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In this short of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice Becker and guest Sheryl Hauk dive into the profound impact of using your voice to share personal stories, highlighting its crucial role in a healing journey. We discuss how embracing self healing can help individuals navigate "trauma response" and foster significant  personal growth. This conversation underscores the importance of speaking out as a trauma survivor. 

Watch the full episode here https://youtu.be/z5t0Awti_o0
Guest:
Sheryl Hauk
Author, Speaker, Choral Director
Book: Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity
Website: sherylhauk.com

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 Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
 https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

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💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

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In this episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice sits down with Sheryl Hauk to talk about what it really looks like to lead after trauma and reclaim your voice.

Sheryl spent more than four decades building a successful career as a choral director and leader while quietly carrying a story she wasn’t telling. At 50, she made the decision to break that silence and share her truth, not just for herself, but for others who may be living in that same space between success and silence.

This conversation explores how trauma can exist alongside achievement, how high-functioning women often learn to perform strength, and what happens when you finally decide to use your voice differently. They talk about leadership, identity, and the shift from surviving to living with intention and truth.

Sheryl also shares insights from her book, Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, and how creativity became a tool for healing and rebuilding.

This episode is especially relevant for women leaders and entrepreneurs who are navigating leadership while carrying personal experiences that have shaped who they are, and are ready to step into a more authentic version of themselves.

Guest:
 Sheryl Hauk
 Author, Speaker, Choral Director
 Book: Piece by Piece: A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity
 Website: sherylhauk.com

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

🚀 Skool Community (Rebel Rising) — join free:
 https://www.skool.com/rebel-rising-1843

Connect with Janice!
 Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
 https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-rebel-unplugged/id1794827623

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On this episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice sits down with guest, Melinda Jackson, Founder of Melinda Jackson PR as they dive into the real struggles faced by women in business, particularly as female founders. The conversation highlights the pervasive founder stress among entrepreneurs, with many expressing feelings of being overwhelmed. We also touch on the aversion to traditional pitching events, revealing a common sentiment among those navigating the startup world. 🚀

Melinda shares her journey from entertainment PR to building her own firm, and how burnout forced her to rethink how she was showing up in both business and life. They get into the pressure founders are under, the intrusive thoughts that come with burnout, and why so many women feel like they’re doing it alone.

They also talk about building real community, navigating imposter syndrome, and what PR really is and is not. From brand consistency to pitching yourself, this is a real conversation about visibility, leadership, and doing it in a way that’s sustainable.

If you’re a woman leader or entrepreneur trying to grow without burning out, this one will hit.

Guest:
Melinda Jackson
Founder, Melinda Jackson Public Relations
Podcast: Unhinged Founder
Website: https://www.melindajacksonpr.com

Instagram: @melindajacksonpr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindajacksonpr/

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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Connect with Janice!
Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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In this episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice sits down with Amber Barkoukis, Executive Director of Embracing Futures, to talk about what it really looks like to move from corporate America into nonprofit leadership. Amber shares her journey from planning large-scale corporate events to stepping into a mission-driven role that is directly impacting families and communities.

This conversation goes beyond the highlight reel and gets into what that transition truly requires, understanding the landscape, evaluating organizations before you join them, and making sure purpose and practicality align. Amber opens up about how her corporate background shaped her leadership style, why structure and systems still matter in nonprofit work, and how partnerships and collaboration are key to long-term sustainability.

Janice and Amber also talk about leadership, culture, and what it looks like to lead in a women-led organization. From work-life balance to empathetic leadership, this episode highlights how strong communication, trust, and support systems create an environment where teams can thrive. They also dive into the realities of nonprofit work, breaking the misconception that passion replaces pay, and what leaders should consider before making the leap.

If you’re a leader or entrepreneur thinking about pivoting into more purpose-driven work, or you’re already navigating that shift, this episode gives you a real look at what it takes to lead, build, and create impact in a different space.

Guest:
Amber Barkoukis
Executive Director, Embracing Futures

Website: https://www.embracingfuturesinc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbracingFutures
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-genet-barkoukis/

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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Connect with Janice!
Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

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On this episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice sits down with Debbie Weiss, bestselling author, speaker, and host of the Maybe I Can podcast. They dive into the journey of self discovery and how it's never too late to reimagine your life. Debbie offers inspiration and guidance for personal growth, valuable "life lessons", and emphasizes a positive "mindset" at any stage. 

Debbie shares her story of becoming a caregiver at just 17, spending decades putting everyone else first, and hitting a breaking point at 50 where she knew something had to change.

What looked like a successful life on the outside was masking exhaustion, burnout, and a complete loss of self. Debbie opens up about what it really takes to rebuild after years of caregiving, how to shift your mindset, and why small, consistent actions matter more than big, overwhelming goals. From starting with something as simple as showing up for herself each week, to completely transforming her health, mindset, and purpose, her journey is a powerful reminder that change does not have to happen all at once.

Janice and Debbie also talk about leadership, identity, and what it looks like to rediscover who you are when you’ve spent years prioritizing everyone else. This conversation is especially relevant for women leaders and entrepreneurs who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next, and need a reminder that it is never too late to choose yourself and create something new.

Guest:
Debbie Weiss
Bestselling Author, Speaker, Podcast Host
Books: On Second Thought, Maybe I Can and The Sprinkle Effect
Podcast: Maybe I Can Podcast
Website: https://www.debbierweiss.com/

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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Connect with Janice!
Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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Tomorrow on Media Rebel Unplugged Janice talks with Lauren Kwedar-Cockerell, founder and president of Kwedar & Co., about the challenges of being a mom and entrepreneur. Lauren was let go from her job at eight months pregnant and decided to take on the role of business owner! Don't miss her inspiring story.

Subscribe so you don't miss this conversation!

Guest:
Lauren Kwedar Cockerell
Founder and President, Kwedar & Co.
Website: https://www.kwedarco.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-impatient-entrepreneur/id1697334800

 Instagram: @kwedarco
 Personal Instagram: @melindagale
 Podcast: The Impatient Entrepreneur
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

🚀 Skool Community (Rebel Rising) — join free:
 https://www.skool.com/rebel-rising-1843

Connect with Janice!
 Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
 https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-rebel-unplugged/id1794827623


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In this episode, Janice is joined by Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, founder and president of Kwedar & Co., for an honest conversation about resilience, motivation, and what it really takes to keep the motivation as an entrepreneur. 

Lauren shares how being laid off at eight months pregnant became the unexpected start of her entrepreneurial journey, and how she turned a difficult season into the foundation for a thriving business.

Lauren opens up about the power of starting over, the importance of having mentors and a strong support system, and what it looks like to keep going when things feel uncertain. She and Janice talk about the reality of entrepreneurship, the loneliness that can come with it, and why resilience is less about having it all figured out and more about continuing to get back up.

They also get into the emotional side of leadership, processing hard moments, journaling through challenges, and learning not to let difficult seasons define you. Lauren shares the mindset that has helped carry her through some of her biggest pivots: this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, I just don’t know how yet. It’s a conversation full of real perspective for women leaders and entrepreneurs who are building something meaningful while navigating life in real time.

Guest:
Lauren Kwedar Cockerell
Founder and President, Kwedar & Co.
Website: https://www.kwedarco.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-impatient-entrepreneur/id1697334800

 Instagram: @kwedarco
 Personal Instagram: @melindagale
 Podcast: The Impatient Entrepreneur
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/


Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com


🚀 Skool Community (Rebel Rising) — join free:
 https://www.skool.com/rebel-rising-1843


Connect with Janice!
 Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
 https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-rebel-unplugged/id1794827623


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In this episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice sits down with Dr. Merideth Thompson to talk about what it really looks like to lead while navigating difficult personal seasons and how to date intentionally. From relationship challenges to self trust and major life decisions, this conversation highlights the reality many high-performing women are carrying behind the scenes.

Merideth shares insight on how personal experiences can impact leadership, confidence, and decision making. They talk about recognizing when something is no longer working, what it takes to rebuild self trust after staying too long, and how women can keep leading while their personal life feels uncertain.

This episode is especially relevant for women leaders and entrepreneurs who are balancing leadership with real life challenges and trying to move forward with more clarity, peace, and confidence.

Guest:
 Dr. Merideth Thompson
 Professor of Management, Utah State University
 Founder, Partner Lab
 Website: https://www.mypartnerlab.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merideth-j-thompson/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@merideththompsonphd

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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Connect with Janice!
 Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
 https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial

📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial
💼 LinkedIn: / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com

🌐 media-rebel.net
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged
💼 LinkedIn: / media-rebel

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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Janice sits down with Limor Bergman Gross to talk about the guilt so many women leaders carry, at work, at home, and in the pressure to do it all well. They get into how guilt shows up in leadership, why so many women set unrealistic expectations for themselves, and how prioritizing, asking for help, and letting go of perfection can make a real difference. This conversation is honest, practical, and especially relevant for high-performing women navigating leadership, motherhood, mental health, and the constant pull of competing priorities.

This conversation is especially powerful for high-performing women who are carrying pressure, responsibility, and the weight of always being the strong one. Limor shares insight on leadership, guilt, and what it looks like to lead with more honesty and self-awareness.

Guest:
Limor Bergman Gross
Owner and Executive Leadership Coach, LBG Consulting Services Ltd.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/

Podcast: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman

Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com/

Connect with Janice Becker:

Beacons: https://beacons.ai/janicebecker

Retreat: http://www.rebelrisingretreat.com

Book: http://www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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In this impactful episode of Media Rebel Unplugged, Janice Becker explores with Dr. Melanie Gray how rebuilding confidence after trauma is essential for effective leadership and fostering a healthy business mindset. They dive deep into the intersection of trauma and leadership, highlighting how unresolved trauma can influence communication, workplace culture, and personal growth for women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Listeners will gain insights into trauma-informed leadership practices that create emotionally safe workplaces where resilience and confidence can thrive. Janice and Dr. Gray also discuss the lasting impact of trauma on business mindset, leadership styles, and team dynamics, particularly in the evolving landscape shaped by COVID-19.

Through their honest conversation, you'll discover the importance of healing, self-reflection, mentorship, and positive self-talk in not just recovering from trauma but transforming it into strength. Whether you're a woman entrepreneur rebuilding confidence or a leader committed to nurturing a supportive work environment, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement to reshape your leadership journey and mindset for success.

Topics covered include trauma in the workplace, trauma-informed leadership, healing and growth after trauma, workplace wellness, and the role of mentorship and forgiveness in personal and professional development.

Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray at drmelaniegray.com and share this episode with anyone looking to rebuild confidence and embrace trauma-informed leadership in their entrepreneurial journey.

Connect with Dr. Melanie Gray:
 drmelaniegray.com

Grab Janice's book 👉 www.rebelrisingwithin.com

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Connect with Janice!
Janice Becker – Founder & CEO of Media Rebel
https://beacons.ai/janicebeckerofficial
📸 Instagram: @janicebeckerofficial 
💼 LinkedIn:   / janicembecker

🌐 Website: www.mediarebelunplugged.com
🌐 media-rebel.net  
📸 Instagram: @mediarebeldigital  
📘 Facebook: @mediarebelnet  
🎥 YouTube: @mediarebelunplugged  
💼 LinkedIn:   / media-rebel

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