Change is scary. It is also an opportunity. And if we are too busy resisting change, we may end up passing on the opportunities—without even recognizing it. Frankie Picasso has come to embrace change. After a serious motorcycle accident in 2003, she recreated her life and became a certified coach. Today, Picasso is an international SocialPreneur, talk show host and champion for change. She is the founder of The Good Media Network , a platform to help nonprofits reach a wider audience and connect...
Mar 09, 2018•12 min
As female entrepreneurs and business leaders, we have a lot to overcome. But the first step is to get out of our own way. Maybe perfectionism is holding you back, or maybe you’re thinking too small. Today’s guest is on a mission to give you WINGS—Women, Innovating, Networking, Growing and Scaling—and turn your small business into an empire. Melinda Wittstock is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning journalist and content marketer. She has more than 25 years of experience as a host, journalist and...
Feb 23, 2018•17 min
Financial results drive corporations, and this laser focus on achieving monetary goals often means a neglect in the areas of personal development and emotional intelligence. But the fact of the matter is that honing these skills does have a positive impact on the bottom line, as authentic leaders can both create a higher level of engagement among employees and inspire teams to perform at a higher level. Mary Pat Knight is a sought-after transformation strategist, business coach, and EQ expert. H...
Feb 09, 2018•16 min
“Then I’ve been parachuted in as the token woman who got added at the last minute by the newspaper sponsor to kind of sex up the coverage. So I’m in a desperately awkward position, trying to prove that I’m good enough to be on this mountain. And I was—but I hadn’t come on the team in a way that made that at all clear.” Cathy O’Dowd was not a fan of sport until she discovered climbing in college. Being on the mountain was a deeply personal challenge—and one that she was good at. One of just two w...
Jan 26, 2018•21 min
We’ve all sat through that mind-numbing professional development seminar, the one where a presenter clicks through an uninspiring PowerPoint presentation while you daydream about being absolutely anywhere else. Karen Hough is on a mission to transform that experience, combining the principles of improvisation with neuroscience and psychology to bring fun and meaning to corporate training. Hough is the founder and CEO of ImprovEdge, an award-winning business training company that is changing the ...
Jan 05, 2018•20 min
A lot of us are well-intentioned and don’t believe that we are biased toward others in any way. But it is naïve—delusional, even—to think that we don’t harbor unconscious bias. In fact, the issue of inclusion is an incredibly complex one, and until we recognize those complications and actively pursue change, the ‘illusion of inclusion’ will persist. Dr. Helen Turbull’s interest in diversity and inclusion was ignited after her move from Scotland to the US, where issues of race are front and cente...
Dec 15, 2017•19 min
Women in male-dominated industries like tech, finance and law enforcement may feel like it’s unacceptable to reveal any vulnerability at work. This leads to compartmentalization, having a ‘work self’ that’s different from the real person on the inside. But this simply isn’t working. Not only does this approach make us seem unapproachable, it leads to burnout and perpetuates the myth that we have to behave a certain way in order to lead. Lisa Marie Platske had a ten-year career as a Federal law e...
Dec 01, 2017•18 min
The vast majority of us have talked about writing a book. Problem is, the vast majority of us never make time to sit down and get the words on the page. Christine Kloser got immersed in publishing when her husband decided to write a book involving interviews with Major League Baseball players. She pored over Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual , learning the nuts and bolts of putting a book together to assist her husband in becoming a published author. At the same time, Kloser was involved in t...
Nov 10, 2017•18 min
Many of us were moved by the 2017 Audi Super Bowl commercial featuring a girl racing a boxcar, while the inspiring voice over touted the company’s commitment to gender equality. But as a consumer, how would you know whether the company really supports women’s empowerment? Where could you go to find out about their policies around family leave or how many women serve on the board? Veteran creative director Kristi Faulkner teamed up with journalist Amy Cross to design the Gender Fair mark, a desig...
Oct 20, 2017•18 min
There may not be anything wrong with a little healthy competition, but at the end of day, human beings are social creatures with a need to connect and build community. Natalie Franke is on a mission to transform the way creative entrepreneurs see each other, moving away from a model of rivalry and opposition to one of collaboration for the common good. Raised by a single mother, Natalie Franke started photographing weddings in high school to earn supplemental income. After graduating from the Un...
Sep 22, 2017•15 min
‘Don’t grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be.’ Rather than running from conflict, Marilyn Suttle suggests that if you are willing to listen when a customer or colleague is angry, there is a real opportunity to grow and strengthen the relationship. Suttle is a customer service and communication expert who is known for helping teams make ‘Suttle Shifts’ in thinking to achieve breakthrough success with customers. Her clients include Ford Motor, American Axle, and Visteon, among others. Sh...
Sep 09, 2017•15 min
Very rarely does a sale simply fall into your lap. Sales is a process that requires patience, time and follow-up as you build long-term relationships with prospects. And if your company protects those relationships, you will be rewarded with a predictable pipeline moving forward. Caryn Kopp is the Chief Door Opener at Kopp Consulting, known for helping her clients secure initial meetings with high-level decision-makers at top-tier companies like Pfizer, GE, Merck, Time Warner, Target, and CBS, a...
Sep 01, 2017•23 min
“Women want to be treated equally, not identically.” There is no shame in doing things #LikeAGirl, and Judy Hoberman’s tagline sums up that sentiment quite well. Of course, women want the same opportunities as their male counterparts, but we do things differently—and that’s an asset, not a liability. Hoberman has designed a series of workshops, seminars and coaching programs that put a positive spin on sales. With 30-plus years in the industry, she is adept at understanding the gender difference...
Aug 25, 2017•19 min
In a perfect world, we love the work we do. We find a career that affords us the opportunity to succeed, to be happy, to make a significant social impact. Today’s guest argues that this kind of serendipity is possible for every one of us, and the secret lies in clarifying your purpose and designing a business model in alignment with that purpose. Nicola Grace, the Mission Mentor, is an award-winning strategist and bestselling author. She helps entrepreneurs, professionals and visionaries monetiz...
Aug 18, 2017•15 min
We work very hard to make the world think we have it all together. From the outside looking in, a successful woman with a good corporate job and a solid network of friends and family seems to be living the dream. It is possible, however, to have your ducks in a row – yet still feel like something is missing. What if you could create a business of your own, doing work that inspires you? Jessica Nazarali had the perfect life. She had just gotten engaged, and she had a great job in business develop...
Aug 11, 2017•16 min
Quick, what’s the first word that comes to mind when you hear the words tax office? I’m going to take a wild guess and assume that you didn’t say fun. But there is one unique retail tax preparation firm that was founded on the idea of creating an atmosphere of fun in its franchises, and the creative marketing campaign they employ complements this idea – while establishing brand recognition that outshines the competition. Martha O’Gorman has been in the retail tax business for over 25 years. She ...
Aug 04, 2017•18 min
It is true that money can’t buy happiness… But if you’ve ever felt the stress of struggling to pay the bills, you might argue that having enough cash on hand to cover baseline expenses can, in fact, buy you the freedom to pursue happiness. Makaylah Rogers has always been a little bit of a rebel. When it came time to follow the rules and choose a career path, Rogers felt trapped by the idea of going to college. She took a gap year to consider her options and ultimately decided that no university ...
Jul 28, 2017•20 min
Chances are you’ve been there, watching someone else get the promotion or the study abroad opportunity or the picture with Jay Leno that you really wanted, but didn’t have the courage to ask. Perhaps you don’t want to be seen as greedy or aggressive… But the truth is that making the big ask builds relationships and establishes trust. Today’s guest is ready to help you ‘get your ask in gear’ and make those outrageous requests. Linda Swindling is a ‘recovering’ employment attorney who spent more t...
Jul 21, 2017•19 min
You’ve been taught to dream big, empowered to believe that you can accomplish absolutely anything. And then you get to work, and they’ve got you pushing paper. It’s no surprise that companies struggle to retain Millennials who are uninspired and don’t feel as if their work matters. The CEO of Double Forte PR & Digital Marketing, Lee Caraher is a lauded communication strategist, known for her practical solutions to difficult problems. She is a recognized expert in building high-performing int...
Jul 14, 2017•19 min
We all do a certain amount of code switching, acting and speaking the way we’re ‘supposed to’ for the sake of others, as opposed to truly being ourselves. And though we may understand the benefits of a ‘to thine own self be true’ philosophy, it is easier said than done in a world where your authentic self may or may not be accepted. Today’s guest has spent her career providing a safe space where lesbians have the freedom to be out and authentic as they vacation in locales all over the world. Jil...
Jul 07, 2017•19 min
‘When I have the money, I’ll work with a financial planner.’ There is a lot of fear and stress around money, and a disproportionate number of women are intimidated by the prospect of working with a financial planner. It’s never fun to be judged, and many of us operate under the mistaken notion that financial planning is reserved for the rich. Today’s guest would argue that financial planners can help people in any income bracket, at any stage of their lives. Brittney Castro is the founder and CE...
Jun 23, 2017•15 min
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘go big or go home,’ but the sad truth is that many female entrepreneurs end up choosing the latter. Women are two times more likely to shut down their businesses due to a lack of capital, and despite the fact that there are 10 million female entrepreneurs in the US generating $1.4 trillion in revenue, only 3% of women-owned businesses hit the $1M mark. These are the statistics that inspired Julia Pimsleur to start the Million Dollar Women Movement, a venture dedicated...
Jun 09, 2017•18 min
The social media revolution continues to grow and change the way we do business, and marketing in the virtual world requires a different approach. Today’s guest argues that true innovation requires collaboration, and the best way to navigate this new territory is by connecting to share best practices. Ekaterina Walter is the Global Evangelist for Sprinklr, a social media management infrastructure that allows top brands to create community online. The company provides technology to manage and enh...
May 26, 2017•15 min
Ever heard about Forensic Accounting? If not, then you’ll in for a treat as our special guest, Elizabeth Dean shares how her passion for mathematics led her to a rather new kind of service in the financial world. As the vice-president and founding member of TM Financial Forensics LLC, Elizabeth tells her journey from doing a traditional accounting role into consulting. Along the way, she discovers key issues that impact not just her but all women who are looking to further their career in male d...
May 12, 2017•32 min
Though the world of finance continues to be dominated by men, today’s guest argues that the strengths required for success in the field of financial advisory are competencies normally associated with women, specifically empathy and communication. Rita Cheng is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, an investment advisory firm that delivers comprehensive financial planning and wealth management solutions to families, entrepreneurs, and executives. As a trusted partner and educational resource, Blue...
Apr 28, 2017•21 min
Conventional wisdom tells us that change is necessary, and we must work toward acceptance. But change can also be terrifying, and our instinct is to resist. Today’s guest found a way to not only accept sentinel change in her industry, but to adapt and capitalize on that change to build a business helping others navigate the new lay – and law – of the land. Cindy Heine founded SyncStream Solutions in 2013 to combat mounting confusion among employers about how to navigate and comply with emerging ...
Apr 14, 2017•14 min
Life can be a juggling act, and many women find themselves overwhelmed by the task of keeping those balls in the air. How do you make forward progress when you are just trying to make it through the day without dropping one? Wendi Kelly is an author, artist and transformation coach who teaches clients to blast through the negative thoughts, patterns and habits that are preventing them from creating the life they envision. She helps other writers and small business owners build a mindset of self-...
Mar 31, 2017•22 min
While the world has seen many women stake their claims as leaders, there is still a gap between genders in terms of leadership. In today’s episode, Janet Salazar, human potential activist and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, talks about a solution to bridge the gap and create real change. She discusses her innovative dialogue series, Conversations with Men™, a pioneering and groundbreaking executive forum with the mission of engaging men in leadership roles to accelerate women’s l...
Mar 24, 2017•32 min
The YWCA has had a long legacy for providing social services to a number of different communities. Learn more about its journey of transformation from a 140-year-old social service agency to a twenty-first century social enterprise in today’s interview with Dorri McWhorter, the current CEO of YWCA Chicago and one of the top women innovators listed in Chicago’s #TheBlueNetwork. Dorri tells the story of how her experience in a number of corporate positions gave her the perspective to find new solu...
Mar 17, 2017•25 min
You’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t take no for an answer,” but what if you heard the word “no” 50 times from 50 different venture capitalists? Would you have the inner drive to keep moving forward? Today’s guest puts a new spin on perseverance with her story of how grit and grace led to her eventual success – and a Harvard Business School case study! Eloise Bune is the founder and CEO of Handwriting.io. Since founding the technology startup in 2011, she has guided the development of Handwriting.io’...
Mar 10, 2017•19 min
