In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky sits down with Kimberly Spencer, founder of Crown Yourself and CEO of Communication Queens, for an honest conversation about what founders really need from their Executive Assistants. Kimberly shares her journey from Pilates instructor to screenwriter to entrepreneur, and how hiring her first EA completely changed the way she built and led her business.

You’ll hear Kimberly talk about learning to delegate, understanding your zone of genius, hiring for values rather than skills, and why radical ownership matters on both sides of the EA.founder partnership. She also shares how podcast guesting became a major part of her business strategy and references her book Make Every Podcast Want You.

If you work with a visionary executive or support a founder who moves quickly, this conversation will give you practical insight into their mindset and how you can support them more effectively.

The EA Campus

What do entrepreneurs actually want from their Executive Assistants? In this episode, Nicky speaks with Andrew Chesnutt, CEO of The Authority Forge and a serial entrepreneur who’s built multiple seven-figure businesses, about what separates a good EA from a great one.

Andrew shares a candid look at the realities of working with founders—many of whom are fast-moving, neurodivergent, and juggling multiple priorities. Together, they unpack:

• The real difference between a Virtual Assistant and an Executive Assistant
• Why EAs who move from order taker to consultant quickly become indispensable
• How to build trust and anticipation with entrepreneurs who find it hard to let go
• Why clear communication and understanding neurodiversity are key to a strong partnership
• How EAs can use AI tools and SOPs to translate an entrepreneur’s “brain dump” into structured, actionable workflows

Andrew references the “Radar” character from MASH* as the perfect example of an Assistant who anticipates every need before it’s even voiced—and he’s right. This episode will help you see what it takes to become that kind of strategic partner.

The EA Campus

In The EA Campus EP82, Nicky Christmas dives into one of the most talked-about phrases in the Assistant world - Strategic Business Partner. Is it a genuine evolution of the role, or just a buzzword that’s been stretched too far? In The EA Campus EP82, Nicky unpacks what it really means to be “strategic” as an Executive Assistant, why it’s a mindset rather than a job title, and how to turn that mindset into everyday action.

You’ll hear honest reflections on the disconnect between expectation and recognition, practical advice for working strategically without waiting for permission, and a step-by-step Weekly Operating System to help you align priorities, protect focus, and build influence in your role.

If you’re ready to stop reacting and start leading with purpose, The EA Campus EP82 will help you bridge the gap between support and strategy - and show that being a Strategic Business Partner isn’t about status, it’s about how you show up every week.

The EA Campus

In Ep81 of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas explores how Executive Assistants can take control of their personal brand and rebrand themselves for the next stage of their career.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or ready for more responsibility but unsure how to communicate that growth, this episode is for you. Nicky breaks down a practical process to diagnose your current brand, define the three words you’re known for now, and choose the three words you want next.

This isn’t about buzzwords or personal logos — it’s about building evidence, understanding perception, and showing up intentionally every day.

Listen to Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast to learn how to realign your reputation with your ambitions and start shaping the next chapter of your EA career with clarity and confidence.

Read the full article here 👉 Rebranding Matters for EAs Who Want More

📝 Show Notes

In Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky dives into the art of rebranding yourself as an Executive Assistant. You’ll learn how to build a clear picture of how you’re currently seen, identify the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and take practical steps to shift your professional reputation.

In this episode:

• Why rebranding matters for Executive Assistants who want more
• How to diagnose your current brand with real evidence
• The “three words” exercise to define how others see you today
• Choosing your three future brand words that align with your Executive’s priorities
• How to start living your new brand through small, visible actions
• EA Tip of the Week: Treat your personal brand like a living document

💡 Read more: Rebranding Matters for EAs Who Want More
🎧 Listen now to Ep81: The EA Campus Podcast and start defining your next career chapter with purpose and intention.

The EA Campus

In this inspiring episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas sits down with the brilliant Julia Schmidt, Executive Assistant, author, speaker, and Executive Vice Chair of IMA (International Management Assistants).

Julia shares her remarkable 20-year journey from Brazil to Norway, highlighting the three key decisions that shaped her career: joining a professional community, pursuing a business education to build strategic influence, and becoming a certified Reinvention Practitioner.

Together, Nicky and Julia explore what it means to be an agent of change in a profession that’s constantly evolving. They discuss how Executive Assistants can align personal growth with organisational goals, lead through reinvention, and use feedback as a tool for transformation.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your goals for 2025, boost your confidence, or simply hear from one of the most forward-thinking voices in the EA profession, this conversation is packed with perspective, warmth, and practical advice.

The EA Campus

In today’s episode, I’m joined by William Thomson—our go-to events guru at The EA Campus and a renowned events management expert with 20+ years’ experience. William has delivered multiple masterclasses for our community, and he’s partnering with me to bring The EA Campus Conference to London next April.

We get practical about office socials and team-building: how to turn a vague brief into a clear plan, set the right expectations, budget smartly (without cutting corners that matter), and design inclusive food and drink that keeps everyone happy. William also shares creative, low-cost ideas to spark real connection, the run-sheet details that make or break an event, and how to gather feedback that actually improves the next one.

If you’re an EA juggling events alongside everything else, this conversation will save you time, money, and stress - while helping you deliver socials people genuinely enjoy.

The EA Campus

As Assistants, we’re often told to be the “magic behind the scenes”, quietly making everything happen while others take the credit. However, the truth is that building autonomy around your work and confidently sharing your achievements is essential if you want to grow in your role and be recognized for the value you bring.

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’ll explore how to:

• Create more independence in your role, even when responsibilities aren’t clearly defined
• Set clear goals and objectives that align with your Executive and organisation
• Communicate your achievements without feeling like you’re bragging
• Advocate for yourself with confidence and authenticity

You’ll leave with practical tips to take ownership of your work, gain recognition, and feel proud of the impact you make every single day.

The EA Campus

When your Executive is out of the office, your role doesn’t slow down — it shifts gears. In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas shares practical strategies for managing both sides of the job: supporting your Executive on the road and keeping the office moving in their absence. From setting clear communication rhythms and decision boundaries to running a triage inbox and planning a smooth re-entry, this episode is packed with grounded, tactical advice you can apply straight away.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build trust so you can make confident decisions while your Executive is away
• Operate a sharper, more assertive inbox triage system
• Protect your Executive’s focus during high-stakes trips
• Use tools and templates to handle disruptions and keep things steady
• Plan the first day back so your Executive avoids burnout and stays effective

If you’ve ever been told, “Now the boss is travelling you can put your feet up,” this episode will prove just how wrong that is.

Show Notes

• Free Travel Itinerary Template
   – create seamless, professional itineraries
• Assistant Essentials Online Course
   – master travel management, stakeholder comms, and proactive support
• Upcoming Events
  – September & October highlights:
  • Lead Virtual Summit – 26 September: Build influence and become a strategic partner
  • Community Webinar – 30 September: What Assistants need from their Executives to create a true partnership
  • Calm Under Pressure Masterclass – 10 October: Stay focused and composed in high-stress situations
  • ChatGPT for Executive Assistants Masterclass – 24 October: Prompt smarter, streamline workflows, and use AI securely
  • Strategic Time Management Masterclass – 30 October: Align time with strategy and deliver impact

The EA Campus

In this Q&A, Courtney Salas joins me to unpack what it really takes to succeed as an Executive Assistant in a fast-paced tech startup. From organising constant change to stepping confidently into a strategic partnership, Courtney shares honest stories from life inside a 40-something-person scale-up—where there are no playbooks, just problems to solve and opportunities to grab.

You’ll hear how Courtney:

• Swapped corporate certainty for startup “productive chaos” and found her happy place
• Balances EA fundamentals with high-impact projects (including running a full Series A process)
• Builds confidence to challenge decisions and propose better options
• Hires for grit, curiosity, and bias to action - over years of experience
• Uses AI smartly, including a custom “Joe AI” profile to draft in her executive’s voice
• Streamlines calendars and inboxes with booking links and sensible automation - without losing control

Listen if you’re:
Curious about moving into tech, keen to elevate your remit beyond the “basics,” or ready to use tools and workflows to free up time for genuinely strategic work.

Highlights

• Owning the chaos: why uncertainty can accelerate your growth
• The fine line: keeping the day-to-day tight while driving big outcomes
• Influence in action: weekly prioritisation check-ins that actually work
• Tech stack talk: calendar links, inbox design, and practical AI
• Career mindset: choose leaders who open doors—and remember “everything is figureoutable”

Tools and Resources: 

• Google Calendar – daily scheduling, advanced setup for blocking priorities and tasks
• Calendly – as another option for sharing availability
• ChatGPT – used daily to draft, edit, and research
• Slack – team communications, used as a source for training the AI

Resources & next steps
If you’re working towards a strategic partnership, explore our Strategic Business Partner course and check what’s coming up on The EA Campus events calendar. You’ll find masterclasses, summits, and community sessions designed to support you at every stage.

Enjoy the episode, and if it resonates, share it with an EA who’s ready for their next leap.

The EA Campus

In this episode, I’m joined by Microsoft Office maestro Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA. Shelley has spent decades training assistants to get brilliant results with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and now, of course, Microsoft Copilot. We dig into what’s genuinely useful right now, what’s coming next, and how EAs can lead the conversation on AI without losing sight of the fundamentals.

Shelley shares how she uses Copilot daily (from redrafting tricky emails to prioritising the inbox and summarising meetings), why core skills like slide masters and brand-safe templates still matter, and how to make the most of lesser-known gems across Microsoft 365. We also talk mindset—staying curious, learning out loud, and saying “yes” then figuring it out—plus the big question: Will AI replace EAs? (Short answer: no. Nuance, judgment, and calendar strategy still need a human.)

What you’ll learn:

• Practical ways EAs can use Copilot today in Outlook, Teams, Word and beyond
• Why knowing the basics (formatting, slide masters, rules/quick steps) saves hours every week
• How to make a case for Copilot licences—and the security benefits of using it inside your tenant
• Mindset shifts to keep pace with fast-moving tech (without chasing every shiny thing)
• Where Microsoft 365 is quietly evolving—and the features most assistants overlook

Tools, features & terms mentioned:

• Microsoft Copilot across Outlook, Word, Teams (meeting summaries), and forthcoming Excel capabilities (including =COPILOT)
• Outlook: Quick Steps, Rules, prioritising the inbox
• PowerPoint: Slide Master, custom layouts, brand-safe decks
• Microsoft Loop (pages & live components), Copilot Pages
• Microsoft Sway (lightweight, web-style internal newsletters)
• Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Lists, Microsoft Bookings
• Security/Tenant awareness (enterprise data protection vs. pasting data into public AI tools)
• Other AI tools touched on: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity

Perfect for: Executive Assistants who want clear, real-world ways to work smarter with Microsoft 365 and lead on AI - without the hype.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on The EA Campus website.

The EA Campus