“When asked about success, I do think I’ve followed teachers’, bosses’, parents’, friends' views of what success was, versus ‘what would make me feel really good about myself?’ And it has to do with people and creating harmony for them, and this thing that out lives me.”
– Kaley Nichol
We know that the Women Who Work crew is in the midst of our busiest and most full season of life and career. And we are here to talk about it! One of the greatest aspects of gathering women together is normalizing those experiences and feelings that we are facing. This episode does just that.
Mandy and Stephanie open with a discussion on the seasons of work and life…and normalize the feelings that come with being in the messy middle of a very busy season.
● Are you carrying the emotional and physical load in your world? Use the Fair Play resources and LET GO of impossible standards you’re putting on yourself.
● Can we have it all? Yes, but not at the same time! And what does that mean for YOU?
Then we talk with Kaley Nichol, a consultant for solo entrepreneurs, who brings entrepreneurial experience as well as a lot of self-reflection on the real meaning of success for her. Her story is one worth hearing and reflecting on!
Women Who Work has its own Instagram account @thewomenwhoworkpod! Follow along, tag us in your stories, and share with us your biggest AHA from the episode!
Links:Fair Play (Cards)
“There will always be people…who think you don’t deserve the job, simply because of who you are...The only thing you can do is prove them wrong. You do that with your results. Results are non-negotiable, and they are indisputable.”
–Brittany Caskey
This episode is fire. If you’re in need of some reality checks. It’s here. If you need a moment to hear that your experience is felt by others too. It’s here. If you need to remember what it was like to be a young girl navigating the world. It’s here. If you need inspiration to be a boss lady and own your leadership. It’s here.
Mandy and Stephanie open with a candid chat about the double standards for women in leadership. Listen with a cup of coffee or your afternoon hydration tumbler because one conversation snowballs right into another - just like it would with your own work BFF.
Then, Brittany Caskey, Chief Commercial Officer, Logistics at DP World, gives us powerhouse advice for how to navigate a career in male-dominated industries while letting your personal brand shine through. Brittany covers tactics for communicating like a boss, leading with strength and softness, and focusing on the things that matter for YOU.
BIG NEWS! Women Who Work has its own Instagram account @thewomenwhoworkpod! Follow along, tag us in your stories, and share with us your biggest AHA from the episode!
Links:
Pantene 'Labels Against Women' Digital Ad - https://youtu.be/luLkfXixBpM
Young Women LEAD - https://youngwomenlead.com/
The Confidence Code - https://a.co/d/d92niLo
Adolescence (Netflix) Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk5OxqtpBR4
“Have your voice, and keep your word. Those two things can never be taken away from you, and they will be noticed throughout your career.” - Adrienne Hunt
Between the signs of spring outside our windows and that March Madness energy, this month is giving ‘new life’ vibes.
Mandy and Stephanie bring the good, the bad, and the ugly from their interview experiences of the past. You will find yourself saying, “been there” as they share both the unique and common interview scenarios and tricky questions.
Adrienne Hunt, Branch Director/VP for Robert Half Talent Solutions, shares a wealth of clarity and motivation for us to lead with authenticity. She talks about the reality of the job market, her two best interview tips, how to motivate employees across generations, and advice (and inspiration) for working moms.
Let’s continue the conversation…share with us your biggest AHA from the episode on any of your own nightmare interview stories on Instagram - tag us @soarlead!
“Accountability is really about taking ownership. Leaders have to model the way.” -Dr. Stacy Owens, Organizational Change & Transformation Strategist, Coach:
Watch out world - the women are READY! There is a ferocity among our squad and the energy is exciting. Join us this year as we CLIMB toward big goals and work for (and demand) MORE!
Mandy and Stephanie, your podcast work BFFs, chat being ready when opportunity arises. You’ll also hear all the details on The Four Tendencies, an accountability metric by Gretchen Rubin, queen of happiness and human behavior.
Stacy Owens gives us truth bombs about leadership that are too good to miss:
Accountability as a winning strategy. It’s more about what you do than what you say.
Check yourself - how do you show up? Be authentic, connect with your team, live with purpose, give your team purpose, and lead with love.
Let’s continue the conversation…share with us your biggest AHA from the episode!
Also, once you take The Four Tendencies quiz, let us know your results on Instagram -tag us @soarlead!
Happy New Year, Work BFFs! In this "Mini Brief" episode of Women Who Work, Stephanie takes us into the new year with a fresh perspective—one focused on asking the right questions rather than chasing the typical New Year's resolutions. If you're feeling the pressure of the "New Year, New You" mentality, or if you're just looking for a way to start your year off on the right foot, this episode is for you.
Stephanie explores the power of curiosity, how to use questions for sustainable change, and offers practical advice for setting yourself up for success in 2025.
Stephanie shares three critical questions to ask yourself for maximum impact:
1. What is one thing you could change that would have the greatest impact on all areas of your life?
2. What is stopping you from making this change?
3. How will you set yourself up to succeed in making this change?
Connect with Us!
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, rate, and review! Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @SOARLEAD, and let’s continue the conversation about how you’re approaching 2025 with curiosity and purpose.
Hey work BFFs! We’re back with another Mini Brief to keep you in the loop. This time, we're dishing on the latest Women in the Workplace report. Okay, ladies, let's be real. This report is a bit of a downer. While there has been some progress (yay, more women in the C-suite!), the report is basically a repeat of the last five years. But we're not giving up! This episode is all about taking that frustration and turning it into action. We're talking real strategies, real change, and a whole lot of support for each other. Because let's face it, we deserve better. ✨
Call to Action:
● Stay in the know! Read the report, and arm yourself with solid data.
● Be the Change, Babe! Whether you're leading a team or just starting out, you have the power to make a difference. Let's do this!
● Spill the Tea with Us! Hit us up on Instagram @SOARLEAD and let's chat all things career, life, and everything in between.
And don't forget to tag your work bestie!
Throwback Episode:
● Women in the Workplace (November 2023): Need a refresher on last year's report? We got you covered in our podcast episode linked here.
Do you ever get that nagging notion that you need to try something new? Or have a difficult conversation? Or focus more on a particular initiative?
We’ve all had those gut feelings about taking a step…but often there is something holding us back: FEAR
In this replay, we are taking you back to episode 3, The Fear Factor, and sharing conversations about how to go from FEARFUL TO FEARLESS.
Our featured guest, Christina Bottomley is so inspiring. Her story proves that YOU CAN DO IT! And her words of wisdom shine a light on the reasons why we should all get out of our own way and GO FOR IT!
“Fear has a very concrete power of keeping us from doing and saying the things that are our purpose.” -Luvvie Ajayi
Key takeaways:
Three strategies for moving from fearful to fearless
Examples of taking calculated risks in career moves
What is looks like to ‘do it afraid’
And don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
Links:
SOAR - https://www.soarlead.com
Breaking Up with Perfectionism - WorkLife with Adam Grant podcast
Don't miss an episode of Women Who Work. Like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and on Instagram @soarlead.
Ever had a manager who needs to know everything, all the time? Or… maybe you’ve been that manager? We’re talking micromanagement—what it is, why it happens, and why it’s a bad look for everyone involved. Spoiler: No one wins.
Tune in for tips on how to loosen the reins (or deal with someone who won’t). Got a micromanagement horror story? Spill the tea—we’re here for the laughs and lessons.
Follow along and share with us on https://www.instagram.com/soarlead/
Hey there, are you soaking up summer and also drowning in the constant activities?
So are we! Two things can be true: this season is beautiful and messy.
Here’s what you can expect for the rest of the year from your Women Who Work lifeline: a mix of our greatest hits as well as some new content.
Let’s keep leveling up!
We're bringing back this gem of an episode from our archives, where we dive deep into the world of executive presence and meeting management. It's all about owning your space, commanding attention, and making every minute count.
Our special guest, Tierah Lothbrok (aka Bob, because she's anything but ordinary), is the Co-Founder of ConveneLabs and a SOAR Facilitator. She's here to spill the tea ☕ on how to transform your meetings from time-sucks to power sessions. 💪
Bob has a knack for unlocking the hidden potential within organizations. She's all about creating sustainable, scalable, and meaningful growth, one meeting at a time. And guess what? She's sharing her secrets with us!
In this episode, you'll discover:
So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and join us for a conversation that will inspire you to step into your power and make your mark on the world.
Even though this episode is from 2023, the wisdom is timeless. So, don't forget to like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead! Let's SOAR together, ladies! 🦅
P.S. Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Drop us a line – we'd love to hear from you!
“Leadership is a constant journey. We will never arrive”
- Becky Diaz
Hey friends, we’re back with another episode that illustrates how real women have range. What can you take away from this one? Everything. So much. Leadership lessons of practice, step change, listening, transformation, and authenticity. PLUS, goal achievement, productivity, health, protein, product hacks, and motivation. We’ve got it all. So buckle up, or settle in, because this is a good one!
Mandy and Stephanie demonstrate the beauty of women coming together: collaboration, community, and sharing experiences. They chat with each other - and you! - about the tips, tricks and items that will bring you LIFE! You heard it here first, ladies:
Leadership Lessons: Becky Diaz unleashes the powerful concept of vulnerability in leadership. Get ready to challenge your thinking that tough and perfect are signs of strength. High expectations and demanding excellence absolutely goes hand in hand with authenticity and sharing your flaws.
Let’s continue the conversation…What’s saving your life right now?? Have advice, a book, system, or product that is making things BETTER for you and your BFFs? Share it with us on Instagram and tag us @soarlead!
Resources and Links:
“Better to teach than do, as a leader.”
- Becky Williams
Hey ladies, let's face it – workplace drama can seriously dim our shine. But guess what? You have the power to ditch the negativity and create a more peaceful, productive work environment. Today, we're arming you with the secrets to defuse tension, break toxic patterns, and be the leader you were meant to be.
Mandy and Stephanie spill the tea on Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Get ready to master your own emotions and navigate relationships like a pro, for smooth sailing through workplace challenges.
Let’s continue the conversation…Show everyone how it's done! Share your #1 tip for handling workplace drama on Instagram and tag us @soarlead!
Resources and Links:
Starring: Your favorite work BFFs, Mandy Learn and Stephanie Keally
This week's hot topic: Conquering change like a total boss!
Guest Star: Change Management Guru Susan Perry
Get ready to learn how to navigate those inevitable curveballs life throws your way at work (and maybe even at home ). She even is offering up her talents to help you through a change process. Just email susanperry@accelerateyourchanges.com and put ‘SOAR’ in the subject line to receive a FREE 30-minute call to size and assess your change needs! Check more out about Susan here!
Here's the download:
Bonus tips to becoming a change-champion:
Challenge Accepted!
P.S. Stephanie says creating a support network is your secret weapon during big changes.
P.P.S. The hosts totally get that change can be draining, so don't forget to take care of yourself!
Women Who Work: Change is Coming - Get Ready to Boss It!
Show Links:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: why do we want multiple people with different perspectives at the table? Because we know the value in that. How many blind spots are you able to see when you have people looking at it from different directions? But if they don’t feel like they belong, they cannot bring those perspectives forward in a safe space.”
- Chelsea Burns
In this episode, we are talking about in-office culture. You know, cubicle locations, thermostat wars, the smell of tuna lingering in the post-lunch hallways… Do you remember these times with rose colored glasses? Or are you filled with dread at the idea of returning to the office space? We are seeing a clear trend to get employees back to the office full time. We talk about the pros and cons of this as well as a way to be proactive in your workplace situation.
We also have an interview with Chelsea Burns, applied psychologist and marketer with a passion for elevating women. In her graduate thesis "A Sense of Belonging: Understanding the Female Entrepreneur's Connection to Self and Others," she uncovers unexplored and impactful findings about the power of belonging. The combination of her psychological insights and research findings empower other women with a framework for how to enhance their holistic selves through belonging.
Chelsea has a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media from Baker University. She is currently the Director of Marketing and Branding at HFG Architecture in Wichita, KS, serves as the Community and Belonging Lead for FutureWomenX and volunteers as a mentor for RALLY sponsored by The Mom Project.
In this conversation, you will hear:
Links:Design for Belonging by Susie Wise, Stanford d.school, et al.
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
“Instead of beating yourself up, hit the reset button. Hit the reset button as if it’s a new year in March, June, whenever. Say, ‘I’m going to start today. I’m going to do that starting right now.’”
- Jamie Watkins
It’s a new year and as so many do, we are setting our intentions and focusing on GOALS. In this episode, Mandy and Stephanie share useful tips about goal-setting and how to use them for maximum impact through our daily actions.
We also have an interview with Jamie Watkins, speaker, coach, author and host of the podcast My Peace of Happy. Jamie shares Five Tips to Kickstart the New Year. Get ready for reminders to focus on your wellbeing, mental health, and heart-centered mindset.
In this conversation, you will hear:
Links:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
“Find joy in the imperfection of it all. People talk about the enigma of work-life balance; it does not exist. It’s more like work-life integration.”
- Susan Thomas
In this episode, we are talking about the often controversial concept, “Leaning In”…and discussing how, today, we just as often hear women use the phrase, “Lean Out”. When Sheryl Sandberg wrote the book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead in 2013, it was received as the working woman’s Bible. It challenged women to do more. But by 2018, the concept and author faced a major fallout as women said: that just doesn’t work.
What does all this mean? How are we seeing women demonstrate leaning in and leaning out today?
We also have an interview with the indelible Susan Thomas, Managing Director of Health Plan Growth at Express Scripts, who shares about perspective, boundaries, and how she balances a thriving career with a full personal life - friends, children, and aging parents.
In this conversation, you will hear:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end! (News flash: It’s time to use that PTO and set your OOO.)
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
LINKS:
- Forbes Article: Three Mom Executives Share How They Surpassed The ‘Broken Rung’
In this episode, Stephanie and Mandy bring you the highlights (and low points) of the 2023 Women in the Workplace study - the largest study on the state of women in corporate America. The report is done by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org, and in their ninth year they have worked with 276 organizations employing over 10 million people, surveying over 27,000 employees.
They break down what is most notable from the report, a couple surprises, as well as the things that feel like they never change. As always, they cover the SO WHAT of it all - what you can do to keep advancing as a woman who works.
To get another perspective on the report, you will also hear reflections from Sally Schott, CEO of SOAR.
“I believe in the persistence of women.”
- Mandy Learn
In this conversation, you will hear:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end! (Hint: BE BRAVE! And don’t let someone talk over you.)
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
“When we live boldly, we invite others to do the same.”
In this episode, Mandy and Stephanie bring you a chat among work friends with a full range of topics. From leadership superpowers to favorite books and organizational hacks, they bring you their thoughts, tips and tricks. Listen in with a fresh cup of coffee or on a brisk walk around the block (or with your latest load of clean laundry that needs folding), and consider your own answers to these questions!
Our featured guests are the founders of It All Media. Kacie Lett Gordon and Katie Louise Mullins are best friends, neighbors, and business partners. In 2021, they co-founded IT ALL Media - a women centered media company rewriting the narrative on modern womanhood through story and conversation. They serve as Executive Producers and Patrons for storytelling and research projects spanning podcast, film, TV, events, and brand partnerships. Their work has taken them to speak at international forums like Sundance and SXSW.
Prior to starting IT ALL Media, Kacie was Senior VP of Strategy, co-founding and scaling a $10M innovation practice, as well as the largest innovation community in the Southeast. During that time, Katie spent over a decade leading Marketing, Comms, and Fundraising strategy for nonprofits and NGOs in the US, Europe and Asia.
“We know what we know, and that’s safe. But to step outside that and pursue something that will make you happier or more joyful, is never easy, but is the new ‘it all’ that we would define.”
-Katie Louise Mullins
From this episode’s conversation, you will hear:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
Mentions:
It Starts With Us - Colleen Hoover
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
In this episode, we are talking about transparency in communication. It’s a leadership touchstone, but it’s one that feels more challenging than it should to navigate and get right. But the payoffs of transparency are trust, and trust goes a long way for teams and organizations!
Our featured guest is Allison Shank. Allison joined Ashland in 2015, and is currently leading the global pharmaceutical coatings business. Prior to Ashland, Allison was a finance leader within the legacy Merchant Gases Business Unit of Air Products and Chemicals. She started her career with Bank of America in the Consumer Real Estate group prior to pursuing an MBA from Purdue University.
“What I’ve found is that if I have that transparent communication with a team it allows me to build trust. And by building that trust with a team it allows them to feel safe speaking up. We can open the doors to sharing and experimenting. And knowing it's okay to try new things. To take some risks sometimes, and come to a point where you do something that you didn’t think was achievable, and actually get it accomplished.”
- Allison Shank
From this episode’s conversation, you will hear:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.
LINKS FOR EP 14:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221129-the-trust-crisis-facing-women-leaders
In this episode, we are talking about creating your own definition of success. We discuss what influences our definitions of success, creating your own story, the PIE Secret to professional success, and how visioning and coaching can be a part of your next steps.
Laura Larson spent the first two decades of her career in the Global Technology sector leading successful sales and marketing divisions for Fortune 500 companies such as HP, Cisco, Citrix, and VMware. In 2015, a passion for wine and connecting with community led her to relocate to Napa Valley, where she “retired” from her corporate career, and founded Virtual Vines, a Direct-to-Consumer consulting business targeted at wineries and small businesses. As accredited sommeliers, she and her husband also launched a winery: 601 Cellars.
In 2018, she accepted a role as the Editor in Chief, managing the day-to-day operations, content strategy, and market development for Napa Valley Life Magazine. Laura is a featured speaker and columnist for several wine industry events and publications.
“I remember when I was in my thirties, you’re just trying to make yourself. When you get older, you’re a little more apt to make bigger decisions. And realize that mistakes are okay…things work out.” - Laura Larson
From this episode’s conversation, you will hear:
Don’t miss our ONE THING TO TRY and WHAT YOU GOT IN THAT BAG prompts at the end!
(Hint: trust yourself!)
To be sure you catch every episode of Women Who Work, like and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Instagram @soarlead.