The Whole Assistant Podcast

Hosted by Annie Croner

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Episodes

202

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Whole Assistant Podcast! I’m your host Annie Croner. I’m a former assistant who is passionate about the profession, and a certified coach who is invested in your success. You’ve come to the right place if you want to know what it looks like to stand in your power, and achieve success free from overwhelm & burnout.

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60 recent

June 4, 20269 min

3 Ways to Turbocharge Your Influence

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- In today’s episode, I break down the three most effective ways you can turbocharge your influence in the workplace. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the field, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and actionable steps to boost your impact starting today. In this episode, you will discover: How showing up with integrity and honesty builds the foundation for real influence How embracing visibility (without feeling like your overstepping) is crucial to your effectiveness and career growth What it means to fully step into your unique role as the bridge between executives and the wider organization ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

May 28, 202619 min

The Power of Personal Branding with Clara Chukwu

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Connect with Clara LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-chukwu-35583318b Website: https://www.bossbehindtheboss.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossbehindtheboss_YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bossbehindtheboss ---------------------------------------------- Are you an exceptional support professional who’s ready to step out and start building more visibility? In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse executive assistant Clara Chukwu to unpack what it really means to cultivate a personal brand as an EA. We explore how showing up authentically online can open doors and reshape how others perceive your work, while also tackling the discomfort so many of us feel about stepping into the spotlight. If you’re ready to boost your impact, authority, and opportunities this conversation is for you. In this episode, you will discover: Why authenticity is the foundation of a powerful and sustainable personal brand How to overcome the discomfort of being visible The real-world impact of personal branding on career opportunities, professional respect, and self-confidence If you’ve ever wondered how to become more than just “the person behind the scenes,” this episode will show you how to step into your power and become an example of what’s possible. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

May 21, 202611 min

What AI Will Never Replace

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- This episode is all about what sets executive assistants and support professionals apart, no matter how advanced AI gets. I’m diving into the three core areas of our work that will always require human intelligence, empathy, and influence. Whether you're excited by the possibilities technology brings or feeling a little anxious about the future, this episode will help you identify and double down on the unique strengths you bring to your role. In this episode, you will discover: Why your intuition is something AI will never replace, and how you can strengthen and trust it even more The irreplaceable value of human judgment and your unique vantage point, especially when it comes to organizational politics, navigating interpersonal dynamics, and acting as a grounding force for your executive How your personal influence, authentic relationships, and ability to champion your executive’s and the organization’s brand set you apart in ways no algorithm ever could Practical encouragement to cultivate these core strengths and step even more confidently into your badassery as a strategic business partner ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here.----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

May 14, 202612 min

Top 3 Focus Hacks I Rely On

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Do you struggle to focus on what matters most? In this episode, I share the top three focus hacks that have transformed how I work, both as an executive assistant and now as a business owner. These strategies aren’t about hustling harder, but about working smarter, creating intentional blocks of deep work, and designing your environment for fewer distractions. Whether you’re drowning in notifications or tethered to your inbox, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to reclaim your attention and elevate your impact. In this episode, you will discover: How batching and time blocking can help you reclaim up to 40% of your productive time. Why reducing (or eliminating) phone notifications is key to maintaining deep focus, and how to do it without missing what’s important. The power of closing out your inbox (even for just 20 minutes) to carve out true heads-down work time, plus scripts and strategies for setting expectations. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

May 7, 202613 min

The Top 3 Tools I Use on Repeat

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ----------------------------------------------  In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the top three tools I use on repeat in my business and recommend to executive assistants everywhere. These tools are game-changers that simplify workflows, save hours each week, and help you shine in your role. I'll walk you through exactly how I use each one and why they've become my go-tos, plus share a few guidelines to help you use them effectively and responsibly. In this episode, you will discover: How to leverage Text Blaze for effortless email and document templating that saves you hours and eliminates repetitive typing What makes Cabinet a must-have calendaring app for executive assistants, including smart scheduling features and insightful calendar audits Ways to use ChatGPT (and similar AI tools) to improve communication, spot process gaps, and support both your professional and personal growth—without risking sensitive information Practical tips for evaluating and implementing new tools, plus essential reminders about following your company’s AI policies ---------------------------------------------- Tools I. mentioned: Text blaze: https://blaze.today/  Cabinet: https://www.joincabinet.com/  Chat GPT: https://chatgpt.com/  ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

April 30, 202626 min

AI and the Elevated EA with Ebony Belhumeur

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat  ---------------------------------------------- Are you overwhelmed by the relentless hype around AI and unsure how it actually fits into your role as an executive assistant or support professional? If so, you’re absolutely not alone. This episode is for you. I sit down with AI entrepreneur and former world-class EA Ebony Belhumeur to pull back the curtain on what AI really means for our industry, how we can move beyond the noise, and why support pros aren't as “replaceable” as the headlines might have you believe. We talk practical strategies for maximizing ROI with AI at work, the skills you actually need to thrive. In this episode, you will discover: Why most organizations (and individuals) are struggling to extract real value from AI tools, and what needs to change The difference between basic prompt engineering and the deeper skill of context engineering, and why both matter for getting quality results How AI is fundamentally transforming (not destroying!) the scope of assistant and support roles, and what this evolution means for your career path Ready to future-proof your skills and see how you, uniquely, can thrive in the age of AI? Let’s dive in! ----------------------------------------------Connect with Ebony on LinkedIn. Sign up for early access to DappleAi. ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

April 16, 202615 min

The Smarter Way to Use Memberships (Without Burning Yourself Out)

For a limited time only, grab your Admin Week Bundle: https://www.wholeassistant.com/bundle ---------------------------------------------- If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “getting your money’s worth” from a course or membership, this episode is for you. I break down how I show up as a program participant, and share how to use any program or membership sustainably, guilt-free, and without burnout. Let’s flip the script on how participation can look, so you can get maximum value your way. In this episode, you will discover: How to rethink what “maximizing” a membership really means Why showing up live isn’t required The power of committing to “get what you came for” in any program or group, no matter your style of engagement Why taking just one or two actionable nuggets from each lesson can add up to big transformation over time Ready to reset your expectations and stop beating yourself up? Let’s dive in! ---------------------------------------------- Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

April 9, 202630 min

The Power of Coaching Yourself with Lisa Philyaw

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Want to discover the secret to coaching yourself through any situation? Every assistant faces moments when they feel tossed about by uncontrollable events or difficult colleagues. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Philyaw; a life coach, community manager, and self-coaching advocate, to unravel how developing the skill of coaching yourself can transform your resilience, resourcefulness, and outcomes both at work and beyond. Together, we share personal stories (think: anxiety spirals and birth plans gone awry), practical frameworks, and emotional tools from the world of professional coaching. In this episode, you will discover: How to identify when you’re stuck in a thought versus an actual fact, and why this shift in perspective puts the power back in your court The essential frameworks and mindset tools for coaching yourself through anxiety, uncertainty, and life’s unplanned events How to process and leverage your emotions as powerful guides rather than hurdles Ready to access your most resilient, resourceful self? This episode is for you! ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

April 2, 202617 min

Crucial Conversations: Capability, Capacity, and Core Function

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Are you constantly taking on more and more just to prove your worth, but you’re still worried someone will think you aren't doing enough? This episode is a game-changer for support professionals who keep saying "yes" and feel overwhelmed or undervalued.  As I write my book and reflect on the core challenges in our industry, I realize how many of us struggle to have honest conversations about our true capacity, our actual capabilities, and what the core function of our roles should be.  Today, I’m diving into why these conversations are non-negotiable if you want to avoid burnout, step into strategic partnership, and design a role that truly fits your strengths. In this episode, you will discover: Why discussing your capacity, capability, and core function is vital to your career growth and mental health Why you may be avoiding these conversations, and the sneaky thoughts underpinning these reasons The cost of avoiding these crucial conversations ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

March 19, 20269 min

Permission to Leave a Toxic Role

You’re invited to Empowered Seat, my membership  designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- In this episode of the Whole Assistant Podcast, I dive into what it means to work in a chaotic, less-than-ideal environment, why it’s okay to leave, and offer you the unequivocal permission to prioritize your own well-being.  If you’ve ever felt overly responsible for others’ emotions or questioned whether your situation is just a season, or your lasting reality, this episode will help you come back to yourself and get clarity on your next steps. If this episode resonates, I’d love to hear from you at annie@wholeassistant.com. Let’s embrace your badassery and remind you: you don’t have to stay somewhere that doesn’t fit. ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com