Season 2 of Michelle’s Seat at the Table is here.

This season is all about honest conversations around leadership, growth, community, and the moments that shape us.

I’m returning with powerful stories and meaningful conversations about what it really means to lead — not just from a title or position, but from the heart.

Throughout Season 2, my guests and I explore the realities of stepping into new opportunities, finding your voice, showing up authentically, building confidence, creating access for others, and understanding the value you bring to every room you enter.

From conversations about readiness and authenticity to stories of action, allyship, access, sponsorship, and self-advocacy, this season invites you to reflect on your own leadership journey and the people you bring along with you.

Because leadership is not just about having a seat.

It is about making room for others, pulling up a chair, and knowing there is a seat here for you.

Join me, Michelle Radney, for Season 2 of Michelle’s Seat at the Table.

Watch on YouTube and listen on your favorite podcast platform.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6HwyIcb9egPtoIf5wY3Ww

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/michelles-seat-at-the-table/id1872161528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bIHgm7wc33ca27HC7zIK1?si=a392e5d069184b40

In this episode of Michelle’s Seat at the Table, I sit down with Julie Dinkins, MBA — a healthcare leader, leadership strategist, mentor, and author of The Company Compass: Workplace Truths and Realities You’re Never Told.

Julie and I talk about the unspoken rules of the workplace, the importance of career visibility, and why performance alone is not always enough. She shares how being a proud military brat shaped her ability to adapt, stay agile, and lead in complex environments.

We also discuss the pivotal career moment that changed the trajectory of her professional life, her journey to becoming an author, and why mentorship, advocacy, networking, and having a personal board of directors are so important for professional growth.

This conversation is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader, build confidence, strengthen their network, protect themselves professionally, and learn how to move through the workplace with wisdom, integrity, and purpose.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The unspoken rules of the workplace
• The power of agility and adaptability in leadership
• Julie’s career turning point in market access and healthcare
• Why performance is only the cost of entry
• How to build visibility and advocacy at work
• The importance of having a personal board of directors
• How to navigate workplace sabotage professionally
• Why your network is your net worth
• Julie’s journey to writing The Company Compass
• What it means to have a seat at the table today

Guest: Julie Dinkins, MBA
Book: The Company Compass: Workplace Truths and Realities You’re Never Told
Company Website: www.thecompanycompass.com
TikTok: @julie_thecompanycompass
Instagram: @julie_thecompanycompass
YouTube: @julie_thecompanycompass
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdinkins3136634

Connect with Michelle’s Seat at the Table:

Instagram: instagram.com/michelles_seatatthetable
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/michelles-seat-at-the-table/id1872161528
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5bIHgm7wc33ca27HC7zIK1?si=c8f17ab64e1e4770&nd=1&dlsi=939c4a22f3b34365
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/cfb2dcf6-f295-4ae7-9645-427a5aa5409e/michelle’s-seat-at-the-table
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelleradney

Subscribe to Michelle’s Seat at the Table for more honest conversations about leadership, career growth, professional development, mentorship, community, purpose, and the moments that shape us.

The most important conversations don’t always happen in the boardroom. They happen right here at the table.

— Michelle Radney

EP 10 - Season One Finale and Recap, Lessons on Belonging and Leadership

Get ready for a powerful recap of season one of Michelle Radney’s podcast, where she shares pivotal insights about readiness, authenticity, courage, and the power of community at the table. Whether you've listened to all episodes or are just catching up, this summary distills key lessons to elevate your leadership journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Readiness is a decision, not a feeling - make the leap.
• Authenticity fuels real connection and leadership.
• Courage manifests in small, consistent actions, especially when pursuing what you love.
• Mindfulness is strategic, influencing leadership effectiveness.
• Removing titles allows for authentic identity and potential.
• Sponsorship, often overlooked, is essential for advancement—everyone should seek or offer it.
• Negotiation skills can be developed, and everyone deserves to assert their value confidently.

Season 1 Guests: Chef Angie Shaghaghi; Michael O'Brien; Suezette Yasim Robotham; Kimberly Hairston-Kicks; Marsha Speed

Resources & Links:

• Michelle Radney on LinkedIn
• Michelle's Season One Podcast 

Connect with Michelle:

• Instagram
• Email: [email protected]

Join me for this week for PART 2 featuring Marsha Speed, Vice President of Sales at Fisher Scientific Industrial segment directly negotiating contracts and driving strategic initiatives.  

In this episode, we explore effective negotiation techniques with a focus on salary discussions, career growth, and financial literacy. Whether you're negotiating a job offer, a raise, or discussing investments, these insights will help you advocate confidently and professionally.

Driven by a deep passion for financial literacy, Marsha is dedicated to helping others develop and increase their knowledge in this area. 

Don’t miss the rapid-fire round at the end!

Tune in for:

• The importance of pausing and asking strategic questions during negotiations
• How to articulate your value and align it with the company's goals
• Beyond salary: negotiating benefits such as remote work and stock options
• The significance of financial literacy, including stocks and retirement planning
• Tips for building confidence and self-promoting without sounding boastful
• How principles of negotiation apply across industries, from healthcare to real estate

Share your questions or insights: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: michelles_seatatthetable

Follow me on LinkedIn: Michelle Radney 

About today's guest, Marsha Speed:

Marsha is the North America Sales Vice President for the Industrial segment at Fisher Scientific.  She joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2019 as an Industry Director, directly negotiating contracts and driving strategic initiatives that supported customer research, quality, and chemical laboratories.

Marsha brings over 30 years of experience in leadership and team-building. Her career includes more than 25 years at Grainger Industrial Supply, where she held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, before joining Fisher Scientific.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, and an MBA with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

LinkedIn: Marsha Speed 

Join me for this week’s episode (part 1) featuring Marsha Speed, Vice President of Sales at Fisher Scientific Industrial segment directly negotiating contracts and driving strategic initiatives.  

The conversation explores the art of negotiation and financial literacy, highlighting the challenges and strategies for successful negotiation. It also delves into the gender differences in negotiation and provides practical tips for salary negotiation and job offers.

Driven by a deep passion for financial literacy, Marsha is dedicated to helping others develop and increase their knowledge in this area. 

Don’t miss the rapid-fire round at the end!

Takeaways:

• Financial literacy is crucial for personal and professional success
• Negotiation involves asking questions, understanding market intelligence, and considering non-monetary benefits

Share your questions or insights: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: michelles_seatatthetable

Follow me on LinkedIn: Michelle Radney 

About today's guest, Marsha Speed:

Marsha is the North America Sales Vice President for the Industrial segment at Fisher Scientific.  She joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2019 as an Industry Director, directly negotiating contracts and driving strategic initiatives that supported customer research, quality, and chemical laboratories.

Marsha brings over 30 years of experience in leadership and team-building. Her career includes more than 25 years at Grainger Industrial Supply, where she held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, before joining Fisher Scientific.

LinkedIn: Marsha Speed 

Join me for this week’s episode featuring Kimberly Hairston-Hicks, an award-winning marketing executive and the current Chief Marketing Officer at Gold Bond.

Kimberly shares her inspiring journey through the beauty industry, the importance of mentorship, and her efforts to empower women of color through beauty and wellness. Discover her career insights, mentorship stories, and tips for building meaningful professional relationships.

Don’t miss the rapid-fire round at the end!

Tune in for:

The role of mentorship and sponsorship in career development

Building a brand and supporting women of color

Strategies for establishing and fostering mentor-mentee relationships

Kimberly's career in the beauty industry

Share your questions or insights: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: michelles_seatatthetable

Follow me on LinkedIn: Michelle Radney 

About today's guest, Kimberly Hairston-Hicks:

Kimberly Hairston-Hicks is an award-winning C-suite marketing executive with 20 years of global beauty industry experience. Before joining Sanofi, she was building a new approach to beauty by shifting how the industry prioritizes the underrepresented multicultural consumer for Combs Enterprises. 

Kimberly's leadership roles have spanned across renowned companies, including Coty, L'Oreal and The Coca-Cola Company. She also served as the Chief Marketing Officer for a multicultural hair-care portfolio backed by L. CATTERTON COMPANY.

Guest Links:

LinkedIn: Kimberly Hairston Hicks

Instagram: good beaute and  the_pause_journey

TikTok: @thepausejourney 

The conversation explores the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth, highlighting the impact of sponsorship, peer mentorship, and the role of mentorship as a career GPS. It also addresses the uneven access to mentorship and sponsorship, the timing for seeking mentorship and sponsorship, and provides tips for building strong connections with mentors and sponsors.

Takeaways

• Importance of mentorship and sponsorship
• Mentors guide — they help you know what to do.
• Sponsors advocate — they help you get opportunities.
• Both are essential, but they serve distinct roles.

Share your questions or insights: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: michelles_seatatthetable

Join me for this week's episode, featuring Suezette Yasmin Robotham, visionary tech executive, speaker, coach, thought leader and author of Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self.

Suzette shares her experiences in writing her book 'Beyond Titles' and the challenges she faced along the way. The discussion also delves into the impact of workplace culture on mental health and the significance of authentic leadership in fostering a supportive environment.

Don’t miss the rapid-fire round at the end!

Takeaways

·         Rejection can lead to better opportunities if you stay open.

·         Code switching affects more people than we think in the workplace.

·         Mental health issues in the workplace have a bottom line revenue impact.

·         Organizations that embrace authenticity see better performance.

·         Building trust requires showing your true self at work.

Share your questions or insights: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: michelles_seatatthetable

For more information and to contact today's guest, Suezette Yasmin Robotham:

Website: www.suezette.com

LinkedIn: Suezette Yasmin Robotham

Instagram: @suezette

Join me for this week's episode, featuring Michael O’Brien, Executive Coach, Meditation Teacher, Speaker, Avid Cyclist, and Best-selling Author of “Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows”; “My Last Bad Day”, as well as co-author of “The 5 Levels of Male Allyship”.

In our discussion, we explore resilience, leadership, personal growth, and the importance of fostering inclusive environments at work and at home.

Michael shares his transformative journey, including the near-death and life-altering accident he experienced, which led him to adopt a mindset of resilience and mindfulness. We also discuss the role of mindfulness in effective leadership.

Don’t miss the rapid-fire round at the end!

Takeaways

• Leadership is not just about pulling up your own chair; it’s about ensuring others have a place at the table.
• Michael emphasizes the importance of creating space for mindfulness in leadership.
• He advocates for changing workplace culture to be more inclusive and supportive.
• Personal experiences, even traumatic ones can reshape our perspective and our leadership abilities.

To email me regarding this podcast: [email protected]

For more information and to contact Michael O’Brien:

www.michaelobrienshift.com

Substack: Milkshakes with Michael

LinkedIn: Michael O'Brien

Join me for an inspiring conversation with competitive chef, author, instructor and business owner Angie Shaghaghi! She opens up about her personal journey and the founding of her company Creative Cooks, and writing her first cookbook, Join my Table.

Chef Angie shares her exciting experiences in the culinary world, including competing on the Food Network and being judged by Gordon Ramsay. She also talks about working alongside culinary stars like Rachael Ray, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Jeff Mauro.

Tune in to hear Chef Angie's insights on resilience, the power of networking, and how cooking connects us all. Plus, don't miss the fun rapid-fire round at the end!

Follow Chef Angie on Instagram @chefangieshaghaghi; on Facebook @The Creative Cook or her website www.creative-cooks.com; Cookbook: Join my Table (SOLD OUT)

Key Takeaways:

• Cooking can be a healing process and a way to connect with others.
• Starting a business often comes from personal experiences and challenges.
• Competing in cooking competitions and in life takes grit & resilience. 
• Don't be afraid to ask for what you want; you might be surprised by the responses.
• Networking and connections are crucial for success.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Table

02:29 The Birth of Creative Cooks

06:08 Writing a Cookbook

08:59 How I raised $40,000

10:52 Competing on Cooking Shows

15:35 Defining Moments in Leadership

17:40 Networking and Building Connections

19:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

#SeatattheTable #JoinMyTable #CookingWithHeart #ChefLife #FoodForThought #HealingThroughCooking #Community #Inspiration #Foodie #CulinaryJourney #HomeCooking #CreativeCook #GetYourHandsDirty #ChefAngie #Inspiration #FoodCulture #LifeSkills #CookingClasses #FoodCommunity #CulinaryAdventures #KitchenInspiration