | Owner & Managing Partner at Bittenbender Construction, LPOn today's episode of the Shadow Her Podcast, Marcia interviews Emily Bittenbender, the Owner & Managing Partner at Bittenbender Construction.Emily Bittenbender’s career focus has always been the Design, Construction and Renovations of public buildings and spaces. After the completion of her most beloved project, the National Constitution Center in 2003, Emily started Bittenbender Construction, LP. Since 2003, the Company has tripled in size, built and renovated hundreds of Corporate, Cultural, Greenspace, Institutional, Science & Technology, and Retail projects and become one of the fastest growing and most diverse leaders in the industry.In 2015, The Philadelphia chapter of the General Building Contractors Association named Emily L. Bittenbender as its new chairwoman — the first female to hold the top post in the organization’s 124-year history. In 2016, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce awarded Emily with Paradigm Award, the region’s most prestigious award for businesswomen.We hope you find inspiration and valuable insights in this episode! Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow the Shadow Her Podcast for more empowering conversations.