This week, I am featuring a dear repeat guest, Neen James. Neen is a wonderful ball of energy, and I love having her on the show. This time, we chatted about her book that just launched, Exceptional Experiences: Five Luxury Levers to Elevate Every Aspect of Your Business.

During the show, Neen and I chatted about:

• How Neen’s latest book baby came to be
• How the word “luxury” can be misconstrued
• An overview of the five luxury levers and how they lead to exceptional experiences
• Neen’s research on luxury mindset and how you can determine which luxury mindset category you fit
• How this information can be applied to leadership at any level

If you’d like to listen to my chat with Neen, who feels like an old friend at this point, listen in!

Here is more about Neen:

Neen James, MBA, CSP, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of leadership strategy and keynote speaking. As the author of Folding Time, Attention Pays and the forthcoming Exceptional Experiences, Neen inspires leaders and organizations to create extraordinary connections and experiences that drive results and leave lasting impressions. Recently named to the board of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, her proprietary research into the luxury mindset —the only study of its kind—sets her apart as a leading expert in delivering world-class client and employee experiences.

Named one of the top leadership speakers by Global Gurus multiple years in a row, Neen’s practical strategies and infectious "Aussie sass" make her a favorite among corporate audiences and meeting planners alike (who often call her the Energizer Bunny). From being a confidante to Fortune 500 CEOs to empowering executive leaders responsible for revenue, Neen is known for her ability to blend actionable insights with an engaging delivery style, helping leaders to achieve greater focus, communications, and influence.

Truth time. It’s been a tough season for me. Things have been challenging personally and professionally. Some of the tools I put in place have been helpful, but I have had to re-anchor my roots because the gale force winds of this storm have been stronger than I anticipated. 

If you have or are going through a tough season of your own, I feel you. I stand with you. All the listeners and the Brave Women at Work community stand with you. 

Today’s guest, Lauren Fields, has had her own dark night of the soul and come out on the other side of it. So, it’s fitting that this show is going live today!

During today’s podcast, Lauren and I discussed:

1. Lauren’s traumatic brain injury experience
2. How she literally got back on her horse within 3-months of her injury
3. What happened on the other side of realizing she had to take a step back and attempt different healing modalities
4. How Fieldswell was born as a result
5. How Lauren’s healing experience can help anyone else going through a personal healing journey, whether it is traumatic brain injury or something entirely different?
6. And more

Here is more about Lauren:

Lauren Fields is the Founder and CEO of Fieldswell. Lauren’s path has taken her from the hospitality and wellness industries to earning an Masters in Psychology, speaking on the TEDx stage, and hosting a podcast with global though leaders – all fueled by a relentless pursuit of growth and an insatiable curiosity about human potential.

After overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Lauren learned that life can change in an instant. Rather than resist her reality, Lauren chose to go all in on creating a life she truly loves – one built not in spite of her adversity, but because of it – and now she helps others do the same. 

What began as a personal wellness journey has grown into her company, Fieldswell. Fieldswell includes Lauren’s podcast, a wellness sanctuary for coaching, healing and creativity, sold-out events that bring community and transformation to life, and coaching and brand strategy that guides her clients from inner alignment to a powerful online presence.

She is here to help her clients and community to transform from the inside out – creating clarity, confidence, and an impact that lasts. 

If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Also, I have an awesome announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. Ready…. drumroll please! A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Alright, let’s welcome Lauren to the show!

My guest today, Anne Marie Anderson, is what my 13-year-old, Charlotte, calls a “baddie” or “badass” for short. As you will find out, Anne Marie is a 3-time Emmy Award winner and was a sports broadcaster. Talk about a tough industry! Anne Marie is straight shooter, and you can tell she has earned some hard-won wisdom throughout her career. I also love how clear her concepts are, and I am sure you will too. 

During today’s podcast, Annie Marie and I discussed:

1. The story behind her book, Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win.
2. What the power of audacity is and how we can cultivate it with micro habits.
3. The difference between the urgent and important?
4. How do women fall for the urgency fallacy and what can we do to combat it?
5. Why are time and money twins?
6. How can negativity be our superpower?
7. How can we respect our ego and check it at the same time so it doesn’t override us?
8. How do we leverage re-evaluation loops?

Here is more about Annie Marie:

Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author. Her work centers on cultivating audacity—the courage to say yes when doubt says no—as a catalyst for leadership, career advancement, and thriving workplace culture.

For more than three decades, Anne Marie had a front-row seat to the world’s biggest stages in sports broadcasting: six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, golf’s majors, the NBA and MLB playoffs, and the Super Bowl. She called more than 1,500 live events for ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, and TBS, becoming one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. Along the way, Annie Marie learned powerful lessons behind the scenes from some of the greatest coaches and executives in sports—lessons about leadership, resilience, and building winning teams.

I have some exciting news to share this week! First, this episode is the 250th episode of the Brave Women at Work Podcast! Yes, you heard that right! 250 episodes! If you would have told me that I would do 250 podcasts, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are!

Also, it’s my birthday week, so I wanted to share a solo show with my key learnings as I turn 48. Yes, you also heard that right! 48!

Before we get started, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. We are currently at 92,000 downloads and in 34 countries. WOW! Thank you again!

Also, if you have not heard, I have an announcement!  I have been working an awesome project with Jackie Cetera of JNC Innovations and Jennifer Johnson. A Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is now available! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!

Ok, why did I decide to do a special Birthday Show for turning 48??

Well, the age 48 has always carried meaning to me because my father passed away at 48 and then my mentor passed away at the same age. I was afraid of 48, like I was going to fall off a cliff at this age. Yet here I am. Stronger, steelier, and inching towards my crone era with pride. I am still here. I have something to give. I want to make a difference.  

I want this 48th year to be one of living fully and bravely, not only for myself, but in honor of my dad and my mentor. 

So, turning 48 is a celebration and the start of a new phase for me!

I have such a fun show for you today! You are getting a sneak peek into a conversation with one of my oldest friends, Pam Fierst-Walsh. This is Pam’s second time on the show. It’s so fun to record with a friend. I even forget we were on a podcast at one point because this is just who we are and how we talk. 

As you will hear, Pam and I recently went on a retreat together. During the trip, Pam impromptu asked if we could record a special summer episode, and here it is! It’s perfect timing as the leaves are changing here in Chicago and the weather is starting to change. This show is a great way to wrap up summer and to focus on a fun and deep topic – spiritual friendship. 

During today’s podcast, Pam and I discussed:

1. That we have been friends for 27 years and we haven’t aged a day!
2. What motivated Pam to join me in Montana for the retreat.
3. How Pam and I met in 1998 and almost bumped into one another in 1997.
4. What the definitions of spiritual friendship and doppelganger are.
5. The impact our friendship has had on both of us.
6. If we can’t spend a lot of time together because we are so similar and the energetic connection is strong.
7. And Pam’s most recent advice on the 1-2 ways women can be braver at work!

Here is more about Pam:

Pamela Fierst-Walsh is the Vice President of Government Affairs for North America with the DeBeers Group. Pamela is the former VP of Traceability at PVH where she worked with the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands on global traceability objectives. She is also the former CEO of her consultancy, PFW Advisory, where she provided advisory services for regulatory and supply chain needs, particularly with respect to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns.

Today, I am interviewing someone I look up to in business, Kym Insana. As you will hear, Kym not only is a wife and mom to 4 boys (wow, I know!), but she has also built a very successful marketing media execution business. 

Kym’s mantra is “You can work hard, have career success, and the family life you desire.” As soon as I heard that, I was like, “Tell me more, Kym!” Who doesn’t want to have career success and the personal lives we desire?

During today’s podcast, Kym and I chatted about:

1. Why Kym decided to build her multi-million-dollar business, AlwaysOn Digital.
2. Why Kym is passionate about working parents.
3. Kym’s advice for women who want a high-powered career and life.
4. How Kym manages her teams – both in-person and remote.
5. Digital marketing and media, of course! I had to talk about this since I am also a marketing nerd.
6. And more!

Here is more about Kym:

Kym Insana is a multimillion-dollar business owner, digital marketing expert, wife, and mother of four boys. As the founder of AlwaysOn Digital, she helps leading brands reach the masses through dynamic digital campaigns that generate consumer interaction and sales so they can scale. Top brands lean on Kym’s expertise, including the US Air Force, American, Enfamil, the Texas Rangers, and Johnston and Murphy.

Kym jumped into the digital marketing world before it became part of the modern fabric for business growth. For more than 20 years, she’s led sales and digital campaigns for top advertising agencies in New York City. But dealing with a two-hour commute while growing her family proved to be a turning point. She felt compelled to start a business and gain her time back. The yearning for freedom quickly outweighed the desire for a corporate career.

At the same time, Kym noticed other successful women quitting the workforce for similar reasons. That prompted her to ask herself, ‘What if I could build a business that fit these talented women and their ideal work schedules — while still providing them with a career?’

In 2016, AlwaysOn Digital was born.

One of my key messages for you today is that it is ok to take a break. You are not a bad mom, wife, boss, employee, sister, aunt, friend, or other community member if you drop off the grid for a while. Yes, I felt a bit of guilt, but then I realized that I am better in all areas of my life when I take breaks. If you need to hear this, I hope it helps you! 

As my guest today, Dr. Angela Jackson, says, “It’s a win-win.” “Win-win” is a traditional corporate term, but Dr. Angela takes it to a whole new level. In her NY Times Bestselling book, The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success, she shares 9 key principles that will drive the future of work. 

During the podcast, Dr. Angela and I chatted about:

1. Why traditional top-down authority and decision making will not work moving forward.
2. The key mistakes leaders and companies make when trying to enhance employee productivity.
3. An overview of the 9 key strategies that emerged from Dr. Angela’s research for her book.
4. How can leaders empower employees to make powerful decisions?
5. The impact of creating a psychologically safe work environment on employees. 
6. What advice Dr. Angela would have for any companies, teams or leaders that are resistant to change.
7. And more!

You may not know this, but I have been a student of nervous system regulation for several years. When I have faced stress, burnout or other challenges in the past, I thought I could “think” my way out of the issue. I know. It’s a silly notion, but it is what served me for years. It’s what drove my success. And in 2019, it is what drove my demise in burnout.

Burnout was a doorway to curiosity. There had to be a different way to live and work. And I’m learning it involves the regulation and interplay between our minds and bodies. My guest, Jay Fields, and I have known one another for a bit, so I was excited that she joined me for this conversation. 

During the podcast, Jay and I chatted about:

1. What is the purpose of the nervous system and why is training it to serve us important.
2. Why is it easier to remain in our heads vs. listen to our bodies’ signals?
3. What does it mean to be embodied?
4. What is Jay’s Overthinking Quiz and why should you take it?
5. The meaning behind Jay’s popular phrase and podcast, “Hey Wait.”
6. How we can leverage these learnings to protect our energy.

I love the topic we are talking about today – fearless authenticity. And guess what? Authenticity is the topic for the next Brave Women at Work book! How cool is that?

According to an internet search, “Fearless authenticity means living a life true to your core values and beliefs, without fear of judgment or societal expectations. It involves embracing your unique self, accepting your flaws, and expressing your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, even when it's challenging or uncomfortable. It's about finding the courage to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself, even when it may not align with what others expect or want.”

I aspire to fearless authenticity. What about you? There are times where I feel like I’m living and working in this state, and then I slip out of it. My goal is to be in states of fearless authenticity more, so I was pumped to talk with my guest today, Jeanne Sparrow.

During the podcast, Jeanne and I chatted about:

1. The story behind her Emmy Awards. If you see the podcast on YouTube, she had her Emmy Awards visible in the background!
2. What living it, telling it, and sellling it means to Jeanne.
3. How everyone can discover their own personal brand.
4. The story behind Jeanne’s book, Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally
5. What the prestige is in each one of us, and how we can leverage it in place of Imposter Syndrome

Did you know that the female brain and male brain are different? You are probably thinking, “No kidding, Jen.” Remember the book Men Are From Mars, Women at From Venus? My guest today, Barbara Annis, has made it her life’s work to study gender intelligence and the brilliance of the female mind. 

For most of my career, I have tried to mold myself into a man’s world. It was a refreshing perspective to hear Barbara talk about why that isn’t needed, and quite frankly, why it is a waste of time because all women, including me, need to own their own strengths. 

During the podcast, Barbara and I chatted about:

1. What is gender intelligence, and why is it important?
2. What led Barbara to write her latest book, The Brilliance of the Female Mind: How Women are Transforming the World.
3. How men’s and women’s minds are different?
4. How can we nurture as strengths as women?
5. What are the confidence pitfalls we face as women? What actions can we take to correct these pitfalls?
6. The assessment we can take on Barbara’s Gender Intelligence website.