Carrie, It's Not That Serious

What if your biggest obstacle in leadership isn’t a technology problem—but a decision problem?

Carrie Hunter sits down with executive leader and tech trailblazer Melissa Aarskaug, who built her career thriving in chaos and mastering high-stakes decisions. From starting out as a fiercely independent child to managing $500 million projects in male-dominated fields, Melissa Aarskaug unpacks how curiosity, resilience, and betting on yourself play a bigger role than you think.

Discover how an engineering mindset can be your superpower across any industry, why slowing down in a crisis leads to better outcomes, and how women can—and should—ask for more at the negotiation table. Packed with real talk on learning from mistakes, navigating male-dominated workplaces, and creating lasting impact, this episode will challenge what you thought about leadership, risk, and personal growth.

Episode Overview:

00:00 Who is Melissa Aarskaug? An introduction to her unique leadership journey

02:04 Childhood independence, curiosity, and early ambition

05:28 The origins of drive: Babysitting at 8 and the power of self-sufficiency

07:21 Buying her first car and learning the value of independence

11:55 Shifting from civil engineering to cybersecurity to leadership

13:39 How an engineering mindset solves big problems

18:58 Making decisions under extreme pressure

20:32 Lessons from mistakes and the importance of betting on yourself

22:07 Slowing down: The key to high-stakes decision-making

28:32 Navigating emotions and authenticity in male-dominated spaces

32:38 The power of asking for what you want and learning from successful men

33:52 Outro and preview of Part Two

What if the power to change the investing landscape—and the future of women-led innovation—starts with just $100?

In this eye-opening episode, Marcia Dawood joins Carrie Hunter to shatter myths about angel investing, equity crowdfunding, and show how accessible investing can—and should—be for everyone, especially women.

Discover why the biggest barrier for women in funding isn’t just outside bias, but internalized beliefs, and why women as funders are key to seeing more women founders succeed. Marcia Dawood demystifies capital stacks, shares how philanthropy is becoming a game-changing funding source, and explains innovative, low-risk ways to start investing (even if you think it isn’t for you).

Plus, get actionable tips to help you and your family build lasting wealth aligned with your values—no finance degree required.

Don't miss the moments that might just change your money mindset forever.

00:00 Welcome and episode introduction

00:15 Defining angel investing and how it differs from VC

01:05 Lowering the barrier to investing – equity crowdfunding explained

02:50 Why growing the number of investors changes the startup landscape

03:09 Rewards vs. donation vs. equity crowdfunding

05:47 Crowdfunding as market validation

06:29 Barriers for women as funders and founders

08:42 The importance of women being part of money conversations

10:23 Rethinking wealth: money, health, and time

11:46 Founder journey & choosing women investors

14:06 Creative ways to fund your startup, including philanthropy

17:55 Where to begin as a first-time investor

18:27 Shifting money mindsets and starting small

19:38 Family activities to demystify investing

21:28 Marcia Dawood’s platform, podcast, and books

26:16 Stepping into new identity & yoga lessons

28:59 Women in power: redefining wealth and empowerment

30:37 Closing remarks and how to connect

Did you know women receive only 2% of all early-stage investment funding—despite making up half the population? This episode will change the way you think about women, money, and investing.

Join Carrie Hunter as she sits down with angel investor, author, and thought leader Marcia Dawood, whose life’s work is challenging the myths around women and money. Learn how early money conversations at home shaped Marcia Dawood’s perspective, the real reasons so few women enter investing, and why women are not risk-averse—they’ve just never been invited into the conversation.

Key highlights include how emotional “money stories” hold women back, ways even small amounts of money can get you started as an investor, how equity crowdfunding is reshaping access, and why practicing risk is the game-changer for building wealth. This episode will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to rewrite your own relationship with money.

Timestamped Overview:

[00:00] - Introduction to Marcia Dawood: investing, women, and access to capital

[01:37] - Early childhood money story and financial education

[04:44] - Family influences and early money perceptions

[07:55] - Journey from corporate to investing

[08:54] - Discovering gender disparities in funding

[11:39] - The limits of nonprofit funding and need for investing

[13:43] - Moving cities and gaining perspective in angel investing

[14:40] - Learning the hard way: Marcia Dawood’s early mistakes

[16:44] - The invisible barrier: Women and money mindset

[19:44] - Why women are excluded from money conversations

[21:30] - Unpacking the myth: “Women aren’t good with money”

[23:35] - From risk aversion to “risk unpracticed”

[26:09] - The upside of audacity and learning from failure

[28:37] - Demystifying investing: Getting started with $100

[30:37] - Closing and preview of part two

Are “soft skills” really soft—or are they the secret superpower your team’s missing?

In our latest episode of "Carrie, It's Not That Serious," we meet the incredible Cass Cooper—a.k.a. the Chaos Whisperer (yes, that's her real title and yes, we ALL need one of those). Cass Cooper unpacks what it actually takes to navigate messy workplaces, why people-centered leadership isn’t just “nice-to-have” but is downright strategic, and dishes out reality-checks on everything from workplace dress codes to why it’s okay to say NO (with your whole chest).

Tune in to learn:

• How chaos can actually be your leadership superpower (spoiler: it’s not about yelling at the storm)
• Why being “people first” is the smartest business strategy out there
• How Gen Z is rewriting the workplace rulebook—and why we should pay attention
• Real talk on zig-zag career paths, outgrowing old-school corporate mindsets, and, of course, why nobody misses mandatory lipstick

If you’ve ever tried to make sense of confusing company culture—or just wish you could order a side of calm with your next project—this episode is for you. 🎧

Catch the conversation and let’s reimagine what great leadership really looks like (hint: chaos, compassion, and a lot more honest “no's”).

#Leadership #Podcast #PeopleFirst #WomenInBusiness #CareerPaths #ItsNotThatSerious

🔗 Listen here: itsnothatserious.com

Connect with Cass Cooper

LinkedIn --⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/cassrcooper⁠⁠

Instagram & TikTok : @just_cass2.0

Check out Cass Cooper's Course:From Survival to Signal: ⁠⁠https://www.knowbetterdobetter.co/course

What if the “soft skills” you’ve been told are optional are actually the most powerful keys to workplace transformation—and personal fulfillment?

In this episode, Carrie Hunter sits down with Cass Cooper, the self-described “Chaos Whisperer,” to unpack the messy realities of modern leadership, why people-centered workplaces are the future, and how boundaries and authenticity rewrite the rules for women at work.

From the hidden history of dress codes to the myth of the straight career path, Cass Cooper reveals how embracing (not fighting) chaos can reframe your approach to life and leadership. Get ready for a blend of hard-won wisdom, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories—plus a powerful rethinking of what leadership really means in 2024.

Connect with Cass Cooper

LinkedIn --⁠www.linkedin.com/in/cassrcooper⁠

Instagram & TikTok : @just_cass2.0

Check out Cass Cooper's Course:From Survival to Signal: ⁠https://www.knowbetterdobetter.co/course

Timstamped Overview

[00:00] Meet Cass Cooper: The Chaos Whisperer[02:27] Early influences, asking “Why?” and the power of questions[04:37] Spotting people, systems, and organizational patterns[08:23] What “Chaos Whisperer” means and tackling burnout[10:33] Organizational chaos, boundaries, and micro-actions[16:00] People-centered leadership: It’s not soft, it’s strategic[18:22] Generational shifts and evolving expectations at work[21:50] The myth of “doing it all” and nonlinear career paths[25:18] Sharing real stories across generations[29:11] Embracing agency, learning from every experience[32:28] Uplifting young women and the value of encouragement[32:49] Wrap-up and what’s next

What if losing everything turned out to be the greatest freedom you could ever experience?

In this episode of “Carrie, It’s Not That Serious”, Renee Devore shares how walking away from her successful career, moving to Mexico, and even surviving a literal wildfire became turning points that led her to discover her truest self.

Carrie Hunter and Renee Devore dive deep into the costs of following the rules, the challenges high-achieving women face, and how embracing radical change and setting boundaries are the real keys to living authentically. You’ll hear honest stories of reinvention, confronting the “boxes” society tries to keep us in, and finding genuine empowerment by leading from within.

Plus, discover how Renee Devore is helping other women break free from expectations and build bold new lives.

Episode Overview

00:00 - Starting over: Selling everything and moving to Mexico

00:56 - Why Renee Devore gave her career one last shot

03:32 - Breaking rules: Redefining life and success on your own terms

05:16 - The real price of change and chasing freedom

08:24 - Midlife tunnels, boxes, and new beginnings

10:01 - How surviving a wildfire and losing everything shifted her mindset

13:33 - The power and necessity of setting boundaries

16:32 - Reinvention: Empowering midlife women and community building

21:21 - The surprising challenges of entrepreneurship and constant self-discovery

24:24 - What it truly means to be a woman in power

25:47 - Key takeaways: Just go for it!

Connect with Renee Devore:

Website: www.reneedevore.com

Campfire Convos on Sunday evenings for midlife women looking for community and connection: https://soul-growth.kit.com/915f34b76a

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee__devore/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachreneedevore/

What if your "dream job" was quietly making you miserable—and your real freedom began when you walked away from everything you’d built?

In this inspiring episode of “Carrie, It’s Not That Serious”, Renee Devore shares how she rose to the top of her field as an education leader, only to realize decades later that success by outside standards didn’t align with her true self. You’ll hear the incredible story of how Renee Devore sold everything, moved to Mexico with two suitcases and her dog, and started a journey of self-discovery, ultimately redefining what it means to live authentically.

From honest struggles with burnout and identity to a powerful moment when a stranger’s gratitude changed her view of her own impact, this episode is a candid look at what happens when you choose yourself over expectations—and what real transformation looks like.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 - Meet Renee Devore: unexpected journey from successful principal to transformation seeker02:00 - Early life and the importance of making people feel seen04:12 - The high school story that shaped Renee Devore's calling05:23 - The moment career “success” started to unravel08:10 - Burnout, “golden handcuffs”, and warning signs11:01 - Selling everything and moving to Mexico for a year12:32 - The struggle with identity and freedom away from titles14:13 - Failed return to education, panic attack, and final exit16:26 - Why “the principal” label never fit—and what came next17:36 - How choosing Mexico became a turning point21:22 - Lessons learned: identity, authenticity, and becoming “just me”22:17 - Closing and preview of part two

Connect with Renee Devore:

Website: www.reneedevore.com

Campfire Convos on Sunday evenings for midlife women looking for community and connection: https://soul-growth.kit.com/915f34b76a

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee__devore/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachreneedevore/

What if the secret to landing your dream job—or finding your dream candidate—has almost nothing to do with a resume?

In this power-packed Part 2 interview, Lisa Decker (a top accounting and finance headhunter) joins Carrie Hunter to shatter the myths around career growth, hiring, and thriving in today's competitive job market. Discover what really matters beyond bullet points: introspection, the strength to pivot or own past mistakes, and how to shine even if you don’t check every box.

From resume advice that will help you actually outsmart the AI bots to candid talk about ageism and bias in hiring—and actionable strategies to burst through those hidden barriers—this episode is loaded with gold. Lisa Decker shares her no-nonsense wisdom on preparing candidates, unique approaches to building winning teams, and what "women in power" really means.

Plus, she models unstoppable drive, revealing what motivates her to compete in grueling triathlons and marathons (even when facing injury) and how perseverance is always a habit, not a one-time act.

Whether you’re in a career transition, hiring for your team, or just need a reminder of your own strength, this conversation will fire you up and send you out with practical tools and a whole lot of inspiration.

Connect to Lisa DeckerLinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

WIP - Demotion to Destiny and the Power of Believing in Myself

Episode Overview:

[00:00:00] Introduction and how to see what matters beyond the resume

[00:01:05] How to spot internal strength and honesty in candidates

[00:02:26] The importance of setting expectations and matching roles with real-life needs

[00:04:46] Real-world examples: when a "great company" isn’t a great fit

[00:06:23] Startup vs. established company environments

[00:08:21] Making your resume stand out in the AI age

[00:10:25] What to include (and leave out) on your resume at any career stage

[00:13:24] The power of accomplishments and context over titles

[00:15:08] Job seeker traps, networking tips, and leveraging LinkedIn

[00:21:01] Dealing with rejection and bias in hiring

[00:21:41] How to present and advocate for overlooked talent

[00:25:08] Lisa Decker’s unique role at Korn Ferry & how to connect

[00:28:48] Motivation, drive, and never giving up—stories from triathlons to boardrooms

[00:35:16] What "Women in Power" means now

[00:36:41] Wrap-up and encouragement for the journey ahead

What if your greatest personal and professional growth came not from success but from being demoted or having your life take a totally unexpected turn?

This episode of "Carrie, It's Not That Serious" reveals how setbacks—like a career demotion or suddenly realizing your kids' lives will follow a different path than you ever imagined—can become the very foundation for lifelong resilience, empathy, and authentic leadership.

In part one of this conversation, Carrie Hunter welcomes Lisa Decker, principal at Korn Ferry, who built her 25+ year career not just on finding great finance and accounting leaders, but by seeing the people behind the titles. Lisa shares heartfelt stories about her family’s legacy of choosing inclusion, raising LGBTQ+ children, and how her mother’s radical kindness shaped her entire worldview. She dives deep into her most pivotal career setback—a painful demotion—and how it forced her to re-examine her leadership style, priorities, and ultimately led her to a more rewarding, purpose-driven career.

Throughout the episode, Lisa reminds us that nobody's life is a straight line to success, and that embracing our unexpected reroutes can unleash our greatest impact—even if it begins with a detour we never wanted. This episode will make you question what you call failure and see the ripple effect of real empathy at home and at work.

Connect to Lisa DeckerLinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

WIP - Demotion to Destiny and the Power of Believing in Myself

Timestamps Overview

00:00 Introduction to Lisa Decker and her legacy of meaningful impact

01:35 Lisa’s childhood: princess dresses, tomboy days, and early leadership

03:23 How Lisa’s family history shaped her perspective on seeing humanity in others

04:46 Stories of inclusion: Lisa’s mother, Down syndrome advocacy, and ripple effects

07:00 Parenting surprises: raising high-achieving LGBTQ+ kids and the lessons learned

09:31 Lisa’s darkest career moment—her demotion and what it taught her

12:18 How setbacks foster the most profound personal and professional growth

14:44 Shifting life’s trajectory: embracing surprise and the gift of seeing your children fully

17:10 The power of staying “green” (open to growth) through every unexpected turn

20:22 Why Lisa genuinely loves recruiting as her life’s work

22:15 The long-term impact of authentic relationships in business

25:00 Choosing happiness daily, balancing high performance with real life

30:20 Wrap-up and reminder: it’s not that serious—join for Part 2!

What if welding could be the next big thing to break cultural stereotypes and launch a movement as powerful as women’s sports?

In Part 2 of Carrie's conversation with Demi Knight Clark, she reveals how trades like welding can inspire a new generation—if only we put them in the spotlight.

Discover why Metallica champions the trades, how allyship changes the game, and the surprising parallels between running marathons and transforming industry mindsets.

Demi shares her vision for integrating welding into music festivals, sports, and even space, plus practical ways listeners can join the movement and empower future generations.

Connect with Demi:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

TikTokMake sure to check out Demi Clark’s WIP story: Six Sparks of Change – It's Not That Serious

Episode Overview

00:00 Introductions & breaking down boxes in STEM

00:44 Why the trades need a cultural movement like women's sports

01:45 Changing the narrative on welding and social media exposure

02:24 The importance of mixed environments for women in trades

03:06 Demi’s dream: Welding in the lexicon, from Taylor Swift to the NFL

04:18 Allyship and sponsorship—the Flavor Flav example

05:26 The critical need for industry investment and better exposure

06:23 Letting kids “play” and explore trades before committing

07:50 NIL programs for welders & visioning a welder in space

09:26 Demi’s energy, legacy, and drive—where it comes from

13:33 Marathons vs. industry mindset shifts—what’s harder?

16:05 Advocacy, speaking, and where to find Demi Clark

18:30 Handheld laser welding, the “new trades,” and camp expansion

21:41 What “women in power” means to Demi today

23:00 Closing thoughts and next-gen possibilities in the trades

Make sure to check out Demi Clark’s WIP story: Six Sparks of Change – It's Not That Serious