What if the smartest career move you could make is intentionally climbing DOWN the corporate ladder?

In this episode, Blakely and Heather sit down with Alden Hultgren, a tech executive and founder of the Conscious Leadership Collective who made a radical choice: she's not stepping down—she's creating a new ladder. Alden chose wellness over titles and discovered that "creating a life you don't have to heal from" is the ultimate success metric.

This conversation includes a live breathwork session, real talk about chronic stress and burnout, and permission to redefine success on your own terms. Plus: Heather reports live from Dreamforce, everyone discovers they've been breathing backwards their whole lives, and Clay gets kicked out of an anniversary dinner.

In this episode, Alden reveals:

• The moment she realized she needed to “climb” down the corporate ladder (and why it was the right decision)

• What "creating a life you don't have to heal from" really means

• The physiological sigh: a 3-breath technique to reset your nervous system anywhere, anytime

• Why breathwork in the boardroom could change corporate culture

• How to shift from being a victim to the corporate world to being the creator of your life

• What the Conscious Leadership Collective offers to high-achieving professionals who want both success AND wellness

LINKS & MENTIONS

• Conscious Leadership Collective: Join the waitlist at thealdeneffect.com/conscious-leadership/

• For 1:1 coaching with Alden: Visit thealdeneffect.com 

• Dreamforce 2025 by @salesforce

• Saysh Shoes

• Ozone IV Therapy: Mentioned as treatment for chronic fatigue/Epstein-Barr

• Huberman Lab: Physiological sigh research

  
  

New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/ and we’ll tackle it on an upcoming episode.

What happens when a nurse practitioner gets quoted $1 million for software and told "that's cute" when she says she'll build it herself? She teaches herself to code in 100 hours and launches a SaaS company.

SaaS founder Stephanie Betters joins Blakely and Heather to share how she rage-coded Left Main CRM—now a high-growth company and Salesforce partner—in just three months. Drawing from their combined 20+ years at conferences, the trio goes beyond Stephanie's inspiring story to tackle the awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe situations nobody talks about at industry events.

In this episode, Stephanie reveals:

• Stephanie's journey from cardiothoracic nurse practitioner to SaaS founder

• How she taught herself to code and built a CRM in 100 hours

• Why she's a believer in the Salesforce Ohana community

• Why she never drinks when traveling solo

  
  

We also cover practical conference tips including:

• Why you should never wear heels (and which sneaker brand to try)

• How to handle "the name blank" when someone remembers you but you don't remember them

• Why companies should never make employees share hotel rooms

• Safety strategies for elevators, Ubers, and late-night situations

• Why drinking boundaries change when you move from subordinate to leader

  
  

This is the honest, vulnerable conversation about conferences that nobody's having—but everyone needs to hear. Whether you're headed to your first conference or your twentieth, this episode will help you navigate the sticky situations with confidence and stay safe while building meaningful connections.

LINKS & MENTIONS

• Stephanie Betters on LinkedIn

• @stephbetters on Instagram

• Left Main REI - CRM for Real Estate Investors

• Dreamforce 2025 by @salesforce

• Saysh - Website

• @bysaysh on Instagram by Allyson Felix

• How We Got There podcast hosted by Mike Davis

  
  

New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

We want to hear YOUR sticky situations! Share your story at https://notall.biz/ and we’ll tackle it on an upcoming episode.

What happens when the hustle that got you promoted becomes the obstacle keeping you from leading well? Brand strategist Cindy Frigard has spent decades helping leaders navigate this exact transition—and she learned most of her lessons the hard way.

In this conversation, Cindy breaks down the seven critical mindset shifts every leader needs to make when they level up: from delegation to staying silent in uncomfortable moments, from raising the bar without pissing people off to understanding that feeling like an imposter doesn't mean you don't belong.

Blakely shares the raw story of how she became CEO—a moment that involved her co-founder in a ball on the floor, tears at a corporate retreat, and Cindy's gentle intervention that helped her step into leadership. It's messy, vulnerable, and proof that even confident leaders need someone in their corner asking the hard questions.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The dramatic corporate retreat moment when Blakely became CEO

• Why delegating feels like weakness (and why it's actually strength)

• How to raise standards without alienating your team

• The power of the pause: why silence is sometimes the answer

• High-functioning codependency and why women apologize for everything

• Why being strong doesn't mean being selfless

• Cindy Frigard / Yours, Truly

• Terri Cole on High-Functioning Codependency

• Viktor Frankl / Stephen Covey quote on stimulus and response

• Tara Brach

• Brené Brown

• Jon Batiste

New episodes every week.

Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

We want your sticky situations! Leave us a note or voicemail at ⁠⁠https://notall.biz/⁠⁠.

It’s Casual Friday at Not All Business! Producer Clay takes over and turns the spotlight on Blakely and Heather, who share their personal stories and the path that led to Not All Business.From their first jobs (janitor, A&W carhop, and Apple Store genius) to running successful companies, they reveal the real story behind their friendship. It all started with a mutual friend's introduction and a three-hour lunch that neither wanted to end—a conversation so good it sparked the idea for this podcast.In this personal episode, they explore the challenges of being a female leader in business, the extreme loneliness of being a CEO, and why there needs to be a space for honest conversations about the sticky situations we're all too afraid to ask about.In this episode, Blakely and Heather reveal:- What inspired them to launch Not All Business- The loneliness of being a CEO and not knowing the "code"- Why women face different challenges navigating business situations- How to handle sticky workplace situations you're too afraid to ask aboutPlus, they're inviting listeners to send in their own sticky situations for future episodes. Because sometimes the best business advice comes from creating a space where you can admit what you don't know.LINKS & MENTIONSSubmit your sticky situations: https://notall.biz/Voice message: https://notall.biz/home#situationsEmail: [email protected] episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when leaders are so overwhelmed they default to "lazy leadership" behaviors? Julie Holunga, fractional leadership and culture partner, has seen it firsthand—and she's here to fix it.

In this episode, Julie breaks down the communication habits that undermine even well-intentioned leaders. From her memorable networking encounter that bonded her friendship with Heather to her five (and a half)-step framework that transforms difficult conversations, this episode is packed with immediately actionable advice.

In this episode, Julie reveals:

• The "lazy leadership" trap that's destroying workplace culture

• Multitasking doesn't work (even for Gen Z)

• Her five (and a half)-step feedback framework that actually works

• The declarative communication style that creates equal status

• Why saying "just" undermines your authority

• The menopause-at-work conversation we're all avoiding

  
  

Creator of the Trusted Voice Paradigm™ and featured in Forbes Coaches Council, Julie's approach is simple: Be kind, be present, and stop making excuses for rushed leadership. Whether you're giving feedback to a chronically late employee or trying to show up authentically in meetings, Julie's insights will change how you communicate at work.

LINKS & MENTIONS

• Julie Holunga on LinkedIn

• Julie's Website

• Julie on YouTube

• Julie's TED Talk: "Don't Let Your Words Sabotage Your Career"

• Email Like a Boss Poster

New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when the company values posted on the wall don't match the leadership walking the halls?

Corporate communications veteran Molly Keveney spent three decades helping companies define their purpose and values—then watched her own CEO fail the test when it mattered most.

In this raw conversation, Molly shares the personal story that changed everything: how she trusted her boss with a family tragedy, only to have that vulnerability used against her in a performance review. It's a masterclass in what NOT to do as a leader, and why authentic culture work starts at the top.

In This Episode:

- A personal crisis that revealed leadership's true values- How to have honest conversations during organizational change

- The meeting after the meeting problem—and how to solve it- Why treating employees like family and kids like employees works

- The death of work-life balance and rise of work-life integration

- Why the next generation demands values alignment—and they're rightLinks & Mentions

- Molly Keveney on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-keveney/

- Brandi Carlile's "Church and State" - https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5sg3RW63BxVvidEE1rBiWT?si=f3b55e5c3db04f91

- Brandi Carlile on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandicarlile/

- The Bramily on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebramily/

- Red Rocks Amphitheatre - https://www.instagram.com/redrocksco/

New episodes every week. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about leadership, growth, and the messy human side of business.

What happens when your LinkedIn profile photo is a cropped wedding shot and your resume reads like a grocery list of job duties?

Resume writing expert and personal branding strategist Michele Lando has built her business helping professionals articulate their value and present the best version of themselves to uplevel their careers. Her mission: build confidence, empower people to celebrate their wins, and help them communicate their worth effectively.

Michele shares her journey from Nordstrom sales floor (where she planned company takeover) to founding Write Styles, named after her grandfather's sunglasses business and his advice: "You can do anything you want as long as you understand the business behind it."

In this episode, Michele reveals:

• Why most people can't see their own accomplishments

• The top three LinkedIn photo mistakes that scream "amateur"

• How to use AI strategically without accidentally lying on your resume

• Why cover letters still matter and what hiring managers want to see

• The trick to decoding Applicant Tracking Systems through keyword optimization

• The "friend test": if your friend did what you did, you'd celebrate them—so why not yourself?

• How to customize resumes without burning out

Whether you're job hunting, career pivoting, or just trying to get better at talking about your accomplishments without feeling gross, this episode offers practical strategies for authentic self-advocacy in professional settings.

Links + Mentions

• Write Styles - Michele's personal branding and resume writing company (https://writestylesonline.com/)

• Michele Lando on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelelandoburns/

• Write Styles on Instagram - @writestyles

Follow us!

• Website: notall.biz 

• LinkedIn Page: Not All Business 

• Instagram: @notallbiz 

• YouTube: @notallbusiness 

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What happens when your executive coach tells you your physical presence "needs a lot of work"? For former TaskRay COO Jamie Cole, that brutal feedback led to an unexpected journey that revolutionized her leadership style.

In this candid conversation, Jamie shares how discovering pole dancing transformed her from a post-divorce, confidence-shattered executive into a fearless leader who commanded every room she entered. But this isn't about fitness trends or breaking taboos—it's about the direct connection between physical confidence and professional presence.

In this episode, Jamie reveals:

• Why her executive coach's harsh feedback was the wake-up call she needed

• How pole dancing taught her the crucial difference between sensuality and sexuality

• The moment she realized her physical transformation was reshaping her leadership

• How her newfound confidence helped transform her entire company culture

• Why finding your "power practice" doesn't have to be conventional

  
  

We also dive into the inclusive community she discovered, the social stigmas she navigated, and how embodying physical strength translated into professional fearlessness. Plus, Jamie explains why she believes everyone needs to find their own version of this practice.

Whether your power source is pole dancing, rock climbing, or something completely different, this episode challenges how we think about confidence, presence, and authentic leadership.

Links + Mentions:

• Jamie Cole Pole on IG

• Rockstar Pole Fitness on IG

• Melani Sanders on IG

• “We Do Not Care” – NYT Article

• Carolyn Keyes – Velocity

• Keren Eldad on IG

• Website: notall.biz

• LinkedIn: Not All Business

• Instagram: @notallbiz

• YouTube: @notallbusiness

A podcast where leadership gets real. Because at work, it's not all business.

Not All Business features two rival tech CEOs turned friends - Blakely Graham and Heather Cooper - hosting the conversations everyone avoids about the messy reality of leadership.

Think of us as Sex Ed for Leadership - answering all the questions professionals are too afraid to ask, with occasional reality checks from our producer, Clay.

Join us for serious insights. Slightly less serious hosts.

New episodes every Thursday.

Connect with us: Website: notall.biz

Instagram: @notallbiz

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/notallbusiness