In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Breanne Kiefner, owner and founder of Roots Adventures, about embracing inner strength and finding stability in the midst of chaos. Their conversation explores the power of curiosity, the value of staying present, and why building a collective mentorship is essential. Instead of relying on a single mentor, Breanne shares how surrounding yourself with a circle of guides, each offering unique perspectives, can bring great...
Aug 18, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 251
Titles, accolades, and financial milestones often measure success. But for Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini, CEO of Lush Enterprises, LLC, success is about transformation - financial, emotional, and generational. Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless talks with Sun Yong about how she’s built a career helping others break free from survival mode and step into true financial independence. Even in her dream job, with the title and passion she’d worked hard to earn, her paycheck fell short of the li...
Aug 11, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 250
We’ve all seen male-driven misogyny, condescending remarks, unequal pay, and the ever-present glass ceiling. But what about the subtler, more unexpected form that comes from within our own ranks? In this episode, Mary Sullivan and Cooper Alexander, co-founders of Sweet But Fearless, talk about when women, knowingly or not, uphold the very systems and stereotypes that hold other women back. From competitive gatekeeping to subtle undermining, we’ll explore how female misogyny plays out in the work...
Jul 28, 2025•16 min•Season 9Ep. 249
Have you ever wondered how an unexpected challenge can reveal a new path? In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Kelsey Cook, a former teacher turned entrepreneur, about how she recognized the uncertainty parents faced when schools shut down during the pandemic. To help her students and their parents, she began creating hands-on, engaging educational packets for preschoolers. What started as a simple way to support families during the pandemic evolved into L...
Jul 21, 2025•22 min•Season 9Ep. 248
Are you being passed over for promotions despite being the go-to person everyone counts on? In this episode, we dive into the surprising downside of being too reliable at work. While dependability is a strength, it can sometimes box you into a support role instead of positioning you as a strategic leader. We explore why being the "fixer" or “hidden gem” might actually be holding you back - and what to do about it. You'll learn how to shift from doing to leading, speak about your work in terms of...
Jul 14, 2025•13 min•Season 9Ep. 247
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Julie Wilson, CEO and founder of Terra Nova Medical Clinics. A visionary family physician and healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Wilson shares how she reimagined primary care by prioritizing workplace culture, physician autonomy, and compassionate leadership. She talks about the importance of investing in people, earning trust through action, and creating a culture grounded in respect. Today, she leads the largest integra...
Jul 07, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 246
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Susannah Robinson, CEO & Founder of Partnership for Talent , about what it truly means to lead with impact through service leadership. Susannah emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision and leading from it with clarity and purpose. Drawing from years of guiding leaders, she reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity is. When leaders show up as their real selves, it creates space for t...
Jun 30, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 245
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Valarie Sandjivy, founder of EllipsUS. As a seasoned leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience guiding leaders through growth and change, she empowers today’s leaders to lead themselves and others with empathy, agility, and fresh thinking. Valarie believes that true leadership starts within - because you can't lead others until you know how to lead yourself. Somewhere along the way, we were t...
Jun 23, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 244
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO, a fractional COO company. Melissa talks about her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur and how aligning business goals with personal vision is key to sustainable success. She suggests that when looking to make a career pivot, you should ask yourself: 1) What does my life need to look like right now? 2) What does the next year need to look like? 3) What will my life loo...
Jun 16, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 243
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to start your own business. From embracing fear to finding your niche, Jensen shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They talk about the entrepreneurial spirit, the power of carving your own path, and why waiting until you're "ready" might hold you back. Jensen’s advice? Do it scared —because ...
Jun 09, 2025•23 min•Season 9Ep. 242
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Tiffany Watson, Owner of Dr. Tiff’s Fuel. Sweat. Science, about the often-overlooked connection between health, ambition, and sustainable success. Dr. Watson shares practical tips for finding balance in a world that glorifies hustle, and reminds us that if we're not careful, career growth can come at the cost of our well-being. From fueling your body with the right nutrition to making sleep a non-negotiable, this co...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 241
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Sara Fay Egan, President and CEO of Beale Street Blues , about the power of pivots, both in life and in career. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, actually, it rarely does. From surprise career twists to family emergencies and all the curveballs in between, it can sometimes feel like happiness is just out of reach. But what if you could find joy, even in the chaos? Mary and Sara explore how to recognize the seaso...
May 25, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 240
In this episode, Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek—AI entrepreneur, author of Your AI Roadmap , and CEO of Clarity AI—joins Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet But Fearless , to talk about how to future-proof yourself after a layoff, build a strong personal brand, and work the long game in your career. Joan shares practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, staying resilient, and using AI as a tool to support your goals—not replace them. She offers insight into how AI can help you create a personali...
May 12, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 238
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, chats with Shannon Russell, CEO and Founder of Second Act Success, about how saying "yes" to new opportunities can open exciting new paths for women leaders. Shannon shares her journey from a successful career in entertainment to entrepreneurship, helping women confidently pivot toward more fulfilling careers and lives. If you're feeling uninspired or unfulfilled in your current career, this conversation could be exactly what you ...
May 05, 2025•24 min•Season 9Ep. 237
At a certain point in your leadership journey, success isn’t about doing more—it’s about seeing more. In this episode, Mary Sullivan, a co-founder with Sweet but Fearless talks with Stacey Linderman, CFO Specialist and President of CFO Services , who shares why stepping back is one of the most strategic moves a leader can make. Stacey explores how letting go of day-to-day tasks opens the door to stronger decision-making, bigger-picture thinking, and better use of your team’s strengths. Stacey di...
Apr 20, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 235
Today, we're unpacking something rarely acknowledged: career grief. Imagine being at the top of your game, feeling unstoppable — then suddenly, it’s all gone. That’s what happened to Laverne McKinnon, Career Strategist and Speaker . Losing her job wasn’t just a professional setback; it felt like losing a part of herself. Her identity had been so deeply intertwined with her career, and when it ended, she was left with a sense of loss. Laverne calls it disenfranchised grief — a silent grief that s...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 234
In this episode, Mary and Cooper, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless , dig into what really drives a team - performance, morale, and the connections that hold everything together. The #1 reason employees leave their jobs? It’s not salary—it’s feeling unappreciated or disconnected. We’ll help you recognize when a team is starting to struggle, whether it’s missed deadlines, low energy, or lack of collaboration. From small shifts in leadership style to everyday check-ins that actually matter, we’re ...
Mar 31, 2025•17 min
What if you could build a six-figure income without creating your own product? In this episode, Mary Sullivan of Sweet but Fearless sits down with Whitney Bonds, the CEO and Founder of Tried and True Mom Jobs, to uncover one of the most overlooked (but seriously powerful) ways to make money online: affiliate marketing. Whitney gets real about how she turned her struggles into solutions, launching a low-cost, flexible income stream that now brings in over $200K a year—all while supporting her fam...
Mar 24, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 232
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Nikki Nash, Investor, Entrepreneur, and Author, about the power of taking shots and making bold moves. She shares how she learned to take a leap of faith—not just in her career but in building her personal brand . Because let’s be real, success isn’t just about what you do at work; it’s about who you are and how you position yourself. Nikki dives into why relationship-building is key—people need to know you , not just ...
Mar 17, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 231
Struggling to juggle it all? In this episode, Cooper Alexander and Mary Sullivan, co-founders of Sweet but Fearless , dive into the art of balancing priorities—because let’s be real, there’s never enough time for everything, but there’s always time for what truly matters. We’ll break down how to identify what deserves your energy, set boundaries without guilt, and stay focused without burning out. Whether you're managing a career pivot, building a business, or just trying to have a life outside ...
Mar 10, 2025•15 min•Season 9Ep. 230
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Sandy Saburn, Chief Strategic Alliances Officer at Gifted Travel Network , about the ever-evolving world of luxury travel. With a background as a career coach, marketing expert, and business consultant, Sandy made a bold leap into the travel industry—and now she’s helping others do the same. She shares insider insights on why more people are choosing to work with travel advisors, how the industry has shifted toward cur...
Mar 03, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 229
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of the Party Goddess and bestselling author, about her journey into the world of party planning and how it led to a thriving entrepreneurial career. This episode is all about embracing change, trusting your instincts, and creating opportunities even when the path isn’t clear. Marley Majcher is the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full-service event planning and catering company. Fro...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 228
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, founder and CEO of ICAN , about her incredible 24-year journey in shaping strategies to tackle conflict, crises, and violent extremism. As a passionate and dynamic peace strategist, she’s worked with civil society, governments, and the UN to create real, meaningful change. Sanam is the founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) , where she leads the groundbreak...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 227
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Kseniia Duplyakin, Sr. QA Analyst with Learnix Tree Center about opportunities as a Software Quality Assurance. From testing software for bugs to ensuring a seamless user experience, SQA professionals play a vital role in delivering high-quality products. Kseniia talks about the skills needed, tools used, and different career paths within QA, including manual testing, automation testing, and performance testing. Ksenii...
Feb 03, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 226
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Marcy Clark, Founder and President of Marcy Clark PR & Events about the art of storytelling, sharing how she crafts compelling narratives that elevate brands and resonate with audiences. Marcy reveals how her success stems from creating opportunities where none existed and pushing boundaries in the PR world. As a key member of Visionary Mafia, a vibrant networking platform for entrepreneurs and startups, Marcy offe...
Jan 22, 2025•37 min•Season 9Ep. 225
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Kim Ades, President FOM Coaching , about emotional resilience and the mental strength needed to achieve anything you set your mind to. By distinguishing between failure and a failed experience, you can shift your focus to the lessons learned along the way instead of the failure itself. Kim also shares her belief in the transformative power of journaling in creating a sense of self-awareness and recognizing your habit o...
Jan 13, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 224
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Rachelle Davis, a holistic health coach, as she shares her personal story and transformative insights on achieving wellness through a balanced approach to mind, body, and soul. Whether you're starting your wellness journey or looking for inspiration, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on holistic health. Rachelle is a certified holistic health coach with a BS in Health Science and once suffered from Chronic F...
Jan 06, 2025•25 min•Season 8Ep. 223
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Kimberly Gilroy, co-founder of Alfa Charlie , to discuss her journey from artist to entrepreneur. Kimberly shares her passion for creating something uniquely her own and helping others uncover and share their authentic stories. Her ability to find strength in simplicity highlights the importance of stepping back from our complex, high-tech world and reconnecting with what truly matters. Whether working with a business ...
Dec 24, 2024•27 min•Season 8Ep. 222
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Tammy Nevin, Founder of Happy Sol Wellness, who turned her passion for self-care into a thriving wellness company. Tammy shares her journey of transformation, the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship, and how focusing on her own wellness became the foundation for helping others do the same. This is a celebration of purpose, passion, and the power of putting yourself first. Tammy created Happy Sol with a vision: to m...
Dec 17, 2024•24 min•Season 8Ep. 221
In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless , talks with Jacqueline Hofste, Leadership Coach and Best-Selling Author, about emotional intelligence and navigating life’s challenges with strength and flexibility. Discover how being committed to your goals while releasing attachment to specific outcomes can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. Whether you’re chasing a career milestone, building a business, or seeking inner peace, this conversation will equip you with tools ...
Dec 09, 2024•32 min•Season 8Ep. 220
