There's something I often hear from accomplished women: Who am I if I walk away from the thing I've built? And why haven't I figured this out yet? If that's where you are, sitting in a role that no longer fits, unsure whether your experience translates, not quite confident enough to leap, She Said / She Said is built for exactly this moment. Each week we tackle the building blocks of influence from the inside out: identity, Experience Equity™, personal brand, and how to pivot and thrive through all the seasons. I've spent 30+ years helping people and organizations figure out how to position themselves, build influence, and move outcomes, but it was much harder when I had to do that for myself. That's what I bring to every conversation. If you're done with empty inspiration and ready for real tools, you're in the right place. Some weeks I'm joined by a great guest. Other weeks I deliver a mini masterclass on the topics I know you're wrestling with, because I've been there too. I've built this show from a humble podcast into a growing community of women who've been exactly where you are and are joining me as we help each other navigate, grow, and thrive into what's next. Because lasting influence isn't built in leaps. It's compounded, and it expands exponentially when we connect and share. Join us.
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June 12, 202638 min
Dana Perino .... Purple State ....
Episode 368: Dana Perino on her new book Purple State, Creative Vulnerability, Values Alignment & The Power of ListeningPart of our She Said/She Said Podcast Summer Beach Reads Series for 2026Dana Perino, bestselling author of multiple books including Everything Will Be Okay, host of Fox News's The Five, and author of the debut novel Purple State, joins Laura to discuss her creative leap into fiction—and what that vulnerability unlocks about character, choice, and personal growth.In this episode:Why a veteran journalist and multi-time bestselling nonfiction author chose to write fiction—and what the creative leap teaches you about risk and vulnerabilityThe difference between political alignment and values alignment (and why it matters in love and leadership)Listening as the most undervalued skill in leadership todayHow non-linear career paths become the raw material for meaningful character workMORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutFEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.LET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaLOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
June 5, 202632 min
Alexandra Andrews on Reinvention, Creativity, and The Fine Art of Lying, Reece's Book Club Pick
SHOW NOTESEpisode 367: Alexandra Andrews on Reinvention, Creativity, and The Fine Art of LyingWhat happens when a dream refuses to stay tucked away?In Episode 367 of She Said/She Said, part of our Summer Beach Read Series, Laura sits down with bestselling novelist Alexandra Andrews, author of “The Fine Art of Lying,” Reese's Book Club's May selection, and the acclaimed, bestselling thriller “Who Is Maud Dixon?”While this conversation begins with Alexandra's irresistible, twist-filled novel set in the art world, it quickly becomes something more. Together, Laura and Alexandra explore the questions that resonate far beyond the pages of a great beach read: What do we do with ambitions we've postponed or outgrown? How do creativity and identity evolve through motherhood, career pivots, and life's unexpected detours? And what happens when the thing we once dreamed of becoming won't stop calling us back?Alexandra shares her winding path from journalism and copywriting to becoming a bestselling novelist, the perfectionism she had to overcome, and the practical habits that helped her finally finish the book she'd always wanted to write.In this conversation, you'll hear:• Why Alexandra gave herself an ultimatum that ultimately changed her life• The surprising connection between creativity, identity, and fulfillment• How motherhood and the pandemic helped shape The Fine Art of Lying• Practical advice for anyone struggling to make time for a dream they've put on hold• Why finishing something may matter even more than succeeding at itThe Summer Beach Read Series isn't just about great books. It's about the women behind them: their reinventions, pivots, risks, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're looking for your next page-turner or contemplating a dream of your own, this conversation will leave you inspired to take the next step.FEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaMORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media
May 22, 202620 min
Graduation Advice That Actually Works at Every Career Stage
Episode 366: Graduation Advice That Actually Works at Every Career StageSolo episode with host Laura Cox KaplanTHIS WEEK'S TOPIC:Graduation season is here! Inspired by her own high school senior’s big milestone, Laura Cox Kaplan revisits the most valuable lessons for graduates—but emphasizes that these lessons matter at any life stage. In this solo episode, Laura shares advice on how to approach the unknown next chapter, build what she calls “experience equity,” and cultivate the mindset and habits that create success and meaning, even (and especially) when the road ahead isn’t clear.KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:MINDSET MATTERS MOST: Discover why your mindset, and how you respond to setbacks or challenges, is the single most important thing you can control. Laura contrasts the “fixed” versus “growth” mindset and gives examples of how your outlook determines gained value (and skills!) including from tough experiences 03:54.THE POWER OF INTENTION: Before setting your direction, set your intention. Laura shares a daily habit of deciding how to show up, and why this tiny but powerful practice changes what you notice and how open you are to opportunities 06:20.ASK YOURSELF THE RIGHT QUESTIONS: Instead of only asking “What should I do with my life?”ask “How do I want to show up?”and why this framing is crucial for new grads and anyone starting a new chapter 08:22.BUILD EXPERIENCE EQUITY: Learn why the best jobs, especially early in your career, aren’t always the highest-paying ones but can be investments in your experience equity account 10:05.EVERY CHAPTER COUNTS: From failures to unexpected connections and even detours add “interest” to your personal and professional growth account. No single experience needs to define everything; it’s the accumulation and diversity of experiences that eventually pay dividends 14:24.THE NON-LINEAR JOURNEY: Drawing from both personal experience and recent podcast interviews with authors, Laura Cox Kaplan explains why careers are not ladders, but accounts that grow as long as you stay curious and lean in 17:49.Whether you’re fresh out of school or navigating your third career pivot, you’ll walk away with a new way to think about progress, value, and building a meaningful life. We love hearing from you! What resonated most in this episode? Share your thoughts with us!LET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutFEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comNote: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
May 15, 202639 min
Deborah Goodrich Royce on Reinvention, Identity, and the 41-Year Arc to Best Boy
SHOW NOTESEpisode 365: Deborah Goodrich Royce on Reinvention, Identity, and the 41-Year Arc to Best BoyTHIS WEEK’S TOPIC:This week, as part of our Summer Beach Read Series, host Laura Cox Kaplan welcomes one of her favorite authors, Deborah Goodrich Royce, to explore the layered, twisty world of identity thrillers, a genre uniquely her own. From Deborah’s career pivots (including acting and editorial film work) to her personal stories of pain, growth, and reinvention, Deborah brings real-life inspiration to every page she writes.This rich and candid conversation covers the themes at the heart of Deborah’s newest novel, Best Boy, and reveals how our personal stories and secrets, big and small, shape who we are, and who we become. Whether you love behind-the-scenes creative stories, are navigating a pivot of your own, or simply crave a great beach read, you’ll find wisdom, encouragement, and plenty of surprises in this episode.ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:Deborah Goodrich Royce is the best-selling author of four novels, including her latest, Best Boy. Deborah’s own journey, which spans acting (including a role on All My Children), film development, motherhood, and literary success, infuses her writing with authenticity and depth. Her books have captivated readers with the nuanced, evolving stories of women’s identity, secrets, and transformation across the decades.KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:GENESIS OF AN “IDENTITY THRILLER”:Deborah Goodrich Royce shares the origins of her fascination with female identity and how she developed the genre of identity thrillers. From the influence of classic works like Reviving Ophelia to personal observations of generational change, she unpacks why questions of “who am I?” and the secrets we all carry are central to her fiction.CAREER PIVOTS & THE MESSY MIDDLE:Deborah’s own nonlinear path, from suburban Detroit to the soap opera world of New York and LA, and later to Paris and Connecticut, is a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of not knowing exactly where life might lead next. Her story includes hard-won insights about grieving the end of one chapter, embracing what’s next, and advice for enjoying the journey, even in the “messy middle.”NAVIGATING LOSS, CHANGE & RESILIENCE:The conversation delves into both chosen and unchosen pivots (including her experience with divorce and single parenting), and how such experiences become both stumbling blocks and story material.HOW PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FUELS FICTION:Deborah reveals which elements of her life, including family trauma, generational secrets, and even a home burglary, infiltrate her narratives, making them feel lived-in and relatable.CREATING & PRESERVING STORIES (AND SPACES):Beyond the page, Deborah is devoted to preserving historic spaces and nurturing community. Her stewardship of a beloved cinema, and commitment to supporting fellow writers, speaks to a belief that the stories we choose, about the places we live and the lives we build, matter deeply.ADVICE FOR WRITERS & WOMEN AT THE CROSSROADS:Insightful advice for anyone facing a crossroads: keep moving forward, find small joys every day, study what fascinates you, and trust that even if the path isn’t clear now, you’re always writing your own story.There’s so much to love in this thoughtful, wide-ranging episode. What resonates most with you? We’d love your feedback!You can reach Laura and the team via the website: shesaidshesaidpodcast.com or by emailing: info@shesaid.media.MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutLOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
May 1, 202653 min
Virginia Hume on becoming an author mid-career: identity, place and the stories we inherit
SHOW NOTES EPISODE 364GUEST: Virginia HumeTITLE: Virginia Hume on Becoming an Author Mid-Career: Identity, Place, and the Stories We InheritEpisode Summary:USA Today bestselling author Virginia Hume joins Laura Cox Kaplan on the She Said/She Said Podcast to talk about mid-career reinvention, the nine-year side hustle that transformed her into a novelist, and the powerful difference between what we're trying to do and what we're trying to be. Her debut novel Haven Point, and her brand-new book Liberty Island (St. Martin's Press, May 5, 2026) are sweeping multigenerational stories about identity, place, family, and the women who shape us across generations.Why You'll Love This Episode:If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start something new and whether the chapter you're writing in your head will ever make it onto the page, this conversation will stay with you. Virginia is proof that every season of your life is building toward what comes next. Her path from political PR to corporate communications to college essay consultant to bestselling novelist is a real-time illustration of Experience Equity™, the idea that everything you've already lived, learned, and survived is exactly what makes your next chapter possible.This episode is for you if you're navigating a mid-career pivot, sitting with a creative dream you haven't told anyone about, or simply need a reminder that the work itself (not the title and not the outcome) is where the magic truly lives.What You'll Take Away:Why Virginia kept Haven Point a near-secret for nine years, and the science of "social reward" that explains why talking about your dream can quietly drain itThe mindset shift that lets you write, build, or create without ego so that you can focus on what you're trying to do instead of who you're trying to beHow to recognize when one chapter of your career is quietly preparing you for the nextWhat Virginia means by "give without counting the time", and why this single phrase may change how you approach any meaningful projectHow writing about misunderstood mothers, inherited silences, and the love of community gave Virginia a deeper understanding of her own storyAbout Virginia Hume:Virginia Hume is the USA Today bestselling author of Haven Point (St. Martin's Press, 2021) and Liberty Island (St. Martin's Press, May 5, 2026). A Vanderbilt graduate, she spent more than two decades in political and corporate communications before turning mid-career to fiction. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Books & Links:Haven Point by Virginia HumeLiberty Island by Virginia Hume, releases May 5, 2026Connect With Laura & She Said/She Said:Website: LauraCoxKaplan.com Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: @LauraCoxKaplanEmail: info@shesaid.mediaListener Discounts: Shop exclusive She Said/She Said offers at https://MyDeals.Page/1w7d with promo code SHESAID at checkout.Loved this episode? Please leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen — it helps more women find conversations like this one.She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media
April 24, 202644 min
Beyond the Beach Read: Influencer Chassity Evans on Reinvention, Resilience & the Power of Showing Up
SHOW NOTES Title: Beyond the Beach Read: Chassity Evans on Reinvention, Resilience & the Compounding Power of Showing Up Episode 363 Guest: Chassity Evans A Special She Said/She Said Beach Reads EpisodeTHIS WEEK'S TOPIC:Welcome to the kickoff of our Summer Beach Reads series! But friend, if you're expecting a light conversation about your next poolside pick, this one is going to surprise you. Because while content creator and professional influencer Chassity Evans did just publish her debut novel, Pink Sand Summer, the real story is how she got there: fifteen-plus years of showing up, building trust, evolving her voice, and quietly accumulating the kind of experience equity that makes a bold creative pivot possible in the first place.In this conversation, Laura Cox Kaplan sits down with the Charleston-based content creator, entrepreneur, and now novelist to talk about what it really looks like to reinvent (and evolve) in the public eye. You'll hear how Chassity navigated the messy middle of writing a novel with no formal training, how years of vulnerability online prepared her (and didn't) for the exposure of authorship, and why she believes the "off-the-resume" chapters of your life are often the ones that set up your biggest leaps.This is an episode about creative courage, compounding returns, community over competition, and what happens when you trust your own voice long enough to let it carry you somewhere new.ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST:Chassity Evans is a Charleston, South Carolina–based content creator, entrepreneur, and now debut novelist. Previously known to her loyal community through her popular blog Look Linger Love, she now shares her work, her world, and her writing at chassityevans.com and on Instagram.KEY THEMES & WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY:FROM BLOGGER TO NOVELIST—THE NON-LINEAR PATH [12:30] How Chassity turned fifteen years as a trusted content creator into the foundation for her first novel—without a writing degree, a publisher, or a plan. A real-time case study in why the long arc of your career is more strategic than it looks.THE MESSY MIDDLE & THE ROLE OF JOY [14:04, 37:20] Honest wisdom on pushing through self-doubt, uncertainty, and the stretch of any big goal where nothing feels clear yet. Why joy isn't a luxury in the messy middle—it's the fuel.EXPERIENCE EQUITY IN ACTION [21:14] Laura and Chassity unpack how every chapter of your life—the visible wins and the detours, side projects, and quiet reps—compounds into creative and professional capital you can draw on later. Chassity's pivot is a textbook example.AUTHENTICITY AS INFRASTRUCTURE [22:10] Fifteen-plus years of sharing publicly built something that turned out to be essential for authorship: earned confidence and a thicker skin. A conversation about why vulnerability, practiced over time, becomes a competency.HANDLING CRITICISM WITHOUT LOSING YOUR VOICE [24:25] Practical strategies for navigating online negativity—finding your tribe, deciding when (and when not) to engage with trolls, and trusting your own instincts when the noise gets loud.COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION [08:47] Inside Charleston's unusually collaborative creator community, and why Chassity believes generosity—sharing resources, wins, and introductions—builds stronger businesses than guarding territory ever could.THE BUSINESS OF SELF-PUBLISHING [29:25] A candid, strategy-packed look at why Chassity chose to self-publish, how she navigated Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, and what she's learned about ownership, royalties, and creative control.CHARACTER, PLACE & PERSONAL STORYTELLING [38:38] How Chassity built the world of Pink Sand Summer—and why her love of community and place infuses every page.WHAT'S NEXT [39:30] A look ahead at novel number two, set in the same universe, and the particular challenge of building on a debut success.Whether you're feeling the pull toward a creative pivot, sitting squarely in your own messy middle, or just looking for a summer read with a story behind it, this conversation will meet you where you are.I'd love to hear what resonates. Reach out through the links below. Your reflections help to shape where we go next.FEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutNote: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
April 15, 202624 min
Career Reinvention: The Off-Resume Experience That Sets You Apart
SHOW NOTES Episode 362: Career Reinvention: The Off-Resume Experience That Sets You ApartSolo Host episode with Laura Cox KaplanTHIS WEEK'S TOPIC:It’s tax season in the U.S. While you’ve probably been cataloging expenses, investments, and contributions, Host Laura Cox Kaplan urges you to take inventory of another kind of asset: your experience equity. This week’s solo episode is about understanding, owning, and leveraging the value of your lived experiences at work and at home, through difficult seasons, and especially through the nonlinear, unconventional chapters of your life. Laura introduces the concept of “experience equity”, the sum total of what you’ve learned, survived, achieved, and navigated, why it matters, and how you can begin to recognize, strategize, and deploy it for greater impact. If you struggle to see or articulate the value of those experiences that don’t come with a job title or a paycheck, this episode is for you.KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:WHAT IS “EXPERIENCE EQUITY” AND WHY DOES IT MATTER: 02:28.FOUR COUNTERINTUITIVE TRUTHS ABOUT EXPERIENCE EQUITY:The most valuable work you do may not be your paid work 04:22.Your detours are your differentiators—your nonlinear path is an asset, not a liability 06:38.The experiences you leave off your resume might be your biggest value add 10:08.Reinvention isn’t starting over; it’s cashing in on what you’ve already built 10:52.A SIMPLE FRAMEWORK FOR LEVERAGING EXPERIENCE EQUITY:Laura shares a three-part structure to help you see and use your accumulated value:Awareness: Develop a discipline for looking at your own story and auditing the experiences that shaped you 14:48.Intention: Decide how you want to strategically use what you know to build or pivot in new directions 16:13.Mindset: Adopt a growth mindset—see setbacks as assets and treat every season as a compounding contributor to your value 17:05.WHY “OFF-RESUME” EXPERIENCES MATTER:From volunteering and caregiving to navigating messy, resource-strapped situations, Laura explains how these “intangible” experiences generate real-world leadership and resilience that’s increasingly important and nearly impossible to replicate 06:15.THE SCIENCE OF FLOURISHING AND EXPERIENCE EQUITY:Laura ties the concept to positive psychology research and explains why mindset and meaning are essential for thriving both personally and professionally 19:05.PRACTICAL IDEAS TO AUDIT AND LEVERAGE YOUR EXPERIENCE EQUITY:Learn how to develop a regular practice of self-auditing, apply your experience equity with intention, and rethink your story for high-stakes conversations and new opportunities 21:41.If you've ever felt like your career path looks messier on paper than it does in practice, or you've been leaving your most valuable experiences off your résumé because you didn't think they counted, this episode is for you. Laura breaks down four counterintuitive truths about experience equity, including why your detours may be your greatest differentiators and why reinvention isn't starting over; it's cashing in. She also introduces her AIM framework for turning accumulated experience into intentional strategy, and shares how AI can help you surface the value you've been overlooking. [21:20]As always, please let us know what you thought of the episode and the topic. What’s the chapter of your story you’ve been undervaluing? Reach out through the links below. Your feedback and stories make this community stronger. And please be sure to leave a review. LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaMORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
March 27, 202618 min
Is Your Ambition Pointed in the Wrong Direction?
SHOW NOTESEpisode 361Is Your Ambition Pointed in the Wrong Direction?THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:What does ambition look like after you’ve already reached a summit in your career? Or when you’ve outgrown the role you worked so hard to earn? This week, Laura Cox Kaplan explores how our definitions of ambition evolve over time. Inspired by last week’s powerful conversation with Sheryl Sandberg, Laura unpacks why restlessness, burnout, or nagging dissatisfaction may actually be signs that your ambition is evolving, not disappearing. She shares how writing her own “Lean In” story sparked her own pivot, and she offers a 3-part framework for evaluating whether you’re experiencing an ambition gap, burnout, or being pulled to embrace something new. This topic isn’t regularly discussed. If you’ve ever wondered, “What am I ambitious for, now?” or felt guilty for wanting something different, this episode will help you reframe your ambition in a way that is 100% yours!HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:HOW AMBITION EVOLVES: Laura reflects on her discussion with Sheryl Sandberg, who describes what ambition looks like some 13 years after writing “Lean In”OUTGROWING YOUR ROLE: What happens when you’ve reached the top, but the work no longer fits? Laura shares her realization that her own ambition hadn’t disappeared, but it needed a new direction.THE AIM FRAMEWORK: Discover Laura's actionable framework for navigating career evolution:Awareness: Recognizing the signals (restlessness, discomfort, envy) as valuable data.Intention: Actively choosing what you want to build rather than just following the next logical step.Mindset: Applying Carol Dweck’s growth mindset to see discomfort and uncertainty as opportunities, not verdicts.REDEFINING SUCCESS: Why “What am I ambitious for?” is a more powerful question than “Am I ambitious enough?” and how your daily choices reflect what you truly want.RESOURCES MENTIONED:“Mindset” by Carol DweckPrevious episode with Sheryl Sandberg (Ep. 360)If you’ve been wrestling with what’s next or struggling to define what ambition means to you, these insights will help you own your story and set your sights on what truly matters.FEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.LET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaSPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutLOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
March 20, 202650 min
Lean In and Sheryl Sandberg 13 Years Later
SHOW NOTESEPISODE 360: Lean In and Sheryl Sandberg 13 Years LaterA Special Women's History Month EpisodeTHIS WEEK’S TOPIC:It’s been 13 years since Sheryl Sandberg published “Lean In,” sparking a global conversation about women, leadership, and ambition. The world, and Sheryl herself, has evolved in profound ways since then. In this special Women’s History Month episode, Laura Cox Kaplan sits down with Sheryl Sandberg, her close friend and the pioneer of the Lean In movement, for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation. Together, they explore not just the enduring message of “Lean In,” but also resilience, the power of female friendships, investing generously in others, and navigating the shifting landscape of work, technology, and influence.ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:Sheryl Sandberg is the author of “Lean In,” co-author of “Option B,” former COO of Meta (formerly Facebook), and founder of Lean In Foundation. KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:OWNERSHIP AND INTERNAL VOICES: Sheryl and Laura discuss how “Lean In” shifted the conversation about women, leadership, ambition and power. THE POWER OF FEMALE FRIENDSHIP AND PEER MENTORSHIP: Learn how Lean In Circles have grown globally, now numbering over 150,000, and why peer mentorship, friendship, and practicing ambition in safe spaces are key for professional and personal growth.AMBITION REDEFINED: Sheryl shares how ambition has evolved for her across life’s seasons, why it’s still a word she proudly claims.MENTORSHIP, SPONSORSHIP & THE ‘ME TOO’ EFFECT: The chilling impact of “Me Too” on male mentors, and why women must advocate for equal access to mentorship, sponsorship, and informal opportunities. Practical strategies for navigating the optics and discomfort while still advancing your career.RESILIENCE AFTER TRAGEDY and POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Sheryl recounts her experience of losing her husband Dave Goldberg and writing “Option B”; she shares insight into the three “Ps” of resilience: personalization, pervasiveness, and permanence. BUILDING AND CELEBRATING CULTURE: Lessons from Marine Corps leadership training at Quantico, including the importance of after-action reviews (celebrating what went right as well as addressing what went wrong).GIVERS AND TAKERS IN CORPORATE AND PERSONAL LIFE:Hear Sheryl’s take on Adam Grant’s “Givers and Takers” matrix, and why understanding these dynamics is crucial to fostering a culture of contribution and candor.AI AND THE FUTURE OF WORK: Why women are being left behind in the adoption of AI, and how Lean In is tackling the skills gap so women and girls can thrive in the technological revolution.ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE AND INVESTING IN GLOBAL CHANGE: Sheryl talks about her advocacy to end child marriage worldwide, the urgency of the issue, and how listeners can get involved.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS:The role of journaling what you did well to build confidenceHow to practice career-defining conversations in Lean In CirclesThe importance of reframing setbacks and celebrating achievements dailyWhy small steps (Sheryl’s “10 Turns”) are the path through overwhelmWhether you’re navigating your own career pivot, searching for resilience, or striving to amplify your influence and impact, we think you’ll find so much value in this important conversation. What resonated most with you? Please let us know and join the conversation. Your feedback is always welcome! Contact us using the links below.LET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaLOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutNote: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
March 12, 202651 min
Practical Career Moves That Built a $100M Exit and launched an AI Startup, Ekyam.ai Founder & CEO Mariah Chase
SHOW NOTES Episode 359“Girl's Gotta Eat": Practical Career Moves That Built a $100M Exit and launched an AI startupGuest: Mariah Chase, co-founder / CEO, Ekyam.aiTHIS WEEK'S TOPIC:So many of us approach our careers with the hope that each job or decision leads us closer to some “right” path. But what if your most powerful asset is a blend of every experience: good, bad, logical, or unexpected? This week’s guest, Mariah Chase, exemplifies the idea of “experience equity” and offers a candid, insightful blueprint for embracing career pivots, building entrepreneurial muscle, and thriving through ambiguity and adversity.This episode is for anyone who’s felt stuck, unsure, burnt out, or just looking at an unfamiliar path and wondering: Am I allowed to make a bet on myself?ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:Mariah Chase is the co-founder and CEO of Ekyam.ai, an AI-native inventory data platform helping retailers and brands wield data more accurately and powerfully. Prior to entering the world of tech, Mariah was an entrepreneur, operator, and leader across fashion (think Roger Vivier and Tory Burch), communications, licensing, and e-commerce spaces, including a 9-year stint serving as CEO of Eloquii, a fashion brand for women sizes 14 and up. She’s led companies through successful acquisitions, weathered “miraculous” exits, experienced burnout, and proven that the most valuable leadership skill might just be asking great questions (especially when you have no idea what you’re doing).KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:THE POWER OF “EXPERIENCE EQUITY”: Laura Cox Kaplan introduces the idea that every job, skill, and even hardship adds to your unique “equity” and Mariah Chase shows how her career pivots, from PR to startup exits to leading in tech, layered together to build her “portfolio” (01:07–02:20).JUMPING BEFORE YOU’RE “QUALIFIED”: Mariah describes how she made bold moves without having all the boxes checked, and how ambition, practical necessity, and hunger can be powerful motivators when evaluating new opportunities (07:19–10:19).WHEN IT’S TIME TO LEAVE (AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S NEXT): Real talk about burnout, being honest with yourself, and having the courage to walk away from comfort, security, or a leadership role, even if you have “no clue” what’s next, and why that’s OK (37:22–39:42).THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAM & LEARNING FROM OTHERS: How Mariah’s time at Eloquii taught her the value of surrounding yourself with incredible talent and being relentlessly curious (and unafraid to ask questions, no matter how basic) (29:27–32:21).CAREER PHILOSOPHY: The difference between making decisions “in the moment” (out of practicality or hunger) and how your story looks “philosophical” only in hindsight. Mariah shares honest reflections on both (14:02–14:52).THE POWER OF INTUITION & BEING OPPORTUNISTIC: How evaluating options, listening to your gut instinct (“bad vibes are never wrong”), and mining your own network can lead to the opportunity you never expected (21:28–22:28).NAVIGATING “MIRACLE” EXITS & BIG CORPORATE TRANSITIONS: Behind-the-scenes of selling a business, working inside giants like QVC and Walmart, and managing stakeholder expectations, customer loyalty, and internal advocacy (19:00–37:05).LEAPING INTO TECH & AI: Why Mariah said “absolutely not” to her own invitation to lead an AI startup, what changed her mind, and what Ekyam.ai is building for the future retail economy (40:01–45:21).ADVICE FOR WOMEN FACING THE UNKNOWN: Mariah’s three “OP” words: Open-minded, Optimistic, and Opportunistic, and guidance for anyone wrestling with a career pivot, uncertainty, or a sense of being “stuck.” Plus, why no job is ever 100% bad or perfect (48:01–51:32).Mariah brings wisdom, humor, and authenticity to every lesson from the value of being “failure rich,” to building (and deploying) experience equity, to finding purpose in surprise pivots. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to embrace the messy, nonlinear, brilliantly valuable journey that is your career.We can’t wait to hear what resonated for you! Please share your feedback or questions after you listen, and remember to leave us a review!LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutNote: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
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