If you know me, you know I'm in my AI exploration era. But this hasn't come naturally to me, because the ethical complications around AI, especially generative AI, have literally kept me up at night. That's why I knew one of the first conversations we needed to have on season 3 is all abut the ethics of AI usage.

My guests this week are Erika Stanley and AnnMarie Rose, two of my favorite friends and peers who lead with ethics and core values... and also use a lot of AI in creative ways in their businesses.

Meet Today's Speakers:

Erika Stanley is a branding and AI strategist, the founder of Mile End Digital and the AI Queens Society. She helps brilliant, ambitious women entrepreneurs scale with smart AI systems and magnetic branding that attracts dream clients and builds authority.

https://aiqueens.substack.com/⁠

⁠https://www.erikastanley.com/

AnnMarie Rose is a Life-Proof Business Scaling Strategist with nearly a decade of experience helping coaches, consultants and service providers leverage their zone of genius to scale their businesses with clarity, confidence and strategic intention.

annmarierose.com/everything

instagram.com/askannmarierose

Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 100+ countries. With 15+ years in marketing and branding, she's catapulted numerous podcasts to become top performers worldwide. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Resources mentioned in this episode:

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/25/microsoft-cancels-some-of-its-ai-data-center-leases/

In lieu of the study I mentioned, which I couldn't easily find again, here is an alternative well-researched essay with cited sources: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beef-vs-bytes-real-climate-issue-isnt-genai-chris-vitale-usbae/

What does it mean to create a brand that stands for something, and why does it matter?

This week we are opening season 3, which looks a little bit different! Each week, we'll be opening the podcast with a Big Question, and some of the bravest thought leaders in online business will come together to mastermind our way through the question. Today's episode is all about mission driven branding, and why that is so important.

Meet Today's Speakers:

Mayra Gomez-Sanchez is a proud Latina - the founder & CEO of Cultural Visionaries™️ - where she specializes as a launch & sales copywriter. She helps ethical online business owners experience financial growth while being inclusive for the socially conscious public. Mayra values authenticity, influence, and meaningful work in every piece of work she writes.

https://www.instagram.com/culturalvisionaries/

https://www.mayragsanchezagency.com/

Erika Stanley is a branding and AI strategist, the founder of Mile End Digital and the AI Queens Society. She helps brilliant, ambitious women entrepreneurs scale with smart AI systems and magnetic branding that attracts dream clients and builds authority.

https://aiqueens.substack.com/

https://www.erikastanley.com/

Jacki Hayes is the founder of Jacki Hayes & Co., a boutique agency that empowers coaches and consultants with tailored strategic and operational support. Known for her grounded wisdom and no-BS approach, Jacki is also the host of the Here's What I Learned podcast, where she shares insights on navigating business and life with joy. Her signature offer, Lead to Love, provides a holistic, custom-built client experience system, guiding clients through lead management, onboarding, client care, and offboarding. Jacki’s background in ecology informs her unique perspective on system-level thinking, creating valuable transformations for clients who want balanced, joyful businesses.

https://www.jackihayes.co

https://www.instagram.com/jackihayes_obm

Siobhan Strode is a mentor for change-makers—and your resident Feminist Killjoy. Over the past decade, she’s worn many hats: teacher, business owner, Councillor, union and Labour Party Chair, social justice campaigner, and mum to three boys (plus one chaotic collie). But in her twenties, Siobhan played small in workplaces that didn’t value her voice. It wasn’t until she left teaching that she truly found it—and stepped into leadership. What made that transformation possible? Sisterhood. Now, through This Sister Speaks, Siobhan helps others raise their voices and lead the change they’ve been dreaming of. Together, she believes, we don’t just make waves—we shift the whole bloody tide.

https://www.instagram.com/thissisterscribes

Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 100+ countries. With 15+ years in marketing and branding, she's catapulted numerous podcasts to become top performers worldwide. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

My guest this week shares about how she's rebranding health setbacks due to developing chronic illness to her redemption era. There is so much to unpack there - about work and accesibility, enterpreneurship as a literal life-saving measure, and resilience after trauma. But furthermore, this has become part of the way Jessica Naves runs her design business, helping event hosts put together events for all people in a variety of bodies.

Meet Jessica

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jessica Naves is a visual storyteller who creates everything from chaotic quirky stickers, pins, and patches to multi-million-dollar proposals for major companies. You may have seen her designs for clients in magazines such as Dope, MPI or USA Today.

Over the past 20 years she has used her marketing and graphic design expertise for corporate clients and recently expanded her services to visual and literary artists. Her company, Jessica Naves Creates, helps both types of clients present their work to the best of their ability.

Connect with Jessica

https://jessicanaves.com

https://stickoftheart.com

Come to Be You Brand Live and hear me speak again this fall!

⁠https://skheeter--atigbranding.thrivecart.com/be-you-brand-2025/⁠

This is an affiliate link :)

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 100+ countries. With 15+ years in marketing and branding, she's catapulted numerous podcasts to become top performers worldwide. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Sara Hollander joins me on the podcast this week to talk about getting outside of your comfort zone and learning from people outside of your industry. It can be easy to get stuck in learning only from other people who do the same kind of business you do, and who have come before you or achieved what you are dreaming of. But the real magic, and the real innovation, comes from getting out of the echo chamber and building relationships with people in completely different industries and learning from them.

Meet Sara:

Sara Hollander is the owner of Paradise Road Travel, a boutique travel agency focused on creating meaningful and personalized travel experiences. Her journey as an entrepreneur began with a vision to make travel planning easy or busy professionals, helping them truly enjoy travel without the stress of organizing the details.

Connect with Sara:

https://www.paradiseroadtravel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/paradise.road.travel/

Come to Be You Brand Live and hear me speak again this fall!

https://skheeter--atigbranding.thrivecart.com/be-you-brand-2025/

This is an affiliate link :)

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

When was the last time you paused to ask, "Why am I doing this?"

This week on the Big Brave Business podcast, I spoke with Deb Podlogar (The Mocktail Mom) about something we all struggle with as entrepreneurs: questioning our current direction while fighting the pull of shiny object syndrome.

Deb's journey represents a powerful business transformation. What began as simply "taking a break from alcohol" in 2021 evolved into what she calls a "mocktail empire" – complete with a book, membership, summit, podcast, and thriving social media community. Yet despite this success, Deb found herself at a crossroads, questioning whether her current business offerings still aligned with her evolving self.

This conversation challenges one of entrepreneurship's most persistent myths: that consistency above all else equals success. While there's value in staying focused, rigid adherence to initial business plans can become a limitation rather than a strength.

Meet Deb:

Deb Podlogar, widely known as Mocktail Mom®️, embarked on a transformative journey when she chose to part ways with Chardonnay. This decision led her to discover a variety of delicious, alcohol-free beverages. Deb resides near Louisville, KY, is married, and is the proud mother of two daughters, Hannah (22) and Lily (17).

Throughout her 40s, Deb faced a series of significant challenges, including her eldest daughter's critical illness, a divorce, breast cancer, a double mastectomy, and the loss of both parents to dementia. During these tumultuous years, wine became a comforting companion. However, she realized that while alcohol was numbing her pain, it was also diminishing the joy in her life. Approaching her 50th birthday, Deb decided it was time for a change and stopped drinking on December 31, 2020. Initially aiming to moderate her intake, she discovered that she felt remarkably better without alcohol and embraced sobriety.

Just ten days into her alcohol-free journey, Deb launched her Instagram account to inspire others to seek alternatives to alcohol. Breaking up with booze has proven to be one of her best decisions ever.

Deb hosts the "Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom" podcast and runs a membership program for women looking to connect online over mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. She also organizes The Mocktail Summit, a global online event in January designed to educate and support those interested in alcohol-free options.

Deb's recipe book, The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Moms' Night In, is out now and has been enjoyed by thousands of people looking for easy recipes to make at home. 

Follow Deb on Instagram for recipes, tips, tricks, and menopause-related fun: @Mocktail.Mom. For more information, visit her website at MocktailMom.com.

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠

⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

This week, I welcome back my friend Hady Mendez to discuss how we navigate uncertain times while staying true to our missions. As DEI programs face backlash and many organizations retreat from their commitments, Hady shares how she's responding with renewed purpose and determination through writing a book focused on helping underestimated employees reclaim their power.

Our conversation explores how resilience isn't just a skillset but a gift passed down through generations. Hady opens up about her journey from experiencing workplace microaggressions to becoming an advocate for others, illustrating how personal experiences can transform into powerful tools for change in a system that won't be fixed overnight.

Key Takeaways:

Whether you're feeling the weight of recent cultural shifts or looking for courage to continue your own advocacy work, this conversation reminds me that joy itself is an act of resistance and that finding your people might be the most revolutionary act of all.

Connect with Hady:

Hady is a Latina speaker and ERG coach based in NYC that works with ERGs looking to take their efforts to the next level. She is the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking LLC, a company that is transforming the professional experiences of women and people of color by empowering underrepresented employees with the skills to self-advocate, self-promote, and capitalize on leadership roles within Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and throughout organizations.

With a diverse career spanning over 25 years, Hady has served as Head of Equality for a major tech firm, held multiple customer-facing roles in high tech and financial services, served as a leader and advisor across various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), volunteered as an international champion for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, and served as Community School Director at an elementary school in the South Bronx.

In her free time, Hady is an amateur street art photographer and an avid podcast listener.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadymendez

https://www.boldlyspeakingllc.com

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

https://launchmyshow.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

In 2020, corporations couldn't post their black squares fast enough. DEI statements flowed like wine. Budgets materialized overnight. Promises were made with the conviction of zealots. And now? Those same companies are scrubbing DEI language from their websites faster than you can say "political backlash." In this week's episode with DEI and Learning & Development leader Noelle Johnson, we confronted this disturbing reality head-on: the rapid dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts happening across American business.

Meet Noelle Johnson

Noelle Johnson is a DEI and Learning & Development leader with over a decade of experience helping organizations build truly inclusive workplaces. As a consultant, speaker, and advocate, she specializes in embedding DEI into company culture, leadership development, and equitable talent strategies that go beyond performative initiatives. Noelle has worked with global organizations, HR leaders, and tech companies to create mentorship programs, sponsorship initiatives, and leadership training that drive real impact. She’s passionate about advocacy, systemic change, and making workplaces places where everyone can thrive.

Connect with Noelle:

https://heynoelle.com

https://tiktok.com/@yourdeiguide

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

https://launchmyshow.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

One thing I've always been adamant about (and will *literally never stop talking about*) is that when you first start a business, your priority should be making money—not building an audience. Building an audience is a long game. It takes time to see significant returns. Meanwhile, rent is due. Big influencer business coaches always give advice about what they would do if they were starting over today, but it's so out of touch to anyone who hasn't been making $100,000+/month! But... eventually... you reach a point where you have no choice but to prioritize audience building in order to grow. Aaand if I'm being really honest? That's where I am in my business. And my guest this week, AnnMarie, feels that way, too!

Meet AnnMarie:

AnnMarie Rose is an Life-Proof Business Scaling Strategist with nearly a decade of experience helping coaches, consultants and service providers leverage their zone of genius to scale their businesses with clarity, confidence and strategic intention.

She and her team have helped hundreds of business owners navigate growth mode with ease by aligning their business model to their vision, refining their offer suite and positioning, streamlining their marketing and sales systems, and dialing in an a-player team so they can elevate their impact and income without overwhelm, chaos or burnout.

Connect with AnnMarie:

annmarierose.com/everything

instagram.com/askannmarierose

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

https://launchmyshow.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

In this week's Big Brave Business episode, Alison Smith completely flips the script on what resilience actually means—and it's not about constantly bouncing back from hardship. Resilience isn't about recovery from challenges. It's about "springing back into the shape of ourselves." Alison shares the etymology of "thrive," which actually means "to grasp to oneself." Most of us have been sold this narrative that thriving means achievement, hustling, and end-goal success. But what if thriving simply means holding onto your sturdy center, especially when the world is trying to knock you off balance?

Meet Alison:

Alison Smith is an author, speaker, and coach dedicated to empowering leaders to build unshakeable resilience, foster deep-rooted confidence, and create meaningful impact by aligning their actions with their core vision and values. She helps her clients to leverage the power of small acts of resilience to design thriving personal and professional lives. Her work has been featured in various publications, and her book, “Drawing Your Line: Setting Boundaries Step by Step”, guides many to healthier living. Outside of work, she enjoys a good book with a glass of wine and spending time with her husband and two kids.

Connect with Alison:

https://thethrivedesigner.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thrive-designer/

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

https://launchmyshow.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

My guest this week, Alex, has this gift of getting to the root—of seeing where the story behind the strategy is still running the show. She doesn’t offer formulas. She offers questions:

→ Who are you outside of what you produce?

→ What systems trained you to hustle for validation?

→ How often are you overriding your body in service of your business?

She reminded me (and maybe you need to hear it too): you can’t out-think your way out of emotional conditioning. You can’t logic your way into safety. And you definitely can’t build a business that nourishes you if you’re still performing for a system you left years ago.

Meet Alejandra Pereyra:

Born in Buenos Aires, raised in Newburgh NY— Alejandra (aka Alex) is a business coach helping women in their first 5 years of business bridge the mindset gap from employee to bonafide business owner. She loves chai, chasing waterfalls, and is allergic to small talk.

Connect with Alex:

https://entr101.com/

https://www.instagram.com/e.i.forentrepreneurs

About Sarah:

Sarah K. Heeter is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, speaker, and advocate for values-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and operations, she is the founder and CEO of Podfox Media, a globally recognized podcast production company, and the host of the globally-ranked podcast Big Brave Business, where she explores business ethics and revolutionary leadership. Sarah is also a member of the marketing and public policy committees for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter and teaches public policy at Arizona State University. She is passionate about inspiring businesses to prioritize integrity, inclusivity, and connection in their decision-making and leadership.

Launch Your Own Podcast:

Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast.

https://launchmyshow.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness