She Counts

By Nancy McClelland, CPABusiness Education Careers

She Counts episodes

June 03The Courage to Be Nominated: Wanting It, Dreading It
Nancy and special guest Melissa Miller Furgeson, stepping in for Questian, get honest about the awards nomination cycle in accounting: the longing for recognition tangled up with the dread of asking to be nominated, the fear of losing in public, and the jealousy and imposter feelings most of us have but few admit. They reframe awards as visibility events rather than verdicts, and talk through why showing up, even when you feel undeserving, gives the people around you permission to do the same.

Sponsors
Bill - http://bill.com/shecounts
Relay - https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Karbon - https://karbonhq.com/

(00:00) - Welcome and Sponsors
(01:28) - Episode Theme Awards Anxiety
(02:00) - Nomination Text Thread Story
(05:07) - Application Glitches and Follow Up
(09:33) - Middle School Energy and Visibility
(11:43) - Asking to Be Nominated
(13:16) - Fear of Losing and Imposter Feelings
(17:16) - Jealousy and List Shame Spiral
(20:38) - Age Based Awards and Pride
(22:45) - Awards as Visibility Machines
(25:47) - Nominations Matter Most
(26:22) - Sharing the Nomination
(28:04) - Awards as Visibility Engines
(29:13) - Visibility Gives Permission
(30:06) - Ask Anyway Mindset
(32:41) - Community Beats Imposter Feelings
(34:53) - Why Support Feels Vulnerable
(36:08) - Nomination Frenzy Success
(39:25) - Discomfort Means Growth
(41:45) - Practical Ways to Show Up
(44:52) - Scripts for Self Promotion
(47:12) - Tag Sponsors and Amplify
(48:10) - Final Takeaways and Call In
(50:53) - Closing Quote and Farewell
Resources
Melissa Miller Furgeson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamillerfurgeson/
Insightful Accountant's 2026 Top U.S. ProAdvisor: https://blog.insightfulaccountant.com/insightful-accountants-2026-top-u.s.-proadvisor-awards
Insightful Accountant's 2026 Top Advisor Awards: https://blog.insightfulaccountant.com/insightful-accountants-2026-top-advisor-awards
Scaling New Heights - https://www.woodard.com/scaling-new-heights-2026
Bridging the Gap - https://www.btgconference.com/
Forbes Best-in-State - https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-cpas/
Kate Johnson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-josephine-mcgill-johnson/
Ask a CPA - http://aska.cpa/
Bookkeeping Buds - https://www.bookkeepingbuds.com/
Financial Cents Top Firm Owners to Follow - https://financial-cents.com/resources/articles/top-accounting-bookkeeping-firm-owners-to-follow/
Theatre of Public Speaking - https://publicspeaking.mistymegia.com/?ref=857055
AICPA Global Women to Watch - https://www.aicpa-cima.com/membership/article/aicpa-and-cima-global-women-to-watch
Accounting Cornerstone Foundation - https://accountingcornerstone.org/
Alicia Katz Pollock Unofficial QBO Accountant’s Podcast - https://uqb.show/141
Bookkeeping Buds - https://www.bookkeepingbuds.com/
Cindy Schroeder on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brightbooks/
Nancy McClelland’s LinkedIn post re: Ask a CPA members in Top 100 - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7442429419517837312/
Varonica Frye LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7465778446334357504/
Jackie Meyer LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jackiemeyercpa_jackie-meyer-cpa-cca-phd-candidate-activity-7314405422084300800-Ba9Y
Sandy Rehart LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sandyrehart_news-i-was-selected-in-insightful-accountants-activity-7467312899435286528-lYj7
Heather Deibele LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7445849113671397376/
Donna Reade LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/donnareade_i-almost-didnt-post-this-and-it-was-hard-activity-7445940183075627008-_T9n/
Debra Kilsheimer LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/debliberate_insightfulaccountant-top100-accountingawards-share-7443370349401923584-8vvh/
Nicole Davis LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicoledaviscpa_womentalking-entrepreneurship-entrepreneur-activity-7120392377961254914-xanR/
Candy Bellau on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/candybellau/
Jamie Peña on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-pe%C3%B1a-teamlegacy/
SPONSORS: [Bill, Relay, Karbon]

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Connect with Questian
https://www.r...
53 min
May 20Conference Season, She Counts Style
Nancy and Questian make the case for why conferences can have such impact for women in accounting, and how to get the most out of them when you show up. They share their industry favorites; what they look for when prioritizing certain events over others; how to define and reach your attendance goals; and the mistakes that sometimes keep people from getting full value out of the experience. Whether you're a self-described introvert who sets out to introduce yourself to just one other person, or a woman who could spend the whole week connecting in the hallways and soaking up education… there's a conference for you.

Sponsors
Bill - http://bill.com/shecounts
Relay - https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Karbon - https://karbonhq.com/

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(02:15) - Nancy Conference Stories
(04:24) - Camp Timberwood Lesson
(05:50) - Expo Hall Handler
(07:49) - Wave Live Recording
(09:35) - Markle Sparkle Nickname
(11:03) - Listener Full Circle
(12:55) - Are Conferences Worth It
(14:38) - Scholarships And Access
(16:53) - Introverts And Belonging
(19:10) - Start Small Meetups
(21:35) - Partnerships From Networking
(23:55) - Sessions Versus Hallways
(26:46) - Keynotes Love Hate
(28:50) - Pick Your Conference
(29:40) - Celebrity Keynotes Story
(31:22) - Define Your Goals
(32:20) - Expo Hall Tool Wins
(34:54) - Find Your People
(37:03) - Favorite Events Rundown
(39:34) - Why Bridging Gap Works
(41:23) - How She Picks Lists
(47:01) - Conference Value Beyond CPE
(49:58) - Network Without Clinging
(51:48) - Goals And Women Impact
(54:30) - Meetups And Closing Thought
Resources
Nancy’s MSN article: “Where Accountants Are Going Next: Conferences Worth Your Time in 2026” - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/where-accountants-are-going-next-conferences-worth-your-time-in-2026/ar-AA21uJnZ
Nancy’s MSN article - “Expert Tips For Attending Scaling New Heights” - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/expert-tips-for-attending-scaling-new-heights-2025/ar-AA1FYrFy
Tony Proctor on LinkedIn - Tony Proctor, EA | LinkedIn
Erin Pohan - Erin Pohan | LinkedIn
WAVE Conference - WAVE - Seattle
Jen Posner - Jennifer Posner | LinkedIn
Katie Helle - M Katie Helle, CPA | LinkedIn
Greg Bossen - Gregg Bossen | LinkedIn
Megan Tarnow - Megan Genest Tarnow | LinkedIn
Kelly Gonsalves - Kelly Gonsalves | LinkedIn
Jina Etienne - Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA | LinkedIn
Valerie Heckman - Valerie Heckman | LinkedIn
Nicole Davis - Nicole Davis, CPA | LinkedIn
Brittany Brown - Brittany Brown | LinkedIn
Cindy Schroeder - Cindy Schroeder | LinkedIn
Gail Perry - Gail Perry, CPA | LinkedIn
CPA Practice Advisor - https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/
Hope Brown - Hope Brown, MSA, AFSP | LinkedIn
Tri-Merit - Tri-Merit | Maximize Tax Savings With Expert Specialty Credits
Randy Crabtree - Randy Crabtree, CPA | LinkedIn
Unique CPA Podcast - The “Hive Mind” Effect at Bridging the Gap: Randy Crabtree
Bridging the Gap - Bridging the Gap 2026 | Top Accounting Conference
Melissa Miller Furgeson - Melissa Miller Furgeson | LinkedIn
Realize - REALIZE
Jason Staats - Jason Staats, CPA | LinkedIn
Jason on Firms - Events
Madeline Reeves - Madeline Reeves | LinkedIn
Advisory Amplified - Advisory Amplified | Live Financial Advisor Events 2026
SPONSORS: [BILL, Relay, Karbon]

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Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
57 min
May 06Why Brilliant Bookkeepers Undervalue Themselves
In a special crossover episode with the Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast, Nancy and Questian are joined by Alicia Katz Pollock to dig into why so many technically skilled bookkeepers struggle to charge what they're worth — and what it takes to bridge the gap between expertise and authority. Alicia gets candid about her own discomfort with pricing, using a real business pivot as a window into the self-doubt that holds back even the most accomplished practitioners.

Sponsors
Bill - http://bill.com/shecounts
Relay - https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Karbon - https://karbonhq.com/

(00:00) - Crossover Welcome
(01:11) - Meet the Hosts
(03:37) - Why Bookkeepers Undervalue
(04:17) - Alicia’s Wake Up Call
(08:38) - Brenda Success Story
(12:31) - Losing Trained Talent
(16:29) - Scaling the Incubator
(21:37) - Pricing and Training Model
(26:01) - Hiring Employees Reality
(28:13) - Building Full Program Stack
(29:00) - Building Support Systems
(30:06) - Pricing the Incubator
(31:30) - Perks and Discounts
(32:13) - Scholarships and Payment Plans
(33:21) - Charging What Youre Worth
(37:37) - Pilot Program Uncertainty
(39:25) - Scaling for an Exit
(41:25) - Owning Authority
(43:51) - Experts Mantra Shift
(52:05) - Do It Anyway
(54:32) - Wrap Up and Takeaways
Resources
Guest on LinkedIn - Alicia Katz Pollock | LinkedIn
Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast
A Bookkeeper’s Guide To Annual Reviews | The Dancing Accountant
Royalwise OWLS (On-demand Web-based Learning Solutions)
The OWLS Incubator Program
REFRAME 2026 - Event Ticket Purchase Portal
Theatre of Public Speaking - Fall 2026 Cohort
Accounting Discussion Forum: Bookkeepers, CPAs, EAs | Roundtable Labs
Mariette Martinez | LinkedIn
The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise by Blair Enns | Goodreads
BDO Alliance USA: CPA, BRN and More | BDO
SheCounts - Double
SPONSORS: [Bill, Relay, Karbon]

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Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
57 min
April 22The Big “D”: Divorce - Radical Acceptance and Rebuilding in Real Time
When Questian read through 31 pages of divorce paperwork and added it to her Ta-Da List (see Ep. 25), it cracked open a conversation she and Nancy had been circling for a while. This episode gets honest about navigating divorce while running a business and raising kids — what it means to grieve something you chose, and why relief and devastation aren't mutually exclusive. They dig into radical acceptance, the DBT concept that two opposing truths can coexist, and what it looks like to keep showing up professionally while your personal life is in freefall.

Sponsors
Bill - http://bill.com/shecounts
Relay - https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Karbon - https://karbonhq.com/

(00:00) - Welcome and Sponsors
(00:36) - Season Three Kickoff
(01:41) - Episode Theme Divorce
(02:43) - Gold Star Story
(06:43) - Radical Acceptance Explained
(09:58) - Breadwinner Fears
(14:41) - Ambition and Support
(17:24) - Co Parenting Reality
(18:35) - Radical Acceptance Exercise
(24:17) - Vulnerability in Public
(29:49) - Career Crossroads Ahead
(32:57) - Missing a Sounding Board
(33:28) - Control vs No Control
(36:11) - Painful Necessary Moves
(37:31) - Accepting the Unacceptable
(39:48) - Rebuilding Mid Crisis
(45:14) - Security Resilience Network
(50:18) - Worst Case Distress Tolerance
(54:39) - Practical Takeaways Optionality
(57:38) - Self Care and Support
(59:59) - Wrap Up Quote and Callouts
Resources
The Ta-Da! List on She Counts - She Counts | Ta-Da! Celebrate the Little Things (They’re Actually Big)
Valerie Heckman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieheckman/
Advisory Amplified - Advisory Amplified | Live Financial Advisor Events 2026
Scaling New Heights 2026 - Scaling New Heights 2026
Jennifer Dymond - Safeguarding Your Firm: Contingency Planning
DBT & Radical Acceptance Resources:
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance by Matthew McKay | Goodreads
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David | Goodreads
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach | Goodreads
SPONSORS: [BILL, RELAY, KARBON]

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Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
1 hr 2 min
April 08Ta-Da! Celebrate the Little Things (They’re Actually Big)
Questian and Nancy close out Season Two with Valerie Heckman, Accountant Community Manager at OnPay, and a deceptively simple idea: the “Ta-Da!” list. Instead of measuring your day by what’s left undone, what if you kept track of what you actually did? Valerie shares how this practice helped her interrupt burnout, why women in accounting are especially prone to dismissing their own wins, and how sharing those moments with others can change the culture of your firm. Although a Ta-Da list isn’t a cure-all, it is an effective tool that can shift how you end your day, how you see your work, and how you show up for each other. Because the little things? They're actually the big things.

Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(01:11) - Season Finale Setup
(01:42) - Valerie Joins the Show
(02:33) - Diploma Text Story
(06:11) - What Is a TODA List
(08:33) - Try Your Own TODA
(12:07) - Sharing Small Wins
(14:50) - Beyond To Do Lists
(15:53) - Burnout and Measuring Days
(19:20) - Why We Skip Self Credit
(25:26) - Making Wins a Habit
(27:01) - Spreading TODA to Others
(29:10) - Start Meetings With Wins
(30:10) - How The Practice Changed Me
(31:04) - Spotting Missing Priorities
(33:23) - Less To Dos More Ta Das
(36:19) - Eliminate Automate Delegate
(39:33) - Track And Share Progress
(44:43) - Gold Stars For Grownups
(48:21) - Takeaways For Overwhelm
(53:25) - Homework And Community Challenge
(55:20) - Closing Quote And Sign Off
Resources
Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieheckman/
OnPay - https://onpay.com/about-us/author/valerie-heckman/
Gretchen Rubin “Happier” podcast - https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/
Lynnette Oss Connell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-oss-connell-cpa/
Valerie Heckman at Scaling New Heights 2024 - https://report.woodard.com/articles/scaling-new-heights-2024-day-2-recap-snhwr
Katie Helle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkatiehelle/
Nancy Jacobson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjacobsoncpa/
DuoLingo accounting friends -
https://www.duolingo.com/profile/KristenKea6
https://www.duolingo.com/profile/000752.beemH9GF
https://www.duolingo.com/profile/NayoCarterGray
Gold star chart for adults - https://www.etsy.com/listing/4310943720/adult-star-chart-printable-habit-tracker
“The Art of Blessing the Day” © 1999 by Marge Piercy - https://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/authors/piercy/poem.html
Some scientific studies on how the Ta-Da list can be helpful for mental health:
“Gratitude Enhances Health, Brings Happiness — and May Even Lengthen Lives,” Harvard Health - https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gratitude-enhances-health-brings-happiness-and-may-even-lengthen-lives-202409113071
Savoring in Positive Psychology: 21 Tools to Appreciate Life - https://positivepsychology.com/savoring/
Contemporary self-reflective practices: A large-scale survey - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691822002839
PERMA model of psychological well-being - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PERMA_model

SPONSORS: [Forwardly, Relay, Client Hub]

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Connect with Nancy
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
58 min
March 25Tell Me You’re A Woman In Accounting
It's Questian's birthday, and your hosts are celebrating with the most creative gift they could think of: a crowdsourced collection of "You know you're a woman in accounting when..." moments from their community. From conference survival strategies to scheduling babies around busy season, the hosts laugh, vent, and commiserate over the absurdities of life in this profession. Plus, a bonus visit from Nancy's best friend Shawn Simmons, who joins Nancy and Questian to share her sabbatical project using graphic design and fiber arts to build community around women's menopause journeys.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome and Sponsors
(02:29) - Why We Needed Laughs
(03:20) - Community Shoutouts and Messages
(05:00) - Turning 44 Past Your Prime
(08:25) - Conference Packing and Swag
(12:10) - Costumes and Hotel Room Chaos
(21:04) - Planning Life Around Busy Season
(24:19) - Pregnant in a Blizzard Work Story
(25:28) - January Tears and Quitting Thoughts
(26:45) - January Time Warp
(27:05) - Hormones And Hot Flashes
(28:25) - Menopause Community Mission
(30:35) - Meet Shawn Simmons
(31:30) - Sabbatical Research Deep Dive
(35:55) - Survey And How To Help
(38:57) - Woman In Accounting When
(42:33) - Funny And Painful Truths
(48:44) - Flash Mob Accountant Story
(53:32) - Birthday Wishes And Wrap Up
Resources
Menopause Resources 5-min Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLXGxG-pYYJNS63ppsPC34o1-GVJtnsLkbLmTSvskxa_xiOg/viewform
Shawn Simmons on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-simmons-6783208/
Bookkeeping Buds - https://www.bookkeepingbuds.com/
Theatre of Public Speaking - https://publicspeaking.mistymegia.com/?ref=857055
Aileen Gilpin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aileengilpin/
Candy Bellau on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicejohnsonkramerica/
Lynda Artesani on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-artesani/
Melissa Miller Furgeson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamillerfurgeson/
Vanessa Vasquez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/quickbooksenespanol/
Mindy Leubke on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyluebke/
Ellen Oliver on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-oliver/
Dr. Jackie Meyer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecpa/
Robina Bennion on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robina-bennion/
Jean Zick on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanzick/
Jennifer Weed on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferweed/
Dr. Sam Graber on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsamgraber/
Dawn Slokan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnslokan/
Terry Saracino on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-saracino-098644187/
Stephanie Steinke on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-steinke/
Olivia Henley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-henley-756b468/
Gail Perry on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailperrycpa/
Misty Schachtell Megia on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-schachtell-3a634a2/
Theatre of Public Speaking on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/theatreofpublicspeaking
Cindy Schroeder on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brightbooks/
Bookkeeping Buds on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookkeeping-buds

SPONSORS: [Forwardly, Relay, Client Hub]

Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast

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Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
58 min
March 11Credit Where Due: The Hidden Cost of “Borrowed” Ideas
After one of Nancy's slide decks recently turned up in someone else's presentation without her name or her invitation, she and Questian decided to dig into the many forms plagiarism takes in professional life. From blatant reuse of materials to the murkier territory of borrowed ideas, they explore why credit tends to drift toward higher-status voices; what the research says about how this affects women differently; and why speaking up — for yourself and for each other — is the most important thing you can do about it.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(02:48) - Slides Reused Story
(06:00) - Calling It Out Live
(09:34) - Email Response Process Failure
(12:06) - Why Credit Matters
(16:17) - Matilda Effect Explained
(21:35) - Status and Authority Bias
(28:13) - Coop Conference Credit Theft
(38:59) - Social Sanctioning Fear
(45:24) - Plagiarism Gray Areasp
(52:22) - Convergent Evolution Explained
(01:02:34) - Source Confusion Science
(01:08:30) - Allyship and Amplification
(01:09:27) - Reflective Questions Wrap
(01:10:19) - Final Call and Quote
ResourcesStudies and articles cited:
Nature, 2022 - Women are credited less in science than men - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9352587
Research Policy, 2024 - Gender homophily - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048733323001798
articles by women receive fewer forward citations from men
Nature, 2025 - Smaller attendance in female talks highlights an imbalanced visibility in academia - https://www.nature.com/articles/s44185-025-00100-x
Psychology of Women Quaterly, 2024 - On the Perception of Men and Women Researchers in Gender Stereotype-Inconsistent Domains - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03616843241236397
Psychological Bulletin, 2023 - Exploring Gender Bias in Six Key Domains of Academic Science: An Adversarial Collaboration - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15291006231163179

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Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
1 hr 13 min
February 25Pancakes, Power Suits & Personal Autonomy: What Women Wear at Work Isn’t the Problem
When an Ernst & Young seminar told female executives that women's brains absorb information like pancakes soak up syrup, as opposed to retaining information like men, whose brains are more like waffles, it made headlines — and it still stings. Nancy and Questian dig into why sexist trainings on topics like women's clothing and appearance remain a workplace issue in accounting, from vague dress code language to the cognitive toll of constant self-monitoring. The conversation gets personal, gets real, and ends with a three-question self-test that has nothing to do with what anyone else thinks.

Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(01:16) - Why Women’s Clothes Are Still Policed at Work
(02:14) - The Resurfaced EY Workshop: ‘Power Presence and Purpose’
(04:04) - Pancakes vs. Waffles: The Absurd ‘Brain’ Analogy
(05:34) - Masculine/Feminine Scorecards & Stereotypes in Leadership
(08:01) - ‘Sexuality Scrambles the Brain’: Dress Codes Start Young
(10:16) - Polished, Don’t Ramble, Don’t Confront: Behavior Rules for Women
(13:35) - Shifting Responsibility + A Real Conference Story
(16:58) - When Attire Really Is a Safety Issue (Rail Yard Example)
(18:06) - Accountability & Research: Fines, Reviews, and Lookism Today
(23:55) - The ‘Attractive Accountant’ Comment: Why ‘Just Take It as a Compliment’ Fails
(27:12) - Blending In vs. Being Yourself: Power Suits, Color, and the Double Bind
(28:36) - Finding Your Style Again: The Necklace Story & Owning Your Presence
(31:56) - Dressing for Alignment: Quieting Self-Doubt So You Can Focus
(33:03) - Objectification Theory: How Body Monitoring Hurts Performance
(34:22) - The Double Standard: Why Women Overthink Outfits (and Men Don’t)
(37:26) - Dress Codes & the ‘Emotional Tax’ (Especially for Women of Color)
(38:41) - Pantyhose Rules and Other Outdated Policies: Real-World Stories
(41:57) - Gender-Neutral Policies vs. Reality: Redefining Professionalism
(46:31) - Culture Fit Matters: When a Suit Makes Clients Trust You Less
(49:17) - From Appearance to Function: How Allies Can Redirect the Conversation
(51:15) - What to Do If You’re Unsure What to Wear: Mentors, HR, and Clarity
(56:28) - Practical Self-Test + Closing Challenge to Rethink Dress Codes
Resources
Dress for the job you want meme - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLyndaCarter/photos/dress-for-the-job-you-want-/1159144220762794/
Erica Goode LinkedIn post re: physical attractiveness comment - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erica-goode-cpa_opentowork-activity-7394630117991309312-LD3k
“Professionalism” often codes male and white… unless you’re Will Ferrell on SNL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mLsU46h8IA
Stereotype Threat - https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/stereotype-threat

Studies & Articles Cited:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-ernst-young-how-to-dress-act-around-men_n_5da721eee4b002e33e78606a
https://www.app.com/story/money/business/main-street/2021/06/02/ernst-young-training-program-nj-investigation-fine-power-presence-purpose/7489879002/
https://people.com/human-interest/women-ernst-young-told-dress-act-around-men/
https://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/ey-settles-n-j-charges-over-offensive-leadership-training
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/27/ey-oceania-staff-bullying-racism-sexual-harassment-elizabeth-broderick
https://www.fastcompany.com/91229638/lookism-is-alive-and-well-and-getting-worse-heres-why-your-appearance-is-judged-more-than-performance
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x

SPONSORS: [Forwardly, Relay, Client Hub]

Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast

Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast

Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/

Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
1 hr 2 min
February 11When There’s No App for What You Need: Building the Tool You Wish You Had
Judie McCarthy's team was spending a third of their time chasing down information—then one of her biggest clients called in tears, completely overwhelmed by the constant requests. Judie joins Questian and Nancy to share why that moment launched her from bookkeeper to tech founder. She talks through juggling two full-time jobs for years, selling her 25-year practice to the lowest bidder (and why that was the right call), and why the fear of regret turned out to be stronger than every other fear she had about building something new.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(02:13) - The Birth of Client Hub
(09:38) - Transitioning from Practice to Tech
(16:24) - Selling the Practice
(21:35) - Building and Vetting a Software Idea
(32:00) - The Importance of Listening in Leadership
(33:32) - Building Client-Centric Tech Products
(36:19) - Keeping It Simple: Focus on Core Features
(39:20) - Challenges and Triumphs of Women in Tech
(50:06) - The Power of Partnerships and Community
(57:07) - Advice for Aspiring Female Founders
Resources

Judie McCarthy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judiemccarthy/
Client Hub + She Counts - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts
Client Hub on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/client-hub-inc/
Laura Redmond on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraredmond/
Dolly Parton quote - https://x.com/DollyParton/status/1182038149087846402
Studies on the topic of gender differences when selling a business:
Research shows a higher share of female directors is associated with fewer acquisition bids and lower bid premiums (suggesting more conservative deal-making) - https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/2012/retrieve.php
Research shows that greater female representation correlates with smaller relative transaction sizes in M&A - https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/full/10.1142/S2282717X25500033
Why do female entrepreneurs decide to exit their ventures? - https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1573378/FULLTEXT01.pdf
SPONSORS: [Forwardly, Relay, Client Hub]

Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast

Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast

Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/

Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
1 hr 5 min
January 28Unmuted: Turning Down the Self-Doubt, Turning Up the Volume
Questian and Nancy sit down with Misty Megia of the Theatre of Public Speaking to explore why women so often stay muted—in meetings, on stages, and in their own heads. They unpack the roots of negative self-talk, why we're so much harsher on ourselves than we'd ever be with a friend, and how to bridge the gap between knowing something logically and feeling it emotionally. Misty shares specific techniques for moving past self-doubt and making self-promotion feel authentic instead of performative.

Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Relay- https://relayfi.com/shecounts
Client Hub - https://www.clienthub.app/lp/shecounts

(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts
(02:12) - Misty's Inspirational Story
(05:42) - The Concept of Unmuting
(12:31) - Overcoming Self-Doubt and Negative Self-Talk
(16:40) - Practical Tips for Building Confidence
(30:22) - Reflecting on Childhood and Self-Doubt
(32:24) - Navigating the Challenges of Self-Promotion
(37:53) - The Importance of Community and Support
(43:33) - Learning from Men: Authentic Self-Promotion
(48:30) - Upcoming Programs and Opportunities
Resources
Misty Schachtell Megia on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-schachtell-3a634a2/
Theatre of Public Speaking Spring 2026 Cohort - https://publicspeaking.mistymegia.com/bundles/tops-spring26?ref=857055
Theatre of Public Speaking Spring 2026 Cohort VIP - https://publicspeaking.mistymegia.com/bundles/spring26-vip?ref=857055
Theatre of Public Speaking on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/theatreofpublicspeaking/
Theatre of Public Speaking on IG - https://www.instagram.com/theatreofpublicspeaking/
Dr. Tara Swart, “The Source” - https://www.taraswart.com/the-source/
Dr. Tara Swart videos - https://www.taraswart.com/videos/
List of common cognitive distortions - https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/products/common-cognitive-distortions-pdf
Negative self-talk meme - https://kbravo.substack.com/p/cartoon-autopsy-negative-self-talk
Kate Johnson, “How Accountants Can Grow On Video” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFWwclJHcjE
Chair Whimsy Upholstery Courses - https://chairwhimsy.com/courses/
The Blissful Life Podcast - ToPS Series - https://youtu.be/uM5voT6Fhks?si=-R3zNWReZNmR8LT6

Studies Cited:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10963437/
https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.10985
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3652533/
https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/2025/program/paper/4diYF3ZQ
https://labs.psych.ucsb.edu/sherman/david/sites/labs.psych.ucsb.edu.sherman.david/files/pubs/sherman.lokande.muller.cohen_.2021.sa_.pdf
SPONSORS: [Forwardly, Relay, Client Hub]

Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast

Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast

Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/

Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa

Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/

This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
58 min

About She Counts

From the publisher's feed

She Counts brings together respected educators Nancy McClelland, CPA, and Questian Telka, EA, for candid conversations about what it’s really like to be a woman in accounting. Whether you’re in…