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When you decide to play bigger, you can create positive impact that ripples far and wide and empowers others to play bigger, too. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I speak to someone who has built the heart of her community — and works every day to keep it beating strong.
Onikah Asamoa-Caesar is the founder and owner of Tulsa-based Fulton Street Books & Coffee, which she created as a safe space for Black and Brown folks to build community, change their city through civic discourse, and increase intergenerational literacy. Before opening this incredible space, Onikah worked on criminal justice policy initiatives under the office of Colorado state senator Mike Johnston, then helped to launch the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Birth through Eight Strategy, which focused on creating a cycle of opportunity for Tulsa’s most vulnerable families.
During this conversation, we dig into the importance of inclusive spaces, the nuances of effective allyship, and the beauty of loving your identity.
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Onikah Asamoa-Caesar is the founder and owner of Fulton Street Books & Coffee in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fulton Street Books & Coffee was created to center the stories, narratives, and lived experiences of Black folks, Brown folks, and marginalized communities.
Timestamps:
01:41 Intro
03:05 Meet Onikah Asamoa-Caesar
05:28 Loving Black identity
07:04 Traveling as a Black woman
10:44 Returning to the States & Teach for America
15:59 Evolving life’s work
19:23 Why open a bookstore?
25:53 Expanding in Tulsa International Airport
27:15 The Ally Box & Book Club For a Cause
30:55 What’s next?
33:34 Family history
38:38 Little & Lit
Links:
Onikah Asamoa-Caesar
https://www.fultonstreet918.com
Instagram: @fultonstreet918
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential! Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!
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When you begin to think and play bigger, it can transform not only your own life, but the lives of those around you — your family, your team, your community, and even beyond.
As the founder of the transformative global nonprofit Women Empowering Nations (WEN), Carlisha Bradley is playing bigger and making a difference on a global stage. She’s served as a trusted advisor to aid organizations, nonprofits, schools, leaders, foreign governments, and diplomats around the world, and has learned how to effect powerful change for the women and girls that she serves.
In this conversation, we talk about the incredible impact of Carlisha’s international work, her inspiring background in public education, and why I would love for her to run for office someday!
Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Carlisha Williams Bradley is an acclaimed nonprofit leader, education advocate, and social enterprise consultant. Carlisha lends her spirit, expertise, and voice as an advocate for women and girls worldwide as the founder of Women Empowering Nations, a nonprofit devoted to the educational and leadership development of girls. With her consultancy, Amplify for Women, she calls other destiny-driven women to follow in her footsteps and be the change. She is the bestselling author of Choosing Faith Over Fear: 14 Days of Life-Changing Lessons.
Timestamps:
01:39 Intro
04:28 Meet Carlisha Bradley
07:50 Hallmark movies & twin motherhood
15:11 Journey of self-discovery
19:08 Igniting her passion
22:28 Surprising stories
25:10 How to support WEN
26:28 Why Carlisha does this work
29:22 Working for the Board of Education
36:06 Emotion, passion & presence
39:50 Politicians & regaining our progress
44:43 What’s next
Links:
Carlisha Bradley
https://carlisha.com
http://wenations.org
https://www.amplifyforwomen.com
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential.
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When you’re surrounded by people telling you what you should be doing, feeling, or working toward, it’s hard to hear the inner voice that is telling you what you truly want — and even harder to speak your truth. How do you know when the path you’re on is one you’ve chosen for yourself… and how do you make a shift to one that better reflects your goals?
Dr. Mrinalini Garv is a bestselling author and career coach who helps South Asian professional women master their careers, so they can thrive as immigrants and achieve the success they didn't even know was possible.
Mrinalini found her own incredible success after leaving an arranged marriage, moving to a new continent, completely changing her career, and embracing her most authentic self! Our conversation covers cultural expectations, courageous shifts, speaking up, and speaking out.
Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Dr. Mrinalini Garv is America's only career coach for South Asian professional women. A bestselling author and multiple-time career changer, Dr. Garv has worked as a physician, a leadership coach, and a business professor in world-renowned organizations. Having had to maneuver her career success without a mentor that looks like her or had experiences similar to hers, Dr. Garv has become that mentor to South Asian professionals.
Timestamps:
01:46 Intro
02:55 Meet Dr. Mrinalini Garv
05:54 Fairness creams & beauty standards
09:41 Why we are held back
14:16 Moving to the United States
18:34 Cultural expectations
22:17 Aligning to your higher purpose
27:09 Recognizing the signs in your life
29:37 Mrinalini’s work as a coach
32:09 Cultural differences & similarities
34:39 What’s next
Links:
Dr. Mrinalini Garv
https://unshackledcareerwoman.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/rapidcareertransformation
Instagram: @unshackledcareerwoman
The 1 Thing That Changed Everything: Powerful Stories Written By Women Who Now Have It All
https://www.amazon.com/Thing-That-Changed-Everything-Powerful/dp/B08X5ZC5QP
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
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Dr. Meg Myers Morgan shared so many fascinating insights during her last appearance on Shift Out Loud that I had to invite her back! Meg is a keynote speaker, professor, and coach who works with people seeking clarity in times of overwhelm. Her award-winning books include Everything is Negotiable: The 5 Tactics to Get What You Want in Life, Love & Work.
In this episode, we discuss the key factor that can turn a passable coach into a great coach, why you shouldn’t be discouraged by yawning audience members, and what it means to be a lighthouse and stop chasing after the “boats” in your life (whatever they may be).
You’ll also hear Meg and I get into a mini coaching session of our own and explore how our negative perceptions can keep us playing small — definitely a must-listen for anyone who isn’t experiencing the results and recognition that they deserve!
Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Dr. Morgan is an award-winning author, college professor, and certified executive coach. Her latest book, Everything is Negotiable, is a bestseller and has been translated in multiple languages. She is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma and leads the graduate programs in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management on the OU-Tulsa campus. She is currently the chair for the Tulsa Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women.
Timestamps:
01:42 Intro
02:47 Meet Dr. Meg Myers Morgan
05:25 The lighthouse lesson
10:12 The lighthouse results
13:53 Disney World story
22:27 Get into the flow
25:16 James Comey & ethics
31:57 Symptoms & causes
36:54 From mentoring students to coaching executives
39:10 What is good coaching?
42:49 Writing, privacy & perception
47:29 Coaching session
Links:
Dr. Meg Myers Morgan
www.megmyersmorgan.com
Instagram: @megmyersmorgan
Shift Out Loud #2: Everything is Negotiable with Dr. Meg Myers Morgan
https://tracyspears.com/2022/08/22/everything-is-negotiable
A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey
https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Loyalty-Truth-Lies-Leadership/dp/1250192455
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit https://tracyspears.com
For tools and insights that will help you play bigger, visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
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Carol Seymour may be playing bigger than anyone I’ve ever interviewed — and her bold moves have helped me to play much bigger in my own life.
Carol is an accomplished business leader, one of Real Leaders Magazine’s Top 40 Women Keynote Speakers for 2020, and the founder of Signature Leaders, an organization that accelerates women into next-level leadership through its outstanding professional development programs. Signature Leaders was recognized as one of Inc.’s 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2022 and has helped more than 3000 global leaders create greater impact and influence.
In this conversation, we talk about the biggest shifts that led Carol to leadership development, how a single program led to massive market-leading success, and how selling Girl Guide cookies helped a pre-teen Carol uncover one of her greatest superpowers.
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Carol Seymour is a sought-after business leader and seasoned global executive of large and mid-cap size companies and private-equity backed turnarounds.
Her personal brand is all about catalyzing growth. She took her business success and married it with her passion for leadership, founding Signature Leaders in 2013. She is a Founding Member of Paradigm for Parity.
Timestamps:
01:36 Intro
03:16 Meet Carol Seymour
05:28 Networking & London
07:51 Women, competition & community
11:30 The sales shifts
13:49 Product recall story
17:22 Shifting into new chapters
21:59 Sergio Marchionne interview story
26:20 Starting Signature Leaders
28:41 Board of advisors & key advice
34:32 Burnout & core capabilities
36:50 Leadership takeaways for women & men
43:50 What's next
48:10 Wisdom Warriors
Links:
Carol Seymour
https://signatureleaders.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-seymour-40897614
Wisdom Warriors: Women with the Courage to be True to Themselves
https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Warriors-Journeys-Leadership-Themselves/dp/0998261564
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit https://tracyspears.com
For tools and insights that will help you play bigger, visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
Love the podcast? Consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game!
Send a text
I’m issuing a heartfelt thank-you to all of the listeners who have supported the Shift Out Loud podcast in 2022. Our first season was wildly successful, reaching thousands of people who aspire to think and play bigger in their own lives. I’m thrilled that I was able to sit down with a variety of amazing people to dig deeply into their biggest shifts, challenges, lessons, and triumphs — including a groundbreaking stand-up comedian, a softball legend, an intuitive guide, Michelle Obama’s favorite puppeteer, and many more.
In this episode, we’re looking back on some of the most surprising, most inspiring, and most resonant moments from our first season, with guests Tricia Brouk, Dr. Meg Myers Morgan, June Miller, Pam McKissick, and Wally Schmader. Tune in to hear their powerful tips and insights, and remember to subscribe, so that you won’t miss a single episode of Season 2!
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
Timestamps:
00:55 Intro
01:48 Getting hung up on the ‘how’
04:37 Visioning
08:24 Naming your price
10:55 Shifting out of playing small
13:41 Getting over scarcity consciousness
16:32 Co-creating your existence
17:39 Psychedelics
19:20 What holds women back?
23:25 Thoughts, energy & reality
24:17 Goal-setting
Links:
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!
Send a text
The guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud is… me, Tracy Spears.
Due to audience demand, this episode is flipping the script a little bit — my Exceptional Leaders Lab partner, co-author, and long-time friend Wally Schmader is stepping up as my guest host and putting me in the hot seat to talk about my own big shifts, and how I’ve learned to think and play bigger throughout my life.
If you’ve ever wondered why I shifted away from softball or why I chose to remain in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you won’t want to miss this episode!
During our discussion, we dive deep into the finer points of goal-setting, the complementary traits that have made our partnership so successful, which of my shifts I’d like the opportunity to re-do, and the monumental shift that fully cemented our incredible friendship.
Listen now to discover:
Guest host bio: Wally Schmader is a highly sought-after leadership coach, thought leader, trainer, and facilitator based in Norfolk, Virginia. He‘s developed programs and content that have influenced thousands of leaders worldwide. Wally’s innovative strategies, ideas, and recommendations have been featured in dozens of publications and media outlets. He‘s coached and advised hundreds of top executives.
Timestamps:
01:36 Intro
03:07 My motivational fuse
06:54 Why Tulsa?
08:52 Keeping things in flux
09:49 Sensitivity & big feelings
13:43 Shift re-dos
16:12 What holds people back
18:00 Goal-setting & decision-making
23:08 Looking into the future
27:49 Mutual appreciation
29:51 Coming out
Links:
What the Bleep Do We Know!?
https://whatthebleep.com
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!
Send a text
What happens when you get caught up in the ‘how’ of your dreams? You may impose hidden limitations on the ‘what’ and the ‘when’. Tricia Brouk has mastered the art of (co-)creating her own destiny. She is the founder of The Big Talk Academy, where she helps people transform their stories into an industry-leading media presence. She’s also the author of The Influential Voice: Saying What You Mean for Lasting Legacy — and the very first guest to appear on the Shift Out Loud podcast.
In this conversation, we unpack one of the most resonant and thought-provoking quotes from her first appearance on the show, explore the differences between dreamstorming and brainstorming, and discuss what happens when you stop trying to control outcomes and remain open to the possibilities.
Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Tricia Brouk helps high-performing professionals transform into industry thought leaders through the power of authentic storytelling. She is the founder of The Big Talk Academy, the executive producer of Speakers Who Dare and TEDxLincolnSquare, and the producer and host of The Big Talk, an award-winning podcast and YouTube Channel. She curates and hosts the Speaker Salon in NYC and is featured in a new documentary called Big Stages.
Timestamps:
01:37 Intro
03:08 Meet Tricia Brouk
04:20 Getting out of the ‘how’ business
06:53 Tricia’s ‘how’ stories
09:52 TED masterclass story
13:07 Revisiting the vision board
14:52 Dreamstorming v. brainstorming
17:30 Presence & action
18:41 The Knowing
22:07 Book signing story
24:39 Detaching
26:29 Lost project story
28:15 Co-creation & finding signs
Links:
Tricia Brouk
https://triciabrouk.com
https://www.thebigtalkacademy.com
https://www.theinfluentialvoicebook.com/chapter
Magic City Books
The Knowing: 11 Lessons to Understand the Quiet Urges of Your Soul
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-knowing-saje-dyer/1137250916
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential! Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notificatio
Send a text
From keynote speaking for Coca-Cola in Buenos Aires to inspiring teenagers at a non-profit summer camp, Greg Hawks is a master at conquering stages of all sizes.
Greg wears a number of different hats, from corporate culture specialist to keynote speaker to virtual conference producer, but the common threads that run throughout his work are his infectious enthusiasm, his creativity, and his love of costumes.
Press play to hear his insightful and often hilarious stories about shifting from non-profit to for-profit, experimenting with message mash-ups on the fly, pursuing a career in music with zero musical talent, and launching his own innovative culture specialist agency.
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: As a Corporate Culture Specialist, Greg Hawks shapes environments where everyone gets to contribute their best daily. For two decades he has mentored leaders, developed teams, crafted culture, and empowered employees. As a Keynote Speaker, he is an enthusiastic character. As a Virtual Conference Producer, he fashions turn-key experiences that produce virtual conferences that rival in-person gatherings.
Timestamps:
02:02 Intro
02:48 Meet Greg Hawks
04:07 Working with a coach
07:34 Non-profit to for-profit
11:42 Greg’s shift to the stage
14:42 My shift to the stage
16:37 Taking risks on the Coca-Cola stage
22:13 Current aspirations
25:23 Third-grade energy
26:39 Ohio to Oklahoma & Hawks Agency
31:18 Building the team
41:19 Giving back
47:12 What’s next
Links
Greg Hawks
https://www.hawksagency.com
https://linkedin.com/in/ghawks
Twitter: @greg_hawks
Instagram: @greghawks
Shift Out Loud #15: When Life Pitches Curveballs with Hall-of-Famer Cindy Bristow
https://tracyspears.com/2022/11/22/ep-15-when-life-pitches-curveballs-with-hall-of-famer-cindy-bristow
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never m
Send a text
When you’re leading through a time of change, it isn’t enough for your team to believe in your plan. They need to believe in you.
Dr. Joanne Culverhouse has enjoyed an award-winning, 41-year career in education, taking on the roles of teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent, and said farewell to full-time employment in 2022 as the superintendent of the La Habra City School District — but not before fully reconfiguring the district’s nine schools and modernizing its format.
Joanne has a rare and valuable talent for creating strong and authentic connections with and between people in her community. In this conversation, we dive into the power of telling people who you are, the process of developing a personal leadership style, and the art of leading people through change with intention.
Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:
Guest bio: Dr. Joanne Culverhouse’s distinguished career in education spans 41 years in various capacities, including a teacher, coach, and principal, and retired as the proud superintendent of the La Habra City School District in 2022. In 2018, she was recognized as one of the 100 top influencers of Orange County by the OC Register for her overhaul of the La Habra schools. In 2019, she received the Superintendent of the Year Award from the ACSA Region 17. In 2022, she was selected as the California 29th Senate District’s Woman of the Year by Senator Josh Newman.
Timestamps:
01:56 Intro
03:44 Meet Joanne Culverhouse
06:38 From teacher to principal
14:25 Choosing her leadership style
18:01 Connecting with the community
20:55 Reconfiguring the school district
26:39 Leading & uniting people through change
33:37 Sharing who you are
46:19 Retiring & coaching
53:14 What’s next
Links:
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!
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Hosted by Tracy Spears, speaker, co-author of two best selling leadership books, founder of The Leader Lab, coach, and head cheerleader for anyone trying to play bigger. Shift Out Loud is a podcast…

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