In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker is joined by Dr. James Chitwood, Army veteran, organizational performance consultant, and author of Leadership Is Not Enough, for an insightful conversation about what really drives long-term business success. Drawing on decades of experience in the military, higher education, and consulting, James explains why sustainable growth depends less on heroic leadership and more on building strong systems, clear communication, and a culture of shared ownership.

Together, they explore the foundations of performance culture, the role of accountability and recognition in creating engaged teams, and why many organizations struggle when they focus on leadership while overlooking operational structure. James also shares practical advice on improving internal communication, creating scalable workflows, and helping employees connect their personal goals with the mission of the organization.

The conversation also dives into the evolving role of technology and AI in modern businesses, covering everything from digital note-taking and workflow automation to the opportunities and challenges AI presents for leaders and teams. Whether you're a founder, manager, or entrepreneur looking to build a business that can grow beyond you, this episode offers valuable insights into creating systems that support both people and performance.

Connect with James: 

Website: https://www.leadershipisnotenough.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjchitwood/ 

In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker sits down with business strategist and cognitive leadership specialist London Wolfe for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, communication, and building businesses that work with people instead of against them. Drawing from a background that spans education, coaching, and digital strategy, London shares how understanding the way people think, process information, and manage their energy can help reduce burnout, improve teamwork, and create healthier workplaces.

Together, they explore topics like cognitive leadership, neurodiversity in the workplace, sustainable performance, and the hidden causes of overwhelm that many founders and leaders face. London also discusses how technology and AI can be powerful tools when used intentionally, while highlighting the importance of balancing innovation with human connection.

Whether you're leading a team, running your own business, or simply looking for a better way to work without burning out, this episode offers practical insights on creating systems, setting boundaries, and embracing a more people-centered approach to success.

 And if you enjoy the episode, don't forget to follow, rate, and share Cyber Savvy Woman with someone who could use a little more clarity and a little less chaos in their workday.

In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker sits down with Ben Barry, Chief Operating Officer of Moradi Neufer, a California-based family law firm, to discuss how growing organizations can make smarter technology decisions without getting distracted by the latest trends.

Ben shares lessons from his career in global organizations and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, operations, and technology in a fast-growing law firm. The conversation explores the importance of protecting sensitive client data, building a security-conscious culture, evaluating AI tools responsibly, and why strong systems matter more than flashy software.

Rachele and Ben also discuss the challenges of technology adoption, change management, vendor selection, and how business leaders can avoid costly mistakes when implementing new tools. Ben offers practical advice for organizations feeling overwhelmed by cybersecurity concerns, AI solutions, and endless vendor pitches.

Whether you're a business owner, operations leader, or simply interested in how technology can support growth without creating chaos, this episode provides valuable insights on building secure, efficient, and people-focused systems.

Connect with Ben Barry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-barry-133bb8/

Learn more about Moradi Neufer:

In this episode of The Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker sits down with Mira Musank, sustainable fashion community builder, textile upcycling artist, and founder of FaFaFoom Studio and Rethink the Runway.

Mira shares her inspiring journey from a career in corporate fintech to building a purpose-driven life centered around sustainability, creativity, and community. She discusses how a passion for textile upcycling grew into a mission to challenge overconsumption, promote circular fashion, and create meaningful connections through art and climate action.

Rachele and Mira explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenges of building a career in a niche industry, and why community support is essential for long-term success. They also discuss sustainable fashion misconceptions, the value of craftsmanship, and how technology continues to play an important role in Mira's work.

Whether you're interested in sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, or career reinvention, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact.

Connect with Mira on

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman podcast, Rachele Schainker is joined by Bernadette Jones, CEO of Vision Nova HR Consulting, to talk about workplace culture, HR strategy, AI policies, leadership, and the growing connection between HR and cybersecurity.

Bernadette shares how supporting her family business led her into HR consulting and explains why people strategy is so important for small and mid-size businesses. The conversation covers common HR mistakes founders make, how poor workplace culture can create bigger risks, why HR and IT teams need to work together, and how businesses can safely approach AI in the workplace.

Rachele and Bernadette also discuss shadow AI, employee access risks, password management, leadership habits, respectful workplace culture, and the importance of handling performance issues early before they become larger problems.

This episode is full of practical insights for founders, business owners, HR professionals, and people managers looking to build stronger and safer workplaces.

Connect with Bernadette Jones:

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share the podcast with another woman leader or business owner.

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman podcast, Aaron Welch joins Rachele Schainker to talk about AI, automation, remote work, and how business owners can use modern tools without feeling overwhelmed.

Aaron Welch shares his journey from the early days of dial-up internet to building successful digital marketing businesses

Aaron and Rachele Schainker discuss how business owners can use AI and automation in practical ways without feeling overwhelmed. They talk about remote work, digital marketing, productivity tools, prompt writing, and the importance of using technology to save time and work smarter. Aaron also shares real examples of how AI has helped him improve workflows, manage clients, and stay focused on business goals.

If you’re curious about AI but don’t know where to start, this episode is full, this conversation is full of honest insights, simple advice, and real-world examples for business owners who want to understand AI without all the hype.

Connect with Aaron Welch on

Website: https://lift-digital.net

Book a Call: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/AcZssZ2Vp3Jh9wRiMzqmA2EpySO87ak6nJzWO9P6leg=

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker talks with Alexandra Martinez-Villarroel about leadership, AI, hiring, and building strong workplace cultures.

Alexandra shares her journey from Chile to the Bay Area and how her experience in HR, consulting, and business helped shape her passion for helping small and mid-sized businesses grow. She also talks about what it was like starting her own company and why community and support are so important for women entrepreneurs.

Together, Rachele and Alexandra discuss how AI can support businesses without replacing the human side of work. They talk about hiring the right people, reducing bias in the workplace, building trust with employees, and why managers play such an important role in company culture.

This episode also explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, creating healthy work environments, and how business owners can use technology in a smarter and more human way. Alexandra shares practical advice for leaders who want to grow their teams while keeping communication, trust, and emotional intelligence at the center.

You’ll also hear their thoughts on cybersecurity habits, workplace communication, and how companies can make employees feel safe and supported during times of change.

Connect with Alexandra Martinez-Villarroel and learn more about her work:

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the Cyber Savvy Woman for more conversations about leadership, technology, AI, cybersecurity, and women in business.

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Brian Gelt, founder of Peoplelytics and certified partner with Predictive Index, for a practical conversation about hiring, leadership, behavioral data, and building stronger teams in today’s workplace.

Rachele and Brian explore how understanding human behavior can help organizations make smarter hiring decisions, improve communication, reduce bias, and create healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from decades of leadership experience in the automotive retail industry, Brian shares how people-centered leadership principles apply across every industry, regardless of company size.

The conversation dives into the realities of leadership, hiring mistakes, employee burnout, retention challenges, and why companies often promote high performers into management roles without giving them the right tools to succeed. Brian also explains how Predictive Index helps organizations better understand behavioral alignment, leadership styles, team dynamics, and long-term employee development.

Rachele and Brian also discuss the role of AI in hiring and workforce development, the importance of clean data and cybersecurity habits, and how leaders can balance empathy with accountability while building resilient teams.

The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire conversation covering password managers, multi-factor authentication, phishing emails, cyber hygiene, and simple habits business leaders should take more seriously in an increasingly digital world.

Brian also offers listeners access to his Hiring Blueprint for anyone interested in learning more about building stronger hiring and leadership strategies.

Connect with Brian Gelt and learn more about 

Peoplelytics: https://www.peoplytix.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-gelt-791a26116/

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the Cyber Savvy Woman podcast.

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Jen Seregos, founder of Athena Digital, for a thoughtful conversation about AI, leadership, marketing, and the future of work. Rachele and Jen explore how curiosity can become one of the most valuable leadership skills in a rapidly changing digital world, and why business owners need to approach AI with both excitement and responsibility.

Jen shares how experimenting with AI transformed the way Athena Digital operates, helping streamline workflows, creating more flexibility, and opening new opportunities for growth. The conversation dives into the ethical side of AI, including bias in large language models, responsible AI use in organizations, data privacy concerns, and why businesses can no longer afford to ignore the role AI is playing in everyday operations.

Rachele and Jen also discuss how AI can reflect the strengths and weaknesses inside organizations, the growing importance of AI literacy, the human skills that will matter most in an automated future, and the security risks business owners should take more seriously. They explore protecting business data, using AI safely, and how leaders can guide their teams through change with more confidence and clarity.

The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire conversation covering password managers, phishing emails, VPNs, cybersecurity habits, and practical ways businesses can better protect themselves in today’s digital landscape.

Stay connected with Jen Seregos and learn more about her work with AI, marketing, and business growth at jenseregos.ai

You can also connect with Jen on Instagram @jenseregos and on

LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jenseregos. 

In this episode of Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Edith Sumaquial, founder of The Kulay Collective, to talk about how organizations can simplify their technology and use AI in a practical, intentional way. We explore her journey from journalism to corporate roles, and how that experience shaped her passion for connecting teams, breaking down silos, and turning complex systems into clear, workable processes.

Edith shares how The Kulay Collective supports startups and nonprofits by improving workflows, clarifying strategy, and helping teams get real value from the tools they already use. We talk about leadership, innovation, experimentation, and why technology should support people,  not overwhelm them. She also explains how she uses AI for research and strategy, and why testing, learning, and staying open to change is so important in today’s fast-moving world.

This conversation is about efficiency, collaboration, empathy in tech, and building smarter systems that help organizations focus on their mission.

To connect with Edith and learn more about her work, visit https://kulaycollective.com and find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-sumaquial-11318911/