Who are your 17 women—and are you becoming one for someone else?

Episode Overview

In this special Women’s History Month episode of *This Is Your Job Now*, Wendy Wollner invites listeners into a deeply personal and powerful reflection. Rather than naming specific historical figures, Wendy challenges you to build your own roster of women leaders—CEOs, doctors, activists, artists, grandmothers, single moms—who shape how you show up in the world.

From corporate boardrooms to motherhood to volunteerism, Wendy shares why women need multiple mentors for multiple roles—and why we must carry each other forward across generations. This episode is both a celebration and a call to action: pick your women. Learn from them. Add to your list. And then become one.

What You’ll Learn

* Why Women’s History Month should be personal—not just historical

* How building a “go-to roster” of women leaders strengthens your leadership

* Why women need mentors for every role they play (CEO, mother, advocate, grandmother)

* How small acts—speaking up in a meeting, starting something new—create generational impact

* Why women must become their own cheerleaders when encouragement is scarce

* How empowerment and joy can coexist on the journey

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Wendy’s personal connection to Women’s History Month as a history educator

01:10 — The invitation: choose your own women leaders

02:00 — Why Wendy has 17 (and counting)

03:10 — Mentors for different roles: CEO, single mom, grandma, volunteer

04:15 — The power of everyday women—not just famous ones

05:10 — “We carry each other.” Breaking ceilings and opening doors

06:20 — What teeny-to-large change will you make?

07:00 — When dreams get silenced—and how to reclaim them

08:10 — Be your own cheerleader (and let Wendy be one too)

09:00 — Taking empowerment seriously—without losing joy

Meet the Host

Wendy Wollner is the CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues, a corporate training company reaching tens of thousands of employees annually with programs on resilience, leadership, belonging, and wellbeing. A former history major and educator, Wendy blends storytelling, mentorship, and real-world leadership to empower individuals—especially women—to step boldly into their next chapter.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

* Build your “17 Women” list (create your personal leadership council)

* Add new role models annually

* Speak up—even when you’re the only woman in the room

* Start something (small or large) and learn through mistakes

* Be a visible champion for other women

* Balance seriousness with humor and humanity

Closing Insight & CTA

You don’t need to know every woman in history.

You need to know the ones who shape you.

Pick your women. Study them. Add to the list.

And then—become one.

Celebrate Women’s History Month by taking one bold action this week: speak up, start something, mentor someone, or reclaim a dream.

Resource/Links

Listen to more episodes of This Is Your Job Now: https://pod.link/1672656705

Website: www.balancinglifesissues.com

Follow Wendy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe to Balancing Life’s Issues on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

What if the tattoo you’re judging is actually part of someone’s healing? And what’s a leader’s job when unconscious bias shows up in dress codes, hiring decisions, or everyday workplace reactions?

In this episode of This Is Your Job Now, Wendy Wollner sits down with Elise Jaffe—Executive Producer, filmmaker, and owner of Big Teeth Productions—to explore a powerful reframe: tattoos aren’t just “style.” For many people, they’re healing, reclamation, and self-authorship after trauma, illness, or loss. Elise shares the story behind her documentary-in-progress, Unscarred, and explains why leaders, managers, and coworkers need to look beyond stigma and ask better questions—especially in workplaces where tattoos still trigger assumptions about professionalism, safety, or “fit.”

1. How tattoos can function as a form of healing after trauma, illness, or grief
2. Why workplace stigma around tattoos is often rooted in unconscious bias
3. What managers can say when an employee gets a first (or 29th) tattoo
4. Why “there’s a story behind every tattoo” is a leadership practice—not just a nice idea
5. How trauma-informed thinking applies to tattooing (and to managing people)
6. What it takes to create a documentary through grants, donations, and sheer endurance

1. 00:00 — Wendy’s “my mom hates tattoos” opener and the workplace reality behind it
2. 00:16 — Elise’s mission: changing perspectives on tattoos through the lens of healing
3. 00:50 — The film’s origin story: faith, stigma, and the “wrongness” Elise was taught
4. 02:42 — The religious and historical layers (including Jewish identity and inherited trauma)
5. 03:32 — What leaders should do: ask what it means and why it matters
6. 03:58 — Tattoos as art + art therapy: why this isn’t just aesthetics
7. 04:57 — Tattoos and healing throughout history (not a modern trend)
8. 05:30 — The trauma-informed tattoo artist: scars, empathy, and what gets unlocked in the chair
9. 07:20 — Family perceptions changing over time—and Elise getting her first tattoo
10. 08:45 — Unscarred: what the documentary is about
11. 09:20 — The real behind-the-scenes: bootstrapping a documentary and why donations matter

Elise Jaffe is the owner and Executive Producer of Big Teeth Productions in Chicago, with 27 years of production experience across commercial and documentary storytelling. Her documentary project Unscarred explores tattoos as a tool for healing—especially for people living with visible scars from trauma, illness, or loss—and challenges the cultural assumptions that still follow tattooed bodies into workplaces and public life.

Guest bio: https://www.bigteeth.tv/elise

1. “There’s a story behind every tattoo” as a leadership mindset
2. Unconscious bias awareness (and naming what you’re reacting to)
3. Trauma-informed support (listening, presence, pacing, consent)
4. Reframing body art as “healing arts,” not a professionalism problem
5. Practical manager language: curiosity + respect over assumptions
6. 
   

A tattoo isn’t always a statement. Sometimes it’s a survival story made visible.

If you’re a leader, your job isn’t to judge the canvas—it’s to understand the human being carrying it.

Unscarred Film Team: https://www.unscarredfilm.com/the-team

Support the film: https://www.unscarredfilm.com/donate

Documentary listing: https://www.documentaries.org/films/unscarred/

Why the Bible forbids tattoos (context): https://daily.jstor.org/why-does-the-bible-forbid-tattoos/

Ötzi and the oldest known tattoos (history): https://www.si.edu/stories/ancient-ink-iceman-otzi-has-worlds-oldest-tattoos

What if the goal isn’t to change minds about issues—but to change minds about each other? 

 Episode Overview 

Host Wendy Wollner talks with Bill Doherty, family therapist, professor emeritus, and Co-Founder of Braver Angels, about practical ways leaders, teams, and clinicians can repair trust across deep political divides. Bill shares ground rules that make hard conversations possible, the difference between optimism and a choice for hope, and how therapists can serve as “citizen bridge-builders” at work, at home, and in their communities. 

 What You’ll Learn 

1. Why polarization blocks solutions—and how “respectful rules” reopen dialogue 
2. A simple reframing: change minds about people, not just policies 
3. How to listen when you’re triggered (even for therapists) 
4. The line is behavior, not opinion: how to hold strong views respectfully 
5. Practical on-ramps for clinicians: from self-checks in session to moderating public workshops 
6. Why hope is a decision leaders can make—and model 

 Episode Highlights 

00:35 – Wendy’s intro: “You messed up my brain—in a good way.” 

00:43 – Bill’s background: citizen therapist; co-founding Braver Angels 

02:44 – Polarization as the barrier to solving other problems 

03:42 – Holidays & politics: when silence helps—and when it harms 

04:34 – Therapists “forget” to use listening skills on politics 

06:05 – Holding ourselves to higher standards in heated conversations 

06:37 – Case study: liberal & conservative college students, shared humanity 

07:21 – Ground rules: topic ≠ the line—behavior is the line 

09:56 – “We’re not changing issue-minds; we’re changing minds about each other” 

10:18 – Pronouns, signals, and unintended exclusions for clinicians 

11:44 – Hope as a choice, not mere optimism 

13:37 – How small the truly hateful fringe likely is—and the “inner othering” we all carry 

15:02 – A new clinician role: become a bridge-builder (and how to start) 

16:06 – “Every family has an Uncle Fred… and a Cousin Jessica” 

16:47 – Story: a landlord’s transformation—“There are people in power who want us to hate each other. Let’s not do it.” 

Meet the Guest 

Bill Doherty, PhD is Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, a licensed family therapist, and Co-Founder of Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan volunteer movement to bridge the political divide. He designs evidence-informed workshops and trainings that help people talk—and work—across difference. 

 Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned 

1. Ground rules that center behavior (no interrupting/name-calling) 
2. “Change minds about each other” reframing 
3. Self-regulation for triggered listeners (therapist or not) 
4. Braver Angels workshops, e-courses, and moderator training (free for members) 

 Closing Insight & CTA 

Hope is a choice. Choose it—and model it—by creating respectful structures for hard conversations at work and at home. 

 Resource Links 

1. Braver Angels (home): https://braverangels.org/ 
2. Get Involved (overview of roles): https://braverangels.org/get-involved/  
3. Become a Moderator (training details; free): https://braverangels.org/get-involved/moderator/ 
4. e-Courses (free, ~40 min each): https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/take-an-ecourse/  
5. Learn more about Balancing Life's Issues: www.balancinglifesissues.com 

What does it take to lead with purpose, grace, and energy — for decades — without burning out?

Episode Overview:

In this inspiring conversation, host Wendy Wollner sits down with Dr. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. A trailblazing leader who transformed a struggling local chamber into one of the most influential business organizations in New York State, Marsha reflects on her decades of leadership, the power of humility and gratitude, and how she continues to lead with joy, curiosity, and connection. From surviving tough early years to winning the prestigious Corning Award for Excellence, Marsha shares wisdom that every leader — especially those feeling stretched thin — needs to hear.

What You’ll Learn

1. How to rebuild an organization from the ground up with vision and grit
2. Why humility and gratitude are the foundation of lasting leadership
3. How to pause before reacting when conflict hits your organization
4. The importance of vulnerability and trusted advisors in decision-making
5. What a true “day in the life” of a modern CEO looks like
6. Why staying connected to community keeps burnout at bay

Episode Highlights

00:15 – Wendy introduces her decades-long friendship and admiration for Marsha

01:36 – The early days of rebuilding The Business Council of Westchester

02:49 – How collaboration, not ego, fueled the organization’s comeback

03:27 – Humility, gratitude, and leading by recognition

04:14 – Receiving the Corning Award for Excellence — and what it meant personally

06:47 – Marsha’s approach when “the real mess hits the fan”

07:45 – The value of trusted advisors and honest reflection

08:58 – A day in the life of a CEO balancing multiple roles

10:24 – Why work and life blend naturally when purpose is present

12:04 – Staying energized by connection, not competition

12:32 – Overwhelm vs. burnout: knowing the difference

13:01 – The secret to longevity in leadership: community and humility

Meet the Guest

Dr. Marsha Gordon is the President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, where she has spent over two decades transforming the organization into a powerful force for regional growth, advocacy, and connection. A passionate champion for business and community development, she serves on numerous boards, mentors emerging leaders, and continues to model what compassionate, sustainable leadership looks like in practice.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

1. Pause-before-reacting leadership method
2. Building advisory circles for honest decision-making
3. Recognition and gratitude as motivational tools
4. Work-life blending vs. balance mindset
5. Longevity through community engagement

Closing Insight & CTA

“Sometimes you’ll feel overwhelmed — that’s part of leadership. But burnout doesn’t have to be.”

Dr. Gordon’s story is a reminder that when humility, community, and gratitude guide your work, you’ll always have more to give.

Resource Links

???? The Business Council of Westchester: https://thebcw.org

???? Listen & Subscribe: https://pod.link/1672656705

???? Balancing Life’s Issues: https://balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/

???? Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

How do you lead creative teams at the speed of change—without losing the human touch? Fast Company’s Creative Director Mike Schnaidt shares how to protect originality in an AI-saturated world while building confident, energized teams.

Host Wendy Wollner sits down with Mike Schnaidt, Creative Director at Fast Company, to unpack what modern creative leadership looks like in 2025: empowering designers with autonomy, embracing “a brand without a brand,” and keeping individuality front and center as AI transforms creative work. Mike opens up about confidence earned through failure, honest check-ins, and the practical growth frameworks that help his teams stay inspired—even on off days. He also shares how teaching and writing his new book Creative Endurance helped him rediscover purpose through creativity.

What You’ll Learn

• How to keep human originality visible amid “AI slop” and visual sameness
• Why creative autonomy builds stronger teams and better results
• How to guide change-fatigued employees toward renewed energy
• What to say (and not say) on your “off days” as a leader
• The difference between confidence and cockiness—and how to earn it
• The “resume-from-the-future” method for employee growth and self-awareness

Meet the Guest

Mike Schnaidt is the Creative Director at Fast Company, where he leads the brand’s design and photo teams across magazine, digital, events, and podcasts. He’s also a college instructor and the author of Creative Endurance — a field guide for sustaining creativity over the long haul. Through his teaching, leadership, and writing, Mike helps creatives build lasting energy, confidence, and purpose.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• “Brand Without a Brand” design philosophy
• Autonomy-first leadership for creative teams
• “Resume-from-the-Future” growth exercise
• Honest check-ins and emotional transparency in leadership
• The Creative Endurance mindset for sustained creativity

Closing Insight & CTA

Confidence in leadership doesn’t come from being the genius in the room—it comes from creating the space where others can thrive.

Explore more from Mike at mikeschnaidt.com, and check out his latest work for Fast Company.

Resource Links

• ???? Mike’s Website: https://www.mikeschnaidt.com/
• ???? Creative Endurance Book: https://www.mikeschnaidt.com/creativeendurance
• ???? Mike’s Fast Company Profile: https://www.fastcompany.com/user/mikeschnaidt
• ???? Listen & Subscribe: https://pod.link/1672656705
• ???? Balancing Life’s Issues: https://balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/
• ???? Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Episode Overview:

What does it mean to choose kindness—even when life breaks your back? Literally. In this powerful episode, Kath Koschel, founder of Kindness Factory and former elite athlete, shares her remarkable journey through physical trauma, grief, and unimaginable loss… and how small acts of kindness pulled her through. Her story is a testament to the human spirit, the science of kindness, and why leaders need empathy now more than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Kath turned her rock bottom into a global kindness movement
• The neuroscience behind giving and receiving kindness
• Why acts of compassion can rewire the brain and transform workplace culture
• The difference between being “nice” and being “kind”
• How leaders can model resilience and empathy through adversity

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] “30 Reasons to Keep Going” — Kath’s powerful reflection at rock bottom
• [03:15] Falling in love in rehab, and the devastating loss that followed
• [06:40] How small acts of kindness helped Kath find purpose again
• [10:12] The birth of Kindness Factory — and how it changed everything
• [14:30] What tough days taught her about gratitude, healing, and action
• [17:55] How kindness can be your strongest leadership strategy

Meet the Guest:

Kath Koschel is a former elite cricketer turned global changemaker and founder of Kindness Factory, a non-profit inspiring people to choose kindness every day. After surviving multiple spinal injuries, personal loss, and grief, Kath turned her pain into purpose. Her work now spans continents, stages, and boardrooms—helping people and leaders discover the strength of compassion.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• The neuroscience of kindness
• Gratitude journaling at rock bottom
• “Kindness as a leadership trait” philosophy
• Logging acts of kindness (KindnessFactory.com)

Closing Insight & CTA:

“Kindness is a choice. Not a soft skill, but a strong one. And when we choose to act, even in the smallest way, we create ripples far beyond ourselves.”

Log your act of kindness or read inspiring stories at KindnessFactory.com

Learn more about Kath’s work at KathKoschel.com

Follow Kath on LinkedIn: Kath Koschel

What if the key to retaining top talent and improving workplace performance lies in understanding women’s hormones? In this episode, we explore why women’s health—especially in perimenopause and menopause—isn’t just a medical issue, but a leadership and public health priority.

Wendy Wollner sits down with Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen, board-certified nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and founder of Telehealth for Her. Dr. Mariah shares her mission to help high-achieving women balance hormones, heal their gut, achieve sustainable weight loss—and feel like themselves again. Together, they unpack the history of women’s health research, the economic cost of ignoring menopause, and practical steps leaders can take to create hormone-intelligent workplaces.

What You’ll Learn

1. Why women’s health is still in its infancy—and how that impacts workplace equity
2. The shocking cost of menopause-related productivity loss in the U.S.
3. How corporate leaders can support women and boost retention with simple policy changes
4. The truth about hormone replacement therapy vs. daily alcohol consumption
5. Why “slow mornings” can protect hormonal health and prevent burnout
6. How to fiercely advocate for yourself in a medical system that often dismisses women’s concerns

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Meet Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen & her mission

01:15 – Wendy’s personal women’s health journey

03:21 – How a single study changed hormone therapy for decades

04:43 – Why women’s health research lags behind men’s

06:34 – Menopause as a leadership and public health issue

07:16 – The importance of asking questions about your own care

08:08 – Why even OBGYNs may lack menopause training

09:11 – Morning routines that protect hormone health

11:06 – The surprising truth about alcohol and breast cancer risk

12:43 – The $1.8B cost of menopause-related productivity loss

14:26 – Empathy in action: supporting employees through symptoms

15:21 – Dr. Mariah’s wish for women and leaders

Meet the Guest

Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen is a board-certified nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and founder of Telehealth for Her, a virtual women’s wellness practice serving executives and entrepreneurs. She helps women balance hormones, heal their gut, and achieve sustainable weight loss while empowering leaders to build hormone-intelligent workplaces.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

1. Hormone-Intelligent Workplace concept
2. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) myths and realities
3. Stress-reduction routines for hormonal balance
4. Leadership empathy strategies for retention and productivity

Closing Insight & CTA

“Women’s health is not a women’s issue—it’s a leadership issue, a public health issue, and a business performance issue.”

Learn how to advocate for yourself, support the women you work with, and build a workplace where everyone thrives.

Resource Links:

Business website: www.telehealthforher.com 

Personal website: www.mariahprinceallen.com 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahprinceallenspeaker/

My calendar: https://www.mariahprinceallen.com/work-with-me

Peri Code Assessment: This was built with my medical expertise to help women understand their symptoms based on my 5-pillar framework. 

https://telehealthforher.myflodesk.com/pericode

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues-season-2-this-is-your-job-now/id1672656705

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV?si=cb0564b5c93e4f82

Balancing Life’s Issues: https://balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

This BLI the Podcast Live episode features wellness expert Krystal Taylor leading an engaging and interactive conversation on burnout—what it is, what causes it, and how to fight back. With warmth, humor, and plenty of practical wisdom, Krystal breaks down the clinical definition of burnout and helps us recognize the emotional and physical symptoms before they spiral. Listeners will gain access to real-world solutions, both personal and organizational, that can help build resilience and create a more sustainable work culture.

Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, unsure of your role, or overloaded by digital demands, this episode is here to validate your experience and offer a way forward. This is burnout... redefined—with hope.

What You'll Learn:

• What burnout really is—and what it’s not
• Key causes like lack of recognition, vague roles, and digital overload
• Warning signs including emotional exhaustion and reduced efficacy
• Proven strategies to prevent burnout at both the individual and company level
• Innovative tech tools and anti-burnout workplace culture shifts
• Simple takeaways to improve your wellbeing this week

Resources:

Krystal Taylor is a wellness coach and Army veteran with nearly 30 years of experience in emotional wellness, fitness, and caregiving support. As both a leader and a caregiver, she understands burnout firsthand and is passionate about helping others build strength and resilience.

Krystal's Website: www.fitnessisnotagame.com

Connect with Krystal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalttaylor/

Subscribe and follow Balancing Life's Issues wherever you listen to podcasts:

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues/id1672656705
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1
• Website: balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/
• Connect with Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

In this special follow-up to our conversation on redefining fatherhood Jason S. Frishman, PsyD, founder and lead guide at JourneyMen Foundation, invites you to slow down and reconnect with what really matters — through a guided Values Compass exercise designed especially for fathers, but relevant to anyone navigating life’s daily challenges.

This episode is your chance to step away from the noise, breathe, and reflect on the core values that shape how you show up — at home, at work, and in your community. Jason’s approach combines mindfulness, intentional action, and self-reflection to help you move from vague ideals to clear, practical steps you can live out each day.

Whether you’re a dad seeking balance, a leader supporting fathers on your team, or simply someone who wants to feel more grounded — this 15-minute practice is for you.

Takeaways:

• A guided mindfulness moment to reset your mind and body
• How the Values Compass maps your “true north” across four key areas: childhood/ancestral values, individual values, partnership values, and fatherhood/legacy values
• Practical questions to help you identify your current “treasure” or goal
• The power of sharing your compass with family, community, or trusted peers
• Why revisiting your values is essential for resilience and meaningful leadership
• A reminder that fatherhood is a journey — not a solo mission

Sound Bites:

• “You are the one choosing your direction.”
• “Fatherhood is a journey — not something you do alone.”
• “Holding your compass means you’re never truly lost.”

Why It Matters:

Real leadership means showing up for the total individual — not just the part that shows up to do a job. Finding your Values Compass is a reminder that resilience, balance, and community all begin when you choose to get clear on what really matters.

Listen and Subscribe

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues/id1672656705

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Connect with Us:

Follow Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe to Balancing Life’s Issues on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Visit: www.balancinglifesissues.com

Tags:

#Fatherhood #ValuesCompass #Leadership #MensMentalHealth #Parenting #CommunitySupport #Mindfulness #ThisIsYourJobNow #BalancingLifesIssues

In this heartfelt Part 1 episode, Jason S. Frishman, PsyD, founder and lead guide at JourneyMen Foundation, shares his insights on what it means to redefine fatherhood as part of real leadership and community care. He explains why supporting fathers’ mental health is vital for family and organizational well-being.

Guided by Kai Sorensen, Director of Podcasts, and Greg Baldwin, Multimedia Specialist—both fathers themselves—this conversation unpacks how challenging traditional norms of masculinity can unlock healthier ways of parenting, partnering, and leading. Jason also dives into the myth of the hero’s journey and how it impacts fathers’ identities, offering practical strategies like mindfulness and the Values Compass exercise to help men navigate daily stress and stay true to their values.

Together, they remind us that fatherhood is an adventure worth sharing—not just surviving alone.

In Part 2, Jason will take you through a guided exercise about using your "Value Compass".