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Content Warning: loss of parent, grief, mention of loss of child/sibling

About This Episode

Dr. Denise Brown shares how choosing herself shaped her journey to physician and CEO, beginning with a bold residency transfer and losing her mother at 25. She challenges the myth of “linear womanhood,” opens up about leaving a toxic job, and redefines success around courage, authenticity, and prioritization. Drawing on her book The Fairy God Doctor’s Guide to a Good Life, Denise offers wisdom on letting go of balance, enforcing what matters most, and making bold choices that align with your deepest values, reminding us that “bold is choosing you.”

About Denise Brown

With over three decades of experience in healthcare as a physician, CEO and Chief Strategy Officer, Denise S. Brown, MD is a transformative leader who helps women in business learn how to prioritize and avoid maternal overwhelm. A thought leader in self-care activities for women, she brings her expertise to books for successful women. A graduate of The University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, with training at Stanford and Vanderbilt, she lives with Alex, her childhood sweetheart of 28 years, and their sons Will and Hank.

Additional Resources

Instagram: @thefairygoddoctor

LinkedIn: @DeniseSBrownMD

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About This Episode

In this episode, leadership transformation architect and Velvet Suite founder Melissa Dawn Simkins reveals the powerful link between an athletic mindset (discipline, resilience, and teamwork) and leadership excellence, noting that 96% of women executives were former athletes. Melissa discusses her “NOW moment” philosophy, the belief-building power of taking bold action, and the importance of clarity and consistency in personal branding. Her compelling story offers inspiration and guidance for leaders ready to embrace purpose-driven performance and step into their next level with confidence.

About Melissa Dawn Simkins

Melissa Dawn Simkins is a leadership transformation architect who blends the discipline of elite athletes with executive influence to unlock purpose-driven, sustainable performance. As founder of Velvet Suite, an Inc. 5000 ed-tech company, she partners with C-suite leaders and high-performing teams to redefine success from the inside out. A pioneer in positioning personal brand as the currency of leadership, her influence spans Fortune 500 boardrooms, elite athletic circles, and global forums, building character, resilience, and capacity in the face of change. Creator of the M.V.P. Accelerator, the Beyond the C-Suite newsletter, and the upcoming C-Suite Confidential podcast, she offers bold insights for executives navigating transition, burnout, and growth, helping leaders win from within.

Additional Resources

Website: melissadawnsimkins.com

Instagram: @melissadawnsimkins 

Facebook: @MelissaDawnSimkins 

LinkedIn: @MelissaDawnSimkins 

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About This Episode

What happens when an organization’s culture is disconnected from their business strategy? Dr. Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist and author of The Power of Culture, shares how culture, when treated as an HR task rather than a strategic driver, loses its power to impact performance. Drawing from her personal story and leadership experience, she explains how leaders shape culture through everyday actions, not just values statements. Laura urges companies to move beyond surface-level perks and instead embed human-centric values into systems and behaviors. She offers practical strategies for aligning culture with business goals and making a compelling case for cultural transformation as a critical driver of success.

About Laura Hamill

Dr. Laura Hamill is an organizational psychologist and business leader, focusing on the intersection of science and HR. Laura is an expert on creating great places to work and is the owner of Paris Phoenix Group, a consulting firm specializing in forming and transforming culture. Previously, Laura worked at Microsoft and was a co-founder of Limeade. Laura is a podcast host at The Happy at Work podcast and has also written a book on organizational culture called The Power of Culture with The Economist. She lives in Woodinville, Washington, with her husband, two children, and golden retriever.

Additional Resources

Web: parisphoenixgroup.com

LinkedIn: @LauraHamill

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About This Episode

Joanne Tombrakos, a Marketing & Business Strategist, Assistant Professor at NYU, and author of Crafting Your Pitch, shares how genuine storytelling and everyday boldness have shaped her career. From her own experience in media sales and marketing, Joanne reveals that true boldness often lies in following your intuition, even when the path is unclear. She emphasizes the power of listening as the foundation of compelling storytelling and highlights why embracing imperfection is more important than ever in an AI-driven world. Tune in for a masterclass in using bold storytelling to connect, communicate, and inspire action.

About Joanne Tombrakos

Joanne Tombrakos is a longtime storyteller with a 25-year career in media sales and marketing, including roles at CBS and Time Warner Cable. Known for closing business through compelling storytelling—not selling—she now works as a Marketing and Business Strategist, Assistant Professor of Marketing at NYU, and host of the Marketing, Mindfulness and Martinis podcast. Joanne is the author of four books, including Crafting Your Pitch: A Storytelling Framework. A recognized expert in personal branding, pitch development, and social media, she believes human connection is at the heart of it all.

Additional Resources

Website: joannetombrakos.com

Instagram: @joannetombrakos

LinkedIn: @JoanneTombrakos

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About This Episode

Dr. Debra Clary shares how her bold journey reveals the transformative power of curiosity in leadership. Drawing on decades of experience at Fortune 50 companies and her own original research, she explores how a lack of curiosity, especially among leaders, undermines engagement and retention, while surprising data shows workers in their 50s and 60s often possess the highest levels of curiosity. Through her four-part curiosity assessment, Debra helps leaders measure and cultivate exploration, openness, focused engagement, and mindful awareness. With practical tools and insights, she challenges leaders to slow down, ask better questions, and connect more deeply, reminding us that curiosity is not about being fearless, but choosing to move forward even when afraid.

About Debra Clary

Dr. Debra Clary is a purpose-driven leader with a compelling message to share. Her enthusiasm lies in inspiring leaders and organizations in achieving business success through the enhancement of strategic alignment, team dynamics, and fostering a culture of curiosity. Bringing a wealth of experience from her roles in operations, strategy, marketing, and people development at prominent companies as Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana, Debra brings incredible business insights. Her dedication is evident in her commitment to working with leaders who aspire to elevate their impact and contribution to their respective organizations. With a doctorate in Leader and Organizational Development, Debra continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations on their journey to success.

Additional Resources

Web: debraclary.com 

LinkedIn: @DrDebraClary

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About This Episode

Bill Burke, founder of the Optimism Institute and former Turner Broadcasting executive, shares his bold journey from high-profile media roles to purpose-driven work centered on optimism and alignment. Drawing on experiences ranging from co-authoring Ted Turner's autobiography to leading a minor league baseball team, Bill explores how true optimism is not blind positivity, but the active belief in a better future paired with a willingness to act. He outlines four pillars of optimism, action, perspective, hope, and resilience, and explains why pessimism fuels apathy while optimism drives meaningful change. Whether navigating personal transitions or global challenges, Bill’s message is clear: each of us has the power to make tomorrow better than today.

About Bill Burke

Bill Burke founded The Optimism Institute in 2022 after an extensive media and sports career as an executive, writer, and producer. Bill served as CEO of The Weather Channel Companies after several years at Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System, where he was the founding general manager of Turner Classic Movies before going on to become president of TBS Superstation. Additionally, for fifteen years he was the co-owner and chairman of the Portland Sea Dogs, the double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. 

As a writer, Bill co-authored Ted Turner’s top-10 New York Times Best-Selling autobiography Call Me Ted and later co-wrote/produced/directed “Live Another Day,” an award-winning feature-length documentary on the bailout of the U.S. auto industry.

Bill is a lifelong optimist (he has to be - he’s a Detroit Lions fan) and launched The Optimism Institute with a mission to inspire people with an optimistic, hopeful vision of the world and its future.

Additional Resources

Web: theoptimisminstitute.com

Instagram: @optimisminstitute

LinkedIn: @BillBurke

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About This Episode

What if the crazy idea is actually the smartest move you could make? Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death, has built a career by leaning into the absurd and flipping conventional logic on its head. From selling $500 cookies to fund a trip that launched his career to redefining creative strategy at one of the fastest-growing beverage brands, Andy sees boldness as spotting opportunity where others see nonsense. In this episode, he shares how his unique approach unlocks unforgettable, viral campaigns and why the riskiest move is playing it safe. We also explore how his philosophy shows up in life beyond work, including his ultramarathon mindset and belief that success comes from taking the first step, not having it all figured out. If you're ready to rethink boldness, risk, and creativity, this is the episode for you.

About Andy Pearson 

Andy Pearson is the VP of Creative at Liquid Death, one of the fastest-growing non-alc beverage brands.  Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to make health and sustainability 50 times more fun. It takes low-calorie beverages and packages them into infinitely recyclable cans that compete with the fun marketing of unhealthy brands across energy drinks, beer, and junk food. Its product lines include mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and more. A portion of Liquid Death’s proceeds goes to nonprofits who are helping fight plastic pollution and further our #deathtoplastic sustainability mission. As part of Liquid Death's evil mission to make the world healthier and more sustainable, Andy helps oversee all creative output from the brand, from its viral video content to social content to merch to experiential events to CRM and more. Prior to his current attempt at global domination, Andy spent 12+ years as an award-winning creative at agencies like CP+B, Deutsch LA, and Humanaut.

Additional Resources

Web: ievenwrotethissickurl.com

Instagram: @ievenshotthis

LinkedIn: @AndyPearson

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About This Episode

What happens when you are the only one like you in the room? In this episode, media and communications expert Angela Chee shares how she turned that experience into her superpower and how you can too. From betting on herself despite uncertainty to landing her dream job in Los Angeles, Angela’s journey is a masterclass in bold decision-making, reframing fear, and creating your own path when others cannot see it. She dives into the five principles from her book The Power of the Only, owning your opportunity, power, voice, communication, and future, while challenging limiting labels like “imposter syndrome.” Whether you are holding back due to perfectionism or struggling with capacity, Angela’s insights offer clarity, compassion, and practical tools to help you protect your energy, own your unique voice, and boldly step into what is next.

About Angela Chee

Angela Chee is a keynote speaker, emcee, media and communication coach, podcast host, and author of The Power Of The Only—Own Your Voice, Thrive In Any Environment. She helps people Own Your Only™ and be YOU, Amplified!®—empowering them to be clear, confident, and connected on-camera and off and step into their full imagined potential. She believes being “The Only” is not a weakness; it is your greatest strength.

A former TV news anchor and reporter with more than 20 years of media experience, Angela has worked with top stations including KCBS-TV and KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, and Fox 6 and KNSD-TV in San Diego. She has hosted shows for networks such as E! Entertainment and HGTV, and helped launch Entertainment Tonight China. She was the media mentor and expert on Lifetime’s The Pop Game, and made a variety of appearances from The Today Show to the film Blades of Glory.

Her speaking career began at age 15, when she became the first Asian American woman to win the title of Miss California National Teenager. Today, Angela emcees events, delivers keynotes, and leads corporate training for companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, Freddie Mac, and more. Her topics include leadership, communication, women’s empowerment, diversity, and media. Through one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and online programs, she helps clients break through barriers, own their voice and power, and step into their leadership.

Additional Resources

Web: AngelaChee.com

Instagram: @AngelaCheeTV

YouTube: @AngelaCheeTV

LinkedIn: @AngelaChee

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About This Episode

Mary Mitchell, Co-CEO of Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, shares how true boldness is not always about charging ahead, but often about the courage to be still and trust your inner wisdom. Mary’s journey reflects bold decisions rooted in alignment with her values. That path brought her to the Girl Scouts, where she has spent 26 years championing girls of courage, confidence, and character by creating safe, empowering spaces where girls can explore, fail, and grow on their own terms. In this episode, Mary invites us to help build supportive communities that foster the bold leaders of tomorrow.

About Mary Mitchell

Mary Mitchell is Co-CEO of Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. She helps lead the organization's work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice (DEIRJ) and holds expertise in community-building, engagement, collaborative practices, and team-oriented design. Mary is a 2017 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellow, a Board member of International Women's Forum-AZ; a member of the AZ Community Foundation, African American Women's Giving and Empowerment Circle; a 2020 Phoenix Mercury Believe in Women Honoree; and a 2020 recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Leadership Award; a graduate of Valley Leadership, Class 26. In 2023, she was honored with a Phoenix Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business Award and the 2023 Building for the Future Specialty Award presented by Achieve. In 2024, she received the Arizona Diversity Council’s Woman of the Year award. Mary was named one of 2024’s Most Influential Women in Arizona by AZ Big Media. In January 2025, she received the Women in American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Additional Resources

LinkedIn: @MaryMitchell

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Content Warning: cancer diagnosis

About This Episode

As Deloitte’s first Chief Wellbeing Officer and founder of The Wellbeing Team, Jen Fisher shares how her journey through burnout and cancer led her to become a global leader in workplace wellbeing. Jen introduces the concept of "wellbeing intelligence" as a vital leadership skill and challenges outdated wellness efforts. She discusses the ins and outs of burnout, how it impacts our wellbeing and how to take actionable steps to prevent and recover. This conversation will inspire you to rethink not just how you work, but how wellbeing is the foundation of true bold, sustainable success.

About Jen Fisher

Jen Fisher is the Founder and CEO of The Wellbeing Team and a globally recognized authority on workplace wellbeing and human sustainability. Once wearing busyness as a badge of honor, Jen experienced burnout—a turning point that inspired her to redefine what success and thriving look like at work. As Deloitte US’s first Chief Wellbeing Officer, she developed a groundbreaking, holistic wellbeing strategy that earned national recognition and reimagined workplace culture. Her personal experience with cancer further deepened her commitment to advancing health and wellbeing as essential elements of organizational success.

Today, Jen is a sought-after advisor to C-suite leaders and a trailblazer of the Wellbeing Intelligence movement. Through her work with WellQ360, she introduces innovative frameworks that align culture, leadership, and team dynamics to drive sustainable value and human-centered growth. She challenges organizations to dismantle systemic barriers and build environments where people naturally thrive. Outside of her work, Jen lives her message—prioritizing health, self-care, and growth—while enjoying life in Miami with her husband, Albert, and their dog, Fiona.

Additional Resources

LinkedIn: @JenFisher

Instagram: @jenfish23

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