What happens when the career you thought you wanted no longer feels like the right one?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Ana Altchek, a reporter at Business Insider, to talk about career pivots, uncertainty, workplace culture, and what it takes to build a career that actually fits.

Ana shares how she went from planning for law school to pursuing journalism, including the unexpected experiences that helped her realize what she did - and did not - want from her career. She reflects on applying to dozens of jobs before landing at Business Insider, why the right opportunity can sometimes feel surprisingly natural, and what she has learned from interviewing CEOs and other successful leaders.

Together, Ashley and Ana also explore the changing workplace, what employees increasingly expect from company culture, how AI is reshaping entry-level careers, and why building a body of work and a personal brand may matter more than ever.

This episode is for early-career professionals, students, emerging leaders, career changers, and anyone trying to figure out what comes next without having the entire path mapped out.

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Know someone navigating a career pivot, entering the workforce, questioning their next move, or thinking about how AI will change their profession? Share this episode. It is a candid conversation about finding the right fit, staying adaptable, building confidence, and creating a career that feels like your own.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Ana Altchek: https://www.businessinsider.com/author/ana-altchek

Reporter at Business Insider covering careers, workplace trends, executives, and the changing world of work. Through her reporting and interviews with business leaders, Ana explores how people build careers, how workplaces are evolving, and what success looks like across generations.

What if artificial intelligence could help people participate more meaningfully in democracy rather than pushing them further away from it?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Beth Simone Noveck, a government technology expert, professor at Northeastern University, and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy. Beth challenges the idea that democracy is fundamentally broken. Instead, she argues that democratic institutions have not been updated to meet the complexity, speed, and demands of modern life.

Together, Ashley and Beth explore how AI can help governments listen to communities, process public input, improve services, and create more meaningful opportunities for people to shape policies and decisions. Beth shares examples of AI being used to synthesize public comments, identify shared priorities, support policy research, and make government more responsive.

This episode is for civic leaders, policymakers, technologists, educators, community advocates, and anyone interested in how democracy can evolve while remaining centered on people.

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Know someone interested in artificial intelligence, civic engagement, public policy, government innovation, or the future of democracy? Share this episode. It is a hopeful and practical conversation about using technology to help institutions listen, respond, and work better for the people they serve.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Beth Simone Noveck: https://rebootdemocracy.ai/

Government technology expert, professor at Northeastern University, and author of Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy. Her work focuses on using technology, public participation, and institutional innovation to improve government effectiveness and strengthen democracy.

What if girls were taught how to manage self-doubt, advocate for themselves, and claim their place in leadership before the world told them to wait?

In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with Sarah Jakle, founder of DemocraShe, a national organization preparing high school girls to become leaders, advocates, voters, and elected officials. Sarah shares how her background in social work, public policy, and voter engagement led her to create a leadership model that combines practical civic skills with brain science and nervous system regulation.

Together, Ashley and Sarah explore the pressures women face when pursuing leadership, why fear can trigger fight, flight, or freeze responses, and how tools like the “inner best friend” can help women move through imposter syndrome and take action.

This episode is for young women, emerging leaders, educators, mentors, and anyone who believes girls should not have to wait for permission to claim their seats.

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Know a young woman interested in leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, or public service? Share this episode. It is an empowering conversation about courage, self-trust, and what happens when girls are given the tools and responsibility to lead.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Sarah Jakle: https://democrashe.org

Founder of DemocraShe, a national organization preparing high school girls to become leaders, advocates, voters, and elected officials through civic education, brain science, nervous system regulation, and youth-led programming.

What if artificial intelligence could help you become a more intentional leader - not only at work, but in every area of your life?

In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with T. Renee Smith, CEO and author of She Leads with AI, to discuss how women can use artificial intelligence as a strategic tool for leadership, career growth, health, relationships, and family.

T. Renee shares her own experience navigating professional pivots and explains why starting a new chapter can challenge your identity, confidence, and expectations for success. She encourages women to approach periods of transition with authenticity, resilience, and the same compassion they would offer someone they love.

Together, Ashley and T. Renee explore why many women feel uncertain or overwhelmed by AI, particularly when their identities are closely connected to their careers. This episode is for women navigating change, leaders curious about AI, professionals preparing for the future of work, and anyone ready to stop waiting for permission to build a fulfilling career and personal life.

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Know a woman navigating a career pivot, exploring artificial intelligence, building a business, or trying to create more freedom in her life? Share this episode. It is a practical and empowering conversation about using AI intentionally, overcoming fear, reclaiming time, and refusing to choose between professional success and personal fulfillment.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

T. Renee Smith: https://treneesmith.com

CEO, leadership strategist, and author of She Leads with AI. T. Renee helps women understand and strategically use artificial intelligence to advance their careers, strengthen their leadership, improve their personal lives, and build success on their own terms.

What does it take to transform a struggling team into a championship program?

In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with David Saur, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Chatham University, to discuss how strong leadership, intentional culture, and a relentless commitment to excellence can change the trajectory of an entire organization.

When Coach Saur took over Chatham’s women’s basketball program in 2018, the team had not experienced a winning season in nearly 40 years. Since then, he has helped lead the program to historic winning seasons, a conference championship, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

This episode is for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone working to build a winning culture while remaining authentically themselves.

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Know an athlete, coach, aspiring sports professional, or leader working to build a stronger culture? Share this episode. It’s an honest conversation about transformation, persistence, role acceptance, and what it truly takes to build something that wins.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

David Saur: https://gochathamcougars.com/staff-directory/david-saur/145

Head women’s basketball coach at Chatham University, where he has helped transform the program into a conference champion and NCAA Tournament team. Coach Saur is passionate about culture-building, player development, leadership, and creating opportunities for athletes to achieve at the highest level.

What does financial freedom actually look like and why are so many women unprepared for it?

In this episode of Queen Me!, Ashley sits down with Marcia Mantell, retirement consultant and advocate for women’s financial security, to unpack one of the most important and misunderstood topics facing women today: money, retirement, and long-term independence.

This episode is for women at every stage of life who want to build confidence, make informed decisions, and create financial freedom on their own terms.

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Know someone navigating career decisions, retirement questions, or building financial independence? Share this episode. It’s a thoughtful conversation about money, confidence, and creating a future designed on your terms.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Marcia Mantell: https://mantellretirementconsulting.com/

Retirement consultant, speaker, and advocate helping women better understand Social Security, retirement planning, and the financial decisions that shape long-term independence.

What actually sustains success in sports… and in leadership? In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Larsen, Head Football Coach at Carnegie Mellon University, to break down what it really takes to build a program that lasts.

Ryan shares how his approach to coaching goes beyond playbooks and schemes, focusing instead on people, culture, and long-term development. 

From earning trust early in your career to building systems that prioritize players as individuals, this conversation explores how strong leadership translates into consistent performance.

This episode is for athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to understand how culture is built, how trust is earned, and how small decisions shape long-term success.

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Know a coach, athlete, or leader focused on building something that lasts? Share this episode. It offers a real look at how culture, consistency, and leadership shape long-term success.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Ryan Larsen: https://athletics.cmu.edu/sports/fball/coaches/larsen_ryan

Head Football Coach at Carnegie Mellon University, focused on building high-performing teams through player development, strong culture, and leadership rooted in trust and accountability.

What if art isn’t an extra, but an essential part of healing and human connection?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Matt Sandoval, CEO of Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts), to explore the science and power of creativity as a tool for trauma recovery, self-compassion, and community building.

Matt shares how creative expression helps young people and adults process difficult experiences, build resilience, and reconnect with themselves and others. From the biology of creativity to the real-world impact of mentorship programs, this conversation highlights why art belongs at the center of well-being - not the margins.

This episode is for educators, nonprofit leaders, mentors, and anyone interested in how creativity can transform lives and strengthen communities.

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Know someone passionate about youth development, trauma-informed care, or the power of creativity? Share this episode. It might change how they see the role of art in healing and leadership.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Matt Sandoval: https://arthealsaz.org/matt-sandoval/

CEO of Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts), a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families heal from trauma through creative expression, mentorship, and community-based art programs.

What does it take to disrupt an industry built on tradition and regulation?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Meredith Mills-Merritt, Founder and CEO of The Original Southside and Clean Alcohol Collective, to talk about building a modern CPG brand rooted in transparency, intuition, and bold decision-making.

From leaving the beauty industry to launching a spirits company, Meredith shares the realities of entrepreneurship inside one of the most regulated industries in the world. She breaks down what founders really face behind the scenes - from distribution hurdles to investor setbacks - and why trusting your instincts can be your greatest competitive advantage.

This conversation is for founders, brand builders, and leaders who want to understand what it actually takes to create something category-defining in a crowded market.

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Know a founder, operator, or brand builder navigating risk and big decisions? Share this episode with them. It might change how they think about leadership and growth.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Meredith Mills-Merritt: https://www.drinksouthsides.com/

Founder & CEO of The Original Southside and Clean Alcohol Collective, building modern beverage brands centered on transparency, quality, and bold identity.

What if we stopped underestimating children and started listening to them as leaders?

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, for a powerful conversation about youth empowerment, creativity, and what true intergenerational leadership actually looks like.

Leah challenges the belief that children should wait their turn to lead. Instead, she shows what happens when kids are trusted with real responsibility, real decision-making power, and real-world learning through entrepreneurship. 

This conversation is for parents, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone rethinking how we prepare the next generation to lead with confidence, curiosity, and courage.

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Know a parent, educator, or leader rethinking how we empower young people? Share this episode. It might change how they see leadership - at every age.

Guest Appearing in This Episode

Leah Ellis: https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/

Founder, Society of Child Entrepreneurs and championing youth-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy for the next generation.