She Takes The Lead

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Why is it easier to say, “I’m ambitious,” than “I’ve achieved”?
 In this episode, I break down why so many high-achieving women (myself included!) struggle to own their success. From redefining what achievement even is, to a conversation between my 6-year-old daughter and her bestie that stopped me in my tracks, this episode is full of truth bombs, real-talk, and one heck of a reminder: you’ve done more than you’re giving yourself credit for.

🎯 We unpack:

• The emotional weight behind “ambitious” vs “achieving”
• How midlife shifts your ability to own your wins
• A heart-melting self-love lesson from two 6-year-olds
• Simple ways to friend yourself first—yes, actually

🎧 Hit play. Then send it to your bestie! 

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In this deeply personal solo episode, I unpack what it really means to live a creative life while juggling the realities of adulthood, ambition, and mental health.

I share a story about a fellow artist at a crossroads—struggling financially but convinced they were “born for this.” Sound familiar? I’ve been there. In fact, I’m still there… sometimes mid-pivot, sometimes standing still, sometimes flying forward.

This isn’t about glamorizing the hustle. It’s about telling the truth: you can have more than one dream. You’re allowed to pause one without abandoning it. Stability and ambition don’t have to be enemies. And if you’ve ever wondered if it’s okay to pivot or reroute—this one’s for you.

In This Episode, I Talk About:

• Why "burn the boats" advice doesn’t work for everyone
• What it really looks like to balance your dreams with your bills
• The myth of confidence in creative industries
• What high-achieving, neurodiverse minds misunderstand about procrastination
• The unsexy but essential role of baseline stability
• Why having more than one dream isn’t scattered—it’s strategic
• What filling “all the pots” in your life might look like

Key Quote:
 "A decision isn’t a decision until it’s put into action. But that doesn’t mean all your actions need to go in one direction."

Listen if you’re:

• A multi-passionate creator trying to “make it”
• Balancing caregiving, bills, and bold dreams
• Questioning your path, your pace, or your plan
• Someone who hyper-focuses… until you don’t
• Ready to feel a little more whole—on your own terms

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In this raw and heart-opening episode of She Takes the Lead, I sit down with Danielle Sebastian—a pharmacist turned trauma-partner support coach—to dive into the unspoken world of being married to someone with unresolved trauma. If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells in your relationship, or you’re trying to hold your household together while your partner heals, this one is for you.

What We Talk About:

• Understanding trauma responses and what’s really going on in your partner’s brain
•  How Danielle went from pharmacist to author and wife-care coach
•  The moment her marriage hit rock bottom—and how they clawed their way back
•  Why setting boundaries isn’t betrayal—it’s survival
•  How to decide if healing together is possible…or if it’s time to walk away
•  Parenting while managing triggers (yours and theirs)
•  Real scripts for starting that tough convo when you feel alone in your relationship

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma responses aren't personal—they're protective.
• Love is not about being a savior. It's about being a partner.
• You don’t need a traumatic childhood to have trauma responses.
• If you're constantly trying to prevent the next meltdown, you’re not thriving—you’re surviving.
• Empathy is a tool, not a personality trait. Use it wisely and with boundaries.
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• DanielleSebastian.com for free calls and her book
• Find her on Instagram: @danielle_sebastian_wifecare

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In this powerhouse episode of She Takes the Lead, Carole sits down with Ella Rivkin—financial strategist, immigrant powerhouse, and co-author of Cracking the Code to Success with Brian Tracy. From a near-tragic accident that changed her life to building financial freedom from $100 in her pocket, Ella shares how she rewrote her money story—and how you can too.

This isn't just about spreadsheets or investment portfolios. It's about falling in love with your finances, ditching the fear, and creating a life that doesn’t just include money... but one where money actively works for you. 💸✨

What You’ll Learn:

• The Money Mantra: “I love money, and money loves me”—and why you need to say it like you mean it.
• How a bike accident became Ella’s financial and personal rebirth.
• The “Wheel of Life” method: how to check in on every area of your life, daily.
• The Value Creation Formula: calculate your freedom number and unlock passive income like a boss.
• Why your financial freedom goal is different than everyone else’s—and how to stop apologizing for it.
• Why 80% of wealth building is mindset, not math.
• How Carole set up a custodial Roth IRA for her daughter—and why it’s the ultimate power move for moms.

Ella Rivkin's Website

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What do a teenage debate champion, a C-suite executive, and a karaoke-dodging jazz singer all have in common? Yep—public speaking anxiety.

In this episode of She Takes The Lead, I sit down with the fantastic and fun Devin Sarno—founder of Parlay Communicators, keynote speaker, and public speaking coach—to unpack why so many of us freeze up when it’s time to speak in front of others... even if we’re literally pros.

Devin shares how her theater background and coaching competitive speech and debate for teens shaped her unique, empathy-first approach to helping people use their voice without fear (or fake pep talks). From awkward boardroom requests to "just sing something" conference room horror stories, we talk about why even the most seasoned professionals can feel like total frauds with a mic in hand.

You’ll learn:

• Why imposter syndrome and stage fright are basically evil twins
• How to build trust when you only have 60 seconds and a shaky voice
• The key to sounding like a leader—even when you’re internally screaming
• What to do when a performance becomes about proving people wrong (hint: don’t do it)
• How introverts can connect authentically without oversharing or trauma-dumping (yep, we said it)

Whether you’re pitching, presenting, or just trying to talk to another parent at the school bake sale without breaking into a flop sweat—this one’s for you.

Listen now and learn how to stop white-knuckling your way through every conversation. Your voice deserves to be heard—without the panic.

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Women Thrive Summit 2025 Speaker Series:

This week on She Takes The Lead, we’re featuring powerhouse women from the Women Thrive Summit 2025—leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers sharing their wisdom to help you step into your power.

Are you playing small in your career or business? Do you ever feel like you're “too much” or worry about taking up too much space? In this powerful episode of She Takes the Lead, I sit down with Abigail Rebecca, a Human Design Visibility Mentor and expert in helping women embrace their iconic presence. Abigail shares her incredible journey from growing up in a restrictive religious cult to becoming a global leader in female empowerment.

We dive into the real reasons high-achieving women hold themselves back and how to finally break free from imposter syndrome, stop apologizing for their power, and attract the right opportunities. If you’re ready to own your voice, embrace your visibility, and stop playing small, this episode is for you!

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
 ✅ How to overcome the fear of being “too much” and fully step into your power
 ✅ Why visibility is the key to scaling your business and career
 ✅ The role of Human Design in understanding your leadership style
 ✅ How to attract the right clients and repel the wrong ones (without guilt!)
 ✅ The surprising way corporate leadership is shifting and what that means for women
 ✅ Why freedom and success go hand in hand for women entrepreneurs

💬 Key Quotes from Abigail Rebecca:
 💡 “Many women fear being too much. But iconic women don’t hold back—they stand out.”
 💡 “Stop apologizing for your power. You don’t want to attract people who don’t align with you anyway.”
 💡 “The moment I stopped hustling and leaned into my Human Design, everything changed.”

Connect with Abigail Rebecca: Website | Instagram (@thevisibilitygoddess) | YouTube
Find Your Human Design: Get Your Free Chart Here

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Women Thrive Summit 2025 Speaker Series:

This week on She Takes The Lead, we’re featuring powerhouse women from the Women Thrive Summit 2025—leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers sharing their wisdom to help you step into your power.

What if self-care wasn’t just about bubble baths and spa days, but a radical act of self-seduction? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Sapha Pardo Heckman, Embodied Sovereignty Mentor & Priestess of Feminine Alchemy, to explore how women can reclaim their confidence, step into their personal power, and cultivate deep self-love—without conditions.

We dive into:

• The Art of Self-Seduction: Why falling in love with yourself is the key to true empowerment
•  Breaking Free from the ‘Self-Love’ Trap: Why traditional self-care advice keeps women stuck
• Personal Sovereignty: How to stop living at the mercy of others and take full control of your life
• Dark Feminine Energy & Embodiment: What it really means to embrace your full power—without apology

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing the work (therapy, books, self-help) but still feel stuck, this episode is for you. Get ready for an eye-opening, paradigm-shifting conversation that will change how you see yourself forever.

Guest Info:
 Sapha Pardo Heckman | Embodied Sovereignty Mentor & Priestess of Feminine Alchemy, Your Soulful Goddess, LLC
Follow her on Instagram: @YourSoulfulGoddess
Listen to her podcast: Mindfully Sovereign
Work with her: [email protected]

Resources & Mentions:

📖 The Red Tent – A book that changed Sapha’s perspective on feminine power
💡 Mindful Self-Seduction – Learn more about how to cultivate deep intimacy with yourself

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Episode Summary:
In this empowering episode of She Takes The Lead, I sit down with Raimonda Jan, founder of Women Thrive Summit and Women Thrive Media, to talk about the power of visibility, breaking through self-imposed limitations, and stepping into your full potential. We dive into the fear of being seen, how to balance ambition with motherhood, and the self-liberation that comes with shedding old identities.

Whether you're a high-achieving woman navigating life transitions or an entrepreneur ready to take up more space, this conversation will give you the mindset shifts you need to stop playing small and start advocating for yourself.

💡 In this episode, we cover:
✔️ Why visibility is non-negotiable for success (even when it feels scary)
✔️ The moment Raimonda realized she was holding herself back—and how she changed it
✔️ How motherhood fueled her entrepreneurial growth strategy
✔️ The surprising way she found self-liberation (hint: it involves a major hair transformation)
✔️ Why "there are no limits" should be your new mantra

Quotes You’ll Love:

💬 "I knew that if I wanted to make a difference, I had to advocate for myself and what I do."
💬 "There are no limits. Don’t tell me it can’t be done—tell me how we can do it."
💬 "Even on your worst day, you are enough."

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💌 Happy Valentine’s Day, Party People! 💌

In this special Valentine’s Day episode, I get real about what love actually looks like—the grand gestures, the small moments, and why flowers don’t mean sh*t (well, sometimes). From the most romantic act I’ve ever experienced (hint: it involved a bodega and a rainstorm) to why I willingly get scammed by the commercialized love-fest that is February 14th, we’re unpacking it all.

But let’s not stop at romance—because let’s be honest, love is so much bigger than candlelit dinners and overpriced roses. We’re talking about the power of platonic friendships, why relying on one person to fill every emotional need is a disaster waiting to happen, and how checking boxes in dating apps might actually be sabotaging our love lives.

And, because I can’t help myself, we’re throwing in some Say Anything nostalgia, the rebel move of staying optimistic in love, and how my daughter schooled me on the real meaning of Valentine’s Day with 27 hand-drawn high fives.

What’s Inside This Episode?

💔 The truth about flowers vs. real romantic gestures
💡 Why platonic friendships are the backbone of lasting love
📋 Are dating checklists ruining romance?
🎬 A nostalgic nod to ‘80s rom-coms and what they got so wrong
❤️ The real rebel move: staying optimistic about love

Links & Resources:

🔗 Read my article on the power of platonic friendships – Women Thrive Magazine (Sept 2024) – Page 12-14

Call to Action:

💬 I want to hear from YOU! What does Valentine’s Day mean to you? Is it a celebration of love or just a reminder of what’s missing? Drop me a DM, comment, or share your story using #SheTakesTheLeadPod. And if you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform.

🎙️ Stay bold. Stay optimistic. And if you must get scammed, at least do it in style.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my loves. I adore your guts. ❤️

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This Conversation with Aubrey Hubbell Will Make You Rethink Everything About Female Leadership and Taboo Topics 🎯

Here's the 5-second summary: Aubrey Hubbell is disrupting the femcare industry by making products women actually want to use, not hide. And she's doing it while crushing motherhood and leadership stereotypes. Let's dive in!

THE TRUTH BOMB 💥

50% of women experience leaks. FIFTY PERCENT. Yet we're all walking around pretending it's not happening. Aubrey saw this massive disconnect and created Hazel - but here's what makes her different: she approached it from a beauty and wellness angle, not the tired old "clinical" approach.

CAREER RECEIPTS 🧾

- Started in NYC startups

- Helped build Rockets of Awesome from scratch

- First product designer at Zola

- Now: Founder & Chief Design Officer at Hazel

HERE'S WHY THIS MATTERS 👊

Aubrey's breaking down barriers in THREE massive ways:

1. Making "taboo" products beautiful (seriously, the packaging is Instagram-worthy)
2. Using real, non-photoshopped models
3. Getting major press (VOGUE!) to talk about incontinence openly

THE LEADERSHIP TRUTH NO ONE TELLS YOU 📢

You don't need to be the loudest voice in the room. Aubrey's approach? Build relationships. Listen hard. Bring in people smarter than you. Period.

MOTHERHOOD REAL TALK 🤱

- Had her first baby while running a startup

- Takes her kid to wine bars (yes, really!)

- Zero perfectionist BS about "balance"

- Just makes it work, day by day

LISTEN UP: The big lesson here isn't just about building a successful company. It's about bringing your whole self to everything you do. No compartmentalizing. No hiding. Just authenticity.

WHERE TO FIND HAZEL:

HelloHazel.com

Instagram: @hellohazel_

Available at: Meijer, Wegmans, Raley's

BOTTOM LINE: Stop waiting for permission to tackle the "taboo" stuff. The world needs more leaders like Aubrey who see stigma and think "challenge accepted." 

NOW GO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! 🚀

Connect with Carole

• Sign up for Carole’s personal letter
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• Free Resources
• Visit Carole’s website
• Want to be a guest on She Takes The Lead
• Got a question or collaboration idea
• Disclaimer

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