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THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

Laura recaps a few of the year’s guest insights, from navigating the “ambition paradox” to unlocking money confidence, battling busy, and reflecting on the importance of quality over quantity, personal alignment, and modeling healthy boundaries. With wisdom from elite performers and positive psychology, this episode will inspire you to reframe rest and breaks as essential leadership tools. Plus, Laura shares a few books from her summer reading list, as well as some ways to stay connected during the show’s break.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

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Note: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said She Said Media. The show will return refreshed and ready in the fall. Until then, enjoy our full catalog of 333 episodes and a restorative summer!

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Episode 332: “The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift: Building Influence Through Storytelling, Reinvention, and Resilience”  

Guest: Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review, Author of “There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift”

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:  What does it take to go from a teenage singer in a Tennessee mall to building one of the most powerful empires in the music industry, and what can ambitious professionals in any field learn from that journey? This week’s conversation is a surprising and powerful masterclass in strategy, delivered through the lens of Taylor Swift’s career.

Joining Laura is Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of the new book that unpacks the business and strategic brilliance behind Taylor Swift’s rise. They break down the bold moves, storytelling strategies, and community-building tactics that turned setbacks into springboards, and created a playbook for influence, resilience, and staying power.

This is not just an episode for Swifties and music fans. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or charting your next career move, Kevin and Laura tease out actionable lessons on storytelling, authenticity, adaptation, reinvention, handling criticism, and more. If you want clarity and confidence to pursue your biggest goals, you’ll find it here.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:  

Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review, where he acquires and edits non-fiction books on a wide array of business topics. With more than a decade of experience shaping big-idea books, Kevin brings an expert’s eye to the intersection of business research and real-world application. In his new book, “There’s Nothing Like the Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift,” he analyzes how Swift’s mindset, risk-taking, and storytelling have redefined success and impact in the modern era.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:  

– THE FOUNDER’S MENTALITY:  How Taylor Swift approached her career with the clarity, persistence, and customer (fan) focus of a true entrepreneur—starting in her teens, breaking the “rules” of Nashville, and carving a space for young women in country music.

– STRATEGIC STORYTELLING:  Why world-building and narrative control set Taylor apart from her peers (and what artists and professionals alike can learn about actively shaping—not leaving—your own story to chance).

– AUTHENTICITY (AND ITS LIMITS): Taylor’s model for being genuine while still adapting and growing. Kevin and Laura discuss how vulnerability and ambiguity in her lyrics build deep fan connection, but also how staying “too authentic” can become a “cage.”

– THE ART OF THE SLOW PIVOT:  What it means to “surprise but not shock” your audience. Hear how Taylor’s methodical reinvention (from country, to pop, to indie, and beyond) kept her evolving without alienating her core community.

– RESILIENCE & REVERSE NARRATIVE:  Taylor’s masterclass in handling criticism: from the infamous Kanye West interruption to public backlash and how she transformed negative moments and personal/professional loss into creative (and commercial) wins.

– COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, & TEAM LOYALTY:  A look at how Taylor builds trust, loyalty, and longevity with close collaborators, team members, and fans—while still making tough pivots.

– PRODUCTIVITY IN THE ATTENTION ECONOMY:  How Taylor adapted her creative output for the streaming age—shifting from a “precious” approach to prolific production, and what that means for anyone looking to sustain growth after a career plateau.

There’s so much to take away from this conversation, whether you want to own your narrative, build lasting influence, or flip setbacks into strategic advantages. We would love to hear your take! Reach out and join the conversation!

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FEEDBACK: I hope you loved this episode, and I’d love to hear what resonated with you! DM me @lauraCoxKaplan on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook. You can also reach out via shesaidshesaidpodcast.com or email me directly at: [email protected].

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331. From Calvin Klein to Kaftans: Reinventing Identity and Career Success

Guest: Sue Sartor, designer and fashion brand founder

TOPICS: Entrepreneurship, Reinvention, Authentic Branding

This episode is part of our 2025 She Said/She Said Podcast + The Southern C collaboration series, highlighting stories of intentional growth, entrepreneurship, and brand-building. Sue Sartor’s journey is a compelling example of how personal clarity, authentic branding, and high-touch customer engagement can build lasting influence, especially when fueled by purpose and reinvention.

Sue Sartor is the founder and designer behind the joyful and distinctive fashion brand that bears her name. Known for her handcrafted, small-batch dresses and caftans, Sue has built a brand rooted in authenticity, artistry, and individuality. After launching her fashion career at Calvin Klein, she stepped away to raise her family—and returned in her late 40s to create something entirely her own.

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All proceeds from sales are reinvested into She Said/She Said Podcast, so you’re getting something nice AND reinvesting in something you believe in and support! Talk about a win/win! Thanks, friend! I am so grateful for your support of the show!

I hope you loved this episode, and I’d love to hear what resonated with you! DM me @lauraCoxKaplan on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook. You can also reach out via shesaidshesaidpodcast.com or email me directly at: [email protected].

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THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

Host Laura Cox Kaplan welcomes the extraordinarily talented Darcy Miller: artist, entrepreneur, longtime creative force at Martha Stewart Weddings, and famed “memory keeper.” Darcy is renowned for her joyful approach to helping others honor life’s most meaningful moments, whether through keepsakes, heartfelt illustrations, or imaginative celebrations.

Episode 330 is part of our The Southern C + She Said/She Said Podcast Collaboration Series! 

Darcy shares how she built her brand and career, tracing her journey from uncertain creative college grad to becoming a driving force in the domestic lifestyle world, and then going out on her own. From risk-taking at the start of her career by not picking the “safe bet,” to embracing her creative instincts, to building soulful celebrations both personally and professionally, Darcy’s story will inspire you to bring more intentional joy to your own life and those around you.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

Find out why celebrating thoughtfully can change your mindset, your relationships, and your influence.

There is so much joy, wisdom, and practical advice in this episode, you won’t want to miss it! If this episode inspires you to celebrate a little more, let us know how—we’d love to hear!

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329. How Motherhood and a Passion for Cross-Stitch Fueled a Media Legacy

Guest: Brian Hart Hoffman, Hoffman Media, President & Chief Creative Officer

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

How does motherhood inspire entrepreneurship, and what happens when maternal values fuel business growth for generations? In this special Mother’s Day episode—part of our collaboration series with The Southern C—host Laura Cox Kaplan sits down with Brian Hart Hoffman to explore how his mother Phyllis transformed a cross-stitch passion and meager investment into a thriving media empire while keeping family at the center of every decision.

Brian joins the conversation from Capri, Italy, where he’s leading one of Hoffman Media‘s international baking retreats. It’s just one example of how Brian has expanded his mother’s legacy through his own passions.

Together, Laura and Brian examine how motherhood can provide powerful experience capital for entrepreneurs, why niche audiences create sustainable business opportunities, and how putting family first can lead to greater long-term success.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Brian Hart Hoffman leads Hoffman Media alongside his twin brother, Eric, carrying forward their mother’s trailblazing legacy. With brands spanning beloved magazines (including Bake from Scratch, TeaTime, and Southern Lady), cookbooks, podcasts, e-learning classes, and international baking retreats, Brian continues to grow the company his mother started in their Birmingham, Alabama home in 1983. Originally a flight attendant who pursued his own career path before joining the family business, Brian now applies his creative vision and travel experience to expanding Hoffman Media’s reach while honoring its founding principles.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

This episode offers heartfelt inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone balancing family priorities with entrepreneurial ambitions. It’s a powerful reminder that motherhood can provide the greatest experience capital for building businesses that align with your deepest values.

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Title: Innovation Through Collaboration with Alexandra Dillard Lucie

Episode 328

Guest: Alexandra Dillard Lucie, Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Dillard’s, Inc.

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

How do you breathe new life into a beloved legacy brand without losing sight of its roots? This week on She Said/She Said Podcast, we’re diving into the world of retail reinvention with Alexandra Dillard Lucie—third-generation leader at Dillard’s Inc.—as part of our She Said/She Said + The Southern C Collaboration Series.

Alexandra is helping reshape the department store experience for a new generation by weaving together innovation, strategic designer partnerships, and the unique sensibility that has defined Dillard’s since 1938. What does it really take to drive meaningful change in an established business, especially one that’s family-run? And how do you balance honoring tradition with charting a bold new course?

If you’re in the midst of transforming an organization (or even your own career), considering a collaborative venture, or simply curious about the evolution of retail, this episode is full of actionable insights and inspiration.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Alexandra Dillard Lucie is the Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Dillard’s Inc. As the granddaughter of the company’s founder, she grew up steeped in the world of retail and fashion. Today, Alexandra is driving innovation at Dillard’s, launching new brands and influencer collaborations, building a “shop-within-the-shop” concept to nurture emerging designers, and embracing both the challenges and the strengths of leading within a family enterprise.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

– FAMILY BUSINESS DYNAMICS: Alexandra shares the unique opportunities (and challenges!) of working at the intersection of family and business, and how generational leadership can anchor long-term thinking.

– BALANCING TRADITION & INNOVATION: Discover how Dillard’s is blending its Southern roots and decades-long reputation with unexpected collaborations, strategic risk-taking, and keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s next in retail.

– THE POWER OF COLLABORATION: Learn about Dillard’s Coterie Shop and how nurturing rising designers and forming authentic influencer partnerships has become a major driver of growth—and why authenticity is the No. 1 ingredient for success.

– MEASURING SUCCESS BEYOND SALES: Sometimes the biggest win is taking a bold risk, even if the immediate payoff isn’t monetary.

– BLENDING BRICKS AND CLICKS: Alexandra explains how Dillard’s approaches the balance of in-store and digital experiences in a fast-evolving retail landscape, plus why personal connection and community-building remain central.

– WHY SOUTHERN STYLE MATTERS: How Dillard’s Southern heritage is a strategic advantage—and why the explosion of “new South” creativity is shaping the future of fashion and retail.

– LEADERSHIP LESSONS & GROWTH: Insights on what it takes to stay inspired, creative, and forward-moving in an ever-changing industry.

There’s so much wisdom here for anyone navigating change—inside a business, a family, or your own career. We can’t wait to hear what resonates with you!

WHAT STRUCK YOU MOST?

Share your thoughts, aha moments, and takeaways from this week’s conversation! Connect with Laura:  Instagram, Linked In,  Facebook, or email: [email protected]

You can access all previous episodes and more content here!  

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Episode 327. Unlocking Workplace Influence By Learning to Manage Up

Guest: Melody Wilding, Professor, author, and career coach

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: Ever wonder why managing up feels more confusing—or downright daunting—than any other professional skill? This week, we’re diving into what managing up truly means with Melody Wilding, executive coach, licensed social worker, and bestselling author of “Trust Yourself”   and “Managing Up”.

Managing up is not about “sucking up” or politics, but about taking charge of your own success, building alignment, and setting boundaries for sustainable, productive relationships—including with colleagues, clients, and even your board. Melody shares the essential, learnable skillsets that can help you move from overthinking and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, and influence at work—especially in our hybrid, matrixed workplaces.

We unpack her pivotal career moment (a surprise job termination!), discuss navigating imposter syndrome, the nuances of power dynamics, and practical scripts for feedback and visibility. Whether you have a boss or answer to a host of stakeholders, this episode will change how you think about influence and self-advocacy in your career journey.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST: Melody Wilding is an executive coach, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), speaker, author of Trust Yourself and Managing Up, and host of the “Psychology at Work” podcast. Melody specializes in helping sensitive high-achievers conquer self-doubt to become influential leaders. Her work is a blend of psychological insight and practical career strategies, and her mission is to help you harness your inner power in complex, people-driven environments.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: THE TRUE DEFINITION OF MANAGING UP: Melody reframes managing up as an internal shift—focusing less on the boss, and more on self-advocacy, boundary setting, and creating your own conditions for success.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME & INTERNALIZING SUCCESS: Melody gives a new perspective on “imposter feelings,” sharing why high achievers struggle to internalize their accomplishments and how you can create your own “brag book” to counteract negativity bias.

NAVIGATING POWER DYNAMICS: Learn how to assess your “pushback power” and why self-awareness and situational savvy are key to setting boundaries at every level—from junior staff to seasoned executives.

THE ART OF ALIGNMENT: Discover the essential questions to reset and clarify alignment with your manager—what does success look like, what’s keeping your boss up at night, and how can you connect project work to the bigger picture?

COMMUNICATION & FEEDBACK SCRIPTS: Melody shares frameworks like “Problem, Action, Solution” and “We, then Me” that enable you to shine the spotlight strategically—promoting both team and personal wins without tipping into self-promotion overload.

VISIBILITY WITHOUT OVERDOING IT: Master ways to increase your internal and external visibility (even in hybrid and remote settings) through storytelling, results-based updates, and strategic networking. Bonus: learn Melody’s favorite hack for expanding your influence beyond the org chart.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, mindset shifts, and the inside track on navigating relationships at work— and in life — with more confidence and less second-guessing.

I can’t wait to hear from you! What’s your biggest managing up challenge or breakthrough? Reach out and let us know!

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What if the way you’re collecting professional experiences is more valuable than the titles on your resume? In this eye-opening episode, Lareina Yee, Executive Partner at McKinsey and co-author of “The Broken Rung,” introduces us to the game-changing concept of “experience capital” – the true currency that propels careers forward. Discover how strategically curating your professional experiences can exponentially increase your career value and why understanding this concept is crucial for women navigating the corporate ladder. This conversation reveals why the “broken rung” on the career ladder affects women long before they ever encounter the glass ceiling, and offers practical strategies to build the right kind of capital for sustainable success.

Lareina Yee is an executive partner at McKinsey who co-founded the Women in the Workplace research initiative, capturing more than a decade of data-driven insights on gender in the workplace. With her co-authors in “The Broken Rung,” Lareina examines the overlooked barriers women face early in their careers and provides strategic approaches to overcoming these challenges.

EXPERIENCE CAPITAL EXPLAINED: Understand how the professional experiences you collect become your career currency – with Lareina explaining that 50% of your lifetime earnings comes from what you gain on the job. Learn how to strategically select roles, responsibilities, and projects that build your portfolio of skills and demonstrate your readiness for advancement.

BOLD CAREER MOVES THAT PAY OFF: Discover why stepping into roles where 20% of the requirements terrify you might be exactly what your career needs. Lareina shares why periodic job changes and stretching beyond your comfort zone accelerates your experience capital growth.

CHOOSING COMPANIES, NOT JUST JOBS: Learn why “picking a company, not a job” is critical early in your career, and how to evaluate which organizations will truly invest in your development.

P&L RESPONSIBILITY AS A CAREER ACCELERATOR: Find out why having profit and loss responsibility, even temporarily, dramatically increases your experience capital and future opportunities.

TRANSFORMING MOTHERHOOD INTO A CAPITAL BUILDER: Challenge conventional thinking about career breaks with strategies for creating a “round trip ticket” that turns parenthood into an experience capital advantage.

LEVERAGING YOUR NETWORK STRATEGICALLY: Understand the crucial difference between mentors who guide and sponsors who open doors, and how to cultivate both types of relationships.

This episode provides actionable insights on building your professional currency in ways you might never have considered. I’m eager to hear how the concept of experience capital might reshape your approach to career development! Connect with me and share how you’re thinking about your own experience capital – is this concept new to you? Something that might shift how you’re thinking about your professional journey? Let me know!

LINKS MENTIONED: 

The Broken Rung by Kweilin Ellingrud, Lareina Yee, and Maria Del Mar Martinez

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Episode 325: Who Believed in You? The Transformative Power of Mentorship

Guest: Dina Powell McCormick

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

Ever consider how a simple word of encouragement or a nudge could alter the course of your life? This week’s episode delves into the power of mentorship with Dina Powell McCormick. In this conversation, we discuss how mentorship can transcend beyond career growth, fostering trust and unity in a divided world. Whether you are seeking a mentor or aspiring to become one, Dina’s insights are invaluable.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Dina Powell McCormick is a remarkable leader whose career spans public service and finance. She served two U.S. Presidents, held a senior partner role at Goldman Sachs, and is now Vice Chair at BDT and MSD Partners. Alongside her husband, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, she has co-authored “Who Believed in You?”, a compelling new book about the life-changing role of mentors. Find inspiration in Dina’s journey from her early days as an Egyptian immigrant in Texas to becoming a global leader and advocate for mentorship.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

THE IMPACT OF MENTORSHIP: Discover how a mentor’s belief can transform lives and why mentors are pivotal in seeing potential in us that we may not see in ourselves.

BUILDING TRUST: Dina shares how mentorship can rebuild trust in a world where institutional trust is waning, emphasizing that meaningful connections start with one person at a time.

DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN TRANSACTIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL MENTORING: Learn why it’s vital to engage in deep, value-based mentoring relationships that transcend mere transactional exchanges.

THE ROLE OF FEEDBACK AND TOUGH LOVE: Dina and Laura discuss the importance of receiving and being open to constructive criticism, and how it contributes to personal and professional growth.

THE GENDER DIMENSION IN MENTORSHIP: Addressing how post-MeToo gender dynamics in mentorship have evolved, and why cross gender mentorship is important.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR BEING A GREAT MENTEE: Dina provides actionable advice on how to maximize the mentoring relationship through preparation and engagement.

This episode has a wealth of wisdom to guide your mentorship journey. We’re eager to hear which stories and insights resonate with you. And, most importantly we would love to hear who believed in YOU?

Links:

Book Trailer: Who believed in YOU?

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Episode 324: Redefining Ambition

Guest: Dr. Anne Welsh

Does it feel impossible to succeed both as a mother and in your career? This week we dive into “The Ambition Paradox” with Harvard-trained psychologist Dr. Anne Welsh. She challenges the outdated notion that career success is only about climbing higher, explaining instead how motherhood often expands a woman’s ambition—wider and deeper—rather than diminishing it. Dr. Welsh shares her personal journey of redefining success after leaving her “dream job” at Harvard to open her own practice, and offers transformative insights on how the leadership skills developed through motherhood translate directly to professional settings. We explore breaking free from perfectionism, the value of one-degree shifts in our thinking, and how to view ambition as a web rather than a ladder. This conversation is a must-listen for any woman struggling to reconcile her professional goals with family life.

Dr. Anne Welsh is a former Harvard psychologist, executive coach, and mother of four who specializes in helping working mothers navigate the unique challenges they face. Drawing from clinical expertise, academic research, and personal experience, Dr. Welsh offers practical insights into how motherhood equips women with exceptional leadership skills. She’s currently working on a book about The Ambition Paradox, exploring how women can break free from society’s limiting expectations without shrinking their ambitions.

THE AMBITION PARADOX: Dr. Welsh explains this concept—the painful situation where wanting to excel both as a mother and in your career seems impossible—and offers practical ways to break free from this limiting mindset.

MOTHERHOOD AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Discover the “five Ps” of leadership skills developed during motherhood: people skills, processing skills, productivity, perspective-taking, and playfulness—all transferable assets in professional settings.

FROM LINEAR TO MULTIDIMENSIONAL AMBITION: Learn why traditional “ladder climbing” is an outdated model and how to embrace ambition as a web that includes seeking growth in multiple directions: time, connection, creativity, and autonomy.

LIFE SEASONS AND CAREER SHIFTS: Dr. Welsh shares her personal journey of scaling back her career when her children were young and how she’s leaning back in as they grow older, offering permission and perspective for women in similar transitions.

PRACTICAL IDENTITY WORK: Get actionable advice on how to separate external expectations from your authentic desires, using the “closet clean-out” method to identify what truly fits for you in this stage. 

Dr. Welsh’s insights about expanding our definition of ambition beyond power, title, and money offer a profoundly liberating perspective for working mothers. I’m eager to hear how her concepts resonate with your own experiences. You can share your thoughts through the contact links below.

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