Formidable Podcast

Brigadier General Katherine Roberts is a retired Air Force leader whose career spanned space operations, national security, and the acquisition of some of the country’s most complex aerospace systems.

Kimberly Hicks is the Executive Division Director for Mobility, Surveillance and Bombers in Boeing’s Phantom Works division.

In this episode, Kathy and Kim take us inside the world of defense and aerospace — explaining what actually happens when the government identifies a new mission need and how an idea eventually becomes an aircraft, spacecraft, satellite, or other critical capability. 

They also share lessons from high-stakes negotiations, the importance of knowing when to pause rather than react, and their experiences building careers in fields where they were often the only women in the room. 

This episode is sponsored by Gallagher,  a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firm. Learn more at ajg.com.

Allison Dunn is the CEO of Deliberate Directions, and one of the country's most sought-after executive business coaches. Over the past 30 years, Allison has coached more than 1,000 business leaders, helping them shift from reactive management to intentional, strategic leadership.

She is also the author of Think First, a practical guide to building the mindset and habits that help leaders create lasting impact.

In this episode, Allison shares why so many leaders unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their organizations — and how changing the way they think can transform the way they lead. We explore the difference between managing today's problems and building a business that can thrive without constant intervention, as well as the simple frameworks leaders can use to make better decisions, delegate more effectively, and create accountability throughout their teams.

Laura Cassidy is the Interim Services Manager at Recompose — the Seattle-based funeral home pioneering human composting as an alternative to traditional burial and cremation.

After two decades working in journalism and content direction, Laura shifted careers during the pandemic to work in grief support and end-of-life care, eventually joining the team helping families navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions.

In this episode, Laura takes us inside Recompose’s groundbreaking approach to death care and the philosophy behind reimagining what a funeral home can be. We explore the human composting process itself — how bodies are transformed into soil through a carefully monitored natural process — but also the emotional and cultural shifts happening around death, grief, and ritual.

Dr. Nwando Anyaoku, pediatrician, executive, and health equity leader, shares her experience and perspective on how representation in medicine matters and how she decided to stop letting fate shape her future and instead became the CEO of Me.

This episode is part of a special series in partnership with Be Bold Now, an annual event focused on women who are doing extraordinary things in our community. The event was created by Kate Isler and Nickie Smith a decade ago on International Women’s Day. It was recorded live in Seattle in March 2026.

Kristen Smith-Dayley, attorney and nonprofit leader, talks with Rowaida Janbaz, youth specialist and emerging changemaker. Her story of resilience and determination in the face of enormous adversity is truly inspiring and her positivity in the face of such challenges is a reminder that everyone deserves a chance, no matter where they come from. 

This episode is part of a special series in partnership with Be Bold Now, an annual event focused on women who are doing extraordinary things in our community. The event was created by Kate Isler and Nickie Smith a decade ago on International Women’s Day. It was recorded live in Seattle in March 2026.

Rebekah Bastian is the CMO at mpathic, and an entrepreneur, artist, and writer. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, creativity, and impact. She has a message for us: More women need to be involved in the development and creation of artificial intelligence if we want to see better outcomes for women in the future.

This episode is part of a special series in partnership with Be Bold Now, an annual event focused on women who are doing extraordinary things in our community. The event was created by Kate Isler and Nickie Smith a decade ago on International Women’s Day. It was recorded live in Seattle in March 2026.

Lei Wang, leadership strategist and the first Asian woman to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam, shares what it really takes to pursue something that feels impossible, before you feel ready.

This episode is part of a special series in partnership with Be Bold Now, an annual event focused on women who are doing extraordinary things in our community. The event was created by Kate Isler and Nickie Smith a decade ago on International Women’s Day. It was recorded live in Seattle in March 2026.

Jen Barnes, Founder and CEO of Rough & Tumble, is a driving force behind the growing momentum in women’s sports. She owns two sports bars in Seattle that show women’s sports on all their screens.

In her speech, Jen shares the story of why she decided to start Rough & Tumble, and why such a simple thing as watching women compete can be transformational.

This episode is part of a special series in partnership with Be Bold Now, an annual event focused on women who are doing extraordinary things in our community. The event was created by Kate Isler and Nickie Smith a decade ago on International Women’s Day. It was recorded live in Seattle in March 2026.

Shelley Tomberg is the Director of Development at Music Aid Northwest, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every student in Washington state has access to quality music education.

Since its founding, the organization has raised over $1.78 million to provide hundreds of schools with instruments, repairs, sheet music, and other essential classroom needs.

In this episode, Shelley shares how a group of musicians came together in the wake of a global crisis, and how that mission has evolved over the past two decades as the need for music education funding has grown dramatically. We explore why music is far more than a “nice to have” in schools, and Shelley also reflects on the realities teachers face today — buying instruments out of their own pockets to rotating students through limited resources.

Shelley shares the moments that keep her committed to this work: seeing students light up when they pick up an instrument for the first time, and watching young musicians step onto a stage with confidence and joy.

Coni Rathbone, Of Counsel Attorney at VF Law, is a nationally recognized negotiator and deal-maker specializing in real estate transactions, opportunity zones, securities structuring, and complex business negotiations.

In this episode, Coni explains the evolving world of opportunity zone investing and what it means for communities, developers, and everyday investors. She also shares invaluable advice on the practical negotiation skills that help leaders achieve meaningful outcomes without sacrificing authenticity.