In this candid and insightful episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart is joined by Kai-Nneka Townsend, leadership resilience and burnout consultant. Kai-Nneka shares her personal journey through burnout—how it crept up, the warning signs she missed, and the steps she now teaches leaders to prevent it.
They discuss the reality of exhaustion, cynicism, and self-doubt that can undermine even the most successful leaders, and how unmanageable workloads combined with the pressure to “push through” can take a serious toll on health and confidence. Kai-Nneka offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, asking for help, and managing both professional demands and personal responsibilities.
The conversation also tackles “mum guilt”—why it happens, how it impacts working mothers, and how to balance career ambitions with quality time at home without being consumed by guilt.
💡 Key takeaways:
Recognising the early signs of burnout before it’s too late
Why boundaries are essential for protecting your time, energy, and wellbeing
The importance of defining what success looks like for you at this stage of life
How to have honest conversations at work and at home to get the support you need
Practical tips for managing “mum guilt” and being fully present in both work and family life
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, especially introverted women, who want to protect their energy, thrive in their careers, and still enjoy life beyond work.
🔗 Connect with Kai-Nneka Townsend:
Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

In this episode, Carol explored the impact of stress on women's health, distinguishing between acute and chronic stress and sharing personal stories to illustrate how stress can manifest physically and emotionally.

She emphasised the importance of recognising early signs of stress and developing resilience as a way to manage stress and improve overall well-being, while also discussing strategies for emotional regulation and building a support network.

Carol concluded by highlighting the benefits of gratitude and self-reflection, encouraging listeners to practice self-care and make time for personal development through various stress management techniques.

Take Carol's Confidence, Influence, and Impact Assessment at https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/

🎵 ©️Julie Ann Smith

Carol Stewart is joined by Koreen Fader, CEO of QVC UK, to discuss the power of self-awareness and introverted leadership. From her beginnings as an intern to becoming CEO, Koreen shares her personal and professional journey—owning her introversion every step of the way.
Together, they explore how introverted women leaders can succeed without conforming to the traditional, extraversion-favouring leadership style. Koreen shares practical ways she manages her energy in high-demand environments, how she prepares for public speaking and networking events, and why being authentic, rather than performing extraversion, leads to deeper connection and trust.
Highlights include:
Koreen’s rise from intern to CEO and what helped her succeed
Why preparation is a superpower for introverted professionals
Managing energy and avoiding burnout in demanding roles
How to navigate networking when it feels unnatural
The role of empathy, vulnerability and authenticity in leadership
What happens when you lead your team your way, not the traditional way
This episode is a must-listen for introverted leaders and aspiring executives who want to embrace their natural style, make a difference, and thrive, without compromising who they are.
🔗 Connect with Koreen Fader & QVC UK:
📱 Follow Koreen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreen-fader-10a83222/
🏢 QVC UK on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/qvcgroup/
Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

In this supportive and enlightening episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart speaks with Joy Langley, a psychotherapist, mindset coach, and author of Navigating Stress.

Together, they explore how introverted women in leadership can manage internal pressures, deal with imposter feelings, and silence the inner critic that too often whispers, “You’re not enough.”
Joy brings her calm wisdom to a conversation about personality, perfectionism, and power. Drawing on her work with high-achieving women, she explains the difference between introversion and extraversion, how personality traits shape our inner dialogue, and why self-compassion is a critical leadership skill.
Highlights from the episode:
Understanding the link between personality traits and stress
Why introverted leaders often feel “not good enough” in extravert-favouring spaces
How to deal with the voice of the inner critic—and turn it into a coach
The myth of “perfectly calm and confident” leadership
How affirmations, journaling, and even embracing “messiness” can build resilience
Tools for rebalancing your nervous system and owning your voice
Whether you're navigating corporate spaces or building your own business, Joy’s compassionate insights will help you give yourself permission to lead, live, and speak with greater ease.
Connect with Joy Langley:
https://joylangley.com/
Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

In this episode, Carol explored the concept of comfort zones and their negative impact on personal and professional growth, sharing examples of how staying within one's comfort zone can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for advancement.

She provided practical advice and strategies for overcoming fears that keep people trapped in unsatisfying jobs, including the importance of self-reflection, seeking support, and gradually stepping out of one's comfort zone through manageable challenges.

Carol emphasised the value of regular self-challenge and personal growth, sharing her own experiences of stepping outside her comfort zone, and encouraged listeners to consider similar opportunities to increase their confidence and impact.

Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment

#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith

Carol Stewart is joined by PR and personal branding expert Ronke Lawal, founder of Ariatu PR. Together, they delve into how introverted women leaders can cultivate a powerful and authentic personal brand, without pretending to be someone they’re not.

Ronke shares wisdom from two decades of helping professionals and entrepreneurs amplify their voices. From wardrobe choices to digital presence, she unpacks practical strategies for owning your identity, communicating with confidence, and making your leadership visible in a way that aligns with your personality, not drains it.

💡 Key takeaways include:

Why personal branding isn’t about being famous, it’s about building trust

How introverted leaders can show up without faking extraversion

What authenticity really means in today’s attention-driven world

Using fashion and styling as a form of self-expression and confidence

How to develop a legacy-driven brand rooted in purpose and clarity

Actionable tips to elevate your presence both online and in the workplace

Whether you’re hesitant about visibility or unsure how to self-promote authentically, this episode offers guidance to help you be remembered, for all the right reasons.

Connect with Ronke Lawal:

Website: ronkelawal.com https://ronkelawal.com/
Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart is joined by Dr. Tosin Bowen-Wright, a consultant clinical psychologist, leadership coach, and advocate for women’s wellbeing.

Together, they unpack the myths surrounding resilience and explore how introverted women can lead confidently—without burning out.Tosin shares her own story of navigating senior leadership, pushing through exhaustion, and ultimately redefining what it means to be resilient.

Her experience sheds light on the emotional toll of high-pressure roles, especially for Black women and introverted leaders, and how honouring your boundaries, energy, and emotional needs is key to sustainable success.

Topics include:

The harmful effects of the “push through” narrative in leadership

Recognising the signs of burnout before they take hold

Practical strategies for tuning into yourself and protecting your energy

Setting clear boundaries and embracing self-care as leadership tools

Why resilience is about awareness, not endurance

The difference between introversion and confidence—and how knowing the difference changed her life

This episode is essential listening for any woman navigating leadership in environments that demand visibility, while craving calm and authenticity.

Connect with Dr. Tosin Bowen-Wright:

Website: www.doctortbw.co.uk

LinkedIn: Tosin Bowen-Wrighthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tosin-bowen-wright/
Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

In this episode of the Quietly Visible Podcast, I delve into a common challenge faced by introverted women leaders—setting and enforcing boundaries.

Whether it's saying yes when you want to say no, avoiding difficult conversations, or overcommitting out of guilt or people-pleasing tendencies, the cost of poor boundaries can be high—emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

I explore:

✔️ Why boundaries are essential for wellbeing, confidence, and effective leadership

✔️ The emotional and societal pressures that stop women from setting them

✔️ What happens when boundaries are absent

✔️ How to communicate and reinforce your boundaries clearly and assertively—without the guilt

You’ll hear practical examples, coaching insights, and simple yet powerful strategies to help you protect your time, energy, and peace of mind.“Your needs matter just as much as anyone else’s. Saying ‘no’ is not selfish—it’s self-preservation.”

📥 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

🔗 Plus, download my free Confidence, Influence & Impact Assessment at aboundingsolutions.com to explore how you're showing up in your leadership.

🎵 - ©️ Julie Ann Smith

#QuietLeadership #IntrovertedWomen #SettingBoundaries #CarolStewart #QuietlyVisiblePodcast

Carol Stewart speaks with Dr. Sharon Melnick, business psychologist, executive coach, and author of In Your Power: React Less, Regain Control, Raise Others.

Together, they explore how introverted women—especially those in senior executive roles—can reclaim and embody their personal power in workplaces that often favour extraversion and dominance.

Dr. Melnick unpacks what it truly means to be "in your power," sharing practical strategies to move from being a reactive thermometer to a proactive thermostat—the leader who sets the emotional climate in any room.

Highlights from the episode include:

The 3 foundations of personal power: agency, sovereignty, and efficacy

Why introversion is a strength—not a shortcoming—in leadership

How to stay calm and centred under pressure using techniques like cooling breath

How burnout is more about lack of power than workload

What to do when you're the only introverted woman in a male-dominated, extravert-driven environment

How to influence without being the loudest in the room

Whether you're navigating boardrooms, burnout, or bias, this episode is packed with actionable insight to help you reclaim your energy, communicate with intention, and lead powerfully—on your own terms.

Connect with Dr. Sharon Melnick:
Sharonmelnick.com https://sharonmelnick.com/
Try the Power Profile Quiz and download the Burnout-Proof Checklist
Book: In Your Power: React Less, Regain Control, Raise Others
LinkedIn – Sharon Melnick PhD https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonmelnick

Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/

🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders

“Confidence isn’t about being louder. It’s about being more of yourself.” — Beatrice Kabutakapua

In this enriching episode of Quietly Visible, Carol Stewart is joined by Beatrice Kabutakapua, business storytelling coach and founder of the Business Storytelling Centre. Together, they explore how storytelling can empower introverted leaders to connect, communicate, and lead with greater influence—without needing to act like extraverts.

Beatrice shares her personal journey from journalism to coaching, how she rediscovered her own voice through story, and why introversion is not the same as shyness. She reveals how leaders can use lived experience—not flashy performance—to create compelling stories that inspire trust and foster connection.

Key topics include:

The difference between introversion and shyness—and why it matters

Using storytelling for self-awareness, influence, and team engagement

How to share stories even when the topic is “dry” or data-heavy

Why confidence comes from being more of yourself, not less

The storytelling structures that suit introverts best

Beatrice’s new book Lead with Your Story (coming October 2025)

Whether you’re hesitant to be visible or simply want to communicate more powerfully as an introverted leader, this episode is filled with supportive insights and practical advice.

Connect with Beatrice Kabutakapua on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-ngalula-kabutakapua/
Website https://www.beatricekabutakapua.com/

Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influence
https://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/

🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
#introvert #Empowerment #IntrovertedWomenLeaders