Warriors at Work

Hosted by Jeanie Coomber

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211

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Join Jeanie Coomber and her band of seasoned warriors as they gain insight, tell stories and share wisdom. Jeanie interviews special guests who've had a powerful impact through their careers and lives. Get ready to be enlightened and inspired with every episode. Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

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November 4, 202646 min

Power Redefined with Emily Frieze-Kemeny

I welcome Emily Freese Kemeny, to our Warrior community. She founded the AROSE Group around a powerful idea, that organizations shouldn't have to choose between humanity and profitability. She has spent decades thinking about people, leadership, and organizational culture. Our conversation centers on one of leadership's most complex and often misunderstood words: power. We explore how we acquire it, how we relate to it, how we misuse it, and how leaders can use it in a way that elevates rather than diminishes those around them. Emily Frieze-Kemeny is the Founder and CEO of AROSE Group, a global leadership development and organizational design firm + HR tech startup that bridges the rigor of business strategy with the humanity of executive coaching. For more than two decades, Emily has helped leaders and organizations navigate change, transformation, and growth. Before founding AROSE Group, she led leadership development and organizational change at Morgan Stanley, IBM, Avon, and Scholastic. Her work with executives through periods of major disruption earned her a reputation as a “Leadership Amplifier,” helping leaders expand their impact across their teams and organizations. Emily is the host of Let’s Talk, People podcast, exploring the real challenges leaders face and how to navigate them. She is also a certified leadership and wellness practitioner and keynote speaker. (2:32) Emily shares what the word Power means to her and what is her relationship with it? (4:28) Why are so many people uncomfortable with the word Power? (8:07) Emily shares with us where she begins conversations with clients around the concept of power. (13:11) What happens when someone previously felt powerless and then gains some positional power? (20:39) What does Emily see, in her work, where power can actually grow in a positive way the more someone gives it away? (28:30) Emily shares her journey with creating AROSE Group and how they bridge the gap between humanity and profitability. (33:08) Emily talks about her experiences working with clients, and the concept of humanity improving performance. (37:21) Who are the leaders that have had the greatest impact on Emily and her work? (42:53) What does Emily want our community to remember about this conversation around the word: power? Connect with Emily Frieze-Kemeny https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-frieze-kemeny/ https://www.arosegroup.com Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

October 14, 202649 min

Leadership and Loss with Kelly Yazdani

We talk a lot about what it takes to lead through uncertainty, challenge and change. But what happens when the challenge isn't at work? Our guest today is a dear colleague, Kelly Yazdani, to discuss going beyond leadership as we typically define it. We explore love and loss and vulnerability and what it means to lead while grieving. We also discuss how we can create workplaces where being human isn't something we have to hide. This is a very special conversation and I hope it helps, supports and heals. Kelly Yazdani is Chief Customer Officer at Voltus, where she leads the company's customer- facing operations, unifying customer success, project operations, and dispatch to deliver exceptional experiences across the customer lifecycle. She has a talent for making the complex world of distributed energy resources engaging and approachable for customers and prospects alike. Before Voltus, Kelly co-founded Waggletooth as Chief Operating Officer and served as Director of Customer Analytics at Qore Performance. She began her energy career as an Analyst at DC Energy, trading Financial Transmission Rights in PJM's electricity market. Kelly holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College. She lives in Vienna, Virginia with her husband and three kids, and can be found swimming with her masters team before sunrise. (3:11) Kelly shares she story with our community. (4:55) We learn about Kelly’s company, Voltus, what they do and what her role is with them. (8:45) Kelly opens up about her dad’s passing earlier this year and her journey through grief. (13:18) We learn about how Kelly’s relationship with her father shaped her life. (18:50) Kelly talks about what her grieving process has been like around her father’s diagnosis and his passing. (26:39) Kelly explains how she balanced her senior leadership career with her personal life throughout this time. (32:01) How does grief shape who we become and how we move through life? (37:57) Kelly shares advice for our community for those who might find themselves in a similar situation. Connect with Kelly Yazdani https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyyazdani/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ Y ouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

July 21, 202646 min

Own Who You Are with Joseph Machicote

I am bringing to you such a special, beautiful, heartfelt, and powerful conversation with Joseph Machicote. He is an HR and organizational development executive consultant, keynote speaker, certified executive coach, and now an author of the book ‘Own Thy Stuff’. We talk about humanity, humility, and how humility is the power move. He also shares incredible stories and wisdom from his personal and professional career . He helps us discover how to create the most extraordinary version of ourselves, our teams and organizations. Joe Machicote is Founder & CEO, Organizational Culture Engineer, retired CHRO, and #1 bestselling author of “Own Thy Stuff!”, a practical framework that transforms self-awareness and accountability into visible leadership behavior. He has helped CEOs, executive teams, and organizations turn culture into an operating system that strengthens execution, retention, and trust. Across multiple industries, he has led culture and HR transformation for 15,000 to 150,000 employees; rebuilt trust after transformational organizational change of all types; shaped enterprise workplace strategy; created corporate universities; guided major M&A integrations; and managed HR and other budgets up to $50M. He understands what high-performing cultures require because he has built them at scale. (2:50) Who is our guest, Joseph Machicote? (4:47) Joseph explains what it means to be a “humanity fanatic”. (6:20) Making the commitment to owning who you are, what does it look like to do this? (9:45) Why is there a gap between words and behaviors, and what does Joseph think “alignment” of both looks like? 14:36) We discuss why organizations are not holding people accountable, for their words or actions. (20:21) We discuss the importance of humility and owning our mistakes. 25:20) We talk about Joseph’s book, and the catalyst that sparked him to write it. (34:55) What mantra(s) challenged Joseph the most throughout his journey? (38:57) Joseph shares what his calling is in this chapter of his life? (41:42) What does Joseph see, as he looks out into the future, in the workplace and how is he having an impact? Connect with Joseph Machicote https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-machicote-a3858a5/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

June 17, 20261 hr 4 min

Having Ambition and Awakening with Heather Dolan

I welcome Heather Dolan of Challenger, Gray and Christmas Inc to our community. She is an accomplished sales executive and trusted advisor who partners with organizations all across the tri state area helping leaders and companies navigate growth, transition, and change. She's the founder of the invitation only Challenger Gray HR Executive Group in New York, which is recognized as one of the premier HR networking communities. Heather is also the creator and host of the podcast Becoming Spiritual, where she explores spirituality, personal growth and awakening through conversations with thought leaders, practitioners and healers. She has spent over 15 years guiding individuals through career transitions, supporting those affected by job loss and helping them widen the aperture to see new possibilities, renewed purpose, and brighter paths ahead. She believes that even life’s unexpected endings can become powerful beginnings. Her work bridges the worlds of business and spirituality, and she shares that experience and expertise with our Warriors at Work community. (2:26) Heather shares how she found her way to a career of outplacement and career transition. (7:00) What has Heather learned about people and business throughout her career? (10:50) How does Heather approach the subject of identity and how it intertwines with someone’s career and their transition? (18:28) What is the Challenger HR Executive Group and the work that they do? (25:56) Heather shares her inspiration, journey and connection to the human experience and spirituality. She shows us how this brought her to creating her podcast, Becoming Spiritual. (35:37) What do business people get wrong about Spirituality? (37:50) We discuss how job loss, and career transitioning, can lead to a personal awakening. (45:19) Heather shares what she sees in the world about people having more self-awareness, emotional depth and intelligence about themselves. (52:42) Imagining business and spirituality were individual entities, who come together to talk, what would their conversation be about? What would Heather want to ask them? (57:27) Heather looks to the future and shares with us her contributions and creations. Connect with Heather Dolan https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherabdolan/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

June 1, 202652 min

The Insights and Trends We Need to Know with Megan Conahan and Libby Rodney

Our conversation this week brings together two extraordinary leaders who have been previous guests on the Workers at Work platform, Megan Conahan and Libby Rodney. They join us this week to share their insights, strategies, and to discuss all of the signals and trends that we need to be paying attention to. Our conversation goes beyond trends; it’s about developing new ways of thinking in a changing workplace. Megan Conahan is Executive Vice President at Direct Agents. She has spent over two decades helping brands unlock growth through the intersection of strategy, creativity, media, analytics and innovation. Whether it's scaling brands into category leaders or building funnel growth engines powered by AI, Megan understands what it takes to grow. By keeping her finger on the pulse of marketing, she has always anticipated and preemptively prepared for major industry trends, helping her agency pivot to ensure its clients stay ahead of the curve. Libby Rodney is a Chief Strategy Officer at the Harris Poll, where she leads the thought leadership and futures practice. Her work sits at the crossroads of human behavior, cultural shifts, consumer insights, and future forecasting. Libby helps leaders not only understand the moment that they're in, but anticipate what's next. (3:52) Libby and Megan share each of their perspectives of what is happening in the world right now. (8:42) We discuss whether we are currently feeling stagnant, always reacting to our environment or are we using this moment to sit and ask the question “what are the questions I should have asked before” and create a path to progression. (12:31) Libby and Megan share some of the top trends that they notice right now. What do they see that matters and why? (15:24) Libby weighs in on what we might be underestimating, or missing, something that is bubbling up and we should pay closer attention. (20:08) How do they have conversations, about these difficult subjects, with their clients and colleagues? (23:15) Do they find people are receptive to these approaches, having direct and transparent conversations? (25:43) Individually, what are they most curious about happening in the world right now? How do they see it all playing out? (30:19) Do they notice any trends or conversations about creating a more human-centric business model? (36:43) Where does someone begin? How can they make sense of all of this and start putting it all into action? (40:11) Are they noticing an evolution in the attributes that leaders should have to succeed in this changing climate? (48:43) Looking forward to Jan 2027, what did we get right and what did we miss? Connect with Megan Conahan https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganconahan/ Connect with Libby Rodney https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbyrodney/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

March 18, 202641 min

The Future of Work with Libby Rodney

I welcome back Libby Rodney, Chief Strategy Officer at the Harris Poll, to Warriors at Work. She is a futurist, thought leadership builder, fast thinking and insightful. She is a go to resource for companies who are trying to figure out trends, helping them learn how to navigate in the present while anticipating the future. Our progressive conversation explores her future forward insights about the world and how things have shifted in the workplace. Fast thinking strategic flywheel for clients, Libby's future-forward insights, trends, and strategic frameworks help clients best navigate today and anticipate the next 3-5 years. She is always working on what's next. As Chief Strategy Officer, she runs the Thought Leadership and Trends practice at the Harris Poll. Previously she ran strategy departments at ad agencies focusing on branding, product launches, consumer insights, digital trends, and innovation. Libby has been fortunate for nearly two decades to consult with top Fortune 100 brands and rising all-stars. Her research has been on the stages of Davos, Cannes, SXSW, and CES. (3:04) What are some of the biggest shifts that Libby sees happening in the workplace? (6:18) Libby shares some of what she is seeing during this time economists are calling a “frozen job market”. (8:39) What are the capabilities that leaders should enhance or develop to operate during this volatile environment? (12:53) Libby shares her feeling on the future of leadership and a move towards workplace restoration. (17:51) We start to discuss the generational differences in the workplace. (21:18) Libby shares the importance of mentoring and what is important to new generations entering the workforce. (26:51) We discuss the concept of self agency. (33:07) How can senior leaders show up for the younger generations? Connect with Libby Rodney https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbyrodney/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

March 2, 202646 min

Disrupt, Connect and Cultivate with Marenza Altieri-Douglas

I am thrilled to welcome Marenza Altieri Douglas, an executive in sales and technology. She's trained in structured enterprise environments, start ups, and is steeped in opening new markets and building commercial enterprise. That’s not going to be our focus today, instead we talk about how she is an incredible storyteller, rooted in concepts like disruption and cultivation. Her personal story is key to the narrative, and I was thrilled she is joining us to share that story and how she ties it all together, leading and operating in the current business climate. Marenza Altieri Douglas’ career sits at the intersection of technology evangelism and disciplined execution. Trained in structured, enterprise environments and refined in startups and scale-ups, she specializes in defining strategic direction, opening new markets, and building compelling commercial propositions for enterprise and C-suite customers across Fortune 500 and Global 5000 organizations. She has worked across and alongside technologies including Conversational and Generative AI, APIs, DevOps, open-source platforms, cloud and containerized architectures, enterprise mobility, security, communications, media and broadcast, telecoms, and digital platforms. AI is a natural evolution of this journey, alongside a strong strategic interest in GPU-enabled infrastructure and quantum technologies. Marenza is known for building high-trust relationships, spotting and growing talent, and connecting product, engineering, and commercial teams around clear outcomes. A natural storyteller and facilitator, I enjoy shaping narratives that help organizations and customers understand why a technology matters, not just what it does. (4:50) We delve into Marenza’s formative years that put her on her current path. She shares her personal and professional story. (17:18) When did Marenza realized that “disruption” and challenging things become a part of her brand? (22:38) What does Marenza feel are some of the important qualities that people should embody? (28:20) Marenza shares how she focuses on the future and the next generation. (39:16) We reflect on what Marenza would like her impact to be over the next couple of years. Connect with Marenza Altieri-Douglas https://www.linkedin.com/in/marenza/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

February 16, 202642 min

How to Be a Powerful Storyteller with Anouk Pappers

We welcome to the Warrior Community Anouk Pappers, Brand Anthropologist and Online Presence Architect. She has published over 15 books, bringing interviews from around the globe to life, and discovered an opportunity to shine light on leaders who were outside of the spotlight. She created a platform, Signitt, to focus on the needs of business and social leaders to define their personal brand, craft their narrative, and build their online presence. Anouk shares her playbook with us, giving us the tools and powerful stories that we will find value in and some might even resonate with our own experiences. In 2002 Anouk started a storytelling expedition: Around the World in 80 Brands. The goal was to support brands and companies convey their message through storytelling. She traveled the world in search of brands with a purpose and people with a vision. Having started CoolBrands in Amsterdam, she later expanded to Dubai, São Paulo, and New York, working with companies such as PepsiCo, Apple, Google, Mercedes, Harley Davidson, and Unilever. She has interviewed over 900 CEOs, CMOs, and business leaders across the globe and published 15 books chronicling their stories. In 2015, Anouk founded Signitt to focus on the needs of business and social leaders to define their personal brand, craft their narrative, and build their online presence. Drawing on her global experience and insights, Anouk has seen first-hand how clarity of brand and story can transform careers. She has dedicated much of her work to supporting leaders better position themselves for the future and “use Google as their wing(wo)man.” A sought-after, engaging speaker, she shares practical insights and tactics to help individuals take control of their narrative and grow their visibility in a digital-first world. (3:23) Anouk shares her own story with our community, how she started working with entrepreneurs to give them a platform to share their own stories. (6:22) What does the word branding mean to Anouk and the work she does? (11:17) How has storytelling evolved, both professionally and personally, over the years? (13:10) Anouk shares an experience in her own life, that was sparked her journey of curiosity and learning about other people, cultures and their experiences. (15:50) Anouk shares how she sparks some of that same curiosity in the people that she works with. (18:40) How does Anouk work with others to help them begin storytelling for themselves, sharing their own experiences. (20:27) How is authentic storytelling holding up in our world, often addicted to optimization, AI and digital “noise”? (24:21) What does Anouk notice, in her work, that helps people to accept and move through the transformational work that she does? (30:06) What part of her story that Anouk rarely shares, but that has shaped her the most? (32:17) What does Anouk want to make sure resonates and can be actionable for our WAW community? (35:48) Anouk shares some steps on creating your own story. (38:10) What is next for Anouk? What mark does she want to leave on the world? Connect with Anouk Pappers https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoukpappers/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w

January 29, 202637 min

Restoring Balance in a Hyper Stimulated World with Mary Rower, RN, LCSW

I welcome a returning guest, Mary Rowe, a licensed clinical social worker and registered nurse. She and I have had conversations recently about how much stress is out in the world right now, and I invited her to share with the community how we can restore balance. We talk about developing a calm, supportive inner world that helps us relax, reflect, and feel grounded. She brings her expertise to the community, sharing practical advice and strategies we can apply in our everyday lives. I hope our conversation can provide some support and advice in these turbulent times. Mary Rower is a registered nurse and licensed clinical social worker. She is skilled in Clinical Social Work and Nursing, Leadership, Public Speaking, Social Media, and Training. Strong business development professional with a MSW focused in Master Social Work from Fordham University. She provides psychotherapy for adults individually, for couples and also leads trainings for couples looking to repair their relationship or singles looking to find love. (4:05) What does Mary notice, throughout her work, happens when people live in a heightened state to alert? (7:03) What happens when grief and stress is not addressed, instead we ignore those feelings? (8:33) We need to learn how to tolerate our emotions, how can we do that in situations that might not be ideal? (12:23) People love distractions, instead of dealing with what is in front of us, why is that? (18:43) We discuss the importance of having self-awareness to know how to navigate a stressful situation, and learning how to gain the internal locus of control. (22:08) What would be some of the first steps we can take to gain agency of our lives? (25:13) What are some results that Mary sees in her practice right now? (26:35) What do we mean by using the phrase ‘inner world’? (28:09) How does someone end up working with Mary? (31:00) We discuss why people have a hard time asking for help from others? (33:19) Mary shares a place we can begin on the path to Restoring Balance. Connect with Mary Rower https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-rower-4a510126/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/

January 14, 202642 min

Moving Through Trauma with Eliza Czander

We are joined today by a beautiful soul, Eliza Czander, a Somatic Practitioner and Yoga Therapist. She is a guide who works at the intersection of trauma, anxiety and the nervous system helping clients rediscover their intuitiveness, cultivate deeper self-trust, and move more freely through life's challenges. At the core of her work is the philosophy, you can’t heal what you can’t feel. Her work invites us to slow down, and listen to our bodies and what’s beneath the surface. This conversation, to kick off 2026, is about building the inner conditions that allow true forward motion and honoring what we have stored inside. Eliza Czander is a Somatic Practitioner and Yoga Therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and tension release. With certifications in EMDR, Parts Work Therapy, and Breathwork, she brings a multifaceted somatic approach to healing and nervous system regulation. Eliza believes deeply that we all have the innate ability to come home to our bodies and rebuild connection—not just with ourselves, but with the wisdom our bodies hold. Through this connection and embodiment, she helps clients feel regulated, rediscover their intuitiveness, cultivate deeper self-trust, and move more freely through life's challenges. In her work, Eliza creates a safe, compassionate space for clients to release what no longer serves them and rediscover a sense of groundedness, presence, and wholeness. (2:58) What led Eliza to choose a career in trauma and healing? (6:05) How can we define trauma? Eliza helps us to understand the experience. (11:15) What are some of the patterns of trauma and how it manifests? (14:26) Eliza shares some of her methods to help people heal from trauma through breath work, meditations and more. (17:01) What does it mean to regulate our nervous system and how can we achieve this? Eliza also takes us through a quick method to help ground ourselves and relieve tension. (22:01) Eliza’s shares her philosophy, sharing that our body knows how to heal, and shows us what this means. (25:18) Why are people afraid of silence, and allowing ourselves to sit with the discomfort we feel? (26:50) Eliza shares with us how we can communicate with others when we feel heightened emotions and “need space”. (30:00) What does is look and feel like when we find balance and are in a regulated embodied state. (33:42) Eliza shares experiences from her journey that were instrumental in her work and why she chose it. (35:18) We learn about Eliza’s practice and what helps her to continue to explore this work. Connect with Eliza Czander https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-czander-91071a55/ https://movethroughtrauma.com/ Subscribe: Warriors At Work Podcasts Website: https://jeaniecoomber.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/986666321719033/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanie_coomber/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanie_coomber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanie-coomber-90973b4/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMZ2HyNNyPoeCSqKClBC_w