This is Part 2 of our Season 1 bonus episode with Maika Leibbrandt, certified Gallup Strengths Coach. This short and insightful episode explores how your top strengths can reveal the way you think, connect, and make decisions. By walking through my own top 5 strengths from my CliftonStrengths report, we take a closer look at how each strength shows up in everyday life and how understanding them can lead to more confident choices at school, university, and beyond. Maika shares practical ways to apply your strengths, helping you move from self-doubt to self-trust by focusing on what energizes you most. Whether you’ve taken the assessment or are simply curious about how it works, this episode offers a personal and practical look at what strengths can show you. My Key Takeaways Strengths are more than labels – Strengths like Achiever and Focus explain how you naturally like to get things done, not just what you do. They offer insight into how you work best. Self-awareness is a strategy – Knowing what energizes you, and what doesn’t, helps you make smarter choices, from studying to future planning. It’s about what’s already there – Maika reminds us that strengths aren’t something to earn. They’re already part of who you are and can be used to build clarity, confidence, and direction. Connect with Maika Leibbrandt (Guest): ⁠Maika's Website⁠ ⁠Maika's Instagram⁠ ⁠Maika's LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): ⁠Alana's LinkedIn ⁠ ⁠From Girl to Great Website⁠ ⁠From Girl to Great Instagram⁠ ⁠From Girl to Great LinkedIn Find the Gallup CliftonStrengths Assessment HERE.

What if the key to building confidence, choosing the right path, and overcoming self-doubt isn’t about changing yourself — but understanding yourself? In this bonus episode, Maika Leibbrandt, CEO of Coaching by Maika and a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, joins From Girl to Great to help you unlock your unique potential. Through her work with students, professionals, and global organizations, Maika has seen how identifying and owning your natural talents can transform the way you learn, lead, and live. Maika shares why people are individuals with strengths ready to be activated. We explore how focusing on what energizes you can help you make better decisions, stop comparing yourself to others, and make better decisions for your future. Whether you’re unsure about your next steps or want to better understand your strengths, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical tools to help you grow. My Key Takeaways  Your strengths aren't just traits. They're how your brain naturally succeeds. Discovering them early can help you study smarter, build better relationships, and make more confident choices.  Instead of trying to fix your weaknesses, focus on what you are already doing. That's where your energy, excellence, and joy are waiting.  Knowing your strengths helps you understand others too, making you a better friend, teammate, and future leader. Connect with Maika Leibbrandt (Guest): Maika's Website Maika's Instagram Maika's LinkedIn Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): Alana's LinkedIn From Girl to Great Website From Girl to Great Instagram From Girl to Great LinkedIn Find the Gallup CliftonStrengths Assessment ⁠HERE⁠.

How can your curiosity shape the future? Dr. Mitzi Krockover shares how embracing change and lived experiences can lead to groundbreaking innovations in women's health. Dr. Krockover is an internist and a trailblazer in women's health innovation. She led the creation and was the Founding Medical Director of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Center, which was designated a Center of Excellence in Women’s Health by the Department of Health and Human Services. She served as the Vice President of Women’s Health at Humana Inc until 2001 and now invests in Women’s Healthcare Companies. In this episode, Dr. Krockover offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. As the host of Beyond the Paper Gown, she dives deep into the factors affecting women's health, advocating for more robust research and innovation in the field. Listen in as she shares insights into the hurdles facing women's healthcare, the exciting possibilities within femtech, and invaluable advice for young women eager to carve out their own paths in this ever-evolving landscape. Whether you're interested in the intricacies of female healthcare or seeking motivation to be bold in your own career, this conversation is not to be missed! My Key Takeaways Stay Curious - Dr. Krockover emphasized the importance of curiosity—being open to exploring different opportunities and not pigeonholing yourself into a narrow path. This advice is so important for teenage girls, especially in a world where career landscapes are constantly changing. Create solutions - Dr. Krockover also highlighted how women’s lived experiences are driving meaningful innovations in healthcare and beyond. This really resonated with me because it shows how personal challenges can spark solutions that help others too. Her message is to figure out what you love and channel it into creating positive change. There are so many ways to make a difference - Dr. Krockover’s advice about pursuing a career in healthcare and leadership really struck me. She emphasized that no matter the path you take, whether it’s becoming a physician, advocating for policy change, or working in research, there are countless ways to contribute to improving healthcare. For young women interested in making a difference, Dr. Krockover encourages not to limit yourself to one definition of success. Connect with Dr. Mitzi Krockover (Guest): Dr. Krockover’s LinkedIn Dr. Krockover’s Website Dr. Krockover's Instagram Dr. Krockover's Podcast on Apple Dr. Krockover's Podcast on Spotify Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): Alana’s LinkedIn Alana's Website - FromGirltoGreat.com

Do you dare to be bold? Grace Vinton shares how speaking up in the room and leaning into her strengths transformed her career—and why boldness can be your superpower too. Grace is a PR professional, patient advocate, and founder and host of the podcast HITea with Grace. In this episode, Grace delves into her unique career path, having transitioned from studying communications and government to working in the healthcare sector. She shares her experiences in public relations, working with over 50 companies to communicate life-saving innovations.  Throughout the episode, Grace emphasizes the importance of being bold, staying informed, and using one’s unique strengths to create change—in both personal and professional arenas.  My Key Takeaways: BE BOLD! - Grace shared important advice that young women should be bold in what they do. This really resonated with me. She encourages young women to not be shy or hold your ideas back as everyone has the power to make the world a better place. Identify your strengths - Grace explained how understanding her own strengths, like decisiveness, and partnering with someone who complemented her weaknesses helped her thrive in her career. This is such valuable advice for teenage girls—knowing what you’re good at and leveraging it can set you up for success. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about understanding where you shine and seeking support where you need it.  Take care of yourself - Grace highlights the importance of looking after your body to accomplish your goals. She gained this wisdom from the inspiring people that she interviews on her podcast. I realised that this crucial advice is important to make a habit sooner rather than later. If you sleep, workout, eat good food - it will help you succeed. Connect with Grace Vinton (Guest): Grace’s LinkedIn Grace’s Website Grace’s X Grace’s Instagram Grace’s TikTok Grace’s Podcast on Apple Grace’s Podcast on Spotify Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): Alana’s LinkedIn Alana's Website - FromGirltoGreat.com

Can breaking the mold be the key to success in healthcare? Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell (“Dr. Bayo”, sounds like “bio”) discusses how rejecting the traditional path and embracing challenges led her to advocate for change. Dr. Bayo is a family medicine and urgent care doctor who is a nationally recognized health equity advocate. She is also the founder and host of the podcast Beyond Clinical Walls. Her mission is “to provide accessible health information for all people.” Dr. Bayo discusses the significance of perseverance, embracing failure as a learning tool, and the power of a genuine voice. My Key Takeaways: 1) Individuality is your strength Dr. Bayo’s message about the power of individuality really resonated with me. Her ability to balance being a physician, public speaker, and television personality is a powerful reminder for young women to celebrate their differences and pursue multiple passions. Our individuality is what makes us stand out and can be the key to our success. 2) Challenges shape the person you are becoming Dr. Bayo emphasized the importance of not letting anyone dim your light, and how challenges shape your character and make you stronger. This is a powerful message for teenage girls: the challenges we face today are preparing us for what’s ahead, helping build resilience and become the person we’re meant to be. 3) Mistakes are an opportunity to learn Dr. Bayo shared an empowering perspective on failure, explaining how mistakes are part of her daily experience. Instead of letting them weigh her down, she chooses to honor those moments and learn from them. Her message to young women is clear: success is built on growth, and growth often comes from the times we stumble.  Connect with Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell (Guest): Dr. Bayo’s LinkedIn Dr. Bayo’s Website Dr. Bayo’s Youtube Dr. Bayo’s Podcast on Apple Dr. Bayo’s Podcast on Spotify Links and Organizations Mentioned: Goldman Sachs' One Million Black Women TEDx Talk - Do No Harm (2 Million views!) TEDx Talk - Why black patients don't trust the healthcare system Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): Alana’s LinkedIn Alana's Website - FromGirltoGreat.com

What impact do you want to make? Instead of asking what you want to be, Dr. Archelle Georgiou (“Dr. Archelle”) encourages young women to focus on the change they want to make in the world. Dr. Archelle is a physician, author and TV medical correspondent. She’s been on the local ABC affiliate with a weekly show educating listeners about how to speak up for their health. She is also the creator and host of the podcast called Speak Up For Your Health. In her podcast, Dr. Archelle focuses on patient stories showing how they overcame difficulties in today's complex medical system using their voice.  Dr. Archelle, who has charted an inspiring path from internal medicine into the realm of patient advocacy, shares her fascinating career journey, leading her to hold pivotal roles such as Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare, a health insurance company. Join me as I dive into Dr. Archelle's passion for storytelling, her fearless approach to taking calculated risks, and the compelling reason behind her transition from clinical practice to advocacy work. Be sure to follow From Girl to Great on your favorite podcast player for more insights. My Key Takeaways: 1) Physically have a seat at the table Dr. Archelle emphasized that you should make sure that you have a seat at the table—PHYSICALLY—not just against the wall. She says “It is the only way that you can have a voice.” And—she reassured all the younger women—it doesn’t matter how old you are. 2) “Hope is not a strategy” Dr. Archelle advises you to write down your hopes and dreams. Think about the best steps to get there. Make a plan for the next month, 6 months, 12 months. Being intentional will help you get there. 3) Shape Your Career Around What You Love Dr. Archelle shared how she combined her love for math with her career in healthcare, showing that we can shape our professional paths to fit our passions. This inspired me to think about how I can blend my interests in healthcare, economics, and advocacy, creating a career that is both fulfilling and impactful, just as Dr. Archelle did. Connect with Dr. Archelle Georgiou (Guest): Dr Archelle’s LinkedIn Dr Archelle’s Website Dr Archelle’s Podcast Instagram Dr Archelle’s Book on Amazon.com Dr Archelle’s Podcast on Apple Dr Archelle’s Podcast on Spotify Connect with Alana Kendall (Host): Alana’s LinkedIn Alana's Website - FromGirltoGreat.com

Should young women take more risks? Laurie McGraw says yes. “I really want to implore young women, young girls to be more comfortable with taking risks.” Laurie McGraw is Executive Vice President of Transcarent, a company with a mission to make high-quality health and care affordable and accessible. She is also the founder and creator of the podcast Inspiring Women. Laurie, a veteran of the healthcare industry with a rich background in technology and innovation, shares invaluable insights from her career journey and discusses the essential skills for young women in today's ever-evolving professional landscape. Be sure to follow From Girl to Great on your favorite podcast player for more insights. My Key Takeaways: 1) Leadership is a Journey, and Women Have a Place at the Table Laurie shared how being one of the few women in leadership motivated her to push for gender equity. Her belief in empowering others is a lesson to girls on how we can lead in the future—whether by making bold decisions now or mentoring others later on. 2) Success is Built on Hard Work and Lifelong Learning Laurie’s story reinforced that education is an ongoing journey. There’s always more to learn. As girls prepare for their futures, this mindset of continual growth feels like a guide to navigating college and beyond. 3) Take Risks, Even When It’s Scary Laurie’s encouragement to take risks struck a chord with me. She reminds young girls that playing it safe might limit what’s possible and that trying new things—whether applying to ambitious colleges or exploring unfamiliar opportunities—can lead to incredible rewards. Connect with Laurie McGraw: Laurie’s LinkedIn  Laurie’s Website Laurie’s Podcast Instagram Laurie’s Podcast on Apple Laurie’s Podcast on Spotify Connect with Alana Kendall: Alana’s LinkedIn Alana's Website - FromGirltoGreat.com

Welcome to From Girl to Great! I’m Alana Kendall—currently a high school student in England applying to universities soon, and I’m figuring out where I want to go and what I want to study. I’m really interested in healthcare, economics, and advocacy, and I’ve had a lot of my own experiences in healthcare following my diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes when I was 11 years old. In each episode, I share conversations with incredible women who’ve shaped industries, overcome challenges, and embraced risks.  We discuss the choices they have made, how those decisions led them to where they are today, and their suggestions for the next generation of leaders—particularly women. Their experiences provide valuable lessons that will help me—and you—navigate our own journeys.  If you’re interested in healthcare, economics, or advocacy, or just want to go from girl to great, follow this podcast and join me to meet my amazing guests! Visit fromgirltogreat.com, or search for ‘From Girl to Great’ wherever you get podcasts.