HERdacious

Let’s Get Comfortable Discussing Money 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Akasha Absher about ways women can advocate for their finances. Akasha emphasizes the relationship between money and decision making, reminding us that our power to make choices grows when our discomfort with talking about money diminishes. As we learn to break away from the taboo of money-talk in our personal and professional lives, Akasha urges us to become comfortable with financial conversations so that we can seize opportunities of financial growth when they present themselves. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Akasha Absher

Akasha Absher is the Chief Consulting Officer for Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, a national investment consulting firm exclusively focused on nonprofit organizations and philanthropic private clients. In her role, Akasha oversees efforts to create partnerships and craft platforms that allow for meaningful impact in the community. Passionate about education and women’s issues, Akasha holds strong experience working in the nonprofit sector by thinking through strategic investment resources that support each organization’s mission. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Perspective and bias shift of money 5:47
• Financial advocacy 11:08 
• How our money choices create change 14:40 
• Importance of financial discussion 16:00
• Where do we start? 21:00 
• Create goals 24:40
• Be intentional with money-talk 27:20
• Femme fact: The Social Contract 28:40

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• STEM for HER (nonprofit) 
• SEO (nonprofit) 
• Mint: Budget, Bills, & Finance Tracker (app) 
• Elevest (tool) 
• Money.com (news)
• Marketwatch.com (news)
• Secrets of Wealthy Women (podcast)

Link to show transcript here.

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog post “The Continuous Struggle With the Gender Pay Gap”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty. This presentation is for educational purposes only. Syntrinsic does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult with your legal, tax, and investment advisors regarding your personal situation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Follow Your Intuition and Get That Bread

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Jen Shultz about how following our instincts can lead to long-term career satisfaction. Jen emphasizes the importance of tuning into our intuition so we can take the next best step in breaking from career dissatisfaction. As we learn to trust ourselves and our intuition, Jen encourages us to seek financial stability in creative and, sometimes, untraditional ways to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Jen Shultz

Jen Shultz is the founder of The Non-Nine-to-Five, a company that coaches professionals who want to make the transition from employee to entrepreneur. After a teaching career at a New York City charter school, Jen found herself struggling with depression and anxiety due to dissatisfaction with her job. Seeking a career change - though still passionate about teaching - Jen founded The Non-Nine-to-Five where she is passionate about supporting professionals navigating career change. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Jen’s journey to The Non-Nine-to-Five 2:20
• 6 steps to The Non-Nine-to-Five life 5:52
• Trusting yourself 11:20
• Make money creatively 14:44
• Follow your instincts 18:01 
• Pitfalls of ignoring intuition 20:44
• The Next Best Step 23:30
• Femme fact: Women-only press conferences 25:30

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• The Number One Step to Staying with Your Business Mission by Jen Shultz (e-book *sign up at top of page*)
• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero (book) 
• StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath (book) 

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “Off the Beaten Path: Rethinking Your Career? | Verena Kallhoff, PhD”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

The Importance and the Process of Active Listening 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Amanda Cooper to discuss the benefits of active listening. Amanda emphasizes the importance of learning to listen intentionally so we can build confidence and develop our relationships. As demand for effective communication skills increases during this societal shift, Amanda helps us maximize our active listening practice to create opportunities for ourselves. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Amanda Cooper

Amanda Cooper is an innovative HR professional who is passionate about aiding other professionals in developing themselves to reach their full potential. With over eleven years of experience in supporting companies and top executives, Amanda currently works as the Human Resources Manager at OriGen Biomedical in Austin, Texas. She is dedicated to building long-term relationships in the workforce.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Active listening: What is it? 1:23
• Personal and professional impact 2:42
• DiSC assessment and communication 5:56 
• Gender differences when listening 8:10
• Tips for active listening 13:00
• To Feedback or not to feedback? 17:42
• Benefits of active listening 18:45
• Femme fact: Theodora-from-the-Brothel 24:10

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• How to Practice Active Listening by Arlin Cuncic (Article on Verywell Mind) 
• Active Listening 101: How to Turn Down Your Volume to Turn Up Your Communication Skills by Emilia Hardman (Book)
• DiSC assessment history (Article on DiSC profile)
• Free DiSC assessment (Personality test) 

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog post “20 Skill Building Sites You Need to Know” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Combating Self-Doubt with Mindfulness 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Gloria Chan Packer to discuss curbing self-doubt. Gloria emphasizes the importance of building resilience so we can confront failure and use it as a tool to progress professionally. As self-doubt widely disempowers pursuit of our ambitions, Gloria teaches us cognitive awareness techniques to build a practice of mindfulness.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Gloria Chan Packer 

Gloria Chan Packer is a mindfulness teacher, mental wellness expert, experienced corporate leader, and owner of Recalibrate. Recalibrate is a workplace mental wellness provider, focused on delivering science-based education and accessible tools for busy professionals. After several years working in the Fortune 500, Gloria faced the first-hand impacts of a high-stress work environment. Once Gloria learned about the scientific health benefits behind mindfulness, she founded Recalibrate to help people in the workforce build healthy mindsets in today’s high-stress society.  

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Building resilience 4:14 
• Negative effects of self-criticism 6:29 
• Confidence in taking risks 13:20 
• Mindfulness: What is it? 17:40
• Cognitive awareness benefits 20:30
• Beginning a mindfulness practice 31:35
• Intentional thoughts and feelings 35:56
• Femme fact: Women in Medicine 37:40

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Recalibrate (Corporate Mindfulness, Meditation & Mental Wellness) 
• Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life By Jon Kabat-Zinn (Book)
• Teach girls bravery, not perfection | Reshma Saujani (TedTalk)  

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “Banishing Perfectionism & the Imposter Syndrome | Darlene Templeton” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Professional Skills Development and Identifying Gaps 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Patricia V. Hayes to discuss developing the necessary skills for success. Patricia emphasizes the need to gain perspective on our current skill set, enabling us to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses. As we implement best practices in navigating our professional development, Patricia urges us to avoid stunting our progress through self-limitations and to own the skills we excel at, in order to be empowered leaders of the workforce.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Patricia V. Hayes, JD 

Patricia V. Hayes is an attorney and career coach for forward-thinking individuals and organizations. Patricia’s focus on complex problem solving, solution-oriented mindsets, and the big picture allows her to provide strategic advice to leaders. Along with professional mentoring, Patricia delivers career coaching to empower women. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Evaluating our skill set 1:21  
• Hard vs. soft skills 4:54
• Addressing the gaps and challenges 7:30 
• Common pitfalls 12:23
• Obstacles in women’s professional development 14:35
• Actionable steps to professional growth 20:34 
• Femme fact: Heraean Games 28:15

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• 5 Soft Skills Every Working Woman Needs | HERdacity (Blog post) 

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blog post “What is a SWOT Analysis and How Can it Help Your Career?” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Finding Peace of Mind During Quarantine 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Tara Levy to discuss finding peace amid the global Covid-19 pandemic. Tara emphasizes the importance of being receptive to change, acknowledging the magnitude of the situation, and granting ourselves peace in ambiguity. As we learn to navigate this historic moment, Tara helps us remember that we are not alone in adjusting to a quarantined lifestyle, and reminds us to embrace these challenges as a community. 

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Tara Levy, JD 

Tara Levy is an experienced consultant who enjoys asking questions, making connections, and solving puzzles with community-driven organizations. She has a knack for simultaneously seeing the forest and the trees, so she helps nonprofits navigate organizational challenges big and small. Her work can be described as capacity building, change management, and leadership continuity, but she sees it simply as helping organizations deliver on their missions. Tara is an attorney who lives in Austin, Texas. Currently, she is serving as the Board Chair of Between the Pages and as Interim Executive Director of HERdacity.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Finding normalcy through the pandemic 2:10  
• Relinquishing control 6:38 
• Pitfalls of working from home 10:55 
• Adjusting to the lifestyle change 15:22
• Moving forward optimistically 20:05 
• Maintaining peace of mind at home 25:35 
• Using time to our advantage 29:35
• Femme fact: Women in Ancient Egypt 31:16

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Medium (Publication for freelance writers/contributors/readers) 
• Generation Serve (Nonprofit dedicated to volunteerism)
• Fork Calligraphy (Art video on YouTube)
• How Can I Make a Team Work When I Can't Even Go To Work? By Tara Levy (Blog post for the University of Texas at Austin)

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blogpost “The Working (From Home) Woman’s Guide”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Energy Management and Maximization  

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Sierra Bailey to discuss understanding personal energy patterns in a way that maximizes success. Sierra identifies the moments where we struggle with low energy, helping us to streamline our schedules in ways that yield happiness, and align times of high-energy with responsibilities to optimize productivity.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez  
Co-host: Sierra Bailey 

Sierra Bailey is a podcaster, business strategist for talented, tiny business owners, and the creator of Doers Shakers Makers Network, an educational resource for talented, tiny business owners to set about accomplishing their business goals. Sierra became a business consultant after 15 years of running her own handmade jewelry business. She also built business expertise as a general manager, TV host, and board member for various non-profits. Now she utilizes her diverse experience to guide business owners toward success.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Understanding energy maximization 1:20  
• Types of energies 2:15
• Determining tasks we enjoy 9:13
• Task categories 10:25
• Processes for maximizing energy 17:23 
• Michael Hyatt exercise 20:08
• Protecting our time 25:10
• Energy levels at home vs. work 30:02
• Regimented scheduling 31:59 
• Outcomes of energy maximization 34:35
• Femme fact: Madam C.J. Walker 38:36

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• How to Better Control Your Time by Designing Your Ideal Week by Michael Hyatt

Link to show transcript here. 

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blogpost “Your Career Vision Board”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate our sponsors' support in making this show possible, herdacious content is curated with integrity and honesty.

Pathways Toward Burnout Avoidance and Recovery 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Sarah Argenal to discuss techniques for avoiding modern-day burnout. Sarah talks about garnering self-awareness about our limits, exploring potential solutions, then choosing the best options to thrive in our personal and professional lifestyles.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez
Co-host: Sarah Argenal, MA, CPC 

Sarah Argenal, MA, CPC, is the founder of the Argenal Institute which aims to eradicate the burnout epidemic plaguing working parents. Sarah hosts The Working Parent Resource Podcast, a podcast exploring the complexities of parenthood, and created the Whole SELF Lifestyle™ Method to teach parents how to fulfill their best lives without compromising the quality of home or work.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available): 

• Complexities of burnout 3:11
• Three contributors to burnout 4:00
• Effects on working women and moms 6:15
• Asking for help to lighten the load 10:32
• Modern-day hustle culture 12:17
• Solutions for burnout avoidance and recovery 14:42
• Understanding the S.E.L.F. method 16:53
• Femme fact: Taylor v. Louisiana 28:00

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Whole SELF Lifestyle™ Workbook by Sarah Argenal (Workbook)
• How Information Overload Affects the Brain
• Most People Think This Is A Smart Habit, But It’s Actually Brain-Damaging

Link to show transcript here.

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our webinar “Burning Out Won’t Get You There | Davida Ginter”

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate the support of our speakers and sponsors in making herdacious possible, our content has been curated with integrity and honesty.

Combating Fear and Finding Meaning in Crisis 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei chats with Jobi Weinstein to discuss managing fear in times of crisis. Jobi talks about coping with feelings of fear during the global coronavirus pandemic, as well as in everyday life. From avoiding thoughts of despair to manifesting positive and resilient reactions, Jobi teaches us how to control our narratives in the face of fear.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez 
Co-host: Jobi Weinstein, MA, LPC, LCDC 

Jobi Weinstein, MA, LPC, LCDC is a licensed professional clinician in private practice based in Austin, Texas. Jobi has a decade of experience working with individuals and families regarding substance use disorders and various mental health diagnoses.

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available): 

• Pollyanna thinking 2:30  
• Using fear in a healthy way 3:54 
• Immunizing against fear 7:07
• Mindfulness about our reactions 7:53
• Tips for avoiding a fear-induced mindset 8:39
• Finding meaning in crisis 16:53
• Constructing healthy narratives 18:20
• Trapped in negativity 20:46
• Changing the narrative from negative to positive 24:42
• Femme fact: Annie Edson Taylor 29:57

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (Book)
• Resilience now: Joan Borseynko at TEDxGrandRapids (Video)

Link to show transcript here.

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blogpost “Quarantine Journal of a Mad Extrovert” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate the support of our speakers and sponsors in making herdacious possible, our content has been curated with integrity and honesty.

Challenges Women of Color Face While Climbing the Ladder 

In this episode, herdacious host Lorelei Gonzalez chats with Diana Maldonado to discuss how women of color climb the professional ladder and building the relationships needed to do so. Diana talks about breaking away from the societal expectations set for Latina women, finding mentors to emulate, networking in vulnerable environments, and the benefits of diversity to an organization’s growth.

Host: Lorelei Gonzalez  
Co-host: Diana Maldonado

Diana Maldonado is the first Latina in Williamson county to be elected to the Texas Legislature and the first Latina school board president for Round Rock ISD. After her time in politics Diana transitioned to finance and now strives to help women of color in the industry gain professional opportunities. 

Things you will learn in this episode (chapter markers available):  

• Climbing the ladder as a woman of color 1:43  
• Handling vulnerability by building networks 6:00  
• Creating opportunities with diversity and inclusion 7:18
• Overcoming society’s expectations 9:04
• Navigating cultural barriers 14:11
• Starting to climb the ladder 17:09 
• Finding a mentor 19:10 
• Growing individually 20:43 
• Moving forward through challenges 23:23
• Developing support systems 25:08 
• Paying it forward 26:30
• Femme fact: Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun 30:02 

Resources mentioned in this episode:  

• Daring Greatly by Brené Brown (Book)
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (Non-profit organization)

Link to show transcript here

Episode sponsors:  

• HERdacity   
• Moonray 

Looking for additional resources on this topic? Check out our blogpost “All Girls Considered | Leadership Spotlight” 

Loved what you heard on herdacious and want to share with friends? Tag us and connect with HERdacity on social media:
Twitter: @herdacity
Facebook: @HERdacity
Instagram: @herdacity
LinkedIn: HERdacity 
Email: herdacious@herdacity(dot)org

For up to date information on HERdacity events, webinars, podcasts, and community activities, join our newsletter here. 

Disclaimer: While we appreciate the support of our speakers and sponsors in making herdacious possible, our content has been curated with integrity and honesty.

Support the show (http://herdacity.org/donate/)