Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

By Betsy FlemingSociety & CultureDocumentaryBusinessCareers
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Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas episodes

  • Sherri Chisholm

    Leading from the heart--what it is and how to do it--is the

    central theme of this conversation with Sherri Chisholm, Executive Director of Leading on Opportunity in Charlotte.

    Curious, intense, candid, vulnerable and fun, Sherri exemplifies the courage, conviction and groundedness it takes to be truly authentic as a leader.

    She shares how her childhood of hanging drywall and using power tools taught her the value of hard work.

    She also talks about making the hard choice to leave corporate consulting to follow her calling. 

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the

    web www.cressence.co. 

    Find Sherri on Instagram @opportunityclt,

    LinkedIn@Sherri-Chisholm

    or the web https://www.leadingonopportunity.org/.

    56 min
  • Andrea Smith

    This episode is a masterclass in how to succeed with

    authenticity and integrity, even at the highest levels of corporate America.
    From her modest small-town upbringing to becoming the highest ranking woman at Bank of America, Andrea Smith's career and impact have spanned corporate banking and HR, economic development, nonprofit management and professional sports.

    Andrea possesses a confidence and clarity that is both humbling and

    captivating. She discusses her drive for fairness, her take on networking, her
    perspective on when to say yes (and no) to professional opportunities, and her love of Maya Angelou.

    There are so many tips for being kick-ass, so be prepared

    to take notes! 

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co

    LinkedIn @BetsyFleming

    or the web www.cressence.co. 

    Find Andrea on LinkedIn @andrea-smith-5607081b5/

    1 hr 10 min
  • Sarah Moriarty

    With a captivating Irish brogue and audacious "let's see" approach to risk, Sarah Moriarty shares stories of a multi-countried and multi-cultural life. Arriving in Charleston in 2021 and now serving as Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival, she talks about the challenges and joys of culture shock, the healing power of nature and the unexpected connections between Charleston, Dublin and Berlin.

    Sarah also speaks intimately about the power of simple words of affirmation and how even the tiniest of children can be role models.

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co,  LinkedIn @BetsyFleming or the web www.cressence.co.

    Find Sarah on LinkedIn @sarahpmoriarty or the web www.charlestonliteraryfestival.com. 

    50 min
  • Janeen Bryant

    In this vulnerable, powerful episode, Janeen Bryant reflects on

    kick-ass women as healers, warriors and outlaws across generations. Educator, facilitator, entrepreneur, and currently Executive Director of Community Building Initiative in Charlotte, Janeen shares how a dog named Fatback taught her about love, loyalty and loss, and how her purpose as connector is rooted in family
    reunions run by her grandmothers. She talks about how "sometimes you need someone to speak life into you" as well as the importance of giving
    yourself permission to show up differently. 

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, the web www.cressence.co or LinkedIn @BetsyFleming. 

     Find Janeen on Instagram @cbicharlotte, the web www.cbicharlotte.org or

    LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/janeen-bryant-facmov

    1 hr 5 min
  • Michel Stone

    Award-winning author of 3 novels, The Iguana Tree (2012), Border

    Child (2017) and the forthcoming Fig Days (2027),
    Michel Stone's storytelling is deeply rooted in the distinct people and place of SC's Lowcountry.

    In this episode, Michel talks about turning our kryptonite

    into our superpower, how kindness and vulnerability are critical aspects of
    kick-assery, and the power that comes from having good friends who ask the hard questions. 

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co,

    the web www.cressence.co or LinkedIn @BetsyFleming. 

     Find Michel on

    Instagram @michel.stone.writes or the web www.michelstone.com


    52 min
  • Audra Toussaint

    Get ready for a "run through the sprinkler!"

    Audra Toussaint, Director of Support at Orijin, a public benefits corporation dedicated to providing educational tablets to incarcerated individuals, serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Umbrella Center Foundation, where she is working to establish a Family Justice Center in Mecklenburg County, NC.

    A domestic violence survivor, Audra shares how she moved from victim to survivor and thriver, discusses the power of vulnerability and forgiveness, and considers the gifts that imperfect parents offer their children.

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming and the web www.cressence.co.

    Find Audra on LinkedIn @audra toussaint, mba and through www.umbrellacenter.org.


    50 min
  • Monique Perry-Graves

    Monique Perry-Graves is a model for being both bold and intentionally self-reflective.

    The first statewide Executive Director for Teach for America North Carolina and now new CEO of Road to Hire, Dr. Graves speaks to the powerful combination of high expectations and support, the potency of boldly seeking out and asking for what you want, and her clarity of purpose--Lift.

    She shares how risk is relative and how the Carolinas set the standard for community collaboration. 

    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, LinkedIn @BetsyFleming and the web www.cressence.co. 


    Find Monique on LinkedIn @monique-perry-graves and through www.roadtohire.org. 

    49 min
  • Laura Yates Clark

    The willingness to speak truth to power grounds this conversation with Laura Yates Clark, currently President of the Foundation for the Carolinas. Community-builder and change-maker in Charlotte NC, Laura discusses the importance of women supporting women, the risks and rewards of navigating uncharted waters as a leader, and how a good laugh always lightens her load. Join us now for this kick-ass conversation!


    Find us on Instagram @cressence.co, the web www.cressence.co or LinkedIn @BetsyFleming.

    Find Laura on LinkedIn @Laura Yates Clark. 

    52 min
  • Introducing: Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

    Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas features dynamic, deeply connecting conversations with phenomenal women who are reshaping the narrative of success for women and girls of the Carolinas. Betsy Fleming, South Carolina native, museum director, college president and executive coach, dives in with these powerhouse women to understand how they navigate work and life on their own terms, with authenticity and without apology.  Tune in to discover new role models and gain inspiration. 

    3 min

About Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas

From the publisher's feed

Kick-Ass Women of the Carolinas features dynamic, deeply connecting conversations with phenomenal women who are reshaping the narrative of success for women and girls of the Carolinas. Betsy Fleming,…